Santa Claus is coming to town!
The 15th Annual Santa Parade is coming to Bergenline Ave. on Sunday, Dec. 14. The parade starts at noon at 85th St. and proceeds to 32nd St.
The parade is presented by the firefighters and fire officers of North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue, in conjunction with the towns of North Bergen, West New York, Union City, Guttenberg, and Weehawken.
Prieto aims to merge Meadowlands Commission with Sports and Exposition Authority
The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition will merge if Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto has his way. On Dec. 4, he introduced legislation to consolidate the two state agencies.
“These two agencies share the common interest of promoting economic growth in the Meadowlands region and northern New Jersey,” Prieto said in a statement. “Consolidating them promotes efficiency of operation, cost effectiveness, and the elimination of unnecessary government bureaucracy.”
The Meadowlands Commission was established in 1968 as the zoning and planning agency for the 30.4-square-mile Meadowlands region spanning Bergen and Hudson counties. The Sports and Exposition Authority was established in 1971 to build and operate the Meadowlands Sports Complex, including the original Giants Stadium and Meadowlands Racetrack. The Izod Center and other entertainment destinations throughout the state, including Atlantic City, were later added under its purview.
Prieto says the bill would boost economic growth and property tax savings in the Meadowlands region. It would also provide for a relief from tax sharing.
Under the current system, 14 municipalities participate in tax sharing in the region, with eight of those municipalities each paying as much as $3 million annually into a fund while the other six split the proceeds. Among those paying each year are Secaucus and North Bergen, both of which have adamantly protested the system as outdated and unfair.
The new bill would eliminate the need for municipalities to contribute into the system, while still allowing the other municipalities to continue receiving funds. The funding would be replaced by a 3 percent hotel use assessment on all hotel room occupancies throughout the 14 municipalities.
The bill also calls for reestablishing the Hackensack Meadowlands Transportation Planning District. It is expected to begin moving shortly through the Assembly.
Zombies coming to Secaucus
The Walker Stalker Convention is coming to the Secaucus Convention Center on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 13 and 14. Billed as a fan meet-up for zombie lovers, the event features panels, vendors, and many guests from hit tv shows and films including “The Walking Dead,” “Night of the Living Dead,” “Day of the Dead,” and “Gremlins.” Panels include Evolution of the Dead and The Day the Music Died.
Walker Stalker Con grew from The Walker Stalkers Podcast with James & Eric. The podcast began when James and Eric visited the set of “The Walking Dead” and blossomed into the idea of a convention with the cast and crew of the show, along with talented actors and artists from other zombie shows, movies and art.
For more information visit http://walkerstalkercon.com/newyorknewjersey/.
Eight-year-old Lyndhurst artist’s work to be displayed at Meadowlands gallery
Eight-year-old Lyndhurst resident Gabriel Diaz will soon become the first elementary-school aged student to have his very own exhibit at the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission’s (NJMC) Flyway Gallery. The multi-media, wildlife-themed show “The Wonders of the Universe” includes large-scale acrylics, oil pastels, drawings, and sketches focusing on wildlife, including portraits of wild horses and eagles. Some of Gabriel’s work measures as large as 5 feet high by 4-1/2 feet wide. The exhibit also features art centered on astronomy.
Gabriel, who has previously exhibited at the Dumbo Arts Festival in Brooklyn, creates his art in the hope of inspiring others to conserve wildlife and explore the universe. “The Wonders of the Universe” will run from Wednesday, Dec. 10 through Friday, Jan. 23. A reception is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 16 from 3 to 5 p.m. The Flyway Gallery is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday excluding holidays. Directions can be found at www.njmeadowlands.gov, or by calling (201) 777-2431.
Watercolor pencils class for kids upcoming
Let your kids capture the colors of the season with watercolor pencils on Saturday, Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. to noon at the NJMC Science Center, 3 DeKorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst. Children ages 5 to 12 (accompanied by an adult) will learn how to create a fun drawing and then paint with “no mess” color. Young artists can experiment with other painting tools as well. All art supplies are provided to borrow for the session. This program sells out fast. Pre-registration required. Cost is $10 per child (no fee for adults). To register visit www.njmeadowlands.gov/ec or call (201) 460-8300.