Minnesota! Leaving Wednesday.

There were indeed "no parking" signs. But it looked like there were at least a half dozen cars being towed when I drove by about 2 hours ago. The car on the first tow bed had Florida plates. Welcome!

As per Mayor Fulop's Facebook announcement this morning:

"JCIA to resume street sweeping citywide today / only warnings will be issued today & tomorrow & then violations resume."

I have zero water in Paulus Hook.

I live on this corner. What opened up? There's nothing there other than a new stop sign.

Just about drove through a new one on the corner of Washington and Sussex. It's sort of hidden. Probably smart for there to be one on that corner because of the grammar school.

Maybe it would be useful for the city to have a map on the website that shows where all of the new stop signs are (and maybe have it in the Journal or what-have-you). If people are looking for them, they *might* actually stop.

It's that time of year! On Wednesday a package from Williams Sonoma was left in the vestibule of our walk up on Sussex Street. UPS marked the package delivered. When I returned from work at 4:30, the package was gone. It's entirely possible that it was taken by someone in my building (10 units), but we usually will bring each other's deliveries in or to the door. I assume it was taken by someone looking for Christmas deliveries.

I usually have my deliveries sent to work because of this problem, but this was actually a gift someone was sending to me. Bah Humbug.

If you live in Paulus Hook, the Maddox was running a reduced rate for monthly parking for Paulus Hook residents. I used it for three months this summer while I was travelling. It was about $150 for the month. The reduced rate may have expired, but it's all valet and very safe/clean.

I'm in Paulus Hook and I've had a skunk near the apartment four or five times this summer, who apparently was running into something he wanted to deter. Nothing like the sweet smell of skunk on a summer evening!

Where in Downtown? I've got it in Paulus Hook.

Well, it wasn't a diamond ring, that's for sure. The JJ said that the "7.5 carat ring" was recovered.

Sam A.M., the new coffee/brunch/lunch place on Morris (between Warren and Washington) will be serving Stumptown as well!

I don't think they're actually open yet (sam-am.com) but tomorrow between 10 a.m. and noon they'll be giving out free Stumptown coffee. Whoopie!!

I still stand by my Nespresso D290 for espresso and my trust Toddy for cold press. I'm happy to give up any number of things in order to fit the Toddy in my small kitchen. And thankfully I don't work too far from an Oren's.

I'm currently in Ireland for a few weeks, dying for actually coffee. I could make a coffee table book full of the photos of what constitutes a latte or iced coffee here. All include whipped cream. The latter includes a blender.

Our building on Sussex (between Washington and Warren) was broken into again this weekend. The basement door was pried open and a bike was stolen. So annoying (and really crappy for the guy who lost his bike).

I used Clean Popo once. They sent two cleaning staff and someone who I imagine was the manager? It was $120 for the cleaning. While I have to say that it was quick clean, it wasn't a thorough clean. Corners of the floors were still dusty, the outside of the refrigerator was still dirty (especially the handle and the side adjacent to the stove, etc.

I wouldn't use them again.

I'd really love to find an independent cleaner who people recommend. Why is it so difficult??

I wrote to the PA expressing my concerns about the weekend and late night schedule (specifically on the 33/JSQ line). Here is the response (nothing really of interest):

Thanks for reaching out.

I have passed along your feedback to the Transportation Department, which manages the service schedule. The recent schedule change is necessary in order to allow for work on our capital programs to stay on track, and for post-Sandy repairs to be completed. Our Transportation Division takes a number of factors into account when suggesting changes to the schedule, including travel demand forecasts, ridership patterns, passenger feedback, and connections to other services, to name a few.

As you may recall, the PATH system sustained extensive system-wide damage as a result of Superstorm Sandy. Restoration and recovery alone is estimated to cost $1.3 billion. Though trains are running, our system is still suffering from signal and power problems, and deteriorating track conditions, much of which came as a direct result of the system being submerged in salt water. In some sections, the water sat for days.

At the same time, we are very aware of the growing demand for PATH in the region, and have a number of modernization and capital projects in process to help expand capacity. Though we lost a few months of progress on these programs due to Superstorm Sandy, work is now being done again. You can read about some of these programs here: http://www.panynj.gov/path/path-modernization.html. In the near future, we are also planning on expanding the platform capacity for stations on the Newark ? WTC line to allow for 10-car trains. We are currently only able to run 8-car trains on that line due to shorter platforms at Grove Street Station. With the purchase of additional cars, we will also be able to expand our schedule once the Automatic Train Control signal program has been completed.

We targeted our service reductions to inconvenience the least amount of passengers possible. We appreciate your understanding and patience with the new schedule, and thank you for sharing your feedback. The Port Authority of NY and NJ appreciates your patronage of the PATH system.

Sincerely,
Chris

PATH Customer Service

Just went this morning. The croissant was fantastic (and not overly huge).

I agree that the coffee is pretty weak (literally and figuratively). Sometimes I don't want an espresso. And when I'm having a rich piece of bread, I'd prefer a dark rich coffee.

One weird thing, they're still putting up decoration and working on things. There was a guy drilling right above where the microwave/prep area was. And they didn't put a cover over anything. Wall dust from the drilling settling all over the prep area.

However, I AM SO HAPPY IT'S HERE!

True, but what I'm looking for is someone ELSE to do it.

I'm not at the point where I need to have my hardwood floors sanded and refinished, but I would like to have my floors really cleaned.

Does anyone know anyone (or company) who does this? When I lived in the midwest, COIT cleaned hardwood, but it doesn't look like it's available here.

As a Jesuit school, theology classes are required for all four years.

Brewster,

As a former member of the faculty at Prep, I can say honestly that there are, of course, sports minded students at St. Peter's. But for the atmosphere to be referred to as "marine-jock" by Neverleft is inaccurate. Students who are interested in the arts, in service, in extracurricular academic activities, etc. can all succeed at Prep.

While you're not Catholic, please know that students of all faith traditions are welcome at Prep. The theology coursework is rigorous and encompasses scripture, social justice and world religions, among others. The Jesuit identity is important and seeks, as we say, to form the whole person.

As you know, your son should be where he'll thrive. McNair and Prep are both excellent choices. Congratulations!

Our apartment on Sussex, right around the corner from this break-in) was broken into a few months ago. The main deadbolted door was forced open. It turns out the door wasn't even connected to our "alarm" system.

What are people paying with Clean Popo?

I live in a one bedroom railroad apartment. I'd previously paid $90 per clean with an independent house keeper. But I was disappointed with the lack of depth (never cleaned the baseboards, floors never really looked clean, etc.). I can wipe down counter tops and the tub. I want my cleaning service to do the work I don't have time (or want) to do.

Corybraiterman,

I agree that JC mayor et.al. have been totally useless through all of this. Two places I've gotten actual information:

Steve Fulop's Facebook page
Twitter, following @PSEGdelivers (constant updates)

I'm in Paulus Hook and I finally got power tonight. Lots in my neighborhood still out.

So about this DRIVING BAN ... I understand that people have forgotten to obey traffic laws with regard to non-working stop lights. I understand that emergency vehicles need to right of way. But a ban on driving on the city streets? Thank you for stranding everyone indefinitely. Most of us have food and water. Some may not. I was planning to make a break for Queens tomorrow to stay with a friend until our power comes back. Am I going to be arrested? Our tool of a mayor is silent and then decides his one act will be to deny mobility. Thumbs up, Jerry!

The City of Jersey City website does now have information about mandatory and voluntary evacuation areas, as well as information about parking options for those living in flood-prone areas.

http://www.cityofjerseycity.com

Mandatory evacuation is limited to people residing on ground and first floor homes in certain areas. Those in high rise residences are encouraged to take shelter in their own homes. (That seemed a bit of a funny mandate to me.)

I tried to park at the Gotham (Warren and Montgomery), but they only had ground level parking, which didn't really help. I ended up parking at 50 Columbus. There weren't many spaces left, but it's $23 per 24 hour period. Worth it as far as I'm concerned. I'm in Paulus Hook, which is prone to flooding. But I'm also concerned with debris from the forecasted winds. I'd rather be in a covered parking garage than on the street.

Quote:

I'd still recommend ABTees in the heights. They turn stuff around super quickly.

I was right underneath one of the tower loudspeakers when it went off. (Near Harborside Financial Center.) It DID sound like the teacher from Charlie Brown. I couldn't make out anything except the part where I heard the word "test."

It was LOUD. Of course, no one was even paying attention.

Our building (a walk-up) in Paulus Hook was broken into on Thursday. Two apartments were hit. So annoying. For good or for ill, I'm on the fifth floor. I guess I'm too many stairs up to merit a break-in.