February 13, 2009

Who's Playing When and Where Musically Speaking

Back of the bag 410-250-3337 130 St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, Feb. 13: TBA Saturday, Feb. 14: TBA Every Tuesday: Open Mic Hosted By Tungsten Groove Buxy's Salty Dog 410-289-0973 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, Feb. 13: DJ BK Saturday, Feb. 14: TBA Carousel Resort Hotel & Condominiums 410-524-1000 On the beach, 118th Street Friday, Feb. 13: DJ Rupe, 7-10 p.m. Clarion Hotel 410-524-3535 , 10100 Coastal Hwy.  Friday, Feb. 13, Saturday, Feb. 14 & Sunday, Feb. 15:...READ MORE

My Thoughts

The old guy has always admired people who ride motorcycles. He has never been on one in his life and would be foolish to consider any such thing now. His brittle bones would never be able to handle even the shortest of rides, let alone any type of accident. Insider always smiles when he sees a leather-clad man riding his bike with a leather-clad woman behind him. There the woman is with her arms wrapped around the man, who seems to be thinking life does not get any better. When Insider was...READ MORE

Council Seeks Seasonal Cop Decrease

OCEAN CITY - Less could end up meaning more to the Ocean City Police Department in regards to the number of seasonal officers hired this year. Though a final decision will have to be made by state legislators if the town of Ocean City can lower the minimum number of seasonal police officers from 100 to 70, the merits of that conversation appear to be beneficial to the overall efficiency of the department during its busiest season. After a long discussion, the council voted 5-0 (with Margaret...READ MORE

Juveniles Arrested For Break-Ins

OCEAN PINES - Ocean Pines Police this week arrested two juveniles in connection with a series of thefts from unlocked autos in the south section of the community on or around Jan. 30. The youths, ages 15 and 16, were arrested and charged with numerous counts of felony and misdemeanor theft after Ocean Pines Police were able to connect them to at least 20 cases of theft from vehicles. Stolen were numerous electronic devices including GPS systems, iPods and satellite radios as well as some jewelry...READ MORE

Thoughts From The Publisher's Desk

Excuse me for a moment while I wipe the proverbial pie off my face. Last week while crediting the Ocean City Mayor and Council for making the obvious decision to freeze all employee salaries, I commented I hoped the county would 'see it the same way.' It turns out the county back in November issued a memorandum warning all departments to expect no raises for employees this year. It was included in the memo that ordered all department spending be reduced by 3 percent as well as the documented...READ MORE

Starting Slow With Slots Is Proper Course

After all the bids were submitted last week, it's appropriate to refer the current turn of events regarding slots in Maryland as a debacle. The word 'disappointment' was often used over the last two weeks to describe the fact there were only six bids offered for the five selected sites for slots parlors in Maryland. More important is the realization that the state will be short approximately $40 million in license fees and millions more in potential revenue due to the fact the proposals...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

Consider Wind Farm Project Carefully Editor: (The following is an open letter to the Ocean City Mayor and Council and residents.) As we go through the process of evaluating the acceptance of the Bluewater project of constructing energy producing windmills off of our shore, we need to be very careful of making a decision that could permanently alter a resource which is the backbone of Ocean City's success, the beautiful view which has stood unchanged for millions of years. While we should...READ MORE

Friday, February 13--New Big Box Design Impresses

SNOW HILL - Planners thought outside the big box and have decided to redesign the long-planned Super Wal-Mart, intended to replace Berlin's standard Wal-Mart, changing the design to a more localized, attractive style. Architect Gabriel Massa presented the new design to the Worcester County Planning Commission last week, seeking acceptance of the new plan. The building was last before the Planning Commission in April 2006, and that design was only accepted after contentious discussion. Wal-Mart...READ MORE

Friday, February 13--Ocean City Unions Agree To Freeze Member Salaries

OCEAN CITY - After the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) announced last week it would follow the town of Ocean City's lead and freeze employee salaries, the Fire and EMS divisions weren't far behind in making a similar announcement. In efforts to be on the same page, and work as part of a unified team, FOP President Glen McIntyre said that the decision was not a direct result of the town's decision to freeze employee salaries last week. 'We had been discussing it seriously for three to four weeks...READ MORE

Friday, February 13--Public, Private Partnership Key To Berlin Green Effort

BERLIN - A packed room greeted the launch of the Grow Berlin Green environmental partnership between town government and three local environmental organizations Tuesday night. Grow Berlin Green (GBG) is a coalition of the Assateague Coastal Trust (ACT), Lower Shore Land Trust (LSLT), and Maryland Coastal Bays Program (MCBP) with the town of Berlin. Mayor Gee Williams opened the meeting, saying that the town's values have evolved to include green living. This new attitude is reflected in the...READ MORE

Friday, February 13--Route 50 Bridge Project Starts Monday

OCEAN CITY - Residents and visitors who routinely use the Route 50 bridge will likely have another batch of headaches starting next week when the State Highway Administration (SHA) begins the second half of a $2.4 million deck replacement job on the span, the first phase of which was undertaken this time last year. SHA officials announced this week the eastbound lanes of the span would be closed for as long as three months as construction crews pick up where they left off last winter and spring...READ MORE

City To Examine Take Home Vehicle Use

OCEAN CITY - Employee take home vehicles might be next on the proverbial chopping block as town officials continue to exhaust all options to cut expenditures. City Manager Dennis Dare hinted this week that a 'vehicle study' will be released soon that may alter the current usage of take home vehicles used by some of the town's employees, but was reluctant to talk about specific numbers in the report before meeting with the Mayor and City Council. Council President Joe Mitrecic said that the...READ MORE

Gulyas Says County Furloughs Will Be Unavoidable

BERLIN - County staff will not see any pay raises in the next budget, elected officials confirmed this week, maintaining a decision made in November, and one said work furloughs for county employees appear inevitable. How much the county will save through freezing salaries is not known. County staff contacted this week said those numbers are not ready, but could be available next week. The savings could be difficult to determine, according to county spokesperson Kim Moses, since step and cost of...READ MORE

Liquor Head Comes Clean On Past Misconduct

BERLIN - It has come to light recently the Liquor Control Board (LCB) for Worcester County's executive director, charged with setting policy and negotiating contracts among other things for all issues related to liquor distribution and sales in the county, has a sordid past including felony convictions for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and money laundering, but more than a decade later, the seemingly contrite county liquor boss is attempting to put his nefarious past behind him. In...READ MORE

OC's Compensation Package Called Competitive With Others

OCEAN CITY - Government officials historically receive excellent benefits as part of a motivation to work in the public realm, but the question remains if local government salaries have started to mirror, or even exceed, those in the private sector. Councilwoman Margaret Pillas got her wish this week as she was granted her request for access to the benefits package and 'perks' enjoyed by the town's employees, but the list did not uncover anything that wasn't expected. After the release of the...READ MORE

Value Stressed As 'King' For Upcoming Season

OCEAN CITY - There may be a change in the person in the head chair on the tourism commission, but do not expect a drastic change in the price of beds to lay your head on this season in Ocean City. At last week's monthly tourism commission meeting, Councilwoman Mary Knight was unanimously voted to be the new chairperson, unseating councilwoman Margaret Pillas, who has served for the past year. In addition to the changing of the proverbial guard at the head of the table, the commission discussed...READ MORE

Berlin Cuts Brings $337K Decrease To Current Budget

BERLIN - Cost-cutting efforts by town of Berlin staff have led to a current fiscal year budget decrease of $337,456, Administrator Tony Carson reported to the Berlin Mayor and Council Monday night. The council formally amended the budget Monday night to reflect the decreases in the current spending plan.            Towns rarely decrease budgets in mid-year, according to Carson.  Carson asked Berlin's department heads to look for...READ MORE

Berlin To Seek Power Purchase Accord

BERLIN - A Berlin Mayor and Council vote on Monday to pursue a traditional power purchase agreement as recommended by the Berlin Utilities Commission (BUC) concluded to applause from a standing-room only audience. How much electric customers will save could not be disclosed, as the contract with Florida Power and Light (FPL) has not been finalized. The packed town council meeting room suggested townsfolk were waiting to hear actual dollar figures on savings, but the lack of those figures did not...READ MORE

Kratovil Disagrees With State Senators On Fed Stimulus Plan

BERLIN - As the battle over President Barack Obama's roughly $800 billion stimulus package rages on just across the other side of the Chesapeake Bay, Worcester County's representatives in the nation's capital remain somewhat divided over the plan, with the state's two Senators, both Democrats, strongly supporting the measure, and the freshman Congressman, also a Democrat, breaking ranks with his brethren. As expected, Maryland Senators Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin wholeheartedly support the...READ MORE

Ocean City News In Briefs

OCEAN CITY - During the week that was in Ocean City government, •€˜The Briefs' learned about a new issue that Councilman Jim Hall apparently has expertise in, the mayor's new 'thank you' strategy and that plans to use the Ocean City Municipal Airport for commercial flights have once again been grounded. NY Flight Plan Scrapped When Florida-based entrepreneur Gabriel Saavedra of Deluge Air came before the Mayor and City Council in November, his idea to run a connecting jet service from the...READ MORE

Park Service Announces Controlled Burn On Assateague

ASSATEAGUE - A controlled, or prescribed, burn of invasive phragmites on Assateague Island planned for this spring could cause extensive smoke and open flames to be visible from mainland areas from several miles away and for several days, as federal officials follow up with the second phase of an effort started last fall to rid the island of the destructive grasses. Assateague Island National Seashore Acting Superintendent Carl Zimmerman announced this week the National Park Service will...READ MORE

Report Finds County Wages Rank Lowest In Maryland

BERLIN - When the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics last week released its report on average weekly wages for Maryland, Worcester County had the dubious honor of being dead last in terms of the average take-home pay for its workforce. According to the report outlining average weekly wages in Maryland counties during the second quarter of 2008, Worcester County workers earned an average of just $494 per week, making it the only jurisdiction in the state with an average under...READ MORE

Seaside Boat Show Returns To OC

OCEAN CITY - As the name of the sponsor organization suggests, the 26th Annual Seaside Boat Show, hosted by the Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club, provides a reason for optimism and hope as the bleak winter turns a corner and starts heading for a rosier spring. For 26 years, actually 27, the annual boat show has marked a turning point in the winter season for visitors to Ocean City and the town's residents. Rest assured, there is still a big chunk of winter to get through and the resort area will...READ MORE

The Hooters Experience Grows With Full Bar Service

OCEAN CITY - In efforts to increase the number of ways that they can make you happy, Hooters of Ocean City has spread its wings. During its opening for the season last night at the 123rd Street location, Hooters of Ocean City unveiled a full bar that includes liquor and specialty drinks, such as mojitos and martinis. General Manager Matthew J. Ortt said that even in these tough economic times, Hooters wants to be at the top of the list when people think of value and fun. 'It's scary times out...READ MORE

Town May Offer Web Audio

BERLIN - Audio recordings of Berlin Mayor and Council meetings and other gatherings could soon be available on the town website with potentially live audio broadcasts and eventually video broadcasts to follow. Town Administrator Tony Carson suggested using a digital voice recorder to tape Berlin meetings, a practice followed by his previous employer, the town of Fenwick, Del., which could then be posted on the municipality's website. The new Information Technology Committee (ITC), which met for...READ MORE

WOC's Death By Chocolate Event Returns Feb. 22

WEST OCEAN CITY - A unique event designed to familiarize the community with the growing fleet of businesses in West Ocean City has expanded this year and has high hopes for surpassing last year's auspicious beginning. The 2nd Annual Death by Chocolate was inspired by a similar event held each year in Chincoteague, Va., according to CraZy LadyZ owner Jan Patterson, a West Ocean City merchant as well as in the historic district of the seaside Virginia town. 'Last year we thought it would be kind...READ MORE

Beach Lacrosse Accepting Players

BERLIN- The Beach Lacrosse Club, a volunteer organization that has been around for 16 years and have introduced thousands of young players to the game, is accepting applications for its spring program through February 20. Beach Lacrosse is seeking boys and girls for several teams at various age and skill levels including under-9, under-11, under-13, and under-15. There is also a 'scoopers' program where children as young as six years old can begin to learn the basics of lacrosse. The club...READ MORE

Decatur Grapplers Topple Unbeatens

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's varsity wrestling team clinched the Bayside regular season title last week, sweeping Easton and North Caroline, both of which were unbeaten, in a tri-meet last Friday to come out on top in an epic battle between the conference heavyweights. Something had to give last Friday when Decatur, Easton and North Caroline faced off in a regular season finale pitting three teams unbeaten in Bayside competition. The Seahawks entered the tri-meet with an overall record of 14-3...READ MORE

Locals Win Mid-Atlantic Awards

OCEAN CITY- The Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department was well represented last week at the Mid-Atlantic Recreation and Parks Alliance GoodSport Awards Ceremony with two recipients including a student-athlete and a long-time local coach among the recipients at the event held in Annapolis. At the annual event hosted by Speaker of the House Michael Busch at the State House in Annapolis, MARPSA honored Stephen Decatur High School senior Jordan Taylor as a student-athlete and Mike Meekins, a...READ MORE

Seahawks Upset Snow Hill, 69-59

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's boys' varsity basketball team continued its late season run of good fortune this week, upsetting Worcester County rival Snow Hill, 69-59, on Tuesday for its third win in the last four games. The Seahawks toppled the Eagles in front of a full house at home on Tuesday behind a balance scoring attack led by Tre Foreman, who finished with 21 points. Tom Lubeski scored 14 points and Tim Donnelly added 12. The win over Snow Hill was huge for the Seahawks, who have now won two...READ MORE

People in Society

See Candid Shots of Neighbors Helping Each Other Throughout the Community ...READ MORE

Faces in Places

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

Things I Like

How excited my dogs get at the bank drive-thru Waves crashing against a boat at a marina John Malkovich movies A man who wears his wedding band When a live person answers the phone at a business Waking up before my son in the morning Showtime\'s U.S. of Tara A string of warm days in February Seeing my surfboard and thinking summer A Caesar salad with big slice of parmesan Hearing the train pass through Berlin ...READ MORE

A Week In Business

Café To Offer State Dessert WEST OCEAN CITY The Original Smith Island Cake Company announces the opening of its West Ocean City gourmet dessert and coffee café in early spring. Located in the Ocean City Factory Outlets, the Original Smith Island Cake Company café will offer slices of cake, whole cakes and gourmet designer cupcakes. Specializing in the nine-layer Smith Island Cake, this café will feature specialty flavors such as pumpkin, raspberry, chocolate cheesecake and 'American as...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): Some unsettling facts about a past situation could come to light. And while you'd love to deal with it immediately, it's best to get more information to support your case. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): A straightforward approach to a baffling situation is best. Don't allow yourself to be drawn into an already messy mass of tangles and lies. Deal with it and move on. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): Don't be discouraged or deterred by a colleague's negative opinion about...READ MORE

Working Capital Critical In Challenging Climate

OCEAN CITY - With a challenging business climate and rising interest rates, business owners should consider the management of working capital a top priority. Yet many neglect to focus on analyzing their cash flows, forecasting their cash positions and developing short-term investment guidelines that will help them improve the return on their idle funds. Sound investment guidelines coupled with effective cash management can, for even short time horizons, generate interest income that contributes...READ MORE

Fatherhood Adventures

I am a firm believer in the notion of 'baby power' and it should not be underestimated. There's no other way to put it - my 9-month-old son rules the house with an iron fist. Sure, a little bit of hyperbole is at work here, but he has a way of dominating all aspects of life for my wife and I, but what's strange is we love it. It's a good thing we enjoy having this bundle of joy run our world because it's keeping us busier than ever, especially now that he is moving around on his own with ease...READ MORE

Surfrider Volunteers Clean Up the Beach

More than two dozen Ocean City Surfrider Foundation volunteers and Ocean City Beach Patrol partners enjoy the sunny, blustery winter weather to pick up trash along beaches in north Ocena City last Saturday. Pictured above are students from Salisbury University, Stephen Decatur High School and employees from Starbucks. ...READ MORE

BIS Builder's Club Chartered by Kiwanis International

Berlin Intermediate School's Builders Club, a club of Kiwanis International, was chartered last weekend and the club officers were installed. The Kiwanic Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City helped welcome 52 students as charter members of the new club. The purpose of the Builders Club is to build leadership and teamwork while serving the community. Officers of the Builders Club will be conducting the meetings themselves, almost immediately, as soon as they learn the correct procedures...READ MORE

Twelve Members of Worcester County Sheriff's Office Serve at Inauguration

Twelve members of the Worcester County Sheriff's Office provided successful detail with no incidents at last month's inauguration festivities. At last week's meeting, the Worcester County Commissioners and Sheriff Charles Martin honored those deputies, pictured above, who served at the inauguration with certificates of appreciation. ...READ MORE

Ocean City EDC holds monthly meeting at new Worcester Tech

Ocean City's Economic Development Committee (EDC) held its Feb. 4 meeting at the new Worcester Technical High School. Dr. Leonard Berger, center, EDC President and Clarion Resort Fontainebleau Hotel Owner and CEO, is pictured with Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jon Andes and Board of Education members  Jonathan Cook, President Bob Hulburd, Past President Garry Mumford, and Vice President Bob Rothermel. ...READ MORE

Snow Hill Elementary hosts 'Donuts with Dad'

Snow Hill Elementary School last month hosted a 'Donuts for Dad' event, which promotes the importance of a father's involvement in the education of their children. The event drew a record number of fathers and male relatives, with 149 attending. Pictured with his first grade daughter Kristen Riddleberger is dad Chris Riddleberger. ...READ MORE

Tidewater School by the Sea starts 'World Tour'

The Tidewater School by the Sea, in Bishopville is mailing out "Flat Stanley" all over the world. To start the "World Tour" part of their curriculum, Tidewater students read the book Flat Stanley. After reading Flat Stanley, the children created their own flat "people" that will be sent out around the world to learn about foreign states, countries, and continents. The students will anxiously await the return of their 'people" and learn all...READ MORE

SDHS American Field Service Club ventures to Wisconsin

Stephen Decatur High School's American Field Service Club (AFS) recently ventured to Burlington, Wis., where they endured sub zero temperatures. Pictured above is sophomore Jesse Harman, senior Katherine Janson and juniors Lindsey Miller and Nick Abbatichio. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

OC Elementary School Celebrates 100th Day

Lilly Castellanos-Avalos and Michael Rigby dramatize two of the opposites, happy and grumpy, that their class brainstormed.  Melanie Biscoe's first grade class created a list of 100 opposite word pairs for Ocean City Elementary School's 100th Day Celebration.  ...READ MORE

Most Blessed Sacrament Students Out of Uniform

Middle school students and teacher Mr. MacGuinness from Most Blessed Sacrament School in Berlin sport jerseys from their favorite NFL teams. The students donated canned goods to their Character Cabinet Pantry to help the needy. Each month this opportunity is given for students to come to school out of uniform. ...READ MORE

Buckingham's K-Kids

Buckingham Elementary School's 'K-Kids' were up bright and early on a recent Saturday morning to attend the K-Kids conference in Ocean Pines with their teacher Julie Zirkle. Pictured above are Allan G.Kastner, Zoie Williams, Rose Billings and Claire Billings.  ...READ MORE

Worcester Prep 2nd Graders Undertake 'Kids Bread Community Service Project

The second grade classes at Worcester Prep each year work on a special learning and community service project called Kids Bread. Students learn about math, science, social studies, art and marketing during the project. Working with tickets and money for the Kids Bread sale were Griffin Cummings, front, Kaitlyn Hamer, Jarad Gabriel, Gia Bautista and Matthew Durkin. ...READ MORE

BIS 4th Graders Sculpt like Alexander Calder

Fourth graders in Mrs. McCracken and Mrs. Schiffer's class at Berlin Intermediate School read a story titled, "My Name is Maria Isabel." As an extension to the story, students researched the meaning of their names and then used wire to sculpt their name like the famous artist Alexander Calder.  Above, Mason Horsey and Christina Romano work with Mrs. McCracken to sculpt their names out of wire.  ...READ MORE

Worcester Prep Holds Annual Parent's Night

Worcester Preparatory School recently held Parents' Night to coincide with a double feature of basketball games. Above, senior girls' varsity basketball players honored their parents and thanked them for all of their support over the years. Pictured above, front from left, are Erin Ternahan, Anna Townsend, Hilary Roughton, Sophie Townsend, Elizabeth Hudson, Jackie Wangel and Meegan Jayne Smith; back, from left, are Ken Roughton, Julie Roughton, Diane Ternahan, Robert Ternahan, Dawn Townsend,...READ MORE

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 11-4 Fri-Sun 10-5 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

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 ...READ MORE