Moroccan Independence Day celebrated Nov. 18
This year for the first time North Bergen commemorated Moroccan Independence Day by raising the Moroccan flag over Town Hall. The ceremony on Nov. 18, marking the 60th anniversary of Moroccan independence, included a speech from Moroccan Vice Consul Driss Kassimi, and the singing of the Moroccan national anthem.
Mayor Nicholas Sacco welcomed the sizeable crowd that turned out to celebrate the event and share Moroccan treats. Joining in the festivities were Commissioner Julio Marenco and Freeholder Anthony Vainieri.
‘Christmas Magic’ is coming to Bergenline Avenue
Mayor Nicholas Sacco and the North Bergen Players present Christmas Magic, a musical holiday extravaganza featuring a visit from Santa, at the North Bergen Mini Theater on 8411 Bergenline Ave. Enjoy exciting arrangements of your favorite holiday tunes, from traditional to rock ‘n roll.
General admission of $15 includes refreshments like holiday cookies, candies, egg nog, and punch. Performances take place at 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 9 and Saturday, Dec. 10, and at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11. For more information contact Maurena Luzzi at (201) 854-7074 or (201) 401-9722.
Thanksgiving Drive supplies more than 600 turkeys to residents
Residents lined up early to participate in this year’s Thanksgiving Drive Giveaway at the Recreation Center. This year the annual event provided more than 600 meals to needy residents.
Mayor Nicholas Sacco greeted the first residents to arrive and helped to hand out the meals. He also supplied $500 checks from the Nicholas J. Sacco Foundation to six houses of worship in the area that host food pantries.
The meal package includes a frozen turkey, packaged stuffing, gravy, and canned goods. The packages were assembled by NB C.A.R.E.S., which coordinates the annual event.
Also participating were Commissioner Hugo Cabrera and Freeholder Anthony Vainieri.
Free health screening Dec. 3
HackensackUMC Palisades will provide free health screenings and education programs on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free screenings include HgbA1c diabetes, breast cancer, skin cancer, blood pressure, heart rate, and percentage of oxygen in the blood. There will also be certificates for mammography, prostate, and HIV tests. The screenings take place at 7600 Rover Road.
Free dance lessons for seniors in Hudson County
The Kennedy Dancers Inc., a non-profit Jersey City Based Professional, American Dance Company, is offering a dance and exercise program specifically created for senior citizens aged 60 and above to improve muscle tone, posture, flexibility, joint mobility, range of movement, and to promote socialization and camaraderie. These programs are modified to accommodate Senior citizen abilities, to increase metabolism, help lose excess weight, lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and reduce doctor visits due to minor complaints.
Seniors who reside in the Hudson County area aged 60 and over may attend this program free of charge. Voluntary donations of $1 or more are suggested. All you need to bring is a valid driver’s license or State ID. The Kennedy Dancers Inc. is on 79 Central Avenue in Jersey City.
Each class is around 45 minutes. On Tuesdays at 2 p.m. is line dancing. On Wednesdays at 2 p.m. is yoga and pilates. Thursdays at 2 p.m. is Latin and ballroom dancing. Saturdays at 10:45 a.m. is Zumba.
For questions or concerns, please call the dance studio at 201-659-2190 or e-mail kennedydancers@aol.com.
HackensackUMC Palisades received Advanced Certification as a Primary Stroke Center
HackensackUMC Palisades announced that it has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers. The Gold Seal of Approval and the Heart-Check mark represent symbols of quality from their respective organizations.
HackensackUMC Palisades underwent an onsite review earlier this year. Joint Commission experts evaluated compliance with stroke-related standards and requirements, including program management, the delivery of clinical care, and performance improvement. Established in 2003, Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers is awarded for a two-year period to Joint Commission-accredited acute care hospitals.
Stroke is the number four cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the United States, according to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. On average, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds, someone dies of a stroke every four minutes, and 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year.