Late night open thread

Best. Headline. Ever.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

So there was a dust up yesterday at the Playland Park in Rye, NY

15 people, mostly Muslims were arrested after a fight broke out at Playland Park over the wearing of a hijab, or head covering for the Muslim women in attendance who were celebrating the last day of Ramadan.

We weren't there, we don't know how the fight started, who threw the first punch etc. We don't know. We're not here to talk about that portion of the story.

The women were told they couldn't wear hijab's on certain rides. Specifically they were told they couldn't get on the Catch-a-Wave ride, the Crazy Mouse roller coaster and the Dragon Coaster because of a safety issue with their hijab. The park employees even told them if they were upset they could go get their money back at the front gate.

Fair enough.

It was at this point the fight started. Look people, two words, Isadora Duncan. Do you know how she died? Her scarf was flowing in the breeze out the back of her Bugatti in 1927 when it caught in the wheel and pulled sharply to the right snapping her neck. Reasons like this are why you cannot wear your hijab on certain rides. Make note here, the park didn't say you couldn't ride all the rides, just certain ones. You know, rides where your hijab might get caught and snap your neck.

There is some ugly anti-Muslim sentiment in this country, 99.9% unfounded (see 51 Park as an example), we just don't see that as the case here...

Late night open thread

The Listening Station of Doom says crews are still cleaning up some kind of oil issue near Bay St. and Warren. That's around where Johnny shot that flood video, perhaps the two are related.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

We're giving the staff the day off

They performed bravely during the hurricane coverage and now some of them must get home to pump out their own basements and go find relatives who were last seen on a blow up mattress in the Passaic River.

Johnny will be back tonight and the rest back and on guard tomorrow.

Late night open thread

Here's a partial score from the American League before bed tonight:

Kansas City 7

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

The battle of New Jersey tonight -- Jets vs Giants

Over at the New Meadowlands (Johnny is well aware of the corporate naming change but nobody's paying him to call it the new name so New Meadowlands it is. 7 pm kickoff, or in about 20 minutes. Nothing satisfies like meaningless NFL preseason football. Ask Giants fans, ask them how much satisfaction they got out of last weekend's injury fest.

J-E-T-S JETS! JETS! JETS! vs. Big Blue -- Who ya got?

Here's your list of things that are still closed today

Follow this link to find out which businesses are still closed today. Hey, the governor said to stay home today and who are we do defy the Governor?

Late night open thread

Well Johnny and the staff are wiped out after covering the storm this weekend. We think we had some of the best video of the storm out there.

PATH starts running at full speed at 4 am citizens, other transit types still to announce.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Serious flooding in the Powerhouse Arts District this morning

Johnny woke up after a fine sleep after a night of hurricane partying and found this scene near the Warehouse Cafe at Bay St. and Provost.

JCPD and JCFD have an incident at Bates St. and Grand

An ambulance is trapped by high water with ten people inside. Yes, by the McDonalds and just east of the Turnpike.

Go get 'em boys, bring them back safe.

Everyone still hanging in? Have some news to share?

If you've been following the storm with a camera or video cam, feel free to send your images and video along or send us a link, we'll be happy to make you famous.

What word of the outside world Jersey City?

Late night open thread

And we'll be right back at it because news never sleeps...

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Vehicle traffic in Jersey City is now banned

Can't do it. If you're a private citizen with no reason to be out driving you are breaking the law and if stopped by police are subject to a very severe spanking and probably a fine or something...

The Port Authority just closed the lower level of the George Washington Bridge

You can expect all the bridges to close as the winds begin to howl but this news is a touch surprising for how early in the storm it comes. CBS News New York just reported the Port Authority closed the lower level of the GWB which could easily throw a wrench into the plans of tardy evacuees.

Amtrak is done across the Northeast for the next couple days.

Jersey City is now under a tornado watch until 5AM

Why the hell not? We've had an earthquake this week and now a tornado watch and a hurricane. By Thursday we'll have another blizzard...

More video as the rain begins to really come down...

Johnny borrowed a friends roof to grab some video of the rain coming down. This may well become Johnny's outpost tonight, in a nice safe building with friends, while interns are lashed to poles.

Historic Downtown, Harborside Financial District, parts of Powerhouse Arts District told to evacuate

Certain sections of Jersey City have been told to evacuate IF they live on a ground floor. The Historic Downtown, Harborside Financial District and parts of PAD should get ready to get out if they live on a ground floor.

Paulus Hook residents are right on the border and should also be very careful.

And so it begins...

Johnny needed hurricane bagels and was out and about near the abandoned Grove St. PATH station at Grove and Newark as the first feeder band hit our fair city...

Hoboken Mayor Zimmer: All ground floor dwellers GET OUT

Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer has issued a mandatory evacuation to everyone living in a ground floor dwelling to get out. You read that right. If you live in a ground floor condo, apartment, cave, or shrubbery you gotta leave.

Also, Zimmer has decreed that all establishments in Fuho that serve alcohol MUST CLOSE by 8 pm tonight. Hell in Hoboken coin laundry places have liquor licenses don't they?

Here's a comforting thought for tonight and Sunday

The last direct hit on this area by a hurricane was 1893, the so-called West Indian Cyclone. So what that means is not one of the skyscrapers or even really tall buildings above say 20 stories in New York City and here in Jersey City has experienced the wind and rain intensity like they'll be getting in the next 36 hours.

Only the Statue of Liberty remembers the West Indian Cyclone. She was just a girl at the time, only six years old.

Late night open thread

Getting ready for the big show tomorrow. Stay tuned to the Jersey City Desk for complete coverage of Hurricane Irene with field reports from interns lashed to light poles all around Jersey City. Storm news as soon as it is picked up by the listening station of doom. Hopefully we'll have breaking reports from New York City and FuHo as well. We told Kiki (who demanded the New York reporting assignment) the PATH was running until 3 pm tomorrow. Enjoy the hurricane closer to the eye Kiki, be brave.

WIN


Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Friday Night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with NEIL YOUNG!

Well we had to have some kind of hurricane themed kickoff to the music series tonight. You'd be surprised just how many good songs have hurricane in the title. Johnny chose Neil Young's version because, well, it's his blog.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE POLICE!

Anybody wanna guess the over/under on messages in a bottle that Hurricane Irene might blow up the Hudson River? If you find one and send it to Johnny there's a reward...

The Police with 'Message in a Bottle'.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with DIRE STRAITS!

Few songs from a new unheard of artist really wowed Johnny the way hearing 'Sultans of Swing' did way back in 1978. This Dire Straits he though, they can do some things. In fact Dire Straits occupy a good block of titles in Johnny's iTunes.

From 1979, Dire Straits with 'Sultans of Swing'

The world is starting to shut down out there people...

Airlines are canceling flights, the subway system and PATH will shut down tomorrow, and hotels are filling up. Make sure you get your supplies and get somewhere safe as after tomorrow afternoon you won't even be able to count on bodegas and restaurants to be open, they have to hide too ya know...

Fresh Direct -- utter and complete FAIL

Just wanted to point that out kids. We know they have a fair reputation online we fear that they may well be living off of it. Their Chefs Table membership appears to be worthless and their phone customer service is non-existant.

Be ye warned Jersey City, Fresh Direct wins today's complete fail...

Late night open thread

Heyooooooooooooooooo

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Some websites you may find useful the next few days

http://www.cityofjerseycity.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/City-of-Jersey-City-Official-Government-Page/335954778326

http://www.state.nj.us/

http://www.weather.gov/

http://www.nj.gov/njoem/guide_to_hurricane_prep.html

http://classic.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=07302&wuSelect=WEATHER

If you have any prescriptions that need filling get it done now. Known your evacuation route and as the old song says "If you gotta go, go now." Remember train service will be suspended. Not a lot of cabs are going to be making runs either. So, when you go to the store don't forget the Cheez Whiz boy...

Current track has it hitting Cape May Sunday around 1:30 and slicing up New Jersey's shore communities and skipping right through Brooklyn and Queens on the way north.

Keep it right here for all your Hurricane Irene news

We'll be updating as we go along.

This is a SERIOUS storm and this morning has tracked slightly west, and that's bad news for we Garden Staters. Governor Christie has declared a state of emergency effective NOW. Nothing yet from Jersey City officials.

If you're leaving, go. Don't wait until roads are clogged with people and then try and get out. With all the millions of people in and around Gotham, you're playing Russian roulette with escape routes.

KNOW your flood stages and warnings. Those who live near the river should be checking storm surge reports, these things matter and you should know them.

If you're staying (like Johnny) make sure you get your batteries and food for a day or so early.

We'll keep you updated on this most serious story.

Late night open thread

On this day in the year 79, Mount Vesuvius erupted obliterating Pompeii and Herculaneum, killing hundreds of thousands. It is said this was the loudest sound in the history of the planet, having been heard as far away as some South Pacific islands.

In honor of this moment that literally made the Earth shudder on it's axis, Jersey City Desk Theater presents a recreation.


Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Dear guerilla artist -- Brilliant work!

Now Johnny knows this wasn't there yesterday when he walked by on his way to the river. Then, this morning this incredible mashup of Alfred E. Newman/Elvis Costello (that's Johnny's guess anyway) appears in the Powerhouse Arts District. Good placement, Johnny know this one took some planning...

According to several sources, the NYPD is running a "rogue domestic surveillance operation", even here in New Jersey

Yeah, hopefully the New Jersey part got your attention. Yes, the NYPD have been running a program very sketchy, probably illegal (which is why the NYPD is so adamant none of these cases be brought out in court) surveillance operations all over the globe. As the AP article states if a suicide bomber blows themselves up in Jerusalem, the NYPD rush to the scene to gather info. The shadowy NYPD group has been accused of running 'mosque crawls' in NY and other states to gather information on what is being said inside Muslim houses of worship (If this is their plan to stop terror maybe they should sit inside Christian churches as well anymore). Yes, they target ethnic communities (like we have here in Jersey City) and elsewhere. While even some in the NYPD think this program stinks to high heaven legally, ethically and constitutionally the program's braintrust of David Cohen and NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly don't seem to care what laws may be broken or how badly they violate constitutional freedoms -- it's all in the name of stopping terror they say. Besides, they tell us, have lawyers on their staffs, as if that somehow makes this all OK.

Really? How long are we as Americans going to allow this outdated meme. We can do anything we want to because there might be terror. Oh we can't tell you about the terror plots because they would tip our hand but TRUST US, we're stopping terrorism.

No, they're not. They stopping our constitution from working is what they're doing. SHAME on Kelly and Cohen. How DARE they spy on people. This was the same group that when NYC hosted the GOP convention infiltrated Democratic and liberal groups and when protestors were arrested they were met with questions like "What are your political affiliations?" "Do you do any kind of political work?" and "Do you hate George W. Bush?" Yeah, that's stopping terror. NOT.

This rogue operation has been found out in other states where local police in Massachusetts busted the rogues while they were conducting surveillance on a house there. It's happening people. If you ever see someone who looks like they are running surveillance on a building, start taking PICTURES of them. If they are bad guys the police will LEGALLY be able to use the pictures. If they are NYPD cops doing it, make sure the public knows they think they can do anything in New Jersey they want to. Send us the pictures and we'll be happy to publish them.

There are right ways and wrong ways to be an American. Sadly, in this case Cohen and Kelly and anyone else involved in this program are showing the WRONG ways to be an American. Suspicion is not a warrant. Wanting to stop terror is not a warrant. Overzealous police work is not a warrant. We are a nation of laws and if police think they can break them to meet their own desires it's time the public sat them down by any means necessary and had them re-read the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights that yes, even they must answer to.

Late night open thread

Don't you just love nature and the ritual of young bucks rutting and trying to impress the does with feats of strength? The Jersey City Desk would like to introduce you to Reckless the Well-Fed Reindeer.


Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Successful test of the Death Ray

Johnny aimed it smack into Virginia and scorched a swatch of land. You could feel it.

Now what's this about an earthquake? Bueller? Bueller?

Somewhere a village is missing its idiot, oh wait, he's right here

Allegedly. Let's remember that word while Johnny rants.

Robert Browning, what kind of idiot are you? You get into a scuffle you could have avoided (see above) and now your story is going out across newswires around the globe, dateline Jersey City.

You bit off a guys nose in a fight and then (see above) taunted him about it. You actually went all Mike Tyson and bit off a guys nose (see above) then told him you enjoyed chewing it? Good GOD man, where is your brain?

Keith Olbermann has a worst persons list. If this happens again or we see Robert Browning's name again we'll co-opt Olbermann's idea.

Late night open thread

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Did Newark bet on the wrong sport when they built the Bears Stadium?

The New York Times has a wonderful look at how Newark may have well bet on the wrong sport a few years ago when they were approached by both representatives from the Newark Bears and New York Red Bulls to build new stadiums in Newark. At the time the Newark Mayor, Sharpe James was all for a baseball stadium (in trade for a jail built in Newark) and both James and the residents of Newark were opposed to another stadium, a soccer stadium. Yes, the residents helped bring this void on as well.

The Bears? They average a couple hundred a night, if that. The Red Bulls? They average close to 18,000 a night and often top 20K in attendance. Both have gorgeous stadiums. Both are right along public transportation. So what gives?

Johnny has a couple quick out of the box ideas. In order to save the Bears they will need to become SOMEBODY'S farm team. This indy gig is not working out. Former Yankee catcher Rick Cerone, a former Bears owner, tried to get George Steinbrenneer interested in making Newark a farm team but the bombastic owner refused. Hey, the Mets, the Phillies, the Orioles et al. It doesn't even have to be AAA, AA would be fine and improve attendance. People who live in Newark, if they want this team to continue will have to start supporting it themselves. If Newark residents refuse to go what chance does the home team have?

A lot yet to read on this kids, a very thoughtful article to start your Monday with...

Late night open thread

Oh the fun they have in Billings Montana:

Cheetos may be great for a quick snack, but if you're trying to cover up your boozy breath when you get pulled over...not so much.

At least that's what the Montana Supreme Court is telling a Lincoln County man, who tried to cover up his alcohol-laced breath when he was stopped for drunk driving and speeding in November 2009.

Prosecutors had successfully convicted Charles Stambaugh of the November 2009 traffic stop, where a Lincoln County traffic deputy saw him speeding and followed him to a local truck stop.

The deputy told the court he found Stambaugh inside at the snack counter with "red, puffy eyes" in the process of buying the "dangerously cheesy snack," quoting court documents.

Prosecutors say that Stambaugh stuffed an "extremely large handful" of Cheetos into his mouth before the deputy could stop him, and continued to shovel them in during questioning.

The deputy said Stambaugh was "uncooperative" and "would not relinquish his Cheetos." Stambaugh was then taken to jail where he failed a breath test.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

When you get ready to travel or try a new restaurant, do you use online reviews or comments to help choose?

You might wanna take a step back and do some of your own research apart from online critiques or reviews. Some pretty good reviews of hotels or restaurants go for as little as $5. So how do you know which ones might be bought and paid for and which ones might be honest reviews? Read this article in the NYT and be a smarter shopper.

Late night open thread

Movie mistakes night:

In the movie Airplane, the scene when Clarence Over picks up the phone after being paged to pick up the "white courtesy phone" he grabs a non-white phone, a voice on the phone says, "No, the white one." You clearly hear a loud laugh in the background.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Interesting and thoughtful read on the new One World Trade and the Port Authority price increase

Joe Nocera with the New York Times writes a very intelligent and thoughtful piece on the cost overruns at the new One World Trade and just how the new Port Authority price increases, which Nocera points out will cost an average commuter using the George Washington Bridge by 2015 will be paying north of 62$ a week just to get to work.

Follow this link and take a read and let us know what you think.

Late night open thread

We're blinding you with science tonight:

If a piece of a neutron star the size of a dime landed on earth, it would weigh about 100 million tons.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE LIONS!

What better way to keep a Friday night party going than with some etherial reggae from The Lions? You've got to simply love the well layered yet sharp horns. So much bite in those. The Lions kicking off the fun tonight with 'Ethio-Steppers'.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with BON JOVI!

It would seem in looking at this concert clip from Munich that they have indeed heard of New Jersey. Jon's such a good ambassador isn't he? We may even forgive him one day for buying that property in lower NYC. Bon Jovi with their classic 'Runaway'.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with NEW ORDER!

This'll take you back and more than likely put a smile on your face. New Order with 'Blue Monday'. Pixels were a tad larger in the 80's it seems.

Severe thunderstorm watch for Hudson County and the surround until 9 bells tonight

Here with the weather is Jersey City Desk guest meteorologist Dr. Zachary Smith


"We're doomed, we're DOOMED I say..."

Eye to the sky people, there's some nasty stuff a comin'

Jersey City food trucks.....which is your fave?

Come now, there are some great food trucks serving some tip top fare around Cool City. So, Jersey City, which is your favorite and do let us know why you like them, it may encourage the rest of us to try something from said food truck.

Johnny will go first. If you haven't had a Nutella Madness crepe from the Lucinda Creperie, brothers and sisters before you leave this planet get one.

Late night open thread

Marx Brothers night:

Chico: "The garbage man is here."
Groucho: "Well, tell him we don't want any."

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Johnny's got big doings today (and tomorrow...)

And maybe this weekend. If you wanna close those big deals so you can add another death ray around town one must brandish those business brass knuckles and that's what today and the next couple days are about.

You know the routine by now, comment on anything you wanna...

This didn't suck last night that's for sure. When you are a Barça fan you feel blessed you don't ever have to cheer for the thugs at Real Madrid. Victory for Blaugranes!

Late night open thread

If today is your birthday you share it with Robert DeNiro. He was born in 1943.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

One of NYC's great mysteries solved....kind of

The good people at the car blog Jalopnik have pointed out the oddity that is the battered green Honda Civic that has been sitting at the corner of Columbus Ave. and 68th St. Yes, sitting there for 11 years. That's one year longer than Martin Blank disappeared for.

The car is JAMMED with books. Overflowing with books. And yet it sits there. How is it possible to sit there for 11 years with the way the city tickets and tows? Well we're not going to spill the beans dear reader, for this one you're just gonna have to head over to Jalopnik and read this rather strange tale. He's a teaser to peak your interest, the car sits in NYC and yet the owner of the Honda lives in New Jersey.

Ready Steady Go

Mary DiNardo has filed a federal suit against Jersey City and the Chief of Police, Tom Comey

To Johnny there are really two parts to this story. First the procedural. Mary DiNardo, widow of Jersey City Detective Marc DiNardo, who was killed storming a Reed Street apartment on July 16, 2009, has filed a Federal suit against Jersey City and JCPD Chief Tom Comey.

The Jersey Journal points out the procedural wrangling in this case:

Barring extraordinary circumstances, Mary DiNardo had 90 days to give notice that she intended to sue, but she did not file the $10 million notice of tort until June 2010.

She argued the delay was due to her emotional distress and because the Police Department refused to give her a copy of its report on the fatal shooting of her husband. Loftis said police “stonewalled” the widow and still have not given her the report.

Messy horrible stuff. We feel terribly for Mrs. DiNardo. We also have an awful lot of respect for the JCPD who protect us from animals like Hassan Shakur and Amanda Anderson. There is however a looked over fact in this case that has bothered Johnny since that terrible day.

The second part has an awful lot to do with a quote from Sun Tzu's The Art of War "A skilled commander seeks victory from the situation and does not demand it of his subordinates." This very idea is part of Mrs. DiNardo's new lawsuit where it says "tactical decisions were made by someone untrained to do so." Now this MAY hold merit. Once Shakur and Anderson were holed up in their apartment and the rest of the Reed St. building had been evacuated, what exactly was the rush to go in? You then have all the time in the world to wait them out, strategize and not put Marc DiNardo and the other four officers who were shot into harm's way. The building was evacuated. The tactical choice is not to shoot your way into a room. The tactical choice would be to tear gas the room and wait for the two criminals to come out to YOUR fortified position. Make them come to you, don't bust in a door and make an easy target for a man with a shotgun. Police knew Shakur had a shotgun, he'd fired it at them as this situation began to unfold around 5:30 am as seen in this clip released by the JCPD. Yep, that's a shotgun alright.


It just makes no damned sense.

Chief Comey released a statement saying “We disagree completely with the allegations made by the attorney for Mrs. DiNardo and as this matter is still in litigation we are not going to comment any further other than to say that when all of the evidence and facts are presented, the city’s position will once again be affirmed.”

We had a feeling this sad day was coming, now we hope Mrs. DiNardo and her children can somehow find peace after this violent episode that has taken something from all of us here in Jersey City.

Late night open thread

Did you know that the planet Uranus was originally named 'George's Star'?

It's a FACT!


Time for Jersey City, After Dark

A cheeseburger from Five Guys and lunch with a view today...

Alex, I'll take remedial kidnapping for $200

The answer is: These three remedial Jersey City kidnappers were caught standing around waiting for their victim to come out of the house when police arrived.

Alex, who are Johncarlos Drouet, Joseph L. Caruso and the victim's girlfriend, Nancy Carrion?

That's right, you control the board go again...

Kidnapping, it's no joke really but the kidnappers in this story are soooooo very very dim we had to point them out. Let's set the stage. The victim was babysitting Carrion's 4 year old son Saturday around 9pm. Carrion entered her place around 9 with the other two remedials. Drouet allegedly sucker punched the victim and he dropped. After he dropped he was set upon by the three who punched and kicked him while he was prone. Carrion was so incensed by some supposed DVD's the babysitter had of hers she was planning on using a hammer on the victim until she was stopped by one of the other kidnappers. That's right, this is where the kidnapping part comes in.

After they had stripped the victim and stolen his phone and money he was told to get into Caruso's pickup. The three men then drove to the victim's apartment in Elizabeth. They let him go inside his apartment with SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS NOT TO CALL THE POLICE OR THEY WOULD BE ANGRY. So the victim went inside and promptly called 911 and Droulet and Caruso were waiting right outside wrapped up almost in a big Christmas bow for Elizabeth police.

How stupid of a kidnapper are you if you let the victim head inside their home alone while you wait outside? A remedial one is our best guess.

Carrion, Droulet and Caruso have all been charged with aggravated assault, robbery and kidnapping charges while Droulet and Caruso apparently also had drugs on them when pinched outside the victim's home.

Late night open thread

My grandmother is over eighty and still doesn't need glasses. Drinks right out of the bottle.
--Henny Youngman

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Today's Monday Moanin' post brought to you by the makers of Arks

8 inches of rain recorded yesterday at JFK airport. New Jersey is flooded, Staten Island is flooded, New York City is flooded. More rain is on the way today. Not 8 inches worth but what could be substantial rains will be hitting the area off and on today.

From CBS New York -- The following areas are under some kind of flood watch or advisory:

Flood Warning, Areal Flood Warning in NJ – Somerset

Areal Flood Warning in NJ – Morris

Areal Flood Advisory, Flash Flood Watch in NJ – Eastern Passaic

Areal Flood Advisory in NJ – Western Passaic

Flash Flood Watch in NJ – Eastern Bergen , Eastern Essex , Eastern Union , Hudson , Western Bergen , Western Essex , Western Union

Areal Flood Advisory – Orange

Areal Flood Advisory, Flash Flood Watch – Northeast Suffolk , Northwest Suffolk , Southeast Suffolk , Southwest Suffolk

Flash Flood Watch – Bronx , Kings (Brooklyn) , New York (Manhattan) , Northern Nassau , Northern Queens , Northern Westchester , Putnam , Richmond (Staten Is.) , Rockland , Southern Nassau , Southern Queens , Southern Westchester

Areal Flood Watch – Eastern Columbia , Eastern Dutchess , Eastern Ulster , Western Dutchess , Western Ulster

Late night open thread

Was that all you could conjure Real Madrid? The *New* Real Madrid? Pah. Maybe Wednesday Barcelona will play most of their regulars at the Camp Nou.

Til then.


Time for Jersey City, After Dark

New Jersey Giants' Vice President of Communications Pat Hanlon sure has a foul Twitter mouth

It seems the Giants have had about enough of their fans complaints when it comes to the stunning lack of free agent signings and team roster improvements this lockout tainted off-season failed to bring about. While Giant fans have taken to Twitter to voice their displeasure, Pat Hanlon has taken to Twitter to defend the team and attack the tweeting fans.

For those of you Jersey City Desk mavens who love your Giants and enjoy talking smack on Twitter, Mr. Hanlon can be reached at @giantspathanlon and try the hashtag #somebodyneedsanap

And if you're going to Twitter make sure to follow Johnny: @JoAcSpPu and see if he can't make Hanlon cry on a Sunday.

To Bee or not to Bee, that is the sticky question

As Eddie Izzard once famously proclaimed "I'm covered in bees..." Well some New Jersey resident DO spend the day covered in bees and for that we should be forever grateful. A lot has been written on the loss of so many bee hives around this continent. Is it pollution, is it cell phone towers as some suggest? Johnny doesn't know but like everyone he knows humankind needs bees to pollenate our plants or we don't have much of a chance to keep on living.

Luckily as the New York Times points out this morning, beekeeping is alive and well in the Garden State. The New Jersey Beekeepers Association has over 900 members here in New Jersey. That's lot of bees considering some hives have upwards of 50,000 bees each. Some of these apiaries are turning out flavored gourmet honey while one, Trapanis’ Trapper’s Honey has won awards.

This is fantastic news to know New Jersey's produce is well protected by the humble beekeeper. It's even better to know Johnny can now go get some flavored honeys for his waffles. And pancakes. And french toast. And regular toast. And tea. And, well, you get the idea.

Late night open thread

Riddle night:

The more you have of it, the less you see. What is it? Answer in comments.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Free Day!!

It's opening day for soccer in Europe and Johnny's all about that. He cannot be expected after the week he's had to actually put any thought or effort into the Jersey City Desk offices today. Besides the interns are having a rave there tonight and Kiki wanted us all out of the way to decorate.

Johnny may show up at Kiki's rave later tonight but not before he gets his eat on at Standard Grill.

Enjoy this glorious day citizens for tomorrow it rains...

Late night open thread

A headline in the Jersey Journal:

'Jersey Shore' stars Snooki and Deena party with Hoboken celebrity chef Chris Nirschel, others

Celebrity chef? Whoa, slow down there captain headline guy. Deion Sanders is a celebrity. Jennifer Aniston is a celebrity. Pee Wee Herman is a celebrity. Calling someone a celebrity who was on a cooking contest show means it's time for fightback on this topic. America, we have to stop lowering our celebrity qualifications. We're sure he's a fine chef and a pleasant man. We're sure he feeds a lot of happy people and we're sure he always washes his hands after using the restroom. A celebrity?

Johnny Action Space Punk Blogging Celebrity. See, it's just not right. Itsa no good. What we need is a celebrity summit where we draw up a Magna Carta of celebrity standards. Before he became the Konservative Komic after 9/11, Dennis Miller used to be funny. He made a great point once, that in order to get attention and adulation you used to actually have to do something. Right a wrong, win a war, cure a disease. Now people who enter contest shows and drunken little Elvira Hobbits are celebrities.

As a Republic, we can do better than that.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with EVERYTHING BUT THE GIRL!

Not the original version tonight, better. This is the famed Todd Terry Mix of Everything But the Girl's hit 'Missing'.

Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt batting lead-off tonight.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE BYRDS!

This song has long put a hook in Johnny. It has nothing to do with the whole using Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 as a basis for the song, no, it's the fact at just past the 2:00 minute mark of this song Roger McGuinn gives a lesson in playing a 12 string guitar. Always loved that part.

The Byrds with 'Turn, Turn, Turn'

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with PATTI SMITH!

The magnificent Patti Smith wrapping up the music series this week. Born in Chicago, grew up in in Gloucester County New Jersey and now lives just north of Detroit. Did you know that Patti's son with former Detroit supergroup the MC5's Fred "Sonic" Smith is married to the White Stripes' Meg White?

Raised in a very religious family Smith famously penned the phrase "Jesus died for somebody's sins but not mine."

Patti Smith with 'Because the Night' (There is a slight tracking issue with this clip, let it load up for best viewing results)

New Jersey's Statue of Liberty to close to the public October 29

The New Jersey landmark will close for what Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says are safety improvements and repairs, on October 29th for a year. Why October 29th you ask? The dedication of the Statue's 125th anniversary is October 28th and the Interior Department didn't want it closed on that particular day. Liberty Island and will remain open, only the interior of the Statue of Liberty is closing.

The National Park Service said the project would involve updating the statue’s mechanical and electrical systems, along with its fire-suppression equipment. The two open staircases will be separated from each other, and one will get walls, a plus for safety. The elevator that runs from the ground floor to the fifth floor will be replaced and will ascend and descend in a new, fire-resistant shaft.

Got that? Good.

Late night open thread

It's advertising circa 1981 kids!

SEE the lamest party in the history of parties!

SEE one kid try to hog the commercial spotlight!

SEE a blatantly racist depiction of a black guy!

SEE dorks in a convertible!

SEE companies, most of whom are no longer in business, offer to sell this pig-in-a-poke!

SEE the now infamous ad for Mr. Microphone!


Time for Jersey City, After Dark

So let's do this thing

Johnny loves his some goood food and you know what? Jersey City has some vastly underrated restaurants. You always hear about the cuisine east of the Hudson but Jersey City has a fantastic selection. Now good news that seemingly everyone from Steve Fulop to Mayor Healy are behind, expanding the definition and perks of the Jersey Ave 'Restaurant Row'.

The Jersey City Council last night introduced such a measure that would change the boundaries:

Restaurant Row, which now encompass a triangle-shaped area along Newark Avenue from Grove Street to Jersey Avenue, are exempt from state liquor laws that prohibit one licensed establishment from being within 520 feet of another.

Lifting the 520 foot limitation is a fine idea and we support it. Again, Johnny loves the Jersey City food scene so let's make it bigger and better.

Late night open thread

State trivia night:

Which state has the oldest state capitol still in continuous legislative use? Answer here.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Dear Star-Ledger, the street name is "purple drank"

The Star-Ledger did a boffo story today on the well organized roaches selling drugs out in Newark. Branford Place between Halsey and Broad streets has become the new home to drug dealers chased off by the no drug zone almost across the street from where they used to set up shop. The drug boys actually walk up to those leaving the medical clinic on the block trying to buy up pain meds and grape flavored codeine cough syrup from which they quickly divy up the six ounce bottle into one ounce shots and sell it for $10. The street name of this abomination is "purple drank." (Johnny never ceases to amaze does he?)

Local businesses are not at all happy that the drug boys have set up shop now on their block. Police come by, the roaches scatter and police leave and the roaches come back. The central focus of many business owners is on the medical clinic. The owner of the clinic doesn't feel the blame is his:

Michael Lipkin, says it’s irresponsible to blame him when drugs have been a fabric of the street for years. He says he has armed security to stop drug dealers from coming up into the clinic. His staff, he says, has told patients not to sell their prescriptions. "Hundreds of time, I tell them," he said. "What can I do. I can’t follow them around."

So what to do? There has already been a wild-west type daytime shootout on the block so you know these drug boys aren't scared off easily. We here would say it's just Newark being Newark but as long at Greenville is a part of Jersey City that'd just be wrong.

Johnny's just a common man but he'd suggest expanding this drug free zone past the Prudential Center by a few blocks, it seems to be the only thing the roaches are afraid of.

Once again, don't sit on train tracks

Or, we suppose if you really want to go ahead but first make sure you know what a 'meat explosion' is.

A man and a woman were sitting on tracks in paterson early this morning when an NJ Transit train came through heading to Hoboken. The engineer of the train tried sounding his horn and pulled the emergency brake but to no avail. Both the man and the woman were killed (duh).

Unless this was some kind of suicide or whacked out acid trip you have to wonder about people. What is it that causes someone to sit on train tracks with the engine rumbling right at you?

Late night open thread

The Pittsburgh Pirates got their name as a result of bad publicity. In 1880 the Pittsburgh team allegedly "Pirated" an important player away from Philadelphia and did nothing to smooth over ruffled feelings. Local newspapers angrily called Pittsburg "a bunch of Pirates." The epithet stuck, and eventually became the team's official name.

Now you know.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Welcome to Jersey City, home of e-Trash

No, not Euro-trash like you might find hanging out at the Powerhouse Lounge on a Saturday night (Oh we're gonna catch hell for that one), but eTrash or solar powered trash cans.

In time there will be over 100 of these solar powered trash units. The actual names of the trash cans are -- wait, who cares, we like e-Trash, BUT they do save up to 80% of the effort it would take to empty regular trash bins. These e-Trash machines only need to be emptied one every other week rather than every day as they come with their own solar powered compactors. That's right, you toss it in and it gets compacted while you walk on. These cans also seal closed meaning much less smell from this can as opposed to the regular kind. Each can comes with a wireless sensor to tell the garbage man when it's time for a pickup.

The city is paying for the compactors with $436,138 of a $2.3 million federal grant it was awarded last year to implement energy-efficient projects.

Late night open thread

We'll dedicate this one to all the good boys and girls in London, Tottenham and elsewhere who have simply had enough of the way things are. Stand up to oppression, burn a couple cars and bust a few windows a year away from the Olympics showing up in your town and you have a bargaining chip.


Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Mo money, mo money, mo money

And all of it yo money.

The Port Authority wants some BIG money and they are planning on getting it from pretty much anyone who takes a train or car or uses a bridge or tunnel from New Jersey to New York and vice-versa. The PA is planning on raising the PATH fare from $1.75 to $2.75 (which would mean for the first time since 1962 PATH would cost more than the MTA Subway across the Hudson). They want to raise bridge and tunnel tolls as well. If you plan ahead and get a monthly unlimited PATH pass they want to raise the prices on those 65%.

Both New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo were said to be blindsided by the huge demand for money and neither have signed off.

Now, what is the reason for the increases? One is infrastructure. New train cars, platform improvements to hold longer trains, tunnel work etc. We're FINE with this kind of rate increase. You get what you pay for. If we want good train and bridge and tunnel service those costs must be paid. Another huge chunk PA wants is for, of course, PROTECTION FROM TERROR MONEY. Of course they want to scare everyone into thinking the next 9/11 is just minutes away. Crap to this money. Ground Zero, the subways and PATH are plenty safe. Lower New York is almost an armed camp. We don't need anymore of this bogus Homeland Security bottomless bag of money. It's now a rathole with ZERO accountability. Try asking and getting an exact reason and where the money will be spent and you'll hear "none of your business citizen, we can't tip our hand to the terrorists lurking on every block."

So if the Port Authority wants to move and ahead with infrastructure money and raise rates SOME, that would be fine. This whole hog approach where security money just gets tossed into the cost with no accountability is NOT fine.

There will be a protest against these new charges tonight beginning at 5:00 pm at Journal Square, go make your voices heard.

Late night open thread

And we're back. Miss us much? We're just glad the riots in Tottenham in the north of London didn't spread here.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

The best laid plans...

Johnny was going to run the music series tonight in lieu of being in Asbury Park this weekend but a bit of bad news from back on in Michigan has all Jersey City Desk work stopped for now. A death in the family may keep Johnny away from the blogging side of things for a bit. So much to do and so many calls to be made.

We'll have the Jersey City Desk up and running in fine form asap.

One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure its worth watching.

Late night open thread

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

'Big Red Eye', an evasive legend in Sussex County

Now Johnny knows each state pretty much has some kind of bigfoot/sasquatch sightings from time to time. They had them in Michigan and now Johnny learns of 'Big Red Eye', a bigfoot-type animal supposedly roaming areas of the Kittatinny Ridge.

Many have claimed to see Big Red Eye, others have claimed to hear something other than the foxes, bobcats and bears on the night air. Is it real? Does a bigfoot really roam the mountainous regions of New Jersey? If you ask Debora Carlson she's likely to tell you it IS real;

Debora Carlson, a seventh-grade teacher from Bergen County, is a believer. She’s been afraid of the woods since hearing unearthly screeches during a camp-out in Stokes State Forest four years ago.
"It was around 2 a.m. and one of the girls was having an asthma attack," says Carlson, 45, of Washington Township, whose husband writes a blog called the Paranomalist. "I had to go outside and run to the nurse’s station. When I finally got to the nurse’s station, there was a state trooper along with a park ranger.
"I asked about the sound, and they told me it was Bigfoot," Carlson says, with a shudder rather than a smile.

So have you seen or heard Big Red Eye? If so please share your story. If not do you believe such a beast could remain undetected this long? Either way read this most fascinating article by Lisa Rose of The Star-Ledger.

Weehawken and West New York are looking to raise the speed limit on city streets...

...in a BIG way.

Both municipalities have begun discussions to bring a Grand Prix race to their city streets. The F1 race could happen as soon as 2013.

According to the Wall Street Journal, on Tuesday, “the mayors of Weehawken and West New York, N.J., said . . . they are in early stages of talks with a group of investors led by Leo Hindery Jr., a former chief executive of the YES Network, to bring an F1 event to the area as soon as 2013.

Sounds cool. Johnny would go, would you turn out for an F1 race through the streets of West New York and Weehawken?

Late night open thread

Nothing finer on a weeknight than a Newark Bears game unless you're an early riser. No pitching for either the Bears or Pittsfield Colonials tonight. 12-9 Pittsfield in the bottom of the 8th. 2 hours into the game and you're only in the top of the 4th you start looking at the old watch.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

OK citizens, here's your time to shine

We're going to throw this story open to YOUR comments and not let Johnny have all the fun. Give us your best commentary on this story that simply lends itself to comment chicanery.

Worker charged with prostitution at Dunkin Donuts
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
The Associated Press

ROCKAWAY TOWNSHIP -- Police say there was more on the menu than lattes and a dozen glazed during the late shift at a Dunkin Donuts in northern New Jersey.

A 29-year-old female is facing prostitution charges after police say she took breaks to provide sex in exchange for money. Detective Sgt. Kyle Schwarzmann told The Daily Record of Parsippany (http://bit.ly/nrX40w ) he noticed 29-year-old Melissa Redmond of Mine Hill would go out to cars and would spend 10 to 15 minutes in the vehicles.

Schwarzmann says Redmond was arrested after soliciting sex from an undercover officer.


Ready.Set.Go

Late night open thread

If you ever fall off the Sears Tower, just go real limp, because maybe you'll look like a dummy and people will try to catch you because, hey, free dummy.
--Jack Handey

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

So, Johnny will be in Asbury Park this upcoming weekend

You know, giving the glad hand and signing autographs for the kids but what he'd like from you dear reader is a list of cool things to see and do in Asbury Park. Johnny is well aware of the Stone Pony and its history but past that he'd love suggestions.