Late night open thread

Johnny had his first crack at Jersey City's new Two Boots Pizza tonight. Putting them on speed dial is just an efficiency.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Johnny has a message for his sister blog in Cairo

Should the 'Cairo City Desk' exist we'd like to pass along a message. Recently your newly elected President said he was going to free convicted sheik from Jersey City Omar Abdel-Rahman. Abdel-Rahman was convicted for plotting the 1993 attack on the World Trade Center that killed six people.

So, your guy wants Omar Abdel-Rahman brought back to Egypt on humanitarian grounds. Johnny would like to tell you in the words of Zorak, "Yeah, we're not doing that."

Late night open thread

Johnny has company is from out of town so we'll get to the music series later this weekend.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

WOW, just WOW, is Martin Brodeur getting ready to leave the Devils come Sunday?

According to TSN.ca's NHL insider Darren Dreger, the Devils have done next to nothing to re-sign, and have had little discussion with unrestricted free agent and team legend and first ballot hall of famer Martin Brodeur. The living legend Devils netminder is said to have hired Pat Brisson to represent him and WILL test the free agent market some Sunday.

Dear Devils management, and this comes from a Red Wings fan, what the hell is wrong with you? To pull this (and even if he did sign why did it take you ANY time to re-sign him?) on Marty Brodeur, the face of your franchise, winner of 3 Stanley Cups and 5 Eastern Conference titles let alone the individual awards and stats is just plain, well, it's bush league. You simply don't treat people whom you KNOW you'll retire their number in such a fashion.

Certainly if Zach Parise had any interest in resigning with New Jersey this will make him feel a little bit discomforted. Unless Roberto Luongo or Tim Thomas come walking in the door at the Prudential Center the Devils will be taking a big step back in net next year.

Free agents come and go and good ones like Parise sometimes do leave. But treating Martin Brodeur this way is disappointing.

A little something something to get you through today's steamy temps

Mungo Jerry with the classic 'In the Summertime'


And it doesn't count against your video series total tonight. Hoist a lemonade kids!

Just so we're clear, Jersey City 911 service can be "plainly negligent" just not "wanton and willful"

Lovely story. Jersey City's 911 operator service cannot be sued over the negligent handling of a 911 call because an appeals court said while the actions were "negligent" they were not "wanton and willful".

So, you know if you have an emergency, sleep well knowing this.

The story starts here:

The family of a Jersey City teen who survived a stabbing spree but watched his mother and two siblings die while they waited for police to arrive cannot sue the city for the negligence of the 911 operators because their conduct was not "wanton and willful," an appeals court panel ruled Thursday.

...The family of Paris Wilson, the sole survivor of the September 2005 massacre by his uncle, claimed in the suit that his 11-year-old brother and sister, DeQuan and D’Artagnania, could have survived if the calls had been handled properly.

Waited for police to arrive for THIRTY SIX HOURS, yes a day and a half for help to arrive because the 911 operator entered the wrong address into the system. Look, accidents happen we understand, people are human. But for the 911 operators to be considered "emergency responders" wherein their legal protection comes in we're just not sure should exist. Too often cities and municipalities simply protect everyone they can from legal action. Nobody gets held accountable. They simply unleash the city's council as they did in this case with Jersey City municipal attorney William Matsikoudis claiming hey it's just sheer negligence these people died, it wasn't done on purpose. Isn't it great when your city attorney's case rests on the fact the city's 911 service is simply just "negligent"? "It’s a big relief and it’s the right decision." said Matsikoudis.

We'd strip 911 operators of their immunity. Technically they are not emergency responders. They play a part, a sometimes negligent part, in dispatching emergency responders. Of course the New Jersey State League of Municipalities has praised the Supreme Court ruling protecting 911 operators from lawsuits. They claim it allows them:

"...assurance and flexibility to develop, test and expand 911 systems without fear of being sued."

If you believe the protection is REALLY about testing and developing 911 systems without getting sued is why this law was passed then please, apply any testing and or development of the 911 service that needs defending in this case, or any case. It's only about protecting themselves legally from someone's negligence whom they employ and are responsible for.

Late night open thread

Once more we delve into Johnny's bottomless sack of animated gif files. Feel free to swipe...


Time for Jersey City, After Dark

We could live with a compromise...

...Many New Yorkers aren't quite over the fact Macy's has blown up their fireworks show every year since 2009 on the Hudson River and want back what they call their birthright (OK, maybe not birthright). Agitators NY State Senator Daniel Squadron and Public Advocate Bill de Blasio are hot and heavy after Macy's to move the fireworks back to the East River where only New Yorkers can see them. They actually have a petition (which we feel no obligation to link to) to get the Macy's Fireworks moved back exclusively to the East River site.

When someone asked if alternating between the two sites would be acceptable they said only "That'd be better than what we've got now."

Johnny could get behind an alternating schedule. It certainly wouldn't be the worst thing. It would allow New Yorkers, so put upon, to feel extra special like they deep down know they are once every two years. Then the rest of us *rabble would get our shot in the off years.

*Rabble -- The Hoboken waterfront on July 4

Late night open thread

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

It's a news-y roundup kind of day

*Mayor Wile E. Bloomberg's team has actually retrofitted regular window-size air conditioners to fit in the windows of his Chevy Suburbans to keep them cool while Mayor Mike is on official city business. Hey, Johnny likes to joke around but he's SERIOUS, retrofitted air conditioners!

*Jersey City's Patrick Allocco was arrested in FuHo for apparently making some kind of political statement by yakking on two police cruisers. OK, maybe it wasn't a political statement and perhaps it was too much booze telling him to puke on two cops cars. We'll find out in court no doubt.

*After reading this story you might just want to rethink doing business at Wawa convenience stores. Just idiots. And the customers were no better.

*If you'd like to see a city at war with itself over soccer head over to the Ironbound in Newark today for the 2:45 match between Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal and La Furia Rojas, the World Champions from Spain. Get there early and pick a side and get ready to defend your choice (Johnny chooses Spain).

David Villa will be missed today!

Late night open thread

Old car ad night and tonight a real winner, the 1971 Chevrolet Camaro. The Camaro is a revered name in American muscle. Some of those old rides are worth a pretty penny. Our issue with this ad isn't the car per se (though the 1971 certainly isn't going to win a lot of awards at the Camaro car shows) it is with this huckster saying "Super Hugger." We wonder if he's not referring to his pants. Maybe his wide track tie. "And a dash that wraps around you like a jet cockpit," yes, if jet cockpits in 1971 were overgrown with faux wood paneling. So tonight enjoy the formula 'blah blah buzzword blah buzzword and end with a big stupid platitude.'


Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Bad news out of Hoboken, Frank Sinatra Park is in really rough shape -- UPDATED

You'll recall last year we ran a couple of stories on Hoboken's desire to rebuild Frank Sinatra Park along the waterfront. There was quite a setback when engineers looked at parts of the park that had actually collapsed at the waterside:

"...engineers discovered support pilings holding up the park had dramatically deteriorated, city officials announced yesterday during a site tour."

The new cost for the rehab is not known though the park was undergoing $7.7 million dollar refurbish by Springfield-based EIC Associates. The new plan will involve:

"...installation of a temporary dam around the site, removing all the water so the new pier can be constructed. After work is complete, the dam will be removed and the natural habitat under the pier will be restored.

A definite drag for FuHo residents who are now lacking extra space on the river for over a year now. We'd like to invite them to walk or bike or simply take the PATH to the Exchange Place stop and get off and enjoy Jersey City's J. Owen Grundy Park right on the river in the heart of it all.

UPDATE: Late yesterday the City of Hoboken cancelled the contract with EIC Associates. EIC Associates will be able to bid on the new repairs necessary but the old contract was cancelled as the collapse of Frank Sinatra Park made the old plan worthless.

Late night open thread

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Anybody lose a naked man in or around the greater Mahwah area?

He's now covered in mud (or was) and doesn't know who he is. Mahwah police are asking if anyone knows of a missing person as this guy was found wandering around Route 202. He is uninjured police said, they'd just like to know who he is. You can see a picture of the man here.

Johnny looked an it is not the Russian that Christopher and Paulie may or may not have killed in the Pine Barrens episode on the Sopranos years ago made his way north. So that's good.

Late night open thread

In 50 mph winds, the Statue of Liberty can sway back and forth as much as 3 inches.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

A Shakespeare in the Park photostory

From yesterday's field trip to Central Park to the Delacorte Theater for the entire Jersey City Desk staff so Johnny could culture them up a bit. 'As You Like It' was the play and Johnny made sure that the "All the world's a stage" portion was not lost on their fragile eggshell minds.

Late night open thread

"Weekends do not count unless you spend them doing something completely pointless."
--Bill Watterson

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

CNN/Trulia study of zip codes: Jersey City is a great place to live for gays looking to beat the high cost across the river

Jersey City was singled out by CNN when they did a zip code study of real estate of places gays can find a nice affordable housing in a gay friendly community. Of Jersey City the story said while many gay males prefer Chelsea for a home:

A short train ride away, however, is downtown Jersey City, N.J., where many same-sex couples live, according to Trulia. The median price per square foot there is $452, almost one-third of the prices in Manhattan.


The article said lesbians preferred Park Slope in Brooklyn.

We're happy as all get out that the gay community has such a positive view of Jersey City. We'll do our part to ensure this stays the case. We also think we're one governor away from making gay marriage legal on this side of the Hudson River.

Late night open thread

“The shinbone is a device for finding furniture in a dark room.”
-- Unknown

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with SADE!

That's right, channel your inner Billy Dee Williams and dim the lights, chill the ham, light some candles, crack open a bottle of wine, it's time for dancin' and romancin'.

Here's eight of the sexiest minutes in all of popular music, Sade with 'No Ordinary Love'

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with JOE WALSH!

An ode to slackers everywhere, a cut from the Fast Times at Ridgemont High soundtrack, 'Waffle Stomp'

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with WILSON PICKETT!

As we dance our way to the end of another music series try and keep up with Wilson Pickett and do as many of these dances as you can. WIlson Pickett with 'Land of 1000 Dances'

After last night's Snooki and JWOWW spin-off show you can clearly see why Jersey City jumped at the chance to host it

Did you see all those interactions around Jersey City? Did you see how it played out like a tourism video for our fair city?

Yeah, us either....

We're not exactly sure (And this is directly addressed to ALL whom help bring this show here, mayor) what the show did to promote Jersey City. We do know in one "touching" moment the producers decided to make Jersey City residents by proxy look like utter creepers with the guy watching the two "ladies" outside. Did you see that show supporters? Did you see that officials who allowed tax dollar one to be spent on this show? Just like Johnny said would happen the producers decided to make a joke out of the locals. By allowing this to be filmed here (and again we say this) did you not think for a second the producers would try to make Snooki and JWOWW the most happening and intelligent people in town?

Congratulations Jersey City powers that be, you gave television producers free reign to make us look bad and damned if they didn't do it in the first episode.

Late night open thread

After one look at this planet any visitor from outer space would say "I want to see the manager."
--William S. Burroughs

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Manhole cover explosion sends shockwaves through community

Dateline Christopher Columbus and Marin Dr. A manhole cover blew up real good according to horrified onlookers (This is the part where we should explain we're going to take creative license as to just how big this was) and went straight up. So high in fact one witness said it looked like "It went all the way up to the day moon before falling back to earth and hitting the street." Do you realize if someone were standing on it when it went up they'd have been Crispy Critters by now?

Jersey City Fire Director Armando Roman said he was waiting for PSE&G "to assess, if whatever damage there is, internally." Well heavens yes, check that out. If something down there can shoot a manhole cover up as far as the day moon PSE&G might want to look around and see if there are some meth labs or dragons below street level. Maybe it was sabotage by still-angry Rangers fans.

One more of these go and we're going to think it's a conspiracy.

Late night open thread

This'll cool you off before bed tonight...


Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Here's where to beat the heat around Hudson County

It'll be a blast furnace out there through Friday kids so here is a handy link to pools, cooling centers and where sprinklers will be on round our fair county.

Also, please remember to check up on pets and get them inside if at all possible. Check on the elderly who might be having increased difficulty as the heat index rises to 100º and above.

So it would appear a lot of these cash cow red light ticket cameras were miscalibrated

Most red light cameras, nothing more than cash cows for local governments more concerned with making money on residents than protecting their safety, have been deemed by the state to have been miscalibrated as to the length of the yellow lights. 63 of the state's 85 red light city ATM's will have to be checked. ALL of them in Newark. And don't you love THIS:

In the meantime, the cameras will remain on. If the devices are found to be in compliance, violators would still be fined. If the traffic systems are not in compliance, DOT spokesman Joe Dee said, "we will shut down that camera."

So if they are right you STILL must pay. If they were indeed miscalibrated and you were wrongly given a ticket, you STILL have to pay. Way to go DOT. Way to just steal money.

So New Jersey citizens, are you sick of being robbed yet? Again, and we know we harp on this. Rise up and get rid of these things. You DO have the power. And where oh where is the Tea Party on this?

If you'd like a little more context as to what rip offs these cameras are read Mark Di Ionno's column from today's Star-Ledger.

Oh, and Jersey City, the Healy Administration brought them to our town, they want MORE in our town and if you're simply sick of this governmental overreach we're having an election next year for Mayor. Make sure you remember who set up these "deals" with the camera companies in the voting booth.

Late night open thread

Salvador Dali had an older brother who was also named Salvador. He died at a young age before his younger sibling was born. Now you know.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

If you call 9-1-1 often enough, then tell them you're the President and want to speak to Tim Tebow...

Chances are the police ARE going to come to your home and see what's up (and potentially answer for themselves, liquor or drugs).

Hopatcong resident Jason Slater called 9-1-1 multiple times but wouldn't give any information. He then then called police headquarters and said he was the president and wanted to speak with New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow, you know, like ya do.

So police being ever vigilant went to Slater's residence and spoke with his mother as Slater couldn't be located. Police asked to come inside and Slater's mother said OK and they did a search of the house where they found Slater hiding in his mother's closet under some pillows. Slater then became belligerent by swearing at police from under his fortified pile of pillows.

Cops cited Slater for "creating false public alarms" which could have been the end of it wasn't for the littering portion of the evening. After getting a summons at the police station Slater wadded it up and threw it on the ground. Police told him to pick it up and he did. As he walked past a Dunkin Dounts he again threw it on the ground.

That's when Mr. Pillow-Fort got his ticket for littering.

OH NOES!! The mall might not be open in time for the 2014 Super Bowl

What is society going to do?!?!? Will people coming to New Jersey's Super Bowl in February of 2014 going to actually have to stoop to shopping in dreary old Manhattan, Jersey City, Hoboken, Weehawken and places west?

Who really thought they'd want to go to a mall named American Dream Meadowlands instead of a real city to shop anyway? Unless the NFL is planning on simply matching up the Minnesota Vikings and somehow sneaking in the CFL's Edmonton Eskimos, you know, towns with a mall following.

Wayne Hasenbalg, head of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority said he wasn't THAT worried about the mall not being opened by Super Bowl XVLMCLVIIIXCLMCXLVIII:

"People keep talking about the Super Bowl, but I'm more interested in when shovels get in the ground."


A mall, exactly what this area did not and does not need and according to local residents, do not want.

Late night open thread

The Historic Downtown weather reporting station for Wunderground has gone missing a lot lately. Is there no other weather Magi who can stand up and take up this good cause?

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

NJ halfway house escapees number in the thousands and have ties to Governor Christie

Boy it's still nice to see good journalists doing good work these days. The New York Times story, with excellent follow-up by North Jersey's crack team have got a scoop about thousands of walk-away or halfway house escapees, some who have murdered New Jersey citizens while out. The point being raised is this; these escapees are in a PRIVATE system being run by big donors to Chris Christie and touted by Christie himself. In fact the private system was have said to “mutated into a shadow corrections network” where drugs, gang activity and violence often go unchecked.

This has rather big implications for Governor Christie's furthering of his political career. One Michael Dukakis was undone by a similar story, Willie Horton in 1988. Dukakis as Massachusetts Governor released prisoners who robbed, raped and murdered citizens while out on furlough. These guys are not on furlough, no, they simply walk away from a program. One escapee, who murdered a woman once he was out, escaped from a halfway house being run by a top Christie adviser and former law partner William J. Palatucci.

It's mandatory reading kids, issues like these are important. It's how you know what your votes last time are up to.

Late night open thread

If your birthday is today (June 18th) you share it with Sir Paul McCartney who is celebrating his 70th birthday today.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

We'd like to wish all the Fathers out there a Happy Father's Day

Whether you are a dad, a grandpa, or an uncle here's to you, oh and here's something manly, perhaps surfing is on your agenda today:

Late night open thread

Deep Thoughts, by Jack Handey

Probably the earliest fly swatters were nothing more than some sort of striking surface attached to the end of a long stick.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Johnny is taking his JCD entourage over to WiP tonight to hassle with R&B stars

Johnny's entourage is big and strong and can sure pack away the booze so Johnny figured they'd all head over to WiP in SoHo tonight and see if Chris Brown or Drake or any other R&B/Hip Hop performers are there looking for (more) trouble.

Johnny figures the publicity is worth it and since he is his own publicist he'd like to get these excuses out there beforehand:

"Johnny Action Space Punk did not start any incidents and didn't see who did."

"Mr. Space Punk was in WiP but was in another part of the club when trouble, started by others, broke out."

"Mr. Johnny Action Space Punk was outside the club when the shooting/stabbing/bottle throwing/fighting began."

"Mr. Space Punk is cooperating with the police who are investigating the actions of the others, the bad people."

Johnny's entourage will clock for cheddar...

Late night open thread

"This is Chuck to remind Bill that Jersey City really needs a pancake place that delivers at 3am."

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with LEN!

Ah yes, a Toronto based musical outfit (A big Jersey City Desk shout out to all the kids looking for trouble tonight on the Danforth). That would explain away the inclusion of a pastry reference in the song, in this case a butter tart.

Here's Len with 'Steal My Sunshine'

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with 'TIL TUESDAY!

'Til Tuesday coming to you tonight old school, on a record player. Kids, ask your parents what is happening here, we know the deconstruction of technology can be a frightening thing.

Aimee Mann's unmistakable voice on 'Voice Carry'

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with TEARS FOR FEARS!

We'll send you on your way this week with a song from the big chair, here's Tears for Fears with 'Head Over Heels'

Your honor, the defense calls the Underpants Gnomes

AND since they cannot be found one can only assume they are out stealing underpants like these found in Hoboken. Our client claims the underpants were already on the ground and he was merely trying to return them to their rightful owner.

We think this line of defense is the way forward for Jersey City's Craig Davis who was caught with purloined Calvin Klein underpants allegedly taken from a building in Hoboken. We're hoping TLC doesn't see this story and create some kind of The Underpants Cops of Jersey reality show this fall.

Supporting the arts doesn't just mean going to see a Broadway show or hitting a gallery or a night at Lincoln Center

While all are worthwhile ways to get your dose of the arts, we must remember to support those just starting out. 

Loew's Theater is holding an art exhibit by hundreds of local Jersey City public schools’ general art students. The exhibit is open today and tomorrow from noon until 5 and is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club and Provident Bank. This event has been going on for more than 25 years and support from the community for the artists of tomorrow starts today (and tomorrow).

We're going to give the Jersey City Desk last word to Colin Egan, director of Friends of the Loew’s:

“These students are wonderful and impressive . . . They had not taken many art classes, but given the opportunity they did beautifully.”

Late night open thread

Stoney and his wife, Shirley, went to the State Fair every year. Every year Stoney would say, "Shirley, I'd like to ride in that there airplane." And every year Shirley would say, "I know, Stoney, but that airplane ride costs ten dollars, and ten dollars is ten dollars."

One year, Stoney and Shirley went to the fair and Stoney said, "Shirley, I'm 71 years old. If I don't ride that airplane this year, I may never get another chance." Shirley replied, "Stoney, that there airplane ride costs ten dollars, and ten dollars is ten dollars."

The pilot overheard them and said, "Folks, I'll make you a deal. I'll take you both up for a ride. If you can stay quiet for the entire ride and not say one word, I won't charge you. But if you say one word, it's ten dollars." Stoney and Shirley agreed and up they go.

The pilot does all kinds of twists and turns, rolls and dives, but not a word is heard. He does all his tricks over again, but still not a word. They land and the pilot turns to Stoney, "By golly, I did everything I could think of to get you to yell out, but you didn't."

Stoney replied, "Well, I was gonna say something when Shirley fell out, but ten dollars is ten dollars."

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

If you are heading into lower Manhattan on PATH today, go early and stay late

PATH service to and from the WTC stop will be halted at 3pm today until at least 6pm as President Obama visits the National September 11 Memorial. He'll later head over to Carrie Bradshaw's house in the Village where she lives with Ferris Bueller for a fundraiser.

PATH is going to run as many trains as possible from Journal Square and Hoboken to 33rd Street during the closure, officials said.


The Exchange Place stop will also be closed lest creepers get down ob the platform, head through the tunnels, under the river, beat the Secret Service and the NYPD security detail, and get at the President. What, it could happen.

Say Mayor Healy, Johnny spoke with you eons ago when you were running for your last term. You rightly pointed out you were the first mayor of a big city to endorse this President as a candidate. How about calling in a favor and have him speak and or raise money here? We'd love to have the President (and don't get all angry readers, Johnny means only to respect the office of President. The last guy was an assclown but would command respect should he choose to speak as President in JC) say give a speech at the Katyn Memorial or somewhere along the river. Certainly he'll need support during the campaign, seriously, call in a favor and have him speak here.

Late night open thread

The electric chair was invented by a dentist. Isn't that just fitting?

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

What people won't do to have fun on the subway

Gothamist pointed this one out to everyone this morning, track jumpers at Ninth Avenue and 39th Street in Brooklyn.


For our money though this guy is still the king...

Late night open thread

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

We have a VERY special award to give out this morning

The "I almost was able to put my satellite DISH into the trash can inches away" award!

And to think, whomever left this DISH sitting on the sidewalk at Bay St. and Grove just barely missed the trash with this. In the words of Special Agent Maxwell Smart on the old show Get Smart "Missed it by THAT much..."

Come on you choad, seriously, you got it downstairs, can't you finish the job 4 inches away?

Stop blowing up boats that aren't there!

Johnny followed the story yesterday of a supposed boat off the coast of New Jersey that blew up killing 2 people and seriously injuring 3 more. What kind of a jackass calls this kind of thing in? Johnny is a known prankster and practical joker. He's pulled some really good  ones in his day. This wouldn't ever even be considered. This is shameful. If you called it in and you are reading blogs and news stories and feeling pretty good about yourself today WHY are you feeling good?  Did you know when you called it in it sets this in motion?

"...about 200 emergency personnel and dozens of rescue vehicles combed nearly 650 nautical square miles for about three hours following a distress call about 4:20 p.m."

200 emergency personnel. Do you think them using all the vessels and aircraft to search the 650 nautical miles came cheap? Johnny knows this, you'll be reimbursing the Coast Guard for it if and when you're caught. We're pretty much hoping you do get caught.

So if you're out there thinking you're really clever for this call (and it may also have been some kind of SWATTING situation, we don't know YET) we'll only tell you this:

In a statement Monday night, the Coast Guard said making a false distress call is a federal felony with a maximum penalty of five to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and reimbursement to the Coast Guard for the cost of performing the search.

Sounds like SOMEBODY bit off more than they had thought when they placed the call.

Late night open thread

We'll have a proper post-mortem on the Devils playoff run at a better time than tonight, While the run was gutsy and brought this side of the Hudson together tonight had all the charm of a fish in a bag on a hot summer day.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Steve Bernier's house/condo/apartment goes on the block in 40 minutes

Because if the Devils don't rid themselves of his stupidity Johnny thinks the locals might just go the torches and pitchfork route after that penalty. For those not watching the Devils fight for their lives in the Stanley Cup Final game 6 tonight, Steve Bernier took a stupid and hideous boarding call and then was excused from the rest of the game by the referees. In the ensuing 5 minute powerplay the Kings scored three goals.

We'd say his property might just have a motivated seller.

Oh Boy! Is it time for the new Jersey Shore spinoff filmed in Jersey City yet?

First things first, if you're a cynic like Johnny and you've met television producers who have shared the incredible sleazy things they'll do to pump a show it'll sure make one wonder about this weekend's "Jersey Shore Walk of Shame."

The show's ratings had been dropping. People had grown tired of the incessant stupidity of the same thing week after week. So, if you're MTV what do you do? You run a spin-off show which as we all know was filmed here in Jersey City with Snooki and JWOWW to help breathe life into a flogging moneymaker. Oops, Snooki is pregnant. No fun time party girls going crazy in and around NYC. That had to hurt. Worse for MTV that had to hurt the bankbook.

So the brand is damaged, rating are down, the new spin-off hasn't aired yet and MTV needs to get people back on board with the regular Jersey Shore show being filmed in Seaside Heights. Suddenly, in the span of a weekend we find out show member Deena Cortese was arrested for disorderly conduct and as if on cue Snooki has some naked pictures surface online.

It's almost too much to be believed unless you're a true cynic like Johnny. Maybe the Jersey City show could be renamed Topless Snooki, MTV would get their ratings back and certain people at 280 Grove St. would be happy for the "any publicity is good publicity angle" they seem to be on board with.

Late night open thread

"I once spent a year in Philadelphia, I think it was on a Sunday."
--W. C. Fields

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

There's not a better Saturday afternoon in June than the Big Apple Barbecue and Block Party

What a grand Saturday afternoon in New York. The Big Apple Barbecue and Block Party is one of those wonderful events Johnny looks forward to each year like pork Christmas. Again it does not disappoint.

A few pictures from around Madison Square Park and a video from Southern Culture on the Skids performing 8 Piece Box. It answers the question what happens if you invite dancers from the audience up on stage and give them each a piece of fried chicken.

Late night open thread

Back to Los Angeles we go. The Devils fought hard tonight and turned back Los Angeles 2-1 to climb within 3-2 of the Stanley Cup Final. For the first time these entire playoffs the Kings will have to answer questions and for the first time they will feel pressure to close out the Devils at home. After going down 3-0 the Devils have nothing to lose and can play with dare we say a Devil may care attitude?

Monday will be an edge of your seat night we have a feeling.

We'll have a Southern Culture on the Skids/Big Apple Barbecue and Block Party wrap up tomorrow with lots of fun pics and videos.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Since I'll Have Another is unable to run in today's Belmont Stakes...

...and every phone message at Belmont Park today is "No refunds" we thought we'd give everyone a real thrill in the most famousest of Belmont Stakes, the one run to absolute perfection 39 years ago.


Big Apple Barbecue and Block Party And Devils vs Kings coverage tonight.

Late night open thread

Tomorrow is all about eating BBQ. That's a good day ya know. Give Johnny a face full of disrespected pig and that day has possibilities indeed.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with SOUTHERN CULTURE ON THE SKIDS!

We kick off the music series with week with the band who is going to headline the Big Apple Barbecue and Block Party tomorrow, Southern Culture on the Skids.

All the raunch, all the fun and all those wicked good geetar hooks on 'Camel Walk'

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE POLICE!

Such a great song to reminisce to. Did any of you guys out there have a girl like this in the song 'Every Little Thing She Does is Magic'? One you simply can't ever find the right words around or ever really figure out even a good way to tell a lady she's all you think about. Johnny has.

Her name was Wendy and she was a dream. She was the object of every guy's lust when she hit the campus of Northern Michigan University in the fall of 1981. Johnny and Wendy became fast BFF's. But alas,

"Oh I've tried before to tell her, of the feelings I have for her in my heart
Every time that I come near her I just lose my nerve as I've done from the start."

It was even more painful to be that close to her and not be able to tell her. (Big sigh)

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE KILLERS

We'll end you rocking off into this good night with The Killers and their jumbo hit 'Mr. Brightside'

Too much pork for one fork? We'll just see about that

Tomorrow and Sunday is the annual Big Apple Barbecue Block Party in Madison Square Park. Actually the barbecue will be easily smelled blocks away as pitmasters from all over ring the park offering their delicious takes on all things pork. The hardwood chips and charcoal start heating up at noon.

To add to this wonderful atmosphere the band Southern Culture on the Skids will perform tomorrow at 4:30. Good times to be certain.

Late night open thread

We sure were sad to hear former Fleetwood Mac member Bob Welch took his own life at his home outside Nashville today. He had been battling health issues. Mr. Welch was 66. We'll play him off to one of his post-Fleetwood Mac songs, long a Johnny favorite, 'Sentimental Lady'. See if you can pick up who is singing backup on this track.


Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Well well, game 5 at the Prudential Center Saturday night

The Devils would not go quietly in the Angelino night and fought back to score a 3-1 victory over the Kings in Game 4. For once the Devils scored first on a fine rebound tap in by Partik Elias but moments later, after yet another NHL referee seemingly doesn't referee the game but rather the score, David Clarkson was sent off on a HORRID call and the Kings Drew Doughty tied the score on the ill-gotten Kings powerplay. But before anybody could have the life stolen from them, the Devils responded in a big big way with yet ANOTHER massive goal by Adam Henrique. This guy has been amazing. Won the series against Florida in OT, won the series against the Rangers in OT, and last night kept the Devils playing in this series in the third period. Ilya Kovalchuk aded a goal later yet and the Devils are on their way back to Newark with something to play for.

If the Devils can in game 5 anything IS still possible. Go back to LA when all the pressure will be on the Kings (who while they have been spectacular a lot of hockey gurus like Johnny keep waiting to see a sniff of the #8 seed the Kings came into the playoffs with).

Game 5 Saturday night. You know the place, make it LOUD New Jersey.

Late night open thread

OK, clear the dance floor, Johnny would like to get the next dance with his bride of 20 years to their song, 'Slave to Love' by Bryan Ferry.


Time for Jersey City, After Dark

The Shuttle Enterprise will pass by Jersey City later this morning

Around 10:50 the Shuttle Enterprise will be taken by boat past the Statue of Liberty and around 11:40 am past the new One World Trade on its way to the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum in Manhattan.

Make a morning of it, bring the kids...

Late night open thread

"If there's a book you really want to read but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it."
--Toni Morrison

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Putting the Space in Space Punk -- Watch the transit of Venus across the sun LIVE

Right here.

If you'd like to vent about the Devils go ahead

Very disappointing thus far and last night was a painful one to watch. Any advice you think you could share before this becomes a sweep?

Late night open thread

If your birthday is today, June 5th, you share it with famed Spanish poet Federico García Lorca.

Lament for Ignacio Sánchez Mejías

At five in the afternoon.
It was exactly five in the afternoon.
A boy brought the white sheet
at five in the afternoon.
A frail of lime ready prepared
at five in the afternoon.
The rest was death, and death alone.

The rest

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

It is just a foul morning out there

If you're looking out the window, yeah it's that crappy. If you're out in it you know it's a cold rain by June standards. Let's go someplace nice, Twisted Tree Beach.

Late night open thread

Music til dawn on this internet radio outpost. Tonight we're tuning into KABG in Los Alamos New Mexico.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Awwww some Chelsea residents don't like the crowds that visit the High Line

In fact someone who was so put off by tourists visiting and taking pictures of the High Line and surrounding areas they put up a ridiculous flyer claiming "West Chelsea is not Times Square. It is not a tourist attraction."

Um, dumbass, yes it is. Look, if suddenly the world's ugliest gum wrapper is stuck to a lightpole in SoHo and thousands of people for some reason feel the need to make a pilgrimage to see it, that gum wrapper is now a tourist attraction. Sorry, it is how tourist attractions work. You, local resident do not get to decide what is and isn't a tourist attraction.

Now of course the person or persons who wrote the screed left around the neighborhood as seen here have many other complaints about tourists and their cameras visiting the High Line. Among them:

*Please consider how you would feel if 3 million people a year from around the world trampled your street, your neighborhood. (Sorry, you CHOSE to live in Chelsea. We're real sorry the High Line is popular.)

*If you see an empty space, leave it empty. Otherwise there will be no spaces for New Yorkers (What huh?)

*3,000,000 (3 million) of you come to West Chelsea and walk the High Line a year. 40,000 (forty thousand) people live in Chelsea. That’s roughly a ratio of 100 tourists on the streets of Chelsea and walking the High Line to 1 resident trying to get to the store, ride her bike, take a stroll, go the gym or just have a quiet moment with his dog. (#1 thats some BAD math. We thought you had to be good at math to live in those tony areas. #2 again, you chose to live in Chelsea. People go there)

This city dwellers trying to impose suburban living rules in their neighborhoods are clowns. Polite tourists and clean tourists are the goal, we get that. But not once does this person say they are throwing trash or empty beer bottles or having sex in the streets. No, they are most upset that tourists take pictures of residential buildings and that they clog the sidewalks.

If that's your gripe? Boo hoo.

Late night open thread

Another disappointing night at the Prudential Center as the Kings won another overtime game by the same 2-1 score as game 1. It's not that the Devils are playing badly, in fact they are playing well. The Kings are just playing a teeny bit better at the most critical times. El Diablos now face the daunting task of having to win four of the next five games to bring the Stanley Cup to the Garden State.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Sadly, Jersey City has lost a hero

Pfc. Leroy DeRonde III of Jersey City was killed in action in Afghanistan on May 27 according to the Department of Defense. The report said DeRonde was killed when his unit was attacked by enemy forces in the Chak-E Warkdak District. DeRonde was assigned to the 125th Brigade Support Batallion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division out of Fort Bliss, Texas. 4 New York reports DeRonde's Facebook page said he he graduated from William L. Dickinson High School in Jersey City in 2009.

Our thoughts and best wishes to Leroy's family and friends. It is always hard to lose an American serviceman or woman. When it hits this close to home it hurts even more. We will all be forever in his debt for his service and sacrifice.

When we lose brave and strong young men like Leroy we realize that in truth every day is Memorial Day and at the same time mankind would do well to remember the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.:

“War is a poor chisel to carve out tomorrow.”

Not just cool, space cool

It won't happen again until 2117, over 100 years from now so Tuesday afternoon, when Venus transits the sun, you might just want to catch a glimpse. The last time Venus passed (or transit) in front of the sun Johnny got up right early back in Ypsilanti, popped the solar filter on his 6" reflector telescope and enjoyed coffee and an amazing view of something really cool.

But Johnny, I don't have a any telescope let alone a solar filter, how can I watch Venus pass in front of the sun? Good question Lil Copernicus, here's how. You can tune into NASA or visit the William D. McDowell Observatory in Lyndhurst beginning at 5:30 pm on Tuesday for a viewing party.

This will look really cool so make sure the kids get a look too. Don't stare right at the sun, you won't see it and if you stare long enough you won't see a lot of things going forward.

Late night open thread

On this date, June 2, in 1625, Prince Frederik Henry was sworn in as viceroy of Holland/Zealand. Now THAT was a party.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with SHERYL CROW!

Johnny Cash had himself quite a hit with this song, 'Redemption Day.' The song in fact was written by Sheryl Crow and apparently not a lot of people knew that. One of Johnny's favorite Sheryl songs to be certain.

Kicking off the music series this week Sheryl Crow with 'Redemption Day'

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with JAMES BROWN!

Many studies today say that Americans lead a sedentary lifestyle and that we spend entirely too much time sitting down in front of the television and computer. Johnny, with some funky help from James Brown is hoping to change that. Listen, JB's instructions are clear here, 'Get Up Offa That Thing' people and groove...

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with the SEX PISTOLS!

Did you hear? Over in England in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee for being on the throne for 60 years they are actually renaming Big Ben Elizabeth Tower. No, not for just the celebration, but for good. Iconic Big Ben renamed? Bollocks!

Here's the Sex Pistols with 'God Save the Queen'

What is your favorite Jersey shore town to hang out in?

So knowledgable readers, which is your favorite town down on the Jersey shore to hit on weekends? Do tell us why it is the place to be. Making fun of towns you don't like for their particular "quirks" of course will be half the fun in comments.

Late night open thread

“The only mystery in life is why the kamikaze pilots wore helmets” 

-- Al McGuire

Time for Jersey City, After Dark