Jersey City: Events

[JCMAN320]

New Jersey City Heights bus route gets mixed reviews

by Amy Sara Clark Friday March 28, 2008, 7:03 PM

Jersey City Heights residents are about to get their Palisade Avenue bus back, but with less-frequent service than they had expected.

That route was canceled in August, when Red & Tan/Coach U.S.A. rerouted its 99S bus to Central Avenue. Last month, NJ Transit announced that beginning next April 5, it would extend service on the No. 123 -- which currently runs from Congress Street to the Port Authority Bus Terminal on 42nd Street in Manhattan -- an extra 1.1 miles to Christ Hospital.

But during rush hour not all buses go that extra distance. So while buses run from Congress Street every 7 to 12 minutes between 7 and 9 a.m., the extended-route bus will only run every 30 minutes. In the evening rush hour, the extended-route buses will run every 16 to 24 minutes, compared to every 6 to 15 minutes to Congress Street.

NJ Transit has promised to continue the service through the end of the year, and will make it permanent if there are enough riders. But area residents are worried the limited rush hour service will fail to attract enough customers to meet the agency's expectations.

"It will be hard to establish a robust ridership without a robust schedule during rush hour," said Becky Hoffman, president of the Riverview Neighborhood Association.

Hoffman points out, for example, that to get to the city by 9 a.m., riders will only have two choices: the 7:33 a.m., arriving at 8:13, or the 8:05 a.m., arriving at 8:45 a.m.

During the evening rush, Hoffman says there are such long lines at Port Authority that it is likely the extended-route buses will fill with riders bound for Union City, leaving Heights-bound riders to wait 16 to 24 minutes for the next extended-route bus.

An NJ Transit spokesman said the agency understands the concerns and would have preferred to extend all the buses, but couldn't afford it.

"We came up with a schedule that balances the needs of the customers affected by the discontinuation of the 99S with what we were able to do," said Dan Stessel, a spokesman for NJ Transit. "It's considerably better than what exists today, which is nothing."

As to Hoffman's concern about the evening rush hour buses filling with Union City riders, Assemblyman Vincent Prieto, D-Secaucus, who was instrumental in negotiating the extended service, said NJ Transit told him priority would be given to Heights-bound riders. NJ Transit could not confirm this promise.

"How will it work in practice?" said Hoffman, explaining it would be intimidating for riders to walk past a line of angry commuters to get on the bus. "Commuters can get ornery when they're trying to get home."

[Peter Quennell]

All this clipping and posting. I check out every story, even if I dont always comment.

This whole Gold Coast is really one great drama now playing out.

I've got great shots not yet posted of the new copper on the Hoboken terminal and of where the new walkway bridge will be.

Also try walking though Port Liberte to take a look at the golf clubhouse from the south side. Thats worth some shots too.

The wetlands there, part of LSP, is off-limits just now, for the birds to breed. As a keen birder I'm quite pleased; they could use a few breaks.

What our Gold Coast might have looked like... look and weep:

http://galaxyrising.com/ee/index.php...e_looked_like/

[JCMAN320]

^^^Thank you very much Peter for the the praise, I'm glad you enjoy the info.

City tries to ease burden on aging sewer lines

by Ken Thorbourne Sunday March 30, 2008, 4:23 PM

Roughly 13 percent of sewer lines in an area that covers about half of Jersey City face imminent collapse, according to a recent study.

And the Jersey City Municipal Utilities -- the agency that sends out and collects water bills -- has a $47.9 million response.

MUA plans to carry out five "special projects" to divert water away from the city's oldest sewer pipes and pump less into the Hackensack River and more to water treatment facilities, officials said.

The plan is based on a $350,000 study conducted by New York-based environmental consultant MalcolmPirnie in an area that included most of Downtown, the Heights, and the
West Side, mostly north of Communipaw Avenue.

"We are acutely aware of the age of our sewer system," most of which was built 90 to 125 years ago, said MUA Executive Director Daniel Becht. "This study has given us focus."

plan calls for spending $3 million to pump more rainwater to the Passaic Valley Sewerage Authority, which has a treatment plant in Newark, officials said.

In Jersey City, rainwater and sewage flows through the same pipes. The water that floats on top is diverted to the Hackensack while the rest of it is steered toward the treatment facility.

Roughly $19 million will be spent on removing sediment from the pipes, MUA officials said.
And two other projects, totaling roughly $26 million, would use barrels to collect rain water before it enters the sewer lines.

MUA officials plan to spend another $350,000 to examine the rest of the sewer lines in the city.

Jersey City has 230 miles of sewer pipes and a total overhaul would cost $378 million, said MUA Chief Engineer Joseph Beckmeyer.

[JCMAN320]

'Vagina Monologues' at Loew's this afternoon

by The Jersey Journal Sunday March 30, 2008, 12:00 PM

Eve Ensler's "The Vagina Monologues'' will be performed at 3 this afternoon at the historic Loew's Jersey Theater in Jersey City's Journal Square.

The show will benefit WomenRising, which runs the shelter for battered women in Hudson County, and the women of New Orleans and Gulf South.

Tickets start at $20.

A special opening performance by Sigi is planned, and an after-show party will be hosted at LITM, 140 Newark Ave., Jersey City.

For tickets and information, go to gaia's Web site:
http://www.gaiastudio.org/perform/vday/

Tickets will also be available at the door.

http://www.loewsjersey.org/

[JCMAN320]

Jersey City residents urged to fill out survey on travel patterns

by Ken Thorbourne Wednesday April 02, 2008, 3:05 PM

If you live or work in Jersey City, Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy wants to wants to know your travel patterns.

Joined by the other city officials at the West Side Avenue Hudson-Bergen Light Rail station this morning, Healy announced an online survey for residents and those who work in Jersey City to be used to develop a new transportation master plan for the city.

"Jersey City is the fastest growing city in the state," Healy said. "It is imperative that we expand the capacity of our transportation system in order to foster continuing economic and housing growth. The City Council has been very supportive of this initiative, which will enhance the quality of life for all of our residents."

Available in English and Spanish, the survey is being coordinated by the city Department of Housing, Economic Development and Commerce and can be reached by logging on to www.jerseycitymobility2050.com.

To encourage participation, respondents will be entered into one of three drawings for a chance to win $200, city officials said.

The master plan -- a blueprint for the city's transportation needs up to 2050 -- is being prepared by the Middletown company T&M Associates, which recently completed a parks master plan for the city.

The company is being paid $280,000 for the plan -- 83 percent of which is coming from state grants, city officials said.

The online survey will be available for one month, Healy said.

A public meeting on the plan will be held in May and a draft with alternatives in three categories -- immediate, mid-term, and long-term needs -- will be ready by the fall, said T&M Principal Planner John Jennings.

[JCMAN320]

West Point cadets visit Jersey City

by The Associated Press Thursday April 03, 2008, 10:30 AM

Some cadets at the U.S. Military Academy are getting a taste of what Iraq will be like by taking a field trip -- to Jersey City.

Army Maj. Rebecca Patterson says cadets taking her "Winning the Peace'' class will spend this weekend in the city, meeting with a variety of religious leaders and members of different ethnic groups.

Patterson's class provides lessons on opening schools, fixing infrastructure, running elections and training police.

She says the course shows cadets that the military is only one factor involved in bringing peace to Iraq.

Jersey City was chosen for its urban setting and diverse population that includes a large Muslim community. Cadets will shadow politicians, police and religious leaders to learn how the city works.

The class will be in Jersey City today, tomorrow and Saturday.

[JCMAN320]

Jersey City trees can rejoice: killer beetles are gone

by Charles Hack Monday April 07, 2008, 4:31 PM

Federal and state officials announced today that Hudson County is free of the Asian Longhorned Beetle five years after authorities declared war on the tree-killing bugs that infested more than 100 trees in the Newport section of Jersey City.

"This operation was to save trees, which is especially important to the quality of life in our cities," said state Secretary of Agriculture Charles M. Kuperus. "It is extremely gratifying to see that trees are flourishing in Jersey City and Hoboken."

Authorities uprooted 461 trees, including 113 infected ones, in Newport. No infected trees were found in Hoboken, but as a precaution the city was included in the quarantine area.

Using a $477,288 U.S. Forestry Service grant, the state Departments of Agriculture and Environmental Protection worked with the LeFrak Organization, the developer of Newport, to replace them with some 433 bug-resistant trees.

"The loss of 400 trees, and our oldest at that, really hurt," LeFrak Managing Director Jamie LeFrak said. "We accomplished this program on time, which was critical. Nature does not respect construction delays."

The four-square-mile quarantined area, which covered part of Jersey City and three quarters of Hoboken, was monitored throughout the project.

[JCMAN320]

Heights-NYC bus ticket deal

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Commuters in the Jersey City Heights are getting nearly half off bus trips to Manhattan.

To promote Central Avenue ridership on the Nos. 10 and 99s, Red & Tan/Coach USA has dropped round-trip ticket prices from $8 to $4.50 - but only for customers getting on or off north of Journal Square.

One-way riders to Manhattan also get the break, and can pay $2 cash on the bus for the $4 trip, but those traveling back from the city only get the discount with a round-trip ticket, which must be purchased at participating businesses.

Round-trip tickets, which cost $4 plus a 50 cent handling fee, are available at: Goehrig's Bakery (475 Central Ave.), Garden State News (366 Central Ave.), and the Mendez Agency (263 Central Ave.).

The company is adding two more buses during the morning rush on a trial basis, stopping at Hutton Street at 7:03 a.m. and 8:03 a.m. But there's bad news, too - the last three 99s buses that ran on Palisade Avenue during the evening rush were cut after the entire line was rerouted from Palisade to Central Avenue in August. The changes began Monday.

AMY SARA CLARK

[JCMAN320]

Hearing tonight, then vote on city's 'no tax hike' budget

Thursday, April 10, 2008

A public hearing on Jersey City's proposed $463.9 million municipal operating budget is scheduled for tonight at 6 at School 4, 107 Bright St.

This budget covers the fiscal year that ends June 30 and represents a $20.8 million spending boost over the last fiscal year's budget.

But due to an increase in non-tax-abated ratables in the city, property owners should be spared a tax hike - at least on the municipal portion of their tax bills, city officials have said.

The budget calls for raising $151.2 million from local taxpayers - roughly $11 million more than the last certified budget.

Given the $200 million increase in non-tax-abated ratables, the municipal tax rate should remain $25.47 for each $1,000 worth of assessed value; meaning a property owner with a building assessed at $100,000 would pay $2,547 a year in municipal taxes, officials said.

The school tax levy has risen roughly $4 million, to $86.1 million, for the fiscal year that begins July 1, which will cost the average taxpayer roughly $38 more per year, officials said.

County officials haven't yet announced their budget figures.

The proposed budget is reliant on an $8 million supplemental aid grant from the state and $15 million from Honeywell International as part of a settlement that calls for developing chromium-tainted land on the city's west side.

City Council members are expected to adopt the proposed budget after public comment.

KEN THORBOURNE

[JCMAN320]

Legendary Oscar winner at Loew's Jersey tonight

by The Jersey Journal Saturday April 12, 2008, 10:51 AM


Star-Ledger file photo
Academy Award-winning actress Celeste Holm in her New Jersey home last year.

Academy Award-winning actress Celeste Holm, a legend of the stage and screen, will host a screening of the 1950 classic "All About Eve'' at the historic Loew's Jersey Theater in Jersey City's Journal Square tonight.

Holm, 90, spoke with Jersey Journal Arts Editor about the film, her life and her career in a must-read column in yesterday's edition.

The film will be screened at 7:30.

Holm will appear at a pre-screening benefit for the Friends of the Loew's from 6:15 to 7:15 in the lobby of the grand 1920s movie palace.

After the film she'll participate in a Q&A with film historian Foster Hirsch who'll also moderate a session with questions from the audience.

Admission is $6; $4 for seniors and children under 12. A limited number of $20 tickets are available for the pre-screening, which will include admission to the film.

The theater is located at 54 Journal Square, across the street from the Journal Square PATH station.

Call 201-798-6055 for information.

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Holm's at home at the Loew's tomorrow night

Friday, April 11, 2008

In Foster Hirsch's view, there haven't been many actresses who've excelled in supporting roles any better than Academy Award-winning Celeste Holm.

"The studios saw her as a supporting actress and she really knew what that meant," said Hirsch, a film professor at Brooklyn College. "She was beautiful at interacting and great at communicating. She never was a scene stealer."

Hirsch should know. He's studied films for years and has interviewed Holm several times. He'll chat with Holm once again tomorrow night at the Loews Jersey Theatre in Journal Square after a screening of "All About Eve," considered one of the best films ever made with star turns by Holm, Bette Davis, Anne Baxter and Marilyn Monroe.

Holm said she knew "Eve" would register as a hit from the moment she eyed the script. Unfortunately, she says, it would be among the few quality scripts ever offered her way from Hollywood writers. After "Eve" debuted in 1950, Holm returned to her love for Broadway stages, after becoming "disillusioned with scripts they were handing me in Hollywood."

"I could have written most of the stuff they were giving me on the back of a card," she said in an interview with The Journal. "My one regret is that I wish I had an opportunity to do more in Hollywood. That is, if the opportunity had been there."

At 90, Holm, a mother of two sons who has been married five times, remains spry. She still holds out hope a good role will fall her way.

"You hope to stumble on something wonderful," the Long Valley, N.J. native said. "I like scripts that are relevant, that have something to do with what's happening in our lives today."

Holm took home the Oscar for her role in "Gentlemen's Agreement" in 1947, a film that starred Gregory Peck as a journalist exploring anti-Semitism. While her role as Karen Richards in "Eve" arguably made her a well-known entity, Holm wouldn't necessarily call it her favorite.

"My favorite role is whichever one I'm doing now," she said. "Picking favorites takes away your energy and affection."

Holm says she admired the work of several actors but didn't get into "star worshipping." However, she didn't mind lavishing praise on her experiences working with fellow Jersey native Frank Sinatra, with whom she co-starred in the 1950s-era movies, "The Tender Trap" and "High Society".

"He was fun, charming and a hell of a singer," Holm said wistfully.

If Holm were starting her career these days, Hirsch said he thinks she would still be a success.

"Her talent was unmistakable," he said. "There isn't any kind of movie role she could not have played because she has great range and versatility. And she was unusual looking. Somebody with all those traits would be successful today."

Aside from a daily routine of exercising, cooking and reading, Holm won't divulge what she wants to do career-wise next.

"You don't sit down and say, 'I'm going to do this or that,"' she said. "Everything's like a river, and you're floating on it."

[Dagrecco82]

I've become a regular at the Loew's for about 2 years now. It's really one, if not the, most beautiful movie palace I've ever been priviledge to enter. I saw Ms. Holmes last night before the start of the movie and she was quite charming - such class. She even sat behind me while the movie played (I sat in the last few rows). I really was on cloud 9 the whole weekend.

[JCMAN320]

Jersey City ed board set to take back local control tonight

by The Jersey Journal
Thursday April 17, 2008, 8:36 AM

The Jersey City schools will be officially turned over to the local board of education tonight after 19 years of state control.

In a ceremony at 7 p.m. at School 11, 886 Bergen Ave., the board is expected to adopt a transition plan returning local control.

The board that takes back control will not reflect the results of Tuesday's election, in which the Rev. John McReynolds appears to have claimed the third open spot by receiving 10 more votes than Frances Thompson.

Absentee and provisional ballots from that election - in which incumbents Sue Mack and Peter Donnelly were re-elected - have not yet been tallied.

Local control will not be absolute.

As a result of a top-to-bottom review of the district's operations carried out by the state last year, the district is regaining full powers in the areas of governance and finance.

In three other areas - instruction and program, personnel, and operations management - the state has "veto power" and will monitor the district on a six-month basis.

When scores in these "short-run" areas improve sufficiently, the district will regain full powers over them as well.

[JCMAN320]

Hudson Cradle benefit tonight

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Hudson Cradle, a nonprofit organization that provides homes for infants at risk, will hold a fundraiser tonight in the atrium of the Harborside Financial Center on the Jersey City waterfront.

The event will be at 6 p.m. and costs $100. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

The event will be catered by more than 30 Hudson County restaurants.

Founded in 1991, Hudson Cradle helps find shelter for babies up to 18 months who are in unsafe homes.

For additional information, call (201) 332-7879 or visit www.hudsoncradle.org.

JOURNAL STAFF

[JCMAN320]

Greenville will close, but not completely

by The Jersey Journal Thursday April 17, 2008, 8:13 PM

The owners of Greenville Hospital announced today that a nurse center and on-site ambulance will be available for patients who come to the hospital after it shuts down Wednesday.

The plan was announced after Mayor Jerramiah Healy and state Sen. Sandra B. Cunningham, D-Jersey City, expressed safety concerns for the neighborhood once it loses its hospital, a press release from LibertyHealth said.

While patients will not be treated or admitted, the triage nurse and ambulance will help patients who show up at the hospital and help them find nearby medical facilities.

The ambulance will be on call 24-hours a day and the center will be there indefinitely, LibertyHealth spokesman John McKeegan said.

State officials allowed the 100-year-old hospital to close on the grounds it is losing $3 million a year and draining resources from LibertyHealth's two other hospitals -- Jersey City Medical Center and Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center in Secaucus.

Community groups protested the closure, saying it will take too long for Greenville residents to get to the nearest alternatives -- JCMC and Bayonne Medical Center.

LibertyHealth said it has mailed a brochure to Greenville households informing residents about transportation options.

[JCMAN320]

Hearing tonight on Liberty State Park plan

by The Jersey Journal Monday April 21, 2008, 8:29 AM

A public hearing will be held tonight on the plan for the interior 251 acres of Liberty State Park.

The meeting, in the auditorium of the Liberty Science Center, will be from 7 to 10 p.m. The public is invited.

The plan calls for the creation of three freshwater wetlands, a 40-acre salt marsh and 110 aces of forest within the now-undeveloped 251-acre interior. In addition, hiking paths, bird blinds and decks will be built for park users and a 30-foot high mound will be created for picnicking and sleigh riding.

The hearing is being presented by the state Department of Environmental Protection and the New York District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.