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Sally Deering, What You are Reading

FIRE & VICE IN Old JERSEY CITY

Seasoned Reporter Pens Novel on 100-Year Old Sabotage

Frank “Boss” Hague at Center of Controversy, Again!

 By Sally Deering

Some reporters seem to have ink in their veins; just the hint of a good tale propels them to find the facts, pinpoint the characters and put it in print.

Former Jersey Journal reporter Ron Semple
Ron Semple

That seems to be the case with Ron Semple, a 5th Generation Jersey Cityite who walked the Jersey City beat for the Hudson Dispatch and Jersey Journal in the 1950s and 60s, Semple wrote news and features and at 27 became the Jersey Journal’s City Editor with a crew of 50 reporters he could send out on a moment’s notice to get a story. More than 50 years later, Semple finds himself once again writing copy about his hometown.

 

Black Tom book cover In BLACK TOM, Terror on the Hudson (Top-Hat Books, 516 pgs.; $27.95) Semple turns back the calendar to 1916 when German saboteurs destroyed a large railroad munitions depot (Black Tom) on the Jersey City waterfront. The explosion killed and injured several night watchmen and caused extensive property damage costing millions of dollars.

 

Continue reading FIRE & VICE IN Old JERSEY CITY →

Cover Story, Sally Deering

OL’ BLUE EYES IS BACK ! SINATRA: AN AMERICAN ICON Celebrates Sinatra’s Centennial

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Music & Memorabilia at Library for Performing Arts NYC

By Sally Deering

Sinatra Library of Performing Arts NYC Exhibit
Frank Sinatra

Hoboken’s ‘Native Son’ Frank Sinatra grew up in a town quite different from what it is today. There were no Starbucks or even PATH trains when Sinatra was born in 1915. And when he was old enough, the ‘skinny blue-eyed kid’ began singing in his parents’ saloon. That’s where Sinatra learned his trade, crooning to locals at Marty O’Brien’s saloon.

That’s where the Frank Sinatra legend begins at the exhibit SINATRA: AN AMERICAN ICON now on view through September 4th at the NY Public Library for the Performing Arts. Sinatra sang in the studio and performed onstage for more than 50 years, recording hundreds of songs, and performing thousands of shows. Jam packed with memorabilia, music and all things Sinatra, this exhibit is both a loving tribute and a peek into the complicated life journey Sinatra took, from small time Hoboken street kid to saloon singer to concert and film star and in his later years, show biz royalty. Continue reading OL’ BLUE EYES IS BACK ! SINATRA: AN AMERICAN ICON Celebrates Sinatra’s Centennial →

General

Bayonne Bridge Construction Update

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Bayonne Bridge River View ObserverBayonne’s Mayor Jimmy Davis announced that the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has provided new information to the City of Bayonne about the Bayonne Bridge construction project.

At Piers N2, N3, and N4 (south of 1st Street), foundations are being constructed now.

At Pier N5 (south of 1st Street), in July, a crane will arrive for pier erection and then work its way south to Piers N4, N3, and N2.

Work has taken place around Piers N6 and N7 (between 1st and 2nd Streets).  Drill shaft work and excavation have taken place for sixteen footings.  The Port Authority will be working in this area until December.  Continue reading Bayonne Bridge Construction Update →

General

Want to be a New Jersey Firefighter?

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Come to the Jersey City Free Public Library, & Use Public Access Computers to Apply

JERSEY CITY, N.J.   July 7, 2015 – The Jersey City Free Public Library wants to make it easier for those women and men – aged 18 to 35 – who want to apply to be a firefighter.

According to Library Network Administrator Victor Enriquez, he has created “an icon on both the publicaccess and allaccess profiles, entitled: N.J. Firefighter Online Application. Upon clicking the icon, it will automatically open to the Job Announcement listing on the NJ Civil Service Commission web page.”

Library staff at the Main Library and all nine branches and the Bookmobile will direct library patrons to this icon on all library Public Access and All Access computers should they come in to inquire how to access the New Jersey Firefighter Online Application.

The New Jersey Firefighter Online Application is available from July 1 to August 31, 2015. All applicants need to be between 18 and 35, and have a high school diploma (GED, or equivalent) and a valid N.J. driver’s license. Application is ONLINE ONLY. Continue reading Want to be a New Jersey Firefighter? →

General

Memorial Day Salute to Our Heroes at Holy Name Cemetery Jersey City, NJ

This past Memorial Day, the Hudson County community celebrated with a Mass at Holy Name Cemetery and Mausoleum. For the 3rd straight year, Holy Name Cemetery in Jersey City, NJ, participated in the annual celebration, “Serving God and Country: A Memorial Day Salute to Our Heroes.” The program honors men and women who have died while serving in the armed forces, and recognizes both active military and military veterans who have served our country.

One special visitor to this year’s celebration was Veteran John Brown, 1st Battalion- 113th Infantry NJARNG (New Jersey National Army Guard

John Brown Veteran Holy Name Cemetery
Pictured Here: Veteran John Brown, 1st Battalion- 113th Infantry NJARNG (New Jersey National Army Guard), celebrates Memorial Day Mass at Holy Name Cemetery and Mausoleum with the Most Reverend Thomas A. Donato (Celebrant).
Events

Newport Jersey City, 13th Annual Newport Beach Party

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Annual Newport Beach Party -Wednesday, July  8th, 2015

Celebrate summer at the Newport Beach Party and food festival, held at the only urban beach on the Hudson River! Attendees will enjoy a FREE live performance by famed R&B and soul artist, Lee Fields and the Expressions.  Signature dishes and cocktails will also be featured from a selection of local Newport restaurants.

Live music being performed by legendary soul artist Lee Fields and the Expressions.

·         Deliciously prepared tasting dishes by top area chefs from the Restaurants at Newport, which are serving from pop-up stations by the urban beach.

·         Hundreds of Beach Party attendees will be enjoying an evening at the only urban beach on the Hudson River.

o  The urban beach is complete with nearly 8,000 square feet of authentic, castle-building sand, dozens of Adirondack chairs and large colorful umbrellas.

·         Picture-perfect views of the Manhattan skyline, from the Empire State building to the One World Trade Center building in the Financial District. An unobstructed panorama of NYC can be seen from the urban beach!

Wednesday, July 8, 2015  6:30 PM – 9:00 PM

Newport Green

700 Washington Boulevard

Jersey City, NJ 07310

Cover Story, Sally Deering

TECH VETS Non-Profit Hires & Trains U.S. Vets

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   CEO Dorothy Nicholson of Secaucus helps Vets Build IT Careers

By Sally Deering 

U.S. Veteran, Bright Star staff member Danielle Salifu of Jersey City
U.S. Veteran, Bright Star
staff member Danielle Salifu of Jersey City

U.S. Army veteran Danielle Salifu returned from her tour of duty and became a childcare provider until she discovered Bright Star Technology in Newark, a non-profit that helps U.S Veterans build careers in computer technology. After two years, Salifu went from document specialist to production supervisor.

 

“After being a child-care provider for ten years this was a big change,” Salifu says. “We are family at Bright Star. We all have something in common.”

Bright Star helps Veterans Bright Star provides IT infrastructure modernization; process improvement; and hybrid and cloud-based case management services and solutions to federal, state, county and municipal government offices as well as private companies. To fulfill its mission, Bright Star hires and trains American veterans in IT processes and solutions so they can transition from the military to high-tech careers within Bright Star and beyond.

ONE CEO’S DREAM

Dorthy Nicholson of Bright Star
Bright Star CEO
Dorothy Nicholson

Bright Star Founder and CEO Dorothy Nicholson of Secaucus started the company in 2008 after working for companies like Dun & Bradstreet, Computron and RADVision. Feeling unfulfilled in her work, Nicholson took a risk and started Bright Star with 60 homeless veterans.

 

 

Continue reading TECH VETS Non-Profit Hires & Trains U.S. Vets →

Events

MOVIES IN THE PARK SERIES COMES TO SIX HUDSON COUNTY PARKS

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Movies in the Park Logo
As produced by the Washington Park Association of Hudson County, Inc. (WPA).

Hudson County, NJ – Free movies and popcorn on Wednesday and Friday nights this July and August at six different Hudson County parks. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy an evening in the park! Movies start at sundown each evening with rain dates, if needed, happening the following Monday and Tuesday. All movies are subtitled in Spanish and all events are wheelchair accessible.

Kicking off their third year with the support of Hudson County, the Movies in the Parks series brings family friendly films to 6 beautiful Hudson County parks, as produced by the Washington Park Association of Hudson County, Inc. (WPA).

The Movies In The Parks series for 2015 is brought to you by the Hudson County Executive Thomas DeGise and the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Movies In The Parks was originally a community initiative, until the WPA’s partnership with the County of Hudson in 2013, which expanded the program countywide.

The parks and communities included are: Stephen R. Gregg Park in Bayonne, West Hudson Park in Kearny, Washington Park in Union City, Columbus Park in Hoboken, Lincoln Park in Jersey City, and JJ Braddock Park in North Bergen. Movies in the Parks are a great way to see a free family-friendly film in your local community under the stars. The series is also an incredible opportunity to experience all of the amazing parks in Hudson County that may be less visited by those who are not residents. Free popcorn will also be available at all screenings. Bring your family, friends, or just come to meet your neighbors at all 12 screenings throughout July and August this summer. Continue reading MOVIES IN THE PARK SERIES COMES TO SIX HUDSON COUNTY PARKS →

Dining, Sally Deering

Rita and Joe’s Traditional Italian Cuisine with Contemporary Flair

Rita & Joe’s New Chef adds Hip to the Menu

Seasonings are Key to Great Flavors

By Sally Deering

Nestled in Jersey City’s Marion Section, west of Journal Square, Rita & Joe’s Italian Restaurant has been serving customers since 1985 when owners Rita and Joe Pane turned a “beer and shots” bar into a popular neighborhood eatery

Rita Pane and her daughter -in law Isabelle
Isabelle Pane and
Rita Pane
New Chef McCall at Rita and Joe's Jersey City restaurant
Chef Stephen McCall of Rita and Joe’s

Fast forward to 2015. Rita & Joe’s celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, but instead of relying on the old standbys, Isabel “Izzy” Pane (Rita’s daughter-in-law) has made some changes to keep up with the changing times. She brought on Chef Stephen McCall, a 1999 graduate of the New York Restaurant School who, along with Izzy, has revamped Rita & Joe’s menu with a contemporary take on tradition. Rita’s signature dishes like Eggplant and Chicken Parmigiana are still offered, but Chef Stephen has created some new dishes flavored with carefully chosen seasonings and using all fresh ingredients. You won’t find store-bought pastas at this restaurant; everything is made fresh and to order. Continue reading Rita and Joe’s Traditional Italian Cuisine with Contemporary Flair →

art scene, General, Sally Deering

ARTIST AFIRE- Artist/Fire Captain John T. Ruddy Exhibits at Raven Gallery

  To open Art Gallery in JC this fall

 

Paintings by John T. Ruddy of Jersey City: PADMA, MATAJI, and NATARAJ.

(PADMA is on display at Raven Gallery and Boutique in Jersey City)

By Sally Deering

 Artist and Jersey City Fire Captain John T. Ruddy has traveled all over the world and the souvenirs he has brought back include exotic images and motifs that influence many of his paintings.

“I studied Renaissance and Classical painting and I’ve traveled to 50 countries,” Ruddy says, sitting at an outdoor café in his downtown Jersey City neighborhood. “I always head for the cathedrals, mosques and temples first, and I ask myself, what does this culture aesthetically offer? Travel has always been a life-long passion.”

Continue reading ARTIST AFIRE- Artist/Fire Captain John T. Ruddy Exhibits at Raven Gallery →