WNY Leones Cubanos, Politico Cubanos celebrate José Martí Day
Each year, the West New York Leones Cubanos and Politicos Cubanos honor Cuban leader José Martí’s birthday by donating gifts and baby care items to the families of newborn babies born at Palisades Medical Center on Jan. 28. This year, Leones Cubanos gave their gifts to Berta Cruz and Ottoniel Lastor of Fairview, on the birth of their baby boy, Brian Cruz. Politicos Cubanos members delivered their donation to Hector and Lilian Motino of Union City, on the birth of their baby girl Isabella Motino.
Both babies were born at Palisades Medical Center.
José Martí was a leader of the Cuban independence movement from Spain and as well a renowned poet and writer. He is considered the national hero of Cuba and often referred to as the “Apostle of Cuban Independence.”
Feb. 27 is Dominican Republic Independence Day in Union City
Mayor Brian Stack and the Board of Commissioners announce that Union City will hold two events in commemoration of Dominican Republic’s Independence Day. Friday, Feb. 27, at 12 p.m., the flag-raising ceremony at International Park on the corner of Palisade Avenue and 38th Street, include invited guest speakers and members of several local Dominican organizations; and at 7 p.m., a cultural program at Colin Powell School, 15th St. and New York Avenue, featuring guest speakers, live music and other entertainment, and Dominican food. Admission is free to both events. Everyone in the community is invited to attend.
‘Reflections of My Emotion,’ a solo art exhibit by Francisco Noemi Yan
Union City Mayor Brian P. Stack and the Board of Commissioners invite you to “Reflections of My Emotion”, a solo art exhibit by Francisco Noemi Yan on Saturday, Feb. 28, at 7 p.m.at the William V. Musto Cultural Center, 420 – 15th St., Union City. The artist will be present to discuss his work and greet the public. Free Admission
Hackensack Riverkeeper calls for banning of oil trains through NJ communities
Hackensack Riverkeeper has joined the Bergen County-based Coalition to Ban Unsafe Oil Trains in calling for substantive changes in the way the oil is shipped so that people and their waterways are better protected.
Each week Florida-based CSX Corporation sends as many as thirty 100-car freight trains loaded with upwards of 3.5 million gallons of Bakken crude oil from North Dakota where it is extracted to Philadelphia, Pa. where it’s refined. During that journey, every train travels virtually the entire length of the Hackensack River, passing through North Bergen, Secaucus, Jersey City, and Kearny.
“These trains pass directly over the Oradell Reservoir – which provides drinking water for nearly one million people,” said Riverkeeper Captain Bill Sheehan. “Not only that, but they travel through some of the most densely-populated communities in our area, placing hundreds of thousands at risk… The possibility for a truly horrific environmental disaster is never far away.”
Pointing out that long stretches of track are old and badly-maintained and that many New Jersey railroad bridges are in serious disrepair, Sheehan claimed that the potential increases every day for derailments, oil spills and catastrophes such as the tragedy that happened in Lac Megantic, Quebec where forty-seven people were burned to death on July 6, 2013.
Hackensack Riverkeeper is calling on supporters to attend a Coalition rally scheduled for March 7 at 2 p.m. in Harrington Park.
Blood drive on March 7
Community Blood Services is holding a blood/platelets drive on Saturday, Mar. 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the bloodmobile in the Walmart parking lot in North Bergen, 2100 88th St.
You must weigh at least 110 lbs, eat before donation, and bring ID. There will also be a complimentary non-fasting glucose and cholesterol test with every blood donation. To set up an appointment call (201) 251-3703. Walk ins are also welcome.
Every drop counts. Give blood today.
Palisades Medical Center to receive over $1.2M in Sandy relief funds
U.S. Senators Robert Menendez and Cory Booker have announced $2,651,275.80 in federal Sandy relief grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance grant to repair the Palisades Medical Center in North Bergen and a police station in Mantoloking damaged by Superstorm Sandy.
The grant awarded $1,222,154.10 to Palisades Medical Center to mitigate the hospital backup generators that were destroyed as a result of the storm. Another $1,429,121.70 was awarded to repair the Mantoloking police station and borough offices damaged by the storm.
“More than two years after Superstorm Sandy, communities in New Jersey are still recovering from its devastation,” said Booker. “The Federal funding announced today will bring two public facilities yet another step closer to full recovery so they can continue to provide essential services to the communities they serve.”
“It’s vital that life-saving community resources – like police stations and hospitals – are rebuilt better and stronger than before the storm,” said Menendez.
President Obama signed the Superstorm Sandy Supplemental Appropriations bill into law two years ago, bringing the total Sandy aid enacted by Congress to $60.2 billion. The funding package included federal aid to help homeowners, businesses, and communities recover, and resources to rebuild coastal, transportation, and water infrastructure
Free health screenings upcoming in local communities
Free health screenings will take place at various locations in Hudson County over the coming months courtesy of Palisades Medical Center. The screenings will include information on blood pressure, heart rate, percentage of oxygen in the blood, peak flow/respiratory, Body Mass Index – BMI, certificates for mammography, prostate screening, HIV testing, and more.
The New Jersey Hospital Association (NJHA) recognized Palisades Medical Center’s Community Outreach Program with its Community Outreach Award for its unique and effective methods of reaching out to better serve the healthcare needs of area residents. For more information, call Joanne Riggs at (201) 854-5793. Free screenings will take place at the following times and locations:
– Mar. 1, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. – St. Augustine Church, 3900 New York Ave., Union City
– Mar. 15, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel, 7615 Broadway, North Bergen
– Mar. 21, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Grove Reformed Church, 4615 Kennedy Blvd., North Bergen