We need plenty of shoobies to visit this summer to boost the economy.

Day-tripping visitors to area shore resorts a.k.a. “shoobies,” could hold the key to the region’s weathering the current economic crisis, according to at least one panelist of the annual Jersey Shorecast presented by Stockton College’s William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy.
“A major poll (conducted by Monmouth University/Gannett) found that many families are 7 percent more likely to be shore visitors this year than last,” said Sharon Schulman, Executive Director of the Hughes Center, which hosted the event. “The poll also indicated a 9 percent increase in families with children planning on taking more day trips or short stays than last year.”
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When I lived at the Woodlands Condos in Mays Landing across from the then fully operational Atlantic City Race Course, we dreaded the days when we were downwind from the stables. However, the smells emanating from the current off-track betting parlor should be much improved Friday and Saturday, June 5-6 when a professional & amateur  ‘Kansas City Barbecue Society’ Sanctioned Cook-off takes place. The event features $5000 in prize money and the hours are Friday, noon-8pm and Saturday, 10am-6pm. All proceeds go to all academic programs at chARTer TECH High School for the performing arts in Somers Point. Friday is for ribs and chicken; Saturday adds pork shoulder and beef brisket to the tasty mix.
Besides all the good eats, the event will feature craft booths, a live band showcase and a classic cars, motorcycle & RV display. Bands on tap include The Pedestrians, The Frankadelics and Geri Mingori.

I’m excited. As AC Weekly moves forward with more Web-based content, joining the Facebook and Twitter universes, we have also upgraded our blog site. This is our new joint on Wordpress, Atlantic City Central, with all the Boardwalk buzz and beyond.
As soon as we get updated info on concerts, special events, gossip about who’s partying in town and other local news, we’ll pass it along here. We’ll rant, we’ll rave, and we’ll continue to be your one source for everything that’s happening in the Atlantic City region. We’ll also speak our collective minds about what’s happening in the world beyond the Jersey shore.
Whenever we find something interesting, relevant, silly or sensational that you need to know, we’ll let you know. Just as important, we WANT YOUR FEEDBACK. Let us know when you like something … or even when you don’t. If something strikes you as worthy of a reply, post it. We love what we do and we’re doing it for the Atlantic City Weekly audience.

The ACCVA announces: “Your chance is here to be part of the action when the Atlantic City Airshow “Thunder over the Boardwalk” presented by Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa roars into Atlantic City on Wednesday, August 19, from 11 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.

A variety of volunteer positions are available the day the airshow takes place. If you are a fan, veteran, or just have a passion for the show and want to volunteer your time, contact Elisa Monroe, director of Member Events for the Greater Atlantic City Chamber, at 609-345-4524 extension 12 or e-mail emonroe@acchamber.com.”

See the AC Airshow site for more.

Rants and raves about burning topics that have caught my attention midweek, be it greedy corporate shenanigans, frustration or joy in regards to the Philly sports teams, a movie or DVD that has fired up my imagination, an intriguing personality, or my on-going battle to lose weight in our fast food world. — Lori Hoffman, Associate Editor, Atlantic City Weekly

I’m a night owl, so I rarely go to bed before 1am. With Comcast on demand at the ready, I don’t normally watch talk shows as much as a once did, when as a young film critic I kept track of what movie stars were scheduled to visit Johnny Carson, Dick Cavett and Tom Snyder. Cavett? Synder? Yep, I’m giving away my age with those golden oldies from the late night talk wars of yesteryear.
This week, however, with the end of Jay Leno’s reign, I’ve been checking out his final week of shows — Arnold Schwarzenegger last night, Mel Gibson the night before. I’ve also been staying up to finally check out Jimmy Fallon. He’s like a kid in a candy shop, and he has some pretty funny sketches mixed in with the celeb chit-chat and music.
Now, after all that meandering, I’ll get to my point. Seems some local advertisers are taking advantage of the increased viewers this week. I’m happy to report that my own AC Weekly has an ad running in one of the late night slots; good to know the bosses are spending some money to keep us humming along since I’m not ready to retire quite yet.
Also, for two days in a row, Cape May was advertising its restaurant week, May 31- June 7. Gee, that time frame seems awful familiar …

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE IDIOTS!

I don’t know who scheduled which first, but Ocean City is launching its first Restaurant Week from May 28 to June 7. While I understand that these Cape May County shore towns sell themselves to different audiences, there is plenty of crossover business between the two communities. So, it begs the question: why turn a desire to increase dining traffic into a war at the shore?

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Tragic story on NJ.Com. R.I.P. Dreu Ferguson Sr.

By Kristen Kelleher
Today is your first chance. SMOKIN’ JOE FRAZIER’S SPORTZBOX introduces a novel concept in casino entertainment, blending celebrity guests, comedians and live ringside action into a red carpet affair. Tickets went on sale today, May 27, at 10am for the SPORTZBOX WEEKEND, in which professional pugilists and other stars face off in a Hollywood Squares/Family Feud blend of a game show, all hosted from the center of a boxing ring.
This “Champs and Stars Show” boasts celebrity participants like Joe Piscopo, Vincent “Big Pussy” Pastore, Dan Grimaldi of The Sopranos, Bill Bergey of the Philadelphia Eagles, and many more as wisecracking hosts Al Bernstein (Showtime/IBN), Dave Bontempo (ESPN) and comedian referee Jeff Pirrami field the games.
Bally’s Atlantic City will be hosting the SPORTZBOX WEEKEND, kicking off on Friday, June 12, and continuing through June 14.

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On Saturday, May 30, at noon, you can visit the Village Greene for a Free Dachshund Picnic sponsored by Paw Dazzle. The event includes prizes, a silent auction to benefit the Dachshund Society, Costello’s Hot Dog specials and more. Dress your hot dog in their top dog attire to strut their stuff on the Greene. And speaking of “stuff,” please bring your pooper-scooper! The Village Greene is located in Historic Smithville Village at 615 E. Moss Mill Road, Smithville, NJ. For more information call 748-7110.

According to an online Associated Press report, a New Jersey woman, playing craps for only the second time, set a record for the longest craps roll in legalized gambling history — four hours, 18 minutes. The record was set at the Borgata on Saturday night, May 23, breaking the previous record of three hours, 6 minutes nearly 20 years ago in a Las Vegas casino.
The AP report said that Patricia Demauro of Denville, Morris County, bought into a game for $100 at 8:13pm and quickly drew a cheering crowd until she “sevened out” about 12:31am after 154 rolls of the dice.
The report stated that Demauro was only playing craps for the second time in her life. She was greeted with a champagne toast by Borgata executives when she finally sevened out. It was not disclosed how much she won.

One of the great pleasures of summertime in our region is found in the many outdoor festivals that take place from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day Weekend. Talk about a movable feast, I’ve traveled from Ocean City to Wildwood, Hammonton to rural towns in Burlington Country in search of good eats and other fun activities. One of my favorites takes place at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 7004 Ridge Ave. (at Mill Rd.), in EHT, the annual Greek Festival that runs from June 4-7. Just yell Opa! to get in the spirit of the event. My favorite meal is the classic gyro made with thin pieces of lamb from a slowly rotating vertical spit or gyro, with tomato, lettuce and topped with tzatziki sauce, a cucumber yogurt dressing, all wrapped in a grilled pita flatbread. Yummy!
This year the festival is celebrating its 25th festival anniversary, and the admission price is just a buck. Of course beyond all the tasty Greek food and pastries, there are also amusement rides for the little ones, Greek folk dancers, live music and fireworks. The festivities begin at 5pm on Thursday and Friday and noon on Saturday and Sunday and continue until well past midnight. Log onto this website for more information.