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Tuesday, March 09, 2010

Counterfeit Suspects

If anyone has any information regarding the above suspects they are asked to contact the Salisbury Police Department at 410-548-3165 or Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776.

IMPORTANT LOST DOG POST

Mr. A, about 12:30 this afternoon my 79 year old mothers dog went missing. She lives at the corner of Esham and Old Ocean City Road. It's a small poodle white, he is about 18 years old. He can't see or hear well cause of age. His name is "Peppie".

The hard thing about this is my mother went to look for him and saw him on Esham Road. She then went back and told my brother. He left to go get Peppie, when he came back our Mom was gone.

After looking in the area for over an hour (knowing our Mom can't walk long or far) we called the Police to help us. Before the police got there we got a call from one of her neighbors that his dog had attacked her and he had taken her to PRMC. She may have to have skin grafts on her lower left leg.

What I need help with is Peppie. This is my Moms dog, she loves this dog and he has never and I mean never left his yard before. I feel like animals do maybe he went off to die and didn't want Mom to see this. PLEASE, if anyone sees him please me at 443-359-2599. Please help me bring Peppie home. map

Nightly News At 6 PM

Fernando Guerrero Free Ticket Giveaway Starts Soon


HOWEVER, there's a twist this time. Each question for the contest will be given during our 6:00 News Broadcast right here on SBYNews.com. We will not announce which Show and we will not say how often. What I will tell you is, you're going to have to watch the Show each day to win a pair of tickets.

These tickets are courtesy of The Main Street Gym, Hal Chernoff and Fernando Guerrero. You may only win one time from now to April 16th. The first person to answer the question correctly wins the pair of tickets and you must provide your full name that matches your Drivers License. Good luck Folks.

3 Years Ago Today


Don't Miss Our 6 PM News Broadcast Tonight


Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Press Releases


Incident: Assault 1st Degree
Date of Incident: 9 March 2010
Location: 700 block of Edgar Drive, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Christopher T. Cadejuste, 17, Salisbury, MD

Narrative: On 9 March 2010 at 9:16 PM, Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to a reported altercation in the 700 block of Edgar Drive in Salisbury. Upon arrival the deputies learned that a male victim had been home when he was visited by Christopher Cadejuste. It would be learned that Cadejuste was the current boyfriend of the victim’s former girlfriend. Cadejuste came to the victim’s residence because he was apparently upset over an earlier altercation involving the victim and Cadejuste’s girlfriend. Both the victim and Cadejuste went outside to speak, when that erupted into a physical altercation. During this, Cadejuste produced what appeared to be semi-automatic handgun according to witnesses and began firing into the face of the victim, at very close range, putting the victim on the ground.


Upon arrival, the deputies learned that Cadejuste used a .BB gun that closely resembled a Colt.45 handgun. Cadejuste was gone upon the arrival of the deputies but was subsequently located in the parking lot of the Fruitland Wal-Mart by the Fruitland Police. A box of .BB’s and the .BB gun used in the assault were also recovered.


Cadejuste was transported to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance he was held in the Detention Center without bond.
Charges: Attempted Murder
Assault 1st Degree
Reckless Endangerment

Incident: Possession of Heroin
Date of Incident: 9 March 2010
Location: 1500 S. Salisbury Blvd. Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Christopher L. Betz, 32, Salisbury, MD

Narrative: On 9 March 2010 at 7:30 PM, deputies from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to a room at the Temple Hill Motel to check the welfare of a two week old infant that was reportedly in the presence of illegal drugs. Upon approaching the room, the deputies observed CDS paraphernalia in plain view through the window. Upon knocking on the door, they were greeted by Christopher Betz who welcomed them into the room to check on the welfare of the two year old. While inside the room, the deputies located 13 hypodermic needles for injecting Heroin, two spoons that had been used to cook Heroin, myriad cans that had been turned into CDS smoking devices and a set of digital scales. Betz claimed ownership of all the CDS and related paraphernalia.


The Department of Social Services became involved in reference to the well being of the infant.
The arresting deputy transported Betz 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 Betz in the Detention Center in lieu of $5,000.00 bond.
Charges: Possession of CDS
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia


Incident: Possession of Cocaine
Date of Incident: 9 March 2010
Location: Salisbury Blvd. at Isabella Street, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: John H. Adams, Jr., Cambridge, MD

Narrative: On 9 March 2010 at 8:06 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico Sheriff’s Office stopped a vehicle operated by John H. Adams for a traffic violation on Salisbury Boulevard in Salisbury. Upon making contact with Adams, the deputy would discover that Adams was wanted on an outstanding Dorchester County District Court Bench Warrant for Violation of Probation. Upon the arrest of Adams, the deputy then discovered a bag of what the deputy recognized as Cocaine in the interior of Adam’s vehicle.


The deputy transported Adams 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 Adams in the Detention Center on $3,000 bond for the Possession of Cocaine charge. Additionally, Adams was detained on a pre-set bond of $25,000 on the Violation of Probation Warrant.


Charges: Possession of Cocaine
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

OCPD Press Release


The Ocean City Police is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a wanted person identified as: Shawn Andrew Michael Reed.

He is described as white male, 24-years-old, brown hair, brown eyes, 5’11 and 210lbs. He has a tattoo on the left side of his neck.

Reed is known to frequent the Ocean City area and may be traveling in a teal or
blue colored minivan either made by Plymouth or General Motors.

The OCPD has obtained Arrest Warrants for Reed for Burglary and Theft.

Anyone with any information regarding Reed’s whereabouts in Ocean City is asked to
contact the OCPD at 410-723-6600.

Anyone having information about any of Reed’s whereabouts outside Ocean City or any
of Reed’s criminal activities is asked to contact Detective Todd Speigle at 410-723-6604.

You do not have to give your name.

Verizon DSL Down


Verizon Customers have not had access to the Internet on the Eastern Shore for the past 3+ hours.

Bogus Comcast Modem Charges

Joe,

Thanks for all you do! I have something some of your readers maybe interested in.

Several years ago when Comcast had a deal on internet service you could purchase a modem from several available retailers and got cable access for reduced rate for 6 months. My wife pays all the bills and I never looked at the Comcast bill.

I happened to see it last week and it had a modem rental fee of $5. Apparently they had been charging us $3 until last fall when it went to $5.

I called and was able to get 6 months refund on the charge and it dropped from my bill. They have been dipping for 8 years or so. The bills if you have TV as well are pretty complicated and many of your readers may be getting taken as well.

Counterfeit Currency

The Salisbury Police Department is currently investigating several cases in which counterfeit one hundred (100) dollar bills have been passed at local businesses. In each incident, the counterfeit one hundred (100) dollar bills have been used to buy items of less than ten (10) dollars and the passer receives the change in authentic currency. This has occurred in businesses that are located in the north shopping corridor of Salisbury, including the Centre at Salisbury. The counterfeit one hundred (100) dollar bills have been printed over authentic five (5) dollar bills, which enable the currency to pass when tested by currency detection pens. However, when one holds up the bill you can see that the watermark is Abraham Lincoln, indicating that the bill is a five (5) and not a one hundred (100). The bills also indicate “five” in the authentication strip.

The Salisbury Police are urging any business that receives a one hundred (100) dollar bill to examine the bill against a light source to check the watermark and authentication stripe, rather than merely using an authentication pen.

There are two (2) suspects that have passed these counterfeit bills and they are described as:

White female, 5’09”, 140 pounds, shoulder length curly black hair, wearing a long black coat with a dark red shirt beneath the coat.


Black male, 6’02”, 220 pounds, 35 to 40 years of age, wearing a dark blue jacket with a light blue shirt.

If anyone has any information regarding the above named suspects they are asked to contact the Salisbury Police Department at 410-548-3165 or Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776. Information may be provided anonymously.

CC # 201000009358

The House Vote On The Senate Healthcare Bill Is The Final Vote; Obama Will Sign It Into Law

The House Vote on the Senate Healthcare Bill Is the Final Vote; Obama Will Sign It Into Law
http://www.redstate.com/susananne/2010/03/05/the-house-vote-on-the-senate-healthcare-bill-is-the-final-vote-obama-will-sign-it-into-law/

Americans need to understand the devastating significance of the House vote on the Senate health care bill set for March 18th. The Democrats have–by design–created the perfect storm to take over the US healthcare system, while providing an ideal distraction–reconciliation.


First, let’s examine exactly how we got here. In late December, while Americans were arguing that no one had read the bill, Leiberman was posturing to vote against the bill with a public option, and the debate on abortion continued, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) took an existing HOUSE-passed bill, H.R.3950–the Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act of 2009–and here’s how it unfolded:


10/8/2009:Received in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.10/13/2009: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 175.11/19/2009: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (consideration: CR S11578)11/19/2009: Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the bill presented in Senate. (consideration: CR S11578; text: CR S11578)11/20/2009: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S11826-11879, S11888-11903)11/21/2009: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S11907-11967)11/21/2009: Cloture on the motion to proceed to the bill invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 60 - 39. Record Vote Number: 353. (consideration: CR S11967; text: CR S11967)11/21/2009: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.11/21/2009: Measure laid before Senate by motion. (consideration: CR S11967)11/21/2009: S.AMDT.2786 Amendment SA 2786 proposed by Senator Reid. (consideration: CR S11967)In the nature of a substitute. emphasis mine


The GOP must have known what was about to happen next because they were united in voting “Nay” against this bill on November 21, 2009. Additionally, the Senate Amendment offered by Reid was none other than the Senate version of the healthcare bill.


Reid HAD to do this. Why? Because all legislation that raises taxes MUST originate in the House of Representatives and H.R. 3590 satisfies that requirement.I will repeat that, Harry Reid switched the language in H.R. 3590 and replaced it with the Senate’s version of the health care system takeover in order to satisfy the requirement for all legislation raising taxes to originate in the House. The bill summary outlines the evolution of this bill:


OFFICIAL TITLE AS INTRODUCED:To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the first-time homebuyers credit in the case of members of the Armed Forces and certain other Federal employees, and for other purposes.


OFFICIAL TITLE AS AMENDED BY SENATE:An act entitled The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.


For the record, Republicans did challenge this amendment substitution, but were defeated. The simple fact that the Democrats voted on Reid’s “amendment” is appalling and demonstrates their condoning of the abuses we are seeing unfold. Democrat Senators are now willing accomplices to the destruction and socialization of the US health system.


The deceptive practices to pass a government takeover of healthcare can be summed up as the ultimate betrayal by the Democrats against the American people in order to ram through their progressive, socialistic, freedom-stripping policies.


Furthermore, the Democrats talk of “reconciliation” or the nuclear option is nothing more than a diversion from what the real goal is–to pass the Senate version through the House and then have Obama sign it into law.


And once signed into law, does anyone really think that Obama will keep his promises of the “fixes” through the reconciliation process after he got what he wanted via the Senate bill? Seriously, he will have the healthcare takeover he wants, so why make the House and Senate suffer more.


In addition, I don’t think that the House will hold the bill to work out differences between the two chambers as is being floated. While it may be an optional maneuver, the Democrats need the tax increases to take effect now so they can offset some of their rabid spending.


The House Democrats have a choice: either stand with the American people and kill the bill or endorse the deception, betrayal, and bribes of Harry Reid, Obama, Pelosi, and the Senate Democrats, in addition to the destruction of the US health system. Either way, the American people will never forget.

Folks, If There Was Ever A Post I Wanted You To Read, This One Is It

This morning we Posted an article that is extremely important and may not be getting the attention it deserves.

The Post is titled, Joe Vallario Set To Kill Child Predator Laws With No Committee Vote

Please read this article as it has everything to do with Sarah Foxwell and our local Delegates attempt to strengthen sex offender laws in the state of Maryland.

Once I learned of this article last night I contacted Delegate Jim Mathias and he immediately alarmed the rest of the Delegates of this information and assures me that they are on it. He also stated that they tied 254 & 963 together so it wouldn't just disappear.

For the thousands of people who participated in the Sarah Foxwell search, please follow up on the first comment to this Post. "I would like to ask everyone to call 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3488. Mr. Vallario CAN NOT bury this bill, because we had to bury Sarah."

CSAFE NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY TEAM MEETING

Mayor James Ireton, Jr. announces and the Salisbury City Council would like to invite all residents in the Church Street/Doverdale CSAFE area to the next CSAFE Neighborhood Safety Team meeting.

The meeting will be held Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 5:30 p.m. at:
Calloway / Hickory Apartments –
602 Calloway Street Salisbury,MD 21801

Topics for Discussion
Citizens concern
Agency Up-dates
National Night Out Aug. 3, 2010
CSAFE Ministerial Forum meeting -
Other concerns / Open Discussion.

The Daily Times Cuts Off The Shore Stop Near The Twilley Center


This past Sunday one of our viewers went to the Shore Stop on Mt. Hermon Road to purchase their Sunday Paper and came to learn they didn't have any papers for sale.

When they asked where the stand was, one employee explained how the Daily Times had come in and removed their stand and informed them that they were some $2,000.00 behind in payments.

Considering the Daily Times is a COD account, (says the employee at Shore Stop) being told you're $2,000.00 in arrears simply didn't make any sense. I wasn't there, so I really cannot comment on that.

So much for a "convenience store" eh? I did stop by our local Shore Stop and while they were out of the Sunday Paper, they claimed they were still getting their delivery.

All that being said, I did come to learn that even though the Daily Times spent $3.5 million on a new Press to print the paper as well as the Comics and Sale Ads, they are in fact getting that portion of the Sunday and weekly paper printed in Wilmington and NOT here in Salisbury. So we were right, the Daily Times is farming out a portion of their paper. Is this the beginning of the end?

Is Recreational Fishing Next?

The Obama administration will accept no more public input for a federal strategy that could prohibit U.S. citizens from fishing the nation's oceans, coastal areas, Great Lakes, and even inland waters.

This announcement comes at the time when the situation supposedly still is "fluid" and the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force still hasn't issued its final report on zoning uses of these waters.

That's a disappointment, but not really a surprise for fishing industry insiders who have negotiated for months with officials at the Council on Environmental Quality and bureaucrats on the task force. These angling advocates have come to suspect that public input into the process was a charade from the beginning.

"When the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) completed their successful campaign to convince the Ontario government to end one of the best scientifically managed big game hunts in North America (spring bear), the results of their agenda had severe economic impacts on small family businesses and the tourism economy of communities across northern and central Ontario," said Phil Morlock, director of environmental affairs for Shimano.

"Now we see NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and the administration planning the future of recreational fishing access in America based on a similar agenda of these same groups and other Big Green anti-use organizations, through an Executive Order by the President. The current U.S. direction with fishing is a direct parallel to what happened in Canada with hunting: The negative economic impacts on hard working American families and small businesses are being ignored.

"In spite of what we hear daily in the press about the President's concern for jobs and the economy and contrary to what he stated in the June order creating this process, we have seen no evidence from NOAA or the task force that recreational fishing and related jobs are receiving any priority."

Consequently, unless anglers speak up and convince their Congressional representatives to stop this bureaucratic freight train, it appears that the task force will issue a final report for "marine spatial planning" by late March, with President Barack Obama then issuing an Executive Order to implement its recommendations — whatever they may be.

Led by NOAA's Jane Lubchenco, the task force has shown no overt dislike of recreational angling, but its indifference to the economic, social and biological value of the sport has been deafening.

Additionally, Lubchenco and others in the administration have close ties to environmental groups who would like nothing better than to ban recreational angling. And evidence suggests that these organizations have been the engine behind the task force since before Obama issued a memo creating it last June.

More

ID Card For Workers At Center Of Immigration Plan

Lawmakers working to craft a new comprehensive immigration bill have settled on a way to prevent employers from hiring illegal immigrants: a national biometric identification card all American workers would eventually be required to obtain.


Under the potentially controversial plan still taking shape in the Senate, all legal U.S. workers, including citizens and immigrants, would be issued an ID card with embedded information, such as fingerprints, to tie the card to the worker.


The ID card plan is one of several steps advocates of an immigration overhaul are taking to address concerns that have defeated similar bills in the past.


The uphill effort to pass a bill is being led by Sens. Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) and Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.), who plan to meet with President Barack Obama as soon as this week to update him on their work. An administration official said the White House had no position on the biometric card.


"It's the nub of solving the immigration dilemma politically speaking," Mr. Schumer said in an interview. The card, he said, would directly answer concerns that after legislation is signed, another wave of illegal immigrants would arrive. "If you say they can't get a job when they come here, you'll stop it."

More: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703954904575110124037066854.html

LORA Hosts Big Gala Event At Chef Fred's









The Local Owners Restaurant Association, (LORA) held their big Gala Event at Chef Fred's this year. The event was such a hit, they took up all of the banquet rooms, the dining room and even the Bar. Samples of Western Style food was served by many of the local restaurants.

My favorites, Vinny's Laroma was the best. Breaktime Billiards had a dip that was the best seafood dip I have ever had, yes, even better than all of the crab dips I have experienced here on the Eastern Shore. Chef Fred's served their notorious Prime Rib and as always it was fantastic. Too many delicious food to mention but I will add, Cakes By David served deserts that were to die for!

If you've never attended one of these Gala Events, put this on your calendar each year. Randy Lee Ashcraft entertained the huge crowd and the auction they held was actually one of the best I've seen in quite some time.

Compromise Reached On Storm-Water Pollution Rules

Deal lets current projects proceed under less stringent rules

Builders, environmentalists and government officials have reached a compromise in a looming legislative fight that threatened to weaken Maryland's new storm-water pollution rules, they said Monday.

The deal, hammered out over more than a week of negotiations, would head off a move by lawmakers in Annapolis to soften or delay by up to a decade the requirements for controlling runoff from development, which are supposed to take effect May 4.

Environmentalists were girding for a major battle to defend the rules, which were written to tackle a significant and growing source of pollution that is fouling streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.

"Not everybody's going to be happy," said Del. Maggie L. McIntosh, chairwoman of the House Environmental Matters Committee, who pushed the feuding parties to work out their differences. But she added, "We have not changed any of the specifications within those regulations - we've just allowed a transition period. And we have, I think, given a little bit more consideration to redevelopment projects."

GO HERE to read more from the Baltimore Sun.

Missing & Located Persons

At approximately 2125 hrs., the Maryland State Police received a call from Crystal Lynn Ensey,an 18 year old female, advising she was lost in the woods with her 17 year old female friend in the vicinity of Nanticoke Road and Quantico Road, Salisbury Maryland. Trooper’s from the Maryland State Police Salisbury Barrack responded to the area and set up a perimeter and began an extensive search for the missing victims.

Maryland State Police Aviation Division was notified and responded to the area to aid in the search as well as a K9 unit from the Maryland State Police, Princess Anne Barrack. A coordinated effort by the Maryland State Police Salisbury Barrack and the Aviation Division were able to locate the missing females.

The Aviation Division was then able to guide Trooper’s on the ground to the area where the missing females were located and the girls were escorted to Firetower Road where an ambulance was waiting to take them to PRMC for evaluation.

Editors Note: To the many of you calling me last night wondering what was happening on Nanticoke Road, now you know.

Americans Say U.S. Debt Owed To China Now Greater Threat Than Terrorism

By a two-to-one margin, American adults believe the amount of money the U.S. owes China to cover the U.S. national debt is now a greater threat than radical Islam.

According to a Zogby International poll, 58 percent said the debt was a greater concern, versus just 27 percent who chose terrorism perpetrated by “radical Islamists.”

The polling firm asked respondents: “When you think about the long-term security and well-being of the U.S., which of these do you believe is a more serious threat?”

Political ideology did not change the results significantly, the pollster pointed out.

“Interestingly, there was little variation by party identification with a majority of Democrats, Republicans and independents all agreeing that the debt owed by the United States to China poses the greater threat,” the Zogby report said.

“Opinion was consistent across all other major demographic and politics sub-groups.”

Democrats barely strayed from the overall 58 percent-27 percent spread, with 57 percent of Democrats choosing the debt owed to China and 24 percent more concerned with Islamic terrorism.

More from CNSNews

Today's Survey Question

Have You Broken Your New Years Eve Resolution?

Schools' New Math: The Four-Day Week

A small but growing number of school districts across the country are moving to a four-day week, in a shift they hope will help close gaping budget holes and stave off teacher layoffs, but that critics fear could hurt students' education.

State legislators and local school boards are giving administrators greater flexibility to set their academic calendars, making the four-day slate possible. But education experts say little research exists to show the impact of shortened weeks on learning. The missed hours are typically made up by lengthening remaining school days.

Of the nearly 15,000-plus districts nationwide, more than 100 in at least 17 states currently use the four-day system, according to data culled from the Education Commission of the States. Dozens of other districts are contemplating making the change in the next year—a shift that is apt to create new challenges for working parents as well as thousands of school employees.

The heightened interest in an abbreviated school week comes as the Obama administration prepares to plow $4.35 billion in extra federal funds into underperforming schools. The administration has been advocating for a stronger school system in a bid to make the U.S. more academically competitive on a global basis.

A new law in Georgia allows schools a choice between a 180-day school year "or the equivalent." Hawaii officials last October introduced 17 mandatory "Furlough Fridays" for state public schools. In Minnesota and Iowa, districts are drafting proposals for their state boards of education in hopes of implementing four-day schedules next school year.

In the rural Peach County, Ga., district, a four-day week this school year helped school officials save more than $200,000 last semester, trimming costs for custodial and cafeteria workers and bus drivers as well as transportation expenses and utilities, said system spokeswoman Sara Mason.

The district is on track to save 39 teaching positions and $400,000 by the end of the school year, helping to narrow a $1 million shortfall in the district's $30 million annual budget.

"The savings so far have been phenomenal," said Ms. Mason, adding that she has fielded calls from officials at a dozen other Georgia schools considering making the switch.

More from the Wall Street Journal

Rep. Cassidy Op-Ed: Empower Patients, Lower Costs, Expand Access

Roll Call, Mar 8 - By Congressman Bill Cassidy

Pop quiz: What is the goal of health care reform?

(A) Expand access

(B) Lower costs

If you answered (A), odds are you’re a Democrat.
If you answered (B), you’re probably a Republican.
But if you reject the idea that you have to choose, you’re on the right track.

Supporters of the president’s plan, which is essentially the bill that passed in the Senate, prize a Congressional Budget Office report showing that 31 million uninsured Americans gain access to coverage under his bill.

However, supporters of this proposal avoid discussing the CBO’s projection that it increases the cost of health insurance. They also avoid the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services report estimating “that total national health expenditures under this bill would increase by ... $234 billion” over 10 years.

Likewise, Republicans highlight a CBO report showing that the House GOP bill will reduce insurance premiums by 10 percent. In turn, Democrats criticize the GOP plan because it extends coverage to fewer Americans than their bill.

Returning to the quiz: Which sentence makes sense?

(A) Health care is inaccessible because it is unaffordable.

(B) Health care is unaffordable because it is inaccessible.

Clearly (A), health care is inaccessible because it is unaffordable. The reverse is nonsensical.

Therein lies the problem with the president’s plan. It attempts to provide access without addressing cost.

When campaigning, Barack Obama pledged that his health care plan would “save a typical American family up to $2,500 every year on medical expenditures” and provide “quality, affordable and portable health coverage for all.”

As a physician who has treated uninsured patients at a public hospital for 20 years, I applaud the president’s goals. Unfortunately, as economists at the CBO and the CMS explain, his plan fails to achieve them.

The key to expanding access is lowering costs. The key to lowering costs is empowering patients.

Read more

Obama Eyeing Your Retirement Account

The Obama administration is quietly exploring strategies that would require hundreds of billions of dollars in programs such as 401(k)s and Individual Retirement Accounts to be invested in U.S. Treasury bonds, Jerome Corsi's Red Alert reports.

Corsi reports the administration is doing so under the guise of making workplace retirement savings accounts available to all Americans and ensuring that existing retirement savings accounts pay lifetime income.

He noted the Obama administrations needs to sell $1.5 trillion in new U.S. Treasury debt in 2010 just to keep the government operating under the federal budget deficit projected for this year.

"With the Federal Reserve scheduled to phase out its direct purchases of Treasury debt, the Obama administration is anxious to find another market upon which to unload hundreds of billions of dollars of Treasury bonds carrying yields much lower than would be required to sell the same hundreds of billions of dollars of Treasury bonds in the open market," Corsi explained.

He said the Obama administration is contemplating implementation of a so-called "automatic IRA," packaged as a program designed to guarantee all workers have access to a retirement plan through their place of employment, even if the employer does not currently offer a pension or other tax-favored retirement plan.

"What the 'automatic IRA' ends up being is a government mandate that every employee must have a portion of their compensation direct-deposited into a government-mandated IRA," Corsi wrote, "perhaps whether the employee wants to participate or not."

Read more

Joe Vallario Set To Kill Child Predator Laws With No Committee Vote

Delegate Joe Vallario (D-Prince Georges), chair of the House Judiciary Committee is set to kill this week a much needed legislative enhancement to update Maryland’s child predator laws. Sources in the legislature say that Vallario will not allow a vote on HB 254 in his committee, meaning there would be no possibility for the measure to come before the full house for a vote.

HB 254 is a legislative patch to the landmark Jessica’s Law passed by the Assembly in 2007, named in honor of Jessica Lunsford the Florida girl kidnapped and murdered by a paroled child sex offender.
In addition to the current mandatory 25-year minimum sentences for fist-degree child rape, HB 254 would add a non-paroleable mandatory minimum 20-year sentence for second-degree child rape and molestation.

The tort lobby is staunchly opposed to mandatory minimum sentences as they cut into their billable hours. Vallario a trial lawyer himself has only been too happy to oblige his masters by tossing bills the tort lobby doesn’t like into his desk drawer, never to be seen again. With committee votes now posted on line Vallarios’ move has the duel effect of protecting members of the judiciary committee who would naturally vote against bills like HB 254. No vote, no need for members to defend it to the public—especially in an election year.

GO HERE to read more.

Caption This Photo


City Begins Layoffs With 85 Job Cuts

Cohen to offer detailed plan on cutting fiscal 2011 deficit Monday

For the first time in history, City Hall laid off employees yesterday, cutting payroll expenses and putting scores of people out of work during the weakest economy since the Great Depression.

City Hall is trimming a total of 85 positions, 47 of which are filled. For 33 of them, March 31 will be their last day, while the remaining 14 will work until July 1, the start of the next fiscal year.

City officials have not yet revealed what these employees do - that detail will be explained at a City Council meeting Monday night - but they said the jobs come from all parts of city government and include union and contract employees alike.

"This is a very sad day for City of Annapolis family," Cohen said in a prepared statement. "Good people, many of whom have dedicated their careers to the city, have lost their job through no fault of their own.

GO HERE to read more.

Last Nickel

A father walks into a restaurant with his young son..
He gives the young boy 3 nickels to play with to keep him occupied.

Suddenly, the boy starts choking, going blue in the face..
The father realizes the boy has swallowed the nickels and starts slapping him on the back..

The boy coughs up 2 of the nickels, but keeps choking.
Looking at his son, the father is panicking, shouting for help.

A well dressed, attractive, and serious looking woman, in a blue business suit is sitting at a coffee bar reading a newspaper and sipping a cup of coffee. At the sound of the commotion, she looks up, puts her coffee cup down, neatly folds the newspaper and places it on the counter, gets up from her seat and makes her way, unhurried, across the restaurant.

Reaching the boy, the woman carefully drops his pants; takes hold of the boy's' testicles and starts to squeeze and twist, gently at first and then ever so firmly.. After a few seconds the boy convulses violently and coughs up the last nickel, which the woman deftly catches in her free hand.

Releasing the boy's testicles, the woman hands the nickel to the father and walks back to her seat at the coffee bar without saying a word.

As soon as he is sure that his son has suffered no ill effects, the father rushes over to the woman and starts thanking her saying,"I've never seen anybody do anything like that before, it was fantastic. Are you a doctor? "


'No,' the woman replied. I'm with The IRS

Obama's Impression Of BT


Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Press Releases

Incident: Possession of a Handgun
Date of Incident: 5 March 2010
Location: 600 block of S. Westover Drive, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Eddie F. Bivens, 31, Salisbury, MD

Narrative: On 5 March 2010 at 4:20 PM, deputies from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported fight on S. Westover Drive in the vicinity of East Road. Further information was provided to responding deputies that handguns were displayed during the altercation. Upon arrival, one of the deputies observed a subject in the area that matched the description of one of those involved. Upon contacting this individual, later identified as Eddie Bivens, the deputy recovered a loaded Ruger .22 revolver from Bivens’ pants pocket.
Further investigation into the background of Bivens revealed that he had prior felony convictions which made him prohibited from possessing a firearm. During interview, Bivens told the deputy that he had taken the gun from someone else and was intending to report it to law enforcement.

The arresting deputy transported Bivens 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 Bivens in the Detention Center in lieu of $100,000.00 bond.

Charges: Possession of Firearm by Prohibited Person
Possession of a Firearm after a prior Conviction of a Crime Violence
Handgun on Person


Incident: Hindering a Law Enforcement Officer
Date of Incident: 5 March 2010
Location: 600 block of S. Westover Drive, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Jerold Brown, 38, Salisbury, MD


Narrative: On 5 March 2010 at 4:20 PM, deputies from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported fight on S. Westover Drive in the vicinity of East Road. Upon arrival, one of the deputies began to interview an individual in the area about involvement in the altercation. While speaking to this individual, the deputy began to question the veracity of the information provided to include his identity. After further discussion, the deputy managed to determine that the individual was in fact lying about his name and subsequently placed him under arrest. Post arrest, the subject’s true identity of Jerold Brown was discovered. Also post arrest, the deputy found what the deputy recognized as a counterfeit $100 bill in Brown’s possession.

Interestingly, once Brown’s true identity was established, he was discovered to have a Parole Violation warrant out for him in an Attempted Murder and Handgun case.

Brown was transported to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and brought before the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner detained Brown in the Detention Center in lieu of $25,000.00 bond.

Charges: Obstruct and Hinder a Law Enforcement Officer
Have in Possession an Electronic Image of U.S. Currency


Incident: Possession of Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute
Date of Incident: 6 March 2010
Location: 500 block of West Road, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Male Juvenile, 17 YOA, Salisbury, MD


Narrative: On 6 March 2010 at midnight, a deputy from the Sheriff’s Office stopped a 17 YOA juvenile on a bicycle for a traffic violation. While conversing with the juvenile, the deputy began to grow suspicious as to why the juvenile was out so late. The juvenile began removing items from his pocket to show them to the deputy up request and pulled out a baggie of what the deputy recognized as cocaine. Further search of the juvenile by the deputy revealed two additional baggie of cocaine. Based on the recovery of the three bags, the deputy believed that the juvenile intended to sell the cocaine.

The deputy transported the juvenile to the Sheriff’s Office for processing and notification to the Department of Juvenile Services. The deputy was unable to reach anyone at the after- hours contact number for the Department of juvenile Services so he subsequently had to release him back to a parent.

Charges: Possession of Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute
Possession of Cocaine
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia


Incident: Possession of Marijuana
Date of Incident: 6 March 2010
Location: Jersey Road, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Tony C. Blake, 51, Salisbury, MD


Narrative: On 6 March 2010 at 4:36 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office observed a pickup being operated by Tony Blake on Jersey Road in Salisbury, MD. The deputy also noticed that the pickup displayed a style of registration plate normally reserved for vehicle sedans. Upon running the tag through his in car Mobile Date Terminal, the deputy ascertained that it belonged on a Ford 4 door car. Upon stopping Blake, he told the deputy that he had recently bought the vehicle and placed that tag on it. Further investigation led the deputy to discover that Blake was both suspended and revoked and well aware that he did not have the privilege to drive a vehicle anymore.

The deputy placed Blake under arrest and subsequently found a baggie in Blake’s pocket that contained what the deputy recognized as marijuana.

Blake was transported to the Wicomico County Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner detained Blake in the Detention Center in lieu of $7,500.00 bond.

Charges: Possession of Marijuana
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia


Incident: Possession of Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute
Date of Incident: 6 March 2010
Location: 500 block of West Road, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Male Juvenile, 17 YOA, Salisbury, MD


Narrative: On 6 March 2010 at midnight, a deputy from the Sheriff’s Office stopped a 17 YOA juvenile on a bicycle for a traffic violation. While conversing with the juvenile, the deputy began to grow suspicious as to why the juvenile was out so late. The juvenile began removing items from his pocket to show them to the deputy upon request and pulled out a baggie of what the deputy recognized as cocaine. Further search of the juvenile by the deputy revealed two additional baggies of cocaine. Based on the recovery of the three bags, the deputy believed that the juvenile intended to sell the cocaine.

The deputy transported the juvenile to the Sheriff’s Office for processing and notification to the Department of Juvenile Services. The deputy was unable to reach anyone at the after- hours contact number for the Department of juvenile Services so he subsequently had to release him back to a parent.

Charges: Possession of Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute
Possession of Cocaine
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Today's Nature Photo By Scott Phoebus



" Bulgaria "
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Salisbury Police Department Press Releases

On March 4, 2010 at approximately 9:52 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to a residence on the six hundred (600) block of Smith Street for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival the officers located two (2) victims suffering from gunshot wounds, one (1) inside of the residence and one (1) in the front yard area. Both victims were transported for treatment. As a result of this investigation, with the assistance of the Wicomico Bureau of Investigation and the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit, Salisbury detectives have identified the below listed suspect as responsible for this shooting. The suspect is currently wanted on an arrest warrant charging him with first degree assault (2 counts), second degree assault (2 counts), use of a dangerous and deadly weapon, handgun use in a violent crime, possession of a handgun and two (2) counts of reckless endangerment. The suspect should be considered ARMED and DANGEROUS.

WANTED: Joseph Terry Wilson, B/M, 19 Years of age,
5’10", 140 lbs, black hair, brown eyes
Last known address: Charles St., Salisbury, MD
If anyone has any information as to the location of this suspect, they are asked to contact the Salisbury Police at 410-548-3165 or Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776. Information may be left anonymously.

On March 5, 2010 at approximately 8:08 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the Walmart Department Store on North Salisbury Boulevard for the report of a purse snatching. Upon arrival the officers observed the below listed suspect under detention by store employees and customers. The officers were advised by store management that the below listed suspect had taken a purse from an elderly female customer while inside of the store. The suspect attempted to flee out of the store but was caught and detained by store employees and other customers. The stolen purse and contents were recovered and returned to the victim.

ARRESTED: Jay Lavar Grooms, 28 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: Robbery
Second degree assault
Theft (under $ 1000)
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 201000008898

On March 5, 2010 at approximately 7:18 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the Boscovs Department Store at the Centre at Salisbury for the report of a shoplifter. Upon arrival the officers met with store security who advised that store employees had observed the below listed suspect taking purses from the store without making any attempts at payment. The property was recovered and returned to the store.

ARRESTED #1: Danielle Sharece King, 25 years of age
Quantico, Maryland
CHARGES: Theft (under $ 1000)
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 201000008973

On March 6, 2010 at approximately 11:34 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to a residence on Light Street for the report of a burglary in progress. Upon arrival the officers located the below listed suspects running from the residence and detained them. The officers met with the occupants of the residence who advised that suspect #1 had entered the residence without permission to assault the occupants. This action was the result of an earlier argument between the suspects and the occupants. Suspect # 2 refused to cooperate with the officers during the investigation. The suspects were arrested and transported to the Salisbury Police Department.

ARRESTED #1: Juvenile, 14 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: Fourth degree burglary
ARRESTED #2: Juvenile, 13 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: Obstructing and hindering an investigation
Failure to obey a lawful order
DISPOSITION: Both released to guardians
CC # 201000009057

Following the above incident, on March 7, 2010 at approximately 6:52 pm, Officers received a call to respond to the Family Dollar Store on South Salisbury Boulevard for an assault related to the previous arrest. Upon arrival the officers met with a witness to the above arrest (CC # 201000009057). The witness advised the officers that one of the above suspects, with an additional suspect, had approached and threatened the witness for assisting the officers with the earlier arrest. The two (2) suspects then assaulted the witness, pushing the witness into a glass window at the store and breaking the window. The witness was transported to the Peninsula Regional Medical Center for treatment. Both suspects were arrested.

ARRESTED # 1: Juvenile, 13 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
ARRESTED #2: Juvenile, 14 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES (both): Intimidating and influencing a juror
Retaliating against a witness
Solicitation to intimidate a juror
Second degree assault
Malicious destruction of property
DISPOSITION: Both suspects held by Juvenile Services
CC # 201000009244

On March 6, 2010 at approximately 3:20 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the Sears Department Store at the Centre at Salisbury for the report of two (2) shoplifters. Upon arrival the officers met with store security who advised that store employees had observed the below listed suspects taking clothing without making any attempts at payment. The clothing was recovered and returned to the store.

ARRESTED #1: Juvenile, 16 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
ARRESTED #2: Juvenile, 16 years of age
Hebron, Maryland
CHARGES (both): Theft (under $ 100)
DISPOSITION: Both released to parents
CC # 201000009069

On March 7, 2010 at approximately 8:52 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police arrested the below listed suspect for two (2) outstanding arrest warrants charging the suspect with theft. The first warrant charges the suspect with the theft of a pocketbook from a local restaurant and the use of a bank card contained within the pocketbook. The second arrest warrant charges the suspect with the theft of a second pocketbook from a vehicle at the same restaurant and the subsequent use of the bank card and forging of checks from that pocketbook.

ARRESTED: Jeanine Theresa Mamolito, 27 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: Theft (under $ 1000)
Use of anothers credit card (11 counts)
Theft scheme (2 counts)
Forgery (4 counts)
Issuing false documents (2 counts)
Identity theft
Rogue and vagabond
DISPOSITION: Released to central booking
CC # 200900041415/200900030441

Rutledge On Health Care

FOREST HILL, Maryland- Republican U.S. Senate Candidate Jim Rutledge vowed today that he would vote to repeal the Obama Health Care Plan supported by Barbara Mikulski. The Rutledge Campaign also calls upon Marylanders this week to demand that Barbara Mikulski refrain from using reconciliation as a “nuclear option” to pass this health care bill.

Jim Rutledge stated, “It is one thing to try to pass bad legislation but to do so by slight of hand and against the wishes of the American people is just another slap in the face by Barbara Mikulski.” The Democrat proposal calls for 500 billion dollars in cuts to Medicare, 500 billion dollars in new taxes, and 2.5 trillion dollars in new spending. Jim Rutledge believes Washington must make creating jobs and lowering the deficit our top priorities.

The economy continues to struggle and the economic picture is getting worse. The tax and spend policies supported by Barbara Mikulski and Barack Obama are crippling America at every level. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is reporting that state and local governments are facing operating deficits until 2060. The GAO report calls for a 12.3% spending reduction every year at the state and local level to offset these deficits. Communities are struggling to survive while Washington continues to create more debt, more taxes, and more unfunded mandates.

Rutledge said, “Washington is the problem not the solution and that’s why I pledge my vote to repeal this irresponsible health care plan if it should pass”.

Wicomico Neighborhood Congress

HOA Followup Workshop
March 9, 2010 – 7 PM
Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore

*****

AGENDA

7 PM – Status and Activities of the Wicomico Neighborhood Congress

7:15 PM – Roundtable Discussion -- Successes and Challenges of our Local HOAs

8:15 PM – Proposal to Create an ongoing Congress of HOAs (under WNC)
8:30 PM -- Adjourn

*****

For information, contact Mike Pretl at 443-323-3060
Or mikepretl@aol.com
Cindy Pilchard at 410-742-5224
Or cindypilchardco@comcast.net
For Legal Support, (fee based) contact Nicole Green at 410-860-9331
Or attygrl@aol.com

Every Grandparent Needs One Of These!

GOVERNOR O’MALLEY LEADS GROUNDBREAKING FOR 50-FOOT BERTH AT PORT OF BALTIMORE

Project Will Support 5,700 Jobs in Maryland; Makes Port More Competitive

BALTIMORE, MD
– Governor Martin O’Malley was joined by Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake as he led a groundbreaking for construction of a new 50-foot berth at the Port of Baltimore. The project will support 5,700 jobs and, when completed, accommodate larger ships and attract more cargo to Baltimore. The 50-foot berth is a key element of the 50-year agreement between the Maryland Port Administration and Ports America Chesapeake to lease and operate the 200-acre Seagirt Marine Terminal. Under the agreement, Ports America Chesapeake took over operational control of Seagirt in January. The state continues to own the facility.

“When we announced our agreement with Ports America Chesapeake last November, we said it was all about jobs. Today, those jobs become reality,” said Governor O’Malley. “We are wasting no time putting people to work and getting this $105 million project underway. A new 50-foot berth is critical to the future of the Port of Baltimore. It will help keep the business we have and allow us to handle the new business that will come aboard the larger ships that are on the horizon. By beginning construction now, we will have this berth up and running in 2012. This is a full two years before the expansion of the Panama Canal is completed in 2014, an expansion that will literally change the face of the maritime shipping business.”

With the completion of the Panama Canal expansion in 2014, it is expected that a larger number of ships, including new mega-ships, will travel to East Coast ports to reach customers more quickly and less expensively. Currently, a large percentage of ships use West Coast ports. This requires manufacturers to send products by rail to markets throughout the country. With a 50-foot berth, the mega ships that are becoming the norm in the maritime industry will have enough water depth to dock and bring additional business to the Port of Baltimore.

“Today’s groundbreaking signifies a great step forward for the Baltimore region,” said Mayor Rawlings-Blake. “Today we are celebrating a new partnership between the state of Maryland and Ports America that will make this port the home of great jobs for decades to come.”

In November 2009, Governor O’Malley announced a 50-year agreement between the MPA and Ports America Chesapeake. In addition to constructing the 50-foot berth, Ports America is now running daily operations at the Seagirt Marine Terminal. Ports America will also invest in other necessary infrastructure at Seagirt, saving the State hundreds of millions of dollars it would have had to invest in capital improvements. Also under the agreement, Ports America will make an annual payment to the State and provide ongoing revenues to the MPA during the life of the agreement. The Maryland Transportation Authority, as the previous owner of Seagirt, received an immediate payment in excess of $100 million that it will invest in the system preservation of its existing road, bridge and tunnel facilities.

The partnership between the MPA and Ports America is expected to produce 5,700 new jobs, while the total investment and revenue to the State of Maryland has the potential to reach up to $1.8 billion over the life of the agreement. It will also generate $15.7 million per year in new taxes for Maryland.

Of the 5,700 new jobs that will result from this agreement, 3,000 jobs will be one-time construction jobs over the next three years for Port and Maryland Transportation Authority (MdTA) highway improvements. Another 2,700 permanent direct, indirect and induced jobs will come from the increased and sustainable container business that the Port will see upon completion of the 50-foot berth and the completion of the Panama Canal project.

“Highstar Capital and Ports America Chesapeake are privileged to be working hand in hand with the State of Maryland and the Maryland Port Administration to undertake this landmark public-private partnership,” said Christopher Lee, chairman of Ports America Chesapeake. “With the construction of the new berth at the Seagirt Marine Terminal, the Port of Baltimore will continue its leadership role when the Panama Canal widening project is completed in 2014.”

In addition to full control over daily operations of Seagirt and the obligation to design and build the 50-foot berth within MPA’s required standards, Ports America receives:

A known future base payment for 50 years and all net revenues;
The right to move and consolidate all current container business to Seagirt;
Control over timing and nature of system preservation costs as long as standards are met;
Funding capital obligations allow Ports America to invest in new technology as it sees fit.

The Port of Baltimore employs about 16,500 workers. Out of about 360 U.S. ports, Baltimore is ranked number one for handling roll on/roll off cargo; trucks; imported forest products; and imported gypsum, sugar and iron ore. The Port of Baltimore is ranked 14th nationally for total foreign cargo tonnage and 12th for total dollar value of cargo. The Port is responsible for about $3.6 billion in personal wage and salary income. Activities at the Port of Baltimore generate about $388 million in state and local taxes.

Young Republicans Meeting

Lower Shore Young Republicans
LSYR
MEETING REMINDER

Wednesday March 10th at 6:30 pm the Lower Shore Young Republicans will be conducting their monthly club meeting. We will meet at the Salisbury Area Camber of Commerce building located at 144 East Main Street.


This month our guest speaker will be John Palmer of the group VOICE. Mr. Palmer is the president of the local chapter and wishes to come speak to the club about two charter amendments they are proposing for this November's election. Both are related to the Tea Party Movement and the 9/12 Project.


I hope you can come join us Wednesday at 6:30.
Lower Shore Young Republicans
lowershoreyoungrepublicans@gmail.com or follow us on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8893099538

Kratovil Opposes New Push To Pass Sweeping Health Care Reform

WASHINGTON - After a week of pressure from both sides, Rep. Frank Kratovil said Friday he's unlikely to go along with the current plan to get a broad health care bill through Congress, suggesting instead that the legislation be split into a series of smaller bills.

In an interview with Capital News Service, Kratovil, D-Stevensville, said he recognizes the need to move the process forward, but argued that the plan advanced by President Obama and the Democratic congressional leadership allows Republicans to continue to obstruct health care reform on a purely partisan basis.

"There are those who want to make this a political statement about the president and so forth and defeat it simply for those reasons," Kratovil said. "I think the process that we're talking about doing, in some ways, allows them the ability to do so."

Kratovil was one of 39 Democrats who voted no when the House passed a health care bill, 220-215, in November. Instead of being swayed by party leaders in need of votes, Kratovil appears ready to vote no again.

Although details of the strategy are still being worked out, Democrats hope to first convince the House to pass the Senate version of the bill. Party leaders have said they hope to then pass a set of fixes to the bill using the controversial reconciliation process in the Senate, which would allow legislation to pass with only 51 votes rather than the 60 needed to break a Republican filibuster.

GO HERE to read more.

Where Has Our Innocence Gone?

While I sat in the reception area of my doctor's office, a woman rolled an
elderly man in a wheelchair into the room. As she went to the receptionist's
desk, the man sat there, alone and silent. Just as I was thinking I should
make small talk with him, a little boy slipped off his mother's lap and
walked over to the wheelchair. Placing his hand on the man's, he said, 'I
know how you feel. My mom makes me ride in the stroller too.'


As I was nursing my baby, my cousin's six-year-old daughter, Krissy, came
into the room. Never having seen anyone breast feed before, she was
intrigued and full of all kinds of questions about what I was doing. After
mulling over my answers, she remarked, 'My mom has some of those, but I
don't think she knows how to use them.'


Out bicycling one day with my eight-year-old granddaughter, Carolyn, I got
a little wistful. 'In ten years,' I said, 'you'll want to be with your
friends and you won't go walking, biking, and swimming with me like you do
now. Carolyn shrugged. 'In ten years you'll be too old to do all those
things anyway.'


Working as a pediatric nurse, I had the difficult assignment of giving
immunization shots to children. One day, I entered the examining room to
give four-year-old Lizzie her needle. 'No, no, no!' she screamed. 'Lizzie,'
scolded her mother, 'that's not polite behavior.' With that, the girl yelled
even louder, 'No, thank you! No, thank you!


On the way back from a Cub Scout meeting, my grandson innocently said to my
son, 'Dad, I know babies come from mommies' tummies, but how do they get
there in the first place?' After my son hemmed and hawed awhile, my grandson
finally spoke up in disgust, 'You don't have to make up something, Dad.
It's okay if you don't know the answer.'


Just before I was deployed to Iraq , I sat my eight-year-old son down and
broke the news to him. 'I'm going to be away for a long time,' I told him.
'I'm going to Iraq .' 'Why?' he asked. 'Don't you know there's a war going
on over there?'


Paul Newman founded the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp for children stricken
with cancer, AIDS, and blood diseases. One afternoon, he and is wife, Joanne
Woodward, stopped by to have lunch with the kids. A counselor at a nearby
table, suspecting the young patients wouldn't know Newman was a famous movie
star, explained, 'That's the man who made this camp possible. Maybe you've
seen his picture on his salad dressing bottle?' Blank stares. 'Well, you've
probably seen his face on his lemonade carton.' An eight-year-old girl
perked up. 'How long was he missing?'


God's Problem Now. His wife's graveside service was just barely finished,
when there was a massive clap of thunder, followed by a tremendous bolt of
lightning, accompanied by even more thunder rumbling in the distance. The
little, old man looked at the pastor and calmly said, 'Well, she's there!’

Your Bailout Update: $315 Billion In The Red

After shrinking for several months, taxpayer exposure to the bailout jumped in February, due to Fannie Mae’s receiving another $15.3 billion.


The toll stands at $315.3 billion. That number accounts for not only the bailout money still outstanding, but also the revenue that the government has collected from recipients. Included in that revenue is $1.5 billion the Treasury Department received last week for its auction of Bank of America’s common stock warrants. Altogether, the government made a profit of about $4.6 billion through its investment in Bank of America.

Read more…

Coming Up Soon On The Wicomico School Calendar

Monday, March 15, 7 p.m.
Buckeye Donkey Basketball
Wicomico High School Gymnasium

Wicomico High School will host Buckeye Donkey Basketball in the gymnasium on Monday, March 15, at 7 p.m. This school-wide fundraiser will feature a Lady Godiva race, with several popular coaches at halftime, and a celebrity team TBA. There will be free donkey rides for children under 12. Tickets will go on sale later in February at $8 in advance and $10 at the door. 410-677-5146. Advance tickets for Donkey Basketball are on sale now. Advance tickets $8, at the door, $10. For tickets, contact Jeannie Underwood at Wi-Hi.

Tuesday, March 16
STEM
Salisbury Middle School

The 8th grade Salisbury Middle School STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) science students have had the opportunity to play the role of NASA planetary scientists and develop a recon mission to a possible planetary candidate for colonization. Students in Chad Pavlekovich’s class had to research the planet and describe in detail the planetary characteristics (distance from star, size, atmospheric content, geographic data etc). Students then had to design and engineer a rocket, lander and planetary rover to explore and collect samples from the planet’s surface to determine if man should consider this planet a possibility for colonization. As part of the conclusion to this project, student teams will present and defend their procedures, designs and findings to their fellow students and guests. There will be two sessions with 4 groups presenting their projects and defending their research during each session on March 16. Session 1 will be from 12-1:15 p.m. and Session 2 will run from 1:30-2:45 p.m. 410-677-5149.
Wednesday, March 17
4th annual Career Day

The Young Professionals Committee of the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Wicomico County Board of Education (WCBOE), The Salisbury School and Salisbury Christian School will be hosting the 4th Annual Career Day on March 17. The Young Professionals Committee is currently actively seeking sponsors and presenters for this event. Sponsorship opportunities range from $100 to $500, and all donations received go directly toward event expenses. Presenters are asked to volunteer their time to share information on educational and skill requirements in their respective career area. For additional information please visit www.salisburyyoungprofessionals.com or contact Tiffanie Chandler at 410-749-0144 or e-mail membership@salisburyarea.com.

Thursday, March 18, 6 p.m.
Wicomico Teacher of the Year Banquet
Salisbury University Commons

The Wicomico Teacher of the Year Banquet will be held in the Salisbury University Commons starting at 6 p.m. A new Wicomico Teacher of the Year for 2010-11 will be named at the end of the night. 410-677-4462. Attendance for the banquet is by invitation only.

GO HERE to see much more.

Gov’t Wrongly Labels Some Stimulus Recipients ‘Losers’

Weeks Marine won a $5 million stimulus contract to dredge the Mississippi River Delta in Plaquemines Parish, La. The family-owned firm put 37 people to work from June to September. When the project ended, it reported all this for public view on the government’s stimulus Web site, Recovery.gov.

Yet Weeks Marine recently found itself on a government list of “two-time losers,” accused of flouting stimulus rules by failing to file two required reports telling taxpayers how it spent their money.

“I don’t know why we’re on the list,” said Win Apel, general counsel for the New Jersey-based dredging company. “We did in fact file the report.”

Read More…

Opportunities to Support Our Schools

Thursday, March 11
Longaberger Basket Bingo for East Salisbury Elementary
Salisbury Moose Lodge

Longaberger basket bingo to benefit East Salisbury Elementary will take place Thursday, March 11, at the Salisbury Moose Lodge. Doors open at 5 p.m. and games begin 6:30 p.m. All baskets are filled and the event also features two raffles, Chinese auction, 50/50, food and baked goods. Tickets are $15 through March 8, $20 at the door. Tickets available at Sonya’s Floral Boutique in Snow Hill Road or by calling 410-677-5803.

Saturday, March 13
Longaberger Basket Bingo
Wicomico High PTSA/senior class

The Wicomico High School PTSA along with the Wicomico High School senior class will host the annual Longaberger Basket Bingo on Saturday, March 13, in the Wi-Hi Indian Cafe. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and games begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased from Wi-Hi seniors or you may contact Lavion Harmon at lsharmon@wcboe. The price for admission is $20 in advance or $25 at the door. 410-677-5146.

Thursday, March 18
Basket & Bag Bingo
Delmar Elementary PTA

Delmar Elementary PTA will host Basket & Bag Bingo featuring Longaberger baskets and Vera Bradley bags on Thursday, March 18, at the Salisbury Moose Lodge. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and bingo starts at 7 p.m. Prizes, raffles, 50/50, silent auction; food and beverages for sale. Must be 18 or older. For tickets or information please contact Aprille at 410-726-3444 or Sherry at 443-235-1706. All proceeds will benefit the Delmar Elementary PTA.

Friday, March 19
PTA Spaghetti Dinner and Talent Show
Glen Avenue Elementary

The 2010 Glen Avenue PTA Spaghetti Dinner and Talent Show will be held Friday, March 19, at the school. (Event rescheduled from Feb. 26.) This is a great night to support the school by enjoying wonderful spaghetti and the outstanding talents of Glen Avenue students. Dinner starts at 5:30 p.m. and the Talent Show begins at 7:30 p.m. Dinner/Talent Show tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for children 12 and under. Tickets for the Talent Show ONLY are $5. 410-677-5806.

Saturday, March 20
Longaberger Basket and Vera Bradley Bingo
Salisbury Middle School

Salisbury Middle School will hold its annual Longaberger® Basket and Vera Bradley© Bag Bingo and Silent Auction benefitting academic, extracurricular and student support programs. The event will be held on March 20 at Salisbury Middle School located at 607 Morris Street in Salisbury, Maryland. Doors will open at 5 p.m. and games will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Food and drinks will be sold for your convenience. For more information, please call Beverly Elzey at 410-677-5113 or 410-677-5149. We hope you will join us for an evening of fun and a variety of games including auctions, raffles and more.

Saturday, April 24
Scavenger Hunt and Car & Motorcycle Show
Pittsville PTA, at the Pittsville Fire House

The first Pittsville PTA Scavenger Hunt and Car & Motorcycle Show will be held at the Pittsville Fire House on Saturday, April 24. The schedule includes: 9-10 a.m. registration for bike scavenger hunt, which will be from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; 9-10:30 a.m. registration for vehicle scavenger hunt, which will be from 10:30 a.m.-noon; 9-11 a.m. registration for car and motorcycle show; 1 p.m. last chance to vote for Kiss the Pig Contest plus judging for bike show and live auction; 1:30 p.m. judging for car show; 2 p.m. awards presentation and Kiss the Pigs. Refreshments by the Powellville Fire Co., Pittsville Ladies Auxiliary and Whitey’s BBQ will be available for purchase. For more information contact Mindy West at 410-835-2234 or mstwest@hotmail.com.

Coupon Booklets for Local Restaurants
Benefitting Kindness of Strangers Fund

LORA (Local Owners Restaurant Association) coupon booklets are now being sold, with proceeds going to the Kindness of Strangers Fund. Kindness of Strangers (KOS) is a fund established to assist families in purchasing therapeutic/adaptive equipment for their children with special needs ages birth-21. The coupon booklets are $25, and $20 of that amount goes into the KOS fund. Five dollars goes to Junior Achievement, which printed the booklet. The booklet is worth more than $200 with locally owned restaurants such as Market Street, Sobo's, Breaktime, Red Roost, Boonies, Adam's and others. Use all the coupons and your name will be entered to win cash prizes which will be drawn at Pork in the Park. This is a great way to help others. Call Lori Thompson at 410-677-5250 or e-mail her at lthompso@wcboe.org to purchase a booklet.

Available Now
Kids of Honor Gift Cards
Viva Espresso

If you eat/drink at Viva Espresso coffee shop on College Avenue, please consider buying a gift card to use for your purchases. Viva Espresso now has a Kids of Honor branded gift card for sale there. You just buy it at face value and use it for your purchases. Nancy Dix, owner of Viva Espresso, donates a portion of all sales to Kids of Honor - a win/win situation! You can re-load the card when it gets low or runs out. The cards also make great gifts for dog/cat sitters, birthdays, holidays, get well gifts, mail-carriers, etc.