Boardwalk

* BOARDWALK EMPIRE. 9 p.m. Sunday, HBO. NUCKY THOMPSON may be having more trouble getting over Jimmy Darmody than I am. As HBO's "Boardwalk Empire" enters its third season Sunday, it's the very eve of 1923, and Nucky (Steve Buscemi) is carrying a lot more baggage than he'd started out with at the dawn of Prohibition three years earlier. His once hopeful romance with Irish widow Margaret Schroeder (Kelly Macdonald) has degenerated into a sham of a marriage. No longer the "half a gangster" his surrogate son Jimmy (Michael Pitt)

ATLANTIC CITY - To spruce up this town's vacant areas that sit outside its towering casinos and spur activity along the Boardwalk, beach volleyball courts have now been added to the mix. The new courts sit between Showboat and Revel on the northern end of the Boardwalk, on land owned by the Atlantic City Housing Authority and leased by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority and nonprofit Atlantic City Alliance. They represent another initiative under the new master plan - the blueprint for the state-run tourism district here - that's being implemented by the CRDA in partnership with the Atlantic City Alliance.

ATLANTIC CITY - To spruce up this town's vacant areas that sit outside its towering casinos and spur activity along the Boardwalk, beach vollyball courts have now been added to the mix. The new courts sit between Showboat and Revel on the northern end of the Boardwalk on land owned by the Atlantic City Housing Authority and leased by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority and nonprofit Atlantic City Alliance. They represent another initiative under the new master plan - the blueprint for the state-run tourism district here - that's being implemented by the CRDA in partnership with the Atlantic City Alliance.

SO, WHAT DO you want with that entrée? How about a Boardwalk skyline appetizer? Or a side of ocean? A sunset dessert, perhaps? All are available at a variety of Atlantic City casino restaurants - at no extra charge. Financially and aesthetically, dining rooms that provide patrons spectacular vistas are proving to be an important part of the town's marketing mix, as well as assets that set A.C. gambling dens apart from those in nearby states. Since being converted from an upscale operation to an all-you-can-eat outlet earlier this year, Roberto's Ristorante Italian Buffet inside Trump Plaza has seen revenues rise 15 percent, according to Mike Mellon, senior vice president of operations for Trump Entertainment Resorts.

Alone on a boardwalk bench in Ocean City, N.J., Michael Porreca has the chance to be with his father. "Sitting on the bench is a nice time to clear the head and think back positively about my dad and the relationship he gave me," said Porreca, 55, who now lives in Denver. "He loved Ocean City, he loved going down there so much. " Porreca feels connected to the deep blue bench, which contains a simple but heartfelt message: "In loving memory of Wayne J. Porreca / 1932-1998 / A Wonderful Father / David, Michael, Mark & Wayne Jr. " The bench was placed in 1997, after Wayne Porreca died of a stroke at age 65. It offered a way for the family to both cope with its grief and celebrate the good times at the Shore.

WILDWOOD - Want to know what the hottest prize is this summer at Jersey Shore boardwalks? No problem, mon: It's de rasta-banana! Stuffed animals have long been among the most popular prizes at boardwalk games of chance of skill. But this year, the top dog is a banana wearing dreadlocks and a reggae cap. (Its cousin, rasta-cigar, is a close runner-up in some places.) "I don't know what it's all about, but this is one of the top things that people like this year," said Dante Silva, who runs a cork-gun game on the Wildwood boardwalk in which contestants win prizes by knocking over targets.

THE LONG-AWAITED marriage between musician-turned-hospitality industry titan Jimmy Buffett and Atlantic City was officially consummated Tuesday as the pasha of Parrotheads and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie unveiled plans for a business partnership between the singer-songwriter's Margaritaville empire and Resorts Casino-Hotel.   Buffett's signature Margaritaville restaurant will take over the Boardwalk-fronting real estate occupied by Breadsticks Cafe & Grill and Club 1133, a high-roller retreat, while a LandShark Bar & Grill will be erected on the refurbished Steeplechase Pier on the Boardwalk at Pennsylvania Avenue.

The Who are coming! Surviving originals Pete Townshend and Roger Daltry shall rock the Wells Fargo Center on Dec. 8, celebrating the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (yeah, like they knew) with a complete performance of the hallowed 1973 rock oratorio Quadrophenia and a lot of hits. They also hit Boardwalk Hall in A.C. on Feb. 22. It's their first North American tour in four years. Their backup band includes Zak Starkey (drummer son of Beatle guy Ringo Starr), keyboard ubiquitist Chris Stainton, and bassist major Pino Palladino.

Gov. Christie got into a verbal smackdown at the Shore on Thursday with an unidentified man who reportedly made snide remarks about his education policies, according to TMZ.com. A video posted on the entertainment website shows Christie gripping a vanilla ice cream cone as he strides down the Seaside Heights boardwalk while joining a battle of words. "You're a real big shot! You're a real big shot shooting your mouth off!" Christie yells at the man. "Just take care of the teachers," the man responds, according to TMZ. He might as well have kicked sand in the governor's face.