The Soccer Learning Center's Thursday Night Indoor Co-Ed Soccer League is seeking two female soccer players to float for both our competitive and recreational leagues.

Players should have soccer experience, be female, and be over 21 years of age. We will sponsor these floaters for this season so no playing fee is necessary.

We play every Thursday night, indoors, at 180 9th Street in downtown Jersey City - across from the Newport Mall. Free parking is available on site.

Matches are played between 8:50pm and 11:30pm on Thursday - 30 minute matches. These are professionally managed and refereed matches with a great group of Jersey City soccer enthusiasts.

This is an example of our matches and where we play:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0q78he21zlg

If you are interested, please email me at CoachAlex@SoccerLearningCenter.com or simply visit us for tonight's league matches (3/21) beginning at 9:45pm.

Thanks, Coach Alex Lalaoui

Hi Everyone,

We've just released our new spring soccer program schedule for children ages 4 to 13.

Our professionally coached classes are held indoors at our spacious and comfortable gym located at 180 9th Street, across from the Newport Mall. Parking is available on site.

Classes are instructed by Coach Alex Lalaoui, a United States Soccer Federation "A" license recipient - the highest coaching credential available in the country.

To learn more about us - a locally owned business in downtown JC for 11 years - please visit our website at www.SoccerLearningCenter.com.

You can see our spring schedule here:
http://soccerlearningcenter.com/register-payment.php

Thanks!

The Soccer Learning Center is seeking a locally based commercial production company that can help edit existing footage and shoot/edit new footage to help promote our soccer academy.

We have several immediate projects that highlight our non-profit initiatives (like our law enforcement soccer program and our special free program that provides professional soccer instruction for autistic athletes) and also some more detailed, longer term projects.

Interested companies or reliable freelancers that can work with an organization with a small-business budget but a big heart for their community can email me at soccerlearning@aol.com.

Thanks, Coach Alex Lalaoui

Enjoy our super special holiday co-ed pick up soccer games on Monday, December 10th and 17th at the CERC gym in downtown Jersey City. Bring your friends, family and fellow soccer enthusiasts to our indoor gym for two solid hours of high-intensity matches.

Individuals and teams are welcome!

Games run continuously from 7pm to 9pm.

When: Monday, December 10th and 17th

What Time: 7pm to 9pm - arrive when you want - games run continuously

Where: 180 9th Street, Downtown Jersey City (parking on site)

Cost: $10 per player (cash or check at the door - wear indoor sneakers - no cleats)

More Information: Contact Coach Alex at 201-920-8523

Thanks PLNJ, just sent them a message.

Tern, we have to screen print jerseys that we already have in our office - the online places usually don't do that and our clock is ticking fast to get this project done. Thanks for your suggestion, though.

Any other vendor contacts would be appreciated!

Thanks!

Anyone have any updates to this thread? I need a local screenprinter asap for a quick project. I tried to find Eyesore's number online but could not.

Thanks.

Hey everyone - don't forget about tonight's great fundraiser at the Powerhouse...

I hope you can join me in supporting the Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Fundraiser to be held at the Powerhouse Lounge (360 Marin Blvd.) on September 27th beginning at 5pm.

For only $40 per person payable at the door, there is an open bar that includes light appetizers. There's even FREE taxi service to and from Jersey City and Hoboken during the event!

Breast cancer took the life of my sister way too early - and many of us know strong survivors. Please take a moment out to join us - and enjoy good company for a great cause!

I JUST finished my move (thank goodness) and had a great experience with a JC Heights business - Bin-It.

In a nutshell, instead of struggling with cardboard boxes they provide environmentally friendly plastic bins that are roomy, stackable, and fit on dollies they provide for easy schlepping. You rent the bins - and when you're done, they pick them up.

I have moved a lot and this method has really saved us a ton of time. The bins are super clean, fit a ton of things, and stack, so our movers cleared out our apartment in a very short amount of time. I also used the wardrobe boxes for clothing and bedding.

The staff was friendly, helpful and on time with free delivery and pickup.

Visit them here www.Bin-It.com and mention Coach Alex to receive a free box of packing paper for your next move!

Hi everyone,

We have one team opening for our upcoming spring indoor soccer tournament league. We play each Thursday night for eight weeks, beginning on May 17th - play kicks off at 8:45pm. The format is coed (must have at least one female player); 4 v 4, no goalie, competitive play. Team fee is $600 (8 games guaranteed to play). Winning team receives $600 prize.

Our fully equipped indoor gym includes locker room access plus free on-site parking. The gym is located at 180 9th Street in downtown Jersey City.

Each match is professionally refereed.

Please email me at soccerlearning@aol.com if you would be interested in joining us on May 17th.

Thanks! Coach Alex Lalaoui
The Soccer Learning Center
www.TSLCnews.com

I am moving back to downtown JC and am dreading the apartment hunting! If anyone knows a great, spacious 2 or 3 BR in downtown JC only, NO FEE, preferably with laundry in the apt., please let me know - ready to move as of June 1st. I'm a non-smoker with no pets. Please email me at soccerlearning@aol.com or PM me.

Thanks!
Coach Alex
The Soccer Learning Center
www.SoccerLearningCenter.com

Thanks Neverleft. We've had a tremendous response to the donation request. We dropped off two pickup truck loads on Wednesday and will have more dropped off today.

City Hall is now asking residents to donate gift cards in lieu of clothing and items because they've already received so much!

Don't forget also that we're auctioning off two, two-week summer camp spots in our July soccer camp. The spots retail for $900 each. Right now, one spot is going for $120 dollars and the other is up to $220 dollars on Ebay. That's a huge savings if you'd like to send your child to our camps! And 100% of the proceeds benefit the children displaced by Sunday's fire.

You can read more about the auction and see links here:

EBAY AUCTION DETAILS

Thanks again to EVERYONE that has been so generous at such a time of need. JC is awesome!

Coach Alex Lalaoui

Updated list of donation items needed:

1. Girl, age 13, small adult shirt, size 2 pants, size 8 shoe women's

2. Girl, age 11, size 7/8 women's, size 8 shoe women's

3. Boy, age 3, size 5T

4. Boy, age 15, small men's shirt size, pants - 29 x 31

5. Girl, age 12, size 4 juniors

6. Boy, age 9, size 8 boys

7. Boy, age 1, size 2T

8. Girl, age 5, size 7 girls

9. Boy, age 4, size 8 boy's shirt, size 10 boy's pants, size 7 shoes (kid's)

10 Boy, age 6, size 10 boy's shirt, size 9 boy's pants, size 1.5 shoes

11. Girl, age 16, size small women's shirt, size 5 women's pants, size 6 women's shoes

To also help out with the efforts here, we've just posted two exclusive auctions on Ebay that offer two spots in our full-day summer soccer camp being held from July 2 through July 13 in downtown Jersey City.

The value of each camp spot is $900. Our opening bid is only $1.00!

The camp runs from 8:30am to 3:00pm and is a professionally coached, soccer intensive session for children interested in learning how to play soccer.

We're auctioning off two camp spots - one for a five/six year old and one for a seven to ten year old. The 7/10 camp is completely sold out this year, so we created one additional space JUST for this auction.

100% of the auction proceeds will go to help the families from this fire.

You can view the auction here:

5/6 YEAR OLD CAMP AUCTION

7/10 YEAR OLD CAMP AUCTION

Hi everyone:

Here's an update on our collection efforts as of this afternoon. After speaking with the Mayor's office (who really has rolled up their sleeves big time to help these families), this is an early list of the families with immediate needs. We are seeking clothing in these sizes for these children. They also need all school supplies. Gift cards to Target, etc will also be welcomed:

1. Girl, age 13, small adult shirt, size 2 pants, size 8 shoe women's

2. Girl, age 11, size 7/8 women's, size 8 shoe women's

3. Boy, age 3, size 5T

4. Boy, age 15, small men's shirt size, pants - 29 x 31

5. Girl, age 12, size 4 juniors

6. Boy, age 9, size 8 boys

7. Boy, age 1, size 2T

8. Girl, age 5, size 7 girls

We will be at 180 9th Street beginning this evening from 6:15pm to 10pm to collect any items that you can for children only (clothing in above sizes, school supplies, new toys, etc). We will also be on site Tuesday (3pm to 6pm), Thursday (3pm to 6pm and 8pm to 11pm) and Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 1pm.

Look for the large donation boxes we have set up right outside of the gym area.

Please help show these families why JC has the best and biggest hearts around!

Thanks, Coach Alex
soccerlearning@aol.com

Thanks AMC - that's great. We hold classes on Monday evenings (6:30 to 9:30pm), Tuesday and Thursday after school (3:30 to 6:30pm - then 8:30pm to 11pm for our night classes) and on Saturday and Sunday mornings (9am to 1pm).

I haven't heard back yet on specific needs and will update when I do.

Coach Alex

Approximately 22 children were displaced by this fire - and most of the houses are in total ruin. We are trying to set up a clothing and school supply drive to help the families with a downtown collection site at 180 9th Street during our soccer classes all this week.

I have been in contact with JCFD and the Red Cross and am waiting to hear back as to what the families specific needs are. I will update here when I receive any information.

In the meantime, if anyone knows of another credible donation effort going on that we could feed into, please email me at soccerlearning@aol.com.

Thanks - Coach Alex Lalaoui
The Soccer Learning Center
www.SoccerLearningCenter.com

I would build a world class indoor/outdoor soccer training facility so everyone could learn to play the best sport in the world!

From NJ.com

Ed Ford, the long-time sports columnist for The Jersey Journal and a larger-than-life figure in Hudson County, died today.

Ford, known everywhere as "The Faa," was an assistant director with the Jersey City Department of Recreation after a colorful career as a high school baseball coach, referee, Major League Baseball scout and bar owner.

"He had a heart of gold," said Billy Blitzer, a scout with the Chicago Cubs. "He was great not only for the game but for the kids of Jersey City. He helped many 100s of kids throughout the years -- putting kids through school or buying equipment when they could afford it."

Ford, 66, with his trademark wad of tobacco in his jaw, was a fixture at local sporting events. He was a champion of local athletics and used the power of his popular column -- Faa's Corner -- to advocate for more funding for recreation for kids.

"I will miss him, Jersey City will miss him and most of all, the kids will miss him," said Tom Lalicato, long-time basketball head coach of St. Mary's High in Jersey City. " Ed and I go a long way back and share a common love for Jersey City and a common love for sports."

By the time Ford began his writing career in the early 1980s with The Hudson Dispatch, he was already a legend in Jersey City sports circle. As a basketball referee he once ejected a cheerleader for stepping onto the court one too many times.

The Faa was both friend and foe to coaches, athletic directors and politicians alike. He rubbed elbows with grounds crews at dusty baseball fields and the elite of college coaches like Dean Smith and Roy Williams of North Carolina.

"He's really an institution in Jersey City and Hudson County," Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy said. "He covered the entire range of sports, but I guess you could say basketball and baseball were his biggest ones. Any Jersey City or Hudson County game you went to, chances are you would run into Ed."

Ford had battled a series of illnesses over the past few years, friends said.

Just to keep everyone updated, our new autism soccer program will be celebrating our official ribbon cutting this Sunday, April 3rd at the Golden Door School Gym (180 9th Street, JC) at 9:15am.

Thanks to our generous sponsors - O'Connell's Restaurant on Montgomery Street and Bayway World of Liquor in Elizabeth - seven autistic children between the ages of 3 and 4, will receive free soccer instruction until the program ends in June.

We already have a waiting list for more children and hope to open more programs next September when our soccer season begins again.

Thanks to everyone that turned out for our first fundraiser in November...your support is greatly appreciated.

All my best,
Coach Alex Lalaoui
The Soccer Learning Center

Hi Everyone,

I'm excited to announce that TSLC will be launching a new soccer class dedicated exclusively to children with autism. The first session will begin in the spring of 2011 in Jersey City. Specific details will be announced soon. The first class will be open to children living in Jersey City, Bayonne or Hoboken - if donations are sufficient, we hope to offer the program free of charge to participants.

We are holding our first fundraiser to fund the program on Thursday, November 4th at O'Connell's Restaurant in JC. Thanks to the amazing generosity of O'Connell's and Bayway World of Liquors, they are putting together an American Whiskey Tasting Event with more than 17 different vendors on site at O'Connell's (111 Montgomery Street). Tickets are only $50.00 each and are available on our website. See link below.

To continue our program development research, we are also seeking to speak to the parents of autistic children between the ages of 4 and 10, and professionals that deal with autistic children. You can contact us by a PM or at soccerlearning@aol.com.

Please help pass the word along...

Thanks, Coach Alex Lalaoui
The Soccer Learning Center

Purchase Whiskey Tasting Tickets Here

Gene Flannelly, the ever-bright, spirited and dedicated staffer at the Jersey City Department of Cultural Affairs passed away on Sunday. He is shown in the photo below (center).

I've known and worked with Gene for a few years now and he was a terrific individual. He supported us through many events we've held including our recent "Celebrate Morocco" festival at City Hall in March where he was named the 2010 Honorary Moroccan of the Year.

His stories of life in Jersey City were captivating, and he worked hard and passionately to support culture and diversity in Jersey City. I will miss his kind heart, laughter, and funny tales greatly.

Services will be held on Wednesday at the Greenville Funeral Home.

Coach Alex Lalaoui

Hello -

Registration for our fall soccer program is underway now. We offer indoor classes in downtown Jersey City for ages four through ten, teaching children the fundamentals and skills needed to learn the game correctly from a highly trained, professional USSF soccer coach.

Our classes are kept very small and we use proven and innovative curriculum to keep children active, involved and learning.

To learn more and read what area parents are saying about our program, visit our website at www.SoccerLearningCenter.com

We are also forming our adult leagues and adult boot camp classes now, too, for players 21 and over.

Many of our good-hearted, hard working volunteer coaches or outdoor rec program operators may not know how to make sure our young Jersey City athletes keep safe playing in these high temperatures.

You must understand heat safety in young athletes goes far beyond just making sure children are properly hydrated.

Please take a moment to read the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) Youth Soccer Heat and Hydration Guidelines below. As a coach or parent of a child involved in any kind of sport, you will find the information really valuable in protecting young athletes from one of the most preventable sports-related injuries.

USSF Youth Soccer Heat & Hydration Guidelines

Have a safe and fun summer!

Coach Alex Lalaoui, USSF B Licensed Coach
The Soccer Learning Center
NJ Heroes Soccer League
Head Coach, Hudson Catholic High School Boy's Soccer

This new tournament is open to any adult soccer team (male, female or coed) who would like to participate in a great event for an even greater cause.

The Soccer Learning Center is currently working to raise money for the Jersey City Police Activity League - an underfunded organization that provides essential after-school activities to Jersey City children.

Our Diversity Cup Tournament is a 4 v 4 format, played over three Saturday evenings, indoors, at the Golden Door School gym in downtown Jersey City. The top team will win $2000 at the end of the event.

Like the World Cup, teams will play for a specific FIFA country they wish to represent.

To learn more, please log on to SoccerLearningCenter.com or use this link:

Diversity Cup Information

Registration deadline is May 20th.

Questions? Feel free to call me, Coach Alex at 201.656.1156

THANK YOU to everyone that dropped off clothing and items for this family last night at our gym. We have eight big bags to deliver on Monday. Jersey City has big hearts!

Great job, too, to the North Hudson Regional Fire & Rescue Department for coordinating this collection.

Coach Alex
The Soccer Learning Center

It's a great day to clean closets...and help a local child in need.

North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue firefighters are spearheading a donation effort to assist a 10-year-old girl who, along with eight others, was left homeless and lost everything in a fire yesterday in Union City.

They are looking for donations of clothing (size 8-10), shoes (size 10), various toys, and/or any monetary donations.

The Soccer Learning Center will be having a collection TODAY ONLY (SATURDAY, FEB 6th) during their classes at THE GOLDEN DOOR SCHOOL GYM - 180 9th Street (across from the Newport Mall) between the hours of 5:30pm and 9:00pm.

Simply bag your donations and drop them off in the gym.

We appreciate your help with this effort.

Coach Alex
The Soccer Learning Center

Hudson County corrections officer's son who brought community together dies
y The Jersey Journal
November 25, 2009, 8:17AM

The 14-month-old son of a Hudson County corrections officer who brought a community together as he struggled with a rare neurological disorder died yesterday in his mother's arms.

Jersey Journal parenting columnist Melinda Vickerman-Lalaoui, who along with her husband helped raise donations for the family, said Kenneth Black died at about 10:30 a.m. at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark where he was being treated for Zellweger syndrome.

His mother, 27-year-old Lillian Whitted of Jersey City, had run out of vacation and sick days so her co-workers had donated their own to her so she could keep her benefits and stay at her son's side. A "Kicks for Kenneth'' soccer fundraiser for the family orchestrated by the Lalaouis was held on Sunday at St. Peter's College.

The family was the subject of a Channel 2 news report earlier this month.

Watson Mortuary Service in Jersey City is handling the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, Vickeman-Lalaoui said, donations can be made to the Kenneth Black Care Fund, 885 Broadway #31, Bayonne, NJ 07002

Thanks to everyone in Jersey City and beyond that contributed to our event. We were able to rally the community and raise enough funds to help Officer Whitted.

One member of her department volunteered to pay her PSEG bill until she was able to return to her job.

Another member of the community contacted me via JCList and will be adopting her family for Christmas.

A local mom donated clothing and toys for the officer's 8 year old son.

We had an enthusiastic audience today and are so appreciative of the generous support everyone provided.

Thank you!

Coach Alex
The Soccer Learning Center

CBS News picked up our story last night and again this morning. Check out the coverage here:

id=134857@wcbs.dayport.com" title="http://wcbstv.com/video/?id=134857@wcbs.dayport.com" rel="external">http://wcbstv.com/video/?id=134857@wcbs.dayport.com