Saint Dominic Academy Students recognized for achievement
Four students from St. Dominic Academy earned distinctions recently in arts and academics.
Grace Patrick, a freshman from Jersey City, was nominated to attend the Congress of Future Medical Leaders in Washington, DC on Nov. 14-16, 2014. The nomination was based on Patrick’s academic achievement, leadership potential and determination to serve humanity in the field of medicine.
Junior Dana DeCastro of Bayonne has been selected for recognition as a delegate representing Saint Dominic Academy and the state of New Jersey at the Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders to be held on June 28-30, 2015 in Boston, Mass. The congress is a highly selective national program honoring academically superior high school students dedicated to careers in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM.)
On Friday, Jan. 2, at the Scholarship Fund for Inner City Children Basketball Festival held at Kean University, SDA senior Casey McIntyre of Hoboken was awarded the Investors Bank Academic Excellence Award. The award is presented to one student-athlete from each participating team who has achieved academic excellence in the classroom as a member of the varsity basketball team.
Sophomore Malia Gray of Jersey City has been named First Violin in the Greater Newark Youth Orchestra (GNYO). According to their website, qualified middle and high-school students audition to make up GNYO’s three tiered ensembles, which perform two full concerts each year, as well as a chamber music concert and participate in other performance opportunities. Students also receive weekly coaching from professional NJSO musicians. The GNYO’s annual Spring Concert will be held on Saturday, May 4 at Orange Preparatory Academy.
Jersey City sees unemployment drop
U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics show Jersey City continues to outpace both the nation and the state in reducing its unemployment rate.
Mayor Steve Fulop claims his aggressive focus on attracting both construction and permanent jobs to Jersey City as one reason.
According to a release issued by the city, Jersey City’s unemployment rate has dropped from 10.6 percent to 6.5 percent since Fulop took office in July 2013, outpacing the state, nation and other major cities in the NY/NJ region.
Jersey City has added more than 9,000 new jobs since Mayor Fulop took office, ranging from new small businesses to construction jobs to corporate jobs.
Radio Shack will close three Hudson County stores
Two Radio Shack stores in Jersey City and one in Union City are among the 50 stores that will close in New Jersey as a result of the company filing bankruptcy last week. Nationwide, the company is expected to sell as many as 2,400 stores. The Jersey City stores at 353 Central Ave., Jersey City and Newport Center Mall, Jersey City, and the Union City store on Bergenline Avenue are expected to close.
Jersey City mortgage broker pleads guilty to stealing $1.2 million
Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman announced last week that a mortgage broker who owned a property management company in Jersey City pleaded guilty to laundering the proceeds of a criminal scheme in which he conspired to steal more than $1.2 million from lenders by filing fraudulent mortgage applications, diverting mortgage proceeds and falsifying settlement statements, according to a press release.
Brian Lyles, 43, of Jersey City, the owner of BKL Property Management, LLC, pleaded guilty to first-degree money laundering before Superior Court Judge Stuart A. Minkowitz in Morris County. Under the plea agreement, the state will recommend that Lyles be sentenced to eight years in state prison, including three years and four months of parole ineligibility. His company, BKL, pleaded guilty through its attorney to second-degree theft by deception. BKL must pay $200,000 in restitution. Judge Minkowitz scheduled sentencing for Lyles and BKL for March 13.
In pleading guilty, Lyles admitted that he laundered the proceeds of a criminal scheme in which he conspired with others to falsify loan applications in order to cause banks to loan money to unqualified home buyers for the purchase of homes in Jersey City at inflated prices. He and his co-conspirators fraudulently obtained four loans totaling more than $1.2 million.
No Peeking Theater’s ‘The Shapeshifter’ premiere is Feb. 12 – 14
Art House Productions (AHP) announced the premier of No Peeking Theater’s sensory experience, The Shapeshifter by Meg Merriet. The Shapeshifter will be held Feb. 12-14 and Feb. 19-21. Performances Thursday to Saturday are at 8 p.m. Sunday performance are at 7 p.m. The show will be held at Art House’s theater, 136 Magnolia Ave. Tickets are $20 and may be purchased at http://shapeshifter.brownpapertickets.com Space is extremely limited and advance purchase is highly recommended.
Public hearing on Newark Avenue closure set for March 3
The city of Jersey City considering a measure which would close Newark Avenue to vehicles, allowing for it to be used as a pedestrian plaza. In light of recent interests and concerns raised on this matter one public meeting will be held Tuesday, March 3 at 6 p.m. in the Caucus room of City Hall.
Cross-Chamber Mixer 2015 kick-off event hosted by the all-new Women in Business Council
You can join the Women in Business Council in welcoming the Hoboken and Hudson County Chambers of Commerce for a cross-chamber mixer and meet current and future members of both groups. The event is Thursday, Feb. 26 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Kolo Klub (the upstairs section of Pilsener Haus Biergarten), 1422 Grand St., Hoboken.
The presidents of both chambers will share their objectives and direction for 2015. You’ll have a chance to win the door prize, get space to display promotional materials at the Member Showcase Table, and get an opportunity to contribute to the door prize. Members tickets are $25, future members tickets $35, which includes one drink plus food for the evening. If you join the council at the door, your event fee is waived. Members are automatically entered for the door prize drawing, and if you join that evening you will also be entered. Please emailsuzpascale@gmail.com or melorr77@aol.com for door prize donations.
For registration information, call (201) 222-1100 or visit hcc@hobokenchamber.com.
Nationally-acclaimed youth advocate to speak at HCCC
Wes Moore, the author of The New York Times and Wall Street Journal best-seller, “The Other Wes Moore,” will appear at The Hudson County Community College (HCCC) 2014-2015 Lecture Series to be held Thursday, Feb. 19 at 6 p.m. in the HCCC Culinary Conference Center, 161 Newkirk Street in Jersey City.
Urban League of Hudson County Black History Bowl 2015 set for Feb. 26
To encourage education, knowledge and fun in a friendly, competitive atmosphere, all Hudson County middle schools (public and private) and youth organizations are invited to participate in the Urban League of Hudson County Black History Bowl 2015, on Feb 26 at Snyder High School, 239 Bergen Ave., Jersey City, from 4 to 6:30 p.m.
Each school or organization may send up to two teams and each team must consist of four students from grades 6-8 along with a team coach. A coach may have more than one team.
Upon registration, each team will be provided a study guide of Black History facts, trivia questions and answers. The Black History Bowl’s questions will be taken from the study guides.
The bowl will be played in a game-like format of answering questions posed by a moderator. Each team must answer each question accurately and in a timely manner which will be determined by the bowl coordinators.
The ULOHC sponsors this event to encourage success, to continue to empower the community, and change lives along with a celebration of Black History. First and second place teams will be awarded a cash prize.
For further information contact Gregory Moreau at (201) 451-8888 ext 220, or gmoreau@ulohc.org . You must register your team to receive a packet of Black History facts, trivia questions and answers.
Yoga & Writing sessions in Jersey City are Feb. 22
Jersey City Writers introduces a new series of Yoga & Writing sessions on Feb. 22 at the Yoga in the Heights studio located at 317 Central Ave. from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. This is a beginner level class that explores writing inspired by gentle movement, focused breathing and relaxation.
This yoga and writing series is facilitated by Adriana Rambay Fernández, a Kripalu-certified teacher. Those who wish to participate should wear comfortable clothing, bring a pen/notepad, and a yoga mat (rentals available at studio). The cost of the session is $15.
For more information go to http://jerseycitywriters.org.