News from Around the South Jersey Shore

Atlantic City's population is on the decline.

Apparently, home prices in AC are "extremely overvalued." This isn't a shocker to me -- can you imgine paying a few hundred grand for a condo in Atlantic City? I mean, it's a fun place to visit and all, but I think some developers were reaching too high too fast.

Boyd Gaming, which owns the Borgata, just took a hit.

But -- hey! -- here's some good news: wifi in AC!

And Michael Phelps was in town. That's fun.

This is s a nice article about Henny's closing.

Here's some pictures from a Cape May parade.

And here's some Strathmere pictures.

Gillians is having their annual holiday ticket sale -- deals to be had if you know you're going to be hitting the Ocean City boardwalk next summer.

Nothing makes a scandal like a sex tape (Atlantic City related -- promise).

Yikes! Expect to pay a whole lot if you get into a car accident in Wildwood. Yikes again.

Want to Know What the Chelsea Looks Like?

As I do every holiday season, I watched White Christmas while wrapping holiday presents this weekend (yes, I shop early...that's because I have to help everyone else in my family right about now).

When I got to the scene that starts at about 3:00 in this clip that I saw The Chelsea, the boutique hotel that opened up in AC this summer.

Well, obviously not the Chelsea, but the theme of the Chelsea -- that retro cool slick feel that they're going for with the same colors, shapes and decor. The white built-in book cases are almost identical.

At least that's what I think (and I have been writing about design for the last few months). I've heard people compare it to a lot of different pop culture items, and I struggled to think of an apt comparison myself. I think this is the closest I've gotten.

Plus it was an excuse to post part of White Christmas on the blog. I love the movie -- I even wrote about it in a grad school paper -- but it's completely ridiculous. I mean, they do the Minstrel number with a full orchestra and, when the song's over, it's a meager three man band in a barn. It's also full of gratuitous leg shots. Look for them next time you watch the film -- casually leaning against a crate; stretching before the next dance number; even painted on background signs.

Anyway, I hope to head back to The Chelsea soon. I visitied when it had just opened, and I've heard it's picked up steam since. Plus, my friends have given Chelsea Prime, the hotel's steak house, rave reviews. One even said the filet was the best piece of meat he'd ever had. So here's hoping.

Speaking of nightlife, want to vote for what in AC you think is the best? Then fill out the Atlantic City Weekly survey asking just that.

**UPDATE**Forgot to mention this: I'll be at this free Atlantic City event on Wednesday night. I've been to plenty eWomenNetwork events closer to home, but this is only my second down the shore. Should be fun!

Kindle and the Start of Shore 2009

Part 1: Hey, high tech friends! My book is now available on Kindle, Amazon's wireless reading device. I'd read a lot about a Kindle but never seen one -- maybe now I'll see my book on one!

Part 2: Yes, Shore 2009 has started in the offices of Jen A. Miller. Well, it started a few months back when I started negotiating articles with editors. I just turned in the first shore article I'll have running in 2009 -- my 758th version of the "What's New it Atlantic City" article.

Now, I'm not complaining. At all. But I have done the piece before, and with four other articles due by Wednesday, I needed some help. Solution? A custom Atlantic City dance party. Well, the mix was custom made for www.atlanticcitynightlife.com, but it turned into a one person (then one person plus one dog) dance party. After I turned in the article, I spent a half hour dancing around my house to the mix. And lemme tell you, there's nothing quite like a white girl in sweats and a t-shirt dancing around with her dog. It's so awesome that I closed all the blinds in my house lest I rend a neighbor star struck.

And guess what? The mix is STILL GOING. Check it out if you need a lift like I did.

Dress I wish I had for my book launch party

Just sayin'...

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.

News from Around the South Jersey Shore

This is a really thoughtful editorial on the gaming industry.

Lock your doors, kids!

Ocean City's doing all it can to keep bringing holiday shoppers to their town.

Speaking of, this is a nice post about Sun Rose Words and Music.

Cape May Stage is having some deals, too.

Duh: Stone Harbor's pricey.

John & Lisa of John & Lisa are Eating in South Jersey welcomed a new addition to their family...on Thanksgiving day. How fitting.

That last call at Henny's was a big one. (Still...what happened to the mermaid??)

One, two, three: awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. (But met at the shore house? Crazy! If I could only have such luck...and on an entirely different note: is it just me or is everyone's Facebook feed exploding with news of marraiges and engagements? Egads, I might drown in them. )

Not surprised about this one.

The headline for this article is "A.C. Casinos Desperately Need Hooters." Um, you go read it. As awkward and horrible as it sounds, I sorta want to see the running of the Hooters girls. Should draw an interesting crowd.

Right after reading that article, I went to "Striper plentiful up and down New Jersey beaches." I did not immediately think of fish.

Thanksgiving in Sea Isle sounded like fun.

Oooo, that Justin Gaynor, getting to the shore while I'm anchored at my desk. I'm sort of saying "Justin" in my head the same way Seinfeld said "Newman."

I missed the Sandy Paws 5k!

But, hey, I did make the Haddon Township Turkey Trot. Not down the shore, I know, but about a mile from home. Look at me go!



I ran a 23:05 race. Not bad -- not my best time, but far from my worst.

It was a pretty hectic holiday weekend, kicked off by my 10 year high school reunion. Oh, and I got a haircut. Folks who saw me asked me to update, so here you go (this is related because it's a picture of me the night of the reunion with my friend Jen...no, not myself...her name is Jen, too):



I came back to my desk on Monday to hear the awful news about Brian Hickey. His friends have put up a new website, where you can find news, information and the details on the beef and beer that will be held in his honor on Friday, December 12.

Brian was a freelancer like me, and it's been great to see how many people have rallied around him and his amazing wife, Angie. But they could still use all the help they could get. So if you know anyone who might have been in the area the night he was hit, or might want to attend the beef & beer (which I hear was accidentially called the "Beer & Beer" in an upcoming ad, though it would fit), please direct them to that site.

I also learned tonight that Brian was playing a key role in a new shore publication. I'll be helping out in the interim, so stay tuned for an announcement about that shortly.

For a Fellow Writer

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend. I know I did, but I came back to my desk to hear some horrible news: Brian Hickey, freelance writer and former editor at the Philadelphia City Paper, was involved in a hit and run a few blocks from my home on Friday night. He is in critical condition at Cooper University Hospital and not in the best of shape, though he is fighting hard for his life. You can read all the details here.

Why post this here? Because we need your help. The authorities believe Brian was hit at the corner of North Atlantic and West Linden Avenues in Collingswood around 10:10pm on Friday night. Given where that road is, I'm guessing that someone came out of the PATCO parking lot, onto North Atlantic, and hit Brian while he was walking home from Fischer's back to PATCO.

If you or anyone you know lives in that area or was near that area, please please please think about or ask them to think about when they were there and what they saw.

Brian's wife, Angela Klem, who is keeping us updated on Brian's facebook page, wrote "People need to think about whether they were out with any friends/colleagues that night who park at that lot and may have been arriving at the station around 10:10pm. They could be the driver or even another passenger on the train may have seen a car heading in the direction of N. Atlantic. This information would also be helpful for the police and it's anonymous to call it in."

So pass this around to anyone you know who might have been in the area. It's a horrible thing to have happened, and I hope they find whoever did this to a wonderful human being.

**UPDATE**There's going to be a beef and beer for Brian and his wife on December 12. Click here for details.