North Bergen to hold Mini-Winterfest celebrations on Dec. 7
In addition to the township’s popular annual Winterfest on Dec. 3, North Bergen will for the first time hold an additional mini-fest at two locations downtown on Monday, Dec. 7 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The Mini-Winterfest will feature free photos with Santa Claus for all children, free rides, games, face painting, goody-bags and much more.
The event will take place in the Food Basics Parking Lot, 1425 Kennedy Blvd., and at the Nutrition Center, 1441 45th St. Mayor Nicholas Sacco invites all residents to attend the free event.
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.
Join the blood drive on Dec. 6
Walgreens Pharmacy and Palisades Medical Center are sponsoring a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 6 in the Walgreen’s parking lot, 7401 River Road. Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome. Sign up at redcrossblood.org, sponsor code: walgreens north bergen, or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. For questions or information, contact Mohamed.Fouad@walgreens.com or nmederos@palisadesmedical.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.
County Sheriff hires 12 new officers and five new investigators
With dozens of proud family members in attendance along with Hudson County Sheriff Frank Schillari and local elected leaders, the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office officially swore in 12 new sheriff’s officers and five new sheriff’s investigators at a ceremony on Dec. 12. Ten of the new hires are of Hispanic heritage and one is of Arabic descent, a testament to the department’s commitment to properly reflecting the diversity of Hudson County. The ceremony was held at the Hudson County Administration Building in Jersey City.
“This is a very significant day for the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office and it shows our continued commitment to hire qualified diverse individuals,” said Schillari. “These new hires have demonstrated the commitment, honor and sense of duty to protect the residents of Hudson County.”
The new hires have all completed training and graduated from the Morris County Police Academy, and will join the force shortly. Two of the new officers are military veterans that have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Two others have experience in public safety under the Departments of State Corrections and Hudson County Corrections.
The new sheriff’s investigators are Christopher Crossley, Makhil Kowlessar, Eric Negron, Mark Santos (Police Academy Academic Award winner), and Nicholas Tanelli.
The new sheriff’s officers are Michael Gregory, Angel Santiago, Jorge Orejuela, Renato Maure, Jimmy Gonzalez, Gregory Nicholson, Eduardo Mena-Ramos, Yanira Velazquez, Jonathan Gil, Biron Mendoza, Alan Elawady, and George Somarriba.
Elected officials at the ceremony included Hudson County Executive Thomas DeGise and Hudson County Freeholder Anthony Romano, along with Undersheriffs Andrew Conti, Bruce Lamparello, and Francine Shelton, Chief Oliver King, and Chief of Staff Robert Baselice.
Senior citizen movie matinee is Dec. 10
Seniors are invited to come see ‘The Gift’ at the North Bergen Free Public Library, 8411 Bergenline Ave. on Thursday, Dec. 10 at 1 p.m. The movie is free, as are the refreshments.
Join the holiday celebration at the library on Dec. 11
The North Bergen Free Public Library invites residents to join in a holiday celebration on Friday, Dec. 11 at 5 p.m. There will be goodie bags, holiday crafts, a meet and greet with Santa, and more. The library is at 8411 Bergenline Ave. For more information call (201) 869-4715 or visit nbpl.org.
Pictures with Santa to benefit local foster children
Hudson County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) will hold two “Pictures with Santa” fundraisers to raise money for CASA and foster children living in Hudson County. The events will be held on Sunday, Dec. 6 at Lulu’s at the W Hotel, 225 River St. in Hoboken, and on Saturday, Dec. 12 at Battello, 502 Washington Blvd. in Jersey City, both beginning at 9:30 a.m. and ending at 5:30 p.m. Food and drink will be available throughout the day at both locations.
Last year, more than 1,100 children came through the foster care system in Hudson County. CASA provides advocacy for over 200 children each year.
See ‘Toyland – A Christmas Story’ at the North Bergen Mini Theater
Come enjoy a delightful 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.
See ‘Toy Story’ for free on Dec. 19
The Movie of the Month for December is “Toy Story” at the North Bergen Free Public Library, 8411 Bergenline Ave. Come see the film for free on Saturday, Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. Free refreshments will be provided. All ages are welcome. For more information call (201) 869-4715 or visit nbpl.org.