Flag Day Parade is June 14
On Sunday, June 14 the 75th annual Flag Day Parade takes place. The parade will begin at 2 p.m. at Bergenline Avenue and 85th Street in North Bergen and will travel south to Miller Stadium at 57th Street in West New York. Anyone with an old, tattered flag is invited to bring it to one of the following locations where it will be properly retired in a dignified manner. Please ask for the person listed below.
North Bergen: 64th Street Recreation Center (John Cellini) or DPW Garage, 6100 Tonnelle Ave. (Ed O’Neill). West New York: Miller Stadium, near main gate (Ken Furlong). Guttenberg: Police headquarters, 6808 Park Ave. (Capt. Joel Magenheimer).
‘Summer Concerts on the Hudson’ are back
Summer Concerts on the Hudson returns to the Weehawken waterfront for its 12th full season on Wednesday, June 24. This summer’s series of free concerts will feature top artists from many different musical genres, including Funk, Rock ‘Roll, Soul, R&B, Jazz (New Orleans and Gypsy Jazz),Latin American, and more.
The opening concert will showcase the talents of Al Chez and the Brothers of Funk, a big band of sixteen instrumentalists. The group is led by Al Chez, who spent 25 years in the David Letterman band. Letterman band leader Paul Schaffer called Al “the most dynamic trumpet virtuoso I have ever encountered.” A local band, Finish This, will open at 6 p.m.
All performances of Summer Concerts on the Hudson take place at Lincoln Harbor Park and begin at 7 p.m. Rain dates, if necessary, will occur the following night after each scheduled show.
An overview of the entire series will appear in next week’s Weehawken Reporter.
For more information, please visit www.hrpac.org or call the Summer Concerts info line at
(201) 716-4540.
Hip hop artist Kendrick Lamar visits with students at High Tech High School
Hugely popular hip hop artist Kendrick Lamar dropped in at High Tech High School on Monday, June 8 to meet with a class of about 40 students studying literature. Telling the students about his inspirations to become a poet, including encouragement from teachers, he engaged in a question and answer session with the students about the relationship between hip hop and literature.
Following this he addressed about 800 screaming students in the school’s Field House, where he participated in a panel discussion and heard poetry readings from students.
The event was the result of postings by English Teacher Brian Mooney, who incorporated lyrics from Lama’s most recent album, “To Pimp a Butterfly,” into lessons on Toni Morrison’s novel, “The Bluest Eye.” The postings went viral and Lamar reached out to ask if he could visit the class.
While at the school Lamar viewed an original dance to a song from his album, performed by the school’s hip-hop dance club. Students also shared their original poetry, rap, and artwork with the star.
First public golf course in Hudson now open
The Skyway Golf Course at Lincoln Park, 515 Duncan Ave. in Jersey City, begins accepting applications for membership starting Monday, June 15. Proof of residency is required. The facility, located on the west side of Lincoln Park, is the first public golf course in Hudson Copunty. The 3, 257 yard nine-hole course consists of three par 3’s, three par 4’s, and three par 5’s and offers views of the Pulaski Skyway and the Freedom Tower in lower Manhattan. For more information call (201) 763-7520.
Cancer survivors to celebrate at ‘Keys of Hope’ reunion
To honor National Cancer Survivors Day, Extended Stay America and the American Cancer Society are sponsoring a ”Keys of Hope” reunion on Saturday and Sunday, June 13 and 14, featuring a special keynote by “Good Morning America” host and cancer survivor Amy Robach.
An estimated 1.6 million Americans will be diagnosed with some type of cancer this year. Of those, thousands will travel away from home for treatment. “Keys of Hope,” a flagship program between Extended Stay America Hotels and the American Cancer Society, is helping patients overcome the financial stress of traveling for treatment via an ongoing donation of nearly 50,000 free and reduced room nights that has already impacted 6,700 lives.
Cancer survivors and their families who have taken advantage of “Keys of Hope” will converge on Secaucus for a weekend of fun, celebrating survivorship and honoring those still fighting. During the event, Robach will share her powerful testimony about her battle with cancer, and an extended message of hope to patients and families.
Attendees will be varied groups of people whose lives have been affected by cancer, including men, women, young and old, mothers, fathers, patients, survivors, and caregivers. In addition, executives from American Cancer Society and Extended Stay America Hotels will be available to share more about the program and ongoing partnership.
The event will take place at Extended Stay America, The Plaza at Harmon Meadow, 1 Plaza Dr.
Men allegedly steal $1.5M in mozzarella, beer, and other cheesy cargo
Twelve men, including two from North Bergen and six from Union City, were indicted on charges that they conspired in a $1.5 million series of thefts involving tractor-trailers loaded with cargo, including clothing, beauty products, auto parts, and beer. The defendants allegedly stole and fenced the items, according to a statement from Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman.
The statement read in part: “The Division of Criminal Justice Specialized Crimes Bureau obtained an 11-count state grand jury indictment that charges all 12 defendants with first-degree conspiracy. Eleven of the defendants also are charged with first-degree money laundering, second-degree theft by unlawful taking, second-degree fencing, second-degree receiving stolen property, and third-degree burglary. The first-degree money laundering charge carries a sentence of up to 20 years in state prison.
“The 12 members of the cargo theft ring allegedly worked together in various combinations to steal tractor-trailers containing cargo from the tri-state area of New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. They allegedly brought the stolen cargo to warehouses and lots in New Jersey, Brooklyn, N.Y., and the Bronx, N.Y. The total value of the cargo and tractor-trailers stolen exceeded $1.5 million. The stolen cargo ran the gamut from $120,000 worth of catalytic converters, which allegedly were stolen in Linden, N.J., and recovered by investigators at a warehouse in Saddle Brook, N.J.; to $165,000 worth of Moroccan oil hair and body products stolen in Allentown, Pa., and transported through New Jersey to a lot in the Bronx, N.Y.; to $152,000 worth of GNC fish oil capsules stolen in Paterson, N.J. and recovered at a furniture store in Hillside, N.J.”
Also among the items allegedly stolen were a tractor-trailer containing approximately $201,000 worth of clothing, a tractor-trailer containing more than $143,000 worth of Nivea skin lotion, a tractor-trailer containing more than $151,000 worth of Goodyear tires, and a tractor-trailer containing $100,000 worth of mozzarella cheese.
The indictment, which was returned on June 4, stems from Operation Midnight Run, a long-term investigation by the New Jersey State Police Interstate Theft North Unit, the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice Specialized Crimes Bureau, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Border Enforcement Security Task Force.
Solstice Celebration is June 21
Celebrate the sun on the longest day of the year, June 21, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Meadowlands Environment Center, 2 DeKorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst. The program starts with a brief discussion of the scientific and cultural significance of the solstice, followed by a short walk to the Lyndhurst Nature Reserve to enjoy the outdoors and give thanks when the sun reaches its peak at 12:38 p.m. Participants will each take home a craft kit to make their own sun catchers. Registration is required at njmeadowlands.gov and click on “Events.” Information: (201) 460-4619 or communications@njmeadowlands.gov.
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.
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 17, 19, 23, and 25. 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
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.