Test your movie trivia knowledge on July 27
Join in the fun on “Movie Trivia Night” at the North Bergen Public Library on Monday, July 27 at 6:30 p.m. Play solo or in a team. All ages are welcome. The North Bergen Library main branch is located at 8411 Bergenline Ave. For more information call (201) 869-4715 or visit nbpl.org.
Super Hero Science coming to the library
Explore the science behind super powers, and the scientists that helped explain them, in “Super Hero Science.” Learn about the power of magnetism and how you can use it to manipulate metal. Discover the power of air and how you can use it to fly. See a vortex and feel its power. Watch as electricity is harnessed through the fourth state of matter: plasma. Lastly, be amazed as the scientist handles fire – literally.
This event takes place on Wednesday, July 29 at 1 p.m. at the main library, 8411 Bergenline Ave. It will also be held on Friday, July 31 at 1 p.m. at the Kennedy Branch Library, 2123 Kennedy Blvd. For more information call (201) 869-4715 or visit nbpl.org
Kennedy School wins paper recycling contest; school district recycles 43 tons of paper
Kennedy School won North Bergen’s second annual Paper Recycling Contest with a total of 16,840 pounds of recycled paper. North Bergen schools recycled more than 86,000 pounds of paper in total, or 43 tons. All of the paper will be recycled rather than sent to a landfill, which will not only help the environment but will also generate revenue for the township in recycling tonnage fees.
“Paper recycling is vitally important for both conservation and to help ease the burden on North Bergen taxpayers,” said Municipal Utilities Authority (MUA) Executive Director Frank Pestana. “While the MUA and the township must pay dumping fees on garbage, we actually receive money in recycling tonnage fees on paper. Thus, every piece of paper that gets recycled instead of thrown out in North Bergen saves our taxpayers real money.”
The contest was sponsored by the North Bergen MUA and the Board of Education. The MUA will be treating Kennedy School students to a victory party in September to recognize their achievement and will also be donating a Smart Board to the school.
“I would like to congratulate the students at Kennedy School, their environmental coordinator Joyce Cuervo, and all the students and faculty members throughout our district for their efforts in promoting paper recycling,” said Mayor Nicholas Sacco. “Many people still don’t know that nearly all kinds of paper can and should be recycled and that’s why it’s important to hold events like this contest to raise awareness and promote recycling in our community.”
According to the MUA, over 34 million tons of paper that could be recycled ends up in landfills every year throughout the country. This leads to more unnecessary consumption of natural resources. In fact, each ton of paper that is recycled instead of thrown away saves 17 trees, 7,000 gallons of water, 463 gallons of oil, three cubic yards of landfill space, and enough energy to heat an average home for six months.
Both the Board of Commissioners and the MUA are urging all North Bergen residents to join the paper recycling effort by making sure to recycle their mail, folders, newspapers, magazines, catalogs, phone books, scrap paper, tissue boxes, and clean cereal and food boxes. To see more information about recycling and check pickup schedules, visit nbmua.com/recycling/.
Redevelopment plan approved for former trailer court site on Tonnelle Avenue
Mayor Nicholas Sacco and the Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution at last week’s commission meeting authorizing a redevelopment plan for the area of 48th Street and Tonnelle Avenue, the former site of the now-closed Manhattan Trailer Court.
Expected to break ground this year, the new development will create a transit-oriented rental community at the site. NJ Transit’s Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Tonnelle Avenue stop is located directly adjacent to the planned development, allowing convenient train access to Hoboken, Jersey City, or Manhattan. This amenity is expected to add to the location’s desirability significantly.
“This exciting development represents a new chapter for this neighborhood and North Bergen as a whole, and we are all very excited to see it advance,” said Sacco. “Years from now, we may look back on this as the catalyst that spurred redevelopment all throughout the southern portion of Tonnelle Avenue, just as the arrival of major retail stores sparked the incredible revitalization we have seen in the northern area of Tonnelle.”
The new development will consist of approximately 214 rental units ranging from studio apartments to one and two bedroom units, as well as amenities like a clubhouse, pool, fitness center, and more. The township has entered into a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) agreement with the developer, MTC Urban Renewal Company LLC, that will provide $500,000 in annual tax revenue starting when the project reaches substantial completion.
The project is expected to create approximately 200 construction jobs while it is being built and 10 full time or part time jobs upon completion.
North Bergen’s housing market is on an apparent upswing with over 1,000 new units either under construction, approved, or planned in the township. This comes after a 2 percent increase in the township’s total assessed valuations from 2014 to 2015, the first time in three years that assessed valuations have increased, reflecting the improving economy.
Health Awareness Fair is on July 25
Gospel Tabernacle and Casa Mama Dona invite residents to attend “From Head to Toe,” a free health awareness fair on Saturday, July 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Health screenings available at the event will include cholesterol, diabetes, blood pressure, glaucoma, vision, and dental. Medical and immigration consultations will also be available and much more.
For kids there will be school supplies (while they last), face painting, balloons, games, and haircuts. Hot dogs, hamburgers, and soda will be available at a barbecue.
The event takes place at Gospel Tabernacle A/G, 5029 Kennedy Blvd. For more information call (201) 863-1000 or (646) 379-4471.
Soccer School tryouts upcoming
Hans Soliz Soccer School announced tryouts for all boys’ travel teams for the 2015/2016 season. Hans Soliz Soccer School is a Premier League club.
Tryout dates are on Tuesdays, July 28, Aug 4, and Aug 11 at 6:15 p.m. at Gateway Turf Field, 500 Grand Street, Jersey City. Various age groups are available, from boys ages 5 to 7, up to boys under age 16 (born after Aug. 1, 1999).
Online Registration is required by visiting the website or copying the following link: http://hsss.hanssolizsoccerschool.org/forms/4407-Player-Membership-Form. Email any questions to vivianteran@yahoo.com or visit hanssolizsoccerschool.org.
2015 National Night Out Against Crime is Aug. 4
The 2015 National Night Out Against Crime will take place in North Bergen from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 4.
Mayor Nicholas Sacco and Public Safety Commissioner Allen Pascual have doubled the amount of locations from previous years. For 2015 the event will take place at six locations throughout town: Kennedy School, 1210 11th St.; Applied Housing, 1108 26th St.; Policeman’s Park, 37th and Union Tpk.; Meadowview Village, 58th-61st on Meadowview Ave.; Lawler Senior Citizen Building, 6121-6131 Grand Ave.; and Broadway between 73rd and 76th.
Come join in for a night of free food, beverages, music, and fun for everyone.
Fun with a Cop on Aug. 7 at Braddock Park
The North Bergen Public Library and the North Bergen Community Police invite residents to have Fun with a Cop on Aug. 7 at 11 a.m. at Braddock Park. Learn about police tactics with the North Bergen Community Police. For ages 10-14. Be ready to get wet.
Jason Liebman free acoustic concert on Aug. 11
The North Bergen Summer Concert Series presents an acoustic concert by Jason Liebman on Aug. 11 at 5 p.m. at the North Bergen Pool. Attendance is free with a pool membership or a North Bergen Public Library card. You can sign up for a library card at the pool. The North Bergen pool is at 2111 91st St. Call (201) 758-2713 for more information.
Unique Creatures visit the library in August
The program “Unique Creatures” is returning to the main library and the Kennedy Branch. Meet and learn about different types of animals. For more information contact the library at (201) 869-4715 or nbpl.org.
This event takes place on Wednesday, Aug. 12 at 1 p.m. at the main library, 8411 Bergenline Ave. It will also be held on Friday, Aug. 14 at 1 p.m. at the Kennedy Branch Library, 2123 Kennedy Blvd.
See ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ for free outdoors at the Kennedy Library on Aug. 18
Cinema under the Stars continues with “Guardians of the Galaxy” at the Kennedy Branch Library at 8 p.m. on Aug. 18. Bring a chair, blanket, and snacks, and enjoy the movie for free in the parking lot of the Kennedy Branch Library, 2123 Kennedy Blvd.
2015 back-to-school drive underway
The North Bergen Emergency Relief Program is hosting a 2015 back-to-school drive for families in need throughout the township. Items will be collected from July 15 to Aug. 30 and distributed on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at the North Bergen Recreation Center, 6300 Meadowview Ave.
Items needed include backpacks, pens, pencils, notebooks, composition books, binders, paper, crayons, colored pencils, markers, highlighters, kid’s scissors, glue, glue sticks, rulers, calculators, folders, book covers, lunchboxes, new or gently used school uniforms, and new children’s underwear/socks/undershirts.
For a list of drop-off locations visit the town website at northbergen.org. Contact Emergency Relief Coordinator Aimee Focaraccio with questions at (201) 392-0229 or afocaraccio@northbergen.org.
Kids ride the ferry free all summer
Children under 12 can ride the NY Waterway ferry for free from July 5 through Labor Day, Sept. 7. Ferries travel to midtown and downtown from Port Imperial and Lincoln Harbor in Weehawken and 14th Street in Hoboken, making NY Waterway the easiest, most family-friendly way to enjoy the sights and sounds of summer in the Big Apple.
“As a family-owned business, we take pride in being family-friendly. We want to make a visit to the greatest city in the world affordable and convenient,” said NY Waterway President and Founder Arthur E. Imperatore. “We are happy to offer free ferry rides for children to make it even easier for families to have a memorable experience in New York City this summer.”
It takes 8 minutes to cross the Hudson River from Port Imperial, Lincoln Harbor, or 14th Street in Hoboken to Midtown West 39th Street in Manhattan, and takes less than 25 minutes to cross from these New Jersey terminals to Lower Manhattan. Service between Port Imperial, Lincoln Harbor or 14th Street in Hoboken and 39th Street operates all day, seven days a week.
At the West 39th Street Midtown Ferry Terminal in Manhattan, free connecting multi-route NY Waterway shuttles are waiting to take passengers on several routes serving midtown and downtown. Shuttles stop at key destinations such as Times Square, the Empire State Building, Macy’s, Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, Bryant Park, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Families can take advantage of “Kids Ride Free” in tandem with NY Waterway’s Your Key To The City partner program which offers discounts of up to 56 percent on top NYC museums, attractions, and tours. NY Waterway’s expanded Your Key to the City program also offers special discounts on over 40 participating Broadway plays and musicals.
For more information, call 1-800-53-FERRY or click on www.nywaterway.com or www.facebook.com or @ridetheferry.
NBPD backpack drive going on now
Residents can help the North Bergen Police and the New Jersey National Guard collect new or gently used backpacks for the children in the community from now through Wednesday, Aug. 26. The drop off location is the New Jersey National Guard Recruiting Station (trailer) located at 8901 Bergenline Ave. All backpacks collected will be donated to the department of child protection and permanency of Hudson County.