Saint Anthony High School announces it may close
The Saint Anthony High School Board of Trustees have announced that the school may close in June 2017 unless $10 to $20 million can be raised within the next several months to establish an endowment.
The school has experienced a confluence of circumstances over the past several years that have taken a large financial toll. These include a double-digit decline in enrollment; the gap between what is charged for tuition and the actual cost for educating a student – $6,500 tuition vs. $14,000 — a deteriorating physical plant; heightened competition for students by charter and public schools; changing demographics in the area; and increased operating costs.
“Closing is the last thing we want to do. We’ve made sure all of our graduates have gone on to college and we’re very proud of that. It’s something we want to continue,” said Saint Anthony President Bob Hurley Sr. “We are making this announcement now, to be as transparent and as fair as possible to students, their families, and our faculty and staff.”
The Board of Trustees noted that the school would need to raise at least $1.5 million each year to continue operating. While they may be able to come close to securing that amount this year, it would be difficult – perhaps impossible – to maintain that level of fundraising every year.
“The only way we can be totally fair to our students, and our teachers and staff, is to make sure we have a sustainable plan,” stated Tony Marano, the Board of Trustees chair. “We want to be able to give our kids the full education they deserve, and to do that we need a school building and a budget that would allow us to provide instruction and after-school programs in STEM, music, the physical sciences, and more.”
This past year in particular, the St. Anthony Board has held or organized several different fundraising endeavors to try and close the financial gap, including the upcoming “50 Years of Chasing Perfect: A Tribute to Coach Bob Hurley” on Sept. 23, and the 2016 Hurley Golf Classic on Oct. 3. Additionally, Hurley donates a minimum of 80 percent of his speaking engagements to the school.
“It’s just possible there’s a multi-million-dollar miracle out there and we’re praying for one,” Hurley stated.
Those interested in contributing to the school, may do so by mailing a check or dropping one off at the school on Eighth Street. For more information, email cypherj@stanthonyhighschool.org.
Jersey City school board introduces measure to name school after President Obama
Bowing to overwhelming public support, the Board of Education introduced an ordinance on Sept. 15 that will rename Public School 34 after President Barrack Obama. Previously, the board had been considering naming the school after board member and longtime educator Marilyn Roman.
Led by Assemblywoman Angela McKnight, community members and public officials urged the board to name the school after the first African-American president. Among the public officials urging the board to reconsider were Council President Rolando Lavarro and Councilwoman Diane Coleman.
After considering the matter, board members in support of Roman withdrew her name, clearing the way for next month’s vote to name the school after Obama.
Violent Crimes Task Force makes more arrests
Jersey City residents Shahid S. Bin-Yamin, 20, Daniel Rodriguez, 23, and Gerard Rosario, 19, were arrested on various charges including several firearm charges and theft, according to a release issued by Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez.
The arrests were made on Sept. 13 by members of the Jersey City Violent Crimes Task Force Initiative. These arrests marked the second consecutive night the Task Force has removed illegal firearms from the streets of Jersey City. The Prosecutor’s Office Task Force is an ongoing cooperative initiative that was formed to combat violence and take illegal firearms off the streets. The Task Force consists of Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Detectives, Jersey City Police Officers and Hudson County Sheriff Officers.
All three of the defendants have been charged with one count of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm; Unlawful Possession of Hollow Point Bullets; and Receiving Stolen Property. In addition, Rodriguez was charged with Certain Persons Not to Carry a Firearm. Bin-Yamin’s bail was set at $150,000 cash or bond. Rodriguez’ bail was set at $150,000 cash only. Rosario’s bail was set at $150,000 cash only.
In a separate incident, on Sept. 12, the task force arrested C’Hanif Murphy, 22, of Jersey City on various charges including unlawful firearm possession charges, Controlled Dangerous Substance distribution charges and resisting arrest.
During the arrest, officers allegedly discovered one firearm, more than 1,000 glassine bags of suspected heroin, two plastic baggies containing suspected marijuana, and approximately $1600 in US currency. Charges against Murphy include one count of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm; Unlawful Possession of a Firearm during a CDS arrest; Unlawful Possession of Hollow Point Bullets; two counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance; two counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance within 1,000 feet of a Public School; two counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance within 500 feet of a Public Library; and, Resisting Arrest.
Golden Door International Film Festival kicks off
The Golden Door International Film Festival will take place on Sept. 22 to 25. The mix of unique independent winners and mainstream majors anchor this year’s roster of entertainment, held at the Landmark Loews, Beacon Paramount theatre and Rialto-Capital.
Opening night on Sept. 22 will have the world premiere of Chris Robert’s highly anticipated “Another You,” starring Ksenia Solo, Kris Holden-Ried, and Diego Boneta. The film focuses on the young and ambitious science major Sydney Jameson who finds love and refuses to let it go at all costs. What starts as an ordinary relationship with her boyfriend Marcus slowly becomes a fixation that takes Sydney into the darkest depths of despair. Driven by obsession, Sydney loses herself in a scientific breakthrough, finding a way to use the theory of deja vu to explore her past mistakes.
Friday night, Sept. 23, will feature the red carpet screening of Miles Doleac’s “The Hollow,” ahead of its wide theatrical later in the year, starring James Callis (“Bridget Jones’s Baby”), Christiane Seidel (“Boardwalk Empire”), William Sadler (“The Shawshank Redemption”), William Forsythe (“Daredevil”), Jeff Fahey (“Lost”) and Doleac (“Containment”). Also on the program: Legends of Freestyle documentary with live concert artist/singer Cynthia.
Saturday night red carpet events include Mara Lesemann’s “Detours,” starring Carlo Fiorletta and Paul Sorvino, John Asher’s “Po,” starring Christopher Gorham, about a single dad raising a boy with autism, and Thomas Baldinger’s romantic-comedy “Who’s Jenna..?” starring Tracey Birdsall and Bill Sorvino.
The GDIFF festival was founded and is run by the prestigious Sorvino family, with both Mira Sorvino and her father Paul on the board. Filmmakers vie to win honors in such categories as The James Gandolfini Award, Narrative Feature, Music Videos and Local Films.
Information and session times can be found at http://goldendoorfilmfestival.org/
Four artists deliver ‘The State of the Union’
Shusspace, 340 Summit Ave. in Jersey City will present “The State of the Union” from Sept. 24 to Oct. 22, Fridays and Saturdays, from 3 to 8 p.m. or by appointment. In the exhibition, four artists come together to deliver The State of The Union, a pre-election exhibition offering reflections on contemporary America in the context of its relatively short history.
Curator Allison Remy Hall and artists DISTORT, Lina Hsiao, Dominic Sansone, and Sam Pullin offer a small glimpse into the current realities of the heartland. These artists anchor their individual experiences to the greater political actualities of the nation, stripping away popular irreverence as they broadcast The State of The Union through painting and installation.
GOP political strategist opens HCCC lecture series
Noted Republican political strategist Ana Navarro, who is also a political analyst for CNN and CNN en Español, will be the first speaker in this season’s Lecture Series at Hudson County Community College (HCCC). The event is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 29 at 1 p.m. in the Scott Ring Room of the College’s Culinary Conference Center at 161 Newkirk St. in Jersey City, two blocks from the Journal SquarePATHTransportation Center.
The event is open to the general public, and there is no charge for admission.
Navarro is well known to those following the country’s elections and politics. In addition to providing analysis on CNN, she is also a special political contributor on ABC’s The View and This Week with George Stephanopoulos, and frequently appears on shows such as Meet the Press, Bill Maher’s Real Time, and Anderson Cooper 360.
The Miami New Times named her a “Republican power-consultant,” and the Tampa Bay Times called her “a sought-after voice in Republican politics and an adviser for any presidential hopeful,” saying, “with confidants Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio she is poised to play a big role in the GOP response to immigration reform and Hispanic outreach.”
Respected on both sides of the aisle for her straight shooting and candor, Republican consultant Brett O’Donnell said of Navarro, “Ana speaks the truth, and she is willing to speak the truth to power without reservation…She has the ear of lots of elected officials.”
HCCC President Glen Gabert, Ph.D. said that Navarro’s appearance will be very timely, as it falls just three days after the first of the 2016 presidential election debates. “Ana Navarro’s experience in this political arena will bring great perspective to the candidates and the election,” he said.
Tickets for the event, which are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis, may be obtained by phoning(201)360-4020.
Time for a BBQ in Hamilton Park
The Hamilton Park Conservancy presents the seventh Annual Hamilton Park BBQ Festival on Saturday, Sept. 24, from noon to 8 p.m., at McWilliams Place, on the east side of Hamilton Park.
Proceeds of the Hamilton Park BBQ Festival benefit the Hamilton Park Conservancy, dedicated to assisting the city in the maintenance, improvement, and preservation of the five-acre Victorian-era park in the historic district of Hamilton Park.
The Conservancy is responsible for the lawn renovation program and maintenance of two community tennis courts. The park was named for founding father Alexander Hamilton by his friend and fellow federalist John B. Coles.
Ahri’s Kitchen, Delaney Barbecue of Brooklyn, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, GP’s Restaurant, Hamilton Pork, Pennsylvania’s Jimmy’s BBQ, and Spanky’s BBQ, will be serving up BBQ and BBQ related sides.
Pet Shop will also be in attendance this year with vegetarian-inspired BBQ. Hamilton Pork and GP’s Restaurant will be tending-bar serving specialty cocktails and beer from New Jersey Beer Co. Baonanas, Lizzmonade, and Milk Sugar Love will feed your sweet tooth, quench your thirst, and dazzle your taste buds.
Activities will include a mechanical bull, bouncy castle, and face-painting. Kids are welcome. There will be craft and art vendors in Hamilton Park. Famous Dancing Tony is coordinating live music all day.
Slated to perform are Next Step Broadway Dancers, Little Rose Lonesome Prairie Dogs, Sensational Country Blues Wonders, Peter Lancet and the Stray Dogs, Jeremy Wallace Trio, Hudson City Rats, Dan O’Dea and Eagle Ridge and The Jersey Rollers.
For more information, contact Ellen Hockley at ellen@greater-goodevents.com, or (201) 253-8698.