No video we ever put up on the old Ypsi City Desk got more love, and more email thank-you's than the Rolling Stones 'Gimme Shelter' clip we put up last New Year's Eve. We're gonna dust it off one year later and give it to you again, here less than one hour from 2009.
This is quite simply an earth shattering version of this song, done in Amsterdam in 1995. By the end you'll all be in love with Lisa Fischer. Mick is at his theatrical best, Keef and Ronnie are simply spot on, and Charlie has never sounded bigger or better.
The Rolling Stones with 'Gimme Shelter'
Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock...
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Had a few drinks? Good...
Now, pay attention, it's time to get a quick and free Italian lesson with Brak, Zorak and Space Ghost.
Write these down.
Write these down.
New Year's Eve REAL Rockin Eve with The Sweet
Well, shoot, when you make mention of The Sweet, it's only proper to keep this New Year's Eve party rocking with one of their songs.
Howz 'bout 'Fox on the Run' all the way back from 1975?
Howz 'bout 'Fox on the Run' all the way back from 1975?
New Year's Eve REAL Rockin Eve with Pat Benatar
As we roll and rock our way towards midnight, how about a hard rocking classic from Pat Benatar. Without going to far into it, Johnny, along with millions of other red blooded American males was utterly in love with Pat in the late 70's and early 80's. Did you know this song was originally recorded by the band 'The Sweet' of Ballroom Blitz, Fox on the Run and Love is Like Oxygen fame?
Here's Pat Benatar with 'No You Don't'
Here's Pat Benatar with 'No You Don't'
For those of you tuning in from outside the Jersey City/NYC area...
And those who might wonder what the weather is for those crazy kids in Times Square tonight, here's the lowdown:
Tonight
Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow early this evening...then clearing. Areas of blowing snow. Windy with lows around 15. Northwest winds 25 to 35 mph. Gusts up to 60 mph...decreasing to 40 mph after midnight. Wind chill values as low as 2 below. Chance of snow 50 percent.
Yeah, it's wicked cold for all those folks. You can keep an eye on them HERE via a Times Square webcam (after a 10 second ad you can let the cam load up and push play, Cam 1 will show many views). Keep an eye on the flags and light standards and see how windy 60 mph is.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow early this evening...then clearing. Areas of blowing snow. Windy with lows around 15. Northwest winds 25 to 35 mph. Gusts up to 60 mph...decreasing to 40 mph after midnight. Wind chill values as low as 2 below. Chance of snow 50 percent.
Yeah, it's wicked cold for all those folks. You can keep an eye on them HERE via a Times Square webcam (after a 10 second ad you can let the cam load up and push play, Cam 1 will show many views). Keep an eye on the flags and light standards and see how windy 60 mph is.
New Year's Eve REAL Rockin Eve with The Pixies
Yeah, you won't be seeing the Pixies on the Dick Clark featuring Ryan Lamecrest show tonight. Why? Because it rocks.
The Pixies with 'Monkey Gone to Heaven'
The Pixies with 'Monkey Gone to Heaven'
New Year's Eve REAL Rockin Eve with Iggy Pop
Yeah baby, some Iggy to kick off this New Years Eve. Iggy is from Johnny's old stomping grounds of Ypsilanti (Actually Iggy was born in Muskegon Michigan and grew up in Ypsilanti Township though Ann Arbor tries SO HARD to claim he's from there--suckers--of course Ann Arbor tries to claim everything came from there, like the 'Wave' cheer which everyone knows was born in Seattle).
Here's a good rocker from Iggy, called Blah Blah Blah, and as usual he's not taking any crapola
Here's a good rocker from Iggy, called Blah Blah Blah, and as usual he's not taking any crapola
NYC opens up list of 'acceptable items' to bring to Times Square tonight
Mayor Michael Bloomberg's office is relaxing the list of items that New Year's Eve revelers can bring tonight to help "ferment a more party-like atmosphere". The new list of acceptable items now includes:
*Roman candles
*Firecrackers
*Bottle rockets
*M-80's
*Handguns
*Throwing stars
*Brass Knuckles
*Deer rifles
Cigarettes are STILL Prohibited
Thank you for your cooperation
*Roman candles
*Firecrackers
*Bottle rockets
*M-80's
*Handguns
*Throwing stars
*Brass Knuckles
*Deer rifles
Cigarettes are STILL Prohibited
Thank you for your cooperation
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Late night open thread
Lotsa fun on tap tomorrow at the Jersey City Desk as we ring out 2008 kids. Stay tuned!
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
More health benefits mandated for children in New Jersey? Yeah, we're all for that
It is the opinion of health insurance companies that hearing aids are cosmetic devices and luxury items. It's the opinion of the Jersey City Desk most insurance companies should get their heads out of their collective asses and start paying their obligations; stop worrying about your CEO bonuses and wealth of your shareholders and recognize hearing is not a luxury.
Yep, despite pleas and lobbying from insurance companies, Acting Governor Richard Codey signed what is being called "Grace's Law," which requires health insurers to cover the cost of hearing aids for children age 15 and younger. The benefit can be capped at $1,000 every two years.
"Grace's Law" is named for Grace Gleba, a 9-year-old girl who was born with a severe hearing impairment. Also deserving of kudos are State Sen. Leonard Lance (R-Hunterdon), whose district includes Grace's town in Warren County, and Barbara Buono (D-Middlesex) who stood up for what was right and not what the big companies wanted.
Hearing is NOT a luxury. Hearing is a necessity especially when a child is in their formative years trying to learn language skills. A child without these skills will obviously be set back learning-wise and is far more likely to become an actual burden on society the later they are forced to wait to get up to speed on the learning curve. Give a child the ability to compete fairly and learn alongside classmates (which by all accounts Grace Gleba is now doing) and stand back.
Just ask contemporary alt-rock star Ryan Adams (Whiskeytown), and Thomas Edison who had a hearing impairment which hurt his formal school learning. Neither allowed hearing disabilities to hold them back, and the more children we can help with their hearing aids, the more they can contribute to the fabric of society.
Yep, despite pleas and lobbying from insurance companies, Acting Governor Richard Codey signed what is being called "Grace's Law," which requires health insurers to cover the cost of hearing aids for children age 15 and younger. The benefit can be capped at $1,000 every two years.
"Grace's Law" is named for Grace Gleba, a 9-year-old girl who was born with a severe hearing impairment. Also deserving of kudos are State Sen. Leonard Lance (R-Hunterdon), whose district includes Grace's town in Warren County, and Barbara Buono (D-Middlesex) who stood up for what was right and not what the big companies wanted.
Hearing is NOT a luxury. Hearing is a necessity especially when a child is in their formative years trying to learn language skills. A child without these skills will obviously be set back learning-wise and is far more likely to become an actual burden on society the later they are forced to wait to get up to speed on the learning curve. Give a child the ability to compete fairly and learn alongside classmates (which by all accounts Grace Gleba is now doing) and stand back.
Just ask contemporary alt-rock star Ryan Adams (Whiskeytown), and Thomas Edison who had a hearing impairment which hurt his formal school learning. Neither allowed hearing disabilities to hold them back, and the more children we can help with their hearing aids, the more they can contribute to the fabric of society.
Feel free to NOT visit the Delta service stations in Bayonne--they are RIPPING YOU OFF
Consumer protection alert, the Delta service station at 1064 Avenue C, off West 51st Street was recently found to be stealing your money. They were charging a higher price for what consumerists thought was a higher octane gas when in fact they were getting a lesser octane gas. Owner Irfan Hassan was charging anywhere from 10 to 30 cents higher for the supposed higher octane gas. Judge Frank Carpenter III in Bayonne Municipal Court dropped a $10K fine and $300 in court costs on Irfan Hassan, allowing him to pay the fine in installments but allowing his station to remain open.
It's simple, do not buy gas there. Times are hard enough without worrying the local business owner is stealing you blind. There is simply zero reason to buy gas or anything else from the Delta service station owned by Hassan. Also, this isn't the first time a Delta gas station in Bayonne has been hit with fraudulent pricing charges. Earlier this year, the Delta station at 248 Avenue C, between West Eighth and West Ninth streets, was fined a combined $2,100 for two state code violations.
Maybe it's time to simply stop doing business with Delta stations in Bayonne until they learn to respect their customers. Also, a tip of the JCD cap to the state Weights and Measures office, clearly doing their jobs here.
It's simple, do not buy gas there. Times are hard enough without worrying the local business owner is stealing you blind. There is simply zero reason to buy gas or anything else from the Delta service station owned by Hassan. Also, this isn't the first time a Delta gas station in Bayonne has been hit with fraudulent pricing charges. Earlier this year, the Delta station at 248 Avenue C, between West Eighth and West Ninth streets, was fined a combined $2,100 for two state code violations.
Maybe it's time to simply stop doing business with Delta stations in Bayonne until they learn to respect their customers. Also, a tip of the JCD cap to the state Weights and Measures office, clearly doing their jobs here.
Good for the Bayonne Municipal Utilities Authority, they fired a supervisor for killing a kitten
There is simply no place for this kind of violent behavior. Richard Gutch USED to be a supervisor for the BMUA, that is until he was observed killing a kitten at the Oak Street Pump Station in October.
The BMUA kept this quiet, gave him his internal hearing, made sure all the facts were in, and when it was in fact determined he did it, they let him go. Gutch had worked for the BMUA for 16 years. It's really too bad a moment of abject stupidity would lead to his termination after so many years on the job. In JCD's eyes, he totally brought this termination on himself.
The BMUA kept this quiet, gave him his internal hearing, made sure all the facts were in, and when it was in fact determined he did it, they let him go. Gutch had worked for the BMUA for 16 years. It's really too bad a moment of abject stupidity would lead to his termination after so many years on the job. In JCD's eyes, he totally brought this termination on himself.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Late night open thread
Science facts night:
*An inch of rain is equal to 15 inches of powdery snow
*Erosion at the base of Niagara Falls (American side) undermines the shale cliffs and as a result the falls have receded approximately 7 miles over the last 10,000 years (Bye Bye Buffalo in a mere 10,000 more years).
*The surface temperature on Venus is a mere 864 F.
*Sound travels about 4 times faster in water than in air.
*If you stretch a standard Slinky out flat it measures 87 feet long.
Finally, only ONE US state has never had an earthquake. Can you guess which one? Answer HERE
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
*An inch of rain is equal to 15 inches of powdery snow
*Erosion at the base of Niagara Falls (American side) undermines the shale cliffs and as a result the falls have receded approximately 7 miles over the last 10,000 years (Bye Bye Buffalo in a mere 10,000 more years).
*The surface temperature on Venus is a mere 864 F.
*Sound travels about 4 times faster in water than in air.
*If you stretch a standard Slinky out flat it measures 87 feet long.
Finally, only ONE US state has never had an earthquake. Can you guess which one? Answer HERE
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Rutgers 29, North Carolina State 23!!!
A big bowl victory for head coach Greg Schiano and his Scarlet Knights today in the Papa John's Bowl in dump ass Alabama. Senior all world QB Mike Teel hit NFL prospect junior Kenny Britt with a 42 yard TD pass midway through the 4th quarter to put the Scarlet Knights up 26-24 and kicker San San Te nailed a 24 yard field goal with :41 seconds to play for the final margin of victory. The sports staff at the Jersey City Desk were MOST IMPRESSED with the last Rutgers drive that took 11 plays, in 7:43, eating up any and all chance NC State had to come back. Never has a field goal drive been so valuable. Rob Cervini and Tiquan Underwood also scored touchdowns for the good guys.
So Rutgers finishes up at 8-5 and head into the 2009 season on a swell 7 game winning streak. Full marks to the Scarlet Knights for not quitting on this season after they fell to 1-5. We'd expect in light of such, Rutgers would start the 2009 pre-season polls at #1 or #2. But that's just us. The polls will do the same if they know what's good for them.
So Rutgers finishes up at 8-5 and head into the 2009 season on a swell 7 game winning streak. Full marks to the Scarlet Knights for not quitting on this season after they fell to 1-5. We'd expect in light of such, Rutgers would start the 2009 pre-season polls at #1 or #2. But that's just us. The polls will do the same if they know what's good for them.
We're tailgating before the Rutgers game!
Well, we're pretending to anyways. Mood meat if you will...
It's Rutgers football in the Papa Johns Bowl at 3PM today
Sure Papa John's can make them some ass-tasting pizzas, but they can also pick them some quality ingredients in their bowl game by inviting Rutgers!
That's right Scarlet Knight fans, Rutgers goes bowling vs the North Carolina State Wolfpack at 3 pm today on ESPN.
Both these clubs were dead and buried halfway through the season, The Scarlet Knights were 1-5 while NC State was 2-6. Both teams deserve huge amounts of credit for not packing it in and making something of their seasons. True and full redemption awaits today's winner. The Wolfpack secondary doesn't suck which will make Rutgers QB Mike Teel and receiving sensation Kenny Britt work all the harder. In fact, Britt may be used as a decoy from time to time to full open up the airways in the Wolfpack secondary. We think the biggest thing to watch is the Rutgers offensive line. If they give Teel time to throw, and if they can work some ground game into the mix, we think everything will come up Rutgers at the end. On the defensive side, the defensive line needs to take (hockey term coming) time and space away from NC State Freshman QB Russell Wilson. He's good but not great. Make him move around, make him throw on the run, hit him and knock him down even if you don't sack him. He's not likely to throw many interceptions, he does a good job taking care of the pigskin. That's why it's imperative to rush him, hit him and make him wish he'd never gotten out of bed.
NC State has beaten four bowl teams this season. They won't beat a fifth.
Our call?
Rutgers 35
NC State 31
That's right Scarlet Knight fans, Rutgers goes bowling vs the North Carolina State Wolfpack at 3 pm today on ESPN.
Both these clubs were dead and buried halfway through the season, The Scarlet Knights were 1-5 while NC State was 2-6. Both teams deserve huge amounts of credit for not packing it in and making something of their seasons. True and full redemption awaits today's winner. The Wolfpack secondary doesn't suck which will make Rutgers QB Mike Teel and receiving sensation Kenny Britt work all the harder. In fact, Britt may be used as a decoy from time to time to full open up the airways in the Wolfpack secondary. We think the biggest thing to watch is the Rutgers offensive line. If they give Teel time to throw, and if they can work some ground game into the mix, we think everything will come up Rutgers at the end. On the defensive side, the defensive line needs to take (hockey term coming) time and space away from NC State Freshman QB Russell Wilson. He's good but not great. Make him move around, make him throw on the run, hit him and knock him down even if you don't sack him. He's not likely to throw many interceptions, he does a good job taking care of the pigskin. That's why it's imperative to rush him, hit him and make him wish he'd never gotten out of bed.
NC State has beaten four bowl teams this season. They won't beat a fifth.
Our call?
Rutgers 35
NC State 31
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Late night open thread
Oh boy, we now get to listen to Jets fans chew over what might have been, and even worse, listen to sports radio moronic talking heads discuss the future of drama queen Brett Favre. Favre is a has-been who hung around to feed his own ego, drooled over by television and radio know-it-alls and made into far more than he ever was. Oh but Brett won a Super Bowl--yeah, so did Trent Dilfer. They've spent the better part of the last six years ignoring the fact he's an interception machine. Then again, that's what talk radio show hosts and ESPN are all about, jock sniffing and being front runners.
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
In America, a female teacher CAN have sex with an underage male student, a male teacher CANNOT have sex with an underage female student
Jersey City 'teacher' (Hudson County Prep High School) Gustavo Bordenabe is about to find that out. Bordenabe is accused of having a year long sexual relationship with a 16 year old female. Bordenabe is being charged with sexual assault, child endangerment and criminal sexual contact. He's being held in the Ocean County Jail.
So why the double standard? We know a lot of guys pound their chests and say "I sure wish my teachers had sex with me when I went to high school" and yet will be the first in line of a lynch mob to protect female students. This kind of paternal reasoning is disturbing. Why give these teaching female skanks a pass? They're predators too. Hundreds of these cases have come to light recently and more and more it seems it's a female teacher screwing a 15 year old boy.
Either it's a crime or it's not.
So why the double standard? We know a lot of guys pound their chests and say "I sure wish my teachers had sex with me when I went to high school" and yet will be the first in line of a lynch mob to protect female students. This kind of paternal reasoning is disturbing. Why give these teaching female skanks a pass? They're predators too. Hundreds of these cases have come to light recently and more and more it seems it's a female teacher screwing a 15 year old boy.
Either it's a crime or it's not.
Jersey City, you best get churched
Have you seen the light? Johnny swears if church were like this, he'd actually go
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Late night open thread
Did you know that on this day in 1932, Radio City Music Hall opened? It's true. During the height of the Great Depression it opened to huge crowds. Since it opened, over 300 million people have seen one kind of show or other there.
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Scoreboard--Devils 4-Rangers 2
Was that booing we just heard from the greatest fans of the greatest team in the greatest arena (/snark) in the world? That'll happen when the Devils walk into MSG and knock the Rangers down and take their lunch money. The Devils scored on the powerplay, shorthanded, and at even strength. Wanna know why Johnny thinks Los Diablos had a lot more jump than the Rags? Faceoffs won. The Devils always started with the puck, didn't turn it over very often and played a lot of the game in the New Yawk end. The Devils win for the first time in 3 game while the Rangers lost their third straight.
Quietly, Devils netminder Scott Clemmensen is putting together quite a strong season. He's 10-3-1 in his last 14 games. He's reminding Johnny of the stellar job Ty Conklin did in Pittsburgh last year when Marc Andre Fleury was hurt. He stepped in and held things together and actually played top flight puck. Clemmensen is doing a very fine job in Martin Brodeur's absence, there has been no drop off in the Devils fortunes with Clemmensen. Johnny thinks his nickname should be 'Radar' as he hones in on all the shots and also after Radar O'Reilly since both the M*A*SH* character and Clemmensen are from Iowa.
The Devils continue their road trip Tuesday in St. Louis vs the Blues. The Rangers host the god-awful Islanders on Monday at the home of the Westminster Kennel Club show.
Quietly, Devils netminder Scott Clemmensen is putting together quite a strong season. He's 10-3-1 in his last 14 games. He's reminding Johnny of the stellar job Ty Conklin did in Pittsburgh last year when Marc Andre Fleury was hurt. He stepped in and held things together and actually played top flight puck. Clemmensen is doing a very fine job in Martin Brodeur's absence, there has been no drop off in the Devils fortunes with Clemmensen. Johnny thinks his nickname should be 'Radar' as he hones in on all the shots and also after Radar O'Reilly since both the M*A*SH* character and Clemmensen are from Iowa.
The Devils continue their road trip Tuesday in St. Louis vs the Blues. The Rangers host the god-awful Islanders on Monday at the home of the Westminster Kennel Club show.
Sounds like it's time for the 'Baptist Ministers Conference of Hudson County' to start paying taxes for their churches
A local group calling itself 'Baptist Ministers Conference of Hudson County' is endorsing state assemblyman L. Harvey Smith for Jersey City Mayor in the election next year. We here at Jersey City Desk do not offer endorsements but think a CHURCH group or CHURCH RELATED group should keep their mouths shut on such topics unless they are ready to start filling the Jersey City coffers with their tax monies. There is a separation of church and state in this country. This group and the churches they represent are breaking this separation. The day the Monumental Baptist Church or any of the churches represented under the banner of the 'Baptist Ministers Conference of Hudson County' want to step up too the plate and pay their taxes to politick from the pulpit or their pulpit via the media, residents of Jersey City or anywhere else this kind of thing goes on should turn a deaf ear to this egregious behavior. Going forward, ignore them, this goes for any religious front group endorsing political candidates.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Late night open thread
We fixed a small permissions issue so those wishing to comment anonymously can do so. Fire away!
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with TALKING HEADS!
Another of the seminal bands in Johnny's life growing up in the go-go, life on the razor's edge berg of Ortonville, Michigan. Here's a delightful slap at popular culture with the song 'Love for Sale'. As you watch try and see how many of the companies mocked in this video have since taken the dirt nap. Did you know that Ice-T said the Talking Heads song 'Psycho Killer' was the inspiration for his song 'Cop Killer'? You do now.
The phenomenal David Byrne, Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz, and Jerry Harrison with 'Love for Sale'
The phenomenal David Byrne, Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz, and Jerry Harrison with 'Love for Sale'
Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with DIRE STRAITS!
Ah, one of Johnny's all time favorite Dire Straits tunes. Even though the video was shot in 1980 and some of the imagery is dated (the early Walkman with padded earphones and roller skates instead of roller blades) it's beautifully shot. Very artistic in it's own way. Mark Knopfler is also so great at telling a story in a way that really grabs you and holds your attention. A wonderful songwriter he is.
Toro Toro Taxi, see you tomorrow my son
Dire Straits with 'Skateaway'
Toro Toro Taxi, see you tomorrow my son
Dire Straits with 'Skateaway'
Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with BON JOVI!
Jon and the crew are up for the New Jersey Hall of Fame so let's give 'em a little boost here tonight. We had a request via the emails for some Bon Jovi so let's get cracking. Nothing like a little live Bon Jovi to start your Friday night off right Jersey City?
Bon Jovi with 'It's My Life'
Bon Jovi with 'It's My Life'
Night of the Iguana Part II
A Journal Square area fire, near Garrison and Sip is being blamed on one of two pet iguanas knocking over a heat lamp, touching off a blaze that killed either the offending iguana, or their innocent playmate.
Fire Director Armando Roman said one of the iguanas had gotten loose and was running around when it knocked over a heat lamp that ignited blankets on a bed. He also said that once the fire got going, the homeowner tried putting it out with a garden hose until it became too big to fight with, well, a garden hose.
Jersey City police have taken the surviving iguana into custody to ask it some questions and to determine if any laws of the animal kingdom were broken.
Fire Director Armando Roman said one of the iguanas had gotten loose and was running around when it knocked over a heat lamp that ignited blankets on a bed. He also said that once the fire got going, the homeowner tried putting it out with a garden hose until it became too big to fight with, well, a garden hose.
Jersey City police have taken the surviving iguana into custody to ask it some questions and to determine if any laws of the animal kingdom were broken.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Late night open thread
With this being Christmas, and with the passing of the legendary Eartha Kitt at age 81 today, this is an easy call...
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
A wonderful story to uplift on Christmas Day
Johnny's not much on uplifting stories, thinking they sometime are only told to help distract from more serious news, but this story, in the Hudson section of NJ.com indeed DOES have a story within a story. No life is a throwaway life. No matter how much we may look down on, or react with disgust to the homeless or those who make questionable choices in life, every life counts. Like the sign on the prison wall says at the end of the movie The Blues Brothers--"It's Never Too Late to Mend"
Enjoy, Johnny sure did, and a tip of the Jersey City Desk cap to Mr. David Abramski, who has mended his life and now helps others in their daily travails...
Enjoy, Johnny sure did, and a tip of the Jersey City Desk cap to Mr. David Abramski, who has mended his life and now helps others in their daily travails...
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Late night open thread
OK, just this one more clip then it's off to bed, Santa will be here soon and if you're not asleep, you'll get nothing and like it.
Some bad language and some awful imagery, but perhaps the funniest line about Christmas ever.
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Some bad language and some awful imagery, but perhaps the funniest line about Christmas ever.
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
OK, The Jersey City Desk is gonna go all highbrow on you
Here is the famous poem "A Visit from Saint Nicholas" or as most know it, "Twas the Night Before Christmas". Only it ain't. It's author James Thurber's interpretation of "A Visit from Saint Nicholas in the Ernest Hemingway Manner" originally published in the "New Yorker' magazine December 24, 1927...
It was the night before Christmas. The house was very quiet. No creatures were stirring in the house. There weren't even any mice stirring. The stockings had been hung carefully by the chimney. The children hoped that Saint Nicholas would come and fill them.
The children were in their beds. Their beds were in the room next to ours. Mamma and I were in our beds. Mamma wore a kerchief. I had my cap on. I could hear the children moving. We didn't move. We wanted the children to think we were asleep.
"Father," the children said.
There was no answer. He's there, all right, they thought.
"Father," they said, and banged on their beds.
"What do you want?" I asked.
"We have visions of sugarplums," the children said.
"Go to sleep," said mamma.
"We can't sleep," said the children. They stopped talking, but I could hear them moving. They made sounds.
"Can you sleep?" asked the children.
"No," I said.
"You ought to sleep."
"I know. I ought to sleep."
"Can we have some sugarplums?"
"You can't have any sugarplums," said mamma.
"We just asked you."
There was a long silence. I could hear the children moving again.
"Is Saint Nicholas asleep?" asked the children.
"No," mamma said. "Be quiet."
"What the hell would he be asleep tonight for?" I asked.
"He might be," the children said.
"He isn't," I said.
"Let's try to sleep," said mamma.
The house became quiet once more. I could hear the rustling noises the children made when they moved in their beds.
Out on the lawn a clatter arose. I got out of bed and went to the window. I opened the shutters; then I threw up the sash. The moon shone on the snow. The moon gave the lustre of mid-day to objects in the snow. There was a miniature sleigh in the snow, and eight tiny reindeer. A little man was driving them. He was lively and quick. He whistled and shouted at the reindeer and called them by their names. Their names were Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, and Blitzen.
He told them to dash away to the top of the porch, and then he told them to dash away to the top of the wall. They did. The sleigh was full of toys.
"Who is it?" mamma asked.
"Some guy," I said. "A little guy."
I pulled my head in out of the window and listened. I heard the reindeer on the roof. I could hear their hoofs pawing and prancing on the roof.
"Shut the window," said mamma.
I stood still and listened.
"What do you hear?"
"Reindeer," I said. I shut the window and walked about. It was cold. Mamma sat up in the bed and looked at me.
"How would they get on the roof?" mamma asked.
"They fly."
"Get into bed. You'll catch cold."
Mamma lay down in bed. I didn't get into bed. I kept walking around.
"What do you mean, they fly?" asked mamma.
"Just fly is all."
Mamma turned away toward the wall. She didn't say anything.
I went out into the room where the chimney was. The little man came down the chimney and stepped into the room. He was dressed all in fur. His clothes were covered with ashes and soot from the chimney. On his back was a pack like a peddler's pack. There were toys in it. His cheeks and nose were red and he had dimples. His eyes twinkled. His mouth was little, like a bow, and his beard was very white. Between his teeth was a stumpy pipe. The smoke from the pipe encircled his head in a wreath. He laughed and his belly shook. It shook like a bowl of red jelly. I laughed. He winked his eye, then he gave a twist to his head. He didn't say anything.
He turned to the chimney and filled the stockings and turned away from the chimney. Laying his finger aside his nose, he gave a nod. Then he went up the chimney. I went to the chimney and looked up. I saw him get into his sleigh. He whistled at his team and the team flew away. The team flew as lightly as thistledown. The driver called out, "Merry Christmas and good night." I went back to bed.
"What was it?" asked mamma. "Saint Nicholas?" She smiled.
"Yeah," I said.
She sighed and turned in the bed.
"I saw him," I said.
"Sure."
"I did see him."
"Sure you saw him." She turned farther toward the wall.
"Father," said the children.
"There you go," mamma said. "You and your flying reindeer."
"Go to sleep," I said.
"Can we see Saint Nicholas when he comes?" the children asked.
"You got to be asleep," I said. "You got to be asleep when he comes. You can't see him unless you're unconscious."
"Father knows," mamma said.
I pulled the covers over my mouth. It was warm under the covers. As I went to sleep I wondered if mamma was right.
It was the night before Christmas. The house was very quiet. No creatures were stirring in the house. There weren't even any mice stirring. The stockings had been hung carefully by the chimney. The children hoped that Saint Nicholas would come and fill them.
The children were in their beds. Their beds were in the room next to ours. Mamma and I were in our beds. Mamma wore a kerchief. I had my cap on. I could hear the children moving. We didn't move. We wanted the children to think we were asleep.
"Father," the children said.
There was no answer. He's there, all right, they thought.
"Father," they said, and banged on their beds.
"What do you want?" I asked.
"We have visions of sugarplums," the children said.
"Go to sleep," said mamma.
"We can't sleep," said the children. They stopped talking, but I could hear them moving. They made sounds.
"Can you sleep?" asked the children.
"No," I said.
"You ought to sleep."
"I know. I ought to sleep."
"Can we have some sugarplums?"
"You can't have any sugarplums," said mamma.
"We just asked you."
There was a long silence. I could hear the children moving again.
"Is Saint Nicholas asleep?" asked the children.
"No," mamma said. "Be quiet."
"What the hell would he be asleep tonight for?" I asked.
"He might be," the children said.
"He isn't," I said.
"Let's try to sleep," said mamma.
The house became quiet once more. I could hear the rustling noises the children made when they moved in their beds.
Out on the lawn a clatter arose. I got out of bed and went to the window. I opened the shutters; then I threw up the sash. The moon shone on the snow. The moon gave the lustre of mid-day to objects in the snow. There was a miniature sleigh in the snow, and eight tiny reindeer. A little man was driving them. He was lively and quick. He whistled and shouted at the reindeer and called them by their names. Their names were Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, and Blitzen.
He told them to dash away to the top of the porch, and then he told them to dash away to the top of the wall. They did. The sleigh was full of toys.
"Who is it?" mamma asked.
"Some guy," I said. "A little guy."
I pulled my head in out of the window and listened. I heard the reindeer on the roof. I could hear their hoofs pawing and prancing on the roof.
"Shut the window," said mamma.
I stood still and listened.
"What do you hear?"
"Reindeer," I said. I shut the window and walked about. It was cold. Mamma sat up in the bed and looked at me.
"How would they get on the roof?" mamma asked.
"They fly."
"Get into bed. You'll catch cold."
Mamma lay down in bed. I didn't get into bed. I kept walking around.
"What do you mean, they fly?" asked mamma.
"Just fly is all."
Mamma turned away toward the wall. She didn't say anything.
I went out into the room where the chimney was. The little man came down the chimney and stepped into the room. He was dressed all in fur. His clothes were covered with ashes and soot from the chimney. On his back was a pack like a peddler's pack. There were toys in it. His cheeks and nose were red and he had dimples. His eyes twinkled. His mouth was little, like a bow, and his beard was very white. Between his teeth was a stumpy pipe. The smoke from the pipe encircled his head in a wreath. He laughed and his belly shook. It shook like a bowl of red jelly. I laughed. He winked his eye, then he gave a twist to his head. He didn't say anything.
He turned to the chimney and filled the stockings and turned away from the chimney. Laying his finger aside his nose, he gave a nod. Then he went up the chimney. I went to the chimney and looked up. I saw him get into his sleigh. He whistled at his team and the team flew away. The team flew as lightly as thistledown. The driver called out, "Merry Christmas and good night." I went back to bed.
"What was it?" asked mamma. "Saint Nicholas?" She smiled.
"Yeah," I said.
She sighed and turned in the bed.
"I saw him," I said.
"Sure."
"I did see him."
"Sure you saw him." She turned farther toward the wall.
"Father," said the children.
"There you go," mamma said. "You and your flying reindeer."
"Go to sleep," I said.
"Can we see Saint Nicholas when he comes?" the children asked.
"You got to be asleep," I said. "You got to be asleep when he comes. You can't see him unless you're unconscious."
"Father knows," mamma said.
I pulled the covers over my mouth. It was warm under the covers. As I went to sleep I wondered if mamma was right.
Late night open thread
Some hep cat music tonight with an American treasure. Without further ado, here's Bette Midler with 'Cool Yule'
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Johnny just won a huge trophy from a 3 on 3 basketball tournament for 10 year olds
Well, Johnny himself didn't win it, he paid 3 former NBA stars a few hundred thousand dollars to kick the crap out of the 10 year old children on the way to Johnny's title and trophy.
Where is the pride and fun in that you ask? Ask a Yankees fan.
Where is the pride and fun in that you ask? Ask a Yankees fan.
So, Jersey City, whadda ya want Santy Claus to bring you?
Providing you've been GOOD this year, what does Santa owe you?
Monday, December 22, 2008
One more thing before bed kids, and pay attention, it's important
On December 22, 2002 Johnny lost his biggest and only real idol, Mr. Joe Strummer. For Joe, and to the memory of rock's greatest idealist, Johnny is gonna dedicate the tune 'Revolution Rock'...
R.I.P. Mr. Strummer, in todays world of musical charlatans, you are a beacon of hope and truth.
R.I.P. Mr. Strummer, in todays world of musical charlatans, you are a beacon of hope and truth.
Late night open thread
Let's sass things up tonight with a real swinger of a holiday tune. Here's the Whirling Dervishes with 'You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch'
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
If you're looking for some New Years Eve fun, check out Hoboken's own Yo La Tengo in Montclair
That's right party cats and party kittens, Hobken's Yo La Tengo and the Feelies will be playing the Wellmont Theatre in Montclair on New Year's Eve. For the low low price of just $35 you get to hear Yo La Tengo, The Feelies and Brooklyn's own Vivian Girls. That's a lot of New Year's Rockin' Eve entertainment for a short car ride and $35 bucks.
Ah yes, a short car ride and New Year's Eve, we'd be remiss not to remind you if you're going to drink and drive, for God's sake, use a car...
Ah yes, a short car ride and New Year's Eve, we'd be remiss not to remind you if you're going to drink and drive, for God's sake, use a car...
Machine Gun Kelly isn't dead, he's living in Jersey City
It appears he now goes by the name Jason Eric Dunbar. It appears Machine Gun Dunbar didn't like his girlfriend (who was out with co-workers, and the man involved was only dropping Dunbar's girlfriend off as a courtesy) getting out of another man's car and as the samaritan was driving away he heard gunshots and would later find bullet holes in his whip. When police were called to Dunbar's home they found a Tec 9-style handgun with a silencer and an attached magazine.
What a swell guy....
What a swell guy....
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Late night open thread
Well, like we said, weather is the great equalizer and the overhyped Brett Favre and the Jets took a huge hit to their playoff chances. You won't find analysis like that in an up front and non-homer fashion anywhere else in town; not the New York Times, not The New York Post, Not the Newark Star-Ledger nor the Bayonne Shopper. The Giants are having difficulties as we send this to press, down 21-10.
Hold tight folks, it's gonna get breezy and cold tonight, maybe pour a little rum in your egg nog.
Let's let Elvis warm us up with a Blue Christmas
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Hold tight folks, it's gonna get breezy and cold tonight, maybe pour a little rum in your egg nog.
Let's let Elvis warm us up with a Blue Christmas
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
I's a SPORGY today!
That's sports orgy for those of you who don't follow jockular lingo. First off, a great rivalry game over at The Rock at 1pm as the resurgent Devils play the hated Sillydelphia Flyers. Zach Parise and Patrick Elias lead Los Diablos in points and have been en fuego lately. A local commentator in the Devils post-game show the other night compared these two to Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin and Cindy Crosby. Johnny's not sue about that as he hasn't yet seen Parise and Elias cry for calls on the ice and hit players in the head from behind the protection of the referee like Crosby does.
Next up the J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets play out in Seattle at 4 pm which, would normally be no problem as the Jets are playing decent enough football and the Seahawks are god awful this year under Mike 'Do you still stick chopsticks up your nose and bark like a walrus' Holmgren. That was until the National Weather Service in Seattle released this gem of a game time report: two inches of snow is expected this afternoon along with another quarter-inch of ice. Wind gusts could hit 38 miles an hour . Yes, Brett Favre is used to these conditions from his stay in Green Bay. The rest of the Jets may not be. They're gonna need to run run run. Weather is always a great equalizer.
Finally, tonight the Giants are are home against the Carolina Panthers in what will be a cold, bitterly cold blustery Meadowlands. In fact, the entire area tonight is under a wind advisory--West winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. Wind chill values as low as zero which will make passing a tad difficult. The Panthers are a big running team, as are the Giants IF Brandon Jacobs plays. As of right now he's listed as questionable. The stakes couldn't be higher, this game will decide home field advantage for the NFC playoffs.
Other things to watch for today:
Pittsburgh and Tennessee will play for the #1 seed in the AFC playoffs at 1 pm in Nashville.
Can the Cryin' Lions get a win this year? They have a chance vs a Reggie Bush-less New Orleans team at 1 pm in the Big Easy.
Miami is at hapless (But damned cold-subzero wind chills) Kansas City today as they try to keep pace with the Jets and...
...New England will be at home in snowy (3-5" during the game) Foxboro vs a "Oh god why must we play in the snow" Arizona Cardinals team.
Like we said, sporgy.
Next up the J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets play out in Seattle at 4 pm which, would normally be no problem as the Jets are playing decent enough football and the Seahawks are god awful this year under Mike 'Do you still stick chopsticks up your nose and bark like a walrus' Holmgren. That was until the National Weather Service in Seattle released this gem of a game time report: two inches of snow is expected this afternoon along with another quarter-inch of ice. Wind gusts could hit 38 miles an hour . Yes, Brett Favre is used to these conditions from his stay in Green Bay. The rest of the Jets may not be. They're gonna need to run run run. Weather is always a great equalizer.
Finally, tonight the Giants are are home against the Carolina Panthers in what will be a cold, bitterly cold blustery Meadowlands. In fact, the entire area tonight is under a wind advisory--West winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. Wind chill values as low as zero which will make passing a tad difficult. The Panthers are a big running team, as are the Giants IF Brandon Jacobs plays. As of right now he's listed as questionable. The stakes couldn't be higher, this game will decide home field advantage for the NFC playoffs.
Other things to watch for today:
Pittsburgh and Tennessee will play for the #1 seed in the AFC playoffs at 1 pm in Nashville.
Can the Cryin' Lions get a win this year? They have a chance vs a Reggie Bush-less New Orleans team at 1 pm in the Big Easy.
Miami is at hapless (But damned cold-subzero wind chills) Kansas City today as they try to keep pace with the Jets and...
...New England will be at home in snowy (3-5" during the game) Foxboro vs a "Oh god why must we play in the snow" Arizona Cardinals team.
Like we said, sporgy.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Late night open thread
Tonight's Christmas tune is a wonderful, yet overlooked goodie from Chrissie Hynde and the Pretenders called '2000 Miles'. This is from their Isle of Wight concert which if you get the chance to check out, do so. It's a really hot set.
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
A very important consumer alert, local Hoboken bank ATM has been hit with a 'skimmer'
If you were at the downtown Hoboken Sovereign Bank, and used their ATM machine, you may have been a victim of a 'skimming' machine, which slides into the ATM card slot and captures your account and PIN information. The 'skimmer' doesn't look all that different from a regular ATM slot. Bank officials have said two men dressed as technicians set up the dummy card slot on September 10, September 17 and October 3rd. Account info was stolen and used to make withdrawals in New York City from at least 30 customers totaling $19,000.
Hoboken Sovereign Bank did not tell NJ.com how they planned to protect their customers info going forward or what they were willing to do for victims who had their information stolen at the branch. Since bank officials were aware of these thieves in their lobby doing this THREE times on security cameras, and have said as much, You'd HOPE they'd want to help you with some kind of credit monitoring or other protection. You'd hope.
Call the bank at (201) 418-7900 if you think you were a victim. If you used that ATM, check your statements.
Hoboken Sovereign Bank did not tell NJ.com how they planned to protect their customers info going forward or what they were willing to do for victims who had their information stolen at the branch. Since bank officials were aware of these thieves in their lobby doing this THREE times on security cameras, and have said as much, You'd HOPE they'd want to help you with some kind of credit monitoring or other protection. You'd hope.
Call the bank at (201) 418-7900 if you think you were a victim. If you used that ATM, check your statements.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Late night open thread
And so tonight we begin putting you to bed with a Christmas song. So many to choose from, we'll fill the bill each night until Santy Claus comes. Tonight, Johnny's favorite Christmas song. Run Rudolph Run by Keef Richards.
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE JACKSON 5!
Yeah baby, let's set the Way-Back-Machine for 1976 on this timeless classic. The Jackson 5 with 'Never Can Say Goodbye'. The video is a little rough but timeless nonetheless. A commenter on this song at YouTube put it best:
What would this world be without music like this?
We agree.
The Jackson 5 with 'Never Can Say Goodbye'
What would this world be without music like this?
We agree.
The Jackson 5 with 'Never Can Say Goodbye'
Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with M.I.A.!
Johnny is torn on sampling somebody else's tracks. Too many artists today take a song and simply use IT as the song and add very little of their own music to make the sample work. He's also a devout Clash fan, very protective of all things Clash. You may be amazed he liked this track by M.I.A., a very very versatile artist in the club world. A song about immigrant stereotypes and making it in today's world. This does a very good job of sampling the Clash's 'Straight to Hell' and actually adding layers to it.
Judge for yourself.
M.I.A. with 'Paper Planes'
Judge for yourself.
M.I.A. with 'Paper Planes'
Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with LIZ PHAIR!
The delectable Liz Phair has been a favorite of the old Ypsi City Desk so we'll happily give her play here. Liz is one of the good ones are far as we're concerned. Legend has it Liz was playing basketball one fine day when Sheryl Crow was recording her C'mon C'mon record next door. Sheryl saw her hooping it up, promptly walked over and grabbed Liz who then actually wound up signing backup vocals on 'Soak up the Sun'. A friend in need is a friend indeed.
Here's the immensely talented Liz Phair with 'Polyester Bride'
Here's the immensely talented Liz Phair with 'Polyester Bride'
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Late night open thread
Johnny sat in stunned silence tonight when he saw a Fleetwood Mac song come on Music Choice and the factoid pointed out Stevie Nicks was born in 1948. Making her 60. Stevie Nicks is 60. Christ almighty, did Johnny feel old. He's not her age, he's certainly much younger than that but it certainly was a shocker. Pass the Metamucil...
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
WINTER STORM WARNING for Hudson County, and other less important areas
From Wunderground:
Friday
Snow in the morning...then rain...snow and sleet in the afternoon. Snow may be heavy at times in the afternoon. Snow and sleet accumulation of 4 to 7 inches. Near steady temperature in the lower 30s. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent.
Friday Night
Snow and sleet in the evening...then snow likely after midnight. Additional light snow accumulation. Lows in the mid 20s. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Chance of precipitation 80 percent.
Here's your white Christmas peeps...
Friday
Snow in the morning...then rain...snow and sleet in the afternoon. Snow may be heavy at times in the afternoon. Snow and sleet accumulation of 4 to 7 inches. Near steady temperature in the lower 30s. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent.
Friday Night
Snow and sleet in the evening...then snow likely after midnight. Additional light snow accumulation. Lows in the mid 20s. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Chance of precipitation 80 percent.
Here's your white Christmas peeps...
Hoboken residents--They're not happy with a 47% property tax hike
And who can blame them? 47%? Jumpin Jeebus on horseback. Take much there Mayor David Roberts? 250 LIVID Hoboken residents protested at the Hoboken City Hall last night. Resident Diane Imus said their property taxes went from 17 large to 26 thousand a YEAR. Is the city of Hoboken SERIOUS? That's robbery in our opinion. At this rate if Mayor Roberts and the Hoboken City Council don't get their heads out of their collective asses who is going to be left to live there? The uber wealthy and the welfare recipients. If more people leave, less people pay taxes and then the mayor and city council will go after MORE of Hoboken residents cash.
Just heinous. 47% increase, ridonculous....
Just heinous. 47% increase, ridonculous....
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Late night open thread
The most common mammal in America? The mouse
It's a FACT!
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
It's a FACT!
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Not much 'Action' in Johnny today...
He's got a wicked cold and has zero energy. He'd pass this off to the interns Kiki and Zoltron but they overdid it at the Christmas party last night, waaaaaaay too many rum egg nogs.
Amuse yourselves today by watching the brilliant Eddie Izzard describe the first Christmas...A few bad words and some love for Baby Jee
Amuse yourselves today by watching the brilliant Eddie Izzard describe the first Christmas...A few bad words and some love for Baby Jee
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Late night open thread
Famous last words edition:
"All my possessions for a moment of time"
--Elizabeth I, Queen of England in 1603
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
"All my possessions for a moment of time"
--Elizabeth I, Queen of England in 1603
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
OK, kids, the proper answer to the question "Is this YOUR weed?" is always NO
But for 21 year old Manhattan resident Brenna Hemphill the answer was (we know, we know) sadly "YES". Brenna lost her purse in Hoboken. Her purse was found on First street. At the Hoboken Po-Po HQ, they found her Blockbuster card and a small vial of ganja. They called her and told her they had found her purse. When she showed up an hour later the Hoboken PD asked her if the weed was also hers.
Audience--what's the correct answer again? Seriously, the purse had been out of her possession and who knows who had access to it. This was an easy one to dodge.
Nope, Brenna said it was her smoke and she was cuffed and booked with possession of a controlled dangerous substance.
"This is world history. There's a globe right there..."
Audience--what's the correct answer again? Seriously, the purse had been out of her possession and who knows who had access to it. This was an easy one to dodge.
Nope, Brenna said it was her smoke and she was cuffed and booked with possession of a controlled dangerous substance.
"This is world history. There's a globe right there..."
News roundup--Party with a naked dead guy, a Jersey City murder, and a big 'ole fire in Union City
First off, the murder right here in Jersey City. JC's own Timothy Williams has been charged with the senseless murder of Henry Molesky. Molesky as you may know from reading NJ.com is a teacher and father of four. Happy holidays huh?
Next, a fire in Union City was contained before it could spread to nearby buildings. The four alarm blaze (and really who cares about lesser alarm blazes) started at 4537 Bergenline Ave. between Golden Lane and 46th Street and firefighters were able to stop it from spreading from the group of closely packed in neighboring buildings. Our guess is that if you work at 4537 Bergenline, you have today off.
Finally, after murdering, whoops, allegedly murdering Tyrone W. Counts, three upstanding citizens stripped him naked, put him upside down in a shopping cart, and went right back to drinking and drugging it up. Poor Mr. Counts was feet up in the air (Fargo much?) in the cart, buck naked while folks partied around him, like ya do. Carmen Matos, 47, her 17-year-old son and the son's 18-year-old homeless friend, Christopher Gonzalez are charged. You can send their Christmas cards to the Hudson County jail. Yikes, stories like this really help restore your faith in humanity don't they?
Next, a fire in Union City was contained before it could spread to nearby buildings. The four alarm blaze (and really who cares about lesser alarm blazes) started at 4537 Bergenline Ave. between Golden Lane and 46th Street and firefighters were able to stop it from spreading from the group of closely packed in neighboring buildings. Our guess is that if you work at 4537 Bergenline, you have today off.
Finally, after murdering, whoops, allegedly murdering Tyrone W. Counts, three upstanding citizens stripped him naked, put him upside down in a shopping cart, and went right back to drinking and drugging it up. Poor Mr. Counts was feet up in the air (Fargo much?) in the cart, buck naked while folks partied around him, like ya do. Carmen Matos, 47, her 17-year-old son and the son's 18-year-old homeless friend, Christopher Gonzalez are charged. You can send their Christmas cards to the Hudson County jail. Yikes, stories like this really help restore your faith in humanity don't they?
Monday, December 15, 2008
Late night open thread
Tonight a few good minutes with the late great Mitch Hedberg...
TIme for Jersey City, After Dark
TIme for Jersey City, After Dark
Time for Bayonne residents to update their parking permits
Dateline Bayonne: If you park in Bayonne and park in a red, yellow or green zone, you need to pick up your 2009 parking permits before December 31st. The city will allow a grace period until January 16th but that's it. Bring your $125 bucks to Room 28 at City Hall, 630 Avenue C in Bayonne to pick yours up.
Don't say we didn't warn you
Don't say we didn't warn you
Bank of America presents the New Jersey Public Schools®
Don't think it can happen? Think again, bills in the New Jersey legislature would allow what George Carlin once called "Corporate ad feces" on public school buses to supposedly fund education. Somehow JCD doubts all the money in ads will go to schools.
More on this corporate whoring here.
More on this corporate whoring here.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Late night open thread
The Scarlet Knights of Rutgers women's basketball team, ranked #13 nationally, improved to 6-2 today with a win over Army 59-38 in the opener of the Maggie Dixon Classic over at MSG.
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
According to some female students, Jersey City cops were out of line at Snyder High School
You can get the backstory here, but in an evacuation situation, according to some teenage female students, police overreacted and broke out the nightclubs after practically no provocation. One student, Jasmine Hickson, a 15-year-old sophomore, who was doing as she was told was singled out after seeing another student pushed by police commented "That's not right". Police then surrounded her and began making with the nightsticks. Police say Hickson wouldn't leave which is why she was baton'd. Some student also make claims that the police seemed to arrest innocent bystanders who were trying to comply with orders.
Johnny's seen similar situations and police can and DO arrest those on the perimeter or trying to comply. They wanna start hauling people in to show authority and get everyone in a compliance kinda mind. Was that the case here? We don't know but we also don't automatically believe everything the police say because police say it. No diligent citizen should. Facts are facts here and it seems odd the incredible bulk of those arrested were girls. Can't big police officers make a cuff of 15 year old girls without using batons?
There is still a lot yet unknown as to the facts. Is Ms. Hickson embellishing the story? That's certainly possible. Did police overreact for the crowd they were dealing with? That's possible too. Thus far city spokesman Stan Eason has declined to elaborate on what led to the arrests.
More on this as it becomes available...
Johnny's seen similar situations and police can and DO arrest those on the perimeter or trying to comply. They wanna start hauling people in to show authority and get everyone in a compliance kinda mind. Was that the case here? We don't know but we also don't automatically believe everything the police say because police say it. No diligent citizen should. Facts are facts here and it seems odd the incredible bulk of those arrested were girls. Can't big police officers make a cuff of 15 year old girls without using batons?
There is still a lot yet unknown as to the facts. Is Ms. Hickson embellishing the story? That's certainly possible. Did police overreact for the crowd they were dealing with? That's possible too. Thus far city spokesman Stan Eason has declined to elaborate on what led to the arrests.
More on this as it becomes available...
Sunday morning brunch
In keeping with our Sunday morning food theme, here is a Hollywood classic and perhaps the best pie fight ever captured on film. It's from Blake Edwards BRILLIANT comedy 'The Great Race' spoofing the 1909 car race from New York to Paris. Here we'll see Tony Curtis as the always good and clean and perfect Great Leslie, Natalie Wood as women's suffragette Maggie Dubois, Jack Lemmon pulling double duty and the evil bad guy Professor Fate and Prince Hapnik, Prince of Potsdorf and a young Peter Falk as Professor Fate's henchman Max.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Late night open thread
We hope tonight before you hit the hay, you don't suffer from Clinophobia. Where would you sleep after all? Clinophobia is the fear of beds. Maybe there's a pill...
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Saturday morning cartoons
Just like the olden days, only better. Beavis and Butthead answer the question if it's possible to be too stupid to be robbed.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Late night open thread
Now THAT was an old fashioned river hockey shootout at the Rock tonight. The Devils took a big lead, lost it to the Rags, then turned it on again. Devils beat the Rangers 8-5 and many players were on their worst behavior. Like we said, good game.
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with MARVIN GAYE!
Johnny knows New Jersey has their own musical legends and that's great. He likes a lot of them too. A lot. That being said Johnny grew up in Detroit and he'll be happy to debate it as the greatest music city ever. No, ever. Part of your upbringing in 'The D' is Motown. Growing up it was everywhere on the radio and live performances. It was found in the water you could say. It was the fabric of the cloth we all wore.
Johnny's also feeling a lot defiant lately as a few thimble headed gherkins who call themselves Senators from southern states have tried to drive a stake into his hometown's heart this week. Very bad words have escaped his lips this week directed at these evil men. You see, we're not the 'United States of territorial business practices', no, we're the United States of America and when one falls behind here, you go back and pick 'em up. The US military says 'No man left behind'. Johnny's old football coach used to say 'A team is only as fast as it's slowest man'. This is America, we look out for each other, not just the business in our own back yard. Those Detroit auto companies have a long rich history of helping America when it needed it. Remember their help after 9/11, remember the tens of millions in aid and vehicles to help after Hurricane Katrina, remember the Detroit manufacturing machine that helped win World War II. They didn't demand Congressional hearings and business plans about how the levees would be rebuilt so this wouldn't happen again, no friends, they came in like the cavalry with anything that was needed to help Americans. They never asked about safer high rise building plans for New York skyscrapers before the help came. They brought it by the American truckloads, never flinching, never complaining. Never once asking about the bottom line.
Remember the Kinks song 'Catch Me Now I'm Falling' with it's words:
I remember when you were down and you needed and helping hand
I came to feed you but now that I need you, you won't give me a second glance
Now I'm calling on citizens from all over the world, this is Captain America calling
I bailed you out when you were down on your knees so will you catch me now I'm falling
Therefore, Johnny is dedicating this tune, by Motown legend Marvin Gaye to these selfish senators....Marvin Gaye with 'What's Going On'
Johnny's also feeling a lot defiant lately as a few thimble headed gherkins who call themselves Senators from southern states have tried to drive a stake into his hometown's heart this week. Very bad words have escaped his lips this week directed at these evil men. You see, we're not the 'United States of territorial business practices', no, we're the United States of America and when one falls behind here, you go back and pick 'em up. The US military says 'No man left behind'. Johnny's old football coach used to say 'A team is only as fast as it's slowest man'. This is America, we look out for each other, not just the business in our own back yard. Those Detroit auto companies have a long rich history of helping America when it needed it. Remember their help after 9/11, remember the tens of millions in aid and vehicles to help after Hurricane Katrina, remember the Detroit manufacturing machine that helped win World War II. They didn't demand Congressional hearings and business plans about how the levees would be rebuilt so this wouldn't happen again, no friends, they came in like the cavalry with anything that was needed to help Americans. They never asked about safer high rise building plans for New York skyscrapers before the help came. They brought it by the American truckloads, never flinching, never complaining. Never once asking about the bottom line.
Remember the Kinks song 'Catch Me Now I'm Falling' with it's words:
I remember when you were down and you needed and helping hand
I came to feed you but now that I need you, you won't give me a second glance
Now I'm calling on citizens from all over the world, this is Captain America calling
I bailed you out when you were down on your knees so will you catch me now I'm falling
Therefore, Johnny is dedicating this tune, by Motown legend Marvin Gaye to these selfish senators....Marvin Gaye with 'What's Going On'
Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with MAZZY STAR!
Good God, has it already been 15 years since this song came out? Johnny is fond of referring to lead singer Hope Sandoval's voice as 'passionate indifference'. He loves her voice and hopes you will enjoy this performance of 'Fade Into You' from MTV Europe from 1994. The other half of Mazzy Star, David Roback does the honors of the acoustic geetar here. Did you know that Hope Sandoval was still in high school when she replaced Kendra Smith as Roback's musical partner in the band Opal? When Smith left the duo, Sandoval replaced her and she Roback changed the name from Opal to Mazzy Star.
Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with FRANK SINATRA!
We don't know which is smoother, Frank's voice or the smooth rich flavor of Lucky Strike cigarettes. Seriously though, today is Frank's birthday (or it would have been) and of course Jersey City Desk readers will already know, Frank was born in Hoboken, December 12 although there has always been debate about the year. Who really cares about the year, it's immaterial now. Know what's important? Frank Sinatra from 1943 singing the timeless classic 'Stardust'.
Friday morning open thread
Stupid interns got drunk last night, too hungover to work today. Johnny has editorial board meetings with himself this morning so you're on your own. Talk amongst yourselves...
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Late night open thread
It's a practical joke Thursday. This one is particularly good...
Time for Jersey City , After Dark
Time for Jersey City , After Dark
Johnny just saw perhaps the saddest TeeVee ad ever
There is a product you can order by phone and or online and their target audience absolutely have to be complete imbeciles. We're not naming the product because we're not whoring anything no matter how bad. The ad begins with a woman on a couch half-assed under a blanket. The phone rings and she has all kinds of difficulty extracating herself from said blanket to answer the phone two feet away. In fact the morons in this ad have difficulty changing the channel with a blanket or eating popcorn covered by a blanket. BUT, if you order the product advertised, you get sleeves in your fleece blanket. Yep, you can suddenly answer the phone, eat popcorn and change the channel. What a revelation, eh? A blanket with sleeves.
Look, if you have problems working a goddamned blanket in life, maybe you shouldn't be ALLOWED to use the phone and or internet. In fact, if you can't get a blanket together, maybe that's where the government should step in and put you to sleep.
Just sayin'...
Look, if you have problems working a goddamned blanket in life, maybe you shouldn't be ALLOWED to use the phone and or internet. In fact, if you can't get a blanket together, maybe that's where the government should step in and put you to sleep.
Just sayin'...
Because loaded shotguns in a box are safer than just lying around, NOT
Hassan Tate had a loaded shotgun in his apartment. So rather than just leave it sitting out he went to put it in a box, like ya do. But, butterfingers Hassan lost control of the (did we mention it was loaded? OK, good) shotgun putting it in said box, it discharged and a 2 year old was the sudden recipient of 25 buckshot pellets in his legs.
Tate will be charged with aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of a child and possession of a firearm by a felon. The little boy will be OK. Of course when taken to the emergency room, the little boys mom couldn't exactly remember what the hell happened to cause her son to get 25 shotgun pellets in his legs. NICE. After some coaxing (read threats of child endangerment charges which JCD STILL thinks are warranted if she won't tell the truth to protect her child from idiots like Hassan Tate) she admitted, oh yeah, it must have been when that shotgun went off in her home.
Again, the child will be OK.
You can send Hassan Tate's Christmas card c/o the Hudson County Jail...
Tate will be charged with aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of a child and possession of a firearm by a felon. The little boy will be OK. Of course when taken to the emergency room, the little boys mom couldn't exactly remember what the hell happened to cause her son to get 25 shotgun pellets in his legs. NICE. After some coaxing (read threats of child endangerment charges which JCD STILL thinks are warranted if she won't tell the truth to protect her child from idiots like Hassan Tate) she admitted, oh yeah, it must have been when that shotgun went off in her home.
Again, the child will be OK.
You can send Hassan Tate's Christmas card c/o the Hudson County Jail...
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Late night open thread
Since today is 'Call in Gay' day, we're gonna spend a few good minutes before bed with Buddy Cole, well, Scott Thompson of Kids in the Hall as Buddy Cole. Johnny had the wonderful luck of catching Kids in the Hall many moons ago in a small club in Detroit, and Scott as Buddy led off the whole shebang with the greeting "Bon-swah Day-Twah!" Who else knows Anne Murray's drinking habits better than Buddy Cole?
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Johnny saw this and wanted to share it--The most infamous cars in history
No, not like the Edsel, no we mean cars used by stars who met crazy ends in them or were used in crimes. Did you know Law and Order's Mariska Hargitay was in the back seat of her mother's (Jayne Mansfield) car when she was killed? Yeah, make SURE you check out the YouTube clip of the Mansfield accident.
A preview of the fine work by The Car Connection below, but you can get the full story HERE
Bonnie and Clyde's Ford V-8
"TheCarConnection.com’s most infamous cars start right here with the Model A that sped into history, piloted by Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker. From the time they met in January 1930, Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker were on a date with a bloody destiny. Their cross-country blast in a Ford V-8 took them across five states from Missouri to Texas, robbing banks and gas stations and stores and killing 13 people. Barrow was famous for his love of Fords, and in the day, the V-8 Ford was the fastest car on the road. Barrow may or may not have written a letter to Ford Motor Company, saying that it "has got every other car skinned," in fact. In May of 1934, Texas and Louisiana police ambushed the duo and their gang in Bienville Parish, Louisiana, pumping 100 bullets into the car. The death car lives on display at the Primm Valley Resort in Primm, Nevada."
A preview of the fine work by The Car Connection below, but you can get the full story HERE
Bonnie and Clyde's Ford V-8
"TheCarConnection.com’s most infamous cars start right here with the Model A that sped into history, piloted by Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker. From the time they met in January 1930, Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker were on a date with a bloody destiny. Their cross-country blast in a Ford V-8 took them across five states from Missouri to Texas, robbing banks and gas stations and stores and killing 13 people. Barrow was famous for his love of Fords, and in the day, the V-8 Ford was the fastest car on the road. Barrow may or may not have written a letter to Ford Motor Company, saying that it "has got every other car skinned," in fact. In May of 1934, Texas and Louisiana police ambushed the duo and their gang in Bienville Parish, Louisiana, pumping 100 bullets into the car. The death car lives on display at the Primm Valley Resort in Primm, Nevada."
We had no idea this was coming, Lou Manzo, running for Mayor of Jersey City
Lou Manzo will make his FIFTH run for Mayor of Jersey City in 2009. Manzo says he's running on a platform of "keeping streets safer, improve the city's image and negotiate better tax deals with developers"
"One thing I pledge is that I will never be an embarrassment to the people of this city" Manzo also said. Look we know you know the issues and take a little offense that you claim the drop in crime is only because "people are afraid to leave their homes" but we're gonna need a little more meat and potatoes than "I won't embarrass you". Unless Mayor Jerramiah Healy suddenly becomes Detroit's Kwame Kilpatrick, embarrassment isn't going to win an election for you.
"One thing I pledge is that I will never be an embarrassment to the people of this city" Manzo also said. Look we know you know the issues and take a little offense that you claim the drop in crime is only because "people are afraid to leave their homes" but we're gonna need a little more meat and potatoes than "I won't embarrass you". Unless Mayor Jerramiah Healy suddenly becomes Detroit's Kwame Kilpatrick, embarrassment isn't going to win an election for you.
So, it's December 10th......AND it'll be 66º today...A tribute to the weather
And what better way to celebrate December on the eastern seaboard than Seals and Crofts classic 'Summer Breeze' LOLZ
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Late night open thread
State trivia night...
Which US State started the first lottery in America? Answer HERE
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Which US State started the first lottery in America? Answer HERE
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Stealing from a 9/11 victim? Stay classy Kevin Dunn
Since Mr. Dunn has already pled guilty, this post'll be fun to write.
You stole at least 250K from a widow of a 9/11 hero to remodel your home, buy a Florida condo and support your substance abuse (seems like you're all about abusing not only yourself but those who trust you, like the victim here). You then try to blame Jamie Amoroso, widow of Port Authority Police Officer Christopher Amoroso, who died on 9/11 selflessly helping others escape. You claim she TOLD you to take the money, or rather your lawyer did that for you. You hadn't the nards to do it yourself. How precious. You were a family friend and you ripped her off. Was that you or your substance abuse talking?
You claim Mrs. Amaroso told you to withdraw 700K from her victim's fund money because 'she could not take the (up and downs of the stock) market.' Yeah, of course, she didn't like the ups and downs of the market so her money would be better off in YOUR pocket. It sure doesn't seem to the JCD that somebody twitchy about the stock market thinks that cash would be better spent buying you a condo or more drugs. Mr. Dunn, your attorney said you didn't mean to steal ALL her victim's fund money. So, how much were you planning on leaving her when you were done shopping?
You stay classy Kevin Dunn, and we sure hope your cellmates find out how you got in the clink, better yet, somebody should tell them.
You stole at least 250K from a widow of a 9/11 hero to remodel your home, buy a Florida condo and support your substance abuse (seems like you're all about abusing not only yourself but those who trust you, like the victim here). You then try to blame Jamie Amoroso, widow of Port Authority Police Officer Christopher Amoroso, who died on 9/11 selflessly helping others escape. You claim she TOLD you to take the money, or rather your lawyer did that for you. You hadn't the nards to do it yourself. How precious. You were a family friend and you ripped her off. Was that you or your substance abuse talking?
You claim Mrs. Amaroso told you to withdraw 700K from her victim's fund money because 'she could not take the (up and downs of the stock) market.' Yeah, of course, she didn't like the ups and downs of the market so her money would be better off in YOUR pocket. It sure doesn't seem to the JCD that somebody twitchy about the stock market thinks that cash would be better spent buying you a condo or more drugs. Mr. Dunn, your attorney said you didn't mean to steal ALL her victim's fund money. So, how much were you planning on leaving her when you were done shopping?
You stay classy Kevin Dunn, and we sure hope your cellmates find out how you got in the clink, better yet, somebody should tell them.
"I love the smell of boat fire in the morning..."
Dateline Weehawken: Flames from a burning boat have spread to at least one other boat and at least 50 firefighters are battling the blaze at the Lincoln Harbor Marina.
The thick black smoke is visible by motorists heading to the Lincoln tunnel and on Manhattan's west side.
No word on if Gilligan could be found this morning for questioning.
The thick black smoke is visible by motorists heading to the Lincoln tunnel and on Manhattan's west side.
No word on if Gilligan could be found this morning for questioning.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Late night open thread
Of course on December 8th we celebrate the life of John Lennon. Johnny has never been the biggest Beatles or Lennon solo music fan but we really want to celebrate the ideas this wonderful human being stood for, all that is good in all of us and the world should be shared.
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Yep, Johnny didn't win the lottery, how can you tell? He's still here blogging
However, a Union County couple did win the Mega-millions lotto.....in July, they came forward to claim it today. $75.5 million bones out of the $126 million prize after taxes and the lump sum payout. The Lopes family bought the ticket at AJ Seabra Supermarket in Newark.
Lotsa whiners on NJ.com over a Portuguese speaking couple winning the lotto. Funny, they probably weren't or haven't ever complained about foreign speakers paying INTO the lotto. Just now the jealousy flows after they win. Sad really.
Lotsa whiners on NJ.com over a Portuguese speaking couple winning the lotto. Funny, they probably weren't or haven't ever complained about foreign speakers paying INTO the lotto. Just now the jealousy flows after they win. Sad really.
Since we're on the topic of American comedy....
Johnny knows the PBS special will have LOTS of Marx Brothers (Johnny's faves), so let's run with that on a blustery Monday morning....
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Late night open thread
Name dropping edition...
Johnny's been moved out here all of a week so it must be time to write a post on meeting a celeb. Johnny got to go to the 92nd St. Y in NYC tonight for a panel discussion and a preview of an upcoming PBS special next month called 'Make 'em Laugh-The Funny Business of America' a complete history of comedy in all it's brilliant forms throughout American history. The panel was hosted by Richard Belzer and also had author Laurence Maslon and Emmy award winning filmmaker Michael Kantor. Johnny's favorite funny gal, and whom he got to meet after the show was the hysterically funny Amy Sedaris. She's simply all that and a bag of chips.
This PBS special is gonna be so wonderful, make SURE you don't miss it. It'll begin January 14.
Johnny's been moved out here all of a week so it must be time to write a post on meeting a celeb. Johnny got to go to the 92nd St. Y in NYC tonight for a panel discussion and a preview of an upcoming PBS special next month called 'Make 'em Laugh-The Funny Business of America' a complete history of comedy in all it's brilliant forms throughout American history. The panel was hosted by Richard Belzer and also had author Laurence Maslon and Emmy award winning filmmaker Michael Kantor. Johnny's favorite funny gal, and whom he got to meet after the show was the hysterically funny Amy Sedaris. She's simply all that and a bag of chips.
This PBS special is gonna be so wonderful, make SURE you don't miss it. It'll begin January 14.
Sounds like a local towing company was preying on local residents in a crash for cash scam
According to NJ.com, the owner of HighPoint Towing, along with several of his employee lackeys, were stealing trucks, and crashing them or driving them off of cliffs (cliffs in Hudson County?) and then making money recovering and or towing the trucks from trees, culverts, valleys, you name it.
"HighPoint owner Steven Avella, 53, was arrested on charges of arson for hire, conspiracy to commit theft and two counts of insurance fraud, police said. Police said he paid his workers up to $600 to take the trucks."
NICE isn't it? Several of HighPoint Towing (oh the irony of that name in this case) drivers have also been charged with crimes such as arson for hire, theft, conspiracy to commit theft and possession of burglary tools.
According to North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco, there could be more, much more to this story, "I don't know how big this will become". Are other companies doing this? Are other HighPoint drivers involved?
We'll let you know but how nice a local company is stealing your property to make cash eh?
"HighPoint owner Steven Avella, 53, was arrested on charges of arson for hire, conspiracy to commit theft and two counts of insurance fraud, police said. Police said he paid his workers up to $600 to take the trucks."
NICE isn't it? Several of HighPoint Towing (oh the irony of that name in this case) drivers have also been charged with crimes such as arson for hire, theft, conspiracy to commit theft and possession of burglary tools.
According to North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco, there could be more, much more to this story, "I don't know how big this will become". Are other companies doing this? Are other HighPoint drivers involved?
We'll let you know but how nice a local company is stealing your property to make cash eh?
Sunday morning brunch with Dan Aykroyd and John Cusack
Perhaps you'd like the 'Alfalfa on My Mind' omelette or perhaps the 'I Left My Heart in San Francheesy'. Language warning for the ankle biters but just remember, breakfast is the most important meal of the day...
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Late night open thread
That's the great thing about the Jersey City Desk for Johnny and interns Zoltron and Kiki, if we don't wanna come in on Saturday or Sunday, we don't.
Scoreboard Saturday
NHL
Detroit 5
Chicago 4
(Woo hoo, Datsyuk wins it in the shootout)
Devils 2
Montreal 1
(Zach Parise scores on the powerplay in OT for Devils glory)
Atlanta 5
Islanders 1
(No word on if the Pretenders song 'I go to Sleep' was playing in the Isles dressing room between periods)
Ottawa 3
Pittsburgh 2
(Any night Cindy Crosby loses is a good night)
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Scoreboard Saturday
NHL
Detroit 5
Chicago 4
(Woo hoo, Datsyuk wins it in the shootout)
Devils 2
Montreal 1
(Zach Parise scores on the powerplay in OT for Devils glory)
Atlanta 5
Islanders 1
(No word on if the Pretenders song 'I go to Sleep' was playing in the Isles dressing room between periods)
Ottawa 3
Pittsburgh 2
(Any night Cindy Crosby loses is a good night)
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Friday, December 5, 2008
Late night open thread
It's looking like like the Papa John's Bowl for Rutgers. We'll know more tomorrow...
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE CLASH!
We like to have some big musical fun here on Friday nights. Kind of a way to send you off to your big plans or let you settle back later on with something fun to watch. We've been doing it now for oh, a year or so on the Ypsi City Desk and we certainly want to carry this tradition out here to Jersey City. So let's get going with the only band that matters, The Clash. Make sure to catch our Joe Strummer special tribute on December 22nd, the anniversary of the great man's passing.
The Clash with 'Clampdown'
The Clash with 'Clampdown'
Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with NEKO CASE!
Yeah, get used to this name here. Neko is simply one of a kind. Johnny twice drove from Ypsilanti to Cleveland to see Neko at the Beachland Ballroom. If you EVAH get the chance to see her, DO SO (of course wait until after Johnny has his tickets before getting yours, as is proper). If you're wondering who Kelly Hogan is on our links list, why she's standing to Neko's left, singing all purty into the microphone. The rapport Kelly and Neko have with an audience is amazing and often times, damned funny. By the way, that's Jon Rauhouse on pedal steel guitar.
Neko Case with 'Star Witness'
Neko Case with 'Star Witness'
Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with BLONDIE!
Yep, ole Johnny gets to recycle some of his faves from the Friday night video series at the Ypsi City Desk. Johnny loves loves loves Blondie. What better Blondie song tonight than 'Union City Blue'. The scene kinda looks familiar no? Did you know Bruce Springsteen was in the studio when this track was cut and if you listen close you can hear Chris Stein playing Bruce's geetar on this'n...
Blondie with 'Union City Blue'
Blondie with 'Union City Blue'
One less bike riding, knife wielding, head punching jackass on the streets of Jersey City today
22 year old Karon Benjamin was riding his bike near Tonnele and Pavonia. OK, nothing wrong with that. Lots of people ride bikes. Good exercise, cheap transportation, good for the environment. You ask a pedestrian for directions. That's cool, we all get lost once in a great while. Benjamin made is way onto this site when he decided to wait until the pedestrian tried giving him directions and he punched him in the face. Now the pedestrian was no nancy-boy, he fought back. That's when Benjamin made things far worse for himself by pulling a knife. The victim ran off when he saw the knife like most thinking people would.
About 12:50 am police saw Benjamin on his mountain bike on Ocean Avenue. They stopped him and then contacted the original victim who was brought to the scene and lo and behold he picked Benjamin as his assaulter and YAHTZEE, Benjamin was arrested and charged with robbery, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes and unlawful possession of a weapon.
Derrrrrrrrrrr
About 12:50 am police saw Benjamin on his mountain bike on Ocean Avenue. They stopped him and then contacted the original victim who was brought to the scene and lo and behold he picked Benjamin as his assaulter and YAHTZEE, Benjamin was arrested and charged with robbery, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes and unlawful possession of a weapon.
Derrrrrrrrrrr
This just in to the Jersey City Desk Sports Desk this morning...
Rutgers just scored on Louisville again....
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Late night open thread
Tonight we salute the casual shopper in all of us...
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Don't forget kids, Rutgers football tonight!
That's right the Scarlet Knights will be looking to possibly get one of the automatic bids to a BCS bowl game from the Big East conference when they take on Louisville in Piscataway at 7:30.
Rutgers is looking for their sixth straight win after a tough start to this season. Louisville is an underachieving team sporting a god-awful 1-5 record in conference play. The Scarlet Knights will look to air it out against the porous Cardinals secondary. We see BIG numbers tonight for senior Mike Teel. No doubt Rutgers will do something on the ground but when you're looking at swiss cheese in Louisville's defensive backfield, expect an air attack of some note.
Lots of scoring, maybe some rain could make it interesting, but we see Rutgers winning this game by at least 10 points.
Rutgers is looking for their sixth straight win after a tough start to this season. Louisville is an underachieving team sporting a god-awful 1-5 record in conference play. The Scarlet Knights will look to air it out against the porous Cardinals secondary. We see BIG numbers tonight for senior Mike Teel. No doubt Rutgers will do something on the ground but when you're looking at swiss cheese in Louisville's defensive backfield, expect an air attack of some note.
Lots of scoring, maybe some rain could make it interesting, but we see Rutgers winning this game by at least 10 points.
Lokul Skolars learn good edukashun things
No, we're not making fun, we'd like to give a tip of the Jersey City Desk cap to three local students who have earned the 2008 New Jersey Rising Scholars Award.
We salute Franco Gamero of Kearny High School, Rashida J. Megget of Liberty High School and Melvin Santiago of CREATE Charter High School. Well done gang, you've done our area proud!
We salute Franco Gamero of Kearny High School, Rashida J. Megget of Liberty High School and Melvin Santiago of CREATE Charter High School. Well done gang, you've done our area proud!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Late night open thread
Famous last words edition.
Joan Crawford died May 10, 1977, her last words were to her housekeeper who had begun to pray aloud next to her:
"Damn it . . . Don't you dare ask God to help me."
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Joan Crawford died May 10, 1977, her last words were to her housekeeper who had begun to pray aloud next to her:
"Damn it . . . Don't you dare ask God to help me."
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Next time Rob, try "No" or "I quit"
Jersey City Fireman Robert Verpent had his bail set at 25 large earlier today over a case where he actually punched his Fire Captain Frances Reynolds right in the mush WHILE battling a three alarm blaze in July. Reynolds ordered Verpent (which rhymes with serpent) back into the building to help fellow firefighters battle the blaze. Instead of quitting, Verpent swung and connected with the captain.
Johnny's never been in a fire situation, he's sure never been ordered back into a burning building. Harrowing times to be sure. But Johnny is also not going to punch out his boss over it. Look dude, you're a fireman, if you don't want to fight fires or help your fellow firemen out, that's a pretty piss poor fireman in our opinion. Now you've done gone and landed yourself in the pokey.
Now, the Jersey City Fire Department can't be completely stunned over his actions, they DID look the other way when Verpent was previously charged with domestic violence AND clubbing a fellow firefighter with a frying pan in the firehouse for which he was officially reprimanded. Guess the guy finally went off eh JCFD? Tell us you're surprised.
Johnny's never been in a fire situation, he's sure never been ordered back into a burning building. Harrowing times to be sure. But Johnny is also not going to punch out his boss over it. Look dude, you're a fireman, if you don't want to fight fires or help your fellow firemen out, that's a pretty piss poor fireman in our opinion. Now you've done gone and landed yourself in the pokey.
Now, the Jersey City Fire Department can't be completely stunned over his actions, they DID look the other way when Verpent was previously charged with domestic violence AND clubbing a fellow firefighter with a frying pan in the firehouse for which he was officially reprimanded. Guess the guy finally went off eh JCFD? Tell us you're surprised.
Oh, so New York City needs a big ole Christmas tree--time to call NEW JERSEY
Apparently, the pine trees in New York have some kind of mange. When the big tree goes up in Rockefeller Center tonight, do know that tree is from the Garden State, where trees grow big and strong and purty.
You can read more on New York's embarrassment here
You can read more on New York's embarrassment here
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Late night open thread
Ya know, when it comes to holiday specials, Johnny prefers the classics. We at JCD hope you do to....
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
One minute you're cleaning bird poop off your car, the next you're taking a brick to the melon
Dateline: Jersey City. A man walked into the East District cop shop bleeding from his forehead and nose saying he'd been assaulted by a former co-worker by a brick Monday. The victim whose name wasn't released said he was cleaning bird shat off of his car when he was approached by former co-worker Jason Scala. You know the routine, words were exchanged and then allegedly Scala went all brick on the victim. Scala was charged with aggravated assault and weapons possession. The victim was treated at the Jersey City Medical Center and released.
What kind of world are we living in when a man can't clean pigeon leavings off of his whip in peace?
What kind of world are we living in when a man can't clean pigeon leavings off of his whip in peace?
Shooting at Monticello and Gardner in Jersey City last night
Oh how tough people are when they have guns. A man was shot in the stomach last night around 7 pm after engaging in an on-street argument with the shooter. After the argument was supposedly finished, the shooter hit the victim in the back of his head and when he turned around, shot him. The 37 year old victim was treated and released from the Jersey City Medical Center.
The po-po say they are looking for a gunman aged 24-27 with a black hoodie and blue jeans. Good luck with that using that description gang.
How brave these candyasses are when they have a gun eh? If he'd had no gun chances are he'd have walked away with his tail between his legs.
Call the Jersey City Police Department at (201) 547-JAIL if you have any info on the coward with a handgun.
The po-po say they are looking for a gunman aged 24-27 with a black hoodie and blue jeans. Good luck with that using that description gang.
How brave these candyasses are when they have a gun eh? If he'd had no gun chances are he'd have walked away with his tail between his legs.
Call the Jersey City Police Department at (201) 547-JAIL if you have any info on the coward with a handgun.
For those of you with more money than brains, the Britney Spears comeback tour will stop at The Prudential Center
Yep, the human car wreck is launching her latest comeback and will stop at 'The Rock' March 13. Ticket-scam-Master tickets will range from $39.50-$153 but wait, there's MORE. If your inner dumbass is willing to pony up $352.50 and $552.50, you can get a special VIP package.
Does that come with Britney attacking someone with an umbrella in a fight to the death? Perhaps some kind of bachelor party up close and personal with Brit-brit? For $500 bucks you'd think that'd be on the pre-show menu.
Does that come with Britney attacking someone with an umbrella in a fight to the death? Perhaps some kind of bachelor party up close and personal with Brit-brit? For $500 bucks you'd think that'd be on the pre-show menu.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Late night open thread
On this day in history, Rosa Parks told a bus driver and white passenger she was quite comfortable sitting where she was and was arrested for her troubles in 1955 in Montgomery Alabama. One of the true acts of heroism in American history.
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Welcome Jersey City, to yet another blog about our community
Only this one will be a tad different than you're used to. Here's how it works. We have a crack news team, interns, a traffic copter, and a Friday night music series. Johnny talks mess, you respond (at least we hope you'll respond) and we go from there.
Johnny got into Jersey City all of two days ago but that won't stop him from pretending he knows everything there is to know about Jersey City, Bayonne, Hoboken, Union City, Weehawken, Kearney and Newark, our towns of interest. We'll also have fun jabbing NYC in the ribs from time to time as we put aside the romance of the Big Apple and expose the maggoty apple parts from the other side of the Hudson River.
We'll openly root for Rutgers football like we used to do for Eastern Michigan back when the staff here ran the Ypsi City Desk (and you can get a good idea of what's coming by checking out that site). Rutgers does tend to win a lot more games than Eastern Michigan ever did. Johnny is going to order a Rutgers shirt later today in fact to be a part of the home team. We'll cover the Devils but do know Johnny is a die-hard Detroit Red Wings fan and still hasn't forgotten 1995.
We'll also put you to bed every night with an open thread where you are free to talk as much crap as you can.
We'll never edit you unless it gets REALLY disgraceful or disgusting, so feel free to swear but remember you'll make your points much better if you haven't been huffing glue and listening to old John Valby cassettes.
Game on!
Johnny got into Jersey City all of two days ago but that won't stop him from pretending he knows everything there is to know about Jersey City, Bayonne, Hoboken, Union City, Weehawken, Kearney and Newark, our towns of interest. We'll also have fun jabbing NYC in the ribs from time to time as we put aside the romance of the Big Apple and expose the maggoty apple parts from the other side of the Hudson River.
We'll openly root for Rutgers football like we used to do for Eastern Michigan back when the staff here ran the Ypsi City Desk (and you can get a good idea of what's coming by checking out that site). Rutgers does tend to win a lot more games than Eastern Michigan ever did. Johnny is going to order a Rutgers shirt later today in fact to be a part of the home team. We'll cover the Devils but do know Johnny is a die-hard Detroit Red Wings fan and still hasn't forgotten 1995.
We'll also put you to bed every night with an open thread where you are free to talk as much crap as you can.
We'll never edit you unless it gets REALLY disgraceful or disgusting, so feel free to swear but remember you'll make your points much better if you haven't been huffing glue and listening to old John Valby cassettes.
Game on!