More than 50 abandoned dogs and cats rescued from house in North Bergen
Animal control officers spent the frigid afternoon of Wednesday, Jan. 13 removing 54 live dogs and cats and a dozen dead ones from a home on Hillcrest Place in North Bergen, and arranging for the live animals’ transportation to nearby no-kill shelters for adoption.
According to authorities, the resident of the home had received a series of summonses after neighbors complained about the barking and the smell. The resident had agreed to give up the animals and was due in court Wednesday morning to work out the details. When he failed to appear the authorities went to the home and rescued the dogs and cats, which had allegedly been left alone since Friday morning, when the owner was last seen by neighbors. The owner’s whereabouts are currently unknown and a warrant has been issued for his arrest, authorities say.
The interior of the house was empty of furniture, police said, and in terrible condition. An upstairs bedroom was home to 17 puppies. The stench filled the street, and animal control officers wore masks as they removed the dogs one at a time from the building. A total of 49 dogs and five cats were removed, along with 11 dead cats and one dead dog.
Participating in the afternoon’s rescue effort were North Bergen police, health inspectors, officials from the township’s animal control firm New Jersey Animal Control and Rescue (NJACR), and volunteers from rescue groups and local shelters including Bergen County Protect and Rescue Foundation, Ramapo Husky House, St. Hubert’s, and others.
Anyone interesting in adopting one of the rescued animals can call the North Bergen Health Department at (201) 392-2085.
PSE&G customers can apply for payment assistance with winter heating bills
With chilly weather here, Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) reminds customers that the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is accepting applications for the 2015/2016 heating season. LIHEAP is a program run by the State of New Jersey Department of Community Affairs that helps low-income residents with their heating and medically-necessary cooling bills.
“We want low income families to know that help is available,” said Greg Dunlap, vice president of Customer Operations for PSE&G. “Under LIHEAP, those who are income eligible may receive an average of $300 toward their heating bills.”
LIHEAP eligibility is based solely on the prior month’s household gross income and household size. To be eligible for LIHEAP benefits, the applicant’s household gross income must meet specific monthly income guidelines. For more information, to download a LIHEAP application, or to find out where to apply, visit pseg.com/help or call the New Jersey Home Energy Assistance hotline at (800) 510-3102. Applications are also available at PSE&G’s 16 walk-in Customer Service Centers. Applications and copies of all requested documents must be submitted by April 30.
The LIHEAP application is also an application for the Universal Service Fund (USF). USF is a program created by the State of New Jersey that can lower the amount low-income households pay for gas and electric bills with a monthly credit of $5 to $150. Applications for USF are accepted year-round. Seniors over age 65 or disabled adults collecting Social Security Disability may also be eligible for the New Jersey Lifeline Credit program. NJ Lifeline provides a $225 yearly credit on your PSE&G bill.
PSE&G households who are not eligible for low income programs and are behind in their PSE&G bill should visit pseg.com/help for other programs like the PAGE and TRUE Grant or NJ SHARES.
Solo exhibition by artist Sarah Nicholls at Guttenberg Arts Gallery
Sarah Nicholls is a visual artist who makes pictures with language, books with pictures, prints with type, and animations with words. She often uses found language and metal type, combining image, visual narrative, and time. “Reading Time,” a solo exhibition of her works, is a reading room installed in the gallery at Guttenberg Arts that invites visitors to engage with monologues, brochures, ephemera, manifestos, scientific matter, propaganda, and alternate histories in the form of printed language. Included are a range of publications and a selection of prints which collectively revolve around the authority of the printed word. Reading Time is on view through Feb. 6 at Guttenberg Arts, 6903 Jackson St.
Nicholls, currently an artist in residence at Guttenberg Arts, has written a collection of self-help aphorisms, publishes a series of informational pamphlets, and recently completed a field guide to extinct birds. Her limited edition artist books are in the collections of the Brooklyn Museum, Rutgers, Stanford, UCLA, and the University of Pennsylvania, among others. For 12 years, she ran the studio programs at the Center for Book Arts in NYC. Currently she teaches letterpress at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn.
Ribbon cutting ceremony for veterans’ memorial in Braddock Park is Jan. 21
The grand opening of the new veterans’ memorial in James J. Braddock North Hudson Park will take place at noon on Thursday, Jan. 21. A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place on the site of the former “dust bowl” at the north end of the park, across from the Burger King on Bergenline Avenue at 90th Street.
North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco, County Executive Thomas DeGise, Freeholder Anthony Vainieri, and other officials will be present. There will be a tour of the new facility, which is dedicated to U.S. veterans.
A lunch vendor will be present for anyone who wishes to utilize their lunch hour.
Learn Bollywood dance at the library on Thursdays
Learn, move, and have fun at the same time at the North Bergen Free Public Library’s new Bollywood dance class on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m., starting Jan. 28. Register at the reference desk. Proof of residency is required. The library is located at 8411 Bergenline Ave. For more information call (201) 869-4715 or visit nbpl.org.
Recreation Dept. offers downtown sign-up, extended registration hours
North Bergen now offers downtown residents a convenient new location for Recreation Department sign-ups, as well as extended registration hours at the Recreation Center. Starting on Jan. 11, recreation sign-ups are available at the North Bergen Public Library’s Kennedy Branch on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 4 to 8 p.m. In addition, the township is offering extended sign-up hours from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Friday at the Rec Center.
“With the busy schedules and hectic lives that so many local parents have, we felt it was important to make it as convenient as possible for them to sign their children up for the many wonderful sports programs and other activities available in the North Bergen Recreation Department,” said Parks and Recreation Commissioner Hugo Cabrera. “Sign-up forms for spring soccer and baseball teams are available now, and softball will soon follow next month. Our goal is always to get even more North Bergen children to participate in these programs, and we believe that this will be a major help.”
Opened in 2013, the Kennedy Branch library offers downtown residents access to the many educational and community programs available at the main library branch, as well as books, movies, and technology, without having to make the trip uptown. The Kennedy Branch is located at 2123 Kennedy Blvd. The Recreation Center is at 6300 Meadowview Ave.
New street cleaning and senior bus schedules in Guttenberg
The Guttenberg Department of Public Works has developed a new street cleaning schedule in order to better clean the streets. This schedule will be followed whenever possible. It is subject to change based upon emergencies.
The senior bus schedule has also been revised. The new schedules are available on the town website at guttenbergnj.org.
Dog owners warned
Guttenberg dog owners are warned to pick up after their dogs. The town will continue to issue summonses to owners who do not comply. Pet waste is both unsightly and poses health problems. Also, pets must be on a leash and have a license from the Health Department of the town.
For further information call (201) 868-2315 ext. 120.
Free rabies clinic on Jan. 20
North Bergen will hold a free rabies clinic from 7 to 8 p.m. on Jan. 20 at the EMS Building, 1812 43rd St. Residents can take this opportunity to purchase a 2016 animal license. Cash, check, or money orders are accepted.
All dogs brought to the clinic must be on a leash and accompanied by an adult who must be able to place the animal on the examining table.
Remember: Your pet is a family member. There is no cure for rabies, so vaccination is critical. Licensing also ensures a safe return should they ever be lost.
For more information call (201) 392-2084.
Free vaccines to underinsured Guttenberg residents
Mayor Gerald Drasheff and the Town Council of Guttenberg in conjunction with the North Hudson Community Action Corporation are providing a free vaccine program. Vaccines will be provided for Hep B, Hep A, Tdap, Pneumovax 23, Prevnar 13, Meningococcal, Varicella, MMR, Zostavax (shingles, age 60 and over), HPV(ages 19-26), and flu (seasonal).
Must be a current resident of Guttenberg, ages 19 to 99, with proof of residence and picture identification. Must be uninsured or underinsured (current insurance does not cover vaccines).
Protect yourself and your family by participating in this program. Your participation contributes to a happier and healthier Guttenberg community.
Vaccines will be provided from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 25 and Monday, Feb. 22 in the 2nd Fl. courtroom of the Municipal Building, 6808 Park Ave.
For further information call Marisol Montanez at (201) 868-2315, ext. 152.
Miracle on the Hudson survivor to sign new book on Jan. 19
Miracle on the Hudson flight survivor, inspirational speaker, and author Dave Sanderson will participate in a special book-signing event at Palisades Medical Center, 7600 River Rd. on Tuesday, Jan. 19 from 6 to 9 p.m. to celebrate the release of “Moments Matter,” written by Sanderson with Cindy Wrightson. Refreshments will be served and attendees can get a signed copy of the book for a $20 donation to the Palisades Medical Center Foundation.
The book signing event coincides with the seven-year anniversary of the Miracle on the Hudson, when birds struck US Airways Flight 1549 and the crew was forced to ditch and land the plane in the Hudson River.
The last passenger off the flight that day was Dave Sanderson. He was responsible for helping many of his fellow passengers to safety, risking his own life in frigid water to help others off the plane. Sanderson and many other passengers were treated at Palisades Medical Center following the emergency landing.
Despite the hazards to himself, Sanderson helped others and says he emerged from the wreckage with a mission: to encourage others to do the right thing. “Moments Matter” details his close encounter with death and how one defining moment can create a lifetime of purpose. The book’s inspirational message focuses on positive thinking, teamwork, and leadership. Readers will find the book to be helpful and inspirational in their own struggles for resilience and purpose. To RSVP or for more information call (201) 854-5008.
Applications for Vellekamp Environmental Scholarship now being accepted
Hackensack Riverkeeper, the citizen-steward of the Hackensack River Watershed, is accepting applications for the 2016 Ron Vellekamp Environmental Scholarship. Now in its 16th year, the program, named in honor of the late Ridgefield, N.J. science teacher and founding Riverkeeper trustee, helps support college-bound high school seniors who excel academically and who maintain a strong commitment to environmental protection.
Seniors at 66 high schools in Bergen, Hudson, and Rockland Counties are eligible to be nominated by a teacher or guidance counselor for the award. Applications must be postmarked no later than Earth Day, April 22, 2016. A panel of Hackensack Riverkeeper trustees and staffers led by Captains Bill Sheehan and Hugh Carola will review each application and consider the students’ academic achievements, environmental extracurricular activities, and future plans. The winner of the $1,000 unrestricted award will be announced on June 1. Full application criteria are available online at hackensackriverkeeper.org or by calling (201) 968-0808.
All applicants must live within the 210-square mile Hackensack River Watershed and/or attend a school within that region. A list of watershed municipalities is available on the Hackensack Riverkeeper website. For those residing in bi-watershed communities like Jersey City, Paramus, or Ramapo, nominators are cautioned to ensure a student’s eligibility before submitting an application.
Those without a high school senior in the family but who support their local best and brightest students can participate in the program by making a donation to the scholarship fund. Donations to the Ron Vellekamp Environmental Scholarship are tax-deductible and can be made by check or online. Fully 100 percent of all such donations will go to the fund.
For more information call Program Director/Scholarship Administrator Hugh Carola at (201) 968-0808 x102 or email Hugh@hackensackriverkeeper.org.
Zumba for health and fun at the library on Jan. 23
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, Jan. 23 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.
See ‘Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation’ for free on Jan. 30
The Movie of the Month for December is “Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation” at the North Bergen Free Public Library, 8411 Bergenline Ave. Come see the film for free on Saturday, Jan. 30 at 2 p.m. Free refreshments will be provided. All ages are welcome. For more information call (201) 869-4715 or visit nbpl.org.