On August 20, the Wall Street Journal ran a full-page story in the “Open House Saturday” real-estate section. The headline was “Hoboken is a Happening Place: Mile Square City appeals to young professionals with easy commute, restaurants, bars and amazing views.”
The story ran with a picture of Washington Street, the waterfront at Maxwell Place Park, and three properties for sale: a $575,000 condo on Jefferson, a $699,000 condo on Washington, and a $998,800 apartment on Park.
When you read splashy, mainstream-media reports on our town, it’s a little like reading a Martian’s description of a convenience store: nice to get the perspective but nothing new.
It’s also not news that Hoboken draws talented, innovative, and entrepreneurial types to live and do business here.
At one end of the spectrum you have a one-woman wedding-dress designer operating out of a tiny space on Monroe Street. On the other, you have brawny Elvi Guzman, the force behind the City Challenge Obstacle race. Wildly different, they share wild success.
In between are lots of other folks who are doing their thing in the Mile Square: We’ve got high-profile defense attorney Brian Neary. If you’re in the dog house or in the big house, you want him on your side.
Don’t miss Mario Martinez’s story on Joseph Cantatore, who is educating the public through documentaries about Friedreich’s Ataxia, a condition he’s had since he was 13 years old.
Or Al Sullivan’s story on our own Caren Lissner, Hudson Reporter Editor in Chief. Her novel, “Carrie Pilby,” was made into a movie that was screened at the Toronto Film Festival.
As fall turns to winter, indoor sports are the thing. Catch Jim Hague’s story on the Edge wrestlers.
A personal favorite of mine is our feature on World War II vets. At the dawn of the twenty-first century, we are so lucky to have them in our midst, telling funny stories, and in most cases, playing down their heroism.
But they are heroes, and Craig Wallace Dale did a lovely job of capturing their wit and wisdom, and their legacy of courage and sacrifice.
We’ve got a couple of fun stories about the name “Hoboken.” Where did it come from, and what about all those books with “Hoboken” in the title?
“The Hoboken Chicken Emergency,” anyone?—07030