By Felicia Lowenstein  

Brunch, that leisurely meal where breakfast flows into lunch, offers something that our crowded weekday schedules do not—the opportunity to linger over a meal. Pick a lazy Sunday morning and indulge in any of the carefully composed, elegant and entertaining prix fixe brunches in Atlantic City. But be forewarned. These brunches are so popular that reservations are not only suggested, they're your only defense against a long wait in line. [Praise the Lord and Pass the Biscuits!] The newest player in the market, the edgy House of Blues at the Showboat, has a trendy new take on Sunday brunch. They serve it up with lively, bluesy Gospel music to feed both body and soul. This award-winning Sunday Gospel Brunch features an all-you-can-eat Southern-style buffet and a different Gospel group performing each week. The brunch is held in the spacious Music Hall, which is set with an abundance of tables and softly lit with candles. The upbeat music and the succulent scent combine for an experience that touches all of the senses. The group is at brightly lit center stage while the food is off to the side, served buffet-style on several tables. Guests can enjoy such Southern favorites as fried chicken, buttermilk biscuits with country gravy and cheddar cheese grits, and such traditional brunch items as homemade waffles, made-to-order omelets and a carving station. But the meal also includes some gourmet touches, such as rosemary cornbread muffins with maple butter, crawfish cheesecake with pita bread and cheese-filled tortellini salad with smoked salmon, capers, red onions and pear tomatoes. Save room for dessert. In addition to chocolate walnut brownies and homemade berry cobbler, there is white chocolate banana bread pudding with crème anglaise. Because the brunch is a performance as well as a meal, there are two sittings, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Cost is $33 with children under 3 admitted free. Prices include tax and gratuity. For more information, or to make reservations, contact the House of Blues at 609-236-BLUE. [A Tradition in Galloway] In the large, round main dining room of the plantation-like Seaview Marriott Resort and Spa, elegance prevails. A 700-pound gold chandelier hangs as a centerpiece. Windows overlook the country club setting outside. The location—once a favorite of Grace Kelly's—is as much of a draw as the food itself. As for brunch, the spread is as magnificent as you might imagine. Guests may choose to start with a glass of complimentary champagne. Then there are the cold salads, sushi, smoked whitefish and jumbo shrimp. The classic breakfast buffet follows with bacon, eggs, cheese blintzes, made-to-order omelets and crepes. A selection of hot foods and a carving station complete the main meal. Desserts made by the property's pasty chefs are fancy and plentiful. "We've had our brunch for years," said Mike Goins, director of food and beverage, "and we have many guests who have been coming for that long. It's a very emotional experience for our members." Brunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost is $31.95. For more information or to make reservations, call the Seaview Marriott at 609-652-1800. [A Special Occasion Brunch] From the moment you're greeted by the maitre d', you know that Caruso's at the Atlantic City Hilton is a special place to be. Its elegant Italian countryside décor forms the backdrop for a sumptuous brunch—now in its 12th year—that can only be described as stunning. Guests are greeted with a glass of Taittinger champagne. There are three kinds of caviar plus an extensive selection of appetizers, cold salads and seafood. Cold dishes include phyllo cups topped with mango-lime salsa, and asparagus dressed with Dijon roasted red pepper sauce. For those who prefer an international touch, there is a section devoted to sushi and Dim Sum, complete with chopsticks. Chef's specialties include Maine lobster tails drizzled with a saffron-infused butter sauce, walnut-crusted pork loin with Madeira sauce and Thai shrimp with lemon grass and coconut milk. Eggs, omelets and frittatas are prepared to order. The carving station features rack of lamb with lemon, oregano and feta cheese, as well as two kinds of bacon. The pasta station offers made-to-order Italian pastas. Maria Suriano proudly presents the dishes. With her charming Italian accent, she explains that she has made the restaurant's pasta by hand for the last 20 years. The desserts fill a table and include two sugar-free selections, a cheesecake and an apple flan. There are also dessert crepes, bananas foster, and white chocolate Chambord fondue served with fresh fruit. "Some brunches offer the same 50 items," said Executive Chef Ulrich Lohs. "At Caruso's, we change about 10 items each week, and we offer a huge variety." "We have many regulars, but this is also a great special occasion brunch," said Scott Clark, assistant vice president, food and beverage. "Caruso's has hosted several 75th and 80th birthday parties and some very special anniversaries." Cost is $50 plus tax per person. Brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information or to make reservations, contact 609-340-7200. [A Room with A View] The incredible ocean view may be the first thing you notice about Rossi's famous Sunday brunch at the Sands but it won't be the last. This brunch literally surrounds you with elegance, starting with a piano player adept in classical to light jazz and pop—and who takes requests. Then there is the spread, which is extensive. There are the piles of fresh pink shrimp, an antipasto station with freshly roasted peppers, a table filled with an assortment of breads, pretty sliced fruit in watermelon carvings, a pasta station, carving station and omelets made to order. There are six hot entrees each week, such as chicken breast stuffed with prosciutto, rapini, sun-dried tomatoes and roasted peppers, and veal medallions topped with crab and asparagus. There is red snapper sautéed with baby spinach and leek in a light veloute, as well as an Asian dish such as pork black bean. "We work about a week out, planning the menu," said Executive Chef Paul Drew. "We cook everything fresh the day of the brunch. "Most brunches are unique in their own way," he said. "At the Sands, we place an added emphasis on customer service. Customer service is important in this business and sometimes gets forgotten. Here, we sit down and chat with our guests. We find out what they like, and we remember them when they come back. This weekend, for example, I had a player who comes in once a month and loves these certain kinds of cookies. So I bake them just for her." Rossi's Sunday Brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost is $32.95. For more information or to make reservations, contact the Sands at 609-441-4000. [A Brunch of Historic Proportion] There are few places in the area that can evoke the ambience of a time gone by, and the Historic Smithville Inn does it very well. With one of the less expensive Sunday brunch prices in the area, it also serves up a good value. The cold station features such choices as smoked salmon and whitefish, classic Caesar salad, antipasto and fresh sliced fruit. The carving station offers honey baked bone-on ham, New York strip sirloin or roast prime rib of beef. There are warm waffles served with fresh whipped cream and cheese blintzes, breakfast potatoes, bacon, sausage and eggs, plus omelets made to order. Dessert is classic and old-fashioned, and includes such offerings as apple brown betty, bread pudding, vanilla and chocolate pudding, brownies and cookies. Brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The cost is $19.95. For more information or to make reservations, call the Smithville Inn at 609-652-7777. [Not for Wine Lovers Only] The restaurant that was judged "Best Sunday Brunch" twice by the now-defunct Atlantic City magazine is indeed a place to visit. Here you have a choice of two brunches: in the classically romantic Renault Winery restaurant or the European ambiance of the new Tuscany House. The Renault restaurant offers a choice of one entrée that includes eggs, eggs benedict, quiche du jour, omelets, old fashioned malted waffles, apple crepes and cheese blintzes, Challah bread French toast, Renault corned beef hash with eggs, crab hash with poached eggs and Hollandaise sauce, grilled breast of chicken topped with prosciutto ham, tomato and cheese, and tenderloin tips and mushrooms with garlic and scallions. There are also stations of freshly baked breads, muffins, Danish, cakes and sweets, fresh fruits, salads and seafood, champagne punch and hot May wine. The Tuscany brunch offers an omelet and waffle station, fruit and salad display, and several delicious made-to-order entrees: quiche of the day, eggs benedict, smoked salmon benedict, Challah bread French toast, herb crusted pork roast and grilled chicken. Save time to tour the winery. Not only is it a beautiful and historic site, Renault is a recognized New Jersey State Historical Site and one of the oldest continuously operating wineries in the United States. Cost is $18.95 for the Sunday Country Brunch and $16.95 for the Sunday Tuscany Brunch. The Sunday Country Brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. while the Tuscany Brunch is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information or to make reservations, call the Renault Winery at 609-965-2111. [By the Beautiful Sea] You'll find the newest expansion of the well-loved Romanelli's restaurant on the causeway from Longport. Romanelli's By the Sea is a beautiful space with an equally exquisite view. Choose from elegant indoor seating with bright, fresh flowers, or the cool marina ambience at your table's edge on the wrap-around porch under the wide blue awning. Those familiar with the Romanelli's touch might recognize some dishes from the original location. Corporate Executive Chef Willie L. Lewis, C.E.C. puts out a fine spread. There is an egg and omelet station, a selection of breakfast meats, carved prime rib, waffles, blintzes, pasta made-to-order, shrimp, Asian dishes, and a wide assortment of breakfast breads, muffins and Danish. Each brunch features three to four hot dishes that can include stuffed flounder, chicken Oscar and other chef specialties. Desserts include the full array and are complemented with chocolate-covered strawberries. "We cater to a lot of parties and groups," said Manager Scott Blackman. "It's a distinctive experience. The environment, the exceptional food and the care that goes into making sure everything is right, really shows." Cost is $24.95. Brunch is served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is valet parking on site. For more information or to make reservations, contact 609-823-0244.

By Roger Gros  

Jim Perry spent 18 years in Atlantic City working for several companies, rising through the ranks to become general manager of the Tropicana (or TropWorld, as it was then known). He spent those years honing his reputation as an imaginative "numbers guy," one who understands how to reinvest capital in a property to obtain the best return. Perry is going to need all that expertise and more now that he is the new president and CEO of Trump Entertainment Resorts, which operates the three Atlantic City Trump casinos and a riverboat casino in Gary, Indiana. After heading up Tropicana, Perry left to revive Argosy Gaming, a primarily Midwest riverboat company. Under his guidance, Argosy opened several state-of-the-art properties and saw its stock value soar. He retired two years ago to the Santa Barbara, California area, but was intrigued when approached by the reorganized Trump company earlier this year to join its board of directors. "I thought it was a good way to stay involved, stay active and keep my brain working," he says. "So I got named to the board and met the other board members. At the time, they were searching for a CEO to replace Donald because he said he did not have the time anymore to devote to this endeavor on a full-time basis. The search committee interviewed a series of candidates, but between the board and Donald, I think they concluded that I was the best candidate; the right guy at the right time." The board was clearly impressed with Perry's reputation on Wall Street and his ability to communicate with investors. His experience in Atlantic City was obviously a plus, as was his reputation as a "turn-around" executive. "This is a great opportunity for me to change people's lives," he says. "The greatest motivation I had at Argosy was to impact the employees, the customers and the shareholders. You seldom get opportunities like that and this is that same kind of opportunity." [Second Impressions] During his tenure at Argosy, Perry returned to Atlantic City on an infrequent basis. Earlier this year, upon joining the Trump board, Perry spent several days visiting old haunts and new developments. His impressions were generally positive. "The city is more vibrant, more visually pleasing," he says. "There are new buildings in almost every section of town. From the expressway to the tunnel, to the convention center and Boardwalk Hall, there's something new all over. (Former Tropicana president) Jack Galloway always said we needed to create critical mass for Atlantic City to succeed. Well, we're almost there. That's when we can become a huge getaway place for the Northeast where people can come for a long weekend, to relax, shop, eat, be entertained and to gamble." Perry is encouraged by the growth of non-gaming amenities in Atlantic City, comparing it to Las Vegas at the beginning of his career. "When I got into gaming in 1979," he explains, "in Las Vegas, breakfast was $2.99, a steak and lobster dinner was $9.99, hotel rooms were $19, and only a fool would pay for a show ticket. Eighty percent of the revenue came from the casino floor. "Casino revenue has gone up every year in Las Vegas in those 25 years. Breakfast is now $13.50, a steak dinner is $50, rooms are $200 a night, show tickets are $150, and less than 50 percent of the revenue comes from the casino these days. "We have to understand that we have a valuable product here in Atlantic City. We have to feel strongly that people are willing to pay for it." Perry also applauds the development of a younger demographic who find Atlantic City attractive and exciting. "It's the answer to a lot of other problems," he says. "Gaming on its own has a certain level of appeal. Gaming customers want to gamble most of the time. We need to now appeal to the casual gambler, the visitor who sees gaming as part of the experience but not the driving force. If we can do that, with shopping, food, bars, shows, you'll attract that audience. They will spend some time gaming, but it makes the entire experience more vibrant and more active." Perry isn't worried about looming competition for Atlantic City. "We're going to see some competition from convenience gambling in the next couple of years," he says. "But with the tax rates they'll be facing in New York and Pennsylvania, it's going to be difficult for them to create a competitive product." One of the reasons he took the Trump job is that he's bullish on Atlantic City. "For those who predict doom for Atlantic City, look at what the tribes have done in California," he says. "With virtually no taxes, and it hasn't even caused a hiccup in Las Vegas. We have to think of the competition to Atlantic City in those terms. We have to create a better product that has broader appeal. People are going to go to those places for the convenience gambling, but they'll always come back to Atlantic City." [Trump Turnaround] One of Perry's attributes is his ability to take troubled companies and revive them. Argosy was a marginal riverboat company, and he built it into such a powerful company that it was recently purchased by Penn National Gaming. At Trump Entertainment Resorts, Perry believes he has a sleeping giant. "I believe strongly there is an opportunity to leverage the Trump brand in a way that has never been done before," he says. "This will become a great operating company that has a great brand. I think both nationally and internationally the Trump brand can drive more business to any resort or jurisdiction." Perry says although Trump doesn't make the day-to-day decisions, he still plays a large role in the company. "It's important to make clear that Donald Trump is still chairman of the board of this company, that he adds value to this company, that he creates excitement by just having his name associated with the company. That's a great opportunity for this company," he says. Trump and Perry have a great relationship so far, he says. "Donald has been very supportive of me since our first dinner together," he explains. "He's interested in making sure we recruit the very best people for this thing to be successful." Three things are necessary for Trump Entertainment Resorts to reach the next level, according to Perry. "First," he explains, "we had to hire the quality people who we've hired thus far. We had to show we could be a credible company. "Secondly, We have to re-establish ourselves as a good operator. A friend of mine likes to say ‘when the only tool you have is a hammer, everything starts to look like a nail.' To the extent that all Trump properties were handicapped by the lack of capital investment, they kept hammering away with the tools that are available to them. Now that capital has become available, we have to find effective ways to reinvest that. There are no shortages of opportunities. "And finally, we need to find ways to reduce the leverage on the company." One of Perry's first acts was to lure Caesar's Palace President Mark Juliano back to Atlantic City as chief operating officer for the company. He says Juliano was the perfect candidate for the position. "The thing that I felt the company needed was someone who not only had experience in Atlantic City, but also had experience in Las Vegas and had seen the transformation that has happened out there firsthand," Perry says. "He understands the environment of Atlantic City, both politically and the nuances of doing business in this market. For someone seeking to build a corporate culture, Juliano's experience with one of the most recognizable gaming brands is invaluable. "He has intimate knowledge about how Caesars operated, which is different from the way I operated Argosy and is different than the way the Taj has operated," Perry says. "Having him and his abilities to supplement my abilities, brings a lot of value to the table." Perry wants to adopt some of the business strategy that fueled Caesars for many years. "When Caesars first started out, they believed they needed a new restaurant every year. We need to start thinking like that," he says. "But we need to think differently. When I look at the success of Carmine's in the Quarter at the Trop, I wanted to do the same thing with what is now Wellington & Chan's in the early '90s. This is a very successful concept and one that we need to look at here. We have the people in this organization who know how to do that and we need to give them the support to take the risks that make these things happen." [Incremental Changes] Perry stresses that he's going to make very few personnel changes; that he thinks the Trump executives and employees are well-suited to carry out his plans. "When I went to Argosy, I brought two people with me," he says. "Everyone else was already there. Later on, we might have changed a few more positions, but it was only after a period of time when we realized we needed a different level of experience or expertise." Perry will bring in some new blood, but otherwise, most people will remain in place. "I'm not looking for a lot of changes in the existing personnel," he says. "I think we will augment some open positions with some new folks. We need a general manager for the Taj Mahal, for example. We're not sure if we'll promote for that or bring someone in from the outside. I want people who understand what we're trying to do here." Perry again points out that even though Trump executives were handcuffed by the bankruptcy and debt issues over the past few years, the properties performed admirably. "If you look at the results for a five-year time frame, 2000-2004, they've held their own in a very competitive market," he says. Perry says he's learned over the years that it's important to maintain an honest relationship with the media and the community. With Argosy, it was Perry's transparency that encouraged Wall Street to invest in the company. He plans to do the same with the Trump company. "We're going to be very forthcoming about what we're doing," he insists. "There will be times when we can't talk about things because of financial disclosure issues or some other reasons, but the press and the community have to understand you're not trying to be cute or mislead them. You have to be candid when you are able to be."

By Felicia Lowenstein  

Against the landscape of early 19th century America, Victorian Cape May emerged as our country's first seaside resort. Vacationers started summering there in the early 1800s, arriving by wagon, stagecoach, sloop and schooner. And over the years, this popular place has played hostess to the likes of John Philip Sousa, P.T. Barnum, General Robert E. Lee and President Ulysses S. Grant. Today's Cape May has been called "a picture postcard of the past," a town of cozy gingerbread cottages and the homes known as Victorian "painted ladies"—reminders of a time when society was so prim and proper that men and women were assigned separate hours to swim in the ocean. Because it's so close to Atlantic City, Cape May is a wonderful day trip. And now that the tourists have gone home, it's an ideal place to visit, with plenty to do even on weekdays in the fall. "Cape May is not just Victorian homes and a shopping mall," said Katie Porter, Communications Coordinator for the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts, a non-profit cultural organization dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of Cape May's Victorian heritage. "You could come here, skip the beach or the homes or the mall, and you won't be bored at all. There are so many activities for all ages and interests." [Action Activities] Bring your bike or rent one in town. Cape May's pancake-flat terrain and picturesque streets combine for a great place for cycling or roller-blading. It's even better in the fall when weather is cooler and traffic is lighter. Explore the drive along the beach or any of the town's quaint streets or venture into the suburbs. The Washington Street Mall, Cape May's signature downtown promenade, does not allow bikes or blades, however. Save this area for a stroll instead. Most of the shops here are privately or family-owned and ice cream parlors, art galleries, and sidewalk cafes abound. This area has been described as a "living Currier & Ives print," no more true than when you see it decorated later in the year for Christmas. In the warm days of September, the beach is still an option in Cape May, and you save the expense of $4 daily beach tags required during summer months. But use caution, as lifeguards are not usually on duty, except on certain beaches in the first weeks of September. But you don't need the beach to enjoy the water in Cape May. Whale and dolphin watching are popular pastimes. The Cape May Whale Watcher (www.capemaywhalewatcher.com) sails from March through December and guarantees sightings. The Cape May Whale and Research Center (www.capemaywhalewatch.com) makes you part of their unofficial research team and introduces you to two of their favorite dolphins, Tippy and Nubby. In addition, Cape May offers sightseeing cruises around the island that feature tales of local heroes, legends and history. If birds are your passion, Cape May offers some of the finest bird watching in the East. That's because the Cape May Peninsula is in the middle of a migratory pathway traveled every spring and fall by millions of birds. Bring your binoculars for the view. For more information on the birds you can see, consult the Bird Hotline at 609-898-BIRD. For a bird's eye-view, it's worth a visit to the Cape May Lighthouse, which conveniently sits at the center of a beautiful park, perfect for picnics and outdoor activities. Unlike the New England lighthouses perched atop rocky cliffs, the Cape May Lighthouse had to be built tall enough to be seen at sea. It stretches 157 feet and you can climb it to the top. Admission is $5 for adults and $1 for children ages 3-12. [Town Tours] If you're interested in learning more about the town, and especially its Victorian heritage, consider a tour of Cape May. The town offers daily tours for every age, interest, taste and budget. While many of the bed and breakfasts offer free tours, the Emlen Physick Estate is Cape May's only Victorian house museum. Tour the estate and save time for a bite in its tea room. Admission is $8 for adults and $4 for children aged 3-12, and the estate offers special children's tours as well. If you prefer touring by trolley, you can combine the Emlen Physick admission with a trolley tour of the town for a total of $12 for adults and $6 for children—again with special tours designed for children. If you prefer to walk, Cape May offers an abundance of walking tours. Stroll through the Historic District with a knowledgeable guide and learn more about Cape May's Painted Ladies. Choose the Inn and Out tour for a glimpse into the town's famous inns. All Victorians Great and Small features antique and collectible dollhouses. The Romantic Moonlit Trolley Tour is an evening ride through Cape May's gas lit streets, and it focuses on the Victorian traditions of courtship and romance. It also comes with a sweetheart dessert. The Ghost Tour offers a spooky take on the historic town, based on Craig McManus' writings about ghostly appearances at various properties. Admission and times vary but most tours are offered year-round through the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts. Consult www.capemaymac.org or call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 for specifics. [Dining & Nightlife] No matter how long you stay in Cape May, it's worthwhile to plan a meal or two here. After all, the New York Times has called Cape May "the restaurant capital of New Jersey" for good reason. "Many people travel here for the gourmet dining, but in reality, Cape May offers a great mix of styles for a small area," Megan Hutton, director of marketing, Cape May Chamber of Commerce. "There's a restaurant for everyone's taste and budget, from first-class gourmet rooms to great pubs and family restaurants." Named after one of Cape May's migratory birds, the Black Duck on Sunset Boulevard serves up Asian and Latin cuisine in a casual setting. White walls, wicker paddle ceiling fans, and hues of black, white and gray offer a serene setting. Just over the canal bridge, Restaurant 1919 is the newest offering from the family who brought us the Water's Edge. Its upscale American fare is first class against a backdrop of island calm accentuated by chartreuse, aqua and ice-blue walls. Among the most famous five-star restaurants are the Ebbitt Room in the Virginia Hotel, the Washington Inn and the Peter Shields Inn. Presentation, cuisine and service are all impeccable. Then there is the Pelican Club, serving up steak and seafood with arguably the best view in town. Oyster Bay also serves up the same stellar fare and is a popular destination. If you're strolling the Washington Mall, stop at Cucina Rose for great Italian fare. And of course, the Lobster House offers consistently great food. Tourists love it in season and locals crowd it during the winter. No matter where you choose to eat, be sure to inquire about the history. Chances are you're the latest in a long lineage of diners who have enjoyed this fine town. After dinner, Cape May offers a quieter nightlife, with many visitors opting for a stroll along the beach Promenade. But two theater companies in town produce shows year-round. Consult the Cape May Stage (www.capemaystage.com) and East Lynne Theatre Company (http://www.eastlynnetheater.org/) for their specific offerings. There are also sometimes concerts or live music at the area's hotels. [Extra Events] Lucky for us, Cape May is not the type of town that caters to a strictly summer crowd. It's a true year-round resort with plenty of events. Among the events this fall are the annual Food and Wine Festival and Victorian Week, both worth the trip. The 9th Annual Food and Wine Festival is scheduled for September 17-22. The festival features five-course gourmet feasts, wine tastings, restaurant tours, seminars, cooking classes and more. The week's activities include a Festival Lobster Bake Luau and a People's Choice Chowder Contest. Convention Hall also hosts a Gourmet Marketplace, a culinary celebration with taste testing and product information from some of Cape May's finest restaurants, shops and other sponsors. Then step back in time for the 33rd Annual Victorian Week, Cape May's signature event scheduled for October 7-16. Hailed as a "Top 100 Event in North America," Victorian Week is an extravaganza that celebrates the Victorian lifestyle. From fashion shows to dances, scavenger hunts, tours and living history exhibits, Victorian Week is packed with fun. Highlights of the week include authentic Victorian feasts, murder mystery dinners, brass band concerts, workshops, lectures, tours, and glass blowing demonstrations. There are many more activities for both events, and most come with an admission charge. For details, call 609- 884-5404 or 1-800-275-4278 or visit. [Parking] Cape May is a city of parking meters, and most of the meters are on, even during the "off" season. Bring your quarters or plan to search for some limited free spots. The good news is that Cape May is so manageable, you're not likely to be any more than a 20-minute walk to the center of town.

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 David Schwartz  

Many longtime Atlantic City area residents remember the "Great Nor'easter" of March 1962 that pounded Absecon Island, but those who were around recall that a 1944 hurricane was nearly as destructive. Like the 1962 storm, this meteorological blitzkrieg left a trail of destruction but did not break the spirit of the people of Atlantic City. From July to October of 1944, there were a total of 11 tropical storms and hurricanes formed in the Atlantic Ocean. Since this was before the advent of named storms, the storm was simply known as "hurricane number 7" to meteorologists; the media and public simply called it a destructive storm. Having formed around September 9 east of the Caribbean, the hurricane churned its way up the Eastern Seaboard of the United States, leaving a 500-mile path of havoc that began at Cape Hatteras and ended in Massachusetts. Locally, the hurricane created calamity of the greatest magnitude when it swept the South Jersey coast on September 14. Absecon Island was entirely cut off from the rest of the world: highways were under as much as five feet of water and train tracks were obstructed by fallen trees. Rumors circulated in New York City that Atlantic city was all but destroyed, with hundreds homeless, the Boardwalk completely destroyed, and millions of dollars in damages. In response, the city of Philadelphia sent hundreds of policemen, ambulances, and rescue workers to the area. The actual damage was not so severe; much of the Boardwalk was salvaged, and thankfully casualties were light: only two dead and 40 injured. Yet the hurricane, striking a town already transformed by World War II, was still catastrophic. Under the storm's onslaught, the electricity failed at 5:25 p.m., and the city was plunged into darkness. Military police guarded the Boardwalk (the city was a major military recuperation center), and all of the city's restaurants, bars and stores closed. Cape May, Wildwood, and Ocean City were similarly stricken, with the last city under several feet of water. Though the summer season had officially closed earlier in the month, the city was still full of residents, recuperating soldiers and veterans, and officers on leave, many of them with their wives. As the situation deteriorated, hundreds flocked to the city's train station, hoping to catch a train off the island. With the tracks effectively blocked, however, none were able to leave. By the evening, though, the worst had passed; the winds started to subside around 9:30 and by 10, weather conditions were normal. Still, area towns faced the daunting task of cleaning up the disaster. New Jersey Governor Walter Edge called for federal aid, noting the need to provide facilities for convalescing members of the armed forces. Their health was, indeed, in jeopardy: the patients of Thomas England General Hospital, the military care center that had taken over Chalfonte-Haddon Hall, were evacuated all the way to Fort Dix Staten Island. Total damage to Absecon Island was estimated at $4 million. But the city was remarkably resilient. Steel Pier was damaged but open but business even before the hurricane had completely dissolved in the North Atlantic. Two weeks later, a semblance of normalcy had returned. Horseback season opened as scheduled on the beach on October 1, while the beachfront hotels were filled with conference-goers discussing the looming postwar industrial transition to a peacetime economy. Within a month, all patients had been transferred back to Atlantic City, and, for many, life continued as before. But the hurricane did leave a lasting mark on Atlantic City. Heinz Pier, formerly known as the Iron Pier, was so badly damaged that it was later demolished. The Ventnor, Margate, and Longport boardwalks were severely thrashed: Ventnor rebuilt its stretch of the Wooden Way (though later replaced sections with aluminum), while Margate and Longport never rebuilt. T.S. Eliot aficionados could now sit on Margate's sands and truly connect nothing with nothing. This, perhaps, was the storm's greatest legacy.

By Roger Gros  

Very few American novelists have achieved the success of John Irving. His powerful novels are rich in detail, evocative with emotion, and chock full of characters that are positively Dickensian. Even if you haven't read his novels, you undoubtedly have seen the excellent movies that resulted from them: The World According the Garp, Cider House Rules, Simon Birch and The Hotel New Hampshire, among others. But if you haven't read his books, do yourself a favor and begin to read them. And there's nothing wrong with starting with his latest, Until I Find You. We meet the hero of the book, Jack Burns, at the tender age of 4 and follow him through his life as he searches for his absent father, discovering, along the way, that his mother had misled him much of the time. Jack's mother, Alice, is a tattoo artist, who has an undying love and dedication for Jack's father, William, who is an accomplished organist and, shall we say, a ladies' man. After traveling through Europe supposedly in search of William, Alice and Jack return to Toronto, where Jack is one of the few young boys to attend an all-girls school, where he is initiated into sex at an early age, sparking a life-long appreciation of older women, especially for Emma, the daughter of Alice's lesbian lover. William's reputation, meanwhile, is rehabilitated continually throughout the book as Jack makes new discoveries about the true nature of his parting with Alice. Jack comes to realize that William truly loved him and the denouement of the book is very touching, and, unlike many Irving novels, is a happy ending. Until I Find You is 820 pages of detail that at first you think may be unnecessary but later in the book realize is crucial. Irving's skill in weaving together an intricate plot and tying up every loose end is remarkable. Even more remarkable is the way he fills out each character so that the reader understands the character's motivation, even in the wacky Irving world.

By Joe Legato  

It's that time of year again. NFL fans and gamers alike can satisfy their annual football cravings with EA Sports' newest hit, Madden NFL 06. This game's reputation precedes it, as thousands of fans skip work and school each year to get their copy of EA Sports' yearly hit. Madden 06 maintains the classic football game play of its predecessors while including updated features to stay cutting edge and fresh. Madden 06 brings some new aspects to the table this year, including more offensive control in passing. With "QB Precision Placement," players can control where the ball will specifically go so that receivers can run their routes while adding moves to fake out the defense. You can't be too crazy, though, because with "QB Vision Control" the quarterback's best passes are now limited to his line of vision. Another new feature of Madden 06 is Superstar Mode, which gives lovers of Franchise Mode a new toy. Gamers can now narrow their focus from whole teams to individual players that they have created or imported from NCAA Football 06 as they find a sports agent and head to the NFL draft. Madden 06 is a must-have game for any football fan. And with EA Sports now owning the exclusive rights to make an official NFL football video game (Madden bought out ESPN NFL), Madden 06 really may be the only game for football fans. Either way, this game will definitely help fans muddle through Tuesday to Saturday of each week during NFL season.

By Frank Legato  

Many people know Riley B. "Blues Boy" King, a.k.a. B.B. King, only from his signature song, 1970's "The Thrill Is Gone," or from his many television appearances. And that's a shame. King, who went from a Mississippi cotton farm to carve his legend in Memphis, is one of the few remaining links to authentic Delta blues, and his body of work contains so much more. This CD, released in honor of King's 80th birthday this year, is a great alternative to more expensive box sets for anyone needing to instantly familiarize himself or herself with what B.B. King is all about. In 21 essential tracks, The Ultimate Collection capsulizes King at his best, in chronological order from his first No. 1 R&B single, 1951's "Three O'Clock Blues," to "Ten Long Years," his collaboration with Eric Clapton from the Riding With The King CD released in 2000—amazingly, King's only Platinum record. Along the way are performances that will stop any blues fan—any true music fan—in his tracks, like his first crossover hit, a 1964 cover of Willie Dixon's "Rock Me Baby," or the two live tracks from 1965's Live At The Regal album, "Every Day I Have the Blues" and "Sweet Little Angel." If you are only familiar with King's music in passing, there are a couple of wonderful discoveries for you in this collection. First, King's guitar work on his beloved guitar "Lucille" stands up against all the fancy, fast rock guitar heroes you can muster. As it has been said of King, he has never wasted a note—his guitar work may be simple in form, but it is directly from the soul. Second, you'll discover his voice. Lucille aside, King is arguably the best blues singer on the planet. Whether singing as a young man in the 1950s or a septuagenarian more recently, you will hear raw emotion wielded with gut-wrenching precision. B.B. King is the blues. This CD proves it.

By Atlantic City Free Public Library  

The 2004 Academy Award winner for Best Picture has finally made it to DVD. Million Dollar Baby is not "the female version of Rocky" and the center of the movie is not the rise and glory of a champion. In fact, the movie is a cinematic rebuttal to Hollywood's clichéd boxing movies. Essentially, the difference between a movie such as Rocky and Million Dollar Baby is that Rocky is textbook filmmaking complete with an uplifting story, effects, and memorable theme music. In contrast, Million Dollar Baby is textbook storytelling, with more emphasis on the plight of real people as opposed to a manufactured effort to please audiences. Interestingly, the only thing "Hollywood" about the movie is its title. Ironically, the story involves a poor, Midwestern girl with a dream she is honestly too old to achieve, an elderly gentleman whose better days have passed him by and who goes by the name Scrap, and a lifelong boxing trainer who is detached from his family and spends his free time studying Gaelic. They are real people and almost anyone can identify with them. The core of this movie has little to do with money or a champion and a lot to do with values. Maggie Fitzgerald (Swank) does not want any special favors or pity because she is a girl. Still, a sad, morbid humor exposes itself every time Frank (Eastwood) says the best movie line of the year: "I don't train girls." Maggie is someone who demands more than a sexual description, and her inner fortitude and tireless work ethic are the reasons she is a Million Dollar Baby. Yes, boxing is the vehicle that drives the movie. Yes, Maggie overcomes impossible odds. Yes, you will see why Morgan Freeman, Clint Eastwood, and Hillary Swank won Academy Awards. But what is most important about the film is the unpredictable and graceful way Eastwood navigates us through the story and helps us find that Million Dollar Baby within ourselves.

By Dave Bontempo  

Mildred Sukatskas loves providing customers little extras. They mirror the bonus round that is her life. The effervescent Trump Marina slot host journeyed from disaster to joy via the casino industry over the past decade. Sukatskas discovered the Marina in 1996 amid dire circumstances, being wheelchairbound from an auto accident that dealt her a shattered ankle, collapsed lung, and cracked ribs and knees. "My husband Dennis took me down (from Barnegat) to get me out of the house and try to cheer me up," Sukatskas says. "I fell in love with the Marina immediately. The people were just fabulous. There was a feeling about it I just could not forget. I said that when I got done rehab, I was going to come here." Sukatskas fought hard to maintain the pledge. After four years in the wheelchair, she managed to walk without the cane or the limp predicted by her doctor. "You can't kill a weed," she says, laughing. "If you let these things defeat you, they will. I wasn't about to let that happen. Because of the accident, I've learned to appreciate every little thing." Two years after visiting the Marina, Sukatskas was hired as a front desk agent. Sukatskas emerged as a public service natural, maintaining strong rapport with customers. Two years ago, her personality was rewarded via the slot-hosting position. "I'm family-oriented to begin with and these customers make it more so because they become a family to you as well," Sukatskas says. "The Marina is my home and my house is my job. I just love getting up and coming to work here." Sukatskas deals in a nice end of the business. She becomes the popular comp dispenser, enabling patrons to obtain free dinners, shows and rooms under company guidelines. Her department serves as the sizzle to the company steak. When a comp issue is borderline, Sukatskas tries to resolve it in the customer's favor. Gradually, she obtains a posse. "You get to know the players on the level of ‘what's new in your family,' and ‘how are the children," Sukatskas says. "People will call you when they've gotten into town and it's important to go find them on the floor and say hello. Even if the player does not want anything from you that day, this person knows there is somebody here for him. "What we provide is a personal touch." Sukatskas also masters the unpopular element of denying certain comps. She will urge customers to return another time, when a different request may be accommodated. Customers will be let down easily instead of leaving with a bad feeling. Sukatskas indicates the anticipation of a problem will help lessen it. She'll spot an angry customer approaching and often reverse the person's fortunes. Now a seven-year veteran, Sukatskas has avoided the burnout inherent in this high-stress business. "I don't know if it's because I switched departments (from front desk to hosting) or what, but I think I could easily go another 15 years before that could happen," Sukatskas says. "I don't take this job home." Trump Marina recognized her talents quickly. Sukatskas was named Employee of the Quarter and given the CEO Award within the first two years of employment. "She's one of the best people I've seen turn negatives into positives," says Alisa Elkis, the executive director of national marketing administration for Trump Marina. "She comes across as positive, always upbeat, willing to help. I've received many letters from customers who say ‘I want Mildred to be my host when I come into town.' Mildred's enthusiasm is contagious." Her bonus has become everyone's.

Fri, Jun 26, 2009

Did you spent too many nights at the beach bars this summer? Living in a resort town can be damaging to your midsection if you overindulge. September is now upon us, and it is sad to say that the summer of 2005 is over, and has most likely had an effect on your midsection. Now, look down at your tummy… are you impressed by what you see? If not, you are not alone; in fact the majority of the population's number one body complaint is that their abdominals aren't nearly as toned as they would like. Below are a few exercises as well as some life changes that are sure to help you lose your love handles, bust your gut, and define your abs. [Crunches] Think doing hundreds of crunches and sit-ups is the way to more-toned abs? One big misconception is that you have to do 200 sit ups/crunches a day to see results in your abdominals. It is the quality, not the quantity that counts in any form of exercise. So 200 sloppy crunches will produce nothing compared to 20 core-conscious moves. If you're not feeling resistance when you perform crunches, it's probably because you're making mistakes in technique. For instance, you may be crunching too quickly instead of taking two full seconds to rise and two to lower, or you may be lifting from your shoulders and neck rather than from your torso. [Stability Ball] A more-challenging exercise for the abs is the stability ball crunch. It requires your abdominals to function as stabilizers for your entire body and to work in conjunction with other muscle groups. [Modify your workout] Use a system of training that changes the exercises you do every six to eight weeks, so your abdominal muscles are constantly challenged, which speeds up the results. As a bonus, you'll never get bored by doing the same exercises over and over again. [Don't overdo it] Three workouts a week at the proper intensity, repetitions and form will get your abs in their best shape. [Beat the stress] The fat in the abdominal area functions differently than fat elsewhere in the body. It has a greater blood supply as well as more receptors for cortisol, a stress hormone. Cortisol levels rise and fall throughout the day, but when you're under constant stress, the amount of the hormone you produce remains elevated. With high stress and, consequently, high cortisol levels, more fat is deposited in the abdominal area since there are more cortisol receptors there. [Eat more protein] About 25-30 percent of the calories in each gram of protein are burned in digestion, compared to only 6-8 percent of the calories in carbs. You do the math! [Fill up on high-fiber foods] Consider them "good carbs." Their bulk takes up space in your stomach, helping you feel full and eat less. [Stay active] View any type of physical activity—even those you try to avoid, such as mowing the lawn, as a chance to burn fat and condition your body. (Just make sure you use a push mower.) [Hit the weights] If you don't like weight training, it's not as bad as you think—just 10 minutes a day of lifting, three days a week, will help. Thirty minutes of weight training per week has a greater reduction on waist size than almost any other variable. [Step on the scale at least once a day] Don't obsess over the number, but at least keep track of the general range of what you weigh so you can catch small changes as they occur and take corrective measures immediately. Simply incorporate a few of these tips into your life every day, and you'll finish off your fat easier and faster than you ever imagined possible.

Although the summer is my absolute favorite time of the year, the end of summer means "back to school." After having four sons running through the house for three months creating havoc, the ringing of the school bell always makes me smile! As you prepare your children for going back to school, I invite you to think about your own learning development. It is never too late to "go back to school." I believe you can teach old dogs new tricks. For some, going back to the classroom is scary or just not possible because of work and family schedules. Or, for others, it just seems like it would take too long to obtain a degree or complete a program. Atlantic Cape Community College, your hometown college, understands that and has created a Professional Series that provides credit certificates in specialty areas. You can complete many of the series in less than a year and you can begin and end the program at your own pace. Best of all, the Professional Series can always be applied later toward an associate degree, if you get motivated to go in that direction. Many of the specialties relate directly to the hospitality industry. Some of the more popular programs of this credit certificate series include culinary arts, hotel guest specialist, accounting, human resources, computers, marketing, and travel and tourism. All of these programs rely on industry-based skill sets and prepare you for career advancement. As an Italian-American, I love to cook (and eat) and am always watching what happens at the Academy of Culinary Arts. They have several Professional Series tracks that lead to better jobs, including: [Baking and Pastry Specialization] I have to confess this is my favorite program in the series. You should see the confectionary artworks that students create! Plus, they are so tasty. This series consists of eight courses which provide you with knowledge and expertise in baking. For a total of 17 credits, you will learn both the fundamentals and advanced skill sets, including wedding cake design and baking artisan breads. [Hot Food Specialization] This series could be completed in less than two semesters (that's only eight months!). Not only will you learn the fundamentals of cooking; you will be introduced to diversified and international cuisines, including Italian regional cooking. The Academy also has a catering specialization for those inclined to start up their own business and a food service management specialization for those who lean toward the business end of the industry. My dad, the owner/operator of an Italian restaurant in South Philadelphia for 40 years, would have loved to have had the opportunity to take this program. If you are working in the restaurant business, this specialization will help you know more about menu and facilities design, food purchasing and cost controls, and business, casino and hospitality laws and regulations. For more information on these and more of the Professional Series, go directly to www.atlantic.edu/courses/professional/index.shtml, or for the culinary series, call Connie Lamonaca at 609-343-4944.

By Joseph Harrison  

Sept. 1 Ted Nugent, House of Blues Stephen Lynch, Borgata Sept. 2 John Hiatt, Shawn Colvin, Resort's Nikki Beach Howe, White & Squire, Borgata Journey, Borgata Foreigner, House of Blues Sept. 3 The Used, Bruce Hornsby, House of Blues Howe, White & Squire, Borgata Sept. 4 Bob Weir & Ratdog, Bruce Hornsby, HOB Sept. 9-10 Julio Iglesias, Tropicana Sept. 10 Kansas, Trump Marina Creedence Clearwater Revisted, Hilton Norm McDonald, Borgata Sept. 11 Billy Idol, House of Blues Sept. 16 Marshall Tucker Band, House of Blues Sept. 17 The Raspberries, House of Blues Sept. 21 Los Lonely Boys, Borgata Sept. 22 Clutch, House of Blues Sept. 23 Carlos Vivas, Trump Taj Mahal Meat Loaf, Borgata Kings of Leon, Borgata Sept. 23-25 The Temptations, Tropicana Kenny Rogers, Hilton Sept. 24 Bachman-Cummings Band, Trump Marina Loggins & Messina, Trump Taj Mahal Sept. 27 Coheed & Cambria w/Blood Brothers and Dredge, House of Blues Sept. 28 Gordon Lightfoot, Trump Taj Mahal Sept. 29 The Killers, Borgata Sept. 30 & Oct. 1 Josh Gracin, Tropicana Amici Forever, Resorts Ruben Studdard, Caesars

By Joseph Harrison  

There was a time when it was unthinkable that a band like Pearl Jam would play in Atlantic City. Those days are over, as Pearl Jam's appearance proves when they hit Borgata for two shows September 30 and October 1. One of the most popular and influential bands of the past two decades, Pearl Jam's ability to fuse classic rock with modern stylings and a grunge edge has made them an extremely popular touring and recording act. Led by lead singer Eddie Vedder, Pearl Jam's biggest hits include "Jeremy," "Evenflow," "Alive," "Betterman" and the remake of the oldie but goodie "Last Kiss." The cool thing about Pearl Jam is the band's resistance to being too mainstream. Refusing to release singles along the way as well as boycotting Ticketmaster for a while, Pearl Jam seems dedicated to letting the music speak for itself without letting greed get in the way. Their live shows are legendary, resulting in a string of official "bootlegs" of the band's tours that resulted in millions of sales. Their last studio album was 2002's Riot Act, a quality CD that didn't exactly blow off record store shelves but received critical praise while appeasing longtime fans.

By Joseph Harrison  

The hippest and undoubtedly most trendy show comes courtesy of the House of Blues, which brings in Jack and Meg White—the White Stripes—for a night of eclectic modern rock that incorporates blues, punk, rock and even some country. The Detroit duo and critical rock darlings' minimalist style earned an underground following that quickly exploded, developing the White Stripes into an international phenomenon because of the band's uncompromising musical values and quirky, yet catchy songs. Their single "Fell in Love With A Girl" became an unlikely MTV hit that radio also embraced, pushing the White Stripes—along with similar bands like the Hives, the Strokes and the Vines—into the forefront of the alt-rock. The band's most recent album, Get Behind Me Satan, offers the White Stripes' continued diversity, and was met with amazing reviews, despite the fact that the album was written and recorded in just two weeks.

By Joseph Harrison  

Superstar Tim McGraw is about as big as it gets when it comes to country music. With more than 20 No. 1 singles, a bunch of multiplatinum albums and more than 25 million records sold, McGraw is The Man when it comes to his genre. The lucky husband of Faith Hill brings his tremendous band, the Dancehall Doctors, back to the Taj, this time in support of McGraw's ninth album, Live Like You Were Dying, which shows McGraw's ability to mix things up in country music by adding some blues and lots of rock influences. The son of the late Phillies pitcher Tug McGraw usually plays a lot of his hits, which include "Don't Take the Girl," "Down on the Farm," "I Like It, I Love It," "Can't Be Really Gone," "She Never Let It Go To Her Heart," "Everywhere," "Where the Green Grass Grows," "My Best Friend," "Grown Men Don't Cry," "The Cowboy In Me" and too many others to note. He'll also play a few new songs, giving longtime fans something new to look forward to.

By Joseph Harrison  

The ambassador of blues, B.B. King, unloads an arsenal of music on the House of Blues by not only offering his own fine licks on Lucille, but bringing along Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Joe Bonamassa for his annual bluesfest. King, who's approaching 80 years old, may be known for his hits including "3 O'Clock Blues" and "The Thrill is Gone," but he is far more than just a blues guy—he is an extremely talented musician and one of the few people who was able to cross the blues over to mainstream audiences. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer recently released The Ultimate Collection, a 21-song compilation of his biggest hits that is definitely worth checking out. The King of Blues' impressive career includes 74 Billboard R&B chartbusters, and he has seamlessly blended country, gospel, rock, jazz and blues to become and remain one of the most influential guitarists to ever play on the planet. Kenny Wayne Shepherd became an immediate blues force when his first album, Ledbetter Heights, sold more than 500,000 copies—when he was just 18 years old. Not only did that album sell more than most in the genre; he also achieved some radio play, which is becoming less common for blues as the years go by. Shepherd, who is influenced by everyone from King to Muddy Waters to Duane Allman, likes to show off an array of blues styles, and is known to jam out with his talented band. His recent outings, including 2004's The Place You're In, have shown Shepherd taking vocal duties, which he used to pass off to someone else. The lesser-known Bonamassa also made waves at a young age, scoring a deal with Epic at just 22 years old, but he made his mark much earlier, opening for King when he was 8 years old and gigging on a regular basis by age 12. He has been in a few bands, including Bloodline, which featured the sons of Robby Krieger and Miles Davis, but he's back doing his solo stuff, including 2004's Had to Cry Today.

By Joseph Harrison  

Certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the biggest selling salsa artist, Marc Anthony is also the top-selling tropical salsa artist in the world. His second album, Todo a Su Tiempo, sold more than 800,000 copies in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, while 1997's Contra la Corriente earned him a Gold disc, and "I Need to Know," from his fourth self-titled album, sold more than two million copies in the U.S., reaching the Top 10. The multitalented artist and husband of Jennifer Lopez, who he recently flattered by painting a nude picture of her, is known for more than his musical chops, having starred in movies including The Substitute, Big Night and Hackers, as well as Paul Simon's Broadway dud Capeman. His shows are known for being uptempo and sexy, and maybe even J. Lo will pop in to check out her hubby.

By Joseph Harrison  

Now that his long-running, enriching gig as Ray Romano's brother in Everybody Loves Raymond is gonzo, Brad Garrett can return to the road more often to show that he's a hell of a stand-up comic. Garrett, who also did a tremendous job playing Jackie Gleason in a CBS biopic of the late, great television icon, got his start at age 23 when he impressed audiences and Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show. From there, he made the most of the every opportunity, using his powerful voice for commercials, cartoons and animated films including Transformers, The Jetsons, A Bug's Life, Stuart Little 2 and more. The 6-foot-8 California native won an Emmy for his role of Robert Barone on Raymond, and has a great reputation on the comedy circuit.

By Joseph Harrison  

Speaking of oldies but goodies, the Sands brings in another classic when Frankie Valli hits the Copa Room September 2 and 3. Known for his amazing falsetto that propelled his doo-wop hits to the top of the charts, including "Sherry" and "Walk Like a Man" as well as his crooner smashes like "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" and "My Eyes Adored You," as well as "Grease," Valli was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with his group the Four Seasons. Selling more than 100 million records in his career, Valli recently appeared on The Sopranos and is debuting some jazz material and his take of popular standards at his latest concerts. Valli hopes to release an album of jazz standards in the near future. Valli is also behind Jersey Boys, a Broadway-bound musical based on the career of the Four Seasons, which produced memorable hits including "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Rag Doll," "Who Loves You" and "December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)."

By Joseph Harrison  

What would a summer in Atlantic City be without a Beach Boys concert? You won't have to worry about that, since the Beach Boys will return to Caesars for three shows September 2-4. The legendary band of surf-style, feel-good, California rock will belt out all of the hits that made them the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers that they are. With Mike Love left as the only original Beach Boy, the band still tours frequently, drawing big crowds thanks to Love's insistence on playing the songs people want to hear, vocal harmonies intact, including "Surfin' Safari," "Surfin' U.S.A.," "Surfer Girl," "Little Deuce Coupe," "Fun, Fun, Fun," "I Get Around," "Help Me, Rhonda," "California Girls," "Kokomo" and many others. Despite the band lineup changes and the band's soap opera-like history, Love's Beach Boys preserve the "good vibrations" that the Beach Boys have offered since the 1960s.

By Joseph Harrison  

Resorts may not do as many headliners as some other casinos, but when they do, they make it count. Following Snoop Dogg's appearance earlier this year, Resorts follows it up with arguably the biggest comedian on the planet—Jerry Seinfeld. The television star has been able to concentrate solely on his stand-up routine now that his NBC series is off the air and he has a boatload of money. If recent appearances tell the whole story, Seinfeld is back at the top of his game as far as stand-up goes. Constantly reworking his act to keep it fresh, there's nothing to "yadda yadda" about here, but there's plenty to laugh about.

Many people spend the money to purchase a nice box of cigars and don't realize how important a role a good humidor plays in the life of a cigar. Unless you plan to smoke the entire box in a couple of days, proper storage of your fine cigars is imperative. Humidors keep your cigars fresh and they also aid the maturation process of your cigars. A prime example is a cigar made with a mixed blend of tobaccos. Tobacco from different countries or regions will most likely be aged separately. It does not come together until the rolling process. By allowing the mixed blend of tobacco time to age, you will see a difference in taste. [Where to Start] A decent humidor that holds 20-25 cigars will set you back $30-$60. For most people who are just starting to enjoy cigars, this should be plenty of space. Once your habit evolves and you start purchasing more and more cigars, you must upgrade to a larger humidor. Larger units and floor models can range anywhere from $75 - $3,000 and beyond. It is careful to select a model that will be properly utilized and consistently monitored monthly. Selecting too large a humidor will do no good. It may look impressive but unless it is filled and properly cared for, you're wasting your money. The general rule-of-thumb is to gauge your monthly cigar habit and choose a humidor that fits your needs. Also take into account if you entertain friends who like to smoke. Most people will keep a stash of cigars for guests. [The Basics] The temperature inside the humidor is not as important as the humidity level, but it is a factor to consider. Any desktop/tabletop humidor will stabilize at room temperature. It is important to keep the humidor in a spot that is away from direct sunlight or a source of cool/cold air as these two factors will affect the temperature. Keep your humidors away from windows or exterior walls of your house, out of garages and sunrooms. Most models are made of solid wood which does not distract from a home's décor and will not upset your wife if you place it in the living room. The humidity level inside the humidor is the most important factor in keeping your cigars fresh. Not enough humidity and your cigars will dry out; too much and they will get moldy. The proper balance is imperative. The proper humidity level should be between 65 percent and 75 percent. Most gauges will have this area shaded or highlighted so it is easy to see if your system is working properly. Most units come with instructions and it is usually as simple as adding water and waiting. Monthly maintenance is important. The humidity should stabilize within a couple of hours, depending on the size of the humidor. Larger humidors and floor units may take a couple of days. Once your humidor is stabilized at 65 percent to 75 percent it is ready for your cigars. Good luck!

An enticing street that invites pedestrians to stroll along it safely and freely is essential to the vitality and stability of Atlantic Avenue. Attention to the design details of the street is very important to creating visual interest and thereby inviting pedestrians to stroll down the street. Good design elements also increase the sense of safety and attract more people to the street. Enhancements to existing design components and the addition of new ones offer a cost-effective way of restoring character and vibrancy to Atlantic Avenue. One only has to look to the Walk Outlets along Michigan Avenue to understand the importance of aesthetically pleasing streetscape, well-designed and maintained buildings, and enticing window displays. Unfortunately, turn the corner at Michigan and Atlantic, head east, and the glistening storefront windows of the Walk shops are replaced with iron grates covering murky windows crowded with hand-drawn signs and a random assortment of merchandise. Look up and hidden among many layers of paint, a labyrinth of wires, and various attempts to cover over the past, you can spot vestiges of the old Atlantic City—beautiful architecture hosting a booming economy of local, independent retailers and services. In order to benefit from the success of the Walk, the merchants of Atlantic Avenue must entice customers to continue strolling down the street and into their establishments. Main Street Atlantic City (MSAC) is currently designing programs that will improve the condition and visual impact of Atlantic Avenue buildings and storefronts. Grant applications are pending and, if supported, will provide funding for a façade restoration program, a storefront enhancement program, and streetscape improvements. This fall, MSAC will introduce a window display program, which will offer workshops on the hows and whys of attractive window displays and an opportunity to win a free window dressing by a professional visual merchandiser. With the investment and commitment of the city, merchants and other stakeholders, we can raise the standard along Atlantic Avenue and transform it into the vibrant, downtown district many remember and hope to one day see again.

By Dave Bontempo  

Some executives can't believe they've spent 25 years in the casino business. They pinpoint a critical turn, which enabled them to stay in it. Bob DeSalvio contrasts that philosophy. A native of Glen Rock in North Jersey, 18-year Atlantic City veteran and current executive vice president of marketing at Foxwoods always knew he was meant to serve. It was just a matter of where. "I always loved the hospitality industry," DeSalvio says. "I went to school for hotel management and it was a business I was fascinated with. Even in the casino business, it's all about service. Whether you are showing someone a great experience on the gaming side or making sure they are happy on the hotel end of it, the bottom line is the same. All of us are in the hospitality business." A hospitable nature actually launched DeSalvio's Atlantic City career. As convention service manager for the Statler Hilton in New York, he visited a friend who had begun working at Caesars. DeSalvio was introduced socially to Bill Weidner and Brad Stone. One topic led to another, a subsequent interview emerged and DeSalvio joined Caesars as a sales manager. A stint at Bally's followed before DeSalvio carved his permanent Atlantic City niche, joining Weidner and Stone at the Sands. A magical run here propelled DeSalvio and Tom Cantone to Foxwoods, while Rob Goldstein, Weidner and Stone became leaders at the Venetian in Las Vegas. "Atlantic City had a huge impact on me," DeSalvio says. "The Sands enabled me to cross over from the hotel end of the business to the gaming side. That was a very important step. That meant learning the regulation, the games control, how to market and how not to market. Maybe the biggest lesson was understanding how to avoid marketing (comp) wars." During DeSalvio's tenure, Atlantic City became a 24-hour hot spot seeking to improve its destination-resort image and fend off gaming in nearby jurisdictions. Demands on individuals appeared relentless in the face of a growing industry. DeSalvio advanced through positions in the players club, host department, player development, hotel sales marketing, junkets, advertising, public relations and finally, marketing. For those with stamina, intensity became opportunity. "We had the privilege of watching an industry unfold before our eyes," DeSalvio says. "The industry was so new, it seemed like a property was being added every other year and we had a great chance to try things. It was great watching the success come from the efforts of thousands of employees." The Sands' blueprint was unique. An Avis-like "We Try Harder" approach defined the property. The absence of natural advantages, like Boardwalk location or easy access from anywhere, forced an additional layer of hustle upon management and staff. "Because we were off the Boardwalk, customers weren't just going to walk by us and come in," DeSalvio says. "Our calling card had to be personal service, building relationships with customers. We reached out a lot to them, more than you would do normally. In the end, we had excellent results. "We took a property that was challenged and came up with a strong showing. That meant showcasing the entertainment, the dining and the one-to-one relationships between top management and players. We had a wonderful group of people and a great espirit de corps." By the time he left in 1997, DeSalvio was ripe for a new challenge. Foxwoods, which revolutionized the industry via its Native American ownership and became the world's largest casino, brought DeSalvio aboard for its next push. Eight years later, he continues a career based in Camelot. "This is a gorgeous facility in a very nice setting with a strong New England market," DeSalvio says. "We have a $700 million expansion under way. We've got two new golf courses and 12,000 terrific employees." DeSalvio is responsible for 350 of them. Although modest about his accomplishments, DeSalvio assessed his qualities when pressed. "I think I have a real passion and dedication for this industry," he says. "You have to, because it can throw off the work-family balance. You are always working on that. I love people and I like to think I'm a pretty good listener and someone with good leadership skills." DeSalvio loves Atlantic City's expansions via Borgata, the Walk, the Quarter and the room expansions of many properties. He believes the city has seized upon its potential for amenities, mirroring an industry-wide trend. "The biggest change I've seen in a quarter of a century is an appreciation for the non-gaming elements of the business," he says. "Entertainment and retail have grown and thrived. I'm happy here, but will always have very fond memories of Atlantic City. It was a chance for me to get in on the ground floor of something and stay with it. The experience was quite rewarding."

By Joseph Harrison  

Does anyone care that the Miss America Pageant won't be in Atlantic City in September, breaking a 83-year-old tradition? Although most casino and city officials won't even talk about it—making it the political hot potato of the summer—the general answer seems to be, "not really," especially when it comes to casino executives. If you're not familiar with what's going on with this year's Miss America Pageant, don't be surprised. No one really seems to know what's going on. For some reason, despite making a multi-year deal with Country Music Television (CMT) to broadcast the pageant in January, meaning there won't be a 2005 Miss America, pageant officials haven't announced details of the deal. In fact, there's not even a set date yet. The CMT deal seems to be another stop in a long and winding road of Miss America Pageant blunders that have included ditching the swimsuit competition and bringing in a rotating cast of no-names to host the event that probably have Bert Parks rolling in his grave. Last year, the pageant hit an all-time low as ABC tried to twist the event into reality television mode, even hiring The Bachelor host Chris Harrison to emcee the festivities. The result? Terrible ratings and the network's decision to drop the pageant from its schedule. Now enters CMT, a cable network owned by MTV Networks with a tiny fraction of ABC's audience. CMT, along with reigning Miss America Deidre Downs, seem to be the only winners in the deal. Downs gets to keep the crown longer, and if the network draws just half of the 10 million viewers ABC drew last year, it would be CMT's biggest show in the history of the network, which isn't exactly saying a whole lot. The new deal comes with some hefty price tags and reeks of desperation from Miss America Pageant officials, who obviously needed to make a deal with whoever would accommodate them. [Say Goodbye to September] At the top of the list of casualties comes the fact that the Miss America Pageant will be moved to January, obliterating the main reason this thing was created in the first place. "I think one of the reasons Miss America was created was to extend the summer season," said Trump Plaza Vice President of Marketing Steve Calabro. "So one of the core reasons—if not the core reason—for being started doesn't exist anymore. So that's a little off, to say the least." Extending the summer season with the Miss America Pageant was certainly nice, but Borgata Chief Operating Officer Larry Mullin said that he can't even understand in the first place why CMT would want to move it at all. "Television is a funky business," Mullin said. "I don't get it, because it seemed the time slot and the time of year made perfect sense. It seemed to work out for ABC because it's a time when you're between baseball playoffs, and football is just getting started. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense." "Are you telling me that the CMT schedule was so packed that it couldn't fit the Miss America Pageant on a Saturday in September?" Calabro asked. "I think that's crazy." [Say Goodbye to Traditions?] The move to January also means some great traditions will either be eliminated or manipulated. Will there be a parade down the Boardwalk with temps approaching freezing? Instead of contestants showing their red shoes, will they show red boots? And if the winner takes a ceremonial dip into the ocean following the victory, will she wear a wetsuit? "Basically, that's what's sad to see go," Calabro said. "We will miss the parade, and so will our customers. It's one of those things that you kind of look forward to. It adds color and energy to what the city is all about. I can't imagine them doing it in January. "You don't like to see traditions like that disappear. The parade is such a big thing for the community because it was something everyone could participate in. I feel bad for the community that embraced this all of those years. It will be hard to embrace in January. And instead of Miss America going into the ocean, I guess she'll go ice skating or something." Mullin agreed: "It's a bummer. You just wish they could have worked this out so it could stay in September. People will really miss these traditions. Some people might not even realize they will miss them until they're not happening anymore. "When I worked on the Boardwalk at the Taj Mahal and the Plaza, the parade was a big night for them. That's sad to see that go." Sands Vice President of Marketing Bill Cooney said the Boardwalk casinos made the most out of the parade. He said every Boardwalk casino bought tickets for their players to sit in the stands and watch the beautiful contestants drive by. "It's an Atlantic City tradition," he said. "We all liked it, and it added luster to Atlantic City like a lot of the great events in the city do. Anytime you can capitalize on tradition, it's a good thing. We're sorry to see that go." [Say Goodbye to Revenue?] That's not necessarily true. While the casino executives who were brave enough to go on the record agreed that it was sad to see the pageant move to January, all of them—along with a few others off the record—agreed that the pageant shift to January will have little or no impact on casino gaming. "Business was never really affected by the pageant that much to begin with," Calabro said. "There may have been a small group of customers who liked to attend the parade, and even a smaller group that wanted to attend the actual event. But it won't matter to us. We have another great Broadway show, Anything Goes, premiering that weekend, and that's the kind of thing that draws customers in. While it's upsetting for the thousands of people that embraced the pageant and the multiple generations of people that these traditions were experienced by, business will be fine." Mullin said that the only real impact may be some tourists booking rooms that weekend, but don't look for a gaming impact. "We did have a great demand for people to pay for rooms that weekend," Mullin said. "It was one of the bigger weekends for that. But the pageant never appeared to be a major impact on the casino as far as gaming was concerned … at least in recent years." Cooney took it one step further: "From a business standpoint, it won't phase us at all. We won't even notice it missing. It was a nice thing to have here in September, but it won't matter financially for us or the other casinos. This is not the kind of event that draws a high-end player like a boxing event or big concert does. "To be honest, the event is actually kind of rough to sit through. It's hard to see from your seats, and you're almost better off watching it on TV." [The Bright Side] The move to January won't be a total disaster. Some of the traditions, including many of the pageant events, will hopefully be preserved. And maybe—just maybe—the pageant will drive some people into town who wouldn't normally come in January. "Any event in January is great," said Susan Ricciardi, director of media relations for the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority. "Our goal is to drive people into the city year-round, and hopefully this will do that. We have offered to help the Miss America Pageant in any way that we can to make this work. Whether it's January or September, Atlantic City offers a lot of great attractions that people can enjoy." Trump Marina Vice President of Marketing Todd Moyer said that while big players weren't enticed by the pageant, the casinos did other things to make the most out of the event being in town, which shouldn't change in January. "We did some appearances with the contestants who were staying with us in the hotel that we will still do in January," Moyer said. "It didn't draw premium players, but the people at the casino loved to meet them and get autographs and have pictures taken. And the girls are always fantastic. They are great ambassadors and spokesmodels. I even took my daughter. She thought the girls were princesses." Cooney said the Sands will also continue to do events with pageant contestants. "All of the casinos would give the contestants and their entourage some rooms, and it was never a big deal because you had the girls walking around the building, and it added to the weekend and the players' experience. That could still happen in January. And now that it will be in January, it's even easier for us to give up those rooms." Cooney said the January move may even bring some longtime pageant doubters around. "Years ago, going back 10 years or so, all of the executives were so pro-gaming in town, they didn't even want to give up these rooms for anyone else but gamblers," Cooney added. "With the lesson of what happened in Las Vegas and this town becoming more of a resort destination, people have come to realize that events and retail also have an important place in Atlantic City and the casinos. Casino executives used to get mad even having to deal with giving up rooms to contestants. In January, this makes it even easier. Maybe we'll see people in January we never saw before. And that could work." [The Bottom Line] Although it's nice to put a positive spin on the move, there's little to really be positive about. Compound the move with the rumor that CMT may move the event to Nashville, Atlantic City might see its legendary pageant disappear totally, which is particularly disheartening. "No one thinks it's a big deal until it's gone," Mullin said. "But we have to fight to keep this here in Atlantic City. It's the one time a year when people all over the country hear about Atlantic City. Whether you like the pageant or not, it is a national event that we cannot afford to lose. It might not mean a lot to business, but it means a lot from the marketing side of things." There is one thing everyone agrees on: the Miss America Pageant should stay in Atlantic City and eventually be moved back to September. "Hopefully, it will come back to September and doesn't move anywhere," Moyer said. "The national spotlight is important. We don't want to lose the pageant. It will be awkward not having it this September, but if it means we have to have it in January or not at all, I say we should just be happy it's happening at all. We can't lose it. January is traditionally a soft period. Maybe we could capitalize on all of this."

By Robert Rossiello  

Whether it's a trendy night club or a laid-back local watering hole all bars have one thing in common. No, it isn't drink specials during Happy Hour, it's the people who make the drinks, the bartenders. A good bartender can turn an average night out into a memorable one. They need to be light on their feet, quick with their hands, have an encyclopedic knowledge of drink recipes and be able to deal with the drunk patron at two in the morning who wants to tell you his life story. One place that has been training people to become quality bartenders is SCM Bartending School, in Egg Harbor Township. Opened in October 2004 by partners Solange C. Mercado and John Gavrilis, the school offers a rigorous training course that will prepare students for the real world. "It's important for us to make the environment as real as possible," says John Gavrilis. "We want our students to know what to expect when they get on the job so they can deal with situations in a professional manner." To this end the school has built a large room with two long bars on either side. Each bar is equipped with three bartending stations which allow up to six students to practice comfortably. Though they don't use real alcohol, an array of bottles is lined up behind the bar with colored liquid to simulate every conceivable type of liquor. In other words, they are fully stocked. "This is the most modern facility in South Jersey," says Mercado. "When I wanted to train as a bartender I had to go to Cherry Hill." Mercado is the driving force at SCM Bartending School. She is one of the lead instructors as well as a co-owner, and oversees all facets of the school. "This job actually combines three things that I really love–teaching, bartending and business." Mercado majored in business at college. Her family is originally from the Dominican Republic, and she was raised with the importance of owning your own business. "My family raised me with the notion that the only way to reach economic independence is to go into business for yourself." Before starting the school Mercado worked in the casino industry in a number of positions. She worked at Harrah's for five years, which is where she met Gravrilis. She is no stranger to bartending and still works in the trade at The Sound of Philadelphia in the Quarter. Gravrilis still works at Harrah's as a computer technician in addition to teaching and doing promotion for SCM. He went to architecture school and designed the bar at SCM. He also bartends at private parties and functions. It is this experience working on the front line that makes the couple qualified professionals. "We get a lot of young people looking to earn enough money for college," says Gravrilis. "And we get a lot of casino workers looking for a different career path. The good thing about bartending is that you can do it part time or full time. You can make it a career or something to fall back on." SCM offers an accelerated two-week program in the evenings, Monday through Friday 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. They also offer a five week program with classes offered twice a week, in the morning or afternoon. Class times are flexible to accommidate people's work schedules. Classes average between six and ten students, which enables a lot of one-on-one training. The course begins with a complete description of a bartender's duty, such as customer relations, listening skills, problem solving and memorization. It then moves on to teach basic bar layouts, and the different tools used by bartenders for mixing and serving. The classes maintain a level of professionalism that each student can take into the field. SCM supplies students with textbooks with easy-to-use tables for drink memorization and practice. The recipes for each drink are broken down not only for ingredients but for the type of glass that is used, the method to create the drink and the proper garnish. At the end of the course students will be exposed to about 125 basic cocktails. A final exam is given that tests how fast and flawless a drink is made, as well as how students handle bottles, their presentation, cleanliness and overall performance. "If any of our students feels they need more training, they can come back anytime and use our facilities," says Gravrilis. SCM is approved by the Department of Education and the Department of Labor. It works with Job Connection so unemployed workers can get assistance with tuition and help with job placement. "Most of our students get jobs within weeks of graduation. About 70 percent are still working as professional bartenders." Those are people like Nicole Novas, who graduated in May 2005 and bartends at Harbor Pines Golf Course. Or Samantha Welsh who works at Planet Rose in the Quarter and says her training was essential to keep up in a busy bar. Or Edwin Rosales, who went from a bouncer to a bartender at Club Tru and watched his pay scale go up. "It prepared me for everything," says John Nye, who works at the River Side Inn in Mays Landing, "from how to pour the perfect ounces with speed to dealing with alcohol laws in New Jersey. There's nothing I can't do behind a bar now."

By Sharon Harris-Zlotnick  

After living and working in the United States since 1989, Feng Ying Lin and her husband John decided to open Mt. Fuji, their own Japanese family restaurant, last December. Feng Yin felt that by then, her children, 20-year-old Jackie and 15-year-old Chen, were old enough to help with the restaurant's operation. The family first came to New York City in 1989 so that John could work in his friend's restaurant. In 2001, they had an opportunity in New Jersey to work in another Japanese restaurant, but they always wanted to run their own. The entire building has been renovated to reflect the tradition and customs of Japanese culture. Everything, from the beautiful double front doors to the flooring and walls, is made of rich wood. Furnishings are usually in wood rather than glass or other materials. The entryway features a small, cascading waterfall. In the center of the room, a light painting of a sky covers most of the ceiling to create an outdoor atmosphere. Photos and small paintings of Japanese women wearing kimonos line the walls. There are several ways to wear kimonos during different events of one's life, and the artwork depicts these phases. The dining room is divided into three types of table settings. The hibachi tables seat 80, in both single and double-sided configurations. The double hibachis are used for private parties of 20 to 40 guests, and three to four chefs prepare a variety of hibachi dinners. The "American tables" seat 36 to 40. The five tatami booths seat 20, and have been constructed to allow for the legs to dangle beneath the table in an open pit area. Traditional sandals and cushions provide extra comfort for diners while keeping with custom. On the far side of the dining room is a sushi bar for seven, with Chef Tony, with 10 years experience in Tokyo, preparing fresh sushi platters. The menu features standard Japanese cuisine including sushi and sashimi appetizers and rolls, tempura and teriyaki entrees, soups and salads, a hibachi entrée and combination platters. Prices for the appetizers range from $3.95 to $8.95. Tempura, teriyaki and hibachi platters are priced from $10.25 to $29.95. A children's menu of four items is priced at $9.95 to $10.95. Mt. Fuji serves a special sushi bar or hibachi lunch, priced from $7.95 to $10.95. A Bento Box meal is available for $9.50, and features several selections in a sampler. Private parties may be reserved for a minimum of 10 guests, and all guests will be given a small party favor. Although they cannot sell liquor, Mt. Fuji offers complimentary saki to customers of legal age. As a souvenir, anyone is invited to purchase the sets of sushi plates and teapots and cups at the front counter for $15 to $40. Mt. Fuji serves lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Dinner hours are Monday to Thursday, 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.; 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends and noon to 10 p.m. on Sunday. Mt. Fuji is a BYOB, and totally non-smoking. All major credit cards and reservations are accepted. Free parking is available on an adjacent lot. [Cook's Corner] Hibachi Lobster and Steak The word hibachi is based on the Japanese Hi (Fire) and Bochi (Bowl) and it involves cooking food at a high heat over an habachi grill. In restaurants this cooking method allows the chef to perform and display his culinary skills. At home hibachi cooking can be done on a stove-top grill or skillet. For this recipe Mt. Fuji uses a secret sauce that gives the dish an added flavor. You can make it as is or add some grated ginger and your favorite Asian sauce. Ingredients: 1 lobster tail (1/2 to 1 lb.) 1 steak (small filet) 2-3 tbs. saki 1-2 tsp. butter 2-3 oz. soy sauce To Prepare: Pre-heat the grill over a high flame. Put butter on grill, let it melt and spread it out. Split the lobster tail down the back and dice the steak into cubes. Cook the meat and the lobster tail with the back up to your liking, well done or medium. Add soy sauce, saki and special sauce. Grill a bit more to let the sauce soak into meat and lobster. Vegetables such as broccoli, baby corn or squash can also be cooked with this dish, added halfway through so they don't overcook.

By Dave Bontempo  

Let the nail-biting, fist-pumping journey begin. Nearly 15 million fantasy football owners walk the tightrope of tension and exhilaration during the real NFL season between September and February. Many consider the roller-coaster fortunes of NFL games fun. Even within that context, it's fantasy in name only. Real money and stakes have been attached to an activity that began on a grass roots level 15-20 years ago. ESPN places real emphasis on fantasy statistics during its NFL Prime Time show. Statistics for fantasy owners scrawl across the bottom of the screen even while analysts describe the game. Fantasy sports were probably the forerunner of reality television. Its appeal centers on the public's participation in a game and the money continues to grow. Up steps the Atlantic City-based Roto Bowl, which debuts with a September 10 draft and will contain up to 300 teams in 25 leagues. The contest offers $60,000 in prizes including the grand prize of $20,000 and a four-day trip for two to the Super Bowl with tickets included (www.rotobowl.com). No wonder fantasy participants need tools. [OVERVIEW] Owners in fantasy leagues field imaginary teams assembled with actual NFL players. A draft establishes the league and weekly head-to-head matchups occur throughout the fall. Players in positions ranging from quarterbacks and running backs to wide receivers and defense obtain points for an owner's team. Fantasy owners decide weekly lineups and make several decisions. Like real administrators, they react to injuries, ineffective stars, breakout players and the waiver wire. They observe defensive schemes, bench players with unfavorable matchups and squirm through the intangibles; the referee's bad call, the goal-line fumble or the pass-interference play which puts a team on the one and gives your opponent's running back a gift touchdown. Scoring comes from field goals, touchdowns, safeties, sacks and yardage. Many weekly matches are close. They can be decided by less than a point (a couple of yards) and become a game outside the NFL contest. Why can it drive someone crazy? An owner roots for a team to drive down the field and score, but then only with his or her player. An owner with a running back for a team sitting on the 3-yard line roots for the pass play to fail, so that the next play might be a handoff to his back. Fantasy provides the NFL another niche in its captive audience. "Because the growth in fantasy has been steady throughout the years, it's not going to be regarded as an overnight sensation that can then go away," says Roto Bowl co-sponsor John Hansen, the Absecon, N.J.-based entrepreneur who pioneered fantasy's information age with the Fantasy Guru magazine and an internet-based Guru Report. (www.fantasyguru.com) "A safe estimate now is between 10 million and 15 million players," he explains. "Besides the lure to the players, it's been very good for the NFL. You may tune in on a Monday night in Week 15 in a game that looked to be a great matchup months ago when it was drawn up, but now isn't worth much because the teams are out of it. Well, it means a lot to the fantasy owners with players involved in the game. The fantasy impact can produce a good rating for a game that otherwise would not have received it." [INSIDE THE GAME] Fantasy's operation has become complex. Hansen's magazine includes draft-day "cheat sheets," which rank 242 players and 32 defenses in order of anticipated effectiveness. Other categories include lessons learned from last year, breakout backs, impact of off-season trades, coaching changes, a draft plan, potential sleepers and a rookie report. New software exists to enable owners to change players during the games and may become universal soon. The deep information level forces players to dig deeper to beat their opponents, yet also encourages those with no experience to try the game. Hansen's biggest tip? "Surround yourself with impact players and then keep an eye on the waiver wire," he says. "If you like a player and you feel he will have a good season, just take him. There are so many things that happen during a season. You can't always see where the next sleeper is coming from, but if you have a foundation of top players, you will still do very well." Therein lies the decision-making prowess of fantasy sports. It is strictly a matter of opinion whether Lamont Jordan, for instance, has the anticipated big year in Oakland now that he's been given the starting job. Another key perception is the erosion of running backs. Some play hurt, which is worse than sitting. Perhaps the biggest fantasy tip is selecting one's environment. Casual players can find free Yahoo leagues or settle into a low-pressure setup with friends. The activity can be social, a means of keeping in touch with people. Serious players can find big-money leagues. The key for everyone is finding the mix that fits one's approach to the game.

By Casino Connection Staff  

Sixteen years ago the Mirage introduced to the Las Vegas Strip the concept of the destination resort and casino. Last month, it announced details of a transformation designed to secure the hotel's position among the newer prestigious Strip mega-resorts. "At its opening, and for years following it, the Mirage set the standard for Las Vegas resorts," Scott Sibella, president of the Mirage said. "The changes we're introducing will ensure that the resort remains at the forefront of the city's contemporary scene." "This is about letting people know that if they haven't been here in a while, they need to come back and see the Mirage," Sibella continued. "A lot of changes are taking place to make the property more contemporary and more state-of-the-art. People want to see new things and experience something no one else has. We are creating a new experience." Most changes to the lineup of restaurants featured at the Mirage are expected to be completed by the end of 2005. Kokomo's steakhouse will receive a new look, and three new restaurants will be added, Japonais, Fin and Stack Restaurant and Bar. Located at the center of the Mirage, the Mink Bar and Lounge will combine the energy of a rocking bar with the chic elegance of a hip lounge scene. In the summer of 2006, Mirage guests will see an enhanced volcano outside the resort. Wet Design will add fire explosions that shoot higher into the sky, lava that looks more realistic and sounds that boom louder, giving the volcano a more realistic look. The Mirage also announced recently that Cirque du Soleil will celebrate the musical genius of the Fab Four through a joint venture with Apple Corps paying tribute to the Beatles. The theater performance is scheduled to open in the summer of 2006.

By Casino Connection Staff  

New York state Senator John Bonacic last month tried to put together a deal in the state Senate that would result in progress toward the opening of Mohawk Mountain casino resort. But Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno is still pressing for a deal that would result in multiple casinos in the Catskills region. Bruno's original bill included land-claim settlements in exchange for casinos, but a recent Supreme Court decision that dismissed a prior land-claim settlement with two branches of the Cayuga tribe has made the Pataki administration reconsider the wisdom of such deals. Bonacic plans to push the bill when and if the legislature re-convenes this month, and said he will amend it should Pataki change the terms of the land settlements. Bonacic's bill includes a fund that would hold millions of dollars from the state's share of casino revenues. The fund would be used to help Sullivan County handle the impact of the Mohawk casino, which would be built and operated by Harrah's Entertainment.

By Casino Connection Staff  

It may take between 18 and 24 months before Caesars Entertainment is fully merged with operations at the rest of Harrah's Entertainment properties, among the most difficult aspects of the merger being combining the companies' information technology resources. Tim Stanley, Harrah's chief information officer, said, "It will take a lot of hard work but this is our sixth acquisition in little over six years. We've done it a number of times, albeit not on this scale, and we've learned from it each time." Carol Pride, CIO of Caesars Palace, said the most difficult aspect will be integrating both properties' loyalty clubs. "All those machines have to be touched," Pride said. "That takes 15 to 20 minutes per machine. It's not going to be done on day one." The merger between Harrah's and rival Caesars has tripled the size of Harrah's holdings in Las Vegas, and doubled the size of the Harrah's properties in Atlantic City. It will also double the size of potential customers, adding Caesars' 25 million-name database to Harrah's 27 million. Stanley said that to understand the scale of the merger all one has to do is look how long it took the casino colossus to merge the Horseshoe into its portfolio of properties. That purchase happened more than a year ago.

By Casino Connection Staff  

BLB Investors LLC, the consortium of hotel and gaming interests which includes Kerzner International, Starwood Capital Group and the Waterford Group, last month completed its acquisition of the U.S. assets of British company Wembley PLC, including the Lincoln Park racino in Rhode Island and four Colorado racetracks. Completion of the deal came a few days after Rhode Island Governor Don Carcieri signed a revenue-sharing agreement into law that gives BLB the right to more video lottery terminals at Lincoln Park in exchange for a pledge to improve the facility. Under the 15-year revenue sharing agreement with the Rhode Island Lottery Commission, approved overwhelmingly by state lawmakers and quickly signed by the governor, BLB is authorized to add 1,750 VLTs to Lincoln Park, bringing the total to 4,752. BLB is required to make at least $125 million worth of improvements to the facility over the course of the agreement, and to create 500 new jobs, bringing total employment at the racino to 1,300. Rhode Island will assess a 60.4 percent gross revenue tax on Lincoln Park under the agreement, expected to generate $200 million for the state this fiscal year and more than $300 million a year after the new VLTs are added and the facility is expanded. The agreement approved by the legislature provides a guarantee that the tax rate will not be raised. "We are committed to making Lincoln Park one of the most attractive gaming venues in the Northeast, one of which the people of the state of Rhode Island will be proud," said BLB Chairman Barry Sternlicht. Added BLB co-CEO Butch Kerzner, "Our goal is to complement the exceptional beauty of the state, its tourism industry and the Providence Renaissance."

By Casino Connection Staff  

Two groups that want to get some of the first Pennsylvania slot licenses last month unveiled their gaming plans for the Pocono Mountains region. The Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority debuted its plans for a slot casino at the Pocono Downs raceway. The tribe plans a 400,000-square-foot gaming and entertainment complex, including a 2,000-slot casino with an adjacent shopping complex, restaurants and other amenities, at a total cost of between $140 million and $160 million. Plans released last month depict a circular slot area including around 1,900 games, surrounded by retail stores, three restaurants, a 300-seat buffet cafeteria, a 15,000-square-foot food court, an 8,500-square-foot children's entertainment area, and an 18,000-square-foot nightclub. A planned parking facility will accommodate around 5,000 cars. The plan for the facility includes room for expansion should the state approve table games for racinos in the future. "Clearly, our plans will be to construct a first-class facility that Northeastern Pennsylvania will be proud of," said Robert Soper, the racino's president and CEO. The tribe plans to franchise the name of its successful Connecticut casino, naming the new Pennsylvania racino Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. Yet another developer is vying for a stand-alone slot casino license in the Lehigh Valley. Greg Matzel, president of New Jersey-based Matzel Development, announced that he has a contract with the Pocono Manor resort hotel to build a $1.5 billion casino and entertainment complex and link it to the hotel, which sits at a major highway interchange in Pocono Manor. The 103-year-old Pocono Manor Golf Resort & Spa currently has 250 rooms and two golf courses. Matzel's project would add a 5,000-slot casino, an indoor water park, a shopping center, time-share lodgings and a railroad station for service to New York City. Matzel said last month he has already made a tentative agreement with a major casino operator to manage the gaming (he declined to identify the operator).

By Casino Connection Staff  

Rock ‘n roll photography is an art perfected by photographers with Rolling Stone, Life, Esquire, Vogue and other magazines. Acclaimed photographer John Kisch began working in this genre in 1976, photographing many of the biggest stars in music. He toured with such luminaries as Lionel Hampton, Dizzie Gillespie, David Bowie, Hall & Oates, Hot Tuna, Cindy Lauper, and others. Along the way, he began collections of posters and African American movie memorabilia. Much of Kisch's art and collections will be on display at the unique gallery,, Unshredded Nostalgia, 323 S. Main St., Route 9 in Barnegat from September 17 to December 1.

By Casino Connection Staff  

One of the hottest cultural festivals of the year takes place September 10 and 11 at Historic Gardner's Basin, when the annual Festival Latino Americano showcases Latin music, food, arts, crafts and activities from noon to 9 p.m. The event, the first Latino festival to win the Governor's Multi-Cultural Award on Tourism, will feature over 50 food, arts and crafts vendors from throughout the Northeast, selling some of the best Latino food you'll find anywhere and a unique variety of clothing and gifts. Live science and performing art shows will be stated by members of the Franklin Institute; and a "Zoo On Wheels" will be imported from the Philadelphia Zoo. The festival is organized by the Hispanic Alliance of Atlantic County. The event kicks off at 5:15 p.m. on Saturday, September 10 with a speech by Mayor Lorenzo Langford, after which the HAAC will present $2,000 scholarships to five local scholarship winners. The organization has granted over $80,000 in scholarship funds for college or vocational school to Latino high school students over the past ten years. The Latino festival is sponsored by Bally's Atlantic City, Caesars, the Atlantic City Hilton, New Jersey Transit, the New Jersey Division of Travel & Tourism, and a host of other private and public organizations. Tickets are $8 for adults and $2 for children under 12 and senior citizens. Parking is free. For more information, call 609-513-1543 or visit www.haac.org.

By Casino Connection Staff  

Bally's Atlantic City recently completed an $11.5 million renovation of its main hotel tower, redoing 25 guest floors, 700 rooms, four floors of suites and corridor and lobby areas. The renovation transformed the guest room décor into soft earth tones and gold hues, and added all new furnishings and accessories. Las Vegas-based Yates-Silverman, a prominent casino interior design firm, re-designed the guest rooms with new beds, plush carpeting, window treatments, new artwork and contemporary light fixtures. New Jersey-based David Rudzenski Architects renovated the hall corridors with new wall coverings, new paint and refurbished marble and brass accents.

By Casino Connection Staff  

The Atlantic City Women's Hall of Fame officially relocated last month to the skywalk between the Sheraton Hotel and the Atlantic City Convention Center. Members of Carpenter's Local 623 volunteered their time to reconstruct the exhibit and re-hand all photos of past honorees at the new site. The Hall presented union officials a plaque in appreciation. The Women's Hall of Fame celebrates women who have made outstanding achievements and significant contributions in their fields. The Hall's display previously was located in the now-closed Ocean One Mall.

By Casino Connection Staff  

Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa debuted a signature perfume, "PULSE for Women," last month. The fragrance is now available for purchase at various retail locations around the resort. Resort officials say PULSE, a fragrance inspired by passion flower, peony and jasmine, "captures the essence of Borgata style." It is the latest extension of the Borgata brand, which now includes the annual Borgata Babes Calendar, the AMP:24/7 Sounds of Borgata CD, and various Borgata-branded luxury items in rooms and suites. PULSE is available at the Carina, Borgata Collection, Essentials and Kaden shops at the hotel, for a price of $49.95.

By Casino Connection Staff  

The summer wasn't even over when the political season kicked off again. In August on the Boardwalk at Brighton Park, Local 54 of UNITE HERE announced its endorsement of Senator Jon Corzine in his bid to capture the governor's office in New Jersey. Along with hundreds of Local 54 members, UNITE HERE President Bruce Raynor was joined by John Wilhelm, the president of the union's hospitality division, and Bob McDevitt, the president of Local 54. The union endorsed Corzine in gratitude for his support of the 2004 strike that saw Local 54 members sit out for a month in pursuit of a new contract.

By Casino Connection Staff  

The House of Blues at Showboat had some remarkable events over the summer—the appearance of the Blues Brothers, featuring Jim Belushi and HOB principal Dan Aykroyd, a special appearance by Eminem, and some of the nation's hottest bands in the intimate Music Hall venue. But for the first time in mid-August, HOB welcomed locals when members of the Atlantic City Regional Chamber of Commerce and "industry" executives and workers enjoyed everything the facility had to offer. The Worship nightclub, the Foundation Room, the special events room, and the Music Hall were all open for locals to enjoy. Chamber of Commerce Director of Member Events Elisa Monroe thanked HOB Sales Director Michael Borton for his assistance in making the night a success. In the HOB Music Hall, Chamber Chairwoman Barbara Lang (c.) welcomed the principals from the Sound of Philadelphia nightclub in the Quarter at the Tropicana. In the end, however, the participants ended up in the exclusive Foundation Room, which overlooks the ocean and Boardwalk to end a perfect night at Atlantic City's most exciting new venue.

By Casino Connection Staff  

Maloney's Tavern, the Margate institution that has slaked the thirst of beachgoers since 1908, is closing for good this month. Maloney's doesn't plan to go quietly into the night, though. A farewell bash is planned for Labor Day, September 5, when a block party will be held along Washington Avenue from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. The event, co-sponsored by Budweiser, will feature the Bud beer wagon, Live music and DJs, plenty of food—including the signature Maloney's roast beef sandwiches—and an auction of prizes including a wave runner. The party marks the end of an era. The building first opened as a bar in 1908, going through several names and owners until 1956, when John Maloney made it Maloney's Bar. Current owner George Naame bought the bar in 1972, keeping the Maloney's name and transforming the bar into into one of the shore's most popular hangouts. As for the fate of his original bar, Naame is philosophical. "This bar has been my life for 35 years and I've had some wonderful summers here," he says. "It's amazing how many people have come back to share memories with me." Naame is not going quietly into the night either. There will still be Maloney's—his family owns Maloney's Uptown in Atlantic City and Maloney's Pitney, which will now be the site of the annual Malone's charity Bike-A-Thon. Naame says he will now pour his energies into renovating Maloney's Pitney. But as for the original Maloney's, say goodbye on Labor Day with a daylong party. It's last call.

By Casino Connection Staff  

Resorts Atlantic City has been courting the media lately, and the media have been courting back, using the re-designed property as a backdrop for various films and television spots. At the end of July, Hollywood stars Jamie Harris, Reg Cathey and Olek Krupa came to Resorts to film scenes for their upcoming movie 508 Nelson, a heist/adventure story. Scenes were filed in the hallway and a suite in Resorts' new Rendezvous Tower. A few days after the movie shoot, Resorts' Nikki Beach bar was the scene for the two-hour live broadcast of CN8's Your Morning show on Tuesday, August 2. Segments included a cooking demonstration withy Resorts Chef Robert Irvine and Nikki Beach Executive Chef Tim Hughes. Three days later on Friday, August 5, Nikki Beach was again a TV backdrop when NBC 10's 10! program broadcast live from the bar. That program featured guests including Susan Ricciardi of the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority, Mayor Lorenzo Langford, and chefs Irvine and Hughes in their second TV spot.

By Dave Bontempo  

[Borgata Blowout] It was a big night for nephews and cousins of big stars, as well as the stars themselves, when Borgata entered the boxing ring for the first time on August 4. Demetrius Hopkins, the nephew of promoter and former middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins, scored an 8th-round knockout over Paul Delgado before about 2,000 fans. For the property, it was an excellent showing for a Thursday night. For Bernard Hopkins, the East Coast representative of Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions, it was an excellent foray into the role of promoter. Larry Mosley also enjoyed a big night. The cousin of one-time champion Sugar Shane Mosley obtained an easy victory. So did Rock Allen, a 2004 Olympian. Borgata established an excellent rapport with Hopkins and De La Hoya, indicating boxing could return there many times in the future. [Twin Bill] Will a fight-fans delight become a ticket-buyers fight? Bally's Atlantic City President Ken Condon hopes the answer is yes after booking a high-quality September 24 doubleheader at Boardwalk Hall that will be televised by Home Box Office. Former WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko opposes the division's hottest new star, Samuel Peter in a 12-round elimination bout for the right to oppose IBF champion Chris Byrd. The co-feature showcases WBO junior welterweight champion Miguel Cotto, one of boxing's top stars, against Gianluca Branco, who has won four straight since a loss here against Arturo Gatti. The matchups will satisfy boxing purists. Klitschko, whose promotional paring with brother Vitali once brought a Russian invasion to this division, seeks a high-profile win to jump-start his career. He has not fought a big name since losing in 2004 to Lamon Brewster, but Brewster's recent rise may carry Klitschko with him, if Klitschko can topple the undefeated (24-0) Peter. Klitschko will probably be the underdog. Cotto, one of boxing's top stylists, brings a substantial Latin American fan base to his Atlantic City debut Branco, who battled gamely before losing to Arturo Gatti here in 2004, obtained four subsequent victories back in his native Italy. This is his cash-in for giving Gatti a good battle.

By Casino Connection Staff  

Boating junkies will get a treat this month when the 21st annual Atlantic City In-Water Power Boat Show returns to Farley State Marina September 8-11. The boat show, the region's largest, will feature more than 700 new power boats, including the newest 2006 models, with 400 of them in the water. For sale will be an array of sport and motor yachts, sport fishing yachts and performance boats ranging from 18 feet to 75 feet in size. Among the highlights of this year's offerings will be the 75 Motor Yacht from Viking Sport Cruisers, one of eight in a fleet from the New Jersey-based builder. The 75-foot vessel features a formal dining area, a salon, a master suite with queen berth and walk-in closet, and a teak-planked deck. Price tag: $4.3 million. Viking also will show its 70 Motor Yacht, with a top speed of 34 knots; the 61 Motor Yacht, which easily sleeps six; and the sleek V70 Express Motor Yacht. Other top-of-the-line cruisers in the water at the show will include boats from Bayliner, Cabo, Carver, Formula, Grady and others—more than 50 boat-makers in all. On land, attendees will be able to peruse more than 350 smaller sport boats, bow-riders, walk-arounds, center consoles and cuddy cabins in a 200,000-square-foot display. The boat show runs Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $20 for adults and $5 for children under 12. For more information, call 215-732-8001 or visit www.acinwaterboatshow.com.

By Casino Connection Staff  

Sports and music-lovers got a treat last month when hip-hop's glam couple, Def Jam Records President Jay-Z and recording artist Beyonce Knowles showed up at a press conference for the groundbreaking of Jay-Z's 40/40 Club on Atlantic Avenue. Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, came to town to celebrate the coming of the Atlantic City branch of 40/40, his popular sports-themed bar in New York. Mayor Lorenzo Langford and Acting Governor Richard Codey donned hard hats to attend the ceremony as structural steel for the bar rose behind them. Both of the public officials got into the celebratory mood of the occasion, Langford quoting lyrics from "H to the Izzo," one of Jay-Z's hits from when he was a Platinum-selling hip-hop artist, and Codey wisecracking, "If I were Jay-Z, Beyonce would be my fiancé." Jay-Z himself fielded questions, explaining that the name of his sports bar is a nod to baseball players who have achieved 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a season—a club membership achieved by only three players in history, Barry Bonds, Jose Canseco and Alex Rodriguez. "Since the 40/40 club is the most exclusive club in sports," Jay said, "I want the 40/40 Club to be the most exclusive and unique sports bar." The 40/40 Club will be part of The Walk retail, dining and entertainment district. The sports bar will feature over 30 plasma-screen TVs, a cigar lounge, a retail shop, and exclusive VIP rooms similar to the original 40/40 in New York City, which has become a magnet for celebrities and sports figures.

Remember when Oksana Baiul beat out Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding to win the Olympic Gold Medal in 1994? Or when Brian Boitano won the Gold in Calgary in 1988? Remember how badly you wanted to be there to see it in person? Well, you can be there in person this October 20 through 23, when participants in Smart Ones Skate America soar into Atlantic City's historic Boardwalk Hall. Taking place a few months before the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy, the four-day competition is sure to attract figure skating's top performers. Previous winners include Michelle Kwan, Timothy Goebel, Todd Eldredge and Scott Hamilton. Boardwalk Hall is the perfect venue in which to see Smart Ones Skate America. You probably saw your favorite shows like Disney on Ice or the Ice Capades in Boardwalk Hall. Other spectacular productions at the Hall have included Stars on Ice with Olympic champions Tara Lipinski, Kristi Yamaguchi and Katarina Witt, Skating Romance II starring Michelle Kwan and Brian Boitano, and Champions on Ice showcasing legends and champions from the Salt Lake City Olympic games including Sasha Cohen, Victor Petrenko and Philippe Candeloro. But what makes this a spectacular event is that the 2005 Smart Ones Skate America marks the first-ever-international figure skating competition in New Jersey. The annual event, which will attract more than 60 world-class figure skaters from approximately 12 nations competing in ladies' and men's singles, pairs and ice dance, will receive two weekends of national coverage on ABC and ESPN. Plus, you'll be able to see your favorite professional figure skaters performing live in Atlantic City. When the U.S. Figure Skating Association announced that Atlantic City would be the site of Smart Ones Skate America, it was the culmination of more than a year's worth of work for the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority—which had recently put more emphasis on marketing the city to attract major sporting events—its building management company, SMG, and local figure skating co-host, the New Jersey Council of Figure Skating Clubs. Tickets are available and can be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets by calling 1-800-736-1420 or visiting www.ticketmaster.com, and the Boardwalk Hall Box Office. In addition, practice sessions scheduled Wednesday through Sunday can be purchased at $5 per session through Ticketmaster. Before Smart Ones Skate America skates into town, there are plenty of other special events and festivals to keep you occupied including The New Jersey Hot Rod Association's 11th annual Monster Truck Race on September 3 and 4, with a Surf & Turf Monster Mash on Friday, September 2. The Monster Mash is a free, family event, which includes music, food and a display of monster trucks, which are available both for viewing and riding. It's held at Lincoln Avenue and the beach in Wildwood. For more information, call 609-523-8051 or visit www.njhra.com. The beach at the Atlantic City Hilton Casino Resort is the place to be on Saturday, September 10 and Sunday, September 11 during the Big Shot Volleyball Championships. The tournament will include both men's and women's competitions for Grand Prix points and cash prizes. For more information, call 631-728-0397 or visit www.eevb.net/atlanticcity.htm. Also on Saturday, September 10 and Sunday, September 11 is the Festival Latino Americano. Held at Historic Gardner's Basin in Atlantic City, the festival is a celebration of the Latino culture for Latinos and non-Latinos alike. It will feature a variety of live entertainment, including music from the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America. There will also be folk dancers, Latino food, activities for the kids and more. For more information, call 609-513-1543. The 9th Annual Cape May Food and Wine Festival takes place Saturday, September 17 through Thursday, September 22. Activities include a Festival Lobster Bake Luau on Saturday, September 17; a restaurant relay race comprised of teams from Cape May's restaurants on Sunday, September 18; a People's Choice Chowder Contest on Sunday, September 18; and the Chefs' Dine Arounds, available September 18 through 22. For more information, call 609-884-5404, 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org. So there is plenty to see and do until the 2005 Smart Ones Skate America comes to Boardwalk Hall on Thursday, October 20 through Sunday, October 23. Remember, it's your chance to say, "I saw her" or "I saw him in Atlantic City" while watching the Olympic games. But remember to get your tickets before the event sells out.

Wth the summer months behind us, increasing attention will be directed toward the upcoming elections in which New Jersey residents will select a governor, all 80 members of the General Assembly, as well as county and municipal officials. The candidates for these offices will intensify the pace of their campaigns in the coming weeks and months, seeking to gain momentum as the November 8 general election approaches. In a democracy, there is literally nothing more basic and fundamental than the right to vote. It is the most direct method for citizens to take part in their government, to select those who will lead government, and—perhaps most critical of all—to exert influence over the policies and actions of government. That individual power, however, is given away if a person fails to register to vote or, if registered, fails to cast a ballot on Election Day. It is something of a sad commentary that voter turnout often times barely exceeds 50 per cent of registration totals. All elections are, of course, important, but this year is especially so because a governor and one house of the legislature will be chosen. The individuals selected will be responsible for the development and enactment of new laws and regulations affecting everyone who lives in New Jersey. Because the casino hotel industry is one of the most heavily regulated in the state, it is especially sensitive to governmental guidelines and policies. Regulatory changes, while at first glance may appear to be minor, can have far reaching consequences in their practical application. Changes in the tax structure under which our industry operates can carry a potentially enormous impact as well. Our industry has been one of the most effective engines for economic growth in New Jersey history, due in large measure to a stable tax climate which has allowed the industry to grow and expand, create additional jobs, and provide salaries and benefits to our employees. All of us should take the time to examine the views of candidates to determine if they reflect our own outlooks and whether they are consistent with our interest in the continued strength and vitality of our industry and the livelihood it provides. None of this will matter, though, unless people of voting age eligibility register to vote. The registration system has been made much more accessible over the years and it is a simple and quick process. People may register at their local municipal building or town hall or at the county office building. In addition, registration can be completed by mail or even through downloading the appropriate form from the state government website on the internet. Registration forms are also available at Motor Vehicle Services offices as well as some other state agency locations. In addition, government, political parties, and civic organizations conduct periodic voter registration drives, establishing sites in places where the public gathers, such as shopping malls. These registration activities are normally announced well in advance through local media outlets to reach as many potential voters as possible. Moreover, recent changes in state law have now made absentee ballots available to every eligible voter. The previous law required a individual to demonstrate he or she was unable to get to the polling place on election day due to a physical disability or because they would be out of the state on election day. Under the new law, it is necessary only to apply for an absentee ballot from the county clerk's office and follow the instructions to complete it and return it. As is evident, the process to register to vote has been made as convenient as possible. As the various state, county and municipal campaigns unfold, there will be a considerable amount of campaign material distributed by the candidates and their respective political parties and it would be wise to review the material to gain a knowledge and understanding of the candidates' position on issues which you care about. There are numerous other sources of information as well, including candidates' nights and debates, media coverage, and special newspaper sections devoted to the candidates experience, qualifications, and brief statements on major issues. Every vote is important. But its importance is lost forever if the eligible person fails to register. It is, as outlined above, a quick and convenient process. A few moments of your time is a small price to pay for the right and the privilege to make your voice heard by government and its leaders.

There she is! Miss America! Seriously, she's coming down the Boardwalk! Just look there between the snow drifts, and you can see her. See? On that dogsled there? You may actually be able to experience something like this mythical scenario a few months from now, because the Miss America Pageant will now be held in January. But maybe not here. The pageant people don't even know yet if they're going to keep the legendary pageant in its eight-decade home of Atlantic City. What they do know is it's going to be in January, thanks to their new deal with CMT, which used to stand for Country Music Television, but now stands for "Can't Make Time (for the pageant)." As you will glean from reading Joseph Harrison's feature in this issue, the Miss America Pageant has been wrenched from its traditional September time slot by new network sponsor CMT, which apparently can't fit the internationally renowned program anywhere in its busy September schedule of Dixie Chicks videos and Dukes of Hazzard reruns. As Mr. Harrison writes, CMT is broadcasting the pageant because of the deal they made with Miss America officials. Pageant officials heralded the deal as a coup because they will get pre-pageant publicity not only on CMT, but on its parent network, MTV. And as should be obvious to anyone, the MTV audience just loves to take breaks between shows like Pimp My Ride and Baby's Blingin' Crib to watch wholesome girls parade around in evening gowns and play the piano. That's all just fine with me, but why move the pageant from September to January, of all months? Never mind that it may be moved to a place with a less hostile winter climate than Atlantic City… say, Nashville. January is NFL playoff time, and there are usually Saturday games. Unless they are planning for only women to watch the parade, if there even is a parade, no one is going to pry a single red-blooded American male from his TV set on a January weekend, and those TV sets are not going to be tuned to the evening gown competition. As Harrison reports, casino executives around town are not panicking from the loss of Miss America in September. Instead of non-gambling, all-American pageant people, everyone will now have to fill their hotel rooms this month with revenue-generating gamblers, show-goers and shoppers. And with all the new offerings in town, that's an easy task. If the pageant does remain here, some casino officials see it as a potential remedy for the typical January business doldrums. It would be a big event to bring people in who would otherwise be hunkering down to escape the cold, thinking about anything but going to a shore resort for the weekend. So here's my message to the pageant people: If you're keeping the pageant here and holding it in January, bring it on—we'll be ready. Maybe we can provide a good Nor'easter for the parade route, or better yet, one of those deep-freeze January cold snaps. Boy, that will bring the people in. Meanwhile, maybe we can hold a parade on the Boardwalk this month anyway—a new annual event. How about a Miss'd America parade? The South Jersey AIDS Alliance runs that tongue-in-cheek Miss'd America event every year, so why don't we get the female impersonators down on the Boardwalk in their evening gowns to help us extend the summer season? I'll bet MTV would broadcast that!

By NBC 40 WMGM   Tue, Feb 02, 2010

Convention Center:  Feb 3-7 is the International Power Boat Show. Feb. 20 Spirit Unlimited Cheerleading Competition. February 26th to 28th is the Atlantic City Classic Car Show & Auction.

Boardwalk Hall: February 27 Show of Shows, featuring the Philadelphia Mummers String Band Association, 12:00 noon and 5:00 p.m. in Boardwalk Halls arena. 

February 25 9th Annual Men R Cookin at Atlantic City Boys & Girls Club to benefit Boys & Girls Club

It's the Second Annual Atlantic City Restaurant Week from February 28th to March 6th.  70 restaurants with prefix menu's at prefix prices... mark your calendar NOW!

For more information go to http://www.acrestaurantweek.com/

January 30 2010 Casino Connection Magazine update with Lisa Johnson on NBC 40

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 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