HOBOKEN BRIEFS

Body found in river by Hoboken Terminal

A dead body of an adult male was found in the water on Tuesday morning near the Hoboken Terminal, police confirmed.
The investigation was turned over to the Hudson County Prosecutor’s office and New Jersey Transit authorities.
New Jersey Transit spokesperson Nancy Snyder said, “At approximately 10:10 a.m. the captain of a Waterway ferry radioed in that he spotted a body in the water. We recovered [the body] at the Hoboken Ferry Slip with the assistance of the FDNY and NYPD.”
According to NJ.com, the body found was later identified as Kerry L. Rutz, 53, of Somerville, Mass.
The Hudson County Prosecutor’s office told the news outlet that foul play is not supected, based on a note that was recovered.
Rutz was reported missing in his hometown on Monday, the story said.
Rutz is identified on several web sites as an artist who deals with issues related to the gay community, as well as the recipient of a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design.

Hoboken-North Hudson YMCA ribbon cutting Monday, March 4

The Hoboken-North Hudson YMCA announced that the long awaited renovations to the residential units in the YMCA facility are completed. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at the facility, 1301 Washington Street, on Monday, March 4 at 11:30 a.m. The renovations include 96 new single room occupancy units, the installation of a new elevator, and a new fifth floor. Rents for the single room occupancy units will be between $365 and $578 per month, depending on income. Applications are still being accepted as not all units have been rented. The maximum eligible income limits for the units are $16,200 for a low income unit and $27,000 for a moderate income unit.
If you are interested in applying to rent one, you must complete an application and return it to Hoboken YMCA, 1301 Washington Street, Hoboken. Preliminary applications are available at the Hoboken YMCA, and www.HobokenYMCA.org. Applications are also available at www.hobokenYMCA.org or can be requested by mail by calling (201) 963-4100.

Hoboken wrestling coach arrested for lewdness, dismissed from coaching

Brandon Kinney, 28, a local youth wrestling coach and former co-captain of the Columbia University wrestling team, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with lewdness related to an incident this past Sunday in the hallway outside of a youth wrestling match in Hackensack.
Kinney was charged with one count of lewdness for allegedly masturbating in a hallway right outside of the gym at Hackensack High School while the match was going on, Hackensack Police Captain Thomas Salcedo confirmed on Wednesday.
Salcedo said the police review the school security tapes from time to time, and just happened to come across the incident.
Salcedo said that after the act, Kinney apparently returned to the gym.
Salcedo said that Kinney was contacted on Tuesday and asked to come to police headquarters in Hackensack, where he was arrested. Salcedo said he would not comment on whether Kinney gave a statement.
Kinney was released on a summons and must appear in Hackensack Municipal Court.
The wrestling match was a youth match for kids aged 6-14, according to newspaper articles about the incident.
Kinney lives in Hoboken. He had been coaching for Hoboken’s PAL and had been the head coach at a local wrestling school, Edge Wrestling.
A private wrestling school for kids in Hoboken posted a message on its webpage Thursday stating that they no longer employ Kinney.
The message on the website for Edge Wrestling said, “EDGE Hoboken management is aware of the serious allegations brought against Brandon Kinney in connection with an off-site youth wrestling program event. Due to the seriousness of the charges, he has been dismissed immediately from any and all responsibilities and is no longer associated with the EDGE Hoboken in any way. Effective immediately, Brandon Kinney is prohibited from entering any EDGE related premises. The security and welfare of our class members remain a top priority, and EDGE Hoboken will continue to take all measures necessary to ensure a safe athletic environment.”
A story in NJ.com said that Kinney was also released from volunteer coaching in Hoboken’s PAL wrestling program.
The story also said that Edge and PAL had done a background check on him prior to hiring him.

Councilman calls to bring back St. Patrick’s Day parade

The second annual “Leprecon”/Irish Festival was to be held Saturday, March 2 in Hoboken. The celebration is in place of a 25 year-long tradition of a St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Councilman Tim Occhipinti has issued a release calling on Mayor Dawn Zimmer to bring back the parade.
Last year was the first year that the event was cancelled after Mayor Dawn Zimmer requested the independent committee that puts on the parade to move it from the traditional Saturday to a Wednesday due to concerns over public safety.
“The St. Patrick’s parade is a piece of Hoboken’s history that celebrates the contributions of Irish Americans to our great city and a day that would be enjoyed by families and visitors alike,” Occhipinti said in the release. “This year, a parade would have been a golden opportunity to show the strength and resilience of our community, and that Hoboken is back post-Sandy. It would have been a big help to local business, and a boost to our city’s morale.”
The release also said that this year in Monmouth County, the Belmar St. Patrick’s Day Parade is a celebration of the Shore, to bring additional revenue to local business.
Zimmer said this year that they did not have the resources in terms of security to hold the parade.
However, in Occhipinti’s criticism, he pointed to the success of a 15,000 attendee Mumford & Sons concert last year on the waterfront that “shows that when motivated, this city can succeed at controlling events in a non-residential area with proper planning.”

Stevens Cooperative School Newport Campus expansion

Stevens Cooperative School announced a major expansion of its Newport campus at 100 River Drive in Jersey City. The expansion will add a 3,000 sq. ft. space next door to its existing location in order to provide more classrooms, flexible meeting space and other offices. After the expansion, the school will total over 23,000 sq. ft.
Stevens Cooperative School is the only nonsectarian independent elementary school in Hoboken that serves over 400 students from age two through eighth grade on its Hoboken and Jersey City campuses.
“The addition to our facility, which should be completed this summer, allows us to increase our student population in response to demand, particularly in the early elementary grades,” said Dr. Sergio Alati, Ed.D, head of the school. “As parents discover more about our progressive philosophy and emphasis on 21st century skills, applications have risen, and it has become increasingly difficult for us to accommodate many of the wonderful students we see in the admissions process.”
The larger space now means that the school’s Newport campus will have two classes in each grade in the elementary school. “For the 2013-2014 school year we will have two first grades as well as two second grades,” added Nancy Rossi, director of admissions and high school guidance. “This change will allow us to keep class sizes small while still serving more students.”
Spaces for the 2013-2014 school year are still available in select grades. Contact Nancy Rossi at admissions@stevescoop.org or visit www.stevenscoop.org.

Hoboken Garden Club to hold spring talk

Hoboken Historical Museum has teamed up with the Hoboken Garden Club to prepare gardeners for spring. Don Torino, President of the Bergen County Audubon Society, will present a talk titled, “Bird and Butterfly Friendly Gardens” on Tuesday, March 19 at Hoboken Historical Museum, 1301 Hudson St. Torino is an expert birder and naturalist as well as an avid gardener with his own garden in Moonachie. He has worked with the Bergen County Audubon Society to establish butterfly gardens at the Teaneck Creek Conservancy and at the Overpeck Preserve in Leonia, NJ. Admission to the talk is free for members of the Garden Club or Museum, $5 for non-members.

Imago Beauty Group celebrates 15 years

Imago Beauty Group, a cutting-edge salon at 113 Washington Street, is launching a 15 day celebration called “Fifteen Fantastic Days,” to recognize its 15 years of loyal customers. From March 1 to March 15, each day will offer deep discounts on services and products. The final celebration will take place on March 15 at the salon from 8 to 10 p.m. The party will include music, dancing, an artwork preview and a chance to win the grand prize, “Big Night Out.”
“Big Night Out” will pamper you and three friends with a blow out, scalp and shoulder massage, paraffin hand treatment, make-up touch ups and a round of cocktails. Other prizes will also be given away in the raffle including gift certificates for free haircuts.
Imago Beauty Group was founded by Jersey City native Stephen Cuniff.
For more information visit www.imagobeautygroup.com or call (201) 222-9355.

Easter Egg Hunt

Hoboken Grace is set to host an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 23 from 10 a.m. to noon at Mama Johnson Field, Fourth and Jackson streets. The hunt will begin at 11 a.m. sharp, but guests are welcome to come earlier for free crafts and games. The hunt will include over 10,000 Easter eggs, pictures with Easter Bunny and face painting. For more information, visit www.hobokengrace.com.

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