BRIEFS

North Bergen man missing since March 6

Police are searching for missing person Marco Bruno Garcia, 34, from North Bergen. A missing poster is hanging in Mario’s Pizza on Eighth Street in Hoboken, where Garcia works.
North Bergen Police Sgt. Bronson Justino said Wednesday that before he disappeared, Garcia had been discussing with his family that he wanted to go back to Mexico, where he is from. However, Justino said that no one from his family in Mexico has heard from him.
“Now they’re trying to figure out where he is, because he left his cell phone, his passport and another type of ID,” said Justino. “It didn’t look like he packed up and left.”
Garcia was last seen on March 6.
Anyone with information about Garcia’s whereabouts is asked to contact the North Bergen Police Department at (201) 392-2100.

Hudson County CASA hosting wine tasting on March 22

Hudson County CASA (court appointed special advocates), an organization in which volunteers help provide advocacy and legal assistance to nearly 1,000 foster children throughout Hudson County, will host a wine tasting in the atrium of Jersey City’s Harborside Financial Center on March 22 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The fundraiser is being thrown with the help of The Wine Library of Springfield, which has hand-chosen a diverse group of 90 wines for tasting. Food and dessert will also be provided. In addition to the tasting, there will be a cork pull, a silent auction and free parking. All proceeds will go toward Hudson County CASA.
Tickets currently cost $75, and will be sold for $85 at the door. To purchase tickets, visit www.hudsoncountycasa.org or call (201) 795-9855.

North Hudson Rotary club holding community health fair March 23

The North Hudson Rotary Club has teamed with Palisades Medical Center to present a special Community Health Fair with free health screenings, tests and information available to the general public. The Community Health Fair will be held on Saturday, March 23 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Jose Marti Middle School in Union City.
Bi-lingual (English/Spanish) healthcare professionals will be in attendance to answer questions. Attendees will also receive free samples and giveaways. Free health screenings and information will include blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, sleep disorder information and other hospital services.
For more information, please call Nikki Mederos at (201) 854-5702.

Hudson Hospice announces spring training course

Hudson Hospice announced its spring training hospice course this week for volunteers interested in making a difference in the lives of the terminally ill and their families. The six-week course will train volunteers to work in companionship roles, provide emotional support, run errands and provide telephone reassurance to families and patients. The course, held at Hudson Hospice’s Jersey City office, located at 93 Clerk St., will be offered on Tuesday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon, or Tuesday nights from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Classes will start April 9 and conclude on May 28.
For more information, contact Sister Carol Van Billiard at (201) 433-6225.

Union City to hold job fair March 27

A city-sponsored job fair will be held on Wednesday, March 27 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Union City High School, located at 2500 Kennedy Blvd. Over 30 companies from a wide variety of industries will attend to both accept resumes and give career advice. Attendees are advised to dress to impress and to bring a professional resume. All are welcome.

Palisades Medical Center, in conjunction with the North Hudson Community Action Corporation, Christ Hospital School of Nursing, and Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey, will be holding a series of upcoming free health screenings for area residents.
Several outreach programs are planned for North Hudson throughout the spring, starting on April 6 at Grove Reformed Church, located at 1132 46th St. from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., April 7 at Our Lady of Fatima Church, 8016 Kennedy Blvd., from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and April 14 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 7615 Broadway from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The screenings will include information and screenings on blood pressure, heart rate, percentage of oxygen in the blood, body mass index, sugar and cholesterol levels.
The hospital will be in Union City on April 28 for a clinic at the First United Methodist Church, 407 23rd St., from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The hospital’s community outreach program was recently honored by the New Jersey Hospital Association for its unique and effective methods of reaching out to better serve the healthcare needs of area residents.
For more information, please call Joanne Riggs at (201) 854-5793.

Jersey City church to hold local support group

St. John’s Lutheran Church will be the host site for a new support group for individuals, friends and families who are looking to connect during life’s challenging times. If you’re facing a major illness or stressful life change, you don’t have to go it alone. A support group can help. This will be a non-professional self help group.
This group will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 155 North St., Jersey City, every Monday evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Coffee and tea will be available. Enter through back door of the church in the parking lot on Summit Avenue.
Support groups bring together people facing similar issues, whether that’s illness, relationship problems or major life changes. Members of support groups often share experiences and advice. It can be helpful just getting to talk with other people who are in the same boat. A support group can help you cope better and feel less isolated as you make connections with others facing similar challenges. Many are offered support by family and friends, but you may find it helpful to turn to others outside your immediate circle. We all need a caring shoulder sometimes, or a place where we can cry, laugh, hug, or pray.
For any other info, call Rose Davis (201) 214-5300 or email her at rosednj25@aim.com.
Please call if there is bad weather to make sure that night’s meeting has not been cancelled.

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