Yep, this year, winter has sucked. There’s been too much cold, too much ice and way too much snow. We’ve lost count how much snow has been dumped on the east coast though it’s easily measured in feet.

So following a tradition created eons ago, the Tropicana in Atlantic City is counting the days to the first day of spring: March 20th. The “Spring it On” festivities include a count down to the magical day that will feel just like any other in winter, though it marks the beginning of the end for frozen weather. In olden times, the people of Atlantic City would just sacrifice a virgin and be done with it — but ever since Jersey Shore appeared on the air, it’s been more difficult to find a virgin in New Jersey.

While we don’t want to get too technical, there is one problem with the spring count down. Spring officially starts at 7:21 p.m., not midnight. But what do we really care? Drink, be merry and enjoy the slew of discounts the hotel is offering. Here are some:

A Time For Wine - will have 15% off for Spring it On.

Cuba Libre Restaurant – Chance to win either a Free Appetizer, Free Dessert or Up to $50 off on their next visit.  We are calling it “Everybody Wins at Cuba Libre.”  Please let me know if you need more details.

Cuba Libre, Missile Bar & 32º – Free Cover All Night with an IN CARD

Erwin Pearl - 40% Off Select Merchandise.

Jake’s Dog House - $5 off a purchase of $50, $20 off a purchase of $100.

Mrs. Fields Cookies – Mrs. Fields Breezers are 25% OFF. Delicious fruit smoothies in great Welcome to Spring flavors… Mango, Pomegranate, Strawberry, Strawberry Banana and Raspberry.

Old Farmer’s - Jim Shore “Faith Angel,” regularly priced at $35, now $14.95 or free with purchase of $100.00 of regularly priced Jim Shore Merchandise.

Planet Rose - $5.00 glass of flavored vodka (Absolut or Three Olives)

Ri-Ra Irish Pub - Three course meal choice of Caesar salad or mixed green salad, choice of one of four entrees, and choice of one of two desserts for $17.59.

Havana Sundries, Trop Lobby Market, Trop Casino Market, Boardwalk Favorites - 10% off on all Tropicana Logo items.

Red Square - 1/2 price on all Mini Vodka Bottles .375ML with a memorable photo inside the Vodka Locker “Still Fun to be Cool” offer!!

Starbucks - 15% off all frappuccino’s to bring in the spring and 20% off all 1lb whole bean.

Zephyr - Free handmade gift valued @ approx. $30 on all purchases over $99

Zeytinia’s - Buy One Get One FREE Gelato featuring “Spring Flavors”

But if you’re going to be in love, why not try on some of those ultra cool packages from the Resorts Casino.  We like the proposal package, as it even takes care of the $7,500 ring, and both room deals sound good — for a Friday and Saturday night at the casino and an assortment of spa treatments. We do think the Thank you Daddy package is kind of creepy and the complete wedding package for $25,000 seems a little over the top — then again all of the planning is done.

Check out all of the deals below:

The Proposal Package – $10,000
Say I do with some old-fashion flare.  The right girl.  The right ring.  The right place.  And, of course the right answer awaits you at the new Resorts. Pop the question with style and class with a one-of-a-kind package featuring:

• An engagement ring (valued at $7,500, no substitutions)
• A suite with champagne, strawberries, rose petals
• Custom designed specialty cake
• Roses delivered to the room
• Romantic dinner for two at Capriccio
• Breakfast in bed
• Celebratory message throughout the hotel
• Celebratory song/toast in 25 Hours with Blanche, the singing bartender
• Transportation in a 1920’s style limo
• Couples Massage
• A day at the spa with salon and spa credit

Package is valid two nights, Feb 11 – 13, 2011. Mention code PIDO to book. For dinner reservations call 1-800-322-7469.

Going to the Boogie Chapel Wedding Package – $25,000
Have the grooviest wedding in Atlantic City’s grandest casino hotel.  Grab 300 of your friends and relatives and celebrate Valentine’s Day with a wedding unlike any other.  Get married or renew your vows under a disco ball – only at Resorts.

• Suite room for the wedding couple
• Full wedding in Boogie Nights with Mr. Boogie and/or Dee Dee Rivera as the minister
• First Dance to Prince, Michael Jackson or Madonna impersonator
• Open Bar for two hours and dinner for up to 300 guests
• Champagne and strawberries in the room
• Custom designed wedding cake in Boogie Nights
• Breakfast in bed the next morning
• Salon credit for up to 6 people
• Photo Album and Video from the event

Package is valid February 11-13, 2011. Mention code PGOING to book.  For dinner reservations call 1-800-322-7469.

Romance With A Groove – $269 Friday & Saturday
For those who like a little more groove in their love, celebrating Valentine’s Day at the new Resorts and Boogie Nights is the way to go!

• Overnight stay in a standard room
• Amenity in the room
• Entrance into Boogie Nights
• Gourmet dinner for two
• VIP table at Boogie Nights
• $40 in Slot cash or Matchplay

Package is valid February 1 – February 28, 2011. Mention code PGROOVE to book.  For dinner reservations call 1-800-322-7469.

Thank you Daddy – $499 Sunday – Thursday, $549 Friday & Saturday
This package will have the ladies thanking their Daddy’s all weekend long.  What better way to celebrate your shared devotion than with a weekend of togetherness from the spa to your dinner table every moment will be all about you.

• Room
• Amenity in the room
• Couple massages
• Salon credit for two
• Dinner in Gourmet restaurant for two
• Breakfast in Bed
• Roses delivered to the room
• $40 in Slot cash or Matchplay

Package is valid February 1 through February 28, 2011. Mention code PDADDY to book. For dinner reservations call 1-800-322-7469.

The Mistress – $269 Sunday – Thursday, $319 Friday & Saturday
Don’t forget the other lady in your life!  Stay undercover and under the covers all night long with this package that is sure to make her feel like the center of your universe.

• Overnight stay in a standard room
• Amenity in the room
• Room service credit (so you can stay hidden)
• Salon services
• $40 in Slot cash or Matchplay

Package is valid February 1 through February 28, 2011. Mention code PMSTRSS to book.

All packages are based on availability.  Certain restrictions may apply.  Packages do not include taxes, gratuity or resort fees.

For more information on the new Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City visit www.resortsac.com and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/resortscasino or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/resortscasino.

Yes, it’s a shameless promotion to get you to join their Facebook page and follow them on Twitter, but if we had $100 we’d do the same thing.

Of course, there’s a slightly different spin this time: Resorts Casino Hotel will send out a special promotions code on Facebook and Twitter and then people will need to repeat that code to the Casino’s promotion booth at the Casino — meaning you’ll have to be at the casino to win the slot cash.

The first person to repeat the code will get the $100, the next 20 people to repeat the code will each get $10 of slot money.

While we don’t know the codes, we’d suggest randomly going up to the promotions booth and trying saying a few promotional kind of things and see if you can win some money.

Any of these phrases might win you money:

“Boardwalk Empire rocks.”

“Cherry, Cherry, Bell.”

“Jackpot”

“The Tropicana smells bad.”

“Bobby Vinton is my father.”

Photo from Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City’s Facebook page.

Holiday Spirits never tasted better last week at the Santa Run in Atlantic City. Photo by: Tom Briglia / PhotoGraphics Photography

the Tropicana Resort and Casino. (We’ve been to the Tropicana and had a great time there — after taking the Lucky Streak down from New York City to AC.)

But the running of the Santas combines drinking, costumes and making merry into this sort of super holiday that takes the best of St. Patty’s Day, Halloween and Christmas all into one evening where the only thing you have to buy for anyone else is a drink.

Run Santa Run. A lucky participant at this year's Atlantic City Santa Run and Pub Crawl. Photo by: Tom Briglia / PhotoGraphics Photography

The folks at the Tropicana were kind enough to send along some photos from the run — which included starting at the “South Pole” running along the Boardwalk, through the casino, and ultimately a “North Pole” finish line that just happened to also be a bar “The Quarter.”

To give male Santas a little more inspiration to finish the run, Hooters calender girls led the way and were standing by at a few of the stops, including Fire Water, The Quarter and A Damn Good Sports Bar, where a Sexy Santa contest was held — though, sadly, we weren’t able to get any photos from

Making Merry: Dress up like Santa and “run” like the wintery wind during the Atlantic City Santa Run at the Tropicana. Photo by: Tom Briglia / PhotoGraphics Photography

the Tropicana for that.

There were actually 13 official Running of the Santas this year — 12 in the USA and onein New Zealand — and while it’s an event we’ve never heard of before — it’s on our list for the next holiday season and certainly sounds like more fun than spinning a dradel, oops, wrong holiday.

Next time, we should go — as the best thing for any event like this is live twitter updates and photo montages.

So when I caught sight of a continuous line of uniformed pilots marching single-file outside Continental/United’s Terminal C’s baggage claim area, I smelled a story. There were hundreds of them: a veritable sea of black with everyone marching in-step, like a funeral procession for a fallen officer. There really is something about a man in uniform, I thought.

There was a pilot seated near me in the food court, lunching on a Subway sandwich, so I struck up a conversation with him to get insider information info. He looked like a fresh baby penguin decorated in epaulets and a top hat.

“Excuse me, but do you know what’s going on out there? I saw a bunch of pilots outside, marching along the curb.”

“Yeah. Hundreds of pilots are picketing, protesting Continental andUnited’s plans to negotiate a new contract that would allow them to outsource 70-seat jets and pilots from other airlines. Basically, the 70-seat rule violates Continental’s existing contract, which limits outsourcing to 50-seat jets. It pits one group of pilots against the other.”

I nodded. He continued.

“It’s also a quality-of-life issue. We’re tired of being pushed around, being asked to do more work for less pay, fewer benefits, more and more furloughs. We’re at a breaking point. It’s not just the passengers,” he said.

I later learned that United had already furloughed 1,400 pilots, while Continental had furloughed 138 pilots, not to mention the hundreds that have lost their jobs entirely.

“I give you pilots a lot of credit, given the industry today. Not an easy job.”

He nodded. “It’s worlds apart from when I first started. We’re being asked to do too much now—work longer and longer hours for less money. We’re at a breaking point. It’s not just the passengers who are fed up.”

I’m not sure how long he’d been flying, but from the looks of it, it couldn’t have been more than a few years: He had that spit-shined glow of a recent college graduate who probably needed the aid of a booster seat just to see outside the cockpit.

“Where’re you headed?” he asked.

“I’m on my way home from London, connecting through Newark to Dulles, then finally Savannah.”

“Ouch.”

“Yeah,” I said. “It’s all a caffeinated blur. Anyway, thanks, and good luck.”

He nodded his head as be picked up his sandwich. “Thanks.”

A recent trip to New Jersey put us in the Embassy Suites in Piscataway — near Rutgers University. For $99 a night, the suite was exactly has described, sweet. Actually, it was surprisingly nice with lots of room — a legitimate front sitting room and a full size bedroom.

There were also all of the nice amenities for frugal travelers including a microwave, fridge and coffee maker (though when we made the coffee it was the worst tasting swill we’ve ever had). Also, breakfast, which is included in the room price was awesome — with a big buffet style mean and omelet chef whipping up eggs any way you want them.

Now for the bad news: We were shocked to pay $15 for internet access. In fact, we had to pay $30 to get two computers up online — which on a daily basis is 1/3rd of our room price just to go on line. Surcharges suck — especially at a business hotel when the hotel knows core business people need wifi connections as much as they need coffee.

The bathroom was the other disappointment with the suite, it was small and cheap. Everything worked fine and since we’re not the kind of travelers who spend lots of time in there, it was more of a minor complaint than a deal breaker.

So should you stay at the one hotel with giant atrium? Absolutely.

Each time I’m back in my old haunts of Jersey, I make it a point to visit my favorite pizza place, Manville Pizza, for a few slices of heaven. The place has been in Manville since I was a little kid: it originated in 1969 in the sad-sack strip mall off of Main Street (now demolished) that used to house a super scary Foodtown with foul smelling produce and expired milk, a Thrift Drug store, the bowling alley (still there, still scary) and various other craft shops. I remember going into the old hole-in-the-wall restaurant as a little kid every Friday night for pizza and staring in stark fear at the various stuffed deer heads mounted proudly on the wall above each dining table, watching their black, glassy eyes stare down at me as I ate, waiting for the inevitable moment for a deer head to come tumbling off the wall and land snout-down in our cheese pie.

Thankfully, they’ve replaced those hideous heads with neatly framed photos of their business over the years at their new location on Main Street, next to Walgreens. The same old pizza dude still works there―I forgot his name―and still looks the same as I remember him: short, pudgy nose; paper white hat; striped red-and-white shirt, the epitome of what a real pizza guy should look like. And the pizza is just as delicious as it used to be, still using the time-tested and traditional Italian family recipe that’s been passed down from generation to generation. Below, a breakdown of what it takes to make it Manville.Crust:

Manville pizza has mastered the delicate art of creating the perfect crust. The crust is more thin than thick, but not so thin that you feel like you’re just eating cheese and sauce; it’s burnt enough around the edges to make it look photogenic but not so much that it tastes like charcoal. Ideal.

Cheese:

The standard amount of cheese on any given slice is generous and uniform, not clumped and sloppy. The cheese has a mild, milky, full-bodied flavor, undoubtedly the real-deal imported mozzarella. It’s gooey and delicious, and is, in my opinion, the best part of the pizza. Order extra cheese for a religious experience.

Sauce:

A very sweet, red tomato sauce that does not dominate the overall flavor. The consistency is more creamy than chunky, never watery, and the sauce is `void of those annoying pieces of tomato floating around.

Toppings:

I’m not a toppings kind of gal; I usually go with just cheese or extra cheese for that added kick. Occassionally, I like pepperoni, and theirs is definitely on the bold and spicy side. Other toppings include sausage, mushrooms, onions, meatballs, anchovies and black olives.

So don’t be surprised; that greasy layer floating in the hot tub is not your imagination, it’s just the residue of a few Italian sausages soaking a little too long. And who knows, maybe it’s good for your skin.

The kids from MTV’s Jersey Shore are back with a second season after receiving roughly a million percent pay raise, they announced this morning.

As the group of Jersey’s best sat on the set of the Today Show this morning, they announced there would be a second season — as they may have to put aside their college studies and pursuit of law degrees, now that they’re getting a raise.

Apparently, when Snooki got punched in the face last season, that episode was worth about $200 per person (it’s unclear if medical expenses were covered as well).

Now, each will get about $10,000 per person — though the group declined to give out specifics. However, MTV could have the option to pay them with tanning beds and gold chains.

Matt Lauer, an aging hipster — though the fact he has a job sort of disqualifies him  — seemed equally impressed and disgusted with the group of young Italian Jerseyites. (This is entirely the appeal of the program — so expect secret Jersey Shore viewing parties throughout Williamsburg, where everyone will start saying how they watched it before it became big.)

The Jersery Shore cast could care less, as they collectively thought about how many hours of tanning each would earn with every bleep, punch and dumb bell pumped. They can all sleep well; knowing that they’ve done more to advance Italian Americans throughout the nation since the Sopranos.

Photos from MTV.com