Christie signs legislation merging Meadowlands Commission and NJ Sports Authority
In a development expected to reap a tax savings for North Bergen, the New Jersey Meadowlands Authority will merge with the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority as a result of new legislation signed by Gov. Christopher Christie on Thursday, Feb. 5.
The bill will also eliminate the current tax sharing program that impacts 14 municipalities in the region. Previously, municipalities with more development, including Secaucus and North Bergen, were required to pay up to $3 million annually into a tax sharing fund, while municipalities with less development received money from the fund each year.
In addition, the new legislation re-establishes the Hackensack Meadowlands Transportation Planning District.
Christie has called the legislation “imperfect in its current form” but expressed that it was important to “move forward with this common sense consolidation of government to deliver savings to New Jersey taxpayers.” The governor said he would discuss follow-up legislation with the bill’s sponsors, Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto and state Sen. Paul Sarlo.
Live wrestling show ‘A Hero’s Celebration’ to honor teen killed in hit-and-run
Michael Viruet Jr., the local man who was struck by a hit-and-run driver and died in the hospital several weeks later, will be honored in a series of pro-wrestling matches this weekend. His father, Michael Viruet Sr. of American Championship Entertainment (ACE), is hosting “A Hero’s Celebration” in Union City. Viruet Jr., described as his father’s right hand at ACE, will be honored with the first “Mike Morgan Jr. Memorial Cup,” labeled after his stage name.
Michael Viruet Jr., 20, and his brother Adrian, 11, were walking home from a movie on Nov. 14 when a car jumped the curb and struck them both. According to police, Michael took the brunt of the impact to save his brother. Both brothers were critically injured. Adrian is currently recuperating after multiple surgeries.
On the same night that Michael died, Dec. 5, police arrested Guatemalan native Rogelio Chavix-Tacen, 38, as the alleged driver of the red Nissan that struck the boys.
“A Hero’s Celebration” will take place at the Jose Marti Freshman Academy, 1800 Summit Ave. at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.
Free citizenship and deferred action information session on Feb. 10
The township of North Bergen will present a free citizenship and deferred action information session next week in partnership with Hudson County and nonprofit group We Are One New Jersey. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the citizenship process and to hear information about the Deferred Action program, including the expansion announced last year by President Barack Obama.
North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco was one of the first public officials in New Jersey to support the president’s immigration executive order and is presenting this program to make sure North Bergen residents are aware of their rights and responsibilities regarding immigration.
The event will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the North Bergen Township Hall Commission Chambers, 4233 Kennedy Blvd.
“North Bergen is a diverse community with residents from different cultures, including many immigrants who came here to provide a better life for their families,” said Sacco. “Their presence has added so much to our community, which is why I am very excited to announce this new initiative to provide information and guidance on citizenship and deferred action. I encourage anyone facing these issues to attend this free information session and learn about your rights and options.”
The We Are One New Jersey Hudson County Center provides U.S. citizenship application guidance, voter registration, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) application and renewal assistance, understanding of workplace rights and notary services. The goal of the center is to build stronger communities by educating and engaging new Americans to become active participants in our democracy. Services are provided at low- or no-cost.
Health seminar on treatment options for overactive bladder set for Feb. 10
Does your overactive bladder keep you from living your life to its fullest? Nearly 40 million Americans suffer from overactive bladder. This common, sometimes disabling condition sends signals to your bladder at the wrong time, resulting in urine leakage, the strong sudden need to “go right away,” and “going” far too often.
Attend a free seminar to learn about the many treatment options available, including the latest advance in using Botox to treat overactive bladder symptoms. The featured speaker is board certified Urogynecologist Dr. Sam Hessami (director, Continence Center at Palisades, and associate clinical professor, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine). The event will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. at Palisades Medical Center, 7600 River Rd. Check-in is at 6:30. Free food and refreshments will be provided. Parking and admission are free, and transportation will be provided free from 60th St. and Bergenline Ave. starting at 6 p.m. To register, call (201) 854-5702.
Tax collector’s office hours extended on Feb. 10
The Tax Collector’s office hours will be extended on Tuesday, Feb. 10 for the collection of property taxes. Office hours will be from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
2015 career fair will be at the library on Feb. 11
Representatives from over 20 companies will attend a job fair on Wednesday, Feb. 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Local residents will have an opportunity to meet with potential employers from fields such as administration, financial services, home care, hospitality, sales logistics, manufacturing, security, and more.
The event, sponsored by Mayor Nicholas Sacco, the Township of North Bergen, and the North Hudson Community Action Corporation, will take place at the North Bergen Public Library, 8411 Bergenline Ave.
Learn about cardiac health on Feb. 11
A lecture on the topic of cardiac health will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. The lecture will be presented by Stephen Angeli, M.D., Holy Name Medical Center Cardiologist. This event is made possible by the Hispanic Outreach Program and Holy Name Medical Center for Wellness Wednesdays. It will be held at the North Bergen Free Public Library, 8411 Bergenline Avenue. For more information call (201) 869-4715 or visit www.nbpl.org.
Free mobile health screening series begins with eye exams on Feb. 12
The North Bergen Free Public Library is hosting free mobile health screenings provided by CarePoint Health. The first screening will feature eye exams and will take place on Thursday, Feb. 12 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the main library, 8411 Bergenline Ave. The mobile screening van features a fully equipped exam room, wheelchair lift, and lavatory to accommodate screening and spot medical services. These screenings will take place monthly and will alternate between the main library and Kennedy branch locations and will offer different types of exams. For more information contact the library at (201) 869-4715 or visit www.nbpl.org.
Free income tax preparation available for eligible residents
The township of North Bergen has hired a certified public accounting firm to provide free tax preparation services for senior citizens and disabled residents. North Bergen residents age 55 or over, or those in possession of proof of disability, with a yearly income below $55,000, are eligible for free income tax preparation assistance. Residents must bring identification, Social Security card, tax documents, and a 2013 tax return (first-time participants only).
Preparation is by appointment only. Call (201) 381-7014. Services are available until April 15 on Wednesdays between 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at Lawlor Tower, 6121-6131 Grand Ave., and on Wednesdays from 2:30 to 5 p.m. at the Public Library Kennedy Branch, 2123 Kennedy Blvd. Services are also available at the Public Library Main Branch, 8411 Bergenline Ave., on Tuesdays from 3 to 7 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Free breast cancer support group for Latina Women
To support Latina patients and survivors with breast cancer, Jersey City Medical Center – Barnabas Health and Curémonos, a community-based organization, will hold a “Let’s Talk/Let’s Learn” support group in Spanish at the Cristie Kerr Women’s Health Center, 377 Jersey Ave. on the Jersey City Medical Center campus from 4 to 5 p.m. on February 12, March 12, April 9, May 14, and June 11.
Attendees will have the opportunity to share information on coping with such issues as treatment side effects, improving communication with doctors and family, and regaining self-esteem, and to meet the hospital’s new bilingual oncology nurse navigator Michelle Ashley.
“A breast cancer diagnosis is an experience that changes your life and fills you with fear. Coping can be especially difficult if doctors don’t speak your language, or you don’t have family nearby to support you,” said Dora E. Arias, founder and executive director of Curémonos, which was created to provide education, support, and advocacy to medically-underserved women with breast health concerns or a breast cancer diagnosis. “With the support of Jersey City Medical Center – Barnabas Health and program sponsor Genentech, we are offering Latina women a setting where they can share their fears, questions, suggestions and successes both during and after treatment.”
“For more than a year, the hospital has held, and will continue to hold, a very successful support group for English-speaking breast cancer patients to share their experiences and feelings,” said Dr. Julie DiGioia, medical director of the Cristie Kerr Women’s Center. “Thanks to our partners, we can now offer a similar opportunity to members of the community who are undergoing many of the same experiences but speak primarily Spanish.”
The English speaking support group will meet from 5 to 6 p.m. on the same dates at the Cristie Kerr Women’s Health Center.
The program is free and refreshments will be served. To register, call Vivian Rohrsetzer at (201) 915-2000 x 4855.
Classes in the performing arts for kids in Hudson County
The Grace Theatre Workshop, Inc. is currently holding registrations for its theatre training program for children ages eight and up on Mondays through Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m. at Jose Marti Freshman Academy, 1800 Summit Ave. Classes are offered in ballet, hip hop, salsa, tap/rhythm, singing, and acting. The registration fee is $30 per student. The classes are free.
To register, kids must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. No special clothing or equipment is needed. All of the instructors are professional performers. Open to all residents of Hudson County. For more information, log on to www.GraceTheatre.com.
North Bergen Basketball Clinic Awards upcoming
The North Bergen Basketball Clinic Awards will be held on Saturday, Feb. 14 at the North Bergen Recreation Center, 6300 Meadowview Ave., at 12:30 p.m.
Two events scheduled for Dominican Republic Independence Day in Union City
Mayor Brian Stack and the Board of Commissioners have announced that the City of Union City will hold two events in commemoration of the Dominican Republic’s Independence Day. Both events will be held on Friday, Feb. 27.
The first event will be a flag-raising ceremony at noon at International Park, located on the corner of Palisade Avenue and 38th Street. The ceremony will include invited guest speakers and the raising of the Dominican flag. Members of several local Dominican organizations are expected to attend the ceremony.
Then at 7 p.m. there will be a cultural program at Colin Powell School, 15th Street and New York Avenue. The event will include invited guest speakers, live music and other entertainment, and typical Dominican food. Members of several local Dominican organizations are expected to attend the ceremony.
Admission is free to both events. Everyone in the community is invited to attend.
Register now for 2015 soccer season
Soccer registration for the 2015 season will take place throughout January and February on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m., and on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Registration will be held at the soccer trailer in Hudson County Park.
Registration is open to North Bergen and Guttenberg residents only. Be sure to bring your child’s birth certificate or passport only, two current photos for soccer ID and record, and valid proof of North Bergen/Guttenberg residency, i.e. a PSEG/Water/Cablevision/FIOs bill. There is a non-refundable $35 registration fee. Cash only; no personal checks. Last year’s players must also register.
Free comedy at the library in March
Comedian Alonzo Bodden will give a free performance at the North Bergen Free Public Library on Saturday, Mar. 14 at 5 p.m. Bodden has appeared on “The Tonight Show” with Conan O’Brien and Comedy Central, and is the winner of NBC’s “Last Comic Standing.”
Doors open at 4:30. The library is at 8411 Bergenline Ave.
High Tech students attend hip-hop youth summit at Columbia University
Twenty-seven students from High Tech High School, a public high school accepting students from all Hudson County towns, took part in the third annual “Cyphers for Justice: Hip-Hop Youth Summit” at Teachers College, Columbia University.
Sponsored by the Institute for Urban and Minority Education (IUME), Cyphers for Justice (CFJ) Youth Day summits assemble high school students, artists, community workers, and pre-service and in-service educators from across the tri-state area to participate in a day devoted to interactive skill-building workshops, presentations, and hip-hop discourse centered on socio-educational justice issues. High Tech has attended two of the past three CFJ Youth Day summits.
The following High Tech students took part in the special day’s events: Brianna Kelly of Bayonne; Jalen Vargas of Guttenberg; Jersey City residents Jaelan Acosta, Robert Clores, Edsel Engalla, Jr., Sade Ford, Kennedy Hargrove, Ashley Johnson, Fatmata Kamara, Ashlesha Kulkarni, Gabriella Navas, Natalie Papas, Hamza Qureshi, Chandni Raithatha, Vanessa Rosensweet, Cynthia Vasquez, and Ben Vock; Kelly Molina and Devon Vaz of Kearny; North Bergen residents Emily DeCaro, Jeanette Fernandez, and Karina Voronich; Alana Aninipot, Aaleah Oliver, and Kerri Sitty of Secaucus; and Union City residents Kaitlin Juarez and Sabrina Quinones.
Urban League of Hudson County Black History Bowl 2015 set for Feb. 26
To encourage education, knowledge and fun in a friendly, competitive atmosphere, all Hudson County Middle Schools (public and private) and youth organizations are invited to participate in the Urban League of Hudson County Black History Bowl 2015, on Feb 26 at Snyder High School, 239 Bergen Ave., Jersey City, from 4 to 6:30 p.m.
Each school or organization may send up to two teams and each team must consist of four students from grades 6-8 along with a team coach. A coach may have more than one team.
Upon registration, each team will be provided a study guide of Black History facts, trivia questions and answers. The Black History Bowl’s questions will be taken from the study guides.
The bowl will be played in a game-like format of answering questions posed by a moderator. Each team must answer each question accurately and in a timely manner which will be determined by the bowl coordinators.
The ULOHC sponsors this event to encourage success, to continue to empower the community, and change lives along with a celebration of Black History. First and second place teams will be awarded a cash prize.
For further information contact Gregory Moreau at (201) 451-8888 ext 220, or gmoreau@ulohc.org. You must register your team to receive a packet of Black History facts, trivia questions and answers.
Hudson County Chamber showcases investment in Hudson County
The Hudson County Chamber of Commerce will host more than 150 community leaders at its annual business meeting at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 9 at Liberty Science Center. The focus of this year’s event is “Investing in Hudson County.” New Jersey Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto and Alma DeMetropolis, NJ market president for JP Morgan Private Bank, will headline the program. The forum will serve as a platform for business dialogue and showcase the exhibits of more than 20 companies.
“The theme central to our 2015 annual business meeting is that the investment of both the public and private sector is vital to Hudson County’s continued growth,” said Maria Nieves, the chamber’s president and CEO. “We look forward to hosting a conversation between our members and featured speakers regarding initiatives to support a strong regional economy.”
“The Hudson County Chamber of Commerce is committed to supporting the dynamic growth and development of Jersey City and its environs. All of us involved as stakeholders are engaged in showcasing our unique assets, building important linkages and helping the county reach its full potential,” added Daryl Rand, president and CEO of HarrisonRand Advertising and chair of the chamber’s board of directors.
For reservations to the annual business meeting, call (201) 386-0699 x 27 or visit www.hudsonchamber.org.