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Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Holocaust Rememberance Program

Holocaust survivor Felix Kestenberg will be visiting Salisbury University tonight at 7:30 in the Great Hall of Holloway Hall. Mr. Kestenberg will be sharing his experiences from the Holocaust on the topics of survival and tolerance.

The event is sponsored by the Jewish Student Association!

Shorebirds Back In Town!

The Shorebirds, 12-12, are back in town till May 6th with series between The Lexington Legends and West Virginia Power. Tonight the Birds take on the Legends at 7:05!

Middle Atlantic Wrestling Association Eastern Nationals Will Be Coming To Salisbury

WHAT: The Middle Atlantic Wrestling Association (MAWA) will hold their Eastern National Championships in Salisbury May 2-4th. More than 1,200 wrestlers, from ages 5 to 45 or older, representing states from Maine to South Carolina and west to Ohio will participate in the event. This event is expected to infuse about a million dollars into the local economy.

WHERE: Wicomico Youth & Civic Center/Normandy Arena

WHEN: May 3rd & 4th, 2008

TIME: Opening Ceremonies are at 8:45 a.m. on Saturday and wrestling will continue to about 6 p.m. Wrestling will resume on Sunday at 8 a.m.

WHY: Each wrestler has qualified to participate by winning in district and regional tournaments to advance to this event.

INFO: For more information, please contact Sports Marketing Manager Andy Wisk at 410-548-4914 or awisk@wicomicocounty.org.

WICOMICO RECREATION, PARKS & TOURISM

500 Glen Avenue

Salisbury, Maryland 21804

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Licia Spinelli, Marketing and Public Relations

Phone: (410) 548-4900 ext. 102

E-mail: lspinelli@wicomicocounty.org

You Want PROOF The New Fire Station Is Leased?


Then Google this! GO HERE and click on the second item. If this link doesn't work, then use this search item. award of bids & salisbury & fire & suntrust

GO HERE if you'd like to see additional documents proving the Fire Department is in fact leased through Sun Trust Bank. Use the following if the link doesn't happen to work. salisbury & minutes & new fire & lease

Now let's see if these nay sayers want to come back and thank me for delivering PROOF and information they could not get elsewhere and did not read elsewhere. Then I want them to think about why they're still paying for the Daily Times?

The Horse Whisperer Is Coming



Click on images to enlarge

Remind You Of Anyone?

SU's Relay For Life Fundraiser Tonight

The Monkey Barrel is hosting yet another fundraiser! This week Barrel will be dedicating their establishment for Salisbury University's Relay For Life. Tonight is a Mardi Gras style celebration. There will be a Guitar Hero and wing eating contest with the buy in going straight to Relay for Life. T-shirts will also be sold for $5 with all the proceeds going to Relay. Happy Hour Specials are from 7-9 and daily specials will follow.

Over $62,000 has already been raised by the SU Community and every dollar counts to help find a cure and new treatments for cancer. Please show your support by making donations to the teams and showing up to these events.

SU's Relay starts this Friday and ends Saturday morning.

http://relay.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RelayForLifeSouthAtlanticDivision?fr_id=9376&pg=entry&JServSessionIdr004=275yo1ofk1.app312b

Gas Humor

One Reason The Salisbury Festival Cost The Taxpayers $300,000.00



One thing you have to have at these events is Police Security and protection. That being said, most, (if not all) of these Officers are not on straight pay, they're on overtime. One of these photos shows 20 Salisbury Police Officers.

Last night the Mayor threw out in her proposed budget how the City's Fire Service extends into the County. Well, the Sheriff's Department also had a ton of Officers present for this event. Does Rick Pollitt charge the City every time the County Services happen to fall get used the City?

Monday, April 28, 2008

Do You Know the Difference Between Hybrid and Heirloom Open Pollenated Plants?



What do you know about Hybrid plants vs Heirloom Open Pollinated plants?
Here’s the long and short of it:

An open pollinated plant has 1 parent; a hybrid has 2 parents.
Hybrid seed are seeds that result from the cross pollination of two inbred parent plants.
Open pollinated plants by contrast have only one parent line.
Many seeds offered for sale in packets, mail order and at nurseries are F1 hybrids, but there are many times that these plants won’t work. New varieties are created by a plant breeder, when they have uniform genetically stable inbred plants, they can consider creating new hybrids. To do so, pollen is moved usually by hand from the anthers of one inbred plant (male) to the stigmas of the second inbred plant (female). The seed will grow and as a result of this pollination is the ‘hybrid seed’. They are often preferred over open pollinators for a number of reasons. The parents were chosen for their strengths and to compensate for each others weaknesess, hopefully creating a new variety that is better than the best qualities of its parents.

Hybrids tend to be vigorous growers, uniformity of shape and earlier more sustained flowering., larger flowers or vegetables, or larger fruits.

Heirloom or Open Pollinated (OP) plants are simply varieties that are capable of producing seeds that will produce seedlings just like the parent plant. Not all plants do this.

Plant breeders cross breed compatible types of plants in an effort to create a plant with the best features of both parents. These are called hybrids and many of our modern plants are the results of these crosses.

While plants can cross-pollinate in nature and hybrids repeatedly selected and grown may eventually stabilize, many hybrid seeds are relatively new crosses and seed from these hybrids will not produce plants with identical qualities.

For example, each year new hybrid tomato varieties are offered. You may see them labeled as hybrids or F1, first filial generation (first-generation hybrid), or F2. These may eventually stabilize, but for the moment a tomato like the popular 'Early Girl' does not produce seeds that reliably have the features you expect in an ‘Early Girl’ tomato. Seed from hybridized plants tends to revert to the qualities of the parents, so tomatoes grown from seeds saved from your 'Early Girl' tomatoes might still be tasty, but not so early.

Anyone can select and eventually stabilize their own seed or even hybridize new plants, but plant and seed companies have recently begun patenting their crosses so that only have the right to reproduce the hybrids they’ve developed.

Hybrids should not be confused with Genetically Modified Organisms or (GMOs) which, can be any plant, animal or microorganism which have been genetically altered using molecular genetics techniques such as gene cloning and protein engineering. Plants like corn that has the pesticide Bt engineered into its genetic makeup to make it resistant to certain pests are GMO crops. Bt is a natural pesticide, but it would never naturally find its way into corn seed.

I personally like open pollinated plants. I like the idea of purchasing a package of seeds growing the plant, saving the seed from it’s fruit or veggie and then growing them again.

This provides my bee’s the work God made them to do, and I’m not playing God. I don’t want to be beholden to a chemical giant who might be the patent holder of a seed that I bought 20 years ago

Since the origins of Colony Collapse Syndrome has not been discovered yet, I think it best to go back to the old ways of doing many of the things of the past when it comes to gardening, and give our bee’s plenty of things to pollinate so they don’t wander into the Franken Fields of Corn.

To find out where you can order heirloom seeds that will produce year after year go to http://forums.seedsavers.org/ to learn about the importance of saving the seeds that we have for our future.

Happy Gardening!

Quote of the Day


"We Americans have no commission from God to police the world":

Benjamin Harrison, address to Congress, 1888

LIVE From The GOB Salisbury City Council Meeting

Sitting next to me is a Reporter from the Daily Times. Guess what Folks, they are also using a laptop computer now. GO FIGURE? LOL

I've decided not to go topic by topic as I did the last time.It takes away from allowing me to pass off any opinion as we go along. I will say there is a very small crowd here tonight, I had hoped to see more citizens show up. As a matter of fact, there's actually only two unusual taxpayers here and several college students. There must be a proclamation or something along that line. I'll be back......

The Mayor wants to renegotiate the Fire Service Agreement with the County. She claims they do a lot of work in the County and feels they should be compensated for such.

Lore' Chambers is looking to get a massive pay increase. Everyone else in the City will not get a raise but Lore' will.

Jim Ireton is getting ready to speak under Public Comment. FY03 3 Officer's were requested, no new Officers. 04, 05, 06, 07 & 08, no new Officer's were provided. The Mayor also took the alleged 10 Officers requested were removed from the budget.

Bob Taylor is now speaking. Bob is upset over the article last weekend in the DT's. Chief Webster asked for 6 new Officers and See asked for 4 new Firefighters. Again, the Mayor turned those positions down. He's talking about a supplemental budget, after April 15th. "The Mayor is putting the monkey on your back."

Mayor Tilghman said:
"Sham, Bogus, untruthful, we need to be careful with our words because we're responsible for our words." She stated this directly at Debbie Campbell. Are you people watching this on PAC 14? This is unbelievable. I'll explain more later.

If you're wondering at all who Louise Smith was threatening to throw out of the meeting, it was Bob Caldwel. It's almost impossible to sit through these meeting watching the expected votes to come through with certain Council Members. I'm dying to see her actually throw someone out. Bob continued to laugh, so you know and I don't blame him.

If you're watching PAC 14 Mayor, wait till I get up there under public comment. I just wish you were still here so I can address you directly but as usual you have walked out. However, I dedicate my comment to you Barrie Tilghman.

Gary Comegys has been text messaging on his cell phone the entire evening. It is completely out of line that no sooner does the Mayor leave, al of a sudden Gary is non stop on text messages.

I should also add, Louise Smith continues to wait till she hears Gary's vote on anything and once she hears his decision she then makes her own personal vote.

Were You Aware YOU Do Not Own The New Salisbury Fire Department?


That's right! The new Salisbury Fire Department was not Bonded. It is a lease/purchase, unlike the new Fire Department in Pocomoke. One of the main reasons why Chief See & Deputy Chief Gordy refused to accept around $60,000.00 as a donation from the Volunteers to flat out pay for ALL of the furnishings in the new Fire Station is because they had plenty of money left over to play with in which they could take into their LEASE of the building, so they leased everything in the joint.

This means everything you'll see inside this building will have a payment tacked onto it and thrown right into the taxpayers debt. Chairs, computers, furnishings, kitchen equipment, you name it, it's leased and the payments will last for a total of 20 years. I hope you're sitting because here's the monthly, yes, you heard me right, the MONTHLY PAYMENT!

$34,764.58 Per MONTH!

How are you liking this Mayor and Department Heads now?

Breaking News!


Susan has been found. She was found in Lewes DE. I'm confident her Family will give us the total update here. Thanks for the attention on this matter and the prayers. This has got to be a great feeling for the Family to know she's safe and alive.

Jim Ireton On Bill Reddish Show Tomorrow Morning


Mr. Jim Ireton will be on the Bill Reddish Show tomorrow morning at 7:30 AM. That's WICO, 1320 AM. Although Terry Cohen is a tough act to follow, I'm confident Jim will have a memorable interview as well as very informative. Don't miss it.

This weeks DVD releases:4/29/08

"27 Dresses" movie poster

Theatrical releases:

  • "27 Dresses"-Classic "always the bridesmaid,never the bride" chick flick romantic comedy stars Katherine Heigl-Widescreen
  • "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly"-cinematic French film-Widescreen
  • "The Golden Compass"-dark fantasy stars Nicole Kidman & Daniel Craig,who also worked and appeared together in last years "Invasion". (trivia tidbit!)-Widescreen

Other movies released this week on DVD:

  • "First Knight"(1995)-Blu ray disc also available
  • "A Generation Apart"(1984)-Widescreen
  • "How She Move"-With featurette
  • "Oceans Eleven"(2001)-Blu ray disc also available
  • "Oceans Twelve"-Blu ray and DVD

TV on DVD this week:

  • "The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones"-DVD set
  • "Beverly Hills 90210-The 4th Season"-8 disc set
  • "Paranormal State - Season 1"-3 disc set
  • "The Waltons-The Complete 7th Season"-5 disc set

Thats all for this week!

Is It Time For Everyone To Kiss & Make Up?


In case you hadn't noticed in the past few weeks I have been toning down this Blog and trying to stick more along the lines of news and information and not so much personal attacks. However, there are certain people and certain situations in which I find it even more difficult to, oh, how shall I say, bite my tongue.

I have spoken with several Salisbury Police Officers who are well aware of the new me and where I'm headed with my Blog as well as Firefighters and as you can clearly see, Barrie Tilghman and I are now best of buddies. It's the new and improved Joe Albero just waiting for that Bi Polar Moment. LOL

Seriously though, things have changed and I/we hope you're enjoying the new environment we've been delivering? I can promise you that I won't be on the warpath on certain stupid situations but someone has to show who the bigger man is and I'm making that first step.

Oh, sorry if I made you throw up a little in your mouth when you saw this photo. I haven't slept since it happened, so I know the feeling.

I should add, the nasty comments are being rejected as well. Considering this is my Blog, if the tone of your comment is out of line and or off topic, the comment will be rejected. One thing I can tell you is, less than 1/10 of 1% of the people visiting this Blog daily actually comment. That being said, if I lose some people visiting simply because I won't allow curse words or personal attacks, so be it. We hope you enjoy the new format.

Balls to the wall!!!!



A popular automotive fad has emerged on truck bumpers everywhere, and it ain't bumper stickers , and it goes way beyond those cutesy dog heads and boat propellers you see on trailer hitches ! As seen above, alot of guys are fond of those swinging bull testicle replicas made of materials ranging from metallic to rubber and the good ole boys in Florida are no different but lawmakers in the Sunshine State are trying to enact a law banning the ornamental gonads, and violations would be punished with fines.Can anyone say "pork"? What a waste of the states' time and only the latest example of such.
In Louisiana, legislation to ban those baggy falling-down pants was shot down and there is a good reason why. If I had a son who wore pants that way, I would b*tchslap him because its not proper upbringing and nobody wants to see the "plumber buttcrack" but it is a matter of taste-and you just cannot dictate that. As much as I hate those baggy pants, to make a legal issue of it and actually fine people for their choice in clothing would be akin to Communism.
As far as the debate in Florida over "bumperballs" goes,I have only seen a few "pairs" of the silver finished ones, and while they are tacky and,lets face it, testicles ain't pretty-real or replica-it is a matter of personal taste rather than outright obscenity. And they ARE fake-its not like the cowpokes are castrating live bulls and teabaggin' the highways with them! As long as Florida is enforcing common decency, maybe they can start letting state police ticketing those people with the annoying old "Bush/Cheney 2004" stickers-thats REALLY offensive!

SPD Press Releases

On April 21, 2008 at approximately 4:19 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department received a call to respond to the Donut Connection on Mt. Herman Road for the report of a robbery. Upon arrival, the officers met with employees and were advised that just prior two (2) suspects had entered the business. Below listed suspect # 1 approached the counter and requested change. When the employee opened the cash register, below listed suspect # 2 produced a handgun and ordered the employee away from the register. When the employee moved away, suspect # 1 removed the U.S. Currency from the register and both suspects fled from the business. There were no injuries. The suspects were described as follows:

Suspect # 1: Black male, 6’05” tall, wearing a green hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans and large sunglasses.

Suspect #2:
Black male, 6’05”tall, wearing a grey hooded Sweatshirt with unknown lettering, blue jeans, and also wearing large sunglasses

If anyone has any information concerning this incident they are asked to contact the Salisbury Police at 410-548-3165. CC # 200800013923

On April 22, 2008 at approximately 9:07 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department received a call to respond to the Frumex Store on Roland St. for the report of a robbery. Upon arrival, the officers met with employees and were advised that just prior two (2) suspects had entered the business. Below listed suspect # 1 approached the counter and displayed a handgun. One of the suspects then reached over the counter and took an amount of U.S. currency. Both suspects then fled from the business. There were no injuries.

On the same date, at approximately 9:51 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department received a call to respond to Papa John’s Pizza on N. Salisbury Boulevard for the report of a robbery. Upon arrival, the officers were advised that two (2) suspects had entered the restaurant and ordered a pizza. While the employee was taking the order one of the suspects produced a handgun and ordered the employee away from the cash register. The suspect then took an amount of U.S. currency from the cash register and both suspects fled from the store.

The Salisbury Police believe both robberies to be related, and the suspects are described as follows:

Suspect # 1:
Black male, mid 20’s in age, 5’11” to 6’00” tall, thin Build, wearing a black or dark blue hooded sweatshirt, and blue jeans.

Suspect #2:
Black male, mid 20’s in age, 5’11” to 6’00” tall, thin Build, wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, and a blue knit cap.

If anyone has any information concerning this incident they are asked to contact the Salisbury Police at 410-548-3165. CC # 200800014091,200800014094

Pocomoke Citizen Comments on Move to New Firehouse

Dedication2:00 PM Sunday April 27th 2008 and the members of the Pocomoke City Fire Department are ready to welcome the community to dedicate the new Firehouse at 1410 Market Street.

While the Parade was in progress, it was a bittersweet event for those of us who live around the firehouse to see them move those 9-blocks away.



We have lived next door to the old Firehouse since moving to Pocomoke City in 1987 and they have been the best neighbors anyone could ask to have.

Many people think that the Pocomoke Tattler does not recognize the good things that happen in Pocomoke City and we would like to prove you wrong.

Yes our city is full of political issues but there is a certain amount of small town pride in having some of your own 'Hometown Heroes' do a job and do it well. The new firehouse was built on time and under budget with the only "grant money" being for the demolition of the portion of the building where the engines are housed which was built to modern 2008 specifications. A far cry from the City of Salisbury spending $10 million in taxpayer money, multiple cost over runs, major flaws and a price tag of over $1,500.00 per square foot.

Many people do not see all of the "behind the scenes" work that the members do and the amount of pride they take in simple tasks from washing & polishing equipment to tuning up their historic equipment to just talking about it.

Billy Sparrow on the old truck

Saturday afternoon I had the opportunity to spend a few minutes with former City Councilman Bill Sparrow and a couple of 'the guys' listening to them "tinker" with the old engine until they had her "purring" and sounding great. It's great when two men who rarely ever saw eye-to-eye on city politics can spend a moment reveling and a piece of mobile history while talking about community pride and how good it has been to be neighbors for over two-decades. (Billy y'all looked great driving her down Market St during the parade)

Derelict Building

The early days of the transformation were a little rough getting started and when we "poked them" with pictures in an article about how the city code does not apply to "Friends of Boss Hogg" they took it a little more than personal and many firemen told me so. I suggested they do something about it and "prove me wrong" and it took less than a week for something to be done about that. (Don't mess with the Pocomoke Volunteer Fire Dept)
It was bad
Our fire department obtained an old derelict 'Food City' building out of bankruptcy and has turned an eyesore into a "crown jewel" the City will be proud of for decades to come. WELL DONE!!!
New firehouse

The pictures above and below were taken Saturday afternoon while the sun was shining and the members were buzzing like bees getting ready for today AFTER taking the time to pay their respects in full uniform, by attending the funeral for the widow of a long retired member. The members must be commended for taking time on the busiest day of the past several years to show their respect and one more example of why you have earned ours.

The dedication ceremony was well attended by people from all walks of life in Pocomoke, politics were placed aside for a few hours. Heck I even enjoyed sharing some chocolate covered strawberries with X-Councilman Honiss Cane himself during the festivities.

New PCVFD Firehouse
Stephanie, Alex, Raleigh, Grayson and I along with all the neighbors really hate to see the firehouse move but we wish the PCVFD the best in their new home.