Wow. That’s all that I can say, as I am pretty much speechless after the craziness of the past two weekends. Summer has officially begun, and I think I can speak for all locals that this has already been the busiest summer in a very long time. After a long winter, locals have been craving this season’s action, but I don’t think anyone has prepared for this many visitors. Still, I don’t see this so badly as others; this truly could be the most memorable summer in recent memory. As we prepare for the onslaught of the summer season, I would like to share with you my six favorite songs with the word “summer” in the title you should jam out to while making great memories in Ocean City this season. “Deadbeat Summer” By: Neon Indian Off the album: Psychic Chasms (2009) Do you recognize that opening passage? If so, you are probably the world’s biggest Todd Rundgren fan. The trippy, yet chill electronic band Neon Indian from Texas samp... » Click here for the full story.

After more than 20 years of David Letterman’s “Top 10 List,” “Will It Float,” and “Know Your Current Events,” the late-night talk show host with the best grin in the business just aired his last Late Show episode this week. Last Wednesday’s final show was a fanfare featuring classic moments during Letterman’s reign, with each skit reminding us of the great legacy he is leaving. With Letterman leaving the Late Show and Jay Leno exiting The Tonight Show in 2014, the two late-night giants we have heard jokes from for two decades are now enjoying retirement. The absence of both personalities on television has made many ask if late-night television will ever be the same.  I can confidently say that while there will always be people grumbling about the new late-night talent, the new hosts taking the place of our favorite legends have the talent to be just as popular as Letterman and Leno. Not only that, but there are also a handful... » Click here for the full story.

    After an outnumbered Anakin Skywalker uses the force to get through a wave of stormtroopers, Captain Jack Sparrow jumps out of the crow’s nest atop his ship to battle enemies spawned from the deep ocean. And once those threats have been taken care of, Iron Man flies off the Avenger’s Tower to rid New York City of frost giants sent to destroy the Earth. I am not reading you the beginning of my latest fan fiction, but a description of what happens when kids play Disney’s new “interactive toy box” video game series called Disney Infinity. Released in 2013 with new expansions coming out each year, these games gather all of your favorite Disney characters, new and old, together to give kids hours upon hours of entertainment on almost any video game console you can think of. With the newest release just announced this week, I’d like to share what has made this series so insanely popular, and explain why all kids should be having fun wi... » Click here for the full story.

    It had been about two months since the last notable NFL offseason event, the start of free agency, but now football fans can spend hours upon hours researching their favorite team’s pickups from last week’s 2015 NFL Draft. Looking at our local teams’ draft results, the Baltimore Ravens picked up 9 players in the draft, while the Washington Redskins grabbed 10 young men who are eager to make the jump from collegiate to professional sports. This year was a very good draft for both teams, as each franchise addressed big needs for skilled players on both sides of the field. I’m here to give you a concise summary of the first four players chosen by the Ravens and Redskins, and explain how high we should set our expectations. And if I don’t get you hyped for these newcomers, read more about them online… you only have two more months until training camp begins. Baltimore Ravens Round 1, Pick 26: Breshad Perriman, WR, Central Florida ... » Click here for the full story.

    While winter tried its hardest to stay around all year, it finally feels like spring! Although this past month has been so cold, all I want now is hot summer rays giving me a nice tan. Since that won’t be happening any time soon, summer blockbuster movie season has started early to help us survive the wait. And what better way is there to enjoy these films than at the newly renovated Fox Sun & Surf Cinema on 143rd Street in Ocean City! Re-opened as of April 30, four of the theater’s eight screens now have luxury power recliners to keep your butt comfy while watching the silver screen.  But don’t fret, as the other four screens will also be fully renovated and open on May 20. Now with this facelift, we don’t have to travel to Salisbury for a prime movie-watching experience! In celebrating the re-opening of Fox Sun & Surf Cinema, here are my six most anticipated films releasing in May and June. Avengers: Age of Ultron Release d... » Click here for the full story.

    For the first time since 2008, both the Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards are both in the playoffs! While neither team is a heavy favorite to win it all, both are ranked at very respectable seeds and have a legitimate chance of making noise this postseason. With big names such as Alexander Ovechkin, Braden Holtby, John Wall and Paul Pierce on each roster, both teams have amazingly talented players with plenty of playoff experience and success. Still, there is some pretty big competition that both our local teams must fight their way through. I’m here to give you a quick overview of each team’s regular season and discuss the opponents they will have to battle to advance in the playoffs. Now, let’s all wear red, navy blue and white (it’s pretty convenient they both wear the same colors, isn’t it?) in support of our local playoff teams these next couple of weeks! Washington Capitals Regular season record:  45-26-1 (4th See... » Click here for the full story.

    AUTHOR’S NOTE: Although most of you know me as Nate, Ocean City’s wacky entertainment columnist, I must admit I am living a double life. When I’m not slamming away on my keyboard, I work for the front office of the Delmarva Shorebirds. Even though I am currently employed by the organization that is the subject of this article, you have my word that this team is every bit of fun as it sounds. It’s hard to believe they’ve been here for so long, but the Delmarva Shorebirds are celebrating two decades of big plays, exciting promotions and family fun on the Eastern Shore. The front office staff of the Single-A minor league baseball team located just off Route 50 in Salisbury has been working hard all offseason promoting the 20th anniversary season, and they are looking for all fans to come out and support their favorite team on the shore. The team will officially begin its special season in an Opening Night home game at Arthur W. Perdue S... » Click here for the full story.

    Thanks for returning as we begin a new season this year in Ocean City! Now that the snow has finally gone away, I am all-in for the 2015 MLB season! Although the Orioles lost in the playoffs last year in the most devastating fashion after such an amazing season, much of the team’s key pieces are in place as the team looks to continue its recent streak of success. But there are 31 other teams striving for victory, and the most significant are the four other members of the American League East division. This article will discuss the strengths and weaknesses not only of the Orioles, but also of their four rivals in the AL East, so we can evaluate Baltimore’s main competition throughout the year. Here’s to the start of baseball season! Baltimore Orioles 2014 Record: 96-66 (1st in AL East) Top players in 2014: OF Nelson Cruz (.271 BA, 40 HR, 108 RBI); OF Adam Jones (.281 BA, 29 HR, 96 RBI); P Wei-Yin Chen (16-6, 3.54 ERA)     Recove... » Click here for the full story.

    It’s been a little while since my Thanksgiving column about songs giving thanks, and now that holidays of separate origin are quick approaching, it’s appropriate to dedicate this article to a totally different theme…of giving.  Yeah, I know I’m original, but out of all there is to celebrate over the winter holidays, giving to others is what it’s all about.  Now before you send in the hate mail that it’s not about who has the biggest and best Turbo Man action figure, there are many more ways to give something special to your families and loved ones that don’t have anything to do with material objects. As we anxiously await a break from the normal life routine to spend quality time with loved ones, I would like to share with you my six favorite songs about giving. Have a great winter and I can’t wait to be back with you next year! Thanks for reading!   “Shower the People” By: James Taylor... » Click here for the full story.

    I know I’ve been away for a few issues, but it feels like I was talking about the end of the summer season just a little while ago. Forget the end of the season; in a few more weeks, we’ll be raising our glasses of champagne in anticipation of the New Year! But let’s not get ahead of ourselves, for we must uphold the great American tradition every fourth Thursday in November of gathering around our family and appreciating everything we have by stuffing our faces with as much food as possible. The last time I wrote a column about Thanksgiving, I shared with you some of my favorite songs with similar themes of the holiday. But for this year, here are my six favorite songs that specifically give thanks in their title.     “Thank You for Loving Me” By: Bon Jovi Off the album: Crush (2000)     Nobody does love ballads like Bon Jovi, and even though this song came out a little after many of the band’s hits... » Click here for the full story.