Here are some photos from Hoboken’s Memorial Day parade held on Wednesday 5-22-2013:

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

Video Highlights of Hoboken’s Memorial Day parade held on Wednesday 5-22-2013:

Develop Options for Financing and Building Better Systems;

As Severe Weather Events Increase in Intensity, More Cities Need Improvements to Water Systems

Washington, DC- May 22, 2013- In the aftermath of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Sandy, the RE.invest Initiative today announced it has selected Hoboken, New Jersey and seven other partner cities across the country to help develop resilient urban stormwater infrastructure systems. The two-year initiative, which is funded by the Rockefeller Foundation, will help cities like Hoboken rethink the way they design, plan, implement and finance urban infrastructure. By helping cities use public resources more efficiently and attract new sources of private investment, RE.invest will reduce the burden placed on city personnel and public budgets.

The RE.invest Initiative announced that the partner cities, in addition to Hoboken are: San Francisco, CA; Miami Beach, FL; Honolulu, HI; New Orleans, LA; El Paso, TX; Norfolk, VA; and Milwaukee, WI. Their website is at: http://www.reinvestinitiative.org/

“We are thrilled to be one of the first cities in the country chosen for this innovative partnership to develop and finance sustainable solutions to address our flooding, transportation, and other infrastructure challenges,” said Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer. “The tremendous technical and financial guidance provided through the RE.invest Initiative will facilitate Hoboken becoming a more resilient community.”

“Hurricane Sandy was a tragic reminder of how vulnerable our city infrastructure systems can be. That is why it is critical that cities have the tools and strategies not just to respond to disaster but to plan for whatever contingency,” said Dr. Judith Rodin, President of the Rockefeller Foundation. “The Rockefeller Foundation has been committed to building the resilience of cities for the last few years, including our recent announcement of the 100 resilient cities centennial challenge. We are proud to continue that work by supporting RE.invest to help eight cities take the next step toward implementing improved stormwater infrastructure systems, but more importantly to help the cities take the next step in building a more resilient future.”

“Hurricane Sandy was a wake-up call that cities across the U.S. need to protect their communities from the devastating impacts of future storms. Recent reports indicate 11 billion gallons of untreated waste water was released due to surges during just that storm,” said Shalini Vajjhala of c.dots development, the lead on the RE.invest Initiative. “Our goal is to prevent the kind of destruction that is caused by these terrible storms, which are increasing in intensity. Together with our corporate partners, we are going to help cities mobilize significant investments to reduce costs for these important projects. We also want to connect cities with project developers and potential investors as they undertake critical infrastructure investments.”

Participating cities will receive technical assistance from engineering, law and finance experts at Bechtel; Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP; and Wall Street Without Walls. These firms will play a collaborative role with the cities by providing expertise and technical support. One of the primary goals of RE.invest is to shape a new model for collaboration between private investors, private sector and municipalities that can support learning, flexibility and continuous improvement in infrastructure delivery.

Sustainable stormwater infrastructure systems are networks made up of many component parts, such as green rooftops, trees, wetlands and repaved roads that feature more permeable surfaces that result in less runoff. Partners will identify news ways to bundle revenue streams so cities can effectively work with private investors and the private sector to make smart improvements to their local infrastructure. For example, perhaps a broadband company is looking to install underground lines which will require construction and the roads will need to be repaved. RE.invest will help cities and private sector partners connect the dots to see if power lines could be buried when the road is opened up and make sure the road is repaved with more absorbent asphalt to reduce water runoff during future storms.

“Smart planning, innovation and an integrated approach are key to developing the sustainable infrastructure necessary to enhance the social and economic fabric of America’s great cities,” said Walker Kimball, Managing Director, Infrastructure, Bechtel. “We are looking forward to using our technical know-how, our history of applying creative thinking to infrastructure planning, and our ability to help make projects become a reality. We are delighted to be part of this initiative that will identify innovative solutions and more efficient delivery options for the challenges of tomorrow.”

The rehabilitation and upkeep of our nation’s urban storm and waste water systems is of great importance, and we are thrilled to be part of the RE.invest Initiative to help these cities attract this much-needed investment,” said Susan Lent, a partner at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, which is providing legal counsel to the RE.invest Initiative. “Successful public-private partnerships demand knowledge of the political landscape, an awareness of regulatory requirements, public sector support and an ability to identify revenue streams and innovative approaches to project delivery. We are excited to be able to bring our experience to the table on this crucial project.”

“The RE.invest initiative is a smart approach for cities looking to improve vital infrastructure in a way that attracts new sources of private investment. We are excited to support the effort by providing the type of credible financial experts who will think creatively about ways to invest in the resilience of our communities,” said John Nelson, Managing Partner of Wall Street Without Walls, which is providing financial counsel to the RE.invest Initiative. “Hopefully the partner cities involved in the RE.invest initiative will be so successful, cities across America will follow their example and decide to invest in a more sustainable future.”

Last night at Hoboken Clearview Cinemas,  Brad Pitt made a surprise appearance for the World Z Fan Screening which started at 10:45pm. World War Z, an apocalyptic and action packed movie is set to be released in theaters in June. The crowd went wild when Brad Pitt entered as seen in the video below. TheBoken.com was there as well and had heard rumors he could make an appearance but seeing is believing.

Brad stated to the crowd right before the movie started “We can’t do it without showing to the people we made the film for. We got to do the screening for the fans . We decided there is no better place to do that than in New Jersey”. The movie was scary and suspenseful as Brad had promised. T-shirts were given out after the movie was over.

Lines had started forming at 8:00pm well over 2 hours before the movie started. By 10pm some people were turned away as word got out about the free giveaway. The best part of the evening for this editor was that some women were complaining that the only seats left were in front. After Brad Pitt showed up that concern has mysteriously gone away.

Brad Pitt at Hoboken Clearview Cinemas 5-22-2013 for Fan Screening:

More photos at this link:

http://www.justjared.com/2013/05/22/brad-pitt-surprises-fans-at-world-war-z-screening-in-new-jersey-exclusive-details/

BEYOND TECH STARTUPS, INTEREST IN COWORKING SURGES

Shared Office Environments Attract a Diverse Workforce with the Opportunity to Collaborate and Connect

 By Greg Dell’Aquila, co-founder and president Mission 50 Workspaces Hoboken, N.J.

Fledgling tech startups and budding entrepreneurs have gravitated for years toward co-working spaces both for financial reasons and as a means to network with other like-minded individuals. Today, this work environment is breaking out of its niche, drawing a wide range of professionals in all age groups looking for an affordable, flexible place to work, grow a business, meet with clients and become part of a collaborative community.

According to DeskMag’s 3rd Annual Global Co-Working Study, the diversity of the movement is on the rise, resulting in a higher number and variety of coworking spaces. The study indicates there are now more than 2,200 co-working spaces worldwide and the number grows on a daily basis.

While coworking environments can cater to those in a certain field, many today are designed to accommodate a wide range of professionals looking to share each other’s energy and ideas. Corporations also are starting to consider coworking as a viable place for their workforce, recognizing that you don’t need to work from a cubicle to be productive.

In short, coworking today appeals to anyone who is working independently. Take for example, Mission 50 Workspaces. Technology startups have been a mainstay since our inception in 2011, but our membership today runs the gamut. Of Mission 50′s current 160 members, there’s not one target market of worker who utilizes this space.

The environment attracts business professionals, lawyers, accountants, financial specialists, interior designers, nonprofit consultants, creatives, and even mothers of young children needing space that’s conducive to writing and establishing a business. It’s all about breaking the habit of working alone. In a coworking environment, not only do you know the people working next to you, but you can achieve a synergy that wouldn’t exist elsewhere.

The range of ages found at these shared work environments is just as diverse. While the average coworker traditionally has been a 34-year-old male, that’s changing as well. Coworking has become a way of life with mass appeal. It has truly redefined how we work. Offices – as we know them today – will no longer exist.

Coworking’s affordability and flexibility is particularly paramount for Generation Y and Millennial populations, the fastest growing segment of the workforce. Theirs is a mobile world of cell phones, tablets and notebook computers; they work anywhere and collaborate with colleagues and strangers around the globe. As a result, work is a moving target, even for those employed by larger companies, where productivity and inspiration are supreme goals that transcend age, business and work hours.

Nearly three-quarters of the coworkers reported in a recent DeskMag poll they felt more productive in shared space, and 71 percent experienced a boost in their creativity. Most of this improved productivity is a byproduct of the environment. A good coworking office has the true buzz of a workspace rather than the relaxed atmosphere of a home or the distractions of a café.

As the owner of a vibrant coworking space where I also operate with my fellow members, I am not surprised; I feel that same “rush” of excitement, every day.

About Mission 50 and Greg Dell’Aquila: 

Greg Dell’Aquila is the co-founder and president of Mission 50 Workspaces, a premier coworking space in Northern New Jersey. He has deep experience in commercial and residential real estate, having served as president of the JDA Group LLC and its privately-held companies – JDA Development and Planning LLC, JDA Construction LLC and JDA Management LLC for many years.

Excited for World War Z starring Brad Pitt? Enter for your chance to attend the first special fan screening of World War Z this Wednesday, May 22nd  at a Hoboken Clearview Cinemas at 10:30 PM sponsored by gofobo.com.  There is no cost to enter and winners can get up to a pair of complimentary screening tickets for tonight’s screening only on a first come first serve basis. To enter, go to www.gofobo.com/RSVP and enter the code: BOKENGBH8.

Please note: When TheBoken.com did this last year for the movie Ted, the free tickets went very quickly. The old adage applies here: “The early bird gets the worm or at least Brad Pitt’s flowing blonde locks ”

World War Z is is slated to premier in theatres June 21!

Synopsis: A former UN investigator is thrust into the middle of trying to stop what could be the end of the world.  Worldwide destruction sends him around the globe seeking clues about what they are fighting and what it will take to defeat it, as he tries to save the lives of billions of strangers, as well as his own beloved family.

Below is a movie trailer for World War Z: