May 6 may 25th river view observer 2014

Volume 18, No. 5

May 6th - May 25th 2014 FREE PUBLICATION

riverviewobserver.net

201-349-4336

Pg. 2

Star Moms

Ingredients Pg. 3 Ten Alana Puentes JC Chili

Pg. 8

Cook-Off Winners

Pg. 9

On the cover

Pg. 18

For the Jersey City Brew Club, Membership Grows with the Trend to Home Brew Beer

A

Doo Wop

By Sally Deering h, beer.

Some folks drool at the sight of a foamy frosty mug of beer; others scrunch up their noses and swear it tastes like sweaty socks. For those of us who fall into the first category – beer lovers, that is, – The Thirsty Quaker in Jersey City sells 700-800 craft beers (an incredibly huge selection) and home brewing supplies for those who want to try making the saintly concoction at home on their kitchen counter.

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Above: Jersey City Brew Club members share their home brewed beers at the recent 4th Street Arts Chili Cook-Off in Jersey City.

The American Home Brewers Associations estimates there are more than 1.2 million home brewers in the United States and the numbers continue to rise. In Hudson, home brewing has become extremely popular says Kendall Alvarez-Eskew, owner of The Thirsty Quaker and President of the Jersey City Brew Club, a group of Hudson home brewers who meet once a month to share new brews and techniques in home brewing. The JC Brew Club grew from 6 members to 40. Alvarez-Eskew credits the trend to make home brewed beer to when it was legalized some 30 years ago.

“American craft beer is huge right now,” AlvarezEskew says.

cont’d pg. 9

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STAR MOMS

JCFamilies and Hamilton Park Association to Give Moms Star Treatment

By Sally Deering Mother’s Day celebrations happen at home, in restaurants and on Friday, May 9th, JCFamilies community group rolls out the red carpet in Hamilton Park to give Jersey City moms the star and spa treatment.

Collaborating with the Hamilton Park Neighborhood Association and sponsored in part by CarePoint Health, JCFamilies hosts this free community event to honor moms for their hard work day in-day out.

At the celebration, moms can expect spa treatments like massages, eyebrow threading and henna tattoos, and stat treatments with photographers snapping their pictures on the red carpet. And while the

All Moms are welcome to attend JCFamilies’ Mother’s Day Celebration at Hamilton Park in Jersey City. says, “and this commumoms get pampered, their children will be entertained nity group was started by moms. At least one day we by music groups like The Fuzzy Lemons, and for the want to pamper them. We babies, there’ll be Gymbo- want to thank them and show appreciation from the ree. community.”

“Moms are full-time JCFamilies began by workers for their kids and doing music and story-time families,” Mamta Singh, Cont’d on page 4 the founder of JCFamilies

RIVER VIEW OBSERVER SERVING HUDSON COUNTY SINCE 1998

Page 2- May 6th- May 25th, 2014 River View Observer

Ten Ingredients and a Mother’s Day Dish Personal Chef, Restaurant Consultant and Single Mom, Alana Puentes Does it All

By Sally Deering

C

hef Alana Puentes grew up in a family of chefs and restaurateurs.

Born and raised in Howard Beach Queens, New York, Puentes’ grandfather owned a Cuban restaurant, her uncle and cousins owned eateries and her dad owned an Italian bistro. A selftaught chef, after earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications at Pace University in New York, Puentes decided she wanted to be a chef and took jobs in restaurants as a prep cook learning the responsibilities of every station in a professional kitchen.

A chance meeting with one of her favorite chefs sealed the deal. Today, Puentes is a single mom and runs her own business Most Wanted Chef in Jersey City. As a personal chef, she cooks multi-cultural foods for an array of clients. As a consultant she designs menus for restaurants and trains cooks to make the dishes she designed. She caters, too, and with her “can do!” attitude, no party is too big or too small for her to handle. For fun, Puentes participated in the recent 4th Street Arts Chili CookOff where she earned the prize for “Most Creative”.

Let’s meet Chef Alana Puentes!

RVO: Who influenced you to become a chef?

Chef Alana Puentes and her son Vincent AP: Growing up I loved to cook, and my friends would say I should be a chef. I went to Morimoto’s restaurant in Manhattan and I ordered his tasting menu.

I had already been working kitchens a good part of my life, but I still wasn’t sure.

Each dish that came out was so beautiful and it was at that moment I knew I wanted to be a chef.

RVO: How did you become a chef without going to culinary school?

AP: I started at the bottom and worked my way up. I had to learn every part of the kitchen – the fryers, the broilers – I was a prep chef.

I had the creativity, but I didn’t have the cooking skills. I moved to Jersey City when I got pregnant. I didn’t make enough money, so I started catering friends’ parties. By the time my son Vincent was a year old I was an executive chef Cont’d on page 5

Page 3-May 6th -May 25th, 2014 River View Observer

STAR MOMS Cont’d from page 2 activities for kids. The group now boasts 2,100 registered members and 5,250 Facebook fans and hosts events throughout the year like Bubblefest, Music and Story Time in the Park, Halloween, Chinese New Year, Indian Festivals and Christmas celebrations.

On June 15th, the group celebrates Father’s Day in River View Park.

“We want to involve all parents,” Singh says.

At the Mother’s Day celebration on Friday, moms get pampered and children get entertained by several special acts. Here’s the line-up:

Kids 0-3 years-old, Gymboree from 4-6 pm Kids 4-6 years-old, Music by Miss Janis, 4-6 pm All ages, Mr. Stephen’s Bubble Show from 4:30-5:30 pm All ages, The Fuzzy Lemons, 6-6:45 pm.

That sounds like a lot more fun for the kids than the moms, but founder Singh says: “Moms are happy when their kids are happy.”

Putting on event like this takes team-work and helping Singh with all the details are Marketing Director Laura Favorito and Event Coordinator

Page 4- May 6th - May 25th, 2014 River View Observer

Barbara Boveda. Sponsors of the Mother’s Day event are the Hamilton Park Neighborhood Association, CarePoint Health, World Of ABC, Camp Riverbend, Base Gym, Vaiquenti Preschool, Key Element Learning, Fasttrack Kids, JC Barre, European Wax center, The Lash Gallery, Downtowm Med Spa, All Saints Episcopal Day School, Bollywood Funk, Early Learning Academy, Jennifer Davis Photography, Jersey City Dance Academy Hoboken Radiology, Learning Ladders, Massage Envy, Hudson Dance and Movement, The French American Academy,

Bricks 4 Kids, Metro Tots, Be Lingual, Tiger Schulmann’s MMA, and The Lash Gallery.

“Jersey City is so diverse, that’s why we started doing these events,” Singh says. “Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are for everybody. Our Mother’s Day celebration is the biggest event we do all year.”

The celebration takes place throughout the park and for three hours, moms will be the stars of the show. Singh says: “All of Hamilton Park will be dedicated to moms.”

If you go: Fri, May 9, 4-7 pm JCFamilies Mother’s Day celebration Hamilton Park 25 West Hamilton Place Jersey City For more info: www.jcfamilies.com

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Ten Ingredients and a Mother’s Day Dish Personal Chef, Restaurant Consultant and Single Mom, Alana Puentes Does it All Cont’d from page 3 at a restaurant. He’s going to be six. He makes being a single mom easy because he’s a really good kid.

RVO; How do you balance single motherhood and a full-time career?

AP: I try my best. There are days I start at 3 or 4 am to do what I can to have quality time with my son.

My dad lives near me; he told me to keep doing what you’re doing. I did listen to him, sort of. Eventually I will go back to school and get a Master’s Degree.

RVO: Since you are a self-employed chef, who do you cook for?

AP: I teach cooking classes for new brides or newly-

Chef Alana Puentes engaged women at their homes. I bring an ingredient list and cutting boards for about five or six girls.

I teach them how to cut vegetables, how to make a red sauce. Cooking is not about a recipe; it’s knowing technique and flavors.

I also have private clients and I cook for them in their homes.

RVO: How do you get these jobs? Do you have a website?

AP: Most of my business is word of mouth. I do have a website that’s under construction, www.MostWantedChef.com. We’re working on it now.

Chinese eggplant, Chinese long beans, calamari salad, a lotus root salad, and a Red Snapper, I’m making mussels in a ginger sauce and steamed broccoli. I cook for them twice a week and make enough for three days.

RVO: What chefs do you admire?

AP: I love David Chang, a lot of my cooking is Asian influenced and I like the way he takes western and makes it eastern and takes Asian flavors and Americanizes them.

RVO: You cook multi-cultural dishes, isn’t that right?

AP: I’ve cooked a Passover Seder and for a lot of Jewish holidays. I cook in other people’s kitchens. Right now I’m working for a Chinese boxer, a silver medalist. He’s here in the states and I’m making authentic Chinese food for him and his family. Right now I’m making pork tender loin with a sesame sauce,

RVO: What would you say is your signature style?

AP: I’m known for my creativity. I don’t like to make the same dish twice. I love to go to a grocery store and bring home ingredients I’ve never seen before. Whatever’s in season inspires me. My soul food is Italian, Spanish and Cuban.

My son loves my Saké Chicken. He could live on my Saké Chicken.

RVO: Do you plan to open your own restaurant, is that the dream?

AP: I don’t want a restaurant because I’m always going to be a mother.

I would like a catering company that caters to 9-5 people who don’t want to spend a lot of money but want a variety of food. I love taking a meat loaf and make it elegant.

Cont’d on page 17

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Paid for by Bayonne City Regular Democratic Organization, J. Waks, Treasurer

JC Chili Cook-Off Winners The winners for the JC Chili Cook -Off held on Saturday, May 3rd in downtown Jersey City were:

Best Vegetarian -Fire in your Hole Most Creative - Most Wanted Chef Spiciest - International Comfort Best Student/Teacher Team - Eat Right Best Individual Judges Choice - Texas Diablo-Russel Simon Best Restaurant Judges Choice - Lamp Post Bar & Grill Best Individual Peoples Choice - The Other Manning Brothers

Best Restaurant Peoples Choice - Monty’s Public House Photos are of some of the winners of the event.

Best Chili by an Individual, Russell Simon of Jersey City

Spiciest International Comfort

Winners of Best Student/Teacher Team Lincoln High School’s “TEAM EAT RIGHT”

Page 8-May 6th -May 27th, 2014 River View Observer

BEER NATION

For the Jersey City Brew Club, Membership Grows with the Trend to Home Brew Beer Cont’d from Cover State-of-the-art gadgetry seems to be part of the growing trend in home brewing. For $1700, home brewers can buy the PicoBrew Zymatic that does it all right in your kitchen, according to Bloomberg Business Week. About the size of a large microwave, it has one section for malt, barley and other grains, and another four chambers for hops. Bill Mitchell, a former Microsoft designer created the PicoBrew Zymatic and is now working to reduce the cost to that of a home espresso or bread-

Jersey City Brew Club President Kendall AlvarezEskew shared samples of his home-brewed beer at the recent Jersey City chili kickoff.

making machine. AlvarezEskew says $1700 for a home-brewing machine is high and home brewers can make their own beer for much less and in the same amount of time.

“It’s a waste of money,” Alvarez-Eskew says. “You could spend a tenth of that and have much better beer. Depending on your process, it takes about 3-4 hours to make a batch. The hardest part is cleaning up.”

BEER BREWING CHEMISTS Several members of the JC Brew Club hold day jobs

as chemists like Jeremy and Erika Olson of Jersey City. The couple donated their home brew, a Rye IPA (Indian Pale Ale) to the

chili cook-off held in Jersey City recently.

Erika and Jeremy are beer aficionados who learned Cont’d on next page10

Page 9- May 6th -May 25th, 2014 River View Observer

BEER NATION

For the Jersey City Brew Club, Membership Grows with the Trend to Home Brew Beer Cont’d from page 9 who learned how to craft beer when they were graduate students in Atlanta.

“It’s easy to get the equipment when you’re in grad school,” Erika says, pouring a festival-goer a taste of the Rye IPA. ‘It’s getting a great response,” Jeremy says, as people chug back samples.

Home brewers seem to form large social groups and when they make a new batch of beer will invite friends over for a taste-test.

“We’ve heard from people who say we should open our own micro-brewery,” Erika says. “Maybe, when we’re ready.”

Like Alvarez-Eskew, Erika and Jeremy don’t have much interest in

Chemists Erika and Jeremy Olson of Jersey City started making home-brewed beer when they were grad students in Atlanta.

the costly home brewing machines; home brewing is not labor intensive. Erika says: “The yeast does the work for you.”

JC Brew Club member Jeff Turner of Hoboken is also a chemist who enjoys making his own beer.

Page10- May 6th-May 25th, 2014 River View Observer

Turner shared his batch of Imperial Dunkel with chili cook-off attendees who lined up to taste his brew.

“It’s fun to see people enjoying our beer,” Turner, who holds a graduate degree in chemistry, says. “A lot of people in the brew club have a science background.”

Turner has a kegerator – a draft beer dispensing device – and is always home

brewing beer, he says.

Jeff Turner works as a chemist in Lyndhurst and brews beer in his Hoboken home.

John Hansen of Jersey City is a member of the beer club and works at The Thirsty Quaker.

He served a brown ale at the chili cook-off that was a huge hit. Hansen, like all the home brewers is a beer connoisseur always on the lookout for new flavors.

“Sometimes someone makes a beer and I say to myself, I need that recipe,” Hansen says.

John Hansen, a JC Brew Club member shows off his home brewed brown ale.

BEER 101 To meet the demands of home-brewing wannabees, Alvarez-Eskew recently began a new series of classes at The Thirsty Quaker. At the introductory class students learn the basic chemistry of how malt, hops, yeast and water turn into beer.

At Thirsty Quaker, home Cont’d on page11

Beer Nation Cont’d from page 10 brewers can participate in its upcoming, first-ever home brew contest. To enter, brewers must bring in at least one 12 oz. bottle of their brew along with the recipe and their contact information by July1st. Staff will pick three winners who will receive a free ingredient kit of their choice and a $25 gift card.

The Jersey City Brew Club meets the third Wednesday of the month at HopScotch (286 Washington

St, Jersey City). Newbies are always welcome. All you need is some pocket change for the monthly dues and a curiosity to make the tasty golden elixir your way.

“I love making beer because I love the experimentation,” Alvarez-Eskew says. “With wine, its either red or white with a little leeway. With beer, you can make anything. A guy from Wisconsin brought in a Blue Cheese beer he brewed. I’ve been working on a Quaker

Brown Ale – plain, brown, tasty and well done.”

If you go: The Jersey City Brew Club Meets 3rd Wednesday of Each Month Next Meeting: Wed, May 21st At HopScotch 286 Washington St Jersey City For more info: (201) 659-2304 contact@thirstyquaker.com The Thirsty Quaker 492 Monmouth Street Jersey City (201) 659-2304 contact@thirstyquaker.com Hours: Tues-Thurs, 1-9 pm; Fri, 1-10 pm; Sat, 10am-10pm; and Sun, Noon-8 pm

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Page 11- May 6th -May 25th, 2014 River View Observer

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Page 12- May 6th -May 25th, 2014 River View Observer

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Don’t Forget Mom on Mother’s Day Sunday, May 11th, 2014

Page 14-May 6th -May 25th, 2014 River View Observer

Paid for by Smith Team 2014, A Skronski, Treasurer

Page 16- May 6th -May 25th, 2014 River View Observer

Personal Chef, Restaurant Consultant and Single Mom, Alana Puentes Does it All Cont’d from page 5 RVO: What advice do you have for other chefs who are also self-taught?

AP: Every day is a learning experience. Make sure you really want it. Its nights, weekends, mornings, you can’t not show up to work. There’s no excuse. You have to read and study. There are millions of books out there. Read about different cultures, about how people around the world make their own dinners. You have to have passion. That’s what make your dish.

Chef Alana Puentes offers this beautiful recipe that can be easily prepared by home cooks who want to make Mother’s Day extra special by cooking a delicious dish just for Mom. INGREDIENTS: 1 pound Bay Scallops

Bay Scallops with Summer Succotash and Corn Puree Sweet Corn Puree: 4 tablespoons butter 4 cups fresh corn kernels 1 shallot Salt and freshly cracked black pepper ¼ cup chicken stock 2 tablespoons heavy cream Heat butter over mediumhigh heat, then add shallot and corn, salt and pepper, to taste.

Stir together and allow to cook for 1-2 minutes.

Add the chicken stock and allow it to come to a hard boil, stir in cream. Remove from heat and cool slightly.

Add the corn mixture to a blender and puree until smooth.

Summer Succotash: ¼ cup olive oil 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 clove garlic, minced 1 medium onion cut into ¼ inch dice

1 red bell pepper, seeded, deveined, and cut into ¼ inch dice 1-10 oz. pkg. frozen lima beans, rinsed under cold water Coarse salt and freshlyground pepper ½ tablespoon of each coarsely-chopped fresh parsley and mint Juice ½ lime 1 tablespoon picked fresh thyme leaves DIRECTIONS 1. In a large skillet, heat oil and butter over medium-high heat. Add garlic and onion; cook until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add bell pepper and beans. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until veggies are tender, about 8 minutes. Stir in herbs.

2. Place scallops in bowl, toss with lime juice and set aside.

3. Pat scallops dry with a paper towel, sprinkle with kosher salt and pepper. Get the sauté pan very hot on

med/high heat. Cooking in batches, sear the scallops about 2-3 minutes on each side.

TO PLATE Spoon corn puree on plate and place scallops on top.

Spoon succotash over the scallops. Enjoy!

To learn more about Chef Alana Puentes, go to: www.mostwantedchef.com To contact Alana re: catering, email mostwantedchef@gmail.com

Tell us about your favorite restaurant or personal chef for a possible story on our restaurantVIEWS or Sally Deering’s TEN INGREDIENTS Page.

Submit info to: riverviewobserver@gmail.com The RIVERVIEW OBSERVER SINCE 1998 Serving Hudson County

For Rates and information 201-349-4336 jcalobserver@aol.com

Page 17--May 6th-May 25th, 2014 River View Observer

Richard Nader’s 25th Anniversary All Star Doo Wop Concert If you love Doo Wop Music the IZOD Center has the show for you.

Richard Nader’s 25th Anniversary All Star DooWop Concert dedicated to the memory of Richard Nader, and a celebration with artists who appeared on the first concert.

Starring: The Belmonts “I Wonder Why” Cleveland Still and The Dubs “Could This Be Magic” Larry Chance & The Earls “Remember Then” The Chantels “Look Into My Eyes” The Capris “There’s a Moon Out Tonight” The Duprees “You Belong To Me” Jay and The Americans “Cara Mia” The Mello-Kings “Tonight, Tonight” Vito Balsamo former lead singer The Salutations “Gloria” The Impalas “Sorry” Tune Weavers “Happy, Happy Birthday Baby” Special Guests Tommy Mara and The Crests with a salute to Johnny Maestro and Special Guest Twin Gold with a salute to our Veterans and members of our Armed Forces.

Gates open at 3:00pm for the afternoon classic car display, autograph session with the artists and Don K Reed’s A capella stage.

Duprees are just one of the acts performing at Richard Nader’s 25th Anniversary All Star Doo Wop Concert Saturday, May 31 7:00 PM 3:00 PM- Parking Fee: Tickets: Cars: $20 Cash Only $107.50, $54.50, $44.50, Buses: $30 Cash Only $32.50 Reserved Parking: $30 Parking Lots Open:

Tell them you saw it in The River View Observer Serving Hudson County Since 1998 Page 18-May 6-May 25th, 2014 River View Observer

11th Annual Newport 10K Race Results This past Saturday May 3rd more than a thousand runners participated in the 11th annual Newport 10K, including Jersey City Mayor Fulop, who also announced the start of the race. The Newport 10K, is a 6.2-mile race along the Hudson River waterfront in the Newport neighborhood of Jersey City.

The winner, 28-year-old Haile Mengesha of New York, completed the race in just under 30 minutes!

New Jersey-native Julie Culley, the fastest female runner, completed the Newport 10K in only 33 minutes and 47 seconds--Culley previously represented the USA at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

To see race results visit http://www.compuscore.com/ cs2014/may/newport.htm.

Live at the New Meadowlands Haile Mengesha, 28, (R) from NY and the fastest female Julie Culley, 32, from NJ

Tell them you saw it in

The River View Observer Photos by Mark Wyville

Serving Hudson County Since 1998

East Rutherford, NJ May 6,2014. …..

Catch a Rising Star at the brand newly- renovated Victory Sports Bar and Club at the Meadowlands Racetrack on Saturday, June 7, 2014 at 8 pm – the first major comedy presentation ever at this venue, with many more to come.

Join the world famous Gilbert Gottfried and Shuli as they share their exceptional brand of humor with a new audience. This date was rescheduled from the Valentines Show due to a snow storm cancellation.

Catch CEO and Jersey City native Suzy Yengo says ““this is the Perfect spot for Comedy – a brand new renovated club, sensational dinner and club menu or an outdoor bbq, and a night at the races after the show!”

If You Go...

Victory Sports Bar & Club Meadowlands E.Rutherford Saturday, June 7th 8pm All ticket sales are on line only at www.catcharisingstar.com for more information 201-433-6705 catchsuzy@aol.com

For information and rates call 201-349-4336 or email us at riverviewobserver@gmail.com Page 19- May 6th -May 25th, 2014 River View Observer

e In You Home

Tips for Transforming a Dated NYC Condo Into a Hot Property And you can to in your home...

(BPT) - When a New York City family relocated to California, they called celebrity designer and NBC’s American Dream Builders contestant Erinn Valencich to help sell their Manhattan digs.

Their condo was in a great location near Manhattan’s famous High Line, but the interior needed a little refreshing. When Valencich first saw the apartment it had stark walls and dark floors. It was a space

that would speak to a select clientele - and it felt dated, Valencich says. “My goal was to broaden the appeal to make a quicker sale.”

The changes Valencich made apply nicely to any home refresh project, breath ing new design life into a home while still keeping things versatile.

She began the transformation by developing a neutral palette that would flow throughout the home. To

create a focal point in the living area, Valencich painted one wall a soft taupe and added creamy white to the surrounding walls.

She replaced the worn floor with stylish yet versatile White Washed Oak planks from Quick-Step flooring’s Reclaime Collection.

“The light floor really brightens the space and makes it appear larger,” says Valencich. “The tones in the cich. “The tones in the floor support the wall color and together they make a quiet statement allowing prospective buyers to envision their own furnishings in the home.”

Since the family’s favorite furniture had already traveled west, Valencich worked with a local staging

Page 20- May 6th -May 25th , 2014 River View Observer

company to furnish and accessorize the updated apartment. She chose fabrics that contrasted in both tone and color, such as the linen on the mid-century inspired chairs and the finer weave of the couch. Finally she layered in texture through rugs, pillows and throws.

Pops of orange pull the eye through the room and flowers add a fresh flavor to the scheme.

Because the main room is long, Valencich decided to create two seating areas - a more formal area for guests and a smaller nook for reading or games. To further the feeling of light and expand the space, she added oversized mirrors to both the living and dining areas.

“You absolutely can’t go wrong with a neutral Cont’d on page 26

Page 21 -May 6th -May 25th, 2014 River View Observer

STARGAZINE Aries March 21 - April 19 Activity to the 12th house of your solar chart indicates that your sub conscious may be shieling you from the truth of a matter. A person you love has made it clear that they don’t care to interact with you any longer. You seem to be in denial of this truth.

The kindest act for all involved is if you stayed away. They may find their soul again and reach out but now protect your heart!

Taurus -

April 20 - May 20 Taurus on the ascendant will bring your strong and positive persona forward during the month of May. Coupled with your solar return you may expect a host of opportunities offered.

This is a time when even the most stubborn Bull will go with the exciting flow of luck. Enjoy this successful time!

Gemini May 21 - June 20

-The Moon in your sign as we enter May will find you somewhat emotional but determined to change your life. Things have been somewhat boring but now you will spice up events with your totally revamped energy.

Fun and work blend together as you begin to enjoy your life again.

Cancer June 21-July 22nd

The transiting Jupiter has landed in the 2nd house of finance in your May solar return. Money will be drawn to you like a magnet. Ask for and receive a promotion. Just enjoy all the financial benefits that are bestowed on you and save a little for any future dry periods. Great money possibilities are yours for the taking.

Leo-July 23 - August 22

Real estate is highlighted in your May solar return. The buying and selling or the renovation of such will be issues firmly placed in your view. Preparing your home is a great preparation for the upcoming abundant times that Jupiter will bring in 2015. So if you have never bought a home start looking now. It’s your time.

MAY

2014

J Banta Lewis

Sagittarius-

November 22 - December 21 Of late you may have been feeling a little down. May I remind you that your ruler is Jupiter and bestows great luck? Remember the Law of Attraction. Focus on the negative and it will appear.

Get up and get your mojo back.

All is well. When you begin to act successful and happy, voila, success will be forthcoming.

Virgo-

August 23-September 22 Why is it whenever you attempt an apology you seem to backtrack and blame the other party?

It is not a sign of weakness to be sincere or show vulnerability.

The new improved Virgo has no problem in being human. You are not a groveler but a little sweetness will go a long way.

Others will be captivated by your kindness and yes, you will get the advantage!

Libra –

Capricorn -

December 22 - January 19 As you are an earth sign much of your interest lies in work and money matters. This month is no different as activity to the 8th house of mortgages, taxes, and inheritance are highlighted.

Please use caution in dealings now as mistakes can be made.

Errors may certainly happen and not necessarily in your favor.

You have been alerted and our protected against loss.

September 23 - October 22 You are coming alive after a long sleep. Your awakening is in stages and the true transformation comes in the next few months. It is as if you have been spiritually reborn. Looking at life thru glasses of serenity you are able to find peace and help others who are in your path. You still work and have the same family and friends but you are dealing with them differently. Life is good!!!

AquariusJanuary 20th - February 18th

Scorpio -

PiscesFebruary 19th -March 20th

October 23rd -November 21st Saturn in the 6th house of your solar return suggests that you complete all routine preventative health checks. You are not ill but it is a good time to be alert and make those subtle changes that will ensure a happy future. Small issues will arise, be handled and then go away. Great for beginning exercise and diet resolutions, as they will be successful.

9TH house issues governing the higher mind and things such as court cases are highlighted. Your desire to help those less fortunate may find you volunteering at the local soup kitchen. However, with your humanitarian and animal care desires you may do much more. The world needs people like you but by assisting a close family member or friend you will receive great benefits.

Venus and Neptune in the 11th house and 10th house respectively may indicate a change of status. Marriage or promotions at work are strong possibilities as your hopes and wishes are granted!! Neptune at times clouds our vision so it is advised that you think before you say yes. Venus guarantees a good result. You deserve the best!!

•TAROT •Hypnosis •Individual Parties •Corporate Events Phone and SKYPE CONSULTATION J Banta Lewis Astracommunications@aol.com 201.486.4555 Page22-May 6th -May25th, 2014 River View Observer

U.S. National Team Wright/ www.bayonnemma.com Offers Scholarships for Teenaged Girls and Boys

On Saturday May 17th thru Saturday, May 27th, the New Jersey State Director for the U.S. National Martial Arts Team “Alliance” and Full Contact Tournament Promoter (google: Grand Master Austin Wright Sr. 10th Dan) will be offering only (10) Scholarships for Teenagers- Girls and Boys (Ages 12-16) for Athletes to compete and train in “Team Competition.”

The categories will be Amateur MMA Fighting and Grappling, American Full Contact Kickboxing, Musical Forms, Karate, Weapons, Point Karate, Power Breaking and Continuous Fighting. Also, Free Style Break Dancers can try out for Musical Forms.

“No experience required. We will train. You must pass a physical and an endurance test and be able to perform athletic abilities and compete for Team Wright. However you MUST pass the physical.

Also… Team Wright will be performing a Universal Warrior Arts Exhibition at 16th Street Park on June 7th at the Bayonne Christian Youth Rally. It is free, there is no charge. It will feature Grandmaster Wright and the Universal

Warrior Arts Demo Team.

The kids range in all ages.

Come and enjoy the festivities. The team is “Plug into Jesus”. “Hope to see you there!” Says Sensei Ken Thompson, 3rd Dan, Master Joe McNamara 5th Dan Black Belt, and Grand Master Austin Wright Sr., 10th Dan Black Belt & Christian Member.

Traditional and Mixed Martial Arts that has been Proven in the Sports Arena in Freestyle Grappling, SelfDefense and International World Jujutsu & Karate Championships. The International “Alliance” Ranked Team Wright as #1 in Team Competition. “(3) Generations of World Champions Training World Champions! To be A Champion, you must first Train with Champions.” Get FIT! Get STRONG! Get RESULTS! Teenagers have fun while preparing For College or the Military.

For more info, google www. bayonnemma.com, www. bayonnekickboxing.com and for kids, www.uwamartialarts.com or Call (201)437-1820.

We are open to the public in Jersey City and Bayonne…

N.J. Residents only.

Nimbus Dance Works Announces:

2014 Jersey City Spring Season, May 15-17 at Grace Church Van Vorst Company to present World Premiere by Artistic Director Samuel Pott, dance works by Guest Choreographers Francesca Harper and Korhan Basaran; May 16th Event Celebrates Opening of Nimbus’ New Downtown Jersey City Facility Nimbus Dance Works presents the company’s 2014 Jersey City Season at Grace Church Van Vorst, May 15-17. The season includes four eclectic dance works including the world premiere of Surface Tension by Nimbus Artistic Director Samuel Pott, the Company Premiere of Backspace by New Yorkbased choreographer Francesca Harper, and reprises of Turkish choreographer Korhan Basaran’s 2012 work for the company Untitled, and Pott’s 2010 work Six Chansons.

Nimbus company dancers represent a select group of international dance artists hailing from Holland, Taiwan, South Africa, Japan, and throughout the United States. PeiJu Chien-Pott, recently widely acclaimed for her New York performances with the Martha Graham Dance Company and subsequently promoted to the rank of Principal Dancer of that company, will perform in Nimbus’ Spring Season.

Samuel Pott’s new work Surface Tension explores the notion of surfaces and borders – the surfaces of the dancers’ bodies illustrate the meeting point between self and other and the stage space belies a world of borderlines and crossings. Surface Tension is set to the piano music of Johannes Brahms and

Franz Liszt, along with an edited sound score created

by Mr. Pott. Also new to the company is Backspace, a duet by Francesca Harper, former principal dancer of

Ballet Frankfurt, Dance Theater of Harlem and Director of the Francesca Harper Project. Backspace shows off Ms. Harper’s uncanny ability to merge industrial, abstract music with intensely personal and expressive movement invention. Nimbus will also reprise two distinct works from the company repertory: Turkish choreographer Korhan Basaran’s Untitled, a work created for the company in 2010 and set to an anguished and exquisite musical score by Fazil Say, and Pott’s Six Chansons, a narrative work set to choral

music of Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel.

Immediately following the performance on Friday, May 16th, Nimbus celebrates the opening of the company’s new Downtown Jersey City dance studio

with: Signed, Sealed, Delivered! a DJ dance party and reception event. Attendees will cut loose in the new dance studio with Nimbus company dancers and company supporters.

Cont’t on page 24

www.bellasorrellas.com

Page 23-May 6th -May 25th, 2014 River View Observer

Nimbus Dance Works cont’d from page23 Donors to Nimbus’ studio will be recognized with a champagne toast, including: the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, Goldman Sachs, SILVERMAN Building, and the Hudson County Office of Cultural Affairs and Continuum Design.

Says Artistic Director Samuel Pott of the season “For our Jersey City Spring Season we are proud to present a program that is simultaneously emotional, poetic and rooted in fierce physicality.

The company has taken the big step of developing our own Dance Facility in Downtown Jersey City which is allowing us to deepen our work in many ways: our company creative process, the quality of

instruction at our school, and our overall investment in artistic and communitybased work.”

Nimbus Dance Works 2014 Jersey City Spring Season May 15th, 16th, 17th, 8pm: Grace Church Van Vorst, 39 Erie Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302 Tickets: Available at www. nimbusdanceworks.org $30 – Premium $20 – General $12 – Students/Seniors Friday, May 16th: Signed, Sealed, Delivered Postperformance DJ Party/Reception $45-$125 – (includes ticket to performance About Nimbus Dance Works “Nimbus Dance Works helps define the American experience.”

Page 24- May 6th -May 25th, 2014 River View Observer

—Newark Star-Ledger “One of the country’s most exciting young dance ensembles”—Bar Harbor Times Nimbus Dance Works’s 2013-14 Season is made possible by: The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, New Music USA/Live Music for Dance, Goldman Sachs, SILVERMAN, US Trust/Bank of America the City of Jersey City, Grace Church Van Vorst, the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, A Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts; administered by the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs/Tourism Development, and by the County of Hudson, Thomas A. DeGise, Hudson County Executive, and the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders, and by generous donors and sponsors.

A FREE SERVICE FOR ALL HUDSON COUNTY RESIDENTS AT BOTH LOCATIONS!

"Removing dangerous materials from our homes by participating in Hudson County's Household Hazardous Waste program is a smart way to protect our families and the environment.”

– Tom DeGise, County Executive

 HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS

2014 WASTE COLLECTION DAY This program is sponsored, in part, by a grant from the NJDEP-Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste. Residents can drop off materials at any site. Proof of residency may be required.

SUNDAY, MAY 18TH, 9AM–1PM BAYONNE: NORTON PAINTS, 148 EAST 5TH STREET NORTH BERGEN: MUA, 6200 TONNELLE AVENUE

What to bring:

NOW ACCEPTING THERMOSTATS!

Tires Cleaners and Corrosives Pool and Photographic Chemicals Oil-Based Paints Oil-Based Varnishes Rechargeable and Car Batteries Propane Tanks (from barbecue grills only) Solvents and Thinners Pesticides and Herbicides Formaldehyde Used Motor Oil Old Gasoline Fire Extinguishers Compact Fluorescent Bulbs & Tubes Antifreeze Marine & Auto Flares

Thomas A. DeGise County Executive Norman M. Guerra Chief Executive Officer

Batteries

                     

Latex Paint

               

Fluorescent Bulbs

   

Reminder:

  

COMMISSIONERS              

Do NOT bring:

Computers/Printers/Monitors Consumer Electronics Cell Phones Alkaline batteries Latex paint Explosives Smoke detectors Compressed gas cylinders/tanks TCBs, TCCD (such as freon and helium) Woodlife Dioxin Asbestos Kepone Infectious waste Silvex 2,4,5-t Radioactive material Unknown/unidentified material Ballasts Washers/dryers/refrigerators/ air conditioners Any OTC or prescription drugs

FREE TIRE AMNESTY EVENT @ HHW DAY! Hudson County residents are asked to bring no more than 4 tires for proper disposal. If you cannot participate in this year’s Tire Amnesty Event, either store tires indoors (in a garage or shed) or cover them until they can be disposed of properly.* *Contact your municipal DPW for disposal locations and cost.

Follow us on Twitter @HCIAonline or visit our Facebook Page HCIAonline!

For more information, please call the HCIA Environmental Hotline 201-324-6222 x3257 or visit www.hcia.org.

Page 25- May 6th -May 25th, 2014 River View Observer

In Your Home Cont’d from page 20 says Valencich. “It adds a quiet sophistication to the setting and makes a perfect backdrop for pops of bright colors in either a warm or cool family.”

To find more tips from Erinn Valencich visit quickstepstyle.com.

In Hudson County Visit these participating advertisers: Wilson Carpets 220 Broadway, Jersey City 201-434-8888 Standard Tile 3527 Kennedy Blvd Jersey City, NJ 201-653-0566

Page 26-May 6th -May 25th, 2014 River View Observer

REAL ESTATE

BUY- SELL- RENT- LEASE Find it on these pages...

Home-Hunting-Free Consultation!

Get Pre-Approved before you you go home hunting you will have a much better chance on getting you offer accepted, we have programs as little as 3% down payment.

Mike Cruz (Mortgage Consultant) All American Mortgage

Office:201-576-0700 Cell: 201-759-3821 mikec@allamericanmortgage.us www.MortgageHow.com

Page 27-Maay 6th -May 25th, 2014 River View Observer