August 8, 2008

Thursday, August 14 - Ocean City Recognized For Affordability

OCEAN CITY - The Town of Ocean City has been named one of the top 10 "East Coast Family Vacations under $250" by AOL Travel. Ocean City made the list due to the combination of affordable dining, lodging, attractions and entertainment, making it possible for a family of four to enjoy Ocean City, for less than $250 a day. Ocean City was the only beach town to make the list. Other destinations named included Bedford, Pa., Mt. Washington, N.H., Finger Lakes Region, N.Y., Dawsonville, Ga.,...READ MORE

Wednesday, August 13 - OC's Online Room Reservations Up

OCEAN CITY - The Tourism Commission painted a rosier picture regarding hotel reservations last week, concluding that while this summer season is far from being a banner year, tourism is maintaining a status quo. 'System-wide, reservations are up, length of stay is down,' said John Gehrig, president of D3 Corp, reporting on the town's central online reservation system. Ocean City's online hotel reservation center, controlled by D3 Corp, is just one option for online hotel bookings. The...READ MORE

Tuesday, August 12 - Tix On Sale For Coastal Bays Benefit

OCEAN CITY - This year's annual 'Benefit the Bays Day' at Jolly Roger will be held Sunday, Aug. 17, at Jolly Roger Amusement Park on 30th St. and Coastal Highway. Benefit the Bays offers discounted entry to Splash Mountain water park (10 a.m.-7 p.m.) and to Jolly Roger's two mini-golf courses (10 a.m.-6 p.m.) and amusement rides (2-6 p.m.). Play all day for just $30 per ticket - a huge savings off the park price. Or save even more with four or more tickets at only $25 each. 'What a great way...READ MORE

Thoughts From The Publishers Desk

The County Commissioners were understandably hot under the collar this week after discovering a stoplight was being erected on Route 113 in front of the new tech school in Newark. The commissioners apparently were unaware of the State Highway Administration's plans and were particularly annoyed because a couple of the commissioners, especially President Virgil Shockley, have been championing a light further south on the highway at the Route 12 interchange. Those requests have repeatedly been...READ MORE

Interpreting State's Drop In Cigarette Sales

A recent report showed fewer cigarettes are being bought in Maryland. There seems to be much debate over whether it's economic concerns limiting people's spending power, smokers trying to quit or simply folks finding their cigarettes in neighboring states. Sales are reportedly down 25 percent year to date since the per-pack tax was doubled to $2 in January. That 25-percent drop will mean an estimated $20 million to $25 million less in revenue for the state this year. The state had forecasted a...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

Tax System Unfair To Non-Voters Editor: Over 200 years ago, this great nation rallied to the cry of 'no taxation without representation!' America is built on the ideal of equality and a sense of fairness. Our present tax system, however, leaves much to be desired when it comes to this ideal. On that, most will agree. Most, however, disagree on what to do about it. Maryland has a Homestead Tax Credit (HTC) going back to the mid-1970's. Established as a land-use policy, its purpose was to prevent...READ MORE

Live Bands and DJs

707 Sports Bar Grille: 410-213-9507, 12702 Old Bridge Rd. West Ocean City; Friday, Aug. 8:TBA; 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, Aug. 8: Nate Clendenen; Saturday, Aug. 9: Nancy Micciulla; Every Thursday: Bill Morningstar. Buxy's Salty Dog: 410-289-0973, 28th St. & Coastal Hwy.; Friday, Aug. 8: DJ Wood; Saturday, Aug. 9...READ MORE

Brother Thwarts Car Theft

OCEAN CITY - A Waldorf, Md. man was arrested for stealing a car last week after the victim's niece recognized her aunt's vehicle with the suspect behind the wheel and her father was able to detain the suspect until police arrived. Shortly before 11 p.m. last Tuesday, Ocean City police officers were dispatched to a reported theft that had already occurred in the area of 55th Street and arrived to find a witness still kneeling on top of the suspect. The investigation revealed the witness,...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

People Joining Together For Community Causes

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

We Remember Those Who Have Passed

John Joseph Stanislow BERLIN - John Joseph Stanislow, age 88, died Thursday, July 31, 2008 at the Berlin Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Born in Edwardsville, Pa., he was the son of the late Anna Labuda Stanislow. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Margaret Frances Hartner Stanislow; two daughters, Claudia Ann Jenkins of Aiken, SC and Delayne Jean McCoy of Baltimore; four grandchildren, Craig Jenkins, Caryn Golden, Charlie Jenkins and Shawn McCoy; three great grandchildren, Cameron...READ MORE

Diving Into The Area's Cultural Activities

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

Friday, August 8 - Arson Suspect Pleads Not Guilty

SNOW HILL - Pre-trial posturing began late last week in the case against the Ocean City man charged with setting the fire that destroyed the Dough Roller restaurant and severely damaged the adjacent Marty's Playland back in March with the defendant pleading not guilty to all of the charges and the prosecution dropping one of the first-degree arson charges against him. Last Tuesday, a Worcester County grand jury formally indicted Gregory W. Wallace Kern, 48, of Ocean City, on two counts of...READ MORE

Boardwalk Landmark Gets Its Own Day In OC

OCEAN CITY - A visit to Ocean City over the past 75 years most likely included a stop at the Alaska Stand. With three locations over the years and 75 years of tradition, the Alaska Stand received high honors this week, when Aug. 4, 2008 was proclaimed 'Alaska Stand Day' within the resort. It's been 75 years since the Givarz family opened the small, family-run business, and while times have changed, differing locations have evolved and the menu has grown, one thing remains clear, locals and...READ MORE

Indoor Mini-Golf Course Proposed Near Del. Line

OCEAN CITY - Northern Ocean City will gain the addition of an indoor golf course, the second in the resort, after the City Council unanimously approved the conditional use this week. Currently, 146th Street houses an outdoor miniature golf course and arcade. The approval of the conditional use of the site will allow for the development of an indoor 18-hole miniature golf course on the neighboring lot. The applicant, Nolen Graves of Golf Ventures, Inc., originally submitted plans to the...READ MORE

More Route 50 Service Road Work To Begin

SNOW HILL - With phase one of the Route 50 service road completed, Worcester County is turning its attention to design work for phase two. The Worcester County Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday morning to complete the design work for the new service road, west to the Route 589 intersection and beyond to Seahawk Rd. The county will spend $244,005 total on design costs for phase two, which will come out of funding already set aside. About $859,000 has been saved for the project. Consultants...READ MORE

Beach Patrol Seeks End To Guard Stand Vandalism

OCEAN CITY - Vandalism of the lifeguard stands on the beach at night or in the early morning hours has been going on as long as there have been stands on the beach, but the culprits have taken it to a whole different level this summer, prompting Ocean City Beach Patrol officials to appeal to the public to be their eyes and ears when they are not on duty. For years, teens or young vandals have toppled over the stands at night or dragged them into the ocean, only to see them destroyed by the surf...READ MORE

Greene Turtle Lax Gaining Respect

OCEAN CITY- Providing further evidence lacrosse is growing by leaps and bounds on the Eastern Shore and gaining more and more respect along the way, the Greene Turtle All-Star team turned a lot of heads this summer with strong showings in several tournaments against some of the most talented teams in the country. The Greene Turtle All-Star travel team is made up of some of the top players from high schools across the Eastern Shore including many from right here in the Ocean City and Berlin areas...READ MORE

Assateague Island To Begin Aerial Spraying

ASSATEAGUE - Portions of the Assateague Island National Seashore will see temporary closures starting next week as federal officials begin an aggressive aerial attack on hundreds of acres of invasive phragmites on the barrier island. Assateague Island National Seashore superintendent Scott J. Bentley announced this week an aggressive plan of attack on the proliferation of noxious phragmites from one end of the barrier island to the other. Phragmites are prolific, non-native and highly invasive...READ MORE

Beach Hosts Strange Visitors - Grasshoppers

OCEAN CITY - Thousands of grasshoppers swarmed the ocean and beach in Ocean City and up and down the coast last Friday, no doubt leaving many to wonder if the end of the world was near, but it is now believed the unusual event was just the result of a 'perfect storm' of favorable conditions. Beachgoers last Friday likely encountered thousands of the insects swimming in the ocean, hopping over their towels, beach chairs and umbrellas and crawling on the arms and legs and even in their hair. While...READ MORE

Big White Marlin, Beast of a Blue Hanging On in WMO

OCEAN CITY - The 35th White Marlin Open got underway in earnest this week with a big white marlin caught on Monday setting the bar early in the signature category and a beast of a blue marlin hauled up the scale the next day, but with plenty of boats still out in the canyons yesterday and today, the drama is likely far from over. Monday was reportedly one of the busiest days at the scale on record as most of the 300 boats participating in this year's event rolled out to the canyons off the coast...READ MORE

Co-Conspirator Faces 20 Years After Guilty Plea

BERLIN - A Salisbury man, rounded up with dozens of other suspects in a federal sting operation carried out in Worcester County last September for providing hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes to undercover agents in exchange for illegal green cards and tax abatements, pleaded guilty this week to racketeering conspiracy charges and now faces 20 years in prison. Saeed Ahmed, 46, of Salisbury, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a racketeering conspiracy related to a scheme to bribe U.S....READ MORE

County Design Rules Hit Draft Form

SNOW HILL - The first component of the recently renewed effort to complete the Worcester County Comprehensive Plan hit the desks of the County Commissioners this week when staff released a draft of the commercial design guidelines. 'These design guidelines would affect all commercial and industrial development in the county over 10,000 square feet,' said Development Review and Permitting Director Ed Tudor. The 75-page draft design guidelines would implement 10 objectives of the Comprehensive...READ MORE

County May Write Off $335K In Biz Tax Debt

SNOW HILL - Before writing off $335,000 in unpaid business taxes from the last several years, the Worcester County Commissioners instructed staff to explore further options for recovering that money. 'You're supposed to bring us money, not lose money,' Virgil Shockley, president of the County Commissioners, joked Tuesday morning. Harold Higgins, Worcester County Finance Officer, answered, 'For us in county government, it's kind of a wash.' Over the last seven years, 365 accounts owe back taxes...READ MORE

Mega Millions Winner In Resort Remains Unknown

OCEAN CITY - While the White Marlin Open going on in the resort this week is in the midst of doling out an estimated $2.2 million in prize money, a big cash payout of a different sort awaits an unknown person who purchased a Mega Millions lottery ticket at a north end convenience store sometime before the drawing on Tuesday. Ocean Market on 141st Street in Ocean City sold a second-tier winning Mega Millions ticket worth $250,000 sometime before the bi-weekly drawing on Tuesday night, but the...READ MORE

OC's New Family Events A Success, Officials Say

OCEAN CITY - This summer's addition of two family-friendly events have been a success in their first year, city officials said this week, bringing hundreds of families out to the beach during the evenings to enjoy Movies on the Beach and Family Olympics. Recreation Supervisor Kate Gaddis reported the success of both Movies on the Beach and Family Olympics this week, noting strong turnouts, good weather and happy families. 'All in all the events have been wonderful.  The people appear to be...READ MORE

Planners Extend Site Plan's Approval By Two Years

OCEAN CITY - The Planning Commission was understanding this week regarding a request for more time for site plan approval of a downtown condominium project, however the commission made it clear that while projects may be given extra time to commence building, vacant lots should not be left as eyesores. 'We're not going to have unsightly properties in Ocean City,' said Planning and Zoning Commission Chair Pamela Buckley this week. The current state of the real estate market and the economy as a...READ MORE

Traffic Light Surprises Commissioners

SNOW HILL - A new stop light on Route 113 at the Worcester County Board of Education came as a surprise to Worcester County elected officials and staff. The Maryland State Highway Administration  (SHA) copied the county on a July 23 letter, received in Snow Hill July 28, notifying an SHA project manager, 'to proceed with the installation of a new Traffic Control Signal for the subject project on or before August 1•€¦' 'It was a complete surprise to us,' said Worcester County Public...READ MORE

Troubled Pond Project Delayed Again

SNOW HILL - The Bishopville Pond restoration project should have been completed this spring, but concerns over the pond bridge pushed the work back. Work could begin on the pond restoration in June 2009, Comprehensive Planning Director Sandy Coyman reported to the County Commissioners Tuesday morning. 'It's been an effort that's taken quite some time,' he said. The delay came through an unforeseen design issue: how to prevent the serious exposure of bridge pilings, through scouring, during a...READ MORE

West OC Motels Face Drug Charges

WEST OCEAN CITY - It was a tough night for two West Ocean City motels last Thursday when one was the scene of a significant cocaine bust and another was found to have marijuana growing on the property. Last Thursday, a warrant search was conducted at the Rambler Motel in West Ocean City after a two-month-long investigation into the distribution of cocaine conducted jointly by the Worcester County Sheriff's Office Criminal Enforcement Team and the Ocean City Police Department's narcotics unit....READ MORE

Worcester County News In Brief

SNOW HILL - The Worcester County Commissioners discussed a variety of business at their Aug. 5 meeting.  - Worcester County accepted an allocation of $1,454,441 in grant money for first time homebuyers from the 'On Behalf Of' Program. The program offers low interest loans to first time homebuyers and those who have not owned a home for three years. The state puts a cap on the amount of money that can be spent on a home and qualifying income levels. The state designates an area in each...READ MORE

My Thoughts

The Summer Olympics start today in China with a lot of pomp and circumstance in the form of the opening ceremonies. As far as Olympics go, the old guy finds the summer version more entertaining than its winter brother. He likes the sports featured in these games, particularly gymnastics, baseball, track and field and swimming, but this year's event has a bad cloud (smog) hanging over it. The old guy remembers a few years ago hearing that China had been awarded the games by the international...READ MORE

A Week In Business

E-Pro Course Completed OCEAN CITY - Monica McNamara, a sales agent with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage's Ocean City 104th Street office, has sucessfully completed the Realtor e-PRO course to become one of a select few real estate professionals to earn the prestigious certification offered through the National Association of Realtors. The certification course is an educational program unlike any other professional certification or designation course available. It is specifically designed...READ MORE

Worcester Prep Students Recognized At Talented Youth Awards Ceremony

During the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth Awards Ceremony that honored top-scoring students in the 2008 testing, Worcester Prep students Jordan Welch, left, Ocean Pines, and Zachary Wilson, Berlin, stood on the stage together. Welch is entering Grade 3 at Worcester Prep and Wilson, Grade 4. Both are students who love science, technology, mathematics and reading. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

Diakonia And United Way

Claudia Nagle, left, executive director of Diakonia, and Bruce Bright, United Way Board member and Community Investment Chairman, celebrate United Way's record breaking funding announcement of $1,274,850 for local programs and services helping the less fortunate in our community. ...READ MORE

Worcester County Veterans Memorial

Roseann Bridgman, president of the Worcester County Veterans Memorial, accepts a golf tournament sponsorship check from Marie Gilmore and India Bandorick of the O.C. Parrot Head Club. The second annual tournament to benefit the memorial will be held on Sept. 17. ...READ MORE

Company Celebrates Milestone

OCEAN CITY - For the past 10 years, 1st Service has been providing 24-hour service, 365 days a year for central air conditioning, heating and refrigeration needs from repair and maintenance to installation, allowing customers to 'stop worrying, and start enjoying.' Owner and operator Bob Lemley started 1st Service in 1998, after many years of experience in the trade. 'I wanted to practice my trade in the way that I thought it should be done. I had my own philosophy on doing things,' said...READ MORE

Fatherhood Adventures

I used to really like to eat. It was a pleasure and sometimes even a sin, depending on what was in front of me. These days meals are something to finish as soon as possible because there's always something else more important going on, namely my 3-month-old baby. As recent as three months ago, as a married couple without children, dinner was something we looked forward to and enjoyed each day. In a normal week, we dine in as much as we dine out. Whichever the case, it was relaxing and consisted...READ MORE

Things I Like

Saturday mornings A seagull squawking in the distance Picking up laundry from the drycleaner Skim milk Randy Pausch's 'The Last Lecture' An iced latte with one Splenda The sounds my son makes when he's excited A weed-less flowerbed Watching a dog swim in the ocean Mosquito repellant that actually works Sunday mornings ...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): There might still be some uncertainty about the decision you made. But a quick check of the facts should reassure you that you're doing the right thing. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): The tidy Taurean needs to be a little more flexible about accepting some changes to those carefully made plans. You might be pleasantly surprised by what follows. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): Consider stepping away from your concentrated focus on your new project for a bit so you can get...READ MORE

Numerous Reasons Behind Economic Slowdown

OCEAN CITY - In assessing the current state of the U.S. economy, the mood has turned decidedly somber. And though many economists are convinced that today's troubles are merely part of the normal economic cycle, Merrill Lynch strategists caution that this time it may be different. A deliberate approach to investing - along with a keen eye for overlooked opportunities - is what's required now. That's the consensus view of a group of Merrill Lynch's top economists and strategists who recently...READ MORE