July 23, 2010

Town of Berlin Launches New Commercial Recycling Program

The Town of Berlin and Grow Berlin Green officially launched a new commercial recycling program for downtown businesses on July 1. After months of planning, a large three-section container was placed behind The Globe for businesses to deposit their recyclable cardboard, plastic and glass. The container will be transported and emptied on a weekly basis at the Worcester County Recycling Center in Snow Hill. Above, from left, are Berlin Public Works Director Mike Gibbons, The Treasure Chest owner...READ MORE

Berger and Lynch Married at Snow Hill

Ocean City icons Albert Berger and Nancy Lynch were married at the Snow Hill courthouse on Friday, July 16. They are pictured above center with Felecia BenZakan, Albert's godson Paul Kahn and Veronica and Stan Kahn as they celebrate the happy occasion on Sunday, July 18. The couple will live in Gambrills and Ocean City.  ...READ MORE

OP Garden Club Presents Scholarship Awards

The Ocean Pines Garden Club (OPGC) recently presented its 2010 scholarship award, in the amount of $1,000, to Zeus Rodriquez. Shown at the Ocean Pines Yacht Club luncheon where the award was given, are, from left, OPGC President Marion Bickerstaff; Rodriquez; and Scholarship Chairperson Sunny Lee.  ...READ MORE

Rotary Club Installs New Officers

The Ocean City/Berlin Rotary Club recently installed its new officers for 2010. Pictured, from left, are Treasurer Dave Blair, President Tom Bickerstaff, Secretary Dan Harris and Penultimate Past President Stan Kahn. Officers of the clubs were all installed at a joint induction ceremony at the American Legion Post in Pocomoke City.  ...READ MORE

OCPHC Visit Ray Community Center

Members of the Ocean City Parrot Head Club (OCPHC) visited the Ray Community Center at Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services (WYFCS) in Berlin. Pictured, from left, are Teresa Fields, executive director of the WYFCS; Ruth and Igor Gauryluk, club members; India Bandorick, club president; 'Bean' Keagle and Irene Hansen, club members; and Marilyn Exley, club community outreach representative.   ...READ MORE

Faces in Places

A spotlight on the local and regional bar and restaurant scene ...READ MORE

Allegations Against LCB Include Lies, Price Gouging

OCEAN CITY •€' The Liquor Control Board for Worcester County (LCB) was caught in another lie this week, as more allegations about their pricing and product availability come forward from licensees. Last week, when questioned about becoming the first dispensary in the history of Maryland to be put on the state's '30-day biweekly credit control list', albeit for a span of several hours, LCB member and official spokesman Larry Wilkinson said that he had 'no knowledge that the LCB had been put...READ MORE

Elected Official's Vision Off After Laser Pointer Incident

OCEAN CITY •€' Laser pointers have made their way back into the public eye after a City Council member claims she had her eyes damaged by one last week. Councilwoman Margaret Pillas, who also owns a Boardwalk store, said a young boy hit her in the eye with a beam from a green laser pointer that he had carried inside her store last Saturday, and she says she's been struggling to see things clearly since. 'It's like trying to look through a piece of cellophane,' said Pillas on Wednesday....READ MORE

Former LCB Staff Talk Internal Operations

OCEAN CITY •€' Two former employees with the Liquor Control Board for Worcester County (LCB) came forward this week claiming questionable and even 'shady' business practices, pointing out one of the LCB's recent claims was an outright lie. As the region waits for the 'official' audited financial reports for the LCB to be released later this month, more information continues to surface about the inner workings of the quasi-governmental monopoly in charge of dispensing all the liquor sold...READ MORE

K-2 Banned In Ocean City

OCEAN CITY •€' Despite the fact that K-2 has essentially disappeared from Boardwalk store shelves, the Ocean City Mayor and Council voted to ban the substance for good on Monday. With the memory of last summer's proliferation and eventual ban of the psychoactive plant Salvia Divinorum still lingering, Councilwoman Margaret Pillas pushed for a ban of K-2, a concoction of herbs and spices that are sprayed with synthetic cannabinoids (most notably JWH-018), which mimics the effects of cannabis...READ MORE

Rip Currents Cause Busy Week For Beach Patrol

OCEAN CITY - Heavy surf conditions, coupled with a prolonged heat wave and peak July crowds, had the Ocean City Beach Patrol (OCBP) busy last week with 756 rescues recorded during the seven-day period including nearly 600 on last Sunday alone. While it is certainly not unusual to have dangerous rip currents form in the ocean in mid- to late July, the spike in the number of swimmers needing to be rescued by the Ocean City Beach Patrol last week was a bit of a statistical anomaly. Over...READ MORE

Church Re-Elected As No New Faces Join Field

SNOW HILL - Incumbent Worcester County Commissioner Bud Church will keep his seat in county government after the Democratic Central Committee could not find a candidate to oppose him in the general election. Church said he called the local elections office on Wednesday just before the central committee nomination period closed to learn if he would continue to run unopposed for his District 3 commissioner post. 'It feels pretty good,' Church said the day after the central committee nomination...READ MORE

County Approves Plans To Replace 911 Phone System

SNOW HILL - The Worcester County Commissioners briefly considered a new 911 phone system, grant applications for local homeless shelters, and other topics at their meeting this week. -- Worcester County Emergency Services will use $1.4 million in state emergency funding to replace its 911 emergency telephone system. A few weeks ago, the state Emergency Number Systems Board (ENSB) approved the funding request. The system must be replaced, said Emergency Services Director Teresa Owen, because the...READ MORE

Ice Skating Shows Offered Nightly At The Carousel

Kylie Joson Staff Writer OCEAN CITY - On your next day off, enjoy dinner and a free ice show at the Carousel Resort Hotel & Condominiums on 118th Street. This is a fun family-oriented performance that is performed every night starting at 6:30. The Next Ice Age skating company puts on a ravishing performance that will exceed your highest expectations. When they think of ice-skating shows, most people think 'cheesy', said choreographer and co-founding director Tim Murphy. This show is all...READ MORE

Md. School Assessment Test Results Show Some Progress

NEWARK - Elementary school kids in Worcester County continue to show progress on the Maryland School Assessment (MSA) tests, with overall scores for reading at 91.4 percent proficient and advanced in grades 3 to 8 and math scores at 90.5 percent proficient or advanced in grades 3 to 8.        These scores exceed the annual measurable objective, a goal set anew every year, according to the scores released by the Maryland State Board of Education. Annual...READ MORE

New Sprinkler Requirement Slows County Vote On Code

SNOW HILL - The official adoption of new building standards already approved by the state and in use in Worcester County will be delayed until a public hearing can be held on local amendments to the building code. On Tuesday, the County Commissioners considered whether to officially adopt the International Building Code (IBC), which was officially adopted by Maryland in the Building Performance Standards Act, but ultimately decided to delay passage of the legislation in order to have public...READ MORE

OC's Newest Operation Enjoying Early Success

T.K. Dickerson Staff Writer OCEAN CITY - Just a couple of months ago, the empty lot, which is now occupied by De Lazy Lizard, didn't house much more than an old Winnebago. Only 91 days after the first piece of dirt was moved, De Lazy Lizard was open and ready for business and is well on its way to becoming a top attraction in Ocean City. Owner Justin Byers is confident that the Ocean City establishment will become as successful as its other location in Morgantown, W.Va. 'It was a popular...READ MORE

Ocean City News In Brief

OCEAN CITY •€' In the brief this week, the City Council president issued an apology to Boardwalk merchants, the council officially passed a resolution that will allow some prime projects to get funded and the first new business to go into a 45th Street shopping plaza was announced. Mitrecic Apologizes For Council Oversight Council President Joe Mitrecic made a public apology to Boardwalk merchants this week who say they were robbed of customers and business by giveaways provided by a...READ MORE

Plan Pitched To Accelerate Coastal Wind Farm Effort

OCEAN CITY - The governors of Maryland and Delaware this week sent a letter to President Obama requesting a federal partnership in the development of clean energy off the mid-Atlantic coast, which could accelerate the effort to construct wind farms off the coast of Ocean City. On Wednesday, Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley and Delaware Governor Jack Markel sent a letter to Obama applauding the president for his commitment to clean energy and green job development, while presenting an...READ MORE

Process Underway To Replace Local Judge

SNOW HILL - The process to find a replacement for longtime Worcester County Circuit Court Judge Theodore Eschenberg, who officially retired in late June having reached the mandatory retirement age of 70, formally began this week. Eschenberg served nearly three decades on the Worcester County Circuit Court bench, including the last 18 as the county's administrative judge and chief judge of the state's 1st Judicial Circuit, although he continues to preside over cases in the county in a visiting...READ MORE

Smoldering Fire Burns Boy On Assateague

ASSATEAGUE - A 6-year-old boy was severely burned on his feet and ankles on Assateague this week after he inadvertently walked through a smoldering beach bonfire carelessly left over from the night before. According to Assateague Island National Seashore officials, the tragic incident occurred on Tuesday at the northern tip of Assateague Island near the Ocean City Inlet. The unidentified boy walked through the beach fire left over from the night before, which had not been properly put out and...READ MORE

Unusual Spike Continues In Worcester Rabies Cases

BERLIN - The rabies epidemic of 2009 is continuing in 2010, with 22 confirmed cases in Worcester County since January. Sixteen raccoons, four foxes, and two cats in Worcester County have been confirmed as rabid this year. Normally, Worcester County sees 10 to 10 confirmed rabies cases a year. In 2009, county environmental health staff recorded 52 laboratory confirmed rabid animals, Last year, the county had 27 confirmed cases of rabies by mid-July, compared with this year's 22. Health staff has...READ MORE

A Week in Business

Top June Producers OCEAN CITY - Prudential Carruthers Ocean City and West Ocean City recently salutes their top producers for June 2010. Leading the offices were Joy Snyder, Team Ocean City, Josh Morimoto, Della Wilson and Linda Moran. Hospital Earns Safety Award BERLIN - Atlantic General Hospital has received an award for the Keeping Patients Safe from Falls Safety Points Incentive Program, coming in second place in the state. More than two dozen hospitals in Maryland participate in this...READ MORE

Fatherhood Adventures

Parenting can be demanding at times, but taking the gang on the road takes it to another level. The 'family truckster' headed north last weekend to New York City for a weekend visit with family, and, oh my, it sure was an interesting experience. I knew my kids, 2 years and 8 months, were too young to actually enjoy New York City and what it offered. However, I figured my toddler would get a kick out of the tall buildings and the enormity of Central Park. What I didn't bargain for was...READ MORE

Alleged Meth Dealer Busted

OCEAN CITY - Ocean City police last week made a significant crystal methamphetamine bust after getting a tip from a citizen approached the suspected dealer. Around 6:40 p.m. last Friday, an OCPD officer on bike patrol in the area of 13th Street was approached by a citizen who told police a male had just tried to sell the witness crystal meth. After obtaining a description from the witness, OCPD officers were able to track down the suspect, later identified as Shawn Michael Tobin, 24, of...READ MORE

What's Your Sign

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): A bit of Arian contrariness could be keeping you from getting all the facts. Turn it off, and tune in to what you need to hear. It could make all the difference this week. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): Getting an answer to a vital question involving financial matters might take longer than you'd expected. A new factor might have to be dealt with before anything can move forward. Be patient. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): Use your good sense to see what might really be...READ MORE

We Remember Those We Have Lost

Panagiotis Spiros Buas POTOMAC - Panagiotis Spiros Buas 'Panos'/'Pete' passed away on Friday July 9, 2010 peacefully at his home in Potomac, Md. surrounded by his family. He was born on April 2, 1928 to Sprios and Vasiliki Buas in Drihmades, Albania (Vorio Epirus). He was a very proud Greek-American who loved the church and his quiet faith in God helped him through many challenges in life. He is survived by his wife, Dena, married for over 52 years. He is also survived by his children, Linda,...READ MORE

Retirement For Teen Kids?

OCEAN CITY - At age 16, it's hard to see past college (or even the weekend), much less into retirement. But parents and grandparents tend to take a longer view, and helping your teens set up and fund Roth IRAs could potentially provide benefits in that far-distant time when their working days are through. The tax-deferred compounding and flexibility that make a Roth IRA a powerful savings tool for adults can be even more compelling for someone 50 years from retirement, says Charles Toth,...READ MORE

Fish 'N OC

If you are into inshore fishing around Ocean City, there is a good chance that you associate summertime with flounder fishing. Lucky for us, the past few years here in Delmarva we have been fortunate enough to be blessed with an excellent flounder fishery. The fish are here, and they are in excellent numbers and good sizes. Still, this has not always been the case. I have been flounder fishing around Ocean City for decades, and I can remember times as a kid when heading out to the bay with my...READ MORE

Things I Like

Seeing OC ads in NYC The news that a friend had a baby Pictures of my kids A night of uninterrupted sleep Paying cash Taking time to smell the roses That first blast of air-conditioning after being outside Pulling dead weeds When my sons laugh at nothing Listening to music on a dock Assateague horse pictures  ...READ MORE

Dining Guide

Ocean City- Berlin Pines Sports bar & grille Old Bridge Road (Route 707), Ocean City , 410-213-9507 may have changed hands, but we are still the same locally known Sports Bar in West Ocean City, and yes we are open everyday 11a.m.-2 a.m. Everything on our menu is made to order from our Homemade Soups, Salads,  new and improved Crab Dip, Mussels, the only place that serves the 'Full Wing' Quesadillas, 1/2 lb. Burgers, Crab cakes, Fresh cut Steaks, Fresh Seafood, you name it, you will...READ MORE

People in Society

Scenes from those lending a helping hand throughout the community ...READ MORE

Group Looks To Set New Barhopping Record

OCEAN CITY - In a town with a reputation for having a watering hole on practically every corner, setting a Guinness Book world record for the most pubs visited in a 24 hour period, on the surface, certainly seems like a logistical possibility, and a group of close friends from all over the country embarked on the attempt early yesterday morning. The nine-member team, from as far away as Seattle, Wash. and Portland, Ore., had their first beer around 9:30 a.m. over breakfast at the Ocean View...READ MORE

Thoughts From the Publisher's Desk

Ocean City could find itself in the next edition of Guinness World Records. Yesterday morning, a group of nine brave souls stepped out of the Quality Inn on 16th Street in search of a new record for barhopping. The nine-member group needed to hit 102 bars in a 24-hour period. News Editor Shawn Soper was there for the first stop and seemed tempted to request a day in the field. Fortunately, he made it back to the office to file the story, and we look forward to hearing how the group fared...READ MORE

Voices From the Readers

Partying Deserves A Look Editor: First, kudos to Joe Hall for addressing Ocean City's drinking problem and shame on those want to throw him under the bus instead of discussing it openly as it should be. There is a problem and all you have to do is read 'Cops and Courts' in The Dispatch or log onto ocpd.md.com and read a day-by-day police report to see what is really going on in our town. Perhaps Councilwoman Mary Knight should read it also as she obviously doesn't see or chooses not to see there...READ MORE

Politics Has Always Been Part Of LCB Debate

Politics often clouds issues and that is certainly the case with the ongoing questions surrounding the future of the Liquor Control Board for Worcester County (LCB). Last week it was reported Delegate Jim Mathias would be requesting an audit of the LCB by the Comptroller's Office. That made some headlines around the area and subsequently lots of feathers were ruffled as a result. We heard this week from three readers, some more mild mannered than others, adamantly pointing out that...READ MORE

Friday, July 23--Bay Bridge Traffic Soars

OCEAN CITY •€' A new Bay Bridge study shows an approximated 40-percent increase in traffic coming to the Eastern Shore in the month of June, but some area businesses aren't seeing a similar increase in their occupancy or sales. This week, Catherine Noone, toll manager for the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, sent a report to Ocean City Emergency Planner Richard 'Buzzy' Bayles outlining a substantial increase in traffic streaming eastbound over the Bay Bridge during the week. 'I asked Ken Cimino,...READ MORE

Friday, July 23--Court Ruling Keeps Perdue In River Pollution Lawsuit

BERLIN - Perdue Farms will remain part of a lawsuit brought by environmental activists against a local chicken farm raising Perdue birds that has allegedly polluted the Pocomoke River. The Clean Water Act pollution lawsuit, brought against Hudson Farm and Perdue Farms by Coastkeeper Kathy Phillips, Assateague Coastal Trust (ACT), and the national Waterkeeper Alliance, has survived an effort by the defendants to have the suit dismissed. 'It's incredibly positive,' said Assateague Coastkeeper...READ MORE

Friday, July 23--FBI, WCBI Probe Leads To Local Porn Charges

BERLIN - A Berlin man was arrested on possession and distribution of child pornography charges last week after a months-long investigation by the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI) and an FBI investigation dating back to last September. In January, WCBI detectives began investigating Kirt Barren Greenberg, 45, of Berlin for an alleged violation of the Peeping Tom law. During the investigation, it was learned a female juvenile had been residing at Greenberg's residence in Berlin on a...READ MORE

Friday, July 23--Multi-Vehicle Accident In OC Sends Five To Hospital

OCEAN CITY - Five people were taken to area hospitals last week after a bizarre multi-vehicle pile-up on Coastal Highway that resulted in a boat and trailer crossing the median into the opposite lanes. Around 1:40 p.m. last Friday, a Hyundai sedan heading south on Coastal Highway in the area of 100th Street crossed out if its lane and collided with an SUV towing a trailer and small boat. The force of the collision caused the trailer to swing around to the right where it struck another southbound...READ MORE

Open Houses in Ocean City

OCEAN CITY White Marlin B306 Wicomico St & Bay Sat & Sun 11-2 Bayfront 2BR/2BA Huge Boat Slip Direct Ocean Access Della Wilson Prudential Carruthers 443-235-4719 NORTH OCEAN CITY 14008 Sea Captain Off 141st Street Sat 1:30-3:30 3BR/2BA Caine Woods Single Family Home Jim white Bud Church Realty Coldwell Banker 443-614-2735 OCEAN CITY The Meridian Open Daily Oceanfront Residences 60th Street New Construction Dan Clayland Coldwell Banker 410-520-0072 OCEAN CITY Bella Vista Two Models Open...READ MORE

Open Houses in West Ocean City and Surrounding Areas

BERLIN 10206 Willow Brook Dr Sat 9-1 4BR/3BA Single Family On Nice Lot Joe Mulford Monogram Custom Homes 443-614-7096 WEST OCEAN CITY Bay Point Plantation Rt589/Gum Point Rd Daily 10-5 Waterfront Estate Lots in 142 Acre Preserve Kevin Decker The Fritschle Group/ Condominium Realty 443-235-6552 WEST OCEAN CITY Sailor's Watch Golf Course Road Daily 10-4 New 3BR, 3.5BA Luxury Townhouses Coldwell Banker 410-524-6111  ...READ MORE