News from Around the South Jersey Shore

The Atlantic City International Airport is gunning for more customers.

Here's my question: do people really care about this stuff? And if so, were you ticked she wore what looks like a bed sheet? Jeez. I know AC isn't some "like, totally" California town, but it'd have been nice if you put some effort into it.

A bike bandit? Yes, really -- a bike bandit bank robber down the shore.

Remember when Trump Marina was going to become a Margaritaville-themed casino? Didn't happen. Now the Margaritaville people claim that the Trump people let the place fall apart (which I had heard, too), pushed patrons to other Trump casinos and want their deposit back.

Amy Rosenberg goes undercover in the 4th Street Coffee War.

Swing flu hits the Coast Guard training facility in Cape May.

Here's some nice pictures of Cape May homes.

Liquor liscenses in West Cape May?

Lock up our bikes, people.

Flyers coach John Stevens is going to run the Sea Isle 10 miler on August 8. Bill plans to run the race. I do not, for two reasons: 1. I haven't run in two weeks due to the surgery and 2. I'm supposed to be taking a pickle making class in Philly. If timing allows, I'm going to try to be at the junction where the race moves from concrete promenade to sand (to pick up Bill's shoes) and then at the finish line.

Hagglers, Start Your Engines!

Little known fact: I love yard sales. I love routing through the leftovers of other people's lives and plucking out items for my (still not completely decorated) home. Aside from the monkey candle holder my brother bought me from Target, it's provided the most interesting items for my house: a ceramic orange cookie jar, a wooden Jack Russell Terrier toy on wheels, bright orange and green lawn chairs that hang out in my back yard (and were on the front porch until I took a patio set off my neighbor's hands when they moved e.g. grabbed it from the curb).

If you're like me, or if you like bargains, head to Wildwood Crest this weekend for its annual borough wide yard sale. Hopefully the rain will hold off so you can haggle to your heart's delight.

My only yard sale regret? Not claiming my grandmother's three wheel bicycle before it was put out in the yard sale. It had a basket in the back to carry anything picked up while running errands -- or, with a few modifications, a Jack Russell Terrier.

Oh, and No Doubt is playing at the Borgata this weekend. Not exactly a bargain, but should be a lot of fun. And dry.

Also, quick update on yesterday's post about jobs at Dusk: the Chelsea in Atlantic City is also hiring.

NYE in AC

Heading to Atlantic City to ring in 2009? There's lots to do, as you can imagine -- too many to list, in fact.

What's a potential partier to do? Click here. The ACCVA has a great round up on their site.

I'm lying low this year, for a few reasons, one being the welt on my tailbone from when I slipped on ice last week. Yeah, I recommend not doing that.

Until next week, then, happy new year, and thanks for checking out the blog this year!

ACES, Baby, ACES

If you turn to page 57 of my book, you'll find a gray box with the headline of "New Rail Line?" The text under says: "As of press time, a new rail line is being planned that will be a direct train from New York City to Atlantic City--no stops."

Finally, that rail line is here. Well, at least we have a date for when it will be here.

ACES, an upscale train running from New York to Atlantic City (with one stop in Newark but none in Philadelphia), will run its first train on February 6. The price? It starts at $50 each way. That gives you an idea of the target audience -- the folks who will not only go for $500+ a night rooms but will also pay full prices to do so as opposed to players who expect free room and board in exchange for all the money they pump into slots.

Case in point: ACES will have a "lounge" on the train -- and by "lounge" I mean bar. They want this to be the start of the party for New Yorkers coming into town. Plus, the line runs weekends only (they're using rail lines already in place and couldn't squeeze another train in on commuter heavy weekdays).

I thought it was a neat idea a few years ago because the only way to get to AC from New York before was car, limo, bus or plane (don't think people didn't do it). But given that the Borgata has just laid off 400 people, new construction projects are being shelved, and casinos along the strip are hurting, will enough people pay for this kind of service? A bus ticket could cost less than half of what ACES charges and includes a slots credit.

This concept was planned on a boom economy when everyone in Atlantic City was spending gobs of money to upgrade their properties, and new casino and condo projects were on the books (Pinnacle, MGM Grand and more). But those days are over, and who knows when it'll turn around?

So I'm not sure how it'll do. ACES has been in the works for so long that it would be stupid not to go ahead with it, and even though I have doubts about how successful it'll be, I'm glad to see this train I've heard so much about is finally going to start chugging along.

Now, if you notice, this train does not stop in Philadelphia. Why? A few reasons as far as I can tell -- unlike New Yorkers, more people here have cars. Plus, there's already a train that runs out of Philadelphia to Atlantic City. It's not exactly a swinging party ride, but it's still a train with a much more regular schedule than ACES will have.

I could go on about how I think Atlantic City PR and ad pushes (usually put together by NYC-based agencies) focus too heavily on NYC vs. Philadelphia, but I had my say already when I was quoted this summer in the New York Observer :

“The Chelsea can’t survive on a New York crowd alone,” said Jen Miller, author of the guidebook The Jersey Shore: Atlantic City to Cape May, who had stayed at the Chelsea earlier in the week and came back to witness the revelry on Saturday. “Yes, you’ll get a lot of New York people in Atlantic City, but Philadelphia and southern New Jersey is Atlantic City’s bread and butter, especially in the off-season. I think putting a Stephen Starr restaurant in there plays to our restaurant sensibilities—he’s much more a Philly guy than New York. I would recommend that they stop putting the New York Post in front of rooms in the morning—it should be the Press of Atlantic City or the [Philadelphia] Inquirer.

“Even if you’re from New York,” she added, “you’re still at the Jersey Shore.”

ACES' PR campaign is being run by Tierney Communications, which is based in Philadelphia. Should be interesting to see how they play this one out.

Some Friday Holiday Cheer

Looking for something Christmas-y at the shore on Friday? Check this out: The Hereford Inlet Lighthouse, a very Victorian place, is being visited by Mr. and Mrs. Clause, who will arrive by firetruck at 6pm. They'll be part of a tree lighting ceremony that takes place at 7. And, oh, hey, it's free!

Check out the lighthouse website for more information.

And I didn't get this up in time, but I meant to: The Tropicana is now having ladies nights on Thursday through the month of December. Just typing that makes me want to sing this song (NSFW - I couldn't find a radio safe version):



Could I wear a Lil' Kim wig and get away with it?

Speaking of the Trop, I can't stop giggling about their chasing of the Hooters girls, which will happen on December 13. It's actually a "Running of the Santas," which happens all over the U.S. but at the Trop for the first time this year. It's quite an event. I just might have to go.

Express Yourself

So Madonna's in Atlantic City this weekend. BIG DEAL! No, really -- that's a big deal. Should be a good time.

If you can't make it to the show but want to dress you up in her love, head over to Planet Rose at the Tropicana, which is hosting an everything Madonna party on Saturday started at 7 p.m.

As part of the party, Planet Rose will offer a Madonna themed cocktail menu and, of course, Madonna karaoke. The staff will even dress up in Madonna costumes.

I have decided not to spend the weekend in Cape May, sadly. I have a lot to do here, plus more work than I know what to do with (a good thing!) Though don't be shocked if I show up at the Cape May tree lighting...I might just drive down, though chances aren't looking good for it.

One thing I wish I could go to, though -- Harry Connick Jr. is going to be at the Borgata on December 5. Um, yummy? I've seen him in concert before, and he's an amazing performer. But I'll be working that night. Ah, well. Duty calls.

Quick non-shore reminder: Saturday is the last day of the Collingswood Farmer's Market for this season. Sad! So get yourself some fresh Jersey cranberries and make these muffins. Yummy.

John & Lisa of that same blog also beat me to the punch in writing about Cape May for the holidays. I've talked to a lot of people who are planning to go to the shore the weekend after Thanksgiving. So read up!