Volume 16, No. 8August 14th - August 28th 2012FREE PUBLICATION

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In Your Home

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At the Movies

R eality TV star Drita D’Avanzo of Mob Wives sometimes talks like a thug on camera but when it comes to cosmetics she’s a girlie-girl. On Thursday, D’Avanzo greeted fans and took to the stage at the Staten Island Mall to unveil her new line of make-up, “Just Me.” A former fashion model, D’Avanzo isn’t just lending her celebrity to sell lipstick to the masses. She actually went to school to study skincare and make-up and starting her own cosmetics line has been a dream ever since she was a tomboy growing up in the Projects. For those of you unfamiliar with Mob Wives (VH1, Sunday nights at 8) the show’s title tells all. D’Avanzo and her co-stars married men who aren’t 9-to-5ers, but rather, wiseguys with connections to crime families. For D’Avanzo, she was still a newlywed when police arrested her husband, Lee, and sent him to prison for five years. Like other women who have had to pick up the pieces after a life-changing event, D’Avanzo went to school to study cosmetology. When a friend suggested the idea for a Reality TV show, D’Avanzo signed on.

By Sally Deering

con’t pg. 2

Drita D’Avanzo of Reality TV’s “Mob Wives” Debuts New Cosmetics Line

River View Observer – Page 2

on the cover . . .By Sally Deering

At the Staten Island Mall, customers lined up to buy lipsticks and lip plumpers and with just an hour to go before premiering her products, D’Avanzo took a few minutes to talk with the Riverview Observer about her new life as a Reality TV star and cosmetics designer.

RVO: Hi Drita, can you share with our readers how “Just Me” came about? DD: I used to model and watch how the make-up artists did my makeup and I was amazed at how they made me look. When Lee went to jail, I took a job in a high-end department store. I worked all the counters. I loved selling and dealing with everyone’s makeup. I knew I wanted to make high-end products affordable.

RVO: What makes your cosmetics different or better?DD: I am big on scent and I hate sticky. What makes it different? A lot of cosmetics are created by professional make-up artists. Nobody was behind the counter like I was. For seven years, I listened to a lot of women and what they wanted. All these things give me a lot of leverage.

RVO: Will you be working your new cosmetics into the show?DD: Yes. The makeup artist for the show uses my lipsticks. Big Ang (another Mob Wife on the show) loves my lipsticks and Carla (also a Mob Wife on the show) loves my lip plumper. My main goal is to have a beautiful, cool store with a

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RVO: How did Mob Wives come about?DD: My friend Jenn (Jennifer “Jenn” Graziano) for 20 years always had the idea we should do something that showed our lives and life-styles. Reality TV was such a big thing and Jenn had the balls to do it. (Mob Wives debuted on VH1 on April 17, 2011.)

RVO: Are you really as tough as you seem on the show?DD: I was always tough. Growing up, I was a major tomboy and I had a very bad temper. I was in so many fights.

con’t pg. 3

Page 3 – River View Observer

con’t from pg. 2RVO: What’s the difference between a regular wife and a mob wife?DD: As a mob wife, you’re kind of treated like a celebrity. I always had that being married to Lee. Everybody knows you. But you know, I was married only three weeks when Lee was being taken away to prison. He did five years. Then two years.

RVO: Aren’t you afraid that you might be spilling some secrets on the show?DD: Lee’s story and that of other mob wives’ husbands has been in books and movies. They’ve been out there.

RVO: Can you tell our readers a little about your background? DD: I was born and raised in Staten Island and grew up in the Projects. I graduated from Staten Island High School and I attended the College of Staten Island. Then I studied make-up at the Lea Shorr Institute in Manhattan; I went there when Lee when to jail.

RVO: What are the perks of being a reality TV star?DD: My life has changed. It’s not like I can go anywhere. I have fans that adore me and wish the best for me. These are phenomenal things. It’s a blessing. The perks are what I’m doing now. I have the ability to live the dream.

RVO: What is the downside?DD: It’s hard. At the end of the day I’m still a single mom.

For more information on Drita, her new cosmetics line or upcoming appearances visit www.drita.com.

Page 4 River View Observer

3rd Annual Hamilton Park BBQ FestivalSaturday, September 15, 2012 Noon to 8pmJersey City, NJ –The 3rd Annual Hamilton Park BBQ Festival.Saturday, September 15, 2012, noon to8 pm, at Hamilton Square, McWilliams Place on the east side of Hamilton Park. The BBQ Festival is a fun, end ofsummer neighborhood event and raises money for the new Hamilton Park Conservancy. The Conservancy is dedicated toassisting the city in the maintenance and improvement of historic Hamilton Park. Proceeds of the Hamilton Park BBQ Festival will go to the Hamilton Park Conservancy.The BBQ Festival features a number of vendors offering special dishes, mostly BBQ and BBQ related. So far Jersey City’s Legal Beans BBQ, Pennsylvania’s Jimmy’s BBQ, and the Hamilton Inn have been confirmed; festival organizers expect more to sign on soon. The Festival will feature New Jersey Beer Co., Lizmonade, and other refreshments as well. The famous Dancing Tony is coordinating live music all day.Check this event out on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hamiltonparkbbqfestival

Attending last years BBQ: Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy, Jim of Jimmy’s BBQ,

Mrs. Healy, Paul Silverman

52nd Jersey City Puerto Rican Day Heritage Parade and Festival from Sunday August 5th An enthusiastic and happy crowd greeted the Jersey City Puerto Rican day parade as it may its way down Montgomery Street in Jersey City. Our photographer took these shots of the days festivities. To see more photos visit www.riverviewobserver.net

Page 5 River View Observer

Hudson Then...Again

Visit us on the web @ www.riverviewobserver.net

by Maureen Wlodarczyk

The recent passing of Dr. Sally Ride, America’s first woman in space, got me thinking about the ages-old

human fascination with the heavens above and beyond this planet we call home.Greek mythology gave us the tale of Icarus who donned prosthetic wax

wings that melted when he flew too close to the sun.Over 500 years ago, artistic genius and inventor Leon-ardo Da Vinci drew amazing

machines and parachutes. Just a century ago, the Wright Brothers launched the modern age of aero-nautics. Only a scant few decades after their very brief flights at Kitty Hawk,

air travel would become a normal mode of transpor-tation and plans were in motion to send men - and women - into space. In between the days of Da Vinci and the Wright Brothers, Jersey City played host to another aeronautical achievement in 1819 when a French balloonist lifted off near Paulus Hook and, at an al-titude of some 500 feet, cut his basket loose and para-chuted in it to the ground. The basket fell some 200 feet before the parachute opened, giving the assem-bled crowd of about 3,000 spectators both a thrill and a fright. The daredevil, Louis Charles Guille landed safely near the spot from where he had ascended and is credited with having made the first parachute jump in the western world that November day. In his haste to cut the ropes holding the balloon to the

basket, Guille cut into his thigh, that being his only injury. The balloon, once freed from the basket, passed high over the city heading in the direction of Long Island. Guille would go on to do similar events in the Northeast and was sued for damages when one of his wayward balloons came down in a New England garden.

Seventy-five years after Guille stunned the crowd at Paulus Hook, Jersey City had its own home-grown balloonist daredevil, twen-ty-year-old Agnes Grace Stage who performed under the name Nina Madison. “Nina,” born in Brooklyn in 1875, grew up on New York Avenue in Jersey City where her family relocated in the late 1870s and was described as “modest,” a “pleasing conversational-ist,” and having “her share of good looks.” She created quite a sensation in May 1895 in Bayonne when 10,000 people watched her, smartly dressed in a navy blue suit, hanging from a trapeze bar affixed to a hot air balloon.As the balloon ascended, it grazed the roof of a nearby hotel, causing her terrified mother to faint below.

Cont’d on page 6

Hudson County’s 19th Century Balloonist Who Took to the Air

Page 6 River View Observer

Garage Sales• Flea Markets •Collectors To adveriste here call 201.349.4336Hudson Then...Again

Cont’d from page 5 - Hudson County 19th Century BalloonistUpon reaching a height where she appeared not more than a dark speck in the sky, Nina deployed an umbrella-like parachute and began a fairly rapid descent into a grove of trees in Greenville. Tangled in a tree but un-hurt, she was helped down by some locals enjoying a picnic nearby. A horse-drawn carriage transported her back to the point of liftoff, much to the relief and delight of the anxious crowd. So, what on earth (or in heaven) prompted a Jersey girl of the late 19th century to want to be an aeronaut? Nina had been at the Eldorado in Weehawken where she saw “Professor” Leo Stevens performing balloon ascensions. Immediately hooked, she sought Stevens out and became his protégé. By the time she entertained those 10,000 spectators in Bayonne, she had made several hundred balloon ascensions in the U.S., Canada and South America, the highest of those reaching an altitude of 10,000 feet. Just two months after her triumph in Bayonne, the odds caught up with Nina when she was performing at Haverhill, Massachusetts. Strong winds caused the balloon to rip while in flight with Nina in tow. The balloon began a very fast descent from about 200 feet land-ing in a stand of pine trees. Nina scraped her back and sprained her ankle but, amazingly, broke no bones, perhaps owing to the fact that she reportedly fainted during the fall to earth. The first telegraphic reports of the incident stated that the young balloonist and parachutist had been tragically killed in the incident. Those reports were soon retracted and, shortly after, Miss Madison returned to New York Avenue for a visit with her parents where she rested her injured ankle before leaving for a series of engagements in Canada.

Maureen Wlodarczyk is a fourth-generation-born Jersey City girl and the author of three books about life in Jersey City in the 1800s and early 1900s: Past-Forward: A Three-Decade and Three-Thousand-Mile Journey Home, Young & Wicked: The Death of a Wayward Girl and Canary in a Cage: The Smith-Bennett Murder Case. For info: www.past-forward.com.

Spaghetti Dinner Block Party In Hoboken Thursday, Aug. 30 • 5:00pm to 8:00pm Walkway along Sinatra Drive bet. 1st & 2nd StreetsTickets are $15.00 in advance (deadline for discount tickets is Aug. 21st)Tickets purchased after deadline are $20.00 eachTo reserve a table of 10 before Aug. 24th = $150.00.After the deadline, a table of 10 is $200Tickets for children ages 12 and under is $8.00 before Aug. 21st,After the deadline, tickets for children are $10 eachSeating is limited, so buy tickets early.includes: 4 kinds of pasta, meatballs, sausage, eggplant, salad, bread & dessertWine, beer, water, soda, will also be available at additional cost and sold to raise funds for theHoboken Ambulance Corp.Outside alcohol not permitted. Coolers will be checked at the entrance.Performance by Sinatra Idol Winners Greg Meyers & Dave ArellanoTickets can be purchased:at City Hall on the 2nd floor in the Cultural Affairs Office or the Mayor’s Office 94 Washington Street , Hoboken • Call 201-420-2207Checks should be made out to the City of Hoboken and can be mailed to:the Hoboken Division of Cultural Af-fairs 94 Washington St., Hoboken, NJ 07030include a piece of paper with your name address & phone numberand how many tickets you would like to purchase.for more information, call 201-420-2207 or gfallo@hobokennj.org

Page 7 River View Observer

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Saint Peter’s University Announces the Launch of Saint Peter’s PACWorld Class Talent to Perform in Jersey City Throughout 2012

Saint Peter’s University recently announced the launch of Saint Peter’s PAC, a consortium of distinctive performing arts spaces situated within the campus of Saint Peter’s University in Jersey City, N.J. Saint Peter’s PAC features a variety of diverse event spaces with seating capacities ranging from 200 to 3,200. Saint Peter’s University is kicking off the launch with an impressive line-up of performers throughout the remainder of the year. “The opening of Saint Peter’s PAC is a momentous occasion for our neighborhood as this new initiative will open up endless culturalopportunities and will bring world-class talent to the McGinley Square area,” said Michael A. Fazio, vice president for advancement and external affairs, at Saint Peter’sUniversity “As we look forward to our transition to Saint Peter’s University, Saint Peter’s PAC is just another sign of the rebirth of Saint Peter’s and of Jersey City.” The venues in Saint Peter’s PAC include St. Aedan’s: The Saint Peter’s University Church – a 1,200 seat cathedral that transforms into a majestic theatre, providing a grand backdrop for world-class artists; a 3,200 seat arena that hosts family events, trade shows, food expos and more; an intimate 200 seat theatre; and black box spaces showcasing everything from poetry jams to comedy improv to film screenings. A 400 seat cabaret-style perfor-mance space with a coveted view of the Manhattan skyline is also currently under construction and will serve as the perfect arena for jazz and acoustic concerts. On Saturday, September 15 Jay Black and Darlene Love will take the stage at St. Aedan’s: The Saint Peter’s University Church for the premiere event for the Performing Arts Center. Jay Black will be performing alongside Darlene Love, a former leader on the charts with legendary producer Phil Spector and a Broadway star. November performances at Saint Peter’s PAC include a stand-up performance from Bill Cosby on Saturday, November 3 and an “Evening of Doo Wop” on Saturday, November 17. Bill Cosby, one of America’s most prolific comedians of all time, has dazzled generations of fans with his comedy routines. His comedy transcends age, gender, and cultural barriers. An “Evening of Doo Wop” will feature a variety of legendary performers such as Kenny Vance & The Planotones famous for their hit “Looking for an Echo,” Jay Siegel & The Tokens, singers of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” Frankie Lymon’s Legendary Teenagers known for the song “Why Do Fools Fall in Love,” Shirley Alston Reeves, the original singer from The Shirelles, who will be performing her legendary hit, “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” and Linda Jansen, original lead singer of The Angels, performing her classic “My Boyfriend’s Back.” Additional perfor-mances will be announced soon. Advanced ticket sales are available by phone at (888) 943-4864 or online at www.saintpeterspac.org. For additional information and details on upcoming performances, please join our mailing list by visiting our website.Saint Peter’s University, in-spired by its Jesuit, Catholic identity, commitment to individual attention and grounding in the liberal arts, educates a diverse community of learners in undergraduate, graduate and professional programs to excel intellectually, lead ethically, serve compassion-

Page 8 River View Observer

Did You Know?•A goldfish has a memory

span of three seconds.

•A jumbo jet uses 4,000 gallons of fuel to take off.

•A shark can detect one part of blood in 100

million parts of water.

•Almonds are a member of the peach family.

•Ancient Egyptians slept on pillows made of stone.

•Babies are born without knee caps. They don’t appear until the child

reaches 2-6 years of age. Now You Know....

TRAFFIC DELAY’S EXPECTED IN DOWTOWN JERSEY CITY If you are headed to downtown Jersey City anytime soon expect traffic delays from now until mid October, on Newark Ave. between Brunswick St. and Palisade Ave. for construction. Alternate traffic patterns will be set up and motorists may want to plan alternate routes in the area. Crews will be working 24 hours a day. PSE&G crews have completed the construction of a manhole on Newark Ave. near Dickinson High School on Monday, August 13, A second crew started trench excavation and conduit installation along Newark Avenue from the bridge over the depressed Conrail track, heading east towards Monmouth Street. which began on Monday, August 13, 2012, and work along this portion of the route will continue on two (2) shifts (7:00 AM to 5:00 PM and 5:00 PM to3:00 AM). A conduit installation crew will work on the day shift only (7:00 AM to 5:00 PM). Two lanes of traffic will be maintained and managed by the Jersey City Police for the next several days and re-evaluated as work progresses. The PJM Interconnection, LLC, (PJM), the regional entity responsible for planning the electric transmission system in 13 states and the District of Columbia,identified the need for the NGRP, and assigned design/construction responsibility to PSE&G to ensure reliability of electricity supply within the region. The targeted completion date is October 15, 2012. For further information and to join the “Weekly Update” distribution list, please contact: Richard Dwyer, Public Affairs Manager Electric Transmis-sion Construction richard.dwyer@pseg.com 1-877-678-5784 Source: Downtown Jersey City Village Neighborhood Association- Rob Crow President

Page 9 River View Observer

Top Kitchen Upgrades that Blend Beauty and Value

(ARA) Nowhere else in the home must design and func-tion marry as harmoniously as in the kitchen. The most-used room in the house is also the one where we spend the most work and leisure time, the one that gets the most scrutiny from potential buyers and the spot where most renovation dollars get spent. Illumination and fresh air in a kitchen not only allow you to appreciate the beauty of the room, they ensure a safer, more com-fortable work environment. Under-cabinet task lighting, pendants over a breakfast bar and upgrading an old box-style fluorescent with a more attractive, energy-efficient style can enhance the usability and look of a kitchen. Adding Energy Star-qualified skylights can also boost the appearance, appeal and efficiency of a kitchen. If you opt for vent-ing skylights, they can help

release hot air, moisture and odors while admitting addi-tional light.

Accessories like decorator blinds with remote control ensure you can adjust the amount of light that enters your kitchen from a skylight while dressing up your decor. If a traditional skylight isn’t right for your needs, you can still enhance the room with natural light; tubular models like Velux’s Sun Tunnel skylights use reflective tunnels to

deliver light from above and are usually less expensive. Add an optional light kit and the units provide light at night as well as during the day. Visit www.veluxusa.com to learn more.

Page 10 River View Observer

Puppets Rule in PuppetoniaHudson Troupe Puts on Puppet Shows for ToddlersBy Sally Deering Puppets caught on big in the 1950s when TV first introduced Howdy Doody the cowboy marionette who, with Buffalo Bob, entertained kids watching at home and in the TV studio’s “Peanut Gallery”. In the late 1960s, Jim Henson turned the world of puppetry on its foam-filled head with Muppet characters Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and Big Bird. And now, here in Hudson, Puppetonia is entertaining children at Symposia bookstore in Hoboken and the Grassroots Com-munity Space in Jersey City with Mrs. Cow, Mr. Piggy and Mr. Bee.

Carmen and Cornel Rusu run Symposia bookstore and community center, a non-profit organization they opened

10 years ago that sells used books and CDs and hosts yoga classes, guitar get-togethers and other community events . Six years ago, they added Puppetonia as a for-profit busi-

ness to bring live theater to the many children sprouting up Cont’d on page 12

Puppeteers CarolineTamas and Bryan Senstro with Mary and Mr.Piggy -Photos by Sally Deering

Page 11 River View Observer

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Page 12 River View Observer

Puppetonia Cont’d from page 10in Hoboken and to support the bookstore. “There are a lot of kids in Hoboken,” Carmen Rusu says. “In the beginning we started with story time and slowly we added the puppets and realized it had a lot of potential.” In Hoboken, there are two shows at 10 and 11 am for kids 3 and under and on Tuesdays and Thursdays, a 1:30 pm show for kids 2 and under, and on Wednesdays at 1 pm, Puppetonia performs at the Grassroots Community Space in Jersey City. Every week, it’s a new show – and sometimes there’s a theme. Last week, the puppeteers performed a show about the Olympics. “We add new shows all the time,” Carmen Rusu says. “When they held elec-tions in Hoboken we had an election show teaching kids how to vote.” On a recent morning, 10 toddlers sat in a circle at Symposia bookstore and watched as puppeteers Caroline Tamas and Bryan Senstrom brought barnyard puppets to life. Playing to the young crowd, the puppeteers started the show teaching the toddlers about the letter “B”. “I’ve got the Bee Box,” Tamas tells the kids. “Let’s see if we can catch Mr. Bee.”

Out comes a puppet bee that sits on the edge of the puppet stage. “He wants us to practice some “B” words,” Tamas says. “Bee starts with ‘B’. I know another word that starts with “B” and that’s bubbles.” That was the cue for the bubble machine which filled the play area with bubbles as the song “Hot, Hot, Hot” played in the background. A cow puppet named Mrs. Cow made an appearance to the tune of “Oh, Susanna” and when Mary, a little girl puppet handled by Tamas went looking for some muffins for breakfast, the music changed to “Do you know the Muffin Man?” The puppeteers are outgoing and fun and between each set, they brought the puppets from the stage to the circle of children for up-close interaction. Senstrom, 30, was a musical theater major at the College of Santa Fe in New Mexico and is originally from Southern California where he trained at the Pacific Conservatory of Performing Arts in Santa Clara. He is the puppeteer for many of the animal puppets and seems to be very adept at creating the voices for puppet characters like Mrs. Cow. Cont’d on page 13

Symposia Book Store in Hoboken

Page 13 River View Observer

Puppetonia cont’d from page 12 Rusu hires the puppeteers through open auditions. “We pick what is best,” Rusu says. “In this area there are a lot of young actors looking for pay-ing jobs.” “I grew up watching ‘Sesame Street’,” Senstrom says. “I grew up wanting to be a voice actor.” Puppetonia is designed to help kids appreciate the simple things, Senstrom says. “The thing I love about puppetry,” Senstom says, “as an actor, you can play everything through a puppet – a 2 year-old boy, a 70 year-old man, a pig obsessed with food. You can do anything. It’s like a living cartoon.” Meredith Hayes of Hoboken and her toddler Madeline have been regulars at Puppetonia for several weeks. Although Madeline doesn’t talk much, yet, she seemed to enjoy the puppets and interaction with other the other toddlers. “She really likes the music,” Hayes says. “She likes to dance.” Katie Corcoran of Hoboken brought her toddler to the show for the first time. “It was sheer entertainment – puppets and fun,” Corcoran says. If you go: Puppetonia / Symposia bookstore510 Washington Street, Hoboken • (201) 963-0909www.puppetonia.com -Show times: Mon-Fri, 10 am and 11 am; Tues & Thurs at 1:30 pmTickets are $10 for the first show; $15 thereafterAt the Grassroots Community Space 54 Coles St, Jersey City Shows: Weds at 1 pm

Friday & Saturday August 17th & 18th Uncle Vinnies Comedy Club 520 Arnold Ave Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 800-uncle-vin 8:00 PMwww.unclevinniescomedy-club.com

Sunday August 19th Sania 510 Summit Ave Jersey City, NJ, 07306 201-795-9393 8:00 PMDinner, Music and Comedy - 6pm doors 6:30 dinner. call for tickets and details Michele 914-462-6178 Saturday August 25th

The Paramount Theatre Ocean Ave Asbury Park, NJ8:00 PM Comedy Festivalwww.apboardwalk.com

JERSEY CITY’S OWN MIKE MARINO

BACK IN JERSEY TO PERFORMHIS COMEDY

Page 14 River View Observer

STARGAZINE August 2012 J Banta Lewis

Aries (Mar.20 - Apr. 20 )The Uranian energy posited in the 6th house governing health and the service that you provide indicates quick and unpredict-able changes are soon to make their debut in your life. This planetary force corresponds to the number 10 major Arca-num in the tarot, the wheel of fortune. Hang on because the events about to transpire will give you a bumpy ride. Your Aries persona, however, will be none the worse and you will not fail in your goals.

Taurus (Apr. 21 - May 21 )The whirlwind of activity of the past year has somehow settled down but the potential positive effects may last a lifetime. The astral advice sug-gests that you hold your cur-rent course of action, eliminate those persons and place that have been a source of negativ-ity, and move forward with confidence. The best is yet to come.

Gemini (May 22 - Jun. 21)Great opportunities abound as Jupiter in close conjunction with Venus transits the 8th house of your solar chart, An excellent time to ask for and receive mortgages, raises, and anything that has you deal-ing with OPM (other people’s money}. Fast and pleasant out-comes are yours for the taking. Keep positive and realize the stars are working in your favor.

Cancer (Jun. 22 - July 22)This time period heralds in a new beginning and with much optimism and faith you will have the power to change your life. The goal for this new era is to release yourself from the “earth mother syndrome’ and begin to define what really makes you happy. This is not a selfish quest but a necessary constructive task that allows you to love yourself and others even more.

Leo (July 23 - Aug. 23) You will have a strong urge to verbally confront a co-worker or partner during the month of August. You may even rehearse your talking points in a mirror. The astral advice suggests you hold back until information yet to be revealed changes the whole situation. Silence is truly golden at this time. Speaking out now will put you in an embarrassing and extremely uncomfortable position.

Virgo (Aug. 24 - Sept. 23) Mars in your sign will give you the energy to make spec-tacular improvements in your personal wellbeing This Mars transit through your 11th house will find you changing your goals and having the power to do so easily and without chaos and very little stress. The astral energy indicates a new Virgo and a very satisfied one at that.

Libra (Sept. 24 - Oct. 23)12th house energy with the transiting Saturn may find many a Libra accepting and dealing with their own mortal-ity, This remarkably, is a very constructive time as you are determined to create a legacy and leave something of impor-tance behind for family and the universe. The good news, you have many years and plenty of time to work your magic.

Scorpio (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22 )Nice aspects to the 2nd house of your solar chart indicate finally a free flow of finances and the end of overspending and overcharging on credit cards. You have eliminated much debt and with it has gone a lot of stress. Money doesn’t guarantee security but is indispensible when purchas-ing food or putting a roof over your head. Lack of money may be the root of all evil.

Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) On occasion, “You Be a Gambling Fool”. Not all risk taking is at the casino. Some-times people drive a little too fast or pay their bills at the last minute before service is about to be disconnected. This may be evidence of the Sagittarians self-sabotage nature. You are hurting no one but yourself. There are enough problems in everyday life without tempting fate. Play it safe and remember you are loved.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19 )Time to reinvent yourself with a new wardrobe or possibly a new address. Basically, it is in your best interest to change. Your desire for stability doesn’t require you to become boring and out of touch with the world. Relax, refresh, and allow the Capricorn to come back to life. Like the phoenix from ashes you will soar to new heights. Trust the Universe!

Aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb.18 )After a somewhat dark spell financially you are back. It will seem that your purse will be full, as never before. The astral advice suggests caution with money and all resources. Safety and security have re-turned and it is a beginning of a new era.

Pisces (Feb. 19 - Mar. 19 )You have a way to captivate those around you with your air of vulnerability but those who really know you respect your steely resolve. You are a force to be reckoned with and a survivor. Do more than survive; begin to live your life. The future is now.

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restaurant VIEWS -Ten Ingredients

By Sally Deering In 1934, Greek immi-grant James Politis achieved the American Dream when he opened the Lackawanna Restaurant in Hoboken. Forty years later, his son George Politis opened GP’s East and two years later, the restaurant moved to its cur-rent Guttenberg location. Fast-forward to July 2012 and GP’s expanded with George Politis, Jr. opening a second GP’s overlooking Hamilton Park in downtown Jersey City and serving an array of Neapolitan cuisine on the

Owner and Chef George Politis, Jr

lighter side. GP’s at Hamilton Park features Crostinis, toast topped with Escarole & Fresh Ricotta; Smoked Salmon Rillette or Grilled Marinated Eggplant. Small Pressed Sandwiches include Fresh Mozzarella, Tomato and Basil; Grilled and Roasted Vegetables with Olive Spread and Proscuitto di Parma. Its Main Courses, Seared Sea Scallops, Crispy Salmon, Shrimp Scampi and Grilled Skirt Steak share the menu with GP’s Classics like Zuppa di Clams, Clams Oreganata, Eggplant Rol-latini, Mussels, Lasagna Bo-lognese, Chicken Parmesan and, of course, GP’s Famous Meatballs. Owner and chef George Politis, Jr. grew up watching his mother and grandmother cook in the family kitchen in Hoboken. Chef Politis took time from his busy

schedule to share with Riverview Observer some insights into what it takes to create GP’s tasty Neapolitan fare. Let’s meet Chef George Politis, Jr.!RVO: How did you learn to cook? GP: Having grown up in the business and watching my mother and grandmother cook was my inspiration. I was influenced by the qual-ity of the ingredients they used – fresh vegetables and good extra virgin olive oil, fresh tomatoes in the sum-mer. The vegetables they

grew in the backyard would go from the backyard to the kitchen to the table.

RVO: What’s different about GP’s at Hamilton Park in Jersey City?GP: There is a difference. GP’s in Guttenberg is all classic Italian-American dishes and GP’s at Hamilton Park offers a small classic dishes menu and a lot more small plates and salads. I would have to call it a lighter fare. The wine list is also more evolved.

RVO: How would you de-scribe your cooking style?

GP: Simple, balanced flavors.

RVO: What is your phi-losophy when creating dishes?GP: We buy locally the fin-est and freshest ingredients we can put together to make our dishes. Most important-ly we price that dish effec-tively for our customers so they’re getting a value. We like to over-deliver.

RVO: Can you share what you consider one of your favorite dishes at GP’s at Hamilton Park?GP: I love the Ricotta and Escarole Crostini. A crostini is a piece of toast topped with ingredients. We spread Greek ricotta cheese with garlic, extra virgin olive oil and fresh sautéed escarole. It’s a nice combination. Our chicken breasts roasted with fresh beans and potatoes dish is simple and outstand-ing.

RVO: Do you have a quick recipe for our busy readers?

Cont’d on page 16

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restaurant VIEWS Ten Ingredients Cont’d from page 15 GP’s Restaurant

GP: Here’s a quick recipe that can be done in seven minutes: Perciatelli Po-modoro with Fresh Ricotta. Sauté two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, two cloves of minced garlic and one cup of peeled, fresh plum tomatoes. Sauté that for four minutes until the garlic is golden and the tomatoes are softened, then add a quarter cup of white wine and a good quality Romano cheese. Plate the pasta and the tomatoes and finish it with a drizzle of ex-tra virgin olive oil and fresh basil. And if you’re feeling adventurous, add a dollop of fresh ricotta cheese on top and mix it as you eat.

RVO: Let’s talk GP’s Famous Meatballs. They are really delicious. Is there anything you can tell us about the recipe without divulging family secrets?GP: The recipe originated with my grandmother and mother and over the course of the last 15 years, we have constantly refined the recipe to get it just right.

We took something that was already great and tinkered with it until it got outstand-ing. Half the battle is the sauce. If the sauce is no good, the meatballs taste lousy. My advice to anyone making meatballs is to use a lot of parsley. That does something to meatballs that makes them great. We have a meatball cart and we sell mini meatball sandwiches at street fairs and parties.

RVO: The family is Greek but you cook Sicilian dishes? GP: Mom is Italian and Dad is Greek. That explains the Greek Salad on our Guttenberg restaurant’s menu.

RVO: What was the most important thing you learned about the restaurant business from you father and/or grand-father?GP: I learned appreciation for your customer and al-ways looking for opportuni-ties to serve your customer. Food is important and when it’s coupled with great

service, the customers are compelled to come back. If you’re starting a restaurant, I would say listen to your customers. That goes back to our Famous Meatballs. We didn’t think the customers wanted meatballs and for the first 15-20 years, we didn’t serve them. Then we received calls for it and now we sell more meatballs than anything else.

If you go:GP’s restaurant at

Hamilton Park236 Pavonia Avenue

Jersey City201-418-8800

GP’s in Guttenberg24 69th Street201-861-6588

For more info, visit www.gpsrestaurant.com

To see more color photos of GP’s Restaurant visit

www.riverviewobserver.net

NEWPORT GREEN PARK IN JERSEY CITY 30 Mall Dr. W, Jersey City

Hip to Hip Theater presentation of its highly reviewed “Comedy of Errors” show for the first time

Tuesday, August 21st at 7:30pm

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