Atlantic City Weekly

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Would you believe that the Third Annual Atlantic City Air Show will be held in just seven weeks? A year has passed by too quickly. This year's show will be held on Wednesday, August 31 from 11am-3pm.

In just two years the Atlantic City Air Show has become the second-largest air show on the East Coast, surpassed only by the Ft. Lauderdale Air Show, which draws more than a million people over its two days. The AC show drew a record 400,000 people last year and may surpass that number next month.

For those who think there's no reason to go this year because they saw it all last year, I am happy to inform you that 50 percent of the Atlantic City Air Show 2005 will be new to former viewers.

Have you ever seen a stealth bomber? I did. One morning while walking on the Boardwalk, at Florida Avenue, I looked up in the sky and over Boardwalk Hall flew this gigantic airplane in the shape of a bat. I had a scary feeling before realizing what it was; then I was thrilled to have had the privilege of seeing it. Its altitude was quite low and gave me the opportunity to see many of its features. It turned south and flew downbeach before it finally disappeared from view. It gave me a sense of confidence knowing that we have an aircraft like the B2 stealth bomber in our air force.

Not only will we have a B2 stealth bomber at the AC Air Show, we will also have a stealth fighter aircraft, which I have never seen. Those who saw Arnold Schwarzenegger in the movie where he jumped from what looked like a helicopter onto an automobile may not have known that it was actually a Harrier aircraft. It's a jet aircraft that can fly horizontally or vertically. It will also be in this year's show and will demonstrate its capabilities.

We will also have a fly-over by the C5A, the largest airplane in the United States Air Force, and the F18 Hornet, in this year's show.

Last year, there were a couple of civilian airplanes that put on demonstrations that were quite exciting. This year, there will be four civilian airplanes participating. They will all be doing some unusual and exciting flight demonstrations. A man who is a diabetic and has been traveling around the nation conducting a "Flight for Diabetes" campaign will fly one of the planes. He has teamed with AtlantiCare to conduct several lectures in the area to teenage diabetics to let them know they are capable of doing anything they set their minds to, despite their disease.

The show will, once again, begin with members of the Army's Golden Knights parachuting from the sky carrying the American flag and landing at "Air Show Central" - Florida Avenue and the beach. Once again, this columnist wants to remind you that Tuesday, August 30, there will be a run-through of the show over the Boardwalk and beach. It is done to get the pilots familiar with the show area in the sky and its dimensions. More information of interest on the 3rd annual Atlantic City Air Show will be presented here in the next few weeks.

Time to Stop Boardwalk Flea Markets

Over the years, Atlantic City has permitted flea markets to be held on the Boardwalk. In the past, they raised money for various charities, but lately have raised money for individuals who are able to get approval for their flea markets, many of which have become nuisances.

These individuals come to the Atlantic City Boardwalk with people from outside of the area who make a living selling various types of merchandise. They come on the busy weekends, and sell merchandise that is available in various Boardwalk shops.

The Boardwalk merchants pay property taxes, pay their employees and pay the sales tax on the merchandise they sell. The flea market merchants pay no tax to the city, generally hire no employees and, in most cases, do not collect or send sales tax collections to the State of New Jersey, a direct violation of the sales tax law. Some even sell knock-offs of name brand merchandise, or bootlegs. In most instances, they leave the Boardwalk in a deplorable condition after a day of selling.

Consumers cannot return defective merchandise either, as the people who sold it to them are long gone. They also sell artwork, but the items are not juried works and most are prints available in some Boardwalk stores. After a lengthy discussion, the Atlantic City Boardwalk Committee, for the protection of the Boardwalk merchants' businesses, decided to ask the City Council of Atlantic City to create an ordinance that would do away with flea markets on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. A presentation was made to Council two weeks ago. Yesterday July 13, too late for publication), it was to vote on a new ordinance that would eliminate flea markets from operating on the Boardwalk. If approved, it will come up for a second and final reading on Wednesday, July 27.

Pinky's Bobble Heads

After a three-week journey across the Pacific Ocean from China, and a week's ride across America in the back of a truck from Seattle, Washington, Pinky's bobble head dolls have arrived in Atlantic City. They temporarily reside in Linwood at Gilda's Club of South Jersey. Hopefully, one or more will reside in your home, business or office.

Most of those who have seen them are surprised at how neat they are. They laugh when they see them. Most are particularly impressed with how well the artists painted the colorful sweater Pinky is wearing (see photo on page 8). Each doll was hand-painted and Gilda's Club volunteers have accepted the job of getting them into the hands of those who prepaid for them.

As of this writing, $13,550 has been collected and raised for Gilda's Club of South Jersey. Sales of the bobble heads have been so good from readers, local businesses and casinos that the Gilda's Club board of directors decided to order another 1,000 Pinky bobble heads. It is hoped that the total raised will be in the neighborhood of $30,000.