HISTORICAL COMMENTS BY GEORGE CHEVALLIER 5-30-15

The Movies

How many of us have not grown up with the movies? There probably isn’t anyone that hasn’t been affected by what they have seen on the silver screen. I grew up on black and white cowboy movies at the Ulman Theater. I can still watch an old western on TV and be immediately transported back in time to those days of my youth. I have gained a healthy respect for the movies that preceded the movies that I actually attended. The channel on TV that shows nothing but old movies gives one a nostalgic trip that can’t be found any other place. How many of you can watch an old Shirley Temple movie without getting a joyful tear in your eye? About 20 years ago, they started tampering with the old black and white movies by “colorizing” them. It seems that the majority of people felt as I did. The old movies lost something in the process. Old movies should be shown in black and white. The colorizing idea was dropped.

America’s love affair with the movies started in 1915. Most of the early movies were shown at arcades that were built for live entertainment. Until 1927, they were without sound. The dialogue was shown on the screen right under the picture. I have never been a big fan of silent movies, but I watch a bit of one every now and then just to remind me why. When “talkies” made the scene in 1927, movies became the main entertainment in America for the average man. During the Great Depression, movies provided a great chance to escape the drudgery of everyday life and experience adventure that would never be available to them in any other way. The movies of the 1930’s are the best. They had a good story line and no artificial props. Anyone that has seen one of the movies from the Thin Man series with William Powell and Myrna Loy has to admit that it is great entertainment.

I mostly prefer the movies that feature James Cagney, Edward G. Robinson, or Humphrey Bogart. They are guaranteed action and a good story. Of course, you can be jaded by believing in the movies too much. In the movies, the good guy always wins, and that is not always the case in real life. I guess that is why we like the movies so much. We usually knew who the good guy was, and the excitement was in following his or her adventures to the gripping conclusion where they came out on top. The emotional roller-coaster ride made it all worthwhile when the hero triumphed in the end.

There were movies that the studios realized were better money-makers than others, and they produced other features with the same characters. People seemed to enjoy the familiarization with the characters and followed the sequence of films as religiously as some people follow their TV shows of today. In fact, the movie studios have made sequels of many of the more popular films. Movies have followed the many advances in technology, but I can’t imagine seeing the Thin Man in color. If you want that, try a James Bond movie.


THE END

(Pictured above: top: Marion Davies, Gloria Swanson, Mary Pickfordbottom: Richard Bartholomew, Ronald Coleman, Arthur Lake)

Two More Ocean City Hotel Projects Gain Approval

OCEAN CITY – Site plans for two more brand-name hotels within two miles of each other in Ocean City were approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission last week.

The first will be the final phase of the redevelopment at the 45thStreet On The Bay, formerly known as 45th Street Village. A five-story, 120-room hotel to include a small retail area and outdoor dining will be built where the last row of the former village stands on the southernmost side of the property.

The hotel will be set back from Coastal Hwy. by at least 60 feet, which will serve as additional parking. There will also be parking provided under the building.

The commission discussed the number of discounted parking spaces, as the 45th Street development has grown into a mixed-use project with the existing retail and restaurant and now plans for the hotel. With the addition of the hotel parking, the site plan meets parking requirements with a total of 321 spaces.

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Police dog fends off 3 assailants attacking Mississippi deputy

Authorities in Mississippi say Lucas, a black Belgian Malinois police dog, likely saved the life of Deputy Todd Frazier after he was ambushed by three suspects on Monday.

Sheriff Ricky Adam of the Hancock County Sheriff's Department said that while driving on a remote stretch of Highway 90 in Pearlington, Frazier saw a car at a deserted rest stop. He decided to pull over to check on the driver, and after he got out of his vehicle "two individuals surprised Deputy Frazier from the shadows and an altercation ensued," Adam told ABC News. "One cut him across the forehead with a razor, one choked him, and one grabbed his legs to carry him to the edge of the woods."

Frazier was able to hit a button that released Lucas from the car, and he bit the attackers, even remaining attached to the leg of one as they tried to drive away. Lucas chipped a few teeth and has a bruised shoulder, while Frazier has a gash on his forehead, but both are recovering. "Deputy Frazier is a good deputy and takes his job seriously," Adam said. "He is also an excellent dog handler — he trained Lucas himself." The suspects are still at large, and authorities say they don't have a motive for the attack. Catherine Garcia

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SUSPECTS HAVE BEEN CHARGED IN SERIES OF GRAFFITI TAGGINGS

The Ocean City Police Department Criminal Investigation Division has charged two Montgomery County men with the series of graffiti taggings discovered in the area of 16th Street north though 20th Street on April 19. The two suspects are identified as Raul A. Vasquez, Jr., 20, of Silver Spring, MD, and Jose A. Zavala, 20, of Chevy Chase, MD.

Officers first discovered graffiti in the area of 17th Street and Philadelphia Avenue at approximately 5 a.m. on April 19, 2015. After a canvas of the area, officers located approximately 45 graffiti taggings affecting multiple businesses and citizens. With assistance from area businesses, officers were quickly able to determine that suspects from outside the local area were responsible for the vandalism.

During the investigation, detectives worked closely with police in Montgomery County after that area experienced a similar rash of graffiti taggings throughout the county.

Ocean City detectives have charged both Vasquez and Zavala with 21 counts of malicious destruction of property less than $1,000 and four counts of malicious destruction of property greater than $1,000. A criminal summons to appear in court was issued to Vasquez and Zavala on May 28, 2015.

Florida teen bit by shark vows to return to the beach and her track teammates

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. — Alysa Whetro, with her crutches nearby, watched reluctantly Wednesday as her Central Florida Gliders track team went through drills at Lake Brantley High School.

Despite her passion to compete, the 13-year-old student-athlete knew that her shredded Achilles tendon would prevent her from joining her teammates for a few months.

The cause of her injury?

A shark.

The encounter happened Sunday. Alysa was wading in waist-high water while body boarding at Cocoa Beach. As she waited to catch the next wave, she felt a searing pain on her left ankle.

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Doctors Warn Certain Tattoo Ink Colors Are Extremely Harmful

Tattoo Care: Many People With Tattoos Experience Some Long-Term Medical Complications

Many “inked up” Americans experience tattoo regret as their skin begins to age, but some experience that regret immediately after getting their new body art. A recent study conducted at NYU Langone Medical Center has revealed that six percent of New Yorkers with a tattoo have experienced long-term medical complications related to their ink, including tattoo-related rash, severe itching, or swelling.

"We were rather alarmed at the high rate of reported chronic complications tied to getting a tattoo," Dr. Marie Leger, an assistant professor in NYU Langone's Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, said in a statement. "Given the growing popularity of tattoos, physicians, public health officials, and consumers need to be aware of the risks involved."

Leger and her colleagues conducted survey interviews with around 300 adults in New York’s Central Park in June 2013. Survey respondents were between the ages of 18 and 69, the majority of which had no more than five tattoos. Sixty-seven percent of tattoos were located on the arm, making it the most popular tattoo site. Leger estimates that one in five adults in the United States has at least one tattoo.

Ten percent of respondents experience some type of short-term complication, such as delayed healing, pain, swelling, and infection, within weeks of getting their tattoo. Among the respondents who did experience a reaction, only a third sought help or advice from a medical professional. Long-term medical complications, including rashes, severe itching, and swelling, lasted longer than four months in some cases and even years.

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20 Parents Who Are Reevaluating Their Life Choices

Raising a child is no cakewalk. It can be extremely frustrating and exhausting, but just remember that no matter how bad you think you have it, someone has it much, much worse.

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We’re Saved: Ben & Jerry’s Comes Out With Climate Change Ice Cream

Nothing says “save our climate!!!!!” like coming up with a new ice cream flavor that will be distributed using fossil fueled vehicles and kept frozen using climate killing refrigerants in stores that use vast sums of electricity.

(Takepart) Known for its punny titles and imaginative ingredients, ice-cream innovator Ben & Jerry’shas added a taste of politics to its newest flavor, Save Our Swirled.

The raspberry ice cream flecked with marshmallow and raspberry swirls and dotted with mini dark- and white-fudge ice-cream cones, which hit stores on Wednesday, is part of the Vermont company’s eponymous climate change campaign, developed in conjunction with environmental advocacy group Avaaz and Tesla Motors.

Each pint directs consumers to an online petition calling on global leaders to nail down concrete steps to curb global warming at the December climate change summit in Paris. The petition’s lofty goal aims to keep the global temperature from rising 2 degrees Celsius by demanding leaders to work toward 100 percent clean energy and completely phase out carbon pollution by 2050.

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Delmarva Power Prepares for Atlantic Hurricane Season

WCSO Press Releases May 29, 2014

Melissa Danielle Dashield

Lisa Marie HubbertIncident: Possession of CDS

Date of Incident: 28 May 2015

Location: Truitt Street, Salisbury, MD

Suspect: 1. Melissa Danielle Dashield, 30, Salisbury, MD
              2. Lisa Marie Hubbert, 25, Pittsville, MD

Narrative: On 28 May 2015 at 11:07 PM a deputy stopped a vehicle operated by Lisa Hubbert for an equipment violation. During the stop the occupants appeared extremely nervous about being stopped which prompted the deputy to request a K9 scan of their vehicle which yielded a positive alert. During a search of the vehicle the deputy located paraphernalia that had been used to assist in the ingestion of crack cocaine and the injection of heroin. Further search of Dashield revealed an additional smoking device and paraphernalia.

The deputy placed both Dashield and Hubbert under arrest and transported them to the Central Booking Unit. Following their initial appearances in front of the District Court Commissioner, the Commissioner released both on Personal Recognizance.

Charges: Possession of CDS and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Antonio G. Belote Incident: Failure to Comply with a Protective Order

Date of Incident: 28 May 2015

Location: 1500 block of Duchess Avenue, Salisbury, MD

Suspect: Antonio G. Belote, 29, Salisbury, MD
                                
Narrative: On 28 May 2015 at 5:29 PM a deputy served a protective order on Antonio Belote that ordered him to vacate a residence in the 1500 block of Duchess Avenue and not to return while the order was active. 

Eleven minutes after the order was served, deputies were summonsed back to the address for a report of Belote entered the residence via a rear window. Upon arrival, the deputy located Belote in the immediate vicinity of the residence. Belote informed that deputy that he entered the residence to retrieve his mail.

The deputy arrested Belote and transported him to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. Following an initial appearance, the Commissioner detained Belote on a bond of $25,000.00.

Charges: Violation of a Protective Order

Robert Ray StidhamIncident: Sex Offender Violation

Date of Incident: 28 May 2015

Location: Wicomico County

Suspect: Robert Ray Stidham, 43, Cambridge, MD
                                
Narrative: On 28 May 2015 a deputy arrested Robert Ray Stidham for not registering as a Sex Offender as required. Stidham had moved from his registered address in Wicomico County to an address outside Wicomico County without notifying the Sex Offender Registration Unit at the Sheriff’s Office.  

Stidham is required to register for life as a Sex Offender.  

Following his arrest, Stidham was detained without bond by the District Court Commissioner.

Charges: Failure to Register as a Sex Offender

Lisa Ann RichardsonIncident: Assault

Date of Incident: 27 May 2015

Location: Roaring Point, Nanticoke, MD

Suspect: Lisa Ann Richardson, 42, Quantico, MD
                                
Narrative: On 27 May 2015 a deputy arrested Lisa Ann Richardson following a complaint she assaulted another subject in the vicinity of Roaring Point in Nanticoke.  Following her arrest, Richardson was released on $10,000.00 unsecured bond.

Charges: Assault 2nd Degree

Clayton Michael Carlton

Abigail Violet Schmoyer Finch

Kevin Watson Melson JrIncident: Burglary Arrest

Date of Incident: 23 May 2015

Location: 6000 block of Friendship Road, Pittsville, MD

Suspect: 1. Clayton Michael Carlton, 25, Pocomoke, MD
              2. Abigail Violet Schmoyer Finch, 21, Annapolis, MD
              3. Kevin Watson Melson Jr., 24, Stockton, MD
                                
Narrative: On 23 May 2015 a deputy arrested the three suspects listed above in connection with a daytime residential burglary in the 600 block of Friendship Road on May 6, 2015. The trio allegedly entered the residence without permission and absconded with property from the residence. During the investigation, the deputy located the purloined property at area pawn stores where it had been sold immediately following the burglary.

The property stolen consisted of household electronics and a cache of coins.

All three subjects detained by the Distinct Court Commissioner on bond, Carlton and Finch on $20,000.00 each and Melson on $40,000.00.

Charges: Burglary 1st Degree and Theft $1,000.00 to $10,000.00

Incident: WCSO Activity

Date of Incident: 24-26 May 2015

Location: Wicomico County
             
1.   On 24 May 2015 a deputy arrested Norman Joseph Fisher, 36 of Mardela Springs, MD, on a Circuit Court Bench Warrant. The warrant was issued after he violated the terms of his probation in a Disturbing School Operations case. Fisher was detained on a bond of $25,000.00
Norman Joseph Fisher 

2. On 26 May 2015 a deputy arrested Kevin Anthony Leatherbury, 58 of Fruitland, on a Circuit Court Bench Warrant that was issued after he failed to appear for a trial in a theft case. Leatherbury was detained without bond.

3. On 26 May 2015 a deputy arrested Percy Lee Milbourne, 20 of Salisbury, on three Circuit Court Bench Warrants. One was issued after Milbourne violated the terms of his probation in a Firearms Possession case; the others were issued after he failed to appear for two CDS Possession with the Intent to Distribute case. Milbourne was detained without bond.
Percy Lee Milbourne 

4. On 26 May 2015 a deputy arrested Matthew John Johnson, 21 of Ellicott City, MD, on a District Court Bench Warrant that was issued after he failed to appear for a violation of probation hearing in a CDS Possession case. Johnson was detained on a bond of $5,000.00
Matthew John Johnson 

5. On 26 May 2015 a deputy arrested Deborah Ann Bragg, 49 of Delmar, DE on three bench warrants; two were issued after she failed to appear in a theft case and a CDS Possession case. The third was issued in connection with a Child Support case. Bragg was detained without bond.
Deborah Ann Bragg 

6. On 26 May 2015 a deputy arrested David Alan Phillips, 27 of Salisbury, on a District Court Bench Warrant. The warrant was issued after Phillips failed to appear for a violation of probation hearing in a theft case. Phillips was detained on a bond of $10,000.00.

Incident: WCSO Activity

Date of Incident: 22-23 May 2015

Location: Wicomico County
             
1.   On 22 May 2015 a deputy arrested Nicholas Trader, 22 of Salisbury, on a District Court Bench Warrant that was issued after Trader violated the terms of his probation in a theft case. Trader was detained on a bond of $10,000.00.

2. On 23 May 2015 a deputy arrested Kionte Monzell Williams-Taylor, 21 of Salisbury, on a District Court Bench Warrant that was issued after Williams-Taylor violated the terms of his probation in a CDS Possession case. Williams-Taylor was detained on a bond of $20,000.00.

3. On 23 May 2015 a deputy arrested Akira Christopher Brown, 27 of Chinquapin, NC, following his extradition back to Wicomico County. Brown was being sought on a Circuit Court Bench Warrant that was issued after he failed to appear for a trial in the Circuit Court in a Handgun in a Vehicle case. Brown was detained without bond.

4. On 23 May 2015 a deputy arrested Sean Kelly Corpier, 35 of Fruitland, MD, on a Circuit Court Bench Warrant that was issued after Corpier violated the terms of his probation on an Assault 2nd Degree case. Corpier was detained on a bond of $2,500.00.
Sean Kelly Corpier

Incident: Assault

Date of Incident: 24 May 2015

Location: 200 block of Dove Street, Salisbury, MD

Suspect: Ricardo H. Pereira-Faleiro, 30, Salisbury, MD
                                
Narrative: On 24 May 2015 a deputy arrested Ricardo Pereira-Faleiro following a complaint made that he broke a beer bottle and held it towards another individual in a threatening manner.

Following his arrest, the District Court Commissioner detained Pereira-Faleiro on a bond of $25,000.00.

Charges: Assault 1st Degree
************************************************************************************              
Releasing Authority: Lt. Tim Robinson       Date: 29 May 2015

​‘Spying on everyone’: Tories to Introduce Wider-than-expected Surveillance Powers

Far-reaching snooping powers are potentially more invasive then previously feared...

The new Conservative majority government will bring into force far-reaching snooping powers that are potentially more invasive then previously feared, causing deep concern among privacy campaigners.

The legislation, which some say is driven by the fallout of the Edward Snowden leaks, will include the controversial ‘snoopers’ charter’ as well as a concerted attempt to strengthen the security services’ capacity to capture bulk intelligence date.

No details of how this strengthening will take place have yet been released.

The extension of powers will come as a surprise to many, as will the speed with which they are being brought into effect.

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Tracy Morgan settles suit with Wal-Mart over fatal crash

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - Actor-comedian Tracy Morgan has settled his lawsuit against Wal-Mart over a highway crash that killed one man and left Morgan and two friends seriously injured.

Morgan's lawyer, Benedict Morelli, said he and Walmart worked diligently to reach the settlement for the plaintiffs and their families.

"Walmart took full responsibility for the accident, which we greatly appreciate," he said Wednesday in a statement.

In the same statement, Morgan said Wal-Mart "did right by me and my family, and for my associates and their families. I am grateful that the case was resolved amicably."

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McDonald’s is Losing So Much Money it Stopped Telling Us How Much

Fast food giant loses 11 months straight

Over the past year, I’ve shared with you the continued decline of America’s most popular fast food giant. We’ve talked about the mass closing of McDonald’s locations, the attempts by the company to trick customers into thinking that it was ‘going natural,’ and we’ve even talked about how some economists predict an ultimate demise.

And now, as people continue to choose real food instead of plastic-filled junk, McDonald’s has publicly declared an answer: it will completely stop telling us how much it loses in profits each month. Quite an amazing solution, huh?

As Bloomberg reports in an article entitled “McDonald’s to Stop Reporting Monthly Same-Store Sales Data,” the move has come after 11 straight months of declining sales. Specifically, the fast food titan has even been forced to close more than 700 stores. Meanwhile, the sales of organic food continue to boom. It’s part of the new health paradigm that millions around the world continue to adapt — a system in which real, organic food reigns supreme.

And there’s no place for McDonald’s food in this paradigm, as we have seen by so many individuals around the world rejecting the chain at astounding rates. As Slate reports:

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‘White privilege’ training compares teachers to KKK: ‘When do you wear the hood?’

ST. PAUL, Minn. – While teachers blow the whistle on the breakdown of discipline for black students in St. Paul Public Schools, a photo has emerged from an “equity” training that might leave some to wonder what’s actually being taught to teachers.

Aaron Benner, a fourth grade teacher in the district, told EAGnews about how black students “are frequently not held accountable for their actions” due to “white privilege” training for teachers and administrators.

“As a black man I can say that they are hurting black kids,” Benner said. “I’ve never seen anything as idiotic as PEG. Everything we do, PEG is at the forefront.

“It’s so comical. PEG says shouting out in class is a black cultural norm, and being on time is a white cultural thing. It’s so demeaning, so condescending to black kids. If a white person were making claims like this, black people would be in an uproar.

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