March 12 to March 27th River View Observer

Volume 16, No. 3

March 12th - March 27th 2012 FREE PUBLICATION

riverviewobserver.net

201-349-4336

Pg. 2 On the Cover

Pg. 5

Hudson Then . . . Again

Pg. 9

Decor

Pg. 15

Restaurant Views

Pg. 21

At the Movies

Pgs. 22 - 24 TURN YOUR UNWANTED JEWELRY INTO CASH Jewelry & Watch Repair

Hoboken Gold & Diamonds

L ocal B oxers T rain H ard

I

to be

C ontenders

By Sally Deering nside an old municipal building and up a steep flight of wooden stairs is a world of sweat and hope, a cavernous space filled young men and women who bring their dreams of championship titles and Olympic gold medals into the four-sided ring of the Union City Boxing Club.

Joe Botti, a Union City Police Lieutenant and former amateur boxer has been running the Union City Boxing Club for 23 years and on a recent March evening, the gym is filled to capacity as Botti and his team of volunteer trainers help young boxers train for the 2012 New Jersey Golden Gloves.

“We’ve had 29 Golden Gloves Champs,” Botti says, lacing up a young hopeful’s shiny red gloves, “and hopefully this year we’ll have our 30th. We have five team trophies.”

Two boxers who train there are Juan Rodriguez, who won the Golden Gloves in 2009 in the Open Class and Jason Escalera, who won Open Class in 2008; now they’re both professionals.

“They used Golden Gloves as a jumpstart to professional careers,” Botti says.

Herkin DeLaRosa, 20, of Union City, has 26 fights under his belt (Pictured are members of Union City Boxing Club) and sees a Golden Gloves title as his opportunity to go pro. con’t pg. 2

115 Washington St., Hoboken

lock problems?

NEED A NEW LOCK? See Page 2

PERMIT NO. 955

On the Cover - Golden Gloves Everybody wants to be a Golden Gloves champion,” DeLaRosa says. “It means a lot of hard work. It’s like a goal to me. I get to compete in the Nationals.”

DeLaRosa is one of ten boxers at the Union City Gym who will be competing in the 2012 New Jersey Golden Gloves amateur boxing championship’s preliminaries for a shot at the nationals.

The team also includes Felix Tejada, Jose Aviles and Johnny Hernandez of Union City; William Arevalo, Anthony Valentini, Jarrett Blair and Gino Montero of Jersey City; Carlos Lopez of North Bergen; and Hector Melendez of Hoboken.

Melendez, 17, has won 20

fights and two Diamond Glove championships.

He also takes AP classes at Hoboken High School and plans to major in economics in college.

“I want 70 amateur fights before I go pro,” Melendez says. “I want to travel, spar in different places. I’m trying to get experience. I only lost one fight. I think boxing will open doors for me.”

Melendez also has high praises for his trainer.

“Joe Botti, he’s great,” Melendez says. “It’s not about money; he does this for free. He cares about his fighters. He does a lot for us and we do for him. I fight hard in the ring. It’s my way of paying him back. It’s not always about boxing. It’s

about family. He’s like a dad.”

Going for the Gold New Jersey Golden Gloves is a non-profit organization that promotes amateur boxing, runs local tournaments and sends a team of the state’s best boxers to the Golden Gloves of America’s national tournament each year. This year, more than 200 young boxers are competing in the New Jersey Golden Gloves which features nine preliminary bouts throughout the Garden State including the bout on Sat, Mar. 24 at the Washington School in Union City.

Members of the Union City Boxing Club’s team will be competing along with young boxers from other local gyms including the Bayonne PAL and the Ringside Boxing Club of Jersey City.

Preliminary winners will advance to the state finals held at the Prudential Center in Newark on April 7th.

Boxing Coach and head trainer of the Middletown PAL Dan Doyle of Long Branch is President of the New Jersey Golden Gloves.

When he took on the state leadership in June, Doyle recruited a new board of directors which initiated a scholarship program for the state’s most promising athletes.

“We are so excited to be holding our 2012 Tournament of Champions in the Prudential Center, giving our amateur boxers a chance to box in a large arena much like the pros,” Doyle says.

“We hope the public will come out and support these athletes. They have dedicated at least the better part of

a year to training for this prestigious tournament.”

Many of the competing boxers are young people from areas around the state that have been hardest hit by cuts to community programs, Doyle says.

Boxing clubs like the Bayonne PAL, Ringside Boxing Club of Jersey City and the Union City Boxing Club all provide a training program that keeps young men and women, boys and girls focused on a positive goal while offering a safe environment.

Jose Aviles, 22, is a 2010 Golden Gloves winner in the Novice Division and he will again be competing in the 2012 Golden Gloves preliminaries. In training, he runs 10 laps around the park – any park – and goes Cont’d on page 4

Page 2 River View Observer

Page 3 River View Observer

Golden Gloves Cont’d from page 2 to the gym every day from 5 p.m.-to-8:30 p.m. where he shadow boxes, jumps rope, spars in the ring, does three rounds with the heavy bag and three rounds with the speed bag He does sit ups, push-ups and even yoga for stretching. Winning the Golden Gloves in 2010 was a big surprise. He says: “I never won anything in my life. I got a trophy, a Golden Gloves chain and the option of being a boxer. I’m ready now to go pro.”

And taking some punches is all part of the sport, Aviles says.

“You don’t mind taking a punch,” Aviles says.

“You gotta take one, to give one. That is the love of the sport.”

The Union City Boxing Club is all volunteer-run; Botti volunteers his time and so do the other trainers.

Mayor Brian Stack of Union City donates the space and Union City and the Union City Boxing Club are co-sponsoring the Golden Gloves preliminary event on Mar. 24th at the Washington School and footing the bill for the boxers’ uniforms, equipment, and other bout expenses.

The Hudson and Bergen County Electrician’s Union, Local 154 will be sponsoring the March 30th Golden Gloves preliminary bout in Paramus. Proceeds from the ticket sales will go to breast cancer research says Paul Dunleavy of Jersey City, a former boxer who has volunteered his time raising money for the Make a Wish Foundation and is now lending a hand to bring awareness to the breast cancer.

“I fought in the Golden Gloves three times in New Jersey,” Dunleavy says.

Page 4 River View Observer

“I can’t fight any more so I help out. This year, I’m singing the National Anthem. ” Hudson Boxers, Hope and Pride The Union City Boxing Club is filled to capacity now, young boxers sparring in the ring, hitting heavy bags and speed bags, jumping rope, doing sit ups. Botti says that in the summer, 4060 boxers-in-training come each day. And there is no age limit; they’re as old as 42 and as young as 8.

At 11, Deandre “Dynamite D” Guzman is a four-time New Jersey State Champion and veteran of 36 fights. Deandre has traveled to Las Vegas, Ohio and Upstate New York to compete and the sixth grader says he likes being in the ring.

“I want to be an Olympian,” Deandre says.

Botti was about Deandre’s age when he first discovered a passion for boxing. Growing up in Union City, he founded a boxing group when he was young and, he says, it helped him get through tough times. And now, he’s paying it forward.

“It keeps the kids off the streets,” Botti says. “A lot of the kids who trained here are now teachers, police officers, firefighters. A lot of kids turned their lives around. They say boxing is one of the best deterrents to gang activity. These kids fight so hard for these trophies. They’re fighting for pride and the Golden Gloves title. That will be with them the rest of their lives.”

New Jersey Golden Gloves Tournament Schedule Fri, Mar. 16, 7 pm Luis Munos Marin Middle School, 663 Broad St, Newark, NJ

Tickets: Aspira Boxing Club, the event host, at 973-484-7554 or Jose Rosario at 201-679-0485 Sat, Mar. 24, 7 p.m.

Washington School, 3901 New York Ave., Union City Tickets at the door Fri, Mar. 30, 7 p.m.

IBEW Local 164, 65 W. Century Road, Paramus Contact: Cassie Wordelman at 201-265-7273, ext.

213, or Theresa Rolaf at 201-265-1700, ext. 4246 or visit www.ibew164.org for more information.

Fri, April 6, 7 p.m.

ICAT Academy of Boxing, Fitness & Martial Arts, 1304 Brielle Ave., Ocean Township.

Call 732-531-1422 for more info Sat, April 7, 7 p.m.

Prudential Center’s AmeriHealth Pavilion, 165 Mulberry St., Newark Ticket info: www.njgoldengloves.com or www.prucenter.com, or call Jose Rosario of the Aspira Boxing Club at 973-484-7554, Dan Doyle of the Middletown PAL at 732-957-9494, Stephanie Lashley of ICAT Boxing at 732-531-1422; or New Jersey Golden Gloves at 732-318-7131 The River View Observer Print- Digital - Mobile Since 1998 serving the Hudson County market For information and advertising rates

201-349-4336

Wall of Golden Gloves Champs at the Union City Gym

Hudson Then...Again

By Maureen Wlodarczyk With about 8 months to go until the presidential election, the raging rhetoric and political pontification threatens to leave potential voters tone-deaf, disgusted, and dubious that their vote matters. That being said, it will do us all good to remember the struggle of one group of Americans desperate to have that right to vote: the ladies of the women’s suffrage movement of the 19th and early 20th centuries.

As early as the 1850s, with the cry “Votes for Women,” suffragettes banded together in pursuit of a place at the ballot box, led by movement pioneers Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony. Success remained elusive and as the quest for universal suffrage struggled on at the dawn of the 20th century, New Jersey’s own Alice Paul became a committed and tireless leader in a new

Suffrage Leader Alice Paul

generation of women’s rights advocates. While every successful cause has such indispensible and dedicated leaders, its followers are the wind beneath its wings, bringing energy and the power of numbers to the quest. We don’t have to look any farther than our own Hudson County backyard to see that energy at work in the women’s suffrage movement.

In the second decade of

Women’s Suffrage Movement 19TH AND eARLY 20TH cENTURY

the 1900s, one Hudson newspaper carried a column titled “Woman’s Suffrage Forum,” a regular feature that included information on local women’s suffrage lectures, events, news and campaigns and also reported national progress as individual states voted for (or against) extending the right to vote to female residents.

In 1915, New Jersey suffrage supporters succeeded in getting the question on a statewide referendum to be voted on in October of that year.

In August, as the election drew near and a woman’s right to vote in New Jersey lay in the hands of the men of our state, the pages of local papers carried news of

the upcoming arrival of the “suffrage torch” in Jersey City. The torch, symbolically unlit to represent the enlightenment that would come from granting we Jersey girls the right to vote, was to travel throughout the state to raise awareness and popular support for the upcoming suffrage amendment vote. The torch’s travels across the Garden State were to be accompanied by celebrations

and ceremonies attended by politicians, prominent citizens and the leaders and members of the Women’s Political Union (WPU).

On August 7, 1915, the suffrage torch, accompanied by members of the New York contingent of the WPU, departed New York on the tugboat Holbrook and headed across the Hudson River. At the same time, representatives of the Cont’d on page 6 68 Productions and the Monroe Centr for the Arts Presents “Secrets ; Love”

By Summer Dawn Hortillosa Who knows what you would do for love?

Monroe Theaterspace 720 Monroe St. Hoboken March 22, 23, 24 at 8pm Tickets $15, $10 for Students & Seniors Downtown Urban Theater Festival @ HERE Arts Center 145 6th Ave. NYC Mar. 28 tickets $18 SecretsLovePlay.com

Page 5 River View Observer

Hudson Then...Again Cont’d from page 5 New Jersey WPU left Jersey City on the tug A.W. Smith, set to meet their New York sisters in the middle of the Hudson precisely at noon.

The torch handoff on the Hudson completed, the New Jersey delegation tug returned to the Pennsylvania Railroad pier after which a series of ceremonies and outdoor meetings were scheduled, the first starting at 1 pm at Montgomery and Washington Streets.

The handoff and return of the banner-emblazoned tug with a member of the New Jersey delegation triumphantly holding up the suffrage torch were memorialized in two photographs that speak to the happy occasion and hopes for the upcoming special election.

Sadly, despite all their efforts, October did not bring the suffragettes a victory

and the right to vote. Over 300,000 New Jersey men voted in the special election and while 42% of them were in favor of giving women the right to vote, the majority voted no and the amendment was defeated.

Worse, that defeat meant the amendment could not be brought up for another vote in New Jersey for several

years, a stinging blow to supporters of the suffrage movement.

Four years later, in October 1919, Mayor Frank Hague of Jersey City, representing New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Edward I. Edwards, addressed the executive committee of the New Jersey State Suffrage Association, a gathering that drew women from virtually every county in New Jersey. Hague advised the women to emulate the recruiting methods of men’s organizations and labor unions and to partner with the Democrats who had a “Votes for Women” plank in their platform, telling those present that the opportunity they had sought for years had finally come. In the end, the women of New Jersey won the right to vote when the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was approved by three-quarters of the states as of August 1920, one of those states being New Jersey.

Post-Script: Ten days after the suffrage torch arrived in Hudson County and began its pilgrimage across New Jersey it was stolen from the backseat of an automobile in Atlantic Highlands. The NJ WPU offered a reward of $50 for its safe return. Representatives of a New Jersey anti-suffrage group offered an additional $30 reward, keen to prove that the “antisuffs” were not involved in the theft. A week later, a Wall Street lawyer named Lynch contacted the WPU saying he found the torch on a Philadelphia streetcar. The recovered torch safely made its way back to Newark and Mr. Lynch graciously refused to accept any reward.

Send Us Your

Press Releases Artists Musicians Authors Theater Groups Comedians Hobby Clubs Send two weeks prior to event Attention Editor riverviewobserver @gmail.com or

Maureen Wlodarczyk is a fourth-generation-born

Page 6 River View Observer

Jersey City girl and the author of three books about life in Jersey City in the 1800s and early 1900s: Past-Forward: A Three-Decade and Three-ThousandMile Journey Home, Young & Wicked: The Death of a Wayward Girl and Canary in a Cage: The Smith-Bennett Murder Case.

For info: www.past-forward.com.

River View Observer 123 Town Square Place #321 Jersey City, 07310

Casino Night” Opens its Doors at the Bayonne Knights of Columbus on March 23rd

By Evelyn Bonilla

“On March 23rd, “Casino

Night” opens at the Knights of Columbus located at 669 Ave C and 30th Street in Bayonne. Presented by the Nicholas Oresko School PTA, Casino Night will run from 7:00 pm-11:00 pm and will feature four hours of non-stop games and excitement! Come on down and try your hand at Blackjack,

Roulette, Poker and Craps.

If you want to experience a little more excitement, join in on the “Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament!”

The “Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament is sure to be an exciting event! So if you’re interested in joining, reserve your seat soon!

Casino Night also comes Cont’d on page 20

Casino Night Committee Corresponding Secretary Joanne Ferrier, Hospitality Chair Lisa McNamara, Treasurer Marlene Serafin, President Ivelisse Perez, Recording Secretary/Casino Night Committee Co-Chair Irene Roberts, Casino Night Committee Co-Chair Laurie Coles, Vice President of Finance Suzanne Doering, Vice President Maria Iapicca, and Vice President of Committees Susan Armstrong.

Page 7 River View Observer

Page 8 River View Observer

Page 11 River View Observer

REFINANCE NOW! Zero bank fees.

Mortgage and home equity loan rates have never been lower, so the time to refinance is NOW. We have great low refinance rates and a variety of terms with ZERO bank fees! Get started today – you have nothing to lose and lots to save!

15-YEAR LOAN1

10-YEAR LOAN1

3.875% 3.99% APR

2

APR

2

Apply by phone, online or at any Provident location near you.

Equal Opportunity Lender Equal Housing Lender Member FDIC

1-888-534-8979

www.ProvidentNJ.com

1 Eligible loan product: Provident 1st Lien Fixed Rate Home Equity Loan. 2 Annual Percentage Rates (APR) available as of 2/13/12 and includes a 1/4% rate reduction for automatic payments transferred from a checking account held at The Provident Bank. APR is available on loans up to 80% Loan-to-Value (LTV), and a maximum loan amount of $500,000. Other rates and terms available. The home securing this loan must be the applicant’s 1-4 family owner-occupied residence, town home, or condominium located in New Jersey. Hazard insurance sufficient to cover this loan and all other outstanding loans/liens is required. Flood insurance may be required. Offered loan and terms are subject to credit approval and standard appraisal requirements; as such, there is no guarantee that the applicant(s) can refinance their current mortgage loan at the advertised APRs and payments. For 10-year fixed rate loans 120 monthly payments of $10.12 per $1,000 borrowed. For 15-year fixed rate loans, 180 monthly payments of $7.40 per $1,000 borrowed. Does not include taxes and insurance which will result in a higher actual payment. Rates and LTV restrictions subject to change.

Page 11 River View Observer-

Page 12 River View Observer

Page 13 River View Observer

www. lsfcu.org Page 14River View Observer

restaurant VIEWS Dip into The Melting Pot

At this Hoboken Waterfront Bistro Melted Cheese and Chocolate Fondues take Center Stage

By Sally Deering It was my first time at a fondue restaurant and I wasn’t sure what to expect when I walked into The Melting Pot on Sinatra Drive in Hoboken, a hip corner bistro where customers dip into delicious cheese and chocolate fondues, dine on tasty salads and cookedto-order entrees while gazing at the spectacular views of the Manhattan Skyline outside its windows.

The dining experience at The Melting Pot is what co-owner Lina Patel calls “interactive,” because here diners don’t sit back with a knife and fork, they skewer and dip into the melted concoctions made right at their table by the wait-person.

This family-owned business, a franchise that started in Florida, is a unique dining experience and a popular Hoboken night spot.

On Fridays and Saturdays the 160-seat restaurant gets very busy and reservations are highly recommended.

On a recent visit to the Melting Pot, my wait-person, Blaine Climati– who has been at the Melting Pot for two years – created my Cheese Fondue by blending cheddar and Swiss cheeses, beer, garlic and mustard powder into a creamy concoction right at the table.

He served it with bowls of fresh veggies, cubes of bread, tortilla chips and some sliced Granny Smith apple. With my skewer, I dipped the ingredients into the melted cheese and it was a very tasty and fun way to enjoy lunch. I followed that with the House Salad, a yummy and vast array of crunchy veggies in a sweet and tangy homemade dressing, that you can also buy

and take home.

For dessert, I had the Chocolate Fondue and chose the Flaming Turtle, a melted combination of milk chocolate, caramel and roasted pecans.

For dipping, it came with fresh strawberries and bananas, a slice of cheesecake, Oreo-covered marshmallows, cubes of Red Velvet cake, chocolate brownies and Rice Krispie treats.

This was over-the-top deliciousness and a chocolate-lover’s dream on a plate.

There are lots of dining choices at The Melting Pot. You can go for the Big Night Out – a four course Melting Pot Experience that includes a Cheese Fondue, Salad, Entrée and Chocolate Fondue or you can go ala carte and choose from the Cheese Fondue, Salads, Entrees and Chocolate Fondue Menus.

The Cheese Fondue choices are Spinach Artichoke; Fiesta Cheese; Cheddar Cheese; Wisconsin Trio; and Traditional Swiss; ($18, serves 1-2). Salads include the House Salad, Spinach Mushroom; Caesar; and California; ($8). Entrees feature Land & Sea (filet mignon, chicken breast and white shrimp); The French Cont’d on page 16

Page 15 River View Observer

Cont’d from page 15 The Melting Pot Quarter (filet mignon, chicken breast, white shrimp in Cajun sauces with Andouille sausage); Seafood Trio (sesame-crusted sushigrade ahi tuna, white shrimp and cedar-plank salmon); Shrimp & Sirloin; allnatural breast of chicken; Cedar-Plank salmon; Pacific Rim (all-natural breast of chicken, teriyaki-marinated sirloin, white shrimp, citrusinfused pork tenderloin, breast of duck and chicken and vegetable potstickers); The Vegetarian (selection of fresh vegetables including edamame or onion rings, artichoke hearts, Portobello mushrooms and asparagus served with Thai peanut –marinated tofu, spinachartichoke ravioli and pasta); Teriyaki-Marinated Sirloin; and Filet Mignon ($24-$35).

The Chocolate Fondue ($20, serves 1-2) features The Original (milk chocolate swirled with creamy crunchy peanut butter), Yin & Yang (dark and white

Page 16 River View Observer

restaurant VIEWS

chocolate), Cookies ‘n Cream Marshmallow Dream (dark chocolate topped with marshmallow cream flambéed and topped with bits of Oreo cookies), Chocolate S’mores, Bananas Foster (bananas swirled in white chocolate with a hint of cinnamon), Flaming Turtle, and Milk, Dark or White Chocolate (for the chocolate purist).

The Melting Pot has extensive beer and wine lists, better than most local pubs and it has a room for private parties and a ‘Lovers Alley” – three cozy tables tucked away in a low-lit and romantic nook. Since it’s a franchise, The Melting Pot also has its own cookbook, salad dressings and signature chocolate-covered strawberries for sale. Best of all, it’s a great place for big groups – anniversaries, graduation parties, wedding and baby showers.

There’s lots of good Internet buzz on The Melting Pot. One Yelp.com reviewer, Brittany M. of Brooklyn

gives the restaurant a rave: “My favorite restaurant ever.

I love it. I tried just about everything on the menu!

I highly suggest the Wisconsin Trio with a bouillon base…The chocolate (fondues), every single one I’ve had is great. The Flaming Turtle is my favorite, and then the Yin and Yang (dark and white chocolate) is the runner up. Just went here on New Year’s Eve and it was so much fun.”

Brittany M. is right. The Melting Pot offers its guests a yummy good time and the Manhattan Skyline view from its windows is the cherry on top.

The Melting Pot

100 Sinatra Drive Hoboken, NJ 201-222-1440 www. meltingpot.com

Hours: Sun-Thurs: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Fri, Sat: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Visit us on the web @ www.riverviewobserver.net

The culinary world’s newest ‘it’ food lands in Jersey City By: E. Frances Tousignant

Cevicheria, in New York City. eruvian cuisine, La Mar Cevicheria crafted in bold flavors and was the brainchild of Perufresh ingredients, is busting vian super-chef Gaston Acuout of the country’s borders rio who has spread Peruvian and exploding on the statecuisine outside the country’s side food scene, hailed as borders, and restaurateur food’s next big thing.

Danny Meyer, who helped Peruvian cuisine has shepherd Acurio’s skills into recently hit the gastronomic a massive Manhattan space radar as the new ‘it’ cuisine, by Madison Square Park. and has been hailed by The Variations of Peruvian New York Times, The Wall dishes have made their way Street Journal and Details on top New York restaurant Magazine. Zagat Survey menus like Eric Ripert’s lists four times more Peruvi- seafood Mecca, Le Bernaran restaurants in New York, din. Nobu Matushisa, San Francisco, Miami, Los credited with bringing JapaAngeles, Boston and Philanese cuisine to New York, is delphia than it did a decade once again introducing the ago. metropolitan to the newest Sales of Pisco, a Peruposh cuisine. The chefs at vian grape brandy, have the New York staple have doubled in the past five mixed Peruvian twists with years, according to The Wall its dishes.

Street Journal.

Top chefs, including With the popularFerran Adrià of el Bulli and ity growing, Jersey City’s Ricardo Zarate of Picca, are staple Bar Majestic has working on a documentary adopted a Peruvian menu, about the origins of Peruleading the Peruvian charge vian food as it found its own in the area with its own posh flavor from an immigrant eatery. melting pot of diets.

Peruvian fare is a sexy As Peruvian influence alternative to sashimi that makes it way stateside, Petakes classic Japanese and ruvian restaurants are beginSpanish techniques and ning to present their native pairs it with a release of cuisine to a new audience, South American flavors after with exponential success. a population burst melded At Bar Majestic, 275 the cuisines.

Grove street, Jersey City, Take tiradito: a Peruvian about 20 dishes were served cross between ceviche and during the pre-introduction sashimi in which raw white phase of the menu. But as fish is gently flavored with words spread throughout citrus and enlivened with Jersey City, the restaurant chili. exploded in popularity, serv“Peruvian food is inhering more than 100 guests ently a fusion cuisine, but during a busy night. it gives diners the best of “It’s something people pieces to create a perfect haven’t had before. In some whole,” said Daniela Hurta- cases, it’s a cuisine that do Castro, executive chef of people haven’t heard about Bar Majestic, who worked before,” said Hurtado Casat world-renowned Peruvian tro, who also teaches restaurant, La Mar Peruvian cuisine techniques

P

at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York.

“But people see the menu and taste what we offer, and they’re hooked.”

The Peruvian fare comes straight from owner Joseph Castro’s childhood kitchen as his diet was full of the quinoa, aji amarillo chiles, cancha and yucca that grace the dishes, and he decided to revamp the bar’s menu with a focus on ethnic cuisine.

Castro is continuing on his Latin trajectory with a new project in downtown Jersey City – Barrio Bar – a Latin-influenced Tiki bar set for summer 2012.

“Right now we’re new,” Joseph Castro said. “But not for long. Peruvian food is here to stay and will be here for a long time.”

Porton Pisco Sour

1/2 cup sugar 1/4 cup water 1/2 cup key lime juice 1 1/2 cups pisco 3 egg whites 1 1/2 cups ice Angostura Bitters Make simple syrup: Put sugar and water in a pot and bring to a boil. Boil for 1 minute, remove from heat, and let cool.

Place sugar syrup, lemon juice. pisco, and ice in a blender, and mix well.

Add the egg whites and mix until just frothy.

Serve 5-6oz. tumblers, add a dash of bitters as garnish.

Bar Majestic 275 Grove Street Jersey City 201.451.4400

Art House Productions Presents PROGRESSION

Art House Productions 1 McWilliams Place, Jersey City (SE Corner of Hamilton Park nea Eire St/ 8th Street www.arthouseproductions.org

Group Art Exbition Now -March 25th, 2012 A piece of art takes shape and evolves; an artist’s work changes over time; artwork capturning an artist’s vision of a world helped- and hurt- by “Progress” Exhibit made possible by Silverman and Hamilton Square

Page 17 River View Observer

New Jersey Actor “Joe Sernio” on the Road to Success

By Evelyn Bonilla An actor’s life in the “acting lane” can be pretty intense; there are classes, auditions, commitments and total belief that this is what you are meant to do! Just ask New Jersey actor Joe Sernio; a successful actor and businessman and he will tell you that the road to success has come due to hard work, dedication and following a lifelong dream. Why, if Joe Sernio were to have a motto, in my opinion it would be, “Believe it and achieve it!”

As a dedicated actor Sernio has had the privedge to share the film screen with many veterans and up and coming actors alike.

Daring to take on challenges and play roles which explore characters with deep feelings and emotions, Sernio is truly a natural born actor. Hmm, is it accurate to say “natural born actor?” “Absolutely”, for saying it any other way would stray away from the heart of the subject.

In April of 2011 at the Garden State Film Festival Awards Dinner, Sernio was presented with the “2011 Robert Pastorelli Rising Star Award”. This award is granted to individuals who displayed dedicated talent in acting, determination and quality of character. Now, almost a year later Sernio looks back at his life; reflects on receiving this award and remembers the challenges which have placed him where he is today.

In the very beginning Sernio’s journey was far off the acting road, a graduate of Chubb Institute, twice to be exact, once with a computer networking degree and the other with a technical support degree he began his life in information technology.

But it would be his love of acting and the passion in his heart to follow his dream that would push the young Sernio onto the

acting lane.

Now several independent films later and former roles on daytimes soap operas Sernio is now following his life’s true passion.

He has received acclaim for his acting and the films he has been a part of; have received a compilation of awards. In retrospect, if you were to watch some of the characters he portrays on film you could see that Sernio has hone his craft and has brought to the film screen an “intensity and dynamic” to his acting.

Sernio has starred in such independent films as “The Roadhouse” Repetition of Change”, “Mourning on Charlotte Street” and currently he has a role in a new film entitled, “A Dance with Andrea.” Sernio is truly dedicated to his films, but in his spare time he is devoted to helping others develop their acting skills as well. Presently he is working with well-known actor Vinny Pastore of Sopranos fame. Pastore has formed a theater company entitled, “The Buffalo Theater Group” which will work on developing new screenplays in addition to reviving iconic works by various playwrights.

Although, Sernio is still making his way up the ladder of success he is aware that in order to keep following his dream he has to continue to survive. An expert in Information Technology Sernio has used his expertise and created a media marketing company entitled, “Shoreline Media Marketing www.shorelinemedian.com The company is dedicated to creating the very best in media marketing and design.

Actor, entrepreneur and motivator Sernio continues to work hard and to follow his true life’s passion in acting. His advice for up and coming actors and actresses is as follows, “Always have something to keep you going and have a backup plan that you can fall back on. “Follow your dream and stay true to your craft” Today, Joe Sernio continues to travel to support all of his films at their screenings, he continues to run his business, gives of his expertise to help and support others and shows that the independent film industry is definitely alive and thriving!

It is his love for acting that has shaped his life and made him a recipient of the prestigious “Robert Pastorelli Rising Star Award.” I’m sure Sernio in many ways can relate to the popular Pastorelli quote which states, “You do a show and go home and don’t realize the impact you’re having…

Robert Pastorelli.

To view some of Sernio’s films join him at this year’s 10th Annual Garden State Film Festival. The festival takes place in Asbury Park, N.J., beginning on March 22-24th see www.gsff.org for times and schedule. Also to learn more about Joe Sernio sign on to joesernioonline.com.

Page 18 River View Observer

PealCollection Presentation on St. Vincent’s Church in Bayonne March 17th

A free program presented by church historians Priscilla Ege and Peter Keenan O’Brien, will be held on Saturday, March 17 from 1-3PM. It will include a talk about the church’s history and a Power Point presentation highlighting the church architecture and the famous Harry Clarke stained glass windows. The St. Vincent Junior Choir will also sing Irish melodies.

The church was designated a local landmark in 2008 and was placed on the State and National Register of Historic Places in 2011.

The event is being sponsored by PealCollection partners Priscilla Ege and Alice Lotosky who have been giving walking tours and historic presentations throughout Bayonne since 2004.

There is no fee for the event other than a free-will offering. Please call 201-339-4093 if you plan to attend and leave a name and number.

Golden Door Film Festival-Best of the Fest Art House Productions at Hamilton Square Jersey City , NJ

Come out and experience a slice of the wildly popular 2011 Golden Door Film Festival.

There will be a screening of five of the best films of the festival at one of our most popular venuesArt House Productions.

This will be a red carpet event with a Hollywoodstyle after party at The Embankment Bar/Restaurant 234 10th St # 1 Jersey City, NJ 07302 (a short two block walk) (all included in the price of admission!)

Films (order of screening TBD): Films to be shown: Lily of the Feast, Of God and Gucci, The Others and the Others, Sarina’s Song, The Secret Life of My Small Urban Back Yard.

Tickets $20 Art House Productions 1 McWilliams Pl #206, Hamilton Park, Jersey City, NJ (201) 915-9911 For Tickets contact www.brownpapertickets. com Vocal Group Looking for 1st Tenor -who sings lead must be into 50s-70s music Experience singers apply Must be able to sing harmony Call Russ 973-573-1461

Page 19 River View Observer

Casino Night cont’d from page 7

the Nicholas Oresko PTA comments on the PTA’s equipped with an “exclusive goals for the future, “I want poker lounge” which feaour students to enjoy school tures a large flat screen TV so that they can experience so you can watch the very the “joy of learning”. Field best of “March Madness!” days, dances, and movie Hurry, tickets are going fast, nights are not paid for by so reserve your seats soon! school districts. The money The “General Admission is just not there. It is up to Ticket Donation” for Casino parent groups to raise monNight includes a Buffet Din- ey and develop programs ner, unlimited Beer/Wine and activities that help eduand Soda and four hours of cate and develop the future gambling fun!! There is also leaders of tomorrow.” an array of fabulous prizes The Nicholas Oresko ranging from a Flat Screen School PTA staff would TV, Jewelry and a maglike to thank their official nificent stay for a family of sponsor the “Kumon Math six in an Orlando, Florida & Reading Center of Baycondo! onne” for their generous The event is presented by donation and sponsorship! the Nicolas Oresko School Kumon is located at 793 PTA and all proceeds will Broadway in Bayonne, NJ go to benefit the students of their number is (201) 535the Nicholas Oresko School. 5200. To view their services The Nicholas Oresko School sign on to www.kumon.

PTA is made up of an com/bayonne. executive board of officers To learn more about who are professional womCasino Night or to purchase en with full-time careers. tickets online, sign on to The PTA was chartered on http://nicholasoreskocasiSeptember 12, 2011, with 25 nonight.eventbrite.com original charter members.

For ticket and sponsorship Today, the PTA is a 501 (c) opportunities please contact, (3) registered charity with Eve at (201) 988-0887- iper145 members and 100% ezrn@yahoo.com or Irene at teacher participation.

(201) 993-3888-igroberts@ Ivelisse Perez, President of hotmail.com

Page 20 River View Observer

“Casino Night” is sure to be a great event, so head on down to the Knights of Columbus on March 23rd, for fun, excitement, fabulous prices and a night you’re sure to remember!

MUSICIANS LOOKING FOR BAND MEMEBERS?

Send us your FREE classified ads for our new Music Views - Musicians Wanted Listings Email: Riverviewobserver@gmail.com In sujbect line place MUSICIAN WANTED

Join Us on St. Paddy’s Day and after the NYC Parade on March 17th

Page 21 River View Observer

ANOTHER “BROADWAY OPENING”

Bayonne – It’s always exciting to see a new business open their doors… especially in a challenging economy. This is particularly true for the recent opening of “Madden Nicole” at 840 Broadway, between 38th and 39th Streets, in Bayonne.

The modestly sized, renovated storefront is the new home of “Madden Nicole”- a full service Dry Cleaners & Professional Tailoring Shop.

Mayor Mark Smith happily officiated at the Ribbon Cutting, along with City Council President, Terry Ruane and Third Ward Council Member Raymond Greaves.

“Proprietor Luz Sevilla and her husband Louis saw the potential in the location right away” said Real Estate Agent Nancy D’Antonio of EXIT On he Hudson Realty. “Mrs. Sevilla has been well known for her expert alterations and tailoring through her affiliation at other locations in town, and is now proud to have the opportunity to have her own business.”

“Madden Nicole” offers an on-premise fitting room to assure a perfect fit on all tailoring and altered garments. Service is cheerful and courteous, and pricing is very competitive. \ “Madden Nicole” is open six days a week; call them at 201-889-7068.

Page

River View Observer

Page 23 River View Observer

Page

River View Observer