Archive: February, 2009
What is always one of AyCee's coolest annual events has kicked off at the Convention Center.
The 36th annual Atlantic City Classic Car Show & Auction runs through Sunday. Among the 1,000 sets of hot wheels on display--and for sale--are a 1947 Lincoln Continemtal cabroliet convertable (with a V-12 engine, no less); a '53 Cadillac Series 62 convertible; a '49 Packard Custom Eight convertible and this blog's personal fave, a 1961 Chrysler Crown Imperial ragtop. There will also be an auto flea market where you can buy everything from tools to customized merchandise.
The Car Show & Auction runs through Sunday. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $20 and $5 (kids under 12). For tickets and info, call (856) 573-6969, or go to www.acclassiccars.com.
The holiday weekend brought with it a (likely short-lived) return to the good old days of, say, 2006, down AyCee way.
Saturday night, finacially beleagured Resorts Atlantic City was really jumping. A few dozen cars were lined up waiting to be valet parked, and inside Atlantic City's first legal gambling den, public spaces like the casino, restaurants and showroom (where Howie Mandel made with his usual insanity--and made my stomach hurt from laughing) were throbbing with activity.
Monday afternoon the scene was the same at Harrah's Resort Atlantic City. Casino pits usually empty on weekday afternoons in winter were teeming with players. And judging from the number of people I saw carrying suitcases, it can be assumed hotel occupancy there was extermely healthy.
Granted, President's Day Weekend is historically the casinos' best shot between New Year's and Memorial Day, but given the current economic picture down there, the past few days had to have been particularly gratifying for those who run the properties.
It's been a great winter for those who have had monster hands beaten in AyCee poker rooms.
Tuesday night, the town's biggest ever bad beat jackpot--$306,225-- was hit at Borgata when Ocean City resident Michael Richard had his four 7s topped by the four 10s held by William Stewart during a $2-$5 No Limit Texas Hold'em game.
Bad beat jackpots are cracked when a previously designated minimum hand--at Borgata it's four 2s--loses to a higher hand. The money that has been accumulating in the progressive pool is then distributed according to a pre-determined formula to everyone who had been dealt cards that hand.The money is collected from a $1-per hand "rake" at each table.
There's still plenty of time left to win a sitdown with some of TV's toughest (yet somehow most loveable) wiseguys.
Sunday, Resorts Atlantic City is hosting an event with four cast members of "The Sopranos:" Steve Schirippa (Bobby Bacala), Vincent Pastore ("Big Pussy" Bonpensiero), Frank Vincent (Phil Leotardo) and Dan Grimaldi (identical twins Patsy and Philly Parisi).
The bash, which will feature a sampling of wine from the new "The Sopranos" line and photo-ops for guests with the fictional mob quartet , is ostensibly a high-roller event. But Resorts is offering the general public a chance to score admission. Five pairs of tickets will be given away at a 9 p.m. Saturday drawing. All Resorts Destination Casino Card holders automatically receive one entry. Additional entries can be earned through casino play. Customers receive one entry for evrey three points racked up on his or her card while playing slots, or by spending an hour at a gaming table.
Since then, Chuck has covered the town and its gaming industry for several area newspapers -- which is why, in some circles, he’s known as “Boardwalk Charlie.”
You can reach Chuck at darrowc@phillynews.com. Reach Chuck at darrowc@phillynews.com.
