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
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).
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!
  CEO Dorothy Nicholson of Secaucus helps Vets Build IT Careers
By Sally DeeringÂ
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.â€
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
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.
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→
Roasted Salmon, a new addition to Rita and Joe’s Menu
Salmon Cappelletti
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
Isabelle Pane and Rita PaneChef 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→
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.
Fireworks Display Visible from Jersey City and West Side of New York
Free Event to Feature Live Music, Amusement Rides, Kids Entertainment, Food and Fireworks by Nationally-Acclaimed Grucci; Donate $20 or More to Support Special Olympics New Jersey and be the Official Launcher for the NJ’s Premier Fireworks Show
 JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop announced today that the City of Jersey City will host New Jersey’s premier Fourth of July concert and fireworks spectacular, the Second Annual Jersey City“Freedom & Fireworks Festival,†from noon to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, 2015 at Liberty State Park, with fireworks by nationally-acclaimed Grucci, Grammy Award Winning Violinist Miri Ben-Ari, live musical performances, amusement rides, food vendors, and entertainment for the entire family.
The Jersey City Festival, which is free and open to the public, is expected to draw approximately 150,000 people to Liberty State Park, the most patriotic site in the country to celebrate America’s independence with views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, One World Trade Center, and the Jersey City and New York City skylines.
Summer’s just around the corner and after the winter we had, every day should feel like the 4th of July. One of the many benefits of living here on the Hudson is not only our close proximity to all things Manhattan, but the many activities that are offered either on the water or close to it. From kayaking to dance performances to film screenings on a starry night, there are plenty of fun things to do this summer; here’s a sampling…..
Ceremony Features Unveiling of New 67-by-80-Foot Mural Celebrating City’s Artistic Culture
JERSEY CITY, N.J. (June 25, 2015) —  Mayor Steven M. Fulop and other Jersey City officials today joined representatives of BLDG, Ares Management, L.P. and Urban Development Partners to celebrate the grand opening of The One with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The ribbon cutting marked the start of leasing at the new 36-story luxury residential tower in the heart of Jersey City’s burgeoning Powerhouse Arts District, as well as the unveiling of a 67-by-80-foot mural that reflects the city’s artistic culture and its connection with the surrounding architecture.
Developed by a joint-venture partnership of BLDG, Ares Management, L.P. and Urban Development Partners, The One offers a mix of 439 studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments.
“This building has an artistic and unique design that will both add to the city’s growing skyline and contribute to the exciting Powerhouse Arts District,†said Mayor Fulop.  “We look forward to welcoming the new residents who will live here and call Jersey City home.â€
Hudson County’s own Tammy Blanchard has been added to the cast of TALLULAHÂ as reported by Variety Magazine.
Ms. Blanchard recently appeared  in Disney’s INTO THE WOODS.
Rounding out the cast Ms. Blanchard joins, ‘X-Men’s Evan Jonigkeit Ellen Page and Allison Janney, Zachary Quinto, Uzo Aduba, David Zayas and John Benjamin Hickey also star  in the upcoming dramedy .
TULLALAH  is the story of  “a free spirit who everybody thinks has kidnapped a baby after she rescues the child from her reckless mother.” The project is being lead by Sian Heder who also wrote the screenplay for TALLULAH.
Ms. Blanchard has appeared in several movies including: Moneyball, Deadline, The Good Shepherd, Rabbit Hole, Blue Jasmine  and the soon to be released Invitation
She has been nominated for two Tony Awards for her performances in Gypsy (2003) and How to Succeed Without Really Trying in 2013
In 2001 she won an Emmy and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for her portrayal as a young Judy Garland in Life with Judy Garland – Me and My Shadows.
A lifestyle and entertainment publication serving the Jersey City, Hoboken, Bayonne, Weehawken, West New York, North Bergen, Cliffside Park, Edgewater, Secaucus and Guttenberg Waterfront Communities
