Barclays PGA Tour to return to JC next year
The 2012 Barclays golf tournament will get underway this week in Farmingdale, N.Y. at the famous Bethpage Black golf course. However, golf aficionados should mark their calendars for next year when the tournament will return to Jersey City’s Liberty National Golf Course. One of the highest profile tournaments on the PGA Tour, the Barclays attracts some of the biggest names in golf, 100,000 spectators, and generates an economic impact of $45 million. The tournament typically contributes substantial sums to local charities in host communities.
Tape artist Kayt Hester raises $800-plus for animal shelter
Two weeks ago, at the opening of her latest show at LITM, masking tape artist Kayt Hester raised $868 for the Hudson County Animal League. The show, “The Elegant Science of a Memory,” included several small, reasonably-priced pieces of Hester’s artwork, the proceeds of which she donated to the Animal League.
The exhibit, which is on display at LITM through the end of the month, is an exploration of Hester’s earlier work as a professional photographer. Now primarily known as a “tape artist,” Hester creates silhouetted images using black dark room tape on canvas.
For the exhibit Hester created several 4” x 4” pieces that were sold for less than $100. Money generated from these sales went to the Animal League. Larger, more expensive pieces are also for sale throughout the exhibit.
LITM is located at 140 Newark Ave.
“Prescribed Burn” Kickstarted
Back in June, the Reporter featured a story on local writer Laryssa Wirstiuk and her efforts to raise $5,500 to self publish her book “The Prescribed Burn,” a collection of short stories. Using the popular website Kickstarter.com, Wirstiuk asked family, friends, and members of the community to chip in what they could to help her reach her dollar goal by June 29.
Well, we are pleased to report that Wirstiuk met, and even exceeded, her goal by her target date. In the end, she was able to raise a grand total of $5,667 from 149 backers. She plans to use the money to print 1,000 copies of The Prescribed Burn, which includes 15 short stories.
To order the book once published, visit www.theprescribedburn.com. Paperback editions will be sold for $17.95.
Festival to celebrate the beauty of Polish heritage
On Sunday, Aug. 26 from noon until 7 p.m., the annual Polish Festival will take place downtown on Washington Street, between Sussex and Grand.
This year’s theme is “Polish is Beautiful” will have non-stop live entertainment, music, and lots of food – all with served with a little Polish flair.
b>Legal Services of N.J. offers free or low cost divorce advice
While the U.S. Census recently reported that New Jersey has the lowest rate of divorce in the nation, experts say one reason is that the cost of a divorce in the Garden State is so relatively high. And for low-income people, as well as many other locals caught in broken marriages or failed civil unions that are beyond repair, the cost of a divorce is an especially daunting barrier.
Legal Services of New Jersey (LSNJ) has published a brand new version of its popular manual, “Divorce in New Jersey: A Self-Help Guide,” that instructs people – step by step – on how to do their own divorce, especially if the issues are not complicated.
The publication is free for qualified low-income people eligible for Legal Services assistance. All others can secure the print edition of the 275-page manual for $50; the digital edition is $25. Detailed information for ordering online, by mail or by phone is available at www.lsnj.org/divorce. Print editions can be ordered by calling (888) 529-8338. Low-income individuals who believe they qualify for a free copy should call Legal Services’ toll-free, statewide legal hotline at (888) 576-5529.
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.
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.
JCMC offers classes on prenatal childbirth, breastfeeding
Jersey City Medical Center will continue to hold prenatal child birth education and breastfeeding classes through the end of the year. The hospital will also begin tours of the maternity unit on the first Saturday of every month at 4 p.m. and each Saturday during the rest of month at 12 p.m. A breastfeeding support group is held monthly at 11 a.m.
Prenatal childbirth classes will be held from 6 – 8 p.m. in the hospital’s 4 East conference room every Wednesday in August and September.
The classes will feature a combination lecture and movie presentation with topics that include: Third Trimester Changes, Signs and Symptoms of Labor; Labor and Delivery “What to Expect;” Pain Management, Post Birth Healing, Infant Care and Breast Feeding Tips; and a tour of Labor and Delivery/Postpartum. Refreshments will be served, but it is recommended that attendees eat before coming to class. The fee for the course is $125 per couple. Registration forms and payments must be received two weeks prior to the first class date.
Prenatal breastfeeding classes will also be held from 6 to 8 p.m. in the hospital’s 4 East conference room with a lecture and movie presentation. Summer classes are Aug. 22 and Sept. 20. Topics include How Breastfeeding Works; Latching On and Positioning; When To Feed Your Baby; How Much Is Enough; and Breast Care. The cost for this class is $25 per couple. Registration forms must be filled out prior to the class date.
To register for either class, please contact coordinator April Major at (201) 521-5900.
Hospital offers CPR training
Jersey City Medical Center is offering classes in Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
For those who prefer to learn CPR in a dynamic, hands-on group environment, JCMC has designed a two-hour course that uses the research-proven Practice-While-Watching method. Those who do not need a course completion card are encouraged to participate. The American Heart Association course will include instruction on both adult and child CPR and choking and will be taught by members of the hospital’s Emergency Medical Service (EMS).
The course will be offered Wednesday, Aug, 29 from 10 a.m. to noon at the hospital’s EMS classroom at 415 Montgomery St., Jersey City. The cost is $5 per person. Space is limited to 16 people. To register for the one-day course visit http://www.libertyhealth.org/jcmc/EventDetailView.aspx?EventId=116&EventDateTimeID=1104. For more information call (201) 547-6126 or email training@JCMCEMS.org.