The 6th Borough Market is a curated mix of artisan crafts and vintage goods for sale, and the experience is topped off with children’s activities and yummy eats. Artists, collectors and chefs gather to provide a fun experience for families on one given Sunday each month during the warm season. (Upcoming dates: May 18, June 22, July 20, August 10, September 14, and October 19.)
The Riverview Neighborhood Association (RNA) is hosting a volunteer event this Saturday, April 5th to talk about the Jersey City Heights’ Community and its improvement.
Here are some topics of discussion, according to their Facebook Page:
•Community Visioning •Riverview Arts District •New Business Development (Palisades Avenue & other areas) •Quality of Life Issues •Transportation issues •Clean-Up (General) •Graffiti •Abandoned Buildings •Gardening •Ogden’s End Garden •Riverview Park planting •Farmer’s Market •Annual Flea Market and park festival event coordinator •Big Spring Clean-up (electronics, hazardous waste, donations, recycling) •Promotion of event •Arts events •JC Friday’s organizer for heights events and promotion. •Live @ The Lumberyard •Movies In The Park •Administration •Spanish Translation •General office work (envelope stuffing, etc) •Editing/Proofreading/Writing •Graphic Design / Flyers •Website content and management •Newsletter content •Heights business profiles •Grant Work: research and writing •Public Relations •Heights community outreach •Fundraising for special projects like Riverview park monument restoration
Meet at 154 Ogden (in the lobby) at 2pm. Match your unique skills and interests with others to make a difference!
We’ve got a new program in town, and it’s about to change the face of youth soccer in Jersey City.
While Jersey City has a local league, a couple of competitive teams, a soccer school and different camps run by outside organizations, they have yet to have something as dynamic as USA Global soccer with its dedicated and deliberate training, which is about to bring us to the next level.
Ari Levit, one of its directors, is orginally from Argentina and has been coaching players from ages three to college-age, boys and girls. He holds the prestigious USSF “A” license, NSCAA “Premier” Diploma, NSCAA “Director of Coaching” Diploma, but as Ari says, the main credential is his experience in running soccer programs, training and coaching successfully all over the state of New Jersey.
“When I started coaching, soccer was a relatively new sport in the United States, so much of the professional coaching revolved around teaching the game from a basic level. Soccer was mostly played for fun. Many things have changed in the current scene, ranking points for U10 teams, tournaments all over, and as a consequence, we have made a 180 turn. It’s time to find a middle point.
“I’ve been living in Jersey City for over five years now, and in one of my attempts to help out the JC Soccer Association I met a great coach, with similar views as mine and we decided to partner up to create a unique program in town.”
His partner, Karim Mazarou, born in Belgium, holds the USSF “National Youth License” and is also a resident of Jersey City. “I have been volunteering for JCSA for quite some time and I still do, but I feel there is a demand from Jersey City parents for more dedicated training for their children. Coaches who keep educating themselves in becoming better teachers help children with their confidence and their overall development.”
What makes USA Global Soccer unique and different? Their program teaches beyond soccer. Besides the coaches’ credentials, knowledge and experience, they have developed a unique curriculum, philosophy and methodology:
? Develop game intelligence: Following recent methods of training that help develop the cognitive part of the game. Sessions include music, rhythm oriented exercises, brain centered learning, and soccer activities to develop decision making.
? Developmental appropriate progressions: At younger age groups, the most important part is the development of the player. The activities, and games, should be appropriate for the player, results are secondary. For the youngest players, success is measured by the growth of the players, not the score. As players grow older, the objectives start changing, but focus is on the “how we win” and not just “to win”.
? Modern Coach: A coach is above all a teacher, always learning better ways to educate children and develop their brain along with their body. Using activities that relate to the philosophy and that players can transfer to the game, separates our professional coaches from volunteers.
? Parent education: Feedback is crucial for development. Parents need to know what the objectives are for their child, so a clear path in growth can be seen. If parents cannot measure the success of the program by the score, educating them on what is taught during the deliberate training sessions is crucial.
There are many advantages to their time playing the game. Cognitive development, healthy exercise and the understanding of respect, commitment and teamwork are only a few of them.
“We want to grow with the city, and our plans have a long term in mind.” The coaches will launch a winter program in two locations, Jersey City Heights and Downtown during January and February. “Jersey City is our home. We live, shop, and attend local events, which means we are here to grow and stay. We want to build a soccer program like no other, and ultimately give back to the community for the benefit of the City and the kids.” both coaches agree.
On an exciting side note, Coach Ari and Coach Karim will be running a soccer clinic in conjunction with Ryan Strother, Jersey City Department of Recreation’s Director, in late January at the Jersey City Armory. They are expecting over 200 boys and girls, ages 5 to 18 years old to participate. Those interested in attending can contact USA Global Soccer for more information.
Riverview Community Garden’sFirst Annual Holiday Tree Lighting is this Saturday, December 7th. The festivities start at 4pm with music and treats, followed by the lighting and a special appearance by Santa Claus.
Arrive at the park early to visit the Farms in the Heights’ Holiday Market for gifts and holiday cheer.
