1/5/2009:

Overheard on the Hoboken411 Live Police and Fire Action Channel:

“Woman fell out of a third story window at 460 8th Street (rear of building, by playground).”

Officers on scene report “Woman not conscious, but breathing…”

What the heck happened? Accident? On purpose?

Horrible - that’s about 30 feet, and must hurt like hell!

1/5/2009:

[Continuing the Hoboken411 “Photo of the Day” series…]

Hoboken Photo of the Day - 1/5/2009

Test your memory. Where WAS this sign - and about when do you think it it was removed?

PS - if you have images collecting dust on your camera or hard drive - send them in for eventual inclusion on Hoboken411! Please state how you’d like to be credited in your email, and a description - if desired!!

1/5/2009 Bump:

FYI - for those that were “offline” for the holidays - I wanted to bump this article about Hoboken resident Tom Venuto - and his new book being released this week!

1/1/2009:

Fitness expert, best-selling author and long-time Hoboken resident Tom Venuto reveals why New Year’s diets make you fat and why most people can’t stick with any diet for long.

Controlling one’s weight is always a challenge. But body fat and beer bellies can be a major hazard when you live in a one square mile city with over 100 bars and more restaurants and greasy food joints than you can count (because new ones keep opening almost every week!)

At this time of the year, many Hobokenites are thinking “diet” to atone for too many holiday gastronomic indiscretions. The problem is that most people can’t stick with their diet and if they do lose the excess flab, research shows that 80-95% of them will gain it all back (myself included). In a town full of temptations, the odds may be even worse, and often with relapse come extra pounds and a damaged metabolism.

That’s why a new year’s diet can actually make people fatter over the long term (don’t I know it!)

A perfect companion for your resolutions!

Tom Venuto, a Hoboken resident since 1995, understands how to burn off fat and maintain a healthy, lean body weight. A natural (steroid-free) bodybuilder and fitness industry veteran for 20 years, Venuto maintains single digit body fat and has been as lean as 3.7% body fat for competitions. (As a comparison, the average adult male has about 17% body fat and the average female about 25% fat.)

In The Body Fat Solution, a new hardcover published by Avery/Penguin books (NYC), Venuto shares good news for all dieters and former weight relapsers. It’s well known that we gain fat when we take in more calories than we burn. But people are not rational creatures when it comes to diet and exercise. In The Body Fat Solution, Venuto explains it this way: “What matters the most is not what diet or exercise program you follow, but what makes you follow your program.”

Venuto’s new book, which was already on the Amazon best seller lists several weeks prior to the January 8th, 2009 release date, not only gives training and nutrition programs for gaining lean muscle and burning off fat, but also explains the psychological, emotional and social pitfalls that can sabotage even the best nutrition or workout program – especially when surrounded by temptations and peer pressure.

Find out more about Tom’s helpful principles - after the jump!

[Click to continue reading the rest….]

1/5/2009:

Weathering the storm?

I was speaking with several people a few weeks ago - who seemed quite certain that at least FOUR businesses (bar/restaurants) are in grave danger of closing up shop this year because of the recent economic troubles. But they didn’t want to “share” their scoops with me (they were afraid I’d reveal their identities on 411…)

Instead, I conducted some informal street polls with well over 100 different Hoboken residents to gauge what their feelings were about the state of the bar/restaurant industry is like. While I hope everyone makes it through - you never know what the economic outlook will be like in 2009.

Below is a compilation of what I was told. (See poll at the end).

What bars or restaurants are in trouble in Hoboken?

Mile Square: Many residents mentioned this establishment, which was essentially the first semi-modern bar/restaurant in the 90’s which became a template for many others to come. Jennifer said “You can have bad food & service only so many times before word spreads. Their only saving grace is the size of the place and outdoor seating…”

Quays: While only mentioned a handful of times, the sentiment was clear - “There are hardly ever any people there. How do they stay in business?” said Mark.

Gaslight: I’ve been meaning to re-review this place since the new ownership, but haven’t had a chance. The general consensus was “They can’t get the food right,” and a couple people thought that the recent deadly DWI accident that one of the owners was in won’t help them much.

Buskers: Another place that is actually on my “to eat” list this week actually! When I was there a few weeks ago, I found out about the new management and want to give it a whirl. However, they can’t seem to shake the negative impression left behind. “The food sucks,” said Karen. When I told her about the new ownership, she had no idea. While Steve agreed and added “That renovated place across the street takes a lot of business away.”

Bin 14 Wine Bar: I was surprised to hear this from several people. While you can all see what people are saying about them on Hoboken411 - I figured because of the respected owners, riding the success of Anthony David’s would be a no-brainer. John said “They can’t continue like this. If they don’t make radical changes in the next six months, they’re doomed.” I disagreed - and feel that they can ride out any economic storm. What do you think?

Teak: Another place I was shocked to hear. Most people said similar things such as “Can’t sustain for long” or “The place is huge and hardly ever filled.” But with the City Diner getting revived by these very same owners - They don’t seem to be having any problems. Time will tell, I guess.

Other mentions: (A different) Steve said: “McMahon’s Brownstone. Total dump.” Michelle said “Sushi Lounge, the interior needs an update.” A couple others said “Elysian Cafe, gone downhill - a ripoff.” Some said Bombay West with “Always empty” as the general feeling. Also mentioned were Four L’s, Dubliner and even Three-A’s! (I couldn’t believe that one!)

1/5/2009:

Hoboken411 reader estevens sent in this photo from 1986! Anyone recall where it was? The only 96 XXX numbered address with Tuesday 2pm street cleaning is Garden St. - but I have no idea whether they’ve changed those rules in the past 20 years.

Hoboken411 reader photo of the day - 1/5/2009

“Here’s a photo taken in 1986 when Hoboken still had witch doctors with storefronts. What really caught my eye, however, was the No Parking sign in front. The sign sets an eight-hour limit for parking between 9am and 5pm. Is it possible to exceed eight hours within that time frame? Were there time-shifters in Hoboken 22 years ago?”

[Stay tuned for tomorrow’s Readerpix entry! - Note: one reader’s photo(s) will be featured each day at approximately 11am. Unless your photo is time-sensitive - it will be published in the order it was received! Additional note: Your pictures will have a better chance of being published if they’re in “landscape” mode, as opposed to the taller “portrait” modes… ]

1/5/2009 Update:

City Diner Back from the dead?

This location at 20 Hudson Place, which went from “America’s Most Wanted” Cosmetics Store - to “almost” City Diner - to “Doomed Realtor of the Week” Cupo Real Estate, seems to be poised to become a diner again “with a twist.”

Mike Acciardi, the owner of Teak and Lana Lounge, indicated plans to revitalize City Diner again - with added “Italian flair.”

We knew one of the owners of Hoboken Pizza (good pizza sauce, btw) was looking for another spot somewhere in town. Instead, will partner with Acciardi to offer up a different menu for late-night revelers in Hoboken.

With most of the equipment already installed, they’re hoping to open sometime in February or March (depending on who you know in town).

Will they finally get this place off the ground? If so, how will they hold up in today’s economy?

See Previous updates after the jump…

[Click to continue reading the rest….]

1/5/2009:

Hoboken City Council Meeting - January 7, 2009

A relatively light agenda has been made available, but no resolution pack is ready as of “press time.”

• Over $4 million dollars worth of bonding for road improvements and the Hoboken Parking Utility (WTF? Remember the missing $1 million bucks?)
• Block 11 “park space” back on the radar (the hotly contested “Southwest Parks” saga), plus extending PILOTs agreement for the much-debated Church Towers (in which some city officials live in cheaply).

Head down to City Hall Wednesday, January 7th at 7pm to check it out. See agenda here.

1/4/2009:

With the NFL Wildcard games now complete - You can start placing your bets on next week’s matchups!

With Baltimore handily beating Miami, San Diego upsetting Indianapolis, Arizona squeaking by Atlanta and Philly rolling over Minnesota, here are your matchups for this weekend. (Congrats to Philly fans out there!)

Who will make it to the Conference Championships?

NFC:

AFC: