Man arrested for grabbing woman’s buttocks in elevator
Bellville resident Jose Melendez age 39 was arrested Nov. 30 and charged with criminal sexual contact.
According to a release from the Hoboken Police Department, the victim was inside the elevator of an uptown building when Melendez allegedly grabbed the victim’s buttocks area. The victim was later found in the building and was transported to police headquarters for processing.
The man’s bail was set at $17,500, which he could not post, the release said.
Three people arrested for assaulting police officers after alleged knockout
On Sunday Nov. 27 in downtown Hoboken, three people in their twenties were arrested for allegedly assaulting police officers, in connection with the same incident.
Garret Lopez, 25, of Fairview was charged with aggravated assault, aggravated assault of a police officer, endangering an injured victim, and resisting arrest after he allegedly punched a person on lower Washington Street, knocking the victim unconscious. The victim was taken to the hospital and treated for nose and facial fractures.
According to a release from police, Lopez allegedly admitted to the incident and then allegedly challenged officer Sam Williams to a fight. Lopez was then arrested by several officers on scene as he allegedly fought back and resisted arrest. During the arrest Luis Lago, 21, of Rochelle Park allegedly attempted to punch an officer in the face and was placed under arrest. He was subsequently charged with aggravated assault on a police officer and obstructing the administration of law.
Alyssa Lago, 26, of Rochelle Park was arrested as well for allegedly punching officer Roberto Cuevas in the face. During the arrest Alyssa allegedly began to use derogatory and racial slurs aimed at the officers’ ethnicity. Alyssa was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer.
Art after a local tragedy
Issyra Gallery in Hoboken will wrap up its exhibit “Socialement” on Dec. 9, concluding a month presentation of art based on healing.
“Socialement” is an international exhibition focusing on moving together in the same direction. Healing each other with a shared vision featuring Djime Diakite, Cecilia Martinez, Ibou Ndoye, and Issa Sow.
Martinez, whose father passed away in September 2015 as a result of a homicide in Jersey City, said she became immersed and fully focused on creating various artworks as a therapeutic outlet to process his death. She recently became fully involved with the local art scene over the last six months, and has had three gallery exhibitions (one being at the Flagship Gallery for the Jersey City Art and Studio Tour 2016).
After moving from West African to the United States about five years ago. Issa Sow opened her own gallery on the ground level of the Neumann Leather building in Hoboken where she offers a display of her own African art while curating exhibits such as this.
For more information and gallery hours email or call the studio at issyragallery@gmail.com, (917) 922-2690 or (201) 459-0700. The web site is www.issyragallery.com
Hoboken resident joins Scholastic ‘Kid Reporters’
The award-winning Scholastic News Kids Press Corps welcomed 24 new and 15 returning Kid Reporters, ages 10 to 14, from across the United States and around the world on Nov. 29.
Hoboken sixth grader Ava Park-Matt will join the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps to report “news for kids, by kids” throughout the year with coverage of current events, breaking news, entertainment stories, and sports events from their hometowns and on the national stage.
Scholastic News Kids Press Corps editors selected this year’s Kid Reporters from over 300 applications.
Past Kid Reporters have interviewed authors, entertainers, and public figures, including First Lady Michelle Obama, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Sonia Manzano, Russell Wilson, and more. Their original stories appear online and in select issues of Scholastic Classroom Magazines, which are read by more than 25 million students nationwide.
“Our Kid Reporters play a pivotal role in bringing age-appropriate stories to their peers,” said Suzanne McCabe, Editor of the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps. “We’re looking forward to adding the voices of young journalists from across the globe to the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps this year. Learning about issues that children in other countries face is a great way for readers of Scholastic News® Online and Scholastic News magazines to broaden their understanding of the world.”
For more than 16 years, the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps has delivered “news for kids, by kids.”
Stories by the Kid Reporters can be found in issues of Scholastic classroom magazines, which are read by more than 25 million students nationwide, and are available online at: www.scholastic.com/news.
‘Multiple Dimensions’ art show Dec. 9
From Friday Dec. 9 to Sunday Dec. 25, the hob’art gallery at 720 Monroe St. will showcase “Multiple Dimensions.”
“Multiple Dimensions” combines the works of three artist and exhibits paintings, drawings, photography, and sculpture.
A reception to meet the exhibitors will be held Saturday Dec. 10 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
On Sunday Dec. 18 at 3:30 p.m. the artists will discuss their artwork and answer questions from attendees. For more information on the gallery go to www.hob-art.org
Online petition urging state senator to stand for human rights
Hudson Civic Action, a group comprised of Hudson county residents, promotes a livable compassionate community by empowering citizens to engage in democracy.
The group has issued an online petition to ask State Senator Brian Stack to continue efforts to denounce the apprehension or detention of the area’s unauthorized immigrants
According to hudsoncivicaction.org the organization is “disturbed by the anti-immigration rhetoric that has clouded the public discourse during the presidential election, wants to ensure that our local elected officials will stand for human rights in the days ahead.”
“We’d like to hear from you about your other efforts to bring our diverse community together.” states the online petition.
The group also recommends a community forum be hosted my local municipalities and interfaith minister for the purposes of civil discourse and cultural understanding.
The petition had 42 signatures as of Dec. 2 and residents of legislative district 33 (Weehawken, Hoboken, Union City and parts of Jersey City) can sign the petition at https://www.gopetition.com/petitions/state-senator-stack-call-to-action.html.
Fourth annual fundraiser for Hoboken Family Planning Clinic
On Dec. 8 Friends of the Hoboken Family Planning Clinic will host its fourth annual fundraiser from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Hoboken resident and Planning Board member Ann Graham started the Friends group in 2012 to help the Hoboken Family Planning Clinic to raise funds after Superstorm Sandy devastated the clinic.
This year their goal is to raise $15,000 to serve 50 low income women with needed health services for one year. The average cost for one woman is $286 per year.
The fundraiser will be held at the home of Adrienne Choma and Bo Dziman at 732 Hudson St.
If you are unable to attend but would like to make a tax deductible donation send a check to Cindy Cray at 1248 Bloomfield St. Apt 4 made payable to Hoboken Family Planning Clinic.
Donations are also accepted via PayPal at hfp_contributions@aol.com.
Holiday Craft Fair at City Hall this weekend
Mayor Dawn Zimmer and the City of Hoboken will host a annual Holiday Craft Fair featuring Art, Photography, and other handcrafted items.
The fair takes place Dec.3 and Dec. 4 at City Hall from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Win $1,000 in holiday decorating contest
The Hoboken Chamber of Commerce will host their annual Holiday Decorating Contest this December. There is no theme for the contest.
Participants will be judged on the “Wow Factor” and curiosity generating factor, and the inclusion of retailer’s service.
First place will receive $ $1,000, second place will receive $500, and third place will receive $200.
Those interested in participating must register by Dec. 9 online at http://business.hobokenchamber.com/events/details/2016-holiday-decorating-contest-996
Judging will take place between Dec. 14 through Dec. 18 with the winners announced Dec. 21.
Holiday jazz concert in Weehawken
The UBS Atrium Series starts its 14th season of free midday music with a concert by The Grand St. Stompers, on Thursday, Dec. 8 at 12:30 pm.
The concert is at the Atrium at 1000 Harbor Boulevard in the Lincoln Harbor section of Weehawken.
The series is sponsored in part by The Hudson Reporter Newspapers.
The Grand St. Stompers are a seven piece, New York-based New Orleans style hot jazz band. They play the music of the 1920s onward, but also jazzy versions of songs from classical music, Disney, TV, film, pop music, as well as their own originals.
The group just released its third CD entitled Do The New York.
All performances for the UBS Atrium Series begin at 12:30 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public, and the venue is wheelchair accessible.
Free parking is available in the adjacent outdoor lot and public transportation options include NJ Transit Bus #158 as well as the Hudson Bergen Light Rail to Lincoln Harbor.
For directions and more info, please check the HRPAC website www.hrpac.org or call the concert hotline at 201-716-4540.
Rock Chanukah concert Dec 18 with Rick Recht
On Sunday, Dec. 18 the Kaplan Cooperative Preschool and Learning Center of the United Synagogue of Hoboken will host two family Chaukah concerts by Rick Recht.
Recht performs Jewish rock music and is stopping in Hoboken as part of his Hallelujah Tour.
The concerts will take place at United Synagogue of Hoboken, 115 Park Ave from 11:15 a.m. to 12 p.m. and at 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
To attend families can sign up online at http://www.hobokensynagogue.org/event/hanukkah-concert-with-rick-recht-preschool-and-young-families.html
Or, show up to either concert and pay an $18 donation per family at the door.
‘A Hoboken Tale, the Musical’ returns for its fifth annual production
The Garden Street School of the Performing Arts presents “A Hoboken Tale” this December.
Resident and business owner Dan McLoughlin wrote this original musical.
“A Hoboken Tale” is a holiday musical set in Hoboken that reminds us of the spirit of giving and supporting our community during the holidays and always.
All of the characters, songs, and stories are based on real Hoboken folk and the Christmas season.
“I hope everyone can come out and see the magic for themselves,” said Mayor Dawn Zimmer. “I thoroughly enjoyed seeing this show last year. We are very fortunate to have such outstanding talent to highlight Hoboken with an inspiring message about community and the importance of all the mom and pop stores we all love in town.”
Members of the Garden Street Children’s Musical Theater Company ages 7 to 15 have been rehearsing the production under the direction of Mari Linder for 14 weeks.
Performances will take place at Hopes Stage at 301 Garden St. on Dec. 16 at 8 p.m. and Dec.17 at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children with general admission seating.
For tickets please call 201-683-9100 or email dance@gardenstreetmusic.com.