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Jersey City Prepares for U.S. Census Count to Ensure Crucial Federal Funding for Health and Public Safety


2020 Census Kickoff Event Unveils “I Count Because” Community Installation

Jersey City – Mayor Steven M. Fulop, New Jersey Secretary of State Tahesha Way and representatives from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), are asking Jersey City residents to share why they count at a kickoff event to mark one year until the 2020 Census. As we start the countdown toward the 2020 Census, the City will unveil a life-sized chalkboard installation outside of City Hall on Monday, April 1, at 9:30am that asks the community to fill in why they count.

“We need Jersey City to be accurately counted in one year, so today, we’re going to start with celebrating and understanding why our community counts,” said Mayor Fulop. “We need 100 percent participation in the 2020 Census. We estimate that for every resident of Jersey City not counted in the Census, the City will lose out on $15,000 in funding over the next ten years– dollars that the City could use to improve your quality of life.”

The 2020 Census will take place on April 1, 2020. The Census count determines how the federal government distributes $675 billion in funding to states and municipalities each year. Jersey City is currently the second largest city in the State of New Jersey, and an accurate count could determine that it is actually the largest. 

“An accurate count ensures that New Jersey receives the billions of dollars in federal funding it needs to support our communities, schools, transportation, and other vital programs,” saidSecretary Way. “It also determines the number of representatives the Garden State sends to Washington to advocate for our residents.  We want residents to know the census is safe, easy and important.”

The 2020 Census count factors in to crucial funding streams for the City, most directly affecting Public Safety and HHS.  The count will determine how much federal money Jersey City receives for important grants that fund Fire and Emergency Response personnel, the Women Infants and Children (WIC) Program, the Meals on Wheels program, and the Senior Lunch program.

“The Census is an important planning component for the work of the Health and Human Services Department.  An accurate count helps us plan for our newborn children and families seeking support from Women Infant and Children (WIC) and for Supplemental Food Programs to our seniors receiving Meals on Wheels,” said Stacey Flanagan, Jersey City Director of Health and Human Services. â€œSeeing the Census count reflect the population increases over the last 10 years in Jersey City, especially in children under 5 and the aging community, will help increase the current federal funding, therefore allowing us to more efficiently serve our community.”

The U.S. Constitution mandates that every resident be counted every 10 years. The count also determines each state’s number of congressional seats. 

The 2020 Census Media Vendor Day, designed for media outlets interested in providing paid advertising opportunities for the 2020 Census Paid Media, will be held on April 3 in New York City in two sessions. For more information on the Media Vendor Day, please visit: http://2020.wmglobal.com/.

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Girl Scouts Celebrate Bayonne150 with Library Exhibit

To celebrate the Bayonne’s 150th Anniversary, an exhibit about the Bayonne Girl Scouts is on display at the Bayonne Public Library.

The local Girl Scouts began at Calvary Episcopal Church in 1917 and continue their work in the city after more than 100 years.

On display are Girl Scout items that include uniforms, merit sashes with medals and badges, camping equipment, an array of handbooks, and newspaper articles, to name a few. It depicts the advance of scouting over the years and the wide range of activities for girls and young women. Girl Scouts are known for their volunteer work with service organizations, fund raising, and participation in the popular Cookie Sale each year.

The exhibit is the work of Christine Peters, a Girl Scout troop leader, volunteer and lifetime member. The materials came from her own collection and from legacy Girl Scouts in Bayonne as well as the “Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey Council.” The Council is dedicated to the mentoring of girls and to providing opportunities for community service.

Currently there are over 200 Girl Scouts in Bayonne. Ms. Peters’ daughters, Briel and Stephanie, both active in scouting, are Gold Award Recipients, the highest recognition by the Girl Scouts.

If you would like to join the Bayonne Girl Scouts as a member or as an adult volunteer, contact Jean Styles at 201-858-2296.

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ART FAIR HOTEL


Mollie Thonneson, President of Pro Art JC,
with one of her colorful hanging sculptures at Art Fair 14 C

   Art Fair 14C Created Had Big Turnout at The Hyatt in Jersey City

   Two Floors of Art and Hundreds of Art Loving Guests Attended

By Sally Deering

Imagine a high-end hotel transformed into an art gallery with mobiles hanging in entranceways, sculptures grouped on end tables, and paintings draped on easels made of bed pillows. Creativity and artistry practically bounced off the walls at the Hyatt Regency in Jersey City, last weekend, when artists exhibited their works, and networked with other artists and art-lovers.

On Friday March 15 and running through Sunday, March 17, the Hyatt Regency on the Jersey City waterfront was where 50 galleries booked rooms on two floors of the hotel, hung original art on the walls and flung open the doors to art-lovers. Guests had the opportunity to roam the hotel’s 8th & 9th floor and visit the galleries that exhibited some terrific paintings, sculpture, mixed-media and more in their respective hotel rooms.


Penguins by Barbara Fiore

There was the group of “Penguins” by sculptor Barbara Fiore; the true-to-life “Red Fan” by Christopher Stott, and alcohol art paintings by Bryant Small.  Members of Pro Arts in Jersey City, including president Mollie Thonneson, showed their work including Thonneson’s colorful hanging sculptures that fluttered gracefully when someone walked by.

Linda Streicher, Bryant Small, Mollie Thonneson and Christine Barney of Pro Arts at Art Fair 14C

As groups of art lovers strolled through Pro Arts exhibition, Thonneson said that her experience at Art Fair 14C was extremely positive. She was joined by artists Linda Streicher, Bryant Small and Christine Barney.

Red Fan Christopher Stott
Red Fan by Christopher Stott

The event was sponsored by the Jersey City Arts Council and curated by volunteer Executive Director Robinson Holloway, the founding Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Jersey City Arts Council who stepped down in January 2019 to run Art Fair 14C. Holloway created and runs two non-profit art galleries – the Gallery at 350 Bleecker in New York City, and Village West Gallery on Newark Ave in Jersey City.

Jersey City artist Theda Sandiford exhibited collages like her “Foxy Brown for President” piece.

Foxy Brown for President Theda Sandiford Jersey city

David Barnett, who creates 2D-and-3D collages and sculptures exhibited several works including a dog with mechanical parts he created as an homage to his pup, Oscar; and a mechanized man in a hat.

Man with a hat
Sculpture by David Barnett

“I like merging the idea of humanity and technology,” Barnett said. “Where one begins, the other ends.”

If you missed Art Fair 14C, check out

http://artfair14c.com for more information.

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Kennedy Dancers, Inc. Announce their 2nd Annual Folkloric Concert: “Dances from The Diaspora”

 – The Kennedy Dancers Inc., is hosting its 2nd Annual International Folkloric Concert entitled “Dances from the Diaspora” at 6:30 pm on April 4th, 2019, at the Brennan Courthouse, located at 583 Newark Avenue, Jersey City NJ 07306. Dances From The Diaspora is an evening of international folk from migrant peoples, and will include introductions and a brief histories by renowned Anthropologist, Folklorist, and Professor of NJCU, Dr. William Westerman to give us contextual backgrounds to these diverse and rich cultures, their traditions, and means of furthering these through dance! Learn and enjoy performances by The Kennedy Dancers, MDN Latin Dance, The Hellenic Dancers of NJ, Mosaic Dance Theatre, Reaction Dance Company, and Ennobled Dance Ensemble. Experience traditional cultural dance from Greece, Mexico, Venezuela, Italy, India, and more! The performances will be followed by an intimate reception with light refreshments.  Tickets are general admission for $15 and the show is suitable for all ages.  Tickets can be purchased on line using the link below.  Ticket purchase includes attendance to the performance as well as access to the reception following the performance, which includes light refreshments. https://squareup.com/store/the-kennedy-dancers/item/dances-from-the-diaspora

The Hellenic Dancers of New Jersey is a group of 40 young adults who are first, second, or third generation Greek Americans, and are dedicated to perpetuating their heritage through enthusiastic performances of the regional folk dances of Greece.  Under Master Instructor Eleeni Chakalos more than 300 dances, songs, and related traditions have been preserved .  These are indigenous to mainland Greece, its island and Asia Minor, and have been passed on to two generations of Greek Americans and the American Public.  Their traditional music and folk dance is representative of a cross-section of these divers regions, past and present.   Performed in authentic ethnic dress, the Hellenic’s wardrobe represents the 20 regions from which the dance originated including: Macedonia, Thrace, the Pelopennese, Epiros, Roumeli, Crete, Cyprus, the various island groups; and Pontos, Cappadocia, and Ikonion in Asia Minor.


The Hellenic Dancers of New Jersey
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Hudson County Community College Invites Community to the Art of Yoga ‘Zen Survival Session’ on March 21

HCCC President Chris Reber


The event includes a reflection session on Station Eleven plus a
family yoga workshop.

The Hudson County Community College (HCCC) Art of Yoga “Zen Survival Session” combines a reflection on the New York Times best-selling book, Station Eleven, with an emotional- and physical-survival, family yoga workshop that is inspired by the book. Station Eleven was selected for Jersey City’s citywide participation in the 2019 “Big Read,” an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

                        This event is free and open to the entire community. A limited number of yoga mats will be available; bringing one’s own mat is strongly recommended.

The HCCC Department of Cultural Affairs is the event host.

                        The Educational Arts Team will lead the reflection on Station Eleven. The group helps urban youth improve their literacy, increase their self-worth, discover their individuality, and heighten their academic achievement by providing cultural, social and recreational experiences.

                        Jamie Wilson Murry of Mindful Play Yoga will conduct the family yoga workshop. Mindful Play Yoga is committed to inspiring children ages 3 -15 and families to be curious lifelong learners.

Thursday, March 21, 12 to 2 p.m.

HCCC Dineen Hull Gallery, 71 Sip Avenue – Sixth Floor, Jersey City, NJ.

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City of Bayonne to Hold Ceremony on March 9 for its 150 Anniversary



Town Crier, High School Honors Choir,

Town Crier and Bee’s Knees to Perform



Mayor Jimmy Davis announced that the City of Bayonne will hold a ceremony in March to mark its 150th anniversary.  The event will take place on Saturday, March 9, at 2:00 p.m., in the gallery on the second floor of the Bayonne Public Library, which is located at 31st Street and Avenue C.  Mayor Davis will serve as master of ceremonies and will offer remarks about the City of Bayonne at 150.  Mayor Davis said, “Bayonne can take great pride in our residents’ contributions to the world since 1869.  We look forward to observing our 150th anniversary on March 9, and celebrating at other events in the coming months.”

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In Honor of Bruce Piechocki

Jersey City Ethical Charter School 95 Broadway will honor the memory of Bayonne native Bruce Piechocki, February 28th, at a 4:30 pm at a halftime Commemorative presentation of its girls basketball team.

Piechocki passed away from Cancer on March 3rd, 2016.

Through a Memorial Fund established by Piechocki’s step-father Keith Rennar and family in 2016 and a donation made in October 2018 to Ethical Charter’s Schools Girl Basketball team; the Green and White uniforms for the girls basketball team were purchased.

The Bruce Piechocki Memorial Fund has been instumental in doing some good work througout the State of New Jersey.

Since its beginning it has sent six children to the Bob Hurley Summer Pocono Basketball Camp for a week.

Donations went to assorted groups: Newark Fresh Air Fund, Jersey City Baptist Church Christmas Help for Needy Families, Bayonne Mike Micelis Christmas Give a Kid a Smile Shopping Trip for Models and other donations.

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Hudson County Community College Library to Host Lecture by Playwright and Actor Martin Casella

hccc hosts martin casella playwright actor
Playwright/ Screenwriter, Actor Martin Casella


February 20th event is open to the entire community;
there is no charge for admission.
           
A “Playwright Lecture,” hosted by the Hudson County Community College (HCCC) Library Makerspace, which will feature a nationally acclaimed playwright, screenwriter and actor.

The lecture is open to all members of the community, free of charge.


Prolific writer and actor Martin Casella, whose plays and musicals have been staged in the United States and abroad. 

Mr. Casella attended the California Institute of the Arts (Cal Arts). Following his graduation, he worked as Steven Spielberg’s assistant on the films Close Encounters of the Third Kind: The Director’s Cut, Used Cars, and Raiders of the Lost Ark.  He has also written for film and television productions for Steven Spielberg, Lasse Hallstrom, Kerry Washington, Whoopi Goldberg, Disney, Universal, Warner Brothers, ABC, CBS and HBO.

Mr. Casella’s acting resumé includes roles in Poltergeist, RoboCop 2, Six Weeks, andAmazon Women on the Moon.

                      
Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at 5 p.m.

          
The HCCC Gabert Library located at 71 Sip Avenue on the College’s Journal Square Campus is Jersey City.   

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IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL ACT!



  
Professor Joseph Gallo Builds a Dream Theater for Students

   Hudson County Community College Opens New Black Box Theater

By Sally Deering

Hoboken playwright and Theatre Arts Professor Joseph Gallo knows first-hand the trials and tribulations of putting on plays. He does it as resident playwright for Hoboken’s Mile Square Theater, and as Theatre Arts Coordinator for Hudson County Community College’s (HCCC) Theatre Arts program, where Gallo teaches acting, playwriting and film courses to hundreds of students who have passed through its doors. Gallo has directed all the student productions in HCCCs academic classrooms — until now.

Professor Joseph Gallo conducts an Acting Class at HCCC    (Photo:  Brion Luetjen)

On Fri, Jan. 25, HCCC debuted its newest addition to the college: a beautiful and intimate, 40-seat ‘black box’ theater like those found Off Broadway and on other college campuses. The newly-transformed space, which used to be a classroom with Formica tables and white plastic chairs, now has 28 new theater lights, a raised ceiling with a grid for the lights, a state-of-the-art lighting and sound booth that’s mobile, a prop closet, a tech closet, a film screen/SMART Board, newly-painted black walls, black curtains and gray chairs that can seat 40 theater-goers at every performance.

Ask any drama teacher, putting on plays in classrooms and makeshift venues has its drawbacks.  That’s all changed at HCCC. Theatre Arts students can now rehearse plays, perform improvs, and recite monologues in a real theater space. This makes Gallo’s accomplishment – a beautiful theater classroom in HCCCs library building on Sip Avenue in Jersey City – an incredible feat of perseverance and dedication. Gallo never gave up on his dream, and with his persistence, and funding from HCCCs Foundation, Gallo gained support from HCCCs newly-installed President Dr. Christopher Reber, as well as Vice President Dr. Eric Friedman – and they helped Gallo’s dream become a reality.

Gerard Carbone of Mast Construction in Jersey City, and theater designers Herb Alicandri and Matthew Fick of Hoboken are the ones responsible for turning the 5th floor classroom into a theater.

“I’m proud to say we came in on time and under budget,” Gallo says, leading a tour of the theater. “We started construction Dec. 20 and opened Jan. 25.”

Twice a year, at the end of each semester, Gallo and the theater students hold a play festival in the Scott Ring Room on the 2nd floor of the Culinary Arts Building. From now on, Gallo and the students will present their end-of-semester play festival in the new theater, and instead of one performance, the students will put on two shows.  

“This theater takes the Theatre Arts program and elevates it to another level,” Gallo says.   “I see this as a jumping off point for the next plateau of the program.”

The Theatre Arts program currently has 40 students who declared Theatre Arts as their major, Gallo says. The new theater enhances the educational component of the program.

“We can be a first-stop training option for any potential theater student,” Gallo says. “The tech will make our performances different. It’s our own space, so we can create here and don’t have to pick up and go somewhere else.”

The school’s new black box theater was well worth the years of hard work to make it happen, Gallo says, and it’s one of his greatest accomplishments.

“I did it for the students,” Gallo says.

For more info, go to

www.njcu.edu.

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