Late night open thread

Well friends, it's that time again. Time to padlock the doors and kick the interns into the sunlight for a week or so as Johnny to heads back to Michigan. Mackinac Island, an Upper Peninsula outpost beckons. Good friends await for an anniversary party of some note. So Johnny will be back with you in a couple weekends when hopefully the fall winds have begun to blow. Until then do be good, eat your
vegetables and stay out of the left lane on I-80.


Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Late night open thread

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

A 360º video of the Jersey City Pridefest today

Late night open thread

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with DAVE EDMUNDS!

In a few days Johnny is gonna make that drive back to Michigan. Northern Michigan. Upper Peninsula Michigan. So, rather than put miles on his own car he's surrounding himself with a giant piece of Detroit steel that rides high and takes up your entire rearview mirror if you're in the left lane going 75 or under. Johnny doesn't flash his high beams behind a scofflaw, that'd be rude. Besides the scare factor is much more fun.

On this drive, for safe passage, we'll turn to the patron saint of road trips in Dave Edmunds and his holy song, 'Crawling From the Wreckage'.

'Cause when I'm disconnected from the driving wheel 
I'm only half the man I should be...

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with ROXY MUSIC!

OK, you're either singing along to this song or you're buying the next round. Capice? Roxy Music with 'More Than This'

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with RY COODER!

Now here's an important piece of music. One can think deeply during this song. One can meditate and think about the issues of the day. Or, one can sit back and simply enjoy said piece of important music. For those scoring at home there are few artists Johnny holds in higher regard than Ry Cooder. From the soundtrack off the movie Johnny Handsome (LOL) here's Mr. Ry Cooder and 'I Can't Walk This Time/The Prestige' finishing off another fine-ass Music Series.

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We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep.
 -- William Shakespeare

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

OK Rutgers football fans, let's hear from you

Johnny got his tickets for the Michigan State vs Rutgers game in Piscataway on October 10. Help a fellow B1G fan out. What can Mr. and Mrs. Johnny look forward to? Are there any must-see campus traditions that go on around the stadium? And chants and cheers you'd like to let Johnny in on?

Seriously, it'll be nice to see a game from yet another B1G stadium. This'll make of course Spartan Stadium, Michigan Stadium, Camp Randall Stadium, Ohio Stadium and Northwestern's Ryan Field. Tell Johnny what makes gameday at RU, the birthplace of college football, special.

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Movie mistake night. Tonight's mistake is from the classic Office Space. At the end when Peter drives up to Initech and sees it's on fire his hair is longer and slightly in his face. As he/we watch Milton lumbering away from the scene of the blaze and he/we figure out it was Milton who set the fire, they cut back to Peter and his hair is cut much shorter. Whoops.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Rarely do establishments get that free advertising here

Friends, Johnny and some cohorts went out to dinner tonight and found a wonderful restaurant in Chelsea, Pounds & Ounces. Go inside to the circular moderna bar for a smart cocktail or enjoy the people watching sitting outside at 8th Ave and 18th St.

Where to begin on how good the food was. Johnny's crew likes to order a lot of the little plates and pass around and share an entree or two. Pounds & Ounces is THE perfect place for such food. The appetizers we got included oyster deviled eggs, waffle battered chicken pops (that's just so wrong and sooooo good), Moroccan meatballs and lobster gazpacho shooters. Each and every one as good as it sounds. The meatballs had a rich and sassy sauce and did Johnny mention the chicken pops? The table shared wild mushroom risotto and roasted cauliflower, each a fantastic dish. Executive Chef Margaret LaVetty came out to chat us up about the menu and much praise was heaped upon her.

Yes, if you're in or around Chelsea or just want a night of great food in a very pleasant atmosphere with servers (Hannah rocked!) who know the food, Pounds & Ounces would be well worth your food dollar. Well worth.

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Sorry kids, Johnny had a touch up on a filling become a full blown root canal today. What was supposed to be 20 minutes in and out went, well, is it time for bed yet? Again, sorry. Here, enjoy this as a small token of his apology.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Late night open thread

My brother was a lifeguard in a car wash.
 -- Henny Youngman

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Johnny had to do a double-take on this story

It's true Jersey City, we really do still have a fully functioning movie rental store. VHS, the Texas T of the video age still has it's place on Central Ave in The Heights at a store called Fetch a Flick. Yes, you go and rent VHS tapes, (they have over 800 and trying to get more) just like in the before times. How does the owner mange in this day and age to make this business model work?

Maheshwary's advantage: He gets movies weeks before Netflix. Four major studios – Fox, Universal, Disney and WarnerBros. – must wait anywhere from 30 to 60 days from when their films are released on DVD before they become available to companies like Netflix or Redbox, he explained.

In the past, companies like Rentrak would lease movies to rental stores for about a $1-$2, but the store would have to share their revenue with these companies. Maheshwary scraped that model. "I go to a distributor and I buy them full price," he said. "Let's say each movie I pay $20 for. Now, one movie I have to rent four times to be able to get my money back. Now after that, everything is profit."

A really interesting read...

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We'll blind you with science before bed tonight.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

A few snaps from today's Jersey City Triathalon

Great athletes were up early this morning (Johnny was just up early, the great athlete days are over) and took on the Jersey City Triathalon. Here are a few pics of people in much better shape than you on a beautiful Sunday morning...

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Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Winner winner chicken dinner

Well, actually Johnny's having brats and corn on the grill but the real winner is a commenter on the Jersey Journal. They commented on a story about the fact due to a Post Office snafu tax bills due rather soon will not arrive in time and due to state laws there is no time exception to be made. Penalties will accrue if they are not paid on time. Do read the article if you haven't received your August tax bill and don't panic you still have some options to get it done in time.

Back to our winning comment. About this story mcgillicuddlyII had this to say:

I can't tell if Jersey City really needs the money because of all the tax abatements they hand out or they really don't need it because of all the tax abatements.

Late night open thread

There's a pizza place near where I live that sells only slices... in the back you can see a guy tossing a triangle in the air...
 -- Steven Wright

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE CAPITOLS!

Look at you just sitting there like furniture. That won't do. That's no good. DJ Johnny is going to get you up off your bottom and have you strutting around the room in no time. Yeah, that cool Mick Jagger one works, go with what you feel people.

The Capitols and 'Cool Jerk'

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with ELVIS COSTELLO & THE ATTRACTIONS!

Johnny remembers this album being played at the first party he got drunk at in high school. He doesn't remember a whole lot more. Sophomore + keg = BLOOOOOOORRGGGGGGGGG.

Elvis Costello & the Attractions and 'Green Shirt' and a far off memory of BLOOOOOOORRGGGGGGGGG.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with DURAN DURAN!

The band so nice they named it twice. Actually it was named after a charactter in Barbarella but you don't care about that, you care about getting all hungry like the wolf before heading out to parties, bars, flesh emporiums, and White Castle. Lucky for you the next song up on the Music Series Jukebox is 'Hungry Like the Wolf'.

You can pretty much get hungry like the wolf at White Castle for like 5 dollars, just sayin'.

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Can't get much more Throwback Thursday than this Sweathogs...

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

We now live in the gilded age of Jerramiah Healy's third term...with murals

The old cuss must be laughing this morning. Hell, he's probably been laughing and wringing his hands at Steve Fulop ever since he took over, carrying out his third full term, only with murals.

The tax abatements tossed around just to get the quick cash to keep tax increases (for now) low or minimal continue at a fast pace, just like they were under Healy. Only now we have some context on these developer giveaways looking long term from the New Jersey State Comptroller:

Here the report again points a finger at Jersey City, noting that the Hudson River waterfront has “frequently” been identified as an area where abatements are no longer needed, yet continue to be granted. It goes on to state that many municipalities, including Jersey City, have granted a large number of abatements for market-rate housing although this may not be the best use of the tool. Instead, the report suggests that “identified areas of deficiency,” such as industrial, large commercial retail, small retail, low-income residential, or other sectors “should drive the focus of abatements.”

As a further method of enhancing what it calls a “perfunctory and limited” process for reviewing and granting abatements, the report recommends that areas designated as “in need of redevelopment” — the areas where abatements are permitted — should be regularly reviewed and redesignated as time goes on and circumstances change. The report notes that in areas where abatements and other measures have successfully been used to spur development, “tax incentives should no longer be necessary.”

Remember when Councilman Steve Fulop was against these ridiculous abatements and giveaways? Those were the days huh?

To date Jersey City, according to the state comptroller, has left over 2 BILLION dollars out of taxable rolls. Billion with a 'B'. Steve Fulop is accelerating Healy's abatements on any empty lot he can find ensuring a downward spiral when the first of Healy's abatements come due now within ten years. Unfortunately we also have a city council willing to carry out Healy's third term with their continued backing, no matter the topic, of Fulop. They probably don't even know it and will get mad when Johnny points out they are enabling the new Healy Administration.

Healy had no real interest in the schools as his candidates always lost and Fulop is now the same way after his candidates had their asses handed to them. Kind of hard for Fulop acolytes to cry about how they need to give all these abatements because of Abbott money for failing schools that they somehow miss the entire idea behind it. Sure they mention the causes but they do nothing about it. Both Fulop and Healy share pretty much equal blame on Jersey City schools. Abatements are doing nothing but addicting you to the Abbott payouts and killing JC's long-term finances.

Like Healy, Fulop always seems to be chasing crime trends and new ways of dealing with it which never seem to catch up to anything. They promote big crime aggregators and cameras and how they are moving to be proactive yet are always playing catch-up. At least Healy ran the JCPD without the unnecessary drama Fulop insists on injecting into it. Still, we're in a zero-sum game between the two mayors on crime.

Headcount remains high in Jersey City when it comes to government jobs. We also now have headcount with people doing half-measures perhaps to prep the mayor for a run for governor. We as taxpayers continue to NOT get the best out of our city government.

Spending continues to go waaaay up and with tax abatements coming due in the next ten years this is a death spiral for a city economy and we're looking at you Greenville, Journal Square and The Heights. Monies promised once again dry up and things just sit and sit, just like they always did with Healy. Oh, if we only had a few bucks we could spare on you Greenville but, alas, downtown developer gotta get paid.

Much like Healy, City departments under Fulop run amok. While Fulop gets points for dissolving the JCIA he still fails at open government like Healy did. Like Healy with Mariano Vega, Fulop has a rogue City Councilperson in dutch with law enforcement he refuses to deal with because he's a solid vote for the mayor.

City planning is desperately need of change and sits bereft of focus and anything that isn't bending to business interests and continues to falter. Neither Healy not Fulop who could both have make the necessary changes at City Planning, continue to let tax payers down with a "City Planning" department that constantly caves to developers and business interests perhaps just to get a belly rub.

So, on we go with Jerramiah Healy's third term...only with murals

Late night open thread

My crown is in my heart, not on my head, Nor decked with diamonds and Indian stones, Nor to be seen: My crown is called content: A crown it is, that seldom kings enjoy.
 -- William Shakespeare

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Today is the day, now is the time

Contact your city councilperson and let them know that in no way do you expect them to approve a tax abatement AND bonds to Forest City and CEO Bruce Ratner, also an owner of the Brooklyn Nets. Johnny understands the economics here, he understand the PILOT payments and Abbott school funding, THIS is an extremely bad deal for Jersey City taxpayers.

Contact your city councilperson, tell them while certain tax breaks can be advantageous but this one is beyond the pale.

Late night open thread

Just how long can the internet survive when Blingee goes offline forever next week?

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Mayor Fulop rightly calls out PSE&G

Yesterday Mayor Fulop stepped up to the microphone and let loose with the fact PSE&G have been shortchanging Jersey City residents when it comes to tearing up their streets and putting them back together slapdash and with bubble gum and spit:

Fulop said the city is halting all non-essential PSE&G work until the utility agrees to adhere to a new city law that requires contractors to leave newly paved roads as they found them. At least seven PSE&G projects have been halted as a result of the directive, the mayor said today.

"PSE&G wouldn't do this in Short Hills," he said. "They wouldn't do this in Chatham, N.J. They wouldn't do it in affluent areas. They do this instead in Newark. They do this in East Orange. They do this in Paterson. And they do this in Jersey City."

The law mentioned was one championed by City Councilwoman Candice Osborne who noticed long ago the repairs made by PSE&G to new pave jobs was awful.

PSE&G actually said this, they really said to the media they thought they were exempt from Jersey City's you tear it up you repave and repaint it law. Now this isn't going to happen often but we're giving the famous Jersey City Desk last word to Mayor Steve Fulop who will tell you what he thinks of PSE&G thinking they were exempt from the laws where they do business:

"Crazy foolishness"

Late night open thread

Sorry kids, Johnny was right out today with some kind of creeping crud. He should be ready to talk city business by morning.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Late night open thread

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Mayor Fulop sends a strongly worded letter in defense of Liberty State Park

Two days after State Senators Sandra Cunnigham and Senate President Steve Sweeney voiced their concerns over a plan moving forward to allow building in and on Liberty State Park, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop has offered a full-throated defense of the park in his own back yard:

"Any development plans will be subject to Jersey City's zoning rules and regulations," Fulop said in the letter. "That means citizens will get to have their say. And I can tell you, local residents and visitors from around the entire region will fight against plans for construction."

Fulop also told the DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) in his letter, "My administration will oppose any plan of heavy development inside the park," wrote Fulop. "We will oppose it as strongly and loudly as possible."

So good for Fulop. It is s strong statement over how he feels Jersey City should protect the park and we support him. It does sound a little odd to the ear after his plan of a 95 story building and F1 track at least partially on the Liberty State Park grounds but we'll take him at his word on this because c'mon, it'd be political suicide for ANY Jersey City mayor to want to take away any part of LSP.

While we feel Fulop should have been the first strong voice heard from over this we do appreciate the tenor and tone of the letter. Yes Mr. Mayor, you are right, we all DO line up behind you on this and we will fight hammer and tongs anyone who attempts to destroy it or turn the park into their personal moneymaker.

Air quality alert today

"A "Code Orange" air quality alert has been issued for most of New Jersey for Sunday, as ozone levels are expected to fall within the range considered unhealthy for certain groups" according to the Jersey Journal. 

Look, it's going to be HOT HOT HOT until at least next Friday. August ain't done with us yet. So do keep an eye on things like air quality but also check in on city cooling centers, check on seniors and pets in this terrible weather as well. The most vulnerable need our help.

Late night open thread

Mayor Fulop did finally get a letter off to the DEP to fight to protect Liberty State Park and we'll talk more about it tomorrow. Johnny takes his rest now.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

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Hmmmmm.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with SIOUXSIE & THE BANSHEES!

So Johnny was sitting around today wondering what band and then what song would song good kicking off the Music Series this week. Whadda ya think? Siouxsie & the Banshees with 'Cry'

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with BECK!

Like sportswriter Dickie Dunn said in the movie Slapshot, "I'm just trying to capture the spirit of the thing" which is what Johnny will do with the great track 'Tropicalia' from Beck with the US flag going up in Havana and street festivals with a Latin flare all over Jersey City today and tonight. Sorry, Johnny doesn't have any Tito Puente albums.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with RILO KILEY!

The song is fab, the beginning divine. Rilo Kiley and 'Under the Blacklight'

Petty and we don't mean Tom

Petty, somehow entitled, and certainly not as he seems. That's Johnny's take on Mayor Fulop's petty swipe at the $500K set to go to Friend's of Loew's before the Hudson County Board of Freeholders took Fulop's side and took 300K of the 500K and gave it to the city. By the way and quickly, nice job Freeholders your motives in this can now easily be questioned and your future actions either will or will not show us why you voted as you did yesterday. Go ahead, cozy up to the mayor.

Johnny does a lot of research. Probably more than 99% of people. He can't find a single mention by Mayor Fulop he planned to "repurpose" that 500K set to go to Loew's BEFORE he lost the court case that would have taken over Loew's and made Jersey City the de-facto owners. Fulop would then have been free to bring in his own "consulting groups" at your cost JC, and other promoters at your cost JC to see what was needed for HIS vision of Loew's and what should play there. Let's lay our cards on the table. Johnny often feels frustration with FoL as well. They need to get on the hop. We realize funds are tight and we realize Fulop and the HC BoF knee-capped you but you have had time. Luckily for you a judge saw the agreement the city signed with Loew's to be legal. We also understand you had met the bullet points of what the city was looking for in their pretty much invented outrage to use as cover for taking $300 of the $500K away from you. Still, it's been 30 years. Find a sugar daddy or take on partners. Your deal with the city lasts only so long.

Now, Fulop makes no mention of the "repurposing" of any of the $500K until the judge rightly ruled the city signed the agreement, just because Fulop was having kittens sideways doesn't invalidate it. Suddenly after the court case he's all about cutting the funds. That's sheer pettiness. We've seen it before though haven't we? We've seen it with the JCPD, we've seen it with who gets run out of Dodge for speaking out while others "Allegedly" commit crimes and stay on council with nary a peep from the mayor. A former Police Chief says Fulop covered up a JCPD sergeant's DUI. Some departments are gutted while others go unchecked. Wonder who chooses and why. A petty double standard. We saw it with when Fulop really did pull a Conehead Chris Christie traffic study move by ordering traffic snarled TWICE out of entitlement, pettiness or some other malady. Some of the people online are starting to wake up to this guy and whom he claims to be. Sure, murals are nice. Doesn't help commuters. With the way you've worked with the asshats at the Port Authority there's been one supposedly not related no weekends for a year at Exchange Place. With all the tax money you're giving away so downtown can be overrun by now mostly renters we don't imagine the PA would take a call for more train service from you. How's our lawsuit against them going? Haven't heard much on that lately. We should be kabillionaires by now, no?

Letters recently were sent about protecting Liberty State Park from the new developer friendly bill all the rage with idiots who want to carve out pieces of a Jersey City jewel. Know who wrote to support Liberty State Park from the Fulop Administration? Nobody. State Senator Steve Sweeney did. State Senator Sandra Cunningham did. Where was Fulop? Oh that's right, he wants to place an F1 racing track on part of LSP. No wonder he wouldn't be there protecting OUR park. Entitlement thy name is Steve Fulop.

Petty, entitled, and not as he wants to seem.

Late night open thread

And now, Deep Thoughts with Jack Handey:

Is there anything more beautiful than a beautiful, beautiful flamingo, flying across in front of a beautiful sunset? And he's carrying a beautiful rose in his beak, and also he's carrying a very beautiful painting with his feet. And also, you're drunk.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

We'll be talking about his tomorrow at length so read your homework assignment

Mayor Fulop convinced the spineless Hudson County Board of Freeholders for taking some $300K earmarked for the Loew's Theatre but since Mayor Fulop lost a court case over the ownership and direction of Loew's he asked the entire $500K be cut, pretty much out of spite which is no way to be a good mayor. So, click on this article (and the commenter "CEatJSQ" will add a lot of backstory and context) and read up because this troubling tantrum by Fulop goes beyond just kneecapping Loew's which as mayor he truly should be supportive of. We'll dig deep tomorrow.

Late night open thread

Johnny bought some new wheels today and he can't wait to take the dog for a ride around Jersey City. Say hi when you see him. He'll put down an oil slick or exhaust cloud just for you.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Nice job Shuster, way to value the neighborhoods you build in

With the grand fuckery of Lloyd Goldman's BLDG at 110 First St., Toll Brothers (The Morgan), and Mill Creek, Shuster has flown pretty much under the radar despite destroying a two-block section of First St. This morning that all changed. Johnny saw what Jersey City truly means to Shuster. A worker standing on the property next door to the Art House was busy using a leaf blower and merely blowing trash off the Art House property, into the Parlay Studios property, then into the streets and sewer. Magic huh? Does anyone think this is the first time Shuster has had someone get rid of trash like this? Johnny first asked the worker if he was working for the Art House blowing trash. He said he did not. This despite the fact he was wearing an Art House shirt. He said he was cleaning up the trash whereas Johnny saw it as redistributing trash in the street.

You be the judge but remember, if you don't want to support this kind of stupidity you can simply walk right by Shuster's McCondos at the Art House and soon the Oakman (You know, The JokeMan with advertising for white people) and find better accommodations, they abound everywhere in Jersey City.

SHAME on you Shuster.

Late night open thread

It's a Disco pants & haircuts kind of Tuesday night...

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

This is exactly why a strong neighborhood association is a good thing

Because it's the only way you're going to stop city hall when they decide to impose something upon your neighborhood. Caitlin Mota at the Jersey Journal sure didn't bury the lead:

A controversial plan to locate a prisoner re-entry program next door to Sacred Heart School was scrapped Monday night after nearly 200 people showed up to voice their opinions on it.

This plan was pushed on the neighborhood by the Fulop Administration who have egg on their faces and most noticeably former Governor Jim McGreevey who was asked to leave a community meeting he decided to show up at to push the plan and the neighborhood association was having none of it. A former governor and a wannabe governor both shut down by the association. Well done and if your neighborhood doesn't have an association, put one together.

This plan really helped enforce the idea that the Fulop Administration doesn't care much for the predominantly African-American neighborhoods according to Earl Morgan. Click here to get his take on the issue.

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“Americans will put up with anything provided it doesn't block traffic.”
-- Dan Rather

 Time for Jersey City, After Dark

A few pics from last night's thrilling Red Bulls victory

NYCFC's Pirlo, Diskerud, Lampard and Villa can't crack the Red Bulls defenses.

The ball rises into the Harrison evening.

David Villa tore my pants all up sir. They say they need replacing.

Bulls on parade!

Late night open thread

Here's a Johnny eye-view of the Bradley Wright-Phillips goal tonight vs NYCFC. Great night for Red Bulls fans. Red Bulls captain Dax McCarty said on Twitter the place was electric tonight and the players could feel it. 3 games vs NYCFC and 9 points. Dos a Cero. Til next year Smurfettes...

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Hot Town, Soccer in the City

As summer begins pulling into the station known as fall, with the 90's and high 80's seeming a memory there will be plenty of city heat tonight at Red Bull Arena when NYCFC and their rabble of fans will come out to Harrison for the third and final Hudson River Derby of the year. The Red Bulls have won the first two rather handily but tonight will be the first time the Citizen-Lites will have their big three of Frank Lampard, Andrea Pirlo and David Villa available. Villa featured in both previous games while Lampard and Pirlo weren't on the active roster or on their way from Europe. Eschewing big names the Red Bulls are on a tear winning their last three MLS matches and have been playing very well. The Red Bulls are in fine form. The Wright-Phillips brothers together have been great in the attack and tonight the Red Bulls will be all about pace and going forward. NYCFC is hoping for more of a tactical traditional game as they don't wanna run with the Bulls.

Johnny thinks the Red Bulls tonight are going to run over and through the NYCFC side, with an early lead they may run riot. It'd be best if the NYCFC fanbase ie "rabble" mind their manners better on the PATH train on the way over. Johnny's planning on getting there early for the festivities and will have a full report as soon as he does.

Late night open thread

Tomorrow, it's all about the soccer.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

It's the King of Saturdays!

What a gorgeous Saturday, our just reward after so many hot weekends. Get out there and enjoy! Everywhere downtown seems to be hopping this afternoon and may well spill into tonight.

Johnny will see you 'round.

Late night open thread

You kids ever seen one of these crazy things? They were known by two names back when; Some called them "Lava Lamps" while others preferred the more accurate "Hippie Lure."

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN!

So, it's a singalong Friday night and this is New Jersey. 'Born to Run' and in five minutes Johnny is gonna stick his head out the window and had better hear some of youze.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with ELVIS PRESLEY!

Johnny's gonna bring the room down now, guys grab your gals and we'll have a slow dance on singalong Friday. The Pelvis and 'Can't Help Falling In Love With You'

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with BOW WOW WOW!

Wrapping up the Music Series on a singalong Friday, a great summer song, 'I Want Candy' by Bow Wow Wow.

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Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.
 -- Leo Tolstoy

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

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The voice actors of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse from the 1930s got married in real life.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

We have a hero in our midst

You know Johnny, he was probably going to complain about the Citibike deal all over Jersey City today (but not for the reasons you my think, in fact overall it's a good thing) but sure as shootin' that can wait. 15-year-old Brianna Burns, a student at Great Futures Charter High School, may well have saved lives as a three-alarm fire broke out on Boyd Avenue around 2pm by making sure neighbors were aware and Brianna also marshaled them to safety. Want to know what makes this extra amazing? Brianna is in a large walking boot for an ankle sprain and still managed to go up stairs and help. Bravo Brianna.

More on this Jersey City hero at the Jersey Journal.

Late night open thread

Only one surprise in the choices FOX made of which GOP candidates would get to debate at the adult table while the other 27 who don't get on stage get 5 minutes of free time on Berwyn community access cable. But that surprise, what a shocker, huh?

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

The latest on the Turnpike accident and traffic

As many of you have Johnny has also been following the tragic accident that cost a dump truck driver his life and may have cost the overpass at exit 14 on the NJ Turnpike. NB lanes at this dinner hour are moving slowly but SB lanes continue to remain closed. Click this link to get the latest and what is in store for the morning commute.

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Nailed it!

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

It hurts because he's mostly right

 A Republican lawmaker (and a GOP frontrunner Ted Cruz made bacon on a gun today in his bid to show he's ready to lead) has called Jersey City's lost $80 million in downtown tax credits as "crony capitalism."

Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, R-Somerville, said the $80 million lost in Jersey City property taxes is unfair to the rest of the state's taxpayers, who fund a large portion of the city's school district.

Jersey City's schools are pretty much in state receivership and the Assemblyman makes a good point, up to a point. As much as Johnny wants to call this crony capitalism or as he's mentioned before, while these downtown deals walk the line of patronage there's another part of the equation needed to prove it. Still, it's not right. Said Ciattarelli, "Short-term property tax abatements, under very special circumstances, may have their place. What's happening in Jersey City and elsewhere is crony capitalism at its worst and an injustice to all New Jersey taxpayers."

Now of course the current Fulop Administration, clearly spooked by this tax revelation and the Assemblyman's contentions, in their responses try to have it three ways. First this was all Healy's idea. He did most of what Steve Fulop thus far has been taking credit for at ribbon cuttings and what not. Sticky wicket indeed Then, not so much is being lost as the PILOT payments are spread around Yada yada zzzzzzzzz. Right, which is why schools suffer so:

The city keeps a large share of PILOTs but it splits normal property tax revenue with the county and the school district. 

So Jersey City tax breaks we all pay for in the long run go to the county. Perfect. Just where they should go, riiiight? Where does that money go?

That third way? Throwing up your hands when your candidates don't win and stop worrying about the schools.

Anyway you slice the city's hackneyed response to Assemblyman Ciattarelli's claims it hurts because it's mostly right.

Late night open thread

The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything.
 -- Theodore Roosevelt

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

The family that brawls together...

...then goes downtown and brawls in a holding cell together. Sometimes as much as Johnny wants to avoid a story for it's sheer stupidity, he can't. Yet, he cannot possibly explain the chaos of a brawl with Jersey City police and how it spilled over into a South District holding cell than Ken Thorbourne with the Jersey Journal did to keep the players and events in order.

What the hell is wrong with people?

Late night open thread

You just can't beat real BBQ and corn on the cob.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark