Category Archives: General

General, REAL ESTATE PROFILES

Fulop Administration Announces $600 Million, Three-Tower Residential Project in Journal Square; Development will Kick-Start Revitalization in Heart of City

Mayor Steven M. Fulop address the attendance at his Ignaugural

JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop announced today the administration’s plans to bring redevelopment to Journal Square, with a $600 million, three-tower residential project near the PATH station.
The project, by KRE Developers, will see three residential towers rise behind the Journal Square PATH station – on Summit Avenue between Pavonia and Magnolia Avenues. The three-phase project, called Journal Squared, will result in 1,840 market-rate units, as well as 36,000 square feet of retail space. Approximately 700 construction jobs will be created during each of the three phases, with ground expected to be broken later this year on the first phase.

“Jersey City residents have waited years, in fact, decades, for the revitalization of Journal Square,” said Mayor Fulop. “With this project, we will finally see real progress in Journal Square with a major residential development. We made a commitment that the success of development along our Hudson River waterfront would extend throughout the city, into areas like Journal Square and Bergen-Lafayette, and this project is the first example of how we are doing that. ” Continue reading Fulop Administration Announces $600 Million, Three-Tower Residential Project in Journal Square; Development will Kick-Start Revitalization in Heart of City →

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Mayor Fulop & City of Jersey City to File in Hudson County Superior Court for Waiver of 72-Hour Waiting Period for Marriage Licenses to Allow Same-Sex Marriages to Begin at 12:01 a.m. Monday

JERSEY CITY SEAL LOGOJERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop and the City of Jersey City will file a brief in Hudson County Superior Court at noon today seeking a waiver of the 72-hour waiting period for marriage licenses so that same-sex couples may begin to marry at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 21st.

 On Sept. 27th, Superior Court Judge Mary Jacobson granted an emergency request by six gay couples, ordering state officials to begin officiating same-sex marriages on Monday, October 21st.  Her ruling was on the grounds it denied those couples federal benefits by only allowing civil unions.

“This is a civil rights issue and we are seeking legal action on behalf of our constituents whose rights currently are being infringed by the state administration with their delay tactics,” said Mayor Fulop.  “Jersey City has the largest LGBT community in New Jersey and we are intending on being the first to issue licenses and perform weddings on Monday.  The courts have spoke and marriage equality is coming to the Garden State. As elected officials we should be doing everything in our power to ensure all of our residents have the same rights.”

Continue reading Mayor Fulop & City of Jersey City to File in Hudson County Superior Court for Waiver of 72-Hour Waiting Period for Marriage Licenses to Allow Same-Sex Marriages to Begin at 12:01 a.m. Monday →

General, Our Community

Jersey City to Hold Annual Adopt-A-Lot Garden Tour; Tour Includes Eight Community Gardens

 JERSEY CITY SEAL LOGOJERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop announced that the City of Jersey City will celebrate Jersey City’s urban gardeners, who will close out another bountiful season on Saturday, October 19, with the annual Adopt-A-Lot Community Garden Tour. Following the tour, a closing festival will be held at 12 p.m. at UMMI Living Garden, 93 Harrison Avenue.

The tour will begin at 9:45 a.m. at Riverview Community Garden at Riverview-Fisk Park in the Heights. Participants will then visit seven other gardens throughout the city’s six wards.  Bike JC will lead a bicycle ride to each garden and the Recreation Department will provide a shuttle to each site.

“Urban gardening is a model for a sustainable future and I am proud of the work that has allowed gardens to bloom on formerly vacant lots throughout the city,” said Mayor Fulop. “One of the goals of my Keep Jersey City Beautiful initiative is to work with our Division of Planning, Public Works and neighborhood organizations to get more lots adopted as gardens.” Continue reading Jersey City to Hold Annual Adopt-A-Lot Garden Tour; Tour Includes Eight Community Gardens →

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2013 “RUNNING OF THE SANTAS” SPREADS HOLIDAY JOY BENEFITTING LOCAL CHARITIES

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SITE SEEING: Interesting posts from around the web

Nation’s Hottest Christmastime Event Celebrates Annual “Fun Run” on December 7

 

A group of Santas at the annual running of the santa's race in Philadelphia
Running of the Santas
December 7th in Philadelphia
RUNNING OF THE SANTAS 1
These five Mrs.Claus were at last years “Running of the Santas”

 “Running of the Santas” started in 1998 in the streets of downtown Philadelphia when 40 close friends decided to suit up in holiday décor and go bar hopping. More than a decade and a half later, the “Running of the Santas” event has grown across the world with more than 20 host cities from California to the shores of New Zealand.

 Organizers of the 2013 “Running of the Santas Mega Festival” are predicting a record 10,000 party-goers this year, toppling last year’s Philadelphia event which attracted more than 7,000 revelers. Philadelphia’s premier holiday extravaganza will kick off at Finnigan’s Wake (“The South Pole”) located at 537 N. 3rd Street, where event participants will prepare for a three-block “fun run” at 4 pm  to the Electric Factory (“The North Pole”) located at 421 N. 7th Street. Continue reading 2013 “RUNNING OF THE SANTAS” SPREADS HOLIDAY JOY BENEFITTING LOCAL CHARITIES →

General

BAYONNE RESIDENT FREDDY GARCIA WINS TWO TELLY AWARDS

telly_site_bugs_silverBayonne resident Freddy Garcia Jr. a Television Editor, was awarded not one but two Telly Awards in the 34th Annual event for his outstanding work. With nearly 12,000 entries from all 50 states and numerous countries, this is truly an honor. In the Bronze category Freddy won for “Slauson Our Time”, a featurette on New York Jets football player Michael Slauson and his contributions to the non-profit organization Our Time, which help kids who stutter discover the power of their individual voices and gain the confidence needed to share them with the world.

In the Silver category he won for “Keller Family Fun”, a featurette on the day in the life of football player Dustin Keller and his brother. Freddy is Bayonne High School alumni who went on to study film and graduated with a BA from NJCU. He has been previously nominated for an Emmy for his editorial contributions to Sesame Street’s “Talk Listen Connect”, a series supplying resources and support for military families.

General

Statewide Fire Prevention award presented to Bayonne Board of Education and Bayonne Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Bureau:

BFD_NJFPPA_Award

At a ceremony in Tinton Falls, N.J., the New Jersey Fire Prevention and Protection Association presented an award to representatives of the Fire Prevention Bureau and the public school system for their work in fire safety. Pictured from left to right: Judy Czuba, Fire Official Chris Czuba, Patricia Dziubek (Vice Principal, Midtown Community School), Fire Inspector Robert Veverka, Dr. Patricia McGeehan (Superintendent of Schools), Joyce Lynch (Fire Prevention Bureau), Fire Inspector Craig Buonomo, Ravikha Nayakrit (Fire Prevention Bureau), Firefighter James Keenan, and Fire Chief Gregory Rogers.

Fire Department and Board of Education Receive Award for Joint Safety Efforts

 Mayor Mark A. Smith announced that the New Jersey Fire Prevention and Protection Association (NJFPPA) presented an award recently to the Bayonne Fire Department – Fire Prevention Bureau and the Bayonne Board of Education. At a ceremony in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, the NJFPPA recognized the Bayonne Fire Prevention Bureau and the Bayonne Board of Education for the outstanding collaborative fire prevention and safety services that the two entities provide. This was the first time a joint award had been issued by NJFPPA celebrating such teamwork.

Mayor Smith said, “On behalf of the City of Bayonne, I would like to congratulate the Fire Prevention Bureau and the Board of Education for winning this award.  We are very proud of the statewide recognition that their outstanding programs have earned for our community.” Continue reading Statewide Fire Prevention award presented to Bayonne Board of Education and Bayonne Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Bureau: →

Business Views, General

Celebrate ICU Day alongside Liberty Savings Federal Credit Union

LSFCU LOGOOn October 17, 2013, credit unions in 100 countries will celebrate International Credit Union (ICU) Day® by joining together and celebrating their cooperative spirit.

Hudson County’s own Liberty Savings Federal Credit Union is proud to take part in the initiative. Unlike many banks, Liberty Savings isn’t in business to make a profit. Credit unions all over the world are a united front focused on you, the members, with an unwavering belief in the “people helping people” philosophy upon which they were built.

In the U.S., they’re  known as credit unions, but across the world, they go by many names…co-operative societies, cooperativas, and caisses populaires to name a few.

This year, the cooperative spirit is coming to the Falkland Islands. Currently, one bank branch operates there, but the 2,300 workers find access to credit limited. Through the World Council of Credit Unions, staff from a U.S. credit union are assisting in the development of a credit union that can help the business that were refused bank financing.

Continue reading Celebrate ICU Day alongside Liberty Savings Federal Credit Union →

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NORTHEAST FILM FESTIVAL DEBUTS – SEVERAL LOCALS MAKE BIG SPLASH

By Tony Sanders
sams photo for story for sept 26 rvo 2013From left, Filmmaker Amanda Bedula, Best Actor in a Short winner Bill Sorvino, Best Director/Best Short Winner Sam Borowski, Best Actress in a Short Nominee Samantha Tuffarelli, Filmmaker Michael Ringston, Best Actress in a Short Winner Maria Rusolo and Best Actress in a Short Nominee Wanda O’ Connell strike a group pose on the Red Carpet at the Northeast Film Festival.
The Northeast Film Festival recently wrapped its inaugural edition, with several locals making a big splash at the Awards Gala on September 15th. One of those locals Sam Borowski, whose movie “Maniac,” was previewed in the Observer last month, took home the top honors for Best Director of a Short and Best Short for the aforementioned film. His actor Bill Sorvino, a Jersey City native, also took home Best Actor in a Short honors.
“This was an amazing festival,” Borowski said afterward. “There were not only many great films competing, but Oscar-Winners, Oscar-Nominees and multiple Award-Winners in many of the categories. Festival Director Larry Rosen did such a wonderful job of putting this together.”
The festival, run by Teaneck’s Larry Rosen and Jersey City’s Tamara Thelander was held over three days at the Maplewood Theater in Maplewood, New Jersey. Continue reading NORTHEAST FILM FESTIVAL DEBUTS – SEVERAL LOCALS MAKE BIG SPLASH →
Dining, General

Bayonne by the Sea – Otaiko Hibachi & Sushi Lounge Serves Fine Japanese Cuisine in a Beautiful Waterfront Location

Otaiko Hibachi & Sushi Restaurant from River View Observer on Vimeo.

By Sally Deering

otaiko timConsider the waterfront view a side dish when dining at Otaiko Hibachi & Sushi Lounge, Bayonne’s newest hotspot on the Hudson. Serving fine Japanese cuisine that includes hearty Hibachi combination dishes of chicken, steak and seafood that are cooked right before your eyes by a master chef ; and fine Sushi creations designed by Master Sushi Chefs at the sleek and sexy Sushi Bar.  Whatever your tastes, you’ll find some delicious dishes at Otaiko, which opened just a few weeks ago in South Cove Commons on Bayonne’s waterfront.

Chef and co-owner Alex Ren, along with his three partners Leo Lin, Kenny Shao and Jonathan Jiang have many years of experience creating Japanese dishes. Ren has been a Sushi Chef for 12 years and served his apprenticeship with a Sushi Master who retired after opening several Sushi restaurants. Continue reading Bayonne by the Sea – Otaiko Hibachi & Sushi Lounge Serves Fine Japanese Cuisine in a Beautiful Waterfront Location →