NBPD dodgeball tournament on May 30 to raise funds for Special Olympics
The North Bergen Police Department Dodgeball Tournament will take place at the Recreation Center on Saturday, May 30 at 10 a.m. to benefit the NJ Special Olympics. Officers Alex Barrios, Edward Moyano, Hector Rosa, and Ramon DeJesus organized the large scale event, which also includes a blood drive. The officers organized the same event two years ago on a smaller scale and raised $2,500 in one day. They aim to exceed that total this year.
The Recreation Center is at 6300 Meadowview Ave.
15th annual Cuban Parade and Festival is May 31
Celebrations will begin at noon with a parade commencing at 79th Street and Bergenline Ave. in North Bergen, at the entrance to James J. Braddock North Hudson Park. The parade will pass through Guttenberg and West New York and conclude at 43rd St. and Bergenline Ave. in Union City with a reviewing stand ceremony.
Following the parade, the Cuban festival will take place at 1 Exchange Place in Jersey City until 10 p.m. and will feature food kiosks, rides, and live entertainment.
Both events are free and open to the public.
Surreal portraits and big teeth are focus of artist Ray Arcadio’s solo exhibition
North Bergen artist Ray Arcadio will exhibit new work at his exhibit “Shape Shifter” at PortO Lounge in Jersey City from June 5 to Sept. 4. An opening reception will be held on Friday, June 5 from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Arcadio’s “In Shape” series, depicting surreal portraits of familiar personages, is inspired by the selfie, primitive art, and street art, serving as visual puns about our constant need to “fit in” or get “in shape” physically and/or psychologically within our society. Numerous pop icons and superheroes have been removed from their environment and forced to fit into a new In Shape universe, held as hostages of conformity. A painting of Ken and Barbie, for example, depicts the couple nude as Ken grins intensely with enormous teeth at Barbie, while she looks straight at the viewer in her own creepy way – both perfectly “In Shape.” The paintings serve as reminders to “define the shape you’re in,” break out of the mold, never just fit in or let the shape you’re in define who you are.
Arcadio’s surreal portraits will be on display as part of JC Fridays. PortO Lounge is located at 286 1st Street, Jersey City. Performing at the reception will be New Jersey’s indie rock favorite, Fiscal Cliff, playing original songs from their repertoire as well as covers.
Hudson County veteran ID cards and discount program available June 6
Hudson County is grateful to the men and women who served and continue to serve our nation through the armed forces. As a small token of appreciation, County Clerk Barbara A. Netchert is offering veterans a courtesy veteran I.D. card on Saturday, June 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at VFW Post 3776, 1400 Paterson Plank Road, Secaucus.
The card affords participating businesses in the county an opportunity to say “thank you” to military veterans by extending them a special discount on various goods and services. The list of participating merchants includes everything from restaurants and recreation to vision care and retail. The one thing they have in common is their desire to give something back to the brave men and women who have given so much.
The veteran ID card is the size of a standard credit card and fits neatly into a wallet. It’s a convenient way for veterans to show proof of their military status and eliminates the need to carry around valuable discharge papers.
Veterans who live in Hudson County can bring their legible long form DD214 and proof of Hudson County residency to the VFW Post on June 6 in order to qualify and receive their ID card. Light refreshments will be served.
All Hudson County veterans are welcome.
Guttenberg Arts Gallery presents a solo exhibition of works by Pavel Acosta
How does a painter make paintings without paint? “Stealing is at the very core of my work since I first started making art,” said Pavel Acosta. Born and raised in Havana with a lack of art supplies inspired Acosta to rethink what it meant to make art. With little access to affordable art materials, he began to steal dry paint chips from the crumbling city walls and the objects around him to make paintings or collages of recycled paint on paper and canvas. He called these works “stolen paintings.”
Acosta’s move to the United States in 2010 fundamentally changed his artwork. Recent works show Acosta’s source of materials is not the city anymore, but the museums, as he peels the paint directly off the wall and uses the paint chips to make exact reproductions of the permanent collection paintings.
Included in his “Present Works” exhibition at the Guttenberg Arts Gallery are two of Acosta’s latest works from the series “Stolen from the Met,” both being exhibited for the first time in New Jersey. In this series, the artist realizes detailed, 1:1 copies of works from the Met’s and other major museums’ collections.
The exhibition runs from June 5 through July 1 at 6903 Jackson St., Guttenberg, with an opening reception on June 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. and an artist talk at 7 p.m. For more information contact info@guttenbergarts.org or (201) 868-8585. Guttenberg Art Gallery is free and open to the public by appointment.
Register for swimming lessons
Registration for swimming lessons at the North Bergen pool begins on Saturday, May 30. Classes in Mommy and Me, Levels 1-6, and Adult Lessons (TBA) will be held on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays starting at 10 a.m. Students will be evaluated on the first day of class. All instructors are licensed water safety instructors.
Session cost for members $10; nonmembers $20 – six sessions. Date TBA. The pool is at 2111 91st St.
Health fair and blood drive on June 13
Walgreens Pharmacy at 7401 River Rd. in North Bergen will host a community health fair and blood drive in its parking lot on June 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event, which is free and open to the general public, is made possible thanks to Walgreens’ partnership with Palisades Medical Center and the American Red Cross.
Medical professionals from Palisades Medical Center will be in attendance to answer questions and conduct free health tests and screenings, including blood pressure, heart rate, percentage of oxygen in the blood, and many more hospital services.
Health fair attendees will receive free samples and giveaways, and there will be face painting and other attractions for kids.
The American Red Cross will also conduct a blood drive during the health fair. Blood drive appointments are preferred. Sign up at redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS, sponsor code: walgreens north bergen.
Braddock Park Art Festival is June 14
The first annual Braddock Park Arts Festival will take place between the Lake House (Interpretive Center) and the street circle on Riverside Drive in Braddock Park on Sunday, June 14 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Lake House is the focal point of the festival, with the artist market set up in tents following the lake’s walking path, displaying high quality art and craft works from many local artists, galleries, and organizations. Also lining the path from the Lake House to Riverside Drive will be art technique demonstrations, community projects, and artist installations. Food Truck Row will be located around the street circle on Riverside Drive, joined by a farmers market to support locally grown food.
Throughout the park will be artist installations, creating a pop-up sculpture garden featuring works by internationally known artists. In Graffiti Alley, artists will create graffiti-style murals on 8’x 8’ panels of plywood. Visitors are encouraged to pick up a brush and paint on an 8’x8’ community mural, as well as participate in the art-making demonstrations that are fun and fit for all ages.
Guinness Book of World Record holding artist Steve McKenzie and the Rainbow squadron will introduce the public to large scale printmaking by creating a 50’x4’ community steamroller mono print. Visitors are invited to watch as additional 4’x8’ woodcuts by other artists are inked and printed with the steamroller. These larger than life mono prints and woodcuts will be hung between the trees and change the park into a temporary gallery creating a beautiful series of images for all to enjoy.
The first annual Braddock Park Art Festival is sponsored by Hudson County Executive Thomas A. DeGise, Anthony Vainieri and The Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders, The Hudson County Division of Cultural & Heritage Affairs/Tourism Development, Hudson County Division of Parks, and is hosted by Guttenberg Arts.
Hard Rock Casino Meadowlands a possibility
Hard Rock International and Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment will hold a press conference on Wednesday, June 3 to announce their vision of potentially constructing a Hard Rock Casino in the Meadowlands.
According to a statement from the organizers, “A casino at the Meadowlands could generate more than $400 million in yearly revenue, which could fund critical priorities, such as property tax relief for seniors and veterans’ programs, in addition to helping rebuild Atlantic City and create more than 10,000 jobs in the area.”
For years, politicians from the Atlantic City area strongly objected to the idea of allowing gambling outside of the region, saying it would severely impact the struggling city, where four casinos closed in 2014. They cited a package of incentives put in place in 2011 by Gov. Chris Christie giving Atlantic City five years to show improvement before he would consider asking voters to approve casinos elsewhere in the state.
Those politicians have since reconsidered, contingent upon Atlantic City receiving financial support from gaming facilities in other regions. The Meadowlands are considered a prime location for casino gambling if it is allowed in North Jersey, with Jersey City also mentioned as a possibility.
Jeff Gural, chairman of Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment, reportedly told The Associated Press that a Hard Rock Casino in the Meadowlands would pay a 55 percent tax rate on winnings – equal to the Pennsylvania tax rate and seven times higher than the rate in Atlantic City – with revenue to be shared with Atlantic City to help them rebuild and recover.
There still needs to be a referendum on expanding gambling outside Atlantic City before any plans can proceed. The deadline for a November referendum is in June, so any decision may be pushed to 2016 or later.
Gural will be present at the press conference next week to discuss the casino plans, along with Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International. They are scheduled to unveil project details, video, renderings, and more.
Registration for Pee Wee Football starts June 2
Register for Pee Wee Football from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday through Friday starting June 2 at the Recreation Center, 6300 Meadowview Ave. Evening registration is also available from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2, Thursday, June 4, and Friday, June 5 at the Pop Warner Building, 6301 Meadowview Ave.
Bring proof of residency. Boys must be 6 to 14 years old (cannot attend high school). If you do not attend public school you must supply proof of the school you currently attend. There is a $35 nonrefundable registration fee.
Liberty Humane Society hosts free animal adoption event
Liberty Humane Society will host an adoption promotion event this Saturday and Sunday, May 30-31, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at its 235 Jersey City Blvd. facility. Cats and dogs over four months of age will be available for zero-fee adoption to approved adoptive homes.
These events are crucial to the local non-profit shelter. As the summer season approaches, more cats and dogs will be brought in as stray animals. By hosting large promotional adoption events, the shelter not only provides a great opportunity for the homeless animals currently in its care to find their adoptive forever homes, but also prepares kennels for the those animals incoming.
Liberty Humane Society focuses its attention on caring for and adopting out the homeless dogs and cats of its community, promoting an “Adopt Local” philosophy encouraging homes considering adopting a pet to look local first, and consider providing homes for dogs and cats found homeless in their own neighborhoods.
Pets under four months of age will be excluded from this promotion. Please visit the shelter or log onto www.libertyhumane.org for more details.
Summer Concert Series begins June 6 with Brian Jarvis
The North Bergen Summer Concert Series kicks off on June 6 with a free acoustic concert at the North Bergen Free Public Library, 8411 Bergenline Ave. Brian Jarvis will perform popular cover songs and music from his album “Beautifully Broken.” The show begins at 5 p.m.
2015 flag football registration upcoming
Registration for 2015 flag football for boys and girls ages 5 through 7 will take place at the Recreation Center, 6300 Meadowview Ave., on June 4 and 5 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., plus an evening registration on Thursday, June 4 only from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. An additional registration session will be held on Saturday, June 6 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Bring proof of residency, birth certificate, passport, and $35.00 non-refundable registration fee.