Hoboken Hospitality Week 2009 - December 1st through December 3rd

Starting tonight, various downtown merchants will be keeping their shops open later than normal to promote retail commerce within the Mile Square during the holiday shopping season. In years past this was done on one day but this year it is broken into three nights for downtown, midtown and uptown stores respectively. Tomorrow night many of the downtown stores in Hoboken are participating as shown below:

December 1 Tuesday's stores - Downtown:

Air Studios, Anatasia's Accessories, Dor L'Dor, Greetings from Hoboken, Guitar Bar, Itty Bitties, Lucy's Luxe Face and Body, Michelangela, NJ Skateshop, Premier Soccer Shop, Right Angle, Sedona, Solid Threads, Via Mode, William Howard, Home, "Yes, I Do" and Zin Home.

Below are the participating stores for Wednesday and Thursday night......

December 2 Wednesday's stores - Midtown:

Aaraa, Anthology, Bella Ro, Bellie and Katrina, Beowoof, Candy Shoppe, Ciao Belly, Down to Earth, Elegantly  F.L.I., Empire Coffee and Tea, Fleet Feet Sports, Garden's Bloom, Jessie James, Koru Wedding Shoppe and Maxwell's 9.13.34, M. Avery Designs, Midtown Authentic, Patricia's Yarns, People, Platform Soul, The Tux Shop, Town House No. 620

December 3 Thursday's stores - Uptown:

Baskets of Distinction, Battaglia's Home, FastFrame, Galatea Linens, Galatea Lingerie, Homeslice, Peper Apparel and Parlor Shoes, Rubee's Closet, Swift Morris Home, Toots and Tallie, and finally Volente

Many of these stores are offering refreshments or special events. ◦

Hoboken Hospitality Week 2009 - December 1st through December 3rd

Hoboken City Council Seeks Applicants to Fill Vacancies on the Zoning Board of Adjustment

This was posted on the Hoboken City Hall website today (12/1/2009) regarding upcoming Zoning Board of Adjustment Vacancies:

Hoboken City Council Seeks Applicants to Fill Vacancies on the Zoning Board of Adjustment

Hoboken City Council Seeks Applicants to Fill Vacancies on the Zoning Board of Adjustment at December 16th Meeting for Terms Beginning January 1st, 2010. The Hoboken City Council, the sole appointing authority for the Zoning Board of Adjustment, seeks to fill two (2) regular vacancies and two (2) possible alternate vacancies at the December 16th meeting, to serve as a Commissioner of the Hoboken Board of Zoning Adjustment. Applicants who would like to be considered by the Council for one (1) of these seats must submit a notarized application to the City Clerk no later than December 8th, 2009. Prior applicants may be considered at the discretion of Council Members unless such applicants withdraw from consideration by notifying the City Clerk’s office. Applications may be downloaded from the City Clerk’s site or requested in the City Clerk’s office during regular business hours from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Mon-Fri.

Here is the link on the City Hall Website:

http://www.hobokennj.org/news/city-council-will-be-filling-a-vacancy-to-the-hoboken-zoning-board-of-adjustment/


My comment: I have decided to post this notice here on my website here as well to show that transparency is indeed part of the hiring process with the City of Hoboken. The notice may be short but those vacancies are coming up at the end of the month and the positions should be filled expeditiously to ensure a quorum. I would hope the proprietor of  Hoboken 411 would do the same to ensure as many people know about the appointments. Then again, I would also hope that the Republicans would get better spokesmen than Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh! Can pigs fly? Ha ha. After all, said proprietor likes to brag about his readership and he also complained about the lack of transparency in the last round of zoning appointments. Will the self-professed best traficked "news site" (thats a big reach on the news part) on Hoboken actually post this notification or continue to harbor his not so hidden agenda? Enquiring minds want to know. At least we know we get real news coverage from Amy Sarah Clark at NJ.com's Hoboken Now and Tim Carroll at the Hoboken Reporter. ◦

Hoboken City Council Seeks Applicants to Fill Vacancies on the Zoning Board of Adjustment

Hoboken Volunteers Launch Party Tuesday December 1st 6-9PM

Update 12/1/2009: The Hoboken Volunteers Laucnh Party is tonight at Black Bear Bar starting at 6:00PM.

Original Post 11/21/2009: Timothy Occhipinti sent me this flier to spread the word about the new website Hoboken Volunteers (hobokenvolunteers.com) and their launch party coming up after the Thanksgiving Holiday.

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Hoboken Volunteers Launch Party Tuesday December 1st 6-9PM

Hoboken Public Safety Committee Meeting November 30th Recap

Update 12/1/2009:

I attended last night's Public Safety Committee of the City Council meeting on November 30, 2009 at 6:30 p.m., at the basement conference room at City Hall. Councilmen Ravi Bhalla and Mike Lenz were in attendance. Councilwoman Beth Mason could not make the meeting due to a family committment.

From left to right: Director John Pope, Director Angel Alicea,

Councilman Ravi Bhalla, and Councilman Michael Lenz

First on the agenda was an issue that resident Hank Forrest brought to the committee's attention on PSE&G's light replacement program that has been going on in recent weeks. PSE&G has been replacing both mercury and high pressure sodium lights with the newer induction lights. The induction lights are said to be very efficient and have a long life. However, this replacement program is creating a problem since the newer lights light up a more focused area than the high pressure sodium lights mainly due to the type of fixture that comes with the new lights. This is creating dark spots in certain areas of town where there are fewer light poles per block. There will be follow up by the committee on this issue in days/weeks to come. A possible solution to some dark areas is to put more of the new lights in those areas. Another suggestion was to put a moratorium on replacing the high pressure sodium lights for now was also mentioned. The replacement program has been confined to City streets for now. County streets in Hoboken have yet to get approval for the go-ahead.

Additionally, a pilot progam is being considered at 4th and Washington to possibly improve all of Washington Street in terms of lighting. Police officers I have spoke to in the past have said that the poor lighting on Washington Street makes it hard for security cameras to properly identify suspects when incidents occur on the main drag.

On top is an example of the newer induction lights installed by PSE&G.

On the bottom is a high pressure sodium light.

Next on the agenda HFD Battalion Chief Greene spoke on behalf of Fire Chief Richard Blohm on replacing engine number 3 which is a 23 year old pumping fire engine. Battalion Chief Green noted that the average life span for a fire engine is 10-20 years depending on usage. Councilman Lenz asked for additional information on the maintenance breakdown for each fire engine. Both Councilmen, while noting the current budget difficulties, seemed to agree with the Battalion Chief that the request was reasonable given the age of the engine. This will be up for vote at the next City Council meeting.

HFD Battalion Chief Greene (on behalf of Fire Chief Richard Blohm)

The last item on the agenda was the contract with the Hoboken Housing Authority and Hoboken Police Department. At a previous City Council meeting objections (unspecified at this meeting) were raised by Councilman Mike Russo and former HHA Commisioner Perry Belfiore and the issue was tabled and brought back to this subcommittee.

Hoboken Police Chief Anthony Falco was emphatic that this new contract was a very good arrangement for both the City of Hoboken's Police Department as well as the HHA. Both Carmelo Garcia and Dominick Lisa from the HHA also agreed. There were two provisions in the new contract that would make enforcement even stronger for the projects. One was improved access for police officers to do vertical searches of HHA buldings. The other was the creation of a list of a people who are not allowed on the housing project grounds. Procedural and legal issues need to resolved on this yet to be implemented policy. There would need to be a standard for putting offenders on such a banned list as well as procedures for notifcation, redress and appeal for anyone put on it. It is believed that these two tools will make the enforcement of the HHA units much more proactive.

Police Chief Anthony Falco went further to say he would make sure that the schedule for coverage would be published in advance and that he would encourage his department to sign up for the time patrol time slots to ensure proper coverage. Kudos once again to Police Chief Falco for taking responsibility and accountability for making sure the HPD holds up their end of the bargain with the HHA. Ultimately it is the HHA's decision as to how to best provide security and they made a pretty persuasive case to continue the arragement with the new contractual improvements.

My Comment on the HHA Security Contract:

If one of the alternatives to the the HHA contract with is using a private security firm I don't feel that is a very good option. A private firm does not have the arresting authority that using real police officers has. In addition the HPD has connections with neighboring areas such as Jersey City and Union City which provide the HHA areas with a good percentage of offenders in Hoboken. It is these relationships I feel make a very strong case for using Hoboken Police Officers in lieu of private secuirty guards. With the proper leadership and accountability, the renewed contract will give the residents the best possible protection. If somone can come up with a better solution, the Hoboken Journal is all ears.

Original Post 11/29/2009: Here is a note from Ravi Bhalla to members of local media outlets and informational websites for a public meeting on November 30th on Public Safety:

 

The Public Safety Committee of the City Council will be meeting on November 30, 2009 at 6:30 p.m., at the basement conference room at City Hall.

As some of the issues to be discussed impact residents in Hoboken, I would like the general public to be aware of the meeting and encourage them to express any views they may have on matters to be discussed. Please consider posting information about this meeting through your respective media outlets. The Agenda for the meeting is as follows:

1. Street lighting safety – discussion of concerns relating to PSE&G’s replacement of certain mercury vapor and high pressure sodium street lights

· Invited participants: Director John Pope, Hank Forrest

2. Hoboken Fire Department – discussion of bond Ordinance on second reading relating to purchase of fire truck for Hoboken Fire Department

· Invited participant: Battalion Chief Greene (on behalf of Fire Chief Richard Blohm)

3. Contract between the Hoboken Housing Authority (HHA) and the City of Hoboken for the provision of security services by the Hoboken Police Department

· Invited participants: Police Chief Anthony Falco, Public Safety Director Angel Alicea, Carmelo Garcia

Thank you,

Ravi S. Bhalla

Chairman, Public Safety Committee

cc: Committee Member Beth Mason and Committee Member Michael Lenz ◦

Hoboken Public Safety Committee Meeting November 30th Recap

Benny Tudino's Pizzeria

In order to expand content for my website and not exclusively cover politics I have decided to take inventory of as many Hoboken businesses as I can. There is no particular rhyme or reason to the order in which I will post except for the fact  I decided to start with some relatively well known establishments first.

Benny Tudino's
Business Type: Restaurant, Italian, Pizzeria
Location: 622 Washington St Hoboken, NJ 07030
Phone: 201-792-4132
Open Hours: 11:00am - 1:00am
Noted for: Very large pizza slices- "Home of the Largest Pizza Slice"

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Benny Tudino's Pizzeria

Dec. 6: Holiday Family Concert at the Hoboken Historical Museum

Here is an upcoming event at the Hoboken Historical Museum this Sunday December 6, 2009:

Dec. 6: Holiday Family Concert at the Museum


In what has become a beloved Hoboken tradition, Dave Lambert and Howard Olah-Reiken will return to the Museum on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 6, at 5 p.m., for a festive, family-friendly concert of holiday and winter-themed music. The singers encourage the audience to sing along and employ various rhythm and noise-making instruments (think jingle bells) to crank up the holiday spirit. All ages welcome. Admission: $5 per family.
 

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Dec. 6: Holiday Family Concert at the Hoboken Historical Museum

Hoboken Hospitality Night at Maxwell's 9.13.34 -Wednesday December 2nd

Below is a note sent last week from Deb Maxwell owner of Maxwell’s 9.13.34 regarding her store's patticipation in Hoboken Hospitality week:

Maxwell’s 9.13.34 will be participating in Hoboken’s Hospitality Night. Let us help you find unique, one-of-a-kind gift items from our assortment of vintage and antique jewelry, home furnishings & accessories, and off-beat giftables for the special people in your life (including yourself, of course) this holiday season.

In keeping with our out-of-the-box approach to old fashioned, highly personalized shop keeping, we’ll have scrumptious homemade cookies compliments of “Joni Cakes” (couture cookie & cake creator), spiked beverages, and complimentary gift wrap. Co-tenant Kate, owner of Koru Wedding Shoppe, will be ready for all of the soon-to-be and already engaged with her wedding planning expertise, menu of services, and thoughtful products.

There will be a “raffle basket” valued at over $200.00 containing a Maxwell’s 9.13.34 gift card and a cherry picked assortment of vintage treasures. Those purchasing on 2 December qualify for participation in the drawing. The lucky winner will be selected and contacted on Thursday, 3 December.

Kate & I so hope to greet and serve you on Wednesday, 2 December in our cozy, eclectic shop on Fourth Street (just a stone’s throw off Washington Street)!

We'll be open "Black Friday" & over this weekend should you be out walking off Thursday's indulgence. A beautiful Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Fondly,

Deb Maxwell
Maxwell’s 9.13.34
106 Fourth Street
Hoboken, NJ 07030
http://www.maxwells91334.com/
maxwells91334@aol.com ◦

Hoboken Hospitality Night at Maxwell's 9.13.34 -Wednesday December 2nd

Nicht Kaput! (Not Doomed) - "Cartridge World" Moving to 401 Bloomfield Street

Update 12/1/2009: I spoke to the owners last night when walking home and they will be opening up today at their new location at 401 Bloomfield Street today to serve your cartridge and other office supply needs.

Original Post 11/30/2009: On my Sunday walk around town yesterday, I spotted the store "Cartridge World" packing up the contents of their inventory. Thankfully, they are not closing but moving to a new locale where the lease is presumably cheaper than on Washington Street. Their new location will be 401 Bloomfield Street. Another business "Empire Coffee" moved off of Washington Street a few years ago and they are still in business. Here is wishing the owners luck in their new store location once they re-open.

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Nicht Kaput! (Not Doomed) - "Cartridge World" Moving to 401 Bloomfield Street

Hoboken Photo of the Day - Court Street

With the new camera it is much easier to get decent shots of Hoboken. Here is a recent shot of Court Street looking down the street facing North:

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Hoboken Photo of the Day - Court Street

Author Claire Mysko to Give Talk on Book "Does This Pregnancy Make Me Look Fat?"- December 3rd

While I might be suffering from my own battle of the bulge, I can assure my readers that it has nothing to do with having a baby but rather beers. :) Now that I got a self-deprecating "male mentality" joke out of the way, let me get serious about a women's health and self-esteem issue.  Jennifer Giattino at http://www.funwelldone.com/ sent me in this upcoming Hoboken event at the United Synagogue of Hoboken for women who are concerned about post baby weight gain and getting their bodies back in a healthy way as well as other topics.

Location: United Synagogue of Hoboken
Address: 115 Park Avenue Hoboken, NJ 07030 US
When: Wednesday, December 2, 6:30PM to 8:00PM
Phone: 201-653-8666

Topic: Author Claire Mysko will join us at the United Synagogue of Hoboken for a book talk and Q and A that will cover topics including:

-Why women should be wary of Hollywood "bump watch" and post-baby weight loss stories.

-The pressures moms face to "get their bodies back" and how to deal with them in a healthy way.

-Steps every mother can take to feel her best about her body, herself, and her role as a mom.

-How our behavior and attitudes can influence our children (both girls and boys).

Claire Mysko is a writer and body image expert who has served as the director of the American Anorexia Bulimia Association, the Executive Editor of SmartGirl, and the Assistant Director of Communications at Girls Inc. She is also the author of the award-winning guide for girls, You're Amazing! A No-Pressure Guide to Being Your Best Self. Her website is www.clairemysko.com

Does This Pregnancy Make Me Look Fat? The Essential Guide to Loving Your Body Before and After Baby (co-authored by Claire Mysko and Magali Amadei) is the first guide to help women deal with the body changes of pregnancy and motherhood, providing valuable advice on how to pass along healthy attitudes about food and weight to our children.

Below is a review of the book by Claire Mysko:

"A lighthearted guide to combating a silent societal epidemic...[T]he authors do a great service in bringing to light a fear that women may believe they suffer with alone...The concepts and solidarity offered here should prove valuable for millions of American women."


--Publishers Weekly ◦

Author Claire Mysko to Give Talk on Book "Does This Pregnancy Make Me Look Fat?"- December 3rd