BRIEFS
Mayor Zimmer’s mother-in-law passes away
Funeral services were held May 10 at Riverside Cemetery, Saddle Brook, for Gertrude (nee Schecter) Grossbard of Hoboken. She was the widow of Henry Grossbard, mother of Rebecca Grossbard and mother of Stan Grossbard, who is the husband of Mayor Dawn Zimmer. She was the grandmother of Jacob and Alex.
Hoboken and Academy Bus square off over southwest property
The administration of Mayor Dawn Zimmer and officials of the Academy Bus company are wrestling over the price of an acre of parking lot in the city’s flood-prone southwest corner.
According to reports, Zimmer wants to acquire one acre of the property for a park and drainage project, but Academy, a major local employer and taxpayer, has fixed a price tag of $13 million on the land, triple what the city thinks it’s worth.
The city may use its power of eminent domain to acquire the parcel to double the size of the planned Southwest Park.
Since Hurricane Sandy inundated Hoboken in 2012, flood prevention and mitigation have been priorities for the Zimmer administration. The proposed two-acre Southwest Park project between Observer Highway and Paterson Avenue would include an underground retention basin to drain flood water from the streets of the Fourth Ward and pump it into the Hudson.
The city maintains the acre it wants from Academy is worth about $4.5 million, which is the price it paid for a one-acre lot adjacent to the Academy property after mediation following eminent domain condemnation.
Academy also offered the city an alternate deal, an article on NJ.com said, asking for a change in the site’s industrial and retail zoning that would allow whoever owned the property to develop apartments or condominiums on part of the site.
The letter from Academy reminded Zimmer that Academy employs 440 workers in the city, and pays $500,000 a year in property tax, with the implication that might change if an amicable deal can’t be reached.
On Wednesday, Zimmer’s office responded with a statement expressing disappointment that the letter from Academy president Frank Tedesco letter had been obtained by the media, and noting that the lot had been identified as potential parkland in the city’s 2004 Master Plan.
The statement hinted that seizing of the property through the city’s right of eminent domain in exchange for its appraised market value was a possibility if a deal could not be reached.
“The city is fully committed to acquiring this property,” the statement was quoted as saying, “and we hope these negotiations succeed and that Academy’s precipitous actions are not intended to be an ultimatum to the city and its citizens.”
Art House Productions sponsors first ‘Dislabeled JC’ screening
Local aspiring young film producer Joe Cantatore’s film “Looking For New Hope” will be showcased on Tuesday, May 17 at The Brightside Tavern, in Downtown Jersey City, from 6-9 p.m. Joe’s film will be one of the four local artists showcasing their work at the First Annual “Dislabeled JC” screening sponsored by Art House Productions.
Joe’s film brings to life his daily struggles and hopes living with a very rare genetic disorder called “Friedreich’s Ataxia” and his mission is to bring awareness to fund research and one day find a cure for FA.
The screening will be the first from The Art House Access Committee. People living with disabilities are featured in these films, but in a way that is not normally depicted in most media. The exhibitors have shaped the night to be smart and funny with a little bit of the unexpected. This will help raise awareness about the people in the community living with disabilities as viable artists and film makers, and raise support for the Art House Access Committee. You can find more details on the event by going to www.arthouseproductions.org.
Chabad Jewish Center hosts a Lag Bomer Family Festival
Chabad Jewish Center is once again hosting a Lag Bomer Family Festival at Pier A Park on May 26. Rain or shine! There will be a petting zoo, pony rides, bounce houses and much more from 4:30 – 6:30 as well as food and treats followed by a beautiful, traditional bonfire and music.
Event is co-sponsored by Inserra Shoprite, Carepoint (HUMC) and Goya Foods
For more info and to register, visit www.JewishHoboken.com
‘Visions’ at the Monroe Center for the Arts
The Monroe Center for the Arts, in collaboration with the hob’art co-operative gallery, will have “Visions” (a multimedia art gallery) on display through Sunday, May 22.
“‘Visions’ puts in perspective the premise that four different visions can be conceptualized as one, and that though each artist uses a different approach, their artwork may evoke similar sensitivities and emotions,” say organizers in an email.
The exhibition features Alberte Bernier, Miriam Untoria, Katie Duffy McGeehin, and Rich Roberts.
The gallery hours at the Monroe Center of the Arts, 720 Monroe St., are Thursday to Sunday 1 to 5 p.m. and by appointment by calling (201) 683-6252. An artist’s talk will be held Sunday, May 15.
Our Lady of Grace announces 11th annual NiteFest and FunFest dates
Our Lady of Grace Church has announced the 11th annual FunFest weekend and NiteFest will be Saturday evening, June 4 and all day Sunday, June 5. The non-profit fundraiser takes on new importance this year because proceeds will fund the church’s restoration project, which is critical to preserving one of Hoboken’s oldest churches and nationally-registered historic places.
Our Lady of Grace was founded in 1851. Nearly 165 years later, the church needs to undergo major repairs to its towering ceilings plus a total building overhaul, including installing new floors, refinishing the pews and art restoration to the stained glass windows, murals and paintings – all of which festival proceeds will benefit.
FunFest is a two-day festival, both taking place at Church Square Park between Fourth and Fifth streets on Willow Avenue, and includes:
• NiteFest – Saturday, June 4 from 6 to 10 p.m. A lively biergarten under the stars will feature music, craft beers, sangria, delicious foods and games of chance where attendees can both raise and win money.
• FunFest – Sunday, June 5 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pony rides, face-painting, crafts and bouncy houses for kids. Adults can enjoy a variety of great food, beverages, music and raffles, including the Super 50/50. Last year a winner took home nearly $6,000 at last year’s festival. Channel 7 Eyewitness News meteorologist, Jeff Smith is set to attend to show his support.
No admission fees required to attend either event. New to this year’s FunFest, Our Lady of Grace will swing open its doors to Hoboken residents and visitors for all to enjoy the church’s German Gothic architecture, historic art and statues, and grand organ with:
• Organ Concert Exhibition – Master musician, Dr. Vincent Rone, will perform two show-stopping 20-minute classical organ concerts at 2 to 4 p.m. The concert will be played on the church’s grand organ that was installed back in 1909.
• Historic Church Tours – Lifelong Hoboken resident and Our Lady of Grace historian, Carol Wilson, will offer tours at 3p.m. and 4:30 p.m. that highlight the art and architecture of the church, including paintings and ceremonial vessels that was gifted to the church by Victor Emmanuel, Emperor Napoleon III and other Italian and French royalty when the church was dedicated.
Festival organizers welcome any businesses or individuals that wish to donate to or sponsor the event. To learn more or get involved, please visit the Our Lady of Grace FunFest website at: http://www.olgfunfest.com.
Help get Mohamed off the street
Tito Garcia is a barber and owner at TG Hair Studio in Cliffside Park. For the past four years he and his friends have been going to Hoboken on a weekly basis to feed the less fortunate. “I’ve had the privilege to meet some amazing people, one of which is my friend Mohamed,” he says. “Me and Mohamed have different spiritual beliefs, yet we get along just fine because our conversations are all about love and helping others.” Garcia says Mohamed is 70 years old and needs help.
“He has been on the street for far too long. We would love to give Mohamed the best years left of his life,” Garcia says. “He is a great man and I’d love you all to have the opportunity to meet him and be blessed the same way I am every time we talk.”
Garcia has set up a Go Fund Me account for Mohamed and urges those who wish to contribute to help his friend to go to https://www.gofundme.com/MohamedJustgive.
To learn more about Garcia and his friends, visit: www.truglory.com
EDA okays $27M incentive for Newell Brands to create Hoboken HQ
Newell Brands has announced plans to consolidate a number of its entities at a 99,975-square-foot global headquarters in Hoboken after the state Economic Development Authority voted Friday to approve a 10-year, $27 million Grow New Jersey award for the company, according to reports in NJBIZ.com and northjersey.com.
“It is an exciting time at Newell Brands,” a spokesperson from the global manufacturer of consumer products said in a prepared statement. “The recent combination with Newell Rubbermaid and Jarden Corporation formed a new, $16 billion consumer goods company, and our new headquarters reflects our commitment to investing in the future growth of the new company.”
The new global headquarters will open at the Waterfront Corporate Center II on River Street in Hoboken in the fall. It will serve as a hub for the new executive team and will include a design center. The company said it chose Hoboken because it offered “access to an expanded talent pool.”
“In addition to serving as a hub for (our) executive team and certain corporate functions, the new facility will also include an additional design hub, and will enable us to grow both our design and e-commerce teams with access to an expanded talent pool. We are confident that our Hoboken facility will foster greater collaboration among these key teams and drive future growth.”
Before Newell’s announcement, the EDA had estimated that the project would bring 300 new full-time jobs to the state and yield a net benefit of $65.6 million over a 20-year period.
The company’s products include a wide range of brands, including Paper Mate, Elmer’s, Graco baby products, Mr. Coffee, Crock-Pot, Oster and Sunbeam kitchen appliances, Coleman outdoor products, Yankee Candle, First Alert, Ball Mason jars, Calphalon cookware, Goody hair products and Rubbermaid containers.