Summing Up AC in 2007
You can check out this week’s AC Weekly, published tomorrow (Dec. 27) to see our “year in review” for the Atlantic City region. It’s interesting how Atlantic City still occasionally takes a hit for being Las Vegas’ weak little seaside sister. On a positive note, the numerous on-going casino/hotel room expansions, new casinos ready to break ground and discussion of the Bader field property generated plenty of positive press nationally in the business sector. Our outstanding dining and shopping options, as they continue to expand, have also been well documented in the New York Times and other major publications. The city has continued to prove that younger people are coming here for a night on the town or a weekend getaway, helping to dispel the notion that AC is a town that only caters to bus tripping seniors.
By the way fellow 50+ folks, that doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate the continued business generated by older citizens. After all, our current spokesman, Dennis Hopper (in those Ameriprise commercials), is definitely making it clear that those seeking continued profit in the marketplace must still reckon with the Baby Boomer Generation. (Go here for a spoof of that commercial.)
I'm putting the Tropicana owners' loss of its license on the positive side. The system worked and the right decision was made. Read AC Weekly Mike Epifanio's recent editor's note and columnist Pinky Kravitz here for more insights.
So much for the thumbs up news; now let’s look at the negative. The whole mess with the absentee mayor became a punch line for New York newspapers, which in turn expanded the punch line to publications across the nation. Papers locally, and in the Philadelphia region with more on-going information, presented the story fairly. It was an unfortunate situation, but the city continued to function and the casino industry was not affected at all, although there was speculation that the casinos would be nervous until the situation was resolved. It was resolved without the city’s day-to-day operations ever suffering. End of story.
The one year anniversary of the murdered prostitute case came and went without any additional “persons of interest” coming to light. That is a black mark on the region, but it is never as easy as they make it look on the CSI shows. We can only hope that some evidence does surface so that this horrendous murder case is solved.
The on-going corruption of former city officials and the jail terms that followed are a black mark, only matched by the parallel on-going corruption cases of Philadelphia politicians, some of which intersected with our dirty politicos. It would be nice if the colorful history of Atlantic City as both an illegal gambling mecca decades ago, and its on-going revival as a legalized gambling haven could put the greased palms in the rear view mirror.
In conclusion, let’s hope the embarrassing punch lines are kept to a minimum in 2008.
The Golden Globes and Independent Spirit nominations are out, launching the Academy Award season in full tilt mode. I was delighted that Juno is earning so much critical acclaim and is being pegged as the Little Miss Sunshine of this award season. It deserves all that and more. Ellen Page, in the title role, has been nominated for best actress—musical or comedy by the Globes and the movie is also up for best musical or comedy vs. Sweeney Todd, Across the Universe, Hairspray and Charlie Wilson’s War. Ellen’s co-nominees are Amy Adams (Enchanted), Helena Bonham Carter (Sweeney Todd), Nikki Blonsky (Hairspray) and Marion Cotillard (La Vie En Rose). There are only five original screenplay nominees and Juno’s Diablo Cody snagged one of them.
Will Smith has a big ticket flick opening this week, I Am Legend, a last-man-on-earth sci-fi flick based on the novel by of the same name by Richard Matheson. While I’m looking forward to this film (Will Smith has been money when it comes to sci-fi flicks), I urge local Netflix or Blockbuster subscribers to check out the 1971 version of the same story, The Omega Man.
The Mullen family in Linwood does a terrific holiday display. This year they have kicked it up a notch with a synchronized dancing light display set to music that you can tune into your radio at 104.1FM. The house is located on Wabash Ave., across from the Seaview Ave. School. Check it out!
There is some serious funny business going on at the Borgata. The casino is going for laughter this spring, adding Wanda Sykes (March 22), George Carlin (April 5), Joy Behar (April 12), Tracy Morgan (May 3) and Bob Saget (June 21) to their line-up. This comes on the heels of a comedy heavy line-up already in place, including Lisa Lampanelli for New Year’s Eve, an added third concert by Jim Norton (Jan. 18–20), and Dennis Miller Feb. 1. You can order tickets 
The Keith Urban-Carrie Underwood tour has announced their initial dates. While we knew A.C. was a stop, we now know that the duo will be showcased at Boardwalk Hall, sponsored by Trump Entertainment, on February 15, 2008, 7:30pm. Tickets go on sale Saturday, Dec. 15 at 10am via 
This is a slow time of the year for concert announcements, but Borgata did add Diana Ross to their line-up, coming January 13. Tickets go on sale this Saturday, Dec. 8 on the Borgata