Greater Atlantic City Chamber announces ‘strategic pause’ for 2025 Atlantic City Airshow
A Statement from the Greater Atlantic City Chamber
“After careful consideration, the Atlantic City Airshow will take a strategic pause for 2025. We will use this time to reevaluate the overall operations of the show –reevaluating community engagement, assessing costs, reviewing logistics and creatively considering what future Atlantic City Airshows could look like. It is our sincere hope that we will once again be in a position to hold an Airshow in 2026.
Our goal is to ensure the longterm viability of the Airshow – it is New Jersey’s largest free event, a 20-year tradition, that has brought joy to hundreds of thousands of visitors and residents alike. We recognize the Airshow’s significant role in our community and to the tourism economy, and we are steadfast in our dedication to preserving its legacy, while adapting to current economic realities.
We wish to thank the City of Atlantic City who each year welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors to its beaches for the Airshow. We also thank Atlantic County and the greater South Jersey region for their continued support of this event year after year. Finally, we thank our generous sponsors, military and civilian performers, community partners and all who contributed their services and expertise in order to make the Atlantic City Airshow the world’s premier beachfront airshow.”
Photo credit: Greater Atlantic City Chamber
Letter from the editor
New Year’s Day is the time when many of us make resolutions, planning to take steps to shape ourselves into living the life we desire.
b ut for many of us, it may be tempting to think that no matter what happens in the new year, it will never compare to the “good old days.” Whether it's because you've lost a loved one, or for other personal reasons, you believe tomorrow will never be as good as yesterday was.
I fall into this trap a lot. With my children grown and one no longer with us, I reminisce about holidays of yesteryear. What happened to the magic of Santa? How could we have grown out of our holiday pajamas?
In reality though, those days too had their fair share of frustrations and challenges. We tend to look at the past with rose colored glasses.
I remember one Christmas, my daughters were angels in a children's performance at church. I got the stomach virus and made the big mistake of trying to ignore it and go ahead with our plans. The girls were on stage seeing m ommy push through the crowds to make a mad dash to the restroom.
Things only got worse from there as it spread to our entire family within hours. Nothing like spending Christmas eve lying on the couch moaning, trying to muster the strength to take care of your little ones who haven’t mastered the art of getting to the bathroom in time!
The truth is, every season of life holds its own treasures, and every new year brings fresh opportunities to grow, connect and create moments worth remembering. The past may have shaped us, but it’s the choices we make today that define who we are becoming.
embracing the future requires courage—a willingness to release the familiar glow of yesterday and step into the unknown light of tomorrow. The world continues to
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Contributors – Charles Eberson, Scott Cronick, Tammy Thornton, Rich Baehrle, Sarah Fertsch, Steffen Klenk, Fred Miller, Brian Cahill, Dave Weinberg, Doug Deutsch, Rachael Guebara, Elisa Jo Eagan, David Setley, Heidi Clayton, Eric Reich, Whitney Ullman, Bill Quain, Chuck Darrow, Bruce Klauber, Christina Martin, Julia Train, Ursula Duffy, John Loreaux, Marjorie Preston, Tynan Hand Cover photo by Tim McGlynn.
turn, and with each sunrise, we’re given a chance to rewrite our story, pursue forgotten dreams or even discover new ones.
The new year is not a deadline; it’s an invitation. An invitation to hope, to try again, to love deeper and to welcome change with open arms. Let us honor the past, but not be chained to it. Instead, let’s carry its lessons with gratitude as we step boldly into the year ahead, ready to make it one of our best chapters yet. each day is an opportunity waiting to be filled with achievements, memorable moments and new connections.
If you’re looking for ways to enhance your health, meet new people or simply experience more of what our community has to offer, Shore Local is your guide.
Check out all the events happening in the area and start filling this new chapter with gratitude and joy.
In 2025, Shore Local promises to celebrate the past, embrace the future and cover the present with a cheerful heart and positive lens. Cheers to a new year!
Peace & Love, Cindy
Twenty Jersey Shore stories that made headlines in 2024
By Sarah Fertsch Staff Writer
With 2025 knocking on our door, let’s review the top news from this past year. From mysterious drone sightings to high-profile film shoots and unexpected corporate shakeups, 2024 has been anything but ordinary. The region saw Hollywood lights shining in Cape m ay, the skies abuzz with unclaimed drones and adorable animals making headlines. Let’s dive into some of the stories that had our corner of the Jersey Shore buzzing this year.
1. Wonderland Pier closed
After 94 years of bringing smiles to families, Gillian’s Wonderland Pier shut its doors for the final time in Oc-
tober. The property, owned by ICONA resorts, could become a beachfront hotel and resort, which would continue to operate the giant Ferris wheel and antique carousel. The future of Wonderland is largely unknown, as of the new year.
2. Orsted ends contract for offshore wind
Amid public backlash sparked by a series of unexplained whale deaths,
the Danish company Orsted terminated its contract to build offshore wind farms off of New Jersey, citing rising costs and supply chain issues. The move deals a blow to the state’s clean energy goals, leaving communities questioning the future of offshore wind projects and their economic and environmental impact.
3. Drones mystify Garden State
In December, residents across New Jersey reported mysterious drones flying over neighborhoods, parks and highways, often at night. The purpose and origin of these flights remain unclear, sparking widespread speculation and concern.
4. Drought plagues N.J.
Over 9 million New Jersey residents have been impacted by severe drought conditions. There was no rain recorded Atlantic City International Airport between Oct. 3 and Nov. 9 and experts expect the trend to continue with January drier than normal.
5. Spirit Airlines files for bankruptcy
In 2024, Spirit Airlines (the only airline that flies out of ACY) filed for bankruptcy, blaming rising fuel costs, stiff competition and dwindling travel demand. Will they continue to offer cheap flights from Atlantic County? In 2025 we will find out.
6. Voice behind ‘watch the tramcar please’ sues
The woman behind that emblematic message — 84-year-old Floss Stingel — wants to be paid for her long association with Wildwood and its Sightseer tram cars.The suit asserts that the city and other parties in the tourism town have gained “significant commercial benefits” by using the recording of her voice without Stingel’s approval or any payment.
7. Moorlyn Theater reopens
The landmark b oardwalk enterprise officially reopened as the moorlyn Square Theatre last summer, restoring a gem in the community. The theater is an attraction from the
original boardwalk and truly a historic arthouse.
8. Pie-eating contest pits dog v. human
Laddie’s Legacy, affiliated with the Absecon Veterinary Hospital, hosted their first-ever dog and human pie eating contest. The event was held at Garden State b rewing Company in Galloway as a part of the annual bark in the Park event.
9. Zebra born at Cape May County Zoo
On April 22, a baby zebra foal was born at the zoo, now counting three
juveniles in the zebra safari enclosure. She is cute and her parents, Lydia and Ziggy, are very proud.
10. N.J. blown away by Northern Lights
In early October, the Aurora borealis was spotted across New Jersey thanks to a severe geomagnetic storm. m eteorologists say that the northern lights were more visible this year than in the past two decades.
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The closing of Gillian's Wonderland Pier captured the attention of both Ocean City residents and visitors..Photo credit: Offshore Drones
Orsted terminated its contract for an offshore wind farm.
The drought lasted from Oct. 3 to Nov. 9.
11. ‘A Complete Unknown’ films in Cape May
Timothée Chalamet recently brought Hollywood to Cape m ay while filming the highly anticipated bob Dylan biopic, “A Complete Unknown.” The seaside town served as a picturesque backdrop for scenes in the film, which explores Dylan’s early career and rise to fame. Chalamet, portraying the iconic musician, was
ing demolition of the record-breaking Kingda Ka coaster. The skyline of Central Jersey is about to change forever.
13. Jersey Shore boardwalks receive $100 million in grants
In February, New Jersey chose 18 Jersey Shore towns to share $100 million from a new program to fund repairs, reconstruction or expansions of boardwalks.
14. Seal pup comes ashore in OC
spotted immersing himself in the role, drawing crowds of excited fans and curious onlookers.
12. One Final Ride for Kingda Ka
Six Flags Great Adventure announced the retirement and upcom -
An adorable seal pup captured the hearts of locals and visitors alike when he was rescued wandering 42nd Street in Ocean City. Despite heroic efforts of the m arine m ammal Stranding Center, the pup tragically passed away.
15. Eagles legend Jason Kelce retires
The Philadelphia e agles’ stalwart center, announced his retirement on march 4, concluding a distinguished 13-season NFL career. Post-retirement, Kelce has transitioned into broadcasting, joining eSPN's “ m onday Night Countdown” as an analyst.
He also co-hosts a podcast with his brother Travis, and has numerous product endorsements.
16. No more aviary at Cape May County Zoo
The World of b irds Aviary is no more. Facing over $2 million in needed renovations, the zoo made the difficult decision to demolish the bird exhibit and rehome almost 100 birds to the bronx Zoo (among other zoos).
17. Great white spotted off Atlantic City?
Twenty-two miles off the coast of Atlantic City, a great white shark was seen and filmed by Pearson’s Pursuit Inshore Fishing this past July. Some
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say it was a harmless basking shark, but the world may never know.
18. Teens go wild at Jersey Shore beach towns and municipal police departments continued to struggle to contain thousands of youth, partying and causing chaos across boardwalks, beaches and main streets. Ocean City set an 8 p.m. beach curfew in may.
19. Beloved lighthouse keeper dies at 96
George H. “ b uddy” Grover III, a beloved Atlantic City resident who spent 14 years as a keeper at the Absecon Lighthouse, captivating and educating thousands of visitors, passed away at his home on Jan. 4 at the age of 96. He is greatly missed.
George H. “Buddy” Grover III spent 14 years as a keeper at the Absecon Lighthouse before passing away at 96.
20. World War II memorial unveiled in AC
In June, the b ernie Freidenberg World War II memorial finally opened to the public. Honored guests at the June 6 ceremony, held on the 80th anniversary of D-Day, also included Gold Star m others of America members and families of United States military veterans. The event commenced with a military flyover from the New Jersey Air National Guard’s 177th Fighter Wing.
Timothée Chalamet starred in the new Bob Dylan biopic, “A Complete Unknown,” filmed in Cape May.
A seal pup washed ashore in Ocean City.
Brigantine Polar Bear Plunge: 25 years of tradition, community and charity
By Julia Train
Every year, on the first of January, both locals and visitors gather at several beaches along the coast to jump in the freezing cold water to start the new year on the right foot.
m ost plunges are started by already-established charities, but b rigantine’s plunge has a different story.
Twenty-five years ago, a group of 25 patrons of the now-closed rod & reel decided to take a dip in the Atlantic Ocean on New Year’s Day. each year, that number grew, forming the brigantine Polar bears.
“Now 5,000 people show up and 2,000 go in the water and it's become a big deal,” said Tricia Cosgrove, the group’s event planner. “And the town is renewed because people come down for Christmas and New Year's.” eventually, the group decided to turn their New Year’s Day plunge into a fundraiser for veterans, as brigantine is a veteran-centered city. After researching veteran charities, the
Polar bears landed on Fisher House, a maryland-based organization that provides free housing and support
to families of veterans undergoing medical treatment. Cosgrove said Fisher House stood out because 97% of the money they raise goes directly to veterans, while others give 50-60%.
3120 Fire Road, Suite 100, Egg Harbor Twp, NJ
Phone 609.317.0801 kap@djd.law djdlawyers.com
The annual plunge takes place on brigantine's 16th and 17th Street beaches on Jan. 1. Festivities begin at 10 a.m. with music, dancers, food trucks and b earWear sales. b earWear, which is the group’s unique name for its merchandise, is sold from black Friday to New Year’s Day and is how the event raised money.
Since the event’s inception, it has grown significantly, from 10 sponsors to 200 and raising $200 to up to $80,000 each year.
Cosgrove said the amount the group has donated has accumulated to $1 million.
“To build a Fisher House, you need $9 million, so they're not going to build a Fisher House in our brigantine honor. They might put a plaque in the bathroom,” she said. “[It’s] the only fundraiser that Fisher House [sponsors] that’s a Polar bear Plunge.”
She also said that Fisher House’s chief of staff, president and other employees attend the event every year.
The plunge itself kicks off at noon after a veterans ceremony at 11 a.m. and a costume parade. beach permits for 4x4 vehicles will be waived until 1 p.m., when the event concludes.
After the plunge, 50/50 winners will be announced at the VFW at 1 p.m., and post-plunge parties will be held at local establishments, with b earWear available for purchase at the VFW and riptide bait and Tackle.
The Polar b ear Plunge is free to
attend and open to everyone, though participants who want to take the plunge must sign a waiver. The event attracts both seasoned plungers and newcomers, all eager to brave the cold for a great cause.
For more information on the b rigantine Polar b ear Plunge, visit the event’s official Facebook page: b rigantine Polar b ears, A NJ Non Profit Corporation. The nonprofit’s page provides details about the plunge, how to participate and how to purchase event T-shirts to support Fisher House.
Julia is a recent Rider University graduate, where she studied multiplatform journalism and social media strategies. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, trying new coffee shops, photography and the beach. She can be reached at juliatrainmedia@gmail.com or connect with her on Instagram @juliatrain
Photo credit: Jack Fahey
The Jersey Shore’s top 10 weather events of 2024
By Meteorologist Joe Martucci
There are top 10 lists for everything under the sun at the end of the year. And yes, that means Jersey Shore weather as well. Welcome to the Jersey Shore’s Top 10 Weather events of 2024 where I look at the most impactful, biggest, unusual and best meteorological phenomena that happened along our coast the past year.
In my opinion, this year’s top 10 list is top heavy. While there weren’t that many noteworthy events, what did occur made its mark. Let’s go through the list, from 10 to 1. (NOTe: All data is from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration unless otherwise specified).
10. Long-lasting September, ‘sunny day’ coastal flooding
The Sept. 16-25 streak was a good reminder that rain is not an ingredient for coastal flooding. The new moon, which brings higher-than-usual tides, as well as multiple storms passing well offshore, brought a long streak of tidal flooding.
m easurable rain only fell twice during this period and most of it was light. Winds were from the northeast, east or southeast every day during this stretch. With the storms offshore providing a long fetch of onshore
winds, the flooding continued for a while. Thankfully, there was no flooding in the major flood stage.
See https://t.ly/ mbHG b
9. A chilly summer ocean
Upwelling, where chilly water near the seafloor moves up, replacing the relatively warm surface water, occurred more often than usual this summer, chilling ocean swimmers even as the thermometer on land soared. Ocean temperatures were in the 50s at times into August.
Upwelling is typically caused by winds out of the south and southwest. Thirty two percent of days between June and August – climatological summer – featured upwelling favorable winds at Atlantic City International Airport.
8. Oct. 20-21 big temperature swing
Atlantic City International Airport had a 40-degree temperature swing on Oct. 21, the most during climatological fall, September through November. You went from winter coats
J e s s H i m m e l M e d i u m s h i p & O r a c l e R e a d i n
W e a r e a c o l l e c t i v e o f h e a l i n g a r t i s t s o f f e r i n g a w i d e v a r i e t y o f h e a l i n g s e r v i c e s a n d e d u c a t i o n i n c l u d i n g A s t r o l o g y , A r o m a t h e r a p y , C o a c h i n g , R e a d i n g s , O r g o n e E n e r g y P i e c e s , O n l i n e / I n - P e r s o n C l a s s e s a n d W o r k s h o p s , H e a l i n g C i r c l e s a n d L I V E R e a d i n g s e v e r y T u e s d a y a t 1 1 : 3 0 a m o n o u r F A C E B O O K P A G E !
to shorts in the course of a few hours. The morning low was 42 degrees, with the afternoon high hitting a summer-like 82 degrees.
The day before that had an impressive swing, too. Oct. 20 went from 39 degrees as a morning low to a 77-degree afternoon high. That’s a 38-degree jump and the third most for climatological fall.
7. Norlun Trough brings snow on Jan. 19
It wasn’t how much snow fell, but why it fell that brings this to the No. 7 spot.
A rare Norlun Trough, a narrow band of heavy snow, cut through South Jersey and South Jersey only on that Friday. Somers Point picked up 5.3 inches of snow and Dennis Township picked up 4.9 inches, according to the Office of the New Jersey State Climatologist.
m eanwhile, typically snowier places like Newark Liberty International Airport only reported 0.6 inches of snow. Sparta, Sussex County, only had 2.0.
A Norlun Trough forms on the northwest side of a low-pressure system. Winds from different directions meet at that trough line, pushing upward. Upward motion creates snow.
See https://climate.rutgers.edu/ stateclim/images/snow_20240119. png
6. The highest pressure in decades on Dec. 14
The highest barometric air pressure since 1981 occurred at Atlantic City International Airport. Farther up the coast, m onmouth County e xecutive Airport in Wall had its highest-ever air pressure since records began in 1954.
ACY Airport recorded a maximum air pressure of 1047.4 millibars at 9:54 a.m. on Dec. 14. m ost of New Jersey peaked around this level as well.
A few of you asked me what this meant for our weather. really, it doesn’t mean much. There was much downward pressure pushing on us, which kept the sky blue. You probably didn’t even notice it, unless Queen’s chart-topping hit “Under Pressure” played on your speakers, which also came out in 1981.
See https://is.gd/ bhrAAT
5. Lack of tornadoes and tropical systems
Not all top 10 weather events have to be bad. The Jersey Shore was spared from tornadoes. The lack of tropical systems meant fewer rip currents, fewer torrential downpours and less tidal flooding this season. However, we do rely on tropical moisture during the late summer and early fall to provide precipitation and water for our use. This phenomenon
is partially responsible for the top three events on this list.
4. Hottest or second hottest year on record
“It is certain that 2024 will either rank as New Jersey’s warmest or second warmest calendar year on record,” Dave robinson, the New Jersey state climatologist said in his November 2024 state weather recap.
Here’s how the state has fared so far:
Spring (m arch- m ay): Second warmest.
Summer (June-August): Third warmest.
Fall (September-November): Fourth warmest.
m eanwhile, January and February were both more than 4 degrees
above the period of record average, which began at the state climate office in 1895. December will wind up close to the long-term average. Human-caused climate change, whether through greenhouse gas emissions or the increase of urban heat islands, are largely responsible for this. The last year that was below the long-term average (51.9 degrees) was 2003 and that was by 0.1 degree. The last year the state was more than a degree below average was 1978.
See https://is.gd/ brX27y
3. Record driest autumn on record
The Sen. Frank S. Farley State marina in Atlantic City reported 2.19
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inches of rain between September and November. That was the driest three-month period in the city’s lengthy period of record keeping, which began in 1873. To put it another way, this was in the top 0.0006% of three-month stretches there. Incredible. It beat the previous record, set back in 1895, by 0.33 inches.
Inland, Atlantic City International Airport reported 2.94 inches of rain during this time. That was the third driest three-month stretch in its 80+ year history and the driest during climatological fall. While good for enjoying Locals’ Summer, it created a significant issue that will carry over in 2025.
2. Drought grips New Jersey
As we exit 2024, the Jersey Shore is in the most intense drought since 2002, according to the United States Drought m onitor.
https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/ Current m ap/StateDrought m onitor. aspx?NJ
Nov. 19. New Jersey American Water immediately issued a mandatory conservation notice to all of its customers as a result. All non-essential water use was banned.
https://www.amwater.com/njaw/ Water-Wastewater-Information/ wise-water-use
Soil moisture is 20 to 50% below average for Atlantic and north Cape may counties as of the time of writing, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Crop-CASmA reporting. rivers and streams have flowed “much below” average up and down the Jersey Shore during the fall.
See https://www.drought.gov/ states/new-jersey
extreme drought, the third level of four, covers 49.4% of New Jersey as of Dec. 19’s update from the drought monitor. That includes all of Atlantic and Cape may counties.
The very dry autumn, due in part to a lack of tropical moisture, caused the state to issue a drought warning for the first time since 2016 on
Drought began on Sept. 10 in a small part of northern Atlantic County, according to the drought monitor. It began as a moderate drought, the first level of drought. Drought had spread to all of Atlantic and northern Cape may counties as of Oct. 15. by then, the western half of Atlantic County was in a severe drought, a Level 2.
The severe drought swept through all of the region by Oct. 29. The following week an extreme drought was declared, where we have been since.
As noted in the winter outlook a few weeks ago, the rest of the winter should stabilize drought conditions.
However, I don’t see much improvement by the time spring arrives. That puts pressure on the early growing season months to have plentiful rainfall. If not, we’ll slip into conditions unprecedented in decades.
See https://shorelocalnews.com/ the-jersey-shore-2024-2025-winteroutlook/
1. The longest dry streak on record
The top spot goes to the all-time record longest dry streak, which occurred not just here at the Jersey Shore, but throughout the whole state.
Atlantic City International Airport went 38 days without measurable rain, from Oct. 3 to Nov. 9. Sen. Frank S. Farley State marina went 39 days in a row, tying the previous record. This broke and tied, respectively, the previous record set back in 1995.
Our area was on the low end of the dry streak. Long b ranch, millville, Trenton and Newark Airport all went over 40 days without measurable rain, breaking all-time streaks. It felt like we were living in Southern California with all of the sunshine and dry weather during the fall. Some drops of rain did fall from the sky on occasion, but it wasn’t enough to even register in a rain gauge.
I put this over the drought and the record-longest autumn for a few
reasons. every major weather reporting station in the state broke or tied the alltime record. So, it wasn’t just our area.
So much has to occur just at the right time for this streak to occur. High pressures need to be in place, tropical storms need to avoid the area, cold fronts passing by need to be weak enough for rain not to accompany it. It also just took sheer luck. It doesn’t take much for a random 0.01 inch of rain to occur at one of the major weather reporting stations. Not weather but worth mentioning
felt the shaking, including here in our area. Thankfully, the damage was minimal.
Not weather related but worth mentioning were three events we’ll remember for a long time.
The first was the April 5, 2024 earthquake. Centered in Hunterdon County, in north-central New Jersey, a magnitude 4.8 earthquake occurred at 10:23 a.m. That was the biggest rumble in the state since Nov. 29, 1783, weeks after the revolutionary War ended, according to the New Jersey Department of environmental Protection. Over 42 million people
A few days later, on April 8, the Great North American solar eclipse occurred. roughly 80% of the sun was blocked by the moon that afternoon at the Jersey Shore at its peak. However, clouds did ruin the experience for some of us.
Finally, we have to end with the Aurora of borealis on Oct. 10. Pink and red glistened to the naked eye and if you pointed your phone camera at it, the colors just exploded on the screen (thank the lens for that extra effect). It was generational. I couldn’t stop smiling seeing it that night.
See https://t.ly/ap-tI
It’s fitting for Shore Local News magazine, too. Cindy and b ob had us on an end-ofsummer boat cruise around Atlantic City. The openness of the sea allowed us to all run to the edges of the boat to grab photos. Thanks guys!
New Jersey State Climatologist Dave r obinson and I will talk about all of this, on video on Dec. 31 in our m onthly Weather roundup. Find it on my YouTube channel. It’ll be a half-hour-long and a perfect way to learn more about the weather as we go into 2025.
See https://youtube.com/@joemartwx
Joe earned his Meteorology Degree from Rutgers University. He is approved by the American Meteorological Society as a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist and Certified Digital Meteorologist, the only one in the state with both. He's won 10 New Jersey Press Association Awards. You can find him on social media @joemartwx
Events and Happenings
Multi-day Events
Holiday Light Show at Smithville
▶Daily, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
615 e m oss mill road
enjoy a special light show overlooking Lake m eone every 30 minutes. Stroll through the over 150 shops that make up Historic Smithville. m ore information available at www.historicsmithville.com. Now through Jan. 6.
Vinter Wonderland at Renault Winery
▶Daily starting at noon
72 N. b remen Ave., egg Harbor City
Step into the heart of the season as renault Winery is transformed into a festive winter oasis filled with joyful activities. enjoy gliding on the ice rink, explore the cozy marketplace, or gather around the firepits. Learn more and purchase skate tickets at www.renaultwinery.com. Open Friday, Dec. 27 and Saturday, Dec. 28 from noon to 10 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 29 and m onday, Dec. 30 from noon to 8 p.m.; Tuesday, Dec. 31 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Wednesday, Jan. 1 from noon to 6 p.m.
Fantasy with Lights at Storybook Land
▶Now-Dec. 30, 4-8 p.m.
Check out the Light Show on the Lake at Historic Smithville every day 5:30-8:30 p.m.
6415 e black Horse Pike, egg Harbor Township
See over 1 million lights at Storybook Land. The park will be open through m onday, Dec. 30. Tickets will not be sold at the gate. Purchase online at www.storybookland.com.
Friday, December 27
Family Movie at the Library
▶2 p.m.
Longport Library, 2305 Atlantic Ave.
COLLECTION NOTICE
There will be no ACUA collections on Christmas Day, December 25,
Most Atlantic County collections will be delayed by one day. In Ventnor, Thursday AND Friday collections will be performed on Friday. See acua.com for details.
Gather your friends and family and join Longport Library for an afternoon movie, “Transformers One,” the animated untold origin story of Optimus Prime and m egatron. Call 609-4877403 to register or learn more.
Saturday, December 28
Pancake Breakfast
▶8 a.m.
Ocean City masonic Lodge, 940 Wesley Ave.
breakfast includes specialty pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, coffee and juice. Cost is $12 for adults, $6 children and $10 veterans. Walk-ins are welcome. First come first served.
Chess Club
▶Noon-4 p.m.
Ventnor Library, 6500 Atlantic Ave.
If you love chess, or have always wanted to learn, this event is for you. The chess club is open for all ages and levels of experience. bring your own chess board or borrow one from the library. Children under 9 must be accompanied by an adult.
Monday, December 30
Preschool Storytime
▶10:30 a.m.
egg Harbor City Library, 124 Philadelphia Ave.
Children and their caregivers will enjoy stories, songs, crafts, games and movement while building language and literacy skills. Open to ages 2-4. registration required by calling the library at 609-804-1063.
Mahjong Madness Mondays
▶12:30-2:30 p.m.
Ventnor Library, 6500 Atlantic Ave.
enjoy a friendly game of mahjong at the library. Instructions and guidance will be given for beginners to learn this fun table game. This program is for ages 18 and up. registration required by calling 609-8234614.
Tuesday, December 31
Rollin’ New Year’s Eve Celebration
▶1-4 p.m.
Young’s Skating Center, 763 Park road, mays Landing
Celebrate this New Year’s eve Day with Young’s Skating Center. roll out of 2024 during this special event and enjoy a New Year’s eve Countdown at 3 p.m. Party favors included. entrance fee is $10.75 per person.
First Night OCNJ
▶4 p.m.-midnight
Ocean City
Ocean City’s First Night New Year’s eve Celebration will consist of a complete evening of entertainment and activities spanning the city, from the m usic Pier to the High School, and the Tabernacle to the Community Center, leading up to fireworks at midnight launched from Sixth St. and the beach. Highlights will include
↘Continued on 18
Photo credit: Historic Smithville
music by the Yacht rock Gold e xperience, ice skating, performance by the Ocean City Theatre Company, Atlantic City b allet, the OC Pops, Japanese Drummers, Harlem Wizards basketball and drone shows at Carey Stadium at 7:45 and 9:45 p.m.
Purchase your button and learn more at www.FirstNightOCNJ.com.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks in Sea Isle
▶8 p.m.
JFK blvd. beach
Join Sea Isle City in welcoming the new year with a dazzling fireworks display over the beach at 8 p.m.
Wednesday, January 1
First Day Shopping Extravaganza
▶9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Downtown Asbury Ave.
Welcome the new year by shopping for tremendous bargains in Downtown Ocean City. For more information, visit www.oceancityvacation.com.
Atlantic City Polar Bear Plunge
▶Noon
The b each at LandShark, 1133 boardwalk
Plunge for a purpose and join Cancer Support Community New Jersey at Gilda’s Club for their 33rd Annual Polar bear Plunge. registration opens at 10 a.m. The plunge will begin at
OCEAN AQUARIUM
Visit our new location in Northfield! 201 Tilton Road in London Square (609) 272-0660 isit our new location in Tilton London Square 272-0660
Tropical Fish
200 tanks of Freshwater & Saltwater Varieties
Aquariums & Supplies
Friendly, Knowledgeable Staff Fish & Staff
noon with proceeds benefiting cancer patients and their families throughout the region.
Brigantine Polar Bear Plunge
▶Noon
16th and 17th Street beach
Join the brigantine Polar bears for their silver anniversary. The annual New Year's Day tradition will begin with an official ceremony, veterans salute and costume contest, held by the beach at 11 a.m. The plunge will take place at noon.
Margate Polar Bear Plunge
▶Noon beach at essex Ave.
Hosted by robert’s Place. The festivities will be held on the north side of margate Fishing Pier at noon. Pre and post plunge festivities and t-shirts for purchase at robert’s Place.
Ventnor Polar Plunge and Winter Festival
▶1 p.m.
Newport Avenue beach
Around the World Book Club
▶6-7:30 p.m.
Galloway Library, 306 e . Jimmie Leeds road
Galloway Library takes you on a trip around the world through the power of written words. This week, enjoy a land of captivating history, diverse culture and incredible natural beauty of Vietnam. This program is for adults 18 and up. Sign up by calling 609-652-2352.
Tuesday, January 7
Thoughts from the Bookshelf
▶3 p.m.
m argate Library, 8100 Atlantic Ave.
Join the Ventnor business Association and City of Ventnor Special events for this annual event to welcome the new year. New for 2025 is a Family Winter Festival at St. James m emorial Hall, located at the corner of Newport and Atlantic avenues from noon to 5 p.m. The event will include food trucks, a hot chocolate/ coffee cart, inflatable sports games and music by DJ Scot rainear. There will also be a chili cookoff between Ventnor City Police and Fire departments, with proceeds benefiting each department’s benevolent association.
First Day 5k Boardwalk Run
▶1 p.m.
Ocean City music Pier, 825 boardwalk
Pre-register online at www.ocnj. us/race-events or on race day from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the music Pier.
First Day at the Beach Polar Plunge in Ocean City
▶2 p.m.
Ocean City m usic Pier, at eighth St. beach
Join Ocean City for the first dip in the ocean for the new year. The event will take place on the north side of the m usic Pier at eighth St. For more information, visit www.oceancityvacation.com.
Thursday, January 2
Craft-tastic Kids Club: Snowman
Mason Jar
▶5:30 p.m.
Absecon Library, 305 New Jersey Ave.
brighten up your January with this adorable DIY mason jar snowman decoration. This program is open to ages 5-12. Children under 9 must be accompanied by an adult. registration is open through m onday by calling the library at 609-646-2228.
Join facilitator Pat Goldstein and JFS Village Community Specialist Tina Serota for a book club gathering. This January, the group will discuss the best-selling novel, “Necessary Trouble: Growing Up at mid-Century” by Drew Gilpin Faust. Attend in-person at the margate Library m eeting room. r SVP by Jan. 3 by calling 609-287-8872 or email tserota@ jfsatlantic.org.
Health
and Wellness Living in the Moment Group
▶Fridays, 10:30 a.m.
m ental Health Association of Atlantic County, 4 e . Jimmie Leeds road Suite 8, Galloway
Slow down and spend an hour with like-minded people working on developing gratitude, self-love and other character traits that encourage mindfulness. Weekly meetings include meaningful discussions, camaraderie and a group activity. For more information, call 609-652-3800, ext. 0306.
MHA Atlantic Family Meetings
▶Thursday, Jan. 9, 10 a.m.
These virtual support groups and educational programs are for individuals with a loved one affected by mental health and/or substance use disorders. Day and evening meetings include an educational segment as well as support in the form of stress-reduction, self-care,
See the New Year’s Eve fireworks in Sea Isle on Dec. 31.
resources and advocacy. m eetings are held at 10 a.m. on the second and fourth Thursday, and 7 p.m. every third Wednesday. Contact Gail Christian at 609-652-3800, ext. 0301 or gchristian@mhanj.org to receive a meeting link.
NAMI Family Support and Connection Meeting
▶monday, Jan. 13, 7-8:30 p.m.
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 606 Shore road, Somers Point
Open to family members, caregivers and loved ones 18+. Participants gain the support of peers who understand their experiences and gain insight into others’ challenges and
successes. Visit www.namiacm.org or call 609-741-5125 for more information.
Dementia Support Group
▶Wednesday, Jan. 15, 1:30 p.m. 6009 Paul and Thelma Lane, mays Landing
Held on the first and third Wednesday of every month from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Call Diane Conover at 609-402-6966 for more information.
Do you have an upcoming event? Let us know about it! Submit your next event to shorelocalevents@gmail.com.
Margate's Polar Plunge will take place Jan. 1 at the Essex Avenue beach.
Photo credit: Julia Train
Taking on microplastics in Margate
By Steffen Klenk
Stephen Jasiecki has spent his life enjoying all that our coast has to offer. He is an avid kayaker and leader of Sustainable margate, the core of the city’s Green Team. The group is comprised of local volunteers who focus on not only improving the quality of life for everyday residents, but focusing on sustainable practices to benefit the city and surroundings It was several years ago when the m argate resident noticed something in the water. “This is not good.” That was Jasiecki’s reaction after noticing plastic particles floating around the
bay, the source of which came from debris at construction sites. “It was going onto the ground and into the environment, going down into the gutter, and then eventually, washing into the storm drains.”
It was after this encounter that he brought attention to the Green Team, further asking the city to take proactive measures to address the issue.
2023 and has been active in bringing awareness about the dangers of construction debris.
“ m ost people don’t think about it,” Lilienfeld says. “They think stormwater goes to this magical place where it gets cleaned up.”
The actual story is quite different.
“It’s this big open pipe out into our bay and our ocean.”
which could lead to adverse health effects.
b ut it’s not just along our coast where these types of plastics are ubiquitous, according to Lois Kraus, co-chair of beyond Plastics New Jersey. “This is any community that has construction; microplastics are going into storm drains (and) into rivers and streams.”
researchers at Germany’s Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater ecology and Inland Fisheries discovered that
Construction contaminants are known to contain microplastics, or small pieces of plastic no more than five millimeters in size, or just under two fractions of an inch. recent studies by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have shown that these types of particles are not just harmful to the environment and our ecosystem, but can enter the bloodstream, brain tissue, and other vital organs,
the impact of microplastics in soils, sediments, and freshwater could lead to long-term negative effects on ecosystems.
“As plastic breaks down, it becomes microparticles and nanoparticles, and that’s where it really gets scary, because you don’t think it’s all around you.” says Kraus.
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Sherri Lilienfeld has been a member of Sustainable m argate since
Dec 27 Jan 1
1:00 -3:30 pm
This Pass is good for an Afternoon Session from 1:00 to 3:30 PM Dec. 26th, 2024 thru Jan 1st, 2025. Skate rentals Included!
PASS GOOD FOR SCHOOL STUDENTS ONLY. AGE 14 & UNDER This pass not accepted if not lled in below. Must be PRINTED IN INK This information will be added to our mailing list.
School ___________________________________________________
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Pass Good For Afternoon Sessions Only. Valid everyday thru Jan 1, 2025 .
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New Classes begin Jan 18
↘Continued from 20
Studies by the New e ngland Journal of m edicine have shown that these same microparticles and nanoparticles are also being found in human bodies. While there are more studies underway to determine the long-term impacts of microplastics on human health, work is being done to ensure safe and affective containment practices in communities statewide.
e arlier this year, the City of m argate passed a resolution that aims to promote clean and safe worksites for contractors and increase public awareness about the issue. This includes the containment of dust and plastics on all worksites.
munities to pass legislation. A recent documentary titled, “We Are Plastic People Now,” aims to raise even more awareness about the long-term effects of plastics in our environment. The film is available to watch via PbS.
“We’re not asking them to stop working,” Jasiecki says. “We’re just asking them to be responsible, and respectful of the neighbors, properties, and the world in general.”
On the state level, groups such as beyond Plastics have been raising awareness and educating the public about the long-term effects on construction waste and use of single-use plastics, while working alongside green teams and watershed associations and supporting individual com -
“It’s not just a shore issue,” Kraus says. “It’s an issue anywhere where this is happening and going into water bodies.”
Steffen Klenk is a photographer and multimedia journalist who enjoys capturing the eclectic moments of shore life. You may contact Steffen at shorelocalsteffen@gmail.com.
By Julia Train
AFive New Year’s resolution ideas and ways to stay motivated
s the calendar flips to a new year, many take the opportunity to reflect on the past and set new goals for the future. Whether you're aiming for personal growth, health improvements or a change in habits, New Year's resolutions can be an inspiring way to start anew. However, sticking to those resolutions can often be a challenge.
According to U.S. News and World report, an estimated 80% of people fail with their resolutions, losing their motivation just weeks later in mid-February.
With that being said, here are five resolution ideas, along with five tips to help you stay motivated throughout the year so you can achieve your goals in 2025.
1. Commit to physical health.
One of the most common New Year’s resolutions is to get healthier, which holds a different meaning for everyone — whether that means losing weight, exercising more or eating better. This resolution not only improves your physical health but can
boost your mood, energy levels and mental health.
2. Learn a new skill or hobby. Is there something you've always wanted to learn but never had the time or motivation to start? A hobby can give you something to look forward to every day. Some ideas include learning a new language, picking up a musical instrument, crocheting, knitting or cooking.
3. Focus on mental health.
When life gets busy, it’s easy to neglect mental health. This year, commit to prioritizing it. Consider journaling, mindfulness meditation and doing activities you enjoy.
4. Save more money.
Financial goals are among the most practical and rewarding resolutions. Setting financial goals, like creating an emergency fund, paying off debt or saving for a big purchase, can provide peace of mind and greater security for the future.
5. Give back to the community. If you’re looking to make a positive impact this year, consider adding volunteerism to your resolutions. Whether it's donating your time, skills
or money, giving back can help you foster a deeper sense of purpose and connection.
Five tips for staying motivated throughout the year
Now that you have some meaningful resolutions, here are the five tips to help you stay motivated to the end of the year:
1. Break goals into smaller tasks.
Large goals can feel overwhelming. by breaking them into smaller, more manageable tasks, you'll feel more accomplished as you complete each step.
2. Track your progress.
Use a journal, chart or app to monitor your progress. Whether it's for fitness, finances, habits or a personal project, tracking your progress reminds you how far you've come.
3. Find an accountability partner.
Usually, if we have someone to answer to, we’re more likely to stick to goals, so share them with a friend, family member or mentor who can help hold you accountable. regular check-ins with someone you trust can offer encouragement and motivation to keep going even when you feel like giving up.
4. Celebrate milestones. reward yourself for reaching key milestones along the way. Whether it’s treating yourself to a small indulgence after completing a fitness goal or celebrating a financial milestone, acknowledging your successes makes the journey more enjoyable and keeps you motivated to continue.
5. Remember consistency over perfection.
Life can be unpredictable and busy, so be prepared to adjust your goals if needed. If a particular strategy isn’t working, don’t give up — adjust it and move forward. If you fall off track one day, get back the next. The easiest way to stay on top of goals is to adopt this mindset.
Although this article is packed with resolution ideas and tips, it’s also OK to set one resolution — actually, it’s even better to have one primary goal to keep track of, as having too many will probably overwhelm you. The purpose of setting resolutions at the beginning of each year is to better your life, but sometimes life gets busy. be gentle with yourself!
Happy New Year!
By Bruce Klauber
The story of Storybook Land
It’s not an amusement park or an amusement pier. It has no thrill rides and it's miles from any Jersey Shore boardwalk. b ut the fantasyland known as Storybook Land has entertained generations of families and their children, with gentle delight, since its doors first opened in 1955.
To its everlasting credit, Storybook Land has appropriately moved along with the times. The venue has added new features, modern kiddie rides and has instituted constant upgrades, while still adhering to the original concept of a fantasyland come to life for children.
children up to age 10 to enjoy fairytale-focused attractions. Ahead of his time? You bet. Storybook Land opened three months before Disneyland.
Though John passed away in 2009, his grandson and granddaughter, John III and Jessica, have continued the legacy. In a 2015 piece written for the NJ.com website, John, who works as the operations manager, commented, "In the 1950s, the black Horse Pike was a major route to Atlantic City before the Atlantic City e xpressway was built. my grandpar-
In 1954, Vineland resident and painter John Fricano paid $5,000 for 5 acres of land on the black Horse Pike in egg Harbor Township. His idea was to build an amusement park for
ents wanted to create a rest stop for parents and children.”
Jessica added, "I think he figured that the fairytale theme was a good
choice because they catered to small children, both boys and girls."
On the original 5-acre site, among the “come-tolife” fairytale characters were the Three b ears, Humpty Dumpty, the Old Woman in the Shoe, m other Goose and the Little red Schoolhouse.
Through the years, the venue has undergone constant expansion. It’s now 20 acres. “In the amusement
industry, you have to innovate,” John Fricano explained. “You have to offer something new to make people revisit your facility.”
In the 1960s, rides were added for the first time. There are now 16 rides, including b ubbles the Coaster, the J&J railroad and the Tick-Tock Clock Drop. There’s also a water play area and billy Goats Gruff (goats live in an elevated house). Sharing the grounds with the fairy tale characters are fallow and white-tailed deer, ducks and peacocks.
In 2014, taking a lead from the popular Diggerland theme park, Storybook Land added something called Work Zone. This is a construction-themed ride with cars shaped like bulldozers. Also added around the same time was a swing ride shaped like a tree, called Out on a Limb, which replaced the park’s long-running balloon ride.
The park has also extended its season from march to December and Storybook Land is decorated accordingly during easter, Halloween and Christmas. Yes, Santa Claus is on the premises, as is a spectacular light display. Santa’s Workshop, Santa’s House, Santa’s reindeer and the North Pole all add to the Christmas atmosphere.
Now almost 70 years old, Storybook Land continues to attract families from around the world. Some things are timeless.
“Fairytales and fantasy are still popular,” said John Fricano. “Look at the success of the films ‘Frozen’ and ‘Tangled.’ That’s why we’re staying with our theme. You never really outgrow it.”
“We visited recently and it was absolutely MAGICAL! Thank you for all your work and efforts over the years to make this such a wonderful time of the year!” – Kiersten Coppinger
“Phenomenal job once again this year as always! The lights are spectacular and Santa spoke so kindly
Storybook Land has received rave reviews from around the world since the day it opened its doors. Here’s just a sampling:
eyed.” – Kristen Hayes Van Dine
The most incisive and thorough review of Storybook Land was written by Lindsay Frank of the popular SeeMomsClick.com website. It read, in part:
“Storybook Land is family-friendly. This park is for kids. There are no huge roller coasters or rides geared just for adults. It’s all about the kids here! My kids are six and three yearsold and they were both able to go on every ride. All of the staff at the park are so nice to the kids, helping them on and off the rides.
to everyone. Thankful for you all.” –Ava D’Amato Cocchi
“We look forward to our visit with you every year. Hasn’t been a visit yet that Santa hasn’t made me teary-
“The park is very clean and just fun to explore. I love it when the kids recognize a scene from their favorite storybooks! It’s a beautiful park too. Some of the landscaping and garden -
ing is just awesome. The park is easy to navigate. It’s really easy to hit all the attractions and come back to anything you want to do more than once. It’s the perfect size for little kids. We hit every ride over the course of maybe five hours. And when you have little ones, that’s really all they can handle.”
For all those reasons and more, Storybook Land has been voted as among the top 10 best theme park holiday attractions in the country by USA Today. even better news is that there’s still time to visit. Storybook Land is open from 4 to 8 p.m. through Dec. 30, the last day of the season. And that’s no fairy tale!
Tickets are sold online only at storybookland.com. Some dates are sold out.
Bruce Klauber is the author of four books, an award-winning music journalist, concert and record producer and publicist, producer of the Warner Brothers and Hudson Music "Jazz Legends" film series, and performs both as a drummer and vocalist.
Guide to 2025 First Night and First Day in Ocean City
What: Ocean City marks the 32nd anniversary of its popular family-friendly New Year’s eve celebration this year, and as many as 10,000 are expected to attend. First Night offers more than 70 activities and entertainment programs at 23 different venues throughout town. The lineup includes something to satisfy every taste and age group. A fireworks display rings in the new year at midnight. The fun continues on New Year’s Day with a 5-kilometer run on the boardwalk and the wildly popular First Plunge in the Atlantic Ocean.
When: First Night events run 4 p.m. to midnight on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2024. The First Day 5K starts at 1 p.m. and the First Plunge goes off at 2 p.m. on m onday, Jan. 1, 2025.
Admission buttons: buttons ($25) are good for all events. Children under age 2 are free. b uttons are on sale now.
● Online: firstnightocnj.com.
● By phone: 609-399-6111.
● At the City Hall Welcome Center at 861 Asbury Ave. (9th Street
entrance): 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
● At the Roy Gillian Welcome Center (9th Street causeway): 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. m ondays to Fridays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
● At the 46th Street Welcome Center (4500 block of West Avenue): 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through m onday.
Pickup at will-call will be available daily at the City Hall Welcome Center (Ninth Street entrance) at the hours listed above. b utton sales and will-
call pickup will be at the City Hall Welcome Center 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. on the day of the event (Dec. 31).
Highlights: Headline entertainment at the Ocean City m usic Pier this year will include a tribute to the music of the e agles and the “Yacht rock Gold e xperience.” The return of perennial favorites like outdoor ice-skating, a magic show, a mentalist, a ventriloquist, the Harlem Wizards, Japanese drummers and a variety of other shows also highlight the entertainment lineup. The Ocean City Pops (with a rodgers & Hammerstein e xtravaganza), Yellow brick road: A Tribute to elton John, the Cape Shore Chorale, a du -
New this year: A drone light show in the sky over Carey Stadium will be synced to music. Shows start at 7:45 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.
eling pianos performance, and the Sensational Soul Cruisers are among the additional musical entertainment options.
Venue change: Due to a renovation at the Ocean City High School Auxiliary Gym, two programs will move to different venues. The “ brain Wash Game Shows” will now be held in the OCHS Cafeteria at 4 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. The Give and Take Jugglers will now perform at the Ocean City Intermediate School m ultipurpose room at 4 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Full schedule: The full schedule of events and activities and a printable grid is available at firstnightocnj.com.
Parking and transportation: All municipal parking lots and metered parking spots are free. Jitneys will provide free transportation from 5 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. for button-holders, operating continuously between all venues starting at the Ocean City Transportation Center (Ninth Street and Haven Avenue) and Seventh Street Parking Lot (Seventh Street and Central Ave.). For a route map and complete information, visit the guide page at firstnightocnj.com.
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The library is the coolest place to be this winter! From best-selling books to workshops, and from online resources to children’s activities, the Ocean City Free Public Library has something for everyone, all season long.
Visit OceanCityLibrary.org for a complete list of events and resources.
www.oceancitylibrary.org 1735 Simpson Ave. | (609) 399-2434
HOURS Mon.-Fri. 9am-9pm Sat. 9am-5pm • Sun. 11am-5pm
CURBSIDE PICKUP Mon.-Fri. 9am-6pm Sat. 9am-4pm • Sun. 11am-4pm
The parking lot at Fifth Street and boardwalk will be closed to allow for the setup and launch of fireworks.
Fireworks: A fireworks display (weather permitting) will be launched from the beach at Fifth Street at midnight on Dec. 31. The display will best be viewed from the beach or boardwalk in the blocks surrounding Fifth Street. There will be no rain date for the display.
Dining and shopping: Food and drink will be for sale at Ocean City High School, the Ocean City Community Center (at the cafe), Ocean City Civic Center (hot food and concessions), and St. Peter’s United m ethodist Church (snack stand).
Kickoff: everybody is invited to the Ocean City m usic Pier at 3:45 p.m. for the official ribbon-cutting to open the 32nd anniversary of the festivities.
Other fun activities: Stop by the m usic Pier to see the First Night ice sculpture. Interactive photo booths will be set up in the Ocean City High School cafeteria, the Community Center and the Civic Center.
History: First Night in Ocean City was modeled after an alcohol-free New Year’s eve celebration in boston that marked the nation’s bicentennial in 1976. The first celebration in Ocean City in 1992 included 25 entertainment acts in five different locations with admission buttons selling for $8 ($5 before Dec. 26). About 800 buttons were sold. While other First Night events have faded, Ocean City's has only grown more popular with families making it an annual tradition for a safe New Year's eve. Today, attendance is capped at 10,000 with admission buttons selling out year after year. Through the years, the event has been sustained by the self-
less dedication of volunteers, board members and sponsors.
Sponsors: Ocean City regional Chamber of Commerce, the Cape may County Division of Culture and Heritage, m cmahon Insurance Agency, Ocean City Free Public Library, Uncle bill’s Pancake House and Atlantic City electric.
First Day at the beach
Boardwalk run/walk: A 5-kilometer run/walk starts at 1 p.m. in front of the Ocean City m usic Pier. raceday registration begins at 11 a.m. at the m usic Pier at m oorlyn Terrace. A First Day at the beach Gym bag will be given to all who pre-register and while supplies last. bring your family and friends, then join in (or watch) the chilly First Plunge in the Atlantic Ocean. race day entry fee is $35 ($25 if you register by Dec. 24 and $30 if you register by 2 p.m. Dec. 29). For full information, links to online registration and printable forms, visit ocnj. us/race-events.
First plunge: The ocean plunge starts at 2 p.m. on the beach adja -
cent to the m usic Pier (on the eighth Street side). Participants should register inside the music Pier before heading to the beach. registration is free, but all participants must sign a waiver. First Day At The beach shirts
will be on sale at the m usic Pier. Shopping extravaganza: There will be an all-day shopping extravaganza with discounts at stores on Asbury Avenue and the boardwalk from 5th to 14th Streets.
Colony Club of Ocean City participates in Wreaths Across America Day 2024
By Doug Otto
For the fifth consecutive year, the Colony Club of Ocean City honored the service of area veterans by placing wreaths on graves at the Gerald m Thornton Veterans Cemetery of Cape may County on Saturday, Dec. 14.
e ach December, the Wreaths Across America organization asks local groups to remember and honor veterans by conducting wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as more than 4,200 additional locations in all 50 states.
“The Colony Club of Ocean City is pleased to again have the opportunity to join a grateful nation and thank our veterans and their families,” said Cathy Solarski, chair of the Colony Club’s Wreaths Across America Committee. “Our club members, along with members from The e xchange Club of Ocean City and the American Legion Post 524 Auxiliary donated over $2,000 and joined other community members in sponsoring over 1,000 red ribbon-trimmed evergreen wreaths to be placed on graves of
veterans from various wars.”
After reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and singing “The Star Spangled banner,” over a dozen Colony Club members and Legion Auxiliary participants fanned out across the 17.6 acre Cape may County cemetery grounds to salute more than 1,000 interred veterans. The wreaths are
hand-crafted of balsam vines and hand-tied with velvet bows at the Wreaths Across America headquarters in Columbia Falls, maine and then shipped to each ceremony location nationwide.
and New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs, is a volunteer, nonprofit organization dedicated to developing and supporting programs and projects that improve the community.
m ore information about the Colony Club of Ocean City can be found at: colonyclubocnj.wordpress.com.
The Colony Club of Ocean City, part of the General Federation
m eetings are held the third monday of each month at 6:45 p.m. in room 111 of the Ocean City Free Public Library, 1735 Simpson Ave., Ocean City.
Remembering when Bader field helped birth the Aviation Age
By Chuck Darrow
Each day, an untold number of folks drive past the allbut-abandoned tract of land that sits at the intersection of Albany and West end avenues.
velopment of air travel in the United States and beyond.
bader Field today is mostly known as the site of the ill-fated Sandcastle baseball stadium—a symbol of Our Town’s legal-casino-era’s hopes, dreams and, sadly, realities. but a century or so ago, it was at the forefront of the nation’s rush to modernity.
As early as 1910, hobbyists were using the space; some of the world’s first air shows were staged there. And when it began official operation on may 10, 1919, it did so as a typical, privately owned aviation facility—or “airport”--the term which was created specifically for the facility. In 1922, the Atlantic City m unicipal Airport was purchased by the city—the first such facility to be owned by a government entity. It kept that name until 1927 when it was renamed in honor
of the recently deceased ward
airport was crucial to making—and keeping—Atlantic City the “World’s Playground” during the decade that saw its zenith as a pre-legal-casinos resort destination. It was also a mag net for the generation of aeronautic pioneers who were crucial to spread ing the popularity of early air travel: In October 1927, Col. Charles Lindbergh visited bader Field just months after his epochal transatlantic flight.
“The Atlantic City airport has
four years later as a guest of legend ary World War I fighter pilot eddie
r ickenbacker, who presided over festivities celebrating the takeover of Airport operations by eastern Airlines, which he ran at the time. Also on the guest list was Amelia erhart, the groundbreaking female pilot whose 1937 disappearance in the South Pacific remains one of history’s most perplexing cases.
Another famed air jockey of the day also made the bader Field scene that year: A daredevil named William Swan earned his aeronautic posterity by using the airport as his site when he became the first person to fly a rocket-propelled aircraft.
And speaking of firsts, it was from bader Field in 1934 that Charles Al -
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fred Anderson, who is celebrated as the father of b lack aviation, and an Atlantic City physician, Dr. Albert e Forsythe, took off on their flight that made them the first African American pilots to complete a transcontinental round trip (to and from Los Angeles). remarkably, the pair accomplished this precedent-setting feat without such accessories as radios, landing lights or any kind of “blind-flying” equipment.
In late-1941 (just prior to the Dec. 7 attack) bader Field was where the Civil Air Patrol was chartered—its mission being the scouting of the Atlantic Ocean for German submarines (one sortie actually saw weapons-equipped planes destroy a Nazi sub).
bader Field’s golden age wasn’t limited to the aviation world. In 1921 heavyweight boxing icon Jack Dempsey trained there for his fight against George Carpentier. And when wartime restrictions prevented the New York Yankees from conducting spring training in Florida in 1944 and ’45, the bronx bombers set up shop at the airport.
As with Atlantic City itself, the post-war years saw b ader Field’s star start to dim. Ironically, one reason was air travel itself—or more specifically the increasing ability
of middle-class Americans to avail themselves of affordable fares to more exotic climes, like Florida and Southern California. Another issue was the ever-expanding size of new generations of planes, which made them too big to land at bader.
The final nail in the airport’s coffin as a viable facility was the decades-long evolution of what was a naval airbase built in the 1940s into what is today Atlantic City International Airport in e gg Harbor Township. It was officially closed to air traffic (virtually all of which at that
point was of the small, private-plane variety) on Sept. 30, 2006. but that wasn’t the end of the story.
Of course, there was the Sandcastle (later Surf Stadium), a 5,500-seat ballpark built for the independent-league baseball team, the Atlantic City Surf, that opened in 1998. Attendance never came close to its backers’ projections, and the Surf called it a day before the start of the 2009 season. The stadium continued to be used for scholastic contests, and as a concert venue.
In recent years, a number of
redevelopment proposals have been floated for the now-vacant, 140-acre site, including a mixedused concept submitted by real estate kingpin bart blatstein, owner of the Showboat Hotel/Island Waterpark complex on the eastern end of the boardwalk.
In 2023, mayor marty Small officially signed off on a plan pitched by D eem enterprises for “ renaissance at bader Field,” a $2.7 billion endeavor that would emphasize automobiles with various themed exhibits and a 2.44-mile Formula One racetrack. The blueprint also includes condominiums and commercial outlets.
As you read this, there seems to be little movement: An online search found that the most-recent mention of the project is a release from Small’s office dated April 5 of this year which states: “ m eetings are ongoing with D eem enterprises on a bader Field redevelopment agreement, which the city remains hopeful will happen sooner than later.” Which means the future of bader Field fittingly remains, if you will, up in the air.
Chuck Darrow has spent more than 40 years writing about Atlantic City casinos.
Charles Lindbergh and his Ryan monoplane, the Spirit of St Louis. Photo: Getty Images
Cal-Mex meets Margate at new Na’cho Taco
Business Buzz
By Rich Baehrle
Margate can celebrate its newest addition – a m exican restaurant named Na’cho Taco, located at 8 S. e ssex Ave., on the corner of e ssex and Ventnor.
The location was previously home to Taco Cat, which unfortunately closed abruptly in July of this year. However, rustam and regina Zakirov, residents of margate, decided to pick up the torch and launch their own restaurant with a fresh theme.
The Zakirovs bring more than 15 years of experience in the restaurant industry. They currently own and operate several food businesses in the Ocean Casino. Now they’re channeling their
expertise into Na’cho Taco, offering a unique Calmex cuisine highlighted by fresh and delicious food.
This exciting new concept adds a personal flair, featuring creative menu items such as specialty bowls of freshly made salads, burritos with unique flavors, classic adobo chicken and beef tacos, and flavored nachos.
Signature dishes include
Other crowd favorites include The Salty Shroom Taco, Poke Poke, Quesabirria, margarita Caranda, baja Fish, Chimi Steak, Cheese Steak egg rolls, and wings that are sure to become award-winning. Writing this article has my mouth watering already!
mayor michael Collins joined owners r ustam and regina Zakirov and others to commemorate margate’s newest restaurant. regina remarked, “We are excited to bring our Cal- m ex concept to m argate. We thank the mayor and the residents of margate for the warm welcome. We can’t wait for the warmer months when we can serve people outdoors.”
Come see what all the buzz is about! Visit their website at nachotacomargate.com, call them at 609-432-9808, or better yet, stop by at 8 S. essex Ave. in margate.
m erry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to all! remember to support your local businesses.
“The Tanned mahi” and “The Jersey Devil.”
The grand opening was celebrated on Friday, Dec. 13, with a unique twist: cutting a giant oversized burrito instead of a ribbon.
Photo credit: Na'cho Taco Facebook
Chicken Adobo Rice Bowl, Burrito or Salad - Guajillo braised chicken, shredded lettuce, crema, cotija cheese & avocado
Historical scrapbooks can honor older relatives
There are so many different and creative ways for families to showcase their heritage and honor a grandparent or other special senior. Scrapbooks are one such way to share the life of a special person and indirectly tell the tale of your family history.
Very often personal history projects are a part of elementary school curricula, so you may already have the makings of a family tree or a family diary in your home. All it takes is a little more research and some planning to design a scrapbook that can be gifted or kept for generations to enjoy.
b egin by making an outline of what you would like to cover in the scrapbook. Perhaps there is a specific event in a grandparent's life that is worth highlighting, like a military tour of duty or a brief stint in show business. maybe you would like to present different snapshots in time during his
or her life. either way, planning out the content of the scrapbook will make it easier to gather the necessary elements.
Once you've settled on a theme, begin your research by interviewing
the eventual recipient (he or she doesn't have to know the reason behind the inquiry).
During the interview, take note of key dates and try to establish the mood of the era with supporting materials. For example, you may be able to find samples of advertisements from a correlating period in history or newspaper clippings that can be used to fluff up the content of the book.
In the meantime, gather photos that can be used in the scrapbook, which may take some hunting. Prints can be scanned and copied via a desktop scanner at home, or loaded onto a CD or thumb drive and brought to a pharmacy photo kiosk. Some spe -
cialty shops can even scan slides or convert stills from film into images. make sure to make copies of all original prints and be careful not to lose or damage the originals.
Scrapbooks can be made manually with materials purchased anywhere from craft and hobby stores to stationery shops. There are a variety of paper-cutting tools, adhesives, stickers, labels, and stencils that can be used to enhance the look of the scrapbook. There also are computer software programs or online tools through photo-sharing sites that enable you to upload images and text and design photo books entirely online. Then the finished product can be printed out in a variety of finishes. This method may actually be preferable for those who plan to save the scrapbook or anticipate it being such a big hit that others will want their own copies.
Create a digital file of all of your information and copies of images. This way if you ever want to add to the scrapbook or reproduce information in the future you will have all of the information at your fingertips. The scrapbook also will serve as a good source material down the line should future generations want to learn about their ancestors.
Scrapbooking is more than just detailing baby's first birthday or a vacation. This popular pastime can help document the life of a special senior.
Scrapbook memorabilia for grandparents may include mementos from military days.
Looking to improve your health in 2025 and beyond?
Check out these recommendations from the American m edical Association:
1. make nutritional tweaks: reduce your intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and processed foods, especially those with added sodium and sugar. Drinking sugary beverages, even 100% fruit juices, is associated with a higher mortality risk, according to a study published in JAmA Network Open. Drink water and choose nutritious, whole foods including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, low-fat dairy products, and lean meats and poultry.
2. Get active: A recent study published in JAmA found that putting down the TV remote and going for a walk can improve healthy aging— highlighting the importance of small everyday habits. Adults should get at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity activity.
3. Get up-to-date: Get your vaccines in advance of respiratory virus season—including the annual flu vaccine and the updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine for everyone six months and older, as well as pregnant people. People 65 and older and those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should receive a second dose of the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine six months later. rSV can be dangerous for older adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend those 75 and older, and 60 and older at high risk for severe rSV, get vaccinated. Immunizations are also available to protect babies from getting very sick from rSV. This is important because rSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalization nationwide.
If you have questions, speak with your physician and review trusted resources, including Get m yFluShot.org. You can also reduce the spread of respiratory viruses by covering coughs and sneezes, frequently washing your hands, wearing masks, improving air quality, and staying home if you are sick.
4. Get screened: make an appointment for preventive care, tests and screenings to help your doctor spot certain conditions before they become more serious.
5. Know your blood pressure numbers: Visit manageYourb P.org to understand your blood pressure numbers and take necessary steps to get hypertension under control. Doing so will reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. If checking your blood pressure at home, visit ValidatebP.org to see if your device has been tested for accuracy.
6. Learn your type 2 diabetes risk: Take a 2-minute self-screening test at DoIHavePrediabetes.org. Steps you
take now can help prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes, which carries a higher risk of heart disease, kidney disease and vision loss.
7. Drink only in moderation: If consuming alcohol, do so in moderation as defined by the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans—up to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men, and only by adults of legal drinking age.
8. Quit tobacco and nicotine: Ask your doctor for resources and guidance for quitting tobacco and nicotine. Declare your home and car smoke-free to eliminate secondhand smoke exposure.
9. Follow dosage instructions: When taking prescription opioids or other medications, store them safely to prevent diversion or misuse, and properly dispose of any leftover medication. If you’re prescribed antibiotics, take the full course to prevent antibiotic resistance—a serious public health problem.
10. manage stress: Good mental health is part of good overall health. Get sufficient sleep (at least 7.5 hours per night), exercise and ask for help from a mental health professional when you need it.
m ore health resources and tips can be found by visiting ama-assn. org.
“The best way to address the post-holiday doldrums is to do something good for your health,” said bruce A. Scott, m .D., president of the AmA. “ even small, positive choices you make now can have a big impact on your long-term wellbeing.”
Credit: Statepoint
Tackling the Christmas list and local football updates
By David Weinberg
Grandsons Hampton (8), Graham (6) and Nixon (3) wrote letters to Santa weeks ago.
Hampton was hoping to have some Phillies swag under the tree Christmas morning while Graham asked for some eagles gear.
It was tough to decipher what Nixon was wishing to be left in his stocking, given that he has yet to learn how to write, but he’s made it reasonably clear that he’d love a pair of “ b luey” Crocs to go with a b ryce Harper jersey.
That was along with some other items such as a boat, and a tree house with a slide that dumps its riders into an in-ground swimming pool.
Any mention of prices about said items was quickly rebuked.
“It doesn’t matter how much it
costs in the store,” Hampton said. “If Santa makes it, it’s free.” It’s hard to argue with that logic. I decided to use that strategy when constructing my own holiday list for my wife: Dear Santa, I have been a good boy this year. If you could leave the following presents under my tree (or in my driveway) this year, it will be a very merry Christmas! Sincerely, David.
1. A blue or red 2023 or 2024 Corvette. It might be difficult to get in and out of that car at 66 years old, but it would be worth a knee replacement or two.
2. A winter vacation home in Florida, preferably at the 55-and-over Latitude margaritaville complex just outside Daytona b each. Four grandsons – Hampton, Graham and Nixon have a 4-month-old brother named Whit – require me to be here for the spring, summer and fall, but it’s getting tougher and tougher to handle the frigid winters. This past week was brutal. being a Parrothead since the 1970s, it’s the perfect combination of warm weather and cool vibe.
3. m emberships to several local golf courses to go with my current membership at Cape may National. As much as I love Cm N, I wouldn’t mind
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Your
teeing it up at one of the area’s top private courses like Galloway National or Atlantic City.
4. Tickets to all the concerts in Atlantic City casinos such as borgata, Hard rock or Jim Whelan boardwalk Hall. I missed out on seeing e arth Wind and Fire at borgata last week, but recent Kennedy Center honoree bonnie raitt is coming to borgata on April 19, which just also happens to be my birthday.
5. back to golf. I’d love the opportunity to tee it up at Pebble beach and its sister courses Spanish bay and Spyglass. Sure, it normally costs at least $500 to play each course.
but if Santa arranges it, it’s free.
Udoh headed to Arizona State
Former Army running back Kanye Udoh has decided to transfer to Arizona State University.
Udoh, a St. Augustine Prep graduate and mays Landing resident, will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.
The 6-foot, 218-pounder decided to enter the NCAA’s transfer portal after Army’s 31-13 loss to Navy on December 14. He chose ASU after reportedly also considering missouri, Sm U and North Carolina.
“You’re gonna get 110 percent out of me Tempe!” Udoh wrote on X/ Twitter upon announcing his decision.
Udoh rushed for 1,117 yards and 10 touchdowns on 179 carries this season for the black Knights.
He’s viewed as a potential replacement for Sun Devils standout senior running back Cam Skattebo, who finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting last week.
Skattebo has rushed for 1,568 yards and 19 TDs this season for ASU, which will face Texas on New Year’s Day in the Peach bowl in Atlanta.
“We certainly wish him well,” Army head coach Jeff m onken told Yahoo Sports last week. “We’re disappointed to lose him. He’s a good player but he’s also a really good young man. I really like him (and) his parents, and have enjoyed having him here in the program.”
Udoh grew up in m ays Landing, where he played for the Lakers in
the Atlantic County Junior Football League before attending St. Augustine.
The 2022 St. Augustine graduate rushed for 1,498 yards and 17 TDs as a senior in the fall of 2021, helping the Hermits earn a 9-2 record. At Army, he rushed for 1,641 yards and 11 TDs in two seasons.
“(entering the transfer portal) was not an easy decision,” Udoh wrote on X/Twitter. “ m y time at Army has been incredibly rewarding, both on and off the field. I’ve learned and grown in ways I could have never anticipated when I first joined the program, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunities and experiences I’ve had here.”
Local NFL update
b uffalo defensive tackle Austin Johnson (St. Augustine, Galloway Township) registered two tackles and a half-sack last Sunday in the b ills’ 24-21 victory over the New england Patriots.
Arizona rookie cornerback m ax m elton (Cedar Creek, mays Landing) posted three tackles in the Cardinals’ 36-30 loss to the Carolina Panthers.
Green bay wide receiver bo melton (Cedar Creek, mays Landing), max’s older brother, entered monday’s game with five receptions for 73 yards and six carries for 39 yards for the Packers this season.
David is a nationally recognized sports columnist who has covered Philadelphia and local sports for over 40 years. After 35 years with The Press, he has served as a columnist for 973ESPN.com and created his own Facebook page, Dave Weinberg Extra Points. Send comments to weinbergd419@comcast.net.
Bo Melton
Kayne Udoh
Lucy the Elephant 1881
First Gasoline Powered Car 1889
First Airplane flight 1903
First Philadelphia Phillies Game 1883
Entertainment & Dining at the Shore
Whitney’s Weekly Picks
The City Pulse with Whitney Ullman
This week’s edition focuses on entertainment and New Year’s eve happenings. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and wish you a happy and healthy new year. Don’t forget to share your epic moments with the hashtags #shorelocal, #gotowhitney and #thecitypulse.
Who: Twisted Livin’
Where: Josie Kelly’s Public House
When: Friday, Dec. 27
Time: 8-11 p.m.
Website: josiekellys.com
Spend the most wonderful time of the year with Twisted Livin’, one of hottest bands on the South Jersey music scene. They bring youth and energy and play rock, blues and reggae. Dancing is encouraged, but not required. No cover.
What: Ugly Sweater Parties at Candy Cane Lounge
Where: resorts Casino Hotel | Candy Cane Lounge
When: Friday, Dec. 27
Time: 9-11 p.m.
Website: resortsac.com
‘Tis the season to celebrate over-thetop ugly holiday sweaters Fridays in December at Candy Cane Lounge. Wear your worst cringe-worthy, shudder-inducing sweater and head out for drink specials and giveaways. Wear a sweater and get a ticket for your chance to win slot cash and food prizes.
Who: Pitbull
Where: Hard rock Hotel & Casino | etess Arena
When: Friday, Dec. 27; Saturday, Dec. 28; Tuesday, Dec. 31
Time: 8 p.m.
Website: casino.hardrock.com/atlantic-city/event-calendar/pitbull
Get ready to experience the ultimate party as Pitbull brings his high-energy performance to Atlantic City for three incredible shows. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to his global sound, m r. Worldwide is sure to deliver an unforgettable performance.
Who: The Jenny barnes band
Where: Josie Kelly’s Public House
When: Saturday, Dec. 28
Time: 9 p.m.
Website: josiekellys.com/event/thejenny-barnes-band-9
Josie Kelly’s Public House presents The Jenny b arnes b and return to the Adare ballroom. Join them for an evening filled with classic rock covers and soulful originals. And there’s no cover.
What: New Year’s eve 4-Course Dinner
Where: Atlantic City Country Club
When: monday, Dec. 30; and Tuesday, Dec. 31
Time: monday, 5-9 p.m.; and Tuesday, 5-11 p.m.
Website: accountryclub.com
ring in the new year at Atlantic City Country Club. enjoy e xecutive Chef Dan Harman's special prix-fixe menu and a complimentary glass of champagne or wine.
What: Noon Year’s eve
Where: renault Winery
When: Tuesday, Dec. 31
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Website: renaultwinery.com
Join renault Winery for a magical New Year’s eve Countdown for Kids at noon. Lace up your skates and hit the ice in their Vintner Wonderland. Indulge in delicious bites from their food truck and sweets from their sweet shop. Then, when the clock strikes noon, you’ll raise your glasses to toast with nonalcoholic sparkling cider. It’s a fun celebration for the whole family, and it’s free. Ice skating, fire pits and igloos are paid extras.
What: New Year’s eve at renault
Where: renault Winery | TASTe 1864
When: Tuesday, Dec. 31
Time: 11 p.m.
Website: renaultwinery.com
Come out to TASTe 1864 to welcome in the new year with a champagne toast in a commemorative flute glass for you to take home. Celebrate with live music in the home of American champagne. reservations are recommended.
What: Nola’s New Year’s eve Celebration
Where: Ocean Casino resort | Nola’s bar & Lounge
When: Tuesday, Dec. 31
Time: 9 p.m.
Website: theoceanac.com/entertainment/dining-event-holiday/nolas-new-years-eve-celebration ring in 2025 at Nola’s bar & Lounge. It’ll be an unforgettable night with a premium hosted bar from 9 p.m. to midnight and a complimentary glass of champagne for the big toast, along with live music all night. Limited tickets available at $60.
What: emo Night New Year’s eve
Where: Anchor rock Club
When: Tuesday, Dec. 31
Time: 9 p.m.
Website: anchorrockclub.com
When the clock strikes midnight, don’t miss a chance to dance and cry to all of your favorite emo
songs. And the best part is there’s no cover.
What: New Year’s eve 2025 Party
Where: Provenza restaurant event Center
When: Tuesday, Dec. 31
Time: 8 p.m.-1 a.m.
Website: https://is.gd/ppNna9
This event is suitable for the whole family. enjoy a dinner buffet. It’s bYO b with music by DJ 7 entertainment. make your reservation without delay. Call 609-246-7551.
What: New Year’s eve magic Comedy Hour with Joe Holiday
Where: Wyndham’s Skyline Tower
When: Tuesday, Dec. 31
Time: 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Website: joeholiday.com/events/ the-magic-comedy-hour-nye-celebration-8pm-show ring in this new year with Atlantic City's favorite magician Joe Holiday and comedian m ichael Paul. A live 60-minute show with complimentary champagne toast included at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Seating is limited. The show is expected to sell out.
What: New Year’s eve Free Party
Where: Golden Nugget | Atrium
When: Tuesday, Dec. 31
↘Continued on 42
Time: Starts at 6 p.m.
Website: goldennugget.com/atlantic-city/entertainment/upcoming-events/nye-free-party ring in the new year with a Free party in the main atrium with live entertainment. bar None starts at 6 p.m. bar opens at 9 p.m. Sidestory at 10 p.m.
What: New Year’s eve Staying Alive 2025
Where: Tropicana Atlantic City | boogie Nights
When: Tuesday, Dec. 31
Time: 9 p.m.
Website: boogienightsusa.com/atlantic-city/events ring in the new year, b oogie style. Open bar 9-11 p.m., plus special performances, music from the ’70s and ’80s and non-stop entertainment from the boogie crew. Tickets are $75.
What: New Year’s eve at Atlantic City Comedy Club
Where: Tropicana | The royce Social Hall
When: Tuesday, Dec. 31
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Website: atlanticcitycomedyclub.com
Come see some of the most talked about, up-and-coming comedians, as well as those established in the industry. New Year's eve at Atlantic City Comedy Club features rus Gutin,
Kate Wolff, David James and Gibran Saleem.
What: AC Jokes New Year’s eve Show | Tower Conference Level
Where: resorts Casino Hotel
When: Tuesday, Dec. 31
Time: 8 and 10 p.m.
Website: resortsac.com/entertainment/ac-jokes-special-event-show Laugh your way into the new year at AC Jokes with some of the east Coast’s best comedians. The wellknown troupe performs each week on the Tower Conference Level. There is no drink minimum. Located on the Tower Conference level of the Ocean Tower (press the TC button in the elevator). Tickets start at $25.
What: New Year’s eve Comedy Caravan
Where: Showboat Atlantic City
When: Tuesday, Dec. 31
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Website: eventbrite.com ring in the new year with laughter. Join Showboat resort for Kenan Presents: The Comedy Caravan, the beST New Year’s eve comedy celebration in Atlantic City. Some of the funniest comedians in the country are taking the stage for an unforgettable evening of laughs, energy and fun as part of their international comedy series and live-streamed event.
What: 33rd Annual Polar b ear Plunge
Where: Atlantic City beach in front of resorts Casino
When: Wednesday, Jan. 1
Time: 10 a.m. registration opens, and noon is the plunge
Website: resortsac.com/entertainment/new-years-eve-events-in-atlantic-city
The 33rd Annual Polar bear Plunge will take place at Landshark bar & Grill. Plunge for a purpose and help raise funds for Cancer Support Community NJ. registration and T-shirt are $25.
What: Stand-Up Comedy at Firewaters Saloon
Where: Tropicana’s m arketplace
Atlantis City Down the Hall Hooters
When: Dec. 26-30; Jan. 1 and 4
Website: standupcomedyclub.com
Hear comics that were featured on Comedy Central, AGT, Netflix and more. Food and drinks are available and there are no drink minimums. First come first serve seating. Ages 16 and up with a parent or guardian .
What: The Irish Pub Christmas Spectacular
Where: The Irish Pub
When: Now until Jan. 6
Time: 8 p.m.
Website: theirishpub.com
Join The Irish Pub and experience the joyous wonder and magic of Christmas. The Irish Pub and Inn is once again transformed into a Christmas wonderland with thousands of twinkling lights, Christmas trees and one of the largest and most magnificent Christmas displays you’ll ever see.
What: Candy Cane Lounge Atlantic City Pop-Up bar
Where: resorts Casino Hotel | bar
One When: Now until Jan. 3
Website: resortsac.com/entertainment/winter-holiday-pop-up-bar
Get ready for some holiday cheer at AC’s favorite seasonal pop-up bar. It’s the perfect place to sip on holiday-themed cocktails and take some holiday selfies and will feature festive decor and live entertainment.
Whitney Ullman, Stockton University graduate, and founder of gotowhitney.com is known as a “go to” resource, content creator, reporter, and influencer with established credibility in Atlantic City, The Jersey Shore, Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. With over 6 million views on her social platforms, she created TheCityPulse.com as a go-to lifeline for all things happening in the city!
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Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City concludes ‘12 Days of Giving’ with donation to Jewish Family Services
Hard Rock Atlantic City donated more than $50,000. to local organizations throughout the Giving Campaign initiative
Hard rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City celebrated the holiday season with its “12 days of Giving” initiative, with the resort and the boardwalk 1000 Foundation gifting more than $50,000 to local organizations.
The campaign kicked off on Dec. 3, Giving Tuesday, with a $10,000 donation to the Community Foodbank of New Jersey and wrapped today with a $5,000 donation to Jewish Family Services. Additional recipients included Covenant House Atlantic City, Kelly’s Kidz, Live to Serve, Holidays for Heroes’ Shop with a Cop, ArC of Atlantic County, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Atlantic County Toys for Kids, Garden State equality, Atlantic City rescue mission and boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City.
“We are humbled to continue to live our mottos of ‘Love All, Serve All’ and ‘Take Time to be Kind’ through our ‘12 Days of Giving’ initiative,” said
and customers who have generously donated their time, gifts and financial contributions this holiday season, allowing us to give back and make a positive impact in our community.”
George Goldhoff, President of Hard rock Atlantic City. “I am so proud of our team members
Ready for the last party of the year with an artichoke appetizer
Let It Grow
By Tammy Thornton
We have one more party to attend before making resolutions to eat salad and exercise every day. ringing in the New Year usually involves indulging in finger foods, appetizers, and dips. Whether you are playing host or guest for New Year’s eve, artichoke dip is easy to whip up and sure to please a crowd. For years, artichoke dip seemed rather ho-hum to me, until I discovered a secret ingredient that really added a nuance of flavor. Green chilies add a subtle, but necessary, tang without making the dish overly spicy. Of course, if you like things on the hotter side, feel free to use fire-roasted green chilies. Or, add some hot pepper flakes or spicy peppers to
this dish. Save yourself extra steps in prep by purchasing canned green chilies that are already chopped.
Anything that can be prepped in advance is a winning recipe in my party menu book. You can premix all of the ingredients for this dip a few hours before the party, then pop it into the oven right before your guests arrive. For easier cleanup, spray a small oven-proof container or pie dish with cooking spray and set aside. Drain two (6-ounce) jars of quartered and marinated artichoke hearts. Once you have drained them, chop the artichokes into smaller pieces and add them to a medium-sized mixing bowl. m ix in one (7-ounce) can of chopped green chilies, one-half cup of mayonnaise, onehalf cup of white cheddar cheese, one-half teaspoon of nutmeg, and salt and pepper to taste. Add the mixed ingredients to your prepared
oven-safe dish and sprinkle with a little extra nutmeg. At this point, you can cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few hours. About a half hour before serving time, place the uncooked dip in an oven
brush each side with some extra virgin olive oil. bake for eight to ten minutes in a 350-degree oven, flipping the slices over halfway through cooking time. Sprinkle your crostini with a small amount of salt as soon
preheated to 350 degrees. bake for 15-20 minutes, adding five to ten minutes more if the dish had been refrigerated.
Once your dip is heated through and bubbly, take it out of the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes. Serve with pita chips or all those crackers you have leftover from Christmas parties.
If you have a little extra time, serve the dip with crostini (little toasts). Slice a baguette into thin slices and
as they come out of the oven. You can serve some of the crostini with your artichoke dip and offer the others as a second appetizer with fun toppings such as goat cheese and roasted tomatoes.
Tammy Thornton lives with her husband, children, and crazy pets while enjoying a life of gardening, cooking, and going to the beach.
Sparkling wines for the New Year’s celebrations!
By David Setley
No holiday is more associated with popping a bottle of bubbly than New Year’s eve. In fact, toasting the New Year has been customary for more than 1,500 years. After the revolutionary War, Americans began making toasts (sometimes as many as 13!) at all major celebrations as an act of patriotism. This tradition has been an integral part of ringing in a new year since the early 1800s. As we reflect on 2024 and anticipate 2025 with hope, allow me to shed light on the history of the bubbly beverage and provide some recommendations for your Dec. 31 festivities.
Champagne, the most famous sparkling wine in the world, has become something of a deonym — a brand or specific product that has become synonymous with the entire product category. When people think
of bubbly beverages, they often reference Champagne. However, to carry the name “Champagne” the wine must be produced in the Champagne region of France and utilize only the Pinot Noir, Pinot m eunier and Chardonnay grapes. Initially, Champagne is made much the same way that still wine is. After being bottled for a while, however, the cork is removed so that additional yeast, flavorings and (sometimes) sugar can be added. The bottle is then recorked, and a second fermentation begins with the newly created carbon dioxide contained in the bottle. This process, known as the m éthode Champenoise or the m éthode Traditionnelle, originated in the Champagne region and is what produces the bubbles that distinguish sparkling wines from still wines.
The aromas are fresh with notes of golden apple and a touch of grapefruit. Or, for a wonderful, reasonably priced b rut Prosecco, try the NaoNis Prosecco DOC brut. This lovely effervescent wine has an intense stone-fruit taste, with a fine and long-lasting finish. The aroma is a bouquet of fruits and flowers. Lastly, for a Prosecco that comes in a bottle as sparkly and festive as the wine itself, try the b illa! Prosecco and Prosecco rosé.
Dom Pierre Pérignon, a 17th-century benedictine monk from France, is credited with inventing sparkling wines. Legend has it that upon first tasting the bubbly wine, he exclaimed: "Come quickly! I am tasting the stars!" Although the accuracy of the quote, and even some details of the origin
Fine Italian Cuisine
story, are questioned historically, the invention and standardization of the m éthode Champenoise process are attributed to Dom Pierre, along with one other very important contribution to the wine world. It was he who discovered that white wine can be made from red grapes by removing the skins, stems, and seeds from the juice during wine production. Pretty amazing guy! For his efforts, one of the world’s most famous and valuable Champagne wines bears his name. Dom Pérignon, though delicious, may be a bit of a stretch for the budget, but if you can swing it, New Year’s is the perfect celebration to pop that cork!
For those of us looking for a more reasonably priced option, there are plenty of wonderful Champagnes to choose from at a wide range of prices. In the Champagne region, Premier Cru is a certification of superior quality and has been awarded to less than 15% of the appellations in the region. For an outstanding and reasonably priced Premier Cru Champagne, try the Gonet- m édeville Champagne Premier (1er) Cru b rut. Also worthy of your consideration are Veuve Clicquot and Nicolas Feuillatte- blue Label brut. See? You can absolutely enjoy French Champagne without breaking your budget.
Prosecco, the Italian sparkling wine, is another lower-priced option for your New Year’s eve celebration. Similarly to the rules of Champagne, Prosecco must be produced in the Prosecco appellation of the Veneto Wine region of Northeastern Italy and must be made from the Glera grape. It is a myth that Proseccos are always sweeter than Champagne; although sweeter options are available, most are quite dry. Dryness is indicated by the word “ b rut”. The driest is extra brut, followed by brut. Demi-Sec is the sweetest. If you are looking for maximum dryness in your Prosecco, the b ele Casel Asolo e xtra b rut Prosecco is a great choice.
A splurge-worth Prosecco is the bortolomiol Grande Cuvee Del Fondatore m otus Vitae Prosecco from Valdobbiandene, Italy. This wine is also an e xtra b rut and is dedicated to Giuliano bortolomiol, a skilled sparkling winemaker and founder of the winery. He is credited with developing the first brut Prosecco in 1960. This is the most incredible Prosecco I have ever tasted and is worthy of your consideration for New Year’s eve. It will likely be at my table. Cava, Spain’s contribution to sparkling wine, is produced in the Penedès appellation of the Catalonia region near barcelona and is made from the grapes that are native to the region: macabeu, Xarel-lo, and Parellada. Cava has the flavor of ripe tree fruits, light notes of m eyer lemons, and a touch of almond and ginger on the finish. The Caves Naveran-Cava b rut is a classic Cava option that is produced from organically grown grapes and is vegan-friendly. Dibon Cava and Freixenet Cava are also excellent options. If you haven’t tried a Cava yet, take this as your invitation.
Avaline Wines is a wine company owned by Cameron Diaz and Katherine Power. The goal of their company is to produce all organic wines with no added sugar or other additives. The Avaline Sparkling wine is a wonderful wine produced in Spain near barcelona. This is a dry, refreshing wine with the same crisp, fresh characteristics of Cava.
No matter how you choose to greet the new year, I hope you have a very happy and healthy new year and a safe celebration. As always, if you have any questions or comments, contact me at dsetley@passionvines. com or stop by the Somers Point store. Until 2025, happy wining!
David Setley is enjoying his retirement from higher education as a wine educator and certified sommelier at Passion Vines in Somers Point, New Jersey.
Bridal Showers, Engagement Parties, Rehearsal Dinners
NOW THRU JANUARY 20, 2025
ICE SKATING / HOLIDAY MARKETS / GRINCH'S VILLAGE BAR BUDDY'S SWEET SHOPPE / FIREPITS, IGLOOS, CABIN CABANAS, ALPINE CHALETS HOLIDAY LIGHT TUNNEL / BARREL & TRACTOR RIDES
Atlantic City welcomes The ByrdCage: the first full-time LGBTQ+ restaurant, bar and fun space since 2004
Anew LG b TQ+ owned and operated hotspot is coming to Atlantic City, bringing vibrant energy and exciting new experiences to the city’s day and nightlife scene. The byrdCage, located at 3426 Atlantic Ave. (formerly the swingers club role Play Lounge and most recently Good Dog bar), will be the first fulltime LG bTQ+ establishment in the city since the closure of Studio Six in 2004.
The byrdCage is the brainchild of Jason Tell, an award-winning caterer and party planner recognized as Philadelphia magazine’s “ best Party Planner.” Jason brings over three decades of experience in the food and beverage industry, having worked in or owning restaurants in Philadelphia, Atlantic City, and Cape may County. His passion for creating unforgettable experiences is evident in the concept for the byrdCage, which aims to offer a unique and inclusive space for ev-
eryone -gay and straight alike-to enjoy.
“We are so excited to bring the b yrdCage to life,” says Tell. “This is not just a restaurant or a bar—this is a space where the entire community can come together, celebrate, and be themselves. We’re proud to be the first full-time LGbTQ+ venue in Atlantic City in nearly two decades, and we can’t wait to welcome guests to a place where they feel at home and safe.”
The b yrdCage will feature a range of offerings designed to attract locals and visitors alike, including a lively brunch menu, happy hour specials, and nightly dining. The first floor will host a piano bar where patrons can enjoy great food and music in a relaxed atmosphere. The second floor will be home to entertainment with drag shows, theme nights, and plenty of fun and inclusive nightlife experiences.
Tell says he’s ready to breathe new life into the spot that was once a former swingers club: “The sex swings may be gone, but I’m ready to bring back a little kink…or at least 'Kinky boots' to the location!”
With the public opening being planned for early January, the byrdCage is poised to be a landmark venue that will contribute to the continued revitalization of Atlantic City’s dynamic culture. Whether guests are
looking for a delicious meal, a fun night out, or a safe space to connect with the community, the byrdCage promises to deliver an unforgettable experience for all.
About Jason Tell
Jason Tell is a seasoned industry professional with a passion for hospitality and event planning. With over 30 years of experience, he has earned a reputation as one of the region's top caterers and party planners. His commitment to excellence has led him to create extraordinary events and venues, and now he is bringing his vision to the byrdCage in Atlantic City.
For more information on the byrdCage or to stay up-to-date on the grand opening, follow them on social media @b yrdCageAC or visit their website at www.byrdcageac.com.
Postcards From The Past
The Atlantic City Boardwalk in 1963
Yacht Rockers to sail in this summer at Hard Rock, other headliners
Toto and Christopher Cross are bringing their beloved “yacht rock” tunes to Hard rock Live at etess Arena at Hard rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City on Friday, Aug. 1 at 8 p.m.
Tickets go on sale Friday, Dec. 13 at 10 a.m. and can be purchased at Hard rockHotelAtlanticCity.com and Ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000. All shows are subject to change.
“Yacht rock” is the term embraced to describe a music genre first made popular in the 1970s and ‘80s, when multiple West Coast musical entertainers combined soft rock with soul, jazz and rhythm and blues sounds in recordings that climbed the pop music charts. Toto and Christopher Cross exemplify that genre.
Over the past decade, Toto has had a major renaissance in popularity like few bands at this point in their career. No individual statistic exhibits this more than achieving the milestone of over 3.4 billion streams at Spotify alone. The total plays of the band’s collected works across all platforms is now approaching five billion. Amongst the most listened to recordings, “Af-
rica” accounts for over one billion streams at Spotify alone. The Los Angeles-based band of Steve Lukather, David Paich and Joseph Williams recently played the Hollywood bowl to great acclaim from both critics and their adoring fans.
Christopher Cross burst onto the music scene with his 1980 self-titled debut album, winning five Grammy Awards, including—for the first time in Grammy history—the “ big Four” most prestigious awards: record of the Year (for the single “Sailing”), Album of the Year, Song of the Year (also “Sailing”), and best New Artist. In a career spanning more than four decades, Cross has sold over 10 million albums. His music has garnered five Grammys, an Oscar, a Golden Globe, an emmy nomination and five Top 10 singles.
Hard rock Live at etess Arena
● Tuesday, Dec. 31, 10 p.m. – Pitbull –Hard rock Live at etess Arena
● Saturday, Jan. 18, 8 p.m. – Sidewalk Angels Featuring rob Thomas –Hard rock Live at etess Arena
● Friday, Jan. 24, 8 p.m. – Coral reefer band – Hard rock Live at etess Arena
● Saturday, Jan. 25, 8 p.m. – martin Lawrence – Hard rock Live at etess Arena
rience – Sound Waves
● Saturday, Feb. 22, 8 p.m. – rod Stewart – Hard rock Live at etess Arena
● Saturday, mar. 8, 8 p.m. – Smokey robinson – Hard rock Live at etess Arena
● Saturday, mar. 22, 8 p.m. – Il Volo –Hard rock Live at etess Arena
● Saturday, mar. 29, 8 p.m. – Sal Da Vinci and Arisa – Sound Waves
● Saturday, April 12, 8 p.m. – Aaron Lewis and the Stateliners – Hard rock Live at etess Arena
● Friday, April 18, 8 p.m. – m elissa etheridge and Joss Stone – Hard rock Live at etess Arena
● Saturday, may 3, 8 p.m. – brit Floyd – Hard rock Live at etess Arena
● Friday, July 11, 8 p.m. – Chippendales – Sound Waves
● Saturday, July 12, 8 p.m. – Chippendales – Sound Waves
Headliner entertainment lineup
● Friday, Dec. 27, 8 p.m. – Pitbull –Hard rock Live at etess Arena
● Saturday, Dec. 28, 8 p.m. – Pitbull –
● Saturday, Jan. 25, 8 p.m. – Umphrey’s m cGee – Sound Waves
● Saturday, Feb. 1, 8 p.m. – Nikki Glaser – Hard rock Live at etess Arena
● Saturday, Feb. 1, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.
– The 3 Kings Ultimate elvis e xpe -
● Friday, Aug. 1, 8 p.m. – Toto and Christopher Cross – Hard rock Live at etess Arena
● Friday, Oct. 10, 8 p.m. – Foreigner –Hard rock Live at etess Arena
● Saturday, Oct. 11, 8 p.m. – Foreigner – Hard rock Live at etess Arena
Live & Local Music Calendar
Friday, December 27
Atlantic City
1927 Lounge at Ocean Casino
Steven Luhmann
5 p.m.
Kristina Pruitt
9:15 p.m.
500 boardwalk
Anchor Rock Club
Te Vista w/ Fair Game, Hotel Shmotel, Jette Planes
8 p.m.
247 S. New York Ave.
Candy Cane Lane at Resorts
DJ Gary
9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
1133 boardwalk
Council Oak at Hard Rock
eSQ Trio
6 – 9:30 p.m.
1000 boardwalk
Hard Rock Café
Dueling Pianos
9 p.m. – 1 a.m.
1000 boardwalk
Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino
m odern mixed Tape
7 p.m.
Goodman Fiske
10 p.m.
500 boardwalk
Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget
brandon Ireland band
6 p.m.
Deck band
10 p.m.
600 Huron Ave.
The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock
Sky City Social
5 – 8:30 p.m.
The Cliffs
9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.
1000 boardwalk
The Wave at Golden Nugget
Flashback Friday: everyday Peo -
ple: Sly & The Family Stone Tribute
9 p.m. – 12 a.m.
600 Huron Ave.
TopGolf at Ocean Casino
Glenn roberts band
7 p.m.
500 boardwalk
Villain and Saint at Ocean Casino
Gab Cinque
8:30 p.m.
500 boardwalk
Margate
Bocca
CJ Sooy
6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
7805 Ventnor Ave.
Marmora
Yesterday’s
Sean Loosh
8 p.m.
316 roosevelt blvd.
Smithville
Fred & Ethel’s Lantern Light
Tony Caine. 7 – 10 p.m.
1 N. New York rd.
Somers Point
Caroline’s by the Bay
No Clue band
8 p.m. – 12 a.m.
450 bay Ave.
Crab Trap
Lew London
6 – 9 p.m.
2 broadway
Josie Kelly’s
Twisted Livin’
8 – 11 p.m.
908 Shore rd.
Tuckerton
The Lizzie Rose Music Room
Steve Forbert
7:30 p.m.
217 e main St.
Saturday, December 28
Atlantic City
1927 Lounge at Ocean Casino
Jeremy Oren
5 p.m.
Dominick martino
9:15 p.m.
500 boardwalk
Anchor Rock Club
7 p.m.
500 boardwalk
Villain and Saint at Ocean Casino
Slay Town City
8:30 p.m.
500 boardwalk
Egg Harbor City
The Inn on St. Louis
Ugly Sweater Party w/ DJ Ken
Schaffer
7 – 10 p.m.
446 St. Louis Ave.
Margate
Bocca
Jim Shaw
7 – 10 p.m.
7805 Ventnor Ave.
Marmora
Yesterday’s
matt Adams
8 p.m.
316 roosevelt blvd.
Smithville
Fred & Ethel’s Lantern Light
Sara & Tom
7 – 10 p.m.
1 N. New York rd.
Somers Point
Caroline’s by the Bay michael LaGuardia
3 – 7 p.m.
radio revolution
8 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Sensamotion w/ Jah Works, Cloud9 Vibes
8 p.m.
247 S. New York Ave.
Candy Cane Lane at Resorts
Killer b ’s
6 – 9 p.m.
DJ Gary
9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
1133 boardwalk
Council Oak at Hard Rock
Vahe Sarkissian Trio
6 – 9:30 p.m.
1000 boardwalk
Hard Rock Café
Dueling Pianos
9 p.m. – 1 a.m.
1000 boardwalk
Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino
Dan Jost Duo
7 p.m.
Hometown radio
10 p.m.
500 boardwalk
Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget
Synergy
5 p.m.
Sidestory
10 p.m.
600 Huron Ave.
The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock
Gypsy Wisdom
5 – 8:30 p.m.
Don’t Call m e Francis
9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.
1000 boardwalk
TopGolf at Ocean Casino
Shaun Laboy Duo
450 bay Ave.
Crab Trap
Lew London
6 – 9 p.m.
2 broadway
Gregory’s Live DJ
9 p.m.
900 Shore rd.
Josie Kelly’s
The O’Fenders
8 p.m.
908 Shore rd.
Tuckerton
The Lizzie Rose Music Room
Steve Forbert
7:30 p.m.
217 e . main St.
Sunday, December 29
Atlantic City
Candy Cane Lane at Resorts
DJ eric
3 – 8 p.m.
DJ Proud
8 p.m. – 12 a.m.
1133 boardwalk
Council Oak at Hard Rock
Dan Jost
5:30 – 9 p.m.
1000 boardwalk
Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino
Dueling Pianos
8 p.m.
500 boardwalk
↘Continued on 52
The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock
No Standards
4 – 7:30 p.m.
Slaytown City
8:30 p.m. – 12 a.m.
1000 boardwalk
Somers Point
Josie Kelly’s
Traditional Irish Session
1 – 4 p.m.
908 Shore rd.
Tuckerton
The Lizzie Rose
Music Room
Popa Chubby
7:30 p.m.
217 e main St.
Monday, December 30
Atlantic City
Council Oak at Hard Rock
Lis b
5:30 – 9 p.m.
1000 boardwalk
The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock
Kicking Sunrise
7 – 11 p.m.
1000 boardwalk
Tuesday, December 31
Absecon
Hi Point Pub brandon Ireland band
9 p.m.
5 N. Shore rd.
W e n e e d e d t h i s .
S o m e r s P o i n t ’ s h a p p i e s t h o u r.
Atlantic City
1927 Lounge at Ocean Casino Kevin Story
5 p.m.
Dominick martino
9:15 p.m.
500 boardwalk
Anchor Rock Club
New Year’s eve emo Night w/ DJ
David earl & Acoustic Set from Zachary ross of man Overboard
9 p.m.
247 S. New York Ave.
Candy Cane Lane at Resorts
DJ Chaz
5 – 9 p.m.
DJ Gary
9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
1133 boardwalk
Council Oak at Hard Rock
Chris Farrell
5:30 – 9 p.m.
eSQ Trio
9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.
1000 boardwalk
Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino
Nola’s New Year’s eve Celebration w/ Yani & DJ Sajen
9 p.m.
500 boardwalk
Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget
bar None
5 p.m.
Sidestory
10 p.m.
600 Huron Ave.
The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock
Dane Anthony band
5 – 8:30 p.m.
Audio riot
9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.
1000 boardwalk
Villain & Saint at Ocean Casino
The Coconutz band
8:30 p.m.
500 boardwalk
Egg Harbor City
Renault Winery
DJ r yan David
9 p.m.
72 N. bremen Ave.
The Inn on St. Louis
Timmy & Haley. 8 – 11 p.m.
446 St. Louis Ave.
Margate
Bocca
DJ Live Wirez
8 p.m.
7805 Ventnor Ave.
Marmora
Yesterday’s
The Company
8 p.m.
316 roosevelt blvd.
Somers Point
Caroline’s by the Bay
big Foot band
3 – 7 p.m.
Jump the Line band
8:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.
450 bay Ave.
Crab Trap
Doug Jennings
6 p.m.
2 broadway
Gregory’s
Live DJ
9 p.m.
900 Shore rd.
Josie Kelly’s
DJ Ken
5 p.m.
908 Shore rd.
Wednesday, January 1
Margate
Bocca
DJ Live Wirez
1 p.m.
7805 Ventnor Ave.
Somers Point
Caroline’s by the Bay
Danny eyer band
3 – 7 p.m.
450 bay Ave.
Thursday, January 2
Atlantic City
Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget
Dane Anthony
8 p.m. – 12 a.m.
600 Huron Ave.
The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock
Live m usic
7 – 11 p.m.
1000 boardwalk
Somers Point
Caroline’s by the Bay
Karaoke Night w/ mike
Dempsey
8:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.
450 bay Ave.
Events subject to change.
Photo credit: Brandon Ireland Band Facebook
The ebbitt r oom at The Virginia Hotel in Cape may is offering guests a one-ofa-kind experience in 2025 with the exclusive richmond room dinner series. This series features intimate multi-course dinners in the restaurant’s private richmond room, where guests will be treated to world-class wines and spirits paired with expertly crafted cuisine from an
Richmond Room dinner series
award-winning chef. The first event will take place on Friday, Jan. 17, with events held throughout the year.
Richmond Room dinner series dates:
Jan. 17 – Van Winkle Bourbon Dinner, featuring some of the world’s most sought-after whiskeys, hosted by Preston Van Winkle of The Old rip Van Winkle distillery ($695/pp)
Feb. 13 – Black Truffle Dinner, offering a 5-course dinner in which black truffles take center stage, complemented by a thoughtfully paired wine from the restaurant’s award-winning wine list ($395/pp)
April 17 – Taste of Japan , spotlighting a culinary and beverage tour of Japan, hosted by Chef Jason Hanin who has worked in some of the best restaurants in Japan during his yearly pilgrimages ($275/pp)
May 15 – Spring Has Sprung , featuring a multi-course tasting menu highlighting farm ingredients and the fresh flavors of spring to enliven the senses ($225/pp)
June 12 – Orin Swift Wine Dinner, presenting a wine and food pairing dinner boasting selections from award-winning winemaker Dave Phinney ($225/pp)
Sept. 18 – Late Summer Harvest Dinner, highlighting an immersive and authentic farm-to-table dinner made with quintessential Garden State summer harvest ingredients from beach Plum Farm, located less than two miles from the ebbitt room ($225/pp)
Oct. 16 – Flavors of Fall Harvest Dinner, offering dishes that highlight the cozy and warm flavors of fall, made with local ingredients from beach Plum farm ($225/pp)
Nov. 20 – Wild Game Dinner, presenting a special culinary journey of Chef Jason Hanin’s interpretation of the “fruits of the hunter,” where dishes like duck, venison, and quail are paired with full-bodied wines and spirits to tantalize the palate ($225/ pp)
Dec. 18 – Grand Champagne Dinner, featuring an unforgettable
holiday experience with champagnes from the most prominent houses in France and carefully curated French dishes to round out the evening ($595/pp)
Chef Jason Hanin, the executive chef of The ebbitt room, tailors his menu specifically to complement the drink selections so every bite pairs with every sip. Set in the peaceful seclusion of the property’s richmond room, these dinners are meant to invoke each of the senses, offering guests a captivating experience like no other.
Dinners are limited to 18 guests. To book a reservation or for more information, visit https://www. caperesorts.com/virginia-hotel/ richmond-room-dinner-series or call (609) 884-5700. The ebbitt room is located at 25 Jackson Street, Cape may, NJ 08204.
Photo credit: Sandpiper Beach Club Facebook
AtlanticHeadlinersCity
Friday, December 27
Pitbull
▶8 p.m.
Hard rock Live at etess Arena
Saturday, December 28
Pitbull
▶8 p.m.
Hard rock Live at etess Arena
Gary U.S. Bonds
▶7:30 p.m.
resorts Atlantic City
Tuesday, December 31
Pitbull
▶10 p.m.
Hard rock Live at etess Arena
Friday, January 10
Boat House Row: Yacht Rock
Experience
▶8 p.m.
Tropicana Showroom
Saturday, January 11
Back 2 Mac: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
▶8 p.m.
The m usic box at borgata
Saturday, January 18
Sidewalk Angels feat. Rob Thomas
▶8 p.m.
Hard rock Live at etess Arena
Dancing with the Stars Live
▶8 p.m.
borgata event Center
Sunday, January 19
All Stars of Hip Hop
▶7 p.m.
Jim Whelan boardwalk Hall
Friday, January 24
The Coral Reefer Band
▶8 p.m.
Hard rock Live at etess Arena
Nimesh Patel
▶9 p.m.
The m usic box at borgata
Taylor Shines Laser Spectacular:
A Tribute to Taylor Swift
▶8 p.m.
Harrah’s Atlantic City
Saturday, January 25
Umphrey’s McGee
▶8 p.m.
Sound Waves at Hard rock
Martin Lawrence
▶8 p.m.
Hard rock Live at etess Arena
Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular
▶4 p.m. & 8 p.m.
Harrah’s Atlantic City
Saturday, February 1
Nikki Glasser
▶8 p.m.
Hard rock Live at etess Arena
Friday, February 7
One Vision of Queen
▶9 p.m.
Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino
Little River Band
▶8 p.m. The m usic box at borgata
Saturday, February 8
Kool & the Gang
▶8 p.m.
Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino
Billy F. Gibbons
▶8 p.m.
The m usic box at borgata
Elaine’s Lounge: Where the stars came out
Original Golden Nugget nightspot featured nothing but the best
By Bruce Klauber
Elaine’s Lounge, within the original Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino on the Atlantic City b oardwalk, was an extraordinary venue where visitors, for the price of a drink, could see legendary performers that, before the Nugget opened, could only be enjoyed in Las Vegas.
When Vegas casino magnate Steve Wynn bought Atlantic City’s venerable Strand Hotel on b oston Avenue and the boardwalk for $8.5 million, and built the Nugget in 1980, he insisted that every part of it be first class. That included the lounge, named elaine’s in honor of his wife. In the years that it was the Nugget, roughly 1980 to 1987, and for a few years following when it became bally’s Grand, the level of entertainment in that lounge was incredible.
With a couple of exceptions, most of the visiting entertainers were backed by a world-class rhythm section, comprised of Paul Jost, bassist Andy Lalasis, and a number of pianists, including Dean Schneider, Dave Hartl and Demetrios Pappas. The section was so admired that several of the performers who played elaine’s stayed past their booking dates to record with this tightest of rhythm sections.
piano, was one of his last. He passed away in 1990 at the age of 63.
Jazz singer Chris Connor, a direct descendant of the Anita O’Day/June Christy “cool school” of jazz singing, was quite popular in jazz circles from the mid-1950s on. Connor always had a substantial following and did well at smaller venues like elaine’s, where she appeared in the mid-1980s. She continued to record and make personal appearances until a year before her passing in 2009.
Here’s a partial who’s who of just some of the iconic entertainers who visited elaine’s over the years, thanks to the extraordinary good taste of booking agent Andrea Kauffman, and Nugget entertainment Director Frankie randall, a superb pianist/ singer, who often performed in the lounge as well.
One of the most singular performers to be booked at elaine’s was singer/pianist Johnnie Ray. It’s difficult to describe just how big ray was in the early 1950s, except to say that he knocked Sinatra off the charts and sold millions of records with songs like “Cry.”
Facing difficulties with substance abuse, his star began to dim, at least stateside, around 1960. He nonetheless had a decent career on the strength of his name. His stint at elaine’s in the late 1980s, where he sang and accompanied himself on
Bobby Scott , a pianist, singer, composer and arranger, was one of the most brilliantly talented entertainers – musically, intellectually and otherwise – ever to appear at the Nugget’s lounge. Scott, best known for his hit, “Chain Gang,” and as composer of “A Taste of Honey” and “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s my b rother;” had a talent that went way beyond that of a pop singer who also played piano. Those who remember Scott’s engagement at elaine’s and those who got to know him during that time in the mid-1980s, will not forget it. I know I won’t.
The late singer, Johnny Hartman , is one of the most talented and underrated artists in the history of jazz. He worked with Dizzy Gillespie and erroll Garner in the late 1940s, and often recorded for smaller labels throughout the 1950s. His biggest breakthrough came in 1963 when he recorded with John Coltrane for Impulse! records.
Hartman was the only vocalist ever to record with “Trane” and many of the songs from their album, “John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman,” have been used on the soundtracks of doz-
ens of films. Had Hartman lived, he would have been a millionaire several times over. A heavy smoker, Hartman died in 1983 and was one of elaine’s earliest visitors.
Morgana King portrayed Carmela Corleone, wife of Vito Corleone, in the movie, “The Godfather.” Those who remember King only from that well-remembered film role, might not be aware that she was one of the most individual, eclectic and original jazz-oriented singers in a career that lasted from the mid-1950s until around 2000. The booking of King at elaine’s, spearheaded by agent Andrea Kauffman, was pretty special for area jazz fans. King was one of those singers whose sound and style were instantly identifiable. You knew who it was after hearing just a few measures.
Billy Daniels was another individual song stylist who made his name with an early-1950s hit, “That Old b lack m agic.” Daniels was versatile and did well in supporting roles on broadway, in early television and even
in a couple of films. His followers in lounges and smaller theaters, especially in London and Australia, were legion. His stand at elaine’s was one of his last. He died in 1987, the same year the Golden Nugget became bally’s Grand.
It’s been said that Sylvia Syms –the singer, not the b ritish actress –was among Frank Sinatra’s favorite singers. In fact, Sinatra conducted her 1982 album, “Syms by Sinatra.” Though Syms had a million-selling record in, “I Could Have Danced All Night,” released in 1956, her substantial audience was made up, in large part, of New Yorkers who enjoyed her frequent appearances at the Café Carlyle, sometimes in tandem with Carlyle mainstay Bobby Short Again, thanks to Andrea Kauffman, a Syms Atlantic City appearance was a certifiable event.
He wasn’t the biggest star to ever appear at elaine’s, but Chicago-based guitarist and singer Frank D’Rone was a vastly underrated talent and may well be the most fondly-remembered of any performer who ever graced the stage of elaine’s.
Nat “King” Cole wrote the notes to D’ rone’s first recording, released in 1959, and his career was off and running. His singing and his guitar playing were praised by jazz critics, and he did well at engagements that ranged from jazz festivals to smaller venues like elaine’s.
Like Sylvia Syms, it could be said that he was something of a cult figure, though with a much larger audience. He appeared at elaine’s frequently, during and after the Golden Nugget days. The personable and approachable D’ rone was quite the character. many of us in the Atlantic City musical community miss him and still speak of him often.
Cancer Support Community New Jersey presents the 2025 Atlantic City Polar Bear Plunge
Cancer Support Community New Jersey at Gilda’s Club (CSCNJ) is thrilled to announce that the 2025 Atlantic City Polar b ear Plunge will take place on New Year’s Day on the beach in front of Landshark bar & Grill at resorts Hotel & Casino.
This is the 33rd anniversary for the Atlantic City Polar bear Plunge. The cost to plunge is $25 per person and includes a commemorative t-shirt. All proceeds from the event go directly
to CSCNJ, whose mission is to help provide resources to those impacted by cancer and foster compassionate communities. CSCNJ aims to offer support to individuals and families coping with cancer diagnoses in the South Jersey region.
The plunge will take place at noon on the beach. registration begins at 10 a.m.
To sign up for the Polar Plunge in advance visit https://gcsj.gnosishosting.net/ events/Info/plunge2025.
With locations in North Wildwood and Egg Harbor Township (pictured), Zaberers opened in 1961 and closed in the mid-1980s. The sprawling restaurant was called Zaberville. It was home of the Zaberized cocktail, $7.95 complete dinners, and enough decorations to entertain the kids while waiting for dinner. The familiar slogan “Minutes Away” is etched on Charles Zaberer's tombstone .
How one dog’s legacy brought Christmas to kids in need this year
By Heidi Clayton
2024 was a rough year at Four on the Floor Dog Training. Losing my dog, Sushi, in April was devastating and has left a huge hole in the family.
While grieving such a beautiful soul, I decided to rename the charity I started when I was an Atlantic City police officer, “The Sushi Foundation.” While the name has changed, the mission remains the same: to give Christmas and hope to kids who are truly in need of it.
For several years now, I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Toni Jordan, who manages the family unit of the Atlantic City rescue mission. Toni works tirelessly to find housing for the families. She stays in contact with them for years, making sure they are OK. Toni supplies me with the kids’ wish lists each year. The goal of The Sushi Foundation is to see to it that every single wish is met.
This year, I am overwhelmed with complete joy at how successful The Sushi Foundation was at fulfilling the Christmas wish list. Organizing, planning, and pulling off Christmas for 13 children took my mind off of anything negative. When I asked for help, the wonderful people I have met through my love for dogs stepped up and covered each and every gift, plus gift bags and gift cards for the parents. b efore I knew it, loads of toys and clothes were ready to be delivered.
A grandmother who has suddenly found herself raising her one- and two-year-old grandchildren asked for diapers for Christmas. One of my clients responded, “That is not a Christmas gift.” The Sushi Foundation team got those kids presents for the holiday, not just basic necessities. The family of Harvey the beagle made sure that a case of diapers was delivered too.
my favorite little beagle, Harvey, made a guest appearance at the kids’ Christmas party, to the sheer delight of every single kid there. Good boy, mr. Harvey!
m y awesome team of Sergeant Kevin Law and Julie Lawler of the Atlantic City Police Department held the Christmas party for the kids. Julie gets the moose Lodge of Atlantic City to donate the room. Kevin makes sure that all of the gifts and families get to the right place. He also ensures the star of the show, Santa, arrives in the SWAT tank to meet the kids.
Chief Sarkos probably hoped he was rid of me in 2019, but never hesitates to commit manpower to this party. With manpower being a constant problem in Atlantic City, I am very appreciative of him sending Officers m ark Pincus Jr. and David White out to help transport the gifts. mark and David were a huge help to me. Sergeant Chris m iller arranged on short notice to have the Hamilton Township Police Department deliver gifts to one of the families that couldn’t make it to the party.
Thank you to Chief Ciambrone and Officer Liepe for ensuring a safe delivery. Thank you so much to Spanky & Sons Sub Shop, A-List Car Service, The Atlantic City Police Foundation, and Detective Jamie m oore for the food donations. The kids ate well, thanks to all of you.
The kids at the party not only get to interact with police officers and meet new people, but they also get to see that there are still good people left in the world. One little boy who never thought his family would be able to afford a hoverboard is going to be ecstatic on Christmas morning. The fact that The Sushi Foundation can give that joy to him warms my heart.
Sushi was pure joy in the form of a dog. I want to remember her for that and do what I can, no matter how small, to spread that joy to those in need.
To everyone who donated money and gifts and shared in my vision of this event, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
m erry Christmas and Happy New Year from Heidi, Ichiban, Fuji, m iki, and Kabuki of Four on the Floor Dog Training!
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining.net.
Heidi Clayton started Four On the Floor Dog Training to provide positive, rewardbased dog training in South Jersey. She breeds, trains and shows bull terriers under the SoraBully’s Bull Terriers kennel name. Email questions to heidi@ fouronthefloordogtraining. net or learn more at https:// fouronthefloordogtraining.net
Ringing in the new year with plant-based brunch recipes
By Christina Martin
The hustle and bustle of the holidays are slowly fading and a new year is on the horizon. Whether you are hosting or visiting family and friends during this holiday season, many have made resolutions to eat healthy in the new year.
It is a goal that many have but with the convenience of processed foods it is often challenging. Whatever your definition of healthy food is, I think supporting our local businesses and farmers that grow our food in the South Jersey area is also very important.
I met many of these businesses and farmers this past summer while visiting our local shore towns’ farmers markets and writing about
them. The one thing I took away from speaking with our farmers is that they love what they do, growing the best produce they can, taking care of the land and giving their customers produce that is good for them.
Some of the local farms had holiday markets. Places like reeds Farm and Animal Sanctuary in egg Harbor Township are still open and offer local
INVESTMENT PROPERTY OWNERS
The state has a new legal requirement – NJAC 5:28A for lead safe paint inspections of your property
produce.
One of the most important things to look at when it comes to healthy eating is where our food comes from. Foods that travel long distances often lose nutrients when traveling.
When you know your farmer you can find out firsthand their growing practices, such as no-till, nospray, and pest management. Some farms even offer a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) where you can purchase a box of produce from the farm for a set number of weeks.
Local farms such as Generous Greens in Woodbine, Potato Homestead in Woodbine and Nectar Flow Farm and bridgeton all have options to purchase on their websites and are a few of the farms I love to visit at the farmers markets to get produce. Now is the time to look into CSAs and decide which one is right for you.
best for you so that you can enjoy Jersey Fresh produce as it comes in season.
below are some of my plant-based recipes that are favorites with my vegan and non-vegan friends and are perfect for a brunch.
Broccoli Quiche
Traditionally quiche is made with eggs but this recipe is plant-based and replaces the eggs with tofu. Select your favorite greens to add such as spinach, kale or arugula. They all work well. Check what looks fresh at the market.
Ingredients for filling
● 1 block extra firm tofu, drained and pressed
● 1/4 cup nutritional yeast (gives a cheese taste. Look in grocery it is not baking yeast)
● Sea salt
● black pepper
● Handful of fresh greens, chopped
● Cherry tomatoes, chopped
● Arugula - garnish
● Pie Crust
● 1 1/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour (look for unbleached flour)
● 1⁄4 cup oil (I prefer olive)
● 1⁄4 cup - 1⁄3 cup water (use as needed) Procedure
Farmers start at the beginning of the new year offering CSA shares to purchase. This gives them “seed” money to get planting. Another option is at Walking b ird Farm and Harbor City. They have a gift card program which is like a CSA but you go to the market to shop using your prepaid card. Start the new year with researching to see what options work
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. For pie crust in a large bowl combine flour and oil, add the water as needed until the consistency of dough. Press into pie plate and set aside.
Combine the tofu, nutritional yeast, salt and pepper in a food processor and combine until smooth. ↘Continued on 64
Add the greens and cherry tomatoes and pulse just a few times to combine. Spoon into prepared pie crust and bake for about 25 minutes or until set. Let cool. Top with fresh arugula.
Sweet Potato Hash
This hash has added protein with the addition of tempeh. Your vegan friends will thank you.
Ingredients
● 4 medium sweet potatoes - peel if not organic, diced
● 2 tablespoons olive oil
● 1 medium onion, finely chopped
● 1 medium pepper, finely diced
● 8-ounce package tempeh, small diced
● 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
● 5 to 6 leaves kale, stemmed and finely chopped
● 1 to 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast, optional
● Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
● Green onion - thinly slice for garnish
● Sriracha or other hot sauce
Procedure
Dice the potatoes. Heat the oil in a large skillet, add the onion and sauté over medium heat until translucent. Add the pepper, tempeh and potatoes. Stir frequently.
Turn the heat up to medium high
and continue to sauté until all turn golden brown. Add the paprika and kale. Continue to cook for 4 -5 minutes. If the skillet becomes dry add water just enough to keep from sticking. Stir in the nutritional yeast and season with salt and pepper. Serve warm, you can top with a drizzle of Sriracha or hot sauce. Garnish with green onion.
“Crab Cake”
You will not miss the crab in this plant-based crab cake version. make a perfect “Crab Cake” sandwich. Add some lettuce and tomato along with a drizzle of the aioli.
Ingredients:
● 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
● ½ cup sliced green onion plus some for garnish
2 tablespoons of oil and wait until it gets hot and shimmery before adding the patties. Another option is to bake in an oven at 350 and broil 5 minutes at the end to crisp up.
Place about 4 patties on your pan at one time, but make sure you do not overcrowd the pan. Pan-fry them for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. When done, transfer the patties to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil. Add fresh oil as needed.
Serve warm with vegan aioli, a lemon wedge and top with chopped green onions or in a sandwich with lettuce, tomato and aioli.
Vegan Aioli
Ingredients:
● 1/2 cup vegan mayonnaise
● 2 large garlic cloves, minced
● 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
● 1/4 teaspoon salt
● 1/2 teaspoon capers
Procedure:
Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl.
● 1- 14 oz can hearts of palm, rinsed, drained and cut in half lengthwise
● 1- 14 oz can artichokes, rinsed drained and chopped
● ¼ cup vegan mayonnaise (I use Follow your Heart brand)
● 1 teaspoon lemon juice, more to taste
● 1 tablespoon dried parsley
● 1½ teaspoon Old b ay seasoning
● ½ teaspoon sea salt
● 1 teaspoon dried garlic
● 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular) + more for breaded coating (I use gluten free)
● ¼ cup oil
Procedure:
In a food processor add the hearts of palm and artichoke together. Pulse just a few times to break everything up. Do not pulse too many times or it will turn to mush. It should have a crab-like consistency. You can also do this manually, just use a fork to shred everything up. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, add the vegan mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard, and all the dry seasonings. Whisk to combine well.
Add the breadcrumbs, green onion, and artichokes and hearts of palm. Gently fold to combine. Taste for seasoning, add more if needed. Pop the mixture in the freezer for 20 minutes. This helps the mixture stay together a bit better.
Place enough bread crumbs onto a shallow plate that will coat patties evenly. Take the mixture out of the freezer. Place about ¼ cup of mixture into your hands to form a ball. Then gently flatten to form it into a patty shape. Coat patty in the bread crumbs on each side.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat (about 2-3 minutes). Add about
Wishing you a happy and healthy new year, and may your plate be full of fresh, nourishing foods that support both your health and the farmers who grow them.
Chef Christina Martin is a dedicated chef educator, passionate advocate for healthy eating, and mother. Christina’s expertise has been spotlighted in Independent Restaurateur Magazine and she has been awarded 2024 Chef Educator of the Year from the Professional Chef Association of South Jersey.
By Eric Reich
y industry is filled with countless amounts of bad advice, rules of thumb that make little sense, and lots of other nonsense in general. While much of this advice is meant to be well-intentioned, like all advice, it needs to be in context. None of this advice is potentially more harmful than the phrase, “Never talk about money.”
While I can understand why this is an old saying, the lack of context is what can be so harmful. I certainly don’t advocate shouting from the rooftops how much you have or make, but it is absolutely crucial that you talk to your family about money. We have raised an entire generation of kids who know little to nothing about money because we never took the time to talk about money with them. We don’t teach them the
Talk about money
importance of saving, investing, budgeting and estate planning.
b y not teaching our children about money from a young age, we can cause them to lose out on the most important years of saving and investing: the early years. The sooner you start investing, the sooner the miracle of compound interest begins to work for you.
If we don’t teach our children good money habits, then they can’t expect to teach their children after them. We can hold back generations of families from financial security because someone 100 years ago said it wasn’t polite to talk about money.
Not talking about money can have even more negative effects. by not talking about our money and our estate plans to our children, we can potentially set up our family for conflicts that could tear our families apart. Sadly, we see family after family come to us after a loved one has passed to help them “figure out” the estate. When this happens, we know that 99% of these cases involve a lack of communication between the one who passed and their heirs. Imagine it’s you and your family.
You pass unexpectedly, and your family has no idea what your wishes were. Worse, when they figure everything out, they have no idea why you wanted what you wanted.
Some of you might be thinking, “They don’t need to know. It’s my money and my decision.”
While that is certainly true, you need to very clearly understand that this is the exact reason that your family might be torn apart after you are gone. Communicating your estate plan with your family while you are still here gives you the opportunity to avoid potential future fights because they can now understand the why behind your plan. After you are gone, heirs can’t ask questions about your wishes. Don’t think of this as them being selfish, but rather as them trying to understand the thought process that leads to your decisions.
Going one step further, I suggest you even be open to input in your plan (within reason, of course). Some heirs don’t need or want an inheritance. b y allowing them to communicate that to you before you pass, you could adjust your plan accordingly.
Imagine one of your children is financially very successful, and the other is less so. How would the one without the same resources feel if you left half of your estate to someone who clearly doesn’t need it? Can you see where hard feelings can start to form? Can you see how the heir who didn’t need it might feel guilt over the inheritance? Now you’ve put both of your heirs in an uncomfortable situation when a simple conversation beforehand could have avoided all of this.
The same goes for your stuff. Do you really know who wants what? Probably not. The reason why someone wants certain possessions
is most often because they hold a particular sentimental value to them because of the memories they hold. Let heirs give input on this type of stuff before just giving away things you assume someone wants. Communication is almost never a bad thing. That’s true for relationships, coworkers and especially families. by communicating your intent for your estate to your heirs before you are gone, you might just end up saving your family’s future harmony. Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FIN r A/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. reich Asset management, LLC is not affiliated with Kestra IS or Kestra AS. The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect those held by Kestra Investment Services, LLC or Kestra Advisory Services, LLC. This is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations for any individual. It is suggested that you consult your financial professional, attorney, or tax advisor with regard to your individual situation. To view form CrS visit https://bit.ly/ KF-Disclosures.
Eric is President and founder of Reich Asset Management, LLC. He relies on his 25 years of experience to help clients have an enjoyable retirement. He is a Certified Financial Planner™ and Certified Investment Management AnalystSM (CIMA®) and has earned his Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®) and Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designations.
Flip the script by sending out a ‘reality holiday letter’
Life is What Happens
By Lisa Zaslow Segelman
The weather outside may be frightful, but nothing is scarier than what lurks in your mailbox in December – the annual holiday letter.
Such chatty missives remain among the few modern communiques that still arrive by snail mail. They’re meant to catch up old friends, distant relatives, and college roommates on the writer’s lives.
The tone of these letters can be astounding: glowing reports of children’s accomplishments and details of medical problems that you can live without. No one really wants to hear about your foot surgery or your delayed flight, especially if it was for a last-minute holiday getaway to As-
pen when your stay-cation included redeeming points at Wawa for a Shorti.
These communications are not just from folks who celebrate Christmas. Writers from other faiths who maybe aren’t as stressed with untangling Christmas lights and baking cookies are stapling and stamping holiday letters, too.
“If I wanted to know about these folks, I’d call, text or email them,” says my friend emily (her name has been changed to protect friendships with friends she doesn’t care to read about).
For years my husband and I read these letters out loud and posted the accompanying photos on the fridge. A friend did us one better. “We do a group reading of these sappy sum-ups at a neighbor’s house,” said Lou Vaccaro of Hillsborough. “The theme of the letters we get is, ‘we’re so great.’”
Sick of hearing about catapulting careers and folks receiving keys to the city, my husband asked, “Why are everyone else’s kids rhodes Scholars and Peace Corps volunteers while our kids can’t spend one weekend peaceably together?”
That’s when we decided to send out a “reality holiday letter,” a tellsome expose of life at our house. The goal was to offset the excessively sentimental treatises sent by regular letter writers. Part of the inspiration was the advent of reality TV. We knew we could do one-better than those scripted reality shows that
In one of our first letters, we struggled with our 9-year-old daughter, Talia’s, aversion to violin lessons because “all the notes were on the side.” That same year we grumbled through 6-year-old Alana sucking her thumb at home, but not at school because “there’s no principal at home.”
In 2007 she urged me to stop tutoring the kid across the street because “he’s smart enough.” In 2008 after our Jacques Cousteau period (and buying the fish tank, pumps and pagodas that go with it), our kids informed us “fish aren't cuddly.” That began a long road to getting our real dog eddie, now almost 17 years old.
Keeping a diary is challenging even for a writer, so this decades-long tradition has also served as a chronicle of our family’s life, which has had more than its share of “Cheaper by the Dozen” movie moments. When the details start to fade in our memories, our growing family will have the letters, and accompanying photo cards, as part of their holiday tradition, too.
For content we used our own judgment in the beginning, when our kids were 9, 7 and 4. Now at 30, 28 and 25 they get out their red pens. “ m om, you can’t say that!”
Still, in this year’s letter I recount meeting my now 28-year-old, violin-adverse daughter’s boyfriend for the first time.
“We had barely exchanged ‘nice to meet yous’ when I noticed that I still had one of those heavy wire gauge tags on my new shoes, yes, the tags that are only removable at the store or if you carry your father’s toolbox
with you at all times. I was happy that her boyfriend is 6’1” and that it’s a long way from his sightline to the ground because I looked like martha Stewart breaking parole.”
Are we the only letter writers who take the reality route?
When I suggested to my brother, a writer at The Wall Street Journal, that he do a story on the subject he found a 1998 Ann Landers column that took to task “ghastly” holiday letters written by braggarts. He also interviewed Stephen banks, a University of Idaho professor who conducts an ongoing holiday letter study, which concluded that many writers look at this kind of correspondence as a form of self-therapy.
Now that the professors might be analyzing our letter line by line, I’ve been thinking if we have a deeper reason than combating pomposity for our annual letter.
Like the TV show about nothing, our missives are filled with unimportant, Seinfeld-esque details. b ut as long as we can write about spilled soy sauce in the car that made it smell like a sushi restaurant whose air-conditioning broke, I know it’s been a very good year. And that’s something I want to share.
If you have even a smidge of a flair for storytelling, consider creating your own reality holiday letter.
Instead of recounting your trip to the Galapagos Islands and the details of the multiple degrees your kids achieved, entertain your friends with details of your lives they can actually relate to. Pick plumbing problems, inlaw challenges, or cooking disasters (maybe you have your pizza place on speed dial).
In the past two decades I’ve found that my mishaps, embarrassments and calamities call to mind my readers’ own challenges and they’re comforted by knowing they’re not alone.
Tongue-in-cheek is just the medium. The message each year is the same – we are grateful that most years we get to sweat the small stuff. Sharing the details helps us remember what’s really important – health, friends, family, and the well-being of people we used to know, and finding enough quarters in the couch to take the shortcut over the margate bridge.
Lisa is an advertising copywriter (think ‘Madmen’ without the men), journalist and columnist. Claim to fame: Lou’s waitress for four teenage summers. For column comments, story ideas, or to get on her “quote” list for future columns: redshoeslzs@ gmail.com
By Douglas Keefe of Beachcomber Coins
What if I were to tell you there could be thousands of dollars’ worth of coins in your pocket, would you take the time to hunt for them? Well, it’s true, there are everyday coins worth hundreds, thousands and even tens of thousands of dollars each. And yes, they could be in your pocket or lurking undetected in the container where you throw your loose change.
my last article explored a valuable type of coin. We looked at double die cents, how they occur and some examples to look out for when going through your pocket change. Although I limited my article to coins currently in circulation, there are many examples from the 1800’s and 1900’s that can bring a respectable reward to the lucky finder.
While discussing this article on the Don Williams Show several years ago, a caller inquired if I had heard of a double die dime, a 1942 over a 1941 date. I told the caller that this example is not a double die, but an overdate, which although not as common as a double die, when discovered it too
Over Date Coins
can be more valuable than the regular coin.
As a refresher, a double die is the result of a die that was created by the hub shifting and putting a double image in the die which is then transferred to the coin. Sometimes this is a very faint doubling that requires a magnifying glass to see. An overdate however, is the intentional reusing of a die that was used to strike coins in a preceding year, a common practice in the early years of our country as well as other countries. A die typically was used until it broke apart or became worn. Since coins were supposed to be dated in the year they were struck (a practice not always followed), if at the end of the year a die had a lot of life left in it, the mint master could have a new date struck in the die so it could continue to be used. In all cases the old date could be seen under the new date. This was a common practice through the early 1800’s with an example of virtually all denominations of our coins having undergone this modification. It became less prevalent
after the 1830’s with some examples of exceptions being m organ silver dollars dated 1880 over 79 and 1887 over 6.
Two examples occurred during the 1900’s during war years which, because of a shortage of material and manpower there occurred the need to reuse old dies. The first examples were five cent coins (nickels) struck at the Denver mint in 1918. A 1917 die was modified by punching an 8 over the 7 in the date. Same thing happened in the San Francisco mint that year where a quarter die from 1917 was reused by punching an 8 over the 7. During World War 2 the first dies used to mint dimes dated 1942
in both the Philadelphia and Denver mints were dies from 1941 which had the number 2 stamped over the 1.
Two other examples from the twentieth century exist: a 1914 over 13 five cent coin (the b uffalo Nickel) and a 1909 over a Twenty Dollar gold piece. What necessitated these dies being reused is not known.
Now for a strange over date. All previous examples were done using a die from a preceding year. In 1853, some quarters were struck using a die that originally had the 1854 date. Why? No one knows. Could it have been a mistake? Or could a die have already been prepared for 1854 when a need for more 1853 quarters developed? We can only guess, but I had a direct involvement in this discovery. Actually, the coin pictured in the Guide book of United States Coins (the red book) was a coin I purchased at a Long b each California coin show in the 1970’s. Although I did not discover this variety, I was involved in obtaining the coin.
Image of a dime, with 1942 over 41 date.
SHORE FUNNY NEW YEAR’S EDITION
What is a New Year's resolution? Something that goes in one year and out the other. Where can you go to practice math on New Year’s Eve? Times Square.
What did the little champagne bottle call his father? Pop!
What was the spider’s New Year’s resolution? To spend less time on the web.
How can you keep all your resolutions for the whole year? Just tuck them away in a journal on your bookshelf. Not to brag, but I already have a date for New Year’s Eve. It’s December 31st
What do you call someone who says they know all the words to "Auld Lang Syne"? A liar!
May all your troubles last as long as your New Year’s resolutions.
SUDOKU
Solution on page 74
THEME: YEAR-IN-REVIEW
ACROSS
1. Cerberus' domain
6. Chop
9. mama's husband
13. Unsuitable
14. Adam's partner
15. echo sounder
16. Sunny prefix
17. Armed conflict
18. In a heated manner
19. *Highest grossing movie based on broadway musical
21. *Time's 100 World's most Influential People cover model in 2024 (2 words)
23. "____ and the City"
24. Not exciting
25. Accident
28. rani's dress
30. Talking points
35. Aflame
37. Spanish sparkling wine
39. Slang for money
40. Velum, pl.
41. *November 5th 2024 winner
43. Short for "and elsewhere" (2 words)
44. met's offering
46. river in bohemia
47. Queen of Hearts' pastry
48. *Super bowl winners in 2024
50. Visi____ or Ostro____
52. The Alan Parsons Project's "eye in the ____"
53. ____ of passage
55. *milton's center
57. *miley Cyrus' Grammy-winning record of the Year in 2024
61. *2024 Summer Olympic Games host
64. Cat's nine
65. Lowest or highest card
67. Accustom
69. e-wallet content
70. backstabber
71. N in rN
72. Whipping mark
73. r&r spot
74. Support person
DOWN
1. "Say what?"
2. All over again
3. *mV ____, cause of 2024 baltimore bridge collapse
4. Long stories
5. Tends a fire
6. Obscene
7. Spermatozoa counterpart
8. Lost, in Paris
9. *Olympic Gold winner Katie Ledecky's "court"
10. Dead against
11. explore by touch
12. maisie Williams' "Game of Thrones" character
15. Hello, in Haifa
20. Dead-on
22. Last month
24. Disclose
25. Wreaked state
26. bet's predecessor
27. Pileus, pl.
29. Like steak order
31. maya Angelou, e.g.
32. Itsy-bitsy bits
33. *Caitlin of college basketball
34. Gin and grapefruit juice cocktail, a.k.a. ____ dog
36. Scarlet O'Hara's home
38. Speaking platform
42. Dinklage or Townshend, e.g.
45. Again but differently
49. elton John's title
51. Shenzi of "The Lion King"
54. russian rulers, pre-1917
56. Tedium
57. "One ____ Over the Cuckoo's Nest"
58. Classroom pests
59. elliptical
60. Sunset location
61. Sheep's milk cheese
62. Little miss muffet's morsel
63. Gaelic tongue
66. Upper limit
68. Poetic "always"
See Solution on page 74
The Cosmic Connection
By Ursula Duffy
Astrology, by definition, is the study of time and light. It is an art that has been utilized by humanity for millennia to provide a better understanding of how the cosmos affects life on earth. A personal horoscope, also known as a birth chart or natal chart, is a snapshot of the sun, moon, planets and more at the moment of one's birth. This snapshot holds many keys and secrets to one's personality and can be considered one's map, guidebook and lesson plan for life! everything in the cosmos continues moving beyond the moment of your birth and influences your life in cyclical ways. Cycles, according to the rhythm of the sun, moon, planets, stars and seasons, influence your life and possibly your attitude toward life. The weekly horoscopes provided here in Shore Local Newsmagazine are written based on your rising sign. These horoscopes are intended to provide guidance and insight based on these rhythms and the cosmic connection to your lived experience. So much is written in the stars! I hope these entries will assist you in deciphering what is encoded within you.
Horoscopes for Dec. 27 - Jan. 2
♈ Aries: A new beginning or clean slate is now available to you in your
Weekly horoscopes
work. You’ve been shown over the last month where in your life you need more knowledge or adventure. Call that into your work at this time.
♉ Taurus: b reakdowns can lead to breakthroughs. Whether it’s your health, a change in work or the release of a contract, a fresh new horizon with infinite heights awaits. Welcome the new and the accompanying vitality boost.
♊ Gemini: Setting longer-term goals related to your shared resources is advised. Pay particular attention to contributions that involve your own work, personal resources and closest relationships; they’re all connected.
♋ Cancer: A new relationship or friendship for which you’ve been yearning is yearning for you too. Calling someone in at this time is in alignment. The qualities, caliber and traits you wish to attract are important.
♌ Leo: You could be pleasantly surprised by an inspired, new daily practice that increases stability and strength. Try something new with an emphasis on improving stamina. It could be a new physical practice or a new facet of your work.
♍ Virgo: Heed last week’s guidance and set real intentions about the process and eventual manifestation of your creation. Let your heart guide you. Keep it secret or even start it at home initially if necessary. ensure its birth.
♎ Libra: Creating a new environment in which you feel truly at home physically and within yourself is calling you. You won’t need to search far for the necessary resources. It may require daily devotion. However, you’re up for the challenge.
♏ Scorpio: As you pull your energy back from external commitments, more
time for internal processing is possible. A new way or new form of communication, possibly creative communication, is percolating. Tap into it and explore the seeds being planted.
♐ Sagittarius: Direct energy and intention to your personal finances and resources this week. It’s the perfect time to make necessary changes and dream big about new ways to earn more while also feeling confident about your plans.
♑ Capricorn: Clarity is beginning to emerge around messages and information received from your inner knowing. blind spots gain visibility to show you areas for self-improvement. It’s an excellent time to prioritize personal growth and reconnect with yourself.
♒ Aquarius: Various forms of retreat can offer time and space for deep replenishment. Seek out getaways that have the potential to restore your energy, especially if a close relationship has been on the fritz.
♓ Pisces: The energies are ripe for a new group of friends, colleagues and a potential leadership role for you. The right group or role will be one that improves your sense of personal authority and uplifts your career or public image.
Weekly Astrology Summary: December’s second new moon and the final new moon of 2024 offers us a beautiful energy ripe with potential this week on monday, Dec. 30 at 5:26 p.m. It’s wonderful to have such a lovely, practical new moon occur just before a new calendar year. It occurs in the zodiac sign Capricorn, which is traditionally associated with novelty, structures, systems and achievement. I interpret Capricorn a little differently and feel it’s much more about realizing our greatest potential by diving deeply
into our untapped inner magic. The supporting energies present at the time of the new moon reinforce this perspective with an aspect known as a mystic rectangle forming between several important planets and sky points. This is a very powerful time. As one calendar year closes out, a new one begins. Tremendous shifts will occur in 2025, starting in January. We are all being offered great potential to create and realize a new path forward, while simultaneously finally letting go of outdated habits that hinder the expansion of our consciousness and ability to raise our vibration. The deeper meaning of our individual and collective healing journeys will also begin to emerge. As we reflect on the past year, embrace the adage that hindsight is 20/20; it holds much truth and insight into what’s been shown to us this year.
See the above horoscope for your rising sign for more specific information. If you’re unsure what your rising sign is, you can learn more in my info/ tutorial video on the Sea Goddess Healing Arts YouTube channel, or cast your own birth chart for free on astro.com. Wishing everyone a lovely beginning to 2025, filled with your best intentions, infused with your untapped inner magic and biggest dreams yet!
Ursula Duffy is a Professional Astrologer, founder of Ursa Alchemy and founding partner/ Goddess of Operations (GOO) of Sea Goddess Healing Arts, Atlantic City, NJ. Find her services, teachings, podcast, get in touch and more at www. seagoddesshealingarts.com/ ursaalchemy
The season of love, giving and gratitude
Real Estate Matters
By Elisa Jo Eagan
Our b alsley Losco realty family gathered together on Sunday, Dec. 15 and we partnered with the Atlantic City rescue mission for this year’s Hope begins Here Winter Coat, Clothing and Non-Perishable Food Drive. As a group effort, we collected a truckload of donations, including clothing and food. It was a mega success.
For over 70 years, the owners and agents of balsley Losco realty have dedicated themselves each and every day to providing real estate and home-related services while giving back to our Shore Local community. Their many efforts support Atlantic County residents and their families. each individual, having their own family and loved ones, is so giving, kind and generous. Please remember
than we will ever need. Good quality clothing that is too small, too large, or gently used children’s items can be donated. Shoes, boots, hats and gloves will also be gratefully accepted. You’ll feel good knowing that your donations bring joy to someone else and you’ll enjoy a more organized space.
Go Through Your Kitchen and Organize Your Pantry
After the holidays, many of us find extra items in our kitchen cabinets and pantry. These much-needed non-perishable food items can be donated to your local food bank.
that donations are not only needed during the holidays, but every day especially during the cold winter months.
Ways to Give Clean Out Your Closets,
Organize Your Home and Give to Those in Need
As we wind down after Christmas and the holidays and enter the new year, a wonderful way to prepare your home is to declutter and go through your closets.
m any of us have more clothing
boxes of stuffing, instant potatoes, cans of gravy, cranberry sauce, soups, pasta, jars of sauce, unopened sugar, flour and other staples are wonderful items to give. Think about what you use every day in your home –someone else needs these items, too.
Giving and Gratitude From Our Home to Yours
It is often said that it is “in the little things” that we can give to each other – gestures that cost nothing but mean so much. A smile, a hug, a thank you, or a compliment are gifts that warm the heart. Wishing everyone a healthy and prosperous new year in 2025!
For More Real Estate Questions, Information and Advice Contact Elisa Jo Eagan "The Real Estate Godmother" (609)703-0432 and Remember..."There's No Place Like Owning Your Own Home!"
