Archive for the ‘Local News’ Category

Resorts Price $35 Million

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010

Some more information has come out about Dennis Gomes plans to purchase Resorts Casino, including how much the city’s oldest casino costs in today’s market.

acw-ResortsGomes and his partner, Morris Bailey, a New York real-estate developer, are buying to property for a bargain basement $35 million.

Consider that just three years ago Resorts refinanced for $360 million in loans.

Bailey’s partnership with Gomes was also disclosed for the first time Wednesday.

Bailey, who grew up in Atlantic City told The Wall Street Journal:

“I think there’s a point in time when it’s time to go in, and now is the time,” Mr. Bailey said  “Atlantic City will be able to re-create itself now. Will it ever get back to its peak in gaming? Probably not. But based on the value structure, the economics are better now than they ever were.”

For the Journal’s story go here.

To read AC Weekly’s recent interview with Gomes, go here.

Pinestock II Music Fest in Mays Landing

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010
Eddie's Garage will perform at Pinestock II in Mays Landing on Saturday.

Eddie's Garage will perform at Pinestock II in Mays Landing on Saturday.

The Pinestock II Music Festival is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 4, from 2pm-2am at the Watering Hole Café in Mays Landing. Admission to the festival is free and open to all ages until 9pm, at which time a nominal cover charge will apply and guests must be 21 years of age or older to stay later.  

Pinestock was put together by members of the band Eddie’s Garage and was the brainchild of band member Billy Zane, percussionist and vocalist. Zane’s motivation behind creating the festival was to thank fans who have supported Eddie’s Garage and other local musicians throughout year, while showcasing the home-grown talented musicians and bands.

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New Alternatives Not Just An A.C. Trend

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010

St. George's Pub owner Jim Fowler in his new environmentally friendly kitchen.

St. George's Pub owner Jim Fowler in his new environmentally friendly kitchen.

Atlantic City’s need to give guests other incentives to visit the resort in the face of increased gaming competition has been a well-documented news item lately. So well documented, in fact, that neighboring municipalities seem to have picked up on the crusade with upgrades, improvements and added attractions of their own.

A prime example can be found in A.C.’s immediate neighbor to the north, Brigantine. St. George’s Pub — a popular but almost prohibitively small neighborhood niche — will soon be a full-fledged spacious and upscale dining establishment, as owner Jim Fowler leased the building next door (formerly Flagship Resorts), invested over $300,000 in interior and exterior upgrades, and will soon be open for business.

“We are 100 percent done and waiting for release of plans from the Department of Community Affairs in Trenton, then our inspection can be completed and a CO (certificate of occupancy) is given and we can open,” says Fowler.

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10th Annual Beagle BBQ

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010
Jack and Jill, two beagles looking for a good home.

Jack and Jill, two beagles looking for a good home.

Penny Angels Beagle Rescue will present the 10th annual Beagle Barbecue on Sunday, Sept. 12.

The barbecue will take place from noon-4pm, at Atlantic County Park (Estell Manor), Pavilion C, Route 50 in Mays Landing. For directions, go here.

The cost is $15 for adults, $7 for kids ages 4-10 and free for kids ages 3 and under. There will be food, drinks, kids games, a 50/50 drawing, a bucket auction, a beagle parade, a best-dressed costume contest and the annual “Blessing of the Animals.”  All friendly, leashed dog breeds invited.

Call: Christine at 973-610-8049 or Joan at 609-965-9476 with any questions.

Penny Angel Beagle Rescue is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization dedicated to beagle rescue and community education on the breed. They provide adoptions at the Petsmart located in Mays Landing on Saturdays from 11am-4pm . If you live In Southern New Jersey and want to rescue a Beagle, stop by.

Democrats Move Ahead with Second Gaming Summit

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010

Reported earlier this week, state Democrats are planning a second in their series of three summit meetings regarding Gov. Chris Christie’s proposed changes to Atlantic City.

The next summit is scheduled for Sept. 10 at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, another area that, in addition to Atlantic City, Christie feels needs state involvement and change.

The first summit was held  Aug. 6; read more about it here.

According to a casino gambling Web site, “Among the proposals being considered at the summit is allowing racetracks to add slot machines. Another issue being discussed is the state becoming more involved in the Atlantic City casino industry. The casinos themselves are pushing to keep the state away.”

These summits are not the same as the Mayor’s Strategic Planning meetings.

ACCVA Announces ‘Boardwalk Empire’-Themed Events in Atlantic City

Friday, August 27th, 2010
Courtesy of HBO

Courtesy of HBO

Including one very exciting one co-organized and co-presented by Atlantic City Weekly called “Conversations & Storytelling,” which will be followed by a free and open-to-the-public Viewing Party at Caesars on Sept. 19, the night of the premiere of HBO’s upcoming series Boardwalk Empire.

Click here for all the info, plus info about some of the major events planned for the Atlantic City area over next couple months in relation to the show.

While you’re at it join the AC Weekly Boardwalk Empire Fan Club on Facebook to keep up to date on all the news and promotions surrounding the Cable TV series.

It Takes Tuna to Tango

Thursday, August 26th, 2010
Capt. Jim Fowler and crew with a nice haul of mahi and tuna.

Capt. Jim Fowler and crew with a nice haul of mahi and tuna.

There’s no better table fare than fresh tuna, and no, that’s not a reference to cans of Starkist the neighborhood ACME recently stocked on its shelves. It refers to fresh fish taken out of local waters by charter boats and offshore anglers, and this year has been an exceptional one regarding tuna and other large quarry caught off the southern New Jersey coast.

By “offshore” we mean the deep-water canyons about 60 to 80 miles out, among them the Hudson, Toms, Carteret, Lindenkohl, Spencer, Wilmington, Baltimore and Poor Mans that yield such big-game quarry as tuna, marlin, mahi-mahi, wahoo and swordfish. These are deep-water predators that you won’t find close to shore, and ones that put up the kind of fight you’d better be prepared to wage for a long time if the fish has any kind of size to it.

Last Saturday, Aug. 21, Atlantic City Weekly associate editor Ray Schweibert went on his second-ever offshore fishing trip aboard his buddy Jim Kay’s spectacular Viking sport-fisher Deep Blue out of Brigantine. For more on this thrilling adventure, go here.

‘Roar to the Shore’ Returns to Wildwood!

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010
One of the smaller participants in last year's Roar to the Shore motorcycle event in the Wildwoods. (photo from roartotheshoreonline.com)

One of the smaller participants in last year's Roar to the Shore motorcycle event in the Wildwoods. (photo from roartotheshoreonline.com)

If you need a quick “roar” fix between the recently completed “Thunder Over the Boardwalk” air show and the upcoming revival of Atlantic City’s “Feel the Power” offshore powerboat races on Sept. 19, then head down to Wildwood for the annual “Roar to the Shore” motorcycle rally taking place Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 9-12.

Thousands of bikers will roll into the Wildwoods for this 15th annual event featuring specialized vendors and demonstrations, live entertainment and more. The vast vendor areas will feature hundreds of top-of-the-line merchants. It will be open each of the four days from 9am, and include everything from pin-striping, accessories, leather goods, helmets, eye protection, fine cigars and (drum roll please) … a mobile Jack Daniels museum. Merchants will be spread across five separate vending areas sited at the Wildwoods Convention Center (WCC)’s parking lot, and all along Oak and Atlantic avenues in downtown Wildwood.

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Atlantic City Airshow Update

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010
U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds

U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds

The Atlantic City Airshow “Thunder Over the Boardwalk” will take place rain or shine Wednesday, Aug. 25, as long as the cloud ceiling and visibility are within Federal Aviation Administration minimums for flying aircraft. There is no rain date for the show.

In the eight years that the Atlantic City Airshow has taken place, it has never been canceled.

Current weather conditions call for a slight chance of rain — 20 percent — for the day of the Airshow. For weather updates, monitor News Talk 1400-AM WOND or WMGM TV40 or your local news affiliate. For any updates on the Atlantic City Airshow, go here.

Hooters at hit in Margate

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010
Roy Goldberg with the Hooters' Eric Bazilian

Roy Goldberg with the Hooters' Eric Bazilian

On Sunday, Aug. 22, the Gold Foundation hosted its sixth annual Margate Rock Festival, a free summer blockbuster concert presented by Harrah’s Entertainment. The live concert featured The Hooters, whose show was followed by a fireworks display over the Margate bayfront sponsored by Tomatoe’s Restaurant.
The Hooters hit the club scene in 1980 and skyrocketed to national prominence with hit songs like “Day By Day,” “And We Danced,” “Where do the Children Go,” “All You Zombies,” “Hanging on a Heartbeat,” “Can’t Get Blood from a Stone” and others. Original band members Eric Bazilian, Rob Hyman and Dave Uosikkinen were later joined by Fran Smith and John Lilley, and that combination has remained intact for over 20 years.

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