TRENTON (Sept. 2, 2010) — Dr. G. Jeremiah Ryan, president of Bergen Community College, has been appointed chair of the Board of Directors of NJCCC Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development.

Ryan has served as president of Bergen since July 2007 and played a vital role in securing opportunities for businesses to provide employees with training in math, computer applications, writing and verbal communications, and English as a second language through the Basic Skills Workforce Training Program organized by NJCCC Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development, the New Jersey Business & Industry Association and the New Jersey Department of Labor.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete press release.

RUTHERFORD (Aug. 25, 2010, 3:20 p.m.) — The storied history of The Leader Newspaper, South Bergen’s premier weekly publication, has seen a full suite of improvements and enhancements throughout its more than 100 years of publishing. For several years, it has lived up to its motto of being “The Pulse of the Meadowlands” for the local area.

Now, the newspaper, which serves eight communities in southern Bergen County, is ready to take a bold step into the 21st century media marketplace — and it has a few new friends to help it along the way.

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete story.

Photo by Ann Marie McCarthy

WALLINGTON (Aug. 26, 2010) — Pizza Calabria at 448 Main Ave. in Wallington recently celebrated its grand opening. Attending the ceremonial ribbon-cutting were owners Giovanni Galtieri, born in Brancaleone, Italy, and his wife Wendy Galtieri, who is half Polish and half Russian. Mayor Walter Wargacki of Wallington attended the ceremony as well. Giovanni and Wendy were surrounded by family and friends to celebrate the occasion. On Aug. 10, Pizza Calabria officially opened its doors for business. Restaurant hours are: Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The menu is extensive, featuring pizza, wraps, sandwiches, pasta, burgers, soups and salads. Dinners of chicken, veal and fish are also featured. Specialty pizza is available, such as kielbasa, meat lovers, Hawaiian and whole wheat. Call 973-777-5550 or visit www.pizzacalabria.net for more information.

(Aug. 26, 2010) — Washington School, Lyndhurst, honors, third marking period — Emily Friedman, Ashley Garcia, Ilayda Gol, Joshua Gutierrez, Sarah Madonna, Claudia Madura, Domenico Manzo, Thomas Mustardo, Jenna Russo, Frida Sanchez, Victoria Zuccaro, Akin Akar, Kristy Arias, Maya Calvi, Lizeth Chicas, Burak Demirbulakli, Taylor Dursun, Andrew Mayewski, Gina Anne Minervini, Christina Porta, Alicia Russo, Evan Amin, Matthew DeMarco, Michelle DeRobertis, Melissa Flores, Gianna Jacobelli, Lorena Sampedro, Ryan Smith, Kala Vallecillo, John Leonard, Christiane Piezas, Natalia Sampedro, Jessica Shortino, Joseph Spagnuolo, Jae Woo Woo, Ashley Woods, Kenneth Acosta, Caroline Beatrice, James Durkin, Josselyne Escalante, Kamila Marek, Paul Minervini, Daniela Sirio, Jae Kyung Woo

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SECAUCUS (Aug. 19, 2010) — A new restaurant that celebrates New Jersey cuisine and a coffee bar that brews artisan-roasted beans has officially opened in The Plaza at Harmon Meadow, creating a social hub for the thousands of people who work and shop there.

The Urban Plum, a 190-seat restaurant and bar, and Press, a coffee shop that offers “world-class neighborhood coffee to go,” are located at the south end of the mall at 300 Plaza Drive. Both represent the first upscale food-and-beverage establishments to open in The Plaza at Harmon Meadow.

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NEW YORK (Aug. 12, 2010) — MSG Entertainment announced recently a nationwide kickoff to the holiday season as the world-famous Radio City Rockettes “Kick Across America” in celebration of the 2010 Radio City Christmas Spectacular. On Thursday, Aug. 12, the Rockettes will kick coast-to-coast in eight of the 26 cities in which the Christmas Spectacular will play this season. No matter where you are, either in-person or online, you can participate in spreading the magic of the Christmas Spectacular as our coast-to-coast kick-line will benefit deserving families.

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(Aug. 12, 2010) — Youth For Understanding, international high school exchange student — Grace Na of Rutherford

Columbus School, Lyndhurst, high honors, fourth marking period — Gabriella Abbate, Alyssa Capasso, Arianna Magalias, Ava Rose Ruggier, Galina Bello, Surina Chock, Lindsay Cirne, Isik Surdum

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Photo, Animal Shelter

TETERBORO (Aug. 5, 2010) — Thumper (ID#78073) is a 5-year-old rabbit that has been neutered and is ready for his new home. The Bergen County Animal Shelter is located at 100 United Lane, Teterboro. Call 201-229-4600. Hours for adoption are 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. every day. Thursday the shelter is open 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Visit www.petfinder.com/shelters/NJ29.html.

(Aug. 5, 2010) — New Jersey Institute of Technology Dean’s List, spring 2010 — Brian Darling of Lyndhurst, Jihoon Kim of Rutherford, Steven Santos of North Arlington, Eric Koppel of Rutherford, Peter Yousef of Rutherford, Steven Young of Rutherford, Ahmad Abu-Hakmeh of Lyndhurst, Andrew Aychouh of Carlstadt, Angelika Slabiak of East Rutherford, Bumjin Jang of Rutherford, Christina Sawires of Lyndhurst, Christopher Werrell of Lyndhurst, David Glowiak of Carlstadt, Elizabeth Decarlo of Lyndhurst, Esteban Rios of North Arlington, John Flanagan of North Arlington, Khaldoon Abu-Hakmeh of Lyndhurst, Lisha Malkani of Lyndhurst, Mateusz Hanas of East Rutherford, Nicholas Scoullos of East Rutherford, Peter Besada of Rutherford, Ruben Santos of North Arlington, Stefany Velasquez of Lyndhurst, Thomas Calvo of Carlstadt, Vania Santos of North Arlington, Ashley Martins of North Arlington, Divya Mirchandani of Rutherford, Emily Winand of Carlstadt, Michael Woyce of East Rutherford, Dania Shahzad of Rutherford, Ewelina Marut of East Rutherford, Yevgeniy Mershon of Rutherford

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete press release.

Submitted photo

BELMAR (July 29, 2010) — South Bergen was well represented in the steaming heat of the July 4 running of the Belmar 5 Mile. In temperatures reaching the high 90s, 18 runners from The Leader’s coverage area finished the run. Pictured left to right are Lyndhurst resident Paul Cimicata, East Rutherford Mayor James Cassella, Rutherford High Schooler George Savino, who at 17 was the youngest of the South Bergen runners, and Carlee Malkowski from Lyndhurst. North Arlington was represented by Keith Nelson; Lyndhurst also sent Danielle Lewis and Amanda Smirich. Rutherford had the best representation with Tom Fedarick, Joyce Gibson, Kara Grady, Christine Laino, Joe Olivola, Michael Villano, Robert Villano and George Savino. East Rutherford was also represented by Jennifer Oddo along with Cassella; Carlstadt sent Daniel Giskovic and Gina Suarez; and Wallington‘s Mike Holleran rounded out the field of 18 local residents.

(July 29, 2010) — The AMVETS Department of New Jersey Service Foundation is the fund-raising arm of the AMVETS. The trustees have the responsibility of raising funds and then granting those funds to the many veterans and civic programs that exist. More than 70 percent of public support donations are used to support programs. If you would like more information, contact Philip Spanola, PSC, president, at 201-933-0400. Besides Spanola, Edward Baldinger Sr. serves as department coordinator and Fred Vineyard as vice president. Theodore Liva, PSC, serves as finance officer.

RUTHERFORD (July 29, 2010) — July 15 marked the launch of a new EZ RIDE shuttle program that services local hotels and Newark Liberty International Airport.

Merely an exit or two from the airport, the Meadowlands Liberty Convention and Visitors Bureau realized the need for a shuttle service for the region’s tourists and guests and worked with Meadowlink to make it happen.

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(July 29, 2010) — Villanova University Dean’s List, spring 2010 — Taylor Branick of East Rutherford

Coastal Carolina University Dean’s List, spring 2010 — Kristin Leigh Fabiano of Rutherford

Marist College Dean’s List, spring 2010 — Stephen R. Finelli of Rutherford

Providence College Dean’s List, spring 2010 — Patrick Bonner of Rutherford

Click the READ MORE link below for the complete press release.

Lyndhurst High School Distinguished Honors, second marking period — Alexandria Andreoli, Nishit Intwala, Eun Young Kim, Ashley Rosa, Darshi Shah, Justin Lim, Mian Seo, Nicole Baratta, Nicholas D’Allessandro, Nicolette Fata, Thiago Fernandes, Kesha Gandhi, Daniel Gaspar, Nicholas Jankowski, Courtney Knutsen, Christine Murtha, Angela Rose Sammarone, Antonette Soriano, Robert De Marco, Gianna Marie Di Pisa, Nathan Duquilla, Michelle Foti, Giselle Francis, Grace Anne Gigante, Cap Ki Kim, Denice Vidals

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(July 15, 2010) --

• Help a child get a fresh start on the path to education in new clothes and a new outlook for the future. A clothing drive (all sizes — shoes OK too) is being held to help children attend a new school in the Dominican Republic in August.

Now is the time to clean out your closets and give away clothes that you have outgrown or no longer want. Now that we have the children dressed for school, we need to equip them with the tools toward their education.

School supplies are in great need as well. Let’s help each child start their school year with a fresh notebook, pencils or bookbags. Donations may be left at 21 Morse Ave., Rutherford.

• Blood donors participating in the Carlstadt Community Blood Drive in cooperation with Community Blood Services will help to ensure that the transfusion needs of area patients are met.

The drive is being held Saturday, July 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., sponsored by Cornerstone Church on 535 Broad St. Call 201-251-3703. All blood types are needed, especially types 0- and 0+.

Photo, courtesy of Kearny Federal

Kearny, NJ (July 15, 2010) — The local PBA thanks Sharon Bunalski, Assistant Branch Manager at Kearny Federal Savings located at 614 Kearny Ave. for the Bank’s generous donation to the 2010 Law Enforcement Torch Run. The Torch Run event is used to raise money and awareness of the New Jersey Special Olympics summer games.

HACKENSACK (July 15, 2010) — Adding to a slate of summer courses at its Paramus and Lyndhurst locations and online, Bergen Community College will offer credit courses at its Ciarco Learning Center, 355 Main St., Hackensack, this August.

Students can complete three-credit courses in less than a month — classes run Aug. 2-25, Monday through Thursday; there are no Friday classes.

Bergen’s summer courses are open to both Bergen students and students attending other colleges, helping them accelerate their studies and graduation. With New Jersey’s statewide transfer agreement, Bergen credits transfer to all of the state’s public, four-year schools.

Photo, courtesy of Skanska

EAST RUTHERFORD (July 15, 2010) — Skanska USA, lead contractor for the New Meadowland Stadium, put away their suits and hard hats last Saturday to participate in the 25th Annual Cerebral Palsy New Jersey (CPNJ) Aubrey Lewis Football Classic held at the New Meadowlands Stadium for the first time. The event raised over $80,000.  All proceeds will help support CPNJ’s work improving the lives and bringing independence to people with all types of disabilities. Pictured are members of the Skanska Wrecking Crew who won the Skanska Division Trophy.  

RUTHERFORD (July 15, 2010) — The Meadowlands Regional Chamber has announced that on Oct. 22, “Super Gala XXXVII” will be the first major event of its kind to be held at the New Meadowlands Stadium, where the Chamber will honor Robert Unanue, president of Goya Foods, Michael Kempner, CEP of MWW Group, and Antoinette Nigito, president of Nigito Realty

Super Gala XXXVII marks the MRC’s 37th annual awards dinner, where business leaders are acknowledged for their vision and impact on the Meadowlands Regional economy as well as their community involvement.