This August, the Ventnor-based Murphy Writing Seminars (MurphyWriting.com), in partnership with Stockton College, is offering writers of all stripes to  “Get Away to Write” in Scotland.

Poet Peter Murphy, who holds writing seminars and retreats annually — in South Jersey and abroad — is taking writers “from New Jersey and beyond” across the pond to “seek out their inspiration in bonnie Scotland this August” — and there’s still time to sign up for the week-long trip.

Murphy Writing Seminars will lead the Scottish Getaway as part of a new cooperation between Stockton College and the University of Dundee, which will host the retreat, which runs Aug. 8-15, “with classes, accommodations and some meals included for creative writers on a budget.”

“I have scouted the UK more than two dozen times in the last 12 years, visiting friends and relatives, and exploring new places to hold writing getaways,” Murphy says.

“When I toured Dundee and surroundings last year, I saw we could swap our usual Welsh mountain location this year for a Scottish coastal city. You’ll see lots of differences, lots of contrasts—but our Scottish adventure will still be packed with history, culture and comfort for every writer.”

Murphy adds: “In and around a small historic city where I can walk to everything—shops, restaurants, theaters and museums—I want to eat fish and chips, see the coastal town of Arbroath and finally set foot in Inverness, which I have wanted to visit since the Seventies.”

For more details visit the Web site listed above.

Tom Ballance, president/CEO of Borgata, delivered the keynote address.

ATLANTIC CITY — The Atlantic City Hotel and Lodging Association (ACHLA) Scholarship Foundation recently awarded scholarships to 17 students pursuing hospitality and/or culinary careers at its annual Scholarship Awards Luncheon at the Borgata. During the course of its history, the ACHLA Scholarship Foundation has awarded in excess of $300,000.

Atlantic County scholarship winners (L to R) include Jaleesha Mills, Miranda Lamey, Olga Koteva-Gorgiev, Catherine McDonnell, Kimberly Richardson, Andrew Huggard, Sofia Sansweet, Sharon Beals, Dylan Higgins, and Nancy Maslowas. Not pictured are Joanne Pereira and Samantha Vicchiarelli.

Tom Ballance, Borgata’s president and CEO and a 32-year veteran of the casino industry, was the keynote speaker.

“Don’t worry so much about advancing at your job,” Ballance told the students. “Concentrate instead on meeting new challenges without fear of failure. That will make you a smarter and more valuable employee.

“If you’re not having fun at your job, figure out how you can,” he added. “Or find another job.”

Ray Bertschy, the newly elected ACHLA president, presented the scholarship awards with ACHLA executive director Howard Bacharach. Bertschy is also vice president of food-and-beverage at the Tropicana.

This year’s scholarship recipients are students at Atlantic Cape Community College (Atl.-Cape), Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU), the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey (RSC), and Rutgers University (RU). Many of them also work in area hospitality or culinary jobs.

2013 Scholarship Winners

Sharon Beals, EHT — Atl.-Cape
Dylan Higgins, Ventnor — Atl.-Cape
Andrew Huggard, Galloway — FDU
Olga Koteva-Gorgiev, EHT — Atl.-Cape
Miranda Lamey, Somers Point — RSC
Nancy Maslowas, Pomona — FDU
Catherine McDonnell, Galloway — RU
Jaleesha Mills, Pleasantville — FDU
Joanne Pereira, Galloway — RU
Kimberly Richardson, Mays Landing — FDU
Sofia Sansweet, Ventnor — RSC
Samantha Vicchiarelli, Somers Point — RSC
Louis Rodia, Sicklerville — FDU
Lisa Smith, Seaville — FDU
Aglee Burke, Millville — Atl.-Cape
Jennifer Cittadino, Eatontown — RSC
Magen Davies, Cranford — RSC

This year's Host Award winners at Boardwalk Hall

ATLANTIC CITY — The Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority (ACCVA), a division of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA), recognized 27 individuals in the hospitality field during the annual Host Awards on Wednesday, May 8, at Boardwalk Hall.

Presented each year during National Travel and Tourism Week, the Host Awards salute and encourage outstanding customer service by employees in the tourism, hospitality and retail industries who contribute to Atlantic City’s success as a friendly, world-class destination.

Presented by ACCVA president Jeffrey Vasser, each Host Award winner received a prize package consisting of a commemorative lighthouse lapel pin to signify that they are beacons of hospitality, as well as a $200 cash gift card, chocolate from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory located at Tanger Outlets The Walk, and complimentary dinner for two in one of Atlantic City’s fine dining establishments.

Host Award winners were nominated for their enthusiasm, exemplary customer service and ability to enhance the overall experience of the visitors they serve. They were chosen from more than 300 nominees by a selection committee consisting of educators, along with representatives from area organizations including the Greater Atlantic City Chamber, Local 54 and the Atlantic City Hotel & Lodging Association, among others.

Frank Dougherty accepting the Spirit of Hospitality Award on behalf of the Dougherty family.

“Tonight’s Host Award nominees represent the best of the best out of the thousands of people who work in Atlantic City, and we thank each of you for your hard word and dedication,” said Vasser. “The experience we give our visitors is a large part of making Atlantic City a ‘must do’ destination, and you are leading the way.”

Additionally, the Dougherty family, owners and operators of Dock’s Restaurant, the Knife and Fork Inn and Harry’s Oyster Bar, was honored with the Spirit of Hospitality Award, sponsored by TD Bank. The Spirit of Hospitality Award is given to an outstanding individual or individuals who made a significant long-term contribution to the region’s hospitality and travel industry.

2013 Host Award Winners

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ATLANTIC CITY — In support of the Ladies Invitational Bluefish Tournament (LIBT)’s mission to fight breast cancer and raise money for the AtlantiCare RNS Mobile Mammography Assistance Fund, the LIBT is again presenting a special version of Diva Bingo on Friday, May 17, at Resort Superstar Theater.

Hosted by the cast of Resorts’ hilarious revue show Divas Do AC, the event starts 8pm following a 7-8pm registration. A $10 donation benefits AtlantiCare’s Mobile Mammography Assistance Fund, and bingo prizes will be awarded in slot cash, so be sure to sign up for a players card at the promotions booth if you don’t already have one. The theme this year is “Hot Hula Bingo,” so dust off your coconut bra and dress in your best Hawaiian garb for the chances to win additional prizes. Outrageous outfits are most encouraged.

The LIBT is a registered non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and all contributions are tax deductible. The Mobile Mammography Assistance Fund helps provide mammograms and potentially life-saving screenings to uninsured women at no charge, thus removing financial barriers to receiving this important and potentially life-saving screening.

The 29th annual Ladies Invitational Bluefish Tournament is June 8 (full schedule below). The tournament’s awards banquet is Sunday and is open to all (you do not have to be a tournament participant) for $45. Tickets include hors d’oeuvres and dinner, a Chinese auction with the hands-down best prizes in South Jersey, a 50/50 raffle that netted last year’s winner over $1,500, and the peace of mind knowing that you will be assisting the Mobile Mammography Assistance Fund and the Ruth Newman Shapiro Cancer & Heart Fund.

Your donations stay local and help local women receive mammograms that are so Call Kimberly Ann Kirk at (609) 412-0641 or visit fishlibt.com for more information, and thank you for your support! (more…)

ATLANTIC CITY — The Metropolitan Business & Citizens Association (MBCA) will host its 12th Annual Spring Scholarship Foundation Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, May 15,  at 11:30am in the Swan Ballroom (north tower) of the Tropicana.

This year's MBCA scholarship luncheon keynote speaker is Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno

The MBCA Education Foundation will present scholarships for students planning to continue their studies at an accredited higher education institution. This year’s keynote speaker and Outstanding Educator Award recipient is New Jersey Secretary of State and Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno.

The MBCA will present several scholarships to area residents in their pursuit of education. This year the MBCA is pleased to announce the new  “Seashore Gardens Health” scholarship to a student going into the health field.

Additionally, the South Jersey Women’s Leadership Initiative will present a scholarship to a deserving Atlantic County woman; the Pierre and Sondra Hollingsworth Scholarships” to deserving Atlantic City students; the Atlantic City Weekly Scholarship to those in the culinary and hospitality programs, and others.

The MBCA will also recognize an area educator for outstanding contributions to education. The Epicurean Society’s Outstanding Teacher Recognition Award, in the amount of  $1,500, will be presented to an individual who makes a difference in the development of his/her students, with a unique teaching program, or demonstrating resourcefulness and utilizing innovative teaching techniques.

Tickets are $40 per person. Tables of 10 can be reserved for $400. Call (609)  348-1903 or visit acmetbiz.com for more information.

ATLANTIC CITY — The 33rd annual Stockton College Foundation Benefit Gala was held Saturday night, April 27, at Revel’s Ovation Hall — an event that has helped raise more than $20 million for Stockton student scholarships since its inception. Saturday night’s event alone saw about 720 guests help raise more than $440,000.

This year's honorary chairman Dirk Schavemaker

For a photo slideshow of this year’s event, click here.

The evening began with a cocktail reception of passed hors d’oeuvres, buffet spreads and entertainment by the Stockton Faculty Band. Following dinner the event’s surprise special guest — who was kept under wraps from the early planning stages of this year’s gala — was singer/rock star Eddie Money, who had a string of Top 40 hits and platinum albums during the 1970s and ‘80s. Guests were also encouraged to bid on dozens of items that were part of a premium silent auction.

The event concluded with dancing and entertainment by popular high-energy dance band Don’t Call Me Francis.

John Schultz

The Stockton Gala’s honorary chairman this year was Dirk Schavemaker, Revel’s senior vice president of operations.

Gary Hill

The co-chairmen were local philanthropists John Schultz and Gary Hill, co-founders of the non-profit Schultz-Hill Foundation that supports arts, history and education in southern New Jersey.

Today on the Atlantic City Boardwalk bubbles were in the air courtesy of executives and employees from Caesars and Bally’s Atlantic City. Dozens came together to blow bubbles simultaneously as a symbolic gesture for Autism awareness.

Here are some pics:

(Photos by Craig Billow)

The AC Ballet's 'Carmen' — photo by Craig Billow

ATLANTIC CITY — The Atlantic City Ballet has announced the dates for its two remaining Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) funded performances. As a recipient of the CRDA’s Entertainment Grant, the Atlantic City Ballet has done a total of five free performances in Atlantic City during the company’s 2012-2013 season.

On Saturday, April 27, at Resorts Casino, the Atlantic City Ballet will perform its newest ballet, Carmen, which recently had its world premiere at the Landis Theater in Vineland.

The following Saturday, May 4, at the Taj Mahal’s Mark G. Etess Arena, the Ballet is bringing back its homage to the Atlantic City of yesteryear with a performance of Caught Up In The Swing.

Both shows start 8pm and are free and open to the general public. They are part of AC Ballet’s “Everyday Dance Initiative” that allow ballet performances to be accessible to everyone. In existence for 30 years, the Atlantic City Ballet has become an artistic resource for the residents of southern New Jersey and the surrounding area.

The AC Ballet's 'Caught Up In The Swing' — photo by Craig Billow

The Atlantic City Ballet consists of 24 professional dancers from the United States and around the world, making it a uniquely culturally diverse company.

Miss Phyllis Papa, the founding director of the company, has been a principal dancer with the Royal Danish Ballet, the American Ballet Theatre, and the Stars of the American Ballet. She is also the recipient of the 1998 Brazilian Gold Medal of Honor.

For tickets or information, call(609) 804-1995 or visit acballet.org.

Although he may have the most losses in the history of pro basketball, Margate’s Louis “Red” Klotz, who Atlantic City Weekly profiled in a 2006 cover story, has a lot of supporters trying to get the 91-year-old Jersey Shore resident into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Yes, he lost 10,000 games against the Harlem Globetrotters as coach (and players) for the Washington Generals, but he also won most of the games he played as a young man in South Philadelphia, where he played for the South Philadelphia Hebrew Association (SPHAS), going on to play for Philadelphia’s Villanova, where he won an American Basketball League championship.

Klotz is the subject of a new book, out April 26, targeted at young readers called Homecourt: The True Story of the Best Basketball Team You’ve Never Heard Of.

The 72-page book features a foreword by Harlem Globetrotters legend “Curly” Neal and is being distributed by Temple University Press for the New City Community Press.

There are several blogs and Web sites supporting Red Klotz’s entrance into the HOF. One particularly interesting blog post, written by NBC Sports national columnist Joe Posnanski in February of this year, features a link to what he describes as “one of my favorite ever stories,” a piece Posnanski previously wrote on Klotz.

The new book sounds great, Klotz’s story is incredible and, as a book for young readers, the underlying message that “everybody wins” in sports couldn’t be more important in today’s mad world. — JS

ATLANTIC CITY — In conjunction with the eighth annual Atlantic City Beer (& Music) Festival Friday and Saturday, April 5-6,  the Viking Cooking School at Harrah’s Resort — Atlantic City’s premier hands-on cooking classroom — will host nightly food and beer pairings with Brooklyn Brewery, Goose Island Brewery, and celebrated author and beer enthusiast Gary Monterosso for three days, Monday through Wednesday, April 7-9.

“The Viking Cooking School Atlantic City has a reputation for creating innovative, experimental, and desirable classes, and our April schedule featuring three beer specific classes is no different,” says Robert Schoell, executive chef of Harrah’s and Showboat Atlantic City.

“Over the last decade breweries like Brooklyn and Goose Island have really risen to prominence. Combine that with the consummate expertise of Gary Monterosso (pictured below right, with his book Artisan Beer) and you have an all-star lineup.”

Class details are below. Visit harrahsresort.com and click the “Things To Do” link to find more on the Viking Cooking School.

Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival Brooklyn Brewery Class
•    Sunday, April 7, beginning 4pm
•    $49 per person
•    Menu Highlights: Local 1 Beer paired with Crawfish Étouffée in Miniature Phyllo Cups; Local 2 Beer paired with Stove-Top Macaroni and Cheese with Smoked Ham, Jalapenos and English Cheddar; Sorachi Beer paired with Smoked Salmon “Nachos” on Wonton Chips with Herbed Crème Fraiche, Scallions, Red Onions and Red Peppers; IPA Beer paired with Spicy Jumbo Lump Crab, Spinach and Artichoke Dip with Homemade Chili Rubbed Pita Chips and Purple Potato Chips; Local 2 Beer paired with Chocolate and Cherry Fondue.
•    History: Founded in 1988, Brooklyn Brewery has made quite a name for itself over the last few years, literally quintupling in size and distributing to over 25 states and 20 countries.   Their year-round, seasonal, and specialty brews embody the life, tradition and culture of the New York communities that surround them and epitomize the American craft brewery.

Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival Goose Island Class
•    Monday, April 8, beginning 6pm
•    $49 per person
•    Menu Highlights: Sofie Beer paired with Edamame Puree in Wonton Cup topped with Ahi Tuna; Matilda Beer paired with Individual Seafood Pot Pie; Pepe Nero beer paired with Homemade Spiced Sausage Sliders with Pepe Nero Caramelized Onions and Black Pepper Fries; Père Jacques Beer paired with Malted Cookie and Caramel Ice Cream Sandwiches.
•    History: Founded in 1988, Goose Island was the brainchild of native Chicagoan John Hall. Hall felt he could create a beer even better than the ones he experienced on his travels throughout Europe. The public has agreed.  Goose Island offers guests over 50 distinct craft brews and is located next to historic Wrigley Field.

Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival — Gary Monterosso Beer Class
•    Tuesday, April 9, beginning at 6pm
•    $65 per person (includes Monterosso’s book Artisan Beer)
•    Menu Highlights: TBA
•    Biography: Monterosso is an award-winning writer, who has written for several national and regional publications. He currently appears on the History Channel special The Epic History of Everyday Things, and regularly appears on popular television programs, lending his insight and knowledge about the world of beer.