From eco-friendly and only-for-adult ideas, to the best in new books, DVDs and albums.
Tis the season to be ... buying. If you are in the 99 percent, of course, you may not have much to spend this season, but don’t fret; there are plenty of low-priced options for holiday gift giving and we’ve listed a selected bunch below. If you’re in the one percent, you probably have someone else buying gifts for you, so make sure you ask them to refer to this gift guide. Although the holidays are about celebrating the Winter Solstice and making the kiddies happy, don’t spend what you don’t have and think about others during this time: Try to donate a portion of your gift-giving wad to a charity of your choice or donate a wrapped gift to your local Toys for Tots program.
Adult Gifts
2012 Restaurant Week Gift Certificates
While you can purchase a gift certificate for almost anything these days, including for holiday shopping at the Tanger Outlets- The Walk, the area’s casinos, and many local shops and eateries, a 2012 Restaurant Week (March 4-10) gift certificate, if ordered by Dec. 20, can be delivered in time for Christmas. You can order both lunch and dinner gift certificates at atlanticcitynj.com.
Fetish Fantasy Material Girl One-size Lingerie
$30.89. Order by phone, Mon.-Fri., 10am-4pm, toll free 1-855-649-9909. Marketed through the Atlantic City-based toysnvibes.com, an online sexually oriented adult shopping source. “Our store appeal to shoppers who warrant discretion in adult shopping, covering the needs of women, men and gay and straight couples,” says owner Chuck Miller.
Cable Bracelets from Tom Harris Jeweler
These stainless steel or sterling silver and diamond encrusted bracelets start at $125, with similar items selling for much more at other stores. Visit the manufacturing jeweler at 6504 Ventnor Ave. in Ventnor. kenyagemco.com.
Gift of Golf from Seaview Golf Resort
Just in time for the holiday shopping season, Seaview is offering gift certificates in any denomination which can be used for rounds of golf on either of their championship courses; merchandise in the golf shop or golf lessons at the Seaview Golf Academy. Gift Certificates are available for purchase in the Resort’s Golf Shop, and can also be ordered over the phone by calling the Golf Shop at 748-7680.
Ocean City First Night Buttons
Treat your family and friends to one of the greatest family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebrations in the region by purchasing your pins for Ocean City’s First Night in advance. With more than 60 entertaining programs scheduled, including three sets by the family-friendly folk duo Trout Fishing in America, the $14 entrance buttons are a steal. First Night Admission buttons are now on sale at Downtown Gillian’s, across the street from City Hall, 391-0060. You can also order buttons on line at firstnightocnj.com. Downtown Gillian’s is open seven days a week from 10am to 5pm.
2012 Showboat Bombshells Calendar
Available at all Caesars Entertainment properties (Showboat, Caesars, Harrah’s and Bally’s) this new and sultry calendar ($12) features the gorgeous women of The House of Blues Party Pit at Showboat. CLICK Here for video of the AC Weekly Bombshells cover shoot. See pics here and story here.
Books
‘Here & Now! The Autobiography of Pat Martino’ by Pat Martino with Bill Milkowski
Pat Martino may be a Philly kid, but his connection to the Jersey shore goes way back and Martino has even lived in the downbeach area. (His manager lives in Brigantine, too.) The jazz guitar player who has been hailed by every six-stringer from George Benson to Carlos Santana and Pete Townshend tells his gripping life story, including how he overcame surgery for a brain aneurism. Along with several pages dealing with Atlantic City — including a rare photo of a young Martino with his parents at the former Club Harlem, there are passages by fellow musicians, some insightful interviews and an excellent discography. ($24.99)
‘Chasing the Stargazer, an illustrated novel’ by Ronald R. Koegler
“With help from Luigi Pirandello, Nucky Johnson, and Thomas Wolfe,” psychiatrist Ronald Koegler’s new novel may be a fictional tale of pre-casino Atlantic City, but there are a lot of truths within. Koegler, who now resides in California, spent summers as a lifeguard in his native Atlantic City, and his memories flood the pages of this excellent book, which includes several chapters on Nucky Johnson. ($22.95)
‘Artisan Beer’ by local beer aficionado Gary Monterosso
An all-in-one volume for the new beer enthusiast. The book covers how beers are made, how beer styles differ, unusual beers you must try, pairing beer with food, beers that can be enhanced by aging, and much more. Due for release Dec. 16. Visit burfordbooks.com. ($16.95)
WATCH VIDEO. 
‘V Is For Vengeance’ by Sue Grafton.
The latest Kinsey Millhone mystery from the NY Times bestselling author, who has been providing terrific detective stories set in the 1980s since kicking off her alphabet series in 1982 with A is for Alibi. $15.37 hardcover from Amazon.com, $12.99 Kindle edition.
‘Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero’ by Chris Matthews
The political commentator and star of MSNBC’s Hardball has released an intriguing look at President John F. Kennedy that focuses on the influences that shaped his views on life early on through his political career. A fascinating example: As congressmen who worked together to battle communism, Kennedy admired Richard Nixon long before they became opposing presidential candidates. $14.59 hardcover from Amazon; $26.39 audio book. $14.73 from Barnes and Noble, $12.99 Nook book edition.
Home Movies
‘Star Wars: The Complete Saga’ (Blu-ray)
George Lucas’ space saga has finally been released in Blu-ray format (Amazon $89.99). If you can’t stand Jar Jar Binks, you can skip the pre-quels and purchase the Star Wars: Original Trilogy on Blu-ray for $39.99.
‘Boardwalk Empire – The Complete First Season’ (DVD)
Although it won’t be available until January, you can pre-order the full first season of the HBO drama series set in Prohibition era Atlantic City. The DVD features a plethora of bonus features, including Making Boardwalk Empire, Creating the Boardwalk, a Speakeasy Tour with cast members, the 30-minute doc Atlantic City: The Original Sin City, and audio commentaries. ($37 on DVD)
Click here for AC Weekly's Boardwalk Empire page.
Richard Jeni – ‘The Beach Crowd’ (DVD)
The late comedian Richard Jeni was a favorite act in Atlantic City before his suicide in March 2007. Via RichardJeni.com fans can get a glimpse of the man behind the stage act with 75 minutes of mostly never before seen footage. Jani shares his thoughts on a variety of topics and is presented “as a gesture to the fans who kept Jeni a hot act for 25 years,” according to his Web site where the DVD can be ordered for $18.99.
It’s that time of year when we are joyous about having days off, but at the same time dreading the almost forced family time. Most of us would love to take a holiday vacation, get away from our daily routines and experience new sights and cultures, but during this time of year we are stuck in holiday-related traffic and stressing out about superficial things. Don’t lose sight of the fact that although it’s tough to get along with everyone, especially the odd family members that you just can’t relate to no matter what you do, that you are spending time together because deep down it is a “ritual of reassurance,”...
In a “news” box on the upper right side of the Archeophone Records home page, there’s a list of the songs played thus far in the first two episodes of HBO’s 'Boardwalk Empire,' set in 1920s Atlantic City.
Early in the premiere episode of HBO’s Boardwalk Empire, a crowd of dapper Atlantic City movers and shakers, partying well into the night in a spiffy supper club, make a familiar countdown, cocktail glasses held high...
HBO has uploaded the approximately 14-minute behind-the-scenes documentary "The Making of Boardwalk Empire," which premiered...
As a movie junkie, I enjoy giving and receiving movie gifts at the holidays so I’m always on the lookout for movies that are either finally being released on DVD format, or classics that are available in Blu-ray for the first time. Here are some titles and collections that have caught my attention as excellent movie gifts.
� TIS THE SEASON TO search for great holiday gifts. As a professional movie junkie, my thoughts always turn to outstanding flicks on DVD to give as stocking stuffers. A great movie is a great movie, but a great movie is even better if it has superior extras in the package. For example last year I was given Pulp Fiction, which included special material called "Pulp Facts," including extensive interview material with Quentin Tarantino. The extras made the experience even better. This year's hottest DVD release is the original Star Wars trilogy, out on DVD in a four-DVD release chock-full of extras. While some fans complain that George Lucas keeps tinkering with his beloved classic, I say, if you want the original films as they were, they are out there on videocassette. Personally, I love that Lucas is working towards making his soon-to-be six-film saga fit together seamlessly. To seek true perfection, he would just need to figure out a way to eliminate Jar Jar Binks altogether. The best film ever made from a Stephen King novel is The Shawshank Redemption now out in a 10th anniversary special edition that includes two making-of documentaries, the comic spoof Sharktank Redemption and commentary by writer-director...
Article:
New in June: The Social Concert Series
Article:
Laughing with George Lopez
Article:
Parrothead Paradise: Margaritaville to Debut at Resorts
Article:
Fight Night at Boardwalk Hall
Article:
Adrenaline Rush
Article:
Interview with KOOL 98.3's Mary Walter
Article:
Rush to the Taj
Article:
Stacy Lewis Eager to Defend Her ShopRite LPGA Title
1. rkoegler said... on Dec 8, 2011 at 12:46PM
“Thanks for the review of my Atlantic City novel, "Chasing the Stargazer." Read more at my website, www.chasingthestargazer.com to find out what a "stargazer" really is, read other reviews of my novel, and view a TV interview of the author (me), plus pictures from the novel. My novel includes the Mafia, murder, some sex, the real Nucky Johnson, and lifeguard life.”