Free tax preparation services offered to seniors and disabled residents
The Nicholas Sacco Foundation is providing a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) to provide the seniors and disabled residents of North Bergen free tax preparation services which will begin on Feb. 1 until April 15. The requirements are that you must be a North Bergen resident 55 or over or in possession of proof of disability with a yearly income below $55K to qualify for this service. This service will be provided by appointment only.
For an appointment call (201) 364-9022. Appointments will be provided on Wednesdays between 12 to 5 p.m. at Lawlor Tower, 6121-6131 Grand Avenue; at the North Bergen Library on Tuesdays between 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Those interested must bring proof of identification, social security card, tax documents for 2012 and a copy of your 2011 tax return.
New Jersey Meadowlands Commission events
“Midwinter Landscapes” will be on Saturday, Feb. 2 from 1 to 4 p.m. Guests will draw from the inspiration of the season with watercolor painting provided for teens and adults of all experience levels. Guests will be guided through simple landscape composition and a gentle approach to watercolors to leave with a small, finished work that captures the essence of winter. Basic art supplies will be provided for the session or guests can bring their own. Admission is $15 and $10 for MEC members. It will be located at Meadowlands Environment Center on 2 DeKorte Park Plaza in Lyndhurst.
For more information call (201) 460-8300 or visit www.njmeadowlands.gov/ec.
The Fourth Annual “Super Bird Sunday” Nature Walk with the NJMC and BCAS is on Sunday, Feb. 3 at 10 a.m. It is a free two-hour guided nature walk that begins outside DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst which is the home of the NJMC. Guests will walk along the base of the remediated Kingsland Landfill, looking for wintering waterfowl and other birds of interest. Prizes will be awarded to any participant who is the first to spot a bird that has the same name as an NFL team such as the raven, falcon, eagle, and cardinal. The walk is run by the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society.
Check meadowblog.net for last-minute weather updates. Guests will also have to sign a standard liability release that is good for NJMC/BCAS events throughout the year. To RSVP. contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol.com or call (201) 230-4983.
Hudson County Chamber of Commerce to welcome first female chair at annual meeting
The Hudson County Chamber of Commerce will celebrate Hudson County’s growth and development over the past few years next week at its Annual Business Meeting on Thursday, Feb. 7. In addition to kicking off the year-long celebration of the Chamber’s 125th anniversary, the meeting will also be marked by the inauguration of Daryl Harrison-Rand as the group’s newest chair. Rand, the Chamber’s first female chair ever, is the president of HarrisonRand Advertising.
“As a third-generation advertising agency in Hudson County since 1941 and a woman born into a family that has been in the area since the 1890s, it is truly an honor to be elected,” said Harrison-Rand. “I am thrilled to see so much growth, optimism and camaraderie here. It is our time and the Chamber is dedicated to making it happen.”
The meeting, which will be held at Puccini’s Restaurant in Jersey City, will be attended by more than 150 local entrepreneurs. Members of the Chamber will elect its Board of Directors during the proceedings.
In addition to featuring exhibits by more than a dozen local businesses, Robert Cotter, Planning Director of Jersey City, will be the event’s key-note speaker as he discusses the rise of “Wall St. West.” The exhibit will showcase the rise of Jersey City’s development over the past few years.
“Jersey City has been the fastest growing city in New Jersey and we will highlight the economic engine it has truly become,” said Maria Nieves, the Chamber’s President and CEO.
To reserve a spot at the Annual Business Meeting, please call (201) 386-0699 ext. 27 or visit the chamber’s website at www.hudsonchamber.org.
North Bergen Free Public Library presents events and reading incentive
“A Taste of China” will be presented at The North Bergen Free Public Library on Saturday, Feb. 9 at 2 p.m. Admission is free and residents can look forward to an afternoon of food, literature, music and dance. The library is located at 8411 Bergenline Ave. For more information call (201) 869-4715 or visit www.nbpl.org.
Palermo Pizzeria & Restaurant has joined with The North Bergen Free Public Library’s Reading Incentive Program. The restaurant is located at 7407 Broadway and will give away a free slice of cheese pizza to any child once 10 books are checked out. Vouchers can be obtained in the Children’s Department of the library. For more information call (201) 869-4715 or visit www.nbpl.org.
Guttenberg announces Senior Bus Schedule
Seniors can take advantage of the town’s free bus service to visit various shopping locations from Monday through Friday. Guttenberg seniors can be picked up at 69th and Broadway; 68th and Boulevard East, 7005 Boulevard East, 7000 Boulevard East; 69th and Park Avenue; along with all of 68th or 70th Westbound to Bergenline.
For further information contact (201) 868-2315 ext. 152 or Tony, the bus driver, at (201) 424-9494.
Senior trips are sponsored by Mayor Gerald Drasheff and the Town Council.
Palisades Medical Center runs weight loss, maternity classes
Palisades Medical Center will have a health seminar, presented in English and Spanish, on weight loss surgical options on Thursday, Feb. 7 at their facility located at 7600 River Road. The featured speaker will be Stefanie Vaimakis, MD, FACS, FASMBS. Check-in registration will be at 6:30 p.m. and the seminar will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Admission, food, refreshments, parking, transportation will be free. Transportation will be available from 60 Street and Bergenline Ave. starting at 5:30 p.m.
For further information contact Nikki Mederos at (201) 854-5702.
Palisades Medical Center offers maternity, CPR classes. The child birth classes cost $125 per couple if delivering at PMC; $150 if delivering elsewhere. Classes include understanding the labor process, breathing and relaxation techniques to work with your body, the role of the support person, options for pain medications and medical interventions, Caesarean birth, understand your changing body after birth, newborn appearance and procedures after birth.
Newborn Baby Care Classes cost $25 per couple if delivering at PMC; $50 if delivering elsewhere. The basics of newborn care will be discussed, starting with the appearance and characteristics of a newborn. Other topics include: bonding, understanding cues, crying, colic, safety measures, health and development, sponge bathing, and bathing. You’ll practice swaddling, dressing and diapering.
Keys to Successful Breastfeeding classes are $35 per couple if delivering at PMC; $50 if delivering elsewhere.
Mommy and Baby Care Group requires no registration and meets every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. New mothers with babies ages 2 weeks to 16 weeks can get information and support in this group. The Mommy and Baby Care Group is led by a board-certified lactation consultant to offer breastfeeding support.
There will be Sibling Preparation for Birth Class and Pizza Party which costs $10. This is a fun and effective way to teach soon-to-be siblings ages 3 and up all about babies.
To register or for more information call Robin Petrick at (201) 295-4823.