Happy Sunday Hoboken and Jersey City! Despite the gloomy winter weather, hopefully you enjoyed your weekend and are ready to settle down and start a new week {+ one filled with more sunshine}. To start off your Sunday, we’ve got your news roundup from this week. From a burglary spree to a Mac & Cheese Fest, here are your top news stories of the week in Hoboken + Jersey City:
And as always, email any news tips to news@hobokengirl.com!
Hoboken Girl Helps Food Donation Drive Happening Wednesday, 1/30
Join the Hoboken Girl Helps team on Wednesday, 1/30 as we collect donations for two local non-profits in desperate need of breakfast supplies. Family Promise of Hudson County and the Jubilee Center both serve children in the area breakfasts, and need more donations. Bring by {single use preferred} non-perishable food items to donate like cereal, granola bars, juice boxes, and more — and receive drink specials and happy hour prices at The Shep {1313 Willow Avenue in Hoboken} all night. Come by any time between 5:30-9:30PM to donate and hang! More info here.
Man Goes on Burglary Spree on Jackson Street, Hits 4 Businesses
A Union City man has been arrested after burglarizing four businesses on Jackson Street in Hoboken. Police have charged the man, 30-year-old Benny Rameraz, who was found allegedly trying to flee the premises. Officers allege that Ramerez had tried to break into the building through the roof and attempt to steal cash from a pizzeria’s ATM. When the attempt proved unsuccessful, Rameraz allegedly tried to use a fire extinguisher to break through the door, but became trapped between the rolldown gate. He then climbed back up through the ceiling where he made his way to several other businesses, drinking a bottle of liquor he stole from one, and falling asleep in a dollar store.
Rameraz was found to have had “multiple aliases.” He is accused of burglarizing four Hoboken businesses, causing over $2,000 in damage. He faces four counts of burglary, three counts of theft, four counts of criminal mischief, possession of burglary tools, and hindering apprehension.
Hoboken Mac & Cheese Fest Tickets Sold Out in 7 Minutes
^Lobstah mac not included, SRY
Mac & Cheese Fest is coming to Hoboken in March, but chances are if this is the first time you’re seeing this important message, it’s already too late. Cheese-loving Hobokenites have the creators of the sold-out Pizza Fest to thank, as the success of the latter inspired this new food extravaganza. Party with Purpose is hosting the event at Our Lady of Grace Church on March 23. Tickets actually sold out within 7 minutes of going on sale, so this is just a PSA {and hopefully you’ll be able to snag some by scalping at the door, if you’re that inclined}. Get your tickets here.
Here’s a list of all the businesses participating: Tony Boloney’s, The Shepherd & the Knucklehead, Pilsener Haus, Texas Arizona, Union Hall, The Brass Rail, The Ainsworth, Sauced, Pizza Republic, Black Bear, House of ‘Que, and Madd Hatter.
Tickets are $25 and include a sampling from each vendor, live music, ‘cheesy’ contests, swag, and more.
Mayor Bhalla Delivering State of the City Address on January 29th
{Photo credit: Twitter}
Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla will be delivering a State of the City address next Tuesday, January 29 at 6:30pm at Stevens Institute of Technology. All members of the public are welcome to attend and no tickets are required. The address will take place in DeBaun Auditorium at Stevens.
Harborside Announces Winter Event Lineup
Harborside Jersey City has announced its winter 2019 lineup of festivals and family-friendly seasonal happenings. The waterfront area features dining options like Angry Archies, Baking Mama, Boil Boil Ramen, Canteen Desi Dhaba, Enfes, Kimchi Grill, Modcup, Piggyback Bar, Pizza Vita, Salt + Seed, Sprig, The Belgian Plate by Waffle it & Co, and more to come later in the year.
“Following a successful season of fall activities, we’re thrilled to bring Harborside more special events this winter that will further engage and bring together the Jersey City community and New York metro area,” said Deidre Crockett, Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications of Mack-Cali. “Returning and new partners will embrace the season and showcase locally inspired bites, shopping and entertainment of the Harborside community.”
This winter’s lineup includes the following events:
· January 28: Paint & Sip at Harborside
· February 1: Jersey City Whiskey and Spirits Festival
· February 3: Super Bowl Party
· February 8: Midnight Market
· February 10: JC Oddities Market
· Harborside Saturday Concert Series, Saturdays from 8 to 11:30 PM at the Atrium
· Weekly Yoga Classes, Thursdays inside the space next to Noah’s Ark Florist, $15
For more information on the winter preview, please visit harborsidejc.com or follow along on social media @harborsidejc.
New Jersey Bill Seeks to Protect Liberty State Park from Development
{Photo credit: Unsplash}
A bill introduced this month seeks to protect Liberty State Park from large-scale development. Recently, proposals for the Park include a hotel, marina, golf course, and/or race car stadium. The bill would allow “small-scale commercial activities” only, like bicycle or kayak rentals, food concessions, or a temporary winter skating rink. It also seeks to bar concessions or leases within the restoration area of Liberty State Park, which is currently undergoing an environmental cleanup. In recent years, a local golf club has expressed interest in expanding its course to Caven Point Peninsula, a nearby local beach. The bill would bar that expansion under the natural restoration statute.
“Most parks don’t require this type of extra protection, but it has proved truly necessary at Liberty State Park,” said Greg Remaud, head of of NY/NJ Baykeeper and longtime park advocate.
Hoboken Ranks #1 on Most Educated New Jersey Towns
{Photo credit: Pexels}
Out of the top 25 most educated cities and counties throughout New Jersey, Hoboken has ranked #1. With 50.2 percent of Hoboken’s population possessing a bachelor’s degree or higher, the collective education of the city was enough to bump it past other brainy counties like Edgewater borough {#2} and Glen Rock borough in Bergen County {#3}. Twenty-eight point one percent of Hobokenites also have a graduate degree or above.
New York Road Runners Announces NYRR Newport Fiesta 5K
The New York Road Runners have announced their extension into New Jersey, adding a new race to its repertoire. The NYRR will now host the Newport Fiesta 5K in Jersey City on May 4, 2019. It will also host open runs and free youth programs throughout the year.
“Our growth into New Jersey provides the opportunity for New York Road Runners to reach the thousands of dedicated runners who regularly participate in our premier races as well as reach new and diverse audiences,” said Michael Capiraso, president and CEO, New York Road Runners. “In addition, NYRR is excited to bring youth and community programming to positively impact local runners of all ages and abilities.”
Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop added, “The City’s partnership with NYRR will bring together members of our City in an active, healthy way, without having to cross the Hudson River. Not only will the City host the Newport Fiesta 5K, but NYRR will bring year-round initiatives and races to the City that are of no cost for residents and runners of all ages to participate in.”
Snapdragon Coffee & Social Opens in McGinley Square
{Photo credit: Instagram}
It’s only been a few months since Snapdragon Coffee & Social opened in McGinley Square in Jersey City, but it’s quickly becoming a local favorite. Snapdragon opened at 190 Monticello Avenue back in November 2018 and ever since, locals have been loving its exposed brick walls, hot drink menu {that consists of coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cold brew, and Kombucha}, and list of events. Up next is Snapdragon’s Poetry Slam and Open Mic Night on February 21. There are also ongoing art events, and Chess and Backgammon club meetings.
Plastic in the Ocean Ends Up On Our Dinner Plates
{Photo credit: Pexels}
The Fund for a Better Waterfront is issuing a reminder that the plastic in our oceans {and waterways} ultimately, ends up on our plates.
“Plastics may take hundreds of years to break down,” the FBW explains. “Once in the marine environment, they undergo weathering and degradation into smaller and smaller pieces of plastic, thus creating microplastics.” Microplastics have been found in over 114 species of marine life, as the smaller the plastics get, the more likely fish and other marine animals are to mistake the microplastics for food.
And when you eat seafood {and there’s microplastics inside that seafood}, then you’re eating microplastics, too.
Microplastics most often float on the surface of the ocean, which make them prime targets for mesopelagic fish — fish that swim and live in the deep sea but then specifically come to the surface to feed. A study from the Frontiers in Marine Science shows 73 percent of seven species of mesopelagic fish caught in the Northwest Atlantic had plastic in their bellies.
Pedestrian Hit by Black Jeep on Bloomfield Street
A pedestrian was hit by a car on the corner of 15th and Bloomfield Street last week. Allegedly, the black Jeep didn’t come to a full stop at the stop sign and while turning left onto 15th, hit the pedestrian in the crosswalk. The car then took off. City representatives are asking anyone with information to call Hoboken Police at 201-420-2100.
This most recent accident comes in the wake of Hoboken vigilantly buckling down on pedestrian safety. For the past few weeks, plainclothes officers have been roaming the streets of Mile Square, ticketing vehicles that do not stop for them in crosswalks. Bicyclists have also seen a surge in traffic violations. Plainclothes officers have been handing out tickets to bicyclists who do not come to a full stop at stop signs.
Where to Get Free Reusable Bags to Use During Plastic Bag Ban
The plastic bag ban in Hoboken is officially in full swing. You can read our in-depth guide to surviving the plastic bag ban here, but in the meantime, if you’re looking to score reusable bags, there are several ways you can get them.
Mutzfest {organized by Hoboken Family Alliance}: January 27, 2-6 PM at Hoboken Elks Lodge
Hoboken State of the City Address: January 29, 6:30 PM at DeBaun Auditorium at Stevens Institute of Technology
Stevens Institute of Technology: January 30 at 3 PM at Pierce Dining Hall
Castle Point and Court Street Getting Resurfaced
Last week, City Council saw design concept plans for the preservation of both Castle Point and Court Street’s cobblestone areas. The design concept plans include re-setting and installing new cobblestone areas. Through the process of restoring the historic areas, Hunter Research performed a historical analysis, which found that the cobbles on Court Street were mined out of the Palisades and that Court Street was one of the first streets visible on the earliest map of Hoboken dating back to the late 1800s.
The next step in the restoration process is administration submitting applications to Hudson County in the hopes of qualifying for Open Space and Historical Preservation grants.
Elysian Park Dog Park Might Need K9 Resurfacing
After reports of buckling play surface at the playground and drainage issues at the dog park, the City is evaluating the state of Elysian Park. Early feedback suggests the playground and dog park area must be resurfaced, as well as Church Square and Stevens Park dog parks. The material used for the resurfacing will likely be K-9 Turf, the same surface used at the viaduct dog park, which allegedly does more for better drainage and is easier to maintain than the current surfaces. The project is thought to be addressed around spring or summer 2019.
Mod Mouth Is Officially Open for Business
{Photo credit: Instagram}
Mod Mouth has officially opened its Hoboken location at 34 Newark in #3B. The oral beauty business {think DryBar for teeth!} also has locations in Mahwah, Paramaus, and Brooklyn. The “Brilliant Bar” is not a dentist’s office, but offers smile consultations, teeth whitening, clear aligners, teeth straightening, and other oral care services. Mod Mouth has its own line of toothpaste and prides itself on getting customers their best possible smile. For more information, you can visit their website here.
I and You Premiering at Mile Square Theatre
{Photo by Craig Wallace Dale}
Mile Square Theatre, Hudson County’s leading professional theatre, presents Lauren Gunderson’s drama I and You.
“I’ve rarely been effected by an initial reading of a play as I was with this one,” says director Chris O’Connor. “I find this play funny, heartbreaking, and deeply moving. Lauren Gunderson beautifully captures the voice of the post-millennial generation and renders a play that contains a relatable truth that cuts through all generations. I think this production will strongly resonate with the MST audience.”
‘I and You’ stars Roland Lane (Scraps at The Flea) and Simone Grossman (Arcade Amerikana at Industry City), in their Mile Square Theatre debuts. Performances begin on Wednesday, January 30 and run till Sunday, February 24. Opening night and MST’s Season Opener Party is February 1. Tickets {$15-40 and $18 for students and seniors} are available at www.milesquaretheatre.org, or by calling 201-683-7014.
HobokenGirl Hosting Breakfast Food Drive on January 30
HobokenGirl is hosting a Breakfast Food Drive on January 30 from 5:30 to 9:30 PM at The Shepherd and the Knucklehead at 1313 Willow Drive. Donations of non-perishable, individual portion breakfast foods (i.e. granola bars, individual cereals, oatmeal packages, dried fruit, individual fruit juices, nuts/trail mix, etc.) will be given to Hoboken’s The Jubilee Center and Family Promise of Hudson County, which houses entire families.
Hoboken Climber Spends Her Winter Break Summiting Mt. Kilamanjaro
A Caldwell University student from Hoboken spend her winter break summiting Mt. Kilamanjaro. Jessica Arebalo, a senior and local emergency responder, climbed to the top of the 19,341-foot mountain in Tanzania. Along with her, she brought a flag from Caldwell.
“It is a complete joy to say I have summited Mount Kilimanjaro,” Arebalo said. “It’s the closest I’ll ever be to being on the top of the world.”
Arebalo is majoring in social studies and minoring in criminal justice and reportedly gets straight A’s.
B.GOOD Expands to Second Jersey City Location
{Photo credit: Instagram}
B.GOOD is opening its second Jersey City location on Montgomery Street. On February 7, B.GOOD will officially open the doors to its sixth NJ location and 14th total in the Tri-State area. The location will be inside of the Exchange Place District and of course, will still feature its signature burger and fries, spaghetti with meatballs, and other green bowls and smoothies.
The restaurant chain will kick off its grand opening with a winter seasonal menu that includes a Citrus & Avocado Salad, Grilled Tomato & Cheese and Maple Bacon Burger.
Have any news tips? Email news@hobokengirl.com to let us know — we appreciate it.
Have you joined our Facebook group yet? Request here to gain access to even more local tips, and connect with fellow Hudson County residents.
