Rower sidelined in Bayonne attempting U.S. to Scotland journey
Niall Iain Macdonald, 39, of Scotland wound up at the Bayonne Medical Center early Saturday, June 14, after his attempt to cross the Atlantic to Scotland failed when he sustained a head injury and was rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard, according to a published report.
Macdonald had left for Europe aboard his 24-foot vessel and was trying to row to Scotland solo when he was rescued about 50 miles south of Shinnecock, N.Y., The Local Daily reported. The Coast Guard did not elaborate about how Macdonald’s injuries were sustained.
Milwaukee Children’s Choir to perform at Bayonne churches
The Milwaukee Children’s Choir will come to Bayonne for a day full of song on Saturday, June 21, as a part of its 20th Anniversary Eastern Tour. It will also perform at Carnegie Hall.
The choir, under the direction of Marco Melendez, will sing for the 10 a.m. mass at St. Henry’s Parish and then join Grace Lutheran Church for worship at 11 a.m.
Later in the day, the group will present a community concert at St. Vincent de Paul Church, at 4:30 p.m. A light reception will follow in the church hall.
Members of the community are welcome to attend the masses and concert.
“We are very fortunate and blessed to have a choir of this caliber in Bayonne,” said Rev. Gary Grindeland, pastor of Grace Lutheran. “An event like this does many things—it once again illustrates how many gifts our young people bring to any community, and it lifts up the arts, particularly music, something that is terribly overlooked but possessing amazing power to affect people’s lives.”
Grace Lutheran Church announces June events
The Grace Lutheran Vacation Bible School, “Amazing Adventures: Gangway to Galilee,” runs from Wednesday, June 25 through Friday, June 27, with a special Saturday morning gathering on June 28, beginning at 10 a.m.
The three-day program will be held from noon until 3 p.m., with special extended care until 5 p.m. for children remaining at church. Each day will include lunch and a snack, along with music, art, storytelling, and an activity, each centered on the lesson for the day—“Jesus teaches, Jesus protects, and Jesus saves.”
On June 28, the church will hold a 10 a.m. celebration on the church lawn that will showcase the ways in which God saves through other people.
“We have the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the EMTs already committed,” said Rev. Gary Grindeland. “It should be a great time.”
Bible school is open to children from preschool through 5th grade. The cost is $15 per child, or $25 per family. Any questions should be directed to Rev. Grindeland at (201) 339-3685.
DeMarco appointed to serve as Davis transition chairman in Bayonne
Mayor-elect Jimmy Davis announced the selection of Joe DeMarco as transition team chairman on Monday, June 16, less than a week after Davis’s upset victory over Mayor Mark Smith in their June 10 runoff.
“Joe has the requisite experience, leadership skills, and knowledge to lead this effort,” said Davis. “He has my full faith and confidence, and he will jump-start the transition process.”
“It’s an honor to be chosen to lead Mayor-elect Davis’s transition team,” said DeMarco, the West New York business administrator. “Our number one priority is to spend the next two weeks transitioning Bayonne’s government, so that a Davis administration can be prepared to govern on day one.”
DeMarco, a Jersey City native, received his jurist doctor from the Fordham University School of Law, a B.A. from Boston College, and graduated from Saint Peter’s Prep in Jersey City.
Hudson County Community College Center for Business & Industry hosting June 18 job fair
The Hudson County Community College (HCCC) Center for Business & Industry (CBI), in partnership with Jersey City Employment and Training Program, Hudson County/State of New Jersey One-Stop Career Center, and Jobs4Jersey.com, will host a job fair on Wednesday, June 18, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The event will be held at the HCCC Culinary Arts Conference Center, 161 Newkirk St. in Jersey City. All members of the community are welcome to attend.
CBI Executive Director Ana Chapman-McCausland expects about 30 employers to participate.
Among those scheduled to be present are Carlo’s Bakery, Micros Retail Systems, Inc., Planned Companies, Metro Public Adjustment Inc., Community Coach, Coach USA, Megabus.com, Singularity LLC, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Preferred Healthcare, Harvest Restaurant Group, and Loving Care Agency.
People seeking employment will be able to meet with employers, and also to apply for jobs online. Those who attend may also participate in information sessions on résumé writing, interviewing skills, targeted job searches, and enhancing workplace skills.
Interested jobseekers can register online at http://tinyurl.com/mr93nht.
Free prostate screenings offered at Garfield Avenue facility
The Men’s Health Month celebration will be observed at the Metropolitan Family Health Network on Friday, June 27, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the group’s 935 Garfield Ave. health center.
Free prostate cancer screenings will be offered by the Cancer Education and Early Detection program, an interactive workshop dedicated to getting and keeping men healthy. Nekia Lewis of Horizon NJ Health will be attending.
Light refreshments will be available.
For more information, call (201) 478-5836 or visit MetropolitanFHN.com.
Hudson County Sheriff: ‘Click it’ ticket campaign a success
Hudson County Sheriff Frank X. Schillari has announced that the spring 2014 “Click It or Ticket” seat belt safety campaign was successful.
“Wearing a seat belt in a motor vehicle, regardless of age or seating position, increases the chances of surviving a crash by almost 75 percent,” said Schillari. “Our officers were successful in stopping and enforcing seat belt laws throughout the county and I am proud of their hard work.”
Schillari said that during the campaign, held from May 19 to June 1, more than 190 seat belt violation tickets were issued, including 12 for having unrestrained children in the vehicle. Violations were also issued for cell phone usage, suspended licenses, uninsured driving, uninsured vehicles and speeding—for more than 260 summonses.
Hudson County Sheriff’s officers will continue to enforce seat belt safety in Hudson County even thought the campaign is over, Schillari said.
National HIV testing day on June 27 a day to find out your status
Many Americans are unaware of their positive HIV status, as much as one in five, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This means that those infected with HIV are not getting medical treatment and are potentially infecting others.
So each year on June 27, the New Jersey AIDS/HIV/STD Hotline joins with other prevention organizations across the country to observe National HIV Testing Day.
The current recommendation is that all people between the ages of 13 and 64 be routinely tested for HIV infection. Since testing is the only way to know if you have the HIV virus, testing should be part of an annual physical exam.
“You cannot rely on symptoms to know if you are HIV positive,” said a hotline spokesperson. “Many people who are HIV positive do not have any symptoms for years. You can now have a rapid test done in select sites around the state and know your HIV status in less than an hour.”
If you are looking for a free, state-funded testing site for initial testing or follow-up, or have questions about HIV/AIDS, STDs, or hepatitis, contact the hotline by calling (800) 624-2377, texting/emailing it at 8006242377@njpies.org, or chatting via njhivstdline.org. The hotline is available 24 hours a day/seven days a week. Calls are free and confidential.
Conservation documentary to be screened at environmental center
“Race Against Time: Saving the Delaware Bayshore” will be presented on Monday, June 23, at 6 p.m. at the Meadowlands Environment Center, 2 DeKorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst.
Through a video screening and discussion, this program documents the work of a coalition of conservation groups and nonprofit foundations to restore the ecologically important beaches of the Delaware Bay following Superstorm Sandy. The beaches are a key habitat for horseshoe crabs and migrating shore birds that feast on the crabs’ eggs.
The video was co-produced by the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, Greener New Jersey Productions, and the Delaware Riverkeeper Network.
Registration is recommended. Call (201) 777-2431 or (201) 460-8300 to register.