CasiNotes: Christie: Come on back

POINT PLEASANT, N.J. - Get the hell back on the beach!

A week after telling people - in some not-very-subtle terms - to leave the shore as Hurricane Irene swirled up the coast, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie yesterday encouraged people to head back to the boardwalk with open wallets.

Last Friday, Christie told sunbathers to "get the hell off the beach in Asbury Park," a quote that was replayed on national television for days. Yesterday, he took to the boardwalk to say that the worst was over, then headed to a local pub for a beer.

An estimated 1 million people heeded his words and fled before Irene made landfall in New Jersey on Sunday, something experts have credited with saving lives.

The evacuations, however, carried an economic cost.

Atlantic City casinos closed for only the third time since opening in 1978 and many businesses lost revenue on a normally busy summer weekend.

Businesses are hoping for a bustling Labor Day weekend and some are offering promotions to lure people back. Caesar's Casino in Atlantic City is promoting a "Good Night Irene" party and is offering discounted hotel packages.

The weekend forecast along the Shore calls for cooler but pleasant temperatures in the low 70s today, more summerlike temperatures tomorrow, but a good chance for thunderstorms and showers tomorrow and Monday.