Openings Team Wilderness, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth through outdoor education and adventure, inaugurated “Base Camp,” its new headquarters on Communipaw Avenue. Base Camp features a 20-foot rock wall inside the space, providing an exciting and dynamic environment for participants to engage in rock climbing activities and develop physical and mental strength. In 2023, Team Wilderness served 530 youth and engaged in 8,600 hours outdoors. “Base Camp represents a significant step forward in our efforts to empower youth, foster leadership skills, and instill a love for the outdoors,” said Founder and Executive Director Steve Cunningham. Politics Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman has announced her endorsement for the re-election of Representative Rob Menendez. “Rob works tirelessly for the residents of New Jersey’s Eighth District and I am proud to endorse him for re-election to Congress,” says Representative Coleman. “Since taking office, Rob’s dedication to his community and our shared values has shined bright. We have worked closely together in calling for the closure of the Elizabeth Detention Center and standing strong against MAGA extremism.” Mussab Ali, former Jersey City Board of Education President, launched his campaign for Jersey City Mayor this week, and announced that he had raised $100k in donations and pledges in the campaign’s first 48 hours. He says, “I cannot be more thankful for the outpouring of support we have received over the past 48 hours. As a kid from Jersey City, to see the level of enthusiasm and commitment from our community is both humbling and inspiring. This incredible start is a clear sign that the residents of Jersey City are ready for change and believe in our vision of building a #JerseyCityForAll.” Ali will be holding a campaign kickoff event at Sergeant Anthony Park this Sunday, April 14 at 2 p.m. Economics A new WalletHub report on Changes in Inflation by City has ranked the Metropolitan Statistical Area of New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA as having the sixth smallest inflation problem in the nation. Urban Honolulu, HI took the top spot for biggest inflation problem.A study from consultants Venture Smarter has named New Jersey as the sixth most expensive state for starting a business, due to high startup and maintenance costs. Its 9% corporate tax rate is the fourth-highest in the country, and the average commercial rent is $22.96 per square foot, the seventh-highest nationally. New York was ranked as the most expensive overall for entrepreneurs. Environment Assemblyman John Allen, representing Hoboken and part of Jersey City, has announced that he is sponsoring two bills aimed at protecting Liberty State Park. The Liberty State Park Protection Act (A2488) would put restrictions on development, preserve green space, and create a Liberty State Park Advisory Committee. The Caven Point Protection Act (A4058) would protect the shoreline. “Taken together, these two important bills will ensure that we safeguard Liberty State Park from commercialization and large-scale development,” says Allen. “I will work hard for their passage because it is essential that we protect this iconic urban park with its stunning waterfront views as public open space that people can enjoy today and for years to come.” The U.S. Geological Survey is deploying seismic sensor “aftershock kits” around New Jersey’s Whitehouse Station after the 4.8 magnitude earthquake last week. The goal of these kits is to capture aftershock data, like where they originate, their magnitude, and their duration. Since April 5th, there have been 50 aftershocks recorded. “No one can predict the exact time, location, or place of any earthquake,” says Sarah McBride with the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, but collecting information on aftershocks could help everyone be better prepared in the future.  The post Saturday Blurbs: Interesting Little Stories From the Past Week appeared first on Jersey City Times.