Late night open thread

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

No more soup for you (if by soup you mean stand around jobs for cops)

Mayor Steve Fulop has pulled back the ladle and put the lid on the "off-duty" (Johnny's always preferred the 'stand around' connotation because that's what they did, or in the JCPD's case didn't but got paid anyway) jobs that pay large sums of money to the JCPD officers who want them and embarrassment to the city when dozens of these same officers get caught up in a federal investigation for not paying taxes on money they took and didn't bother to show up for in some cases. Worse yet, some cops on active duty were pulled off patrol to go stand around construction sites. You can go back to the earliest days of the Jersey City Desk and see Johnny imploring first Healy then Fulop to end this nonsense. It's too bad it took Fulop this long but ding dong those jobs are dead:

"For too long the program has been abused with police officers more focused on off-duty work than on-duty work," Fulop said in an email to The Jersey Journal. "The widespread corruption was known by countless officers within the department and the degree of abuse is astonishing."

OK, so no more obscene amounts of money for very very very little work. Let's play "How do you think that went over with the JCPD" with your host, Kramer:

Did Carmine Disbrow, president of the Jersey City Police Officers Benevolent Association call the mayor's decision:

A) Wise considering all that's gone on recently
B) Hasty
C) Poopy
D) "Mayor Fulop has shared no plan with the union regarding the future off-duty jobs," Carmine Disbrow, president of the Jersey City Police Officers Benevolent Association, said in a statement. "We'd much prefer to have this conversation with him face-to-face than through social media or the press. While we understand the need for change in the way assignments are distributed, we hope that he understands how critically important these jobs are to keeping Jersey City safe."

If you chose "D" just understand that Fulop DID just share his plan with the union regarding these jobs Mr. Disbrow, he said they're over. A one-sentence plan really.

Usually this is where Johnny would end the story with something about a D+ force in a B+ city but the best city reporter anywhere, in fact an Ace Reporter, Terrence T. McDonald asked Ward C Councilman and former Jersey City detective Richard Boggiano his thoughts on the end of all things stand around and boy were they colorful. You simply have to see what Boggiano thinks of the towns and hamlets surrounding Jersey City. But you have to put munny in Mr. McDonald's pocket first since he asked the question, you follow this link but trust Johnny, it's worth the click.

Late night open thread

The surprise 1:30am dog potty walk in January isn't in the brochure.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

If someone can say it better, Johnny's all for that

When it comes to the golf course wanting to expand further into Liberty State Park, some people know more, are more involved, and have some excellent opinions on the topic. Opinions no doubt that will make Chico Ramchal sad.

Late night open thread

Did you know then, the entire United States of America still exists today and slavery is not the law of the land and the south didn't win the Civil War because of two words, "if practicable." It's true. On night one at Gettysburg, a good day for the confederate army, Robert E. Lee ordered his General Ewell to take Culp's Hill. Now if Ewell takes his decided numbers advantage and takes Culp's Hill, the south wins Gettysburg and there's not much standing between Robert E. Lee and Washington D.C. England and France would now start to take the confederacy seriously with such a win and marching on the enemy capital. Trades routes would open. Banking and loans may be made available.

So why didn't Ewell just go take Culp's Hill and win the battle? Lee left the orders with the words, "If practicable" dangling at the end, ie take the hill, if practicable. Right or wrong if Ewell isn't left to interpret the order and NOT send his forces forward until morning when the Army of the Potomac had been reinforced and dug in, it's most likely game over.

Remember that one day if you have to give concise directions or instructions vital to your day, clarity is your friend.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

It was a Zzzzz of a news day sooooo

Let's look outside of Jersey City to that NJ 11 congressional district and Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen's decision to get out or be thrown out. A very good red from Tom Moran on Frelinghuysen's NJ history and why all of a sudden he sees the writing on the wall even after a comfortable 16 point win in 2016.

Late night open thread

In 1963, major league baseball pitcher Gaylord Perry remarked, "They'll put a man on the moon before I hit a home run." On July 20, 1969, an hour after Neil Armstrong set foot on the surface of the moon, Perry hit is first, and only, home run while playing for the San Francisco Giants.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Jersey City is now a top 5 in the nation rental city

Realtor.com had an article on cities that have the most renters per capita and and Jersey City (and Newark) were on that list, in fact very high on the list. Both top five cities. While it's great people want to live in these cities (and let's not kid ourselves here bout why JC and Newark have so many people willing to rent, proximity to NYC) there are drawbacks when that high of a percentage of a city is rental units. First off renters don't pay property tax and nor in any big way help schools and infrastructure they are often using. Voting becomes yet another issue. Renters vote, you bet they do as well anyone should but perhaps their votes aren't the vote of someone looking to invest or look at a city's long-term financial health. The incentive to look at the long game just isn't there for a myriad of reasons. The fact remains the infrastructure use is really only being paid for by homeowners.

Johnny has a pretty good idea why Jersey City will continue to stay on this list if not own it one day -- The Healy and on steroids abatements of the Fulop administrations have invested very little in the way of abatements for buildings one can buy into and left hundreds of millions of dollars off the tax rolls for buildings made exclusively for renters. In just the past five years the Columbus towers, The One, The Toll Brothers The Morgan, the new Jared Tower on Bay St., M2, the Urby and now old Pep Boys parking lot Vyv (Just an awful name for such an ass looking building), JSQ1, et all have gotten huge abatements, more are on the way for....you guessed it, rental units.

It really is a self-fulfilling prophecy of fail when you do look long-term. The first abatements given to downtown are about to run out. There was a huge reval that hit downtown like a bomb (as Fulop knew it would which is why he spent so much time and effort to protect his base) and there will be questions if ownership buildings will be able to withstand the impact. Will people move out because of higher taxes? Hey, there's a pattern of that. Once they do that's less money for road fixes, storm cleanup, getting electricity back online, cops, DPW, Parking, who all lose when there is less ownership.

Ask yourself this about Fulop (and Healy) bending over for every developer they could, when the money starts to get tight downtown do The Heights or Greenville or India Square think anything is going to get built or fixed in their neighborhoods? They have to pull teeth now to get development and city help and supposedly this is the Jersey City gilded age. Once the tax base shrinks (and there's nothing really being done to actively grow it) they can kiss the big promises goodbye...again.

While it's great people want to live in Jersey City this is where "city planning" under Bob Cotter should have been far more engaged than, "Hey, there's a good spot on the waterfront for a developer" during his reign of awfulness. Cotter, "city planning" and the city councils should have insisted on far more ownership buildings in the downtown land rush.

Like Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren was waving her arms and telling everyone in no uncertain terms the 2008 crash was coming, Johnny is telling you now, get in but also know when to get out of the Jersey City real estate game, the timer on the bomb has been set and is ticking.

Late night open thread

And after it rains there's a rainbow
And all of the colors are black
It's not that the colors aren't there
It's just imagination they lack
Everything's the same back in my little town
 -- Simon & Garfunkel

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Late night open thread

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with ENGLISH BEAT!

Whenever Johnny and his friend Paco hear this song they start hassling and push fighting like John Cusack and Benny Urquidez in the famous fight scene in Grosse Point Blank. Especially while driving.

You kids don't try that. That's only for really good professional drivers from the Detroit area.

Kicking things off tonight it's English Beat and 'Mirror in the Bathroom'

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN!

Johnny, the champion of the B-side serving up some FM gold tonight. AM gold for that matter too.
You know it, you love it, you can't live without it, 'Born to Run'

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with CROSBY, STILLS & NASH!

So, how many of you got the hint from Twitter last night and guessed this would be the song? For those not on Twitter this was the hint Johnny left:

Yes, a great hint for someone familiar with the night sky and constellations like Johnny. 95% of people who read this blog don't recognize the constellation pictured. That's OK, people in South America or Australia have no good idea what the Big Dipper is either. See, you can't see the Big Dipper in the Southern Hemisphere and you cannot see the glorious Southern Cross in the Northern Hemisphere.

Then, without further ado and sending you out into this cold night, Crosby, Stills & Nash with 'Southern Cross'

Late night open thread

Meanwhile, in Delaware...
Time for Jersey City, After Dark

First ex-JCPD officer sentenced in stand-around job scheme

Christopher Ortega, who was convicted in the stand around scheme along with dozens of other JCPD officers including a former chief, was sentenced to three years probation for his part in federal court in Newark. Ortega went to court facing up to five years and was spared prison because of his contrition:

"...facing as many as five years in prison for the conspiracy to commit fraud charge, but U.S. District Judge John Michael Vazquez argued that a less severe sentence was appropriate because Ortega accepted responsibility for his crimes, did not blame anyone else for them and is unlikely to re-offend."

Johnny thinks the lesson here is that it's never too late to admit you fucked up and never too late certainly to ask for forgiveness. Not all the cops involved felt like Mr. Ortega. Not all are going to get probation either.

Late night open thread

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Let's talk NJ Transit

The commuting expert and writer for NJ Advance Media, Larry Higgs, took a critical look at what he thought new Governor Phil Murphy was likely to find as the state does a top to bottom audit of the failing NJ Transit system.

Everyone depends on NJ Transit at some time, some every day, some like Johnny once in a blue moon, BUT it's the only NJ Transit we have so it has to work. A really good look at the NJ Transit system and it's areas for improvement in this great article worth your while.

Late night open thread

Who do we love?
Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Johnny has been looking for a time to slot this story in

It's from last week but still and all, historical stories are always good anytime. Singer sewing machines, every family had one, right? Johnny's mom sure did, so did his grandma. He remembers learning to work it and do some light sewing because Johnny knew in 7th and 8th grade one quarter was Shop class, one was Home Ec and two were gym. Johnny was a right fine jock so gym was never an issue. Shop class was. Johnny is not now nor has he ever been mechanically inclined. He avoided shop class at all costs. In 7th grade he purchased finished extra projects from Bill Bettis and Tom Reyes to even pass. He liked Home Ec and was more than willing to suffer the barbs and arrows of middle school boys harassing Johnny for choosing a "girls class." Johnny's love of cooking comes from those days. He already had a leg up on many because his mom had a Singer sewing machine.

Seriously Johnny, where is this going...

The Singer Sewing Machine Company was located in Elizabeth for it's entire 109 year run and in 1870's it employed the most employees at one company in the world at the time. C'mon, before you click take a guess, how many people did the Singer Co. employ in the 1870's?
A) 800
B) 2500
C) 4000
D) 6000

The article is filled with great nuggets of info from a long gone era Johnny thinks you'll find interesting.

Late night open thead

Red Wings 3
Devils 0
That means a victory dance of sorts, "The 91 Shimmy"

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Three whole units for homeless veterans in lieu of millions and a 30 year abatement

Johnny would say "Only in Jersey City" but this kind of threading the needle to hand out tax money goes on everywhere. Mayor Fulop announced his support for a new 30 year abatement (oh look, ANOTHER 30 year abatement just 22 days into his new term) and tried to couch it because the of the units to get the huge tax break THREE would be earmarked for homeless veterans. This is the kind of shitty cynical politics Johnny is just sick of. It's couched to look and sound like if you don't support this deal or question the 30 year abatement for so few units, YOU look like you hate vets. Johnny is going to turn that around on the mayor and others who would fawn over this deal and ask, THREE units? That's SOME commitment you're trying to tie your boat to mayor. Three whole spots? In the years you've been mayor and now you want to trade on three units.

Johnny's dad was a vet. One of his good friends was a Blackhawk helicopter pilot for the Army in Iraq. Johnny's support of the military and vets isn't some kind of "if we can fit it in for politics sake" commitment and Johnny's not the vet here, the mayor is.

Three units. Yet those opposed to this deal are the ones who are supposed to look bad. Don't think that's going to be the case.

Late night open thread

Sunday evenings often feel like the weekend is over before it's even begun.
 -- Catherine McCormack

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Dear lord

Philly leads the Vikings 24-7 at halftime of the NFC title game. North Jersey is going to have to listen to South Jersey fawn all over the Eagles while North Jersey still and always detests the fucking Patriots.

Oy.

Late night open thread

Johnny is so proud tonight of all those who turned out so strong at the Women's Marches today all over the country and world. Mrs. Johnny is such an inspiration to him, she was out there fighting the good fight once again. Tip top job all around.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Late night open thread

We're not sure what to make of this year's Whitman's Sampler for Valentine's Day. On one hand eating laundry pods is unsafe and disgusting. On the other hand, they look so tasty.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE CRANBERRIES!

Tonight, a Music Series dedicated to the memory of Dolores O'Riordan who made a giant impact on Johnny, who is always looking for incredible female voices out there and truly found one in her. One of his all-time favorites, without a doubt.

Nothing was going to start this tonight other than 'Zombie,' a song Johnny holds sacred. To quote Sam Kinison in Back to School:

Sacred. The way a farmer looks at the Earth and holds it sacred. The way a Christian takes the Bible… and he holds it sacred. The way a lot of people hold their marriage sacred. That’s how I feel about it. 

There you go. An incredible song from an incredible singer and band. There are a tiny tiny few songs in rock/pop music history as good as this one (Videos either).

Period.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE CRANBERRIES!

Johnny has learned one thing about the Cranberries this week, what a huge, and Johnny means huge impact they had not just on artists of today, you'd expect that. He's talking about how many of their contemporaries pointed out what an impact Dolores and the band had had on them. Truly impressive.

Just a note, we're not posting 'Salvation' for any kind of deeper message other than Johnny really really loves this song.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE CRANBERRIES!

Yeah, just yeah. No grand send off tonight just a Music Series dedicated to someone we lost far far too soon. RIP sweet Dolores, forever young. The Cranberries and 'Ridiculous Thoughts' really showcasing the power of her one of a kind voice.

Late night open thread

Did you know then; The Apollo crews did not have any life insurance.

On the chance that the 3 man crew of Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins did not return safely from the moon, they were not covered by any life insurance policy. So before their trip all 3 men signed photographs that could be sold in the event of their death.

Now you know.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

If you're a music fan Jersey City is the place for you tomorrow night

Friday night at White Eagle Hall, Jersey City bands and artists will play an all Jersey City show to kick off the weekend proper. Now, Johnny won't pretend to know the bands or their music to seem cooler than he's definitely not. He is however excited to have a night to promote the music of the city he lives in:

The diverse line-up includes accomplished blues guitarist/singer/songwriter Debra Devi, doom-metal rockers Black Wail, female-fronted indie-popsters Hey Anna,  the multi-racial reggae collective Universal Rebel, and the red-hot rock 'n' roll duo the Components, who will be releasing their debut album the same night.  Following the bands, DJ Sirena Mari Mercado and the drum corps from Sirelo Entertainment's lauded "Elevate" parties with keep the crowd dancing until closing time.

Someone cool who does know the bands and interviewed some of them for his piece is Jim Testa and he will let you in on much more about the show and what the acts have to say. It's a really nice look at the local music scene. Good stuff.

Late night open thread

Johnny was really pulling for her. She gave it her all, right until the watery end.
Time for Jersey City, After Dark

A rare look inside Johnny's Death Ray control room on Mt. Secaucus

For all those who thought he was kidding all this time.

Friends of Liberty State Park feeling good after today's court date over marina expansion

Friends of Liberty State Park who have been loudly opposing a  plan to build/expand marina space on the south end of the island to the 300 of 300 slips. They had their day in court and while the filing was taken under advisement, shortly after the hearing Phil Murphy who opposes the marina plan, was sworn is a governor:

"Now we're in a safe victory zone of Gov. Murphy being in charge," Sam Pesin, president of Friends of Liberty State Park, told The Jersey Journal after the hearing. "And he has stated that his priority is the preservation of Liberty park as a special treasure for current and future generations."

So, where and how does this play out n court or out is unknown. What is important is that he New Jersey Governor, according the state constitution has the powers of a Caesar, so if Mr. Phil doesn't want that expansion it more than likely won;t happen. Good news all around if that's the case. Follow this space for more.

Late night open thread

“Real dishes break. That's how you know they're real.”
 -- Marty Rubin
Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Friday night's Music Series this week will be dedicated to Dolores O'Riordan & The Cranberries

Johnny was just gutted this morning when he saw the news about the death of Dolores O'Riordan, (He pounded is work desk and yelled FUCK) one of Johnny's favorite voices. This Friday we'll dedicate our Music Series to the music of The Cranberries.

Far far too soon...

More necessary than ever this year, MLK Day

And here is the speech everyone should take another good listen to today.

Late night open thread

Pittsburgh lost so that's funny and Minnesota won because, well, the universe has a sense of humor.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Late night open thread

Yep, a bunch of Cape May middle schoolers handled it.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

First Hawaii now this

Late night open thread

On such a foggy night as this here's a tidbit about fog. In driving simulations when faced with wet or snowy weather, drivers slow down. When faced with dense fog they sped up, sometimes to speeds over the speed limit. Johnny has seen more than one study on this weather nugget. People drive into fog, they do speed up. Might be why fog pileups are so deadly.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE TUBES!

Anyone who hasn't seen the Fee Waybill vehicle (HEY HEY, our judges have just informed us nobody has ever written the words "Fee Waybill vehicle" in internet history. And there was much rejoicing!)

So, yes, who hasn't seen the Fee Waybill vehicle, The Tubes, at the venerable C.B. Hedgecock Field House on the campus of Northern Michigan University? As a college student it's all about where to spend those limited funds. Since The Clash, The Rolling Stones or Pat Benatar weren't coming to Marquette, drinking all that Buckhorn beer at a cool $4 a case freed up Tubes munny. Good times were had by all especially since on the way home from the show Johnny and friends (Halverson Hall represent!) got to crawl all over Payne Hall's ice sculpture entry into the Winter Carnival and pop Frodo Baggins' head off which somehow then wound up blocking Halverson's Resident Manager's front door until it melted. Things happen.

'She's a Beauty' starting the show tonight, but it will cost you a dollar first.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with TALKING HEADS!

When you do a cover song you should bring your own sounds, feeling and arrangement to it. That's why this one is one of the best remakes (Al Green) of all-time. 'Take Me to the River' up next tonight and this song really is putting Johnny in the mood for a cover song Music Series in the near future.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with SNEAKER PIMPS!

The next time Johnny fast-forwards past this song in the playlist will be the first. 'Six Underground' is a perfect song for tonight, kind of a mood setter if you're on your way into this very very foggy evening.

A 1-2, A 1-2...

Late night open thread

Just great teevee.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Liberty State Park should be things like a wildlife oasis, not a marina for the rich

Well today anyway we get to tell you that a part of Liberty State park has been designated as a wildlife oasis, 240 acres in fact work of oasis.

That's great Johnny, the oasis won and that's great but why bring it up, maybe save it for a news roundup. Well now, it's because this 240 acres has been off-limits because of contamination. Impressed? You should be:

"This is a spectacular plan," said Sam Pesin, president of Friends of Liberty State Park. "It will become an international model for urban nature restoration."

"This is huge," said Greg Remaud, deputy director of environmental group NY/NJ Baykeeper. "It's going to be one of the greatest natural restorations in the United States."

There you go. This is big news and its big because it's protecting and proving you can bring back areas devastated my man's own stupidity and or greed. In the 1990's this area was slated to one day be a golf course, then a water park and yet it was not allowed to be overrun with development at least Go have a read, it truly is a story worth reading.

Johnny right likes the "friends of" groups out here, they mean well and get things done. Friends of Liberty State Park and Friends of Loew's, both doing vital work.

Late night open thread

Headphones please.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Quite the waterfront kerfuffle in Hoboken

The City of Hoboken has some land on the Hudson River that NJ Transit really wants to buy to build a NY Waterways ferry repair/service dock. Trouble is the city of Hoboken wants to use that same land for a park for all the residents.

Now guess who's probably going to win. If NJ Transit is successful in buying the land, perhaps as early as this week that would prevent by state law from FuHo using eminent domain to take it since NJ Transit is a state agency. A shitty and horribly run state agency but immune to eminent domain from Hoboken nonetheless. There's plenty more on the machinations and possible court fights for you dear reader right h'yar.

Late night open thread

Summer is a promissory note signed in June, its long days spent and gone before you know it, and due to be repaid next January.
 -- Hal Borland

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Like the headline says, Sinkhole 1, JCFD truck 0

Engine 22 was sent on a call when at Rose and Woodlawn they met up with an unexpected Back Knight if you will, a sinkhole. None shall pass it was right as the truck drove right in but luckily there were no serious injuries. Follow this handy link for the Jersey Journal photo story on this.

Late night open thread

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

If only the mayor had any credibility in taking about the JCPD

It sure sounds like Steve Fulop's Public Safety Director (nee Jersey City's) James Shea was told about the possibility for the very abuses that have landed dozens of JCPD in trouble with the FBI for no-show stand around jobs by former JCPD Chief Robert Cowan. Cowan is said to have circulated a letter pointing out the vulnerabilities of the program but Public Safety Director and Jersey City spokespeople are saying the letter wasn't dated so there's no ay of knowing when it was created. Those inside the department however say they did indeed see the memo in 2013, when Cowan said it was written.

Plenty more on this from Terrence T. McDonald but well get you fired up to read with story with this clip:

In a statement to The Jersey Journal, Cowan said Zacche's actions left some of Jersey City's poorest residents vulnerable.

"Fulop and Shea's ignoring of my recommendations also provided tacit approval for the small percentage of corrupt minded politically connected police supervisors and officers to continue fleecing the taxpayers at the expense of the safety of the citizens these corrupt officers are sworn to protect and serve," Cowan said.

Late night open thread

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Late night open thread

Chiefs gonna Chief.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Sadly, a Jersey City police lieutenant was killed on the Turnpike stopping to help a motorist

Our best wishes to JCPD lieutenant Christopher Robateau's family as he was tragically killed early yesterday morning as he tried to assist another motorist:

The incident happened just after 6:30 a.m. near mile marker 104, city spokeswoman Kim Scalcione said. That would place the incident near Exit 14.

"We consider him on duty being that Lt. Robateau got out of his car to help someone else which is what we want all our officers to be doing all the time regardless of their location or time of day.," (Jersey City Mayor Steve) Fulop said on Facebook.

Showing off the best of the badge in a selfless act we're going to guess was second nature to him. Our city is lessened when we lose good people like Lieutenant Robateau. Again, best wishes to his family, friends, and the JCPD in their hour of mourning.

Old Jersey City PD rot spills into 2018 with more on the way

Taxpayers pay for this. They pay for the JCPD to act like a goddamned fourth branch of government as dozens, scads, bunches of cops here scam, lie, cheat and steal. Where do they learn this kind of shit is okay? Shit trickles down from the top in Jersey City friends, former Police Chief Phil Zacche, a 38 year veteran and yes, former chief of police admitted in federal court to being part of the stand around jobs he rarely went to. While the rest of those under investigation or already convicted of felonies have stolen from local developers outside construction sites, Zacche was stealing from the Jersey City Housing Authority to the tune of more than $31K.

The police chief. The Housing Authority. It went on for years. What a police force we employ.

This isn't nearly the end of these pleas and convictions over these scam jobs, Ace Reporter Terrence T. McDonald points out EIGHT more will face their day in court January 25. Zacche will find out his fate April 9.

Late night open thred

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with ETTA JAMES!

How about Johnny shuts up and Etta sings? Agreed? 'I Just Want Want to Make Love to You' kicking off the Music Series for 2018!

That saxophone is just dirty

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE BABYS!

Backup vocals and how they are arranged matter. They can take a good song and make it great. Case in point 'Isn't it Time' batting second tonight. Johnny loves John Waite's voice, he just does.

Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with DAVID BOWIE!

In this case the Multimedia Extravaganza really is when you watch this video. David Bowie pretty much telling to but out of his telling Peter Schilling to butt out the telling of the Major Tom story with 'Ashes to Ashes' sending you again, over to the couch cause ain't nobody going out to party tonight.

Late night open thread

Friends, when you wake up and go out tomorrow its going to be colder then, well, some of you have ever experienced. Be careful. It's not a joke, it's deadly serious. Bring all the animals you can indoors. Check on the elderly or relatives who might need to go to a garage to turn in a heat source or some such situation. Johnny doesn't tell this story too very often because it never gets that cold. He spent two winters on Lake Superior in Marquette Michigan. A giant winter storm closed the Mackinac Bridge for the first time ever to traffic when Johnny was headed back up to school at Northern Michigan University. By the time he got there the backside of the storm hit with 70-80 mph winds off of Lake Superior in already -15-20º air temps. No kidding, with windchill the radio said -102º. The radio man went on and said if you go outside in this and you blink, your eyes will start to freeze shut.

We had to check that bold statement out for ourselves. He was right, after about 15 seconds and a few blinks ice crystals do form in the corners of your eyes. So ski goggles it was on the 2 block walk to O'Dells for beer. Since school was going to be closed the next two days college guys gotta have beer. And a 45 minute hot shower when you get back.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

That's some snowstorm out there

Some pretty good white out conditions for a 6-10" storm. Oh that wind.

Late night open thread

A snow day literally and figuratively falls from the sky, unbidden, and seems like a thing of wonder.  -- Susan Orlean

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Annnnnnd this morning 'Big Weather' has come around to Weather Willy's 3-6" forecast

So, get ready, tomorrow morning the Bomb Cyclone will spin close enough to give us 3-6" starting early morning and running through the afternoon.

Then two days of Hoth.

Late night open thread

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Storm's coming...

Here we go, winter got a late start but seems to be ramping up with these horridly cold temperatures. Pretty much the first storm with precipitation to drift by was going to be a snowstorm and the one drifting up the east coast is historic. Incredibly low pressure, in fact words like 'Bomb cyclone' are being thrown around in weather circles. Now, that doesn't mean that's all going to hit us, for the most part it'll be a giant intense storm in the Atlantic Ocean, until it get to Maine and the Maritimes then look out.

While many local TV weathercasters are selling 1-3 right now Johnny listens to Weather Willy who has a far better record on these storms than the talking heads. He was the first and just about only to tell us that giant 26" snowstorm of a few years ago was on the way. Follow that link to his latest forecast which starts at 3-6" right now. The cold air coming in behind this storm will be, to be kind, dangerous. Wind chills in the -20º range Friday and Saturday before it starts to normalize on Sunday.

Late night open thread

Toughest bowl for Oklahoma since Dust.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

So, how is your 2018 starting out?

Johnny is of course out in Pasadena getting ready to drive a rogue float made entirely of bacon and bust it in the Rose Parade near Colorado Blvd. He'll be back later today to comment on the NCAA football playoffs.

He's fast like that.

Late night open thread

Johnny and the crew here at the Jersey City Desk hope your 2018 is filled with happiness, peace and success. To all our readers who are holdovers from the Ypsi City Desk or converts here at the Jersey City Desk, Johnny holds you all in the highest regard! Thanks for continuing to drop by and share some time.

Time for Jersey City, After Dark