Jersey City Construction Company is Fined $46,000 by OSHA for Alleged Violations: Jersey City company Clara Construction has been fined more than $46,000 by U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for alleged safety violations at its work site on Christopher Columbus Drive.

Liberty Science Center Receives Grant Towards Summer Program for High School Students: Liberty Science Center has been awarded a generous grant from Novo Nordisk Inc., a Denmark-based healthcare company that specializes in diabetes care, for an intensive eight-week summer program.

The Final Farewell of Star Video: The last video store in downtown, which rents DVDs and VHS tapes, is closing and will become a bar, according to the owner.

Crime Blotter: A Jersey City man targeted for a robbery by two young thugs tricked them into waiting outside his door while he called police; A Jersey City man imprisoned after a high speed chase that ended in a crash has escaped from a halfway house in Newark.

Today’s Best Bets:

It’s Open Mic Wednesdays at Boca Grande. Hosted by Nick Ciavatta, performers get the chance to perform 3-4 songs per open mic slot (8:30 pm, free).

In Statewide News:

Port Authority Needs ‘Top-to-Bottom Overhaul,’ According to Interim Audit: The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which is redeveloping the World Trade Center, needs a “top-to-bottom overhaul” because of poor management and a lack of cost controls, according to an interim audit released by its board.

New Jersey Disqualifies 29 School Board Members: Seventeen school board members in New Jersey will have to step down from their elected posts because they have a criminal conviction on their records. Another 12 school board members in New Jersey must also step down for not submitting their background checks in time.

Assembly Committee Clears Health Insurance Exchange Bill: The first in a long series of steps toward healthcare reform was taken yesterday, when a bill that will introduce sweeping changes to the way insurance is sold in New Jersey was voted out of an Assembly committee.

The jewelry will be included and on sale at Woolpunk’s “What’s Love Got to do With It” exhibition, on view until February 18th. The gallery is located at 298 Newark Avenue.

Giants Linebacker Chase Blackburn will Visit Jersey City and Speak to Students: Giants linebacker Chase Blackburn will visit Jersey City Wednesday to speak to students about overcoming adversity and triumphing against the odds.

Judge Denies Request to Roll Back Toll Hike Imposed by Port Authority: In a preliminary ruling that left both sides claiming victory, a federal judge denied a request to roll back a toll hike by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, while also refusing to dismiss the case.

Jersey City Citizen’s Group Plans to Rally at City Council Meeting Tomorrow over Rise in Crime: A group of Jersey City residents is planning a rally at tomorrow’s City Council meeting to protest what it calls an increase in crime citywide.

Crime Blotter: Caught with 12 pounds of pot, a Jersey City man claimed that $2K found in his car was from a Super Bowl pool.

Today’s Best Bets:

LITM is featuring art opening ‘Afrocentricity,’ an art show by Darin DeField (7 pm, free).

Meanwhile, if you want to see a good stand up comedy show–that’s free–Shut Up and Laugh is back at the Lamp Post (9 pm).

In Statewide News:

Hand-Held Gambling Devices in Casinos: The measure that would let casinos offer hand-held gambling devices to customers on casino property was approved unanimously Monday by the New Jersey Senate’s Government, Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee and now heads to the full New Jersey Senate for review.

New Jersey Fracking Opponents Take Second Shot at Ban Christie Vetoed: While New Jersey produces no natural gas, the Utica Shale formation, a largely unexplored deposit running from Ontario to Tennessee runs through it–New Jersey Democrats are hoping that a ban would head off future fracking in the area it runs through in Northwest New Jersey, which provides almost half of New Jersey with drinking water, said Senator Robert Gordon.

Jersey City Man Sentenced to 18 years for Shooting Would-be Robbery Victim in the Head: A Jersey City felon who shot a man in the back of the head during a robbery was sentenced Friday to 18 years in prison.

Federal Appeals Court Rules Jersey City’s Lawsuit Seeking Ownership of the Sixth Street Embankment can Proceed: There may soon be a conclusion to the seemingly never-ending saga of Jersey City’s Sixth Street Embankment — a solution that finds the city with a piece of property it has long desired to turn into an elevated park in the spirit of the High Line in New York.

Save Christ Hospital Plans Rally to Ask Hospital to Work with Community in Reorganization Plans: A community group that opposed the now-scuttled sale of Christ Hospital to a for-profit California chain will hold a rally tomorrow to address the hospital’s announcement that it might file for bankruptcy.

Jersey City Company That Employs 400 Disabled is Thriving: Supported by some major grants, a Jersey City nonprofit, Hudson Community Enterprises, which helps people with disabilities, has spawned three thriving companies.

Police Officer Retirements Lead to Leaner Forces: Jersey City Police Chief Tom Comey can claim something few people in his position in New Jersey can: He has led a big-city department through the economic downturn without laying off one police officer–largely due to a historic surge in retirements.

Delivering a Destination for 2014 Super Bowl: Preparations are underway to get northern New Jersey ready to host the 2014 Super Bowl – slated to be the biggest in history.

Crime Blotter: A cell phone ap lead to the arrest of a Jersey City man, for carjacking last week; A gang of juveniles beat and robbed a 54-year-old Jersey City man Saturday night; A 32-year-old Jersey City man was busted Saturday afternoon after he allegedly threatened a man with a replica gun during a spat over a cigarette; A Jersey City man is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail for claiming his ex-girlfriend had a hostage at her home.

In Statewide News:

New Jersey’s Property Taxes have Jumped 66% Since 2001: New Jersey’s property taxes, the highest in the nation, have increased 66% since 2001, when they averaged $4,661, data posted on a state website show.

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TODAY

Rob Piersanti’s first Pop Art Show of the year takes place at Boca Grande, complete with a complimentary wine tasting and live jazz band (6 pm, free).

The Black Maria Film Festival returns to NJCU for the 31st year. Admission is free to the premiere of the film festival, and refreshments will be served (7 pm).

Ladies on The Mic presents First Songs of Spring, a free concert celebration featuring two bands that cross pollinate their classical training with other musical genres like jazz, rock & pop–at Art House (7 pm, free).

American vibraphonist Eldad Tarmu performs at Raphs Plaza African Market and Internet Cafe (8 pm).

TOMORROW

There’s a weekend-long Dogfish Head Beer Benefit at the Iron Monkey. A portion of sales from all Dogfish Head drafts and bottles will go to 3 different charities (all day).

The Museum of Russian Art hosts a closing reception for two shows: Red Show and Mechanical Theater (4 pm).

Jordan’s Lounge hosts a National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Benefit. The event, presented by Our Youth, features dinner and celebrity impersonators and will honor HIV Activist Timothy Daniels and Jersey City councilwoman Viola Richardson (4:30 pm, $10).

The Laugh Tour returns to Art House for “an evening of hilarious stand up comedy” (7 pm, $15 in advance, $20 at the door).

SUNDAY

The Dogfish Head Beer Benefit continues at Iron Monkey.

St. Matthew’s is holding a Winter Rummage Sale fundraiser complete with home-cooked meals (12:30 pm).

-SUPER BOWL STUFF-

The Brightside Tavern – Two separate package deals, both include an open bar and buffet. Plus they’ll pick you up with a free shuttle service. 141 Bright Street.

The Lamp Post – A pre-tailgate party starts at 4 pm with $1 Clam Chowder and $5 Boilermakers. $3 shots with every touch down, $2 Kamikaze shots throughout the game. 382 2nd Street.

LITM – Will be showing the game on the big projector screen, and have drink specials and food specials all day–including $2 off all drinks if you’re wearing a Giants jersey. 140 Newark Avenue.

Lucky 7 – Food and drink specials all day, plus Giants jersey give aways at the end of every quarter. 322 2nd Street.

O’Connell’s – Happy Hour all night, $5 food menu, and give aways. 111 Montgomery Street.

Powerhouse Lounge – $40 presale/$50 game day package for open bar and unlimited food during the game. 360 Marin Boulevard.

Zeppelin Hall – The beer garden is boasting the most biggest hi-def screens and half price beer and wings. They will also have mug and jersey giveaways. 88 Liberty View Drive.

Hudson County Feeding the Rental Appetite: Hudson County rules the rental housing market in New Jersey, with the largest amount of Class A rental units and the highest average rental rate in the state–and the market is expected to grow rapidly, especially on the waterfront where several new projects in Jersey City are already underway.

Jersey City School’s Contest Helps ‘Kindle’ Student Interest in Reading: The Al-Ghazaly School, a nonprofit private school, has started a successful Kindle contest to get students to read more–some students now read 2 books a week and vie for the highest book report grades to compete for the device.

Former ‘Soul Train’ Dancer from Jersey City Remembers Longtime Host Don Cornelius: Jersey City resident Stephen McMillian commuted to Los Angeles once a month as a dancer for Soul Train; he remembers telling former host Don Cornelius, who died this week, that he admired him for being a trailblazer for African Americans, and discusses his experiences working with Cornelius.

In Statewide News:

New Jersey Assembly Committee Approves Bills Meant to Increase Port Authority Transparency: Yesterday, an assembly committee approved four bills intended to increase transparency at the agency and legislative control over it.

New Jersey Assembly Panel Advances Gay Marriage Bill: The New Jersey Assembly Judiciary Committee approved the marriage equality bill in a vote Thursday afternoon, promising to escalate the standoff between Democratic lawmakers and Republican governor Chris Christie, who has vowed to veto the legislation.

New Jersey Arts Council Awards Nearly $200K in Fellowships: The New Jersey State Council on the Arts awarded $182,600 in fellowships to 22 sculptors, photographers, poets, playwrights and craft artists yesterday.

So far restaurants with extended deals include Boca Grande, Hamilton Inn, Henry’s on the Hudson, Michael Anthony’s, O’Connells and Port-O Lounge. The updated list can be found here.

The final date of this season’s Restaurant Week was originally set for February 3rd.

The campaign is run by Hudson County animal welfare organizations Companion Animal Trust (CAT) and Hudson County Animal League (HCAL). For more information, contact cat@companionanimaltrust.com.

School Bus/SUV Collision in Front of Jersey City City Hall Sends Schoolchildren to the Hospital: A collision between a school bus and an SUV has sent a handful of schoolchildren to the Jersey City Medical Center, but there don’t appear to be any serious injuries, according to a witness.

Jersey City Officials Say 911 Delays Amount to ‘Seconds,’ Not Minutes: Some 911 calls intended for Jersey City emergency responders are accidentally diverted to New York City, but the delays are minuscule and there’s not much that can be done to rectify the problem, city officials say.

Jersey City Artist Explores African Culture, Art in ‘Afrocentricity’: Darin DeField’s mixed media collages, photographs and digital prints often incorporate elements African art, as viewers will see in his upcoming exhibit “Afrocentricity” at LITM.

Crime Blotter: As shots rang out on Martin Luther King Drive yesterday afternoon, several residents scurried for cover inside the offices of the Urban League of Hudson County; A Jersey City man armed with a knife was arrested after threatening to kill police officers who responded to his home on a loud music complaint Tuesday evening.

Today’s Best Bets:

New Jersey City University presents Margaret Murphy, A Ten-Year Survey: Decoding the Market Place: coupons, dollar stores, and eBay, a survey of 40 of the artist’s important works over the past decade (5 pm, free).

Instigatorzine, an art and literary magazine takes over Art House’s open mic tonight (8 pm, $5).

In Statewide News:

State Test Scores Reveal Some Gains, Widening Achievement Gap: Budget cuts cost New Jersey school districts $1 billion, with some of the poorest districts paying the biggest price.

Jersey City Police Director to Receive Only $2,200 in Unused Sick Days When he Leaves His Post: The former police officer who has been the city’s police director will receive $2,205 in unused sick time when he leaves the position on Feb. 17, Jersey City spokeswoman Jennifer Morrill said yesterday, not $53,000 Jersey City officials previously reported.

Jury to Decide Verdict for Jersey City Man Accused of Strangling Ex-Girlfriend’s Daughter, Lighting House on Fire: The fate of a Jersey City man charged with strangling his ex-girlfriend’s daughter and torching her Stevens Avenue home to hide the crime was in the hands of the jury after closing arguments yesterday.

Hoboken Denies Permit for ‘Shore’ Spinoff Over ‘Public Safety’: Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer said Tuesday on the city’s website that a film permit request for a spinoff starring the two “Shore” guidettes had been denied.

Jersey City says Sinkhole in Street that Resident was Inspecting When he was Severely Injured by Hit-and-Run Driver is to be Repaired: A sinkhole on Van Horne Street on Jersey City that attracted the attention of a resident who became the victim of a hit-and-run will be repaired today, city officials said.

Crime Blotter: A Jersey City teen was busted yesterday morning after she kidnapped a friend’s child and took off with the kid in a stolen vehicle; A Jersey City man was charged with making terroristic threats after a couple said he followed them while yelling “Someone is going to die tonight, I’m going to have to kill someone.”

In Statewide News:

New York-New Jersey Agency Eyes Improvements to Terminals at LaGuardia, Newark Liberty: The agency that owns the New York City area’s major airports says it is considering improvements to terminals at LaGuardia and Newark Liberty.