5/11/2008 Update:

While I was listening to Eddie’s insane guitar riffs at the Van Halen concert this past Friday, a Hoboken411 reader was kind enough to document the clock tower lighting ceremony at Pier A. Here’s their recap:

Lights, Camera, Action!

“It was a cold and rainy evening on Pier A as the long awaited lighting ceremony of the Erie Lackawanna clock tower and ferry terminal got underway. The weather probably kept a lot of people away, but those who did made their way from the NJ Transit train terminal waiting room braving wind and water to the tip of Pier A, where a tent was set up for the festivities. Speakers included Mayor David Roberts, who spoke of the legacy of former NJ Transit Executive Director George Warrington, who spearheaded the terminal rehab, but sadly passed away before he could see the new clock tower rise over Hoboken.

Roberts also alluded to his plan to see “buildings rise above” the train terminal, noting Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy was also at the ceremony. Many people are concerned about what Roberts may have agreed to in exchange for getting the clock tower built. Rumors of buildings 40, 50, and even 70 stories tall over the rail yards have people concerned about what is to come, but for last night people just came to enjoy the lighting ceremony.

NJ Transit Executive Director Richard Sarles also spoke, as did Congressman Albio Sires. City Council members Peter Cammarano, Terry LaBruno, Beth Mason, Ruben Ramos and Michael Russo attended as well, along with retiring county freeholder Maurice Fitzgibbons. When the switch was flipped the Clock Tower and Erie Lackawanna sign came on first, as other lights took a while to warm up. There were smiles all around as the lights came up to full brightness and people enjoyed the view. It really does look spectacular!”

PHOTO GALLERY (HOLD MOUSE OVER IMAGE TO NAVIGATE - 14 PHOTOS IN THIS SET)

See Previous updates after the jump…

[Click to continue reading the rest….]

5/11/2008:

Happy Mothers Day!

Here’s your weekly snapshot of the hot topics in Hoboken.

Want to contribute a Hoboken related article? Please see this post to find out what I’m looking for!

Here are the Top 10 articles published or bumped this week that had the hottest overall chat action in Hoboken!

Hottest topics of the week

1. A lot of comments to weed through
   A Hoboken411 “question of the day” about the economic benefits of Hemp, rolls up over 250 opinions…
2. Taking off the (political) gloves
   Things get extra contentious inside Hoboken City Hall, which must mean a mayoral election is coming soon!
3. Libelous Light Pole
   One guy gets his face plastered all over town.
4. Lackawanna Lit Up
   The commuter portal of Hoboken continues along the path of improvement.
5. Lots O’litter
   No, not a new Irish bar in Hoboken, but discussion of all the garbage we have lying around, and what we can do about it.
6. Trees dominate our city’s issues
   Heated discussion occurs at City Hall about four measly trees at Church Square Park. Mayor gets cocky.
7. Icy Rumors
   What was once Mola Coffee, but currently Emack & Bolio’s is rumored to become a Pinkberry frozen treat place.
8. Hoboken Police Chief
   After over 20 years, Hoboken is getting a new top cop in 2008.
9. Sidewalks double as messy dumpsters
   One reader is miffed at the greasy garbage that is spewed all over by a local pizza joint.
10. Will it sell? Part II
    A Hoboken411 fan shares their real estate viewpoints again, this time about a brownstone on Hudson Street.

Noteworthy

• High-tech cop scooters
  The city buys new toys for the police, supposedly replacing those gosh-darn cute horses.
• Hoboken crossing guard on international TV
  Vocal town historian Margaret O’brien talks about presidential politics on CNN. Exclusive video on Hoboken411.
• Babies: The new arm candy
  The 7th annual tyke parade is coming this month.
• Silvio Dante gets a ticket in Hoboken
  Steven Van Zandt breaks the law. Cop doesn’t let him get away with it.

5/10/2008:

Since Hoboken is such a dog-centric town, thought many of you might enjoy this little diversion.

Found this cute video of a dog that is unable to go through a door, despite it no longer having a screen…

5/10/2008:

I had meant to publish an entry about Vinnie’s “Sunflowers for Peace” seedling event back at the beginning of the month, but I honestly forgot to flag my email in Outlook. I apologized to him, but he still had a great day promoting his mission:

Sunflowers for Peace

“Thanks one and all on a great job. It was a fun afternoon and the message was received very well. On this, the first year for “Sunflowers for Peace” we collected $72.00 , all of which will be donated to the Carter Center. Hopefully, this will become an annual event , and more importantly , the last one in which we be calling for an end to the war in Iraq.

Wishing you all a happy and healthful summer. Peace.”

Vincent
“Sunflowers for Peace”

5/10/2008:

For the religious types among us, please read about the Mass a stones throw away in nearby Jersey City on Sunday, May 11, 2008. Located at the Holy Rosary Church (hover for map).

I’m told many Hobokenites will be singing this weekend!

Pentecost Sunday at Holy Rosary Church

“Haydn’s Missa Brevis, No 7, in B major will be sung this Sunday at the 10:00 AM Latin Mass at Holy Rosary Church at 344 Sixth Street in Jersey City (just south of the Mile Square City) by the full choir with a chamber orchestra as accompaniment.

This is a wonderful opportunity to experience this music in its actual context of a worshiping community. (BTW, we continue to seek new voices so you are welcome to come hear us and then join us!). Bring a date, bring your mom, or just bring yourself. It’s free!!”

(Click to zoom full-size)

5/9/2008 Video:

Here’s a brief look at this years Hoboken Spring Arts & Music Festival.

Hoboken Arts & Music Festival May 2008 Hoboken411 from Hoboken411 on Vimeo.

See the poster, and original artists lineup after the jump…

[Click to continue reading the rest….]

5/9/2008 Event:

Before you read this, please check out my initial review of Orna Skincare Foot Revitalizer. The stuff just works amazingly. After that, you’ll want to book a free foot massage and sampling of this product.

Orna Foot Revitalizer at Luxe

“Please join us at Luxe Face & Body as we introduce Orna Foot Revitalizer, just in time for sandal season and Mother’s Day!

Anshu will be here giving 10 minute complimentary foot revitalizer massages. Come to Luxe, put your feet up and relax…you deserve it! Bring along your Mom to thank her for all the years of running around.

• Friday, May 9th 3:30 – 6:00pm
• Saturday, May 10th 1:30 – 3:30pm

Please call or email Megan to book your Foot Revitalizer Massage 201-222-2472; megan@luxefaceandbody.com

Happy Spring! Hope to see you at Luxe soon.”

See initial “welcome to Hoboken” review of Luxe Face & Body after the jump…

[Click to continue reading the rest….]

5/9/2008:

Need a last minute Mother’s Day gift?

Why not give Michelangela a try? They have a 15% off discount available in the Hoboken411 Coupon Corner, plus a fun free gift with each purchase! See what owner Stephanie has to say below:

Mother’s Day at Michelangela

Michelangela isn’t your typical furniture store! In addition to our unique vintage & antique furniture we have a large selection of Frames, Candles, Hand crafted Jewelry, French Soaps, Stained Glass, Lamps, Cards, Dried Flowers, Albums & More! We can even help you make a personalized gift basket and gift wrapping is always free! You are sure to find that perfect gift for Mom!

Note: We will be closed on Mother’s Day. (We need to hang out with our Moms too)

See other pictures and news after the jump…

[Click to continue reading the rest….]

5/9/2008:

One reader was wondering what the story was with the unfinished “Relationships” mural on Observer Highway. With the myriad of photos I have peppered all over the place, I can’t find a picture of the cloud! Does anyone have one? If so, please email it to me: Hoboken411@gmail.com. Thanks!

Created in 1994

Back in 1994, NJ Transit decided to infuse some “artistic expression” to give character to the rather mundane industrial look & feel of the rail yards. They hired English-born artist Andrew Maishman to create the mural you now see every day on the Hoboken Engine House Building. The project was never finished, and has even been scaled-back since it’s creation.

Not what was originally planned

NJ Transit wanted to portray a theme about commuting, but Maishman wanted to create a deeper, more socially relevant image that made a statement about human extremes. His original concept was to show images of Hitler, The Tao (Chinese for “the path”), the ying/yang symbol, and leading up to an image of Ghandi (”peace”).

They rejected the idea of showing something as provacative as Hitler, and eventually the design was replaced with an atomic bomb mushroom cloud, a peace symbol, and the phrase “Relationships” instead of “The Tao,” since it was more understandable to the average citizen.

Nuclear image eventually offended the sensitive

The summer project was worked on for about five months, and NJ Transit reimbursed about $7,000 to the artists (15 of them in total). However, the artists were unable to raise the rest of the money needed to complete the mural, and it remained un-finished. It stayed the same for over a decade until some new issues arose.

During a transit meeting back in 2005, a nameless Hoboken resident took offense to the image of the nuclear mushroom cloud and demanded that it be removed. The transit director complied and removed the image by painting over it. Some believe that it was the 9/11 incident that spurred the complaint. NJT did, however, ask the original artist for approval prior to removing it. In November 2005, the cloud was gone forever.

History and future?

The Hoboken Engine House was originally built by the Erie Lackawanna Railroad Company in the 60’s. It was initially used as a storage facility, and became an engine house in the early 80’s. The over 30,000 square foot facility used to be used for repair and maintenance of train engines and cars, and even employed over 40 employees at one point.

The building will likely be coming down before long. In the past few years, all work and maintenance inside have been transferred to another location out of town. When the mural was originally proposed, the artists were told that the building was slated to be demolished eventually. No one has made any official statements regarding the future of this location, but don’t be surprised to see towering residential condos lining Observer Highway in the next 5-10 years.

You can see some related articles about the NJ Transit Rail yards below:

• Announcement article way back in 2006
• The public hearings on the Rail Yards
• Other downtown redevelopment issues
• Various “redevelopment zones” all over Hoboken

5/9/2008:

More secret shuffling going on at HUMC?

From a Hoboken411 reader:

“Below is a copy of the public notice that Hoboken City Hall published, noting that the HUMC is issuing bonds. Amazingly enough no mention of how much they’ll be floating, perhaps a couple of billion dollars so they can bail out Bear Sterns & save all the Hoboken Banker jobs that support our little economy? On a serious note, this is more than likely some type of shell game that the mayor is playing to move money back & forth between city hall & the hospital to try & balance his bloated budget. This is fuel for the fire that Councilwoman Mason is on the right track & that something is a rotten in Denmark.”

Public Notice

NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION OF THE HOBOKEN MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS, NOTES OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF THE AUTHORITY TO REFUND BONDS OF THE AUTHORITY AND FINANCE CERTAIN COSTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE OPERATION OF HOBOKEN UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER AND FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE TO SECURE SAME

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a resolution entitled “RESOLUTION OF THE HOBOKEN MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS, NOTES OR OTHER OBLlGATIONS OF THE AUTHORITY TO REFUND BONDS OF THE AUTHORITY AND FINANCE CERTAIN COSTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE OPERATION OF HOBOKEN UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER AND FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE TO SECURE SAME” (the “Bond Resolution”) has been finally adopted by the Hoboken Municipal Hospital Authority (the “Authority”) on April 30, 2008. Notice is further given that a copy of said Bond Resolution has been filed for public inspection at the offices of the Authority at the Hoboken University Medical Center, 312 Clinton Street, Hoboken, New Jersey, and at the office of the City Clerk of the City of Hoboken at City Hall, 94 Washington Street, Hoboken, New Jersey, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40:14B-28 (incorporated by reference by N.J.S.A. 30:9-23.21). Notice is hereby given that the twenty (20) day period of limitation has begun to run during which time actions or proceedings questioning the validity or proper authorization of the bonds, notes or other obligations provided for by said Bond Resolution, or the validity of any covenants, agreements or contracts provided for by said Bond Resolution, shall be commenced or instituted. After such twenty day period has run, all the residents and taxpayers and owners of property in the district of said Authority and users of the Authority’s facilities and all other persons whatsoever shall be forever barred and foreclosed from instituting or commencing any action or proceeding in any Court, or from pleading any defense to any action or proceedings, questioning the validity of the creation and establishment of the Authority, or the validity or proper authorization of such bonds, notes or other obligations, or the validity of any such covenants, agreements or contracts, and said Authority shall be conclusively deemed to have been validly created and established and to be authorized to transact business and exercise powers as a municipal authority under the Municipal Hospital Authority Law, and said bonds, notes or other obligations, covenants, agreements and contracts shall be conclusively deemed to be valid and binding obligations in accordance with their terms and tenor.

Published by Order of
HOBOKEN MUNICIPAL
HOSPITAL AUTHORITY
George W. Crimmins
Executive Director