Atlantic City Weekly

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This past weekend we had the first heat wave of the year -- in the month of April. A heat wave consists of three consecutive days with temperatures 90 degrees or above. It was a delightful experience. On Saturday, I visited the Somers Point Bayfest that drew the biggest crowd in its history. They had a wonderful array of interesting exhibits and excellent food vendors. That evening, my wife and I saw an outstanding, touching and interesting movie called The Soloist. The cast was great. The notes on the screen, at the end of the film, brought forth that there are currently 90,000 homeless people in Los Angeles. The film is based on the true story of Nathaniel Ayers, a musician who becomes schizophrenic and homeless.

On Sunday morning, I took a walk on our famed wooden way and enjoyed the warm air, the hot sun and the crowds on the Boardwalk. I did not enjoy seeing how the dunes have grown and continue to block the view of the ocean and beach. There must be some way to make them lower the dunes to three feet while widening them to slow a storm's high tide. I think we need to take the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to court to battle them regarding the height of the dunes.

On Sunday afternoon I did what a lot of people did, which was stretch out on a comfortable beach chair while reading a book and listening to the breaking waves. This is my favorite summer pastime.

On Monday, I again went for a stroll along the Boardwalk and included the beach so that I could see the ocean. It looked quite appealing, but the 56-degree water temperature kept me from dipping my body into the salty brine. It wasn't as hot as the day before but it was still quite warm. It is such a good way to start the day. The rest of the day was spent preparing for and doing my radio show and then writing this column. There were a lot of things I could have written about but, as you know, I love living at the seashore and enjoying all it has to offer. I just wanted to reiterate that fact to you.

The South Jersey Cultural Alliance will hold the 14th annual Paul Aiken's Encore Awards Dinner at Bally's Atlantic City on May 18. It serves to honor the accomplishments and contributions of individuals, private foundations, businesses and government agencies for their support of the region's nonprofit arts, history and cultural organizations, and artists located in New Jersey's eight southern counties. The "Lillian Levy Standing Ovation Award" will be presented to AtlantiCare in recognition of its innovative and dynamic utilization of the arts, music and literature as an important component in healing and wellness for patients, families and caregivers.

One need only to visit any AtlanticCare Regional Medical Center to see why this fine organization is receiving this highly coveted award. The SJCA will also honor Assemblyman John Burzichelli, a strong supporter of Atlantic City and Atlantic County's activities, with a Standing Ovation Award for his ongoing support of the region's arts, history and cultural organizations. For more information or to reserve tickets for the dinner call 645-760.

A few weeks ago, I took three of my grandchildren to see Kozak the Magician in the Comedy Stop Cafe & Cabaret in The Quarter at the Tropicana Hotel Casino. It was one of the best presentations of magic that I have seen in many years. Kozak first appeared here in the mid-1980s, and his first interview on a radio show was on Pinky's Corner when it emanated from the Top of the Trop. He also received one of his first reviews of his show in this column, which he still has in a scrapbook.

Kozak was formerly a comedian who took up the art of magic. He became so good that he was booked in a magic show in Las Vegas that lasted for seven years. He has just signed a five-year contract with Bob Kephart, the owner of the Comedy Stop, to play there seven days a week starting at 6pm. Kozak has purchased a home in Margate and recently noted how nice it was to wake up with his windows open and hear the birds singing and the ocean waves breaking.

Kozak's show is beyond description, as he does so many wonderful magical illusions. One of the best was when he took a large sketch pad and drew a bowling ball. When the drawing was completed a bowling ball dropped on the floor. That was magic. He also does many audience participation numbers that you will enjoy. He played to the children and they loved him, as I believe you will when you go see Kozak.

A press release from the Trump Taj Mahal informs us that TV Vision Network and Real Fighting Championships will present Nations Collide II in the Mark G. Etess Arena on Saturday, May 9. Doors open at 7pm and the first bouts begin at 8pm. The main event pits two ferocious fighters against each other -- Luis Ramon "Yory Boy" Campas vs. Hector "Macho" Camacho in a 12-round bout to find out who is "boxing's greatest legend." This show will be brought to you live on pay-per-view and through Internet video streaming. The prices range from $50 to $350, and may be obtained at the Taj Mahal's box office.

Pinky's Corner airs Monday through Friday from 4 to 6pm on News Talk WOND-AM 1400. His TV show, WMGM Presents Pinky, airs Saturday at 7:30pm on TV40. Pinky's e-mail address is: pinky@atlanticcityweekly.com.