Bringing people, places and events to life
I’ll be darned—yet another tree lighting!
Riverview Community Garden’s First 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.
Light it up,
JCG
Yet another tree lighting in Jersey City! The Historic Jersey City and Harsimus Cemetery (436 Newark Ave.) hosts its annual Christmas tree lighting and caroling tonight, Friday, December 6th, at 7:30pm.
The Yuletide Carolers of New Jersey and a few surprise guests will be performing. Dress warmly, bring the fam, and please sing along.
As I always say about this non-church affiliated, non-government property, donate if you can. In the cemetery’s words: “Every month we need to raise between $2000 to $3000 just to operate and purchase equipment & supplies. If 300 people would donate only $10 each, we would be all set for the month!” Please help our amazing restoration work by contributing today at http://www.jerseycitycemetery.org.
Holiday cheer is here,
JCG
The monthly comedy night at Brightside Tavern (141 Bright St.) is here. This Friday, December 6th, eight comics, including Andy Breckman from WFMU and Saturday Night Live, and Anton Shuford, a Jersey City comedian who’s performed across the world, will be rocking your ribs with laughter.
Tickets are $10 and the show starts at 8pm.
Laugh it out,
JCG
Jersey City is the perfect town to shop small businesses. In fact, the reason I started this site was to support everything in this great city and encourage people to get involved with the community—which includes keeping it local. Be authentic in how you dress, decorate your home, care for your pet, where you have coffee or dine, etc. Jersey City is one-of-a-kind and should be celebrated!
As one commercial says, “The money spent here, stays here.”
The Jersey City Life put together a comprehensive list of businesses with descriptions of what they sell and links to their sites. Therefore, I won’t waste time creating another one. Check it out! Also, I found this nifty map.
There are deals to be taken advantage of everywhere, so there isn’t a better time to get your holiday shopping done.
See you around town,
JCG
Wishing you all a fabulous American holiday with your families and friends. One of my favorite traditions on this Thursday is a little thankful thing we do at our (30+ people) dinner. Before we sit down to eat, I hand a piece of paper and a pen to each person.
Everyone then writes down three things they are thankful for (no names), and someone collects the papers and places one under each plate. When we sit down, we each read the piece of paper under our plate and try to figure out who it is, which is usually not hard. Then everyone claps and there are hugs and kisses, and we move on to the next reading.
Naturally, this can take over 20 minutes with my large family, but it is so endearing and worth it.
Often, we are so caught up in our own lives and playing the catch-up game at the holidays with those we haven’t seen (or trying to cook or keep all of the dogs under control or feed the baby or watch the game), that we fail to verbalize to the people we are with how grateful we are for them.
Be happy for your family and friends—those who love you unconditionally. Their emotional support is not something you can buy.
Be thankful for the small things (that really are very big things, as Sandy reminded us)—like a roof, heat, hot water, electricity—that you are fortunate enough to have.
In addition to my awesome family and my closest friends, I’m thankful for all of you Jersey City-zens who’ve reached out and helped me connect our community, so that we can build our local businesses and support our great city. Since I started this site six months ago, I’ve had the opportunity to meet so many of you who keep this city alive and thriving. You’ve also brightened many of my days without knowing it; you crack me up. What a great place to live.
Take some time to give some thanks,
JCG