The Union City Christmas Spectacular to be held this weekend
Mayor Brian P. Stack and the Board of Commissioners have announced that Union City’s hit musical show “The Union City Christmas Spectacular” will open on Friday, Dec. 10 for a full weekend of performances at the Union City Performing Arts Center, 2500 Kennedy Blvd.
The show features singers Josephine Quaye, Alexander Diaz, Mariano Vidal, and Christian Diaz; the circus skills of Una Mimnagh; the dancing of the TapOlé Dance Company; a special appearance by Santa; and two young actors, William Calderon and Nicole Colon. The show will introduce The Union City PAC Orchestra under the direction of Broadway musical director/pianist/arranger Mark Goodman. This dynamic orchestra is made up of Broadway musicians.
Admission to all performances is free and refreshments will be served. Free parking is available at the 23rd Street Parking Deck on 23rd Street between Summit and Kerrigan avenues.
Show times will be Friday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 12 at 3 p.m.
For more information, go online at www.unioncitypac.com.
West New York Tree Lighting Ceremony will be Dec. 9
The West New York Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held Thursday, Dec. 9 at 4:30 p.m. on the front steps of West New York Town Hall, 428 60th St. Please join Mayor Silverio A. Vega and the Board of Commissioners for this special occasion.
UC Menorah Lighting Ceremony postponed to Monday
Mayor Brian P. Stack and the Board of Commissioners have announced that Union City will now be celebrating Hanukkah with the Menorah Lighting Ceremony on Monday, Dec. 6 at 4:15 p.m. at 3700 Palisade Ave.
Everyone in the community is invited to attend and celebrate Hanukkah together.
Fugitive detained in Texas for alleged killing of West New York man
Arthur P. Silva, the fugitive arrested for allegedly gunning down a West New York man, is being held in the Webb County jail in Laredo, Tex. while arrangements are made to return him to Hudson County to face the charges.
Silva, 20, of Cliffside Park, had been on the run for nearly two months when he was arrested Nov. 23 by Immigration and Customs Enforcement as he tried to re-enter the United States at the Mexico/Texas border. He was detained in Webb County jail after a background check revealed that he had been charged with allegedly murdering Spencer Hernandez, 23, outside the victim’s Park Avenue home in West New York on Oct. 7.
According to DeFazio, Silva allegedly shot Hernandez at 3 a.m. that morning with a 9 mm semiautomatic handgun after a brief verbal confrontation. Silva also allegedly fired on two others, who escaped unharmed.
Silva’s father, Marco A. Silva, 52, of Newark, was arrested two weeks ago for allegedly helping his son to avoid capture by wiring him money, officials said.
Mayor Stack announces Mobile Office hours
Mayor Brian Stack will move his office into various neighborhoods this winter to discuss concerns or local issues with residents. Mobile City Hall will be at Union City Police Motorcycle Squad, 417 43rd St. (between Bergenline and New York avenues) on Wednesday, Dec. 8 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Old Public Library, 420 15th St. on Wednesday, Dec. 15 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
UC residents file class action lawsuit against United Water
United Water may have to pay out as much as $50 million if a jury decides in favor of several Union City residents who have filed a class action lawsuit against the company on allegations that it cheated customers by selling useless warranties that do not cover repairs, according to published reports.
The warranties, which cost about $150 a year, are supposed to cover the repair of broken water pipes, sewer pipes and other items, the attorneys for three 18th Street plaintiffs were quoted as saying in the reports. Although the application guarantees coverage, there are actually many exclusions, the attorneys said.
Multi-unit dwellings, which comprise much of Union City, are excluded from the warranty. The residents filing the lawsuit claim that United Water marketed and sold their policies to owners of multi-unit buildings regardless.
The suit was recently filed in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack, where United Water is based.
Author Scott Weidensaul to speak at DeKorte
On Monday, Dec. 6, prize-winning nature author Scott Weidensaul will give a free talk, “Against All Odds – Miracles of Bird Migration,” in DeKorte Park, Lyndhurst, at 7:30 p.m. in the Meadowlands Environment Center auditorium.
The talk, hosted by N.J. Meadowlands Commission and sponsored by the Bergen County Audubon Society, will explore the wonder and mechanics of migration, and the simple ways that humans can help at a time when the populations of many migratory birds are in drastic decline.
For more information, contact Don Torino at (201) 636-4022 or e-mail greatauk4@aol.com.
Watercolors, pastels on display at NJMC Flyway Gallery
The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission’s Flyway Gallery will host an exhibit of watercolors and pastels by local artist Mark de Mos and his students during December and January. The show, “Mark de Mos and Friends,” runs from Tuesday, Dec. 7 to Friday, Jan. 28. A reception for the artists is scheduled for noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 12.
De Mos is a member of several art associations, including the Allied Artists of America, the New Jersey Pastel Society and the Essex Watercolor Society. His paintings have won dozens of awards, been featured in several magazines and books, and been displayed in galleries.
The Flyway Gallery is located in the Meadowlands Environment Center in DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst. Directions to DeKorte Park are available in the “About Us” section of the NJMC’s website, at www.njmeadowlands.gov, or by calling (201) 460-8300.
Hudson View Carolers to perform in JC Dec. 3
Union City’s Hudson View Carolers, “We Are the World” ensemble, led by Chimene Petitt, will perform their holiday caroling on Friday, Dec. 3 at the Historic Jersey City & Harsimus Cemetery Christmas Tree Lighting. Their next stop will be the White House, on Thursday, Dec. 9 where they will sing for President Obama and the nation at the National White House Christmas Tree Lighting.
For more information, contact Eileen Markenstein at (201)707-0738 or email at markensteine@optonline.net, or visit the website at www.jerseycitycemetery.org.
The Third Annual Legends Ball to be held Dec. 8
The Third Annual Legends Ball, sponsored by the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce, will be held at The Westin Jersey City Newport on Wednesday, Dec. 8. More then 250 guests will join the organization’s board of directors to honor three distinguished business and education leaders for their long term contributions to the business and cultural life of Hudson County. The honorees are Frank Gargiulo, Dr. Carlos Hernandez, and Bob Hurley, Sr.
Chaired by Sharon Ambis-Pizzutiello, marketing director of The Jersey Journal, and Daryl Harrison Rand, of HarrisonRand Advertising, the event promises to exceed the previous year’s Legends Balls.
The Hudson County Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1888 by the burgeoning business community of Hudson County. During its 125 year history, the county-wide organization has served a diverse set of business and professional interest with support of members representing each of the county’s communities. In the last year, the chamber has reorganized, naming a new president to lead the organization through the dramatic changes and growth in Hudson.
For reservations and additional information on the Third Annual Legends Ball, please call (201) 386-0699 or visit the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce website www.hudsonchamber.org.
Correction: The photo on page five of the Nov. 5 Union City Reporter was taken by Luigi Novi.