Re: Hamilton Park Renovation - Update
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Park Renovation Meeting
Please join the HPNA for a meeting at the Hamilton Park Gazebo:
Saturday, April 25th
10:00 AM
Councilman Steven Fulop will provide information and answer questions regarding the park's renovation, alternative play spaces, trees, etc.
Posted on: 2009/4/24 16:26
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Mayoral Debate 4.23.2009
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Date: Thursday April 23rd
Time: 7:30 to 9:00PM
Place: Frank R Conwell Middle School (MS #4)
107 Bright St, Jersey City
Please join the the Downtown Coalitions of Neighborhood Associations and CivicJC for the Jersey City Mayoral Debate moderated by Desiree Taylor of NJN News! Join your neighbors and hear what the candidates have to say about important local topics:
* Taxes and Budget
* Education
* Public Safety
* Infrastructure
* Jobs, Economy, and Stimulus
* Green Space
* Ethics
* Historic Preservation, Development,
* and Tax Abatements
ALL CANDIDATES HAVE CONFIRMED THEY WILL ATTEND!
MS #4 is a short walk from the Jersey Ave. light rail stop, and less than a 10 minute walk from Grove St. Path station.
View Larger Map
Posted on: 2009/4/23 15:10
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Re: Hamilton Park Renovation - Update
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April 21, 2009
Letter from Olu Howard, HPNA President
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Hi All,
As I mentioned in my note last Wednesday the HPNA has been working with the city regarding the closing of Hamilton Park and the park renovation in general. This has been a long hard process to get the renovation underway and we're glad to see it finally come to fruition. On Friday, HPNA board members met with the city's Division of Architecture to reaffirm our lines of communication and to address the concerns raised by some of the residents of the area. The meeting went very well and the city has been very responsive to our needs. They also took the time to provide additional details and documentation around the choices made regarding construction. Attached at the bottom of the email is the letter the city is sending to all the area schools, assisted living facilities, and large condo buildings to notify them of the closure (See post #558 in this thread) .
In addition to the letter I have the added following details from our meeting (which should answer most of the questions posed over the past few days).
Notification/Communications:
Glenn Wrigley, the City's Chief Architect, has apologized for the unannounced closure of Hamilton Park and agreed to do the following to insure the public is notified of the closure of the park (which will occur on April 30, 2009).
* COMPLETED: The city will send a notification letter to schools, assisted living facilities, large condo buildings, and impacted neighborhood organizations
* COMPLETED: The city will provide a detailed site plan so everyone can see and understand the changes to the park. You can download this site plan from http://www.hamiltonpark.org/PDFS/Hami ... _Renovation-Site_Plan.pdf . The plans are rather large so this may take some time to download.
* PENDING: The city will post signs in and around Hamilton Park notifying of the closure.
* The Division of Architecture has committed to arranging a meeting between HPNA representatives and the General Contractor, Green Construction, and insure that open lines of communications remain open between the community and the construction team.
* The Division of Architecture will invite the HPNA to send a representative to the construction progress meetings at least once a quarter (more often if it's warranted/requested). In addition the city will send a copy of the construction meeting minutes to the HPNA after each meeting.
* Finally the Glenn Wrigley, Chief Architect, and Brian Weller, the Project Manager for the HP renovation, will attend a HPNA general meeting along with Green Construction to bring everyone up to speed on the project's progress and answer any outstanding questions. This is tentatively scheduled for June (the May HPNA meeting is reserved for the Ward E Candidate debate).
Alternate Park Spaces:
The Hamilton Park neighborhood already has a second park less than three blocks from Hamilton Park called Enos Jones Park (located at Brunswick & Eighth Street). Enos Jones features:
* A playground
* A Water-spray ground
* A baseball field
* A passive use grassy back area for walking dogs, etc.
In addition to our already existing alternate park, Paul Silverman of Exeter Property (developers of Hamilton Square) has graciously offered to allow the city to use now the vacant lot between the two buildings on McWilliams Place as an alternate park space. As mentioned in the Chief Architect's letter, the City has taken him up his offer and is working closely with both Exeter Property and Goldman Sachs to build a temporary park which will have the following features:
* Will be a total of about 14,000 sq. ft directly across from Hamilton Park.
* Will be fenced in and feature both passive (grassy) recreational space and a playground.
* Will be open from Dawn to Dusk (it will be locked after dark).
* Will be dog free.
It should open by May 15, 2009 and will remain open to the public until the renovation is complete.
Trees:
A lot of concern has been raised over the trees marked with X's. The City has assured us that every effort will be made to save every tree possible and that trees are only marked to come down where absolutely necessary. The trees that are marked fall into the following categories:
* The tree has to be removed to allow for the installation of rain underground retention basins. These retention basins are essential to prevent the renovated park from overflowing the surrounding sewer systems. Without them homes within a few blocks of the park would flood when it rains
* The tree is dead / near death. These trees pose a hazard to the general public. If they are left up to fall on their own, there is a very real chance that some will be hurt or killed.
* The tree is surrounded by asphalt. This last category is includes the tree closest to the Hamilton Park gazebo. The General Contractor marked it for potential removal because once the asphalt is removed, the roots will be exposed and if they re unable to stabilize the tree quickly it will fall on its own. The City has stated they will make every effort to save it however it only has about a 50/50 being salvaged.
* There is one 30" sycamore that was marked a little further North of the gazebo. That is not scheduled for removal. It was marked only because the instructions on the drawings are to remove the cast iron grate around the base of the tree. The tree is being strangled by the grate (which should have been removed years ago). Its marked because removing the grate may damage the tree. Again the City has said they will do what they can to save that tree.
* Finally, there is also a 12" cherry tree along the pathway from the Ninth Street to the Gazebo that was scheduled for removal. The contractor will attempt to work around it thereby saving that tree as well.
One final note, while it may not be apparently from the previously posted documents the city is planting additional trees as well. They have provided the HPNA with the landscaping plan which shows the trees being preserved (they look like a cloud) the new trees being put in (they look like circles) and the retention basins being installed to prevent flooding. The landscaping plans can be downloaded at http://www.hamiltonpark.org/PDFS/Hami ... vation_Landscape_Plan.pdf
. Again this PDF file is rather large so it may take some time to download.
Timetable:
Unfortunately not much could be done here. The park renovation would cost considerably more if it were completed in sections and it would take years rather than months. Additionally, the construction would present a constant safety to those people using the park while it went on. The bid contract calls for the park to be completed in 1 year or less and the contractor's internal estimates are that it will be completed in six months.
For any remaining pre-construction questions the HPNA has arranged a public meeting at the Hamilton Park Gazebo on 10:00 AM this Saturday April 25th. Councilman Fulop will answer any outstanding questions regarding the renovation.
Thanks,
Olu Howard
HPNA President
Posted on: 2009/4/21 14:05
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Re: Hamilton Park Renovation - Update
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Letter from Glenn A. Wrigley, AIA, Chief Architect of Jersey City:
20 April 2009 Dear Residents & Park Patrons, On behalf of the Mayor and the City of Jersey City, the Division of Architecture is pleased to announce that construction for the Renovation of Hamilton Park is about to begin. A Construction Contract was awarded to Green Construction, Inc., of South River, New Jersey, at the City Council meeting held on 25 March 2009. In order to perform the construction tasks in a safe, through, and efficient manner, this park will be closed to the public on or about 30 April 2009 for the duration of construction. Closure of the park is a necessity due to the means and methods of construction. The renovation of the park includes not only the visible and tangible amenities, but also a significant amount of underground infrastructure in the form of improved drainage and new utilities. At the same time, the Contractor is charged with the task of protecting the many existing historic features of the park, including its more than 120 valuable shade trees. For these and several other technical reasons, it appeared impractical (and sometimes dangerous) to attempt to stage and move around work to keep features such as athletic courts or the playground open for periods of time. Public safety is paramount, and concerns over proximity of citizens (including children) within an active construction site led us to conclude that park closure is the best method of protection for both people and the historic texture of the park. Staging work also added significant time to the construction schedule, as well as significant construction cost. We equally value your taxpayer money, and want to deliver this park on time, and within budget. At the same time, the Mayor?s office and the Department of Administration is working closely with Paul Silverman of Exeter Property (Hamilton Square) and Goldman Sachs to set up a temporary park & children?s playground on the current vacant property between the two residential buildings along McWilliams Place. This park will provide neighborhood children and residents with a nice, nearby location to enjoy the outdoors. You?ll also have a front-row seat to watch your renovated park take shape. Construction of the temporary park should be complete on or about 15 May 2009, and will be available throughout the duration of construction. We hope you will understand and accept the inconvenience, secure in the knowledge that within a short period of time, Hamilton Park will be restored to its randeur. Until then, I remain, Sincerely, Glenn A. Wrigley, AIA, Chief Architect
Posted on: 2009/4/20 19:13
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Re: Hamilton Park renovation?
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This e-mail went out tonight to the HPNA-JC-Public yahoo groups:
As you may know Hamilton Park was temporarily closed earlier this week without prior notification to our schools, businesses, and residents. This was due to an error on the General Contractor's part. The HPNA contacted the Division of Architecture as well as the Mayor's office and the contractor was ordered to remove construction equipment, temporary barriers, and closure signs until the Division of Architecture says otherwise. The contractor has since apologized for not keeping the City informed of their actions and the City has reaffirmed their commitment to communicate with us and foster an environment of community involvement. The HPNA plans to meet with the Division of Architecture later this week to discuss a closure date for Hamilton Park (which will likely be on or about 4/30/09). Our understanding is that the park will remain closed throughout the summer and should be opened again this fall. As you know it's been a long (years!) hard fight to get the park renovated and many of us are looking forward to the project finally being completed. Certainly no one wants to derail it now. That being said, we are working with the City to obtain alternative locations for neighborhood kids to safely play and hopefully will have some positive news after our meeting on Friday. (To be clear nothing has been promised regarding alternative spaces and space or no space the city will proceed with the renovation as planned.) Either way we'll continue to do our best keep everyone informed via our newsletter, announcements at HPNA meetings, and postings to this group. Thanks, Olu HPNA President
Posted on: 2009/4/16 3:42
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Re: Hamilton Park renovation?
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It appears that the contractor, Green Construction jumped the gun and started construction without properly notifying the city. Green has been ordered to halt construction. I'll provide an update later today as we get more information, including the status of the park closure.
Posted on: 2009/4/15 14:30
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Re: Hamilton Park renovation?
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Quote:
The grass won't - and under existing laws, can't - be entirely off limits to dogs. From the Jersey City Municipal Code: ? 90-20. Removal and disposal of animal feces; animals not permitted access nor permitted to urinate or defecate within designated pet-free zone(s) within public parks. [Amended 1-2-1980 by Ord. No. 5-123; 10-25-2000 by Ord. No. 00-150] A. It shall be unlawful for any person having control or custody of any animal within a city park to permit the animal to be present within any designated pet-free zone(s) or to permit the animal to urinate or defecate within any such zone(s); however, nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit the presence of animals on pedestrian pathways adjacent to or within any pet-free zone(s) or to prohibit urination or defecation on such pedestrian pathways, provided that the person having custody or control of any animal complies with Subsection C of this section. B. It shall be unlawful for any person owning or having control or custody of any animal to permit the animal to defecate or urinate upon the public property of the city or upon the private property of another unless the person immediately removes the feces and properly disposes of it; provided, however, nothing herein contained authorizes such person to enter upon the property of another without permission. C. It shall be unlawful for any person to walk any animal on public property of the city or upon the private property of another without carrying at all times a suitable container or other suitable instrument for the removal and disposal of animal feces. D. Handicapped persons who use Seeing Eye dogs are exempt from this section. Persons whose dogs are participating in dog shows or direct command obedience classes are also exempt from this section while their animals are actually participating in such shows or classes, but all feces must be removed and disposed of immediately upon the conclusion of the show or class. E. The Director of Public Works shall have the authority, to designate any pet-fee zone(s) within city parks; provided, however, that not more than 50% of the area of any city park shall be designated as pet-free without prior approval of the Municipal Council via resolution. F. Prior to designating any pet-free zone(s) within any city park, the Director of Public Works shall hold a public meeting to solicit the comments of residents on the proposed location of such zone(s). The Director of Public Works shall provide written notice of the meeting to the City Clerk and two newspapers of general circulation within Jersey City of the time and place of said meeting at least 14 days prior to its occurrence. G. Areas within parks where pets are permitted and pet-free zones may be designated by appropriate signs, fences, and other devices consistent with the design and aesthetics of the park and the use and enjoyment of the park by all members of the public. ----- "not more than 50% of the area of any city park shall be designated as pet-free" There will most likely be a pet free designated area in the park, but there will still be plenty of space to walk leashed dogs.
Posted on: 2009/4/14 18:25
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Re: Hamilton Park Renovation - Update
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There will be two dog runs - one for large and the other for small dogs. The location is just west of the two tennis courts - the area between the courts and the gazebo.
Posted on: 2009/4/14 15:20
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Re: Hamilton Park renovation?
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The final plans are now available for viewing. See:
http://www.hamiltonpark.org/PDFS/Hamilton.Park.2009.pdf If you have problem viewing the file in your browser, try downloading it and open with Adobe PDF viewer. The plans were subject to change for the last year, but this should be the actual layout.
Posted on: 2009/4/13 20:45
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Re: Hamilton Park Neighborhood Assn. - Updates
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YOU?RE INVITED TO OUR NEXT COMMUNITY MEETING:
WEDNESDAY APRIL 1ST 2009 ? 7:45 PM Cordero Elementary School ? auditorium Meeting Agenda 7:45 - 8:00 Welcome and Neighborhood Updates The HPNA's Annual Easter Egg Hunt and Visit from the Easter Bunny is this Sunday April 5 at 3:00 PM in the park. Come out and meet your neighbors and have a good time! Additionally, we'll be doing a park cleanup from 12:00 to 3:00PM so the kids have a clean safe place to hunt. The park bid has been awarded to Green Construction and work is slated to begin in the next 30 days. We're working with the city and the construction company to get additional details regarding the final plan and construction timelines. We also have Membership information, dates for upcoming HPNA events, updates on local development and the Hamilton Park renovation. 8:00 ? 8:10 Monthly Captain's Meeting Update Our own HPNA Board member, Elna Mukaida, will brief everyone on the JCPD Captain?s Meeting held on Tuesday, 03/24/09. The Captain's meetings are JCPD's primary way of communicating crime statistics to residents and provides a form for residents to discuss specific incidents with the JCPD. We encourage everyone to attend these meetings if they are able. 8:10 ? 8:50 Meet the Candidates: Board of Education Elections Elections for the board of Education are on April 21, 2009! As you know this year the Jersey City school district is scheduled to return to local control so this election is of paramount importance to many people. HPNA has invited the Jersey City Board of Education candidates to speak to our membership. Each candidate will have a couple of minutes to introduce themselves and then there will be a Q & A period. 8:50 ? 9:00 Community Concerns and Comments Please remember to remove all GPS and GPS accessories (including mounts) from your car ? break-ins occur when these items are visible! 9:00 ? 9:30 Neighborhood social time, chat with presenters Announcements Thursday, Apr. 2th, 7:30 - 9:30PM ? HPHA: Meet the Candidates The Historic Paulus Hook Association (HPHA) is hosting a meet the candidates event at the OLC Meeting Hall located at 120 Sussex. Thursday's event will feature the Jersey City Board of Education and Ward E City Council Candidates. The candidates will present their platform and you will have an opportunity to ask questions directly to the candidates. Sunday, Apr. 5th, 3:00 - 4:30PM ? HPNA Easter Egg Hunt The Hamilton Park Neighborhood Association invites you to join us for our Annual Easter Egg Hunt and visit from the Easter Bunny this Sunday, April 5 from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. The Easter Bunny will be making his regular visit to help children find their eggs and for pictures. We welcome volunteers to come in advance from 12:00?3:00 p.m., to help clean the park and hide the eggs. Saturday, Apr. 11th, 1:30PM ? "Ask Not" Chillfest, "the mostly gay & lesbian film series of Jersey City" continues its ?Chillest Second Saturday Series? with ?Ask Not?, a documentary explores the relevance of "don't ask, don't tell" in the era of the war on terror. Socializing and drinks start at 1:30PM and the film begins at 2. It's being presented at LITM, 140 Newark Avenue (a half block from Grove Street PATH). Check out http://chillfest.org/ for more details. Monday, Apr. 13th 7PM ? Downtown Jersey City Watch The Downtown Jersey City Watch, a neighborhood watch group focused on reducing crime downtown, holds their monthly meeting at Grace Church Van Vorst Sanctuary 39 Erie St (enter through the red doors on 2nd street). Sunday, Apr. 26th, 1:00 to 6:00pm ? Art Attack! Craft Fest The Jersey City Craft Mafia's presents their first organized art and alternacraft event, hosted by Club H Jersey City! Peruse handcrafted jewelry, housewares, tees, bath & body goodies, glassware, and more by local artisans and friends from across the Hudson. Applications and additional details available at http://jerseycitycraftmafia.com/artattack.htm. Tuesday, Apr. 28th, 7pm ? Police Note and Captain?s Meeting Captain McDonough of the East District holds monthly meetings open to the public (which replace the regular crime reports from the police at neighborhood meetings). Meetings are held the 4th Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm at M.S. 4 (107 Bright Street). Please attend and encourage your neighbors to attend as well. Please visit the HPNA Website and Blog at: www.hamiltonpark.org and http://hpnajc.blogspot.com Want to receive this newsletter and other announcements electronically? Join our Yahoo! Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPNA-JC-Public/ or find us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=43764481913
Posted on: 2009/4/1 20:06
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Re: Hamilton Park Renovation - Update
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The 2009 Hamilton Park Festival will take place on Saturday June 20 (rain date June 21). The details and information on getting a table will be posted in the next few weeks.
Posted on: 2009/3/24 15:26
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Re: Hamilton Park Renovation - Update
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Thanks for your question, 4bailey. The resolution to approve the winning bid is on the agenda for the Council meeting on Wednesday, 3.25.2009: From http://www.cityofjerseycity.com: z3. Resolution authorizing the award of a contract to Green Construction, Inc. for Hamilton Park - Renovations, Project No. 2007 -007 for the Department of Administration, Division of Architecture. We should receive the final plans/drawings late this week, after the contract is awarded, and will post as soon as we get it. Of course the drawings will be available for all to view.
Posted on: 2009/3/24 15:21
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Re: Hamilton Park Renovation - Update
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Welcome to the area, newtothearea! Let me bring you up to speed a bit. The plans have been finalized for over a year and the bid was recently awarded to the highest bidder and is due to be confirmed this week. So it appears that the renovation is moving forward!
Posted on: 2009/3/23 16:47
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Re: Hamilton Park Neighborhood Assn. - Updates
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YOU?RE INVITED TO OUR NEXT COMMUNITY MEETING:
WEDNESDAY MARCH 4RD 2009 ? 7:45 PM Cordero Elementary School ? auditorium Meeting Agenda 7:45 - 8:00 Welcome and Neighborhood Updates The HPNA extends a warm ?Thank You? to everyone contributed to the Parikh Memorial Fund, we have raised over $2300 to date and this help has been greatly appreciated by his family. We also have Membership information, dates for upcoming HPNA events, updates on local development and the Hamilton Park renovation. 8:00 ? 8:10 Monthly Captain's Meeting Update Our own HPNA Board member, Elna Mukaida, will brief everyone on the JCPD Captain?s Meeting held on Tuesday, 02/24/09. The Captain's meetings are JCPD's primary way of communicating crime statistics to residents and provides a form for residents to discuss specific incidents with the JCPD. We encourage everyone to attend these meetings if they are able. 8:10 ? 8:50 11th Street Viaduct Presentation Councilman Steve Fulop will give a presentation on the proposed 11th Street Viaduct. This is an additional Turnpike extension branching off the to the current 12th Street Viaduct designed to streamline traffic destined for the Jersey City waterfront. The HPNA hopes to provide input in this project as a directly impacted stakeholder. There will be a Q & A period where you can voice your concerns with the plan and highlight items needing further attention/consideration. 8:50 ? 9:00 Community Concerns and Comments Please remember to remove all GPS and GPS accessories (including mounts) from your car ? break-ins occur when these items are visible! Help keep your neighborhood safe! Every winter many residents are serious injured in slip & fall accidents due to snow and ice. Homeowners: Please remember you're responsible for removing all snow and ice from the sidewalks in front of your homes. Renters: Please consult your leases or contact your landlords to determine who is responsible for removing snow and ice. If your landlord is responsible, please urge him/her to remove it, ASAP. 9:00 ? 9:30 Neighborhood social time, chat with presenters Announcements Friday, Mar. 6th ? JC Fridays: a day of free arts events in JC The first Friday in March is part of the quarterly JC Fridays, a day of free arts events in JC. Check out http://jcfridays.com/ for a full list of goings-on around the city, including at many local businesses. Monday, Mar. 9th 7PM ? Downtown Jersey City Watch The Downtown Jersey City Watch, a neighborhood watch group focused on reducing crime downtown, holds their monthly meeting at Grace Church Van Vorst Sanctuary 39 Erie St (enter through the red doors on 2nd street). Saturday, Mar. 14, 1:30PM ? "XXY" Chillfest, "the mostly gay & lesbian film series of Jersey City" continues its ?Chillest Second Saturday Series? with the critically acclaimed film ?XXY? which explores the world of Alex (In?s Efron), an intersex teenager navigating the treacherous emotional and hormonal rapids of uncertain gender. Socializing and drinks start at 1:30PM and the film begins at 2. It's being presented at LITM, 140 Newark Avenue (a half block from Grove Street PATH). Check out http://chillfest.org/ for more details. Thursday, Mar. 19th 6 to 8PM ? Spring 2009 Exhibition Opening Join the Jersey City Museum for their Spring 2009 Exhibition Opening. Titled ?Industrial Strength: Precisionism and New Jersey?. The exhibition features Precisionist artists associated with New Jersey who created works inspired by the power of our region's industrial landscape and includes significant works from Jersey City Museum's permanent collection as well as works borrowed from The Newark Museum, The Whitney Museum of American Art and the Newark Public Library. Tuesday, Mar. 24th, 7pm ? Police Note and Captain?s Meeting Captain McDonough of the East District holds monthly meetings open to the public (which replace the regular crime reports from the police at neighborhood meetings). Meetings are held the 4th Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm at M.S. 4 (107 Bright Street). Please attend and encourage your neighbors to attend as well. Friday, Mar. 27th, 5:30 to 8:30pm ? CASA Wine Tasting Benefit Hudson County CASA, with Wine Library of Springfield, is pleased to announce our 3rd annual wine tasting fundraiser at The Atrium, Harborside Financial Center. The event will feature more than 80 wines and hors d'oeuvres. Tickets are $60 per guest for advance purchase, $70 at the door and all proceeds will support CASA's mission to advocate on behalf of Hudson County's 700+ foster children while moving them toward a safe and permanent home. For more information or to buy tickets visit the CASA web site http://www.hudsoncountycasa.org/ . Please visit the HPNA Website and Blog at: www.hamiltonpark.org and http://hpnajc.blogspot.com Want to receive this newsletter and other announcements electronically? Join our Yahoo! Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HPNA-JC-Public/
Posted on: 2009/3/2 23:35
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