Ocean City At It's Finest

 Ocean City’s Trophy Mantel

• America’s Most Affordable Fun City, Bloomberg Business Week, 2011
• Top 10 Best Boardwalks, National Geographic, 2011
• Second Most Popular Beach in the U.S. , The Daily Beast, 2011
• Yahoo Travel Top 10 Family Destination, 2011
• Top 10 Amusement Parks & Boardwalk in the U.S., Tripadvisor Traveler’s Choice, 2011
• OC Air Show:  American Bus Association Top 100 Event in North America 2011
• Winterfest of Light: American Bus Association Top 100 Events in North America, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011
• Sunfest:  Ranked No. 1 Traditional Art & Craft Show in the nation by Sushine Artist Magazine, 2011, 2010;  ranked No. 3 in 2006, 2009
• Springfest: Ranked No. 10 Traditional Art & Craft Show in the nation by Sunshine Artist Magazine, 2011: ranked No. 11, 2009
• Ten Best U.S. Boardwalks, Sherman Travel, 2010
• Natural Resources Defense Council Five-Star Rating for cleanliness and safety of beach water, 2008, 2009
• Top 50 Motorcoach Destinations, National Motorcoach Network Inc. 2008
• Ten Best U.S. Beaches by Woman’s Day Online, 2007
• Art’s Alive: The National Recreation and Park Association’s prestigious Dorothy Mullen National Arts & Humanities Award,  which honors the most innovative and effective arts and humanities program in the nation. 2007
• One of America’s “Best Seaside Strolls”, Reader’s Digest 2006
• AAA Top Member Auto Travel Destination, 2003, 2006
• Beach Buddy 2004; One of four beaches recognized by the National Resource Defense Council for environmental achievements
• Roland E. Powell Convention Center. Prime Site Award. Facilities & Destinations Magazine, 2995, 2006
• Eagle’s Landing Golf Course; First place in 2004 & 2005, nationwide Audubon International Bird Count
• “One of the 10 Great Places to Have Fun on the Boardwalk”, USA Today, 2005
• “Top 10 Family-Favorite Beach Towns in the Country” by the readers of FamilyFun Magazine, 2005.
• Winterfest of Lights: Ranked No. 2 in America Online City’s Guide’s Top 11 Lighting Displays in the Country, 2005
• One of the “Best Boardwalks in America”, The Travel Channel, 2004
• All-America City, 2001, National Civic League

Not convinced yet?  Come & experience Ocean City for yourself.

Ocean City’s best restaurants are putting on the ritz this week and opening up their bountiful offerings at great prices for “Restaurant Week”. (See the full list).

Do you love Fager’s Island, of BJ’s or maybe you are a fan of Captain’s Table or Galazy 66?  Whatever your choice there is something for everyone.

It’s happening now thru June 19th (excluding Friday’s & Saturday’s in some restaurants).

Go check out some of your favorite haunts or try somewhere you have never been before.

Technology isn’t just changing how we live – it’s changing us….

That’s pretty scary, but I believe it’s true. Michael Rosenwald wrote a book review for Bloomberg Businessweek this past week. In it he writes about books written by Sherry Turkle, the first as early as 1984 (The Second Self: Computers & The Human Spirit). Dr. Turkle expresses concern about our use of technology, and predicts that computers don’t do things for us they do things to us.  That was very forward thinking in 1984.  Dr. Turkle is a Massachusetts Institute of Technology Professor and clinical psychologist.  In 1984 I think most of us were thinking what will computers be like in the future.  She saw it as not what will the computer be like, but instead, what will we be like?  Interesting spin.  I tend to agree.

When I go out to dinner and see a table next to me with four people, and all four of them are looking at their iPhone, Blackberry or whatever, I know there is something wrong.  We’re more connected then ever, yet it seems like we’re more disconnected then ever as human beings.  We don’t talk in person to each other, or drive to someone’s house like we use to see how our friend, grandmother or neighbor is doing.  Instead we “face time” them or “skype” them if we want to see them.  Or we just send them a text. It’s faster, it’s easier, and you don’t even have to get dressed to go out of the house.

As a Mom, when my children were younger, I was opposed to them getting cell phones.  I saw it as a distraction, and a capital “T” for trouble written all over it.  I finally had to acquiesce when they were in high school (and by today’s standards that was late).  I see kids now with phones in their ears and texting, at what looks like under 10 years of age.  I live by a boardwalk in a resort town.  Many youngsters come to visit and vacation at the beach, and it saddens me when I see a group of young people walking down the boardwalk and nobodies talking to each other.  They are all talking or texting on their phone.  There is just something inherently wrong with that.

Time seems to be marked now not as BC (Before Christ) and AD (After Death or Anno Domini), but as life BF and AF (before and after facebook).

Dr. Turkle’s latest book, Alone Together, asks the question why we expect more from technology and less from each other… she says our phones contain much more then just phone numbers, addresses, appointments and birthdays, they harbor our emotions and identity.  Wow!!! That’s even scarier.

I had never heard about Dr. Turkle, nor had I looked at any of her work until I read the Bloomberg article about her and her books.  It has been a real eye opener for me.  There has to be a happy medium between complete obsession and the highest and best use of these effective tools.  We need to resist the impulse to tweet or login on Foursquare every single time we think we want to.  I fear that we are more susceptible to things that are easier.  These useful tools can, and have become, a serious problem for many.

Consider these cliché’s; there is a time and place for everything. We’ve all heard that a million times.  All things in moderation.  We’ve heard that a zillion times.  They are cliché’s for a reason.

As technology grows in leaps and bounds on a daily basis, I think now more then ever we need to be reminded of those two, not so simple cliché’s.

I have a granddaughter.  She’s 4 years old.  She works her Daddy’s Mac better then most adults I know.  Consider what her adult world will be like if these tools continue to reduce personal human interaction….if we don’t temper these behaviors now, we will continue to be more and more personally disconnected, as we become more and more connected?

It’s December 16^th, and it’s already been a very cold month at the beach, and now it looks like we are going to get snow today!!  Actually this time of year I enjoy the chillier temperatures and seeing the white stuff falling, but then as soon as the Holidays are over, I want spring…

Officially I don’t think winter starts until December 21^st this year, but you could have fooled me.  It’s been in the 30’s here for most of the month.  So call me crazy, I’m going to bundle up today and go and walk the boardwalk.

I like to walk the boardwalk in the cold weather.  It’s a very special feeling you get when you’re invigorated by the cold watching the ocean waves rolling in and seeing your breath exit your mouth.  I don’t worry about crowds either, I can hog up the whole boardwalk if I want to!

The cold also makes you walk faster so you gain more cardio benefits.  Sometimes when I walk the boardwalk while it’s snowing I feel like I’m inside a snow globe that is being shook up, with the snow going every which way.  Then I stick my tongue out and see if I can catch some snowflakes.  It’s like drinking from a snow faucet.

Big decision should I wait until it starts to snow to go walk, or go now and be on the boardwalk when it starts? Hmmmmm… I’m going to go now and watch the tiny flakes just starting to appear.

Oh, and I have this theory about shoveling snow.  If you wait long enough, it becomes unnecessary!

Footnote:  I went. It snowed. It’s still snowing. Enjoy a few pictures from the beach and boardwalk in Ocean City!

Ferris Wheel On The Boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland

Ocean City, Maryland has over 10 miles of clean sandy beaches. It’s located just 2-3 hours from Washington, Baltimore, Northern Virginia and many Pennsylvania areas. It all started when, according to legend, Isaac Coffin built in 1869 the first beach-front cottage to receive paying guests. People came by stage coach and ferry. They came to fish off the shore, to enjoy the natural beauty of the Atlantic Ocean pounding against the long strip of sandy beach, to collect seashells, or just to sit back and watch the rolling surf.

Whether he knew it or not, Isaac Coffin’s Inn began a new era. Soon other boarding houses were built on the strip of sand. The activity attracted some prominent businessmen from the Eastern Shore, Baltimore and Philadelphia. They came not so much to visit as to survey this attractive barrier island. A decision was made to develop it and 250 lots were cut into it. The corporation stock of 4,000 shares sold for $25 each. It was a good investment.

The Atlantic Hotel opened July 4, 1875. Located on the ocean it offered dancing and billiard rooms to the visitors of its more than 400 rooms.

Prior to 1870, what is now Ocean City, Maryland, was known as “The Ladies Resort to the Ocean”.

The Ocean City Inlet was formed during a powerful storm in 1933. Engineers took advantage of nature’s intervention and made the inlet at the south end of Ocean City permanent. The inlet eventually helped to establish Ocean City as one of the world’s great fishing ports as it offered easy access to the fishing grounds of the Atlantic Ocean. Today it is home to the “White Marlin Open” the world’s largest billfish tournament.

Ocean City is one of the east coast’s most popular resorts. It is a year round resort with a now world famous beach and three mile boardwalk. Swimming, boating and many golf courses have made it a high quality resort destination.

It’s hard to believe that Labor Day weekend is upon us. But that doesn’t mean that the fun is stopping at the beach.  There’s a lot going on in our “2nd Season”.  The month of September highlights many activities as well as gorgeous weather and warm ocean water temperatures.  Come capture an Ocean City memory this fall.

Labor Day Weekend Art & Craft Festival - Ocean City Convention Center – 40th Street and Coastal Hwy

September 3 – September 5, 2010

Delmarva Bike Week

September 16 – September 19, 2010

Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show - Ocean City Convention Center – 40th Street and Coastal Hwy

September 17 – September 19, 2010

Sandcastle Home Tour

September 23 – September 24, 2010

Sunfest – Inlet Lot – Southern most tip of the Ocean City Boardwalk

September 23 – September 26, 2010

Sunfest Kite Festival – On the beach from 1st – 6th Street

September 23 – September 26, 2010

Ocean City Air Show - Raptor

You don’t want to miss the Ocean City, Maryland Air Show to be held on June 5th & 6th, 2010. I can’t say enough about how much I have enjoyed the dazzling air displays held here at the Beach. I sit on the boardwalk around 17th Street (the central location for all activity), and watch with amazement as military jet demonstrations like “The Thunderbirds” perform.  As well as parachuting teams, formation flying teams, and much more.

Oh, and don’t forget, Saturday night (June 5th), the U.S. Navy Seals Leap Frogs, do a night jump onto the beach, right in the middle of a super fun beach party. Check it out!!!

Cruisin' Ocean City, Md.

Come on down the beach May 20- 23, 2010 and check out “Cruisin’ Ocean City”.  This popular car show features over 3,000 hot  rods, customs, classics, street machines, muscle cars and more.  There is live entertainment, celebrity guests, special attractions, boardwalk parades, manufacturers vendor midway and more.

It’s held at the Convention Center on 40th Street & the Inlet parking lot. This year some special guests are scheduled to appear.  Henry Winkler,  the “Fonz”, Cruisin Gold Deejay Mike Wilson, Celebrity Stars Deejay Tim Beasley and more.

The Boardwalk parades are scheduled at 8am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings. So many things to see and do, so make sure you cruise on down to Ocean City, Maryland for the 20th Annual Cruisin Ocean City.