Formula One names president and chief operations officer for local 2013 race
Formula One officials selected Tom Cotter, a 30-year motorsports veteran, as president for the Grand Prix race set to hit the streets of West New York and Weehawken in 2013. Former NJ Sports and Exposition Authority CEO and President Dennis Robinson was selected as chief operations officer.
Cotter served as director of public relations at Charlotte Motor Speedway for four years before he built The Cotter Group between 1989 and 2001. The company became one of the most successful motorsports marketing communications agencies in the world.
Robinson served as senior vice president of business and league operations for the National Basketball Association before he became president and CEO of the NJ Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA) in 1998. He also oversaw the Giants, Jets, Devils, Nets, and Metrostars and contributed to the campaign to bring the Superbowl to the Meadowlands in 2014.
Formula One Grand Prix of America has planned its first race in the area for June 2013. The race will receive no local or state government subsidies and is anticipated to bring millions to New York and New Jersey each year. It is also anticipated to generate many millions in economic development.
The 3.2-mile race will run on existing Weehawken and West New York streets, and over 100,000 people are expected to attend each race. The teams will practice on Friday, qualify on Saturday, and race on Sunday. Local streets will be closed only for the race and reopen before and after.
Formula One currently hosts 20 races annually in 19 countries, and the local Grand Prix of America headquarters will be shared between Weehawken’s Port Imperial and Manhattan.
Woman’s Club will teach teacup floral arrangement
The Weehawken Woman’s Club will hold a meeting Monday, Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. at the Weehawken Nutrition Center at 201 Highwood Ave. The meeting will feature a “Done-In-One” project: how to arrange a bouquet in a teacup. Attendees should bring their own teacup and will make a floral arrangement to take home. Price per person is $5.00.
For further information, email womansclubofweehawken@gmail.com.
‘Lizard Guy’ is back
Mayor Richard Turner and the Township Council present the Lizard Guy, a fun and educational program where children learn different animals’ origin, diet, life expectancy, and more.
The presentation will be held Thursday, Jan. 26, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Senior Nutrition Center located at 203 Highwood Ave.
Weehawken resident children aged 4 to 12 (accompanied by a parent or guardian) are welcome. Registration is required because space is limited. Call Weehawken Recreation at (201) 319-6061.
Business community members invited to Emergency Operations Plan meeting
The Hudson County Chamber of Commerce and the Hudson County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) are inviting members of the business community to discuss ways to strengthen preparedness, response, and recovery. A meeting will be held Friday, Jan. 27 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Culinary Conference Center at Hudson County Community College at 161 Newkirk St. in Jersey City.
The focus of the event is to gather leaders from both the public and private sectors to develop solutions and share concerns as the OEM updates the region’s Emergency Operations Plan. The session will begin with Charles McKenna, Director of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security & Preparedness. It will also feature an overview of the Regional emergency Operations Plan by Jack Burns, Coordinator of the Hudson County OEM. There will also be an open discussion with attendees to air ideas for strengthening preparedness.
Admission is free. To RSVP, send your contact information and additional guest names to jgomez@hcnj.us.
Elks Club to hold Valentine’s Day breakfast
The Weehawken Elks Club No. 1456, located at 50th Street and Blvd. East, is holding a Valentine’s Day breakfast on Sunday, Feb. 12 from 9 a.m. until noon. Donations are $7 for adults, $5 for seniors, and $3 for children under 8.
Call the Elks for more information at (201) 864-1456
Elks Club to hold Irish Night dinner
On Saturday, March 17, the Weehawken Elks Benevolent Guild No. 1456 will host Irish Night at 50th Street and Blvd. East beginning at 7 p.m. Corned beef, cabbage, Irish soda bread and beer will be served. Donation is $35 per person.
Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis, and may be made by calling Marianne Lorenz at (201) 866-0169, Cathy Marchetti at (201) 867-6641, or Rosemarie McCauley at (973) 993-5959.
Weehawken Weekenders to hold bingo bonanza
The Weehawken Weekenders will hold their Lucky Leap Year Bingo Bonanza at the Royal Manor in Garfield on Feb. 29. The price per person is $45, which includes music by Peter Lieberman, comedy by Uncle Floyd, a family-style dinner, transportation, and gratuity.
For more information, call the Weekenders at (201) 319-6059.