Photo courtesy of Pio Pio / Facebook.
There has been food news, a university merging and more this week in Hudson County.
Let’s get into it.
Expand Your Palate With These Cultural Cuisines In West New York
The town of West New York is hosting WNY Restaurant Month all month long with the help of the North New Jersey Chamber of Commerce.
Restaurants participating include:
- Pio Pio Cafe & Restaurant– 5513 Hudson Avenue (15% Off all food items) from Mondays to Sundays.
- Sabor A Veracruz– 6415 Bergenline Avenue ($18 Pre-fixe menu with appetizer, entree, dessert, and drink) from Mondays to Sundays.
- Enzo Bruni La Pizza Gourmet– 5104 Park Avenue ($35 Pre-fixe menu with appetizer, entree, and dessert) on Fridays.
- Noches De Colombia– 5709 Bergenline Avenue ($35 Pre-fixe with appetizer, entree, dessert, and drink) from Mondays to Sundays.
- Hudson Krab House- 5402 Park Avenue (15% Off all food items) from Mondays to Fridays.
- P.F Changs– 10 Port Imperial Boulevard (Three-course meal starting at $21) from Mondays to Sundays.
- La Pupusa Loca– 5902 Bergenline Avenue (10% Off all food menu items) Mondays to Thursdays.
- Centro Latino- 6217 Bergenline Avenue (10% Off all menu items) from Mondays to Thursdays.
- La Placita De Doña Luz- 6023 Park Avenue ($17 Pre-fix menu with entree, dessert, drink) Mondays to Fridays.
- La Rancherita Bakery & Restaurant- 6606 Bergenline Avenue ($22 appetizer+entree) from Mondays to Fridays.
- Meson Español- 5700 John F. Kennedy Boulevard West ($27 Pre-fixe menu) Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
The Restaurant Month event is honoring foods from all over the world and will feature dishes from:
- Turkey
- Italy
- China
- Cuba
- Mexico
- Colombia
Are You Interested In Becoming A Police Officer In Bayonne?
Any Bayonne resident ages 18-34 can now apply to be a police officer for the City of Bayonne!
Members from the Bayonne Police Department will be available to assist anyone interested in filling out an application. They will be available at the Bayonne Public Library from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on:
- March 13
- March 20
- March 27
Application must be filled out online on the Civil Service website. All applications must be submitted on or before March 31, 2025. Applicants will need to complete a written exam administered by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission.
Applicant must:
- Be a U.S. citizen and resident of Bayonne as of March 31, 2025
- Reside in Bayonne up to and including the time of the appointment.
- Have a high school or vocational diploma or an approved High School Equivalent Certificate by March 31, 2025
- Have a valid New Jersey Driver’s License at the time of the appointment
The starting salary for the job is $42,081.63 plus benefits. For more information, you can contact the Bayonne Police Recruitment Division at 201 858-6917.
See the official press release here.
Here’s How NJ Is Handling The REAL ID Deadline
The REAL ID deadline is almost here and the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) will be hosting events in March and April that will give residents opportunities to obtain the documents they need.
The real ID will be required for U.S. travellers starting on May 7.
New Jersey residents over 18 years old will need to have a REAL ID, a passport or other federally approved identification to board flights within the country. Previously, a driver’s license was acceptable as a form of identification for domestic flights.
On Thursday, March 20, NJMVC licensing centers will add about 4,500 new appointments for “REAL ID Thursdays.” Every Thursday, licensing centers will prioritize issuing residents REAL IDs. This includes license renewal appointments where people can renew their license and upgrade to a REAL ID at the same time.
They will also offer REAL ID non-renewal appointments. This allows residents with licenses expiring after three months to upgrade to a REAL ID.
The REAL ID law was passed back in 2005 and was a response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The law makes the national security standards stronger for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards.
In order to get a REAL ID in New Jersey, you must have:
- Two proofs of residential address
- One proof of Social Security Number
- Six points of ID
A U.S. passport or birth certificate counts for four points– one-point forms of ID include a high school diploma, social security card, bank/credit union statement, debit card, property tax statement and more.
A REAL ID costs $35 and a standard New Jersey license or ID is $24.
REAL ID enforcement will come into play on May 7. TSA officials suggest that people upgrade their licenses now “to facilitate a smooth transition.”
Appointments for New Jersey’s “REAL ID Thursdays” will be available to book starting the morning of Friday, March 14. You can book your appointment here.
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NJCU And Kean University To Finalize Merger, Becoming ‘Kean Jersey City’
NJCU and Kean University are planning to merge. The New Jersey City University’s Board of Trustees have voted to accept Kean University’s proposal to merge schools.
The university has been working on the idea of merging since 2022 to help NJCU financially after the university went from having a surplus of more than $100 million to a deficit of $67.4 million that year.
“Just two years ago, New Jersey City University was on the brink of collapse,” Hudson County Executive Craig Guy said in a statement. “But their merger with Kean University ensures the educational institute can continue providing residents in Hudson County and Jersey City the opportunity to attend an affordable four-year college.”
“The combined efforts of NCJU and Kean University mean opportunities abound – for their students, faculty and staff – in the form of enhanced student access, diverse academic programs and strong infrastructure.”
The proposal was put forward by Kean University. The university said that the merger would leverage the “complementary strengths” of both universities “to address the complex challenges facing New Jersey’s urban areas, ensuring that their shared commitment to transforming lives through education expands in scope and influence.”
NJCU currently has 8,000 students between undergraduates and postgrads. The school’s student population are mostly first-generation students and from modest financial means.
Kean University will soon be called Kean Jersey City when the merger is finalized, joining its Union, New Jersey campus and China campus. They will offer enhanced educational opportunities, and drive economic development in ways that honor and extend the historical missions of both Kean and NJCU, the proposal stated.
“We look forward to working with state and institutional leaders on the path to a successful transition that empowers student success and long-term resilience,” said Governor Phil Murphy and Secretary of Education Brian Bridges in a joint statement.
Hoboken Community Center Is Getting A New Food Pantry And Affordable Housing Upgrades
Hudson County Executive Craig Guy is set to announce a $1.8 million county grant to bring a client choice food pantry to Hoboken, according to a press release.
Guy also plans to announce a $1 million state appropriation, which was secured by State Senator Raj Mukherji.
The appropriation is being used for urgent repairs and capital needs. This will help 96 single low-income residents to stay housed at the Hoboken Community Center.
This will also expand the HCC food pantry to the Jersey City Heights. The two initiatives are a combined $2.8 million.
There will be a press conference set to take place Tuesday, March 11 at 11 a.m. at the Hoboken Community Center, located at 1301 Washington Street. The entrance is on 13th street.
Know any local news we should include? Email Stella Accettola at saccettola@sliceofculture.com!
