Agreed. McGreevey, despite his past personal shortcomings, has dedicated his time and efforts at a worthy cause in recent years, counseling inmates and helping them once they are out. That's a rather noble thing. I say let's give the guy a chance.

If I recall correctly, about a year or two ago, someone came in here and tried to drum up some interest in getting some people to chip in to rent some space to store kayaks. I think interest was tepid, sadly. I would love to own a hard shell kayak, but cringe at the space requirements.

I ended up buying an inflatable one (Intex Challenger, through Amazon) and I have used it extensively on the Hudson and I am VERY impressed with it. It is fun, and VERY sturdy (I can actually stand inside of it) and it seats two. My usual copilot is my dog (a Weimaraner) and he is happy in it, too. There are suggestions for making it even more stable by adding a fin to it, but I have done just fine without it. I can have it inflated and ready to launch in less than 10 minutes. After taking it on the Hudson, I come home, wash it down, let it dry out and then fold it back into its bag. Definitely a good investment and fun. May not be suitable for a rocky white water rapids trip, though.

I am also a big Chemex fan. I wrote my thoughts on that other thread (one of the many derailed threads now littering JCList!) and may repost those here.

With regards to the Chemex carafe, definitely buy the Chemex white filters, not the brown ones! To get a great, almost perfect, cup, refer to the Intelligentsia video guide. There are certain things you should (run water through the filter BEFORE adding the coffee, add a little bit of water and let it settle before adding ALL of the water, etc.)

When in a hurry, I use a Nespresso machine (CitiZ model) and it really delivers a GREAT result.

As already stated, tickets are only good for one trip / one trip. But, as everyone else has added, they don't care so much.

I really, really wish they would step up enforcement of HBLR tickets. It would cut back on truancy and other mischief. Additionally, it would have the effect of encouraging more people to actually pay for it (the fear of being ticketed) hopefully leading to more and better service.

Wait... What?! There is Qdoba at the Newport Mall?? Say what you will, but when you are in the food for some cheap, quick tex-mex, those Chipotle/Qdoba burritos are just great. And, Crisp is truly great. Fresh, organic ingredients, and tasty falafel sandwiches. I guess I need to stop at the mall one of these days. It's been a while.

Exactly. Searching without probable cause is illegal. Not only that, but to the person saying that the Founding Fathers couldn't have envisioned people getting drunk and driving, I say this: neither could they envision the Internet, or the many other forms of communications now available to us, and yet we recognize they are protected by our First Amendment right to freedom of expression. Just because they couldn't envision a particular situation, it doesn't mean that it is excluded. So, I must agree with the others that view DUI checkpoints as illegal searches bereft of probable cause.

If you are ballsy enough (and, knowledgeable enough) you could try this:


YouTube DUI checkpoint refusal

But, I am not sure how well it would go over here in JC given the prevailing atmosphere.

PS
FTR, I am not endorsing, nor promoting, mouthing off at cops, or LEOs of any type.

Well, I will not say that the service is bad, or terrible. But, my last visit was a bit of a disappointment. I used to really enjoy their bouillabaisse burger (one of their weekly specials) and it is no longer there. It seems like the entire menu was reworked/revamped, with a few of their "classics" being retained (insanely good mac and cheese!) but many others being dropped in favor of new dishes. Honestly, I was not happy. I ordered the vegetarian platter (from my recollection, it used to change seasonally) and it was good (not great). I will be back, because they are still good, but I much prefer Thirty Acres and Satis.

Not to take anything away from JC, but that is a REALLY ODD way to evaluate/determine diversity. How is equal distribution of ethnicities indicative of diversity?

By that standard, Montreal would be considered barely diverse (with two thirds of the population being white) but it is almost universally considered one of the most diverse cities in the word!

I am also curious. Had a similar experience of being inside the store picking up some items and some dude walked in wanting to sell a used bike and he was sent away. They told him they don't buy used bikes. Something doesn't quite fit with that other story about them selling a stolen, used bike.

+1 on the link with the electrical boxes on Central Avenue. Those are very cool looking. I guess I will need to swing by to check them out in person. Definitely a creative idea!

If we are correcting spelling and grammar, I would add that you should have said "P.S. It's spelled Taqueria".

Quote:

Bicyclists SHOULD yield to pedestrians, when practical and possible, and if conditions allow it, or when required (red lights, stop signs, etc). Now, having said that, why should cyclists have to yield, or stop, for pedestrians blissfully walking in a clearly designated bike lane? I am not saying we should mow down pedestrians, but I usually swerve around them and, more often than not, fling a few choice words their way. Too often, they step into them unaware of, or without looking for, incoming bike traffic. It can make for dangerous collisions.

Just like pedestrians shouldn't walk in the middle of a road, they shouldn't walk on a bike lane. Simply put, people need to pay attention to their surroundings.

As for the person claiming there being little incentive for people to follow the rules, I disagree. What more incentive that preserving your own life?? People who dangerously flaunt rules, driving aggressively in congested areas, or crossing through busy traffic intersections when not advisable, are nuts, but are not representative of all cyclists. For most folks, protecting their own lives is important. Not everyone on two wheels is a kamikaze looking to make an impact. Also, the easier fix, and which has had markedly good effect at times, is sensible enforcement of rules. The police doesn't have to act like douches (like when they decided to enforce a speed limit against cyclists riding in Central Park when it was closed to vehicular traffic) but they should enforce the basic rules (sidewalk riding, salmoning, etc.)

If a bike lane is closed, the rider should dismount and walk his bicycle until it is possible to jump back on the bike lane. There really is no excuse to ride on sidewalks. It is dangerous to pedestrians, and oneself. I do wish police would be more vigilant about keeping people and vehicles from blocking bike lanes. The bike lanes along Grove are ridiculously abused by delivery trucks, people running into restaurants to pick up takeout orders, and double parking douches waiting for something/someone.

Bicyclists are only a hazard to pedestrians if one, or the other, is doing something wrong. I have ZERO sympathy for the hapless pedestrians that get yelled at, bumped, or plain ran over, by cyclists who are following all the rules (within bike lane, not salmoning and paying attention). Too many clueless idiots texting while walking, talking into their cell phones without paying attention, or simply completely unaware of their surroundings. This is especially true of tourists on the Brooklyn Bridge (mentioned below) and harried commuters during rush hour. Regardless, watch where you are going. It's that simple.

To the inconsiderate cyclists that go against traffic, or ride on sidewalks, well, they are equally clueless and deserve to be hassled by cops and despised by pedestrians.

Actually, protected lanes have their own issues. And, depending on whose view, or study, you follow, or believe, they could be as dangerous, or more so.

Protected bike lanes can exacerbate one particular dangerous situation: the crossing of intersections and cross streets. When a cyclist approaches a cross street, or intersection, a car turning into the cyclist will not see him until he is at the point of impact, because the cyclist is likely "hidden" by cars.

Additionally, protected bike lanes lull riders into a false sense of security, which leads to riders being less alert. Several studies back this one up: more women, seniors and children take up bike riding when protected bike lanes are present. The problem is that while riders will be "safer" from moving traffic, they are not necessarily safer from either of the following: inattentive drivers (or, passengers) who are parked and may open a door onto the cyclist's path, or from pedestrians who decide to jump onto the bike lane without first making sure a bike is not traveling on said lane. These last two are particularly bad when there is no "road sharing culture" or "bike awareness". I think we can all agree that neither is prevalent here in JC, or even regionally.

I have been "doored" on several occasions in Manhattan, with MANY near misses, and have had a TON of close encounters with pedestrians who are SO oblivious to their surroundings that they have actually walked into my path as I am about to reach them.

I don't have an answer. I do think that protected lanes have some benefits, but I don't think they are the panacea that some wish or advertise.

Ha, ha, ha!! Didn't graduate from college?! Gasp! You must be quivering. I take it you have never heard of these people:

- Steve Jobs
- Bill Gates
- Larry Ellison
- Mark Zuckerberg
- David H. Murdock
- Kirk Kerkorian
- Ralph Lauren
- Ted Turner

All obscenely rich, incredibly successful Americans who dropped out, were expelled, or simply didn't attend college. Not saying this Strother character is in the same league as these success stories, but to highlight the lack of a college degree as an impediment to do a job doesn't say much to me. I would take an employee without a degree, but strong work ethic and high drive, over one with a college degree and not much more. Some of the smartest people I have worked with in the past are college dropouts, or guys who left after some time.

Wait... what?! A full 20-oz pint?? Not sure where you come from, but a pint in the US is ALWAYS defined as 16 fluid ounces.

Obviously, this response is too late to be of any use for the Fourth of July festivities, but I wanted to add it anyway for future use by others.

With regards to grills, for as long as I can remember, people have always been allowed to bring their own grills. Some people bring small Weber ones, while others bring gigantic setups. If it isn't allowed (officially) it is definitely condoned by the state park police. Cops walk around sometimes and I have NEVER seen anyone be hassled, or spoken to. Be considerate, and keep your area clean (during and after grilling) and keep your music to a reasonable level and no one will care.

As for alcohol, I believe THAT is definitely frowned upon. I have never seen anyone get busted, but I wouldn't push it by being overly obvious about it. I have been known to enjoy a few beers, margaritas and even some wine while grilling in the park. If you keep it low-key (and, remain inconspicuous about it) I doubt you will get hassled, or approached by police. In the end, it is about being considerate and neighborly.

BTW, this year I showed up early to get some grilling done and got to meet some really nice visitors, including a Thai family spending the day in the park, and a Muslim group who set up a huge area and brought friends and family and were VERY welcoming, offering free food and drinks to all. I spoke to them a couple of times while grilling and they were the nicest people. Really impressed with their setup, and friendliness. Hope to see them in the park again in the future.

As someone else has mentioned, you can go online to watch the video of your infraction. With the ticket letter, you should have received an insert explaining how you can access the information online, which is where you can see the actual video of your infraction. Unfortunately, I was also caught with a similar infraction, and there is no way to get out of it, as it clearly shows (at least, in my case) that I did NOT make a full stop. I went to court (to see how it all works out, and hoping that MAYBE I could plead to a lesser, less costly ticket, but they really have you on video, and they will review it, if you so request. And, the law is clear: you must come to a COMPLETE stop, and do so BEFORE the white line, and the stop must be at least 3 seconds (or, is it five?) before proceeding.

If you didn't make that full stop, there is no way to get out of that ticket. Save yourself the aggravation, and pay it. And, consider it a lesson learned.

Quote:

Simplistic much!? So, in your view, an iPhone should sell for exactly what it costs to manufacture? I am sorry, but that is downright silly. While most estimates peg the manufacturing costs of an iPhone base model at a little over 200 (full retail price is close to 600) there are TONS of costs associated with the design and production of an item (especially technology-related ones) that need to be recouped. Entire teams of hardware and software engineers, UI designers, support staff, and countless others, are required to bring these items to life. How do you propose these people get paid, or for a company to have an incentive to continually innovate and bring new products to market??

Don't forget Brewshot! It wasn't until recently that I finally tried their coffee, but I was thoroughly impressed. The service was good, the product itself was great (strong flavor, with a nice hint/touch of nuttiness) and the place is very inviting.

I hope they are doing well, but it is hard to tell. They are almost hidden (back area of Liberty Harbor North, southeast corner) and the place was dead when I stopped in on a weekend morning, primetime for coffee and pastries.

Yelp Reviews

I don't live downtown, but I sort of recall a thread from years past on the topic of the loud speed bumps. My recollection is that they had deployed rumble strips, which can be loud. Earlier in this thread, or a different one, someone mentioned that in NJ (or, JC?) speed bumps are no longer allowed.

Sadly, I have been purposely threatened by drivers while riding around JC on many occasions. For some reason, some drivers absolutely abhor cyclists, and operate under the misconception that we are somehow violating the law by (lawfully) riding on the streets.

During one such incident, as I was riding West on Grand, right before the Jersey Avenue intersection, a driver decided to pass me within inches (no more than 3 to 6 inches) and rolled down his window and told me to "get the f#@& off the street". Sadly, that has happened enough times that I no longer choose to "share" the lane. As many cycling advocates suggest, I now take over the entire lane. At least this way, drivers are forced to switch lanes in order to go around me (unless, of course, they feel like mowing me down.) While "sharing" the lane is the nice thing to do, it also makes it too tempting for aggressive drivers to attempt unsafe passing.

I really, truly hope they find the person who killed Natasha.

I have met Jeff before on many occasions. He has owned MANY places around JC and Hoboken. Some of them very successful. He used to own York Street Tavern before selling it some 4 years ago, and he is related to the group that owns and manages Powerhouse Lounge. He is actually a great guy: friendly and welcoming. While I am not denying what others are saying, in my opinion the stories here are not characteristic of him. Hopefully, he will succeed in this new venture. He is a relentless entrepreneur, and that's something that can benefit JC.

About time! This is essentially a shot across the bow for all the corrupt old-timers who were (mistakenly) hoping to keep milking our city. I hope this is only the beginning of many more "small" (but significant) changes.

Maybe he could run for political office! Or, head of the local chapter of the NAACP!!
Our Deputy Mayor did it...

I take it reading comprehension is not your strong suit. The OP didn't ask about flood maps. The links presented have nothing to do with the FEMA maps, in fact. The links are a proactive effort by NYC to inform its citizens and agencies about updated EVACUATION zones, and designated shelters. With such a map, a resident can determine his evacuation zone designation, and where to head for shelter in the event of a disaster and/or an evacuation order.

I think you are both right. It almost feels like you are stepping into their "home" or "hangout" and they are letting us be a part of the action.

I think the place has a lot of potential, and I think their attitude and vibe was really, really chill and cool. I have NO DOUBT I could have stayed another hour or two, just sitting there watching movies and enjoying my beers. Like I said, I really enjoyed it, and I really hope they do well. My friend was equally impressed, or even more so.

And, by the way, the service was one of the friendliest I have had in any JC establishment.

I was one of the original "doubters" who took issue with the BYOB/corkage fee. I thought it was wrong, but was impressed that the owners reversed course once they became aware that the practice was illegal.

I ended visiting late last night, for their taco tuesday and horror flicks. This place is awesome. As others have pointed out, it has a very chill vibe. And, the staff is extremely nice and friendly. From the moment we walked in, the owner introduced himself, we chatted briefly, and he invited us to sit in either section (one section was showing "It", while the other had "Killer Klowns From Outer Space"). I brought a friend and we had some tacos, and some beers we brought. The tacos were good, and tasty, and fairly "stuffed". Once our movie was over, a staff member asked what other movie we would like to see and he put on "Hellraiser". The campy, silly horror flicks were cool to watch while kicking back and relaxing with some tacos and brews. My only qualm: the chips were a bit undercooked and were a too oily, but they are free, and they offered to bring more. In the end, it was a great evening and I am sure I will be back.

Kudos to the owner for having such a great staff, and for doing their thing in the neighborhood. Hopefully, they will make it here. I'll be back soon, for sure.