I knew something was up besides that strange way I have been lovingly gazing at boots and pumpkin spice lattes lately. All the over the top Hallmark loving holidays are almost here and my apartment has the sudden appeal of the Nordstrom’s shoe department-that’s a good thing for all of you curious non-females. Yeah, it’s almost winter which equals lots of bonding time with my couch, which equals unnecessary thinking, which is never really a good thing.

We're working on some great events benefiting the American Cancer Society for next year including a scavenger hunt, Urban Kitchen cooking class and Winter Blahs happy hour. Come join us to help in the planning at our next meeting on January 12 at 7pm! **Also, we're in need of  a crafty volunteer to set us up with a simple, easy to navigate website. Have a little time to spare for a cause? Email michele.petrino@cancer.org. Thanks!**2009 Meeting Schedule:January 12, 7pm, Hoboken University Medical Center, Room 90

Much of Hoboken is probably unaware, but located in the old Wonderbread Factory on 7th and Grand, is a small company that builds custom longboards.
The same longboard skateboards that you see riding through traffic on Washington and everywhere else in the city.

To live in Hoboken even today the presence of Ol’ Blue Eyes is ever present. The main Post Office displays his records along with commemorative stamps, City Hall keeps a permanent display and of course there is the Hoboken Historical Museum. If you are feeling adventurous you can make your way Back-in-Back to Madison Street to visit the location where Sinatra was born. Obviously music was where Sinatra lived but luckily he split his time between there and Hollywood. Just watch The Manchurian Candidate to see how powerful he was on screen. This month sees the release of another Sinatra biography and this one focuses on his life on the silver screen.

We received the following update (11/15/08).

Hoboken Library to restore hours cut during hiring freeze In September, the Hoboken Library Board of Trustees was forced to reduce library hours, cutting back Saturday morning and Wednesday evenings, due to a shortage of personnel. This was caused by hiring freezes, departure of staff for other jobs, and the late approval of the Hoboken budget, and inadequate funding.

As a result, the Friends of the Hoboken Public Library initiated a petition to the Mayor and City Council, urging them to take action to restore the reduced schedule of operations and fund the library to levels mandated by the state.