River View Observer

Hudson County Career Fair, Saturday, November 14, 2026

admin — Fri, 13 Nov 2026 15:22:12 +0000

Hudson County Executive Craig Guy, Congressman Rob Menendez, and the Hudson County Schools of Technology are proud to host a Career Fair this Saturday, November 14 at 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., bringing together employers and job seekers from across Hudson County.

This event is part of a continued commitment to expanding access to employment opportunities, supporting workforce development, and helping residents build successful, sustainable careers. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet directly with employers representing a variety of industries, learn about available positions, and gain valuable insight into potential career paths.

Whether you are a recent graduate preparing to enter the workforce, an experienced professional seeking new opportunities, or someone considering a career change, this Career Fair offers a chance to explore your options and establish meaningful professional connections.

DATE: Saturday, November 14, 2026

TIME: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

LOCATION: County Prep High School – Earl W. Byrd Center

525 Montgomery Street, Jersey City, NJ

Interested in attending? RSVP today to let us know you’ll be joining us!

RSVP HERE

The post Hudson County Career Fair, Saturday, November 14, 2026 first appeared on River View Observer.

Hudson County Community College and Hudson County Chamber of Commerce Selected for National Initiative to Strengthen Employer Partnerships and Workforce Pathways

admin — Fri, 13 Nov 2026 15:13:22 +0000

Caption: Hudson County Community College and Hudson County Chamber of Commerce have been selected to participate in the Sustainable College-Employer Partnerships initiative. The effort is led by Achieving the Dream (ATD) in partnership with the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) Foundation and is supported by JPMorganChase.

JERSEY CITY, NJ, November 12, 2026 — Hudson County Community College (HCCC) and the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce have been selected to participate in the Sustainable College-Employer Partnerships initiative to strengthen collaboration between community colleges and local chambers of commerce, better align education with workforce demand, expand work-based learning opportunities, and build stronger pathways to employment.

This effort is led by Achieving the Dream (ATD), a national nonprofit dedicated to helping community colleges transform to promote student success and community vibrancy, in partnership with the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) Foundation, and is supported by JPMorganChase.

As one of eight community college–chamber teams selected nationwide, HCCC and the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce will work together with participating employers over the next two and a half years to identify regional workforce needs, shape education and training strategies, and expand opportunities for students to gain work-based experience and connect with careers.

Across the cohort, the work spans six industries: aviation, defense, advanced manufacturing, business, healthcare, and cybersecurity/IT. Many of these sectors are priorities for JPMorganChase’s Security and Resiliency Initiative(SRI), a $1.5 trillion, 10-year plan to strengthen industries critical to national security and economic resilience. In addition to mobilizing capital, the initiative aims to help address the workforce shortages constraining production and innovation in key sectors.

“No single organization can solve workforce challenges alone,” said Lenore Rodicio, Ph.D., president and CEO of Achieving the Dream. “When community colleges, chambers of commerce, and employers work together, they can build stronger pathways from education to employment that benefit learners, businesses, and communities alike. Through our partnership with the ACCE Foundation, we look forward to supporting these relationships as they develop sustainable models that can serve as examples for colleges across the country.”

“No single organization can solve workforce challenges alone,” said Lenore Rodicio, Ph.D., president and CEO of Achieving the Dream. “When community colleges, chambers of commerce, and employers work together, they can build stronger pathways from education to employment that benefit learners, businesses, and communities alike. Through our partnership with the ACCE Foundation, we look forward to supporting these relationships as they develop sustainable models that can serve as examples for colleges across the country.”

Throughout the initiative, HCCC and the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce will receive individualized coaching and technical assistance from ATD and the ACCE Foundation, engage in virtual and in-person peer learning opportunities, and implement strategies to strengthen long-term employer partnerships.

This initiative will deepen the strategic partnership of Hudson County Community College and Hudson County Chamber of Commerce in strengthening the region’s workforce ecosystem and creating more direct pathways from education to employment. Together, they will engage employers in a comprehensive assessment of workforce needs. They will also work with 25 employers to co-design innovative talent development strategies centered on work-based learning, career exploration, and talent pipeline development.

The HCCC-Hudson County Chamber of Commerce partnership will create meaningful, work-based learning opportunities for 50 students, and connect these students with Chamber members and other leading regional employers. By leveraging technology and developing a shared-talent connection platform, the initiative will streamline transitions from education to employment while helping employers access a skilled and diverse talent pool. To ensure long-term impact and sustainability, HCCC and the Chamber will establish a Workforce and Economic Vibrancy Committee that brings together education, industry, and community leaders to guide future workforce solutions and support regional economic growth.

About Hudson County Community College
Hudson County Community College serves more than 20,000 credit and non-credit students annually. The College offers more than 90 degree and certificate programs, including award-winning English as a Second Language; Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM); Culinary Arts/Hospitality Management; Nursing and Health Professions; and Humanities and Social Sciences. The HCCC Culinary Arts/Hospitality Management program was ranked number six in the U.S. by Best Choice Schools. The College’s School of Continuing Education and Workforce Development offers cutting-edge, industry-recognized, stackable credentials in alignment with high-priority workforce needs.
HCCC has partnerships with major four-year colleges and universities in the greater New Jersey-New York area and beyond, accommodating seamless transfer of credits for further undergraduate and graduate education.
The College has received dozens of national awards throughout the years. HCCC was a finalist in seven categories of the 2026 American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) “Awards of Excellence” and earned 2026 Advancing Institutional Equity and Belonging, Faculty Innovation, and Faculty of the Year Awards, in addition to Dale P. Parnell Faculty Recognition. HCCC also earned AACC 2024 “Awards of Excellence” including CEO of the Year, Faculty of the Year, and Student Success Awards. In 2023, HCCC received the Outstanding Member-Institution Award from the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU).
For the sixth consecutive year, HCCC was selected as one of only a few community colleges in the United States to be named a “2026 Most Promising Place to Work in Community Colleges” by the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD). HCCC was one of 22 community colleges in the nation, and the only college in New Jersey, to be recognized by ModernThink LLC and the “Chronicle of Higher Education” as a 2025, 2024, 2023 and 2022 “Great College to Work For®” and named to the 2024 and 2023 “Great Colleges Honor Roll of Distinction.”
HCCC is one of two colleges in the United States to be named a Top Ten Finalist in all three program categories for the nationally recognized 2023 Bellwether Awards, and received the 2023 Bellwether Award for the College’s cutting-edge “Hudson Scholars” program, which also won the 2024 Bellwether Legacy Award. HCCC further earned the 2026 Bellwether “Best in Showcase Award.”

The College’s exemplary work in advancing student success has been recognized with “Leader College of Distinction” designation by Achieving the Dream, the national nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing community colleges as catalysts for equity and mobility in their communities. HCCC also earned the Campus Prevention Network Seal of Prevention in 2025, 2024 and 2023 for demonstrating leadership in digital prevention programming focused on student safety, well-being, and inclusion.The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) named the College the inaugural recipient of the 2025 ACCT national “Impact and Success Award.”

About the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce
The Hudson County Chamber of Commerce, founded in 1888, is Hudson County, New Jersey’s premier, member-focused Chamber that promotes economic vitality, quality of life, opportunity, and growth for every sector and segment of our diverse business and nonprofit community by connecting and empowering its members and by advocating for its membership.

About Achieving the Dream
Achieving the Dream (ATD) is a partner and champion of more than 300 community colleges across the country. Drawing on expert coaches, groundbreaking programs, and national peer network, the organization provides institutions with integrated, tailored support for every aspect of their work — from foundational capacities such as leadership, data, and equity to intentional strategies for supporting students holistically, building K–12 partnerships, and more. ATD calls this Whole College Transformation. Its vision is for every college to be a catalyst for economically vibrant communities. ATD knows that with the right partner and the right approach, colleges can drive access, completion rates, and employment outcomes — so that all students can access life-changing learning that propels them into community-changing careers. Follow ATD on X (Twitter), Facebook, and LinkedIn. To learn more, visit the Achieving the Dream (ATD) website: www.achievingthedream.org.
About the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) Foundation
The ACCE Foundation supports the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) by providing chamber leaders with tools, research, and knowledge needed to shape the future of their communities. It also describes the foundation as providing research, thought leadership, and peer learning opportunities to support chamber leaders addressing community challenges.

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Local Events for Friday, November 13 to Wednesday, November 18th, 2026 for Jersey City, Hoboken, Bayonne and Secaucus

admin — Fri, 13 Nov 2026 00:48:42 +0000

Jersey City

Trey Anastasio Band at Loew’s Jersey Theatre
Date: Friday, November 13, 2026
Time: Evening (Check venue for exact door and show times)
Location: Loew’s Jersey Theatre, 54 Journal Square Plaza, Jersey City, NJ
Details: Live concert performance celebrating the Grand Re-Opening Weekend of the newly restored historic Loew’s Jersey Theatre

Avant Radio Festival
Date: Friday, November 13 through Sunday, November 15, 2026
Time: All Day
Location: Monty Hall, 43 Montgomery Street, Jersey City, NJ
Details: A multi-day independent radio and experimental music festival hosted at Monty Hall. [1]

The War On Drugs at Loew’s Jersey Theatre
Date: Saturday, November 14, 2026
Time: Evening (Check venue for exact door and show times)
Location: Loew’s Jersey Theatre, 54 Journal Square Plaza, Jersey City, NJ
Details: Second night of the Grand Re-Opening Weekend concert series at the restored Loew’s Jersey Theatre.

Make A Zine with SMUSH Gallery
Date: Monday, November 16, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Priscilla Gardner Main Branch, Jersey City Free Public Library, 472 Jersey Avenue, Jersey City, NJ
Details: Part of a six-week hands-on workshop series led by SMUSH Gallery teaching participants how to create their own zines. [1]

The post Local Events for Friday, November 13 to Wednesday, November 18th, 2026 for Jersey City, Hoboken, Bayonne and Secaucus first appeared on River View Observer.

Bayonne’s Public Information Officer Joe Ryan to Retire After More Than 30 Years at City Hall

admin — Wed, 11 Nov 2026 21:27:14 +0000

Joe Ryan, Bayonne’s Public Information Officer, has announced that he will retire, effective December 1, after more than thirty years of service with the City of Bayonne. Ryan said, “It has been an honor to serve the people of Bayonne since January 1996.” Ryan continued, “I have been involved in announcing and explaining numerous policies, events, and municipal services. I have written news stories on topics that have included visits by Bill Clinton and Vladimir Putin for our September 11^th memorial; Hurricanes Sandy and Ida; the Corona Virus (COVID); the closing of the Military Ocean Terminal-Bayonne (MOTBY); and the groundbreaking for the 1888 Studios.”

He has served with five elected mayors, two interim mayors, and one acting mayor who took the oath of office. Ryan has worked with nine sets of City Council members. He credits his longevity to the civil service system. Mayor Leonard P. Kiczek appointed Ryan a provisional civil servant with the title of Public Information Officer in 1996. In 1998, Ryan requested a state-administered civil service test, so that he could become permanent in his position. While taking what was allegedly the Public Information Officer exam, Ryan noticed that most of the questions were about health-related topics. After managing to pass what was apparently the wrong civil service test, he was made permanent in his job title in 1998. Ryan said, “This experience proved that if you work hard, study hard, and pass the wrong test, you can make it in America.” He added, “In a few weeks, I will be retiring as Public Information Officer, but, given that strange test, I might actually be stepping down as the greatest Sanitary Inspector you didn’t know we had.”

Through most of Ryan’s career, the majority of Bayonne residents received the bulk of their local news from The Bayonne Community News and The Jersey Journal. Now that both newspapers are gone, Bayonne readers obtain most local information from the City of Bayonne’s webpages and various private, online media. As technology changed, Ryan made the transition from dropping off press releases in person, to faxing them, and then to emailing them to the media.

In addition to writing approximately 7,500 press releases and website announcements, Ryan has produced an estimated 4,500 proclamations since 1996. Most of those proclamations have honored people or groups, or have recognized the importance of various medical conditions, issues, birthdays or anniversaries.

He has served as Bayonne’s liaison with the U.S. Census Bureau for Census 2000, Census 2010, and Census 2020. Ryan is proud that Bayonne’s population rose in each one of those headcounts after declines in every census from 1940 through 1990. Ryan has also worked as the staff person for the Bayonne Historic Preservation Commission. For many years, he has also served as co-chair of Bayonne’s annual Holocaust remembrance program. In that role, he has met several Holocaust survivors who have served as guest speakers.

In his retirement, Ryan will continue teaching Political Science classes at St. Francis College in Brooklyn, where he has been a Senior Adjunct Lecturer since 2014. Ryan is considering writing a play about municipal government, saying, “There is no shortage of material.” He also plans to travel with his wife, Nuala, who retired recently as the Art teacher at Our Lady of Czestochowa School in Jersey City.

Joe Ryan was educated at St. Vincent DePaul Grammar School (which closed in 2008) in Bayonne, St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City, and Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. At Georgetown, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service, and then completed an M.A. and a Ph.D. in Government.

Before starting with the City of Bayonne in 1996, Ryan served as a Research Scholar at Freedom House in New York, where he worked on an annual survey of freedom in the world from 1989 to 1995.

The post Bayonne’s Public Information Officer Joe Ryan to Retire After More Than 30 Years at City Hall first appeared on River View Observer.

Local Events Saturday, November 7th-November 12th Jersey City, Hoboken, Bayonne

admin — Sat, 07 Nov 2026 15:25:50 +0000

Saturday, November 7, 2026

Toy Drive Donations 2026-Jersey City
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
City of JC City Hall, 280 Grove St, Jersey City [1]

Hoboken Artists Studio Tour
12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Citywide venues including Hoboken Historical Museum (1301 Hudson St), Neumann Leathers, and Monroe Center, Hoboken

Jersey City Mac & Cheese Festival
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Hudson Hall, 364 Marin Blvd, Jersey City [1, 2]

STAGE 14C Performing Arts Festival
4:00 pm – 10:00 pm
ARTS 14C, 157B 1st St, Downtown Jersey City [1]

Bollywood Family Diwali Cruise Party
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Liberty Landing Marina, 80 Audrey Zapp Dr, Liberty State Park, Jersey City [1]

Fresh Cut Fresh Comedy Stand-Up Showcase
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
The Cliff, 38 Congress St, Jersey City [1]

Agua Azul: A One Act Play with Santos, Songs & Dance
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Nimbus Arts Center, 329 Warren St, Downtown Jersey City [1]

The HFC4 1 Year Anniversary Celebration and Meditation Experience
7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Bayonne Community Museum, 229 Broadway, Bayonne [1]

Urban Decay Solo Exhibition Opening Reception by Robert Bohn
6:00 pm onward
Art House Productions, 345 Marin Blvd, Downtown Jersey City [1]

Little City Laughing Comedy Show with Leah Williams
8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Little City Books, 100 Bloomfield St, Hoboken [1]

Tennessee Honey Band Live Music Performance
9:00 pm – 11:30 pm
The Vic Tavern, 107 Hobart Ave, Bayonne [1]

The Cliffs Band Live Music Performance
10:30 pm – 2:30 am
River Street Garage, LLC, 333 River Street, Hoboken [1]

Sunday, November 8, 2026

Bayonne Veteran’s Day Parade this Sunday!

Posted November 06, 2026

The City of Bayonne to hold the Bayonne Veteran’s Day Parade on Sunday, November 8th, 2026!

The post Local Events Saturday, November 7th-November 12th Jersey City, Hoboken, Bayonne first appeared on River View Observer.

Mayor Nadrowski Thanks Gov. Sherrill for Nominating Two Bayonne Census Tracts for Federal Opportunity Zones

admin — Wed, 04 Nov 2026 16:05:24 +0000

Bayonne Mayor Sharon Nadrowski announced that New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill is nominating two Bayonne census tracts for the federal government’s Opportunity Zone program, which encourages investment and economic development.

Mayor Nadrowski said, “I would like to thank Governor Sherrill for approving two of the three Bayonne census tracts that I requested her to submit to the federal government for the Opportunity Zone program.” Mayor Nadrowski continued, “We had a recent, very productive conversation about encouraging economic growth in Bayonne. I look forward to working with Gov. Sherrill on Opportunity Zones and other tools for economic progress in our community.”

Under federal law, an Opportunity Zone is a low-income census tract where private investments may be eligible for preferential tax benefits. Congress passed the Opportunity Zone legislation in 2017. That legislation gives state governors the authority to nominate a limited number areas for Opportunity Zones. Working through the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Treasury Department makes the final decision about designating Opportunity Zones. A new ten-year Opportunity Zone cycle takes effect on January 1, 2027.

In the Opportunity Zone system, investors invest in a special entity known as a Qualified Opportunity Fund (QOF). A QOF can finance businesses, infrastructure, or housing. Investors can defer taxes temporarily on eligible capital gains reinvested in a QOF. If the QOF investment is held for at least ten years, any capital gains or appreciation on the fund investment itself becomes completely tax-free when it is sold.

Mayor Nadrowski suggested Bayonne Census Tracts 109, 110, and 111 for the Governor to submit to the U.S. Treasury Department for the Opportunity Zone program. Mayor Nadrowski said that these three census tracts would offer “the most potential for creation of affordable housing and sensible mixed-use development and investment.” Governor Sherrill submitted two of the three suggested Bayonne census tracts, 109 and 110, to the U.S. Treasury Department to consider for the Opportunity Zone Program.

Census Tract 109 lies between Prospect Avenue and Broadway. Its northern border is East 25^th Street. Most of its southern border is East 16^th Street, plus a small area on the East Side around the Light Rail line that is south of East 16^th Street and north of East 11^th Street.

Census Tract 110 lies between Avenue C and Broadway. Its northern border is West 25^th Street. Its southern border is West 16^th Street.

Governor Sherrill did not include Census Tract 111 as a proposed Opportunity Zone in her submission to the U.S. Treasury Department. That tract lies immediately to the west of Census Tract 110.

Census tracts are areas created by the U.S. Census Bureau to help organize the federal census every ten years. The Census Bureau also uses the tracts to develop information on income levels, housing, and other factors in a given community.

The post Mayor Nadrowski Thanks Gov. Sherrill for Nominating Two Bayonne Census Tracts for Federal Opportunity Zones first appeared on River View Observer.

Lee Sims Chocolates Serving Hudson County Over 70 years

admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 03:00:33 +0000

Lee Sims Chocolates Thanksgiving Products page click below link

https://www.leesimschocolates.com/Fall_Thanksgiving/products/17/

Step into Lee Sims Chocolates, a beloved cornerstone of the Jersey City community. Located at 743 Bergen Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306, this iconic chocolate shop has been sweetening the lives of locals for generations. Established in the post-WWII era, the family-owned staple operates out of the historic McGinley Square neighborhood. It provides a nostalgic, traditional candy store experience that continues to charm visitors from all over the tri-state area.

The shop is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. It is closed on Sundays. Accept for certain holidays. These structured hours give visitors plenty of time to explore an extraordinary assortment of handmade confections.

Lee Sims Chocolates specializes in a vast selection of premium chocolates . Their display cases feature smooth milk chocolate and rich dark chocolate varieties. Customers can indulge in signature treats such as sea salt caramels, pecan turtles, cherry cordials, and mint patties. Beyond their classic pieces, they offer chocolate-covered pretzels, panned chocolates, and decadent fudge. They also supply mixed nuts, baked sugar cookies, and personalized favors for any special occasion

The shop is well-known for its beautiful gift boxes andbags and holiday specials. Whether you are hunting for Halloween treats, festive Thanksgiving spreads, or Christmas and Easter baskets, their thematic packages make perfect gifts. For those who cannot make it to the physical storefront, you can browse their full product line, order custom arrangements, and arrange nationwide shipping by visiting their official website at Leesimschocolates.com. This timeless Jersey City establishment remains a true testament to the fine art of candy making.

201-433-1308 Jersey City location

The post Lee Sims Chocolates Serving Hudson County Over 70 years first appeared on River View Observer.

Hudson County Community College’s Hudson Hornets Rally Supporters to Attend Their Debut NJCAA Basketball Games

admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 01:54:24 +0000

Hudson County Community College’s (HCCC) Hudson Hornets women’s and men’s basketball teams will play their first games on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at High Tech High School in Secaucus, NJ. The HCCC teams will vie against the Essex County College Wolverines.

The inaugural celebratory event features a ceremonial tip-off, and
HCCC Spirit Ensemble and Dance/Cheer Team performances.

The birthplace of Hudson County’s storied hoops history can be traced to the Lafayette King’s Sons Basketball. The Amateur Athletic Union was organized in 1897 on the south side of Pacific Avenue in Jersey City, according to The Hudson County Basketball History and Legends Club. From street-ball competitions and youth leagues to school rivalries, the teams and leaders who followed led to Hudson County basketball’s meteoric rise. Bob Hurley, Sr. coached the St. Anthony High School Friars in Jersey City to eight undefeated seasons and 26 state titles. Saint Peter’s University Peacocks won five Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championships. Saint Peter’s Prep Marauders and Bayonne High School Girls’ Bees both captured 2026 tournament championships.

Befitting this basketball legacy, the Hudson County Community College (HCCC) Hudson Hornets basketball teams will bring new pride to the region. The women’s and men’s teams will take the court at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. respectively for their historic first season home games against the Essex County College Wolverines on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. The games will take place at High Tech High School, One High Tech Way in Secaucus, NJ. Free parking is available.

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