Jersey City Desk

Once again, Johnny's got vision and the rest of the world wears bifocals

2012-02-16T07:29:00.003-05:00

How long ago did Johnny start calling Jersey City "Cool City?" Almost from the start. The place needed a litle jazzing up when he got here and hence Cool City was born in Jersey City. Well NOW others are piling onto the meme, like today for instance. None other than the Wall Street Journal is following Johnny on this and they have written a very nice article on how Jersey City is now living up to its monicker of "The Sixth Borough" (At some point we're going to need to have a city-wide talk on this -- whether we want to be known as 'Wall Street West' or 'The Sixth').

So take some time and see what New York is discovering about Jersey City (well Grove Street area mostly) and then come back here with your opinions.

Late night open thread

2012-02-15T21:19:00.001-05:00

"Black holes are where God divided by zero."
--Steven Wright

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Are all those news helicopters in Newark necessary?

2012-02-15T11:47:00.002-05:00

Yes yes, we're all sad sad that a New Jersey signing sensation has passed but there were no less than four helicopters hovering over the New Hope Baptist Church. Four? Is there some story you can't get from putting reporters on the ground? Was the owner of the funeral home holding up signs for the helicopters as she told the media this would be the only memorial or event in Newark and it would be private? No. She told reporters standing next to her.

This media circus is really really distasteful in Johnny's opinion.

Late night open thread

2012-02-14T20:39:00.002-05:00

Now that this Valentines Day nonsense is over we can all begin the buildup to St. Patrick's Day.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Jersey City Desk Free Day!

2012-02-14T09:31:00.001-05:00

Johnny's really up against it today and thus, you citizen get a free day to talk about anything you please.

Late night open thread

2012-02-13T22:45:00.001-05:00

Big upset in the hound group over at the Westminster Kennel Club show tonight, it was won by a cat.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

It's the 136th Westminster Kennel Club show tonight and tomorrow

2012-02-13T10:06:00.004-05:00

Madison Square Garden will kick the Rangers and Knicks out for a couple nights while the dogs reign supreme.

According to the Westminster website if you're not planning on going here are your viewing options:
Broadcast Information

The Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding group competition will be televised live Monday on USA Network from 8-9 PM ET and continuing on CNBC from 9-11 PM ET. The Sporting, Working, Terrier, and Best In Show competition will be televised live Tuesday on USA Network from 8-11 PM ET.

Late night open thread

2012-02-12T20:50:00.001-05:00

There you go...

David Posman, 33, was arrested in Providence, Rhode Island, after knocking out an armored car driver and stealing four bags of money. Each bag contained $800 dollars. However, the bags weighed thirty pounds each since they all contained pennies. The hefty bags slowed the fleeting criminal to a sluggish stagger. Police easily ran down and arrested the suspect.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

The Grammy Awards are tonight

2012-02-12T10:24:00.003-05:00

And who will win the coveted Best New Artist Award, Milli Vanilli, the return of New Kids on the Block or Jethro Tull? Pressing questions only the Grammy's can answer in their own insufferable way.

Late night open thread

2012-02-12T02:14:00.001-05:00

“I don't visit my parents often because Delta Airlines won't wait in the yard while I run in.”
--Margaret Smith

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

The Powerball lottery is $325 million, c'mon, tell us the truth...

2012-02-11T10:49:00.004-05:00

If you won the lottery at $325 million and took the cash payout option you'd be the proud new owner of around $203 million in Uncle Sam's best green pocket liner.

Tell us the truth, tell us what you'd buy. Some claim they'd never change and not buy anything of great value. In the words of Wayne Campbell, "Shuuuuh, riiiiight." Really, what's on the retail therapy to do list?

Late night open thread

2012-02-11T02:16:00.002-05:00

Jeremy Lin, what lottery numbers do you play? He played at Harvard. He was buried deep on the bench a week ago and now he's making Kobe look like Johnny. Here's to an amazing night that made a lot of people happy.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS!

2012-02-11T01:16:00.004-05:00

Anything worth doing is worth doing right and what better way to start off the music series tonight than turning your speakers up and getting your swerve on.

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts with 'Do You Wanna Touch Me'

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with DELERIUM WITH SARAH MCLACHLAN!

2012-02-11T01:10:00.001-05:00

Put the headphones on. Turn the lights down. Play this song. Here is Delerium featuring Sarah McLachlan with 'Silence'

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with PATSY CLINE!

2012-02-11T00:58:00.002-05:00

Man oh man, nobody ever had a better voice than Patsy. Johnny is old enough to remember when the world was in black and white. You kids today have it easy and never knew a black and white world.

Patsy Cline with 'Walkin' After Midnight'

Wait, what's this? Snow?

2012-02-10T10:19:00.003-05:00

Snow's coming good people of Hudson County and the surround. Snow mixed with rain will start tonight and then change over to snow bringing us 2-4" by the time it ends tomorrow afternoon. This will make for a messy commu---wait, tomorrow is Saturday. Forget the commute, enjoy the snow!!

Late night open thread

2012-02-09T23:05:00.000-05:00

A little Mitch Hedberg before bed tonight.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

So Jersey City, the Snooki spin-off WILL be here in Jersey City

2012-02-09T07:15:00.002-05:00

And when you can't get into certain restaurants because they are filming you can thank Mayor Healy. Unlike Dawn Zimmer in Hoboken who told the Snooki and JWOWW television producers in no uncertain terms they weren't welcome there (not even non-planned shots) Mayor Healy here is like a little child who hears the word television and goes crazy and actually tries to get this crap-trap show to make Snooki everyone's impression of a Jersey City resident.

Just once we wish our mayor would think about the residents of this city and the fact (according to social media polls) just don't want this crap in our city. WE are not that desperate mayor. WE are not like crows gravitating to the shiny thing. WE don't feel this show represents us at all and WE don't want the rest of the world thinking this is how we roll. We don't.

So the Snooki and JWOWW show/program/thing will begin filming February 17 at a two story firehouse at Grove and Mercer, right near City Hall, Marco and PePe's and the Beechwood Cafe.

Mayor Healy, if the filming of this show keeps Johnny from his weekend appointed breakfasts at either Marco and PePe's or the Beechwood Cafe production equipment is getting moved and producers and their hangers on are gonna be wearing syrup on their heads.

Late night open thread

2012-02-08T22:12:00.001-05:00

It's almost as if winter sneezed this evening.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Mark Sanchez, the most popular Giant

2012-02-08T09:35:00.001-05:00

Oh dear, this is not good.

Late night open thread

2012-02-07T20:00:00.003-05:00

Let us travel together into The pit of Ultimate Darkness before bed tonight with Sir Simon Milligan and man servant Hecubus...

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Big doings tonight at the Jersey City Council meeting aside from the crime initiative

2012-02-07T09:09:00.003-05:00

Could the city FINALLY settle the Sixth Street Embankment issue and give Jersey City it's own High Line? That is the message in today's Wall Street Journal who interviewed several Jersey City officials in the know over tonight's vote on the property. William Matsikoudis, Jersey City municipal attorney, who estimated the city has spent more than $500,000 in legal fees on the battle said "We're one step away from a settlement that will provide a world-class amenity for the people for Jersey City." Councilman Steve Fulop, a supporter of the plan, said he felt the plan would pass.

You can read more about the looooong sloooooow history of the Sixth Street Embankment over at the WSJ.

It's a day filled with Giant fun

2012-02-07T08:25:00.003-05:00

The Super Bowl champs will have their parade through Broadway's "Canyon of Heroes' starting at 11 am today (take the WTC PATH kids) and then the scene shifts back to New Jersey (where the Giants actually play) for a 3pm party/reception at the New Meadowlands.

The Giants' victory parade, which will begin at Battery Place and Washington Street and continue northbound to Wall Street, will culminate at New York City Hall.

PATH will be running trains on peak-hours schedules meaning every 5 minutes instead of 15 through roughly 3 pm. NY Waterways will also offer more-frequent trips across the Hudson River today to accommodate Giants fans.

Make sure to collect the leftover ticker tape as we're going to send it off in truckloads to Tom Brady's house so he and his oh-so agitated wife can see what they missed out on.

We have an update on the planned anti-crime rally

2012-02-07T04:18:00.002-05:00

The meeting will be inside at the Council meeting in City Hall Chambers. Leaders are also requesting citizens who are participating bring signs to help get the message across.

Late night open thread

2012-02-06T20:59:00.001-05:00

If today is your birthday you share it with Yankee legend Babe Ruth. The Babe was born in 1895.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Technology trips up yet another remedial criminal

2012-02-06T08:03:00.003-05:00

Omar Richardson took a picture of himself making an obscene gesture using an iPhone. No big deal, thousands of people take pics they wish they never had. The trouble for Omar was he was taking the picture on a stolen iPhone, one Jersey City police say he stole while wearing a mask. A week ago a masked man demanded the owner of the iPhone "Give me your keys and phone," after she exited her car on Armstrong Avenue.

Now the person who stole the iPhone could have been anyone. The robber was wearing a ski mask after all. All doubt was lost however when Omar took a picture of himself flipping the bird to the camera which he thought made him tough when in fact this particular iPhone had tracking technology on it and every picture taken showed up on the rightful owner's home computer. All the rightful owner then had to do was print out Omar's picture and take it to the Jersey City police department and soon enough a officer recognized Omar as the man on the stolen iPhone picture.

How to track Omar down? Easy, let him come to you. Police did some checking and Omar was due to appear in court last Tuesday on drug charges so after he showed up at the Central Judicial Processing he was arrested on the stolen cell phone charges.

Omar is cooling his heels in the Hudson County jail in Kearny on a $100K bond.

Late night open thread

2012-02-05T22:19:00.002-05:00

Super Bowl Champions, again! They topped the Patriots for the title, again! New York tops Bahstun when the money is on the table, again!

Congratulations to the New Jersey Giants, Champions of the football world.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Giants football gameday -- SUPER BOWL Edition!!!!

2012-02-05T06:47:00.008-05:00

Wow, Johnny's first ever Super Bowl edition of the Game Day post. Media Day the other day is well behind Johnny and he's ready to go, the stage and pressure do not phase him. This is no place for a nervous person.

The New England Patriots. They've been really good and won some incredible games but for the last three or fours years you just knew something wasn't right. "The homeless man" as Johnny's wife refers to the duds of Bill Belichick, or, "That jackhole who could win everywhere but Cleveland" as Johnny refers to him has been taking doll parts off of lesser dolls to patch up that really fine looking doll from 2004. Now it just kind of looks like this:

But Johnny you say, they ARE back at the Super Bowl with those parts falling off. Yes they are and they are a dangerous team. But just like the Giants weren't intimidated in 2007 they won't be today. That alone does not mean victory however...

The Giants offense is rolling along just fine thank you. Why change anything? The Patriots don't give up yards so much as they give up hectares (some science equivalency for our Canadian readers there). Just like the Packers got by with giving up a lot of yards but coming up with turnovers so too the New Englanders. The fact is the Giants just haven't been much in a giving mood this postseason so that just leaves the hectares. Belichick is no dummy. He can do a pretty good job at stopping one aspect of an opponent's offense. The Giants can win a shootout ala Green Bay, they can win a backalley fistfight ala San Francisco so again, advantage Giants. Unless Eli plays shockingly bad or the Giants fumble two or three times they should at the worst have a chance in the fourth quarter.

Tom Brady can put points up like a pinball machine, mostly because he has to. The Giants need to manage this. Killing it is near impossible but managing it is doable. Rob Gronkowski is going to play and most likely play well. The Super Bowl does that to guys not named Donovan McNabb or Fran Tarkenton. Max McGee, the MVP of Super Bowl I was incredibly hungover. Legend had it he was drinking because he was upset the Super Bowl committee had decided that afternoon all Super Bowls would have a Roman numeral after the name not the more conventional numbering convention used today. "I, nobody is gonna care about I...it should be 1 and only 1 and then 2 and then 3 and then 4 and then..." he was purported to have possibly said that night BUT the point is here the Pats offense can be managed. If the vaunted Big Blue pass rush can harass and or hassle Brady with just 4 you can plan the parade along the New Jersey Turnpike.

Special teams. The Giants special teams have been playing lights out. That doesn't mean squat. Special teams in playoff games are a game by game result. We really think of all aspects of football this one doesn't carry momentum. One fumble, one missed kick and suddenly they are bums. The kick coverage teams have been very very good. They need to be very good one more time. Lawrence Tynes needs to hit all his field goals one more time.

So, here we are, 12 hours from gametime and 11 hours of pre-game coverage to boot. You do get a cool Chelsea vs. Manchester United match from Stamford Bridge (Chelsea's home grounds) at 10:30 on FOX. All the prognosticating grows more intense, the bets get more serious, and the advertising becomes more cutthroat:

So come on back here all day and talk Giants and Patriots or Madonna at halftime or the ads or anything else Super Bowl related. Think of us as your online Super Bowl party.

One last thing...

Super Bowl Fearless Forecast:
New Jersey Giants 31
New England Patriots 30.9

Late night open thread

2012-02-05T01:40:00.002-05:00

Even Jesus hates the Philadelphia Flyers. What cheap bastards they are. And acting the role of an Old Testament angry God and standing up to the slew-foot on Zach Parise is one Ilya Kovalchuk who beat down Flyers Brayden Schenn in a Biblical way. Kovalchuk rag dolls Schenn around for a while until he decides to knock him around a couple times before landing a righteous roundhouse which, in the words of Chris Farley in Tommy Boy, "That's gonna leave a mark."

As for the douchenozzle who stared this whole mess, the very weasely Zac Rinaldo, he got a $2500 fine for the slew-foot on Parise and compounded his debt to the NHL with another $2500 fine for a late hit on the Devils' Jacob Josefson.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Concerned citizens plan a crime rally at Wednesday's council meeting

2012-02-04T08:14:00.003-05:00

Our friends at the Jersey City Independent passed this along to us and it's way too important not to share. A group of concerned citizens (who previously fought against the perception of crime in Jersey City when that was inaccurate) is holding a rally outside this Wednesday's Jersey City Council meeting to protest "insufficient action on the part of the city."

We agree. We also read Mayor Healy's response to some good reporting at the Jersey City Independent (Hey guys at least he knows who you are unlike this dump) on this topic of rampant crime. It was Healy you'll recall running those ads in 2009 that said he had a new computerized system for the JCPD that helped them map crime BEFORE it happened. It predicted where crime would take place. Healy pushed this meme again and again.

Time to recalibrate those computer mapping systems eh Mayor? The fact Healy had the cahones to try and use this quote in ending his reply to the Jersey City Independent says a lot:

"...‘Lies – damn lies – and statistics,’ still there are some easy figures the simplest must understand, and the astutest cannot wriggle out of.”

Yes Mayor, like crime IS out of hand in Jersey City and regular citizens can't wriggle away from it. We're sorry you'd choose to call the residents and people who oppose you "the simplest" and openly show your contempt for the people you think you somehow rule over but then again when it comes to crime stats, start in your former Deputy Mayor's office and work your way through the building.

We thank the Jersey City Independent for sponsoring this rally and taking time to care about your city more than issuing press releases and having people look up Leonard H. Courtney quotes for you to use in defense of what has really been an indefensible position.

Late night open thread

2012-02-04T03:32:00.001-05:00

Have a good laugh on us. Click here.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with MAMAS AND THE PAPAS!

2012-02-04T01:26:00.003-05:00

No band ever harmonized better, sorry, none. That's one of those Vincent Vega bold statements but Johnny is ready to back that mess up. Just turn your speakers up and close your eyes and get lost again in this brilliant song. The Mamas and the Papas with 'California Dreamin'

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with LOS FABULOSOS CADILLACS!

2012-02-04T01:16:00.003-05:00

The Argentine band out of Buenos Aires got a huge bump for this song when Joe Strummer included it in the soundtrack to Grosse Pointe Blank. Los Fabulosos Cadillacs with 'Matador'.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE DOORS!

2012-02-04T01:06:00.003-05:00

Now Johnny isn't probably going to tell you a lot about The Doors you don't already know so we'll just get to the song. Here are the Doors with 'The WASP (Texas Radio and the Big Beat)' to finish things on the music series this week.

So Giants fans, what's on the menu Sunday?

2012-02-03T09:13:00.003-05:00

How are you planning on filling your eat hole on Sunday watching the Super Bowl? Traditional? Something upscale? Do tell us your food secrets for Super Sunday (whether you're a Giants fan or not).

Late night open thread

2012-02-02T22:58:00.003-05:00

The Devils beat the Montreal Canadiens 5-3 at the Prudential Center tonight, roaring back with three third period goals to win. Zach Parise scored two including the winner and David Clarkson also chipped in with a pair.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Jersey City's own weather prognosticator, Jebediah the Wombat gives his prediction!

2012-02-02T08:19:00.005-05:00

Johnny ventured over to where Jebediah the Jersey City Wombat lives (under one of those hundreds of cinder blocks near the corner of Bay Street and Warren near the Powerhouse Arts Building) and as Jebediah came out from under his cinder block home Johnny asked him since he DID NOT see his shadow how much longer winter would last.

"Winter, said Jebediah, when the hell is winter going to START let alone end?" At which point he wandered back under the cinder blocks he calls home for another year.

That's just good reporting.

PATH service at Grove St. is suspended -- A woman jumped in front of a train

2012-02-02T08:16:00.001-05:00

According to sources:

Port Authority Police spokesman Al Della Fave says the woman landed in the middle of the track as a PATH train rolled over her near the Grove Street station in Jersey City today.

No word on when Grove St. will be back up and running...

Late night open thread

2012-02-01T22:25:00.001-05:00

Famous last words night:

"How's this for a headline? 'French Fries."
--James D. French before being put to death in Oklahoma's electric chair in 1966

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Any of our dear readers Game of Thrones fans?

2012-02-01T10:51:00.005-05:00

Johnny just can't get enough of the season two previews with the new season FINALLY on the horizon April 1st. If you haven't seen this one it's a keeper.

You win or you die, you'd think that would be pretty straightforward but in George R. R. Martin's world the chances of you dying vastly outweigh the chances of you winning.

Recently George R. R. Martin visited the Audible.com HQ out in Newark and Johnny wanted to pass this interview with him along...

Gremlins help sink the Broadway Blueshirts at The Rock last night

2012-02-01T09:34:00.004-05:00

Former Detroit Tigers great and television play-by-play man George Kell used to say whenever a ball took a bad hop or the ball did something unexplained that it was the "gremlins" who got hold of the ball. Well last night at the Prudential Center and the Rangers holding a slim 3-2 lead over the Devils the Prudential Center gremlins decided to make an appearance...

After David Clarkson's happy accident the Devils went on to beat the Rangers in a shootout with El Diablo's netminder Martin Brodeur throwing a shootout shutout.

These two teams play again next Tuesday at MSG.

Late night open thread

2012-01-31T19:53:00.002-05:00

On this day in 1606 English revolutionary Guy Fawkes died. He was tried for his part in the Gunpowder Plot to blow up the Parliament building in protest of the corrupt and oppressive rule. Fawkes was to be hung, drawn and quartered but in denying the crown the justice they wanted he jumped from the hangman's platform to the ground below breaking his neck and dying instantly.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

How about some love for the JCFD this morning?

2012-01-31T09:07:00.004-05:00

Not only do they rush into burning buildings to save lives, they ACT when they see their fellow citizens being attacked. That's right, firefighters with Engine Company 22 yesterday saw a man being yelled at by four hoods. When Captain Jack Johnson and firefighters John Amato, Wilson Carrera and Jonathan Rosado looked into the rear-view mirror after passing by they saw the four losers begin attacking the man. They turned the fire truck around and came back to help the victim and chased after the attackers catching one and turning him over to the Jersey City police.

The group had stolen the victim's cellphone, computer and other valuables and left him with a bleeding nose and swollen eyes so we are very thankful these Jersey City firefighters acted as they did. A tip of the Jersey City Desk cap to Captain Jack Johnson and firefighters John Amato, Wilson Carrera and Jonathan Rosado, showing the best Jersey City has to offer.

Intern Zoltron is down in Piscataway this morning

2012-01-31T08:57:00.002-05:00

He wanted to see if he could become the Rutgers head football coach for the day as others have seemingly managed to do this week. Zoltron said he'd institute a 4-3 defense and a West-Coast offense in his day in charge.

Late night open thread

2012-01-30T20:27:00.002-05:00

Somebody hop on the Twitter and tell John Cusack you want your two dollars. Let us know how that works out for you. Our guess? Not well.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

They can say it better than Johnny....

2012-01-30T06:15:00.003-05:00

About the BADLY needed oversight (legally enforced) at the NYPD. The arrogance and obfuscation and the contempt for the general public must end.

Read on...

Late night open thread

2012-01-29T19:43:00.002-05:00

Are you one of those who figures our complete lack of winter means we'll have to pay for it come summer or are you of the mind that we're getting a warm winter after dealing with the last two record-setting hot summers?

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

It's a Sunday brunch kind of day...

2012-01-29T11:59:00.001-05:00

Lazy around, eat well, read some paper and not go into the Jersey City Desk offices AT ALL.

See ya tonight.

Late night open thread

2012-01-29T03:50:00.001-05:00

"My wife and I have the secret to making a marriage last. Two times a week, we go to a nice restaurant, a little wine, good food. She goes Tuesdays, I go Fridays."
-- Henny Youngman

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

If you love classic Hollywood movies, tomorrow night at Loew's is for you

2012-01-28T13:35:00.005-05:00

Loew's Theater Jersey City will be hosting a meet and greet along with a movie double feature with Oscar nominated actress Piper Laurie. Forever etched in our memories are her roles in The Hustler with Paul Newman, Carrie, (The two films being screened) Children of a Lesser God and her classic spin on TeeVee's Twin Peaks. Laurie will be signing copies of her book 'Learning to Live Out Loud' as the event kicks off at 5:15 with The Hustler screening after that and Carrie playing at 9:15 pm.

And Ticketmaster can't screw it up. Good times.

Once again, Ticketmaster FAILS in its duty to make Springsteen tickets available to all

2012-01-28T10:33:00.005-05:00

By now you've no doubt heard that thousands of Bruce Springsteen fans were shut out by marauding 'bots' or ticket buying programs yesterday. Even as fans kept trying to access Ticketmaster to buy seats for the upcoming shows at the Izod Center and the Prudential Center sites such as eBay and StubHub were advertising the tickets they were trying to buy for thousands more.

Ticketmaster acted surprised and shocked (again) saying:

"We anticipate and prepare for volume, but what we experienced today was a highly suspicious source of traffic, and there was exponentially more traffic than other similar days with major ‘onsales,’ " Ticketmaster spokeswoman Jacqueline Peterson said.

SO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT TICKETMASTER. We've seen ZERO ideas from Ticketmaster, who lets face it makes hundreds of millions of dollars really for doing NOTHING, on how THEY plan to stop this kind of thing in the future. Gee, you'd think they just didn't care until someone like Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-8th Dist.) comes sniffing around asking hard questions about Ticketmaster's business model:

"We’ve got to take a very, very careful look at the use of high-tech computer programs. While many fans were unable to get tickets today, many brokers were able to get their hands on good seats ... and put them up on secondary ticket sellers’ websites," said Pascrell, who will re-introduce federal legislation to improve oversight of the ticket industry.

Truth is Ticketmaster could give a shit. They get their money via the bots through resellers and that's what they care about. If Ticketmaster cared this wouldn't happen time after time after time after time.

Short of passing serious laws with serious penalties about reselling tickets say within 24 or 48 hours after they go on sale this won't change. Ticketmaster (and by association Ticketmasters own reselling arm TicketsNow), eBay, StubHub etc. are NEVER going to fix their business model for fans. They're not.

So Mr. Pascrell do your worst, get everyone behind you, pass a serious law with serious consequences and you know what, NOBODY will be on Ticketmaster's side. We've all been getting ripped off by them for decades. There will be NO public outcry over turning the screws on them. Right or left, Republican or Democrat we all enjoy going to concerts. It's a win-win proposition. It'd play REALLY REALLY well in an election year. Just saying. Ticketmaster doesn't HAVE to be a necessary evil.

Late night open thread

2012-01-28T03:26:00.002-05:00

Sweet dreams of bacon Jersey City, the friendliest of meats.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE SUPREMES!

2012-01-28T00:45:00.002-05:00

You know 'em, you love 'em, you can't live without 'em, ladies and jellyspoons they're Motown's Supremes with "You Can't Hurry Love'. C'mon, you know the words, sing this one.

FRiday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with 10,000 MANIACS!

2012-01-28T00:39:00.002-05:00

Natalie Merchant you get down off the Chrysler Building this instant! If you fall off of there your insurance company isn't paying for it.

10,000 Maniacs with 'These Are Days'

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with JOY DIVISION!

2012-01-28T00:24:00.002-05:00

Yes we all know the song 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' is a great song but tonight we're gonna drop a different version on you than you are most likely familiar with. This is from the Peel Sessions from 1979.

If you like live music and you enjoy weekends here's a story for YOU

2012-01-27T10:40:00.005-05:00

The Jersey City Council passed an ordinance to allow late-night live music in commercial district restaurants. The music can flow freely as the drinks until 2 am on Friday and Saturday with 1 am being last call for music from Sunday through Thursday evenings. The vote was 7-0 in favor of the live music with Peter Brennan abstaining because he owns an entertainment license and Brennan's new heated rival Nidia Lopez who said a family member may buy a license.

This is great news. Johnny will most assuredly be hitting some of these fine Jersey City establishments later in the evening as he is all about good food and great music.

Great job City Council, take Sunday off....

Late night open thread

2012-01-26T23:17:00.002-05:00

Bad car ad night here at the Jersey City Desk. What can you say about the 1973 Ford LTD Broughm that hasn't been said already? Yes, words like crappy, bloated, aesthetically displeasing and the car that every serial killer or murderer will drive in every TeeVee show and movie until 1982. At Ford quiet is the sound of a well made car the ad says. Yes, and blindness is the result of a horribly designed car.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Breaking News: Rutgers head football coach to leave to coach the Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- UPDATED

2012-01-26T14:13:00.003-05:00

It would seem a late time for a head coaching change with recruiting still going on but a head coaching change in Piscataway it is. The timing really does leave the Scarlet Knights in a bind with signing day close at hand. We think Schiano was a fine Rutgers head coach but boy we just don't see how that parlays into success with the Yuckaneers.

No word on any new head coach at Rutgers as of yet...

Update 4:40 pm

Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out there Greggie. There's a right way and a wrong way to leave a job such as yours. You have chosen to STIFF Rutgers and the recruits you asked to trust you. Former Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano was SUPPOSED to meet with assistant coaches and recruits this morning, Dave Hooker with ESPN takes it from there:

As scheduled, five Rutgers assistant coaches showed up at the Ramsey, N.J., school, which showcases several highly rated prospects each year. The coaches were focused on securing current commitment Leonte Carroo, a three-star receiver, and Darius Hamilton, a four-star defensive end who is primarily considering the Scarlet Knights and Florida.

Schiano never showed up nor called anyone. He just left the kids and his assistants hanging. What a classless thing to do. Those kids by the way are still free to play anywhere they want to and some just might according to Hooker:

With six days before national signing day, Rutgers suddenly finds itself in an incredible time crush to secure its 2012 class. Who will be Rutgers' next coach, but perhaps almost as importantly, how many assistants will stay at the school? Even with a new head coach, those relationships could still pay dividends in recruiting. If Rutgers decides to go elsewhere to hire a coach, those assistants may be gone. An in-house hiring could ease the transition a bit, but it will be a challenge no matter what.

It's really baffling why Schiano chose to leave through a back door and keep walking. For all the good he's done for the program this was just a really poor final chapter.

OK, which offending NYC Kelly to talk about first...

2012-01-26T10:16:00.006-05:00

...OK we'll start with the old man, New York City police commissioner the ever failing Ray Kelly.

Ray Kelly has been under a lot of self-inflicted pain lately, his complete and utter mishandling of the police riot started at Zuccotti Park in violently evicting #OWS protestors. His police force under his direction became so out of control even Mayor Bloomberg noticed his personal army was misbehaving, especially when it came to cracking news media skulls. Previously Kelly helped run the spying activities under his watch that spied on Muslim neighborhoods which is what we're here to talk about today. A "film" entitled "The Third Jihad: Radical Islam's Vision for America" a scary propaganda related "film" was running constantly in New York City PD stations, over 1400 officers watched the "film" over a period of months. Previously Kelly's PD said the "film" was hardly being shown at all, saying it only screened "a few times." Sounds like somebody playing fast and loose with the truth. Kelly said originally he had nothing to do with the "film" --- until of course he did. He gives an interview IN the "film". Oops. So Mr. Kelly we wonder, after your OBVIOUS involvement with this piece of trash did that lead to you spying on the Muslim neighborhoods? We think you owe the city and the citizens an explanation. Did this propaganda influence your viewpoint in spying on New Yorkers? Johnny has his guess.

Now onto television personality Greg Kelly who Johnny is told is on one of the morning shows in NYC, "Good Day New York", has been accused of rape. The police commish's son is being accused by an unidentified woman "who is in her late 20s or early 30s, says that Kelly took her to a bar at the South Street Seaport. After several drinks, she says they went to the Lower Manhattan law firm where she works, and there Kelly proceeded to rape her." That's nasty business if true. Now, we know celebs live under a different kind of justice than the rest of society. Before anyone jumps to a conclusion about he'll automatically get the charges dismissed should know two things; 1) Because he is the Police Commissioner's son the investigation will be handled by the Manhattan D.A.'s office (Of course this doesn't mean muckity mucks at the NYPD can't pressure the DA's office for info). 2) The woman waited three months to report the crime. Does this mean it didn't happen or we should dismiss her accusations? No. According to The New York Times the woman's boyfriend approached the elder Kelly and told him of the incident to which the Police Commissioner told the man to "write a letter."

Bad day to be a Kelly in New York City. Here's a list of the Top Ten Lies told by Ray Kelly's NYPD.

Late night open thread

2012-01-25T22:35:00.003-05:00

It never gets old, Messi Messi Messi Messi Pedro BANG. The best part about this goal, the first of two by the Blaugrana in the last 5 minutes of the first half, is that it comes with a Ronaldo hissy fit for the ages at the end. Good God man, do you need a tissue? He's beginning to realize that no, he's not going to beat Barcelona (again) and now it's time to, as the great Johnny Cash once sang 'Cry, Cry, Cry'.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Historical Intrigue Theatre presents:

2012-01-25T10:08:00.004-05:00

The story of the 15 year-old boy who died dodging kisses from female co-workers.....in 1909.

A great read from our friends at Gothamist, and wholly original in scope here. If you like history and strange happenings, this will be a nice read over lunch.

Late night open thread

2012-01-24T21:34:00.002-05:00

Well it looks like the Yankees are going to have to open the vault under the new Yankee Stadium to keep pace with the Motor City Kitties. Adding Prince Fielder to a lineup with fellow MVP candidate Miguel Cabrera, Delmon Young, Magglio Ordonez, Jhonny Peralta and Alex Avila sure got the attention of the baseball world today. The Detroit auto companies are firing on all cylinders these days and it looks like the Tigers offense will be too. It's nice to see Prince Fielder playing where his dad Cecil had some great years.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

We don't normally spend a lot of time defending Chris Christie....

2012-01-24T08:40:00.004-05:00

But when Caribou Barbie starts calling Christie a "rookie" and saying he's "making rookie mistakes" over his criticism of Newt Gingrich on behalf of his new BFF Mittens Romney we feel the need to clarify some things for Mrs. Palin.

First off Moosealini, you QUIT halfway through your term. Up and quit when the going got tough. Say what you want about Chris Christie but he doesn't run from a fight or a challenge. Then to say of our Governor, no doubt trying to make a bodily comparison, "Well, you kind of get your panties in a wad..." we get it Sarah. We see what you're TRYING to accomplish. If someone had said this about you, you'd be on the Hannity show complaining you're a victim of sexism.

Next off Sarah, while you were a drag on the 2008 GOP ticket, Chris Christie would be a plus. Here are a few of your "rookie mistakes" Mrs. Palin and think next time you---er wait, nevermind...

*Earning your family the name 'The Wasilla Hillbillies' -- Perhaps the most dangerous allegation for Palin are reports in The New York Times and Newsweek that when she was urged by McCain adviser Nicole Wallace to buy three suits for the Republican convention and three suits for the campaign trail, she went on the now-infamous shopping spree at swank stores like Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus. There is one comment in particular from a McCain aide that guaranteed to heighten friction between the two camps. The angry aide described the Palin family shopping spree to Newsweek as "Wasilla hillbillies looting Neiman Marcus from coast to coast."

*Despite warnings from the McCain camp taking a phone call from French President Nicholas Sarkozy which turned out to be a radio station prank.

*Not knowing Africa is a continent

*Not knowing which three North American nations are in NAFTA.

*Demanding to make your OWN concession speech Nov. 4, 2008

*When asked what the Vice President does (Remember she's now running for this office) said "[T]hey’re in charge of the U.S. Senate so if they want to they can really get in there with the senators and make a lot of good policy changes that will make life better for Brandon and his family and his classroom."

Oh boy oh boy oh boy.....Governor Christie, yes, we are thankful you're not this bimbo eruption.

Late night open thread

2012-01-24T02:25:00.000-05:00

A monkey was once tried and convicted for smoking a cigarette in South Bend, Indiana. Take that, monkey...

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

A newsworthy news roundup on a Monday morning

2012-01-23T07:37:00.006-05:00

*Super Bowl XVLIIXMCLVIILXXXCLMXIII will be Sunday February 5th at 6pm in Indianapolis. Your New York Giants will try not to give back the Super Bowl victory that knocked New England from a perfect season in 2007-08. No doubt Jersey Journal reporter Kate Kowsh will looking for "long lines outside Hoboken bars jammed with Giants fans" later today. Seemingly it's all she does.

Most New Jersey residents enjoy having their gas pumped. Only New Jersey and Oregon dictate that an attendant at the gas station pumps your gas. Personally Johnny would just like the option to self-serve.

PSE&G said roughly 100 Jersey City residents had to be evacuated yesterday because of a gas leak near Pacific Avenue and Ash St. No doubt this will be found to not be PSE&G's fault. We just have a feeling.

Port Authority police nabbed a 15-year-old jackass who had been targeting people on the PATH and stealing their smartphones from their hands as he would run off the train. Well done there.

Not well done there -- A Port Authority police officer ran over a skateboarder while driving intoxicated on Friday according to reports. Mark Legiec blew "over the legal limit" according to Berkeley Heights Police Chief Michael Mathis. Note that if this had been you Chief Mathis would have had no trouble plastering your reading in public.

Late night open thread

2012-01-22T21:59:00.002-05:00

If today is your birthday you share it with Renaissance humanist author and philosopher Sir Francis Bacon. He'd be a springlike 451 today. Hopefully you're younger.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

We're not sure who we feel worse for, Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff...

2012-01-22T18:37:00.005-05:00

...or his seeing eye dog. That was brutal. So Giants fans, New England is in and you are 60 minutes away from a rematch of some note.

And Billy Cundiff will have his lunch money taken from him on the Ravens flight home from Boston. And he'll be a free agent by this time tomorrow with no lunch money.

We think when the announcer is yelling "Look out, look out!" he means the fans in the corner of the end-zone to keep someone from losing an eye.

Giants football gameday -- NFC CHAMPIONSHIP Edition!!!!

2012-01-22T10:52:00.003-05:00

Johnny you ask, are the Giants going to win?

We'll get to that. Johnny would imagine that after you've won a few Super Bowls like the Giants that losing another isn't the end of the world like it would be for say us Browns fans. You know, you've got those warm and fuzzy memories of Phil McConkey and Mark Bavaro, Phil Simms, and beating the unperfect Pats. So just winning today and getting to have your team talked about at length for two weeks is way beyond your expectations of September.

But are they going to win?

Eli is the better QB by far today. He will also face his first great defense today at Candlestick. No turnovers, manage the game if you have to. The more points the Giants score the more pressure to make a mistake grows on unproven Alex Smith. Every point, every seemingly meaningless early field goal increases the chances Smith will screw up. Smith too is facing his toughest defense of the playoffs. We don't think the 49ers will come close to 36 points today.

Dumbass, are they going to win?

Speaking of unproven, Jim Harbaugh ladies and gentlemen. While Tom Coughlin is as predictable as a Swiss watch Harbaugh is impetuous at times. Those big moments in a game can make a legend or have you answering uncomfortable questions at the post-game presser. Until Mr. Harbaugh leads his team to a Super Bowl we'll take Abe Simpson in this one.

Dammit Johnny, are they goi-----

Here's the X-factor....Johnny's wife is a 49ers fan. For a prediction that has no real bearing on the outcome, sorry Giants fans, homefront harmony shall reign supreme.

San Francisco 49ers 26
New Jersey Giants 24

Late night open thread

2012-01-22T02:13:00.004-05:00

Hey hey, the US Men's National Team scored "at the death" as they say elsewhere, "deep into extra time" as we say here and beat Venezuela 1-0 in Phoenix tonight. A good effort from the 'B' squad with all of our top tier players still playing in Europe.

If you ever meet Ricardo Clark in a bar do buy him a tall cold beer.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Oh those wacky people from Tennessee

2012-01-21T11:15:00.004-05:00

Upset one of his own citizens wasn't somehow smart enough to check beforehand what New York City's gun laws were (ie see Burress, Plaxico) before bringing a weapon to the World Trade Center memorial, a Tennessee state representative is issuing thinly-veiled threats to New York drivers who may be driving through the Volunteer State. Representative Frank Niceley said in a self-described "tongue-in-cheek" statement that "Be it further resolved that we remind the citizens of New York, especially those residing in New York City, to drive carefully through the great State of Tennessee, paying extra attention to our speed limits."

Thanks Frank, we'll be suuuuuure to note that. Mayor Bloomberg's spokesmodels sure did: "We agree, everyone should use common sense—which is what prosecutors in New York do," Bloomberg spokesman Marc LaVorgna responded. "Common sense also includes checking gun laws before traveling—something even the NRA tells people to do."

Burrrrrrrrrrn.

Since Mr. Nicely is such a fan of tongue-in-cheek proclamations we have a few of our own for the good people of Tennessee when it comes to dealing with New Jersey and New York:

1) Be it resolved that no moonshine may be brought into New Jersey or New York.
2) Be it resolved that no citizen of Tennessee married to a relative shall have their marriage recognized by the states of New Jersey or New York.
3) Be it resolved no more elephants be hung in Tennessee. Yes, we said no more elephants being hung.
4) Be it resolved that the Nashville Predators win a division title once in their franchise lifetime before they have been in the league 20 years.
5) Be it resolved that Tennessee drop Dolly Parton as their state bird.

There you have it Mr. Nicely, you pass these along to your constituents as they enter the Cracker Barrel...

Late night open thread

2012-01-21T03:11:00.000-05:00

"The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese."
--Steven Wright

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with ETTA JAMES!

2012-01-21T00:57:00.004-05:00

The music world is dimished tonight with the passing of legendary singer Etta James. Etta was 73 and left a catalog as wide as it is deep. So many tributes today are focusing on her standard 'At Last', and rightfully so. Johnny's iTunes catalog when it comes to Etta has far more of her "take charge" kind of songs, bold and brassy and with that signature snarl.

Etta James passes into immortality tonight with 'I Just Want To Make Love To You'.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with DAVID BYRNE!

2012-01-21T00:46:00.003-05:00

Mr. David Byrne once explained the genesis of this song. He said he knew a girl in high school in suburban Baltimore used to like to take acid and lie in a field next to the Yoo Hoo chocolate drink factory, like you do. She told him that was a great place for it. He said he had his doubts. David Byrne with 'And She Was'.

Please note the first of two clips from British tellie. Brought to you by Cadbury and the Aston Villa Football Club.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with SHERYL CROW!

2012-01-21T00:39:00.004-05:00

Here's a real anthemic rocker from Sheryl Crow on the Jools Holland TeeVee programme across the pond. It's called 'Out of Our Heads' and it'll set those toes to tapping and fingers to popping. As they'd say in England, have a go.

A winter weather advisory has been posted for Hudson County and the surround

2012-01-20T08:46:00.004-05:00

Well, it took long enough but no longer will Hudson County be able to hide from winter as 3-5" of powder is expected beginning after midnight tonight into late tomorrow morning.

We're pretty sure Delaware told Old Man Winter where New Jersey was hiding. Stupid Delaware...

Late night open thread

2012-01-19T22:02:00.002-05:00

On this day in 1861 Georgia seceded from the Union. Many today are left to wonder if they really rejoined.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

One less loser left to pester us good folk

2012-01-19T10:36:00.004-05:00

Crime rampage aficionado and waste of skin Maksim Gelman, whom you may recall went on a killing and slashing spree last winter got his lifetime achievement award yesterday being sentenced to 200 years to life. Mr. Big and Bad glowered around the courtroom and made offensive statements to the victims families in court before being sentenced. Justice Richard D. Carruthers of State Supreme Court in Manhattan sentenced Gelman for four murders and a slashing subway attack. The subway attack was Gelman's downfall as he bit off more than he could chew in attacking Joseph Lozito, a 6-foot-2, 270-pound devotee of mixed martial arts. Lozito stopped Gelman cold knocking him to the ground after being slashed at which point police arrived in the subway car to take Mr. Laughs into custody.

Speaking of biting off more than one can chew, please write us letters from prison Maksim, tell us how you enjoy everyone being a 6-foot-2, 270-pound muscleman. As always our best wishes go to the families who lost a loved one from Bozo's stupidity.

Throw back your blinds Jersey City, a lovely crescent moon rises in the east

2012-01-19T05:33:00.000-05:00

That would be the bright curvy thing in the sky towards New York. Gorgeous isn't it?

Late night open thread

2012-01-18T22:15:00.003-05:00

Real Madrid 1 Unreal Barcelona 2.......And all is right with the world.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

The Jersey City Desk is also going black today to protest SOPA and PIPA

2012-01-18T09:20:00.002-05:00

Yes, the interwebs will have to do without the Jersey City Desk today as we link to a very important web page about just what all the hoopla is over SOPA and PIPA, both very dangerous pieces of legislation as it relates to internet freedom. Compromise and or watering these bills down is not enough. They must be killed in their current form.

Spend some time reading this article and we'll be back tonight.

Late night open thread

2012-01-17T21:35:00.002-05:00

Today is the birthday of former Rolling Stone Mick Taylor. Always under appreciated that fellow. Mick is 63 today.

Here's some nasty Mick Taylor riffing on Can't You Hear Me Knockin' before bed tonight.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Remember a long time ago when Johnny put up the video of the Giants fan crying?

2012-01-17T15:02:00.005-05:00

Well Giants fans, here is your payback from that. A possibly inebriated Packers fan crying on her way home from the big game. This video has roughly 1200 views on YouTube. By the weekend we're guessing it'll be thousands upon thousands...

Don't say Johnny doesn't love you because he's a Browns fan.

Jumping Jesus on a pogo stick -- N-O spells NO

2012-01-17T10:22:00.004-05:00

Good morning Jersey City. Have you had your coffee yet this rainy morning in Cool City? Maybe a danish or some breakfast to start your day right? Good, thats great. Are you sitting down?

The MTV show The Jersey Shore has contacted and is looking to film their next season right here in Jersey City.

Peter Stuyvesant is rolling over in his grave.

Yes, what's not to love about drunken brawling and smush rooms inhabited by spray tanned dotars and little hobbit-like Elviras? The show is also looking at the possibility of filming in Las Vegas or Los Angeles. Sadly, if we had to guess getting the Jersey Shore cast this close to NYC might be too much to pass up. We're of the mind however since most of the guidos and guidetts are from Long Island ANYWAY, well you get the idea.

On the next Jersey Shore, Snooki goes hunting for the Long Island serial killer...

Color us a no vote on this one, Jersey City doesn't need anything this badly.

Late night open thread

2012-01-16T23:36:00.000-05:00

"Drive-in banks were established so most of the cars today could see their real owners."
--E. Joseph Cossman

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

A RARE look inside the Manischewitz Factory

2012-01-16T14:26:00.004-05:00

The old Manischewitz factory that takes up almost an entire city block between Marin, Bay, Provost and Warren in the Powerhouse Arts District hasn't been open in quite some time. The 1932 landmark is getting ready to be turned into some god-awful Toll Brothers cash cow and workers checking the water lines inside today left a door open out back and that was all Johnny needed.

Behold

Happy Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day!

2012-01-16T08:49:00.002-05:00

Here is his famed I Have a Dream speech given August 28, 1963...

Late night open thread

2012-01-16T00:30:00.001-05:00

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Johnny can admit when he is wrong, and he was wrong

2012-01-15T19:58:00.002-05:00

The Giants just put a red-assed beat down on the Packers. Now they're off to San Francisco for the NFC Championship game next Sunday. The Green Bay Packers scheme and perform poorly and give up a devastating Hail Mary at the end of the half to the Giants. Earlier this year the Wisconsin Badgers gave up two devastating Hail Mary touchdowns on consecutive weeks to Michigan State and Ohio State. You gotta think the Cheeseheads are going to be a little gunshy next year at the end of the half.

Remember the last time Big Blue played the 49ers at Candlestick in the playoffs?

Giants football gameday -- Playoff Edition!!!!

2012-01-15T10:54:00.003-05:00

The temperature in Green Bay right now is 18 degrees. They are expecting a high of 26 with 10-20 mph winds and it wouldn't be Green Bay without freezing drizzle thrown in. Will the weather be much of a problem for the cold-weather Giants? Nah. Why bring it up? Johnny grew up in Detroit and picking against the Packers at Lambeau in January is folly. Yes, Johnny is well aware of the 2007 playoff game between the Giants and Packers. This is a much better Green Bay team than in 2007. Yes an upset CAN happen but is it likely? Let's break it down...

The Packers give up huge amounts of yards. Yes they have Woodson who seemingly is good for one turnover a game and they have that ferocious linebacker corps to get after Eli today. But still the Packers give up yards. We think time of possession will be key for the Giants today. They don't have to run for 150 yards (but it would be nice), just enough to make Green Bay feel pressure to perform with limited ball possession. Control the clock. Short passes. Make Rodgers sit. Green Bay isn't likely to run the ball much so if the Giants can take some air out of the ball, all the better.

The key today is Green Bay's offensive line vs the Giants front seven. Big Blue has been playing very very well up front the last few weeks. Can they control the line of scrimmage? Can they get pressure on Rodgers? By pressure we don't always mean sacks. Hit him, knock him down. Like former Steelers QB Terry Bradshaw once said, every time you get hit your eyes drop a little further from downfield. If you're hit a few times you stop looking downfield and start looking around you. This is what the Giants need today. Oh boy do they. One other task of note, Rodgers can kill with the scramble. There will be a time today the Packers have a third and six at a crucial part of the game, don't let Rodgers run for it, those are morale killers.

Win the special teams battle. There is no reason the Giants can't win this aspect of the game. In fact if you want to beat the defending Super Bowl champs on their hallowed field you MUST win this battle. Lawrence Tynes can't go two for four in field goals. You cannot leave points on the field today. Steve Weatherford must punt into corners. Long snappers must be spot on, even in freezing drizzle. Do not lose the game on special teams and you have a chance.

The Giants won't be intimidated nor scared. They have seen this Packers team this year and played them close at the New Meadowlands. They won't be cold or unable to function as say a southern or dome team might.

So, what does the crystal ball say? Johnny has picked the Giants all year....until today. It's Green Bay in January and the Packers are 13-3 all-time in the playoffs in January at Lambeau.

Green Bay 31
New Jersey Giants 20

Late night open thread

2012-01-15T01:55:00.001-05:00

"Drill for oil? You mean drill into the ground to try and find oil? You're crazy."
--Associates of Edwin L. Drake refusing his suggestion to drill for oil in 1859

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

As the FuHo turns....

2012-01-14T10:50:00.003-05:00

OK, we've had our initial sniping and finger pointing over how the Hoboken St. Patrick's Day parade became what it is. Yesterday FuHo Mayor Dawn Zimmer said the Mile Square City would still plan on hundreds if not thousands of revelers on the first Saturday in March (March 3rd this year) despite no parade for them to attend.

Wow, this is becoming a witches brew isn't it kids? You'll have so many people drinking, and many of them angry over the parade cancellation. When drunk people get angry and they are looking for payback against a faceless government entity things tend to get broken....and burned. Most Hoboken residents and parade attendees would never ever stoop to such a thing. That being said if you've ever studied crowd behavior it only takes one goober knocking something down or breaking a window for others to emulate goober #1.

We've got a bad feeling about this.

Of course, as we noted yesterday Jersey City is open for business and if it is a parade you're looking for we have that. A great parade. We have many local watering holes for those who wanna enjoy a Guinness or nip of Jameson's whiskey afterward.

We also have more than one PATH stop. Transit for the imbibed has never been easier!

Late night open thread

2012-01-14T02:35:00.004-05:00

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE TEDDYBEARS!

2012-01-14T01:53:00.004-05:00

And singing on this one, from Johnny's old stomping grounds of Ypsilanti, Iggy Pop. How badass is this video? The original Stooge, the original punk singing while being driven around New York City. And one more find from back Michigan way -- that longform Cadillac. Sweeeeeet.

The Teddybears featuring Iggy Pop with 'Punkrocker' kicking off the music series in fine form tonight

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with MAZZY STAR!

2012-01-14T01:30:00.003-05:00

Now here is a fabulous acoustic version of their top ten hit 'Fade Into You'. Hope Sandoval stays with certain notes in this one that just makes this haunting song all the moreso. Johnny has described Hope's voice as 'passionate indifference' before and yeah, that sounds about right.

Sometimes simple is the thing.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with GEORGE CLINTON!

2012-01-14T01:20:00.003-05:00

The spaceship has landed here in Jersey City tonight thrillseekers and thus it's a heaping helping of George Clinton and Atomic Dog.

Bow wow wow yippie yo yippie yay...

The drunken barn dance otherwise known as the Hoboken St. Patrick's Day parade and open bar has been cancelled! UPDATED

2012-01-13T18:21:00.008-05:00

Now what the hell is Johnny going to do for amusement around here every March? That was good copy for weeks. Oh goddammit.

It's true, Hoboken has cancelled the drunken orgy they worked so hard to perfect. The parade committee released the following statement on their website:

"There are many opinions on this topic and many who will be surprised by our decision. We chose not to go to court and not to continue to negotiate over the heavy-handedness of one person. The idea of marching in a parade, in the dark, on a week night, is as insulting as it is unreasonable. While we remain devoted to our heritage, we love our city too much to lower ourselves to the level of those who speak from a place of ignorance and ethnic/religious intolerance."

Did you get that Dawn Zimmer? We're going to go out on a limb and say you are the heavy handed one person they are talking about. RAWR huh? So Mayor, are you gonna take that mess from the committee? Any mayor worth their salt would point out what a mess the committee has let the parade become.

Wait, there's one more quote we need to pass along from the parade committee:

"...the city of Hoboken’s inability to protect our spectators, bands and participants."

Oh double BURN. AND your police force Mayor Zimmer. Now you HAVE to publicly excoriate those Irish bums (Johnny is 100% Irish and can say such things) and stick up for your police and firefighters (one of whom was spit on in the drunken revelry).

Hey, everyone, Jersey City has an AWESOME St. Patrick's Day parade and our mayor is Irish for real. If you read the comments on the Jersey Journal website he's really Irish. *wink wink nudge nudge* The beers are cold and tasty in Jersey City and there are dozens of fantastic watering holes to choose from.

Johnny speaks on behalf of all of Jersey City when he says to all of the disappointed and neglected Hoboken parade-goers JERSEY CITY IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS. Leave your cares in the Mile Square City and come south where it's sunny and warmer.

UPDATE: Mayor Zimmer fires back and the Hudson Reporter has you covered.

"...Unfortunately the aftermath of the parade feels like an uncontrollable siege of our community.

Last year it reached a fever pitch with high levels of property damage, urination on the streets and on people’s homes, sexual assaults, and flower pots were even thrown on our firemen when they responded to a call."

Man this is good stuff, where's the popcorn?

Is Fresh Direct looking to deliver a new HQ to Jersey City?

2012-01-13T08:45:00.003-05:00

Grocery delivery's big name, Fresh Direct is perhaps looking to see if the west side of the Hudson River holds more expansion promise than Long Island City, Queens. Fresh Direct applied for, and got, assistance in November as a part of the Urban Transit Hub tax credit program. Jersey City is offering up $100 million dollars in tax breaks as well should Fresh Direct look to relocate. Jersey City spokesperson Jennifer Morrill said "If the company moves here, it would bring new tax dollars to the city as well 1,500 jobs to Jersey City, with the expectation of eventually adding two to three thousand additional jobs."

So, the whining in New York City Hall has begun, with Mayor Michael Bloomberg sniveling (all that guy does anymore is whine) about New Jersey trying to lure Fresh Direct; "I don't like the idea of one state bribing a business to come." We're certain that there are no tax benefits being offered by Mr. Bloomberg over at the Atlantic Yards where the New Jersey Nets are set to be, well, lured over the Brooklyn to play basketball. Cuts both ways doesn't it Bloomie?

The new HQ, should one be built is proposed to be out where the Goya Foods is planning their new HQ on County Road.

Late night open thread

2012-01-12T22:20:00.002-05:00

Time for another Coronet film in how to be a better citizen. Johnny thinks Bill is a kid with a lot to do. He must be, he shovels food into his maw at an alarming rate of speed just to be somewhere else. Homer Simpson has nothing, and Johnny means nothing, on Bill.

What the hell was that gruel substance for breakfast? Thanks mom, nothing satisfies like a piping hot bowl of Elmer's Glue.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Should members of the Jersey City Council have the good form to put away their cell phones and tablets during meetings?

2012-01-12T13:48:00.004-05:00

Ward C Councilwoman Nidia Lopez has said she has heard from her constituents and she thinks EVERY member of the Jersey City Council should put away the cellies and iPads during meetings and actually pay attention to the citizens. We would agree with Ms. Lopez, we think ignoring citizens because you feel like making a call of checking the score or the Yankees game is beyond rude. Being a city councilperson is your job. You asked to have it. The least you can do is put away the gadgets for a few hours.

Would you support a mandatory prohibition on electronic communication devices during meetings?

Late night open thread

2012-01-11T22:21:00.002-05:00

Today is the birthday of one of Johnny's favorite singing skirts, Ms. Kelly Hogan. In honor of such here she is in a lovely duet with Robbie Fulks singing I Know You're Married (But I Love You Still).

Time for Jersey City, After Dark