Coastal Point • RUSLANA LAMBERT Nicholas Giannini, left, from Fairfax, Va., plays with his cousin, Alana Coffman, of Chicago, on Bethany Beach on Tuesday, July 25.

Eight file for Bethany Beach council seats
Just one year ago, the citizens of Bethany Beach were dealing with the appearance of relative quietude in Bethany Beach election news. No one filed to run against the three incumbents, making for the perception that most were content with their government.

Fenwick to begin search for town manager
In a special town council meeting on July 20, Fenwick Island town council voted to approve a job description of a future town manager and start a search for qualified candidates.

Bethany petition draws criticism from officials
“The qualified voters of the Town of Bethany Beach shall have the power to require reconsideration by the Town Council of any adopted ordinance and to approve or reject it at an election as provided herein…

Businesses sign on for new rate
After receiving a rate of less than 10 cents for the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce’s electric cooperative last week, Chamber Executive Director Karen McGrath jumped in her car, turned on her cell phone and started making calls.

Del-Md gas prices not the fault of retailers
The Fenwick Island Police Department has become the first police department in the state of Delaware to engage in a full-fledged digital child identification and safety program.

Bethany Court can exceed MR density rules
Sussex County council voted 4-1 on Tuesday to zone six units on about 1.28 acres of land near Bethany, allowing Bethany Court LLC to exceed the maximum density set for a MR, Medium Density Residential District.

Setback an issue as guidelines near adoption
A single component of the proposed architectural guidelines for Bethany Beach’s C-1 commercial districts remained to be finally decided this week, before the package goes to the town council for a possible vote after an Aug. 7 public hearing.

Volunteers prepare for Senior world series
In just more than one week, 10 teams from around the world and thousands of fans will pour into Lower Eastern Sussex County to play in or watch the Senior League Softball World Series. They will stay for a week; one team will win; and most players and fans will get back on a plane, leaving for wherever they call home. Then the whole thing starts all over again.

Sidewalk sales, disorderly tenants discussed
Sidewalk sales and disorderly tenants were the focus of the Bethany Beach’s July 20 Charter and Ordinance Review Committee (CORC) meeting.

Indian River students rate among the state’s best
Improvements and accomplishments in the reading and math portions of the Delaware Student Testing Program (DSTP) highlighted Indian River School District’s 2006 scores, which were released July 20. Despite the fact that more than 40 percent of district students are on free or reduced lunch programs, reflecting their families’ low income, Indian River has once again established itself as state-testing powerhouse.

County overturns Isaacs Glenn decision
Sussex County Council on July 18 overturned a March 1 Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) decision regarding the Isaacs Glenn project, saying that if plans comply with county code, they must be approved.

Daytripper: Lights, camera ... Berlin
Off we go again — this time south, into Maryland. We will pass through the lush green fields of soybeans, corn and pastures of rural Sussex County into our neighboring state. Follow the directions in “How to Get There,” and you will be in Berlin in under an hour.

Jazz finds a home in Fenwick Island
Floating on the gentle breeze, jazz notes emanating from the Jazz Pioneers’ instruments put smiles on the faces of audience members at the Fenwick Island’s community park on Saturday, July 22. Four of the band’s seven members played at the free jazz concert, from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m.

Dovetailed by design
To the hundreds of dedicated folks who worked like dogs over for the past year to make this week’s Beach and Bay Cottage Tour such a roaring success, hats off. To the thousands of tour-goers who paid good money to don strange, blue surgical booties and traipse around town, visiting the 10 homes selected for the tour, hardiest appreciation to you for your support.

Obituaries
Blaine Atkins, 62
Thurman J. ‘T’ Bodley, 82
William S. Cropper IV, 24

Griffin starts her own practice
To anyone who is from this area, it’s obvious. Every weekend, people from neighboring metropolitan areas such as Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia or even New York take time from their busy schedules and visit Coastal Delaware and relax. They walk along the boardwalk, lie on the beaches and ride the bikes they brought strapped on the back of their SUVs or minivans.

Snap shot
“I’ve been doing it most of my life,” shared Millville’s Diane Bennett about her artwork, which includes painting, basket-weaving and photography. “The kids used to steal my stuff from art class, so I figured I was pretty good — although I didn’t go to a very nice school,” she added with a chuckle.

Lower Sussex falls to Laurel
Any chances of Lower Sussex repeating as the Delaware state Junior League baseball champs were dashed by Laurel’s All-Stars in a Game Two showdown on July 24.

Legion team hangs even with Steever
Heading down the final stretch into the American Legion baseball state tournament, Sussex East (16-9) split a double-header with the league-leading Steever’s Post 8 (23-4) on July 24.

Lower Sussex sees season ends to Nanticoke
Only 24 hours after giving up a two-run walk-off homerun to Lower Sussex’s Garrett Casale, in what would be the first game of the Major League baseball All-Star championship, Nanticoke pitcher Hunter Absher would redeem himself.

River crosses the ocean
Usually, when the River Soccer Club travels to compete, it’s within the state or in the region. But on July 30, the U14 Raiders and the U18 Celtics will ditch their E-Z passes for passports as they head to the United Kingdom to participate in international play.