Flag Day Parade on June 14 in Guttenberg
On Sunday, June 14, all Guttenberg residents are cordially invited on behalf of the mayor and Town Council to join their fellow residents and observe the 75th annual Flag Day Parade. The parade will begin at 2 p.m. at Bergenline Avenue. The parade will culminate at Miller Stadium in West New York with a flag burning ceremony.
Prostate cancer lecture on June 10
A lecture on the topic of prostate cancer will be held on Wednesday, June 10 at 7 p.m. The lecture will be presented by Robert Simon, MD, Urologist, Holy Name Medical Center. This event is made possible by the Hispanic Outreach Program and Holy Name Medical Center for Wellness Wednesdays. It will be held at the North Bergen Free Public Library, 8411 Bergenline Ave. For more information call the library at (201) 869-4715 or visit nbpl.org.
Hard Rock Casino proposed for the Meadowlands
“With its close proximity to an international airport, the new casino would be designed to attract visitors from not only the 14 million adults in northern New Jersey and New York City, but also international travelers, making it a premier entertainment destination,” said Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International. “The significant tax revenue brought into New Jersey could go directly to aid in the development and reconstruction of Atlantic City’s casino and hotel industry.”
Currently gambling is not allowed in New Jersey outside of Atlantic City. A statewide referendum would be required to allow gaming elsewhere in the state. The politicians gathered for a press conference at the Meadowlands Racetrack on June 3 overwhelmingly supported placing a referendum on the November ballot to more the project forward quickly.
The proposed Hard Rock Casino would feature 5,000 slot machines and 200 gaming tables, along with 10 restaurants and four bars. According to Jeff Gural, chairman of Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment, who invested $120 million in the Meadowlands in 2012, phase one of the entertainment complex could be open as soon as summer 2016.
Church moving from Guttenberg to North Bergen
The church Iglesia de Dios en Cristo La Senda (Church of God in Christ “The Path”) is moving from 328-68th Street in Guttenberg to the Temple Beth El building at 300-75th St. in North Bergen.
The church has been incorporated in New Jersey for 20 years and the main reason for the move is to have a larger space to better serve the community. They aim to become more relevant within the community and to provide citizens with a church community that focuses on building relationships with people, with God, and with the community itself. Their vision is to show love, passion, and compassion for the diverse among the city and to provide a sense of family.
The church will add programs that are relevant to community members once they get more statistical data on what those needs are. Some things they are projecting to do include English classes, helping people build resumes, and connecting community members with jobs within the community. More information will be forthcoming on all these initiatives.
Prayer services are on Tuesdays from 7:45 to 9:45 p.m. Youth services are on Fridays from 7:45 to 9:45 p.m. Sunday school is from 2 to 3:30 p.m. and evangelistic service is from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Sundays. The pastors are Francisco Alexis and Melba Fernandez. Services are in English and Spanish.
Benefit gala on June 11 to support performing arts youth group
The Grace Theatre Workshop, Inc., a not-for-profit youth based organization dedicated to providing free classes in the performing arts to children, will celebrate its fifteenth anniversary and will hold their annual Spring Benefit Gala on Thursday, June 11 at 7 p.m. at The Graycliff, 122 Moonachie Ave., Moonachie. The gala will feature live performances, dinner, and dance music. The organization will also be presenting community service awards to individuals who have contributed to the betterment of the community as a whole. Donations for the Spring Benefit Gala are $100 per person and can be purchased by visiting
gracetheatre.com/annualspringbene.html
The Grace Theatre provides free classes in ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap/rhythm, folkloric dance/salsa, flamenco, singing, and acting to children from Hudson County as well as free admission to professional performances to the students and their families. This school year alone, over four hundred students received free classes at the Grace Theatre.
The Grace Theatre Workshop, Inc. has received much critical acclaim for its professional theatrical productions and is the premiere presenter of bilingual and Spanish language theatre in the State of New Jersey. This past year, the Grace Theatre produced the play “Comfort” at Lincoln Center in NYC, the NoHu International Film Festival at the Tribeca Screening Room in NYC, and the short film “SAL,” and received various awards including the prestigious ACE Award and the ATI Award. Most recently it produced the highly acclaimed documentary feature film “Bay of Pigs, Our Perspective.”
The Grace Theatre Workshop, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization, and donations are tax deductible. Any contribution is greatly appreciated. If unable to attend but would like to make a donation, visit GraceTheatre.com or mail a check or money order payable to The Grace Theatre Workshop, P.O. Box 4412, Union City, NJ 07087.
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 in North Bergen 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.
High Tech students score language awards
High Tech High School students excelled at the 32nd Annual Orlando Saa Foreign Languages Poetry Recitation Contest, held at William Paterson University. High Tech accepts students from throughout Hudson County.
Sara Bendaoud of Bayonne earned second place for advanced level in the French poetry contest. Other students who entered the French contest included Nicole Albornoz of Jersey City and North Bergen resident Erica De Lacerda.
Christian Flores of Union City earned first place for beginner level in the German poetry contest. North Bergen resident Sherly Tapia entered the Italian poetry contest as well.
Students also excelled in the Japanese poetry contest. Bayonne residents Taeka Hayashi and Joseph Saylor earned first place for native level and third place for intermediate level, respectively; Camille Romano of Kearny earned first place for beginner level; and Secaucus resident Aaleah Oliver earned first mention for advanced level.
Mariam Abdelmoula of Jersey City earned third place for the beginner level in the Spanish poetry contest, with Bayonne resident Ivana Rodriguez, Karina Voronich of North Bergen, and Secaucus resident Zachary Canonico also participating.
“All contestants did great work representing High Tech High School,” declared Dr. Laje Gashi, veteran French Language and Culture instructor at High Tech.
North Bergen student wins national scholarship
North Bergen High School student Vimala Priya Darshini Ravi has been named one of 200 state finalists in the National Honor Society Scholarship from the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). Each finalist receives a $1,000 college scholarship.
“We are all extremely proud of Vimala. She truly is a great example of the quality of our students,” said Mayor Nicholas Sacco. “All throughout her time at North Bergen High School she has demonstrated her outstanding academic capabilities as well as being a very well rounded individual in and outside the classroom. It is very pleasing to see her efforts being recognized.”
Participating National Honor Society Chapters from across the country each nominated at least two senior high members to compete in this year’s program. Finalists were selected on the basis of their leadership skills, participation in service organizations, clubs, and other student groups at school and in the community, and their academic record. As a finalist, Darshini was recognized as one of the top 200 NHS members in the nation this school year, selected from nearly 6,800 applicants.
“We are proud to recognize Vimala for her outstanding achievements and contributions to her school,” said Ann Postlewaite, NASSP student programs director. “Students nominated for the NHS Scholarship not only demonstrate academic excellence, but also extraordinary performance in service, leadership and character.”
While at North Bergen High School, Darshini has been National Honors Society vice president, Key Club president, a member of the varsity tennis team, and involved in several service projects. This fall she plans to attend the New Jersey Institute of Technology to study science.
Dance recital takes place June 16
The North Bergen Recreation dance recital will be held on Tuesday, June 16, starting at 6 p.m. This event will be held at North Bergen High School, 7317 Kennedy Blvd.
Register your kids for Summer Fun 2015
Mayor Nicholas J. Sacco and Commissioner Hugo D. Cabrera invite boys and girls ages 6 to 12 to summer fun 2015. Registration is open to North Bergen residents only on Wednesday June 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The registration fee is $50. This fee includes a t-shirt, lunch, field trips, and entertainment. The program begins June 29 and continues until July 31.
North Bergen Summer Green Health Fair upcoming
The second annual Summer Green Health Fair will take place on Saturday, June 20 from noon to 4 p.m. at the 64th Street field. Come enjoy a day full of activities for family members of all ages. For more information call (201) 392-2084.