‘American Dream’ (formerly Xanadu) won’t fully open by 2014 Super Bowl
The American Dream recreation and entertainment project formerly known as Xanadu will not fully open in time for the 2014 Super Bowl right next door, reported NJBiz yestereday.
Jill Renslow, spokesperson for the developer Triple Five, said that a water park and amusement park component, which is currently the subject of an environmental review, will not be open by the February 2014 championship game in the Meadowlands.
During that time Renslow expects that visitors will be able to go on tours to see what’s planned for the site.
Triple Five has yet to secure $1.8 billion in financing for the project, according to the article.
“Once the financing is in place, it really puts leasing pedal to the metal,” Renslow is quoted as saying. “We’re moving forward with that, and it’s really going to be our focus for this year, because once we can get all of our partners lined up and fill up the retail spaces, we have to do the tenant build-outs.”
North Bergen/Guttenberg elementary basketball championship results
The North Bergen/Guttenberg elementary boys’ and girls’ basketball championships took place Wednesday, March 7.
The 13-1 Anna L. Klein Mustangs defeated the 12-2 Horace Mann Cougars 39 to 36. The MVP of the tournament was Chris Baday of Anna L. Klein School.
The 12-2 Lincoln Lions defeated the 12-2 Robert Fulton Wildcats 20 to 10. The MVP of the tournament was Karina Torres.
North Bergen MVA Clerk pleads guilty in illegal license conspiracy
A clerk from the North Bergen Motor Vehicle Agency pleaded guilty Monday to participating in criminal rings that illegally sold digital New Jersey driver’s licenses to unauthorized persons, State Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa announced.
Cristian J. Toledo, 33, of North Bergen, pleaded guilty to a charge of second-degree computer theft before Superior Court Judge Paul M. DePascale in Hudson County. The state will recommend he be sentenced to four years in state prison, according to the attorney general’s office.
A former Lodi Motor Vehicle clerk, Anne Marie Manfredonia, 44, Little Ferry, also pleaded guilty to charges of second-degree conspiracy and third-degree tampering with public records before Superior Court Judge Patrick J. Roma in Bergen County. The state will recommend she be sentenced to four years in state prison, including two years of parole ineligibility, according to the Office of the Attorney General.
“These MVC clerks betrayed the public’s trust in order to enrich themselves,” said Attorney General Chiesa. “New Jersey digital driver’s licenses are a powerful form identification, used to open bank accounts and board airliners, and we cannot afford to have them sold on the black market to potential criminals, or even terrorists.”
Stephen Taylor, the director of the Division of Criminal Justice, said, “These defendants were among six Motor Vehicle Commission clerks we indicted late last year for allegedly conspiring with brokers and other middle men to illegally sell driver’s licenses to foreign nationals.”
Chisea said, “We are working diligently with the Motor Vehicle Commission to maintain the integrity of our system of security checks.”
North Bergen T-ball registration ongoing
Girls and boys ages 5 and 6 are invited to register for the upcoming t-ball season at the recreation center at 6300 Meadowview Ave.
Registration is ongoing Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., as well as Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. until the end of the month.
A non-refundable registration fee of $35 cash or money order is required, as well as a proof of residence and child’s birth certificate.
The program is also seeking volunteer coaches.
North Bergen library will host West New York author
The North Bergen Free Public Library, at 8411 Bergenline Ave., will host Theresa Borrelli, author of “I Am Myself: A Woman Growing up with Tourette Syndrome,” Saturday, Mar. 31 at 2 p.m.
Borrelli was born in the West New York projects and attended Memorial High School. She has also taught at the Hoboken Charter School (see our Aug. 28 story).
For more information on the event, visit www.nbpl.org.