The two-week summer program teaches aspiring police officers ages 12-15. The cadets learn much about what officers do. They attend morning classes on topics such as internet safety, gang awareness and bullying. Later they exercise and learn self-defense, drive a police car simulator, and shoot in a simulated gun range. The cadets also practice marching and ceremonial procedures.

According to Officer Daniel Simone III, himself a JPA graduate during the 1990s, the cadets learn discipline. “Each day we give them a motivational quote to think about, and we motivate them to succeed and never give up,” Simone said. “The idea is to give them tough situations and see how they deal with them. We break them down and build them back up.”

Simone said the officers enjoy teaching the cadets. “We love to hear the stories and the impact the academy has had on their lives,” he said. “For some trainees, it is a game changer. Our feeling is if we can change just one kid for the better, we have done our job.”

The program is sponsored by the city government. The New Jersey State Police Marine Squad, the Jersey City Bomb Squad and other agencies often provide guest instructors.

This year, Stevens Institute of Technology will host the Hoboken Police Department’s Junior Police Academy from July 29 to August 9. Cadets may download an application from the department website, www.hobokenpd.com, and deliver it by June 24. For questions, call Sergeant Melissa Gigante at 201-420-2100 or email gigantem@hobokenpd.org.

Meet the Youngest of Hoboken’s Finest

Do you remember being young and excitedly telling people what you wanted to do when you would be older? Imagine then getting a big head start. Hoboken’s youth who want to become police officers one day can get the perfect learning experience through the Hoboken Police Department’s annual Junior Police Academy.

The two-week summer program teaches aspiring police officers ages 12-15. The cadets learn much about what officers do. They attend morning classes on topics such as internet safety, gang awareness and bullying. Later they exercise and learn self-defense, and they get to drive a police car simulator and shoot in a simulated gun range at the Essex County Police Academy. The cadets also practice marching and ceremonial procedures.

According to Officer Daniel Simone III, himself a JPA graduate during the 1990’s, the cadets learn discipline. “Each day we give them a motivational quote to think about, and we motivate them to succeed and never give up,” Simone said. “The idea is to give them tough situations and see how they deal with them. We break them down and build them back up.”

Simone said the officers enjoy teaching the cadets. “We love to hear the stories and the impact the academy has had on their lives,” he said. “For some trainees, it is a game changer. Our feeling is if we can change just one kid for the better, we have done our job.”

The program is sponsored by the Hoboken Department of Health and Human Services and the Hoboken Municipal Drug Alliance. The New Jersey State Police Marine Squad, the Jersey City Bomb Squad and other local agencies often provide guest instructors.

Besides Simone, several former cadets have later joined the adult force, including Officer Jonathan Mecka, dispatcher Michael Losurdo, and Officer Dennis Figueroa, who will graduate from the adult academy this summer.

Every year the cadets have a graduation ceremony where they each receive a certificate. Some of them receive special awards, such as for being the best target shooter in the class.

This year the cadets will march in the first ever parade the HPD will throw for its annual National Night Out festival on August 9 at Church Square Park. During the festival the cadets will staff a reception table to help recruit kids to join next year’s program.

Simone said that featuring the cadets in the parade will be a good way to introduce them to the community and vice versa. He said he also expects the cadets’ parents to enjoy seeing their children in action. The parents tend to be big fans of the program.

“The parents love it,” Simone said. “They wish we would do it all summer and always ask for more physical training because their kids come home exhausted!”

This year the Stevens Institute of Technology will host the Hoboken Police Department’s Junior Police Academy from July 29 to August 9. Cadets can download an application from the department website, www.hobokenpd.com, and deliver it by June 24. For more information, call Sergeant Melissa Gigante at 201-420-2100 or email gigantem@hobokenpd.org.

Zylo is a sophisticated and trendy steakhouse located in the W Hotel, and even through the rain, the breathtaking view of the Manhattan skyline was not fully obscured. Guests could see the skyscrapers reaching up beyond the fog through the floor to ceiling windows. The restaurant’s exposed concrete and steel walls mixed with the indulgent luxury of the rest of the decor give off an energy reminiscent of Hoboken itself. Beyond the atmosphere, Zylo offers great happy hour specials and famed Sunday Brunch specials.

Guests came dressed to impress and eager to dance, thankfully, because there were two performers for the event. Hoboken’s very own Adam Levine entertained the crowd with rock covers, while DJ Terminator Dave from Shinobi Ninja dropped some beats to keep friends and fans of hMAG in constant motion throughout the night. Dave, a friend of hMAG after performing at last year’s music fest, was happy to be back in Hoboken and to help out the night’s cause.

One aspect of the night surpassed the appetizers, drinks, and even the music. hMAG is continually blown away by the benevolence of the local businesses that donated gifts for the raffle, and by the generosity of those who take part in it, which for this mixer benefited the Wallace Primary School. The Wallace School aims to prove a warm, safe, and welcoming atmosphere for children to learn, and all money raised will go towards the Wallace School’s annual field day, which the students are ecstatic about.

The Wallace School parents that came to the event were grateful that so many people turned out despite the weather. They said, “It’s a great event for a great cause. It’s amazing to see the whole community come together.”

Kevin Cale, hMAG co-founder, has children of his own and understands the significance of this event. He emphasized, “These kids are the future of Hoboken. It’s really important to support them. These mixers are about community and the children are a part of our community.”

There really is no better way to kick off the summer than helping the community with friends.

So until next time Hoboken, keep up the good work. We hope to see you at our next mixer! For information on how you can get involved as a sponsor or host, please email: Diana@hmag.com.

All photos by Cezare Ramone.

The experience has always made me think twice about discussing fatherhood in any sort of forum. Talking about fatherhood is like screaming “Free Bird” at a Skynyrd concert—it’s been done, but that doesn’t mean we’re ever going to stop doing it. Via sanctimony or self-deprecation, from the Book of Job to the book by Joel Stein—Cosby, Reiser, Louis C.K., and every sitcom since the dawn of Television—the nuances of fatherhood have long been dissected under the guise of anecdotal impartation. So I doubt that I have anything truly unique to say on the subject.

While mommies seemingly feel the need to circle the wagons (or the double-wide strollers), have web support groups to discuss diaper rash and coordinate “Mommies’ Night Out,” there are considerably less group activities for fathers—mostly because fathers are men, and would therefore never openly admit to a group of people that they had no idea what the hell they were doing. A few years ago, Hoboken used to be a town that focused primarily on the act of making babies. Now these guys, as clueless as they were in attempting that process, are attempting to raise children here. If nothing else, it’s fun to watch.

Fatherhood in an urban environment does present its own unique challenges—the omnipresent surveillance for dogshit, constantly shouting, “don’t touch that homeless guy,” and carrying gallons of never-to-be-used hand sanitizer just to placate your wife. The dads at the playground sit there like they’re in the waiting room at the auto mechanic, checking their watches, scrolling their iPhones, or just staring up at the sky. Part of it is boredom, but most of it is the fact that we don’t want to have to talk to all those mothers—the majority of them leering at us like we’re some sort of rogue lions that just peed on their portion of the plain.

Fact is, in the pantheon of parenthood, the contemporary urban father actually gets very little respect. And why should we? It’s not like we’re teaching our kids to hunt or fish or fight or survive on the “mean streets of Hoboken.” If anything we’re teaching them horrible life lessons, because a society where parents sit idly by and let their kids climb UP the slide is doomed for failure.

Meanwhile we’re shadows of our former self-image. We were once running the streets at last call, teeming with testosterone—now we’re running to A&P five minutes before it closes, fist-pumping the fact that we made last call for a six-pack of juiceboxes. We used to kick ass and take names, now we just take numbers and stand in line outside bouncy castles. We once had the world by the balls, now we know exactly how the world felt. We aren’t out fixing our cars or working the docks or serving up street justice to neighborhood thugs. The closest most of us come to street justice nowadays is writing a sternly worded review on Yelp about a smug bartender who obviously didn’t want to listen to our bullshit stories about fatherhood.

That said, what do I have to add to the conversation?

Fatherhood is “magical,” and it’s “the best thing that’s ever happened” to me.

No bullshit there.

It’s challenging. It’s tiresome. It has its moments. But it’s not impossible.

If anything, my kid has made my life easier. For one thing, I’m spending a hell of a lot less time in bars. I’ll get out and meet friends from time to time, but it’s rare—and getting rarer as the time passes. It’s not because I no longer enjoy spending time with my friends, it’s because I actually enjoy spending time with my kid.

Having a kid means all the fun of having a pet monkey, except they say silly shit too. For the entertainment value alone, it was worth doing. As for bringing certain aspects of my life into focus and hopefully inspiring me to work harder, not for my own gain but for the comfort and wellbeing of my family, well that makes it an even better decision.

Unlike many of those who have discussed this topic before me, I’m not self-righteously claiming I have it all figured out… all I’m saying is that it’s a challenge absolutely worth accepting.

The way I’ve always seen it is that weaker, dumber people than me have had children and lived to tell the tale. I should know—I heard enough of them back when I was at the bar.

Christopher M. Halleron, columnist/contributing editor for hMAG, has covered the world from Hoboken and beyond for well over a decade. Like a good Manhattan, he is stirred but never shaken—with a healthy dash of bitters. Follow him on Twitter @HALLERON.

3 oz. of top shelf vodka

1 oz. of sake

3 lychees for garnish

Pour vodka into a shaker, add sake. Add a big splash of lychee juice (from a can). Shake and pour into a martini glass. Garnish with lychees or a flower.

Sushi Lounge, 200 Hudson Street

The change was ultimately appropriate, as Sloan was a traditionalist at heart – he didn’t believe in running the trains on Sundays or having typewriters in the office.

Adventurer Leo Fleishmann started the company in the 20s and set up shop in Hoboken shortly before marching off to die in the Spanish Civil War.  The company still produces wax to this day. His building still stands to greet motorists entering town.

Visit the Stewed Cow, 400 Adams Street. All photos by Will Hinds.

In 1885, ground was broken on 12^th and Bloomfield streets to build a colossal bridge to NYC that aimed to be taller than the Brooklyn Bridge. Due to lack of funding, however, the bridge was never built but remnants of its cornerstone were salvaged from a jackhammer and currently reside at Stevens Institute.

Fortunately, many have been preserved and form an important part of the “Hoboken Look.” What follows is a sampling. There are many others: stop by the Museum and see what once occupied your block.

Hoboken Land & Improvement Building / Hoboken Ferry Company

Address: 1 Newark St.

Current use: Office space for small businesses

Built: 1889, by architect Charles Fall and mason Myles Tierney

Brief history: The original “Boss” of Hoboken was Col. John Stevens III, who bought the land known as “William Bayard’s farm at Hoebuck” in 1774 at a public auction. For the first part of the 19^th century, he developed Hoboken as a popular recreational getaway for New Yorkers. He and his son Robert were active in the development of steam-powered ferries, launching the Hoboken Ferry Company in 1822. The year Col. Stevens died, 1838, he and his sons created the Hoboken Land & Improvement Company to develop and sell lots. In 1889, the family had the beautiful little brick building with terracotta decorations built at the corner of River and Newark Sts. as the headquarters for both companies. In fact, the family was so proud of its double-decker ferries, they asked the architect to create a staircase like those found on ferryboats in the building’s center. It is listed in National Register of Historic Places.

Next time you walk by: The building is notable for its high quality, detailed brickwork, with recessed panels and contrasting color mortars. On the south facade, look for a terracotta clock surrounded by sea motifs and the company’s monogram.

Hoboken Bank for Savings

Address: 84 Washington St., then 101 Washington St.

Current use: Office space for various businesses, with a nightclub on the lower level

Built: 1890, by architectural firm Napoleon Lebrun & Sons

Brief history: The bank was chartered in 1857 and had other locations before moving in 1890 to the ground floor of the ornate, five-story Northern Renaissance Revival building at the corner of Washington and Newark Streets. In April of 1873, before the panic of the fall of 1873, the bank’s secretary Fred Klennen absconded with some funds, and there was a run on the bank that made headlines. Every depositor was eventually paid in full.

The ornate style had fallen out of fashion by the 1920s, and the bank moved to the new classical building at 101 Washington St. in 1929 (now a Walgreens). Its name changed to Washington Savings Bank (in the 1970s) and it eventually merged into another bank.

Next time you walk by: You’ll have to imagine the original steep, conical roof on the corner turret, but you can still enjoy the façade of tan Roman brick with brownstone, bluestone and terra cotta trim, which were cleaned and restored in 1987. When the building at 101 Washington was cleared out in 2008, the owner donated the neoclassical brass counters to the Museum, where one serves as a display in our entrance!

Keuffel & Esser Manufacturing Complex

Address: North side of Third St., between Grand and Adams, Adams and Jefferson

Current use: Converted to residential use as apartments and condos

Built: 1880 -1907, Architect unknown

Brief history: In 1867, Hoboken residents Wilhelm Johann Diedrich Keuffel and Herman Esser joined forces to import and sell precision instruments for the architectural, engineering and drafting professions. Their first office was in Manhattan at 79 Nassau St. In 1875, they expanded to Hoboken, building a complex of offices and factories on either side of Adams Street at Third Street. In 1891, their Hoboken factory produced the first slide rule made in the USA. K&E later supplied the Navy with periscopes in WW I, and the Army with range-finders in WW II. The West Plant, known locally as the Clock Tower Building, was built of reinforced concrete to replace a prior structure that burned down in 1905. In the mid-1960s, Keuffel & Esser relocated operations, and in 1975, the west building was converted to housing, one of the earliest examples of adaptive reuse. You can see the K&E logo at the roofline of the building between Grand and Adams.

Next time you walk by: Beware of spiders! The crosshairs of gun sights and periscopes were made of spider-web filament and the plant maintained a “spider ranch” on site for several decades.

R.B. Davis Company – Davis Baking Powder, My-T-Fine Pudding

Address: Observer Highway, between Jackson and Harrison Sts.

Current use: Primary occupant is a wallpaper and fabric designer/printer; other spaces leased to a variety of businesses, including an art gallery, art studios and retail spaces

Built: Circa 1890-91

Brief history: Founded by Robert Benson Davis in New York circa 1879, the company set up operations in southwest Hoboken circa 1890-1891, where it made Davis Baking Powder, and Cocomalt, an enriched chocolate-flavored powder for mixing with milk that was promoted as a healthy way to help children gain weight. The plant operated here until the late 1960s or early 1970s. Located next to a trolley trestle, the company placed a highly visible sign on its roof. The company was later acquired by Penick & Ford, Ltd, which replaced the lettering on the sign to promote its My-T-Fine Pudding product, giving rise to the building’s nickname, The Pudding Factory. No evidence that the pudding product was manufactured here.

Next time you walk by: Take a look at the variety of businesses located here – a reminder of Hoboken’s days as a place of work.

John Schmalz & Sons Model Bakery / Continental Baking (Wonder Bread/Hostess)

Address: 8^th and Clinton Sts.

Current use: Space for various businesses, including a food distributor, a pet daycare and boarding facility, among others

Built: 1899, burned down in 1909, second building replaced it right away and remains standing today

Brief history: John Schmalz founded his bakery in Hoboken in 1867, and moved operations to this location in 1899. The original building burned down a decade later and was replaced with the building that’s still standing. Schmalz was best known for its “Jersey Cream Malt” Bread. In the 1920s, it was bought by the Continental Baking Corporation, makers of Wonder Bread and Hostess, which also bought a second site, in 1934, at 14th and Park, where confectionery items were made for the Hostess brand (now home to a drugstore, bank and fitness club).

Next time you walk by: Consider that this building has endured ten times longer than the one it replaced; an insurance report at the time noted it incorporated the latest in fireproofing technology & design.

W. & A. Fletcher Company / Bethlehem Steel Shipyard Machine Shop

Address: Hudson St. from 14^th – 12^th Sts.

Current use: Since 2000, the building was converted to retail and residential use, and a 2,000-square-foot space was reserved for the Hoboken Historical Museum on a 100-year lease.

Built: 1890, expanded in 1943

Brief history: The ship engine builder and repair business was founded in New York in 1853 by brothers William and Andrew Fletcher, and moved to Hoboken in 1890, where it was run by Andrew Sr. and Jr. for most of its 75 years. The company was sold to United Dry Dock in 1928, then purchased by Bethlehem Steel in 1938, which operated there until the early 1980s. This two-and-a-half story, 36-bay brick structure is one of the oldest buildings on the waterfront. It was at the center of the region’s vital shipbuilding and repair industry. During WW II, Bethlehem Steel employees reportedly worked on more than 4,000 ships. The Machine Shop was in use around the clock, employing as many as 11,000 workers.

Next time you walk by: Stop in at 13^th and Hudson and say hi to the folks at the Museum! We’re open six days a week and we’re happy to help you look up your building.

All photos courtesy of Hoboken Historical Museum.

Imagine waking up in your own personal caboose with cozy bunk beds tucked on each side of the train car. Then stroll across the property to enjoy a real Pennsylvania Dutch breakfast in another authentic train. While waiting for gravy and biscuits you may hear the train whistle from the nearby historic train Strasburg Rail, which offers rides. Take the Strasburg Rail after breakfast to a nearby local farm where you can experience everything from a walk in a corn maze to picking pumpkins at Cherry Crest Farms (www.cherrycrestfarms.com). After spending time at a local farm, take a step back in time! Take a tour on an Amish wooden buggy ride! You may be offered a whoopee pie which is a very popular Amish baked good.

The Red Caboose also has a variety of amenities such as a petting zoo and movies showing on their barn on the premises on weekend nights. Enjoy the stars and the fresh country air. Pull up a chair to enjoy a movie and a glass of wine in the great outdoors of Lancaster, PA. For more information, visit www.redcaboosemotel.com or call 717-687-5000

The Accidental Producer

By day Jeff Quinlan is a real estate agent for Weichert in Hoboken. He’s married and has two small kids. But in his spare time he makes movies and meets movie stars.

Quinlan started by chance. Years ago an actor friend had asked to film in a vacant apartment in a building Quinlan owned. “I said, ‘What do I get out of it?,’ and he said, ‘We’ll make you a producer,’ ” Quinlan recalled.

That first movie opened doors. “Once you make one movie your connections and your networking explode,” Quinlan said. He has since produced thirteen movies, ranging from comedy to action to horror, as well as a documentary about 9/11 titled “8:46.”

Quinlan regularly works with actors Chris Mulkey, who has appeared in over 100 movies and has a recurring role as Jersey City Mayor Frank “Boss” Hague on HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire,” and Martin Kove, who is famous to anyone who recognizes him as the evil sensei in “The Karate Kid.” Quinlan also produced several of the late Charles Durning’s last movies, and also worked with Anthony Hopkins when he played an uncredited role in Quinlan’s film “Bare Knuckles.”

Quinlan is finishing one movie, “Gravedigger,” and expects to release another this summer, a comedy called “Stuck in the Middle.” He’s considering four or five future projects. “Whenever the script is good and the financing is in place, then we’ll go ahead and make the movie,” he said.

The Reformer

Bob Bowdon already had a notable career as a reporter for Bloomberg television when he left in 2008 to do something more compelling. “I had been at Bloomberg for six years, and I was doing stories on the Alcoa earnings report,” Bowdon said. “I’d done enough of those stories.”

Bowdon left to make “The Cartel,” a documentary about failing public schools. The documentary has become a favorite among school reform advocates, including New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.

Bowdon said he thought making a documentary was an ideal way to explore the school reform issue. “Education has always been covered by the media as one-off stories, usually about something shocking or outrageous that happened,” he said. “Rarely what I saw is systematic coverage of the dysfunctions in public education. It really calls for a long-form treatment of the subject matter, which a documentary can provide.”

Bowdon followed “The Cartel” by launching Choice Media, an education reform media outlet with offices in Hoboken. He’s working on another education documentary that is still in the rough stages. Bowdon, who moonlights as a fake correspondent on the satirical Onion News Network television program, will also soon release a comedy short. “It’s something we did on the side for fun,” he said. “It’s about a guy who’s obsessed with counting manhole covers, because with all of our gadgets we have less reason to remember and know things, and he’s worried we’ll devolve back into chimps.”

The Local

Robert Capelli Jr. grew up in Hoboken and still lives in town. He was figuring out what he wanted to do with an architecture degree from Montclair State University when a friend suggested he try acting.

Capelli’s first break came when he landed a small role in the 1995 movie “Jeffrey,” which starred Steven Weber, Patrick Stewart and Sigourney Weaver. He found bit parts over the next few years, but he wanted more. “Things were moving a little too slow, so I felt wanted to make my own movies,” Capelli said. He wrote, directed and starred in a 1999 comedy called “Rules for Men,” which he shot in Hoboken. “It was a nice success for an independent movie,” he said.

Capelli parlayed “Rules for Men” into “Mail Order Bride,” a 2003 movie about a mobster who falls for a manipulative mail-order bride from Russia. Capelli wrote and directed, and starred in a cast that included Danny Aiello, Artie Lange and Vincent Pastore.

Capelli has worked on several projects since “Mail Order Bride,” and is now planning a political thriller. He also is one of the creators of the web-based BashBox TV, which will launch several new shows this summer.

“I have a passion for creation,” Capelli said. “Making something out of a blank piece of paper is something I really enjoy.”

Challenges

Bowdon said people told him he was crazy for leaving Bloomberg to make “The Cartel,” because he was quitting a coveted job to go spend his life savings. “We didn’t have any money, it was all-self-financed,” he said. “Either we had to get favors from friends or find people who were cheap. Though these days with cheaper high definition cameras and digital editing systems, it’s a lot less expensive than it used to be, particularly to make a documentary.”

But Bowdon said he felt he found a bigger obstacle after releasing the film than actually making it. “The people who I expected to attack me did attack me, but people who I didn’t expect to also attacked me,” he said. “It was interesting that people who disagreed with me about the content of the film tended to also hate the production value, and people who agreed with me thought the production values were perfectly fine. It was a funny correlation.”

Quinlan said he also has encountered financial challenges when making his movies. “People put in money and then back out,” he said. “Then the distribution end is a whole other animal. They try to take all the money they possibly can.”

Quinlan cited one more challenge, the famous Hollywood ego. Quinlan said he stays grounded by staying married, raising his children, and maintaining his real estate business. “Most of the people I know in the film industry aren’t married,” he said. “It’s a completely different lifestyle out there, and I’ve had to make sure to separate myself.”

Capelli also called financing and distribution as challenges to making a movie, and added the pressure of staying on budget and on schedule, and finding the right actors.

“Each little part has its own nuance that is challenging,” Capelli said. “For “Mail Order Bride” we shot abroad for six months, in Red Square with 400 extras and only two people who spoke English. We never had one day that was the same.”

Shooting Hoboken

“On the Waterfront” isn’t the only famous movie shot in Hoboken. Within the last 15 years the producers of the gambling drama “Rounders” used the Elks Lodge for a scene, and the Lackawanna Terminal served as a setting in the Julia Child biopic “Julie & Julia.” Bowdon, Capelli, and Quinlan all have ideas for shooting new movies in Hoboken.

“I have a few ideas about Hoboken,” Quinlan said. “I would write a comedy about going out in Hoboken, with all the bars, the girls, the fights, just the basic life of being a twenty-something in Hoboken. I would just call it Hoboken.”

Bowdon shares a similar vision. “I like Hoboken as a visual setting, it’s very interesting to look at,” he said. “The smashing together of very different demographics would provide lots of fun story lines to pursue if you were a narrative filmmaker. Why not envision some sort of ten-apartment building, where everyone could imagine their own weird collection of individuals living there.”

Capelli has a thorough opinion of Hoboken’s cinematic assets given that he grew up in town and shot several of his movies in the city’s streets, parks and buildings. He said Hoboken has lost some of its character since he was young.

“Years ago the town was more diverse,” Capelli said. “There were nice parts but also more desolate areas. You could shoot lots of different scenes for different parts of a movie.”

But Capelli also said the city still has pockets of charm that read well onscreen.

“The most attractive parts of the city are the waterfront, and all the houses on Hudson Street that are unique in style and character,” Capelli said. “I miss the way Hoboken used to be a little, but every time I do a movie I try to bring Hoboken in the mix.”

This issue focuses on some of those notable people, namely, some of the remarkable women in the Mile Square. Writer Theresa Howard spoke with half a dozen women in town –  there is a recipe writer, a florist, a business woman, a hair stylist, a dancer, and an ice cream shop owner. Their jobs are varied, but they are united in their passion.

And passion is a recurring theme. This month’s hLIFE focuses on a few of the filmmakers in town. Writer Alan Skontra spoke with Robert Capelli, Bob Bowdon, and Jeff Quinlan. To make a film, you must first have a great idea. What follows is a long road. These filmmakers shared the trials they face, everything from shooting, to fundraising, to distribution.

As the weather grows warmer, locals flock to the sidewalk, cafes and River Walk to take in the fresh air. We invite you to take your own walking tour through history. This month’s heritage examines some of the Mile Square’s spectacular buildings that have stood the test of time. We hope we don’t have to remind you to go outside! Summer in Hoboken includes many activities that are free to enjoy. There are movies, theater performances, fairs, and concerts, including the annual Lackawanna Music Fest on August 17.

So bring us your quirky, your fabulous, or just plain fun. We want to hear from you. We thank you and invite you along on our journey.

Enthusiastically yours,

Diana Schwaeble – Editor

& all of the hMAG Team

While there are no hard figures about just how many women-owned businesses operate in the Mile Square, anecdotal evidence suggests that women here mirror a national trend that increasingly shows more small business ownership dominated by women.

Nationally, the growth of women-owned businesses outpaces growth of small business overall. Since 1997, women owned businesses have grown nationally by 54%, while small business growth has risen just 37%, according to State of Women Owned Businesses Report by American Express OPEN.

“There’s no dispute that women owned businesses make up a large portion of the small, independent businesses in Hoboken,” says Gregory Dell’Aquila, president of the Chamber of Commerce. In fact, the increasing presence of women pushed the Chamber to start up the Women in Business Council in 2011.

Rita Gurevich, 28, who started Sphere Technology Solutions in 2009, represents the new generation of women business owners. Young, empowered women who are eager to do their own thing with or without kids.

Gurevich started the firm after developing a unique skill set in data management and migration following the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers in 2008. When she recognized that many of her current colleagues going to other banks could be potential new clients she applied her data migration experience to her own firm. She started as an independent contractor and today employs a dozen people who are specialized in data compliance and migration. “When I realized this was a direction I wanted to go I recognized it’s a good time because there are less risks at this point in my life,” she said.

Like Gurevich, Elizabeth Barry began her own business in Hoboken after an early career in ad sales for a dance magazine where “within a year I blew it out of the park and broke records,” says Elizabeth Barry, 33, who operates a full-service marketing agency, Elizabeth Barry & Associates. “I was working with these small business owners and saw their non-existent branding. So, I started consulting them on the side. The universe was throwing pebbles at me. I couldn’t sell them ad space because I wanted to help them with their brand. I left and 12 days later I launched my own business.”

That risk-taking is something women are more comfortable doing these days. Bina Patel, 35, who lives in Manhattan, opened Copper Kettles, a stylish cooking and kitchen goods store, in 2010. She had been working with a digital start up doing ad sales but as is the case with start ups, one job title usually means multiple roles and responsibilities. “I realized I’m running my own business within a business so why not do it for myself. I thought, ‘If I don’t do it now, I don’t know when I will.’ I also realized I have enough experience and confidence under my belt to make it work.”

In the case of longtime barber shop owner, Nancy Grasso, there were no pebbles, just a very straightforward opportunity from her then-boss, Phyllis. Grasso owns and operates First Street Barber on First Street, and became her own boss when she acquired Hudson Street Hair in 1986. “She was pregnant and wanted out of the business,” says Grasso, whose old-school operation forgoes flat screen televisions and cell phones when possible. She prefers a more neighborhood vibe with banter – and raucous jokes. Grasso continued to operate Hudson Street Hair until 1992 when high rents forced her to close and go back to working for someone else. But this time the universe dropped a boulder in her lap.

As fate would have it, a customer, who is also a landlord, had a space on First Street that was available and affordable. That remains a challenge for any business owner in town. Grasso jumped at the opportunity to work for herself once again. “This place fell into my lap because I cut the landlord’s hair. I was telling him that I miss having my own business and he told me he had a tenant who was late on his rent. Two months later, I was able to move into my current location at 55 First Street.”

Susan Alvarez, 44, opened Cut One Floral when she was 31. The year was 2000 and she landed her own floral studio after toiling under other florists for years without being recognized for her stunning designs. Alvarez, who holds a degree in psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University  says she “really wanted to try my hand in the floral industry. My grandmother and I used to garden together all the time.”

Thanks to her intrepid and supportive aunt who happened to manage a Citibank location on the upper west side, Alvarez was able to get an entry level job with an established florist-to-the-celebrities, Saundra Parks, who happened to apply for a small business loan at the branch managed by Alvarez’s aunt. While working at Parks’ store, Alvarez trained under designer Ira Mitchell Steinman and then went to work at various stores for another six years until opening her shop over a two-car garage on 3^rd Street. Now, she’s begun catering to the stars and has a client list with NY Giants receiver Victor Cruz and his fiancé, Elaina Whitley, among her customers.

But make no mistake, despite the drive to be their own bosses, many women have also turned to their own business after finding corporate jobs too demanding, not rewarding enough or just too inflexible – once a baby comes along.

Julie Hartigan quit a 10-year gig with consulting giant, Gartner, to be home with her first child, who is now in fifth grade. But a few years into being a stay-at-home mom, Hartigan was itching to pursue a dream to be in the culinary world. “When I had Delaney, I realized I couldn’t possibly hire a nanny to go back to work at a job I wasn’t happy with it and food was always a passion,” she says.

She enrolled in the Institute of Culinary Education, where she worked and attended for three years before settling into a role of recipe writer, which includes video demonstrations for Weight Watchers and Bed Bath & Beyond. Now, as she builds a fan base with @cookingwjulie, she is trying to turn her freelance life into a more branded entity.

Professional dancer, Bethany Marc-Aurele, 32, turned to instruction shortly after having her first daughter eight years ago to launch Hudson Dance & Movement. But the studio as it stands today wasn’t part of a grand plan.

“I was getting a contract to go on Broadway when I got pregnant with Sofia and I had to cancel the contract,” says Marc-Aurele. “But dance was my sanity. I needed to do it. I needed dance in my life. I was going into a depression without it.”

She had taught on and off with New Jersey Ballet but did not want to commute to Livingston. So, at the request of some other new mom friends, she decided to try teaching dance to toddlers in a small studio in Hoboken Athletic Club on Washington Street.

“I started with the two- and three-year-olds and after the first year we had 60 kids,” says Marc-Aurele, who along with her husband, George are parents to three girls. “When you open a business you should have a vision and business plan in place and I didn’t. I went in blindly and figured out my vision afterward. It took me awhile to realize I wanted a serious dance school.” While her program offers the serious, she also offers more recreation programs. “There should be an outlet for every dancer.  It’s good to have both.” After low-balling a deal to get her first studio at a subterranean space under Starbucks, Hudson Dance & Movement quickly outgrew its space and moved down the street two years ago.

In the world of ice-cream franchises, Sibel Berberoglu gave up 14 hour days planning events and meetings for the American International Toy Fair to put in 14 hour days running the local Ben & Jerry’s. “The Toy Fair job was amazing, doing events and parties. It was 12-14 hour days and most weekends. It was awesome – without a family. I realized after having a family I couldn’t do 110 percent with both and I didn’t want my family to suffer. With kids you only get a chance to do it once and even now they’re my priority,” says Berberoglu, who underwent a rigorous two year application process to open her first Ben & Jerry’s store in Edgewater in 2007. She followed up with the purchase of the Hoboken store in 2009.

For the mother of two, Ben & Jerry’s was the perfect fit because the brand mirrored so many of the same values she holds near for herself and her family. “I always loved Ben & Jerry’s. They have a great product and they’re values based. I wanted to align myself with the core values of the social mission of giving back and making a difference.”

There’s barely an event or activity in town that doesn’t have Ben & Jerry’s affiliated with it. But the community commitment means marketing 24/7 and thinking constantly about the business.

“It’s a 24/7 job when you have your own business. But having my own business means I can bring my own kids to work with me. If I need to be at a school meeting at 3 p.m., I’m there. I don’t need to ask permission to take time off. That’s something I wouldn’t give up for any money in the world,” she said.

This downtown bar and restaurant has understated elegance with a dark wooden bar and exposed brick on the walls. Adding to the appeal is the open air environment. With the doors open to the sidewalk café, it feels like a backyard party – complete with live music! This night was no exception as guests were treated to the sounds of local Ray Grieche.

There were many familiar faces in the crowd including Rory Chadwick, Jessica Figlar, and Alan Skontra. Chris Bray, founder and executive producer of Bray Entertainment, stopped by to say hello. Bray, one of the creative minds behind the hit show “Pawn Stars,” charmed locals with his compelling stories. Sean Oakes, who attends mixers when he can, also came to show support. “There are a lot of cool people here,” said Oakes. “You mix and mingle with Hoboken’s finest.”

Simon Dabkowski, hMAG web director, co-founder, was particularly pleased with the turn out. “You have old Hoboken and new Hoboken together, but everyone is getting along regardless of age, political affiliations or professions. That was always one of our goals – for everyone to get along,” said Dabkowski. “We always raise a lot of money for charity. But it’s the people who bought the tickets who are helping the charity. The raffle money all goes to charity and that’s awesome.”

And the charity of the night was the Hoboken Bike Camp, a camp designed to teach children with disabilities how to ride a bike. This is the third year for the camp, which has grown from the start. Theresa Howard runs the camp which is held at Hoboken High School in July. “Last year, 22 out of 25 kids learned to ride a bike. We had over 50 volunteers and a big celebration afterwards,” said Howard.

At the camp, children with disabilities are taught how to ride a two-wheel bicycle. The raffle raised $730. that will help with this year’s program. In addition to the regular raffle tickets, guests bid on a pair of tickets for the July Pier A concert featuring Bob Dylan.

“It’s a great addition to the support we already have from our sponsors,” said Howard about the donation. “Thanks to Rory [Chadwick] who got the Bob Dylan tickets.”

This year’s camp is July 7 to 12.  For more information on how to register a child or to find out how you can help out, visit, www.hobokenfamily.com.

So until next time Hoboken, keep up the good work. We hope to see you at our next mixer! For information on how you can get involved as a sponsor or host, please email: Diana@hmag.com.

All photos by Cezare Ramone.

It has long been maintained that there are two main groups in Hoboken—the Bn’Rs (Born n’ Raised) and the Yuppies (young urban professionals).

The classifications have absolutely nothing to do with how long a “resident” has actually resided here. Hoboken is the kind of place where people can live most their lives but never be “from” here. Unless you were born in Hoboken, there’s always an inherent need to explain yourself when it comes to the town you call home — no matter how long you stay, how many kids you raise here, or how much you pay in taxes.

In my case, I’ve spent almost as much time in Hoboken as Frank Sinatra, but I’m still seen as an interloper. That said, I don’t take too kindly to the Yuppie label. I worked behind the bar in this town for well over a decade, and trust me—bartenders are not yuppies. During that time I was probably on par with a plumber or an exterminator, considering the amount of sh!t and vermin I had to deal with. And I don’t think you’d consider a plumber to be a yuppie—because even if he does drive a BMW, he probably did something gauche like paid cash for it.

Yuppie Scum

Now that I’ve hung up the apron and taken a desk job in Manhattan, I guess I DO technically qualify as a yuppie. Throw in the wife, the kid and the dog, and I end up looking like goddamn Subaru ad. But it still doesn’t sit right.

I suppose that’s because I’ve actually used a stroller, but I didn’t drag it through the corner bodega like a snowplow, or park it on top of the table next to me at a crowded restaurant during brunch. Sure, I take my son all sorts of places, but I don’t take him to Louise & Jerry’s for Happy Hour and then ask them to turn the music down so that he can watch “Yo Gabba Gabba!” on his iPad. Yeah, I own a dog, but I pick up after him when he sh!ts on the sidewalk and I’ve never once organized a “playdate” for him.

Fact is, I’ve been here long enough to witness first-hand the fever-pitch gentrification battles in Hoboken, and I’m usually disappointed with who wins. Of course I know enough about Hoboken politics to understand the reason they won, but seemingly I don’t know enough to have an opinion that matters because I “ain’t from here.”

Here and Loathing

Somewhere between the stroller mafia and the actual mafia, amidst the boorish BnR’s and the vapid Yuppies, I’d argue that there is an ever-shrinking pocket of third-class citizens—the Self-Loathing Yuppies (SLYs)—yearning to have their place in the sun, and really hoping some ironically named adult coed dodgeball team isn’t already occupying that space.

Hoboken’s SLYs are of the opinion that there is a happy medium to be found between a burned-out urban shooting gallery and a homogenized suburban strip mall—we just don’t know how to maintain it. We like children and puppies, but we don’t think they should be the sole driving force of a social agenda. We desire a certain quality of life, without having to use the phrase “quality of life” ad nauseam. We don’t call the cops with noise complaints—we remember the fact that the bar next door was there before we were, and we realize that if Hoboken is to remain culturally relevant, there should be an atmosphere that fosters creativity. We choose not to live in the suburbs because we think they suck, and we wonder why people will go to such lengths to try and recreate such boring sterility here.

We’ll tolerate your brats, your bros, your frats, your hos, your longboards, your short skirts, your beer pong, your Journey song — because if we left we’d miss our Leo’s, our Piccolo’s, our Truglio’s, our Giorgio’s, our Biggie’s, our Fiore’s and our Dom’s. Hoboken’s SLYs moved here because they enjoy the opportunity and anonymity of urban life. We’ve done our time, and we just want to be left alone to enjoy the good that still remains.

For the love of God, please don’t make us move to Jersey City—it’s not like we’re a pack of goddamn hipsters…
Christopher M. Halleron, columnist/contributing editor for hMAG, has covered the world from Hoboken and beyond for well over a decade. Like a good Manhattan, he is stirred but never shaken—with a healthy dash of bitters. Follow him on Twitter @HALLERON.

And it was a party! The directive of the night was to eat, drink, dance, and play – no order required! And no gambling experience necessary! The casino night was designed with the novice in mind as many attendees were given instructions and tips from the friendly dealers at the tables. One of the dealers at a Black Jack table played by “Hoboken rules,” which for him meant that the players almost always won! And the house had no reason not to be generous as all of the proceeds from the night are going to the Hoboken Rotary Club. Ruben Ramos attended the event with his wife. “It’s great! hMAG is always very involved in the community and makes a point to give back. They are really great at helping people and supporting local businesses,” he said.

Throughout the night, guests mingled in the charming bar area and on the casino floor. But the serious players could be found at the tables during the Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament, which ran until 9 p.m. While players weren’t going home any richer, everyone who played was entered into the raffle drawing. The raffle had many fabulous prizes including a spa treatment package, elegant hand and travel bags, and more.

Gambling wasn’t the only reason people attended. Kevin Cale, co-founder of hMAG, attended the party with his wife Jen, who arranged a party of her own. Cale was surprised by the appearance of some longtime friends as his wife planned a surprise birthday party for him on the night of the event. Seb Moreira, former hMAG staff member and friend of Cale, was at the bash. “We came together to celebrate Kevin Cale’s birthday. He’s had a significant effect on our lives. He’s a good father, a good son and an amazing spirit,” said Seb.

After the raffle, the party got down as the DJ spun music for the happy crowd. The crowd got down on the dance floor not wanting the night to end. And it didn’t for some attendees. Some folks (who happen to be Elks members) were spotted slipping into the bar downstairs after the event.

Photos by Cezare Ramone. For more information, visit www.hobokenrotary.org.

Mimi Yoga for Everyone may just do that. This family owned and operated studio on Bloomfield Street offers classes for adults at all fitness levels, but make no mistake – any level of class will test your fitness! Yoga is not just mindful meditation; it is mindful exercise that requires you to pay attention. As taxing as that may sound to those who spend hours running nowhere on a treadmill, at the end of it you will be more relaxed and more focused than you were at the start. And I say that coming from a place of crazy! Most days I am overscheduled, double booked (even for social events!) but after I leave class I feel more composed. And isn’t that the point of exercise? To be a little bit better than before?

The studio is a bright, sunlit haven. The walls are a soft yellow that contrasts with the warm brown floor. It is kept scrupulously clean by the staff. But beyond the good looking room is the feeling that the studio inspires. It is one of welcome. All the staff and the teachers make a point to introduce themselves to members of the class. This is not done out of social niceties, it is done from a wish to make students feel at home. And that should be no surprise to people who know Lisa Usherovich, founder and owner of the studio. Three years ago, Lisa began teaching yoga out of her home before opening the studio. Much has changed since teaching neighborhood kids in her living room. She now runs a successful business with her husband Greg that caters to kids and adults. But what hasn’t changed is her desire to help people feel better. It flourishes because she cares.

“We are a family owned studio,” said Lisa. “We want you to come and feel comfortable.”

There is a certain sensibility that comes with that. She believes that mats should be available to anyone who needs them – free of charge. When you’ve had a really bad day and the bus is late and you are just trying to get to class you shouldn’t have to dig in your pocket for a dollar to rent a mat she said. But it extends to other details too. How many times have you gone to class and realized you are missing a elastic to tie back your hair? Okay, super organized people may never need one, but there is a jar of elastics in the bathroom just in case.

The classes cater to all levels and will get you in better shape if you already are physically fit. The “Freedom Flow” classes are called that for a reason, she said. “You get so much more from a teacher when they teach from an organic place,” Lisa said. “I’m really lucky that these really great teachers come to us and say they want to teach.”

There are many different teachers at Mimi Yoga for Everyone. All with their own style and strengths.

“You always have that one teacher who really resonates with you. Someone who lights a fire in you that you will go back to,” she said.  Sara Kahn is one of the teachers at the studio. While she has only been teaching for three years, she has been practicing for eight. Sara initially got involved in teaching as a way to deepen her own practice, but found that she really enjoyed teaching and teaching at the studio. Teachers at the studio are given free rein to design their own class, Sara said.

One of the classes she teaches is “Yoga FUNdamentals,” which is a level one class designed for beginners that goes over the basic poses and flow movements. Although it is a beginner class, it can also serve as a refresher for anyone who has been away from yoga for awhile or feels like they may not be doing a pose correctly. During class, Sara adjusts positions to make sure the body is aligned. The classes are small, allowing for personal attention.

“I get students in class sometimes who aren’t beginners, but they go because they want a slower pace or they want to focus on alignment,” Sara said. “I think a beginner’s class can be challenging sometimes,” laughs Sara, who adds that students can adjust accordingly in whatever class they are in. She also loves teaching beginners because of the dramatic change you can see in them as they progress.

The pretty redhead gives off a feeling of calm during her classes. She is a little quieter than some of the other instructors at the studio in that she is less likely to reveal details about her day. But in that quiet is a focus on alignment, mood of the students and pace. In addition to teaching, she also practices five days a week.

“People tend to think that yoga needs to be an hour long session. It doesn’t need to be – you can practice yoga while you are standing on the subway,” she said.

The benefits of yoga far outweigh the risk of feeling foolish as a novice if you don’t know the postures. “It increases strength, flexibility, it stills the mind – that is the real difference between exercise and yoga,” she said. “It gives you focus, clarity, it’s a stress reliever. I don’t want to say it is a cure all, but still!”

For more information, visit: www.mimikidsyoga.com. Photos by Ilsi Molina Photography.

“This is our second mixer at the Biergarten and it has been extremely successful,” said Simon Dabkowski, hMAG web director, co-founder. “It’s going to be an awesome night. . We have an awesome band and all the proceeds [from the raffle and silent auction] are going to Rock’n 4 Autism.”

A collaboration between HOPES CAP, Inc. and the Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT), the 3rd Annual Rock’n 4 Autism Awareness Concert – featuring The Fuzzy Lemons – is scheduled for April 27th at HOPES’ Auditorium , 301 Garden St. The family concert promotes autism awareness and education about the best practices in autism treatments.

“This [mixer] is a pre-party for the concert,” said David Celiberti, executive director of ASAT.  “We wanted to have a local event during Autism Awareness Month, which is in April, and hMAG has provided us with a really fun opportunity to get together before the event.”

According to Celiberti, ASAT, which started in 1998, is organization that tries to help parents make the best choices for their kids.

“We really try to help parents be really good consumers,” said Celiberti. “We don’t want children to receive treatments that have no merit.”

Similar values and ideas for autism awareness brought them together with their partners at HOPES. Dominique Tornabe, community education manager for HOPES said the organization, which first established their Early Childhood Head Start Program in 1964, offers a head start program for children with special needs, youth programs for children ages 6 to 18, adult services, and senior services.

“This is our third annual event to raise money for autism awareness,” said Tornabe. “Both [of our] agencies have a belief in evidence based science in autism, as far as [finding] effective practices.”

“My son went through the HOPES program, that is how I became familiar with them,” said Celiberti. “We share the same values of helping children overcome obstacles associated with autism.”

HMAG’s goal for the evening was to raise between $1,000 to $1,500 for the Rock’n 4 Autism Awareness Concert, and enticed guests with some fabulous raffle prizes and silent auction items.

This was the first mixer for local Hobokenite Scott Oldt, who was one of the lucky winners of a raffle prize – a gift certificate to Hair Cult.

“I’m going to get my hair did,” said Oldt. “This is a great spot, great beer, and great prizes obviously.”

“The money will go to help parents have resources such as training in how to best deal with their child, offer a support system, resource library, and parent training,” said Tornabe.

For more details about Rock’n 4 Autism Awareness please visit the R4AA Facebook page. For more information about HOPES CAP Inc., please visit the HOPES website and HOPES Facebook page.  For more information about ASAT, please visit the ASAT website and ASAT Facebook page.

Photos by Cezare Ramone. For information on how you can get involved, email Diana@hmag.com.

The Hoboken Dad’s Group, Metro Moms Network and The Hoboken Family Alliance all pitched in to help sponsor the event and bring the children from their organizations.  The Shelter let us know that tuna fish would be the easiest so with the help of Dave Carney from The Madison we were able to purchase all the supplies from the Restaurant Depot.  With all the supplies in place volunteers begin mixing tuna and mayo, slicing lettuce and tomato (only one injury when I sliced my finger) and started laying the bread out to begin.  With a great crowd in attendance we were able to complete the mission and made 1,000 sandwiches and delivered them to the Shelter.

The bigger mission was teaching the kids why it was important to volunteer and give back to the community.  They all worked hard and were rewarded with free pizza from Johnny Pepperoni’s and ice cream from Ben & Jerry’s.  They were also treated to a private concert from Dave Lambert of the Fuzzy Lemons.

All in it was a great day for Hoboken!  The Shelter and the kids in town were all rewarded by the efforts of many. Join us next year when we look to make 2,000 sandwiches.

Hosted at the Hoboken Elks’ Club, the celebration featured the finest in southwestern flair from wet your whistle drinks at the saloon to a mighty fine spread of traditional dirty rice, spare ribs, green chicken chili, and fried catfish. The grub was courtesy of Anthony David Catering.

“We do [different theme] ideas for the [annual] fundraiser, which is where we get funding for our museum projects, activities and exhibits,” said Valerie Hufnagel, president of the museum board.

In 2011, the Board of Directors hosted a big fundraiser party at the W Hotel as part of the museum’s 25th anniversary celebration.

“Whatever the theme, Hoboken is a community that really likes to party and support the museum,” said Penny Metsch, vice president of the museum board.

Metsch has been credited for coming up with the idea for the Hoboken Hoedown, which was originally scheduled for early November and was rescheduled for Saturday, April 13, in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

Of course, no hoedown is complete without a little dancing! Guests gathered front and center for some traditional square dancing featuring live caller Howard Richman teaching them the ropes.

“This is a blast! It’s such a great time,” said Carla Sylvester. “I lived in Texas so this is a real piece of home.”

“We are members of the museum.  We live in the Shipyard, and really love the museum,” said Noelle Thurlow, who came to the event with her husband Jerry Neumann.

Neumann had entered the pie contest, but lost out to the All American Apple Pie.

“He likes to make pies,” said Thurlow about her husband. “Whenever there is a birthday in our family, most people make cakes – he makes pies!”

However, the main event was the Live Auction with further proceeds going towards the Hoboken Historical Museum’s programs including programs with local schools.

“We have schools that come to visit the museum based on our exhibits,” said Bob Foster, director and museum curator. “It’s a whole curriculum.”

Among the items auctioned off were a guided tour along the sites of the classic film “On the Waterfront” with one of the film’s actors, a romantic evening package at the W Hotel, tickets to the Broadway production of “A Cinderella Story,” and full year of indoor parking, among other items.

“This is a wonderful organization and a wonderful cause, and they always have a great theme for people to get dressed up,” said Assemblyman Ruben Ramos. “I’m sure I’ll be making a couple of bids tonight.”

The auction was called by Eugene Flinn, who has called the museum’s auction for about 20 years.

“I’ve got a big mouth and I am passionate about the museum, so it’s not hard for me to ask people to be passionate about the museum [as well],” said Flinn, who flew back from a trip to California just so he wouldn’t miss the hoedown. “My wife told me if you don’t come back and you don’t make any money they will blame you!”

Of course, no blame was to be passed around! According to Communications Coordinator Melissa Abernathy, aka the Volunteer Wrangler, the event sold out with 250 tickets sold, and about $19,500 raised at the auction alone.

“We [raised] a bumper crop of donations for our next exhibit documenting Hoboken’s experience with Hurricane Sandy,” said Abernathy. “It’s a very timely exhibit.”

The museum’s current exhibit features a look at Hudson County’s history from the 1840s until today. According to Abernathy, the next exhibit will feature current FEMA maps of Hoboken, which will show the different flood stage levels of Hoboken and its history.

“We really couldn’t have done this without our volunteers,” said Abernathy. “We had about two dozen helping out tonight. The museum really has a wonderful volunteer core.”

Photos by Jessica Rosero. For more information about the museum, visit: www.hobokenmuseum.org