Steering goes out on Bayonne police car, causing a crash; Did Bayonne City Council keep their word on new police cruisers?

First the crash--Officer Richard Cotter was driving south Broadway between 13th and 14th when his steering went out causing his car to swerve to the right and finally wound up stopped on a sidewalk in front of a liquor store. We at the JCD are happy that officer Cotter and no pedestrians were injured.

Now, the police union immediately went after the Bayonne City Council for not keeping their word on what Officer William Kobryn said was a "done deal" to buy 10 new cruisers. The city only got 5. Police chief Robert Kubert chimed in saying he was "disappointed" in the council for failing to order 10 cars. "We had the rug swept out from under us".

OK, good police cars are a vital part of any top flight police force but this car had only 93,000 miles on it. It should hold up longer than that. These cars should be getting 150,000 miles out of them. Yeah yeah we know police cruisers are always on the go and always in service and get driven hard. Welcome to our world. We count on our cars too. Full on all the time our cars have to work to get us to and from work as well. Regular folks also don't get their own dedicated service departments.

We'd say to the Bayonne PD, settle down. It sounds like you WILL get your new cruisers and they may be hybrids. To use this accident as a platform to run your own city down seems pointless. There was no need to air this in the press so goofballs like Johhny can comment. It may make the complainer seem petty. Like now....

Late night open thread

Hey puck fans, the Devils are home tomorrow vs Florida at the The Rock. 1pm faceoff. Why should you care? If the playoffs started today, the Devils and Panthers would meet in the first round.

Tickets still available, take the kids to a matinee you'll enjoy. Seriously, would you rather take the kids to the Devils game with rock 'em sock 'em action or the Jonas Brothers movie?

Thought so.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with AL GREEN!

The reverend Al Green with a soulful version of 'Take Me to the River'. Get those dancing shoes on folks, Al is gonna testify proper!

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE RAMONES!

Johnny feels so very close to this band now that he lives just across the river from their stomping grounds. He doesn't tell many people this but he thinks The Ramones are the greatest US band ever.

The Ramones with 'Sheena is a Punk Rocker'

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with JAMES BROWN!

The Godfather of soul, and other less savory things, gettin' it here with 'Get up Offa That Thing'

See if you can't follow the logic here...

Unless you've been living under the Brooklyn Bridge, you know Yankees star Alex Rodriguez took steroids for many years which according to him were procured for him by his cousin Yuri Sucart. Sucart never took the illegal steroids, he merely got them for A-Roid. A-Roid was the one who took them. So, if you're the Yankees what do you do? Ban Sucart from all team facilities. According to New York Yankees human checkbook Brian Cashman, "That's been taken care of, It's been handled."

God forbid you'd punish the guy who ingested illegal steroids. Oh, wait, silly us, he's the one who will hit 40 home runs this year. What were we thinking, he should be GLORIFIED.

Late night open thread

Don't say dinner, say Armour® Pork Brains. If you don't feel like making your own from scratch, Armour® has you covered. By the way, this product has 1170% of your daily cholesterol. Must be the unhealthy milk gravy.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Mayor Healy, your teevee ads talk tough on crime, yet, there have been a spate of mob attacks recently, have you heard?

We see your election ads touting your record on crime as all that and a bag of chips. The problem the Jersey City Desk is having is then continually reading about young thuggish mobs attacking, robbing and beating Jersey City residents. Normally when an elected official is running for re-election on a "the crime rate is down" platform, they sit on these zoo animals and step up police patrols and keep the citizenry safer. We're just not seeing that now. Several incidents, from this one, to this one, to this one, to this one to the gang of six to ten hooded or masked crooks who robbed a resident of his cell phone and watch near Kennedy and Van Winkle a few weeks back make your ads look like so much bluster.

If you can't have your police force step up to the plate and do more to PREVENT/catch/prosecute these crimes NOW, before an election, it makes us wonder how bad things may get after the election. You know, once the risk of the voters judgement is no longer such a driving force in your political life. Dammit Mayor, it's close, REAL close to becoming unsafe to walk the streets of Jersey City after dark. All its gonna take is one of these scumbag thug mobs to kill somebody and Johnny's gonna drop some money and put up a billboard along the 1 and 9 and ask why you can't keep us safe while you're claiming to do it.

Statistics are fine things, go tell the crime victims in these stories crime is down on your watch Mayor Healy and see how comforted they become.

Feel safer New York?

There were two fatal crane accidents in the Big Appletini last year. So, New York City did the responsible thing and passed tough new laws about crane operation and the amount of time one spends learning to run them. A 30 hour class in raising and lowering cranes was among the changes. Of course to union official and crane safety teacher James P. Conway, this new safety initiative didn't matter much. He was STILL all about letting organized crime and other non-qualified doofuses run the cranes.

According to the New York Times, some of the qualified people in apprentice programs were, well, strippers. Who cares, really, only NINE people died in crane accidents last year. Who cares that mob types and strippers are part of the program? According to Conway, one of the real reasons they ran the program the way they did? To keep out minorities;

Mr. Conway said that he believed the union’s testing process, which he acknowledged repeatedly bypassing and manipulating to help mob figures and their family members and the friends and relatives of union members and officials, was used to keep out minority applicants. He described shepherding the cases of two minority applicants through the process, an action that incurred the wrath of one union member whose sons Mr. Conway had tested and failed.

Delightful.

Late night open thread

On this day in 1913 Thurston Howell III (TeeVee's Jim Backus) was born. It's a shame he had to live his remaining days on that island and never got rescued. Wait, wasn't Gilligan's Island a reality show?

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

We have a very special treat for you this morning, live video from yesterday's Rex Parade in New Orleans

Johnny's good friend, and intrepid New Orleans resident and reporter Oddzymandias has some video from yesterday's Rex Parade from Mardi Gras. These are great clips and we certainly thank Oddzymandias for sharing them. Don't these clips make you wanna plan a trip down there and sip some hurricanes and eat some gumbo? Sure, next year for Mardi Gras but really anytime. It sure shows New Orleans isn't gonna let a little water stop them from having a good time any old time during the year. Nawlins is back!

Grab some beads as they get tossed party cats and kittens!

Rex, His Captain, and the Corps Band-Rex Parade 09


Calliope, Aztec Float & Walker Band-Rex Parade 09


Red Dove & Band-Rex Parade 09


Float A=Rex Parade 09

Late night open thread

We finish of this Fat Tuesday with the legendary cajun music band Beausoleil performing 'Varíse'.

We hoped you've enjoyed today's trip down to the bayou from way up here yonder in Jersey City and it's biggest suburb, New York City.


Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Boy that cajun sound is great, how about one more from the Big Bayou Bandits?

Indeed, Johnny KNEW he loved the cajun sound listening to the Ry Cooder soundtrack from the movie 'Southern Comfort' way back in 1980. His iTunes library is filled with cajun and zydeco music and he's Irish, not French.

As we roll along on this Fat Tuesday (Paczki Day in Detroit), some more of that real cajun sound

Big Bayou Bandits - Convict Two-Step


Johnny, what's a paczki? Oh heavenly delicious, they are tasty treats the Polish bakeries in and around Detroit turn out on Paczki Day (pronounced Poonch-key), or as many know it, Fat Tuesday.

Come on down to Nawlins on Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras fans

We'll start our tribute to Louisiana and New Orleans with some real cajun music from the Balfa Brothers.

The Balfa Brothers - Parlez Nous A Boire

Time to class this dump up a little: This week in art news

A couple opportunities exist for you, the Jersey City Desk reader to enjoy some art. Art will help open up and free your mind and here's where to start:

Jersey City Museum “Deliverance: The Art of Ben Jones, 1970-2008,” a retrospective. Through Feb. 21. Adults, $4; seniors and students, $2; members and children under 12, free. Hours: Wednesdays through Fridays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. Jersey City Museum, 350 Montgomery Street. (201) 413-0303

New Jersey City University “The Color of the Tradition: Herencia Milenaria,” showcasing the ceramics of contemporary Mexico. Through March 4. Free. Hours: Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and by appointment. Harold. B. Lemmerman Gallery, New Jersey City University, 2039 Kennedy Boulevard. (201) 200-3246

New Jersey Performing Arts Center “The Frog Bride,” adapted by David Gonzalez, musician, poet and storyteller. Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. $20 and $22. New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center Street. (888) 466-5722

Newark Museum “Sky Quest,” a young woman’s quest to find a special place in the night sky. Weekends through March 30. Free with museum admission. Newark Museum, 49 Washington Street. (973) 596-6550

Late night open thread

We're not big pro basketball fans here at the Jersey City Desk, but when the Nets win with a half court shot at the buzzer, and we mean the buzzer, it's tonight's late night thread. Note on the bottom of the screen as they begin showing replays of the shot in slow motion, the person who handles the scores on the network already has Philadelphia the victors 96-95. Maybe he had to get out of there early for a hot date but as Lee Corso says, "Not so fast my friend". This shot counted and the Nets won 98-96.


Time for Jersey City, After Dark

What a supreme disappointment the New York Rangers were last night

And normally we'd just snicker, as we're obviously more about the Devils fortunes here. What was disgraceful as Ranger players half-assed it, stood around, took 'too many men on the ice' penalties late in the game, is the fact they retired two numbers last night and all their former greats were in the house to watch. First off they are struggling just to make the playoffs, secondly Harry Howell and Andy Bathgate were having their numbers hoisted to the rafters, third the lowly Toronto Maple Laffs were the opponent. How and why they didn't come out roaring and steamroll Toronto is anybody's guess. No heart, no guts but for whatever reason it was disgraceful. Captain Chris Drury makes over 7 million a year as does Scott Gomez. Markus Naslund is in for over 6 milion. Nikolai Zherdev makes 2.5 million and these guys just gave no effort. Who steps up to take ownership of this mess? Over the Red Wings locker room in Joe Louis Arena in Detroit reads a sign (johnny knows he's seen in personally) "Of those much is given much is expected". Maybe somebody should relay this sentiment to some of the Rangers stars.

On a night you honor those who helped make hockey what it is today, a world you can make a bundle, a lot of current Rangers should be ashamed. Bathgate and Howell played for relative peanuts in an era when the NHL season was over you went to your OTHER JOB, and for them to have to watch a passionless and lazy performance in front of them was frankly embarrassing.

Johnny's a die hard Red Wings fan who supports his local Devils but is reminded of when Red Sox great Carlton Fisk earned Yankees fans respect when he told New York Yankee Deion Sanders, who in an earlier at bat decided he simply didn't need to run out a pop-up on the infield, there is a right way and wrong way to play the game and "and if you don't play it right, I'm going to kick your ass right here in Yankee Stadium."

Bravo, well said.

Late night open thread

Well, the Jersey City Desk works like a charm, we posted a clip by Sean Penn below in Fast Times at Ridgemont High and BINGO, he wins yet another best actor Academy Award, this time for 'Milk'. We're king makers here at the JCD we are....

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

And finally on Oscars weekend, Johnny's favorite of all time

Yep, the Wizard of Oz. Young or old, it doesn't matter, this movie simply for Johnny's money is the best movie ever made. Now, first off it's the ONE movie we've ALL seen. It is the film that binds us all. Maybe not everyone has seen other choices we've laid out here and a few we've touched on in clips since December when we got this crazy site going. You may not have seen 'V for Vendetta' or 'Slapshot' or 'The Sting' or 'The Lord of the Rings' movies. We've all seen the Wizard of Oz. We all still watch it when it comes on every so often. It's magic, and who can forget the amazing black and white to color shift, still to this day the most amazing yet simple special effect in all of Hollywood history. It's also the first movie we see as kids where things might not go the way we want them to. It's the first movie kids see where things become scary and evil. Lots of people mention their fear of the flying monkeys in this flick, for Johnny it was always the tornado scene that scared him. He knew there were no flying monkeys, growing up in the midwest, he'd heard the tornado sirens and seen the tornado warnings on the teevee.

Without further ado, the tornado scene from The Wizard of Oz

Big New York Rangers doings tonight at the M to the S to the G

Legendary New York Ranger players Harry Howell and Andy Bathgate will have their numbers hoisted to the rafters tonight at MSG with a ceremony beginning at 6:30 pm before the Rangers play Original Six brethren the Toronto Maple Leafs. Howell's number 3 will be raised as will Bathgate's number 9 (which he will forever share with Adam Graves who's own number 9 was retired almost three weeks back). With number 3 heading up to the rafters it means current number 3, Rags defenseman Michal Rozsival will have to unveil a new number before stepping onto the ice tonight vs the Maple Loafs.

More on this story and these great NHL legends can be found here.

Late night open thread

As we roll along on Oscar weekend another of Johnny's favorites, Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Now this is interesting; most of the people in the movie when it came out were unknowns and yet, three cast members have gone on to win Best Actor Academy Awards. Sean Penn of course, Forest Whitaker who made his debut in this movie who won for 'The Last King of Scotland' in 2006 and Nicolas Cage who was practically non-existent in the film version of the movie playing one of Brad Hamilton's (Judge Reinhold) posse. Cage is credited as Nicolas Coppola in this movie.

A couple of sidenotes to this movie; When Brad Hamilton is trying to pick up the hot chick in the car at the stoplight who laughs at him because he's wearing his Captain Hook Fish and Chips outfit, well that is Heart guitarist/singer Nancy Wilson. Nancy Wilson was and still is married to the film's writer, Cameron Crowe. Also, near the end of the movie at the school dance, you get to meet the science teacher's (Mr. Vargas played with aplomb by Vincent Schiavelli) hot buxom wife who was played by one Lana Clarkson, and she is the woman that Phil Spector murdered, OK, ALLEGEDLY murdered. Now you know.


Time for Jersey City, After Dark

More Academy Awards magic, this time from Middle Earth

Anyone who knows Johnny knows how much he reveres the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Absolutely phenomenal work by director Peter Jackson. Slavish attention to detail in the look and feel of the costumes, to the buildings to the languages that exist throughout Middle Earth. An epic work of spectacular filmmaking. But, Johnny's difficulty is choosing a clip to represent the almost 13 hours of the three films. He's going to choose one that was deleted from the original version of Return of the King, The Mouth of Sauron. When the Fellowship approached the Black Gate before the final battle in the extended version of the movie, they were met by Sauron's intermediary and treater. He had something for them they were not expecting. Johnny's selecting this clip because many may not have seen this scene.

If one takes all three movies as one large piece of work, a case could be made this to be Hollywood's best 'film' ever.

Ya wonder what this guy is like on a Monday morning when the alarm clock goes off

Union City's own Julio Maldonado was sleeping. Union City's own Julio Maldonado was sleeping peacefully. Union City's own Julio Maldonado was sleeping peacefully and didn't want to be woken up. The trouble was, Union City's own Julio Maldonado was sleeping peacefully and didn't want to be woken up while his car was in the middle of Carbon Place at West Side Avenue in Jersey City AND he and his passenger had an open beer in their hands. Police tried to wake him up with flashers, that was no good. They tried tapping on the glass and that was no use. Finally they opened the the door and shined a flashlight in his face to which Mr. Maldonado replied "Shut that &@#^$&$^! flashlight off. I'm sleeping". Apparently he meant it as he then got into an altercation with the Jersey City po-po and was arrested and charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, resisting arrest and DWI.

We salute you "Mr. asleep at the wheel in the middle of the road with a beer in your hand not wanting to be disturbed guy", like the ad says, a real man of genius.

Late night open thread

We'll send you off to bed tonight with a clip from another of Johnny's all time favorites, the Best Picture Academy Award winner in 2001, Gladiator. This role also won Russell Crowe an Oscar for best actor.


Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with FRANKA POTENTE!

You know her and love her from the Bourne movies and the movie Blow, but Franka Potente made a huge splash long ago in a small German indie move named Run Lola Run, you may also find it in your video store under it's German name Lola Rennt. The premise is a good one; imagine if you were walking to work and instead of walking straight at the light, you walked two blocks left before going across the street. How might your entire life change? What if you left your house this morning just a few seconds later, how might your life be affected? Franka was the girlfriend of director Tom Tykwer and he wrote this part FOR her. In fact, he felt that letting someone else write the soundtrack would mess up his movie so he not only wrote, produced and directed it, he wrote the soundtrack. It's one of the best soundtracks in any movie ever made. This movie has been referred to as the Citizen Kane of music videos. If you get the soundtrack, the cut 'Casino' is one of Johnny's favorite tunes anywhere, movies or no.

In another life Franka Potente will be Johnny's wife, he absolutely adores her. And Franka, if you Google your name and find us here in our humble Jersey City offices, stop by, lunch or dinner is on us. AND since Johnny has a celebrity clause in his marriage, you know, anything is possible after a few glasses of German beer.

Here is the super HAWT Franka Potente with 'Believe'.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with BILL MURRAY and HAROLD RAMIS!

That's a fact, Jack. Originally done by The Exciters (Tell Him),and made famous by Manfred Mann, it's never sounded catchier than when it was done by first battalion, Bravo Company during basic training at Fort Arnold. Johnny may have seen this movie more than any other on his list of faves.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE BLUES BROTHERS!

Wrapping up our look at music in the movies, and not just any movies but movies WAY up on Johnny's favorites list, here is the Blues Bothers band in fine form performing at Bob's Country Bunker.

Theme from the TV show Rawhide.......Thank you

More Oscar themed video

Another of Johnny's all-time favorites, a top 5 to be certain. 1973's best picture winner, The Sting. Also, one of Johnny's favorite movie lines ever. Note Robert Shaw's last line in this clip

Dear NY Post--"apology" NOT accepted

#1, that was not an apology. Whenever someone says "We're sorry if you were offended" That's NOT an apology. Using a cartoon to equate President Obama with a chimpanzee is CLEAR in it's idea. You figured you could straddle some line and get a cheap snicker out of it. Then, when your whole world comes crashing down on you, in the form of boycotts and protests, you come out with some half-assed non-apology apology.

You weren't apologizing, you were taking yet another backhanded swipe at your critics in saying they just didn't get your oh so clever cartoon. Yeah, they did. And Johnny's gonna speak for the great majority in the tri-state area in not accepting your apology, because it wasn't one.

Put the spray paint can down and step away from the PATH train

Two international losers were arrested and introduced to the American justice system Wednesday morning as they were about to make with the spray cans near a PATH train between Journal Square and the Hackensack River Bridge. These dregs were caught with spray cans and a camera in what police call an international graffiti ring. Now we're not sure where the money comes into is, as normally when you run a ring, you have some kind of profit business plan but OK, at least they were caught.

Steven George Ward, 20, of England, and Steven M. The, 27, originally of the Netherlands but now a proud Brooklyn New York resident are now enjoying the comforts of the Hudson County lockup in Kearney. We don't know how the Hudson County Jail compares to European jails but we know they won't be getting bangers and mash or fish and chips or Bitterballen (Google it).

George Ward told authorities he was here on a "seven day holiday". Wow, lucky him, looks like it'll be extended. No doubt he'll make some new friends over at Kearney.

Late night open thread

In a build up to the Academy Awards on Sunday night, Johnny is going to be playing clips of some of HIS favorite 10-15 movies of all time this weekend. In fact, starting tonight...


Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Um, think this UFO piece of metal is getting a LITTLE bit out of hand?

Now the Mayor, Jerramiah T. Healy had to show up on the scene, along with Police Director Sam Jefferson and other notables all to say "Yep, that's a big piece of metal" and it crashed through a building here, in Jersey City. The most famous piece of 8 pound metal in American history was found not to be from a space satellite, not something from a comet or the asteroid belt, merely a tooth from a gigantic mulching machine from Reliable Wood Products, 300 yards from it's final resting place at Al Smith Moving at 33 Pacific Ave.

Now, we're all glad it missed Al Smith when it came crashing through his place of business, very glad. But we do wonder if city dignitaries have better things to do with their time than say "Yep, that's metal alright".

It's like Deja Vu or something

Ever get the feeling you've been there before? It's like, crazy man...

Late night open thread

Kids, there is a very important lesson here from the famed interweb sensation 'Grape Lady'. When you cheat, nobody has any sympathy for you. When you cheat you are liable to be on the receiving end of bad karma. When you cheat you can wind up making hideous noises that no human has made before you. When you cheat you can become famous for sounding like a baying hound.

Don't cheat, mmmmmkay?


Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani endorses Chris Christie for New Jersey Governor

Really, does this matter to anyone? Do endorsements like this change any votes? Other than having the bad taste to endorse Christie outside the apartment complex in Hoboken where current Governor John Corzine lives, will Rudy have any impact? One question The Jersey City Desk has is does Rudy's BFF Bernie Kerik also support Christie? If Christie does become Garden State Governor we'd hope he'd be one helluva lot smarter and make better decisions than Rudy Giuliani did.

So Jersey City, do tell, what's your favorite restaurant?

Where is your favorite pace to get your eat on? We don't care if it's breakfast lunch or dinner but what's your fave eatery?

Late night open thread

Not a good night in Miami Florida tonight for the Devils. They lost to the Panthers 4-0. Who to blame? Elian Gonzalez's cousin in law Marisleysis of course.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

St. Peter's Peacocks are on a three game winning steak

Jersey City's own St. Peter's Peacocks are on a three game winning streak in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) and have improved their record to 9-17 with a 6-10 conference record. The latest victory was over Marist College 72-62 and unlike the last two victories, the Peacocks salted this one away earlier than their last possession. Some great defense held Marist without a 2 point field goal for the first 13 minutes. St. Peter's coach John Dunne said defense is the thing that's driving the team; "We are defending a lot better, we are focusing on our game-plan a lot better..."

Akeem Gooding had 23 points for St. Peter's.

St. Peter's is home again at the Yanitelli Center February 27, vs league foe Iona. They next play on the road at Youngstown State on Feburary 21.

Woe be to the legislators who do the right thing to address the 'senior driving' incident like we had in Union City yesterday

Moises Calo, 28, of Bergenfield was run down in Union City and killed by the wayward car of senior driver Harry Pierce, 80, of Union City. Pierce lost control of his car on 8th Street, hit four buildings, five parked cars and sadly, hit Calo, killing him by pinning him between 2 cars.

It is the opinion of the Jersey City Desk that all, yes ALL seniors 75 and over should be retested every year to keep their driving privileges. We see far too many of these types of situations again and again and again. But woe be to the state or federal legislator who would ever dare to speak up on this and take the lead. They'd be out of a job the next election cycle as the AARP and other senior-interest lobbying groups would have their heads. This is too bad.. For the sake of everyone else, they should be retested yearly.

Late night open thread

A President's Day trivia question. Who was the only President elected with all the electoral votes?

Answer here.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Since today's a federal holiday, and the interns are nowhere to be found

Johnny's gonna take the day off too. You can't expect him to make the coffee, do the reporting AND do the writing. His interns are slackers, no doubt about it.

Late night open thread

Another big win for the Devils at The Rock this afternoon. They led, then fell behind, then led, the fought back to win a wild 6-5 decision over West leading San Jose. Kind of a strange game, some bad goals let in by Clemmensen, which has not normally been a problem for him at all this year. Johnny's been thinking long term for the Devils, and as the NHL trading deadline approaches, he'd suggest a veteran grinder who can pot a goal or two and a defenseman who wouldn't cost them a lot to get who was a great outlet passer and could put in some solid time on the powerplay. The defenseman we'd suggest Devils fans get a look at, because face it if Johnny is suggesting it chances are the Devils brass already are looking at, is Jordan Leopold (6G 13A and averages 18 minutes a game) of the Colorado Avalanche. The Avs will more than likely be seller in a couple week and Leopold is a great passer who would give the Devils some depth and another offensive option on the powerplay. He's only making $1.5 million which is salary cap friendly number. If you want to make it a two player deal with Colorado, the forward we think would fit in well might we suggest New Jersey fans check out the resume of right wing Ian Laperriere (5G 9A 96 PIM with good size at 6' 1" and 205). You'd be getting some grit at forward and an offensive upgrade on the blueline and obvious depth in both places.

Ah hockey, nothing Johnny loves more...You wanna sit down and talk some puck he's your man. As we get closer to the trading deadline and the playoffs we'll start a regular 'State of the Devils' feature once a week.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Devils have another marquee name coming to The Rock this afternoon

Current Western Conference leading San Jose invades the Prudential Center for a 3pm game today, another great measuring stick game for the Devils. Coming off of Friday's 1-0 blanking of east leading Boston, the Devils can measure themselves against one of the west's top teams. The Sharks will offer a different type of challenge for New Jersey, a run and gun offensive game with shots coming from everywhere. The Sharks defensive corps is very offensive minded and will test the Devils forwards to stay alert as they jump into the play.

Another reason the game is important is for playoff seeding purposes. The Devils are currently tied with Washington with 75 points for the #2 overall seed in the Eastern Conference and should the first round matchups play out as planned, the #2 seed would have home ice advantage over the #3 seeded club in the second round.

Today's game marks the return of one Claudette Lemieux (Hey, Johnny's blog Johnny's opinions) to New Jersey. The former Devil and disgraced turtle of a man who is known for hitting players from behind then not being able to defend his own honor or that of his team. The 43 year old Lemieux signed a contract earlier this year with San Jose.

Once again, a whole lotta shakin going on out in Morris County

As you may recall, Morris County had a small trembler earthquake earlier this month, well, they had another small quake yesterday. While this one wasn't a 3.0 on the Richer Scale, it was around a 2.2 or 2.4 as county officials await the final word from the seismic experts. Local residents called police saying they thought there had been some kind of explosion under their homes. The quake's epicenter was some six miles north of Boonton.

The Jersey City Desk would like to reiterate, if you guys have a 7.0 earthquake, it it breaks some of Johnny's stuff, you're paying for it.

Late night open thread

Ah, Valentine's Day. Love is in the air everywhere. How can we best share the spirit of this day with all of you?

How about a schlocky love song before bed tonight. Yes, we said schlocky...

Ay yie yie

Time For Jersey City, After Dark

Redevelopment lagging around the Prudential Center in Newark

A fine article in Friday's New York Times on the lagging development immediately around the Prudential Center in Newark. While The Rock itself is a beautiful facility, hosting a lot of events and making that area of Newark well travelled, there are still huge holes in the development of that area. The gist of the article is that the purchasing of the land around there wasn't done before the Prudential Center opened making the plan kind of bass ackwards.

It's a worthwhile read.

Late night open thread

We leave you tonight with Christopher Lloyd as Reverend Jim Ignatowski from TAXI, who by chance is selling vacuums door-to-door. How mush would YOU pay for a Magic Carpet Wizard?


Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with PETE TOWNSEND!

Now, you've heard this song before many times. You've seen Pete Townsend perform it many times. Never like this before. The Who NEVER EVER used a live violin player for the end of the classic 'Baba O'Reilly'. They always used a recording. Townsend felt it would simply be too difficult to even try. On a 2000 tour of some of his Lifehouse project tunes, producer and keyboard player John 'Rabbit' Bundrick persuaded Townsend to try it with a live violin player just once. The result is one of the best performances of any violin player ever. The Jersey City Desk is pleased to bring you Gaby Lester on violin working utter magic on 'Baba O'Reilly'. We think you'll agree.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with JOE JACKSON!

One of Johnny's idols growing up, pretty strange to gravitate to the British punk movement growing up in small town Michigan but then again, Johnny never was one much for the mainstream. He always loved Joe Jackson because he always told the truth, he never did something just for the sake of doing it. Fittingly here is Joe Jackson with 'Friday'.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE BEASTIE BOYS!

OK, simply skip the advertisement for whatever the jagoffs who put it there are selling. This is the best quality version on the YouTube which is why we're using it here tonight. Nothing like some hot dance music to get a Friday night off on the right foot.

Here are The Beastie Boys with 'Intergalactic'

Jersey City Council approves a big Journal Square redevelopment plan

In a unanimous 8-0 vote, the Jersey City Council approved a major redevelopment plan for a 244 acre site in and around Journal Square. The centerpiece of the plan is a two tower development around the train station. The plan also includes a new light rail line, 10,000 new residential units and a couple parks. Sound good? Sure it does. However, no money has been put forward and none set aside. So feel free to put this new plan in the 'pie in the sky' category.

Late night open thread

Hey, Ace Taxi, one of your drivers was insisting (and the sadass driver called to police when they refused to prepay and get out of his cab so you know this incident is on record) that 2 African American men PREPAY for their cab ride at Journal Square tonight. Gee, why was that, 'riding while black' maybe? Do ALL your customers have to prepay? Because it seems to us if all your passengers aren't required to prepay for their rides you have a racist driver OR you help foster racist company policies...

So, Ace Taxi, which is it?

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

OK, Johnny's sending the staff home, these winds are knocking out all the power

The Jersey City Desk offices have lost power now twice and it's flickering aplenty. We're sending the staff home to tend to their farm animals...

it's wreaking havoc with our electronic gizmos....

Thursday morning open thread

Tell us what's on your mind this blustery Thursday morning....

Late night open thread

Famous last words edition

"I see black light."
-- Victor Hugo, writer, May 22, 1885

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

OK Ladies, hip us to what you REALLY want on Valentines Day

Do a feller a favor, and tell us what you really want. Candy? Flowers? A nice dinner? A romantic comedy movie night out? Jewelry? Since you only get one (Tee hee hee) tell us what it is you really hope for on Valentines Day. Don't leave us guessing or you might get a vacuum.

Becuze we kare about sum edukashun

Here is a technical and snazzy little web page from the New York Times showing all the New Jersey High School SAT scores. How does your school district measure up?

Late night open thread

Turner Classic Movies soon will be running their yearly '30 Days of Oscar' in the run up to the Academy Awards. Johnny's gonna grace the Jersey City Desk with one of the most enrapturing stories in all of moviemaking. In some ways this story makes your hair stand up on the back of your neck more than the shark did. Robert Shaw as Captain Quint telling the story of the USS Indianapolis. One of the most intense movie scenes ever.


Time for Jersey City, After Dark

So much news, so little time

Quite a bit of vital, disturbing, titillating, and economic Jersey City news in a segment we like to call "Go read it for yourself, Johnny's busy"

First the sexual innuendo news, North Bergen Mayor and State Senator Nicholas Sacco is being sued by an employee for commenting on her ample cleavage-ness.

Jersey City Municipal Court Judge Wilson J. Campbell is being reprimanded for having an affair with a bailiff. What was the old Cheech and Chong line from a skit they did? "Bailiff whack, his pee-pee" takes on a whole new meaning here.

A 16 year old girl was shot in the face leaving a Jersey City laundymat yesterday near Communipaw and Van Horne. Yeah, guns are a great idea...NOT. Hopefully someone will come forward with information.

Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy's budget was rolled out last night. Get the details here.

Big plans for the Journal Square area are afoot. Big doings indeed. MAJOR improvements. Hyperbole aplenty. They even wanna name one of the new proposed buildings after Johnny, *sniff sniff*

Disgraced Jersey City policeman Martin Abreu blew well over the legal limit when given the breathalyzer Saturday night. He blew a .124, and had slurred speech and an open bottle of liquor in his car that hit and killed Marilyn Feng. His partner it turns out was in the car with Abreu.

Late night open thread

You woke up this morning with absolutely no idea which US city led the nation in per capita Jell-O consumption. Since you learn things at the Jersey City Desk it's impossible to learn elsewhere, we're proud to tell you that city is Des Moines, Iowa.

TIme for Jersey City, After Dark

New Jersey Devils 3, New York Rangers 0

Well sports fans, the New Jersey Devils knocked the New Yawk Rangers down and took their lunch money at the Prudential Center bus stop tonight by a score of 3-0. It was quite apparent the Devils were bigger, stronger and more determined to make something of their lives. Zach Parise was a stud for the Devils scoring twice and was a constant threat in the Rangers end all night. The Rangers defense, when they weren't making horrid outlet passes were losing battles for loose pucks in the corners.

A lot is made about the Broadway Blue Shirts lack of offense, and the forwards have come under a lot of media scrutiny lately but take it from this in-the-know hockey fan, the problem with the Rangers forwards is their defensemen. The Rangers have nobody making good outlet passes hitting forwards with speed out of their own zone, their D to D passes are slow and lazy in their own end and they lack the ability to pick up the pace of the Rangers attack. They also don't have the defensemen to make a quick tape to tape pass on a neutral zone turnover. When you're New York and you have forwards named Drury, Gomez, Naslund, and Zherdev you have two good scoring lines. No, what you're lacking is the back end to help them shine.

The Devils defense on the other hand, while lacking a superstar DO make the smart outlet passes. They dig hard in the corners and take opposing forwards off the puck with smart positioning and moving their feet. Even though he wasn't named one of the three stars tonight, Devil Paul Martin did a great job at holding pucks in the Rangers zone, he won battles for loose pucks and was a smart +1. Martin also led all Devils in ice time with a yeoman-like total of 24:03.

We'd be remiss to not mention amazin' Scott Clemmensen's first shutout in the NHL since March 26, 2004 with Atlanta. He didn't give the Ranger many second chances on rebounds and really has been the lifeline the Devils needed this season. He'll get zero votes for league MVP, but there hasn't been a player more valuable to his team this year. A guy who was third on the Devils netminding depth chart heading into this season, Clemmensen now sports a cool 23-11-1 record.

So, the Devils have opened up a 6 point lead on Sillydelphia and an 8 point bulge on the Rags in the Atlantic Division.

New Jersey is home for an abysmal Islanders team Wednesday, and then the competition gets bigger and better with Boston coming to town Friday and San Jose on Sunday. Speaking of the Sunday game, Johnny will again be there patting kids on the head, and signing autographs under the big old Bon Jovi mural in his Charlestown Chiefs sweater.

Westminster Kennel Club show kicks off at MSG tonight

The only dogs in MSG are not the Knicks anymore, no the barking kind invade Madison Square Garden tonight and tomorrow for the Westminster Kennel Club show. If Johnny was a gambling man, he'd put the smart money on a god awful looking poodle, who win a lot. He has no idea what the fascination is with poodles when obviously, the best looking pooch time and time again is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. No Corgi is featured on the front page of the Westminster website, but there is an ugly-assed poodle.

So, as you sit at home tonight or head over to MSG, give some love to those happening Corgis, the smartest and cutest dogs around.

(image from The Daily Puppy)

Fun at 'The Rock' tonight puck fans as the Rangers stop in for a visit

The good old hockey game tonight will mean a 4 point swing in the Atlantic Division standings. Our Devils are currently up 6 points on the Blue Shirts, with a win tonight they'd stretch that lead out to a whopping 8 points. The Rangers are having all kinds of problems scoring goals, so much so word around the league is they'd like to bring back circus freak Sean Avery. Now, this might excite Mike Rupp and or David Clarkson who might like to wipe the ice with the littlest freak show, we're not sure this is the kind of move that would improve the Rangers fortunes all that much.

Gametime 7pm, get there early as the PATH train will be plugged with smelly Rags fans from 5pm on. A lot of them can't read so if someone in a Rangers sweater asks you for directions, be kind, tell them to get off in Harrison.

Late night open thread

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Sunday potpourri o' goodness

Apparently, the New York Times and writer Allen Salkin want us to feel the pain of the Wall Street crowd who while taking billions in taxpayer money might have to just make do on $500K a year. Apparently the NYT would like us to know that would entail putting their kids in public schools, buying a MetroPass and riding PATH trains, giving up chauffeured limos with drivers with guns. Apparently they have a lifestyle they are used to and we should feel bad for them. Look, do you know what we do to welfare recipients in America? We make them get time sheets signed off on for 15 minute intervals by a supervisor at whatever job the governments tells them they must have. We drug test them, we do home inspections. We should be doing the same to these Wall Street assholes. Welfare recipients aren't the ones who landed us in the recession, these poor spoiled brat Wall Street bankers are. Required reading here.

A drunken Jersey City cop, one Martin Abreu, represented his city by mowing down a group of pedestrians, killing one, Saturday night. Abreu has been charged with vehicular manslaughter and assault and driving while intoxicated while killing Marilyn Feng. Tell ya what New York, you can keep him locked up over there, we don't ever want him back. Throw the book at him.

Star-Ledger columnist Mark Diionno thinks the Garden State should start charging New York City for improving their air quality with that syrupy smell. We heartily agree.

Finally, later this afternoon, the Stanley Cup CHAMPION Detroit Red Wings head back to Pittsburgh to take on Cindy Crosby and the small potatoes Penguins. Johnny wonders if anyone around New Jersey and New York realizes the favor the Wings did for all of hockey to keep Crosby from the cup. If you think the NHL's pandering to him now is bad, imagine if they'd found a way to get Sid the 'pissy pants' Kid the cup like they tried to do last season. You KNOW you tried to get him the cup Gary Bettman, EPIC FAIL.

Late night open thread

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

The FBI says a Jersey City housing inspector is on the take

The FBI (with Efrem Zimbalist Jr., don't worry kids, the old folks will get that one) says they have Jersey City housing inspector Randolph J. Condi on tape accepting bribes, or what Condi described at 'tributes'. The Feds say the have Condi on tape:

...telling a cooperating witness doing construction work in Jersey City, Condi said the money was "not a requirement" but it "makes it easier for you. ... If you show gratitude we love it. ... If you're giving me a gratuity because I made your life easier, fine,"

No Randolph, NOT fine.

The FBI also says Condi was illegally shaking down a building project on Stuyvesant Avenue warning about big fines because the proper building permits were not happening. Condi did tell the people working that project that for the right price he'd show them how to continue without permits. The Feds then say he'd drop by every so often for 'inspections' where he'd pocket $500 bucks. He even supposedly admonished one worker who only had $400 bucks for him he'd quote "Have to do better".

Thank YOU Randolph Condi, thank you for really living up to the expectations the residents of Jersey City have for this job of yours. Thanks for shaking down your fellow residents. Thanks for turning your department into an episode of The Sopranos.

Late night open thread

Ever have one of those days where everything seems to be working against you? Yeah, like this (Language warning for the ankle biters)...


Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with NICK LOWE!

The Jesus of Cool, Mr. Nick Lowe (OK, with Rockpile) with 'So it Goes' performed live from 1978 when Johnny was still in a place called high school.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with JUNIOR BROWN!

Ah some wonderfully clever songwriting from the king of the double neck steel geetar.
Junior Brown with 'My Wife Thinks You're Dead'

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with JOHN MELLENCAMP!

'Human Wheels' live, by the man from Seymour Indiana

New York City is still obsessed with the fact New Jersey makes it smell better

Again New York City stands amazed and in awe that the syrupy-sweet smell coming from a North Bergen food additive factory could make the Big Appletini smell like something other than a public urinal. Mayor for life if he has his way Michael Bloomberg yesterday felt the need to hold a press conference on this pressing matter. Newspapers and rags like the New York Post wrote articles on the smell wafting into The Big Stink.

Again, New York, you're WELCOME. We realize that urine and trash smell is something you're used to and probably have grown to like. We're sorry is the sweet syrup smell upsets you, but really, consider it a free upgrade.

Again with the Hoboken: If you own a Volkswagen Passat in Hoboken, lock your car, get a Lojack

Perusing the news early this Friday morning (so you don't have to), Johnny noticed the crimes section of the Jersey Journal and noticed something strange. There were two crimes against autos, both being VW Passats. There was once case where a gentleman turned his Passat over to a valet in Hoboken in an Observer Highway parking lot. He returned the next day to find it no longer was there. That's nice, pretty much why you give your whip over to a valet in the first place, so it can wind up on a milk carton. The other case was that of Wile E. Coyote Supergenius Steven Gonzalez. Our lad Steven was seen standing next to the passenger side of yet another VW Passat at 3:28 in the AM with a screwdriver and an ice scraper. When the Hoboken po-po spotted Gonzalaez, he took off running only to be apprehended and charged with burglary (he'd busted open the door of the poor Passat), criminal mischief, possession of burglary tools and if you can believe it, Gonzalez had a warrant out for him in Newark.

So the lesson here is if you own a Passat in Hoboken, there are evil men in there who wish to do your ride some harm. Take extra precautions, or buy a different car.

Late night open thread

Tonight, some machine gun standup jokes by Henny Youngman

*My wife will buy anything marked down. She brought home two dresses and an escalator.
*I haven't talked to my wife in three days. I didn't want to interrupt her.
*I miss my wife's cooking - as often as possible.
*A woman wrapped herself in Saran Wrap to take off some weight. Her husband comes home, sees her, and says, "Leftovers again."
*That's a nice suit you're wearing. When did the clown die?
*I like the suit you're wearing. Who shines it for you?
*The convict was about to go to the electric chair. He called his lawyer for advice. the lawyer says, "Don't sit down."
*The food on the plane was fit for a king. "Here, King."

*A panhandler says to me, "Mister, I haven't tasted food for a week."
I said, "Don't worry, it still tastes the same."

*A man can't find a lawyer. He picks up the Yellow Pages and he sees the firm of Schwartz, Schwartz, Schwartz & Schwartz. Calls them up and says, "Is Mr. Schwartz in?"
"No he's out playing golf."
"Well, is Mr. Schwartz in?"
"No, he left the firm."
"Then let me talk to Mr. Schwartz."
"He is in Detroit and will not be back until next week."
Ok, how about Mr. Schwartz, then?"
"Speaking."

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

The township of Weehawken turns 150, now that's old

The Township of Weehawken kicked off a year-long celebration of their 150th birthday as they look back and celebrate their heritage. Weehawken is collecting pictures to show the changes over the years. While a book was presented to Mayor Richard Turner chronicling the history of Weehawken, the official ceremoines begin march 15, the actual birthday of Weehawken. On that day they will have a reenactment of the first town meeting, which town historians say was presided over by John McCain.

Historical indeed....

Late night open thread

Well, Ticketmaster has done it again, found another way to dick the music fans over. Instead of making sure ALL the tickets they have a monopoly on to sell to Bruce Springsteen's Meadowlands show were sold at face value, they released a huge amount of those tickets to a company they own, TicketsNow. TicketsNow can charge hundreds of dollars more for seats than Ticketmaster, but yet, TicketsNow is owned by TicketMaster, see how this scam works? Well Springsteen fans were hopping mad over the fact the TicketMaster site wouldn't let them buy tickets (yeah we'll just bet it was a server snafu, suuuure it was TicketMaster, oh we believe you) and yet SOMEHOW TicketsNow was allowed to gobble up seats. Many Springsteen fans complained and Bruce himself is incensed. TicketMaster told the media a lie when they said they had heard 'only a few' complaints, obviously not paying attention to the firestorm in the media over this. Only the Justice Department, The Federal Trade Commission and the New Jersey State Attorney General's office is involved here but TicketMaster says they had no idea. Here's another question, why are scalpers arrested outside arenas selling tickets for above face value when TicketsNow can do the same thing? What's the point? How is TicketsNow scalping tickets ok but the guy selling them outside is a criminal? Mike Damone (Scalper, did you just call me a scalper?) would be very upset at this.

TicketMaster sucks, they have always sucked and will continue to suck as long as this type of thing happens. Know who else sucks? The people who allow them to operate like this. Now, TicketMaster and LiveNation, the two largest ticketing agents for concerts in America want to join forces to screw you over even more. Are you going to allow this to happen or are you gonna pick up your cellie tomorrow and perhaps for the first time call your congressman or congresswoman and tell them you don't want this type of monopoly to exist? If you think things with TicketMaster stink outloud now, just wait until they buy out/merge with LiveNation and your 'convenience fee' for having a machine working on a database it's used since 1986 that merely spits out a ticket goes up another $10-15 dollars, which is simply pure profit out of your pocket and into theirs all while they dick you over by releasing the tickets you want to their own scalper company subsidiary. Then on top of that $10-15 convenience fee, you can then add another $50-250 more per ticket because you didn't bitch when you could have.

Capice?

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Rangers retired Adam Graves #9 at MSG last night

Yes puck fans, The New York Rangers retired Adam Graves' #9 last night in a ceremony at MSG that seemed a bit odd to Johnny. First off, Adam Graves is a great human being. No problems with his number hanging in MSG after only 10 years with the club as a player. His community outreach is wonderful. Johnny does wonder though about the cast of the Sopranos being featured. Sure Graves loves the Sopranos but really, what's that got to do with hockey? You bet Lorraine Bracco looked smoking hot, but again, we missed the episode where Christopher and Paulie wandered out of New Jersey's Pine Barrens to catch a Rangers game at MSG.

Never in all his days has Johnny seen one franchise get more mileage out of ONE season than the Rangers do 1994. You'd think that was the only year the NHL ever handed out the Stanley Cup. It was a fine run, but lots of teams have had a one year run like that. The Ducks and Tampa Bay come to mind. Oh, was it because the Rags broke a 54 year cup-less streak? Well hallelujah, why wear that like some badge of honor? Treat it for what it was, an embarrassment.

So, well done and congratulations Adam Graves, you are a class act. To the planners, better luck with the Andy Bathgate and Harry Howell ceremonies later this year.

Wednesday morning news roundup

*Jersey City police are asking for your help in collecting the trash named 28 year old Anthony Williams who was the getaway driver in the bodega murder of Elisha "Elijah" Benjamin on January 22. If you have any idea where Williams, who lives near Garfield and Woodlawn is, please contact the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office's Homicide Squad at (201) 915-1345.

*PPG, a Pittsburgh based company (it figures, Pittsburgh, blech) is being sued to clean up a Garfield Avenue site, still full of chromite where a chromite ore refinement plant stood from the 1920's until 1963. Nice and timely aren't we PPG? No worries, "hexavalent chromium" which contaminates the site is only a carcinogen. Who cares PPG, that people live near there. Try living up to your responsibilities.

*Bayonne has fired 9 non Bayonne residents for working in Bayonne (We just like saying Bayonne). The worker residency law will save the city 200 large a year. One wonders if other cities to get even would fire people who live in Bayonne? Just a thought.

Late night open thread

Tonight, a few good minutes with the incomparable Bob Newhart, here showing no mercy to Dean Martin as his straight man...

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Normally the Jersey City Desk isn't all that interested in the happenings out in Morris County...

...that is until they had an earthquake yesterday. You read that right, Morris County had an earthquake centered there, a 3.0 trembler shook the good people in Morristown. Residents who felt it said it lasted from 10-12 seconds and also said it felt as if you were very close to a lightning/thunder strike.


Actually the United States Geological Survey says small earthquakes aren't that uncommon out that way, citing 50 small seismic events within 60 miles of Morristown since 1974. That's all well and good but hear us now Morris County, if you have a big earthquake, and it breaks stuff in Johnny's house, you're paying for it....

50 years ago this very night, Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper gave their final performances

Even before the rickety tour bus rolled into Clear Lake Iowa on the 'Winter Dance Party' tour on February 2, 1959, Buddy Holly had decided he would try to rent a plane ride to the tour's next stop in Fargo, North Dakota. The heaters on the busses had broken several times while wind chills on the highways between no more than whistle stop concerts across the upper midwest dipped to 30 below zero. Some on the tour suffered frostbite while riding on the bus. Members of the tour huddled under blankets and whatever else they could find to stay warm. Laundry was a luxury that hadn't been done in two weeks.

When Buddy got to Clear Lake ready to play the Surf Ballroom that night, he called ahead to Dwyer's Flying Service in Mason City Iowa. He contracted a pilot named Roger Peterson. You know the rest of the story, the weather was bad, and Peterson had recently failed his instrument flying test. Instrument flying would have been most necessary on this frigid night with gusty winds and snow squalls about. About 15 minutes after the Beechcraft Bonanza took off, it crashed in Albert Juhl’s corn field, shortly before 1am on February 3rd. All four were killed on impact. If you're all about the history of this night, you can see Buddy and Richie's death certificates online at the website Find-a-Death (Buddy's and Richie's) but we warn you, it's grim.

You know your old friend Johnny would bring you a local angle on this story and here it is; Buddy's apartment building in NYC is still there, in Greenwich Village. You can walk up and see Buddy's former home at 5th Avenue and 9th Street, the Brevoort. Buddy used to like to go down to Washington Square at the fountain and play unnoticed and give tips to aspiring musicians.

Tonight, at the Surf Ballroom back in Clear Lake, they'll have a humdinger of a live show to commemorate the lives of those lost too soon. Bobby Vee, Graham Nash, Los Lobos, Wanda Jackson, Los Lonely Boys, the remaining Crickets and Maria Elena Holly, Buddy's widow will all be on hand.

Tonight is the only night you're not gonna get a late night open thread. Instead we're going to let the music of Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Richie Valens take you wherever it is music takes you when you're sad, reflective, melancholy, and yet grateful to those we lost 50 years ago this night.

Buddy Holly-Peggy Sue


Richie Valens-Oh Donna


The Big Bopper-Chantilly Lace

Monday morning open thread

Chit chat away citizens, talk politics, Super Bowl, Weather (1-3" of powder in Hudson County tomorrow), or perhaps Bruce Springsteens set list at the big game yesterday. We'll be back later tonight with a special retrospective on a piece of American history...

Late night open thread

State trivia night

Which state was originally called 'The Tree Planter's State' before changing it in 1945? Answer Here.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Here it is, your Super Bowl open thread

Here you can talk commercials, how the coverage of the 6:30 pm game begins at noon, how much you hate the Stoolers (Mea culpa, Johnny's a Browns fan, he used to have 'Terrible Towel' toilet paper), how Cardinals QB Kurt Warner's wife looks more like a man than he does, or anything concerning the big game.

Terrible Towelie says 'Go Stoolers....wanna get high?"

Why exactly was ESPN last night PROMOTING Christianity?

Late late last night, after Johnny got done listening to the Wild Mix Radio Network, he popped on the tube before bed. ESPN was showing the 'Super Bowl Gospel Celebration'. They were, through the show, actively promoting a religion. Yes. they were. They had current and former NFL players talking about their Christian testimony. They had gospel singers singing the praises of the lord. They had ESPN reporter, employee and former NFL quarterback Shaun King taking about his wonderful life and that it was all made possible by a Christian God. Amazing.

We're not complaining about the fact there was a Super Bowl Gospel Celebration, that's fine in and of itself. If you want to go see that, go see it, we hope you have fun and get something out of it. Our question is WHY on earth is ESPN ACTIVELY promoting a religion? What business is it of their to have the NFL Players gospel choir on?. They actually had Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens, a man once indicted for murder and aggravated assault and later found guilty of obstruction of justice getting jiggy on ESPN with the lord. WHY is ESPN showing this and giving away free airtime for religious programming? Aren't there already Christian themed television networks that would be happy to show this? Don't overt religious programs normally have to buy teevee time? What about Jewish workers at ESPN? Will they get a Super Bowl Synagogue hour? Will Muslim NFL players demand a program for themselves?

We have no idea what ESPN was trying to accomplish by promoting a religion on their network, we just think is was in awful taste to do so. It left a bad taste in our mouth.

Late night open thread

If you're in the mood to experience some old fashioned radio the way it used to be before corporations took over and strangled it, might we suggest tuning in late Friday and Saturday nights to the Wild Mix Radio Network. Freeform music the way you remember it, DJ's who'll play a request, and a sense of community. DJ's who know when to talk and when to play the tunes. Hopalong Howie is the man there.

Time for Jersey City After Dark