November 12, 2010

What's Your Sign

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): Your ruling planet, Mars, allows you to assume a sense of command that can help you turn a chaotic workplace situation into one that's orderly, productive and, yes, even friendly. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): Getting a relationship that's been stuck in a rut up and running again depends on how far you want to run with it. Be honest with yourself as you consider which decision to make. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): Be wary of rumors that seem to be coming from...READ MORE

Where To Eat Around Town

West Ocean City- Berlin Ocean Pines 707 Sports bar & grille 12702 Old Bridge Road (Route 707), West Ocean City • 410-213-9507 We 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...READ MORE

Hold-Up Story A Hoax

BERLIN - A Reisterstown, Md. man was arrested last week for making a false report to a police officer when he reported he had been robbed at gunpoint on Route 50 near Berlin after losing his money gambling in Dover. Around 10:30 p.m. last Thursday, the Worcester County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call from a man, later identified as Thomas Patrick Stanley, 45, claiming he had been robbed at gunpoint on the shoulder of Route 50 in the area of the Wal-Mart near Berlin. Stanley told police he...READ MORE

Adventures In Fatherhood

Frustrations are inevitable when it comes to parenting, but currently the 2 '-year-old in the house is responsible for far more than the 1-year-old. Beckett, the eldest, continues to be a mystifying contradiction. There are some moments that just leave me speechless. He can be a sweet and darling boy one minute and then an evil and rude kid the next. For instance, on a recent night, a scene played out that still baffles me. I had been home from work for a while and was rough housing with Beckett...READ MORE

Whos playing where and when musically speaking

707 Sports Bar & Grille 410-213-9507 12702 Old Bridge Road, West OC Friday, Nov. 12: Fuzzbox Piranha, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Every Saturday: Karaoke with Hey Mick, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Buxy's Salty Dog 410-289-0973 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, Nov. 12: Tim Cyphers Saturday, Nov. 13: Kevin Poole Carousel Resort Hotel & Condominiums 410-524-1000 On the beach, 118th St. Every Friday: DJ Rupe, in the Bamboo Lounge, 6-9 p.m. Clarion Hotel 410-524-3535 10100 Coastal Hwy.   Ocean Club: Friday, Nov....READ MORE

SDMS Is Cooking With Math

Students in Mrs. Hrebik's seventh grade math classes at Stephen Decatur Middle School used their fraction skills to solve the recipe mystery. They had to add, subtract, multiply and divide mixed numbers in order to determine the correct amount of ingredients needed to make chocolate chip cookies. Pictured, from left, are Mrs. Sites, Jerry Kiesewetter, Peter Marx, Jacob Sites, Jermaine Fosque, Brian Savage, Evan Newcomb and Bailey Bush. Submitted Photos  ...READ MORE

OCES Honors Students Of The Month

Ocean City Elementary School honored the October Students of the Month recently. Students were given special T-shirts and had a luncheon and cake sponsored by the Ocean City/Berlin Optimists and OC Eye Care. Honored were, first row, first graders Alexis Mumford, Kassidy Ford, Aryan Peters, Saige Figgs, Skylar Cook and Mason Houck; second row, second graders Jessica Janney, Melis Unal, Amit Peled, Claire Williams and Eliana Yeager; third row, third graders Summer Vorsteg, Keegan Mitchell,...READ MORE

BIS Students Laughing To Learn

Berlin Intermediate School (BIS) and sixth grade peer mediators celebrated National Conflict Resolution Day by laughing out loud. The students wore funny T-shirts to remember that laughter is great when we laugh at ourselves and not at others. Pictured are, first row, Sean Corcoran, Gavin Harrigan, Paige Getchell, Sara Mitrecic and Ja'Lynn Ewell; second row, Parker Williams, Wyatt Greer, BIS Counselor/Peer Mediator Advisor Michelle Bankert, Addison Cook and Christina Romano; and, standing, Noah...READ MORE

WPS Junior Semi-Finalist In Pageant

Worcester Prep Junior Hannah Beauchamp was among the semi-finalists selected in the Miss Maryland Teen USA Pageant in Bethesda. She placed in the top 15 of 61 girls and was awarded a Humanitarian Service Award for her contributions to the homeless in the City of Baltimore. As a semi-finalist, she received a $29,600 scholarship to use at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo. just west of St. Louis. ...READ MORE

Bayville Title Winner

Bayville Package last week captured the Bayside Division title in the Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department's men's fall softball league. Pictured above, showing off their division championship hardware are Bayside Package team members J. McCabe, B. McCabe, R. Jensen, D. Huber, K. McCabe, D. Roe, C. Warner, M. Postles, W. Hocker, J. Bare, T. Miller and D.J. Clark. Not pictured area H. Cornell, R. Riddle and C. White. Submitted photo ...READ MORE

Decatur Beats Snow Hill

Decatur Beats Snow Hill, Earns Playoff Spot BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's varsity football team beat county rival Snow Hill, 23-13, last Friday in the regular season finale to clinch the fourth and final playoff spot in the state Class 3A-East region tournament. After starting the season with a 1-4 record, including an abysmal mid-season 0-3 stretch, the Seahawks won their last five games to improve to 6-4 and clinch the fourth playoff spot in the 3A-East Region tournament. Decatur entered last...READ MORE

Dolphins Trounce Dover

Dolphins Trounce Dover, 39-0 BERLIN- The Berlin Junior Dolphins of the Salvation Army 'Red Shield' youth football league remained unbeaten and retained their stranglehold on first place this week after routing the Dover Destroyers, 39-0. The Junior Dolphins improved to 7-0 with the systematic demolition of the Destroyers last week. Berlin scored on its first four possessions with touchdown runs by Colton Lohnas, Collin Gaynor and Sam Coates, and a touchdown pass from Justin Meekins to Tyree...READ MORE

Flag Football League Wraps Regular Season

Flag League Wraps Regular Season OCEAN CITY- The Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department's Fall Flag Football League concluded its regular season this week and is now preparing for the playoffs and eventual championship. Seacrets beat Buxy's Salty Dog, 27-7, on Monday to finish with a perfect 8-0 regular season record. Schell Brothers-Greene Turtle also won its regular season finale, beating Kirby's Pub, 19-6, to finish in a close second with a 7-1 mark. With the regular season concluded, the...READ MORE

SDHS Parnell Barrels Defender

Decatur's Markell Purnell barrels over Snow Hill defenders during last week's 23-13 win over Snow Hill. The win clinched a state playoff berth for the Seahawks. Photo by John Harris ...READ MORE

Seahawks Bow Out Of States

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's varsity volleyball team bowed out of the state tournament this week, falling to Reservoir, 3-0, on Monday in the Class 3A-East quarterfinals. The Seahawks entered the region tournament as the number-two seed and received a first-round bye, while Reservoir came in as the number-seven seed and needed to beat 10th-seeded Northeast in the opening round. On Monday, Reservoir took down the Seahawks in three straight, 25-23, 25-18, and 25-9. Catherine Winters led the way for...READ MORE

Seahawks Quarter Back Tyre

Seahawk quarterback Teron Tyre rolls out against the Snow Hill defense during last Friday's big 23-13 win over the Eagles. Photo by John Harris ...READ MORE

Tough Guy Of The Week

This week's Atlantic Physical Therapy 'Tough Guy of the Week' award went to Nick Craven for his outstanding play in a 23-13 win over Snow Hill. Pictured above is Craven (center) flanked by Coach Bob Knox (left) and ATP President and CEO Bob Hammond (right) along with Hammond's son Matthew. ...READ MORE

Turtle Lax Club to Hold Tryouts

OCEAN CITY- The Greene Turtle girls' lacrosse club will be holding tryouts for the 2011 season on December 4 at the Crown Sports Complex in Salisbury. The club is looking for girls who are interested in playing competitive tournament lacrosse against some of the best competition throughout the region and on the east coast. Now in its fifth year, the Greene Turtle Lacrosse Club offers a well-established, well-respected competitive club program with an excellent coaching staff. Tryouts will be...READ MORE

A Look At The People Helping Causes In The Area

OCEAN CITY- The Greene Turtle girls' lacrosse club will be holding tryouts for the 2011 season on December 4 at the Crown Sports Complex in Salisbury. The club is looking for girls who are interested in playing competitive tournament lacrosse against some of the best competition throughout the region and on the east coast. Now in its fifth year, the Greene Turtle Lacrosse Club offers a well-established, well-respected competitive club program with an excellent coaching staff. Tryouts will be...READ MORE

Area Center Offers Unique Learning Atmosphere

SELBYVILLE, Del. ' The Next Step Learning Center is growing rapidly with future plans for even more expansion. With a unique strategy for classroom development, a thriving social program and an emphasis on positive attitude and creative activity, Next Step has made impressive progress in a short period of time. There are already 109 students enrolled, despite the center only opening last year. 'I wanted it to be full the day that we opened, but now I'm super glad it wasn't,' said owner and...READ MORE

Motorcycle Crash Kills Local Man

OCEAN PINES ' A local man was killed in an accident this week when his motorcycle apparently left the roadway in Ocean Pines and struck several mailboxes early Wednesday morning. Around 1:36 a.m. on Wednesday, Ocean Pines Police responded to a reported single-vehicle accident on Ocean Parkway in the community. Pines Police investigated and determined a motorcycle, driven by Jeffrey Samuel Pickard, 59, of Ocean Pines, had left the roadway and struck several U.S. Postal Service mailboxes along the...READ MORE

Ocean City Getting Tough On Permit Violators

OCEAN CITY ' The resort is looking to crack down on contractors who start construction work before receiving a building permit is received at City Hall. The current building code states, 'any person who commences any work on a building, structure, electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system before obtaining the necessary permits shall be subject to a fee'that shall be in addition to the required permit fees.' According to City Engineer Terry McGean, the city has not had a policy for...READ MORE

Berlin Hoping For Exemption From Sprinkler Requirement

BERLIN ' The town of Berlin introduced an ordinance at Monday's Mayor and Council Meeting exempting it from the new state requirements regarding the installation of sprinkler systems in residential developments. The ordinance will be open to a public hearing on Nov. 22. The new regulation, which states that all new one- or two-family dwellings must have automatic sprinklers, is part of the International Residential Building Code, a code Maryland has already accepted, an act that has sparked...READ MORE

OCES Illustrates Something Special

Jack Greenwood from Elizabeth Engh's kindergarten class at Ocean City Elementary School shows his illustration of Buzz Lightyear for his page in their Something Special Journal. ...READ MORE

OCES Picks The Perfect Pumpkin

Donovan Roos and Logan Bradshaw in Sheri Brueckner's kindergarten class at Ocean City Elementary School enjoyed picking the perfect pumpkin and going through the maze at Mr. Pepper's farm. ...READ MORE

Students In The News

...READ MORE

Open Houses This Week

OC & FENWICK Resort Homes Fall Open House Extraganza for Home Building Ideas Sat 11-2 Montego Bay Swann Keys Warrens Park 410-213-7721 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 OCEAN CITY Coconut Malorie 60th Street Bayfront Open Daily 1BR w/ Views Jim White ReMax Premier Properties 410-726-9026 OCEAN CITY Makai Condominiums 42nd St. Bayside Daily 10-4 New...READ MORE

Sorting Out Future Business Tax Changes

OCEAN CITY – A few weeks back, we looked at some questions regarding tax changes enacted in recent years that take effect in 2011. Here are some more commonly heard questions about the new changes and how they may affect you and your business. (BOLD QUESTION)What about the small-business tax incentives enacted over the past couple of years? Are there any worth taking advantage of? Absolutely. The most significant are the ones governing the depreciation of certain types of property. For the...READ MORE

Letters To The Editor

A Deadly Combination Editor: Aggressive driving anywhere is a highly dangerous activity, and when you mix aggressive driving with a busy two-lane highway, the combination can be deadly. My assertion is that Route 113 – as it exists today – contributes to aggressive driving behavior. The roadway contains many curves, has few passing zones, and accommodates a variety of vehicles – including farm equipment – which travel at varying rates of speed. As driver frustration...READ MORE

Should Air Show Continue Without Top Tier Act?

The future of the OC Air Show appears a little in doubt today, as there’s uncertainty about the 2011 event’s date as well as what act, if any, will headline the event. The newly formed Tourism Advisory Board will surely iron out the date debate after it was remanded to the body by the council to get the business community’s sentiment on whether it should continue to be held the first weekend in June or be bumped to its original place on the calendar, the second weekend of the...READ MORE

Between The Lines

Although it’s not official, it’s looking more and more like Beau Oglesby will hold on and become the county’s new state’s attorney. The outcome will not become verified until Nov. 22, but Oglesby holds a comfortable lead with about 170 ballots left to be counted. With each passing count of absentee and other ballots, State’s Attorney Joel Todd is narrowing Oglesby’s lead, but the incumbent does not appear to be picking up enough votes to overcome the deficit....READ MORE

Drought Designation’s Impact On Farms Unclear

BERLIN – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) declared this week that 22 of Maryland’s counties, including Worcester, would be given natural disaster designations because of the excessive drought and heat that affected crops this past summer. In a press release, Gov. Martin O’Malley expressed his appreciation to the federal government for recognizing the impact the dry conditions had on the state last summer and their actions to help reduce negative...READ MORE

Fed Support Gives Offshore Wind Farm Hopes A Boost

OCEAN CITY – Plans to construct a massive wind farm off the coast of Ocean City got a significant boost this week when the federal government issued both a Request for Interest (RFI) and a map of an offshore wind leasing area in federal waters just off Maryland’s Atlantic coast. On Monday, the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) announced a significant step forward in the effort to bring offshore wind power generation to Maryland’s...READ MORE

EPA Denies Lead Tackle Ban

OCEAN CITY – The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last week denied a petition filed by a coalition of environmental groups seeking a ban on the use of lead in fishing tackle, a measure which, if approved, could have had serious impacts in Ocean City and other fishing communities. In August, a coalition of environmental groups, led by the Center for Biological Diversity, filed a formal petition with the EPA seeking a ban on the use of lead in all fishing tackle and hunting...READ MORE

Plunging For Special Olympics

OCEAN CITY – The first annual State of Maryland’s Chief and Sheriff Association Polar Bear Plunge was held this week, gathering law enforcement officials from all over the state to take the plunge into the frigid water of the Atlantic Ocean. “We all decided to do the first annual polar bear plunge in Ocean City,” Ocean City Police Chief Bernadette DiPino said. “What we’ve done is raised over $20,000 for special Olympics.” Here in Maryland, Special...READ MORE

OC Approves Sprinkler Change

OCEAN CITY – Unlike their colleagues in the county and Berlin, the Ocean City Mayor and Council has no problem with a change to the building code requiring fire sprinkler systems be installed in newly built single-family homes. According to a letter written by City Engineer Terry McGean, on Jan. 1, 2010 the state recognized the 2009 International Building Code, and the International Energy Conservation Codes, replacing the 2006 version of these codes. Local jurisdictions were to implement...READ MORE

Shockley’s 91-Vote Lead Likely Seals District 4 Race

BERLIN – With more votes counted this week, incumbent Worcester County Commissioner Virgil Shockley (D) seems to have finally defeated challenger Ted Elder (R). “It was a long race,” said Shockley. “I’m glad it only happens every four years.” Shockley, who defeated Elder by a wide margin in the 2006 election, found himself almost dead even with Elder after last week’s voting. The polls closed with Shockley maintaining less than a 100-vote lead with...READ MORE

City Council Moves Ahead With Business Without Commissions

OCEAN CITY – A few weeks after the City Council voted 4-3 to dissolve all subcommittees, City Solicitor Guy Ayres explained on Tuesday what would have to be voted on to change a charter or ordinance to remove the Mayor and/or City Council members from them. The six sub-committees that require changes to the charter and/or ordinances are the police commission, pension trustees, risk management, mediation board, traffic commission and the parking commission. Ayres clarified that the...READ MORE

Mathias’ Lead Grows In Shore Senate Race

BERLIN – While stopping well short of conceding anything, Republican challenger Michael James this week acknowledged the growing gap between he and Democratic candidate James Mathias for the vacant District 38 State Senate seat could be too large to overcome as the process of counting absentee ballots continues. When the dust settled after a whirlwind General Election last Tuesday, Mathias led James by a mere 156 votes, leaving the outcome undecided and at the hands of a lengthy absentee,...READ MORE

OC Tourism Advisory Board Created

OCEAN CITY – At this week’s Mayor and City Council meeting, the division among the council showed its face once again, upon a report given by the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce and the Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association (OCHMRA). During the Mayor and City Council organizational meeting, held a few weeks ago following the election, a nontraditional vote took place. A motion, initiated by Councilman Joe Hall, resulted in the town’s sub-committees, including the tourism...READ MORE

Thunderbirds Unavailable For 2011 Air Show

OCEAN CITY – The resort’s 2011 Air Show dates will be one of the first matters brought to the newly created Tourism Advisory Board, which will get straight to work at this week’s Mayor and City Council Meeting. Brian Lilley, Air Show Coordinator, proposed two date options for next summer season’s event – June 3-5, 2011 or June 10-12, 2011. The business community has said publicly it would like the event to be held the weekend after Memorial Day, or the first weekend...READ MORE

Body Discovered On Assateague

ASSATEAGUE – Worcester County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI) detectives this week are awaiting results on the identity and possible cause of death of an individual whose body was discovered on the beach on Assateague last Saturday. Shortly after 3 p.m. last Saturday, a federal park ranger was patrolling the beach along the north end of the Assateague National Seashore when the ranger located the remains of an adult white male. WCBI detectives were contacted and responded to the area where...READ MORE

Oglesby Nears Victory In Tight State’s Attorney Race

Oglesby Nears Victory In Tight State’s Attorney Race Shawn J. Soper News Editor BERLIN – While incumbent Worcester County State’s Attorney Joel Todd closed the gap somewhat this week after more absentee ballots were counted on Wednesday, Republican challenger Beau Oglesby appears to have moved closer to his “magic number”. When the polls closed last Tuesday, it was Oglesby leading Todd by a mere 145 votes and a sense of déjà vu spread across the county...READ MORE

Mathias’ Lead Grows In Shore Senate Race

BERLIN – While stopping well short of conceding anything, Republican challenger Michael James this week acknowledged the growing gap between he and Democratic candidate James Mathias for the vacant District 38 State Senate seat could be too large to overcome as the process of counting absentee ballots continues. When the dust settled after a whirlwind General Election last Tuesday, Mathias led James by a mere 156 votes, leaving the outcome undecided and at the hands of a lengthy absentee,...READ MORE

Things I Like

The Shell Shocked event at Fager's

 Pro football stadiums

 A new pair of shades

 How my 2-year-old likes to give me orders

 The Sun Sports section on Monday

 Foliage along a road

 Ginger snaps

 Thoreau's writings

 Going to bed early sometimes

 A new bar of soap

 Getting into a warm car on a cold day

 ...READ MORE

Company Leaders Gain Training

BERLIN - R&R Coatings owner George Ralph, III and Vice President of Operations Dennis Greene recently attended the International Polished Concrete Conference and Seminar for additional training and to give their professional input on the industry and help develop a position paper for the young and growing trade. Additionally, Ralph recently attended the MAPEI Concrete Restoration Institute and received his certification. R&R Coatings is a leading contractor specializing in commercial,...READ MORE

A Spotlight On The Local And Regional Bar Scene

Faces In Places ...READ MORE

November Is National Hospice And Palliative Care Month

The Worcester County Commissioners last week recognized November as National Hospice and Palliative Care Month with a proclamation to Coastal Hospice and Palliative Care. Development Director Maureen McNeill, center, accepted the proclamation on behalf of Coastal Hospice, which has been serving Worcester County for 30 years. Submitted Photos  ...READ MORE

We Remember Those We Have Lost

Robert DeFressine OCEAN CITY - Robert DeFressine, 85, died Nov. 6 at Costal Hospice at the Lake. He was born in Ocean City to the late Arthur DeFressine and Florence Ludlam. He was born on the original Riddle Farm and raised in Ocean City. He was a life long member of the Ocean City Fire Department. He was an original member of the Ocean City Beach Patrol. He loved fishing, gardening, antiquing and football. He is survived by his wife, Joan DeFressine; daughter, Debbie DeFressine and her...READ MORE