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Friday, July 31, 2009

Comegys Claims Career Firefighters Have It Too Good

OK Firefighters, this one is for you. While Gary Comegys was within his own safety net of people he felt he could say just about anything he wanted. You see, years ago there was no Salisbury News and unless you attended all of these boring meetings, you wouldn't recall now what was being said behind your back. In fact, what we deliver with these audio clips is something even the Daily Times hasn't experimented with.

Not that they'd ever do you the favor of letting you know things like this, they simply do not provide such a service. Nevertheless, clearly Gordo and Comegys are very upset because of, what they refer to as your Rolls Royce work schedules and because Comegys sees that,(should you choose to do so) you could actually take on a second job, (like most Americans have been forced to do in this economy) and they're NOT going to stand for it.

So without further adieu, click on this audio link and save it so you can play it over and over again for all your fellow Brothers to hear LOUD AND CLEAR! Once again, a Salisbury News Exclusive.

Rolls Royce Fire Service Shifts

Key House Panel Approves Health Bill

Full House vote expected in September on Obama's top domestic priority

WASHINGTON
- In a triumph for President Barack Obama, Democrats narrowly pushed sweeping health care legislation through a key congressional committee Friday night and cleared the way for a September showdown in the House.

The 31-28 vote in the House Energy and Commerce Committee, largely along party lines, was weeks later than either the White House or Democratic leaders had hoped.

As part of a last-minute series of changes, the committee agreed to cap increases in the cost of insurance sold under the bill, and also to give the federal government authority to negotiate directly with drug companies for lower prices under Medicare.

GO HERE to read more.

More Troops Sought In Afghan War?

General may ask for more troops in Afghan war
Report to urge 'cultural shift' in how U.S. and foreign soldiers operate

WASHINGTON
- The U.S. general put in charge of turning around the war in Afghanistan is likely to recommend significant changes in the campaign and may include a request for more U.S. forces that the White House is expected to resist.

Gen. Stanley McChrystal's long-awaited reassessment of the war against Taliban insurgents aims for a transformation of the shaky relationship between U.S. forces and Afghan civilians as troops press a counterinsurgency strategy of clearing and holding populated areas, said officials apprised of the report's contents.

The biggest change urged in McChrystal's report is a "cultural shift" in how U.S. and foreign troops operate — ranging from how they live and travel among the Afghan population to where and how they fight, a senior military official in Kabul said Friday.

GO HERE to read more.

Former Philippines President Aquino Dies


She led 'people power' revolt that topped Marcos dictatorship

MANILA, Philippines
- Former President Corazon Aquino, who swept away a dictator with a "people power" revolt and then sustained democracy by fighting off seven coup attempts in six years, died on Saturday, her son said. She was 76.

The uprising she led in 1986 ended the repressive 20-year regime of Ferdinand Marcos and inspired nonviolent protests across the globe, including those that ended Communist rule in eastern Europe.

But she struggled in office to meet high public expectations. Her land redistribution program fell short of ending economic domination by the landed elite, including her own family. Her leadership, especially in social and economic reform, was often indecisive, leaving many of her closest allies disillusioned by the end of her term.

GO HERE to read more.

House Votes To Restrict Wall Street Pay


Legislation gives shareholders nonbinding vote on compensation packages

WASHINGTON
- The House voted Friday to slap restrictions on how Wall Street executives are paid after nine banks that took government bailout money rewarded thousands of their employees with bonuses topping $1 million each.

Bowing to populist anger and defying President Barack Obama’s suggestion that government rely on incentives instead of intervention to curb excessive salaries and bonuses, the House passed the bill on a 237-185 vote.

“This is not the government taking over the corporate sector. . . . It is a statement by the American people that it is time for us to straighten up the ship,” said Rep. Melvin Watt, D-N.C.

GO HERE to read more.

Buyer Shares Personal 'Cash For Clunkers' Experience

It seems timing really is everything. If I had waited just one more day to join the thousands filing into car dealers across the country looking to cash in on the government's latest attempt to reboot the economy, the Cash for Clunkers program, I might not have scored my rebate.

"There are quite a few people who are qualifying for this program," said Steve Hansen, a car salesman in Watertown, NY where I went to trade in my own clunker on Thursday, at the time not realizing that the program was doomed. So many, in fact, that the government is considering a suspension of the program at midnight Friday to deal with the backlog. As of late Wednesday, nearly 23,000 cars had been purchased through the program, taking a $96 million dollar bite out of the allotted $1 billion in less than a week.

The rapidly disappearing "Clunker" funds have caught the attention of some in Congress. On Wednesday, Rep. Candice Miller, R-Mich., wrote a letter to House leaders requesting additional funding for the program. "The federal government must come up with more money, immediately, to keep this program going," she said on Thursday.

GO HERE to read more.

Deadliest Month For Forces In Afghanistan

KABUL (July 31) -- A Taliban ambush on a NATO convoy in western Afghanistan left nine insurgents and a policeman dead, a police official said Friday. A U.S. service member died in the south of the country, the U.S. military said.

The clash in western Herat province, a relatively calm area, highlighted the volatile situation in much of Afghanistan ahead of the Aug. 20 presidential elections.

GO HERE to read more.

Subject Challenges Trooper To Come Find Her


Location: State of Delaware, New Castle County

Date of Occurrence: July 27th, 2009

Suspect(s): Verona E. Norton, 27, who was last known to live on West Street in Wilmington, Delaware

Resume: On July 3rd, 2009, a Troop 9 patrol officer stopped Verona Norton for speeding on Route 1 at Route 299. During the traffic stop, she was cited for Unreasonable Speed and No Valid License. The hitch was that at the time of the stop, Norton provided the Trooper with a false name. Because she did not have a license with her at the time of the stop, the Trooper obtained a set of finger prints from her.

Two weeks later, when Ms. Verona did not show up for court on the speeding ticket, the investigating Trooper had an analysis conducted on the finger prints he obtained on the 3rd. This check revealed Norton’s true identity.

A computer check revealed Norton was wanted on five active capiases and two arrest warrants- one from the Smyrna Police Department and one from the Wilmington Police Department.

The Trooper completed another arrest warrant for Norton charging her with Forgery and Criminal Impersonation. He then called her, using his own cell phone, and asked her to turn herself in. She advised she would do no such thing.

Although officers often have subjects who refuse to turn themselves in, what happened next surprised the Trooper. He received a text message from Norton (remember she had his number because he called her from his own phone previousely). The message read- "When Im ready I will call u so u can get that bonus u deserve cause lookin 4 me u gonna work hard."

Authorities are asking anyone who knows the location of Ms. Norton to call Troop 9 at 302-378-5749 ext. 627 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333.

This Week In Pictures

From MSNBC. Take a look at the slide show HERE.

House Adds $2 Billion For ‘Cash For Clunkers’


Lawmakers pass $2 billion bill to keep program alive; will go to Senate

WASHINGTON
- The House voted overwhelmingly Friday to rush $2 billion into the popular but financially strapped "cash for clunkers" car purchase program, heeding calls from consumers eager to keep taking advantage of thousands of dollars in trade-in incentives.

House members approved the measure 316-109 within hours of learning from Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood that the program was running out of money.

President Barack Obama said he was encouraged by the House action to keep alive a program that had "succeeded well beyond our expectations." Senate action is likely next week, ensuring the program won' be affected by the sudden shortage of cash.

GO HERE to read more from MSNBC.

Delaware Electric Cooperative "Peak Alert"

URGENT “BEAT THE PEAK”





2 P.M. to 5 P.M., Today, July 31


Because of the warm weather over our region, between the hours of 2 P.M. and 5 P.M., today, we are asking you to delay the usage of all unnecessary lights and appliances during these hours as well as turning your thermostat up 3 degrees.


While the largest consumers of electricity in the home during these hours and during this time of year are cooling costs and lighting, other large consumers of electricity include major appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines, clothes dryers, water heaters and stoves.


By delaying the use of unnecessary lighting and appliances as well as turning your thermostat up 3 degrees between 2 P.M. and 5 P.M., today, we can save energy resources, avoid high cost energy and help the environment.


We thank you for your help. Together we can “Beat the Peak”

WBI PRESS RELEASE




INCIDENT: Daytime Residential Burglaries - UPDATE
DATE: July 31, 2009
LOCATION: Wicomico County

NARRATIVE: Deputy Pecoraro and Detectives from WBI have developed information leading to three arrests in connection with residential daytime burglaries that have been occurring in the Wicomico County and surrounding areas. The following individuals have been charged with numerous crimes as listed below.

Anyone with information is asked to contact WBI at 410-548-4898 or Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776 or the Wicomico Sheriff’s Office at 410-548-4891.
ACCUSED*:
Brandon Fletcher B/M 22 years old
Lamar Trotter B/M 22 years old
Kevin Lemore Jr B/M 20 years old

Burglary – First Degree
Burglary – Fourth Degree
Malicious Destruction of Property
Theft
Conspiracy to commit Burglary
Handgun Charges

Held at WCDC

CHARGES:
Burglary – First Degree
Burglary – Fourth Degree
Malicious Destruction of Property
Theft
Drug Charges
Charges related to Conspiracy

DISPOSITION: Held WCDC

Could Congress Be Better Car Salesmen Than Car Salesmen?

Think about this for a minute. According to the numbers produced earlier today, Congress had to know this program was going to fall nothing short of a LEADER.

Are they waiting for millions of Americans to come forward and complain that they missed out? The next thing you know, hundreds of thousands, (if not millions) of people will be raising the roof at Dealerships wanting their fair share of the package and Congress will come back with more money and say, see, we took care of you.

IMHO, this was a smart Used Car Salesman move on behalf of Congress and like suckers millions of Americans will be lining up at Dealerships trading in vehicles they (Auto Manufacturers) claim should LAST.

While I'm confident many Americans really could take advantage of this deal, many hundreds of thousands of people will go for it just because it seems to be a great deal from GM, (Government Motors).

In the end, why hasn't Congress simply come down on the Auto Makers forcing them to get rid of the larger vehicles that suck the life out of gas and their owners instead. Why do oil prices continue to drop, yet the price at the pumps seem to be overinflated? The big question many of you ask me is, why do gas prices go up so fast but when they come down it never reflects it at the pumps just as fast.

Because Congress allows it, that's why. They claim all these Industries are REGULATED. Pork, special interests, you name it, we're getting screwed on every single project our Government and Congress, (particularly) gets their hands on. Just how much more screwing can Americans take. Remember the Dot Com fallout? How about Y2K!!!!! Yeah, regulated! Hundreds of thousands of brand new companies, (Dot Com) folded. How many people were arrested for stealing from good, honest, taxpaying Americans! On January 1, 2000, how many computers went down, NONE! Yeah, regulated!

Get in line at your local Car Dealership and bend over some more people. Just bring some KY Jelly with you. Sadly it will be every hard working taxpayer that will fork up the billion plus dollars, (your money and mine) for every vehicle processed in their Clunker Package! Oh, that's right, Obama is going to make things all better, WITH OUR MONEY!

CHANGE is all we're going to have left. Keep printing that money Obama & Congress. In 5 years from now we'll be speaking Chinese.

America’s Over-The-Top Hot Dogs


From New York to L.A., where to bite into the fanciest franks

For years, hot dogs have been eclipsed by their rounder rival, the hamburger. The latter upped the culinary ante when chefs started taking liberties with ingredients, giving this staple of diner and fast-food fare a makeover worthy of an aging pop star.

Plain beef was replaced with Kobe, wagyu, foie gras and, in one case, adorned with gold leaf. But at one eatery, diners don't have to make a choice between hot dog and hamburger because mini Angus sliders are one of the hot dog toppings. This frank's name? The Grease Truck.

So consider the lowly wiener in all its finery. It is being spotted on the menus of multi-starred restaurants, and it’s been a long time coming.

GO HERE to read more.

Yard Sales 7/31/9

Good Friday folks. I'm a little late posting today, but actually it was well worth it since I had a few late entries.

CLICK HERE for this weekend's Yard Sales..

Remember, if you have a Yard Sale to post, IT'S FREE. Just drop an email to me, SunnyInOC, at atlanticjw@aol.com. Please type "Yard Sale" in the subject of your email. Please have all requests in by 3pm on Thursday.

Have a great weekend.

Teacher Pensions Back On The Budget Hot Seat

State legislators, county leaders and education advocates in Maryland are once again on a collision course over how to pay for the growing cost of teacher pensions during a prolonged period of slumping revenues.

The infusion of federal stimulus money enabled Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) to maintain the current structure of the retirement plan through fiscal 2010, but there are questions over who will foot the bill in the long term.

It's an issue that other states grappling with budget deficits also are confronting, even as local officials maintain that changing the current system simply would shift the burden to local governments and force them to increase property taxes.

GO HERE to read more.

Students Can Save 10% At Rommel’s ACE Salisbury

FRUITLAND, MD (July 20, 2009) – Just in time for back to school shopping, Rommel’s ACE Salisbury introduces the Student Discount Program for all of your needs in the home, apartment or dorm room. Students can save 10% on non-sale items with their Salisbury University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore or Wor-Wic student ID on purchases made at the Salisbury Hardware store and America's Mattress, next to Salisbury ACE.
 
Students can shop for fans, toaster ovens, hot plates and burners, irons, can openers, blenders, mops, cleaning supplies, extension cords, keys, locks, deadbolts, anchors and picture hanging supplies, storage and cabinets, window coverings, paint, beds, futons, mattresses and much more to meet all their nesting needs.
Visit Rommel's ACE Salisbury at 121 W. College Ave Salisbury, MD 21804
Information: 410.742.2127

TRAFFIC ALERT


Bridge Maintenance Will Require the Westbound Closure of Bridge in Seaford

Beginning Monday, August 3

Seaford -- The Department of Transportation (DelDOT) announces that the bridge on the westbound side of Route 20/Stein Highway will be closed between North Pine Street to North Porter Street in Seaford beginning on Monday, August 3 and ending on Monday, August 10, weather permitting.

Mumford & Miller Concrete, Inc will be removing and replacing a section of the bridge deck and replacing bridge joints on the westbound bridge span.

Motorists traveling westbound will be directed to use the eastbound side of the bridge "contraflow" with sidewalk detours.

Violent Robbery Caught On Tape At Concord Pike Motel (released July 2, 2009)


North Wilmington- It has been a month, but the diligence has paid off. Detectives from the Troop 2 Robbery Squad have arrested one subject for his part in the June 23rd brutal robbery at the Concord Pike Days Inn.

How did this arrest come about? One must first rewind to June the 20th. Now those who follow DSP news stories will remember that on this date, Delaware State Police and New Castle County Police detectives arrested a group of people who committed two robberies- one at Marsh Road Shell Station and one at the Naamans Apartments (this story is included with this news release as an attachment). One of those subjects arrested was Carl Barbour Jr., 18, of Plum Tree Lane in Claymont, Delaware.

Since this arrest, Mr. Barbour has been held at the Howard Young Correctional Institute in lieu of a secured bond.

Fast forwarding, the detective investigating the Days Inn Robbery put together a photo line up which contained an image of Carl Barbour. The victims in this incident are from Florida, and with the help of Jacksonville Florida Police Department, the victims were shown the line up and were able to pick Barbour out of the array of pics. Next a search warrants was executed at Barbour’s home and there investigators located items that positively linked him to the crime.

This investigation also revealed Barbour was responsible for another Robbery in the parking lot of the Tally Ho Shopping Center, located at 3452 Naamans Road, from July 18th. In this incident, Barbour and two unidentified co-conspirators robbed three subjects at gunpoint.

An arrest warrant was completed and DSP investigators responded to the Young prison yesterday and formally charged Carl Barbour with the following offenses: four counts of Robbery (felony), Attempted Robbery (felony) and Conspiracy (felony). Barbour was arraigned and held, in addition to his already existing bail, on a $135,000.00 secured bond.

Because several of Babour’s cohorts have not been identified, the aforementioned investigations, at the Days Inn and the Tally Ho Shopping Center, are still open.

O'Malley May Add Immigration Czar To Cabinet



Gov. Martin O'Malley says he's inclined to create a cabinet-level ombudsman position to deal with the needs of Maryland's growing immigrant population, after a council he commissioned to study the issue recommended that and other new programs on Thursday.

"I don't think it's too much to ask," he said, adding that he would have to study how the state might be able to afford a staff for the new post even as he contemplates state employee furloughs and other budget cuts to close the remainder an estimated $700 million shortfall.

GO HERE to read more.

A Letter To The Editor


The House Democratic leaders have concocted a coordinated strategy for attacking insurance companies..“Our message is simple. It is now being echoed by the White House,” they said in a memo to all Democrat members.


Their message: “Remove the insurance companies from between you and your doctor— capping what they can force you to pay in out of pocket expenses, co-pays and deductibles, and giving you the peace of mind you will be covered for the care you need, if you get sick, or if you change or lose your job.”


Translation: " Eliminate the private insurance companies. Give the government full control of all costs and benefits. We will save you-- you will never have to worry about healthcare again."


Since they weren't able to slam this thing through before the August recess, they will now use that time for a massive propaganda push to try to brainwash the public and vilify the insurance companies prior to their next attempt.


Their "Cash For Clunkers" program only lasted a few days before it ran out of money and crashed.


And they think they can run the healthcare system?

CHOP Researchers Get A Lead On Neuroblastoma

By Faye Flam
Inquirer Staff Writer


John Maris has spent more than 20 years trying to understand why some children get an often-fatal cancer called neuroblastoma. There was no obvious environmental factor, and a genetic variation seemed to be involved. But how to find it?

Then, he and his colleagues at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia got the chance to try something that would have been unimaginable just a few years earlier: Scan the DNA of hundreds of children stricken with the disease and compare it with DNA from thousands of healthy children in a control group.

In the last 13 months, they have gone from knowing almost nothing about why some children get neuroblastoma to identifying three genes associated with risk. And this summer the project has led them to begin the first related drug trial to help neuroblastoma patients.

"Now we're starting to get some significant traction," said Maris, who has devoted his career to studying and treating children with neuroblastoma, which causes 600 to 700 new cases each year. Among them was Alex Scott, founder of Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, who died from her cancer at age 8.

GO HERE to read more.

Obama's Ex-Doctor Slams Health Plan

His Longtime Physician Doesn't Think Proposal Will Work:

President Barack Obama often talks about all of the forces lining up against his health care plan. But there's one critic who has remained relatively mum in the debate. David Scheiner, a Chicago-based doctor, has taken a hard look at the president's prescription for health care reform and sees bad medicine.

"This isn't that kind of health care program that I think is going to work," he said.

GO HERE to read more.

Michelle Obama's Garden Is Ruined

Michelle Obama's toxic veggie nightmare: White House organic garden polluted with sludge

When First Lady Michelle Obama planted an organic vegetable garden on the White House lawn in March 2009, she hoped to both set an example of healthy eating and to grow tasty edibles for her daughters and husband. But Michelle's organic dream has been dashed by a nasty toxic legacy lurking in the soils of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. It turns out that a previous Presidential gardening team had used sewage sludge for fertilizer.

This is a fairly common practice with one huge problem. Sewage sludge tends to be laced with anything that people pour down the drain and often contains heavy metals. Not surprisingly, the National Park Service tested the dirt beneath Michelle's garden and found the plot has highly elevated levels of lead averaging 93 parts per million. That's below the 400 ppm that the Environmental Protection Agency says is a threat to human health. But I'd wager that Sasha, Malia and Barack won't be getting arugula or tomatoes from this garden any time soon.

GO HERE to read more.

O'Malley Advises Frugality For MACo Conference



The Maryland Association of Counties summer conference in Ocean City next month could be a more sober affair than usual -- at least for Gov. Martin O'Malley's administration.

With both the state and Maryland counties facing hundreds of millions in budget cuts, O'Malley's chief of staff has advised the governor's office and his Cabinet members to send "essential staff only" to the annual beachfront confab.

And there's more. In letters made public today, O'Malley Chief of Staff Michael R. Enright encourages carpooling. And sharing hotel rooms. And he asks that staffers who slip out to the beach or golf course between conference sessions use comp time or take personal leave.

GO HERE to read more.

Salisbury News Has Another Record Day

Yesterday proved to be the biggest day Salisbury News has ever had. Even though the Daily Times refused to provide a link to Salisbury News, (once again) the Washington Post was kind enough and respectful enough to do so, just as we always do for them.

My Wife looked at the numbers last night and said, "It's Time." What she meant by that is, it's time to take Salisbury News to the next level. She's right, it's crazy not to.

One of the only reasons we haven't done so to date is pretty simple, I've had absolutely no time at all to schedule the meetings and get it rolling but I will concentrate on it next week. We have the layout picked out, we have the company in mind to make it happen, it's time and I'm going for it.

To those of you new to Salisbury News, welcome aboard. Secure your seat belts because you're in for one hell of a ride.

Look At What's New On Crime Solvers!!!!


GO HERE to see the latest updates and Most Wanted Suspects.

Industry Is Generous To Influential Bloc

Blue Dogs, key brokers in shaping health bills, see surge in contributions

WASHINGTON
- On June 19, Rep. Mike Ross of Arkansas made clear that he and a group of other conservative Democrats known as the Blue Dogs were increasingly unhappy with the direction that health-care legislation was taking in the House.

"The committees' draft falls short," the former pharmacy owner said in a statement that day, citing, among other things, provisions that major health-care companies also strongly oppose.

Five days later, Ross was the guest of honor at a special "health-care industry reception," one of at least seven fundraisers for the Arkansas lawmaker held by health-care companies or their lobbyists this year, according to publicly available invitations.

GO HERE to read more.

Doctors Reap Benefits Of Useless ‘A la Carte’ Care

Health costs climb as physicians use self-referrals to order needless scans

In August 2005, doctors at Urological Associates, a medical practice on the Iowa-Illinois border, ordered nine CT scans for patients covered by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield insurance. In September that year, they ordered eight. But then the numbers rose steeply. The urologists ordered 35 scans in October, 41 in November and 55 in December. Within seven months, they were ordering scans at a rate that had climbed more than 700 percent.

The increase came in the months after the urologists bought their own CT scanner, according to documents obtained by The Washington Post. Instead of referring patients to radiologists, the doctors started conducting their own imaging -- and drawing insurance reimbursements for each of those patients.

GO HERE to read more.

White House Reviewing ‘Cash For Clunkers’

Rebate program may be running out of funds after only matter of days

WASHINGTON
- The government’s popular “cash for clunkers” program may be running out of money after only a matter of days as car shoppers flock to dealerships to take advantage of the rebates.

The White House said Thursday it was assessing its options amid concerns the $1 billion budget for rebates for new car sales may have been depleted. The program officially began last week and has been heavily publicized by automakers and dealers.

Transportation Department officials called lawmakers earlier Thursday to alert them of plans to suspend the program as early as Friday. But a White House official said later the program had not been suspended and they were reviewing their options to keep the program funded.

GO HERE to read more.

One Dealer said: The other bitch in this whole thing is that the government has put $1 billion into this program, which when divided mathematically into the average rebate and the number of dealers participating nationwide, gives each dealer about 12 vouchers to use. We had, at one time, 80-100 people on our list of interested customers. Can you say clusterf***?

A Letter To The Editor On Pit Bull's

Hello.

I am writing to you because someone must stop all this bad media about Pit Bulls. The Daily Times is always running articles with titles like "Pit Bull Viciously attacks child" or "Boy in the hospital after ferocious Pit Bull Bite". It is completely unnecessary to state what breed a dog is in this type of article. Why not just say “Dog attacks child”. I find it very offensive and it’s just like being racist in my opinion. This only escalates the Pit Bull hysteria and makes it hard for good pet owners like myself.

I own an American Pit Bull Terrier and she is the sweetest gentlest dog I have ever met. My roommate also has a Pit Bull and our dogs get along great! We’ve even had our friend bring his 10 lb Boston Terrier over to play and had no problems what so ever. These dogs have NEVER bitten anyone or anything aside from squeaky toys! My pup is also currently registered to take a Canine Good Citizen course with the Salisbury kennel club which will allow me to bring her to hospitals, nursing homes and so on to cheer folks up.

Obviously there is nothing wrong with American Pit Bull Terriers. There IS something wrong with people who raise them or any type of dog to be aggressive. A poodle could be a trained killer! I cant even take my girl for a walk without people crossing the street to get away or making rude comments about how she must be dangerous. This is so upsetting because I love my dog like a child and she wouldn’t hurt a fly. I know many other Pit Bulls just like her.

Please, please, please, if there is any way that you could shed some positive light on these great animals or at least bust on the daily times for all their bad articles I would GREATLY appreciate it.

Thank you for taking the time to read my letter.

Andrea Martin

Mowing Grass -- Priceless

I hope the picture will go through for you - of this Army soldier in Iraq with his tiny 'plot' of grass in front of his tent. It's heartwarming!

Here is a soldier stationed in Iraq , stationed in a big sand box. He asked his wife to send him dirt ( U.S. soil), fertilizer, and some grass seed so that he can have the sweet aroma, and feel the grass grow beneath his feet When the men of the squadron have a mission that they are going on, they take turns walking through the grass and the American soil -- to bring them good luck.





If you notice, he is even cutting the grass with a pair of a scissors. Sometimes we are in such a hurry that we don't stop and think about the little things that we take for granted.

Upon receiving this, say a little prayer for our soldiers that give and give (and give up) so unselfishly for us.

Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands.

Protect them as they protect us,

Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need.

In Jesus' name, Amen

The Finger Salute

AWESOME!!! Read below pic before making judgment on 'The Finger' gesture and you'll understand...




Leading the fight is Gunnery Sgt Michael Burghardt, known as 'Iron Mike' or just 'Gunny'. He is on his third tour in Iraq . He had become a legend in the bomb disposal world after winning the Bronze Star for disabling 64 IEDs and destroying 1,548 pieces of ordnance during his second tour.

Then, on September 19, he got blown up. He had arrived at a chaotic scene after a bomb had killed four US soldiers. He chose not to wear the bulky bomb protection suit. 'You can't react to any sniper fire and you get tunnel-vision,' he explains. So, protected by just a helmet and standard-issue flak jacket, he began what bomb disposal officers term 'the longest walk', stepping gingerly into a 5 foot deep and 8 foot wide crater.
The earth shifted slightly and he saw a Senao base station with a wire leading from it. He cut the wire and used his 7 inch knife to probe the ground. 'I found a piece of red detonating cord between my legs,' he says. 'That's when I knew I was screwed.' Realizing he had been sucked into a trap, Sgt Burghardt, 35, yelled at everyone to stay back. At that moment, an insurgent, probably watching through binoculars, pressed a button on his mobile phone to detonate the secondary device below the sergeant's feet 'A chill went up the back of my neck and then the bomb exploded,' he recalls. 'As I was in the air I remember thinking, 'I don't believe they got me...' I was just ticked off they were able to do it. Then I was lying on the road, not able to feel anything from the waist down'

His colleagues cut off his trousers to see how badly he was hurt. None could believe his legs were still there 'My dad's a Vietnam vet who's paralyzed from the waist down,' says Sgt Burghardt. 'I was lying there thinking I didn't want to be in a wheelchair next to my dad and for him to see me like that. They started to cut away my pants and I felt a real sharp pain and blood trickling down. Then I wiggled my toes and I thought, 'Good, I'm in business.' As a stretcher was brought over, adrenaline and anger kicked in. 'I decided to walk to the helicopter. I wasn't going to let my te am-mates see me being carried away on a stretcher.' He stood and gave the insurgents who had blown him up a one-fingered salute. 'I flipped them one. It was like, 'OK, I lost that round but I'll be back next week'.'

Copies of a photograph depicting his defiance, taken by Jeff Bundy for the Omaha World-Herald, adorn the walls of homes across America and that of Col John Gronski, the brigade commander in Ramadi, who has hailed the image as an exemplar of the warrior spirit.

Sgt Burghardt's injuries - burns and wounds to his legs and buttocks - kept him off duty for nearly a month and could have earned him a ticket home. But, like his father - who was awarded a Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts for being wounded in action in Vietnam - he stayed in Ramadi to engage in the battle against insurgents who are forever coming up with more ingenious ways of killing Americans.

$14,000.00 Jackpot!


Tuesday, August 4th

7:00pm

BINGO

When Tues, August 4th, 7pm – 10pm

Where Willards Lions Club

Description Doors open at 5 PM, BINGO starts at 7 PM.

Jack Pot $14,000.00

Protest Tool

This idea and phone number was just sent to me by Citizen Ron.

1-800-211-0907

The above 800 number is being paid for by AARP. When you call it a robot voice will ask you to enter your zip code and then select the congressman you want to speak with. It then automatically dials the number for you. A person will be there waiting to get your opinion for the Congressman about how you feel about Obamacare.

Now AARP set this up to give Congressmen a "yes" opinion about Obamacare but it can not stop you from giving a "NO" opinion.

And that is the beauty of the plan. Thank you Ron....AARP has given us the ability, at no cost to ourselves, to reach a Congressman and give an opinion about OBAMACARE.....

Naturally when I tried it ( works) I told the pollster that I was against Obamacare because it would eliminate Health Care benefits for Senior Citizens. My opinion was duly recorded for the Congressman.

What an elegant and fun way to stick it to the traitor AARP and vote against
ObamaCare at the same time..............

Tony Passaro
Bel Air Tea Party Coalition.

TRAFFIC ALERT


Boyds Corner Intersection Improvement to begin Monday, August 3

Year-long project begins with daytime lane closure on northbound Route 13

Middletown -- The project to improve the intersection at Boyds Corner Road/Route 896 and Route 13 in southern New Castle County will enter the construction phase Monday August 3, when one lane of northbound Route 13 will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The lane closure will continue until Saturday, August 8, weather permitting.

Future impacts will be announced as the project progresses.

The project, which will be performed by A-Del Construction Company, will continue for about one year, with construction projected to be completed by September 2010. The overall project cost is $4.3 million.

This important safety project will provide an additional northbound and southbound lane on Route 13 from the intersection with Greylag Road to Augustine Creek. There will also be an additional left turn lane from Boyd's Corner Road onto Route 13. The remaining turn-lanes will be lengthened to provide additional capacity. In addition to the road construction, crews will need to make significant changes to drainage, pavement markings and signage. Crews will also relocate many utilities such as power lines.

Test

This is NOT a pushover test. There are 20 questions. Average score is 12.
It will help if you are 50! This one will be difficult for the younger set.
Have fun, but no peeking!


1. What builds strong bodies 12 ways?
A. Flintstones vitamins
B. The Buttmaster
C. Spinach
D. Wonder Bread
E. Orange Juice
F. Milk
G. Cod Liver Oil

2. Before he was Muhammed Ali, he was...
A. Sugar Ray Robinson
B. Roy Orbison
C. Gene Autry
D. Rudolph Valentino
E. Fabian
F. Mickey Mantle
G. Cassius Clay

3. Pogo, the comic strip character said, 'We have met the enemy and.
A. It's you
B. He is us
C. It's the Grinch
D. He wasn't home
E. He's really mean
F. We quit
G. He surrendered

4. Good night David.
A. Good night Chet
B. Sleep well
C. Good night Irene
D. Good night Gracie
E. See you later alligator
F. Until tomorrow
G. Good night Steve

5. You'll wonder where the yellow went...
A. When you use Tide
B. When you lose your crayons
C. When you clean your tub
D. If you paint the room blue
E. If you buy a soft water tank
F. When you use Lady Clairol
G. When you brush your teeth with Pepsodent

6. Before he was the Skipper's Little Buddy, Bob Denver was Dobie's
friend...
A. Stuart Whitman
B. Randolph Scott
C. Steve Reeves
D. Maynard G. Krebbs
E. Corky B.. Dork
F. Dave the Whale
G. Zippy Zoo

7. Liar, liar...
A. You're a liar
B. Your nose is growing
C. Pants on fire
D. Join the choir
E. Jump up higher
F. On the wire
G. I'm telling Mom

8. Meanwhile, back in Metropolis, Superman fights a never ending battle for
truth, justice and....
A. Wheaties
B. Lois Lane
C. TV ratings
D. World peace
E. Red tights
F. The American Way
G. News headlines

9. Hey kids! What time is it?
A. It's time for Yogi Bear
B. It's time to do your homework
C. It's Howdy Doody Time
D. It's Time for Romper Room
E. It's bedtime
F. The Mighty Mouse Hour
G. Scooby Doo Time


10. Lions and tigers and bears...
A. Yikes
B. Oh no
C. Gee whiz
D. I'm scared
E. Oh my
F. Help! Help!
G. Let's run

11. Bob Dylan advised us never to trust anyone....
A. Over 40
B. Wearing a uniform
C. Carrying a briefcase
D. Over 30
E. You don't know
F. Who says, 'Trust me'
G. Who eats tofu

12. NFL quarterback who appeared in a television commercial wearing women's
stockings...
A. Troy Aikman
B. Kenny Stabler
C. Joe Namath
D. Roger Stauback
E. Joe Montana
F. Steve Young
G. John Elway

13. Brylcream...
A. Smear it on
B. You'll smell great
C. Tame that cowlick
D. Grease ball heaven
E. It's a dream
F. We're your team
G. A little dab'll do ya

14. I found my thrill...
A. In Blueberry muffins
B. With my man, Bill
C. Down at the mill
D. Over the windowsill
E. With thyme and dill
F.. Too late to enjoy
G. On Blueberry Hill

15. Before Robin Williams, Peter Pan was played by...
A. Clark Gable
B. Mary Martin
C. Doris Day
D. Errol Flynn
E. Sally Fields
F. Jim Carey
G. Jay Leno

16. Name the Beatles...
A. John, Steve, George, Ringo
B. John, Paul, George, Roscoe
C. John, Paul, Stacey, Ringo
D. Jay, Paul, George, Ringo
E. Lewis, Peter, George, Ringo
F. Jason, Betty, Skipper, Hazel
G. John, Paul, George, Ringo

17. I wonder, wonder, who..
A. Who ate the leftovers?
B. Who did the laundry?
C. Was it you?
D. Who wrote the book of love?
E. Who I am?
F. Passed the test?
G. Knocked on the door?

18. I'm strong to the finish....
A. Cause I eats my broccoli
B. Cause I eats me spinach
C. Cause I lift weights
D. Cause I'm the hero
E. And don't you forget it
F. Cause Olive Oyl loves me
G. To outlast Bruto

19. When it's least expected, you're elected, you're the star today...
A. Smile, you're on Candid Camera
B. Smile, you're on Star Search
C. Smile, you won the lottery
D. Smile, we're watching you
E. Smile, the world sees you
F. Smile, you're a hit
G. Smile, you're on TV

20. What do M & M's do?
A. Make your tummy happy
B. Melt in your mouth not in your pocket
C. Make you fat
D. Melt your heart
E. Make you popular
F. Melt in your mouth, not in your hand
G. Come in colors





Below are the right answers:

1. D - Wonder Bread
2. G - Cassius Clay
3. B - He Is Us
4. A - Good night, Chet
5. G - When you brush your teeth with Pepsodent
6. D - Maynard G. Krebbs
7. C - Pants On Fire
8. F - The American Way
9. C - It's Howdy Doody Time
10. E - Oh My
11. D - Over 30
12. C - Joe Namath
13. G - A little dab'll do ya
14. G - On Blueberry Hill
15. B - Mary Martin
16. G - John, Paul, George, Ringo
17. D - Who wrote the book of Love
18. B - Cause I eats me spinach
19. A - Smile, you're on Candid Camera
20. F - Melt In Your Mouth Not In Your Hand

Don't forget to put your score in the subject line, when you forward this

Kick The Ball This Fall With Wicomico Youth Soccer

Kick the Ball this Fall with Wicomico Youth Soccer


(Salisbury, MD) Registration for the Fall youth Wicomico County Soccer program has been extended until August 14 (September 11 for U15 teams). The league is open to children ages 3 – 14 years old. The Dribblers (3 year olds) and the Squirts (Under 6) will play each Saturday at 9am at the Henry S. Parker Complex. All other leagues will play twice a week, once on Saturday and once during the week, either on Monday or Tuesday.

For more information or if you are interested in becoming a referee or volunteer coach, contact program director Kelly Rados at 410-548-4900 ext. 108 or email krados@wicomicocounty.org.

If you would like to learn about other upcoming programs offered by Wicomico County Recreation, Parks and Tourism sign up for email announcements at www.wicomicorecandparks.org.