SUMMER | FALL 2014
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JAZZ Dreams If you can make it here…
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CONTENTS JCM
FEATURES 14
14 FALCON FIENDS Webcam birders 18 CRANES ON THE RISE Looking up
COVER
DEPARTMENTS
24 THE STUDIO Grigory Gurevich
22 PEOPLE POWER Lauren Shub
12 CONTRIBUTORS
Cover Photo by Johnny Sandaire
13 EDITOR’S LETTER
41 THE ARTS Gallery listings
26 ALWAYS IN FASHION Jersey City fashion week
28 EDUCATION Classroom cool
42 THE HOOD Liberty Harbor
38 TRANSIT ART Light Rail art
32 SPORTS CORNER Lincoln High football
47 VANISHING JERSEY CITY Capturing the past
44 FREEFORM RADIO WFMU lives on
36 DATES What’s goin’ on
48 HOW WE LIVE House proud 54 HOW WE WORK Small businesses 57 ARCHIVES AND ARTIFACTS Jackson Avenue trolley 58 DINING OUT Foodie heaven 60 RESTAURANTS Listings
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4 • Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SUMMER | FALL 2014
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Jersey MAGAZINE
CITY
S U M M E R | FA L L 2 0 1 4 Vo l u m e 1 1 • N u m b e r 2 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 Joseph Calderone, Toni Anne Calderone, Ron Kraszyk, Jay Slansky CIRCULATION MANAGER Roberto Lopez CIRCULATION Luis Vasquez ACCOUNTING Christine Caraballo
Jersey City Magazine is published three 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 ©2014, 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
8 • Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SUMMER | FALL 2014
GILBERT AGUON ALYSSA BREDIN
STEPHEN MCMILLIAN
LAUREN BARBAGALLO
VICTOR M. RODRIGUEZ
ADRIANA RAMBAY FERNÁNDEZ
J
C O N T R I B U T O R S
C M
TERRI SAULINO BISH
JIM HAGUE
AL SULLIVAN
GILBERT AGUON
ALYSSA BREDIN
is an aspiring photojournalist living in North Bergen. He likes cats and occasionally eats a sandwich. He can be reached at gilbert.aguon@gmail.com.
a graduate of Saint Peter’s College, Jersey City, with a degree in graphic arts. She is pursuing a career in graphic design and photography. Her work can be seen at tbishphoto.com.
LAUREN BARBAGALLO is a freelance writer. Since 2008, she’s lived in Hamilton Park with her husband Vassily and daughters Caro and Nico. She can be reached at lcbarba gallo@yahoo.com.
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.
12 • Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SUMMER | FALL 2014
ADRIANA RAMBAY FERNÁNDEZ is a freelance writer and yoga teacher. Happy to call Jersey City home, she finds it is an endless source of creative inspiration. You can find her online at: http://adrianarambay.com/
JIM HAGUE is a Jersey City native, who landed a job with the Hudson Dispatch in 1986. He has been the sports columnist for the Hudson Reporter Associates for the last 22 years.
STEPHEN MCMILLIAN was born and raised in Jersey Cit. He is a graduate of Henry Snyder High School and received his Bachelor’s Degree in English from Morgan State
University in Baltimore. He is a journalist, actor, and filmmaker. He formerly danced on the long-running television show, “Soul Train.”
VICTOR M. RODRIGUEZ has studied publication design, photography, and graphic design. “I’ve been fascinated by photography for 18 years,” he says. One of his jobs as a construction project manager is to photograph job sites.
AL SULLIVAN has been a staff writer for the Hudson Reporter newspaper chain since 1992. He was named journalist of the year in 2001 by the New Jersey Press Association, and photographer of the year in 2005 by the Garden State Journalists Association. In 2001, Rutgers University Press published a collection of his work, Everyday People: Profiles from the Garden State.
EDITOR'S LETTER JCM
PHOTO BY MARIE PAPP
yoga shunya
We’re on a Roll
H
ave you noticed? There’s a real lively vibe in the city these days. I can feel it, just biking around. I can hear it in the voices of people I interview for the magazine. Our story on cranes and our How We Live feature on the Warren at York luxury rental building reflect thriving development — a sure sign of a thriving town. We also focused on Liberty Harbor in our “Hoods” department. Talk about change! That area has gone from a charming but humble waterfront community to a razzle dazzle new neighborhood with a name to match: Liberty Harbor Development District. And all those new residents living in the new high rises? No need for them to go back across the river to dine. Zagat has touted Jersey City’s “culinary revolution,” and a bunch of A-list places have opened, along with our already stellar roster of fine restaurants. I couldn’t be the only one who has friends in downtown Manhattan who are coming over here for a great dining experience. Read all about it in Lauren Barbagallo’s story, “Foodie Heaven.”
A story about Grigory Gurevich is long overdue. He has been doing wonderful things for the JC art scene since the late ‘70s. Check out his work in the “Studio” section. I know it’s summer, but we all know what happens at the end of the summer season: the onslaught of back-to-school articles, ads, and hoopla. Our contribution to this media blitz is a fun one. Adriana Rambay Fernández interviewed kids and parents on trends in kids’ stuff for the new school year: Shoes, socks, you name it, along with some items that might surprise you. But let’s not rush it. As you read this, we will be headed into the dog days of summer. Not sure what that means exactly, but I do know that summer in the city is a good thing. In our events calendar, you’ll find festivals, farmers’ markets, concerts, and all manner of outdoor fun. Savor it before the next polar vortex!
275 Grove St, 3rd fl yogashunya.com 201.610.9737
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Falcon Fiends
Some folks just can’t stop watching that webcam
T
alk about birders without binoculars. In 2001, the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey set up a webcam on the roof of 101 Hudson St., a building owned by Mack-Cali. The reason? To keep an eye on the Peregrine falcons that had been nesting atop the high-rise.
PHOTO BY BONNIE COE TALLUTO
14 • Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SUMMER | FALL 2014
In fact, it was not so unusual that the spot was chosen, because falcons typically nest on mountain cliffs. And “what is more cliff-like than the top of a skyscraper?” asks David Wheeler, executive director of the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey. The webcam is an institution, he says, its rooftop locale offering “gorgeous views overlooking the Hudson River and the Manhattan skyline. … You can see for miles in all directions.” The arrival of the falcons in Jersey City was great news, and not just for bored office workers. “Peregrine falcons were gone east of the Mississippi just a few decades ago,” says Wheeler. Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, published in 1962, was a groundbreaking book that warned of the dangers of DDT to the environment and to wildlife, particularly birds. “It weakened the raptors’ eggshells, and they wouldn’t support nesting,”
Wheeler says. “An entire generation of falcons was lost. Once DDT was eliminated from agriculture, birds again gained a foothold in the region. It’s a remarkable story to where peregrine falcons are now nesting in world metropolises.” Thirteen years ago, the internet was also gaining a foothold, which paved the way for the falcon cam, which now gets thousands of visitors on any given spring or summer day. If you want to join in, visit conservewildlife.org. “These powerful birds are agile hunters,” Wheeler says. “They swoop down at 200 miles an hour.” Pigeon lovers be warned. “There is no shortage of pigeons for them to feast on,” Wheeler says. “They drop in a free fall from a very great height, catch their prey, and kill it.” You guys sitting on a park bench throwing bread crumbs on the ground, take note.
RAPTOR VOYEURS Wheeler says that people who are dedicated to watching the webcam every day are called “falcoholics.” A second camera and audio adds to the experience. “To hear the falcons when they are in the nest is extraordinary,” he says. “The second camera can give you the whole skyline and backdrop for this drama going on every day.” The fun really starts in April when the eggs hatch. Over the next month and into late spring, falcoholics can watch chicks feeding in the nest and being cared for until they can fly on their own. Biologists check on the falcons, take measurements, and band them, so that they can find out where they go from here. What’s really fascinating is that a single “matriarch” has been nesting on the roof since 2000. So, she’s a city girl who
PHOTO BY BONNIE COE TALLUTO
Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SUMMER | FALL 2014 • 15
PHOTO BY MIKE GIRONE
found a home in Jersey City? “She made a commitment to come back every year,” Wheeler says. “She could have chosen anywhere, but chose downtown Jersey City along the riverfront, a perfect home.” If you were wondering why this nest doesn’t just blow away in the high winds at the top of the building, it’s because of the box that the nest rests in. It’s on the corner of the roof, with only one side open.
Mack-Cali has been a great partner for the falcon cam project. “They are excited to have this kind of wildlife on their building,” Wheelers says. “It brings a lot of positive attention and feedback from people who work in that area.” Wheeler says the falcon cam “speaks to Jersey City. It’s a really incredible location with water on both sides, and an incredible habitat in an urban environment. Jersey City residents and workers take pride and feel excited about it.”
PHOTO BY BEN WURST
16 • Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SUMMER | FALL 2014
Cathy Clark, N.J. Fish and Wildlife biologist, bands a young falcon held by volunteer Mike Girone. PHOTO BY BONNIE COE TALLUTO
David Wheeler, Executive Director, Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey holds a young falcon. PHOTO BY BONNIE COE TALLUTO
Professors and even kindergarten teachers have discovered the falcon cam. “It’s a great teaching tool,” Wheeler says, “taking something remote that you would see on National Geographic and seeing the same drama happening a few blocks away.”—Kate Rounds
Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SUMMER | FALL 2014 • 17
C R IMAGES BY TBISHPHOTO
ADDING INDUSTRIAL CHIC TO THE JC LANDSCAPE
T
hey’re everywhere. If you live or work in a high rise, you might be on eye level with them. On the street, you see them soaring from construction sites. They look a little like the bird version of the same name, angling their long, graceful necks into the sky. There are two kinds of cranes: lattice cranes, which operate from a cab on the ground, and tower cranes, which operate aloft and move up and down an elevator. If you’re seeing more tower cranes, it’s because they take up less room in an urban environment, according to Greg Lalevee, head of Local 825, the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), which covers all of New Jersey. When you see one of these monsters lifting a giant steel girder that swings in the breeze like Godzilla’s toothpick, you probably have the same thought I have: What if this thing falls on my head? Fortunately, the IUOE spends $150 million a year on training.
18 • Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SUMMER | FALL 2014
A N E S on the
Rise! These cranes were hard at work on a mid-summer morning in downtown Jersey City.
Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SUMMER | FALL 2014 •
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Gabriel John Baptise (left) and Leroy Davis are cement masons with Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ International Association, Local 29, which covers Hudson County. They were working on the Marin Boulevard sites. “The tower crane is a real workhorse,” Davis says. “It has a skilled operator who can deal with the buckets of concrete.”
The 60-acre training center in Dayton, New Jersey has a lattice crane, tower crane, and simulations. “No one goes out on a job without thorough training,” says Greg Lavavee.
“Operating a crane is like flying a plane on any given day,” Lalevee says. “You have to make sure it’s maintained properly like an airplane.” Lalevee, who comes from a family of crane operators—father and two brothers—started operating cranes in the 1980s and stopped when he was hired by the union in 2000. “When I was 10 years old, my father was working on a high school in our home town, and in the summertime, I went down and watched for a couple of hours,” Lalevee says. But being a legacy crane-operatorwannabe isn’t enough. “You have to have the desire and aptitude to do it,” Lalevee says. “You need technical knowledge and coordination. It’s a lot of responsibility.” Spoiler alert! You can’t be afraid of heights. Lalavee describes the frightening possibility that a crane operator might have to walk on an aluminum plank between the building and the crane, 700 feet in the air. “Our members are the best prepared and most experienced crane operators available anywhere,” Lalavee says. “They are precisely the people you want where precision and safety come together.”
Biggest fears? “Workers work close to the edge,” he says, “and you could knock a person off; they’d rather go home at night. And sometimes you’re picking up weight that’s at the outer limits of the crane’s capacity. It’s a big accident waiting to happen.” He recalls one scary incident: “A colleague was unloading a truckload of steel on Montgomery Street on a particularly windy day. The wind was pushing 30 tons all over the place like nothing. It was sliding around in a circle. He had to keep his wits about him to keep it under control. It was 30 stories up at 8 a.m., and people were walking to Exchange Place, oblivious to what was going on overhead. It was the fight of his life to bring the load to the top of 101 Hudson. It was not a good 10 minutes of his life.” But there are perks to being a crane operator. “You sit up there on a day like today [sunny, clear spring day] with a view of the Manhattan skyline and out to the Meadowlands and the Palisades. My brother took a picture of the sunrise over the river.”
It’s Lonely at the Top
Back when Lalavee started operating cranes, he says, there were no high rises between the Newport area and 101 Hudson. “Now, think about how many high buildings there are,” he says. His youngest brother is working on a high rise on the waterfront. Lalavee’s mother is the only one in his family who is not a
Among the buildings Lalavee worked on in Jersey City are 101 Hudson St.— he recalls working at 101 Hudson in 1990 when the First Gulf War started— and one of the buildings attached to the Newport Mall.
Cranes Mean Construction
20 • Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SUMMER | FALL 2014
crane operator, but he knows of one woman operator who worked on the Goldman Sachs building. I ask him about what appear to be cranes on the top of that building. He says it could be window-washing equipment. “Once upon a time I worked at the Budweiser brewery in Newark,” he relates. “They had a sign on top with a logo that had its own little crane in case they needed to service the sign or bring up more neon.” Though Lalavee hasn’t been on a crane in 14 years, he goes to the training center in Dayton, NJ, to keep up his license and to keep current with what the union rank and file is doing. “It’s important to stay grounded [so to speak] and see what’s out there in technology,” he says. “It’s always advancing, and you have to keep current on the latest and greatest, and newest.” He mentions a new heavy-lift crane at the training center. “The 60-acre center is equipped with various types of cranes, including a lattice and tower crane, as well as simulators,” he says. “No one goes out on a job without thorough training and hands-on experience, and everyone knows, safety comes first.” Development, Lavalee says, will be “part of life in Jersey City for the foreseeable future. It’s good to see. Look at what a bustling city within a city Newport has become. People, culture, and businesses thriving are a good thing.”—Kate Rounds
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JA Z Z
Dreams
If you can make it here… A
nyone in the arts will tell you: It’s not easy trying to make a living at the thing you love most, especially in the complex world of jazz. Just ask Jersey City resident Lauren Shub. I first heard her at one of the stops on the Jersey City Artists Studio Tour last fall. One of the great things about our town is the way musicians, actors, dancers, and writers can be seen in our pubs, parks, and arts festivals. Lauren, who refers to herself as a jazz vocalist, has been doing it in earnest since 2000, though she’s been a musician for most of her life. “Growing up I’d sing everywhere,” she recalls, “every event, every family occasion, I was out there, school plays. I played the lead in The Music Man.” No surprise, then, that she went on to study acting and theater at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. Lauren always knew that she wanted a family. After graduating from college, she had some movie walk-ons and was pregnant while performing on Broadway in the ill-fated The Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall with Celeste
Holm, which opened and closed on the same day in May 1979. Her advice if you are pregnant while acting? “Keep moving. If you’re a moving target, no one will know.” She also worked in regional theater, including at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton. Though she’s done weddings, a steady diet of the Macarena is not her thing. But she has done jingles. Next time you see a Prudential or Snickers commercial, listen carefully, it might be Lauren singing the jingle. Lauren married a doctor in Westfield and has three boys. “When the last one went to college, we moved to Jersey City,” she says. “We found a place we liked in Hamilton Park, close enough to the water and to the PATH so that we could go to the theater in New York.”
The Great American Song Book When Lauren was growing up on Long Island, her father took her to see Maurice Chevalier on his farewell tour there. “It was the first time I heard ‘Just one of Those Things.’ Every word was so
22 • Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SUMMER | FALL 2014
intimate and yet so thrilling. This was my introduction to what was possible in singing.” After that, she saw Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Peggy Lee, Mel Torme, and Tony Bennett. She also cites Sarah Vaughan, Duke Ellington, The Beatles, Van Morrison, Susannah McCorkle, and her “boy band crush,” Frankie Vali and the Four Seasons, as influences. Trying to make it in the local jazz scene is hard, she acknowledges, noting that everything now seems to be DJs, Indie, and rock, “with the volume way up.” Jazz can be an acquired taste. “People don’t want to take a chance on it,” Lauren says, and sometimes restaurants don’t want singers because “vocalists make people stop eating.” Back in the day, when folks bought sheet music and families had pianos, Lauren’s style of music was in demand. “Now people create music on their I Phones,” she says. Her CD, Dream Dancing, features many “romantic and affecting standards” from the Great American Songbook. Visit laurenshub.com.
PEOPLE POWER JCM
PHOTO BY JOHNNY SANDAIRE
LAUREN SHUB Lauren has worked at a bunch of local arts centers, clubs, hotels, and jazz festivals around New Jersey and in Jersey City at the Hamilton Park BBQ Festival, the Temple BethEl Contemporary Concert Series on Kennedy Boulevard, Groove on Grove, GP’s Restaurant, and the Bright Side Tavern “They have fine musicians,” she says of the Bright Side. “A horn player came from Staten Island to play there.” There are challenges in trying to make it as a jazz singer— and rewards. Lauren says, “I get to perform with great players and bring jazz to new audiences.” —Kate Rounds
LAUREN WITH ILYA MASLOV
PHOTO BY ROBERT EIDUS
THE STUDIO JCM
Grigory Gurevich Painter, sculptor, teacher— an artist for all seasons
I
’d heard his name long before I got the chance to chat with him. He’s well known around town as a teacher and Renaissance man of the visual arts. Lots of folks find their way to JC from across the river, but Gurevich found his way from Leningrad, where he was born in 1937. His early life was a crazy quilt of artistic triumphs. His work was first exhibited at age 15. He was awarded a Master of Fine Arts in 1961. That same year, a Marcel Marceau performance got him interested in pantomime, but his own performances ran afoul of the Soviet government, and in
1976—an auspicious year for him and for his adopted country—he immigrated to the United States, landing in Brooklyn. Two years later, he’d found affordable digs at 282 Barrow St.—a real pioneering move—and he’s been there ever since. “It was dangerous to live here in 1978,” he says. “Much worse than Detroit is right now, but I had a beautiful two-floor duplex. New Yorkers thought I was from another planet.” In the U.S., he continued to weave a rich tapestry of artistic work: sculpture, painting, architecture, interior design, music, and theater.
LADY IN THE HAT – Linocut by Grigory Gurevich
VAN VORST PARK – Watercolor by Grigory Gurevich
24 • Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SUMMER | FALL 2014
“In my journey through the arts, I don’t limit myself— whatever comes to my mind,” he says. “I’ve never worked with glass, but everything else. I don’t have a preference.” Despite his success as a working artist, Gurevich taught art until 2004—at Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts, at St. John’s University, and in Jersey City, where he founded Arts on the Hudson in 1998 after discovering that his son’s school did not offer art classes. Gurevich’s program included drawing, painting, music, African dance, stained glass, sculpture, martial arts, pantomime, and web design. He currently teaches privately. He is also on the board of the Museum of Russian Art at 80 Grand St., which opened in 1979. The museum is in a “difficult situation,” he says, “because the rent went up tremendously, and nobody buys artwork.”
Gurevich’s sculptures are on display at Newark Penn Station. He has also shown works in Jersey City at St. Michael’s Church at 252 Ninth St., and at Jersey Wine and Spirits, 492 Jersey Ave., where sculptures and pastels are on exhibit. A room in the back of the store has close to 30 pieces of art in various media. A blurb for his first book, Allegories, (April 2014) describes his transition from Soviet Russia to the U.S. “In time came adjustment to a new country and new relationships, and with this integration, lush colors burst forth in still life, portraiture, and photographs.” Says Gurevich, “If you’re an artist, you should be able to do anything.”— Kate Rounds Grigory Gurevich 282 Barrow St. (201) 451-4862 (Home) (551) 998-5819 (Cell) grigorygurevich@gmail.com
BRONZE SCULPTURE – by Grigory Gurevich
THE STUDIO JCM
Marcel Marceau (left) and Grigory Gurevich.
BURTAS SCHOOL – Watercolor by Grigory Gurevich Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SUMMER | FALL 2014 • 25
Always in
Fashion From motivation to modeling, inspiring programs guide Jersey City youth BY STEPHEN MCMILLIAN
T
wo programs in Jersey City seek to empower, uplift, and motivate the people of Jersey City, and they show no signs of slowing down. Strike A Pose Modeling Studio & Social Graces, created by Jersey City native Tori Carter, a Hudson County detective in the Community Relations department, was designed to boost the self-esteem of grammar and middle-school girls in Jersey City, primarily those in the inner city. Jersey City Fashion Week is a program of the Desha Lang Jackson Give to Live Community Foundation. Founder Desha Jackson, who coordinates the event, has offices in Jersey City. “We encourage building self-esteem, confidence, motivation and leadership,” says Tori Carter. The program teaches girls discipline, motivation, and modeling tips such as photo-shoot poses, posture, and poise exercises. Training classes are also offered in proper social etiquette, manners, and effective communication. “Many girls do not receive the proper guidance in molding them into womanhood,” Carter says. “This program is changing all of that.” Resources Training sessions for girls ages five to 18 at Saint Peter’s University cost $20 a session. For more information, call (888) 885-7673, email strikeaposestudio@gmail.com, or visit facebook.com/pages/ Strike-A-Pose. This year’s Jersey City Fashion Week will be held Sept. 24-28. For more information, visit jerseycityfashionweek.com.
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PHOTOS OF JERSEY CITY FASHION WEEK BY GEORGE WALKER.
As a child, Carter was involved in many community fashion shows as well as the Girl Scouts and was also enrolled in the Barbizon School of Modeling, which has locations in New Jersey and New York. Carter began her 18-year career in law enforcement as a juvenile detention officer in 1996 before becoming a sheriff’s officer in 2004. During that time she was appointed to run a gang-resistance program which trained participants in decision making and leadership skills. But Carter wanted to create a program specifically for girls and so Strike A Pose was born on Dec. 4, 2010. Carter received additional training from the Juvenile Justice Commission by the State of New Jersey.
LAUNCHING THE PROGRAMS The idea for Jackson’s Jersey City Fashion Week came about as a result of a discussion she had with a friend who was an entertainment attorney. “We were discussing different projects and it was realized that while there was a fashion week for the state of New Jersey, there was not an individual fashion week for just Jersey City,” Jackson says. Jersey City Fashion Week was launched in 2012 with help from the United Charitable Program. Although Jackson is not a native of Jersey City, she practiced law in the city for a number of years, and she wanted to help and give back to the people of Jersey City.
“Jersey City is diverse so I wanted Jersey City Fashion Week to reflect that,” she says. The show, which will run Sept. 24-28 this year, features people of all races and sizes. This year’s theme will focus on health and wellness. As for the launch of Strike A Pose? It was challenging. “I started the program from the bottom using my own financing, but it grew over three years and had 80 girls come through the program,” Carter says. One of the teachers in the program, Brianne Croswell, is currently enrolled at Drew University’s early-education program and has volunteered her services for the past four years as a runway coach. Carter’s childhood friend, Tasha Hoagan, who works in finance, is the program’s business director. “The heart and soul of the program is the guidance of girls,” Hoagan says. “Many girls are running rampant, and it’s our responsibility to take control of that. We have to focus on the family again because it all starts in the home with the family.” Strike A Pose has trained more than 4,000 students in the Jersey City public school system under the umbrella of the G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education & Training) Program. Since the program’s inception, participants have appeared in music videos and radio shows, and performed at an Earth Day celebration in Liberty State Park.
The culmination of the training classes is the program’s annual Glitz and Glam Fashion Show Extravaganza in which graduates execute the social graces and modeling skills they have learned during the 10-week program. The program has received substantial support. Sharaya Howell, a Jersey City native, was the first modeling instructor at the studio and she is now working with hip-hop artist Missy Elliot. Freddie Robinson Jr., another Jersey City native, has supported the program from its inception and has worked on the reality TV show Love and Hip Hop. This year, the studio will offer Fashion Academy Boot Camp, which will be up and running until Aug. 2, wrapping with a commencement ceremony at Saint Peter’s University. Carter has also been asked by Jackson to coordinate the Jersey City Fashion Week Children’s Event in September, which will feature girls ages two to 18. Carter, who is married with two sons, says her parents had a huge impact on her life and are great supporters of her work. Her mother is her “right hand” at all of her events. She is extremely excited about everything the program has done and wants to continue helping girls from the community she grew up in. “The girls keep me inspired,” Carter says. “I enjoy Jersey City Fashion Week,” Jackson says. “I started it with absolutely nothing. It is a labor of love.”—JCM
Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SUMMER | FALL 2014 •
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EDUCATION JCM
LAUREN SANCHEZ
PHOTO BY ADRIANA RAMBAY FERNÁNDEZ
Classroom Cool Trends in kids’ stuff for the new school year
BY ADRIANA RAMBAY FERNÁNDEZ
W
hile I wasn’t the first to take up a new trend or get the latest gadget as a child, I still participated in the back-to-school frenzy of getting new clothes and school supplies. I grew up during the ’80s when hair was big and clothing glowed in the dark. I distinctly remember trips with my mother to pick out that “first day of school” outfit. It marked the end of summer and gave kids a chance for a new start. The back-to-school ritual hasn’t changed much, but trends have—especially for Jersey City youth who experience school in a dynamic, urban setting. While many schools have dress codes or uniforms, kids still find ways to stand out.
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“They have to make a fashion statement,” says Jersey City dad Lawrence Sanchez. He has three children: LaDayna, a freshman in college; Lawrenz, a sophomore at William L. Dickinson High School; and Lauren, an eighth grader at Franklin L. Williams Middle School No. 7. Both Lawrenz and Lauren have had Michael Jordan hightop sneakers—or “Jordans”—on their back-to-school lists. They seem to have inherited their affinity for sneakers from their father who could hardly contain his excitement the night before school. “Every September was like Christmas,” recalls Sanchez. The night before the first day of school he would place his new, low-top blue suede New Balance sneakers right next to his bed. “I barely slept,” he says.
Nerdy things, but how nerdy?
PHOTO BY ADRIANA RAMBAY FERNÁNDEZ
“Going back to school was always the resurgence of the Aqua Net battle … the hair spray wars,” says Jersey City parent Gabby Creery who was also a child of the ’80s. She has two sets of twins, 10th graders Devin and Mia, and sixth graders Caitlin and Siena Malmad. “My mom takes all of them shopping now,” says Creery. Devin goes to Saint Peter’s Preparatory School, Mia attends County Prep High School, and Caitlin and Siena both go to Learning Community Charter School. While one outfit will do for three of her children, her daughter Siena “will try for everything and anything,” Creery says. “Every year it is an eccentric list that is reflective of where she is at in the world. She will always push the boundaries. She’ll need accessories, a hat, Dr. Martens…” “New shirts,” adds Sienna. “I stockpile T-shirts … usually ones with references to nerdy things.” The pair of yellow Wigwam socks that I wore on top of a pair of teal socks when I was a sixth grader to match the colors in my outfit would probably fall into the category of “nerdy things” nowadays, but not in a good way. And while kids may pull their socks up to their knees instead of scrunching them down like I did, socks are still a major form of self-expression. “She will want me to get her fun-colored socks so she can express her style,” says life-long resident Veronica Gonzalez about her 11-year-old daughter Mariah. A fifth grader, she attends Frank R. Conwell No. 3 Elementary School. “Being that she wears uniforms to school, she really likes fashion,” says Gonzalez. Before the start of fifth grade Mariah also requested heels, but that didn’t go over too well with her mother. “She is definitely too young,” says Gonzalez. “That would be an accident waiting to happen.” Boys also have to wait until they get older to show off certain accessories. “My son wanted an earring and I told him to wait,” says Sanchez of his son Lawrenz. “Once he hits 17 or 18 years old, it will be more appropriate to wear an earring.”
Pods, pads, and phones What else gets cut from the list? Anything that may draw too much attention, especially if kids take public transportation as in the case of 16-year-old Teresa Cartagena. Teresa is a sophomore at Saint Dominic Academy. When she wanted an expensive North Face backpack, her mother, Mary Cartagena, said no. She says her decision wasn’t so much about the expense but about safety. She told her daughter, “Someone will see you and wonder what’s in it.” Cartagena grew up in Staten Island in the ’70s. “You didn’t think about status,” she says. You also didn’t think about iPads, e-readers, tablets, or smart phones. When
LAWRENZ SANCHEZ
Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SUMMER | FALL 2014 •
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EDUCATION JCM
SIENA MALMAD
PHOTO BY GABBY CREERY
I was in elementary school, only one person had a computer in her home. “Back then, it didn’t take much for you to prepare to go back to school,” says Sanchez. “Now, the way technology has evolved … things are more difficult.” As a parent who oversees three different schedules and multiple needs per child, he says he will have to buy each one an iPad and a computer as they progress. All his children have smart phones. “Every year the shopping list gets more expensive,” says Creery. All her kids have iPhones. Her son Devin uses a laptop for school while her daughter Mia is in an iPad program. “All of her textbooks are on her iPad,” says Creery. She says
30 • Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SUMMER | FALL 2014
she already had to upgrade the iPad Mia used freshman year because it didn’t have enough memory. “We had to buy a $100 calculator for my sixth grader,” says Cartagena. Her 12-year-old daughter, Olivia, attends Learning Community Charter School. Olivia uses a Chromebook computer for school while her older sister Teresa was given a new laptop when she started high school. “I know in [Mariah’s] classroom, everything is more techsavvy,” says Gonzalez. “They assume you have a computer or laptop or an iPad.” Her fifth-grade daughter goes online everyday to do homework.
EDUCATION JCM
Paper, pens, and pencils Despite the heavy reliance on technology for homework, grades, and organization, students are still required to have a standard set of supplies, including a notebook, pens, and pencils. The old blackand-white composition book hasn’t lost its popularity and remains an item on some local schools’ lists. “Lately, it just seems they want books,” says Cartagena. “At one point they were reading electronically but now they want physical books.” It’s no surprise that books are back in— so retro, so nerdy—with just the right amount of urban cool.—JCM
REAL PEOPLE, REAL RESULTS
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Shaping Young Min d s FOR A Bright er Future!
PreK 8t h Grade Mommy & Me Program (Age 18 – 36 Months) . Todd ler 2 . Trans 3, Pre-K 3, 4 & Kindergarten 4 Midd le States Accreditation 4 Natio nal Junior Honor Society 5 John s Hopkins University 5 Cente r for Talented Youth 5 Befor e & After Care Available
248 Marin Blvd., Jersey City, NJ 07302 - 201.434.2405 - olcschool.org Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SUMMER | FALL 2014 •
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FOOTBALL’S Lincoln High School stars shine on and off the field STORY AND PHOTOS BY JIM HAGUE
R
obert Hampton knows all too well the dangers of being a Lincoln High School student. A product of the school himself, Hampton, head football coach at his alma mater since 2007, has seen some of his former players fall victim to the streets of inner-city Jersey City. “I would have loved to have more saints than sinners, but that’s not the case,” says Hampton, who was once a successful music producer and later left a lucrative Wall Street position to return to Lincoln to teach and coach. “I’m not going to deny that. They took the left turn in life.” Hampton figures that as many as nine of his former players are currently in jail for a variety of reasons.
ABOUT-FACE
FROM LEFT ARE DIASJON ROBINSON, TERRANCE BARFIELD, TYQUAN SIMMONS, AND STEPHON JETER.
“It hurts me personally,” he says. Hampton sighs and takes a deep breath when former team captain Alterik Perry is mentioned. “He was murdered,” Hampton says. “That was the worst phone call I ever received in my life. There are always going to be those moments that tug at you, those kids that you wish you helped.” That’s the nature of the beast at Lincoln. For years, it’s had a negative reputation. It’s been said that good kids, good students, and good citizens do not go to Lincoln. Rather, it’s where bad kids go before they head off to prison. Tyquan Simmons, a wide receiver/running back/defensive back for the Lions, knew all about the reputation. So did his mother, Kenya Pettiford.
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SPORTS CORNER JCM
“They understand that life is a journey and football is just a small part of it.” When Simmons wanted to transfer from St. Anthony, where he went for about three weeks as a freshman, to Lincoln, Pettiford was livid. “She was trying her hardest to not let me come here,” Simmons says. “I knew that St. Anthony wasn’t working for me and I had the opportunity to transfer right away. She knew the reputation that Lincoln had. She said, ‘Lincoln’s bad. You can’t go there.’ I just had to put that all out of my head.”
TURNING IT AROUND
That negative image is changing, thanks to the exploits of the Lincoln High Class of 2015. Just how much? For one, two-way standout lineman Diasjon Robinson stands to be the first Lincoln football product to sign a national letter of intent with an NCAA Division I school since Jerome Ledbetter signed with Boston College in 1998. Robinson, who is a devastating defensive lineman, recently gave a verbal commitment to play next fall at the University of Massachusetts, after considering other offers as well. He also throws the discus and the shot put, winning the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 2, Group I indoor state championship in the shot put last winter. Even more impressive, Robinson is the president of the school’s chapter of the National Honor Society, carrying a grade point average of 3.4. “One of the first questions I asked Coach Hampton was whether there had ever been an African-American football player to ever be president of the National Honor Society,” Robinson says. “I liked that idea. I want people to know that.” He was, in fact, the first football player to be elected to the National Honor Society. Robinson plans on having a double major at University of Massachusetts in criminal justice and mechanical engineering. There’s more. Terrance Barfield is an offensive tackle and defensive end. He is considering offers from Temple, Towson, Monmouth, and James Madison. He carries a 2.7 GPA. “We definitely want to prove people wrong,” Barfield says.
“We have pride here. We all work together and we all have discipline. I knew football would get me far in life. That’s why I came here.” Simmons is also a member of Lincoln’s National Honor Society and has a title as well. “I’m the Parliamentarian,” Simmons says. Simmons likes being the most versatile Lion player. “I can do it all,” Simmons says with a sly laugh. “I definitely love it, because I’m not only a threat at one position. Coach puts me in there to make plays.” Simmons carries a 3.4 GPA. He is being recruited by Fordham, Holy Cross, Lafayette, and Lehigh. Yes, that Lehigh. Just the idea of any student from Lincoln considering an institution such as Lehigh is remarkable, never mind a football player. “I take a lot of pride in being a student-athlete,” Simmons says. “I take just as much pride at what I do in the classroom.” Like Robinson, Simmons also participates in track and field. When he makes his college choice, Simmons plans to major in sports management or business and marketing. “Coming to Lincoln gave me a better opportunity than going down the wrong path,” Simmons says. “I think I could have. Playing football helped a lot. There’s not a lot of time to do anything else. We stay together all the time. There’s like this family bond. Instead of hanging out and getting into trouble, I come here, work out, go home, eat, sleep and come back here again. I don’t have time to get into trouble.”
FOOTBALL PAVES THE WAY
Stephon Jeter is another Lincoln player being looked at by colleges, both for his academic and athletic prowess. But he’s not looking to go to school for football. “I know my academic achievements will send me to a better school,” says Jeter, who carries a 3.4 GPA. “I don’t plan on playing football.” Jeter, a middle linebacker, hopes to go to Rutgers, the same school that his mother attended. So there are four members of the Lincoln football team, four members of the Lincoln Class of 2015, doing their best to eliminate the stigma attached to their school. Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SUMMER | FALL 2014 •
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“I take a lot of pride in being a student-athlete, I take just as much pride at what I do in the classroom.”
SITTING FROM LEFT ARE DIASJON ROBINSON, TERRANCE BARFIELD, TYQUAN SIMMONS, AND STEPHON JETER. STANDING ARE COACHES ROBERT HAMPTON (LEFT) AND PAUL GIORGIO
“I feel like a proud father,” Hampton says. “I’m not going to sugarcoat that. When I see these guys being recruited as student-athletes, well, we couldn’t say that in the past. We’ve been trying to achieve this for a long time. Having character is really important, not just on game day, but all the time.” Hampton says that he is just as proud of Lincoln grads who moved on to college, like Ronald Butler, who is currently a wide receiver at Utah State, and Lamar McKnight, who is a quarterback at Middle Tennessee State. Eric Pridgen is on the Dean’s list at Winston-Salem State in North Carolina. Teddy Spann is considering Brigham Young and the University of California-Davis. Ty Stevens is headed to another Lincoln, Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. “We have more guys doing positive things,” Hampton says. “On this year’s team, we should have 13 kids going on to college. That number is beyond comprehension. We never had that many kids ever. They’re getting a chance to play football and get an education. They understand that life is a journey, and football is just a small part of it. They have intellectual curiosity and want to learn more.”
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FOOTBALL FOR FOOTBALL’S SAKE
Not to mention, they’re a pretty good football team. The Lions should be one of the best NJSIAA Group II programs in the state in 2014 and have a chance to become the first Jersey City public school to win a state title since Lincoln won a Group III crown in 1981. That’s the driving force behind the Lions. Ask them about their main goal, and they all give the same answer: They have their sights set on a state title. “We want to get the ring,” says Jeter, who will study communication and graphic arts in college. “We’ve been so close the last two years. We lost in the first round two years ago and last year in the semifinals. It makes me work harder. We don’t work hard just one day. It’s every day. We have great consistency in what we do.” “The ring is everything,” Robinson says. “We’ve been too close not to get it. We were one game away last year.”
SPORTS CORNER JCM Regardless of what happens on the gridiron, the Lincoln football program has done wonders to break down longstanding barriers. “People will be surprised what they hear about us,” Simmons says. “They won’t believe it. They’ll say, ‘It can’t be Lincoln. It’s a bad school.’ They’re going to be very surprised.” “People usually fear what they don’t know,” Jeter says. “I’d say, ‘Once you come here, you’d like it.’ We’re winning, both on the field and in the classroom.” Hampton, who prides himself “on being a good historian,” believes that Lincoln has a lot of positive history. “Valerie Harper went here,” Hampton says. “Kool and the Gang went here. There are wonderful stories about Lincoln, but since it became this ugly place, no one knows those stories. We’re winning football games, so that shows it’s a better place. But what our kids are doing in the classroom is a better story. I think these kids are busting down the stereotypes. If you get to know these kids, you’ll see that they’re more than football players. They’re solid citizens.”—JCM
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D AT E S Want your event listed? Please email us at jcmag@hudsonreporter.com and put “calendar listings” in the subject line.
ONGOING Hamilton Park Farmers’ Market, Hamilton Park. Variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts, baked goods, breads, and prepared food. Wednesdays 3-7 p.m. Through Aug. 27. The Heights of Comedy! The Distillery Gallery & Artspace, 7 Hutton St. Come see some of the finest comedians in the NY/NYC area in the Heights’ hippest art space as they bring a little laughter to the new Riverview Arts District. The show starts at 8 p.m., with a $10 suggested donation at the door. First Friday of each month. Adventures with Clifford the Big Red Dog, Liberty Science Center, 222 Jersey City Blvd. Board the Birdwell Island ferry and journey to the world of Clifford, America’s beloved big red dog with a heart to match. Through Sept. 17. Beyond Rubik’s, Liberty Science Center, 222 Jersey City Blvd. 7,000 square feet of games, puzzles, history, art, and engineering, all inspired by Ern Rubik’s best-selling masterpiece. Through Nov. 30. HSID Farmer’s Market, Grove Street PATH Plaza. Local farms, multiple vendors, and extensive selection. Every Monday and Thursday 4-8 p.m. through December.
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Friggin Fabulous Open Mic, Trolley Car Bar, 328 Palisade Ave., (201) 360-3233. Signup begins at 8:30 p.m. Musicians, poets, comedians welcome. Free. Let There Be…LIVE!, Grassroots Community Space, 54 Coles St., grassrootscommunityspace.com. 9 p.m. Open performance series welcoming poetry, comedy, song, magic, dance, and more. Seven-minute performance slots and a guest host every month. $5. PMJAMNITES, Dorrian’s Red Hand, 555 Washington Blvd., (201) 626-6660, pmjamnites.com. 9 p.m. Multi-genre singer, songwriter, and band showcase. Second and last Fridays of the month. Free. Wordsmithing Wednesdays, Indiegrove, 121 Newark Ave., (201) 589-2068, wordsmithingweb.com. 7 p.m. Poetry, song, spoken word, and creative explosions of all kinds. Open mic and performance by a featured artist each month. $5. SJC Monthly Meeting – EAT, MEET, TALK!, First Tuesday evening of every month 7-9 p.m. Program includes networking over local fare, SJC business update, community org/expert presentations. Visit sustain ablejc.org for more information. Melange, Port-O Lounge, 286 First St., sireloentertainment.com. Sirelo Entertainment and Friends present live percussion with pure energy and music by DJs. Fridays, 11 p.m.-3 a.m. Free. Art House at Two Boots, 133 Newark Ave., (201) 209-1250, arthouseproductions.org. 7-9 p.m. Monthly event featuring live music, performance, and film. Free.
Stevens Cooperative School OPEN HOUSES Saturday, November 22, 10:00 am Hoboken Campus: 2-year-olds - 8th grade Saturday, December 13, 10:00 am Newport Campus: Kindergarten - 8th grade
Dynamic Teachers, Remarkable Students For more information or to schedule a tour, please contact us at admissions@stevenscoop.org or 201.626.4020 These events are for parents of prospective students. Financial aid is available to qualified families.
www.stevenscoop.org Stevens Cooperative is accredited by the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools
A C OL L E GE PR E PA R AT ORY S C HO OL
B Be eM More. ore. Be Marist.
Modern Sage Living Well Workshops, Various locations and dates weekly, editor@modernsage.com, modernsage.com. Living health educator Leah Guy presents workshops covering a variety of topics concerning organic health, alternative wellness and green living. 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. Groove on Grove, Grove Street PATH Plaza. Local artists showcase their music. Wednesdays 6-9 p.m. through Sept. 4.
see page 63
Call to Schedule a Personal Tour 100% College Acceptance ollege A cceptance 100% C One One Technology One tto o On eT echnology State State -of- of - the -Art - Art Library Library Media Media Center Center MEDQUEST Medical Career MEDQUEST - Medi cal C areer Exploration Exploration Program Program Gifted Talented Gifftted & T alented Program Program and and AP Offerings Offeriings ngs Championship Athletics Championship Athletics Extra Extra -Curricular - Curricular Clubs Clubs & Activities Activities Transportation T ransportation Available Available Scholarships Scholarships & Financial Finan Fina ncial Aid Aid Available Avai aillable Marist High High School School • 1241 1241 Kennedy Kennedy Blvd. • Bayonne, Bayonne, NJ NJ 07002 07002 • www.marist.org www.marist.org • 201-437-4545 201-437-4545
Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SUMMER | FALL 2014 •
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A Ben Jones painting at Martin Luther King Drive was transformed into porcelain enamel on steel to be used as a permanent display. The painting, titled “In Praise of Nature, Education, Life, and Spirit,” features themes of self-empowerment and spiritual rejuvenation.
Original artwork adorns each stop on the light rail 38 • Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SUMMER | FALL 2014
Catching some rays at the Harsimus Cove Station STORY AND PHOTOS BY GILBERT AGUON
A
fter a hard day’s work, you make your way to the light rail station, head down, headphones on. You’re at the PavoniaNewport stop, on your way to the Martin Luther King Drive station, and you can’t wait to see Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. himself—at least his marble bust— which signals that you’ve reached your destination. And across the platform are beautiful abstracts by local painter Ben Jones. The builders of the light rail system were required to allocate a percentage of their budget to the artwork that adorns every light rail station, from North Bergen to Bayonne. According to the Art Inclusion Act of 1978, up to 1.5 percent of the construction cost of a publicly funded state project must be spent on art. The transit arts program, which was launched in 1994, takes full advantage of this, and today New Jersey’s public transportation system features more than 150 art installations. According to the NJ Transit Arts website, “The program was created to integrate artwork into the architectural design of transit facilities, creating inspirational places that improve riding experience for customers and enhance the beauty of public spaces within communities.” The work includes everything from autographs of grade-school kids etched into a windscreen to brass inlays on the platform beneath your feet. It ranges from the functional to the purely aesthetic and has been integrated so thoroughly into each station that distracted riders often don’t even notice it. When you photograph the work, you start to see the
A sculpture at Martin Luther King Drive Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SUMMER | FALL 2014 • 39
Essex Street sculpture
way the sun seems to spotlight a person sitting under a tree or the way silhouettes of riders create a contrast to the cityscape as viewed from the Liberty State Park station. The light rail provides a perfect blank canvas for the art. One thing you notice right away is how the artwork at each stop
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The bust of Dr. Matin Luther King, Jr. at the Martin Luther King Drive stop blends with the surrounding neighborhood. These photos are from all the Jersey City stops. Pablo Picasso said, “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” The art of the light rail is everyday life. – JCM
THE ARTS
Call ahead or look online for schedules 18 Erie Gallery, 18 Erie St., (201) 369-7000, balance hair.com/18_erie_ gallery/18_erie_ gallery.htm. 58 gallery, 58 Coles St., fifty8.com. 140 Gallery, 140 Bay St., (908) 296-7679, myspace.com/ 140gallery. 919 Gallery, 150 Bay St., (201) 779-6929, 919gallery.com. Abaton Garage, 100 Gifford Ave., abatongarage.com. By appointment. Actors Shakespeare Company, West Side Theater, New Jersey City University, 285 West Side Ave., Box office: (201) 2002390, ascnj.org. Afro-American Historical Society Museum, 1841 Kennedy Blvd., Top floor, (201) 547-5262. ARTBUILDERS, 193 Montgomery St., (201) 433-2682. Art House Productions, 1 McWilliams Pl., (201) 915-9911, arthouse productions.org Arts on the Hudson, 282 Barrow St., (201) 451-4862, webspawner.com/ users/grigur. The Attic Ensemble, The Barrow Mansion, 83 Wayne St., (201) 413-9200, atticensemble.org. Beth DiCara Ceramics Studio, 11 Monitor St., (201) 388-7323, evening starstudio.net.
The Brennan Gallery, Justice William Brennan Court House, 583 Newark Ave., (800) 542-7894, visithudson.org. The Brunswick Window, 158 Brunswick St., (201) 978-8939, bruns wickwindow@ rogersayre.com. Curious Matter, 272 Fifth St., (201) 659-5771, curiousmatter.blog spot.com Fish With Braids, 190 Columbus Dr., (201) 451-4294, fishwithbraids. blogspot.com. Gallerie Hudson, 197 Newark Ave., (201) 434-1010, galleriehudson.net. The Gallery Space at Grace Church Van Vorst, 39 Erie St., (201) 659-2211, gracevanvorst.org. Harold B. Lemmerman Gallery, New Jersey City University, Hepburn Hall, Room 323, 2039 Kennedy Blvd., (201) 200-3246, njcu.edu/dept/ art/galleries. Jersey City Dance Academy, 107 West Side Ave., (201) 435-8943, jerseycitydanceacademy.c om. Jersey City Museum, 350 Montgomery St., (201) 413-0303, jerseycitymuseum.org. John Meagher Rotunda Gallery, City Hall, 280 Grove St., (201) 547-6921, jcnj.org. Kearon-Hempenstall Gallery, 536 Bergen Ave., (201) 333-8855, khgallery.com. The Kennedy Dancers, Inc. 79 Central Ave., (201) 659-2190, kennedydancers.org. see page 66
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L I B E RT Y H A R B O R From boats and bait shops, fish shacks and forsaken factories, to high-end development
B
ack in the day, mention Liberty Harbor and almost everyone would say, oh yeah, the marina. Where Surf City now stands there used to be a fish store and restaurant reportedly owned by Rev. Sun Myung Moon. I believe it. One night, he arrived in a limousine in blazing lights, and his love for fishing is well-documented. Across from the marina was an abandoned factory that made something dodgy like asbestos tiles; the artist who lived in the houseboat next to mine scavenged there for found objects. There was a fiberglass boat manufacturer and bait shop where you could buy live bunker should you wish to venture out into the Hudson. The marina is still there, and there is still an RV park behind the dock master’s office. (See story in the Spring/Summer 2013 issue of Jersey City Magazine.) But that is about all that’s left of the old Liberty Harbor. If you see tourists at the Marin Boulevard light rail stop, trying to figure out how to validate their tickets, it’s because they’ve discovered the RV park and are headed into the city for some sightseeing. Now there’s a ferry slip next to the restaurant and a huge parking lot to accommodate the commuters who make the daily voyage to the World Financial Center. Where the bait and boat shops used to be is now Western Pest Control Services. On the site of the old factory is a luxury rental building called 18 Park. At press time in the spring, it was taking its first occupants. The 11-story, 422-unit building offers studios, one- and two-bedrooms and some townhouses. Developed by Ironstate Development Company and KRE Group, it follows Feng Shui principles and includes a fitness center, outdoor swimming pool, outdoor deck, billiards room, playroom, catering kitchen, WIFI lounge, and indoor parking. The most important feature for JC residents is the new state-of-the art facility for the Boys & Girls Club, which will replace the old one on Grand which has become outdated. On Marin, between 18 Park and the harbor master, is the Krank Systems “Fat Loss” gym, which offers classes and trainers. It is so small that you often see members exercising outside.
ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TRACKS Cross the light rail tracks, and you will find Gull’s Cove luxury condominiums, designed by Hoboken’s Dean Marchetto. Between the light rail tracks and Grand Street is the Liberty Harbor project—condos, rentals, and townhouses, developed by Peter Mocco. Also between the light rail and Grand is the luxury apartment building 225 Grand, another Ironstate project.
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A number of businesses have found a home in what is now called the Liberty Harbor Development District. They include Zeppelin Hall Restaurant & Biergarten, Brew Shot, Club Barks, Refresh Dry Cleaners, Liberty Mart, and the Tilted Kilt. The Tilted Kilt, a franchise with locations in Wayne, East Brunswick, and Hoboken, is perhaps the most obvious sign of the changes that have taken place at Liberty Harbor. This bar and restaurant, noted for its scantily clad waitresses, would have surprised some of the crusty mariners who haunted the old Harbor Casino, the Golden Cicada, and some of the other waterfront watering holes back in the day. But, like everything in Jersey City, recent transplants have been able to blend into the community, and native Jersey Cityites often enjoy the upgraded amenities. Sit at the White Star, which is where the Harbor Casino used to be, and you’ll see lots of young people, enjoying a Friday night game, but you’ll also see some of the old guard, telling stories about the way things used to be. Just don’t get them started on the old Greene Street Boat Club.—Kate Rounds IMAGES BY TBISHPHOTO
THE HOOD JCM
Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SUMMER | FALL 2014 •
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Freeform Radio
lives on in Jersey City
WFMU r eta ins the sa me under gr ound FM concept tha t sta rted in the 1960s STORY AND PHOTOS BY AL SULLIVAN
A WFMU DJ
A
nyone who listens to “the Glen Jones Radio Programme featuring X. Ray Burns” knows that WFMU-FM is about as pure New Jersey as Bruce Springsteen. It is also much, much more, despite a weak broadcast signal (91.1) that many people even in parts of Jersey City struggle to get. Glenn Jones and X. Ray, arguably WFMU’s most popular show, presents a healthy mix of tales from the ’burbs and extremely tasty music. The show is living proof that 1960s-style freeform radio— formats in which DJs have total control over content, regardless of genres or commercial interests—is still relevant to today’s audiences. Glenn Jones brought international attention to WFMU in May 2001 when he set the Guinness World Record for the longest consecutive radio broadcast by staying on the air for 100 hours and 41 seconds. “It must have been a very slow news day because we got a lot of attention from world media,” says station manager Ken Freedman. Although the record has since been broken, a commemorative plaque still graces one of the walls of the station.
The Playlist Unlike many classic freeform radio stations of the past, WFMU has remained freeform—with a vengeance. “We’re always trying to fine-tune our programming,” Freedman says. This sometimes means shows shift from time slot to time slot, forcing listeners to consult the station’s online program guide, often stumbling onto something new and equally interesting along the way.
WFMU’S Montgomery Street home
There’s no end of variety, says music director Brian Turner. Shows come with curious names such as “Dangerous for the Brain,” “Why Oh Why,” or even the “Goddamn Dave Hill Show.” The freeform format not only gives audiences what they like, it also introduces them to a variety of music they won’t hear almost anywhere else. Shows dedicated to a specific musical genre, such as Reggae Schoolroom, offer a varied selection of songs. Peus’s Thing with a Hook presents songs with a heavy musical hook, regardless of the genre. Terre T, who plays a wide range of rock, can take you places you never expected to go, and Teenage Wasteland plays odd bits from several generations of teenage angst. WMFU avoids the political diatribes of once-great freeform stations. Though it has also abandoned its 1950s Lutheran roots, you can still find religious programming and even some mystic stuff from the Far East by 1960s guru Alan Watts. The station has 55 to 65 unpaid DJs who have regular shows, fill in, or do specials. It uses every media imaginable, including eight track and cassette tapes, reel to reel, records, CDs, and in the case of one antique music show, 19th century wax cylinders. “The only thing I don’t think we ever used was a wire recording,” says one DJ. DJs can highlight anything from garage to experimental. “It all co-exists here,” Turner says. “Part of what we do is to show people the connections, when they might not be obvious.” The wide age range explains the diversity of musical tastes. The music library is something to kill for: wall after wall of CDs, records, and cassettes covering a vast history and geography of music. “We get more than a 100 new records in a week,” Turner says. While they include CDs and cassettes, there has been a resurgence of vinyl records, as well.
Freeform Roots The station was launched in 1958, broadcasting lectures, classical music, and Lutheran services for Upsala College students. WFMU’s first freeform radio show was broadcast on Nov. 4, 1967, by legendary DJ Vince Scelsa. Prior to 1965, AM radio domi-
WFMU’S extensive library nated the musical airwaves. Freeform competition came from WBAI-FM in New York City and a handful of other stations. A staff walkout in 1969 shut down the station for about 10 months, but when it reopened in 1970, the station outlasted many other stations that succumbed to the commercialization of FM radio. Freedman credits the station’s early involvement with technology for allowing it to stay two steps ahead of commercial stations. “We have a great internet presence,” he says. WFMU was among the first—if not the first station—to create a website, laying the groundwork prior to the actual launch of the web in 1993. “We recently received a grant from the Geraldine Dodge Foundation to help develop our open-source software to rewrite it for Princeton University and Seton Hall,” Freedman says. The station was among the first to stream its broadcasts, reaching a worldwide audience of more than 250,000. Turner, who has been with the station since 1996, said music will come from anyplace in the world and include conventional and unconventional recordings from past, present, and future stars. Because of its international reach, the station gets things from countries like China, which has its own take on western music. The station broadcasts in three areas: Rockland County, Hudson Valley, and Jersey City.
WFMU Digs A tiny postcard-sized sign taped to the front door is the only clear indication of WFMU’s Montgomery Street home. The building is reminiscent of the last scenes of “Batteries Not Included,” as skyscrapers rise around it on the waterfront. Near City Diner, WFMU is a throwback to what artists hoped this part of the city would become, a haven for artists, musicians, and others seeking a Greenwich Village-like vibe. On the wall inside are symbols of the station’s past and future: a sign reading “Music House/Upsala College” and construction materials, no doubt left over from the new performance space on the first floor. Enter the vestibule and go up the painfully slow elevator, and you’ll find four floors housing one of the most successful public radio stations in the country. The station started out in East Orange attached to Upsala College, a Lutheranrun university that went bankrupt and eventually closed. The station held on for months after the college closed, eventually seeking a new home. Independent of the college since 1994, WFMU began to look for new digs in 1998, a scary proposition even for a sustaining station. They once considered Hoboken but settled on this building in Jersey City near the waterfront, the PATH, and the HudsonBergen Light Rail.
Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SUMMER | FALL 2014 • 45
Most staffers appear to use the stairs because it takes less time than the elevator. The inner sanctum of broadcast space is accessed partly by a spiral staircase, something you might find in a lighthouse. DJs have lockers for their gear marked with record covers. The volunteers, who often work on the two fundraisers during the year, have a room of their own. Gifts for those who donate, such as Tshirts and bumper stickers, are stored in another room. Near the backup studio called “edit b” is a room for broadcasting live performances. But the real treasure is the soon-toopen public performance space on the first floor. WFMU will be leaning on Todd Abramson, music booker and coowner of Hoboken’s legendary Maxwell’s, to help find musical talent. This won’t be a night club where people hang out, but a performance space which will present shows by established and up-and-coming performers. With multiple cameras ready to capture it all, the website will allow video streaming.
Time Warp
69 Years And Still Innovating!!
Walking through the WFMU offices is like going back in time—everywhere you look, you see flashbacks. A collection of velvet paintings lines one hall, not the usual dogs playing cards or classic Elvis, but portraits of grunge music stars, movie stars like Marylyn Monroe (or an imitator), and some questionably rogue historic characters. Ronald Reagan’s felt portrait is in a corner of the room. During the declining days of Upsala College, the chaplain asked Freedman if he wanted the collection. Freedman says that over the years he’s become more selective about additions. “I look mostly for portraits,” he says. Upstairs, one wall of another hallway is covered with record album covers, redecorated by local kids. Bob Dylan has something growing from his nose in one; others are equally sacrilegious. The wall facing these contains scores of drawings that a listener routinely sends in. “We have great listeners,” Freedman says. “More younger people are listening to us,” says Liz Berg, assistant general manager. “We’re trying to build awareness about the station, looking for a way for people to find us. People generally discover FMU by word of mouth.”— JCM
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VANISHING JCM
PHOTO BY ART NIEHAUS Remaining supports for the old trolley car system that was discontinued in 1949. See page 57 for a photo of the Jackson Avenue trolley.
PHOTO BY WILKINS NORIEGA The old Jersey City Medical Center which was made into condominiums.
VANISHING JERSEY CITY SEND YOUR VANISHING JERSEY CITY PHOTOS TO JCMAG@HUDSONREPORTER.COM. BE SURE TO WRITE “VANISHING” IN THE SUBJECT LINE.
Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SUMMER | FALL 2014 •
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HOW WE LIVE JCM
How we
48 • Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SUMMER | FALL 2014
BY KATE ROUNDS PHOTOS BY VICTOR M. RODRIGUEZ
PARAMOUNT AT THE BEACON The homes we are highlighting in this issue are both owned by newcomers to Jersey City, young adventurers who are really enjoying their new digs and their new town. Join them in seeing our town with fresh eyes.
Y
ou don’t have to go too far back to recall when the Beacon was the Jersey City Medical Center. Though it had an art deco interior, it wasn’t the most pleasant place to visit, and the outside had a bit of a Creedmoor feel to it. But all that has changed. Back when the Beacon first opened as a
residential complex, we highlighted a couple who had moved there from a loft near Journal Square. But now more has been added to what is reportedly the largest historic residential restoration project in New Jersey. Monica Desai is a satisfied new resident—both of the Paramount and of Jersey City. “I was maybe the ninth or 10th person to sign a lease there,” she relates. Desai is a Florida native, and like a lot of newbies, she landed a job in New York City but found that living outside the city was cheaper, and she also had friends living in the Newport area. “I finished my Master’s Degree from the University of Florida while working in New York,” Monica says. “Jersey City seemed like the perfect place for me since I wanted to be slightly removed from New York City. My parents and my boyfriend’s parents love the area because it’s safe, clean, and has a sense of community.”
HOW WE LIVE JCM
Tushar Chakravarty and Monica Desai
Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SUMMER | FALL 2014 • 49
She and her dad “looked at a couple of different places in Newport and Hoboken. I googled the Beacon, and there were pretty good deals for luxury apartments in terms of price range. We entered, and it was absolutely luxurious,” she says. “The whole place had a classic feel, and the facilities are amazing with a gym inside the building. That was huge for me because I go to the gym four or five times a week. Now that it’s summer I’m looking to spend time outside running and doing outdoor workouts.” She settled on a one bedroom on the ninth floor. “There were a few different ways to set up the apartment,” Monica says. “But I decided on a layout that would accommodate guests and also open up the space within the living room.” The unit has new appliances and modern technology. “It includes an energy-efficient washer and dryer, which allows for less water usage and energy than regular machines; a walk-in closet; and enough space,” Monica says. “It has a perfect view of the city and the Freedom Tower directly across. It’s such a beautiful skyline. I can wake up to see the Freedom Tower and the Statue of Liberty.”
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Monica says she’s a minimalist and bought a lot of her furniture at IKEA. “My dad and I are very design oriented. We’re creative people. The décor is contemporary, following a color palette of black, white, and red. I really wanted to make the place my own since I have a natural love of design. The artwork on my walls was hand painted by me.” She describes the building as “Titanic-esque,” noting that the first “Titanic” movie was reportedly filmed in the entrance to the Beacon. “It looks like a cruise ship,” she says. At first, Monica went to New York for dining and entertainment, but she’s gradually learning all that Jersey City has to offer. “Recently, we’ve tried out some of the different things around Jersey City,” she says. “We went to a chili cook-off near Grove Street station and ate at Taqueria, and we randomly walked into Downtown Yogurt and struck up a conversation with the owner. It was really nice that this small business owner created this new place in Jersey City. The fro-yo was great.” Monica has no buyers’ remorse. “I love it,” she says. “I have no qualms. I plan to stay for a long time.”
HOW WE LIVE JCM
WARREN AT YORK When we caught up with Blair Kurtz and Brian Seeling, they had recently returned from London where they’d become engaged. Just a couple of weeks earlier they’d moved into their unit at the new Warren at York luxury rental building. They’d been living on the Upper East Side in Manhattan. But Jersey City wasn’t entirely new to them. “Brian went to Syracuse and had two very good friends who’d lived in Jersey City for years,” Blair related, so we became familiar with the area.” One friend pointed them to Warren at York, and the rest is history. Well, not quite. Blair and Brian had slightly different notions of the kind of place they wanted to live in. Brian had his eye on some of JC’s legendary brownstones, but when he started looking at some of the new construction downtown, he started to change his tune. An available unit in the Madox was too pricey, and Warren at York emerged as the top choice. They settled on a 735-square-foot one bedroom with a bathroom and kitchen/living room with no wall between them. “It was brand new, which was a novel concept to me, living in the city,” Blair says. “What I love about it is it’s fresh and light and welcoming.” A couple of furniture pieces from Pottery Barn made the move from Manhattan, but they also bought a new coffee table, rugs, and bar stools. Both Blair and Brian commute to the city to work. Brian flies a lot for his job, and the proximity to Newark airport is another thing that drew them to Jersey City. “It makes such a big difference,” Blair says. “It’s really easy.” Warren at York is equidistant from the PATH stops at Grove Street and Exchange Place, which makes the commute into the city really easy, too. “I’ll be totally honest,” Blair says, “I thought I’d miss the city. I love the city, but when I get above ground at Grove, I feel like I’m home. There’s much more of a neighborhood vibe. I couldn’t be happier.” Blair says they moved in a nice month, meaning May. “There are so many things at Grove Street station,” she says, “the farmers’ market, the chili festival.” They don’t have a dog yet, but another advantage of Warren at York is that it is dog friendly, with a dog run out
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back. “Our old apartment had an eight-pound weight limit for a dog, and that is not the kind of dog I wanted to have,” Blair says. She’s visited Van Vorst Park and Hamilton Park, and looks forward to exploring all the other outdoor spaces Jersey City has to offer. “We’re both sports enthusiasts and like biking, but,” she jokes, “we like to eat and drink.” To that end, they’ve been to Surf City, Light Horse Tavern, Sátis Bistro, Sam’s AM, Paulus Hook Brick Oven Pizza, and, “because I love coffee—Legal Grounds,” Blair says. Blair minored in art history and is looking forward to exploring Jersey City’s art scene. “This is energizing, a fun new thing,” she says. “I never had negative thoughts, but I’m pleasantly surprised that Jersey City has more to offer than I was anticipating.”—JCM Blair Kurtz and Brian Seeling
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BUSINESSES MAKE JERSEY CITY WORK
How We
WORK BY KATE ROUNDS PHOTOS BY ALYSSA BREDIN
SUSAN NEWMAN
FROGS ARE GREEN (201) 420-8205 info@frogsaregreen.com frogsaregreen.org
M
ost people, even if they’re into cute fuzzy animals, find frogs pretty endearing. The folks behind Kermit the Frog can attest to that. But it turns out that frogs also occupy an important place in the food chain—and they’re going extinct. Jersey City resident Susan Newman, a branding designer by trade, is a longtime environmentalist and a fierce advocate for the frog. “When I’d go to summer camp in Upstate New York. I’d look for frogs and put them in big coffee cans and keep them in my bunk,” she says. “I just wanted to look at them. I was fascinated by them.” In 2009, she teamed up to create a blog with a friend who wrote a wildlife series for kids. And as a designer, Newman liked working with nonprofits. “I’ve always been interested in the environment,” she says, “and I liked to design stuff for Earth Day. I thought it would be interesting to have something of my own. I was looking around my office one day, and I had a lot of frogs. They’re in trouble. They’re not getting the attention they need, and the public needs to understand what’s happening to them.” And thus, Frogs Are Green was born. The company does not yet have nonprofit status; for now,
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Newman is a one-woman powerhouse who makes posters, T-shirts, and calendars for sale, which pays the group’s expenses. She also donates to organizations like Save the Frogs, the Nature Conservancy, and National Geographic. Frogs are at risk because they are extremely sensitive to threats such as acid rain, global warming, invasive species, and habitat loss. “People put roads in places where they’re cutting forests and building communities,” Newman says. “Spring comes, frogs are on the move going to their vernal pools, and cars are running them over as they cross the roads.” If frogs were to disappear, it would set off a domino effect of environmental mishaps. “Frogs wouldn’t be here to eat bugs,” Newman says. “We’d be inundated with bugs, which could cause diseases. If something goes missing from the food chain, everything collapses.” Newman says she has never seen a frog in Jersey City. But she was thrilled to learn that Robert O’Donnell Jr., who teaches science at the Christa McAuliffe Elementary School, headed a project to introduce spring peepers, small chorus frogs, into the reservoir. Newman is disturbed that places where frogs once emerged from hibernation and started calling to one another are now “totally quiet.” For a woman who believes that “certain frogs like the redeyed tree frog or the green tree frog, can’t help themselves, they’re so gorgeous,” that silence is very sad indeed.
HOW WE WORK JCM
FRIENDS OF THE LOEW’S: PATRICIA GIORDAN, JIM BARRON, COLIN EGAN AND BRUNO BERTON
FRIENDS OF THE LOEW’S 54 Journal Square (201) 798-6055 loewsjersey@gmail.com loewsjersey.org
If
any building needs a friend, it’s the Loew’s Theatre in Journal Square, and we’re not talking about Facebook. The historic structure was this close to being demolished in 1987, when the Friends of the Loew’s (FOL) stepped in to wage a six-year battle to save it. But that was just the beginning. FOL’s battle to retain management and restore the theater so that it can be used for its original purpose is ongoing. Colin Egan, director of the Lowe’s Theater, says that between 1991 and 1993, the group was able to do essential repairs, which allowed it to present small shows in the lobby. It was hoped that the productions would show the city “what they might gain if it was saved as an art center.” Egan’s background is in teaching and public relations. “But I always had an interest in historic preservation and history,” he says. In 1993, the city bought the building for $325,000. “They were going to let it stand unused, but we didn’t like that idea,” Egan says. “We didn’t want to be just a talking organization. We wanted to do things.” In 1994, the Jersey City Economic Development Corporation spent $2 million to stabilize the building, but more work needed to be done if it was to operate as a theater.
In May, Mayor Fulop announced that four bids had been received for the restoration and management of the Loew’s. The bids ranged from huge music venue management companies that would attract world-renowned artists, to local entities that would work with FOL on community programming. At press time, FOL, which currently has a contract with the city to manage the theater, was suing the city to prevent new management from taking over. On June 12, Superior Court Judge Hector R. Velazquez ruled that there is no valid lease between FOL and the city, paving the way for the mayor to bring in a high-profile concert promoter. At the time Egan said FOL’s attorneys were reviewing the decision to determine a basis for appeal. “We continue to hope that the reform-minded Mayor Fulop will come to understand that FOL is a resource for Journal Square that he should put to even better use than his predecessors,” Egan said. Whatever the outcome, JC residents who just love the building and the local arts scene would love to see the theater out of the courts and in the community. The Loew’s opened its doors in 1929 at a time when these elegant buildings were called “movie palaces,” though they were home to legitimate theater with full stages, orchestra pits, and dressing rooms. “It’s an extraordinary local landmark,” Egan says. “The Loew’s needs to stay linked to the community as closely as possible as an arts center with a full range of programming, affordable for everyone.” Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SUMMER | FALL 2014 •
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HOW WE WORK JCM
DIANE DRAGONE
KENNEDY DANCERS 79 Central Ave. (201) 659-2190 kennedydancers.org
If
she’d had her way, the 18-year-old Diane Dragone would have named her dance studio “the Dragone Dancers,” but her lawyer persuaded her that it was “too ethnic,” and so the Kennedy Dancers spun and tapped their way into Jersey City, taking the name from its first location on Kennedy Boulevard. Dragone, a Jersey City native, may have been green but far from “dopey,” as she described herself. She was savvy enough to attend business school and to get a teaching certificate, knowing the challenges of a career in the arts. Though she toured as a professional dancer, she knew that a life on the road could be tough. “It’s hard on family life,” she says. “I enjoy being on the stage, but you can’t be committed to performance and rehearsals and have a family.” She is married to Thomas Horan, program director for Jersey City Educational Television and special assistant to the deputy superintendent of Jersey City Public Schools. They have two children who were “raised in the studio with built-in babysitters.” Though her daughter has a child of her own, she still dances with the company. Like a lot of boys, her son, though a great ballroom dancer, let his dancing slide. “It’s hard for boys,” Dragone says. “There’s a stigma to it. Hip hop is cool, taking ballet not so cool. But both kids took ballet and tap.”
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Dragone’s mother took her to dance class when she was 3. When she got a little older, she liked to make up dances. “The first time I heard the word choreography, it registered in my mind,” she says. Dragone still choreographs the dances that the studio performs. Seven instructors teach 150 students, ranging in age from 2 1/2 to 86. Classes include ballet, tap, hip hop, gymnastics, tumbling, floor exercise, modern, lyrical modern, Latin social dancing, and belly dancing. Many of her students have made it big, performing in London’s West End, the National Ballet of Venezuela, the Royal Danish Ballet, Broadway, and many other professional venues. Not all the classes take place in the studio. Dragone does outreach to juvenile detention centers and contract jobs, bringing classes on site. Dragone prides herself on serving children, seniors, and people with special needs. “We serve the people of the community,” she says. “If it was just about making money, we wouldn’t be located here. Our goal is to be open to people of all ages.” And all abilities. “Some people might feel a little nervous or foolish if they don’t know how to dance,” she says, “but we want them to feel comfortable whether they can dance or not. It’s something that can relieve stress and make them feel creative.”—JCM
A R C H I V E S
A N D
A R T I F A C T S
The Jackson Avenue trolley—the last trolley to run in Jersey City—closed down in August of 1949. Jackson Avenue had been a shopping haven, reaching its heyday in the 1940s and ‘50s.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE JERSEY ROOM, JERSEY CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SUMMER | FALL 2014 •
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F O O D I E
Heaven
Jersey City is fast becoming a restaurant destination BY LAUREN BARBAGALLO
A
recent article in NYC Zagat’s touted Jersey City’s “culinary revolution,” recommending seven local spots worthy of a trip across the river. Big-city talents from Nobu and Momofuku have set up shop at Cocoa Bakery and Thirty Acres, respectively. These Manhattan stars have found lower rents and sophisticated diners here. Both made the Zagat list, along with Top Chef alum Dale Talde, who plans to open a JC version of his Brooklyn restaurant. He’s working with local contractors and HGTV stars Anthony Carrino and John Colaneri (see story in the Fall/Winter issue of Jersey City Magazine) to create a 135seat restaurant within an urban-style food market, to be called Carrino Provisions.
Of course, Jersey City has lots of longstanding restaurants with plenty of personality and appeal. Many, including Azucar Cuban Cuisine, Edward’s Steak House, Ibby’s Falafel, Komegashi, Komegashi too, Ristorante Porto Leggero, Puccini’s Restaurant and Catering, and Sátis Bistro—have Zagat ratings. The recent infusion of creative talent—not just from New York City, but from all over the Garden State—is giving locals more choices than ever before. So what’s attracting all this talent and making such a buzz? Ingredients that our established restaurants have appreciated all along: Waterfront views, lower rents, locally sourced food, charming neighborhoods, knowledgeable customers— and the ineffable vibe of JC.
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ON THE WATERFRONT The management team behind Mediterranean Seafood Restaurant Battello was lured by the chance to open a super-sized restaurant on the water. In the Newport Marina, it occupies the spot that formerly housed Michael Anthony’s. That team is a who’s who of Jersey talent. Executive Chef Ryan DePersio is the owner of Montclair’s celebrated Fascino. Cory Checkett, the man behind Hoboken’s Madison Bar and Grill and the Turtle Club, oversees the cocktail and wine lists. The Carrino/Colaneri cousins are behind the design, which accentuates the glorious water views, which are especially enticing at sunset, enjoyed with a cocktail in hand. Need to impress out-of-town guests with a little bit of glam and a big, show-stopping view? No need to venture to Manhattan, thanks to Battello.
DINING OUT JCM
Another waterfront restaurant with a Zagat rating has been on the Newport marina for the last 14 years— Komegashi too. The name is synonymous with fine Japanese cuisine. Its sister restaurant, Komegashi, has been a downtown institution for two decades. Much has changed at its Montgomery Street locale, but Komegashi has stayed the course, serving the city’s burgeoning financial district. Japanese cuisine, with its emphasis on fresh vegetables and fish, has been in the vanguard of the healthy, sustainable food trend. Komegashi too is part of the Restaurants at Newport, a group of 12 eateries near the waterfront. Cuisines include Italian, Spanish, American,
and Indian. Confucius Asian Bistro, for example, is an upscale Chinese restaurant whose steamed and vegetarian dishes presaged the healthy-food movement.
FROM THE HEIGHTS TO THE HOOK At least one restaurant is benefiting from being an up-and-comer in an upand-coming neighborhood. Childhood friends Sam Fertik and Aaron Nemani, both 24, are co-owners of Olive and Orange Caterers and Chef’s Table. Forgoing a pricy rent downtown for premium space in the Heights enabled them to build out the open, pristine kitchen of their dreams, perfect for tasting menus for their catering clients, or for the 12-seat Chef’s Table Dinners. “I’ve worked in so many dive kitchens,” says Fertik, “and I knew when I opened my own place, I wanted the kitchen to
be beautiful. And I love being in the Heights. I’m excited to see what we can do to help this neighborhood.” Unlike the Heights, the Paulus Hook section has long been home to a variety of popular eateries, including Honshu, Shanghai Best, Sky Thai, and Sátis. The first time Hoboken resident Sam Kirk visited Paulus Hook, he knew he’d found his perfect neighborhood. In 2013 he opened Sam AM, serving breakfast and lunch seven days a week. It’s been a hit with local freelancers, moms, and off-duty workers, who love the homey yet hipster vibe and the exceptionally good food. It was a natural progression, then, to open a oncea-week supper club, a BYOB affair held on Thursday evenings. Sam AM Chef Francis Samu shares the current industry obsession with buying locally, as do many Jersey City chefs. Judging by the popularity of our farmers’ markets and the commentary on local message boards, many residents share this appreciation for fresh local foods.
NOODLES ON NEWARK Sourcing regionally is a very traditional concept, say Union Republic coowners Noah Sexton and Greg Torrech. “We are located in the old Village neighborhood downtown (on Newark Avenue), and the tradition of buying everything locally is something we are trying to carry on,” says Sexton. After splitting with their former partner and closing MAE (Modern American Eatery) on Communipaw Avenue, the two envisioned a neighborhood restaurant that focused on local, sustainable, and organic practices. The ramen accent came after an auspicious meeting in Japan. “I met with a top ramen chef who was so encouraging and explained that there is no one ‘authentic’ ramen, that ramen changes everywhere,” says Torrech, who is UR’s chef. The secret to making excellent ramen lies in superior, fresh, local ingredients. The noodles at UR come from Sun Noodles in Teterboro, which drops them off each morning before delivering to Momofuku and other top restaurants in town. There is also an in-house butcher, specialty groceries, and plenty of options for Jersey City’s vegetarians and vegans. The local mom mafia goes crazy for UR: It’s a score when there is healthy food that you and your kids want to eat.
CIAO BELLA Back in the day, the JC restaurant scene was best known (if at all, let’s face it) for old-school Italian restaurants. Casa Dante has closed, but many are going strong, including Rita and Joe’s, Puccini’s, Laico’s, and Presto’s, not to mention the legendary Pecoraro Bakery. Pizza, of course, is prized in Jersey City. Helen’s and Rustique are among many popular pizzerias, and Razza Pizza Artiginale is new to the scene. Chef and Co-owner Dan Richer buys the best local produce and makes his butter fresh each day, courtesy of cows from Lancaster, PA. “I’m a curator,” he says, “not a chef. It’s all about the cows, and the ingredients.” A Matawan native, Richer bought Arturo’s in Maplewood in 2006, earning a James Beard Rising Chef nomination. Since 2012, Richer and his partner Fred Shandler have been shuttling back and forth between the two spots. “Jersey City is so young and energetic,” Richer says. Off duty, he
likes to take a break from Italian, citing Thirty Acres among his faves. Same goes for Raymond Fiore of Roman Nose on Newark Avenue, who on a rare night off visits Sátis and Subia’s Market, among others, a nice change of pace from his authentic trattoria menu inspired by the Fiore family’s native region of Lazio, between Naples and Rome. Like Richer, Fiore travelled extensively throughout Italy, and his menu, wine, craft beer and cocktail lists reflect that. We are a city full of beer zealots, and Fiore takes “special pride” in introducing people to Italian craft beers. Our restaurant scene is a good metaphor for Jersey City as a whole: quirky, unpretentious, diverse, and full of flavor.—JCM
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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.
EDWARD’S STEAK HOUSE
239 Marin Boulevard (201) 761-0000 edwardssteakhouse.com Edward’s Steak House offers steak, seafood, and other sumptuous fare with an elegant bistro flare. Tucked into a historic townhouse in downtown Jersey City, Edward’s is comfortably upscale. The menu includes all the classic steaks and chops—aged prime sirloin, porterhouse, filet mignon, and more. You’ll enjoy the atmosphere whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or stopping by for a steak sandwich at the bar.
HELEN’S PIZZA
IBBY’S FALAFEL
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 now 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.
303 Grove Street (201) 432-2400 ibbysfalafels.com One of downtown’s most popular eateries, Ibby’s Falafel has been serving Jersey City for more than 18 years. The menu consists of original Middle Eastern cuisine made with authentic ingredients, along with new and innovative additions—the falafel that made falafel famous. Ibby’s offerings are now 100 percent officially halal certified. Open seven days. Catering available. Also located in Edgewater and Freehold. Delivery to all of Jersey City.
HONSHU RESTAURANT
KOMEGASHI
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.
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103 Montgomery Street (201) 433-4567 komegashi.com Located in Jersey City’s financial district, Komegashi offers fresh, well-presented sushi along with traditional Japanese favorites and an extensive selection of fresh shellfish. Locals and visitors from around the world find this a perfect spot to dine in casual elegance. Open seven days.
KOMEGASHI TOO
99 Town Square Place Newport Financial Center (201) 533-8888 komegashi.com Komegashi too offers an authentic Japanese dining experience with a spectacular view of the New York Skyline. The menu includes perfectly prepared sushi and sashimi, kaiseki, teriyaki, and tempura. Located on the river at Newport Financial Center, Komegashi too is open seven days.
MORE
281 Grove Street (201) 309-0571 morejc.com More offers a wide selection of Thai and Japanese offerings, and more. Whether you stop by for a meal or take one to go, the experience will be satisfying. more is located across the street from City Hall.
THE RESTAURANTS AT NEWPORT
J.C. Waterfront District newportnj.com Overlooking the Hudson River and the Manhattan skyline is the most diverse dining destination on the New Jersey Gold Coast—The Restaurants at Newport. Located among the luxury apartments and office towers in the Newport section, The Restaurants at Newport include 12 fine establishments: Komegashi too, Dorrian’s, Raaz, Cosi, Confucius, Bertucci’s, Babo, Fire and Oak, Boca Grande Cantina, Michael Anthony’s, Skylark on the Hudson, and Loradella’s.
RITA & JOE’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT
142 Broadway (201) 451-3606 ritaandjoes.com. A Jersey City favorite, Rita and Joe’s is the next best thing to Mama’s Italian cooking. This family-run restaurant serves delectable homemade dishes served in the comfort of a cozy and intimate dining room. On- and off premises catering are available.
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DINING OUT JCM
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 in-house, ensuring satisfaction each time you dine with us.
SATIS BISTRO
212 Washington Street (201) 435.5151 satisbistro.com Tucked away in the Paulus Hook neighborhood, Satis is Jersey’s City’s best-kept dining secret. Satis is a foodie haven with a fantastic wine bar that serves dinner daily and brunch on weekends. The cuisine is modern European with an emphasis on French, Italian, and Spanish specialties. Menu changes are made seasonally, and specials are run weekly. Reservations are recommended.
MONTHLY EVENTS Wine & Spirits Tastings Wine Dinners Mixology Classes Special Menus
SAWADEE
137 Newark Avenue (201) 433-0888 sawadeejc.com Offering exceptional Thai cuisine, Sawadee is a dining experience that will please both the eye and palate! Enjoy lunch, dinner, or a refreshing cocktail in an inviting atmosphere. Sawadee is conveniently located just steps from the Grove Street PATH.
SEASONAL MENUS
PRIVATE PARTIES 212 Washington Street Downtown Jersey City 201-435-5151 www.satisbistro.com
SHANGHAI BEST 97 Montgomery St. (201) 333-6661 shanghaibestjc.com
This Chinese restaurant opened right next to the new spa, Himalaya Herbal Spa. It offers a full menu of Chinese specialties— crispy noodles, fried rice cakes, dim sum, cold and hot appetizers, noodle soups, flat-rice noodles, and fried rice, as well as vegetarian dishes, lunch specials, chef specials, beverages, and Chinese desserts. Shanghai Best offers catering and free delivery and is available for parties. This is owner Alan Lau’s fifth restaurant in Jersey City. He also owns the adjacent Himalaya Herbal Spa.
SKINNER’S LOFT
146 Newark Avenue (201) 915-0600. skinnersloft.com A chic, loft-style eatery, Skinner’s Loft features a warm, spacious interior with exposed brick walls, high ceilings, and total attention to detail. It’s a perfect spot to enjoy a cocktail and a fine meal.
SKY THAI
62 Morris Street (201) 333-4311 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.
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DATES JC JCM from page 37
CALENDAR AUGUST 10 6th Borough Art Market, Behind City Hall, Montgomery Street and Marin Boulevard. Bringing together amazing makers and collectors, chefs, and entertainers to create a gathering where you can taste, discover, and enjoy. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
13-17 La Festa Italiana, Sixth Street between Monmouth and Brunswick Streets, lafestaitalianajc.com. 5-11 p.m. Old-world street festival with music and games. Free.
15 Monthly Festival, Creative Grove, Grove Street PATH Plaza, creativegrove.org. Artist and designer market. 3-9 p.m.
16 Community Rhythm, Grassroots Community Space, 54 Coles St., (201) 500-5483, grassroots communityspace.com. 7-9 p.m. Family-friendly drum circle.
17 Puerto Rican Parade & Festival, Parade begins at noon from Lincoln Park to City Hall. Festival at Exchange Place. Noon-10 p.m.
SEPTEMBER 5 JC Fridays, Citywide, jcfridays.com. All day. Art, performances, music, film, and JC Fridays’ business discounts. Programs include art openings and exhibits, spoken word, music, dance, film/video screenings, theater and alternative performance. Free.
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DATES JC JCM
6 Art Open House, Grassroots Community Space, 54 Coles St., (201) 500-5483, grassrootscommunityspace.com. A new mural and collection of art works to view and purchase.
14 6th Borough Art Market, Behind City Hall, Montgomery Street and Marin Boulevard. Bringing together amazing makers and collectors, chefs and entertainers to create a gathering where you can taste, discover, and enjoy. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
19 Monthly Festival, Creative Grove, Grove Street PATH Plaza, creativegrove.org. Artist and designer market. 3-9 p.m.
20 All About Downtown Street Fair, Art House Productions, Newark Avenue between Grove Street and Jersey Avenue. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Over 100 local vendors including crafters and local artists, Art House Productions, the Jersey City Craft Mafia, and more. Community Rhythm, Grassroots Community Space, 54 Coles St., (201) 500-5483, grassroots communityspace.com. 7-9 p.m. Family-friendly drum circle.
21 Newport Liberty Half Marathon, 100 Newport Town Square Place, newporthalfmarathon.com. Annual race for charity along the waterfront. 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Race time 8:30 a.m. Tales of Our Cities 2014, Grove Street Plaza, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. rain or shine. Seventh annual Jersey City Library book festival, “Celebrating Writers / Promoting Reading.” Author readings, book signings, children’s authors and activities, musical entertainment, and meet-and-greet with authors and performers.
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5th Annual Hamilton Park BBQ Festival, Hamilton Square, 232 Pavonia Ave. 12-8 p.m.
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DATES JC JCM
OCTOBER 4 – JAN. 11 Guitar: The Instrument That Rocked the World, Liberty Science Center, 222 Jersey City Blvd. Trace the evolution of the guitar through the centuries. 5 and up. Free with general admission.
14 Two-Story Suspended Climbing Structure, Liberty Science Center, 222 Jersey City Blvd. It’s like being in a giant spider web. Clamber into a huge structure from the third floor and climb all around! Specific times TBA.
17 Monthly Festival, Creative Grove, Grove Street PATH Plaza, creativegrove.org. Artist and designer market. 3-9 p.m.
18 Community Rhythm, Grassroots Community Space, 54 Coles St., (201) 500-5483, grassroots communityspace.com. 7-9 p.m. Family-friendly drum circle.
19 6th Borough Art Market, Behind City Hall, Montgomery Street and Marin Boulevard. Bringing together amazing makers and collectors, chefs and entertainers to create a gathering where you can taste, discover, and enjoy. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
24-26 Your Move Modern Dance Festival, Art House Productions, Hamilton Square, One McWilliams Place. Your Move welcomes a wide range of movement performance including modern dance, physical theater, dance-theater, and improvisational performance.
25 LGBT Pride Festival, Grove Street from Columbus Drive and Montgomery. Come out and show your pride as an LGBTQ citizen and as an ally at the 14th Annual Jersey City Pride Festival. 12-6 p.m.
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ARTS JC JCM from page 41
The Landmark Loew’s Jersey Theatre, 54 Journal Square, (201) 798-6055, loewsjersey.org. Lex Leonard Gallery, 143 Christopher Columbus Dr., Suite 2, lexleonard gallery.com. Mana Contemporary, 888 Newark Ave., (201) 604-2702, manafinearts.com. NY/NJ Academy of Ceramic Art, 279 Pine St., (201) 432-9315, nynjceramics.com.
Pro Art, 344 Grove St., (201) 736-7057, proartsjerseycity.org. The Upstairs Art Gallery, Inc., 896 Bergen Ave., (201) 963-6444. Visual Arts Building Gallery, New Jersey City University, 100 Culver Ave., (201) 200-3246, njcu.edu/dept/art/gall eries. Windows on Columbus, Christopher Columbus Dr. near Washington St., (201) 736-7057.
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CALL TODAY 2O1 798 78OO 66 • Jersey CITY Magazine ~ SUMMER | FALL 2014
Photo: Alan Schindler
Savor the Waterfront
RESTAURANTS AT NEWPORT
From casual to fine dining—café latte on the run to cocktails under the stars—Jersey City’s Hudson River Waterfront is the perfect setting to ignite your senses and satisfy your palette. Conveniently situated close to the Newport PATH and several New Jersey Light Rail stops, this picturesque promenade offers a tempting array of culinary delights, many with equally enticing views of the Manhattan skyline. If life is meant to be savored, the Restaurants at Newport is a great place to start.
201-963-4900 loradellas.com
201-386-8898 confucius558.com
201-798-1798 battellojc.com
201-610-9610 fireandoak.com
201-533-8989 skylarkonthehudson.com
201-533-8888 komegashi.com
201-626-6646 bocagrandenj.com
201-626-6660 dorrians.com
201-222-8088 bertuccis.com
201-963-0533 getcosi.com
201-626-6006
201-533-0111 raaz.us
newportnj.com