Today, Johnny has but a simple question of you...

Let's suppose a great span of a bride were to one day be built over the Hudson River between New Jersey and New York. Whom would the bridge be named after?

Not so simple is it? Whom to choose? Is there someone who unites both states that they would name a bridge after them that will last for a century? Johnny asks because Detroit and Ontario Canada just brilliantly handled such a conundrum. For decades Detroit Michigan and Windsor Ontario have shared a border (it's the only place in the USA you pass south into Canada) and they have had two crossings, the Detroit/Windsor tunnel which runs from next to the Ren Cen in downtown Detroit (Yes the tallest set of buildings on the river) and comes out only two blocks from a Brewer's Retail in Windsor, handy! There is also the Ambassador Bridge that connects the highway systems of SE Michigan and Ontario. Trucks were taking up so much of the bridge traffic (inspections now being what they are after 9/11) another bridge was needed, badly. So, one is being built and it needed a name. This morning Michigan Governor Rick Snyder and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper held a press conference to announce the name. One that could well be unanimous in both Canada and Michigan. So, how DOES one solve such a bristly problem as a bridge name?

Name it the Gordie Howe International Bridge and everyone gets to drink for free that decided this.

So, back to our question about he bridge between NJ and NY, what's it called?

Let's kick things off this week with a News Roundup!

Giddyup!

* State Senator Nick Sacco joins the growing list of elected officials and residents all over what we like to call "Johnnyland", Jersey City, Hoboken, Harrison and Newark, as well as those who just understand reality, the nighttime closure of the PATH would be ruinous to residents and taxpayers on so many levels.

* Dude, remember how you wondered if you touched anything and might have left fingerprints during that home invasion you did back in 2002? Turns out you did.

* Governor Christie and his brother are feeling the heat for CC's jump around with the Cowboys owner Jerry Jones in Dallas last night. We deeply respect the governor has favorite teams and cheers for them unconditionally. That being said if Christie campaigns in Michigan someone's gonna hit him ala Nancy Kerrigan as he leaves a speech.

* Remember in the last election how Mitt Romney said he'd get gas down to 2$ a gallon if he were elected? Johnny thinks we owe a big round of applause for President Romney on the 2$ gas.

* 1"-2" onches of snow tomorrow morning into the afternoon then it's gonna get c-c-c-c-c-cold.

* Seton Hall is getting some top 25 love after their win over formerly #6 Villanova. The Pirates are up to #19.

* Kushner Companies announced they have bought a plot of land next to Journal Square for $27 million dollars. We'll see if and when it ever gets developed.

* And finally, Atlantic City, where they spent more on parking employees than they made in parking meters.

Rutgers football Gameday, Motor City Bowl edition!

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are in Johnny's hometown of Detroit this afternoon to take on North Carolina (and their non-existant plan to actually have student athletes learn anything while enrolled) in at 4:30 today. We're just going to go ahead and call this the old Motor City Bowl for reference purposes because unless Johnny gets paid by the actual bowl sponsors themselves, six figures, he's not using corporate names. The game on paper anyway looks like it could be quite the offensive affair. Let's take a look.

Rutgers comes into their Motor City Bowl at 7-5 and a pretty good first season in the B1G all things considered. RU proved the doubters who said they didn't belong in such a conference, and certainly couldn't compete in such a conference, well wrong. RU is a good, not great team, that is a difficult team to play against, who never give up (See Maryland game) and are quite capable in getting the B1G off on the right bowl foot. In fact Johnny expects no less today.

North Carolina at the beginning of the year were nothing less than a sieve defense. Their 4-2-5 alignment gave up huge yards and points in losses to East Carolina and Clemson. A bowl game, with the extra practice and film time can help RU re-open the gashes in the UNC defense. Gary Nova' RU's "legendary" QB was third in both TD passes and yards in the B1G this season and should have a big day. Who better for Nova to throw to than the B1G's Leonte Carroo who was second statistically in the conference with 1,043 yards and third in TD catches with 10. The sky is the limit offensively for RU as the UNC defensive head coach for defense, Vic Koenning, left halfway through the year his defense was so very bad. It's not entirely better now.

When it comes to defense against the UNC offense the Scarlet Knights need to contain Tar Heel QB Marquise Williams who is a passing and running threat. He can do both and do both well. RU is going to have to limit one of the two things he does well. Stack the box with an extra LB or safety or play a nickel back often to help contain the UNC passing attack. The UNC offense is good, it can however be contained (they were only 6-6).

We think today the B1G pedigree will come to the fore. RU has played much better offenses and defenses than they'll face today in Michigan State and Ohio State. RU was smoked in both those games but here is where they apply what they learned from those teams and how they'll use it for motivation today. With a win and an 8-5 record this would have to be considered a great season for RU. We think that's exactly what happens today.

Fearless Forecast:
Rutgers 37
North Carolina 31

Breaking News: The weather is so bad in Buffalo the Jets game there Sunday is being moved

A neutral site game is what the Jets will face as yet another 3-4 feet of snow fell in and just south of Buffalo today forcing the NFL to move the game to either Detroit, Pittsburgh or Washington but no final announcement has been made yet. We'd expect tickets to be free, seriously on that, to help fill the stadium wherever it turns out to be.

Get stepping Jersey City, Eliza Neals sings all up in your faces this afternoon

Jersey City artist by way of Detroit (and thus a friend of Johnny's) Eliza Neals will be on stage today at the corner of Bay St. and Provost in the Powerhouse Arts District. So put on a sweatshirt and some long pants and get downtown, she's fantastic!

Sorry Bono, nothing is quiet this New Year's Day

It's a sporgy for Johnny today. The Tournament of Roses Parade which he'll watch for the first time since 1988. Then the Winter Classic in Ann Arbor featuring his Red Wings. Hey NHL, the Wings and Leafs drew over 40,000 for two alumni games yesterday at Comerica Park in downtown Detroit. ALUMNI games. Proof positive the NHL has been wasting time putting this yearly gem in Buffalo, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Finally the Rose Bowl kicks off at 5pm. THE event of the day. Sparty On! You better believe Johnny has the place decorated in green and white.....and red.

Everyone enjoy your day and we'll be back here later tonight to revel in victory or feel the agony of defeat.

Boston Mayor Tom Menino is an asshole

You remember the Mayor of Boston don't you? Telling us how his city would bounce back from the Boston Marathon bombings? Telling us his city was Boston Strong despite the bombs. Well here's the Mayor of Boston recently on bombs:

The New York Times Magazine Menino recently said that he would “blow up” Detroit and “start all over.” Just imagine Menino's reaction if someone had said this about a section of his town. He'd have the FBI on speed dial.

What an asshole. Blow it up? Johnny would like to blow up your face Mayor Menino. Are you that dense? Are you that big of a tool? Apparently you are. As someone who grew up in and around the city of Detroit let Johnny yell you in no uncertain terms -- screw you asshat. After the horror of the Boston Marathon attacks you still think it's ok to say blow up a city? If somebody secretly online had that suggestion the NSA would be all over it.

So, Mr. Menino, pray you don't run into Johnny at a Red Wings vs Bruins game this year (If you're even man enough to be an NHL fan), Johnny will happily take the 5 minute penalty for boarding.

Ain't no party like a Conrail party 'cause a Conrail party don't stop!

With apologies to Kid Rock and the city of Detroit for the headline but it simply fit so well with this story. By now many of you have heard of the train derailment in southern Jersey near Paulsboro. Because the train contents were toxic people had to be evacuated. Conrail set them up in a Motel 6 until conditions in Paulsboro could be made safe.

Police received a call from said Motel 6 last night about a noise complaint. It was then they realized just how good Paulsboro parties can be. Those who were staying on Conrail's dime decided to throw a huge bash and throw a huge bash they did. When police arrived they found 22 people in one room (in a Motel 6 no less) and police arrested 16 adults and six juveniles and charged them with disorderly conduct, said police. But wait, this is a Paulsboro party, there's more!

In the room, one of 14 rented by Conrail until Saturday for Paulsboro residents evacuated because of Friday's train derailment, police allegedly found unspecified amounts of cocaine, marijuana and alcohol, said police. Additional drug charges, as well as charges of maintaining a nuisance and providing alcohol to minors, are pending, police said.

Didn't Governor Christie ask us all to pull together after disasters? Sounds to us like these people were trying to do just that. Mental note to self; Paulsboro for bachelor parties.

RIP Soupy Sales

Johnny and many other Americans were truly saddened yesterday to hear of the death of Soupy Sales at the age of 83. Soupy was a comic genius who was a really good guy too. Johnny got to meet Soupy on the campus of Eastern Michigan University in 1983 for a homecoming event. Soupy took the time to chit chat with Johnny and didn't seem like it was any kind of imposition or that he had somewhere better to be. His show was one of those brilliant "kiddie shows" that was in fact a show for adults. Johnny can remember watching the Soupy Sales Show and having this lion here, Pookie crack him up to no end. Plus, name another kids show with such hip music.

RIP Soupy, you made a difference on this planet by making us laugh and that's all one can hope to achieve.

As we roll along on this Fat Tuesday (Paczki Day in Detroit), some more of that real cajun sound

Big Bayou Bandits - Convict Two-Step


Johnny, what's a paczki? Oh heavenly delicious, they are tasty treats the Polish bakeries in and around Detroit turn out on Paczki Day (pronounced Poonch-key), or as many know it, Fat Tuesday.

Make sure to stop back tonight for a SPECIAL Friday night music series

Motown turns 50 on Monday, and in celebration of some GREAT American music, we'll have a special collection of videos tonight. Well worth coming back for...