I really appreciate your detailed description -- the setting sounds fantastic! I now look forward to checking out future Coffee House shows and performances. Thanks again for your thoughtful feedback.

Bwahahahaha -- I'll be sure to save ya some next time! :):):)

I dig the jackfruit ice cream now and again, and I get the green tea, ginger and cinnamon even more often.

But it's always the LYCHEE ICE CREAM that I gravitate back to -- it's mighty sweet and mighty fine!

Yum!

I planned to check out the Brennan Coffee House performance by folk artist Antje Duvekot earlier this month, but I missed it because I was out of town. Did any JCListers out there make it to the show? Or have any of you checked out past Brennan Coffee House performances? Just curious to know what they're like. If you're not familiar with Antje Duvekot (pronounced Aunt-ya Doo-va-kot), her song "Merry Go Round" is featured in the Bank of America commercials that have been running regularly on TV for the last few months. I'd say her music is in the same vein as Dar Williams, Suzanne Vega, Jonatha Brooke, Shawn Colvin, Ani Difranco, etc. -- folky singer/songwriter-ish kinda stuff. Here's a link to Antje's MySpace page if you're curious. Maybe I've been living under a rock, but I hadn't heard of the Brennan Coffee House music series until recently. Here's the link to its website for the uninitiated: BrennanCoffeeHouse.com. While perusing the site, I just noticed that the site was created by and is maintained by Hudson County high school students -- very cool! And the site's video clips are provided by Hudson County high school students too. It's nice see local teens doing good work to build their resumes while contributing to the community! Just a few weeks ago, I was feeling quite bitter and angry toward a pair of Jersey City teens who robbed my younger brother near Van Vorst Park. (You may remember seeing some chatter about it here on the list.) But focusing on good stuff like this -- whether it's upbeat artistry or teen accomplishments in Jersey City -- helps soothe the cynic in me and makes me feel good about living here. Time for me to revel in some of Antje's optimistic tunes as I drift off to sleep. Have a swell night, and again, any feedback or details about this music series (beyond what's featured on its website) would definitely be appreciated. Someone is tossing petals in a stream Somewhere someone is standing at the foothills of their dreams Someone got a paintbrush, is painting over doubts Someone opened up his eyes and saw the sun coming out -- Antje Duvekot :)

More thoughts on Newark Avenue as a town center anchored by a vibrant, bricked-over pedestrian street...

Years ago, I lived in Charlottesville, Virginia and their Downtown Mall is a similar concept on a larger scale with 120 shops, 30 eateries and much more.

It's a bustling place with a modern trolley system flanked by parking garages (with parking validation from Downtown merchants!) that encourage people to get out of their cars and walk.

These days it even features an amphitheater as well as an annual Blues Festival and a semi-annual Arts and Crafts Festival.

Maybe Downtown Jersey City could learn a lesson or two from good ol' Charlottesville?

Here's a blurb I dug up on Charlottesville's renewal and flourishing growth with the development of its Downtown Mall. I've also dug up some photos below. Check 'em out!

"Back in the late 1970s, city leaders looked around and realized that Charlottesville's downtown area was suffering, as strip malls and shopping centers sprang up around town and stole business from downtown merchants.

The leaders responded with an intrepid stab at urban renewal ? a bricked, European-style commercial area open only to pedestrian traffic.

The move was a stunning success and made Charlottesville a model for other communities.

Plus, the town attracted a major hotel, an ice skating rink, and scores of high-end shops, chic restaurants, and unique nightspots to the area.

The Mall now hosts a variety of annual community events, including the Holiday Market and the summer-long Friday After 5 block party."

Here are some Downtown Mall photos (just to illustrate the concept):

Creating a paseo, or a bricked-over street for pedestrians, from the intersection of Newark and Grove to the intersection of Newark and Erie sounds like an idea worth seriously considering.

I can see it now too -- a Newark Avenue Promenade could be a community gathering place and WiFi hotspot featuring a multitude of cafes and restaurants with outdoor dining, shade trees and tables with umbrellas, all kinds of shops and boutiques, oversized planters resplendent with cascading flowering vines, food vendors and period street lamps, an outdoor music series and farmers' market, a vibrant mix of galleries and lofts and markets and apartments -- and maybe even a fountain or two!

I'm sure parents with children, pet owners and the elderly would enjoy the concept too, with more room to spread out while not having to worry about cars and buses zooming by every few seconds.

A space like you describe would really help in developing "a sense of place" and a more welcoming town center in Downtown Jersey City, with the Grove PATH plaza as a sort of terminus.

I think the Powerhouse Arts district (WALDO) and Liberty Harbor North may also be looking to achieve something similar in those developments, but I don't see why Newark Avenue couldn't also be an attractive gathering spot and focal point for the city with the epicenter being a pedestrian mall or paseo like you describe.

If I were you, I would pass along all of your ideas to Jersey City Ward "E" Councilman Steven Fulop.

I believe Mr. Fulop is still looking for community feedback on Newark Avenue redevelopment and, according to his website, his e-mail address is info@stevenfulop.com.

Also, information about the current plans for Newark Avenue's "Restaurant Row" and refurbishment can be found at http://www.stevenfulop.com/streetplan.htm.

Final thought: If making Newark Avenue pedestrian-only 24/7/365 is viewed as too severe of an idea, it may be worth considering doing it from Friday afternoons through Monday mornings. Or doing it seasonally, like from late Spring through early Fall.

P.S.: Thanks for turning me on to the CoolTownStudios.com website. As someone who's always been interested in urban planning issues, this site is a real find!

Awesome -- glad to hear it. That's a start! :)

Just curious...

Does Jadwiga still not have any sort of large sign or banner for her store? Forgive me for not knowing, but I am out of town until at least mid March taking care of a sick family member. It's important that passersby know that she's there and very much open for business!

I was thinking that maybe PostNet could cut her a deal on a sign since they are neighbors, but I just gave them a call and they said they don't do outdoor signage.

They did recommend a fellow named Bob Iezzi who owns a Jersey City-based company called Craft Signs. He says their number is 800.257.8301 and their website is CraftSigns.com.

Maybe someone could drop by Sava's and suggest to Jadviga that she should give Bob a call? Or could a JCLister somehow help walk her through the process of getting a permanent sign or vinyl banner (whether it's through Craft Signs or another similar JC-based business)?

I am guessing there are Jersey City rules and regulations regarding what you can and can't hang in front of your business, but I am also guessing that Craft Signs would know what would work for Sava's (since their website says they've been in the business of signmaking since 1985).

In any case, as a fellow of Polish and Ukrainian descent, I see myself dropping by Sava Polish Deli often for some hearty, rustic fare. I can't wait to check it out when I'm back in JC -- what a welcome addition to the neighborhood!

The mixed drink OX has chosen to call "Jersey City" (listed under Sweet and Savory Cocktails at $9.50) gave me a chuckle.

Gotta love the name!

Looks like the JC will feature Knob Creek Bourbon, Cherry Brandy and Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice.

Here's the rest of the drink menu for those who are curious...

http://oxrestaurant.com/fall07_drinks.pdf

Seriously though...

It sure would be nice to have another Marco and Pepe alternative here in the 'hood.

I look forward to giving the place a try.

And not so seriously though...

This new cocktail discovery tempts me to ask a fun question of those who frequent this list...

If you were to concoct a drink named Jersey City, what would YOU put in it?

:D