Buon Appetito delivers to Bergen-Lafayette. I order from them all the time---and consider their pizza among the best in JC.

I always take King Taxi, and have never had a problem. I think it is $28 from JC.

Another know-nothing picking the inflammatory part of a discussion in order to bitch and moan about the posters on the list. This guy was NOT clearly pan-handling, so get that clear, okay? He walked up to a vehicle, without a sign, cup, or without verbalizing ANYTHING. And, in my case, reached for my car door handle. Maybe you'd feel magnanimous on a dark weekend morning and invite him in your car for coffee and muffins--or whatever he wanted, since he didn't say--but that's not what I am going to do. This guy needs to go to panhandling school and learn his trade if he wants any coin from me.

I guess it might have been funny if it wasn't early am, dark, with no one else in line or around--and I was without my or anyone else's favourite ax. I read enough of the posts on this list about random car jackings and robberies to know that I am not hanging around to find out what Smitty wants at the passenger window.

Amy--the very same thing happened to me at that DD drive-through. The man approached my passenger door and reached as if to open it. I sped out of the line and drove back around, to see him walking away toward town. I did not feel bad--in fact I was pissed off that my space was invaded and that I was afraid. He did not have a cup or a sign--the hallmarks of panhandlers--so to me, he was looking for something else. But he looked a little out of it anyway. I told the attendant in the DD window, but I don't think she knew what the hell I was saying.

Once again, people like NewHeights wax knowledgeable and suggest novel drastic approaches to problems and issues about which they know either nothing or very little. I'd be tempted to get angry with NewHeight's epithets and "solution," because I too live in this area, pay taxes, along with the majority of my neighbors on my block, but then I realize it's not worth it. And he/she doesn't deserve any further thought or energy from me because he/she is a know-nothing sputterer.

Another point about the elemental issues concerning the mortgage crisis. It did not start with foreclosures. It started with more demand than supply (many reasons for this, including flipping, sub-prime lending)--which will naturally causes an increase in PRICE in any market. The sudden increased "value" of these properties was an incentive to refinance against the "new" equity people now had in their home. Meanwhile, all these loans and mortgages are being packaged and resold in the markets by and to different entities and investors. When the "bubble burst," the PRICE of properties came back down to earth, creating a huge disparity between the value of the mortgages and loans, and the actual value of the property that was supporting it. This disparity makes properties vulnerable to foreclosure for a variety of reasons--one of which is people plain and simple walking away from a house that is worth 200k that they are mortgaged out for 500k. All of this contributes to the reasons a company like Lehman Bros. was stuck with what are known as "toxic assets"--meaning they owned a lot of these suddenly volatile and possibly worthless loan/mortgage packages.

You CANNOT blame this one on Clinton/Democrats no matter how hard you try. Sorry.

Here's a different way of looking at the facts of the CRA:

http://www.reuters.com/article/pressR ... 59+07-Jan-2008+BW20080107

NEW YORK--(Business Wire)--A Traiger & Hinckley LLP study of 2006 mortgage loan data suggests
that the Community Reinvestment Act, a federal law that requires banks
to help serve the credit needs of their local communities, including
low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, deterred banks from engaging
in the kinds of risky lending practices that are provoking the
foreclosure crisis.

Compared to other lenders in their communities, banks making loans
in their CRA assessment areas (CRA Banks) were less likely to make a
high cost loan, charged less for the high cost loans they did make,
and were substantially more likely to eschew the secondary market and
retain high cost and other loans in portfolio. Foreclosure rates were
also lower in metropolitan areas with proportionately greater numbers
of bank branches.

I would have accepted the prices--they were all fair. Some of the reasons they gave for backing out had to do with their busy schedules, that they didn't want to deal with permits, etc, nothing to do with me. Not sure why they came over in the first place, since I told them what the deal was when we spoke. I don't know if there is something funky going on in the market, or what. The job is probably similar to yours, Lafayette--old house, needing upgrade/new service.

Can anyone recommend an electrician for a larger, older home renovation project--I have called the ones recommended here and on the competing list, and the electricians have come to my house, given estimates, and then backed out for one reason or another. Thanks.

I believe this is SOP for responding to house alarms, as well. My sense is that a visual inspection is conducted, and any open doors or windows are closed. Closed meaning shut--not locked or secured. So if someone busted it open or broke a lock, it remains that way for a return visit. If you are away on vacation, and your house alarm goes off, be sure you have someone at the ready to secure the place right away.

What's that thing floating in the pool?

I think the Brompton, by far, is the best folding bike with respect to the ease and compactness of folding and unfolding. To me, it rides great, but I have never tried a Dahon. Bromptons cost more, but I have been absolutely thrilled with mine. The engineering is amazing.

That's what Cankicker said, in fact. MORE scrutiny, smaller department.

Mr Smith--posters like Sal have virtually chased me off this site with their constant negativity and criticism. I still pop in from time to time to get information about new restaurants and other news, but I rarely sign in or post any longer. Not sure if that is his goal, to brow-beat and argue every person, and each tiny point into some kind of submission, but I found it does not really add any value to my life to get involved. Not that I didn't get into it now and again when I disagreed with someone, but I just didn't feel I needed to challenge or be challenge constantly by such an intellectual juggernaut.
Good luck with ROM--I have read your posts on this thread and feel sympathy for all the crap everyone seems to be going through in these condos.

Just had to share this story. I went out to my car yesterday, which was parked on Arlington Ave. The back window was completely rolled down. I have power windows, it had been a warm day, and I must have accidentally put down the window in the back the day before and not noticed. I had left a nice leather coat, wallet, money, ipod, expensive phone in the package I was returning to the store, etc, etc, inside the car. Stupid to leave that stuff, I know, but the point is---nothing had been disturbed! Wow--on the streets of JC, and not even the best street, no one availed themselves of an easy opportunity to reach in a car left wide open for nearly 24 hours. One of my happiest days here--and a gentle reminder to me to be more careful altogether.

Love, love, love Dosa Hut. The dearth of parking and traffic on those streets is such that now I just park at the Path garage and walk over.

What are the general demographics of the current Beacon residents (from observation)? I looked at the website and it seems to target young homogenous couples--to the extent you have noticed, is there an open attitude toward older, single, gay, diverse (etc) people.

The more you compare the Irish to the Black experience in 'coming to America,' the lamer it sounds. But keep trying.

No one said, or even implied, that other groups weren't discriminated against. What I said was THIS:

"The Irish and Italians weren't beaten and hung, sanctioned by US law, for learning the language and opening businesses, among other things."

What is the matter with you???? You actually want to even try to compare these groups? This is the kind of talk we get in Jersey City in the year 2008, 5 minutes away from New York City? I can't believe it.

Even more sickening when you consider the fact that most African Americans descended from people who were forcible yanked away from their country (and lives and businesses) and brought to the US where it was illegal for them to learn to read, or to learn any trade but what the massa wanted them to do. When you start trying to compare immigrant groups, and how the generations past can shed light on the present day---don't forget that fact. The Irish and Italians weren't beaten and hung, sanctioned by US law, for learning the language and opening businesses, among other things.

I can no longer even enter the JC Pathmarks or the downtown Shoprite. It started with a slight feeling of nausea near the Old Colony PM deli section, to a full-blown ban on going to those stores. Period. The Hoboken Shoprite is much better. I would love a better grocery store option like Whole Foods and would pay for it, because, as it is, I am mostly eating (and paying a fair amount for) take-out from places I trust.

Kapplcd--there are several people that I know of on this list that are in a position to speak with any authority on your question. Others may still comment, using stories in the Jersey Journal as a basis for their response, or maybe an experience driving down some Bergen-Lafayette or Greenville street, be it Arlington or another miles away. I live a couple of blocks from your prospective condo, and I have a lot of thoughts and information about life here that I will gladly share with you. Please PM me so we can communicate more directly. I often get annoyed when I read responses to inquiries like yours because the posts usually say everything and nothing.

I know the purpose of this thread is to complain about others, but I must add to the fainting feeling creativeconquests observes. When packed inside the crowded car, and feeling the stranger's hand repeatedly slide down the pole and touch mine, and parts of bodies pressed against parts of mine, smelling and sensing the warm breath on my neck or cheek, I have felt a sudden fear and nearly irrepressible urge to escape the confines of the car, even in mid-flight. I guess this is what is known as claustrophobia. Well, I don't like it, and don't believe people belong this close together, and I, for one, am taking the ferry as often as possible before I develop a full blown mental illness.

What are the gun laws in NJ? Can you only keep a licensed gun inside the home for protection--and no strolling around with it?

Mad Lib for "Will I be Maimed if I Move to the ______ Area of Jersey City?"

#1: Newbie, I have never lived in the _____ area, nor have I visited but I think ______________________________.

#2: Ooohh, Newbie, that area is very ______________. I have been living in JC since _____________ and have watched that area go from ____________ to _____________ in short time.

#3: I have been living there for the past ____________. Since then I have witnessed _______________ and consider my neighbors to be ________________. I get out of work at ______ and feel __________ walking home.

#4: Say, Newbie, why are you considering moving to ______ anyway? Have you looked into __________ or _______, which contain the 5 streets I consider worthy of consideration? In fact, I am not sure how these other areas were even included in JC, but if you are willing to _________ and ___________, I am sure you could find a more suitable place.

#5: Why is everyone picking on ___________? Safety in JC is basically a _______ by _______ thing. If you keep your __________ about you, no one will ________ you.

#6: As long as we are talking safety, let me add that ________ and ________ are the WORST neighborhoods in all of JC. I have never even been there--that's how bad those areas are!

Greenville--do you mind sharing more details about your experience with the youth of JC? I am assuming they separated you from your bike, and I have been a little nervous about this possibility. So I am wondering where you were, what time of day---any way to avoid it, etc. Thank you!

Not to pick AGAIN, but the Garfield light rail stop is not in Greenville--it is in Bergen-Lafayette. Guess more of us have to call in sick.

+1 Farfromit

I am surprised I don't see more XootScoots on the streets of NY. It is incredibly fast, easy to balance and steer, and so portable.

Christine--if you do get a folder, I recommend the ferry over the path 100%. Tons of personal space, outdoors, and no dark underground pressing against flesh. I don't know where your office is, but if you feel like a longer or shorter ride, you can take the midtown or WFC ferry. Plus, the free midtown crosstown bus is so convenient--you never actually have to ride in traffic.

Just be sure you try to fully imagine all the situations for which you anticipate needing a folding bike before you purchase. I too was captivated by the Swift--not only for its design, but because I have an amazing Xootr scooter and really like the company. All the research I did on folders pointed me toward the Brompton, but I ended up buying a Giant Halfway because someone was selling it at a good price. The Halfway rides great, folds up easily enough-- to a size comparable to the Swift. However, what I discovered after a few trips commuting from JC to NYC and into my office building is that a bike the size of the Halfway/Swift is only marginally better than a full size bike when maneuvering through turnstiles, up and down subway stairs, or up the elevator. So my Halfway sat in the basement from the second week on. For my purposes, I really should have bought the Brompton--it is truly an engineering marvel, having subsequently gone to NYCE bike shop to sample and drool over them. If you just want a bike that you can easily throw in the car, and wont take up much space in your apartment, and you don't think you will take it on public transportation during rush hour, then I do think there are many great folder options out there. Otherwise--check out the Brompton.