DOVER – The sixth installment of DNREC’s “Wetlands 101” video series – “Restoring Wetlands: Restoration Stories” – premieres this week on DNREC’s YouTube Channel. The series is produced by the Wetland Monitoring and Assessment Program within DNREC’s Division of Watershed Stewardship to educate Delawareans about wetlands, while promoting the idea that everyone can make a difference in the continuing challenge of wetland preservation.

Approximately 80 percent of Delaware’s wetlands are privately owned, and with the elimination of more than half the state’s original wetlands since the 1700’s, options for Delawareans to protect and rejuvenate their lands are vital. Part 1 of the “Restoring Wetlands” feature, titled “Restoring Wetlands: Facing Challenges,” addressed some of the common causes for wetland damage, degradation or loss. The new video highlights solutions for reversing that loss.

Part 2, “Restoring Wetlands: Restoration Stories,” focuses on some of the common problems wetlands are up against, and explores Delaware sites that have gone through the restoration process. The six-minute video features four projects that have increased the land’s ability to provide wildlife habitat, keep Delaware’s waters clean, and prevent property erosion through: a living shoreline in Lewes, two converted ditches in the Kent County communities of Sandtown and Felton, and a vegetated buffer in Dover.

In addition to the “Wetlands 101 Series,” the DNREC YouTube Channel offers more than 50 fun, interesting and educational videos, taking viewers from the unique steam car collection at Auburn Heights Preserve to the trails and pathways of Cape Henlopen State Park, and from the Delaware Bayshore to the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and many of the First State’s great outdoors places and spaces in between. Most of these videos are written and produced by DNREC’s Public Affairs Section.

To view “Restoring Wetlands: Restoration Stories” and other DNREC YouTube Channel videos, please visit http://youtube.com/delawarednrec.

Media Contact: Michael Globetti, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 46

Delawareans can now easily find arts and culture events happening today, soon, and nearby with the new “What’s On” smartphone app.

“What’s On” shows an interactive map of Delaware with pins for arts events. Tapping a pin on the map shows an event’s details, contact information, driving directions, and links to the event’s website. Users can also scroll through lists of upcoming events.

The “What’s On” app was developed by Delaware’s Division of the Arts in association with the Delaware Government Information Center (GIC), a state agency charged with helping to connect citizens to government via the internet. Behind the scenes, the app is powered by data from DelawareScene.com, which has been providing arts event information to the public since 2008.

“We are thrilled with this app as it makes the arts even more accessible in Delaware,” said Paul Weagraff, Director of the Division of the Arts. “‘What’s On’ lets you see what’s happening in the arts from your smartphone. People can easily make plans to attend a performance, museum, film, concert or other arts event on the spur of the moment.”

“Many people are last-minute planners,” said Mike Mahaffie, Acting Director of the Delaware Government Information Center. “People launch apps on their phones to see which movies are playing, find places to eat, and figure out what they’re going to do. As part of the State’s eGovernment initiatives, we’re happy ‘What’s On’ makes local arts events a new option for these people.”

“What’s On” can be downloaded at no cost from the App Store and Google Play (search for Delaware What’s On) or by visiting www.delaware.gov/topics/apps.

Statewide, DE – The Delaware Lottery Office announced today a number of new enhancements to the internet-based gaming sites available through Delaware Park, Dover Downs, and Harrington Raceway.

MAC users now have access to Delaware’s internet casino games.  For the first time, they too can experience the fun of blackjack, roulette, and video lottery or “slot machines.” All players – both PC and MAC – will be able to enjoy internet casino games without having to first download a Poker application. In addition, four new blackjack games have been added to include multi-hand options. Harrington Raceway has also included two new and exciting video lottery games, Café de Paris and City Life 2.

“The success of internet gaming for the state, the casinos, and players depends on creating a fun and easy experience for everyone,” says Secretary of Finance Tom Cook. “We’re excited to offer an iGaming option that doesn’t require a Poker download, and we’re thrilled MAC users can now participate. These enhancements to the technology and to the games themselves allow Delaware to service a whole new segment of players.”

Delaware has offered casino games and Poker online since October 2013. Access to internet gaming is available via the following casino websites:

http://www.delawarepark.com/igaming/
http://www.doverdowns.com/online
http://www.harringtongamingonline.com/

Players who have questions or need technical assistance may contact customer support at:

Delaware Park: 888-201-4603 or support@delparkonline.com
Dover Downs: 888-201-5301 or support@onlinegaming.doverdowns.com
Harrington Raceway:  888-201-4083 or  support@HarringtonGamingOnline.com

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Contacts:
Vernon Kirk
Director
Delaware Lottery
vernon.kirk@delaware.gov
302-744-1601

Angela Moffett-Batty
Community Relations Coordinator
Delaware Department of Finance
angela.moffett@delaware.gov
302-577-8522

Chip Guy of the Sussex County Emergency Operations Center in Georgetown, Delaware, issues a video update as Hurricane Sandy comes ashore near the mouth of the Delaware Bay.

Sussex County Emergency Operations staff have been posting periodic video updates on Hurricane Sandy. The full list, including the latest, is here: www.youtube.com/user/SussexCountyDE