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42 HOW WE WORK Small Businesses
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14 FRANKLY SPEAKING Hot Dog Guy Cover Image Jim Mazzola by Max Ryazansky
18 BRACE YOURSELF Edgy Orthodontics
22 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Job Description
38 JIMMY ROSELLI Not Ol’ Blue Eyes
44
44 HOW WE LIVE Houses of God
47 POINT AND SHOOT Winter on the Waterfront
48 SPORTS Basket Cases
50 HELPING HANDS Feeding the Needy
52 WATERING HOLE Pig and Parrot
54 EATERY Ali-Baba
54 4 • 07030 HOBOKEN | WINTER 2018 | 19
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Where Little Smiles Come to Shine
Winter 2018 | 19 Volume 7 • Number 2 Published twice annually
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PUBLISHER Perry Corsetti EDITOR IN CHIEF Kate Rounds GRAPHICS STAFF Terri Saulino Bish Lisa M. Cuthbert Alyssa Bredin Quiros
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5 Questions for Dr. Wilma McPherson
of Jersey City Pediatric Dentistry Why open a pediatric dentistry in Jersey City?
I really like Jersey City. It’s an up and coming city with great atmosphere and a young, family-oriented culture. When I first opened the practice, we were one of just a small handful of pediatric dentists in Jersey City. The folks here really welcomed us and we could jump right into all of the activities around Grove St. It was, and still is, a great location for my practice.
Is it really necessary for kids to go to a pediatric dentist?
It’s important that children are seen by someone who understands their particular needs and how to make them comfortable. As a pediatric dentist, I trained specifically to work with children and to deal with the medical but also the emotional and psychological part of tending to their dental needs. If parents bring a child to me after his first tooth and we build a relationship together over the years, I can help that child become an adult with great dental hygiene and no fear of the dentist.
What’s your favorite part of being a dentist?
Oh, working with the kids, without question. I love it! When I get to put my Dr. Seuss hat on and just be as goofy as I want, I’m really happy.
Ok, do we really need to brush for two minutes?
Haha…ok. Two minutes is the perfect amount of time to make sure you get to each tooth. Ideally, you’re spending at least 30 seconds in each quadrant of the mouth. You want to brush all three exposed sides of your teeth, especially in the cracks and crevices and along the gum line.
What’s your favorite candy?
I have to admit, I really like Goobers, you know, the chocolate covered peanuts? I tell my young patients: you can eat the candy or the chips every now and then, just remember to brush and floss afterwards...and try to avoid sticky foods and candy whenever you can.
6 • 07030 HOBOKEN | WINTER 2018 | 19
COPYEDITING Christopher Zinsli ADVERTISING MANAGER Tish Kraszyk Senior ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Toni Anne Calderone-Caracappa Ron Kraszyk ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Jay Slansky John Ward CIRCULATION Luis Vasquez Accounting Sharon Metro
07030 Hoboken Magazine is published by the Donnelly Media Group, 447 Broadway, Bayonne, New Jersey 07002, (201) 798-7800, Fax (201) 798-0018. Email 07030@hudson reporter.com. Subscriptions are $10 per year, $25 for overseas, single copies are $7.50 each, multiple copy discounts are available. VISA/MC/ AMEX accepted. Subscription information should be sent to 07030 Hoboken Magazine Subscriptions, 447 Broadway, Bayonne, NJ 07002. Not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or other unsolicited materials. Copyright ©2018-19, Donnelly Media Group .All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited.
07030 Hoboken Magazine is a publication of Donnelly Media Group 447 Broadway, Bayonne, New Jersey 07002 phone 201.798.7800 fax 201.798.0018
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MARILYN BAER grew up in Hoboken and currently lives in Jersey City. She studied journalism at Ohio Wesleyan University and is now a staff writer for the Hoboken Reporter.
TERRI SAULINO BISH
is an award-winning graphic designer, digital artist, and photographer, capturing many of the iconic images featured in print and online publications across Hudson County. You can view more of her work at tbishphoto.com. DELFIN GANAPIN is an editorial assistant at the Hudson Reporter. In his spare time, he is immersed in contemporary geek and pop culture and has contributed to a small geek culture blog called We Are Geeking Out.
ALYSSA BREDIN Quiros MARILYN BAER
MIKE MONTEMARANO is a staff writer for the Hudson Reporter. He graduated from Rutgers University in 2016, with a degree in Journalism and Political Science, and spends his spare time writing and recording music.
ALYSSA BREDIN Quiros
is an award-winning designer and photographer. Her work is featured in numerous publications, including Hoboken 07030 and Jersey City Magazine. You can see her full portfolio at tbishphoto.com.
VICTOR M. RODRIGUEZ
has studied publication design, photography, and graphic arts. “I’ve been fascinated by photography for almost 20 years,” he says.
Terri Saulino Bish
VICTOR M. RODRIGUEZ
MAX RYAZANSKY
is a photographer whose work has been exhibited in galleries and published worldwide. A recent transplant to Bayonne, he spends his spare time trying to figure out the best pizza place in town.
TARA RYAZANSKY
contributors
0 7 0 3 0
is a writer who recently moved from Brooklyn to Bayonne. She works as a blogger for Nameberry.com and spends her spare time fixing up her new (to her) 100-year-old home.
DELFIN GANAPIN MAX RYAZANSKY
MIKE MONTEMARANO TARA RYAZANSKY
8 • 07030 HOBOKEN | WINTER 2018 | 19
The Hoboken Public Library Your library card offers...
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Editor’s Letter 07030
Can I Be Frank an American symbol, the hot dog is as iconic as the bald eagle or the turkey. It’s a baseball staple, and a barbecue tradition on Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. But sometimes you just want to linger on the corner of the Mile Square and chow down on one. That’s what’s been happening at Fourth and Jefferson, where Jim Mazzola’s family has been serving their special brand of wieners for more than 100 years. Tara and Max were at the scene. OK, so it’s basketball season, and there’s LeBron and Steph and Kevin, but what about Diana and Elaine and Carol? Never heard of them? Well, these are the ladies who play in the over-50 league at the Multi-Service Center. They’re queens of the court. see page 29
Photo by Marie Papp
As
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By Tara Ryazansky Photos by Maxim Ryazansky
I
Frankly
speaking “Every day is hot dog season”
14 • 07030 HOBOKEN | WINTER 2018 | 19
t’s a cold, windy morning as Jim Mazzola sets up his hot dog stand on Jefferson and Fourth. 10 a.m. seems well before hot dog time, and for a few minutes he stands around, shifting his weight from one foot to the other in an attempt to keep warm, but before 10:15 a line starts to form. Cars double park so people can order hot dogs to bring home. Mazzola doesn’t have time for a break after that, but he doesn’t seem to mind. In fact, Mazzola says that this is a slow day. “It’s not a hangout day,” he says, gesturing toward a few empty folding chairs where his regulars usually sit for hours. The regulars still come around though. They eat their dogs standing up, huddled by the cart chatting and listening to classic rock on the radio. Mazzola says that cold weather doesn’t mean he’ll take the day off. “People always come. Every day is hot dog season.” One regular, John Corea, has been coming to the hot dog stand for 54 years and still visits every Saturday. “I was here so often that I ended up marrying a girl who lived right over there,” Corea says, pointing to a nearby building. Today he’s with his son, John Corea Jr. “He makes a special hot dog for me,” the elder Corea says as Mazzola hands him two hot dogs nestled in one bun. “I’m watching my weight a little. Less carbs,” he says with a laugh. “Double the protein,” another regular, Scott Lagattuta, chimes in. “He’s a youngster,” Mazzola says of Lagattuta. “He’s only been coming here for maybe 10 years.” Lagattuta argues that it’s closer to 14 years. He started coming when he was a single guy, and continued as
life changed. “I take my kids now. I have to go pick one up from soccer later, and I’ll drive them down here if they want a hot dog.” “This guy,” Corea says, pointing to his son, “as a boy he used to play soccer here as a goalie, but he used to play with a hot dog in his hand.” “It was a pre- and post-game ritual,” the younger Corea explains with a grin. “I’ve seen kids grow up that have kids,” Mazzola says. Before he started running the cart in the late ’90s it belonged to his father, Onofrio Mazzola, who was called Noff. Now Mazzola has inherited that nickname along with the family hot dog business. “He’s an exact replica of his father,” Corea says. “His father was a wonderful guy.”
Hot Dog Heritage The family business started in 1919 when Mazzola’s grandfather came to Hoboken from Italy. “I
07030 HOBOKEN | WINTER 2018 | 19 • 15
don’t think there’s many people left who bought from my grandfather,” Mazzola says. “He stopped in ’55.” Yet some traces of the original Mazzola hot dog salesman remain today. Mazzola sells jars of onions made from his grandfather’s original 1919 recipe. “In Sorrento, Italy, there’s this recipe that’s similar to French onion soup, but Italians put everything over pasta,” Mazzola says. His grandfather adapted the recipe into a hot dog condiment that is still popular at his cart today. Another detail that hearkens back to the original cart is an upsidedown sign on one of the storage doors. Mazzola says his father intentionally placed it upside down to mimic a sign on his own father’s cart that was accidentally painted that way. Lagattuta leaves to pick up his kid, and Corea rushes to cover Lagattuta’s tab. “I would say I’ll get you next time, but I know how many you can eat,” Lagattuta jokes as he heads out. As the guys banter back and forth, Mazzola keeps the line moving. He quickly tops hot dogs with chili, cheese sauce, sauerkraut, and his famous onions. Each one is just $2 no matter how many toppings you choose. He pours cups of orangeade, a drink that Mazzola says fell out of popularity when a New York luncheonette chain called Nedick’s closed long ago. Now his supplier makes it special just for him.
move as their children start to get older. “Jefferson was like Washington,” Corea says. Mazzola breaks into a smile. “The only thing that hasn’t changed really is me.” The original 1919 onion recipe hasn’t changed either. And one thing that the older customers agree has remained the same over the years is that Mazzola and his father are great listeners, almost like hot dog therapists. Maybe that’s what turned Mazzola’s hot dog cart into a hangout. Or maybe it’s the fact that the hot dogs are so delicious.—07030
Dog Day Afternoon Not every customer is oldschool Hoboken. An Uber driver, Wenceslao Mella, was told about the hot dog stand from a passenger this very Saturday. “He said if you want to eat one you’re going to eat four!” Mella does indeed order seconds. Mazzola says that he serves plenty of younger customers who are newer to Hoboken. Rumor has it that one of his hot dogs is the best hangover cure in town. However, Mazzola is nostalgic for old Hoboken. “The town’s changed,” Mazzola says. He points out condo buildings that were once busy sewing factories whose workers lined up at the stand during lunch break. There were clubs on the corners whose patrons also frequented the cart. He says it used to be a family town. Now he sees a lot of families 16 • 07030 HOBOKEN | WINTER 2018 | 19
Vinnie Visaggio and Jim Mazzola
Brac e YOURSELVES!
These are not your grandmothers’ orthodontists
Center for Translational Orthodontic Research is a research center that was cofounded by Dr. Cristina Teixeira and Dr. Mani Alikhani. Photo by Marie Papp By Tara Ryazansky
T
he Orthodontia Studio, on Hudson Street, has a waiting room that looks more like the lobby of a boutique hotel than a medical practice. The space, designed by Cristina Teixeira, is decorated with reclaimed wood and antique dental tools. A movie is being projected 18 • 07030 HOBOKEN | WINTER 2018 | 19
on one wall for patients to enjoy while waiting to see their doctor. Dr. Mani Alikhani and Dr. Cristina Teixeira have been working together since 2010. They share more than just a goal of straightening Hoboken’s teeth. Alikhani and Teixeira have created some seven patents designed to improve and accelerate orthodontics.
The pair met while working as faculty members at New York University. They connected over their drive to be innovators in their shared field as orthodontists and researchers in bone biology, growth and development. “We felt it was our responsibility, as both clinicians and scientists, to actively promote translation of research findings into clinical
applications to help advance the field of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics,” Teixeira says. “That is why we created CTOR.” CTOR, which started out as an acronym for Center for Translational Orthodontic Research, is a research center that was cofounded by Teixeira and Alikhani. They are research collaborators, who have published many books and articles in their journal, Innovation. Alikhani is the CEO of CTOR as well as director of CTOR Academy, their advanced education program. They’re also inventors. “How can we improve orthodontics?” Alikhani asks. “How can we make the body respond faster?” Alikhani and Teixeira’s research lead them to conduct animal studies on various ways to speed up the process of straightening teeth.
increasing the rate of tooth movement. It’s used for five minutes a day at home. “It’s like using an electric toothbrush,” Alikhani says. Another innovation that the pair is pioneering is their patent for computerized braces. “With the current orthodontic appliances, brackets are used to deliver forces generated by arch-wires to the teeth,” Teixeira says. “In our computerized robotic braces, the bracket itself will be manipulated remotely and very precisely to create force systems to move teeth, and clip-on motors will generate the sliding forces to move teeth along special wires. One day our patients will just hold their phone to their face to get their braces adjusted and their tooth alignment checked.” “The whole of orthodontics can be changed entirely,” Alikhani says.
orthodontics, like extreme sports,” Teixeira says. Alikhani adds, “The more complex these cases are, the more they help us provide care for future generations.” In one case, Orthodontia Studio corrected a deformity that had prevented a patient from speaking. She had been told that it would take multiple, expensive surgeries to correct the deformity which made her unable to fully close her mouth. The doctors have taken on many extreme cases like this one pro bono.
THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME
Photo by Marie Papp
DENTAL DEVICES
CUTTING-EDGE CARE
Their first invention was a tool called Propel. They created and patented it to make small holes in the jaw bone within the gum line. The bone reacts when trying to heal the small injuries. This makes the bone less dense. Teeth can be moved faster when the bone is more porous. It sounds intense, but patients can eat 20 minutes after a treatment with Propel. “In clinical trials patients report this discomfort to be comparable to that produced just by braces,” Teixeira says. Next they came up with a small tool called Vpro5. This is meant to ease the discomfort of orthodontic work. It uses vibration to decrease sensitivity while
Patients at Orthodontia Studio are cared for by top researchers in a comfortable setting. Braces do their job faster than they would at a typical orthodontist’s office. This means that the treatment is more convenient and affordable. “We treat these patients in about half the time as what was possible before,” Alikhani says, adding that a normal case takes about 10 months. But Alikhani and Teixeira are especially interested in cases that aren’t so typical. They aim to use their techniques and tools to help patients with deformities or trauma that could otherwise be corrected only with invasive surgery. “We’re calling it extreme
Alikhani and Teixeira agree that Hoboken is the best location for their practice, as well as their research and education centers. All are in the same building near Hoboken Terminal. “Hoboken is a perfect cradle for innovation in health care,” Teixeira says. “Innovation has been the hallmark of CTOR’s education and translational research programs. Through its collaborations, CTOR proposes to bridge the gap between multiple scientific disciplines, each invested in innovation.” CTOR is partnering with Stevens Institute of Technology on the first independent academy for advancing orthodontic technology, called CTOR Academy. “After all, New Jersey is the home of Thomas A. Edison, the most prolific inventor in American history, with 1,093 patents developed in his own small stand-alone research facility in Menlo Park,” Teixeira says. “CTOR desires to be an innovation-driven center, embraces the spirit of Edison, and will help build on New Jersey’s legacy as the Innovation State.”—07030 07030 HOBOKEN | WINTER 2018 | 19 • 19
D a T E S 0 7 0 3 0 jam with local guitar players in a casual, friendly atmosphere. Share your favorite songs and learn new ones. all playing levels and styles are welcome.
onGoinG
and leadership skills in a safe and supportive space.
the Mile Square toastmasters Club Meetings, Hudson School, 601 Park ave., milesquare.org. Mondays,7:30 p.m. Develop public speaking skills
Guitar Circle, Symposia bookstore, 510 washington St., chaase@ chdesignsolutions.com, symposia. us. thursdays, 8:30-9:30 p.m. Come
20 • 07030 HOBOKEN | WINTER 2018 | 19
Penny’s Storytime at the Museum, Hoboken Historical Museum, 1301 Hudson St., (201) 656-2240, hobokenmuseum.org. thursdays at 10:30 a.m. education Curator Maria Lara and other guest readers share stories with children ages 2 to 5 and their caregivers. Registration required. See webpage for link,
posted at 10 a.m. on the day before each session. Storytime at the fire Department Museum, 213 bloomfield, Sundays at 12:30 p.m. the Museum host a weekly Storytime program for children between the ages of 2 and 5. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. free. Lunchtime Yoga basics and Meditation at the Museum, Hoboken
see page 25
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Elisa is still here! 07030 HOBOKEN | WINTER 2018 | 19 • 21
A New Chapter The evolution of the Hoboken Chamber of Commerce
Paul Perkinson, head of Hudson School, won Education Provider of the Year.
(l-r) Director Kay LiCausi; Vice President Joyce Flinn; Director Dave Jacey; President Richard Mackiewicz; Director Beth McGrath; Secretary Norma DeRuggierro; and Treasurer Kenneth O’Neill
By Marilyn Baer Photos by Joe Epstein Photography
F
or more than half a century the Hoboken Chamber of Commerce has supported local entrepreneurs and businesses, providing contacts, references, and networking opportunities. Now the chamber is much more then the catalyst for a local meet-and-greet; it’s a strong, relevant voice in shaping policy. It began seven years ago with a decision to take a somewhat quiet chamber and expand its membership and overall footprint in Hoboken. Now with roughly 180 members, the chamber has become a vital resource for local and countywide officials, influencing policy for the betterment of the community.
The dinner was held at the Elk Lodge on Washington St.
22 • 07030 HOBOKEN | WINTER 2018 | 19
The Elysian Café provided three-course meals.
Elysian Café staff members
President and CEO Maria Nieves
Quality Greens Kitchen won New Business of the Year.
Charrito’s won Restaurant of the Year.
It has helped propel citywide initiatives such as the Washington Street Redesign project and the 2018 Master Plan Re-examination by promoting a unified voice for the business community.
Joining Forces
Richard Mackiewicz Member of the Year.
won
Chamber
Growth in membership made it necessary for the Hoboken Chamber to become a chapter of the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce. The move was made last summer after a lot of research. Richard Mackiewicz, president of the Hoboken Chamber, says that without this action, the all-volunteer organization would not stay afloat. “Everyone who’s a chamber member and leader of a chamber is doing so as a volunteer, and they all have businesses they run,” he says. “They only have so much bandwidth. We did something that hadn’t been
done before, and it has provided us with the opportunity to flourish.” Through this merger the county chamber will act as a hub, with resources and a paid staff to assist the Hoboken Chamber. “I think you are going to see a greater focus and impact on the dialog between the business community and the government,” Mackiewicz says. “You will now have in place a general manager who will be interfacing and monitoring developments at city hall, who can provide input and guidance to city hall after obtaining and delivering feedback from the business community.”
Maintaining Main Street The merger also means more opportunities for businesses to interact with each other in a more robust way, because they will have access to a much larger network. The popular farm-to-table movement is 07030 HOBOKEN | WINTER 2018 | 19 • 23
Hoboken Historical Museum’s Bob Foster won Community Service Provider of the Year.
Andrew Impastato was one of three finalists for Technology of the Year.
on the rise, with restaurant-goers willing to pay more for locally-sourced food. This is a good thing for independent restaurateurs who join the chamber. But if they eat local, why aren’t they shopping local? Many shoppers are saving mere pennies by patronizing major chains or online retailers instead of your mom-and-pop shop on the corner. With the ever-increasing encroachment of big box stores and ecommerce, the chamber has become more than just a networking group; it’s an ardent supporter and defender of shopping locally and maintaining citywide vibrancy. “Take a moment to shop locally, and you will benefit because of the fact that you are assisting a person who you know, getting the product you need, but also enriching the quality of life of your town,” says Mackiewicz, noting that through that purchase you’re ensuring the livelihood of that shop owner and her employees.
Face to Face “If you have a city in which the business community has left, and downtown is filled with vacant storefronts, no one will want to live there,” Mackiewicz says. “But if there is something there, it energizes the neighborhood and makes you want to make it your home.” Neighborhood shops have far-reaching benefits. “In this digital age there is increasing need to be able to be in the presence physically of other people,” Mackiewicz says. “As we become much more ingrained in a digital environment, we need to remember we are social beings, and we need to do things to engage and interact with each other. “Businesses like your local coffee shops help develop those types of relationships.”—07030
(l-r) Joyce Flinn, Eugene Flinn, and Kay LiCausi
(l-r)Director Anne Logan, Hudson County Freeholder Anthony Romano, and Beth McGrath
(l-r) Former Hoboken Postmaster Arthur Tate, Richard Mackiewicz, and Dennis Martin of KMS Development Partners
The Jill Biggs Group won Real Estate Office of the Year.
24 • 07030 HOBOKEN | WINTER 2018 | 19
datEs 07030 from page 20 Historical Museum, 1301 Hudson St., tuesdays from 12-1 p.m. Restore your bliss with our weekly hour-long basic Yoga class. bring your own mat and towel, and wear comfortable clothing. $10 per session. advanced reservations required. Register at hobokenmuseum.org.
tai Chi at the Museum, Hoboken Historical Museum, 1301 Hudson St., wednesdays from 10-11 a.m. tai Chi is a Chinese form of exercise: a series of movements practiced in a slow and focused manner, coordinated with breathing. $10 per class. open Makerspace time, Hoboken Public Library, 500 Park ave., Mondays from 1-7 p.m. Come have fun and
learn how to make buttons, key chains, magnets and lots more. we have a virtual reality headset, 3D printer and a variety of other creative activities. ages 5 and up. Morning art with Liz ndoye, Hoboken Public Library, 500 Park ave., wednesdays from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
see page 33
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07030 HOBOKEN | WINTER 2018 | 19 • 25
Kids in the Passport to Learning and Wellness program took part in a golf outing at a country club in Summit. Photos by Victor M. Rodriguez
Wellness & Workouts MIND-BODY LEARNING MAKES THE GRADE AT HOBOKEN MIDDLE SCHOOL
H
oboken Middle School’s Passport to Learning and Wellness program helps kids from kindergarten through eighth grade to learn through extracurricular activities. “My whole reason for the passport program is to provide students with experiences that aren’t necessarily found in the classroom,” said Director Christopher Della Fave. “To expose them to lifelong learning and continuing-ed courses that help build them as people and citizens.” The Passport to Learning and Wellness program feeds into the current philosophy of preparing students, not just for learning but for life. “It’s important for them to have the opportunity, not only to work on educational outcomes, such as homework and study hall but also extracurricular activities like golf, dance, and fencing.” Other options include chorus, orchestra, band, and junior thespians, which helps students hone their craft while gaining confidence through self-expression. Disciplines include acting, singing, and dancing. Students compete in theater festivals across the state, collaborating with other junior thespians. They attend workshops taught by professional actors and compete for awards. In June, students showcase their talents in front of a live audience. Students can also choose fencing, basketball, and yoga and mindfulness. A sports sampler offers a choice of archery, table tennis, or rock climbing. 26 • 07030 HOBOKEN | WINTER 2018 | 19
EDUCATION 07030
“Golf is a very good physical exercise for the core and the legs,” says Sava Tomin.
Teagan Clark, says she plays golf with her grandparents.
Out of the Rough Tennis, running, and golf are also available. In mid-November we were lucky enough to catch a golf outing at the Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit. One participant was 11-year-old Teagan Clark. “I always liked playing golf,” she says. “I’d played with my grandparents.” It turns out that Teagan is kind of a renaissance kid when it comes to sports. She plays basketball, softball, soccer, and tennis, and will be trying fencing. As with all sports, there’s more to it than just the game itself. “You meet new people and make new friends,” she says. She also refers to the “heart and enthusiasm” you need to succeed as an athlete. Her dream job? She has her sights set on being a baseball commentator. “My mom is a Mets fan, and so am I,” she says. “I don’t know what it is; it’s just one of my favorite sports. I
love hitting the ball, and I love watching the professionals.” She also pitches and plays third base. You get the sense with Teagan that the Passport to Learning and Wellness really is a passport to her dream job. As it happens, Teagan’s dad, Chris, was instrumental in initiating the passport program. “For years, I’d had the idea of rounding out the athletic offerings at high school,” he says. Specifically he wanted to add sports like golf and tennis to the usual suspects. To excel at these sports, kids have to start much earlier. He put a parental group together, got the buy-in of Schools Superintendent Dr. Christine Johnson and Christopher Della Fave, and the rest is history. They’re working on a rugby program. “It could take the place of football,” Chris says. “It’s a safer sport, and it’s inexpensive and inclusive.” Oh, by the way, lest you think that Teagan is just a jock. She also plays the saxophone, likes to sing, and is great at math.
07030 HOBOKEN | WINTER 2018 | 19 • 27
Life Experience Coaches from the club helped teach the kids. “My dad told me that he missed out on many business trips because of not knowing how to play golf,” says Sava Tomin. “Golf is a very good physical exercise for the core and the legs. I also learned how to stay balanced, which helps in other sports, especially tennis and soccer.” But there’s more than sports to the passport to learning. “Last semester I took an engineering class where we learned how to make things like electric circuits with batteries and copper tape,” Sava says. “Now, whenever my brother breaks one of his toys, I can try to fix it.” He also took a class called Math Circles. “I learned how to count up to 10 times faster,” he says. “In the grocery store or anywhere else I can just use the trick.” The math program brought in students from Stevens. “The fact that other students explained how to do things in kid’s language made it easier,” Sava says.
Doing the Numbers Speaking of math, another innovative program at Hoboken Middle School is Cardio Math Club, introduced by Principal Harold Abraham in October. Kids kick the day off with a series of fitness activities that build camaraderie and teamwork, and create an optimal condition for learning. More than 25 percent of the student body participates. The idea is that movement and physical activity can improve productive class participation, the ability to apply knowledge and concepts, and positive interactions among students. During one Cardio Club session, students ran from Hoboken Middle School to Pier C. Students calculated pace and clocked sprint times. On Pier C, Abraham led students through calisthenics, tire pushing/pulling repetitions, cardiovascular endurance exercises, and dynamic stretching and jump training. Parents and staff members also participate. “Students really take pride in their efforts and the fact that Principal Abraham is committed to their growth and achievements,” said humanities teacher Rachel Loughlin. Students use math skills to evaluate and adjust their personal fitness goals on a fitness app. Early-morning runs are mapped using GPS technology. Students also chart every step that they take, monitor their heart rate, and calculate their VO2 max, all while reinforcing math vocabulary and concepts. “It is amazing to see my students develop grit, persistence, and determination as a result of this program, and it’s being carried over into the academic setting,” Abraham says. “Movement is a tool to promote overall wellness and to increase student achievement.”
Path to Math
In Cardio Math Club Students use math skills to evaluate and adjust their personal fitness goals on a fitness app. Photos by Rachel Loughlin 28 • 07030 HOBOKEN | WINTER 2018 | 19
“A lot of our students are interested in math, and I wanted to make math fun,” Abraham says. Abraham, who is in his first year at Hoboken after an eight-year stint in Piscataway, is getting a doctorate from Northeastern, focusing on the relationship between increased movement and student achievement. The group often runs near the waterfront. “There’s an amazing view, and there was a noticeable difference in students’ moods,” Abraham says. “Research shows a direct correlation between increased movement and student achievement.” Even if you’re a math phobe—and you get the feeling Abraham doesn’t believe in such a thing—his enthusiasm is infectious. “I’m in love with my job,” he says.—Kate Rounds
Editor’s Letter 07030
from page 10 Kids at Hoboken Middle School are also combining sports with learning. Whether it’s golf or cardio math, a good workout can clear the brain. You may think that we have dentistry on the brain. It’s not that. It’s just that Dr. Cristina Teixeira and Dr. Mani Alikhani are doing cutting-edge work in orthodontics, and Dr. Robert Graffeo is a great guy who gives back to the community and has a smile worthy of his profession. Dr. Graffeo opened up to me about bringing his brand of personal dentistry to Hoboken. If you want a real religious experience without leaving home, live in a church. Read about the Hoboken houses of worship that have been converted into residential units. Those cobblestones on Court Street? Well, they’re not really cobblestones. Get the lowdown on the renovation of this historic street. Winter can be tough for our friends and neighbors who are having a hard time feeding their families. In this issue we check out the various food pantries around town. Some need volunteers. One of the great things about this town is its community spirit. Stay warm inside and out.
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07030 HOBOKEN | WINTER 2018 | 19 • 29
DOWN MEMORY LANE Restoring Court Street By Mike Montemarano Images by TBishPhoto
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historic renovation project is in the works for Court Street, our beloved stone road that was laid down almost half a century before Hoboken was founded. Back then, it was a back alley for stables and businesses along bustling Washington Street. Over the centuries, the alley remained protected and insulated from developments and was kept intact almost organically serving as the backbone of Hoboken’s historic skeleton. It looks much the same today as it did when Marlon Brando 30 • 07030 HOBOKEN | WINTER 2018 | 19
was chased down it in On the Waterfront. The stones of Court Street were blasted from the face of the Palisades by quarries long defunct, and are virtually impossible to replicate, according to a municipal screening report, which includes archival maps from John Stevens’s time. Often referred to as “cobblestones,” the granite “setts,” or quarried stone, are sometimes known as Belgian blocks. They are much friendlier to horses’ hooves and vehicles than cobbles, which are rounded, uneven, and less able to withstand traffic.
EMErging 07030 Two years ago City Councilman Michael DeFusco put forward a resolution to use a grant toward the restoration project. The renovation would “demonstrate the importance of resource stewardship and preservation of Hoboken’s culture and history,” DeFusco said. DeFusco said his resolution was inspired by preservation projects he’d seen in neighborhoods such as Georgetown, the West Village, and areas of London. “These are neighborhoods that were restored to make new community spaces,” he said. “Speaking to those who have reservations about the project, I’d like to state that we have a preservationist mindset. We don’t want to recreate anything, but preserve what we already have.” Since the first resolution two years ago, it was a lengthy process to get all stakeholders onboard. An engineering study was declined in 2017 because the city council wasn’t convinced that the street’s historic character could be maintained. A public workshop was held on Nov. 28 in council chambers; a second on Dec. 18. The final plan is slated for a vote in mid-January. Stones that aren’t entirely necessary to replace with authentic setts will be repaired. Every feature of the road and the brick fronts will be meticulously documented and dated. In the early part of the 19th century, backyards and trash dumps lined the street. With the potential to find hidden gems, a qualified archeologist has been employed by the project’s team to oversee any excavation work. “This is a unique opportunity to unearth the history of Hoboken’s development in a way that’s historically relevant to our city,” DeFusco said. “We’ll be able to understand more about how and when bricks were placed, and who laid them down.” He concluded, “The council is working with all stakeholders to do something in true respect of Hoboken and to make a meaningful difference— this street isn’t sustainable in the long run, and by doing nothing to preserve it, we’re sacrificing Court Street completely.” —07030
07030 HOBOKEN | WINTER 2018 | 19 • 31
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from page 25 these art classes will accommodate beginners as well as more experienced artist. artists will go from their first triumphs of drawing the human face to drawing the entire human figure. a live clothed professional model will pose for the students. first come, first serve.
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writer’s workshop, Hoboken Public Library, 500 Park ave., 6:30-7:30 p.m. Join the Hoboken Public writer’s workshop to discuss your writing in a friendly and constructive atmosphere. for information and to submit your work in advance, email hplwriters@gmail.com hplwriters@gmail.com.
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8 the Mystery book Club, Hoboken Public Library, 500 Park ave., 6:30-8 p.m. the January Mystery book Club selection is Kingdom of the blind by Louise Penny.
Celebrating 35 years in business! DOWNTOWN HOBOKEN
9 exploding Kittens and Unstable Unicorns, Hoboken Public Library, 500 Park ave., 3:304:30 p.m. Learn how to blow up your opponents’ kittens and build and army of unicorns as we play two of the most popular card games of the past year. no experience necessary. ages 11-18.
see page 36
320 WASHINGTON ST., 201.420.8262 UPTOWN HOBOKEN
RIGHTANGLE A F R A M I N G C O M PA N Y Since 1983
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www.rightanglehoboken.com 07030 HOBOKEN | WINTER 2018 | 19 • 33
Image by TBishPhoto
Photo by Victor M. Rodriguez Photo by Victor M. Rodriguez
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Live
ONE ART— HOBOKEN offers a multigenre menu of performers and artists 34 • 07030 HOBOKEN | WINTER 2018 | 19
Photos by Danny Shot
T
he Neumann Leather building is a real hot spot on the first Saturday of each month. That’s when Issa Sow’s first-floor Issyra Gallery on Observer Highway hosts ONE ART—HOBOKEN, a monthly music, poetry, and art series that features Hudson County performers. “Each event aims to bring together vibrant multigenerational, multicultural, multi-genre performing artists to audiences from Hoboken and neighboring towns,” according to cofounder Danny Shot. Performers have included the bands Barbiana Complex, Tulula, Gene& D. Plumbers , Emily & the Ideals, Café Touba, Jaliyakafo, and Sewelsonics; poets Andy Clausen, Pamrla Twining, Jim Cohn, Poonam Srivastava, and John T. Trigonis; and fashion designer Mike Sylla. In our Winter 2016 issue of Hoboken 07030 we profiled Issa Sow. He and his gallery are a force to be reckoned with. It’s a gorgeous, artsy space, jam-packed with all kinds of artworks and artifacts. Issa was already hosting weekend events with bands, musicians, poetry readings, and art exhibits. When he partnered with Danny, a retired high school English teacher, in the fall of 2017, these causal events became ONE ART—HOBOKEN. Depending on the weather, the event attracts anywhere from 40 to 100 people who come from Jersey City, Weehawken, and even New York City when the PATH cooperates. It’s BYOB, but no food unless someone happens to bring something. “Our mission is to have a place where the arts can flourish in post, hyper-gentrified Hoboken,” Danny says. “In accordance with that, we get acts that don’t always fit together. We’ll bring in a young band with an older, established one.” Issa is a guy who welcomes one and all into his space because he “likes to make people happy.” Sounds like Issa and Danny are doing just that—Kate Rounds
Image by TBishPhoto
MAjOR INSURANCES ACCEPTED
datEs 07030 from page 33
10 angie’s improv night, Hoboken Public Library, 500 Park ave., 7-8:30 p.m. Come and have fun at improv night with Cabrook films. Join us for a night of improvisation in a fun and hilarious night as professional actors take simple, everyday words suggested by the audience and turn them into a 1 minute skit. who knows, you might even be invited up on stage to join the fun.
ROBIN LUCAS, DMD • PA 232 Bloomfield Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030
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14 Pediatric Dentist on Site!
Sci-fi book and Movie, Hoboken Public Library, 500 Park ave., the library’s Science fiction and fantasy book Discussion will be watching Ghost in the Shell at 4 p.m. and discussing altered Carbon by Richard Morgan at 6 p.m.
19 200 Bloomfield Street Hoboken, NJ 07030 Pediatric Dentistry
201.798.1191
An affiliate of Lucas Dental Associates
PROVIDING O U T S TA N D I N G D E N TA L C A R E F O R OV E R 1 5 Y E A R S !
Domino tournament, Hoboken Public Library, 500 Park ave., 1-4:30 p.m. think you can beat the reigning champs? Come and enjoy the fourth Domino tournament, led by our own bladimir Ventura. we will have prizes, pizza and a lot of fun. everyone is invited to watch. experienced players, 15 and up, and invited to enroll. bring a partner! Seating and time is limited so come early to get a spot to play and win!
20 Sunday afternoon Concert Series, Hoboken Public Library, 500 Park ave., 1-2 p.m. Come enjoy a performance by the Quincy newell orchestra.
26 Society for american baseball Research Meet, Greet and Lecture, Hoboken Public Library, 500 Park ave., 12-4 p.m. the 2019 baseball season is still a few months away but we’ve got the 36 • 07030 HOBOKEN | WINTER 2018 | 19
datEs 07030 event to help you wait for Spring training. Come and meet baseball’s leading authors, historians, and executives.
27 Mutzfest 2019, Hoboken elks Club, 1005 washington St., 2-6 p.m. best in class eateries will showcase the best mozzarella in the area. Get ready to break your new Year’s resolution with marvelous, milky, tasty delight of mozzarella. this event is organized by the Hoboken family alliance and proceeds from the event benefit its numerous local community initiatives.
31 throwback 90’s Party, Hoboken Public Library, 500 Park ave., 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Join the Hoboken Public Library as we reminisce about the trendsetting decade with some of the most iconic, indelible names in rap, hip hop, pop and R&b. Come dressed to impress and enjoy 90’s treats, music videos and even a chance for karaoke. Light snacks and refreshments included. open to all ages.
Monroe Street Movement Space
25 Years in Hoboken & Monroe Center!
28-feb 8 Hudson Restaurant week, various locations. explore all the different dining options Hudson County has to offer. Hudson Restaurant week is a bi-annual culinary celebration that promotes Hudson County as a premier dining destination. Restaurants offer a discounted prix-fixe for lunch and/or dinner. for more information, visit hudsonrw.com.
febRUaRY
Children
Ballet/Modern School Break Camp Summer Arts Camp Pre-school Drop-off
Parent/Child
5
Movement, Music & Language
“Reinventing Power” film Viewing, Hoboken Public Library, 500 Park ave., 6-8 p.m. Join the Climate Mobilization team and the Sierra
see page 57
Adults Pilates . Tai Chi . Yoga
www.movementspace.com 07030 HOBOKEN | WINTER 2018 | 19 • 37
Not Ol’ Blue Eyes… But close By Marilyn Baer
J
Frank Sinatra and Jimmy Roselli, c. 1960-1965. Photo of the Hoboken Historical Museum. Gift of Mike Yaccarino
38 • 07030 HOBOKEN | WINTER 2018 | 19
Courtesy
immy Roselli did it his way. He was a crooner with a velvet voice and perfect phrasing. An Italian-American born in the month of December and raised in Hoboken, he was not Frank Sinatra—but he could have been. Roselli was one of the most significant Italian-American pop singers of his time, though he was eclipsed by the likes of Tony Bennett, Perry Como, Vic Damone, Dean Martin, Jerry Vale, and of course the Chairman of the Board. Roselli performed in famous venues all over the world, in English and in classic sNeapolitan, and his voice can be heard on film scores. He was still performing at age 80.
Jimmy Roselli at the San-Su-San nightclub on Long Island. Photo courtesy of the Roselli family
Jimmy Roselli at Carnegie Hall Photo courtesy of the Roselli family
07030 HOBOKEN | WINTER 2018 | 19 • 39
St. Ann’s Royalty Bazaar, 1939. Jimmy Roselli is at right. Photo courtesy of the Hoboken Historical Museum. Gift of Robert Foster
In October, the city’s Division of Cultural Affairs hosted an event celebrating the life and music of Jimmy Roselli at the Hoboken Historical Museum. The event was made possible by a grant from the N.J. State Historical Commision. Michael John Roselli was born in West New York on Dec. 26, 1925. His mother died a few days after childbirth. When his father, who was a prizefighter, abandoned him, Mickey, as he was called, was raised by his aunt and his grandfather, who was a longshoreman. By the time he’d reached his mid-20s, he was a budding singer, and an agent had reinvented him as Jimmy Roselli. With his innate talent and new name, he became a regular at A-list nightclubs such as New York City’s Copacabana. Passionate and self-taught, he performed on Broadway and at Carnegie Hall, the Music Fair, Radio City Music Hall, Trump Plaza Casino, Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas, and all the bars in Staten Island. He could sing in a perfect Neapolitan accent, which can be heard in the famous “Mala Femmina,” featured in Martin Scorsese’s Mean Streets. Despite all this, he never achieved the name recognition of other Italian-American singers of the day. 40 • 07030 HOBOKEN | WINTER 2018 | 19
Lazarus Melan is creating a documentary on Roselli, titled La Voce—The Jimmy Roselli Story. According to Melan, the mob, Frank Sinatra, and Jimmy Roselli himself have all been blamed for the brutal reality that most people don’t have a clue who he is. The mob, with whom Roselli was cozy for a time, had him blacklisted, and removed his music from jukeboxes. He apparently refused to share his club earnings, which did not endear him to his gangster pals. Eventually Roselli was selling records out of the trunk of his car in Manhattan. Melan has another theory: “He didn’t want to be a big star or a big celebrity. … I think he just wanted to sing, get paid, and go to Hoboken and hang with his friends.” Making bad decisions might be another explanation. He passed up an appearance on The Tonight Show. That was in the Jack Paar and Johnny Carson days, when a nod from either of those guys could put you on the map. He had a sevenshow commitment on The Ed Sullivan Show but quit after three shows. People of a certain age will remember that an appearance on Ed Sullivan could be a ticket to greatness— sort of like The Voice is today. Just ask Elvis Presley or the Beatles.
My father was not what I call a big shot. Sinatra was a big shot.”
– Anne Roselli And—unbelievably with the benefit of hindsight—he turned down a part in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather Part II. Why? Because he wasn’t going to get paid.
Family Ties Jimmy’s daughter, Anne Roselli, a singer who lives in Manhattan and plays the boroughs, has fond memories of her dad and their days in Hoboken. “Daddy grew up poor,” she relates. “He’d go out and sing with his hat and work with his grandfather on the docks. He lived four doors away from Sinatra. Frank was 10 years older than Dad.” One thing Roselli shared with Sinatra was mob buddies. In fact, Roselli sang at John Gotti Jr.’s wedding. “He was affiliated with the mob for 10 years,” Anne says. “He loved them, and they loved him. But Frank was the artist he was, and Dad was the artist he was. Two different voices, two different worlds.” She goes on, “My father was not Hollywood. He enjoyed nothing more than taking off his toupee and going to Hoboken to play cards. My father was not what I call a big shot. Sinatra was a big shot.” Big shot or not, Roselli got a call from Woody Allen who wanted him to audition for a part in Broadway Danny Rose. Here’s how Anne tells it: Allen said, “The way you sing, you must have some acting in you.” Roselli said he had no acting in him but finally went for the audition. Afterward, Allen said, “You’re right, you have no acting in you.” Anne said, “But Frank, he was a great actor, a great talent and a great voice. Dad loved Frank’s talent. He loved the way Frank sang. He cried when Frank died.” Jimmy Roselli died on June 20, 2011. He was 85. Says Anne, “He had an incredible voice, and the whole world should know.” —07030
Photos courtesy of the Roselli family 07030 HOBOKEN | WINTER 2018 | 19 • 41
B U S I N E S S M a k es H O B O K E N W O R K Interviews by Kate Rounds
Robert Graffeo, DDS 411 First Street (201) 683-3531
Photos by Victor M. Rodriguez
O
Robert Graffeo
42 • 07030 HOBOKEN | WINTER 2018 | 19
nce in a while you meet someone who’s perfectly suited to his chosen career. Dr. Robert Graffeo is one of those people. When we open the door, he’s in the reception area, not just smiling but smiling. He’s one of those people for whom the compliment “great smile” totally applies. What a perfect advertisement for what he calls “Dentistry Redefined.” That’s what it says on his business card, which contains other clues about how he sees his life’s work. Instead of “appointment,” patients call for “reservations.” The card also promises “patient comfort” and “simply beautiful smiles.” Dr. Robert started out as a dental lab tech before moving on to dentistry. “I like the creative nature of it and improving people’s smiles,” he says. He calls his discipline comprehensive dentistry. With fellow specialists, he “choreographs treatment plans for optimum health. What I offer is total care for quality control; patients don’t bounce from office to office.” He treats the “total person. It’s like being an artist in a way. A new patient is like a new canvas. You don’t just take film and fill a tooth. You have to know what their expectations are, their family life, their jobs. You create an inviting environment where a patient doesn’t feel like a number.” Dr. Robert tells the story of a patient who had a toothache on Labor Day weekend but was reluctant to call. Dr. Robert saw him on the Monday holiday for a 20-minute procedure, gently reminding him that he should have called immediately. “I’m an old-school person,” he says. “I care. That’s the way I was raised. I value honor and integrity.” When he’s behind the chair, he’s “focused 100 percent. It’s about the patient, not about lunch, and I leave my cell phone in my office.” He also cares about the office. He designed it himself, with a beautiful wood counter in the waiting room and lots of personal touches, including one of his most prized possessions: the framed diploma of his great-great grandfather, dated 1899, also a dentist back in Italy, where the family is from. The outside of the office has “curb appeal,” Dr. Robert says. “It used to be dark and dingy.” Now it has an inviting blue sign. Dr. Robert gives back to the community, working with kids with learning disabilities who make posters for him, with sayings such as this from Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Don’t go where the path may lead. Go instead where there’s no path and leave a trail.” It would be hard to find a better adage to describe the life and work of Dr. Robert Graffeo.
Swift Morris Interiors
1208 Washington St. (201) 656-5684 (201) 388-7602 (cell) carol@swiftmorris.com SwiftMorrisInteriors.com
W
alk into Carol Swift’s design studio, and you know you’re in the milieu—or maybe even in the mind—of a real artist. It has the wonderful clutter and crazy allure of a creative person who lives among the objects and emblems of her craft. In this case: fabrics, swatches, rugs, antiques, prints, paintings, cubbyholes, books, baskets, curios, old computers, paperwork, and an old phone. Carol did in fact go to art school. She’s been living in Hoboken since 1980 and started her interior design business in 1983 in the building she still occupies. “I just did it,” she says. “It was organic.” One of her clients is the novelist Anna Quindlen. “When she called me, I went over with one fabric,” Carol recalls. “Of course it was the perfect fabric. It’s so funny. You just get a vibe about what would work.” Designing an interior is more than picking the right fabric. Carol says she has to know the lifestyle of the client, how he or she lives or wants to live. “I love collaborating and doing things I’ve never done before,” she says. It starts with knowing the function of the space. She’s designed a sewing room that is much more conducive to the art of sewing than just setting up a sewing machine in the back of some storage room. “From the function come the furnishings, the look, the color, the pretty things,” she says. “To do the job right, you have to be interested in the client, interested in people in general, ask a lot of questions, which leads to coming up with the right thing for them.” One client was not into home entertaining but loved reading. For that family, Carol suggested getting rid of the dining room altogether and turning it into a reading room. “I designed a big room with four chairs,” she says. “It was the best room in the house.” Clients come back year after year. She designed a pink bedroom for the daughter of one client. When, a few years later, the girl decided that blue was her favorite color, Carol stepped in to make a blue bedroom. “I visit jobs I did years ago, and I still love them,” she says. “They stand the test of time.” “I keep upgrading and changing things,” Carol says. “People don’t leave their homes untouched.” Which is a good thing because one of the hardest parts of her work is a kind of separation anxiety that sets in when the job is complete. “We’ve been through this process together. We’re done for now, but I don’t want to say goodbye.” She’ll probably never say goodbye to the business, but if she did switch careers, she’s identified the perfect dream job: naming paint colors.— 07030
Carol Swift
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How We Work 07030
Houses of God By Tara Ryazansky
F
inding the perfect apartment in Hoboken can feel like a religious experience. Especially if it happens to have dramatic windows and high, vaulted ceilings and the previous tenant was the Lord. As church congregations grow smaller, and the population of apartment hunters grows larger, plenty of developers have realized that converting old churches can be a great way to attract folks who are looking for a unique place to live. Hoboken, meanwhile, maintains its architectural history while making way for new residents. The Abbey on Hudson Street was converted into a condo building in 1984. Prior to that, the church, which was established in the late 1800s, was known as Saint Paul’s Episcopal. The old church was converted into a 24-unit condo building by architect Dean Marchetto. It was the first church conversion of his career. He recalls walking into the space and hoping to incorporate some religious details in each unit. “I thought every apartment should have one of these great windows that go all the way down the side on the left and the right,” he says. “Church structures and their shapes are not generally similar to residential building shapes. It can be like fitting a square peg in a round hole. The best solutions come from finding creative ways to use the architectural elements of the church to enhance the residential design.”
INTELLIGENT DESIGN
The Abbey - Photo by Victor M. Rodriguez
The long Gothic arch windows were two stories high, but Marchetto made them work in duplex apartments with a loft bedroom so the stained glass was visible on both levels. One resident even supplied sunglasses for the Virgin Mary on the bedroom portion of his window, joking that he wanted a bit of privacy. Maintaining the feeling of a church throughout the entire building became Marchetto’s creative goal. “If you go inside a church conversion, and you see a hallway and an elevator like every other building, it doesn’t feel special, so by creating a two-story hallway and creating a pitched ceiling, it recalls the shape of the original structure,” Marchetto says. In the upper floors, Marchetto encountered other issues. “It gets narrow,” he says, so he created triplexes. Having a bell tower for a bedroom might not
mean a lot of square footage, but it’s pretty cool. “There’s the oculos window that’s right on the front of the church.” The space looks larger because it’s flooded with light.
The Abbey - Photo by Victor M. Rodriguez
SANCTUARY CITY Another of Marchetto’s church conversions is a building known as The Vestry, formerly the First Dutch Reform Church of Hoboken, built in 1900. Marchetto had to raise the pitch of the roof to make the ceilings high enough for the apartments. “The bricks were so old that they don’t make them anymore,” Marchetto says, but he found a close match. They preserved a standout feature of the building. “There was a major rose window on the front facade, which the builder restored.”
“This Norwegian church
did not have a rear altar area, an apse, so we decided to add the missing apse which ultimately became my personal office.” – Dean Marchetto Preserving these details is appealing to buyers, but it also keeps a piece of Hoboken history alive. “Over time they have become part of the fabric of the city and often great neighbors,” Marchetto says. “They also provide architectural diversity in a city like Hoboken dominated by brick row houses and brownstones.” Marchetto also had a hand in the conversion of the First Baptist Church of Hoboken at 901 Bloomfield, built in 1890 in the Richardsonian Romanesque style, and currently under construction. “The building is a church in the round. It’s a big rotunda,” Marchetto says. “Baptist churches typically have circular main sanctuary spaces, and 901 is a classic example. While the other churches we re-purposed were rectangular, this one posed particular problems with the layouts. As a result, most of the rooms built into the main sanctuary space have at least one curved wall. While furniture placement may be tricky, these units will have a unique appeal.”
DIVINE GUIDANCE Marchetto says that buyers and renters are attracted to the large, quirky spaces. “Developers, especially condominium developers, want to offer one-of-a-kind living spaces because they bring value to certain buyers,” Marchetto says. “Often these churches are in prime neighborhoods, and new development opportunities in these developed neighborhoods are becoming harder and harder to find.” Marchetto knows the appeal firsthand. His office, at 1225 Willow, is a church conversion. The building was a Norwegian Lutheran Church, built in the 07030 HOBOKEN | WINTER 2018 | 19 • 45
did not have a rear altar area, an apse, so we decided to add the missing apse which ultimately became my personal office,” Marchetto says. The expansion is bright and modern. “This addition design which we named ‘ApseTraction’ won two American Institute of Architects design awards and was honored in a Paris competition for the unique use of natural zinc exterior cladding.” Ideally, design and the divine work together. “Historically, churches are designed as a spiritual space, to create an uplifting sense of grandeur derived from the architecture,” Marchetto says. “We like to think capturing that feeling in an architecture studio not only adds to one’s creative sensibilities at work but inspires our clients to expand their understanding of architecture and design.” Amen!—07030 Former Norwegian Lutheran Church, now Dean Marchetto’s office
Photos courtesy of Dean Marchetto late 1800s and rebuilt in 1913. After World War I, the church was sold to the American Legion. In the late 1990s when membership dwindled, the group left to seek a smaller space that needed less maintenance. The American Legion’s realestate agent approached Marchetto because she knew he had worked with developers who might be interested in the space. At the time, the real-estate market wasn’t that hot, and no one was interested. On a whim, Marchetto decided to take a look at the church. “It had a drop ceiling, black-and-red checkered floor, and wood paneling,” he recalls. “You wouldn’t know you were in a church. In fact, you would have thought you were in an American Legion Hall anywhere in America.” It’s hard to imagine now that the church is restored and modernized. One standout feature is the domed tin ceiling. “I took a ladder, and I took the light fixture tile and I tipped it so the light would point up,” Marchetto says. “I looked up there and I saw that ceiling, and it was completely intact. Now all of a sudden my architectural juices are flowing, and I said, holy smoke, maybe this would be a great office. Because it was a little bit after the recession and because it was in bad repair, they were selling for a very low number.”
MISSION POSITION “The choice we made was to do a Mission style interior,” he says. “The reason being is that architects like to take modern ideas and juxtapose them with historical things. This Mission style is a modern style, but it’s all wood. It felt compatible with the history of the building.” About five years ago, Marchetto needed more space. He decided to add a modern version of an apse on the back of his building. An apse is the rounded altar area, where clergy typically perform the service. “This Norwegian church Exterior of Dean Marchetto’s office 46 • 07030 HOBOKEN | WINTER 2018 | 19
POINT & SHOOT
WINTER ON THE WATERFRONT Images by TBishPhoto 07030 HOBOKEN | WINTER 2018 | 19 • 47
1st row left to right Linda Bierman, Diana London, and Carol Kaplan 2nd row left to right Jerilyn Horing, Judy Wukitsch, Eileen Julian, and Jackie Dowd 3rd row left to right Stephanie Metz, Alison Ziegler, and Alberto Medina
Basket Cases
Hoop dreams come true for women over 50 Photos by Alan Weiner , bout 12 years ago, Diana London got an idea while at her Hoboken neighborhood’s annual Christmas party. Why, she wondered, when we get older do we stop having fun? “Why do we stop playing?” she asks. “We all brought up kids and were so careful to make sure that they experienced soccer, softball, basketball, all these wonderful activities, but we stopped playing ourselves. We gave up on ourselves.” Well, Diana put a stop to that when she posted this classified ad in the paper: “Midlife basketball? Join us. We’re a group of older women from about 45 to 75(!) who have a ridiculously good time playing VERY gentle basketball, half-court. Why should the kids have all the fun? No experience necessary, just a playful spirit. We play at the Multi-Service Center, 2nd and Grand Street on Wednesday nights, 9 to 10PM starting up again this Fall. If interested contact DianaLondonNJ@aol.com.” Diana is not sure why she chose basketball over other sports; maybe because you could play year-round inside. She started asking women if they would consider playing. Some said, no way, their knees or their feet couldn’t handle it. She took the names of the ones who said yes, they would love it, and made an announcement at another neighborhood block party.
A
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Ladies in Waiting Next, Diana had to find a place to play. The local schools weren’t a good bet because there were too many insurance issues. Then she tried the city recreation department. “They looked at me like I was crazy and didn’t want to give me the space,” she recalls. She knew that the Multi-Service Center was open to the public. “Kids used it for clubs, and the cheerleaders were there every night,” she remembers. They finally landed the fashionably late 9-10 p.m. slot, playing half-court because there was a tai chi group on the other half. “We were making a lot of noise during these beautiful Asian exercises,” she laughs. Soon, the tai chi folks left, and they had the use of the full court. Now there are about 12 players, ranging in age from about 45 to 78. The younger women appreciated the late time slot, so they could get their kids squared away before hitting the court. It didn’t matter how many showed up. “If we get four people, we play two on two,” Diana says. “We’re always happy when we play. We have so much fun. Even though we might not feel like it, when we do go, we never regret it.”
Golden Girls Carol Kaplan is one of the original members. “I love it,” she says. “It gets us out exercising with fun gals. We welcome new members to join us for a great time, and beginners are welcome.” She hasn’t always been a jock. “I wasn’t really interested in sports way back in high school, but I said, let’s give it a try.” Ten years later, she’s given it more than a try. “I had knee replacement surgery in 2017,” she says, “and was back on the court within six months.” She’s 75.
Why should the kids have all the fun? No experience necessary, just a playful spirit. Eileen Julian was a jock. She played basketball in high school and college. “I never thought I’d play again,” she says. “I broke my finger the first season. I was pretending I was 21.” Some of the women had never played. “There are all levels of ability,” Eileen says. “Some people double dribble. I try to explain, but they still do it in the heat of the game.” But she’s the first to admit that no one cares. “The best part about it is that we all enjoy the camaraderie. We help each other and teach each other. It’s no big deal if we win or lose.” Eileen is 79 and expects to play into her nineties.
Kids at Heart “Running the full court with all your might, you feel like a child gain,” Diana says. But she does exercise caution. “We’re careful with each other. I’m the mother hen: ‘Watch it, calm down.’ I’m very aware. Though it’s nothing remotely serious, I broke a finger in two places.” They’re not headed to the WNBA anytime soon. “We really are terrible,” she admits. “Truly, anyone can play this game. We’re noncompetitive, just having fun.” For a short while they had a coach who basically just reffed the game, so that didn’t last. Diana, who worked for a number of TV networks as a reporter and producer, says she was never a jock as a kid. “I never played sports,” she says, “but I became a basketball fan during the Jordan years. I loved to watch him. We play an uncomplicated version of the game.” She’s in her mid-60s now and shows no signs of abandoning her beloved sport. “It makes you feel free,” she says. “It’s a great feeling.”—Kate Rounds 07030 HOBOKEN | WINTER 2018 | 19 • 49
HELPING
Food for Thought Hoboken comes together to feed the hungry
I
t’s become the most shopworn cliché to say that people should not go hungry in a wealthy country like the United States. But they do, and we have hungry neighbors right here in Hoboken. Thankfully, Hoboken has opened its pantries and purses to feed those in need. Toni Tomarazzo serves on the board of the former YMCA, now the Hoboken Community Center, which includes the MBS moderate-to-low-income housing program. Paul Somerville of Paul J. Somerville Design, who also serves on the board, says, “The words ‘Spirit Mind Body’ cast on the stonework on the south side of the building is the international YMCA slogan, a version of which, ‘Mind Body Spirit’ became the genesis of the name MBS Housing.” The HCC offers housing for 96 low- and moderate-income single men. They occupy part of the building at Washington and 13th Street. “Guys have lived in the building for 30 years,” Tomarazzo says. “With horrendous gentrification, they wouldn’t know what to do without the service. What’s their option?” The organization is in the process of renovating the part of the building where the gym and pool used to be. “When we reopen that part, it will provide recreational and educational activities,” Tomarazzo says. “We’re working very hard to see that the men’s shelter is run appropriately. In con50 • 07030 HOBOKEN | WINTER 2018 | 19
junction with that extra room, we are in the very near future opening the Hoboken Food Pantry. A small but burgeoning food pantry will help families in need.”
Locals Offer Support The Hoboken Food Pantry hopes to serve 25 to 35 families and will work through the city and other agencies to find families that don’t have enough food. Though the New Jersey Food Bank assists in providing food, HCC operates with volunteers and contributions from local drives and donations. A generous anonymous donor contributed $10,000. The Hoboken Shelter, an outstanding service under the direction of Jaclyn Cherubini, is supported by most of the religious institutions in Hoboken. “But the town still does not have a full-service food pantry,” Tomarazzo says. “There has been a void of food pantries available to families in the northeast and northwestern sides of Hoboken. They’ve been needed for a long time.” Still, organizers of the pantry want it to grow gradually. “We want to start small and not go over our skis,” Tomarazzo says. “We want to help families who need it, and we are desperate for volunteers.”
Perception and Reality Tomarazzo, who is an attorney by day, says that the food pantry is part of the mayor’s initiative to address homelessness in the city. “In a wealthy community like Hoboken, we lose sight of the needs of people who can’t get through the month without help in providing food for their families,” Tomarazzo says. “We tend to associate with people like ourselves and lose sight as a community of the dire need and the real difference two bags of groceries can make to a family who can’t put food on the table.” She is passionate about the mission. “Think of the absolute impact we can have on these families,” she says. “It’s so rewarding to see this done for them. It’s worth the time and effort.” —Kate Rounds The former YMCA is now the Hoboken Community Center. Photo by Victor M. Rodriguez
To volunteer, visit hobokencc.org.
Photo by Victor M. Rodriguez
Where to Find a Hot Meal Other organizations around town provide food for those in need.
Photo by Victor M. Rodriguez
Saint Matthew Trinity Lutheran Church 57 8th St. stmatthewtrinity.org (201) 659-4499
Photo by Victor M. Rodriguez
The church provides hot meals to the homeless Monday through Thursday.
In Jesus’s Name Our Lady of Grace (OLG) Basement of the OLG parish center behind 411 Clinton St. (201) 659-0369 injesusnamecharities@gmail.com olghoboken.com
St. Francis Pantry 308 Jefferson St. (201) 659-1772 stfrancishoboken.net As part of St. Francis Church, the St. Francis Pantry feeds those in need from a list of 70 to 80 people gleaned from relevant sources. Monday through Friday, the pantry gives out sandwiches, dessert, and water from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to those on the list.
In Jesus’s Name offers emergency food in response to any resident of Hoboken, but it’s not a monthly food bank. It operates on an emergency basis with referrals from agencies. A Thanksgiving dinner and toys at Christmas are provided. In Jesus’s Name is supported by donations. “We don’t want people to feel stigmatized,” said Director April Harris. “We want it to be a comforting experience.”
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PHOTOS BY VICTOR M. RODRIGUEZ
O
The Pig & Parrot Pub & Grill 77 Hudson St. (201) 683-7370 thepigandparrot.com
ne of the most iconic signs in Hoboken hangs above this popular pub: the one that once graced the old Victor Hotel. The vertical letters of the vintage sign, a little worse for wear, evoke an earlier era. But this part of town, smack in the middle of its bustling transportation hub, has always been a hotbed of activity. The only difference is that now, new taverns and restaurants cater to obsessive texters, Instagrammers, and other habitués of the 21st century. The Pig & Parrot has brought a taste of Key West to downtown Hoboken. If you’ve ever been to Key West, it’s not such a stretch. Both are vibrant, happening towns with artists, innovators, and great watering holes. The place has a friendly feel. It’s usually pleasantly packed with sports watchers and a diverse demographic of patrons enjoying
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Watering hole 07030
Happy Hour or a really late evening; the bar closes at 3 a.m. The Key West vibe comes from a few well-chosen design elements and a bit of turquoise ocean in the color scheme. Not to mention the menu, which features the Key West Combo, a troika of coconut shrimp, grouper fingers, and fried green tomatoes; Key West Chicken, made with citrus marinated chicken, pepper jack cheese, avocado, and tomato; and of course the iconic Key Lime pie. A host of other options includes a wide selection of quesadillas, sandwiches, burgers, flatbreads, and rice bowls. Walk into the Pig & Parrot, and you get the feeling that Ernest Hemingway might be bellying up to the bar.—07030
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Ali Baba
assi
Ibraham Ab Photos by Terri Saulino Bish
T
his Hoboken standby has been serving up its modern interpretation of classic Middle Eastern dishes, using high-quality, fresh 54 • 07030 HOBOKEN
ingredients, for more than three decades. We visited on a chilly Thursday evening. Inside, the atmosphere was warm and inviting as owner Ibrahim Abassi welcomed us. This popular eatery has a colorful
dĂŠcor with a drum and a mandolin hanging on the wall, mirrors, a colorful mural, and other images depicting the region from which Ibraham and his cuisine hail. Pride of place is a framed Jersey Choice Award honoring
Ali Baba as the Best Middle Eastern/Turkish restaurant in its 35th annual awards program. Ibraham suggested we try three of his most popular dishes. First up was the Vegetarian Grand Combo, featuring falafel,
hummus, grape leaves, tabouleh, lebeneh, and baba ganoush. This potpourri of Middle Eastern favorites was delicious. The falafel was spicier than most. The dish comes with a really hot sauce, as well as a milder tahini sauce, and lots of pita bread. Next up was the Fattoush Salad. This too was packed with fresh, healthy vegetables, consisting of
Ali Baba 912 Washington St. (201) 653-5319 hobokenalibaba.com
07030 H HOBOKEN | WINTER 2018 | 19 • 55
Romaine lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, cucumbers, parsley, lemon, and olive oil. Sprigs of mint gave it a beautiful flavor, and pita chips offered a nice, crunchy texture. Last was a superb spicy Chicken Tikka, boneless chicken marinated in
spices and yogurt. Tikka means “bits” or “pieces.” It was served with yellow rice and a hefty portion of vegetables. A scrumptious dessert of honey cake with blueberries, vanilla ice cream, and chocolate sauce was to die for. It was made
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with semolina, giving it a slightly grainy texture, which paired beautifully with ice cream. Terri ordered a rich, dark Turkish coffee to go with it. A display case of desserts in the back contained date cookies, chocolate chip honey cake, baklava,
chocolate almond roll, and pistachio cookies. A wide range of appetizers, sandwiches, and salads is available, as well as entrees with chicken, beef, and lamb. Visit hobokenalibaba. com for a full menu. Ali Baba also offers takeout and delivery as well as meat, chicken, vegetable, and salad platters for your next party. Ibraham had just returned from California and was saddened to see the flowers in front of the restaurant long gone. This concern is indicative of the love and care he heaps on his restaurant and those who dine there. “Feed the eye before the mouth,” Ibraham advises. “Be generous with portions and treat everyone like family.” —Kate Rounds
datEs 07030 from page 37 Club for a viewing of “Reinventing Power.” a panel discussion about climate change and renewable energy will follow.
7 Decorating Sweets for your Sweet, Hoboken Public Library, 500 Park ave. 6:30-8:30 p.m.
8-9 the Comedy of errors, Debaun auditorium, Stevens institute of technology, 1 Castle Point terrace, 8 p.m. in Shakespeare’s most farcical comedy, two sets of identical twins unwittingly spark a mounting series of mishaps based on mistaken identity. $5 for general admission and $2 for students and seniors.
add ADVERTISING
8-10 tony and tina’s wedding, Hoboken High School, 800 Clinton St., 7 p.m. on feb. 8, 2 and 7 p.m. on feb. 9, and 2 p.m. on feb 10. the play features current students of Hoboken Middle School and Hoboken High School alumni students, faculty, and fingerprinted parents. this is an interactive comedy where the audience can be a part of the show. Come dance the night away with tony and tina’s. Prices also include an italian dinner and wedding cake. tony and tina’s wedding is by aRtifiCaL inteLLiGenCe, conceived by nancy Cassaro, and created by thomas Michael allen, James altuner, Mark Campbell, nancy Cassaro, Patricia Cregan, elizabeth Dennehy, Christopher fracchiolla, Jack fris, Kevin a. Leonidas, Mark nassar, Larry Pellegrini, Susan Varon, and Moira wilson. originally produced by Joseph Corcoran in association with artificial intelligence. tony and tina’s wedding is presented by special arrangement with Samuel french, inC.
see page 58
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Contact the Hudson Reporter Advertising Department
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datEs 07030 from page 57
9
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201-217-9960
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Chinese new Year Celebration, Hoboken Public Library, 500 Park ave. 12-3 p.m.
We Offer Daily Hot Lunch Specials
Yoga nidra Meditation: a Practice for Deep Rest and Relaxation, Hoboken Public Library, 500 Park ave., 6:30-7:30 p.m. Lucianna will lead you through this form of guided meditation as you comfortably lie down and listen. She will guide you into a deep state of relaxation. You may even find yourself resting at the state between waking and sleeping as you become aware of your breath, body and mind.
21 Reading of the Vagina Monologues, Debaun auditorium, Stevens institute of technology, 1 Castle Point terrace, 9 p.m. Join the global movement to stop violence against women and girls with our 19th annual reading of the Vagina Monologues. all proceeds go to charity. tickets are $5 at the door. thinking in full Color: empowering women of Color through education and arts, Hoboken Public Library, 500 Park ave., 7-9 p.m.
23 Self Defense Ultimate Group Session, Hoboken Public Library, 500 Park ave., 12:30-3:30 p.m.
MaRCH 14 onStage at Steven Presents: “a Celebration of women,” Debaun auditorium, Stevens institute of technology, 1 Castle Point terrace, 7 p.m. as part of women’s History Month, the nJSo Chamber Players present music by women composers throughout history and explore their resounding impact on classical music today.
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