AC workers bare almost all for calendar

John Curran

Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2003 | 8:48 a.m.

ATLANTIC CITY -- First, it was the cheeky moniker and skimpy outfits.

Now, the Borgata Babes are raising eyebrows for what they're not wearing.

The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa's cocktail servers have been turned into pinup girls, starring in a glossy, full-color 2004 calendar that borders on soft porn.

In "Babes of Borgata," eight of the casino's employees bare almost all, looking like the losers in a post-work strip poker game at Victoria's Secret.

The 11-by-14-inch calendar, which costs $15, was a natural extension for the casino that introduced built-for-two shower stalls, "tied up/tidy up" doorknob placards and a "Pimp 'n 'Ho" Halloween party to Atlantic City.

"We just thought it was something to capitalize on having a lot of beautiful ladies around the building and a way to market the Borgata," spokesman Michael Facenda said.

Open to all women -- not just cocktail servers -- in the casino's 5,000-person work force, the auditions attracted about 100. The ones who made the grade were paid a stipend above their salaries; Facenda wouldn't say how much.

Among them was Kayce Fox, 20, of Ocean City, a leggy 5-foot-9 inch blonde old enough to serve drinks but too young to gamble in New Jersey, where the minimum is 21.

With no modeling experience and reservations about taking it off, she was leery about posing at first.

"I had a lot of mixed emotions. I was worried that my co-workers and my family, who usually don't see me this way, would see me in this rare form," she said.

Rare form, indeed: An eight-hour photo shoot won her two places in the calendar. She's Miss March, pictured from behind as she bends over an sofa, clad only in bra and underpants, and Miss August, wearing a G-string and bra, one leg lifted up onto a bathroom sink.

"The first thing my mother said was, 'What happened to my baby?' " Fox said. "But she's bought eight copies to give to her friends."

Borgata Babes -- the cocktail servers -- aren't the only casino employees pictured in the calendar, which features a poker dealer, a bartender, a dancer and casino host Carol Bernaola, a former Playboy playmate.

Casino officials were initially concerned about the prospect of the women facing sexual harassment from gamblers and co-workers because of the risque nature of the calendar, but went ahead with it after speaking to the women.

To date, not one has been approached in an "unworthy fashion," Facenda said.

Fox, who dons 2-inch heels, a cleavage-baring bustier and a cheerleader-style skirt to work the 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. shift five days a week, says the response among her co-workers and customers has been nothing but favorable.

"Are you the girl in the calendar?" gamblers ask.

On sale in the casino's gift shop, the calendars will be mailed as complimentaries to some of its players.

"Where can I pick one up?" said gambler Joe Horwitz, 68, of Wilmington, Del., pausing for a look at a calendar promotion near the casino floor Wednesday.

"They're very attractive women, I can't deny that," said Debbie Ordas, 55, of Maplewood, looking the calendar over as she sat at a Wild Cherry slot machine. "I'd like to look like that when I grow up."