Coastal Style LUXURY LIVING SHOW – “a taste of the good life”
Termed “A celebration of the luxury lifestyle on the Eastern Shore” the 2nd annual Coastal Style LUXURY LIVING SHOW this past weekend (October 23-25th) plainly worked hard to live up to its billing. Although there was no uniformed greeter at the front door as in the past, there was an array of courteous and smiling assistants throughout the show-floor at the Ocean City Maryland Convention Center. On Saturday we arrived exactly on time to view the first of many food related demonstrations scheduled throughout the event. This one was focused on 
the fabrication of the famed and Smith Island Cake. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this shore specialty; a cake of 7 to 12 thin layers sandwiched between with applications of a delectable frosting, this was a not to be missed attraction. Samples were available after-wards. Add to this the other live cooking demos and competitions (in “to die for” kitchen settings with Viking ranges), wine tastings, antiques appraisals, informative guest lectures and you get the picture. Of special note was the imaginative playhouse (photo above) that greeted all upon entering the show hall! The epitome of ‘luxury living’ for any child. Complementing the overall ambiance; live music was played softly in the background while 
viewing the array of quality home, life-style related items being offered. Very, very classy and very enjoyable! The only somewhat jarring note; a significant increase in the price of general admission to $15. In the face of the economic challenges being faced by nearly everyone this is a decision that may need to be revisited by the show sponsors before this show of dreams returns next fall.
To enlarge any photo, just “click”!
HOME, CONDO & GARDEN SHOW – 2009 – Just in time!
Never disappointing, the 2009 Home, Garden & Condo Show this past weekend was spectacular. It is fortunate indeed that this terrific show is scheduled to coincide at a time when the thoughts of many area homeowners turn toward the annual “revitalization” or “fix ups” for our homes and condos – within and without. For three days, including two evenings, 
the Convention Center in Ocean City Maryland became home to over 200 exhibitors displaying products and services for the home and garden. Remodel, repair, restoration, accessorizing and building are just a few of the show’s “buzzwords”. However, the big buzzword this year was “GREEN” – showing how the many products and services can fit with enviornmental awareness and save energy. Two large exhibit halls were filled to overflowing with friendly faces 
with fresh, great ideas to share, all to chase the winter doldrums from your head and home. New furnishings, decorative paint treatments, siding, gutters, bath tub resurfacing, overall kitchen and bath remodeling including some really fancy new appliances are but a few of the exhibits displayed. 
And, there were the many lovely living garden displays, including plans and tips for making a backyard vegetable garden part of our springtime reality. One of the “first time” booths from the Town of Berlin MD introduced their new theme – “Grow Berlin Green” and included a functioning rain barrel! Kinda’ cool! Also in the modest admission fee was an extensive Arts & Crafts show chock full of artists showcasing their most creative craft and gift items. Each year this show is one of the best attended of our annual Convention Center schedule…and well worth a visit. Spring is coming and so are those beach visitors – time to get ready. For more information see the website at www.oceanpromotions.info.
To enlarge any photo, just “click”!
ISLAND RATTAN/SUNSHINE WICKER – Great choices for easy livin’!
Coastal living demands spending extended time outdoors – enjoying ocean or bay views, dining with friends or taking a snooze in the warm sunshine on the balcony of your condo, porch, patio or deck. Having the right furnishings is 
critical. Mother nature has given us the ideal material – rattan and it’s cousin wicker, meet all of the necessary criteria of being sturdy, flexible and above all lightweight – easy to move. And with the new man-made rattan these already weatherproof furnishings become even more durable. Two shops that stand out here in the Ocean City MD area offering extensive 
selections of great beach-style furnishings are Island Rattan and Sunshine Wicker. Island Rattan, located on Coastal Highway at Rt. 54, southbound, in Fenwick carries a huge selection of high style outdoor/indoor, easy care thus easy livin’ furniture. Fully 
coordinated room-settings help make your selection oh so easy. Also noted at Island Rattan – a resident muralist, Jean Mayr, can turn that plain wall into a ‘fun in the sun’ scene simulating the view from your sliding door. At Sunshine Wicker further south along Coastal Highway at 62nd Street, southbound, Kathy has the perfect pieces, mix or match, to sit 
beside your pool or fountain. And Sunshine Wicker offers a large selections of island life accessories, that really “fun stuff” to complete the setting! Both shops are open year round. NOTE – SINCE THE TIME OF THIS WRITING SUNSHINE WICKER HAS CLOSED ITS DOORS! SORRY, A GREAT PLACE.
For more information visit the Island Rattan website at www.islandrattan.com
Or better yet just stop by and begin now making your island lifestyle getaway come true! Note: To enlarge any photo, just “click”!
United Electric Supply – to light your way!
A short mile north of the Maryland-Delaware line here in Ocean City MD, along Coastal Highway on the southbound lane sits a large white building which houses another of the featured business that may be needed in your springtime efforts to get your house in order. This branch outlet 
of the multi-state wide United Electric Supply Company offers anything and everything you could possibly want in the way of lighting fixtures – indoor and outdoor, and accessories including shades, pulls and bulbs. The interior of this facility is divided into two areas – electrical parts department and an immense show room. The ceiling is covered with fans – the best solution proven over time, for good ventilation throughout a home. 
Displayed on the showroom walls are many examples of outdoor lighting fixtures along with some really creative, new examples of indoor wall sconces – the newest, old idea in decorating – creating a warm glow as opposed to glare! All manner of lamps, floor and table varieties, abound throughout this extensive showroom. United also offers several lines of unique lamp finials…a very charming 
final touch. There are shades galore and if you don’t see what you need – size and style, there are catalogs, lots and lots of catalogs for finding just the right item. Worth mentioning too are the lines of ventilation fans for the kitchen and bath. And, at United Electrical Supply it seems that if you don’t find what you need right away it 
only takes a second to have a willing salesperson at hand to answer your questions. Of particular note in this conservation aware economy – many of the products offered are “Energy Star” rated fixtures.
Hours are 7 am – 5 pm , Monday thru Friday and 8 am til noon on Saturday. For more information visit the website at www.unitedelectric.com or phone the toll free number at 1-800-765-4448. Note: to enlarge any photo, just “click”.
TRIBLE’S – Our local appliance parts “rescue” center!
With the long awaited springtime finally having arrived here at the beach in Ocean City Maryland we’re all feeling the urge to do a little “do-it-yourself” easy “fix ‘em up” around the homestead. And with the most recent phone calls from Aunt Sally and Cousin John giving us their vacation arrival schedules – this urge becomes a need! That cracked oven knob held together with super glue (which is no longer so super) needs replacing and the duct tape closure on the dryer must be remedied immediately – gotta’ get a proper catch! Also, that old noisy ceiling fan in the guest room certainly will not do for our soon to arrive guests. It’s time to make a list and head our to our local household 
appliance rescue center – TRIBLE’S, conveniently located in the Montego Bay Shopping Center at 128th Street and Coastal Highway, southbound. It may be somewhat hidden away in the southern most corner of the strip center but it’s not hard to find with the big blue and white sign. Open daily M-F – 8:30 am to 5 pm, Sat. 9 am to noon, to the public as well as contractors and offering parts and accessories for dozens of brands of appliances this is always a busy place. And with the many Trible’s stores in the tri-state area it’s a given that your particular oven knob can always be speedily located.
For more information visit the website at www.tribles.com or phone 410.250.7040
Note: To enlarge any photo, just “click”.
MATTRESS STORES – Sweet Dreams!
An important ingredient to a good night’s rest is the mattress upon which you lay. Combined with the nearness of the ocean with its gentle, cooling breezes, salt air and the roar of the surf – and deep sleep is almost guaranteed 
while at the beach. Whether living here year round or just visiting your condo the recent proliferation of area stores that offer quality bedding can simplify your selection of the best mattress for you. 
Spring is nearly upon us and it may be time to take a look at that “fix-up” in the bedroom. Below is a list of the newest mattress specialty shops. And, to complete that re-do don’t forget the sheets and pillows…a new Bed, Bath & Beyond 
will be opening in a few short weeks within the White Marlin Mall located on Rt. 50 – Ocean Gateway, just before the south bridge entering our island – Ocean City, Maryland.
On Island –
SLEEP CITY & THE FURNITURE STORE – 137th Street & Coastal Highway,
443-664-6378, www.sleepcityoc.com – Great prices on bedding and furnishings!
Off Island –
MATTRESSES & MORE 4 LESS – 11934 Ocean Gateway (Rt. 50), 410-213-8221, www.ocmattressesandmore.com. “Largest selection of mattresses in Worcester County” including Englander and Laura Ashley.
MATTRESS SOURCE at Kendall Home Furnishings – 1239 Ocean Gateway (Rt. 50), 410-312-2520…www.kendallhomefurnishings.com – Full line of quality bedding including “Kendall Baby” complete with cribs and crib furnishings.
MATTRESS DISCOUNTERS – 12510 Ocean Gateway (Rt. 50), 410-313-9870, www.mattressdiscounters.com – “Have a good night’s sleep on us”. Really huge selection of name brands!
Note: To enlarge any photo – just “click”!
HARDWARE STORES…tool time at the beach!
Well, maybe not just tools, perhaps add picture hangers and wire, welcome mats, wall paint, faucet washers, light bulbs, measuring devices, mops and brooms, a pail, trash receptacles, propane for the grill, potting soil, etc. – the nearly endless list of objects that it takes to 
operate a home. Whether we have a modest seaside cottage or a condo on the 6th floor overlooking the Atlantic Ocean we all need to visit a hardware store from time to time. Fortunately, in Ocean City Maryland one is never very far from some great hardware stores…spaced conveniently along Coastal Highway. Also, our island sports a well-known appliance parts dealer, Trible’s. This is the place where you can get that knob, element or even the do-dad that just broke off the stove or dishwasher. And, with company coming tonight – you know you need it NOW!
ACE Hardware – 68th St. & Coastal Hwy, 410-524-2300
ADKINS Co. of Ocean City – 5509 Coastal Hwy, 410-524-6800,
www.adkinscompany.com
FENWICK ISLAND Trust Worthy Hardware – Rt. 54, Fenwick Island, DE, 302-539-3915 (RV supplies available)
MONTEGO BAY True Value Hardware – 12827 Coastal Hwy, 410-250-8665
www.truevalue.com
TRIBLE’S – 12815 Coastal Highway (Montego Bay Shopping Center), 410-250-7050
www.tribles.com
Bulk disposal of large items….
When updating or remodeling your Ocean City MD home or condo it is sometimes necessary to dispose of the old to make way for the new – the Town can assist.. To make use of this service, telephone 410-524-0318 or email your request to ctheodore@ococean.com at the Solid Waste Division of Public Works. Collection of large bulk items begins at 6:30 am. The items should be deposited beside your dumpster or as close to the sidewalk at possible. The price for is $10.00 per pick-up for three items or less. Each additional item is $5.00. The charge will be billed to the address you prefer. This service does not include building materials or yard debris.
Note: to enlarge, just “click” on any photo.
Furnish Your Dream…fashion beachwear for your home?
Whether furnishing your new, second home for the first time or just seeking a fresh “new look” for your Ocean City Maryland island condominium, finding the right stuff is not difficult and you won’t have to travel far. Ocean living, 
beach style, is by nature tropical, lighter and certainly easy-care enabling you to spend more long, lazy days on the beach and relaxed evenings strolling the Boards or dining with friends at that great new oceanside restaurant. And, these 
shops can provide the kind of easy living furniture and décor that provide the atmosphere and comfort for the many occasions of “carefree entertaining” that we all enjoy…
Donaways Furniture, 13001 Coastal Hwy, 410-250-5100, www.donaway.com
Best Mattress Selection!
Homeworks, 8403 Coastal Hwy, 410-524-5454, www.ochomeworks.com
Island Rattan, 37074 Coastal Hwy, Fenwick Island DE, 302-539-8922, www.islandrattan.com
Sunshine Wicker, 6301 Coastal Hwy, 410-723-9030
Bulk disposal of large items….
When updating or remodeling your Ocean City MD home or condo it’s sometimes necessary to dispose of the old to make way for the new – the Town can assist.. To make use of this service, telephone 410-524-0318 or email your request to ctheodore@ococean.com at the Solid Waste Division of Public Works. Collection of large bulk items begins at 6:30 am. The items should be deposited beside your dumpster or as close to the sidewalk at possible. The price for is $10.00 per pick-up for three items or less. Each additional item is $5.00. The charge will be billed to the address you prefer. This service does not include building materials or yard debris.
