Sports Betting or Busto

Ok fuckers. Its sports betting time. Anyone you who knows knows I think we need sports betting in Atlantic City. Times are tough and they are about to get tougher. In my last blog I begged Steve Wynn to come back to Atlantic City and he has yet to return my call. Now for plan B.

Sports betting is federally against the law. A few years back Atlantic City had a last chance to pass it before the federal law took hold. Bill Bradley whore for professional sports and the mafia made sure it didn't pass. I hope he dies.

Since then the Internet has made legitimate billionaires out of former mobsters. Betting on sports is easier then opening a bank account. But oh no you cant do it in Atlantic City, what about the children. Well the children aren't going to be able to eat unless Atlantic City stops the bleeding.

Last week, surprise surprise, Curtis Bashaw announced that his and Wally Barr's billion dollar project is shelved due to financing. Duh Without a shot in the arm this town is fucked. Be glass is half full all you want. Last time we saw a problem like this was the early 90s. Then there was only Foxwoods to contend with and even they were tiny at the time. Now its Philly, New York, West Virginia, Delaware. Wake up assholes. Sports betting now or AC will look like in did in the winter on 1975 by this time in 2010.

AJ OUT

Steve Wynn - AC Superhero or Savior?

October was another shitty month in Atlantic City. 10 percent off from last year. Considering auto sales were way off from even that number maybe gambling is recession proof. LOL/

The Water Club at Borgata is not doing nearly the business that Boyd had expected. Their stock price is at 1/4 of what it was when the Borgata opened 5 years ago and only a fraction of the stocks high point. This has put some of the executives on the hot seat. Which is bullshit. Larry Mullin is the best casino executive this town has produced since Peter Boynton left town in 1995.

Pinnacle has put their Atlantic City project on hold indefinitely. I told you that 6 months ago. MGM has put their Atlantic City project on hold. Its the early 1990s all over again. For almost a decade Atlantic City was deluged with sketches of the next big thing. Then somehow it would go down the shitter.

I remember specifically having breakfast with my father reading about The Quarter to be built at the Tropicana. We laughed hysterically because at the time it had seemed so far fetched. The tunnel was supposed to bring Atlantic City 3 new casinos. The crown jewel of which was the return to Atlantic City of Steve Wynn. That never happened. We only got the Borgata.

Its deja vu all over again. We need Steve Wynn to start buying in AC on the cheap. We know that he has problems of his own in Maccau and Las Vegas, but those towns dont adore Mr Wynn like AC does. Lets throw him a birthday party and get him to buy Bader Field for $5. He'll turn around and sell it to someone else for 10 billion, but it will rejuvenate Atlantic City.

Not to get off on a rant or anything.

AJ - Out

How the Phillies made me sad.

For the love of god only the Phillies could figure out a way to keep us biting our nails for 3 days. How about that? Its been 25 years since Philly fans have been able to pund their chest and claim to be World Champions. We here in the Atlantic City area support for the most part Philadelphia teams.

FU Joe Carter
Mitch Williams You are off the hook.

I do feel good about this on most levels. This doesn't totally make up for the ridiculously treachery of the NBA in the 2001 NBA finals where the Sixers should have been up 2-0 on the "unstoppable" Los Angeles Lakers. Or Donovan McNabb hurling in the fourth quarter of the superbowl.

I guess it is as good as time as any to admit that baseball was ruined for me forever in 1994 with the strike. Baseball had been my favorite sport as a child and I lived and died with the Philles. Once trying a round trip 1000 miles to watch the 1993 NLCS in person. But the strike killed me.
I have been a Phillies fan longer than I have been an fan of anything in my life. However I just wasn't as elated with their victory as I would had the Sixers or Eagles taken home the crown and danced down Board St.

Am I alone in this?

Party Till You Are Red White and Blue

Ok folks its Fourth of July weekend and its time to get fucked up. I know I shouldn't be so crass, but come on. I need hot dogs, hamburgers, ribs, cole slaw, potato salad, and booze, booze, booze.

The places to be this weekend mostly revolve around the beach. First off I have to give the Atlantic City Hilton props. They are having three live concerts on the fricking beach. Now if you had to pick one band for such a display you'd obviously go with the Beach Boys. That's right a free beach boys conert on July 4th in Atlantic City. Oh are the people gonna be lubed up.

Lots of other big acts in town this weekend. Well not big but worth noting: Jay Leno, Rush, Melissa Ethridge and John legend will make the rounds of the Atlantic City casinos.

I hope the town has a good weekend it could really use it.

AJ

Passing of an Icon

George Carlin was far more than a comedian. He was the voice in the back our of head telling us when shit was fucked up. He was made famous by his 7 words you cant say on TV, but that was just beginning. He was a pioneer in his industry and widely respected as one of the best stand us ever by his peers.

I had the pleasure of seeing Mr Carlin perform live twice during his many appearances in the Atlantic City show rooms. He made at least two trips a year to either the Borgata or Caesars to display his newest material. The shows I witnessed were nothing short of genius. He would rant on anything from religion to people's over indulgence of their children. He also always found a way to work Atlantic City into his act into a relevant way.

The mantle is now passed to the likes of Chris Rock, Artie Lange, Bill Maher just to name a few. But truely it will be a long time before we see the likes of a talent the level of George Carlin. Happy trails.

AJ

Who da mayor?

The democratic primaries were held yesterday in Atlantic City for its upcoming mayoral race. It looks like former mayor Lorenzo Langford will soon be back in power. Good for him?

Mayor of Atlantic City has long been a position of discussion. For a span of 25 years from the 70s through the 90s there was not a single mayor who was not indicted. Jim Usry appearing to be the only innocent man among them. Over the past few years since Jim Whelan left office scandal has crept back into city hall. (FYI Im no Jim Whelan fan F him).

If you look at the turn around that took place in Las Vegas a lot of it corresponds to the election of Mayor Oscar Goodman. He was a famed mafia lawyer before he turned into a politician. This might sound bad, but truth was he didnt need money from odd places once he got in office. His goal was to push Las Vegas forward. This is what Atlantic City needs. Like Mike Bloomberg in NYC we need someone who cannot be bought off once he gets in office and truly doing this out of civic pride and not for the salary and perks of the "spoils system".

Will the real mayor please stand up? Please stand up.

AJ

Trump Marina Sold - To Become Margaritaville?

Thats right peoples. Finally Trump Entertainment has reached a deal to unload its troublesome Trump marina property. A New York investor group is buying the property for just over 300 million dollars.

Is this the end of the world as we know it? No more Friday night bikini contests. No more hooters. No more singers hanging at the wave. Answer: I sure fucking hope so. What a tired ass property. It reminds me of the Tropicana in Vegas, out of date but still in a great location. With the Borgata across the street and the new town powerhouse Harrahs around the way and you add in the Frank S Farely Marina its location location location.

This purchase continues the inner city battle between the Marina and the Boardwalk. One wonders who will suffer the fate of the freemont area in the Las Vegas a relic of a distant past. The smart money is on the Marina. If MGM builds its just about the ball game.

Peace
AJ

Do I Care Its Summer in AC?

Alright memorial day is just a few scant hours from now and I havent decided if I care or not. This important holiday used to get glanced over, but its war time and I feel more time should be spent thinking about the solideirs on Monday. Dont know how to do that but I digress.

Anyway back to Atlantic City. Earlier this week it was 42 degrees and rainy outside. Felt more like December than May. But the weather is supposed to be good this weekend. But does taht even matter? The party moved indoors when Harrahs opend up "The Pool". plus the two nightclubs at Borgata. The goal with both of these places was to keep the action going year round. For the most part they have kept that up. With the lack of a major beach bar and generally shitty beaches for hanging out on Atlantic City has lost its summer edge.

True its golf, beach, boating, fishing, sex in public weather. Im as undecided as the democratic party. The only truely high note I expect is when Bubba the Love Sponge of Sirius Satellite Radio makes his way to Atlantic City in July. Bubbapalooza starring Ned is at the Taj on July 12 and Bubba Army will be in Full Effect.

Hate
Action J

Will the Pier survive?

I have been a fan of the Pier since its inception, but things have not gone smoothly over the years. The problems started with a delayed opening. The doors opened 18 months after expected in a staggered opening, thus robbing the town of a dramatic Grand Opening celebration.



The place offers some of the best restaurants in Atlantic City and by far the most elegant shopping you will find in town. However my question is will the Pier survive? There are constant rumors as the profitability of its many high end clients. For sure some of the locales are meeting or exceeding expectations like Buddakan and Game on, but what about the rest of the place. On many a night I have strolled through the corridors of the Pier looking into the high end shops. The game I place is employees or customers. How many stores have more employees than customers ? The answer is everyone except the Apple store and Its Sugar.



There are many reasons that the Pier is not living up to its huge buzz. First off the thing is a bitch to get to. Who the hell wants to walk a mile to have dinner. They NEED valet parking at the boardwalk. How about that fountain show? Its right up there with the Bellagio Fountains or Mirgae's volcano or the 25 cent rocket ship out front of K Mart. Another sore spot is the lack of a nightclub. Initially Jeffery Chodrow's Rum Jungle was supposed to take the spot, but he has since backed out. This leaves the pier without an identity. Given Caesars relationship with PURE nightclub in its Las Vegas location one would assume this is a natural fit. However it seems we are doomed to live another summer without a big draw at the Pier.



This begs the question as to what will happen when all the leases run out and the stores can get the hell out. I would guess condos make the most sense or high end hotel suites. I cannot imagine the Pier remaining as it is for the long. Sorry guys nice try.

Fight Weekend in Atlantic City.

Miguel Cotto returns to Atlantic City on Saturday April 12th to face Alfonso Gomez in a welterweight battle. Cotto is clearly the true next test for the pound for pound champ Floyd Mayweather. This fight at Boardwalk Hall is a tune up for the super fight that will most likely take place sometime in 2008 after Mayweather destroys De La Hoya this September.

Also on the card is a rematch between Kermit Cintron and Antonio Margarito. The two last met in 2005 in Las Vegas at Caesars Palace. Margarito beat the crap out of The Frog by knocking him out in the 5th round. Antonio subsequently lost to Paul Williams last summer. Cintron has since enlisted the help of legendary trainer Emmanuel Steward. So this will most likely be the best fight of the night. Meaning get your ass in your seat early or you will be pissed.

The celebrities will most likely be in town in the usual spots. We will let you know who we see at Mur Mur, The Pool or your mamma's house.

The town is most likely going to be packed. If all the rooms are sold out try Atlantic City Trips.

Live

What year is it in Atlantic City?

Every week I like to check out what new acts Borgata has booked for the upcoming months. They have been killing it last few years with the likes of the Foo Fighters and the Beastie Boys. Not so much this summer. Just a few names that were added to the Atlantic City line up Robert Plant, Stevie Nicks, CSN, Yes, James Taylor and the Doobie Brothers.

Welcome to 1985 folks. I guess Tracy Morgan and Chris Rock at Borgata is some conciliation.

Spring Into Atlantic City

Thank heavens that winter is in the rear view mirror. Atlantic CIty gets back in action. Lots of big acts coming to town.


Im excited top see that the guys from the Howard Stern Show are hitting the House of Blues at the Showboat. Rev Bob Levy Schuley and Sal the Stockbroker are expected to appear. Additionally Fred Norris with his band King Norris will entertain the masses.

Plus boxing is coming back to Atlantic City in a big way come April. Migeul Cotto headlines.

I will keep you up to date on the life in AC