Twisting the Vegas cliché - 2004-02-12
"The Cooler" is quite a different take on the Hollywood cliché that untold stories of despair lurk in the shadows of Las Vegas.

William H. Macy stars as Bernie Lootz, a lonely employee of the Shangri-La casino whose only responsibility is to hang out at tables where the luck is running high and make sure that luck changes - otherwise known in Vegas terminology as a "cooler."

Early on, Lootz establishes his efficiency at the task; all he needs to do to make sure a table goes on a vicious losing streak is stand at it. He even changes the fortune of one table just by touching it as he passes.
Read the full story at Summit Daily News

Tropicana project to open in September - 2004-02-12
Tropicana Casino and Resort is expected to open its entire $245 million expansion project, including the fatally flawed parking lot, by the end of September, Aztar Corp. said Wednesday.

The plan may seem aggressive to anyone who sees the five broken concrete parking decks still hanging from the west end of the 12-story garage. They collapsed without warning Oct. 30, killing four construction workers and injuring 21 others.

Aztar CEO Paul Rubeli did not discuss how the company would rebuild the garage - or perhaps just the damaged section - but he left no doubt that it would open along with the integrated 502-room hotel tower and 5-acre retail, dining and entertainment complex to be called The Quarter.
Read the full story at Press of Atlantic City