Jersey Joe’s Year Three Round Up [Kicking Back with Jersey Joe]

It’s Memorial Day weekend and not only does that mark the unofficial start of summer, but it’s also my SEASON PREMIERE!   This is my 141stblogumn (plus 6 for Fierce Anticipation) and kicks off my fourth year on F & N.  To start the new season off right, I want to update some of the great things we’ve talked about over the past three years.

 

THE SMURFS MOVIE

Fierce Anticipation: The Jersey Joe Edition V – May 21, 2010

In my fifth fill in outing for Fierce Anticipation, I reviewed the live action Smurfs Movie.  Now, fast forward to 2013 and The Smurfs 2 will hit theatres on July 31.  While the first movie was set in New York City, this sequel is set in Paris as the gang tries to find a kidnapped Smurfette.

I will probably skip this one.

 

THE BURGER KING RIBS EDITION

Blogumn #2 – June 6, 2010

In my second official blogumn, I reviewed how Burger King went completely in a different direction by adding BBQ ribs to their menu.  While they tasted pretty good and sold out fast, the slow preparation time doomed them from future sales.

But, Burger King hasn’t given up on ribs.  This summer, they are serving up the new Burger King Rib Sandwich to rival McDonald’s mega-popular McRib.  The sandwich is being served for a limited time only.

 

I SURVIVED THE BURGER KING WHOPPER PIZZA

Blogumn #16 – October 1, 2010

Another discussion of a wacky Burger King product: their spin-off franchise Whopper Bar in New York City’s Times Square was serving up a $12 Whopper Pizza known as The New York Pizza Burger.

The New York City Whopper Bar location closed last year.  However, locations are still open in other cities. I can verify that the Las Vegas restaurant in the Rio casino was open as of March.  However, the New York Pizza Burger is no longer on any menu.

 

THE BEST $1.99 MEAL WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI

Blogumn #42 – April 29, 2011

It was my favorite meal in Las Vegas.  The Golden Gate Hotel & Casino on downtown’s Fremont Street used to offer a $1.99 shrimp cocktail at a little deli counter tucked in the back of their casino.

The property has undergone a massive renovation to add an additional hotel tower and more gaming space.  As part of the renovation, the rear deli was closed and that area has been turned into a bank of slot machines and an expanded hotel check in.

The shrimp cocktail has moved to their restaurant, Dupar’s, and the price has been raised to $2.99.  Sadly, this is more of a sit down restaurant versus the original fast deli counter.  It used to take seconds to walk to the old counter, order one, and go.  Now, you have to wait to be seated inside the restaurant.

However for one day only on May 10, 2013 to honor National Shrimp Day, the cost was rolled back to the original price of 50¢.

 

HOW GIANT FERRIS WHEELS WILL CHANGE THE WORLD

Blogumn #54 – August 12, 2011

Las Vegas has plans to construct two large Ferris Wheels on the famous Strip.  The first, as part of Project Linq, an entertainment district being developed by Caesar’s Entertainment, is located behind The Quad (formerly Imperial Palace) hotel and casino.

As evidenced by the photo I posted to Twitter a few months back, the large wheel is well under construction and is expected to open later this year.

Its competitor, SkyVue is another story.  Land was cleared at the south end of the strip and two large columns have been erected for at the wheel’s base, but financial problems have brought this project to a stand still.

While the website proclaims work is being done off-site, the parent company had to settle $5.4 million in debt leans earlier this year and they are seeking additional funding.  While the project is not abandoned, the slow construction progress has officials and locals concerned that this project will ever get finished.

The third wheel I discussed at The American Dream Meadowlands in New Jersey is still a no go.  While work on the mega mall has finally started once again after a four year standstill, plans continue to change.  The Pepsi Globe is still featured on their website as being planned for the project and the footings were already built when construction stalled in 2009.

The mall area is expected to open in fall 2013, but the rest will not be complete before the Super Bowl is played across the street next year.  The entertainment district is expected to open fall 2014.

A TACO SHELL MADE OF DORITO’S – WHAT TOOK TACO BELL SO LONG

Blogumn #82 – Special Edition March 15, 2012

Taco Bell struck gold when they added a taco shell made of Nacho Cheese Doritos to the menu.  The taco was so popular 15,000 jobs were created at the plant to produce them.

Taco Bell has since introduced a second flavor, Cool Ranch back in March.

Personally, the original nacho cheese Doritos version has much more flavor.  The Cool Ranch shell is seriously lacking taste.

 

J.R. EWING AND DALLAS LIVE AGAIN

Blogumn #97 – June 22, 2012

The TNT cable network brought back the 80’s prime time soap Dallas to huge ratings and the show was quickly renewed for another season.  Sadly, actor Larry Hagman, who played the main villain J. R. Ewing, died after shooting five episodes for the second season.

J.R. was killed off the show two episodes later in a classic murder mystery that only Dallas could provide.

 

STEEL PIER: THE MOST HISTORIC PIER IN AMERICA

Blogumn #101 – July 20, 2012

The Steel Pier in Atlantic City, New Jersey will be installing a number of new rides and attractions for Summer 2013.  One of my favorites, the Wave Swinger, which I have written about in the past will also be added.  A new boardwalk side bar has also opened.

 

 

THEY FINALLY BROUGHT BACK THE PYRAMID

Blogumn #108 – September 21, 2012

GSN, the Game Show Network finally brought back the classic game show Pyramid with an order of 39 episodes, using a set that was mostly left over from several failed CBS pilots.

The show was very well done, well updated, and faithful to the game play of the original.  While it premiered to strong ratings, the audience disappeared fast and the show was yanked from the air after all the episodes were broadcast.

As of now, it has not been renewed for a second season and the odds are slim that it will be.

If I were a TV executive, I would get a new host and syndicate this show for daytime TV.

 

NERVES OF STEEL NEEDED: TAKE A RIDE ON THE PULASKI SKYWAY

Blogumn #111 – October 12, 2012

In this blogumn, I gave an overview of the dangerous high speed road that basically links New York City, the Holland Tunnel, and Newark-Liberty International airport in New Jersey.

NJDOT has announced that a major construction project will begin on the Skyway immediately after the Super Bowl next year.  The entire inbound side will be closed, redecked, and rehabilitated.  Once the Holland Tunnel bound side is complete (about a year later), the Newark bound side will close for the same repairs.

The project is expected to cause major traffic issues in the area and New Jersey is already warning drivers to prepare and plan alternate routes.

 

THE 411

Name: Kicking Back with Jersey Joe

What: fun, lifestyle, pop culture, and entertainment blogumn on fierceandnerdy.com

Total blogumns to date: 141 (+6 for Fierce Anticipation)

 

JERSEY JOE RECOMMENDS

Once again, I have to thank each and every one of you local readers!  I’ve really learned and discovered a ton over the past few years writing this and I hope that you’ve enjoyed taking the journey with me.

Drop me a line here or on my twitter page @jerseyjoe50.  I love hearing what you have to say – and don’t forget I WRITE BACK!

Thanks!  Here’s to season four!

 

Image credit – Leo Reynolds