TODAY, Wednesday, December 20, 2017

NJ The New Jersey Devils will be making their annual holiday visit to all RWJBarnabas Health facilities. The visits are part of the annual tradition of the team visiting local medical centers, dating back to 1982 – the Devils’ first season in New Jersey. All Devils players will be in game jerseys, transported by staff, with giveaways in hand. As part of their “Season of Giving” holiday campaign this year, the players will visit with patients providing each with a special gift from the team.

TODAY, Wednesday, December 20, 2017 – The visits will be between late morning, ending early in the afternoon, running 45 – 60 minutes in duration. See the full schedule below.
RWJBarnabas Health Facility

Visit Time

Attendees

Address

Clara Maass Medical Center

1:30/2:00

Kinkaid, Hayes, Moore

1 Clara Maass Drive, Belleville, NJ 07109

Jersey City Medical Center

1:30/2:00

Hall, Prout, Noesen

355 Grand Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302

RWJUH New Brunswick & BMSCH

1:45/2:15

Wood, Santini / Coleman, Butcher, Gibbons,

1 Robert Wood Johnson Place, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

RWJUH Somerset

10:00AM

Bruce Driver

30 Rehill Avenue, Somerville, NJ 08876

RWJUH Hamilton

12:15PM

NJ Devil

1 Hamilton Health Place, Hamilton Township, NJ 08690

Children’s Specialized Hospital (NB)

1:45/2:15

Mueller, Nico, Bratt

200 Somerset Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

RWJUH Rahway

1:30/2:00

Zacha, Vatanen

865 Stone Street, Rahway, NJ 07065

Community Medical Center

10:00AM

NJ Devil

99 Highway 37 West, Toms River, NJ 08755

Monmouth Medical Center & The Unterberg Children’s Hospital

11:30AM

Ken Daneyko

300 Second Avenue, Long Branch, NJ 07740

Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus

10:00AM

Ken Daneyko

600 River Avenue, Lakewood, NJ 08701

Newark Beth Israel Medical Center & Children’s Hospital of NJ

1:30/2:00

Zajac, Lovejoy, Stafford

201 Lyons Avenue, Newark, NJ 07112

Saint Barnabas Medical Center

1:30/2:00

Greene, Johansson, Boyle

94 Old Short Hills Road, Livingston, NJ 07039

MEDIA RSVP: Press is invited to attend the event and should RSVP to Rebecca Smith at rsmith@randjsc.com or 908-801-1158 (cell) or 908-334-7917 (direct office line).

Background: RWJBarnabas Health (RWJBH) is the official healthcare provider of the New Jersey Devils and the Prudential Center, the home of the New Jersey Devils and sports and entertainment arena. RWJBH partners with the Devils on their grassroots programs as a way to support our mission of building healthier communities. These programs are a part of RWJBarnabas Health’s commitment to health, wellness and living an active and healthy lifestyle. The Barnabas Health Hockey House, Prudential Center’s practice facility, is the epicenter of youth and amateur hockey in New Jersey and serves125,000 community members each year. The Barnabas Health Hockey House staff and RWJBarnabas Health’s team of specialty physicians and nutrition and wellness experts provide programming designed to promote optimal performance and good health, while building confidence, sportsmanship and life skills. 

Candido Ortiz was granted clemency on a 49-year term by former President Obama; grand opening to be held on December 19On Tuesday, December 19, 2017 at 11 a.m., 

Candido Ortiz will host the Grand Opening of his new restaurant, El Sabor Del Café, which is located at 31 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Jersey City, N.J. 07305. Mr. Ortiz was incarcerated in January 1990 with a sentence of 49 years and six months. 

While in federal prison, he served as head cook, managing a culinary team of 20 and preparing meals for as many as 2,500 inmates each day. In December 2016, he was released pursuant to federal clemency by President Obama as part of an ongoing effort to release prisoners with disproportionately harsh sentences.

During his incarceration, Mr. Ortiz enrolled in cooking classes, earning several culinary certifications and soon becoming head cook. He believes his dedication to learning and cooking is what led him to be released 18 years early. He says his incarceration also led him to receive a call from God; he became an avid reader of the bible and participated in bible studies.

The same month that Ortiz was released from prison, he enrolled in the New Jersey Reentry Corporation’s (NJRC) program, where clients receive addiction treatment, structured sober housing, job training and employment, linkage to legal services and healthcare, and spiritual mentoring. 

After orientation, clients traditionally receive case management services for a six- to nine-month period.
Within a week of completing NJRC’s orientation, Ortiz was employed as a cook at the Light Rail Café in Jersey City. With years of experience cooking for large populations, he came to the Light Rail Café with a positive outlook. “It’s a small place, but I feel comfortable because I learned something different. In life, it’s never too late to learn something,” he said. Now, Candido Ortiz is accomplishing a longtime goal. “When I was in prison, I decided to one day start my own restaurant,” he said. “The [NJRC] program helped me. My mentor, Reverend Flores, helped me to get my own restaurant. I thank God, President Obama, and Governor McGreevey for what they do in my life.” Candido Ortiz invites the community to come to El Sabor Del Café, which features Spanish, American, and international cuisine and offers a la carte, catering, and delivery options. “Cooking is my life, and I put love into everything I prepare,” he said. # # # 

Please follow NJRC:Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, website

Martin’s Place | 398 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Jersey City

                                                     
Exceeding the Fulop Administration’s Goal of 950 Officers Citywide

With 76 New Recruits, the City’s Police Department Reaches its Largest Size in More than Two Decades, Increasing Police Presence, Walking Patrols & Community Relations

JERSEY CITY –
Mayor Steven M. Fulop and public safety officials
announce the largest police recruit class in more than thirty years entering the police academy this month as the Fulop Administration continues to expand public safety citywide. The Fulop
Administration has now surpassed its original goal of growing the Jersey City Police Department to 950 officers.  With this latest class of 76 recruits, the department will be reaching a total of more than 960 officers citywide.

“We inherited a police department that was at a historical low in officers, and from day one set out to expand the force,” said
Mayor Fulop.  “With the addition of this newest recruit class, we have now hired
more than 400 officers, exceeding our goal to grow and diversify the police department and enhance public safety throughout Jersey City.”

“We’ve not only worked to increase the number of officers citywide, but we’ve also focused on diversifying the department to reflect Jersey City – the most diverse city in
the country,” Mayor Fulop added.  “These 76 recruits are reflective of that, with minorities making up nearly three-quarters of the new class.  While we know there’s more work to be done, we’re proud of how far we’ve come as Jersey City continues to
serve as a model for police recruitment and diversity.”

The Fulop Administration set out to expand the Police Department after acquiring 769 officers in 2013 when Mayor Fulop took office.  Earlier this year, the department reached
its largest size in more than two decades and this new class of recruits further expands those numbers.

Establishing a greater police presence has also aided in the strengthening of community relations, as more officers mean greater interaction with the community. Various outreach
programs have also been designed to bolster communication between officers and residents, an effective crime prevention tool.

“Increasing public safety has been a top priority for this administration from the start,” said
Public Safety Director James Shea.  “The increase in officers has enabled more foot patrols in areas where they are most needed, a proven crime deterrent.”

All media inquiries should be directed to Kimberly Scalcione at kscalcione@jcnj.org or 201-376-0699.

Mayor Jimmy Davis announced that the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has provided the City of Bayonne with updated information about Bayonne Bridge construction and demolition.

Demolition of old bridge piers (columns) has been completed in residential areas. Demolition is taking place now between 1st Street and the Kill Van Kull. The piers that are being demolished supported the old version of the Bayonne Bridge.

Bridge construction (pier erection/roadway segments) is taking place now between 4th Street and Juliette Street. Work on building footings is proceeding between West 1st Street and West 2nd Street.

In a letter addressed to residents of the Juliette Street area, the Port Authority has announced that it will be closing Juliette Street as early as Friday, December 15, to erect the new bridge support structure and to install the southbound roadway segments. According to the Port Authority, this closure is expected to last approximately six-to-eight weeks. While Juliette Street is closed, vehicles can continue to enter from Kennedy Boulevard or Avenue A for local access only. No through traffic can travel there under the Bayonne Bridge. Also during the closure, vehicles cannot park there under the Bayonne Bridge.