BRIEFS

Community Health Fair will be April 12

The West New York Cuban Lions Club has teamed with Palisades Medical Center to present its annual Community Health Fair, free and open to the general public, on Sunday, April 12, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the New Community Hall, 514 52nd Street (Between Bergenline Ave. and Kennedy Blvd.) in West New York.
Free health tests and screenings will include: Blood Pressure, Chiropractor, Dental, Eye/Vision Information, Glaucoma Screening, Heart Rate, Medication Consultation, Mental Health, Percentage of Oxygen in the Blood, Physical Therapy, Sleep Disorder Information.
Several physicians will also be in attendance to answer questions. Attendees will also receive free samples and giveaways.
For more information, please call Manny Reyes (201) 424-1201 or Nikki Mederos at (201) 854-5702.

CASA wine tasting to benefit local foster children

Hudson County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) has announced its 9th Annual Wine Tasting fundraiser, featuring world-class wines, foods and desserts, VIP tasting of premium spirits, cork pull and silent auction, will take place on Friday, March 27, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Battello, at the Newport Marina at 502 Washington Blvd. in Jersey City. Proceeds from this event support CASA’s advocacy work on behalf of Hudson County foster children.
More than 90 wines selected by Cork Wine & Spirits will be featured at the tasting and accompanied by foods and desserts by Battello. A one-year family membership at Shipyard Pool in Hoboken will be among the many silent auction prizes that also includes getaways, theater and sporting event tickets and luxury items. Free valet parking will be available.
Hudson County CASA will honor Dean Bellissimo, Mark Kemper and Greg Skiff at this year’s event. Bellissimo, of Deutsche Bank and a Hoboken resident, has been a loyal sponsor of CASA’s wine tasting for the past five years. Kemper is president of the North Atlantic District of UPS. He has been an active supporter of Hudson County CASA since 2009. Skiff, a Jersey City resident, is an associate litigator at Tarter Krinsky & Drogin, a law firm in New York City. He has served as a CASA volunteer for the past five years, is a member of the Board of Trustees and will be recognized as Volunteer of the Year.
Tickets may be purchased online for $85 or at the door on the night of the event for $95. Tickets may also be purchased at Cork Wine & Spirits, 1450 Washington St., Hoboken. VIP tasting tickets will be on sale at the event. For tickets and more information, please visit www.hudsoncountycasa.org.

Free information at Hudson County Court Night on May 27

Come to Hudson County Court Night at Justice William J. Brennan, Jr. Courthouse, 583 Newark Ave., Jersey City, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27. Court Night is an evening of free information sessions open to the residents of Hudson County. These sessions will provide practical information and resource material designed to assist residents in navigating the court system. Attorneys and court representatives will conduct the sessions and will be available to answer general questions from the public concerning each subject matter.
While Court Night is free, pre-registration is highly recommended. To pre-register, email hudson.reservation@judiciary.state.nj.us or call (201) 217-5109.

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. For more information, call Joanne Riggs at (201) 854-5793. Free screenings will take place at the following times and locations:
– March 21, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Grove Reformed Church, 4615 Kennedy Blvd., North Bergen
– April 19, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 654 Ocean Ave., Jersey City
– May 3, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. – First United Methodist, 407 23rd Street, Union City

Palisades Medical Center CEO leads March of Dimes effort to improve health of Hudson County babies

More than 12,000 of New Jersey babies will be born premature this year, and Bruce J. Markowitz, president and CEO of Palisades Medical Center, is working with the March of Dimes to change this. Markowitz has taken on the role of Hudson County March for Babies Chair to raise awareness and important funding to provide for babies who are born premature or with birth defects. March for Babies, the March of Dimes largest fundraiser, will be held on April 26, at Liberty State Park in Jersey City.
March for Babies helps fund lifesaving research and educational programs aimed at helping mothers have stronger, healthy babies. Last year, in Hudson County, more than $150,000 was raised. This year, Markowitz will lead participants and the community in making a difference for the health of mothers and babies.
“I am honored to serve in the important role as the chairman of the Hudson County March for Babies,” said Markowitz. “I believe we can all rally behind the March of Dimes and its mission to help moms have full-term pregnancies and research the problems that threaten the health of babies.”
Hudson County residents can sign up today at www.marchforbabies.org and start a team with co-workers, family or friends. Last year, more than 650 people attended the event.

Nicholas J. Sacco Foundation announces first Sacco 5K Charity Fun Run event on May 16

Local runners of all skill levels will soon have a chance to experience a unique course with breathtaking Manhattan views, all while contributing to a worthy cause at the Nicholas J. Sacco Foundation’s inaugural Sacco 5K Charity Fun Run. The event is scheduled for May 16 and will be held within James J. Braddock Hudson County Park in North Bergen, spanning parts of Boulevard East before finishing on the running track at Bruins Stadium. Registration for runners and sponsors is now open and more information is available at Sacco5k.org.
“This 5K event will take advantage of the beautiful natural scenery within Braddock Park as well as the picturesque Manhattan views along Boulevard East, giving it a very exciting backdrop for runners,” said Mayor Nicholas Sacco, who heads the foundation. “We hope to have many residents come out and enjoy a great race and a fun party afterward, all to help our Foundation continue to give back to our local community.”
The Sacco 5K course has been certified by USA Track and Field and awards will be given to participants in various age groups. All runners will receive a commemorative t-shirt and there will be a post-race party and barbecue for runners and spectators with food and refreshments. Registration fees are $25 for runners and $20 for post-race party only, and over 20 sponsors have already signed on to the race including primary sponsor Palisades Medical Center.
The Nicholas J. Sacco Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides social services and charitable donations to North Bergen and the surrounding communities. For the past three years the Nicholas J. Sacco Foundation has provided free income tax preparation services to senior citizens and disabled residents. The Foundation also contributes generously to local food pantries and has provided direct relief funding to displaced victims of fires and other disasters.

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