SPRING | SUMMER 2016
JC RAPPERS LAFAYETTE HOOD HITCHED AHOY! ON SIGHT
Spinning Whiz Kids
2016 EVENT CALENDAR
jerseycityculture.org/events/ Enjoy allJersey City has to offer !! Find Art & Cultural events at jerseycityculture.org Check out a sampling below...
March
April
May
June
Women’s History Month
23rd Earth Day Great JC CleanUp
7th Holi Festival
17th St. Patrick’s Day Parade
5th Bike JC Ward Tour
23rd City Challenge
July
August
September
October
4th Freedom & Fireworks Festival
6th Bolivian Day Parade
17th All About Downtown
ARTOBER Arts & Studio Tour
24th / 25th Golden Door Film Festival
15th / 16th JC International Television & Film Festival
23rd Carribean Carnival Parade & Festival
27th Pride Festival
14th Newport 10K
Street Fair
11th Riverview Jazz Fest
Submit events to jerseycityculture.org/submit-your-jersey-city-events/ THE CITY OF JERSEY CITY MAYOR STEVEN M. FULOP THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL AND OFFICE OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS
JerseyCityNJ JC_GOV jerseycitynj
CONTENTS JCM
FEATURES 14 JC RAPPERS Hometown Hip-Hop
18 OUTDOOR MARKET 6th Borough
COVER 22 SEEING DOUBLE Twin DJs Cover photo by Terri Saulino Bish | tbishphoto
26 BODY WORK
14
Physical Therapists
52 HOW WE LIVE House Proud
58 ON THE WATERFRONT Yacht Vows
62 THE STUDIO Fence Art
66 WATERING HOLE Brightside Tavern
69 | 80 POINT AND SHOOT “No Hunting” Street art
70 DINING OUT Broa Café
74 RESTAURANTS Listings
44
79 VANISHING Trolley Tracks
DEPARTMENTS 10 CONTRIBUTORS 12 EDITOR’S LETTER 30 SPORTS AND FITNESS Swimming in the Hudson
33 DATES What’s Goin’ On
34 PEOPLE POWER David Diaz
38 THE HOOD Lafayette
44 EDUCATION St Joseph’s School for the Blind
48 HOW WE WORK Small Businesses
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Jersey MAGAZINE
CITY
S P R I N G | FA L L 2 0 1 6 Vo l u m e 1 3 • N u m b e r 1 A Publication of The Hudson Reporter
PUBLISHERS Lucha Malato, David Unger EDITOR IN CHIEF Kate Rounds GRAPHICS STAFF Terri Saulino Bish, Lisa M. Cuthbert, Alyssa Bredin, Mike Mitolo, Pasquale Spina COPYEDITING Christopher Zinsli ADVERTISING MANAGER Tish Kraszyk ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Melissa Bridda, Toni Anne Calderone, Ron Kraszyk, Jay Slansky CIRCULATION MANAGER Roberto Lopez CIRCULATION Luis Vasquez ACCOUNTING Christine Caraballo
Jersey City Magazine is published two times a year by The Hudson Reporter Associates, L.P., 1400 Washington St., Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (201) 798-7800, Fax (201) 798-0018. Email jcmag@hudsonreporter.com. Subscriptions are $10 per year, $25 for overseas, single copies are $7.50 each, multiple copy discounts are available. VISA/MC/AMEX accepted. Subscription information should be sent to JCMagazine Subscriptions, 1400 Washington St., Hoboken, NJ 07030. Not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or other unsolicited materials. Copyright ©2016, Hudson Reporter Associates L.P. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited.
Jersey City Magazine is a publication of The Hudson Reporter Associates, L.P. 1400 Washington Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030 phone 201.798.7800 • fax 201.798.0018 e-mail: jcmag@hudsonreporter.com jerseycitymagazine.com
6 • Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SPRING | SUMMER 2016
WHO WHAT WHERE WHEN TO START For some, having a baby can take more time, especially once you’re in your mid-30s. If you’re having trouble getting or staying pregnant, don’t wait. With success rates nearly 20% higher than the national average* and treatment times measured in months—not years—the leaders at Reproductive Medicine Associates of New Jersey can help now. Now with 22 expert physicians, we offer convenient appointment hours at nine locations: Basking Ridge, Eatontown, Englewood, Freehold, Hamilton, Morristown, Short Hills, Somerset, and West Orange.
Speak with a personal patient liaison and start finding your answers today. Call 973-656-2089 or visit www.rmanj.com.
*Source of RMANJ Internal Data 2014; 2013 SART; Thawed Embryos From Non Donor Oocytes, n=748. Note: A comparison of clinic success rates may not be meaningful because patient medical characteristics, treatment approaches and entrance criteria for ART may vary from clinic to clinic.
www.rmanj.com/contact-us | 973-656-2089 |
550 Grand Street, Jersey City 201-200-1225
deltaselfstorage.com Also in Bayonne 201-858-8009 Delta Self Storage, LLC and its affiliates reserve the right to cancel or change promotion offer without notice at any time.
LAUREN BARBAGALLO
is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in New Jersey Monthly, Parents, Boston Magazine, AM New York, the Provincetown Banner and VegNews, among other publications and websites. She lives with her husband, two daughters, and their rescue dog, Patches, in Hamilton Park.
TERRI SAULINO BISH
began her career as a graphic designer and digital artist. Expanding into the area of photography, she not only creates images but captures them with her camera. Her work has appeared in many publications, including Best of Photography. Her art currently includes digital paintings and photos that can be viewed at tbishphoto.com.
LAUREN BARBAGALLO
ALYSSA BREDIN
ALYSSA BREDIN STEVEN RODAS
is a graduate of Saint Peter’s University, Jersey City, with a degree in graphic arts. She is pursuing a career in photography. Her work can be seen at tbishphoto.com.
DELFIN GANAPIN
is an editorial assistant at the Hudson Reporter. In his spare time, he is immersed in contemporary geek and pop culture and has contributed to a small geek culture blog called We Are Geeking Out.
TERRI SAULINO BISH
MICKEY MATHIS
is a freelance photographer who studied at the International Center for Photography in New York City. A Jersey City resident, he can be seen wandering around town with his dog and a camera slung around his neck.
DELFIN GANAPIN
VICTOR M. RODRIGUEZ
is founder of PhotoByMac.com. An artist, photographer, and resident of Jersey City since 2001, his subjects include lightning bolts, rock stars, and artists to name a few. His official portrait of Mayor Fulop can be seen in the council chambers at City Hall.
STEVEN RODAS
was born and raised in The Heights section of Jersey City, currently lives in West New York, and is a staff writer for the Hoboken Reporter. In addition to interning for Fox 5 News and ABC TV, his work has appeared in New Brunswick Today, hMAG, and The Jersey Journal. Email him at srodas@hudsonreporter.com if you have a story idea.
MICKEY MATHIS
VICTOR M. RODRIGUEZ
has studied publication design, photography, and graphic design. “I’ve been fascinated by photography for almost 20 years,” he says. One of his jobs as a construction project manager is to photograph job sites.
MAXIM RYAZANSKY
J
C
C O N T R I B U T O R S
M
MIKE MCNAMARA
MAXIM RYAZANSKY
MIKE MCNAMARA
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is a photographer whose work has been exhibited in galleries and published worldwide. A recent transplant to Bayonne, he spends his spare time trying to figure out the best pizza place in town.
PHOTO BY MARIE PAPP
EDITOR'S LETTER JCM
Sign of the Times
O
n January 27, The Economist ran a little story titled, “Things are going eerily well for Steven Fulop.” In discussing development, the mayor tells the magazine, “Grittiness makes the city special. We don’t want to become a Main Street with chain stores.” Most would agree. Not to be outdone, On Valentine’s Day, the New York Times led its Real Estate section with this big headline: THE JERSEY CITY BANDWAGON. “Jersey City,” it proclaimed, “is the fastest growing metropolitan area in New Jersey. Why? It’s a short hop from New York, and at the moment, less expensive. And developers are pouring millions into new housing.” The story called out our pedestrian mall as a sign that “hipsters have arrived.” The story, which occupied almost two full pages of newspaper real estate, featured pictures of the mall, art galleries, small businesses, charming neighborhoods, and young residents, thrilled with their new digs and vibrant communities.
see page 29
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A Jersey City hip-hop group is poised for the big time BY STEVEN RODAS PHOTOS BY MAXIM RYAZANSKY
U
p four floors. Past a narrow hallway. Two metal doors. A barren room just barely able to call itself a lounge with three couches, a television, Bob Marley poster, and pool table with an abandoned half-played game of 8-ball. Off this room in a dilapidated former furniture gallery in Hoboken are two studios, with scuffed wood floors and holes in the ceiling. The space is a work in progress for The Committee Music Group (TCMG), which aims to connect artists from a wide range of disciplines. In Studio A, two Jersey City musicians, SteadyBrave and Classick, both 24, are rehearsing. They make up two-thirds of the hip-hop clique SteadyMinded, which they founded in 2012. A beat is heard on a loop, interrupted only by the stifled mumbles of SteadyBrave. He pauses and looks over to me, slouched on a black couch. “Gotta get the jitters out the way,” he jokes, while bouncing on his toes like a track star before a meet. SteadyBrave (born Roderick Spraus), sports a black winter cap, brown work boots and blue Henley. His ability to rap fast may have something to do with his Dominican roots. Sitting near a cache of doodles and vinyls, including Michael Jackson’s Bad and the Bad Boys II Soundtrack, Classick lip-syncs lines. Born Jonathan Cartagena, Classick’s Yankees cap is slightly cocked to the right with the size sticker still on the brim. He is second-generation Puerto Rican.
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KEEPING THEIR DAY JOBS— FOR NOW SteadyMinded, thus far unsigned and independent, is adding to its catalog tonight with two recordings. Both rappers take a moment to review lyrics on their phones: bars written during their full-time jobs or between destinations on their daily commute. The two weave in and out of the booth to swap feedback, occasionally exchanging supportive fist bumps. Rekalat, the engineer, a lanky, head-bobbing 24-year-old, turns knobs that balance the group’s clean—yet raw and gritty— sound. Cartagena and Spraus anchor the group, whose third member, 18-year-old Elias Colon, aka Alias, couldn’t attend the session. “When I first met Brave and Classick about a year back, I freestyled for them and they were impressed,” he later tells me. “As a kid I always wrote poetry but didn’t think I could become a writer. It helped me find myself as a person, but it surprises me other people can relate to my music.”
JERSEY CITY ROOTS Though Spraus was born in Brooklyn, he and Cartagena were raised in Jersey City; they met while playing baseball in 2006 at Dickinson High School. SteadyMinded’s content is married to its hometown, at times boasting on songs—“201!” or “straight out of Jersey!”—but at other times rapping, “the streets is dirty” and “the worst place for worst case scenarios.”
JONATHAN CARTAGENA (CLASSICK)
RODERICK SPRAUS (STEADYBRAVE)
Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SPRING | SUMMER 2016 •
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LEFT TO RIGHT STEADYBRAVE, CLASSICK, AND REKALAT Cartagena, who was raised in the Journal Square area, says, “You experience a lot of fights and violence in the city throughout the years, but it’s shaped us to be who we are now. We’ve dealt with a lot of the darker side of Jersey City.” Despite dealing with this “darker side,” the group, as their name implies, is “steady minded” on working hard and staying out of trouble. Though Jersey City is widely known for its burgeoning arts scene and exploding development, in 2015, violence was up over the previous year. A scuffle over an Instagram photo escalating to gunfire, and a one-year-old being struck by a stray bullet stick in the mind. Though Cartegena and Spraus grew up around gangs and drugs, the two found solace in music even before SteadyMinded. Starting as a freshman in 2006, Cartagena was the percussion section leader for Dickinson’s marching band, and Spraus was among the highschool students who joined the Visual/Performing Arts program at New Jersey City University, where he mastered the trumpet. The group has met industry tycoons at shows in the area, like Tony Yayo of 50 Cent’s G-Unit crew, Obie Trice (who has ties to Eminem), and Styles P, all of whom
reinforced SteadyMinded’s philosophy to stay true to itself. After freestyling in cyphers and exchanging ideas for tracks, Spraus and Cartagena made their debut in an open mic at the Iron Monkey in downtown Jersey City in 2013. Since then, they’ve released more than 20 tracks online and performed at many venues in the Metropolitan area: Brightside Tavern in Jersey City (see page 66); Union City’s The Platform; and Angelo’s and Black Thorn in New York City.
IN GOOD COMPANY A number of hip hop performers have New Jersey roots. Though R&B/hip hop artist Akon also graduated from Dickinson, his sound couldn’t be more different from SteadyMinded’s. Akon, a multi-platinum and Grammy-nominated rapper, has a distinctive dulcet tone on hooks that stick to your brain like bubblegum. SteadyMinded, meanwhile, often doesn’t have hooks at all, which can be jarring for listeners. “We put emphasis on lyrics,” says Cartagena. Adds Spraus, “We wouldn’t want a fan that doesn’t understand how we feel. We’re not here to make everything simple for a listener.” Paterson’s Fetty Wap did big numbers in
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2015 landing Number 2 on the U.S. billboard Hot 100 chart with his inescapable single, “Trap Queen.”SteadyMinded cites Nas, Kendrick Lamar, J.Cole, and Slaughterhouse among its influences. Joe Budden of Slaughterhouse is also a Jersey City native.
BACK IN THE STUDIO SteadyMinded’s Hoboken recording session is about having fun and dropping tracks for the masses via the group’s online SoundCloud page. These days, free mixtapes dominate the airwaves, with listeners turning a deaf ear to mainstream radio hits. And some artists are breaking the mold of what it means to “blow up.” “Anything can go viral and sometimes it can come down to promoting that one track,” Spraus says. “But right now, we’re going with the flow.” They can’t force any given session to cough up an album or mixtape. It has to happen “organically,” they say. At this session, the two work on finalizing a new song, “Moral of the Story,” a vivid take on street life. I ask to hear the final version. “It’ll be up tonight, or tomorrow morning,” Spraus tells me. “You could listen then.” It’s the first thing I do the next morning. And I’m not disappointed.—JCM
Jersey City Education Association Ensuring a stronger voice for educators and pushing for higher academic standards. The Jersey City Education Association is at the forefront of positive change. We make a difference for teachers, for students, and for education. The JCEA proudly represents over 3500 educational professionals in the Jersey City Public School District and their pedagogical interests.
-We believe that students can reach their full potential when education professionals are valued. -We believe that a collaborative effort makes our schools most effective. -We believe it is our responsibility to advocate for the conditions that will best educate students.
Join us in making a difference for every single student.
6th Borough Market
Groovin’ on a Sunday afternoon J
ust about everybody has had the experience of strolling downtown on a beautiful day. On many a warm-weather Sunday, you’d be hard-pressed to miss the lively, bustling scene that is the 6th Borough Market at Marin and Montgomery. Two Sundays a month in spring, summer, and fall, the market draws thousands of residents from all parts of town to enjoy what is fast becoming a JC tradition. It’s the brainchild of Kate Howe, her husband, and a couple of other visionaries, who launched it in the summer of 2013. Her model was the famed Portobello Road Market in London’s Notting Hill district, known for its second-hand clothes and antiques. “It’s the kind of thing,” she says, “where you wake up on a weekend and
PHOTOS COURTESY OF 6TH BOROUGH MARKET
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go to a place with great, unique food and a cool vibe with creative people.” To back up, Howe is not a Londoner. She’s a Connecticut native who came to Jersey City by way of Brooklyn, which is getting to be a pretty popular gateway. “After we had our first kid, we were looking around for more space,” she says, “and when I was transitioning from a young childless professional to one with a family, Jersey City seemed like a great option. We were able to get a small house in the Hamilton Park neighborhood. It was awesome to have a park, a preschool, a doctor, and beautiful architecture. Jersey City is livable, you know your neighbors, run into people you know, and can have block parties.”
To serve not just this demographic but a wide swath of Jersey City residents, Howe pitched the market idea to the Silvermans, who donated a lot on Hamilton Park. The market later moved to the parking lot on Marin and Montgomery, which was centrally located and near public transportation.
What’s in a Name The name “6th Borough” is not without controversy. Howe is well aware that some longtime Jersey City folks object to being considered an offshoot of New York City. “I love cities and the urban environment,” Howe relates. “Jersey City has always had this sense of independence from New York City but also this sense that it’s very much a part of the New York metropolitan area and its cultural amenities.” A case can be made that the 6th Borough Market is itself a cultural amenity that showcases Jersey City’s growing creative class, and the goods and services it offers. Here’s a partial list of what’s for sale: baby goods; hair accessories; printed T-shirts; ready-to-eat food on food trucks; Polish desserts; handmade ice cream; fresh
baked goods and pastries; popsicles; hand-crafted honey; organic fruit syrups; popcorn; gluten-free foods; vintage furniture and clothing; household goods, such as cutting boards and hand-crafted pillows; apothecary items, such as soaps, natural cosmetics, and body oils; kids’ toys; and men’s merchandise like beard oil, Tshirts, and hats. The market also features activities such as face-painting. Howe reports on one very popular “one-off” event at last summer’s market. A woman from California who’d heard about the market and happened to be in town created cut-out silhouettes, which proved to be a best-seller. “We like to keep it varied and have something for everyone,” Howe says. Some vendors sign up for the whole season; others just a couple of markets per season.
Going it Alone The 6th Borough Market is independent and not supported by the city. “It doesn’t get any downtown area tax money,” Howe says. “It relies on being well-received by the community and the vendors in order to survive.”
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The market is free, so there is no precise way to gauge success, but attendance estimates range between 2,000 and 4,000 per market, according to Howe. “For me, success is getting great vendors, and I am proud to give a good experience to the public,” Howe says. “I’m happy with sales and building a business in the community.” You may have seen 6th Borough’s ads on the PATH train, but Howe says most folks are still coming locally from this side of the river. “We’re proud to be a small-business, creative incubator,” she says, “and a venue for people who make or collect things or have a side hobby that they are hoping to grow into a job.” She continues, “I’m happy to create a platform that encourages micro-business. People find connections here in a really nice way.” In a culture of mass consumerism, she says, “People miss the personal aspect, and that’s what the market brings back.”— Kate Rounds
The 2016 market schedule has not yet been determined, but markets will run from May to the end of October. For more information, email 6thborough market @gmail.com.
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IMAGES BY TBISHPHOTO
Kayla, left, and Amira
Amira, le ft, and K ayla
Ten-year-old twins rock the DJ scene BY LAUREN BARBAGALLO
Y
our debut performance at Madison Square Garden. It’s the iconic, career-defining moment every musician dreams about. It’s January, and 10-year-old twin sisters and DJs Amira and Kayla Wells are about to live it. They’re getting ready to play for the New York Knicks and more than 25,000 of their screaming fans. Clad in Knicks gear and smiling ear-to-ear, Amira and Kayla’s images are enlarged on the Jumbotron for all the Garden to see. The announcer calls their names as they get set to drop the first song of their set. But off to the side of the DJ booth, their dad is in a panic.
Doting DJ Dad “There’s a 10-second delay coming through on the speakers,” recalls Elijah Wells. “DJs need to sync every piece of music together perfectly. That’s their job. I was so worried the girls would get tripped up. But they just kept it going and didn’t let it faze them.” The twins said that playing for the Knicks was their favorite DJ moment: “We were on the Jumbotron!” A music industry veteran, Wells managed dance/pop act Nina Skye, and received a Grammy nomination for producing their No. 1 hit Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SPRING | SUMMER 2016 •
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PHOTOS BY MICKEY MATHIS
“Move Ya Body.” He’s worked with the late Ahmet Ertegun, founder of Atlantic Records; reggae star Sean Paul; and soul legend Betty Wright. It was after an extensive international tour with Nina Skye and coming home to his wife Christine, pregnant with the twins, that he decided to slow down the career tempo and stay local. “After the girls were born and Christine was back to work at her corporate job, it was my time to play Mr. Mom, taking care of the girls and fitting in music when I could.” Today Wells is the mastermind behind Little Clubheads, a mobile entertainment company that stages nightclubstyle dance parties where kids and their parents can get loose in a family-friendly environment. There are monthly events throughout the tristate area and birthday packages for kids. Under the stage name Mr. Blue, Wells serves as party host, while Amira and Kayla are the resident DJs. “We’ve got face-painting, live performances, games, balloons, and we’ve been known to have dance-offs, too, generation vs. generation,” Wells says.
DJ DNA Creating a place for families to come together to experience the positive energy of music is Wells’s personal tribute to his late mother, who inspired his career in
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Kayla, left, and Amira at Jay Z’s 40/40 Club, NYC
music. A graduate of the LaGuardia High School of the Performing Arts, Wells lost his mother when he was just 15, entering his sophomore year of high school. “My mother was a party animal who loved New York nightlife and really understood music,” he says. “Growing up, there was music playing in our house nonstop—jazz, house, soul—everything. I’m so grateful for the passion and the education that gave me.” His wife, Christine, herself a former nightclub promoter and entrepreneur, shares the family passion. “I love music, but I am not an artist, so it’s amazing to watch the girls and Elijah work together and how they communicate with each other musically. They definitely inherited his talent, and they’ve got this synergy together that I can’t fully describe or understand, but it’s incredible how they speak this same language musically.”
Jay Z to Just Kids The twins, who perform at major events in New York City, guest-DJed at Jay Z’s 40/40 Clubs, and at press time were getting ready to perform at New York Fashion Week. When they aren’t on the decks at monthly Little Clubheads parties, the twins are fourth-grade students at the Beloved Charter School in Jersey City, and are busy with homework or practicing music at the family’s home in the Heights. And while they make a great team, they’ve
Kayla, le ft, and A mira
always had their own distinct personalities, as evidenced by their nicknames. “When they were babies, we called Amira ‘Firecracker’ and Kayla ‘The Dalai Lama.’ Those names pretty much still sum them up,” Wells says. Amira’s favorite artist is Nikki Minaj. “Definitely!” she says. Her career backup plan? “I might want to be a DJ,” she says, “but if not, my backup plan is to be a lawyer.” Kayla was able to combine her DJ chops with her schoolwork. “For Black History Month at school, I am going to do a report on a famous black woman who is a great DJ,” she says. “Her name is Spinderella [of Salt N Pepa fame].” Her favorite part of DJing? “I love scratching,” Kayla says. “We play all kinds of music, but my favorite is hip-hop.” The twins love Nickelodeon’s DJ Maxwell. Their dream gig, they say, is “to DJ the Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice Awards.”—JCM
Kayla, left, and Amira
More about DJs Amira and Kayla and Little Club Heads littleclubheads.com djamiraandkayla.com facebook.com/LittleClubHeads youtube.com/user/littleclubheads
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Call the Physical Therapist!
G
et a few active urbanites together at the dinner table, and pretty soon the conversation turns to aching body parts and how to treat them. Back in the day, people recommended doctors. Now, folks want to compare notes on their rock-star physical therapists. The phenomenon crosses all age categories. Older people have sore backs and hips. And just about everybody
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has gym-related issues, from pulled muscles and dislocated shoulders to torn ligaments and shin splints. “There’s a need at all levels, from pediatric to geriatric,” says James Pumarada of Complete Physical Rehabilitation. “More individuals are saying that they’ve gone to a physical therapist versus the traditional medical model.” He cites such complaints as unspecified lower back pain and injuries due to running and other exercise and advises being “proactive regarding sports injuries.” What’s trending, he says are “preventive, noninvasive treatments versus invasive medical procedures such as hip and knee replacements. Strengthening and stretching can actually prevent certain conditions.” Physical therapy is for the long haul. “We develop relationships with individuals and treat them for a lifespan,” Pumarada says. “It’s not just one time. We see uncles, aunts, siblings.” Though physical therapy can help geriatric conditions, such as poor balance, most of his clients are between the ages of 30 and 50. A St. Peter’s Prep alum, Pumarada says, “I love the community.”
Move It or Lose It “Everyone has some need for physical therapy,” says Carl Gargiulo of Strulowitz & Gargiulo. “It deals with movement problems from birth to geriatrics. We help those problems through manual treatment, we help prevent movement problems, and promote wellness.” Gargiulo agrees that PT is really hot right now. One reason, he says, is the “increased interest in fitness. It’s escalating with all age groups. People have sustained injuries or need therapies in order to be able to exercise. Chronic problems have brought a higher interest in physical therapy.” He echoes Pumarada in seeing clients’ interest in the “conservative management of traditional problems. Physical therapy can work for lower back pain instead of surgery.” ACL tears in the knee, low back injuries, running injuries, balance problems, vertigo, carpal tunnel, and tendonitis in the neck or shoulder can all be helped by physical therapy.
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When it comes to osteoarthritis, Gargiulo says, “Physical therapy can help delay surgery or help patients better respond to surgery and live better with arthritis.” Both Pumarada and Gargiulo say that evidence-based studies have shown that physical therapy is more beneficial than some standard medical treatments and usually better than doing nothing at all. Another reason for the popularity of physical therapy, according to Gargiulo, is that medical advances mean that people are living longer. They may have gotten through heart disease or cancer and now need help with mobility and learning how to function better, both of which can benefit from physical therapy. Gargiulo also stresses that physical therapists are trained to identify such things as fevers and weight loss that might require a physician’s attention.
Child’s Play Michael Yasso of Pediatric Therapy Resources treats special-needs kids at schools in Jersey City, including children with autism, cognitive impair-
ment, and cerebral palsy. He also sees kids with severe diet-and-exercise issues. He tells the sad story of a child who came to him because of morbid obesity. “It’s prevalent,” Yasso says. “We’re seeing more of that.” Unfortunately, many kids do not have the education or the resources to eat properly. He’s been treating children from ages 3 to 18 for the past six years. “We’re also getting kids to be more active and participate with their peers by improving strength, endurance, and balance,” he says. Some children need help with day-today functions, such as climbing stairs and opening and closing doors. Activities like jumping, hopping, and obstacle courses can be used in treatments for children. He also sees kids with a condition known as idiopathic toe walking, as well as standard orthopedic issues like broken bones and other traumatic injuries. Yasso got into this special niche of PT because his wife observed that he was good with kids. That turned out to be true, and he is now treating children full-time.
Resources
Complete Physical Rehabilitation 75 Montgomery St. (201) 433-6001
Pediatric Therapy Resources 1 Nardone Pl. (201) 656-9500
Strulowitz & Gargiulo
1 Nardone Pl. (201) 792-3840
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“It’s very rewarding for me,” he says. “Kids know they need you, and it’s genuine and sincere. It’s so fulfilling from that perspective. It’s nice to be able to make an impact at a young age.” How does he gauge success? “When they no longer need our services, and they can function independently.”
Taking Charge Julie Daugherty is a Jersey City physical therapist, who agrees that a lot of people are using PT. However, she works for only one organization, so she doesn’t see the general public on a regular basis. “I guess I would say that PT is a great way to deal with dysfunction and pain through being active and taking charge of your situation rather than just be fixed by a pill or passive treatment,” she says. “You have to engage and do your exercises to help you improve, which is really positive all around. Exercise is the one thing that consistently improves a ton of health issues (heart disease, diabetes, aging) but if you can’t do it without pain, it’s tough, and that’s where a physical therapist is helpful.” —Kate Rounds
EDITOR'S LETTER JCM from page 12
The writer spotted a “bank of strollers,” noting that Jersey City is “family friendly,” and that we are reclaiming our schools after nearly three decades of state control. Almost everything mentioned has been covered in this magazine, including Mana Contemporary, Canco Lofts, and the Powerhouse. Developments at Newport, Grove Street, the Powerhouse, and Journal Square were all discussed against the backdrop of historic neighborhoods like Van Vorst Park, worried about maintaining its 19th century charm. I was pleasantly surprised to find the Lafayette neighborhood covered in some detail. In this issue of J.C. Mag our “The Hood” section takes an indepth look at this often overlooked community. (See page 38) There’s lots more in this issue. Hiphop makes an appearance twice. Steven Rodas writes about the homegrown group SteadyMinded, which is steadily making a name for itself. And our cover girls, 10-year-old twin DJs Amira and Kayla Wells, tell writer Lauren Barbagallo that hip-hop is among their favorite musical styles. Twice we hear young chefs say that they would like to cook like their grandmothers. Jay Gitlin of Delenio’s and Michael Casalinho of Broa are making us and their grandmothers happy. Spring is here, so check out our stories on the 6th Borough Market, swimming in the Hudson, and weddings on yachts. Seeing yourself through the eyes of the Times can be an out-of-body experience. For those of us who have lived in and loved Jersey City for a long time, there was nothing new in the story. This kind of coverage can be a doubleedged sword. On one hand, the attention is great. On the other, some folks might agree with Oona Jackson Moore, president of the Van Vorst Park Association, who told the Times, “I’m all for development, but I want to see a balance where you don’t see people being displaced.” Had the Times asked my opinion, I would have said that it is all good. Jersey City has been around for 300 years, weathering storms and welcoming change. Here’s to 300 more.
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Should You Take the Plunge? What’s the skinny on swimming in the Hudson?
PHOTO BY GREG PORTEUS VIA RIVERKEEPER
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BY LAUREN BARBAGALLO
S
ure, you’ve heard the joke about swimming in the Hudson River: Enter with two limbs and come out with three (or a nasty bacterial infection, at the very least). In reality, the water quality is the highest it’s been in years. Would you take the plunge? “Yes,” says Dan Shapley, Water Quality Program Manager with New York’s Riverkeeper. His organization, along with other advocacy groups like NY/NJ Baykeeper, has worked for years alongside regulatory agencies and the Clean Water Act to push for environmental responsibility and cleanup in the river. Shapley and his four-year-old son are among the estimated 7,250 people last year who swam in the Hudson. He’s quick to point out, though, that conditions have to be just right.
Progress, Not Perfection Yes, it’s getting better. But with our population density, the parts of the river that flow past New York City and New Jersey are among the most polluted stretches of the river. “We know how to keep sewage from entering the water,” says Shapley, but outdated infrastructure on both sides of
the river creates what are known as combined sewer overflows during heavy rainstorms. Our 100-year-old pipes and aging water-treatment plants get overwhelmed with sewage and storm water, which gets dumped, untreated, into the river. Fecal bacteria, not surprisingly, is a breeding ground for a host of infections, rashes, and other nasty stuff.
No Guts, No Glory So you know to avoid the river after heavy rains. But with the possibility of sewage seeping into the water around us, why would you want to swim in the Hudson at all, particularly when the inviting waters of the Jersey Shore are just an hour’s drive away? “The adrenaline rush, for one,” says Paul Januszewski, a Hamilton Park resident who has participated in more than five of the competitive swimming events that were organized by NYC Swim, which is no longer in operation. In its 20-year lifespan, NYC Swim attracted nearly 20,000 participants to more than 135 swimming races, reviving a local aquatic tradition that had been abandoned for nearly a century. Iconic sights like the Statue of Liberty, Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Governors Island formed the backdrop for its premier events.
PHOTO BY VENTURELLI LUCA / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
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In the past five years, Januszewski has completed the Statue of Liberty Swim and twice swam the race around Governor’s Island. “You get such a high from it,” he says. “The camaraderie among the swimmers, and realizing what an exhilarating, unique experience it is. Especially if you stop in the middle of the race and take a moment to take in that view.” An unexpected surprise, he says, was the water itself. “I was shocked by how salty it was, and when I swam, it was clear and much warmer than expected.” Any unwelcome surprises après swim, thanks to those pesky aforementioned bacteria? “Not for me,” he laughs. “And I swam without ear plugs or a wetsuit. But I know those factors change every year, depending on rain. In some years they’ve had to go ahead and cancel some of these events.”
Stick With the Group, Go With the Experts If you’re going to test the waters, be sure to do so as part of an organized swim, says Carter Craft. A former city planner who specialized in waterfront development, Craft organized NYC Swim’s first Statue of Liberty race, back in 2009. “Organizations factor in all of the other dangers swimmers face, too,” he says. “Not only boat traffic but the changes in wave patterns caused by motorized boats. You’re also going to have a much easier time if you’re swimming with the current assisting you, not swimming against it. When planning a race, we can look at the lunar calendar to see the direction of the current, which is determined by the gravitational pull of the sun and the moon.” The Hudson River’s current can go as fast as 2.8 knots at peak
ebb, as fast as people regularly walk. “You want to make sure if you get in any trouble, people are there to help you,” Craft says, reiterating that swimming alone in the Hudson—or anywhere, for that matter—is never advised.
Ready to Jump In? Hardcore athletes like New Yorker Dimitri Konon gravitate toward the New York Triathlon; the swimming leg takes place in the Hudson. He’s done it five years running, and while he contends that the water isn’t quite pristine, the race provides an experience like no other. “I’ve done triathlons in Westchester and in the country, and there is nothing like the unique experience of swimming in the Hudson,” he says. “The crowds and the excitement just push you along, and a threat from the water is the last thing on your mind. It’s a high you can’t describe.” Of course, with every high comes a potential low. “I’m on the ground, and at every race I’ve been at, I’ve seen a lot of swimmers come out of the water with this grime around their mouths,” says Craft. “At every organized event, you can be sure there is a hose, and trust me, every swimmer is instructed to use it thoroughly.”—JCM
Resources The New York City Triathlon: nyctri.com New York Riverkeeper: riverkeeper.org NY/NJ Baykeeper: nynjbaykeeper.org
PHOTO BY AL SULLIVAN
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Want your event listed? Please email us at jcmag@hudsonreporter.com and put “calendar listings” in the subject line.
ONGOING The Historic Downtown Farmers’ Market at the Grove PATH Plaza, Mondays and Thursdays from 4 – 8 p.m. from May to December. Featuring over 25 vendors
serving up tasty treats from fresh fruits and vegetables to freshly baked empanadas to homemade mozzarella. Hamilton Park Farmers’ Market, Wednesdays from 4 to 8 p.m. from January to December.
Van Vorst Farmers’ Market, Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. from May to December. Riverview Farmers’ Market, Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. from May to October.
Farmers Market at Journal Square, Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. from July through November. Groove on Grove at the Grove PATH Plaza, every Wednesday from May 4 – September 8. This free weekly music series
will feature a wide variety of musicians, performers, local businesses and sponsors. This family friendly event brings our community together to celebrate Jersey City and its diversity. see page 37
JERSEY CITY APAR TMENTS R E N TA L S AVA I L A B L E 201.434.1000 info@SilvermanBuilding.com SilvermanBuilding.com
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DAVI D DIAZ Cheerleader in Chief for Central Ave.
A
s with all urbanites, Jersey City residents think of their own hoods as little towns where they chat with their neighbors and shop in local stores. But Jersey City also has some pretty big shopping districts: downtown, the mall, Journal Square—and Central Avenue. Central Ave., in the Heights, is bursting with personality. All kinds of stores line the sidewalks. On warm summer days, folks stroll down the street, and in every season, the aroma of ethnic
cuisines fills the avenue, and you can feel the energy of a thriving commercial hub. The same was true in late January when Victor and I stopped by to look around. There was bright sun and cleared streets after a huge snow storm. David Diaz is a tireless advocate for the avenue. Since 2002 he’s been district manager of the Central Avenue SID Management Corp. The area roughly goes from Manhattan Avenue
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to North Street, and from Washington Park to Pershing Fields Park. We caught up with Diaz in his office. After giving us a little history lesson— he loves talking about how Jersey City came to be—we strolled down the avenue, stopping in at Hauptman Floor Covering Company. The store has been around for 100 years, selling every kind of flooring you can imagine. Inside scoop: Vinyl is in, and it looks just like wood.
PEOPLE POWER JCM
David hard at work
PHOTOS BY VICTOR M. RODRIGUEZ
SIDs are Special Improvement Districts, and in 1992, Central Ave. became the first in Jersey City and the 10th in the state. The philosophy is that there is strength in numbers: A group of businesses can do more to make change and improve the area than individual businesses working alone. Ironically, the whole thing started with something pretty mundane: holiday decorations. “It was a big issue before the improvement district,” Diaz says. “One group of
businesspeople was collecting funds for holiday decorations, and another was doing the same thing. There wasn’t any harmony in decorating the main streets.” Now there’s harmony on the streets. Buying advertising provides another opportunity for businesses to get more bang for the buck. Before the improvement district was established, “some businesses were not able to afford advertising on their own,” Diaz says. “Their combined buying power allows them to promote their businesses and the district.”
LIFE ON THE STREET “Central Avenue is a family-friendly community,” Diaz says. “It’s a great resource for people who live here. It has a small-town feeling in the middle of Hudson County and near New York City.” The word diversity may be overused, but this part of town may have written the book on the subject. The Everything Jersey City Festival, a one-day extravaganza, was staged on Central Avenue from 2008 until 2012.
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PEOPLE POWER JCM “That festival shows just how diverse Jersey City really is,” Diaz says. “All walks of life, all social backgrounds, it was great to see everyone come together. It’s a melting pot.” Shoppers have a lot of options. “There is a great variety of things,” Diaz says, “but not as much retail as there used to be. But there has been great growth in the food-service industry with a variety of restaurants.” Diaz points to a number of Latin eateries, including Puerto Rican, Cuban, and Salvadoran. Others include a Thai restaurant and OZU, a Japanese restaurant opened by a New York City chef who wanted to have a place in the Heights. “We’re very excited about it,” Diaz says.
CENTRAL CASTING
“It has a small-town feel.”
Diaz, who was born and raised in Jersey City, has seen a lot of changes in his hometown. “Jersey City is bursting at the seams,” he says. “There is a lot of housing development, and it continues to evolve. As people change, the community changes, and so does the shopping district. New things are happening,” He cites such additions as Zipcars, Uber, and Citi Bikes—there are three bike stations in the district— and a bus service to Port Authority, a 20-minute commute to New York City. “More people are discovering Central Avenue and the Heights, and we’re seeing growth,” Diaz says. Two new events are attracting visitors. In spring, the auto and music show features classic cars, and in the fall the annual Halloween party draws close to a hundred kids. “I’ve been serving the district for 14 years,” Diaz says. “It’s a pleasure serving the community, which speaks volumes about the character of the businesspeople I work for. “They’re great people trying to do the right thing, do their part for the community, and achieve the goal of making Central Avenue and the Heights a better place to live and work.”—Kate Rounds
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Gary Solomon
DATES JCM from page 33
Hard Hat Tours, Liberty State Park’s new 90-minute guided tour of select areas of the 750-bed Ellis Island Hospital Complex. $60 includes ferry and guided tour for ages 13 and older. For information, visit statueof libertytickets.com/Hard-Hat-Tour-ofEllis-Island/. Indiegrove Free Coworking Fridays, 121 Newark Ave., (201) 589-2068, indiegrovejc.com. Come experience coworking and see why it has become the most popular way for entrepreneurs and independent professionals to work. Fridays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friggin Fabulous Open Mic, Trolley Car Bar, 328 Palisade Ave., (201) 360-3233. Every Wednesday. Signups begin at 8:30 p.m.; show starts at 9 p.m. Musicians, poets, comedians welcome. Free. Grassroots Community Space, 54 Coles St., (201) 500-5483, grassrootscommunityspace.com. Various arts workshops, fitness events, dance classes held weekly. The “space for hire” also features special events monthly. SJC Monthly Eat, Meet, Talk, City Hall Caucus Room 204, (one block from Grove Street PATH, 280 Grove St.), sustainablejc.org. Discussions on sustain ability and urban initiatives. First Tuesday evening of every month from 7 – 9 p.m. SJC Green Drinks + ART, City Hall Caucus Room 204, (one block from Grove Street PATH, 280 Grove St.), sustainablejc.org. Great food, music, spoken word and other artistic talent is braided together with community info-sharing, sustainable lifestyle demos and marketplace updates. Third Thursday of every month from 7 – 9 p.m. Modern Sage Living Well Workshops, various locations and dates weekly,modernsage.com. Living-health educator Leah Guy presents workshops covering a variety of topics concerning organic health, alternative wellness and green living. JCTC-Kids present Beauty and the Beast by Puppetworks, every Sunday, 1-5 p.m., from Feb. 7 – May 29 at Merseles Studios, 339-345 Newark Ave., jctcenter.org. JCTCKids kicks off its 2016 season by brining one of the world’s most beloved fairytales to Jersey City. Advance and online tickets are $9 for children and $10 for adults. Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at the Liberty Science Center, now until May 30. She was the most magnificent ship ever built. Examine compelling recovered objects such as jewelry and dinnerware. See reconstructed luxurious First Class and spartan Third Class rooms. Discover stories of heroism see page 43
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THE HOOD JCM
Lafayette An up-and-coming neighborhood full of surprises and really cool people. PHOTOS BY VICTOR M. RODRIGUEZ
T
he once-sleepy Lafayette hood, roughly bounded by Pacific, Communipaw, Liberty State Park, and Johnston Avenue, has gone through a lot of changes in the last 16 years. When the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail opened in 2000, it made the Lafayette section a viable bedroom community for commuters to New York City, who could easily make connections to the PATH or ferry. The light rail made the area more attractive to residents and developers. For example, the Foundry building was made into residential lofts. And when 111 First St. was demolished in 2007, many of the artists who were living there found a hospitable artists’ community in the Lafayette section. To be clear, there are families who have been living in the Lafayette section for generations, and its history is pre-colonial, with Lenni Lanape names such as Communipaw. And, of course, the entire neighborhood is named for the Marquis de Lafayette, who made a big splash in our Revolution. The area also has a rich AfricanAmerican history. Full disclosure: It’s my hood, and photographer Victor Rodriguez and I spent a fun day chatting up the locals and taking their pictures.
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E V E N I N G S TA R S T U D I O
Beth DiCara with Chester
“Jersey Girls”
Noah’s Ark
Here are some of Lafayette’s hot spots: Baker Building 234 Suydam Ave. | Point Capital Development This 83-unit residential apartment building on a side street off Communipaw is important because of what it says about the hood. There is not a lot of new construction in the area, and developer John D. FioRito of Point Capital Development is banking on these contemporary but reasonably priced units drawing artists and young professionals to this fast-changing neighborhood.
Chiko’s Deli & Grocery 400 Pacific Ave. | (201) 706-2099 Most folks who eat here say that “deli and grocery” do not adequately describe this Honduran restaurant, which serves a
mean Cuban sandwich for about 5 bucks and other delicious Latin fare. It’s a family restaurant with a warm atmosphere and free Wi-Fi.
Evening Star Studio 11 Monitor St. Beth DiCara | (201) 388-7323 beth@eveningstarstudio.net | eveningstarstudio.net Beth DiCara’s studio has been a stop on the Jersey City Art Studio Tour for 13 years. Beth creates sculptural and functional works from clay. Among her signature collections are a menagerie of small porcelain ornaments; and her strong, confident women she calls Jersey Girls. “I’ve had my studio here since 2002,” Beth says. “It’s been a welcoming community from the beginning. I’m happy to see so many people venture
THE BAKER BUILDING
Developer John D. FioRito is hoping to attract young professionals with these reasonably priced units. Jersey CITY Magazine ~SPRING | SUMMER 2016 •
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GRIND COFFEE SHOP
Barista Jahnia Holterhoff (left) and Co-Owner Charles Boyd (center)
PACIFIC FLEA MARKET
Pacific Flea is the brainchild of Stuart Metrick.
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ELAINE HANSEN
Artist and yoga instructor Elaine Hansen says, “There’s a lot of love for the neighborhood.” here for the studio tour. They’re amazed at what they find: a lovely, diverse community of people, who are renovating homes, raising kids, and putting down roots.” Visit her studio at 11 Monitor to see her complete collection of plates, bowls, cups, and other works.
Grind Shop 360 Communipaw Ave. | (201) 547-8377 www.grindcoffeejc.com This great java joint just seemed to appear one day. I can attest that it has fabulous coffee, everything you would expect: espressos, lattes, you name it. It also serves delicious pastries. The baristas are friendly, and the shop’s open, modern, design with free Wi-Fi is perfect for working. Grab a coffee, open your laptop, and enjoy the scene.
Elaine Hansen Artist and yoga instructor Elaine Hansen bought the former Liberty Ironworks at 395 Halladay St. in 2002. She made living quarters for herself upstairs and created modern rentals below. One of these doubles as an art gallery and yoga studio. Her main studio, Yoga Shunya, which she started in the late 1990s, is at 275 Grove St. Elaine participates in community meetings and has an abiding interest in Lafayette’s future. “There’s a lot of love for the neighborhood,” she says, “and a vision for keeping its industrial history. There’s Whitlock Cordage, beautiful historic gyms, historic homes on Lafayette, and amazing churches. Combine that with Liberty Science Center and Liberty State Park, and so many empty lots with the potential for really interesting new buildings.”
L A FAY E T T E C O R N E R S T O R E
Anna Regan says, “ I wanted to be part of the creative change going on in this up-and-coming neighborhood.” Jersey CITY Magazine ~SPRING | SUMMER 2016 •
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THE RUINS JC
Wayquay is the moving force behind this one-of-a-kind shop.
Lafayette Corner Store
The Ruins JC
320 Communipaw Ave.| (201) 432-2183
316 Communipaw Ave. | Wayquay
Last summer, Anna Regan transformed the bodega at Communipaw and Pine into the Lafayette Corner Store. “I wanted to be part of the creative change going on in this upand-coming neighborhood,” she says. The business model? Quality products and services at a great price. “I wanted a modern-day grocery with natural products and an upgraded, premium food line across the board,” she says. Those upgrades include daily homemade soup, organic and fresh produce, fresh-baked bread with no preservatives, holiday items, superior deli brands, and vegetarian options. “I’ve noticed a big difference,” she says. “New people are coming in all the time, and I’m holding on to the customers I have. I’ve gotten a lot of positive support from the community. They’ve been very appreciative.”
(917) 530-7424 (store) | (917) 854-9405
Pacific Flea 149 Pacific Ave. | (201) 247-9358 info@pacificflea.com | pacificflea.com This outdoor market that runs from April through October features fine crafts, antiques, vintage items, curated art shows, food trucks, and live music. Real treasures and community spirit combine for a unique experience on second Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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Every emerging hood needs a shop like this one. A charming mélange of this and that, you really have to go there to get the full effect. It’s jam packed with collectibles, antiques, original art, vintage clothes and other vintage items, handmade you-name-it, vinyl, videos, photos, history exhibits, and Native American goods. It’s a gathering place for folks in the community, so stop by the Ruins and get a feel for the Lafayette community.
Team Walker Learning Center 373 Communipaw Ave. | (201) 433-1888 | teamwalker.org Team Walker has been serving Jersey City kids with afterschool and other programs since 1996. In May 2014, it opened the Team Walker Learning Center, a modern facility that gives inner-city youth a positive environment for education and recreation.
DATES JCM from page 37
and survival. You can even touch an “iceberg” to see how frigid the water was when Titanic sank. Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition is a premium exhibition, available with the all-access pass or a combination ticket. Sid the Science Kid: The SuperDuper Exhibit at the Liberty Science Center, from February 2 – May 15. Kids ages 3-7 can explore Sid’s world and experiment with everything from a catapult, magnifying glass, and microscope to pulleys and levers. They can even create their own “Super-Duper-OoperSchmooper Big Ideas.” Sid will greet his fans in person 11:00 am - 1:00 pm on Feb 13-15, Mar 19-20, Mar 22-25, May 7, and May 1415. Parents should check at the Welcome Desk upon arrival for the location. Free with general admission or membership. Teenage Ninja Turtles: Secrets of Sewer at Liberty Science Center, from May 28 – September 5. Join these
pizza-eating, crime-fighting “Heroes in a Half-Shell” and hone your ninja and problemsolving skills to solve the secrets of the sewer. Leap to the rescue and learn teamwork, collaboration, and problemsolving as you work your way through puzzles, mazes, and obstacles. Free with general admission or membership. Wordsmithing Unplugged on the third Wednesday of every month, from 7 – 10 p.m. at Gia Gelato, 281 Newark Avenue. Wordsmithing Unplugged welcomes spoken word artists, singer/songwriters, emcees, screenwriters, and more to share their words in an intimate venue using whatever style they choose. The “nonmic” is open to all and is crafted as a warm and welcoming way to interact between artists and audience. Come out for a chance to perform, to enjoy community, to win a wordsmithing challenge, or just to have a good time. For information, visit www.wordsmithingweb.com.
Karaoke at the Brightside Tavern, 141 Bright St., every Tuesday from 8 p.m. to midnight. Every week the Brightside turns the mic over to you. Come show off your stuff. Singers get their 2nd drink on the house. The Union Republic of Bluegrass featuring Dan O’Dea and Eagle Ridge, 340 3rd St., from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. The Union Republic of Bluegrass starts to fiddle at 8 pm with Dan O’Dea and Eagle Ridge, before breaking into a jamboree after dinner service. Come down from Appalachia or the Heights for this new weekly showcase. For information, visit http://bit.ly/1PoQEGK. Geeks Who Drink Quiz Night at Pint, 34 Wayne St., every Weds. from 8 – 10 p.m. Geeks Who Drink is a pub quiz with eight rounds of eight questions each, including a music round, an audio round, and a picture round. Free to play, prizes for the top two teams and bonus prizes throughout the game. For more information, visit geekswhodrink.com.
All Funked Up at Transmission, 150 Bay St., every Wednesday, this 21+ event features DJ Prestige from Flea Market Funk. Come listen as he digs deep to play raw funk and soul, funky jazz, real reggae, original samples, and other assorted funky gems. For information, visit clubtransmission.com. Open Blues Jam at the Brightside Tavern, 141 Bright St., every Sunday from 5 – 11 p.m. Come collaborate with other musicians and singers. Open Jazz Jam with the Brightside Trio, 141 Bright St. The Brightside Tavern hosts an amazing Jazz evening every Monday from 8 – 11 p.m. Free Zumba class, Join the Partnership for a Healthier JC every Wednesday from 7 – 8 p.m., The Ethical Community Charter School Gym, 95 Broadway, JCNJ (enter on Giles Ave.) please bring water, towel and 1-3 lb weights.
Adopt a Pet, Fuzzy Friends, 148 Newark Ave. (1/2 block from Grove St. Path) every Sunday from noon to 4:30 p.m. For more information, call (201) 895-3874. New Heights Toastmasters Club is seeking new members. Meetings are held 6:30 p.m. second & fourth Tuesday of each month at 855 Bergen Ave., Jersey City. For more information, call (201) 424-9090. Jersey City Free Books, at Grave Robber Computer Repair, 297 Griffith St. (just off of Kennedy Blvd. in the Jersey City Heights is a community book exchange. Open Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Stop by to pick up a book or donate your books for others to use and enjoy. Free Live Music Lunchtime Series every Wednesday and Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For a complete list of performers visit www.TheNewJournal quare.com. see page 51
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EDUCATION JCM
On Sight With St. Joseph’s School for the Blind PHOTOS BY VICTOR M. RODRIGUEZ
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he St. Joseph’s School for the Blind moved into its new digs on Summit Avenue in 2007. It’s bright and modern and colorful, a beautiful learning environment for any kid but especially for ones who need a little extra help navigating through life. The walls are filled with pictures of the students and their artwork and inspiring words, such as “Reach for the Stars.” Our tour takes us through the auditorium, which will be used for an upcoming performance and a sensory area with a swing, trampoline, and other playthings, custom made for kids who use all their senses, including touch and sound. Attached to the door to the gym is a tennis ball. When kids touch it, they know exactly where they are. Along the walls are rails that help students negotiate the hallways. The cafeteria caters to students’ individual needs, whether it’s dietary requirements, mashed food, or spoon-feeding. The chairs and tables are arranged so children can find their way to their assigned seats. A swimming pool on the second floor is not just for fun but for aqua therapy. All the kids are required to use canes, which are kept on special racks where they can easily find them, and everyone is taught to use the stairs. The facility is also completely wheelchair accessible. In the occupational therapy room, students learn everything from how to tie their shoes to how to write a resume.
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Tyreese Franklin
Zachary Gely
President David Feinhals
Music is especially compatible for kids who are blind or visually impaired as evidenced by a sign in the music room that reads, “Music is our Vision.” A legally blind adult teaches art. The students do amazing work with papier maché, puff paint, foil, and objects, such as shells. One piece reads, “Even those who limp, they go not backwards.” In a small class of three-to-sevenyear-olds we watch blind and visually-impaired kids learn how to read and write, using Braille, as well as modern technology. The instructors clearly care deeply about their students. A dedicated team, many have been at St. Joseph’s for decades.
125 Years and Counting
Students start the day with the Pledge of Allegiance
This venerable institution has been serving the Jersey City community for 125 years. As it celebrates that anniversary, the school looks back on its proud history while adopting the many innovations now available to serve people with disabilities. In 2009, the school contracted with the Jersey City Board of Education to serve 3-year-olds, and changed its name to the Concordia Learning Center. Eighteen month ago, that changed when new president David Feinhals came on board.
“When I arrived, I started to think about the fact that we were approaching our 125th anniversary,” he says. “I wanted to think about getting back to the roots of our founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace.” Their mission was to serve students who are blind. While the school serves a range of other students, Feinhals says that the original name resonates with the community and donors. “At the end of the day, we’ve survived as a not-for-profit for 125 years on a combination of tuition, sustainable revenue sources, and donations from individuals,” he says. “For longterm, loyal donors, the original name focuses on the blind, which makes us unique and special in the state.” There are some 60 blind students. Other services include early intervention for infants and toddlers, a preschool for kids who are not disabled, a learning track for kids in the school district who want early intervention to transition to a public school of their parents’ choice, and students over 21 who have a range of disabilities.
Kaia Ashley Foddrell
Low Tech, High Tech The original school was at 253 Baldwin. The new LEED-certified, state-of-the-art facility is at 761 Summit. “It has high ceilings, modern lighting, a large computer center, in-ground pool, separate therapy room, large gym, and large, well-lit modern cafeteria,” Feinhals says. “We’re taking advantage of other state-of-the-art features. It has all sorts of bells and whistles. We’ve implemented a new phone system and a really high-tech security feature—like other schools, we have to worry about lockdowns and sheltering in place.” The school balances its core founding principles with life-enhancing technological advancements. “It’s part of our mission to always be compassionate and respect the integrity of the students,” Feinhals says. “But it wouldn’t be enough to be a throwback to 1891. People used to teach blind people using the methods they had learned.” While standard courses like Braille and learning to walk with a white cane are still taught, new “assistive” technologies are also being used.
Saif Naveed
“Technology keeps changing to the benefit of people with disabilities,” Feinhals says. He cites a variety of software applications, “screen readers,” and speakers that allow the user to access information. “It’s pretty incredible,” Feinhals says, “that blind people can prepare for jobs, college, anything they set their mind to.” Like soccer? Not exactly, but there’s one sport that blind people excel in: goal ball. Basically, players try to roll a ball into a goal. Several people stand on the side of the court to help players stay in bounds. But the most important convention is that the ball has a bell in it. “It would be really exciting if St. Joseph’s had a goal ball team,” Feinhals says. Kids with severe disabilities, he says, can be physically active and appreciate the basics of goal ball without competing. Which is in line with the school’s mission. Says Feinhals, “We want to combine modern teaching strategies with compassion, respect, and love.” —Kate Rounds
“At Prep, everyone was my teammate.”
That’s why it’s
Saint Peter’s Prep New Jersey’s Jesuit High School Since 1872
144 Grand Street | Jersey City, NJ 07302 | spprep.org
Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SPRING | SUMMER 2016 •
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BUSINESSES MAKE JERSEY CITY WORK
PHOTOS BY ALYSSA BREDIN INTERVIEWS BY KATE ROUNDS
DELENIO
357 7th St. (201) 798-9539 deleniojc.com
O
wner Jay Gitlin comes to the restaurant business by way of the bar business. He’d been managing bars and bartending for a while when he decided to open his first restaurant, right here in JC. He was surprised to discover that there was a big difference between dining and drinking. “You work more, you work more hours,” he says. “So much more goes into food prep than into a whiskey sour.” His homemade Italian specialties are a testament to that hard work and careful food preparation. How did this Brooklyn native end up in Jersey City? “In Staten Island, there are a ton of Italian restaurants,” he says, “and Brooklyn and Manhattan are expensive,” which led him to Brunswick and 7th in Jersey City. “I liked the neighborhood,” he says. “It’s up-and-coming and inexpensive. I liked the feel of it.” His vision for the restaurant? “I wanted it to be a comfortable place, casual, not uptight, with the good food you could get at home but don’t have time to cook, the kind that Grandma would make for you. Everything’s made to order, right then and there.” Delenio offers fresh mozzarella and makes its own bread crumbs and croutons. “We try to buy as little as possible,” Gitlin says. “Our Brooklyn thin-crust pizza is really nice. We use highquality fresh ingredients, cheese from Wisconsin, Italian San Marzano tomatoes. I wouldn’t give anybody anything that I wouldn’t give myself. It’s the best that’s out there.”
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JAY GITLIN
I can attest to that. When Alyssa and I visited on a weekday, morning, Gitlin received a delivery of fresh shellfish and seafood from Toms River, reminding us that fish, in particular, needs to be super fresh. Atop the box were ice-packed clams, just off the dock. Linguini and clams anyone? Gitlin has family members in the business. His sister runs the Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog in Manhattan, known for its award-winning cocktails. Gitlin’s business partner, Peter Stella, is married to that sister. “He’s a professional chef who went to culinary school and taught me everything,” Gitlin says. Though Gitlin has a chef, he says, “I’ve become a really good cook.” Indeed, when we were there, pots were boiling and bubbling on the stove. We spotted spaghetti sauce, mashed potatoes, pizzas ready for the oven and stacks of fresh bread. Delenio does a robust business in delivery and catering. “We can do parties of up to 50 people,” he says, “engagement parties, showers, christenings, you name it. We even catered a wedding.” The clientele “comes from everywhere,” Gitlin says, citing such far-flung destinations as Boston, the Midwest, and California. But obviously, most customers are local. “It’s a really friendly neighborhood,” he says. “If somebody gets pregnant, I will know that kid eight years later. We’re friendly with everybody.” A big source of local customers is McNair Academic right up the block. During its lunch hour, high-school kids pour into the place. Folks from JCTV, the Port Authority, and the fire department are also loyal patrons. With Gitlin’s background in the bar business, don’t be surprised if Delenio might have a bar in its future with “really good sliders, bar pies, really simple good stuff,” Gitlin says. That pretty much sums up Delenio—past, present, and future.
DECARLOS MORSE
DECARLOS BESPOKE 411 Monmouth St. (201) 216-0770 info@decarlosbespoke.com
T
he word “tailor,” which appears on his storefront window, hardly describes the artistry of menswear designer DeCarlos Morse. Walk into his shop at 411 Monmouth, and you feel like you’re inhabiting past, present, and future all at once. There is a moment frozen in time when Lyndon Johnson, in his dress coat and fedora, looked shockingly old next to the dashing JFK. The Camelot Prez bagged the fedora because he had great hair, but never the suit. Morse seems to love a time between the 1930s and 1950s, before Woodstock and the Summer of Love, when men wore stylish suits. Antiques in the shop include leather suitcases from that era perched on a bale of hay, a set of golf clubs, a turntable, a bunch of fedoras, a silk smoking robe, a door knocker etched with the name “Morse,” and many other evocative pieces. But Morse is also solidly of his time. Sitting in the shop on a warmish February morning, with the smell of sage wafting through the room, we talk about the 21st century suit. Who’s wearing a suit when billionaires like Mark Zuckerberg are wearing hoodies and jeans? As it turns out, lots of people, and—like eating snails—much of it has to do with trying it for the first time. “When the suit is completed, something comes over them,” Morse says. “It’s like they’re chasing their tail and turning in circles. It feels so good that they want to walk out with the suit on, even if they have nowhere to go but home.”
The three occasions where men wear suits are job interviews, weddings, and funerals, but there will always be men who want to wear a bespoke suit on a regular basis. Morse is dressed in dapper-casual, with a tape measure around his neck and a thimble on his finger. Turns out that his mother loved beautiful clothes, and he inherited that love, growing up in Charlottesville, Virginia. “We dressed every day,” he says. “My family knew how to make clothing. My mother shopped at Wiley’s, buying expensive clothes on sale. We had nothing but nice clothes.” The shop, which has virtually no street traffic, is filled with bolts of cloth, a wall of colorful threads, and some 40 books of swatches, which he keeps in an old wooden canoe. Among the fabrics are grays, blues, herringbone, pinstripes, tweeds, seersucker, and something with the wonderful name of windowpane, which is a pattern of squares made from widelyspaced pinstripes. He makes trousers, two-and-three-breasted jackets, and his signature “Monument Blue Suit” and “country” vest. A suit jacket in the making, with basting stitches still evident, is “relaxing” on a mannequin. Like a fine tea, a bespoke suit needs to steep, taking six to eight weeks to finish. Morse does not negotiate price, viewing his custom-made creations as “investments.” Words like “timeless” and “classic” hover over our conversation, and he refers to his fashionable watch as a “timepiece.” But he has a practical side, too. If your shoes don’t quite fit with your elegant suit, “buff” them. The future is embodied in the notion that in 2016, it still looks as if Jay Gatsby might sashay through the door at any moment. But because the brand is classic, this charming shop will still be selling the bespoke suit 50 years down the line. — JCM
Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SPRING | SUMMER 2016 •
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A W A R D S Winning Combo! Hudson Reporter ’s lifestyle magazines sweep category
BEST NICHE PUBLICATION
A
ll three Hudson Reporter lifestyle magazines won awards from the New Jersey Press Association in 2015. The Summer, 2015 issue of Bayonne: Life on the Peninsula won first place for Best Niche Publication/Magazine. “Life on the Peninsula indicates a clear sense of community, culture, and way of life,” the judges wrote. Coming in second in the same category was Jersey City Magazine’s spring issue, getting the nod for “solid edi-
torial content, historical perspective, and trending issues.” Coming in third in the same category was the fall/winter issue of Hoboken 07030, recognized for being “packed with local information, history, and personalities.” Congratulations to our writers, designers, and photographers, and thanks to our readers and advertisers for their ongoing support. — Kate Rounds, editor in chief
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DATES JCM from page 43
Sidewalk Sales at Journal Square, on the first Thursday, Friday and Saturday of every month from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
MARCH 3-5 Conversation PT. 2: Latino “I Want to Live in America,” 8 p.m., 136 Magnolia Ave. Art House Productions presents a meditation on the history of Latino race relations and our current state of affairs in these United States. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets available at arthouseproductions.org.
4 Elizabeth Gilfilen: Nightcrawler Opening Reception, 7-9 p.m., 222 Montgomery St., (201) 435-8000. The exhibition will be on view in the lobby from
March 4 to June 30 and is curated by Brendan Carroll. This is a JC Fridays event. A West Side Story: Music and Art, 8-12 a.m., 575 West Side Ave., (201) 434-9253. The Park Tavern and A West Side Story present Cead Mile Failte, an evening of Irish music, dance and photography. This is a JC Fridays event. Dan O’Dea and Eagle Ridge: Live in the Parlour, 10 p.m. – 12 a.m., 594 Palisade Ave. Dan O’Dea plays fiddle, mandolin, guitar, banjo, and stand-up bass, and also sings lead and harmony vocals. Join us for a night of live music.
5 TreeKeepers Workshop, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., venue TBA, (609) 439-1755. TreeKeepers is an educational component of the Renaissance Trees Program. This workshop combines classroom style with hands-on out-
door education with materials and tools provided by the NJ Tree Foundation. Lunch will be served. TECCS 3rd Annual Gala, 6:30 – 10:30 p.m., www.teccs gala.bpt.me. The gala, held at Hudson County Community College’s Culinary Conference Center at 161 Newkirk St., is an important fundraiser for TECCS to raise much needed funds for the school. Tickets can be purchased on the website.
11 Super Hi-Fi: Live in the Parlour, 10 p.m. – 12 a.m., 594 Palisade Ave. Brooklyn-based Super Hi-Fi mixes jazz-inflected trombones, the rhythmic landscapes of Jamaican dub and touches of afrobeat and funk for a unique and heady mix. Join us for a night of live music.
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Labyrinth Variations: Live in the Parlour, 10 p.m. – 12 a.m, 594 Palisade Ave. Labyrinth Variations is an organ&drum duo that composes and plays cool, new, innovative instrumental music. The pair deftly blend baroque-garage-jazz. Join us for a night of live music.
14
The Nature Interpretive Center’s Low Tide Beach Walk, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Join us for a stroll along the beach to see what the tide has brought ashore. Dress to be outdoors. Wear old shoes that can get wet and muddy. Pre-registration is required. To register, call (201) 915-3400, ext. 109 or email lspic@verizon.com.
Mathnasium Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, 2 p.m., 260 Grove St. Join the HDSID, Silverman and Mayor Fulop as they celebrate the grand opening of Mathnasium, Jersey City’s neighborhood math-only learning center.
Easter Funday at Hazel Baby and Kids, 9 – 11 a.m., 199 Montgomery St., (201) 5473554. Join the HDSID in bringing the Easter Bunny to Downtown JC for all the kiddies out there to enjoy. Free pictures and candy for the kids.
18
David Jacobs-Strain and Bob Beach: Live in the Parlour, 10 p.m. – 12 a.m., 594 Palisades Ave. David’s outrageous guitar work jumps from wild fingerstyle to slide and percussive drive produce enough tone to rival an electric jam band. Join
Forget the Whale/Black Satellite/APP at The Citizen, 811 p.m., 332 2nd St., (201) 963-4277. The event is 18+ and is $5. Music starts at 8:30 p.m.
see page 56
Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SPRING | SUMMER 2016 •
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18 PARK How We
PHOTOS BY VICTOR M. RODRIGUEZ
Y
ou can’t beat a Los Angelino when it comes to positive attitude. That’s what you experience when you listen to Annie Steinhaus talk about her new home, where she lives with husband Adam and daughter Cameron. “It’s an awesome, very new building with a beautiful lobby and great amenities,” Annie says. “It has a great gym, which I haven’t used yet. That’s my New Year’s resolution. It also has a cute playroom for our three-year-old daughter.” I remember when the building was an empty lot, so I watched with curiosity as 18 Park’s luxury rentals started to take shape at the entrance to Liberty Harbor Marina. It’s a great location, right at the Marin Boulevard light rail station and not far from Surf City, the ferry, Zeppelin Hall, the Brew Shot, Club Barks, Refresh Dry Cleaners, and
52 • Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SPRING | SUMMER 2016
Cameron, Annie and Adam Steinhaus Liberty Mart. In the retail space below is the Boys and Girls Club, a second Downtown Pharmacy, and on the corner, B 18 Coffee Kitchen. Annie has a glitzy job working in advertising for Wired Magazine. Adam is in finance. They both commute to New York City. “We have easy access to the city by ferry or PATH,” Annie says. They love the eatery options. “We’re taking advantage of the hot chefs and the good food, all the bars and restaurants on Grove Street. We go to a good new food place every night. We haven’t had one bad bite of food since we moved here.” Their two-bedroom, two-bath on the ninth floor features contemporary décor with a color scheme of black, white, and red, and huge windows with stunning views of the Statue of Liberty and the
Manhattan skyline. Nothing can prepare you for what you see when you walk into their apartment—unobstructed views from every window, looking way off to the Verrazano Bridge and to the east, the Freedom Tower. Victor and I were there in late afternoon and could just imagine what it looked like when it’s dark, and the harbor and the city are ablaze with light. When Hurricane Sandy wiped out their ground-floor apartment in Hoboken, the family decided to head for the ’burbs because “that’s what we thought we were supposed to do,” Annie says. “We were so bored after three years, we wanted to get back to city living.” “Nobody came to visit us in the ’burbs,” she says. “Now city friends hang out, and a lot of people are following us out here.” “I couldn’t be more excited,” she says. “There’s so much to do here, like the many festivals. Jersey City has become a thriving metropolis. The city is constantly evolving.” They’re really looking forward to this fall’s Jersey City Art & Studio Tour, so they can see local art and soak up the cultural scene. “We’re always open to looking at new artwork,” Annie says. They also take Cameron to Liberty Science Center on Saturdays. She goes to school at Key Element on Grove and Morgan. Annie wants to meet other JC moms and become active in the community. “A whole new world has opened for our daughter,” Annie says. If they decide to buy, they’ll definitely buy in Jersey City. But, Annie says, “This is my first home in Jersey City, and I’m obsessed with it.”
Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SPRING | SUMMER 2016 •
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How We
149 PACIFIC AVE.
Occasionally, you’ll come across a place in town that is just so Jersey City. That’s how I felt when I visited Stuart Metrick’s home in the Lafayette hood. It doesn’t look like much on the outside, and that’s the idea. It’s tucked into a derelict stretch of rundown warehouses and empty lots. A 1930s-era brick box, it used to house the Lafayette Amvets Post 33, and that’s just what it looks like. The lot has a driveway, storage container, and a large backyard bounded by a corrugated steel fence. This is not a house for sissies. Metrick, CEO of 1st Precinct Security by day, is a musician and artist who “loves old wood and old metal” and is a genius at transforming one utilitarian object into another. Example? A horseradish grater becomes a wall sconce. Of course. Why didn’t I think of that? The house is jam-packed with his industrial artistry—
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Stuart Metrick innovative creations that don’t scream, “Here I am!” Rather, part of the fun is finding them, like a kid with a puzzle book, searching for the monkey in the jungle. Metrick, a Jersey City native, and his late wife, Michelle, who was an interior designer, completely converted the space, while still letting you know that you’re in a former men’s club. To the left of the back entrance is a walk-up kitchen with a huge industrial stove. You can just envision the old guys with pots of spaghetti sauce bubbling on the heavy burners. But Stuart has added his signature touches, like a wood vise that now doubles as a paper-towel holder.
He removed the commercial carpeting, the 1950s paneling and suspended acoustic tile ceiling, and painted the concrete floor. In the ceiling, which now has beautiful exposed beams, you can still see the duct that sucked cigar smoke out of the building. A giant, and I mean giant, bookcase separates the living room from a smaller room, where Stuart and his son keep their instruments, for Sunday jams. On the walls are lots of banjos, which serve as art objects. The handmade, cherry-wood bookcase is worth $40,000, but Stuart bought it up for $5,000, dismantled it, packed it in a truck, and put it back together. The shelves are loaded with things he and his wife collected: artworks, liquor bottles, and a huge collection of vinyl. Dylan, singing a “Hard Rain,” spins on the turntable. From Maine, Stuart has a “chain” made from cork-lined bottle caps, not rubber, which is what they’re made from now. A seasoned dumpster diver, Stuart salvaged an oak door that had probably been in the main branch of the Jersey City Public Library. On the door to his bedroom is the handle from an old meat locker. Stuart is the proprietor of Pacific Flea, a market that he runs from April through October in his yard. “Enthusiasm is building,” he says. “My wife and I spent 40 years traveling in New England,” Stuart says. “Treasure hunting is in my blood. I repurpose stuff.” That might be the understatement of the century.—Kate Rounds
Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SPRING | SUMMER 2016 •
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DATES JCM from page 51 us for a night of live music.
ADVERTISE WITH US
hoboken
25
201 798 7800
The Currys: Live in the Parlour, 10 p.m. – 12 a.m., 594 Palisades Ave. The Currys are a homegrown acoustic folk trio born and bred in the Florida panhandle. Incorporating elements of country, bluegrass, blues, and rock, the Currys music showcases tight vocal harmonies, thoughtful songwriting, and a strong emphasis on rollicking live performance. Join us for a night of live music.
28 INKubator!, Art House Productions, incubator@arthouseproductions.org, 136 Magnolia Ave., from 7 – 10 p.m. An artistic collective of writers, directors, and actors hold monthly meetings to test viability of new work and cultivate networks for artistic advancement. Submission process required. Membership is free.
APRIL 2 1st Annual 5k Run/Walk to Break the Silence on Ovarian Cancer at Liberty State Park, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., nocc.kintera.org/nyc. This event will be the newest of 21 run/walks taking place nationwide in 2016. These events increase awareness, honor those affected by ovarian cancer and raise funds to support the NOCC’s local and national programs.
71 Years And Still Innovating!! 56 • Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SPRING | SUMMER 2016
21st Annual Salt Marsh Clean Up and Photos at Liberty State Park, www.folsp.org, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.,
9
An Evening with Yo La Tengo at the Landmark Loew’s Jersey, 54 Journal Square, (201) 798-6055. www.loewsjersey.org. Doors open at 7 p.m. Show begins 8 p.m. Tickets for all ages are $30 - $35.
15 Cathedral Arts Live! Hudson County Plays, Grace Church Van Vorst, 39 Erie St. An evening of four one-act plays by local playwrights. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets available at www.gracevanvorst.org/cathedralarts-live.html.
23 Jersey City Challenge Race, citychallengerace.com, Exchange Place, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Walk for Liberty State Park, www.folsp.org, Liberty State Park, 10 a.m.
25 INKubator!, Art House Productions, incubator@arthouseproductions.org, 136 Magnolia Ave., from 7 – 10 p.m. A collective of writers, directors, and actors hold monthly meetings to test viability of new work and cultivate networks for artistic advancement. Submission required. Membership is free.
30 Where’s Waldo Garden Kickoff Party, 12-8 p.m., Waldo Ave at Alan Terrace. Come to the opening of our new garden. Party will feature a raffle of local prizes, entertainment and more. Details coming soon.
DATES JCM
MAY 1 Friends of Liberty State Park’s Annual Fundraising Awards Luncheon at Liberty House Restaurant, 76 Audrey Zapp Dr. from noon to 3:30 p.m.
4 Artist and Maker Market at the Grove PATH Plaza, 5 – 9 p.m. A unique opportunity to shop directly from emerging new makers and established artists to find one-of-akind items and meet the people who made them.
6 Cathedral Arts Live! Presents Abbie Gardner from Red Molly and Cabernet Sauvignon, Grace Church Van Vorst, 39 Erie St. Featuring works by local artists. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets available at www.gracevanvorst.org/ca thedral-arts-live.html.
14 Newport Annual 10k Race, 100 Newport Town Square Place, newport10k.com. Race along the waterfront with $15,400 in prize money. Post-race festivities will begin at Newport Town Square at 10:00 a.m., featuring music, refreshments and prize drawings. Proceeds will be donated to the Jersey City Medical Center – Barnabas Health.
18 Artist and Maker Market at the Grove PATH Plaza, 5 – 9 p.m. A unique opportunity to shop directly from emerging new makers and established artists to find one-of-a-kind items and meet the people who made them.
21 Friends of Liberty State Park Members Meeting, Picnic Pavillion at the end of Conrad Dr., www.folsp.org, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.,
30 INKubator!, Art House Productions, incubator@arthouse productions.org, 136 Magnolia Ave., from 7 – 10 p.m. An artistic collective of writers, directors, and actors hold monthly meetings to test viability of new work and cultivate networks for artistic advancement. Submission process required. Membership is free.
ADVERTISE WITH US 201 798 7800
JUNE 3 Artist and Maker Market at the Grove PATH Plaza, 3 – 10 p.m. A unique opportunity to shop directly from emerging new makers and established artists to find one-of-a-kind items and meet the people who made them.
15 Artist and Maker Market at the Grove PATH Plaza, 5 – 9 p.m. An opportunity to shop directly from emerging new makers and established artists to find one-of-a-kind items and meet the people who made them.
27 INKubator!, Art House Productions, incubator@arthouse productions.org, 136 Magnolia Ave., from 7 – 10 p.m. A collective of writers, directors, and actors hold monthly meetings to test viability of new work and cultivate networks for artistic advancement. Submission required. Membership is free.
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Hitched Ahoy!
Christina Krivoshein and Christopher Holmes on Destiny yacht. Photo by John Gallino and Tim Kuder
ALL HANDS ON DECK FOR ROMANTIC YACHT WEDDINGS
A
ttending a shipboard wedding on a gorgeous Saturday in JC can make you feel like you’ve missed the boat. Hey, why didn’t I think of that for my wedding? Or it might be just what you needed to take the plunge. Camille Cerria launched Smooth Sailing Celebrations 12 years ago. As the name implies, she handles all kinds of onboard events, including those for corporations and nonprofits. Weddings account for about 50 percent of the business. But, she acknowledges, “When a bride starts to think about a venue, it’s not the first thing that comes to mind. They always tell me they never thought about a boat.” “I’m the first to say that a yacht wedding is not for everyone,”
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Cerria says. “The people it appeals to are the ones who tell me they are looking for something different, something fun outside the box, but not too far outside the box. It still has to be a somewhat glamorous, elegant, upscale venue.” Twenty-somethings who are wedding-ed up to here are prime candidates. “They’re tired of the cookie-cutter wedding,” Cerria says. “Young brides in their 20s, and their friends, have been to six weddings in one summer. In the ballroomtype setting, they can’t tell one from the other.” Cerria started her business with corporate events and moved warily toward the wedding market. “Like everybody else, I’d watched TV shows like Bridezillas, and I thought that
ON THE WATERFRONT JCM
was what the industry was like,” she says. For the uninitiated, in Bridezillas, the time-honored convention of planning their weddings transforms seemingly normal young women into monsters. But by the time the big day arrives, the monster is slain, and a beautiful bride walks down the aisle with Dad. When some of Cerria’s corporate clients started getting married, she agreed to do their weddings, and the rest is history.
Kim Steurrys on the Eastern Star. Photo by Dan ielle Richards
Weddings on the Waves “Brides are great,” she now says. “They’re very happy to take direction, and they’re very grateful for information. I love to educate people and tell them the pros and cons of what they’re thinking of doing. It’s mutually beneficial.” The downside to a yacht wedding? “The one thing I can’t control for people is the weather,” Cerria says. “Every single boat has a Plan B for the weather. Though we always hope that we don’t have to go to Plan B, the bride has to be OK with that.” Though most weddings take place in the warmer months of spring, summer, and fall, Cerria handles yacht weddings year-round. “I will say that in all these years with so many events, I’ve had incredible luck with the weather,” she says. Darn. I was hoping for a storm anecdote, with thunder, lightning, squalls, blizzards, waves, fogs, hurricanes, or typhoons. The best she could come up with is a cute story about a bride who ascended to the rooftop bridge for the obligatory tossing of the bouquet. The bouquet, instead of coming to rest in the outstretched hand of a bridesmaid, was blown away by a Hudson River breeze. Speaking of the Hudson, the wedding party might start at one of the Jersey City marinas, such as Liberty Landing or Newport, but then New York Harbor itself becomes the venue. “The New York City backdrop is a huge draw for most couples as the yacht sails past all the sights and landmarks of the harbor with the city lit up,” Cerria says. “People tell me it’s breathtaking.” Christina Krivoshein and Christopher Holmes invited 150 guests for their September yacht wedding. “It was magical to have these people taking this adventure with us,” says Christina. “We said, ‘let’s do this marriage journey together.’ The views were spectacular. You take the setting and throw in lots of love, and it was wonderful.” Cerria recommends “starting with the sun and coming back with the stars. The ceremony should take place just before dusk, while it is still daylight, then there’s sunset, and people get to see the full range of the Hudson in all its many phases.”
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el thani d Na l Yacht. n a r a u scob ua Az .com des E y on Aq tography r u o e L o Harv alexzph by o t o Ph
Ricard Por tug o Rodrigue Photo ues, on the z and Jesus by Dan E ielle R astern Star. ichard s.
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The Onboard Option Though people have come from all over the country to get married on the Hudson River, the majority are local folks. As with most people in the wedding business, for Cerria, same-sex marriage has been a boon. When New York was one of the few states where gay marriage was legal, a lot of brides and grooms came from other parts of the country. One gay couple knew that they wanted to be married in June. Cerria booked it for the last Sunday of June, so that the fireworks of Gay Pride Day could become part of the ceremony. When it comes to the size of the wedding, Hudson River yachts can handle anything from 12 to twelve hundred. “The sweet spot is 75 to 200 guests,” Cerria says. The bottom line? “I’m going to objectively tell the client all the pros and cons to help them make the right selections and pick the boat that’s right for them,” Cerria says. The best time and place for your wedding? Says Cerria, “Evening on the Hudson.” —Kate Rounds
Lisa K Psyho nepper and jos on Eman Photo Aqua Azul y uel a by Sid ney M cht. organ
k Kenny and Patric Christineoyal Princess. s. on the R Danielle Richard y b to o h P
Smooth Sailing Celebrations 1500 Harbor Blvd. Weehawken (973) 409-4456 smoothsailingcelebrations.com Cerria is paid by the boat companies to bring them weddings and other events but the boat companies themselves also handle weddings.
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PhotoByMac.com
NORM KIRBY
Fantasy Fences Chain links get whimsical facelifts
If
you’ve been out and about, you’ve probably noticed them—a curious kind of artwork on fences around town. “Is that toilet paper?” asked one incredulous onlooker. Ha rdl y. Th at m é ti er wou l d never stand up to the elem ents, and this is outsider ar t, in the true sense of the word.
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PHOTO COURTESY OF NORM KIRBY
PhotoByMac.com
NORM KIRBY
PHOTO COURTESY OF NORM KIRBY
The ar tist is Jersey City resident Nor man K ir by, who makes h is cr ea ti ons fr om s tr aps of ca nvas , a f te r e x per im ent in g wit h r ope ( t oo ea sil y stol en) and colored r ibbon (too expensive). K ir by, wh o wor k s as a pa int er ’s a ssi st a nt at Mana Cont em por ar y in Jer sey Ci ty, gets his canvas from what’s l eft over a f te r st re t ch in g it on stretcher bar s. Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SPRING | SUMMER 2016 •
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PHOTO COURTESY OF NORM KIRBY
“I ’ve always been interested in street ar t,” K irby says, “and this seemed l ik e a good way to express m yself . I see a fence and think of something to put t he re or f in d a l ocat ion for som ething I al ready want.” And what about the ephemer al nature of his work? “Canvas lasts for awhile but will eventual l y deter ior ate,” h e says. “It does bother me.” For al l you photogr aphers out there, photographing it is the best way to pr ese r ve K ir by’s ar t— Ka te Rounds
64 • Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SPRING | SUMMER 2016
PHOTO COURTESY OF NORM KIRBY
PRESENTS
PHOTO COURTESY OF NORM KIRBY
SAV E T H E DAT ES
JUNE 3 SEPT 9 2016
PHOTO COURTESY OF NORM KIRBY
2016
PHOTO COURTESY OF NORM KIRBY
THE BRIGHTSIDE PHOTOS BY ALYSSA BREDIN
T
his lively spot on Bright and Monmouth has become the go-to place, not just for food and brew but for entertainment and a friendly neighborhood vibe. We were there on a late Wednesday morning just before the lunch crowd started fantasizing about burgers and midday drinks. Lucy, the bartender, was setting up shop. She says a lot of customers come from the Jersey City Medical Center a block away on Grand after their shifts. After the bell rings, teachers from the two schools on Bright also come to unwind in a Cheers-like setting. That’s how owner Tommy Parisi sees his establishment. The first thing he wants to show us are the giant screens that display music videos. Customers can choose songs from online selections, sort of like the digital version of an old
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jukebox. It’s a great addition to birthday parties or other celebrations. You can type in the person’s name and a birthday greeting, while “Happy Birthday” plays, and the entire bar joins in. While we were there, we treated ourselves to a playlist of Adele’s new “25” and vintage Beatles. In the back is the Fireside Lounge, which features live entertainment. On Mondays from 8 p.m. to midnight is a Jazz Jam Session with more than 15 entertainers. “It’s not just musicians,” Tommy says. “It’s a performance with singers, and it’s always a great vibe.”
WATERING HOLE JCM
Tuesdays from 9 p.m. to midnight is Karaoke; Wednesdays is Karaoke and special events; Thursdays from 9 p.m. to midnight are live bands and open mic. Once a month on Fridays is comedy. Other Fridays and Saturdays are karaoke and dance. On Fridays and Saturdays, scheduled events are cancelled for private parties. Tommy says he’s handled a wedding for 100, and an event for a piano teacher whose students got to play in front of a live Brightside audience. During the football season, games reign supreme on Sunday afternoons. Just visit brightsidetavern.com if you want to check out the many entertainment options. An upstairs lounge and game room features darts, shuffleboard, foosball, ping pong, and other games. Also on weekends is brunch from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The mention of brunch got Tommy thinking about the whole concept of brunch. We confirmed when asked that we think of brunch as a weekend activity. “But why just weekends?” he asked. “Why not every day?” Looking around the bar, he observed that if he served brunch on weekdays, the place would be full at Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SPRING | SUMMER 2016 •
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Owner Tommy Parisi was on hand with Lucy who was tending bar.
11 a.m. Stay tuned. Tommy Parisi is always thinking of ways to give his customers the best possible experience, so who knows? Maybe workday brunch. Tommy is very proud of Brightside’s food. The menu features a wide range of appetizers, pizza, sandwiches, burgers, “Brightsides” side dishes, soups, salads, pastas, entrees, and desserts. Popular standards that tavern goers expect include such things as hummus, sliders, and quesadillas for appetizers; wraps, tacos, and steak sandwiches; fish and chips, skirt steak, and salmon; and apple pie and bread pudding. Tommy praises the menu’s exceptional quality, “across the board,” he says. Though we visited in late January, the last time I stopped in at Brightside was on a beautiful summer evening. We sat outside, enjoyed an ice-cold beer, and watched the passing parade. Brightside is a bar for all seasons.—Kate Rounds Brightside Tavern 141 Bright St. (201) 435-1234 brightsidetavern.com
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IMAGE CAPTURED BY JOHN DUNSTAN IN LIBERTY STATE PARK
SEND YOUR JERSEY CITY PHOTOS TO JCMAG@HUDSONREPORTER.COM. BE SURE TO WRITE “POINT & SHOOT” IN THE SUBJECT LINE.
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PHOTOS BY TERRI SAULINO BISH
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walk up and down Grove Street all the time, but I somehow missed this small Portuguese eatery. It’s below street level, so you need to keep an eye out for it. Above it is the Feena Boutique, owned by Elizabeth Casalinho, who happens to be the sister of Broa owner Michael Casalinho. When you open the door, you’re immediately struck by how beautiful the restaurant is. The compact space is filled with wood and terracotta and objects, such as shawls, aprons, photos, a lantern, a bell, and dolls that evoke the Casalinhos’ Portuguese roots. A glass-top table in the center of the dining room is made with a huge, carved prison door. Michael doesn’t believe in menus. He cooks whatever is locally fresh and handwrites the offerings on a chalkboard. “I shop every day,” he says. “If somebody calls and says they have a harvest of gooseneck barnacles, I say ‘yes.’” The kitchen has an open plan, so you can watch Michael cook and smell whatever is steaming and bubbling on the stove. Salads, produce, and fish are displayed in a glass deli case, so you can see how fresh they are.
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Baskets on the table are filled with Portuguese cornbread, which is what “broa” means, along with a small dish of olives. High on a shelf over the stove are porcelain boats, made by Jersey City artist Beth DiCara (see page 39). The boats, which bear the names of female Casalinho family members, are used to serve salads and other dishes. Our boat was filled with a delicious black-eyed-pea salad, with parsley, onions, cilantro, and red-and-white onion in a vinaigrette dressing. Atop the salad were two very large Portuguese sardines, which were light and airy, not as fishy as smaller supermarket ones, packed in tin cans and opened with a key. Next up were four cod fritters, crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, served with fresh lemon. Michael braced us for a dish “as Portuguese as it gets.” This turned out to be garden snails in a steamed broth, tiny critters with beautiful striped shells. Full disclosure: They were a little adventurous for us, but I’m banking on Jersey City foodies to eat them right up.
A dish of clams cooked in their shells with vinho verde, a young green Portuguese wine, was a big hit with photographer Terri Bish. The last entrée was a very popular Portuguese sausage of pulled chicken and pork. To prepare it, Michael removes the casings and deep fries
CHEF AND OWNER MICHAEL CASALINHO
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them, so they have a crispy texture on the outside and are creamy and fluffy on the inside. It’s served with pickled vegetables and kale. The dessert, a warm egg custard in a pastry puff with cinnamon, garnished with coffee beans, was served in a slate pipe, cut in half, and salvaged from a roof. Never mind the plate; it was scrumptious. A word about the portions: They’re comfortably small, and that’s the way Michael wants it.
BROA CAF É 297 Grove St. (201) 463-1467 broacafe@gmail.com
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“You never see a giant plate of food in Portugal unless it’s a wedding,” he says. “I want to do what my grandmother would do— small portions of the best-quality wines, olive oil, spices, salt— everything.” Michael and his sister grew up in Newark’s Ironbound section. “I want to be real, not fancy,” Michael says. “People are losing themselves in the hype of plating. I want to give people an authentic experience.”—Kate Rounds
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BRIGHTSIDE TAVERN
141 Bright St. (201) 435-1234 Brightsidetavern.com Brightside Tavern is Jersey City’s neighborhood destination for delicious food and drink, and a whole lot of fun. The Brightside is thrilled to offer casual dining coupled with an outrageous and interactive bar experience, sure to make you feel right at home. Get ready for food, drink, and fun!
BROA CAFÉ
297 Grove St. (201) 463-1467 Broa is proud to offer Jersey City a taste of Portugal with its authentic and scrumptious cuisine. Tucked away in a garden storefront, this unique restaurant entertains diplomats, as well as young families who are searching for a taste of authentic Portuguese dishes.
TOURS & TASTINGS AT THE
BREWERY WED.—FRI. 5-9 PM SAT. 1-6 PM
4201 Tonnelle Ave. enter on 43rd street North Bergen, NJ 07047
njbeerco.com 20 1 . 758. 83 4 2
INFO@NJBEERCO.COM
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DINING OUT JCM
CONFUCIUS ASIAN BISTRO
558 Washington Boulevard (201) 386-8898 confucius558.com Confucius Asian Bistro is a perfect mix of ambiance, excellence, friendly service, delicious food served with an attractive presentation, large portions, and affordability. Stop in for lunch and take advantage of the specials or for dinner to experience a tasty meal in a serene environment.
DELENIO
357 Seventh St. (201) 798-9539/2233 deleniojc.com Delenio is a neighborhood Italian eatery in the Hamilton Park district, serving the best Italian cuisine and homemade Italian-American favorites using the freshest ingredients. If you are looking for delicious pizza, calzones, or pasta that evoke memories of grandma’s kitchen, Delenio is the place to go. Come enjoy your meal in a gorgeous renovated dining room or seasonal al fresco dining area. You can always take advantage of our fast delivery service. Catering is also available.
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DINING OUT JCM
GYPSY GRILL
187 Newark Ave. (201) 839-5115 gypsygrillny.com Gypsy Grill uses the finest, freshest ingredients to create delicious Middle Eastern dishes designed to appeal to everyone from vegetarians to the most devout carnivores. Whether you take advantage of the summer outdoor dining or have your meal delivered, the mouthwatering culinary creations with unique European/Mediterranean flair at reasonable prices will make this a favorite dining choice. Catering is available, so be sure to call on Gypsy Grill for your next party.
HELEN’S PIZZA
183 Newark Avenue (201) 435-1507 helens-pizza.com Helen’s Pizza, a family owned restaurant, has been serving downtown Jersey City since 1968. Using only the finest ingredients they provide customers with the best tasting pizza, dinners, sandwiches, salads, and a wide selection of homemade desserts. They have earned their reputation for the best pizza in town. Come taste the difference at Helen’s Pizza. Open seven days: Mon. – Sat. 11 a.m.- 11 p.m. Sun. 3-11 p.m.
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HONSHU RESTAURANT
31 Montgomery Street second floor (201) 324-2788/0277 honshulounge.com When craving an exciting Japanese dish or looking for new cuisine with an enjoyable atmosphere, we have the answer—smoking appetizers, sizzling entrees, fresh seafood, noodles, and sweet desserts. No matter your selection, rest assured we use the finest and freshest ingredients to bring out the unique taste of our superb menu items.
LORADELLA’S FAMILY PIZZERIA
126 River Dr. (201) 963-4900 Loradellasfamilypizzeria.com Loradella’s is a family owned and operated pizzeria offering delicious pizza by the slice, Italian comfort food, and great games all under the same roof. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a delicious Italian meal in our spacious dining room. Call in an order for delivery, take out, or host your child’s birthday party with a make-your-own-pizza activity and an arcade.
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DINING OUT JCM
ADVERTISE WITH US 201 798 7800
RUSTIQUE PIZZA
611 Jersey Avenue (201) 222-6886 rustiquepizza.com Welcome to Rustique Pizza! The Rosiello family warmly invites you to wake up your taste buds with our delicious food in the casual, friendly atmosphere of our dining room. If you’d rather enjoy your meal at home, we offer free delivery or the option of picking up your entrées or pizza. Our bread, dough, and mozzarella are made fresh daily inhouse, ensuring satisfaction each time you dine with us.
SKY THAI
62 Morris Street skythaijc.com This new Jersey City eatery near Exchange Place serves traditional Thai cuisine in a warm and beautiful atmosphere. Enjoy a cocktail before dinner and get ready for an authentic Asian feast.
TORICO
20 Erie St. (201) 432-9458 toricoicecream.com Torico Homemade Ice Cream is Jersey City’s destination for ice cream and desserts. While classic flavors are popular, Torico’s specialty is unique homemade flavors that reflect its founder’s love of the tropical tastes of Puerto Rico. Over the last 46 years, Torico has become a local institution. It also offers ice cream social packages, custom icecream cakes, pies, pints, and miniscoop samplers to take home.
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TROLLEY TRACKS THEN AND NOW PHOTOS COURTESY OF PAUL MARLU MAIELLARO “The old trolley tracks going from Hoboken to Jersey City were some 400 feet high,” Paul writes. “I believe the old photo was taken on 13th Street between Monmouth and Coles. The stanchions holding up the bridge are still on 13th Street, as seen in the contemporary photo.”
SEND YOUR VANISHING JERSEY CITY PHOTOS TO JCMAG@HUDSONREPORTER.COM. BE SURE TO WRITE “VANISHING” IN THE SUBJECT LINE.
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street art
jersey city
POINT&
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PHOTOS BY VICTOR M. RODRIGUEZ SEND YOUR JERSEY CITY PHOTOS TO JCMAG@HUDSONREPORTER.COM. BE SURE TO WRITE “POINT & SHOOT” IN THE SUBJECT LINE.
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