Vote on Tuesday
Elections this coming Tuesday
On Tuesday, Hoboken residents can vote for candidates for various countywide and regional offices who are seeking the Democratic and Republican nominations to run in November. The polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
In the sheriff’s race, running unchallenged on the Democratic side is Secaucus resident Frank X. Schillari, a Hudson County undersheriff. Incumbent Sheriff Juan M. Perez is running on the Republican ticket. Until recently, Perez was a Democrat, but when the powerful Hudson County Democratic Organization failed to back him for the nomination, he switched sides. However, he still ended up with a challenge, as former Hudson County law enforcement officer Christian Araujo entered the race as a Republican as well. Thus, Perez or Araujo will face Schillari in November.
Also up for election is the 13th District congressional seat. On the Democratic ticket is incumbent Rep. Albio Sires of West New York, facing Democratic challenger and perennial candidate Jeff Boss of Guttenberg. The unchallenged Republican candidate is Henrietta Dwyer of West New York. Thus, Sires or Boss will face Dwyer in November.
Alleged ‘Conrail Boyz’ gang leader from Hoboken arrested again
A reputed leader of a group of young people who were indicted in 2003 for stealing items from freight trains in Hudson County ran into legal trouble last weekend when he was pulled over in Hudson County for driving without a seatbelt – and seemed to confess to something more, police said.
According to North Bergen police, Edward Mongon, 35, of Hoboken, was observed driving without his seatbelt by a patrol officer in North Bergen on May 30 at 8:49 p.m.
After the officer pulled Mongon over, he noticed the odor of alcohol from his breath and asked him to perform field sobriety tests, which Mongon was allegedly unable to complete, according to police.
The arresting officer said, “He [allegedly] kept saying he only had five Coronas.”
Mongon was charged with driving while intoxicated and refusing a Breathalyzer.
Police confirmed that Mongon was the same man who has been alternately feared and praised as a smart criminal for his alleged role in a gang of more than two dozen people who learned the train schedules at Jersey City’s Croxton Yards in the 1990s and allegedly began plundering Nike sneakers and electronics from the trains. The gang has even been chronicled in a TV documentary.
Prosecutors said the “Conrail Boyz” would jump onto the trains moving in and out of Croxton, use bolt cutters to open containers, toss them to other gang members, and take them away on trucks.
Mongon, who grew up in public housing in Hoboken, was sentenced to 13 years in prison in 2003. However, the North Bergen police said he was released on Jan. 22, 2008.
FunFest and free concert
Our Lady of Grace Church, 400 Willow Ave., was preparing last week to host its fifth annual FunFest on Saturday, June 5 and Sunday, June 6. The event kicks off on Saturday evening with NiteFest activities from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. A biergarten will be open in the church parking lot with food, games, and live music.
The FunFest will be held in Church Square Park on Willow Avenue between Fourth and Fifth streets on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The FunFest will also feature food, music, and games; in addition, Sunday’s FunFest will have many children’s activities including pony rides, a Jurassic Survivor Obstacle Course Moon Bounce, a “bounce house” for toddlers, and a baseball sports arena game.
Kimmy Schwimmy, a well known children’s entertainer, will perform in the Gazebo on Sunday afternoon. Also performing for the children will be Brother Ed Sheehy, a puppeteer.
Eric DeLauro, the former Sinatra Idol winner, will perform in the Biergarten on Sunday afternoon.
Downtown sidewalk sale
On Saturday, June 12, the Chamber of Commerce is hosting their first annual Sidewalk Sale – rain or shine – in downtown Hoboken between Newark and Fourth streets.
Retailers for some unique local stores and boutiques will be outside their stores with great deals, special promotions, and festive treats.
Participating stores include: Anastasia’s Accessories, 88 Garden St.; Bellie & Katrina, 159 Fourth St.; The Candy Shoppe, 59 Fourth St.; City Discount, 207 Washington St.; Greetings from Hoboken, 327 Washington St.; Hoboken Gold and Diamond Exchange, 115 Washington St.; W. Kodak Jewelers, 60 Newark St.; Lorraine’s House of Styles, 160 First St.; Lucy’s, 92 Hudson St.; Luxe Face & Body, 158 First St.; Maxwell’s 9.13.34, 106 Fourth St.; Michelangela, 330 Washington St.; NJ Skate Shop III, 91 Hudson St.; Nutrition Zone, 120 Washington St.; Patricia’s Yarns, 107 Fourth St.; Solid Threads, 365 First St.; Tunes, 225 Washington St.; The Tux Shop, 341 Bloomfield St.; William Howard Home, 138 Park Ave.; and Zin Home, 257 First St.
For more information, call (201) 222-1100.
Soccer tryouts
The Hoboken All Stars Travel Soccer Program will be holding tryouts on Friday, June 11 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Hoboken High School’s JFK Stadium. All players, current and prospective, who are interested in playing travel soccer in the 2010-2011 seasons, are invited. The schedule is as follows: Boys and girls born between Aug. 1, 2001 and July 31, 2003 at 5:30 to 6:30; boys and girls born between August 1, 1998 and July 31, 2001 at 6:30 to 7:30; and boys and girls born between August 1, 1996 and July 31, 1998 at 7:30 to 9:00. All potential new players should bring a copy of their birth certificate to the tryout.
For more information, call (201) 420-2012.
Job workshops
The Hudson County Jaycees and the Hoboken Housing Authority are sponsoring a series of job workshops this summer. All session are on Tuesdays from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the HOPES Computer Lab on the second floor of the Rue Building, 301 Garden St.
Resume writing tips will be discussed on June1 and job search strategies will be the topic on June 8. Interview skills and dressing to impress will be covered on June 15.
For more information, please call (201) 876-2935 or (201) 795-1576 ext.15, or email: kgalindo@hopes.org.
Silent auction for cancer
The Hoboken Relay for Life charity fundraising group is hosting a “Fight Back Night and Silent Auction” on Wednesday, June 23 at 7 p.m. at the Chandelier Room at The W Hotel, 225 River St.
Tickets are $30 before June 7, and $40 after and at the door. Cash, checks, and credit cards accepted.
To purchase advance tickets, contact the American Cancer Society at (908) 354-7373, option 3, extension 200.
Relay will be providing complimentary appetizers, drink specials, giveaways, and amazing silent auction items available for bidding.
For more information, or if your business is interested in donating a silent auction item or gift card, e-mail rflhoboken@gmail.com.
Net proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society.
Bayonne Friends of Special Children to auction off celebrity memorabilia
On June 6, the Bayonne Friends of Special Children will be organizing their first ever Celebrity Memorabilia Chinese Auction. The affair will be held at Kuhl’s Sports Bar and Grill, located at 53 Prospect Ave.
Tickets can be obtained by calling Kuhl’s at (201) 858-9469 or Kevin Kuhl at (201) 360-7537. Price of admission is $20, which includes beer, wine, soda and light food items. The affair runs from 2 to 5 p.m., so get there early.
Many local sports heroes have contributed to this fine cause. The proceeds will benefit the organization’s 28th annual picnic, to be held at Marist High School on June 19. Some featured items include an autographed football by Drew Brees of the champion Saints, a Pete Rose autographed baseball, boxing gloves autographed by Vito Anterferino, Yankee tickets, Nets tickets, a Steve Smith signed New York Giants jersey, and much more.
Joe Borowski, Chuck Wepner, Bobby Hurley Sr. and Jr., Danan Hughes, and Kenny Britt (all Bayonne and Jersey City star athletes) contributed graciously to the auction.
Learn reading at Jubilee Center
The Hoboken School District is partnering with the Jubilee Center this summer for “Reading First,” an early reading program, from June 23 through July 29.
Children from kindergarten to third grade will be offered three-hour reading sessions with certified teachers.
For more information contact the Jubilee Center, Sixth and Jackson streets, at (201) 792-0340.