Route 3 eastbound closed this weekend for emergency bridge repairs
All lanes on Route 3 eastbound will be closed from the Meadowlands/Route 120 in East Rutherford to Meadowlands Parkway in Secaucus from 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14 to 10 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15 to complete emergency bridge repairs. Emergency vehicles will have access to cross the bridge if necessary during the closure.
Construction will not affect Route 3 westbound traffic.
Crews will install steel plates to strengthen the lower structural member in three locations. A scheduled inspection of the bridge identified flaws in the lower structural member and further investigation found cracks in the steel.
Alternate routes can be found on the Secaucus town website at secaucusnj.org.
Secaucus to receive $250K+ in federal housing funds
U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr., a member of the House Ways and Means and Budget Committees, announced on Thursday, Feb. 12 that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded $4,815,587 in federal grants to multiple agencies in Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic Counties to help develop and modernize public housing.
The Secaucus Housing Authority is scheduled to receive $257,492. It is the only agency in Hudson County to receive this funding.
The federal grants, part of HUD’s Capital Fund Program, can also be used for financing activities, including payments of debt service and customary financing costs.
“This federal funding is a promising sign for Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic County communities in need of public housing improvements,” stated Pascrell. “This investment in public housing is the type of smart economic development we need to create jobs while improving our communities. It is also a critical life line for scores of families that are living in inadequate conditions. Keeping families in their homes is a key to our economic recovery and essential to preserving the core of our communities and neighborhoods.”
For Fiscal Year 2015, HUD will make available approximately $1.8 billion to approximately 3,100 grantees.
Three sent to hospital following serious accident; one dies
A tractor-trailer was traveling eastbound on Route 3 beneath the Paterson Plank Road overpass when apparently the cargo, part of a large steel crane, hit the overpass and fell into the road, crushing a white van in the left lane and wedging it against the wall on the center divide.
Two people were inside the van when the incident took place about 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 11.
Rescue workers took about fifteen minutes to get the passenger out of the van and about an hour and a half to remove the driver, whose leg was pinned by the crane. Both were transported to area hospitals in serious condition. The passenger died on Thursday.
The driver of the tractor trailer was also taken to the hospital. He was shaken up but did not have serious injuries.
The overpass was damaged by the accident, with a support beam pushed three feet as a result of the crash, according to Channel 2 News.
As of Thursday morning, Route 3 westbound was fully open. One eastbound lane was closed and the rest were open after temporary closure for emergency operations. Paterson Plank Road entering Secaucus (by Best Buy) had only one lane open, while Paterson Plank Road leaving Secaucus (by Home Depot) was fully open.
Naomi Miller to perform Feb. 15 at library
Singer Naomi Miller will perform at the Secaucus Public Library and Business Resource Center at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 15. Renowned both locally and internationally for her wide range of cabaret, traditional folk, and Broadway music, she will be sharing “Amerike Hurrah! – A Tribute to Jewish American Songwriters” with her audience. The show will include works from Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Leonard Bernstein, and Stephen Sondheim, among others, from the “American Popular Songbook.”
Miller’s music is influenced by her own life, including her experiences as an immigrant. She was born in a Displaced Person’s Camp in post-war Germany and started her life in the United States speaking only Yiddish. This did not stop her from pursuing her dreams to entertain, and she was discovered when she was in grade school. Since then, she has been on television and the radio, and performed in shows in a wide array of folk and cabaret venues around the world in a variety of languages including French, Italian, Hebrew, and American sign language.
Miller is one of the library’s most popular performers. “We are so happy to have Naomi back for her third show at our library,” said Library Director Jenifer May. “Those of us who saw her previous shows, ‘Accents on Broadway’ and ‘Love, Marriage, Children, and Liposuction,’ know that she is both an amazingly talented singer and a wickedly funny comedienne. This weekend’s performance promises to have that same blend of storytelling, emotional depth, humor and song.”
The hour-long concert will take place in the Panasonic Room on the second floor of the library. In order to better plan for seating and refreshments, registration is highly recommended. To register, visit the library’s online calendar at secaucuslibrary.org or call (201) 330-2083 x4011.
Deadline approaches to register for free civics classes at the library
The deadline to register for free civics classes offered at the Secaucus Public Library and Business Resource Center is fast approaching. The classes, intended to help individuals prepare for the U.S. citizenship test, will be held at the library from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on seven successive Saturdays, beginning Feb. 21 and ending Apr. 4. Pre-registration is required by Tuesday, Feb. 17. A $20 deposit is required upon registration and will be refunded to all students who complete the class.
Those interested in attending the citizenship classes should contact ESL and Literacy Coordinator Gladys Tous at (201) 330-2083 x4014 or email gladys.tous@secaucus.bccls.org
Hackensack Riverkeeper honors Secaucus volunteer
A Secaucus resident will be among the awardees at the Hackensack Riverkeeper’s 14th annual Volunteer Awards Celebration on Friday, Feb. 13 at the B.P.O. Elks Lodge 1477, located at 40 West Church Street in Bergenfield. The event begins with dinner at 6 p.m. followed by the awards presentation at 7 p.m.
Lynn Kramer of Secaucus will receive the 2015 Lisa G. Ryan Volunteer Award for her many years supporting the organization’s mission, in particular her work as a river cleanup volunteer and as a longstanding member of the Gala Committee.
Jill Peltzman of Hackensack will also receive a Special Recognition Award for the many hours she donated designing and populating the latest version of www.HackensackRiverkeeper.org, which will be premiered at the event.
Founded in 1997 by Captain Bill Sheehan, Hackensack Riverkeeper depends on its active volunteer corps to fulfill the organization’s active conservation mission. Each year over one thousand people donate their time and efforts at river cleanups, special events, and more.
Attend a ‘Hillbilly Wedding’ on March 6
The Secaucus Unico chapter requests the pleasure of your company at their third annual Murder Mystery Dinner Show, “Hillbilly Wedding.”
Wilma Moss discovered oil. Now a new man has discovered Wilma, and is very eager to marry her. Join Wilma’s redneck family and not-so-close friends as they come to celebrate a wedding full of hilarious fun… and one deadly surprise.
The “wedding” takes place on Friday, March 6 from 7 to 11 p.m. at La Reggia Restaurant, 40 Wood Ave. The price of $75 includes a night of entertainment featuring dinner, dancing, full buffet, beer, wine, soda, coffee, and dessert. For tickets call or text Melissa at (201) 469-6677 or Ann at (201) 679-8856.
Proceeds from the event will go toward Unico scholarships to be awarded this June. Unico has given more than $70,000 in scholarships to Secaucus residents over the years and continues to help residents in need.
Join the Secaucus Prevention Coalition to help build a safe, healthy, and drug-free community
If you are a Secaucus resident interested in a safe, healthy, and drug free community you are encouraged to join the “Secaucus Prevention Coalition” to help plan and coordinate efforts to combat substance abuse. Secaucus is one of hundreds of applicants across the nation to receive a “drug free communities grant.” This federal grant provides funding to increase efforts in reducing substance abuse issues on a local level. Volunteers are welcome to be a part of this new initiative to build a healthier Secaucus. The coalition meets on a monthly basis. For more information contact Jill Preis of the Secaucus Alliance at JPreis@sboe.us or (201) 553-6883, or Tania Gaumann, coalition coordinator, at tgauman@secaucus.net or (201) 330-2000. Local problems need local solutions. You can be a part of the solution.
Warming stations available
The mayor and Town Council along with the Board of Health are providing the following warming stations during to the current period of heightened risk due to severe weather conditions.
– The Secaucus Public Library, 1379 Paterson Plank Rd., Mon. – Fri. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sun. 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Contact Jenifer May at (201) 330-2083 for more information.
– The Senior Center, 101 Center Ave., Mon. – Fri. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Contact Judy Kennelly at (201) 330- 2034 for more information.
– The Secaucus Town Hall may be available during times when the Library and Senior Center are not.
Use caution during periods of severe weather. Report any complaints of no heat, or any unsafe and unhealthy conditions, to the Secaucus Health Department at (201) 330-2031.
Secaucus name-dropped in Grammy acceptance speech
Comedian Joan Rivers won a posthumous Grammy for best spoken word on Sunday, Feb. 8 for narrating the audio version of her memoir, “Diary of a Mad Diva.” Accepting the award on behalf of her mother was Melissa Rivers, who said, “My mother would be absolutely thrilled to be here. She loved getting anything. If she thought she could get something at a Waffle House in Secaucus, she would be there.”
Mardi Gras coming to the Senior Center
Southern belles and gentlemen, don’t miss the Mardi Gras Celebration. “Fat Tuesday” takes place at the Senior Center, 101 Centre Ave., on Feb. 17 at 5 p.m. Only $2 gets you a night of Southern food and fun. Call (201) 865-4422 to sign up today.
Senior citizen computer classes
Hudson County is offering free “Tech Savvy” computer classes for Secaucus seniors on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Feb. 24.
A bus will pick up residents from the Senior Center at approximately 2:30 p.m. and return to the Center at 6 p.m. Space is limited. Call (201) 865-4422 to make a reservation.
11th Annual Guma Foundation ‘Casino Night’ coming on Feb. 28
The Guma Foundation will host its 11th annual Casino Night on Saturday, Feb. 28 at LaReggia’s Restaurant in the Meadowlands Plaza Hotel, 40 Wood Ave. Proceeds will benefit The Tomorrows Children’s Fund and children with brain tumors. Tickets to the event, which starts at 7 p.m., are $100 per person and entitle the bearer to an evening of casino-style gaming with casino chips, live music performed by “The Fez,” open bar and buffet, and prizes too numerous to list, according to Pat Guma, president of The Guma Foundation. Attire is business casual with jacket optional.
Youngsters with brain tumors are the main recipients of donations from The Guma Foundation, which honors the lives of the late Ralph Guma Sr. and Ralph Guma Jr. Diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of nine, Ralph Guma Jr. survived to age 33, attended local schools and earned a college degree.
The fundraising organization’s mission began in 1991with the awarding of the RMG Scholarship that resulted in more than $30,000 over the years being given to deserving high school graduates to help defray the costs of their post-high school educations.
“The Guma Foundation eventually changed its mission and we redirected our energies,” said Pat Guma. “As a result, to date we have contributed over $100,000 to the Tomorrows Children’s Fund at Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC). With my sons and the support of family and friends, we have committed the Foundation’s efforts to providing at least $10,000 annually to the Tomorrows Children’s Fund. In addition, since 2000, The Guma Foundation has donated more than another $10,000 directly to the families of sick children to help support the youngsters’ needs and fulfill some of their dreams.”
The Guma Foundation is a registered not-for-profit organization. To purchase tickets and pay online, or for further information about the Foundation, visit its website at www.gumafoundationinc.org.
Cross-Chamber Mixer 2015 kick-off event hosted by the all-new Women in Business Council
You can join the Women in Business Council in welcoming the Hoboken and Hudson County Chambers of Commerce for an informative, interactive, networking cross-chamber mixer and meet current and future members of both groups. The event is Thursday, Feb. 26 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Kolo Klub (the upstairs section of Pilsener Haus Biergarten), 1422 Grand St., Hoboken.
The presidents of both chambers will share their objectives and direction for 2015. You’ll have a chance to win the door prize, get space to display promotional materials at the Member Showcase Table, and get an opportunity to contribute to the door prize. Members tickets are $25, future members tickets $35, which includes one drink plus food for the evening. If you join the council at the door, your event fee is waived. Members are automatically entered for the door prize drawing, and if you join that evening you will also be entered. Please email suzpascale@gmail.com or melorr77@aol.com for door prize donations.
For registration information, call (201) 222-1100 or visit hcc@hobokenchamber.com.
Third-Tuesday-of-the-Month Nature Walk on Feb. 17
A free two-hour guided nature walk will take place at Losen Slote Creek Park in Little Ferry on Tuesday, Feb. 17 from 10 a.m. to noon. Walk around the site looking for winter finches, raptors and other birds. The walk is sponsored by the N.J. Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society. To register, email greatauk4@gmail.com, call (201) 230-4983, or visit www.njmeadowlands.gov and click on “events.” Walk-ins are welcome. Participants will meets at Losen Slote Creek Park, Mehrof Road, Little Ferry.