Hoboken ShopRite reopens
HOBOKEN — From one storm to another. The Hoboken ShopRite held its grand reopening Saturday morning, Feb. 9, with shelves fully stocked and some areas redesigned.
Many customers came to see the revamped store, which had been closed since Hurricane Sandy. The store opened at 9 a.m. just as another big storm – a blizzard named “Nemo” by the Weather Channel – had dumped at least a half a foot of snow on the area overnight.
The store is open seven days per week, 7 a.m. to midnight.
V-Day Hudson County to perform ‘The Vagina Monologues’ in February
UNION CITY — Union City Commissioner of Public Affairs Lucio Fernandez and the city’s poet laureate, Ben Figueroa, announced a production of The Vagina Monologues, an award-winning play by Eve Ensler, next week. Performances will take place on Friday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m., Sat., Feb. 16 at 7 p.m., and on Sun., Feb. 17 at 5 p.m. at the William V. Musto Cultural Center, 420 15th Street in Union City.
The world-renowned play consists of colorful performances by an all-female cast, with monologues that address women’s issues. The goal of V-Day Hudson County aligns with the goal of the global V-Day campaign: to bring attention to the fight to stop violence against women and girls, including rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation (FGM) and sex slavery.
“This is one of the most critical movements of all generations; past, present and future,” The Vagina Monologues: Hudson County Director Yenexis Quintana said. “This play creates the opportunity for all to listen to and speak about the stigmas surrounding women, their sexuality and to break out of the silence surrounding rape and abuse. It is a poignant outlet for expression and all emotions surrounding the beauty and strength that is a woman.”
Ticket prices for all performances are $25, or $20 with a student ID. Reserve tickets by contacting Yenexis Quintana at 201-936-3162 or at HCVaginaMono@gmail.com. Tickets will also be available at the door on the day of the performances.
All proceeds will be donated to Women Rising Inc. of Jersey City and the global V-Day campaign.
Meadowlands mayors refuse to offer police, other services for Super Bowl 2014
MEADOWLANDS — Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli and four other mayors from the Meadowlands region are refusing to offer municipal services during the Super Bowl 2014 and will not provide any police, fire, or any other municipal services, they have said.
This stance comes after a meeting on Feb. 6 between mayors from Carlstadt, Little Ferry, Moonachie, Secaucus, and South Hackensack – all payers into a state Meadowlands tax sharing municipal pool, which was developed in the 1970s as a way to offset the loss of tax ratables for towns that can’t develop due to environmental reasons. There are 14 towns in the Meadowlands District. The mayors from paying municipalities have long battled to change the formula and have pressed the state to find other sources of revenue to compensate the towns.
The Giants and Jets have rejected proposals to require a surcharge on tickets or parking in order to offset the costs incurred by municipalities as a result of the stadium according to the statement.
In a written press statement, Gonnelli “made it clear that he would lead a concerted effort to make sure the region’s towns do not participate in any Super Bowl planning or activity that will require the towns to pick up any costs.” He called the lease signed between Acting Governor Dick Cody and the New York Jets and New York Giants “a slap in the face to each and every taxpayer in the state of New Jersey.”
According to the statement, the NFL teams reportedly receive $425 million, pay $6 million for 75 acres of property, and keep all parking revenue.
“How do you give away state assets and property without proper compensation?” said Gonnelli.
According to the statement, the state was left with $230 million in stranded debt from the old stadium that is being paid for by tax dollars.
“The teams have never been good corporate neighbors to the region,” said Mayor William Roseman of Carlstadt. “Every football game, every concert is nothing more than a nightmare to the towns that are either next to the stadium or towns that endure the event day traffic congestion.” According to Roseman each event requires overtime expenses for the police department, which is funded through taxpayers.
Meadowlands to host ‘Big Game Experience’
The Meadowlands Liberty Convention and Visitors Bureau (MLCVB) and the Meadowlands Regional Chamber announced that on May 22 they will host “The Big Game Experience,” a showcase of destination and event resources in the Meadowlands region for organizations interested in reaching prospective sources for Super Bowl 2014 business opportunities. The MLCVB and the Meadowlands Regional Chamber are captains of the “Huddle Zone,” in the Meadowlands, which is the local organizing committee charged by the NYNJ Super Bowl Host Committee to promote Super Bowl-related events and activities in the Meadowlands Region.
The Big Game Experience will take place at the Meadowlands Convention Center at 355 Plaza Drive in Secaucus and consists of a trade show, tours of various off-site restaurants and event venues, and seminars featuring veteran Super Bowl event promoters.
“The Big Game Experience will create a platform for local companies to develop business opportunities, provide a visibility mechanism to promote the region, and engage communities who want to create Super Bowl activities,” said Jim Kirkos, founder and president for the MLCVB.
The Exhibit Floor will be open from 12 to 7 p.m. and offer multiple exhibit opportunities.
It will also provide corporate event planners with tours of local venues and destination facilities. The tours will be arranged by categories including event spaces and performance venues, shopping and retail and hotels and restaurants.
Local and national event specialists will be joined by a set of panelists who will discuss topics including how non-profits, civic organizations and communities can plan and host Super Bowl-related events as fundraisers.
The day will conclude with networking opportunities and a special keynote address in the “Owner’s Lounge” which will also feature entertainment throughout the day for those returning from bus tours.
For more information, call (201) 348.8998.