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, show or DVD that has fired up my imagination, an intriguing personality, or what’s happening in the region. — Lori Hoffman, Associate Editor, Atlantic City Weekly.

As a person who covers the casino entertainment industry, it is in my best interest that the industry stays healthy and survives the current economic downturn. That is why I’m delighted that Believe. Divas in a Man’s World just celebrated its one year anniversary at Resorts. This is a terrific show and deserves all the acclaim. Here’s hoping it sells out nightly during the summer and beyond.

Other uplifting casino news this week includes the announcement that the Tropicana is putting $25 million into renovation projects that will include major improvements to its guest rooms, restaurants and casino floor, as well as considerable changes to its nightlife offerings.  Construction will begin in the Fall 2012 and will be completed by the end of the year.

Revel kicks it up a notch this weekend with its first major dining event, A Taste of Revel, and the first official performances in Ovation Hall with Maroon 5 on Friday and The Black Keys on Saturday. The official opening of the casino arrives next weekend with four performances by Beyonce.

On top of that The Golden Nugget recently had a Grand Opening to show off its  $150 million renovations and they are spectacular.

Now that’s the casino side, the side that helps me earn a paycheck. One of my other major passions is my devotion to my Philadelphia sports teams. Despite injuries and a terrible bullpen leading to a flashback 18-19 record for the Phillies, I’m still figuring that Charlie and the boys right the ship and make it to the playoffs again this year. I left my pessimistic mindset behind after five straight years of playoff appearances and a precious 2008 World Series title and I’m not ready to return to the dark side yet.

Maybe Chase Utley will have to retire and perhaps Ryan Howard will not be his old self when he returns, but the starting pitching still looks pretty good.

'Dre drives.

Then there are my beloved Philadelphia 76ers. I love basketball and it has been such a pleasure watching coach Doug Collins give his young team a confident mindset. Sure, we had help due to key injuries to beat the Bulls and make it to the second round, but reading the Celtics posters who have no respect for this team and I’m feeling that fun hatred of the C’s once again.

It is a hatred forged in my youngest sports fan days by the Wilt vs. Russell battles, followed by Doc vs. Bird (with a stinkin’ side order of Danny Ainge), and now by Kevin Garnett’s followers crying foul because the refs had the audacity to call an obvious moving pick foul in the final seconds of a game at the TD Garden against KG. I’ll give him credit though, he didn’t bitch about it.

Yo, Celtic fans, your team is old and slow except for Rajon Rondo, and he will not be enough to carry your team to a series victory. Go Sixers!

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 16th, 2012 at 4:10 pm and is filed under AC Event Photos, Casino News, Hump Day Report. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.