January 30, 2009

Open Houses in Ocean City

OCEAN CITY The Meridian Daily 10-4 Oceanfront Residences New Construction Dan Clayland Coldwell Banker 410-520-0072 OCEAN CITY Bella Vista Open Daily 10-4 3BR Bayside Condos 45th Street Coldwell Banker 410-524-6111 OCEAN CITY Belmont Towers Boardwalk & Talbot Street Mon-Thurs 11-3 Fri-Sun 10-4 Kevin Decker Remax Premier Properties 443-235-6552 OCEAN CITY Bahia Vista 10th St. Bayside Daily 10-4 3&4BR Condos Dan Clayland Coldwell Banker 410-524-6111 OCEAN CITY Bel Mare Somerset...READ MORE

Open Houses in West Ocean City

WEST OCEAN CITY Sailor's Watch Golf Course Road Sat-Sun 10-4 New 3BR, 3.5BA Luxury Townhouses Coldwell Banker 410-524-6111 WEST OCEAN CITY New Construction West Harbor Village Daily 10-5 11 Townhouses 3BR/2.5BA/Garage Prudential Carruthers 410-524-7000 ...READ MORE

Open Houses in Surrounding Areas of Ocean City

DAGSBORO, DE Phoenix Ave #6 Chapel Crossing Sat & Sun 11-5 3BR/2.5BA TH Pat Eggers ResortQuest 302-537-8888 POCOMOKE 500 Riverside Dr Sat 9-5/Sun 12-4 Waterfront TH Many Upgrades Christine Murphy Coldwell Banker Eastern Shore 800-258-5843 GREENBACK, VA Captains Cove Daily 9-5 New Bayside Golf Community George Ann Way Coldwell Banker Eastern Shore 800-258-5843 MILLSBORO, DE Burtons Crossing Tristan Ln & Sawyer Loop Sat & Sun 11-5 2 & 3BR TH's Pat...READ MORE

Who's Playing When and Where Musically Speaking

Back of the bag 410-250-3337 130 St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, Jan. 30: Lower Case Blues Saturday, Jan. 31: Pompous Pie Every Tuesday: Open Mic Hosted By Tungsten Groove Buxy's Salty Dog 410-289-0973 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, Jan. 30: Happy Hour Party with The Aaron Howell Band, 5-9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31: Pep rally with DJ BK & Tim Hofman, 2-6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1: Super Bowl Bash with DJ BK, 1 p.m.-until; Tim Hofman, 3-5 p.m. Carousel Resort Hotel &...READ MORE

Unused Gift Card Bill Vexing

BERLIN - Restaurants and retailers in the area sold thousands of dollars in gift certificates and gift cards during the holidays, a fair amount of which might never be used, but a bill introduced in the General Assembly this week could require the sellers to send a large portion of the revenue back to the state. House Bill 126, introduced this week by Delegate Joseline Pena-Melnick (D-21) and co-sponsored by over 60 of her colleagues, would consider the unused balances and gift cards and gift...READ MORE

OC Elementary Honors January Students of the Month

Ocean City Elementary School honored the January Students of the Month on Wednesday, Jan. 21, with a luncheon and a special cake sponsored by the Ocean City/Berlin Optimists. First row, from left, are Hannah Burke, Ashley Hoffman, Rhiannon Howard, Mae Purnell, Ava VanDornick and Eden Goldfarb; second row, second graders Rakiya Anderson, Alexis Black, Will Brown, James Doerzbach and Collin Terlizzi; third row, third graders Kayla Higgins, Matthew Lodanski, Nadiya Lopez, Buddy Martin,...READ MORE

Scenes from the Tidewater School

The students of The Tidewater School by the Sea in Bishopville were excited to see snow falling early in the morning this week at school, but even more excited to actually go play in it outside. Students having a blast playing in the snow are Guilianna Cascio, Gavin Esch, Zach Dietz, Owen Esch, Aidan Kypreos, Lily Belle Baker, Aiden Esch and Shyanne Smullen. ...READ MORE

Beat the Winter Blues Spirit Event at Worcester Prep

First graders Jordan Campbell, left, Ocean Pines, and Audrey Stearns, Berlin, do their own brand of dancing at Worcester Prep's Beat the Winter Blues Spirit event. The event, sponsored by the Parents' Association included basketball games, competitions, dinner, and musical entertainment. ...READ MORE

Where Are They Now? Elise Mercer

The following is the latest installment of an occasional series about the progress of standout local student-athletes who have gone on succeed at the next level in their college careers. BERLIN- Nearing the end of her college career as a guard for the Shippensburg University women's basketball team, former Stephen Decatur standout Elise Mercer, who set the all-time scoring record for the Seahawks, is a steady contributor for the NCAA Division II school. Mercer, who finished her career at Decatur...READ MORE

OC Rec Basketball Action Continues

OCEAN CITY- The Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department's winter boys' basketball league continued this week with a full slate of games at Northside Park. The following is a quick glance at some recent league action:  OC Rec Boosters 36- Outback Steakhouse 34: Sam Izzo scored 13 points and Dimir Andrews added nine as the Boosters topped Outback. Aaron Moore scored 12 points and Carmen Gaynor pitched in 10 for Outback in the losing effort.  Red Sun Apparel 46- OC Lions Club 26:...READ MORE

Snow Wreaks Havoc on Prep Slate

BERLIN- Tuesday's bad weather wreaked havoc on the local prep sports schedule up and down the shore, causing cancellations and postponements sending area athletic directors scrambling to find open dates for make-up games. Light snow fell over Worcester County Tuesday morning and into the afternoon, causing schools to close two hours early and forcing the cancellation of all after-school activities including a full slate of high school sports action. For example, Stephen Decatur's boys' varsity...READ MORE

Super Bowl Scramble on Tap

BERLIN- With the teams now set for big game, it's not too early to make plans to participate in the annual Super Bowl Scramble at Eagle's Landing in West Ocean City this Sunday. The creative tournament has become a fixture on the winter sports schedule in recent year and this year should be no different. Despite the snow and frigid temperatures in the area this week, the annual golf tournament on Super Bowl Sunday has traditionally been played in pleasant conditions considering the time of...READ MORE

Up and Down Week for Decatur Grapplers

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's varsity wrestling team had an up and down stretch against some tough teams from the western shore last week, splitting a pair of matches in a dual meet with Rising Sun and John Carroll last Thursday before falling to Reservoir on Saturday. The Seahawks went across the bridge two times late last week for one of the toughest segments of the their schedule and returned with mixed results against some of top-ranked teams in the state. In a dual meet last Thursday, Decatur...READ MORE

Attacker Stays Loyal

BERLIN - One Berlin juvenile was arrested and two other suspects remain at large this week after mugging another man in the area of Flower and Bay streets last Thursday. Shortly after 5 p.m. last Thursday, Berlin Police were dispatched to the east Berlin area for a reported assault that had just occurred. The investigation revealed a 19-year-old male victim had been approached by three males, knocked to the ground, assaulted and robbed of $28 from his wallet. The victim provided police with...READ MORE

Thoughts From The Publisher's Desk

I almost always support the governmental bidding process because it's the simplest way to do business fairly and explore the market for the best value on services and goods, but Ocean City did the right thing this week when it decided to skip this step, contracting instead with a vendor it has worked with for years. The issue arose when Zambelli Internationale proposed a 12-percent increase over last year's expenditure for the town's two fireworks displays on Independence Day, raising the cost...READ MORE

Freeze Salaries For All Employees

All public sector employees should be forced to go at least one year without any kind of salary increase or addition to the benefits package they already receive. Although some may find it drastic, mandating federal, state, county and municipal employees go without any kind of increase for at least one year is necessary and fair. It was a relief this week to hear Ocean City Manager Dennis Dare is at least considering an employee pay freeze for his proposed budget, which will be presented to the...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

Swimming Ban Proposal Needs Consideration Editor: I am writing in response to the proposal to ban swimming after certain hours. Specifically, I am very concerned with the latest discussion of keeping this ban in-line with Ocean City Beach Patrol hours. As the wife of a local surfer, I know how much he looks forward to an early morning session before work or an evening session once the beach patrol is off-duty (as we all know surfing on the surfing beach is more often than not a nightmare in the...READ MORE

Council Nixes Bus Changes Over Service Concerns

OCEAN CITY - Jeopardizing the 30-minute bus schedule that residents have come to rely on in Ocean City was not worth the 'road test' for possible cost savings, the City Council decided Tuesday. The council voted 4-3, with Joe Hall, Margaret Pillas and President Joe Mitrecic in opposition, to leave the bus system as it is, rather than alter the service as part of the city's ongoing cost cutting measures. 'I know it's one of these things that costs us a bit of money, but the folks that work that...READ MORE

People in Society

A look at who's helping whom throughout the community this week. ...READ MORE

Spotlight on Who Was Where and When

A look at the regional and local restaurant and bar scene ...READ MORE

Friday, January 30-Berlin Electric Relief Eyed

BERLIN - Electric customers in Berlin could see lower electric bills in the future if the Berlin Town Council approves a new way to manage power generation and a power purchase agreement. The Berlin Mayor and Council will hear recommendations from the Berlin Utility Commission (BUC) on a demand response management approach for the power plant and an electrical power purchase agreement, most likely at the Feb. 9 meeting. The town has been without a fixed power charge agreement for the last few...READ MORE

Friday, January 30-County Wants To Piggyback With Baltimore On Tax Suit

BERLIN - In the interest of judicial efficiency, attorneys for Worcester County this week filed a motion to consolidate its lawsuit against a bevy of Internet-based travel booking companies seeking what could be millions of dollars in unpaid hotel room taxes with a similar suit filed late last year by Baltimore City. On Jan. 6, attorneys for the Worcester County Commissioners filed suit in U.S. District Court naming 14 individual defendants, all Internet-based travel booking companies under the...READ MORE

Friday, January 30-OC Police Reports Spending Cuts

OCEAN CITY - Although the Ocean City Police Department has cut over $1 million from its budget over the course of the last four years, Mayor Rick Meehan urged them to find a way to trim another big expense. Chief Bernadette DiPino updated the Mayor and Council on Tuesday, citing the department's ongoing efforts to cut spending and improve efficiency while still providing the same level of protection and service to the public. DiPino stated that the department saved almost half a million dollars...READ MORE

Friday, January 30-Supporters Excited By Berlin Green Park Potential

BERLIN - A new park with a green focus could provide many benefits to the town of Berlin, supporters said last week during a Berlin Town Council work session organized to assess the idea. Possible futures for the land known as Nally Commons, located near the intersection of Main Street and Harrison Avenue and previously prominent citizen Frederick Brueckmann's home, emerged at a Thursday evening Berlin Mayor and Council work session, with strong support for an environmental park. Ideas thrown...READ MORE

City Council Okay With Fireworks Cost Increase

OCEAN CITY - The Ocean City Council decided that keeping the big Fourth of July bang was worth the additional bucks. After a back-and-forth discussion about whether to bid the job on the open market for putting on the 18-minute fireworks displays in Ocean City, the council voted 5-2, with Joe Hall and Margaret Pillas in opposition, to extend the town's three-year contract with Zambelli Internationale Fireworks company through 2011, despite an extra $7,000 tacked on to the annual fee. Zambelli...READ MORE

Council Votes 4-3, Moves On With Fire Station Design

OCEAN CITY - The City Council reluctantly took measures to ensure that the Ocean City Fire Department could take their 'next step' in yet another split 4-3 vote Tuesday. Chief Chris Larmore and City Engineer Terry McGean brought back the idea of using $54,000 in bond money to design an expansion of the uptown Station 4 firehouse, commonly known as the 'Montego Bay' firestation, which would enable the department to provide 'live-in' quarters for its volunteer and career firemen. The idea was...READ MORE

Field Trip Funding Cut Impact Weighed

BERLIN - No field trips next year is better than fewer teachers and larger class sizes, educators said this week, despite the academic value of the educational trips. Controversial cuts to the Worcester County school budget proposed last week aimed to keep teachers and staff intact, but some things had to go, and field trips will be sorely missed. Board of Education funding for field trips encompasses the traditional trip and band and sports transportation as well. Eliminating fields trips and...READ MORE

Hundreds In Berlin Could Lose Power

BERLIN - The staggering economy coupled with an unusually harsh winter could soon leave many Berlin families out in the cold, with hundred of electric service cut-off notices ready to be sent out. In December, Governor Martin O'Malley, along with Senators Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin. announced $110 million in federal funding earmarked to help those struggling to pay their energy bills this winter, and just yesterday, O'Malley said in his State of the State address there was a measure in the...READ MORE

Track, Horsemen Reach Accord, Save Live Meet

BERLIN - The future of live racing at Ocean Downs seems a little more secure this week as track officials and the horsemen who use the facility jointly announced late last week they have reached an agreement in principle providing for the continuation of a live meet at the Berlin track for at least the next 15 years, which would coincide with the length of a potential slots license. For just about a month, the historic track near Ocean Pines has been largely dark as contract negotiations...READ MORE

Legislative Digest

BERLIN - The Maryland General Assembly moved into its second week this week with a wide variety of bills introduced in both the House and the Senate. The following is just a sample of some bills introduced this week with potentially local importance: Senate Bill 279-Death Penalty Repeal: This bill, if passed, would officially repeal the death penalty in Maryland. Senate Bill 288: Smoking in a Vehicle Containing a Young Child: This bill would prohibit a driver from smoking in a vehicle in which...READ MORE

OC Council News In Brief

OCEAN CITY - There were some notable occurrences in local government this week and here's a snapshot of some of those that may have otherwise fallen under the radar from the week's top stories. Small Wind Turbines Voted To Become City Ordinance After months of talking and tweaking, residents and business owners will be permitted to install small wind turbines on their properties, after the City Council voted unanimously to allow them for accessory usage in Ocean City on Tuesday. The issue will...READ MORE

OC's Proposed Business Fee Hike Tabled For Now

OCEAN CITY - While the City Council entertained the notion of tabling or addressing a 2-percent raise in business license fees, it could be the consumer that finds the outcome the least entertaining. Three fee adjustments were presented to the Mayor and City Council on Tuesday, and as two were passed, the other seemed to be too drastic a change for some on the council at this time. A proposed 2-percent raise in business license fees was tabled on Tuesday as Council thought that the price-hike on...READ MORE

Potential Environmental Park Hinges On Finances

BERLIN - The first step to a new environmental park in Berlin is an appraisal of the property, an action approved by the Berlin Mayor and Council Monday night. About 7.85 acres of land off North Main St. and Harrison Avenue, with a house included, have been proposed as the site of a new environmental park, the first new town park in over 30 years. An environmental park would differ from the recreational parks in town by offering low-impact activities and resources like walking paths, birding...READ MORE

Specific Budget Figures Discussed In OC

OCEAN CITY - Councilman Joe Hall got his chance to talk about his hopes to lower taxes this year, but despite being given some harsh numbers that might thwart those ideas, he feels it's still an 'achievable goal.' After two letters to the editor and pleas to his fellow council members and the public to support his desire for Ocean City to deliver a 5-percent tax decrease this year, Hall was met with some staggering numbers from City Manager Dennis Dare, and only a handful of supporters in the...READ MORE

A Week in Business

New Administrator Named BERLIN - Taylor Bank President and CEO Raymond M. Thompson has announced that Carl A. Vandivier has been promoted to Information Systems Administrator at the Main Office in Berlin. Vandivier joined Taylor Bank's Computer Department in 1999. He earned his Bachelor's of Science degree in Information Systems from Salisbury University Perdue School of Business in 2000. He was promoted to Information System Specialist in January 2008, having previously held positions with the...READ MORE

My Thoughts

Insider loves breakfast, any time of day. His best friend prefers scrapple as her breakfast meat. She likes it cooked think and mushy, while the old guy likes his thin and fried crisp, almost like a potato chip. After all, we are dealing with pig snouts here. Insider thinks all sausage links should be outlawed. Sausage should be served as a patty, much like a hamburger. Sausage on a hamburger roll is a good thing. Add a fried egg overlight to the sandwich and now we are talking. A boiled egg...READ MORE

Investing To Rebuild Your Retirement Savings

OCEAN CITY - The human cost of the market downturn can be measured in the number of lives and plans that have changed as a result. With the S&P 500 down nearly 40 percent over the course of the last year, many investors have seen the value of their retirement savings drop. Even those who are years away from retirement are beginning to wonder whether they will be able to live the post-career life they envisioned. The good news: there are ways to keep your retirement savings goals on track....READ MORE

We Remember Those Who Have Passed

Anna G. Dawson BERLIN - Anna G. Dawson (McCloskey), beloved wife of the late John J. Dawson, entered heaven on Monday, Jan. 26, 2009. She was a member of St. John Neumann Roman Catholic Church and was active in the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus Council 9053 and her group of close friends in the "Lunch Bunch". She is survived by her niece and first godchild, Jane A. Mooney and her loving nephew-in-law Patrick H. Mooney, of Ocean...READ MORE

CFES awards $2,000 to Lower Eastern Shore Chapter of American Red Cross

The Community Foundation of the Eastern (CFES) has awarded $2,000 to the Lower Eastern Shore Chapter of the American Red Cross to purchase a marketing display board and carrying case for multiple uses by the nonprofit organization at events and meetings. Above, from left, Troy McCabe, Emergency Services Director; John Culp, Lower Shore Chapter Director; and Spicer Bell, CFES President. ...READ MORE

CFES Grants $15,000 to Robert Lee Smith Memorial Fund

The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore (CFES) has granted $15,000 from the Robert Lee Smith Memorial Fund to support the purchase of a new van for the Berlin Fire Company (BFC). The grant was part of a bequest by Smith to the Berlin Fire Company. The new van will be used for general transportation and the transport of members and personnel to training programs throughout the state. Pictured, from left, are Spicer Bell, CFES President; Ray Shockley, Smith fund representative; David...READ MORE

61st Entrance-Level Class of the Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy

Seventeen law enforcement officers from Wicomico, Worcester, Dorchester, Caroline, Talbot and Kent counties graduated in the 61st entrance-level class of the Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy (ESCJA) operated by Wor-Wic Community College. Wicomico and Worcester graduates pictured front row, from left, are Mark A. Merritt and Michael J. Mitchell of the Salisbury Police Department, and James G. Jackson and Joseph Kerr of the Fruitland Police Department. In the back, from left, are Nicole T....READ MORE

Ocean Pines Garden Club Elects Officers for 2009

The Ocean Pines Garden Club recently elected its officers for the year. Pictured, from left, are Barbara Ferger, treasurer; Betty Ertel, corresponding secretary; and Darlene Musitano, president. Not pictured are Carolyn Henglein, vice president, and Marian Bickerstaff, recording secretary. ...READ MORE

MBS Catholic School Donates Money to Birthright

Seventh graders, with their teacher Santa Barbara, at Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic School recently made donations to Birthright, an organization sponsored by the Diocese of Wilmington that offers support to expectant mothers who choose life. ...READ MORE

Winners of Mah Jong Tournament at Temple Bat Yam

The Temple Bat Yam recently held its first Mah Jong Tournament. Pictured above are the winners. From left are Joan Keller, first prize, $100; Enid Levine, second prize, $75; and Sandie Friedman, 3rd prize, $50. ...READ MORE

Things I Like

Putting on clothes still warm from the dryer Early episodes of The Sopranos A bonfire when its cold outside Coming home to a clean house after work How some people have no freckles A blue, cloudless sky My son's fascination with everything Movies by the Coen Brothers A small picture or painting in a big frame An old pair of corduroy pants Unrolling the morning paper each day ...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): Seeing the silly side of some really ridiculous situations helps give the Lamb a new perspective on how to handle them. Some important contacts can be made this weekend. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): Try to complete your outstanding tasks by midweek. This leaves you free to take advantage of new possibilities -- both professional and personal -- opening up by week's end. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): With both your creative side and your energy levels rising this week,...READ MORE