Worcester County Economic Development (WCED) is now accepting applications for the 2018 STEM summer enrichment programs. These programs provide exceptional opportunities for Worcester County students ages 12-24 to explore local career paths.
The application process is competitive, and applications are available online at www.chooseworcester.org/STEM. The deadline for NASA internships is March 1, with applicants to apply online at www.nasa.gov. The deadline for all other internship programs is March 31, though early registration is encouraged for top internship placement consideration.
“Our program connects local STEM businesses with our future workforce,” said WCED Deputy Director Kathryn Gordon. “We show Worcester County students that science, technology, engineering, and mathematics careers are available right here in their backyards.”
For the younger students enrolled in grades 6-8 in the 2017/18 school year, the Reach for the Stars STEM Camp provides instruction by engineers from NASA and the private sector, in conjunction with a team of educators, in an eight-day computer science and engineering summer program. The summer camp is offered at the Red Doors Community Center on 3rd Street in Ocean City.
“Our STEM camp, leadership cohort, and internship program are recognized by community businesses and entrepreneurs as a workforce development pipeline that offers them the opportunity to home-grow their future workforce,” said STEM summer programs coordinator Fawn Mete.
The camp runs July 16-19 and July 23-26. Space is limited to 20 students. There is no cost to participate, and transportation from centralized points in the county will be provided.
For those enrolled in grades 9-11 in the 2017/18 school year, the STEM Leadership Cohort provides professional development sessions at NASA Wallops Flight Facility, UMES and Hardwire LLC, on a variety of career readiness topics including resume writing, internship skills, workplace communication, conflict resolution, leadership and entrepreneurship. Participants will meet on Thursdays in July and will receive mentorship from STEM workforce partners.
The STEP UP Internship Program provides high school seniors, college students, and graduate students with opportunities to gain hands-on work experience in healthcare settings, tech companies, engineering firms, environmental science agencies and digital media production companies. Students’ skills and interests will be matched with the needs of the employers. Interns work 100 hours total from June 1 to July 26 and earn $11/hour.
Prior interns exercised their new skills at NASA Wallops Flight Facility, Orbital ATK, Hardwire LLC, Martin Physical Therapy, Atlantic General Hospital, Peninsula Cardiology, West Ocean City Injury and Illness Center, Bel-Art Products, Ricca Chemical, TR Group, Studio Codeworks, D3Corp, Full City Media, Sprout Creatives, Maryland Coastal Bays Program, State Ventures LLC, The Atlantic Group, OceanCity.com, Habitat for Humanity, EA Science Technology and Engineering, Eastern Shore Physical Therapy, and more.
From the beach or from the street, the Dunes Manor looks like a big, accommodating sandcastle.
We’ll start this list with the hotel at the verrry end of the Boardwalk: Dunes Manor.
You might not expect that the Dunes has only been around since the ’80s, especially since the building looks like a castle straight out of the 19th century, but Dunes Manor is an iconic part of the Ocean City skyline that first opened its doors in 1987.
The Dunes is a great place for Ocean City visitors who want to do more on their trip than relax on the beach and walk up and down the boards–although its proximity to both of those things allows visitors to do that, too. There are always events happening right at the hotel, plus Afternoon Tea every every day in the lobby and three lounges for drinking and dining (whether you want a quick bite or an ice cold crush, all the options at The Victorian Room, the Zippy Lewis Lounge and the Barefoot Beach Bar provide a little something for everyone).
Basically, if you want to take advantage of hotel events and happenings while also feeling like you’re sleeping in a giant sandcastle, the Dunes Manor might be for you.
If you know where Shenanigan’s is, then you know where the Shoreham is–right upstairs. And if you don’t know where Shenanigan’s is, it’s in the middle of all the Boardwalk action on 4th street where St. Patrick’s Day is a year-round affair.
The Shoreham’s location allows guests to experience all the fun of being right on the Boardwalk, overlooking the beach and all the crowds below, without having to stay in a big chain hotel. Plus, there’s always delicious food, drinks and the occasional live music just downstairs.
If you’re into historical joints that seem as old as the Town of Ocean City itself, and don’t mind the possibility of a few ghosts sharing your room, than the Shoreham might just be the perfect hotel for you. If not… forget I said anything. Ghosts aren’t real!
The Plim Plaza might be best known for its Caribbean Pool Bar, where you can take a dip, enjoy a tropical drink with your sandwich and fries and enjoy live entertainment, all in one place. You’ll really feel like you’re in the Caribbean until you walk down to the Boardwalk and remember you’re still in Ocean City.
Plim Plaza is just above the Paul Revere Smorgasboard, Mug & Mallet and A Latte Enjoy, so whether it’s carved meat, crabs or coffee you crave, you won’t have to go far. The hotel also offers an Olympic-length swimming pool, Jacuzzis and a beautiful view of the ocean. What more could you ask for?
The Grand Hotel looks especially impressive once the sun has crossed the horizon.
One of the greatest features of the Grand is right in its name: their on-site spa offers massages, facials, manicures and pedicures and even more ways to feel pampered and relaxed while on the beach. When the Boardwalk gets a little hectic, a calming massage makes for one good stress reliever.
The Grand Hotel also features an indoor and outdoor pool, a fitness center, a game room and guest laundry. And there are five dining options on-site (six, if you count coffee): The Grand Terrace Cafe, EPIC Bar & Grille (with karaoke!), Buono Vita Pizzeria, Java Beach Cafe, Blue Palama Pool Bar and Scoops Ice Cream Shop are all just a few steps away.
Even if you’ve never stayed at the Grand, you might have attended one of the many events or conferences that have been hosted by the hotel–they were even the site of Ocean City’s first Comic Con back in December. If you’re scouting locations for a big event or just looking for somewhere relaxing to stay, the Grand makes one grand option.
The Park Place should be one of the best Boardwalk hotels–after all, the family who owns the hotel have been providing hospitality in Ocean City for over 125 years.
View from the Park Place overlooking the Boardwalk
At the Park Place, guests can hang out at the pool deck, where there are two heated pools to swim in, or grab a classic open pit beef sandwich downstairs at Bull on the Beach. Or both–just be sure to wait 30 minutes if you plan on eating first.
The Park Place is currently finishing up a year-long renovation, where they’ve added their second pool and a larger pool deck, a seventh floor of guest rooms, new elevators and five bay view suites. In 2018, Park Place will be back and better than ever.
The Flagship is another hotel that sits on the tail end of the Boardwalk, where you can easily access the three miles of shops and entertainment but sit back a bit from all the endless activity on the Boardwalk’s south end.
Amenities at the Flagship Hotel include an oceanfront pool bar, an indoor pool, a fitness room and tanning bed, live entertainment on Saturdays during high season and all-you-can-eat seafood at Jonah and the Whale. Plus, no one else makes waking up early so easy: they offer a complimentary morning newspaper, fruit, coffee, tea and hot chocolate.
Fun fact: That one picture we use for all our “check out these great views!” posts was actually taken from a balcony at the Commander.
The Commander on 14th street makes a nice mid-Boardwalk getaway for anyone, but they also cater to niche groups of vacationers like golfers, with their Golf Concierge service, and Jeep Drivers, offering big Jeep Week discounts.
While the hotel has been family owned since 1930, their accommodations are newly renovated. With options from oceanfront suite to oceanview studio to cabana suites just steps away from the pool and the beach, the Commander has something for everyone. Especially if you’re a fan of two of the biggest casual dining staples on the Shore: Grotto Pizza and Fractured Prune, both on-site.
For those who prefer motels, the Seabonay is a beautiful art deco-style option that’s just one block away from the Boardwalk (we decided that counts it as a Boardwalk motel).
The Seabonay offers a guarded beach with umbrella and chair rentals available, an outdoor pool and custom packages available for golfers. With big windows looking out onto the beach, you’ll want to book an oceanfront view to take in the incredible views that the Seabonay has to offer.
When you think of Ocean City, your mind probably doesn’t immediately jump to “safari!” Unless, of course, you’ve stayed at the 13th street Safari Motel. From the Boardwalk, the Safari is instantly recognizable by the big gorilla that sits on the 2nd floor balcony, watching over its guests on the beach and looking only a little out of place on a Maryland Boardwalk.
Your pets are welcome on the Safari, and so are graduating high school seniors. Look out at the ocean from one of their big common balconies, and enjoy the motel’s newly renovated rooms featuring new furniture and flat screen TVs.
The Hyatt Place on 16th Street and the Boardwalk was opened in 2018. Every room in the hotel has a balcony, and each room is fitted with modern amenities like state-of-the-art workplaces and a Cozy Corner with sofa-sleeper. Cool down in one of the two pools, or work out in their 24-hour StayFit Gym featuring cardio equipment with LCD touchscreens. Breakfast is served every day with cage-free eggs, steel-cut oatmeal, whole fruit, all-natural bacon and sausage, and more, and the hotel bar is the perfect spot to relax with a cocktail and freshly prepared bar bites and shareables, in the evening. The Gallery Market is great for grab-and-go salads, snacks, and bottled beverages. The hotel is also home to Franco’s Pizza & Bar, and many long timers will remember the original Franco’s was in this exact sam location many years ago.
While the festival features films from all over the world, its emphasis is on local filmmakers and providing a venue for filmmakers from the mid-Atlantic region, especially the Eastern Shore, to showcase their work. A total of 100 films will be screened during the festival weekend, and whether you’re into horror, documentary, animation or drama, the wide variety of featured genres provide a little bit of something for everyone.
If you want to check out the festival but have no idea which screenings you should attend, though, a three-day program of 100 films can be a little intimidating. That’s why we’ve compiled a totally subjective list of what we (“we” being the film festival judges) think you should see over the course of the weekend.
This is just a short list of our favorites. You can see the full program and read descriptions of all the films on the Ocean City Film Festival website. All the films are worth a watch, and it was nearly impossible to keep this list succinct and only pick a few favorites! And while these are some of our top picks of the moment, the festival’s award winners won’t necessarily come from this list; the Damn Fine Film Award, or judge’s choice, is still up for grabs (and not all of us have seen every film yet!). The Pink Flamingo is awarded to the film that most uniquely represents Maryland life, and the People’s Film Award is chosen by the audience. So, if you attend the festival and find that one film particularly stands out to you, you’ll get to vote for it at the end of the weekend.
What to Watch
Recommendations from the festival directors and judges.
Still from “American Vienna.”
American Vienna
By Jasmin Al-Kattib & Richard Kromp, 2017. Being screened Saturday March 10, 4 p.m., Princess Royale
Synopsis: “AMERICAN VIENNA is the story of a trip to different places with the same name. A journey to the Viennas of the USA that offers snapshots of a region and its people. Snippets from a trip full of stories of the past and anecdotes about the sameness of places and names with the backdrop of small towns and their architecture throughout remote areas of the East Coast and Midwest. Far from politics and crisis, the charm of the simple and unexceptional is a constant travel companion on this road trip.”
Two filmmakers from Vienna, Austria take a road trip to towns throughout the American East Coast and Midwest also named “Vienna.” Vienna, Maryland, just 50 miles from Ocean City, is one of those towns. This might just be one of the most beautifully shot films I’ve ever seen. Turns out, every town in the U.S. called Vienna, from Maine to Maryland to Missouri, is a very small town. The two-filmmaker team, Jasmin Al-Kattib and Richard Kromp, turn landscapes that might initially appear unspectacular into breathtakingly beautiful portraits of rural American life. “An unpolitical movie about the USA? Almost,” the filmmakers say in their Director’s Statement. “Identifying similarities [in people] – even tiny details like the name of the hometown – creates confidence and has a much stronger effect than differences. Therein lies a sincere beauty. ”
–Kristin (that’s me), Festival Co-Director
Falling South
By Lorraine Portman, 2017. Being screened Friday March 10, 10 a.m., Clarion Resort
Synopsis:“Charlotte puts Rochester in the rear view as she runs away from the life she has known. She has never been on her own and doesn’t know if she’ll make it as her resources are stripped away. She meets diverse women who offer connection, insight, and laughter on the road to Florida and a possible new life.”
Still from “Falling South.”
“No hesitancy here. Well laid our story line. Perfect accompanying music that doesn’t “drown out”. Creative shots and side-stories. Wonderful opening visuals! Slight misstep w/ forced dialogue during “cutter wanted scene.” Entertaining- way beyond the message! A story of quiet dignity, understated strength, and steely perseverance. An indie oasis in a land of over-hyped bigger than life main stream characters. Life doesn’t need to be still anotherbigger – just better.”
Down and Yonder
By Christopher Flippo, 2017. Being screened Friday March 9, 4 p.m., Princess Royale
Still from “Down and Yonder.”
Synopsis: “”Down and Yonder” is a story about two friends having a belated coming-of-age in their mid-twenties. When one of them becomes convinced to move away, they both begin to examine their futures. The film is about a friendship that becomes tested by time and distance, and it is ultimately a love letter to growing up in a small, Southern town.”
“This was a wonderful old fashioned plot/dialogue driven movie that used yet humanized/expanded on many a stereotype…through a new/younger generation. Wonderful dialogue (and shots during dialogue). Lots of simpler wisdom like:
“Sometimes I think home is as much a time as a place.”
“The only thing you change is the upper layer. So you can change and still be you. “
“Sometimes it feels like we’re just stealing happiness back and forth (sum-zero).”
“You can have more than one home.”
–John Berninger, festival judge
OMESS
By Romy Engel, 2017. Being screened Saturday, March 10, 6 p.m. experimental film block, Fox Gold Coast Theater.
Synopsis: “Three minute video installation, 2 screens. Two dancers making their way in an apartment that they don’t know, dancing through the place in search of free space. Alienation meets familiarity in an urban context.”
“One of my favorites is an experimental short film called “Omess” that features a male and a female dancer, sometimes on split screen and sometimes sharing the screen. The dancing is in what appears to be an apartment suggesting the dancers may be interpreting their relationship. Lots of expressive movement, good music and interesting camera angles.”
–Don Lehman, festival judge
Promotional poster for “Guardians.”
Guardians
By Mark Brown, 2017. Being screened Friday March 9, 2 p.m., Princess Royale
Synopsis:“Two ill matched men are thrown together when they become Live-In Guardians of a 200 year old townhouse in the East End of London. But living with each other is the least of their problems as there is more to the house than meets the eye. Amoral estate agents, irate labourers, pervert politicians, fox loving chuggers only add to the fact that a 200 year old curse may consume them both.”
“Guardians is the type of film you only get to see at a film festival because there aren’t any big names in it. But the writing and acting are as good if not better than most stuff that makes it to a cineplex. The pacing is perfect, the characters are well developed for a comedy, and this type of film really shows what collaborators can do with very little money but lots of talent.”
Nashville recording artist Josh Turner is coming to Ocean City. and will be performing at the Convention Center on Friday, March 23.
The multi-platinum singer is best known for his hits like “Your Man,” “Why Don’t We Just Dance,” “Firecracker,” “Would You Go with Me,” “All Over Me,” “Time Is Love” and most recently “Hometown Girl.” From his 2003 platinum-selling debut album Long Black Train to his most recent 2017 Billboard No. 1 release, Deep South, Turner has been nominated for a number of Grammy, CMA and ACM awards. Turner has sold more than 8 million units, is a disciple of traditional country music and one of the youngest members of the esteemed Grand Ole Opry.
Turner will share the stage with rising country star Mo Pitney, whose best-known songs include “Country,” “Clean Up on Aisle Five” and “Boy and a Girl Thing.”
Tickets for the Ocean City Josh Turner Concert with special guest Mo Pitney, Friday March 23, 2018, are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting the OC Box Office, calling Ticketmaster 1-800-551-SEAT or online at www.oceancityconcerts.com. For additional information visit oceancityconcerts.com.
Ocean City resident Robert Banach does his part, along with other volunteers, to keep the beach clean. Photo by Brenda Harding.
Every Tuesday morning, weather permitting, for just over two years, Robert Banach and his team of volunteers have been keeping the Ocean City beach clean one bag of trash at a time. They’d like to make Ocean City’s beach the Cleanest Beach in America.
Banach will put the call-out on Facebook the Monday night before, and the next morning at 9 a.m., volunteers will meet at a designated spot on the beach or Boardwalk with gloves on and trash bags in hand. For an hour, they’ll walk up and down about five blocks, intent on making the area free of trash but also on having a little fun while they do it.
Volunteer Darleen Lis takes a well-deserved break. Photo by Brenda Harding.
The #CleanBeachOC effort started in January of 2016, after winter storm Jonas wreaked havoc on Ocean City and left the coastline looking like a trash-ridden war zone. For a few days following the storm, 30-40 people would meet on the beach and perform damage control.
“Everybody came out for about a week because there was just so much trash along the beach,” Banach said. “For 10 days in a row we were cleaning up out here — we had the Chamber here, we had folks from Ocean City here, a bunch of restaurants had sent people down — we had a lot of people.”
Banach said that enough people wanted to continuing picking trash up off the beach even after the Jonas cleanup, which is why #CleanBeachOC continues to this day.
“We decided we’d keep doing it on Tuesday mornings because it’s after the weekend. With the Town of Ocean City cleaning up Saturday, Sunday, Monday, we give them a chance to do their job and then we clean up behind them.”
Tuesday morning beach cleanups are a year-round affair, even on brutally windy winter days when hats and full-on face masks are a necessity among volunteers. In fact, sometimes windy days are when volunteers are needed the most.
Randy Nehr works for the Town of Ocean City and drives a sanitizer over the sand that sifts through the trash. He also volunteers with #CleanBeachOC on the Tuesday mornings he’s not working. “This beach is my life,” Nehr said.
“[Trash] washes up, it blows around, it just gets terrible,” Banach said. “We’ve got conventions and whatnot that come into town during the off-season, we usually average 10, 15 lbs per person in the hour that we clean up. Last week we picked up about 150 lbs.”
Of the trash that litters the beach, he says that Styrofoam is the worst, and that there will be days when “there’s more Styrofoam than we know that to do with.”
According to the website of Ocean City’s Surfrider Foundation chapter, Syrofoam is one of the most common types of trash found on the beach, “along with single use plastics like bags, straws, plastic utensils and plastic bottles.”
Banach says he’d like to see more local businesses doing their part to keep such items off the beach. Mother’s Cantina is the first and currently the only Ocean Friendly restaurant in Ocean City, which means they do not use Styrofoam, they follow proper recycling practices, they provide only reusable tableware for on-site dining and only provide disposable utensils for take-out orders upon request, and they do not provide plastic bags for takeout.
And in spite of the Ocean City Boardwalk going smoke-free in 2015, Banach says that cigarette butts are another common item found on the beach, Boardwalk and the surrounding streets he and his volunteers cover. “They’re everywhere,” he said.
Brenda Harding and Susie Jones have been volunteering with #CleanBeachOC since 2016, the very beginning.
#CleanBeachOC is open for anyone to join, be that Ocean City locals or visitors who are only in town for a few days.
“This last summer we got people from Maine to Florida, to Iowa, Ohio, and all the local surrounding states that volunteered on a Tuesday morning to come out,” Banach said. “They come out to just lend a hand while they’re here, and it’s really cool.”
Anyone interested in volunteering their time to help clean up the beach can message Robert at Ocean City Cool for details, or simply follow the Ocean City Cool Facebook page for #CleanBeachOC updates.
*Cover image features volunteers Ben Semiatin and Darleen Lis.
Understanding who real estate agents represent is confusing to many buyers and sellers. They don’t know what the agent’s responsibilities are, or whose best interests the agent has at heart.
Understanding the differences in relationships and representation with an agent is imperative to ensure the best outcome for your needs.
The duties of real estate agents
An agent may represent either a seller or a buyer, but may not attempt to represent both at the same time. It is difficult to act in the best interests of both parties simultaneously. Only a broker may act as a dual agent.
Sometimes these relationships seems clear, such as when a seller contacts an agent to market and sell their property. In that case, the agent represents the seller, and has their best interests in mind.
However, things are a little murkier when a buyer contacts an agent regarding a sales property advertised by that agent, and further requests that agent to help them find their ideal property. Is that agent going to have the buyers best interests in mind? Many companies enrich agents for selling “in house listings.” Any property owner listing his property for sale is entitled to the fiduciary duty of that agent. Fiduciary duties are defined as:
Care
Obedience (within conformance of the law)
Accountability
Loyalty
That being said, for any property that is NOT listed by that agent, or their company, the fiduciary duty MAY be to that buyer.
The word MAY is important since both the buyer and agent must agree on the representation of that agent.
All real estate agents are required to present a disclosure upon first substantive meeting. The disclosure fully explains who the agent will represent, buyer or seller.
So who should you go to?
If the agent works for the seller, the goal would be to obtain the maximum sale price on behalf of the seller. The agent is required to be fair to all parties, but the main focus is towards the benefit to the seller.
Likewise, the benefit of a buyer would be of topmost priority when the agent represents the buyer. In that case the goal would shift to obtaining a property for the lowest possible price. Although many buyers are tempted to contact the listing agent, it may be to their advantage to work with another agent or company that would put the buyers interests first.
Whether buyer or seller, upon your substantive first meeting, an agent will present you with the disclosure, “Whom Real Estate Agents Represent.” If you do not understand the form, the agent will be happy to take a couple of minutes to explain the options listed.
Full understanding is a great start to a pleasant and fulfilling real estate experience.
Step back in time with this 1964 advertisement from the International Fiberglass Company out of Venice, California that featured many large figures produced by the company, some of which were, and still are, displayed in town. The most recognizable and widely-used product produced by IFC was the large bearded “salesman” which stood 20 feet tall and nearly 400 lbs. The figure was installed all over the country in various applications back in the day (mostly automotive businesses, and later, junkyards) and twice in OCMD: at the entrance to Ocean Playland Amusement Park on 65th street near the monorail (outfitted as a clown) which closed in 1981, and another which is still in use at the entrance of Jolly Roger Amusement Park.
1964 Advertisement from the International Fiberglass Company, featuring the “Bearded Salesman.”International Fiberglass Company “Bearded Salesman” product, outfitted as a juggling clown at the entrance to Ocean Playland Amusement Park on 65th Street in 1965. (Vintage National Amusement Park Historical Association magazine article.)“Pirate” by International Fiberglass Company, the same product currently used at the entrance to Jolly Roger Amusement Park.“Pirate” as seen today at the entrance to Jolly Roger Amusement Park.
In 2018, as the summer season winds down, Philadelphia filmmaker Nick Belial and his crew will be in Ocean City to shoot the independent feature film “To Avenge.”
The story that Belial has been working on for upwards of five years will come to fruition on the Ocean City beach, bayside and Boardwalk, as well as several other nearby locations in Salisbury, Assateague and coastal Delaware. To be filmed on-location and with Ocean City locals as extras, Ocean City lovers in the audience will not only be able to recognize the locations used in the film, but also the passion and love for this place that Belial’s characters reflect.
The story
Belial describes the film, his feature debut, as a crime thriller. Vera (Cabrina Collesides) is the main character, a young woman from suburban Philadelphia who has grown up spending the summers at her family’s beach house on the Shore. Belial describes Vera as a hard worker, and throughout high school and college she worked at a computer firm. Upon graduating high school, the firm asks her to work for them full-time, but first offers her vacation time for the years she’s already spent with them.
Cabrina Collesides plays Vera in Nick Belial’s “To Avenge.”
Of course Vera decides to spend her vacation at the beach house in Ocean City.
She and three of her friends spend a day in the sun parasailing, hitting the beach, shopping on the Boardwalk and riding the rides — the things you do when you’re able to spend some time at one of your favorite places in the world. But the vacation quickly takes a turn.
As Vera and her friends are getting off the Haunted House, they’re catcalled by four young men.
“Vera rolls her eyes at the guy who catcalls her,” Belial explained. “She doesn’t realize that, in doing that, her fate changes forever.”
Vera doesn’t know that two of the man who harassed her and her friends are brothers, who happen to be from one of the most politically powerful families in the country. While the girls continue to enjoy their time on the Boardwalk, the’re unknowingly followed by the group of men. That night, the men break in to the beach house and Vera is sexually assaulted. Afterwards, they threaten her and tell her not to tell anyone, but she calls 911.
“The movie is not about sexual assault–all that takes place in the first 10-12 minutes of the film,” Belial said. “The rest of the film is her coming back from this terrible tragedy. What I love about the character is that she is very strong.”
The men who assaulted Vera are caught and locked up but are released after only 48 hours, presumably because of their wealth, power and connections. Throughout the film, Vera faces disbelief from her coworkers and a changed relationship with her father, but as she begins to overcome the situation and “regain herself and start to feel whole again,” as Belial put it, another woman is out for revenge.
Taarna has never met Vera, but because of the high-profile nature of the case and the media storm surrounding it, she becomes aware and angry over the injustice the young woman faced. Taarna waits for the media storm to die down and heads to Ocean City herself to exact revenge on Vera’s assailants.
In spite of the tragedy, Ocean City remains Vera’s happy place. You might say that, to Taarna, it’s a place “To Avenge.” (Sorry.)
The inspiration
Belial, like Vera, has always felt drawn to Ocean City, ever since his first visit as a child.
He grew up on the beach in New Jersey, but his parents eventually sold their beach house in order to fund his sister’s college education. Life can feel pretty dull without frequent trips to the beach, so later on, they decided they’d try vacationing on a different Shore. Their neighbors recommended Ocean City, Maryland.
“We took a family vacation there and from the first time we discovered Ocean City, we fell in love with it. I was blown away–there’s just something in the air. In Ocean City, it’s electric. “
“We started coming down every year and when I got older, that’s where I would take my dates,” he said. “If I was dating someone long-term, we’d save money and go down in the summer and get a place for a week or so. It was just natural to make Ocean City the backdrop.”
Many scenes in the film that highlight the beauty of Ocean City are already planned; Belial wants to shoot both the oceanside and bayside, have characters silhouetted by the sunset and capture the moon’s reflection off the water.
The production team is still in the process of getting the correct permits and permissions to shoot in certain locations, but they hope to film iconic restaurants, amusement parks and other hotspots that Ocean City lovers will instantly recognize.
“Spots where people will see it and go, ‘I know exactly where that is,'” Belial said. “Different spots on Coastal Highway where, if someone blindfolded you and took you to there and only allowed you a few seconds to look around, you’d know exactly where you are.”
Those who love Ocean City and even know the area like the back of their hand will, like Belial, be able to relate to the main character in at least one significant way.
“Vera is in love with Ocean City–despite what happens to her there, she’s truly in love with the area,” he said. “She feels her best when she’s right at the ocean, at the beach. When you create characters, you put a little bit of yourself into them. I kind of injected that love of the area into my character.”
Belial hopes to cast Ocean City locals as extras and even as minor characters. Casting information and all other updates on the film are posted on the film’s Facebook.
What’s worse: the way that “Punxsutawney” is spelled, or the fact that we have six more weeks of winter?
Probably the latter. Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, which means we’ll be suffering about another month-and-a-half of twenty-degree temperatures here in Ocean City.
So when should you visit?
First, don’t let this long winter stop you from planning a trip for February or March. Once in a while we’ll get a 50-degree day that practically feels like 70 when you factor in the sunshine on a big winter coat. Plus, as long as you’re bundled up, cold days are the best for walking along the beach without another soul in sight (unless you believe that seagulls have souls).
Then, of course, there are deals to be had. Discounted Valentine’s Day packages at hotels, for example.
If you’ve got the Valentine’s weekend off, or are waiting to make sure the weather won’t fail you, don’t worry–there are plenty of places to stay in Ocean City for Valentine’s Day. Many of the hotels have getaway packages that include dinner and other Valentine’s Weekend-themed amenities.
This month, there will also be plenty to do around town for FeBREWary, as long as you enjoy eating and drinking.
We’ve been posting about it plenty on our sister site Shore Craft Beer, but we wanted to let all you Ocean City lovers know about the Shore’s best-kept secret. Well, maybe it’s not a secret exactly, but the month of February (which we lovingly refer to as FeBREWary) is probably the best time of year to be a foodie and/or beer-drinker on the Shore.
After that, the best time to come to Ocean City will probably be the weekend of St. Patrick’s Day. Luckily, St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Saturday this year, so the annual parade will take place on the actual holiday. Also a good time for eating and drinking, but for family fun, too.
Ocean City, Maryland 2018 – Ocean City will be glowing in green as the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival, sponsored by the Delmarva Irish-American Club, marches down Coastal Highway on Saturday, March 17, beginning at noon. The procession begins at 57th Street and marches south to the 45th Street Shopping Center, where the viewing and …
What about summer?
If you don’t want to use your vacation days until all the Boardwalk shops are open and there are more Scopes guys on the beach than shorebirds, I can’t say I blame you. Just remember that you’ll be more likely to find a cheap hotel room the earlier you book. And as always, we’ll be keeping you updated with summer discounts, events and general fun stuff. We just have to get through these six weeks first.
Everyone wants to save money when they’re on vacation. When you plan your summer trip far enough in advance, the easiest way to save money is by booking your hotel months ahead. Here are some of our favorite ‘book early’ specials, so when summer rolls around you’ll have that much extra cash for a bucket of Thrasher’s or a round of mini golf.
Obligatory beach photos
I took these pictures on one of the last days of January when the sky was exceptionally clear, and when it was just warm enough so that my fingers wouldn’t go numb pressing buttons on my camera. I was tempted to open a few of these up in Photoshop to draw in cartoon people laying on beach towels and walking the Boardwalk in their bathing suits, because aside from the deserted-ness, you can almost imagine these were taken on a warm summer day. The year-round beauty of the Shore has a way of tricking you like that.
Lonely January boardwalk.Lonely January beach.Pretty January waves.Looking down the beach.Just to the left of this shot, someone was out bodyboarding in the waves. I could never do it, but good for them.If there’s already posters up, Springfest must be soon!
Local beer and local art? Now that’s a great pairing. This February the Ocean City Center for the Arts celebrates the talents of local Eastern Shore artists, and Shore Craft Beer will be at the First Friday reception to kick offFeBREWary on the Shore. The public is invited to meet the artists at the free opening reception on First Friday, Feb. 2 from 5 – 7 p.m. at the Ocean City Center for the Arts on 94th St. bayside.
Waterman’s Inn Catering from Crisfield will be serving complementary hors d’oeuvres. The Shore Craft Beer team will be on hand to pour samplings of local craft beer and to provide information about upcoming tastings and events happening throughout the month of FeBREWary.
Wander through the galleries and explore all the local creative talent that the Shore has to offer as you sip on a locally-crafted beer. The exhibits at the Center for the Arts change every month, and the local breweries are constantly turning out new and unique brews, too.
Seascape painting by Teri Edgeworth.
As for the exhibits, photographers Dave Messick and Simona Calin will share the Thaler Gallery this month. Their nature photography, depicting images of the fishing and boating community in Ocean City, will be on display through Feb. 24.
Messick is a native of Cambridge and Ocean City who has been making films since middle school. He produces the “Beach & Beyond” and “Hooked on OC” television shows that air weekly on WMDT. He currently works out of his studio in West Ocean City that he shares with Calin, who majored in art and theater in her native Romania.
Watercolor painting by Kathy Bohs.
In celebration of the month of love, the Galleria will display a group show by members of the Art League of Ocean City with the theme “Roses are Red.”
Upstairs, Studio E will be occupied by painter Teri Edgeworth, who is based both in Ocean City and Lancaster, Pa. Edgeworth is a seascapes and bay scene artist working in acrylics who recently received an award from the Governor of Delaware. One of her paintings was chosen for the Wetlands Convention brochure cover.
In the Spotlight Gallery, Kathy Bohs of Selbyville will display her watercolor paintings. Bohs paints things that catch her eye including animals, flowers, skies, beaches and food. She teaches a monthly watercolor class at the Arts Center.
Sea glass jewelry by April Goodman.
The Artist in Residence this month is April Goodman of Hooper’s Island. Goodman specializes in designing sailboats out of the sea glass that she finds near her home.
The Ocean City Center for the Arts at 502 94th Street is the home of the Art League of Ocean City, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing the visual arts to the community through education, exhibits, scholarship, programs and community art projects. Financial support comes primarily through membership dues from individuals and corporate sponsors. Funding for exhibits is also provided by the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, the Worcester County Arts Council, Maryland State Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts, organizations dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive.
We’ve got beautiful beaches here on the Shore, so it’s no wonder beach weddings are so popular.
One of the most important things you’ll do when you begin planning for your special day is venue selection.
The venue will “set the stage” for your upcoming wedding day. The venue should make you feel at peace with your decision and there should be no doubts that it is the perfect spot for you special day.
Oftentimes I see brides very confused and overwhelmed with this decision. The venue should be an extension of your personality and the things that you like to be surrounded by; try not to get caught up in what others have done, and what other think. This day is your day, and when you keep that in mind it helps guide you in the right direction. Living here on the Shore, there are so many amazing venues. Waterfront, water views, beaches, golf courses, farms, barns, open fields, ball rooms and so much more.
It might seem stressful with all the venue options there are to choose from on the Shore, but don’t worry. With so many options, you’re bound to find that perfect spot, like this couple here in Pemberton Equestrian Center. Photo by Sincerely, the Kitchens.
The first questions you need to ask yourself are, “Where do I feel most comfortable?” and “What do I want to see all around me on my special day?” Tell your planner what type of person you are and be open with your planner about this. Wedding planners are good at many things, but unfortunately they can’t read your mind. Once you establish the feel you are going for, then the planner can offer suggestions.
From there, you should visit the venues and imagine yourself there on your special day. If you can’t seem to make it work in your mind, chances are it won’t work for you the day of. Remember, think venue first! Venues book up very quickly, and they are one of the most important keys to unlocking a day you will never forget.
Thank you for reading our blog and I hope that you are well on your way to your venue decision making for your upcoming wedding day.
That’s not exactly how an Ocean City newcomer might feel when they step foot into Shotti’s Point, but one might want to keep in mind that this is definitely a locals-oriented joint. Even in the early afternoon on a Thursday in late January, the bar was lined with couples, friends and local brewers, all obviously natives to the region.
Shotti’s Point now occupies the space next to K-Coast on 35th Street.
That “Welcome to Ocean City!” sentiment is spelled out on a sign behind the bar that also features the iconic Misfits skull. While Shotti’s bears no relation to its neighbor K-Coast–there’s a door connecting the two businesses from the inside, but that’s always been there no matter what restaurant currently occupies the space–it does seem like a place where the local surfers/skaters/homebrewers/punks would hang out (are there punks in Ocean City though, or just Stephen Decatur students?). The interior decoration gives off that vibe, and so did the wide-ranging playlist that Thursday, which jumped from Irish folk music to Johnny Cash to Fugazi within, like, 10 minutes.
And then there’s this guy.
Where Baltimore and Ocean City collide
“We’re originally from Baltimore, but the owner spent a lot of time in Ocean City so he wanted to open a place here, too,” one server explained. The atmosphere is very much a collaboration of Baltimore and Ocean City, which makes sense based on the description on their website: “After many extensive surf trips around the world, [owner Mike Shott] has now returned to go after his lifelong dream of owning and operating his own bar, creating a menu of dishes with his own spin, and keeping true to a locals spot where Ocean City and Baltimore come together.”
That collaboration of cities is especially evident in the bar’s craft beer selection. They carry Union Craft Brewing of Baltimore’s Rye-Baby IPA, which features a very iconic and very Baltimore Cry Baby-era Johnny Depp on the label, but they also carry Mispillion River, Fin City and Burley Oak, among other well-known local names. In fact, three Burley Oak employees stopped in for a quick pint on that Thursday afternoon.
Local beers on tap and in the fridge.
But their menu is where Shotti’s Point really gets interesting. Available at their Baltimore location are “Fells Point” mussels and “The Raven” sandwich, while “Eastern Shore” shrimp and Tsunami Tacos are available at both restaurants (you can get an “E.A. Poe” sandwich in Ocean City, too). Among the Baltimore and seascape titles are references to punk/alt music (“We Are 138” wings, “Rock the Casbah” sandwich, “Surfer Rosa” and “Beat on the Brat” tacos) and the “Fascist Pig” crafted sandwich is probably a reference to, well–some fascist presiding over a country far, far away.
Duck and lamb are both included on the menu, but what Shotti’s is most famous for is their Rhino Chasers: hand-cut fries seasoned with sea salt, rosemary, thyme, garlic, Parmesan, balsamic glaze and white truffle aioli. But, as one server put it, everything on the menu is good and what’s really the “best” is hard to say. For someone in a more experimental mood, the Duck Dive tacos are made up of seared duck breast, jalapeno slaw, almond-Craisin brittle and a wasabi aioli and they are spicy. For those craving comfort food, the Uncle Leo is a roast beef sandwich with muenster cheese and jalapeno slaw and Tiger Sauce on grilled marble rye. There’s something to suit any local’s mood at Shotti’s, and probably even any tourist’s, too.
I know, I know–we do this every January. Sometimes in December and February, too. But those are always the most difficult months to get through. At least in March the sun starts to shine just a little bit brighter (it comes in like a lion and out like a lamb, after all), and then we’ve got the St. Patrick’s Day Parade to keep us optimistic and happy, with a little help of Irish Guinness. Until then, though, we’ve got nothing but pictures from summers past to keep us looking forward to a warmer, beach-ier future.
The summer photo vault has officially been opened. Feel free to enjoy these pictures until you have an actual summer landscape before your eyes to enjoy, and feel free to share your own favorite pictures with us, too. Only 127 more days until June 21!
The beach
The Ocean City Beach Patrol is currently in hibernation mode, but here’s a picture of the crew of 2014.Now THAT’S a crowded beach.A hazy summer day. One of our favorite Scopes guys, who we interviewed last summer while he worked on the beach.Kids racing on a summer evening at one of 2017’s weekly Family Beach Olympics.
The boardwalk
Like the beach, the boardwalk can get pretty crowded! Biking and skateboarding the boards. You know it’s summer on the boardwalk when you’ve got a big bucket of Thrasher’s fries in front of you. Boardwalkers enjoy the air conditioned arcade on a hot summer day.Aaand, of course, the rides!
Out & about
Going to catch some waves off Assateague’s beach. Wild ponies soaking up the sun. Their coats grow thicker in the winter, but here they’re fine in the sunshine.Jet ski fun!Kids and adults alike having fun at the annual Peach Festival in Berlin, MD. Boaters headed out for the evening.
In case you missed it, the annual Best of Ocean City voting is well underway. Over the rest of the year, we’ll be picking out some of out favorite races and asking you whether it is fair. If it isn’t, feel free to vote until you believe that right has prevailed. This week, we look at some of the bar categories, but, as always, you can vote for any or all of the categories here.
And check out what restaurants are currently in first place here.
Results as of January 22, 2018
Seacrets has always been a Best Of darling, but will that hold true for 2018? You decide!
Pickles Pub is leaving its competition in the dust this year with a whopping 41% of the votes for Best Sports Bar. Behind it, though not too closely, The Original Greene Turtle and Buxy’s Salty Dog Saloon are neck and neck.
2017’s winner? Pickles.
Good luck getting a seat at Pickles when there’s a big game on!
Fish Tales leads the Best Bar Overall Battle
The usual suspects are vying for Best Bar Overall honors with Fish Tales glancing over its shoulder to see Seacrets in hot pursuit. MR Ducks and De Lazy Lizard also remain in striking distance and there is a nascent write in campaign for the Cork Bar which, should it get momentum, could really shake things up in this most coveted category.
2017’s winner? Seacrets.
Neck and Neck and heads above for Best Drink
Fish Tales and Harborside Bar & Grill are pretty much neck and neck in this, although Seacrets is just a few votes beneath Harborside. The Crabcake Factory, which is a fan favorite for its famous Bloody Marys alone, hasn’t risen to the challenge and is in the bottom two, sharing that spot with Longboard Cafe. Bad Monkey and Cork Bar seem to be the most popular write-ins this year in a number of Best Bar categories.
If you’ve got the Valentine’s weekend off, or are waiting to make sure the weather won’t fail you, don’t worry–there are plenty of places to stay in Ocean City for Valentine’s Day. Many of the hotels have getaway packages that include dinner and other Valentine’s Weekend-themed amenities. One of the best things about celebrating the holiday in Ocean City is that, since it is the off-season, last-minute reservations are welcome. Plus, given that it is a double-holiday (President’s Day is Monday) there are even better opportunities to tack on an extra day and make a three-day romantic weekend of it. Below are some of our favorite Valentine’s Weekend getaways in Ocean City.
Packages include: * Hotel room and tax * $80 in meal vouchers * Flowers, box of chocolates, and bottle of wine in room upon arrival 2 night package Feb. 9-11 is $249.00 total 3 night package Feb. 8-11 is $309.00 total Valid I.D. is required upon check-in
Package Includes: 2 nights’ deluxe oceanview accommodations Choice of champagne or sparkling water Sweet treat and single rose $100 meal credit per room (valid at any of our food and beverage outlets) All rates are per person, based on double … Continue reading →
Dunes Manor: Paint the Town Red Valentine’s Dinner & Dance
The Grand Hotel & Spa welcomes you to enjoy our convenient services and contemporary accommodations at affordable rates by taking advantage of our hotel specials, vacation packages and current deals. Whether you’re traveling to Maryland for a family vacation, a weekend escape or if you are traveling here on business, we have a deal, package or special that will meet your travel needs and budget.
959 Single Family Homes traded hands. The sold prices ranged from $8,000 to $2,300,000.
Statistics show the total volume of sales completed in 2017 totaled $274,645,811 in the county. Average sold price was $286,388. Most notably, these properties were only on the market for an average of 121 DOM (days on the market). That being said, there were some properties that were active on the market for 2,136 days! Surprisingly, only one of the single family homes that sold in the higher price bracket (over $900,000) sat on the market longer than 314 days.
Towhouses/condos
There were 1,304 condos and townhouses sold. Prices ranged from $61,000 to $1,550,000 with a total price for condo (or townhouse) properties listed in 2017 of $360,616,606. The average sold price for the condos and townhomes proved to be $276,546. The average DOM was 167 with the greatest DOM being 1.903. Interestingly, again, only one of the higher priced properties was on the market longer than 550 with at least four of the properties selling between 0 and 11 DOM!
Farms
One farm also changed owners in 2017. The farm consisted of 28.22 acres. The farm was listed for $450,000 and sold for $400,000 with only 66 DOM.
Unimproved Land
There was a total of $21,231,200 in unimproved land available in 2017. 139 parcels of land were sold. Prices ranged between $5,000 for 1.01 acres and $2,250,000 for 39.672 acres. The average sale price was $152,742 and an average of 481 DOM.
Market prediction
On December 13, 2017 the FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) voted to increase Fed Fund rates from 1.00%-1.25% to 1.25%-1.50%. This vote brought the United States prime interest rates to 4.50% effective December 14, 2017. http://www.fedprimerate.com/
Buyers who are considering a real estate purchase may be motivated by the upcoming increases in interest rates. Their buying power is possibly reduced by each such increase. Therefore it follows to reason, Sellers that are thinking of selling may want to take the rate increase into account as well. Often those rate hikes also limit the number of buyers. Therefore, I predict an exceptionally strong market for the first half of 2018.
Please feel free to contact us for a free market analysis of your home, or a list of available properties for sale. www.oceancitybeachproperties.com
Biking and skateboarding the boards. 
