Hoboken Catholic Academy starts difficult new school year
As hundreds of students from Hoboken Catholic Academy embarked on a new school year this past Thursday, Sept. 10, many grieved the loss of classmate and friend Christopher Widjaja.
The 10 year-old honor student died suddenly on July 4. Sources said he died overnight.
“As we begin our school year, please know that we at Hoboken Catholic Academy will do whatever we can to support the Widjajas and all of our students and families who have been impacted by Christopher’s passing,” HCA Principal Matthew McGrath wrote on the school’s website in August. “We will dedicate ourselves to strive for the ideals this wonderful little boy typified during his short time with us. We will work hard. We will be kind to others. We will help those around us who could use a helping hand.”
In the letter to parents and guardians, Christopher was described as a “special little boy” who would often have a gregarious smile on his face.
“Our faith tells us he is in a better place and he is at peace,” the letter said.
Hoboken Catholic Academy declined to comment on the matter, saying only that they would provide students and parents with the necessary counseling to cope with the loss.
A wake for Widjaja was held on July 12 at St. Ann’s Church in Hoboken followed by a funeral.
Students, kindergarten through eighth grade, returned to school Thursday and had a “Welcome Back Mass” on Friday, Sept. 11 at 10 a.m.
Free High Holiday services scheduled
Chabad Jewish Center of Hoboken offers free High Holiday Services for Rosh Hashana (Sept. 13-15) and Yom Kippur (Sept. 22-23). All services will take place at Chabad Jewish Center, 80 Park Ave. (entrance on Newark St.), Hoboken.
There are no membership fees and Chabad’s services are open to all Jews. Chabad runs a traditional service with a contemporary message in a warm and inclusive atmosphere. Hebrew English prayer books are provided. Communal holiday dinners are also available. Online registration required prior to the holiday. Children’s service from 10:45 a.m. to1 p.m. on Rosh Hashana.
For more information visit www.JewishHoboken.com, or call (201)386-5222.
Hoboken Police issue warning after uptick in bicycle thefts
Following a recent uptick in bicycle thefts during the summer, the Hoboken Police Department (HPD) issued a warning this Thursday, Sept. 10 for residents who often opt for a two-wheel commute versus four.
“To help combat these thefts we are asking residents to keep the bicycles inside their homes and not outside the gates or inside their garages unsecured,” reads the announcement issued Thursday, Sept. 10.
Officials – who warn that summer and early fall months often mean a rise in bike thefts – say commuters should take the additional precaution of securing them with high quality lock and chain.
“If anyone sees a strange person attempting to take a bicycle, do not confront them. Instead call the police,” the announcement continues, “The best thing to do is be a good witness.”
Hoboken police recommend that anyone purchasing a new bicycle keep the serial number which makes it easier to locate if stolen. Residents also have the option of registering an old bicycle by filling out a form at the police station at 106 Hudson St.
The city hopes to have the program Hudson Bike Share, which is operated by bike rental company Bike and Roll, up and running by the end of September with 250 next-generation smart bikes spread across 29 stations.
Do you plan on substituting your own ride for a rental bicycle? Comment online at www.hudsonreporter.com.
Community invited to meeting on $230M flood protection project
Members of the public are invited to weigh in at an upcoming meeting to discuss the scope of the Rebuild by Design Hudson River project on Thursday, Sept. 24.
The four-part project – made up of Resist, Delay, Store and Discharge – was made possible by $230 million in federal funds awarded by the state in the Rebuild by Design competition which intends to create a project design that will protect Hoboken, Weehawken and Jersey City from flooding.
The team, led by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) that is handling the project is currently performing a study to determine what is necessary to have a successful project taking into account legal, economic, technological and scheduling factors.
The meeting will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Hoboken Multi Service Center at 124 Grand St., Hoboken. For more information visit www.rbd-hudsonriver.nj.gov.
Hoboken Historical Museum continues to honor ‘Ol’ Blue Eyes’
Throughout the year, Hoboken has paid tribute to Frank Sinatra but as we approach the crooner’s official 100th birthday on Dec. 12, another gamut of events is on the way.
As part of the museum’s year-long exhibition, “Frank Sinatra: The Man, the Voice and the Fans” which will run until July 3, 2016, the museum will screen the “Second Tuesday Sinatra Films.” The film series accompanies the exhibition every second Tuesday of the month with feature films, documentaries, and a Sinatra Trivia Contest.
The first screening, on Oct. 13 at 7 p.m., will feature three short documentary films shot during recent Sinatra Idol contests, sponsored every year by the Hoboken Cultural Affairs department.
The films include “Sinatra Idol Contest,” shot by Nicole Pometti who is a student at New Jersey City University, “Sinatra Centennial Celebration” by MTV freelance videographer Justin Dolan and “To Be Frank,” created by Tony Parente and Micki Pagano-Parente.
A special screening on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. will feature Jim Burns’ “Jimmy Van Heusen: Swingin’ with Frank & Bing.” Following the film, Burns will give a talk along with music historian and author of “Sessions with Sinatra: Frank Sinatra and the Art of Recording,” Charles Granata.
All are welcome and a $5 donation is suggested.
For those just learning about the “Frank Sinatra: The Man, the Voice and the Fans” exhibition, it currently showcases interactive displays and videos, cherished fan photographs and other unique relics that trace the singer’s formative years in Hoboken.
The Hoboken Historical Museum is also in the process of updating a “Sinatra Walking Tour Map” for fans who wish to walk in Sinatra’s footsteps. For more information visit www.hobokenmuseum.org.
Youth literacy program gets help from grant
Hoboken’s Jubilee Center was among the 870 schools, non-profit organizations and programs across 43 states that received a grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation this past Friday, Sept. 11.
The $4,000 grant was awarded to the center’s literacy program which is funded by the All Saints Community Service and Development Corporation.
“At Dollar General, our mission is [to serve others] and we are committed to making a difference in people’s lives through the support of literacy initiatives and educational programs in the communities we call home,” said Todd Vasos, Dollar General’s CEO in a statement. “These grants fill a critical need in our communities by providing a timely funding boost at the beginning of the school year for the enhancement of literacy programs.”
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Hoboken Comedy Festival to feature 80 comedians
The lineup for the sixth Annual Hoboken Comedy Festival, slated for Sept. 28 through Oct. 4, includes Comedy Central regulars, MTV standouts and late night television veterans.
“This year’s festival features 80 comedians in seven days,” said comedian Dan Frigolette, who created the festival, “and we will support two local charities.”
Last year’s festival, which doubled the previous year’s donations, raised over $3,500 for Jersey City animal shelter, Liberty Humane Society (L.H.S) and this year will also support the Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Corps. The headliners include Artie Lange from the “Howard Stern Show,” Robert Kelly from HBO’s “Tourgasm,” Charlamagne tha God from Power 105’s “The Breakfast Club,” Andrew Schulz from the new IFC show “Benders” and MTV’s “Guy Code,” and others.
The comedy festival also provides a platform for up-and-coming comedians as Monday, Sept. 28 through Thursday, Oct. 1 will feature five new performers. For more information, check out www.hobokencomedyfestival.org.