SHORE LOCAL | Mainland | March 27, 2025

$25M resort with $1M condos planned near Ocean City Boardwalk

Aluxury condo-hotel project could soon take shape just steps from the Ocean City boardwalk. Soleil Resort, a proposed $25 million development, is now listed for sale, offering a developer the chance to build 111 upscale units on a nearly two-acre beachfront site at 1101 Ocean Avenue.

convenience to individually owned units.

Each condo is expected to sell for over $1 million, blending private ownership with resort-style amenities. The approved plans include a spa, fitness center, restaurant, cafe, and room service—bringing hotel-like

Ocean City remains one of the Jersey Shore’s most sought-after destinations, known for its family-friendly atmosphere, no-alcohol policy, and top-ranked beaches. With limited housing inventory and growing demand, Soleil Resort could attract buyers looking for both personal use and investment potential. Though the property isn't directly on the boardwalk, its location near the beach and major attractions positions it as a high-profile addition to the area. The project’s scale and price tag, however, may spark conversation about how it could shape the future of Ocean City’s traditional landscape.

Hop to the beer, with a side of pretzels

Letter from the editor

This weekend marks the return of one of my favorite annual events — the Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival. That may surprise those who know me well, since I don’t actually like beer. But hear me out — there’s so much more to this festival than the taste of beer.

It’s a full sensory experience, complete with live music from a dozen bands, interactive games, delicious food and more than 50 unique vendors. There’s truly something for everyone. And then there’s my personal favorite: the pretzel necklaces.

While my husband Bob weaves his way through the aisles sampling craft beers, I head straight for the “pretzel man.” his name is Alex Adamowski, a young entrepreneur with Down syndrome

who has turned pretzel necklace-making into a thriving business. The bite-sized pretzels, strung like beads on ribbon, are not only clever — they’re practical. They help soak up the beer, cleanse the palate for connoisseurs, and serve as the perfect portable snack.

While others in my family reach for chips, ice cream or cookies, pretzels have always been my go-to. The salty cruchy bite of pretzel I would choose above any other. So the idea of wearing them around my neck brings a kind of playful nostalgia

not creating snacks or working the festival circuit, he’s training as a powerlifter for the Special Olympics — a passion that speaks to his drive and determination. Of course, while the beer may flow freely at the festival, so should good judgment. Make a plan before you go — designate a driver or use a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft to get home safely. As for me, I’m the built-in designated driver, happily fueled by carbs instead of hops. Whether you’re here for the brews, the snacks or the vibrant atmosphere, the Atlantic City Beer Festival offers another unforgettable weekend.

— a snack and accessory in one. Add a little mustard, and I’m over the moon. Alex started his company, Phygit

Publisher– Bob Fertsch (609) 334-1691 shorelocalads@gmail.com

Executive Editor - Cindy Christy Fertsch (609) 705-5323 shorelocalcindy@gmail.com

Publisher Assistant - Julia Train

Copy Editors - James FitzPatrick, Holly Fertsch, Julia Train

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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, Joe Martucci, Heidi Clayton, Eric Reich, Jeff Whitaker, Chuck Darrow, Bruce Klauber, Christina Martin, Delaney Crawford, Ursula Duffy, Robin Stoloff, Marjorie Preston, Tynan Hand, Madison Russ Cover photo of a couple at the AC Beer & Music Festival by Beau Ridge Photography.

Foods, with the help of his parents, Ken and Michelle. Together, they’ve built a business that travels to beer festivals and events across the region. Ken proudly returns to the Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival each year. Every pretzel necklace is handcrafted by Alex himself. When he’s

It’s also the first of many much-anticipated spring festivals. After a long winter, it’s time to get back outdoors, reconnect with one another and enjoy everything our community has to offer.

Cheers — with pretzels, of course!

Peace & Love, Cindy

Celebrating Life at The Southern NJ Shore

Entrepreneur Alex Adamowski (center) and his parents, Ken and Michelle, have transformed pretzel necklace-making into a successful venture at beer festivals across the region.

Community unites to save 2,000-pound steer at Funny Farm Rescue

By Julia Train

On March 20, the local community came together to rescue a 2,000-pound steer after he spent over 12 hours stuck in the mud at Funny Farm Rescue in Mays Landing.

The night before, Yogi, the nineyear-old steer, found himself in a dire situation when he became stuck, lying flat, in a mudhole that had turned into quicksand beneath him.

“Every time he was digging, he went further and further down into the mud, because he's 2,000 pounds, so he was 3 feet down in a hole with one leg, the other leg wasn't as deep,” said Laurie Zaleski, owner of Funny Farm Rescue.

Zaleski and a volunteer, Karen, at-

tempted to pull him out themselves. Karen packed down some wood shavings and straws and put blankets to keep Yogi warm through the night, as the temperature dropped into the 30s.

The next day, they tried straps and a tractor to get Yogi out, a method Zaleski had successfully employed 100 times before.

“We tried and tried and tried with no avail,” she said.

So, Zaleski then asked a friend, who’s a farmer, for help.

“ h e came over and he goes, ‘ h e's done Laurie,’” she said. “So he leaves and then I started to cry because I started to lose hope because we were trying for so many hours.”

Large animals like horses and cattle aren’t supposed to lie flat on their side, as it compresses their organs.

Yogi’s prolonged time in this position put him at risk of severe complications, including organ failure. Recognizing the urgency, Zaleski called upon the community for help.

“We need help! Anyone who is strong to help roll a cow. If you can come, we will meet at 3:30 p.m. at the

farm. Yogi can’t get up. If anyone has any good ideas, please call Laurie,” the rescue posted on Facebook.

Within 45 minutes of the social media post, more than 30 volunteers, including farmers, machine operators, government workers and even a detective, had gathered to assist in the rescue efforts.

Despite their best efforts, Yogi’s legs, deprived of circulation from hours of immobility, failed to support him.

(up to 5 quarts)

It wasn’t until Jared Pagano, owner of JPX Excavation & Tree Service in Egg harbor Township, arrived with a crane that hope was restored.

Cheers and tears filled the air as the volunteers celebrated.

“Nobody just left… Everybody hung around to make sure he was okay,” said Zaleski. “Some even gave

Pagano was at work when one of the secretaries, whose husband is a volunteer, asked him if he’d be able to help.

“I actually had previous experience, because my mom owns a farm, and we had a horse with problems getting up, so I was familiar with the rigging,” said Pagano. “So I left work and grabbed my truck, and I went over there.”

h e also brought his wife and two daughters.

me their phone numbers in case we needed help again.”

Today, Yogi is back to his usual self, soaking in the affection of his many visitors, who shower him with treats and attention.

his recovery has inspired the Funny Farm Rescue team to implement changes to prevent such an incident from happening again, including adding more drainage solutions to his enclosure and a trail camera so Zaleski can keep an eye on him.

When Pagano arrived at the rescue, he attached slings to the steer and the knuckle boom crane, a machine used for its precision in tree work, repairing storm damage and putting air conditioners on roofs.

The crane carefully lifted Yogi to his feet, but, even then, he struggled to move due to loss of circulation from lying down for so long. Volunteers immediately massaged his legs, patted his back and encouraged him.

In a moment of triumph, Yogi suddenly leaped from his support straps and began to walk.

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

Laurie Zaleski (center) with Jared and Becca Pagano and their two daughters.

The crew of helpers get Yogi up with the crane.

The Other Lucy Beach Grille offers employment for individuals with special needs

By Julia Train

For over 18 years, Lucy Paccione, owner of The Other Lucy Beach Grille, dreamed of establishing a job training facility for individuals with special

needs. With a background in teaching at St. Joe’s University and a love for cooking, she envisioned a space

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where these two passions could merge to make a difference.

“I wanted to do that for over 18 years, but my career path took me in a different direction,” said Paccione. “Because of fear and not sure if I had all the funds, I was afraid to really pull that trigger. And then one day, I woke up and I thought, ‘It's time.’”

Paccione's path to The Other Lucy Beach Grille wasn’t straightforward.

Initially, Lucy and her children attempted to secure a location on the bay for a donut and hot dog shop, but lost the bid.

In 2023, however, when Paccione was preparing to launch a baking business, she received a text from a contact at Lucy the Elephant, informing her that the beachfront shack on the elephant’s campus had become available.

What was supposed to be a oneyear lease has now turned into three.

More than a restaurant

The grille is just one part of Paccione’s interconnected ventures.

In its second year, she launched the h .O.P.E Organization, a nonprofit

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dedicated to training and employing individuals with intellectual disabilities. The name— h elping Others Pursue Empowerment—was coined by her sons at 1:30 a.m. one night.

“I was trying to come up with a name, something that was really positive. I liked the word ‘hope,’” said Paccione. “And my second son said, ‘why don't we use hope as an acronym?’”

Then, in the middle of the night, her oldest son came up with the acronym.

One of the organization’s early successes was training a young man named Drew Sheffey, who performed so well that he was hired by Wawa in Pennsylvania for year-round employment.

The idea for Paccione’s businesses was inspired by her degree in health administration and her cousin Gina from Connecticut.

is expanding again with Margate Donuts, which will operate from the same location and open Memorial Day Weekend. Unlike the Grille, which

Paccione's nonprofit, the H.O.P.E. Organization, employs and trains individuals with intellectual disabilities.

“She's 32 years old now, and she has pretty high level skills, but no one gives her the opportunity, and if they bring her in with a job coach, they're giving her menial tasks. And I also see the stress of my cousin that never gets a break,” she said. “So what I noticed is if I could actually improve the household by getting the adult children out of the house, working, that the family structure will be more positive, and that's when I launched my business last year.”

Expanding further with Margate Donuts

This upcoming season, Paccione

integrates both neurotypical and special needs employees, Margate Donuts will be primarily staffed by individuals with intellectual disabilities, guided by vocational trainer John Rocco.

Margate lacked a dedicated donut shop, and Paccione saw an opportunity to fill that gap while advancing her mission.

“We just felt that Margate lacked donuts. It makes everybody feel happy, and we just wanted to expand our breakfast menu and we thought donuts would be a nice addition,” she said.

Lucy Paccione hand picks every ingredient on the grille's menu.

The beach grille shares a campus with Lucy the Elephant.

Hooked on positivity: local group keeps kids reeled in

By Madison Russ

Finding ways to keep kids engaged after school can be challenging, especially for those who don’t dream of shooting hoops or scoring touchdowns. But one statewide program is giving kids the chance to connect, build confidence and enjoy the great outdoors — through fishing.

hooked on Fishing – Not on Drugs (h OFNOD) is a nationally recognized program that teaches school-aged children how to fish while building positive life skills and encouraging them to stay drug-free. Run statewide by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s (NJDEP) Division of Fish and Wildlife, h OFNOD is not only teaching youth to fish, but it also is helping them to develop an appreciation for aquatic and natural resources.

“The program engages kids. It disconnects them from all the electronics and stuff; it gets them outside and exploring nature and allows nature to be their universe — that’s what fishing does,” said Liz Jackson, senior biologist education for NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife and the program’s state coordinator.

Following 2012 legislation establishing statewide implementation, many programs are offered through schools, community organizations and other groups, providing yearround engagement.

“Not all kids are basketball, football, or soccer players — there’s gotta be something else for all the other kids who aren’t into that,” said Jackson. “This program is just another alternative avenue as opposed to having kids floundering and not really doing something with themselves during non-school hours.”

Hooked on Fishing – Not on Drugs (HOFNOD)

skills. Photo courtesy of Marlene Crump.

role in 2013, Jackson has seen an increase in non-school groups joining the program and more high schools forming their own h OFNOD teams. Some groups, she said, are started by those who want to pay it forward and are anglers themselves.

In Atlantic County, kids from various schools participate, said Marlene Crump, who is with the Atlantic County h OFNOD Coalition and is a team leader for Community Fishing Students.

“Students are really growing with it. It gives them an extra vehicle to do something different, something they’ve never done before. A lot of families had not been exposed to fishing until we started fishing with them — it was a whole new world to them. They didn’t even realize how close to some of the lakes they lived,” said Crump. “The impact is seeing kids wanting to do more positive activities by being around positive activities.”

Crump’s group, which typically meets monthly, does more than just fish; they also incorporate college and career readiness, such as exposing them to working skills by volunteering at ShopRite or taking college tours, as well as community service activities.

Though the program functions in some schools, Jackson said it’s really “a program to create community-based youth fishing teams, whether it’s in a school or through some other altruistic nonprofit organization, like 4- h .”

Since taking on the coordinator

Beyond fishing, Crump explained that the children — and their families — often get opportunities they

wouldn’t have otherwise been exposed to, such as charter boat fishing, camping, learning about wildlife, archery and much more.

“It’s really beneficial to the parents in it with their kids; I see a great outcome. It brings them closer,” said Crump.

Jackson explained that some events, activities and overnight excursions aim to keep parents included.

“The parents need that exposure as well. If the parents can develop a healthy, comfortable relationship with being outside, I think kids would be outside more often because their parents would take them outside more often,” said Jackson.

To further encourage outdoor engagement, h OFNOD hosts events that bring communities together. This summer, the program will hold its statewide 10th annual youth fishing challenge: a free, community-based event open to all.

“This year is our biggest and best attendance because we have 53 host sites from Sussex to Cape May that are holding a challenge somewhere in their community,” said

Jackson. “The main event, as far as I’m concerned, is going to be that one at Lake Lenape.”

h OFNOD Atlantic County Coalition will host its challenge at Lake Lenape Park East on Saturday, June 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will include prizes and giveaways, among other activities.

Crump said the organization always needs adult volunteers for transportation to events, space to host activities, and refreshments for gatherings like the upcoming competition.

“It takes a community to raise a kid. There’s so many angling groups

out here across the state, and I wish some more of the angling groups

Hooked on Fishing – Not on Drugs (HOFNOD) hosted a College Career Readiness workshop at the Galloway Township Library on March 22, 2025. Beyond teaching children how to fish, the program often offers college and career readiness activities. Photo courtesy of Marlene Crump.

would allocate some of their time not just to fishing but to paying it forward by hosting a team or helping regularly with an existing team,” said Jackson.

For those interested in getting their children involved in the program or assisting Atlantic County h OFNOD, email communityfishingstudents@gmail.com.

Madison Russ is an awardwinning journalist, copy editor and adjunct professor of communication based in Atlantic County. An Ocean City native, Madison is passionate about telling stories that matter to locals, often spotlighting nonprofits and exploring the area's vibrant arts scene.

Breathe easy: A survival guide to spring allergies season

By Health Reporter Robin Stoloff

Ah, spring! The season of warmer weather, blooming flowers and longer days. But for millions of people, it also means sneezing, itchy eyes and the never-ending battle against allergies.

If you find yourself sniffling through the season, there are several ways to fight back. With the right approach to allergy management, a few natural remedies and a solid round of spring cleaning, you can breathe easier and enjoy this beautiful time of year.

One of the most important steps in managing spring allergies is staying ahead of the pollen. Just as you check the weather before heading

out, keeping an eye on the daily pollen forecast can help you plan your activities. On high-pollen days, staying indoors during peak hours, usually in the morning and early afternoon, can make a big difference.

When you do go outside, a quick shower and a fresh set of clothes afterward can help wash away any pollen that may have clung to your hair or skin. Keeping windows closed during windy days also prevents allergens from settling inside your home. To improve indoor air quality even further, an air purifier with a h EPA filter can help trap pollen, dust and pet dander, to create a fresher environment.

For those looking for natural ways to ease allergy symptoms, several remedies can offer relief. Many people believe that eating locally sourced honey can help the body build a tolerance to pollen in the area, making allergy symptoms less severe over time. Foods rich in quercetin such as apples, onions and berries, have natural antihistamine properties that may help reduce inflammation. h erbal remedies like butterbur and

stinging nettle have been studied for their potential to alleviate allergy symptoms, and drinking green tea may also provide a natural defense against histamines.

Essential oils, particularly peppermint, eucalyptus and lavender, can open up airways and provide relief from congestion. Adding a few drops to a diffuser or a warm bath can create a soothing, allergy-safe atmosphere. Nasal rinses, like a simple saline spray or neti pot, can flush out allergens and keep sinuses clear, making breathing much easier. Of course, if these remedies do not ease your symptoms, over-the-counter medications might be needed.

For severe allergies, an allergist might recommend allergy shots, also known as immunotherapy. These injections work by gradually exposing your immune system to small, controlled amounts of the allergen—in this case, pollen. Over time, they can help your body build tolerance, reducing the severity of your symptoms and, in some cases, even preventing allergic reactions altogether.

In addition to managing allergies, a thorough round of spring cleaning

helps significantly reduce allergens inside the home. Vacuum regularly with a h EPA-filter vacuum to remove pollen, pet hair and dust from carpets and furniture. Wash bedding weekly in hot water to eliminate allergens that accumulate on pillows and sheets. Declutter and wipe down surfaces with a damp cloth rather than dry dusting to prevent particles from becoming airborne. Use natural cleaning products, such as vinegar, baking soda and lemon, to keep indoor air fresh without introducing harsh chemicals. Replace hVAC filters every few months to ensure that the air circulating throughout the home remains as clean as possible.

Spring allergies may be persistent, but with a combination of smart strategies, natural remedies and a little extra effort in cleaning your home, it is possible to enjoy the season without constant sneezing and congestion.

Take steps to minimize exposure to pollen, focus on allergy-fighting foods and remedies and keep indoor spaces free of allergens.

With these simple changes, we can embrace the beauty of spring and leave the tissue box behind.

Robin is a former television reporter for NBC News 40. She currently hosts a podcast and radio program called Living Well with Robin Stoloff. It airs Sundays at 10 AM on Lite 96.9. You can email Robin at livingwellwithrobin@gmail.com

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Pedal, run, repeat: A season of fitness awaits in New Jersey

By Delaney Crawford

Spring is here, and it’s time to get moving! Whether you prefer the rush of pedaling through scenic trails or the thrill of racing through local streets on foot, Atlantic and Cape May Counties have an exciting lineup of biking and running events that’ll keep you on your toes — literally.

From heart-pumping 5Ks to bike tours that take you through breathtaking landscapes, this season offers the perfect blend of speed, challenge, and outdoor fun. So, grab your sneakers or hop on your bike, because it’s time to hit the pavement, or the trail, and enjoy all the adventure this season has to offer.

April Fools Half Marathon and 8K

This annual event gathers runners from near and far to race down the scenic Atlantic City Boardwalk. With around 8 miles of boardwalk running, this race is all about the view — oh, and the running too! Fun, themed costumes are encouraged, and the

AC Marathon Race Series is always sure to put on a great show. Runners can choose between completing the half marathon or the 8K race, both starting at 8 a.m. on Sunday, April 6. The boardwalk provides a unique setting, with ocean views on one side and the iconic Atlantic City skyline on the other, making this race as much about the experience as it is about the competition. Expect plenty of high-energy participants and spectators cheering you on throughout the course, espe -

cially as you cross the finish line for that post-race celebration.

Steve

Reed Memorial Time Trial Cyclists, get ready for Sunday, April 6 — it’s your time to pedal as fast as you can. This event serves as the first race in the New Jersey Time Trial Cup Series for 2025. Participants will have the opportunity to compete against some of the region's best time trialists, setting the tone

for the season ahead. In addition to the thrill of the race, funds raised will support the Cape May County Zoo Society, enhancing educational programs and animal care at the local zoo. With competitors tackling a challenging course, this event provides a great opportunity for riders to finetune their time trial skills in a competitive, yet supportive environment. Expect to see fast-paced action and tight competition as cyclists push themselves to the limit.

Brigantine Cherry Blossom Festival 5K

What’s better than a scenic run to celebrate the start of spring? h ow about a run through cherry blossoms! On April 25, runners can take part in this annual festival in an even better way. For those who still want to get active and join in the fun without the running, there’s also a 1-mile walk option, letting everyone participate, no matter their skill level. The festival’s cherry blossoms are in full bloom, adding to the beauty and serenity of the run. With the community’s lively energy and the stunning natural surroundings, the Brigantine Cherry Blossom Festival 5K is a perfect way to jumpstart your spring fitness routine, all while supporting local culture and family-friendly activities.

Interactive Kids 5K Run

Now it’s time for the kids to shine bright this spring. On Sunday, April 26, the whole family can get active together with this 5K run designed for participants of all ages. Interactive Kids is a behavior support services organization for children, adolescents, adults, and their families across South and Central Jersey. By joining this 5K or the 1-mile walk, you’re not just bettering yourself, but also supporting a great cause. This fun, family-oriented event encourag-

es participants of all ages and abilities to join in, with plenty of entertainment and activities along the route. Whether you’re running or walking, it’s a wonderful way to stay active and contribute to a meaningful cause, all while creating memories with friends and family.

Bikes & Beers South Jersey

One thing South Jersey always delivers is a good time and deliciously crafted brews. So why not combine some exercise with the perfect postrace sips? The Bikes & Beers South Jersey event is set for Saturday, May 17, in Woodbine, NJ. h osted by Lud -

lam Island Brewery, this event combines cycling with craft beer, offering participants a choice of 15-, 30-, or 45-mile routes through scenic Cape May County. After riding, participants can unwind with some of the finest craft beers in the region, making this event the perfect mix of fitness and fun. Whether you're an experienced cyclist or a casual rider, the Bikes & Beers event offers something for everyone: great routes, great beer, and a great time.

Ben to the Shore Bike Tour

Sunday, July 20, marks the 38th annual Ben to the Shore Bike Tour,

where cyclists ride from Philadelphia to Atlantic City. If the 65-mile route feels too intense, don’t worry — there are also 30-mile and 10-mile routes available. All routes conclude at the Showboat h otel in Atlantic City, where participants are welcomed by friends, family, and supporters. The event culminates with a legendary after-party, featuring entertainment and fundraising activities. This long-standing tradition not only offers cyclists a challenging ride but also a chance to support the Families Behind the Badge Children's Foundation, which helps families of fallen or critically injured first responders. It’s a meaningful event that celebrates fitness, community, and giving back while having fun along the way.

With so many exciting events happening throughout Atlantic and Cape May Counties this spring and summer, there’s no excuse to sit on the sidelines. Whether you’re challenging yourself with a long-distance run, pushing your limits on a bike, or just enjoying the thrill of community fitness, these events offer something for everyone. So, lace up your sneakers, pump up your tires, and get ready to embrace the season of movement. It’s time to pedal, run, and repeat — because fitness and fun are just around the corner.

Will drought conditions continue to improve?

By Meteorologist Joe Martucci

Mother Nature has made up for lost time, bringing plentiful rain to the state since March 5. That’s led to three consecutive weeks of improved drought status, according to the United States Drought Monitor.

The improved status is clearly visible in the latest update (dated March 20) from the United States Drought Monitor.

From New Year’s Day through March 4, 3.81 inches of rain fell at Atlantic City International Airport in Egg harbor Township, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. From March 5 until March 21, 4.75 inches of precipitation fell.

The Sen. Frank S. Farley State Marina in Atlantic City saw a similar increase, recording 4.47 inches of

precipitation March 5-21. Before that, it was 3.44 inches since the year began.

It’s not just Atlantic County. Longtime weather reporting stations in Long Branch (Monmouth County), Trenton (Mercer County), and Philadelphia all saw as much or more precipitation, since March 5, than the previous 64 days of the year.

The weather pattern favors more storminess through the first week of April. So the shore should continue to see steady or improved drought status. h owever, improvement for the rest of the spring is considered unlikely. We will say more about that in the moment.

The South Jersey shoreline, from Stafford Township and Long Beach Island on south, improved from extreme drought (a level three of four drought), to a severe drought, (a level two of four). That’s our lowest level since Nov. 5, 2024.

Inland Atlantic County (west of the Garden State Parkway), was still in extreme drought, though. Those areas join most of Cumberland County, and a small portion of inland Cape

May County. This is the only area east of the Mississippi River in significant drought, as my friend and New Jersey State Climatologist Dave Robinson texted me last week.

Still, New Jersey’s drought is improving. The 14% of the state in extreme drought is the lowest since Oct. 29, when the state was in the midst of its historic driest month on record.

The waning days of March, and the beginning of April bring plenty of opportunities to improve drought even more.

Rain fell on March 24. The Climate Prediction Center, part of NOAA, gives a lean toward wetter conditions around our area through April 4. That’s because the jet stream – the river of air about 30,000 feet high – will be over or around New Jersey during this time. Think of the jet stream as the storm track, with a colder air mass to the north and warmer air mass to the south. This is in part a reaction to the polar vortex entering the Northeast last week, which I talked about on social media if you follow me there.

We’ll take what we can get. In March, 0.75 inches of rain a week generally keeps us from slipping further into drought. Over an inch, like we’ve seen for most of March, will improve drought’s status.

h owever, once we go into April, water usage increases. The sun evaporates more water out of the ground as it goes higher in the sky. We’ll need an inch per week just to keep up, with over 1.25 inches a week to improve drought. These need to be region-wide soakers, too.

Sure, 3 inches of rain in Linwood from pop-up thunderstorms is great. h owever, in order for the Kirkwood-Cohansey Aquifer, from which southeastern New Jersey gets its drinking water, and reservoirs for the rest of the state to recharge, we’ll need rain from a coastal storm or a large inland low-pressure system.

As of March 20, levels in the Manasquan Reservoir were at about 78% of capacity, according to the New Jersey Water Supply Authority. Typically, 97% is the average for March, according to the agency.

The underlying data still shows there’s work to be done. As of March 16, average stream flows over the past 90 days are still in the “extremely dry” category up and down the Jersey Shore. In the southern part of the shore, it’s been this way for 22-straight weeks.

Groundwater remains extremely low for the 12th week in a row in this area, too. h owever, there’s been improvement in the rest of the eastern half of New Jersey.

I took a deep dive into the Climate Prediction Center’s outlooks. They break it down into three-month periods.

The way I read it is I should expect a more humid-than-usual summer. That will at least increase the probability of pop-up thunderstorms. That’s good news, but again, we’ll need widespread rainmakers, which are unlikely in our climate once we hit mid-June. Rain storms from tropical cyclones don’t make their way here until late July, usually.

In a bit of good news, there is a small lean toward wetter weather than usual here. A remnant storm or two would do wonders for us. We failed to get any last fall, which led us into this drought anyway.

In my opinion, the best case scenario is that drought doesn’t worsen over the next few months. Then we get a tropical cyclone or two to pull us back to normal.

The worst-case scenario: The extreme drought (level three) expands back to the Jersey Shore. The state would seriously need to consider their first drought emergency since 2002, and the mandatory drought restrictions that come with it, later in the spring.

The NJDEP issued a statewide drought warning last November which called for voluntary water restrictions.

Events and Happenings

Multi Day Events

Ocean City Girls Weekend

▶Friday, April 4-Sunday, April 6

Enjoy a weekend of shopping and dining specials, accommodation packages, wellness classes and more. The festivities kick off with a fashion show at the Yacht Club next Friday, April 4 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $40 each and include refreshments and light fare. Tickets are limited and can be purchased at www.oceancityvacation. com/boxoffice.

We Walk Somers Point

▶Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 8:30 a.m.

The City of Somers Point hosts its walking club to promote health and opportunities to pursue fitness goals while meeting neighbors. Residents are invited to meet behind City hall on Mondays at the Football Field on Wednesdays, and Kennedy Park on Fridays. For more information, go to www.visitsomerspoint.com.

Beginner Yoga for Seniors

▶Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m.

Somers Point Senior Center, 22 N. Ambler Road

Take part in a one-hour, relaxed gentle flow. Classes will focus on yoga poses linking movement with

breath, increasing strength and flexibility. Residents of Somers Point can register by calling 609-226-4389 or email helbigshore@icloud.com.

Friday, March 28

Giordano Dance Chicago

▶7:30 p.m.

Stockton Performing Arts Center, 101 Vera King Farris Drive, Galloway

As the country’s original jazz dance company, Giordano Dance showcases their lively stylings with selections of jazz music and beloved melodies. Tickets and information are available at www.stockton.edu/pac.

Monday, March 24

Mahjong Madness

▶12:30-2:30 p.m.

Ventnor Library, 6500 Atlantic Ave.

Come to the library and enjoy a friendly game of mahjong at the library. Instruction and guidance given for beginners to learn this fun table game. All skill levels are welcome. Call 609-823-4614 to register or learn more.

Wednesday, March 26

Atlantic County Parks Job Fair

▶10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Warren E. Fox Nature Center, 109 Route 50 S., Mays Landing

The Atlantic County Division of Parks and Recreation will provide onthe-spot interviews for the positions of park attendant, cemetery caretakers and laborer. No appointments are necessary for candidates 18 years and older who have a valid driver’s license. Each position is full-time, year-round and located at the county park. Visit www.atlanticcountynj.gov for more information.

Thursday, March 27

Northfield Mothers League

Spaghetti Dinner

▶5-7 p.m.

Northfield Community School, 2000 New Road

Join the Mothers League for their annual dinner. Enjoy an evening of spaghetti and meatballs, salad, Italian bread, dessert and beverage, along with a silent auction and music by DJ Ken Schaffer. Eat in or take out. Tickets are $12. Call 609-214-2835 for more information.

Rotary Club OC-UT Meeting

▶5:30 p.m.

Point Diner, 4 MacArthur Blvd., Somers Point Jim Zauner, executive director of The Shores United Methodist Communities, will be this week’s guest speaker. Guests, prospective members and the general public are welcome to attend. Learn more at www.ocutrotary.org.

Saturday, March 29

Free Lung Cancer Screening

▶9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Shore Cancer Center, 100 Medical Center Way, Somers Point

Shore Medical Center and Advanced Shore Imaging Associates are hosting a lung cancer screening event. If you are 50 to 80 years of age and a current smoker or have

quit smoking in the past 15 years, a low-dose CT screening may be right for you. For more information and/ or to schedule an appointment, call 609-653-3923.

Art Workshop for Children

▶10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Somers Point Youth Center, 599 Marks Road

The Somers Point Arts Commission is teaming up with Somers Point PAL to offer a ‘My Grown-Up & Me’ art workshop for children 6-10 years old along with their favorite grownup. Cost is $10 per child/adult pair and pre-registration is required. Visit www.somersptarts.weebly.com for information or to register.

Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival

▶12-4 p.m. and 7-11 p.m.

Atlantic City Convention Center, 1 Convention Blvd.

This year’s event promises to be an unforgettable experience with over 100 breweries showcasing their finest craft beers, live music, mouthwatering food and endless entertainment with games, laughter and good bites. Session One opens at 12 p.m. featuring music from Senses Fail, and Session Two begins at 7 p.m. featuring Me First and the Gimme Gimmes. More information available at www.acbeerfest.com.

Atlantic City Ballet: Carmina Burana

▶7:30 p.m.

Stockton Performing Arts Center, 101 Vera King Farris Drive, Galloway Carmina Burana is a feast for the senses. This production will feature the Atlantic City Ballet, live music by the Atlantic City Ballet Percussion Ensemble and live choral music by the Rowan University Concert Choir. Tickets and information are available at www.stockton.edu/pac.

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Sunday, March 30

Places of Worship Presentation

▶2 p.m.

Atlantic County historical Society, 907 Shore Road, Somers Point

The Roundtable of historical Organizations will host a presentation on ‘Places of Worship in Early Atlantic County.’ Admission is free; light refreshments will be served.

Words Worth: ‘If She Stood’

▶2 p.m.

Ocean City Library, 1735 Simpson Ave.

The Ocean City Arts Center celebrates Women’s history Month with an immersive theatrical experience, “If She Stood” by Ain Gordon. Audiences will be transformed back to 19th century Philadelphia in the early days of the women’s rights movement. This program will be held at the Chris Maloney Lecture hall. Admission is free. Seating is limited. RSVP by calling 609-399-7628.

Monday, March 31

Movie Mondays

▶1 p.m.

Ocean City Library, 1735 Simpson Ave.

Join the Ocean City Library and howard Stainton Senior Center for a movie screening of “The Quiet Man” (1952) starring John Wayne, Maureen

O’ hara and Barry Fitzgerald. The film will be shown inside the Lecture hall. Tom Angello’s All-Star Jazz Series

▶7 p.m.

Gregory’s, 900 Shore Road,Somers Point

Join the South Jersey Jazz Society for an evening of live music this Monday with Tom Angello on the drums, Gina Roche on vocals, Sam Nobles on bass and Jim Ridl at the piano. Admission is $20 for non-members, $15 for Jazz Society members.

Tuesday, April 1

AIR: Aviation Innovation Research Conference

▶8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Forsgate Country Club, Monroe

Lauren Moore (Atlantic County Economic Alliance) and howard Kyle (National Aerospace Research and Technology Park) will represent Atlantic County’s aviation district at NJDOT’s inaugural AIR event this Tuesday. They will highlight regional advancements and economic impacts in aerospace innovation. For more details and registration, visit www. acecnj.org and click on Upcoming Events.

Thoughts from the Bookshelf ▶3 p.m.

Margate Library, 8100 Ventnor Ave.

Join Pat Goldstein and JFS Village

for their monthly book gathering. This month, the group will discuss the novel, “Life in a Jar: Living with Dyslexia,” by Stephen Sutton. RSVP by March 28 by emailing Bella at bnketia@jfsvillage.org.

South Jersey Players Dinner Theater

▶5:30 p.m.

Aroma Restaurant, 5206 Atlantic Ave., Ventnor

Enjoy a three-course plated dinner, plus cash bar, followed by four original one-acts performed by Jim O’ h ara, Edward Shakespeare and Sam Sardina. Tickets are $48 per person. Shows will be held on Tuesdays through April 8. For reservations, call 347-920-6399.

Green Thumb Garden Club Meeting ▶7 p.m.

The Green Thumb Garden Club will host a meeting on Tuesday, April 1 at the Somers Point Senior Center. Photo credit: Somers Point Senior Center Facebook

Somers Point Senior Center, 92 N. Ambler Road

This month’s speaker is Mary McDermott, a self-professed “garden nerd” who loves experimenting with and learning about plants and whose property has nearly 20 different garden areas. She will share propagation techniques using research and science-based methods. Guests and members of the public are welcome; donations appreciated. For more information, call Pam at 609-619-3517. Senior Dance Society

▶7-10 p.m.

Somers Point Fire Co. No.1, 447 Bethel Road

Enjoy an evening of dancing with live musical duos every Tuesday with social dancing, line dancing, dance mixers and more. For more information, call Rita at 609-408-3619.

Wednesday, April 2

Somers Point Pinochle Club

▶6-8:30 p.m.

Somers Point Senior Center, 22 N. Ambler Road

The Pinochle Club gathers every Wednesday night throughout the year to play. All are welcome to join.

Thursday, April 3

Sip and Shop

▶5-9 p.m.

Seaview Dolce hotel, 401 S. New

York Road, Galloway

Join Motivated Mommies for an evening of shopping with over 35 local businesses, cash bar and more. Tickets are $5 in advance and $10 at the door. Advanced registration and details can be found at www.motivatedmommiesnj.com.

Friday, April 4

Blood Drive in Brigantine

▶8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Brigantine Elks Lodge, 400 W. Shore Drive

To pre-register and schedule an appointment, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (733-2767).

Israel Documentary and Discussion Brunch

▶10:30 a.m.

Katz JCC, 501 N. Jerome Ave., Margate

Join JFS Village for a candle lighting, challah and brunch while watching short documentaries about modern Israel, followed by a discussion of current events. Attend in-person at the JCC Boardroom. RSVP by March 27 by emailing Bella at bnketia@jfsvillage.org.

Bus Trips

Offshore Gardens Visits Jenkins Arboretum

▶Thursday, May 22

The Offshore Garden Club is

Sip and Shop with Motivated Mommies on Thursday, April 3 at the Seaview Dolce Hotel 5-9 p.m. Photo credit: Motivated Mommies Facebook

sponsoring a trip with Friendly Tours and Travel to Jenkins Arboretum and Gardens and Chanticleer. Cost is $125 per person. Includes travel, lunch, gardens and tour. The bus will leave from the Target parking lot in Somers Point at 8 a.m. Call or email Janet Toland by March 31 at 609-369-0449 or email golfer_nurse@hotmail.com.

Health and Wellness

MHA Atlantic Family Meetings

▶Thursday, March 27, 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, resources and advocacy. Meetings 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.

Dementia Support Group

▶Wednesday, April 2, 1:30 p.m. 6009 Paul and Thelma Lane, Mays Landing h eld on the first and third Wednesday of every month from 1:30-3 p.m. Call Diane Conover at 609-402-6966 for more information.

NAMI Family Support and Connection Meeting

▶Monday, April 14, 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.

Do you have an upcoming event? Let us know about it! Submit your next event to shorelocalevents@gmail.com.

Riders, ready? The Jack Frost Classic kicks off another BMX season in EHT

By Delaney Crawford

For over 30 years, the Jack Frost Classic has signaled the unofficial start of BMX season in South Jersey. h eld at the Egg h arbor Township BMX track, this annual event brings together riders of all ages, from first-time racers to seasoned pros, all eager to put their skills to the test.

Tucked away in the heart of EhT, the BMX track has been a staple of the local riding community for decades. Built to challenge riders with its series of jumps, berms, and rhythm sections, it’s more than just a racing venue — it’s a training ground for young talent, a gathering place for families, and a testament to the growing BMX culture at the Jersey Shore.

On Saturday, March 22, the track came alive once again as riders lined up at the starting gate, ready to chase victory at one of the most anticipated BMX events of the year: the Jack Frost Classic.

High moto count, high energy

With a high moto count this year, the Jack Frost Classic saw an impressive turnout of riders eager to kick off the BMX season. In BMX racing, a moto refers to a qualifying heat, and the more riders there are, the more motos are needed to accommodate the competition. The high moto count at this year’s race not only highlighted the sport’s growing presence in South Jersey but also meant plenty of action on the track, with riders battling through each round for a shot at victory.

The stakes were high, the riders were eager, and the fans were electric. Cheers and excitement filled the air in EhT on Saturday as the Jack Frost Classic brought BMX energy back to Atlantic County.

“It’s the first race of the season for most, if not all, East Coast riders,” said Mike Danter, President of the BMX Board. “Over the years, it’s become the event that everyone looks forward to, kind of the official start to the season.”

Each year, around 400 riders come out to compete in the Jack Frost Classic, making it a large competition. Competitors travel from across the country — from Pennsylvania to California and everywhere in between — for a chance to take home a win.

Keeping BMX alive in South Jersey

While the Jack Frost Classic is a big deal simply because it’s the first race of the season, what makes it even more special is its significance to the BMX scene in New Jersey. The Veterans Park BMX track in EhT is one of only three USA BMX-sanctioned tracks in the entire state, with the next closest being in howell, NJ. Keeping BMX alive for younger generations is a major priority for the

local BMX community, and both the classic and the track itself play a key role in that effort.

“BMX has changed over the years — the style of racing, the technology, the equipment, even the bikes themselves,” Danter said.

While the sport has evolved, it has also seen shifts in popularity. Danter noted that BMX participation has fluctuated, with some years seeing higher numbers than others.

“During COVID, we had a strong surge because it was an outdoor sport, and it really grew that year,” he said. “Back in the late ’80s and ’90s, it was much bigger — there were more tracks around. It’s not as big now, but we’re trying to keep it going and keep kids coming out. Events like the Classic are huge for that.”

A community fueled by passion

The entire BMX Board for the area operates on a volunteer basis, making it clear that passion for the sport drives its continued success. Danter himself got involved because of his kids.

“I always knew about the track, but I had never gone until COVID,” he said. “I have two boys, so I brought

them over just to get out of the house and ride the track. My one son just loved it — he really took to it and started racing.”

That passion quickly became a family affair, and today, both Danter and his son remain heavily involved in the sport. But beyond the thrill of racing, he emphasized that BMX is about more than just competition: it’s about community.

“It’s competitive, but it’s not at

the same time. Everyone is there to help each other and look out for each other’s kids,” Danter said. “My kids have played a lot of sports over the years, but BMX has been the best for building relationships, with other kids, friends, and even other families.”

That sense of community was evident on Saturday, as riders and fans filled the track with energy and enthusiasm. Friendly faces, longtime friends reconnecting, and loud cheers

for every racer — whether first place or last — showcased the true spirit of the sport. Any newcomers to the BMX scene were welcomed with open arms, reinforcing the idea that BMX is more than just a sport; it’s a family.

“You can always expect a lot of happy kids, fun races, and a good time with friends,” Danter said, reflecting on the event. “Everyone is excited to get back together with the families they’ve grown close to over the years of BMX.”

As the dust settles from the Jack Frost Classic, one thing is certain: BMX season is officially underway in South Jersey, and the passion for the sport is alive and well.

Aquarium reopening: A great day for Atlantic City

Business Buzz

By Rich Baehrle

Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small often opens events by saying, “It is a great day in Atlantic City; Can we say great day?” Tuesday was no different as the resort celebrated the grand reopening of the Atlantic City Aquarium after a five-year hiatus.

The aquarium, located in historic Garnder’s Basin, reopened its doors Tuesday, March 25 to an impressive crowd which included Mayor Marty Small, his wife La’Quetta, plus many local leaders, stakeholders and a large number of people from the community.

It has been five years since the aquarium has been open. The doors closed during COVID, but it’s back through the tenacity and perseverance of the mayor and other community leaders.

The aquarium showcases more than 100 species, highlighted by Groman, a 225-pound loggerhead sea turtle, plus diamondback turtles, southern and cow nose rays, seahorses, pipefish, lionfish, horseshoe crabs and much more.

Now more than ever, Atlantic City needs quality public attractions for visitors. The aquarium will serve just that purpose, offering fun and educational experiences. By early summer, it will be open with six hands-on touch tanks on the second floor, and daily touch tank feeding shows.

“The Atlantic City Aquarium has always been one of our city’s most precious gems in one of the most beautiful areas of Atlantic City, so the Small administration is thrilled to be able to reopen this building, looking and feeling like the first-class attraction it is. Our taxpayers deserve that,” said Small. “From our aquarium staff to our Public Works Department and engineering office, to our contractors and consultants, there are many individuals that deserve credit for the reopening. Our residents and visitors can now, once again, enjoy the unique experience that is the Atlantic City Aquarium.”

Prior to the closing, grant fund -

ing was secured through the NJ Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) for needed capital improvements including new drywall, ceilings, flooring and more. In addition, new decking, roofing and windows have been added to the exterior.

Unfortunately, supply chain difficulties caused delays in the construction process, and it became apparent that the task was much larger than originally anticipated. h owever, Mayor Small was determined that when the aquarium reopens, the building would look brand new both inside and out.

To reach that goal, the city needed to secure money for exterior improvements. They did so with American Rescue Plan funds. Rutala Associates, LLC, helped secure the grant funding.

It was a true city/ community effort, led by the Public Works Department; Lisa Schall, nautical park manager of Gardner’s Basin, and Aquarist Sarita Ducote-Stroud continuing the monumental task of maintaining the facility throughout the closing.

second floor walls with local children, and artist Kelly Prevard painting new murals on the building’s exterior walls.

The Atlantic City Arts Foundation took care of the planters leading up to the entrance, sponsored by the Inlet CDC. The planter paintings feature work by local artist Tabitha Brown. Volunteers with the Atlantic City hydrangea Trail worked to beautify the entire park.

The bottom line: words simply cannot describe the heart, sweat and

endless hours of work that went into making the aquarium a showcase for locals and visitors to enjoy.

Shore Aquarium Services cared for the fish throughout the closing. Credit is also given to City Engineer Uzo Ahiarakwe, along with Arthur Ponzio Co. and Associates, which served as the project manager; SOSF Architects and Remington and Vernick Engineers, who served as consultants.

Through funding from the city’s Community Development Block Grant office, the city’s Youth Services Division coordinated the painting of beautiful murals on the building’s

It’s open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. Admission prices and further information can be obtained by calling 609-348-2880, or go to the website: https://www.acnj. gov/pages/acaquarium

Remember to support local businesses, especially small businesses.

Rich Baehrle, of Berkshire Hathaway Fox and Roach, can be reached at 609-266-6680 or 609-641-0011. Email richardbaehrle@gmail.com or see www.getrichinrealestateSJ.com

Open Weekends in March 11am-4pm

April Hours

Wed. Thurs, Fri 11am to 4pm; Sat & Sun 10am to 5pm; Closed Mondays and Tuesdays

Make a wish upon a dandelion

Let It Grow

By Tammy Thornton

When most people see a dandelion, they either love it or hate it. Children and those of us who are young at heart can’t resist picking a dandelion that has gone to seed and blowing its parasols into the air. But if your weekend goals normally consist of cultivating a lush, green “yarden,” then you probably fall into the dandelion-hating group. Others may envision the perfect ingredient for a tasty dish or drink with healthy benefits. In honor of Dandelion Day on April 5, let’s dive into the ups and downs of this ubiquitous flower. While dandelions are mostly categorized as weeds, you may want to view them in a different light. All parts of the plant are edible, right down to the roots, and they are full of nutrients. The jagged leaves give dandelions their name, which is de -

rived from the French “dent-de-lion” (lion’s tooth). These leaves resemble arugula both in looks and their bitter and earthy taste and can be added to soups and salads. Freshly picked leaves earlier in the season will be less bitter than more mature leaves. Blanching them in salted water before adding garlic and olive oil will take away some of the bitterness, but if you want to eat them fresh in a salad, combine your dandelion leaves with milder greens for balance. You can also add dandelion leaves to egg dishes or combine them with other herbs for a unique pesto. My Uncle Mike’s Italian grandmother used to make both liquor and wine from dandelion flowers. They can also be used to make dandelion jelly, honey, or tea. You can also use the roots to make tea or a caffeine-free coffee substitute. Dandelions are known to be a diuretic and can be sources of iron, zinc, and potassium as well as vitamins such as A, C, and K. Of course, you want to be cautious when foraging for dandelions to be sure they have not been treated with pesticides.

Jersey soil will make it a little easier to remove the plant, especially if you choose a day after a rainfall when the soil is soft and moist. If you have not removed the entire plant, mow over the flowers before they go to seed. One flower alone can contain 150200 seeds — that’s a lot of wishes!

Take heart if you left a few extra dandelions in your garden; they are a symbol of hope, healing, dreams, wishes and resilience. If all else fails, you can grab a handful of leaves and make yourself a healthy lunch.

If you are in the group that considers dandelions as weeds that must be removed, you may have your work cut out for you. While attempting to remove a dandelion from your lawn, you will want to use a tool that can dig deep. Dandelions have a long tap root that can be 6-18 inches long. If you do not remove the entire plant, it can regrow. At least our sandy South

We would love to hear your take on dandelions. Do you consider them weeds or wishmakers? Send your favorite memories of using dandelions in recipes to shorelocalgardener@ gmail.com.

Tammy Thornton lives with her husband, children, and crazy pets while enjoying a life of gardening, cooking, and going to the beach.

May 3rd

Local trio excels in boxing card at Tropicana

By David Weinberg

Pleasantville

boxing trainer

Julio Sanchez has been fighting a cold for a few weeks.

h e found the perfect remedy at Tropicana Atlantic City last Saturday.

Sanchez was in great spirits great after guiding his son, Julio Sanchez III, and heavyweight prospect Bruce Seldon, Jr. to victories on the Boxing Insiders Promotion card at the Trop.

“I’ve felt horrible for a while,” Sanchez said in the locker room after Seldon’s first-round knockout win. “But I’m feeling much better now.”

Sanchez III, a 23-year-old former high school basketball standout, delivered a slam dunk in his professional boxing debut.

h e looked poised and confident despite his inexperience, dominating most of the four-round, junior-welterweight bout en route to a unanimous decision over Washington, D.C.’s Douglas Diggs (0-4).

After the decision was announced, Sanchez picked up his son and carried him around the ring while a raucous, screaming crowd that filled the bleachers behind the ring applauded and cheered.

“To be honest, I didn’t think the crowd was going to be as big as it was,” Sanchez III said. “As soon as I

saw all the people, I was like, ‘Wow.’ But I wasn’t nervous at all. I was excited.”

Those same fans produced an even louder and more raucous reaction during Seldon’s fight.

Seldon (5-0, 4 KOs), the 30-yearold son of former World Boxing Association heavyweight champion Bruce Seldon, needed just 53 seconds to gain a knockout over Brazilian heavyweight Gabriel Costas (4-8-1, 2 KOs).

Seldon, an Absegami high School grad who lives in Smithville, dropped Costas, who was riding a two-fight winning streak, about 30 seconds in to the scheduled four-round fight with a left hook, then retreated to a neutral corner.

When the action resumed, Seldon immediately pinned him against the ropes and unleashed a powerful right cross to Costas’ midsection that caused him to wince and sag to the canvas, prompting referee Ricky Gonzalez to stop the fight without a count.

“I saw video of him and saw he was in pretty good shape,” Seldon said. “But when he showed up for this one, I saw he had a little belly on him and I knew I wanted to touch that and see what happens.”

Both Sanchez III and Seldon prepared for their bouts by training at the Pleasantville Rec Center with the elder Sanchez.

Once regarded as a popular spot for fighters such as former light-heavyweight and cruiserweight champion Virgil hill and late trainer Mike hall, it had gone through some lean times before Sanchez rejuvenated it.

“Both of them (Sanchez III and Seldon) are inexperienced, so we focus on conditioning while boxing,” Sanchez said. “Neither of them had much of an amateur career, so they are learning on the job. We do two sessions and day, so it’s like they’re

Justin Figueroa punches his way to another win.

squeezing 12 weeks of training into six weeks.”

The same can be said for the Atlantic City PAL, where Atlantic City junior-middleweight Justin Figueroa prepares for fights with co-trainers Arnold Robbins and John Gibbons.

Figueroa (12-0, 10 KOs) also gave the home crowd plenty of thrills with an impressive outing.

Figueroa, a 25-year-old holy Spirit high grad and former member of the Atlantic City Beach Patrol, continued his outstanding start to his boxing career with a second-round TKO over Argentina’s Mario Gaston Rios (10-41, 7 KOs).

Figueroa spent the first round sizing up his opponent, then pounced when he saw an opening in the second round. h e caught Rios with an overhand right-left hook combination that saw him slump to the floor against the ropes.

Rios beat referee Ricardo Vera’s 10-count, but was still discombobulated. Vera wisely stopped the fight at 2 minutes, 34 seconds of the round.

Figueroa celebrated by doing his trademark “Worm” across the ring while fans cheered.

h e unofficially became just the fifth local fighter in the last 30 years to win his first 12 professional fights, joining former Galloway Township welterweight Shamone Alvarez (19-

0 start), former Somers Point middleweight Patrick Majewski (17-0), Millville middleweight Thomas LaManna (16-0) and former Atlantic City heavyweight Bruce Seldon (18-0).

Alvarez, Majewski and Seldon are all members of the Atlantic City Boxing hall of Fame. LaManna is currently 39-5-1 with 18 KOs.

“Y’all keep coming out and I’ll keep showing out,” Figueroa told the crowd. “I’m really putting on for Atlantic City.”

PUNCHLINES: Alvarez was in attendance Saturday and was introduced to the crowd with his new bride, Nakeema. The couple had gotten married earlier in the day.

In keeping with boxing tradition, the timekeeper at the Tropicana tolled a 10-count during a moment of silence in memory of former heavyweight champion George Foreman, who passed away last Friday at age 76.

Foreman’s 76-5 career record included a 3-2 mark in Atlantic City. his fight against Evander holyfield on April 19, 2001 at Jim Whelan Boardwalk hall drew an estimated crowd of 20,000, making it the second-largest crowd to see a fight in Atlantic City history behind the 21,785 that watched Mike Tyson-Michael Spinks at Boardwalk hall on June 27, 1988.

Foreman’s final fight was also in Atlantic City. h e retired after losing a disputed, 12-round, majority decision to Shannon Briggs at Trump Taj Mahal (now hard Rock Atlantic City) on November 22, 1997.

Local wins conference gymnastics title

Mays Landing resident h annah Appleget ended her collegiate gymnastics career with a championship. Appleget, a Central Michigan University senior and an Atlantic County Institute of Technology grad, scored a 39.250 – tying her career-best – to win the all-round at the Mid-Ameri -

can Conference Women’s Gymnastics Championships.

“ h onestly, I never really considered the possibility of being the AllAround champion,” Appleget said via video. “This has been the biggest dream come true. This has been the best way that I could have gone out with my career.”

Appleget, daughter of local PGA golf teacher John Appleget, spent her first three years of college at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri.

She transferred to Central Michigan after Lindenwood dropped its women’s gymnastics program last year.

“I wanted this to be my happiest year of college and I can honestly say it was,” Appleget said. “I wanted to cherish all the moments and all the memories and I was able to do that.”

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.

Julio Sanchez hoists his son.

Life is What Happens

By Lisa Zaslow Segelman

Aclassic line from “When harry Met Sally” has harry (Billy Crystal) saying to Sally (Meg Ryan), “When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”

For those of us who just endured the coldest shore winter in 10 years, it’s the same feeling: “When you live in a shore town, where amazing weather is a core reason for being, you want that amazing weather to start as soon as possible.”

So we push it. A few warm midday March hours? That’s spring, right? I’m in that category – out there with the walkers, runners and bikers who

convince ourselves it’s warm enough. You know us: the underdressed souls you glance at and think, “Aren’t they cold?”

I would think so. Exposed ankles and March don’t mix. I unzipped my hood from my parka way too early (see photo). If only Spring Fever could keep us warm!

March 20 might be spring’s official start, but the month is fickle – and windy. “In like a lion, out like a lamb” holds true. Walking one way, the wind is at your back, making you feel like the Irish prayer is on your side. The return trip? Brutal. And don’t even try chatting with your grandmother on your AirPods. She’ll think you’re underwater.

Also, why do we need both the temperature and the “real feel” temperature? Does it matter if it’s technically 50 degrees when it feels like 28?

Still, the first blush of spring is undeniable and it may get more media attention on a slow news day, but around here, it’s still news.

I’ve taken a walk between bay and beach and I can confirm there

are green shoots out there waiting to become tulips, lone crocuses or flimsy daffodils pushing through the soil, and there’s a watercolor wash of pink on the trees as you head west on any highway. Early spring has us taking out the trash in our bathrobes just to take in nature. We didn’t freeze and the neighbors didn’t see us way too late in the morning in such attire. Bravo!

I love seeing builders working outside again, (they know how to dress for any weather) buoyed by the hope that maybe, just maybe, they’ll finish in time for the season.

Gardeners are tackling spring cleanups before their schedules fill with weekly mowings and blowings.

Now’s the time to plan or schedule any projects that require a professional. Once the season starts, landscapers will be too busy.

If you look around you’ll see locals back on the Boardwalk, surfers are out if the waves are good and more people are down on weekends.

“I went to Florida this winter and my warm-weather clothes are still out,” says Nicole Deodato-Weist of Ventnor. “I’m leaving them out. You have to live in hope!”

Before the season begins in earnest, these early spring months are the prime time to wake our homes from winter slumber. The last thing you want is to be scrubbing white deck furniture on Memorial Day weekend. So when the March winds die down, consider these projects:

Outdoor maintenance

Inspect your home’s exterior –Check for storm damage to siding, decks and roofing. Power wash to remove salt, sand and mildew.

Outdoor furniture refresh – Wash cushions, repaint metal pieces and replace anything worn out.

Landscaping – Trim overgrown plants, clear dead leaves and add fresh mulch. If this stresses you out, call a gardener. Make sure they’re back from winter hibernation.

Grill and outdoor kitchen check – Deep clean the grill, check propane tanks and replace rusted parts.

Indoor spring cleaning

(Save this one for a rainy day) Air out the house – Open windows, clean floors and wash curtains and bedding.

Check for moisture and mold – Inspect closets, walls and under sinks for dampness.

Prep HVAC and fans – Replace filters and ensure A/C units are ready. Call your hVAC for a yearly check-up if necessary.

Stock up on essentials – Wash or replace beach towels, linens and kitchen basics like sunscreen and grilling supplies. Atlantic City Rescue Mission may take donations of your old items: 609-345-5517 x120.

Safety and functionality checks

Plumbing and water systems –Check for leaks, flush out pipes and ensure outdoor showers work. Same goes for your garden hose.

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors – Swap out batteries and test alarms.

Storm prep – h ave emergency kits, flashlights and backup power sources ready.

Beach gear check – Inspect and hose down boogie boards, surfboards, kayaks, fishing gear, beach carts and beach toys for damage. Get your beach tags – Order beach tags for the adults and seniors in your family.

Spring may be slow to arrive, but we can get ready for it, whether it’s actually here or just wishful thinking.

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

Becky Juzwiak to

The Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that Becky Juzwiak of Johnson’s Popcorn will receive the 2025 “Salute to Working Women” award.

The award recognizes women in business for their outstanding professional and personal achievements. Juzwiak will be honored at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon at noon on Thursday, April 17 at the Ocean City Yacht Club.

Juzwiak was born and raised in Ocean City. She has worked at Johnson’s Popcorn since 1996. It was her first job at 14 years old.

During her years at Johnson’s Popcorn, she has been promoted for her talents and business acumen. Juzwiak has been the manager since 2002.

Under Juzwiak’s leadership, Johnson’s Popcorn has been aired on the Food Network, Good Morning America, The Drew Barrymore Show, Rachel Ray and many other shows. Johnson’s Popcorn has been distributed to over 500 retail stores.

In addition to her work life, Juz-

wiak is deeply committed to the community. She is the past president of the Board of Directors for The Branches Outreach Center in Rio Grande and past board member of h abitat for h umanity Atlantic County.

She is currently in charge of the meals for the Family Faith Formations for St. Damien’s Parish Religious Education for Sister Joelle. She also sponsors community events for southern Cape May County under the leadership of SOAR church, is a board member for Manna from heaven in Bridgeton, N.J. and active with various schools and organizations in South Jersey. Juzwiak facilitates Johnson’s philanthropic contributions across the nation. h er passion is feeding people everywhere.

The luncheon will honor all working women at home or in the workforce and is open to the public. The cost is $45 a person. For more information, to make a reservation or to place a congratulatory ad in the Program Book, please contact the Chamber office at 609-399-1412 or email info@oceancitychamber.com

April 4, 7pm

Ocean City Yacht Club 100 Bay Road

Doors open at 6:30pm

Lite Fare and Refreshments $40 per person

Limited seating.

Buzzworthy Books, Events, And More

From best-selling books to workshops, and from online resources to children’s activities, the Ocean City Free Public Library has something for everyone this spring.

What’s

happening in Ocean City

Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell to open 2025 Ocean City Pops Season

Two-time Tony Award winner Brian Stokes Mitchell will be featured in the opening concert of the 2025 Ocean City Pops summer season on June 22, and tickets for the show go on sale starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 25.

Dubbed “the last leading man” by the New York Times, Mitchell has enjoyed a career that spans Broadway, television, film, and concert appearances with the country’s finest conductors and orchestras. h e received Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle awards for his star turn in “Kiss Me, Kate.” h e also gave Tony-nominated performances

in “Man of La Mancha,” August Wilson’s “King h edley II” and “Ragtime.” h is other notable Broadway shows include “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” “Jelly’s Last Jam,” “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown” and “Shuffle Along.”

In 2016, he was awarded his second Tony Award, the prestigious Isabelle Stevenson Tony, for his charitable work with The Actors Fund. That same year, Stokes was inducted into the Theater hall of Fame.

The show will be at 7:30 p.m. June 22 at the Ocean City Music Pier, and tickets are on sale at oceancityvacation.com/box-office. Tickets are also on for eight performances (Aug 5-14)

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

of the hit musical “Footloose” featuring the Ocean City Theatre Company and the Ocean City Pops.

Ocean City Arts Showcase planned for May 10

The Ocean City School District will show off the talents of the community’s young artists at an Arts Showcase planned for Saturday, May 10 at the Ocean City Music Pier.

Admission to the show will be free, and exhibits will be on display from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with performances

scheduled from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Prints and other art works will be available in exchange for donations to scholarships and arts programs. A reception is scheduled for 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. All are encouraged to attend to support the arts.

Registration for spring events

Registration is now open for a handful of annual events on Ocean City’s spring calendar.

• Girls Weekend (April 4-6): The popular Girls Weekend Fashion Show is set for 7 p.m. Friday, April 4, at the Ocean City Yacht Club. Tickets are limited, so don’t wait to purchase them. Visit oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice.

• OC Con Comic Book and Memorabilia Show (April 5): Vendor registration and sign-ups for the Super h ero 1-Mile Run and separate Kids’ Events are open at ocnjcon.com.

• Doo Dah Parade (April 12): Dietz & Watson returns as sponsor for Ocean City’s madcap spring parade. Anybody who would like to participate in the parade can register at ocnj.us/doodahparade.

• Sports Memorabilia Show (April 26-27): Vendor registration for the two-day event on April 26 and 27 at the Music Pier is open at ocnj. us/SportsMemorabiliaShow.

Cheese and spinach pie

By Chef Joseph Massaglia

Easter is just around the corner and I wanted to share a favorite dish of mine, Cheese and Spinach Pie, which celebrates both Easter and spring. Also known as Torta Pasqualina, it was traditionally made with 33 layers of phyllo dough (the number of years in the life of Christ). This ancient recipe is believed to date back to 15th century Genoa, the capital city of Liguria. Liguria, a region in Northwest Italy, is the home of the Italian Riviera and it borders on my home region, the Piedmont.

This recipe uses thin dough (you can substitute phyllo dough) and is made with spinach (my mother would use chard) or other spring greens, artichokes, hard cooked eggs and is seasoned with marjoram or other herbs. Unlike the more familiar Neopolitan version known as Pizza Gain, Pizzagaina, Pizza Rustica or Pizza Chiena, it does not contain cured meats. That type of Easter Pizza

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(pizza means pie of course) is made with cheeses, salami, pepperoni or ham, hard cooked eggs and a thicker dough.

This Easter Cheese and Spinach Pie recipe can be found on my website (www.joestablefortwo.com) and is one of 600 authentic recipes from the “Italian Regional Cooking” cookbook by famous Italian cookbook author Ada Boni. I’ve updated some ingredients from Ada’s original recipe so that it’s easier to make. You can substitute other greens or use a mixture of greens, add some fresh dill if you like, and use other seasonings to “make it your own.” I hope you enjoy it.

Cheese and Spinach Pie (Liguria)

Serves 6.

*Dough:

● 8 cups all-purpose flour

● 5 tablespoons olive oil

● 1 teaspoon salt

Filling:

● 30 ounces fresh spinach or other spring greens, rinsed and drained thoroughly

● 10 canned artichoke hearts packed in water, drained and chopped

● 5 tablespoons olive oil

● 1 medium onion, chopped

● 2 cloves garlic, chopped

● 16 ounces whole milk ricotta or cottage cheese

● 3/4 cup milk

● 1/4 teaspoon salt

● 2 tablespoons butter

● 6 large eggs

● 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram

● 1/4 teaspoon pepper

● 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Mix the flour, olive oil and salt; gradually add enough water to make a stiff dough. Add water slowly so the dough does not become too wet

and sticky. (Dough should leave the sides of the bowl cleanly.) Knead the dough thoroughly and divide it into 10 equal size balls. Put them on a lightly floured pastry board, cover with a damp cloth and let rest for 15 minutes.

h eat a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add about half of the spinach; gently toss and turn the spinach with tongs so all of the unwilted leaves make contact with the bottom of the pan.

As the spinach cooks down, add remaining spinach and continue to toss. When all the spinach is completely wilted and has turned bright dark green, remove the spinach from the pan and spread it out on a cloth or paper towel lined rimmed baking sheet until cool. Chop and set aside. In the same pan, heat olive oil over medium heat, add onions and garlic; sauté until soft but not brown. Remove from the heat, add spinach and artichokes and stir to combine. Combine the ricotta, milk and salt; fold into spinach mixture; set aside. Brush a 12x10x2-inch baking dish with olive oil.

Roll one ball of pastry into a wafer-thin sheet, keeping the rest of the pastry balls under the damp cloth. Line the prepared pan with the first pastry sheet, brush lightly with oil and trim off any excess pastry even with the rim. Repeat this procedure with five more pastry balls, brushing each layer with oil and trimming the edges. Gently spread the cooked vegetable mixture on top of the pastry layers. Make six indentations (wells) in the filling. Place a small pat of butter in each one and put an egg in each on top of the butter. Sprinkle the surface with marjoram, pepper, another pinch of salt and Parmesan cheese.

Roll out the remaining four balls of pastry as with the first six, brushing each with oil as you layer. Prick the top layer with a fork, brush generously with oil and trim off any overlapping pastry.

Bake at 400° for 40 to 45 minutes or until the pie is bubbling around the edges and golden brown. Loosely cover with a piece of aluminum foil if it browns too quickly. Let sit at least 15 minutes before serving. Serve hot or cold.

*You can substitute 10 sheets of frozen phyllo dough, thawed according to package directions, for the homemade dough layers. You also can use more phyllo sheets if you like.

Lucy the Elephant 1881

First Gasoline Powered Car 1889

First Airplane flight 1903

First Philadelphia Phillies Game 1883

Entertainment & Dining at the Shore

Top Weekly Entertainment Picks

By Steffen Klenk

Looking for something to do this weekend? We’ve got you covered with our Weekly Entertainment Picks. We’re raising a glass as the A.C. Beer and Music Fest makes its return, headliners Mary J. Blige and Air Supply take to the stage and Ocean Casino prepares to host Restaurant Month.

What: Atlantic City Beer & Music Festival

Where : Atlantic City Convention Center

When : Saturday, March 29

Website: www.acbeerfest.com

Get ready for a Saturday of brews and tunes. This year’s event aims to be an unforgettable experience with over 100 top-tier breweries from around

the country showcasing their finest craft brews. Plus, enjoy two stages of music with headline entertainment by Senses Fail and Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, along with dozens of vendors and more. Two sessions from 12-4 p.m. and 6-10 p.m.

Who: Air Supply

Where: Ocean Casino Resort

When : Friday, March 28

Time: 9 p.m.

Website: www.theoceanac.com

Air Supply has been a staple of early-’80s radio with their heavily

orchestrated ballads and chart-topping hits, including “All Out of Love,” “Every Woman in the World” and “Lost in Love.”

Who: Mary J. Blige

Where: Jim Whelan Boardwalk hall

When : Friday, March 28

Time: 7 p.m.

Website: www.boardwalkhall.com

Grammy and Emmy award-winning and Oscar-nominated “Queen of h ip- h op Soul” Mary J. Blige arrives in Atlantic City on her 2025 "For My Fans Tour" with special guests Ne-Yo

and Mario. The tour comes upon the release of her new album “Gratitude.”

What : Yacht Rock Revue

Where: hard Rock hotel and Casino

When : Friday, March 28

Time: 8 p.m.

Website: casino.hardrock.com/atlantic-city

Prepare to set sail for an evening of smooth vibes and memorable tunes. Yacht Rock Revue docks in Atlantic City for one night only. Prepare to embark on a musical journey of sunsoaked soft rock sounds of the ’70s and ’80s as this talented ensemble of musicians take you on a yacht rock adventure you won’t forget. Don’t

miss the boat and grab your tickets to board this event.

What : Ghost Mart

Where: Anchor Rock Club

When : Saturday, March 29

Time: 8 p.m.

Website: www.anchorrockclub.com

Shop, sip and dance the night away at Ghost Mart. The event will include over 20 local vendors and artisans upstairs in the balcony selling odd, obscure and eclectic items, complete with live original music and DJs.

Who: Lit in AC

Where: Jim Whelan Boardwalk hall

When : Saturday, March 29

Time: 7 p.m.

Website: www.boardwalkhall.com

Get ready for a hip-hop show that is sure to light up the night. Lit in AC promises the best music and memories that defined a generation. This star-studded lineup includes Busta Rhymes, Remy Ma, Fat Joe, Soul IV Real, Lil Mo and N.O.R.E.

What : OceanACEats Restaurant

Month

Where: Ocean Casino Resort

When : April 1-30

Time: 8 p.m.

Website: www.theoceanac.com

Ocean’s premier restaurants will offer delectable three-course menus, where guests can savor an unforgettable culinary journey filled with coastal flavors and exquisite dining experiences. Enjoy specially-curated lunch and dinner menus from restaurants like Amada, Ocean Steak, Linguini by the Sea, harpers and Villain and Saint. Reservations strongly recommended.

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.

Friday, March 28

Mary J. Blige

▶7 p.m.

Jim Whelan Boardwalk

hall

Yacht Rock Revue

▶9 p.m.

h ard Rock Live at Etess

Arena

Air Supply

▶9 p.m.

Ovation hall at Ocean Casino

Saturday, March 29

LIT in AC

▶7 p.m.

Jim Whelan Boardwalk hall

Sal Da Vinci & Arisa

▶8 p.m.

Sound Waves at hard Rock

Harvey Hubert

▶8 p.m.

Resorts Atlantic City

Friday, April 4

Peter Frampton

▶7 p.m.

hard Rock Live at Etess Arena

Earthquake

▶9 p.m.

harrah’s Atlantic City

Atlantic City Headliners

Saturday, April 5

Katt Williams

▶8 p.m.

Jim Whelan Boardwalk hall

The Wallflowers

▶8 p.m.

Sound Waves at hard Rock

Ginger Billy

▶8 p.m.

harrah’s Atlantic City

Friday, April 11

Jerry Seinfeld

▶8 p.m.

Borgata Event Center

Saturday, April 12

Aaron Lewis and the Stateliners

▶8 p.m.

h ard Rock Live at Etess Arena

Dancing with the Stars Live

▶8 p.m.

Borgata Event Center

Kings of Love feat.

Stokley & Raheem

DeVaughn

▶8 p.m.

Tropicana Showroom

Pete Holmes

▶8 p.m.

harrah’s Atlantic City

Friday, April 18

Marcello Hernandez

▶8 p.m.

Melissa Etheridge & Joss Stone

▶8 p.m.

hard Rock Live at Etess Arena

Saturday, April 19

Cypress Hill

▶7 p.m.

hard Rock Live at Etess Arena

Bonnie Raitt

▶8 p.m.

Borgata Event Center

Ovation hall at Ocean Casino On Sale This Week

Khalid

▶Friday, June 6

hard Rock Live at Etess Arena

John Legend

▶Saturday, Nov. 1

Ovation hall at Ocean Casino

Ron White

▶Friday, Nov. 21

Borgata Event Center

Tickets on sale Friday, Mar. 28, 10 a.m.

FISH FRIDAY SPECIALS 2 COURSE MENU

‘Experience Hendrix’ brings some of today’s greatest guitarists to Ocean Casino

Tune In, Turn On

With Doug Deutsch

The expression “Electric Church” was coined by the late, great guitarist,

Jimi h endrix in describing informal gatherings of musicians playing exploratory, nontraditional music, often involving jam sessions and collaborations – including the musicians he worked with while recording the iconic “Electric Ladyland” album released in 1968, and at Woodstock. It was an informal, exploratory musical collective and indeed, a way of life for h endrix, who passed away at the young age of 27 in 1970.

This same collaborative spirit informs the ambitious 2025 "Experience h endrix" Tour, which comes to Atlantic City April 4 at Ocean Casino Resort’s Ovation h all. It’s being hailed by critics and music fans alike as the “Guitar Event of the Year,” as the lineup features performances by some of the biggest names in the guitar universe: Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Samantha Fish, Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, Marcus King, Zakk Wylde, Eric Johnson, Devon Allman, Ally Venable, Noah hunt, Chuck Campbell and Calvin Cook, Mato Nanji, Dylan Triplett, h enri Brown, Chris Layton and Kevin McCormick are all on the bill.

perform as part of

Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk/Tony Mart Summer Concert Series.

It’s extremely rare to see such an assemblage of talent on one stage. Guitar lovers of all music genres dare not miss this one!

Expect to hear and see one-ofa-kind collaborations as these fine guitarists perform the h endrix songbook, including “Little Wing,” “Fire,” “Purple haze,” “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)” and so many more.

Very lucky "Experience h endrix" concertgoers will also get to see living blues legend Buddy Guy performing on the final show of the tour, April 12, at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta.

“It’s such an honor to be included on this year’s Experience h endrix Tour,” Devon Allman told Tune In Turn On via email.

Allman is one of three sons born to Allman Brothers Band co-founder Gregg Allman. “Jimi’s music has meant the world to me since my earliest days of playing guitar – truly iconic, gorgeous music that takes you away to another plane. The tour has a great family vibe as well since we all bond over this sacred music.”

In addition to his April 4 appearance at "Experience h endrix," Jersey Shore music lovers have two additional opportunities this summer to see Allman in concert: with the Allman/Betts Band (which Devon fronts with Duane Betts, late ABB guitarist Dickey Betts’ son) at Borgata h otel Casino on June 21, and on the Boardwalk Aug. 20, fronting Devon Allman’s Blues Summit in the latter part of the

“Experience h endrix was amazing from start to finish,” said Phillip Smith, editor/founder of the music blog PhillyCheezeBlues, who attended an "Experience h endrix" show at Vibrant Music hall in Waukee, Iowa. “I loved seeing Ally (Venable) onstage letting loose. And to hear Marcus King, Devon Allman and Kenny Wayne Shepherd cover h endrix was indeed a fabulous experience.”

The first-ever h endrix-themed event took place in September of 1995, and was called the Jimi h endrix Electric Guitar Festival. There have been 24 subsequent Experience h endrix yearly festivals since, with virtually every rock/blues guitarist of note performing throughout the years. Atlantic City is fortunate to be hosting one of these instant classic concerts in 2025.

See Experience hendrix 8 p.m. Friday, April 4., at Ocean Casino Resort, 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City. For tickets/info: www.theoceanac.com.

Doug is the owner/operator of Doug Deutsch Publicity Services, which since 1995 has been servicing nationally touring acts, and working record release campaigns for clients. Doug also hàs experience writing for the one time shore-based weekly publication, Whoot! He also was a team member with Chip Braymes Advertising. Doug loves bicycling and aspires to bring the Blues to Atlantic City. He can be reached at ShoreLocalDoug@ gmail.com and www.facebook. com/dougdeutschpublicity.

Devon Allman (pictured) will

‘Experience Hendrix’ April 4 at Ocean Casino’s Ovation Hall. Photo by John Loreaux

Kuro at Hard Rock springs into seasonal celebration

The Casino File

By Chuck Darrow

Kuro, the Asian-focused dining room at hard Rock h otel & Casino Atlantic City, is going all-in on an annual seasonal occurrence that generally flies under the radar in this neck of the woods—the blooming of cherry blossom trees that is always one of the first signs that spring has sprung.

Last Friday evening, the dining room officially kicked off its second annual Cherry Blossom Festival, which runs through Mother’s Day (May 11). Because cherry trees are most closely associated with Japan (despite their suspected origins in Nepal), the tie-in is a natural for a restaurant such as Kuro.

“We're really excited this is the second year that we celebrate the

“Last year was our first year decorating the space this way, and it was such a tremendous hit with our customers and our employees that we had to bring it back.”

All well and good, but let’s keep in mind that Kuro is a restaurant, not an arboretum. And to that end, executive chef Leslie Daniel has it covered like rice around a piece of raw fish.

“We'll be featuring a special ‘Cherry Blossom’ menu that kind of elevates Japanese street food,” explained Daniel, who has been at hard Rock since it opened in June, 2018, about his new, small-plate dishes.

“We're highlighting some items that we don't have on the menu. We have Okinawa purple sweet potatoes. We have ebi [shrimp] tempura; Agadashi tofu [a deep-fried appetizer]; some Waygu beef that we brought in that we’re grilling on the charcoal grill; a delicious bento box with the

Cherry Blossom Festival at Kuro,” said Michael Woodside, the Rock’s vice-president of entertainment. “There'll be specialty menus for both food and beverage that'll be running for the duration of the festival.”

But the specialized menu (more about that below) is but one element of the event. Another aspect is the temporary redo of the salon’s interior, which is now ablaze with the familiar pink-and-white flowers of the cherry tree. The décor is unique for an AyCee restaurant and that, suggested Woodside, provides an added incentive for visitors.

“It's a great place for photo ops,” he said. “It's a great place for a date night. It's a great place for business meetings. It's just a really fun environment. Kuro is already great yearround, but when we add this amount of cherry blossom trees to the space, it just really does make it a special occasion.

of Food Network’s “Guy’s Grocery Games,” recommends to those who visit Kuro the next six weeks or so.

“I would say the purple sweet potato croquette is just something a little bit different that you don't see in a lot of places. And the bento box. There's not a lot of Asian-Japanese restaurants in the Jersey area that do a bento box, which is a classic dining salad in Japan where you get a lot of everything for tasting.

“So that's something I would definitely have people try.”

For more info and reservations, go

to casino.hardrock.com/atlantic-city/ promotions/cherry-blossom-festival.

Coming attractions

Superstar standup comic Jim Gaffigan is headed to Borgata hotel Casino & Spa.

The genial, PG-rated funnyman who has built a glittering career on a gentle, relatable brand of comedy, is checking into the Big B for two shows, Nov. 7 and 8 as part of his “Everything Is Wonderful” tour. For tickets, go to ticketmaster. com.

choice of either short ribs or chicken. And we also have a nice Sakura spritz, which is Aperol spritz with [an Asian] twist.”

According to Daniel, there is an educational component to the special menu he and his minions have devised for the celebration.

“We really try to look for things that we don't have on the menu typically and how we can bring them into the restaurant to try to highlight some of Japan's traditional dishes and bring them to America with a little elevated influence,” he offered, citing the Agadashi tofu as an example.

“We’ve taken a very simple tofu dish and we've elevated it by taking marinated vegetables and rice balls, and then we refry them together and serve them with tempura sauce.”

That said, it’s other special items that Daniel, who last year won the $16,000 grand prize on an episode

ACIT enhances inclusivity with ASL interpretation for 'Cinderella' performance

The Atlantic County Institute of Technology (ACIT) took a significant step toward inclusivity by incorporating American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation into a special matinee performance of "Cinderella." Four ASL students interpreted the play live, making the production accessible to Deaf audience members.

“We are proud to support initiatives that promote inclusivity and

give all students the opportunity to shine,” said Dr. Phil Guenther, superintendent of ACIT. “By incorporating ASL interpretation into the musical, we created a welcoming experience for the Deaf community and provided an invaluable opportunity for all students to learn the importance of accessibility in the arts. This project highlights how creativity and collaboration break down barriers and make cultural experiences available to a

broader audience.”

The initiative was led by senior Joshua Weightman, who proposed the idea and translated the entire “Cinderella” script into ASL, ensuring Deaf audience members could fully enjoy the performance.

“Adding ASL interpretation to ‘Cinderella’ was inspired by my experience with hands Up Silent Theater, where we perform musicals in both ASL and English,” said Weightman, an ASL student at ACIT. “Working with my fellow ASL students was an amazing experience. We met at Starbucks, during class, and over lunch to learn the signs and practice together.”

Every Half Hour

Breakfast Selections, Omelets, Lunch Entrees, Carving Stations, Kids Station, Elaborate Desserts & More!

The student interpreters attended rehearsals, collaborated with actors, and immersed themselves in the production over two months leading to the performance. Under the guidance of ASL teacher Devin Quinn-Gibson, they refined their interpretation and worked diligently to ensure accessibility and authenticity.

“As an ASL instructor and member of the Deaf community, supporting Joshua and the ASL students through the ‘Cinderella’ translation and rehearsal process was deeply inspiring,” said Quinn-Gibson. “Their initiative created a more inclusive production and served as a powerful advocacy effort, bridging the gap between Deaf and hearing communities. Witnessing their dedication on stage was one of the most rewarding moments of my teaching career—a reminder of why I do this work.”

on the audience.

“It was incredibly moving to watch the interpreters,” said Cinderella director Elizabeth Volpe. “They took what was set on stage and used emotion and expression to bring it to life. The students were great at communicating their needs, ensuring they were positioned in front of the action so the audience could focus on both the actors and interpreters together.”

“The most impactful moment for me was seeing how the interpreters conveyed the emotions of the songs, proving that both Deaf and hearing

To further support Deaf audience members, ACIT designated a reserved seating section to provide optimal viewing of the interpreters.

“The overwhelmingly positive response from professional interpreters, parents, and Deaf audience members praised the clarity and emotional depth of the ASL performance,” Quinn-Gibson added. “Many encouraged the students to pursue careers in interpretation. Their success has sparked enthusiasm for making ASL interpretation a permanent part of ACIT productions, reinforcing our commitment to inclusivity, Deaf awareness, and accessibility in the performing arts.”

The interpreters’ expressive performances added an extra layer of depth to the show, particularly during the musical number "There’s Music in You," which left a lasting impression

audiences connect through the same feelings,” Weightman reflected.

ACIT’s media students filmed the performance and are currently editing a version with a window-in-window format, allowing viewers to watch both the actors and interpreters simultaneously.

While ASL students have previously participated in talent shows, this marks the first time ACIT students have interpreted an entire musical—a historic moment for the ACIT Arts Program.

ASL students Malayjah Davis, Sydney Prince, Joshua Weightman, and Bella Reed signing during the performance.

Joshua Weightman, 12th grade, transcribed the entire production of Cinderella in American Sign Language.

Live & Local Music Calendar

Thursday, March 27

Atlantic City

Mad Bunny Bar at Resorts

Karaoke w/ Cowboy Kevin

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

1133 Boardwalk

Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino

DJ KY

8 p.m.

500 Boardwalk

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget

Dane Anthony

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

600 huron Ave.

The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock

Austin City Nights

7 – 11 p.m.

1000 Boardwalk

Somers Point

Caroline’s by the Bay

Danny Eyer

4 – 7 p.m.

Karaoke Night w/ Mike Dempsey

8:30 p.m. – 12 a.m.

450 Bay Ave.

Gregory’s

Bob & Vince

6 p.m.

Anchor Rock Club

All R&B Night: Mary J. Blige Afterparty

11 p.m.

247 S. New York Ave.

Council Oak at Hard Rock

ESQ Trio

6 – 10 p.m.

1000 Boardwalk

Hard Rock Café

The Way Outs

8:30 p.m. – 12 a.m.

1000 Boardwalk

Mad Bunny Bar at Resorts DJ Chazz

9 p.m. – 2 a.m.

1133 Boardwalk

Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino

Dan Jost & Friends

7 p.m.

Gypsy Wisdom

10 p.m.

500 Boardwalk

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget

Originaire Duo

6 p.m.

Big home

10 p.m.

600 huron Ave.

900 Shore Rd.

Josie Kelly’s

Toni Teschner + Billy Walton

6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock

The Benderz 5 – 8:30 p.m.

Band of Make Believe

908 Shore Rd.

Friday, March 28

Atlantic City

9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.

1000 Boardwalk

The Wave at Golden Nugget

Chicago Rewind: Chicago Tribute

1927 Lounge at Ocean Casino

Jeremy Oren

5 p.m.

Kristina Pruitt

9:15 p.m.

500 Boardwalk

9 p.m.

600 huron Ave.

Villain and Saint at Ocean Casino Yani

8:30 p.m.

500 Boardwalk

Brigantine

LaScala’s Beach House

Side Story Duo

6 – 9 p.m.

1400 Ocean Ave.

Egg Harbor City

Renault Winery

The Philly Keys

6 – 9 p.m.

72 N. Bremen Ave.

Egg Harbor Township

The Roost Pub & Grill

Tony & Kim

6:30 p.m.

500 St. Andrews Dr.

Galloway

279 Social

Modern Mojo Duo

7 – 10 p.m.

279 S. New York Rd.

Marmora

Yesterday’s

Sofroney and holman & Triple Bogey

7 p.m.

316 Roosevelt Blvd.

Smithville

Fred and Ethel’s

Tony Caine

7 – 10 p.m.

1 New York Rd.

Somers Point

Caroline’s by the Bay

The Core Band

8 p.m. – 12 a.m.

450 Bay Ave.

Crab Trap

That 70’s Band

6 – 9 p.m.

2 Broadway

Tuckerton

The Lizzie Rose Music Room

Jason Ricci

7:30 p.m.

217 E. Main St.

Saturday, March 29

Atlantic City

1927 Lounge at Ocean Casino

Kristina Pruitt

5 p.m.

Jeremy Oren

9:15 p.m.

500 Boardwalk

Anchor Rock Club

Ghost Mart w/ Faux Fear, Unboned, Mother Yilk, DJ Shari Vari

8 p.m.

247 S. New York Ave.

Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival

Mainstage: Senses Fail, hidden in Plain View, Flycatcher

Acoustic Stage: Max Davey, Good Luck Sigourney, Wave Break

12 – 4 p.m.

Mainstage: Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, Catbite, Mesh

Acoustic Stage: Separatr, Back

Yard Superheroes, Stateside

7 – 11 p.m.

1 Convention Blvd.

Council Oak Lounge at Hard Rock

Mary Winkel Trio

6 – 10 p.m.

1000 Boardwalk

Hard Rock Café

Indelible Groove

8:30 p.m. – 12 a.m.

1000 Boardwalk

Mad Bunny Bar at Resorts

Daryll

6 – 9 p.m.

DJ Gary

9 p.m. – 2 a.m.

1133 Boardwalk

Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino Porch Duo

7 p.m.

Sky City Social

10 p.m.

500 Boardwalk

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget

Bar None Band

5 p.m.

Priceless

10 p.m.

600 huron Ave.

The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock

B Street Band

5 – 8:30 p.m.

The Loop

9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.

1000 Boardwalk

Villain and Saint at Ocean Casino

Isn’t it Always 8:30 p.m.

500 Boardwalk

Egg Harbor City

Renault Winery

Live DJ

12 – 4 p.m.

72 N. Bremen Ave.

Egg Harbor Township

The Roost Pub & Grill

Dueling Pianos

5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

500 St. Andrews Dr.

Galloway

279 Social DJ Leo

8 – 11 p.m.

279 S. New York Rd. Marmora

Yesterday’s

DJ Drumatic

3 p.m.

Chris Lax

7 p.m.

316 Roosevelt Blvd.

↘Continued on 48

B Street Band will play at Hard Rock's Lobby Bar on Saturday, March 29. Photo credit: bstreetband Facebook.

Smithville

Fred and Ethel’s

Jim Commander

7 – 10 p.m.

1 New York Rd.

Somers Point

Caroline’s by the Bay

Sindi Raymond Band

4 – 7 p.m.

Aces & Eights Band

8:30 p.m. – 12 a.m.

450 Bay Ave.

Crab Trap

That 70’s Band

6 – 9 p.m.

2 Broadway

Gregory’s Jonney Rey

9 p.m.

900 Shore Rd.

Tuckerton

The Lizzie Rose Music Room

The Daniel Keiser Band

7:30 p.m.

217 E. Main St.

Sunday, March 30

Atlantic City

Nola’s Bar at Ocean Casino

Dueling Pianos

8 p.m.

500 Boardwalk

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget

3am Tokyo Duo

7 p.m.

Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget Red ↘Continued from 47

600 huron Ave.

The Lobby Bar at Hard Rock Night Anthem

4 – 7:30 p.m.

80’s Revolution

8:30 – 11:30 p.m.

1000 Boardwalk

Egg Harbor City

Renault Winery

Kenny Curcio

12 – 4 p.m.

72 N. Bremen Ave.

Galloway

279 Social

Camille Peruto

12 – 3 p.m.

279 S. New York Rd.

Somers Point

Caroline’s by the Bay Big Foot Band

3 – 7 p.m.

450 Bay Ave.

Josie Kelly’s

Traditional Irish Session

1 p.m.

908 Shore Rd.

Tuckerton

The Lizzie Rose Music Room

Jonatha Brooke

4 p.m.

217 E. Main St.

Monday, March 31

Atlantic City

Drink Up!

By David Setley

Itasted Malbec wine from Argentina for the first time nearly 20 years ago and was amazed at how rich, smooth, and reasonably priced it was. I spoke with friends about it, but few had heard of the varietal, making me feel like I had discovered the next big thing in wine! Fast forward to today, and Malbec is nearly synonymous with Argentina. But did it originate there? Join me while I pour a glass and take a wine adventure into Malbec.

Perhaps the most significant person to impact the Argentinean winemaking industry was the French agricultural engineer, Michel Aimé Pouget. It all began in 1853 when the governor of the Cuyo (central) region, Domingo Faustino Sarmiento, a man who would later become the President of Argentina, sent a proposal to the national Argentinean government

All about Malbec

to develop and expand the winemaking industry. Pouget was hired as a viticulture specialist.

Pouget founded the first agricultural school and vine nursery in Mendoza, Argentina, and introduced numerous French grape varieties – including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Malbec – from cuttings he brought from France. A number of these grapes adapted very well to the terroir and produced wines of excellent concentration and quality. Malbec, or “la uva Francesa,” (the French Grape) as it was known in Argentina, adapted the best. We will return to the French connection in a moment. Malbec plantings grew significantly throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries and expanded to many wine regions throughout the country. Michel Aimé Pouget is now known as the Father of Malbec in Argentina, and the date he was hired, April 17, is celebrated internationally each year as World Malbec Day.

Let’s return to France for a few minutes though, where Pouget collected his clippings before heading

to South America. Evidence suggests that Pouget collected his vines from Bordeaux, Burgundy, and the “SudOuest” (South West) wine regions of France. Malbec is one of the five principal red grapes of Bordeaux and is the dominant red grape in a subregion of Sud-Ouest called Cahors. Yes, it appears that France is the true birthplace of Malbec. If you’d like to try a French Malbec, I have two recommendations. The Domaine Clos la Coutale Cahors is a wonderful example of French Malbec. In Cahors, Malbec is often called the black grape due to its dark, inky color

and rich, earthy notes. Or try the Château La CaminadeMission La Caminade Cahors for a wine that is 85% Malbec and 15% Merlot. The flavors highlight dark fruits such as black cherries and blackberries with earthy notes of cocoa and aromatic herbs. Origins aside, let’s head back to Argentina to continue our Malbec exploration. Malbec vineyards were actually declining in Argentina by the early 2000s before Malbec wines experienced a surge of appreciation in international markets. Interestingly enough, it was about this time that I first experienced Malbec. Malbec quickly became Argentina’s most exported wine and, in a relatively short time, changed the international reputation of Argentine wine. No longer was the country seen as a producer of low-quality wines. Today, 75% of the world’s Malbec comes from Argentina, and the wine accounts for 40% of all the wine produced in that country.

Malbec, a grape born in France, found its perfect terroir in the South American country. As the French

say, “terroir is everything!” Malbec is grown in many regions of Argentina, and each produces wine with unique characteristics. In Patagonia, the southernmost region of Argentina, the wine is lighter in color, body, and aroma, but still retains the rich black cherry fruit flavors and notes of tobacco and leather. A great example is the Fabre Montmayou Patagonia Malbec.

In the central region, Mendoza is the most prolific producer of Malbec, accounting for 80% of the nation’s production. Bodega Catena Zapata-Catena Malbec Mendoza is an outstanding example. This region is warmer, so the resulting flavors are bolder. Rich blackberry and plum are the dominant fruit flavors, and the earthy notes of tobacco and leather are more intense.

In the northern region of Calchaqui Valley, the Bodega El Esteco-Don David Reserve Malbec is my personal favorite, and it has nothing to do with the name. The further north one goes in the southern hemisphere, the warmer the climate. Malbec, a late-harvest grape, takes full advantage of the longer growing season to produce a deliciously rich and supple wine. The dark fruit flavors balanced by the leather, earth, and smoke notes make for a perfect example of this area’s wine.

One more Argentine Malbec for your consideration is Mosquita Muerta Cordero Con Piel de Lobo Malbec. The name of the wine translates to “a sheep in wolf’s clothing,” a play on the cliché. A humorous drawing depicting the name of the wine is on the label. This Malbec is a crowd-pleaser, as is the very reasonable price.

The best way to experience the difference between a French Malbec and an Argentine Malbec is to get a bottle of each and compare them side-by-side. In general, the oldworld, French version tends to be lighter in tannins and intensity and lower in alcohol. The fruit notes are slightly more tart, with more of the flavor coming from the earthy notes described above. The Argentine, newworld wine is more tannic and has a more intense aroma and flavor. Vive la difference! You make the call.

I hope you enjoyed my investigation into Malbec. As always, contact me with any questions at dsetley@ passionvines.com or stop into the Somers Point store. Until next time, 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.

April Fools Day has a lengthy history

What do you get when have a select group of people who didn't get the memo that the calendar had been modified and the start of the New Year was now pushed back by three months? April Fools' Day, that's what. Although the tomfoolery that occurs each April 1 may not feel very old, April Fools' Day traces its origins back several centuries.

One legend states that April Fools' Day originated in the 1500s and has remained a day for hijinks ever since. Prior to the 1500s, the western world relied on the Julian calendar to keep track of time. According to the Julian calendar, years began on March 25. however, since March 25 fell during holy Week, the new year festivities were pushed back to the first day of April. In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII decreed the adoption of the Gregorian calendar, which switched New Year's Day from the end of March to Jan. 1.

Many people were informed of this change, yet those who lived in rural areas or had not heard about the calendar change continued to celebrate the arrival of the new year on April 1. These people were mocked, and some people in the know would try to confuse people into thinking that April 1 was still New Year's Day and they were receiving a New Year's visit. From this tradition grew the one that is observed today, with people trying to fool unsuspecting individuals with all methods of pranks and trickery. In France, jokes may have involved placing paper fish on the backs of the gullible. These poisson d'avril (April fish) symbolized a young,

easily caught fish, or someone who was easily pranked.

Others suggest April Fools' Day is connected to pagan festivals celebrated during the change of seasons. On hilaria, Romans would dress up in disguises. Some historians speculate that April Fools' Day is connected to the vernal equinox, when people were fooled with unpredictable weather.

April Fools' antics eventually spread outside of France to Britain, and then around the world. While pranks were once simplistic in nature, many are now more intricate. According to Snopes, a popular April Fools' hoax dates back to 1957 when the BBC convinced its audience that spring would arrive early, and with it, an early spaghetti harvest in Switzerland. Video showed peasant women harvesting spaghetti from trees, now that the ravenous spaghetti weevil, which had caused havoc to past harvests, was finally defeated. The station received scores of calls asking to view the harvest or inquiring how they could get a spaghetti plant.

In 1996 in the United States, the popular fast food chain Taco Bell convinced the public that it had agreed to purchase Philadelphia's Liberty Bell and wanted to rename it the Taco Liberty Bell.

In 2016, the Texas state comptroller's office announced that redback paper money would be reissued in the state for the first time since 1840 Ñ and it would feature Willie Nelson's face on the $10 bill.

April Fools' jokes have evolved throughout the centuries. Although the exact origins cannot be accurately pinpointed, the fun ensues nevertheless.

Remembering

Taj Mahal’s poker room was AC’s biggest deal

By Chuck Darrow

As we entered h ard Rock Live at Etess Arena for Smokey Robinson’s recent performance, I only half-sarcastically suggested to my friend, howard, that we were standing on hallowed ground. That’s because the large vestibule/security checkpoint area was, for 23 years, the poker room of the Trump Taj Mahal Casino-Resort.

On June 25, 1993, Atlantic City’s legal- gaming industry entered a new era with the introduction of poker. On that day, for the first time since the state’s founding as a British colony in 1664, people over the age of 21 could play a legally sanctioned hand of America’s favorite card game.

Since the debut of legal casino

gaming in May, 1978, poker had been shut out of local gambling dens by the state law that prevented casino customers from touching cards, regardless of which game they played. But in 1992, that prohibition was rescinded, and on the last Friday of June ’93, the cards were, as they say,

in the air.

That day, three casinos—the long-gone Sands h otel & Casino, Resorts Atlantic City (now Resorts Casino- hotel) and the Taj Mahal (now h ard Rock h otel & Casino Atlantic City) were the first properties to offer the game. While the Sands was, by

a few hours, the first to deal a “live” game, the Taj quickly became the local poker capital.

The main reason was its size: While Resorts and the Sands each had less than tables, the Taj opened with 65, which meant it could “spread” a wider variety of games and offer more seats (thus providing less waiting time for customers).

As noted, the space was located where today stands the reception area/lobby of hard Rock’s 7,000-seat arena. It was sprawling, bordering on cavernous, and, in keeping with the somewhat exaggerated sense of opulence and “class” claimed by the Taj’s then-owner, the area was given a patina of ostentatiousness by its ridiculously ornate chandeliers. But the room almost always hummed with the indecipherable murmuring of scores of players and the cricket-chirping of chips being shuffled and stacked. Most weeknights and weekends—especially during the warm-weather months--there was a palpable energy there that simply

↘Continued on 56

wasn’t found in any other local card emporium.

Given the size of its poker room, and the fact that Atlantic City was, until 1995, the only jurisdiction east of the Mississippi River offering the game, the Taj quickly established itself as a poker mecca. Top-line pros began to visit, thus giving the card room even more cachet, and attracting players who either wanted to sit at a table with folks they’d eyeballed on television, or merely to watch said stalwarts play.

“It was the place that you could go play without violating any laws and where, if you were someone who wanted to get better at poker and study the best players, you were there," Brian Koppelman told the Associated Press in 2016. “If you were someone who wanted to hustle people, you could go there and find tourists to hustle.”

Koppelman was so impressed by the Taj’s poker parlor that he and his partner, David Levien, set two separate scenes there in their screenplay for “Rounders,” the 1998 film that starred Matt Damon and Edward Norton as two young men immersed in New York City’s infamous “underground” poker demimonde.

In the first segment, the characters played by Damon and Norton

join several fellow New York “rounders” at a Texas h old ‘Em table where they proceed to feast on gullible and naïve Taj visitors.

In the second sequence, Damon’s Mike McDermott goes head-to-head in a hand with poker superstar Johnny Chan. Both scenes included shots of actual Taj staffers, including Tom Gitto, then the casino’s director of poker operations, and its public relations director, Steve Sless.

Before that, however, the room’s popularity and notoriety received a huge boost in 1996, when it hosted the first of 14 United States Poker Championship tournaments. The multi-day, multi-event competition was devised to be the east-coast equivalent of Las Vegas’ iconic World Series of Poker (in fact, the official announcement of the tournament was made not at the Taj, but at Vegas’ horseshoe casino, where the annual competition was founded). It stands as the first bigtime contest staged outside Vegas.

A number of top pros including Phil h elmuth, huck Seed, T.J. Clothier, Kassem “Freddie” Deeb and Men “The Master” Nguyen participated in the ESPN-televised event, as did such

h ollywood types as Yasmine Bleeth (“Baywatch”) and comedian Gabe Kaplan (“Welcome Back, Kotter”). These folks bestowed upon the Taj and its poker room heaping helpings of publicity and glamor (author’s note: The inaugural year’s media tourney was won by your favorite Shore Local Newsmagazine casino columnist).

As the new century dawned, the Taj continued as the east coast’s poker capital, but that began to change when Borgata h otel, Casino & Spa opened in July, 2003. Its poker room, which was the only public area located below the main level, started luring players away from the Taj. But the Big B’s more damaging punch came in 2008, when its current, 52-table card room opened in a far-more luxe space adjacent to the casino.

The competition from Borgata accelerated the decline in popularity of the Taj’s poker room, and by the time the sprawling casino-hotel closed its

doors in fall, 2016, there were but 24 tables in the card parlor, most of which sat empty on a daily basis.

Today, Borgata is one of three locations in town where poker is dealt (harrah’s Resort Atlantic City and Tropicana Atlantic City are the others), but it’s the only one with a national profile thanks to the gambling den’s past association with the World Poker Tour and the current multi-million-dollar tournaments staged there throughout the year. There is no debating Borgata’s status in the poker world as one of the nation’s finest facilities. But there was something about the Taj poker room’s golden era that, to some old-timers at least, will never be equaled, much less surpassed.

Chuck Darrow has spent more than 40 years writing about Atlantic City casinos.

Live in Touch with Your Soul

Photo credit: Tripadvisor

Pat Boone checks in: And some places he probably didn’t check out

By Bruce Klauber

The Shore Local story on Pat Boone published a few weeks back, got quite a response from those who fondly remember his appearances at the Steel Pier as a solo act, and with his family.

When the story was in preparation, I contacted Pat’s offices and asked if he would share some of his memories about those days for the upcoming article. h e was happy to contribute, but because he was on the road, his written contribution was received too late for inclusion in the original story. h e asked if there was still room for it, and I could only reply: “There’s always room for Pat Boone.” So here are his unedited memories.

Hello Bruce!

My experiences in Atlantic City were always spine-tingling and unforgettable.

The first few times I appeared there, I was the teen idol, Pat Boone, wearing white buck shoes singing my rock ‘n’ roll songs and rhythm and blues covers, and selling millions of records.

The fans were heavy towards the teenage flock, but they always sold out shows. Then as I got older and added my daughters to my performances and became The Pat Boone Family act, it was a wide age group in the audience, but the house was always jammed to the rafters of the Boardwalk. My daughters were fascinated with the Pier’s diving horse, while I wanted to report it to the ASPCA myself!

even other countries who expected entertainment in that very special place. So every show was exciting, and the audiences were exultant and appreciative. And the money wasn’t bad either!

In fact, at the age of 90, I could be coaxed into a show or two out there still today! I would improve my life insurance, but I think I would risk it.

Hope this works for you, Bruce!

It was always exciting because I felt the excitement of the crowd coming from all over the country and

Pat

While no one really remembers what Pat Boone did in his leisure

hours during his time at the Steel Pier and starring in the “Atlantic City h oliday” film in the mid-1950s, given his ultra clean-cut image, it’s pretty certain that we know the places in Atlantic City he did NOT frequent during his off hours.

If Boone had decided to take a stroll to the 500 Club

on Missouri Avenue during his July sojourn at the Steel Pier – which he most likely did not – he may have run into Frank Sinatra.

Mr. Sinatra came to the 500 almost directly from Spain, where he was filming “The Pride and the Passion” with Sophia Loren and Cary Grant, to work at the Atlantic City bistro on July 24 through July 26 as a favor to 500 Club owner Paul “Skinny” D’Amato. It’s a shame Pat Boone missed him – as well as the gambling that was taking place in the rear of the club – as Sinatra would not return to Atlantic City until 1962.

If it was great Chinese cuisine that Pat Boone was interested in, he likely would not have visited a restaurant that was quite popular in the 1950s, the Bath and Turf Club, located on Stenton Avenue at the Boardwalk.

While the food was said to be pretty good, many of the visitors to the Turf Club had gambling in mind, and interested restaurant visitors were escorted to Iowa Avenue across the street, where poker and dice games were held nightly. In the late summer of 1958, gambling was so rampant that the state of New Jersey stepped in and raided the place, which was filled with roulette wheels, various gaming tables and other gambling paraphernalia, as well as around 40

customers. There were other clubs in Atlantic City that featured, shall we say, adult-oriented entertainment. It’s been said that the Jockey Club on North Carolina Avenue featured one of the city’s few gay revues, advertised by the club as a “unique revue.”

But the Jockey Club is mainly remembered as among the city’s oldest jazz clubs, dating back to the 1920s. During the time that Pat Boone was in town, he might have heard the legendary Billie h oliday, who worked there in the mid-1950s. In later years, a house band led by the late, legendary and beloved pianist George Mesterhazy played nightly from midnight until 6 a.m., sometimes

sharing the bill with jazz headliners like guitarist Pat Martino and organist Jimmy Smith. The Jockey Club, along with four other neighboring buildings, were destroyed in a September, 1982 fire.

One nightspot he may have visited was the hialeah Club, located at 1917 Atlantic Ave. near Michigan Avenue. There’s not a lot known about this venue, except that it was rather large, featured a pianist named Bob O’Neil for many years, attracted both black and white audiences, and advertised continuous entertainment and dancing.

It was also known as “Arthur’s hialeah Club,” “Ricky’s hialeah Club” and “ hialeah Dinner and Supper Club” through the years. Interestingly, in 1962, early rock guitarist Duane Eddy,

a contemporary of Pat Boone – was booked at the hialeah, right after he appeared for eight weeks at Wildwood’s Beachcomber Club.

There were probably other spots Pat Boone may or may not have visited in July of 1956, but given how hard Steel Pier owner George hamid worked his acts, it’s likely that the young teen idol may have only had time for a quick dinner, and then plenty of rest. here’s to 90 more, Pat!

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.

Atlantic City Airshow reimagined Iconic event takes flight again as the Atlantic City Soar & Shore Festival

By James FitzPatrick

Atlantic City will be hosting an airshow this summer after all.

On March 19, the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority announced that the airshow will return in July, a positive turn around following last summer’s cancellation disappointment. What used to be the Visit Atlantic City Airshow “A Salute to Those Who Serve,” will be reborn as the Visit Atlantic City Soar & Shore Festival.

Set for Tuesday and Wednesday, July 15-16, the airshow will be more modest than the Atlantic City Airshows the public is used to. But the hope is that in the future, additional events can be developed around it to make the airshow the centerpiece of a larger program of fun happenings

that will attract visitors to the city.

Although no lineup has been announced as yet, it will be focused on civilian aviation and produced by h erb Gillen Airshows, a firm respected in the industry as a producer of successful airshows, according to Visit Atlantic City.

The original version of the airshow was held on a Wednesday in August, and was known for featuring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds precision aerobatic team. The show was grounded in 2024 when the military jet teams were suddenly no longer available to do shows midweek. The show was put on “strategic pause” by the Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce in December while its future was reevaluated.

It was a painful blow for a signature local event that had been a huge success, growing for more than 20 years, and drawing massive crowds to the resort.

The Atlantic City Airshow has been a beloved tradition since its debut in 2003 as “Thunder Over

the Boardwalk.” Run by the Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce and David Schultz Airshows, the event has topped 500,000 spectators along the beach and Boardwalk, lured by a free event capped by the spectacular Thunderbirds, with various civilian and military performers mixed in.

The show filled a unique business niche by creating a midweek attraction during what would otherwise be just another Wednesday in the summer. It was a mid-August jolt worth millions to the economy – a free-to-the public, single-day (two days if you count Tuesday practice) entertainment blockbuster that could only be slowed by federal budget cuts and COVID.

It’s a date that everyone circled on their summer calendars. That’s why the effort to revive it is seen as worthwhile, even if the reboot is a modest one by comparison.

Gary Musich, CEO of Visit Atlantic City which is now running the event, said unlike the 20-year-developed show, it will be modest, while setting the stage for future expansion, and taking advantage of a fortuitous opportunity to work with well-known airshow producer h erb Gillen.

“I want to make sure expectations are clear: this isn’t the airshow that took 20 years to build. It’s a smaller, civilian-based show that will be entertaining – but it’s a bridge year,” Musich said. “We’re building this in three and a half months to create something we can expand on and make into a bigger event.”

The plan is to make it more than an airshow.

“We’re calling it a festival because we want to start promoting other things happening in the city as part of it and then build off that,” said Musich. “For example, it’s the same week as the Jimmy Johnson Fishing Tournament and the Antique Car Show at Boardwalk hall. We’re trying to build components around everything else

going on. So now you’ve got three events to talk about for the week.

“This year, it’s a free event,” he continued. “There won’t be big sponsor tents on the beach. We just want people to know there’s an event happening, an airshow we’re going to build on. Then, in 2026, 2027 and 2028, we’ll keep making this a bigger event for Atlantic City. h opefully, it becomes a week of activities in the city.”

Musical acts at Boardwalk hall are also slated to be part of this year’s airshow program, which are expected to be announced in the next two weeks.

Musich said the Greater Atlantic City Chamber and everyone involved including the city, South Jersey, Transportation Authority, and the casino association are all working together. h e emphasized the importance of collaboration, noting that it’s not just Visit Atlantic City involved. h e pointed out that the opportunity to partner with h erb Gillen Airshows came through Greater Atlantic City, Chamber of Commerce President Michael Chait and his connections with the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS).

In a statement to the media, the Chamber acknowledged the passing of the torch.

“This represents a new chapter and natural progression for our beloved airshow. Visit Atlantic City’s public funding structure (through the CRDA), dedicated resources, and talented staff will allow the airshow to reach new heights and explore exciting opportunities for evolution and expansion.”

There will be multiple ways to measure the success of airshow 2.0 including website clicks and room bookings through the newly launched visitatlanticcity.com. Press coverage about positive developments in Atlantic City and the region is also a plus.

“But most importantly, you’re getting a lot of press for the city right now – positive press – and we need that,” Musich said.

Copy editor and Contributing Writer James FitzPatrick has been a community journalist in Atlantic and Cape May counties for more than 30 years, including 20 years as editor of The Current Newspapers. He lives in Hammonton.

By Heidi Clayton

oes your dog have the uncanny ability to know when you are on an important phone call and choose that time to stand directly in front of you and bark incessantly in your face, demanding attention? Do they continue to interrupt your phone call even after you tried distracting them by tossing treats or giving them a toy? I believe that we give these attention-seeking behaviors a whole lot of attention by trying to redirect them or yelling at them. Attention is exactly what your dog wants, even if it is your negative attention in the form of yelling. To rid your dog of these behaviors, try using the extinction method, which, in the simplest terms, is ignoring the problem until it goes away.

and children being raised together is awesome, children can be incredibly overstimulating to a jumping dog. You are asking a lot of both of them to ignore each other. So, if you want to stop your dog from jumping on children, you should first stop them from jumping on adults who are in a better position to fully ignore the dog and are more apt to reward them when they display good behavior.

I will caution everyone who employs the extinction theory that there is the probability of things getting worse before they get better, which is called an “extinction burst.” This occurs because the dog is used to getting a reward or attention for their rude behavior and may seem frustrated about no longer getting the attention they feel they deserve. My advice is to stay strong! Caving in just once takes you back to square one. Your dog will learn that if they just persist in the behavior, you will cave in.

In scientific terms, the extinction theory is that bad behaviors will decrease over time and eventually go away once the reinforcement for said behavior is removed. Instead of dogs being rewarded for jumping on a person by either being pushed down or pet, the extinction theory suggests ignoring the jumping dog completely each and every time they jump until they realize that they will get zero interaction until they do not jump on anyone. I use extinction with my own dogs, but I also pair it with positive reinforcement of behaviors that I do want them to repeat. So if my puppy comes up to me and does not jump, I praise her for not doing so with “good no jumping” and will pet her. If she is jumping, I completely ignore her and give her zero attention. She has learned that when she runs up to me and pummels me, I will not engage with her. h owever, when she runs up and offers the appropriate behavior, she gets loads of praise and sometimes treats and hugs.

Another key to success is that everyone must be on the same page regarding ignoring behaviors so that they go away. If you have young children who will squeal or react in any way to the dog jumping on them and they can not maintain a good poker face, you will have setbacks. I can not stress enough that while I think dogs

Ignoring problem behaviors is a way of life here at Four on the Floor Dog Training, but so is rewarding the things I want from dogs. Mixing ignoring the behaviors you find annoying and rewarding those that you love works wonders in getting what you want out of your dog.

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

Spring cleaning your investments

By Eric Reich

Last Thursday marked the first day of spring! Like most people, you probably have plans to spring clean your house, wardrobe, or car. Why not add your investments to that list? h ere are some helpful tips to help you with this task that you should take each year to help ensure that your financial life is in order.

1. Set up a rainy day fund

It is often suggested that you should have 3-6 months’ worth of expenses in a short-term investment account in case of an emergency. I would suggest three months if you have an available line of credit or six or more months if you do not.

2. Rebalance your portfolio

In many cases, something in your portfolio outperforms the rest of it. When this happens, the allocation you started the year with is not the same as what you ended the year with. Make sure that you rebalance your portfolio so the percentages are in line with your beginning allocation. If real estate was 10% and it’s now 13%, sell some to get back to 10% if that’s where your allocation should be.

3. Check

your asset allocation

While it is important to rebalance a portfolio, make sure that the allocation you had at the beginning of last year is still the allocation that you want. Maybe things have changed in the world that may necessitate a change in your overall allocation. What worked years ago may not be where you should be today.

4. Consolidate your accounts

This can be a big source of stress for many investors. They have accounts at multiple former employers, multiple fund companies, and with multiple advisors. This can lead to a lack of organization between accounts, investments, and strategies, not to mention potentially added fees. I always tell people that diversification should take place among holdings, not accounts or, worse, advisors. I never recommend multiple advisors since, in many cases, these advisors may not be in communication with each other and may make their recommendations based only on the money they are managing, not your whole portfolio. This can be a problem because both advisors could be doing a good job for you, but the portfolio as a whole lacks diversification or a defined strategy.

5. Review your advisors

If the last one applies to you, then you need to figure out which advisor is helping you the most. Are they giving you good advice? Are they looking at more than just your investments? have they started to prepare you and your investments for retirement?

Are they a specialist in an area that fits your stage of life? Remember, you don’t go to your primary care physician for open heart surgery. Therefore, don’t use an investment “generalist” if you are in a specific stage of life. The same can be said for attorneys; seek out a specialist for things like estate planning, real estate, taxes, etc.

By doing this exercise every year, you can help keep your investments on track, and you may be less likely to have any surprises that come with a lack of attention each year.

Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/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.

Medical Reserve Corps

Nine questions to ask when purchasing an investment property

Real Estate Matters

By Elisa Jo Eagan

If you are looking for ways to diversify your investments, build additional streams of income, or put your home’s equity to work for the long term, you may be considering a real estate investment. While you may think that this is a simple process of identifying a likely property and posting an ad for a renter, there is actually much more to it. here are nine questions you should ask yourself as you begin developing your real estate investment portfolio.

1) What type of real estate investment model will you pursue?

There are a variety of ways to invest in real estate. You may choose to purchase a “handyman special” or find an undervalued property, fix it up, then offer it for resale. This short-term investment is called a fix-and-flip.

Alternatively, if you identify a property that you may want to keep longterm, especially now in a strong rental market like ours is, you may want to pursue a buy-and-hold strategy. A long-term military housing single-family home yearly rental, island community summer vacation rental property, or a short-term Airbnb investment may be for you.

2) What types of updates are needed for a flip?

Generally, you will want to add value to a flip while keeping a close eye on profit. You will need to complete any repairs and updates quickly in order to minimize the carrying costs of the property, including mortgage payments, insurance and taxes.

Often, flippers will favor low-cost, high-impact cosmetic improvements to enhance the marketability of the property and increase its appeal to potential buyers, such as kitchen, bath, flooring and other attractive updates. Remember, you are not choosing fixtures and finishes based on your own personal preferences. Let cost, availability and market impact guide your choices.

3) What types of updates are needed for a buy-and-hold investment?

Often, buy-and-hold investors put less time and effort into cosmetic up -

grades in favor of getting the property market-ready and occupied as quickly as possible. A buy-and-hold property may be ready to go on the rental market with only a deep cleaning and a lawn cleanup. Rentals in our area are in strong demand and rent for top dollar. If some of the home’s systems are significantly out-of-date, you may want to make needed repairs or updates before bringing in tenants in order to save time and money down the road.

4) What should you consider when investing in a short-term rental?

Short-term rental owners focus more on the location of the property along with the number of beds it will hold and the number of value-added amenities they can include. Part of the expense is furnishing it comfortably and adding dishes, kitchen utensils and other accessories.

5) How will you manage and maintain the property?

For long-term and short-term rentals, you will need to consider whether you want to live the landlord lifestyle or turn the responsibility over to a property management company.

Many times, when purchasing in a condominium community, an on-site rental manager and/or repairman to assist you will be most beneficial. Otherwise, a property manager can provide needed expertise and around-the-clock assistance, resulting in greater tenant satisfaction and retention.

For short-term rentals, you will also need to decide whether you will be taking on the task of cleaning and prepping the property yourself between guests or hiring a cleaning service. Ask around for a good cleaning service that specializes in working with this type of rental to assist.

6) How will you find renters for your property?

You may be considering listing your property on the internet or putting the word out to your Facebook friends when you have an opening. however, it is often a better idea to work with a professional Realtor, leasing agent, or through a property management company to find well-qualified tenants who have been thoroughly screened and vetted before moving into your property. Remember, it is far cheaper to properly market a property and check out a tenant ahead of time than it is to evict someone for non-payment or repair damage from a bad renter.

7) What limitations and requirements will you put on your renters?

Will you allow pets? If so, will there

be restrictions on the size or number?

If the property is a condominium, what are the pet policies for tenants occupying the property? Will you require the tenant to maintain the lawn? Will you charge a co-pay for repairs?

Talk with your leasing agent or property manager about the policies, procedures and restrictions, and make sure that you have thoroughly read the New Jersey Truth in Renting Act Booklet and that a full copy of it is provided to your tenant.

8) What will you provide as part of your rental property?

Will you pay some or all of the utilities? Will you pay the hOA or condo fee? Will you pay for pool maintenance,

lawn care and pest control? Weigh the impact of paying some of the costs associated with property upkeep against the liabilities you will incur if the tenant does not properly maintain the home and grounds. You may find that it is more cost-effective in both the short and long term to charge a slightly higher rent and do more of the dirty work yourself.

9) What is your long-term real estate investment goal?

Do you want to add to your property portfolio? Do you want to eventually consolidate your holdings into a multifamily duplex, triplex, quad, commercial property, or perhaps a multi-unit motel? Consult with your trusted real estate professional for the advice and expertise you will need to make better decisions both now and down the road.

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!"

Fake news: April Fools hoaxes by newspapers

The Monster of Deadman’s Hole (1888)

SHORE FUNNY

Why is everyone so tired on April 1? Because they've just finished a 31-day March!

If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring? Pilgrims!

What do you get when you plant kisses? Tulips

What do you call a rabbit with fleas? Bugs Bunny

What's Irish and comes out in Spring? Paddy O'Furniture

How excited was the gardener about spring? So excited he wet his plants.

The San Diego Union reported that two hunters had killed a bizarre, half-human half-animal beast in an out-of-the-way location called Deadman's h ole northwest of San Diego. The creature was said to have the body of a bear, but stood upright like a man and had a human face. The hunters were reportedly bringing the body into the city for public exhibit. The next day the paper boasted, "throughout the day the police station was visited by a number of persons who were anxious to view the body of the strange being that was reported killed. They were told to come in next April Fool's day and see it."

Price Cut (1915)

Readers of the Boston Morning Globe could have purchased their papers for half the cost on April Fool's Day, if they had been alert. The price listed on the front page had been lowered from "Two Cents Per Copy" to "One Cent." When the management of the Globe found out about the change, they were just as surprised as everyone else. The new price turned out to be the responsibility of a mischievous production worker who had inserted the lower value at the last minute as the paper went to print.

Philly’s Sea Monster (1936)

The Philadelphia Record ran a picture titled, "Deep Sea Mon -

ster Visits Philadelphia." Although modern viewers have little difficulty in spotting the picture as a fake, it fooled many of the Record's readers.

Scottville Sinkhole (1967)

The front page of the Scottdale Daily Courier showed a photo of a large sinkhole that had reportedly formed at a busy intersection downtown. The crater was estimated to be 45 feet deep. The picture fooled many readers, despite the "April Fool" notation in the caption.

Talking Pelican (1979)

The Sunday News-Journal in Daytona Beach reported the discovery of a talking pelican, found by a Georgia tourist, Sam P. Suggins. The pelican asked him for a fish as he was walking along a dock. Unfortunately, the pelican would not talk to anyone else.

Eiffel Tower Moves

(1986)

Le Parisien newspaper reported that an agreement had been signed to take down the Eiffel Tower and move it to the new Euro Disney theme park being constructed east of Paris.

SUDOKU

ACROSS

1. *Kennedy and Ruby

6. Credit card acr.

9. Just in case

13. Yemeni's neighbor

14. Scheduled to arrive

15. *First full-disk image of it was taken in 1966

16. Alleviated

17. Wildfire remains

18. One born to Japanese immigrants

19. *"Catch-22" author

21. *Oscar-winning leading lady of "Mary Poppins"

23. Green or black beverage

24. Piercing woodwind

25. Mom in U. K.

28. ____ and drab

30. Good-for-nothing

35. *TV's Batman, ____ West

37. Figure skater's jump

39. Make happy

40. hitchhiker's quest

41. *"Wilt the ____" of pro basketball

43. Femur, e.g.

44. Cut it out

46. Away from port

47. Largest organ of human body

48. Like anti-cruelty society

50. Same as #42 Down

52. Even, to a poet

53. Roaster's spot

55. *It's the loneliest number

57. *Sam Walton's company

61. *haircut popularized by the Beatles

64. Relating to axis

65. PC brain

67. *Sting Ray and Mustang, e.g.

69. Threshing hand tool

70. *"On ____ Majesty's Secret Service"

71. Dostoyevsky's novel, with The

72. Seaside bird

73. Tibetan ox

74. Condemn DOWN

1. *hasbro's G. I.

2. Same as ayah

3. Four six-packs

4. Genuflected

5. Sashayed

6. Month of Purim

7. Abscess contents

8. Repair

9. Bear's den

10. Gaelic tongue

11. Meat and potato dish

12. Not that

15. Take to one's heart

20. ____ Grey and James ____ Jones

22. Noggin or dome

24. #24 Across players

25. *____ on Washington

26. Farewell in Paris

27. Address to a woman

29. Just a little

31. Young socialites, for short

32. Call forth

33. *Barbara Eden starred as one

34. *First American astronaut to orbit the Earth

36. Table in Spanish

38. Type of bargain

42. Best not mentioned

45. Ultimate goal

49. Slightly pointed on a hobbit

51. Pro bono

54. Scratchy's nemesis

56. Chopin piece

57. Drift

58. Rod for a hot rod

59. One with pants on fire?

60. Street in Anytown, USA

61. Darkness or gloom

62. Relating to ear

63. Poverty-stricken

66. Cause of Princess' downfall

68. Pig's home

See Solution on Page 70

THEME: THE 1960s

Let Progressive Help You! & More!

The Cosmic Connection with Ursula Duffy

Horoscopes for March 27 – April 2

♈ Aries: Speed and agility are inherent to you, Aries. Too much momentum can lead to exhaustion. Remember to give yourself a break, get off the hamster wheel, and allow time for rest and recuperation.

♉ Taurus: Birthing new creations begins with a dream. The boundaries of your imagination are about to be expanded. Allow the new depths and heights to be explored.

♊ Gemini: Sometimes, thoughts and thought patterns can be the greatest hindrance to growth. Now is the time to just say yes rather than overthinking things and holding yourself back.

♋ Cancer: Empathy is your nature, Cancer. With it comes the tendency to absorb everything around you. Protect your energy, call back your power and cut cords with intention.

♌ Leo: Is there an inner nudge you’ve been dismissing, Leo? Your inner compass truly knows the way. Lean into the nudge and trust it to guide you.

♍ Virgo: Focus on staying grounded while lovingly laying the foundation for your dreams. Infuse every brick with intention and prayer, seeding it with infinite possibilities.

horoscopes

♎ Libra: Aesthetics and beauty are important to you, Libra. Remember that these qualities exist within you as well. The more you love yourself, the more love you’ll find around you.

♏ Scorpio: how often do you pray to and connect with your ancestors, Scorpio? Although life’s journey can feel lonely and intense, you are not alone, and your sensitivity is part of your mission.

♐ Sagittarius: The drive to constantly seek and study can overwhelm the mind. Take a beat, remember the long game, and be more of a human being rather than a “human doing.”

♑ Capricorn: When was the last time you let yourself be held, Capricorn? Your constitution is as much water as it is earth. Deep replenishment is calling you.

♒ Aquarius: Get out of your head and into your body. External influences can distract you and make you second-guess yourself. Stay true to you.

♓ Pisces: You know in your heart that there’s a deeper meaning in everything, Pisces. Trusting your heart builds confidence from the purest source.

Weekly astrology summary:

This week and the end of March deserve a reversal of the adage “in like a lion, out like a lamb.” We’re going out with a bang and more like a ram, no fooling! The first major cosmic event this week is the Aries new moon/partial solar eclipse on Saturday, March 29, at 6:57 a.m. This new moon features an emphasis on both Aries and Pisces. Watch the sunrise if you can and soften into your heart and inner knowing as the light pierces the horizon, connecting us to the threshold

between night and day. We may be able to catch a glimpse of this partial eclipse at sunrise here in the Northeast. Check timeanddate.com for details and information. The second major cosmic event occurs on Sunday, March 30, when numinous Neptune dips into the zodiac sign Aries for the first time in any of our lifetimes. It will tread between Aries and Pisces into next year. This is a much different energy relative to Neptune’s time in Pisces since 2011. Passions, compassion, spirituality, connection and our sense of the unknown will become ignited in bold, new ways. The third set of shifts this week is the transition of both retrograde planets, Venus and Mercury, back into Pisces. They will lap Neptune along the way back, resuming a dreamier, calming vibe. Our connection to these events may be instilling in us more sensitivity and a greater sense of confusion than usual. Be in the moment and give yourself extra space and grace for stillness, rest, creativity and dreaming. 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 my Ursa Alchemy YouTube channel or cast your own birth chart for free on astro.com.

Ursula Duffy is a Professional Astrologer, Certified Aromatherapist and founder of Ursa Alchemy. Find her astrology readings and astrological aromatherapy services, teachings, podcast, get in touch and more at www.ursaalchemy.com or ursaalchemy@gmail.com.

Brigantine’s beacon

The Brigantine Lighthouse was built in 1926 by the Island Development Real Estate Company to attract people to Brigantine Beach Island, the newly popular beach town nicknamed "the Twin Resort of Atlantic City". Their slogan was "come to the lighthouse".

It was never an operating lighthouse, but it did serve other purposes for the resort. In the 1930s, the Brigantine Lighthouse became the town’s police station. The tiny building could accommodate the city’s few officers. If they had a call, they'd turn the light on which would alert officers to return to the station.

shop and in the '70s was the original location of the historical Museum.

The steel door of the holding cell is on display at the historical Museum located just 100 yards away. The lighthouse also served as a gift

The lighthouse fell into disrepair in the early 1990s. A group of volunteers and construction companies answered the call, refurbishing the building in 1995 and again in 2013. The lighthouse has survived numerous storms including the Great Storm of '62 and h urricane Sandy in 2012.

Absecon/Belaire