The world of sailing – yachts, private clubs, etc. - conjures an air of rarefied exclusivity. Right? Not so fast, explains Commodore Michael Fortenbaugh of the Manhattan Yacht Club which is based right here in Jersey City and open to all; “Everyone has salt water in their blood.

Attention mozzarella purists – April is your month. April 28, to be exact. Head to Hoboken for the 12th Annual Mutz Festival. The festivities will take place under the 14th St. Viaduct from 12pm – 5pm for VIP ticket holders and 1pm-5pm for all others.

The vintage shopping scene in Jersey City continues to evolve. Enter Cranky Angel -the latest woman-owned shop to offer nostalgic clothes and accessories to the fashion-obsessed. Huge congratulations to Montana for realizing her dream.

Tiger Schulman Martial Arts in Hamilton Park offers karate for kids as well as jujitsu and kickboxing for all ages and levels. It is a place to learn self-defense, build confidence and gain strength while us adults can also expect to burn up to1000 calories per class.

Changó Kitchen had some extra-size shoes to fill when they opened in 2019. Their cozy Hoboken address of 301 Willow St. formerly housed Zafra, one of two Pan-Latin restaurants helmed by Cuban Chef and James Beard semifinalist Marciel Presilla.

Open for dinner 7 days a week since their February open, 87 Sussex has come out of the gate fully realized. The menu choices are a globally inspired infusion of European, Asian and Modern American cuisine while ingredients are locally sourced. The service is, in a word, perfect.

Better Days replaces the Bareburger which recently closed after a year or so in operation. It is a full-service bar in the long and narrow front area, with a larger dining room in the back. Better Days is also serving a weekend brunch and has a live DJ on the weekends as well.

Moore’s Lounge has brought so much jazz and joy to Jersey City for over 5 decades, and now they need our help. Located at 189 Monticello, Moore’s has been a huge part of the local community for so long. Under the creative leadership of world-class jazz drummer Winand Harper.

Carolyn’s has been open in Jersey City since 2008 serving up authentic Southern Soul food to satiate Southern transplants and anyone yearning for authentic, real Southern food. Carolyn’s is open Wednesday through Sunday from 12pm – 6pm.

This groovy new wine bar is open! The brainchild of Chris Leo, owner of Riverview Wines & Spirits in the Heights and backed by the team at Downtown’s Pet Shop Wine Bar, this “bar with a kitchen” has been packing in enthusiastic customers since the soft open in mid February.

Consigned Designs recently opened downtown on Jersey and Newark Ave. and simply put this is a gamechanger for the retail scene in Jersey City. The store is the passion project of a recently married couple Amanda and Tommy Atkinson.

Have you been to LoFi (Low Fidelity) Bar in the Heights? They opened 5 years ago by the same team that runs the Archer downtown. We recently stopped in for a post-work crafty cocktail and we stayed for the utterly delicious, worth-a-trip-alone-for pizza.

2024 is gearing up to be a banner year for Greenville’s very own Odie Henderson! He has a fantastic new book out called “Black Caesars and Foxy Cleopatras: A History of Blackploitation Cinema”. For fans of this genre and great writing in general, this is the book for you.

Gaia and Loki describes itself as an upscale vegan eatery and it certainly is, based on the quality of the international-leaning menu and the lovely service and space. Gaia and Loki is open Wednesday – Friday from 12pm – 10pm and on Saturdays from 11am – 10pm and Sundays from 11am – 7pm.

Congratulations to the mother-daughter duo behind Jersey City’s own Bangladeshi restaurant Korai Kitchen. Head Chef Amma (Mother) has been nominated for a James Beard Award, adding to an impressive list of accolades and accomplishments.