This coming weekend, the “undead” will roam through Union City and the streets will run red – with plush carpeting.

On Friday, Sept. 3, at 8 p.m., Union City will host its first-ever world premiere film release at Summit Theatre when MeLu Films presents “Vampire in Union City,” a film shot entirely on location in Union City.

With bright lights, classic cars, and velvet ropes lining Summit Avenue, Union City will for one night be transformed into the cultural mecca that artists in the area are hoping it will become for good.

Community project Directed by multimedia artist and Union City Commissioner Lucio Fernandez, and written by city historian Gerard Karabin, “Vampire in Union City” was from the beginning created with hometown intentions.

It stars various prominent artists from Union City and throughout Hudson County, including Union City Art Curator Amado Mora, Freeholder Jose Muñoz, violinist Eric Grossman, the TapOlé Dance Company, Jay Gonzalez “The Actor of Poetry,” and Rosalia Castro, a flamenco dancer from Grace Theatre Workshop.

Many of the backdrops to the scenes in the film will appear familiar to local residents such as St. John’s Episcopal Church, Las Brisas Café, and the reservoir on 22nd Street.

Additionally, other area residents such as Ana Unna, Elmer Salmeron, Lisbelkis Santana, Rosalia Castro, Leonel “Papo” Ortega, Priscilla Arevalo, Lilia Veiga, Laura Chaneski, Saulo Diaz, Frank Bernal, and others also appear in the film.

“It was such a great experience, everyone working together,” said Fernandez. “One of the highlights of my career.”

Undead in UC

A 48-minute long independent art film, “Vampire in Union City” is based on the notion that it’s lonelier in the big city than a small town.

Touching on the classic gothic horror tale of vampire myth, the movie follows the quest of a demented man obsessed with death and the living dead as he roams Union City.

His loneliness leads him to complete insanity and desperation, and he believes he has found his true calling as a creature of the night – until he eventually meets up with a real vampire to find that the grass is not always greener on the other side.

Though technically of the horror genre, the film has no gore or violence.

“It’s done in good taste,” said Fernandez.

Karabin said it was important to take a different angle on the film because of how overdone things are in the horror genre, especially vampires.

“We took a more surreal look at it,” said Karabin. “Some of the scenes were written just for the visual.”

On location

“When you don’t have millions of dollars, you have to be as creative as possible,” said Fernandez.

Part of that creativity was driving around scouting out hometown locations where scenes could take place, as opposed to building sets.

Many of the backdrops to the scenes in the film will appear familiar to local residents such as St. John’s Episcopal Church, Las Brisas Café, and the reservoir on 22nd Street.

The vampire’s “lair” is actually the Department of Public Works building.

Only one location was shot outside of Union City, a cemetery scene that was set up and filmed on a property in North Bergen in order to avoid disturbing a real cemetery.

But shooting on location wasn’t without its quirks.

One day after wrapping up a scene at Diaz Grocery on 45th and Hudson, the police showed up, responding to a call from someone in the area that Commissioner Fernandez was getting beat up by two men.

It took a few minutes to convince the officers that all was well and that Fernandez and friends were merely playing out a scene for the camera.

A cultural hub

Many of the participants in film are part of a close-knit artist community within Union City that has been working to make the city a cultural center in the area.

“That’s the great thing about Union City –” said Karabin, “this great community of artists coming together.”

Both Fernandez and Karabin admitted that they hoped the success of “Vampire in Union City” would urge other filmmakers to consider the city as a place to work.

“It brings attention to the fact that Union City is an artistic place,” said Fernandez. “It would be great for more and more films to be shot here.”

Karabin added that there are great resources in the city, even for a major film production.

“I know there are a lot of other filmmakers in Union City,” he said. “I hope that by putting this out there they see that Union City is a great place to film.”

Where to see it

On Sept. 7 at 7 p.m., a free screening for general audiences will be held at the Union City Performing Arts Center, 2500 Kennedy Blvd., as part of Union City’s Celebrate Art Month.

For those unable to attend the free screening, the film will be available for purchase at www.FilmBaby.com and at www.MeLuFilms.com after Sept.10.

Cablevision will also air the film during the month of September on dates and times to be announced.

The film is also being submitted to several film festivals.

For more information, visit www.MeLuFilms.com.

Lana Rose Diaz can be reached at ldiaz@hudsonreporter.com.

When the time comes for a student to do a presentation on a historical figure or a work of literature this school year, some Union City middle school kids may be pleasantly surprised when they’re told to leave their markers and poster boards at home.

And if they’re encouraged to use their cell phones to conduct research for homework and write journal entries, they’ll have Emerson Middle School teacher Ivette Avila to thank.

Avila, a seventh-grade teacher, recently spent a week participating in the Discovery Education Network (DEN) Summer Institute – a program designed to help integrate technology into education.

Hosted by Discovery Education, a division of Discovery Communications (whose networks include Discovery Channel and Animal Planet), the free program included teachers of all subjects from kindergarten through 12th grade.

“It’s more about the thinking process than it is the technology.” – Ivette Avila

Avila was chosen to participate in the exclusive program along with only 75 other teachers nationwide – all of whom, Avila said, were anxious to learn and to share about “Web 2.0,” a term used to describe the plethora of web applications that facilitate interactive information sharing on the Internet.

Launched by Discovery Education in June 2005, the DEN fosters collaboration and helps educators share resources, ideas, and classroom-tested strategies for engaging students in learning and ultimately improving academic achievement.

Avila is one of only 5,000 STAR Discovery Educators (teachers recognized for their efforts to share their expertise) nationwide, and was also recently accepted to be part of the DEN Leadership Council for 2010-2011.

New school tools

Born and raised in Union City, Avila is now raising her own kids there. She has been teaching humanities classes, including language arts and social studies, in the school district for 14 years.

A self proclaimed “geek,” Avila has a personal passion for all things “tech,” which she is eager to share with her students to help them learn to express themselves.

For years, Avila has hosted a personal website to post homework assignments and connect with parents.

She utilizes photos from her own personal trips to historical landmarks, like Gettysburg and Boston, to create interactive videos that teach the kids about history.

She turned a project on historical explorers Lewis and Clark into a digital storytelling experience by encouraging kids to take pictures of “landmarks” with their cell phones on their walk to school and use them to explain their community to hypothetical foreign explorers.

This year, she’s hoping to use online technology like Glogster to turn ordinary papers into an interactive experience.

Avila also said that she is going to try to allow the kids to use Google Docs to write their journals. It’s an eco-friendly option, she said, that can even be texted to her from some of the students’ cell phones – as long as it’s spelled correctly.

Old school techniques

In the age of “Web 2.0,” Avila said the basics are still a mandatory foundation.

To put it simply, “you can’t go on Google and look something up if you can’t spell it right,” Avila said.

Although she encourages her students to utilize their cell phones when doing homework (the district has a strict no cell phone policy during school hours) to do research and communicate, she also makes sure they keep a dictionary nearby throughout the year to prevent them from writing their papers with the same grammar they use in text messages.

“You can make mistakes,” said Avila. “But you have to correct them.”

As a mother, Avila said she’s also a stickler for making sure her students have their privacy and security maintained in what is sometimes a dangerous and scary virtual world.

And though she’ll be teaching her students about new applications like Prezi and Animoto this year, she’ll also be working on penmanship with them, which she called “a lost art.”

“Kids still need to learn the basics,” said Avila. “It’s more about the thinking process than it is the technology.”

Sharing the knowledge

Avila said one of the best things about the summer program is the atmosphere in which all of the instructors share and learn together.

“It’s truly intense,” said Avila of the program, which she also participated in two years ago. “The energy in there is like we could really power the world.”

Avila brought that energy back home to Union City this year by sharing what she learned during a mini-seminar she conducted on Aug. 25, sharing the wealth of knowledge with some of her colleagues.

“I believe in community and giving back,” said Avila. “I was given all these tools and I want to give back.”

For more information about Discovery Education, visit http://www.discoveryeducation.com.

Lana Rose Diaz can be reached at ldiaz@hudsonreporter.com.

by Lana Rose Diaz, Hoboken Reporter, Aug 15, 2010

When 9-year-old Alexandria Suarez of Union City prepares her backpack for school, it includes the usual pencils, books, folders, maybe a bagged lunch – and a pair of Crocs shoes, which she said are handy for when school lets out and auditioning for parts begins.

Those comfy Crocs are painted with images of Dora the Explorer, which is not only Alexandria’s favorite television show, but also her job. She has been playing the voice of Backpack for three years.

This month, Nickelodeon is celebrating the 10th anniversary of Dora, the beloved Latina cartoon heroine, with an hour-long primetime TV movie, “Dora’s Big Birthday Adventure.” The film follows Dora, Boots, and of course Alexandria as Backpack, on a whirlwind journey through Magic Storybook Land.

Since launching on Nickelodeon in 2000, Dora the Explorer has emerged as a pop culture phenomenon and is currently the number-one rated preschool show on commercial television to date.

“My ‘backpack’ is always inside of me.” – Alexandria Suarez

The movie will premiere Nickelodeon on Aug. 15 at 8 p.m. Alexandria stars along with guest stars Rosie Perez, John Leguizamo, and Hector Elizondo.

Nickelodeon will also premiere a special 12-minute documentary immediately following the movie that explores the series’ cultural and educational impact and features commentary from industry experts, real-life kids, and celebrities including Anderson Cooper, Rosie Perez, Salma Hayek Pinault, Shakira, and Soledad O’Brien.

A helpful, positive ‘pack’

Alexandria will watch the premiere along with her parents and cousins in a hotel during a family vacation to Florida.

“[We’ll be] pretending we’re all celebrities and we’re well-dressed,” said Alexandria, giggling at the thought of being in their pajamas and cuddled up in bed instead of theater chairs.

Although Alexandria didn’t get to hobnob with any of the guest celebrities while filming, she has worked with Leguizamo before and doesn’t seem phased by the glitz and glamour of the Hollywood scene.

She still religiously watches the show, but admits that when she’s watching, she’ll sometimes think about the work that went into producing the colorful, animated adventures.

She’s also become very excited about her role of the helpful, purple pack and its symbolism for kids in real life.

“I think [Backpack’s] important ’cause she’s handy,” said Alexandria. “She’s very helpful; she’s positive. I think that teaches kids to always remember things that are handy.”

Alexandria said she always keeps her own backpack with her as a reminder to be helpful and positive with others.

“My ‘backpack’ is always inside of me,” said Alexandria. “I have some Backpack in my spirit always. Wherever I go, even if I don’t act like Backpack, I still have her in my heart.”

Beyond the backpack

Nickelodeon also is marking the 10th anniversary of Dora the Explorer with a campaign titled “Beyond the Backpack.” Named for Dora’s iconic backpack, the campaign provides parents with tools and resources to help preschoolers have a well-rounded, positive experience as they prepare for kindergarten.

The campaign includes public service announcements, a web site, fundraising activities, and community events.

Alexandria, who will be entering fifth grade in the fall, had some advice for new kindergartners preparing for the adventure of starting school.

“Try your best, never give up, and try to make some friends,” she said. “School is for learning, also it’s kind of fun to learn. [And] if you don’t want to make some friends, at least be nice.”

Branching out

In addition to voicing the role of “Backpack,” Alexandria has appeared in television series including Law & Order and Saturday Night Live, and recently shot the role of “Teresa” in Tom Selleck’s new TV series, Blue Blood. She was also recently cast in the new film Kings of Bushwick.

Although her career has been expanding, she said playing the helpful, purple Backpack is still her favorite role.

“She’s very close to me,” said Alexandria. “She’s the best friend of the star of a TV show that I’ve watched since I was a baby.”

The premiere of “Dora’s Big Birthday Adventure” will simulcast on Nick Mobile on Sunday, Aug. 15.

New Dora the Explorer content will be updated monthly for preschoolers and their parents at www.doratheexplorer.com.

Lana Rose Diaz can be reached at ldiaz@hudsonreporter.com.

Read more: Hudson Reporter – Young voice of ‘Backpack’ UC actress celebrates 10th anniversary of Dora the Explorer

by Lana Rose Diaz, Hudson Reporter, Aug 08, 2010

Communities in the Tri-State area have seen an increase in anti-immigrant sentiment lately – with angry critics of present immigration laws not always able to distinguish people who immigrated here legally from the illegal aliens about whom they complain.

Anger against people of different ethnicities has manifested itself in ways ranging from frustrated letters to this newspaper to more serious incidents resulting in injury or death.

In the past three weeks in Hoboken, anti-Semitic graffiti was written on a building, and a Vietnamese tourist was allegedly attacked by a Latino man from Bayonne who allegedly first yelled an anti-Asian slur at him from his car. In Old Bridge, police are investigating whether the June assault and murder of an Indian American professor by a group of teens was racially motivated.

People with a Hispanic last name fear they will be targeted whether they’re here legally or not, Vega said.

Increased police patrols and Guardian Angels have descended upon Staten Island, which has been facing a rash of hate crimes against various ethnic populations over the past month.

All of this comes four months after the state of Arizona passed a law to force people to present documentation, upon law enforcement request, proving they are in the country legally. While some believe the law could result in a witch hunt of anyone who looks different, others say it will keep criminals south of the state’s border with Mexico. Such laws are being considered in 12 other states.

History of hate

According to The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation website, anti-immigrant sentiment tends to ebb and flow, particularly increasing during times of recession and war.

The site notes that for example, “After the outbreak of World War I in 1914, American attitudes toward immigration began to shift. Nationalism and suspicion of foreigners were on the rise, and immigrants’ loyalties were often called into question.”

Union City Mayor and New Jersey State Sen. Brian Stack, whose city has the second largest population of Cuban immigrants in America next to Miami, said last week that the anti-immigrant sentiments could be the result of the events taking place on the national level including the poor economy and the Arizona bill.

Though he understands the frustration of people who are angry about those issues, Stack said that many are wrongly taking out their frustrations on immigrants.

“These are good, hard-working families,” he said. “They [come here] looking for a better life; that speaks volumes about our country.”

While Stack agrees that the United States needs to further examine immigration reform, he doesn’t like the present solutions.

“The Arizona law is a disgrace,” he said. “I’m ashamed to say that happened in our lifetime.”

Stack said several of his constituents have reached out to him on both a state and local level with concerns about that bill, but not one has said that he or she supports the law.

“In New Jersey, I think we’re more of a progressive state,” he said. “But it shouldn’t happen in any state.”

Bhalla on bias

Hoboken Councilman Ravi Bhalla, the first Asian American person to serve on a town council in Hudson County, agreed that although immigration reform may be a national or state issue, the repercussions are felt at a local level.

“Even though these things are happening in Arizona, they’re broadcast on television and have a real life impact on Hoboken,” said Bhalla.

Bhalla said that the recent rash of bias incidents in the region could be attributed to a general backlash against immigrants or against anyone else perceived as different.

On the other hand, there could be a more positive way of looking at it, he said.

“Maybe to some extent people are more comfortable reporting hate crimes,” said Bhalla. “That might be a reflection of an increase of confidence that people have in county and local law enforcement officials.”

Bhalla said he hopes that the professionalism and commitment the Hoboken Police Department has demonstrated in investigating bias incidents gives the community some measure of confidence that they can report such incidents to the police.

Frustration comes from lack of immigrant reform

But what should the United States do, if anything, about people who slip into the United States illegally? Should they be looked at as a drain on resources, or scrappy humans who are desperate for the same dream as those already here?

The debate continues to rage as South Carolina Sen. Lindsay Graham proposes amending the Constitution so that babies born in the United States to illegal immigrant parents are no longer considered citizens. Right now, the 14th Amendment says that all babies born in this country are legal residents. Some people refer to newborn children of illegal residents as “anchor babies” because they help their parents gain a legal tie to the country.

West New York Mayor Silverio “Sal” Vega said last week that the frustration for many comes from the fact that in over 30 years, there has not been a reform bill for immigration.

Because of the growing frustrations, individuals with a Hispanic last name now have a fear that they will be targeted regardless of whether they’re here legally or not, he said.

Vega said Americans must proceed with caution to not alienate certain groups when determining what the next course of legal action should be for immigration.

Although reform may have to take place on a federal level, Sen. and Mayor Stack said that one of the most important things individuals can do to bring about change is to stop people in their tracks when they hear someone else spewing hateful comments, and encourage open-minded discussion on the issues.

“On a local level we can have more of an effect,” he said. “By bringing people closer together with different events, festivals, celebrating a flag raising together – a parade is not the answer, but it shows acceptance of people. That little step right there is a step in the right direction.”

Hope for the future

All of the local officials agreed that education and discussion is key to understanding others and keeping violence and hatred at bay.

“In West New York over the past century, I think people have been very understanding of immigrants,” said Vega, pointing to the various groups, from Germans to Cubans, who have found solace in the town. “West New York has always been very accepting.”

Sen. and Mayor Stack agreed that the situation is similar in Union City, which boasts a high Latino population but to his knowledge has not had a reported hate crime in recent years.

“In Union City there’s general acceptance among the groups,” he said. “I think Union City could teach a lesson in how to get along.”

Councilman Bhalla said that a connection between immigrant communities and the police needs to be created before any devastating violent incidents occur.

“There [has] to be heightened dialogue with those vulnerable communities in order for law officials to understand what’s happening on the ground,” Bhalla said.

Additionally, he said, there needs to be more awareness and enforcement of anti-bullying laws in schools, which is where, he said, harassment of minorities – racial, gender, and sexual orientation – begins.

Lana Rose Diaz can be reached at ldiaz@hudsonreporter.com.

Read more: Hudson Reporter – Rash of immigrant hatred Recent letters bias attacks laws incite fear even in legal residents

by Lana Rose Diaz, Hudson Reporter, Aug 08, 2010

Approximately 10,000 people filled New York Avenue from 22nd Street through 29th Street in Union City on Tuesday as part of the 27th Annual National Night Out. The event is held throughout the country every August to increase community awareness about crime, and to strengthen the relationship between residents and police officers.

On Tuesday, the air was filled the aroma of hot dogs on the barbecue, freshly popped popcorn, and sticky sweet cotton candy that covered the fingers of most children.

The multi-block festival held three stages of live music, sports demonstrations, art and history exhibits, and a myriad of activities for children including pony rides, a carousel, moonwalks, and a petting zoo.

Union City Commissioner Lucio Fernandez organized and led the entertainment for the night, jumping back and forth from the role of emcee to photographer.

“This is a great event for the community, every year it gets better and better.” – Maryury Martinetti

“I’m really excited,” he said between sets. “We have a really good mix [of entertainment]. I try to change it every year so it’s something new.”

Everything at the event – from the hot dogs to the pony rides – was free, and the theme of the night seemed to be a little something for everybody.

“The idea is to have as many people participating as possible,” said Fernandez.

Creating bonds in the present, past

City Historian Gerard Karabin, who helped man the history table, said that connecting with the past is an important component of building community relationships in the present.

“It’s a way of the new arrivals finding roots in the town,” said Karabin. “If you have a sense of your history, even if you didn’t come from here, it makes it more of a home.”

Karabin said that many kids enjoyed posing in front of picture of an old Union City trolley, amazed by the fact that trolleys once roamed the streets they walk on today.

Commissioner Maryury Martinetti said the event not only brings people together for fun, but creates relationships that are important for maintaining safe neighborhoods.

Residents agreed.

Melissa Vazquez, a teacher at Union City High School, attended with her pooch Bailey.

And Paolo Gueverrra, 2, and Genesis Valdez, 2, enjoyed the sights at the petting zoo.

Joseph Medina, 9, showed off his salsa skills while his family cheered him on. Angel Rodriguez, 11, and his father Pedro DeJesus took a break from the festivities to take part in an educational program provided by North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue.

Eleven-month-old Ginaris Naranjo may be too young to get down and boogie herself, but she enjoyed watching a dance performance with her mom.

“This is a great event for the community,” said Martinetti. “Every year it gets better and better.”

Lana Rose Diaz can be reached at ldiaz@hudsonreporter.com.

Read more & see more photos: Hudson Reporter – Taking on the night UC residents hit the streets to fight crime build community

There will be three stages with live music: Stage # 1 at 29th Street will feature the musical groups Rene D’Leon, Papo Ortega & Cubanoson “and Oro Solido, Stage # 2 at 23rd Street will present three shows Including The Call Me Crazy Orchestra ; the show for children Rosario & Her Stars, a dance concert featuring The Tapola Dance Company, and the band Just Listen, and Stage # 3 at 25th Street will feature the musical group The Alan Quinn Band.

There will be a boxing rink with boxing exhibitions by the Union City Boxing Club, a Karate Demonstration by the Union City Karate Program under the Direction of Sergio Dato, a classic car exhibit, an art exhibit by the Union City Artist Collective Organized by Union City Art Curator, Amado Mora, a Union City History Table by City Historian Gerard Karabine; Also many Activities for children, and free hot dogs and soda.

Everyone is invited to attend.