Halloween magic show comes to the Kennedy library on Oct. 29
The Kennedy branch library will be hosting a Halloween Magic Show on Thursday, Oct. 29 at 4 p.m. The Kennedy branch is located at 2123 Kennedy Blvd. For more information call (201) 869-4715 or visit nbpl.org.
Visit the ‘Haunted Stacks’ at the library’s Halloween party on Oct. 30
The main library will host its annual Halloween party on Friday, Oct. 30 at 4:30 p.m. Come check out the Haunted Stacks or enjoy other non-scary entertainment. The main library is at 8411 Bergenline Ave. For more information call (201) 869-4715 or visit nbpl.org.
Trunk or Treat 2015 is Oct. 31
There will be free treats and giveaways at the North Bergen Trunk or Treat event on Saturday, Oct. 31 at the Recreation Center, 6300 Meadowview Ave., from noon to 2 p.m.
Anyone who wants to decorate their trunk, volunteer, or donate candy should contact Aimee Focaraccio at (201) 392-3058 or afocaraccio@northbergen.org.
Movie of the Month is ‘Hotel Transylvania’ on Oct. 24
Come attend a screening of “Hotel Transylvania,” the 3D computer animated fantasy comedy from 2012 that tells a story of Count Dracula, “who operates a high-end resort away from the human world [and] goes into overprotective mode when a boy discovers the resort and falls for the count’s teen-aged daughter.” The film will screen at 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 24.
CarePoint receives $350K award for quality and safety
CarePoint Health, a fully integrated healthcare system that provides quality, patient-focused healthcare to Hudson County, received the second half of its quality achievement award from Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey’s (BCBSNJ) Hospital Recognition Program, and was awarded nearly $350,000.
Under the program initiated by Horizon BCBSNJ in 2006, which honors hospital excellence based on quality scores earned from the nationally renowned Leapfrog Hospital Recognition Program, CarePoint-Bayonne Medical and CarePoint-Hoboken University Medical Center were cited by Horizon for quality based upon their “A” safety scores as part of the 2014 Leapfrog Hospital Survey. The recognition and financial reward acknowledges Horizon BCBSNJ network hospitals that perform well against key national measures for care quality, patient outcomes, safety, and transparency in reporting.
“We are honored by the recognition of Horizon Blue Cross/Blue Shield for the high marks received by our CarePoint Hospitals in their quality and safety rankings from among the many hospitals in their insurance network,” said CarePoint Health Chief Executive Officer Dennis Kelly. “We will continue to invest in and focus on these vital aspects of healthcare delivery and look forward to maintaining our standing as the region’s premier health care provider.”
“This recognition underscores CarePoint Health’s commitment to high quality of care and patient safety,” said CarePoint Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Nizar Kifaieh. “Acknowledgement from such esteemed colleagues is yet another confirmation that our clinicians are among the best when it comes to excellence in patient care.”
Join Zumba Classes at the library each month
Dance and get fit. The main library at 8411 Bergenline Ave., is offering free Zumba classes at 1:30 p.m. on Sundays, Oct. 25, Nov. 1, and Dec. 6.
Acoustic soloist Jason Liebman plays the library on Nov. 4
The North Bergen Public Library proudly presents acoustic soloist Jason Liebman on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m., performing the music of Matchbox Twenty, U2, Coldplay, The Beatles, and more. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Admission is free.
‘Everything You Want to Know About Diabetes’ at the library on Nov. 11
Get the latest information on managing diabetes and take the opportunity to ask questions about treatments, strategies for glucose control, prevention of complications, and other issues related to diabetes. The speaker for this free bilingual event on Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. is Hilda Hernandez-Sepulveda, RN, BSN, CDE, Holy Name Medical Center. Call (201) 833-3336 to register.
HCST fundraiser on Nov. 12 will honor Prieto
The Hudson County Schools of Technology Foundation will hold its Annual Gala fundraising event honoring Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto as a “Champion of Vocational Education” on Nov. 12 at Maritime Parc in Jersey City. Now in its fourth year, the Annual Gala is the HCST Foundation’s primary fundraising event and will support many of its activities throughout the year, including student scholarships, enrichment and apprenticeship programs with leading businesses, and much more. The event will be hosted by CBS 2 New York Sports Anchor Otis Livingston and tickets are available on the Foundation’s website, hcstfoundation.org.
“In just six years since its inception the HCST Foundation has grown into a major force for promoting quality public education here in Hudson County,” said HCST Foundation Board President Daniel Gans, chief executive officer of Hoboken Brownstone Company. “Thanks to the generous support of our donors we have been able to supply over $750,000 in scholarships and grants to Hudson County students and we need continued assistance to make sure we can keep giving back and helping our students shine.”
The foundation chose to honor Prieto for his steadfast support for vocational and career-focused education. A package of bills designed to promote and support vocational school districts like HCST was introduced by Prieto and signed into law last year, providing crucial assistance from state government to some of the most innovative and effective public schools in New Jersey.
“Quality public education is a right that every student in New Jersey must receive and vocational school districts like the Hudson County Schools of Technology are making incredible strides in preparing our children for the careers of tomorrow,” said Prieto. “I am honored to receive this recognition and pledge to continue advocating for career-focused education because I firmly believe that it is key to unlocking the potential in our economy and developing the next generation of business and community leaders.”
Individual tickets to the Annual Gala start at $200 with various sponsorship opportunities available. For more information about donating to the HCST Foundation visit hcstfoundation.orgor contact Executive Director Linda Quentzel at (201) 662-6794.
Yoga comes to the library on Thursdays
The North Bergen Free Public Library presents yoga classes on Thursdays at 9 p.m. The library is at 8411 Bergenline Ave. For information contact (201) 869-4715 or visit nbpl.org.
Fed grant awards $75K to prevent youth substance abuse in Kearny
The Hudson County Coalition for a Drug Free Community (HCCDFC) was one of 697 Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program grant recipients, and will receive $75,000 per year to mentor the Kearny Municipal Alliance for up to two years. A total of $86 million in federal grants will provide local community coalitions with funding to prevent youth substance use, including prescription drugs, marijuana, tobacco, and alcohol.
The DFC Mentoring Program provides grant funds to facilitate the growth and development of burgeoning community coalitions to prevent substance abuse among youth. By imparting local anti-drug organizations with a solid foundation needed to tackle long-term, systemic challenges faced by their communities, the HCCDFC will not only help the Kearny Municipal Alliance create local change, but also prepare them to attain DFC Support Grant eligibility. DFC Support Grants provide recipients with $125,000 for five years with the possibility of renewal for an additional five years. If successful, Kearny could receive up to $1.25 million in DFC grant funds to involve and engage the municipality in reducing alcohol- and drug-use rates among youth.
The HCCDFC has previously assisted the Rutherford Coalition and Union City Municipal Alliance in successfully attaining DFC funding for their respective communities. The Hudson County Coalition also assists the Secaucus Municipal Coalition, which attained its DFC in 2015.
“We know that evidence-based prevention efforts are the most effective way to reduce youth substance use and to support the roughly 90 percent of American youth who do not use drugs,” said Michael Botticelli, director of national drug control policy. “By bringing together schools, businesses, law enforcement, parent groups, and other members of the community, DFC-funded community coalitions are helping to protect youth from the devastating consequences of non-medical prescription drug use, heroin, and other substance use.”
For more information about the administration efforts to reduce drug use and its consequences, or to learn more about the Drug-Free Communities Support Program, visit whitehouse.gov/ondcp/Drug-Free-Communities-Support-Program, or for more local information, visit hudsoncountycoalition.org.
Join the Halloween Parade on Oct. 29
The North Bergen Recreation Halloween Parade steps off on Thursday, Oct. 29, sponsored by Mayor Nicholas Sacco and Commissioner Hugo Cabrera. The parade will start promptly at 6 p.m. and last until 8 p.m. Boys and girls, ages infant through 9 years old, should meet at the Recreation Center, 6300 Meadowview Ave. Put on your costume and join the fun. This event is for North Bergen residents only.
Tax collector’s office hours extended on Nov. 10
The hours for the North Bergen tax collector’s office will be extended from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10.