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Dollar Stores: Central Avenue

No matter where you are in Jersey City, there is rarely a lack of a dollar store nearby. I’ll start with my three favorite in my neighborhood of the heights. All are on Central Avenue. (There are more on Central, but I frequent these the most.)

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99¢ Gallery is awesome for makeup, arts & crafts supplies (they really have everything), party favors, gag gifts, gift wrap, shampoo, cow’s silk lotion, and Dove soap (the big bars are only $1 each; less than half the price at drugstores). I go here on a bi-weekly basis to stock up on toiletrees, cleaning supplies and makeup. The owners and people that work there probably think I am a party planner with all of the festive things I buy (gift bags, tissue paper, party poppers, glitter letters, glow bracelets, candles, temporary tattoos, bubbles) or that I have issues. I can’t tell. But they are super friendly and have the best selection, so I always stop there first.

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This is going to sound crazy, but for all of my antique jewelry hunting and all of the inexpensive modern jewelry available on the cheap at national chains, this place kills it when it comes to conversation pieces that are inexpensive. As one might guess, not everything is a dollar in the dollar store, but 99 ¢ent-RAL’s  jewelry still only ranges from $2-8 a piece. I love their headbands and hats, too. It’s a great accesories place in general. There also happened to be some really cute bathing suits there last week, so I bought one—a $12 jewel-encrusted bikini—and it looks great!

99¢ Vision has $1 brand-name dishsoap, hand soap, quality baking tins (3 for $1) and the widest selection of posterboard and craft supplies. Basically, Vision is your go-to spot for kitchen and office needs. They also tend to have the best decorations and wrapping options when it comes to holidays. Just look at these Easter baskets I created below:

Easter Baskets

What’s Happening In Jersey City This Weekend? 6/28/13

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The Weekend is upon us again in JC, woohoo!! Here’s what’s happening:

 

Friday 6/28/13

Kayaking on the Hudson River at Liberty State Park from 10am-12pm. Must be 16 years or older, $15 per person. Arrive 30 minutes early. Must pre-register. Reserve your spot here.

Creative Grove Art Market Visit the Grove Street PATH area to check out local art, jewelry and other crafts. 3pm-9pm. The rescheduled Groove on Grove collaboration for JC Fridays starts at 5pm. So you’ve got everything in one spot: Live music, art, shopping and food, all from our local musicians, artists and vendors.

Brightside Tavern (141 Bright St.) hosts its monthly comedy show at 8pm. Performers include Aalap Patel, Chelsea White, David Foster, Ryan Rummel, Pat Bryne, Nate Fernald and host Gordon Baker-Bone. Tickets are $10. Call (201) 435-1234 for reservations.

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Saturday 6/29/13

Van Vorst Farmer’s Market Stop by Van Vorst Park (Montgomery St. & Jersey Ave.) from 8:30am-3pm to gather all of your local produce.

Sweep & Lafayette Rising Street Festival From 8am-6pm. The S.W.E.E.P is a community effort to clean up the Bergen-Lafayette region (Ward F) Meet at 314 Pacific Ave. 8am – 12pm. Following, MC CDC will be a daytime street festival featuring art and music. Rock out to DJs, participate in live painting, and support the many vendors that will be occupying the block. More info here.

A free Biking Safety course is being held at PS 3 (111 Bright St.) from 9am-5pm. Sign up here.

Ed’s Exchange Merchant Market Shop the flea or sell your own goods. 10am-6pm at McGinley Square (672 Bergen Ave.) Tables are $10-20.

Jersey City Art School (326 Fifth St.) is hosting a two-day digital photography course from 11am-2pm (Saturday & Sunday). Learn about the functionality of your camera and how to best utilize them. Rules about composition will also be taught. $95 for two days. More info here.

Art House Productions presents “Font of Knowledge” at their theater (1 McWilliams Place) at 8pm. Tickets are $25 for VIP seating, $18 for GA, and $12 for students and seniors. Purchase here.

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Sunday 6/30/13

Mindfulness Meditation. From 9-10:30am, join others in the community for a morning meditation session at Yoga Shunya (275 Grove St., 3rd fl.) Small donation suggested.

Farmer’s Market at Riverview Fisk Park. Buy farm-fresh produce and unique local goods from 9am-2pm. Plus, FREE YOGA TODAY!! (Ogden Ave. & Bowers St.) Details here.

Block Party Exhibition at Liberty Science Center 10am-4:30pm.

Cake Boss’ Fondant Layer Cake Class Learn how to make cake at either 10am-12pm or 2pm-4pm (631 Grove St.).

Pop-Up Shop With Stella & Dot Shop the new collection, meet stylist Ali and enjoy drink specials at the Iron Monkey from 3-6pm.

Salsa Under the Sun! Yesenia Peralta hosts salsa lessons from 6-7pm at Boca Grande (564 Washington Blvd.) $10 per person.

 

Let me know what you plan to do or did this weekend: tweet @jerseycitygia or email me at jerseycitygia@gmail.com

Enjoy,
JCG

 

 

Two-Day Ceramics Workshop at Jersey City Art School

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Jersey City Art School (326 Fifth St.) is offering a two-day workshop in ceramics at a discounted rate. If you missed figure-drawing last night with other local artists, you should definitely scoop this deal up. You’ll learn how to make, glaze, and fire your own unique piece.

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Dates that qualify are the weekends of 7/13; 7/20; 8/17; and 8/24. Discount details here.

For updates about Jersey City Art School and their other classes, seminars and workshops, connect with them on facebook here.

Let’s Go For a Swim!!

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This day requires a beat-the-heat remedy.

Jersey City has a few outdoor pools. However, today is not the best day for outdoor swimming. It is the perfect day for indoor swimming. And where better to do that than at Pershing Field’s pool?

Located at the corner of Summit and Pershing, the pool is open from 3:30pm on during the week, and by 1pm on the weekends. It’s $3 for adults ($5 for non-residents).

They have a locker room to store your loot and shower. I’ve got a great story about that here. They also provide swimming lessons.

For the full schedule, click here.

For other Jersey City pool and sprinkler schedules, click here.

What’s Happening In Jersey City This Weekend? 6/21/13

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The weekend’s back. What’s JC doing?

 

Friday 6/21/13

Creative Grove Art Market Visit the Grove Street PATH area to check out local art, jewelry and other crafts. 3pm-9pm.

Artbeats official opening! People are encouraged to swing over to City Life (125 1st St.)  from 7-10pm for a painting session and a live band. BYOB.

Put the Art in Heart Art Show. City’s Dream Gallery (446 West Side Avenue) plays host to the art of graffiti artist Mr. Abillity. There will also be live jazz and a street scavenger hunt. 8pm.

 

 

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Saturday 6/22/13

Van Vorst Farmer’s Market Stop by Van Vorst Park (Montgomery St. & Jersey Ave.) from 8:30am-3pm to gather all of your local produce

The Reservoir will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for fishing and using the trails. Enter at the Jefferson Ave. gate between Central and Summit.

Ed’s Exchange Merchant Market Shop the flea or sell your own goods. 10am-6pm at McGinley Square (672 Bergen Ave.) Tables are $10-20.

“Left To My Own Devices” Art Opening Swing by White Star (230 Brunswick St.) to view Lisa Cusolito’s glass and spraypaint multidimensional mosaics at 8pm. (This event was moved to June 22nd due to bad weather on JC Fridays’ June 7.)

Art House Productions presents “Font of Knowledge” at their theater (1 McWilliams Place). Tickets are $25 for VIP seating, $18 for GA, and $12 for students and seniors. Purchase here.

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Sunday 6/23/13

Mindfulness Meditation. From 9-10:30am, join others in the community for a morning meditation session at Yoga Shunya (275 Grove St., 3rd fl.) Small donation suggested.

Farmer’s Market at Riverview Fisk Park. Buy farm-fresh produce and unique local goods from 9am-2pm. (Ogden Ave. & Bowers St.) Details here.

Grossology! at Liberty Science Center 9am-5pm.

The Reservoir will again be open, this time offering kayaking from 11am-3pm. All supplies are provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. $5 suggested donation. Enter at the Jefferson Ave. gate between Central and Summit.

Free Health & Wellness Expo hosted by 4NBC and the New York Giants will be held at MetLife Stadium. Hang with Ely and get your cholesterol checked! 11am-6pm. Other info.

 

 

Let me know what you plan to do or did this weekend: tweet @jerseycitygia or email me at jerseycitygia@gmail.com

Enjoy,
JCG

 

 

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