HOBOKEN BRIEFS

Rain or shine, the Hoboken Arts and Music Festival is on

Regardless of the forecast, this year’s 22nd annual Hoboken Arts and Music Festival will take over Washington Street from First to Seventh streets on Sunday, May 1 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., featuring over 300 artists, crafters, photographers, local vendors and businesses.
Music will be performed across three stages including headliner Leon Russell, Smokey’s Roundup, The Amazing Incredibles, Emily & the Ideals and Sylvana Joyce + The Moment.
The free festival will also offer children’s activities on Third Street with rides, games, creative activities, face painting, sand art, balloons, and live performances.
“Lots of great food [will be available] throughout the fair,” organizer Geri Fallo said in an event announcement. “Hoboken restaurants will set up street cafes offering an eclectic variety of international foods such as Thai, Indian, Greek, French, Mexican, Cajun and Italian.”

What’s with the construction at the Hoboken Public Library?

After celebrating their 125th anniversary last year, the Hoboken Public Library is gearing up for 125 more.
This past week, with scaffolding going up and other noise that clearly break the “Quiet in the library” rule, many residents may be wondering what’s going on.
“We’re undergoing a number of renovations,” explained Library Director Lina Podles this past week over the phone.
Podles noted the library’s renovations, which began earlier this year and are expected to be finished by the end of 2016, total $3.2 million.
“We’re very excited to welcome three program rooms and one with over 70 seats that will help accommodate our programs. We’re also developing a reading garden and waterproofing the building,” Podles added.
The library, like many buildings in the city’s low lying flood areas, closed down for three weeks following Superstorm Sandy in 2012.
Of the construction, approximately $2 million came from grants. The New Jersey Historic Trust Grant Award awarded the library $750,000 in 2009 – which the city matched. Another $124,000 came in 2013 from the county Open Space Trust Fund Grant and another in Sandy-relief money for historic properties in 2014 for $433,439. The other $1.2 million is being funded by the library, as well as donors.
In the interim period, as library closures are expected, the City of Hoboken amiably gave the library the go-ahead to open a “Pop-Up Branch” at the Multi-Service Center earlier this year. The next closure is expected from May 26 to June 6. For updates visit www.hobokenlibrary.org.

Coffee with a cop

The Hoboken Police Department will hold their third “Coffee with a Cop” on Monday, May 16 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Hoboken Hot House (200 Monroe St.)
“Coffee with a Cop brings police officers and the community members they serve together – over coffee – to discuss issues, learn more about each other, and strengthen community ties,” said city officials in an event announcement. “Residents are invited to discuss any law enforcement or policing issues at the local, regional or national level in an informal setting.”
Hoboken Chief Ken Ferrante and Mayor Dawn Zimmer will be in attendance, as well as Investigations Bureau Captain Charles Campbell, Traffic Commander Lieutenant John Petrosino, Schools Supervisor Sergeant John Rodriguez, and Detective Michael Miranda.
The police department will provide coffee and pastries.

Fourth building in Hudson Tea community now on the market

Toll Brothers City Living has launched sales at 1400 Hudson St., a 12-story building part of the Hudson Tea community, offering luxurious homes, amenities, and retail uptown.
The building’s interior design, envisaged by interior designer Andres Escobar of Escobar Design by Lemay, is inspired by the Lipton Tea factory in Hoboken and the area’s historically industrial past.
Consisting of 236 residences, 1400 Hudson St. offers studios to three-bedrooms, all featuring open floor plans and wide plank oak flooring throughout.
Residents have access to a residents’ lounge, billiard room, 24-hour attended lobby, fitness center, children’s playroom, dog wash room, and on-site parking. Other amenities include a landscaped courtyard, rain garden, rooftop pool and two rooftop terraces with views of the Manhattan skyline.
Prices begin in the mid-$600s and go through $2 million. The building is expected to welcome its first residents into their new homes in early 2017. The sales gallery is located at 1450 Washington St.

‘The Great Love Debate’ at the Mile Square Theatre

A theatre experience designed for those who single and ready to mingle is coming to the Mile Square Theatre on Thursday, May 12.
“Guys are seated on the left, girls on the right, at this exciting, feisty, hilarious debate, where host Brian Howie and the city’s most dynamic voices probe the question, ‘What is it like to be looking for love in Hoboken and Jersey City in 2016?’” is how theatre organizers describe the event, entitled “The Great Love Debate.”
Organizers say even those in a relationship or married “will find this discussion illuminating and wildly entertaining.”
Tickets for the show at the Mile Square Theater (1408 Clinton St.) cost $20 and are available at www.milesquaretheatre.org.

Wine Dinner at Amanda’s

The Hoboken Public Library Foundation will host a wine dinner on Tuesday, May 17 at 6:30 pm at Amanda’s Restaurant (908 Washington St.)
“Evening of Epicurean Delights” will feature Hoboken resident Diana B. Henriques, who authored “The Wizard of Lies.” The New York Times bestseller discusses the Bernie Madoff scandal.
“We are very pleased to have Diana join us to talk about her books and her experiences as a reporter for The New York Times,” said JoAnn Serrano, President of the Hoboken Public Library Foundation in a press release. “We also look forward to the delicious cuisine and specially paired wines we’ll enjoy at Amanda’s on May 17th. It will be a fun evening for a good cause.”
Tickets for the wine dinner cost $150 per person. To purchase tickets call Library Director Lina Podles at 201-420-2346.

Paramus Catholic High School to host prospective student open house

Paramus Catholic High School will host a prospective student open house on Wednesday, May 4 from 7 to 9 p.m. Prospective students and their families will be given a tour of the school, attend presentations on its challenging college preparatory curriculum, and hear about the many campus ministry, performing arts, and athletic programs available at the school.
The school is located at 425 Paramus Road, Paramus.
For further information call (201) 445-4466 or visit www.paramuscatholic.com.
Paramus Catholic is a co-educational high school of the Archdiocese of Newark offering 140 college preparatory courses, including 20 advanced placement courses, as well as many athletic, performing arts, and campus ministry programs. Over 1,500 students from towns throughout North Jersey and Rockland County, New York travel to the 27-acre campus and bus service is provided from most towns.

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