2/29/2008:

How many of you have your plans “locked in” for tomorrow’s festivities?

Because if not, I have a fun mystery project for tomorrow, and would welcome any assistance I can get, or if you just want to tag along, by all means c’mon!

Send me an email if you’re interested, and what time(s) you’ll be available. When it’s all said and done, perhaps we stop in at one of the bars once the first round frenzy eases up.

Thank you very much in advance!

7:15pm Update:

Despite them saying the snow will begin between 6 and 8pm, it seems to be closer to 8pm.

Here’s the special weather statement:

Snow is expected to develop this evening as a storm system moves through the area.

Those traveling tonight should be prepared for slippery road conditions and reduced visibilities due to snow. Allow extra time for travel… and keep updated on latest forecasts for this storm.

2/29/2008:

We all know that our annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade usually has it’s share of messy situations.

There’s a chance it might become just a bit messier, depending on how this mini-snow event tonight pans out. Drunks, driving, snowballs… recipe for disaster.

Forecasters are predicting anything from a slushy mix that will get washed away by rain, up to a couple inches. But temps are supposed to hover near 40 degrees on Saturday anyway.

Imagine if we had a decent snowfall the night before the parade? I’d pay to witness that event!

2/29/2008:

NY Giants Linebacker and Hoboken resident Kawika Mitchell opted for the green with the Buffalo Bills today.

A tenant of the Vanguard at the Shipyard, Mitchell, along with his wife and two small children often were seen frequenting Elysian Park.

“Bills reach deal with LB Mitchell Linebacker Kawika Mitchell has reached an agreement with the Buffalo Bills on a five-year, $17.5 million contract that includes $5 million worth of guaranteed money. The five-year veteran started all 16 games for the Giants last season after being the team’s only notable free-agent addition a year ago. He finished with 87 tackles, 3½ sacks and one interception in the regular season. He added two sacks in four playoff games, including one in the Giants’ Super Bowl win over New England. Bills reach deal with LB Mitchell Linebacker Kawika Mitchell has reached an agreement with the Buffalo Bills on a five-year, $17.5 million contract that includes $5 million worth of guaranteed money. The five-year veteran started all 16 games for the Giants last year”

$5 million in guarantees would do that, right?

2/29/2008:

Just another day in the neighborhood…

Councilman Cammarano Under Investigation

State looking into election law violations

The State of New Jersey has announced they have opened an investigation into Hoboken Councilman Peter J. Cammarano for serious election-law violations under state law N.J.S.A 19:44a-9h.

As a continuously sitting councilman since his successful candidacy in 2005, Cammarano is barred by law from (and subject to significant penalties for) being the Chairperson of a Continuing Political Committee throughout his term of that office.

This past April, the incumbent Cammarano created with treasurer Michael Schaeffer and treasury signatory Robert Drasheff the continuing political committee, Hoboken Democrats for Hudson County; Cammarano began as, and remained throughout, this committee’s chairperson. This creation document is now available to the public at the Election Law Enforcement Commission’s website (the D-4 file from 4/18/07 on that committee’s document page).

Pursuant to an official complaint, the Election Law Enforcement Commission reviewed the matter and decided on January 15th just past to commence the investigation, notification being received this February 11th.

Penalties for such violations include return of all funds collected; fines in the amount of all funds collected plus all funds disbursed; fines up to $12,000 per count for individual reporting and filing violations, among others. In addition, it is quite likely that criminal suits for fraudulent solicitation could follow; Cammarano’s committee appears to have also solicited funds using the mail.

2/29/2008:

For those drinking tonight anyway, you might be interested in this show over at O’Donoghue’s at 8pm.

Skate4Cancer

“Embers Remain, along with Morning Noise Studios will be holding a charity event at O’Donoghue’s in Hoboken to raise money for Skate4Cancer. We have put together an amazing lineup, with 4 different styles of music to give everyone a good ole fashion sampling of tunes. It’s not often in Hoboken that you can see a jam band, an eclectic electronic band, a metal band, and an old school rock band at one show! The fine folks at O’Donoghue’s have let us use their venue to hold out event, so a big thanks goes to them.”

Info about Skate4Cancer can be found here: http://www.myspace.com/skate4cancer

2/29/2008:

It’s Friday, and tomorrow is the super-hyped St. Patrick’s Day Parade where you can get drunk in style or hide from those who are.

What to do between now and the end of the day? If you aren’t interested in work, or need a break, check out AlmostPerfectSeason.com. This site has been created by findingDulcinea.com as a service to New York Giants fans wishing to relieve this wonderful past season.

This page recalls some of the (now hilarious) commentary for each week of New England and the Giants’ seasons. It then takes you through each quarter of the Super Bowl, with a roundup of the post-game reactions. It’s a great, concise look back at the season, and a site any Giants fan should bookmark.

2/28/2008:

Tens of thousands of people gathering for the purpose of getting drunk is pretty much always a recipe for disaster.

Now while bars are legally allowed to open early for this Saturday’s St. Patrick’s Day parade in Hoboken, most have decided to voluntarily open at 11am. Local talking head Councilman Peter Cammarano thinks that having bars open early “provides oversight” over drinking revelers and is better than having folks get toasted at parties, or on the street, etc. Additionally, he thinks that the parade is “economically beneficial across Hoboken” with restaurants, garages and transportation being the beneficiaries of this annual booze-fest. Tell that to the baby store or gift shop.

Does it really make a difference whether bars open at 11am or 6am? I don’t really think so, because most people will be drunk before the clock strikes 12 anyway. Where they get their alcohol is pretty much irrelevant, and there will be lines at most bars all day anyway.

2/28/2008:

Hoboken is home to several mid-rise buildings that do not have fire sprinkler systems. One such location was 1203 Washington St., which claimed the life of one man this year.

The NJ Department of Community Affairs is considering a Uniform Fire Code amendment that would require all high-rise buildings in the state to install full coverage sprinkler systems. Commercial and residential buildings erected prior to 1987 were not required to install sprinkler systems at the time of their construction. Since construction, these buildings were unfortunately neither encouraged nor required to retrofit sprinklers. The lack of sprinkler coverage severely diminishes the life safety of people who live in such Hoboken high-rises as Church Towers, Fox Hill and Marine View Towers. Even though 1203 Washington Street would not fall under the state’s definition of a high-rise building (at least 75 feet tall), it nevertheless underscores importance of life safety and fire protection.

The Hoboken Firefighters’ Union sent a letter to DCA Commissioner Joseph Doria regarding their support for the proposed Uniform Fire Code amendment.