Former Jersey City Resident Leah Guy Debuts One-Woman Show Off Broadway in October-The Light Night of the Soul
Light Night of the Soul is a riveting story based on the true-life experience of a spiritual teacher, author, and professional “Guiding Light” who has life figured out until she buys a 200-year-old house in the woods that comes with leaky pipes, an overgrown garden, and an angry ghost that was terrorizing her night after night.
Taking place during the pandemic lockdown, she is forced to battle spirits and confront traumatic memories of her past: a sexual assault, a murder in the family, and overwhelming anxiety that kept her from truly living, and certainly not living the dreams in her heart.
One thing Leah has realized through her work and this harrowing experience: “Houses aren’t haunted, people are.”
The captivating story is one of restoration and redemption – of home and spirit – and takes you into the depths of some of life’s most challenging moments, then guides you back to safety, hope and freedom. It is an intimate, funny, and scarily true one-woman journey – helping us all learn to trust the darkness.
Off-Broadway United Solo Festival in NYC
Saturday, Oct 18, 7pm
Theater Row
410 w 42nd St
NY, NY
Artist: Leah Guy
Writer: Leah Guy
Director: Hamutal Posklinsky
Projection Designer: Marilys Ernst
SHOW TRAILER
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ind-9yL6BA
SHOW PAGE
leahguy.com/one-woman-show
SOCIALS
instagram.com/leahthemodernsage
facebook.com/leahthemodernsage
Jersey City Animal Shelter Proves City-Run Model is a Game-Changer
Fulop Administration Celebrates Milestone Achievements of In-House Animal Care and Control Services
JERSEY CITY FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY PARTNERS WITH LIBERTY STATE PARK TO LAUNCH YEARLONG CELEBRATION OF THE PARK’S 50TH
| Jersey City Free Public Library (JCFPL) is honored to partner with Liberty State Park (LSP) as we begin a yearlong celebration leading up to the park’s 50th anniversary in June 2026. Like JCFPL, Liberty State Park is a beloved public institution where Jersey City residents can come together in a Welcoming Space, free of charge. At a time when truly public spaces are becoming increasingly rare, it’s more important than ever to support and uplift institutions like Liberty State Park and the Jersey City Free Public Library. Jersey City Free Public Library Director Terry B. Hill reflects on the partnership, “Liberty State Park has been a pillar of history, nature, and public spaces in Jersey City for half a century. The Jersey City Free Public Library is proud to partner in commemorating this milestone and to continue creating meaningful experiences that connect our community to both places and opportunities. As accessible public spaces diminish, preserving and celebrating them is more vital than ever.” One key connection between the Jersey City Free Public Library and Liberty State Park is their shared history with renowned local historian and author J. Owen Grundy. A Jersey City native, Grundy served as the city’s Official Historian from 1965 until he died in 1985, dedicating his life to historical and environmental preservation. He worked closely with Audrey Zapp, Theodore Conrad, and Morris Pesin in the movement to establish and protect Liberty State Park. Grundy was also a frequent patron of the Jersey City Free Public Library, conducting much of his research at what is now the Priscilla Gardner Main Library. He played a central role in the development of the Jersey City Museum, which was originally housed on the library’s fourth floor, and was instrumental in laying the foundation for the New Jersey Room—JCFPL’s dedicated local history department that continues to serve the public today. To commemorate Liberty State Park’s 50th Anniversary, JCFPL is releasing three limited-edition library cards featuring photos highlighting the iconic park’s beauty. One card features a picture of the U.S. Flag Plaza with eight American flags flowing in the wind and the Statue of Liberty in the backdrop. Another card features a stunning photo of the historic Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal. Lastly, the third card showcases the beautiful marshland at Caven Point. Each limited-edition card highlights what makes Liberty State Park so beautiful and unique. Chris Ford, Superintendent of Liberty State Park, shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration with the Jersey City Free Public Library and the launch of the special edition library cards, “Liberty State Park is excited to see these special edition library cards launched in collaboration with the Jersey City Free Public Library and Sam Pesin! The images on the cards are snapshots of iconic scenes of Liberty State Park that capture important elements of our historical and environmental significance. Residents of Jersey City and beyond have family stories that intersect with this park’s history.” He continues, “In many ways, LSP and JCFPL share similar missions – to serve our communities, be free spaces that provide relaxation and knowledge, and inspire a sense of charged responsibility for the continued improvement of our shared cultural, historical, and environmental resources. As Liberty State Park celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026, we acknowledge the tireless efforts of hundreds of past and present people who have fought to make this park what it is today. Thank you to JCFPL for the opportunity to connect with the community this way!” Sam Pesin, president of the Friends of Liberty State Park and the son of Morris Pesin, the “father” of the park, praised the JCFPL’s exciting project of creating three new library cards, “Thank you to Maro Twal, the JCFPL Communications and Marketing Manager, for initiating this project, and to both her and Library Director Terry Hill for collaborating with the Friends and Tereza Marshyti, a LSP Resource Interpretive Specialist, to kick off the one-year countdown to the park’s 50th birthday on June 14, 2026! As someone who grew up using the Earl Morgan Branch in Greenville, I encouraged everyone to get a Liberty State Park library card and take advantage of the library’s wide range of great services and programs for all ages.” The Jersey City Free Public Library is proud to partner with Liberty State Park in celebrating its 50th anniversary—a milestone honoring decades of community, conservation, and civic pride. As institutions rooted in public service and lifelong learning, we are committed to preserving local history, fostering public engagement, and celebrating the legacy of those who helped shape our city. We look forward to honoring the park’s past and inspiring its future. About Jersey City Free Public Library The Jersey City Free Public Library (JCFPL) is the largest municipal library in the State of New Jersey, serving one of the most diverse cities in the country. The library meets the community’s needs by providing a wide array of programming and resources and access to a broad range of print, digital, and audiovisual collections. The Library has been a cornerstone of Jersey City’s growing and changing community for over 120 years. About Jersey City Free Public Library The Jersey City Free Public Library (JCFPL) is the largest municipal library in the State of New Jersey, serving one of the most diverse cities in the country. The Library meets the needs of the community by providing a wide array of programming and resources, and access to a broad range of print, digital, and audiovisual collections. The Library has been a cornerstone of Jersey City’s growing and changing community for more than 120 years. |
Hoboken Police Department invites the community to 2025 National Night Out celebrations
The Hoboken Police Department welcomes residents, families, and visitors to join the 2025 National Night Out celebration on Tuesday, Aug. 5, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Church Square Park.
National Night Out is a nationwide initiative that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood solidarity. In Hoboken, the free event is co-sponsored by the Hoboken Police Department and the Stevens Institute of Technology Police Department. It brings together members of law enforcement and public safety, city residents, businesses and community leaders with family-friendly activities, games, entertainment, food, and fun.
“We look forward to National Night Out every year, to connect with our community, promote crime and drug awareness and prevention, strengthen relationships, and send a message that Hoboken is united in the fight against crime,” said Police Chief Steven Aguiar. “I encourage all to come out to meet our team, learn a little more about what we do, and have a blast.”
Representatives from a wide range of public safety and emergency response agencies will also be on hand, including the Hoboken Fire Department, Office of Emergency Management, Hoboken EMS and Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), NJ Transit Police, Port Authority Police, Hudson County Prosecutor’s and Sheriff’s Offices, and others.
Attendees can look forward to an exciting lineup of activities and demonstrations, including:
- Children’s activities include a bounce house, water slide, sand art and an obstacle course
- A “jaws of life” demonstration by the Hoboken Fire Department
- Complimentary food including shaved ice, hot dogs, frozen hot cocoa, and donuts
- Music and entertainment
- A 360-degree photo booth
There will also be a sensory-friendly comfort and cooling zone, where families can take a break from the fun if needed. Local organizations and small businesses will also be present, offering giveaways, resources, and community information.
For more information about National Night Out and see video highlights from 2023, head to: https://hobokenpdnj.gov/hoboken-national-night-out-2023-video-highlights/.
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Bayonne Police Department to Launch Daily Online Google Map of Road Work Zones
Bayonne Police Chief Robert Geisler announced that the Police Department’s Traffic Unit will begin a daily dissemination of a Google map that will show the location of scheduled road work sites occurring in Bayonne that day.
The Google map program for Bayonne will operate Mondays through Fridays, beginning on Monday, July 28. The map will display a worksite’s location and the scheduled work times. The program will also indicate whether a road closure is planned. The goal is to have the information disseminated no later than 7:00 a.m. each weekday. Chief Geisler said, “The Bayonne Police Department is presenting this Google map program, so that Bayonne residents and visitors will have useful information before they drive around the community.” He continued, “This new program reflects the service-oriented mission of the Bayonne Police Department. We hope the Google map will help people to limit any inconvenience as they plan each day.”
The following link will lead to the Google worksite map and related information:
An advisory from the Police Traffic Division states, “This notification contains an interactive map that shows areas that will be affected by work zones. Driving through these areas may affect your commute in the City of Bayonne on this date. Please note that certain work zones may move throughout the day and that all work zones are subject to last-minute changes. These moves and changes may not be reflected on the map. Any issues or concerns regarding a work site should be addressed to the Bayonne Police Department Traffic Unit @ 201.858.6969 or emailed to traffic@bayonnepd.org.”
The link to the worksite map will be available on the Facebook pages of the Bayonne Police Department and the Bayonne Office of Emergency Management (OEM), on the City of Bayonne’s website, and other locations on the web.
Hudson County Community College Welcomes Dominique Maynard as Director of the Hudson Hub One Stop Student Services Center
Hudson County Community College announced that Dominique Maynard has been named the College’s Director of the Hudson Hub One Stop Student Services Center.
Hudson County Community College (HCCC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dominque Maynard as the new Director of the Hudson Hub One Stop Student Services Center. In this role, Ms. Maynard will oversee the establishment and operation of a comprehensive student services center that will streamline and enhance the student experience at HCCC by integrating the functions of various college offices into a single place and providing students with efficient access to a wide range of administrative and support services.
Ms. Maynard is a student-driven professional who brings extensive experience in student services and operations to her new role. She most recently served as Associate Director of One Stop Operations at Union College of Union County, where she managed initiatives to improve student access and support across advising, financial aid, and registration. Her previous experience includes Student Services Specialist for Advising, Career and Transfer at the same institution, and Student Affairs Liaison Graduate Assistant at UNC Greensboro, where she supported initiatives designed to advance student success and engagement.
Ms. Maynard is anticipating the completion of her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership degree with a concentration in Community College Leadership from Rowan University. She holds a Master of Education in Higher Education with a concentration in Student Affairs Administration from UNC Greensboro and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Family & Human Services from Towson University, illustrating her longstanding commitment to advancing the mission of community colleges and fostering environments for student growth.
“We are excited to welcome Dominque Maynard to the HCCC family,” said HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber. “Her dedication to student-centered service and her track record of effective leadership in One Stop operations will help ensure our students have the support they need to thrive and reach their educational goals. HCCC looks forward to the leadership and wealth of experience Dominique will bring to the Hudson Hub One Stop Student Services Center as she works to build a supportive, efficient, and accessible environment for all students.”
Hudson County Community College Featured in Three National Case Studies College Celebrated in Studies Published by The Project on Workforce at Harvard
Education Design Lab, Achieving the Dream, and Business-Higher Education- As Hudson County Community College (HCCC) approaches the official celebration of its 50th Anniversary, HCCC is the focal point of three nationally published case studies detailing how the College’s data-driven approaches and collaborations play critical roles in achieving student and workforce development success. Recently released to national audiences, the case studies are The Project on Workforce at Harvard and Education Design Lab’s “Data and Technology in Action: Community Colleges Advancing Economic Mobility;” Achieving the Dream’s (ATD) “Hudson is Home: Supported by ATD Coaching, Hudson County Community College’s Hudson Scholars Program Brings Student Supports – and Success – to Scale;” and Business-Higher Education Forum’s (BHEF) “Hudson County Community College and Eastern Millwork Create a Transformative Apprenticeship Program.”HCCC was selected by The Project on Workforce at Harvard and the Education Design Lab as one of four community colleges, including South Texas College, Riverland Community College (MN), and Community College of Aurora (CO), to participate in their Community College Growth Engine. The study is a joint research and design project aimed at understanding and improving how community colleges utilize data and emerging technologies to enhance economic outcomes for learners. This three-phase project, beginning with the case study, will result in a national playbook of learnings and best practices to share with other higher education institutions throughout the United States. Over five months, the Project on Workforce at Harvard colleagues collaborated with HCCC faculty and staff to gather information about the College’s use of data and technology, highlighting HCCC’s extensive partnerships with local and state governments, academia, workforce boards, businesses, unions, and other stakeholders. Their findings offer a comprehensive case study, “Building Bridges: HCCC’s Innovative and Inclusive Approach to Connecting Students and Employers.”The Project on Workforce at Harvard study highlights several HCCC best practices including HCCC I NJCU (New Jersey City University) CONNECT, which offers seamless transfer pathways to NJCU for those pursuing a four-year college degree; Achieving the Dream membership and its coaching and networking opportunities; the HCCC “Hudson Helps Resource Center,” a compendium of wraparound services that address students’ basic needs outside of the classroom; HCCC’s nationally recognized “Hudson Scholars” program that improves retention and graduation rates by addressing a wide range of students’ needs; academic and workforce programs shaped by employer advisory boards to ensure alignment with industry standards for in-demand careers; consistent focus on innovative, proactive, community-centered strategies; and a campus culture where all students are valued, represented, and supported.The Project on Workforce at Harvard and Education Design Lab study is available here: Data & Technology in Action: Community Colleges Advancing Economic Mobility. When Dr. Christopher Reber was inaugurated as HCCC’s new President in 2018, faculty and staff consistently expressed concerns about “getting students to the finish line.” To address this, HCCC joined Achieving the Dream (ATD) in 2019. ATD is a national nonprofit network dedicated to helping community college students succeed and achieve greater economic opportunities. ATD guides more than 300 community colleges across the United States through a data-driven, evidence-based change process that closes achievement gaps and improves graduation rates.
The College saw that the retention and graduation rates for students involved in the New Jersey Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) program were exceptional, but that the state-funded program only served a few hundred students each year. Dr. Reber and the HCCC community believed the successful practices of EOF could be scaled up to ensure a greater number of students who face financial challenges, language barriers, employment concerns and family responsibilities could complete their college educations. Making this belief a priority, the College community worked with coaches from Achieving the Dream to institute “Hudson Scholars,” a retention and student success program that provides proactive advisement, financial stipends, and early academic intervention to help all students succeed academically, graduate, and realize their dreams.
“Hudson Scholars” utilizes proven best practices of the New Jersey Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) and the City University of New York (CUNY) Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP). “Hudson Scholars” provides proactive advisement, mentoring, financial stipends, and early academic intervention. Coaches and mentors with small advising caseloads support each student on a personal level.
Since its inception, “Hudson Scholars” has served more than 5,000 students and has become a self-funding academic and student success model, with the College’s completion rate nearly doubling over the past eight years. “Hudson Scholars” has been recognized with The League for Innovation in the Community College’s 2021-22 Innovation of the Year Award, the 2023 National Bellwether Award, the 2024 National Bellwether Legacy Award presented to only one community college every five years for proven best practice programs that can be developed at scale, and the 2024 American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Student Success Award of Excellence.
This October, Dr. Reber and Achieving the Dream President and CEO Dr. Karen Stout will present “Leveraging Achieving the Dream Coaching to Foster Innovation: How Hudson County Community College Built an Institutional Culture of Student Success and Continuous Improvement” at the 2025 Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) National Leadership Congress in New Orleans, Louisiana.
To read the Achieving the Dream case study, click here: Hudson is Home: Supported by ATD Coaching, Hudson County Community College’s Hudson Scholars Program Brings Student Support – and Success – to Scale.
“Hudson County Community College and Eastern Millwork Create a Transformative Apprenticeship Program” is a case study in the Business-Higher Education Forum (BHEF) Innovators at Work series. The series showcases partnerships successfully employing best practices, proven strategies, and impactful collaborations to address critical talent challenges and equip learners with skills needed for the future workforce.
In 2019, Eastern Millwork, Inc. (EMI), a Jersey City-based industry leader in customized, high-end, automated woodwork manufacturing and installation, faced a critical challenge. The company needed a talent pipeline of skilled workers with technical expertise and creativity. Traditional bachelor’s degree graduates were not job-ready, and hiring mechanical engineering majors proved costly and inefficient. EMI approached HCCC about an apprenticeship program, and the College responded with an out-of-the-box solution: rethink the traditional educational model and structure a program to immerse students in major-specific, hands-on learning from the beginning. The approach ensured apprentices could immediately apply their skills in the workplace.
Formulating the HCCC-EMI Holz-Technik Apprenticeship Academy Program – a registered apprenticeship program – was collaboration-dependent and reliant upon EMI’s industry knowledge and HCCC’s agility and expertise to design and implement a tailored curriculum in just seven months. HCCC also took on the role of registered apprenticeship intermediary, handling paperwork and regulatory processes so EMI could focus on training and mentorship.
The resulting Holz-Technik Apprenticeship Academy is a five-year, tuition-free, earn-while-you-learn program that provides hands-on training and leads to an associate degree from HCCC, bachelor’s degree from Thomas Edison State University, and a well-paying, sustainable career.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has called the program “the blueprint for New Jersey’s economic future.” The Holz Technik Academy program is now utilized as a national model for workforce development partnerships, and a proven model for HCCC when working with area businesses and unions.
The BHEF case study may be found here: Hudson County Community College and Eastern Millwork Create a Transformative Apprenticeship Program.# # #Caption: Hudson County Community College (HCCC) is featured in case studies of national importance from The Project on Workforce at Harvard, Education Design Lab, Achieving the Dream, and Business-Higher Education Forum. Pictured here, the front page of Achieving the Dream’s HCCC case study. - 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/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. In 2023, HCCC received the Outstanding Member Institution Award from the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU). HCCC was a finalist in seven categories of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) 2024 “Awards of Excellence” and earned the 2024 CEO of the Year, Faculty of the Year, and Student Success Awards.
For the fourth consecutive year, HCCC was selected as one of only a few community colleges in the United States to be named among the “2024 Most Promising Places 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, an award presented to only one community college every five years for proven best practice programs that can be developed at scale.
The College’s exemplary work in advancing student success has been recognized with the 2025, 2024, and 2023 “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 was also presented with the Campus Prevention Network Seal of Prevention in 2024 and 2023 for demonstrating leadership in digital prevention programming focused on student safety, well-being, and inclusion.
Which New Jersey Counties are most in Harm’s Way this Flood Season?
| Some findings? Seventeen New Jersey counties could account for a staggering 52% of all U.S. coastal flood losses annually, amounting to around $634 million per year. How do some New Jersey counties stack up for flood vulnerability? Hackensack | Bergen County | 1stToms River | Ocean County | 3rdOcean City | Cape May County | 4thAtlantic City | Atlantic County | 5thMiddletown | Monmouth County | 15thEdison | Middlesex County | 17thElizabeth | Union County | 42nd Jersey City | Hudson County | 168thNewark | Essex County | 174thCamden | Camden County | 249th New Jersey Key Insights:New Jersey’s 21 represented counties could face about $184.9 million in estimated river flood losses each year, roughly 3% of the national total.Dual threat: 81% of represented counties (17 of 21) face both coastal and riverine flood risk. Somerset (No. 574), Ocean (No. 3), and Morris (No. 263) counties have the highest riverine flood risk according to FEMA, while Bergen (No. 1) and Atlantic (No. 5) counties have the highest coastal flooding risk.Salem (No. 89) and Essex (No. 174) counties generate the most Google searches for flood insurance providers. Check out the whole story and ranking here: https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/studies/most-vulnerable-counties-flooding/ To come up with our ranking, we considered each county’s risk and expected annual loss from riverine and coastal flooding. We also looked at the share of populations of children, the elderly, and residents in mobile homes, in addition to local demand for flood insurance. Other helpful links: Top 5 CountiesEstimated Annual Loss from FloodingAsk the ExpertsEditor’s Quotes |
| Some findings? Seventeen New Jersey counties could account for a staggering 52% of all U.S. coastal flood losses annually, amounting to around $634 million per year. How do some New Jersey counties stack up for flood vulnerability? Hackensack | Bergen County | 1stToms River | Ocean County | 3rdOcean City | Cape May County | 4thAtlantic City | Atlantic County | 5thMiddletown | Monmouth County | 15thEdison | Middlesex County | 17thElizabeth | Union County | 42nd Jersey City | Hudson County | 168thNewark | Essex County | 174thCamden | Camden County | 249th New Jersey Key Insights:New Jersey’s 21 represented counties could face about $184.9 million in estimated river flood losses each year, roughly 3% of the national total.Dual threat: 81% of represented counties (17 of 21) face both coastal and riverine flood risk.Somerset (No. 574), Ocean (No. 3), and Morris (No. 263) counties have the highest riverine flood risk according to FEMA, while Bergen (No. 1) and Atlantic (No. 5) counties have the highest coastal flooding risk.Salem (No. 89) and Essex (No. 174) counties generate the most Google searches for flood insurance providers. Check out the whole story and ranking here: https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/studies/most-vulnerable-counties-flooding/ To come up with our ranking, we considered each county’s risk and expected annual loss from riverine and coastal flooding. We also looked at the share of populations of children, the elderly, and residents in mobile homes, in addition to local demand for flood insurance. Other helpful links: Top 5 CountiesEstimated Annual Loss from FloodingAsk the ExpertsEditor’s Quotes |
Bayonne Swimming Pool Center Avenue E and Linnet Street Demolished
A Bayonne staple for over 45 years, owned by the Caposello family serving the Pool buying community in Bayonne, was demolished on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
Located at 9 Avenue E. After nearly five decades of dedicated service, Bayonne Swimming Pool Center, a family-owned business in Bayonne, New Jersey, has closed its doors.
