Category Archives: General

General, Our Community

Bayonne’s Third Ward Councilman Raymond W. Greaves Chosen as Bayonne’s Sicilian Clubs “Man of the Year”

Joe DeMarco, Chairman of the Bayonne  Sicilian Club  announced recently  that Bayonne  3rd Ward Councilman Ray Greaves will be this year’s  “Man of the Year”.

A Ceremony will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2013 at the elegant banquet hall, Ravello, located at 138 Eagle Rock Avenue, East Hanover, NJ 07936. Cocktail hour will begin at 6:30PM with a main course beginning at 7:30PM and a Venetian hour to follow.

Ray Greaves is a labor leader and Bayonne’s Third Ward Council Member. He serves as State Business Agent and Chairman of the New Jersey State Council of the Amalgamated Transit Union and Vice President to the New Jersey State AFL-CIO’s Executive Board and an affiliate to the Essex West-Hudson Labor Council. His previous leadership positions with the union included Recording Secretary, Legislative Director, Treasurer/Executive Officer of Division 819 Transit Employees Credit Union, and Shop Steward. He became a member of the Amalgamated Transit Union in 1985, when he went to work as a mechanic for NJ Transit. 

Bayonne Councilman Ray Greaves
Bayonne 3rd Ward Councilman Chosen as “Man of the Year.”

As a union leader, Greaves has fought for legislation favorable to working families at both the state and federal levels. He is proud of his role in passing anti-crime legislation that that increased the penalty for assaults on bus operators.

A former resident of Jersey City, Greaves attended Saint Nicholas Roman Catholic Grammar School and Dickinson High School. He received steward leadership and grievance procedure training at Rutgers University, and studied contract negotiations at the George Meany Labor College. While he was a credit union officer, he gained his knowledge of Credit Unions and finances through financial strategy courses sponsored by the Empire Corporate Federal Credit Union and NJ Credit Union League.

Greaves is a former Commissioner of Bayonne’s Zoning Board of Adjustment. He was elected Third Ward Council Member in 2010. As a City Council Member, he serves on the Board of School Estimate and the Bayonne Local Redevelopment Authority.

 

Continue reading Bayonne’s Third Ward Councilman Raymond W. Greaves Chosen as Bayonne’s Sicilian Clubs “Man of the Year” →

General, In the clubs

In the Clubs: Chic and Craft-y 5 West Supper Club in Hoboken Serves Craft Beers and Tasty Apps in Upsale Digs

5 WEST SUPER CLUB 2Our newest feature looks at the Club scene in Hudson County 

 

By Martin Ramone Delossantos

Photos by Martin Ramone Delossantos

5 WEST SUPER CLUB 1 Five West Supper Club is one of Hoboken’s most chic nightspots.  It is on Fifth and Madison Street exactly nine blocks down from Washington Street.  They have a free shuttle you can call for pick up, and ride home for one to fifteen people!

The club used to be known as BARNONE, and reopened as 5 WEST SUPPER CLUB in 2010.  The interior is tastefully decorated with dark, tri-colored, wood flooring, tall booths, a large dance space with a great sound system, and energetic lighting.

“The real bonus is the service,” General Manager Chris Lowther said.

Continue reading In the Clubs: Chic and Craft-y 5 West Supper Club in Hoboken Serves Craft Beers and Tasty Apps in Upsale Digs →

Dining, General

Some Like it Hot! Azúcar Cuban Cuisine and Cigars: Tasty Cuban Dishes and a Smokin’ Cigar Room

Restaurant Views

By Sally Deering

 

Azucar restaurant manager Lauren Vazquez
Lauren Vazquez, Manager Azu’car Restaurant

Inside Azucar restaurant Azúcar Cuban Cuisine & Cigars’ owner and Executive Chef Nick Vazquez was just a kid when his family moved to the states in 1960 and settled in Hudson. Vasquez attended local schools, but learned he had a passion for cooking while watching his mom create traditional Cuban dishes in the family kitchen. Years later, Vazquez rekindled his passion and in 1995 opened Azúcar, his first restaurant in Edgewater. He closed the business ten years later and opened Azúcar Cuban Cuisine & Cigars in Jersey City, where his mother’s recipes highlight the menu.

Azucar has a cigar room for their patrons
Azucar Cigar Room

Step inside Azúcar and it’s like a step back in time to a 1950s Cuban bistro where above the reception area a huge “Cuba” poster showing a Latina dressed in a 1950s cabaret costume catches your eye. Stroll to the right and you’re in the bar, an inviting, low-lit atmosphere with black tables and chairs upholstered in faux leopard. The room is cozy and cool especially with the large overhead fan that creates wafting breezes below. To the left, there are two dining rooms that seat 120 comfortably.

Continue reading Some Like it Hot! Azúcar Cuban Cuisine and Cigars: Tasty Cuban Dishes and a Smokin’ Cigar Room →

General, Our Community

Grants and Loans Available for Bayonne Businesses, Non-Profits Damaged by Sandy

             

CITY OF BAYONNE SEALMayor Mark A. Smith announced that grants and loans are available for qualified businesses and non-profit organizations that were damaged by Hurricane Sandy.  Mayor Smith said, “I urge businesses and non-profits that qualify for these programs to apply, so that they can continue to rebuild and recover from Hurricane Sandy.  The City of Bayonne would like everyone eligible in our community to benefit from these helpful grants and loans.”

            The first program is called Stronger NJ Business Grants.  This $260 million program is available to help small businesses and non-profits that were damaged by Hurricane Sandy.  Under this program, grants and forgivable loans of up to $50,000 per impacted location are available.  Businesses with multiple impacted locations may be eligible for an award of up to $250,000.  Eligible costs for reimbursement under this program may include: working capital (operating expenses), inventory, equipment, machinery, furnishings, and prospective construction. 

            To be eligible for a Stronger NJ Business Grant, a business must meet at least the following conditions: 1.) It must have been in existence on the date of Sandy in New Jersey, October 29, 2012. 2.) It must have at least one location in New Jersey and be registered to do business in New Jersey.  3.) The business must have less than $1 million in liquid assets.  4) It must be a small business with annual revenues of at least $25,000.  5) The business must have sustained a minimum of $5,000 in Sandy-related physical damage per location seeking assistance, which may include damage to real property or non-perishable, non-consumable inventory. 

            The second program is called Stronger NJ Business Loans.  This $100 million program is available to help small businesses and non-profits that were impacted by Sandy, as well as businesses looking to expand within storm-impacted communities.  Low-cost loans up to $5 million per eligible location, with 0% interest for the first 24 months and no principal payments for up to two years, are available for renovation, new construction, or equipment. Loans up to $500,000 are available to support working capital needs for eligible businesses.

            To be eligible, businesses within the nine most storm-impacted counties (Atlantic, Bergen, Cape May, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Union) must: 1) be a small business with annual revenues of at least $25,000; 2) evidence a minimum of $5,000 in physical damage to real property or non-perishable and non-consumable inventory, and/or 3) positively impact the economy of their community through either capital investment or the creation or retention of jobs. Continue reading Grants and Loans Available for Bayonne Businesses, Non-Profits Damaged by Sandy →

Dining, General

Ten Ingredients: At Casa Dante, Chef Freda Creates Italian Dishes a Traditional Grandmother Would Love

River View Observer: “Your Source for Fine and Casual Dining in Hudson County 

By Sally Deering

 chef freda croppedDuring the summer months, River View Observer likes to slip into the kitchen of some of Hudson’s best restaurants and shine a spotlight on the chefs who create the delicious dishes on their menus. This week, RO visited Casa Dante restaurant a few blocks north of Journal Square on Newark Avenue. Casa Dante opened 40 years ago and changed hands about 8 years ago just around the time Chef Gregg Freda came on board as Executive Chef.

Newark Ave. could use a little fixing-up, that’s for sure, and it appears the street outside Casa Dante will be going through some demo to put in new street lights, but that shouldn’t deter a visit to Casa Dante. Once you step inside the restaurant’s foyer, you are immediately transported to an extremely tranquil setting where a visitor can easily relax and enjoy the traditional Italian cuisine. Another good reason: Casa Dante has its own parking lot, a rarity in Jersey City.

Inside Casa Dante Restaurant in Jersey City Casa Dante’s menu includes Antipasto dishes like Mozzarella in Carrozza, mozzarella, parmigiano encrusted bread, lightly fried; served with a size of the house marinara sauce; Clams Oregnata, Little Neck clams baked with oregano-seasoned bread crumbs; and Fried Calamari, tender fresh calamari lightly fried and served with lemon and a choice of sweet or hot marinara.  Salads feature the Insalada di Avocado, avocado, hearts of palm, fresh mozzarella and diced tomatoes with lemon and olive oil dressing; and Crabmeat Salad, tangy arugula, colossal crabmeat and asparagus in garlic and lemon dressing. And the House Specialty, Seafood Salad ala Dante, chilled shrimp, scungilli, calamari, diced tomato, lemon, garlic and olive oil. There are Pasta, Chicken, Veal, Seafood and Steak entrees, all traditional Italian cuisine.  Chef Freda also creates daily specials, some with a flavorful twist.

Let’s meet Chef Freda!

RVO: Chef Freda, what is your background and how did you get interested in cooking?

CF:  I was born in Newark and raised in Verona. I’m the middle-child. My mother’s side of the family has always been into food. My grandfather Frank Panico was a butcher and had his own shop in Newark. My first job was in King Supermarket where I worked as a cashier while I was still in high school. I was always around food. Then my uncle Frank opened Panico’s restaurant and I started out as a cook, worked my way to sous chef and chef. That was in the 90s. Continue reading Ten Ingredients: At Casa Dante, Chef Freda Creates Italian Dishes a Traditional Grandmother Would Love →

General

OSCAR SHOT! Sam Borowski’s New Film MANIAC Premiers at Rhode Island Film Fest for a Shot at an Oscar Nod

By Sally Deering

Maniac_Poster_HDFIXboxdavid (2) The 17th Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIFF) takes place Tues, Aug 6 and runs through Sun, Aug. 12, and one of the short films on the festival’s schedule is MANIAC directed by Sam Borowski and starring Bill Sorvino of Jersey City. Borowski, whose films have competed at the Golden Door International Film Festival in Jersey City – which is produced by Sorvino – will premiere MANIAC at RIFF for the chance to be an Oscar contender in the Best Short Film category.

MANIAC makes its world premiere on Sunday, the closing night of the festival.  In the short film, Sorvino plays ‘The Man’ a good guy who does bad things for good reasons.

“It’s about a man who turns to vigilantism after being pushed over the edge,” Borowski says. “Something happens that makes him turn. It’s like violent philanthropy. He’s trying to rid the world of bad people. It’s a socially relevant film. The last few years have been a sort of Depression. If you look at the social and economic climate of the country, somebody who’s not right is affected even more by the fact that things are really tough out there.

“The character of ‘The Man’ played by Sorvino believes in doing what’s right but he breaks the law,” Borowski continues. “We’re trying to look at what pushes people over the edge. It will get people talking on both sides. That’s why I know it’s relevant. It’s very shades of gray; not all bad, but not all good.”

MANIAC was written by Nihad Shalabi, an Intern at Borowski’s The Naoj Company. Shalabi came to Borowski with a story he wrote, Borowski says he liked it, did a rewrite and put it on his immediate ‘to do’ list.

Continue reading OSCAR SHOT! Sam Borowski’s New Film MANIAC Premiers at Rhode Island Film Fest for a Shot at an Oscar Nod →

General

Jersey City Mayor Fulop to Train With Fire Department Recruits Will Suit Up & Participate in ‘Live Burn’

 

JERSEY CITY SEAL LOGOJERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop will join 21 Jersey City probationary firefighters from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 30, 2013 at the Morris County Police and Fire Training Academy, 500 West Hanover Avenue, Parsippany.

Mayor Fulop will spend the morning training with the firefighters to experience firsthand what Jersey City’s bravest undergo on a daily basis. Part of the training will also include Mayor Fulop participating in a “live burn” to experience the hot and smoky conditions in which firefighters work. A live burn is fire simulator in which fire is fed by propane gas. Continue reading Jersey City Mayor Fulop to Train With Fire Department Recruits Will Suit Up & Participate in ‘Live Burn’ →

Dining, General

Hudson Restaurant Week July 29th-August 9th

header HRW

 

 

 

Hudson Restaurant Week brings us 45 wonderful reasons to go out and dine from July 29th -August 9th.

Visit their website @  http://www.hudsonrestaurantweek.com/ to find out all the details for a delicious way to spend a summer day or evening.

 

 

General

TEN INGREDIENTS : At The Merchant Restaurant in Jersey City, Owner and Chef Dave O’Brien Puts the Pub Back in Jersey City

River View Observer -Your Source for Fine and Causal Dining Presents Ten Ingredients

 By Sally Deering

Front of the Merchant Restaurant in Jersey City Since June 2002, The Merchant bar and restaurant on Grove Street has been the unofficial watering hole for city workers who come in to relax after a hard day at City Hall. In fact, it’s not unusual to see the mayor sit down in the back with members of his staff. Just last week, Jersey City’s newly-elected Mayor Steve Fulop celebrated his election at The Merchant.

Owners Dave O’Brien and his sister Anne-Marie share the responsibilities of running the neighborhood pub which features a beautiful bar and two large, red-bricked rooms for dining. They serve an American menu with regional twists, says O’Brien who also is Executive Chef. The brother and sister team hail originally from Ireland and although the menu is considered American, there’s a nod here and there to their Irish roots.

David O'Brien of the Merchant Restaurant Jersey City
Dave  O’Brien

The Merchant offers Lunch & Dinner, Brunch and Late Night Menus with Appetizers, Salads, Sandwiches, Pastas and Entrees to choose from. There’s a House Specialty, too, The Gourmet Short Rib Burger with Horseradish, Chive, Cheddar, Bourbon-Bacon, Heirloom Tomato, Iceberg Lettuce and Beer-Fried Onions on a Brioche Bun and served with Hand-Cut Fries. ($15)

Other outstanding dishes include the Fried Calamari appetizer ($10); the Cobb Salad ($11); Mac & Cheese ($10/$14); and the Char Grilled Angus Skirt Steak ($18).

On a busy Friday, Dave O’Brien took time out of his busy schedule to share with Riverview Observer’s readers his “Ten Ingredients” for The Merchant’s success.

Let’s meet Chef Dave O’Brien!

Continue reading TEN INGREDIENTS : At The Merchant Restaurant in Jersey City, Owner and Chef Dave O’Brien Puts the Pub Back in Jersey City →

General

History Detective: Author and Historian Cynthia T. Harris Sees the Beauty – and Importance – of Dusty Old Pictures and Faded Yearbooks

   By Sally Deering

History Detective Cynthia Harris
Cynthia T. Harris

Imagine a collection of written documents that date back to 1629 before America was even a country, or a series of photos chronicling Jersey City life in the 40s and 50s? Then there’s the “Douglass Map of 1841” the first of a genre of maps of Jersey City depicting property owners and their land lots.  Cynthia T. Harris manages these treasures housed in the New Jersey Room of the Jersey City Free Public Library on Jersey Avenue in Jersey City. The New Jersey Room holds some of the most important documents in the history of New Jersey and specifically Hudson County and Harris its very own history detective.

As Manager of the New Jersey Room, Harris oversees the cataloguing – and deciphering – of documents and photographs housed in the archives on the top floor. There, Harris and her staff of librarians – John Beekman and Daniel Klein, library assistants and volunteers assist visitors, especially those researching  their family trees and searching for clues to events that are extremely personal to their lives. Continue reading History Detective: Author and Historian Cynthia T. Harris Sees the Beauty – and Importance – of Dusty Old Pictures and Faded Yearbooks →