My cell phone rang on this soon-to-be exciting Tuesday afternoon when Rob Ohlsen, owner of the Buck Tavern in Corbin City and Founder/First Vice President of the Epicurean Society of Southern New Jersey, showed up on my Blackberry. When Rob calls, my mind quickly races to the subjects he might like to discuss. Would it be to meet him at Coffee Etc. where we talk about ways to solve the world's problems, the Epicurean Society, or the business climate in general as I also own a restaurant, the Red Sky Café in Seaville. Lo and behold, it was none of the above! Rob was calling me from Dino's Diner in Seaville to share the news that Rudy Giuliani was coming to town on his way to Congress Hall in Cape May...

The holidays can be overwhelming, so check out these possibilities to relax and enjoy December: • The “Holiday Extravaganza - AMusical Journey” at the Tropicana is an energetic celebration of the season. The entertaining one-hour show features three skilled singers, ten energetic dancers and a quartet of talented musicians...

December is a not so great month for casinos, but should be a better than average month for retailers in the Atlantic City area. But The Insider keeps hearing complaints from merchants at The Pier at Caesars who suggest that the project just isn't doing the business it should...

Don’t read this unless you’re just a bit confused about everything you hear and read about real estate. Let’s try to end the calendar year on a bit of a high note. There are all kinds of real estate out there across the country. Most of us are familiar with residential real estate, but you can also have investment real estate, commercial real estate, resort real estate, and more. You can also identify property categories: single family, multi-family, condominium, etc...

Strolling down the boardwalk, thinking about shopping. I detest shopping. I hate it. I’m a guy. It’s in our genes. I do it when it’s necessary, when I need something. More and more via the internet. Some purchases though, I feel the need to look at in person first. Last month, the week before Thanksgiving, I was looking to buy a new stereo system...

A daily newspaper in Atlantic County reported last month that Chris and Danny retired and moved to North Carolina to avoid high taxes in New Jersey. When they bought their modest Egg Harbor City home in 1976, the couple paid $530 a year in property taxes. This year, they paid $5,300. They now pay one fourth that amount on their new home which is twice the size.

Three new movies worth your money this holiday season. No Country for Old Men - Joel and Ethan Coen’s latest epic follows the trail of a black briefcase filled with ill-gotten drug proceeds, and the ensuing wrath that object causes in the lives of those with whom it makes contact. Discovered by local hunter Llewellen Moss (a surprisingly effective, macho Josh Brolin) amidst a carnival of corpses and cars in the desert- the result of a drug transaction gone horribly wrong - the $2 million dollars is too tempting to refuse. Once in his possession, the money will become a curse, and a deadly catalyst...

Dear Santa, I know I’m running a little late with the whole Christmas list thing, but I’ve been a bit busy myself, trying to do my part to contribute to all of this ho-ho-ho-ing in the spirit of the season...