Haunted house at the Kennedy library on Oct. 29
The Kennedy Branch of the North Bergen Free Public Library will host its second annual Halloween Celebration on Wednesday, Oct. 29 from 4 to 6 p.m. There will be a haunted house, goodie bags and more. The Kennedy Branch is located at 2123 Kennedy Blvd. For more information contact the library at (201) 869-4715 or visit www.nbpl.org.
Halloween parade is on Oct. 29
The North Bergen Recreation Halloween Parade for boys and girls ages infant through 9-years-old, sponsored by Mayor Nicholas Sacco and Commissioner Hugo Cabrera, will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at the Recreation Center, 6300 Meadowview Ave., from 6 to 8 p.m.
There will be pumpkin picking, a petting zoo and goodies. Put on your costume and join the fun. This event is for North Bergen residents only.
Suspect arrested in knifepoint robberies
Police released a sketch last week of a man wanted for allegedly robbing two people at knifepoint. One day later, they had a suspect in custody who police say confessed to one of the crimes.
On Wednesday evening, Oct. 15, two North Bergen police officers stopped a local resident who resembled the sketch and was “acting in a suspicious manner,” according to reports. The man was taken to the police station and questioned. There he allegedly confessed to robbing a 30-year-old man near Park Avenue and 75th Street in September, according to police.
In both robberies, the victims were approached from behind by a man with a knife. In one incident the assailant took a pair of headphones and a gold necklace. In the other, he made off with a cell phone and a wallet containing $90.
The sketch artist was provided by the State Police. The suspect was taken to Hudson County jail on $75,000 bail, charged with robbery, possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes and unlawful possession of a weapon.
Flu clinics available
North Hudson Community Action Corporation has announced the 2014 North Bergen Flu Clinics, which will be held in the area. For the full schedule, visit the town website at www.northbergen.org.
North Bergen Recreation Basketball Registration in October
Mayor Nicholas Sacco and Commissioner Hugo Cabrera invite boys and girls ages 5 through 16 to register for North Bergen Basketball.
Registration will be held at North Bergen Recreation, 6300 Meadowview Ave., Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will also be registration on Thursday evening Oct. 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. No sign-ups on Nov. 4 and 11. A $35 non-refundable registration fee is required, along with birth certificate and proof of residency. Cash or money order only.
EPA grants $215,000 to study wetlands organisms
The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission (NJMC) has been awarded a $215,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to research the biodiversity and pollutant levels in benthic organisms and the sediments in which they live. The small macroinvetebrates include crustaceans, snails, worms, and clams that inhabit the bottom of wetlands and waterways within the Meadowlands region and provide food for fish and birds.
The study, “Benthic Biodiversity and Benthic Pollutant Loads in Emergent Marshes of the NJ Meadowlands,” will equip the NJMC with new knowledge about the ecological health of the Hackensack River system, its surrounding marshlands and the associated food web.
Benthic organisms are ecologically important because they provide nutrients to the birds and fish that eat them. Benthic organisms eat microorganisms and certain types of organic matter that settle on the bottom of the Hackensack River and its associated marshes.
The study will for the first time measure contaminant levels in benthic organisms of the Meadowlands. Data collected will provide an assessment of the kinds and levels of contaminants that bird and fish species in the region may be ingesting that may negatively affect their physiology and behavior. Samples will be collected during the summer of 2015. The study should be completed by the end of 2016.
Enjoy a First-Sunday-of-the-Month Bird Walk
By popular demand, the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission (NJMC) and Bergen County Audobon Society (BCAS) are hosting a Harrier Meadow walk on a weekend. The 70-acre natural area in North Arlington is normally closed to the public, and amazing birds can be seen there – beginning with a bald eagle or two and other raptors. Harrier Meadow is on Disposal Road near Schuyler Avenue. The walk will take place on Sunday, Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. to noon. Check meadowblog.net for last-minute updates. Participants will have to sign a standard liability release that is good for events throughout the year. To RSVP call (201) 230-4983.
Learn about the Art of the Heavens
Astronomy has served as a subject matter for many artists throughout history. At the all-ages presentation Art of the Heavens, learn how early humans created art from inspiration from the cosmos. Follow some of the most important artists throughout history and see how their work reflected an interest in the heavens. The event takes place at the Meadowlands Environment Center (MEC), 1 DeKorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst on Thursday, Nov. 6 from 2 to 3 p.m. Cost is $5 per person; $4 for MEC members. Registration is recommended and appreciated. To register, visit http://mec.rst2.edu/environment or call (201) 460-8300
Program promotes diabetes awareness at Jersey City Loews Theater
The Diabetes Foundation, Inc. will host an educational display at the Jersey City Loews Theater, 54 Journal Square Plaza in Jersey City, on Friday, Nov. 14 from 5 to 8 p.m. The display will include information on diabetes wellness and prevention, proper nutrition, affordable medications and giveaways.
November is Diabetes Awareness Month. “This is a month where people can learn about prevention and how nutrition and physical activity play a key role in preventing diabetes, or living healthier with diabetes,” said Roberta Schmidt, executive director of the Diabetes Foundation, Inc. “Also, during this month, people will learn about risk factors for diabetes and can have their blood sugar tested, which is a key indicator.”
The Diabetes Foundation, Inc., whose mission is to improve the care and quality of life for children and adults with diabetes in New Jersey, will offer a “program a day” throughout the state in November. The Diabetes Foundation events will focus on educating the public about diabetes by providing presentations, workshops, and health screenings. In addition to conducting events throughout the state, presentations will be targeted to specific populations, in different languages.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are 29.9 million people with diabetes in the U.S., or 9.3 percent of the population, a number which continues to grow. In New Jersey alone, there are nearly one million people who have diabetes. Diabetes is the third largest cause of death among Americans, and the leading cause of blindness and non-traumatic amputations. For more information, call the Diabetes Foundation at (201) 444-0337 or (800) 633-3160 (www.diabetesfoundationinc.org).
JC Medical Center to host diabetes fair with healthy holiday eating tips
How do you plan on managing your diabetes during the upcoming holiday season? To help, Jersey City Medical Center – Barnabas Health will offer a free diabetes fair entitled “Healthy Holiday Eating with Diabetes” on Thursday, Nov. 20 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the hospital’s cafeteria, 355 Grand St. in Jersey City.
“Eating healthy during the holidays can pose a challenge to anyone, but particularly to people with diabetes and their families,” said Nancy Rodrigues, a Certified Diabetes Educator at the hospital. “That’s why we’re planning to provide healthy eating information at this event for the diverse people who comprise the communities we serve, whether their diet is one favored by Muslims or Latinos, or whether they eat kosher or vegetarian.”
Free cancer screenings schedule announced
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Hoboken Family Planning is offering free breast exams and mammograms for uninsured and underinsured women*. Free screenings are available with no appointment on Oct. 28 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Summit Center, 1206 Summit Ave., Union City, or call (201) 963-0300 for an appointment and additional information.
This program is made possible by grants from the NJ Dept. of Health & Senior Services, Office of Chronic Disease Prevention & Control/NJ CEED program.
*There are some financial and age limitations for the screenings.
Palisades Medical Center provides free community health screenings
Throughout the year, Palisades Medical Center’s staff takes an active role in local communities by partnering with North Hudson Community Action Corporation, Christ Hospital School of Nursing, and Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern NJ to provide free health screenings and education programs. The New Jersey Hospital Association (NJHA) recognized Palisades Medical Center’s Community Outreach Program with its Community Outreach Award for its unique and effective methods of reaching out to better serve the healthcare needs of area residents. Palisades Medical Center’s community outreach and education programs are generously funded in part by TD Charitable Foundation.
The following is a schedule of Palisades Medical Center’s free Health Screenings that will be held in local communities in the coming months. Free screenings and information will be available on blood pressure, heart rate, percentage of oxygen in the blood, peak flow/respiratory, Body Mass Index – BMI and mammography certificates. For more information, call Joanne Riggs at (201) 854-5793.
• Nov. 2 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at St. Joseph/St. Michael’s Church, 1314 Central Ave., Union City.
• Nov. 9 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at St. Anthony’s Church, 615 8th St., Union City.
• Nov. 23 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 9034 Barr Pl., North Bergen.