Zimmer, former Mayor Roberts cut ribbon on brand new uptown park
A group of elected officials old and new officially opened the athletic field at Hoboken’s new 1600 Park on Tuesday afternoon, marking the beginning of the end of a nearly 15-year struggle to bring substantial open space opportunities to uptown residents.
The field, along with a dog run and a viewing hill, comprises the first phase of the larger Hoboken Cove project, which will someday cover 4 acres of uptown and stretch from Willow Avenue to the riverfront. The field is designed for soccer, baseball and lacrosse, and is open to all residents, including those who wish to obtain permits for league use.
“I think this is going to be a great thing for residents of uptown Hoboken, but also every resident,” said Mayor Dawn Zimmer last week. “We’ve got over 1000 kids in recreation programs and not a lot of places for them to play, so this is a great thing for them.”
Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner, who agreed years ago to let Hoboken recreation leagues use fields in the neighboring township, poked fun at Zimmer and said that in return for the favor, he’d like the Hoboken Cove park to be renamed after Weehawken.
“No one is more happy about the completion of this field than me, because Hoboken’s been taking up half our field space for years,” he said. “But seriously, it’s tough to find open space in urban areas, you either have to find space or knock something down, so this is a great example of what you can build when everyone’s involved.”
The land that the park is built on was originally meant to be two residential towers, but the newly-formed Hoboken Parks Organization and the administration of former mayor David Roberts worked to uphold zoning ordinances that would stop the towers from being built. Later, a combination of grants gathered by Hudson County and the Trust for Public Land allowed the city to purchase the land for around $7 million in 2006.
Roberts, under whom the project began, attended the ceremony at the invitation of Zimmer, and spoke about the potential for good government to create projects such as 1600 Park.
“Over the past 30 years or so, you can look at the greatest accomplishments in Hoboken’s history, and all of them came as a result of good government,” he said. “When we can compromise and work together, that’s when things get done. When there’s partisan bickering, that’s when things begin to slow down.”
Also in attendance at the ceremony were Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise, Chairman of the Chosen Board of County Freeholders Anthony Romano, Hoboken Councilpeople Beth Mason, Peter Cunningham, Jen Giattino, Ravi Bhalla, David Mello, and Tim Occhipinti. The general manager of the New York Red Bulls, Jérôme de Bontin, and the director of the New Jersey office of the Trust for Public Land, also attended.
Maxwell’s reopening without live music; is on market for 625K
When Todd Abramson, the longtime co-owner of Maxwell’s, the iconic Hoboken rock club that closed at the end of July, insisted that there would never be another club quite like it, he was technically telling the truth.
“Help wanted” signs appeared in the club’s windows this week, and one of Abramson’s partners told NJ.com that Maxwell’s restaurant and bar could reopen as soon as this weekend. The only difference, holding Abramson true to his word, is that there won’t be any live music.
According to NJ.com, co-owner Dave Post said that the restaurant will reopen under its current ownership until the lease and liquor license is sold. The lease, which is for 10 years (with a 5 year option), is listed at $625,000.
Richard Gaeta, the real estate agent handling the property, told NJ.com that the listing has generated substantial interest.
“There is always a boatload of interest any time there is a liquor license,” Gaeta added. “As far as goodwill and notoriety, the only other place in Hoboken with so much interest was the Clam Broth House.”
Local teenager places in national ice skating competition
Local high-schooler Virginia Mason, 16, recently placed third and sixth in two different categories at the U.S. National Figure Skating Showcase in Hyannis, Massachusetts, one of the toughest skating competitions in the country. Mason participated in the Solo Juvenile category and third in the Ensemble category, in which she competed alongside her teammates, the Sky Rink All-Stars.
Mason, the daughter of second ward Councilwoman Beth Mason, attends the Little Red School House and Elisabeth Irwin High School (LREI) in New York City, and practices ice skating at Chelsea Piers. She started skating around the age of two, and while she says she originally found it frustrating, skating has grown to be an integral part of her life.
“As I got better it became more enjoyable,” she said in an interview. “The biggest thing is to not worry about anything or anyone else and to just concentrate on what you’re doing.”
In Hyannis, Mason performed a solo routine along to Christina Perry’s “Half the Year,” and said that because of the song’s melancholy nature, the hardest part, oddly enough, was maintaining her facial structure.
“Most of the time you’re supposed to have a big smile on your face when you’re skating, but this is a pretty sad piece, so I found myself having to look really sad when I was actually really enjoying what I was doing,” she said.
Her group performance was to a medley of songs from Cirque Du Soleil.
Mason said that she’s unsure of her future plans, but would enjoy pursuing skating in college and perhaps professionally. Besides skating and school, she plays guitar, takes voice lessons, and spends time with her dog.
Hoboken 9/11 memorial to be held Wednesday
The Hoboken community will come together to share in its annual September 11th Interfaith Memorial Service for the victims, their families, the City of Hoboken, and the entire nation. Fifty seven Hoboken residents were lost on Sept. 11, 2001.
The service will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. on the southeast corner of Hoboken’s Pier A Park – the site of a makeshift memorial created by residents on 9/11. All are invited to attend.
Italian Festival continues
What a feast! The Feast of the Madonna dei Martiri kicked off Sept. 5, running through Sunday, Sept. 8 on River Road.
The procession will take place Saturday, Sept. 7, with fireworks at night.
The festival will include food, games, and music, including a tribute to the band Chicago on Sunday. And don’t miss the tradition — there’s a grape stomp that day too!
For more information check out ttp://www.hobokenitalianfestival.com.
Monday Night Football returns to the Hoboken Elks’ Lodge
Monday Night Football returns to the Hoboken Elks Lodge, 905 Washington St. Hoboken, for the 31st year in a row on Monday, Sept. 9. This Monday’s event is dedicated to Jason Maurer for his leadership the past year as Exalted Ruler (president).
Dinner will be served beginning at 7 p.m. In keeping with tradition, cost of the buffet meal is $10, the same as it was 31 years ago. The meal includes soup, salad, several main courses and sides, and dessert. The food is prepared by members of the Elks. The events, which will run throughout the football season every Monday night, are open to the public.
All funds raised go to Elks charities including the Boys’ and Girls’ Club, The Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Little League Baseball, scholarships and veterans activities.
Monroe Center to host blues concert
The Monroe Center for the Arts, in conjunction with the Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation, will present ‘An Evening of Blues’ on Sunday, Sept. 22 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. This blues event will take place on the second floor in The Monroe Center Theater Space, located at 720 Monroe Street in Hoboken.
Blues virtuoso Gary Wright, Roots and Blues will perform the music of Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Mississippi Fred McDowell and many more influential Blues artists. An educational multimedia presentation will be screened documenting the history of Blues artists and their influence on popular music.
Blues artists who bring their instruments and wish to jam with the band will be admitted free.
Parking is free. Tickets cost $40. Discounted tickets are available at the Monroe Center for $10 for a limited time.
For further information contact The Monroe Center at (201) 795-5000 or email gp@monroecenter.com or garywright1955@gmail.com.
NAMI Hudson County holding presentation
NAMI Hudson will hold a presentation, “Plan NJ” on Oct. 8 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Hoboken Community Mental Health Center, 506 Third St. Parking is available behind the center.
Plan NJ (Planned Lifetime Network of NJ) is a non-profit organization that helps consumers and their families answer the question, “Who will care for my loved one when I am gone?” Plan NJ can help families with, monitoring, advocacy, guardianship, coaching, guidance, permanent repository, community and private trust administration, and benefits administration.
“Plan NJ can help with a one-time effort that will assist in helping with the financial, legal, and social resources needed for the consumer’s future,” said Agnes Byrne of NAMI. “After the plan is created, there is an opportunity to update as needed.”
There is a cost involved, but it is within the reach of most families, according to Byrne. Financial assistance and scholarship may be available.
For more information, call Kristiana Kalab at (862) 754-6654 or NamiHudson@msn.com for more information.
HHS Secretary Sebelius will make announcement about Affordable Care Act in Hoboken
Monday, September 9, 2013, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius will join Rite Aid CEO John Standley as the pharmacy chain announces new resources to help its customers prepare for the Affordable Care Act. The event will take place at the Rite Aid Pharmacy at 1300 Willow Ave. in Hoboken, NJ.
In the afternoon, Secretary Sebelius will meet with state and local health care and community stakeholders in Newark to discuss the opportunity for New Jersey residents to enroll in coverage in the Health Insurance Marketplace beginning Oct. 1.
The Monday event will take place at 10:30 a.m.