July 11, 2008

Thursday, July 17 - City Council Concerned About Seeing Wind Turbines

OCEAN CITY - Visibility was the top concern amongst Mayor and City Council members this week, as they heard the latest updates on the potential offshore wind farm off the coast of Ocean City. Bluewater Wind came before the Mayor and Council this week in an effort to keep the community updated on the potential offshore wind park, one they hope will come to fruition no later than 2013. 'I really believe that it's time to support projects like this. We need to take a good hard look at renewable...READ MORE

Wednesday, July 16 - Local Woman Dies On Boat Off New Jersey

OCEAN CITY - A well-known local woman lost her life last Friday in a mysterious accident aboard a boat in the Delaware Bay. According to The Press of Atlantic City, Elizabeth Garliss, 39, was aboard the Soggy Dollar, a 52-foot cabin cruiser, when she apparently slipped and hit her head at 2:52 p.m. The U.S. Coast Guard reportedly received a call from a man, believed to be a relative, who said Garliss had a weak pulse and was not breathing. A release from the Coast Guard indicated crews arrived...READ MORE

Good Samaritans Rush To Scene To Aid Injured Boaters

OCEAN CITY - Early morning dense fog compounded search and rescue efforts last Sunday after a boat collided with the Route 90 bridge sending its 10 occupants into the water with a wide variety of injuries. Ocean City Police Captain Kevin Kirstein, who is also a volunteer fireman, was off-duty and home in bed around 1 a.m. last Sunday morning when his fire department pager went off, signaling a boat accident in the Assawoman Bay at the Route 90 bridge with several victims in the water. Kirstein...READ MORE

Nearly Stabbed Security Guard

OCEAN CITY - A Pennsylvania man was arrested on first-degree assault and other charges this week after arguing with a security guard at a north-end condominium, banging on a window causing it to break, and then picking up a large shard of the broken glass and attempting to stab the guard with it. Around 3:30 a.m. last Sunday, an OCPD officer responded to the Golden Sands condominium near 109th Street for a reported malicious destruction of property. Upon arrival, police encountered a man sitting...READ MORE

Live Bands and DJs

707 Sports Bar & Grille: 410-213-9507, 12702 Old Bridge Rd. West Ocean City; Friday, July 11:Loud Love; Every Saturday: Karaoke with Hey Mick. Assateague Island Oasis: 410-629-1492, Rt. 611; Entertainment Friday & Saturday, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Blue Ox/Babe's: 410-250-6440, 127th St., Coastal Hwy.; Friday, July 11: Nate Clendenen; Saturday, July 12: Don Bellew; Every Thursday: Bill Morningstar. Buxy's Salty Dog: 410-289-0973, 28th St. & Coastal Hwy.; Friday, July 11: DJ Wood; Saturday,...READ MORE

Thoughts From The Publishers Desk

There are many times when you live in a resort town you have to be understanding, patient and put yourself in a tourist's mindset. If you live here, you know what I mean. That's why you understand the right-hand lane, next to the bus lane, is always stacked with vehicles on a summer days, while the other two lanes sit empty for the most part. It doesn't make any sense, but it's just the way it is and locals know to avoid that lane until you need to turn. Along those lines, it was interesting to...READ MORE

School Reserve Fund Needed, Not Bad Blood

The friction between the Worcester County Board of Education and County Commissioners over a fiscal year 2008 financial overrun has led to the school system creating a contingency fund. Several commissioners scolded school board officials, notably Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jon Andes, last month after they were informed about more than $385,000 in overruns that needed to be funded for the school board to end the year with a balanced budget, a matter of law in Maryland. According to state...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

Rental Overcrowding Needs Examination Editor: It is so good to hear that Ocean City officials are finally going to look into the number of persons who rent a single family residence in the residental parts of Ocean City. For too many years, one person rents a house and fills it with untold numbers of renters. My hat is off to OC, if they finally do something about this. If they don't act, many of these areas will become slums in the future. Joseph M Marx Sr. Ocean City Editor: We live in a...READ MORE

94th Street north-Fenwick

Big Tuna Grill 128th Street & Coastal Highway, 410-250-1001 , www.bigtunaOC.com A locals' and vacationers' favorite alike. Experience culinary delights as well as a visual excursion, dining among authentic nautical artifacts of old ships. Choose an array of entrees from fresh seafood to char-grilled steaks. Enjoy some drinks on our 50 ft. bar while watching our plasma TVs. Billy's Sub Shop 120th Street, Bayside (Food Lion Shopping Center) , 410-250-1776 Between 139th & 140th Streets,...READ MORE

Inlet To 94th Street

Angelo's Italian Cuisine 33rd Street & Coastal Highway , 410-524-2855 The Russo family proudly presents, Angelo's Italian Cuisine, the latest venture in a long line of Italian restauants and pizzarias owned by the family in Baltimore, Salisbury and Ocean City. Our authentic Italian cuisine is prepared by a top New York chef and presented in a classically decorated setting. Smoking allowed in our cocktail lounge with special drink prices 4-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Open Tuesday-Saturday at 4...READ MORE

West Ocean City-Berlin-Ocean Pines

Assateague Island Oasis Rte. 611, West Ocean City , 410-629-1492 Enjoy a delicious meal, refreshing drinks, and the peace and quiet that once was. Weekly live entertainment and Happy Hour daily from 3-7 p.m. Just relax! Boomers Restaurant 525 South Main Street, Berlin , 410-629-0001 Conveniently located on Rte. 113 at the southern entrance to Berlin, Boomers Restaurant has re-opened after a complete renovation. Full service dining, self-service eat-in or carry-out. Food cooked to order. Fried...READ MORE

Ocean City

OCEAN CITY The Meridian Daily 10-4 Oceanfront Residences New Construction Dan Clayland Coldwell Banker 410-520-0072 OCEAN CITY Bella Vista Daily 10-4 3BR Bayside Condos Coldwell Banker 410-723-1000 OCEAN CITY Emerson Towers Fri-Sun 10-4 3BR/3BA Bayfront End of Wicomico St Terry Looney Century 21 410-726-7689 OCEAN CITY Bahia Vista 10th St. Bayside Mon-Fri 11-3 3&4BR Condos Dan Clayland Coldwell Banker 410-524-6111 OCEAN CITY Bel Mare Somerset Street Daily 11-3 3BR/2BA New Const. Skip...READ MORE

West Ocean City - Ocean Pines - Berlin - MD - VA

WEST OCEAN CITY Sailor's Watch Golf Course Road Sat & Sun 10-4 New 3BR, 3.5BA Luxury Townhouses Coldwell Banker VIRGINIA 4627 Coulbourne Mill Rd Sat 10-4 3BR/2BA Cozy Rancher Tamera Myers Coldwell Banker Eastern Shore 800-258-5843 VIRGINIA Captains Corridor Daily 9-5 Canalfront, Golf Course & Interior Homes George Ann Way Coldwell Banker Eastern Shore 800-258-5843 OCEAN PINES Points Reach #2208 Sat & Sun 11-3 3BR Bayview Condo Patty Cummings Remax Premier...READ MORE

A Look At Who Was Out On The Town This Week

Weekly pictures from the restaurant and bar scene around the Ocean City area.  ...READ MORE

People Joining Together For Community Causes

See who was out helping causes in the Ocean City area. ...READ MORE

Agency Reports New Ad Campaign Achieved Goal

OCEAN CITY -The 'end of the world' campaign was a success, said advertising agency MGH last week, reporting that the unique ad campaign succeeded in achieving its intended goal, catching people's attention. Ocean City and advertising firm MGH rolled out the red carpet on the most recent ad campaign last month, presenting a new twist on reaching potential vacationers in an effort to draw tourists to the resort in an increasingly difficult economic time. The 'end of the world' approach focused on...READ MORE

County Needs More Walking, Biking Opportunities

SNOW HILL - Bicycle and pedestrian travel must become priorities for Worcester County, according to a draft of the North Worcester County Transportation Study presented to the Worcester County Planning Commission last week. The county must also ensure planned improvements are carried out to ensure that levels of service at several major intersections do not simply breakdown by 2030. As the north end of the county continues to develop, planners must evaluate the suitability of existing roads as...READ MORE

Friday, July 11 - Golf Course Hoping To Add Seasonal Campground

SNOW HILL - A golf course in northwest Worcester County will become a campground and family recreation spot if all approvals go well, project developers told the Worcester County Planning Commission last week. Deer Run Golf Course plans to add seasonal cabin camping and extensive sports recreation facilities. 'We really don't have a family recreation area other than the Ys and that sort of thing,' said project land planner Larry Whitlock. Local gyms do not offer activities or facilities for...READ MORE

Friday, July 11 - Officers Injured In OC Brawl

OCEAN CITY - A major riot involving hundreds at a downtown underage nightclub on the Fourth of July provided fireworks of a different sort as 15 arrests were made and three Ocean City police officers were injured in a fight attributed to gang activity. Around 9:20 p.m. last Friday, as thousands of vacationers and residents scrambled to safety from a severe storm after the fireworks display downtown concluded, OCPD officers responded to the H20 underage nightclub on Worcester Street for a...READ MORE

Area Businesses Hope To Sustain Holiday Momentum

OCEAN CITY - The crowds certainly poured into town this past holiday weekend, filling the beach, hotels and restaurants, but whether the banner weekend is a forecast for the rest of the season remains to be seen. The Fourth of July fell on a Friday this year, raising hopes in the resort for a banner holiday weekend. Having the holiday fall on a Friday meant an extra day of vacation time for tourists and an extra day of business for the resort. Several resort officials and business owners...READ MORE

Suspect Wanted For Sexual Assault On Beach

OCEAN CITY - Ocean City police this week are looking for a man who allegedly sexually assaulted a young woman on the beach near 109th Street early last Friday morning. The 19-year-old Salisbury woman was collecting shells on the beach near 109th Street around 5:30 a.m. last Friday morning when an unidentified man grabbed her from behind and threw her to the ground. The suspect, who was reportedly much larger than the victim, then sat on her chest, forced her mouth open with his hands and...READ MORE

County Opposed To Performance-Based Teacher Pay

OCEAN CITY - Some Maryland schools may be moving in the direction of performance based pay for teachers, but Worcester County will not be moving in that direction any time soon, reported officials this week. 'At this time, our school system has no immediate plans to move to a pay-for-performance system,' said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jon Andes this week. Performance based or merit pay has been a long debated issue amongst local governments, teacher's unions, schools and parents. The basis...READ MORE

Judge Throws Out Lawsuit Against Berlin

SNOW HILL - A Worcester County Circuit Court judge on Wednesday formally dismissed the civil suit filed against the town of Berlin and the late Mayor Tom Cardinale by former Finance Director Ron Bireley, who was abruptly fired in January 2005 amid controversy and veiled hints of missing funds. On May 30, Worcester County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Groton entertained a motion to dismiss the suit filed by the defendants in the case, the town of Berlin and Cardinale, but withheld his judgment at...READ MORE

Letter Seeks Apology From Commissioner

NEWARK - Despite harsh accusations made in a letter of reproach from the Worcester County Board of Education, Commission President Virgil Shockley said this week that he would disregard the letter and look to the future. While Shockley saw an early draft of the letter, 'the final draft I didn't pay attention to,' he said. Shockley believes that the letter was written in anger and probably should not have been sent. 'They were blowing off steam,' said Shockley. Board of Education member Jonathan...READ MORE

County's Methane-Powered Electric Plant Opens

NEWARK - Decomposing trash at the Worcester County landfill will now provide electricity, instead of just taking up space, with the opening of a new methane-powered electric plant. The plant, owned and operated by Curtis Engineering of Baltimore in partnership with Worcester County, will generate three kilowatts of electricity when all three engines come on line in the next year. 'That's enough to power 2,700 homes, about the size of Snow Hill,' said Al Grimes, president of Curtis Engineering....READ MORE

Hotel Retaliation Suit Settled

OCEAN CITY - A federal lawsuit filed last year against the former owner and management company of a resort motel over illegal employee hiring and dismissal practices was settled this week with the defendant paying restitution to the plaintiff and agreeing to amend their policies. The federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed suit in U.S. District Court last September against Spa Motel General Partnership, which formerly owned and operated the Best Western Ocean City Hotel and...READ MORE

Majority Of Proposed Development Set As Open Space

SNOW HILL - A small development in Bishopville bordering the St. Martin River will keep two-thirds of its land as open space with the majority of lots inside the Critical Area.        The 15-lot cluster subdivision, to be developed by prominent Worcester County developer Jack Burbage, sits on 242 acres off Salt Grass Point Rd. Ten of the lots fall within the Critical Area. The project will be taken before the Maryland Critical Area Commission to ask for a...READ MORE

New Bishop Named For Region

WILMINGTON, Del. - The Holy See announced this week that the Most Reverend W. Francis Malooly, D.D. has been appointed the new bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington. He succeeds the Most Reverend Michael A. Saltarelli, D.D., who has served as the eighth bishop of the diocese since 1996. In keeping with canon law, Saltarelli offered his resignation when he turned 75 years of age. 'I want to publicly acknowledge how happy I am to come to the diocese where my good friend, Bishop Saltarelli,...READ MORE

Priority List Eyed For New West OC Sewer Service Area

SNOW HILL - A sewer capacity free-for-all could result from new EDUs added to the well-populated and in demand Mystic Harbor sewer service area, county planning officials fear. The Mystic Harbor Wastewater Plant has deteriorated since its construction in 1974 and must be replaced, adding 667 EDUs, Worcester County has concluded. The Worcester County Planning Commission expressed concern last week that the additional EDUs would be snapped up by new development, rather than existing businesses and...READ MORE

Residents Seek To Retain Street End's Natural Look

OCEAN CITY - Emergency access and extra parking were pitted against the desires of local residents this week, as the fate of the 144th Street street end was debated before the Mayor and City Council. Several residents attended the regular session of the Mayor and City Council this week, in an effort to have their voices heard regarding the potential street extension of 144th Street. 'I'm really here to represent my community tonight,' began designated spokesman and 144th Street resident Bret...READ MORE

Summer, Fall Ad Blitz Important For Ocean City

OCEAN CITY - Resort officials are looking to change their advertising trends this summer by increasing their efforts to get the word out on Ocean City deals and informing potential vacationers well through August about the resort offerings. At a Tourism Commission meeting last week, members came together to review current advertising plans and goals for the remaining summer season, agreeing that unique steps need to be taken during the uncertain economic times. MGH Advertising and Ocean City...READ MORE

Suspect Linked To Beating Gets Year In Unrelated Case

SNOW HILL - An Ocean City man who just last week had the charges dropped against him for his alleged part in the beating death of a Berlin teenager in May pleaded guilty this week to conspiracy to commit theft for an unrelated case dating back to last year and was sentenced to one year in jail. Eric Ronald Hewitt, 19, of Ocean City, appeared in Circuit Court in Snow Hill on Tuesday to face a wide variety of charges related to the break-in of a north Ocean City residence last May. Hewitt pleaded...READ MORE

Two Ocean City Buildings Damaged In Strange Accidents

OCEAN CITY - It was a tough week for a couple buildings in Ocean City as two were severely damaged after being struck by vehicles in separate incidents over the weekend. It started last Friday, the Fourth of July, when volunteer firefighters were forced out of their station on 130th Street after a vehicle slammed into the south wall of the building. According to fire department officials, the driver had parked her vehicle in an area just south of the fire station at Montego Bay, and when she...READ MORE

Va. Man Phones In Bomb Threat To Evade Court

SNOW HILL - A Virginia man is being held in Worcester County Jail on false statement-destructive device and arson threat charges after threatening to drive a truck full of explosives into the county government building in Snow Hill to avoid a scheduled court date last week. Last Tuesday, July 1, the Worcester County Circuit Court received a letter stating an elite special forces unit from Saudi Arabia was going to drive a truck full of C-4 explosives into a government building. The letter stated...READ MORE

WOC Shopping Center Eyes Expansion

SNOW HILL - The Seaside Village shopping center in West Ocean City will gain a second building to join the Applebee's restaurant currently on site, but no businesses have definitely committed to moving in there.  'We don't have any hard commitments from anyone,' said developer Todd Burbage of Blue Water Development Corp. There has been some interest in the building from national chains, including a national retailer that has signed a notice of intent, but has not committed to leasing...READ MORE

My Thoughts

A fan dropped another of one of these so-called expert lists in the mail to the old guy after last week's take on the top movies of all times. This list, courtesy of TV Guide, ranks the top TV shows of all time. Insider, being an expert on all things, particularly TV, took note, and in many cases exception. Here were the top 10: 1.    Seinfeld 2.    I Love Lucy 3.    The Honeymooners 4.    All in the Family 5.    The...READ MORE

Family Strives For Quality At Reasonable Prices

Venus Nails and Spa, just one mile north of Ocean City, boasts great prices, great people and a great atmosphere, offering something for everyone from deep tissue massages to manicures and pedicures. Venus Nails, located on Route 1 in Fenwick, has been serving the resort area for nearly 12 years. Owner Adam Kesbe sat down with The Dispatch this week to discuss the ins and outs of their family-run business. 'We both were in nursing school when we met and she introduced me to the business - we've...READ MORE

A Week In Business

Model Opening Event Set In Bethany Beach BETHANY BEACH, Del. - Sunset Harbour at Bethany Beach, located on White's Creek, is holding a special Model Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday, July 12 from 4-8 p.m. 'Those who attend will enjoy a Caribbean Cookout and the entertainment will include the soothing sounds of Calypso Music,' developer Caldera Communities Vice President Mark McGreevy said. 'The new furnished model and clubhouse will be open and boat tours of the property will make for an...READ MORE

We Remember Those Who Have Passed

Betty Ann Gordy BERLIN - Betty Ann Gordy, age 70, died Wednesday, July 2, 2008 at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin. She was the daughter of the late Archie Bishop and Pearl Massey Bishop. Gordy was a member of Friendship United Methodist Church in Berlin. She enjoyed gardening and crocheting and loved puzzles. She also loved her cat Missy. She is survived by her husband, Robert Gordy; a son, Richard C. Lynch and his wife Yvonne of Knoxville, Tenn.; two daughters, Nancy Carey and her husband...READ MORE

21st Ocean City Tuna Tournament Underway Off Coast

OCEAN CITY- The 21st Annual Ocean City Tuna Tournament got underway this morning when hundreds of boats and thousands of anglers chugged out to the canyons off the coast for the first of three official fishing days. Tuna of all shapes, sizes and species have arrived in the waters off Ocean City in the last few weeks, jumpstarting the summer offshore season and setting the tone for what could be a memorable tournament. The event got underway yesterday with a captain's meeting and late...READ MORE

Berlin All-Stars Take Two Titles

BERLIN- The Berlin Little League pitching machine All-Stars have been tearing up the competition in recent weeks, bringing home first-place trophies in two consecutive tournaments on the road. On June 21-22 at Willards, the Berlin All-Stars defeated top-seeded West Salisbury in back-to-back games to win the first-place trophy. After dropping an early contest in the tournament, the Berlin All-Stars ran off five straight wins to reach West Salisbury, which they defeated two times in a row to...READ MORE

Steve Fell Soccer Camp Returning Next Month

BERLIN- Former Stephen Decatur soccer standout Steve Fell, who excelled in college and on the professional level, returns to his roots next month when he hosts a soccer camp at the Northern Worcester Athletic Complex (NWAC) for young players in the area. Fell, one of the most decorated scholar-athletes ever at Decatur, hosted his first summer soccer camp for young boys and girls two years ago at the NWAC in Berlin and returns this August for his third year. Fell, accompanied by other talented...READ MORE

Sammy Golf Tourney Set for August 1

OCEAN CITY- The Sammy Wilkinson Memorial Golf Tournament, an annual fundraiser held in honor of a young Ocean City boy who tragically died after falling through the ice at Northside Park several years ago, is set for August 1 at the Newport Bay course of the Ocean City Golf Club in South Point. Very many positive things have come out of Sammy's tragic death several years ago including the creation of a foundation in his name which is helping underprivileged children in poverty-stricken areas all...READ MORE

The Ocean City Marlin Club's 26th Annual Canyon Kick-Off

The Ocean City Marlin Club's 26th Annual Canyon Kick-Off tournament held over the Fourth of July weekend was a big hit with several nice fish caught in every category. Pictured, angler Raquel Hightower, fishing aboard the 'Tuna Bite' took the event's top cash prize with this 105-pound bluefin tuna worth $6,750. Also pictured, the crew aboard the 'Playmate' enjoyed a great tournament as well with the third-place yellowfin tuna, a 59-pounder worth $1,104, and the third-place dolphin, a 25-pounder...READ MORE

Investing In Human Potential

BERLIN - Microfinancing is more than an investing buzzword. With more than $33 billion in total assets,2 microfinance institutions (MFI) have become a potent force worldwide. MFIs are also creating an emerging asset class of microfinance investment vehicles such as certificates of deposit from community development banks, equity and debt funds, or loans to MFIs. To be sure, microfinance has been around since the Marshall Plan, but it received renewed attention in the mid-1970s through the...READ MORE

The Franklin Burroughs Golf Scholarship Fund

The Franklin Burroughs Golf Scholarship Fund has been established in his name. Burroughs was the owner of One-time Plumbing in Berlin for over 25 years. Presenting the scholarship award for Freda and Franklin Burroughs was Al 'Hondo' Handy, pictured above with Berlin Intermediate School Principal Dr. John Gaddis, Susan Johnson, Paul Carlotta, Mia Carlotta, Lisa Carlotta and David A. Richardson, Jr. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

Community Fair at the Parke Yields Diakonia Donation

Diakonia Executive Director Claudia Nagle, right, accepts a check from The Parke at Ocean Pines Clubhouse Coordinator Jo Ann Pessagno, center, as resident and volunteer, Mary Stevens, left, looks on. The donation came from the Community Fair at the Parke, which was designed to inform the community about the advisory committees to the board of the Parke. Each committee set up a table with information pertaining to their function. Each paid for a table with the check made out to Diakonia. ...READ MORE

Ocean City/Berlin Rotary Club 2nd Annual Flea Market

Ocean City/Berlin Rotary Club President Stan Kahn, left, and Flea Market Chairman Doris Taylor, right, are pictured with members from left, John Grim III, and Dave Taylor before the 2nd Annual Flea Market held at the Harley Davidson Shop in West Ocean City. All proceeds go to the Ocean City/Berlin Rotary Club Scholarship Fund. ...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): Your persistence pays off as the information you demanded starts to come through. The pace is slow at first, but it begins to speed up as the week draws to a close. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): An unwelcome bit of news jolts the Bovine, who would prefer that things proceed smoothly. But it's at most a momentary setback. A Leo brings more welcome tidings. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): You need to pay close attention to the details before making a commitment. Don't...READ MORE

Things I Like

Grandparents who like to baby sit Napping in the pool on a summer afternoon A swing under a tree Watching fireworks on a beach The first bit of caffeine each morning How my wife looks at our baby Leaving Sam's Cub with a carload Watching the US Olympic swimming trials The Nadal-Federer tennis rivalry Summer breezes on a beach Getting to know a new cell phone ...READ MORE

Diving Into The Area's Cultural Activities

An inside look at the regional arts scene through photographs.  ...READ MORE