February 19, 2010

Faces in Places

A Spotlight on the local bar and restaurant scene ...READ MORE

Decatur Fares Well at State Regionals

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur boys' and girls' indoor track teams made a strong showing this week at the state Class 3A-East Region meet with top 10 team finishes on both sides and several notable individual accomplishments. Decatur's indoor track teams traveled to Prince George's County on Monday and Tuesday for the state 3A-East Region meet and came away with several team and individual honors. The Decatur girls finished 6th overall as a team in the regional meet with 21 points, while the boys...READ MORE

Local Soccer Team Sweeps Tourneys

OCEAN CITY- The Rommel's Ace Hardware under-12 girls' soccer team enjoyed a highly successful holiday weekend last week, hitting the road for two tournaments and returning with two championship trophies. Last Saturday, the Rommel's U12 team competed in the 21st Annual Valentine's Tournament in Edgewater, Md. and won all of their games, outscoring their opponents 15-3. Two days later, the Rommel's team traveled to Boyds, Md. to compete in the 15th Annual Washington Freedom President's Day Cup...READ MORE

Rusty Mallards Fall to Sabres, 40-14

BERLIN- Worcester Prep's girls' varsity showed some of the ill effects of a long layoff in their first game in over a month on Tuesday, falling to visiting Saints Peter and Paul, 40-14, on Tuesday. The Mallards were definitely rusty as they took the court against the Sabres on Tuesday in their first game since a 29-28 win over Gunston way back on January 15. A combination of scheduled winter breaks followed by back-to-back-to back snowstorms kept Worcester off the court for real competition for...READ MORE

Seahawks Edged in Regional Meet

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's varsity wrestling team fell to familiar foe Reservoir, 34-32, in a close match in the semifinals of the state Class 3A-East regional dual meet and now prepare for the Bayside Championship meet tonight. The Seahawks won eight of 14 matches against Reservoir in Prince George's County on Wednesday, but lost narrowly lost the match by just two points. Devin Bataille won his match at 130 pounds, Cobin Lohnas won at 135, Johnny Soghomonian won at 140, Josh Barger took the...READ MORE

Lacrosse Pipeline from Decatur to Towson Wide Open

BERLIN- The pipeline for talented former women's lacrosse players from Stephen Decatur to Towson University is wide open with three standout Seahawks on the roster as the Tiger's prepare for their season opener against UMBC this week. Ranked 17th in the Division I preseason poll, Towson typically draws players from its tradition-rich surrounding areas and not much as changes as the Tiger's roster is riddled with players from the Baltimore area. But the Towson roster also has an increasingly...READ MORE

Worcester Boys Fall to Delmar, 61-50

BERLIN- Worcester Prep's boys' varsity basketball team lost a tough one on Wednesday, falling to Delmar, 61-50, on the road in its first game in nearly two weeks and only its second in over a month. Because of snow cancellations following a scheduled winter break, the Mallards last played on February 4, a 41-31 loss to Gunston in overtime on the road. Before that, Worcester last played on January 15 when they beat Gunston. When the Mallards hit the road on Wednesday for a game against Delmar, it...READ MORE

Juvenile Busted For Break-Ins

BERLIN - A Berlin juvenile was arrested on theft and other charges this week after county investigators were able to connect him to a spree of vehicle break-ins in the Glen Riddle community last fall. The Worcester County Bureau of Investigations (WCBI) this week concluded a four-month investigation into a rash of vehicle break-ins in Glen Riddle last October with the arrest of a 17-year-old who lives in the community. After identifying the suspect, WCBI detectives were able to get a search and...READ MORE

Fatherhood Adventures

It's just not right that Laurie Berkner Band songs fill my head all day. For those who don't know her, a simple web search will confirm she's a sensation in the world of young kids. My son, Beckett, the 21-month-old, is infatuated with her and consequently her catchy music dances through my brain at odd times throughout the day. Although I am not going to be downloading her albums to my Ipod anytime soon (no need to since Pam already has a couple CDs for long car rides with the kids, anyway),...READ MORE

We Remember Those We Have Lost

Harry C. Serkes SALISBURY - Harry C. Serkes, 80, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010. Born in Washington, D.C., he was the son of the late Nicholas and Angela Serkes. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Eileen. He was a resident of Ocean City from 1976-2003. He loved the beach and was fond of sitting on his front porch waving to passersby or being joined by one or many of his family or friends. During his years in Ocean City, he was involved in many business ventures. Among those was his...READ MORE

Thoughts From The Publisher's Desk

Ocean City cabbies will now be subject to random drug tests, according to a new regulation governing the industry. This section of the town ordinance raised a few eyebrows and shocked some drivers and cab owners this week. It reads in part a protocol will be established, 'requiring taxicab driver permit holders to be randomly tested for the use of controlled dangerous substances.' The ordinance continues, 'When a permit holder is selected for testing, the taxicab medallion owner which the...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

It's Pure Extortion Editor: Current cab owners have built the taxi business into a successful industry. We put into this industry our blood, sweat and tears. We have put many long hours and have attended many meetings improving the system. We have done such a fine job and cleaned up the system and have made such great strides that the taxi industry has become a very successful commodity that it is now being extorted legally by the Ocean City Mayor and city Council. Us current owners, and every...READ MORE

No Place For Slurs In Legitimate Discourse

According to an article posted on marylandreporter.com, some Eastern Shore lawmakers feel the Maryland Department of Environment is making it difficult for the Department of Agriculture to work effectively and is subsequently causing harm to state farmers. We see how this would be a legitimate concern for some, but a comment from a veteran lawmaker on the subject illustrates a wanton disregard for the truth as well as the sensitive nature of some elected officials. In the article, Republican...READ MORE

Debate Over Cops Carrying Guns, Drinking Divides Council

OCEAN CITY •€' City Council members and police officials are still divided on whether off-duty cops can carry a weapon while having a drink or if they should just simply leave their guns at home. The Police Commission meeting looked like a chess match that had reached a stalemate on Tuesday, as the two sides continued the debate about off-duty cops having drinks while carrying their guns. Although it should be noted that the this issue is the lone section of the newly amended General Order...READ MORE

Who's Playing Where and When Musically Speaking

Buxy's Salty Dog 410-289-0973 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, Feb. 19: TBA Saturday, Feb. 20: TBA Carousel Resort Hotel & Condominiums 410-524-1000 On the beach, 118th St. Every Friday: DJ Rupe, 7-9 p.m. Clarion Hotel 410-524-3535 10100 Coastal Hwy.  Ocean Club: Friday, Feb. 19 & Saturday, Feb. 20: Power Play Dr.Unks Bar & Grille 410-213-7775 , 9636 Stephen Decatur Hwy., West Ocean City Friday, Feb. 19: Blake Haley Fager's Island 410-524-5500 60th St. in the Bay Deck:...READ MORE

Friday, Feb 19--County Schools Use Reserves To Balance Budget

NEWARK - County schools will submit a budget request for $71,039,072 to the county next month, an amount that meets the state's Maintenance Of Effort requirements (MOE). With a deadline moved by 30 days, the Worcester County Board of Education approved the fiscal year 2011 school budget Tuesday for transmittal to the County Commissioners. The budget saw reductions in expected county aid and an increase in state aid, amounts which essentially cancel each other out. The school board plans to use...READ MORE

Friday, Feb 19--Historic Boardwalk Structure Getting Makeover

OCEAN CITY - With homage paid to the past and an eye on the future, a historic old structure on the Boardwalk, a summer home for the same family for over six decades, is in the midst of a substantial renovation and reconstruction, providing a glimpse of what once was and what could still be in the downtown area. While much of the downtown in the resort has been erased and rebuilt in recent decades, there are still a few reminders of a much different Ocean City landscape. One example is the...READ MORE

Friday, Feb 19--OCPD Says Crime Down 10 Percent

OCEAN CITY •€' Crime may be down, but there are certain rising numbers that have some members of the public safety division a bit concerned for the future. According to the annual Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) Report, overall crime is down 10 percent in the resort, and crimes against persons and property both saw double-digit declines at 11 and 17 percent, respectively. Chief Bernadette DiPino presented the department's annual report to the Police Commission on Tuesday outlining the...READ MORE

Friday, Feb 19--Safety Concerns Close Portion Of South Jetty

OCEAN CITY - State and federal officials last week announced part of the jetty along the south side of the Ocean City Inlet adjacent to the north end of Assateague Island will be closed to foot traffic over concerns about the safety of the structure. Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) last week announced the eastern third of the South Jetty that juts out into the Inlet seaward of 'the hump' will no longer be open to foot traffic. The section of jetty for years has been a popular spot for...READ MORE

City Approves Taxi Ordinance With Late Changes

OCEAN CITY •€' Despite some lingering rage from a few cab companies and drivers, taxi medallions will now be the rule of the road in Ocean City. The City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday night to approve final reading of an ordinance that would instill a $1,500 taxi medallion as a requirement to operate a cab in the resort, and a number of other changes to cabbie laws and fees, presumably ending a month long battle between town officials and the 'pick-•€˜em-up' proprietors of the...READ MORE

Clean Water Lawsuit Decision Looms As Deadline Approaches

BERLIN - Whether stormwater discharge from the Hudson Farm chicken operation merits the filing of a Clean Water Act lawsuit will be determined in the next week, when the 60 days the farm was given to correct the problem are up. The Waterkeeper Alliance sent a Notice of Intent (NOI) to file a Clean Water Act lawsuit to Alan Hudson and contractor Perdue Farms on Dec. 17, 2009, giving farmer Alan Hudson 60 days to correct problems. The 60-day clock began when all parties notified of the NOI...READ MORE

Family, Friends Continue Search As Authorities Probe

FENWICK ISLAND - Family and friends of a Delaware man reported missing last week in Fenwick Island continue to keep hope alive, but after a massive search effort throughout the area over the last several days has failed to produce any new clues about his whereabouts, the case is slowly moving away from a physical search to more of an investigation. Gregory R. Forte, 29, of Selbyville, was last seen around 11:30 p.m. last Tuesday at a small gathering of around eight people in a condominium on...READ MORE

Legal Hurdles Not Enough To Deter Hotel Project

OCEAN CITY •€' The little red flags marking where the foundation pilings are to be drilled on 64th Street seem to indicate a local property owner will not be waving the white flag of surrender anytime soon. Despite the town of Ocean City's desire to condemn and acquire his property for future wastewater facility expansion, Rick Laws made good on his earlier promise to move forward with his plans to build a 104-unit hotel on the site of the old Slide N-Ride, as crews began work on the hotel...READ MORE

New Bayfront Restaurant Planned For Downtown

OCEAN CITY•€'The former site of BJ's South is primed to become a new restaurant on the water as developers were given the nod to proceed with the building and permitting process by the Planning and Zoning Commission on Wednesday night. T and W Redevelopment LLC purchased the 1st Street parcel, which stretches almost 35,000 square feet overlooking the Sinepuxent Bay in 2004 for a reported $5.2 million, according to public records, and despite receiving approval several years ago for a...READ MORE

8-Year Sentence For Man Connected To Area Burglaries

SNOW HILL - A Berlin man convicted on a third-degree burglary charge in November after a stolen high school ring recovered in Anne Arundel County connected him to a rash of residential break-ins in Ocean Pines was sentenced last week in Worcester County Circuit Court to eight years in jail. Between May 22 and June 9 last year, Ocean Pines Police investigated a series of daytime residential burglaries in the south section of the community, but had not developed any suspects. During the time frame...READ MORE

Dueling Auctions Set For Resort Condos

OCEAN CITY - Perhaps a sign of growing frustration with the slow recovery of the real estate market in the resort area, two competing groups are hosting buyer incentive-laden auctions of several units in a largely vacant luxury bayfront condominium building next Saturday. Dozens of units in the upscale Bahia Vista development along the bay between 10th and 11th streets will go up for auction in different locations on the same day next week in a rare split between two ownership groups. In what...READ MORE

Fed Education Program Questions Remain

NEWARK - Despite doubts over the costs of a federal program to improve education, the Worcester County Board of Education signed off on a grant application requesting funds from the new initiative. The federal Race To The Top (RTTT) program will likely require major changes to education. The RTTT website lists two major planks of the program: 'Adopting standards and assessments that prepare students to succeed in college and the workplace and to compete in the global economy; [and] building data...READ MORE

High Hopes For Tech Park Plans

SNOW HILL - Supporters of a Pocomoke-based science and tech park say that the planned research campus could put billions of dollars into the regional economy and would create up to 1,100 high paying jobs. Architect Tim Crosby, who is working on the park study, said the science and tech park would create between 650 and 1,100 jobs. The average salary for workers would be $45,000 a year, and the payroll for the entire park when up and running would be between $30 million to $50 million. A recent...READ MORE

Hotelier James Makes Senate Run Official

OCEAN CITY - Ocean City hotelier Michael James this week officially announced he would seek the District 38 State Senate seat in the upcoming 2010 election, ending months of speculation about his intentions. James, managing partner of the Carousel Hotel and Resort who serves on various boards and commissions locally and across the region, made known he would seek a Maryland General Assembly seat in the 2010 election and has hinted for months he would likely run for the District 38 State Senate...READ MORE

Local Contingent To Join Fisheries March On Capitol

OCEAN CITY - In what will likely be a historic show of solidarity, thousands of recreational and commercial fishermen from all over the country, including a huge contingent from the Ocean City area, will convene on the steps of the U.S. Capitol next week in an organized protest against flawed federal fisheries management policies. The 'United We Fish' demonstration, set for next Wednesday, Feb. 24, in Washington, D.C., is set to be an organized protest against the continued negative impacts of...READ MORE

New Buses Needed In OC

OCEAN CITY •€' Public Works Director Hal Adkins says that the town will ask for the full $7.1 million outlined in the 2011 Annual Transportation Grant that he presented to the City Council on Tuesday night, but he isn't optimistic that he will get all of it. Adkins stood before the Mayor and City Council this week to give a report on the town's essential wishlist in grant money provided by the annual Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) grant, which would see the town have to match 10...READ MORE

Ocean City News In Brief

OCEAN CITY •€' In the brief this week, the Boardwalk bicycle hours got a unanimous nod through the first required reading for a coveted extra hour, a new city clerk was appointed at City Hall. Kathy Mathias To Replace Carol Jacobs As City Clerk Less than a month ago, City Manager Dennis Dare laid out a 'one-time only' offer on the table for 84 eligible town employees via a retirement incentive plan. As a result, a longtime figurehead of City Hall has accepted the incentive, allowing the...READ MORE

Snow Closures Force Extra Week For County Schools

NEWARK - Without a waiver from the Maryland State Department of Education, Worcester County public school students will be in the classroom until June 21 to make up for more than a week of snow days. Students will stay in class an extra week, unless the state waives the 180 instructional day requirement. Students were originally slated to get out of school for the summer on June 15.           'If there are no additional closures, the last day of...READ MORE

Tests Prove Achievement Gap Narrowing

NEWARK - The achievement gap between African-American students and others in Worcester County schools is getting smaller, but is not yet eliminated, test scores show. 'The achievement gap remains. However, it is narrowing,' said Wynette Handy, Worcester County schools coordinator of multicultural education and staff development at the February Worcester County Board of Education meeting. In 2004, 51.5 percent of Worcester County's African-American students tested proficient or better on the...READ MORE

People in Society

A spotlight on those helping causes throughout the community ...READ MORE

Worcester Prep Students Use Equipment from Science Grant Purchase

Working with some of the equipment and materials purchased through an Exxon-Mobile science grant at Worcester Prep are, front, Christopher Choy, Christian Bruder, Charlie Pritchard, Bridget Brown, Wyatt Richins, Meredith Kellam, Tatjana Kondraschow and Nate Abercrombie. Also pictured are teachers Jen Hall and Yvonne Kline and Exxon-Mobile representative Michael Abercrombie of Salisbury. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

BIS Announces National Geographic Bee Winner

Berlin IntermediateSchool is proud to announce the school's National Geographic Bee winner for the 2009-2010 school year. At the school-level bee, students answered oral questions on geography. This was the first round in the 22nd Annual National Geographic Bee, which is sponsored by the National Geographic Society. School. Pictured, from left, are Owen Dennis, first place; Ethan Meenan, second; and Tyler Cook, third. ...READ MORE

Twisters Gymnastics Sweeps Gymnastics Competition

The Twisters Gymnastics team competed at the Hill's Maryland Classic last month at the Prince George's County Sports Complex.  Twisters swept the compulsory meet with the level 4, 5 and 6 teams winning first place. Above, the first place level 4 team members are pictured, including Alyssa Weldon, Alyvia, Ciurca, Amiyah Rounds, Aryan Peters, Becky Maupin, Chelsea VanVonno, Clarice Pamplona, Erin Lambertson, Joey Guard, Michaela Vinogradov, Nay'Yarrah Winder, Olivia Beard, Piper Connors,...READ MORE

Scenes From Showell Elementary Kindergarten Class

Brandon Jasilaitis and Lilly Devereaux investigate magnets in Miss Pike's kindergarten class at Showell Elementary School. ...READ MORE

Worcester Prep Senior Headed to Top Notch Design College in South

Worcester Prep Senior Kevin Clayland, an expert in graphic design and digital media, will attend Savannah College of Arts Design to pursue his studies and career in the field. Working with Middle and Upper School tech teacher Nancy Raskauskas, Clayland has produced an extensive portfolio of his designs and in digital and print media. He has become proficient in software such as PhotoShop, InDesign, and other creative and video production applications. ...READ MORE

Buy Retirement Home Now Is Wise

OCEAN CITY - Pulling up stakes soon after retirement is fast becoming the norm. In fact, more than any previous generation, baby boomers expect to relocate in retirement, according to surveys by Del Webb, a retirement-housing corporation.1 While the allure of a milder climate or the enjoyments of being close to grandchildren are compelling reasons to move, many new retirees are wary of selling their current home during a weak housing market. But there are solutions that can help you get the best...READ MORE

Local Judge Approves Adoptions of Seven Area Youths

There were many smiling faces recently in a Worcester County courtroom as Judge Richard Bloxom approved the adoptions of seven children to three loving families. The children ages three to 13 included two sibling groups, one with two sisters and one with four children, as well as an individual child. To honor the adoptive families, the Worcester County Department of Social Services held a celebration for them following the legal proceedings of an adoption. Above, Bloxom is pictured with adoptive...READ MORE

Showell Principal Gets Donation From Local Kiwanis Club

Principal Diane Shorts of Showell Elementary School attended a meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City at the Ocean Pines Community Center and was presented with a $1,500 check by Kiwanis Club President Dan Peletier. The donation is used to support the school's annual Science Fair and annual Maryland Essay Contest. ...READ MORE

'Men Uttering Sonnets of Heartfelt Emotion' at Local Luncheon

Michael James reads a love poem to his wife Marilyn at the Men Uttering Sonnets of Heartfelt Emotion luncheon to support the Worcester County Cricket Center. James was one of several locals who participated in the event put on by the Worcester County Department of Social Services. The Cricket Center is a non-profit organization that supports the Worcester County Child Advocacy Center. ...READ MORE

Eastern Shore Artist Teaches Workshop at Art League of Ocean City

Eastern shore artist Jack Richardson taught a January workshop at the Art League of Ocean City. Participants braved the cold temperatures to paint outside. Pictured are Jean Scanlon, Al Moore, Grace Toulotte, Pete Feeney, Richardson, Eithne Graziano, George Hamaty and Ursula McMahon. ...READ MORE

A Week In Business

Officer Named To Board BERLIN -- Murray Oltman, Chief Information Officer of Atlantic General Hospital, has been selected to serve on the Governance Board for Maryland's statewide health information exchange - Chesapeake Regional Information System for our Patients (CRISP). CRISP allows clinical information to move electronically among disparate health information systems. The goal is to deliver the right health information anywhere in Maryland, providing safer, more timely, efficient,...READ MORE

Things I Like

The opening ceremonies of the Olympics A Grape G2 drink My wife's love of 'Ellen' The U.S. flag on the Terps' uniforms Melting snow Watching my young kids interact Date nights Birds crowding a feeder in the snow A woman's voice with an acoustic guitar The lamp posts on Berlin's Main Street The Boardwalk for lunch in the winter ...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): There could be some negative reaction to your tough stance when making a recent decision. But overall, your efforts result in well-earned recognition and all that can follow from that. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): Your financial situation seems confusing, even for the fiscally savvy Bovine. Maybe it's the conflicting advice you're getting. Check it out before things get too tangled to unknot. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): A relaxed attitude goes a long way in helping...READ MORE