As Hurricane Earl moves toward the East Coast of the United States, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is taking aggressive actions to prepare for the storm and is coordinating closely with state and local officials along the East Coast to help support their response as needed.  FEMA is also encouraging all East Coast residents to take steps now to prepare for possible severe weather in the coming days.

Go here for more information on how to be prepared.

FEMA encourages all residents and those visiting the East Coast to pay close attention to local updates and heed evacuation orders should they be issued.
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Nice work folks! (Click to read the Brooklyn Vegan post:)

Thanks for the shout out, Brooklyn Vegan.

Here’s the rest of Iggy & the Stooges coverage, including a preview, concert review, and photo gallery from the concert at the House of Blues at Showboat, Atlantic City, Aug. 27, 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.

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.

The Making of Boardwalk Empire premieres Monday, Aug. 23, on HBO.

Aside from the premiere of the first season of Boardwalk Empire (yes, we said first season because from what we’ve seen, it’s going to be a tremendous success) set for Sunday, Sept. 19, at 9pm on HBO, Atlantic City Weekly has learned that the cable station will also be running a couple of programs related to the new series, based on local judge Nelson Johnson’s book.

According to a spokesperson for HBO, Making Boardwalk Empire will premiere on Aug. 23 at 8:45pm.

And then on Sept. 16 at 9pm,  Atlantic City: The Original Sin City will premiere. This will be a documentary on the city itself. Word has it that several Atlantic City historians — including Atlantic City Weekly columnist (”Waltz Through Time“) Jim Waltzer — have been interviewed over the past few weeks for the program. To read Waltzer’s columns on our Web site, type in the words “Waltz Through Time” in the search bar and you’ll get a list of Waltzer’s articles. (And for all you Atlantic City history buffs out there, look for new “Waltz Through Time” columns starting up in our paper and online soon. Jim Waltzer and Tom Wilk will both be contributing to the column.)

Click here to watch the trailer for the Making Boardwalk Empire show.

Meanwhile, Harrah’s Entertainment has a really cool Web site for its contest, in conjunction with HBO and Boardwalk Empire, for a chance to win access to a Caesars suite for a year (three days a month) and other prizes.

Fans of Atlantic City who are Twitter followers now have an opportunity to win prizes in the #VisitAC Twitter Contest sponsored by the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority (ACCVA).

From now through Sunday, Sept. 12, all you need to do is be a Twitter follower of @VisitAC and send a Tweet saying why you would visit Atlantic City, with the hashtag #VisitAC. Would you come for the beaches and your favorite surfing spot? The casinos or a fun lounge act? A great meal and exciting nightlife? The shopping or spas? Let the ACCVA — and the world — know your favorite reason to visit, and you’ll be eligible to win.

Prizes will be awarded every weekday during the month-long contest, including gift cards to several Atlantic City venues, overnight stays with dining, golf or entertainment included. A grand prize of an Apple iPad will be awarded at the end of the contest.

Participants can Tweet daily to enter (limit one Tweet per day). For official contest rules and a convenient Twitter portal to @VisitAC, go here.

You can follow Atlantic City on Twitter by going here.

The Village Voice blog has an insightful post today on the New York Times “excellent piece” on Guy Fieri’s recent appearance at Caesars during the Atlantic City Food & Wine Festival.

Here’s the NY Times story. It’s called “Guy Fieri, Chef-Dude, Is in the House.”

Worth the read.

According to a Fairleigh Dickinson/PublicMind poll published today, New Jersey voters are split on Gov. Chris Christie’s recent proposals regarding the state’s casino, racing and entertainment industries.

According to the poll:

Fifty-six percent say it’s a good idea to privatize racetrack operations.

However, 48 percent say state intervention in Atlantic City is a bad idea; 38 percent support it.

Read more from the BusinessWeek Web site.

Real estate and Casino mogul Steve Wynn talks about America’s government and says Macau and China are stable, whereas “America is cuckoo and God knows what’s next,”

Click below for more of the CNBC interview from back in May.

Gov. Christie on the 'Today' show

Did you know New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has his own YouTube page?

Well, he does. And it’s chock full of recent interviews from national media outlets such as Imus in the Morning and the Today show.

In fact, Christie’s appearance on NBC’s Today show this morning is already up and running in case you missed it.

Check it out.