Secaucus Street Fair is this weekend
This year the Secaucus Street Fair is back on the street in the area of Front Street and Plaza Centre. The event runs on Friday, June 6 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., on Saturday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., and on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
More than 80 vendors will attend, with new vendors each day. Among the attractions will be food vendors, carnival games, bounce houses, and a dunk tank.
If you require general information or assistance during the street fair, visit the gazebo in the Plaza to speak with a street fair committee member.
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 move 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.
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.
Ride a pontoon in June
The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority’s (NJSEA) guided pontoon boat tours of the Hackensack River give visitors a unique opportunity to experience the amazing natural beauty and wildlife of the Meadowlands up-close while learning about the remarkable history of the river and the region. Expert staff members narrate the leisurely two-hour tours. While talking about the Hackensack River estuary’s storied history they point out birds, diamondback terrapins and other wildlife along the way. Wear comfortable footwear and don’t forget your camera: the cruises afford great photo opportunities.
Tours take place at 5:30 p.m. on June 9, 11, 17, 19, 23, and 25, and at 8:30 a.m. on June 13. All tours launch from River Barge Park, 260 Outwater Lane, Carlstadt. Advance registration and $15 per person payment required. Visit www.njmeadowlands.gov and click on “2015 River Tour Season” or call (201) 460-4677 or email cathy.vonk@njmeadowlands.gov
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.
Join a special Native Plant Walk on June 7
Join botanist Edith Wallace and Don Torino of the Bergen County Audubon Society for a First-Sunday-of-the-Month Nature Walk Special Event – Native Plant Walk, as they look for plants that attract birds and butterflies and what works best in your garden. The free event takes place from 10 a.m. to noon on Sunday, June 7. Meet at the Meadowlands Environment Center, 2 DeKorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst. For more information contact Don Torino at (201) 230-4983 or greatauk4@gmail.com. To register go to www.njmeadowlands.gov and click on “Events.”
Girl Scouts art supply drive benefits hospitalized kids
Your donation will help entertain children who are stuck in the hospital all day. This art supply drive is a Bronze Award project for Girl Scouts Alexandria, Athanasia, and Samantha.
Donation boxes are located at the Secaucus Public Library, Huber Street School, Clarendon School, St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, the farmer’s market, and the Recreation Center on Koelle Blvd.
Boxes will be available from now through July 4. With your help, enough art supplies can be collected to give to every single child in a local hospital.
Family Funival at Buchmuller Park on June 13
Save the date for the Family Funival on June 13 at Buchmuller Park in Secaucus. End the school year with family and friends. Among the features will be an inflatable obstacle course, an egg toss, tug of war, bounce house, rock wall, and other games. A hot dog eating contest will take place at noon.
Riverkeeper Environmental Boat Rides in June and July
Reserve your spot today for the boat rides on June 22 and July 20. The mayor and Town Council along with the Hackensack Riverkeeper invite residents 10 years old and older on a free environmental boat ride along the Hackensack River. Rides take place from 9 to 11 a.m. on Mondays, June 22 and July 20. Call (201) 865-4422 to reserve. Limited seating.
Participate in the Resident Art Show
On Thursday, June 25 the Secaucus Town Hall will be transformed for an evening of arts and culture where the talented members of the community will be showcased.
Submission deadline is June 12. For more information and to submit your work, contact Sandy D’Arzen at (201) 330-2000 ext. 3037 or Christine Smith at (201) 330-2031. All submissions are subject to approval by the review panel.
Free workshop: How to protect yourself from financial exploitation after a disaster
Hudson Regional Health Commission, in conjunction with the Rutgers School of Social Work, will be hosting a free workshop entitled “When Disaster Threatens to Strike Twice: How to Protect Yourself and Others from Financial Exploitation after a Disaster.”
The workshop is open to all who reside or work in Hudson County, and will be held on June 16 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Secaucus Public Library, 137 Patterson Plank Rd.
For more information and to register contact Christina Butieb-Bianco at (201) 223-1133 or email disaster@hudsonregionalhealth.org with your name and phone number and workshop you are registering for.
Residential curbside tree planting program runs through October
The curbside tree program is back with planting taking place from May to October. The price is $200 for each tree. The tree will be planted curbside only. The proper tree will be determined by the administrator of tree conservation and the Shade Tree Committee in consultation with the homeowner and in accordance with the curb location.
Planting will be done by the Department of Public Works. Root barriers will be installed with each planting. If the tree is severely damaged or dies within the first year, it will be replaced at no cost.
For more information or to ask what tree species are available, call Town Hall at (201) 330-2008 and leave a message for Frank Sasso, administrator of tree conservation. Frank will visit the location and advise the homeowner which tree will be best suited to the particular spot.