September Issue Part One

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Mob Talk: 20 Questions with George Anastasia

Mainland Coach Bob Coffey Chases the Perfect Season

Who Needs Napa? A Tour of Cape May’s Top Wineries

Sinatra’s Right-Hand Man, Back to School at Stockton & ACCC, Dolphin ‘56’ & The Prince of Ducktown

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What’s inside this month: 7

the raw feed

10 Bob McDevitt Blasts The UAW 11 Everybody Loves A Fighter: An Editorial By James J. Leonard Jr.

simple. seasonal. sensual. The Boardwalk Journaltm is published by Boardwalk Media Group, LLC, ©2009 all rights reserved

James J. Leonard Jr., Esq. President/CEO

13 Shore Memorial Hospital’s Quick Care Centers 14 A Few of Michelle Dawn Mooney’s Favorite Things 15 Geator Gab 16 ‘Jilly’: A Look at Sinatra’s Right-Hand Man 17 Waves of Change by Liane Levenson,

Creative Director Ginny Leith

Copy Editor Lee Carroll

CEO of the Levenson Family

18 Johnny X: The Prince of Ducktown .. B oa on. acti r 20 Mob Talk: 20 Questions with George Anastasia rdwalk Journal s o f y uper-hero Don Hurley read 26 Taste of The Quarter Pictorial 27 Scott Neustadter: From Margate to Hollywood 28 On the Scene 32 Best of the Beach: 119 South Sacramento Ave., Ventnor 34 Chris Alexander: Building and Maintaining Quality in Construction & Life

36 Simply Dee-Light-Ful 3 8 Dolphin ‘56’: Who Are You?

40 Walk the Walk...Shop the Shops 43 Harrah’s H.E.R.O.’s Boogie Nights: A Place for All Ages

44 Positivity in Business 46 Who Needs Napa?: 50 Higher Learning: A Look at Richard Stockton College 52 ACCC: Diversity in Career Advancement 54 Coach Bob Coffey Chases the Perfect Season 56 The Betson Connection 2009 High School Football Preview 57 Bobby D. Talks Fantasy Football 60 DJ AM – Dead at 36 Still Flying: Country Star Sara Evans

61 Great Atlantic City Restaurants

Features Writers Don P. Hurley Beverly Bird Regina Schaffer Jason Smedley Chuck Betson Danielle Davies

Featured Columnists Michelle Dawn Mooney Gary Hill The Geator with the Heater

Contributing Writers Tina Leonard Veronica Dudo Bob Downey Judy DeHaven Brian Hickey

traditional dishes creative cocktails

International Gaming Advisor & General Counsel Lloyd D. Levenson, Esq.

Trademark & Copyright Counsel

happy hours

Joseph L. Youngblood iii, Esq.

Distribution Island Hopper Distributors Matthew Leonard 1200 Atlantic Avenue | Atlantic City, New Jersey 08401 (609) 345-0500 | www.Boardwalkjournal.com boardwalkjournal@gmail.com

On the Cover: Maxine Daniels (far left) from McCullough Models in Margate photographed at The Walk on August 27, 2009 by Ginny Leith.

4 | The Boardwalk Journal

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the raw feed Donald Trump’s chances of hearing the words, You’re Re-Hired, hit a snag recently when a federal bankruptcy judge in Camden ruled that bondholders can make a competing bid for the bankrupt Trump Entertainment Resorts Inc., the parent company for the Trump Plaza, the Trump Taj Mahal and the Trump Marina. Trump attempted the ‘Art of the Steal’ by proposing a $100 million buyout for the company, while bondholders have put together $175 million. Given the city’s ever increasing slumps in gaming revenue, having the flamboyant Trump triumphantly return to a city he helped develop could be the kind of stimulus Atlantic City needs.

Speaking of triumphant returns, Harrah’s Entertainment recently announced that Atlantic City native and casino industry veteran Don Marrandino will leave Las Vegas and return home as the President of the company’s Eastern Division, overseeing its Atlantic City casino hotels, which include Harrah’s, Caesars, Ballys Park Place and The Showboat. The 50 year old Marrandino will replace outgoing Harrah’s chief J. Carlos Tolosa, who is scheduled to retire later this year. Industry insiders expect Marrandino to bring an infusion of energy to Harrah’s, much like Larry Mullin did when assumed the helm at The Borgata.

James J. Leonard Jr., Esq.

Bayshore Rebar, a Pleasantville company owned by Joseph N. Merlino and his mother Phyllis remains embroiled in a 20 year old licensing dispute with the Casino Control Commission over alleged organized crime ties. To our knowledge, neither Merlino have ever been convicted of a crime and should be granted the opportunity to receive a license and bid on casino construction jobs.

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Former resort powerbroker Craig Callaway could be in a halfway house by Thanksgiving, as he wraps up his 40-month federal prison stint for accepting bribes when he was the city’s most powerful politico and the President of City Council. However, if Attorney General Anne Milgram has her way, Callaway’s brothers David, Jihad and a dozen of their pals won’t be joining him for Thanksgiving turkey. Both men, along with Callaway pal Floyd Tally are expected to stand trial this fall for their alleged roles in the Eugene Robinson sex tape scandal. In addition to that, Milgram recently announced additional charges for David Callaway, Floyd Tally and three others, stemming from allegations that the accused were involved in ‘voter fraud’ during the 2009 Atlantic City mayoral democratic primary. Trenton based sources say that an addition half dozen names could be added to the voter fraud indictment in the coming weeks. Milgram’s office has been very busy in Atlantic City over the last two months, racking up indictments against a former city councilwoman, a former city solicitor and according to various reports, has investigations opened looking into the affairs of at least two sitting council members.

(609) 345-5800

In other news, Attorney General Anne Milgram has reportedly removed Atlantic County Prosecutor Ted Housel as a friend on Facebook.

www.LeonardLawGroup.com September 2009

The Boardwalk Journal | 7

Harrah’s Hero Story

Local 54 Boss Blasts UAW By Jason Smedley

Bob McDevitt

Inanunprecedentedand extremely bold move, UNITE-HERE LOCAL 54 President Bob McDevitt unambiguously, harshly and publicly criticized a fellow union, The United Auto Workers.

McDevitt recently made his public plea and direct attack against the UAW in an exclusive interview with Harry Hurley on the “Hurley in the Morning� radio program on WIBG 1020 Radio. The UAW has been embroiled in a highly negative and much publicized public campaign against Harrah’s Entertainment regarding their efforts to garner a new employment contract for dealers at both Caesar’s and Bally’s Atlantic City casino properties. “I’ve bitten my tongue for quite a while now. I have no choice but to take a public stand against the UAW,� said McDevitt, leader of the city’s most powerful union. “They’re not just attacking the two properties involved, they are aggressively telling people not to come to Atlantic City. I refuse to sit back and watch them burn this city down.� While one union attacking another union is generally frowned

upon, McDevitt has no regrets. “My children may want to live here in the future. I can’t sit back and allow the UAW to destroy Atlantic City,� said McDevitt, “Enough’s enough.� The UAW has spent millions of dollars on television and radio advertisements in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and beyond. The ads have become increasingly negative as this protracted collective bargaining process has gone along. The UAW had a strike vote. They have touted that 97% of the dealers authorized the strike, however, it should be noted that the 97% is deceiving because very few dealers actually voted. The UAW won’t reveal the number of votes cast, but, well placed Boardwalk Journal sources have confirmed that less than 15% of the dealers actually voted. So, it’s not really 97% ... it’s 97% of 15% of the dealers. There are 700 total dealers. In addition to the ‘cooked’ numbers above, there are quite a few myths to debunk about this controversy. First, the UAW proclaims that Harrah’s has taken health benefits from dealers. Not true. Claims made that dealers have been demoted. Not true. Accusations that dealers hours have been cut. Not true. That dealers have lost retirement benefits. Not true. That the Harrah’s CEO got a $ 15 million dollar raise to $ 40 million a year. Patently untrue. The CEO has actually reinvested his own personal money into the

company as a show of support and commitment. Another Big UAW lie is that Harrah’s is stalling the contract talks. This is beyond bogus. Harrah’s had made many good faith offers to resolve the contract negotiations. We are presently witnessing the nastiest tactics every employed in the more than 30-year history of gaming in Atlantic City. McDevitt came forward in a bold and decisive manner because he is genuinely concerned that the UAW is trying to literally destroy Atlantic City. In a breaking news announcement, Boardwalk Journal sources have learned and confirmed that other unions are preparing to join McDevitt against the UAW in an effort to show solidarity for Atlantic City’s embattled gaming industry.

Radio Personality Harry Hurley

Atlantic City has changed greatly in recent years. Yet Angelo’s, located in the Ducktown section of Atlantic City, is a restaurant that has endured and ourished for three generations of Mancuso’s - since 1935 - making this restaurant an institution in Atlantic City. More than seventy years of dining excellence have made our homestyle Italian menu age like a ďŹ ne Italian wine. Through the years, Angelo’s has become a perennial gathering place for friends and a haven for the hungry. We hope you ďŹ nd your dining experience with us a most pleasurable one. Bon Appetite! The Mancuso Family

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Everybody Loves a Fighter Everyone loves a fighter - that guy who won’t stand down, who digs in his heels to support what he believes in, who won’t be pushed around. Everyone, that is, but the guy who’s trying to push him. Harrah’s Entertainment is proving to be a fighter. And the United Auto Workers union is not pleased. Though it began quietly, the fight between Harrah’s Entertainment and UAW has actually been going on for over two years. A lot of us were unaware of it at first, before all the billboards and the media blitz began. This union campaign was much more important to the dealers and to the slot technicians working for the megacompanies who own our casino hotels than it was to the rest of us. The truth is, a significant percentage of Atlantic County residents don’t work for casinos. They don’t even work for large companies. They shuffle into small private offices with their packed lunches at nine o’clock on Monday morning and they do the best job they can for their employers until Friday. And when those employers don’t appreciate it, these workers have no one to speak up for them but themselves. “Most people do not have a union, and they take what they can get,� said a former local union boss who chooses to remain anonymous. So when this rift between Harrah’s Entertainment and UAW began two-plus years ago, yes, there were actually residents of Atlantic County who yawned. This was someone else’s fight. All the same, this fight should concern each and every one of us, because the fallout has the potential of affecting our livelihoods and our financial well-being no matter who we work for. Unions are an important slice of our American pie. And in concept, they’re a great theory. If all mistreated employees could band together against evil management, the world would be a much better place. But here’s the thing. A lot of the time, what helps employees actually hurts management. Sometimes there are external factors that need to be considered. Sometimes management is just trying to survive, and if you want to keep your job, if you really need that paycheck, sometimes you have to tighten your belt and try to survive right along with them. Back in 2007, while a percentage of workers were asking their bosses for raises, UAW attempted to seize Atlantic City. They galvanized employees of four of the city’s biggest casinos (Caesars, Bally’s, Tropicana, and Trump Marina) to vote in a series of elections for union representation. Dealers at Caesars, owned by Harrah’s Entertainment, reportedly voted four-to-one to hook up with UAW in March of 2007. This was something of an historic event and UAW promptly began trumpeting all along news outlets that the vote was a “first�. In the thirty-plus years that Atlantic City has offered casinos,

10 | The Boardwalk Journal

September 2009

the dealers had never gotten boisterous before about forming a union. When they had accomplished their mission with Caesars, UAW moved on to Trump Plaza and instigated a similar vote there. But let’s look at the real data. The vote at Caesars was 572 for representation as opposed to 128 against. So 128 employees there saw a downside to all this. The win at Trump Plaza was by an even lesser margin, 324 supporting representation as opposed to 149 against. Want more? When the dealers at Trump Marina voted, it was 183-175 against representation by UAW. And Hilton’s dealers voted 316 against representation, 268 for it. UAW boasts that they have been representing dealers and slot technicians at the casinos in Detroit for ten years now. Let’s think about this. Detroit has three casinos. We have eleven. Detroit is not surviving by virtue of their casinos. We are. Detroit has historically survived because of their auto industry – you know, the one that’s currently bankrupt, that’s costing taxpayers millions of dollars in bailouts, where jobs are being lost by the thousands, all largely thanks to UAW representation. Is this what we want for Atlantic City? The fight between Harrah’s Entertainment and UAW comes down to one very pivotal point and it is the differentiating line between greed and reason. We are in the midst of a recession. There are blogs all over the internet from dealers complaining that some of their benefits have been cut, that their raises are minuscule, and that management has been tinkering with their 401k contributions. This is because the casinos are trying their damndest to continue employing them. By virtue of the nature of the product they offer - entertainment and pleasure pursuits - our casinos are totally dependent on people being willing to part with their hard-earned money in exchange for nothing more than a good time. But the fact of the matter is that when people’s budgets get tight, they pay the electric bill first, then they think about amusing themselves. Casino revenues have been decreasing steadily and systematically since 2006, and that was before we got caught up in our nation’s current economic crisis. In 2006, we were looking down the nose at a recession. Now we’re in the throes of it. Casino revenues are off more than 15% so far in 2009. Our casinos have already been forced to cut more than three thousand jobs this year. Near as I can tell, this gives management a choice: lay people off, or keep them on so that they can continue feeding their families, but tweak some of the extras they’re giving them because they’re just not bringing in enough money these days to go all the way around. This is Harrah’s position, and it’s a viable one. In July, UAW provoked their followers into voting for a strike against Harrah’s Entertainment-owned Bally’s and Caesars. Harrah’s answer to this has been to start working on a

contingency plan to hire replacement workers. The way this is beginning to shape up, Bally’s and Caesars’ current dealers are going to be out of work for awhile. Some other guys will be filling in for them. So these other guys will be collecting their paychecks, and they’re not going to worry too much about 401k’s, their dental plans, or how many raises they might get in the next few years. They’re just going to be real happy to bring a wage home in this current economy. As for Bally’s and Caesars’ current dealers, the ones who are willing to go out on strike, UAW is offering them $200 a week to hold them over during the siege. I’m thinking that UAW must believe that their dealers have significant savings laid by, because I certainly couldn’t sustain my family on $200 per week without borrowing from that 401k that started all this. Significantly, Harrah’s Entertainment has expressed concern for their other employees as well. Over fourteen thousand people in the Atlantic City area rely on Harrah’s so that they can support their families. A disruption in the flow of normal casino business - business that is already faltering - means that revenues will be cut even more and additional layoffs may become necessary in other departments. Granted, other casino workers have been unionized for decades. But it needs to be remembered that these other unions sprang up when Atlantic City was thriving, not now when it’s on its knees. If a strike occurred now, simultaneously with Delaware attempting sports betting and up against the growth and gambling venues in neighboring regions, this fight could turn out to be Armageddon. It could cost thousands of jobs, not just those of workers who were convinced by UAW that they’re being cheated, but those of folks just watching from the sidelines and hoping that Atlantic City won’t collapse before they pay their mortgages next month. We’re in a recession and we’ve got untold competition these days. Legalized gaming is popping up in one form or another in states we never dreamed of when we first opened our casino doors back in 1978. Why, then, would we want to drag these casinos down the rest of the way? Harrah’s Entertainment is a fighter. They’re trying their best to make people see reason by taking out full-page ads in newspapers and buying up billboards. And I say, good for them. Maybe we should all think back to what Atlantic City looked like in 1975 before Harrah’s Entertainment came to town. Do we really want to go back there?

James J. Leonard Jr. Esq., President/CEO Boardwalk Media Group

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Shore Memorial Hospital Offers Two Quick Care Centers for Minor Emergency Needs SOMERS POINT—Unfortunately, accidents and illnesses can happen even when you’re on vacation or when the doctor’s office is closed. The Quick Care Center at Shore Memorial Hospital is the solution for minor emergency needs, offering convenient medical care for minor injuries that aren’t full blown emergencies but are serious enough to require medical attention. Located adjacent to Shore Memorial’s Emergency Department, the hospital-based Quick Care Center has eight patient care areas to treat common minor injuries such as sprains, bee stings and fractures. “We understand that people are hesitant to visit the ER because they believe that their injury isn’t serious enough to be considered an emergency,” says Karen Sharkey, RN, administrative director of Shore Memorial’s Emergency Department. “However, an injury could be more serious than originally thought. Triage nurses will determine if the patient should be treated in the Quick Care Center or if he needs the full resources of the emergency department.” ER staff uses the Emergency Severity Index,

a five-level triage scale to ensure that lifethreatening issues are treated first. Triage nurses assess patients’ symptoms, vital signs, medications and medical history. Patients with minor injuries and illnesses, which are rated on the lower end of the triage scale, are sent to the Quick Care Center area to be treated. Should you need to visit the emergency department, be sure to bring your photo ID, insurance card and a list of medications you are taking, including supplements and vitamins. If you do not have a list handy, bring in the medications themselves or the medication bottles for emergency department staff to see. “It’s very important be honest with ER staff about any medications you are taking. Even regular, over-the-counter drugs such as aspirin can influence a patient’s condition,” says Sharkey. In addition to the hospital-based Quick Care Center, Shore Memorial also offers a freestanding Quick Care Center in Egg Harbor Township. Located in Harbor Village Square on the corner of Ocean Heights Avenue and Zion Road, the Egg Harbor Township Quick Care Center is currently treating patients ages six

Shore Memorial Hospital offers a hospital-based Quick Care Center in Somers Point and a freestanding Quick Care Center in Egg Harbor Township to treat minor illnesses and injuries.

and older. This facility also provides laboratory studies, X-rays and EKG exams. The hospital-based Quick Care Center is open seven days a week during peak hours. Co-pays and charges are equivalent to an emergency room visit. For more information call (609) 653-3515 or visit www.shorememorial.org. The freestanding Quick Care Center in Egg Harbor Township is open Tuesday to Friday with varying hours. Primary co-pays apply. For more information, call (609) 927-8069 or visit www.shorememorial.org.

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The Boardwalk Journal | 13

As I’m writing this, there are only a few more cherished days of August left. And by the time you read this, kids will be back in the classroom, NBC 40’s high school football feature ‘Friday Night Blitz’ will be in full force, and beach block parking will once again be readily available in shore towns up and down the coast. Where did the summer go?

Great place to grab a cup of coffee – Magic Bean Cyber CafÊ, 31 Perry Street, Cape May:

While the season seemed to fly by, it was filled with great food, great friends, and great experiences. Yes, summer is gone (at least unofficially, until the 22nd ), but it leaves some great memories behind. So, as a tribute to the ‘South Jersey Summer of 2009’, I’ve decided to take a break from storytelling and share with you some of my favorite things‌things I’ve discovered in the last few months.

Great place for a light bite and a little entertainment – Malelani CafÊ, 5205 Atlantic Avenue, Ventnor:

Don’t get me wrong. For every pick, there are a dozen others that would no doubt fit the bill, too. But these are the few that I was lucky enough to find!

I know I’m going to get some flack here from people who will insist that ‘their’ coffee rules, but a good cup of coffee is a good cup of coffee‌and I highly recommend that you at least try a vanilla latte here‌one of the best I’ve ever had! Not to mention the idea of being able to check out the unique shops in the area while you sip away!

What a pleasant surprise! After a trip to the beach, a friend and I stopped by here for a light lunch and we were in seventh heaven. Between the pita bread with hummus and tapenade, and the exotic tea flavors, this was definitely a great find. There’s live music on Wednesday nights, and Saturday is open mic night‌for those brave enough to take the spotlight.

Great place for produce and pies and breakfast – Red Barn CafĂŠ and Pie Shop, 375 Route 206, Hammonton: It’s worth the trip! They serve up a great breakfast and/or lunch. As for the pies, they weren’t featured on the Food Network for nothing! Trust me. Great place to pick up a floral ‘pick-me-up’ – Art of Flowers, 3913 Ventnor Avenue, Atlantic City: Okay, a number of people say that flowers are a waste of money because after a few days, they just die. While yes, that is inevitable, there is still something special about coming home to fresh flowers on the coffee table, or dropping off a small bouquet for a friend. If you can’t decide on your own, ask Becky to pick something out. She never misses! There you have it, an ode to summer - at least mine. And while parting is such sweet sorrow, there’s still the hope of what autumn will bring‌

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By Jerry Blavat

THE ‘GEATOR’ STILL GOLD AFTER 50 YEARS A TRIP DOWN MEMORIES LANE WITH JERRY BLAVAT

Greetings and salutations to all you folks who love the Boardwalk Journal -- especially my pal James Leonard Jr., president and CEO, who along with his fabulous staff have done a tremendous job introducing this new magazine to you folks. It’s really the nitty gritty when it comes to local happenings and local people, and I’m delighted to be able to report to you once more. So now that September is here, let’s recap some of the wonderful folks who were a part of Memories and the shore scene this summer. Of course, it started off with lots of birthday parties. My buddy Joe celebrated his birthday, and we can’t forget the big party for Patti Lees at Lucy the Elephant in Margate, catered by none other than my pal Doug Fraser and his lovely wife, Gail. Most of the folks who attended the birthday bash at one time or another have been at Memories. Talking about George and Patty Siganos, Beth and John Turchi, Herb Lipson and the lovely Carol Saline, former Senator Bill Gormley and his lovely wife, Ginny, and so many others. And one of the great highlights for the month of August was when we did a special night at the Linwood Country Club, again seeing all you folks who have been a part of the magic of Memories -- Dick & Barbara Dilsheimer, Steve Benjamin and Joy Brokaw, Allan & Sherry Witman, Justice Bruce & Carole Kauffman, and one of my all-time favorite folks, Phil Juliano. And, of course, when I finished that gig, I jumped over to Memories for the big party in progress for Bobby & Gayle Horn’s lovely daughter, Jullian. In attendance, Chuckie Wiener, alias Bugsy Siegel, with his Virginia Hill, Steve Tepper and Steve Pepper, along with Harvey Spears, the king of the Philadelphia parking lots, and Steve, the prince of steaks from Philadelphia. August was absolutely stellar. We saw Pete Ciarrocchi and his lovely Lisa, Geno and Gary Barbera, Butchie & Joanie Buchanico of the Eagles, Congressman Brady, the Honorable Ron Donatucci, who celebrated wife Stephanie’s birthday. And of course we can’t forget the kids from South Philly – the folks from Cannuli Sausage, the kids from Cacia’s bakery, and the brothers, Justin, Anthony, and Sean, who along with Adrian have been the terrors of the dance floor. And, of course, the fabulous Geator Gold Dancers. And a special hello to a local idol, Bubba Mac, who does his thing like no one else on Thursdays at the Atlantic City Country Club. I’ve had the pleasure to appear with him once a month when we do our live broadcast on Cruisin’ 92.1 from

5-7 pm, and we’ll do it once again on Thursday, September 17. And we can’t forget Doctor Baldino and his lovely wife, Carrie. The Admiral and his wife, Linda. The Mighty Quinn. The Farbers. The Kuehnles. Ray & Charlotte. Maddalena and the gang, including Fortunato Perri. A shoutout to our favorite dancers from Vineland and Hammonton area, and also to Dr. Karl and the lovely Betty Schaffer, who do such a great job managing the Society Hill Towers Swim Club. And a very special hello to Charlotte McLaughlin and the Longport kids, including Charlotte’s lovely daughter, Maria Sisofo. In closing, what a wonderful summer it was, with a special nod to my buddy Jimmy Bennett at La Costa in Sea Isle City, where for 13 years we’ve had the number one jam sessions, from 4-8 pm on Sundays. We’ll still be doing special appearances there during September and October, and of course for the month of September we’ll also do some one-nighters at the Lighthouse Pointe in Wildwood. Check geator.net to find out when and where.

And before next summer begins, join us for a once-in-a-lifetime event, the Malt Shop Memories cruise in May of 2010 -- which will be here before you know it -- with the biggest selection of stars of any oldies cruise, including Frankie Avalon, Little Anthony & the Imperials, and many more. Call 877-223-7030 or go to MaltShopCruise.com to book while there’s still room – and remember to use the promo code JERRY on line or mention the Geator in order to enjoy the exclusive dance parties, meet-andgreets with the stars, a chance to win $500 in casino chips on board, and other benefits available only to those who are part of the Geator’s group. Remember, wherever you are, you can hear us on the internet on wvlt.com weekdays from 5-7 pm, and on Saturdays from 6-7 at xpn.org for the Geator’s Rock & Roll, Rhythm & Blues Express. Again, check geator.net for all the details and for all our special dates. Thanks for a great summer. Hope to see you in the fall – and remember at all times to keep on rocking, ‘cause you only rock once.

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A Look at Sinatra’s Right Hand Man By Don P. Hurley Jilly Rizzo is a truly colorful individual with a storied history, and that story has recently been captured in a new book by noted author Scott Allen Nollen, with the participation of Jilly’s sons, William and Joseph Rizzo. While it’s true that the book establishes the close relationship between Jilly Rizzo and Francis Albert Sinatra, it also makes it clear that Jilly was ‘his own man’ long before meeting and becoming brothers with ‘Ol’ Blue Eyes’. On Sunday evening, August 16th , I visited Memories in Margate for a Jilly Rizzo book-signing held at the famed club on Amherst Avenue where many musical and entertainment greats have spent long summer nights. Appearing at the signing and unveiling of the new book Jilly!, were his son, Willy ‘The Broom’ Rizzo, longtime family friend Johnny Pizza, Jilly’s personal photographer Calogero Farruggia, and Sinatra’s one-time bodyguards, retired Atlantic City police sergeants Merrill Kelem and Bobby Palamaro. I spoke with Jilly’s family and some of his old friends for a little history of his life and times. Jilly Rizzo was Frank Sinatra’s best friend. By the account of everyone I spoke to, the key to understanding Jilly can be defined in one word: loyalty. He was true blue. David Farber, a real Sinatra afficionado, said, “Everyone has a best friend in life, and Jilly was Frank’s. To have the opportunity to love Frank, you had to love Jilly first.” Jilly was already famous before he met Sinatra. He was known for operating one of the most recognized saloons in New York City, Jilly’s, on the west side of 52nd Street in Manhattan. The club was famous for its celebrity-laced crowds. Here Jilly met the most famous native ever from Hoboken, New Jersey, who would become his closest friend. Running a club may not have seemed like a natural transition for Jilly, who was raised during the Great Depression of the late 1920’s and amid prohibition laws that prohibited the sale of alcoholic beverages. He got his start in the bar business working as a bouncer in New York City jazz clubs. Jilly could fight, plain and simple. Not that he liked it, but he was good at it when it was necessary. According to another lifelong friend, Rocco Maselli, Jilly was so strong that if he needed more than one punch to end a struggle, he considered that something was wrong. Maselli added that Jilly had only two questions and one statement for troublemakers in any club he was working:

16 | The Boardwalk Journal

“What are you doin’?” “What do you want here?” And, “Get the f*ck outta’ here!” From bouncing, Jilly went to bartending, a step up in the nightclub business. Here he earned the respect of others, and that would eventually take him to owning his own club. Owning a respected club in the heart of Manhattan made Jilly Rizzo a celebrity in his own right. Here he had regular contact with some of the biggest stars in the world.

Johnny Pizza & Willie Rizzo holding a copy of ‘Jilly’

Willy Rizzo said, “I traveled the world with my father and Mr. S. Because of their relationship, I saw and experienced things that I never would have otherwise.” Willy has a transparent reverence for his father and all of his accomplishments. He beams with pride as he signs books for eager customers wanting to know more about his father’s story. Calogero Farruggia, who became Jilly’s official photographer, said, “I was so lucky to have been in the many places and included in the special times where I could capture images of Jilly and his family and friends. Photographs give us such great memories, and the ability to look back at wonderful times. I’m fortunate to have been there for so much of it.” Johnny Pizza, a longtime Rizzo family friend, said, “Jilly Rizzo was larger than life. As fortunate as he was, I saw him as humble as any man I’ve ever known. Jilly never turned his back on his friends. He was loyal to the end.” Merrill Kelem became one of Sinatra’s trusted bodyguards in the New Jersey area because of his connections with Skinny D’Amato - and with the blessing of Frank’s right hand man, Jilly Rizzo. “Jilly was funny and you couldn’t help but like him,” Kelem is quoted as saying in the book. “The way he talked, I just loved him.” Kelem and his partner, Bobby Palamaro, had a wonderful reunion with Jilly’s family and friends at this book-signing at Memories in Margate. Jerry Blavat, the owner of Memories for more than 42 years, said, “Jilly was a dear friend of mine. Other than spending time with him when the gang was in Atlantic City, we’d also hang in New York. Jilly was unique inasmuch as he never took his position with Frank seriously. Frank was his friend, as were many other people in show business, and to him Frank was just a regular guy. “I was getting ready to fly out to Palm Springs in 1992 for a birthday bash that Frank was throwing for Jilly. But unfortunately I had to fly out for his funeral instead. The many moments I shared with him, I cherish,” concluded Blavat.

ACPD legend and longtime Sinatra bodygaurd Merrill Kelem & David Farber Early in the morning on May 6, 1992 - Jilly’s birthday - he was traveling in a Jaguar to a destination that was only three blocks away when a 1991 Mercedes operated by a drunk driver blew through a red traffic signal on Gerald Ford Boulevard. He crashed into Jilly’s Jaguar, a car that he was only borrowing in order to keep the battery charged for an out-of -town friend. Jilly’s vehicle exploded into flames. It’s believed that he was killed instantly - and tragically - on his birthday, while everyone, including Frank Sinatra, was making arrangements for a big 75th birthday bash. Jilly Rizzo was a larger than life character who experienced everything on the inside with The Rat Pack, guys who were legendary at enjoying the excesses of all life has to offer. He ran successful businesses and used his good fortune to help others. Jilly was afforded the opportunity to play in Sinatra’s films and to travel the world with the most famous singer in history. He lived all the excitement and adventure that a man can experience in a lifetime. To the very end, Jilly was loyal to his friend, Frank, and to his family and many other friends. Jilly was a great storyteller, a lost art in this 21st century. His family and friends have continued a great tradition by telling his story within the pages of Jilly, Sinatra’s Right Hand Man To purchase this book, published by Vegas Broom Press, or to find more information, go to: www.JILLYSTORIES.com.

September 2009

The “Prince of Ducktown” building, inside and out, was showing its age. Exadaktilos, along with his father, Nick, mother, Sue, sister, Ana, and brother-in-law, Ari, bought the property with the intention of rehabbing and renting out the spaces.

John Exadaktilos behind the bar at The Ducktown Tavern in Atlantic City The grinning duck with the cigar that greets patrons pretty much says it all. The Ducktown Tavern, now in its fourth year as a popular corner hangout on Atlantic and Georgia Avenues in Atlantic City, has quickly become the spot to stop in, have a beer, and order from a menu that combines old-fashioned bar food with unusual ‘tavern fare’. “Our new claim to fame is the Duckbuster,” said Tavern co-owner John Exadaktilos, perhaps better known by his nickname, Johnny X. “It’s a grilled cheese sandwich, then a bacon cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato and onion, topped with another grilled cheese sandwich. For the Atlantic City Air Show alone, I must have made forty.”

There are other unique offerings, too – the Jitney Burger, with jalapeños and Monterey jack cheese, and the Ducktown Burger, topped with pork roll and cheese. Then there’s the ACPD Burger (a nod to some of the Tavern’s more frequent customers) - two burgers topped with fried onions, lettuce, tomato and cheese. Exadaktilos credits both customers and employees with coming up with the creative sandwiches and their names. “Any unique sandwiches we offer, it’s because of them,” he said. It wasn’t always this way. Just a few years ago, this corner spot was known as Callahan’s Bar and the Cup-and-Saucer Restaurant. The

By Regina Schaffer next door is now Ducktown Liquors, which opened in August. The hours of operation also quickly changed. After being open for four months, Exadaktilos realized that Ducktown Tavern needed to be a 24-hour-a-day kind of place.

Somehow, a new bar and restaurant was born.

“Atlantic City is a 24-hour town,” he said. “It’s easy. I grew up in a 24-hour diner.”

“I gutted the whole place and started from scratch,” Exadaktilos said. “It was the great mistake. We didn’t have any intention of doing the Ducktown Tavern. We just winged the entire thing.”

Exadaktilos’ father, who owns the Point Diner in Somers Point, and his grandfather, Gus, have taught him all he knows about the restaurant business. Both men came to the United States from Greece and have operated several successful diners and restaurants, including PB’s Diner in Glassboro, and the Mount Holly Diner in Burlington County.

Over a period of just nine months in 2004, the family spent eighteen-hour days tearing down walls and working with contractors to completely reconfigure the two spaces into one. New bars were built. Wood paneling was torn out to expose the original brick walls underneath. A state-of-the-art kitchen replaced a space that once allegedly served as Nicky Scarfo Sr.’s speakeasy. “During the day we were buying product, and at night we were gluin’ and screwin’,” Exadaktilos said of the renovations. “We now have the largest walk-in refrigerator outside of the casinos.” Today, the work still continues. Apartments upstairs are being completely rehabbed, and two of them will be ready to rent to tenants soon. What was once an old podiatrist’s office

Exadaktilos, who grew up in Brigantine and Linwood, has worked hard with his family to create a comfortable place in midtown Atlantic City to gather with friends over beers, share some wings, and watch a game or two on one of the Tavern’s fifteen flat screen TVs. Before the location became Ducktown Tavern, the former business was run down, and it didn’t exactly draw a crowd. Word of mouth, Exadaktilos said, has helped a great deal in turning that around, as well as becoming involved in the community. Exadaktilos has held many fundraisers in the Tavern for various causes, including Hurricane Katrina and St. Baldrick’s Day. The Tavern also sponsors a yearly golf tournament: The Sgt. Kenny Brown Memorial 8-Hole Scramble at the Mays Landing Country Club. “My biggest problem was that it used to be Callahan’s Bar,” Exadaktilos said. “But I have a very strong local base – from Longport to Margate to Ventnor. Everybody knows someone here.” That is evidenced by a quick glance around the bar. Police officers and firefighters gather at several tables for lunch. Construction workers enter and spot a friend they know. Then there’s the fire truck. Exadaktilos – who by his own admission is a fan of ‘big toys’ – purchased the fire truck from a

September 2009

Connecticut fire company a few years ago. He removed the hose and other fire equipment, painted it black, and splashed a Ducktown Tavern logo on the side. Then, he really pimped his ride. “This truck has two 40-inch flat screen TVs on the side here, satellite TV, and it holds three half kegs of beer,” Exadaktilos said. “Lots of people use it for fundraisers. Margate used it, Longport used it. We even put Santa in it at Christmastime to ride around the neighborhoods.” That spirit of community, along with a successful restaurant, is what Exadaktilos has worked for. Now he has even bigger plans. He hopes to open a second location in Atlantic City in two years. “In four years this bar has accomplished a lot,” Exadaktilos said. “And it’s not slowing down.” Ducktown Tavern is located on the corner of Atlantic and Georgia Avenues in Atlantic City. Its open 24 hours, seven days a week. There are three happy hours every day, from 11:00 to 1:00 PM, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, and from 3:00 to 5:00 AM. A takeout menu is available and the Ducktown Tavern fire truck is available to rent for benefits and events. Free parking is available across Georgia Avenue. Call 609-449-1212 or visit ducktowntavern.com.

The Boardwalk Journal | 19

20 Questions

with the Philadelphia Inquirer’s

George Anastasia

‘Blood and Honor’, the critically acclaimed Philly mob tell all was the first in a series of five books that are absolute gospel for local mob watchers and ‘Soprano’ enthusiasts alike. From ‘The Docile Don’ to ‘The Chicken Man’ to ‘Little Nicky’, ‘Crazy Phil’ and all the way to ‘Skinny Joey’ and ‘Uncle Joe’, no one, not even the FBI, knows the Philly mob like Inquirer organized crime reporter and noted author / mob expert George Anastasia. Following ‘Blood and Honor’, Anastasia blessed local mob junkies with ‘Mobfather’, ‘The Goodfella Tapes’, ‘The Last Gangster’ and ‘Mob Files’. In this Boardwalk Journal exclusive, Anastasia blesses our readers by answering twenty wide ranging questions about the local mob. You’re welcome. You have often called the Philadelphia/South Jersey mob the most dysfunctional organized crime family in America. Why is that? • I used to call it the ‘The Simpsons of the Underworld’. This was during the Stanfa/Natale/ Merlino era. But things have quieted down and gotten more circumspect in the last few years. I think that’s because the alleged boss, Joe Ligambi, has gone back to the old ways, the Angelo Bruno style, making money, not headlines. What is the most sensational mob hit in the history of the Philly mob? • The March 1980 murder of Angelo Bruno. Do we know who killed him and why? • We don’t know who the shooter was, but the consensus is that Bruno’s consigliere, Antonio “Tony Bananas” Caponigro, was behind the hit. And some think that Caponigro himself was the guy with the shotgun who blew Bruno away that night. The motive was a combination of things. Caponigro and others wanted to deal drugs, and Bruno was opposed to anyone in his organization doing that, even though he had an accommodation with Rosario and Giuseppe Gambino who were dealing heroin out of Cherry Hill. Also, there were those who thought Bruno wasn’t taking advantage of the coming of casino gambling in Atlantic City and was letting other families grab a lot of the action. Angelo Bruno has been described as a racketeer and Nicky Scarfo has been described as a gangster. What’s the difference?

• Bruno understood that you made money over the long haul and that murder was a negotiating tool of last resort. Scarfo grabbed all the cash he could with both fists and used murder as a calling card. In 1988 and 1989, the mob, then headed by Nicky Scarfo, was rocked by a series of convictions and defections. Has it ever fully recovered? • Scarfo’s reign decimated the organization. He was the antithesis of Bruno. He was both greedy and violent. Couple that with more sophisticated law enforcement techniques and the mob has been destroyed. It will always exist, but it will never be what it was. Your classic book, Blood & Honor, details the Scarfo mob era of the 1980’s. During that time, Nicky Scarfo ran the mob from his base in Atlantic City with his nephew Phil Leonetti. The Merlino brothers and Nick ‘The Blade’ Virgillio rounded out his inner circle. What became of this bunch? • Nicky Scarfo’s doing 55 years and is probably never coming out of prison. ‘The Blade’ passed away in jail. Larry Merlino died after his release as a protected witness. Salvatore ‘Chuckie’ Merlino, Skinny Joey’s father, is still in jail like Scarfo, and probably will never get out.

Nicky Scarfo

Scarfo’s son, Nicky Jr., still lives in South Jersey. What is he up to? • Scarfo Jr.’s under investigation in a big financial fraud case that stretches from Texas to South Jersey. I think indictments are coming this fall. The case underscores that old adage - you can steal more with a pen than a gun. Has the Philly mob evolved over the years into more diverse ways to make money, or are we still talking loan sharking, bookmaking, and extortion? • Gambling, loan sharking, and extortion are the major money makers. The guys who are doing other things are in the shadows and we don’t hear about them. I gotta believe that there are guys out there who are doing more sophisticated scams, but by their very nature they stay under the radar. One of your books, ‘The Last Gangster’, is about Ron Previte, a Hammonton guy with quite a background. He was a cop, he was a mobster, then he becomes an informant. How does an excop become a mobster?

• Ron Previte is probably one of the most interesting guys I’ve ever met. He said he learned more about being a crook while he was a cop than at any other time in his life. He just had the instincts of a criminal, and he used them wherever and whenever. He was a racketeer in his own right even before he hooked up with the mob. And he became an informant because he says he realized that the organization wasn’t what it was cracked up to be. Ronnie’s the classic underworld mercenary. I hear of Previte sightings all the time. Is he living out in the open in the South Jersey area, or is he tucked far away in the witness protection program? • He’s got a new identity, but he declined the Witness Program. He’s around. And at six-foot, 300-pounds, he’s hard to miss. That’s pretty ballsy, for a guy who testified against the mob to still be out on the street. What does that say about today’s mob? •W hat it says about the mob, I think, is this: First, there’s not a lot of loyalty anymore, so no one is out to avenge the guys that Ronnie put in jail. Second, Ronnie knows how to take care of himself and no one wants to risk a confrontation with him, because they know he’ll fight back. You also talk about Ralph Natale in The Last Gangster. Natale came out of prison, anointed himself boss, got a girlfriend thirty years his junior, got locked up, then became an informant. You can’t make this stuff up, can you? • Ralph Natale thought he was Don Corleone. But he really was Uncle Junior. Philadelphia’s most colorful mob boss, ‘Skinny’ Joey Merlino, is scheduled to be released from Federal prison in 2011. Will he return to Philadelphia, and if so, in what capacity? • Joey’s saying that he’s going to move to Florida. We’ll see. If he comes back to Philadelphia, he’ll slide right back into the organization. Joey never cared about being boss, so that’s not an issue. A friend of his once told me that the only things Joey cared about were ‘bettin’ and broads’. That’s probably still the case. How about the ‘other’ Joey Merlino, Joey’s cousin from Ventnor? Why is he still being hassled all these years later by the Casino Control Commission? • I just did a story for The Inquirer about the ‘other’ Joey Merlino. His lawyer says he’s being persecuted because of his name. He might be right. Joe Ligambi is the reputed current head of the mob. What is his background?

George Anastasia’s stories about the local mob can be seen in The Philadelphia Inquirer. George appears every Tuesday in a web cast called ‘Mob Scene’ on Philly.Com and every Friday on ‘Mob Talk’ with Fox Philadelphia investigative reporter Dave Schratwieser on MyFoxPhilly.Com. For more information on George Anastasia, visit GeorgeAnastasia.com. To order any of George’s five books on the Philly mob, visit Amazon.com.

• Ligambi is a former bartender and an alleged hitman for Scarfo. He was convicted of the Frankie Flowers murder, but the conviction was later overturned. He was in the right place at the right time, and when Skinny Joey and the others got indicted, he moved up to take over. At least that’s the conventional wisdom. It is no secret that Nicky Scarfo maintained close relationships with New York mob bosses like John Gotti and Vincent ‘The Chin’ Gigante when he was in power. What relationship if any does the Philly mob have today with New York? • I think New York has recognized Ligambi as boss, but most of the guys up there don’t trust many people down here because of Philadelphia’s long history of informants.

DUCKTOWN’S ORIGINAL

If we’re talking sheer moneymaking, which of the following bosses earned the most during their reign: Scarfo, Stanfa, Merlino, or Ligambi? • I don’t know about Ligambi, because his reign isn’t over. Of the other three, Scarfo probably made the most because he tapped into Atlantic City and the bartender’s union. Joey probably spent the most of all of them. Previte had a great line when I asked him to describe Merlino. He said, ‘Joey’s agenda on Monday is to get to Tuesday.’ Joey lived for the moment and loved to live well. I recently read a book that claims that a former Philly Teamster named Frank Sheeran may have killed Jimmy Hoffa. Who is Frank Sheeran, and is it possible that he killed Hoffa? • Sheeran was big in the Teamsters union out of Wilmington, and he was a close associate of Russell Bufalino, the late mob boss from Scranton. The book claims that Bufalino and Sheeran took care of Hoffa. The problem is that everybody named in the book is dead, so it’s impossible to verify anything. I think the one thing we can say with certainty is the Hoffa is not buried in Giants Stadium. I read somewhere that former mob boss John Stanfa wanted you dead. Is that true?

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• S tanfa put a hit on me because he was pissed about stories I was writing for The Inquirer at the time. You have to remember; he was born and raised in Sicily. And in Sicily, the Mafia kills prosecutors, judges, and journalists. If you’re not with them, you’re against them. I think that situation was an aberration. Killing a reporter in America creates more problems than it solves, and I think most of these guys know that. Scarfo never liked me, but I don’t think he would ever consider doing anything. The same with Ligambi. Natale and Merlino seemed to like the media attention, which is another story. They got caught up in the John Gotti/celebrity gangster syndrome. If the Philly mob was Godfather-esque under Bruno, and Goodfellas-esque under Scarfo, at what point did it become ‘The Sopranos’? • I don’t know if it’s The Sopranos or Pulp Fiction. I think the Stanfa/Natale/Merlino era a was a dark comedy, and if they didn’t have guns and weren’t shooting one another, it would have been hilarious.

September 2009

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The Boardwalk Journal | 25

From Margate to

One on One With Writer / Film Maker Scott Neustadter By Don P. Hurley

Senator Jim Whelan serving his constituents

I love the concept of a story about a local guy who makes good in Hollywood. This one involves a writer and film-maker from Margate named Scott Neustadter and his recently released movie 500 Days of Summer, now playing in theaters around America, and soon around the world. Without giving too much of the plot away, I can say that it’s been described as modern day Woody Allen, a 21st Century Annie Hall. It is a coming-of-age story that deals with the feelings and emotions of young love. And it’s a real story, because Scott has translated some of his own experiences into a semi-autobiographical love story. The movie reflects five hundred days of Summer - not the season of year, but rather a woman named Summer who has stolen Tom’s heart. Any similarities between the other end of the love interest in this story - Tom - and writer Scott are purely intentional, I’m told.

Boardwalk Journal Contributing Writer Jen Miller and Janessa Wentz, Assistant Manager at The Palm

I reached Scott in Los Angeles just before he was about to leave for Europe where his

film will be premiering before audiences overseas beginning in September. He finds this fact hard to believe.

The Neustadter family at the premiere (l) Anne, Scott, Michael, Katie and Julie Neustadter posing in front of the movie poster for (500) Days of Summer.

“It’s a story about someone’s memories, and we felt that the only way to tell the story was to piece together the fragments of memories and count them down,” said Scott. “But we didn’t count them down in sequential order because whenever somebody is endeavoring to recollect memories, you don’t necessarily do it in order, so we didn’t either.” Scott told me that he had been working in films for a while, and was honing his screenplaywriting ability in order to put his ideas to paper. “I didn’t feel that I had enough in me to write a full book, but I believed that I had enough to write a screenplay, and that’s what I set out to do,” he said. As for bringing authenticity to movie characters, Scott said, “I’m pretty sure that my parents can’t distinguish a difference between Tom, the character in the movie, and myself,” he said, laughing. “My mom’s reaction was ‘I’m so sorry all this happened to you!’” Scott assured his mother that it was only a movie. Considering the difficulties of weaving one’s way through the labyrinth of Hollywood and film-making, I think it’s a great accomplishment that a local young man has achieved the success that Scott Neustadter has with this well-made movie. About two weeks ago, I saw the film at the Frank Theater in Egg Harbor Township. Many in the Atlantic County area grew up with this theater as one of the few places to see a movie when so many other shore theaters have closed over the years. Scott’s private screening of the movie took place at the same theater.

Johni Leith and Susan Raff of Cape May County enjoy a Taste of the Quarter

Scott Neustadter signs an autographed movie poster for a fan at the premiere of (500) Days of Summer.

September 2009

“It was such a thrill to view this movie in a private screening with my family and close friends at a where I grew up watching films,” said Scott. “It was a surreal experience, taking this entire event in with everyone. I find it hard to describe.”

When I asked him about any comparison between his film and those of Woody Allen, the analogy I made earlier of a 21st Century Annie Hall, Scott said, “That’s so flattering. Annie Hall is one of my very favorite films, so to be compared to that in any way is a category that I can’t imagine being listed in. I wrote with my partner, Michael Weber, a story that was important to me. I’m still always surprised when I discover that others are interested in the story, too. It’s what you strive for, so to achieve it feels just great,” Scott said. After seeing the film and processing what I thought the meaning might be, I was left with a feeling that Scott could be attempting to say that anything is possible in this life, and maybe we just don’t recognize the events of our lives in real time. “I think the bottom line of it all is that it’s a coming-of-age story pretending to be a romantic comedy, so in that sense - as in life - anything is possible. These are the types of events that help to shape our lives,” said Scott. Delving into the film and its deeper meanings, it seems to come down to the character’s expectations of what he imagines his life to be, colliding with the reality of the situation he’s actually in. “There’s a thought I had, that it only takes one person to fall in love,” said Scott. “But just because you think its right, doesn’t mean that it is right.” Now that Scott has had the opportunity to look at this from a distance, he concluded, laughing, “I may sound like I know what I’m talking about regarding relationships and life, but in actuality I’m prepared to make the same mistakes all over again even as we speak.” Photos courtesy of Gina Flink Photography

The Boardwalk Journal | 27

On the Scene

hter Atlantic County Sheriff Frank Balles and his daug Club try Coun and Golf Kerri Lynn at the Mays Landing

Jessica McCullough Lange marries Rodney Holbert in the first wedding held at Casa Del Cielo, the 18,000 sq. foot Penthouse owned by John Schultz and Gary Hill

Tropicana President / CEO Mark Giannantonio and Atlantic County Executive Denny Levinson

Three beautiful Boardwa lk Jou

rnal fans ‘On The Scene’

at M emories in M argate

Congressman Frank LoBiondo and his wife Tina on the beach at the Atlantic City airshow

The cast of ’Fame’ at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino Assemblyman John F. Amodeo with

Mayor Lorenzo T. Langford and his wife Nynell on

the beach in Atlantic City

Dr. & Mrs. Scott Bruggeworth

Cherry Hill attorney Fred Bo ar of Atlantic City’s Finest Joh and one n Devlin ity . with Atlantic C sq E r, te ck la P ck s Ja ary A da m City Clerk Rosem

Margie & Vaughn Reale with Jim and Patti Lees and Jen Panico

Kr M ark Ka mer Bever a ge r a mer a P nd his mresident other Ly nn

‘Edd ie & The Cruisers’ star Mic hael ‘Tunes’ Antunes playing sax on the Somers Point beac h

All photos for On The Scene provided by Don P. Hurley, Gary Hill and Bill McCullough

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ONE-OF-A-KIND St. Leonard’s Tract masterpiece!! Breathtaking finishes throughout. This is a definite “MUST-SEE!” Featuring 4 flawless bedrooms, 2.5 sumptuous baths, the best of construction (no skimping here), opulent master-suite & bath w/Onyx marble, steam shower, 2 walk-in closets, custom lighting & moldings throughout, new 2-zone central, new oversized hot water heater, spectacular kitchen w/center island, top-of-the-line appliances, built-in wine cooler, chandeliers, BEST OF EVERYTHING HERE! A palace. $999,999

SPECTACULAR, TRIPLE LOT, BAYFRONT HOME IN ST. LEONARD’S TRACT! You must see this palatial property w/4 boat slips, private entrance, large, private outdoor cabana w/shower, in-ground pool, Jacuzzi, 3 or 4 BR’s, 4BA’s, master deck, massive living room w/FP, C.A. & brand new water heater! You will be the envy of all your friends w/the parties you can throw in this backyard! This is a special piece of property that is hard to come by w/jaw-dropping views from every room! Don’t miss the boat on this one! $1,799,000

YOU CANNOT BEAT THE AMAZING LOCATION OF THIS BEACHBLOCK NEW CONSTRUCTION HOME! Perfect corner home located by the library, park, restaurants, shopping, supermarket & SO MUCH MORE!! Fabulous interior featuring sparkling floors, marble, an elevator, gorgeous gourmet chef’s kitchen with granite, deck with oceanviews and all of the amenities of a drop-dead gorgeous home!! This home is priced to sell and will not last long. Live the lifestyle of the rich and famous in your new beachblock this summer!! DONT WAIT! $1,849,000

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VENTNOR OCEANFRONT CONDO

2% MORTGAGE MONEY, 30 YR FIXED LOAN, NO POINTS, NO GIMMICKS!!! CALL TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATION! The sun meets the

COME ONE, COME ALL TO SEE THIS FABULOUS 4 OR 5 BEDROOM CUSTOM BUILT YOEL HOME!!! Located in Margate’s most desirable Parkway section,

cell: 609-271-7337 VIEW OVER 400 LISTINGS AT

www.HartmanHomeTeam.com VENTNOR OCEANFRONT

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M A R G AT E BAY F R O N T

MAGNIFICENT OCEANFRONT!! This is a home most people only dream about. Warm, filled w/life & comfort, this 4BR/4.5BA sun-drenched home sits on a GORGEOUS, PRIVATE, OVERSIZED LOT, boasts new BR’s, large new modern kitchen, elevator, gleaming hw flrs, 2 cozy FP’s, slate roof, breathtaking DIRECT OCEAN VIEWS & an inspiring skyline. For those who enjoy the beauty & serenity of oceanfront living, it doesn’t get better than this! You must see this complete makeover! $2,790,000

PRICED SLASHED $300,000!!!!! BUILDER BLOWOUT!!!!!! 2% FINANCING, 30YR FIXED LOAN! Extraordinary custom beach block contemporary, located on the 3rd lot from the beach, offers ocean views and a privileged lifestyle for the right buyer. The interior quality is as clear as the view. 5 Bedrooms, 4.5 baths including 2 master-suites, gourmet kitchen w/kitchen center island, spacious great room, 2-car garage with elevator access to all 3 residence floors. UNBELIEVABLE!! $1,279,000

ASK ABOUT SPECIAL BUILDER FINANCING!! 6500 square foot, shoreline-hugging, breeze hogging Bayfront masterpiece is located at 7805 Bayshore Drive. Featuring 6 bedrooms, 4.5 opulent baths, an incredible gourmet kitchen with Viking and Sub-Zero appliances and wood cabinets. Real wood cabinets in baths too! 3 fireplaces. 1st floor master suite with jacuzzi, granite/tile spa styled baths, huge back deck, boat slip, optional pool. Riparian rights with plenty of space! Come see this masterpiece! $3,450,000

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Live on one of the BEST BEACHBLOCKS in Margate. Fall in love with this lovely 5 or 6BR/3.5BA contemporary w/gorgeous ocean views. The deck off the 2nd level provides easy entertaining & views galore. And you’re sure to love the very private back yard. This home was designed for easy entertaining & fun! The hand-made custom kitchen is less than 5 yrs old. Granite based FP in living room-- c-o-z-y! All new windows. 3-zone heat & a/c. 5 car parking. Steam shower in master. This home has it all! Call now. $2,295,000

Here’s a unique OCEANFRONT OPPORTUNITY with nothing between you and the beach. Awaken to the sights & sounds of the waves crashing right outside almost any room. This spectacular 5BR/4.5BA home features hardwood floors, a partially finished basement, storm shutters on every window, gorgeous custom tiled fireplace, parking for 6 cars, incredible wrap-around deck on two levels, accessible from several rooms. Located close to the playground, restaurants & shopping-- for the full seashore experience. Must see! $3,500,000

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STUNNING, SLEEK RANCHER!! You will not believe your eyes as you walk into this Mediterranean Gem!!! 3 bedrooms, 2 full, sumptuous baths, HUGE walk-in closet, relaxing front porch, gourmet eat-in kitchen w/granite & stainless steel appliances, and marvelous outdoor living in rear yard perfect for BBQ’s and entertaining friends. Lots of storage. Home complete w/HVAC system. Seperate living quarters allow for privacy. Everything was done right here. Call today for more information and a private showing!!! $499,000

sea in this commanding 1st lot-off-the-beach, New England style, new construction w/eternal beachfront views. Outrageous, unsurpassed, open views from front & side. 5 dramatically proportioned bedrooms including 2 master suites, 4.5 baths. Double garage w/convenient elevator access to 3.5 floors. Magnificent kitchen, cathedral ceilings, family room w/FP, large, spacious closets & backyard! $1,999,999

this lovely property features 4 large bedrooms, den, sparkling hardwood floors, a dream kitchen, garage, front porch, and custom baths just to name a few. The perfect chef’s kitchen includes 2 Subzero refrigerators, Thermador cook top, wine cooler and a sleek design you will absolute love! All the work has been done for you- come move right in. Call today! $799,000

THE PERFECT BEACH FRONT condo with beautiful ocean views!!! 3 WHOLE UNITS PUT TOGETHER! Great spacious rooms, eat-in kitchen, tile flooring! Relax on your extra large deck that overlooks the pool area, the boardwalk and the beach!! 2 large bedrooms, 2 full baths, cozy kitchen with appliances and dining area. Unit is in move-in condition. Off-street parking. The hardest decision at the Sands is whether to relax steps away on the beach, the pool deck or in your unit!! Call today for your private showing! $545,900

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PREMIUM QUALITY 3-STORY NEW CONSTRUCTION BEACH BLOCK WITH SPECTACULAR OCEAN VIEWS FROM THIS 4600SQFT HOME! Property has a gourmet kitchen w/ Viking professional series, lush granite counters, large island with built-ins and storage. Gigantic master suite with 2 walk-in closets and an unbelievable master bath. 2 large decks, perfect for entertaining and a massive great room to accompany. 2 car garage, an elevator with convenient multi-level access and just yards to the beach and boardwalk! MUST SEE!! $2,000,000

Southside Senior-friendly Upside-down 3-Story with Spectacular Ocean Views and elevator, 2-car garage, kitchen with rich tile and cherry cabinets. You’ll love the finishes! Crown molding, rocked fireplace. Relaxing Master with whirlpool, sauna, changing room, office. Wow! Private entrance on 1st floor. Your guests will rave about the 2nd floor bedroom, bath and deck! 2-zone heat & air saves $$. Love the decks with views. This is a definite MUST SEE! $699,999

BRAND NEW CONSTRUCTION - from the ground up - Townhome! Here’s a lovely 3-bedroom, 3.5 bath 3-story townhome in Crown Key. All hardwood floors, granite countertops, striking DARK WOOD CABINETS, stainless steel appliances, outside shower, 3 decks with incredible bay views and sunsets, tons of storage. Cozy fireplace. 41 foot boatslip with deep water. Oversized hotwater heater and central air. Wow! Pets are allowed. Pool. Want to change your life? Call today. $575,000

Live at THE PALMS! Amazing 4BR/2.5BA end unit with spectacular construction. Watch the sun shine through your remarkable floor-to-ceiling windows!! Spacious master suite, gourmet chef’s kitchen, wet bar, gorgeous finishes, porch, granite and tons more to see! You can’t beat this location 2 BLOCKS TO THE BEACH, close to the hottest restaurants, bay and shopping. Don’t miss out on this hidden gem. It truly is a whole new elegant lifestyle!! Call today! $729,000

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ATTENTION BOATERS! MAGNIFICENT, FULLY LOADED, OSPREY ESTATES BAYFRONT HOME!!! Do not miss this 4BR/3.5BA custom beauty featuring 2 bonus RM’s, 3rd flr game rm w/wet bar, 3400SF, 250FT ALUMINUM DOCK W/AUTO LIGHTING, 2 large decks, 2 45 FT boat lifts, cherry cabinets, GE Profile appli, FP, alarm system, 2 car garage, custom lighting, master Jacuzzi, large, spacious RM’s, home warranty, plently of storage & THE BEST SKYLINE VIEWS OF ATLANTIC CITY! This home is fit for a king & his large family!! Call today!!! $699,000

Tomorrow will be TOO LATE for this 3- bedroom, 2 -bath, 2-story charmer. Located in Margate’s most desirable Parkway section, ALL NEW features include GORGEOUS top-of-the-line eat-in kitchen w/granite, slate flooring & tile backsplash, garage door, siding, windows, refinished hardwood floors, paint AND outside shower. A wonderful backyard, cozy front porch to unwind and relax. Lovely spacious bedrooms and a special ambiance that makes this home one to cherish and love. Move-in condition! $529,000

3 Bedroom, 2.5 bath STUNNER with everything you want. Tile and marble baths, rich Walnut hardwood, granite, gorgeous Maple cabinets, open layoutperfect for parties and entertaining and there’s a great backyard to host your summer events w/a concrete patio area. Fabulous 1st block north location, just 1.5 blocks to the beach. Professionally landscaped. 2-zone heat and air saves $$. This home is a total must see and shows like new construction. Make your friends jealous today, call for your appointment!! $699,000

MUST SEE THE INSIDE OF THESE ALMOST NEW, RENOVATED TO THE STUDS TOWNHOMES!!! Beautiful & spacious w/ private one car garages, real hardwood floors, custom kitchen w/granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, back deck, lovely private garden area and SO MUCH MORE!! All this one block to the beach and boardwalk!! Close to restaurants, transportation and Atlantic City! HURRY, THESE WILL GO QUICKLY!! Southside and under $400k! You will not believe the quality here...this is unlike anything else!!! $399,000

WHAT A FIND!!! THIS IS SUCH A HIDDEN JEWEL!!! 3 Story townhome with an ELEVATOR to all 3 floors! This 4 bedroom, 3 and one half bath home is just one block to the beach, stays furnished, large rooms, lots of space, garage, deck, backyard and high ceilings!! This property is ready for you to move right into..BRING THE FAMILY! You will love this private, hidden community that very few know of in a GREAT location. Sit back on the deck and relax knowing you have made a great investment!!!!! $588,000

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