Theodore Roosevelt Students Raise Money for Good Cause

‘She said the dogs had no towels’

 Kids collect gifts for the needy

Jan 19, 2014 

by Art Schwartz

The children of Weehawken’s Theodore Roosevelt School are a generous bunch. Last month, they participated in two simultaneous projects to benefit the less fortunate: Collecting towels for animals at a local shelter, and donating toys to kids in Haiti.

Spearheaded by the fifth and sixth grade Peer Leadership team – a group of students with an interest in community service – the towel drive was a resounding success, benefiting rescued and abandoned animals under the care of the Bergen County Protect & Rescue Foundation, a nonprofit organization serving Bergen and Hudson counties.

Organized by teacher Jill Barbarise, who oversees the peer leaders, the project was conceived when she adopted a dog from the shelter. “When she went to go get her dog, she said the dogs had no towels,” said student Deanna Mezzina. “So she told the Peer Leadership we can bring towels in to help the dogs.”

“What we’re doing is we’re asking each class to at least donate a few towels,” said classmate Marie Eid. The towels will serve as beds for the animals during their stay in the shelter.

“We collected all the towels into this towel pyramid,” said student Sabrina Perez, “and we’re going to give them to the dogs so they have a nice warm place to sleep.”

Animal care

Animal Control Officer Vincent Ascolese visited the school on Dec. 13 to accept the donation, bringing along a friendly Jack Russell terrier, to the delight of the children. Ascolese provided tips on animal care and lessons on how to care for animals responsibly.

He described the shelter’s mission to “protect and rescue” as many lost, stray, and unwanted domestic animals as possible, advising the kids that “if you see something, say something,” if they come across a situation with an abused or mistreated animal.

The shelter staff also train and coordinate the all-volunteer County Animal Response Team (CART) responsible for responding to local emergencies affecting animals, including disasters like Superstorm Sandy.

Founded in 2010 and licensed in 2011, the volunteer-run shelter operates out of an old ambulance garage that was formerly a plumbing supply shop. A “no kill” shelter, they have expanded rapidly and are looking to relocate to a larger home. The shelter is located at 302 Second St. in Cliffside Park and can be reached at 201-621-4111 or http://www.bchenj.org.

Accompanying Ascolese on his visit to the school were Animal Control Officer Calvin Hale and Assistant Shelter Director Kristi Heller.

Kids helping kids

While the towel drive benefits local animals, 1,500 miles away, a group of kids will receive a different kind of gift from Roosevelt School’s students.

“We’re doing a toy drive for children in Haiti,” explained fifth grade teacher Andrea Eberhard. “It’s through a foundation called Edeyo.com. We feed, educate, and provide uniforms for 300 children. They don’t have to pay for it. We have two schools located in the worst part of Port-au-Prince called Bel Air, so this is a really good opportunity for the children to better their lives through education. We’ve had great support from everybody; all the teachers and a lot of the students have donated toys.”

In addition to teaching at the elementary school and high school, Eberhard sits on the board of Edeyo. “Other businesses around the city and I believe Montclair school district, one of the schools there is having a toy drive as well, so all these toys are going to go on a plane at Kennedy Airport on Monday the 16th,” Eberhard said. “These are Christmas toys. Whatever the toys that our children at the school don’t use, those toys will be given to kids in the community.”

This is the first partnership between Edeyo and the Roosevelt School. “It’s a good effort by the people to Weehawken to show their support and definitely for the children to see how other people live lives very different. And so my class is actually doing a report on Haiti so they can learn about Haiti. It’s so close but very, very different so they’re doing a research project.”

“This is great for everybody and it’s a lot of fun to do,” said student Sabrina Perez about the holiday projects. “Especially with all my friends.”

Among the other Roosevelt School peer leaders involved in these projects were students Fiza Abid, Loen Albuquerque, Andrea Carranza, Kathyuska Carrillo, Leivys Garcia, Sean Guerriero, Natalie Jonas, Marlon Martinez, Misha Nair, Farah Rafiq, Hadyn Roman, Corey Vangelakos, and Ashley Yang.

Weehawken's Molos & Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse Offering Deals During Hudson Restaurant Week (Jan 13-Jan 26

More than 40 restaurants offering deals During Hudson Restaurant Week)

10-Jan-14

Hudson Restaurant Week is celebrating its 10th year with its winter season, which will run from Monday through Jan. 26.

More than 40 restaurants in the Hudson County area will offer discounted meals, including prix-fixe lunch or dinner, for the event.

This year, the event is even bigger, with participating eateries in Jersey City, Hoboken, Weehawken and Bayonne, plus Bergen County borough Edgewater’s HAVEN also joining in on the fun.

Literally hundreds of dishes can be sampled during the two weeks for prices far below what restaurants normally charge.

Menus are varied and many can be checked on the Internet before you venue out [Full Story]

Here is a list of the local restaurants participating in Hudson Restaurant Week. The list is by municipality. Listed are the eateries, their addresses, type of cuisine, deal information (some restaurants do not have specifically priced prix-fixe meals or offer flexible discount options), and contact information.

Weehawken
Molos, 1 Pershing Rd., Weehawken, Greek/Seafood, Dinner only, $38. (201) 223-1200
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, 1000 Harbor Blvd., Weehawken, Dinner $38. (201) 863-5100.

Hoboken
3 Forty Grill, 340 Sinatra Dr., American, Lunch $18, Dinner $38. (201) 217-3406
Amanda’s, 908 Washinton St., American, Dinner only, $38. (201) 798-0101
Arthur’s Tavern, 237 Washington St., Steakhouse, Lunch $15, Dinner $30. (201) 656-5009.
The Brass Rail, 135 Washington St., American, Dinner only, $35. (201) 659-7074
Clinton Social, 700 Clinton St., American, Lunch $15, Dinner $35. (201) 239-0063
Court Street, 61 Sixth St., American, Dinner only, $30. (201) 795-4515
Dino and Harry’s, 163 14th St., Steakhouse, Dinner only, $38. (201) 659-6202
The Fig Tree, 306 Park Ave., American, Dinner only. (201) 420-0444
The Madison, 1316 Washington St., American. (201) 386-0300
Marty O’Brien Social Club, 94 Bloomfield St., American, Dinner only, $25. (201) 420-9222
Cafe Matt and Meera, 618 Washington St., Indian, Lunch $13, Dinner $25. (201) 683-9431
Stewed Cow, 400 Adams St., American, Dinner only. (201) 706-8589
Sushi Lounge, 200 Hudson St., Japanese, Dinner only, $38. (201) 386-1117
Trinity, 306 Sinatra Dr., American, Lunch $18, Dinner $30. (201) 533-4446
Zylo, 225 River St., Italian, Lunch $18, Dinner $38. (201) 253-2500

Jersey City
Bistro La Source, 85 Morris St., American, Lunch $15, Dinner $25. (201) 209-1717
Boca Grande, 564 Washington Blvd., Mexican, Lunch $13, Dinner $30. (201) 626-6646
Box, 176 Newark Ave., Thai/Japanese. (201) 432-1670
Casa Dante, 737 Newark Ave., Italian, Lunch $18, Dinner $38. (201) 795-2750
La Conguita, 351 Grove St., Latin/Cuban. (201) 435-6770
Edward’s Steakhouse, 239 Marin Blvd., Lunch $18, Dinner $38. (201) 761-0000
Fire and Oak, 479 Washington Blvd. (part of Westin Hotel), American, Lunch $18, Dinner $38. (201) 610-9610
GP’s Restaurant, 236 Pavonia Ave., Italian, Dinner only, $35. (201) 418-8800
Hamilton Inn, 708 Jersey Ave., American, Lunch $18, Dinner $38. (201) 839-5818
HopsScotch, 286 Washington St., American, Lunch $15, Dinner $25. (201) 451-4677
Liberty House Restaurant, 76 Audrey Zapp Dr., American, Lunch $18, Dinner $38. (201) 395-0300
Light Horse Tavern, 199 Washington St., American, Dinner only, $30. (201) 946-2028
Maritime Parc, 84 Audrey Zapp Dr., American, Dinner only, $35. (201) 413-0050
Max’s of Manila, 687 Newark Ave., Filipino, Dinner only, $38. (201) 798-2700
The Merchant, 279 Grove St., American, Lunch $15, Dinner $25. (201) 200-0202
PJ Ryan’s, 292 Barrow St., Irish-American, Dinner only, $25. (201) 333-8752
Porto Lounge, 286 First St., Portuguese, Dinner only, $30. (201) 420-9550
Satis Bistro, 212 Washington St., Modern European. (201) 435-5151
Skylark on the Hudson, 25 River Dr. S, American, Lunch $13, Dinner $25. (201) 533-8989
Sky Thai, 62 Morris St., Thai. (201) 333-4311

Other Municipalities
A&W Steakhouse, 456 Avenue C, Bayonne, Dinner only, $30. (201) 436-0800
Chart House, 170 Harbor Blvd., Weehawken, American. (201) 348-6628
GoodFella’s Brick Oven Pizza and Restaurant, 1007 Broadway, Bayonne, Italian, Dinner only, $25. (201) 471-7900
HAVEN, 45 River Rd., Edgewater, American, Dinner only, $38. (201) 943-1900
McLoone’s Bayonne Grill, 400 Route 440, Bayonne, American, Dinner only, $25. (201) 858-0500

A New Greek Restaurant in Weehawken

Mediterranean on the Hudson

Restaurant opens at former Arthur’s Landing site in Weehawken

by Al Sullivan

Eliana Stefanitsis majored in philosophy in college, something that makes sense for a woman growing up with a Greek heritage. But more fitting is the fact that her father has been in the restaurant industry for more than 30 years.

“I grew up in the restaurant business,” she said.

Now, she serves as vice president of the newly opened Molos in Weehawken. The ribbon cutting on Dec. 9 brought out scores of people: well-wishers, local political people, business people and just ordinary folk who missed having a quality restaurant at that location.

Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner said various government bodies, from the Planning Board to the Town Council, worked with the Stefanitsis family to get the place open after the site had remained vacant for nearly four years.

This site formerly housed Arthur’s Landing, which closed its doors in 2009.

Jerry Stefanitsis said he previously owned businesses in New York City, starting in 1980, and that the current site on New Jersey side of the Hudson intrigued him.

Although the menu boasts of Greek and Mediterranean food with chef Athanasios Liavas, Jerry hopes to draw from potential customers with diverse tastes, including commuters who might be coming and going by way of the nearby NY Waterways ferry.

Liavas has worked in four- and five-star restaurants in Greece, Australia, and New Zealand.

The restaurant had a soft opening in November, and the hours currently cater to dinner crowds, but this is expected to change as word gets out about its opening, and the hours will be increased to cover lunch as well.

Working with NY Waterways, the restaurant intends to take advantage of the bus service that transports passengers from the ferry to various locations along the waterfront. The establishment may also offer a dinner and theater package, which will allow patrons to dine in Weehawken and then take in shows in Manhattan via the ferry and its transportation network.

River views

With views of Manhattan and the Hudson River, the name Molos is appropriate for a number of reasons. In Greek, it means “the pier where fishermen gather with their daily catch.”

The restaurant will allow diners to select fresh whole fish that are displayed on a bed of ice, a Greek tradition. Fresh fish will be flown in daily from the Mediterranean and other places in the world.

Eliana said the restaurant will have a full menu of Mediterranean specialties, but this won’t preclude ordering fillet mignon.

The two-floored restaurant has glass on three sides with spectacular views. Downstairs seats about 170 people in the main dining area. Upstairs, which can seat up to 165 people, offers accommodations for catered parties, weddings receptions, and engagements.

A small bar, Eliana said, allows people to meet others prior to dinner.

Arthur Imperatore, Sr., founder of NY Waterways, said he wore his Greek fisherman’s hat just for the occasion. He said the restaurant will provide jobs as well as cuisine that is not found locally.

Turner said the town has been concerned about that location since Arthur’s Landing shut its doors in February, 2009.

“This is a great use of this building,” Turner said. “We never want to have a vacancy on the waterfront.”

Father Christos Pappa from Fairview gave the blessing, using a sprig of basil to cast the holy water, a tradition that goes back to St. Helena, who used basil to determine the true cross Christ had died upon. Blessings of this kind are common, offering to provide a level of protection to people who start out on new ventures. While everyone hopes for success, the blessing is designed to offer protection and hope for the future.

Located at 1 Pershing Road, Molos is open 5 to 11 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and 5 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.

The Weehawken Recreation Pee Wee Junior Football Team, pictured here with Mayor Richard Turner and Richard Barsa, were the 2013 Memorial Art McDonald Superbowl runners up for the Bi-County Junior Scholastic Football League. They recently played their final game and hosted their league playoffs at Weehawken Stadium.

L.A. Gang Member Nabbed at Fulton Street, Weehawken

Reputed L.A. gang member accused in double-murder nabbed in Weehawken: cops

The Jersey Journal, 20-Dec-13

A reputed West Coast gang member wanted for murder in California was arrested in Weehawken yesterday by Hudson County sheriff’s officers, authorities said.

After six hours of surveillance, Donovan Blair Johnson, 22, of Los Angeles, was arrested on Fulton Street at 10:30 p.m. by sheriff’s officers and FBI agents who were working on a tip, a sheriff's office report says.

Johnson was wanted in connection to the Aug. 27 shooting in which a 16-year-old boy and an 18-year-old man were gunned down on a Los Angeles street, a police report says.

Authorities say he fired an AK-47 in a gang-related retaliation shooting. Two more men, 19 and 18, were wounded, the report says.

After conducting surveillance at an apartment building on Fulton Street Thursday, sheriff's officers entered the building and searched and apartment, but did not find Johnson.

While searching the area around 10:30 p.m., officers were approached by a man and they ordered him across the street because of the investigation, a report says.

The man told the officers he lived in the building and when he identified himself as Donovan Johnson, he was arrested, a report said.

Police in Los Angeles believe the double-murder was retaliation for the shooting death of a gang member by a rival gang.

Hudson County Sheriff Frank Schillari praised the work of his officers, as well as the FBI agents and law enforcement in Los Angeles.

Hoboken, Jersey City and Weehawken plan regional bike-sharing program

Hoboken, Jersey City and Weehawken plan regional bike-sharing program

The Jersey Journal,  17-Dec-2013

A new regional bicycle-sharing program may link three Hudson County cities by this spring.

Hoboken, Jersey City and Weehawken are working together to launch a regional bike-sharing program, which would include at least 650 bicycles and solar-powered parking stations, officials said in a statement late Monday. The cities plan to select a single vendor for the program through a competitive contracting process, which has yet to be approved by the cities' councils.

The councils plan to vote on the solicitation process at their next meetings.

The proposed launch for the program is June 2014, according to Hoboken City Council documents. The cities hope to install — at a minimum —300 bikes in Jersey City, 250 in Hoboken and 100 in Weehawken, according to officials. The program could later be expanded to other municipalities.

The program is designed to allow participants to travel between and throughout the three cities via bicycle, officials said.

“We know that our transportation network is a regional one that connects our three waterfront communities, which is why it was important to partner on this initiative," Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop said in a statement.

The announcement comes roughly one month after Hoboken's trial bike-sharing program came to a close. At the time, Mayor Dawn Zimmer indicated that the city would be exploring its vendor and funding options before deciding how to move forward with the program. She also said that the city would be looking into the possibility of a regional program, connecting Hoboken, Jersey City and Weehawken.

Hudson County has also been mulling its own bicycle-sharing program. The county's planning division launched a feasibility study Oct. 18, through a $95,000 grant. The study is expected to be complete in July.

The proposed regional program seeks a vendor that would allow online registration, walk-up users and that would provide bikes with built-in GPS and use-tracking systems.Officials said the program could ease parking issues and encourage local shopping.

“Following Hoboken’s extremely successful bike share pilot this summer, we are ready to scale up to a full-scale, regional bike share program,” Zimmer said in a statement. “This program will improve our region’s transportation resiliency and provide another low-cost, healthy transportation and recreation option.”

Edward Hopper painting of Weehawken (NJ) sets record with $40.5 million sale

Edward Hopper painting of Weehawken (NJ)sets record with $40.5 million sale