Click Here to see America's 10 Best Boardwalks (by Forbes.com)

9th position - Rehoboth Beach, Delaware: "Lots of family-oriented arcades here. Beachcombers can test their skills at Virtual Fun Arcade & Playland, Surfside Arcade, Funland Amusement Park and Doll

Hospital officials and lifeguards say strong surf produced more serious surf-related injuries last week than any other week in recent years.

In one day, the Rehoboth Beach Patrol reported six spinal injuries. This past week, emergency room physician Dr. Kevin Bristowe said Beebe Medical Center saw several broken necks, numerous ankle fractures and dislocated shoulders and clavical fractures.

Beachgoers and fishermen alike are noticing the unseasonably cold water temperatures that weather professionals attribute to a phenomena known as upwelling.

"Current water temperatures are very close to their July normal values of 73 F. However, a week ago water temperatures were 10 degrees colder," said Meteorologist Gary Szatkowski of the National Weather Service.

"South to southwest surface winds during the summer actually push the warm water temperatures at the surface offshore. Colder water from deeper in the ocean comes to the surface, resulting in cold water temperatures in the surf zone," he said.

The sagging U.S economy has sparked changes at businesses in Rehoboth Beach as business owners work to give customers more bang for the buck.

At the forefront of this is Fusion, at 50 Wilmington Ave. The restaurant has lowered the price of all its menu items to $20 or less.

Bill Karrow, executive chef and proprietor of Fusion said, “Let’s face it, it costs 75 or 80 bucks to fill your tank up. That hurts. So we’ve made a conscious decision to keep all our entrees under $20. And it’s been working very well.”

Rehoboth Beach business owners who have been running out of quarters for parking meters this summer are about to catch a break.

The city has partnered with Citizens Bank to offer businesses the opportunity to purchase up to $1,000 in quarters per day until supplies are exhausted, starting Thursday, July 3.

Businesses can purchase the quarters in $500 increments only, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at City Hall, Monday through Saturday. There is no charge to the businesses for the service and only cash or checks will be accepted.

Marie Kilpatrick found Fourth of July holiday business a tad less sweet this year at the sugary center of Delaware's vacation universe.

"In past years, it would be very hard to find a parking space in Rehoboth Beach. This year, you can," said Kilpatrick, a longtime manager at the landmark Dolle's Candyland shop at the boardwalk and Rehoboth Avenue.

"I think it's because of gasoline. People are staying closer to home. We still have lines in the store, but if people buy something, where they maybe would buy a pound of chocolate before, they're buying half a pound, or pieces. People are being very careful."

Maria Kuzmina heard tales of Delaware back in her native Russia.

She thought the beaches sounded beautiful, the nightlife thrilling, and she was excited to be so close to New York City and Washington -- places she was familiar with only on television.

But mostly, it was the siren call of money to be made working on the boardwalk and in the outlet stores at Rehoboth Beach that prompted her to come to the United States this summer on a J-1 cultural exchange visa.

The first official heat wave of summer 2008 continues to sizzle the Mid-Atlantic region, where temperatures could top 100 degrees and lead to a variety of health and safety issues from heat exhaustion to power interruptions.

To help those in need of heat relief, Sussex County Administrator David B. Baker announced residents and visitors are invited to cooling stations during this week’s hot and humid weather. Temperatures are forecast in the upper 90s, with indexes predicted to exceed the 100-degree mark through Tuesday, June 10.

State transportation officials made it official this morning: The Del. 1 expansion project is done.

But here’s the fine print: the little detail work like painting lines on some travel lanes, wrapping up paving on side roads and planting sod really won’t be finished until Friday.

Even as the project completion was being announced, the turn lane off the highway onto Freeman Highway, the main access road for the Cape May-Lewes Ferry, was closed for paving.

This week’s sign that the year is already moving fast: the 19th Annual Rehoboth Beach Autumn Jazz Festival has announced artists for the five-day event at the Rehoboth Convention Center, scheduled for Oct. 15-19.

While festival organizers are still looking for its Saturday, Oct. 18 headliner, the lineup so far is as star-studded as the festival has seen.

The event will kick off at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 15, with the traditional opening night party, featuring a set by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group The Drifters. Celebrating their 50th year, The Drifters are responsible for such hits as “On Broadway,” “This Magic Moment” and “Under The Boardwalk.” Included is the annual Best Taste of Rehoboth cook-off, with prizes going out to the best seafood and chicken of the 2008 festival.