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Cover Story

MOBSTER TALES-Jon D’Amore Who Grew Up in Secaucus, Pens Page Turner on Jersey Wiseguys and The Casino Caper

By Sally Deering

If you grew up in New Jersey it’s likely you knew somebody who had a friend whose second cousin had a brother-in-law whose uncle was connected to “the Mob.” Born in Jersey City and raised in Union City and then Secaucus, Jon D’Amore had family members who were “connected”. An accomplished musician and songwriter, D’Amore kept mental notes of a Las Vegas casino caper that went down back in the day and tells the fascinating and sometimes nail-biting story in his new book, “The Boss Always Sits in the Back.” Here’s an excerpt:

“This is my story, based on actual events, of living on the fringe of what some people call ‘the Mafia.’ You see, several members of my immediate family were connected. Connected simply means that through blood, honor or business…you have a direct connection to the Cosa Nostra, the Mafia, Our Thing, La Famiglia, the Mob. Continue reading MOBSTER TALES-Jon D’Amore Who Grew Up in Secaucus, Pens Page Turner on Jersey Wiseguys and The Casino Caper →

General, Sports Limited

Stats for College Little League, Jersey City for past Week

College Little League is in Greenville  and games are played at Country Village,the league is the most diverse league in the city and covers boys and girls(softball)range from 6 to 16

CAGUITLA LEADS IPC MINOR BOYS OVER DUBLIN justin Caguitla pitched a no hitter and then was relieved by Justin Nguyen who came on for the save also had 1 hit and 1 rbi. Stephen Olszewski and Christopher Warren both had 2 hits and 2 rbi’s each for IPC.

EVERETT LEADS IPC OVER GREENVILLE  Mark Everett pitched a 1 hitter and struck out 12 while going the distance in a victory over Greenville 5-0.Everett also had 1 hit and 1 rbi. Also leading the way for IPC were with 1 hit Justin Nygun,Stephen Olszewski,Christopher Warren, and Justin Caguitta. Mike Torillo,Melvin Saladua and Jacob Ladignon chipped in with 1 RBI each. IPC is 2-0.College LL cover Society Hill,Country Village,Port Liberte, and Greenville.

EVERETT 2 RUN BLASTS PUTS IPC AT 3-0 Mark Everett went 2 for 2 with a 2 run homerun,and double and 3 RBI’s. Justin Caguitla went 3 for 3 with 2 RBI’s. Chris Warren came on in relief to earn the win for IPC who is 3-0.IPC was trailing in the bottom of the fourt when they exploded for a 5 run rally started by Brandan Warren.

DEAD SERIOUS MAJOR BOYS OPENS WITH VICTORY OVER IPC Justin Davis led the team with 10 strikeouts, while faraj Deodat went 3 for 4,and Brandon Crawford stroked a triple and 2 RBI’s for a 6-3 victory.

DEAD SERIOUS MAJOR BOYS  GET 2ND VICTORY  Tyler O’Connor pitched Dead Serious Major boys to their 2nd victory and also had a homerun.Maurice Acuna, and Julian Alicia made numerous defensive gems to preserve the victory for Dead Serious

Source: Joe Olszewski

 

General

9th Annual Riker Danzig Newport 10,000 Race10K road race along the Hudson River waterfront in Jersey City’s Newport community

Sat., May 12, 2012 –7:00 a.m. Registration-8:30 a.m. Station

 

Newport Town Square

100 Town Square Place

Jersey City, NJ 07310

Known as the fastest course in the tri-state area, the Newport 10,000 is a 10K road race along the Hudson River waterfront in Jersey City’s Newport community.

** Proceeds will be donated to the Jersey City Medical Center, the area’s newest regional referral teaching hospital, providing the highest level of care for women and infants, and trauma and heart patients.**

More than 1,200 recreational and elite runners competing at the highest level for $14,400 in prize money

o Pre-registration numbers have already surpassed 2011 participation!

  • · A USA Track & Field-certified course that interweaves with the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway and features a backdrop of Manhattan’s skyline from Battery Park City to Midtown

o Great views from the course of NYC’s rising 1 World Trade

General

Bayonne Named Tree City USA For 18th Year

Bayonne Mayor Mark A. Smith announced that the Arbor Day Foundation has named the City of Bayonne a Tree City USA for the eighteenth consecutive year.

Tree City USA municipalities must have a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a comprehensive urban forestry program, and an Arbor Day observance.

Mayor Smith said, “I would like to thank the Arbor Day Foundation for recognizing Bayonne’s continuing commitment to trees. Planting trees is good for the environment. Trees also increase property values, enhance the economic vitality of business areas, and beautify residential neighborhoods.”

John Rosenow, President of the Arbor Day Foundation, said, “We all benefit when communities like Bayonne place a high priority on planting and caring for trees, one of our nation’s most beautiful resources.” He continued, “Trees shade our homes and add beauty to our neighborhoods, and they also provide many environmental, economic, and social benefits. We applaud Bayonne’s elected officials, volunteers, and citizens for providing vital care for its urban forest.”

Mayor Smith urges all residents to plant trees and help support the tree program of Bayonne’s Forestry Division. For information on the municipal tree program, please contact Danielle at 201-858-6070.

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Dining, General

Ribbon Cutting of the new VB3 Restaurant in Jersey City

On May 2nd the newest restaurant to open onthe Jersey City watefront was VB3- Restaurant, Pizzeria & Bar – 201.420.4VB3 – 475 Washington Blvd.

Serving Italian food where  you will find a fresh, modern approach to classic Italian family recipes.  Chef Michael Colletti incorporates seasonal ingredients from local purveyors into signature small plates that evoke a sense of nostalgia, but will delight and surprise with his contemporary style.

Gary Leff, VB3 Owner

  John McCormick, Mayor of Woodbridge

Joe Russo, VB3 Owner/GM

Ricky Leff, VB3 Owner,

Chef Michael Colletti VB3 Owner,

Joe Russo   VB3 Owner/Manager

Mayor Healy, Jersey City, Jersey City Councilman Bill Gaughan,  Brad Klatt, Roseland Properties ,, Peter Mangin, Real Estate Developer

 

Cover Story

Back to the Future-Exploring Family Lineage and Filling in the Blanks

by Sally Deering

 “Who am I?” It’s a question people have pondered since the dawn of time. And these days, it’s not enough to know how you fit in with your immediate family; people are now turning to websites like Ancestry.com to dig up the roots of their family’s tree. This trend is so popular, hit TV shows like “Finding your Roots” on PBS and “Who Do You Think You Are?” on NBC are attracting high ratings from viewers tuning in to watch stars like Samuel L. Jackson, Kevin Bacon, Edie Falco, Rob Lowe and Rosie O’Donnell discover the secrets of their family’s past.

 In November 2010, the New Jersey Room of the Jersey City Free Public Library and its staff were featured in one of the episodes of NBC’s “Who Do You Think You Are?” when O’Donnell came to the New Jersey Room to do genealogy search into her Irish background.  The show took O’Donnell on a journey that included a trip to Ireland, where she visited a workhouse where one of her relatives had lived. Both “Finding your Roots” and “Who Do You Think You Are” are filled with touching moments like these, and for viewers, the shows have helped a renewed interest in the past so that we might learn more about ourselves. Continue reading Back to the Future-Exploring Family Lineage and Filling in the Blanks →

Best Picks of the Week, General

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm- for Cheese Lovers

Here’s a wonderful receipe for the Cheese Lover

Jarlsberg Dip Slider Bites (From www.kitchenminions.com)

Ingredients:

1 French baguette

1 8-ounce container Jarlsberg Original Cheese Dip

Melted butter

Grape or cherry tomatoes, sliced thin

Directions:

Cut baguette into ¼”-thick slices. Spread each slice with a generous layer of Jarlsberg dip. Place tomatoes on half of the bread slices and top those halves with “no tomato” slices (spread side down), to finish sandwich. Heat a grill pan on medium low. Lightly brush top of sandwiches with butter and place them on hot grill, butter side down; brush tops with butter. Grill 3 minutes, until golden brown and dip is melted, before carefully flipping to grill the other side (3 minutes), before removing from pan. Serve warm and enjoy. Continue reading Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm- for Cheese Lovers →

General

Did You Know That There Were Hudson County Residents on the Titanic?

Hudson Then . . . Again

by Maureen Wlodarczyk

Fifteen years ago, I was among the wave of millions who flocked to theaters to see James Cameron’s epic film, Titanic, an unqualified hit that brought the story of the 1912 tragedy back to life. April 15th marked 100 years since the tragic deaths of 1,500 passengers and crew who lost their lives in the dark, biting-cold waters of the Atlantic, and that anniversary has rekindled widespread interest in the story once again.

Part of the lure of this true story is its magnitude and scale:  an “unsinkable” ship on its maiden voyage, thousands of passengers, among them the rich and famous and those scraping by in steerage class hoping for a new start in America. No work of fiction launched from the creative recesses of a novelist’s mind or a screenwriter’s imagination could better convey the seeming randomness and unpredictability of life and death. Continue reading Did You Know That There Were Hudson County Residents on the Titanic? →

Dining, Restaurant Views

Riverview Diner in North Bergen , A New Look for an Old Friend

  

By Sally Deering

Maybe it’s the shiny chrome and Formica counter tops that draws us in or the beauty of the chocolate layer cakes beaming through the pastry fridge window? Then again, it could be the first bite of a juicy cheeseburger, the rich dark coffee or the eggs served just right. New Jersey has some fine restaurants, there’s no doubt, but our kinship with diners is as binding as meatloaf and mashed potatoes.

Riverview Diner on River Road in North Bergen has been a go-to spot on the diner directory since Tommy Mavronasios opened the place back in 1982. It became ‘all in the family’ when Mavronasios introduced his daughters, Olga, Cindy and Vivian to the business and then sent them off to college. After graduation, the girls came back to Riverview to share their time managing the restaurant with their dad. Continue reading Riverview Diner in North Bergen , A New Look for an Old Friend →

General

Fashion with Compassion -Bayonne Women’s Club hosts Fashion Show for United Cerebral Palsy

 

By Evelyn Bonilla

 

The Bayonne Women’s Club is well-known to many throughout Bayonne for its charitable and humanitarian acts and since its inception in January of 2010 the women of this organization have helped to contribute to a multitude of causes. They volunteer in soup kitchens, gather donations for food pantries and in the annual “Relay for Life,” they do their part in the fight against cancer.

On Sat, May 5th, the Bayonne Women’s Club will host a fashion show, “Fashion with Compassion” to take place at St. Andrews School gym, 124 Broadway, Bayonne Doors open at 6:30 pm and the fashion show starts at 7 pm. Proceeds from the event will benefit the United Cerebral Palsy of Hudson County-Bayonne and will also help to replenish local food pantries. Continue reading Fashion with Compassion -Bayonne Women’s Club hosts Fashion Show for United Cerebral Palsy →