jersey city magazine

BLUESMAN JOHN HAMMOND

JC MUSEUM REOPENS

MASTERING MARTIAL ARTS

SMOKESTACK SHOCKER

Jersey CITY Magazine ~ FALL & WINTER 2012/13 • 3

4 • Jersey CITY Magazine ~ FALL & WINTER 2012/13

CONTENTS JCM

16 POWERHOUSE REVISITEDSMOKESTACKS EXTINGUISHED

COVER

20 MUSIC SCENECOVER PHOTO OF JUNIOR METRA BY CHRISTIAN DIAZ

24 FLIGHT OF THE FLAMINGOA DINER EVOLVES

26 ART SEENJC MUSEUM REOPENS

DEPARTMENTS12 CONTRIBUTORS

14 EDITOR’S LETTER

15 EMERGING JERSEY CITY

30 PEOPLE POWERJOHN HAMMOND

32 EDUCATIONGRADS REGROUP

39 NICHEBATTLING BULLIES – PHOTO ESSAY

40 HOW WE LIVEHOUSE PROUD

56 HOW WE WORKSMALL BUSINESSESON THE JOB WITH

61 VANISHING JERSEY CITY

62 HOODSOGDEN AVENUE

64 SPORTS CORNERMARTIAL ARTS

68 THE STUDIOLARRY FELDMAN

68 THE ARTSGALLERY LISTINGS

70 DATES

DINING OUT

72 MARITIME PARC

76 RESTAURANT LISTINGS

26

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PUBLISHERSLucha Malato, David Unger

EDITOR IN CHIEFKate Rounds

GRAPHICS STAFFTerriann Saulino Bish, Lisa M. Cuthbert,

Mike Mitolo, Pasquale Spina

COPYEDITINGChristopher Zinsli

ADVERTISING MANAGERTish Kraszyk

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CIRCULATION MANAGERRoberto Lopez

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CITYJersey

MAGAZINE

FALL & WINTER 2012/13Volume 9 • Number 2

Published every Spring & Fall

A Publication of The Hudson Reporter

Jersey City Magazine is published two times a year by theHudson Reporter Associates, L.P., 1400 Washington St.,

Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (201) 798-7800, Fax (201) 798-0018. Email [email protected] are $10 per year, $25 for overseas,

single copies are $7.50 each, multiple copy discounts areavailable. VISA/MC/AMEX accepted. Subscription

information should be sent to JCMagazine Subscriptions, 1400 Washington St., Hoboken, NJ 07030. Not responsiblefor unsolicited manuscripts or other unsolicited materials.Copyright ©2012, 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: [email protected]


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CONTRIBUTORS JCM

ARLENE PHALON BALDASSARIhas worked as an actress, for a literary

agency and book publisher, and in the restaurant industry. She lives in

Hoboken with her husband Mike anddaughter Sophie.

TERRIANN SAULINO BISHbegan her career as a graphic designer

more than 15 years ago. She not onlycreates images but captures them

with her camera. Her work has appearedin many publications including

Best of Photography 2006 & 2007. Shecurrently works for the Hudson Reporter.

Her work can be viewed attbishphoto.com.

ALYSSA BREDINis a recent graduate of Saint Peter’s

College, Jersey City, with a degree ingraphic arts. She hopes to pursue a

career in photography. Her work can beseen at tbishphoto.com.

CHRISTIAN DIAZis an artist of many media. When he’s notbusy making people look good as a bar-ber in downtown Jersey City, he is takingphotographs and creating websites to dothe same. A native of Puerto Rico, he has

spent the past nine years learning BonJovi lyrics. View his work at buenosdiaz.us.

LANA ROSE DIAZis a freelance writer, Jersey girl, and paramour of concrete and trees. A

graduate of Lehigh University and formerstaff writer for The Hudson Reporter,

she lives, works, and plays in her beloved Jersey City. For more info,

visit lanarosediaz.com.

ANDREW HANENBERGbegan documenting his rock climbingtrips throughout the country while in

college. After a residence at the MaineMedia Workshop, he worked with theindustries’ top photographers. He is

dedicated to creating inspiring portraitsthat depict real-life stories. Find more at

www.awhphoto.com.

STEFANIE JACKOWITZis a Hoboken writer whose work has

appeared in AM New York, Millburn-ShortHills Magazine, Suburban Essex magazine,

and online at Glide Magazine andCinema Blend. You can follow her at

www.stefaniejackowitz.wordpress.com.

ANNE MARUSICis a freelance writer and publicist whohas called the Jersey City waterfront

home for the past four years. Look for heron the boardwalk chasing her sons,

Nicholas and Alan.

MICKEY MATHISis a freelance photographer who studied

at the International Center forPhotography in New York City. A Jersey

City resident, he can be seen wanderingaround town with his dog, Indie, and a

camera slung around his neck.

VICTOR M. RODRIGUEZhas studied publication design,

photography, and graphic design. “I’ve been fascinated by photographyfor 17 years,” he says. One of his jobs as

a construction project manager is tophotograph job sites.

ALYSSA BREDIN

ARLENE PHALON BALDASSARI

TERRIANN SAULINO BISH

CHRISTIAN DIAZ

LANA ROSE DIAZ

ANDREW HANENBERG

STEFANIE JACKOWITZ

ANNE MARUSIC

MICKEY MATHIS

VICTOR M. RODRIGUEZ

CONTRIBUTORS

FALL FOR USA lot of folks think of fall as the true

start of the year, especially when itcomes to cultural events. The summerhiatus is over, and the arts communitygets down to business. A couple of ourstories highlight the city’s arts offerings.

The Jersey City Museum, which hadbeen closed since December 2010,reopened in the summer. Art loverswill be able to enjoy the first-floor gal-leries on weekends. And you can seesome of the museum’s beautiful piecesin our pages.

Reporter Lana Rose Diaz surveys theJC music scene, while Arlene PhalonBaldassari profiles jazz legend andJersey City resident John Hammond.

In the area of treasured landmarks,we offer a retrospective of the formerand much-loved Flamingo Diner, andwe have some sad news about thePowerhouse.

Ogden Avenue also has a rich history.This issue’s “Hoods” section highlightsthat historic and scenic part of town.

It’s a tough job market for collegegrads. We talk to a few who graduatedfrom our local colleges and are buckingthe odds as they look for work.

A good way to keep warm this win-ter is to join a martial arts club. We’lltell you where to find one that suitsyour fighting needs.

We always welcome your contribu-tions. Do you know of a great space for“How We Live?” Do you have a greatphoto for “Emerging” or “Vanishing”Jersey City? Or a fabulous seasonalphoto? Fall colors or a towering snowbank? Send them on. Find us onFacebook and give us your feedback. — J CM


EDITOR'S LETTER JCM

PHO

TO B

Y M

ARI

E PA

PP

"PAID FOR BY OR IN PART BY THE JERSEY CITY

URBAN ENTERPRISE ZONE PROGRAM"

Jersey CITY Magazine ~ FALL & WINTER 2012/13• 15

EMERGING JC JCM

There are big plans for that empty lot across from the big empty lot where the famed111 First Street factory/ arts enclave used to be. Real estate investor Lloyd Goldman—who owned and razed both 110 and 111 First Streets—is planning a tower that will haveabout 500 units. Goldman, city officials, and local artists have been mired in controver-sy over affordable housing requirements for the building. But the project finally got thenecessary approval from the City Council.—Kate Rounds

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BLDG MANAGEMENT CO.

PHOTO BY KATE ROUNDS

What’s With110 First

Street?


Will the Powerhousestill be the Powerhousewithout her most distinctive feature?

Picture this: Mount Rushmore without thatguy with the wooden teeth. Lady Libertywithout her torch. Big Ben without her

clocks. The Taj Mahal without her dome. Youget the picture. Well, that’s what the future holdsfor the Powerhouse, which is set to lose—youguessed it—her smokestacks.

In our Spring/Summer 2011 issue, we did acover story on the Powerhouse, which featuredCamilo Godoy’s haunting images. At that time,we promised to keep you updated on what’sgoing on with Jersey City’s most iconic structure.

Bob Antonicello, executive director of theJersey City Redevelopment Agency, called a fewmonths ago to deliver the unfortunate news.

“The stacks have to come down,” he said.“They’ve been significantly degraded structural-ly over the years.” The concern is that one ormore stacks could collapse, damaging a wall ofthe structure.

Beyer, Blinder, and Belle (BBB),architects noted for historic restora-tions, including the Hoboken termi-nal waiting room and the Hobokenferry terminal, were called in to eval-uate the smokestacks. One problemwas that nobody had ever gotten closeenough to analyze their condition.Enter Vertical Access, a company thatspecializes in “industrial rope access.”

They brought in a 200-foot boom,one of only three in the world, accord-ing to Antonicello.

BBB then issued a report, whichfound that the smokestacks were a

“threat to safety and sustainabilityof the building,” recommendingremoval of three extant stacks and theremnants of the fourth. Next stepsincluded “replacement of the iconic elements” and stabilizing thebuilding.

And the rest is historyJohn Gomez, Jersey City’s go-to guy

for all things historic, was audibly dev-astated. “It’s obviously a troubling sit-uation and should never have gottento this point,” he said, “but there is noalternative but to take them downbecause of the structural issues.”

It was more than 100 years of rainthat ruined the stacks.

Gomez said the stacks were made inpieces with a brick interior surround-ed by steel, so you can’t dismantlethem in one piece.

There are a number of options:Never replace them, or create newsmokestacks that look like the origi-nals. The decorative cornices on topof the stacks could be displayed asmuseum pieces or kept in front of the

structure as sculptures. Or four holograms of the stackscould be displayed in a light show, much like the ones thatfeatured the ghosts of the Twin Towers after Sept. 11, 2001.

Last spring, the New York Times wrote a story about NewYork City’s many beautiful powerhouses. Renowned archi-tect Stanford White designed the one at 11th Avenue and59th Street. “Its Renaissance-style exterior could just aswell have clothed an opera house,” wrote reporterChristopher Gray, “although the five colossal stacks gave itaway.”

All the powerhouses in this story were built around thesame time as the one in Jersey City—early 1900s–and those“colossal stacks” are a signature feature of each.

“The smokestacks are a major part of the powerhouse,which is an icon of our industrial past,” said Antonicello.“They will be a part of the ultimate renovation and restora-tion, but you can’t take what has been 50 to 60 years ofneglect and look to undo it.”—Kate Rounds

PHOTOS COURTESY OF VERTICAL ACCESS


REBECA VALLEJOPHOTO BY MATT SIMPKINS


BY LANA ROSE DIAZ

Walk down any block in Jersey City and you’re bound to hearthe sound of music—bass pounding from a car passing, bells ring-ing from the church on the corner, a lone saxophone crying outalong the avenue.

But listen closer and you might hear something else. Is that the sound of a blues band jamming in a cupcake shop? Classicalmusicians putting on a live performance of Vivaldi in the furniturestore?

Jersey City may not (yet) be home to an elaborate music venuelike NJPAC or Lincoln Center, but it hasn’t stopped our musicscene from growing exponentially over the past few years. Jazzand drum beats flow out of Grassroots Community Space andThe Art House downtown. The mic is open and ready at Moore’sLounge uptown.

Unable to be contained in one spot, the world-class musicians ofour city have instead permeated the streets, looking for anychurch, store, or café to fill with their sweet sounds. From hip hopto chamber music, Jersey City has it all—and it’s all over town.

Musical evolutionWhile the visual arts have held solid ground in Jersey City for

quite a while, the music scene was slower to take root. WhenMadrid-born Rebeca Vallejo arrived here 12 years ago, she saysthe scene was all but nonexistent as far as she could see. But as thejazz-flamenco vocalist/composer got to know her surroundingsand her fellow artists, she realized there was a movement afoot.

“It’s evolved,” she says. “There’s a much stronger appearance ofmusic everywhere. People are taking the lead on events.”

Unintentionally, Vallejo has become one of those people. In theinterest of sharing her own genre of music with local residents, sherecently collaborated with Beth Achenbach to take the lead on aspecial event close to her heart. A spin-off of Achenbach’s famed“Ladies on the Mic” series, a show last summer featured jazz and World musicians, spotlighting the incredible assortment ofmusical genres in the city.

“I think that there is a lot of potential for appreciation of thistype of music in Jersey City,” says Vallejo. “Not everybody is justinto rock.”

Indeed, the monthly series has already proved that the city is atapestry of musical tastes. In response to the interest displayed byvarious rock, hip hop, and R&B acts, Achenbach coordinated a

CAN YOU H E A R IT?WITH NO PARTICULAR PLACE TO GO,

JC MUSIC THRIVES EVERYWHERE

JUNIOR METRAPHOTO BY CHRISTIAN DIAZ

special event, Ladies that Rock, last fall tocelebrate artists beyond the typical poetryand spoken word offering of Ladies on theMic.

But those tastes don’t always extendthroughout the neighborhood. Ladies onthe Mic was suspended for a few monthslast year due to residents’ complaints aboutthe fact that Made With Love, the bakerycafé which hosts the series, was holdinglive entertainment in its space. Althoughan entertainment ordinance has since beenpassed, in every section of town and everygenre of music, the main struggle for JerseyCity musicians seems to be finding a placeto share their flavor with the masses.

“It’s definitely an issue,” says Achenbach.“It’d be cool if a few venues popped upwhere there could be a little thriving forboth the business and the musician.”

Vallejo, who has performed at variousspots in Jersey City, including Bar Majestic,Groove on Grove, and the steps of CityHall, agrees that finding the right place toplay is the biggest concern. It’s especiallyimportant for folks like Vallejo who make

their livings as musicians. But she main-tains a positive outlook about the JC musicscene.

“It’s doing nothing but growing,” shesays. “It makes me have faith.”

Pocketful of mixtapes,heart full of dreams

While some are hard at work trying tocreate venues for music, other musiciansare making their own scene wherever theyhappen to be. Take D. Jackson, a young,up-and-comer with hip hop swag, who setup shop in the middle of Newport Mallone day this summer.

“I’m just doing what I can and lettingpeople hear me,” says Jackson of his gueril-la marketing campaign. “I love how Isound in the mall, the acoustics are dope.”

The young singer’s love story with musicis a familiar one—his singing career startedin the church choir and he began to takehis music seriously after a rousing audienceresponse at a high-school talent show. Buthis trek to stardom since then has beenone of pure Jersey City determination.

The 23-year-old has been independentlypromoting himself for nearly two years,popping up at New Jersey shopping cen-ters and on the streets of New York City tocroon at passersby with a pocketful of mix-tapes. But while the strategy has been suc-cessful for him thus far, what he would liketo see is more unity among Jersey Cityartists.

“There’s a lot of talent in Jersey City,” hesays. “I wanna see people supporting eachother instead of hating on the next person.We gotta work together.”

It’s an approach that Junior Metra isfamiliar with—the musica urbana artist pro-motes his mix of Spanish rap, reggaeton,and mambo by collaborating with localDJs and doing cross promotion with otherartists on his independent label. Althoughhe began rapping in the DominicanRepublic, Metra said he started taking hismusic seriously in Jersey City because here,the possibilities seemed endless.

“Jersey City is like a path,” he says.“You’ve got different cultures, differentpeople, but everybody’s intertwined.”

And, like D. Jackson, he isn’t waiting forsomeone to come along and promote hismusic for him. Instead of having his mix-tapes lost at sea in a music store, he’slearned to bring them directly to the bode-gas and the barber shops to reach his audi-ence, which includes both Spanish andEnglish speakers.

“Music speaks for itself,” says Metra.

Take it outside – or insideThe tenacious desire to bring music

directly to the people isn’t confined to onlyone genre. In Jersey City, even classicalmusicians are taking it to the streets. ViolistAmelia Hollander Ames never had anygigs here in her hometown until she creat-ed them for herself—and some fellow musi-cians—by founding Con Vivo Music. Thecollective brings chamber music to thenooks and crannies of Jersey City by play-ing free concerts everywhere from farmersmarkets and community centers tochurches and local stores.

“There hasn’t been chamber music here,”she says. “I just really love it and I strongly

believe that even if they don’t know it yet,people are hungry for it.”

The value in chamber music, accordingto Ames, is its portability. With simpleequipment, they are able to bring histori-cally masterful works to life as well asincredible pieces by living composers,some of whom live right next door to ushere in Jersey City.

“Chamber musicians are so far outside ofthe mainstream,” she says. “We just realizewe have to do it ourselves.”

One of Ames’s favorite places to playwith Con Vivo Music is at Kanibal Homebecause the small home furnishings store isan unexpected venue full of “wonderfuldistractions.” But wherever they play inJersey City, Ames says it is the people whomake the music scene in Jersey City sobeautiful.

“The audience is so amazing here,” shesays. “Whenever we play it’s really a two-way thing, it’s not just the performers onstage. There’s such a great energy here. Ican’t really put my finger on why, butthat’s what makes it so rewarding.”


CON VIVO MUSIC

GROOVE ON GROVEPHOTO BY LANA ROSE DIAZ


A space for soundDespite eager musicians and enthusiastic crowds,

there simply aren’t enough venues to display themusical cornucopia that Jersey City has to offer. Butthere is one venue that almost everybody agrees isthe ultimate place to play in town right now—Groove on Grove.

The free weekly outdoor music series takes placeat Grove Street Plaza throughout the warmermonths. But what are music lovers to do whenthings get a little colder in Chilltown?

Beth Achenbach suggests that maybe the auditori-um in Jersey City Museum should be opened up formusic shows. Junior Metra, on the other hand, ishoping that the Boys and Girls Club will be openedfor concert use as a great way to not only showcasemusic but also to provide a musical outlet for thecity’s youth.

“One place run by the right people could make allthe difference in the Jersey City music scene,” saysAchenbach. But, in the meantime, she—like manyother city residents—is just happy that so manymusicians have taken it upon themselves to bringtheir music to the masses wherever they can find thespace.

“One of the cool things is there’s so much goingon in different places,” she says. “It’s kind of a goodthing that you can’t decide where to go.”

It’s undeniable that music is everywhere in JerseyCity, you just have to know where to find it.—J CM

RESOURCES

Con Vivo Musicconvivomusic.orgTwitter: @convivomusicFacebook: convivojc

D. Jacksontheycallhimjackson.comTwitter: @djackson201

Groove on GroveFacebook: grooveongrove

Junior MetraTwitter: @purosincorte

Ladies on the MicFacebook Group: Ladies on the Mic

The Landmark Loews Jersey City Theatre54 Journal Sq.(201) [email protected]

Uptown Crew(917) [email protected]

Rebeca Vallejorvproject.info

D. JACKSONPHOTO BY CHRISTIAN DIAZ

If you’re like most folks whohaunt the commercial areadown by Exchange Place, you

witnessed the closing of the oldFlamingo diner a few years ago andthen the long interregnum when itwas boarded up, with old newspa-pers and notices plastered on thewindows.

A few months ago, it was reborn as“The City Diner,” with the tagline“Hip & Delicious.” Gone is the oldpink, geographically challengedflamingo sign. Gone, the classic all-night-diner gestalt, with plates of

burgers and eggs and veal parm bal-anced on the strong, outstretchedarms of the Flamingo’s middle-agedwait staff.

Andreas Diakos opened the dinerat 31 Montgomery St. on the cornerof Greene in 1968. A Greek immi-grant, he was 16 when he came tothe United States, finding work as abusboy across the street from theFlamingo. In a garish affirmation ofthe American Dream, he was arestaurant owner by age 20.

For years, the Flamingo withstoodan onslaught of eminent-domain


How a legendary dinerbecame “Hip & Delicious”

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Jersey CITY Magazine ~ FALL & WINTER 2012 • 25

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challenges. In late June 2002, the citythreatened to acquire the property anddemolish the 1848, five-story building, sothat they could ease traffic by wideningGreene Street.

Why widen the street? This was a timewhen the area, which borders historicPaulus Hook, was being developed withhigh-rise office towers and condos.Specifically, the tallest building in NewJersey, the 42-story Goldman Sachs build-ing, was going up just blocks away. It wouldbring some 6,000 lunchtime patrons to theburgeoning Jersey City financial district.

Diakos blew off the $1.5 million he wasoffered by the city for the property. Patronspointed to the restaurant’s reasonableprices that allowed senior citizens and poorpeople to get a decent meal out. AndDiakos’s three high-powered daughters,one an HBO executive, threw their weightbehind the effort to save their family busi-ness.

By April 2003, a compromise had beenstruck. Instead of widening the street, cityofficials agreed to make it one-way. Thebuilding and its beloved neighborhooddiner had been spared the wrecking ball.

“We grew up in the diner,” says Kalliope,the daughter who is an HBO executive.“The whole family worked there. My fathercame from Greece and worked there hiswhole life, seven days a week. We wouldhave breakfast with him there. He wasthere for 43 years. It was his passion, andthis area was in his heart.”

By February 2007, the property was onthe market for $4 million. But Diakos didnot sell it then. That happened about twoyears ago, when Diakos sold the diner tothe Giakoumatos family, Greek-Americans, who are also in the restaurantbusiness. At press time, brothers Nick,Mike, and Lefty were getting ready for thegrand opening.

Lefty was on the phone ordering every-thing from anchovies to lentil soup, some-times in Greek, sometimes in English.

The place looks like an upgraded diner,with a beautiful new bar, and that’s justwhat the family wants. “It’s a diner with anice look,” Nick says. In addition to theusual diner food, you can get a kosherCuban sandwich, chicken chili fries, 12beers on tap, and a latte or cappuccino. So,yes, things have changed, but some thingsnever do.

“You can get casual, trendy comfort foodany time of day at diner prices, not restau-rant prices,” Nick says. Hence, the “Hip &Delicious” label.

And the brothers are happy to be indowntown JC. “ -It’s come a long way,”Nick says. “It’s a vibrant, alive location.”

–Kate Rounds



When the Jersey City Museum closed in December 2010, it was a sad day for many in JerseyCity’s happening arts community—not just for artists but for collectors and the many local artlovers who had come to enjoy the exhibits, films, and events that the museum offered.

In late June, the museum reopened. The Jersey City Medical Center, which purchased the build-ing in early 2012, has allowed the museum to use the first floor—which includes a 152-seat the-ater—to exhibit artworks from its 10,000-piece collection.

The first exhibit, “Masters of the Collection,” featured watercolors by August Will and land-scapes by Charles Linford.

Initially, the museum will be open to the public only on weekends. “It has been a tremendous undertaking to reorganize this collection,” said Mark S. Rodrick,

Jersey City Museum board treasurer. “The dedication of many volunteers made this possible.”

ArtSeenThe Jersey City Museum is back in business

PHOTOS BY TERRIANN SAULINO BISH AND ALYSSA BREDIN


Volunteer Michele Larsen organized the col-lection, labeled every piece, and created a digi-tal slideshow from traditional art. “I love seeingwhat is in the collection,” she said. “I can get afeel for what we really have here.”

Stephen Escott of Summit Frame & Art inSummit, N.J., is also a volunteer.

“I was happy to donate my time to thereopening,” he said. “It is historically important.These are original pieces from the 1800s.”

Board Chairman Benjamin Dineen III wasalso on hand. “We are delighted the museum isopen again,” he said. “To be able to share thecollection with the community is one of ourmain goals.”—Alyssa Bredin


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Hometown Blues HeroBlues great John Hammond has found peace and harmony in JC

BY ARLENE PHALON BALDASSARI

“John’s sound is so compelling, complete, symmetrical andsoulful with just his voice, guitar and harmonica, it is …impossible to imagine improving it.”—Tom Waits

Legendary bluesman John Hammond has spent thebetter part of the last 50 years on the road. In 2008 hisbooking firm, The Rosebud Agency, announced his4,000th show since joining them in 1977. How manygigs has he played overall? “Oh, I really don’t know,”Hammond says. “Hard to say, but it’s in the thousands.”Probably 6,000 if you do the math—all over the world—sometimes with a band, sometimes alone with a guitarand harmonica. After logging all those miles, after see-ing all those places, where did Hammond and hiswife, Marla, decide to call home? Jersey City.

John Paul Hammond’s story is well known, especiallyamong blues enthusiasts. He grew up in GreenwichVillage, the son of John Hammond Jr., a record produc-er and talent scout who influenced the likes of BennyGoodman, Billie Holiday, Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan,Aretha Franklin, and Bruce Springsteen, among manyothers. His parents split when he was very young, andHammond was raised by his mother, actress JemisonMcBride. Growing up, he saw his father only a few

times a year, but during oneof those visits, at the ageof 7, his father took himto see Big Bill Broonzy.“Clearly, he made abig impression onme” says Hammond.Through his teens,he was a fan of blues-


based rock artists like Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, and JackieWilson. Then he discovered classic country blues artists likeRobert Johnson, Leroy Carr, and Blind Willie McTell, “... and Ibecame a fanatic,” he says.

Hammond bought his first guitar at 18 and was on the road at19, playing mostly in coffeehouses in Los Angeles. Returning toNew York City in 1962, “I landed my first gig at Gerde’s Folk City,which was the club to book back then,” he says. Hammond foundhimself at the epicenter of the blues renaissance. “I was in the rightplace at the right time,” he says. He forged friendships with like-minded artists, including Richie Havens (also a Jersey City resi-dent); Bob Dylan; and Jose Feliciano. “I felt like I’d found myplace,” he says. Around this time he also met Neil Young, whoopened a show for Hammond at the Cellar Door in D.C. in 1969.Over the years, Hammond has opened for Young multiple times,and their friendship endures.

Time and again, Hammond put together friends to form a bandand tour, or record. He famously had Jimi Hendrix and EricClapton in the same band, albeit for only five days. Longer-lastingcollaborations were with Muddy Waters, JJ Cale, Tom Waits, TheBand, and John Lee Hooker. He’s recorded 34 albums and count-ing.

What would a Hammond dream band look like?“Oh God, that’s too hard,” he says. “I’ve worked with so many

phenomenal players, from Dr. John to Mike Bloomfield, RobbieRobertson, Duane Allman ... it’d be way too many people.”

Hammond and Marla moved to Jersey City in 1995. “It didn’tlook anything like it does now,” he says. But they were attractedto the community and for a traveling man, transportation optionswere excellent. “We’re 12 minutes to Newark Airport, which isdelightful when we’re going overseas or across the country,” hesays. “Everything is very convenient here.” And he’s performed

locally as well, most notably at the Landmark Loews JerseyTheatre in 2010. “I was on the bill with Duke Robillard,” he says.“It’s a beautiful theater and they did a great job of restoring it. Wealso love Hoboken and do a lot of shopping there.” They’ve beenknown to visit Maxwell’s, keeping up with newer artists. “We sawanother friend, G. Love, there some time ago,” Hammond says.“He’s got a lot of style and brings a hip-hop take to the blues.”

Hammond travels with two primary guitars, an acoustic that wascustom made for him in England, and a 1935 steel-bodiedNational Duolian, a gift from Marla on his 48th birthday. “Thiswas what street players had, back in the day before electric gui-tars,” he says. “It was the loudest you could possibly get.” He oftenvisits the Guitar Bar in Hoboken for supplies.

Hammond has been nominated for Grammies numerous timesand won in 1985 for his album, “Blues Explosion.” In 2011 he wasinducted into the Blues Hall Of Fame in Memphis along withAlberta Hunter and Robert Cray. “Fifty years on the road, I guessI’ve outlived my critics,” he jokes. “To be included with MuddyWaters, Howlin’ Wolf, my idols, is just such an honor.” Last year,he was inducted into the New York City Blues Hall of Fame.

Ten years ago, he was awarded the Key to the City of JerseyCity. “They gave me a plaque,” he says. “I’m very proud of that.”Hammond is a J C Mag fan. “We love J ersey City Magazine,” hesays. “We look forward to it every time it comes out, because it’sso nice to see an acknowledgement of this area that has so muchhistory. Seeing this scene becoming so vibrant, it’s just terrific.We’re very happy here.”

Our hometown bluesman stays upbeat about his work as well.“I’m a very fortunate person to do what I love and make a livingat it,” he says. “I make my living playing the shows, and that’s thereal deal.”—J CM

PEOPLE POWER JCM


EDUCATION JCM

JANE SEPULVEDA

BY ANNE MARUSIC

Fresh and eager college grads are poundingthe pavement looking for work, despite grimodds. The unemployment rate for recentgrads hovers at 53 percent, the highest in 11years, according to research complied by theAP. Students at our three local colleges—NewJersey City University (NJCU), HudsonCounty Community College (HCCC), andSt. Peters College—reflect the trend.

Jane Sepulveda, a Greenville resident andrecent NJCU grad who now holds aBachelor’s degree in geoscience, is trying tobe patient.

“As I have been applying to jobs this spring,I have found that they are looking for profes-sionals with five or more years of experi-ence,” she says. “So I changed my strategyand I am now looking for jobs that might payless in order to gain work experience andskills to help me land a better job later on.”

She is considering applying for her Master’sdegree in sustainability management, healthadministration, environmental management,or environmental education.

“Going back to school will help me gain amore advanced skill set and add anotherdimension to my education, making memore marketable,” she says. “My long-termgoal is to get my PhD and to be involved insustainable community development andurban planning.”

There are job opportunities in her field inthe Midwest and Arizona, but she isn’t will-ing to relocate.

“I can work as a bank teller,” she says. “Atfirst, it appears I am stepping out of my field.But I can gain a great skill set, manage myhours, and still go back to school. The bankwork will teach me about small businessloans and will help me meet my long-termgoal.”

Eventually, she hopes to work at a non-profit organization, securing investors inter-ested in protecting our environment.

“There is a lot of money out there,” shesays. “You have to find and tap into it.”

It took NJCU grad Ramon Aponte eightyears to graduate. He expected to graduatein 2009, but he was deployed three times toIraq. For the last eight years, he has attendedschool full time and worked two jobs: as afull-time Jersey City police officer and as aMarine. Somehow, he was able to take 15credits per semester.

He has a five-year-old daughter. WhenNJCU started providing daycare, allowinghim to get some sleep at night, his GPA sky-rocketed.

After graduation, he will continue workingas a cop, patrolling the Heights. This fall, hemay be deployed to Africa. In the summer he

All Dressed Up With No Place to Go

COLLEGE GRADS FACE A BLEAK JOB MARKET


RAMON APONTE

EDUCATION JCM


got the good news that he got into grad-uate school at NJCU to study criminaljustice. He wants to pursue his PhD andteach criminal justice at the college level.

“Most of the students think that simplyearning a criminal justice degree willguarantee them a job as a police officer,”Aponte says. “Not true. What does helpis passing the civil service test, but youstill have to get a 92 or above to be con-sidered. There is a lot of competition, andjobs are scarce, but college grads stillhave an advantage over high-schoolkids.”

Travel a couple of miles to JournalSquare to HCCC and you will find IrisCharles. With a major in liberal arts-spe-cial education, Charles is not your typicalstudent. At age 45, she went back toschool after a 23-year break from herstudies. Born and raised in Jersey City,she’s experienced gang life, single parent-ing, divorce, eviction, and domesticabuse.

Since January 2012, she’s worked as ateacher’s aide at Horace MannElementary School in Bayonne. Shelanded the gig by networking with theBayonne superintendent whom she justhappened to meet one day while at herolder daughter’s school. “I’m a go-getter.I figured why not go directly to the topwhile I had the chance?”

Charles expects to get her Bachelor’sdegree from NJCU in January 2013. Shewants to be a teacher.

“People say there aren’t a lot of jobs outthere, but there are jobs; you just have togo out there and make it happen.Sometimes you have to lower yourexpectations just slightly and use a job asa stepping stone to get to where youwant to be later on in life.”

Diane Gotlieb, coordinator of careerservices at HCCC, agrees that there is nosubstitute for hard work and persistence.

“It is grim out there in terms of entry-level positions, and companies continueto cut back,” she says. “Students have totake responsibility for their future.Freshmen and sophomores need to askthemselves, ‘What do I need to do todayto prepare for my future?’”

Gotlieb says, “As it turns out, theremight be 100 resumes for one job oppor-tunity, so the resume has to be strongand the interview has to be strong. Thesame tools are relevant today as theyhave always been: Internships can help astudent stand out. Networking is key, andby all means, don’t discount anybody inyour life—the corner deli owner might bethe connection you need to succeed.”

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EDUCATION JCM

Meanwhile, half a mile down JFKBoulevard at St. Peter’s College, WalterStacey has just earned his degree inaccounting with a minor in business law.He credits his ability to secure a job tohard work. Starting his sophomore year,he started to look for jobs onMonster.com and CareerBuilder.com.After these websites proved to be deadends, he went to his college’s career serv-ices office.

Enzo Fonzo, director of the office ofcareer services, got Stacey an interview atLehman Brothers, which led to aninternship in its corporate tax depart-ment. (Though Lehman filed for bank-ruptcy in 2008, the corporate tax depart-ment was still viable).

“The Lehman internship catapulted meahead,” Stacey says. “I started thinkingseriously about future careers.”

After a little networking his junior year,he realized one of his professors had arelative who worked at JP MorganChase. He used this connection andlanded a job there for a year and fourmonths, while continuing his studies fulltime. When JP Morgan went on a hiringfreeze, Stacey had to do more digging.

“I went back to Mr. Fonza,” Stacey says.“He put me on a list for an interview withKPMG.” Stacey started his full-time joblast August as an audit analyst inKPMG’s Short Hills office.

As the first person in his immediatefamily to go to college, Stacey “didn’twant to mess it up.”

Says Fonzo: “The job situation hasimproved slightly from 2011. Studentswho secure even what appears to be anunrelated job will be better off in the longrun. By utilizing our office and approach-ing their job search in a focused way,almost like a course, students have a lotbetter chance of securing a job.”

The career services team offers net-working with alumni and various organi-zations, interview preparation, and post-interview advice.

“What you say and how you say it is socritical in the interview,” Fonza says.“Students must ask themselves, ‘Whatqualities and talents distinguish me?What sets me apart from the other 99students applying for this job?’ It isimperative that students not only articu-late their accomplishments, but thenshow how they can leverage these suc-cesses in the workplace.”

The first thing employers look for,Fonza says, is solid written and verbalcommunication skills, as well as evidencethat candidates can prioritize tasks and


work well on a team. But he cautionsthat even for the top candidates, it couldtake five or six no’s before they get a yes.

Peter Gotlieb, Ph.D., associate dean atthe center for experiential learning andcareer services at St. Peter’s, has been inthe education business for more thanthree decades. (He is married to HCCC’sDiane Gotlieb.)

“We constantly follow up with our students,” Gotlieb says. “We encouragethem to stay in touch. We hope that ourrelationship is something they takeadvantage of as they move forwardthrough the job-search process.”

Students should start working withcareer services their freshman year.

“Overall, the current job market is notonly poor, but it is different from the jobmarkets we have witnessed in the past,”Gotlieb says. “All the college majors have been affected by this particularrecession.”

Finally, alumni relationships are more important than ever in terms ofrecruitment, counseling, and providingreal-world support.

Says Gotlieb: “It all comes down toaffirming what you have to offer theemployment world and going out thereand selling yourself.”—J CM

WALTER STACEY


For 140 years, Jesuit education at Saint Peter’s Prep has meant a commitment to academic excellence, to caring for the whole person, and to educating young men of competence, conscience and compassion.

Discover what a Jesuit education at Saint Peter’s Prep can mean to you, and why young men from Jersey City – plus 122 more communities throughout New Jersey and New York – say,

“It’s not simply Prep for four years... It’s Prep for Life!”Visit www.spprep.org/discover to learn more!

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144 Grand Street Jersey City, NJ 07302201-547-6400 www.spprep.org

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ADEMY


Funding for the state’s anti-bulling initiative covers just afraction of the real cost to public schools, according toschool officials in Hudson County. Jersey City, which hassome 28,000 students, received just $3,211. It is hearteningto know that students are on the case, despite the fundingshortfall. As part of the “Be Bold Ban Bullying” student artproject, Goldman Sachs officials selected several paintingsthat have been on display since last January near its waterfront tower. Thirty students in grades six through 12 submitted their work. — J CM

NICHE JCM

BulliesBeware!

PHOTOS BY MICKEY MATHIS

PHOTOS BY VICTOR M. RODRIGUEZ

SEVENTH STREET

Jorge Mastropietro, Mark Stahl, and their three-year-old son have lived in this 1860 brownstonefor five years. It’s on a beautiful, leafy block with

MARK STAHL

JORGE MASTROPIETRO

other brownstones, very typical of thissection of downtown Jersey City.

Stahl is a Google engineer. Mastropietro,an architect, designed the renovation him-self. “It was not a gut renovation,” he says.“It had been a two-family home, and werestored the house to its original functionas a one-family home.”

Original features include some moldingand window casings in the parlor and partof the wrought-iron fence in the front,where there is a small garden.

The house has four floors, three bath-rooms, and three bedrooms, one of whichis used as an office. They modernized thebathrooms and the ground-floor kitchen.

“I am very minimalist in every detail,”Mastropietro says. “The furnishings aremodern, the bathroom is very dark brownwith concrete countertops. Everything iswhite with not many colors on the walls.”

Next to the kitchen is a very colorful(and organized!) playroom, leading to a



backyard with a patio and deck, which Mastropietro “built fromscratch.”

Before coming to Jersey City, the family lived in New York City.“We love all the local restaurants, and we love Hamilton Park,”

Mastropietro says. “There’s a sense of community here that I didnot feel in New York City. Here, you know who lives next door,almost everyone on the block.”


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SUMMIT AVENUE

Walking into the foyer of thisVictorian classic, you feel likeyou are going back in time.

Owner Dennis Doran, a ubiquitous JerseyCity historian who conducts neighborhoodtours, has tried to keep the house true to its1889 pedigree.

Doran bought the house on a beautifullymanicured curvy stretch of Summit Avenuein the 1980s.

He furnished it with period pieces that giveit a delightfully musty 19th century feel. The

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parlor has high ceilings, a huge mirror, andmagazines dating from the 1930s artfullyarranged on the coffee table. Originalworking gaslights over the fireplace comein handy during power outages.

White gauzy curtains accent the heavy,dark furniture. The four-floor structureboasts four bedrooms and two and a halfbaths with stained-glass skylights. A for-mal dining room, complete with dumb-waiter and buzzer under the table to callthe maid, is used for holiday parties. And,like most homes from this era, the kitchenis on the ground floor. The backyard fea-tures a raised pool.



Rolling doors that still seem towork separate some of therooms. In a Downton Abbeytouch, there is a speaking tubeon the third floor, which wouldhave been much needed whenservants bustled in and out ofwhat was once a brand newmansion.

The house has lots of workingfireplaces—some wood, somegas–two pianos, one an 1869Steinway, and lots of whatDoran calls “church stuff,”including a lectern hold-ing a huge dictionary.

The walls are covered withboth art and historic images,including a picture of SaintJohn’s Church and a newspaperreporting on the sinking of theTitanic.

Doran’s son, Andrew, lives inthe upstairs maid’s quarters. Abig, flat-screen TV is the onlynod to the 21st century.


THIRD STREET

Rocky and Sheila Kaushik livein a renovated condo,known as the Wave. Only

one wall of the preexisting buildingwas kept. What’s unique about thestructure is how its flatiron shapemakes for interesting wedged spaces.

Construction of the building, whichwas designed by LindemonWinkelmann Dupree Martin Russell(LWDMR) in Jersey City, was fin-ished about two years ago. JohnWinckelmann was the project man-ager.

“We love the layout with floor-to-ceiling glass and vaulted ceilings,”Rocky says. “The construction feelsvery solid. It was well executed. Theytook care in putting the buildingtogether.”

The unit, on the top floor, has hugewindows which offer lots of light andcity views of trees, steeples, and otherlow rooftops, which distinguish this

ROCKY KAUSHIK

section of downtown. “It’s different from looking at all high-rises,”Rocky says. “It feels neighborhoody.”

Both Rocky and Sheila are attorneys. She works in New YorkCity, and he works in Newark, so the location is perfect.

“We were considering looking in Brooklyn,” Rocky says, but youget more space for the price in Jersey City. It’s more comfortableand convenient to our families in Manhattan.”

Downtown Jersey City, he says, has the same feel as Brooklyn.And they take full advantage. “We go all over the place for brunch,a new spot every Sunday,” says Rocky. “Our favorite places areSkinner’s Loft, and Michael Anthony’s right on the water. We lovehanging out in Hamilton Park, which is just a seven-minute walkfrom our place, and we love Pecoraro’s Bakery across the street,which bakes fresh bread.”


PAT ERSON PLANKROAD

This sprawling condo com-plex is tucked into thecliffs that separate Jersey

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building seems to take up about five city blocks,and in fact it is said that half the structure is inJersey City and half in Hoboken.

Mykal Stickney and Glenn Rabbach live in acondo with their silkie terrier, Ollie, on the JerseyCity side.

Ron Russell of the architectural firm LWDMRwas the project manager of this renovated formerfactory, appropriately dubbed the Cliffs. Stickneyand Rabbach were attracted to the style of thebuilding and have lived there for three years.

“It is well-kept, which was a major factor,”Stickney says. “And every apartment is different.They are not cookie cutter. It has high ceilingsand exposed brick and is very appealing.”

Stickney describes their taste as “urban moderneclectic.” Both Stickney and Rabbach are in the

design field, and the space reflects a spare,sophisticated aesthetic, with warm colors,rich woods, and original art on the walls.To say that it is uncluttered is an under-statement.

“Most of our pieces have their own littlestory,” Stickney says, “which adds an addi-tional layer of character to the apartment.Lots of it was just picked up over the yearsfrom different places and smaller artists westumbled across.”

The couple takes full advantage of thelocale. “There are good restaurants in thearea, and it is so convenient to the city. Youcan walk to the PATH in 15 minutes, but

MYKAL STICKNEY


there is also a shuttle here that goes backand forth to the PATH.”

In fact, the complex has a range ofamenities, including indoor parking, a fit-ness center, dog run, and a courtyard withcommunal grills. “The back of the buildingis really beautiful stone with plants risingup probably five stories into the air,”Stickney says.

Stickney, a Wisconsin native, has found aserene oasis at the Cliffs. He says, “It’s anescape and a peaceful break from thecraziness of the city.”—JCM

Interviews by Kate Rounds


During the morning rush hour, they’re at practically every intersection. You’veseen them. They wear bright green florescent vests, they’re blowing whistles,holding up stop signs, and generally keeping mayhem at bay.

Sylvia Rivera has been standing at the corner of Grand and Marin for threeyears and 10 months. But she’s an 11-year veteran. Her former post was nearSacred Heart School at Martin Luther King Boulevard and Bayview.

Though she walks with a cane when she’s off duty, when she’s on the job, shemoves briskly—all eyes and ears as she patrols the busy intersection. On one corner is OLC/The Little Harbor Academy. Schools are obviously an importantplace for crossing guards to be posted.

Rivera, who was born in Manhattan, has lived in Jersey City since 1971, currently in the Greenville section. She’d been jumping from job to job when shestarted noticing crossing guards. “I’m a people person,” she says. “I put in myapplication, and I’ve been dealing with people and kids from all walks of life eversince.”

Saint Peter’s Prep is also nearby. “I interact with everybody,” Rivera says.“Children in high school, college students, lawyers, and teachers.”

The job can be stressful. Rivera relates an incident in which a parent was cross-ing the street with two kids on bikes, and a car almost failed to stop in time. “I put up my hand, but they didn’t hear or see me,” Rivera says. She says thewhistle, the uniform, the vest, and one white-gloved hand all help.

“It’s not safe to be crossing babies on this wide street where I work,” she says.And that’s where she comes in. “As long as God lets me work, I’ll stay on the

job,” Rivera says. “As long as He lets me get up and go to work, I have no problem being a crossing guard.”

CROSSING GUARDS

PHOTOS BY MICKEY MATHIS

DARRYL JONES

SYLVIA RIVERA

SULTAN GOODMAN

ON THE JOB WITH —

UNDERAPPRECIATED, BUT OH SO IMPORTANT, CROSSING GUARDS HAVE YOUR BACK


The intersection where Sultan Goodmanworks is so busy, it’s downright scary. I, forone, would never attempt a State Highwaycrossing without him. He’s at John F.Kennedy Boulevard, where cars whiparound the corner right at the entrance to 1 and 9.

Goodman, who’s been on the job eightyears, doesn’t wax poetic when he explainswhy he went for the gig. “I wanted to workfor the city,” he says. “There was nothingelse at the time of interest to me, and I washonored. They didn’t have to hire a 26-year-old from the projects.”

He says he gets to know the people. “A fewknow me by name if they can pronounce it,”he says.

Goodman, who grew up in Jersey City,lives nearby and can walk to his intersection.

“Guys fly around the corner,” he says. “Iget them to stop with a whistle, and theystop on a dime.” He’s had some close calls.“I’ve saved a number of lives over the years,”he says. “Some feel they don’t need me tocross them, but I do it anyway. That’s myjob.”

He says there are therapists’ offices nearby.“A few therapy patients look for me to bethere on their schedule,” he says. “Before I took that post, they had a hard time gettingacross the street. Guys were constantly running lights.”

Goodman and his wife, who is a schoolbus aid, have four kids. He’s 35 and thinks hecan retire by age 50 or 60. Until then, he says, “I like the job. I like keeping thecommunity and people in the city safe.”

I used to notice Darryl Jones, who workson the corner of Grand and Washington,because kids called to him by name. Jones, ayouthful 52-year-old, has been on the job for19 years, working at a number of differentintersections.

A Jersey City native, he used to work at aliquor store but wanted the benefits that hecould get from a city job. He also works as asecurity guard at night.

“After about six months, I get to know thekids by name,” he says, referring to the ele-mentary school students at P.S. 16. Untilthen, he’ll use “Missy” and the like.

Though crossing guards are not allowed totouch kids, he doesn’t hesitate to grab oneby the waistband if he or she is in danger ofgetting hit by a car. But, he says, “Kids knownot to cross without me.”

He brings out the big gun—his whistle—only when a fire truck or ambulance comesby.

Cars usually stop when Jones uses handmotions. Sometimes drivers, even school busdrivers, get a little mad if kids are taking toolong to cross the street, but Jones uses hispeople skills to smooth things over.

He’s sad that an older woman namedStella, who was a fixture in the neighbor-hood, walking her dog, Clark Gable, recent-ly died.

“I talk to the same people every day,” hesays. “If you’re grumpy to people, you can’twork here. I’m here to cross, not to argue.”—Kate Rounds


LEE SIMS CHOCOLATES743 Bergen Ave.(201) 433-1308leesimschocolates.com

Admit it. We’ve all done it. It’s Valentine’s Day, and that specialsomeone gives you a beautiful box of assorted chocolates. And youbite into each one, just to see what gooey surprise is hidden beneaththat dark, shiny veneer.

Valerie Vlahakis, a member of one of Jersey City’s most legendarychocolate families, has not lost that sense of awe. In fact, she says, “Isometimes go home sick” from sampling her delectable wares. Along with her sister, Alison, Vlahakis is co-owner of Lee Sims

Chocolates. Their grandfather was the original owner. He bought theshop in the 1940s from two women who operated it as a soda foun-tain. He learned the chocolate trade from a German confectioner.Vlahakis makes the creations on site. “I do all the confections

here,” she says “and enrobe them in chocolate.” Enrobe them? That’sthe professional lingo, and it would be hard to come up with a betterword for this extreme comfort food. At this point, Vlahakis references Lucille Ball. Folks of a certain

age or young people obsessed with old reruns will recall Lucy’s mostmomentous screw-up—trying to enrobe chocolates on an assemblyline. Vlahakis talks about “making candy.” She never uses the word

manufacture. That calls to mind smokestacks, she says. “It’s the qual-ity of ingredients that matter,” she says. “And we make small batch-es, so that we can keep the price and value at a good level.”Though Jersey City is not her home, Vlahakis has worked here so

long that she says, “I identify with Jersey City as my community, andMcGinley Square has a strong sense of place.”Vlahakis says her parents were “not thrilled” that both she and her

sister wanted to work in the family business. “They expected my sis-ter and me to have professions,” Vlahakis says.But she’s never looked back. “It’s a great thing to see what you’ve

done at the end of the day when you have 250 pounds of what youmade on the shelf,” she says.When she was a kid, she says, “I’d come home from school and

there’d be chocolate in the air, like a big hug.”The more things change, the more they stay the same. It makes you

want to take to your bed with a box of bon bons.

PHOTOS BY ANDREW HANENBERG

VALERIE VLAHAKIS


HELEN’S PIZZA183 Newark Ave.(201) 435-1507helens-pizza.com

Steve Kalcanides owns and runs this family business, which hasbeen around since 1968. “Pizza has changed a lot over the years,”Kalcanides says. “It’s more exotic. When we first opened, therewas just cheese pizza, and the first topping to come around waspepperoni.”Now, they have 20 different toppings in myriad combinations.

For lunch and dinner, they feature two combinations, which are puton display.In the old days, he says they offered fountain drinks, orangeade,

and grapeade. “Now you have so many types of drinks available,bottles of Snapple, white and green teas, as well as canned and bot-tled soft drinks.” Helen’s is not noted for either thin or thick-crust pizzas. “It’s

medium, leaning toward thin,” Kalcanides says.Making good pizza is all about quality and coordination. You’ve

seen pizza chefs heaving the dough in the air. “You have to stretchit evenly with no thin spots,” Kalcanides says. “You have to laydown the sauce evenly and use just the right amount of cheese.” The family has a secret recipe for its tomato sauce, and they get

their cheese from all around the country, but Kalcanides says he ispartial to Wisconsin cheese.Kalcanides, who is Greek, claims that pizza was invented in

Greece around 300 BC.

JILL PEDERSENLicensed clinical social worker(917) [email protected]

Jill Pedersen has cornered the local market on a certain kind oftherapy—outdoor therapy. That’s right, don’t think couch, thinkpark.“I’m trying to do work without office space,” she says. “Walk

and talk therapy. There’s something about walking that the defens-es are not as high. When you’re physically engaged, you don’t haveyour defenses up, and information and work flow more fluidly.”Though a few therapists around the country do it, it is not a

traditional therapy. “Most therapists feel more comfortable in theirown familiar environment,” Pedersen says. “It’s a hierarchical relationship, with the clients in the therapists’ domain.”Fresh-air therapy can be less stressful for new patients. “So many

people simply haven’t been in therapy before,” Pedersen says. “It’sdaunting finding one you click with, sitting in their office face toface and talking about the most vulnerable parts” of your life.“Walking is an easy way to try out new therapy,” Pedersen says.

“It’s not so intimidating, and it’s a great method for anybody activeor who has difficulty sitting for an hour. Motion and walking aretherapeutic.”Pedersen, who is a licensed clinical social worker, says that her

unique therapy methods “help people too busy to fit traditionaltherapy into their schedules.” She usually walks in the ExchangePlace area, where folks working in the high-rise office buildingscan easily get away for a stroll. Even in winter, the walk/talk therapy can be bracing but effective.Pedersen is married with a small child. A Massachusetts native,

she has lived in downtown Jersey City for seven years. “It’s the first place that felt like home since Massachusetts,” she

says. “It’s very friendly, very neighborly, and very warm.”

STEVE KALCANIDES

JILL PEDERSEN


ENCHANTING FOR FINE WOMEN’S FASHIONS34 Exchange Place(201) 915-5252

This go-to place for women’s clothes hasbeen in business for 15 years, and managerMargie Torres has honed her knack forhelping women find just the right outfit forwork, parties, weddings, or when they justwant to feel sharp and stylish.“We have young women, older women,

corporate working women—funky,evening, dressy, all different kinds ofclothes,” Torres says. “You come in here,and you go out with something, whether it’sfor work or a wedding.” Women who shop here are not likely to

run into other women wearing the same

thing. Every occasion is different, andevery woman is different. “You won’t seemy clothes at Macy’s or the Short Hillsmall,” Torres says.Torres, who was born and raised in down-

town Jersey City, says she is “overwhelmedby the changes. I’m still in shock. I can’tbelieve it’s downtown Jersey City. I walkaround, and I’m amazed. It’s so beautifuldown here near the water with new build-ings and restaurants.”Torres likes to put together the whole

package, not just the dress or suit.“Earrings, pocketbook, scarves, hats, jewel-ry, the whole thing,” she says. “If they tryan item and ask my opinion, I will say it isnot for you. It’s not just about makingmoney. I want them to come in here and goout happy.”— JCM

Haircuts for Men, Women and Children

109-14th St. Hoboken, NJ 07030

201.683.8877

Where Quality meets Affordability

Visit our website for more information www.myhobokenhair.com

HOW WE WORK JCM

MARGIE TORRES


VANISHING JC JCM

PHOTO BY KATE ROUNDSTHE OLD KOLONIA ON COMMUNIPAW AVENUE IS STILLUP FOR GRABS

SEND YOUR VANISHING JERSEY CITY PHOTOS TO [email protected]. BE SURE TO WRITE “VANISHING” IN THESUBJECT LINE.

VANISHINGJERSEY CITY


BY STEFANIE JACKOWITZ

While walking alongOgden Avenue, at theedge of the Palisades

Cliff, it’s easy to feel a sense of thepast in every step. From the cracksin the sidewalk to the overgrownshady trees lining the block, it’s evi-dent that there were plenty ofHeights residents who, over time,have gazed out the very sameOgden Avenue windows, lookingdown at Hoboken and New YorkCity. But new construction, a varietyof neighborhood-organized events,and an influx of young families havebrought a fresh sense of communityand diversity to the area.

“It’s less expensive than downtownJersey City or Hoboken,” says BeckyHoffman, chair of the RiverviewNeighborhood Association andOgden Avenue resident, “while alsobeing accessible to those places.”

Hoffman, who lives in one of 20converted Pohlman Hall condos,

moved to Ogden Avenue fromWeehawken in 2000 because she feltthe street “had great views and a lotof character.” Her current home atOgden Avenue and Ferry Street wasoriginally built in 1874 as a three-story German athletic and socialclub named Pohlman’s Hall, theonly location in the Heights listedon the National Register of HistoricPlaces. Dennis Doran, city historianand trustee of the Jersey CityLandmarks Conservancy, says thatthe Germans flooded into theHeights area in the late 19th centuryand in addition to Pohlman’s Hall,there were numerous Germanchurches, plenty of beer halls,singing societies, and concert halls.German was taught in publicschools, and the Heights providedeasy access to 14th Street inManhattan, the center of Germanlife at the time.

“The area along the Palisades Cliff(Ogden Avenue) was particularlyknown for its German artists. It was

Breathtaking views anda rich cultural history

Ogden Avenue Arch (Photos courtesy of Jersey City FreePublic Library, The New Jersey Room)

Fisk Riverview Park

PHOTO BY STEFANIE JACKOWITZ


HOODS JCM

a ‘Little Bohemia’” or ‘Little Montmarte,’”says Doran.

With the heavy population of actors andartists living in the area, two Frenchmen,the Pathé Brothers, built their silent moviestudio at Ogden Avenue and CongressStreet in 1910. The studio went on to pro-duce the film serial The Perils of Pauline in1914, starring New Jersey native PearlWhite. “Jersey City Heights certainly has along and very interesting history,” saysHoffman, who doesn’t live too far fromThe Ogden-Conrad House, built in 1760and named after former New JerseyGovernor Aaron Ogden. “A lot of peoplehave lived here for years,” Hoffman says,“but I’ve noticed that many more familieswith young babies are moving to OgdenAvenue.”

Current Heights resident Aaron Epstein,29, says “you can’t beat the bang for thebuck.” Having lived with his girlfriend onMountain Road since 2008, Epstein saysthat the community is doing a lot to add toits character, like building a new public golfcourse that he hopes to frequent.

Hoffman cites a number of additionalprojects in the works like the restoration ofthe 100 Steps, originally closed down inthe 1920s, connecting Hoboken to theHeights. New restaurant Trolley Car Bar &Grill, which opened on New Year’s Day2012 at the corner of Palisade Avenue and

Ferry Street, is now hosting rotating artexhibits. “We’re trying to provide a forumfor showing work,” Hoffman says. “Theintention is to continue the exhibitions andsupport the local arts scene.”

Ogden Avenue residents can also checkout the Riverview Farmers Market inRiverview-Fisk Park every Sunday throughOctober, featuring fresh produce fromNew Jersey farmers and other local prod-ucts. The highlight of the fall event calen-dar is the annual Halloween dog parade,held this year on Oct. 28.

Ogden Avenue, says Hoffman, “is a veryvibrant and friendly place to live.”—J CM

James Ogden (Courtesy of Jersey CityFree Public Library, The New Jersey Room)

PHOTO BY STEFANIE JACKOWITZ


BY ANNE MARUSIC

As the weather turns cold and leaves crackle underfoot,folks start to think of indoor sports and fitness. As it turnsout, Jersey City has a lot to offer if you are in the market forany of the various fighting techniques that involve kicking,punching, striking, and throwing. From Brazilian jiu-jitsuand kickboxing to special-needs-kids karate, a range ofoptions are available.Take Family Fitness Mixed Martial Arts, at 419 CentralAve. in the Heights. Its Kids Jersey City Karate School is anexciting, high-energy program that helps build strength,stamina, confidence, and discipline. The Muay ThaiKickboxing program burns body fat and gets participantsinto fighting shape while reducing stress, enhancing focusand concentration, boosting eye/body coordination, andincreasing strength, stamina and flexibility. The mixed mar-tial arts program offers no-contact and full-contact classes,combining karate, kickboxing, American boxing, grounddefense, and jiu-jitsu. “Our martial arts practice goesbeyond karate’s kicks and punches,” says Master Instructorand Director Vinh Dang. “The practice affects a student’slife. To be sure this happens, our martial arts instructors arein regular contact with parents to be sure that students’ aca-demics, chores, and manners are in check. Only then, willwe promote them to the next belt level.”

Throws and BlowsNo, we’re not talking about street fighting! Martial arts fit the bill for fun and fitness.


FAMILY FITNESS MIXED MARTIAL ARTS

In Greenville at 1683 Kennedy Blvd. is UniversalWarrior Arts (UWA). Grand Master Hanshi Austin Wright,a karate and jiu-jitsu champion, runs the school, whichoffers karate, jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, kung fu, and fitness pro-grams.“Our academies offer a multi-discipline martial arts prac-tice that has been in our family for three generations,”Wright says. “We have mastered traditional Asian martialarts. Through our extensive experience in the military andair force, we have taken the practice to the next level andcreated our own customized American martial arts system.We regularly compete and win in tournaments across theUnited States and all over the world.” UWA offers speciallytrained special-needs instructors to help children focus theirenergies and hone their skills.

UNIVERSAL WARRIOR ARTS

SPORTS CORNER JCM



The Way of the Winds at 180 Ninth St. in theCommunity Educational & Recreation Center, foundedby Ronald Duncan, offers a comprehensive system ofself-defense concepts that focuses on Jujutsu/Taijutsu,Japanese terms for “body skill” or “body art,” whichemploys essential defensive body movements. Duncan’s son, Gregory, who has more than 40 years ofmartial arts experience and has been honored with manyMartial Arts Hall of Fame awards, is the chief instructor.Gregory, like his father, excels in Jujutsu, Taijutsu, andNinjutsu as well as the weapons art of Kobujutsu. Bothhave garnered national acclaim in that art.“We continue to develop innovative concepts andapproaches in the martial arts,” says Gregory, “while atthe same time respecting the deep traditions that sustainthe Way of the Winds system.” Classes are available foradults and for kids starting at age 3. “Our martial arts put the individual in a mindset thatthe more they do, the more they can do,” says Gregory.“This philosophy translates into a power to do more ineveryday life.”—JCM

D.K. Park Taekwondo32 Journal Squaredkparktkd.com(201) 656-9099

Family Fitness Mixed Martial Arts419 Central Ave.ffmanj.com(201) 222-8996

Jang Star Tae Kwando School Inc.299 Central Ave.jangstartkd.com(201) 792-0797

J.C. Kickboxing233 Ninth St.njkickbox.com(201) 918-6112

JKA Shotokan Alliance124 Storms Ave.jkasakarate.com(201) 435-4572

Jersey City Tae Kwan Do andKickboxing Academy150 Newark Ave.jctkd.com(201) 333-1006

Don Nagle’s Isshinryu Karate371 Central Ave.(201) 723-0270

Philippine Integrated Martial Arts 779 Bergen Ave.(201) 432-6441

Universal Warrior Arts1683 John F. Kennedy Blvd.(201) 360-0951

Way of the Winds System ofMartial Arts 180 Ninth St.(201) 386-9029(908) [email protected]

RESOURCES

WAY OF THE WINDS


SPORTS CORNER JCM


L arry Feldman is one of those artists who “discovered”Jersey City during the heyday of the 111 First St. era. Theold Lorillard factory, which was torn down in 2007, was

a haven for artists looking for affordable space in the late 1990s. Feldman, astained-glass artist, first put down a deposit for the building at 110 First (See story on page15) and then ended up at 111, where he lived for four and a half years.

He now works in a studio on Halliday Street in the Bergen/Lafayette section of townwhere lots of artists landed after 111 First was razed.

“Stained glass started as a hobby,” Feldman says. “An old boyfriend of my mom’s wasworking with stained glass and showed me a couple of things.”

Feldman grew up in Greenwich Village. “When I was a kid in high school, after hours,

THE STUDIO JCM

FELDMANlarry

PHOTO BY ELAINE HANSEN


The ArtsCall ahead or look onlinefor schedules

18 Erie Gallery, 18Erie St., (201) 369-7000,balancehair.com/18_erie_gallery/18_erie_gallery.htm. 58 gallery, 58 ColesSt., fifty8.com.140 Gallery, 140 BaySt., (908) 296-7679,myspace.com/140gallery. 919 Gallery, 150 BaySt., (201) 779-6929,919gallery.com.Abaton Garage, 100Gifford Ave., abaton-garage.com. Byappointment.Actors ShakespeareCompany, West SideTheater, New JerseyCity University, 285

West Side Ave., Boxoffice: (201) 200-2390,ascnj.org.Afro-AmericanHistorical SocietyMuseum, 1841Kennedy Blvd., Topfloor, (201) 547-5262.ARTBUILDERS, 193Montgomery St., (201)433-2682.Arts on the Hudson,282 Barrow St., (201)451-4862, webspawn-er.com/users/grigur.The Attic Ensemble,The Barrow Mansion,83 Wayne St., (201)413-9200, atticensem-ble.org.Beth DiCaraCeramics Studio, 11Monitor St., (201) 388-7323, eveningstarstu-dio.net. The Brennan Gallery,Justice WilliamBrennan Court House,583 Newark Ave.,(800) 542-7894, vis-ithudson.org.

The BrunswickWindow, 158Brunswick St., (201)978-8939, [email protected]. Curious Matter, 272Fifth St., (201) 659-5771,curiousmatter.blogspot.comFish With Braids, 190Columbus Dr., (201)451-4294, fishwith-braids.blogspot.com.Gallerie Hudson, 197Newark Ave., (201)434-1010, galleriehud-son.net. The Gallery Space atGrace Church VanVorst, 39 Erie St., (201)659-2211, gracevan-vorst.org.Harold B.Lemmerman Gallery,New Jersey CityUniversity, HepburnHall, Room 323, 2039Kennedy Blvd., (201)200-3246,njcu.edu/dept/art/gal-

leries.Jersey City DanceAcademy, 107 WestSide Ave., (201) 435-8943, jerseycitydancea-cademy.com. Jersey City Museum,350 Montgomery St.,(201) 413-0303, jers-eycitymuseum.org. John MeagherRotunda Gallery, CityHall, 280 Grove St.,(201) 547-6921,jcnj.org.Kearon-HempenstallGallery, 536 BergenAve., (201) 333-8855,khgallery.com.The KennedyDancers, Inc., 79Central Ave., (201)659-2190, kennedy-dancers.org.The LandmarkLoew’s JerseyTheatre, 54 JournalSquare, (201) 798-6055, loewsjersey.org.Lex Leonard Gallery,143 ChristopherColumbus Dr., Suite 2,

lexleonardgallery.com.Mana Fine ArtsExhibition Space, 227Coles St., (800) 330-9659,manafinearts.com.NY/NJ Academy ofCeramic Art, 279 PineSt., (201) 432-9315,nynjceramics.com.Pro Art, 344 Grove St.,(201) 736-7057, proart-sjerseycity.org.The Upstairs ArtGallery, Inc., 896Bergen Ave., (201)963-6444.Visual Arts BuildingGallery, New JerseyCity University, 100Culver Ave., (201) 200-3246,njcu.edu/dept/art/gal-leries.Windows onColumbus,Christopher ColumbusDr. near WashingtonSt., (201) 736-7057.

I would get scrap glass out of the bins atCapital Glass and Sash,” he relates, “and Iwould practice cutting it.”

Living in Manhattan, he was accustomedto visiting antique shops on Hudson Street,where he acquired an eye for nice things.

Feldman refers to himself as a self-taught,

full-time artisan. He has no “day job,”working on commission, making lampsand windows and doing repairs andrestorations. He has a very large piece onthe third floor of City Hall in Jersey City.

“No other medium deals with light inquite the same fashion that stained glass

does,” he says. “Light doesn’t just bounceoff surfaces, it is transmitted through.”

It’s a fluid medium. “Stained glass, wheninstalled architecturally, will changethroughout the course of the day, depend-ing on the intensity of the light,” he says.“It’s beautiful and magical.”– Kate Rounds

TheArts

PHOTO BY ELAINE HANSEN


ONGOINGAll in the Family Art Exhibit, BrennanGallery, 583 Newark Ave., (800) 542-7894. Through Oct. 15. Free parking.Building is barrier-free.

Farmers Markets, Van Vorst Park,Jersey Ave. and Montgomery St.Saturdays through November. 8:30a.m.-3 p.m. Grove Street PATH Plaza,Mondays through December, 4-8 p.m.Sussex St. Tuesday through December,noon-7 p.m. Harvest Square, 492Bramhall Ave., Tuesdays throughOctober, 3-6 p.m. Kennedy Blvd. atJournal Sq., Wednesdays throughNovember, 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. HamiltonPark, Wednesdays through December,4-8 p.m. Grove Street PATH Plaza,Thursdays through December, 4-8 p.m.Kennedy Blvd. at Journal Sq., Fridaysthrough November, 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m.Van Vorst Park, Saturdays throughNovember, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. WebbPark, Saturdays through October, 9a.m.-2 p.m. Paulus Hook, Saturdaysthrough December, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Riverview-Fisk Park, Sundays throughOctober, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Creative Grove, Grove Street PATHplaza, creativegrove.org. Local artistsand designers display goods. Fridaysyear-round. 3-9 p.m.

Ice Skating, Pershing Field SkatingRink, Summit Avenue and PershingPlaza, (201) 547-4392. Public skatebegins at 3:30 p.m. weekdays. Skaterental and sharpening. Call for openingdates.

Ice Skating, Newport Skates, 95River Dr., (201) 626-RINK, newport-skates.com. Weekdays 4-9 p.m.,Saturdays and holidays 10 a.m.-9p.m., Sundays 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Friends of LSP’s Volunteer GardenProgram, Liberty State Park, (201)915-3418, folsp.org. Saturdays, 9a.m.-noon, throughout the year exceptholidays.

Grassroots Community Space, 54Coles St., (201) 500-5483,

grassrootscommunityspace.com.Various arts workshops, fitness events,dance classes – even hula hoop – heldweekly and monthly.

Uptown Crew Open Mic, Moore’sLounge, 189 Monticello Ave, uptown-crew.org. Poetry, music, readings, spo-ken word, comedy, dance, and more.

Sunday Night Film Forum, JerseyCity Art School, 326 Fifth St.,jcartschool.com. Film series featuringunusual films. Hosted by writer YvonneVairma. 7:30 p.m. Free.

Soul Taize, St. Paul Lutheran Church,440 Hoboken Ave. Chant from a varietyof sacred traditions and meditativetakes on classic soul and gospelmusic. First Thursday of the monththrough January. 7:00 p.m.

JC Slam, 54 Coles St. 9 p.m. sign-up,10 p.m. start. Weekly poetry slamseries held every Friday. JC Slam is acertified member of Poetry Slam, Inc.(PSI). $5 admission, $3 with a studentID.

Community Rhythm, GrassrootsCommunity Space, 54 Coles St., (201)500-5483, grassrootscommunity-space.com. Second Friday of eachmonth. 7-9 p.m. Family-friendly drumcircle.

Experimental Jazz Night, GrassrootsCommunity Space, 54 Coles St., grass-rootscommunityspace.com. ThirdThursday of the month, 9 p.m.-mid-night. Musicians and composers per-form and discuss their music to pro-vide a better understanding of musicbeing composed today.

Down with Technic, GrassrootsCommunity Space, 54 Coles St., grass-rootscommunityspace.com. ThirdSunday of the month, 6-9 p.m. Openturntable DJ program.

Rotunda Gallery Exhibition, Rotunda Gallery, City Hall, 280 Grove St., Weekdays, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Weekends 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (201) 547-6921

OCTOBERFlowers of Winter, ActorsShakespeare Company, 285 West SideAve., runs through March 2013.(201) 200-2390 asnj.org

1-31Hispanic Heritage Month GroupExhibition, Rotunda Gallery, City Hall,280 Grove St. Weekdays 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Weekends 11 a.m.-4 p.m.(201) 547-6921

2Art Opening, LITM, 140 Newark Ave.,(201) 536-5557, litm.com. Art openingfeaturing the paintings of KatherineRamos.

4Performance & Open Mic – JenniferEgert, Art House Productions, HamiltonSquare, 1 McWilliams Place, sixth floor,(201) 915-9911,arthouseproductions.org. Poets, musi-cians, performance artists. 8-10 p.m.$5.

7 Columbus Day Parade,jerseycitynj.gov. Noon-6 p.m. Location TBA.

11Elements, Art House Productions,Hamilton Square, 1 McWilliams Place,sixth floor, (201) 915-9911, [email protected], arthouseproduc-tions.org. A visual art exhibition.Opening reception 7-10 p.m. Freeadmission.

11-14Golden Door International FilmFestival, Various locations, golden-doorfilmfestival.org. Four-day festivalshowcasing a diverse array of films.Check website for screening times.

Jersey City Artists Studio Tour “KickOff Crawl,” Newark Ave., 5-10 p.m. (201) 547-6921

134th Street Arts & Music Festival,Fourth St. from Newark Ave. toMerseles St. Noon-6 p.m.

Parks & Crafts, Riverview-Fisk Park,[email protected], notyoma-masaffairs.com. Not Yo’ Mama’s Affairssets up shop along with WFMU MusicFestival and JC Studio Arts Tour. Noon-5 p.m.

13 & 14Jersey City Artists Studio Tour,Citywide, jerseycitynj.gov. Noon-6 p.m.A two-day walking tour of artists’ stu-dios, group exhibitions, and art in pub-lic spaces.

Want your event listed? Please email us at [email protected] and put “calendar listings” in the subject line.

DAT ES


14Jersey City Artists Studio TourClosing Party, 6-10 p.m. (201) 547-6921, Location TBA

19The Brennan Coffee House Series,The Brennan Gallery, 583 Newark Ave.,(800) 542-7894,brennancoffeehouse.com. Music byJimmy Thackery. Doors open at 7p.m., show begins at 7:30. Free parking. The building is barrier-free.Call for reservations.

25Elements, Art House Productions,Hamilton Square, 1 McWilliams Place,sixth floor, (201) 915-9911, [email protected], arthouseproductions.org. A visual art exhibition.Closing reception 7-10 p.m. Freeadmission.

26From Farm to Table, Made With LoveBakery & Café, 530 Jersey Ave., (201)451-5199, madewithloveorganics.com.Celebrate the bounty of fall with acommunal dinner. 8 p.m. Call forreservations.

27The Big Dig/National Make ADifference Day, Various locations,citywide plantings.

27-28Oh No! Volcano! Liberty ScienceCenter, 222 Jersey City Blvd., (201)200-1000, lsc.org. Create a workingvolcano in this month’s installment ofthe Retro Science exhibit.

31Halloween Event for Children, VanVorst Park, (201) 547-6921, jerseycitynj.gov. 3-8 p.m.

NOVEMBER1Performance & Open Mic – MatthewThornburn, Art House Productions,Hamilton Square, 1 McWilliams Place,sixth floor, (201) 915-9911, arthouseroductions.org. Poets, musicians, performance artists. 8-10 p.m. $5.

3The Laugh Tour, Art HouseProductions, Hamilton Square, 1McWilliams Place, sixth floor, (201)915-9911, thelaughtour.com. Poets,

musicians, performance artists. 7 p.m.mixer, 8 p.m. show. $15 advance, $20door.

6Art Opening, LITM, 140 Newark Ave.,(201) 536-5557, litm.com. Art openingfeaturing the paintings of MeganGülick.

8-11Your Move Modern Dance Festival,Art House Productions, HamiltonSquare, 1 McWilliams Place, sixth floor,(201) 915-9911,arthouseproductions.org. Annual dancefestival featuring emerging movementartists in the tri-state area. Thursdaythrough Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at4 p.m. $10.

9-18“Rope,” The Attic Ensemble, 83 WayneSt., (201) 413-9200,atticensemble.org. 8 p.m. Play byPatrick Hamilton. $20 adults, $15 students.

12Veterans Day Memorial Services,(201) 547-5248, jerseycitynj.gov.Location TBA. Call for details.

17-18Bridge It! Liberty Science Center, 222Jersey City Blvd., (201) 200-1000,lsc,org. Exploration is an importantpart of the scientific process. Buildbridge out of popsicle sticks,toothpicks, and other materials.

DECEMBER1 & 22nd Annual Happy Holiday Fair,Downtown JC, notyomamasaffairs.org.Not Yo’ Mama’s Affairs returns for asecond holiday craftacular. LocationTBD.

4City Hall Christmas Tree Lighting,City Hall, 280 Grove St. 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

“Little Wonders,” LITM, 140 NewarkAve., (201) 536-5557, litm.com. Artopening featuring the work of variousartists.

6-9Annie, JR., Art House Productions,Hamilton Square, 1 McWilliams Place,sixth floor, (201) 915-9911,

arthouseproductions.org. Thursday-Saturday at 7 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m.$12 adults, $8 youth (under 18), $15 at the door. Advanced purchaserecommended.

7Pearl Harbor Day, Laying of wreath inthe Hudson River at the foot ofWashington St. Time TBA. (201) 547-5248, jerseycitynj.gov for more information.

JC Fridays, Citywide, (201) 915-9911,jcfridays.com. Seasonal citywide serieswith art, music, film, and JC Fridaysbusiness discounts. Free.

9The Wars of the Roses, ActorsShakespeare Company, 285 West SideAve., (201) 200-2390, asnj.org

11City Hall Menorah Lighting, City Hall,280 Grove St. 3 p.m.

22-23Fulcrums, Levers, and Pulleys! Oh My! Liberty Science Center, 222Jersey City Blvd., (201) 200-1000,lsc.org. Kids will lift their parents upand perform other tasks using simplemachines.

27Kwanzaa Celebration, City Hall, 280Grove St., 6-9 p.m.

JANUARYOpening January 2013 CuriousGeorge Exhibition, Liberty ScienceCenter, 222 Jersey City Blvd., (201)200-1000, lsc.org. Curiosity andinquiry are the guides as childrenexplore science, math, and engineeringthrough activities and familiar localesfrom the book and television series.

19-20Duct Tape Mania, Liberty ScienceCenter, 222 Jersey City Blvd., (201)200-1000, lsc.org, Build structures andperform various tasks using duct tapein this month’s installment of the RetroScience exhibit.

26Annual Snow Ball, Art HouseProductions, Hamilton Square, 1McWilliams Place, seventh floor,[email protected], (201)915-9911, arthouseproductions.org.Champagne Gala for Art House’sInnovative Arts Programs. Music, silentauction, food. 8-11 p.m. Black TieCreative. $80.

FEBRUARY1-28Black History Month GroupExhibtion, Rotunda Gallery, City Hall,280 Grove St. Weekdays 8 a.m.– 8p.m.; Weekends 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (201) 547-6921.

1Black Liberation Flag Raising, CityHall, 280 Grove St. 2-4 p.m.

2KidFest!, Art House Productions,Hamilton Square, 1 McWilliams Place,sixth floor, (201) 915-9911, arthouseproductions.org. A day of free familyfun including live music, face painting,demos, and raffle. 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

15-24“Having Our Say,” The AtticEnsemble, 83 Wayne St., (201) 413-9200, atticensemble.org. 8 p.m. Play by Emily Mann. $20 adults, $15 students.

16-17The Great Take Apart, Liberty ScienceCenter, 222 Jersey City Blvd., (201)200-1000, lsc.org. Children will seehow electronic equipment, appliances,and toys work by taking them apart(safely).

21Black Orpheus, Actors ShakespeareCompany, 285 West Side Ave., (201)200-2390, ascnj.org

MARCH1-31Women’s History Month GroupExhibition, Rotunda Gallery, City Hall,280 Grove St., Weekdays 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Weekends 11 a.m.-4 p.m.(201) 547-6921.

1 JC Fridays, Citywide, (201) 915-9911,jcfridays.com. Seasonal citywide serieswith art, music, film, and JC Friday’sbusiness discounts. Free.


BY KATE ROUNDS

We visited this gorgeous waterfront restaurant on themost beautiful June evening you can imagine. The NewYork City skyline stood out sharply against a crystal clearsky. Flags on sailboat masts flapped in the breeze.

But I have visited Maritime Parc in the dead of winterwhen moonlight glistened off the snow, and the insidefelt as cozy as a fireside chat. The truth is, you can visitany time of year. If you go in fall, you can even sit on thepatio, where large, attractively designed heaters glowcheerily in the dark and keep you nice and warmthroughout your meal.

And speaking of that meal …Photographer Terriann Saulino Bish started off with a

really pretty cocktail called a Francis Perkins, made with

azul tequila, strawberry basil puree, lime juice, and agave.I had a bracingly cold German Jever pilsener.

Pricilla was a fabulous waiter, giving us suggestions andexplaining various items on the menu. She brought me asample of a River House Summer Blonde ale, which wasa nice, gentle warm-weather brew.

You get a complimentary pickle plate featuring onions,radish, and fennel. The fresh bread comes in handy tosoak up the delicious dressing.

Terri and I shared a beautifully constructed salad ofbaby spinach, grilled peaches, feta cheese, spiced pecans,and herb vinaigrette. This was a new creation from exec-utive chef and owner Christopher Siversen, who cameout to greet us. The kitchen, in this spare, modern diningroom, is right out front, where diners can view the staff atwork.

MARITIME PARC

PHOTOS BY TERRIANN SAULINO BISH

DINING OUT JCM


Our entrée choices show just how versatile this restau-rant is. Terri selected an elegant coconut poached lob-ster with carrot vadouvan spice puree, spring greens,and coconut sauce. She cleaned her plate. I was in themood for a hamburger, cooked to order the way I likeit. They serve it with Califon tomme cheese, grilledonions, and “special sauce.” It comes with one of theirspecialties—duck fat fries with garlic and parsley. I’vehad this before, and it never disappoints.

For dessert, we split a “16 layer bittersweet chocolatecake, fudge, pistachio crunch ice cream.” Don’t expect avertical tower of dessert. The layers are flat on the plateand come decorated with a thin wafer. The pistachio-chocolate combo is inspired.

We ended this wonderful dining experience withsmooth cappuccinos.

If you visit in fine weather, be sure to take a stroll onthe patio between courses and enjoy the view of theboats and the harbor.—Kate Rounds

Maritime Parc84 Audrey Zapp DriveLiberty State Park(201) [email protected]

BOX ASIAN BISTRO176 NEWARK AVENUE(201) 432-1670www.boxjc.com176 Newark Avenue(201) 432-1670www.boxjc.comThink inside the BOX at our uniquerestaurant, which features the most popular dishes of Southeast Asia, such asKorean barbeque short ribs, Malaysiancurry noodles, Cantonese style over riceand noodles, Sichuan shredded beef,sushi, mango duck, Chilean sea bass, andmore. Experience this journey in our soft-ly lit dining room, where great foodmeets great prices.

CONFUCIUS ASIAN BISTRO558 Washington Boulevard(201) 386-8898www.abcpos.com/confuciusbistro/Confucius Asian Bistro is a perfect mix ofambiance, excellence, friendly service,delicious food served with an attractivepresentation, large portions, and affordability. Stop in for lunch and takeadvantage of the specials or for dinner toexperience a tasty meal in a serene environment.

THE DAVINCI ROOM165 Broadway, Bayonne201.535.5050www.thedavinciroom.comThe DaVinci Room offers a blend of traditional & innovative Italian cuisine.Whether it’s an intimate dinner for two, a night out with friends or a privateevent, The DaVinci Room will surelyexceed your expectations. Ala carte, prixfixe and family style menus are available.Live entertainment on Thursday, Fridayand Saturday add to a superb diningexperience. Conveniently located 3 shortblocks from the 8th Street Light RailStation.

201-451-3606



DINING OUT JCM

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EDWARD’S STEAK HOUSE 239 Marin Boulevard(201) 761-0000www.edwardssteakhouse.com Edward’s Steak House offers steak,seafood, and other sumptuous fare with anelegant bistro flare. Tucked into a historictownhouse in downtown Jersey City,Edward’s is comfortably upscale. Themenu includes all the classic steaks andchops—aged prime sirloin, porterhouse,filet mignon, and more. You’ll enjoy theatmosphere whether you’re celebrating aspecial occasion or stopping by for a steaksandwich at the bar.

HELEN’S PIZZA183 Newark Avenue(201) 435-1507www.helens-pizza.comHelen’s Pizza, a family owned restaurant,has been serving downtown Jersey Citysince 1968. Using only the finest ingredi-ents they provide customers with the besttasting pizza, dinners, sandwiches, salads,and now a wide selection of homemadedesserts. They have earned their reputa-tion 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.






HONSHU RESTAURANT31 Montgomery Streetsecond floor(201) 324-2788/0277honchulounge.comWhen craving an exciting Japanese dish orlooking for new cuisine with an enjoyableatmosphere, we have the answer—smoking appetizers, sizzling entrees, freshseafood, noodles, and sweet desserts. Nomatter your selection, rest assured we usethe finest and freshest ingredients to bringout the unique taste of our superb menuitems.

IBBY’S FALAFEL303 Grove Street(201)432-2400One of downtown’s most popular eateries,Ibby’s Falafel has been serving Jersey Cityfor more than 17 years. The menu consistsof original Middle Eastern cuisine madewith authentic ingredients, along with newand innovative additions—the falafel thatmade falafel famous. Ibby’s offerings arenow 100 percent officially halal certified.Open seven days. Catering available. Alsolocated in Freehold. Delivery to all ofJersey City.

The Griffin Hath Cometh

PJ RYAN’S TAVERN • 292 BARROW ST. • JC201.333.8752 • PJRYANSJC.COM

IRISH AMERICAN PUB FOOD15 DOMESTIC • IMPORT CRAFT • DRAFT BEERS

8 LARGE SCREEN TVsOUTDOOR BEER GRADEN

INTERNET JUKE BOX35 SEATS AT THE BAR

TAVERN

FOOD DRINK






KOMEGASHI103 Montgomery Street(201) 433-4567www.komegashi.com Located in Jersey City’s financial district,Komegashi offers fresh, well-presentedsushi along with traditional Japanesefavorites and an extensive selection offresh shellfish. Locals and visitors fromaround the world find this a perfect spotto dine in casual elegance. Open sevendays.

KOMEGASHI TOOTown Square PlaceNewport Financial Center(201) 533-8888www.komegashi.com Komegashi too offers an authenticJapanese dining experience with a spectacular view of the New York Skyline.The menu includes perfectly preparedsushi and sashimi, kaiseki, teriyaki, andtempura. Located on the river atNewport Financial Center, Komegashitoo is open seven days.

MICHAEL ANTHONY’S502 Washington Blvd.(201) 798-1798www.mar-jc.comFrom the moment you step into MichaelAnthony’s you can’t help but beimpressed by the nautically inspireddécor. High ceilings, boat-shaped bar,ten-foot sails for the indoor and outdoorbars, and waterfall walls separating thebanquet room and restaurant enhanceyour fine Italian dining experience. Enjoya cordial on the deck overlooking thespectacular Manhattan skyline. Join usfor happy hour, dinner, or a private socialevent.

MORE281 Grove Street(201) 309-0571www.morejc.com Visit the newest addition to the GroveStreet scene, offering a wide selection ofThai and Japanese offerings, and more.Whether you stop by for a meal or takeone to go, the experience will be satisfy-ing. more is located across the streetfrom City Hall.

THE POINTE AT PORTLIBERTE’2 Chapel Avenue(201) 985-9854www.thepointerestaurant.comDrink up the ambience along with yourfavorite cocktail while indulging yourselfwith the great cuisine of this fine water-front restaurant. This popular Jersey Cityeatery boasts unobstructed views ofdowntown Manhattan and The Statue ofLiberty and offers outdoor dining inwarm weather. Call about our Sundaybrunches and private parties. Openseven days for lunch and dinner.




u @Komegashi

Followus!

Japanese Cuisine

103 Montgomery Street

www.komegashi.com

TEL: 201.533.8888

Modern Japanese

“Wine Spectator”AWARD OF EXCELLECE

2 years in the row

f KomegashiPhotos © Takako Suzuki Harkness

TEL: 201.433.4567

2 Locations in Jersey City NJ

99 Town Square Place

146 Newark Avenue, Jersey City 07302

201.915.0600 skinnersloft.com

Something new every night.

PJ RYAN’S292 Barrow St.(201) 333-8752www.pjryansjc.comOne of Jersey City’s newest hot spots,P.J. Ryan’s is the place to go for satisfy-ing comfort food, great entertainment,and a fun atmosphere. For a laid-backexperience, kick back with a beer and aburger while playing on an Internet juke-box or watching the game on TV.

PUCCINI’S RESTAURANT AND CATERING1064 West Side Avenue(201) 432-4111www.puccinisrestaurnant.comExcellent food, gracious service, and theelegant surroundings at Puccini’s are allyou need for a perfect evening out.Chef Pasquale Iengo, a Naples native,creates authentic Italian dishes the waythey were meant to be served and offersan impressive wine list to complementyour meal. Expert catering is also avail-able in two exquisitely appointed andexpanded banquet halls, a perfect set-ting for your wedding or special event.Puccini’s Restaurant is open for lunch anddinner Tuesday through Friday and fordinner Saturday and Sunday.

RITA & JOE’S ITALIANRESTAURANT 142 Broadway (201) 451-3606 www.ritaandjoes.com. A Jersey City favorite, Rita and Joe’s isthe next best thing to Mama’s Italiancooking. This family-run restaurant servesdelectable homemade dishes served inthe comfort of a cozy and intimate diningroom. On- and off premises catering areavailable.

RUSTIQUE PIZZA611 Jersey Avenue(201) 222-6886www.rustiquepizza.comWelcome to Rustique Pizza! The Rosiellofamily warmly invites you to wake upyour taste buds with our delicious foodin the casual, friendly atmosphere of ourdining room. If you’d rather enjoy yourmeal at home, we offer free delivery orthe option of picking up your entrées orpizza. Our bread, dough, and mozzarellaare made fresh daily in-house, ensuringsatisfaction each time you dine with us.

SALUMERIA ERCOLANO1072 Westside Avenue(201) 434-4604Jersey City’s newest and most talkedabout Italian deli and market is broughtto you by Chef Pasquale, who has deliv-ered top quality to Puccini’s for morethan 27 years. With a fresh menu thatchanges daily, Salumeria Ercolano offersdelicious sandwiches, panninis, wraps,and salads along with daily, fresh-freshmozzarella, and desserts. Whether youeat in or take it home, you owe it toyourself to make this your next stop forlunch or a take-home dinner. Quality




catering for all occasions is available.Open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to6 p.m. and Saturday, from 9:30 a. m. to 5p.m. Free parking.

SAWADEE137 Newark Avenue(201) 433-0888www.sawadeejc.com Offering exceptional Thai cuisine,Sawadee is a dining experience that willplease both the eye and palate! Enjoylunch, dinner, or a refreshing cocktail inan inviting atmosphere. Sawadee is con-veniently located just steps from theGrove Street PATH.

SKINNER’S LOFT146 Newark Avenue(201) 915-0600. www.skinnersloft.comThis long-awaited restaurant was createdby the former owners of the popularHamilton Park Ale House. A chic, loft-style eatery, it features a warm, spaciousinterior with exposed brick walls, highceilings, and total attention to detail. It’sa perfect spot to enjoy a cocktail and afine meal.

SKY THAI62 Morris Streetwww.skythaijc.comThis new Jersey City eatery nearExchange Place serves traditional Thaicuisine in a warm and beautiful atmos-phere. Enjoy a cocktail before dinnerand get ready for an authentic Asianfeast.

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