Art Views, Our Community

Artists’ Advocate-Meredith Lippman, Program Development Specialist for Hudson County’s Office of Cultural Affairs Bridges Artists and Community

 By Sally Deering

Meredith Lippman Artists' Advocate  Artist Meredith Lippman seems the perfect fit for her position as Program Development Specialist for the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs/Tourism Development. Lippman empathizes with the artists she advocates for and she works diligently to help them connect with the Hudson community and grow their careers through workshops, newsletters and updates on venues where they can exhibit works.

Hudson’s Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs provides advisory services, technical assistance, grant programs, audience development initiatives, artist round tables and networking events for artists in the community. The Office also hosts tours and lectures on Hudson’s history, promotes historic preservation and presents events that celebrate Hudson’s cultural diversity. Joining Lippman on staff are Eileen Gaughan and Robert Kakolewski, and director William LaRosa. Continue reading Artists’ Advocate-Meredith Lippman, Program Development Specialist for Hudson County’s Office of Cultural Affairs Bridges Artists and Community →

General

OSCAR SHOT! Sam Borowski’s New Film MANIAC Premiers at Rhode Island Film Fest for a Shot at an Oscar Nod

By Sally Deering

Maniac_Poster_HDFIXboxdavid (2) The 17th Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIFF) takes place Tues, Aug 6 and runs through Sun, Aug. 12, and one of the short films on the festival’s schedule is MANIAC directed by Sam Borowski and starring Bill Sorvino of Jersey City. Borowski, whose films have competed at the Golden Door International Film Festival in Jersey City – which is produced by Sorvino – will premiere MANIAC at RIFF for the chance to be an Oscar contender in the Best Short Film category.

MANIAC makes its world premiere on Sunday, the closing night of the festival.  In the short film, Sorvino plays ‘The Man’ a good guy who does bad things for good reasons.

“It’s about a man who turns to vigilantism after being pushed over the edge,” Borowski says. “Something happens that makes him turn. It’s like violent philanthropy. He’s trying to rid the world of bad people. It’s a socially relevant film. The last few years have been a sort of Depression. If you look at the social and economic climate of the country, somebody who’s not right is affected even more by the fact that things are really tough out there.

“The character of ‘The Man’ played by Sorvino believes in doing what’s right but he breaks the law,” Borowski continues. “We’re trying to look at what pushes people over the edge. It will get people talking on both sides. That’s why I know it’s relevant. It’s very shades of gray; not all bad, but not all good.”

MANIAC was written by Nihad Shalabi, an Intern at Borowski’s The Naoj Company. Shalabi came to Borowski with a story he wrote, Borowski says he liked it, did a rewrite and put it on his immediate ‘to do’ list.

Continue reading OSCAR SHOT! Sam Borowski’s New Film MANIAC Premiers at Rhode Island Film Fest for a Shot at an Oscar Nod →

Education, Our Community

Hudson County Community College Foundation Art Collection Marks Major Milestone

Recent acquisitions bring the number of works in the collection to more than 500.

Hudson County College Logo  JERSEY CITY, N.J. / August 7, 2013 — Although it was founded just seven years ago, the Hudson County Community College (HCCC) Foundation Art Collection now includes more than 500 works of art. The Collection includes highly respected paintings, sculptures, photographs, limited edition prints and American craft pottery and ephemera from some of America’s and New Jersey’s finest artists.

The works, which have been acquired as a result of the generosity of many donors and the astute direction of the HCCC Foundation Fine Arts Acquisition Committee, are permanently installed throughout the public areas of the College’s buildings in Jersey City and Union City. Continue reading Hudson County Community College Foundation Art Collection Marks Major Milestone →

Our Community

JCPD Leads Second Multi-Agency Operation in Two Weeks; Nearly 50 Arrested on Numerous Charges

JERSEY CITY SEAL LOGOJERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop and Jersey City Police Department officials announced today the arrest of 47 individuals on a variety of charges, including a range of narcotics offenses, that resulted as part of multi-agency overnight operation – the second of its kind in two weeks.

The Jersey City Police Department was the lead agency, with cooperation from the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, and the federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).

More than two dozen municipal ordinance and motor vehicle summonses were also issued as part of the operation. In total, 82 individuals have been arrested during the recent Jersey City Police Department sweeps.

“For the second week in a row, the Jersey City Police Department has targeted the areas that historically have been the source of ongoing crime problems and used the intelligence gathered to arrest those offenders involved in the drug activity which leads to violence on our streets,” said Mayor Fulop. “By working with other law enforcement agencies, we have been able to combine our resources to send a strong message that we will not tolerate drugs and violence in our neighborhoods.” Continue reading JCPD Leads Second Multi-Agency Operation in Two Weeks; Nearly 50 Arrested on Numerous Charges →

Our Community

Jersey City to Celebrate 30th Annual National Night Out Against Crime Tuesday, August 6th

Police Department & Community to Join at Four Parks

 JERSEY CITY SEAL LOGOJERSEY CITY — Mayor Steven M. Fulop and the Jersey City Police Department will host the 30th Annual National Night Out (NNO), a crime prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) and Target, NNO’s national sponsor. Events will take place simultaneously, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Pershing Field, Arlington Park, Audubon Park, and Hamilton Park.

 The two police unions, the Police Superior Officers Association (PSOA) and the Police Officers Benevolent Association (POBA)and the Jersey City Police Foundation are helping to sponsor two of the locations.

National Night Out encourages neighbors and communities to come together, get acquainted with one another, and have a fun-filled safe night that fosters neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships. There will be balloons, refreshments, plenty of entertainment and activities, games, and giveaways in each park. Various community and service organizations will be on hand to provide information to the public.

“Addressing the public safety issue in our city has been the first priority for my administration,” said Mayor Fulop.  “We are redeploying personnel to where they are needed most, increasing police presence in our communities, and restructuring the department to provide more accountability and

Mayor Fulop will visit National Night Out locations to commend and acknowledge those individuals and groups who are providing invaluable services and resources to their community. Continue reading Jersey City to Celebrate 30th Annual National Night Out Against Crime Tuesday, August 6th →

Our Community

Shop Bayonne Card to Launch in Early August,Will Boost Local Business, and Reduce Participants’ Property Taxes

 CITY OF BAYONNE SEALMayor Mark A. Smith announced that the Shop Bayonne Property Tax Reward Program will be launched in early August. The program will encourage people to shop locally by providing property tax credits for homeowners and rebate checks for renters, every time they patronize local participating merchants. Mayor Smith said, “Bayonne stores and professional services need to increase their numbers of customers, and Bayonne property owners want to reduce their tax bills. The Shop Bayonne Card will achieve both goals. We are very excited about this program, which will be a win-win for the people and the businesses of Bayonne.  It is also important to mention that this program has no cost to our City. Bayonne Community Bank has sponsored this initiative.”

In early August, the City of Bayonne will mail 11,000 Shop Bayonne swipe cards Continue reading Shop Bayonne Card to Launch in Early August,Will Boost Local Business, and Reduce Participants’ Property Taxes →

Our Community

Mayor Fulop Announces Creation of Department of Public Safety; Consolidation of Divisions Within Three Additional Departments to Cut Costs & Streamline Services

Consolidation Will Save City Thousands and Foster Better Communications Between Police and Fire Divisions While Enhancing Public Safety 

JERSEY CITY SEAL LOGOJERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop announced that his administration  introduced at Monday July 29th City Council Caucus meeting four major consolidation measures to cut costs and streamlines services within municipal government.

The first ordinance establishes a Department of Public Safety and merges the Police and Fire Departments, as well as the Office of Emergency Management, into one central department.  The day-to-day operations of each division will continue to be overseen by their respective chiefs, with a Director of Public Safety heading the department.

 This consolidation will eliminate the cost of two directors, as well as numerous other administrative costs, with initial anticipated savings of $343,112.  The merger will also facilitate better communication between the police and fire divisions as well as enhanced public safety for residents.

“For years, there has been abundant waste and duplication of services across all departments, which is something we identified during the transition,” said Mayor Fulop.  “Making municipal government more efficient is one of the top priorities of my administration and tonight we are beginning the process of eliminating waste and creating a government that works for the taxpayers.” Continue reading Mayor Fulop Announces Creation of Department of Public Safety; Consolidation of Divisions Within Three Additional Departments to Cut Costs & Streamline Services →

General

Jersey City Mayor Fulop to Train With Fire Department Recruits Will Suit Up & Participate in ‘Live Burn’

 

JERSEY CITY SEAL LOGOJERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop will join 21 Jersey City probationary firefighters from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 30, 2013 at the Morris County Police and Fire Training Academy, 500 West Hanover Avenue, Parsippany.

Mayor Fulop will spend the morning training with the firefighters to experience firsthand what Jersey City’s bravest undergo on a daily basis. Part of the training will also include Mayor Fulop participating in a “live burn” to experience the hot and smoky conditions in which firefighters work. A live burn is fire simulator in which fire is fed by propane gas. Continue reading Jersey City Mayor Fulop to Train With Fire Department Recruits Will Suit Up & Participate in ‘Live Burn’ →

Dining, General

Hudson Restaurant Week July 29th-August 9th

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Hudson Restaurant Week brings us 45 wonderful reasons to go out and dine from July 29th -August 9th.

Visit their website @  http://www.hudsonrestaurantweek.com/ to find out all the details for a delicious way to spend a summer day or evening.

 

 

General

TEN INGREDIENTS : At The Merchant Restaurant in Jersey City, Owner and Chef Dave O’Brien Puts the Pub Back in Jersey City

River View Observer -Your Source for Fine and Causal Dining Presents Ten Ingredients

 By Sally Deering

Front of the Merchant Restaurant in Jersey City Since June 2002, The Merchant bar and restaurant on Grove Street has been the unofficial watering hole for city workers who come in to relax after a hard day at City Hall. In fact, it’s not unusual to see the mayor sit down in the back with members of his staff. Just last week, Jersey City’s newly-elected Mayor Steve Fulop celebrated his election at The Merchant.

Owners Dave O’Brien and his sister Anne-Marie share the responsibilities of running the neighborhood pub which features a beautiful bar and two large, red-bricked rooms for dining. They serve an American menu with regional twists, says O’Brien who also is Executive Chef. The brother and sister team hail originally from Ireland and although the menu is considered American, there’s a nod here and there to their Irish roots.

David O'Brien of the Merchant Restaurant Jersey City
Dave  O’Brien

The Merchant offers Lunch & Dinner, Brunch and Late Night Menus with Appetizers, Salads, Sandwiches, Pastas and Entrees to choose from. There’s a House Specialty, too, The Gourmet Short Rib Burger with Horseradish, Chive, Cheddar, Bourbon-Bacon, Heirloom Tomato, Iceberg Lettuce and Beer-Fried Onions on a Brioche Bun and served with Hand-Cut Fries. ($15)

Other outstanding dishes include the Fried Calamari appetizer ($10); the Cobb Salad ($11); Mac & Cheese ($10/$14); and the Char Grilled Angus Skirt Steak ($18).

On a busy Friday, Dave O’Brien took time out of his busy schedule to share with Riverview Observer’s readers his “Ten Ingredients” for The Merchant’s success.

Let’s meet Chef Dave O’Brien!

Continue reading TEN INGREDIENTS : At The Merchant Restaurant in Jersey City, Owner and Chef Dave O’Brien Puts the Pub Back in Jersey City →

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