Festival of Lights to be held on Oct. 25
For the first time, Jersey City will have a festival of Lights sponsored by the Saraswati Cultural Association in collaboration with Jersey City Cultural Affairs. This will be held at Owen J. Grundy Pier near Exchange Place on Saturday, Oct 25 from noon to 6 p.m.
Pride festival at Grove Street on Saturday
The Jersey City Pride Festival will be held in front of City Hall on Grove Street on from noon to 6 p.m. on Oct. 25 with an after party scheduled at the Port-O Lounge, 286 First St. from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Montessori School holds fundraiser
Bergen-Lafayette Montessori School (BLMS) – in conjunction with The Learning Suite, Inc. will host “Bargain Harvest,” its first fundraising event of the school year on Oct. 25 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at 324 Communipaw Avenue.
For more information about the school, go to the website at www.bergenlafayettemontessori.com.
Man charged with murder in shooting death
Jim Hendrix, 18, of Jersey City, was charged with murder on Oct. 18 after he turned himself in to police, said Assistant Prosecutor Gene Rubino.
“He was then turned over to the Prosecutor’s Homicide Unit,” Rubino said. “A warrant had been issued for his arrest on Oct. 17.”
This came after a 21-year old man, shot in the face near Bergen Avenue on Oct. 14, died.
Hendrix is charged with murder, felony murder, robbery, and related firearms offenses, Rubino said.
“His bail was set at $500, 000,” Rubino said.
The victim, who Rubino identified as Dyrell Taylor, was pronounced dead on Oct. 15. His death is the 21st murder in Jersey City this year.
Main library closures start this month
Renovations to the Main Library on Jersey Avenue will result in periodic closures that start this month, said library officials this week.
According to the library’s architect, Helena Ruman, AIA, there will be two phases of construction, owing to ongoing funding procurement.
“We are extremely excited to begin the renovation of this beautiful Main Library, which has been a long time coming,” said Library Director Priscilla Gardner. “While this project is much-needed, it is immense, and we recognize it will not be easy on the public, nor our staff. We ask for your cooperation during the duration of the renovation of the Main Library, and apologize in advance, for any inconvenience.”
For the latest on programs, events, and special announcements please follow the library on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jersey-City-Free-Public-Library/121162594579991), Twitter (JCFPL_NJ) or Pinterest (www.pinterest.com/jerseycityPL) at Jersey City Free Public Library.
First Egyptian judge appointed
Ramy A. Eid has been appointed by Mayor Steven Fulop as municipal judge, the first Egyptian municipal court judge in Hudson County. The appointment was approved unanimously by the City Council its meeting on Oct. 23.
“Ramy will be a great asset to the municipal court with his experience and knowledge, but also as an Arabic speaker who has a great understanding of the Egyptian culture and community here in Jersey City,” said Mayor Fulop. “Our courts, our city offices, our police department – all aspects of city government – should reflect the community they serve and we are committed to making appointments that reflect the great diversity of our city.”
A resident of Jersey City, Eid has a distinguished legal background, and has most recently served as a senior compliance specialist/counsel for University Hospital in Newark. Prior to that, he served both in the City of Newark Law Department as assistant corporation counsel and as deputy attorney general in the New Jersey office of the attorney general. He also served in the office of President-Elect Barack Obama as a transition team staff member.
Eid received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, a Juris Doctor degree from Seton Hall University School of Law, and a Master of Public Administration from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.
An active member of the Egyptian community, Eid serves as a member of the Jersey City Egyptian Festival Committee.
EDA gives city $5 million grant for Berry Lane Park
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) has awarded $5 million to the completion of Berry Lane Park, the 17-acre park under construction in Bergen-Lafayette. The award is the maximum amount an applicant can receive and will mean a quicker completion for the park, which when complete will be the city’s largest municipal park.
“We sought this critical funding to expedite the Berry Lane Park project to provide active and passive recreation for residents of Ward F and the entire city,” said Mayor Steven Fulop. “Berry Lane will be the largest municipal park in the city and is one of our most exciting projects. We are pleased the EDA recognized the importance of this brownfield-to-greenfield initiative and are looking forward to when the park is in full use, bustling with activity.
Program promotes diabetes awareness at Jersey City Loews Theater
The Diabetes Foundation, Inc. will host an educational display at the Jersey City Loews Theater, 54 Journal Square Plaza in Jersey City, on Friday, Nov. 14 from 5 to 8 p.m. The display will include information on diabetes wellness and prevention, proper nutrition, affordable medications and giveaways.
November is Diabetes Awareness Month. “This is a month where people can learn about prevention and how nutrition and physical activity play a key role in preventing diabetes, or living healthier with diabetes,” said Roberta Schmidt, executive director of the Diabetes Foundation, Inc. “Also, during this month, people will learn about risk factors for diabetes and can have their blood sugar tested, which is a key indicator.”
The Diabetes Foundation, Inc., whose mission is to improve the care and quality of life for children and adults with diabetes in New Jersey, will offer a “program a day” throughout the state in November. The Diabetes Foundation events will focus on educating the public about diabetes by providing presentations, workshops, and health screenings. In addition to conducting events throughout the state, presentations will be targeted to specific populations, in different languages.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are 29.9 million people with diabetes in the U.S., or 9.3 percent of the population, a number which continues to grow. In New Jersey alone, there are nearly one million people who have diabetes. Diabetes is the third largest cause of death among Americans, and the leading cause of blindness and non-traumatic amputations. For more information, call the Diabetes Foundation at (201) 444-0337 or (800) 633-3160 (www.diabetesfoundationinc.org).
JC Medical Center to host diabetes fair with healthy holiday eating tips
How do you plan on managing your diabetes during the upcoming holiday season? To help, Jersey City Medical Center – Barnabas Health will offer a free diabetes fair entitled “Healthy Holiday Eating with Diabetes” on Thursday, Nov. 20 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the hospital’s cafeteria, 355 Grand St. in Jersey City.
“Eating healthy during the holidays can pose a challenge to anyone, but particularly to people with diabetes and their families,” said Nancy Rodrigues, a Certified Diabetes Educator at the hospital. “That’s why we’re planning to provide healthy eating information at this event for the diverse people who comprise the communities we serve, whether their diet is one favored by Muslims or Latinos, or whether they eat kosher or vegetarian.”
Citywide Anti-Litter Campaign expands
Mayor Steven M. Fulop has announced the expansion of the Stop the Drop Program citywide anti-litter campaign with the first non-profit partner, the Jersey City Medical Center-Barnabas Health, during the hospital’s monthly administration meeting on Thursday, Oct. 23 at the Jersey City Museum.
The Jersey City Medical Center is an approximately 16-acre campus across downtown with 3,000 full-time and part-time employees, with more than 50 percent being Jersey City residents.
During the medical center’s monthly administration meeting, President Joe Scott will sign the Stop the Drop pledge, and encourage other businesses to do the same. The Stop the Drop Youth representatives will be present to show a brief clip of the work they have done with the campaign in the past two years. Staff members will also be able to take the pledge, as more than 3,000 pledges have already been signed by residents, churches and parishes citywide.
Fulop selected as a top pro-growth progressive leader
Mayor Steven Fulop has been selected as one of twelve leaders from across the country to join the NewDEAL, a national network that is committed to highlighting innovative ideas from state and local elected leaders who are pro-growth progressives.
Gov. Martin O’Malley of Maryland and U.S. Sen. Mark Begich of Alaska, honorary chairs of the NewDEAL, recognized Mayor Fulop for his work to expand opportunity by prioritizing development in neighborhoods where it will have the biggest impact.
Fulop was recognized for his policies to stimulate economic growth while still providing assistance to the needy. He is credited with implementing the first New Jersey mandatory earned sick leave law, and providing a second chance through a nationally-recognized prison reentry program. At the same time, Mayor Fulop is working to spread the benefits of real estate development to all neighborhoods by implementing a tiered tax abatement policy that offers incentives for building in target areas.
Mayor Fulop is currently featured on the NewDEAL’s interactive website at www.NewDEALLeaders.org/NewDEAL-Leaders/ Steve-Fulop. Along with Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald and Assemblyman Troy Singleton, he joins NewDEAL Honorary Regional Chair and U.S. Sen. Cory Booker as one of four NewDEAL Leaders from New Jersey.