Exemption Would Benefit Casino Industry in Atlantic City During Summer Tourism Season

A bill sponsored by Senator Jim Whelan (D-Atlantic) will create a blanket exemption for beach bars within the Atlantic City Tourism District, overriding the restrictions of the Noise Control Act of 1971 and subsequent noise-control ordinances. The bill will become law immediately, having been unanimously approved by the N.J. Senate in June (39-0) and by the State Assembly in January by a 73-1 vote.

State Sen. Jim Whelan

“Since casinos began operating beach bars on the shoreline of Atlantic City, they have become a staple that attracts tourists and provides entertainment — all without disruption to the surrounding neighborhoods,” says Whelan, D-Atlantic, in a media release.  “With the enactment of this law, we have leveled the playing field for all casinos to construct beach bars no matter when they are built.

“This law gives casinos the freedom to establish these beach-front bars that will attract new customers and strengthen the tourism and gaming industry in Atlantic City without having to conform to noise control laws, which frankly aren’t necessary for the area in which these beach bars are located,” adds Whelan, a former  three-term mayor of Atlantic City.

The law eliminates the requirement that a beach bar must have been in existence and operating as of Aug. 31, 2011, in order to qualify for an exemption from the restrictions of the Noise Control Act of 1971.  

Under the 2011 statute, a beach bar, amusement park or carnival ride that was operational as of August 31, 2011, would be exempt from the state noise control law during “normal business hours” as defined by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

The new law amends the 2011 statute to exempt ALL beach bars in the Tourism District from any noise control standards, including local ordinances, and removes the limitation in the law concerning “normal business hours” to get DEP out of the area of enforcing hours of operation.

ATLANTIC CITY — According to an Associated Press article, the Beach Bar at Trump Plaza will be closing permanently after this summer, citing increased competition elsewhere including the planned opening of non-union staffed beach bars at Revel and Resorts.

The casino’s parent company, Trump Entertainment Resorts, said the bar’s last day will be Sept. 16. To commemorate the final weekend the Beach Bar will host a “Farewell Forever” celebration Friday through Sunday, Sept. 14-16.

The AP story states that, according to Trump Plaza spokesman Brian Cahill, the company can’t compete with cocktail service on the beach for guests of the newly opened Revel, as well as the Margaritaville beach bar coming in May 2013 at Resorts.

“We would love to continue the beach bar, however it is economics,” said Cahill. “Revel opened their non–union beach operations late this year but they will be open all season next summer. Margaritaville, also non–union, will be open Memorial Day weekend. The truth is that union wages and severance funds do not allow us to compete against the non–union beach bars like Revel and Margaritaville.”

Trump Plaza has operated its beach bar since summer 2003, and is the largest of the three currently operating on Atlantic City’s beaches (the other two being the Atlantic Club Beach Bar and Sammy’s Beach Bar at Bally’s). In summer 2009,  the Beach Bar at Trump Plaza  earned accolades as a “sexiest beach bar in the country” by the Travel Channel’s 21 Series.

A few of the College Mansion girls

ATLANTIC CITY — David Luber, CEO of College Mansion, announced the return of Paradise Weekend to Trump Entertainment Resorts over Memorial Day weekend.

The three-day, festival-like gathering has grown significantly over the years and has become a national attraction for college students and a haven for celebrities and consumer brands. Paradise Weekend festivities kick off with 52 College Mansion models hosting Ego lounge/Casbah nightclub at Trump Taj Mahal on Friday, May 25. A Bikini Showcase will ensue with a live performance by acclaimed performing artist Mike Stud on Saturday, May 26, at Trump Plaza’s Beach Bar, and a day party will conclude Paradise Weekend on Sunday, May 27.

“This is our second consecutive year hosting Paradise Weekend at Trump Entertainment Resorts,” says Luber. “The hospitality and the accommodations that Trump has provided our clients and sponsors during Paradise Weekend 2011 are laudable. We value their relationship and admire their recognition of college entertainment.”

College Mansion Schedule of Events:
•    Friday, May 25 — 10pm-2am: College Mansion Models Host Ego/Casbah Nightclub, Trump Taj Mahal (Free w/ RSVP)
•    Saturday, May 26 — 5-8pm: College Mansion VIP Bikini Black Jack Tournament, Trump Taj Mahal (Invite only)
•    10pm-2am: College Mansion Presents Bikini Showcase and Mike Stud performing Live, Trump Plaza Beach Bar (Free)
•    Sunday, May 27 — 2-6pm: College Mansion Bikini Beach Party, Trump Plaza Beach Bar (Free)
http://www.collegemansion.com/

Some of the girls of College Mansion

Regional swimsuit showcase, College Mansion calendar shoot, nighttime and daytime parties all on tap July 15-17

ATLANTIC CITY — David Luber, president and CEO of College Mansion, recently announced that he’s bringing the annual “Paradise Weekend” event to Trump Entertainment Resorts in Atlantic City July 15-17.

The three-day affair will kick off Friday, July 15, at the Trump Plaza Beach Bar with a showcase of 52 College Mansion models. The models will then headline Saturday evening at the Casbah nightclub at Trump Taj Mahal, and festivities will conclude Sunday with a daytime party at Trump Plaza Beach Bar and an evening soiree at the Taj’s Ego Lounge, where the College Mansion models will dance and socialize with hotel guests and nightlife enthusiasts.

“We’re extremely happy to bring Paradise Weekend 2011 to Trump Entertainment Resorts,” says Luber. “Paradise Weekend has become widely recognized and continues to exceed our expectations every year. The executive staff at Trump Entertainment Resorts are excellent individuals who consistently make their resort a demand, using contemporary driven programs to build their day and nightlife activity.”

College Mansion, the agency behind Bud Light Fantasy, will also be shooting their 2012 Bud Light Fantasy Calendar (New Jersey edition) on-site throughout the weekend. Hotel and casino guests will have the opportunity to meet and interact with the models and experience what it’s like to be on set of a professional photo shoot.

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Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas (left) earned the title of New Jersey Hot Dog Eating Champion last Saturday, May 28, at the Trump Plaza Beach Bar, and with it the right to compete in the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, NY, on the July 4.

“The Black Widow” took the lead early in the 10-minute contest and never looked back, winning the competition by eating 34 hot dogs. The 98-pound Korean-American’s nickname is a reference to her ability to defeat men three or four times her size. She is a well-known commodity in the competitive hot dog eating world, and should be a formidable competitor in the international championship on July 4.

Ranked No. 4 in the world of competitive eating, she currently holds the female world record for most hot dogs eaten in a single contest with 41. She won the 2009 Nathan’s contest in New York City with 36.

Sonya Thomas

Sonya ‘The Black Widow’ Thomas and “Crazy Legs” Conti, two of the finest competitive eaters in the country, will be joined by a strong field Memorial Day weekend at Trump Plaza’s Beach Bar in Atlantic City, Saturday, May 28, 2pm. At stake is the title of Nathan’s Famous New Jersey Hot Dog Eating Champion and the chance to compete in the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, NY.  The winner of the national title wins $10,000 and a mustard colored championship belt.

Nathan’s Famous recently announced that the top finishing male and the top finishing female competitor will now earn a chance to compete at the finals in Coney Island. Female eating athletes will have a shot at their own Championship Belt in what will be the first-ever women’s-only contest set to occur just prior to the men’s contest, mid-day on July 4.

The 100-pound competitive eating phenom Thomas (ranked No. 4 in the world) has eaten 41 hot dogs and buns in competition, a mark that no other female has achieved, and is looking to break her personal record — also the women’s world record — in Atlantic City. Conti (ranked No. 17) will strive to qualify for his tenth July 4 finals, which would mark the most consecutive appearances by any competitor in Nathan’s Famous history.

“Sonya and Crazy Legs are each looking to make history in Atlantic City by setting a new women’s world record and by becoming the first competitor to advance to Coney Island 10 years in a row,” said George Shea, chairman of Major League Eating. “Though we’ve seen rookie eaters knock off top-seeded eaters before, I know Sonya and Crazy Legs will be bringing their A-game to the table on Memorial Day weekend.”
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