‘Click It or Ticket’ in Guttenberg
Law enforcement officers from the Guttenberg Police Department will be cracking down on unbuckled motorists and passengers as part of the national “Click it or Ticket” campaign.
Beginning May 19 and running through June 1, the annual initiative includes high visibility law enforcement seat belt checkpoints and saturation patrols, as well as local and national publicity designed to ensure that drivers and passengers recognize the life-saving value of seat belts.
“Using a seat belt is the simplest way for a driver and his or her passengers to protect themselves when traveling,” said Gary Poedubicky, acting director of the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety. “In 2010 alone, seat belts saved an estimated 12,546 lives nationwide.”
The front seat belt usage rate in New Jersey currently stands at 91 percent. Poedubicky noted that the goal for this year’s campaign is to increase the statewide rate to 92 percent. “To meet our goal, we must continue both enforcement and public outreach efforts that educate all motor vehicle occupants about the importance of buckling up, every ride,” he said.
Poedubicky added that the campaign will focus on rear seat passengers as well. Despite laws requiring adult back seat passengers to buckle up, adult back seat belt use stands at only 44 percent.
During the 2013 “Click it or Ticket” campaign, 422 police agencies participated in the two-week initiative. As a result of the effort, law enforcement officers issued 26,049 seat belt citations, 4,895 speeding summonses and made 860 drunk driving arrests.
Free health seminar on weight loss surgical options at Palisades Medical Center
On Wednesday, May 28, the Palisades Medical Center will host a free health seminar on weight loss surgical options. Today, there are many bariatric (weight loss) surgical options for people who have been unable to achieve significant weight loss through diet and exercise.
Featured seminar speakers will include medical professionals from The Weight Loss Institute at Palisades Medical Center. The event will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., with registration/check-in at 6 p.m. Admission and parking are free. Food and refreshments will be served. For registration information contact Nikki at (201) 854-5702.
Palisades Medical Center is at 7600 River Road, North Bergen. Free transportation will be available from 60th St. and Bergenline Ave. starting at 5:30 p.m.
Angel Roque and his orchestra to perform on May 18
The Union City Performing Arts Center presents a musical journey through the recordings of pianist Angel Roque on Sunday, May 18.
Angel Roque was born in Havana, Cuba on Feb. 7, 1964. Studying piano as a child, he developed his technique at the Manuel Saumell Conservatory. On May 28, 1980, at age 16, he left Cuba due to political issues. Arriving in the United States, he temporarily left music to work full time to support himself. Then, in the late 1980s, he started his musical career over, forming a duet with piano and guitar, and began performing at night clubs and private functions. Focusing on different rhythms and styles, he formed the group Pop Caribe.
In 1994 he began performing on television and radio as Angel Roque and his Orchestra, and producing musical arrangements for other artists.
In late 1997, Roque realized his dream of becoming a professional piano soloist. He created his first production, “Tres Romances y El Piano de Angel Roque,” with bolero as the main theme. Playing old favorites with modern arrangements introduced a new era for Roque.
The May 18 performance will take place at 3 p.m. at the Union City Performing Arts Center, 2500 Kennedy Boulevard, Union City. Tickets are $30, $40, and $50.
For tickets and information contact (201) 348-4332 or visit www.unioncitypac.com.