Thousands of kids attend anti-bullying campaign kickoff
The Jersey City public school district launched the “Be Bold Ban Bullying” campaign on Feb. 8 with a rally at St. Peter’s College. The campaign, created by the District Bullying Task Force, is made up of administrators, staff, teachers, and students and will be headed by school superintendent Dr. Charles T. Epps. “We hope to broaden awareness of the negative effects of bullying, such as decreased student academic achievement, violence, and damaged psyches,” Epps said.
Public Library has supporting role in TV episode
Last November, TV personality Rosie O’Donnell found herself in the Jersey Room of the main branch of the Jersey City Free Public Library. She was there researching her genealogy for the hit NBC series Who Do You Think You Are? The episode airs Friday, Feb. 18 at 8 p.m.
St. Mary High School set to close
S t. Mary High School in Jersey City is looking at a June closing due to low enrollment, a source told the Hudson Reporter. Monday, the students were given the news. St. Mary, at 209 3rd St., is a private school, affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. It serves 295 students in grades 9-12.
Newport high rise will be home to eviction victim
Lilliana Mendez, 51, who was evicted from her Weehawken apartment, will soon be living in a luxury Newport high rise on the Jersey City waterfront. Mendez entered a contest sponsored by Newport Jersey City and KTU 103.5 to live in a luxury apartment rent free for a year. She will move into the two-bedroom apartment, valued at $2,800 a month, in March.
Dress for Success announces power walk
Registration is now open for the Dress for Success Power Walk, to empower disadvantaged women. It will be held in Jersey City’s Lincoln Park on Saturday, May 7. E-mail hudsoncounty@dressforsuccess.org for more information or visit www.dfspowerwalk.org/hudsoncounty.
Charter school eyes fall opening
The Dr. Lena Edwards Academic Charter School will be accepting applications Feb. 14-28 for the 2011-2012 academic year. The school, which will accept students in Grades K though 8, was approved by the NJ Department of Education last month and will open its doors in September at 509 Bramhall Ave., Jersey City. Dr. Edwards was a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient who moved to Jersey City after graduating from the Howard University College of Medicine in 1924. She opened an Ob-Gyn practice in the Bergen-Lafayette section of Jersey City.
Liberty Science Center’s Touch Tunnel returns
The Touch Tunnel, one of Liberty Science Center’s original experiences, returns in a new version and will be open to the public on Feb. 18. The pitch-black Touch Tunnel is a crawl-through maze that must be solved by touch alone, giving participants new insights into how much they rely on their vision. Visit www.lsc.org.
Creative Grove Fridays is back
The Creative Grove artist and designer market will be resuming its Friday public platform for artists, creative types, emerging designers, and the performing arts. The all-purpose market place and showcase takes place from 2 to 8 p.m. on the plaza near the Grove Street PATH station. The weekly events feature music, deejays, fringe indy crafts, and outdoor lounge. “We might celebrate snow as winter fairies, snowman contest, ice sculptures, or welcome the new breeze of spring,” said organizer Uta Brauser of last week’s event. “Only the weather gods can tell.”
United Way may buy struggling Jersey City Museum’s building
The United Way of Hudson County has expressed interest in buying the building at 350 Montgomery St., which houses the Jersey City Museum, sources say. Due to financial struggles, the museum closed its doors to the public in December. It is unknown whether the museum will reopen in those quarters, but sources believe the plan is to reopen it, if it can get funding.
New fitness club opens on Hamilton Square
Hamilton Health and Fitness just opened at 161 Erie St. Among the offerings at the new multi-level center are cardio and weight training equipment, water aerobics, yoga, and spinning. Also available are classes, training sessions, holistic nutrition programs, sauna, steam rooms, children’s center, and a 60-foot indoor lap pool. Visit www.hamiltonhealthandfitness.com