Free tax preparation services offered to seniors and disabled residents
The Nicholas Sacco Foundation will provide a Certified Public Accountant to provide seniors and disabled residents of North Bergen free tax preparation services until April 15. You must be a North Bergen resident 55 years or older 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 Ave., and 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.
North Hudson Community Action Corporation sets events
North Hudson Community Action Corporation has scheduled two health screening events in North Bergen and two in Guttenberg. The mobile health unit travels the community providing information and screenings to residents. In addition to WIC enrollment, the mobile’s staff screens for high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Referrals are also made to various health center sites.
The two events taking place in Guttenberg will be on Monday, Feb. 18 at 6900 Broadway from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and at 7005 Boulevard East (in the mobile van) from 1 to 3:30 p.m.
North Bergen will have a mobile van event on Thursday, Feb. 21 at Floral Gardens, 1108 26 Street from 1 to 3:30 p.m. At the second North Bergen event a table will be set up on Friday, Feb. 22 at the Nutrition Center, 1441- 45 St. from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
New Jersey Meadowlands Commission schedules events
The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission is holding a bird walk.
Guests can join the “Third-Tuesday-of-the-Month Bird Walk” on Feb. 19 at 10 a.m. The free two-hour guided nature walk will take place at Harrier Meadow in North Arlington, a 70-acre restored wetlands area usually closed to the public. Guests will walk around the site in search of wintering waterfowl, raptors and other birds. The location has also been a good place for spotting Bald Eagles.
Those interested in attending should enter Harrier Meadow at 10 a.m. or meet in front of the parking lot at DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst by 9:40 a.m. to carpool. The walk is sponsored 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.
North Bergen Free Public Library presents events and reading incentive
The North Bergen Public Library will present a free admission Teen Movie Night at the lower-level conference room on Wednesday, Feb. 20 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. The featured film will be “The Muppets.”
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.
Spanish bagpiper to be featured in upcoming waterfront concert
Cristina Pato, a world-renowned bagpiper, will be featured in Hudson River Performing Arts Center’s (HRPAC) upcoming free concert this Wednesday, Feb. 20 in the atrium of the UBS building located at 1000 Harbor Boulevard in Weehawken.
Hailed by the BBC as “the Galician bagpipe diva,” Cristina Pato’s astounding command of the instrument known as the gaita (the Spanish bagpipe) has made her an in-demand musical powerhouse on the world music scene. Renowned for her dramatic performances, Pato fuses elements of Latin, Rock, Pop, Sephardic, and Contemporary music to create a sound and vision that is energetic, flamboyant, and virtuosic.
Over a decade ago, Pato became the first female Gaita player to release a solo album, and has since collaborated with some of the biggest names in world, jazz, classical, and experimental music. She is an integral member of Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble and has performed with The Chieftains and The Royal Pipe Band.
This concert will present Pato’s jazzier side, following, as it does, on the heels of the recent release of her new album, “Migrations.”
“This album is my personal and musical migration from the path I was supposed to follow and celebrates all the things that helped me to create my own way,” said Pato.
All performances for the UBS Atrium Series begin at 12:30 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public. For directions, late-breaking concert news, and other updates, please check the HRPAC website (www.hrpac.org) or call the concert hotline at (201) 716-4540.
The concert is sponsored by the Hudson Reporter.
Upcoming Care-A-Van Screening scheduled
Seifert’s Pharmacy, 6801 Park Ave., will sponsor a Care-A-Van screening on Saturday, Feb. 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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 Avenue.
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 maternity classes
Palisades Medical Center offers maternity instruction to expectant mothers. 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.
Bereavement group for widows under 60
A Bereavement Group for Widows under the age of 60 is open for registration. The group, offered by Jewish Family Service of MetroWest New Jersey, will meet on Mondays from 7:30 to 8:30 pm beginning March 4 and will run for eight weeks. The group will offer an opportunity for women who have suffered the loss of a spouse to share their experiences in a safe and confidential environment. It will be facilitated by Anne Mollen, LCSW and co-facilitated by Rabbi Shira Stern, a board certified Jewish Chaplain. The group is funded by a grant from the Jewish Women’s Foundation of New Jersey and is offered free of charge.
The sessions will be held at Jewish Family Service of MetroWest, 256 Columbia Turnpike, Florham Park. For information and to register, contact Ann Mollen at (973) 765-9050, ext. 1721 or amollen@jfsmetrowest.org.