Santa Claus Parade is Dec. 22 in Guttenberg
The Guttenberg Police Department and officials from the Town of Guttenberg will be escorting Santa Claus throughout the town on Tuesday, Dec. 22 beginning at 5:30 p.m. Mayor Gerald Drasheff and the Town Council invite all residents to enjoy the colorful parade of lights. When you hear the sirens, be sure to tell your children that Santa is coming down your block.
Mayor’s father passes away
Pasqual “Pat” Sacco, the father of North Bergen Mayor and state Sen. Nicholas Sacco, passed away last week at the age of 95.
“My father lived a wonderful life and it was a joy to see him live to meet his great-grandson Nathan and to enjoy so many years with his loving family,” wrote Sacco on his Facebook page. “Your thoughts, prayers and best wishes are appreciated during this difficult time. Thank you for your support.”
A viewing and funeral services were held at Vainieri Funeral Home, followed by a mass at St. Mary’s Church in West New York. The entombment was at Fairview Mausoleum in Fairview, N.J.
Hospital Alliance of New Jersey presents ‘CARES Award’ to legislative leaders
CEOs from 17 of New Jersey’s top safety net hospitals presented Senate President Stephen Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto with the first-ever CARES Awards for their dedication to protecting healthcare access in New Jersey’s low-income communities. The Hospital Alliance CARES Award (Commitment to Access and Recognition of the Essential role of Safety net hospitals) celebrates leaders in New Jersey who have influenced policy statewide, have engaged with the Hospital Alliance Board to recognize the challenges facing safety net providers, and have worked closely with urban hospital leaders to underscore the importance of safety nets in their communities.
Hospital Alliance President and CEO Suzanne Ianni pointed out that while the Affordable Care Act extended coverage to hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans, almost a million remain uninsured and need a viable safety net health system to care for them. ”Even for those who gained coverage, safety net hospitals remain their primary access point for care – and that access must be preserved,” said Ianni. “We are grateful to our legislative leaders for standing with us.”
“New Jersey’s safety net hospitals face many challenges, and yet they continue to provide significant community benefits,” said Prieto. “These hospitals provide critical access to care for many of our underserved communities, act as significant engines of economic opportunity in our cities, and play a vital role in training the healthcare workforce of tomorrow.”
“New Jersey’s safety net hospitals are vital members of our communities,” said Sweeney. “Not only do they provide health services to some of our most vulnerable citizens – regardless of their ability to pay – they also serve as key drivers of economic opportunity, employing over 30,000 people and bringing thousands of resident physicians to urban hospitals. They serve their communities in many ways.
“We have to continue to work to make sure that quality healthcare is affordable and available to everyone in New Jersey and we have to make special efforts to address the needs of urban communities that continue to struggle with homelessness, addiction, and unmet behavioral health issues,” he added. “New Jersey’s safety net hospitals are key players because they are mission-driven organizations that care for the uninsured, the poor, the elderly, the homeless, and the addicted. They are there to meet those needs. Because of the important impact they have on our communities, and their unique challenges, I stand with safety nets, I support their work and I am committed to helping them ensure we have a sustainable health system for all New Jersey residents,” added Sweeney.
“Without a well-supported and sustainable safety net health system, the health and wellness of our urban centers will suffer,” said Prieto. “These hospitals provide a lifeline for our state, improve the health and wellness of our communities, and employ our citizens, and for that reason, we must protect them.”
New business: Barquin Funeral Home opens
A new business has come to Guttenberg. Barquin Funeral Home, located at 7101 Broadway, opened its doors this month.
With members of the Barquin family and the City Council of Guttenberg standing by, Mayor Gerald Drasheff of Guttenberg cut the ribbon Dec. 5 at the grand opening. He had Mario A. Barquin to his right and his father Mario E. Barquin to his left, plus council members Alfonso Caso, Donna Florio, Monica Fundora, and John D. Haberman.
The owners describe it as “an elegant and traditional facility with a modern look.” Call 201-869-3000 for more information.
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.
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.
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.
Kids ride the ferry free through Jan. 3
NY Waterway is making it easy and fun and a little more affordable to visit New York for the holidays by letting “Kids Ride Free” from now until Jan. 3. Children under 12 can ride free at the Port Imperial, Lincoln Harbor, Hoboken/14th St., Edgewater, and Belford terminals. There is a two child limit with each paying adult fare. No physical tickets are required for a child. Families can also purchase tickets to select shows in New York and ride the ferry for free. Visit nywaterway.com and enter code NYW while purchasing tickets to Elf or the Radio City Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes. Buyers must enter NYW upon checkout to receive ferry pass vouchers.