Hudson County Planning Board rejects Monarch proposal
A controversial residential development was rejected 6-2 by the Hudson County Planning Board on Wednesday.
The Monarch at Shipyard project, proposed by Ironstate Development in uptown Hoboken, calls for two 11-story residential buildings just east of the Hudson Tea Building near the waterfront. The City Council and Mayor Dawn Zimmer have opposed the project, along with open space activists.
The developer will likely have to revise the proposal and go back to gain the county Planning Board’s approval, sources said.
The project recently got the go-ahead from the state Department of Environmental Protection, but the city has vowed to appeal the DEP’s decision.
The project will go before the city Planning Board on April 3.
City residents and county Planning Board members Jamie Cryan and Freeholder Anthony Romano both voted “no.”
Sinatra’s head carved off plaque in park
The bronze head of Ol’ Blue Eyes has disappeared, and Hoboken’s city clerk is not happy about it.
At least two weeks ago, someone managed to slice off a thin bronze portrait of Frank Sinatra that adorned a plaque at Frank Sinatra Park on the Hoboken waterfront, City Clerk James Farina said Tuesday.
Police are investigating.
Farina said that during one of his morning walks for exercise approximately two weeks ago, he noticed that the Hoboken-born singer’s portrait had been carved off the plaque.
“I called the chief of police,” Farina said. “I know he’s a Frank Sinatra fan. I said, ‘I need an investigation.’ He said, ‘For what?’ I said, ‘Sinatra’s head is missing from the plaque.’ He said, ‘Where is it, in your living room?’”
Farina said that he has been in contact with Hoboken-based architect Dean Marchetto, who designed the park pavilion, to “give me the information about where they ordered the plaque from and see if we can get a duplicate of that portrait.”
Over the years, other Sinatra items in town have gone missing, including streets signs for Sinatra Drive, which snakes along the waterfront.
Farina said that if the purloined portrait is not returned, he will find a way to make sure the city gets a new one.
‘Real Democrats for Hoboken’ to honor Maurice Fitzgibbons at Lincoln Day Dinner
The Real Democrats for Hoboken will be sponsoring the Annual Lincoln Day Dinner on Feb. 27.
This year’s event is dedicated to the life and legacy of former County Freeholder Maurice Fitzgibbons, who recently passed away.
Proceeds will benefit the Maurice Fitzgibbons Arts Scholarship. The honorary chair for the event is Freeholder Anthony Romano.
The dinner will be held at the Clinton Social Club, 700 Clinton St. from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. Tickets are $100 for a three-course dinner with wine.
For information or reservations, please call (201) 792-7097 or send an email to garciakeim@msn.com.
Hob’art to host opening exhibit at new gallery space on Feb. 25
Hob’art, a formerly nomadic art organization, will host the first exhibit at their new home in the Monroe Center, 720 Monroe St., 2nd floor, Room E-208, on Feb. 25 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The first art exhibit is called “The Celebration Art Exhibit.”
The gallery is open from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, and by appointment all other times.
For more information, visit hob-art.org.
Ss. Peter and Paul Church welcomes new coordinator for seniors’ programs
Ss. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church has announced the appointment of Mary Flanagan as the new seniors’ coordinator. Flanagan has been a member of the parish for over 20 years.
Prior to her new appointment, Flanagan served as a volunteer coordinator for Heifer International for five years, where she recruited volunteers and managed events.
New programs in the planning stage include social, liturgical, educational and spiritual activities and are open to anyone who would like to participate.
For more information, visit www.spphoboken.com.
Local hotels already filling up for 2013 Formula One race
Even though an exact date has yet to be set for the Weehawken and West New York June 2013 Formula One Grand Prix of America race, nearby hotels seem to be filling up already, according to NorthJersey.com.
The Sheraton Lincoln Harbor Hotel in Weehawken’s website shows no rooms available for the weekend of June 15, 2013. It quotes rates between $659 to $689 per night for the weekend of June 22, 2013, whereas rates run from $180 to $659 per night for the same weekend in 2012.
According to its website, the W Hotel in Hoboken boasts room prices between $519 and $699 per night for the weekend of June 15, 2013, as well as for the following weekend. The same weekends in 2012 run from $323 and $649 per night.
Those hotels have not yet set their rates for the 2014 Super Bowl, which will also likely draw thousands of people to this area.
Mustard Seed students organize shoe drive; deadline is Tuesday
“I want to keep the environment clean and reduce the carbon footprint of our nation, which is larger than all the others in the world,” said 12-year-old Tige Anderson from Hoboken’s Mustard Seed School. He and his 11-year-old classmate Owen Possic have taken the task on literally.
They plan to donate the sneakers they collect to Nike’s Reuse-A-Shoe drive, which takes sneaker donations and turns them into materials used for playgrounds, basketball courts, running tracks, and more.
So far they have collected around 350 pairs, but their goal is to collect 500. They technically have until Tuesday, Feb. 28, but Owen’s mom, Cathy Villa-Possic, plans to mail the donations the following Friday (Nike will “foot” the shipping bill).
Owen and Tige urge the community to continue to donate to their cause. They request athletic shoes only, but not damp, muddy, or containing cleats. Any brand is okay, but please no dress shoes, sandals, or flip-flops.
Those who wish to donate may drop them off at Weehawken Town Hall at 400 Park Ave., Hoboken City Hall at 94 Washington St., or at the Mustard Seed School at 422 Willow Ave. Hours for Town Halls: between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.; Mustard Seed School when it reopens on Monday, Feb. 27 between 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. They may also call (201) 668-2989 for pickup.
Pellegrini designated acting mayor for two days
Mayor Dawn Zimmer designated Health and Human Services Director Leo Pellegrini as acting mayor until Feb. 26, while Zimmer is away visiting family out of town.
The mayor’s office issued a statement on Thursday afternoon.
“Mayor Zimmer thanks Director Pellegrini for his first time serving as acting mayor, for recently taking on management of the city’s parks, and for taking on additional grant coordinating responsibilities for the Police Athletic League in addition to his role as director, which he is being compensated for through a grant stipend at no cost to the city,” according to the statement.