Liggio retiring, Sacco endorses Vainieri for freeholder
Elected to the North Bergen Board of Commissioners in 1985 as part of the recall team, Freeholder Thomas Liggio served with Mayor Nicholas Sacco from the beginning of his administration until 1999, when he successfully ran for a seat on the Board of Chosen Freeholders. Since then he has worked closely with the mayor with a particular focus on funding improvements to James J. Braddock Hudson County Park. He will serve out the remainder of the term that expires Dec. 31, 2014.
Sacco has endorsed Anthony Vainieri for the open seat. Vainieri is the manager and co-owner of the Vainieri Funeral Home in North Bergen, is a member of the Hudson County Schools of Technology Board of Education and is the chairman of the North Bergen Zoning Board. He has served as Sacco’s chief of staff and as a confidential aide for many years and has been an active member of the North Bergen Democratic Municipal Committee for his entire adult life. Vainieri’s father, Anthony Vainieri Sr., served as a township commissioner and in the state Assembly in the 1970s and 80s and his sister is Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-37).
Fire in North Bergen high-rise building sends firefighter, resident to hospital
A fire on Wednesday afternoon in the Westview Towers building at 6115 Granton Ave. resulted in a resident and a firefighter being taken to the hospital.
With heavy smoke conditions on several floors, the resident suffered from smoke inhalation, while the firefighter suffered from exhaustion. Both are expected to be okay, according to reports.
The fire was on the ninth floor of the 20 story high-rise holding about 300 apartments. The blaze was contained about 40 minutes after the firefighters arrived. Investigators were working to determine the cause of the fire.
Library holding Dr. Seuss celebration on March 7
North Bergen Free Public Library Director Sai Rao announced that the library will hold its annual Dr. Seuss Celebration in honor of Read Across America on Friday, March 7 at 4:30 p.m. The public is invited for an evening of stories and entertainment. For more information contact the library at (201) 869-4715 or visit www.nbpl.org. The library is at 8411 Bergenline Ave. in North Bergen.
Palisades Medical Center announces schedule of upcoming maternity classes
The following is a schedule of upcoming maternity classes at Palisades Medical Center. To register or for more information, call Robin Petrick at (201) 295-4823. Palisades Medical Center is located at 7600 River Road in North Bergen.
Sibling Preparation for Birth Classes – Children will learn the exciting parts of being a big brother or sister while explaining safety issues like holding the baby properly. This is a fun and effective way to teach soon-to-be-siblings (ages 3+) all about babies. Cost is $25 per family. March 7 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Childbirth Education Series (Two-Day Course) – Topics 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. The childbirth education series also includes a tour of Palisades Medical Center’s labor and delivery unit. Cost is $125 per couple if delivering at PMC; $150 if delivering elsewhere. Classes are on March 8 and March 11 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Newborn Baby Care Classes – The class covers the basics of newborn care, 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. Participants practice swaddling, dressing, and diapering. Cost is $35 per couple if delivering at PMC; $50 if delivering elsewhere. March 22 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Keys To Successful Breastfeeding – Topics include the importance of skin-to-skin contact, latching techniques, supply and demand as related to breastfeeding, positioning for breastfeeding, indications for breast pumps, including a demo, dad’s role in the breastfeeding relationship, and community resources available post-delivery for breastfeeding assistance. Dads are encouraged to attend. Cost is $35 per couple if delivering at PMC; $50 if delivering elsewhere. March 24 from 7 to 9:30 p.m.
Saint Peter’s University to host Hudson County Regional College Fair
Saint Peter’s University will host the New Jersey Association for College Admission Counseling (NJACAC) Hudson County Regional College Fair on March 11 from 7 to 9 p.m in the Victor R. Yanitelli, S.J. Recreational Life Center located at 870 Montgomery St. in Jersey City. More than 75 colleges and universities will be in attendance. Saint Peter’s will also be hosting a financial aid information session during the event.
A wide variety of higher education institutions are participating in the Hudson County Regional College Fair, ranging from public and private universities to community colleges to service academies. The institutions in attendance are located as close as Hudson County as well as out-of-state universities based in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and more.
Students and their families will have the opportunity to meet face-to-face with university representatives in one location at one time in order to begin a college search, narrow college options or to make a final decision. Participating schools will present information on tuition costs, programs of study, admission requirements, campus life and more. Attendees will also have access to the Saint Peter’s University financial aid team and will learn about the various types of financial aid, the awarding process, and how to file the FAFSA.
For more information visit www.njacac.org.
Awards for those who champion civil rights
USA Network in partnership with Cablevision announced the launch of the fourth Characters Unite Awards, a program to recognize extraordinary individuals who have made significant and lasting efforts to champion civil and human rights in their communities.
The nomination period for the 2014 Characters Unite Awards began Feb. 3 and runs through March 31. Entries, including a maximum 500-word essay on how the nominee meets the criteria of character, impact and influence, can be submitted online at charactersunite.com. Complete rules and regulations are also posted on the website.
Winners, announced in the spring, will receive $5,000 grants to support their project or related nonprofit organization and will be featured by USA on-air and online. They will also be honored this year at a ceremony presented by Cablevision and USA.
Last year, ten Characters Unite Awards recipients were selected from hundreds of nominees for their successful efforts to combat prejudice and discrimination in their communities. Teacher Linda Michalski from Benedictine Academy in New Jersey was honored by Cablevision and USA Network for her extraordinary efforts in motivating her students to help abolish human trafficking.
To learn more about previous Characters Unite Award recipients or to find more information on Characters Unite, visit charactersunite.com.
¡Que felices son las Barbies! premieres Thursday, March 6
¡Qué felices son las Barbies! (How Happy Barbies Are!) is an onstage journey based on the plastic surgery nightmares and obsessive dieting of Barbara Perez, a cabaret singer whose ultimate goal is to look just like the Malibu Barbie she played with as a child. The monologue is made up of a series of adventures and mishaps – from a childhood scarred by poverty, alcoholism and sexual violence to a parade of her many, many exes to the tune of traditional boleros and merengues.
This production has a powerful message that is universal, not just focused on Latinas, about self-image, plastic surgery addictions, and obsession with appearances. Because of this ultimately empowering and uplifting message, it is premiering during March, International Women’s History Month, with a limited run through April. The show is presented by Repertorio Español, the preeminent Spanish language theater in the U.S., with performances at the Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th Street, New York.
The mind behind this piece is Wanda Arriaga, a resident of Hudson County. Ms. Arriaga is one of the Hispanic-American Community’s most accomplished stage actresses as well as a co-founder of the Teatro Círculo, a prestigious Spanish language theater in New York.
With sharp dialogue, witty humor, ingenious direction and live music, Ms. Arriaga defends womankind from the social pressures of what it means to be beautiful, displaying her many talents in this one-woman show.
Simultaneous English translations will be provided to those members of the audience who do not speak Spanish.
For information and show times call (212) 225-9999 or visit www.repertorio.org.
Free Vein Screening at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center
The Center for Vein Disease at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center (EHMC) will offer free vein screenings on March 22, 24 and April 3 to men and women with visible, abnormal leg veins such as bulging varicose veins or spider veins. Those who experience leg pain or have a history of blood clots are encouraged to attend. Most vein problems can be managed on an outpatient basis with local anesthesia.
Patients with varicose veins should know the early warning signs of vein disease to help prevent potential complications. Symptoms include aching, throbbing or swelling in the legs, ankles or feet. Patients with previous blood clots should also be screened.
The screening includes a physical examination and a thorough review of medical history and treatment options. If further evaluation is needed, a follow-up appointment for non-invasive testing can be scheduled.
Screenings will take place on Saturday, March 22 and Monday, March 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and on Thursday, April 3 from 2 to 5 p.m. Pre-registration is required. Call (866)-980-3462 or visit www.englewoodhospital.com and click the “Classes and Support Groups” tab.
The Center for Vein Disease is on the third floor of Englewood Hospital and Medical Center at 350 Engle Street, Englewood.