Legislators want to extend light rail to Bergen
Who put the bomp in the bomp, bomp, bomp, and who put the Bergen in the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail?
The latter was done at a time when the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail train was supposed to extend from Bayonne all the way to Ridgefield in Bergen County — but the route has thusfar never extended past the Hudson County town of North Bergen.
Local mayors and legislators are now hoping to see the route extend to a stop at Englewood Hospital, whose CEO is willing to share some parking garage space with a new station.
Supportive legislators from Bergen County testified before the state Senate Transportation Committee in Trenton on Monday, a committee that includes State Sen. and North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco.
The 21-mile line currently runs through Bayonne, Jersey City, Hoboken, Weehawken, Union City, and North Bergen.
The Star Ledger noted, “The latest proposal calls for extending the line north, from the current terminus at Tonnelle Avenue in North Bergen to a new station 12 miles away at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center. Funding for the $900 million project has yet to be identified, but NJ Transit plans to submit an amended draft environmental impact statement in late autumn following a 45-day public comment period.”
Sacco is supportive of the extension.
“Hopefully everyone stays focused, and we’ll see this in our lifetimes,” he was quoted as saying in the Star-Ledger report.
Hess tank properties to be sold
Three waterfront properties owned by Hess Corp. are going on sale. The company has announced that it is in negotiations to sell terminal sites in Secaucus, Edgewater, and Bogota.
The Edgewater site is located at 615 River Road, alongside the Hudson River, a prime location for real estate development. According to reports, the company closed tank operations at the 15-acre site about a year ago and drained the tanks.
The site in Secaucus consists of two parcels of land in the Harmon Cove development, located at 34 and 35 Meadowland Parkway. Altogether these properties total about 9.5 acres, mostly fronting the Hackensack River. The tanks have been removed and the area cleared.
The final site totals about five acres at 229 West Fort Lee Road in Bogota, also fronting on the Hackensack River. The site was decommissioned last year.
Hess is selling the properties as part of its strategy to exit the terminal business. The company has also announced plans to divest its gas stations.
The terminal sites were originally chosen due to their proximity to water, facilitating freighter transportation. All three properties offer valuable opportunities for real estate development, although the land will require significant remediation and approval from local authorities for redevelopment.
Free seminar on neck and back pain on March 25
All of us experience neck or back pain at some point in our lives. But for many people, this pain can be constant and severe. Fortunately, there are many conservative treatment options that can relieve neck and back pain without surgery. Exercises, mobilization, and education in posture have all been found to be extremely helpful in reducing pain and ultimately preventing pain from occurring in the first place. There are steps you can take to get “back on track” in living a life without pain. Come learn more at this free seminar with Dr. Rebecca Brown from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25. The lecture and information will be provided in both English and Spanish.
Check-in/registration is at 6:30. Parking is free and refreshments will be served. For more information contact Nikki Mederos at (201) 854-5702.
Free transportation is available from 60th St. & Bergenline Ave. starting at 5:30 p.m. The Palisades Medical Center is at 7600 River Road, North Bergen.
Eight-week hospice training course beginning
Do you want to do volunteer work that really makes a difference in the lives of the terminally ill and their families? Volunteer roles include companionship for the patients, emotional support for patient and family, errands, and telephone reassurance.
This volunteer training program consists of eight classes on eight consecutive Tuesdays. Participants MUST attend all eight classes, beginning April 1 and ending May 20.
Classes take place on Tuesday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon or Tuesday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Hudson Hospice Office, 93 Clerk St. in Jersey City.
For further information call Sister Carol at (201) 433-6225.
Franciscan Mystery Players presentation on April 6
The Franciscan Mystery Players, a group of young people, will present their version of The Way of the Cross at Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel, 7615 Broadway, North Bergen, on April 6 at 4 p.m. The Mystery Play is not a “play” in the common sense, but is in fact a prayerful experience that uses special lighting, a stirring soundtrack, pantomime actions, and inspirational narration to portray the Stations of the Cross in a manner that invites each viewer to contemplate the meaning of the Passion and how it relates today.
Admission is free but a free-will offering as you leave after the performance will be appreciated. Your donation will help the FMP continue their ministry. All are welcome. It is suggested you arrive 15 minutes early.
Second evening of art and music to benefit Hudson Theatre Works
Hosted by CBS News Sunday Morning contributor Nancy Giles, a benefit event for Hudson Theatre Works will take place on March 26 from 7 to 10:30 p.m. at Park Avenue Bar & Grill, 3417 Park Ave., Union City.
Performers include Anthony Bez, classical guitar; Jeff Foote, tap dancer; the Alan Brady jazz duo; readings by Nancy Giles and Mike Folie and “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” Enjoy fabulous food and drinks and win prizes in the silent auction. Valet parking is available.
Tickets are $75. Donations are welcome. For tickets and more information visit www.hudsontheatreworks.org or call (201) 401-3337.
Established in 2011, Hudson Theatre Works is a non-profit professional theatre company presenting affordable high-quality work with Off-Broadway values. Proceeds from the evening will benefit HTW’s mission of bringing professional theatre and education to audiences in Hudson County and North Jersey.
Rebuild by Design project unveiling on April 3
On April 3, the federal Rebuild by Design program participants will reveal their proposals to rebuild communities across the Hurricane Sandy affected region.
After months of research and working alongside communities across the whole Sandy-affected region, the 10 Rebuild by Design teams will share their final work with the public at the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City from 8:30 to 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 3.
Provide your feedback and connect with the communities in New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut, where the teams worked in regional coalitions to create implementable design solutions to address future storm events.
Come and see the work and meet the teams: BIG TEAM; HR&A Advisors, Inc. with Cooper, Robertson & Partners; Interboro Team; MIT CAU + ZUS + URBANISTEN; OMA; PennDesign/OLIN; Sasaki/Rutgers/Arup; SCAPE / Landscape Architecture; WB unabridged + Yale ARCADIS; WXY/WEST 8.
The winners will be announced by Secretary Donovan of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development later this spring.
You must RSVP to info@rebuildbydesign.org to attend. Parking is free if you mention this event.
Survey addresses needs of those affected by Sandy
Superstorm Sandy made landfall on Oct. 29, 2012. Hudson Regional Health Commission (HRHC) has received a grant to conduct a health and well-being needs assessment for residents and business owners in Hudson County affected by Superstorm Sandy. Many people in Hudson County were affected by the storm to some extent, so HRHC encourages all residents and business owners to complete the short survey. This includes, but is not limited to, those who were victims of flooding, power loss, or are experiencing stress from the storm. Through this survey they hope to gain insight on the types of unmet needs that exist in the community. HRHC will then develop a plan to connect individuals to the services they may need for recovery.
Please share your thoughts by completing the following survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HRHCsandysurvey.
HRHC will also be conducting focus group discussions about the storm. Participants are encouraged to share any experiences they may have about Superstorm Sandy. Food and refreshments will be served and transportation costs will be reimbursed.
If you have any questions, or would like to participate in a Sandy focus group discussion, contact Paul Teodoro, Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program Representative, at (201) 223-1133 or pteodoro@hudsonregionalhealth.org. HRHC thanks you in advance for sharing your thoughts and helping to build a stronger Hudson County.
Bollywood films screened free every month
Jersey City Medical Center (JCMC), Hudson County’s only not-for-profit hospital, continues to bring its mission of “enhancing life” to Hudson County communities with its free Bollywood Film Festival, beginning March 22 at 6 p.m. with Salman Khan in Jai Ho.
The theater at the Jersey City Museum, currently JCMC’s offices at 350 Montgomery St., will welcome the South Asian community with the screening, and provide an opportunity to meet staff from the medical center.
“We’re extremely proud to offer this free event to the public. As part of our mission we’re always looking for ways to make sure we meet the needs of our patient population today and in the future,” said Joseph F. Scott, President & CEO. “We hope that this event will serve as a chance for us to connect with residents and provide any support needed.”
The growth of the south Asian population in Jersey City has been significant over the past decade, with Hudson County now home to the second largest population in the state.
“I have been in Jersey City for the past five years and am very happy to be part of an institution that has created a nice platform to engage the community,” said Dr. Pragnesh Gadhvi, a cardiologist at JCMC.
Named one of the area’s top hospitals, JCMC has received the coveted Magnet Award for nursing excellence as well as an “A” rating in safety.
The medical center will continue to screen a recently released Bollywood movie one Saturday every month for free as part of the Bollywood Film Series.
WNY Cuban Lions Club Health Fair set for April 13
The West New York Cuban Lions Club has teamed with Palisades Medical Center to present its annual Community Health Fair. The event, which is free and open to the general public, will be held on Sunday, April 13 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the New Community Room, 514 52nd St. (Between Bergenline Ave. & Kennedy Blvd.) in West New York.
Free health tests and screenings will include blood pressure, heart rate, cholesterol, dental, eye/vision information, physical therapy, percentage of oxygen in the blood, diabetes, sleep disorder information, glaucoma screening, and more. Several physicians will be in attendance to answer questions. Attendees will receive free samples and giveaways.
For more information, contact Manny Reyes (201) 424-1201 or Nikki Mederos at (201) 854-5702.
Students at Weehawken High School participate in ‘Charity Champions’ program
Students in the Peer Leadership Program in Weehawken High School were presented with $1,000 for signing on to participate in the Optimum Power to Learn Charity Champions program. The $1,000 check was donated to the students’ charity of choice, the Special Olympics of New Jersey.
Mayor Richard Turner spoke to the students at the presentation on March 14 at Weehawken High School. The check was presented during a Peer Leadership meeting to Beth Conover and David Reed with the Special Olympics of New Jersey.