If you were in Atlantic City the past couple of days, you might have been tempted to wonder about all the lamentation and bitter weeping among casino industry types.

Thanks to the annual convention of the New Jersey State League of Municipalities--the annual gathering of Garden State politios, bureacrats, lobbyists and others who have a vested interest in the day-to-day business of local government--the town was partying like it was 2006. Monday night--before the annual confab officially began, The Quarter at Tropicana was humming with activity and traffic. According to Paul Sandler, general manager of The Palm outlet there, his pricey restaurant was totally sold-out Tuesday and Wednesday.

And Wednesday night at Borgata, Bobby Flay Steak, whose price points make The Palm look like a diner, was likewise jumping.

This, of course, amounts to little more than a Band-Aid on a tumor. But it still had to bring a little cheer to those in AyCee's gaming community. At the very least, this week's temporary uptick in business proved the town and its attractions are not to blame for the ongoing collapse of gambling revenues.

MOVING AHEAD: While Pinnacle Entertainment has made it known it won't put any shovels in the ground at the former Sands site until the current credit crunch abates, the company isn't standing pat. Demolition of other buildings on Pinnacle-owned property adjacent to the Sands parcel is continuing in preparation of the day when construction on a planned $1.5 billion mega-resort can commence.