Bethany Beach News

Tiny Tots a volunteer group of about 45 women affiliated with St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Bethany Beach has been busy quilting, but they’ve now put their mission of making baby quilts on hold for a bit.

Holiday traditions run the gamut — everything from special dishes for a holiday meal to games played on a special day or the way that holiday tree is selected and trimmed. And, in coastal Delaware, there are religious services, charity events, festivals of light and Holiday Happenings.

Since 2010, Justin’s Beach House has provided respite for families in need, and organizers are now working to create a back yard that matches that spirit.

The Bethany Beach Town Council this week approved a resolution confirming the future use of the former Christian Church and Neff properties as a park, though what exactly that park will contain or look like remains to be determined.

From South Bethany to Bethany, Ocean View to Dagsboro, little Southeastern Sussex is full of artists willing and able to open up their working studios and galleries to people who are interested in seeing them in action, creating their masterpieces. This weekend, as they have for the past 18 years, artists will welcome guests to start the holiday season right after Thanksgiving.

What better way to kick off the holiday season than to spend a little time in the Caribbean, enjoying food, drinks and music? It’s an opportunity presented just once a year in coastal Delaware. On Dec. 1, the Quiet Resorts Charitable Foundation (QRCF) will be holding its 8th Annual Caribbean Christmas Fundraiser at Mango’s in downtown Bethany Beach.

To the dismay of many of those following the Castaways applications for the change of zones and a conditional use through Sussex County Planning & Zoning, P&Z has again decided to postpone a decision.

This Veterans Day, like many, conjures up images of soldiers laying down their life for their country, of core values like honor, courage and commitment, of old men that relive their time at war fondly, but with a mist in their eyes as they tell the stories of those who didn’t come home.

Just in time for Thanksgiving, although it is popular all year long, Capriotti’s now delivers its famous Bobbie sandwich — the nationally acclaimed best-seller — complete with homemade turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and mayo. Well, that, and everything else on the menu as well.

On Oct. 30, Gov. Jack Markell announced that after much concern, it has been determined that the Charles W. Cullen Bridge, also known as the Indian River Inlet Bridge, did not sustain any structural damage during Hurricane Sandy.

After anticipating Hurricane Sandy for days in advance, expecting the worst and hoping for the best, the area was hit with winds and rain from the brunt of the storm for most of the day and into the night on Monday as she made landfall near Atlantic City, N.J. In our area, there was widespread coastal and inland flooding, downed limbs and trees, but for the most part, the state faired well as a whole.

On Nov. 10, Tidepool Toys & Games will join more than 500 stores across the country to celebrate the third annual Neighborhood Toy Store Day.

A coastal flood warning is in effect until midnight Monday night, as the eye of Hurricane Sandy is expected to make landfall south of Atlantic City, N.J., according to National Weather Service officials. A flood watch is in effect through Tuesday afternoon. A high wind warning is in effect from 8 a.m. Monday to 9 a.m. Tuesday.

Gov. Jack Markell has ordered a Level 2 Driving Restriction begining as of 5 a.m., Monday, October 29,2012.

The Delaware National Guard is continuing to position troops and equipment as #SandyDE approaches.

The Edison Electric Institute, the association of U.S. shareholder-owned electric companies, offered the following tips for local residents ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Sandy and the anticipated related power outages:

If a severe storm is approaching:
Visit your local electric company’s Web site for the latest updates and guidance on how to prepare for storms.

High water across Route 1 north of Indian River Inlet Bridge has forced Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) to begin the process of closing Route 1 between Dewey & Bethany Beach. Please share with others who may be affected.

Gov. Jack Markell has issued a limited state of emergency and a mandatory evacuation order for flood-prone area within .75 miles of Sussex County’s coastline and major waterways, effective at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, as Hurricane Sandy continues to threaten the Mid-Atlantic region with strong winds, severe tidal flooding and torrential rains that could span Sunday to Tuesday.

Beebe Medical Center has announced Hurricane Sandy-related cancellations, including:
• All elective surgery and elective cardiac catheterizations scheduled for Monday, Oct. 29, will be canceled.
• All Beebe satellite locations, including the Beebe Health Campus and departments that operate Monday-through-Friday schedules, will be closed on Monday, Oct. 29, as well.