January 8, 2010

Officials Hope To Reverse Tourism Marketing Trend

OCEAN CITY - With the opening of the Maryland General Assembly session next week, resort business leaders will once again press state officials to restore funding for tourism marketing, but with Maryland slashing department budgets, the money could be hard to come by. Maryland has slashed its tourism marketing budget by over 50 percent in the last year as part of a larger effort to reduce spending, despite the well-documented return on the investment. On Wednesday, Ocean City Economic...READ MORE

One Home Destroyed, Another Damaged In Resort Fire

OCEAN CITY - A late-night fire Tuesday completely destroyed one residence in Montego Bay in Ocean City and damaged the exterior of another. Around 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, the Ocean City Fire Department (OCFD) responded to the area of 130th Street for a report of heavy smoke. At first, the source of the smoke was uncertain and for a short time, firefighters were concerned it could have been a commercial property in the area. 'We couldn't tell at first where the heavy smoke was coming from, and we...READ MORE

Room, Food Taxes Dip In November

OCEAN CITY - The resort's room tax receipts dropped 10 percent in November, from $149,162 last year to $134,349 this year, according to the Worcester County Treasurer's Office. For the first 11 months of 2009, room tax figures are down 2 percent from 2008 but up over 2007 by 8 percent. Through November in 2009, collections total $11,099,380 compared to $11,309,573 in the first 11 months of 2008. As far as food tax goes, $29,212 was collected in November of 2009. That is down from $64,333 in...READ MORE

Who's Playing When and Where Musically Speaking

Buxy's Salty Dog 410-289-0973 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, Jan. 8: TBA Saturday, Jan. 9: 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, Jan 8 & Saturday, Jan. 9: Power Play Dr.Unks Bar & Grille 410-213-7775 , 9636 Stephen Decatur Hwy., West Ocean City Friday, Jan. 8: DJ Bigler Fager's Island 410-524-5500 60th St. in the Bay Deck: Friday,...READ MORE

Faces in Places

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

Beach Lacrosse Program Prepping for 17th Season

BERLIN- The Beach Lacrosse Club, a volunteer organization that has been around for 17 years and has introduced thousands of young players to the game, is now accepting applications for its spring program. Beach Lacrosse is seeking boys and girls for several teams at various age and skill levels including under-9, under-11, under-13, and under-15. There is also a 'scoopers' program where children as young as six years old can begin to learn the basics of lacrosse. The club belongs to the Eastern...READ MORE

Coastal Lacrosse Seeking Players

BERLIN- Registration for the Coastal Lacrosse Club's 2010 spring outdoor season is well underway, but in the interest of maintaining low player to coach ratios, the organization is limiting the number of players per team in a first come, first served basis. Last year, the Coastal Lacrosse Club enjoyed a very exciting and successful inaugural season, fielding teams at every age level for both boys and girls. In addition to playing a full schedule of Sunday games, the club's boys and girls teams...READ MORE

Decatur Girls Drop Pair to Warriors

BERLIN- After three straight games and three straight losses to Worcester County rivals Snow Hill and Pocomoke, the Stephen Decatur girls' varsity basketball team is likely ready for a change of scenery. The Seahawks fell to host Pocomoke, 44-31, on Tuesday for the second time in as many games. Decatur played Pocomoke last week during the annual John Coleman Memorial Holiday Tournament and fell to the Warriors on the same court in a tight game, 37-36. A day earlier, Decatur lost to Snow Hill,...READ MORE

Two-Day Deer Firearm Season Reopened

BERLIN- Deer hunters across Worcester County and much of the state will get the opportunity to seek their prey this weekend with the re-opening of the late white-tailed deer season in the region today and tomorrow. Maryland's late firearm deer season reopened today and continues tomorrow in Deer Management Region B, which encompasses 21 counties in Maryland including Worcester. The regular two-week firearm season in the region closed on January 2. However, a special two-day season reopened today...READ MORE

OCPD Looking for Plunge Volunteers

OCEAN CITY- The Ocean City Police Department, in conjunction with the OCPD Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 10, is sponsoring a team to participate in the upcoming Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis later this month. Similar to Ocean City's own Penguin Swim, held last week on New Year's Day, the annual plunge at Sandy Point hosted by the Maryland State Police each January features hundreds of participants each year who plunge into Chesapeake Bay at...READ MORE

Pocomoke Pulls Away from Seahawks

BERLIN- It was a tale of two halves in Tuesday's showdown between the Stephen Decatur and Pocomoke varsity boys' basketball teams on Tuesday with the visiting Seahawks winning an early battle but losing the war to the Warriors, 62-47. Something had to give when Decatur visited Pocomoke on the Warriors' new gym floor on Tuesday night. The Seahawks entered the contest with a 6-2 record including a perfect 5-0 mark in the Bayside Conference, their only losses coming during the big holiday...READ MORE

Short-Handed Mallards Roll, 51-21

BERLIN- Despite a short bench caused by the injury and illness of a few key players, Worcester Prep's boys' varsity basketball team routed Greenwood Mennonite, 51-21, on Tuesday to improve to 6-3 on the season. Missing a few players due to various ailments, the Mallards went with just eight players against the Flames on Tuesday, but the shorter bench had little impact on the outcome. Worcester got out to an early lead, built on it through the contest and cruised to the 30-point win. Tuesday's...READ MORE

Worcester Girls Fall to Flames, 48-22

BERLIN- Worcester Prep's girls' varsity basketball team hung with visiting Greenwood Mennonite for about a quarter on Tuesday before falling to the Flames, 48-22. The Mallards fell behind early and trailed 9-3 late in the first quarter, but cut the deficit to just three points with under a minute to go in the period on a lay-up and a converted free throw to complete the three-point play to cut the lead to 9-6. That was as close as Worcester would get for the rest of the afternoon, however, as...READ MORE

Fatherhood Adventures

I found myself in a predicament the other day - it was 6:45 a.m. on a Tuesday and the house was completely silent. My wife and sons were still asleep, and the dogs were out in the yard taking care of their morning business. I suddenly found myself alone in the house, or at least it felt like it, with nothing to do for what seemed like the first time in months. The mornings are typically pretty crazy these days with 20-month-old and 8-week-old boys dominating all aspects of the house. This is to...READ MORE

Missing Local Woman Found

BERLIN - A Newark woman reported missing on New Year's Day after last being seen walking on Route 113 was found unharmed in Berlin on Monday. Around 4 p.m. on Jan. 1, Sarah Marie Davis, 25, of Newark, started walking north on Route 113 after a verbal altercation with friends and was not found for three days despite a search of the area. After the verbal argument at an apartment complex in Newark, Davis walked away from the area and was believed to be heading to the Berlin or West Ocean City...READ MORE

State Commits Funds To Convention Center Expansion

OCEAN CITY •€' The town of Ocean City received unanimous concurrence from the state's Board of Public Works on Wednesday to expand the size of the Roland E. Powell Convention Center, after months of patient political positioning and preliminary project planning. Mayor Rick Meehan, Council President Joe Mitrecic, City Engineer Terry McGean and Greg Shockley, owner of Shenanigans, representative of the town's Tourism Commission and chairperson of the Maryland Tourism Development Board,...READ MORE

Thoughts From The Publisher's Desk

Effective with the turn of the calendar to January, saltwater recreational fishermen must enroll in the Marine Recreational Information Program, a national registry designed to enhance monitoring efforts for saltwater fish. While some view this as an unnecessary bureaucratic grab from federal officials that will eventually carry a fee to register (it's free in 2010), I think this is a good idea, so long as its designated goals are carried out as planned. As with anything new, time will tell...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

Use Eminent Domain On Ocean City Eyesore Editor: I love Ocean City and would live nowhere else after moving our family here 10 years ago. Sadly, if there has been one constant for most of the time we have lived here full time that has not been pleasant, it has been the eyesore that is the 94th Street mall property. This multi-block monstrosity between 94th and 99th streets has been empty for close to a decade and the two anchoring stores are for the most part underutilized nine months of each...READ MORE

Bring On More Of The Good News

As expected, the Maryland Board of Public Works signed off on funding the state's portion of the Roland E. Powell Convention Center expansion this week. This is good news for the region and shows good judgment and foresight by the state's leaders. It's no secret these are difficult times for everyone, but there's a fine line between holding the line and progress. It would have been foolish to let a wise investment in critical infrastructure pass by with an overly conservative approach, derived...READ MORE

Friday, Jan 8--Commissioners Oppose Collective Bargaining Legislation

SNOW HILL - Collective bargaining by public safety employees would be problematic, the Worcester County Commissioners concluded this week in response to proposed federal legislation, agreeing with another Maryland county.  U.S. Senate Bill 1611 and House of Representatives Bill 413, The Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2009, would give emergency service workers the right to form collective bargaining units. The Worcester County Commissioners discussed the bill Tuesday...READ MORE

Friday, Jan 8--Farm Preservation Guidelines Inked

SNOW HILL - State-required language to preserve Worcester County's farmland has been given the green light for inclusion in the Comprehensive Plan. The Priority Preservation Area (PPA) element now required by Maryland law for all county comprehensive plans was approved by the Worcester County Commissioners this week. The PPA describes how the county will continue to preserve farmland from residential or commercial development through zoning, easement purchase land preservation programs, and...READ MORE

Friday, Jan, 8--Fisherman Files Lawsuit Over Grounded Boat

OCEAN CITY - The owner of a commercial scallop boat that became grounded off the coast of the resort in September 2006 and eventually slammed into the Ocean City Fishing Pier, causing considerable damage to the historic structure, is suing the town of Ocean City and the United States Coast Guard for allegedly failing to assist in the salvage of the vessel before its ultimate demise. In the early morning hours on Sept. 11, 2006, the fishing boat 'Mighty Duck,' a 42-foot Novi scallop boat...READ MORE

Stabbing In WOC On New Year's Eve

WEST OCEAN CITY - A Berlin man is behind bars this week facing serious charges including two counts of first-degree assault after a stabbing incident in West Ocean City on New Year's Eve. Shortly before 9 p.m., Maryland State Police troopers responded to the Royal Farms store on Route 50 in West Ocean City for a reported stabbing. The investigation revealed the reported attack occurred at a nearby residence on Old Bridge Rd. Troopers identified the victims in the attack as Max Emiliano Rolon,...READ MORE

Committee Identifies $162K In Possible County Savings

SNOW HILL - Another $162,000 could be shaved off the Worcester County budget if cost-saving measures suggested by the county's Government Efficiency Committee are successful. During this week's presentation, staff reported that the county has already saved hundreds of thousands of dollars by improving efficiency in county government. 'We're proud to report there's documented savings of more than $700,000,' said assistant county administrator Kelly Shanahan. Most of those savings came from laying...READ MORE

Md. Board Signs Off Beach Replenishment Money

OCEAN CITY •€' Ocean City finished up 'two for two' in Annapolis on Wednesday as the Board of Public Works approved the beach replenishment project in a unanimous decision. The town saw first hand how valuable the beach replenishment project is after the November Nor'Ida storm damaged large portions of the sand dune, but worked well enough to spare almost all properties from damage during the three-day storm. On Wednesday, the state saw the value as well, allotting $8.2 million of the local...READ MORE

OC Bar Employees Foil Jewelry Heist

OCEAN CITY - Downtown bar employees last weekend helped nab the suspect in a Boardwalk jewelry store break-in during which windows were smashed and thousands of dollars worth of merchandise was stolen. Around 1:20 a.m. on Jan. 2, Ocean City police responded to the Somerset South Jewelry store on the south end of the Boardwalk in reference to an intrusion alarm. When officers arrived, they discovered the front window of the jewelry store had been completely smashed out and several of the store's...READ MORE

State, Resort Seeking Burial Laws

OCEAN CITY •€' City Solicitor Guy Ayres has been petitioned by the Ocean City Police Department to draw up a local ordinance that would make it unlawful to improperly bury or dispose of a body in Ocean City. Ayres said this week that he had been approached by members of the Ocean City Police Department to draw up an ordinance that would be presented at the Police Commission level and, if found to be in order by that body, could be presented to the Mayor and City Council for final...READ MORE

When It Warms, Frozen Pipes Will Be Major Issue For Area

OCEAN CITY - The current cold snap that has gripped the resort for well over a week and will likely continue several more days has created a lot of problems in the area with broken pipes and other weather-related issues, but the worse could be yet to come. With daytime temperatures rarely nudging past the freezing mark and overnight temperatures dipping into the low 20s or teens for the last week or 10 days, city and private officials have seen a spike in the number of broken water pipes and...READ MORE

Audit Report Sparks Questions About Other Finances

SNOW HILL - A positive financial report from Worcester County's auditors triggered a discussion of an uncertain future in the next fiscal year among the Worcester County Commissioners, following a decline in the assessable base of the county for the first time in 22 years. Worcester County saw revenues come in $2.2 million higher than expenses in fiscal year 2009, Chris Hall of TGM Group reported Tuesday morning in Snow Hill. The General Fund saw a decline of $10 million, leaving the balance at...READ MORE

City Disagrees With Cops' Take-Home Complaint

OCEAN CITY •€' City Solicitor Guy Ayres has reportedly responded to a so-called grievance filed several months ago by the local lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) contesting the town's recent decision to take away a longtime perk from several public safety workers. Ayres said this week that prior to the new year, he had sent a letter to Walter 'Buck' Mann, the town's labor commissioner, in regards to a letter penned by Fraternal Order of Police President Glen McIntyre, which...READ MORE

Concerns Raised Over Sewer Plant Loan Payments

SNOW HILL - If enough users cannot be added to make the loan payments for the replacement Mystic Harbor wastewater treatment plant, the county has said it will simply raise rates for the current ratepayers. Worcester County will take out a 40-year, $5.1 million loan from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to build a new Mystic Harbor sewer plant. The rest of the costs will be covered by a $3.7 million USDA grant. The Worcester County Commissioners voted unanimously to go ahead...READ MORE

EDC Supports Major Power Project

OCEAN CITY - Following the lead of elected bodies in the area, resort business leaders on Wednesday agreed to endorse Delmarva Power's proposed Mid-Atlantic Power Pathway (MAPP) project, a billion-dollar plus effort to increase the company's ability to assure stable and affordable electricity for the peninsula. During the Ocean City Economic Development Committee (EDC) bi-monthly meeting on Wednesday, resort business leaders heard a detailed report on Delmarva's proposed MAPP project, which...READ MORE

Legislature Faces Early Bills

BERLIN - The Maryland General Assembly convenes next week for the 427th time, during which state lawmakers will consider thousands of pieces of legislation from bills whose importance would be felt across the state to pieces of legislation germane to specific jurisdictions including Worcester. With the state, like the rest of the country, trying to pull out of one of the deepest recessions in memory, fiscal issues and the budget will likely dominate much of the legislature's time during the...READ MORE

Local Hotels Make National List

OCEAN CITY •€' Though 2009 was reportedly a rough one for the hotel industry, two local hotels received national recognition as top performers from a reputable industry magazine. The Paradise Plaza Hotel and the Stowaway Grand Hotel were recently named to Lodging Hospitality Magazine's Top 100 performers for 2009, ranking number 67 and 73, respectively, perhaps adding validity to the claim that the resort fared better than most during what national hotel insiders are calling the worst year...READ MORE

Ocean City News In Brief

 OCEAN CITY •€' In the brief this week, Trimper's Amusements started an informal conversation with the Planning and Zoning Commission about a desire to put some additional amusements just off the Boardwalk and the 45th street village project continues to debate major vs. minor changes. Off-Boardwalk Amusements Eyed At Tuesday's Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, local attorney Regan Smith spoke on behalf of several members of the Trimper family about the desire to have the...READ MORE

A Week In Business

PRMC Promotion SALISBURY - The Peninsula Regional Health System recently announced the official promotion of Lura Cynthia 'Cindy' Lunsford to the position of Executive Vice President/COO at Peninsula Regional Medical Center. Lunsford, who has previously served as Peninsula Regional's Vice President of Ambulatory and Professional Services since April of 2005, assumed administrative responsibility for the overall day-to-day operation of the Medical Center last summer. Throughout her 30-year...READ MORE

Investing In Next Tech Revolution

OCEAN CITY - Alternative energy is at the beginning of what BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research Analyst Steven Milunovich calls "the Sixth Technology Revolution," a 30-to-50-year cycle in which the U.S. and the world remake their energy infrastructure. In fact, he projects global industry revenues will reach $1 trillion in 2014, five times 2009's estimated revenues of $200 billion. "There are studies that suggest that, in the U.S., wind could provide up to 20% of...READ MORE

Open Houses in Ocean City

OCEAN CITY The Meridian Daily 10-4 Oceanfront Residences New Construction Dan Clayland Coldwell Banker 410-520-0072 OCEAN CITY Bella Vista Open Daily 10-4 3BR Bayside Condos 45th Street Coldwell Banker 410-524-6111 OCEAN CITY Belmont Towers Boardwalk & Talbot Street Daily 11-4 Kevin Decker The Fritschle Group/ Condominium Realty 443-235-6552 OCEAN CITY Bahia Vista 10th St. Bayside Daily 10-4 3&4BR Condos Dan Clayland Coldwell Banker 410-524-6111 OCEAN CITY Seaside Escape 79th Street 2...READ MORE

Open Houses in West Ocean City and Berlin

WEST OCEAN CITY New Construction 9800 Mooring View West Harbor Village Daily 11-5 11 Townhouses 3BR/3.5BA/Garage Prudential Carruthers 410-520-2600 WEST OCEAN CITY Sailor's Watch Golf Course Road Fri-Sun 10-4 New 3BR, 3.5BA Luxury Townhouses Coldwell Banker 410-524-6111 ...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 410-520-2600 ...READ MORE

Buckingham Elementary 3rd Graders Make Holiday Quilts

Students in Mrs. Moniodis's third grade class at Buckingham Elementary School made a holiday quilt out of photographs. Above, Rashawn Taylor and Corrine Johnson display their quilt by the tree. ...READ MORE

Showell Elementary Learn Value Skills Through Simple Games

Showell Elementary second graders Sam Rakowski, left, and Hunter Grunewald enjoy what looks like a simple child's game of 'tic tac toe.' While the boys smiles say fun, their teacher, Christina Schuler, knows that she is teaching problem solving skills, reasoning skills, sequential planning, math probability as well as character lessons on good sportsmanship and cooperation ...READ MORE

Scenes From Showell Elementary's 3rd Grade Class

Showell Elementary educational assistant Carol Dennis has fun comparing antler headbands with third grade student Liabrooke Leggour and her mom, Tanya Lewis ...READ MORE

OC Elementary 3rd Graders Make Three Dimensional Snowmen

Students at Ocean City Elementary School in Robyn Rincavage's third grade class share their three dimensional snowmen after learning about geometric solids. Kneeling, from left, are Alyvia Ciurca, Maxx Spicer, Abby Jager, Hannah Johnson, Kevin Beck and Marley Auker. Standing, from left, are Alexis Black, Barry Ford, Laura Ortega, Victor Vick, Calvin Brandenberg, Dylan Bossalina and Collin Terlizzi. ...READ MORE

Locals Dancers Perform on National TV at Disney Parks Parade

The Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade on ABC-TV Christmas morning included dancers from the Seaside Academy in Berlin. The Seaside dancers were part of the Holiday Spectacular Dance the Magic. The Seaside Dancers appeared in white costumes in the opening scene when the Jonas Brothers danced onstage, performed with Steve Rushton as he sang Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, and in other parts of the program. Worcester Prep dancers performing in the group included Madison O'Malley, front; middle,...READ MORE

Pocomoke Youths Make Greeting Cards For Soldiers

On Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009, members of the Pocomoke High School Key Club joined with members of the K-Kids of Pocomoke Elementary to create greeting cards for the Holiday Mail for Heroes program. Holiday Mail for Heroes is jointly sponsored by the American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes and distributes holiday cards to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces serving around the world. Pictured are Pocomoke High sophomore Donna Nguyen and Pocomoke Elementary second-grader Haley Abbott. ...READ MORE

We Remember Those We Have Lost

Terri Taylor Whitelock SALISBURY - Terri Taylor Whitelock, 51, was called home to be with her Father on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009. Born in Salisbury, she was the daughter of Joyce Lee Taylor and the late Creston Neal Taylor. She was a graduate of James M. Bennett High School class of 1976 and had previously worked as a Lab Technician with Accurate Optical. Along with her mother, she is survived by two daughters, Heather Woodall and her husband Daniel of Greencastle, Ind. and Tiffany Whitelock of...READ MORE

People in Society

Snapshots of Those Lending a Hand To Causes Throughout the Community ...READ MORE

Things I Like

Not driving on New Year's Eve My newborn's no-teeth smile The movie 'Mr. Holland's Opus' The sounds of an old VW bus Falling asleep to the rain A good break in a game of pool The natural light of a full moon An old dog with a grey face Going to bed early My Flacco jersey The children's book 'Where The Wild Things Are' ...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): That lower-than-acceptable performance you're getting from others in your group might be the result of miscommunication. If so, correct it before serious problems arise later on. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): An unexpected situation could call for a change of plans. If so, you might feel that this is unfair. But it's best to make the needed adjustments now. There'll be time later for rescheduling. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): The new year brings opportunities you...READ MORE

SDHS National Honor Society Members Treated and recognized at Ravens Game

Stephen Decatur High School National Honor Society members were recently recognized for their outstanding service to the community and school by the Baltimore Ravens and Governor Martin O'Malley. The students were treated to on-field passes and tickets to the Dec. 13 game versus the Detroit Lions. Above, Senior Calli Moniodisand her mother are pictured with offensive lineman Michael Oher, the subject of the acclaimed movie The Blind Side. Below, National Honor Society Christmas committee members...READ MORE

Two Locals Awarded Lifetime Honorary Membership to the Pine'eer Craft Club

Bert and Victor Beard were recently awarded lifetime honorary membership in the Pine'eer Craft Club of Ocean Pines for their years of dedication and service to the club. ...READ MORE

Local NARFE Chapter Treated to a Year-End Christmas Party

The local chapter of NARFE (National Active and Retired Federal Employees) was entertained by several talented groups at their year-end Christmas party meeting at the Fenwick Inn. Pictured, standing from left, are Dan McGrath, Paul Mazzei, Don Klein, Carol Caldwell, Charlie Sorrentino and Graham Caldwell; and seated, Sharon Spector and Rich Charles. ...READ MORE

Buckingham Elementary Awards 2010 Teacher of the Year

Buckingham Elementary School's 2010 Teacher of the Year was recently awarded to pre-kindergarten teacher Sheryl Mitrecic, center. She is pictured with Principal Roger Pacella and Assistant Principal Terry Smith. ...READ MORE