Er, so much for the breakthrough concept of an actual book store in Atlantic City. It wasn't a real Borders anyway, but a Borders Outlet, which went with the outlet theme of the otherwise-kickin' Walk in Atlantic City, but was a failure as far as the idea of, you can walk in here and find the book you're looking for. It was mostly oversized remainders and book products, a waste of an excellent location with an actual Starbucks across the street (We have forgiven the Starbucks for rubbing salt into our wound by selling an Atlantic City coffee cup this Christmas with the phrase "City of Pageants." Um, I believe that would be Vegas). So the A.C. Borders has closed. We await another attempt to bring a real bookstore to town, though probably a real supermarket might be a higher priority. In Atlantic CIty, you're better off browsing the enduring storefront book shelves outside the Princeton Antique Shop, which is looking spiffy these days. Well, there always the Vineland Music Festival this summer for nearby culture. Oops, that's been called off too.

The Ocean City Pops will perform a Lollipop Concert with the Youth Opera of South Jersey at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 19, at the Hughes Performing Arts Center, 6th Street and Atlantic Avenue. The production is H.M.S. Pinafore by Gilbert and Sullivan. Admission: Adults, $5; children free. For tickets, call 609-525-9248 or order on-line at www.ocnj.us. The event is sponsored by Gillian’s Wonderland Pier.
And there's plenty more events this week at the shore.

Sand sculpting contest - 9 a.m., Wednesday, July 11, at the 6th Street Beach, the first one of the season. Information: 525-9300.

War of the Shore - The 18th annual Ocean/Viking Showdown Sportfishing Competition, known as the “War of the Shore,” will take place from Wednesday, July 11, through Sunday, July 15. The showdown is open to all Ocean or Viking owners, and includes four days of fishing, cocktail parties, and dinners for the captain, crew, and families. Information: http://www.sjmarina.com/

Phillies Home Run Derby - Sunday, July 15, at Dealy Field, for boys and girls ages 7 to 15: 1 p.m. for boys 10 to 12 and girls 7 to 15; 2 p.m. for boys 7 to 9; and 2:30 p.m. for boys 13 to 15. Rain date: Sunday, July 22.

Summer Beachfest 2007 - Saturday, July 14 (Rain date: Sunday, July 15), beginning at noon at the Huntingdon Avenue Beach. Featuring music by D.J. Peter Crook, games, bocce-ball, volleyball, tug-of-war, treasure hunt, face painting, sand sculpting, surfing demonstrations and food. Interested in volunteering? Call 609-823-6658, ext. 371.

Stone Harbor Triathlon - Sunday, July 15. Begins at 7:30 a.m. at the Stone Harbor Yacht Club. This event is closed to entrants. Watch the quarter-mile swim, 11-mile run and 3.1-mile bike.

From concerts and comedy shows in Atlantic City to the Mummers in Wildwood to a Victorian fair in Cape May, there are oodles of events at the shore in June.
Read the full events listing.