UC police and HSI purchase vehicles with forfeited criminal money
The Union City police department and the United States Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) have purchased three new vehicles with the city’s share of forfeited criminal profits that came from joint investigations.
The $26,000 2012 Chevrolet ‘Police-Package’ Impalas are specially outfitted for police use and have emergency lights, sirens and police radios.
“During these times of economic belt-tightening, and doing more with less,” Mayor Brian Stack stated in an April 25 press release, “Union City is able to provide new equipment to front line police personnel at no cost to the taxpayers.”
“Having a Union City detective assigned to HSI benefits us not only with shared assets seized from criminals,” Police Chief Brian Barrett said in the same release, “but also personnel, information and resource-sharing between our two agencies.”
“HSI’s strong partnership and excellent working relationship with the Union City Police Department has again proven invaluable in taking criminals off the street and returning their illicit proceeds back to the community,” the Special Agent in charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations in Newark announced. “Returning seized assets used by criminal organizations to the Union City Police Department – the ICE HSI Asset Forfeiture/Equitable Sharing program – is one of many ways law enforcement agencies can partner with ICE HSI to address law enforcement needs in their communities.”
UC two-alarm fire damages Monty’s bar, residence Monday night
A two-alarm fire broke out at 514 Bergenline Ave. in Union City on Monday night when workers doing repairs on the outside of the building ignited the siding and the fire entered the structure through a window, North Hudson Regional Fire Deputy Chief Charles Thomas reported Tuesday.
The fire was called in at 4:37 p.m. and extinguished by 5:42 p.m. after fire companies used one line to put out the external fire and a second to extinguish the internal one, he said.
Monty’s Bar on the first floor received moderate to heavy water damage, and the residents of the multiple-dwelling building above it were relocated that evening due to smoke odor and water damage. They will be able to return, Thomas said.
There were no injuries sustained either by residents, patrons or firefighters, he added, and mutual aid was received from Jersey City and Hoboken fire officials to cover the city while the fire was fought. The incident commander was Deputy Chief Anthony Avillo.
St. Augustine School hosts fashion show, alumni reunion
Saint Augustine School, located at 3920 New York Ave. in Union City, will hold a fashion show in the gym on Friday, May 18 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10.
There will also be an alumni reunion in the school gym on Friday, June 1 starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 and those between 21 and 100 years old may attend.
For more information, call (201) 865-0072.
Union City holds senior citizen Mother’s Day luncheon
Mayor Brian Stack and the Board of Commissioners will hold their annual Union City Senior Citizens Mother’s Day Luncheon on Saturday, May 12 at 12 p.m. in the cafeteria of Union City High School, located at 2500 Kennedy Blvd.
Transportation will be provided beginning at 11:15 a.m. from the following locations: 4545, 1104, and 3700 Palisade Ave., 3911 Kennedy Blvd., 1015 Central Ave., 1509 Bergenline Ave., 380 Mountain Ave., 49th Street and Hudson Avenue, and Bella Vista Apartments.
There will be food and entertainment, and admission is free for all adult residents. No children please. For more information, call the Senior Affairs Office at (201) 348-5701.
St. John’s presents “Revival Cabaret”
Arts at St. John’s will present “Revival Cabaret,” an exciting musical and comedy performance, on May 12 at 6:30 p.m. at 1516 Palisade Ave. in Union City.
Jazz pianist Mavis Pan and bassist Seth Glickman will perform from 6:30 to 7 p.m. during a Jazz Mixer. Beginning at 7 p.m., comedy, classical music, and clowns will collide to create an unforgettable evening.
“The show’s theme is an old fashioned tent revival,” said the show’s host Joe Kolbow in a press release. “We rehearse in the church and the show is performed there.”
The performance is part of the Arts at St. John’s program, a new venture between art makers and supporters in the community. The program aims to fill the sanctuary of St. John’s church with visual and performing arts programs throughout the year.
The “Revival Cabaret” will be hosted by Union City Comedy Duo Merril Garrick and Emmet (real-life Donovan Ensemble Co-Artistic Directors Joe Kolbow and Johnnie Niel).
Tickets are $10 and include a snack and two complimentary drinks. They may be purchased at brownpapertickets.com or by calling (800) 838-3006 in advance and cost $15 at the door. Reservations are requested.
Hudson County teens compete in music competition
On Thursday, May 24, Kishawn Jack of Jersey City and Luis Rolo of Union City will be two of 38 state performers to compete at the Eighth Annual Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey’s Shout Down Drugs Prevention Concert, presented by Comcast.
Jack and Rolo will perform their original songs “Drug Free” and “Drown in Drugs” at the statewide concert at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, New Jersey.
The New Jersey Shout Down Drugs music competition challenges high school students to create original music with lyrics that contain powerful peer-to-peer drug prevention messages. Students will compete for $10,000 in music contracts with the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey to perform their winning song at statewide events.
The program’s website, www.shoutdowndrugs.com, features profiles of this year’s finalists and allows the public to cast votes for their favorite songs. These results will be factored into the finalists’ scores on the night of the concert. Online voting is open until May 23. Tickets to the concert are free of charge, but must be reserved at www.shoutdowndrugs.com.
Seminar for businesses on lobbying and issue advocacy held on May 8
The Hudson County Chamber of Commerce and the Guarini Institute for Government and Leadership will host a seminar for business owners and leaders interested in learning more about lobbying and issue advocacy on Tuesday, May 8 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. in Dinneen Hall on the campus of Saint Peter’s College.
The goal of the event is to provide the business community with a primer on how to best engage with policy makers on issues that affect business in New Jersey. The session will be moderated by the Honorable Joseph Doria, a former commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and State Assembly Speaker. Doria will moderate a panel discussion featuring professionals who understand how to navigate policy making at the state level: Frank Robinson, vice president, New Jersey Business and Industry Association; John B. Wilson, president, Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in New Jersey; and Kay LiCausi, president, Hoboken Strategy Group.
“Businesses of every size need to be engaged in policy making discussions and our goal at the Chamber is to help our members, and the larger business community, learn how to begin having such conversations,” said Maria Nieves, the Chamber’s president and CEO. “We hope to demystify the advocacy process and provide some concrete tips on how to effectively lobby. We’re pleased to work with the Guarini Institute on this event.”
The breakfast will begin with networking, followed by a panel discussion, and a question and answer session. It is sponsored in part by the Guarini Institute.
To register for this event, contact the Chamber at achinni@hudsonchamber.org.
Union City to host artist awards
Mayor Brian P. Stack & Board of Commissioners will hold the first ever Union City Artist Awards on Friday, June 15 at 7 p.m. at the William V. Musto Cultural Center, located at 420 15th Street, Union City. The awards will honor the most talented and dedicated artists from all disciplines who have contributed to Union City’s artistic fabric.
The elegant red carpet event will feature live music by the group (U)nity, as well as various other guest performances.
Admission is free. Dress to impress.
PPAC to hold 2012 Showtime Awards
The Park Performing Arts Center (PPAC), located at 560 32nd St. in Union City, will honor three recipients at the 2012 Showtime Awards on May 18 starting at 6 p.m. There will be refreshments and music until 7:30 p.m. when the awards ceremony will begin, and the after party, featuring Joyride, will start 8 p.m.
Ticket sales will help continue PPAC’s tradition of entertainment, education, and artistry and may be purchased at www.parkpac.org/showtime.
UCPAC presents “History Herstory…Where Truth Lies”
Union City, Mayor Brian Stack and the Board of Commissioners will present “History Herstory…Where Truth Lies,” starring Sarah Rice (Broadway’s original Johanna from “Sweeny Todd”) and David Vernon, on Thursday, May 10, at 7 p.m. at the Union City Performing Arts Center, located at 2500 Kennedy Blvd.
The show is an evening full of songs chosen from international and American songbooks by composers such as Stephen Sondheim, Rogers & Hart, and more that explore how two people can look at the same thing and yet see it differently.
Admission is free and parking is available at the 23rd Street Parking Deck located on 23rd Street between Summit & Kerrigan avenues.
For more information, visit www.UnionCityPAC.com.
UC designates honorary orchestra
The City of Union City, Mayor Brian P. Stack and Board of Commissioners have appointed the Union City Philharmonic Orchestra as the city’s honorary orchestra. The appointment was made at the City’s last Commissioners meeting held this past Saturday, April 28.
The Union City Philharmonic Orchestra (formerly Hudson Philharmonic Orchestra) was established in Union City in November of 2011 with a very specific vision: to make a positive impact on the community, primarily through exhilarating, inspiring, and quality classical music performances and education. Union City Philharmonic Orchestra was co-founded by four passionate visionaries: Music Director/Conductor David Jeong, Assistant Music Director Jahye Kim, Orchestra Manager Yedeun Park, and Director of Education and Outreach Soo Park.
UC Philharmonic is committed to sharing their musical talents to inspire and to inform the importance of arts and music for a more holistic cultural development of society.
Everyone involved with the orchestra is deeply honored about the designation. They look forward to promoting classical music on a local and national level, as well as representing Union City and the state of New Jersey with honor and distinction.
For more info on the Union City art scene, visit www.UnionCityArtScene.blogspot.com.