Hoboken celebrates World Pride Month with flag raising and rainbow crosswalks
Mayor Ravi Bhalla, the Hudson Pride Center, activists, and officials celebrated the start of World Pride Month with a Pride flag raising outside city hall on Monday, June 3. Bhalla and the city also unveiled new crosswalks at Newark and Washington streets, which were painted in Pride colors over the weekend for the first time in Hoboken.
“Hoboken is and always will be a welcoming community where all are welcome, no matter your gender, sexual orientation, or any means of identification,” said Bhalla. “We’re proud to kick off World Pride Month with our flag raising and first ever Pride crosswalks in front of city hall. This is a symbol of not just our ongoing commitment to inclusive policies for all, but also to Hoboken’s LGBTQ+ history and all those who have fought so hard for equality before us. We look forward to our second annual Hoboken Pride Week this August!”
Allen Kratz and Paul Somerville, two longtime leaders in the Hoboken LGBTQ+ community, ceremonially raised the flag on behalf of the city.
Somerville and Kratz, longtime Hoboken residents, were leaders in the Gay Activists’ Alliance of Hudson County. Kratz was president of the New Jersey Lesbian and Gay Coalition in the 1980s when the coalition laid the groundwork for extending the protections of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination to include sexual orientation. Somerville and Kratz were the first couple in Hoboken to register as domestic partners in 2004, became civil union partners in 2007, and were married in 2013 shortly after the state legalized same-sex marriage.
“This year, we celebrate Hoboken Pride, not Prejudice,” said Laura Knittel, the city’s LGBTQ+ community liaison. “One way I ask everyone to join in the celebration this year is through gratitude. Let’s thank our friends, family, and alliances for all they have given us, and how they continue to love and accept us each and every day. We will continue to make an impact for LGBTQ+ communities here and around the world.”
“I am excited and honored to be a part of Hoboken’s June Pride flag raising. When I grew up, queer community support was not vocalized or expressed,” said Elizabeth Schedl, Hudson Pride Center’s Chief Operations Officer. “While I know we still have a long way to go to create a truly accepting, understanding, and inclusive society, I can appreciate how far we have come. Hoboken’s Pride flag raising sends a message to all the people in the Hoboken area and beyond. It says that Hoboken is a safe place, an accepting place, and a place that, above all, values its community and the diversity within it.”
Rebuild by Design meeting on Hoboken Cove Park announced
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), Mayor Ravi Bhalla, and the City of Hoboken invite members of the community to a public meeting on the Rebuild by Design flood risk reduction project.
At the meeting, consultants for the project will present updated design alternatives and scale models of Harborside Park as well as discuss the different program and layout concepts with the community.
The meeting will be held in the gymnasium of Elysian Charter School, 1460 Garden St. at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 6.
During this phase of work, flood control structures to resist storm surge will be designed and included in a proposed community park.
At the meeting, attendees will be updated on the preferences for park components that emerged from prior community input and review materials for two design concepts that have been developed for the park based on community input.
They will also have the opportunity to provide additional input on the design materials presented so that the design team can develop one preferred concept for the park.
“The beauty of Rebuild by Design is that the project seamlessly incorporates flood infrastructure into our urban environment while also providing open space amenities,” said Bhalla. “We’re proud of the Ridge and Meadow concepts the designers have advanced. I thank the NJDEP for their continued commitment to implementing this innovative and adaptive project. I also want to thank Governor Murphy for his leadership and support in helping Hoboken become one of the first communities in the country prepared to face the uncertainties of climate change.”
Those unable to attend the public meeting can fill out an online survey at www.rbd-hudsonriver.nj.gov after June 6th.
NJDEP will also post a video recording of the meeting that will be accessible on the website 10 days after the meeting.
Hoboken Library Festival begins Thursday, June 6
The discussion will take place in the library’s large programming room. The library is at the corner of Fifth Street and Park Avenue.This year’s Library Festival will take place Saturday, June 8 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
It is a community-wide outreach event that celebrates the diversity of the Hoboken community and showcases the many services the library provides to the city. It will have activities for children, teens, and adults, driving home the motto of the Library: “Opening minds since 1890.”
The festival will have a performance by The Pop Ups! a duo of Brooklyn musicians. Jason Rabinowitz and Jacob Stein received a 2014 Grammy nomination for Best Children’s Album for their album “Appetite for Construction.” The Fun Bus will also be on hand for children between the ages of 18 months and 7 years. It is a “gym on wheels” offering fitness fun classes to preschool, and childcare facilities. There will also be bouncy houses, giveaways, and a book sale.
Art exhibit reception announced at local café
CHOC∙O∙PAIN French Bakery & Café will host an art opening reception on Thursday, June 6, 6 to 8 p.m, to kick-off a three-month exhibition at the Hudson Tea Building location featuring the artwork of artist, Hélène McGuire, a former Hoboken resident.
The artist will present a collection of her fine art photography works entitled The Paris Exhibit, a series of that came naturally after 15 years living away from her native city of Paris.
Returning to France became a way to rediscover the city through a blend of memories and fresh eyes.
CHOC∙O∙PAIN will offer light refreshments and bubbly/wine.
CHOC∙O∙PAIN is located in the Hudson Tea Building, 1500 Hudson St.
For more information contact Choc o Pain at 201-683-3300 or go to www.chocopainbakery.com
Southwest Park summer concerts and family fun nights announced
Hoboken invites the community to “Summer Concerts in Southwest Park.” The concerts begin at 7 p.m. at 38 Harrison St. They will take place on most Sundays until July 28. They are co-sponsored by The Hoboken Business Center.
The concerts in the Southwest Park were introduced last year, and are now returning due to popular demand. In addition, Mayor Ravi Bhalla and the Cultural Affairs Department are launching “Family Fun at Southwest Park” for the first time this summer, beginning Monday, June 10.
“Family Fun at Southwest Park” will include craft activities, face painting, and child-friendly performances. It is co-sponsored by The Hoboken Busines Center and Lightbridge Academy. Free food for children will be provided by G Millz Boken Roadhouse.
“We are always looking for opportunities to expand our cultural affairs programming throughout the city, and our new family fun activities will be a great addition to the Southwest neighborhood,” said Mayor Bhalla. “We’re also pleased to bring back concerts to the Southwest Park this summer, and look forward to a number of talented musicians performing!”
For more details and a list of performers go to www.hobokennj.gov/news/hoboken-launches-southwest-park-concerts-and-family-fun
Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office seeks information
On Wednesday, May 22, 2019, members of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Public Integrity/Insurance Fraud Unit arrested George Tomasik, age 62, of Kenilworth, following an investigation into allegations of insurance fraud.
The allegations included providing fraudulent insurance documents to various businesses and governmental entities.
Tomasik is the owner of Shamrock Maintenance Company.
Tomasik surrendered to members of the Public Integrity Unit/Insurance Fraud Unit at the Hudson County Administration Building on Newark Avenue in Jersey City.
He was arrested without incident on a summons charging him with one count of theft by deception, a third-degree crime, and one count of forgery, a fourth-degree crime.
Following his arrest, Tomasik was released on his own recognizance. He is scheduled to make his first appearance on these charges in Central Judicial Processing Court at 1 p.m. on June 5.
Prosecutor Suarez credited members of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Public Integrity/Insurance Fraud Unit with the investigation and arrest.
As part of the ongoing investigation into possible insurance fraud, any business or governmental entity that has used Shamrock Maintenance Company for janitorial services is asked to contact Detective Khalil Hasan from the Insurance Fraud Unit at 201-795-6400.
The above charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
2019 Movies Under the Stars announced
This summer Hoboken will again host its Movies Under the Stars series.
Almost every Wednesday from June 12 through Aug. 21 at Pier A Park the city will screen movies for the public, free of charge.
All movies start at 9 p.m. in June and July, and between 8 and 8:30 p.m. in August.
Movies this year include “Crazy Rich Asians,” “The Greatest Showman” sing-along version, “Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse,” “Bohemian Rhapsody” sing-along version, “A Star is Born,” “Green Book,” “Mary Poppins Returns,” “Incredibles 2,” and “Ralph Breaks the Internet.”
Subtitles will be projected on the movie screen upon request. Assisted-listening devices are available with three weeks advance notice.
The city will also offer a special screening of “Black Panther” at Mama Johnson Field on Fourth and Jackson streets on Wednesday, July 31.
Residents are encouraged to bring a blanket or low-back chair.
Screenings may be canceled due to inclement weather.
For a list of movie dates go to https://www.hobokennj.gov/resources/movies-under-the-stars
For more information, call the Cultural Affairs Department at 201-420-2000 ext. 5100.
