Protest planned for Black Friday at Walmart
A coalition of concerned workers and residents who are part of Walmart Free NYC planned to protest for workers’ rights at the Walmart in Secaucus on Black Friday, which is usually the biggest shopping day of the year. The demonstration is part of a national movement in solidarity with strikes taking place at Walmart stores across the country. The organizing group anticipated that over 100 people from the surrounding area planned to attend the event, which was scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.
“Walmart has retaliated against those who speak out for better work conditions and wages,” said spokesperson Raymond Rodriguez.
But Walmart has filed a complaint against the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union with the National Labor Relations Board, asking for a restraining order against the protests and demonstrations, saying they will disrupt business.
A Walmart spokesman told the New York Post that “Most of the numbers of people the UFCW claims at their events aren’t even Walmart workers.”
Lautenberg announces PSEG Sandy relief
In response to concerns raised by Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) about New Jerseyans receiving high “estimated” electric bills despite losing power for multiple days following Superstorm Sandy, PSEG has agreed to institute a policy allowing customers who lost power to pay a pro-rated amount of their estimated bill – deducting for the number of days they lost power.
In the wake of Sandy, some PSE&G customers have received bills with their electricity usage estimated based on seasonal usage—not actual consumption.
This policy announced on Nov. 16 will allow these customers to estimate the amount owed based on how many days they were without power, and pay the lower amount without risk of accruing late charges.
Bullying prevention workshop to be held at high school
The Secaucus High School will host a bullying prevention workshop for parents and caregivers on Nov. 26 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center. The workshop will be led by Dr. Paula Rust, a nationally recognized expert on bullying prevention and diversity education.
Rust will speak about: bullying and the New Jersey Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights; what a parent should do if bullying is suspected; how to keep children safe from cyber-bullying; bullying concerns due to ethnicity, religion or gender; special education and bullying, and how to report bullying in schools. The talk will be followed by a question and answer period. Refreshments will be served. To RSVP contact Susan Smahl at: ssmahl@sboe.us.
Learning about college for students with disabilities
Prior to the Secaucus High School College Fair being held on Nov. 29, students and parents are invited to join Centenary College and the Secaucus High School Department of Special Services representatives to discuss the college experience for students with learning disabilities. The presentation begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Secaucus High School. All students in grades 8 to 12 with IEPs and 504 plans and their parents are invited to attend.
Attendees will learn about how to negotiate the college process and work with their college’s Office for Disabilities Services. To RSVP email: jgannon@sboe.us
Riverside Pediatric Group collecting donations
Riverside Pediatric Group and Medical Group announces this month that it is collecting Hurricane Sandy relief donations at all of its eight locations: Secaucus, Bayonne, Hackensack, Hoboken – North, Hoboken, Jersey City, Ridgefield Park and Union City.
Suggested donations include diapers, formula, batteries, clothes, canned food and blankets. With the exception of Riverside’s Hoboken (Clinton Street), which was set to resume normal office hours on Nov. 19, all other Riverside offices have resumed normal office hours.
Free civics classes at library for residents only
For the third straight year, beginning January 2013, the Secaucus Public Library and Business Resource Center will offer civics classes to local library patrons who are Secaucus residents to help them prepare for the Citizenship Test. Over the past two years, nearly 40 residents took advantage of these same classes to learn what to expect on the test and how to prepare for it.
There will be a series of seven classes that will take place from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. on successive Saturdays, beginning Jan. 19 and ending March 2. The classes are free to resident library patrons who have begun the process toward citizenship or are ready to begin the process.
Dr. Dennis Pope has volunteered to teach the classes. The library has updated all its materials that relate to preparing for citizenship. Residents interested in attending the Citizenship classes should contact Louise Rittberg at louiserittberg@yahoo.com or register in person. Non-residents interested in the class will be placed on a waiting list and allowed to attend as space permits. For more information, call (201) 330-2083.
Art Month extended through December
Although November was designated Children’s Art Month at the Secaucus Public Library and Business Resource Center, the arrival of Hurricane Sandy on Oct. 29 disrupted the schedules of so many families that the event is being extended through December. Secaucus children from Pre-kindergarten to 12th grade are invited to display their art in the Panasonic Meeting Room at the library now through Dec. 31. A reception for all participating artists and their families will take place on Jan. 4 at 6:30 p.m. All types of art are welcome, including paintings, drawings, sculpture, photography, and crafts. Prizes, donated by the Friends of the Secaucus Public Library, will be awarded. All pictures and photographs must be framed or mounted before being brought to the library. The name, grade and phone number of the child submitting the entry must be written on the back of the submission—not on the front—to keep the judging impartial. Submissions can be brought to the library at any time. If there are any questions, contact: (201) 330-2083.
Learn how to build an aquarium
The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission on Nov. 27 from 7 to 9 p.m. hosts Family Science Night, which will be lead by the North Jersey Aquarium Society. Guests will learn details about building an aquarium including information about water chemistry, tank set-up, habitats and the variety of species that are most suitable for a home aquarium.
There will be door prizes and supplies available for purchase. The event costs $5 per person and $4 for MEC members. While the program is geared toward children ages 6 to 12, families are welcome to bring children of all ages. The Meadowlands Environment Center is located at Two DeKorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst. For more info, call: (201) 460-8300 or visit: www.njmeadowlands.gov/ec.