Holiday drive going on now for families in need
The North Bergen Emergency Relief Program is hosting a holiday drive for families in need throughout the township. Items will be collected through Dec. 19 for distribution on Monday, Dec. 22 at the North Bergen Recreation Center at 6300 Meadowview Ave.
Families in need of a meal or toy for a child this holiday season should email Emergency Relief Coordinator Aimee Focaraccio at afocaraccio@northbergen.org or call (201) 392-2084 to sign up. Advance sign up is required. Items are only guaranteed to pre-registered residents.
Items needed include brand new unwrapped toys for children of all ages, pasta, rice/beans, mashed potatoes, canned vegetables, dessert mixes/no-bake desserts (e.g., Jell-o, pudding, no-bake cheesecake, non-perishable), or any other appropriate holiday staple item. Drop off locations are as follows:
• North Bergen Health Department, 1116 – 43rd St., 2nd floor
• North Bergen Police Dept./Town Hall (Chambers), 4233 Kennedy Blvd.
• North Bergen Court/Parking Authority, 4225 Bergen Tpk.
• North Bergen Public Library, 8411 Bergenline Ave. or 2123 Kennedy Blvd.
• All North Bergen schools
Sunday nature walk returns on Dec. 7
The first-Sunday-of-the-month nature walk starts just outside DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst. Back by popular demand, this free two-hour guided nature walk begins at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7 and proceeds along the base of the remediated Kingsland Landfill, looking for wintering waterfowl and other birds of interest. The walk is sponsored by the N.J. Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society. Check meadowblog.net for last-minute weather updates. Participants will have to sign a standard liability release that is good for events throughout the year. To RSVP, call (201) 230-4983.
Prieto aims to merge Meadowlands Commission with Sports and Exposition Authority
The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition will merge if Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto has his way. On Dec. 4, he introduced legislation to consolidate the two state agencies.
“These two agencies share the common interest of promoting economic growth in the Meadowlands region and northern New Jersey,” Prieto said in a statement. “Consolidating them promotes efficiency of operation, cost effectiveness, and the elimination of unnecessary government bureaucracy.”
The Meadowlands Commission was established in 1968 as the zoning and planning agency for the 30.4-square-mile Meadowlands region spanning Bergen and Hudson counties. The Sports and Exposition Authority was established in 1971 to build and operate the Meadowlands Sports Complex, including the original Giants Stadium and Meadowlands Racetrack. The Izod Center and other entertainment destinations throughout the state, including Atlantic City, were later added under its purview.
Prieto says the bill would boost economic growth and property tax savings in the Meadowlands region. It would also provide for a relief from tax sharing.
Under the current system, 14 municipalities participate in tax sharing in the region, with eight of those municipalities each paying as much as $3 million annually into a fund while the other six split the proceeds. Among those paying each year are Secaucus and North Bergen, both of which have adamantly protested the system as outdated and unfair.
The new bill would eliminate the need for municipalities to contribute into the system, while still allowing the other municipalities to continue receiving funds. The funding would be replaced by a 3 percent hotel use assessment on all hotel room occupancies throughout the 14 municipalities.
The bill also calls for reestablishing the Hackensack Meadowlands Transportation Planning District. It is expected to begin moving shortly through the Assembly.
NB Police holding annual ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ holiday campaign
The North Bergen Police Department will crack down on drunk drivers as part of the annual holiday season “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” statewide campaign. From Dec. 5 through Jan. 2, local and state law enforcement officials will conduct saturation patrols and sobriety check points looking for motorists who might be driving while intoxicated.
The national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” effort endeavors to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving through a combination of high-visibility enforcement and public education. “This is a critical law enforcement program that can save lives during a time of the year when impaired driving traditionally increases by nearly 10 percent,” said Police Chief Robert Dowd. “This initiative brings attention to the serious consequences of drunk driving and the grave danger those who choose to drink and drive pose to all of who share the road with them.”
Last year, 22 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities in New Jersey were alcohol-related. Nationally, more than 10,000 people die each year in drunk driving crashes. The societal cost associated with drunk driving crashes is estimated to be $37 billion annually.
Law enforcement agencies participating in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over 2014 Year End Holiday Crackdown offer the following advice for holiday season:
• Take mass transit, a taxicab, or ask a sober friend to drive you home.
• Spend the night where the activity or the party is held.
• If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement. Your actions may save someone’s life, and inaction could cost a life.
• Always buckle-up, every ride. It’s your best defense against an impaired driver.
• If you are intoxicated and traveling on foot, the safest way to get home is to take a cab or have a sober friend or family member drive you or escort you to your doorstep.
• Be responsible. If someone you know is drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel.
Franklin Chorus to perform at NJ Devils game
The Franklin School Chorus and several of the jazz band members will perform at the NJ Devils game on Dec. 19 at the Prudential Center. Based on their previous performances at Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall, Franklin Chorus was contacted by the Devils organization and invited to sing at intermission. The group will perform “The Hallelujah Chorus” by Handel from “The Messiah,” “Venite Adoremus Dominum” by Jerry Estes, and “Christmas Canon” by TransSiberian Orchestra (an adaptation of Pachabell’s “Canon in D Major”). The chorus and jazz band will perform together the famous carol “The First Noel” and the band will perform the carol “Angels We Have Heard on High.” The game begins at 7 p.m.
Zombies coming to Secaucus
The Walker Stalker Convention is coming to the Secaucus Convention Center on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 13 and 14. Billed as a fan meet-up for zombie lovers, the event features panels, vendors, and many guests from hit tv shows and films including “The Walking Dead,” “Night of the Living Dead,” “Day of the Dead,” and “Gremlins.” Panels include Evolution of the Dead and The Day the Music Died.
Walker Stalker Con grew from The Walker Stalkers Podcast with James & Eric. The podcast began when James and Eric visited the set of “The Walking Dead” and blossomed into the idea of a convention with the cast and crew of the show, along with talented actors and artists from other zombie shows, movies and art.
For more information visit http://walkerstalkercon.com/newyorknewjersey/.
NB Players’ 2014 holiday celebration upcoming
Mayor Nicholas Sacco and the North Bergen Players present the 2014 holiday celebration “Come Meet Santa and Rudolph” at the North Bergen Players Mini Theater, 8411 Bergenline Ave., on Friday, Dec. 12 and Saturday, Dec. 13 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 14 at 5 p.m. The show is produced and directed by Maurena Luzzi, with guest accompanist Fred Fochesato. Admission is $15. Holiday refreshments are included.
Santa Claus is coming to town!
The 15th Annual Santa Parade is coming to Bergenline Ave. on Sunday, Dec. 14. The parade starts at noon at 85th St. and proceeds to 32nd St.
The parade is presented by the firefighters and fire officers of North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue, in conjunction with the towns of North Bergen, West New York, Union City, Guttenberg, and Weehawken.
Enjoy holiday celebrations at the libraries
Santa Claus will be visiting both branches of the North Bergen Library this holiday season. Kids can enjoy story time, singalongs, goodie bags, and get their photos taken with Santa on Monday, Dec. 15 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Main Branch, 8411 Bergenline Ave., or on Wednesday, Dec. 17 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Kennedy Branch, 2123 Kennedy Blvd. For more information call (201) 869-4715 or visit www.nbpl.org.
Eight-year-old Lyndhurst artist’s work to be displayed at Meadowlands gallery
Eight-year-old Lyndhurst resident Gabriel Diaz will soon become the first elementary-school aged student to have his very own exhibit at the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission’s (NJMC) Flyway Gallery. The multi-media, wildlife-themed show “The Wonders of the Universe” includes large-scale acrylics, oil pastels, drawings, and sketches focusing on wildlife, including portraits of wild horses and eagles. Some of Gabriel’s work measures as large as 5 feet high by 4-1/2 feet wide. The exhibit also features art centered on astronomy.
Gabriel, who has previously exhibited at the Dumbo Arts Festival in Brooklyn, creates his art in the hope of inspiring others to conserve wildlife and explore the universe. “The Wonders of the Universe” will run from Wednesday, Dec. 10 through Friday, Jan. 23. A reception is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 16 from 3 to 5 p.m. The Flyway Gallery is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday excluding holidays. Directions can be found at www.njmeadowlands.gov, or by calling (201) 777-2431.
Watercolor pencils class for kids upcoming
Let your kids capture the colors of the season with watercolor pencils on Saturday, Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. to noon at the NJMC Science Center, 3 DeKorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst. Children ages 5 to 12 (accompanied by an adult) will learn how to create a fun drawing and then paint with “no mess” color. Young artists can experiment with other painting tools as well. All art supplies are provided to borrow for the session. This program sells out fast. Pre-registration required. Cost is $10 per child (no fee for adults). To register visit www.njmeadowlands.gov/ec or call (201) 460-8300.