Galaxy Holiday Bazaar on Oct. 19
The Galaxy Towers Condominium is holding its 14th Annual Holiday Bazaar from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 19 in the Galaxy Mall at 7000 Kennedy Blvd. East. A wide selection of local vendors will provide arts, crafts, and gifts for sale.
Local artist’s paintings debut at Comic Con in NYC this weekend
North Bergen resident Ray Arcadio is exhibiting and selling his “In Shape” series of paintings and prints at this year’s New York City Comic Con in the Javits Center in New York City at 655 W 34th St. The four day event kicked off on Thursday, Oct. 9 and runs through Sunday, Oct 12.
Arcadio created a new batch of paintings for the show, in which he crushes The Walking Dead, Darth Vader, and even Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy into shape. “It’s just a matter of time until we all fall in line and shape up” says Arcadio, who has morphed many familiar icons such as pop stars, cartoons characters and politicians in his quest to get everyone “In Shape.”
Arcadio’s “In Shape” series is inspired by the happy face, primitive art and corporate logos. The idea behind the series is to force a subject’s most identifiable characteristic into the template of a universal shape (circle or rectangle), giving them a childlike and comical effect that alludes to consumerism, conformity and self-image. The series is composed of paintings, drawings and sculptural reliefs that serve as visual puns about our constant need to get “In Shape” and “Fit in,” physically and/or psychologically, within our society.
Arcadio’s work is also on display in his solo show at Gia Gelatos and Café in Jersey City, which will be up until Dec. 3. To learn more, visit his website at www.RayArcadio.com
A night with the NJ Devils to benefit Hudson County CASA
Hudson County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) has announced a partnership with the New Jersey Devils in their home-opener against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. in the Prudential Center in Newark. Tickets purchased with the Promo Code CASA4 will include entrance to the new Party Zone featuring arcade games, TVs, group seating with other CASA supporters, and a Devils gift. All CASA supporters will be invited onto the ice for a group photo.
Tickets cost $37.51 and a portion of the proceeds will benefit Hudson County CASA. An information table will be available to raise awareness of CASA programs state-wide.
Hudson County CASA is an independent, non-profit organization committed to advocating for the best interests of abused and neglected children. CASA works through trained community volunteers to ensure that needed services are available to foster children while helping to move them toward safe and permanent homes.
Buy tickets at www.hudsoncountycasa.org with Promo Code CASA4.
New Jerseyans abandoning suburbs in favor of urban living
New Jersey’s population has started to contract back toward its urban core for the first time since the end of the second World War, new research shows, in what could mark a death knell for suburban sprawl and foretell significant changes to the fabric of the Garden State.
A new study published by the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University reveals that between 2010 and 2013, Sussex, Warren, Hunterdon and Monmouth Counties all suffered losses during this period. These counties all have one thing in common – they all exist on the far periphery of the metropolitan area – which researchers say is a signal that after decades of outward expansion, people are gravitating back toward cities.
During the same period, New Jersey’s urban counties have been growing at a far faster rate, a pattern mimicked in New York City and the counties of New York state and Connecticut that border it.
Hudson County, for example, has grown by nearly 25,000 people since 2010 after losing more than 90,000 from its population from 1950 to 1980. By contrast, Sussex County lost more than 3,200 people in recent years after posting gains of more than 80,000 from 1950 to 1980.
“The era of moving ever outward is probably now in the past,” said James Hughes, dean of the Bloustein School, and a co-author of the study. “It’s a potential threshold change,” said Joseph Seneca, a co-author of the study and professor at the Bloustein School. “And it carries a great deal of implications.”
Seneca said the shifts are being driven by lifestyle changes within America’s younger generations, who are rising to dominate the workforce as Baby Boomers continue to age toward retirement.
Should the trend continue, it could have major impacts on the state’s economy, infrastructure and real estate markets, he said.
Halloween parade is on Oct. 29
The North Bergen Recreation Halloween Parade for boys and girls ages infant through 9-years-old, sponsored by Mayor Nicholas Sacco and Commissioner Hugo Cabrera, will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at the Recreation Center, 6300 Meadowview Ave., from 6 to 8 p.m.
There will be pumpkin picking, a petting zoo and goodies. Put on your costume and join the fun. This event is for North Bergen residents only.
Free cancer screenings schedule announced
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Hoboken Family Planning is offering free breast exams and mammograms for uninsured and underinsured women*. Free screenings are available with no appointment on the following days and times at their three locations, or call (201) 963-0300 for an appointment and additional information.
• Oct. 24 from 9 a.m. to noon at Hoboken Family Planning, 124 Grand St., Hoboken.
• Oct. 28 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Summit Center, 1206 Summit Ave., Union City.
This program is made possible by grants from the NJ Dept. of Health & Senior Services, Office of Chronic Disease Prevention & Control/NJ CEED program.
*There are some financial and age limitations for the screenings.
Macy’s job fair coming to North Bergen Public Library
Macy’s logistics and operations in Secaucus is seeking talented individuals for seasonal picking and packing positions and will have a job fair at the North Bergen Public Library, 8411 Bergenline Ave., on Wednesday, Oct. 15, from 4 to 7 p.m.
Associates are responsible to receive, put away, pick, pack, and ship merchandise in a safe, productive and accurate manner. Associates will be cross-trained in multiple areas.
North Bergen Recreation Basketball Registration in October
Mayor Nicholas Sacco and Commissioner Hugo Cabrera invite boys and girls ages 5 through 16 to register for North Bergen Basketball.
Registration will be held at North Bergen Recreation, 6300 Meadowview Ave., Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting Tuesday, Oct. 14. There will also be registration on Thursday evenings Oct. 16 and 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. No sign-ups on Nov. 4 and 11. A $35 non-refundable registration fee is required, along with birth certificate and proof of residency. Cash or money order only.
Palisades Medical Center provides free community health screenings
Throughout the year, Palisades Medical Center’s staff takes an active role in local communities by partnering with North Hudson Community Action Corporation, Christ Hospital School of Nursing, and Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern NJ to provide free health screenings and education programs. The New Jersey Hospital Association (NJHA) recognized Palisades Medical Center’s Community Outreach Program with its Community Outreach Award for its unique and effective methods of reaching out to better serve the healthcare needs of area residents. Palisades Medical Center’s community outreach and education programs are generously funded in part by TD Charitable Foundation.
The following is a schedule of Palisades Medical Center’s free Health Screenings that will be held in local communities in the coming months. Free screenings and information will be available on blood pressure, heart rate, percentage of oxygen in the blood, peak flow/respiratory, Body Mass Index – BMI and mammography certificates. For more information, call Joanne Riggs at (201) 854-5793.
• Oct. 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church, corner of Erie and 2nd St., Jersey City.
• Nov. 2 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at St. Joseph/St. Michael’s Church, 1314 Central Ave., Union City.
• Nov. 9 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at St. Anthony’s Church, 615 8th St., Union City.
• Nov. 23 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 9034 Barr Pl., North Bergen.
German-American Association hosting bus trip to Amish country
The German-American World Friendship Association is hosting an all-day deluxe bus excursion to Amish country on Thursday, Oct. 16. Travelers will leave from the Senator Lounge, Schuetzen Park, 3167 Kennedy Blvd., at 8 a.m. and stop for an all-you-can-eat luncheon at the Good ‘N Plenty Restaurant in Smoketown, Pa. From there they will enjoy a two-hour guided tour of the Amish farmlands. Refreshments will be served on the bus.
The trip is open to the public on a first-come basis at $70 each for adults and $60 each for children ages 4 to 12 years. To reserve a spot, call (201) 751-4452. Checks should be made out to German-American World Historical Society, Inc. (GAWHS) and mailed to the society at 3161 Kennedy Blvd., North Bergen NJ 07047-2303.
Meadowlands Commission upgrading water level alert sensors
The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission (NJMC) this month is upgrading its water level sensors along the Hackensack River so that Meadowlands District first responders and residents continue to receive early warnings when levels rise during tidal events, heavy rains and storms. The yearly updates are especially critical and timely as the region is in the midst of hurricane season.
The text and email based alerts are sent when water levels reach 5.5 feet above sea level in the river and continue to be relayed as levels rise. Warnings can be sent twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
The sensors are solar-powered and the information gathered is relayed to out-of-state servers to ensure that the data is available even during power outages in the Meadowlands area. The commission is updating hardware and software on its sensors at Kearny Point, River Barge Park in Carlstadt, and Saw Mill Creek in North Arlington.
In addition to providing water level alerts, the NJMC also maintains interactive, web-based flood prediction maps that show what parts of district municipalities may flood from sea surge levels of 4 to 8 feet. This information can help emergency officials plan response efforts both before and during sea surge events.
First responders and residents may find more information about and sign up for the NJMC’s water level alerts at http://meri.njmeadowlands.gov/alerts/water-level. The commission’s flood prediction maps can be found at the same site.