UC announces Valentine’s Day Concert to be held Feb. 12
The City of Union City, Mayor Brian P. Stack and the UC Board of Commissioners, and The Union City Performing Arts Center will be presenting ”The Union City Valentine’s Day Concert” on Saturday, Feb. 12 at 2 p.m. at the Union City Performing Arts Center located at 2500 Kennedy Blvd. in Union City.
The show will feature Tony Chiroldes from the Broadway show “In The Heights,” soap opera star and cabaret performer Jana Martinez; Chris Vasquez (“Best Singer” at their International Tango Music Competition); singer/actress Mary Aldousary; and the TapOle Dance Company. Mark Goodman, Broadway musical director/pianist and director of the Union City PAC Orchestra, will serve as musical director. Actor/singer Lucio Fernandez will serve as master of ceremony.
Admission is free and free parking is available at the 23rd Street Parking Deck located on 23rd Street between Summit and Kerrigan avenues. Everyone in the community is invited to attend.
For more information, please visit www.UnionCityPAC.com.
UC to take homeless off streets, hills behind Hoboken in cold weather
During severe weather emergencies, special efforts will be taken by the Union City Police Department to ensure the safety of the homeless residing within city borders, according to a memo sent by Union City Police Chief Charles Everett to all personnel. All patrol units will make periodic checks of the viaduct hill above Hoboken and actively attempt to locate unsheltered homeless people in order to refer them to area shelters, the memo states.
Some homeless people live in shacks on the cliffs above Hoboken and below Union City. In the winter, staying in those makeshift homes in freezing temperatures can be dangerous. Local officials have grappled with the question of what to do about those residents, one of whom died in the cold several years ago (see links to our prior stories on this conundrum).
“This procedure becomes more important during the evening hours as the temperatures drop and the availability of open establishments appropriate for the homeless to take refuge is reduced,” Everett said.
The desk supervisor will arrange for a method of transporting homeless persons to area shelters, with the detainee transport van as an approved method of transport.
During cold weather emergencies, the PERC Shelter will house homeless people in their overflow room even when they do not have available beds.
Shelter for the homeless can be found at PERC Shelter (108 36th St., Union City, 201-348-8150), Hope House (woman and children only, 246 2nd St., 201-420-1070), St. Lucy’s (619 Grove St., Jersey City, 201-656-7201), and Hoboken Shelter (200 Bloomfield St., Hoboken, 201-656-5069).
The Hudson County Department of Family Services, County Welfare Division also operates a 24 hour/7 day per week Emergency Services Homeless Hotline Service (800-624-0287) to assist homeless individuals and families who are in need of emergency assistance.
Surprise inspections take 14 commuter vans off the road
Some of the commuter vans often seen along Bergenline Avenue and other bus routes are absent from the road now after 14 were towed away due to various safety violations after surprise inspections Saturday.
Fifteen commuter vans at Route 139 and Kennedy Boulevard were routed to the Brennan Courthouse parking lot Saturday morning for inspections by the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission, the Jersey City Police Department, and the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office and Prosecutor’s Office, according to NJ.com.
Over 100 safety violations were cited, including seats that were not bolted down, cracked steering columns, bald tires, bad breaks, and failure to make repairs. Two drivers were found to be operating the vehicles with suspended drivers licenses. Another driver reportedly had three warrants out for his arrest for motor vehicle violations.
NJMC offers Herbal Tea Workshop Feb. 12
New Jersey Meadowlands Commission is offering an Herbal Tea Workshop on Saturday, Feb. 12 at 1 p.m. for ages 14 and up. In the workshop, participants will make a special herbal tea blend to take home as Karen Breuel of Littlebrook Organic Farm discusses the therapeutic properties of several easy-to-grow herbs you can plant at home. She’ll also demonstrate how and when to harvest, dry and prepare the herbs for tea. Refreshments are included.
Price is $4 for members and $5 for non-members. The workshop is limited to 25 people.
NJMC and BCAS host hosts Valentine’s Day Bird Walk Feb. 13
New Jersey Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society will host a Valentine’s Day Bird Walk on Sunday, Feb. 13 at 10 a.m.
This free two-hour guided nature walk starts outside the Meadowlands Environment Center in DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst. Participants will walk around the square-mile park, looking for wintering waterfowl and other birds of note. Check meadowblog.net for last-minute weather updates. You will have to sign a standard liability release for this event. To RSVP, contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol.com or (201) 636-4022.