Garbage and recycling schedules adjusted for holidays
There will be no garbage and recycling collection in North Bergen on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, Friday, Dec. 25 and Friday, Jan. 1. Friday garbage and recycling will be collected on Saturdays, Dec. 26 and Jan. 2.
Holiday toy giveaway at the Kennedy Branch library
The Henry Schein Foundation and the North Bergen Free Public Library are partnering to bring local residents a special holiday toy giveaway on Saturday, Dec. 19 at 11 a.m. The event will be held at the Kennedy Branch Library, 2123 Kennedy Blvd. and is open to ages newborn through 13. This is a free event. Parents must visit or contact the Kennedy Branch to register their children. For more information call (201) 869-4715 ext. 6.
Impaired driving crackdown comes to North Bergen as part of statewide campaign
With the holidays rapidly approaching, North Bergen’s law enforcement officers are prepared to implement sobriety checkpoints and extra roving patrols with a mission to look out for drivers who seem to be intoxicated while driving. Beginning Dec. 11 and running through Jan. 1 the NBPD will take part of the annual end-of-year statewide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign.
There will also be extra sheriff’s officers patrolling county roads and highways looking specifically for impaired drivers. The patrols are made possible by a grant from the NJDOT and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “This is a time to celebrate the holidays and enjoy your family and friends. We want to avoid the preventable tragedy of DWI related crashes,” said Hudson County Sheriff Frank Schillari.
“We are aiming to protect our residents and keep our roads safe,” said Chief of Police Robert Dowd. “By participating in this national campaign and implementing these necessary measures, we are dedicated to significantly reduce the number of drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs. Let’s all have a safe holiday season together.”
The national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign was designed to raise awareness about the dangers of driving while under the influence through a combination of high-visibility enforcement and public education. During this time of year, impaired driving traditionally increases by nearly 10 percent.
Last year, 27 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities in New Jersey were alcohol-related. Nationally, more than 10,000 people die each year in drunk driving crashes. The societal cost associated with these crashes is estimated to be $37 billion annually.
“We will exercise zero tolerance. If you get caught driving under the influence, you will be arrested,” said Dowd.
See ‘Toy Story’ at the Library on Dec. 19
Visit the main library on Saturday, Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. for a screening of “Toy Story,” the 1995 computer-animated comedy by Pixar and Walt Disney Pictures about a group of toys who pretend to be lifeless whenever humans are present. The toys are led by Woody (Tom Hanks), a good-hearted cowboy doll who belongs to a young boy named Andy and sees his position as Andy’s favorite toy jeopardized when his parents buy him a Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) action figure.
American Dream mall to feature three restaurants from Bellagio and Carpaccio owners
Representatives of the American Dream mall in East Rutherford announced on Dec. 3 the addition of three fine dining and signature restaurants in the property. Tom Billante, president of Carpaccio at the Bal Harbour Shops, along with partner Alex Kalas, will bring the restaurants to the mall and entertainment complex.
“We look forward to featuring multiple concepts from the Carpaccio family of restaurants in The Dining Terrace at American Dream,” said Don Ghermezian, president of Triple Five, the developers of American Dream. “The Dining Terrace will showcase 15 full-service restaurants in an exciting dining destination complete with a park like setting and patio seating.”
The Dining Terrace is planned as a collection of 15 full-service restaurants showcased in one location. To create a unique dining space, American Dream has engaged Manhattan-based iCrave, an award-winning industry leader in innovative design environments that engage visitors in trendy dining experiences.
“The international mix of incredible restaurants at American Dream will provide our guests with an exceptional place for exquisite dining. We are satisfying a real need in this market for a true dining destination by creating a place that will appeal to local residents, those visiting from Manhattan, as well as the millions of tourists visiting from across the nation and around the globe,” said Ghermezian.
The Triple Five Group of Companies own the two largest shopping and entertainment centers in North America: Mall of America and West Edmonton Mall. Their plan for the 3 million-square-foot American Dream includes over 450 retail, food and specialty shops, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord & Taylor, and The Collections, a 460,000-square-foot luxury and fashion area.
American Dream is also slated to house North America’s largest fully-enclosed indoor DreamWorks Water Park, Amusement Park and a 16-story Big Snow Indoor Ski & Snow Park. Also planned for the property are a 1,500 seat live performing arts theater, a 285-foot tall observation wheel, luxury movie theatres by Cinemex, a 70,000-square-foot Sea Life Aquarium & Lego Discovery Center, a NHL-size Ice Rink, and two 18-hole miniature golf attractions.
Emergency Relief Program currently conducting 2015 toy drive
With Christmas quickly approaching, the North Bergen Emergency Relief program is hosting a toy drive through Dec. 18 for families in need throughout North Bergen. All toys must be new and unwrapped. Food is also accepted. Items can be brought to any of these locations:
– NB Health Department – 1116-43rd St., 2nd fl.
– NB Town Hall (Chambers) or police department – 4233 Kennedy Blvd.
– NB Parking Authority or court – 4225 Bergen Tpk.
– NB Public Library – 8411 Bergenline Ave. or 2123 Kennedy Blvd.
– All North Bergen schools
The giveaway will be held on Dec. 22 at the North Bergen Recreation Center, 6300 Meadowview Ave.
Families in need of a meal or toys for the holiday should call Emergency Relief Coordinator Aimee Focaraccio at (201) 392-0229 or email afocaraccio@northbergen.org.
Compete for cash prizes in NB’s ‘Best Christmas Decorated Home’ contest
North Bergen residents are invited to compete in the 2015 “Best Christmas Decorated Home” contest. Grand prize winners will receive $500 cash and a plaque. Second and third place winners will receive $250 cash and a plaque.
Entrants must send at least three but no more than six photos of your home. One photo must be the full home; the others can be decoration detail photos. Email the photos to jctalking2000@yahoo.com or tweet to JCHudsonMedia.
Photos must be received by Dec. 19. Winners will be notified Dec. 24. For more information contact Pat O’Melia at (201) 963-6700.
Thanksgiving drunk/impaired driving crackdown nets arrests and citations
As part of a county wide crackdown on drunk and impaired driving during Thanksgiving weekend, Hudson County Sheriff Frank Schillari reported six arrests and dozens of citations.
“I would like to commend my officers for their outstanding work in making roads in Hudson County safer for everyone during Thanksgiving weekend,” said Schillari. “The Hudson County Sheriff’s Office has a commitment to safety with the residents of Hudson County. My officers and I will continue to work relentlessly to guarantee everyone enjoys a safe Holiday Season.”
The county wide enforcement was carried out by extra roving patrols, which were made possible thanks to the Federal Drunk Driving Enforcement Grant.
During the crackdown, 64 traffic summonses were issued and seven vehicles were impounded for being unregistered.
Liberty Realty donates holiday apple pies
This past Thanksgiving, with the help of Liberty Realty’s agents and staff, the Liberty Board of Realtors was able to donate over 125 apple pies to Major Vanessa and Major Ernest at the Salvation Army on Bergen Avenue in Jersey City. “A special thank you to Joe Covello, president of Liberty Realty, for supporting the cause and allowing the LBR pie committee team to turn 525 Washington St. into ‘Pie Central.’ As always, I am overwhelmed by the generosity of the Liberty family,” said Margaret Jager Watson, Liberty Board Member and 525 Washington St. office manager. The pies made a great addition to Salvation Army’s Thanksgiving dinner.
See ‘Toyland – A Christmas Story’ at the North Bergen Mini Theater
Come enjoy a musical play from the North Bergen Players on Dec. 11 through 13. About 20 kids and 15 adults will provide the entertainment at the North Bergen Mini Theater, 8411 Bergenline Ave. The first half is the holiday show “Toyland – A Christmas Story,” a play by Mario Rosenthal, with the kids as wooden soldiers. Following that will be a performance of Christmas tunes. Showtime Friday and Saturday is 7:30 p.m., and Sunday is 6:30 p.m. General admission is $15. Refreshments are included. For more information or for tickets contact Maurena Luzzi at (201) 854-7074 or (201) 401-9722.
Free Zumba class on Dec. 12
Looking for a fun and effective workout? An exciting dance class? Enjoy both at the same time as the North Bergen Free Public Library hosts a free Zumba class on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 1:30 p.m. All ages are welcome. The library is at 8411 Bergenline Ave. For more information call (201) 869-4715 or visit nbpl.org.
Santa Claus is coming to town on Dec. 13
Join the 16th Annual Santa Parade on Sunday, Dec. 13, presented by the firefighters and fire officers of North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue. The parade starts at noon on Bergenline Avenue from 85th Street to 32nd Street. This event is held in conjunction with the towns of North Bergen, Guttenberg, Union City, West New York, and Weehawken.