North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue swears in 30 veterans
On Thursday, Feb. 28 the North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue (NHRFR) held a swearing-in ceremony for 30 new firefighters who are all U.S. military veterans. The ceremony was held at Schuetzen Park, 3167 Kennedy Blvd., North Bergen.
The new hires include those who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and it is their military experience that singles these candidates out as desirable to the department, according to NHRFR Fire Chief Frank Montagne.
“Service is so important to these veterans – it’s a common value that we share with them right from the start,” he said. “As members of the uniformed services, they immediately understand the chain of command and the type of structure we operate under.”
In 1999, North Bergen, Union City, West New York, Weehawken and Guttenberg combined their fire departments into a regional fire protection unit. Before regionalization, each department had its own management structure, maintenance program, and administrative staff.
New Jersey Meadowlands Commission schedules event
The First-Sunday-of-the-Month Nature Walk takes place Sunday, March 6 at 10 a.m. The free two-hour program features a walk of Mill Creek Marsh in Secaucus that features raptors, waterfowl, and early spring migrants. Guests will meet at the marsh entrance at 10 a.m. (Directions are located on meadowblog.net on the left-hand column).
The walk is run by the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society. Visit meadowblog.net for directions, last minute updates, and weather advisories. Participants will have to sign a standard liability release for NJMC/BCAS events throughout the year. To RSVP, contact Don Torino of the BCAS at greatauk4@aol.com or call (201) 230-4983.
North Bergen Free Public Library presents events and reading incentive
A colon cancer informational event has been scheduled for Wednesday, March 6 at 7 p.m. at the North Bergen library. Gastroenterologists Peter Caride, MD and John Sotiriadis, MD will be available to discuss colon cancer. The event is made possible by the Hispanic Outreach Program and Holy Name Medical Center for Wellness Wednesdays.
The library is located at 8411 Bergenline Ave.
Also, palermo Pizzeria & Restaurant has joined with The North Bergen Free Public Library’s Reading Incentive Program. The restaurant is located at 7407 Broadway and will give away a free slice of cheese pizza to any child once 10 books are checked out. Vouchers can be obtained in the Children’s Department of the library. For more information call (201) 869-4715 or visit www.nbpl.org.
Health seminar on weight loss surgical options
Palisades Medical Center will have a health seminar, presented in English and Spanish, on weight loss surgical options on Thursday, March 7 at their facility located at 7600 River Road. The featured speaker will be Stefanie Vaimakis, MD, FACS, FASMBS. Check-in registration will be at 6:30 p.m. and the seminar will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Admission, food, refreshments, parking, transportation will be free. Transportation will be available from 60th Street and Bergenline Ave. starting at 5:30 p.m.
For further information contact Nikki Mederos at (201) 854-5702.
Free tax preparation services offered to seniors and disabled residents
The Nicholas Sacco Foundation will provide a Certified Public Accountant to give seniors and disabled residents of North Bergen free tax preparation services until April 15. You must be a North Bergen resident 55 years or older or in possession of proof of disability with a yearly income below $55,000 to qualify for this service. This service will be provided by appointment only.
For an appointment call (201) 364-9022. Appointments will be provided on Wednesdays between 12 to 5 p.m. at Lawlor Tower, 6121-6131 Grand Ave., and at the North Bergen Library on Tuesdays between 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Those interested must bring proof of identification, Social Security card, tax documents for 2012 and a copy of your 2011 tax return.
Guttenberg announces senior bus schedule
Seniors can take advantage of the town’s free bus service to visit various shopping locations from Monday through Friday. Guttenberg seniors can be picked up at 69th and Broadway; 68th and Boulevard East, 7005 Boulevard East, 7000 Boulevard East; 69th and Park Avenue; along with all of 68th or 70th Westbound to Bergenline Avenue.
For further information contact (201) 868-2315 ext. 152 or Tony, the bus driver, at (201) 424-9494.
Senior trips are sponsored by Mayor Gerald Drasheff and the Town Council.
Palisades Medical Center runs maternity classes
Palisades Medical Center offers maternity instruction to expectant mothers. The childbirth classes cost $125 per couple if delivering at PMC; $150 if delivering elsewhere. Classes include understanding the labor process, breathing and relaxation techniques to work with your body, the role of the support person, options for pain medications and medical interventions, Caesarean birth, understand your changing body after birth, newborn appearance and procedures after birth.
Newborn Baby Care Classes cost $25 per couple if delivering at PMC; $50 if delivering elsewhere. The basics of newborn care will be discussed, starting with the appearance and characteristics of a newborn. Other topics include: bonding, understanding cues, crying, colic, safety measures, health and development, sponge bathing, and bathing. You’ll practice swaddling, dressing and diapering.
Keys to Successful Breastfeeding classes are $35 per couple if delivering at PMC; $50 if delivering elsewhere.
Mommy and Baby Care Group requires no registration and meets every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. New mothers with babies ages 2 weeks to 16 weeks can get information and support in this group. The Mommy and Baby Care Group is led by a board-certified lactation consultant to offer breastfeeding support.
There will be Sibling Preparation for Birth Class and Pizza Party which costs $10. This is a fun and effective way to teach soon-to-be siblings ages 3 and up all about babies.
To register or for more information call Robin Petrick at (201) 295-4823.
Local blood bank seeking volunteers to work drives
New Jersey Blood Services, a division of New York Blood Center, which supplies blood products and services to 60 hospitals throughout the state, is in need of volunteers at blood drives. The blood service volunteer is an integral member of the collection team whose task it is to assist donors with registration, escorting and canteen duties, and to watch for post donation reactions. Volunteers should have the ability to relate to the public, be able to perform different jobs as needed and have the willingness to follow the rules.
For additional information contact, Manager of Community Relations, R. Jan Zepka at (732) 616-8741 or rzepka@nybloodcenter.org.
Anti-drug group seeking commercial ideas from middle schoolers
Calling all future movie writers and producers! The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey is calling on New Jersey middle school students to write, star in and produce a television commercial with a substance abuse prevention message for their peers by entering the 14th Annual Middle School Public Service Announcement Challenge (MSPSA).
Students in the 6th, 7th, or 8th grade are invited to create a 30-second television Public Service Announcement (PSA) script designed to get a substance abuse prevention message out to their peers.
“The students who submit the winning script not only write the 30-second PSA, but produce, edit, and star in the spot that is often filmed at their school,” said media director Angela Conover. Each school can enter multiple teams, but each team may only submit one PSA.
All submissions must be received by Friday, April 19, 2013.
For additional information contact (973) 467-2100, ext. 11, or visit: DrugFreeNJ.org.