Late night open thread

On this day in 1908 an asteroid exploded above Tunguska in Siberia, leaving 800 square miles of barren wasteland. Johnny didn't do it.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Bad Russians abound locally as a Seton Hall grad was one of the alleged spies recently cuffed by the FBI

Mikhail Semenko, a Seton Hall grad and a guy who loves his New Jersey Devils was one of the alleged spies recently arrested by the FBI. Semenko was arrested in Washington DC after making a $5000 drop in a park for another agent. He had been given the 5 large by an undercover US agent. The stated goal of the alleged spies was to blend in as much as possible into the American fabric which it appears they did.

They spoke in code before meetings were set up:

The phone call began with a question, spoken in secret code. "Could we have met in Beijing in 2004?" asked an undercover FBI agent, posing as a Russian government official. "Yes. We might have, but I believe it was in Harbin," was the prearranged response from Mikhail Semenko, a 28-year-old Seton Hall graduate who authorities say was a budding Russian spy.

However lack of true American culture may have led to Semenko's downfall as he was heard asking an undercover agent "Where are Moose and Squirrel?"

Mikhail Semenko (Jersey City Desk file photo)

Manhattan's 'Russian Madam' from Jersey City was planning some not so nice things for the competition

A Jersey City resident, Naira "Sandra" Jalovian, charged in New York City for running a prostitution ring had big plans for her competition if by big plans you mean rubbing them out. Jalovian is charged with running a $50K a month prostitution ring by offering school teachers, Olympic athletes and lingerie models and had been under audio and video surveillance for quite some time. On the tapes she tells police how she managed to evade detection, simply steer clear of famous clients.

While making a $1500 payment (That's a large sum of cash for a gal who claimed she only made $14K a year as a maid) to a cop she thought was crooked, Jalovian said "take them out" referring to her competition.

In a conversation recorded last month, Jalovian gives the undercover $1,500 after he suggests hiring more muscle to go after her competition -- "that's so hot, let's do it," she says, according to the complaint.

Know what's not hot? Jail time and topping it off with a big helping of IRS troubles.

Late night open thread

Notable quotes night

"Without music, life would be a mistake."
--Friedrich Nietzsche

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Union City Bruise

Man that play on words never gets old....for Johnny anyway.

A Union City public works director was assaulted by an employee with a bottle last week, an attack that landed Phil Iacovelli in the hospital and we're guessing 'soon to be FORMER' Union City public works employee Ruddy Castillo was arrested for assault. Castillo's next court date has not yet been set but his disciplinary hearing is set for July 7th.

Late night open thread

Pull up a smart cocktail or warm glass of milk and enjoy this hilarious math lesson with The Marx Brothers. See if you can keep up.


Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Swear to god, Johnny will do a BYOS

Bring Your Own Shell, he'll buy one and bring it. If he wins the bid down in Camden on the 4th of July he'd get to fire the 5 inch gun on the mighty S.S. New Jersey, a battleship that has served America well from World War II through the Persian Gulf War. You end the fireworks show by firing a BLANK in a 5 inch gun. This gun can kill things up to 10 miles around in any direction, where's the fun and adventure in using a dud?

CEO Jim Schuck: “...But not to fear, we are only shooting blanks! But they are loud and make a great flash!”

Yeah, nuh-uh, if Johnny's in for at lest $500 clams he's gonna invest in some really worth winning, a great fireworks show and a puncher's chance at getting his range right to fire a 5 inch shell into downtown Philadelphia.

Speaking of Philadelphia, as we get through summer and into fall around here the Jersey City Desk is going to take up a collection where you and Johnny can put up some money to buy toys for hundreds of kids in Philadelphia. We're going to give them a very happy Christmas. Gee Johnny, why wouldn't you take up a collection for the kids right here in Jersey City? Well citizen, Johnny is hoping we can get at least 1000 vuvuzelas in the hands of Philadelphia youth so before long they ALL have to have them.

A severe thunderstorm watch has been posted for Hudson County

Hudson County and the entire Jersey City Desk viewing area are under a severe thunderstorm watch until 9 pm tonight. Storms with high damaging winds are possible. The temperature here in Jersey City is now 95º with a heat index of 109º.

The weather forecast today calls for stew

It'll be a heat index around 100 by noon, the heat and humidity will continue to compound themselves until the weather icon for today changes over to a big bowl of stew.

Late night open thread

Did you know then, a snail can sleep for up to three years.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Philippine Festival is going on today right here in Jersey City

The Hudson Bergen light rail stop is the place you'll find a very happy bunch of people today showing pride in their Philippine heritage. Food, fun and Philippine television stars to boot. The festival is going on until 6 pm this evening.

Late night open thread

Well the run the USA soccer team were on ended all too soon but they have nobody to blame for their exit today but themselves. Know what? That's OK. Their deficiencies are things that can be worked on with better players in the pipeline and better training and tactics. Unlike Italy, England and especially France the USA showed up each and every game and really treated we the fans to some exceptional effort. Good old never say die American theater. Johnny has read several online papers that cover South American and European soccer and they all said the Americans made a great statement with all their heart and showing all nations what a privilege and a joy it is to play in a World Cup. They also enjoyed the thrilling endings the USA gave them. The word passion came up more than once.

Johnny thinks if nothing else something was different this time around back home. Yes, these stories seem to take off when times are bad and people are begging for something to cheer FOR. The magic of the 1980 USA hockey team came at an equal level of national malaise. But people who drive their kids to soccer practice or have for years or did at some time made it a point to watch the USA matches. Maybe soccer didn't fully catch on here but the World Cup did. People enjoyed the pageantry, the great skill, the celebrities (We've got a Mick Jagger and a Kobe Bryant and we'll raise you a Bill Clinton), and the fact it's a great big party. Americans love all these things and suddenly soccer isn't scary anymore. It became cool to be watching soccer. Johnny has always found it odd that people who every four years at the Olympics very much enjoy watching ski jumping, downhill skiing, gymnastics, track and field, bobsledding, figure skating and the Usain Bolt 100 meter invitational so Usian Bolt can kick your ass, but when the World Cup rolls around people make that face, you know the one.

Johnny really thinks THIS time it all clicked. We as a nation will look forward to the next World Cup. Plus it'll be in Brazil so that'll be hella-fun. Now, things had to go very right for this time to click with the public. Game 1 vs England? Are you kidding? Perfect. The legends themselves. The matchup against mighty mighty England had everyone talking long before the game. Then, a wild watercooler moment with Robert Green's howler and tongues were off and wagging. Next up another BIG hole against Slovenia down 2-0. Then came the frantic second half push and the tying goal that sent Americans bonkers. Then it happened again. Americans may not know the strategies or intricacies of soccer but we DO know when we've been screwed over. Oh were we ever screwed over on the disallowed third and winning goal in waiting. This time it was outraged watercooler talk. The buzz was louder than 1000 vuvuzelas. The game against Algeria was, until today, THE highest rated soccer game in US history. You saw the ending, pure Hollywood, the talk around the watercooler had moved full on into the lunchroom. A perfect cosmic design.

All a nation can ask that a team gives it it's full effort and respect the nation they represent. The USA Soccer team did all that and more. Full marks to Ghana, on this day they were the better side by one goal. They carry the hopes of the host continent with them. After all the excitement Africans have showed towards the World Cup and the incredible success they have turned it into we shall not begrudge them that. We're Americans, if you beat us we tip our cap to you and get back to work to make sure it doesn't happen again. No meltdown on our part after this roller coaster ride of a tournament.

If you really want to see a meltdown make sure to watch the England vs Germany match tomorrow morning. England fans (and Johnny has email pan pals from England) are most likely not going to bed tonight, it'd be pointless. They are running around like caffeinated squirrels both talking mess and awaiting the executioner at the same time. Fascinating, that.

Since there are no more British troops in Paulus Hook we shall cheer for the Three Lions tomorrow fighting under St. George's cross. The German team went on an African safari type thing to relieve some stress and see the native country's offerings, and a certain picture caught the eye of the British tabloids.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Some come on down to Hoboken and get YOUR box of gun ammunition from Sewer-N-Save

That's right, FuHo is GIVING ammo away, you can find it under just about any manhole cover you can lift. A PSE&G worker was the first to get his box of ammo completely free in going down into the FuHo sewers. Now word is spreading fast because after the utility worker saw the deep discount on ammo, he told the police who told the bomb squad and so on and so on and so on.

So get on over to the Hoboken manhole covers and get saving on your ammunition needs.

Late night open thread

Famous quotes night:

"Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, 'Where have I gone wrong?' Then a voice says to me, 'This is going to take more than one night."--Charlie Brown

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with MADONNA

It's all about the 'stars who have dinner (or used to) at Johnny's house while they are in town' night here at the Jersey City Desk. Now there is no reason to be cynical or think Johnny's telling tale tales of the sea here. He'd never do that to you, as far as you know....

Madonna has dinner at Johnny's house whenever she's having the man trouble. Both parties being from Michigan and hanging out in old Ann Arbor town, who knows, call it Kismet. Johnny was the one who told Madonna that Sean Penn was a two bit supporting actor who had probably peaked as Jeff Spicoli in Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

The more techno/house this lady gets the better it sounds. Johnny's muse Madonna with 'Hung Up'.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with LIZ PHAIR!

Liz used to have dinner at Johnny's house when she'd be in town until the famous falling out in the late 90's that sadly played out in the tabloids.

Here's the brilliance of Liz Phair on display with 'Never Said'.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with R.E.M.!

R.E.M. has dinner at Johnny's house every time they are in town. They appreciate the dim sum and tips on how to play better.

R.E.M. with 'Finest Worksong'

That is kinda nippy for a June 25

Late night open thread

Double points tomorrow at the Jersey City Desk cafeteria, spend $10 and get double the green stamps.


Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Hudson County is under a severe thunderstorm watch until 8 pm

Can't say this wasn't obvious with as hot and swampy as it is out there right now. A quick moving pretty good line of storms is just entering northwest New Jersey currently. Keep an eye to the sky citizens.

From Wunderground:
Severe Thunderstorm Watch 406 in effect until 8 PM EDT this evening...

This Afternoon
Partly sunny with scattered showers and thunderstorms. Some thunderstorms may be severe with damaging winds. Breezy...hot with highs in the mid 90s. West winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Chance of rain 40 percent. Heat index values in the mid 90s.

Tonight
Partly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening...then mostly clear after midnight. Some thunderstorms may be severe. Breezy with lows in the upper 60s. Northwest winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph...becoming north 5 to 10 mph with gusts up to 20 mph after midnight. Chance of rain 30 percent.

8's are wild this morning in Jersey City

It's 8 am and the heat index is already 88. Johnny just got back from an early morning walk and he can attest to the 88 heat index.

If Johnny wanted to live in Guatemala he'd have moved to Guatemala.

Late night open thread

So did any of you Jersey City Desk readers feel any portion of the earthquake around 1:41 this afternoon? It was centered outside of Ottawa was felt as far away as western Michigan to the Jersey City/NYC area. Anyone here? Any of the Michigan contingent feel it?

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

How 'bout those Americans!?!?

Oh jumping jesus on a pogo stick, the Cardiac Kids do it again!!! Johnny had real tears in his eyes as FINALLY, FINALLY the USA scored in extra time. They HAD to score, that simple, and they do it again with the latest goal scored in a Team USA match evah.

Wait'll you see the replays kids, Landon Donovan and the whole team just made Johnny's Christmas card list.

Stunning. If one was invested to the hilt it was an incredibly emotional moment.

*EXHALE*

Saturday afternoon, win or go home but for now, the USA tops England in the group and both the USA and England advance.

Cheeseburgers for breakfast? Damn straight

As Johnny and most of America await the all important 10 am kickoff between the USA and Algeria at the World Cup what better, and more American way to get ready that grilling a couple cheeseburgers for breakfast?

C'mon USA, don't give up an early goal, go like hell for 90 minutes get power up and win the game. A win gets us to the good stuff and would most likely forever remind England they finished behind us in pool play and that they haven't beaten us in the World Cup in 60 years, aka EVAH! Oh we'll be pulling for England too just so long as the USA finish first.

In the words of Maximus in 'Gladiator', "What we do in life echoes in eternity."

Late night open thread

What a lovely couple of days we have on tap here in the tri-state. 93 and humid tomorrow, rain, more rain, and then 95 on Thursday with the heat index tipping 100. Keep a check on those pets and water them good and make sure to check on the elderly who don't do well in heat like this without A/C. It only takes a second to make a phone call or fill a water dish and the rulebook clearly states both actions are 3 points to the good to keep you out of hell.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

So Comcast wants channel 1 back from Jersey City...

...get bent Comcast.

Channel 1 is used for Jersey City LOCAL programming whereas Comcast wants it back because they claim their customers have difficulty finding the 'On-Demand' channel. Oh boy oh boy oh boy.

First off, local programming of government and school issues are more important to Jersey City than On-Demand. We know Comcast puts themselves before everyone else and have for years (like when they were reportedly using Sandvine to slow down customers downloads before being busted for it, unlimited internet indeed). Johnny says don't give it back to them, it's ours. We actually USE it.

If people want to find the oh so valuable Comcast On-Demand menu they can simply PUSH THE ON-DEMAND BUTTON ON THEIR REMOTE CONTROLS. How hard is THAT Comcast? The button is easily readable and easily useable. How about you spend some of your profits advertising to customers they have an On-Demand button and that really, you don't need to snivel about getting Channel 1 back in Jersey City.

Late night open thread

Rock and roll trivia night:

What was the name of Little Richard's backup band? Answer in the morning in comments.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Citizens, the jitneys in Jersey City are ridin' dirty

The jitney's (for Johnny's midwest posse, jitney's are small 10-20 rider busses that permeate the streets here) in Jersey City for the most part have come up snake eyes on their safety inspections. So bad were the JC jitney's that 23 out of 33 failed their surprise inspections last week (and this isn't counting the driver who saw the inspection ahead and pulled his jitney over, parked it and walked away). The 33 busses logged 285 citations for a range of safety infractions including bad brakes, faulty steering components, non-working emergency exits and lights, and bald tires. One bus had it's emergecy exit welded shut. Nice.

if you're a resident who uses these busses, this is news you can use.

Late breaking news this AM, North Bergen is also showing a high amount of jitney safety scofflaws.

Late night open thread

Tomorrow is the longest day of the year. How are you going to spend your extra daylight?

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Sometimes channel surfing you come across the damndest things

ORLY?

Late night open thread

Stupid people in other towns night. Citypages out dere in Minneapolis brings us this gem:

Drive-by shooting epic fail: Forgetting to roll down your car window before you start shooting from the driver's seat. Whoops.

Andrew J. Burwitz, 20, of Appleton, Wis., allegedly tried to do a drive-by shooting at the home of his ex-girlfriend's family and another random house. Police found him because he failed to roll down his car window and shattered it when he made the first shot.

He was charged Wednesday with four counts of first-degree reckless endangerment, four counts of endangering safety by reckless use of a firearm, disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property.

More from the Appleton Post-Crescent:
According to court documents, the occupants of the house in the Town of Buchanan were awakened about 2 a.m. Monday to the sounds of breaking glass.

They saw a car driving off and found two bullets had struck the exterior of the house and three had entered the living room. None of the four people in the house was injured. The ex-girlfriend was attending school out of state.

Sheriff's deputies examining the area found broken auto glass in the street, and, later that day, contacted area auto glass repair shops and found Burwitz had his car window replaced after filing an insurance claim.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Saturday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with OINGO BOINGO!

Johnny checked, this band meets the usual six month rule about repetition. That's not to say that Oingo Boingo music isn't a good thing any day of the week but we do try to spread the wealth around a little bit.

Oingo Boingo hep cats and kittens with 'Weird Science', one of the high water marks for movie tracks.

Saturday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with TEARS FOR FEARS!

Johnny saw Donnie Darko on the TeeVee the other night and there is a wonderful version of this song done by Gary Jules in that but tonight it's the original, Tears for Fears with 'Mad World'.

Saturday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE CLASH!

"All transmitters to full, all receivers to boost. This is London Calling. This is London Calling. First of all welcome to the program, all peoples of the world. This is Joe Strummer at the controls in Bush House in the heart of London. This land is your land, this world is your world. We're gonna say the unsayable, and play the unplayable. Broadcasting what needs to be cast and if your radio is tuned here your radio is tuned right."

--Joe Strummer from the beginning of the Future is Unwritten

Here's the only band that matters with 'Armagideon Time'

The Red Bull Air races start today!

Johnny will be down by the river (though his living room has served as a good view on their practice runs out near Liberty State Park) this afternoon checking out the Red Bull air races up and down the Hudson River and New York Harbor. Some of the loops and dips these guys do is just nuts. We can't wait to see them actually doing the obstacle course.

The Jersey Journal has you covered as far as information you'll need if you're planing on heading out to Liberty State Park. No instructions necessary if you're just walking to the river.

Late night open thread

We'll run the music series tomorrow evening. Time got away from Johnny tonight.

It's good to be the king.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

•ª§˙√º∂¶!ºª¶ß∆!!!!!!!

Free Day until the music series tonight

Johnny has a lot on his plate today and the interns are, well, Johnny has no idea where they are..

Late night open thread

It's like the moon landing or the 1980 USA hockey game, you know where you were 16 years ago tonight when this circus played out all across America...


Time for Jersey City, After Dark

The Goldman Sachs building has been sprayed for bedbugs

The most recognizable building on the Jersey City skyline, the Goldman Sachs building has been sprayed for bedbugs according to ABC News. These bloodsuckers have been quite a blight in and around the New York City/Jersey City area of late and have been in the news quite a bit. So have the bedbugs.

Hey-yo (insert Ed McMahon laugh here)

Hey, uh, Parking Enforcement driver of vehicle 422, did you forget to stop at the red light at Marin?

A beautiful morning and Johnny was out for a walk in our fair city and was waiting to cross Marin Blvd. at Morgan. It's a good thing Johnny looked both ways as he got the walk sign, a parking enforcement vehicle blew a red light. Of course if he'd stopped he'd have been rear-ended by the Ford behind him that ALSO ran the light. We here thought when pedestrians had the white walk signal it was now an ENFORCED city law vehicles had to STOP, not speed up.

Johnny jogged up ahead off his route to Marin and Christopher Columbus to get a snapshot of the offender. Don't be afraid to get those cell phone cameras out and put them to use citizens. If you see a city vehicle screwing off, shoot it, we'll make them famous. See city employees sleeping in their cars? Snap it and send it along. We figure it'll take one or two of these embarrassing shots to show up online before they get the riot act read to them. After all, it's YOUR money that's paying them.

Late night open thread

Here, click this link and you can read the Jersey City Desk like you're sitting at a World Cup game.

Click for the experience

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

He's drunk at 5 pm, is anyone surprised Union City's own Jacinto George Gutierrez would grope a teen?

Drunk at 5 pm, you know, like ya do on a Monday in Union City, you tie one on and when a young lady walks by her you grab her rear end. Jacinto George Gutierrez was arrested Monday by the Union City Blues after his victim flagged them down and told them which direction Gutierrez was stumblin and a slurrin.

Gutierrez was charged with criminal sexual contact and had to pay THE MAN $2,500

Jacinto George Gutierrez, you've been booked. Straight red, sent off

We've got some valuable information passed along by concerned citizens

And they love Jersey City just like Johnny has grown to and what they want (and what Johnny wants) is Mayor Healy out of office. They want an end to his cronyism. They want an end to free cars and gas. They want an end to Mariano Vega stonewalling. They want, well tell you what, click on the image and get your rear ends outside of city hall June 23rd at 5:30 pm before the City Council meeting.

If you're mad or sick and tired of being sick and tired of the corruption, be there, ALOHA!

There are rats in the subway lines in NYC -- Ya don't say

OK OK the article isn't pointing out in some shocked fashion there are rats in the NYC (and PATH) stations and lines. The article is a pretty good read kids, there are some things you'll learn, like rats call fall 40 feet and still hit the ground running. The NYC Metro folks say there aren't as many rats in the subway system as you'd think but really, whatever they have tried hasn't worked. Rat poison is only placed on the tracks but is often blown away by passing trains. Besides the experts say, rats at this point pretty much KNOW the third rail is electrified and avoid it so they don't spend a lot of time ON the tracks (Johnny's seen some permanently affixed to the tracks if you get his drift).

The biggest rats on the PATH system that Johnny has seen reside at the 23rd St. stop. They'll run up and down the stairs between the PATH and MTA lines down below. Make sure to say hi.

Late night open thread

It was on this day in 1752 that Ben Franklin famously flew his kite with a key at the end forever proving the connection between lightning and electricity.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Give the supermarkets a break, shop truly locally at all the Farmer's Markets

Forget for a moment the simple fact that fresh produce is healthier than store bought produce as it doesn't tend to sit around or on certain items in supermarkets get magical new expiration dates. Fresher means healthier. It also means your produce can wind up costing you a little bit less helping you stretch your food dollar, especially these days.

Another benefit is that this fresh produce costs far less than supermarket produce because it's not shipped in from other states, using gas, running down roads and in small ways costing you the taxpayer more.

With some of these Farmer's Markets in neighborhoods like Hamilton Park and right off of busy PATH stations at Journal Square and Grove St., the convenience is all yours.

Here is the list of farmer's Markets locally (read all three pages) and they days you can drop by and pick some fresh, healthy and inexpensive food.

Late night open thread

Who didn't love Legos as a kid? Who didn't enjoy America winning the day in their tie with England? If only the two could be combined somehow. Hmmmmmmm


Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Say goodnight Leona

Former Deputy to Mayor Jerramiah Healy, Leona Beldini has been sentenced to three years in prison and another two on probation for her part in taking dirty money from FBI informant (and sleazeball) Solomon Dwek. Half of the 20K in dirty money funneled through Beldini went to the Jersey City Democratic Committee and the rest went to the fund to re-elect Healy.

As bad as we feel watching a 75 year old grandmother carted off to the hoosgow, Beldini should have known all along what she was doing didn't pass any kind of smell test.

Don't look at Johnny and the interns for entertainment right now

World Cup comes on at 7:30, Netherlands and Denmark, get with the times, it's on ESPN.

Late night open thread

BBQ pork induced stupor. Johnny will have dreams of St. Paul's Pork Products, a favorite clip here at he JCD


Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Sunday open thread

Johnny's got some unfinished business in Madison Square Park this afternoon with some more yummy pig. Fell free to talk about anything that floats your boat.

Late night open thread

Johnny cannot begin to tell you citizens how damned proud he is of the USA soccer team today with their tie with mighty England. England is the #3 ranked team on the globe and the USA are ranked #14. The Americans played with so much heart, they stayed focused after giving up the early goal and they found a nice bit of luck. Johnny didn't feel as bad for Robert Green the English goalie as he did for his seeing eye dog.

Full marks to the USA. First let's see "The Howler' goal as they call it in England and then of course reaction on the gaffe from OMG Cat.

"It's a Howler"


OMG CAT watches the goal


Time for Jersey City, After Dark

It's the Big Apple BBQ and Block Party today and tomorrow in Madison Square Park

Madison Square Park has already begun filling with the delicious smell of plump little piggies on the grill as pitmasters from all over have come to New York to feed the hungry (Like Johnny). There will be awesome BBQ, music and some pitmaster seminars on how to make your friends dig the pig you cook for them.

Johnny will see you there!

Late night open thread

The forecast for Jersey City and over in midtown tonight calls for dark skies with increasing light by morning.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with CHUCK BERRY and ETTA JAMES!

In honor of our boys playing England Saturday in South Africa in the World Cup Johnny has deemed tonight 'Anything but English Music Night'. OK, Keef is playing backup lead guitar but again, supporting role to American musical icons Chuck Berry and Etta James belting out 'Rock and Roll Music'. You know, Rock and Roll, invented in the good old USA.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE BEACH BOYS!

On Anything but English Music night you simply can't get more American that the salient surf sounds of The Beach Boys. So here are the California Boys with 'Don't Worry Baby'. Not much surfing going on in England ya know.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE OLD 97'S

Anything but English music concludes tonight with the classic American sound of The Old 97's with the classic 'Timebomb'

Hey hey hey, it's World Cup day!

And we'd be remiss if we didn't remind our friends across the pond that tomorrow Sam's Army will party like it's 1776! A couple patriotic type USA hype videos and then a great resource for you online to follow this incredible tournament.

Over There!


The USA shocking the planet at last year's World Cup prep tournament the Confederations Cup where the USA beat African Champ Egypt 3-0, shocked #1 ranked in the world Spain 2-0 and damned near beat perennial giant Brazil


Follow the tournament here.

How about this? The Metro calls the Powerhouse Arts District the new hot neighborhood in ALL of NJ/NY

The Metro Newszine a couple days ago ran a stunning and oh so nice article on Jersey City's Powerhouse Arts District and how it's become the new HOT property on BOTH sides of the Hudson River. In fact, to quote the Metro;

"...the city is shedding its unflattering reputation and becoming more of a bona fide sixth borough with a thriving arts scene, bars, and a large supply of affordable luxury apartments connected to the city by ferries and the PATH train."

Again, Jersey City listed as the Sixth NY borough, not too shabby at all. You sure don't hear that kind of talk about Weehawken, FuHo or Bayonne.

Take some time to read up on this very nice picture of Jersey City and yes, Johnny's new neighborhood.

Late night open thread

Ya gotta wonder sometimes. Johnny was looking through the news of the odd tonight for some nutty story from someplace out of the way. He saw these two headlines with a sentence description right near each other;

Cafe claims world's biggest burger
SYDNEY (Reuters) - An Australian cafe is claiming a world record after cooking a giant hamburger with an 81 kg (178 lb) patty that took 12 hours to cook and four men to flip.

Then...

Restaurant tells diners to eat up or else
SYDNEY (Reuters) - An Australian restaurateur fed up with the waste left by diners has ordered her customers to eat everything on their plates for their sake of the earth or pay a penalty and not return.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

It took THIS long to start a recall of Mayor Healy?

OK, so Johnny didn't start it either so he's as much to blame but hats off to Jersey City residents John Lynch, Riaz Wahid and Martha Larkins who sent a letter to the city clerk's office to announce their intentions.

Mayor Kwame Healy of course had no comment, or rather his spokesman had no comment, the mayor is busy and has no time for such questions about his competency.

Wahid told the Jersey Journal "I believe the people of Jersey City deserve leadership that is committed to aiding us in our day-to-day struggles, I have grown frustrated seeing my taxes go up with nothing to show for it." You tell 'em Riaz. We agree.

We'd owe these fine upstanding citizens our thanks for taking on Healy's job but there's more to this story. The group is ALSO going after Ward A Councilman Michael Sottolano, Ward C Councilwoman Nidia Lopez, Ward D Councilman Bill Gaughan, and Ward F Councilwoman Viola Richardson. GIDDYUP kids, you go!

Honest and hard working members of the Jersey City Council, Ward E Councilman Steven Fulop and Ward B Councilman David Donnelly are NOT on the list to be recalled as they provide valuable and HONEST representation.

When you notify Nidia Lopez about the recall effort put extra postage on the letter, it's going to Florida.

Johnny wants to know when and where petitions will be available to be signed off on, you can advertise here for free.

Late night open thread

Johnny stood at the World Trade Center PATH station tonight waiting to meet people coming into the station for a dinner in the city. As he stood upstairs near the Hudson News stand he must have seen hundreds of people walking in or out with umbrellas. Some people in this town have gone beyond umbrella size rain protection and some of their umbrellas have passed out of that category into 'awning' size. Nobody needs an awning on a stick.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

The Jersey City Desk proudly welcomes a new link

Hoboken411 joins our illustrious list of 'links that don't stink' this morning. The site claims to be 'Keeping Hoboken Honest' which we know will be both informative and cool. That place really has it going on. They must have a real R&D budget to build a site like theirs, not just a gadfly clown in charge who'd rather be hobnobbing with stars and two shiftless interns.

Go give it a whirl JCD nation...

Late night open thread

Famous last words edition:

"I've had a hell of a lot of fun and I've enjoyed every minute of it."
-- Errol Flynn, October 14, 1959

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Everything our forefathers fought for, the liberty, the freedom, all of it is being tossed in the trashbin by Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer July 4

It seems Frau Zimmer has decided to become a powerful entity unto herself issuing all kinds of edicts, travel restrictions, rules (even on property you may well own) and check points around town for the expected influx of happy Macy's fireworks viewers.

First a portion of her letter to the public:

All available police officers, firefighters, the Office of Emergency Management, and other municipal officials will be enforcing all codes and regulations regarding public behavior with a zero tolerance level.
This includes an absolute restriction on parties or gatherings on rooftops for viewing of the fireworks celebration unless said property has been properly zoned and approved for rooftop access. Gathering on fire escapes is strictly prohibited. The use of balconies, porches, or any other structures for viewing will be strictly enforced within the confines of the codes for such structures. It is imperative that no overcrowding occur in any of these locations. All codes for the use of rooftops and other aforementioned structures will be strictly enforced with a zero tolerance policy.
No alcohol will be permitted on any walkways or parks along the waterfront. Visitors will need to pass through checkpoints to access the waterfront. Coolers with non-alcoholic refreshments will be permitted access.

Yeah, after all, Americans hate getting together and having parties to celebrate the birth of their nation.

So if you like to be out on your porch or balcony you could be cited. Wanna know why? It really has nothing to do with YOUR safety but police detest citizens holding any kind of higher ground than themselves hence they get all defensive and overreact to balcony situations. Frau Zimmer appears to be doing their bidding for them here. No roof viewing? Please. Dawn, Johnny's from Jersey City and will be on his roof (and would be if you ran JC anyway) or the beautiful walkway along the Hudson in Jersey City (much nicer than the FuHo section truth be told) skipping FuHo entirely. Maybe after your little tantrum Johnny will be forced to avoid FuHo more and more for which he intends to call some of the businesses where he sometimes does buy goods and services and telling them why his money is no longer coming in.

CHECKPOINTS?! CHECKPOINTS?! Good lord, so in essence the freedoms fought and died for by our brave Revolutionary forefathers will be suspended by Dawn Zimmer and the FuHo police ON the 4th of July. What a perfect dichotomy.

Also on the list of don't set forth by Mayor (Hey I got this job by default) Zimmer:
*No laughing
*No running
*No saying "ooooooooo and Ahhhhhh" as the shells burst
*No singing
*No fun of any kind, just sit there, watch and shut your pie holes.

Children of Sombertown, your days of fun are OVER.

(FuHo Mayor Dawn Zimmer, Jersey City Desk file photo)

Late night open thread

Notable quotes night:

"The nicest thing for me is sleep, then at least i can dream."
--Marilyn Monroe

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

It is simply a glorious day here in Jersey City

Upper sixties heading to the mid seventies and hardly a cloud in the sky. Johnny and the staff are holding editorial meetings down on the river near the Katyn Memorial. Come on down, kick your shoes off and sit a spell.

Late night open thread

That Charles Addams show at the Museum of the City of New York really was a sharp display. Some good biting commentary in his work along with quite a few that made Johnny smile. All in all a good day at the museum. It was also hilarious to watch the big fair on 3rd Ave. get blown around with stuff whipping up and down the street when the winds ahead of the thunderstorms showed up.

Chaos id cool.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Sunday open thread

Johnny's heading off to the Big Appletini today to do some museums. You chit chat about what you want while Johnny gets his learn on.

Late night open thread

They ran the Belmont Stakes in New York today. Anybody know who won? Does it matter? If it's not for the Triple Crown it's really just another race. The Belmont record was set (smashed would be a better word, sliced by damn near three seconds) in 1973, it still stands 37 years later. The 1973 Belmont Stakes was THE most incredible sporting event Johnny ever witnessed. He doesn't suspect we'll ever see a moment in sport to match this. Ever. Unless a team wins a Super Bowl 100-0 or the Red Wings or (Fill in name of your team here) wins a Stanley Cup in four games each 15-0 scores, or Serena Williams wins the US Open in straight sets every match 6-0 and 6-0 and doesn't give up a point all tournament, the 1973 Belmont will forever stand as the only time an 'athlete' hit sheer perfection on the field of battle.

This moment will most likely never be equalled. People were crying at what they saw they were so moved as they stood along the rail in the homestretch and up in the grandstand reporters noted. People actually were choked up by this moment in time. It's reported that half the $2 betting slips that picked Secretariat to win were never cashed in but instead kept as keepsakes of what they'd seen.

They ran the Belmont Stakes today. Anybody know who won?


Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Let's talk about toll booths and toll booth strategy

Now with the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike both such an integral part of local commuting, and with the toll booths employed by both the idea of toll booth strategy seems like a good topic of discussion. Are you one of the millions of EZ Pass users? Do you prefer to toss coins into the big plastic buckets? Are you someone who just likes to hand your toll over to one of the thousands of smiling and friendly toll booth workers?

These are all fine, nothing really wrong with any of them, the EZ Pass is the second fastest way you can make it through the toll booths but earlier this week Johnny heard and saw (as you shall now dear reader) of a NEWER and FASTER way to make it through toll booths. This option we think would be faster and more efficient is just about ANY toll booth situation anywhere in the USA.

Pay attention, it's info you can use...


OK OK, maybe not the BEST way through but certainly the fastest and most entertaining for other drivers stuck in line. More on that Dukes of Hazzard strategy here.

By the way for those scoring at home, that was a Chevy Impala. Don't tell me GM makes cars people don't want. A Prius couldn't do that. Neither could a Smart car or a Yaris. Sometimes you need a good old piece of Detroit steel.

Late night open thread

How many licks does it take to get to the tootsie roll center of a tooties pop?

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE SPINNERS!

Every so often Johnny likes to plunk down a song he remembers from the old AM radio you grew up with in Detroit, only the biggest radio station around was across the river in Windsor, Ontario. The Big 8, CKLW, a very famous station at the time spun the platters that mattered.

Detroit's own Spinners with 'Games People Play'

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE GO-GO'S!

Johnny will let Ms. Trixie Action Space Punk fill you in on all the Go-Go's gossip in comments but here is a question for you Trixie. Which Go-Go was Jodie Foster's longtime girlfriend?

The Go-Go's with 'Turn to You'.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with LOS LOBOS!

Who doesn't love a smoky, sultry, latin infused zephyr of fresh air? Here is Los Lobos with 'Kiko and the Lavender Moon'.

It's a one sentence Friday

Speak your mind but you only get ONE sentence in which to do it...

Late night open thread

Ah Thursday evening, a night more often than not we have a little fun with a comic or two. Tonight it's some quality time with Mr. Buddy Cole (Scott Thompson from Kids in the Hall) discussing the topic of outing gay celebrities as only he can.


Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Jersey City has cancelled it's July 4th fireworks show as a cost cutting measure

In a cost cutting measure, Jersey City is canceling their annual fireworks show and the money that would have been used will be spent on other events in the city over the course of the year.

OK, and, so?

Macy's will be having their fireworks show July 4th AGAIN on the Hudson River this year, just like last year, so Jersey City residents need not worry

Here, to tide you over here's a clip from last's years Macy's show from the middle of the Hudson River.

Late night open thread

What an utter shame that Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga's perfect game was jacked on such a pathetic call by first base umpire Jim Joyce. There have never in baseball history been three perfect games in a season. This would have set the record. It's only happened twice, two perfect games in the same season, this year and in the 1880's. To his credit Joyce admitted he blew the call after the game and cost Galarraga his perfect game.

As maddening as it is what can ya do? There does seem to be a LOT of push online tonight to get commissioner Bud Selig to act in 'The Best Interest of Baseball' and overturn the call. Technically he does have the power and the fans hoopla is only saying end the game when it really ended and award him the perfect game. Your thoughts?


Time for Jersey City, After Dark

"Tap & Go"? We're all for it

NJ Transit and the Port Authority are trying out new "Tap & Go" payments where one taps a credit card with a pay pass attached electronically and simply tap it at the proper turnstile and boom, you're in, no need for a Metro Card (well there is but more on that in a minute) or other NJ Transit ticket. The new Tap & Go stops are working at all New Jersey locations on PATH. In fact 11 of the 13 PATH stops are outfitted with the technology but keep your Metro Card handy as Christopher St. and 9th St. are the exceptions to the rule. Currently those two stations are not equipped to use Tap & Go. In addition to the PATH trains, 6 NJ Transit busses are using the Tap & Go system, the three routes that connect their riders to PATH terminals, and the 6, 80 and 87.

In New York the MTA lines have Tap & Go available on the Lexington Avenue subway lines - the 4, 5 and 6 - and eight MTA bus routes - the M14, M23, M79, M86, M101, M102, M103 and BXM7.

Anything that makes transportation faster and more efficient we're all for.

So our friends across the Hudson are going broke

That's no good, we can't have the state of New York going broke. Reuters is reporting the state of New York is delaying the payment of 2.5 billion dollars (that's million with a B) towards it's bill in order to stay solvent. Reuters also says this is the third time the state of New York has done this kind of creative accounting since December. Governor Paterson and the NY legislature have an even bigger issue trying to close a 9.2 billion deficit by late summer.

Not that anyone in Albany has called Johnny to ask for his considered opinion but as always we're all about the good free advice. We live here in New Jersey and anyone here worth their salt will tell New Yorkers where to secure some fast financing to pay this down. You had just better keep up with the points and tributes otherwise there could be a LOT of special elections in a couple years. David Paterson, NY Governor, have someone drive you to northern Jersey, have a nice cappuccino and sit down with the boys at the Northern Jersey Bank and Trust.

Late night open thread

Movie trivia night kids, always a JCD favorite.

Q) Which actor played the part of the school principal in E.T. only to have his role left on the cutting room floor when director Steven Spielberg thought his presence would be too distracting?

Answer sometime tomorrow in comments section.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Sometimes you just have to give credit for the SIZE of the lie

Yes it's not directly related to New Jersey but Garden Staters are lied to by politicians on a huge scale so here you are; BP told the federal government in 2008 they could easily handle a blown out well head TEN TIMES THE SIZE OF THE ONE WE SEE IN THE NEWS NOW.

Oh suuuuure, ten times bigger Mr. Regulator, no worries, we've got this. It could blow up huger than huge and we could handle it.

Overpromising and underdelivering, British Petroleum everyone