CASA seeking volunteers
Learn how to become a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer and help foster children find safe and permanent homes. You may attend an information session at the Hudson County Courthouse, 595 Newark Ave. Rm 901 on Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 6:30 p.m. For further information, visit www.hudsoncountycasa.org
Free breast exams and mammograms
Free breast exams and mammograms for uninsured and underinsured women will be offered at the locations listed below. Walk in. No appointment needed. Information regarding women’s health at all three Hoboken Family Planning sites will also be available on the following dates and times:
Tues. Oct. 25, 5305 Hudson Ave., West New York, 9 a.m. to noon
Wed. Oct. 26, 124 Grand Street, Hoboken, 9a.m. to noon and 4-7 p.m.
Thurs. Oct. 27, 1206 Summit Avenue, Union City, 4-7 p.m.
Call (201) 963-0300 for additional information.
Hoboken police to launch pedestrian safety program
The Hoboken Police Department has received a $16,000 grant from the N.J. Division of Highway Traffic Safety aimed at enhancing pedestrian safety in Hoboken.
The grant will fund the 2017 Pedestrian Safety Program -Walk Safe Hoboken, a program aimed at reducing the number of traffic collisions involving pedestrians. The grant provides funding for traffic enforcement and educational material to be utilized during the police department’s school and community presentations.
The police department’s Traffic and Transportation Bureau has recognized the need for increased enforcement and awareness regarding pedestrian safety. “Walk Safe Hoboken” will begin this month and culminate in May 2017.
The program will provide educational presentations to local schools and the enforcement of motor vehicle laws throughout the city. Officers will stop motorists who fail to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks, and in addition will be on the lookout for other dangerous violations such as distracted driving.
As pedestrian safety is a shared responsibility, pedestrians who fail to use a crosswalk when crossing the street also will be stopped as part of the program. Urging pedestrians and drivers alike to be aware of their surroundings can save lives.
Hoboken Police Officers will focus their enforcement efforts at commonly used crosswalks as well as school zones. For information regarding “Walk Safe Hoboken,” the public is advised to contact Lieutenant John Petrosino or Sergeant William Montanez of the Hoboken Police Department’s Traffic and Transportation Bureau at (201) 420-5109.
Public provides feedback on the Southwest Area Redevelopment Plan
On Thursday, Oct. 13, the city hosted the second community meeting to discuss the Southwest Area Redevelopment Plan. The presentation slides for the meeting can be viewed at: http://hobokennj.gov/docs/communitydev/SW-Area-Meeting-2-Presentation.pdf.
The Redevelopment Plan concepts are based on the expansion of the Southwest Park as a centerpiece, preservation of urban manufacturing and commercial uses, creation of new neighborhood retail and a hotel, establishment of mixed use neighborhoods, and construction of a parking garage.
Members of the public who were unable to attend can provide their feedback until Wednesday, Oct. 26 by completing the online survey at:
http://fluidsurveys.com/s/hoboken-southwest-redevelopment-plan-meeting-2-comment-sheet/.
Hoboken police say a man allegedly tried to lure two juveniles into car
The Hoboken Police Department is looking for a four-door beige or tan car, possibly an Acura, in relation to an ongoing investigation.
At about 6:10 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 17, a man driving the vehicle allegedly attempted to lure two juveniles into his car.
At 8:27 p.m. police received a report of the incident. The responding officers spoke with the parents of the two 13-year-old females. The parents stated that their daughters were walking to the soccer field at 1600 Park Ave. when they were approached.
The girls were walking on the west side of Park Avenue toward the soccer field when they noticed the vehicle stopped in traffic facing southbound, according to an HPD media release. As they headed in the direction of the soccer field, the male rolled down his window and attempted to speak with the two juvenile females, the release reported.
According to the release, the unknown male made a “communication” directed at the two juveniles, encouraging them to come closer to his vehicle.
After the encounter, the vehicle was observed stopped at 16th Street and Willow Avenue for a short period of time and was last seen traveling over the Willow Avenue bridge into Weehawken, according to the release.
After the encounter, the girls ran to the soccer field where they immediately informed their coach of the incident, the parents reported.
The HPD asks that if anyone sees a vehicle matching the description to contact the HPD at (201) 420-2100.
If anyone has any pertinent information concerning this investigation, contact Detective Arturo Gonzalez at (201) 232-8590 or Detective Andrew Perez at (201) 232 -8567.
The release also advises the public to contact the HPD as close to the initial phase of any interaction that may be suspected questionable or criminal. “The best course of action is to immediately notify the police, so proper action can be taken as close to the incident as possible,” the media release states.
Flood Protection Workshop will be Oct. 25
The Hoboken Resilient Buildings Workshop will occur Oct. 25 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Wallace School gymnasium, 1100 Willow Ave. The workshop will provide information on how property owners can protect buildings from flood damage and lower their flood insurance rates.
The workshop will feature an open house with vendors of resilient building products and services.
If available, property owners are encouraged to bring a copy of their elevation certificate and/or flood insurance policy to the workshop.
Flood insurance rates are based upon how compliant or non-compliant a building is with the regulations of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
In 2012, the U.S. Congress passed the Biggert Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act that requires changes to the NFIP, such as raising rates to reflect true flood risk. These changes may result in significant increases in your flood insurance premium.
The City of Hoboken, along with state and federal partners, is working to implement a comprehensive water management strategy to protect lives, buildings, and property against future flood damage. Along with this city-wide strategy, Hoboken is providing property owners with the tools to improve individual flood protection and reduce flood insurance premiums including the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, adopted in 2013, which provides standards for flood hazard reduction and the Hoboken Resilient Building Design Guidelines, adopted in 2015, which provide guidance on design, permitting and construction for flood risk reduction (www.hobokennj.gov/docs/communitydev/Resilient-Buildings-Design-Guid elines.pdf)
Participant registration: www.hobokennj.gov/workshop.
Vendor registration: www.hobokennj.gov/vendors.
Film screening and discussion announced
Federico Castelluccio, New Jersey native and director most famously known for his work on “The Sopranos”, will host a screening for his film “The Brooklyn Banker.”
The evening is presented by Frank Gigante, Michael DeGennaro, and Blue Eyes Restaurant.
The screening will take place Oct. 27 at 6p.m. at Bow Tie Cinemas at 409-415 14th Street.
Following the screening a short Q&A will take place with Castelluccio, cast members, and the writer.
“The Brooklyn Banker” is about a banker recruited by the mob for his talent for memorizing numbers.
Dinner will be hosted after the event at Blue Eyes Restaurant, 525 Sinatra Drive, with valet parking and shuttle services.
Those interested in attending can purchase tickets at www.itickets.com or call (800 ) 965-9324.
Tickets cost $15 for the screening and discussion or $75 for the film, discussion, and dinner.
All Saints Episcopal Day School teacher recognized for accomplishments
Colleen Nguyen, a 4th grade teacher at All Saints Episcopal Day School was named the New Jersey Nonpublic School Teacher of the Year for 2016.
It is the second time in five years that an All Saints teacher has been given this award. Middle School teacher Libby Vino was named the New Jersey Nonpublic School Teacher of the Year in 2011.
“Colleen Nguyen is quite simply one of the most talented and inspiring teachers I have ever met,” said Jill Singleton, head of school at All Saints. “Not only does her work benefit the children lucky enough to be in her class, but because Colleen’s learning experiences extend beyond the walls of the classroom, all students in the community indirectly benefit from her gifts and passions.”
The award, given annually by the New Jersey Council for American Private Education (NJ CAPE), was presented on Tuesday, Sept. 27, during a ceremony in Piscataway.
“In an ever-changing world where businesses require innovative thinkers, I believe in the importance of fostering creativity in children and teaching them how to collaborate to solve real world problems,” said Nguyen, who has been teaching at All Saints since 2010.
“My philosophy of education is that in order to foster authentic learning, students must be provided with environments rich with opportunities to explore, build, and create,” Nguyen said. “And when they are given these opportunities, great leaps in learning are possible.”
In addition to teaching Fourth Grade at All Saints, Nguyen also leads the Saints 4-Service Club, an after-school program that promotes positive change locally and globally. Some of the club’s projects include collecting materials for the Hoboken Homeless Shelter and sponsoring food drives.
Nguyen has spent eight years in education, teaching in a variety of school settings. She is a graduate of the University of Oregon in Eugene with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and is certified through the Alternate Route Program at Jersey City University.
First Annual Art and Wine Gala announced
The hob’art co-operative gallery in the Monroe Center, 720 Monroe St. Suite e208, will host a gala with Cheese + Wine on Nov. 12 from 8 to 10p.m. The first annual Art and Wine Gala will offer a wide selection of over 100 artisan and farmhouses cheeses, “off the beaten path” wines and craft beers as well as charcuterie, imported foods and gourmet sandwiches.
The Jim Pelligrino trio will provide live jazz music. Pelligrino has performed with Rosemary Clooney, The Temptations, Patti Page, Harry Leahey, Frank Foster, and Jimmy Heath.
The event will raise funds for Hoboken’s only co-operative artists’ group and go to the operating budget of hob’art gallery “to keep the arts of Hoboken alive and strong,” according to the media release.
A selection of artwork by the co-operative’s painters, sculptors and photographers will be exhibited.
The mission of hob’art’s is “to cultivate the arts by inspiring artists to create, promote, market, exhibit and sell their work. We aim to make Hoboken a pre-eminent arts destination through workshops, critiques, exhibitions, film nights, artists’ talks and slide shows at our gallery and various locations in Hoboken and surrounding communities,” according to the release,
Guests will receive a complimentary copy of the full-color Gala souvenir booklet displaying work by hob’art artists.
The entry fee is $65 per person.
Obstacle race raises over $5 thousand for Big Brothers Big Sisters
1,225 people participated in the 4th annual city challenge obstacle race on Oct 1. In addition to running, jumping over police cars, climbing walls, monkey bars, a 12 ft. rope and a 30-foot cargo net, carrying sand bags and more, participants raised over $5,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Essex, Hudson & Union Counties.
Registrants were given the opportunity to make a contribution to the Big Brothers Big Sisters when signing up online, but most of the funds were a direct contribution from the City Challenge organization, who had committed to donate a percentage of registration and sponsor fees.
“I am delighted that City Challenge’s partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters was such a success, and that it was hosted in Hoboken,” said Mayor Dawn Zimmer, who served as the Grand Marshall of the race. “Thank you to City Challenge for raising the money for Big Brothers Big Sisters and the organization’s mentors, who assist young people with developing the tools they need to succeed in life. Congratulations on a successful event!”
Jersey City resident charged with alleged Hoboken burglary
Joseph Boswell, 49, of Jersey City was arrested Sunday Oct. 16 and charged with two counts of alleged burglary, theft, and burglary tools.
Officers responded to the area around 91 Jackson St. on a report of someone attempting to enter the address, using an unknown tool.
Officers found Boswell a short distance away. He allegedly fit a description given. During the investigation detectives identified Boswell from a previous alleged burglary on Oct. 12 in which a bicycle and a package were stolen.