Noise update on Middle School construction project
The Board of Education has indicated that the noise from the pile-driving at the Middle School/High School work site may become louder in the coming weeks.
Barring unforeseen conditions and assuming the weather cooperates, pile-driving should continue for the next two weeks and will move from the river side of the school to the front side of the property. Check the town website at secaucusnj.gov for developments on this project as they become available.
Library to host Friday lunch breaks for adults
On Friday, Aug. 14, the Secaucus Public Library and Business Resource Center invites adults 18 and over to stop in for the library’s first “Grown-Up Lunch Break.” The program will take place in the library’s second floor Panasonic meeting room between noon and 2 p.m. A second lunch break is planned for the same time on Friday, Aug. 28.
According to library director Jenifer May, the program is intended to give local adults an opportunity to unwind as they begin their weekends. “Recently, coloring and other traditional children’s pastimes have gained popularity as a great way for people of all ages to relax and have fun. We hope that the adults in our community will drop by during our grown-up lunch breaks to try out our coloring pages for adults, which have more intricate designs than children’s coloring books and will be printed on higher quality paper for durability and display purposes. Thanks to the generosity of the Friends of the Library, we will have a wide range of coloring pencils, crayons, specialty markers, and other art supplies to use. Besides coloring, participants can also work on ongoing collaborative jigsaw puzzles, word games or just meet up with other library users.”
She added, “While we cannot provide lunch for those who attend, we will be serving hot and cold beverages as well as light snacks. Those who would like a more substantial meal are encouraged to bring a brown bag lunch. Tables, plates, napkins and utensils will be freely available.”
Registration is not necessary, but requested so that library staff can plan for the appropriate group size. Call (201) 330-2083 x4011 to register, or register online at secaucuslibrary.org.
J-Shine Fund presents Good Vibes for Good Times on Aug. 15
J-Shine Fund will present their fourth annual Good Vibes for Good Times event at Buchmuller Park on Saturday, August 15 from noon until 8 p.m., featuring eight bands and more than 30 vendors and food vendors.
Good Vibes for Good Times is an annual suicide/depression awareness event. It supports the J-Shine Fund, a foundation to support firefighters and musicians with scholarships, and to help bring awareness to others about the problems involving depression and suicide. No tickets are needed. Donations are gladly accepted.
NHL Network moves to Secaucus in merger with MLB Network
The National Hockey League (NHL) has announced a six-year deal with Major League Baseball’s (MLB) media division, located in Secaucus. MLB Advanced Media (MLBAM) will pay the NHL about $100 million per year to take over the television and digital operations for the hockey league.
The NHL will receive an equity stake in MLBAM of between 7 and 10 percent. In exchange MLBAM will handle all television broadcasts and Internet streaming for the NHL, along with the websites and mobile apps for all 30 NHL teams. Broadcasting will take place out of MLB’s Secaucus facility. MLBAM plans to relaunch the NHL online presence in January 2016.
MLBAM also recently entered into a partnership with PGA Tour. MLB President of Business and Media Bob Bowman has spoken with the Wall Street Journal about the possibility of crafting a sports bundle package. Reports suggest that MLBAB, which is equally owned by the league’s 30 teams, may be spun off into a separate entity at some point.
Ice cream party at Uncle D’s on Aug. 16 to support Animal Shelter
Come join the ice cream party at Uncle D’s Ice Cream Shop on Sunday, Aug. 16 from 5 to 9 p.m. All proceeds will benefit the Secaucus Animal Shelter. As an extra bonus, Freshpet will be serving free frozen yogurt for your dogs.
Uncle D’s is located at 1430 Paterson Plank Rd.
August food pantry donations needed
The food pantry is looking for donations of breakfast items for the month of August. Items can be dropped at the Senior Center, 101 Centre Ave., Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please call Patt or Eileen with any questions at (201) 330-2014.
The food pantry is always looking for donations of $10 gift cards to Walmart or ShopRite.
Kids invited to free tour of GRASP Robotics Lab in Phila.
Invntr, a science, engineering and robotics program based in Secaucus, has organized a tour of the GRASP robotics lab at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia on Tuesday, Aug. 18 at 2 p.m. The visit is for children ages 7 to 18 and their parents.
During the hour-long tour, participants will see demonstrations and meet the creators of the robots. The lab has created cutting-edge robots that mimic the swarming behavior in the animal kingdom and traverse difficult terrain using multiple legs. A modular robotics lab focuses on how small mechanisms are combined in a modular way to create complex things. Also on display will be autonomous soccer-playing robots that walk around, find the ball, kick, and even get up if they fall. The team at GRASP is preparing for the Robo Cup tournament in China.
Children from Secaucus and neighboring towns are welcome to attend. The tour is free. Attendees will need to get to Philadelphia and back on their own. To sign up, contact Sidd Saran at ssaran@invntr.net or (201) 691-7498. Information on the lab can be found at grasp.upenn.edu
Secaucus senior citizen boat cruise is Aug. 19
Once again the Hudson County Office on Aging and the Town of Secaucus invite Secaucus senior citizens ages 62 and older to a luncheon cruise on the Hudson River on Aug. 19. Call (201) 865-4422 for information and reservations.
Sign up to participate in the townwide garage sale on Aug. 29
The mayor and Town Council invite all residents to participate in a town wide garage sale on Saturday, Aug. 29 starting at 8 a.m.
Call Judy at (201) 330-2034 to put your address on the list that will be posted. Rain date is Sunday, Aug. 30.
Annual Mark Vogel Memorial Motorcycle Run & BBQ fundraiser is Sept. 26
The Fifth Annual Mark Vogel Memorial Motorcycle Run and BBQ will take place on Saturday, Sept. 26 in Buchmuller Park. The event is sponsored by the Mark Vogel Memorial Foundation in memory of the late resident who was born with achondroplasia dwarfism, and it is coordinated by his brother Fred Vogel, who heads the foundation. Mark, who worked for the Secaucus DPW and was a volunteer firefighter, was fiercely independent and even drove a truck fitted to accommodate his needs. He died in 2000 at age 33 from complications resulting from spinal stenosis surgery.
“My brother lived to help and serve others and was an inspiration to many,” said Fred Vogel. “This foundation was established in Mark’s memory to support Little People of America (LPA), Garden State Chapter, and ‘Understanding Dwarfism’ and with everyone’s help, we hope to continue to support even more people affected with dwarfism.”
The event combines a Motorcycle Run that leaves Buchmuller Park at 11 a.m. sharp and rides with police escort to the Palisades Interstate Parkway and back to the BBQ. The registration fee is $25 per biker and $20 for a rider. Admission to the BBQ, with food, live bands, a DJ, professional wrestling show, children’s activities that include a bounce house, rock wall, and laser tag is $15 per person and $10 for kids under 12 years old. Registration for the BBQ only begins at noon. The event ends at 6 p.m.
Cheeseburger in Paradise will donate food, Rich Steffens from Steffens Provisions will donate and cook hot dogs, and Natoli’s Pizza and Deli will donate pizza, soda, and water later in the day. News of more vendors and events will be forthcoming.
Proceeds from the event will help others living with dwarfism and those with affected members in their families. This event helps kick off Dwarfism Awareness Month, which begins Oct. 1.
For those who cannot make the motorcycle run or BBQ but want to support this worthy cause, donations of food, drinks, and giveaways would be appreciated. Checks made out to the Mark Vogel Memorial Foundation can be sent to Fred Vogel at 246 Pandolfi Avenue, Secaucus 07094. For more information, contact Vogel at (201) 469-6676.
Take a pontoon boat ride in August
For those who have glimpsed the Meadowlands only from the surrounding highways or the window of a commuter train, a leisurely, two-hour boat tours reveal a whole new environment including acres of preserved wetlands and a thriving ecosystem, all framed by a spectacular view of the Manhattan skyline. Expert staff narrate the tours, talking about the Hackensack River estuary’s storied history as 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 are for ages 10 and up. The cost is $15 per person. Advance registration and payment are required. Boats leave at 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 12, 14, 18, 20 and 26; 10 a.m. on Aug. 19; and 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 22.
All tours launch from River Barge Park, 260 Outwater Lane, Carlstadt. For registration forms go to www.njmeadowlands.gov and click on “2015 River Tour Season.” For more information and to register call (201) 460-4640.
Farmers market every Thursday evening
The Secaucus farmers market takes place every Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Wilson Avenue and First Avenue (near Charlie’s Corner). Available for purchase are farm fresh vegetables, honey, bread, and spices. Additional vendors include Just Dogs, Sweet & Flour, Trashy Bags, Doggy Treats, and the Secaucus Public Library and Business Resource Center. Be sure to stop by on your way to the Thursday night concerts in Buchmuller Park.