July 16, 2010

Things I Like

Sand on the floor of my truck A chocolate donut every once in a while Eating on the 2nd floor of the Captain's Galley An afternoon of sun after a morning of rain Pool parties with a bunch of kids When my boys are both exhausted A big orange When Mondays are over Cruising around the neighborhood on bikes Ending a hot day with ice cream A big raft in a big pool  ...READ MORE

Faces in Places

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

23rd Tuna Tournament in the Books

OCEAN CITY- The 23rd Ocean City Tuna Tournament, played out over three days last weekend in West Ocean City, was another big success with plenty of big tuna brought to the scale at the host Ocean City Fishing Center. With stricter bluefin tuna regulations in place, and a somewhat lukewarm start to the summer tuna season, it was uncertain going into the event just how much action was going to take place during the annual event, which is one of the highlights of the summer tournament season....READ MORE

2nd Annual Branch Kreppel Tourney on Tap

OCEAN CITY- The 2nd Annual Branch Kreppel Blue Marlin Tournament, named for a beloved local angler and diver who passed away unexpectedly in 2008, gets underway next weekend with a captain's meeting and registration on Thursday followed by three full days of fishing action next Friday through Sunday. As an avid diver and owner of Diver Services, Kreppel was a popular man around the marinas in the resort area and often kept the local sportfishing fleet up and running. He passed away in November...READ MORE

6th Annual Kids Classic Underway

OCEAN CITY- Young anglers will get their moment in the spotlight this weekend when the Ocean City Marlin Club hosts its 6th Annual Kids Classic Tournament. Throughout the summer, the big boys and girls get to show off their fishing skills practically every weekend with one tournament or another, but the focus during this weekend's 6th Annual Kid's Classic will clearly be on the younger anglers. The event is open to all anglers age 19 or younger and will take place in the waters in and around...READ MORE

Berlin Major Leaguers Advance

BERLIN- The Berlin Little League major league division All-Star team came up with a couple of big wins this week to advance in the District 8 playoffs. Last Sunday, the Berlin Little League major league team beat Pocomoke, 10-1, behind winning pitcher Austin Dundore. Sean Colgan had a triple and single and scored three runs, while Gus Esham and Dundore each drove in runs. Zach Adams contributed in the win over Pocomoke with a single and triple. On Tuesday, Berlin followed up the big win over...READ MORE

Turtle Lax Club Hosts Drop-In

OCEAN CITY- The Greene Turtle Lacrosse Club is hosting a drop-in at Northside Park in Ocean City each Wednesday through the middle of August for area high school and college players. The girls' lacrosse drop-in is open to all girls' players entering 10th grade this fall through college. The drop-in will be held at Northside Park in Ocean City each Wednesday through August 11 from 6-8 p.m. The first drop-in of the summer season was held this past Wednesday. The drop-in will include practice...READ MORE

LCB Briefly Put On State Pre-Pay List

OCEAN CITY •€' For a span of several hours on Tuesday, the Liquor Control Board for Worcester County (LCB) became the first dispensary in the history of Maryland to have its line of credit for purchasing alcohol revoked. On Tuesday, July 13, sometime before noon, according to reliable sources, the LCB was placed on the state Comptroller's 30-day Biweekly Credit Control List that requires them to pay cash upon delivery of products, due to alleged late payments on their approximated $6...READ MORE

Friday, July 16--Captains, RFA Weigh In With Sea Bass Motion

OCEAN CITY - Citing concerns about another abrupt closure of sea bass season, or the seemingly random closure of any other recreational fishery in the area, the plaintiffs in the ongoing civil suit against federal fisheries officials strongly fired back last week in response to the defendants' motion to dismiss the case. Last October, black sea bass, one of the most important fisheries for Ocean City and the entire coast, was closed without warning, leading the Recreational Fishing Alliance...READ MORE

Friday, July 16--Juvenile Whale Washes Up In OC

OCEAN CITY - Another whale made a visit to Ocean City last week, but while its most recent predecessor seemed to put on a show for residents and visitors on the beach, the resort's latest leviathan encounter did not have a happy ending. Late last Thursday afternoon, a badly decomposed 30-foot juvenile humpback whale washed ashore in the area of 4th Street, causing quite a stir for the big early July crowd on the beach. Ocean City Public Works crews and Beach Patrol members helped haul the...READ MORE

Friday, July 16--Ocean City Seeks Compromise On Bulkhead Issue

OCEAN CITY •€' The Mayor and City Council said it would absorb the costs to put in walkways near a privately-owned bulkhead between 8th and 9th streets on Edgewater Ave., if the property owners agree that it can be used as a public sidewalk. Edgewater Ave. property owner Frank Hoover penned a letter to town officials complaining that the small strip of asphalt near the bulkhead had been maintained by the town of Ocean City for the past '21 years that I've owned the property' and said that...READ MORE

Friday, July 16--Teacher Alleges Discrimination In Lawsuit

BERLIN - A former Worcester County teacher this week filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court against the Board of Education, the superintendent of schools and her principal and vice principal, seeking compensatory and punitive damages over an alleged pattern of discrimination and retaliation that ultimately culminated in her termination last year. On Monday, through her attorney Robin Cockey, former Ocean City Elementary School (OCES) teacher Lindsay Greenan filed suit in U.S. District Court...READ MORE

Alleged Knife Attack

OCEAN CITY - An Ocean City man was arrested last week on assault charges after allegedly attacking three individuals with a knife during a fight. Around 2:15 a.m. on July 2, an Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer was dispatched to a reported fight in progress involving a knife on 75th Street. When the officer arrived, there was no fight going on, but he did meet with three individuals who told him an unidentified man had started a fight with them and when the fight was over, the suspect...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

Fatherhood Adventures

All has returned to normal on the sleeping front around my house, although not without me having a few sizable adult meltdowns. Last week, my 2-year-old suddenly began despising his crib and fighting sleep with huge crying fits, screams and sounds like nothing I have ever heard. It was the type of outright squealing that left me shaking on occasion. After trying all sorts of creative tactics to settle him down, the only thing that seemed to work was staying in the room with him until he fell...READ MORE

Fish 'N OC

Every year when mid-summer rolls around, things start to get very busy here in Ocean City. Owning and operating a tackle shop and charter service is a seven­-day-per-week job during the summer season. Oftentimes, I find that it is easy for me to get lost in the busyness of the day and the seemingly, endless trips that I make between the tackle shop here on Talbot Street and my boat slip over at the White Marlin Marina. When I realize the long days are starting to get to me, I know that I need...READ MORE

What's Your Sign

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): Starting something new is always exciting for the adventurous Aries. And here's the good news: This time you might be able to get some assistance in helping you finish what you've started. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): Put your daydreaming penchant on hold for now, and face the facts as they are, not as you'd like them to be. Your customary hardheaded approach to "deals," etc., would be called for. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): Problems beyond your control...READ MORE

Who's Playing Where and When Musically Speaking

Sports Bar & Grille Old Bridge Road, West OC July 16: 7 Days Wasted Saturday: Karaoke With Hey Mick Angler, The , Talbot St. On the bay July 16: Time Police, 9 p.m. July 17 & Sunday, July 18: Clendenen, 4 p.m. Sunday: Local's Social With DJ Rusty Griswald Buxy's Salty Dog , 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. July 16: Aaron Howell Band July 17: Bumping Uglies Sunday: Local's Party with DJ JJ Wednesday: DJ JJ July 22: DJ Wax Caribbean bar & Grill off the boards on 2nd St. July 16: Dave...READ MORE

We Remember Those We Have Lost

Ralph J. Hoen Jr. BERLIN - Ralph J. Hoen Jr. died on July 9, 2010. He was the beloved husband of the late Alice C. nee Crane; devoted father of Lelia H. Masaschi, Susan H. Hoen and the late Donald C. Hoen; devoted brother of Leonard Hoen and the late Donald C. and Louis Hoen; and devoted grandfather of Jennifer Dotson, Katherine Melito, Christopher Hoen, James Masaschi, Sarah Zistler, Carolyn Singer and Matthew Masaschi. He is also survived by 18 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and...READ MORE

Smart Strategies To Pay For College

OCEAN CITY - Your children have been accepted for college admission. That's a cause for celebration, but with annual costs at top schools approaching $40,000, you'll likely need a strategy to pay that expense without depleting your cash reserves or disrupting your investment portfolio. Leveraging the equity in your home or the assets in your portfolio could provide an ideal solution. Home equity and securities-based loans may provide: Lower costs: the loans are secured so you may benefit...READ MORE

Dr. Jose Alvarado Children's Fund Announced

For decades, children on the Lower Shore experienced the healing touch and compassion of pediatrician Dr. Jose Alvarado, who died in 2009 following a tragic car accident.  Now his dedication and commitment to children will live on. The Alvarado family has just announced the  'Dr. Jose Alvarado Children's Fund', will have an initial $4,000 impact on agencies helping vulnerable children including Salisbury Horizons, Easter Seals, The Holly Community and The United Way of the Lower...READ MORE

$5000 Donated to Women's Wellness Program

Mary, a participant of the Women's Wellness program, which is part of Easter Seals Adult Day Health Services, accepts a $5,000 check on behalf of Easter Seals Delaware and Maryland's Easter Shore presented by Discover Bank. The funds will be used to promote overall health of program participants. Pictured, from left, are Bill Adami, President/CEO of Easter Seals; Karen Dollmeyer of Discover Bank; Chris Favilla, president of Discover Bank; Barbara Snyder, Director of Corporate and Foundation...READ MORE

OC Resident Celebrates 85th Birthday

Ocean City resident Audrey Kerr recently celebrated her 85th birthday with her family including her daughter, Judy Kropfelder, granddaughter Nicole Kropfelder and great granddaughter Makalia Kropfelder  ...READ MORE

Thoughts From the Publisher's Desk

The ongoing controversy surrounding the Liquor Control Board for Worcester County (LCB) continues to raise questions about the monopoly's operations. Perhaps former Ocean City Councilman and Worcester County Planning Commission Ed Ellis put it best last week. 'This is all one big bowl of spaghetti because everywhere you turn a new part of the story leads you to a whole new place. This is why a government agency shouldn't be involved in private enterprise. It makes government look disingenuous,'...READ MORE

Voices From the Readers

Parking Questions Editor: In reference to metered parking in Ocean City, why does the town of Ocean City allow business owners, who own parking lots, to park their personal vehicles in unmetered spaces. These business owners take parking spaces from tourists and vacationers so they can fill their lots up with paying patrons. As a new resident and condo owner in Ocean City, I have witnessed this occurrence, especially over the Fourth of July holiday. If these business owners own...READ MORE

Crowd Disparities Merit Some Discussion

Crowd Disparities Merit Some Discussion Judging the success of the summer season has long been tricky business, and it frequently just depends on whom you ask and in what industry they are in. One operation's week of high sales can pale to a competitor across the street, while the same two businesses could see the opposite results a week later. With that randomness the norm, most around Ocean City seem to agree the summer is going fairly well in a general sense. However, a disturbing trend seems...READ MORE

Council Approves Compensation Package Changes

OCEAN CITY •€' The City Council voted unanimously to trim the benefits package offered to new employees, thus saving hundreds of thousands of dollars in the process to the town's annual bottom line. As a result of the second part of Human Resources Director Wayne Evans' salary and benefits study, the council moved to trim a day off paid holidays, raise the employee contribution for medical coverage by 5 percent and cut the fifth week of paid vacation for 20-year-plus employees, in addition...READ MORE

Delegate Requests State Conduct Formal LCB Audit

OCEAN CITY - In the wake of allegations of the Liquor Control Board for Worcester County's (LCB) fiscal malfeasance at worst or poor management at best, the association of liquor license holders in the county this week held a meeting to begin to determine their own course of action should the agency be abolished. The Worcester County Licensed Beverage Association (WCLBA), an organization of restaurant and bar owners in the county, appeared to try to distance itself from the beleaguered state...READ MORE

DNR Asked To Limit PWC Watershed Access

WEST OCEAN CITY - A growing number of rented personal watercrafts (PWCs) finding their way into the shallow creeks and streams in and around the coastal bays has led to a discussion about limiting their access in resort area waterways. The issue came to light in recent weeks when a West Ocean City property owner raised concerns about the proliferation of PWCs in an area of Herring Creek fronting his property. Sussex Rd. resident John Townsend late last month brought the issue of rented...READ MORE

More LCB Questions Surface As 2009 Absolut Move Questioned

OCEAN CITY •€' The comptroller's investigation into the Liquor Control Board for Worcester County's (LCB) Stoli promotion has sparked a renewed interest in another controversial liquor promotion that saw the LCB on the other side of the allegations last year. For several weeks in July of 2009, no licensee in Worcester County was able to purchase Absolut vodka after LCB Executive Director Brian Sturgeon 'de-listed' the brand after a sales campaign was conducted by wholesaler Republic...READ MORE

OC Plans Capital Projects With Fed Program Help

OCEAN CITY •€' Finance Administrator Martha Bennett Lucey is being credited with finding a way for the town to save a substantial amount of money as it moves forward with plans to improve its infrastructure and readies some big projects to the tune of $18 million. With capital projects, such as street repairs, being essentially tabled until further notice by the Mayor and Council due to budgetary concerns, Lucey's proposal for the town is to use Build America Bonds (BAB) from the federal...READ MORE

83% Of County Seniors College Bound

NEWARK - This year's graduating seniors at Worcester County high schools were mostly satisfied with their education, the annual senior survey shows. The Worcester County school board's annual survey of graduating seniors showed that 84 percent of the nearly 400 graduates were 'satisfied or very satisfied' with the education they got in Worcester County schools. Thirteen percent of the senior students surveyed this spring responded with 'neither satisfied nor dissatisfied' with their education,...READ MORE

Cocaine Dealer Gets 15 Years

SNOW HILL - The latest significant salvo in area law enforcement's renewed battle to rid Berlin's neighborhoods of open-air drug dealing scored a direct hit last week when a local man was sentenced to 15 years on a pair of cocaine distribution convictions, just weeks after a dozen new suspects were indicted by a Worcester County grand jury. With a stern warning to known repeat offenders, Worcester County State's Attorney Joel Todd and several local law enforcement agencies in the spring of 2009...READ MORE

County Eyes Grant To Fund Soft Shoreline Projects

SNOW HILL - Five soft shoreline projects in northern Worcester County would be part of implementing the coastal bays management plan, according to county staff, and would protect land from wave erosion. The county hopes to get a $5,000 mini-grant from the Maryland Coastal Bays Program to pay for part of the work. An in-kind match of county workers and supplies is worth $11,195, with a $585 cash match. Three of the small shoreline projects should reduce erosion in road rights of way in the Cape...READ MORE

Election Fields Unchanged As Deadline Looms

BERLIN - Time is slipping away for local political parties to find candidates to run in races where they do not already have a candidate. The District 2 County Commissioner race lacks a Republican candidate, while Districts 3 and 6 lack Democratic candidates. By law, the political party central committees are allowed to nominate a contender from their party if the party is not otherwise represented in a race when the candidacy filing deadline comes down. Worcester County's Republican Central...READ MORE

Former Olympic Hero Leads Clinic For Area Gymnasts

Kylie Joson Staff Writer BERLIN - It's not everyday the Eastern Shore gets a visit from an Olympic gold medallist and national sports hero. On Monday July 12, Kerri Strug paid a visit to the Twister Gymnastics in Berlin to conduct a clinic. At the clinic, she played a video and gave a short speech, which was followed with questions and answers. After that, she led the gymnasts in a warm up with conditioning and stretching. At the end of the clinic, she had an autograph and photo session with the...READ MORE

Funding Restraints Limit HVAC Work At Schools

NEWARK - With the money available in the school system budget, only two or three of the 21 rooftop HVAC units in critical need of replacement at three middle schools will be swapped out for new models this year. Berlin Intermediate School, Snow Hill Middle School and Pocomoke Middle School are all 40 years old. Each of the three school buildings has some HVAC units up to 30 years old, school board staff reported to the Worcester County Board of Education Tuesday afternoon. A total of 76 HVAC...READ MORE

Grant Money To Ease Access At Two Public Schools

NEWARK - Federal grant money will make school access at two county schools safer, more pedestrian friendly and more accessible for students, staff and the public. The public schools of Worcester County are partnering with the Worcester County Health Department and the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) this year in improving pedestrian access to two county schools through a federal grant program. 'This is sort of unusual,' said Marty Pusey, director of prevention for the Worcester...READ MORE

Hundreds Pull Up Some Beach To Watch Movie

Kylie Joson Staff Writer OCEAN CITY - This year marks the third year of Movies on the Beach. With the growing popularity of the free event, two new locations were added - the Princess Royale Hotel on 91st Street and the Carousel Resort Hotel & Condominiums on 118th Street. The movies are still being played at the original location at 27th street, which is sponsored by the Commander Hotel. This family-friendly event will be offered the rest of July and all of August. Wednesday, July...READ MORE

Limiting Storage Devices In Berlin Proposed

BERLIN - Portable storage containers, like PODS, might soon be restricted to five days located at a Berlin house, according to a draft ordinance discussed by the Berlin Planning Commission this week. According to Planning and Zoning Director Chuck Ward, Berlin Mayor Gee Williams asked him to look into an ordinance to control the length of time a relocatable storage container can remain on site after getting some complaints from townsfolk. The town wants to prevent residents from keeping the...READ MORE

Local Specialties The Focus At Fenwick Island Mainstay

T.K. Dickerson Staff Writer FENWICK ISLAND - Despite numerous regional and even national awards for high quality food, Fenwick Crabhouse puts high value on local product. Owner Scott Fornwalt describes the cozy crab house as 'a fun, fast, casual seafood restaurant' with a 'concentration on local specialties'. He even features local breweries at the brand new bar. Fornwalt's description of his restaurant is modest compared to the accumulation of awards that hang on the walls amongst the vintage...READ MORE

Property Owner Seeks Town Help With Flooding Woes

BERLIN - A homeowner with years of flooding problems on his property learned Monday night he might have to wait for help from the town of Berlin, which just took over official responsibility for stormwater management from the county and state. Resident Mark Rush went before the Berlin Mayor and Council Monday night during the public comments period to describe his problem and ask for assistance. His property on Esham Dr., which is lower than neighboring properties, floods in every rainstorm. It...READ MORE

Renewable Energy Ordinance Sought For Berlin Code

BERLIN - Work has begun on a renewable energy ordinance for the town of Berlin, with draft regulations under discussion this week at the Berlin Planning Commission meeting. 'We really don't have anything in the code at all,' said Planning and Zoning Director Chuck Ward Wednesday night at the meeting. Ward said he looked at over a dozen renewable energy ordinances, both locally and as far away as Michigan before drafting an ordinance for Berlin. One concern raised over roof-mounted wind turbines...READ MORE

Supreme Court Upholds Beach Decision

OCEAN CITY - The U.S. Supreme Court late last month handed down a landmark decision in a case involving beach replenishment efforts in Florida that could have had implications in Maryland. While Ocean City recently received good news about an influx of federal funding for the replenishment of its beaches and dune system in the wake of a devastating coastal storm last fall, a decision handed down in late June by the U.S. Supreme Court on a similar project in Florida might have provided a...READ MORE

Wounded Warrior Gets Special OC Treatment

OCEAN CITY - A U.S. serviceman wounded in Iraq last month got a hero's welcome in Ocean City last weekend, thanks in large part to the local American Legion post and an always generous resort community. First Lieutenant Dan Shoemaker got some well-deserved treatment last weekend in Ocean City after a request from the Wounded Warrior Project on his behalf. Shoemaker was wounded in a suicide bomber attack in Iraq on June 11 and was ultimately sent to Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. for...READ MORE

People in Society

Snapshots of those lending a helping hand throughout the community ...READ MORE

Arts in the Area

Scenes from the Local and Regional World of Art ...READ MORE