Yearly Archives: 2013

Cover Story, General

Hoboken’s New Reality Stars – A&E’ “Storage Wars: New York” stars Chris Morelli and Tad Eaton of The Frayed Knot

By Sally Deering    

Photo of Tad Eaton and Chris Morelli in front of  The Frayed Knot by Sally Deering

Tad Eaton and Chris Morelli in front of thier furniture and bric-a-brac emporium in Hoboken, NJ
Tad Eaton and Chris Morelli in front of thier furniture and bric-a-brac emporium in Hoboken, NJ

Move over “Cake Boss”! Chris Morelli and Tad Eaton, owners of The Frayed Knot, a vintage furniture and brick-a-brack emporium in Hoboken are fast becoming the new darlings of reality TV. Friends and business partners, Morelli and Eaton star in “Storage Wars: New York” an A&E TV reality show that follows an eclectic group of ‘treasure hunters’ from the Metropolitan area who search for hidden bounty in repossessed storage units. It’s like a twist on that old game show “Let’s Make a Deal”. You get to see what’s behind Door No. 1 but you don’t know the true value of your deal until you rip open the boxes and pick through the spoils.

 

The cast of Storage Wars: New York
The cast of Storage Wars: New York

Photo Courtesy of A & E TV

Making its January 2013 debut with six episodes, “Storage Wars: New York” is a spin-off of the “Storage Wars” franchise which also includes “Storage Wars: Texas.”  The New York cast features Joe Pauletich of Queens, Candy Olsen and Courtney Wagner of Brooklyn, Mike Braiotta of the Bronx and Morelli and Eaton of Hoboken. Auctioneer is New Yorker John Luke. 

In the debut episode, “Beg, Borough and Steal” several cast members including Morelli and Eaton bid on and buy goodies inside three separate storage units. The girls unearth several pairs of high-heeled shoes and possibly a pole dancer’s costume; Joe ‘P’ discovers some interesting art and photography; and Morelli and Eaton excavate a brand new gas grill and two French chests called commodes they bring back to their shop, paint bright red and put out for sale in one of The Frayed Knot’s splashy showrooms. Continue reading Hoboken’s New Reality Stars – A&E’ “Storage Wars: New York” stars Chris Morelli and Tad Eaton of The Frayed Knot →

General

Former Hudson County Resident Russel Kirk Dedicates Latest Album- To Journal Square, to the Journal Square Community

Russell Kirk's second album
New album by Russel Kirk dedicated to Journal Square community in Jersey City

Baltimore native and Jazz Saxophonist Russell Kirk compose a suite in four parts titled The Path Suite, referencing New Jersey’s train system, featured on his latest album, one he dedicated to the Journal Square community.  The album, Kirk’s second is titled To Journal Square and the name of his band – The Path, the pedigree ensemble that joins Kirk on this musical journey adds lyrical balance to each track, and Kirk unselfishly allows them to shine.   Among them are Grammy Award-winning jazz drummer/composer Terri Lyne Carrington, fusion guitarist Wayne Krantz, concert & film composer Jacob Yoffee on tenor Saxophone, the extraordinary Dontae Winslow on trumpet/vocals and Cuban export, award-winning keyboardist Aruán Ortiz.

 Kirk, who studied at Townson Unviersity and the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, Maryland left his home town immediately after graduating and began touring – he traveled with the USO and Indie pop rock singer/songwriter Jenny Boyle playing in a number of European countries, Africa and the Middle East and joined Gary Thomas, founder of jazz studies at Peabody, on tour in  Japan, before returning to work on his Masters at NYU.  While at NYU he met and played in essembles with John Scofield, Chris Potter, Kenny Werner and Lenny Pickett.  He was an adjunct faculty member in the Steinhardt Music School at NYU and headed a music outreach program for inner city youth in Harlem and the east Village.  It would begin his passion for bringing music to underserved communities which he continues to do through the OrchKids initiative in Baltimore.

Russell eventually moved from New York to Jersey City’s Journal Square Community and it was there during a difficult period in his career that he began to construct this current album. The vibrancy, diversity and hub nature of the community gave him inspiration.  He locked in on the rhythm of the community, captured the musicality in the energy that it gave off.  The album has a mashable construct, similar to the construct of the community he has dedicated it to. Continue reading Former Hudson County Resident Russel Kirk Dedicates Latest Album- To Journal Square, to the Journal Square Community →

Business Views, General, Hip New Stores

Tachair Bookshoppe -Jersey City’s new Go-To Spot for Book Lovers, Writers and Serious Coffee Drinkers

By Sally Deering

TACHAIR BOOK STORE PHOTO 1
Tachair Bookshoppe’s Carol and Aleta Valleau and Aleta’s son Paul inside their hip new book store.

 When they opened Tachair Bookshoppe last July, Carol Valleau and her daughter Aleta Valleau took a gamble that local book lovers wanted something more than downloading a book to their Kindles and Nooks. The mother/daughter booksellers gambled on the idea that book lovers want a place to browse new books, thumb through old classics and maybe read a chapter or two while sipping a fresh brewed coffee. It seems their gamble paid off – big time.

 “To have the ability to walk down the street and find a bookstore, it’s nearly impossible,” Carol Valleau says between trips to the counter to help customers with their purchases. “We’re the only book store in Jersey City.”

 “We’re an independent bookstore to the ‘T’,” Aleta Valleau says.

 Tachair Bookshoppe offers new and used fiction, non-fiction, biographies, textbooks, and a warm and friendly atmosphere to browse the shelves. There are tables, too, where you can grab a seat to read, relax and strike up a conversation.  The coffee is delicious too. Continue reading Tachair Bookshoppe -Jersey City’s new Go-To Spot for Book Lovers, Writers and Serious Coffee Drinkers →

Education

Bayonne’s Marist High School- Spirit Week – A Week Of Merry Chaos”.

Submitted by Amanda Di Pasquale- Marist High School Student

Marist Spirit WeekSpirit Week is a time that Marist High School’s students look forward to from the moment they return from summer break.  Not only because it’s the last week before Christmas break, but because it’s a genuinely enjoyable time spent with other students and teachers.   Everyone gets into the Marist spirit and participates.  Those who don’t usually join in on the other fun events, such as sports games and the pep rally, usually allow themselves to be caught up into the Spirit Week fun.

“It’s a week of merry chaos,” teacher Wayne Pratko jokes.  Mr. Pratko and Ms. Gonzalez have been in charge of spirit week for about 10 years now.  The Champagnat Games is the very last day of Spirit Week.  It is a culmination of the competition for class and school pride taking place all week.  This year, they’ve brought new games into the Champagnat Games, adding to such favorites as Izzy Dizzy and Leap Frog.  “We got rid of the frozen shirt contest because it took 72 hours to unfreeze the stupid thing,” Mr. Pratko said,  “Yeah, it was just a mess, so now we have dodge ball and balloon races.” Continue reading Bayonne’s Marist High School- Spirit Week – A Week Of Merry Chaos”. →

Dining

Bayonne’s Bella Sorrellas, a Fine Italian Restaurant

    Italian Cuisine served with a Whole Lotta Love

 By Sally Deering

 

Bella Sorrellas Restaurant Bayonne
David Rivera, owner, Bella Sorrellas

Bayonne has its share of Italian restaurants and Bella Sorrellas on the corner of 50th Street and Broadway, stands out from the crowd with a menu of classic Italian dishes served with a home-style flair. Owner David Rivera opened Bella Sorrellas three years ago where the old Welcome Inn used to be. The son of Ana and Demetrio “Lumen” Rivera, David grew up watching his father run his Jersey City restaurants: The Seagulls Bar & Grill on Communipaw Ave; The Old San Juan on Jersey Ave; and The Fan Bar on Grove – and he knew early on he wanted to be a restaurateur like his dad.

“I was about 5 and my father picked me up at school and took me to his restaurant, The Seagulls,” Rivera recalls. “I went behind the bar and started cleaning the glasses. He asked me what I was doing and I said, ‘I want to be like you’ and he hugged me and said ‘One day you will.’ Since I was 16 I worked with him after school and through college.”

Rivera worked ten years as transportation supervisor for Christ Hospital in Jersey City and decided he wanted to go back to the restaurant business.

Chef Leo Compi formerly of Just Sonny's Restaurant in Jersey City
Bella Sorrellas Chef Leo Compi with owner David Rivera

            “There was something empty in my heart,” he says. “My father’s philosophy was ‘make sure the customer is fed well and feels at home’. He was in the business over 30 years. Everybody loved my father and I wanted to be like that. ”

            Rivera followed in father’s footsteps and Bella Sorrellas (which is Italian for “beautiful sisters” and named for his daughters Analexa, 18, and Isabel, 5) is a cozy corner bistro with an extensive Italian menu. The star of the show – as always – is the food and Rivera works closely with Chef Leo Compi (formerly of Just Sonny’s) a friend for more than 10 years. Continue reading Bayonne’s Bella Sorrellas, a Fine Italian Restaurant →

Dining

Houlihan’s, Still Delicious After All These Years in Weehawken

By Sally Deering

Houlihan'spic2Houlihan’s restaurant has always been a big attraction on the Weehawken waterfront. Located in Lincoln Harbor with stunning views of the New York Skyline, Houlihan’s offers customers a hearty lunch and dinner menu, divine drinks and delish desserts and even though it’s been a Weehawken staple, the restaurant’s standards are as high as the day it opened.

The décor is cool and the atmosphere cozy with overstuffed booths and tables that give patrons enough space to hold a private conversation. The three-sided bar is large enough for groups to gather to watch their favorite games on the big HD TVs and the lighting, warm and relaxing.

houlihan'spic1 “We’re very customer-oriented,” general manager Keith Miller says. “Our goal is to make every customer a repeat customer. Regulars and repeat customers are the pulse of the restaurant.”

If the customers are the pulse, the food is Houlihan’s heart and soul. The cuisine is Asian, Italian and American-inspired. Everything is cooked to order and only fresh ingredients are used. Continue reading Houlihan’s, Still Delicious After All These Years in Weehawken →

Dining

Copacabana Grill mingles Italian and Brazilian Cuisine in a Hip, Romantic Setting

By Sally Deering

Copacabana Grill Restaurant owner Luigy Rivas (center) surrounded by his staff
Copacabana Grill Restaurant owner Luigy Rivas (center) surrounded by his staff

Whether you’re looking for a cozy place for lunch, a hip hangout for drinks after work or a romantic dinner with that special date, the Copacabana Grill in Bayonne has it all for you – Italian and Brazilian Cuisine served in a cool and romantic setting.

Bayonne is a city of many great restaurants and the Copacabana Grill is a hip little eatery on Broadway, off 11th Street. Enter the non-descript white storefront and you’re instantly transported into a low-lit sleek and sexy bar with dark wood tables and luxurious matching chairs. In the back of the room, a mini staircase leads to a beautiful, romantic dining room.

 

Formerly The Liquid Lounge, owner Luigy Rivas changed more than just the name. With the help of his staff, Rivas renovated, designed and decorated the restaurant, giving the place a totally new interior and vibe.

Inside copacabana dining room“We worked on this place so many nights,” Rivas says, taking a break from the reservation desk to enjoy a cup of tea. “We wanted it to be cozy, warm, romantic. The room upstairs is fancier and down here at the bar, it’s more casual.”

Before becoming a restaurateur, Rivas worked his way up in the restaurant industry first as dishwasher, then busboy, cook, waiter and manager. Continue reading Copacabana Grill mingles Italian and Brazilian Cuisine in a Hip, Romantic Setting →

In the News, Our Community

Jersey City Gun Buyback Saturday January 5th- NO QUESTIONS ASKED

JERSEY CITY SEAL LOGOJERSEY CITY – Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy and Police Department officials announced the city will host another gun buyback from 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 5, 2013 at the Evangelismos Greek Orthodox Church, 661 Montgomery Street. There, residents can turn in rifles for $100, handguns and automatic weapons for $150, respectively, with no questions asked.  Continue reading Jersey City Gun Buyback Saturday January 5th- NO QUESTIONS ASKED →

Dining, New Restaurants

Casual Dining in a Beautiful Mexican ‘Courtyard’ “Life is a Fiesta…Eat it Up!”

   By Sally Deering  

Co-Owner Carlo Oritz
Co-Owner Carlos Oritz

Step inside Blue Moon Mexican Café on Montgomery Street in downtown Jersey City and you’re transported to a warm and inviting Mexican ‘courtyard’ with large comfy booths and tables under the warm glow of paper lanterns strung across the dining room and an upstairs balcony of tables that overlook this sexy, spacious restaurant.

 On a snowy afternoon right after the Christmas holiday, I stopped in to meet Carlos Ortiz, who owns and manages Blue Moon Mexican Café with his brother Jose Ortiz. Together with their sisters who help with accounting and marketing and their mother who helped with the overall design, the Ortizes – who are originally from El Salvador – have created a warm and relaxed eatery with a terrific menu of Mexican dishes. Continue reading Casual Dining in a Beautiful Mexican ‘Courtyard’ “Life is a Fiesta…Eat it Up!” →

General

Jersey City Homicide Rate Drops 28% to Record 43-year Low

JERSEY CITY SEAL LOGOJERSEY CITY – Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy and Police Chief Thomas Comey announced today that homicides last year dropped to a more than four-decade low as crime trends continue to decline year after year in New Jersey’s second largest city.  Continue reading Jersey City Homicide Rate Drops 28% to Record 43-year Low →