"Please tell your editors to look across the Hudson River from lower Manhattan. All those towers? That's us." Bravo, Bogart! Let us know if you get a reply.

Isn't there even a big NYT distribution center or printing facility in Jersey City? Or am I mistaken?

Healy's Wikipedia entry does not mention his public nudity. Someone needs to rectify that STAT.

I live across the street from where bagpipe guys plays. I can firmly say that he's improving. Keep practicing, guy! And thanks for bringing the sounds of the highlands to DTJC.

The April 17, 2013 Wall Street Journal interviews local baker about the cupcake market in Jersey City:

"Forget Gold, the Gourmet-Cupcake Market Is Crashing"

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001 ... ml?KEYWORDS=cupcake+salon

We had a bad experience there recently. Our washer broke so we dropped off our laundry. When we went to pick it up, it had been co-mingled with someone else's laundry. They assured us that it hadn't been washed together but just folded on the same table and got mixed up. We had to spend the time we saved by doing drop off sorting through 4 bags of laundry to separate ours from the other laundry. When we went to pay I thought they would have offered a discount for our trouble but they charged us full price! (And I had to go back twice because I still ended up with some other woman's underwear in my bag.)

My Fulop sign was cut down a few weeks ago. It was secured with zip ties so one would have needed tools to cut it down. I didn't think to report it though.

LimpiarElSucio: You cite south street seaport as an example of a suburban mall in an urban setting but it's not... it's exactly the kind of ground level retail that the original poster is hoping to see and that the mall's developer acknowledged would help integrate the mall complex back into the surrounding city grid.

Quote:

Thank you! Condoms are bad news for drains. Please don't flush condoms!

Thanks for the suggestion on the back flow preventer. We have one but the problem happens when the connection gets clogged and there's nowhere for "new" sewage to go and the plumber has to snake it out. I guess this means opening the back flow preventor and then all the stuff that's behind the clog rushes in. Regular snaking is key but dang it I wish people would stop flushing inappropriate stuff. And I wish the MUA would educate people on this topic.

Well, once again the floor of my basement is covered in sewage. This time the connection between our building and the main was all plugged up with tampons. As no one in our building flushes those I know the problem originated somewhere else in the neighborhood. Previous backups were caused by cooking grease and paper towels.

Please don't flush:

tampons
tampon applicators
paper towels
q-tips
"flushable" wipes (the ancient JC sewage system can't handle them)
cooking grease (or put it down your drain... throw it in the trash)

Anyone want to add to this list? What else have you had problems with?

I disputed the membership with our credit card but Synergy is refusing to let go of our $426. What really angers me is that they had to know they were going to close when we joined up for a year. Very unethical.

Mayor Healy's statement considerably raised my estimation of him. I applaud him for standing up with other mayors like Bloomberg against the proliferation of guns. Made me proud(er) to live in Jersey City.

Thanks all you JCListers for the feedback. And MDM, you're right, that is worse. I paid it online... turns out the $52 included the penalty ($42 ticket + $10 fine). Live to fight another day, right?

Took the 126 bus to Hoboken last night. Quite a bargain at $3.25. If only if continued to Hamilton Park more frequently.

Does the Jitney only go to JSQ? How does a Downtowner like me get DT from JSQ without PATH? Cab?

Has anyone tried to get their money back? My husband just paid $426 for a year's membership about 5 weeks ago.

I know that there are more important things to worry about but I can't help but feel annoyed that I received in the mail a "Failure to Appear Notice" for a parking ticket I never received.

The ticket is for failing to move my car for street cleaning back in October. I wasn't aware of this slip as there was never a ticket on my windshield but I suppose it's possible.

Here's what's got me annoyed... on top of the ticket amount ($52), there's also a penalty (granted "only" $10) because I didn't pay before what was probably blown off my windshield or removed by some punk. How is it right that I'm charged a penalty for something I didn't even know about? There's no way to know you got a ticket except the paper ticket left on your car.

The only way to contest it is to go to court and I'm not going to waste my time contesting a $10 penalty. Also a small, paranoid voice in my head wonders if the city isn't "losing" parking tickets to make more money through penalties.

Anyone have similar experiences to share?

Highly recommend this place which has a location on Hamilton Park:

http://www.ipgcounseling.com/about-us/locations/jersey-city

Yes, they specialize in alternative lifestyles but don't let that deter you if you aren't in one of those categories. The counselors there are incredible.

For those of us who haven't been following every development, what can we do now to help stop this disaster? I've already signed the petitions on the website, become a member, etc. Is there a letter writing to campaign or some other way I can help now?

@thor800

In my experience homeowners insurance will cover sewer backup but not flooding which makes it sort of a blessing in disguise that both times I had to make a claim it was sewer related.

Also, it's my understanding that ever since the Hurricane (now three weeks ago) the sewer has been dumping, untreated, into the Hudson because of some storm damage. Can anyone confirm or give additional details?

Just adding my +1

As I said in another thread several years ago the sewer in front of our house collapsed, filling our basement with sewage. The MUA fixed it but reacting seems to be their MO rather than proactively fixing the known problems.

The city needs to fix the sewer system now!

Count me among the number that would love to hear a response and plan from the MUA. The combined sewer needs to be fixed ASAP. Does anyone know where to find out the status of the repairs mandated by the EPA in last year's lawsuit?

Several years ago the sewer in front of our house collapsed, filling our basement with sewage. The MUA fixed it but reacting seems to be their MO rather than proactively fixing the known problems. This is at the expense of homeowners who repeatedly suffer damage.

I'm also POed at the calls so late at night. Last night 11:45 p.m. to let us know the Office of Emergency Management would be close. I didn't need that information and I certainly didn't need to be awakened by the phone for it. I'm going to call them to complain today... oh wait, they're not open. Grrr.

I just checked my sample ballot and it's not there. It wasn't on the real ballot either. My husband and I both looked for it,

Believe it or not, the Key Foods on Jersey Avenue has had a nice selection of grass-fed beef and other humanely raised meat since they changed over from being a C-Town.

They seem to change it up a lot and the meat department is currently understocked because of the hurricane but I hope enough people will buy the grass-fed beef, etc. so they make sure to stock it regularly.

I did not see this on the ballot... it wasn't on the sample ballot I got in the mail or the real ballot. Or did I just overlook it? I'm in Ward F Legislative District 14.

I snapped this pic on York Street... very poignant with City Hall in the background.

A facebook group has been formed to coordinate volunteers:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/JerseyCitySandyRecovery/

@rycor I think we did meet today. Isn't it amazing what can be accomplished when so many people pitch in?

Went to City Hall today to volunteer and about 50-70 others were there to pitch in. Organizers took contact info and dispatched volunteers to certain streets to just knock on doors and see if neighbors needed help. I ended up helping a neighbor on Sussex Street demo the lower level of a brownstone, remove sheet rock, etc. before mold sets in. There are a lot of neighbors in need of help. Hoping I can do more tomorrow.

Just got this email from Steve Fulop (who has been very helpful during the storm posting updates on Facebook, etc.):

"I know the last few days have been challenging for everyone, and I hope this email finds you well under the circumstances. The concerns and issues of power, heat, and communication of information to residents obviously still exists throughout most of the city, and similar to you I am only able to pass along what information we are told by the mayor?s office or OEM. That said, I am happy to pass along your feedback, specific requests for dumpsters locations/help, or information if you reply to this email.

Importantly though and the purpose of this email is that included below is the link for those that have
access to the internet on a desktop as well as the phone number for those that can start the process for FEMA relief if your home has sustained damage.

The Federal Government has a website that allows people to apply for assistance online: http://www.disasterassistance.gov .This website consolidates the application process across several Federal agencies, including FEMA and the Small Business Administration. The website also reduces the number of forms you will ultimately have to fill out, shortens the time it takes to apply, and allows you to check the progress of your applications online.

If you want to apply by phone rather than the Internet, you can call 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362).
Please let me know any questions

Steve"

For anyone who evacuated to the burbs, we were able to get back to JC via 78 and the Turnpike extension with no issues. Power is on at 3rd and Jersey.