The Town of Berlin and the Berlin Chamber of Commerce are marking the end of the year by throwing a New Year's Eve celebration in downtown Berlin. The very first downtown Berlin New Year's Eve ball drop celebration will be held on the corner of Main Street and Broad Street in downtown Berlin. Festivities will kick off at 10:30 P.M. with music furnished by DJ Paulo and dancing in the streets, hot chocolate, hot cider, cash bar and a ball drop at midnight, fashioned after New York City's Times Square, but on a much smaller scale and friendlier. Horse and carriage rides will be available for romantic tours of holiday decorations and lights starting at 8:30 P.M. For more information on holiday events in Berlin, contact the Berlin Chamber of Commerce at 410-641-4775.

"Get Wet" for a good cause at the 17th Annual Penguin Swim, held on New Years' Day to benefit the Atlantic General Hospital Foundation. This is a RAIN or SHINE event - you will get wet one way or the other!

Celebrate the New Year with a "plunge" in the Atlantic Ocean at the Princess Royale at 91st Street at 1:00 PM on New Years' Day. Registration and incentive pick-up begins at noon in the Princess Royale atrium. Awards ceremony following the swim.

"Get wet" for a good cause! It is fun, easy, and a great way to give back to your community. And remember...it all comes back to you!

For more information visit www.penguinswim.atlanticgeneral.org.

Local restaurants, hotels, and other businesses are joining in to support healthy living by offering special deals to the contestants. The registration fee will get you an exercise and nutrition program, weekly email support, an opportunity to attend health and nutrition seminars, exercise classes, a registration into the St. Patty's Day 5k-the last chance workout, and an the opportunity to change your life!

This competition will run from January 2 thru March 13, 2011. The official weigh in's will take place at Atlantic General Hospital on January 2 and March 13 from 10:30am - 12:00pm. The person that loses the biggest percentage of body weight will be the winner of a prize package worth over $2000.

Be part of the Move It and Lose it
Weight Loss Competition!
Register Now!!

If any businesses are interested in getting on board to sponsor this event please contact Lisa Long at 410.213.1078. Each business that participates is eligible for one registration into the contest at 1/2 price and promotion in all materials pretaining to the contest. Click Here to view the Move It and Lose It Competition Information Flyer.

Pictured are: Cathy Wasiuta and her daughter Julianna of Annapolis, MD, Wayne Littleton of House by the Sea and Helen Wiley Coordinator of The Church Mouse Thrift Shop

The Church Mouse Thrift Shop/St Paul's Episcopal Church in Berlin presented a donation to Believe in Tomorrow -The House by the Sea in Ocean City. Believe in Tomorrow National Children's Foundation developed the concept for the first pediatric respite facilities in the United States, which have grown to serve thousands of critically ill children and their families. Profits from the Church Mouse are the main source of outreach giving for St Paul's Church. The "MOUSE" is located at 101 North Main Street in Berlin, 2 doors from the Chamber Office. St Pauls is located at 3 Church St. in Berlin.

The Economic Forecast program has been designed to help Delmarva businesses plan for the expected 2011 economic conditions. Presentations will be made regarding specific industries as well as areas of interest to the Eastern Shore.

When: Thursday, January 13, 2011
Where: University of Maryland Eastern Shore
(Student Services Center)
Registration: 7:30 to 8:00 a.m
Economic Forecast Program: 8:00 to 11:45 a.m.
Economic Forecast Luncheon: Noon to 1:15 p.m.

Presented by the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce, Wor-Wic Community College, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Salisbury University's Franklin P. Perdue School of Business and the Small Business Development Center, and Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore

For more information and registration requirements please contact the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce at 410.749.0144 or visit www.salisburyarea.com.