I have to give John McCain and his Republican strategists some serious props. What a clever move it was to try and diminish the popularity bump created by Barack Obama’s rousing acceptance speech last night in Denver by announcing today that a woman will take the vice-presidential spot on his ticket. First term Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin is the choice, a 44-year-old conservative, who is a member of the NRA and is a pro-life proponent. Introducing her today, McCain said she has “strong principles, a fighting spirit and deep compassion,” and praised her record of fighting corruption.
A wise choice if, in fact, the unhappy Hillary supporters, especially the women who are still so miffed about her loss, will grasp at the straw of McCain’s new female running mate as a reasonable consolation prize.
A nice move, but Obama still did what he had to do, look confident and presidential, in his speech last night. This is going to be one hell of a race with two honorable candidates, slinging mud right up until election day. While I watched the Democratic convention in between innings of the Phillies loss to the Cubs, I couldn’t help but look for Martin Sheen lurking around. Whenever I watch the real political action, I’m reminded at how noble and tidy it all seemed on The West Wing. This really does feel like the West Wing story arc featuring Alan Alda and Jimmy Smits as the presidential candidates.

The Budweiser Clydesdales (pictured here last year at their stop in Somers Point) will return to Gregory’s on Monday, Sept 8. The horses are set to arrive around 2:30pm. There will be a parade at 4pm. Gregory’s celebrates its 100th year this year. Here is a little history about the legendary Somers Point bar and restaurant.

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From left to right, Jeff Snyder, Margate Mayor Michael Becker, Steve Goldberg Linda Novelli and Joe Ventresca.
ReMax Platinum Properties celebrated its Grand Opening in style on Wednesday, August 27, as a large crowd gathered at the 2,000 square foot state-of-art office building at 7815 Atlantic Avenue in Margate.
Broker-owner Linda Novelli and her 25 agents welcomed the ReMax of New Jersey ownership team of Jeff Snyder, Steve Goldberg and Joe Ventresca, all of whom joined Margate Mayor Michael Becker in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
ReMax Platinum would like send out a special thanks to sponsors J.P. Morgan, Chase Bank, Foundation Title Company, Countrywide Mortgage, Tilt-In Windows and North American Title Company. The event was catered by the Red Room Café of Ventnor and deserts were presented by Chef Vola.
ReMax Platinum Properties now has three locations with a second Margate office at 7828 Ventnor Avenue and a Ventnor office at 5321 Atlantic Avenue.

I drove through Ocean City for the first time in a while on Thursday afternoon, Aug. 28, and was kind of amazed to see so much fun activity taking place all over town. There were stilt walkers and animated cartoon characters entertaining children, and sidewalk sales occurring all over Asbury Avenue near the 9th Street Bridge. I thought, “Probably part of the last hurrah in O.C. that will end after Labor Day Weekend.” Not so!
If you check out the city’s Web site, www.ocnj.us, you’ll see there’s plenty of fun stuff taking place during what America’s Favorite Family Resort is calling its “Second Season.” There’s all kinds of special events scheduled all over town in September and October. September alone includes a Street Rod Weekend (Sept. 5-7), Ocean City Pops appearances (Sept. 9, 10 and 14), Boardwalk marching bands (Sept. 20), a Corvette Show (Sept. 21) and Fall Family Fun Fest (Sept. 27-28). There’s also two fund-raising events scheduled — the “Mulligans for Mutts” golf tournament to benefit the Humane Society (Sept. 13), and the Multiple Sclerosis Bike-a-Thon (Sept. 27). October has even more in store, so check out the city’s Web site or call 525-9333 for more information.

My father, Harry Hoffman, grew up on the sandlots of Atlantic City, a young boy who loved the game of baseball and was a terrific shortstop from his Little League days to his years playing for Atlantic City High School. He didn’t grow up idolizing Babe Ruth or Lou Gehrig. His baseball role model was closer to home.
Carole Mattessich’s wonderful article in this week’s A.C. Weekly reminded me of what my mom told me several years ago. My dad learned baseball from Atlantic City’s great Negro League star and eventual MLB Hall of Fame player John Henry “Pop” Lloyd. Pop Lloyd loved the game, and so when a little white boy hung out and watched him playing for the semi-pro Johnson Stars in the 1930s, he took that small boy under his wing. He taught him the game. He taught him to play hard and play smart, how pitchers worked hitters and how hitters could work them right back. Lloyd taught him how to keep score, and so that’s what my pop did. When the Johnson Stars played, he kept score in the dugout, sitting next to Pop Lloyd.

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According to the latest news, Anthony Rodio has resigned as president of the Atlantic City Hilton.

Front-running Phillies fans are sure having a good time now. I went to a great game Monday, but for incredible drama and payback, it didn’t come close to last night’s epic conflict with the Mets. When the Phillies fell behind 7-0, I checked out the Democratic Convention (nice speech Hillary) and went to the store to get milk. On the way back, I heard the first rumblings of a comeback as the Phils hit a couple of two-run blasts, one by Jimmy Rollins (who has come off life support in a big way the last two days, raising his batting average 12 points!!), and one by league leader Ryan Howard, his 35th homer. It was 7-5; Jimmy made it 7-6 with another RBI a few innings later. Then came the ninth. Two quick outs and Jayson Werth gets another key hit. Our last chance was Eric Bruntlett, hitting a lusty .214. Naturally he hits a run-scoring double. It must have been because I was wearing my rally cap. Then all Chris Coste (pictured) does is enter the game in the eighth inning and go 4 for 4, including the game winning hit in the 13th that brought in the Flying Hawaiian. who tripled to start the final rally. By the way, catcher Carlos Ruiz was playing third base once Coste entered the game. Jimmy, it really is more fun when the team you are rooting for is in first place.

Elite painter Bill Lopa will be at Borgata’s WHIM Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 30-31, from 2-5pm and 7-10pm; and Monday, Sept. 1, from 10am-1pm and 3-6pm, painting to music for six hours each day. Lopa will offer 20 to 25 pieces of his work for sale with autograph and photo opportunities, including his Eli Manning Celebration, Joe DiMaggio, Seattle Slew (signed by Steve Cauthen), and a Tony Romo signed piece. If you like the artwork pictured, check out this.
An avid sports fan and die-hard Yankees fan, Bill Lopa concentrates his art in a genre he finds most challenging and enjoyable: kinetic impressionism. His use of bold colors and splatter technique captures the image and spirit of an athlete in motion. Lopa’s artwork has been featured in several galleries and Hall of Fame memorabilia franchise stores, in addition to having been collected and hung in the homes of such greats as Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Yogi Berra, Derek Jeter, and many more.

Joe Torre must be pulling his hair out. His Dodgers out-hit the Phillies 13-10 Monday night and lost a 5-0 shutout. It was the first time in Phillies history that the team recorded a 13-hit shutout. The record for futility in baseball history is 14 hits without scoring a run. Despite the fact that the Dodgers seemed to have baserunners on every inning, as I sat in my seat along the right field line, I just felt like Brett Myers would get out of the jam. And he did, every time. The moment that probably sealed the victory was in the seventh inning when Myers struck out Jeff Kent with the bases loaded, and Manny Ramirez hit a line drive to right caught by Jayson Werth. The relief core, J.C. Romaro and Clay Condrey, decided to keep the edge-of-your-seat thing going by giving up four hits, but the Dodgers failed to ever deliver a clutch hit.
It was great to see Jimmy Rollins leading the offensive flow by knocking in the first two runs with a clutch two-out single in the second inning, and later scoring after hitting a double. My favorite play of the night was when Jayson Werth stole third as Chris Coste hit a lazy bouncer to second. Werth never stopped and caught the Dodgers napping by scoring on the play. By the way, from my right field vantage point, I noticed that Werth is a compulsive nail biter. With the team in the middle of this divisional battle with the Mets and Marlins, the tips of his fingers might be bloody stumps by the end of September. Bring on the Mets, baby!

Head for Kennedy Plaza opposite Boardwalk Hall Wednesday morning at 9:30am to participate in an attempt to set the Monopoly world record for the “Largest Simultaneous Game of Monopoly.” As fans of the board game know, the original Monopoly game was based on Atlantic City streets (and a misspelled Marvin Gardens from Margate). The event will celebrate the launch of Monopoly Here & Now: The World Edition.
Monopoly fans in Atlantic City will join players in Las Vegas, London, Tokyo, Madrid and other cities around the globe. The event takes place from 10-11am. To participate, send an email with your name and address to monopolyatlanticcity@hunterpr.com. Attendees under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate.
Mr. Monopoly will roll the ceremonial first die as fans play the hometown game on the Boardwalk, which is also home to the highest rent property space in the original game. Fans will also get the chance to play Monopoly on multiple digital platforms, including the Nintendo Wii™, online at Pogo.com™ and on mobile phones. The first 200 attendees will receive free t-shirts. The event is free.