Good Clean Fun Life

Rock Bottom Valentine's

2012-02-10T14:22:00.001-05:00

Check out all the pics from last time the Rock Bottom Played the Dover Downs Fire and Ice Club.

If this is not a show you have ever seen, it is worth checking out. They will make a convert out of you.

Check them out this Saturday Night

and go here for all the details

Bryan Russo: Web to TV Talent Competition

2012-02-10T10:00:00.000-05:00

One of our favorite local musicians, Bryan Russo, has currently made it to the second round of an online contest showcasing his music video for Smokey Cafe. For those of you who have not heard Bryan perform, please see his Artist Spotlight here for more information. Take a moment to watch the video that is currently in the competition for Best Video...For those looking for something to do this evening, head to Market Street in Salisbury to see Bryan perform live, tonight!

Bryan Russo "Smokey Cafe" from Cameron Uhlig on Vimeo.

Help Bryan make it to the next round by voting today!

Criminal Masterminds

2012-02-09T14:00:00.000-05:00

By Tony Russo
Contributing Police Beat Follower

Although we tend to forget occasionally, when my co-host Todd DeHart and I go through the police beat there’s always something that makes us glad we did. This week was no exception as we discussed the big arson bust (see page 23).

In an effort to escape police, three alleged burglars snuck into a dark lot and attempted to destroy the evidence by setting it on fire. That the dark lot happened to be where the Natural Resources Police stored their boats must have escaped their notice. If what followed happened in a movie it would be dismissed as unrealistic.

The thieves’ evidence fire got out of control and spread to the police boat causing $20,000 worth of damage and about a billion worth of hilarity/embarrassment.

But there was another police beat note that got to Todd in a way that was a little surprising — the notice of the enhanced patrols in Pocomoke. Most people hear “enhanced patrols” and “Pocomoke” in the same sentence and say: “Sounds like a plan!”

But what irked Todd was the number of people who were pulled over, issued “warnings” and sent on their way.

As a man about town, Todd likes to get out a lot. As a responsible adult, he also likes to be the designated driver whenever possible which is why he feels it’s a little outrageous that he is nearly always pulled over, asked if he was drinking, given a warning and sent on his way.

The DWI enforcement model that he proposes on the Todcast is both novel and intelligent which means it won’t get any traction.

My model is superior to his, though, and involves bridges not being crossed which works fine for me. I have very little pity for people who drive through West Ocean City after 10 p.m.

After I got Todd all calmed down we moved on to Varmint Fest which was fantastic but best left to your ears.

I’m not certain whether it’s worth pointing out anymore but I am still not related to NPR radio newsman Bryan Russo. It doesn’t bother me to much that you ask. Nor does it bother me to deny my relation to Ocean City’s Pizza King, but seeing as Italians are no longer the rare birds here that they once were it still strikes me as odd.

Feel free to join us 6 p.m. each Tuesday for the Happy Hour Todcast at Burley Oak Brewery. If something tragic keeps you from coming out, you can always check out the resulting recording Thursday afternoon by subscribing on iTunes. Just type GCFL into the search bar at the iTunes store to subscribe. We’re now also on the Stitcher app, which smart phone users can download free using the promo code ‘Todcast’ and have the show streamed directly to their phones. Fair warning before you listen: Put on your irony hats, kids. It’s all in good clean fun.

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Girl Talk

2012-02-09T10:00:00.000-05:00

So there was an unexpected fill in at the Todcast recording last Tuesday night. It ended up working out well, Bill Todd was apparently still recovering from a great show at the Rams Head Live in Baltimore last Saturday night. Additionally, Jill Ferger of Six Eleven salon and Gallery, and Todcast fan, has an Alternative art show coming up on February 25th featuring Elvis Lewis. so why not give the girls - Kristi Kurger, Natalee Dehart, and Jill chat about the state of art in the area.

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Chances Are You Suck: Read On

2012-02-08T14:57:00.000-05:00

I came a across a great article on Wired-Raw File. called Photographers: Chances are you suck. It is an original post by Kenneth Jarecke. He is not a photographer that I had ever heard of before but I liked what he had to say about his craft and the notion of the internet and available tools making everyone equals.

"Chances are, you suck. Worse yet, nobody is going to tell you....."

As it turns out I was talking about this just last night at the Todcast Night at Burley Oak ( Blatant self promotion ). Most good artists, not just photographers, that I know are bad self promoters. Unfortunately there are a lot of great self promoters that are bad artists. (Admittedly, I may fall in the later category.) I've been called an opportunist, wanna-be socialite and just plain "not cool" for all my efforts with Good Clean Fun. I disagree with all these negative assessments but I, like Kenneth, think it is important to know your strengths and weaknesses.

"........There are plenty of things photography-wise that I’m not very good at. I’m not great at creating images, but I’m pretty good at finding them. I’m terrible at self-promoting, marketing and the business stuff makes me squirm. Yet I’m a decent journalist, travel well and strangers often accept me into their lives. (Maybe I've got one of those faces)......"

But I think a fair assessment is that we, at Good Clean Fun fall somewhere in the middle of good artist and good self promoter ( which means we are as close to being bad Artist and bad self promoters)

So I would encourage you, as a fan, reader, or hater to offer some constructive (not mean spirited) critiques of our site, our pictures, or our blog posts. Note that I am inevitably called a twit by my newspaper editor friend whenever I ask her to read my writing.

".....This isn’t like teaching a child to read. Positive reinforcement is your enemy. Your Facebook friends, your Twitter followers … hate you. Instead of taking 10 seconds to say, “This doesn’t work. You need to do better,” they readily push that “like” button because it’s easy and they hope to get the same from you. But also because they’re cowards....."

For the whole article Click here

Acoustic Lounge with the Phantom Limbs

2012-02-08T12:00:00.000-05:00

On Ocean 98.1 on Sundays with Marla, offers Live and Unplugged music every week at 4 pm. This past Sunday The Phantom Limbs make an acoustic appearance, adding a cellist to the mix. J. Matthew Meiers Photography was in the studio to document the gig, and you can see those photos here. Be sure to tune in every Sunday at 4 pm on 98.1 or online at www.irieradio.com.

The Phantom Limbs on the Acoustic Lounge

Artist Spotlight on Bumpin Uglies

2012-02-08T10:00:00.000-05:00

Annapolis based band, Bumpin Uglies, is our Artist Spotlight this week. They will be one of the 19 bands performing next Saturday, February 18th at Rams Head Live for Pirate Rob's Birthday Bash.

They will also be playing tomorrow night at the Sandbar 8th Anniversary Party.

Artist Spotlight, Click Here

Airplanes. And Insanity.

2012-02-07T13:52:00.001-05:00

I recently was able to take my first vacation in several years. You know, the kind where you aren't traveling to visit family or going to a wedding or fleeing prosecution. The kind where you are traveling for legitimate pleasure, to a destination of your choosing where you can do as little or as much as you feel like. Or at least as much as local laws are willing overlook. It's amazing how much good a four day weekend away does for the soul. And it's equally amazing how much air travel does just the opposite.

I don't fly very often, so when I do it often feels like taking a refresher course in People Are Crazy 101. Because even people who aren't all that crazy initially can become crazy on airplanes, in airports, and in the TSA's molesting area. Myself included.

I become tangled in a web of panic when it's my turn to place my belongings in the x-ray machine bin. If I don't move through the line at a sufficiently hasty speed everyone in line behind me will be so pissed. So I throw my liquids and laptop and shoes and jacket and dignity into the plastic bin with as much rapidity as I can muster without looking like a paranoid potential bombing suspect. I have an irrational fear that the hundred people in line behind me or the TSA warden are going to berate me for any minor infraction. "This shampoo container is 4oz. The limit is 3oz. Are you daft, woman?" or "Is that? No. Is that laptop a Compaq?... Seriously? They don't even make those anymore. Bill, come look at this! Surely this is too old to use conventionally. What are you hiding in there?"

Then I realize that my socks don't match and everyone can see because my shoes have been removed and fed to the x-ray monster. I step through the metal detector and am inevitably summoned to the "extra" search area where they check your hands for gun powder residue and wave the explosive/poisons/shame detector wand over my boobs and lady parts. Happens just about every time I fly. I am convinced that I have been flagged in some sort of government database that put me on a no-fly-without-extra-wanding list. When TSA is administering this wanding they make people put their arms straight out to the sides, which would be fine if they hadn't already confiscated your belt and fed it to the x-ray monster as a side dish to your shoes. And then you're afraid that if you let the pants go they will fall down and then you will be arrested for indecent exposure and having too many liquids and being a potential Compaq-wielding national security threat. And bribing the agents isn't even an option because they already took your wallet and money. It's a real Catch 22. The terrorists have won.

If you're still mostly sane when you get through all that and the kiosk that sells $5 bottles of water and pre-wrapped appetite deterrent sandwiches, well done. The next step is to board the air vessel with grace and dignity. I find that part to be a usually painless task, save for the people who stand directly in front of the gate, waiting for their boarding zone to be called with the urgency of a pack of starving wombats awaiting feeding time. These people will club a grandma in the head with a crying baby for overhead bin space. It's best to let them have it.

Once on board, it is important to establish arm rest dominance. The sucker who gets stuck in the middle seat should be awarded maximum arm rest real estate. Always. It's just good manners. Speaking of manners, if the crew requests that passengers with tight connections who are in danger of missing their next flight be let off the plane first, people should put aside their self-absorption and allow those already stressed people to de-plane ahead of them. Those who ignore this request should be poked in the eye and arrive home to a bed bug infestation. If it is a short layover where you don't even need to get off the plane, someone will probably tie up one of the two bathrooms for the entire 20 minutes you have to be out of your seat because they are changing outfits or pooping. You will know it is the former when they emerge from their little love holiday in all different clothes and refreshed makeup, without a care in the world and oblivious to the irrate stare-downs of their small-bladdered bretheren. Depending on how badly I have to pee, the feelings that I personally have towards those people range from minor annoyance to blood-thirsty murderous rage.

By that last stop everyone wants to get off the plane. Immediately. Especially if you haven't eaten anything besides airline pretzels since breakfast because your plane sat on the tarmac for an extra 40 minutes to allow for mechanical inspection after you have already boarded and your next flight lands late and you have to run to catch third plane, taking away any possibility of stopping for food and you want to eat the flight attendants arm because it got too close to your salivating mouth but you don't because that would be cannibalism. And illegal. And you are now insane.

Muskrat feast aka Varmintfest

2012-02-07T10:00:00.000-05:00

By Tony Russo
Contributing Muskrat Lover

Before I tell you the tale of Todd, Tony and the muskrat feast, it’s important that you have a little backstory:
Although I am not a vegetarian in the literal sense, practically, I am. Nearly 10 years ago I developed a pretty strict criteria about eating meat that restricted me to eating what I’ll call non-production meat the shorthand for which is, if I know who killed it, I’ll eat it. As a result I’ve have very little success getting meat because — as you may or may not know — if a producer is not slaughtering by the thousands meat is very expensive.

Over the last year, however, because of connections I’ve cultivated through my work at the Bayside Gazette, I’ve had access to local producers from whom I bought the occasional duck or chicken. Before that the only meat I had with any regularity at all was from friends or neighbors who had extra deer they were willing to sell or share.
When meat is a rarity it tastes so much better and is well worth savoring so in the interest of full disclosure the fact that I haven’t purchased meat in a restaurant in nearly a decade might have affected how much, as it turned out, I love muskrat.

When I moved here from New Jersey in 1993 and heard of the muskrat phenomenon my response was predictable — we have plenty of muskrats in Jersey, I was fond of saying, we just leave them on the road when we hit them, we don’t scoop ‘em up for dinner.

So the fact that, 19 years later I was all tucked in at Dave White’s Pittsville Dinette has an air of surreality that persists. It remains like a dream I had in which I was a different person and this alt-me went to places like Pittsville and ate things like muskrat. But after having pushed sustainability for so long, it was important, I thought, to put my money and my palette where my rhetoric had been. The fact is that the Pittsville Dinette offered as local a dinner as could be purchased and with the totally legitimate exception that the meal had the word “rat” in it, there seemed no good reason not to break down and join the club.

So Todd and I arranged to meet at the dinette for dinner at 6 p.m. Earlier in the day it occurred to me that I should check to make sure they had muskrat. We’d made a big enough deal about our outing on the Todcast and in the newspaper that if it turned out that the day’s muskrat delivery wasn’t sufficient our chance at Muskrat would have come and gone. It turned out to be a wise decision to call as the woman who answered the phone asked my name and how many muskrats she should hold for me. Yes, reservations are recommended for muskrat night at Dave White’s Pittsville Dinette.

The first thing I discovered upon arriving was that they don’t take credit cards, “We take checks,” the waitress said. She was friendly and trying to be helpful but I haven’t hand-written a check this century so I went looking for a cash machine.

Todd was already on the scene snapping photos when I returned. He was, as was I, amped up about the proposed dinner. A state of mind I highly recommend to anyone considering joining the muskrat eating club. The reason is, and there is no kind way to put it, the only think less appetizing than the name “muskrat” is the presentation. If you are not psyched up before your meal comes you probably won’t dig in. This is just a fact.

I showed up hungry, which is another good idea. I was hungry and buzzing with anticipation enough by the time we ordered that there was no question that I would eat pretty much whatever they brought out.
The waitress told us they didn’t serve beer. Todd was visibly disappointed but I was just confused. There had been a beer poster on the door and my brain had already assured my stomach that beer would be forthcoming. Not wanting to look like a liar in front of my stomach, it had my eyes scan the beverage menu. Certainly the waitress had no idea that they in fact did serve beer. Maybe she was new. She wasn’t. It’s almost just as well because — and I swear this is true — muskrat is more a wine dish.

Since it was adventure eating night I went with hominy and collard greens as side dishes. Hominy as far as I can tell, is inedible. Collards are better without vinegar. And that’s all you need to know about that.

When the muskrat arrived it was grey-black and soaking in its own juices. Todd didn’t look as if he was going to make it. He claimed that he wasn’t a meat on the bone guy and I’m not saying he wasn’t honest but later in the meal something happened that made me think it was both the bone and the meat he might have had a problem with.

Muskrat is served whole, minus the head. The body is about a foot long and grey-black. I know I mentioned grey-black and, frankly, I knew it would be grey-black before I sat down but the point can’t be overemphasized because it is really unappetizing. Like, Very. So if you’re committed to eating the muskrat — and I argue you should be — you should prepare yourself for getting past the way it looks.

The four legs were still in crouching position. Dave said he really only eats the legs but that others commonly reduced the meal to bones (which I’d secretly vowed to do).

Todd said he’d hoped there would be move gravy. He was clearly struggling with how to attack the meal. In the end, he elected to take the same approach mannered people take with fish — he shredded it between two forks one bite at a time.

The waitress had brought a stack of napkins that was easily three inches high and topped them with two packets of wipes. It was clear from the amount of cleaning supplies that this was expected to be a less-than-mannerly process.
I grabbed a leg and ripped it from its socket. It didn’t make much of a sound.
Dave prepares it in a secret way — like, really secret — but my layman’s guess is there is plenty of both red and black pepper involved. Todd, who had asked for hot sauce, found it wasn’t necessary. The sauce wasn’t “hot” per se but had sufficient zip that qualify as spicy. The animal is par boiled and then cooked in such a way that the meat has an almost crock pot beef texture.

To be clear, it was really enjoyable. I will totally have it again and happily recommend that you do the same.

But.

Many of the words that best describe muskrat are as unappetizing as the animal’s name or how it looks. The meet is sweet and at first. The aftertaste, such as it is and probably owing as much to the color and texture as to the particular flavor, is nearly reminiscent of liver. Nearly, in that it has a full flavor that is uncommon to meaty animals.

The key aftertaste flavor is mineral-ly. It’s fresh well water, tasting of the earth in a way that isn’t at all unpleasant.

On the other side of the table, Todd was running out of ways to shred up the meat and had moved on to the mashed potatoes — he wasn’t brave enough for the hominy.

Watching me pick apart the muskrat was too much for the poor guy. His face — and to be fair he was trying really hard to be polite about it — was twisted with involuntary disgust to see me holding a muskrat and gnawing on it as if it were a piece of corn. When I broke open the ribs he was done eating. Possibly for the rest of the week.

The only part of the animal that I left, other than the bones, was the side-flaps. My muskrat anatomy is a little rusty but I would expect that evolution wrapped their stomachs in cartilage and that texture even I couldn’t abide.

Day Trip on the Eastern Shore - Easton, MD

2012-02-06T14:00:00.000-05:00

In the dead of winter, even a mild one such as this, it is good to get out of town and see what else our area has to offer. Easton, MD is another small historic town located close to the shores of the Chesapeake Bay, with shopping, restaurants and live music venues.

The NightCat is a wonderful intimate venue for live music and performances, located at 5 Goldsborough Street. On another visit to Easton, we attended an amazing show at the NightCat, featuring a handful of regional acts performing acoustically. The Avalon Theatre is another venue with history that also brings in some larger performances, next time we head that way I want to be sure to make a stop there.

Saturday was a family trip, with some antiquing, window shopping, even a stop into the Gun Shop (our 7 year old was disappointed they didn't sell bazooka's.) This trip to Easton was for a celebration of a birthday and gathering of extended family that live on two sides of the Chesapeake Bay. The Tidewater Inn was the meeting grounds, and made for a wonderful lunchtime celebration. Hunter's Tavern is the restaurant located inside the historic inn, which beautifully blends the old with the new. Classic eastern shore fare such as crab cakes and oysters are featured on their menu, I suggest starting with one of their delicious Bloody Marys topped with crab claw garnish. When we head back to Easton for a show at The Avalon, we will be sure to stay overnight for the full experience the Tidewater Inn has to offer.

SuperBowl Crock Pot Chili - Good Grub Berlin, MD

2012-02-06T10:00:00.000-05:00

I don't really like to follow recipes, nor do I keep track when I am putting something together on my own. A little or this, a lot of that, many tastings and tweaks and the fam is usually happy. In honor of this weekend's SuperBowl, I prepared a crockpot of steak chili. It was fully enjoyed by all while watching the best commercials, I mean football game of the year.

chopped garlic, and lots of it!

chopped onion

chopped jalapeno

all in the crock pot!

adding chopped steak

crushed tomatoes

black beans and corn

Followed by salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, lots of cumin, and in the last hour add
corn. Serve with your favorite toppings, we usually have sour cream, shredded cheese
hot sauce of choice and tortilla chips!

finished product, just in time for the game!

Video Of the Week - Frozen Wave

2012-02-03T10:32:00.003-05:00

Give me a ditch and a deck and and take away all pretense of what it means to a skater and just have some good clean fun.

Frozen Wave from Juan Rayos on Vimeo.

Varmintfest 2012

2012-02-02T14:00:00.000-05:00

By the time you read this the Todcast will have inaugurated Varmintfest. For those who missed the big announcement, my co-host Todd DeHart and I made the big Varmintfest announcement about a month ago when we pledged to stop our whining, sit down and enjoy, or at least attempt to enjoy, the Eastern Shore delicacy muskrat. The biggest challenge is to do so unironically and we committed to that because Varmintfest is about more than just trying the food, it is putting our mouths where our rhetoric was.

Last year, both the folks at www.goodcleanfun.com and the Bayside Gazette made a significant effort to spread the word about sustainable food opportunities in the area. We called it the Buy Local Challenge. Actually that’s what they called it, I just covered it.

Shameless promotional aside: Make sure to keep a lookout for next week’s Bayside Gazette because as planting season gets underway it is time to start thinking about the Local Challenge again. I predict that the paper will contain a feature story on how to join a CSA (Consumer Sponsored Agriculture) project to make sure you’re getting the best food from the best source. End promotional aside.

The folks at Dave White’s Pittsville Dinette epitomize the Buy Local Challenge by single-sourcing their muskrat from a reliable hunter who takes care to make sure he traps and sells only the best. Dave told me it was likely that when his source retires, he will be finished selling the delicacy.

In recognition of the inaugural (and possibly final) Varmintfest, Mark Huey, the Gazette’s graphic designer, provided Varmintfest cookies. A Punxsutawney, Pa. native, his mother sends him Groundhog Day cookies — happy Groundhog Day, by the way — which he was kind enough to repurpose for our similar-looking varmint.

To add to the difficulty level, on next week’s Todcast we’ll describe the taste of muskrat without using the words “gamey” or relating the meat in any way to chicken. There are other words to describe food out there and as part of the Todcast, we’ve banned them as descriptors generally. The folks at the OED have yet to make a reply.

Quick hits from this week: Thomas Melville made what will likely be his final appearance on the show before he makes his big cross country adventure. So for the three-or-so of you who have been following Bayside Gazette-produced podcasts for the last fiveish years, we revived our well considered critique of “Things I Like” which was always a crowd-pleaser.

Feel free to join us 6 p.m. each Tuesday for the Happy Hour Todcast at Burley Oak Brewery. If something tragic keeps you from coming out, you can always check out the resulting recording Thursday afternoon by subscribing on iTunes. Just type GCFL into the search bar at the iTunes store to subscribe. Fair warning before you listen: Put on your irony hats, kids. It’s all in good clean fun.

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High Road In Lower Class - Episode 9

2012-02-02T11:40:00.000-05:00

Bill Todd once again is joined by Big Al Reno for this weeks installment of the High Road in Lower Class- Recorded at and under the influence of Burley Oak Brewery in the small town or Berlin, MD

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Cris Cab - Mix Tape

2012-02-01T15:22:00.000-05:00

Music Lovers don't listen to one type of music exclusively. That why Mix tapes were so popular. Here is one for the digital age. Not just a compilation but a subtly strung together mixing pop , rap , reggae. Its great mix of some of your favorite artist and songs you've never heard

Download Mixtape | Free Mixtapes Powered by DatPiff.com

Artist Spotlight on Sweet Leda

2012-02-01T10:00:00.000-05:00

Sweet Leda has a sound like no other, you can get lost in their music.

See the Artist Spotlight here

Very much looking forward to seeing them perform again, and you should too. Some of their upcoming shows:

Tonight, February 1 at Cat's Eye Pub in Baltimore

February 10th at Kennett Flash in Kennett Square, PA

February 16th at The Grape Room in Philadelphia, PA

February 18th at Ram's Head Live in Baltimore for Pirate Rob's Birthday Bash

Another artist that will also be performing at Ram's Head also on the 18th is Bond and Bentley.

Tales From the Chair: My Mother Is On Facebook

2012-01-31T14:00:00.000-05:00

By: Colby Kaufman

I can certainly say that I am one of those people that has truly enjoyed being on Facebook. Being a "social butterfly" my entire life, having a place where I can constantly talk and express myself, even if it is just to a wall, is fun. A lot of times my statuses are things that randomly pop into my head, or I overhear people say, and I share them in hopes to either give someone a smile or even just something to think about. Plus having a constant connection to your family, friends and loved ones (DB), makes it a great tool.

The day I got a friend request from my mom I actually pretended at first I didn't see it. How the heck did my mom figure out facebook, she can barely log onto the Internet, yet alone send an email without me doing it for her. Anyway, after several phone calls about "what does this mean?" and "did you get my friend request?", I finally accepted. Well as most of you know, working with 200 guys and having 3 brothers I tend to have a little bit of a sailor mouth on occasion.....so it was only a matter of a few days before I received this call: "Sweetie, hi...as your mother I just feel that using words like shit and ass aren't really necessary when your posting something on FB, can't you change it?" Of course mom, next time I will say "poop or butt" if that makes you feel better....."thank you sweetie".....it's already started! I do admit I tend to freely express myself and this past summer I took a rough time in my life and vented it through humor. Anyway, getting back to my mother....a few things my mom does on FB that I actually find quite cute and humurous.....She takes things far too literally. So if you ask, “What’s on your mind?” as Facebook prompts people to in status updates ......she answers in her status "I wish I knew....it would be a good starting point"......She makes up emoticons. :)))):.....I have NO idea what this means.....Sometimes, she makes sense. These are the scariest moments of all. My mother wrote this when she first joined FB, ON HER OWN WALL: "Sorry I missed you, look forward to catching up with you, how have you been?".....Yes the blonde hair is real....She will randomly post things to my wall she wants me (and everyone else) to see and even on occasion, she will ask me if its ok. I can't imagine what it would have been like if there had been facebook when I was in high school! I may have delayed that friend request acceptance for as long as I could!

I will say this about my mother, she has taught me strength, love, acceptance, forgiveness, how to be a mother myself, and most importantly how to follow the Lord. So the next time I am writing a status and you see the word "poop or butt", know that that is because I had a quick reminder that YES my mother is on Facebook.

Farmers vs Monsanto - Support Local Tuesday

2012-01-31T10:00:00.000-05:00

facebook.com/exposingmonsanto

Food, Inc - watching this movie for the first time brought to light many things regarding our food supply. Since then many more documentaries and books have come out and I believe have brought to light more and more faults with the way our farmers are treated, the effects mass production has on quality of products as well as quality of life. One of the big issues most often discussed are the patented GMO seeds, by the leading producer of such seeds, Monsanto. What is the problem with GMO seeds you say?

Genetically modified foods (GM foods or GMO foods) are foods derived from genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Genetically modified organisms have had specific changes introduced into their DNA by genetic engineering techniques. These techniques are much more precise[1] than mutagenesis (mutation breeding) where an organism is exposed to radiation or chemicals to create a non-specific but stable change. Other techniques by which humans modify food organisms include selective breeding; plant breeding, and animal breeding, and soma-clonal variation.
-taken from Wikipedia

facebook.com/exposingmonsanto

Monsanto says these genetically modified products are safe, but do we really know for sure? If you care to read more on the scientific side of it, please refer to one such study. Personally, the idea sort of grosses me out. Why can't we just grow natural varieties of plants and enjoy the natural benefits rather than creating this "frankenfood?"Monsanto has responded to the many criticisms that have come about from Food, Inc. on their website. To be fair, we should hear both sides of the story. I already know where I stand, and will let you find out for yourself.

Today, January 31st, family farmers are taking part in a court case that will protect farmers from the GMO seeds from Monsanto. Even if they choose not to purchase those seeds, and want to maintain a non GMO or organic parcel of land, sometimes their land can be contaminated by the neighboring GMO parcel purely by runoff or the wind to carry stray seeds.

Please take a moment to read and sign this pledge, to help the family farmer stand on their own.

More Resources for Continued Reading:

Monsanto Nation: Exposing Monsanto's Minions

The Organic Elite Surrenders to Monsanto: What Now?

Monsanto Petition Tells Obama: "Cease FDA Ties to Monsanto"

Monsanto Shareholders Reject Study on Crop Risks

Whatta Ya Brewing? by: Tony Russo

2012-01-30T14:00:00.000-05:00

by: Tony Russo

Beer nerds unite at Extreme Brewing

When Doug Griffith changed the name of his business from Delmarva Brewing Craft to Extreme Brewing, he got a new sign but the brewer’s supply warehouse is no easier to find. So the fact that on any given Saturday the company gets the kind of traffic other retailers would love to boast has more to do with Doug and his wife Patti, their staff, and the culture they’ve created together than location, location, location.

To be clear, brewing beer is a culture like any other. It has its own language, traditions and social norms that are no more strictly enforced but still as tightly adhered to as “Please and Thank You”.

By those lights it is no surprise that the initiates have their own familiar greeting: “Whatta ya brewing?”

DougGriffith goes through the ingredient list during a recent home brewing class at

Extreme Brewing in Milford, Del. as Shawn Hager looks on.

“Whatta ya Brewing” replaces “How are you” is a very important and specific way. The asker always really wants to know and expects the answer to take some time in telling and brewers are a patient lot. The fruit of a home brewer’s efforts can’t be judged for nearly a month after its finished, owing to the fermentation process, so waiting and planning and talking about waiting and planning is one of the central parts of home brewing process. That and drinking the beer you’ve made, unless you’re Josh Horsman.

A teacher by day, Josh has taken so much more to the creative rather than the imbibing aspect of his hobby that he’s stockpiled a prodigious amount of brew. It is this, added to the fact that his wife remained in the car while he shopped, that got him a little ribbing from Shawn Hager, one of Extreme Brewing’s staffers.

Brewers often bring Doug samples of their workfor him to diagnose trouble in the
production process using only the power histaste buds and pointed questions.

The fact of the matter was that his wife was otherwise engaged with knitting but happens to be as enthusiastic as he when it comes to brewing. It was she who suggested he move from drinking craft brews other people made to making his own, and it has become one of his genuine pleasures.

“It’s a hobby that’s kind of gone wild,” he said, indicating the growing pile of extracts and supplies on the checkout counter and adding some specialty hops to the mix.

He, the 20 or so others who passed through the doors that day, and even Dogfish Head Brewing’s Sam Calagione (and later, Burley Oak’s Bryan Brushmiller) are the direct beneficiary of the fact that nearly 20 years ago Doug tired of driving to Wilmington.

A Hobby Gone Wild

As an amateur home brewer, Doug was making regular trips to the nearest brewery supply house at the time. Straight up and back the trip was nearly four hours, providing he didn’t stop to chat. But stopping to chat is the most important part of visiting a brewery supply house. There’s nothing you can buy at Extreme Brewing that can’t be purchased on the Internet. In fact, between YouTube, various books, and supply Websites there’s really no requirement to leave your house if you are a budding home brewer. There is, however, a very good reason: Beer is social.

In the long run the best home brewed beer is only mildly less expensive than its store bought counterparts, taking into consideration time and energy — kinetic and electrical — as well as supplies and living space. The social as well as the educational aspect of an afternoon at Extreme Brewing is one its primary appeals. The major appeal, of course, is Doug.

According to Bryan from Burley Oak, Doug has forgotten more about brewing than most people will ever know. If he wasn’t so friendly and accessible he could sit atop beer mountain and dispense wisdom to pilgrims. As it stands, he’s happiest in his brew kitchen giving classes and talking brewing with everyone from the expert to the novice.

And that is Doug’s particular talent. The brewing couture has its own language. It’s not jargon-filled but is rather comprised of a set of words and phrases exclusive to the craft. Doug is a kind of medium who helps brewers at every level come to terms with the practices and language of making beer. He is that teacher from high school who made a seemingly impenetrable subject easy to master by explaining it in a way you could understand.

Although he underplays the fact, Doug played an integral part in recipe development for early Dogfish Head. He advised on some of the earliest recipes and helped with electrical and other layout issues as the brewery started production.

Berlin resident Josh Horsman chats with DougGriffith while Shawn Hager rings up the
batch of brewing supplies Horsmanbought in preparation for a weekend of brewing.

Extreme Success

In fact, “Extreme Brewing” isn’t just the name of his business, he was given permission to take the name from the book he wrote with Sam from Dogfish. The Extreme Brewing book is about to be released in its second edition and there is a better than average chance that some of the recipes he’s developed will make the cut. And he’s not the only one.

Shawn — big, bald and sporting a long orange beard — developed a recipe named, appropriately, Redbeard that he has every hope will make the final cut.
Those who have already undertaken the brewing process tend to use Saturdays as a shopping day. Many spend the day shopping, learning and sharing and then go home and brew into the night, all day Sunday or both.

Those who are considering getting into the game can spend a few hours on Saturday at Doug’s weekly brewing class — once a month he does a winemaking class, so check the schedule to see which interests you most — drinking test beers made from the kits he has available and learning just how easy the complicated process of brewing can be.

Doug Griffith signs a copy of Extreme Brewing,the store’s namesake and
title of the book he wrote with Dogfish Head founderSam Calagione.

Photos from the Ocean 98 Talent Show - Ocean City Nightlife

2012-01-30T10:00:00.000-05:00

Last Thursday was the Ocean 98 Talent Show, with some great talent being showcased. Some local favorites performed amazingly, and some others have some practicing to do, but definitely have potential for next years competition. I have a great deal of respect for anyone that would get on stage in a setting such as that, with a panel of judges as tough as those.

Take a look at the photos

...including the entertainment for the night, Smooth Teaze out of Baltimore...they were a great treat as well.

Photos of the Crowd

Ocean 98 Talent Show

2012-01-27T11:36:00.003-05:00

Last night was an amazing spectacle of talent at the Ocean 98 Talent Show held last night at Seacrets in the Morley Hall. Lots of good acts came out to show their stuff. Namely the show openers A Cappella / Doo Wop group Smooth Teaze. Even non contestants could "perform" of sorts at the Delmarvalous Photobooth. All but two were musical talents (in this town beer chugging could be its own show) and it was only musical acts that moved on the the finals.

Rose Lee, Blake Haley (with the beautiful Daniele Hall), Tim Cyphers and the Animal, Adelia Price, and Tyler Murrell were the final contestants to face the Panel of Judges. The Thunder Walrus, a comedian from north Baltimore, was the only real outsider that brought an interesting performance perspective to the judging. He was joined by Ocean 98's own the legendary DJ Batman and Big Al Reno, clearly the "Simon Cowell" of the group ( if Cowell was a gambler instead of a producer.)

What it boiled down to was having the guts to get up and belt out some soul without the help of an instrument, or partner. That is exactly what Rose Lee did to get herself a trip to Las Vegas. I wonder if she needs an escort?

Thanks to BK for MCing and DJ Tuff for dropping in the Hair Band breaks between performers.

Top Three Finalist - Rose Lee, Animal, Tim Cyphers, Daniele Hall, Blake Haley

Rose Lee the big winner with Big Al and Leslie

Office break - 9five

2012-01-26T15:15:00.001-05:00

Thinking about joining this league for the month of February

9five Eyewear Office League from Mike Metcalf on Vimeo.

Inexpert Analysis - Happy Hour Todcast

2012-01-26T10:02:00.000-05:00

by Tony Russo
contributing media professional

As media professionals, my co-host Todd DeHart and I are kind of expected to have a working knowledge of a little bit of everything. In deference to that expectation we pretend that we do, even to ourselves.

In order to get grip on the flow of the conversation you’ll have to tune in to the Todcast — instructions are available in the closing paragraph — but from NASCAR we moved to a rather informed discussion about the inevitable demise of cable.

It’s too easy to slam the horror that is the reality show, as well as the horror of their continued popularity and prevalence. But what is interesting is the likelihood that within my lifetime — absent a disease or lightning strike — we will have ala carte television.

Reality television is ubiquitous because it is really cheap. But in an ala carte model, how much would you pay each week to keep up with the Kardashians or to laugh along with the Two-and-a-Half men laugh track.

It’s kind of an exciting time in that way. Just as with real estate, we’re in an entertainment buyer’s market and that bodes well for people willing to pay for quality. As a few examples, we spoke about the relative success of the Kevin Smith movie Red State, the home run comedian Louis C.K. hit when he sold and produced his last stand up feature and Public Television’s near invulnerability as their Downton Abbey series gains more and wider attention.

SOPA and PIPA were floated ostensibly because of piracy that costs the movie industry money. What really costs the movie and television industry money is the fact that people don’t want to pay for consistently substandard products. Billions of dollars or not, Transformers is going to come home to roost. Really, it already has.

Feel free to join us 6 p.m. each Tuesday for the Happy Hour Todcast at Burley Oak Brewery. If something tragic keeps you from coming out, you can always check out the resulting recording Thursday afternoon by subscribing on iTunes. Just type GCFL into the search bar at the iTunes store to subscribe. Fair warning before you listen: Put on your irony hats, kids. It’s all in good clean fun.

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The High Road in Lower Class Ep 8

2012-01-25T14:22:00.004-05:00

Bill Todd is back, however Big Al Reno was not. Big Al was no doubt taking lines on the big game or something like that, which was a shame cause there was plenty of sports to talk about. No worries though, I sat in with BT and we were joined by Ryan and Brandon, also of Lower Class Citizens. So by the end left us all wondering "Where is T-bone?" the remaining member of the group.

We discussed the Ravens game, answered some questions that Bill had solicited through social media, and of course dropped a Random Thought or two.

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Artist Spotlight on Lovebettie

2012-01-25T10:00:00.000-05:00

Clark Smith Photography

Lovebettie is one of the 19 acts that will be performing at Pirate Rob's Birthday Bash on February 18th at Rams Head Live. GCFL has covered many of the acts that will be on stage that night, and will be showcasing most again through the Artist Spotlight. To see Lovebettie before then, they will be at Brew River in Salisbury, MD on February 4th with Pasadena.

Artist Spotlight on Lovebettie

What Is A "Fun, Fit Mom"?

2012-01-24T13:30:00.002-05:00

When I was asked to write about my experience in the competition my cousin entered me into, I realized that there is no way I can write about it without saying too much about "ME"... When I read the letter my cousin wrote at my interview in DC I told the judges that on paper it sounds so much cooler and I'm really not that cool....and although as most of you know, I am somewhat of an open book and wear my heart and feelings on my sleeve, it's still kind of uncomfortable talking about yourself. So with that being said I decided to write about what I think makes a "Fun, Fit, Mom".

I don't know EXACTLY what makes a Fun, Fit Mom, but I am going to take a guess....first and foremost its love and patience, guidance and trust, protection and teaching our children to become kind, unselfish, loving individuals. Having a very dear friend who was adopted, I strongly believe that being a mother is based on whats inside us and not just because we may or may not have given birth. I think in regards to the "Fit" part its not how often you go to the gym, but the STRENGTH we teach our children on how to conquer the world. Never give up. Always stand for what you believe in. I have a very dear friend who is one of the strongest women I know, Yes Kelly its you! As for being "Fun", I guess its teaching our children to live life to the fullest and enjoy every moment that God has given us. As My friend Paula said it best on her status " JUST A MOM????..... I cant stand it when people say, "Your JUST a mom?" Yes, I am a Mom! That makes me an alarm clock, cook, maid, waitress, teacher, nurse, referee, handyman, security officer, photographer, counselor, chauffeur, event planner, Hairdresser, personal assistant, Tailor, ATM &...... I scare away the boogie man. I don't... get paid holidays, sick pay or days off. I work through the DAY & NIGHT. I am on call 24/7 for the rest of my life. And that's just with BEING A MOM.. !! A mom's "job" is never done! I also believe this goes for all the amazing dads I know too! (DB)

So as far as being nominated a "Fun, Fit, Mom", sure I suppose I am, but I'm no needle in the haystack, I'm just a piece of hay along side the rest of all the other amazing mothers I know.

Somebody is Going to Vegas - Ocean 98 Talent Show

2012-01-24T10:00:00.000-05:00

The Ocean 98 Talent Show is this week (7 pm Thursday at Seacrets, in Ocean City) so you should check the details on the website if you think you have a talent or trick to take the top prize, A trip for two to Vegas. I know people around here can play a mean guitar and sing their hearts out, but last year there were a few oddities that were worth a second look. There was a contestant that took a gold chain snorted it up his nose and pulled it out his mouth. What?!?! Yes that is not something you see everyday, unless you are already in Vegas, so that sort of act should at least get you there. I would like to see the local sword swallowers step up and show their stuff ( insert crude comment here) How about juggling chainsaws, eating a light bulb, or making a lucid explanation of Dub Step.. All of these things you do not see or hear except when talent shows like this come along. ( I've never hear an explanation of Dub Step, btw)

In college there was such an event, where the top prize was just the adoration of an entire Sorority. That was a good prize back then. I wonder if the talent that won that contest would fair as well on Thursday. You be the judge. My good friend won the coveted "Zlam-man" tile by balancing a chair on his chin all the while playing 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon without being stumped as people from the crowd shouted out contemporary actor names. Witnessing this was like watch a pitcher throw a perfect game. Come out Thursday and you may see something you have never seen.

Happy New Year! Year of the Dragon

2012-01-23T10:15:00.001-05:00

Today is Chinese New Year, the Year of the Dragon. In our home this is a big deal, as when Nellie was 4, she became intrigued with Asian culture. When we took her to China at Epcot in Disney, we learned that she was born the Year of the Dragon, and all the sudden it made sense her interest in dragons! Well for her birthday this year, Year of the Dragon, she wanted to celebrate Chinese New Year.

We researched the traditions, decorating using red and gold, and cleaning the house for a fresh start to the year. Preparing the dinner was a lot of fun, making wontons, shrimp stir fry with noodles ( a sign of longevity) and fried rice. Figured we should make the foods that the kids would enjoy as well. Maybe next year we will attempt the whole fish!

So here is to the new year, a year full of good luck, good fortune and happiness for all!

8 Steps to Happiness

2012-01-20T14:21:00.000-05:00

People use everything from prayer to booze to keep them positive (some people use them interchangeably) but whatever your method, having a Positive Mental Attitude can be contagious. So without being overly-annoyingly-chipper, I offer the following.

On the Coastal Surf Supplies trip to Florida for the Surf expo, a first time travel mule (guy who came to help with set up and break down) remarked
"Man you guys are nice to everyone" It is true that it doesn't matter if you are the salty subway sandwich artist or the head of a major surf manufacturer our approach is the same. Make a crack that includes the stranger across from you, laugh and make them smile and they are no longer a stranger. The bonus is you feel better and they do too. At Coastal we always have fun while we work, kinda like some little people I know that are all into one chick. "Whistle while you work"

It's contagious like the elderly woman that walks around Berlin MD and waves to everyone. I mean everyone , and its not a little whats-up-nod either it is a full on hand above the head, arm-fat-floppin wave to every car, truck, bike or walker that crosses her path. I wonder if she started her exuberant waving when cars first made it to Berlin and has never been able to stop. But it is great and everyone who has seen her can't help to feel the same way

So I came up with an 8 Step program for happiness - . Take eight steps and wave to someone, repeat.

Good luck, and Cheers on a Friday

Social Conscience Friday

2012-01-20T10:00:00.000-05:00

There has been a lot of talk this week about SOPA and PIPA. And if you think Pipa is the younger sister that gets all the attention on Sopa's big day, we might be worse off than everyone thinks. Along with the seriousness of explanations and examples of why imposing censorship of the internet is bad there has been a good bit of humor too.

From Thechive.com is one of my favorite sources of diversion.

It was pretty staggering to see the results of the participation of people online. In one days time "We the People" where able to sway the congress in a very important issue that, admittedly, until this week I did not know anything about! And Im supposed to know these things especially regarding the inter webs, cause that's kinda my schtick.

It seems to be avoided at this moment which is good, but this is something that will likely not go away because there is big Hollywood money involved. I will stay on top of this because it effects me a great deal. Think about it, we are an upstart web company that supports displays, pulls, downloads, uploads, and shares art in the vein of promoting the artist we know and support. But consider this, if I have been informed correctly, simply by posting this video that I made just for my family and close friends I could be fined, arrested, and lose all our work that we have done over the last 3 years to support the local night life and artists. Turns out Merry Little Christmas is not in the public domain and posting a version of it I would owe the company that holds the license. It's a shame because I would love to spread it all over because this impromptu version by a dear friend is the best I've ever heard and HE deserves recognition.

Stay Tuned to the 2 Oclock Post about the importance of having a Positive attitude in Business Titled "Whistle While you Work" ( all rights to Disney BTW)

Here Lies the Todcast

2012-01-19T11:37:00.002-05:00

by Tony Russo
contributing Hair Grower

The lesson for this week is write your own obituary. Seriously and, like, soon. When I’m not Todcasting I’m a newspaper editor (let it pass for now, that’s what my business card says) and as a result get sent a number of obituaries.

Most obits are very basic:

This person is dead. The people they left behind will miss them. They will be buried at a certain place and time. Send a donation in their name someplace.

Occasionally, though, I’ll get a more detailed one that is as much biographical sketch as obituary — and really, with the exception of the date of death what’s the difference? — and they are always an interesting read.

It’s an open secret that newspapers rarely if ever “cut” obituaries. First, because it’s a little cruel and second because it’s probably bad luck. I normally just make it conform to AP Style very rarely changing anything except maybe to clean up the grammar.

Point is: these are the last things most people will have written about them for public consumption. Make the most of it.

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The High Road in Lower Class - Ep7

2012-01-19T02:00:00.000-05:00

The world of local news in lower class - The Dude and Big Al Reno sit for their weekly round table disdrunkin...... I mean discussion.

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Artist Spotlight - Girl Talk

2012-01-18T09:40:00.001-05:00

When I caught up with Greg Gillis the famed "Girl Talk" I asked him what it is like to be a pioneer in the art for of sampling......Boy wouldn't be great if that was really the case. No I didn't interview Girl Talk but will hopefully be able to sometime soon. For what it is worth, I think he is one of the most ingenuous artist of our time. Turning tinkering with familiar songs into new ones and in the process raising questions about piracy and the fair use act. All the while developing a live performance career that has been seen by hundreds of thousands and garnered a fan base that is far and wide and sometimes notable (i.e. Paris Hilton)

It is appropriate that today we spotlight Girl Talk on the day that Congress will vote on two bills that will in effect censor the internet and could harm American access to good clean fun.

Watch the entire movie here TODAY cause it might be gone Tomorrow

The Joy That I Get From Ravens Football - Krugers Corner

2012-01-17T12:00:00.000-05:00

That song from the catchy Ravens Nation video produced by FREEstate Workshop recently has been playing on a loop in my head for days. Maybe it's because I've watched it half a dozen times over the last few days, or maybe it's because I'm mostly insane. Probably the first thing though.

My family is really really really into Ravens football. It's what we do. My brothers and parents and I all live hours apart, scattered throughout Maryland and Northwest Virginia, and we convene at our tailgate lot on game days as if we are holding some sort of Purple NFL Summit of Unhinged Krugers. It's a family thing.

We are part of the extended Baltimore football family, that consists of so much more than just the players, coaches, training staff, and front office personnel. It includes the city government leaders who light up downtown in purple, the business owners who proudly display and sell Ravens merchandise, the people who wear their jerseys to work, and the kids who idolize the players. The team constantly recognizes this, and most of them will tell you that they think they have the best fans in the world. If Flacco wants to sport a decidedly creepy fu man chu, not only will we support him, we will wear them ourselves. It's like being part of a giant purple family. The energy in the air during the playoffs if positively infectious.

On Sunday I had the opportunity to attend my first playoff game. Every game I attend at M&T Bank stadium is an exercise in joyful insanity, and this game served to magnify that feeling. It's refreshing to spend a day with 71+ thousand other people who are as loony as I am. Every score, turnover, or big play that goes in the Ravens favor sends shock waves of tangible joy through the air like happiness radiating from a bliss bomb.

Some people will read this and have no idea what I'm talking about. But anyone who loves sports, and has ever loved and followed a player, team, or city will get it. If you've ever experienced the euphoric highs and crushing lows that come from being an athlete or a superfan, you get it. No matter who your team is, if you love sports, you get it.

Do I obsess about football? Maybe. Are there things in life that are more important? Probably. Leave me alone, it's my thing. Everyone should have a thing, it makes life more interesting. Some people love fashion or cars or Farmville or midget wrestling because it makes them happy. Football makes me happy and is therefore my thing.

Trying to pick a favorite player gives me that feeling that parents must feel when asked which of their kids is their favorite. Unless their kids are assholes or something. Then it's probably easy. For me it's only a slightly hard decision. I love love love Ed Reed. I could tell you why, but that would be a whole other blog post and I'm not naive enough to think you care. When he had the game-ending interception on Sunday it happened right in front of where my brother and I were sitting, and it was the shit. It was the cherry on our Sunday (I'll be here all week).

This is something that I honestly could talk about forever but I won't. As a matter of fact, if you're still reading I give you props. Here is a short snippet (is that a word?) from Sunday. The crowd chanting the rhythm from Seven Nation Army was dubbed in over the crowd noise during player intros because my maniacal screaming from behind the camera should not be heard by human ears. Enthusiastic? Yes. Sexy? Decidedly no.

Yeah Its Kinda Like That

2012-01-17T10:23:00.000-05:00

Going to surf expo with only four people who do everything from set up - to break down is an overwhelming task that can be both terrifying and exhilarating. It occurred to me that you can do anything you set your mind to especially when you are in that moment (Like driving a Budget truck for 14 hours straight) At Coastal Surf Supplies I am the resident Skater/ Nerd, while I do more web surfing, every once in a while I'll get in the water and flail around a bit. I can appreciate and enjoy it. So in that vein I can appreciate this video and even draw a comparison to us doing the surf expo. Yeah, it's pretty much like dropping in on the heaviest wave in the world, once you commit there is no turning back. Except this footage is shot with the worlds coolest camera the Phantom...

Yes I "Work" For a Living

2012-01-16T10:09:00.005-05:00

Notice that I didn't say I live to work. As hard as it is to believe, I have a regular full time job, 9 to 5 (most days) a desk and water color. That is the about the only elements that would make this job "regular." I know that it may be hard to believe that I am NOT one of those incredibly wealthy Bloggers and tech wiz that has been living off the residuals of the first site I ever launched 20 years ago with Al Gore. It is also hard to believe that being an infamous club-music button pusher( DJ Darth Fader) , Radio Jock (Ocean 98's - Party Zone) and Podcaster personality (Todcast network - Happy Hour) does NOT put me in the circle of friends of Jay Mohr and Kevin Smith swapping celebrity stories on Vicodin.

However my current position (prone) affords me the flexibility to pursue those ego-maniacal, opportunistic, socialite distractions, in a balanced healthy way. At family gatherings or professional functions and on linked-in I tell people I work for a whole sale distributor as back-end support for their web site. Sounds fancy right? What I really do is work at Coastal Surf Supplies - as resident skater/nerd.

Yes we are a wholesale distributor of surf hard goods to the entire east coast with 400 clients and 2000 (and counting) product offerings, that we can ship same day with the speed and efficiency. Really we are a merry band of idiots whose sum of all our smarts is DEF greater than its parts. We are the utility guys that get surf/skate and outdoor retailers their shit when they need it. We do it well all year round, but the one time a year we get to really show our stuff is Surf Expo every January. This 3 day event at the convention center in Orlando is the surf industry's biggest gathering, to buy sell, network, and oh yeah party.

For our part we, only four dudes, drive a 24 foot truck full of samplings of our products for 14 hours to Florida, set up our entire booth in about 8 hours, and don't stop working and having fun for 4 days straight only to break down everything and drive home that same 14 hours. It was grueling, exhausting and fun as you can imagine and there are lots of stories I will be sharing while it is still fresh, but for right now I gotta go unload that F'ing truck. But it is all worth it cause it was great show with lots of great people.

Here is a slide show from the September show to wet your whistle for more first hand accounts coming this week

photos/surfexpo/sets/

Pay It Forward, There Are Angels Out There

2012-01-13T10:00:00.000-05:00

It is not a secret, the economy has sucked. Not many jobs out there, income is down for many, bills are a stress every month. To combat this we made the concerted effort to downsize our expenses by selling our bigger house and renovating a much smaller, cozy home. Still have a long road ahead, but things are looking up!

After a routine tune-up I was told (which was already obvious to me) that I was in desperate need of tires. We already knew that Todd needed tires as well...tires are an large expense, and right after moving and the holidays, it was not a great time to make such a purchase. While looking into the best and most affordable options, I had many friends contact me with advice on where to purchase. One friend, whom is out of the country at the moment, said he could get me a good price from a friend who sells tires. We talked back and forth, exchanging information to get an estimate, next thing I knew I received an email stating that my tires had been ordered and that they would be shipped soon. What?!? Seriously?! I was floored! My jaw dropped, quite literally, my face got all flushed, I couldn't believe that someone would make such a purchase! Of course I said thank you, profusely, but I also vowed to pay him back as soon as possible. His response was, "let this be my Oprah moment", good karma and all.

Angels are out there, to help when you least expect it. Thank you to my angel, when you get back to the country we are taking you out! This generous act has made me think about what I can do to make a difference in someone's life. We don't have to make grand gestures to make a difference, they can be small and meaningful as well. I can't wait to "pay it forward!" Think about doing the same when you can. April 26th is Pay It Forward Day...aiming to inspire over 3 million random acts of kindness. Our world needs more kindness, wouldn't you like to participate as well? Any day is good for random acts of kindness. We can all make a difference in someone's life.

Have a wonderful weekend, and focus on the positive :)

Raising a Daughter to be Smart, Confident and Unique

2012-01-12T10:26:00.000-05:00

People I Want to Punch in the Throat, a blog written by a smart and sassy mother who has taken to blogging with a great amount of blunt brutal honesty, sarcasm and cynicism. She cracks me up and I can totally appreciate the fact that she is not a typical mommy blogger. Today's post hit me head on as my little girl is soon to be 11, but all of the sudden is acting like a teen. Talking about boys, fashion, asking to wear makeup. Things that I am not quite ready for. We have done all the right things, or so we think. The key is communication. You can never stop talking to your daughter and being ok with open conversations. Expecting the worst when they ask questions, and not avoiding giving an honest answer.

For example, she came home the other day talking about the 8th grader who is pregnant, and that her parents are ok with it. Well...I wasnt sure where to begin with this one. I let her talk about it a bit, and now I know we need to already have "the" conversation. I am not naive, I remember in junior high, there were sexually active kids, it is not a shock really, it is just not something I want to have to address with an 11 year...but know that I must.

This is where the today's post from People I Want to Punch in the Throat comes in, it is a checklist of Rules to Raising a Daughter. I think I agree wholeheartedly with every single one.

Some of my favorites from her list:
1. Teach your daughter to never allow herself to be anyone's property and that you will disown her if she ever wears shorts that claim otherwise.

8. Teach your daughter to be strong and confident in her abilities and not be afraid of failure. Teach her that sometimes she will fail, but she can't let that fear stop her from trying something.

22. Teach your daughter to be able to laugh at herself and have a sense of humor. There are so many women I meet that say they have a sense of humor, but they really don't.

These are just a few, you MUST go check out her blog to read the rest of her list...

http://www.peopleiwanttopunchinthethroat.com/2012/01/rules-for-parents-of-daughters.html

Ravens Nation - FREEstate Workshop

2012-01-11T13:18:00.001-05:00

Ravens Nation - Matthew Edward, Fresh Competition & Kenny Kilsworth

Artist Spotlight On: Debbie Fitch

2012-01-11T10:00:00.000-05:00

As many of you know, photography is a love of mine. I am inspired by the talented photographers that I have been lucky enough to come across, and am constantly yearning to improve. One of those photographers is Debbie Fitch. Before I had the chance to meet her, I admired her work. There is something so alive in her work, in a way that I can't quite describe in words. Her work, whether black and white or full color, the lines are crisp and the detail is sharp. Looking through her vast portfolio inspires me to get back out there to take more photos.

If you have not had the opportunity to see her work, check it out here:

Artist Spotlight on Debbie Fitch

2012 - Getting Started on the Local Challenge Again!

2012-01-10T10:00:00.000-05:00

A new year, 2012...we have had a busy 6 months. Last spring we decided to document our attempt at the Buy Local Challenge, starting with purchasing only local produce as of the summer solstice, and for the month of August did our best to only purchase and eat items from local farms and markets. Around the same time we also decided to sell our home we built 9 years ago, in order to downsize. In its place we bought a 100 year old home and began renovations, also fully documented. The end of 2011 proved to be a challenge for us, but we learned much about ourselves and our perseverance to make change for the better in our lives.

New year, new ideas! The Humphreys House is now inhabited, with much work still to be done. But with thoughts of starting fresh this year, been thinking about the Buy Local Challenge again. More to create the healthy habit, but also to continue support of small local farms. This is a great time of year to plan ahead, and possibly think of joining a CSA, Community Supported Agriculture. You can find CSA's that are close to you through Local Harvest.

Think about making a small change for yourself and your family this year. You don't have to move forward with some fad diet or cleanse or depriving yourself of those items deemed "unhealthy." Just eat in moderation, and know where your food comes from! Buy local!

I Resolve to Make a Resolution

2012-01-10T09:37:00.005-05:00

When I was asked to write about New Years resolutions this week, I was initially hesitant. I have never really been one to make resolutions because I don't believe in them. They are meant to be broken, like a cheap pair of sunglasses or the promises/declarations made by Rex Ryan. If there is something I decide should change in my life, I try right then to do it. Why wait for a date on the calendar to dictate that I begin my journey of self improvement? With that being said, if I WERE to make any resolutions this year, I think that my list would probably include one or more of the following:

*Blog on a more regular basis. This one is tough because if I don't feel like I have something to say or my wit is all dried up it is hard to find the motivation. But I should try.

*Finally begin my ninja combat training.

*I have been pretty good about this one over the past year, but I would like to continue my efforts to not talk smack to others who root for the wrong sports teams. It's bad football karma. I will revel in "my" teams victories, and not gloat when others lose. Losing sucks. I know.

*Be more spontaneous. Stop planning as much and stress less when I don't plan. Learn to accept surprises.

*Stop threatening to cut people. They are usually surprised when I respond to something they say with "I'll cut you". They will be 100 times more surprised if I just stab them with no warning. Surprises are fun. Except for me (see above).

*Run fewer marathons. The grand total of marathons and half marathons I've completed or even considered participating in is zero, so I feel optimistic that I can achieve this goal in the year 2012.

*To show optimism about the Orioles season past the end of April. I'm going to try to maintain it until at least early June this year.

*To eat fewer foods out of boxes. Pizza notwithstanding. As a matter of fact, I resolve to eat more pizza.

What are your New Years resolutions? Have you broken them yet? Don't worry, you will.

Fundraising & Belief in a Small Community - Tales From the Chair

2012-01-09T14:00:00.000-05:00

Living here in Ocean City/Berlin reminds me a lot of the TV show “Cheers”, everyone knows your name. This can of course be a good or bad thing! One thing about living in a small town is that when you don't know what you're doing,
someone else does. You decide to walk somewhere for exercise and 5 people pull over and ask if you need a ride. You schedule parties around the schedule of different police officers, since you know which ones will bust you and which ones won't. You have the Mayor’s cell phone number logged in your phone right next to your favorite bars. But most importantly when someone in the community is in need, everyone rallies around to support them whether in fundraising or in prayer.

PJ Aldridge is a great example of our communities fight to help him win his battle against Lung Cancer. Baby Ava, not only did our amazing Fire/EMS department get her out of that horrible car accident and treat her with the best
care possible, but the prayers for her have been off the charts and has even proven to be working, as she makes strides everyday! The AGH Penguin Swim, a great fundraiser to raise money for our local hospital, which I might say, having had my mother there recently, they are truly an amazing hospital! Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services….another great non-profit organization that helps our young people be the best they can be. I could go on and on about our communities amazing effort to make a difference in people’s lives, young or old!

I wanted to write about this because I think that no matter how much money or time you may have to help our community in all the areas where help is needed, you can remember that no matter what your belief is or who you may be praying too, that a small prayer, or even a single $1 can go a long way and help in many areas. Our small yet large community is truly amazing, and I for one am honored to be a part of it and to be raising my daughters here. How truly blessed am I (DB), How truly blessed are we!

Next Video from Our Hometown Underdog - Cheyne

2012-01-09T10:00:00.000-05:00

Latest video feature from Cheyne, X's and O's... take a look and feel free to share.

What's Going On This Weekend? - Ocean City & Berlin MD

2012-01-06T10:00:00.000-05:00

The week after New Year's and the towns seem rather sleepy. Many places are closed, taking breaks in the slow winter months. But don't fret! Those of you looking to get out on the town this weekend, you are in luck!

Friday January 6th
Troy Mawyer is playing at the Ocean Pines Yacht Club
Buy a Beer for Jon! - now through February at many local bars... more info here.
The Galaxy Collective playing at the Globe Theater in Berlin, MD
Kaleb Brown playing at Oasis Bar & Grill in Whaleyville
The Phantom Limbs playing at the 28th Street Pit n Pub in Ocean City
The Electric Co. will be playing Dogfish Brewpub in Rehoboth Beach, DE

Saturday January 10th
The Phantom Limbs will be playing the Pour House in Ocean City, MD

Go out and have some fun, enjoy the beginning of 2012!

Better Todcasting through Chemistry

2012-01-05T12:12:00.001-05:00

By Tony Russo
contributing word smith

Todd DeHart, my co-host on the Todcast has a friend who is a weatherman on the Western Shore and also happens to have a podcast. The man in question does his show with a longtime friend so Todd tuned in to see if he could pick up some pointers. What he learned (apparently) was that our show is better.

The reason, I think, is because since Todd and I don’t know each other very well, we don’t know what questions to not bother asking and which questions will go well or poorly so we keep it fresh.

So if we end up going to dinner together, as we discussed this week, the show could get a little worse. We apologize in advance.

The occasion for us planning to dine together can be found on page 12.

I’ve been on the Eastern Shore since 1993 and have decided that this is the year I try muskrat and if you don’t indulge, it should be the year you try it too.

I discovered this when speaking with Dave White, who owns the Pittsville Dinette and also happens to have his own personal muskrat hunter as well as an expert muskrat cook.

I passed up my first opportunity for the dish because — as Dave explained to me — it was prepared in the stew-y style instead of the right way. His way.

More importantly for me, though, was that he gets his muskrat directly from the hunter, with whom he has worked with for decades.

The dinette does fantastic business during muskrat eating season. People make plans to go, which says to me that those who know the difference choose to go there for the regional dish, which is available only for three-ish months per year.

On the Todcast, we decide that this is a put your “buy local” money where your “buy local” mouth is situation if ever one existed.

Also on the show this week we go over the spectacular New Year’s Eve party Berlin had last week and hear war stories from attendees. Zach, during the State of the Beer, said the brewery emptied out completely at about 10 as everyone except him made their way to what is quickly becoming the Eastern Shore’s answer to Times Square. I vote Bayside Square, but to be honest, I’m a little partial.

Feel free to join us 6 p.m. each Tuesday for the Happy Hour Todcast at Burley Oak Brewery. If something tragic keeps you from coming out, you can always check out the resulting recording Thursday afternoon by subscribing on iTunes. Just type GCFL into the search bar at the iTunes store to subscribe. We’re now also on the Stitcher app, which smart phone users can download free using the promo code ‘Todcast’ and have the show streamed directly to their phones. Fair warning before you listen: Put on your irony hats, kids. It’s all in good clean fun.

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10,000 Words About Summer (bonus video)

2012-01-04T10:00:00.000-05:00

Photos by some of our favorite photographers in the area...conjuring thoughts of warmer weather.

photo by Nick Denny

photo by Doug James

The High Road in Lower Class - Ep6

2012-01-04T02:00:00.000-05:00

The Dude back at it again after New Years

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Annual AGH Penguin Swim - Ocean City Maryland

2012-01-03T10:00:00.000-05:00

Here is video footage of this years Penguin Swim that occured on New Years Day.
Video courtesy of Dave Messick of Unscene Productions.

Resolving to Have a Great 2012

2012-01-02T13:32:00.000-05:00

Resolutions....really what do they mean? The past several years, instead of resolving to give something up or make some drastic, unrealistic change, instead we have focused on the small adjustments to improve. GoodCleanFun is also going to resolve to make some changes for the better. This year we at GCFL resolve to get back out there and take more photos of live music and events, now that the major home renovation is mostly complete. GCFL also resolves to find new artists to profile, and to give new things a chance!

See some beautiful photos of the Berlin Ball Drop from NYE here, by markospaghetti.

We hope to get some feedback from you, our readers, on artists, live music and events that you think we should be covering! Please feel free to contact us anytime!

Bosley - Sharpshooter

2011-12-30T14:31:00.001-05:00

Video of the Week - from another regional artist

great video shot in the streets of Baltimore

Live In The Moment

2011-12-30T09:47:00.000-05:00

The long cold winter in Ocean City has started out to be pretty mild. It is the end of the year, where people are always taking stock in what has happened over the last year. Remembering the losses, reminiscing the gains and making big plans for the future. Good Clean Fun is no different but we can dwell too much on the past or worry too much about the future because ther is good clean fun to be had right now. I guess we are the present minded folks who just like to record life as it happens through our GCFL filter and provide a little levity. The event going on right now is the benefit of Charles Jeff Keenan at Ish Boutuique and Events. If you dont know his story it goes like this - Nice guy , got sick, needs money. I don't know him personally but have met him once or twice and being that he is part of the Fagers family of bartenders, and well known and respected in the greater Ocean City family, he is someone I stand up to support no matter what.

Check out the Details here

Facebook Event

To reflect just for a moment -- it seems like every year we as a town lose someone either to illness of the body, or illness of the mind. Lets be careful to be aware of people who are not only in need in the open, but those who may be fighting demons in the dark. Ocean City is a party, a celebration, lets do what we often do and make sure everyone has something to celebrate in 2012.

sorry to go deep on you there, must have gotten a hold of some bad eggnog over the holiday - cheers and beers!

Glad 2011 is Almost Over!

2011-12-30T09:43:00.000-05:00

Don't get me wrong, there were definitely some highlights in 2011...getting to take photos of the Foo Fighters being one of them! There was also a lot of negative that I look forward to leaving behind...but lets focus on the positive!

First, however you plan on celebrating the new year, please do so with care. Take a cab or a bus, or walk if you can, no need to get behind the wheel if you can help it.

Second, here are some events that are going to be happening that sound like fun to me!

Come to Historic Berlin for the 2nd Annual Ball Drop! Obviously I am partial to this celebration as we live just down the road from where the ball will be dropping, but this year there will be plenty of music, food & beverages to enjoy!

Those in the Towson area looking for a way to ring in 2012 while listening to great live music, check out the DNL New Year's Bash at the Recher featuring Bond & Bentley and Pasadena to name just a few...

In Annapolis, head to The Whiskey for a great time with live music by The Grilled Lincolns. Tickets available, click here.

It was Huge

2011-12-29T11:55:00.001-05:00

by Tony Russo
of the BaySide Gazette/ Todcast network

Mark Huey made a terrible mistake. The Bayside Gazette graphic designer was in the office this week while I was preparing for the big “Year in Review” Todcast and told me he thought it was canceled since Todd DeHart, my co-host, had been out of town.
The next thing he knew, he was co-hosting the Todcast at Burley Oak, sipping his root beer and giving one word answers to my leading questions.
Example:
Me: “I know you’re kind of into the extreme sport scene, what was it like to get the opportunity to shoot the Dew Tour?”
Him: “It was huge.”
Me:….
Him:…
By now I’ve edited out all the dead air but since he wasn’t prepared to be the co-host and since he doesn’t do a podcast every week, the first few minutes were a little awkward until he found his feet. After that, it was actually a pretty good show.
Since it was a Year in Review, though and since the paper is already filled with a Year in Review, rather than break down the highlights as I usually do here, I’ll give the State of the Todcast.
The State of the Todcast is returning to normal. It’s been a wobbly month for us and we’re still working on the live streaming aspect of it but we should be back to our old selves again by Tuesday and have new site, format and all sorts of cool stuff to speak about by February.
When we started in April, there was a lot of dead air and “ums” and disorganization but over the ensuing months — and especially since finding a home at Burley Oak Brewery, we’ve really hit our stride and can be counted upon to produce a listenable show every week.
We’ve grown to just about 300 listeners per week and a lot of them are regulars and listen to the show the whole way through.
In this week’s State of the Beer, Bryan Brushmiller said he’s got a lot of plans for their big New Years Eve party. He said he doesn’t expect to have a ton of people until after the Ball Drop but insists he’ll be open as late (early?) as legally possible and looks forward to kicking off the New Year in a big way.
As for us, we’ll keep plugging along and hope to be more interactive as the year goes on. We might even have a party for our 53rd show in April, so stay tuned and have a happy and safe new year.

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Back in the Game!

2011-12-29T09:09:00.001-05:00

Hoping all have had a wonderful holiday! The GCFL home campus has now been officially moved to the Humphreys House in historic Berlin, MD and still getting settled. Internet is still an issue but we hope to begin 2012 with lots of new ideas and blogs from the folks here at GoodCleanFun!

Before Kitchen

After Kitchen

New Years Eve is coming soon...we will report back on all the fun and festivities that will be happening...

The High Road in Lower Class Episode 5

2011-12-21T12:33:00.002-05:00

The Christmas Party Episode 5

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I'm the Internet. I'm WINNING!

2011-12-20T11:07:00.015-05:00

Dear Friends, Family, and Strangers the world over,

Wow! It's hard to believe that another year already came and went. It seems like just yesterday that I was only available to NASA scientists and government nerds. Crazy how the time flies! Luckily I was able to take some time off from Planking and 9/11 conspiracy theories to see new places and have some R&R in 2011.

Speaking of new places, I've had the opportunity to travel this year more than ever before. At this point I'm pretty much all over the world, so I get to see some cool things and experience different cultures (except in China - they won't let me do shit over there). If you can't access me from your phone by now you are either a huge loser or a Buddhist monk. But more likely a loser. But seriously, how else are you supposed to look something up at the drop of a hat to prove someone wrong or check the score of the game?? JK!! LMFAO!! Am I right??? I'm a pretty big deal.

The kids are getting so big now! It's hard to believe that little Wireless is already ten years old! When he was first getting off the ground he was spotty and unreliable but has since really blossomed. In addition to making the honor roll and attending Orchestra Camp (he plays the cello, natch), he is on track to be in most American homes within the next decade. I couldn't be prouder!

His sister Wifi has also really come into her own. She's become such a young beauty that any business worth their salt will soon offer her. She's pretty much mandatory in all hotels and coffee shops. Next stop - churches and glaciers in Alaska! I'm guilty of having had one of those Toddlers and Tiaras stage-parent years, where I've been telling everyone they have to feature her. They totally should!! ROFL!!!

Dad had a pretty quiet 2011 after the ending of his marriage last year. When the general public demanded a paternity test and it was determined that he is not in fact my biological father, he had a pretty tough time with it. I didn't even get invited to this year's Gore family reunion. He's pretty much abandoned me and politics for the environment. Talk about an inconvenient truth. And since Tipper never claimed to be my mother I have often struggled with the complicated range of emotions that come with being a bastard. OMG!! Sorry to get all treating-the-web-as-a-personal-diary on you! I totally unfollow people who do that ;-)

Right? Right Left. Left - Gone Away. Away, up up and. Down. Chickens. $#^%$^$% Shit, sorry! I forgot to turn off Bing toolbar. Sheez, he is really out of hand. I've been medicating him, trying to get him to be more like his superior Uncle Google, but he's always trying to display maps of the whole country or web images of verbs. *sigh*

I will admit to you that this year hasn't been all sunshine and roses. Those guys at WikiLeaks and Anonymous have been real assholes. I truly hope that their indiscretions do not cause you to shy away from doing all your banking, shopping, communication, research, and entertainment through me and the kids. Because then the terrorists would win. LOLOLOL!! Other 2011 lows have included the Tweeting of political dick picks and argumentative and hateful commentary on everything from news stories and blogs to obituaries and pie charts. If I'm going to rule the world I guess I have to accept being the ultimate anonymous outlet for all the narcissistic crazies out there. It's a heavy burden I carry.

Looking ahead towards 2012, I am excited (in more ways than one. boo-yah!) to announce the impending arrival of the .xxx web addresses. This will be one small step for man (men), one giant leap for porn! JK! But seriously, if you have kids you should look into iron-tight security settings for your computer. I'm not for everyone, after all. Also look for breaking scandals, more death hoaxes, and more 2012
itstheendoftheworldbecausetheMayanssaidsothousandsofyearsago theories. I can't wait! Here's wishing you Happy Holidays and best wishes for a bright and prosperous New Year!

Love and Hugs,

The Internet

Tales From the Chair: What is Love?

2011-12-20T10:25:00.001-05:00

by: Colby Kauffman

Firstly, how can we define love, or what-is-love? Love is a sensation through the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual senses. When music is playing, it stimulates your ears and moves your soul. When watching fireworks at night, it hypnotizes your eyes and inspires your spirit. Honestly, what is the feeling you get when an attractive stranger gives you a pleasant smile unexpectedly? Defining what-is-love has been the work of various types of artists throughout time. We all know love when we feel it. We all want to be loved. There is no denying it. Yet, it is still a mystery in many ways. It is a huge subject to explore. It is compassionate, romantic, generous, heart-felt, funny, and heals all things. It can be expressed in numerous ways. To define what-is-love is difficult because we are not well educated about it in school from first grade to the first two years in college, compared to Math, for example. It can be a controversial and sensitive subject. The definition of love is still in its infancy. Hopefully, there will eventually be a large community of loveologists (scientists who specialize in love) that can define what-is-love and are able to offer important contributions to our world society, and I will volunteer to be the first.

Since we are in the season of giving and love I thought I would approach this question. I spoke to a few different people to get their thoughts and of course will give you mine. When asking my 5 year old Sadie her response was “mommy is love”….of course this in return brought on an overwhelming feeling of warmth and love in my heart. I do believe we love our children in a way that is different from all others, unconditionally, and there is almost no way to describe it to those who do not have children. Love to some is wine, chocolate, football…there are so many levels of love. When I asked my good friend Heather what love is to her this was her response: “You are love, you show love in more ways than any other human being I know. You love wholehearted, and unconditional. You put your loved ones first and yourself last, that's love. You shower your loved ones with gifts not because you're trying to buy love but simply because you love to give, giving to you is love and the response from your loved ones when they receive a card, flowers, or even a present from you gives you gratitude and joy, more so than receiving something yourself, that's love Colby. You are a very selfless person, and you love everyone who you care about SO much you sometimes forget to love you, that’s love. I don't think anyone can ever love too much but I think you can love the wrong people too much. You can put all your love and effort into loving someone so hard and never receive any love back, that's one way love, to me, and to me, love is a two way street.” WOW! In response to this I do admit she is right on my level of love to those around me. I am definitely one who “loves hard” as my mother always says, and I truly expect nothing in return. But love to me is JOY…I prefer love in my life above all other feelings. I do believe without it life will be hard. How amazing is it to offer people love whether it is in the form of a hug, a smile, a kiss, a letter, a poem, no matter how it is shown to you, receive it with everything you have and know that it is being given to you because that person wants too and it brings them love by doing it. In return love others with everything you have. Love to me is the simple joys of life….it is a connection you have with another person that you don’t have with anyone else. You enjoy everything about them, even their flaws. Someone you love romantically, emotionally, physically, and unconditionally, your best friend (DB). Your girlfriends…the ones who not only hold your hand when you cry, and cheer you on when you succeed, but hold your hair back on those crazy nights you wake up regretting! They are there for you anytime, day or night. As Sophocles says: "One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life: That word is love."

I can certainly write all day on this topic because it is one I truly enjoy. I ask you to go into this season of love and in the best way you know how, express it to those around you who mean “love” to you. Express it to those you don’t know with a smile or a simple hello, it could be the only form of love they receive. No matter how you give love, perceive love, or accept love, know that life is short and no matter what, there is someone who thinks of YOU when they are asked the simple question: “What is Love?”

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

With all my love,
Colby

Generous Spirit

2011-12-19T08:03:00.002-05:00

Happy Monday! We here at GCFL will be offline for the next day or so due to the big move. Please feel free to peruse through galleries and posts past, look back on the year and reminisce along with us. We are also looking for feedback from you, our readers and followers on what you would like to see more of in 2012! Email us here.

I also wanted to thank all of the very generous donors who gave such amazing items to be auctioned off this past Saturday for the benefit at JC's Northside Pub for Jon DeForest. Also want to thank those of you who bid on all of those items as well. Such an amazing outpouring of generosity!

For some photos of the event, including Mr. Dunworth's strip tease, click here.

Video of the year of videos of the day

2011-12-16T16:00:00.001-05:00

[HD]Best of Web - Najlepsze w Sieci - Le meilleur du Web from adriank1410 on Vimeo.

Good Clean Gnarly? - Get Gnarly 626 Trailer II

2011-12-16T10:00:00.000-05:00

Good Clean Gnarly? Not really, but the crew from Get Gnarly definitively have an idea on how to have a fun life. Tron has created a crew and brand that is all Ocean City,a party on 4 urethane wheels. With the simple banding of the phrase "Get Gnarly" and some solid skating in well produced videos, Tron built a brand that is prevalent in all the skate shops in town and beyond. In the past year Get Gnarly added "Thug Mansion" to its growing legacy. This warehouse space with its LED lit miniramp, laser light show and Jacuzzi has become the hot spot for late night partying and shredding.

One case in point the weekend of the Dew Tour, the after-after party was there and saw proskaters, OC Old School skaters, and the young (some real young) guard tearing up a beer soaked ramp in a skake session. Most were just eatin it but others would get a great line and kill it including a couple of the Thug Mansion VIPs ( they have there own section with velvet ropes and everything) The trailer for a new Get Gnaly video was put out this week and looks to have upped the ante with this one.

Happy Gnar-easter everybody

I must say that as a pseudo-responsible adult, and guardian of a 17 year old, I would be scared to allow anyone under age to go any where near Thug Mansion. After all it seems to be a lawless land of debauchery, even frequented by gypsys. But as a Skater this place is awesome and some time self governing is the best government. I hope the this crew, which actually came to our house for easter one year (thats another story) can keep things Gnarly, but continue to grow as a legit brand.

Publish Envy

2011-12-15T10:59:00.000-05:00

by Tony Russo
Contributing Podcaster

Todd DeHart, my co-host, was among the most disappointed people this week when blogger and semi-professional crank Joe Albero got a ton of attention for one of his posts. It was a bit of an education for me because I didn’t know there was such a thing as iCNN or CNNi or whatever the site was that promoted the blog in question.

This is old territory for us, so I’ll just touch lightly on it here — the difference between a blogger and an actual journalist is accountability. There was actually a national news story about a blogger who lost the bid to protect a source because blogging isn’t journalism. It’s not my fault.

To pay the bills, Kurt Vonnegut would occasionally speak at writer’s conferences. He wrote that he wondered why there were never any medical conferences where people stayed the weekend at a hotel pretending to be doctors or legal conferences where people spent three intensive days pretending to be lawyers.

We gave the matter way more attention than we should have but at the end of the day Todd’s main source of jealousy was that his blog site www.goodcleanfunlife.com never gets the attention sties that “report” on conspiracies and potential scandals do. It’s the same reason no one ever slows down to watch someone not being in a car accident.

On the lighter side of the Todcast, and for the Twitter savvy, Mark Huey, this paper’s graphic designer and I have started documenting what goes on outside that great big bay window at 11 South Main Street, the Gazette’s new offices.

If you have ever been in a high school play it is likely you’ve heard the theatrical warning, “If you can see the audience, they can see you.” It’s often an attempt to keep kids from poking their faces out of the wings.

It also happens to be a lesson we learn here daily and, as we discuss at length in the Todcast, it goes a long way to making one a more conscious eater. Also, we do a lot of waving, so if you find yourself Downtown, make sure to look in and wave. Mark is the skinny one. I’m, well, less so.

Thanks to everyone who keeps up with the Todcast “What did Todd say?” challenge. This week we’re taking it up a notch and you’ll have to listen to the show in order to get the clue. The first one who answers it gets a draft beer or root beer, your choice, on the Todcast.

Feel free to join us 6 p.m. each Tuesday for the Happy Hour Todcast at Burley Oak Brewery. If something tragic keeps you from coming out, you can always check out the resulting recording Thursday afternoon by subscribing on iTunes. Just type GCFL into the search bar at the iTunes store to subscribe. We’re now also on the Stitcher app, which smart phone users can download free using the promo code ‘Todcast’ and have the show streamed directly to their phones. Fair warning before you listen: Put on your irony hats, kids. It’s all in good clean fun.

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High Road in Lower Class - Episode 4

2011-12-14T14:00:00.000-05:00

Dude and Big Al are at it again. Todd DeHart sits in to join in the fun as we decide on the Christmas Party for next week at the brewery starting at 530 with a meet and great and special contest to get some FREE BEER Listen to find out details. Also, if any one brings the new weather girl from WBOC the boys would be very pleased. Find out who the dude predicts will be next years nominees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

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Leaders Among Us - Thank You

2011-12-14T12:06:00.004-05:00

15 Years ago I moved to the beach and got a job.... but I didn't realize it then, but I didn't just get a job I joined a family. Family defined as a group of people that shape you and your life, to push you and pull you; give you a pat on the back and a kick in the ass. People who inspire you in ways that are not even apparent till years later. This job Working for a Developer in Bethany Beach was more like College 2.0. The lessons were more difficult, the fun was richer and the net gain was exponentially greater for me and the company. In all this talk about corporate greed of today, I think back to the first corporation that I worked for - Freeman. "Corporation" was not a bad word back then, it was associated with culture. The corporate culture at Carl M. Freeman Companies was to never be satisfied with just succeeding and profiting, it was to educate, develop, and lead. To create leaders and entrepreneurs.

To LIVE BETTER.

Natalee's Live Better Tattoo

This idea stuck with me so much so that, five years ago I had it tattooed on my neck so it would be closest to my brain and to inspire the those that might follow me one day. Like I followed the leaders at Freeman. I owe a lot of these people a debt of gratitude, but today a special thank you to the man at the helm and in charge of it all - Josh Freeman. He may be gone from us for 5 years now but his legacy lives on in the culture of leaders he helped to create.

Thank you Josh.

All our love to Michelle and the family (of which I humbly feel part of)

Artist Spotlight on FREEstate Workshop

2011-12-14T10:00:00.000-05:00

Many of you have seen the videos of music recordings of several regional artists, all courtesy of the FREEstate Workshop out of Baltimore. For over 2 years, Robert has produced some of the best recordings of the areas most loved musicians. Check out more on his craft here...

FREEstate Workshop Artist Spotlight

Also, on February 18th at Rams Head in Baltimore you can catch Robert and many of the FREEstate musicians performing for Pirate Rob's Birthday Bash.

A Letter from the CEO of Christmas

2011-12-13T13:31:00.010-05:00

Dear Christmas Faithful,

As many of you know, we have been facing an uphill battle in recent years against the popularization of ‘Happy Holidays’. We fully intend to bring ‘Merry Christmas’ back to its previous status as an acceptable December greeting before the conclusion of fiscal year 2012. I plan on fully implementing several initiatives.

As you may have heard, that situation regarding the baby born in the barn has turned into quite a nightmare scenario. Due to the unsanitary condition of the birth manger and the fact that animals were present, CPS (Cynical People for Sanitation) has been threatening to sweep in and remove the child from our custody. I have been advised not to comment further, as this is still considered an open investigation. Please refer all questions regarding impending litigation to the company lawyer, Benedict XVI, LLB.

As many of you know, our three recreational astronomers who followed the star to the barn initially have given us much inspiration in terms of the direction that we would like to go. Rewarding people for good behavior is unprecedented. And who could be considered better behaved than a married virgin? Therefore it is with great regret that I must be the bearer of bad news. Due to current economic conditions and recent cutbacks, those three have been replaced by a solitary bearded fat man with a questionable interest in children and little people. One Nicholas Clause will undergo extensive training in the art of breaking and entering without detection.

I am confident that this strategic move could bring us out of the red, as he is willing to accept cookies and diabetic insulin in lieu of monetary compensation and traditional benefits. He will continue with the astronomers’ practice of rewarding those who are good. Gold and Frankincense will still be used sparingly. Due to public outrage and lack of knowing what it is, Myrr will be replaced with shares of Facebook stock and Red Rider BB Guns.

According to recent polls, 68% of people find reindeer to be more appealing than the spitting camels. Being as that they are also more cost effective, a small herd of 8 reindeer will replace the three camels affective immediately. We will continue our unwavering support of pine tree genocide.

Moving forward, I will be leading a newly formed think tank in search of a solution to the problem of Bad Kid Coal. We will be looking for ‘greener’ suggestions (via social networking) that do not foster further dependence on fossil fuels. You are probably aware that our main competition, Lucifer, has made the switch to solar power and has recently gained over one million Twitter followers who favor his trending hashtags referencing the Kardashians and Congress. With your support, I fully expect that this corporation will surge ahead of both Happy Holidays and Lucifer in 2012. I bless you.

Best,

God

CEO, Christmas International

P.S. – My son Jesus sends his regrets that he will be unable to attend the upcoming shareholders conference due to the observation of Hanukah. Because he’s Jewish.

Holiday Cards - Happy Holidays to All!

2011-12-13T10:00:00.003-05:00

We enjoy oddball holiday cards...

Some people do an amazing job of capturing an incredible photo that could be used for their greeting, but we had a difficult time doing so with children. Instead we decided to create a different version of the standard holiday cards. We have been inspired by so many of the creative cards out there, keep on creating! This year we have spent so much time renovating a hundred year old home, and couldn't help but realize the perfect card for this year would be our version of American Gothic. Happy holidays to everyone and best wishes for a great 2012!

2011 - American Gothic

2010 - Peace

2008 - Adapted from Halloween costumes

2007 - Trailer Trash Christmas

2006 - Stepford Holiday

My Experience With Football

2011-12-12T14:00:00.000-05:00

As far back as I can remember I have always been considered a “leader” type. I planned the neighborhood plays, organized TV tag and even decided who played which character during our game of Thunder Cats or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. But when it comes to football, I was always the “follower”.

Growing up in Annapolis with parents who loved the NY Giants, at home they were who I cheered for and if I was with friends I usually cheered on the Redskins. As I got older I would choose my team based on the color jerseys I liked best (and of course who had the greatest looking backsides! (DB). With Navy blue and Green as my favorite colors, you can imagine I was usually the odd man out at parties in MD. Some of the closest people in my life have VERY different opinions on teams. My older brother love’s the Detroit Lions (don’t ask me, I don’t get it either). Two of my dearest girlfriends love the Steelers and the Patriots. As I have reached adult hood I have finally flipped the coin and decided to not take on the role of “leader” or “follower”, but to be an “individual” and become a Raven’s fan. Now I will admit this was mainly because my 10-year-old daughter Remy is such a huge Raven’s fan. She basically told me I was a “fool” if I didn’t like them when she was 5. And now I got to experience my first Raven’s bus tour, tailgating and a live game with my good friend Ginger who I might add has a tattoo of the Saints and is a HUGE Colt’s fan, who we happened to have played this particular game!

So here it is; game day, get up put my Raven’s gear on and head to the bus which leaves at 7:30am with Ginger. Since this particular game we are playing the Colts, I mentioned to Ginger that although I don’t know much about football, I do know you don’t get on the home team bus wearing the opposing team’s jersey! With that being said, “if you wear it, I don’t know you”. She did the right thing and wore black. Although by the time we got there and she had a few beers in her, we managed to get her in a Raven’s shirt! But that’s a whole different blog in itself! I have no idea at this point what to expect. Once we are on the bus, which I might add is swarming with purple right down to the toilet paper, the people riding with us are all geared up and ready to party! The first beer was cracked by 8am, and food was being passed around from seat to seat. It was literally a moving party bus! And I would like to add that Raven’s fans are SO MUCH FUN! They live and breathe purple.

Once we arrived at the stadium, the bus was parked and all I could see from one end to the other was the biggest party ever. These people don’t mess around…from satellites placed on their vehicles to grills the size of what you would find in a restaurant, the party had begun! We made our way to a place called “the Warehouse”, which has about 4 or 5 bars inside of it and from what I hear is only opened on game day. The thing that surprised me the most about this place was that the line to the men’s bathroom was a mile long! I didn’t even have to wait in line to use the women’s restroom. I mentioned to some of them standing in line that there had to be something going on in that bathroom, to which they replied “yeah a lot of drinking and peeing!”….ok then….off to the stadium….

WOW! This place is insane! You can’t be in this place without feeling the love of your fellow man. Could it be that 99% of them are drunk?, yes probably, but who cares, when you are there, as long as you have the right colors on, you are family! I had more money and beer pass through my hands then I would ever know what to do with and none of it was even mine. Needless to say the game was great and we of course won.

On the bus ride home people were talking about where they were going to go to watch the 8pm game. And so the party continues. I can honestly say this was a fun and great experience and I can see how people just go to the games to tailgate. That was certainly my favorite part of the day!

Going through this experience I do understand how one sport can bring so much enjoyment and fun to everyone. I also learned a lot more about the game and what terms stand for then I knew prior. I mean a “Tight End” to me is what I get after doing 100 squats, how would I know it’s an offensive player who serves as a receiver and also a blocker? Anyway, I would definitely recommend if you haven’t experienced going to a football game, that it is something to add to your bucket list! CAW!

Holiday Parties! - Galaxy 66

2011-12-12T10:00:00.000-05:00

Holiday parties are in full swing, with Galaxy 66, Dead Freddies & Fager's Island having their holiday celebrations for their customers this past weekend. Coming up this week, be sure to head to Mothers Cantina on Thursday for their annual party, with half priced drinks!

We had a nice time at the Galaxy on Friday, here are a couple photos from the festivities. Be sure to keep an eye out for the new Sky Bar expansion coming this spring!

My Love For Villains

2011-12-09T09:10:00.000-05:00

Those who know me, know that I have been a big fan of all things Disney. Not to the point of tons of collectibles, but a fan nonetheless. Beyond being a fan in general, I have more of an interest in the villains. There is something about the characters that have been deemed villains in Disney movies. I dont long to be evil, I am just intrigued by them. My favorite being Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty. When two of my favorite things came together, MAC Cosmetics and Disney Villains, of course I had to get it! You may have seen me in the bright purple lipstick, with the likeness of Maleficent on the tube, I tend to wear it when the mood strikes...Maybe tonight!

Getting to act out my favorite Villain...

photo of David Beckham as Prince Phillip of Sleeping Beauty, photo by Annie Leibovitz

An Amazing Digital Painting by Arnaud de Vallois

Todd Loves A Parade - The Happy Hour Todcast

2011-12-08T09:41:00.001-05:00

By: Tony Russo

This week Todd DeHart proposed possibly the single most awful Christmas parade idea that anyone has had in a very long time, but it wasn’t his fault, really. He just gets excited. For the first time since he’s lived here he was able to see the parade from his front porch and his newly-found access to the Downtown area has kind of gone to his head.

He’s never (apparently) noticed before, so this year he was just a tad disappointed that there were no adults-only presents thrown from the floats or spiked hot chocolate available for sale anywhere along the parade route. His mission, he said, was to change all that.

My mission was to distract him, so we contemplated a less aggressive entry into the parade — possibly a Todcast float — or maybe the sale of hot dogs and hamburgers on an outdoor grill. After all, we wouldn’t want him arrested for being a rogue.

Yes, if you take a look at the Police Beat (Page 6) you’ll note the gentleman charged with being a rogue had more charges filed against him this week. The reason I bring him up again is that this week’s drinkable prize contest involves him in a way.

The first of our readers to visit the Todcast and define for us (OK, for him, he doesn’t believe my definition) the word “rogue” can have a drink on the house. During the State of the Beer we learned that the root beer is still on tap so non-drinkers can totally play along as well.

The other story we discussed at length was the new Berlin Walking Tour (See Page 16) which is getting a complete redo including professional actors playing some of the parts. The story about Rex Hailey’s tree is expanded upon in the Todcast and is more amusing that was really appropriate for the bigger story, which was the Tour.

Other items of interest include my experience at a biker party and a grownups party along with Todd’s fear that Ocean City is preparing to ban people who are wearing tattoos. While he is all for banning what he calls, “skin mullets” he suggested an outright ban would be a bummer. It’s his phobia and we should probably just let him have it. It’ll keep him honest if nothing else.

Feel free to join us 6 p.m. each Tuesday for the Happy Hour Todcast at Burley Oak Brewery. If something tragic keeps you from coming out, you can always check out the resulting recording Thursday afternoon by subscribing on iTunes. Just type GCFL into the search bar at the iTunes store to subscribe. We’re now also on the Stitcher app, which smart phone users can download free using the promo code ‘Todcast’ and have the show streamed directly to their phones. with no individual show downloads required. Fair warning before you listen: Put on your irony hats, kids. It’s all in good clean fun.

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The High Road In Lower Class - Episode 3

2011-12-07T13:13:00.001-05:00

The Dude and Big Al sit down with Hometown Underdog Cheyne Truitt talking all that trash.

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Artist Spotlight on Andy Katz

2011-12-07T09:30:00.001-05:00

Its funny cause I started my morning thinking to my self over and over I hate Katz, I hate Katz. But of course I was referring to one of the stupid Cats that live in our neighborhood and when they are not killing birds, ( did you know that the "domestic" cat is the only animal, other that humans, that kill for fun.) they are screaming in the middle of the night underneath our bed room window. This fine morning was interrupted with one of them some how getting stuck in the attic space above our garage. So I set a trap for it, hey live by the sword die by the sword.

But I digress. Andy Katz is who I really want to talk about. He doesn't live by the sword but by the brush. A watercolor brush no less, and he does it very well. Sure he has the credentials and accolades of a great painter and teacher. Sure he is the older brother of one of my dearest friends, so I would be expected to be biased (even though it was his friend who allegedly took my candy one Halloween) However the proof is in the pudding, the water colors that he does are vivid still life's of deeply Maryland Subjects - boats, crabs, and waterscapes. Andy is also a passionate sports fan of his beloved hometown teams - Ravens, Orioles, and Capitals. Though he is still picky, I once asked him if he would do a painting of Art Monk or the Redskins.....without hesitation he said he would never paint a Redskin. That was a long time ago and never doesn't last forever, so I'm still hoping.

If you think of your self as a Marylander or and Easternshorer for that matter, you need to spend a little time checking...
Andy Katz Artist Spotlight
Like his Face book page too Katz-Art

12 Days of Xmas, Eastern Shore Style

2011-12-06T14:00:00.000-05:00

When I was asked to write something on the 12 Days of Christmas I was thinking that I could write it based on living here on the Eastern shore and what “WE” all may receive as gifts from many different people…

On the 1st day of Christmas my boyfriend gave to me,
The head of a 15 point Buck! (For you DB )

On the 2nd day of Christmas my brother gave to me,
2 Raven’s Tickets stuffed inside a sock and the head of a 15 Point Buck!

On the 3rd day of Christmas my children gave to me,
3 different colds, 2 Raven’s tickets and the head of a 15 point Buck!

On the 4th day of Christmas my City Government gave to me,
4 New City Council members, 3 different colds, 2 Raven’s tickets and the head of a 15 point Buck!

On the 5th day of Christmas my Girlfriends gave to me,
5 “Girl’s Nights” of shoppiiiiiinnnnnnnngggggg!! 4 New City Council members, 3 different colds, 2 Raven’s tickets and the head
of a 15 point Buck!

On the 6th day of Christmas my Boss gave to me,
6 hours of overtime, 5 “Girl’s Nights” of shoppiiiiiinnnnnnnngggggg!! 4 New City Council members, 3 different colds, 2 Raven’s
tickets and the head of a 15 point Buck!

On the 7th day of Christmas my In-Laws gave to me,
7 reasons I couldn’t wait for the holiday to be over, 6 hours of overtime, 5 “Girl’s Nights” of shoppiiiiiinnnnnnnngggggg!! 4 New
City Council members, 3 different colds, 2 Raven’s tickets and the head of a 15 point Buck!

On the 8th day of Christmas my co-worker gave to me,
An awesome lunch at Crazy 8’s, 7 reasons I couldn’t wait for the holiday to be over, 6 hours of overtime, 5 “Girl’s Nights” of
shoppiiiiiinnnnnnnngggggg!! 4 New City Council members, 3 different colds, 2 Raven’s tickets and the head of a 15 point Buck!

On the 9th day of Christmas my mother gave to me,
A $9 gift card to Wal-Mart, An awesome lunch at Crazy 8’s, 7 reasons I couldn’t wait for the holiday to be over, 6 hours of
overtime, 5 “Girl’s Nights” of shoppiiiiiinnnnnnnngggggg!! 4 New City Council members, 3 different colds, 2 Raven’s tickets and
the head of a 15 point Buck!

On the 10th day of Christmas my father gave to me,
10 cartridges for my Remington 700, A $9 gift card to Wal-Mart, An awesome lunch at Crazy 8’s, 7 reasons I couldn’t wait for
the holiday to be over, 6 hours of overtime, 5 “Girl’s Nights” of shoppiiiiiinnnnnnnngggggg!! 4 New City Council members, 3
different colds, 2 Raven’s tickets and the head of a 15 point Buck!

On the 11th day of Christmas my Children’s teachers gave to me,
11 different colored flyers, 10 cartridges for my Remington 700, A $9 gift card to Wal-Mart, An awesome lunch at Crazy 8’s, 7
reasons I couldn’t wait for the holiday to be over, 6 hours of overtime, 5 “Girl’s Nights” of shoppiiiiiinnnnnnnngggggg!! 4 New
City Council members, 3 different colds, 2 Raven’s tickets and the head of a 15 point Buck!

On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me,
That’s really none of your business ;) (DB), 11 different colored flyers, 10 cartridges for my Remington 700, A $9 gift card to
Wal-Mart, An awesome lunch at Crazy 8’s, 7 reasons I couldn’t wait for the holiday to be over6 hours of overtime, 5 “Girl’s
Nights” of shoppiiiiiinnnnnnnngggggg!! 4 New City Council members, 3 different colds, 2 Raven’s tickets and the head of a 15
point Buck!

XOXO ~ Colby

An OC Christmas Poem - Kruger's Korner

2011-12-06T10:00:00.001-05:00

It's the month before Christmas, and all through OC

Every night of the week someone has a party

The lights are strung up through Northside with care

Donations from Winterfest put them up there

The locals are nestled all snug at the Tavern

A yuletide festival is what we are havin'

Friends with their liquor, and I with my Boh

Had just settled down for the offseason show

When down Coastal Highway there arose such a clatter

We put down our Natties to see what was the matter

Up to the boardwalk we flew in a flash

Then detoured to Captain's Table to get some Crab Hash

Heading to West O, everyone took off

To Green Turtle West for this year's Chili Cook Off

With dozens of restaurants, presentations so slick,

It's hard to know just who to pick

We'll all plan a bar crawl that would put tourists to shame

Let's map out our bar stops and call them by name

"Now JC's, now Kirby's, now Mother's and Fagers!

On Cork Bar, on Pickles, let's all have some Jager!"

Up and down the boardwalk and along the sea wall

the frigid-ass ocean is still a great draw

From May to September, summer once again flew

It's time to kick back at Burley Oak with a brew

And then in a twinkling winter's upon us

You best call a taxi, you won't see a town bus

It's the best time of year, if you're craving hot sake

To get some with your tuna at OC Wasabi

Locals head to Berlin for a quaint atmosphere

Feel like live music? Head to the Steer

You can tour old Berlin in a nice carriage ride

Or gaze at the moon over the water, during high tide

The 50 bridge how it twinkles, the whole town is merry

The generosity at our fundraisers is almost scary

And if you think the benefits don't go out on a limb

Head to Bull New Years Day for the great Penguin Swim

We have the best people, this small town of ours

And also per capita have the most bars

The streets are so empty, the best time to jay walk

No lines at Fisher's - get your popcorn in bulk

One of the best things about the whole season

Are the decorative trees that pepper the median

Since the North Pole is frozen throughout the year

If Santa was smart he'd vacation here

Still plenty to do, from shopping to pool league

He could hit the casino, send the reindeer to Assateague

Is that him? Thought I, detecting a motion

Is that a sleigh and reindeer out over the ocean?

It was him indeed and he looked amused

The seagulls around him? They were confused

But I heard him exclaim "Be sure to pay your bar tabs

I'll be back in the springtime, please save me some crabs!"

Show Us Your GoodCleanFun! - Submit Photos!

2011-12-05T07:59:00.001-05:00

We here at GCFL, love to take photos of people having a good time at various events and of entertainment in the region. We focus on the good in people, showing fun in a positive light. This holiday season is full of parties, events and live music that we alone are unable to cover each one, and this is why we have created the Show Us Your Good Clean Fun Page. We have always provide fresh quallity content and now is your turn and we will leave the defenition of "Fresh" and "Quality" up to your interpretation. Cell Phone pics, funny pics/or Meme's you come across, even sporting the 'GCFL' letters are great . Submit with the form and we will get them up in a gallery of all of the GCFLers to enjoy and you can relish in your new local internet fame (not that you don't already.)

Mac Lethal Viral Hits xTwo

2011-12-02T11:01:00.001-05:00

Sometimes good people catch a virus, some times really talented people go viral. Mac Lethal is proof that it can happen and that it takes ten years to make an overnight success. Mac Lethal has been at it for years but in accepting a challenge for rapping over Chris Browns "look at me now" has in three days garnered over 2 million hits on the you tube video of him rapping about pancakes. I first came across it on one of my fav sites - Sneakhype.com and left me hungering for more. Turns out he also the author of Text from Bennett which kept coming up in my news feed yesterday. Check the article on spin.com and his video here. I hope this is the start of a trend of people going "viral" with quality original shit. Check his other stuff (he's on spotify)

Holiday Spirit: Berlin Christmas Parade 2011

2011-12-02T10:00:00.000-05:00

Mr. Mayor of Berlin

The Annual Christmas Parade in our town of Berlin is quite the event. First of all, it is held at night, specifically the first Thursday in December. Secondly, every area marching band, school and fire company are part of the parade, this year with over 100 floats. Usually we head into the center of town and attempt to combine watching the parade with the kids as well as socializing in front of the Atlantic Hotel. Since we will be moving into town shortly, we decided to check out the view from the end of our street. JACKPOT! Mellower spot, the kids could actually see, and not wall to wall people. Next year for sure, we will be hosting a Christmas Parade Party at the Humphreys House!

See the Parade Photos here!

Rogues & Vagabonds - Happy Hour Todcast

2011-12-01T14:00:00.000-05:00

By: Tony Russo

The Tuesday before Thanksgiving Michael Day was sitting in the Atlantic Hotel courtyard tying up Christmas ornaments that would eventually adorn the Town Christmas Tree, chatting with the Town staffer who was helping him.

We got to talking and he made me assure him that the Todcast he was scheduled to be the guest for later that day wouldn’t run past 7 p.m. I promised and let him know not to worry if I was a little late.

The notion of being stuck alone with Todd DeHart, my co-host terrified Michael and he made me promise I wouldn’t make him sit there alone with him. It was a promise I made but failed to live up to. In the end it didn’t matter, because he was a fantastic guest — in case you haven’t gotten around to listening to last week’s Todcast yet — and I took my shots for missing the show on tape. This will have to suffice as a public apology. With any luck he’ll return my dog any day now.

The point is that since I bailed last week it was tough to convince anyone to come on this week but we had plenty to talk about. You’ll have to listen to get all of it but it’s probably the most politically cutting edge show out this week that also includes extensive discussion on turkey basting and wet brining methods. Of course we also got into how much anticipation was wrapped up in tonight’s Berlin Christmas Parade and our various plans for watching it.

The Todcast as well as this week’s paper heralds the return of the rogue and the vagabond (see Page 6). As you’ll hear during the ‘Police Beat’ portion of the show we explored the fact that the Ocean Pines Police charged a man with being a rogue and a vagabond among other things. I’m not certain the last time someone was charged with being a vagabond in their home town but the rogue thing… how do you explain that to your cellmates, given that it’s not 1835?

Last but not least, as a little gift for one of our lucky readers who might also be available at Todcast time, the first person to come up to Todd during the show each week will get a special drinkable present. Now that the Burley Oak Brewery has its own root beer you don’t even have to be a drinker to come by. So...

Feel free to join us 6 p.m. each Tuesday for the Happy Hour Todcast at Burley Oak Brewery. If something tragic keeps you from coming out, you can always check out the resulting recording Thursday afternoon by subscribing on iTunes. Just type GCFL into the search bar at the iTunes store to subscribe. We’re now also on the Stitcher app, which smart phone users can download free using the promo code ‘Todcast’ and have the show streamed directly to their phones. with no individual show downloads required. Fair warning before you listen: Put on your irony hats, kids. It’s all in good clean fun.

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High Road in Lower Class - Ep2 - Boogie in the Butt

2011-12-01T10:00:00.000-05:00

Bill Todd of Lower Class Citizens and Big Al Reno talk Berlin Parade Time, and Boogie in the butt other random topical thoughts to get your fix of "the Dude"

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Tales From The Lifeguard Chair - Winter Fest

2011-11-30T14:00:00.000-05:00

By Colby Nelson-Kauffman, OCBP
contributing writer

Christmas is definitely my favorite Holiday….the season of giving is such a fun time for someone who loves to give Joy to others. People really act weird at Christmas time though! What other time of year do you sit in front of a dead tree in the living room and eat nuts and sweets out of your socks? Christmas is the time of year when you realize how many people you know and how many sizes you don't. And honestly I think that Santa is very jolly because he knows where all the bad girls live! In all seriousness, what a great time of year to spend with family and friends, spreading the Joy of the season.

This brings me to one of our town’s most festive events, Winterfest of Lights. Winterfest, for short, takes place at Northside Park on 127th street here in OC, MD. You can go any night of the week from 5:30 to 9:30pm Sunday through Thursday and 5:30 to 10:30pm Friday & Saturday. The cost is 5$ for everyone 12 and older, 11 and under free. This event not only consists of an approximate 15 minute tram ride through all the beautiful displays, but you can also visit with Santa and shop for holiday items. Make sure to bring a blanket to wrap up with your loved ones as it can get very cold, but is well worth it!

I would like to leave you with a few reasons why I believe Santa IS a Woman:
I hate to be the one to defy sacred myth, but I believe he's a she. Think about it. Christmas is a big, organized, warm, fuzzy, nurturing social deal, and I have a tough time believing a guy could possibly pull it all off!

For starters, the vast majority of men don't even think about selecting gifts until Christmas Eve. It's as if they are all frozen in some kind of Time Warp until 3 p.m. on Dec. 24th, when they –with amazing calm --call other errant men and plan for a last-minute shopping spree. Once at the mall, they always seem surprised to find only Ronco products, socket wrench sets, and mood rings left on the shelves. Surely, if he were a man, everyone in the universe would wakeup Christmas morning to find a rotating musical Chia Pet under the tree, still in the bag.

Another problem for a he-Santa would be getting there. First of all, there would be no reindeer because they would all be dead, gutted and strapped on to the rear bumper of the sleigh amid wide-eyed, desperate claims that buck season had been extended (am I right DB or what?! :-). Blitzen's rack would already be on the way to the taxidermist. Even if the male Santa DID have reindeer, he'd still have transportation problems because he would inevitably get lost up there in the snow and clouds and then refuse to stop and ask for directions. Add to this the fact that there would be unavoidable delays in the chimney, where the Bob Vila-like Santa would stop to inspect and repoint bricks in the flue. He would also need to check for carbon monoxide fumes in every gas fireplace, and get under every xmas tree that is crooked to straighten it to a perfectly upright 90-degrees.

And finally, Men aren't interested in stockings unless somebody's wearing them. Having to do the Ho Ho Ho thing would seriously inhibit their ability to pick up women. And being responsible for Christmas would require a commitment……HA!!!

Until next time, have a wonderful and safe Holiday!!

Artist Spotlight on Chloe McKenna

2011-11-30T10:00:00.000-05:00

This week's Artist hails from England and currently lives and works out of Ocean City, MD. She has some amazing pop art portraits created with acrylic on canvas, featuring the likes of Amy Winehouse, Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe and even Harry Potter. She has painted murals, glassware and skate decks.

Take a moment to view her Artist Spotlight...

you may be able to get some holiday shopping done as well!

The Guys of The Electric Co. - Live Music Delmarva

2011-11-29T14:00:00.000-05:00

Usually we attend the live shows, take photos and post after to share. With home renovations in full effect and the holidays upon us, there seems to be more and more musical events that we have not been able to cover. BUT... we want YOU to go see those shows. If you do, feel free to send photos and we will post and give you credit! We also want to make sure there is a good crowd for the band. That being said, you can catch The Electric Co. and their members at a couple different spots this week.

Tonight at the Burley Oak Brewery in Berlin, you can catch Nate Clendenen of The Electric Co., in his other band, The Saltwater String Band, perform acoustically this evening, beginning at 8 pm. Nate will be performing solo at Brew River in Salisbury on Thursday December 1st, opening for Pasadena along with Cheyne. Over the weekend, you have two chances to see the whole band play together. Friday December 2nd they will be in Rehoboth Beach at Dogfish Head and Saturday at Buxy's Salty Dog in Ocean City. If you have yet to see these guys perform, you must check them out, definitely a good time is had at all of their shows!

Mary Keeps Hiding My Beers...

2011-11-29T10:00:00.000-05:00

Mary keeps hiding my beers.

You may have noticed a lack of wild and crazy parties and pictures. (Not that is ever what you really found here). While still going strong with posts and stories about the local happenings and dynamic content we have also started a project to renovate a 100 year old home that will serve as the GCFL campus by Summer 2012.

The plans includes two concrete pools, for skating and swimming, a state of the art recording studio, and a sound and light studio similar to industrial light and magic, and garage/bar filled with priceless vehicles . The undisclosed location is on a 20 acre plot in the middle of downtown Berlin. Cause I wanna have the best view of the Christmas parade.

The Garage out Building

Fine, it may not be all that, but I wouldn't rule it out. If you wanna find out what is really going on, check the Home Slice section on our half-sister site Shorebread.com for eastern shore general lifestyle news. Yes it is a bit more modest than I first let on, however it is full of character. Which is good cause we have always had our house full of characters. Our former theme parties are an example of the friends and family of all different sorts that we hold dear. This "new-old" house has a lot of character and even has taken on a personality of its own. Those who have stopped by know that there as been a spot in the kitchen that where we ripped down the wall paper to reveal what would appear to be the silhouette of a woman. Mary perhaps, the former owner who was born in the house lived in it for her entire life till she was 97? Certainly that is not a character that just ups and leaves.

Mary watching in the kitchen

Just this week we skimmed over that spot in the wall to get ready for finishing. The funny this is that we had said that she was watching the progress of the house. With her covered up she may be a little restless. Last night working into the night and having a couple beers, I couldnt help to think - the character was being a little more mischievous. Doors that are open that were closed a moment before and objects moving from where I set them has become standard fare. But last night Mary keep hiding my beer! Maybe I had one too many or maybe Mary wants to see me get it done.

Anybody who is a medium that wants to come by let me know. In the mean time I'm taking the picture that we have of her over to the house so she can keep an eye on things.

I (H)Ate Bacon

2011-11-28T12:48:00.001-05:00

This will be my most controversial post so far....

If a society is judged not by the monuments it builds but the ones it tears down (i.e. Penn station,) is a man judged not by the things he loves or hates but by the things he is apathetic about? For me it is Mary J Blige, bacon and Mike Ness. Yes I am a passionate fan of hip hop, eating, and alternative rock, however, these three things that people seem to hold so dear rest somewhere in the so-so spectrum for me caring. In Hip hop and R&B Mary has carved a place in the history of that genre. She is one of the pioneer woman artist with soulfull songs about her abuse as a child and coining of the term "Getto Fabulous" she should be revered as the godmother of modern Soul. In my book she is not. Her performance at the homogenized, I mean American Music Awards was whatever. She just doesn't do anything for me.

Like wise with Mike Ness, he is a pioneer of west coast punk with his band Social Distortion. He is even swooned over by people I know and opinions I value. But there is just something "soft" about that west coast sound that is better suited to bring out the best of fun upbeat ska. I know Social D songs and recognize them enough. But when I had the chance to watch them play live at the Verizon Center, I opted instead to go get some boardwalk fries and miff about there being no vinegar in the causeways, I wondered around for their entire set. Maybe it helped that I knew Natalee would be getting some bad ass pics of a guy who hates to have his picture taken. Even still I was more passionate about my fries.

Speaking of food - I am NOT passionate about bacon. It seems like the whole country has lost its mind over some pork fat. "Bacon covered something" is at least a topic of a post on a daily basis. A little while back I took a break from eating red meat (and ham included,) I remember being consoled by my brother who said "Don't worry they have turkey bacon that tastes just like real bacon." at that moment it occurred to me that didn't really care about the taste of real bacon anyway so why would I care about turkey bacon. It is one thing not to care but it is another thing to voice your opinion in the matter, its not like I hate bacon I even had a piece over the weekend just to make sure I was not taking a stance of absolutism..... and it was ehhhh (whatever.)

I've had people that that are actually offended that I don't - LOVE bacon and opened myself to ridicule and insults, even questioned my patriotism. Dont worry you can not love bacon and still be an American Man. So there it is , character sometimes is caring enough to be apathetic.

Cheerleaders Kick Ass - Baltimore Ravens

2011-11-28T10:00:00.000-05:00

Obviously living in Maryland, we have many readers who are Ravens fans. Honestly, I don't religiously follow a team, but I am about to get a raven tattoo...Edgar Allen Poe inspired, not necessarily inspired by the football team. Anyway, caught this video, a behind the scenes look at the cheerleader who encourage the crowd at a Baltimore Ravens game. I never realized the blood, sweat and tears that went into this amazing production that so many take for granted. Quick shout-out to our own favorite Ravens Cheerleader, Sara! Become a fan!

Ravens rule the skies from Reuters Pictures Washington on Vimeo.

Funny or Die Friday - Need a Laugh!

2011-11-25T09:50:00.001-05:00

I needed a good laugh on this Black Friday...enjoy!

The Landlord from Will Ferrell

Psychic-osis: Todcast in Berlin MD

2011-11-24T11:32:00.001-05:00

By: Tony Russo

It was a short week at the Bayside Gazette this week and as a result the Todcast involves a different kind of time travel than we are used to doing. The show, like the paper, comes out Thursday morning. Unlike the paper, however, it is finished Tuesday rather than Wednesday night. A regular trope is to use the phrase “Todcast time” when we refer to things that haven’t happened yet as if they already have.

Usually it is minor. During the State of the Beer, for example, we ask what the special keg will be “tonight” even though the tapping party happens Thursday night. It’s a conceit we don’t take too seriously but it makes us feel better to think that all of our listeners jump out of bed like kids on Christmas morning each Thursday and listen to the Todcast while flipping through the Bayside Gazette.

And, let’s be honest, you totally know you do.

Because the paper is going out early, I’ll have to tell you what happened on this week’s Todcast before it actually does. Since I’m generally the one who directs the show and its topics, it isn’t too much of a challenge.

For example, I know that our guest — Berlin Director of Community and Economic Development Michael Day — was dry and charming if the littlest bit confused about what he was actually doing there.

Michael has never been a guest on any of the Bayside Gazette podcasts or Todcast that have been recorded over the last four or so years but has always promised to be. Rather than commit to an actual date, he’s always told me just to call him if we have a guest cancel and he will pinch-hit.

No matter how far in advance a guest has cancelled so far, he’s been “out of town” every time and we were beginning to take it a little personally, so we blackmailed him a bit.

In his position, missing the opportunity to plug this weekend’s Holiday Arts night (we told him) would be a dereliction of duty. The fact that he had a 7 p.m. appointment in Berlin Tuesday and therefore had an hour to kill as the Todcast was being recorded had nothing to do with his presence. He caved in to the pressure Todd and I brought to bear and don’t let him tell you otherwise.

But back to the prognosticating.

Zach, the blonde behind the bar, will pinch hit for me in the beginning of the show, as I will arrive late and a little disoriented. If forced to do the news, he will discuss prevailing surf conditions.

Crowd participation will be up from last week both because of increased numbers and enthusiasm. At least one person will compliment Zach on his weight loss and new hair color thinking he is me. This person will have been drinking for a while.

The State of the Beer will be “good” rather than “strong” because neither Zach nor Bryan Brushmiller, the brewery owner, recalls the State of the Union reference.

All of my predictions, as it turns out, weren't what you'd call spot on.

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A Very Dude Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T15:09:00.001-05:00

Bill Todd, Of the Lower Class Citizens has a new podcast -'The High Road in Lower Class'. for all the folks that still wanna hear the random thoughts of the dude. This week fellow Berliner, Big Al Reno, joins in to talk turkey , Muppets and conservative radio, and then the go long with Bryan Russo ......Stay tuned for weekly shows posted up here. Or come out to Burley Oak Brewery on Tuesday Todcast Night to listen and watch live - 6-730 with music and trivia beer give-a-ways.

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Introduction to Tales From the Chair - Ocean City MD

2011-11-23T12:00:00.000-05:00

When I was asked to write a blog about myself and my experiences for Good Clean Fun, my first thought was do they have any idea how truly boring I really am!!! I am the type of person who pays $100 for a massage and I don’t even get to enjoy it because the masseuse is waking me up an hour later snoring on her table! So I am going to start my first entry out with jumping all over the place with a few things about me.

Moving here in 1994 was probably one of the scariest times of my life. 20 years old moving from the popular town of Annapolis to a Ghost town…am I crazy!!! Driving through Ocean City in 94 was very different then driving through it today. Every light was blinking yellow. Forget about the $5 footlong; Subway was closed 9 months of the year. But after joining the Ocean City Beach Patrol, I fell in love with this place and didn’t want to be anywhere else. How lucky are we to live near the beach?

Anyway, to tell you briefly about me….I am a 37 year old mother of 2 beautiful daughters. Sadie Faye is 5 and Remy is 10. They bring me the greatest joy on earth and constant laughter, which is a must in my life! I actually have a very simple life. I do try to live each day to the fullest and surround myself with amazing people. I barely open my eyes until I have a cup of coffee in the morning (loaded with cream and splenda) and I enjoy nothing more than spending time with my Best friend. God is a must for me in my life and my Faith is stronger than ever. I have 3 brothers and a sister. I dispatch for OCPD in the Winter; and am a member of the Dive team in Ocean Pines (yes we have a dive team). I imagine the day will come where some old person will end up in their car in one of those lakes running off the road especially with no street lights! I am also a member of the OCVFD, although I can’t take much credit for this because I haven’t gone through fire training yet. We sure have an amazing Fire
Department here in OC! And last, but certainly not least, I am about to start my 19th summer as a Sergeant on the Ocean City Beach Patrol.

I would like to take a moment to talk about the OCBP. What better job is there than to get to drive a 4 wheeler on the beach every day during the summer? Not only do I get the constant satisfaction of saving someone’s life, not to mention working with some of the most amazing people and organizations around (USCG, OC Paramedics, etc), but I get to interact with some truly incredible people from all walks of life. That brings me to the question, what types of people do I get to meet? I am going to share with you the top 5 most memorable questions I have been asked during my time on the beach patrol:

1. “Excuse me, but can you tell me what time you all let the dolphins out?” yes, between 12 and 3 and if you head to the Inlet you will get a look at our Shamu show as well…..huh?? And you wonder why lifeguards wear dark sunglasses!

2. “Can you tell me what Ocean this is?”

3. “I thought you had to pay to get on the beach in Jersey?”

4. “If you had to guess, how much public waste would you say is floating around in there?” Seriously….I mean really….to think that someone actually asked me this question….

5. “How far is it between Mile Markers?”….this is where you pause a second, thank God for dark sunglasses, take a deep breath and respond.

And the number one thing I have seen in my 19 years….a full blown decked out, numb chuck, sword swinging Ninja! Although, I didn’t REALLY see him ;)

Until next time……

Artist Spotlight on Stephen LeBelle

2011-11-23T10:00:00.000-05:00

MC and vocalist Stephen LeBelle has been singing, rhyming and
writing songs ever since he was a little kid. His poems became lyrics
influenced by the experiences of his growing up in the DC area and
in Jamaica – singing gospel in the church choir, listening to the Fat
Boys with his brother in the back seat of the family station wagon
when hip-hop was fun...

Read the Rest Here

Local Focus: Small Business Saturday

2011-11-22T12:00:00.000-05:00

I hate Black Friday.

I look forward to working the day after Thanksgiving because the last place I would be is anywhere near retail stores on this mad day. When Small Business Saturday was being promoted last year, I thought that would be more my speed. Living in a small town, full of antique stores, art galleries and boutique shops, this makes perfect sense to me. If we don't support our community, how can our community thrive? Take some time this Saturday, and scope out some small businesses where you live, and make some holiday purchases in those places. Every little bit helps. If we can wean ourselves from the big box stores and chaotic shopping malls just enough to show the small businesses our support, we can all make a difference in our communities.

Turkey and Football. That's what America DOES!

2011-11-22T10:00:00.004-05:00

Is there any holiday more quintessentially American than Thanksgiving? And it's not because it is supposed to celebrate a feast held between the Pilgrims and Native Americans in this country's infancy. It's 100% American because we honor it with amazing displays of turducken-potato-cranberry-pie gluttony and giant helium-filled nightmares on strings in a department store sponsored parade that ends with pant-less chicks that kick really high and Santa reminding us that the commercial holiday season is upon us. Then we watch football. U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A! It is hands down my favorite day of the year.

As I prepare to head back home for the long Thanksgiving weekend, I have made it my personal mission to fit everything I'll need to pack into a carry on sized bag. To be sure, this is going to be a heavy task indeed. In addition to the obvious Thanksgiving-dinner-with-the-fam clothing, I need to also pack clothes to wear to the bar, a Christening, a holiday party, a prison visit, and all of my (admittedly excessive) Ravens game day gear for Thursday nights Harbaugh Bowl. You do not want my problems, people.

For all of my rampant smart-assness, I'm actually a pretty grateful, grounded person. I count my blessings throughout the year instead of only during the holiday season when it's in vogue. It's so easy to spout doom and gloom, what with the world and economy going to hell in a hand basket and all. That's why I choose to view the world through thick, rose colored and sarcastic coke-bottle lenses. And no, coke-bottle is not a euphemism for drug-fueled. As far as you know.

So on this holiday, born from a feast our ancestors had with the native people before they slaughtered them all, take some time to be grateful for what you have instead of focusing on what you don't. This year I am most thankful for:

- My health and self-depreciating sense of humor

- The personal sacrifice of every single past, present, and future man and woman to serve in the U.S. armed forces.

- Hurricane Irene sparing Ocean City from her devastating wrath.

- Wine and sushi

- Having a job and a working car in this shitty, crumbling economy

- Laughing with friends until my face hurts

- Unconditional tail-wagging, enthusiasm, and puppy kisses whenever I step foot inside my house, whether I've been gone for 3 minutes or 9 hours.

- My family, friends, and every person to have come in and out of my life. Even the assholes and crazies; they make me appreciate everyone else even more

- Days and nights at M&T Bank Stadium with 70,000+ of my closest like-minded and demented friends

- Pizza flavored Goldfish crackers

- To live in a place where I can walk on the beach whenever I want, and where people probably raise more fundraising dollars per capita than pretty much anywhere

- Ozzie Newsome's decision to draft wide receiver Torrey Smith

- Four seasons; daffodils in the spring, beach time in the summer, brightly colored leaves in the fall, and the absolute stillness of a landscape blanketed in fresh snow in the winter. Also, seasonal beers.

What are you thankful for? Please share. If your first thought is "The chance to opt out of reading ridiculous about-nothing blogs", then touche' my friend. Touche'.

Rants for A Monday - Really?! With Seth & Kermit

2011-11-21T14:07:00.001-05:00

As many of you know, I am appalled at the school lunch program. I wrote about it a couple weeks ago after reading that the government may actually allow the tomato paste on the processed pizza to count as a vegetable. Really?! Well Seth Meyers and Saturday Night Live felt the same way, with special guest Kermit the Frog...its a hilarious rant.

Enjoy!

Beauty & Art

2011-11-21T10:00:00.000-05:00

Saturday evening was the second monthly art show, hosted by Six Eleven Salon & Gallery in West Ocean City. This month, they featured the works of photographer Nick Denny. Many of his prints focus on surfing, the natural beauty of waves and Ocean City events and icons. His works that have not yet been sold, will be on display throughout the month. I couldn't help but make a purchase of my own, a nighttime shot of an old Volkswagon Beetle on the streets of Berlin, my hometown. A good crowd gathered for the night, with wine, cheese and a little Burley Oak craft beer. Conversations took place throughout the salon, over art, entertainment and local goings on. Stay tuned for Decembers art show, and be sure to attend!

Friday Video Spotlight - GCFL

2011-11-18T07:46:00.001-05:00

On this beautiful crisp winter like day, this video is a perfect reminder of how amazing our natural world can be. This footage is incredible, and I am sure the surfing population out there will be amazed by the waves...take some time to watch.

Maple Leaves & Snow Mounds from Matthew Clark on Vimeo.

GCFL - JGIA - Just Google It Already

2011-11-17T13:42:00.001-05:00

Perusing the web as I often do I came across this little gem of modern marketing tool which is quick, easy, and fun. Thanks You Tube and Google. Let me know what you think about this and make one for yourself.

How Strong is Too Strong? - This Weeks Todcast

2011-11-17T09:29:00.001-05:00

By Tony Russo

This week’s guest on the Todcast was Amy Unger, one of the public relations folks from Atlantic General hospital and the woman charged with coordinating the annual Penguin Swim to benefit the hospital.

For those who aren’t aware, the Penguin Swim takes place New Year’s Day an involves running — usually while screaming — into the Atlantic Ocean’s cool 40-degree waves. For those of you who haven’t done it, let me assure you that 40-degree water is way colder than 40-degree air. If you want to know way and can’t recall your high school chemistry course you’ll have to check in to hear the story.

Amy is a tough salesperson when it comes to the Penguin Swim, likely because it is a cause she supports and one that is easy to tout. She got Todd’s commitment to participate right there and then. I, tragically, will be away for the weekend but she told me I could just make the donation and get in the water nearest me.

To give you an idea how pitiless she is when it comes to the event, even when I pointed out that participating would require me to get into the water in New Jersey she told me to man up. Needles or no she wanted my commitment. I distracted her by “accidentally” drinking her beer instead of mine and we changed the subject.

Speaking of beer, Burley Oak owner Bryan Brushmiller was stone cold excited to be getting in new fermenters for his beer. On one hand it will help him make more, but more importantly, when he says the state of the beer is strong during the state of the beer segment, he means it in a kind of literal way.

His current tanks, when pressurized, cannot hold all the beer down, so he or a member of his crew have to literally sit on the top and hold the beer in. The first time he tried this he was unsuccessful and the lid popped and sent him tumbling off the tank. So while there’s nothing wring with strong beer, less aggressive beer is better for his health.

If you want more details about the Tough Mudder event Paul Suplee participated in than is provided on page 9, you should also check out the Todcast. I happened to be in the neighborhood this weekend and stopped by for a firsthand view of the potential carnage.

Simply put I saw four ambulances during the two hours I was there and Paul told me later that as the sun went down and the chill came on there were a significant number of casualties. Warriors wounded for Wounded Warriors would have been a great headline but Paul and his crew escaped with mainly aching muscles and the resolve to try and get in better shape before the next one.

Feel free to join us 6 p.m. each Tuesday for the Happy Hour Todcast at Burley Oak Brewery. If something tragic keeps you from coming out, you can always check out the resulting recording Thursday afternoon by subscribing on iTunes. Just type GCFL into the search bar at the iTunes store to subscribe. We’re now also on the Stitcher app, which smartphone users can download free using the promo code “Todcast” and have the show streamed directly to their phones with no individual show downloads required. Fair warning before you listen: Put on your irony hats, kids. It’s all in good clean fun.

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Artist Spotlight on Nick Denny Photography

2011-11-16T10:00:00.000-05:00

Spotlight on local photographer Nick Denny, who's vision through the lens intrigues the viewer. Capturing amazing scenes, both in the water and on land. Take the opportunity to see some of his work up close this Saturday, November 19th at the Six Eleven Gallery and Salon in West Ocean City. The event begins at 8 pm, and you can find the gallery in the Trader Lee's Shopping Center at the corner of rt 50 and rt 611. For more information.

Artist Spotlight Nick Denny

Local Focus: Holiday Shopping

2011-11-15T14:00:00.000-05:00

Back in the summer we participated in the Buy Local Challenge, and in discussions since we thought it would be great to try and buy as much local as possible for holiday gifts and giving. The idea of shopping at our local galleries, boutiques and antique stores sounds much more enjoyable than heading to the mindless mall. Every time I think I need to get to a mall, I walk around aimlessly feeling that there is really nothing I need or want. Perusing small shops looking at quality items sounds almost relaxing in comparison.

The one gift I struggle with is for our 7 year old son, he LOVES Legos. Now where can I purchase Legos locally? May need to think outside the box for his gift...we will see. I think I will begin at the Children's Book Garden in West Ocean City. Nellie will be a breeze to shop for as her favorite places are in our quaint town of Berlin. I look forward to getting started, but I don't begin shopping until after Thanksgiving...so stay tuned!