Click here to read all about an unfortunate light rail ticket experience that ended up in jail time!
NJ Transit has yet to install a ticket machine and stamper at the 9th Street entrance to the light rail, which is the entrance HH uses. Boy if I ever went through a similar experience, I can tell you with all confidence that I wouldn't be as patient.
Do you think they will ever install a ticket machine?
"The detailed study focused especially on five of the station areas — those that researchers considered to have the most potential for development. They are Port Imperial in Weehawken; Ninth Street in Hoboken; the area between the Essex Street and Jersey Avenue stations in Jersey City; the Bergenline Avenue neighborhood of Union City and West New York; and the 34th Street area in Bayonne."
- An exert from a story in The New York Times yesterday about how the light rail has irreversibly changed the course of development along the coast of NJ, and the positive changes that have occurred in people's lives since it's inception.
Our 9th Street / Congress Street stop was mentioned as an area with the most potential for continued development. Very cool.
Do you hear that Starbucks Corporation? Make the smart decision and commit!
There have been rumors floating around, and various inquiries regarding the Monroe Center for the Arts and whether or not a KinderCare Learning Center would be leasing retail space there. Well, HH has on good authority that YES, a KinderCare is indeed moving into our neighborhood this Fall.
I received verbal confirmation several days ago that they would be moving in, and also that it would be a two floor facility, opening sometime in October 2008. After checking KinderCare's website, it is all but certain.
So all of you over-achieving busy bees in double income families with expensive eating habits who occasionally splurge on luxury handbags while also paying large mortgages for new construction condos - COME! ON! DOWN! This Fall, you'll have a place to stash your young ones during the day and after school.
Seriously though this is great news - there are plenty of parents with young ones who would use their services in a heartbeat.
Our new 1 story shopping center going up across from our future movie theater, and next to the 14th Street viaduct, is moving at a glacial pace.
That big mound of dirt on the north side will be the parking lot area:
It's spring, let's get this party started already!
Maybe someone needs to stop by with her blow torch and light a fire under the contractor's keister!
An astute reader of Hoboken Hero pointed out that the renderings of Metrostop being used on the developer's website include Starbucks on the ground floor. HH thinks these might be old renderings, but nonetheless, for Metro Homes LLC to continue to use them as the real deal is interesting, isn't it? 
The mystery continues...
HH had the pleasure of attending a cheese tasting at The Cheese Store recently. This particular tasting was all about the myriad of cheeses produced from our friend the goat. It was fascinating, and quite tasty. It's funny how enjoyable food can be when you actually pay attention to what you are eating.
Whether you are an on-and-off cheese beginner, an obsessive compulsive hoarder, or the refined wino, you will love the monthly tastings that Chung hosts at his store.
$30 bought HH an enormous plate of cheese - pictured above. Plus all the bread, crackers, nuts, dried fruits, and jams that you can cram into your mouth. It was suggested that we each bring a favorite bottle of white wine to compliment our cheeses, and also to loosen up the crowd. Here's Chung getting everything ready:
After taking our seats and getting comfortable, we journeyed through our plate in a clockwise fashion, tasting, sipping, mmmmmming, nodding our head and rubbing our tummies in delight. Chung briefed us on what we were trying, where it came from, why it tasted like it does, and I have to say it was simply fascinating.
From a basic Chevre (what you find in the supermarket), to a Selles sur Cher (heaven with mold on it!) that was so perishable it was flown in to his store and aged right there on Monroe Street in his refrigerated cases. We tried many different types of goat cheeses - a blue cheese (who knew?!), a Kunik (has a touch of cow's milk for smoothness), and the Midnight Moon, a personal favorite. 
After answering all of our questions, from the basic to the more complicated, we were free to wander the shop and marvel at the refrigerated cases full of cheese from all over the world, as well as the spreads, fruits, nuts, jams, meats, sweets and dry goods - basically anything you can think of to complement cheese.
In addition to fresh sandwiches each day, Chung also specializes in party platters and other entertaining options for when you have people over and want to impress.
I recently ordered a cheese/prosciutto platter that my guests just raved about. I was able to taste before buying, and each cheese came with a nifty paper sign that described the name, taste, and region. So chic. And after the party was over and we nursed our hangovers, I took all that leftover cheese and melted it down into a $75 gourmet mac & cheese, which we enjoyed until our bellies hurt. Then I froze the rest in individual portions for when I want to be lazy, and then took a nap.
Who knew cheese could provide so much bliss?
The Cheese Store
720 Monroe Street
@ the Monroe Center for the Arts
201-683-8162
No, you are not reading the above flyer all the way from the moon, nor are you a 95 year old who forgot their glasses. This itty bitty super tiny teensy weensy pretty much unreadable listing (taken directly from the official Hoboken website) is actually a public meeting announcement to invite local citizens and people with strong opinions to come to the next City Council Meeting and discuss the future redevelopment plan for the western edge of Hoboken. Clearly they do not want any of us showing up. Why don't we prove them wrong and show up en mass? Bring your noise groggers and megaphones and confetti and make tell 'em what you want in your neighborhood.
For example, if I was there I'd say - any future retail spaces must be at least twice as large as the ones currently existing in the Upper Grand buildings - because those retail spaces are so small no businesses can actually use them - other than nail salons and dry cleaners. This is a problem that should be corrected on all future developments. Why keep making the same mistake? Have you noticed how many unrented retail spots there are in the Upper Grand buildings? It's because the square footage of the spaces availalbe are TOO SMALL. Kind of the like the flyer above.
Wednesday, April 9th, 2008 @ 7pm
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
CITY HALL
94 Washington Street
Unfortunately HH is not in town tomorrow night - so if any diligent and caring NW Hobokeners would like to file an official report with HH on what went down at the meeting, I will publish your report and make you a local honorary junior celebrity. You may not be as popular as Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie, but you'll feel good about being one of the few who care enough to improve your own community. Please email me by clicking here..jpg)
Thanks Eddie, for the tip!
Chung is hosting a very special goat cheese tasting this Sunday March 30th @ 6pm at The Cheese Store, our local cheese palace at the Monroe Center on Monroe between 7th and 8th Streets. If you'd like to attend, just email info@thecheesestorehoboken.com to get your name on the list. Tickets are $30. Not too bad a price for goat cheese heaven, which franky, is priceless in my opinion. Tell him HH sent you...
The Cheese Store
720 Monroe Street @ Monroe Center for the Arts
201-683-8162
Just a general note - if you haven't stopped by yet to check out his goods, you are missing out big time.
I am very happy that I moved to Hoboken. The space, the peace, the proximity to NYC - love it all. I really have no complaints. Except for one major one. Late at night, when I'm in the city and JUST WANT TO GO HOME, it pains me to no end to hop into a cab (if they let me in, of course) and then pay $50 - $60 to get home, even though it only takes 5 minutes to get there. This makes no sense. Really, it's my only major complaint since my move out of Manhattan that I really care about.
Purely and simply - if we had a more economical taxi option home at night, Hoboken would be a much more desirable 'borough' to reside in. But because we are not part of New York state, we get the shaft by the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission. Well, to open a discussion on this problem, our Assemblyman Ruben Ramos, sent off a letter to the TLC Commissioner/Chair to see if we can improve things. Letter is posted below for you to read. If you would like to add your two cents, click here to send an email to Commisioner Daus yourself. It's quick and painless. And as we know from experience - the only way to affect change is to speak up yourself. Thanks Ruben for reaching out, now let's see if we can get somewhere. I know there are thousands of you who feel exactly like I do. So go ahead and send the TLC an email.
To read related posts on this subject from Hoboken Now (hi Carly!) and New York's Sixth, click the links below. I also encourage Hoboken411 to write about this too - I'm sure his readers would LOVE to chime in on the subject...(ahem, cough, cough)...
Hoboken Now: Ramos calls for cheaper taxis from NYC
New York's Sixth: Just a Cab Ride Away
***************************
March 27, 2008
Mr. Matthew W. Daus
Commissioner/Chair
New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission
40 Rector Street
New York, NY 10006
Commissioner/Chair Daus:
I write hoping to work in conjunction with your office, to address an issue that affects a multitude of residents who reside in the New York City metro area. Specifically, my office has received numerous calls regarding exorbitant fees for taxi rides from Manhattan to New Jersey municipalities that rest immediately outside of both the Lincoln and Holland Tunnels, such as Hoboken, Union City, Weehawken and Jersey City.
In many instances, New York City taxi drivers charge $50 for rides that are only a few short miles and minutes away from destinations within very close proximity to the New Jersey side of the tunnels. Clearly, these fees surpass what a metered ride would cost.
Moreover, the fee for a ride to New Jersey far exceeds the cost for a longer trip within the five boroughs of New York City. Therefore, it is evident that riders to New Jersey are charged rates that are not commensurate with that of riders who stay in New York City, creating an unfair circumstance.
Furthermore, a reduction in taxi fare for riders from New York City to New Jersey makes rides more accessible, offering many benefits such as increased commerce in New York City, reduced driving while intoxicated and raised revenue through toll collection to New Jersey. Also, drivers would not lose money, as additional riders would utilize this service, thereby allowing for more income.
In closing, please note that this issue is one of importance to my constituents, as we continue to share an economy with New York City.
I look forward to your response. Thank you for your attention to this mater.
Sincerely,
Ruben J. Ramos, Jr.
Assemblyman
Cc: Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, The City of New York
The mystery has been solved. Northwest Hoboken is soon to get a new shopping center at 13th and Adams Streets, directly across from our future 5 screen Clearview Cinemas. The shopping center will be one story, seven to eleven stores including a bank (eyes rolling), a liquor store (eyes cross-eyed) and a national coffee chain (eyes not blinking, ever) along with 50 parking spots for all those local residents who like to drive 35 feet from their condo to buy a nice cold 40 ounce and the New York Post. Open by this summer.
Michael Gorman, the developer, mentioned he had the option of going up to 5 stories, including doctors offices, activity centers, etc., however he felt there was a more pressing need for parking.
I've heard comments that this seems misguided. That this is not smart city planning. That this is not encouraging the idea of 'living local'. HH tends to agree. Whatever happened to walking? Every city dweller knows an empty parking lot at night only encourages mischief. Nonetheless, it will be nice to have the additional retail available to us locals.
Also for all your movie obsessives out there - if the DEP approves the movie theater plan shortly, the theater will be built and open for popcorn goodness by the end of the year.
Click below to read the full article in this weeks Hoboken Reporter:
New shopping center near uptown movie theater
From today's Joursey Journal:
Police say watch out for phony cable guy
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
By CHARLES HACK
HOBOKEN - Cops are warning residents to be on the lookout for a suspicious man posing as a cable television technician.
A woman who lives on Adams Street near Seventh Street said a man about 6 feet tall, with a tan hat and coat, knocked on her door on Friday at 1 p.m. and claimed to be making a service call for Cablevision.
He said he had to replace "chips and wires" in the basement of the four-story apartment building, and that the company was doing repairs in the area. After asking him to come back later, the woman called Cablevision, who told her that they were not in the area and the man was not their employee.
Hoboken Police Department Detective Sgt. Samuel Williams said the woman did the right thing and he recommended always asking for an ID of an uninvited visitor, and contacting the party he or she claims to represent.
In other retail news - Liberty Gourmet (bodega? food shop? specialty meats?) has as sign up on 11th and Adams. No doubt these new stores are springing up to help support the oncoming assault of new neighbors with the opening of 1000 Jefferson. Maybe they should open a pool maintenance store?
The corner of 12th and Grand, which is a Tarragon/URSA property, also know as part of the Upper Grand redevelopment, has just opened it's first retail location - and it's none other than the chicest dry cleaner on the block. This is the second location in the area for this colorful clean addition to the neighborhood. Their other location is on 8th and Jefferson.
Directly across the street from our beloved Shoprite, is the qaint corner lot home of the Princeton Stained Glass Co. Has anyone had work done by them in NW Hoboken? If so please let me know. From what is posted on their website, it looks like their artisans are very talented in both residential and commercial work. HH would love to take a tour of their facility sometime.
Princeton Stained Glass
931 Madison Street
Hoboken, NJ 07030
201-217-1771
zach@princetonstainedglass.com
In case you can't find their studio, just keep a look out for the understated street numbers that are hung on the green fence attached to their building:
Here's a peak of their backyard. Looks like a nice relaxing space:
Here's the side view, which borders the south end of 1000 Jefferson. A strange dichotomy of buildings, but interesting nonetheless:
Upon further inspection, you can see the faint remnants of the old Renegage Theater, which must have closed sometime before 2002, when Princeton Stained Glass moved into the space. In doing a little digging to uncover the history of the Renegade Theater, I discovered that its founder, Mary Carpenter, passed away late last year. Here' a shot of the old stage door:
Here's a little info on the founder of Renegage, which was taken from Skidmore College's website. Renegade must have been quite a place!
"Mary “Betsy” Carpenter ’77 of Nahant, MA, died December 11 after a long illness. A classical-studies major, she was an assistant director and actress with playwright David Mamet and became an artistic director and literary manager for Chicago’s Goodman Theatre. She founded and guided the Renegade Theater in Hoboken, NJ, for which she won the Governor Award for Artistic Excellence in 1984. A faculty member in the graduate playwriting and literature programs at Emerson College in Boston for 15 years, she was also a fiber artist and a Web master for Harvard University. The Betsy Carpenter Playwriting Award has been established at Emerson College in her honor. She is survived by husband David Sparr, her mother, a sister, and a brother."
Here's an interesting piece from yesterday's New York Post - detailing the newest trend in real estate: zip cars! My parter and I were members when zip car first launched in the city, and although car availabilities were shoddy at best during the beginning, the company has blossomed into quite a cool business.
Unfortunately, Metrostop and their planned fleet of Zip Car Toyota Prius's was not mentioned in the article. What a bummer! In case you didn't know - Zip Cars will be available to Metrostop residents when the building opens next spring. Anyway, here's the piece below - and all you Metrostop owners can sit back and bask in the glow of being right on-trend. Enjoy:
ZIP-ZIP-HOORAY!
BUYERS AT NEW BUILDINGS IN MANHATTAN AND BEYOND WILL BE ABLE TO SHARE CARS
By LISA KEYS
July 26, 2007 -- Forget marble bathrooms (boring), spas (whatever) or concierge services (yawn) - Zipcar is the latest amenity being unveiled at many of the area’s newest developments.
The car-sharing service - which boasts some 45,000 members in the New York City area alone - is teaming up with developers around the boroughs and beyond to bring its rent-by-the-hour-or-day cars to a slew of new buildings. Just this week, Zipcar announced a partnership with Equity Residential, owners of 608 properties around the country.
The company’s New Jersey properties, such as The Landings at Port Imperial and Jersey City’s The Pier, will have Zipcars parked on-site. Residents living in Equity Residential’s Manhattan buildings (such as Trump Place and Hudson Crossing on West 37th Street) will have to walk to the nearest Zipcar parking lot. But regardless of where they live, all residents, should they choose to join Zipcar - which has a membership rates starting at $50 (plus a $25 application fee) with car-rental rates from around $10 an hour and $69 a day, with insurance and gas included - will receive a $75 credit.
While this is the first time Zipcar has partnered with a real-estate company on a national level, such cooperation is not new. Zipcar’s first real-estate partnership began in 2004, with two vehicles parked on-site at Peter Cooper Village/Stuyvesant Town. Today, residents receive a discounted membership rate of $20 and have access to eight cars.
As new developments rise faster than Lindsay Lohan’s blood-alcohol level, the phenomenon has spread.
“Developers have recognized Zipcar as a solution to some of their parking and congestion problems,” says Julian Espiritu, the Manhattan-based regional vice president of Zipcar. “Plus, they can sell this program as an amenity to their residents.”
Existing buildings that have added Zipcar as an amenity include City Lights in Long Island City and Waterside Plaza on FDR Drive. Increasingly, however, Zipcar is pairing up with developers in order to include Zipcar parking spaces from the ground up.
“Typically, in an urban environment, parking areas are located in or under a structure,” says Espiritu. “We’re eventually going to park there anyway, so it’s a great opportunity for us to market our services to that building.”
Recent and upcoming developments with on-site Zipcars include the Kalahari in Harlem, Riverhouse in Battery Park City, the Esperanza in Asbury Park, N.J. (which will feature Zipcar Jaguars) and many Brooklyn properties being marketed by the Developer’s Group, including the Aurora in Williamsburg and One Brooklyn Bridge Park. (Taking the Zipcar-as-marketing-tool trend a bit further, last fall the Developers Group offered prospective buyers free Zipcar use for shuttling between nine open houses in Brooklyn and Queens.)
“New Yorkers, who are famous for not having a love affair with their cars, actually have a secret yearning for a car,” says Adrienne Albert, national director at the Marketing Directors, who is marketing Jersey City’s Beacon and Trump developments, which will offer Zipcars. “New Yorkers may not use it in everyday commuting, but they sure love the car experience.”
Walked by Adams and 13th Street and there were workers in the corner retail space painting the place orange. Wonder what's going in there? Anyone know? There was no signage. Could it be another dry cleaner? Or perhaps a nail salon? Maybe a Jamba Juice? An ING Direct branch? Oh wait - they are on-line only. 
We'll know soon enough!
Just look at it. Crystal clear windows, clean and simple landscaping, bright splashes of color on the walls, lots of perfectly pressed shirts- this could just be the chicest dry cleaner around. Bonus: they are open on Sunday for all you young professionals who only have time to get your act together on Sunday afternoon during those bed head/ hoodie/ dark dark sunglasses hours where you hope not to run into anyone you know.
Do they do good work? Let me know! Click here to email me!
Courtyard Cleaners
800 Jefferson @ the corner of 8th Street
201-216-1444
Click here for a Google map of Courtyard Cleaners
