Mercy House Director Cheryl A. Riley (right) joined staff and volunteers in handing out over 300 backpacks to families in need during The Mercy House’s annual Back-to-School Giveaway at its Newark location on August 13, 2024. (Photo by Archdiocese of Newark/Sean Quinn)

Ahead of the rapidly approaching school year, the Archdiocese of Newark’s Mercy House distributed over 500 new backpacks filled with school supplies during its annual Back-to-School Giveaway at locations in Newark, Jersey City, and Elizabeth this month.

More than 300 backpacks were handed out in Newark on August 13, while approximately 100 were given away in both Jersey City on August 15 and Elizabeth on August 16. The backpacks came in a variety of colors, so each child went home with a design they liked. They were also stuffed with classroom essentials, from pencils to crayons to glue sticks.

“The Mercy House lives out the Catholic Church’s mission to help everyone in need. In this case, we knew families desperately needed items they couldn’t afford for the new school year, so we made sure they got everything and then some,” said Cheryl A. Riley, director of The Mercy House, who credited archdiocesan parishes and a few outside organizations with donating the school supplies. “Nothing beats putting smiles on children’s faces, and that’s what we did at this giveaway.”

While picking up classroom essentials, families at the giveaway also received free cups of Italian ice, and several families won prizes raffled at each site. The donated prizes and gifts included dolls, trucks, and water toys.

Founded in 2018, The Mercy House provides nonperishable food, clothing, baby supplies, furniture, and help finding work and housing for anyone in need. Its three locations in Newark, Jersey City, and Elizabeth each serve roughly 300 people weekly. If you would like to volunteer or donate, contact Cheryl A. Riley at cheryl.riley@rcan.org. For more information, visit www.rcan.org/mercy-house/.

AbouttheArchdiocese of Newark?

The Archdiocese of Newark serves 1.3 million Catholics throughout Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union counties. The Archdiocese has 212 parishes, 67 Catholic schools, and many missions and ministries. Hundreds of Masses are celebrated in more than a dozen languages each week. Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., the sixth archbishop of Newark, leads the Archdiocese with four auxiliary bishops. Together, they serve the northern New Jersey community through faith, education, and social services. For more information, visit www.rcan.org.

Jersey City News

Inserra Supermarkets Presents $109,356 Check to Diabetes Research Institute Foundation at their Shoprite Jersey City

August 19, 2024 admin

Tuesday, August 20, 2024

Diabetes Research Institute Awards Trophy To ShopRite of Jersey City

Michael Burton, CEO, Diabetes Research Institute, Tom Karlya, Senior Vice President, Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, Lawrence Inserra Jr., Chairman and CEO of Inserra Supermarkets, Inc.

Lindsey Inserra, Vice President of Inserra Supermarkets, Inc. Jim Dorey, President of Inserra Supermarkets, Inc., Peter Cavo, General Manager of Inserra Supermarkets, ShopRite of Jersey City

Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at 2:30pm

ShopRite of Jersey City 400 Louis Marin Blvd.

Jersey City, NJ

Inserra Supermarkets will present the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation (DRIF) with a donation of $109,356 generated from the company’s June “Dollars Against Diabetes” (DAD) fundraiser at all the company’s stores, including its 23 ShopRite stores in Bergen, Hudson and Passaic Counties in New Jersey and Rockland County, NY, and PriceRite Marketplaces in Garfield and Paterson, New Jersey. All money raised directly supports innovative research for the cure at the Diabetes Research Institute.

Pages: 1 2

Bayonne News

Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis -Mayor’s Column

August 18, 2024 admin

Mayor Davis 2018 Inaugural — Bayonne Mayor James Davis

THE LAST WEEKS OF SUMMER

As we approach the end of the summer vacation season and the beginning of school, there are some good things to do before the season is gone.

Clean up the litter: During the summer, a lot of people have been walking around outside. Some of them have dropped litter in front of homes and businesses. Now would be a good time to clean up any litter that has accumulated over the summer. It would be best to get litter off the streets, sidewalks, and ground before it gets caught under the leaves of autumn and the snows of winter.

Cut and trim the trees and bushes: If you have grass, trees, or bushes on your property, please cut the grass and trim the trees and bushes. It is best to make sure that your grass does not grow too tall at this time of year. During the remaining part of summer, cutting the grass keeps down the number of mosquitoes and other bugs on your property. It is easier to trim trees and bushes before the ice and snow of winter make it too tough to do the job.

Clear out those backpacks: Those of you who have children in school have probably not looked in their backpacks since the end of the last school year in June. There may be crumpled-up papers still in them. You should check the papers for anything important, and then throw the unneeded ones out. Otherwise, they will be taking up space that should be saved for items your children will receive in the new school year.

Go to our final Summer Sounds concerts: There are three remaining concerts in our Summer Sounds series:

On Wednesday, August 21, at 7:00 p.m., weather permitting, Super Trans Am will play arena anthems and top radio hits of the 1970’s. The group performs masterworks from such acts as The Eagles, Hall and Oates, Queen, The Doobie Brothers, Paul McCartney and Wings, Peter Frampton, Foreigner, Kiss, Boston, and Journey.

We have set aside Wednesday, August 28, as a rain date, if needed, so that a performance that was rained out could be rescheduled.

The concerts will take place at the amphitheater on the lower level of DiDomenico-16^th Street Park. The concert site is located below the foot of West 16^th Street, between Avenue A and Newark Bay. The number of chairs available in the park is limited. The Recreation Division suggests that members of the audience bring their own chairs.

In the event of inclement weather, please call 201-471-7590, or visit www.leaguelineup.com/bayonnerec, or view the City of Bayonne’s Facebook page to check on the status of that night’s performance.

For more information about the concerts, please get in touch with Pete Amadeo at 201-858-6129, or email BAYONNEREC@AOL.COM.

Please take advantage of the time remaining in the summer of 2024!

Bayonne News, Bayonne Observer insidebayonne.com, Events

Super Trans Am Play in the Bayonne Summer Sounds Concert on Wednesday, August 21

August 18, 2024 admin

Mayor Jimmy Davis announced that Super Trans AM will perform in the Summer Sounds by the Bay concert on Wednesday, August 14, at 7:00 p.m. Super Trans AM is a unique and innovative theme band. They play all of your favorite arena anthems and chart-topping radio hits of the ‘70’s. Combining unparalleled musicianship with artistic and inspired A/V production, you’ll enjoy revisiting classic sing-alongs from one of the most definable decades in American history.

The concert will take place at the amphitheater on the lower level of DiDomenico-16^th Street Park. The concert site is located below the foot of West 16^th Street, between Avenue A and Newark Bay. The number of chairs available in the park is limited. The Recreation Division suggests that members of the audience bring their chairs.

On music days during the summer concert season, in the event of inclement weather, please call 201-471-7590, or visit www.leaguelineup.com/bayonnerec, or view the City of Bayonne’s Facebook page to check on the status of that night’s performance.

For more information about the concerts, please contact Pete Amadeo at 201-858-6129, or email BAYONNEREC@AOL.COM.

In the News, Music Views

Former Jersey City Resident Abraham J. Santiago Pens New Book ‘Underated Singing Groups’

August 8, 2024 admin

From the Past to the Present

Abraham Santiago award-winning author, and film documentarian, has become the most prolific writer on acappella music, over the past fifteen years. Santiago has appeared on the radio from California to New York. He received numerous awards, his latest being the Vinyl City Hall of Fame Award in October 2019. As of this date, no one has come close to, giving us the historical and social connection to the birth of Acappella music that began in the 1960s. Moreover, he was the first person to write, produce, and direct the first documentary film on the history of acappella as a genuine regional art form. He was also the first to produce an animation cartoon on acappella groups singing in the R&B style.

Best Picks of the Week, In the News, Jersey City News

The Knolland Parables: Western Series by Jersey City Writer saved by GenrePowerhouse Dusty Saddle

August 3, 2024 admin Leave a comment

The newest series of Westerns by Dusty Saddle Publishing is a genre-expanding, steam-punk universe of action and suspense interwoven with moral ambiguities, cultural allegories, and a dash of political satire.
To top it off, the author of these fatalistic yarns hails from a land far from America’s former frontier, Jersey City – Timothy Herrick – believed to be the only New Jersey author in the Dusty Saddle roster, the largest Western Fiction publisher in the industry.

Pages: 1 2

General

Saints In The City to Play in Summer Sounds

August 3, 2024 admin

Concert on Wednesday, August 7

Mayor Jimmy Davis announced that Saints In The City, will play in Bayonne’s Summer Sounds by the Bay concert series on Wednesday, August 7, at 7:00 p.m., weather permitting. Saints In The City is not just a tribute band. It is a passionate and authentic celebration of the music and spirit of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. With a dedicated group of musicians and a frontman who channels the energy and charisma of The Boss himself, the Saints recreate the classic Springsteen concert experience for fans old and new.

For more information about the concerts, please contact Pete Amadeo at 201-858-6129, or email BAYONNEREC@AOL.COM.

Events, feasts and festivals

JOIN THE FUN AT LA FESTA ITALIANA 2024

August 3, 2024 admin

Live Bands, Yummy Food and Great People!

Mark your calendars! La Festa Italiana, Jersey City’s biggest Italian festival hosted by Holy Rosary Church returns in August with live bands, great food, and games & rides for the kids!

La Festa Italiana begins Wed, Aug 7^th, and runs through Sun, Aug 11^th, from 5-to-11 pm daily. Located on 6^th & Brunswick Streets, in the neighborhood surrounding Holy Rosary Church, La Festa Italiana will dazzle festivalgoers with delicious dishes from popular bistros; frothy brews from neighborhood bars; and crowd-pleasing Jersey bands that play the hottest hits every night from 7-to-11 pm.

“People love this event,” Festival Chairman Nick Grillo says. “They plan days off, vacations, even weddings around these five days. It’s wonderful to still see so much excitement around this century-old event in this ever-changing city.”

LIVE BANDS

This year’s entertainment is a Who’s Who of musical talent playing top hits from Bruno Mars to Bruce Springsteen and a new band performs every night. On Wed, Aug 7^th, YOU’VE GOT 90s takes the stage with the best of 90s pop tunes.

“You’ve Got 90s is thrilled to kick off this year’s La Festa Italiana with our high-energy blend of 90s rock, pop, hip-hop, dance, and alternative music, ” Bass player Adam Zurbruegg says. “We can’t wait to be a part of this historic tradition.”

On Thursday, Aug 8: PROMISED LAND, an E-Street Tribute Bandperforms, and on Friday, Aug 9: RYAN’S EXPRESS. Saturday, Aug 10: crowd favorite THE CAMEOS return, and, on closing night, Sun, Aug 11: TOTAL SOUL, the 9-piece band that plays dance hits like ‘Shout’ and ‘Proud Mary’.

DELICIOUS FOODS

It wouldn’t be La Festa without an authentic sausage and peppers on a hard roll and DELLANO’S is back once again to bring festival goers those traditional Italian sandwiches. A big hit with La Festa-goers, the KREME BAR returns with their yummy, cheesy mozz arepas: “We always look forward to participating in La Festa Italiana,” owner Karen Herrera says. “ For the past 10 years they have made us feel like family. It’s the one event of the year that doesn’t feel like we are working. It’s just a good time with amazing people and music.”

Pages: 1 2

General

Fireworks, Concert, and Children’s Entertainment Set for Tuesday, July 2

June 19, 2024 admin

Mayor Jimmy Davis announced that the City of Bayonne’s Independence Day Celebration will be held on Tuesday, July 2, at the lower level of DiDomenico-16th Street Park, beginning at 6:30 pm, weather permitting.

There will be a rain date of Monday, July 8, if needed.

On July 2, there will be plenty of attractions for both children and adults.

Free children’s inflatable rides will be available from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The rides will be stationed in the old amphitheater, which is located at the southeastern corner of the park’s lower level.

The fireworks are scheduled to go off at approximately 9:15 p.m. The fireworks show will run for about 30 minutes.

Pages: 1 2

Education

Hudson County Community College Begins Construction of New 11-Story Center for Student Success

June 19, 2024 admin

Pictured here: architectural renderings of aerial and street views of Hudson County Community College Center for Student Success now under construction in the Journal Square area of Jersey City, NJ.

June 18th Groundbreaking for Journal Square Campus Tower which will house a gymnasium, theater, classrooms, conference rooms, offices, and much more.

Hudson County Community College (HCCC) pioneered the urban campus concept by integrating learning environments, cultural spaces, public areas, and workplaces within Jersey City’s Journal Square, the heart of Hudson County, New Jersey. In establishing the Journal Square Campus, the College became an essential part of the neighborhood that engages and serves the County’s residents and businesses where they live and has been the catalyst for the area’s development.

At 9 a.m. on Tuesday, June 18 the College l hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the HCCC Center for Student Success at 2 Enos Place in Jersey City, New Jersey. HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber and Trustee Pamela Gardner will welcome Hudson County Executive Craig Guy and other elected officials as well as representatives of the Hudson County Building and Construction Trades Council and labor leaders, and HCCC students, cabinet members, faculty, and staff.

Dr. Reber said that growing a campus embedded in one of the nation’s most densely populated areas poses unique challenges and that the College was keenly aware of its overarching need to serve as a good steward of the neighborhood.

“The Center for Student Success was designed to centralize and consolidate all of our student services in one convenient location and complement the architecture of the surrounding area. It is the final segment of the Hudson County Community College Facilities Master Plan,” Dr. Reber stated. “The County of Hudson has partnered with us through every step of our development so that we may provide our neighbors with the very best academic experiences possible. We are thankful for the ongoing support of County Executive Craig Guy, former County Executive Thomas DeGise, and the Hudson County Board of Commissioners.”

“This project will serve thousands of students here at Hudson County Community College. The HCCC Center for Student Success will be the epicenter of study, creativity, activity, and collaboration between students and the surrounding communities,” said Hudson County Executive Craig Guy. “Through this new Center for Student Success, HCCC and the County continue to work together to ensure everyone has equal opportunities to excel in their chosen field and drive economic development in the area.”

The eleven-story Center for Student Success, a 153,186 square-foot, mixed-use tower, is being constructed one block from the Journal Square PATH station on an existing HCCC-owned parking lot. It will replace several of the College’s small, segregated, and aging buildings. The tower plans include 24 classrooms; expanded student services areas; student common spaces; full-size National College Athletics Association (NCAA) gymnasium; fitness center; black-box theater; health sciences laboratories; 85 offices; eight conference rooms; a “University Center” for sister colleges and partners to offer baccalaureate instruction; and much more.

The HCCC Center for Student Success construction utilizes the newest and most environmentally sustainable materials and systems. A Project Labor Agreement assures that organized labor will be well represented on-site during construction. The grand opening is scheduled for Fall 2026.

Funding for the $96.3 million tower is supplied by proceeds from the sale of HCCC properties and the College’s reserve funds; the County of Hudson; and the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE), among others.