STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ON THE PASSING OF JOHN S. TOLL

ANNAPOLIS, MD (July 15, 2011) – Governor Martin O’Malley today issued the following statement on the passing of John S. Toll, Maryland’s first state university chancellor and former president of Washington College:

“Today, we mourn the passing of John S. Toll.

“We feel his legacy in the generations of Marylanders whose lives he impacted, through his service at Washington College and the University of Maryland system.  He helped build the University of Maryland system into what it is today: one of the world’s leading institutions of higher learning, imagination, and discovery. 

“Our hearts go out to John’s family, and to the entire University of Maryland family.”

Preparing For The (Possible) China Crash

While a big slowdown would hurt Chinese the most, collateral damage would still be huge

(MCO)Moody’s Investors Service, the credit ratings agency, says China has underestimated by half a trillion dollars the exposure of state-owned banks’ loan portfolios to local governments. Despite five interest rate hikes since last October, inflation is now running at 6.4 percent, the fastest since 2008. Second-quarter gross domestic product grew at 9.5 percent, its slowest pace in almost two years.

No one is writing off China. An April Bloomberg survey of economists estimated the economy would grow more than 9 percent this year. The government is flush with cash and ready to prop up key banks and companies in case things get dicey. Yet bearish investors, such as James Chanos of Kynikos Associates, question whether China can beat inflation and stop over-investing in real estate projects and factories without triggering a hard landing. “A lot of people in the broader market are now asking these questions that they weren’t asking before,” says Patrick Chovanec, a business professor at Tsinghua University. “Before, the China story was so powerful that it overcame all doubt. Now there has been a big shift in sentiment.”

If a crash or slowdown occurs—which most analysts define as growth below 7 percent—it will be brought about either by inflation or a reversal in real estate. The Chinese Communist Party is loath to allow high inflation, says Chovanec. In the 1940s, hyperinflation turned ordinary Chinese into Communists. Inflation of around 20 percent was one reason protesters took to Tiananmen Square in 1989. Should inflation exceed 10 percent for long, “they pull a Volcker,” says Chovanec. Paul Volcker, the former U.S. Federal Reserve chairman, defeated high inflation in the U.S. with rates so steep they plunged the country into severe recession.

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Eastern Shore Drought Hurting Corn Crops

EASTON, Md. - Forecasters say parts of the Eastern Shore are suffering through a drought.
 
The U.S. Drought Monitor says the central Eastern Shore is in a moderate drought and the lower Eastern Shore is in severe drought conditions. Central and southern Maryland were rated as abnormally dry, although recent thunderstorms have helped. The monitor is a joint effort of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other agencies.
 
Wendy McPherson, a U.S. Geological Survey hydrologist, says rainfall on the lower shore has been lacking for more than a year. Talbot County extension agent Shannon Dill says planting weather was good earlier this year in the midshore county, but a recent dry spell has left corn in need of rain.

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Are You Concerned With The Budget Deficit?

For too long, leaders in Washington -- from both sides of the aisle -- have put the U.S. in a severe financial mess. In just the last decade, the national debt has grown from $5.7 trillion to a record $14.3 trillion -- an increase of more than 150 percent. As a percentage of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP), the U.S. debt is higher than it’s been since the 1950s.

I’ve already voted for more than $40 billion in spending cuts for this year alone and proposed an additional $20 billion in smart spending cuts on top of that. But we need to do more. A lot more. In recent months, there’s been plenty of talk about a large, bipartisan compromise to reduce the deficit by $4 trillion over ten years. I support those efforts and remain committed to a long-term deficit agreement.

But real progress will require real compromise from both sides of the aisle.

The people of Delaware understand that everything must be on the table. I agree. I have consistently supported a balanced approach with meaningful tax reform and smart spending cuts that don't undermine our long-term economic growth. And when I say everything must be on the table, that means that everything should be on the table: discretionary spending, entitlement programs, revenue, defense, tax reform, and other areas.

It is my hope that both parties will agree on a strong plan soon. Now is the time to get the country’s fiscal house in order. Further delay will only make matters worse and risk serious economic consequences for the country. Reducing the deficit must be the primary focus of the debt ceiling discussion. This is a great opportunity for both sides to come together on a plan that will set us on a responsible financial path. In turn, we will strengthen our economy and guarantee a brighter future for generations to come.
Sincerely,
John Carney
Member of Congress

Don't Forget The Farmer's Market This Weekend

Some Black Men May Survive Longer In Prison Than Out

African-American prisoners protected against alcohol- and drug-related deaths, but pattern doesn't hold for white men, study finds

NEW YORK — Black men are half as likely to die at any given time if they're in prison than if they aren't, suggests a new study of North Carolina inmates.

The black prisoners seemed to be especially protected against alcohol- and drug-related deaths, as well as lethal accidents and certain chronic diseases.

But that pattern didn't hold for white men, who on the whole were slightly more likely to die in prison than outside, according to findings published in Annals of Epidemiology.

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Illegal Immigrant Working Inside Nuke Plant Arrested

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's deputies arrested an illegal immigrant working inside the Palo Verde Nuclear Plant, the nation's largest nuclear plant and one of the most closely monitored in the country.

Cruz Loya Alvares was taken into custody by Sheriff Deputies Wednesday and interrogated by the Sheriff's Human Smuggling detectives.

Deputies determined that the worker is, in fact, here illegally. Cruz admitted he has been in the U.S. illegally for most of the past 15 years. He was detained and deported in 2000 but paid a coyote for re-entry into the U.S. And last month, Cruz admitted that in June 2011, Mesa Police cited him for driving with a suspended license.

According to Sheriff Arpaio, Cruz tried to gain access to the Nuclear power plant on Monday but was denied entrance because his Mexican Driver's license was expired.

He then returned on Tuesday, this time as a passenger in a contractor's vehicle. Cruz presented an Arizona Identification card and was permitted into the facility. When plant authorities more carefully examined the card some time later, officials thought it may be illegitimate and contacted the Sheriff's Office.

Palo Verde Nuclear Power Plant officials say that the illegal immigrant was never allowed into any secure areas or into the plant itself. They say he was simply on company property in an administrative area.


More here

Home Invasion Magnolia

Location:

·         Plum Drive, Magnolia, DE

Date of Occurrence:  

·         Friday, July 15, 2011 at 1:00 a.m.

Victim(s):

·         56 year old female

·         63 year old male

Suspect(s): 

·         Suspect-1:  White male, 21-25 years of age, 5’04”-5’06” tall, 170 lbs, average build, masked, dark clothing and armed with a knife.

·         Suspect-2:  White male, unknown age, 5’09”-5’10” tall, 150-170 lbs, average build, masked. 

Resume:

Magnolia- Delaware State Police are investigating a home invasion robbery that occurred early Friday morning, July 15, 2011 at approximately 1:00 a.m.  The home invasion occurred at a residence in the unit block of Plum Drive, Magnolia, DE.

A 56 year old female and a 63 year old male were inside the residence when the two white male suspects forced entry though the rear door of the residence.  Once inside the residence, the suspects confronted the two victims with a large knife and demanded cash and prescription medication.  The victims complied and both suspects fled the residence in an unknown direction.  

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident, they are asked to contact Major Crimes Unit at Troop 3 at 302-697-4454 ext. 0, or Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333.  Information may also be provided via the internet at www.tipsubmit.com 

Send an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword "DSP."

Harry Caswell Plumbing Volunteers To Take Down Bradley Buildings

Lewes — A Millsboro contractor is volunteering to take down the former offices of Lewes pediatrician Earl Bradley for free.

Harry Caswell of Harry Caswell Plumbing and Mechanical said he will gladly take care of the permitting and equipment needed to take down Bradley’s old BayBees Pediatrics offices.

Caswell said he would disconnect the sewer and water, and then work with Delmarva Power to get the electric disconnected. He said the next step would be to arrange for the material from the building to be dumped at a landfill, then call dumpster companies to bring in dumpsters.

Caswell said if he can’t get dumpster companies to chip in, he has dump trucks that can be used to haul the material to the landfill.

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Small Arizona Town In Furor After 2nd Citizen Arrested For Speaking At Town Meeting

The town of Quartzsite, AZ, population 3,466, is in disarray after a video showing police hauling away a citizen for speaking at the town meeting podium went viral. The woman was saying that the town council had been violating open meeting laws.

It was the second citizen arrested at a Quartzsite town meeting in two weeks (here's the first). Tensions have been simmering in the town ever since the council raised sewage and water rates in order to help meet budget shortfalls. Citizens got upset after there was a disagreement over whether the town council meetings were being held in full accordance with open meeting rules. For instance, whether all all the meetings were accessible by the public and whether there was sufficient public notice given as to their dates and times.

After butting heads repeatedly, the council fired the mayor and declared a state of emergency. The council put the police chief in charge of everything and decreed that open meeting laws were suspended.

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California Governor Signs Law To Teach Gay History

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) — Gov. Jerry Brown has signed a bill making California the first state in the nation to add lessons about gays and lesbians to social studies classes in public schools.

Brown, a Democrat, signed the landmark bill requiring public schools to include the contributions of people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender in social studies curriculum. The Democratic-majority Legislature had passed the bill last week on a largely party-line vote.

"History should be honest," the governor said in a statement Thursday. "This bill revises existing laws that prohibit discrimination in education and ensures that the important contributions of Americans from all backgrounds and walks of life are included in our history books."

Brown signed the bill Wednesday, but announced on Thursday that he had done so.

The bill has drawn criticism from some churches and conservative groups that argue such instruction would expose students to a subject that some parents find objectionable.

Republican lawmakers who opposed the bill had called it a well-intentioned but ill-conceived bill. Some raised concerns that it would indoctrinate children to accept homosexuality.

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American Express Amazes Family After Cardholder's Death Abroad

Let's travel back in consumer history to 1989, a time before widespread Internet access, when she shopping and financial landscape was recognizable, but still different from what we deal with today. One thing that doesn't change is that true "Above and Beyond" service leads to customer loyalty, and reader Margaret remains loyal to AmEx because of how they came through for her family in a time of crisis and grief.

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Just Like High School: Tennessee Lawmaker Carves Initials Into State House Desk

Remember that time that you got really bored in class and carved your initials into the desk? Well, it turns out that's not such a good idea if you are a member of the government. And if the desk is in the state House chamber.

On Monday, Republican Rep. Julia Hurley, 29, of Tennessee confirmed to the Knoxville News Sentinel that late one night in May she decided to make her name a more permanent presence in the House chamber.“It was like 1 in the morning on the last day of the session,” she said. “I wasn't thinking straight.” She insists that she doesn't remember what utensil she used to do the deed.

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OCPD WARNING CITIZENS TO BEWARE OF EMPLOYMENT SCAMS

The Ocean City Police Department is advising citizens to be aware of a potential employment scam.  This particular scam involves a victim attempting to gain employment, which in the most recent case was for a cleaning service in which all employment negotiations and correspondence were done through email.

The scam works as follows: the victim is offered employment and mailed a counterfeit “check” to cover the costs of the service provided.  In most cases the check is either drawn on an obscure corporate business account from what appears to be a legitimate bank or is a cashier’s check from a well known national bank. The victim is paid more money than was negotiated and asked to quickly deposit the “check” into the victim’s account.  Once the “check” is deposited into the victim’s account, the victim is asked to withdraw a portion of the money, and send it via “Western Union” to an additional location, usually as part of the way for the alleged “employer” to pay for additional services or transportation fees as means to avoid overseas fees and/or taxes.

By the time the victim transfers actual funds the local bank where the original check was deposited notifies the victim that the check they deposited is fraudulent and that the money they withdrew and sent using “Western Union” is gone.  The result is the victim is responsible for the overdraft on the account even though the check is a fake and the victim is out the money.

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Praise For Israeli Border Fence

MK Yaakov “Ketzaleh” Katz won praise Thursday for pushing the construction of a fence along the Egyptian border even when the plan sounded unrealistic to many. Ketzaleh toured the fence on Thursday afternoon in the course of his work as head of the Knesset Committee on Foreign Workers.

IDF officers accompanying the Knesset tour praised Ketzaleh for pushing the idea of a fence for years in response to the massive infiltration of illegal entrants – an issue that many other politicians ignored at the time.

The fence also aimed to put a stop to widespread drug smuggling on the southern border. According to security officials, the project has been a success in that area as well. While drug smuggling used to take place an estimated 65 times a month, police believe it now occurs a mere eight times per month.

Even MK Nitzan Horowitz of the far-left Meretz party, whose political views differ wildly from Ketzaleh's, stated that the project Ketzaleh had thought up years ago – which had initially sounded “delusional,” Horowitz said – is quickly becoming a reality.

Read more here

Celebrate National Night Out!!!

Get to know your neighbors!

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

National Night Out is a nationwide annual event designed to raise crime prevention awareness, strengthen
neighborhood spirit and unity, and foster community-police partnerships.


Come join your neighbors!

Location: _Fruitland Little League Ball Park on South Brown Street__________

Time: __5:00 pm – 8:00 pm_________________________________________
This free event will be sponsored by the Fruitland Police Department, along with several other supporting agencies, businesses and community organizations who will be in attendance.

*Special Guest Appearance by Fruitland’s own Fernando Guerrero & Alex Guerrero*

Moon Bounces, Fire Truck Rides, Face Painting, DJ, Fun Games & Prizes, Free Food and more.

Skateboards Can Deteriorate Infrastructure

The images above are from Court Plaza in south Salisbury. Mr. Robinson had a shop there that caused quite a bit of problems for the tenants/customers in that Shopping Center.

Kids would come flying by businesses on the sidewalk as customers would open the door to exit the businesses and in many cases almost get run over.

Now if you're anything like me, I loved to ride a skateboard when I was a kid. Heck, you might even say it caused all of the brain damage I have today, (lol) because helmets weren't even invented back then.

All kidding aside, there's a time and a place for this kind of activity and quite frankly the City of Salisbury has dropped the ball for too many years where skate boarders are concerned. I know one is in the works for the City Park but in my honest opinion they shouldn't be infringing on that open green space to build a skate park. There are plenty of other suitable locations.

More importantly there's a grave concern about such activity Downtown and I agree. I encourage the sale of them and the fact that the City has also dropped the ball on regulations as to who can or can't operate certain businesses Downtown, well, this is what you get.

Now, the infrastructure Downtown is already falling apart. Skateboarders will speed up that process, without any doubt.

As you can see above, Downtown already has a problem. But there's more...

The City/County already recognize skateboarders as a problem and have implemented ways to stop then from doing dangerous tricks, (photos on railing above). In the last picture above, one skateboarder jumped onto the step on the entrance of a building on the Plaza and fell flat on his face on the concrete/brick ground. None of these skateboarders were wearing safety helmets/equipment.

So, in the court of public opinion, should skateboarding be allowed in Downtown Salisbury, or do you see this as a nuisance/problem in the very near future?

Tea Party Confusion

The idea that politicians should sign a pledge to promote personal morality is contrary to the avowed Tea Party commitment to small government. If you want the government to have a restricted scope, you should stick to the US Declaration as your guide: Government is instituted so as to secure our rights! It is not instituted, at least in the American political tradition, so as to be our moral police!

This is the kind of inconsistency that will bode very ill for the Tea Party and the Republicans. It is just like the liberals' inconsistency of preaching choice in the abortion debate but loving to take it from us in nearly everything else. Obama care comes to mind, which commands people to buy health insurance and is, thus, anything but pro choice. And what about coercing us all to buy green light bulbs?

Who are these people, imposing their standards of right conduct on the rest? Both sides of the political spectrum are still wedded to their tyrannical ways. No wonder so few people vote.

Here is the pledge Tea Party Republican Rep. Michell Bockmann wants candidates to sign:

"Therefore, in any elected or appointed capacity by which I may have the honor of serving our fellow citizens in these United States, I the undersigned do hereby solemnly vow* to honor and to cherish, to defend and to uphold, the Institution of Marriage as only between one man and one woman. I vow* to do so through my:

Personal fidelity to my spouse.

Respect for the marital bonds of others.

Official fidelity to the U.S. Constitution, supporting the elevation of none but faithful constitutionalists as judges or justices.

Vigorous opposition to any redefinition of the Institution of Marriage – faithful monogamy between one man and one woman – through statutory-, bureaucratic-, or court-imposed recognition of intimate unions which are bigamous, polygamous, polyandrous, same-sex, etc.
Recognition of the overwhelming statistical evidence that married people enjoy better health, better sex, longer lives, greater financial stability, and that children raised by a mother and a father together experience better learning, less addiction, less legal trouble, and less extramarital pregnancy.

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What's Wrong With These Pictures?

Mexico's Biggest Marijuana Plantation Found

(TIJUANA, Mexico) — Mexican soldiers have found the largest marijuana plantation ever detected in Mexico, a huge field covering almost 300 acres (120 hectares), the Defense Department said Thursday.

The plantation is four times larger than the previous record discovery by authorities at a ranch in northern Chihuahua state in 1984.

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Salisbury Police Department Pres Release

On July 13, 2011 at approximately 10:30 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to a local pharmacy in reference to suspicious circumstances regarding the filling of a prescription. Upon arrival the officers were told that the suspect had left the area, however the officers met with pharmacy personnel who were able to provide a description of the suspect. The employees advised the officers that the pharmacy had just filled a legitimate prescription for a large quantity of oxycotin. As the employees watched, the subject that filled the prescription met in the parking lot of the pharmacy with the below listed suspect and appeared to be involved in the transfer of a quantity of the oxycotin. Utilizing the description, Salisbury officers located the suspect and found the suspect in possession of the oxycotin without a prescription. This investigation is continuing.

ARRESTED: Ryan Thomas Powell, 27 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES:
Possession of Oxycotin
Possession of Oxycotin with the intent to distribute


DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 201100027240

Foreign Spies Stole Weapons Data From U.S. Contractor

Foreign spies broke into a U.S. defense contractor’s computer network and stole valuable weapons data, Pentagon officials disclosed for the first time on Thursday in releasing a cybersecurity strategy aimed at bolstering Internet defenses.

Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III declined to name the contractor or to provide further details of the intrusion in March, except to say that 24,000 files “related to [weapons] systems being developed for the Department of Defense” had been stolen.

“We think it was a foreign intelligence service,” he said, adding that such thefts were the most common forms of cyber-attack directed at the United States.

“The most prevalent cyberthreat to date has been exploitation — the theft of information and intellectual property from government and commercial networks,” he said in a speech at the National Defense University, calling such attacks “deeply corrosive in the long term.”

Thefts like those in March have bedeviled the defense industry for more than five years, said Mr. Lynn, adding that the information stolen in such computer break-ins related to “a wide swath of crucial military hardware, extending from missile tracking systems and satellite navigation devices to [unmanned aerial vehicles] and the Joint Strike Fighter.”

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Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Press Releases

Incident:

Assault

Date of Incident:

14 July 2011

Location:

34000 block of Wango Road, Parsonsburg, MD

Suspect:

 

Narrative

responded to a reported altercation at a residence in the 34000 block of Wango Road in Parsonsburg.

Upon arrival, the deputy met with a female victim who advised that she became embroiled in a verbal

altercation with her boyfriend, Thomas J. Reeser that turned physical. She accused Reeser of striking her

several times. It is alleged that Reeser struck his girlfriend in the face as well as pushed her down the

stairs. The deputy saw injuries on the victim that corroborated this account.

The deputy placed Reeser under arrest and transported him to the Central Booking Unit where he was

processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the

Commissioner detained Reeser in the Detention Center in lieu of $15,000.00 bond.

: On 14 July 2011 at 12:10 AM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s OfficeCharges:

Incident:

Vandalism

Date of Incident:

13-14 July 2011

Location:

Hebron / Quantico area

Suspect:

 

Narrative

of vandalism that had occurred in the Hebron area. In these reports, multiple mailboxes were either stolen

or severely damaged. In at least three incidents, the mailboxes were thrown at either a vehicle or

residential windows causing damage. As of this time, the Sheriff’s Office has identified 15 separate

victims and this case is being actively investigated.

If anyone was in the areas of Porter Mill Road, Rewastico Road, Athol Road or Levin Dashiell Road

during the overnight hours and believes they may have witnessed anything, you are asked to call the

Sheriff’s Office at 410-548-4891.

You may also call anonymously to Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776 with information. Remember, you

may be eligible for a cash reward for information that leads to the arrests of the culprits in this senseless

case.

: On 14 July 2011 at 3:29 AM, the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office began to receive reportsCharges: Malicious Destruction of Property

PendingAssault 2nd Degree

Thomas J. Reeser, 54, Parsonsburg, MD

Culture Of Cheating Breeding In Schools Across U.S.

Those sneaky students in the back of the classroom aren’t the only cheaters.

Teachers and school leaders are getting in on the scams by boosting test scores not through better instruction, but by erasing wrong answers, replacing them with the right ones and hoodwinking parents in the process.

Nowhere was the corruption more widespread than in Atlanta, where a recent probe found that 44 schools and 178 teachers and principals had been falsifying student test scores for the past decade. Suspected cheating also is under review in the District, and the Department of Education’s inspector general is assisting with the investigation.

In Pennsylvania, reports that surfaced this week show suspected cheating in at least three dozen school districts. State Education Secretary Ronald Tomalis on Thursday ordered those districts to investigate the suspicious scores and report back within 30 days. He also asked a data company to analyze 2010 scores, according to the Associated Press.

Similar charges of cheating have been discovered in Baltimore, Houston and elsewhere.

Although the details differ, education specialists think each scandal has a common denominator.

Under No Child Left Behind guidelines, schools can be labeled “failing” if student test scores don’t meet state benchmarks. Poor results are embarrassing for teachers and often cost principals, superintendents and school board members their jobs.

More here

BREAKING NEWS: Pedestrian Struck on 123rd St. Ocean City

Ocean City PD units on scene of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle.  Person trapped under vehicle on 123rd Street.  MSP helicopter has been requested.

Man Shoots Dog After He Gets Loose, Owners Cry Foul

Shamus was a five year old 110 pound Rottweiler.

And his owners say he was a cupcake, gentle enough to be a buddy to their very small children.

“He was like my child he grew up with my kids my daughter pulled on his ears all the time she learned to walk holding on to him my son the same way," dog owner Angela Magruder said.

On Tuesday, Patrick Magruder was unloading groceries from his car.

Then several things happened at once.

A couple walked by with their dog as Patrick was going out the door to get more bags, and Shamus ran off the porch and into the neighbors yard.

"The victim his wife were walking their animal down the street when the dog approached them in an aggressive manner the victim reports that he did try to flee from the animal but he was forced to discharge his weapon in order to defend himself," County Police Spokeswoman Kathy Batten said.

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Donald Rumsfeld Subjected To TSA Pat-Down

Even former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld isn’t safe from the clutches of Transportation Security Administration screeners.

Rumsfeld received a pat-down from TSA screeners at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport Wednesday, The Hill reported.

The man who led the Defense Department at the time of the 9/11 terrorist attacks cooperated with the search and was allowed to continue on his way. One report said other passengers recognized him, and he waved at a group of soldiers, The Hill reported.

Newsmax

Feds Want 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Halt Stayed

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The Obama administration has asked an appeals court to reconsider its order last week demanding an immediate halt to the enforcement of the ban on openly gay troops in the military.

The federal government filed the emergency motion Thursday in response to the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals' decision to lift its stay of a lower court's ruling last year that found the ban, known as "don't ask, don't tell," unconstitutional.

The Justice Department urged the court to issue a decision by the end of the day Friday.

Last year's ruling stems from a lawsuit filed by the Log Cabin Republicans against the Department of Justice.

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12 Year Old Ayden Whitehead Wins DPGA Junior Golf Tournament

12 Year Old Ayden Whitehead just  won the DPGA Junior golf Tournament at the Ocean City Golf & Country Club on Monday July 12th 2011. He shot a 78 from the white tees for 18 holes.  He had 10 pars & 2 birdies and average 200-220 yards on his drives with 90% of them landing in the middle of the fairway.  His longest drive to date is 250 yards at Nutters Crossing Golf Course where he usually plays and practices. On June 27th, 2011 he also had won the Rotary Junior Golf Tournament at the Elk Club in Salisbury and on July 7th, 2011 came in 2nd by only 1 stroke at Rum Point Golf Course during the Junior Tour of Maryland.   Ayden has been playing for 3 years now and has been coached by Ed Dolan, Kevin White and Will Wiseman.  He is now currently being trained by Steve Menz of the "A" Game Golf Academy at Nutters Crossing Golf Club. 

So You Think You Can Fix The Federal Budget, Give It A Shot

You too can join the struggle. To balance the federal budget, that is. A new computer game called Budget Hero lets anyone make a stab at creating a federal fiscal plan. Version 2 of Budget Hero is just out. It updates the original, published in 2008. It works like a war game, showing the effects of cutting here, spending there, or raising and lowering taxes. Players pick from more than 100 policy cards, trying to earn badges that reflect their politics. The game was developed by the Woodrow Wilson Center, a think tank, and National Public Media.

Ice Cream Is On The Menu In This Week's Friday Freebies

Several different ice cream shops top the latest list, which is perfect timing in this summer heat.
 
Check out the latest Friday Freebies below, followed by freebies WTOP has mentioned before that are still available.

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Does This Sound Right To You?

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association have reached an agreement on fatigue regulations. FAA and NATCA says the agreement reinforces existing policy against air traffic controllers sleeping on the job. But policies will be made to reduce the chance for fatigue in the workplace. Controllers now will be allowed to listen to the radio and read from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., as traffic permits. They will also be encouraged to seek help to treat sleep apnea. Currently, controllers can lose their medical qualification is they have sleep apnea.

Planes Collide At Boston Airport, Causing Injury

Boston's Logan Airport was the scene of an airplane accident Thursday. As a Delta 767 taxied for its departure for Amsterdam, its left wing clipped the tail of a small regional jet. One person complained of neck pain and was taken to the hospital.

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Is Skate Boarding Going to Be Allowed on the Downtown Plaza?

With the opening of a “Skate Shop”, is the downtown plaza going to become a hangout for skateboarders?  Is skateboarding going to be permitted on the thoroughfare?

While a new business is almost always welcome downtown, if skateboarding is going  on it will be difficult to attract other businesses to the plaza.  It’s not that we don’t want to give area kids an opportunity to have fun.  Folks on foot simply won’t want to dodge skateboarders while walking down the plaza.

Note the skateboarder above.  A car is backing up and he is heading right for the car.

Homeland Security To Spend $300 Million On Radiation Detectors

DHS plans to spend more than $300 million on radiation detectors that might not work. The Washington Post reports the Government Accountability Office has reviewed the plan - and says the radiation-detection equipment hasn't been fully tested. That supports the National Academy of Sciences findings earlier this year, which says there's just no way to know if the machines will work. The Post reports that DHS officials agree with GAO's findings, but that for now they are reviewing the program and no tests are scheduled.

The 40-Year Cycle Of Cultural Change

The U.S. is due for another cultural revolution, led by the younger generations, perhaps including a fifth Great Awakening.There seems to be a 40-year cycle of cultural change in American society. The classic exploration of generational types and cycles, The Fourth Turning [2], identified a four-generational, 80-year cycle of profound crisis and transformation:

1781 - end of the Revolution and establishment of the nation
1861 - Civil War
1941 - Global war and end of the Depression
2021 - end of the Savior State and debt-based "prosperity," Peak Everything and geopolitical conflict over resources

In terms of cultural revolutions, these seem to sweep through every 40 years or so, a two-generational cycle within the longer cycle. It's not an exact cycle, but consider these dates and eras:

1740: The First Great Awakening [3]: The Protestant evangelical movement of the 1740s played a key role in the development of democratic concepts in the period of the American Revolution and helped foster a demand for the separation of church and state.

1776-1781: Revolutionary War, cultural shift away from the British Empire and toward an American identity.

1820: Second Great Awakening [4]: sparks the rise of the Abolitionist movement which sets the cultural, social and spiritual stage for the Civil War.

1860: the Civil War

1890s: The Gay 90s [5], a period of American expansion and new freedoms of expression, clouded by the Panic of 1893 which sent the economy into a 6-year depression.

This era was the culmination of the Gilded Age [6], the industrialization of the U.S. economy between 1865 and 1900. By the beginning of the 20th century, per capita income and industrial production in the United States led the world, with per capita incomes double that of Germany or France, and 50% higher than Britain. Not coincidentally, the birth of the modern industrial labor union occurred around 1890.

1925-30: The Roaring Twenties [7], an era "marked by a general feeling of discontinuity associated with modernity and a break with traditions. Everything seemed to be feasible through modern technology. Formal decorative frills were shed in favor of practicality in both daily life and architecture. At the same time, jazz and dancing rose in popularity, and as such the period is also known as the Jazz Age."

1967-1970: The Counterculture [8], which included the culmination of the Civil Rights Movement and the birth/expansion of the feminist movement, Eastern spirituality in the U.S., back-to-the-land self-sufficiency, rock music as a cultural force, the nonviolent anti-war movement, the anti-nuclear movement, experimentation with communal living and drugs, Futurist concepts, and a widespread expansion of freedom of self-expression and experimentation. Many observers believe this ear also launched a Fourth Awakening as evangelical denominations expanded and "Jesus freaks" found religious inspiration outside mainline churches.

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Have They Cut A Deal?

A possible bargain to raise the national debt ceiling may be taking root. Lawmakers and the White House paused their daily negotiations so Congressman could go back to the Hill and gage the mood of their members. That as a fallback option begins to take shape in the Senate. A plan from Senator Mitch McConnell and Majority leader Harry Reid would give the President authority to raise the debt ceiling while setting procedures in motion to vote on federal spending cuts. The plan could also include immediate spending cuts already agreed upon by White House and congressional negotiators. They have until Aug. 2nd to reach and agreement and avoid a possible government default.

Police Response

I am bewildered at the apparent lack of concern demonstrated by our police authorities!

While walking along the River Aire this morning, I saw a Muslim extremist fall into the river. He was struggling to stay afloat because of all the guns and bombs he was carrying.

Along with him was a Jamaican who was also struggling to stay afloat because of the large backpack of drugs that was strapped to his back. If they didn't get help, they'd surely drown.

Being a responsible citizen and abiding by the law to help those in distress, I informed the police immediately. It is now 8 pm, both have drowned and neither authority has responded.

I'm starting to think I wasted two stamps!

Lufthansa Starts Biofuels Flights

Germany's biggest airline, Deutsche Lufthansa AG, says it has begun trial flights using biofuels in a bid to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Lufthansa said Friday that an Airbus A321 flying the Hamburg-Frankfurt route four times daily will use a 50/50 mix of regular fuel and biosynthetic kerosene in one of its two engines for the next six months.

The airline says during the test period the use of biofuel will reduce CO2 emissions by up to 1,500 tons.

German environmental group BUND criticized the project, saying any short-haul flight is bad for the environment compared with train travel.

In another effort to reduce emissions and fuel use, Lufthansa said Monday it will begin using a new plastic cargo container that is 15 percent lighter than the traditional aluminum ones.

from the Washington Examiner / AP

OMB In Search Of More Money Saving Ideas

The White House today launched the 2011 version of the SAVE award. Employees can submit ideas through July 29. Over the past two years, feds have offered more than 56,000 potential money-saving ideas.  

Read Full Story

"Independence Cards"

Joe,

I am writing due to my extreme disgust for a few recent events. To get straight to the point, last week I went to place an order for a dozen medium male crabs from Chesapeake Treasures. This was my first time ordering from this business but word of mouth had given it a good reputation. Fifteen dollars for a dozen of medium sized crabs is a pretty good deal, however, it is not a price many can afford on a regular basis.

Therefore, it is easy to say that a seafood meal, of quality at least, is a special privilege. However, as I waited my 20 minutes for my crabs, the value of my soon-to-be meal began to dwindle in front of my eyes. Seven out of the eleven following customers proceeded to order much larger meals than myself, and whip out their "Independence Cards" to pay for it. I was outraged to say the least. These people who had come in with their government funded cards drove cars nicer than myself, and were eating meals better than myself. You know what the worst part about it was? Most of these purchases were illegal!

I went home and looked up the guidelines of these Independence Cards and it states that they shall not be used to purchase prepared food. A half-bushel of large male crabs fully steamed and seasoned are most definitely prepared! All seven meals purchased with the cards were prepared, from fish and shrimp dinners to steamed and seasoned crabs. Whether the employees of Chesapeake Treasures are ignorant to this fact, or are simply defiant to the laws, this process is illegal. The abuse of these Independence Cards gives a bad name to all of those who use them. Obviously there are those who work hard and just cannot make ends meet, and I have the utmost respect for them. It is not fair to them that other people abuse the government funding and give welfare this stigma. I do understand that during this time our economy is suffering, however that does not give businesses the right to bypass certain laws to ensure that the sales keep coming. I know I have a right to voice my opinions on this subject because it is tax-payer's money that supports welfare.

Maybe our government should focus on putting our money towards a better purpose. The Pentagon just broadcasted that four months ago our security was breached, however we still want to cut defense spending??? That's right, cut the funding that protects our country, but make sure to allow many to abuse the welfare system. That is definitely a good way to spend our money....

Let me reaffirm that I am not against welfare, I am only appalled by the misuse of it. Is it right that I work hard and some of my money is taken to support those who do not work but still eat better meals and drive nicer cars than myself? This is definitely an issue that needs to be addressed.

Sincerely,
A Responsible Tax-Payer

Pawlenty Raises $4.5 Million

Republican presidential hopeful Tim Pawlenty is set to report that he has raised $4.5 million so far and has some $2 million in the bank.

The former Minnesota governor's campaign says it will report about $1.4 million in cash on hand for the primary contest. Another $600,000 will be available only if he wins the GOP nomination.

Those tallies include roughly $160,000 he brought in during the first days of his campaign, before the current April-to-June reporting period began.

Friday is the deadline for presidential contenders to file their second quarter reports with the Federal Election Commission. The reports — showing their donors, spending and debt — will be early barometers of each campaign's viability.

from the Washington Examiner / AP

Number Of City Schools Missing Academic Targets Surges

Highest achieving schools in the city among those that fell short of controversial AYP standards

Nearly 90 percent of Baltimore elementary and middle schools fell short of academic targets on state assessments this year, signaling a trend that education officials nationwide say will eventually label most American schools as failures.

Only 15 of the 141 city schools met federally mandated progress goals in math and reading on the Maryland School Assessments, according to state and city school data. And the schools that didn't meet the adequate yearly progress goals included some of the highest-performers in the city and the state, illustrating the continuing debate about the embattled No Child Left Behind Act.
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Quote Of The Day

A woman is only a woman, but a good Cigar is a Smoke.

Thank God Its Friday

What will you be doing this weekend?

Maryland Keeps AAA Rating, But Still Concern

The three national rating agencies have renewed their AAA rating for Maryland’s upcoming $718 million bond issue, but all three continue to be concerned about the state’s pension funding and dependence on federal government spending.

These factors were outweighed by the state’s strong economy, its high income and sound fiscal management. The analysts acknowledged the improvements made by the pension changes made earlier this year.

Maryland has been getting the AAA rating for decades — one of just eight states with a top rating — but State Treasurer Nancy Kopp said retaining it this year is “an extraordinary accomplishment.”

“Considering the uncertainty at the federal level over debt ceilings and deficit reductions, we are pleased the rating analysts recognize Maryland’s strong, stable and prudent financial management,” Kopp said in a statement.

The analysts visited Maryland last month to meet with officials, and earlier this week Kopp told legislators she was concerned the impasse over the federal debt ceiling might force delay of the planned bond issue July 27. Next Friday, $100 million of the bonds go on sale to Maryland residents.

READ MORE …

Smarty Pants Test

When it says you only have 8 seconds to answer the question, they aren't kidding!.

Re-taking the test mixes up the questions so

you can't gain anything there, unless you have a good memory for the correct answers.

This is VERY FAST, so be prepared.

You only have 8 seconds for each question.

Click on Smartorstoopid and have fun.

Smartorstoopid

Why Bother Working?

I’m not wealthy.  However, I have studied a little economics.  So, when I hear leftists like Barack Obama talk about the need to increase taxes on “the rich”, I know how counter-productive that is.  When was the last time that a poor person gave you a job?

But I have to tell you.  There are days that you just want to throw in the towel.  You wonder if its really worth getting up and going to work each day.  Why?

Yesterday SBYNews publisher Joe Albero sent me this picture:

You have to look close.  Do you see the two signs that say “FREE CELL PHONES”?  Take a closer look below:

A GOVERNMENT ASSISTED CELLULAR SERVICE

That’s right – your tax dollars pay to give free cellular service to others.  I’ll be honest, I’ve heard these stories for years but didn’t really believe them.  You stand in line behind people that clearly are not citizens and most likely are illegal immigrants and watch them pay for their groceries with food stamps.  But you hope that this is merely anecdotal.  You here stories about free cell service but hope it’s an urban legend.  Well, it’s not!

Go to the web site of Life Wireless.  They are quite open about what business they are in.  If you receive ANY of these benefits:

1. Temporary Assistance to needy Families (TANF)
2. Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
3. Food Stamps
4. Medicaid
5. Senior Citizen Low-Income Discount Plan (offered by the local gas or power company)
6. Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
7. Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

then you are probably eligible for free or reduced cell service.  Even if you don’t receive those particular benefits, they still may be able to get you a “welfare phone”.

I have a cell phone.  Most of us do.  There were times in my life when I couldn’t afford my service so I went without or used a pre-paid service.  I know lots of people who have had to do the same thing.  I guess I just missed the vote.  I could have gone down to the corner of Delaware and Isabella and picked up an “Obama phone”.

What happened to “welfare reform”.  By the looks of things, we’re back to the way things were in the 1970’s era of the “Welfare Queen”.

Minn. Gov. & GOP Reach Deal, End Shutdown

(ST. PAUL, Minn.) — Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton and top Republicans struck a deal Thursday to end a budget impasse that prompted the state government to shut down, with the Democratic governor giving up on raising taxes.

The agreement came after a three-hour negotiating session that followed Dayton's announcement of his offer earlier in the day. If details are worked out and approved by state legislators, it would end the shutdown over how to resolve a $5 billion deficit that has lasted two weeks so far.

Dayton said the government would be back in business "very soon," but didn't say exactly when.

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Judge Allows Lawsuit Blocking “State Center” to Move Forward

A Baltimore judge has ruled that a lawsuit challenging the award of contracts to build State Center in midtown Baltimore will go forward, stopping construction of the $1.5 billion project until it is resolved.

At the same time, authors of a report from the Maryland Public Policy Institute that found taxpayers will pay $127 million for the public-private State Center redevelopment project are trading barbs with state officials about the report’s accuracy.

The day after the report was published last week, Department of General Services Assistant Secretary for Real Estate Michael Gaines and Department of Transportation State Center Project Director Christopher Patusky wrote a letter to Maryland Public Policy Institute President Christopher Summers, asking him to withdraw the report. Gaines and Patusky wrote that the report contained “serious misstatements of fact.”

“It is difficult for us to understand how an organization could seek to produce a credible report on this project without either contacting the state government or the private development team to verify its information,” the letter states. The letter goes on to refute several facts presented in the study.

Summers said that the institute was “absolutely not” going to rescind the report, and that nobody else had ever asked the institute to do such a thing.

READ MORE …

CANCELLATION!!! FORECLOSURE AUCTION: Oasis Car Wash In Salisbury, MD - July 15th Is Cancelled!

The auction of the Oasis Carwash, Lot 4A, 126 Hampshire Rd, Salisbury, MD originally scheduled for Friday, July 15th at 1pm has been cancelled due to the debtor filing for bankruptcy protection.

Delaware Gambles on Alliance

One of the world's largest research firms, Fraunhofer Gesellschaft chose Delaware for its first U.S.-based laboratory.

With funding and other support from the beginning, the Delaware Economic Development Organization and the University of Delaware have backed Fraunhofer's efforts to develop a new method for creating vaccines.

Those bonds became deeper Thursday with the ratifying of a new partnership between the state, UD and Fraunhofer.

The new agreement will result in a $32 million investment over the next six years to share between the state of Delaware, UD and Fraunhofer. The state will provide $6 million over the next six years through the Bond Bill and DEDO director Alan Levin plans to recommend another $3 million in Strategic Fund money for Fraunhofer at the September meeting of the Council on Development Finance. Previous Bond Bills already have routed $5 million to Fraunhofer in the past five years.

READ MORE …

Signs Target Milton Town Officials

Milton — Signs proclaiming “Enforce the Town Code” and “SOS Save Our Shipbuilders Village” have been prominently displayed at the entrance to the Milton community over the last few weeks as an attempt to grab the attention of town officials.

The signs were created and placed by 17-year resident S. Dole, who said she’s seen the community deteriorate in recent years.

"I'm asking the elected officials to follow their own laws," she said. “I've paid my taxes, so I should be able to live in peace and comfort and have a decent quality of life."

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Go Slow on Caylee’s Law

In the wake of the verdict in the Caylee Anthony trial, there was widespread public outrage. Part of this outrage predictably manifested itself in the calls of “there ought to be a law!” Sure enough, one Maryland legislator is proposing “Caylee’s Law,” which would impose criminal penalties on parents who don’t report if their child is missing or dead. While the emotion behind this law is understandable, this type of law may not be wise.

As a parent myself, I find Casey Anthony’s actions inconceivable. I have no opinion on the verdict since I didn’t follow the case. However, I generally think that legislation proposed in the aftermath of highly emotional incidents is usually a bad idea. Legislation should be the result of sustained deliberation that considers the variety of effects a law can have; it shouldn’t be the result of a knee-jerk reaction over a trial verdict one did not like.

I’m not sure what the proposed Maryland law says, but a proposed federal version of “Caylee’s Law” would mandate that a parent report a missing child within 24 hours and the death of a child within an hour. Libertarian journalist Radley Balko has a thoughtful article on the potential negative effects of this legislation:

READ MORE …

Marc Kilmer is a Maryland Public Policy Institute senior fellow specializing in health care issues. Besides his work with MPPI, he also works with the Buckeye Institute for Public Policy Solutions, a free market think tank in Ohio. Kilmer has a Bachelor of Arts in history and political science from Hillsdale College in Michigan and lives in Salisbury, Maryland, with his wife and daughter.

Barefoot Wine, Surfrider Foundation Hosting Beach Cleanup July 23

The Surfrider Foundation and Barefoot Wine invite the public to join in a beach cleanup from 7:30 to 9 a.m., Saturday, July 23, at Poodle Beach in Rehoboth.

The cleanup is part of the Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue Project, a longstanding partnership between Barefoot Wine and Surfrider Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s oceans, waves and beaches.

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Today's Survey Question

Will you be seeing the final "Harry Potter" movie this weekend?

Rehoboth Boardwalk Named 6th Best

Rehoboth Beach — National Geographic magazine has named Rehoboth Beach's Boardwalk as the 6th best in the country.

The magazine cited the "vintage feel" and the "yellow pine herringbone walkway" of the recently refurbished Boardwalk.

National Geographic named Atlantic City, N.J. as the country's best boardwalk. Ocean City, Virginia Beach and Wildwood, N.J. also made the list.

Source

YARD SALE

I have only 1 yard sale request:

St. Thomas Church Shepherd's Shop Indoor Yard Sale
Corner of Old Ocean City Road &
Moss Hill Lane
Salisbury, MD 21804
Fridays - 9:00am to 1:00pm
Saturadys - 8:00 to 12:00pm

Come visit and see our, large selection of gently use and new cloths, womens, mens & children.
Shoes, pocketbooks, jewelry toys, furniture, kitchen cabinet (new), bedding, nick-nacks,
brass & crystal candle stick holder, kitchen items and large selection of books,
and electronics.

It’s Official – Christine O’Donnell Receives Degree

Former U.S. Senate candidate Christine O’Donnell was counted among the 3,600 Fairleigh Dickinson University undergrads and grad students receiving their degree during May 2011 commencement.

Fairleigh Dickinson officials announced her May graduation from the university's College at Florham in Madison, N.J. on Monday. That appeared to conflict with earlier news reports in which Fairleigh Dickinson officials indicated she had received her degree in September 2010.

READ MORE …

Democrats Want to Know–What Else Can We Tax?

Just days after Governor O’Malley locked down a date for this fall’s Special Session for redistricting, Democrats in the General Assembly are making it abundantly clear of what else is on the agenda:  more taxes!

After all, it really was no secret.  Only a week after the 2011 Session ended, the Chairman of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee Senator Ed Kasemeyer stated his intentions as bluntly as possible: “We’ve got to tax more things.”   This was after a session where the sales tax on alcohol was increased 50%, and they passed a budget that was laden with tax and fee increases.  With an attitude like that dominating the Democratic side of the aisle, there is little doubt what the taxpayers are in for coming this fall.

Like Yogi Berra said, “It’s déjà vu all over again”!  It was just four years ago that the General Assembly increased taxes by $1.3 billion during the 2007 Special Session, under the guise of eliminating Maryland’s constant structural deficits.  They increased the sales tax, as well as personal and corporate income taxes, then turned around and increased spending by $1.3 billion just a few months later!  It is the same spend and tax mentality that we’re dealing with today.  However, in 2007 the economic decline was warned of but it had not completely materialized.  Today we’re in the heart of what could be a double dip recession, with record unemployment that is high and steady.  Another round of massive tax increases could be devastating to Maryland’s hardworking taxpayers.

READ MORE …

How To Check Your Stats If Your Comcast Bandwidth Meter Is Broken

After reading the story about the guy whose internet was shut off for a year by Comcast as punishment for breaching their data cap, reader Brian tried to check out his Comcast bandwidth meter. He did not want to have the same fate befall him. However, when he got to the screen, all the data and graphs that had been there months before were gone. Comcast told him that the bandwidth meter isn't working for some customers but gave him a number to call if he needed to check on his data consumption.

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40 + Artists to Paint Throughout Ocean City

Saturday and Sunday, July 16th and 17th fine artists will be painting up and down the streets, beaches and bays of Ocean City. On Sunday from 5-7:30 pm the paintings will be on exhibit and for sale on Somerset Street Plaza located just off the boardwalk downtown.

“We are excited about the number of artists who have signed up for this event and expect visitors as well as residents to take advantage of the opportunity to buy local artwork and meet the artists around town during the day and at the sale on Sunday. We are fortunate to have so many talented artists participating,” said ALOC president, Margaret Spurlock.

One Thousand Dollars will be awarded the winner of “Artists Paint Ocean City.” The second prize is $500 and third is $250. The Art League of Ocean City is sponsoring this event and the Ocean City Development Corporation is providing the prize money.

Obtain further information by calling the Art League at 410-524-9433 or online at www.artleagueofoceancity.org.