5/31/2008:

Hoboken411 reader Eric noticed this new business coming. He sent a cameraphone pic in, and said:

“It’s located between Willow and Clinton on First st. next to Paramus Meats. Looks like a small space inside, enough for maybe a table or two. More or less intended just for foot traffic. It’s a great addition to this part of Hoboken, especially for me, I’m a coffee nut.”

We need more places like this (especially with the Starbucks multiplying like rabbits)!

5/31/2008 Update:

Peter and Dawn assume a position

Following Hoboken411’s continuing coverage of the County Freeholder primary, city council members Peter Cunningham and Dawn Zimmer have ended their silence… well, sort of. Zimmer chose not to share her endorsement with Hoboken411 (but we have it anyway) while Cunningham sent out a non-endorsement.

First, this email from Peter:

“Dear Editors of the Jersey Journal, Hoboken Reporter and H411,

For those with an interest, I have not made a public endorsement for Freeholder, or any other candidate(s) for higher office, and do not expect to make one at this time. While the Freeholder seat - 5th District plays an important role in the allocation of county funds, maintenance of roads, parks and other public facilities, I feel it is important to me, my constituents and the City of Hoboken that I remain objective and vow to work with anyone of these fine candidates for this office. I wish them all the best of luck.

Peter Cunningham
5th Ward City Councilman”

You read that right. The councilman for the ward with the most “reform-minded” voters in the city is not endorsing a candidate for Freeholder. This decision has stunned people in “reform” circles who remember the then little-known Cunningham supported Ines Garcia-Keim five years ago for the fifth ward seat he now holds, and just three years ago supported her bid for Council-at-Large.

Now, Cunningham apparently sees little difference between Garcia-Keim, Anthony Romano, and Frank Raia, saying he “vows to work with anyone (sic) of these fine candidates.” Do the voters of the fifth ward really see these candidates as equals? We’ll see for sure on Tuesday.

What a difference six months makes

After her election last November, right here on Hoboken411 Dawn Zimmer wrote:

“I want to thank Hoboken411 for its coverage of the heated 4th Ward battle and for providing a place for everyone to air their opinions on the issues. It was tough to see my name sometimes bounced around like a ping-pong ball, but after three rounds in the ring my skin has this really tough texture to it.

Thanks again.”
4th Ward Councilwoman Zimmer

Since then Dawn has been one of the council members who have frequently submitted information to 411 for publication to the widest audience in Hoboken. Just this past week I published two Zimmer releases on the city budget. As documented below, I have been asking for her freeholder endorsement since early last week, and gave her a second chance to send it Thursday. I didn’t want to report the (many) rumors that were floating around, and gave her chance after chance to be clear.

Dawn Zimmer Withholds Endorsement from Hoboken411

Each time I asked Dawn to give me a straight answer, she gave me an excuse. The most recent was that she was “really focused on the budget right now.” Well, apparently not so focused that she was unable to find time to write an endorsement letter for Frank “Pupie” Raia and send it to the newspaper in time for their Wednesday deadline. Zimmer chose not to share this information with 411, but many of her supporters have forwarded an email she sent to them Friday, which included over 600 words in support of Pupie.

Why didn’t Zimmer share her endorsement with Hoboken411? I’ll leave you to figure that out. All that was asked was for them to send in a 250-word endorsement. That is a lot less than Dawn sent to the hardly-read weekly paper she said “just doesn’t have the same kind of energy as instant news and lively discussions” as Hoboken411.

Why not just go on the record?

Councilwoman Zimmer is free to support anybody she wants, and just like the other council members, her position would have been published unedited and unobstructed. As for her reasons for supporting Raia, she apparently thought they weren’t important enough to share with you (the loyal readers) so I will respect her wishes and not publish them.

I don’t begrudge Dawn’s reasons for supporting Pupie, but I do take offense to her refusal to share them here. I was just trying to bring you the truth.

Read more about this little saga after the jump…

[Click to continue reading the rest….]

5/30/2008:

As you know, there was a disastrous earthquake in China which killed nearly 70,000 people (and you think you have problems?)

The Fuzzy Lemons will be performing at GoldHawk on Sunday, June 1st to raise money for the Red Cross China earthquake relief fund.

Lemon Aid: Red Cross relief benefit

“On May 12, a powerful earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale struck Sichuan province in southwestern China, killing thousands of people. The American Red Cross is working with its partners in the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including the Red Cross Society of China, and other partners to assist those affected by this disaster.

100% of profits go to the Red Cross. Our goal is to raise $1,600!”

Showtimes:

• 4:00pm click to buy tickets
• 5:15pm click to buy tickets

(Buy a bunch and bring your friends!)

5/30/2008:

While taking a short break over at Goldhawk earlier this week, I had the pleasure of meeting Lloyd Gold of Lloyd United (it was open mic night.)

He was outside tuning his ukulele, and I was interested in the sound. We got into some impromptu beat-box jams, then he even played Stairway to Heaven.. It’s a neat sound for sure!

“Lloyd United is a refined mixture of the following cultural accretion: Brit-pop, Sun Sessions, Disco, Irish pub anthems, Lord Byron, Aesthecism and Norse Mythology. They have psychedelic, wah-wah-drenched ukulele riffs, the likes of which have never reverberated through the halls of rock history.”

They’re playing at Maxwell’s tomorrow night at 8:30, along with Tall Days, Walking Lights and The Fave. $8 at the door.

Listen to “Lord Byron” below.

They’ll also be appearing on June 11th at the Block Island Music Festival.

5/30/2008:

Recently, one Hoboken411 reader griped about the condition of the “old” NJ Transit buses that are serving the city.

Now with the weather getting warmer, others have complaints with these buses turning into saunas. Here’s what 411 reader Pete has to say, and what you can do about it:

What to do about steamy buses

“I am writing this in conjunction to a recent article you posted about the old 126 buses Hoboken residents have the pleasure of riding everyday to and from work. Now that the weather is getting nicer the buses are turning into ovens. There is nothing worse that finishing work then getting packed into a hot steamy bus with no A/C. I found a link below that might help escalate this issue

Maybe you can share this on your site so anyone who has the same experience will be able to voice their concern.”

5/29/2008 Update:

Lo behold, the city seems to be almost done with their new and improved website!

A Hoboken411 reader sent me the link, and guess what? Like Hoboken411, it’s a fully functioning WordPress website! Yep, they’re using blog software! Except I highly doubt the City of Hoboken would allow comments the way 411 does.

Browse around, take a look. Do you think any NEW information was added? Is it easier to find? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

SEE PREVIOUS RANTS AFTER THE JUMP…

[Click to continue reading the rest….]

5/29/2008 Update:

Just got back from a long walk, and stopped in to Cupo Real Estate to see how things were going.

Block Party Canceled

Apparently, there were some “conflicts” or something along those lines (possibly with the “International Film Festival”) and the Block Party has been postponed at least 30 days. Not sure if it was traffic/parking concerns, or police staffing issues.

Will update you as news becomes available.

Back to regularly scheduled programming.

5/29/2008:

Those “staying behind” this weekend will be in for an unexpected treat!

Cupo Real Estate Block Party

John Cupo, owner of Cupo Real Estate has decided to throw a two-day block party to “celebrate” Hoboken’s bustling real estate market and to inform, feed and entertain Hoboken residents free of charge!

This event is being held downtown near the PATH station, wrapping around near Lackawanna Plaza and up to Pier A. Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 4pm.

Cupo had invited the entire local real estate market, along with any other business willing to participate in this spring weekend event. Real Estate-related businesses ranging from contractors, mortgage brokers, banks and insurance agents to other local entities such as restaurants, fitness centers and beverage companies will be on hand.

Those attending the shin-dig will be provided with live music and refreshments, as well as ‘dogs and burgers from Biggie’s Clam Bar. You can keep the kids entertained with nutty clowns, fun activities and even an inflatable bounce house.

Entertainment includes The Fabulous Singers, Devlin Drive, Vinnie Ferrone and other bands and performers.

New to Hoboken, Cupo said he is excited to throw such a large event in such a short time. “Hoboken makes me feel welcome; I’m lucky to do business here, and especially appreciate how helpful the local City Officials have been.”

So if you’re not occupied at the Hoboken International Film Festival, stop down and check it out! It may rain a bit on Saturday, but Sunday looks A-OK!

GALLERY (HOLD MOUSE OVER IMAGE TO NAVIGATE - 2 IMAGES IN THIS SET)

5/29/2008:

Here’s a little business update for this afternoon…

So Green Yogurt coming to Hoboken

Supposedly taking the place of Good Kleen Fun at 529 Washington Street, is So Green Yogurt.

Not sure of the opening date (they plan on enlarging/modifying the interior a bit - good luck with the permits, and get to know the H.A.T.T., folks!) but it does seem strange if the rumored Pinkberry is going to replace Emack & Bolio’s. (perhaps it was a mix-up?)

Speaking of Good Kleen Fun, Andrea’s last day there is this Saturday, May 31st. If you’d like to stop by and wish her well, please do so. Also, her cast-iron clawfoot bathtub is for sale if you’re interested!

5/29/2008:

For those looking for some live entertainment tonight. Goldhawk at 8:30pm.

Kate learns new songs

“Once again we, Kate Jacobs and The Eve of Deconstruction, have learned a bunch of great songs and are going to play them for whoever shows up. (We are Kate Jacobs, Dave Schramm, Gene “the Plumber” Turonis, Paul Moschella, Ray Nissen and Andy Burton.)

This time we are covering songs from: Little Richard, XTC, The Replacements, Bo Diddley, Jimi Hendrix, Neil Young, Dionne Warwick (Burt Bacharach), The Isley Bros., Bob Dylan, Ray Charles and many more!”

5/2/2008:

Kate Jacobs and her band will be playing at the Goldhawk (10th and Park) on TONIGHT at 8:30 pm. They have several albums on Bar/None Records and will be playing new songs from an upcoming release.

www.katejacobsmusic.com
www.myspace.com/katejacobsmusic
www.thegoldhawk.com

(her mp3’s don’t seem to work on my player, but you can visit her site for full-length samples.)

5/29/2008 Bump:

Here’s a reminder that each night from May 31-June 4, the Hoboken International Film Festival will be showing FREE “star-studded” movies down at Pier A! (Hoboken411 didn’t design this flyer, FYI…)

5/21/2008:

See additional competition screenings after the jump.

5/14/2008:

Here’s a sneak preview of this years Hoboken International Film Festival.

The festival kicks off on May 30 with a Filmmaker’s Reception, and runs week long until the Gala Awards Ceremony on June 5 (see below for more details on both). There will be screenings, music, special star-studded events, food, and more!!

See calendar of events after the jump!

[Click to continue reading the rest….]