By Casino Connection Staff   Mon, Nov 30, 2009

“I saw it in the window, and I just couldn’t resist it!” Ever felt that way? We did, when we came across these great holiday gifts. As you wander the city searching for that perfect present—for your sweetheart, your spouse, a pal, a family member—take along these
suggestions. Have a joyful holiday and a New Year filled with optimism!

• With 100 outlet stores, you’ll find what you’re looking for at Atlantic City Outlets, The Walk. Tuesdays and Wednesdays through December 23, enjoy free valet parking and free gift-wrapping from noon to 8 p.m., samples from the Melting Pot (yum), and chair massages courtesy of VIVE Day Spa & Salon. www.acoutlets.com.

• The Pier Shops at Caesars is a shopper’s delight with nearly 90 retailers and breathtaking views of the ocean. Get gift cards at the Service Station at the main entrance, Boardwalk level. Visit www.thepiershopsatcaesars.com for holiday deals, dining specials and overnight stay-and-play packages. Every Tuesday night, admission is free to Dusk nightclub with your Pier Shops receipt.
   
• Anchored by the Big 3 department stores (Macy’s, Sears, JC Penney), Hamilton Mall in Mays Landing is a one-stop shop-till-you-drop paradise with more than 140 stores, boutiques, salons and restaurants. Kids can ride the Deep Sea Carousel and visit Hamilton Harbor, the nautically themed play area. Photos with Santa are available Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Visit www.shophamilton.com for holiday discounts and special events.
   
• With 25 retail shops, more than 15 restaurants and 12 places to party, The Quarter at Tropicana is a one-stop shopping-dining-entertainment destination. See the new animated movie A Christmas Carol with Jim Carrey and use your ticket stub for 15 percent off any Christmas ornament at Old Farmer’s Almanac. Don’t miss Tropicana’s dazzling Holiday Musical Light Show, the largestin the tri-state area, starting at noon each day. For more details, visit www.tropicana.net.

1. Snow bunny. The ski sweater goes retro in valentine pink with a super-soft lining. This sherpa hoodie is just $29.99 from U.S. Polo Assn. at the Walk.

2. Snug as a bug. You can’t have too many plush jammies. Jockey’s fleece ladies’ pants and cami are under $35 at the Walk. Men’s flannel boxers: $12.

3. Wrap it up. Add warmth and style to any look with a fringed ruana from Liz Claiborne. Originally $49, $19.60 at the Walk. Coordinating leather gloves: $9.99.

4. Billionaire chic. Donald J. Trump makes great men’s shirts (but we’re not seeing much of his signature pink this year). 100 percent cotton shirt, $29.75. Crisp DJT tie, $24.75. Van Heusen at the Walk.

5. Celt classic. Here’s one look that never goes out of style: an Irish-style classic cap and muffler (with pockets!). $99. Banana Republic at the Pier Shops.
 
6. Bread basket. Don’t go visiting without a hostess gift! Cookie trays, pastries and gift baskets from Formica Bros. Bakery are always welcome. Cranberry walnut rolls are a perennial favorite.

7. Girl’s best friend. These 1-carat inside-out hoops (with diamonds on the underside!) are $669 at Ultra Diamonds at the Walk. No sticker shock: big discounts are typical.

8. Button up your overcoat. This form-fitting leopard-print all-weather jacket is edgy and smart. With roll collar and belt. $49.95. H&M.

9. ‘Urban shoe myth.’ That’s what Carrie Bradshaw called stiletto Mary Janes. These glossy chocolate-brown pumps have a more substantial heel for greater comfort. $16.99. Kmart.

10. Holly-Bolly Christmas. The Pier Shops’ $10 Boutique has dozens of unstructured handbags with an Indian influence. They’re decorative, eye-catching and—hey, they’re 10 bucks!

11. Basic B&W. You’ll never change your stripes once you slip into one of these cool, casual Nautica pullovers. Quarter-zip sweater $49.99, varsity pullover $39.98. Macy’s at the Hamilton Mall.

12. Scents of the season. Florals are for the summer; this time of year, women want richer fragrances. The Body Shop offers lotions and scrubs in Christmas cranberry; Victoria’s Secret Parfums Intimes come in seductive amber blackberry. Pier Shops at Caesars.

13. Nuthin’ says “Jersey”… like a box of salt-water taffy-unless it’s a box of fudge. Get both in a gift set from James’ Fudge. $12.99. Pier Shops at Caesars.

14. Take a dive. These fine watches from Tourneau at the Pier Shops are water-resistant to 100 meters (men’s Invicta Russian Diver GMT, $199) and 200 meters (women’s TechnoMarine Cruise Rose Gold, $495.) Perfect for the waterbaby in your life.

15. Gift from the sea. Artists Sue Bennett and Carol Bonfiglio scour local beaches for sea glass, then transform the gem-like shards into one-of-a-kind pendants, many under $18. www.justglass13.etsy.com.

16. Good sports. For the fanatic in your life, check out team caps, jerseys, jackets and memorabilia at Sports City at the Pier Shops. They also have a complete line of cutting-edge fashion with Ed Hardy, Christian Audigier and company. Yankees clock, $34.99. (Yo, Philadelphia fans! The Fightin’ Phils are represented too!) Ed Hardy hoodie, $175.

17. Elegant style. Eleganza Boutique at the Pier Shops showcases superstar Italian designers including Versace, Roberto Cavalli, Etro and D&G. Wool FOCE coat with silk trim and fox collar. $1,395.

18. Art of Shaving. So Don Draper! This collection for the discriminating male includes pre-shave oil, shaving cream, a classic shaving brush and after-shave balm. $100. JC Penney at the Hamilton Mall.

19. Baubles, bangles. These costume jewelry duos from Galloway designer Whitney Ullman are bold, beautiful and fun. Price them at www.facebook/wullman.

20. Fun and games. The new Calendar Club at the Walk has all kinds of specialty Monopoly games: from Seinfeld and Family Guy to the Wizard of Oz and James Bond. There’s even Beatles Monopoly, along with the good old-fashioned Atlantic City verson. You’ll also find retro board games (Barbie: Queen of the Prom) and of course, calendars for everyone on your list.

20. Star Wars is here. Droid, the pint-sized power plant by Motorola, is giving the iPhone a run for its money with resolution so clear, you can read for hours. Sears at the Hamilton Mall.

21. Silver belles. You'll shine at holiday parties in this gorgeous metallic thread scarf from Chico’s at the Pier Shops. $59. Add the Fleur Pin ($38) to keep it snug.

22. True colors. These bracelets signify the fight against cancer: white for lung cancer, pink for breast cancer, etc. Buy one for a survivor; wear one for someone you love. $12-$15. Proceeds
benefit Every Breath Counts Foundation for Lung Cancer Awareness. Visit www.everybreathcounts.org.

23. Sweet smell of success. We chose his-and-hers colognes from two of today’s top music stars. Try Luscious Pink for Women by Mariah Carey, a blend of lily of the valley, peony, creamy sandalwood and white musk. $50.99. Perfumania at the Walk. McGraw by Tim McGraw has a woody, spicy fragrance with a hint of aged whiskey. $22. Target.

By Marjorie Preston   Tue, Dec 01, 2009

• In a 2008 survey of 316 New Jersey public high schools, Atlantic City High ranked 255 (a notch above 2007, when it placed 270).

• According to a 2009 report from the organization Kids Count, 28 percent of Atlantic City children live in families where neither parent has a full-time job.

• A new report on poverty by the Brookings Institution and the Federal Reserve (based on 1999 figures) says some Atlantic City neighborhoods, including the area known as Back Maryland, have a poverty rate of 40 percent, which qualifies as “extreme poverty.” In those same neighborhoods, 44 percent of people over 25 do not have a high school diploma, and only 7 percent have completed college.

Assata Williams will likely defy those grim statistics. For an hour or so most Tuesday afternoons, the 11-year-old heads to the Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City to learn about health, fitness, self-respect and social comportment at a group called Smart Girls. Assata enjoys the group, she says, because “it’s valuable, it’s fun and it’s a community. It shows us how to act and be a lady.”

But all group activities—Job Ready, Passport to Manhood and others—come second to “Power Hour;” at the Boys and Girls Club’s after-school program, homework is paramount. That’s no problem for Assata, a math whiz whose career goals include playing for the WNBA.

“If I don’t make it,” she says, “I’ll be a teacher or a doctor.”
    
The Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City offers a safe place for kids to study, play, and grow in scholarship, character and initiative. Seventeen-year-old Anthony Moore, a member since second grade, is an eloquent spokesman for the club, which has six locations in Atlantic City and Pleasantville.

“It helps me stay off the streets, stay focused on school, and have fundamental values,” says Anthony, whose future looks bright. With a commitment to both academics and athletics, he’s now fielding scholarship offers from universities including Seton Hall.

Fifteen-year-old Lamont Carson says the best part of membership is meeting new people and helping younger kids with their homework. “That makes my day, because they’re funny,” says Lamont, who wants to be a doctor.

Twelve-year-old Nazirah Baskerville calls the Boys and Girls Club “a second home. Everybody here is friendly and always welcome to help you.” Nazirah, too, plans a career in medicine.

And 16-year-old Jonathan Cotto, a member for six years, keeps coming for the sports, which he says “teaches me to stay on track, and teaches consequences. There are always consequences.”

An A-B student, Jonathan wants to go into engineering.

Success stories like these are due in part to broad support from the casino industry, which has remained stalwart despite the economy, says ACBGC Board President Dr. Scott Fuerman.

Joe Corbo, vice president and general counsel for Borgata, is a trustee. So are Harrah’s VP Karlos LaSane and Jeffrey Seelig, CFO of AC Coin & Slot.

Former Bally’s executive Redenia Gilliam-Mosee, who was president of the club for 18 years, helped land $3 million in CRDA funds to build the Pennsylvania Avenue headquarters; until then, “there were so many cracks in the cement, you could see daylight through the walls,” says Fuerman.

Gilliam Mosee also raised $500,000 for another building; with more space, enrollment took off. From an initial enrollment of 80 kids, the club now serves more than 1,400 children. To help transport them, Harrah’s Entertainment recently bought two 24-seat school buses for the club.

“Generosity like this is literally saving lives,” says ACBGC Executive Director Shane Bargy. “When kids come here, they’re not on the streets, where they may be on the cusp of doing things that will damage their futures.”

Bargy says club membership prevents gang membership, “providing true prevention with a touch of intervention.” Of 74 kids who participated in the club’s Outreach to At-Risk Youth program in 2008, “not one has joined a gang,” he says. “What we’re trying to do is raise the expectations kids have for themselves, and give them a higher purpose.”
     
The club’s Champions of Youth program, developed in partnership with Stockton College, introduces high schoolers to college-level courses at Stockton’s Pomona campus, and also pairs them with adult mentors. Thanks to the program, 18-year-old Rosemary Carmona has a more optimistic outlook—and an ambitious career goal.

“Champions of Youth definitely kept me in school, and brought some unity to my family life, which was really unstable and broken,” she says. “I learned better ways to approach conflict, which made things so much better at home.”

Rosemary plans to be a psychologist, and will specialize in helping people with post-traumatic stress disorder. “I want to work with people with PTSD, and war veterans deal with it the most,” says Rosemary.

Director Mike Everett, a former teacher, says the program “underscores excellence, so the expectations of these kids are not at the bottom level, but the top.

“These kids want to succeed,” says Everett. “We provide them with a roadmap to success.”

Any given afternoon, hundreds of kids stream into the Boys and Girls Club, shouldering backpacks, calling out to friends, getting down to homework, playing sports, learning about life. Ten-year-old Azannah Hill says she’s always glad to walk through those doors.

“I live in a bad neighborhood,” she says. “It makes me feel safe here.”

By Casino Connection Staff   Tue, Dec 01, 2009

The Asian affinity for gambling is “part of the cultural DNA.”

So says Timothy Fong, co-director of the Gam-bling Studies Program at UCLA. In a recent BBC interview, Fong said dominoes, dice and cards are not just a shared custom in Asian culture but a rite of passage and “a way to test destiny, to see what the ancestors and gods have in store for us.”

Asians and Asian Americans—who gamble at weddings, parties and banquets—are among the most consistent casino customers. Sonny Lee, executive director of Asian marketing at Trump Marina, says Asians make up “about 20 to 30 percent” of Atlantic City’s patron base—a base that’s remained fairly robust, despite the recession.

“I would say it’s in our blood,” says Lee. “We always want to try our luck.”

These days, nods to Asian culture and heritage are everywhere in the casino industry. Steve Wynn was among the first to acknowledge the importance of feng shui, which holds that positive energy can be harnessed through spatial arrangements; Wynn even hired feng shui masters to vet the construction and design of the Mirage and Wynn Las Vegas (the latter does not have floors 40 through 49, because the number four in Chinese sounds like the word for death).

The Asian gaming pit at Trump Plaza reads like a feng shui textbook, with plenty of mirrors to reflect and boost the fortune of the players, stone-and-wood-inlaid columns to introduce the good energy of nature, and a wall of gaming tables that look out onto the floor, so no dealer will ever have his or her back to a guest (a social faux pas).

In recent years, Harrah’s Entertain-ment has created three new Asian gaming pits (at Caesars, Bally’s and Showboat), and Trump Marina just added no-commission EZ baccarat, which is particularly popular among Asian gamblers.

Casinos reach and attract Asian patrons by advertising in Chinatown newspapers, presenting Asian stars in concert, and offering more table games. (Expect to see more Asian-themed casino celebrations at the start of the Lunar New Year—February 14, which begins the Year of the Tiger.)

Clearly, Asian customers must be treated with respect, but gestures of respect differ from culture to culture, so it’s vital to learn the differences. What’s considered a friendly gesture by one ethnic group may seem inappropriate or even insulting to another.

Even so, Lee says dealing with Asian customers is less about elaborate rules than “common sense and customer service.” And it all comes down to one word: respect.

“Like everyone else, Asian customers want to feel respected, greeted with a smile, offered a bottle of water in their hotel room,” says Lee. “These small details show we want to make them comfortable. They show that we care.”

Younger Asians or ABCs (American-born Chinese) may be less concerned with traditional protocols, but it’s always better to err on the side of caution.

When dealing with Asian patrons:

USE FORMAL ADDRESS
In many Asian traditions, first names are used only by close friends and family, so always address Asian patrons as “Mr.,” “Mrs.,” “Miss,” etc. Needless to say, anyone who can address Asian customers in their own language has an “absolute advantage,” says Lee.

Respect the business card
Among Asians, the exchange of business cards is almost the equivalent of a handshake. Typically, Asians will present a card with both hands. Receive it with both hands while thanking them, examine it for a moment, then present your card, using both hands and bowing your head slightly to show respect.

PLAY BY THE NUMBERS
As mentioned above, the Chinese, Japanese and Korean cultures have an aversion to the number four, which is sometimes left off table games. We may call it superstition, but it’s not much different from some people’s phobia about the number 13, says Lee. Conversely, the number eight is considered fortunate.

SEE RED
“Red is always the lucky color in Asian culture,” says Lee, signifying “yang” energy, or brightness and vibrancy; no wonder it’s predominant in Chinese restaurants and gaming pits. All-white is sometimes associated with death, as is black; when Brian Cahill, public relations director at Resorts, gave a framed photo to an Asian casino worker, the worker inexplicably became upset. The frame was black, which the worker perceived as unlucky. “I had no idea of the meaning,” says Cahill. 

DO NOT POINT AT SOMEONE OR TURN YOUR BACK
Again, common courtesy, but especially meaningful to Asian customers.  

REFRAIN FROM STARING
While Americans are encouraged to maintain eye contact, doing so with Asian customers can be perceived as a gesture of challenge.

SPEAK SLOWLY
Asians consider it impolite to ask people to repeat themselves; also, they do not want to lose face by saying they do not understand.

SMILE
It’s not a matter of mood, but politeness. Smiling is not optional when dealing with Asian customers—nor should it be with any
customers.

By   Fri, Sep 19, 2008

By Frank Legato   Thu, Jun 19, 2008

By Roger Gros   Mon, May 19, 2008

By Roger Gros   Mon, May 12, 2008

By Roger Gros   Tue, Mar 11, 2008

By Roger Gros   Wed, May 23, 2007

By Roger Gros   Wed, May 23, 2007

By Frank Legato   Tue, May 22, 2007

By Roger Gros   Tue, May 22, 2007

By Frank Legato   Thu, Mar 01, 2007

By Roger Gros   Sun, Jul 25, 2010

By   Mon, May 17, 2010

On May 15, Tony Boloney’s will mark its first year with the inaugural Pizza Slaughter Fest. Wing Bowl champ Jon “Super Squibb” will try to eat his way through the entire pizza menu. Pass the Pepto Bismol, folks; that’s about 30 slices (and up to 10,000 calories).

“If Squibb thinks he can take down every slice of our pizza before anyone else, I have some big guys in the neighborhood who will meet him head-on,” jokes co-owner Mike Hauke.

Hungry members of the public can also vie for the Golden Boloney crown and belt, sampling the six-cheese Monopoly pizza; the Casino Carnivore, with 10 layers of meat and mozzarella; the Veggie Dune, with a grove of marinated vegetables; and the SH**-faced Chicken, with beer-battered bird, Guinness honey BBQ sauce, mozz and cheddar.

This family-friendly event will also feature live local bands. Sign up at the store and online at www.tonyboloneys.com.

http://casinoconnectionac.com/issue/may-2010/article/great-pizza-no-boloney

By NBC 40 WMGM   Fri, Jan 29, 2010

By NBC 40 WMGM   Sat, Jan 23, 2010

By NBC 40 WMGM   Thu, Jan 21, 2010

Late last month the founder  of Beal Bank, who is also known as a high-stakes poker player, made a surprise move by joining billionaire Carl Icahn in a new bid for Trump Entertainment. Beal hopes to convert his multimillion-dollar loan into equity in the company.

“Trump jumped ship at the last minute,” Icahn attorney Edward Weisfelner said in court, “and left Mr. Beal standing at the altar.”

see entire article here:  http://casinoconnectionac.com/issue/january-2010/article/games-the-same-but-players-have-changed

By NBC 40 WMGM   Wed, Dec 02, 2009

http://casinoconnectionac.com/issue/november-2009/article/ac-outlets-the-walk-your-holiday-headquarters

By David Schwartz   Tue, Dec 01, 2009

One of Atlantic City’s biggest—and at times most controversial—casino resorts, the Tropicana, has spent much of its history reinventing itself. Looking at the hotel’s past, the one constant seems to be change.

The Tropicana stands on the site of the old Ambassador Hotel at Brighton Avenue and the Boardwalk (pictured). The $4 million, 400-room Ambassador, which opened in 1919, guarded the Downbeach flank of Atlantic City’s hotel corridor. The 14-story hotel was successful and, two years later, added a 400-room expansion (the separate towers were eventually connected, adding even more rooms). Yet the ensuing decades were not kind to the hotel. By the 1970s, the Ambassador had closed.

In the 1970s, hotelier Martin Ashner bought the empty structure. Ashner planned to renovate it and reopen it as a casino hotel, then sell it (along with the nearby Deauville) to Ramada Inns. Spurred by the legalization of gaming in Atlantic City, Ramada bought the property for $35 million. In late 1978, executives announced plans for the Phoenix, a $70 million casino that would include 549 guest rooms and a 60,000-square-foot casino.

Instead of an extreme makeover, Ramada planned to refurbish the 60-year-old structure to get the casino open—and revenue flowing—as quickly as possible. The company would build a second, 1,000-room “Phoenix-class” hotel next door, if the first proved a success.

But the Casino Control Commission vetoed Ramada’s initial design, arguing that the city had enough refurbished hotels. Only by building a completely new structure, commissioners said, could Ramada deliver the kind of first-class hotel that voters had been promised in 1976. Company executives were understandably chagrined at being held to a different standard than Resorts International, Caesars Boardwalk Regency and the Claridge, all of which were repurposed structures. They came up with a compromise, stripping the Ambassador to its steel skeleton and building a modern hotel around the existing frame. Construction began at last in October 1979.

Two months later, Ramada Inns bought one of Las Vegas’ most famous casinos, the Tropicana, for $70 million. To capitalize on the brand, the company renamed its Atlantic City project the Tropicana Hotel and Casino.

The Tropicana was slated to open in 1981, but construction delays pushed back the opening date. The casino finally opened on November 26, 1981, and struggled. With a smaller-than-projected casino, it posted an operating loss during its early weeks. The next year brought no improvement, and to escape $400 million of debt incurred in building the Atlantic City casino, the company began selling many of its hotels.

Yet there was hope. In 1983, due in part to a convenient new parking garage, the customers came. Revenues grew at nearly twice the rate of the market, and the Tropicana posted a profit for the first time in its history. The Atlantic City property became the star of Ramada’s portfolio, lifting the whole company to profitability. By 1987, it was generating the bulk of Ramada’s revenues.

In the 1980s, executives began planning for expansion and retrenchment. In an increasingly competitive market, they needed to differentiate. In late 1988, Ramada unveiled a new hotel tower across Brighton Avenue, along with expanded casino space and a two-acre indoor theme park called Tivoli Pier. Inexplicably, they chose to drop the storied “Tropicana” name in favor of  “TropWorld,” most likely to trade on the success of theme parks like Disney World.

The next year, Ramada sold its hotel division and spun its casinos into an entity named Aztar, a name chosen to recall the grandeur of the Aztec empire.  TropWorld was the company’s chief revenue-producing asset.

But the underutilized capacity continued to plague the casino; though it made more profits from slots than most casinos, it had a lower-than-average win-per-slot. Throughout the early 1990s, TropWorld continued to chase high-end table play instead of focusing on value-driven slot customers.

This pursuit of premium players inspired the casino’s next incarnation. In 1996, 600 new rooms opened in a tower perched atop the parking garage, and each of the existing 1,000 guest rooms was renovated. A new poker room and an Asian games room, the Jade Palace, were designed to lessen the casino’s dependence on slot players.

This expansion reversed the previous six years of history. The Tivoli Pier amusement area, now deemed expendable, was replaced with gaming space. Six luxurious high-roller suites underscored the desire to attract high-end play. Finally, to cement the “elegant and luxurious” new image the property hoped to project, the casino’s name was changed back to Tropicana.

With a new name and a new course, the Tropicana’s leaders hoped for smooth sailing. The next decade, however, was to be the most tumultuous since the property’s chaotic early days.

Next month: the end of the Aztar era, and the next chapter in the Tropicana’s history.

By Marjorie Preston   Tue, Dec 01, 2009

When Helene Vaspoli’s colleagues at Resorts celebrated her birthday last March, the entertainer better known
as Roller Girl insisted that all the gifts go to charity.

“I’m a blessed girl,” says Vaspoli, a dancer-on-skates who glides every weekend under the mirror ball at Boogie Nights. “So I said, ‘Let’s get some kids’ stuff, pajamas and canned goods and give it all to the United Way.’”

That seems to be Vaspoli’s mission, in life and on the job: to make people feel good. Her striking looks and effervescent personality have made her the best-known symbol (besides that mirror ball) of Boogie Nights, the disco-era hot spot that marked its second anniversary last month.

Her role, Vaspoli says, is to “stand at the front, looking as cute as I can, flirt with the boys, flirt with the girls, and get people to come in!”

She may be an ambassador of fun, but Vaspoli also takes good care of her customers. “If we’re at capacity, I’ll take my little clipboard and say, ‘Go have a drink next door at Capriccio, and I’ll come and get you when it’s time.’ People appreciate that, because they don’t have to stand in line.”

Casino Connection caught up with Roller Girl—who’s also Boogie Nights’ 2010 calendar girl—on the floor at Resorts.  

When did you start skating?
I’ve been dancing and skating since I was five. In my career I’ve done a lot of dancing at casinos and events. When I was asked to transfer from boots to skates, for me it was super-easy. I’m good on my feet.
 
Besides being Roller Girl, what else do you do?
I work for a bunch of liquor companies—Tanqueray, Moet—and I’m also a Captain Morganette. Plus I do the Playboy Girls of Golf celebrity tournament and lingerie show. You can see it on the Travel Channel.
 
Did Hefner ever try to tap you for the The Girls Next Door?
Nope. I have brown hair and real appendages, so I’m out. But everyone out there is so nice. He’s exceptionally nice.

You live a nocturnal life. It looks like play, but does it ever seem like work?
I wake up every Friday and Saturday, and I can’t wait to come to Resorts. Everybody that works here feels the same way—it’s birds of a feather, and a lifestyle I enjoy.

How do you stay in such terrific shape?
I hate telling people this, but I’ve never worked out a day in my life. I think healthy, I eat healthy, and aside from an after-work drink, I try not to indulge. Plus, these skates weigh as much as I do, and I skate 15 hours a weekend. That’ll keep you in shape.
 
Do you have favorite costumes?
Anything that’s shiny silver or gold and really looks ’70s. I have the jelly bracelets, the sweatbands, the knee-highs—all the good stuff. I like to rock the pigtails. But I leave the Afro to Mr. Boogie. 

Do women patrons ever get jealous?
Some people who walk in aren’t the biggest fans of Roller Girl right away. I try to get them to see I’m super-sweet and super-cool, and I’m just there to help them to have a good time. I want them to be friendly with me. I don’t want them to think I’m something
I’m not.

What's the appeal of Boogie Nights?
It’s a different feeling, a different crowd and a different vibe than the bang-bang-bang you have in some nightclubs. Plus there’s a personal touch here. How can you not love the ’70s and ’80s? It’s a trip.

And your favorite music?
Anything from the Go-Gos. Anything by Michael Jackson. We all know the “Thriller” dance—not from learning it here, but from when we were kids. I like disco too. When the couples do their little disco dancing, how cute is that? And I’m a Bon Jovi girl to the core.

Do you ever get recognized on the street?
Oh yeah. People will go, “Skate Girl!” I say, “It’s Roller Girl, but close enough!”

By Robert Rossiello   Tue, Dec 01, 2009

Best known for her brilliant short story collections, Lorrie Moore has recently published her third novel, A Gate at the Stairs. This perceptive and heartbreaking book follows the exploits of Tassie Keltjin, a 20-year old student at a Midwestern college dealing with adulthood in a post-9/11 world. Tassie takes a part-time job as a nanny for a middle-aged couple who have adopted a mixed-race child. On top of that, she becomes involved with a mysterious classmate, Reynaldo, who may not be who he seems.

Though the book touches on major themes—race, war, marriage—it is Moore’s mastery of the minute details and emotional lives of her characters that propels the swift narrative. Her signature humor, playful puns and inventive use of language elevate this complex coming-of-age story. There are few writers who can chart the American landscape so accurately, with such wit and penetrating intimacy. For a fun and addictive read, pick up a A Gate at the Stairs.

By Robert Rossiello   Tue, Dec 01, 2009

Paul Shaffer, David Letterman’s longtime musical sidekick, dishes up a hilarious memoir full of interesting anecdotes. This self-proclaimed “Show-biz Saga” charts the rise of a musically obsessed kid from Ontario who works his way from playing strip clubs to landing a series of jobs on Broadway, and goes on to become the musical director of Saturday Night Live and the leader of “The World’s Most Dangerous Band.”

Shaffer is candid and insightful about his friendships with comedians and actors such as Marty Short, John Belushi (who cut him from the original Blues Brothers movie) and Gilda Radner (on whom he had a crush). But it’s his encounters with his musical idols—Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, James Brown, the Rolling Stones—that make these breezy, fast-paced pages come to life. Shaffer has never lost his love of music or his respect for the great players of our time.

Though not much is written about his boss, David Letterman (whose show he joined in 1982), there are plenty of behind-the-scenes stories that make this hip memoir a must-read.

By Joe Legato   Tue, Dec 01, 2009

Activision brings fans the long-awaited next chapter of the Call of Duty series with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. Similar to its predecessor, Modern Warfare 2 is a first-person shooter that takes place in a near future that is engulfed in war.

Picking up where the last game left off, Russia has been overthrown by “Ultra-nationists,” and they are beginning to wage war against the Western world. They have even sprung a surprise attack on the East Coast of the United States. You must take the role of multiple characters, mostly from a military group called Task Force 141, as you traverse hostile environments across the globe in this modern war.

There are a ton of new weapons and items in Modern Warfare 2, but what stands out the most is its array of environments. One moment you might be zipping through a snowy landscape while in another you might be floating in outer space. The most interesting, and sometimes eerily real, environments are included in a war-torn U.S. East Coast. Specifically, seeing Washington, D.C., and associated landmarks under attack is quite a sight, and it gives you a lot of motivation to get the job done.

Modern Warfare 2 has a compelling storyline and great selection of missions to battle through. You also get the options of going through it with a friend in a co-op mode or just battling each other in online multiplayer. Though a bit violent sometimes, Modern Warfare 2 is fun for anybody interested in war games or first-person shooters. Just be careful when giving this game a shot; it just might blow you away

By Casino Connection Staff   Tue, Dec 01, 2009

Jazz-inspired ingénue Norah Jones is the Queen of Pretty Songs. From her first CD, 2002’s Come Away With Me, to her latest, The Fall, Jones has showcased an understated vocal style, subtle melodies and wandering piano licks to ruminate over lost loves and snowy walks. The effect is always gorgeous, and The Fall doesn’t stray far from that successful recipe.

As expected, there are some truly beautiful ballads on this record. “Back to Manhattan” and “December” are particularly stunning, the latter a perfect soundtrack to roasting chestnuts and other seasonal pleasures.

Though Jones has never been as adventurous as Fiona Apple or Tori Amos, she does take some chances on The Fall, adding a more dramatic flair to her typically dreamy music. “It’s Gonna Be” has a more rollicking style and clever lyrics taking on politics and pop culture with lines like, “The ones that really hurt us, they should be arrested for murders/But then all the cameras were turned on some skinny naked blonde eating burgers.”

In “Man of the Hour,” Jones describes the dilemma of choosing between two lovers. It takes a few bars to realize that the song is an ode to a devoted puppy: “You never lie and you don’t cheat/And you don’t have any baggage tied to your four feet.” The whimsical tune nicely concludes the album, which is smart, sophisticated and ultimately, safe.

By Howard Willis   Tue, Dec 01, 2009

The boy-meets-girl, boy-hates-girl, boy-topples-headlong-in-love-with-girl is not just a staple of romantic comedy; it pretty much sums up the genre, from The Philadelphia Story to When Harry Met Sally.

These days, the franchise belongs to Sandra Bullock, who’s been to this well before with co-stars like Harry Connick Jr., (Hope Floats), Hugh Grant (Two Weeks’ Notice) and Benjamin Bratt (Miss Congeniality).

The Proposal starts off in formulaic fashion. Bullock is Margaret, a tough-as-nails book editor who could be deported to her native Canada because she forgot to become a U.S. citizen. Her romantic adversary is Andrew, played by Ryan Reynolds, an office underling who exchanges a quickie marriage for a quickie promotion.

To prove the legitimacy of their union, they fly to his family home in Alaska, and then—well, fill in the blanks. Margaret is charmed by her new in-laws, and charmed too by the far-from-Manhattan serenity of the land. Andrew sees her softer side, and a tenuous affection begins. When grandma-in-law outfits Margaret in her own wedding gown, it’s a lump-in-the-throat moment that could seem cynically manipulative, except for one thing. By this time, you actually care for the characters, who are skillfully played by the leads as well as co-stars Mary Steenburgen and Craig T. Nelson (Andrew’s folks) and Betty White (who’s just wonderful as the grandmother).

By-the-numbers or not, The Proposal is a sweet, likable film, and an engaging way to spend a few hours.

By Frank Legato   Tue, Dec 01, 2009

For Trekkies, this film is a dream come true. In a masterful screenplay by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, we are given the prequel to the legendary 1960s Star Trek series. Produced and directed by J.J. Abrams, this rebooted Star Trek breathes new life into the world’s longest-running sci-fi franchise.

The story, the characters and the performances are all true to the original TV series, and longtime fans will appreciate how well each of the major characters represents what would be a younger version of the original cast, right down to similarities in appearance.

Chris Pine is perfect as the brash James T. Kirk, and Zachary Quinto, as the young Spock, nearly steals the movie. Our heroes are charged to save the universe from an insane Romulan (Eric Banna), who has crossed from the future through a black hole, bent on revenge for the annihilation of his planet. The older version of Spock enters the story through the same black hole. Played by original cast member Leonard Nimoy (who else?), this inspired twist creates a generational theme for the popular space adventure while respecting its epic vision.

The story is action-packed and entertaining for all of its 127 minutes. My favorite Trekkie moment: The young Montgomery Scott, played flawlessly by Simon Pegg, utters his first “I’m givin’ it all she’s got, Captain!”

By Casino Connection Staff   Tue, Dec 01, 2009

December 4
Lionel Richie, Caesars

December 4-6
Charlie Prose Christmas Show with David Grayson, Trump Plaza

December 4-5
Stephen Lynch, Borgata

December 5
Boyz II Men, Resorts
Boxing: Martinez vs. Williams, Boardwalk Hall
Raphael Saadiq, House of Blues
Pupo E I Magnifici 7, Taj Mahal

December 12
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Harrah’s
Mike Birbiglia, Borgata
Il Divo, Taj Mahal
New Breed Fighters Mixed Martial Arts, Resorts

December 19
Rob Thomas, Borgata
Lou Neglia’s Ring Of Combat XXVII, Tropicana

December 31
O.A.R., House of Blues
Jimmy Eat World, House of Blues
David Gray, Caesars
New Year’s Eve Wave Party: Don’t Call Me Francis, Trump Marina

December 26
The Roots, Borgata

December 31-January 1
Natalie Cole, Tropicana

January 1
John Legend, Borgata

January 2
New Year Gospel Celebration with Donnie McClurkin, Mary Mary, Fred Hammond and
J Moss, Boardwalk Hall
Mariah Carey, Borgata

Casino Revues
Ongoing
Yesterday—A Tribute to the Beatles, Tropicana

Through December 19
Miracle on 34th Street, Tropicana

Through December 13
Cirque Dreams Holidaze, Taj Mahal

Through January 2
Magician Michael Turco’s Wonder, Bally's

December 8-20
Spirit of Christmas, Hilton

Stockton Performing Art Center
609-652-9000 • www.stockton.edu/pac

December 3-6
Dance: ChoreoProject 31

December 5
Sister’s Christmas Catechism

December 7
South Jersey Wind Ensemble Holiday Concert

December 10-12
Atlantic City Ballet’s The Nutcracker

Appel Farm Arts & Music Center
800-394-8478 • www.appelfarm.org

December 5
Jimmy Webb

December 12
Exit 1 Off The Crooked Road: Traditional Music in South Jersey with Jim Albertson, The Snake Brothers and The Tuesday Mountain Boys

Ocean City Concerts & Shows
www.ocnj.us

December 10
Ronan Tynan’s Spirit of Music Holiday Concert, Ocean City Music Pier, 609-525-9248

December 11-16
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, OC Repertory Theater, 609-231-3263

December 12 
Christmas Concert, Ocean City Tabernacle, 609-399-1915, www.octabernacle.org

December 19 
Ocean City Pops: Joy to the World!, Ocean City Tabernacle, 609-399-1915, www.octabernacle.org

December 19
Carolfest, Ocean City Music Pier, 609-525-9300

Cape May Theater
www.capemaymac.org

December 3-31 (Thurs.-Sun.)  
Cape May Stage presents An O. Henry Christmas, 8 p.m. & 3 p.m., Robert Shackleton Playhouse, Lafayette and Bank St., 609-884-5404

December 6, 11, 12 
East Lynne Theater Company presents Christmas in Black and White, 8:30 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, Decatur and Hughes St., Cape May, 609-884-5404

December 18-19  
The Looking Glass Mysteries: Arsenic and Plum Pudding, Cape May, 609-884-5404

By Casino Connection Staff   Tue, Dec 01, 2009

Start 2010 on the right foot by joining A New Year Gospel Celebration at Boardwalk Hall.

This uplifting evening will feature pioneers of contemporary gospel including Grammy-winning singer-pastor Donnie McClurkin; Grammy-winning duo Mary Mary, who have released two gold albums and one platinum album since 2000; Grammy and Dove Award-winner Fred Hammond, formerly of the Winans and Radical for Christ, and a founding member of the group Commissioned; and vocalist J Moss, called “one of the most powerful forces in modern gospel and soul,” with a sound that’s been compared to Prince.

Better believe these gospel greats will raise the roof at Boardwalk Hall, starting the new year with heavenly music.

By Casino Connection Staff   Tue, Dec 01, 2009

The English-born troubadour David Gray brings his mellow, melodic music to Caesars on New Year’s Eve.

A longtime staple on the U.K. folk scene, Gray released three highly-respected albums in the early 1990s before achieving international success with ’99’s White Ladder. The album produced three hit singles, “Babylon,” “Please Forgive Me” and “This Year’s Love,” and received a Grammy nomination, (in Ireland White Ladder remains the top-selling album of all time).

Gray’s soulful piano, introspective lyrics and use of electronics were showcased on two follow-up albums, as well as a greatest hits collection. In September he released Draw The Line, his most expansive and outward-looking work, which features appearances by Annie Lennox and Jolie Holland.

Known for his intimate stage shows, Gray will bring to Caesars selections from Draw The Line as well as older fan favorites.

By Casino Connection Staff   Tue, Dec 01, 2009

Magician Michael Turco is home for the holidays—“home” meaning Bally’s Atlantic City, where he will present his show Wonder through January 2.

Jersey-born Turco summered with his family in Brigantine, and grew up on the magic acts that abounded in Atlantic City. Wonder chronicles his journey from star-struck kid to stage phenomenon; it’s a special kick, he says, to headline in the same theater where his mentors performed.

“The story behind the show is just to believe in yourself and follow your dreams,” he says.

While he dispenses with the tux and top hat, the 27-year-old has lots of time-honored illusions up his sleeve: “a mix of what I’ve learned over the years, from close-up card tricks to stage magic to big illusions and levitations to mentalism.”

Along with a bevy of assistants, he also has feathered sidekicks including doves “and a duck named Lloyd.”

Turco counts David Copperfield and Lance Burton among his favorites. He admires the edgy style of “street magicians” David Blaine and Criss Angel, but notes that TV performers “can always say, ‘Cut!’” if a bit doesn’t come off as planned.

“That’s why I prefer being onstage. I love seeing people’s reactions in the moment. I’m always thinking of new things, new tricks, to keep people guessing.” He hopes the popularity of Wonder will usher in a new age in Atlantic City’s casino showrooms.

“It’s good to be back. The casino is great, the theater is awesome and the reaction has been nothing but terrific,” says Turco. “I’d like to see the casino world bring back these shows in a big way.”

By Casino Connection Staff   Tue, Dec 01, 2009

Dubbed a “retro-soul specialist” by the New York Times, R&B elder statesman Raphael Saadiq began his career in the ’80s as a founding member of super-group Tony! Toni! Toné! Born Charlie Ray Wiggins, he left the group just as it was skyrocketing to fame with New Jack-swing hits like “For the Love of You” and “Feels Good.”

Saadiq launched a solo career in the ’90s, then spun into a second group, the short-lived Lucy Pearl with En Vogue’s Dawn Robinson and A Tribe Called Quest’s Ali Shaheed Muhammad.

Since then, he’s focused on producing songs for other artists like D’Angelo and Joss Stone, collaborating with the likes of Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder, Snoop Dogg and Earth Wind & Fire, while simultaneously releasing a handful of solo albums.

After years behind the scenes, 2008’s The Way I See It placed Saadiq squarely back in the limelight. The collection of Motown-inspired works was nominated for three Grammys, landed on dozens of “best of” lists, and invited comparison to the tempting Temptations. Hey, in some photos this guy even looks like David Ruffin—or is that Marvin Gaye?

By Casino Connection Staff   Tue, Dec 01, 2009

In the girls-with-guitars category, there’s no one like black-hearted chick-stud Joan Jett.

One of only two women on Rolling Stone’s list of 100 Greatest Guitarists (the other is Joni Mitchell), the singer-songwriter is best known for her unmistakable sexy growl, showcased to fine effect in “I Love Rock & Roll,” a jukebox favorite since 1982 (remember it in Flashdance?).

With her first band, the Runaways, and later with the Blackhearts, Jett copped a defiant posture that hasn’t softened much with the years. But there’s plenty of humor behind the leather, tattoos and Goth tresses. Who else but Joan Jett would have had the wit to cover “Love Is All Around,” theme song for The Mary Tyler Moore Show, or “Crimson and Clover,” Tommy James’ contribution to ’60s-era psychedelia?

Jett’s life and times will be chronicled in the upcoming biopic, The Runaways, starring Twilight’s Kristin Stewart. At 50 (yes, 50!) Jett herself doesn't look much older than her cinematic counterpart. And she still acts and sounds like the bad girl on the block—the one you always wanted to be.

By Marjorie Preston   Tue, Dec 01, 2009

Take a quartet of gorgeous guys, add a repertoire of romantic ballads, put them in front of an audience of swooning women, and what have you got? Il Divo, the “pop opera” brainchild of American Idol starmaker Simon Cowell.

Il Divo is comprised of four GQ-worthy singers—the USA’s David Miller, Carlos Marin of Spain, Frenchman Sebastien Izambard, and Urs Buhler, who is Swiss. Since 2004, these angels in Armani have sold more than 25 million CDs.

Casino Connection Managing Editor Marjorie Preston spoke with Miller about the group’s meteoric rise and broad appeal.

On tour, do you ever find yourself wondering where you are? 
It’s been a crazy year—we’ve been in a total of 37 countries and counting—so occasionally in the morning, it takes a moment for my brain to kick in and remember where we are. I’ve been known to walk into walls because I’ve forgotten where the bathroom is in a particular hotel room. Usually, all it takes is some coffee and a trip to the gym.

When you first auditioned for Il Divo, how was the concept described to you?
They said it would be “opera singers not singing opera.” I was curious. Once I found out Simon was involved, I knew it would be a big commitment. They said it would consume the next five years of our lives. I knew I would have to give up my Metropolitan Opera debut to be part of it. It seemed to be a lot of burning bridges, but they said, “Trust us. As long as you can deliver on the vocals, we’ll do the rest.” So I was one of the first to sign on, along with Sebastien.
 
How was it to go from soloist to one of four? That's a lot of testosterone.
You have no idea! We had some initial hiccups, a bit of a learning curve; we all had to swallow our egos down a little bit.

But we all brought unique talents to the table; we’re not in competition. I sing the high stuff. Carlos is the baritone. Seb brings tenderness and emotion to the performance, Urs brings a subtlety that comes from singing classical concerts—unlike opera, which is bellowing to the back wall. We still have big, testosterone-filled egos, but we’ve learned how to be four captains of one ship.

When you look out into the audience, who do you see?
At the beginning, it was mainly middle-aged women; they took our music home to the guys who said, “What is this romantic mush?” and the kids who said, “Mom, this is not cool.”

Now when we do concerts, it’s such a mix-families with children, teenagers, people in their 70s and 80s, guys with guys, women with women. It’s G-rated, family-style entertainment, and a lot of different people love it.

Do you ever get ribbed by people who accuse you of being a divo, which is the male version of diva? 
Actually, the term means “the divine”—or it used to, before pop culture changed it to, “Oh, you’re such a diva, snap, snap.” People would flock to La Scala to see the diva, whose voice was closest to God.

We chose the name Il Divo instead of the plural, which would have been “divi,” because this is not about one of us, but about the way we bring our talents together into a single voice. The sum is greater than the parts.

As romantic singers, do you have camp followers? Would you say they rise to the level of groupies?
Some people will show up again and again around an Il Divo tour, bringing gifts, bringing chocolates, but they’re very nice and also respectful of us as men in relationships.

They come for the music and the show. A lot of people say the emotion of our music has been instrumental in helping them heal or recover from a surgery or battle an illness. We lift their spirits, and that’s an extraordinary thing.

Does it bother you to be called the Jonas Brothers for mothers?
No! We started that one ourselves.

Il Divo will appear at Trump Taj Mahal December 12. Tickets are $60, $85 and $145.

By Michael Bruckler   Tue, Dec 01, 2009

Holidays are all about family. From AC to Cape May to Tuckerton, there are plenty of celebrations for everyone to enjoy.

Start the season with a song at the annual Madrigal Concert and Dinner, Saturday, December 5 at 6 p.m. at the Church of the Epiphany in Ventnor. The Doug Murdock Meistersingers present this extraordinary recital with musicians in medieval garb performing holiday carols and hymns. A sumptuous feast will follow. Tickets are $35. For more information, visit www.dougmurdockmeistersingers.org.

The Atlantic City Free Public Library’s 22nd annual Kwanzaa program is 2 p.m. Saturday, December 26 at the All Wars Memorial Building, 1510 Adriatic Avenue. This performance by the Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble is an electrifying blend of ancestral dancing, drumming and stilt-walking in traditional African style. Free. For information, call 609-345-2269, ext. 3112, or visit www.acfpl.org.

In the Historic Towne of Smithville and Village Greene, Route 9 and Moss Mill Road in Smithville, the annual Holiday Light Show includes more than 100 Christmas trees, magically floating on Lake Meone, in an orchestrated light and music show. It takes place from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Thursday through Sunday, December 3 to January 3. Every weekend this month, enjoy the Christmas Train from 10 a.m. until closing, a Magical Talking Tree from noon to 5 p.m., and Story Time with Mrs. Claus from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, call 609-748-6160 or visit www.smithvillenj.com.

Renault Winery Resort & Golf, 72 North Bremen Avenue in Egg Harbor City, gets into the spirit with a Sounds of the Season Holiday Dinner Concert in the Grand Ballroom Saturday, December 12. A cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m. is followed by a four-course gourmet dinner at 7 p.m. The famed Tuscany Singers return to Renault to herald the holiday season. Reservations are requested. The price is $69.95 per person plus tax and gratuity.

On Friday and Saturday, December 18 and 19, it’s A Christmas Carol Dinner Theatre in the Renault Grand Ballroom. A cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m. is followed by dinner at 7 p.m. (A children’s menu is available.) Enjoy a production of Charles Dickens’ classic tale of greed and redemption that the whole family will enjoy. Again, reservations are requested. The price is $54.95 per person plus tax and gratuity.  For more information, call Renault Winery Resort & Golf at 609-965-2111 or visit www.renaultwinery.com.

It wouldn’t be Christmas without visions of sugarplums. The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Pomona presents the Atlantic City Ballet in The Nutcracker Friday, December 11 at 7 p.m., and Saturday, December 12, at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. The Nutcracker features colorful scenery, period costumes, a cast of nearly 100, and of course, Tchaikovsky’s memorable score. Tickets are $10 to $35, with discounts for seniors and children under 12. For more information, call 609-652-9000 or visit www.stockton.edu/pac.

For some people, the decorations really make the season special. Cape May’s Christmas Candlelight House Tour takes place Saturdays through December 19, 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. This self-guided tour features decorated homes, inns, hotels and churches, plus caroling, strolling musicians and good, old-fashioned cheer. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for children 3 to 12, and include admission to the Physick Estate and the Carriage House Gallery. Tours are sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts. For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278, ext. 185, or visit www.capemaymac.org.

Historic Tuckerton Seaport offers a Holiday House Tour Friday, December 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s the perfect time to visit the festively decorated homes of Tuckerton and Little Egg Harbor. Guests will be treated to refreshments, holiday punch, a visit from Santa and the exhibit “Holiday’s through the Decades: Trains, Trees and Treasures,” in the Lighthouse. Tickets are $15 and include a self-guided map. For more information, call 609-296-8868, or visit www.tuckertonseaport.org.

Michael Bruckler is media relations manager for the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority.

By Robert Rossiello   Tue, Dec 01, 2009

December 5 & 12
Breakfast with Santa, 9 a.m., Fred & Ethel’s Lantern Light, Village Greene, Rt. 9 Moss Mill Rd., Smithville, 609-652-0544

December 5 & 12
Breakfast with Santa, 10 a.m., Inn of Cape May, 7 Ocean St., Cape May, 609-884-5404

December 5
Breakfast with Mr. & Mrs. Claus, 8 a.m.-11 a.m., Masonic Lodge, 82 Mill St., Mays Landing, 609-625-8113

December 5
Murdock Meistersingers Madrigal Concert and Dinner, 6 p.m., Church of the Epiphany Ventnor, 609-703-0828

December 6
Academy of Culinary Arts: Breakfast with Santa, 8 a.m.-10 a.m., Hamilton Mall, 4403 Black Horse Pike, Mays Landing
(Proceeds benefit Children’s Seashore House Auxiliary of Atlantic County)

December 11
Holiday Wine-Tasting Dinner, 7:30 p.m., The Mad Batter Restaurant, 19 Jackson St., Cape May, 609-884-5970 www.madbatter.com

December 12 & 19
Breakfast with Santa, 9 a.m., Seaview, A Dolce Resort, 401 South New York Rd., Galloway, 609-652-1800, www.dolce-seaview-hotel.com

December 12
Holiday Cooking Class and Lunch, 1 p.m., The Mad Batter Restaurant, 19 Jackson St., Cape May, 609-884-5404 

December 12
Sounds of the Season Holiday Dinner Concert, 6:30 p.m., Renault Winery, 72 North Bremen Ave., Egg Harbor City
609-965-2111, www.renaultwinery.com

December 18 & 19
A Christmas Carol Dinner Theatre, 6:30 p.m. Renault Winery, 72 North Bremen Ave., Egg Harbor City, 609-965-2111

December 19
Breakfast with Santa, 9 a.m.-12 noon, Chatterbox, 9th & Central Ave., Ocean City, 609-399-0113

December 19
Breakfast with Santa, 8 a.m.-10 a.m., Rainforest Café, on the Boardwalk at Trump Plaza, Atlantic City, 609-263-0500

December 30
Holiday Chefs’ Dine-Around, 6 p.m., Throughout Cape May, 800-275-4278

By Robert Rossiello   Tue, Dec 01, 2009

Through December 5 Jewelry Trunk Show at Qua Baths & Spa 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Caesars Atlantic City, 609-343-2400

Through December 17 Holiday Inns Tours, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. (Mon.-Thurs.), Cape May, 609-884-5404, www.capemaymac.org
 
Through December 31 Holiday Musical Lightshow, The Quarter at Tropicana, Atlantic City, 800-257-6227

Through January 3 “An Old-Fashioned Christmas: Holiday Traditions through the Years,” Carriage House Gallery, Physick Estate
1048 Washington St., Cape May, 609-884-5404

Through January 3 “A Handmade Christmas” Exhibit, Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center, Millville, 800-998-4552, www.wheatonarts.org 

December 1-23 The Sounds of the Season, 11 a.m. & 12 noon, School Choirs in lobby of Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City

December 1 Tree Lighting Ceremony, 6 p.m., JFK Blvd. & Landis Ave., Sea Isle City, 609-263-4461 ext.245

December 2 2009 Mainlander of the Year, 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Resorts Ballroom, Atlantic City, 609-345-4524 x12

December 2 Bacharach’s Holiday Charity Gala, 5:30 p.m., Mia’s Restaurant, Caesars, Atlantic City, 609-748-5250

December 3 Marketing Partner Holiday Reception, 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Foundation Room, Showboat, Atlantic City, 609-449-7156

December 3 Tree Lighting Ceremony & Toy Drive, 4:30 p.m., In front of Trump Plaza, Atlantic City, 609-449-6437

December 3 Christmas Parade, 7 p.m., Dennis Twp. School Academy and Fidler Rd., Dennis Township, 609-861-1045

December 3-January 3 Holiday Light Show, 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. (Thurs.-Sun.), Historic Towne of Smithville and Village Greene
Rt. 9 Moss Mill Rd., Smithville, 609-748-6160

December 4 Holiday Party & Reception, 5 p.m.-8 p.m., Noyes Museum of Art, 733 Lilly Lake Rd., Oceanville, 609-652-8848

December 4-5 Wildwoods Family Holiday Celebration
• Dec. 4, Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, 5:30 p.m.,
   Hereford Inlet Lighthouse Courtyard, 1st & Central Ave.

• Dec. 4, Jaycees Christmas Parade, 6:30 p.m., 15th and
   Central to Wildwood Convention Center, 609-729-5501

• Dec. 5, Family Holiday Celebration, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.,
   Wildwood Convention Center, 609-729-9000 

December 5 Dickens of a Holiday Craft Show, 12 noon-4 p.m., War Memorial Park, Main St. & Route 50, Mays Landing

December 5 Historical Museum, Open House, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. , 4208 Landis Ave., Sea Isle City, 609-624-7929

December 5 Christmas Parade, 5 p.m., WCM Fire Hall to Washington St. Mall, Cape May, 609-884-1005

December 5 Mrs. Claus Holiday Celebration, 2 p.m., Appel Farm Arts and Music Center, 457 Shirley Rd., Elmer, 800-394-8478, www.appelfarm.org

December 5 Tree Lighting & Dickens Festival, 6 p.m.-9:30 p.m., Main St. (Rt. 541), Medford, 609-714-8811   

December 5 Christmas Parade, 10:30 a.m., 6th-11th St. on Asbury Ave., Ocean City, 609-399-2269

December 5-6 The Bridgeton, NJ Festival of Lights, Sunset Lake at Bridgeton City Park, 609-455-3230 x280

December 5-6 Train Show, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Music Pier, Boardwalk at Moorlyn Terrace, Ocean City, 609-525-9300

December 5-6, 11-24 Holiday Gift Wrap, Tahari in the Quarter, Tropicana Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, 609-822-9093

December 5-6, 12-13, 19-20 Holiday Dance Festival, 12 noon, Trump Taj Mahal lobby, Atlantic City, 609-822-9093

December 5-6, 12-13, 19-20 Horse Carriage Rides and Photos with Santa, 12 noon-3 p.m.
• Horse rides (free): City Hall, 9th & Asbury Ave., Ocean City, 609-525-9300
• Photos with Santa: Boardwalk at Moorlyn Terrace, Ocean City, 609-399-1412

December 5, 12, 19 Christmas Candlelight House Tour, 5:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m., Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St.,  Cape May, 609-884-5404, www.capemaymac.org

December 6-8 Dickens Christmas Extravaganza (times & locations vary), Cape May, 609-884-5404, www.capemaymac.org

December 7 Knights of Columbus Santa’s Calling Program, 6 p.m., Promenade & JFK Blvd., Sea Isle City, 609-263-0500

December 7 Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony, 12 noon, Street Demetrios Church, 321 Street Demetrios Ave., Wildwood

December 8 Holiday Mixer & Annual Toy Drive, 2 p.m.-7 p.m., AC Outlets, The Walk/Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Pacific Ave.,
Atlantic City, 609-345-4524 x12, www.acchamber.com

December 8 Holiday Cocktail Party to benefit Just 4 Kids Foundation, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., Ram’s Head Inn, 9 W. White Horse Pike, Galloway, 609-652-1700

December 10 Holiday Splash Benefit at the Pool, 6:30 p.m.-10 p.m., Pool at Harrah’s, Atlantic City, 800-745-8207

December 10 SIC Garden Club House Lighting Contest, 5:30 p.m. Promenade & JFK Blvd., Sea Isle City, 609-263-0500

December 10 1st Annual Jingle Ball at Seaview, Seaview, A Dolce Resort, 401 South New York Road, Galloway
609-652-1800, www.dolce-seaview-hotel.com 

December 11 Christkindlmarkt: Crafts & Festival, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., Tuckerton Seaport, 120 West Main St., Tuckerton
609-296-8868, www.tuckertonseaport.org

December 12 Holiday Cheer Party at Absecon Lighthouse, 6 p.m., 31 South Rhode Island Ave., Atlantic City, 609-449-1360

December 12 Christmas Walking Tour, Presbyterian Church, 6001 Main St., Mays Landing

December 12 Running of the Santas, 10 p.m., Quarter at Tropicana, Atlantic City, 800-257-6227

December 12 “Santa in the Tropics,” 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Cape May County Zoo, 4 Moore Rd., Cape May Court House
609- 465-5271 

December 13 Big Band Dance, 8 p.m., Community Hall, 3001 Avalon Ave., Avalon, 609-967-3066

December 18 Townsends Inlet Garden Club’s Annual Christmas Show with Santa, 7 p.m., T.I. Civic Center, 138 85th St.,
Sea Isle City, 609-263-3002

December 18, 27, 29 & Jan. 2 Lamplighter Christmas Tour, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St.,
Cape May, 609-884-5404, www.capemaymac.org

December 18-20 A Christmas Wonderland, 7:30 p.m. & 2 p.m., Music Pier, Boardwalk at Moorlyn Terrace, Ocean City, 609-525-9300
 
December 20 Christmas Parade, 6 p.m., Grant Street, Woodbine, 609-861-0845

December 26 22nd Annual Kwanzaa Program, 2 p.m., Atlantic City Free Public Library, 1 North Tennessee Ave., Atlantic City,
609-345-2269 x. 3112, www.acfpl.org

December 26-31 Boardwalk Basketball Classic, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Wildwood Convention Center, 609-522-2444, www.bbclassic.net

December 31 First Night New Years Eve Celebration, 4 p.m.-11:45 p.m. (Fireworks at midnight.) Ocean City, 609-525-9300
 
December 31 New Year’s Eve Fireworks, 8:30 p.m., JFK Blvd. & Beach, Sea Isle City, 609-263-0500

December 31 First Night Ocean County at Seaside Heights, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (Fireworks at 5:30 p.m.) Seaside Heights Boardwalk,
800-732-7467, www.seasideheights.net

By Casino Connection Staff   Tue, Dec 01, 2009

Jean McAlister was diagnosed with osteopenia (a mild thinning of bone mass) at the age of 47. “But with two teenagers and a full-time job, I felt I was too busy to really do anything about it,” she says. “A year later I was diagnosed with full-blown osteoporosis, with significant bone loss in my lower back.”

By pumping iron, 51-year-old McAlister, associate dean of Atlantic Cape Community College, not only slowed the bone loss, but significantly reversed it.

Osteoporosis, also known as brittle bone disease, affects 10 million Americans, mostly women. It can lead to loss of height, stooped posture, severe pain and bones that are prone to shatter.

While McAlister’s doctor suggested medication, she decided to try weight-bearing exercise for one year, along with regular intake of calcium and vitamin D. Gathering her courage, she signed up for BodyPump at Tilton Fitness, a 60-minute group weight-lifting session designed to strengthen and tone the body’s major muscle groups.

“After just one class, I was hooked,” McAlister says. “The music is hot and the instructors are sweating right along with you. There’s no rest in this class, but you work at your own pace, with the level of weight that’s right for you.”

McAlister now works out three to four times a week, without fail.

“I’m not doing much cardio, so I can’t say I’m getting skinnier,” she says with a laugh. “But I feel so much better. My posture has improved, I have more energy and it’s actually been fun. Most importantly, I’ve reduced my total bone loss to the point of reversing my osteoporosis back to osteopenia—without the need for medication.”

The camaraderie of group workouts keeps her motivated, McAlister says. “It’s my alternative to golf. I’m out there meeting great people every week. And the instructors have been amazing. They go out of their way to  make you feel special.”

To acknowledge McAlister’s commitment, Tilton instructors singled her out for recognition with a vintage BodyPump jacket.

“I was shocked when they called my name—I don’t exactly have the ideal ‘BodyPump’ body,” says McAlister. “But I can honestly say I feel good. I’m thrilled to have found this class and the great group at Tilton Fitness.”

For more information about BodyPump and other classes at Tilton Fitness, stop at one of four locations in Northfield, Galloway, Mays Landing or the Ocean Club, or visit www.tiltonfitness.com.

BONING UP ON OSTEOPOROSIS PREVENTION

Human beings form new bone throughout life. But as we age, we form slightly less than we lose. These accumulated deficits can lead to osteoporosis, the brittle bone disease that increases the risk of fracture, leads to a stooped posture, and can cause low back and neck pain in the elderly.

While people in their prime don’t think much about osteoporosis, that’s exactly the time they should be working to prevent it. Here’s how to build bone mineral density while you’re young, reinforce it in mid-life, and stay limber all life long.

• Up your calcium. Milk and dairy foods are the best sources; lactose-free dairy products are also effective. Add a tablespoon of powdered milk to soups, casseroles and other dishes to painlessly increase your intake.

• Bone-building nutrients include vitamins D and K, boron, magnesium, fluoride, manganese, copper and zinc.

• Get moving! As Jean McAlister learned, exercise is essential to bone health. A routine that includes weight-bearing, resistance and flexibility exercises will build muscle and endurance too.

By Dave Bontempo   Tue, Dec 01, 2009

Picture a brutal winter wind whipping the Boardwalk. Imagine a chilling rain, an evening fog and a somber figure emerging from the shadows. He would be Rod Serling, proclaiming “For Atlantic City, once the world’s boxing capital, its showrooms and the sport they embraced stood still in 2009. AC was frozen….in the TWILIGHT ZONE.”

This indeed was the year that wasn’t. Postponements, injuries and fatal shootings played against the backdrop of an anemic economy to practically halt major fights. Some events ticketed for Atlantic City went elsewhere. Some just evaporated. Some were halted indefinitely.

The mess spread to Home Box Office, which, for the first time, did not reschedule dates after fighters became injured. And the boxing world, which relied too heavily on aging stars, lacked a young face, primarily a heavyweight.

For the first time since Boardwalk Hall was restored, Atlantic City nearly went a whole year without a fight there. A December 5 matchup between Paul Williams and Sergio Martinez will help Atlantic City avoid a 2009 big-fight shutout.

Kelly Pavlik, fittingly named “The Ghost,” unfortunately lived up to his moniker this year. On four occasions, Atlantic City boxing fans came to see the Ohio middleweight, who was supposed to replace Arturo Gatti as the city’s top draw. On four occasions, “The Ghost” disappeared.

Pavlik moved his February bout against Marco Antonio Rubio to New York. In the summer, he was scheduled to fight Sergio Mora in Boardwalk Hall; that bout was cancelled because Pavlik had a staph infection in his left hand. A fall bout announced with Williams was postponed for the same reason. It was reset for November 21, then pushed back to December 5. Finally, it was pushed out, period.

Replacing Pavlik against Williams is Martinez, who ought to offer a stiff test. The problem will be waging war with an opponent whose imposing reach makes it easier to fight an octopus. Williams is one of the game’s finest fighters and a favorite to win here, but Martinez’s manager and promoter Lou DiBella loves Martinez’s chances. DiBella emphasized the efforts of Carlos Quintana, who inflicted the only setback on Williams’ career in 2008. Quintana moved, slapped and frustrated a surprisingly slow Williams en route to stealing a decision. Later that year, Williams faced Quintana and knocked him out in one round.

DiBella, noting Martinez’s active style, draws more significance from Williams-Quintana I than the rematch.

“Sergio is as live an underdog as I’ve ever seen,” DiBella says. “Carlos Quintana laid out the blueprint for beating Williams, and now you can add more speed and power on the part of Martinez. Sergio is an exciting fighter. This figures to be a very exciting fight.”

It certainly does. Williams is 37-1 and has captured championships at 147 and 154 pounds. His imposing reach, one of the longest in boxing, makes Williams nearly impossible to hit. And he’s a lefty, causing further awkwardness for opponents.

The Aiken, South Carolina native, who once derailed a Miguel Cotto-Antonio Margarito fight here by beating Margarito, now makes his Atlantic City debut.
    
Sign of the Times

The Pavlik saga mirrors a strange year both here and in the entire sport. Philadelphia promoter Russell Peltz was forced to constantly change opponents to keep his cards intact here. Vineland promoter Diane Fischer, who worked many years as a salon owner in the Tropicana, considers this one of the strangest years on record.

Casinos that once paid site fees to lure events now must be pushed to offer a “four-wall” deal. The properties provide the venue and sometimes hotel rooms, but the promoter must sell tickets to make money. That’s what boxing was like before the casino era. Fischer managed to put three cards here in 2009, but each one carried small profit margins.

“Nobody wants to pay any money now,” Fischer says. “It’s terrible. Nobody wants to take a chance. The problem is that for the casinos in Atlantic City, when they first opened their doors, people used to come. That was the only thing in town. Now you have Philadelphia, Yonkers, all these other states. Delaware has sports betting. Now you have to think about marketing. I don’t think they really know how to market.”

An unrelated development bears out the lost “only game in town” concept. Harrahs has begun putting more financial muscle into its entertainment, a stamp provided by incoming President Don Marrandino. The city has begun to grasp the idea of spending money to make money, but when that will trickle into special events is uncertain.

“I put on three fights in 2009, and would put one on every month if I had a home base,” Fischer says.
                                             
Strange World Beyond AC

While Pavlik symbolized the year that wasn’t, others played unfortunate roles. July ranked as the most tragic month in boxing history, as three stars died by violent means.

Arturo Gatti, Atlantic City’s adopted son, was found dead in Brazil on July 11. The Jersey City resident, a native of Montreal, had gone on an extended vacation. After arguing with his wife, he was found dead. Authorities first charged his wife with murder, but made a bizarre 180-degree turn and later ruled the death a suicide. In the perception of the boxing world, it remains an unsolved mystery.

Then came Vernon Forrest, the light-heavyweight champion who twice defeated superstar Shane Mosley. Forrest was shot fatally in Atlanta after several gunmen tried to steal his car.

Alexis Arguello, one of the elite boxers of the 1980s and one of Atlantic City’s first casino-era stars, died in July from a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Like Gatti, his case was considered a suicide and it also remains an unsolved mystery in the eyes of the boxing world (see sidebar).

“Boxing and Atlantic City were not alone,” Serling would say. “Prosperity was nowhere to be found. But maybe this was just a detour. The folks know that somewhere, sometime, they will get on a vehicle and leave….THE TWILIGHT ZONE.”

Now would be good.

Some Good News

Don’t despair. The A-10 is alive and healthy, set for its fourth season tournament here in March 2010. The ECAC hockey tournament comes here in 2011. The high school wrestling championships remain here and casinos are stirring with the idea of again using events to lure customers.

By Marjorie Preston   Tue, Dec 01, 2009

It’s the most wonderful time of the year: Gift shopping. Long lines. Jostling crowds. Aching feet. After a day of playing Santa, you’re weary, cold and in serious need of holiday cheer.

End your day on a high note with happy hours designed with the holiday wayfarer in mind. After-hours this season, a number of Atlantic City’s great restaurants are serving up “bar bites”—mini-portions from the regular menu that are scrumptious, affordable, and just enough to tide you over till dinner. Add a specialty cocktail or two, and you’ll be feeling jolly in no time.

Start at the Palm at the Quarter at Tropicana, where the prime-time bill of fare includes $3.50 Kobe beef sliders; filet mignon Capri sandwiches with imported buffalo mozzarella; chicken strips in a panko-parmesan batter; and prime cheese-steaks with creamy Vermont cheddar.

That’s not all. The Palm is also offering $1 oysters on the half shell and $2 jumbo shrimp cocktails, along with “Point Judith” calamari fritti, dusted in cornmeal and served with lemon and cherry peppers—a masterpiece you’ll love (even if you’re squid-phobic).

The Palm Restaurant, 2801 Pacific Avenue
Atlantic City, 609-344-7256, www.thepalm.com
Happy Hour: Weeknights 4 p.m.-7 p.m.

Next stop: Teplitzky’s at the Chelsea, home of Atlantic City’s coolest retro-chic bar. “Happy Appys” include “crabettes,” crispy crab poppers; the greatest grilled pizza around, with traditional mozzarella, tomato and basil; dreamy homemade pretzels with honey Dijon and whole-grain mustard dippers; and marinated chicken wings (served Buffalo-style or grilled in teriyaki sauce and served with cucumber sticks and cilantro sour cream).

Teplitzky’s at the Chelsea, 111 South Chelsea Ave.,
Atlantic City, 609-428-4550, www.thechelsea-ac.com
Happy Hour: Nightly 4 p.m.-7 p.m.

At the top of the Pier at Caesars, world-famous Phillips Seafood offers mouth-watering crabcake sliders, burger sliders, buffalo shrimp and chicken wings, and salt-and-pepper calamari. Add to that the city’s best and most breathtaking view—heck, the address is One Atlantic Ocean—and you’ve got a recipe for relaxation.

Phillips Seafood, The Pier Shops at Caesars
609-348-2273, www.phillipsseafood.com
Happy Hour: Weeknights 4 p.m.-7 p.m

So check your Santa hat and stay awhile.

HOLIDAY COCKTAILS

No holiday party is complete without the right cocktail. Here are some festive concoctions to make your gathering a spirited affair.

Candy Cane Martini
1 tsp. peppermint schnapps 
1 1/2 oz. vodka
1 mini candy cane

Mix all ingredients with ice in a shaker. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with candy cane.

Christmas Cosmopolitan
1 oz.  vodka
1/2 oz.  Cointreau liqueur or Triple Sec
1/2 oz.  cranberry juice 
1 tsp. fresh lime juice
     
Mix all ingredients with ice in a shaker. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

The Grinch
2 oz. Midori liqueur
1 oz. vodka
1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice
1 tsp. sugar
Green-colored sugar

Rim glass with lemon juice and dip into colored sugar. Combine remianing ingredients in a shaker with ice.  Shake until chilled, pour into rimmed glass.  Garnish with lemon slice. Be careful...it’s a mean one!

Holiday Spice Punch
Perfect for parties, this holiday punch can be made with or without alcohol. Recipe is good for approximately 20 people.
5 cans Pepsi Holiday Spice or soda water
3 cups orange juice
3 cups pineapple juice
2 1⁄2 tbsp. lime juice
2 cups citrus-flavored vodka (optional)
4 cinnamon sticks
Few orange slices to desired taste
Cranberries and mint leaves for garnish

Combine ingredients in large punch bowl. Add ice in individual servings if desired.

By Casino Connection Staff   Mon, Nov 30, 2009

Hailed as an “urban redevelopment genius,” David S. Cordish of the Cordish Companies has helped to revitalize business districts in cities like Louisville, Kansas City, Houston, Tampa, Orlando and the company’s home base of Baltimore.

As developer of the successful Atlantic City Outlets—The Walk, Cordish helped to transform a derelict section of the city, change the profile of Atlantic City’s downtown, and elevate the prospects for its future. Last month, Cordish led a symposium of business owners, government officials and casino executives to discuss “our common goal of ensuring Atlantic City’s ongoing economic vitality.”

Cordish recently spoke with Casino Connection Editor Frank Legato and Managing Editor Marjorie Preston about Phase III of The Walk, funded in part by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, and what will be included in Phase IV.

Tell us how you got interested in Atlantic City, and why you started the Walk where you did.

Cordish: A lot of the credit goes to the public sector in envisioning this project. If you go back to the Jim Kennedy era of CRDA, the state purchased about six or seven blocks where the Walk now sits on the theory that you needed to connect up the Convention Center with the Boardwalk and casinos. We thought it was a good theory. The Boardwalk gets a lot of traffic, always will, but revitalizing the downtown was a much more difficult problem. In fact, the state had worked with two developers prior to us, unsuccessfully.

But we believed in it and bit off the first stage of the Walk, which was so successful, we took the rest of CRDA land that connected to the expressway. Now it’s a spectacular, successful seven-block project. Phases III and IV will bracket the Expressway where millions of visitors come each year. They’ll now see this very welcoming, booming shopping and entertainment center on both the left and right.

You've been called the king of urban makeovers. Does it excite you to go into a place in need of renaissance and clean it up?   

I can’t say that’s a criterion for us taking a project; actually, we like to get them easy, just like everybody else, but for some reason or another, our history is often in turn-around situations. The bad news is that it requires a lot more work. The good news is that when you’ve done it and you’ve been part of a massive turnaround, you feel good.

We won the Urban Land Institute Award for Excellence for the Walk, and it’s a very hard award to get. It really was a rough area when we started. Now you see literally millions of shoppers walking around, mothers with little daughters, and everyone is safe and traffic is terrific and the sales volumes are terrific. So you feel good about that.
 
You've cited the combination of scale, a high-profile location and critical mass as factors you look for in a project. Was that the recipe here?

You had 37 million documented visitors a year coming to Atlantic City at the time, but they were underserved—without shopping, without entertainment, except entertainment locked into some casinos. There was nothing like a 40/40 Club with Jay-Z and Beyonce, or Polo and Coach and Nautica and Hilfiger and Nike. These things go together.

If you’ve looked at our projects in Florida, in Indiana, in Vegas, what makes a successful retail project is to put it next to a 24-hour, seven-day, 365-day-a-year casino situation. Conversely, if you want to increase gaming, you provide amenities for people, because nobody can gamble all day and night. With that many visitors, we could not help but succeed—and that’s what happened.

You've weathered the recession nicely.

If we were struggling in any way, we wouldn’t be expanding. We have more than 100 tenants, every inch of Phases I and II are leased, we’re well over 500,000 square feet, and people want to get in. The tenants are voting with their feet and signing leases.

I’d like to ask you about the outlet store phenomenon. Is there still a pack-up-the-family mentality, where people will drive an hour and a half and spend the whole day at the outlets, especially around Christmas? 

The only thing I disagree with is your last words, “especially around Christmas.” The rest is right on target. The outlet phenomenon is incredibly successful nationwide. Rich people, poor people, middle-income people all share one thing—they like a bargain. What we’ve become is the regional shopping center for an hour in any direction, and it’s a pleasant atmosphere. So it’s a combination of people packing up and driving and spending the day, and locals.

Could you tell us about Phase IV?   

We’ve had a lot of impetus put to us by the state, by major gaming companies here, by the CRDA’s Tom Carver, who’s got a vision. They want us to do something different in Phase IV that can help to round out the mix of things that attract people to Atlantic City.

We’ve given them shopping, and we’re going to give them more shopping. While we have some entertainment in Phases I, II and III, it’s not the focus. In Phase IV, it will be the focus, and very little retail.

We’re very good at it. We’ve copyrighted and patented the Live! District concept, where we congregate a great deal of entertainment around a public plaza that is free—entertainment which we also program. You invite people, and it becomes a living room of the community. We’ve done it all over the United States. The full mix of this particular Live! district, which we’re just beginning to think about, will be different for us.

Will there be a lot of individual clubs in addition to the community-based entertainment center?  

Yes. It will be an unbelievable variety of live entertainment and individual clubs, running the gamut from comedy to jazz to dueling pianos to nightclubs. It’s everything you could think of. And we’re also starting to solicit input on a major attraction that in and of itself will draw people to Atlantic City, to the Live! District and to the Walk.

Can you give us any hints? It wouldn't be a sports stadium, would it?

No, that’s not what we mean.    

Do you envision expanding further on Atlantic, Baltic, or Arctic avenues? 

Everywhere we develop, one thing leads to another. When we started Phase I, there was no mandate to do a Phase II, III or IV. There was no law written into the state legislature. These are evolutionary spin-offs of the success. I’d be shocked if Phases I, II, III and IV don’t lead to a Phase V and VI. They will be in these areas you’re describing. It’s our history. We’re almost 100 years old as a company. We never sell anything. We just keep expanding.
   
The Gardner’s Basin area is lovely and should be busier. Do you see any parallels in Gardner's Basin to Baltimore's Inner Harbor area? Is it developable?  

I haven’t studied it well enough to answer that. Our headquarters are in the Inner Harbor in Baltimore; we had a lot to do with the revitalization there. So I think water is great. Water is magic. And any time you can border it, you’ve got development potential. But I’d have to leave it at that at this point.

Back to the outlets. You're confident you're going to be able to sustain the current success for the dozen new stores you're planning for Phase III? 

We are. These tenants talk and they know where the successful centers are and which ones are in an economic downturn. You’re not kidding them, if you follow me. You’re not selling them—they know the story. These guys are the pros and they know what’s going on at the Walk daily, from a sales perspective. And while I’m confident, I think it’s more important that they are.

By Casino Connection Staff   Mon, Nov 30, 2009

"It’s tough to understand what’s going on. My 40 years in Las Vegas is not serving me very well at the moment."     
—Casino magnate Steve Wynn, who has put a halt to U.S. development in the wake of steep third-quarter losses.

"The revenue projections are optimistic. But they seem reasonable."     
—Nevada Gaming Control Board Chairman Dennis Neilander on estimates presented by MGM Mirage on the predicted performance of CityCenter after it opens this month.

"You can do all the vocabulary gymnastics you want, but when all is said and done, these are slot machines. We feel we are on firm legal ground to say this would be expansion."     
—Pocono Downs President Bobby Soper, who says  Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell’s plan to add gaming machines to social clubs and bars would trigger a gaming law provision requiring that each casino be refunded its $50 million license fee.

"Do it in a tasteful way, so we don’t become a strip of ick. "     
—Florida state Rep. Ellyn Bogdanoff, who once opposed gaming and now says it should be available throughout the state on a “free market” basis.

By Casino Connection Staff   Mon, Nov 30, 2009

Issue 3, the constitutional amendment that authorizes four casinos in Ohio’s largest cities, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo, passed narrowly last month.

It won by large majorities in Cleveland and Cincinnati, a smaller majority in Toledo, and didn’t pass in Franklin County, which includes Columbus. It also failed in many rural counties.

It took five elections over 20 years to overcome resistance in the conservative state. What did it: the economy and 10 percent unemployment, among the highest in the country.

Now opposing political leaders must decide if they will take control legislatively or challenge Issue 3 in court.

The first winners: Penn National Gaming and Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, principals of Ohio Jobs & Growth Committee, who will each get the right to own and operate casinos.

If they create the promised 40,000 jobs, those employees are also winners. Lakes Entertainment has the right to buy 10 percent of the four casinos in return for paying a 10th of the costs of the initiative.

If building begins late next year, the casinos could be operating by 2012, say Penn and Gilbert. Each will be allowed up to 5,000 slot machines. A minimum investment of $250 million is required for each casino.

The immediate loser is MTR Gaming Inc., which largely funded the opposition. MTR owns racinos in Pennsylvania and West Virginia that could be affected once the four casinos are operational.

Another loser is Governor Ted Strickland. Though he didn’t campaign strenuously against Issue 3, he will clearly be hurt by its passage. Earlier this year his executive order set in motion a plan to deploy 17,500 slots in the state’s racetracks to raise nearly $900 million to plug a shortfall in the state budget. That plan was sidetracked for at least a year by a state Supreme Court decision, but the election results probably put the final stake in its heart. Technically, however, to bring the issue to a vote proponents must collect 250,000 signatures by mid-December.

“While I am personally disappointed, I understand why Ohioans, who are struggling under the weight of this global recession, were willing to give this proposal a chance,” said Strickland, who promised to work with other state leaders to implement the amendment.

By Casino Connection Staff   Mon, Nov 30, 2009

As New York Governor David Paterson revised his expectations about up-front money from the chosen Aqueduct operator, Las Vegas casino magnate Steve Wynn bowed out of the protracted bidding war. Wynn Resorts gave no reason for the withdrawal, but sources said Wynn was tired of the changing rules imposed by the state.

Last month, Paterson informed the pool of six bidders that they would have to prove they can pay $200 million in up-front fees to the state within 30 days of their selection. The new minimum was yet another speed bump in the seemingly endless effort to bring slots to the historic 115-year-old racetrack in Ozone Park, Queens. It would be the only casino within New York City limits.

Only one of the bidders—Penn National Gaming—had offered $200 million up-front. Others, including Wynn and New York real estate developer SL Green, offered $100 million and $125 million respectively, with more to come as the project progressed. Wynn’s total bid was the highest, at $300 million. SL Green, whose partners include Hard Rock International, offered a total of $275 million. Only Wynn backed out after the new parameters were put into place, and the other five affirmed that they could pay the fee.

Delaware North, the Buffalo-based hospitality company, won the contract last year, but backed out in the 11th hour when it could not come up with a promised $370 million up-front fee. At that point, refusing to extend the deadline for payment, Paterson started the bidding process all over again. Delaware North is among the current bidders as well, this time in partnership with Harrah's Entertainment, among others.

Now Penn National and SL Green have the inside track, a source told Crain’s New York Business.

The remaining bidders include Aqueduct Entertainment Group, which includes Turner Construction of Albany; and a group led by MGM Mirage and minority-owned developer R. Donahue Peebles.

The winning bidder must be approved by Paterson, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and the Senate president. Slots at Aqueduct were first approved in late 2001. MGM Mirage won that bid and then backed out when the effective tax rate exceeded 75 percent.

By Casino Connection Staff   Mon, Nov 30, 2009

Dan Lee’s passion for Pinnacle Entertainment was unmistakable, as he crafted the company in his image over the last seven years. Lee (right) took over the company in 2002 after the former Hollywood Park Inc. endured a scandal that forced the previous corporate executives out.

From the start, Lee streamlined operations at the company’s Boomtown and Casino Magic casinos and later developed expansion plans that included impressive facilities in Indiana (Belterra), Louisiana (L’Auberge) and St. Louis (Lumiere Place and River City).

It turns out the St. Louis expansion became his downfall.

In October, Lee was lobbying against a zoning change being considered in St. Louis County for another casino in the county. In addition to Lumiere Place, Pinnacle is building the $375 million River City Casino Resort in suburban St. Louis, making the company’s total investment in the county more than $1 billion. Along with those two casinos, Pinnacle operates the President Casino in downtown St. Louis, over which it wants to move or to relocate the license in another part of the state.

Lee asked County Councilman Steve Stenger, who represents the district where River City is being built, to vote against the zoning change, and when Stenger instead voted for it, Lee reportedly told the politician it was the worst move of his political career, while storming the council dais.

Lee later sent an email to Stenger apologizing, but by that time, the Missouri Gaming Commission had entered the fray to investigate any threats.

A week later, Pinnacle announced that Lee had resigned “to pursue other business interests.” The company announced that two board members—Richard Goeglein and John Giovenco—will replace Lee while a search for a permanent chairman and CEO is conducted.

Lee’s departure is a serious blow to Pinnacle. His skill at negotiating in difficult jurisdictions—the St. Louis incident notwithstanding—was undeniable, as is his ability to carefully evaluate individual markets and craft successful operations.

Hardest hit by Lee’s departure is the company’s mothballed Atlantic City project. Lee was an enthusiastic supporter of Atlantic City, despite the harsh economic conditions there. Even though he told investors at the last quarterly conference call that he wished he hadn’t bought the land in Atlantic City, he privately held out hope the project could be accomplished. With his departure, there is slim chance that Pinnacle will proceed on the Boardwalk.

By Casino Connection Staff   Mon, Nov 30, 2009

HBO has picked up the series Boardwalk Empire for 12 episodes. Based on the book by Hammonton attorney Nelson Johnson, Boardwalk Empire chronicles the life and times of notorious crime boss “Nucky” Thompson, a fictional version of true-life Atlantic City racketeer Enoch “Nucky” Johnson. The story begins in 1920, at the dawn of Prohibition, when Johnson’s reign was well established. During the Roaring Twenties, while leading the city’s powerful Republican party, Johnson also made a fortune through bootlegging, gambling and prostitution.

Created by Sopranos scribe Terence Winter, Boardwalk Empire is set to premiere in fall 2010. Martin Scorsese directed the pilot and will act as the series’ executive producer.

According to USA Today, HBO is trying to recreate the kind of gritty drama that made The Sopranos so successful—and made millions for the network. The mob series, which also took place in New Jersey, went off the air in 2007.

Winter describes Thompson (Fargo’s Steve Buscemi) as Atlantic City's “beloved treasurer, the guy who really ran everything. He went from being a corrupt politician who engaged in low-level election rigging to the big leagues of alcohol.”

Characters also include gangsters Al Capone, “Lucky” Luciano and Arnold Rothstein (associates of the real Nucky), plus extras in flapper dresses, and lots of trucked-in sand (the series, unfortunately, was filmed in Brooklyn).

By Casino Connection Staff   Mon, Nov 30, 2009

There’s no better cure for a holiday hangover than hitting the beach, stripping to your skivvies and jumping into the sea!

That’s right, it’s time for the annual New Year’s Day Polar Bear Plunge, in which a group of otherwise rational human beings dash like lemmings into the frigid waters of the Atlantic (this time of year, temperatures hover around 37 degrees—just like bath water).

Actually, plunging is fun, and a number of events up and down the South Jersey coast make it possible for everyone to join in.

For the 19th year in a row, the Atlantic City Polar Bears will take the plunge January 1 at 11:30 a.m. on the beach in front of Resorts Casino. With more than 200 members of all ages from New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, the AC Bears will make their annual plunge regardless of weather, dressed only in beach attire (brrr!). So prepare to chill out and jump in during this festive yearly tradition—or show up to cheer on the plungers. For more information, email Papa Bear Mike Kahlenberg at acpolarbearclub@comcast.net.
    Here are some more New Year’s Polar Bear Plunges:

Ocean City. 2 p.m. New Year's Day in front of the Music Pier. A 5K boardwalk run will precede the plunge. Race fee: $18 in advance, $20 on race day. For complete New Year’s activities, visit www.firstnightocnj.com.

Brigantine. Pre-plunge festivities start at 11 a.m. followed by the plunge at noon, at 14th Street North at the Sea Wall. After-plunge party at the Rod & Reel Tavern, 1301 East Beach Avenue. Memorabilia sales benefit the Fisher Foundation for wounded veterans.
609-266-0343.

Ventnor. 1 p.m. sharp New Year’s Day on the beach at the Cultural Arts Center, 6500 Atlantic Avenue. The plunge will be followed by a community party complete with chili cook-off. 609-823-7952.

By Casino Connection Staff   Mon, Nov 30, 2009

When he takes office next month, Governor-Elect Chris Christie will become mediator-in-chief between two parallel but opposing industries: Atlantic City casinos and the state’s racetracks, which want to boost attendance by adding video lottery terminals.

Christie, the former U.S. Attorney who unseated Democrat Jon Corzine, said repeatedly during the campaign that he would not support any expansion of gaming that would hurt Atlantic City, where overall revenues are down 15 percent for the year. But Garden State horsemen are hoping he’ll change his tune.

“We’re looking forward to the fresh start that dealing with his administration will present,” says Tom Luchento, president of the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey.

The casino industry has paid millions of dollars to the tracks since 2004 in exchange for a moratorium on racetrack VLTs. But those subsidies expire in 2010, and the tracks say authorizing slots may be the only thing that will ensure their survival. Luchento believes that slots at the Meadowlands could yield $1 billion each year for the state.

That’s beautiful music in a state projecting a 2010 budget deficit of $8 billion.

On the stump, Christie acknowledged the importance of horse racing and agribusiness to the state, but he has not yet disclosed any plan that could help the tracks.

Dennis Drazin of the state Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association hopes for an extension of the purse supplements, which have totaled more than $175 million in the past six years.

“The importance of the racing industry to the state has been recognized by each administration,” Drazin told Gannett News. “We believe that recognition will ultimately continue.”

By Casino Connection Staff   Mon, Nov 30, 2009

Charlie Prose was just 13 when he started his first band. Fifty years later, Atlantic City’s favorite crooner is still at it, and feeling luckier than ever to be back in town for the holidays.

In 2004, Prose learned he had cancer of the vocal cords. Though doctors said he would survive, they warned that the lifelong entertainer might never sing again.

Prose proved them wrong. A recent check-up showed him to be cancer-free, and December 4-6, for the 19th year in a row, he’ll be onstage, playing piano, and yes, singing, with the Charlie Prose Christmas Show, also starring David Grayson and the Carmen Dee Big Band.

“I’m like a little kid right now,” Prose says. “I can’t wait to thank people for their support and all the cards. More importantly, I want to give them a message of hope. Things may go bad, but you can’t give up.”

Prose’s show is the city's longest-running holiday production. His homespun comedy, energetic piano and beautiful voice have earned him a place in the hearts of generations of Atlantic City patrons—and fans around the world.

Prose has just written a new book, Little Charlie and his Tu-Ta-Roo Band. All proceeds will be donated to the Helping Hands Society of Hazelton, Pennsylvania, which provides services and therapy for disabled children.

The Charlie Prose Christmas Show “isn’t just a show,” says Prose. “It’s a party. You’ll feel good if you come and see us.” Tickets are $35.

By Casino Connection Staff   Mon, Nov 30, 2009

The countdown is on to the opening of what could be the city’s coolest new hangout. On December 31, New Year’s Eve, Harrah’s Resort will kick off 2010 in style with the opening of the Loft, a new nightclub venue overlooking its wildly successful Pool area. Currently, the area is used for receptions and private parties.

Though Harrah’s is keeping the details under wraps, it’s been reported that the Loft will have two bars and incorporate the rooftop deck. The venue will not be fully operational until spring.

Since its 2007 opening, Harrah’s Pool has become one of the most successful and talked-about clubs in the United States, attracting of-the-moment celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Perez Hilton, and Entourage star Adrian Grenier, who will make an appearance at the Pool January 2 with his band, the Honey Brothers.

The Loft will literally take that success to another level.

By Casino Connection Staff   Mon, Nov 30, 2009

In the case of Donald J. Trump versus the bondholders of Trump Entertainment Resorts, the bondholders have prevailed. Trump agreed last month to relinquish his stake in three Atlantic City casinos in exchange for common stock, 5 percent of the company, and warrants for another 5 percent, which he will collect after it emerges from Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

An attorney for the bondholders said the new development should bring a swift end to the legal battle that was heading for U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Camden next month. The agreement was made with 61 percent of holders of the company’s $1.25 billion of 8.5 percent senior notes due in 2015, according to Bloomberg News.

Donald Trump, his daughter Ivanka, and Dallas-based Beal Bank offered $100 million earlier this year to take the company private; they later raised the offer to $114 million. The bondholders offered $225 million.

The three casino resorts—Trump Taj Mahal, Trump Plaza, and Trump Marina—will still bear the famous Trump name. Trump himself will be able to use the name on gaming ventures outside of five “neighboring and potentially competitive states,” according to reports.

Bowing out of the conflict, Trump said, “I am motivated to give the properties the best chance to succeed on a reorganized basis. Highly expensive and distracting litigation threatens the entire enterprise. This prolonged and continued litigation and the associated cost to the estate would mean that whoever won under their plan would ultimately lose.”

Marc Lasry, chairman and CEO of Avenue Capital Group, the New York-based hedge fund manager and member of the creditor committee, applauded the change of heart by Trump.

“We are pleased to have reached an agreement with the Trumps that will avoid continued litigation over the debtors’ plan, permit the use of the Trump brand on the three Atlantic City casinos, facilitate confirmation of the noteholders’ plan and enable Mr. Trump to be a sizable shareholder of the reorganized company,” Lasry said in a statement.

Under the new agreement, the reality TV boss will forfeit $100 million under a change-of-control clause in his contract, the New York Post reported.

By Casino Connection Staff   Mon, Nov 30, 2009

Tropicana Executive Director of Hotel Operations Steven Whiteside died unexpectedly on Saturday, November 7. He was 55.

A veteran of the hotel industry, Whiteside spent his early career with the Westin Hotel chain, then moved to Atlantic City, where he worked for Bally’s, Caesars, the Hilton and the Tropicana.

Visitors to the online guestbook Legacy.com expressed sadness at Whiteside’s death, but admiration and respect for the way he lived.

“He was a wonderful boss and friend,” wrote one casino employee. “A gentle giant,” wrote another. “I will never forget his big smile and the way he always spoke of his family,” said a third. He was well-liked at every level of the business. The Tropicana’s Housekeeping and Public Area posted a message saying, “Rest in Peace, Boss.”

Friends called Whiteside “a real leader,” “a wonderful mentor,” and always, “a friend.” Howard Bacharach of the Atlantic City Hotel and Lodging Association remembered him as “the ultimate hotelier and professional” who was instrumental in developing the ACHLA’s education scholarship program.

A dedicated family man, he had far-ranging interests including the Florida Gators, Jimmy Buffett, photography and Chevy Corvettes.

Whiteside is survived by his wife, Sheryl Davis-Whiteside, daughter Jamie, son Richard and mother Elizabeth.

Donations to the Steve Whiteside Scholarship may be sent to National Scholarship c/o Michelle Poinelli, 1201 New York Avenue NW, No. 600, Washington, DC 20005.

By Casino Connection Staff   Mon, Nov 30, 2009

Investors who bought the Tropicana Casino Hotel—including billionaire point man Carl Icahn—got permission last month to acquire the resort through a stock transaction instead of a $200 million credit swap. Regulators approved the restructured deal, which will allow the investors to avoid a whopping tax payment if they resell the bankrupt property in the next few years.

In June, the Tropicana was auctioned in a cashless transfer that essentially would have canceled $200 million in debt from a $1.4 billion mortgage held by the investor group.

The group will now complete the buy through a stock deal that sets Tropicana’s value at $700 million—less than its 2007 valuation of more than $900 million, but far more than its mid-recession bargain price. They will not actually have to pay the difference of $500 million.

As Icahn attorney Jordan Bleznick explained to regulators in November, any future buyer will “inherit” Tropicana’s current $700 million tax value, thereby decreasing the current investors’ tax liability. The sale should close in January or February.

It’s one more example of Icahn’s investment savvy. In 2000, he bought the bankrupt Sands Casino Hotel for $65 million. Six years later, he sold it for $270 million.

By Casino Connection Staff   Mon, Nov 30, 2009

Resorts Atlantic City, the first casino in the U.S. to open outside Nevada, got permission from New Jersey gaming regulators last month to transfer ownership to its lenders, including Wells Fargo Bank on behalf of Credit Suisse. In return, $381 million of the casino’s debt will be canceled, leaving more capital on hand for operations and improvements. It’s the first deal of its kind in Atlantic City’s 31-year gaming history.

The Casino Control Commission granted a one-year license to RAC Atlantic City Holdings LLC, the newly formed entity that will oversee operations at the Boardwalk casino. Former owner Colony Capital LLC surrendered its interest to co-owner Nicholas Ribis, who told the Associated Press, “We’re going to make this property better than it is now, I promise you that.”

Observers speculate that the casino will be sold—speculation that was somewhat confirmed by RAC President Peter Hoelzle, who said, “We have no intention of operating the casino or hotel well into the future.” But the casino may not change hands completely. Ribis said he may be the first to make an offer, perhaps as early as 2010.

Resorts’ gross operating profit fell almost 80 percent in the third quarter of this year. Since last October, the casino has been unable to make payments on a $360 million mortgage.

Mon, Nov 30, 2009

Budgets aren’t what they used to be. Luckily, Atlantic City is a gold mine of affordable gifts that are a little different and always fun. Check off your holiday gift list right here.

• Dine in style with a 2010 Atlantic City Restaurant Week Gift Certificate. Three-course lunches are $15.10; dinners are $33.10. Call 1-888-AC-VISIT or go to www.acrestaurantweek.com. 

• 2010 Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Championship tickets (from $75 to $200) are available at Boardwalk Hall, Ticketmaster locations, at 800-736-1420 or at www.ticketmaster.com. For more information, call 609-348-7021.

• James Candy Company offers traditional salt-water taffy, chocolate and macaroons. Online specials include a one-pound box of taffy free with purchases of $40 or more. You’ll also enjoy complimentary nostalgic wrapping paper. Visit www.jamescandy.com for specials. 

• Absecon Lighthouse has a variety of clothing, jewelry, toys, books and more. Special requests can be shipped for a $5 fee. Visit www.abseconlighthouse.org or call 609-449-1360.   

• Lucy the Elephant Christmas cards stand out from the crowd; or choose from artwork, clothing and collectibles. Don’t miss the year-end gift shop clearance sale, December 26-31. Shop online at www.lucytheelephant.org or call 609-823-6473.

• The Marine Mammal Stranding Center has a gift shop featuring “Cupid the Seal” T-shirts, pins, jackets, stuffed animals, window decals and jewelry. For $25, Adopt-A-Seal to provide food, medicine and care of a sick or injured seal. Each Adopt-A-Seal package includes a photo of your adopted seal, along with
its individual story. Call 609-266-0538 or visit www.marinemammalstrandingcenter.org. 

• The Atlantic City Aquarium at Historic Gardner’s Basin offers sea-themed gifts, sweatshirts, T-shirts, toys and more. Through December 15, donate a can of tuna or a new, unwrapped toy for the Atlantic City Rescue Mission and get $1 off admission. Call 609-348-2880, ext. 14, or visit www.acaquarium.com. 

• Resorts has opened two seasonal additions: the Resorts Holiday Shop and Celebrity Sports and Entertainment. The Holiday Shop offers gifts at a discount: denim and leather jackets, digital photo frames and cameras, electric knives, phones, Boogie Nights 2010 calendars and more. Open Thursdays from noon to 6 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 2 p.m.-8 p.m., Sundays noon to 6 p.m. Celebrity Sports and Entertainment features custom memorabilia from the worlds of sports, movies, music, animation, history and pop culture. Most are hand-signed. Open Thursdays noon-8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays until 10 p.m., Sundays 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

• For ‘Always Turned On’ Atlantic City merchandise including teddy bears, pens, T-shirts, flip-flops and ceramic mugs, visit the Visitor Welcome Centers on the Atlantic City Expressway and on the Boardwalk at Mississippi Avenue. You’ll find goodies. You can even get E-Z Pass on the go for $29.

For more on holiday shopping at Atlantic City Outlets, The Walk, the Pier Shops at Caesars, the Hamilton Mall and the Quarter at Tropicana, see cover feature. And from everyone at the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority, have a safe and happy holiday season.

Mon, Nov 30, 2009

As we approach the end of the year, there is always time for reflection… time to examine what happened this year and prepare for better things next year. Let’s try that exercise as it pertains to Atlantic City and the casino industry here.

There’s no getting around it: 2009 was a brutal year in almost every aspect. Just a short recap of the year includes steep declines in gaming revenue, job losses, labor unrest, yet another election, higher taxes, fewer visitors, the loss of some major events in Atlantic City, possible casino closures, increased competition in almost every state surrounding us, a confusing partial smoking ban, record flooding, and the Phillies’ loss in the World Series (making it even worse, to the Yankees!).

How can 2010 not be better? Well, so far, it doesn’t look pretty. The difficulties of the casino industry are far from over. We’re hoping that construction continues on Revel, which, as we noted in our September issue, is the single most important element in the revival of Atlantic City. Competition is only going to increase, with a casino opening on the waterfront in Philadelphia sometime next year. And New Jersey is facing a huge budget deficit that’s going to be very painful.

Not much to look forward to, is there?

Certainly not, but that’s only if we sit back and let this hit us over and over again, like a boxer absorbing body blows before he falls to take the 10-count.

There are things we can—and should—do immediately. There are ways out of this predicament if we work together, put aside our differences and realize that we are stronger when we stand together than if we go our separate ways.

The first thing we need: an attitude adjustment. It’s time to stop crying about what a bad hand we’ve been dealt. Sure, some of the challenges we face today are not of our own making. The economy, for example! This is a nationwide downturn as deep as any of us has ever felt, and there’s not much we can do about it. There are signs the economy is improving, but nothing we say or do can truly change the reality of this economic nightmare.

But we can do things that will position Atlantic City to take advantage of an upswing, when and if it happens.

Gaming has expanded across the region, so slot machines and table games no longer make Atlantic City unique. What does is the beach, the Boardwalk, the shopping and entertainment, the gourmet restaurants; the very cluster of casinos all within walking distance (or a short drive) of each other.

The casinos must be more creative marketing in the region. They need to identify market niches that may have been overlooked when things were booming. The recent weekend designed to attract the gay and lesbian community to the city was a great example of that.

Again, back in our September issue, we outlined five steps that will put us back on the right track. Clean up the city, hands-off on state interference, a new marketing push… these are only a few of the steps that will get us rolling again.

Mayor Lorenzo Langford, the Cordish Group and the Atlantic City Chamber took the first steps last month when they discussed with casino executives an agenda to move forward. But these aren’t the only steps. All members of the community have a role and a part in the recovery of Atlantic City.

This is a great town and a terrific region of the state. It’s time to ditch the self-pity, roll up our sleeves and get to work. Good things happen to good people, and we need to take responsibility for our own future.

So to all our friends, readers, advertisers and residents of the great South Jersey region, those of us at Casino Connection wish you a wonderful holiday season and a safe, healthy and prosperous New Year. Let’s all band together and make 2010 one of the most exciting and hopeful years in a long time!

By NBC 40 WMGM   Wed, Sep 30, 2009

By NBC 40 WMGM   Tue, Sep 22, 2009

FAREWELL TO A LEGEND

Atlantic City bids goodbye to a favorite adopted son, the late Arturo Gatti, September 19 at Bally’s. A professional card has been established, with fights being sandwiched around highlight presentations, speeches and tributes to the most prolific fighter in Atlantic City history.

Gatti, based first in Montreal and then in Jersey City, became the only sure thing in a town known for gambling. Twice a year, he’d fill up Boardwalk Hall against any opponent, and his loyal fan base substantially spiked the drop in nearby casinos. Gatti was responsible for nine consecutive sellouts here, including the second and third bout of his famed trilogy against Micky Ward, and a matchup with Floyd Mayweather that established a non-heavyweight record for gross sales receipts in Atlantic City.

Gatti’s appearance was the brainchild of Bally’s then-President Ken Condon.

“We should have a special day for Arturo,” Condon said while Gatti was still alive. “I’d be the first to put that together.”

The tribute is appropriate. While earning about $20 million for himself, Gatti performed some other memorable deeds. He stayed with one promoter, Main Events, for his entire 16-year career. That’s now unheard of. He waged several Fights of the Year in boxing and created high paydays for Ward, Ivan Robinson, Mayweather, the gaming industry and HBO.

Gatti died under mysterious circumstances July 11 in Brazil (authorities first believed he was murdered by his wife, then changed the determination to suicide, which the boxing community does not believe).

He is sorely missed, not only for the exciting boxing, but for his effervescent, approachable personality. Gatti could laugh at himself, display respect for his opponent and make good copy for the media. He reminded those around him why they loved boxing.

Casino Connection salutes the athlete who symbolized the boxing-gaming marriage and carried a presence we may never see again.

By NBC 40 WMGM   Tue, Sep 22, 2009

By NBC 40 WMGM   Mon, Sep 21, 2009

Here is a link to the written article "Colony's Atlantic City Headache" on casinoconnectionac.com.

By NBC 40 WMGM   Sat, Sep 12, 2009

Don Marrandino named president of Harrah's Eastern Division Tides Story