Attention

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not represent our advertisers

Friday, December 11, 2009

"The Joe Albero Show"


Tomorrow morning will be the best Show we've ever produced. Be sure to watch Comcast Channel 9 at 10:30 AM and enjoy the Show. The graphics will blow you away! It's better than ANY television Show you've ever seen on the Eastern Shore.

St. John’s UMYF Pulled Pork Dinner Tonight




Dear Joe:

Thank you for posting a flyer for last month’s St. John’s UMYF Spaghetti dinner. I believe Salisbury News was a big factor in the event’s success and enabled the kids to raise more than last year despite the tough economic times. You’re doing a heck of a job of keeping people informed. The youth are hosting another event tonight and I am attaching the details. If you could post this event, we would be most grateful.

Regards,


Randy Bloxom

Traffic Delay After Pickup Goes Into The Water In Blades


BLADES, Del.- Traffic is backed up after a pickup went off the bridge and into the Nanticoke River at Route 13 near Concord Road in the Seaford-Blades area. Motorists are advised to use caution. More details forthcoming.

Delaware Electric Cooperative "Peak Alert"

URGENT “BEAT THE PEAK”



6 P.M. to 8 P.M., Tonight, December 11th

Because of the cold weather forecast in our area tonight, between the hours of 6 P.M. and 8 P.M., we are asking you to delay the usage of all unnecessary lights and appliances during these hours.

The largest users of electricity in the home during these hours are lighting and major appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines, clothes dryers, water heaters and ranges. Other important steps to take might include adjusting thermostats down 3 degrees during this “Peak” time of 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

By delaying the use of unnecessary lighting and appliances between 6 P.M. and 8 P.M., tonight, 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”

Lost Dog 2

Joe,

My 2 year old red shorthaired minature dachshund ran away on Tuesday, December 8th. We live in Mardela Springs, MD in the Mockingbird Developments and we believe he is hiding in the woods somewhere. Will you please put something on the website let people know what has happened.

My phone number is 410-726-0386.

Lost Dog 1

Red Kettles At Sobos, Boonies And Specific Gravity This Weekend


Hi Joe,

Just wanted to give you a heads up and let you know that this Friday and Saturday all Southern Boys Concepts restaurants will be participating in the Salvation Army Red kettle Campaign. This includes Sobo's Wine Beerstro, Specific Gravity, and Boonies. All 3 will have the red kettles at their front entrances. Thanks again and I hope you have a very happy holiday season and a great new year.

Jeff Trivits
Sobo's Wine Beerstro

Editors Note: You Guys Rock!

Just Look At All The Good You're Doing









The images above were taken this very morning. With exactly two weeks to go until Christmas Day, the Salvation Army has been very busy making purchases, wrapping gifts, buying food and preparing for the big day when thousands upon thousands of Families will gather to come up and receive their unconditional gifts from the Salvation Army.

By ringing the bell you can help continue to fill this auditorium and take care of that many more Families. So we've had a setback, that's OK. However, every one of those empty slots would have been filled by me and now I need YOU. I need volunteers to step up and show this group of people we just won't stand for it. The best revenge is to live a good life.

I'd like to add, please don't blame WalMart or Sam's Club. Each and every one of you should know, Sam's Club local and Corporate LOVED the Show we produced there. The mere fact that we were representing so many charitable organizations in that show clearly told them the kind of people we are and what we are trying to offer within our community. The fact is, they were hit with numerous calls from a select group of people and in order to stop the charade and games, they made the same choice I would have in a corporate decision.

So do us all a favor. Please contact the Salvation Army and offer your time. Do not let these low life individuals take away from so many needy Families. They have clearly hurt the Salvation Army and shame on them. The leader of their pack collects disability when he can clearly go to work every day. He chooses to stay at home and collect from each and every one of you. It just amazes me that he would do such a thing but it is who he is.

I also hope Chief Webster, Mike Dunn, Lynn Cathcart, Gary Comegys, Louise Smith and Barrie Tilghman are proud of their voice piece and what they're capable of. Show them up Folks and get out there and ring that bell.

Contact the Salvation Army at 410-749-RING (7464).

Jonathan Taylor & Others Have Joe Albero Removed From Bell Ringing for Salvation Army

Jonathan Taylor and his minions have gone so far as to have called and harassed Sam’s Club corporate offices because Joe recorded a show at Sam's Club's front entrance featuring fund-raising efforts for the Salvation Army, and other charitable donation programs. They have taken the time out of their empty lives to harass WRDE because Joe has air time on their station. Only God and the Salvation Army local and their headquarters know how many harassing phone calls came in from these people.

Jonathan Taylor said, "This has happened because numerous people complained to both companies about Albero being outside the stores and how uncomfortable they felt being near him and were taking their business elsewhere."

Why do they care if Joe stands out there in wet, freezing weather while ringing the bell? Why do they care if Joe is supporting an organization that he believes in, that helps needy families? Their goal seems to be to stop any and all activities involving Joe Albero, charitable or not, no matter what the cost to others. Due to their overzealous concern over the participation of Joe Albero, there will be no one to fill the empty time slots at Sam’s Club or any other location at a moment's notice. How much in donations will be lost directly due to the malicious efforts of these twisted people? It can be verified by those at the Red Kettle Campaign that the buckets were filled after Joe stepped in to fill time slots throughout the day. Will this radically change? Does the Salvation Army stand to lose $400 to $500 a shift every day until the Kettle campaign ends? Could it even be more? And how will it affect the services that would be provided by those monies?

We hold no ill will towards Sam’s Club, Wal-Mart the Salvation Army, or anyone else who has suffered at the hands of these demented people. Indeed, we commissurate with them, and feel sorrow for their loss. What are they to do - act in an expedient manner and salvage what they can of the biggest donation season of the year, or continue to spend countless man hours fielding slanderous and defamatory calls from those whose hatred overrides their sensibilities and connection with the efforts of those who care.

Jonathan Taylor, John Robinson, Tom McGuire, The Burkes and others have won. YIPPEE!!! Good for them, they won. What did they win? They won the right to brag about how they have cut the throats of local charitable organizations. Damn if that isn’t something of which they can be proud. Insanely proud. Lastingly proud. They are just a few of the verified names provided to those charities called when the identities of callers was requested. Muir Boda, former candidate for city council, is a manager at the North Wal-Mart store, is he complicit in these schoolyard antics? These are the same people who throw their support behind the likes of Gary Comegys, Louise Smith and Shanie Shields, not because they believe in them, but because they know that they can be controlled. The same people to whom someone on the council majority regularly and reliably leaks information. The same people who have consistently, over the years, acted to spend millions and millions we don't have and can't afford, accept grants for crap that we don't need and then can't afford to maintain without raising taxes, and who continue to act as if they are the pawns that they are, not the responsible representative that they should be. These are the people whose backers point fingers?

So, while the public teat-sucking Jonathan Taylor, the fool who thinks that he has friendship in the people who egg him on, sits comfortably in front of his computer spewing the venom that entertains all twenty-five of his supporters and a dozen more regular readers, accompanied by his side-kick, good ole buddy John Robinson, claim as a victory that they prevented Joe Albero from ringing the bell for the Salvation Army this year, whose 2008 efforts raised local Salvation Army Kettle donations to a level not seen in many, many years, and whose continued efforts promised this year to drive donations up even more.

The bottom line here is there are many time slots that need a commitment, and since Joe can’t jump in and fill them as needed, we are reaching out to you, our readers, to help us, to continue to help the Salvation Army at the Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club locations. Please don’t let these people hurt those who will benefit from your contributions of time and effort. This is the season to act and think of the welfare of others. Some would call it a Christian effort. We prefer to call it a human effort, a humane effort. Thanks to all who have volunteered, and to all of those who will volunteer. And please accept our best regards and best wishes for the season and the upcoming year.

Supplies with Obama Logo is a NO GO in Public Schools

An astute reader sent me this story from the Pocomoke Public Eye. They had a slightly different take on it from the original article, so I'm going to post the whole thing for the brainiacs over at the WCCC who probably think it's "Art".

From The Columbia Tribune

Pencils and notebooks resembling President Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign ads have been sold in at least one Columbia school and other public schools, causing the company that distributes the materials to travel around the state yanking the supplies out of machines.

“Don’t be mad at us,” said Greg Jones, a sales representative with Pencil Wholesale. “It was a total accident.”

Pencil Wholesale distributes supplies to six Columbia schools: Parkade Elementary, Cedar Ridge Elementary, Paxton Keeley Elementary, Mill Creek Elementary, Smithton Middle School and Hickman High School, said Linda Quinley, the district’s chief financial officer.

At Mill Creek, at least one pencil and a notebook with designs similar to Obama campaign advertisements have been sold out of a supply machine. Two families have complained about the politically tinged materials.

Three Missouri schools have contacted Jones since the beginning of the school year asking that the materials be removed, and Mill Creek Principal Mary Sue Gibson this week said she also planned to call Pencil Wholesale.

“I just don’t want to get into that political arena at all,” she said.

The bound three-ring notebook bears a photo of literal change — pennies, quarters, dimes and nickels stacked into piles. Above the photo, white text reads “CHANGE” over a navy background.

Below the photo, “WE CAN BELIEVE IN” sits above a logo similar to Obama’s campaign image — three red stripes separated by white stripes in front of a white circle with a blue background arching over the circle.

The supplies were designed by the art department of Harcourt Pencil Co., based in Milroy, Ind., Jones said.

“The art department was trying to be cutesy,” he said.

There was no response this morning to a phone message to Harcourt.

Jones delivers the supplies to about 800 schools. He remembers seeing the Obama-esque notebook when it was first designed, but “I didn’t think one thing about it,” he said.

Jones has agreed to go to schools that might have received the supplies and remove them.

“I wish I could do it over,” he said. “But, for now, I can just make it right.”

Harcourt plans to give Jones a refund on the supplies as well, he said.

But first, Jones has to find the supplies. Out of a case of 72 notebooks, three of the controversial notebooks can be found, he said.

“It’s turned out to be really ugly,” Jones said. “We’re trying to get them out of the schools as fast as we can.”

He also wants to be clear that neither he nor his company created the design. In fact, he said, he’s a registered Republican who voted for John McCain in last year’s presidential election.

“It’s a total nightmare,” Jones said.

Wells Fargo Steps Up, Animals Are Safe

Wells Fargo promised to secure care for the animals left without food and water when a Rhode Island sanctuary for abandoned beasts was foreclosed on.

Although former sanctuary owner Dan MacKenzie named Wells Fargo in his lawsuit to save the animals, a spokesman for the bank came forward to say Wells Fargo was just a trustee on the mortgage. It was American Home Mortgage Servicing that initiated the foreclosure.

The spokesman wrote us in an email:
“Thanks to all who have stated their support of the animals. We deeply appreciate the feedback and praise the community for the way it has rallied help for these animals. And while Wells Fargo is not the owner, mortgage servicer, or mortgage originator of the Bonniedale Farms property (rather a trustee for a trust that includes the property’s mortgage), and as such was not involved in initiating this foreclosure, we echo many of your thoughts about ensuring the safety of these animals. As was covered by many media outlets last night and this morning, Wells Fargo is currently working to make sure the animals at the farm are properly cared for.

It looks as though the animals will be well taken care of now, with the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals assuming care, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Wells Fargo promises care for animals on RI farm [AP via Silcon Valley Mercury News] A happy ending is in the works for rescued farm animals at foreclosed Rhode Island sanctuary [L.A. Times]

Source

Teens Ignore Laws Against Texting While Driving


Studies suggest demographic targeted by legislation isn’t paying attention

LOS ANGELES
- Karen Cordova, a 17-year-old high school student and part-time supermarket cashier, admits she sometimes texts friends while driving home from work late at night, lonely and bored.

The Arizona teenager knows it's illegal in Phoenix and dangerous. She once almost drifted into oncoming traffic while looking at her phone.

But would a nationwide ban stop Cordova and her friends from texting in their cars? No way, she said.

GO HERE to read more.

Burke Equipment In Salisbury Closing Their Doors Today

Unfortunately, Burke Equipment Company will be closing their doors today in Salisbury due to the lack of business. They'll be moving their equipment from Salisbury to Seaford.

NEWARK
2063 Pulaski Highway
Newark, DE 19702
302.737.3100

FELTON
54 Andrews Lake Rd & RT. 13
Felton, DE 19934
302.697.3200

SEAFORD
26831 Sussex Highway
Seaford, DE 19973
302.629.7500

SALISBURY
1505 South Salisbury Blvd.
Salisbury, MD 21804
410.548.4566

Red Kettle Campaign - UPDATE






If you'd like to volunteer for a slot at any of the above locations please, send your request to ringabell4tsa@verizon.net or call Kettle Campaign Headquarters 410-749-RING (7464).

THANK YOU, to all that have so generously volunteered their time to this worthwhile campaign.

Caption This Photo

Partial Crossover Closure To Be Implemented At Route 113 And Arrow Safety Road

Georgetown -- The Department of Transportation (DelDOT) announces that it will implement a partial median crossover closure at US 113 and Arrow Safety Road in Georgetown, weather permitting, effective December 16, 2009, by installing signing, making striping modifications and placing flexi-post tubular markers in the crossover.

The median will be closed to all movements except for the northbound left-turn movement onto US 113 southbound into the car dealership. This partial closure is being done to improve the safety of this intersection.

Southbound traffic will no longer be able to turn left off of US 113 onto Arrow Safety Road, and will now need to travel south to Shortly Road to the next crossover to make a u-turn.

Promo For The New Bachelor

Thank God It's Friday


What Will You Be Doing This Weekend?

MARYLAND GOP CHAIR: MARYLAND FAMILIES NEED REAL ECONOMIC SOLUTIONS FROM THEIR GOVERNOR

Annapolis, MD – Maryland Republican Party Chair Audrey Scott released the following statement in response to Governor Martin O’Malley’s virtual town hall taking place this evening:

“It is fitting that Governor O’Malley would attempt to engage Marylanders in a virtual town hall since his administration seems to have been operating in a virtual reality. Here in the real world, Maryland families are looking at the economic leadership coming from Annapolis and the picture has been bleak. Since O’Malley has come into office over 200,000* jobs have been lost. When is Governor O’Malley going to stop living in the virtual world and start offering real solutions for real Maryland families?”

Count Your Blessings

Hanna Kremer Tilghman Insurance Matches Funds Raised In Red Kettle


Hanna Kremer Tilghman Insurance deserves a HUGE Hat Tip for matching the funds raised in their Red Kettle with the Salvation Army. Now this is what I'm talking about Folks. Who's next?????

"Blues Christmas"


Today's Nature Photo By Scott Phoebus


Kratovil Auto Dealer Update

Reps. Kratovil, Hoyer, Van Hollen, Maffei and Sen. Durbin, Discuss Plan to Resolve Disputes with Terminated Auto Dealers

Washington, DC
– Today, Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD), Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL), Congressman Frank Kratovil (D-MD), and Congressman Dan Maffei (D-NY) held a press conference call to discuss new legislative language to address the ongoing dispute between GM, Chrysler and dealerships that were closed during the companies’ restructuring. This language was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which passed the House today.

“This is a fair agreement that protects the rights of both parties,” said Congressman Kratovil. “Each dealership represents dozens of employees left without income or health care, and a major hit to the economies of small communities. At a time when our nation is reeling from the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs each month this language protects jobs by instituting a fair process instead of forcing hundreds more dealerships to shut their doors without recourse. This gives auto dealers a fair shot to survive or fail in the marketplace. That's something every small business deserves.”

“Today’s action puts in place a transparent process that puts both auto dealers and auto companies on a more level playing field,” said House Majority Leader Hoyer. “We believe this is a compromise that is fair to both sides, allowing each to present its case before an independent arbitrator who can give a considered and binding determination. Having a successful auto industry and a profitable and competitive network of dealerships is in the best interest of our nation and consumers, and the legislation passed today moves us toward that goal.”

“I am very pleased that language has been included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act that will give terminated automobile dealers a fair and reasonable shot at getting back into business,” said Congressman Van Hollen. “Profitable car dealers should have never been terminated in the first place, and I was proud to join the fight to have these short-sighted decisions reversed. Automobile manufacturers won’t be able to get back on their feet without a strong dealer network, and Congress is committed to ensuring that such a network exists.”

“Closed dealerships across the country deserve a transparent review of their termination and the right to get back in business if they were terminated on faulty grounds. GM and Chrysler have the right to determine the size and scope of their business. But Congress has a responsibility to protect taxpayer’s money when addressing the future of companies like GM and Chrysler,” Senator Durbin said. “The compromise we announced today is balanced and responsible. It allows closed dealerships to enter binding arbitration to review their termination, but requires the arbitrator to take the economic interests of the dealership, the company and the general public into account when considering dealer reinstatement.”

Congressman Maffei said, “I commend GM and Chrysler for working with us to resolve this issue. While their proposals were steps in the right direction, they did not go far enough. This Congressional action restores transparency and ensures a fair process for all those involved. We do not want to hurt the auto manufacturers in their restructuring efforts moving forward, but auto dealers are a big part of our local communities and national economy, and they should be treated fairly.”

The Committee to Restore Dealer Rights, the National Automobile Dealers Association, the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers, and the Automobile Trade Association Executives has endorsed the new language.

Kratovil Opposes $446 Billion Omnibus Appropriations Spending Act

Washington, DC – Rep. Frank Kratovil voted against HR 3288, The Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY 2010. The consolidated spending bill combines 6 different appropriations totaling $446.8 billion in discretionary spending, and about $1.1 trillion when mandatory spending is included. The bill represents a consolidation of appropriations bill that have not yet been passed by the House as well as various other measures.

Rep. Kratovil released the following statement:

“Although this bill included funding for many deserving programs and projects, we cannot ignore the fact that our nation is facing a $12 trillion debt. Responsible leadership means we need to set priorities; increased spending on key priorities must be offset by cuts elsewhere. This bill failed to make those tough choices and instead significantly increased discretionary spending over last year.

“I am also concerned that we were not given sufficient time to review the changes included in the final conference committee report before voting. While it is true that the House had previously debated and passed these spending bills separately, changes were made during negotiations with the Senate that should have justified more time to review and better understand the contents of this bill. ”

Rep. Frank Kratovil

Indian River Inlet Bridge: Public Workshop Postponed Until Spring 2010

Rehoboth Beach -- The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) and Skanska USA Civil Southeast, Inc. (Skanska) announce that the Public Workshop previously scheduled to occur this fall, will be held in late spring 2010.

Due to the fact that the public workshop had to be postponed due to inclement weather on two separate occasions this fall, and given that Delaware typically sees cold, wet and snowy weather during the early part of the year, a team decision was made to hold the public workshop in late spring.

Objectives of the workshop were to bring the public to the construction site to see the bridge builder's progress, to provide site tours via bus and to provide outdoor "informational stations". Warmer temperatures and better weather make for a more comfortable and productive event.

In addition, Skanska notes that springtime will find the bridge blossoming in many ways-the pylon towers should be nearly complete, the bridge floor beams and edge girders will be put in place, decking and cable stay erection will have begun; thus there will be more to see come spring 2010.

No specific date has been set at this time. More information will be made available in spring 2010.

Until then, please check www.irib.deldot.gov for the latest construction progress information, view a monthly photo gallery, view real time cameras, and obtain educational material to learn more about the bridge.

Julie Andrews



Julie Andrews Turns 69, this is hysterical

To commemorate her birthday , actress/vocalist, Julie Andrews made a special appearance at Manhattan 's Radio City Music Hall for the benefit of the AARP. One of the musical numbers she performed was 'My Favorite Things' from the legendary movie 'Sound Of Music'. Here are the lyrics she used:

(Sing It! - If you sing it, its especially hysterical!!!)

Botox and nose drops and needles for knitting,
Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,
Bundles of magazines tied up in string,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Cadillacs and cataracts, hearing aids and glasses,
Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses,
Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,
These are a few of my favorite things.

When the pipes leak, When the bones creak,
When the knees go bad,
I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don't feel so bad.

Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunions,
No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions,
Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they bring,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Back pain, confused brains and no need for sinnin',
Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin',
And we won't mention our short shrunken frames,
When we remember our favorite things.

When the joints ache, When the hips break,
When the eyes grow dim,
Then I remember the great life I've had,
And then I don't feel so bad.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> >
Ms. Andrews received a standing ovation from the crowd that lasted over four minutes and repeated encores.

Have You Been To Crime Solvers Lately


There are many new updates and REWARDS on the Crime Solvers Website. Be sure to save the link as one of your favorites and visit them every so often. You may see someone you know and perhaps pick up some spending money for the Holidays.

O'MALLEY RELEASES WEEKLY UPDATE FOCUSING ON ECONOMIC AGENDA TO CREATE JOBS, STRENGTHEN SMALL BUSINESSES

“Small and family-owned businesses are the economic engine of our State and the key to how we’re going to move forward from recession to recovery to prosperity again,” said Governor O’Malley. “Strengthening small businesses will help us grow and strengthen our middle class, fuel innovation, and create jobs. It all comes back to jobs.”

In an ongoing effort to expand access to credit for small businesses and create jobs, Governor O’Malley sent a letter today to US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, urging the Treasury Department to “utilize the current under-capitalized Small Business Loan Guarantee programs that most states already have up and running across our country.”

Governor O’Malley outlined three legislative priorities designed to expand access to credit for small businesses and create jobs.

Streamline the loan approval process for small businesses and expand access to credit by strengthening loan guarantees already available to small businesses.
Create jobs by offering a $3,000 tax credit for every unemployed worker it hires.
Introduce emergency legislation to address the rate increase small businesses are paying for the Unemployment Trust Fund.

The Governor also noted the receipt of the final recommendations from the Governor’s Task Force on Small Businesses. The recommendations include:

Extend the State’s Small Business Reserve Program, and define small business as it pertains to State assistance and opportunities.
Retool State financing programs to compliment federal and private sector offerings for small businesses.
Streamline and fast track regulatory review processes.
Establish a center for small business excellence under DBED’s jurisdiction and create a standing Maryland Small Business Commission.
Centralize and effectively market workforce resources.

Governor O’Malley’s economic update for this week can be viewed here.

It's Been Reported

Just thought you should know Food Lion on Snow Hill Rd, Salisbury now has private armed uniformed security during the evening hours. Clerks tell me they have been in place for aprox 2 weeks. Its a shame we have to pay for this thru our purchases instead of the chief doing the job he is suppose to do.