Fifteen Ideas for Atlantic City – By Bill Kelly billkelly3@gmail.com (609) 425-6297
1) They started a Mob-Museum in Las Vegas with support of the FBI, but without too much community support. That museum belongs in Atlantic City, where organized crime got organized at the 1929 convention of mobsters, while Vegas didn’t get started until after WWII, by the same people who decided, at the AC meeting, that gambling should replace booze as the mob’s primary source of income after prohibition ended. The old Masonic Hall would be a good place.
2) Fix the Boardwalk Hall organ – the largest in the world, and make it a major attraction again, and let it be used for benefit concerts for non-profit organizations. http://www.acchos.org/
3) Do whatever it takes to bring back the Miss America pageant back to the Boardwalk.
4) The PGA Senior’s Tour began at the Atlantic City Country Club and there should be a PGA Champion’s Tour event at the Jersey Shore, as well as a major amateur event similar to the Sonny Fraser Tournament that was discontinued when ACCC was purchased by the casinos.
5) While the beach and boardwalk are important, the back bays of Atlantic City are not utilized as they should be by boaters, fishermen, sailors and canoe/kayaks, and the local boat construction industry has for too long concentrated on large yachts, while they also should be building smaller boats that more people can afford and use. Among the boats that should be concentrated on are Olympic class sailboats, row boats and Americas Cup Class sailboats.
6) There is a new, international circuit of America’s Cup Class catamarans that are really fast and exciting to watch, who are looking for places to race – and Atlantic City should be considered as a possible venue. While the America’s Cup is now in San Francisco, it might be raced again in Newport, and Atlantic City could be considered for the World Cup event of America’s Cup Class boats, which would be like hosting the Super Bowl of boats.
7) The America’s Cup is now back in America, in San Francisco, but they can’t seem to agree on having a regatta there, so Atlantic City should put an offer on the table that can better Newport for the defense of the next Cup or contest for getting the World Cup race, that is held the year before and after America’s Cup and is a fleet race that includes all of the major competitors.
8) In order to attract foreign visitors, the Atlantic City Airport should make it easy for private planes to land there from Europe, and the Atlantic City Yacht basin should make it easy and encourage more visits by wealthy yachters to visit.
9) Among the attractions Atlantic City should offer is more concerts and shows, bringing back the Atlantic City Pop Festival (1969) and Atlantic City Jazz and Folk Festivals, making them city-wide events, both in and outside of the casinos.
10) The casino showrooms should make it easy for the acts to film and record their shows and sold-out shows can be presented live over the internet – or archived and viewed later, or the music downloaded and listened to shortly after the show is over – Live From Atlantic City.
11) With all of the acts that come to Atlantic City there should be full service recording studios for them to record new albums and videos, and the film industry should be encouraged to come to Atlantic City to make movies. There’s no reason why the Boardwalk Empire set had built in a Brooklyn lot, when it could have be right in Atlantic City and made into a tourist attraction when not in use.
12) There used to be over 200 liquor licenses in Atlantic City, and they should be reissued so new bars and restaurants can be opened outside of the casinos, and operated 24 hours a day – 7 days a week. Atlantic City used to be known as an “Open City” open for business all the time - AC 24-7.
13) There should be easy train and/or trolley connections between Downtown Atlantic City and the Atlantic City International Airport, the FAA Tech Center and Stockton College, though non exist at the present time.
14) There should be a high-speed, giant catamaran pedestrian only ferries that run between Atlantic City Inlet, Philadelphia, Cape May and New York City, similar to the Australian ferries used during the America’s Cup and the ferries planned for Hawaii.
15) Atlantic City should be promoted as it has always been known as an “Open City,” open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for business, for meetings, for pleasure, and try to attract those international jet setters, New York and Philadelphia pleasure seekers, and just ordinary people who want to have a good time
Monday, June 13, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
Jim Waltzer at the Ritz
Meet Me at the Ritz
A slice of time from Atlantic City's 'Boardwalk Empire' era. Nucky Johnson and the Ritz.
By Jim Waltzer Add Comment|Comments: 1 |Posted Jul. 19, 2010
http://www.atlanticcityweekly.com/news-and-views/local-history/meet_me_at_the_ritz-50738062.html
The Ritz still stands, near the Trop.
They were a pair the envy of any Hollywood scriptwriter. The tall elegant boss man with a penchant for hand-tailored suits and a stranglehold on power, his valet-bodyguard wider than he was tall and loyal to the last detail.
Enoch "Nucky" Johnson, treasurer of Atlantic County, ruled the rackets and the Republican Party in Atlantic City. Former cabbie Louie Kessel ordered his master's life. Home base was the posh Ritz Carlton Hotel at Iowa Avenue and the Boardwalk. It was the Roaring 20s and life was good. Nucky had breakfast with an ocean view. Louie handled the wardrobe and daily rubdowns.
Some of Nucky's guests were better known for rubouts. In 1929, when crime lords from across the land gathered in Atlantic City to sort out their differences, Nucky installed the likes of Al Capone in suites at the Ritz, or perhaps at the nearby President, spiking the ambience with a generous supply of bootlegged liquor and female companions. The seashore kingpin leased the entire ninth floor at the Ritz, where it was said he kept one closet stuffed with cash. He was a soft touch for both bigshots and people down on their luck until the IRS nabbed him and his signature red carnation in 1938.
The Ritz, though, coninued to dazzle in the sunshine.
The red-brick rectangular structure had opened at a cost of $6 million in June 1921, its prestigious name promising a new era of splendor by the beach. The grand hotels along the Boardwalk had all -- except for the Claridge, which would come nine years later -- been operating for years when the Ritz added its profile to the Atlantic City skyline. A gala party marked its debut, and with Nucky regularly entertaining political, showbiz and gangland celebrities, the Ritz was party central for many years. New York's natty Mayor Jimmy Walker favored the Ritz, as did seashore perennial Sophie Tucker. Metropolitan opera star Lawrence Tibbett serenaded Boardwalk audiences by belting arias from his beachfront suite.
Big-dollar card games added to the hotel's lure and lore.
Two decades later, the stakes had changed. Starting in 1942, the Ritz Carlton served a three-year hitch for Uncle Sam, as did its fellow beachfront hotels -- the Army Air Force had commandeered the town for training. In the fall of 1945, AAF Redistribution Station No. 1 restored private ownership to the Ritz, but the world had changed. In the 1950s, new motels grabbed the budget-conscious, while expanding jet travel ushered high-rollers to distant destinations. The Ritz and the city lost their luster. In 1958, giant hotelier Sheraton purchased the Ritz Carlton for just $4.25 million. In 1969, the hotel converted many rooms to apartments; two years later, it was all apartments.
The building still stands at Iowa and the Boardwalk. Gone are the rooms -- all on one floor -- dedicated to pantry service. No longer does a special elevator take patrons in bathing gear down to beach level and back up. There is no Merry-Go-Round Bar to spin guests packed under a canvas awning. And up on the ninth floor, the powerbroker is long gone from his perch overlooking the ocean, during a time when sin was a commodity and life a carousel.
Jim Waltzer's Tales of South Jersey, co-authored by Tom Wilk, is published by Rutgers University Press.
A slice of time from Atlantic City's 'Boardwalk Empire' era. Nucky Johnson and the Ritz.
By Jim Waltzer Add Comment|Comments: 1 |Posted Jul. 19, 2010
http://www.atlanticcityweekly.com/news-and-views/local-history/meet_me_at_the_ritz-50738062.html
The Ritz still stands, near the Trop.
They were a pair the envy of any Hollywood scriptwriter. The tall elegant boss man with a penchant for hand-tailored suits and a stranglehold on power, his valet-bodyguard wider than he was tall and loyal to the last detail.
Enoch "Nucky" Johnson, treasurer of Atlantic County, ruled the rackets and the Republican Party in Atlantic City. Former cabbie Louie Kessel ordered his master's life. Home base was the posh Ritz Carlton Hotel at Iowa Avenue and the Boardwalk. It was the Roaring 20s and life was good. Nucky had breakfast with an ocean view. Louie handled the wardrobe and daily rubdowns.
Some of Nucky's guests were better known for rubouts. In 1929, when crime lords from across the land gathered in Atlantic City to sort out their differences, Nucky installed the likes of Al Capone in suites at the Ritz, or perhaps at the nearby President, spiking the ambience with a generous supply of bootlegged liquor and female companions. The seashore kingpin leased the entire ninth floor at the Ritz, where it was said he kept one closet stuffed with cash. He was a soft touch for both bigshots and people down on their luck until the IRS nabbed him and his signature red carnation in 1938.
The Ritz, though, coninued to dazzle in the sunshine.
The red-brick rectangular structure had opened at a cost of $6 million in June 1921, its prestigious name promising a new era of splendor by the beach. The grand hotels along the Boardwalk had all -- except for the Claridge, which would come nine years later -- been operating for years when the Ritz added its profile to the Atlantic City skyline. A gala party marked its debut, and with Nucky regularly entertaining political, showbiz and gangland celebrities, the Ritz was party central for many years. New York's natty Mayor Jimmy Walker favored the Ritz, as did seashore perennial Sophie Tucker. Metropolitan opera star Lawrence Tibbett serenaded Boardwalk audiences by belting arias from his beachfront suite.
Big-dollar card games added to the hotel's lure and lore.
Two decades later, the stakes had changed. Starting in 1942, the Ritz Carlton served a three-year hitch for Uncle Sam, as did its fellow beachfront hotels -- the Army Air Force had commandeered the town for training. In the fall of 1945, AAF Redistribution Station No. 1 restored private ownership to the Ritz, but the world had changed. In the 1950s, new motels grabbed the budget-conscious, while expanding jet travel ushered high-rollers to distant destinations. The Ritz and the city lost their luster. In 1958, giant hotelier Sheraton purchased the Ritz Carlton for just $4.25 million. In 1969, the hotel converted many rooms to apartments; two years later, it was all apartments.
The building still stands at Iowa and the Boardwalk. Gone are the rooms -- all on one floor -- dedicated to pantry service. No longer does a special elevator take patrons in bathing gear down to beach level and back up. There is no Merry-Go-Round Bar to spin guests packed under a canvas awning. And up on the ninth floor, the powerbroker is long gone from his perch overlooking the ocean, during a time when sin was a commodity and life a carousel.
Jim Waltzer's Tales of South Jersey, co-authored by Tom Wilk, is published by Rutgers University Press.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Ten Ideas for Atlantic City
Ten Ideas for Atlantic City – By Bill Kelly billkelly3@gmail.com (609)425-6297
1)They started a Mob-Museum in Las Vegas with support of the FBI, but without too much community support. That museum belongs in Atlantic City, where organized crime got organized at the 1929 convention of mobsters, while Vegas didn’t get started until after WWII, by the same people who decided, at the AC meeting, that gambling should replace booze as the mob’s primary source of income after prohibition ended.
2)Fix the Boardwalk Hall organ – the largest in the world, and make it a major attraction again. Also do whatever it takes to bring back the Miss America pageant.
3)The PGA Senior’s Tour began at the Atlantic City Country Club and there should be a PGA Champion’s Tour event at the Jersey Shore, as well as a major amateur event similar to the Sonny Fraser Tournament that was discontinued when ACCC was purchased by the casinos.
4)While the beach and boardwalk are important, the back bays of Atlantic City are not utilized as they should be by boaters, fishermen, sailors and canoe/kayaks, and the local boat construction industry has for too long concentrated on large yachts, while they also should be building smaller boats that more people can afford and use. Among the boats that should be concentrated on are Olympic class sailboats, row boats and Americas Cup Class sailboats.
5)There is a new, international circuit of America’s Cup Class catamarans that are really fast and exciting to watch, who are looking for places to race – and Atlantic City should be considered as a possible venue. While the America’s Cup is now in San Francisco, it might be raced again in Newport, and Atlantic City could be considered for the World Cup event of America’s Cup Class boats, which would be like hosting the Superbowl of boats.
6)In order to attract foreign visitors, the Atlantic City Airport should make it easy for private planes to land there from Europe, and the Atlantic City Yacht basin should encourage more visits by wealthy yachters.
7)Among the attractions Atlantic City should offer is more concerts and shows, bringing back the Atlantic City Pop Festival (1969) and Atlantic City Jazz and Folk Festivals, making them city-wide events, both in and outside of the casinos.
8)The casino showrooms should make it easy for the acts to film and record their shows and sold-out shows can be presented live over the internet – or archived and viewed later, or the music downloaded and listened to shortly after the show is over – Live From Atlantic City.
9)With all of the acts that come to Atlantic City there should be full service recording studios for them to record new albums and videos, and the film industry should be encouraged to come to Atlantic City to make movies. There’s no reason why the Boardwalk Empire set had built in a Brooklyn lot, when it could have be right in Atlantic City and made into a tourist attraction when not in use.
10)There used to be over 200 liquor licenses in Atlantic City, and they should be reissued so new bars and restaurants can be opened outside of the casinos, and operated 24 hours a day – 7 days a week. Atlantic City used to be known as an “Open City” open for business all the time - AC 24-7.
1)They started a Mob-Museum in Las Vegas with support of the FBI, but without too much community support. That museum belongs in Atlantic City, where organized crime got organized at the 1929 convention of mobsters, while Vegas didn’t get started until after WWII, by the same people who decided, at the AC meeting, that gambling should replace booze as the mob’s primary source of income after prohibition ended.
2)Fix the Boardwalk Hall organ – the largest in the world, and make it a major attraction again. Also do whatever it takes to bring back the Miss America pageant.
3)The PGA Senior’s Tour began at the Atlantic City Country Club and there should be a PGA Champion’s Tour event at the Jersey Shore, as well as a major amateur event similar to the Sonny Fraser Tournament that was discontinued when ACCC was purchased by the casinos.
4)While the beach and boardwalk are important, the back bays of Atlantic City are not utilized as they should be by boaters, fishermen, sailors and canoe/kayaks, and the local boat construction industry has for too long concentrated on large yachts, while they also should be building smaller boats that more people can afford and use. Among the boats that should be concentrated on are Olympic class sailboats, row boats and Americas Cup Class sailboats.
5)There is a new, international circuit of America’s Cup Class catamarans that are really fast and exciting to watch, who are looking for places to race – and Atlantic City should be considered as a possible venue. While the America’s Cup is now in San Francisco, it might be raced again in Newport, and Atlantic City could be considered for the World Cup event of America’s Cup Class boats, which would be like hosting the Superbowl of boats.
6)In order to attract foreign visitors, the Atlantic City Airport should make it easy for private planes to land there from Europe, and the Atlantic City Yacht basin should encourage more visits by wealthy yachters.
7)Among the attractions Atlantic City should offer is more concerts and shows, bringing back the Atlantic City Pop Festival (1969) and Atlantic City Jazz and Folk Festivals, making them city-wide events, both in and outside of the casinos.
8)The casino showrooms should make it easy for the acts to film and record their shows and sold-out shows can be presented live over the internet – or archived and viewed later, or the music downloaded and listened to shortly after the show is over – Live From Atlantic City.
9)With all of the acts that come to Atlantic City there should be full service recording studios for them to record new albums and videos, and the film industry should be encouraged to come to Atlantic City to make movies. There’s no reason why the Boardwalk Empire set had built in a Brooklyn lot, when it could have be right in Atlantic City and made into a tourist attraction when not in use.
10)There used to be over 200 liquor licenses in Atlantic City, and they should be reissued so new bars and restaurants can be opened outside of the casinos, and operated 24 hours a day – 7 days a week. Atlantic City used to be known as an “Open City” open for business all the time - AC 24-7.
Monday, March 21, 2011
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