Two-alarm Union City fire extinguished in 30 minutes Wednesday afternoon
A two-alarm fire on the top floor of 4114 Bergenline Ave. in Union City was called in at 12:43 p.m. on Wednesday after flames were spotted venting from the windows facing the street, North Hudson Regional Fire Chief Frank Montaigne reported.
The two-story brick building houses a jewelry store on the first floor and residences on the second, he said. The fire department responded, and found heavy smoke and fire coming from the floor window that faced Bergenline, and companies went to the roof to ventilate it, Montaigne said.
Because the entrance to the residences was in the back of the building, fire fighters had to run two hose lines through the front of the store and up into the residences to extinguish the fire.
All of the people were evacuated and no one was injured, Montaigne said, and the fire was under control in about 30 minutes. The families upstairs had to be relocated. The investigation as to what began the fire is ongoing.
UC commissioners’ meetings held in different locations
Union City Board of Commissioners’ meetings will be held in various locations throughout the city to encourage residents to participate in city government. All meetings will begin at 7 p.m.
On Aug. 21, the commissioners will meet at Robert Waters Elementary School, 2800 Summit Ave.; on Sept. 4, at the William V. Musto Cultural Center, 420 15th St.; on Sept. 18, at the Washington School, 3905 New York Ave.; and on Oct. 2, at St. Anthony School, 700 Central Ave.
HRPAC presents Bandagrande: The Big Band Theory
On Wednesday, Aug. 29, Hudson Riverfront Performing Arts Center will host Bandagrande: The Big Band Theory at Lincoln Harbor Park at 7 p.m. The rain date, if necessary, will be the following night.
Lead by bandleader, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and two-time Grammy nominee Hector Martignon, this 18-piece big band fuses a wide variety to genres including Latin Jazz, Jazz, and Classical.
Special guest for this concert will be Grammy Award winning vibraphonist Dave Samuels of Spyro Gyra.
The concert series is sponsored in part by the Hudson Reporter.
For more info, directions, and late breaking concert news and updates, please visit (201) 716-4540, or visit www.hrpac.org.
UC’s St. John’s hosts Summer Wellness Program
The Arts at St. John’s Summer Wellness Program will offer fitness, yoga, meditation and belly dancing classes Tuesday nights through Sept. 4. All classes will be held at 1516 Palisade Ave. in Union City, with its entrance located on 16th Street.
Get healthy and support St. John’s at the same time. Class fees go to help keep St. John’s doors open. Become an ASJ wellness member by buying a five-class pack where each class is only $15. Walk in visits are $20 per class.
For more information, email asjwellness@gmail.com or call (201) 301-8340.
Third Annual O’Connell’s Run to Cure Cystic Fibrosis to be held Sept. 15
The Third Annual O’Connell’s Run To Cure Cystic Fibrosis, a 5K run in Union City and Weehawken, will be held Sept. 15 to help raise money to fight this often fatal disease. Runners and walkers start the race from 2nd Street and Palisade Avenue in Union City at 9:30 a.m. Registration on the day of the event begins at 7:30 a.m. but pre-registration is encouraged.
O’Connell’s Run, started in 2010 by Union City residents Maria and Bob O’Connell to raise awareness about Cystic Fibrosis, is a fast course that provides a great day out for runners and walkers alike. All of the proceeds from O’Connell’s Run 2011 will benefit The Cystic Fibrosis Center at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital.
Registration for the 5K is $20 prior to the race and $25 on the day of the event. Race fees are tax deductible. Participants can register online. The race takes place just a short walk from Hoboken.
A Kids’ Fun Run has been added to the 2012 event. Younger runners ages 5 through 13 will complete a half-mile out and back route starting at 10:30 a.m. For more information, visit www.oconnellsrun.com.
Child advocate volunteers wanted
Are you interested in helping children in the foster care system? If so, Hudson County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is currently recruiting volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children. CASA works through trained community volunteers to ensure that needed services and assistance are made available to children while helping to move them toward safe and permanent homes.
CASA and its volunteers speak for children in court, serve as fact finders for the judges, and safeguard the interests of the children while they are in the foster care system.
Hudson County has nearly 700 children in foster care; most have been removed from their homes for abuse or neglect. For further information, call (201) 795-9855, email mgarcia@hudsoncountycasa.org or visit www.hudsoncountycasa.org.