Challengers file to run for office in WNY
Dr. Felix Roque of the Together We Can community activist group was joined by Assemblywoman Caridad Rodriguez (D-West New York) and Fior D’Aliza Frias, who had originally planned to run for mayor herself, last week as they filed to run for office together against Mayor Silverio “Sal” Vega and the incumbent commissioners in West New York. The election will be held May 10.
Roque, Rodriguez, and D’Aliza Frias are joined on the opposition ticket by Dr. Count Wiley and Ruben Vargas.
On Tuesday, Roque commended all of his running mates for the prowess each brings to the ticket.
“We’re homegrown, honest people,” said Roque, adding that it took “ovarian fortitude” for Rodriguez, who previously served as a commissioner in West New York from 2006-07, to stand up for her community and join the fight against Vega.
Vega and Commissioners Gerald Lange, Michelle Fernandez-Lopez, Lawrence Riccardi, and Alberto Rodriguez filed for re-election last week.
In West New York’s form of government, five people run for the Board of Commissioners, then pick a mayor from among themselves.
WNY school district honored by the College Board
The College Board announced last week that the West New York School District is one of four school districts in the nation that will be honored with 2011 AP District of the Year awards for opening AP classroom doors to a significantly broader pool of students.
The College Board’s Advanced Placement Program (AP) enables students to pursue college-level studies while still in high school.
The West New York School District, which is being honored as the nation’s leader among small school districts, was one of three districts to achieve the most significant improvements in the nation in access to college-level AP courses while maintaining or improving student performance on the end-of-course AP Exam.
“These districts are defying expectations by expanding access while improving scores,” said College Board President Gaston Caperton. “They are experimenting with initiatives and strategies that have driven increases in average exam scores when making AP available to a much broader and more diverse student population.”
Participation in college-level AP courses can level the playing field for under-served students, give them the confidence needed to succeed in college, and raise standards and performance in key subjects such as science and math. Many U.S. school districts have focused on expanding access to AP courses as part of a strategy for fostering college readiness.
The 2011 AP District of the Year awards will be presented at a celebratory plenary session at the AP Annual Conference in San Francisco on July 22.
The complete AP Achievement List can be found at www.collegeboard.org.
Cooking class offered in UC
On April 3 at 10 a.m. the community is invited to participate in the cooking class “Delicious and Healthy: Cooking with Ana Maria” being offered by the Union City Spanish Seventh Day Adventist Church at 1908 Kerrigan Ave. in Union City.
The class will teach participants how to make dishes that are healthy but still tasty. For more information or to register, call (973) 955-0778.
Wine tasting and chocolate bar to benefit CASA
On March, 25 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., a wine tasting and chocolate bar will be held to benefit Hudson County CASA, which helps children in foster care find safe and permanent homes. The benefit will be held in The Atrium at Harborside Financial Center in Jersey City.
Wine will be provided by Wine Library of Springfield and chocolates by Ultramarinos of Hoboken. There will be a buffet, a raffle for an iPad and a big screen television, as well as a silent auction filled with exciting items and experiences such as tickets to see Regis and Kelly, Broadway shows, and several sporting events. Tickets are $65 and can be purchased at www.hudsoncountycasa.org.
PMC releases schedule of upcoming community health screenings
Throughout the year, Palisades Medical Center’s staff takes an active role in the local community by partnering with North Hudson Community Action Corporation, Christ Hospital School of Nursing, and Hudson Perinatial Consortium to provide free health screenings and education programs.
Free screenings and information include blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, respiratory testing, and Body Mass Index BMI).
Upcoming screenings will be held on April 16 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Trinity Reformed Church, 401 60th Street in West New York and on May 1 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 407-23rd Street in Union City.
For more information, please call Joanne Riggs at (201) 854-5793.