Jersey City: America's Most Diverse Town

Via NJ.com:

From the gateway days of nearby Ellis Island to today, Jersey City has long been a true American melting pot. It's no surprise, then, that Jersey City is the most diverse city in the country, according to a new survey. After looking at 350 of the most populated cities in the United States, finance website WalletHub found that Jersey City came in No. 1 in ethno-racial and linguistic diversity. The study analyzed information from the U.S. Census Bureau in three categories: racial and ethnic diversity, which weighed the most, as well as language diversity and region of birth diversity. Jersey City got outstanding marks in all three, coming in at No. 3 for racial and ethnic diversity (bested only by Oakland and Vallejo, Calif.), No. 4 for language diversity and No. 7 for region of birth diversity. According to 2010 Census information, more Jersey City residents identified as white (32.7 percent), but other major ethnic groups also each made up a sizable portion of the population, with Black or African American at 25.8 percent, Asian at 23.7 and Hispanic or Latino at 27.6.

See the full study here.

Officials Rebel Against Port Authority Plan To End Overnight PATH Train Service

Nighttime workers and nightlife fans in New Jersey will soon have no way to get home from Manhattan if the Port Authority gets its way. Via the Jersey Journal:

Several Hudson County officials will join forces with other officials tomorrow to call on the Port Authority to to cancel its proposal to eliminate the overnight PATH service. The press conference, which will include federal, state, and local elected officials, is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Grove Street PATH Station in Jersey City.

A slew of officials are scheduled to attend, including Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, U.S. Rep. Albio Sires, Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer, Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, North Bergen Mayor and state Sen. Nick Sacco, Union City Mayor and state Sen. Brian Stack, and state Sen. Sandra Cunningham.

In a report released over the holidays -- and signed off on by Govs. Chris Christie of New Jersey and Andrew Cuomo of New York -- the Port Authority proposes to eliminate PATH service 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. weeknights as a cost-savings measure. It would also affect hundreds of thousands more people if weekend overnight service were also eliminated, according to a press release. The PATH connects New York City with Jersey City, Newark, Harrison and Hoboken.

Jersey City residents have already suffered through two years of restricted service out of the World Trade Center station due to Hurricane Sandy-related repairs.

NOTE: For those wondering, a cab from downtown Manhattan to Newark will run you about $100 after you add in tolls and tip. It's about $40-$50 to Jersey City.

Saturday In Jersey City

From the Newark Star-Ledger:

Wrapping up a historical week for same-sex couples in New Jersey, Jersey City's Pint Bar will be hosting a "Big Gay Wedding Reception" on Saturday at 5 p.m. Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop conducted eight marriages at 12:01 a.m. and other couples have been married across the county Monday, the first day that same-sex couples could legally wed in the state. The reception, co-hosted by Gayborhood, which bills itself as Jersey City's largest non-political gay social group, will extend the celebration at 34 Wayne St. Anyone who has been married, will be married or simply supports marriage equality is invited to attend. Pint owner Wolf Sterling said the bar has a long history of supporting the gay community by hosting and sponsoring events.

I'll be there since about half of my social circle has fled Manhattan for Jersey City over the last few years. Pint's owner is a former Sister of Perpetual Indulgence!

Married In Jersey City!

Photo by Nathan Bullock.

NEW JERSEY: Asbury Park Issues Marriage Licenses In Advance Of Court Ruling

The New Jersey Supreme Court might rule tomorrow that same-sex marriages can begin on Monday, even though it won't actually hear the full case until January. And the popular gay tourism town of Asbury Park has already begun issuing licenses, just in case.

Asbury Park's action touched off conflicting legal advice for towns. The Star-Ledger of Newark reported that the state Health Department sent emails to municipal clerks Thursday telling them not to issue any licenses until after the state Supreme Court rules on whether the nuptials will be recognized next week. Meanwhile, the gay rights legal group Lambda Legal said towns should issue licenses so couples can start getting married at 12:01 a.m. Monday. Under state law, there's a 72-hour waiting period for marriage licenses. A state judge ruled last month that the state had to recognize gay marriage starting Monday, but the administration of Gov. Chris Christie appealed.

From the above-cited Star-Ledger report:

Asbury Park administrator Terence Reidy said the city has fielded at least two dozen calls from couples asking whether it is issuing marriage license applications. He said he’s told them yes. "We’re doing it so that we’re ready," Reidy said. "If something happens — the law changes — the city isn’t going to do anything in violation of any ruling or regulation. We’re being proactive so that when the 21st comes, any couple that wants to be married, they’re ready and we’re ready." "Absent a legally binding order not to issue these applications, it is our understanding of the law, that we have the right and obligation to begin issuing applications tomorrow," Reidy said. "Please be clear, this is not a act of civil disobedience, but rather our interpretation of what the law permits at this time." Jersey City also intends to begin issuing licenses Friday, Mayor Steve Fulop said. "As the largest LGBT community in New Jersey and one of the first in the state to issue civil unions, we are intending on being the first to issue licenses and perform weddings on Monday," Fulop said in a statement. "We are currently working to ensure that the marriage certificates will be legal and binding."

Stand by for Brian Brown's screams about lawlessness!

UPDATE: Newark mayor and US Senator-elect Cory Booker plans to marry gay couples on Monday, should the Court allow it.

Multiple advocates in New Jersey confirmed that the Newark mayor who just won election to the Senate on Wednesday plans to conduct weddings in the first floor rotunda of Newark City Hall after the clock strikes midnight. The only remaining question is whether the New Jersey Supreme Court will issue an order before then putting marriage equality on hold while it considers an appeal of the trial-court decision that led to Booker’s plans. In Newark, the couples being married by Booker are being required to fill out and sign the required marriage license application by 10 a.m. Friday, according to information provided to BuzzFeed. Media coverage, including interviews with the couples, also is being coordinated. The couples, who are invited to bring up to five guests, are being asked to arrive at Newark City Hall an hour prior to the ceremony.

Totally The Worst Clip In The Entire All-Time History Of Everything

Mark this date. It's the end of the internet.

Bruiser At Jersey City's Star Bar

I forgot to put up some photos after last week's debut of Bruiser, the new Sunday afternoon bear party at Jersey City's Star Bar, but this can serve as a reminder in case anybody's thinking of attending this weekend. Star Bar owner Wolf put on a great event and the little joint overflowed, with as many people outside on the sidewalk as in the bar, to the delight of the excellent Mexican street meat vendor parked ten feet from the door. Caution, that food is insanely hot. I gave Bruiser's DJ Damien Cote a bite of my sandwich, sending him sprinting to the nearest bodega for some milk. Star Bar is one block from the Grove Street PATH station, about a 15 minute ride from Manhattan. By the way, the Dugout/Ramrod was just purchased by the owners of Chelsea's Gym Bar, it's unknown what their plans for the space may be.

Sunday: Bear Party In Jersey City

My pal Wolf, owner of Jersey City's Star Bar, tips us to his new Sunday afternoon party for bears and friends which begins this weekend. As many New Yorkers know, the bear-centric Dugout in the West Village has become the leather-lite Ramrod, ending at least a decade of beer-soaked late afternoon carousing around a brilliantly curated jukebox in favor of Britney-loving DJs and go-go boys. Dammit. Star Bar is just one block from the Grove Street PATH station (one stop from the West Village), and Wolf intends to recreate the old Dugout scene there. Who's down?

Arrested: All Of New Jersey

Feds Arrest Half Of Jersey

Some strange is going on across the river in Jersey. This morning the feds made a massive corruption sweep and arrested the mayors of Hoboken and Secaucus, the deputy mayor of Jersey City, a state Assemblyman, several rabbis, and other politicians.

Hoboken Mayor Peter Cammarano has been arrested by the FBI as part of a wide-reaching investigation that is swooping up dozens of people, including other politicians and rabbis, according the WNBC-TV, Hudson County Now is reporting. Jersey Journal file photoHoboken Mayor Peter Cammarano, seen here with his wife and daughter at his inauguration July 1, has been arrested by the FBI, according to a TV report. The IRS is also involved, according to the report. "It appears to be a corruption related investigation but justice department and FBI spokesmen would not commenting on the details this morning,'' the report says. "Arrests and searches are underway across Jersey City, Secaucus and numerous Hudson and Bergen county locations. "In past years, New Jersey has seen more than 100 corruption-related arrests of public officials. No word on the specific charges against those being rounded up today. A press conference is expected later today.'' Others reportedly arrested are Secaucus Mayor Dennis Elwell and Deputy Jersey City Mayor Leona Baldini.

The mayor of Hoboken only took office three weeks ago, so he must work fast.

The Second Crash Of Flight 1549

Jersey City residents were startled to see the fuselage of US Airways Flight 1549 being towed through city streets this weekend.

[T]he fuselage, which had been brought to Weeks Marine Inc. in Jersey City for the federal investigation after it crash landed in the Hudson River, was supposed to head to Newark via the Officers Shawn Carson and Robert Nguyen Memorial Bridge, but the plane couldn't fit and hit the top of the bridge. Officials then had to back it down and take it back up Communipaw Avenue and onto Kennedy Boulevard to Montgomery Street, passing the St. Peter's College campus before turning right onto Montgomery, then left onto Bergen Avenue. These photos were taken on Montgomery Street and Bergen Avenue.

The entire plane is now in a salvage yard in Harrison, NJ, will it will remain during the expected 12-18 month investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board.

Evening View - Jersey City

Downtown Jersey City as seen from Christopher Street. Jersey City's skyline has been growing steadily since 9/11, thanks to all the Manhattan companies that bailed. JC is the second-biggest city in the state, behind Newark, with about 240,000 residents. Interestingly, JC has no ethnic majority, all races are represently almost equally.