This is the brand new SGI-USA Buddhist community center for NJ opened Summer 2016. After decades of…read morethe East Orange center operating as the sole center for NJ, this expanded facility truly shines as its successor. There are daily activities going on in the center and every Tuesday evening there is an introduction to Buddhism open to anyone. This practice has saved my life in so many ways, enriches it daily and helps me to be the best person I can be while recognizing the goodness in others. Nam Myoho Renge Kyo It's the chant of the Sokka Gakki Buddhist. It's meaning: to embody the mystic law of cause and effect through our voice. A brief introduction below from the website. www.sgi-usa.org The essence of Buddhism is the conviction that we have within us at each moment the ability to overcome any problem or difficulty that we may encounter in life; a capacity to transform any suffering. Our lives possess this power because they are inseparable from the fundamental law that underlies the workings of all life and the universe. Nichiren, the 13th-century Buddhist monk upon whose teachings the SGI is based, awakened to this law, or principle, and named it "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo." Through the Buddhist practice he developed, he provided a way for all people to activate it within their own lives. Shakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism, first awoke to this law some 2,500 years ago. Discovering that the capacity to transform suffering was innate within his own life, he saw too that it is innate within all beings. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo could be described as a vow, an expression of determination, to embrace and manifest our Buddha nature. It is a pledge to oneself to never yield to difficulties and to win over one's suffering. At the same time, it is a vow to help others reveal this law in their own lives and achieve happiness. Nam comes from the Sanskrit namas, meaning to devote or dedicate oneself. Myo can be translated as mystic or wonderful, and ho means law. This law is called mystic because it is difficult to comprehend. What exactly makes it difficult to comprehend? It is the wonder of ordinary people, beset by delusion and suffering, awakening to the fundamental law in their own lives and realizing that they are inherently Buddhas able to solve their own problems and those of others. Renge means lotus blossom. The lotus flower is pure and fragrant, unsullied by the muddy water in which it grows. Similarly, the beauty and dignity of our humanity is brought forth amidst the sufferings of daily reality. Further, unlike other plants, the lotus puts forth flowers and fruit at the same time. This illustrates the principle of the simultaneity of cause and effect; we do not have to wait to become someone perfect in the future, we can bring forth the power of the Mystic Law from within our lives at any time. Kyo literally means sutra and here indicates the Mystic Law likened to a lotus flower, the fundamental law that permeates life and the universe, the eternal truth. To chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is an act of faith in the Mystic Law and in the magnitude of life's inherent possibilities. Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is not a mystical phrase that brings forth supernatural power, nor is it an entity transcending ourselves that we rely upon. It is the principle that those who live normal lives and make consistent efforts will duly triumph.

A large community center with an gym and meeting rooms on two floors. We did a cultural celebration…read morehere. Lots of space but not nearly enough parking for the amount of people the auditorium holds, so for busy events you may find yourself walking a bit. Elevator is slow, better to use the stairs. And the heat collects on the second floor in the winter. It was boiling upstairs and cooler in the gym.

Really great community center if you want to exercise & they have beautiful events come xmas &…read moreduring the summer.

The parking lot is VERY tiny here so you will most likely have to park on the street. I came here…read moretoday for a comic book show with my husband and some friends. The area where they have the show is a large room with some dusty books. The outside back area is nice since it has a ramp and railings to lean on if you need some fresh air. The temperature in there wasn't too bad. Overall, not a bad venue for a comic book show or some other event; I have certainly been in worse.

Almost no parking, so expect to park in the suburbia that surrounds the place. The ventilation is…read morelacking, and one of the people we went with had a reaction to the dust. That said, it's a nice space, and I'd go back for future events.

The NYC Parks Department maintains a bunch of recreation centers in the city that are often refered…read moreto as City Gyms. These include Community Centers, Field Houses, and Nature Centers and offer services such as indoor pools, weight rooms, basketball courts, dance studios, boxing rings, art studios, game rooms and libraries. Though J. Hood Wright may be a good community center it doesn't have very good fitness facilities. From what I observed when I took a tour it's a small place that probably does more after-school and senior programs than fitness stuff. The center itself is in a park and during the day mostly the older folks in the neighborhood use it, so that's not a big surprise. The fitness room is very small with about 6 machines and a paltry selection of free weights. The center also didn't have a very good 'feel', if that makes sense. I went through looking at the facilites and didn't feel welcome and some of the dudes hanging around the fitness room were, frankly, creepy. So I won't be back. Since there's no pool it only costs $50/year to join this center.

What more can you ask for? ... Dog run, a nice circle pattern to take your animals for a walk and…read moreto do their business, play ground, courts...I don't use the fitness center, just the public walk areas. Deduction of stars because of the poop on the ground from inconsiderate people who don't curb their dogs, glass on the ground here and there, dudes drinking Hennessy at the chess table, cops occasionally doing car searches along the outskirts of the park. J "HOOD" rriigghhtt... gotta have thick skin to go through their after sunset, but it's on the up N up.

retired IRS tax preparers who come out to help seniors with their tax preparation free of charge.read more

The Baird is the fourth "part" of Meadowlands park (See my review of Meadowlands park). The Baird…read moreis like the central hub for the park serving as the community center for not just the park, but really the town, handling pretty much all recreational affairs and park usage. For my job for example, if we wanted to use the field we had to select a time to reserve it for practice with whatever sport we'd be preparing for. I like this because it's organized and fair. The Baird is also where you purchase and renew your badge for the pool which convenient. The building hosts other things such a book drives and classes for kids but also houses the Pierro Gallery where many exhibits and events take place on the second floor and are too well organized. Surrounding the Baird are basketball courts and tennis courts making feel very much a part of Meadowlands park.

This place is awesome! It's an elevated ping pong experience with fun music, alcohol, and someone…read morewho picks up the balls with a net contraption! We threw my husband's birthday party there, and everyone had a blast! Carla was a great help with the catering and drinks!

Awesome place to play some table. Tennis management was so helpful and accommodating. Hope to go…read moreagain real soon great place to get together with friends!

Time for some basic maintenance. At least 2 of the 18 hole floors do not work. The mats are also…read moreworn out.

Went here for the first time and couldn't be more pleased…read more Prior to coming here, I've never golfed before. Never even held a club. And after just one visit here I'm upset I never tried this sooner. The staff here is really friendly and helpful and will be glad to answer any questions. I was also skeptical of these simulators, I didn't expect it would be very fun or engaging, but it is. I just did the driving range simulator, where you hit off of an automated tee. Great setup and it lets you concentrate on hitting the ball. I'm as much of a beginner as they come, but even after just one session, I have noticeably improved and can't wait to come back. I was here with my 7 year old and we both had a great time. Great for families as well. Great vibe here. Highly recommended. Price is good as well.

Title: Close, Clean, and Gets the Job Done…read more Bethany Community Center is my go-to gym because it's conveniently close, which makes it easy to actually get in a workout--my main goal. With a lot of local gyms closing or moving, having one nearby that's clean and functional is a big plus. The setup is straightforward: free weights, machines, and a handful of cardio options. The treadmills are amusingly off-calibrated--you can set it to 4 mph and the belt will only go 2. It's a good reminder to double-check your speed (and maybe a mini leg workout in disguise). The TVs often freeze, but I just put on my own music and focus on my routine. You don't need to be part of the church to join, and they offer different membership options--gym, classes, or pool. I mostly stick to the gym. The pool seems nice, though it's usually crowded, so snagging a lane can be tricky. The staff is friendly, check-in is smooth, and I've never felt pressured to attend services, which is appreciated. Some minor frustrations: it can get crowded, especially right after school lets out, and locker space is minimal--just cubbies--so changing can be awkward unless you go across the hall to the bathroom. Membership rates recently went up, which stung a bit, but at least they were upfront with signs. Overall, Bethany Community Center does exactly what I need: it's clean enough to focus, convenient to reach, and helps me stay consistent with workouts. If you're looking for a nearby, functional gym, it's worth checking out--just maybe avoid the peak after-school rush unless you enjoy a bit of teenage chaos.

I love this location and the church. I love that the church can reach the community in a tangible…read moreway.

I can't say enough great things about RAMS All Stars. The coaches are phenomenal and truly care…read moreabout each one of their athletes. Their tough but empathetic coaching style has enhanced my daughter's skills tremendously in just a short period of time and she is finally THRIVING! The athletes have the strongest bonds and support each other no matter what the outcome, which is something we never truly experienced at the prior two gyms my daughter cheered for; solidifying the fact that we finally found our cheer home. So, if you are looking to be a part of a TRUE winning tradition, you WILL find it here at RAMS.

Do not waste your time! ZERO STARS! Rams Cheer will not give your child a good experience. They are…read morevery unprofessional and do not care about the girls having a fulfilling positive experience. They just want to take your money. Please be warned! They will not respond to any forms of communication. The negative reviews are real and I question anything written that is positive about Rams Cheer. They are only in business to scam and do anything to steal your hard-earned money.