Correction
A story that appeared in the June 27 edition of the Midweek Reporter (Taster’s Choice) stated incorrectly that the restaurant Porto had closed. It is still open for business.
The Madox, Jersey City’s first residential ‘green’ development, to open in Oct
JERSEY CITY – The Fields Development Group has announced that the company is on track to open what the company says will be Jersey City’s first “green” residential property in October. The 131-unit development, known as the Madox, is currently being built at 198 Van Vorst St. in the Paulus Hook neighborhood.
The eco-friendly, seven-story building for is expected to receive Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED) Certification at the silver level and is being built in accordance with U.S. Green Building Council guidelines for sustainable buildings. According to the Fields Development Group, the Madox includes energy efficient design and sustainable materials that are expected to create an environmentally-sensitive urban living environment.
The building will also boast a 100 percent smoke-free environment, a rarity in most apartment buildings.
LEED points are achieved throughout the planning and development process.
Once complete, the USGBC (US Green Building Council) reviews the documentation and renders a certificate of completion and grants the level of certification, in this case goal of a Silver Rating.
Green elements being incorporated into Madox include a PV Solar Array and vegetation on the roof, electric car charging stations, and systems to reduce water consumption by over 45% and energy consumption by 14 percent.
The building will also be under contract for at least two years to provide 35 percent of its electricity from renewable sources.
Madox will also offer an abundance of outdoor space with a landscaped courtyard with outdoor children’s play area.
“Now more than ever, residents are conscious of their surrounding environment and have shown an increased desire to live in buildings which
are energy efficient, sustainable and LEED Certified,” James Caulfield Jr., a Fields Development Group principal, stated in a release. “Madox will offer a unique blend of artistic living and common spaces, exciting indoor and outdoor amenities and responsible development practices that will inspire people to set down roots here.”
Virgin saint spotted in WNY tree; hundreds gather to pray
An image of la Virgen de Guadalupe (Mexico’s version of the Virgin Mary) was spotted by West New York resident Eva Copantitla a week ago Tuesday as she was passing by a tree in front of the McDonald’s on Bergenline Avenue and 60th Street. Copantitla then ran into Mayor Felix Roque’s office around the corner in Town Hall to tell him the news.
Skeptical, Roque followed her to the tree and found a knot in the trunk that bore a remarkable resemblance to the iconic imagery of the Virgen de Guadalupe. Slowly, word spread, and crowds upwards of 100 people began to gather and pray around the tree.
The police department finally cordoned off the tree and the space around it in order to protect the praying crowd from Bergenline traffic. Hundreds of votive candles with the virgin’s image were lit and placed around the tree, and devotees left photos of sick loved ones, baby shoes for protection, and other symbolic prayerful gestures.
Roque stood with Copantitla Thursday morning among the crowd who chanted prayers in front of the image in the tree.
“It’s a miracle,” Copantitla said in Spanish. “And it’s so close to Town Hall. I believe it’s a good sign for the mayor.”
Just then a red colored votive exploded from the heat of its own flame, startling the crowd.
“It’s okay,” one of the women said in Spanish. “Red is the color of the virgin’s veil.”
For photos of this gathering, see the story at hudsonreporter.com.
Child advocate volunteers wanted
Are you interested in helping children in the foster care system? If so, Hudson County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is currently recruiting volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children. CASA works through trained community volunteers to ensure that needed services and assistance are made available to children while helping to move them toward safe and permanent homes.
CASA and its volunteers speak for children in court, serve as fact finders for the judges, and safeguard the interests of the children while they are in the foster care system.
An information session will be held on Tuesday, July 17 from 6 to 7 p.m. in room 400 of the Hudson County Administration Building located at 595 Newark Ave. in Jersey City.
Hudson County has nearly 700 children in foster care; most have been removed from their homes for abuse or neglect. For further information, call (201) 795-9855, email mgarcia@hudsoncountycasa.org or visit www.hudsoncountycasa.org.
NHCAC to host golf classic
The North Hudson Community Action Foundation’s seventh Annual Michael A. Leggiero Memorial Golf Classic will take place July 23 at White Beeches Gold and Country Club in Dumont.
Tickets to the event are tax deductible and the proceeds are to be used to help fund the agency’s capital campaign to purchase the building that houses its health center in West New York. The agency is one of the region’s largest non-profit organizations and it is the largest provider of federally qualified health care in New Jersey, with 11 health centers in Hudson, Bergen and Passaic Counties.
A brunch buffet begins at 9:30 a.m. for golfers and non-golfers, with a dinner reception to follow at 5 p.m. Attendees may golf, or use the tennis and swimming facilities, as well.
“This year’s Golf Classic is a wonderful opportunity to see old friends, make new friends, and help North Hudson continue to provide much-needed social services and health care to tens of thousands of people in the region,” says Christopher F. Irizarry, NHCAC president and chief executive officer.
For more information, or to purchase tickets, please call Odalys Valdes at (201) 210-0100, ext. 318.