Atlantic City Weekly

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It was ninety-three years between Atlantic City's first full-fledged air show and its second show. It will only be one year between its second and third air shows. The first one was in 1910, the second in 2003 and the third is scheduled to be on August 18, 2004.

The first air show, which was a phenomenon in those years, drew a crowd of slightly over 100,000 enthralled spectators. Last year's show drew over 200,000 thrilled spectators. This year it is anticipated that, with the success of last year's show and more time to advertise it, the viewer base will be close to 500,000. Once again, the show will be held mid-week - on a Wednesday. This allows for more aircraft to be on hand to demonstrate the capabilities of our nation's military air forces.

Credit for bringing the show back to Atlantic City goes to the New Jersey Air National Guard and the Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce. They combined their efforts to make their hopes for a show, this year, become a reality. The mainstay of the show will once again be the US Air Force's world-renown Thunderbird team. Their original schedule for 2004 did not list Atlantic City. Due to the success of last year's event, the fact that the Thunderbird team loved their stay in Atlantic City, and the diligent work behind the scenes of the top brass of New Jersey's Air National Guard and the Chamber of Commerce, the second list had Atlantic City on their schedule.

Needless to say business folks around the city are excited about the return visit. According to a prominent boardwalk
merchant, the mid-week air show was like an added Saturday business day for them. Specific information about the show will be forthcoming within the next couple of months. In the meantime, it would be nice to let the N.J. Air National Guard and the Atlantic City Regional Chamber of Commerce know that you appreciate their efforts in bringing the show back to Atlantic City.

Meet Friends of Yesterday & Today

How often do you get time? Atlantic City's 150th birthday celebration [at Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall on Sunday, April 4, from 1-6pm] will do just that. You will see folks from the old neighborhoods and the new ones. You will also have the chance to meet many of the new folks who have come to make this area of South Jersey their home since the advent of the casino industry. You will also see pictures and artifacts of Atlantic City's development over the 150 years of its existence. Various museums and private collectors will be on hand with their collections. You will be amazed when you see what Atlantic City was like in the late 1800s and learn of its development in the 20th century. You will understand why Atlantic City has always been an outstanding resort destination and why it earned the reputation of being the "Playground of the World."

Additionally, the afternoon will provide you with outstanding entertainment. You will be greeted by local folks donating their services to make you feel welcome and comfortable. Face painters, strolling musicians and Barbershop Quartets will set a pleasant atmosphere for the afternoon's activities. Entertainment will feature movie actor Danny Aiello, who is quite a singer; Cozy Morley, a South Jersey entertainment icon; Charlie Prose, who draws full houses at each of his engagements here and across the nation; Ralph Peterson, rated as one of the nation's top 10 drummers, and his Jazz Sextette. All of this is available to you for a donation of just $10.

The proceeds will be used to bring a FREE major event to our beach in July. This beach concert promises to rival the show Caesars hosted in 1983 when the Beach Boys drew 300,000. If we sell tickets to this event, we will be a major step closer to having the beach event. With your support, it will happen.

As an added note, every one of the committee members, including yours truly, have purchased tickets to the event. Tickets are available at the Boardwalk Hall, the Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce, the Mainland Chamber of Commerce, Patsy's Card Shop at 8007 Ventnor Avenue in Margate and through Ticketmaster.

Notes of Interest

A decade or so ago, there was a major push to get people interested in putting solar panels on the roofs of their homes. It was at the time when gas prices were high and people were looking for alternative ways to ease their utility bills. A few did, but as soon as the gas prices came down, others lost interest. Gas prices are now at the highest on record. This time it is anticipated that more will become interested in considering going solar. Why will it be different this time? The General Electric Company has just purchased the largest solar producer's company and GE has the funds to properly merchandise the solar product. Look for many more to go invest in solar panels for their homes.

Terrorism does kill people and shocks us when it does. We are spending billions of dollars to eliminate the terrorists. The fight draws the continuous attention of all levels of the media. Just think what we would be doing if the terrorists killed 117 people every day. However, in the United States, 117 people are killed each and every day of the year. The killing can't be completely stopped, but they can and should be controlled. By now, you must realize that I am writing about the 117 people killed every day in automobile accidents. You will read about them in your local papers and hear about them on your local radio and television news programs. National papers and television news programs only mention them when there has been an accident in which more than 10 or so were killed. Each state battles this problem in a different manner with little help from the federal government.

The knowledge that we are losing 46,000 people each year in automobile accidents is an outright disgrace. The tragic fact is that we seem to accept this fact. By the way, the accident reports do not tell us how many have lost body parts, are in comas, or have serious injuries from which they will never recover. Where is the hue and cry to do everything possible to curtail the tragic loss of so many of people?

We come up with laws requiring seat belts and to keep drivers from holding cell phones while driving, but what is being done to make the roads safer or to make people safer drivers?

We know that inattention is the cause of too many accidents. However, people continue to eat while driving, they take their eyes off the road to talk to their passengers or turn the radio dial, they read the paper, others put on make-up and do just about anything else that takes their attention away from driving. Something must be done to curtail these needless deaths and injuries. What do you suggest?