May 1, 2009

Faces in Places

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

WOC Burglary Suspects Nabbed

WOC Burglary Suspects Nabbed WEST OCEAN CITY - Two men were arrested on burglary charges after allegedly breaking into a West Ocean City convenience store and doughnut shop last week. On April 22, two men later identified as Shane William Lewis, 25, of Berlin, and Eric Steven Parkinson, 20, of Delmar, allegedly broke into the Marlin Market and Fractured Prune stores on Route 611 in West Ocean City and stole the cash register from the Fractured Prune. A review of surveillance tapes in the stores...READ MORE

Fatherhood Adventures

Some more thoughts on the life and times of my son as he closes in on his first birthday this month. -- He wants everything we have. There are some big changes going on around the house, as it seems whatever anyone has at any given moment my son must have. Whether it's the TV remote, a cell phone, a screwdriver, a fork, an Ipod or a cheese steak, he seems to have a sense of entitlement. All basically wants to do is grab it, stick it in his mouth and decide on his own if he wants to keep it or...READ MORE

Decatur Girls' Record Unblemished

BERLIN- The beat went on for Stephen Decatur's girls' varsity lacrosse team this week as the Seahawks routed a pair of tough Bayside Conference opponents to remain unbeaten on the season. The Seahawks beat Parkside, 13-7, last Friday and followed that up with an 11-6 win over Kent County on Monday to improve to 11-0 on the season including a 6-0 mark in the Bayside South division. Decatur faced Bayside North powerhouse Easton yesterday in a game played too late to be included in this...READ MORE

Golf Tournament to Raise Funds for Ailing Local Child

OCEAN CITY- The only thing the Ocean City golf community enjoys more than hitting the links is hitting the links for a good cause, and perhaps no better opportunity to do that presents itself on Monday, May 11, with the 2nd Annual Cancer Awareness Golf Tournament at the Links at Lighthouse Sound. This year's event will help raise funds for a cause near and dear to the resort community. Much of the proceeds from the event will go directly to the family of popular local Rob Chandler, also known as...READ MORE

Local Surfers Score Well in Puerto Rico

BERLIN- The Ocean City surfing community was well represented at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Surfing Championships in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico last weekend with four local surfers qualifying for the Eastern Surfing Association (ESA) 'Beast of the East' championships in Hatteras next fall. Over 450 surfers from up and down the east coast from Delaware to Puerto Rico and everywhere in between competed in the Mid-Atlantic Regionals in Aguadilla last weekend and the local surfers from the ESA-Delmarva...READ MORE

Mallards Ride Big Third to Win over Dragons

BERLIN- Worcester Prep's men's varsity lacrosse team took care of business this week with a pair of wins including a 11-2 pasting of ESIAC rival Salisbury School last Thursday and a convincing 13-7 win over Sussex Tech on Monday. Last Thursday, the Mallards allowed Salisbury School to hang around in the game before taking charge of the contest with a dominating third quarter. Justin Butler took an assist from Brad Harris and fired in the back of the net to increase Worcester's lead to 5-1 just...READ MORE

Mallards Win 3OT Thriller

BERLIN- Worcester Prep's girls' varsity lacrosse team won a thriller last week, beating old rival Saints Peter and Paul, 12-11, in the third overtime period on a late goal by Molly Dickerson. The two teams went back and forth all day and could not decide a winner during regulation. The Mallards and the Sabres battled through two overtime periods and could still not determine a victor, but Dickerson settled the issue once and for all with a sudden-death goal in the third OT period to stake...READ MORE

OC Connection Leads UNCW to Title

OCEAN CITY- A strong local connection played a big part in the UNC-Wilmington Surf Club's victory in the National Scholastic Surfing Association's (NSSA) East Coast Championships at Sebastian Inlet, Fla. two weeks ago. Ocean City local and Stephen Decatur High School graduate Ian Tilghman took second overall in the competition to help the UNC-Wilmington club win the team championship. Tilghman's teammate Mike Powell was first overall in the competition. The team is coached by another Ocean City...READ MORE

Seahawks Survive Scare, Remain Unbeaten

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's varsity baseball team remained unbeaten this week after a whirlwind few days that saw the Seahawks pushed to the limit with a come-from-behind win over Parkside before righting the ship to cruise past three other Bayside Conference opponents. With dominating pitching and clutch hitting from up and down the line-up, the Seahawks had rarely been tested this season on their way to a 10-0 record before visiting Parkside took them the distance last Thursday. Parkside scored...READ MORE

Turtle Elite Team to Hold Tryouts

OCEAN CITY- The Greene Turtle boys' elite travel lacrosse team is holding tryouts for the 2009 season this Sunday, May 3, at the Crown Sports Center in Fruitland. The Greene Turtle Club, made up of some of the top high school lacrosse players from across the Eastern Shore including many from right here in the Ocean City and Berlin area, competes in big-time tournaments throughout the mid-Atlantic area all year. Last year, the team earned the right to compete in the Dick's Sports Tournament of...READ MORE

Thoughts From The Publisher's Desk

A lot is reported on these days about tourism, but I came across something this week that's a unique perspective from one visitor. Russell Cook, a resident of Ocean City for the last 12 years and current staff member at Edwards on the Boardwalk, sent us some thoughts by his granddaughter Lilly. Here's a look at her story. I can hardly ever wait until my family takes a 4-5-hour long road trip to see my grandpa in Ocean City, Md. for about a week. Every year we have a blast. But the road trip...READ MORE

Waiver Decision Raises Fairness Question

The County Commissioners decided last week to rescind a request to the state's Department of Education for a Maintenance of Effort waiver that would have allowed the county to fund the local school system below a level mandated by state law. We think this was a questionable decision, the timing of which seems to be more political than logical. News of the waiver request being withdrawn came as a surprise to many. Rather abruptly, after an impromptu gathering on Friday morning held without proper...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

Open Space A Winner Editor: I read with interest your recent article entitled 'Some wins, losses for local bills of significance.' In addition to the various bills you noted, this year's legislative session also featured efforts from both Governor Martin O'Malley and the members of the Maryland General Assembly which ensure that the state will continue to have funding to preserve open space and to develop park and recreation facilities during the coming fiscal year. Even during these...READ MORE

OC Rejects Pro-Life Group's Request

OCEAN CITY - Nearly four years since their signs were confiscated by authorities and allegedly destroyed, the Defend Life organization is asking for their money back. Jack Ames, director of the Baltimore-based pro-life organization that was removed from the Ocean City Boardwalk in 2005 for displaying graphic images of dismembered and mutilated fetuses alleged to be results of abortions, said that the town owes the group $660 so it can replace the three double-sided signs that were seized by the...READ MORE

Friday, May 1--Berlin Expecting County To Decrease Grant

BERLIN - Berlin will base part of its $13.7 million budget around an estimated $400,000 from Worcester County, $50,000 less than the town's request for fiscal year 2010 (FY10) funds. Although the County Commissioners have yet to begin budget deliberations, the town asked for an estimate of the county's grant this week in order to factor that revenue into budget deliberations, which will begin in the next 10 days, and were told $400,000 should be expected. 'I'm really grateful for that. I have no...READ MORE

Friday, May 1--Federal Judge Dismisses Elements Of WCDC Lawsuit

BERLIN - A federal judge last month made an informal ruling on some aspects of the lawsuit filed by a former Worcester County Developmental Center (WCDC) employee against the agency in February, agreeing to grant to defendant's motion to dismiss the case in part and deny the motion in part. Former WCDC employee Jometta Johnson, through her attorney, in February filed suit against the agency and two of her supervisors alleging race discrimination, retaliation, assault and battery and other...READ MORE

Friday, May 1--New Resort Fire Leadership In Place

OCEAN CITY - Ocean City Fire Department Chief Chris Larmore says he couldn't have hand picked a better group of men to promote. The Ocean City Fire Department filled the spaces in its new ranking structure with seven veteran firefighters, boasting 115 years of combined experience in the local fire ranks, and took yet another step in creating a unified organization that's dedicated to better equipped to serve the community. The City Council approved Larmore's request to restructure the ranks on...READ MORE

Friday, May 1--Residents Should See Wallops Launch

BERLIN - Area residents and visitors will likely be treated to a rare fireworks display in the southern sky Tuesday night if a major rocket launch at the Wallops Flight Facility goes off as planned. The countdown began this week for the launch of an Air Force Minotaur 1 rocket set for Tuesday evening shortly after sundown. The rocket, carrying an Air Force Research Laboratory Tactical Satellite 3, or TacSat 3, and two secondary payloads into orbit, is expected to be launched shortly after...READ MORE

Brown Tide's Early Arrival In Creek Needs Monitoring

OCEAN CITY - The murky, almost chocolate color of Herring Creek and other coastal bays tributaries this week was caused by a natural phenomenon called brown tide and is expected at varying degrees this time of year, but its early arrival and intensity is reason for concern. At a quick glance this week, Herring Creek in the area of Route 50 was a striking dark brown color reminiscent of the chocolate river in the Willy Wonka movies, and it was later learned the coastal bays tributary and other...READ MORE

Crowd Estimates Reflect Solid April

OCEAN CITY - Although current economic conditions have prompted concerns about the upcoming summer, Ocean City finally got a bit of good news this week. April's demoflush numbers were released on Monday, showing that the resort enjoyed its best April since 1992, and 2009's year-to-date numbers showed that Ocean City is well ahead of last year's pace. Since the fall, it seems that anytime numbers 'get crunched' around the resort, the outlook and the projected future looks nothing but bleak, as...READ MORE

Local Health Officials On Swine Flu Alert

BERLIN - Even before several 'probable' cases of so-called swine flue were identified in Maryland for the first time late Wednesday, local health department officials were already in a heightened state of awareness and preparedness as the disease continued to spread across the nation and around the globe. The so-called swine flu is now being identified as H1N1 Influenza A, a never before seen strain of the flu virus that first made its appearance felt with a reported outbreak last week. As of...READ MORE

OC Wants Boardwalk Peddlers Restrained To Street-Ends

OCEAN CITY - Street performers certainly have a place on the Boardwalk, but now, that place will become a bit more defined. In efforts to reduce bottlenecking and ensure that all businesses are viewable by pedestrians on the Boardwalk, the City Council unanimously moved forward an ordinance that will make the current laws a bit clearer and easier to enforce. The council, upon Mayor Rick Meehan's recommendation, chose to amend chapter 62-5 of the town code, which deals with street performers and...READ MORE

Organizer Says Kite Expo's Future In Ocean City Solid

OCEAN CITY - Kite Loft owner Jay Knerr says the annual Maryland International Kite Expo will continue to go on, whether the town helps pay for it or not. A miscommunication almost cost Jay Knerr his funding for this year's Maryland Kite Exposition, and next year, he won't be getting any funding at all due to the town's budget woes. Yet, the $7,000 that the town of Ocean City has granted Knerr in seed money over the past several years will not make or break a festival that is not only beloved by...READ MORE

Assateague Work Funded By Fed Stimulus Money

ASSATEAGUE - Assateague Island National Seashore will get a fiscal shot in the arm with the announcement last week of over $900,000 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding for a handful of projects. Last week, the National Park Service announced nearly 800 projects totaling around $750 million will be completed with federal economic stimulus funds with the majority of the identified projects in the northeast region from Maine to Maryland, which will receive roughly $6.6 million for 27...READ MORE

Berlin Sidewalk Work To Start

BERLIN - Repair work on some of the town of Berlin's most deteriorated sidewalks will begin no later than next week, town staff announced Monday night. Parts of the sidewalks along Pitt, Jefferson and Washington streets are slated for improvement. 'It's not all contiguous. We picked the worst streets in town,' said Berlin Public Works Director Mike Gibbons. The public works director recently surveyed downtown sidewalks with Mayor Gee Williams, looking for trouble spots. 'It literally took us...READ MORE

Berlin Suspects Sewage Disposal Double Standard

BERLIN - Fears that Berlin is being held to a more strict sewage disposal standard than other local plants are unfounded, according to Worcester County. Berlin's elected officials expressed concern this week that spray irrigation effluent disposal has been mandated for Berlin's wastewater treatment plant expansion, but not for the new Mystic Harbor and Snow Hill wastewater treatment plant projects now in the works, which, they said, is a double standard. Berlin Councilwoman Lisa Hall brought...READ MORE

Cannery Village Hopeful For June Start

BERLIN - The Cannery Village workforce housing project should be under construction by the end of June if all goes well. Frank Gunion, president of the Berlin Community Development Corporation, said he would know more about the next step at the end of next week when he expects a decision from the state on a necessary community development block grant. 'One thing's that hanging fire is the continuation of the block grant or not,' said Gunion. 'If the block grant is reaffirmed once again, we...READ MORE

Channel Dredging Project Begins Amid Timing Concerns

OCEAN CITY - A significant dredging project of the main channel in the Isle of Wight Bay behind Ocean City is underway amid questions about its timing and potential effects on habitat, but federal officials this week offered assurances the work is routine and a wide variety of environmental factors were considered before it began. The federal Army Corps of Engineers last week began the first phases of a significant maintenance dredging project of the navigation channel in the Isle of Wight Bay...READ MORE

Council Looking To Further Cut Property Tax Rate

OCEAN CITY - The ongoing budget hearings have produced the unusual sound of cost cutting at City Hall, and some members of the City Council are sharpening their pencils trying to find more things to cut. Two notable hearings this past week included the Recreation and Parks and Tourism departments as both presented hundreds of thousands of dollars in departmental cuts for the fiscal year 2010 budget. The Recreation and Parks Department proposed more than $647,000 in cuts to its budget including...READ MORE

County Pulls Waiver, Easing Schools Strain

BERLIN - The County Commissioners' clandestine decision Friday morning to no longer pursue a waiver of Maryland's minimum school funding levels does not mean that the county school system will be assigned minimum funding, also known as Maintenance of Effort. The commissioners met on Friday morning in an emergency meeting, ostensibly open to the public but not advertised outside the government building or communicated to the press. Information on the meeting was posted Friday morning on a public...READ MORE

Decatur Middle Utilizing Wind Turbine

BERLIN - On a windy, cool morning, Stephen Decatur Middle School science teacher Doug Romano points proudly to an unassuming pole topped with a gently spinning wind turbine, the first school-based wind turbine in Maryland. The wind turbine, after months of planning, is ready to take up its place as part of a school initiative to teach students about alternative energy and make them more informed citizens, Romano explained. Plans call for the three spinning blades of the wind turbine to power a...READ MORE

Resort Finances In 3-Year Funk

OCEAN CITY - The 'budgetkeeper' says that regardless of how things on a global or national level play out, Ocean City's economic recovery is about three years away. Councilman Jim Hall called City Manager Dennis Dare the 'budgetkeeper' on Tuesday, as Dare's main responsibilities is the budget. What was interesting, however, was Dare's reply to another councilman's query about the longevity of the current budget cuts. Councilman Joe Hall asked Dare to explain if the cuts that have been made to...READ MORE

Who's Playing When and Where Musically Speaking

Back of the bag 410-250-3337 , 130 St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, May 1: TBA Saturday, May 2: TBA Every Wednesday: Open Mic Hosted By Chris Button Buxy's Salty Dog 410-289-0973 , 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, May 1: DJ BK Saturday, May 2: Crowded Outhouse CaribBean bar & grill Just off the Boards on 2nd St. 410-289-0837 Friday, May 8: Dave Sherman, 1-5 p.m.; Pompous Pie Duo, 7:30-11:30 p.m. Saturday, May 9: Mike Armstrong Duo, 1-5 p.m.; Wes Davis Duo, 7:30-11:30 p.m. Carousel...READ MORE

People in Society

See Neighbors Lend a Helping Hand Throughout the Community ...READ MORE

A Week in Business

New OCHMRA Officers, Board Members Installed OCEAN CITY - Paul Hartgen, CEO of the Restaurant Association of Maryland, installed last month the 2009-2010 Officers and Board of Directors of the Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association (OCHMRA) at Castaway's. Approximately 150 members gathered for this annual ceremony. John Lewis of Talbot Inn/MR Ducks was installed as the new president; Malcolm Van Kirk of the Sea Bay Hotel/Best Western OC Suites Hotel was installed as 1st vice president;...READ MORE

My Thoughts

The old guy took his annual spring inspection tour of Ocean City's beach Friday and all appears to be well. The beach is not the same as it was last year and that is as it should be. As is its nature, Ocean City's oceanfront has reshaped, redesigned and recreated itself as if in preparation for the new season. And the changes that have been wrought have little to do with the feeble attempts of man and his beach replenishment programs. The entire shoreline has been re-configured for the new...READ MORE

Scenes From SDHS Battle of the Bands

The Stephen Decatur High School's Student Government Association held its annual Battle of the Bands last month. Pictured, above from left, are guitarist Jimmy Leighton, drummer Tim Shuster and vocalist Alex Hooks performing ...READ MORE

Worcester Prep Students Carry On Green Campaign

To remind students about the importance of recycling plastics and aluminum cans, Upper School students at Worcester Prep decided to carry on a green campaign during lunch periods. At Lower School Lunch, Upper School students held up signs and showed younger students which trash cans should be used and how they should separate the items they were going to throw away. Pictured, front, McKenzie Blake, Jordan Campbell, Ashley Laws, Audrey Stearns, Madeline Shanahan and Ayrton Pryor; middle, Richard...READ MORE

OC Elementary Students "Growing Things"

Sophie Haines, Morgan Echols and Ryan Hall from Jennifer Fohner's pre-lindergarten class at Ocean City Elementary School are planting their own grass seed. Students will spend three weeks taking care of their grass seed while making observations and predictions as part of the pre-kindergarten curriculum of 'Growing Things.' ...READ MORE

Snow Hill Elementary Holds Arbor Day Celebration

In observance of Arbor Day, Snow Hill Elementary School and the Worcester County Department of Recreation and Parks held a celebration at the school, featuring skits and songs performed by the second grade. Above are second graders Zachary Geesaman, Sarai Warrick, and Keegan Gould. ...READ MORE

OC Elementary Holds Take Your Kids to Work Day

Jennifer Fohner's pre-kindergarten classroom at Ocean City Elementary enjoyed having the extra help while creating dirt cups. Addy Rippin participated in Take Our Daughter's and Son's to Work Day, working along side her mother, Sandy Rippin, an Educational Assistant at Ocean City Elementary. With Addy Rippin are Milena Olerta, Anna Berges and Morgan Echols. ...READ MORE

SDHS Nation English Honor Society Holds Annual Book Drive

Stephen Decatur High School's National English Honor Society recently sponsored its second annual book drive. Pictured above are seniors Matt McKinley and Peter Andes sorting through books. ...READ MORE

Worcester Prep Students Host Project for PAWS 4 LIFE

Worcester Prep students in Physical Education teacher Carol Hartnett's Freshman Advisory Group hosted a community service project to provide resources for PAWS 4 LIFE, a no-kill animal shelter program. In their campaign, the students collected cloth towels, paper towels, bleach, toys, trash bags and other items that could be of use in the shelter. Students pictured are Lynde Pepper, Sydney Langeler, Sibel Tekman, Riddhi Sanwal, Megan O'Donnell, and Olivia Wilgus. ...READ MORE

We Remember Those We Have Lost

Emilie Strait OCEAN PINES - Emilie Strait, age 88, died on Sunday, April 26, 2009 at Salisbury Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. Strait was born in Czechoslovakia. She was preceded in death by her husband Mathias Strait. Strait enjoyed playing cards, especially Pinocle. She is survived by a son, Berthold Strait and his wife Marilyn; two grandchildren, Darin Strait and Darlene Herrmann; and one great grandchild, Caylie Herrmann. Services and interment are private. Arrangements by the Burbage...READ MORE

Things I Like

A tree full of new, green leaves A sunny day after a spell of rainy ones Successful surprise birthday parties Insider's strange wit Watching a bird build a nest A Dyson vacuum Getting in a workout early in the day Berries atop creme brulee How much my son loves Noggin Sleeping well That Macky's is back open ...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): You might be tempted to be more assertive when dealing with a job-related matter. But a carefully measured approach works best at getting the cooperation you\'re looking for. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): While others urge you to act now, you instinctively recognize that a move at this time is not in your best interests. You should know when to do so by week\'s end. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): A busy schedule keeps you on the move for much of the week. But things...READ MORE

Mickey Fins Donates Dishware and Cutlery to Diakonia

Micky Fins General Manager Steve Hoffman, pictured with Diakonia Volunteer Coordinator Susan Blaney, is bringing a fresh look to the dining area of Diakonia by donating dishes to the transitional housing provider. Micky Fins has undergone a change in their décor including all new cutlery and plates. ...READ MORE

CrossFit Girls Club Raises Money for Worcester County Humane Society

The CrossFit Girls Club recently created 'Cash for Critters' and set out to raise money for the Worcester County Humane Society. The club was successful, handing over $150 to shelter volunteers Kathy Hewitt and Kathy Nye. Pictured, back row, from left are Kelley Rakow, Lorie Crisanti, Kathy Hewitt, Kathy Neye and Caroline Savage; front, Abbey Crisanti, Sarah Savage, Lily Rakow, Marley Rakow, Kathleen Emche and Lexie Rakow. ...READ MORE

Volunteers Clean Up Fiesta Park

On Saturday, April 18, the Caine Woods Community Association and employees of the Town of Ocean City Parks Department gathered to clean-up Fiesta Park. They collected trash, cleared brush and created three habitats for squirrels and other mammals. ...READ MORE

Rare "Porthole" Portrait Donated to Worcester Prep

Dr. Fred Spurlock, center, head of Middle School, and Jan Calloway, right, Middle School history teacher, present an American flag and a full-size replica of Rembrandt Peale's famous "porthole" portrait of George Washington to Dr. Barry Tull, Headmaster of Worcester Preparatory School. The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association donated the portrait, one of only 1,000 in the country, and the flag to the school ...READ MORE

Local Veterans Receive Volunteer Award

John Henglein is pictured accepting the Governor's Service Award at a ceremony in Annapolis for volunteer work at the Worcester County Veterans Memorial at Ocean Pines.  Henglein represented his fellow volunteers Chairman John Henglein, US Navy; Al Bridgman, United States Coast Guard; Jim Coyne, US Air Force (recently replaced by William Bowers); Bill Lee, US Army; and Dave Smith, United States Marine Corps. ...READ MORE

The New Reality Of College Savings

OCEAN CITY - In 2008, the total value of the money kept in college savings plans in the U.S. dropped 21 percent, to $88.5 billion from $111.9 billion, while the cost of tuition at a four-year public college rose by 5.7 percent. You don't need an MBA to understand the significance of these facts placed side by side. Whether you're just starting to save for college or are well along, you may be counting on a college savings plan to fund your child's higher education. And you might now be...READ MORE

Open Houses in Surrounding Areas of Ocean City

NEWARK, MD Arcadia Village Affordable New Homes Models Open Sat & Sun 11-2 Prudential Carruthers 410-430-5333 ...READ MORE