Hey, Hudson County. We’re one week closer to the official start of summer and we’re not going to lie, it feels good. So much went on locally this week that you may have found it hard to keep up — Cortiva is closing, Hoboken is honoring Pride Month, Harborside is getting ready for Fitness Week, Hoboken Billiards opened up, and so much more. Keep reading to discover all of the headlines you missed in Hoboken + Jersey City this week.
Cortiva Massage Is Closing
Looks like Hobokenites are going to have to find a new place to get an affordable massage {or masseuse certification}. Cortiva Massage Institute at 2 Hudson Place is no longer open. In a phone conversation with an employee, Hoboken Girl learned that Cortiva already finished its last massage appointments and will remain open {for the time being} for current masseuse students and alumni.
According to the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation {COMTA} website, Cortivia Institute New Jersey located in Wall Township, NJ is also closing. There is no mention on the website, however, of the Hoboken location shutting its doors.
Hoboken Announces 2019 Movies Under the Stars Lineup
It’s that time of year again, Hoboken. The City just announced its 2019 Movies Under the Stars lineup for the upcoming summer and not only does the list feature some of the biggest films of the year but as always, there’s two or three movie family- and kid-friendly movie nights.
Movies Under the Stars take place on Wednesdays from June 12th to August 21st at Pier A Park. Movies start at 9:00PM in June and July; in August, they begin between 8:00PM and 8:30PM.
Closed captioning will be projected on the screen upon request and assisted listening devices require a three weeks notice in advance to reserve. It’s highly recommended that residents bring either a blanket or chair. The City reserves the right to cancel screenings due to inclement weather.
Click here for the full schedule. This year, the City will also be offering a special screening of Black Panther at Mama Johnson Field on Wednesday, July 31st at 4th and Jackson Street.
Hoboken Colors of Pride Rolled Out on Saturday
+ More Pride Events Happening
Photo Credit: Juan Melli
Saturday, June 1st, Hoboken’s officials and Hudson Pride painted beautiful rainbow crosswalks in honor of Pride Month. Mayor Bhalla shared on his Twitter, “We began #PrideMonth in Hoboken with some new crosswalks today! This was a wonderful idea from City’s LGBTQ+ liaison Laura Knittel and spearheaded by @HobokenMigdalia & @hudsonnjpride. Thank you to vols, city staff for spending 8+ hrs painting & @HobokenPD! #hobokencolorsofpride.”
Tomorrow, Monday, June 3rd, Mayor Bhalla and the City of Hoboken are hosting a flag raising ceremony on the steps of City Hall in recognition of Pride Month. All members of the community are invited to attend and representatives from the Hudson Pride Center, City officials, and Laura Knittel — Hoboken’s LGBTQ+ liaison — will also be there. The ceremony starts at 11:00AM on Monday at the steps of Hoboken City Hall at 94 Washington Street. See more Hudson County Pride events here.
Trees in Hoboken Are Being Cut Down As a Result of PSE&G Project
After a number of trees were cut down along Jackson Street and Jackson Street Park, Hoboken residents started looking for answers as to what could have prompted this tree removal of such a massive scale.
Hoboken Girl reached out to Vijay Vijay Chaudhuri, Communications Manager for the City of Hoboken, who told us in an email, “PSE&G has committed to investing an unprecedented $318.6 million to upgrade the City’s energy systems, with modernization and consolidation of the Marshall and Madison Street substations. These investments also include flood risk reduction measures to the 16th St. Substation and high-pressure natural gas infrastructure in Hoboken,” Chaudhuri said.
“While the City is appreciative of PSE&G’s efforts towards flood risk reduction, it is committed to working with PSE&G and residents to address quality of life issues both during and after construction.”
PSE&G says that 31 trees were removed and maintains that the selected trees would have either died after pruning, were identified as hazards, were already in a state of poor health, dying or dead, or were in direct conflict with utility infrastructure.
The tree removal stems back to April when Hoboken approved a $175 million power project by PSE&G. The goal of the project is to prevent another huge flooding issue, such as the one that transpired in the wake of Super Storm Sandy. PSE&G is redeveloping the city’s power grid, which means making room for bigger and taller power lines.
Find out more about the missing trees here.
Piki Poke and Muteki Ramen Opening in Hoboken Soon
There are two new food spots coming to Hoboken this summer. Spotted at 6th and Washington: Piki Poke and Muteki Ramen — at 533 Washington Street and 535 Washington Street — putting final touches on its interior and exterior.
The plans for Muteki were approved back in 2017, but signage has been spotted by our readers in the last few weeks. Muteki will be serving ramen and potentially have an outdoor cafe, and Piki Poke will set up shop next door, quite close {only a few doors down we might add} from Makai Poké.
New Holistic Wellness Center SANCRI Coming to Jersey City
SANCRI-Yoga-Wellness-Lifestyle is a holistic studio located in the five-story building at 100 Paterson Plank Road on the border of Hoboken and Jersey City {you may remember their table at our wellness crawl!}. The holistic studio features massage and body treatments, yoga room with yoga and meditation classes, amethyst bio-mat, an oxygen bar, and a calendar of wellness events that features workshops, health programs, and cooking classes. The studio also features a fitness center and Himalayan salt sauna.
“SANCRI caters to your body, mind, and soul,” Health + Wellness Director Kristina Haug said in a statement. “SANCRI offers a completely holistic wellness approach to the community. With our services expanding from regular yoga and meditation classes to Ayurvedic inspired holistic body treatments and the alternative approach of using preventative medicinal devices like the amethyst bio matt while encouraging a regular use of the Himalayan salt sauna, we cover a wide variety of naturopathic and preventive health practices which can’t be found in the area.”
Complimentary shuttle service is provided to the Hoboken PATH from SANCRI’s front door. Many of the services are also free of charge to residents. An on-site sales center and fully-furnished model home are open and available to tour at The Cliffs Collection. For additional information or to schedule a visit to tour the building, please visit www.thecliffscollection.com.
Cop Hospitalized After Hoboken Man Resists Arrest for Drugs
A police officer was hospitalized after a physical altercation with a Hoboken man who was being arrested for drug possession.
Darnell Gleason, 36, racked up a litany of charges before sending an officer to the hospital. At around 5:05PM on May 29th, Gleason was charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, PWITD CDS within 1,000 feet of a school, PWITD CDS within 500 feet of public housing, employing a juvenile in a CDS distribution scheme, burglary with bodily injury, resisting arrest with force, hindering apprehension, aggravated assault on a police officer, endangering the welfare of a child, and obstruction.
Police officers Jalen Williams and Marc Lombardi were conducting a quality of life check at 320 Jason Street when they met Gleason on the stairs. Gleason appeared to be hiding something in his pants and when he saw the officers, he allegedly began to run.
When Officer Williams caught Gleason, Gleason began swinging, injuring Williams. As Gleason ran, he began shirking items from his pockets, and was seen tossing a bag of suspected CDS to a juvenile in the building’s courtyard.
The 17-year-old juvenile then fled the area and was later identified, caught, and processed. Gleason, however, was processed on a warrant of 10 charges, each charge punishable by up to ten years in prison and $1,500,000 in fines.
Williams sought medical treatment at the Hoboken Medical Center and Gleason was sent to the Hudson County Rehabilitation Facility.
“Spent time @CarePointHealth @CityofHoboken last night visiting our @HobokenPD P.O. Jalen Williams who was injured @ 320 Jackson last night, apprehending a career criminal, who just had completed long prison sentence for carjacking. Thx to Mayor @RaviBhalla who joined us at HUMC,” Chief Ferrante tweeted at the time.
Newport Eats Diner Opening in Jersey City
Formerly Edison’s Skylark Diner, the restaurant space that’s been vacant for nearly five years now, is getting a second chance as Newport Eats Diner. A sign popped up in the eatery’s window, alerting Jersey City residents that a new diner is coming soon to the location.
Located at 25 River Drive South in Jersey City, the property has a liquor license and is still under the same ownership as it was when it was Edison’s. Though the space has been vacant since 2015, renovations and repairs are currently taking place.
Long-Awaited Hoboken Billiards Finally Opens
{Photo courtesy of Hoboken Billiards}
After a very long wait since the original announcement, Hoboken Billiards has officially opened its doors and welcomes people of all ages. Hoboken Billiards is a dedicated gaming hall that features a dozen pool tables, eight ping-pong tables, and more. While the golf simulator and other features aren’t up and running yet, there’s still a ton to do at 1012 Grand Street.
From the former owner of Hoboken Golf, Ian Rintel, the new recreational facility spans 15,000 square feet on the third floor of the building. A new mural of tennis player Michael Chang {by artist Ricardo Roig} is pictured right outside the entrance.
Menus from local restaurants are provided to encourage customers to order food for delivery. As of right now, Hoboken Billiards doesn’t have a liquor license, but they do have complimentary bottled water, iced tea, lemonade, and popcorn.
Billiards or ping-pong is $10 per hour per person during the day and $15 per hour per person in the evening. An all-day pass costs $25.
School District Officials Miss Funding Hearing with Jersey City Council
How can a funding hearing happen without school district officials? That’s exactly what the Jersey City Council is wondering after key members of the Board of Education were a no-show at the most recent budget hearing.
The goal of the meeting was to discuss the possibility of redirecting city funds to the school district amid a funding dilemma. But the meeting didn’t exactly go as planned.
According to both Superintendent Franklin Walker and School Board President Sudhan Thomas, both officials declined to attend at the advice of legal counsel. Both parties previously had confirmed that they’d be in attendance but changed tunes after allegedly consulting a lawyer.
“We’re being advised to maintain a separation and distinction of powers … to avoid any of the exact charges that led to state control 30 years ago,” Thomas said in an email. “Our appearance at the budget hearing would create the wrong precedent and give out the wrong optics.”
For more on this story, you can check out the article in its entirety here.
Madison Street Park Set to Open in Early June
{Photo credit: Facebook}
As the City puts the finishing touches on Madison Street Park, Mayor Bhalla announced on Facebook that the official opening of the park will take place on June 8th.
“Our new Madison Street Park is almost complete!” Bhalla wrote. “The park will include new playground equipment for children of different ages, including a large slide that I’m sure will be a big hit. This upcoming week, the upgraded spray feature and safety surface will be installed to complete construction. Join us for the official grand opening on Saturday, June 8 at 9:30 am!”
Harborside Gets Ready for Fitness Week
From June 3rd to June 9th, Harborside Jersey City is hosting an entire week of free fitness events — everything from yoga, kickboxing, spin, and CrossFit, to kids’ fitness classes. The event kicks off at the Harborside Atrium at 210 Hudson Street in Jersey City and anyone interested can find the schedule above. Reserve your spot here.
Hoboken Historical Museum’s Secret Garden Tour Kicks Off Today
Butterflies, flowers, and gardens — oh my. Today, the Hoboken Historical Museum begins hosting its annual fundraiser The Secret Gardens Tour. From 9:00AM to 4:00PM, the self-guided tour showcases an array of local gardens. In the past, gardens have included English cottage-style gardens, Japanese Zen gardens, and a Moroccan courtyard. Some are classified as Florida rooms, others feature wet bars, grills, or a lounge area.
With a rain date of June 9th, tour participants can visit the gardens in any order they so choose at their own pace. Tour booklets will be handed out the day of and will be available at the Museum at 1301 Hudson Street or the Fire Department Museum at 213 Bloomfield Street.
In addition to a booklet featuring a map and description of each garden, it also has recommendations on where to eat or indulge in high tea. Tickets are $25 for museum and Hoboken Garden Club members; on the day of the tour, tickets are $35 for nonmembers. Tickets are available for purchase here.
Hoboken Hosts Coffee With a Cop Event at Anthony David’s
Last Wednesday morning, Hoboken residents had the opportunity to participate in the Hoboken Police Department’s “Coffee With a Cop” event. Held at Anthony David’s, the goal of the event is to bring police officers face-to-face with community members to discuss important issues over coffee, hear each other’s perspectives, and strengthen relationships between police and community members.
Police Chief Ken Ferrante was in attendance, as was Captain Tory Pasculli, Lt. John Petrosino, Sgt. Jonathon Butler, Officer Dylan Archilla, Mayor Bhalla, and Councilman Peter Cunningham.
Hoboken Councilman Proposes City Uses “Give Backs” to Fund Waterfront Cameras
In the wake of 27-year-old Jamie Kwebetchou’s body being found in the Hudson River near Pier A, Hoboken councilman Mike DeFusco is speaking out about a need for waterfront security cameras. And he knows exactly where the money for these cameras should come from: the community givebacks from the proposed Hilton Hotel.
“While I have the utmost confidence in the Hoboken Police Department and our county law enforcement partners, I do share some of the concerns raised by residents regarding safety on the waterfront,” DeFusco said. “The loss of any life is devastating and the effects can be felt in our community.”
The “loss of my life” comment isn’t just in reference to Kwebetchou. In the past five years, five bodies of young males have been found allegedly dumped in the river, which is feeding into rumors of a Mile Square murderer.
While Hoboken Police Chief Ken Ferrante has debunked the myth of a “smiley face killer” in the area, the number of deaths on the waterfront are still cause for concern. Installing security cameras near Pier A and all along the waterfront could make a huge difference.
As for how to fund the cameras, DeFusco said he had plans to suggest a resolution during the next City Council meeting. His resolution includes taking a portion of the “community givebacks” from the proposed Hilton Hotel development project. The portion taken from givebacks would go directly toward paying for waterfront surveillance.
Ricardo Roig Closing First Street Location {But Don’t Worry!}
{Photo credit: Facebook}
Ricardo Roig is closing his First Street shop, as mentioned in our Hoboken Girl Insider FB group. But fear not, art lovers, as his work will still be on display at the W Hotel Gallery, in a new gallery + frame shop in Westfield, NJ, and in a new gallery on the Upper East Side; and his custom frame studio will be moving to 1012 Grand Street. Congrats on all of the success!
Got a news tip? Let us know — email hello@hobokengirl.com!
