Carlo's, Marshalls, Michaels Eyeing B&N Spot?

We're hearing rumors that the Cake Boss, Michaels and Marshalls could all be duking it out to take over the now-empty Barnes & Noble space at 59 Washington Street.

Word on the Web is that the Cake Boss, a/k/a Buddy Valastro, a/k/a Carlo's City Hall Bake Shop, might use the space for a commercial bakery. Marshalls, of course would offer brand name clothing and home furnishings at discount prices, while Michael's caters to the craft crowd.

We're leaning toward Carlo's, Marshalls and Michaels, in that order, but only if the CakeMeister sets up a tour for all of those folks who now have to stand in line outside the bakery waiting to get in. Let them go behind the scenes, say hi to some of the staff who appear on his TLC show, and throw in a free cannoli at the end.

Local bargain hunters might prefer Marshalls, but we'd be worried the big box store would wipe out some of the feisty independents struggling to cater to local fashionistas. And while we've tried to love Michaels, so much of their merchandise just comes off as cheap and plasticky.

But that's just us... which would you prefer? Drop us a note or add a comment below...

Did anybody out there try out N.J. Transit's new Quiet Commute service so far this week? For the next three months, riders on the first and last cars on Northeast Corridor express trains into Hoboken Terminal are being asked to turn the sound off on all electronic devices, to refrain from using cellphones and to subdue their voices. Wonder if that includes the conductors on the intercom? Hint, hint...

 About Town is a quick look at the not-quite-news but still-neat happenings that occur in Hoboken all the time. Seen something wacky, wild, cute, cuddly, funny or fun? Got an incidental observation or a minor celebration? Shoot it to our editor, at clairem@patch.com. We want pictures too.

If you were considering swimming across the Hudson to work this week, there's reason to re-think those plans. Nope, don't mean the eels, the monster ships carrying parts to the GE plant upriver or the occasional stray body part. It's the Red Tide, silly. The Coast Guard issued an alert Monday that a l-o-n-g band of unhealthy red algae, stretching roughly from the Intrepid Museum site around 46th Street in Manhattan all the way down to Hoffman Island, off Staten Island, had been sighted and was to be avoided. And if you really must show off your natatory abilities, you're advised to wash off soon afterwards as the red stuff can cause a burning sensation on the skin and eyes. It's all supposed to wash out to sea in a few days though.

Big congrats to Alisha Beth Mantovi and Brian Cipollone, both of Hoboken, who are now engaged to be married. She's a speech-language pathologist with the Glen Ridge Board of Education while he's executive director of corporate credit with Nomura Holding America in Manhattan. Ceremonies are set for July. More details here.

So what are we missing? Openings, closings, winners, losers or just plain strange, drop us a note, clairem@patch.com. And check back often.