Sister of suspected Boston bombers lives in West New York, says she can’t understand
WEST NEW YORK AND BEYOND – A West New York woman claiming to be the sister of suspected Boston Marathon bombers Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev, 19, and his brother Tamerlan, 26, has said that she “doesn’t know what got into” them when they allegedly killed three and injured hundreds in Monday’s attack, according to a report on NJ.com.
“They were great people. I never would have expected it,” said the woman. “They are smart – I don’t know what’s gotten into them.”
The woman would not identify herself by name, and spoke to reporters only through a crack in the door, but public records listed a woman living there with the same last name as the suspects. She referred to the men as her “brothers.”
According to NJ.com, at least a dozen FBI agents arrived at the apartment building and created a perimeter around it just after 11 a.m. They were let in after a few minutes.
According to the story, reporters asked if the woman was “okay,” to which she replied: “No I’m not okay – no one is okay right now. I’m hurt for everyone who has been hurt. I’m sorry for all the people who are hurt and for all the people who lost their lives.”
Tamerlan Tsarnaev, the elder of the brothers, was killed in a shootout early this morning just outside Boston after a massive manhunt. The search for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was ongoing as of 11 a.m.. Of the younger brother, the woman simply said, “He’s an amazing child.” – Dean DeChiaro
Weehawken seniors plan ‘Weekenders’ Trips
The Weehawken Weekenders have some upcoming dates planned on their calendar, including a July 17 trip to The Platzl Brauhaus in Pomona, N.Y., and an Aug. 4 trip to the Magnanini Winery in Wallkill, N.Y. In the fall, the Weekenders will attend A Tribute to Dean Martin at the Brownstone on Oct. 16. And this winter, on Dec. 8, the group will take a trip to see “A Playhouse Christmas” at Hunterdon Hills Playhouse in Hampton, N.J.
Please call the Weekenders Office for more information at (201) 319-6059.
Hudson River PAC to hold concert this Wednesday
The Hudson River Performing Arts Center will present the penultimate concert of its lunchtime UBS Atrium Series this Wednesday, April 24 at 12:30 p.m. when it hosts the New York City-based Gypsy/jazz/Latin fusion group Ljova and the Kontraband this weekend. The concert will be held in the atrium of the UBS building in Weehawken, located at 1000 Harbor Boulevard.
The ensemble explores Gypsy and Eastern European melodies, Latin rhythms, Jazz-inspired improvisations, and deeply rooted Classic forms, all given new meaning through original compositions that forge a new direction, with a nostalgic gaze towards the past.
The band was founded by the maverick film composer, arranger and violinist Lev “Ljova” Zhurbin, who has dug deep into his roots to create a cross-cultural sound that is at once beautifully melodic and intelligent. Ljova, who has been hailed by the New York Times as “one of New York’s finest rising composers and instrumentalists,” is inspired by his collaborations with diverse and world-class artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Osvaldo Golijov, the Kronos Quartet, and the rapper Jay-Z, among others.
Since making its debut in June 2006, the ensemble has performed at venues such as New York’s Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, The Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Colorado Music Festival, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
The UBS Atrium Series is funded in part by The Hudson Reporter.
Arts @ St. John’s presents Concert on the Cliffs today
A smattering of Blues, Soul, Americana and funky New Orleans-style R&B artists will be on hand in Union City Sunday night for the Arts @ St. John’s Concert on the Cliffs. The concert, the first of its kind to be put on by the arts collective that has occupied the church since it closed in 2010, will be held at 5 p.m. on Sunday at the church, which is located at 1516 Palisade Ave. in Union City.
Brian Mitchell, Lisa Mills and Christine Santelli will headline the event and will be joined by special guests Mike Frensley and Adam Ahl.
Mills, who hails from Alabama by the way of Mississippi, has “a stunning voice that comes over like a full-throated Otis Redding with some Muscle Shoals soul and Nashville country touches for good measure.”
Mitchell, a multitalented musician has gained considerable notoriety in music industry circles and beyond for both his solo career and his high-profile collaborations recording and performing with some of music’s most respected artists including Bob Dylan, Al Green, Rosanne Cash, BB King, Levon Helm, and Allen Toussaint.
Santelli has toured around the world and has released eight albums throughout her career. Her most recent album, “Dragonfly” was chosen as 2012 Album of the Year by Deep Roots Magazine.
Tickets for the concert cost $17 online (www.brownpapertickets.com/event/365170) and $22 at the door. Food is included in the price.
Loew’s to host Fifth Annual Volunteer Expo
On Thursday, April 25 from 1 to 7:30 p.m., Friends of the Loew’s and the Landmark Loew’s Jersey Theatre will host the Fifth Annual Hudson County Volunteer Expo.
At the free Expo, guests can meet with representatives from dozens of nonprofit organizations that are in need of volunteers to help fill the ever-widening gaps in funding.
Guests can explore hundreds of volunteer options, and find out how they can make a difference for youth, families, senior citizens, animals, the environment, small business development, affordable housing, historic preservation, parks, the LGBT community, the disabled, the homeless, arts and culture organizations and more.
No RSVP is necessary to visit the Expo.
The Landmark Loew’s is located at 54 Journal Square, across the street from the Journal Square transit hub. For more information, call (201) 668-0546 or e-mail volunteer.expo@gmail.com.