It’s officially the busy holiday season, which is why we’re here to cover the local news and bring you a weekly roundup of everything you might have missed in Hoboken + Jersey City. Catch up on all there is to know, including the following headlines: Thanksgiving Pizza hits the menu at Hoboken’s Madison Pizza Lab; Bayonne unveils statue of boxing legend Chuck Wepner; Jersey City ranks as 6th most walkable city; and so much more. Keep reading for all the news you missed this week in Hoboken, Jersey City, + beyond.
A Taylor Swift Laser Show is Coming to Liberty Science Center in Jersey City
Liberty Science Center, located at 222 Jersey City Boulevard in Jersey City, just announced that it will be hosting a Taylor Swift Laser Show in its planetarium from December 22nd through January 1st. The event will feature some of Taylor’s biggest hits from across her eras, complemented by a cool laser show. Click here for all the details.
City of Hoboken Recognizes Native American Heritage Month with Flag-Raising
On Monday, November 14th, the City of Hoboken held a flag-raising ceremony to recognize November as Native American Heritage Month. According to Facebook, the flag-raising took place at 12PM at City Hall, located at 94 Washington Street.
Thanksgiving Pizza Hits the Menu at Madison Pizza Lab in Hoboken
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A new holiday-themed pizza hit the menu this week at Hoboken’s Madison Pizza Lab, located at 152 Newark Street. According to Patch, the Thanksgiving Pizza includes turkey, stuffing, candied yams, cranberry, spiced pecans, fresh mutz — all drizzled with turkey gravy.
Hoboken Clique Announces Plans to Close
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Hoboken Clique, a tween boutique located at 1204 Washington Street in Hoboken, announced on Instagram this week that it would be closing in the coming weeks. The shop was originally opened by owner Jamie Caulfield, who then passed it to Rebecca Warter Lacy. The store is now currently owned by Morgan Davies, who made the decision to close. Click here for more information about the closing as well as what we will miss about this Mile Square spot.
Grace O’Malley’s Owners to Take Over Blarney Pub in Jersey City
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Co-owners of Grace O’Malley’s are expanding their real estate to the property formerly home to the Blarney Pub, located at 1135 Summit Avenue in Jersey City. Jersey Digs reported that the trio transferred a liquor license to the new address earlier this summer. Construction paper is displayed in the windows at the Blarney Pub property, but no additional information is currently available on what will be coming to the space.
Bayonne Unveils Statue of Boxing Legend Chuck Wepner
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A crowd of nearly 400 people gathered for the unveiling of a new statue featuring boxing legend Chuck Wepner, per NJ.com. The seven-foot tall statue was erected in the Dennis P. Collins Park in Bayonne. Chuck Wepner himself, along with other boxing greats, attended the ceremony.
Jon Bon Jovi Inducts Comedian Chelsea Handler Into NJ Hall of Fame
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On Saturday, November 12th, the New Jersey Hall of Fame held a virtual ceremony to induct comedian Chelsea Handler. According to NJ.com, Jon Bon Jovi introduced the inductee and Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney played a part in the festivities as well.
First Protected Bike Lane Connecting Hoboken + Jersey City Has Been Completed
In a statement made earlier this week, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop and Hoboken Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla announced the completion of the first protected bike lane connecting Hoboken + Jersey City. According to the press release, the new bike lane runs along Marin Boulevard and Henderson Street, connecting 18th Street in Jersey City to Observer Highway in Hoboken. This endeavor has been part of the Vision Zero Safety Improvements project, which has been a focus in recent years to lower pedestrian/driver accidents. Click here for what we know.
Study Ranks Jersey City as 6th Most Walkable City in the U.S.
In a recent study by LawnStarter, Jersey City was ranked as the 15th best city to live in without a car nationwide. According to the study, it came in 6th for walkability which means you can easily get around without a car. Extensive public transportation, tight-knit neighborhoods, and ride-share program accessibility contribute to making it a convenient city to navigate. Overall, Jersey City was beaten by New York, which took fourth place, and San Francisco, which took first.
Hoboken Councilman DeFusco Hit by Vehicle While Cycling
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According to NJ.com, Hoboken Councilman Mike DeFusco was hit by an SUV while riding a bike on Monday, November 14th around 6:30PM. The driver, a 62-year-old Hoboken man, allegedly had pulled up beside Councilman DeFusco and cursed at him to get in the bike lane on Adams Street. According to a statement by Councilman DeFusco, as he finished getting into the bike lane, he heard a vehicle accelerate and was struck from behind — though NJ.com reported that the councilman wasn’t injured. While the crash is under investigation, no charges have been filed at this time.
Owners of Orale to Open New Restaurant ‘Madre’ in Jersey City
The co-owners of local favorite Orale Mexican Kitchen — which has locations in both Hoboken and Jersey City — are embarking on a new project. The team will be opening up a new restaurant called Madre at 333 Newark Avenue in Jersey City, right near White Eagle Hall. This new spot will also be right near the soon-to-open Madame, otherwise known as the former Madame Claude Bis. Click here for what we know.
Redevelopment Proposed for Jersey City Headstone Company
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A Jersey City headstone company, E. Pompilio & Sons, which opened in 1929, could be demolished to make way for a modern building with ground-floor retail space. According to Jersey Digs, the property is located at 511 Newark Avenue, and the new plans would include a five-story building featuring 40 studio apartments.
Jersey City Woman Arrested After Spitting on Police
A Jersey City woman was charged with aggravated assault, weapons possession, and throwing bodily fluids after an interaction with Hoboken Police earlier this week. According to Patch, the police responded to a call about a fight over feeding birds outside Hoboken City Hall. The woman in question, Tara Montefusco, had an open warrant. She was taken to the Hudson County Correctional Facility.
Local Authorities Identify Victim in Bergen County Shooting
On Saturday, November 12th, a man was shot and killed while walking to a Bergen County barbershop. According to ABC 7, the victim has been identified as 28-year-old Vidal R. Nieves. Following the incident, he was rushed to Hackensack University Medical Center.
Newark Airport Unveils New $2.7B Terminal
On Tuesday, November 15th, local officials + community members gathered at Newark International Airport for the unveiling of the brand-new Terminal A, per Patch. The ribbon-cutting ceremony commemorated the completion of the terminal — which includes a new building with 33 gates, redesigned roadways, 140 acres of airfield paving, and a public parking facility featuring 2,700 spaces.
Cadence Academy Preschool to Permanently Close Hoboken Location
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On Wednesday, November 16th, Cadence Academy Preschool announced plans to close the school indefinitely. According to Patch, the private school + daycare on Hudson Street told families the last day of operation will be December 30th, 2022. Cadence Academy Preschool has been in operation for 35 years.
Hudson County Sports Hall of Fame Inducts 15 Athletes
15 Hudson County athletes recently joined the ranks of the Hudson County Sports Hall of Fame at the 15th Dinner + Awards Ceremony. The ceremony was held at the St. Peter’s University Duncan Family Sky Room in Jersey City. According to Patch, the inductees include: Richard Freda, William “Willie” Wilkes, Terry Dehere, Grover Edwards, Brian Ellerson, Angela Zampella, Lou Taglieri, Tiffany Aciz-Meyer, Danny Ortiz, Wilmer Torres, Tim McManus, Pete Mancini, Robert Belfiore, and Dave Weber.
Bayonne to Host Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony 11/22
The Bayonne Urban Enterprise Zone + Special Improvement District (UEZ/SID) is slated to hold a Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Tuesday, November 22nd, per NJ.com. The event will take place at 5:30PM at Lane Cpl. Stanley Kopcinski Park near 19th Street and Broadway, which will be closed to traffic.
North Bergen Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway Returns 11/21
The Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway is back this year on Monday, November 21st at the North Bergen Recreation Center, located at 6300 Meadowview Avenue. According to Patch, only homebound seniors need to pre-register for a turkey — everyone else who is able to pick up a turkey only needs to show proof of residency. Limited to one turkey per household.
Local Officials Announce Plans for New Public Housing in Jersey City
Local officials announced this week the acquisition of a 40-unit building on Martin Luther King Drive which will be converted to 100 percent affordable JCHA units. According to the press release, this acquisition is the first new property to be added to the municipal public housing inventory since 1983. The building is located in the heart of the City’s Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood at 450 Martin Luther King Drive.
Water Valve Repairs Continue on Willow Street in Hoboken
Veolia, the water, waste, and energy management company, is conducting repairs on a leaking water valve at 15th Street and Willow Avenue in uptown Hoboken. As of 11/18, there is no water service interruption, nor any water advisories for Hoboken. The Office of Emergency Management has advised drivers to avoid Willow Avenue from 15th Street to 16th Street, which is currently open but operating one lane in each direction.
Tessa International School in Hoboken Receives IB World School Accreditation
Tessa International School, located at 720 Monroe Street in Hoboken, received two new internationally-recognized accreditations this week, which gives the school an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School status. Tessa International School became the first school in New Jersey to offer both the IB Primary Years Program + French National Program.
Hoboken’s Stevens Institute of Technology Updates Campus Mask Mandate
In a statement shared earlier this week, Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken will no longer require masks while inside campus facilities. According to the press release, masks are still strongly encouraged in classrooms, in the Stevens Shuttle, and at large events. Masks will continue to be required at Student Health Services. The school cited low hospitalization and death rates, significantly-reduced positivity rates in the local and campus community, and wide availability of vaccines and treatments as reasons to update the mandate.
Nag’s Head Owner Passes Away
Barney Finnegan, the owner of Nag’s Head Pub (which was sold in 2020 to become Schmitty’s) passed away this week on Monday, November 14th. According to the obituary, he was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1956 and met his wife, Ruth, while working in the Montrose Hotel. They were married for 37 years. Barney owned and operated the Nag’s Head Pub in Hoboken for over 20 years.
Cannabis Shop Ascend Launches Recreational Sale at Flagship Fort Lee Location
Ascend Fort Lee, located at 461 West Street, officially began selling recreational cannabis this week. According to the press release, Ascend Fort Lee is the Company’s third dispensary to open for adult-use sales in New Jersey following the Rochelle Park and Montclair locations earlier this year.
Local Artist to Open Solo Exhibit in Jersey City
Alexandra Alvarez, a local mixed media artist, is set to open their first solo art show called “Crossing Borders to Get Back to My Roots” at the Art 150 Lobby Gallery in Jersey City. The exhibit will be open Friday, December 2nd to Friday, December 30th. The show is an autobiographical and cultural artistic production that ranges from the experience of migrating, confronting loneliness, mental health, rebirth, and reunion with cultural roots.
