JERSEY CITY, N.J. (March 2, 2015) – CBRE Group, Inc. announced today it has arranged the sale of a four-acre development site in Jersey City, NJ, for $19.5 million. The property is comprised of an assemblage of underutilized buildings, including a large warehouse distribution facility, several multifamily homes, Pucciniâ€s Restaurant – a landmark establishment – and associated parking. The seven-lot assemblage is located at 1075 W. Side Ave, 1072 W. Side Ave, 1064 W. Side Ave, 54 Broadway and 153 Corbin.

Charles Berger and Robert Lâ€Abbate of CBRE Capital Markets†Investment Properties team in New Jersey, and Elli Klapper of CBRE Capital Markets†Investment Properties team in New York represented the seller and procured the buyer in the transaction. The team worked alongside local Jersey City brokers Robert Antonicello and Robert Antonicello, Jr.

The buyer, an out-of-state investor, plans to develop the four-acre site into a mixed-use complex comprised of more than 500 residential units, as well as ground-floor retail, which will enhance greatly the areaâ€s streetscape. The property is ideally located just blocks from the Journal Square transportation hub and the proposed PATH stop in the Marion section of Jersey City.

“Jersey City is one of the hottest markets in the Tri-State area, with Journal Square specifically being the key focus right now for investors,“ said Mr. Berger. “This sale has set a record on a price-per-unit basis in the Journal Square area and, based on all of the deals weâ€re working on, that record likely will not stand for long. In the last two months alone, our team has closed approximately $30 million in property sales in the Journal Square area.”

The record-setting project is one of 30 developments underway in Journal Square and its close vicinity. This list includes the Canco Lofts, 25 Senate Place and the recently completed Mana Arts Center, all of which are in the immediate area of this four-acre project.

About CBRE Group, Inc.
CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBG), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Los Angeles, is the worldâ€s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm (in terms of 2014 revenue).  The Company has more than 52,000 employees (excluding affiliates), and serves real estate owners, investors and occupiers through more than 370 offices (excluding affiliates) worldwide. CBRE offers strategic advice and execution for property sales and leasing; corporate services; property, facilities and project management; mortgage banking; appraisal and valuation; development services; investment management; and research and consulting. Please visit our website at  www.cbre.com.

The post CBRE GROUP INC. ARRANGES $19.5 MILLION SALE OF FOUR-ACRE DEVELOPMENT SITE IN JERSEY CITY, NJ  first appeared on River View Observer.

Jersey City, NJ, September 2013: 77 Hudson, K. Hovnanian’s® soaring 49-story residential tower on the Hudson River in Jersey City, has just achieved a new milestone. The sparkling blue-glass luxury high-rise building recently sold one of its few remaining unsold homes, a two-bedroom penthouse on the 48^th floor, for a record-setting price of $2.8 million.

While the transaction marks the highest sale price ever paid for a residential condominium in Jersey City, according to Scott Waldman, 77 Hudson’s broker of record, “It does not represent the top of the line at 77 Hudson. This record sale is not the highest-priced home in the building. However, it certainly showcases the stark comparison between our 2,100 square-foot penthouse and similar apartment homes just across the Hudson. A comparable 2,100 square-foot condominium on the west side of Manhattan would cost between $5-7 million, if you could find it. This is a testament not only to the quality and the desirability of the homes at 77 Hudson and our close-to-everything location, but also to the rebounding strength of the housing market in New Jersey. This spectacular building is nearly 100% sold – and our final penthouses are the crown jewel of 77 Hudson, with views that are just breathtaking.”

According to Waldman, 77 Hudson has had a widespread appeal to a variety of buyers. “We’ve had buyers from throughout the New York metropolitan area, as well as from around the globe,” Waldman said. “People recognize what an excellent value 77 Hudson represents for a waterfront building with drop-dead Manhattan skyline views. Our foreign buyers in particular recognize that their homes are a fraction of the price of river-view buildings on the New York side.”

77 Hudson is an impressive edifice from many perspectives, beyond its record-setting sales. The building was recently named among thetop ten tallest buildings in New Jersey, in a list compiled by online news service NJ Spotlight. According to K. Hovnanian® Homes® Area President Randy Brosseau, its towering height gives 77 Hudson “some of the world’s best panoramic urban views. Not just some of the best views in metro New York, but some of the best in the entire world. The magnificent new One World Trade Center is the centerpiece of our visual panorama, and all of midtown Manhattan is arrayed before you. It’s like you’re sitting in the first row of the mezzanine and the Manhattan skyline is the stage you’re looking down on,” Brosseau said.

From chic, luxurious homes overlooking the Hudson, to a remarkably convenient location, private concierge service, and a variety of unusual, unrivaled on-site amenities, 77 Hudson offers homeowners a luxurious lifestyle that is the equal of anything in Manhattan. The wide-range of resort-style amenities and on-site activities include a state-of the art fitness center and serene mirrored rooms that are ideal for yoga and Pilates; a private spa with sauna and steam rooms; a massage room, pool and hot tub; a jogging path, golf simulator, tot lot for the children, and even an on-site dog run. The building also offers its own rooftop bar, café and fire pit. 77 Hudson’s range of concierge services from Bravo Concierge Services can take care of residents’ dry cleaning, house cleaning, dog walking and more, to make homeowners’ lives even more pleasant and convenient.

77 Hudson’s desirable Jersey City location provides easy commutes to all points in Manhattan, with convenient access to the PATH train, Holland Tunnel and ferry. Located in the Paulus Hook section of Jersey City, a vibrant community characterized by tree-lined streets, 77 Hudson is in walking distance to a number of top-rated restaurants and an array of boutique shops.

Only a few remaining penthouses are available at 77 Hudson. For details on the final homes, or to arrange a private tour, call the sales center at (201) 433-2609, or visit www.77Hudson.com.

ABOUT HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES®, INC.:

Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., founded in 1959 by Kevork S. Hovnanian, is headquartered in Red Bank, New Jersey.  The Company is one of the nation’s largest homebuilders with operations in Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and West Virginia.  The Company’s homes are marketed and sold under the trade names K. Hovnanian® Homes®, Matzel & Mumford, Brighton Homes, Parkwood Builders, Town & Country Homes and Oster Homes.  As the developer of K. Hovnanian’s® Four Seasons communities, the Company is also one of the nation’s largest builders of active adult homes.

Additional information on Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., including a summary investment profile and the CompanyÂ’s 2012 annual report, can be accessed through the “Investor Relations” section of the Hovnanian EnterprisesÂ’ website at www.khov.com. To be added to Hovnanian’s investor e-mail or fax lists, please send an e-mail to IR@khov.com or sign up at www.khov.com.

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The post RVO REAL ESTATE VIEWS: $2.8 Million Penthouse Purchase Sets Jersey City Record first appeared on River View Observer.

“We are extremely honored to receive this prestigious award and recognition,” said Mayor Healy. “Make A Difference Day, and particularly the ‘BIG DIG†project, illustrated the immense value of public-private partnerships and what a positive impact volunteerism can have on a community.”

Thirteen volunteer initiatives will be recognized with the 2012 Make A Difference Day Awards at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on April 19. Make A Difference Day, the nation’s largest day of service, was created in 1992 by Gannett Co., Inc.â€s

USA WEEKEND Magazine along with partners, Newmanâ€s Own®, Inc. and Points of Light. Newmanâ€s Own will donate a total of $130,000, awarding ten volunteer initiatives $10,000 each and presenting three cities $10,000 each for their local projects.

According to a press release from

USA WEEKEND, the winners were chosen from thousands of grassroots volunteer efforts that took place on Oct. 22, 2011, Make A Difference Day. Millions of Americans served their communities and made positive changes as a result of the volunteer action encouraged by the nationwide annual event.

Jersey Cityâ€s the BIG DIG, was supported by an army of more than 600 volunteers from across the city, as well as the Mayorâ€s Office, the Division of Parks & Forestry and the Division of Cultural Affairs.

Dozens of city parks, select open spaces, schools, libraries, historic cemeteries and gateways to the city are now blooming in yellows, oranges and reds as the bulbs that were planted have now blossomed.

“From the outset, this was a winning partnership and illustrated perfectly how public-private partnerships and volunteerism are key for governments at all levels to succeed,” said

Mayor Healy. “For the past few years, my office has been involved in recognizing Make A Difference Day with events in Jersey City, however, this was the first time we had one, overarching event for the entire city. We thank the Jersey City Parks Coalition for this concept of coordinated bulb planting throughout the city and for all of their hard work to get this project off the ground.”

The Parks Coalition volunteers handled fundraising by reaching out to Jersey Cityâ€s vast corporate community, raising nearly $15,000 to help cover the cost of the bulbs and gardening supplies. The City identified the parks, prepared some sites for digging, and began promotion of the event through press releases, on our website and Facebook page, and through other media. More than 600 volunteers participated in the planting, including members from other non-profits, school teachers and students, scouts, members of civic organizations and representatives from the corporate community.

In addition to sponsorship from the City of Jersey City, the BIG DIG was sponsored by Century 21 Plaza Realty, the Hudson County Improvement Authority, the Liberty Science Center, the West Side Community Alliance/Honeywell, the Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority, Liberty State Park, PSE&G, United Water, and The Westin Jersey City, as well as many other local businesses, organizations, and residents.

This was the first citywide event for the Jersey City Parks Coalition although the Coalition has established Community Gardens in 10 of their 14 member parks groups. Since 2004, spring plantings and fall bulbs have been making a difference in parks such as Pershing Field, Van Vorst Park, Riverview-Fisk Park, Sgt. Anthony Park, Ercel Webb Park, as well as Washington Park and Lincoln Park.

“This event was a great way to really make a difference in the community and now that the bulbs are in bloom, we are seeing the impact this project had on neighborhoods throughout the City,” said

Charlene Burke, project manager for the BIG DIG. “Many of the participants have provided us with photos from the 80 planting sites, which we have posted on The Jersey City Parks Coalition facebook page. We hope that everyone involved will look forward to BIG DIG 2012.”
The ten 2012 Make A Difference Day Award honorees are:

Summer Search North Bay, Petaluma, Calif.

The United Way of Lake County, Waukegan, Ill.

The Marys & Marthas and the people of Clarion, Iowa

Girl Scouts of Madisonville Housing Authority Troop 333, Madisonville, Ky.

Mary Vail, Las Vegas, Nev.

Victory Christian Church, Albany, N.Y.

Joyce and John Jackson, Delaware, Ohio

Neha Gupta, Yardley, Penn.

Eleanor Schoenbrun, El Paso, Texas

The Ellis Family, Rhinelander, Wis.
The three 2012 City Award honorees are:

The Jersey City Parks Coalition and Jersey City, N.J.

City of Salisbury, N.C.

Strong Neighborhoods Program, San Jose, Calif.

The All-Star Award goes to:

Lucas Metropolis, Boca Raton, Fla. and Durham, N.C.

“This event goes to the heart of Gannettâ€s purpose to serve the greater good of our nation and the communities we serve. Every year, millions act upon our invitation to reach out to others in their community. Itâ€s inspiring to see how our audience responds and the good that comes out of this one day,” said Heather Frank, editor-in-chief of

USA WEEKEND.

All of the award recipients will be featured in this weekendâ€s edition of USA WEEKEND.

Make A Difference Day 2012 will be held on Saturday, Oct. 27. For more information, please go to www.makeadifferenceday.com.

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The post Jersey City & Parks Coalition Win One of Three National Make A Difference Day Awards for Municipalities for “BIG DIG” Planting Project first appeared on River View Observer.

All-Volunteer Home Rehabilitation Organization Set to Improve

3 Jersey City Homes and 5 Community Facilities

21 Years in Jersey City – More Than 302 Homes Renewed!

 JERSEY CITY, NJ   April 6, 2012 – Commencing the week of April 9^th, Dr. Lena Edwards Academic Charter School cafeteria in Jersey City will be transformed into “Command Central” as Rebuilding Together Jersey City gets ready to improve the lives of three Jersey City homeowners and five not-for-profit organizations being refurbished on Saturday, April 14, 2012.  On that day, the Bramhall Street cafeteria that is usually filled with school children will instead be filled with lumber, ladders, paint, and all the tools and materials needed to save the Jersey City homes of people unable to make repairs for themselves.

 The Jersey City Chapter of Rebuilding Together Jersey City is one of more than 200 nation-wide affiliates of the largest, nonsectarian, nonprofit, home rehabilitation organization in the United States who are working to preserve affordable home ownership and revitalize communities.  Rebuilding Together works in collaboration with communities and local businesses to provide free rehabilitation and critical repairs to the homes of low-income Americans!

 Since the Jersey City chapter began in 1991, Rebuilding Together Jersey City has made more than $2.9 million dollars worth of improvements to more than 313 homes and community facilities.  Rebuilding Together’s mission is to bring volunteers and communities together to improve the homes and lives of homeowners in need, and the organization’s ultimate goal is to provide a safe and healthy home for every person. The Jersey City chapter helps homeowners continue living in the homes they worked their whole lives to own by mending those things that add to their quality-of-life.

 In a unique partnership, more than 500 skilled and unskilled volunteers of all ages will gather at 7:00 AM at the school before being dispatched to the 8 Jersey sites, including the Dr. Lena Edwards Academic Charter School, the organization’s host.  Skilled labor comes from the Hudson County Carpenters Local #6, IBEW Electricians LU #164, Hudson County Plumbers Local #24, Bricklayers and Allied Craftsman Local #4, Northern Jersey Plasterers & Cement Masons Local #29, Building Trades Laborers Local #21 and Local #325, and Heavy Construction Laborers Local #472.  Volunteers from dozens of local businesses and service organizations such as The Provident Bank, Honeywell Employee Group, United Water, Pershing Securities, Inc., Connell Foley LLP, St. Peter’s College, St. Peter’s Prep, the Jerramiah T. Healy Foundation, and the City of Jersey City provide the supplemental unskilled labor.

 The City of Jersey City is a major partner in the Rebuilding Together effort, contributing a Community Development Block Grant, the Parking Authority’s cooperation for container placement, and the Jersey City Police Department’s help with traffic control.

 Anyone over 18 years old can volunteer!  Interested parties may either call (201) 222-2636 prior to the April 14, 2012 event, or can register in person on Rebuilding Day at the school cafeteria between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM.  Assignments will be given at that time.  Volunteers should plan to spend the entire day and are urged to wear work clothes and sturdy shoes.  All volunteers will receive a Rebuilding Day T-shirt and will be treated to a light breakfast, lunch, and a celebratory barbeque at the end of the day.

 You can also join us at our 14th Annual Fundraiser and Awards Dinner on Friday May 4, 2012 at 6:00pm at Puccini’s Restaurant, 1064 Westside Avenue, Jersey City.  The event will feature a four hour open bar, a gourmet buffet dinner, and music.  Journal advertisements are available as well.  For tickets or ad rates please call (201) 222-2636

The post REBUILDING TOGETHER JERSEY CITY first appeared on River View Observer.

Founder of the Enrico Caruso Museum of America

 

Wednesday, June 1 at 7:00 PM

 

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear “The World’s Greatest Tenor”

Played on the cutting-edge technology of his day

 

Staten Island, New York, May 24, 2011 – Casa Belvedere, The Italian Cultural Foundation is pleased to announce that Cavaliere Ufficiale Aldo Mancusi, founder of the Enrico Caruso Museum of America will present “The Life & Times of Enrico Caruso” on Wednesday, June 1 at 7:00 PM.

 Mr. Mancusi will share stories of Caruso’s life as well as some selections from the Museum’s extensive collection of rare Caruso video, memorabilia and original recordings.  As an added treat, he will also bring a 1910 Victor wind-up phonograph that he lovingly restored so that participants can listen to Caruso the way he was intended to be heard – played on the cutting-edge technology of his day!

 “I recently had the opportunity to visit the Enrico Caruso Museum of America;” said Louis Calvelli, Casa Belvedere’s Executive Director.  “The museum is a gem and Mr. Mancusi’s passion and affection for Caruso and his talent really shines when he speaks about this unique individual.  Listening to Caruso on the vintage phonographs was an absolute treat that should not be missed.” 

 Enrico Caruso was born in Naples, Italy on February 25, 1873, and sang to great acclaim at the major opera houses of Europe and North and South America. His operatic career, spanning the years 1895 to 1920, was cut short by a serious illness which ended his life on August 2, 1921. Almost a century later he continues to remain famous and he has been a great influence on all subsequent Italian tenors. While Caruso sang at most of the world’s foremost opera theaters- including La Scala in Milan, the Royal Opera House in London and Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, he is best known for being lead tenor of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, where he appeared over 800 times in 18 consecutive seasons. In addition to the unique quality of his voice, Caruso’s global success is credited to his sharp business sense and to his enthusiastic use of the cutting-edge technology of his time-commercial sound recording. Caruso made more than 260 recordings in America for the Victor Talking Machine Company (later RCA Victor) over a 16-year period and earned millions of dollars in royalties from the sales of the resulting 78-rpm discs. Caruso also appeared in a number of newsreels, a short experimental film made by Thomas Edison and two commercial motion pictures.

 Listening to some of those recordings as a young boy sparked a lifelong passion in Aldo Mancusi that led him to found the Enrico Caruso Museum of America. The seed for the museum was planted when Aldo’s father, Everisto, came to America from Italy in 1920. As Everisto’s love for Italian opera grew so did his collection of recordings; which eventually numbered 300 records. Aldo continued to build on his father’s collection and in 1990 he donated his private collection and space to create the Enrico Caruso Museum of America in Brooklyn, NY. He was awarded the title Cavaliere Ufficiale for his efforts by the Italian Government.  The Enrico Caruso Museum of America is maintained by contributions and grants from the National Italian-American Foundation, the Sons of Italy and the Brooklyn Arts Council as well as memberships of museum patrons and the sale of books, records and opera mementos. The museum is registered with the New York State Education Department and offers programs for all ages especially for students and seniors.

Thousands of people have visited the museum to see rare books, records, letters, photos and mementos of Caruso and his family and to watch Caruso videos screened in the museum’s 20-seat mini theater with chairs and décor from the Old Metropolitan Opera House.

 Casa Belvedere, The Italian Cultural Foundation is a unique 2.75 acre cultural campus and community center on Staten Island’s Grymes Hill with an amazing view of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and the New York City Harbor. It is a registered 501(c) (3) not for profit organization that seeks to preserve, promote, and celebrate the rich heritage of Italy by encouraging an appreciation of the Italian language, arts, literature, history, fashion, cuisine, and commerce through various educational programs, exhibits and events. 

 For reservations, information and to subscribe to the mailing list to learn more about the upcoming events and programs, call 718-273-7660, e-mail info@casa-belvedere.org or click on to www.casa-belvedere.org. 

 The suggested donation for admission is $20. Wine, cheese, and light fare will be served.  Space is limited and reservations are required.

 Casa Belvedere, The Italian Cultural Foundation, Inc.

“A Unique Campus Showcasing the Rich Heritage & Culture of Italy”

79 Howard Avenue

Staten Island, NY 10301

T. 718-273-7660

F. 718-273-0020

E. info@casa-belvedere.org

www.casa-belvedere.org

Click Here to View 3D Virtual Campus Belvedere Tour

The post Casa Belvedere PresentsThe Life and Times of Enrico Caruso first appeared on River View Observer.

The Everything Jersey City Festival will Celebrate Community Pride and UEZ Support at a Time when Budget Cuts Loom

By Sally Deering

 If you don’t know by now, one-third of Jersey City is a designated Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ\) a designation that offers local businesses tax and other financial incentives to help grow their businesses and stimulate local economy.  Sale tax revenues generated by UEZ businesses go for economic development and neighborhood improvements like street lights, paving, flowerboxes — and other programs that give constituents a feeling of pride in their community.

To celebrate the UEZ’s success revitalizing the Heights section of Jersey City – the neighborhood nestled on the cliff above Hoboken – the Central Avenue Special Improvement District (CASID) Management Corporation presents the Everything Jersey City Festival which takes place Sat., May 21st from 11 am-to-6 pm along Central Avenue from Congress to Hutton Streets.

The Festival will feature four stages with live entertainment including Queen of Freestyle Judy Torres who has made Jersey City her home for the past 16 years, has recorded numerous CDs and is an on-air personality on WKTU radio. Torres sings Freestyle, a form of dance music with a Latin influence that became popular in the late 1980s and early 90s and her hits include “No Reason to Cry,” and “Come into my Arms.” Torres performs nation-wide and just returned from a show at the Continental Airlines Arena in Miami. She has a huge local fan base and she’s excited to be bringing her show live to her Jersey City fans for a second year.

 “This is home,” Torres says. “Two weeks ago I performed at Michael Anthony’s on the waterfront; I performed at Pershing Field. There aren’t too many places in Jersey City to perform. When I did the Everything Jersey City Festival two years ago, we had a great crowd. It was a lot of fun It’s very nice to see people in the area coming out to have a good time. It’s a wonderful community celebration.”

Central Avenue will be lined with tables and tents featuring local artists showing (and selling) their work, vendors selling foods and crafts and of course, goodies from the eateries and stores that line Central Avenue. Arts groups like Pro Arts Jersey City, a non-profit community arts group that sponsors the annual Jersey City Studio Tour and Art House Productions, a 2,000-member multi-arts non-profit group are participating and several community organizations will present interactive demonstrations. Activities for kids will include a rock climbing wall, petting zoo, obstacle course, moonwalk and super slide. And for bargain-hunters, CASID has something very special planned: a huge one day sale among Central Avenue businesses (jewelry, clothing, shoes, furniture,) on the day of the Everything Jersey City Festival. Sales will offer 10% to 50% off select merchandise and festival-goers will find great bargains when business owners sell their wares at the Sidewalk Sales.

 “One of the reasons for the Everything Jersey City Festival is to show how great Central Avenue is,” William Clarke, Director of CASID says. “We try to involve our business owners as much as possible. It becomes a true community event. We focus on Jersey City-Hudson County based artists and we try to focus on the creative aspects of Jersey City. You’ll see things here you won’t see anywhere else. We try to make it as unique event as possible.”

The Festival’s mission is to prove the UEZ Program builds and sustains communities, but on July 1^st when the New Jersey State Budget is finalized and approved, community activities like the Everything Street Festival and many local non-profits may no longer receive UEZ funding.

“The status of the UEZ remains iffy,” Clarke says. “We won’t know for sure until the New Jersey State budget is finalized. But even if it ends in July, our organization will continue to exist. Sure it will change things, but it’s not the sole source of our organization. We’re an autonomous agency. We’ll exist no matter what.”

 When Governor Chris Christie released his budget, it called for no administrative or project funding for the cities, Steve Lipski, CEO of the Jersey City Economic Development Corporation says. That means there will still be a UEZ program, but no monies will be turned over to municipalities or the zones to administer programs. Businesses will still realize tax benefits but they won’t receive assistance from the zone leaders and municipalities through the monies that were collected from the UEZ and returned to the cities.

 But the fight to restore funding isn’t over, Lipski says.

 “We stand squarely with Mayor Healy in the fight to restore UEZ funds which are absolutely essential to help small businesses and fund essential projects critical to the city,” Lipski says. “Governor Christie sent in his version of the budget and the State Legislators are reviewing it to make their necessary input. There are budget hearings going on as we speak.”

 The end of UEZ funding would have a negative impact on community organizations like Washington Park Association (WPA), says President Mory Thomas.

 “The UEZ funding allows for festivals like these which brings thousands of people to the Heights and unites the community in a way that hasn’t happened for years,” Thomas says. “At the first Everything Festival, it was the first time I’d seen the community come out and be engaged in an event. For people to come out and enjoy being on the street, talking to each other and hanging out as a community, that’s something you can’t put a dollar amount to. What I would like to see from the UEZ money is more community-engagement activities.”

 The Washington Park Association along with the Riverview Neighborhood Association, the Jersey City Parks Coalition and St. Anne’s School will host a special “green” event in the heart of the Everything Jersey City Festival. Amid the urban landscape of storefronts, in the middle of Central Avenue, they will create a green “Open Space” – a little park with trees and plants and benches. And there’ll be a “greening” workshop for festival-goers, too.

 “During last year’s Everything Jersey City Festival, we decided that this year we would create an open space on the streets where the festival is,” Thomas says. “It will be a nice little breather in this concrete jungle we live in and bring people awareness to the issue of open space especially in Hudson County which is one of the most densely populated in the country.”

Along with headliners Judy Torres and The Black Hollies, CASID has lined up more great entertainment:  Celtic Cross, Celtic folk-rockers performing classic Irish music; Rumba Con Son, Central New Jersey’s hottest salsa band; Woodfish, a funk-rock band from the Jersey Shore; Ray Rodriguez y Swing Sabroso, a salsa swing band; Ed Solomon & Go Falcon!, poppy punk rockers; Lea Le Grace, pop-rocker; Stephie Coplan & the Pedestrians, a piano-driven pop-rock trio; and Catch Wild, alternative rockers from Jersey City.

 The Actor’s Shakespeare Company at NJCU and the Hope Center Dancers will perform and Family Fitness Martial Arts and Jang Star Tae Kwon Do will present demonstrations.

 The Black Hollies, a Jersey City-based rock band with psychedelic influences has several hit songs out in the mainstream. “Can’t Stop These Tears (From Falling)” was featured on an episode of “The Vampire Diaries,” and “Tell Me What You Want” was picked up by the NFL which used it for an ad campaign. The band features Jon Gonnelli, guitar and organ; Herbert Wiley, lead guitar; Nick Serrante, drummer and Justin Angelo Morey, lead singer and bass guitar. Several members reside in Jersey City, including Morey, who says the band has lots of fans, but may be more well known in other big cities like Austin, Texas, thanks to iTunes and YouTube.  “The song we did for ‘Vampire Diaries’ became one of the most downloaded songs on iTunes and YouTube,” Morey says.

 Art House Productions will be at the Festival to talk about their programs and Pro Arts Jersey City will be featuring several artist-members who will be on hand to discuss their work – always a fun thing to do at a festival. Who doesn’t enjoy talking to artists about their inspirations? Artists exhibiting for Pro Arts Jersey City will be Ibou Ndoye, Deirdre Kennedy, Christina Soto, Sharon Harvey and Holly Williams.

 Art House Productions, a 2,000-member multi-arts organization that produces visual arts programs for more than a decade in Jersey City produces on average one community-art event a week including JC Fridays – a city-wide happening held four times a year that presents art programming at approximately 40 venues. It’s a way to introduce people to the arts in Jersey City, Christine Goodman, Founder and Executive Director says, and each event attracts 3-5,000 people. But if the UEZ funding is cut in July, JC Fridays may not go on.

 “If UEZ funding is cut, it will have a huge impact on our decision to continue JC Fridays,” Goodman says. “We’d like to keep it going. We’ve faced this problem in the past, but it’s going to be a challenge. The future of JC Fridays is a little uncertain at this point.”

Designed to stimulate the local economy, the Everything Jersey City Festival is sponsored by corporations, local businesses, government officials, city agencies and non-profit community groups serving the Jersey City area including Capital One Bank, Christ Hospital, LibertyHealth/Jersey City Medical Center, Metro Honda, City of Jersey City, City of Jersey City Division of Cultural Affairs, County of Hudson, County of Hudson Cultural Affairs and Tourism, C-Town Supermarkt, El Sabroso Restaurant, Footprints Realty, Goehrig’s Bakery, Hauptman Carpets, Hudson County Community College, Infinite Print, Jersey City Incinerator Authority, Jersey City Independent, Jersey City Parking Authority, Milrose Consultants Inc, Panepinto Properties, PSE&G, Spectra Energy, State Farm Insurance, Stop & Shop Supermarkets, Susan Newman Design, Inc., The American Flag Company, the Hudson Reporter, Jersey Journal, Jersey City UEZ Program/EDC, U.S. Representative Steve Rothman, United Water and Wells Fargo Bank.

Things may change after July, but for now, the Everything Jersey City Festival, paid for in part by the Jersey City UEZ Program promises to be a great event that celebrates community spirit and pride.

 And with a little luck come July, let’s hope it won’t be the last.

  Everything Jersey City Festival

Sat, May 21,

Central Avenue between Congress and Hutton Streets

Jersey City

For more information, call CASID at 201-656-1366,or visit its website, www.centralavesid.org

 

For more information on the sources included in this story visit:

www.judytorres.com

www.theblackhollies.com

www.arthouseproductions.org

www.proartsjerseycity.org

www.wpanj.org

www.jcedc.org

The post Jersey City’s Got Everything -For Now first appeared on River View Observer.

By Sally Deering

On Wed, March 24^th, Hudson County Executive Thomas DeGise and the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders honored 35 local women, many of whom dared to be first including the first woman Mayor of Hoboken Dawn Zimmer; the first woman president of the Bayonne chapter of the NAACP Dorothy Adams; the first woman Vice President at Saint Peter’s College Dr. Eileen Poiani; and, the first woman elected to the Jersey City Municipal Council Lois Shaw.

 

These women – and the other honorees — made Hudson County history with their commitment and dedication to improve the quality of life in their communities. Hudson County Executive DeGise and the Board of Freeholders traditionally host this event in March, which is Women’s History Month, to recognize women’s contributions and ensure their achievements are recorded in our local history.

 Held on a balmy, spring evening at the historic Brennan Court House in Jersey City, the ceremony’s theme this year was “Writing Women Back into History.” The honorees, their families and friends gathered inside the Theodore Conrad Rotunda where they were greeted by Hudson County Freeholder Doreen DiDomenico who told the packed audience, “The women honored tonight have made their mark in their communities and yet their contribution has been written in invisible ink.”  She continued to say that the 2010 honorees have risen up through the ranks in male-dominated fields, became the owners of their own businesses against all odds and stood up for causes when others turned away.

 The 2010 honorees seemed to have something in common with high-achieving women who came before them, said Dr. Carmela Ascolese Karnoutsos, former Professor of History at New Jersey City University who was the evening’s Keynote Speaker. Ascolese opened the program with the presentation “Hudson County Women Past & Present,” which highlighted the work of several women who helped shape local history. Women like photographer Dorothea Lange of Hoboken, whose photographs of the Great Depression became iconic symbols of that time in our history; Ida Cohen Rosenthal, a Hoboken dressmaker who became the CEO of her own company when she founded Maidenform; and Cornelia Bradford who founded Whittier House in Jersey City and offered much needed social services to immigrant families arriving from Ellis Island.

 These women all became role models to other women in their communities and, it appears, that tradition continues through programs like this evening’s event.

 “I’m happy to be a role model,” Hoboken’s first woman mayor Dawn Zimmer said. “For me, it’s all about giving back to the community. I’m honored to be recognized.”

 Dorothy Adams of Bayonne, the first woman President of the Bayonne Branch of the NAACP was first to receive her Citation and medal as her family and friends from Friendship Baptist Church cheered her on.

 “This is awesome, it really is,” Adams said. “After all these years, I thought this part of my life was behind me. I’m 86 years old!”

 All 35 honorees received Citations and medals and after the ceremony, family and friends gathered for refreshments and posed for pictures with the honorees including Belkys Timeo-Severino, who opened Belkys’ hair salon in Weehawken 26 years ago after immigrating to the US from the Dominican Republic. Severino was joined by her nieces and other family members who showered her with flowers and took lots of photographs.

 “She’s a great woman,” Belkys’ 11 year-old neice, Janelly said. “She’s beautiful.”

 Hudson County’s “Writing Women Back Into History” ceremony at the Brennan Court House on Wed, March 24^th honored Dorothy Adams of Bayonne, Shirley Becker of East Newark, Maureen Bellucci of Jersey City, Sandra Bendor of Weehawken, Bojana Coklyat  of Jersey City, Sister Rosemary Coffey, CSJP, of Jersey City, Fannie D’Elia of Jersey City, Victoria Del Regno of Bayonne, Dr. Vijaya Desai of Jersey City, Alice DeFazio of Jersey City, Paula Frazier of Weehawken, Brigite I. Congalves of East Newark, Pamela Hepburn of Jersey City, Valerie Hufnagel of Hoboken, Judy Kennelly of Secaucus, Michelle Lopez of West New York, Joanne Martin of Guttenberg, Dorothy McNeil of Hoboken, Kathleen O’Keeffe of Bayonne, Eileen L. Poiani, Ph.D. of Jersey City, Lois Shaw of Jersey City, Francine Shelton of Jersey City, Reena Rose Sibayan of Bayonne, Katharine Steffens of Secaucus, Eleanor Tiefenwerth of Bayonne, Belkys Timeo-Severino of Weehawken, Mary Valastro of Hoboken, Julia Valdivia of Union City and the Hon. Dawn Zimmer of Hoboken.  Maryanne Campeotto, SC, Patricia Gerris and Kathy Walsh of Camp Fatima of New Jersey were also honored along with Mary Arrigo, Julia Dreisbach and Nan Spanton of Pathways to Independence, Inc.

The post Hudson County Salutes Women of Achievement first appeared on River View Observer.

JERSEY CITY, NJ – For one day, volunteers from The Provident Bank (www.providentnj.com) headed back to the classroom to help teach life skills at Martin Luther King Jr. School, Public School #11 in Jersey City.

Once again partnering with Junior Achievement of New Jersey (JANJ), 26 Provident employee volunteers visited 13 classrooms as part of the JA Day program to offer financial literacy and teach basic economics to students. 

As part of the program, Provident volunteers broke from the standard public school curriculum to teach basic business, economics and other important life skills to 291 students ranging from kindergarten to third grade. JA Day is JANJ’s elementary school-level program, giving community volunteers the opportunity to teach financial literacy and workplace readiness. After receiving program training and lesson plans from a JANJ staff person, Provident employees met their classes and team-taught the interactive lessons during one half-school day.

“We are honored to once again partner with the Junior Achievement of New Jersey to help teach financial literacy in our schools and help provide our youth with essential life skills,” said Christopher Martin, president and CEO of The Provident Bank. “Our employees are always happy to have the opportunity to get involved within the community and head back to school for the day, too!”

Junior Achievement’s mission is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. Through a dedicated volunteer network, JA provides in-school and after-school programs for students in grades K-12 to offer workforce readiness programs. This year, JANJ will reach more than 33,000 students. More information about Junior Achievement programs is available at www.jaofnj.org. 

“We are grateful to once again receive volunteer support from The Provident Bank. These volunteers serve as exemplary role models while conveying their professional experience and financial knowledge to students beginning to learn the importance of financial literacy,” said Dawn Schwartz, vice president of development at Junior Achievement of NJ.

About The Provident Bank

With $4.9 billion in deposits, The Provident Bank serves its customers via a network of 84 branches throughout northern and central New Jersey. The Provident Bank is the wholly owned subsidiary of Provident Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE:PFS), which reported assets of $6.8 billion as of September 30, 2009.

The post Provident Bank Helps Jersey City Youth Earn an “A” in Financial Literacy first appeared on River View Observer.