Atlantic City Convention Center

ATLANTIC CITY - This town's new slogan, "Do A.C.," aims not only to rebrand the seaside resort, battered by gambling competition in other states, but also to encourage visitors to enjoy the many attractions that do not involve slots or table games. Ads touting Atlantic City as a year-round destination for dining, entertainment, nightlife, the beach, and the famed Boardwalk - and not just a weekend getaway - were presented Thursday by the Atlantic City Alliance, the entity charged with marketing the resort's new state-run tourism district.

ATLANTIC CITY — It started slowly, with only 300 to 500 people a day coming in to take advantage of a program that could help wipe the slate clean for individuals dodging warrants for nonviolent offenses. But on Wednesday, with the close of New Jersey's fourth — and probably its final — Fugitive Safe Surrender event drawing near, more than 1,000 people came "out of the woodwork" to have their paperwork processed by the 4 p.m. deadline, according to law enforcement officials.

Reading this newspaper's recent coverage might lead one to think that Atlantic City faces unique difficulties that should lead it to give up on its tourism industry. That could not be further from the truth. The economic struggles we face are global, and they are hurting the entire travel industry, not just Atlantic City's. And while there is no doubt that the downturn will continue to have an impact on travel, Atlantic City is in a relatively good position to meet the challenge.

After 66 years, the Philadelphia Boat Show has finally sunk. The group that produces the annual show said it no longer will hold the event at the Convention Center. Instead, it will turn its energies toward improving a competing boat show that it also produces in Atlantic City. "We decided, what better way to serve the region than out of the Atlantic City Convention Center, because it has room for expansion? And it is well-received by that community," said Michael Duffy, show manager of the Atlantic City International Power Boat Show.

Atlantic City High, on the verge of the first state boys' basketball championship in its history, lost a 10-point lead in the last chaotic minutes yesterday and dropped a 61-50 decision to Union in the Group 4 final. With 3,000 fans watching at the Atlantic City Convention Center, Union outscored the Vikings, 28-7, in the final 6 1/2 minutes to capture its first state title. Atlantic City, which also lost state finals in 1929, 1948 and 1973, finished with a 22-8 record. Two technical fouls against Atlantic City coach Morris Griffin aided Union's surge.

The Jacksons - possibly joined by brother Michael - will reconvene for the first time in nine years in December, when they are scheduled to perform a charity concert at the Atlantic City Convention Center. The male members of the singing family, first launched as the "Jackson 5," are to appear at "The Jackson Family Invitational Music Benefit and Awards," said Thomas D. Carver, president of the Casino Association of New Jersey. Carver and association chairman Nicholas L. Ribis said the show's proceeds would benefit several major charities, which they did not specify.

They're calling the Mike Tyson-Tyrell Biggs title fight "The Clash for the Crown. " But in time, it might be remembered as Tyson-Biggs I. The first of what could be repeated clashes between this pair of classically matched big guys is set for Oct. 16 at the Atlantic City Convention Center. Our host, Donald Trump, had the foresight to attach his seashore place, Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, to the Convention Center for just such an historic occasion as this. At stake are all three versions of the world heavyweight title and a pair of undefeated records.

When he was young, Norman Schaut says, he was a pitchman for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, so it's not surprising that he touts his March antiques show in Atlantic City as "the greatest show on earth. " A former bassoon player at Penn Charter School, at the University of Pennsylvania and in the U.S. Army Band, Schaut has never been shy about tooting his own horn. "There's never been anything like it; mine's the largest indoor antiques and collectibles market in North America," the New Jersey impresario says of his once-a-year antiques extravaganza at the Atlantic City Convention Center on the Boardwalk.

For a gambling town where the typical visitor is a windbreaker-clad senior citizen who arrives by bus and leaves before sundown, the Borgata, a proposed $750 million resort described yesterday by the Las Vegas-based Boyd Gaming Corp., promises something a tad more daring. . . . a luxurious down comforter . . . dancing to the beat . . . a glass of Brunello . . . the cool touch of marble . . . a weekend at the Shore . . . (A glass of what?) These were the evocative words flashed over and over again during a presentation that promised a new kind of resort experience for Atlantic City - "sensual, inviting yet energized" with the "warmth and charm of a Tuscan village.

Special Events Groundhog Day Festival Discover fun facts about the refuge's Groundhog Family, plus crafts, music & refreshments. John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, 8601 Lindbergh Blvd. 1/28. 9 am-1 pm. Philly Livepod: The Black Box Theory Features live music, 2 DJs, food and party all under one roof. Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St.; 215-569-9700. www.comekleen.com/ . $25 advance; $30 day of show. 1/27. 9 pm. Preschool Storytime Ages 2-3 Roslyn Branch Library, 2412 Avondale Ave., Abington; Registration required: 215-886-9818.

ATLANTIC CITY — It started slowly, with only 300 to 500 people a day coming in to take advantage of a program that could help wipe the slate clean for individuals dodging warrants for nonviolent offenses. But on Wednesday, with the close of New Jersey's fourth — and probably its final — Fugitive Safe Surrender event drawing near, more than 1,000 people came "out of the woodwork" to have their paperwork processed by the 4 p.m. deadline, according to law enforcement officials.

ATLANTIC CITY - This town's new slogan, "Do A.C.," aims not only to rebrand the seaside resort, battered by gambling competition in other states, but also to encourage visitors to enjoy the many attractions that do not involve slots or table games. Ads touting Atlantic City as a year-round destination for dining, entertainment, nightlife, the beach, and the famed Boardwalk - and not just a weekend getaway - were presented Thursday by the Atlantic City Alliance, the entity charged with marketing the resort's new state-run tourism district.

Special Events Northern Liberties Winter Music Festival W/Adrien Reju, Chris Kasper, Swedeland, Fantasy Square Garden, Black Stars, North Lawrence Midnight Singers, many more. The Fire, 412 W. Girard Ave.; 267-671-9298. $8-$10. Closes 2/19. Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey Circus: Dragons New show pairing dragon lore with circus feats. Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-339-7600. www.ringling.com/ . $10-$95. Closes 2/27. Dog Sled Challenge Dog sled rides, mushing events and more.

The tiger maple desk was a fake. Leigh Keno, one of the blond and bespectacled twins of Antiques Roadshow appraiser fame, knew it immediately, pointing out under his breath how pieces of 18th-century wood had been put together in an act of - yes, you may gasp - deception. Also in on his conclusion were John Hays, the erudite appraiser from Christie's; Keno brother Leslie; and the debonair Wendell Garrett, another Roadshow rock star, smiling conspiratorially in his wheelchair.

Reading this newspaper's recent coverage might lead one to think that Atlantic City faces unique difficulties that should lead it to give up on its tourism industry. That could not be further from the truth. The economic struggles we face are global, and they are hurting the entire travel industry, not just Atlantic City's. And while there is no doubt that the downturn will continue to have an impact on travel, Atlantic City is in a relatively good position to meet the challenge.

After 66 years, the Philadelphia Boat Show has finally sunk. The group that produces the annual show said it no longer will hold the event at the Convention Center. Instead, it will turn its energies toward improving a competing boat show that it also produces in Atlantic City. "We decided, what better way to serve the region than out of the Atlantic City Convention Center, because it has room for expansion? And it is well-received by that community," said Michael Duffy, show manager of the Atlantic City International Power Boat Show.

For a gambling town where the typical visitor is a windbreaker-clad senior citizen who arrives by bus and leaves before sundown, the Borgata, a proposed $750 million resort described yesterday by the Las Vegas-based Boyd Gaming Corp., promises something a tad more daring. . . . a luxurious down comforter . . . dancing to the beat . . . a glass of Brunello . . . the cool touch of marble . . . a weekend at the Shore . . . (A glass of what?) These were the evocative words flashed over and over again during a presentation that promised a new kind of resort experience for Atlantic City - "sensual, inviting yet energized" with the "warmth and charm of a Tuscan village.

Atlantic City High, on the verge of the first state boys' basketball championship in its history, lost a 10-point lead in the last chaotic minutes yesterday and dropped a 61-50 decision to Union in the Group 4 final. With 3,000 fans watching at the Atlantic City Convention Center, Union outscored the Vikings, 28-7, in the final 6 1/2 minutes to capture its first state title. Atlantic City, which also lost state finals in 1929, 1948 and 1973, finished with a 22-8 record. Two technical fouls against Atlantic City coach Morris Griffin aided Union's surge.

The opening bell is about to sound for a new kind of heavyweight prizefight - far different from the ones Atlantic City usually hosts. In keeping with a national movement to pour money into bigger and better meeting places, Atlantic City is scheduled in May to open the biggest convention center in the Northeast outside New York. The $268 million center is not only massive, it's also good-looking, with an skylit atrium that floods it with natural light running its length. The building is only four blocks from the string of glittering casino-hotels lining the Boardwalk.