What I’m about to reveal is not very original: I-along with several million other people-LOVE Queen Latifah! Turns out that this brilliant artist and entertainer has some great things to say about us too-that is, Jersey City-ites and the town she once called home. It’s heartening to discover that all the good things you’ve intuited about a person are actually true-Queen Latifah’s generosity of spirit is as big as her outsized talent. We are honored to have her in our pages.
We called on Helene Stapinski, author of the fabulous and funny Jersey City memoir Five-Finger Discount: A Crooked Family History, to talk with Queen Latifah about … well, just drop in on this conversation between these two Jersey girls and tell us what you think.
Then fasten your seatbelts for “Adios Eldorado,” a hair-raising tale about a winter’s night on the old army pier. Do you have a story to tell? Send it on. For a more cerebral ride, longtime Jersey City resident Theta Pavis tackles the murky notion of “reputation.” What’s ours? Does it even matter?
Continuing our theme of capturing our vanishing Jersey City, JCM goes inside the transformed Pattern Makers building, disturbs the dust of New Jersey’s oldest bowling alley, and takes a bumpy ride down the city’s six remaining cobblestone streets.
We end with the gentler arts-sewing, cooking, and dining. Cozy up to our duvet divas and share a meal with the Budinich family at 15 Fox Place.
Finally, thanks to all of you who sent us your “Parting Shot” images. Wistful, beautiful, or gritty, they make time stand still in our ever-changing, fast-moving metropolis. Keep ’em coming.
Well, it’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood,
A beautiful day in the neighbor-hood
Can’t go wrong. I feel strong and the flavor’s good
I’m with whatever comes my way,
Hip-hop, hooray.
Latifah’s on vacation
I’m just plain old Dana today.
-“Just Another Day,” Queen Latifah