Another week of summer is in the books, and hopefully everyone is finding ways to stay cool outside of the office. We’re back with another week of everything you might have missed when it comes to the news in Hoboken + Jersey City. Catch up on all there is to know, including the following headlines: Hoboken’s annual spaghetti dinner block party is returning this summer; five contests will be held at Bayonne Public Library in August; NJ Transit and the Port Authority of New York will be sharing more than $5.5M in federal funding; and so much more. Keep reading for all the news you missed this week in Hoboken, Jersey City, + beyond.
HCCC is Hosting a “Summer Youth and Teen Program”
The Hudson County Community College (HCCC) “Summer Youth and Teen Program” started off with a photography class on July 11th, per NJ.com. Now, the program will continue to run throughout the summer with in-person activities for kids and teens to help grow their creativity, give them live-saving skills, and improve their academics. There will be cooking classes, baking classes, SAT Prep classes, and CPR classes, to name a few. To register, click here.
Shake Shack, Cinnabon, + More are Coming to Newport Centre this Year
(Photo credits: @shakeshack)
Newport Centre, located at 30 Mall Drive W in Jersey City, is already home to a lot of different dining options. Obox Sushi, Panera, and The Cheesecake Factory are just some of the current spots that shoppers can choose from — and the eateries are only continuing to grow. Just a few months ago, it was announced that Pizza Studio would be joining the Newport Mall. Now, four new popular dining spots are coming to the mall this year. Among them are: Shake Shack, Cinnabon, Jamba, and Kings of Kobe. Click here for what we know.
Summer Hudson Restaurant Week 2022 Has Been Canceled
Summer Hudson Restaurant Week 2022 has officially been cancelled, according to hudsonrw.com. The website reads, “Due to the nature of the industry right now, we have decided to cancel this summer’s restaurant week. We are grateful to all our local restaurants that continue to weather this storm.”
PrimoHoagies is Coming to Stevens Campus in Hoboken
The popular sandwich franchise, PrimoHoagies, is opening a new location in Hoboken at Stevens Institute of Technology. With already 89 locations nationwide, PrimoHoagies is expanding and bringing their specialty sandwiches to students and faculty at the private research university. Click here to read about PrimoHoagies, opening soon on Stevens campus.
Computers 4 People Donates Laptops to 100+ Incoming College Freshmen
Over 100 incoming college freshmen from low-income households have received laptops from Hoboken-based non-profit Computers 4 People, per Tap Into. These 110 individuals are part of a scholarship program run by the non-profit which allows the students from across the Tri-state area to begin their higher education with one less major expense.
Flatbread Grill’s Thumb Bread Now Available in Local Grocery Stores
Good news for fans of the now delivery-only Flatbread Grill. The team of sisters behind the Hudson County go-to for rainbow hummus and Mediterranean fast-casual fare is now selling their signature vegan Thumb Bread in select grocers in Hudson County, including Hoboken, Jersey City, Bayonne, and beyond. We spoke with two of the three Esendemir Sisters to learn how they successfully transitioned their restaurant to a booming bread business. Click here to read about Thumb Bread and where you can find it in local Hudson County grocery stores.
After Pushing Back, Residents Get their Rents Lowered at Local Hoboken Building Due to a Loophole
Residents of The Rivington, an uptown Hoboken building, pushed back after their rents were raised 20 – 30%, per Patch. Now, Patch has reported an update that tenants have taken the matter to the City and were successfully able to get their rents reduced, thanks to a paperwork error. Though The Rivington was built in 1999 and had an option to sign a 30-year exemption from rent control, management was unable to find proof of this exemption, meaning The Rivington is technically a rent-controlled building.
Hoboken Community Asked to Report Verizon Power Outages
Earlier this week, Hoboken residents experienced power outages and were asked to report such cases. The notice read, “The Office of Constituent Services has been working with Verizon to address sporadic cell phone outages in various parts of Hoboken. While many areas have been repaired, if you continue to experience outages, please contact the City’s Head of Constituent Services Nora Martinez DeBenedetto with the location at ndebenedetto@hobokennj.gov. ”
Jersey City Planning Board to Review Zoning Laws in Heights
The Jersey City Planning Board is set to review zoning laws which dictate the height of buildings and retail options in said buildings specifically in the Heights, per Tap Into. The Riverview Neighborhood Association notified residents earlier this month about the potential changes. If adopted, buildings could reach five stories and house ground floor retail space on Summit Avenue, Congress Street, and Franklin Street.
Hoboken Historical Museum to Receive $20K in Funding
As part of a state-wide federal grant, the Hoboken Historical Museum has received $20k in funding, per NJ.com. This grant will support the upcoming exhibit entitled, “The Hoboken Fires: A History of Gentrification & Arson for Profit.” The project is expected to open January 2023 and feature Hoboken’s history in the 1970s and 1980s.
Hoboken Artist Ricardo Roig to Open 1st Street Gallery
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Local artist Ricardo Roig is reopening the First Street location of Roig Collection Art Gallery on Saturday, August 6th from 10AM to 3PM. Located at 252 First Street Hoboken, Roig’s newest concept, the “Mini Gallery,” will take shape in the artist’s original gallery in Hoboken. Roig will showcase small custom framed original works on paper and canvas to provide an intimate experience for art lovers in Hudson County. The Mini Gallery will open twice a week for dedicated gallery hours on Fridays 12PM – 7PM and Saturdays 10AM – 3PM and by appointment throughout the week.
Early Bird Ticket Sales End Today for 7th Annual Autism Acceptance Gala
Early bird ticket sales end on Sunday, July 31st for Whole Spectrum’s 7th Annual Autism Acceptance Gala. The event will take place on Thursday, September 8th at the Ashford Restaurant, located at 145 Newark Avenue in Jersey City. The funds raised support autism acceptance events, education and advocacy. Click here to purchase tickets.
Doug Auld, a Hoboken Artist, Created a New Musical
Hudson County has been home to some wonderful local artists — both performers and creators alike. Longtime Hoboken resident and artist Doug Auld says there’s always something new to learn. “I’ve lived here 40 years and I’m always finding out something new,” he told HG. Doug is a painter and musician who has gained nationwide recognition for his paintings, and he was the Absolut Vodka artist of the year in 1993. Doug has a new project — a musical called Hypnotta — that he wants to share with Hoboken neighbors. The Hoboken Girl spoke to Doug about life in the Mile Square, his art, and more. Click here to read about the latest from Doug Auld and his brand new musical.
All About the Biggest NJ Hot Air Balloon Festival, Happening this Weekend
The New Jersey Lottery’s Festival of Ballooning has returned to Solberg Airport, located at 39 Thor Solberg Road in Readington, New Jersey. The final day is July 31st. This is not only the largest summertime New Jersey hot air balloon festival, but according to the website, it’s also the largest hot air balloon festival in North America. 100 balloons will take flight for both morning (6:30AM) and evening (6:30PM) mass ascensions. The festival, which is separate from the balloon rides and requires independent admission, includes music, amusement rides, family-friendly entertainment, food, and more. Click here to read about New Jersey’s Festival of Ballooning, happening this weekend in Readington, New Jersey.
Hoboken’s Spaghetti Dinner Block Party to Return August 30th
There are so many Hoboken and Jersey City events coming up this summer. From Hoboken’s Movies Under the Stars (now with free pizza!) to the eagerly-anticipated Le Dîner En Blanc, there is no shortage of things to do locally in Hudson County. The latest local tradition coming soon is Hoboken’s Spaghetti Dinner Block Party, which falls on Tuesday, August 30th this year from 5PM to 8PM on Sinatra Drive walkway between 1st and 2nd. This family-friendly event will serve 4 types of pasta, meatballs, eggplant, salad, + more. Plus, beer, wine, water, and soda will all be available to purchase — and all proceeds from beverage sales will support the Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Corps, meaning you can indulge for a great cause. Click here to read about this year’s Spaghetti Dinner Block Party, happening on August 30th on Sinatra Drive from 5PM to 8PM.
Monroe Street to be Considered for Hoboken Swimming Pool
Hoboken officials are considering the Monroe Street property as a potential place to house Hoboken’s first municipal swimming pool, per Tap Into. The contract for this swimming pool was awarded to Dallas-based AECOM. The pool will be funded in part by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Green Acres Program.
JC Community Calls for Councilwoman DeGise’s Resignation After Alleged Hit + Run
Many are calling for Jersey City Councilwoman Amy DeGise to resign after videos surfaced of the councilwoman allegedly hitting a biker and driving away. On the morning of July 19th, the city’s cameras showed Councilwoman DeGise appearing to enter the intersection on Martin Luther King Drive and Forrest Street where she struck a biker who was thrown into the street. Click here for what we know.
Hoboken to Ramp Up the War Against Rodents
Hoboken City Officials say they are ramping up on their war against rodents, per Tap Into. They will do a wide variety of things to tackle the infestation, including sewer baitings in areas that have received a large number of complaints. Officials are unsure of what is specifically causing the rat infestation but want to assure the community they are aware of it.
Movies in the Park Series Continues with Spiderman No Way Home
The city’s Movies in the Park series will continue next week at Owen Grundy Pier, per Tap Into. The movie will be Spiderman No Way Home. This series is part of the Summer in the City 2022 programs.
NJ Transit and the Port Authority of New York to Share Federal Funding
NJ Transit and the Port Authority of New York will be sharing more than $5.5 million in federal funding, per Tap Into. This funding will allow for transit agencies to have the resources needed for transit services to the community. They discussed the importance of public transport to the community.
Play! Hoboken x Mile Square Theater Team Up for Date-Night Drop Offs
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A local activity center is now providing date-night drop offs for parents who are seeing a show at the Mile Square Theater, per Patch. Parents can drop children off for pizza, ice cream, board games, and ping pong for an additional fee which is added onto the ticket price.
Hoboken to Add 25 New Public Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Hoboken will be adding 25 new public electric vehicle charging stations, per Patch. These charging stations will more than double the number of publicly-accessible charging ports around the city. Once installed, nearly all residents will be within a 5-minute walk to a charging port.
JC Board Approves Plans for Bayfront Promenade
During their meeting, the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency’s Board of Commissioners voted to approve the first redevelopment agreement with Bayfront Development Partners, per Jersey Digs. The project is being called Bayfront Promenade. This project will be six stories.
New Jersey City Cannabis Dispensary, Co-Owned by Ice-T, Has Been Approved
A new cannabis dispensary has been approved for Jersey City, per NJ.com. Medicine Woman is co-owned by actor and rapper Ice-T. It was approved by the city’s Cannabis Control Board Meeting.
JCMC Unveils New Emergency Department
Jersey City Medical Center has unveiled an expanded adult and new pediatric Emergency Department, per a press release. This facility is part of a 60,000-square-foot expansion that will include surgery suites. This is all part of large expansion project that JCMC is doing to its existing Emergency Department.
Major Ferry Retrofit Has Been Completed
NY Waterway and NJ Transit have announced the completion of a major ferry retrofit, per a press release. This will dramatically cut emissions and five more ferries will be upgraded later in the future. Capacity on the ferries will increase 60% and fuel will be reduced by 25%.
150 Mini-Desktop Computers were Distributed to Jersey City Housing Authority Families
150 mini-desktops computers have been distributed to the Jersey City Housing Authority families, per a press release. These will specifically be used by the JCHA youth. These computers were distributed on Thursday, July 28th.
New Jersey Has a New Real Estate Team on the Hudson
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New Jersey has a brand new home team on the Hudson, per The Corcoran Group. The post reads, “Sawyer Smith Residential, based in Jersey City/Hoboken, welcomes Hudson Place Realty. Together, they’ll operate as the newest addition to the Corcoran family, Corcoran Sawyer Smith.”
Pro Arts Jersey City to Debut New Baseball Art Exhibition
Pro Arts Jersey City has created an exhibition that will celebrate baseball, per NJ.com. The opening reception for this exhibit will be on Friday, August 5th at 6PM. Local resident Susan Evans Grove curated work from local artists, including Ann LePore, K Wiseman, Elise Dodeles, Jennifer Morris, Luis Alves, Frank Ippolito, John Botti, Tarik Mendes, Greg Jezewski, Sydnei Smith Jordan, Donald Rieck, Susan Evans Grove, Guillermo Bublik, Neal Korn, Akil Roper, Jim Fischer, Kevin McCaffrey, and Lucy White.
New Jersey Turnpike Authority Officials Deny Petition
New Jersey Turnpike Authority officials have denied a petition from groups opposing a highway project, per NJ.com. The petition is against the $4.7 billion project to widen the Turnpike extension to and from the Holland Tunnel. This denial contends the Turnpike Authority has taken the action to comply with Governor Murphy’s climate change executive orders.
Jeremy Beck and The Heavy Duty Horns to Perform at Summer Concert Series
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Jeremy Beck and The Heavy Duty Horns will be performing at the Summer Concert Series at the Lincoln Harbor Park, per NJ.com. The concert will be on Wednesday, August 3rd at 7PM. This band is said to blur the lines between soul, rock, + gospel and will be joined by special guest vocalist Allison Semmes, who portrayed Diana Ross in the Broadway production of Motown: The Musical.
Bayonne Public Library to Host 5 Contests in August
The Bayonne Public Library will be sponsoring five contests throughout the month of August, per NJ.com. These will be contests meant for all ages. The contests will include events like guessing how many gummy worms are in a jar, creating a comic strip, and creating your own library slogan. The first contest will be Monday, August 8th.
