Columbus Day parade kicks off on Oct. 11
On Saturday, Oct. 11, at 1 p.m., Jersey City will honor its rich Italian heritage when the Columbus Day Parade steps off from the Dickinson High School campus on the corner of Palisade Avenue and marches down Newark Avenue to Jersey City Hall. Mayor Steven Fulop will be on-hand to show his support.
This marks the fifth year the Jersey City Columbus Day Parade takes place in one of Jersey City’s most established Italian-American neighborhoods that includes Holy Rosary Church, the first Italian parish in New Jersey. Nicholas Grillo, president of the Jersey City Columbus Day Parade committee and a congregant at Holy Rosary Church says this year’s parade is extra special.
ISIS threat causes PATH and Jersey City to increase security
A statement by Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi at the United Nations this week that ISIS may be planning to attack subways has caused Jersey City police to increase security, according to Public Safety Director James Shea.
ISIS, a well-funded terrorist group in Iraq and Syria, is reportedly seeking retaliation for American air strikes, and may be looking to do so inside the United States, reports said.
This comes when the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has also increased its security measures for the PATH trains, and will start more vigilant random searches of packages and bags.
A freight line approved for downtown?
In a move that will likely prolong the legal battle over use of the Sixth Street Embankment, the City Council has voted to seek permission from the U.S. Department of Transportation to solicit bids from rail line operators to develop the former rail right-of-way as a freight rail line. Permission would allow the city to use federal eminent domain to obtain land that the city claims was sold improperly to the current owners nearly a decade ago under a previous administration.
Dan Horgan, the attorney for the current owner, said at the Sept. 23 City Council meeting that the city is really using a legal loophole to obtain land it is unable to purchase outright, and plans ultimately to develop the property as a city park.
He said the elevated six block former rail spur would be too costly to use for rail because the trestles that crossed over local streets and connected each segment were demolished long ago and would have to be rebuilt.
James Riffin, who is associated with private rail lines elsewhere on the east coast, said others could also apply to use the land for rail, leaving the city with competition for the land, and federal authorities would have the option to choose the competitive offer rather than the city’s.
Under current regulations, if the federal government chooses the city, then the city would have to make an effort for the next two years to find a rail use for the property before it could convert the land for park use.
Flea market and blessing of the animals
St. John’s Lutheran Church will hold an outdoor flea market on Oct. 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the corner of North Street and Summit Ave. Vendors should call Rose at (201) 214-5300.
On noon of the same day, the church will hold a blessing of the animals. For more information call (201) 798-0540.
City to make changes to farm market regulations
The City Council introduced at its Sept. 23 meeting a package of ordinances to expand access to healthy food options for residents. The measures revise the city’s Farmers’ Market policies to make seasons and hours of operation uniform across the city, provide an easier permitting process, and expand the locations where farmers’ markets can operate.
The ordinances would define more clearly what a farmer’s market is, where it obtains its products, what is must offer to the public, and how much should be available to people on subsidies such as food stamps.
An additional ordinance for food vendors who operate at festivals and events throughout the city will be introduced at the first meeting in October.
HCCC to dedicate new library building
On Sept. 29 at 10 a.m., Hudson County Community College will hold the official grand opening of the college’s new library building, a six-story, multifunctional structure that houses a two-story library open to students and the community. The building will also hold the Liberty Café, 33 classrooms and lecture halls, the Benjamin J. Dineen III and Dennis C. Hull Gallery, exhibit space, a roof terrace with the college’s 9/11 Monument, and more. Tours – which will depart from the sixth-floor lobby – will be offered at 11:15, 11:30 and 11:45 a.m. The HCCC Library Building is located at 71 Sip Ave.
Hudson County Chamber kicks off fall events with SchmoozaPalooza Awards
The Hudson County Chamber of Commerce kicks off its fall calendar of events by hosting a SchmoozaPalooza Business Exhibition and Networking Event on Wednesday, Oct. 1 at the Culinary Conference Center in Jersey City. More than 100 business owners will convene to exhibit their products and services, network, hear from a series of featured speakers, and compete for SchmoozaPalooza Awards. Register and purchase tickets online at www.hudsonchamber.org for SchmoozaPalooza to be held Oct. 1 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Culinary Conference Center, 161 Newkirk St.
Ostomy Awareness Day 2014 in Oct. 4
The United Ostomy Associations of America will celebrate ostomy and Continent Diversion Surgery on Oct. 4 at an event to be held at Bayonne Medical Center, Christ Hospital in Jersey City and Hoboken University Medical Center. An ostomy is a surgically-created opening which allows for the elimination of body waste. The theme of the day will be ”Live, Learn and Share.” The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Ostomy Alliance is asking for the support of all who may have had personal experience with, or have known someone who is living with or has lived with an ostomy. The organization is also requesting that individuals communicate with their local government officials to create awareness of this campaign. For more Information email ostomyvisitor@aol.com or call (201) 339-5251
Hoboken Comedy Festival opens Monday; will raise money for Jersey City dog shelter
The Hoboken Comedy Festival back and bigger than ever. For its fifth annual installment, the stand-up extravaganza will expand from three days to five days, presenting almost 100 different comedians at 10 showcases with no repeats. The laughs begin Monday, Sept 29 with a show at Willie McBride’s headlined by Christian Finnegan.
Other well-known comedians appearing at the Festival include Todd Barry, Chuck Nice, Greer Barnes, Andrew Schulz, Chris Distefano, Mike Britt, Keith Alberstadt, and Carlos Mencia, who will headline the grand finale on Sunday, Oct.5.
The Festival will mark the first time Maxwell’s Tavern has been used a stand-up comedy venue since its post-live music reboot.
“We are so happy to be the first comedic event at the new Maxwell’s Tavern,” says Frigolette. “This venue was a huge part of our first three years in Hoboken, it’s only right that our joint history continues to grow.”
For the third year in a row, Hoboken Comedy Festival will donate part of its earnings to the Liberty Humane Society, a dog shelter in Jersey City. The Festival donates $1 per head directly to the shelter and passes direct donation bins throughout performances to raise money for the charity. In addition, this year’s festival includes a special outdoor show on Pier 13 with a suggested donation going directly to LHS.
For more information and to buy tickets in advance, go to www.HobokenFestival.com.