Meadowlands Magazine: June 2021

JUNE 2021

HACKENSACK UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER Making lung cancer screenings more convenient with telehealth Pg. 20

Thought Leaders Opinion & Commentary from Gus Milano of Hartz Mountain Industry Pg. 6

Selling a business? Local M&A expert addresses top concerns and questions Pg. 8

In Our Backyard: The natural Meadowlands offers parks, educational programs, environmental research and more Pg. 26

Hackensack University Medical Center is one of only a few hospitals in New Jersey to use a novel technology called Ion to perform minimally invasive robotic-assisted biopsy of suspected lung cancer.

Download The Jewel Electric App

Advisory | Tax | Audit

Redefining what you should expect from your accountant.

Grassi advisors and accountants provide the insights you need to make confident business decisions.

grassicpas.com

contents

LEADERSHIP COUNCIL American Dream BCB Community Bank Bergen Community College Bergen Engineering/ Branca Properties Blue Foundry Bank Delta Dental Edison Properties ELEC 825 | Engineers Labor-Management Cooperative Ernst & Young, LLP Eastwick Colleges EZ Ride Forsgate Industrial Partners Genova Burns Goya Foods Hackensack University Medical Center Hartz Mountain Industries Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJNYC Hospital for Special Surgery IBEW 164 In Thyme Catered Events

J. Fletcher Creamer & Son, Inc. Kearny Bank Lakeland Bank Langan Engineering New Jersey-NYC McGowan Builders, Inc. Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment M&T Bank MWWPR NAI James E. Hanson, Inc. New York Jets NJ Sharing Network NJM Insurance Group NJSEA Onyx Equities, LLC Personal Touch Experience PSE&G Quest Diagnostics Russo Development Scarinci Hollenbeck TD Bank Suez Water New Jersey Inc. Verizon Wacoal America WSP

Publisher: Meadowlands Media, a division of the Meadowlands Chamber MCHQ - Business Hub 1099 Wall Street West, Suite 100 Lyndhurst, NJ 07071 (201) 939-0707 Director of Communications & Publications: Joe Garavente Email submissions: jgaravente@meadowlands.org Advertising Director: Martha Morley, Greer Enterprises, Inc. (201) 493-7996 Editorial Interns: Ohnyu Che, Brianne HaileyKilleen, Sebastian Pineda, Emma Rock, Nicole Rozenfeld Marketing Intern: Giselle Silva Design: Stephanie Kowalsky & Lauren Beyer, Eighty6 Printing: A&P Printing Meadowlands Magazine Distribution: MTM Resources Copyright 2021. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any artwork, editorial material or copy prepared by Meadowlands Chamber of Commerce and appearing in this publication is strictly prohibited without written consent of the publisher. Additional magazines and reprints of articles are available.

The views expressed in this magazine are those of the submitting authors and do not necessarily represent the views of, and may not be attributed to the Meadowlands Chamber or Meadowlands Media.

20

Telehealth Makes Lung Cancer Screenings More Convenient at Hackensack University Medical Center

18

The Fun Ghoul Costume Shop: Of Beginning and Endings

28

The Performing Arts School at bergenPAC Launches Racial Justice Institute

4 31 33 33 35

Meadowlands Business Report Transportation/ Event Planning & Catering Explore the Meadowlands Stay in the Meadowlands Destination Meadowlands

DEPARTMENTS

6 8 10 12 14 24 26 28

Thought Leaders: Opinion & Commentary Business Wise Lessons in Leadership Insurance & Risk Managment Business Profiles Innovation & Technology In Our Backyard: Ecotourism Community

FEATURES

18 The Fun Ghoul Costume Shop: Of Beginnings and Endings 20 On The Cover: Telehealth Makes Lung Cancer Screenings

More Convenient at Hackensack University Medical Center meadowlandsmedia.com

June 2021

3

BUSINESS REPORT “Now more than ever, we’re connecting Meadowlands businesses with the critical news and resources they need to stay ahead.”

Almost back to a ‘new normal’, so let’s do these 10 things together – and make our small part of the world better!

By now you know I am a glass mostly full guy. I have also become an avid fan of Simon Sinek. For those who may not have heard about Simon, look him up on YouTube or TED Talks. I like Simon’s message and his approach to leadership and purpose in our daily lives. His TED Talk on “How to find your Why” and his recent book on the Infinite Game has been very impactful with me because here at the MC, we exist on an infinite game.

6. Let’s help shape our young minds and the next generation of leaders in both business and public service by being active mentors within the MC to emerging leaders and young executives.

The Chamber’s mission wins when we can continue being a great business organization – forever! Simon always refers to how we can change the world around us even with small actions.

8. Let’s come together, through the MC, as a business community and embrace the great work of our nonprofit organizations that have an incredible impact on the quality of life for so many.

So, as we move towards “almost back to normal” and settle into a “new normal,” let us do some things together to not only help our businesses – but also make our little piece of the world better!

9. Let us never forget how much we owe to first responders, front line healthcare workers and essential businesses who jumped into action to beat back this pandemic, save as many lives as possible and provide us with the daily resources we needed to press on.

Here is my list: 1. Let’s wake up and start each day with the attitude that we will not let the pandemic nor its aftermath stop us from succeeding in our businesses or from caring for our families and friends.

2. Let’s take a moment to look around us and see if someone close in business, family or friends needs a lift in spirit or some real help.

3. Let’s find 15 minutes of time each day to actually call a client and extend our hand to those in need. Sometimes just asking makes all the difference as people just do not want to feel alone.

7. Let’s embrace the idea that we are ALL responsible for the air we want to breath, the water we want to drink and the food we want to eat. We must be better stewards of our planet. Every little thing we can do adds up, so recycle that plastic bottle!

10. Let’s make our small piece of the world a better place in every way we can – together at the MC! I feel better already just jotting this all down!

Now let’s get to work on this list. Thank you for continuing to support the Meadowlands Chamber!

Respectfully and bullishly,

4. Let’s not allow the ugly noise of partisan politics change who we are. When someone gets in your face with differing ideology, simply change the subject to something you know you have in common. Now I may ask what their favorite red wine is! We must bring back common decency and respect for one and other.

5. Let’s recognize how critically important it is for us to champion diversity, equality and accessibility for all people. Diversity has always been the strength of our country and our democracy.

Remember that a rising tide can and should lift all boats!

4

meadowlandsmedia.com

June 2021

Jim Kirkos President & CEO Meadowlands Chamber

2021 MEADOWLANDS

LEASED

SOLD

NAI Hanson Transactions 66-96 East Union Avenue East Rutherford 102,224 SF | $24,500,000 Buyer: Duke Realty Seller: Caravan Ingredients Inc. 111 W. Commercial Avenue Moonachie 70,000 SF | $6,500,000 Buyer: DL1 LLC Seller: CoreOne Industrial

550 Huyler Street South Hackensack 27,500 SF 450 Barell Avenue Carlstadt 25,210 SF 30 Wesley Street South Hackensack 15,000 SF renewal

Visit naihanson.com to view our current market reports

Teterboro • 201 488 5800 Parsippany • 973 463 1011 naihanson.com 300 offices worldwide

THOUGHT LEADERS: OPINION & COMMENTARY

Warehouse Retail Bill Would Stall Warehouse Development, Compromise Job Growth and Reduce Tax Revenue

By Gus Milano, President and Chief Operating Officer, Hartz Mountain Industries

A

s the volume of online retail sales continues to skyrocket, so too does the demand for warehouse/ distribution space. This is no secret. Still, as consumers come to increasingly rely on the ease and convenience of online retail shopping, many New Jersey residents complain about the proliferation of related truck traffic. As a result, there is presently a NIMBY movement in opposition to warehouse/distribution development in some communities.

It is against this backdrop that the New Jersey Legislature recently introduced a bill that would effectively stall warehouse development in the state. This legislation is misguided and will stifle a strong real estate asset class and industry that provides good jobs as well as important tax 6

meadowlandsmedia.com

revenues. The timing of this legislation is particularly troubling given that, presently, other real estate asset classes are very weak with declining employment and local tax revenues dropping in New Jersey.

The bill, introduced in the Senate as S-3688, would undermine the New Jersey tradition of home rule and require warehouse projects to undergo County and, in some cases, state review. Any project that qualifies as a “large warehouse” (a term that is not yet defined) would have to go before a county planning board (or the State Planning Commission for projects within the large percentage of municipalities that fall on a County border) for a “regional impact hearing” before going through the local land use approval process.

Such projects would no longer be June 2021

Gus Milano, President and Chief Operating Officer, Hartz Mountain Industries

Commission).

When an application eventually reaches the county planning board, the standards for review set forth in the legislation are irretrievably vague, require applicants to prove negatives and require that the impact of the proposed project be viewed at the regional level.

The only beneficiaries of these standards will be lawyers, as the standards will inevitably spawn a multitude of lawsuits. And, a party that is aggrieved by a decision of a county planning board can then appeal to the State Planning Commission (which is effectively an inactive agency with many vacant and unappointed seats).

It is not difficult to see that an applicant forced to go through this process—through the studies and reports and approvals and appeals—will lose roughly 18 months on a project before ever getting to the local planning board. Prospective tenants simply will not wait around, given the velocity of the market.

BERGEN ENGINEERING CO. Building Contractors – Construction Managers 375 Murray Hill Parkway East Rutherford, NJ 07073 Phone: 201- 438- 4700

Fax: 201- 438-0034

Richard Branca, President 60 Years of Construction Excellence www.BEConline.com

............................

protected by the time limitations within which local land use boards are required to act. In fact, the several additional procedural steps required by this bill are without time limitations, a troubling prospect for those that work in this fast-moving industry.

Before an application for a “large warehouse” could even go to the county (or State Planning Commission), the host municipality would be obligated to first undertake a review of its master plan and must prepare a “regional economic and land use impact report” to analyze the potential effects of the project. This report must consider, among other things, the effect of the project on regional wages and benefits, and the effect on traffic and affordable housing.

Of course, the developer is required to pay for the study, which is likely to itself take several months to prepare. Between the required master plan review and impact report, an application likely will take close to a year before ever reaching the county planning board (or State Planning

In a state that already is among the most difficult in which to develop real estate, with high costs of development and already unwieldy delays to bring product to market, this bill will further handcuff what is truly the state’s strongest industry – costing jobs and tax revenues as distribution facilities go to our neighboring states.

The misguided vision behind the bill is also evident in its over-breadth: the bill would apply to all “large warehouses” regardless of specific use, including wholesale operations, long-term storage and all types of warehousing, despite that fact that uses of this nature don’t create the conditions that the bill is trying to prevent. The bill also discriminates against distribution operations despite the fact that other uses are known to generate higher volumes of traffic, such as office uses and sometimes multifamily.

This legislation completely ignores current consumer trends and the reality of the economy. Over-reactions are typically counterproductive; this legislation is no exception. A different approach is needed.

375 Murray Hill Parkway East Rutherford, NJ 07073 Phone: 201- 438- 4994

Fax: 201-935-2850

Richard Branca, President Quality Ownership, Management, and Development Since 1975

www.BrancaProperties.com

405 Murray Hill Parkway

meadowlandsmedia.com

June 2021

7

BUSINESS WISE

Are You Selling Your Business?

Part 2: Addressing common business owner concerns and questions in M&A transactions

W

ith 2020 in the rearview mirror, 2021 has transformed into a year of possibilities. You are probably exploring options and, for some business owners, selling the business might be one of those options. However, there are some things you should consider before doing so.

Over A Neumann & Associates’ 18year history. we’ve seen and heard a lot while navigating individuals like yourself through what can be one of the biggest decisions of your life. In the previous issue, we outlined the first five owners concerns when preparing to sell a business. Below, we’ve outlined the next five concerns. #6. I don’t know where to begin, whom I should work with?

As a business owner, it goes without saying that your primary focus should always be on the performance of the company. This is never more vital than when selling a company as the most recent performance will be scrutinized most heavily by any potential investor. Without a professional team in place to properly value and market the sale, the business owner is left with performing both tasks. The usual

result is both efforts suffer.

Your team should be made up of a reputable M&A advisor who will coordinate an independent certified business valuation, a qualified CPA/tax advisor that has experience in mergers & acquisitions, and an attorney whose focus is on M&A transactions.

One aspect neglected and overseen by many sellers so often, is the selection of good, professional legal support. As a matter of fact, the most frequent cause for terminated deals is a sell-side attorney who is not familiar with the “ins and outs” and having to “read up on it.” At best, such situation results in a much-delayed transaction; at worst, both parties will ‘dig in their heels’ and the transaction will fail in the end. #7. What happens if my employees find out or, even worse, my competition?

It is important that clients, employees, suppliers, landlords and lenders are not aware of the possible sale of the business.

That is why it is important to have the right team in place that will maintain

confidentiality throughout the whole process. Almost without exception, all business owners are concerned with preserving confidentiality throughout a sale transaction. Violating such confidentiality can have significant negative impact.

A good M&A advisor will have the proper security measures in place, not only starting with a fourfold investor prequalification process but also in securely providing information to an investor as the investor shows increasing interest and motivation to execute a deal. For that matter, the advisor prepares a blind profile, sometimes called a teaser, outlining the generalities of the transaction, marketplace and business.

The knowledge about a pending business sale has an impact on vendors, employees, banks, landlords and, most importantly, customers. Generally, no individual likes change, due to the fear of the ‘unknown’. In the case of a business sale, however, this can have a significant negative economic impact.

Specifically, vendors will be concerned about receiving payments, employees fear layoffs and banks are concerned about the servicing of loans. Most importantly, customers will start to invite competitors to bid on their business in order to secure product and service sourcing in the future.

Worse yet, the longer the time span between a breach of confidentiality and a deal closing, the worse the impact will be from any one of the stakeholders above – with a direct impact on the performance of the business and deal value. Thus, one key objective of the marketing documents—in particular, the blind profile, is to maintain confidentiality with respect to the sale of the business, preventing stakeholders from learning about the sale. #8. What type of deal is best for me?

Deal structure is very important with respect to valuation and tax planning. More importantly, often sellers rush to the highest

8

meadowlandsmedia.com

June 2021

bidder. However, price is most likely less important than deal structure: for example, are accounts receivable and accounts payable included? How will employee retirement obligations be treated?

What assets secure the seller note? On what basis are royalties calculated, and what audit mechanism is in place? What kind of consulting and employment agreements will be put into place for the seller? Will SBA bank acquisition financing allow for a seller note pay-back?

A trusted M&A advisor can help you walk through each of these scenarios to decide which type of deal best fits your needs. #9. I’ve put everything I had into this company.

Am I asking enough or too much?

Setting a too-high or unrealistic price tag on a business can lead to a dead-end street. Expecting to get top dollar for a business that generates little or no profit is simply using bad business sense and jeopardizes confidentiality. Consider your industry, similar businesses, the economy and your marketplace when pricing your business to sell.

Another mistake is to price the business too low. Often business owners will price their business low because they are burned out, suffering from an illness or not receiving good advice.

Do research about other business sales before jumping in with both feet.

When working with a good M&A advisor. they’ll be able to determine an accurate price point by way of an accredited, third party valuation firm. #10. I still want my employees and customers taken care of. Is this the right buyer?

Taking the first offer may not necessarily be your best offer.

Selling your business for top dollar with little or no money down along with an extended contract may lead you to lose it all due to a bad deal structure.

Evaluate your options and make the best selection for the long term. Ask yourself: Is this the best person to buy and run my business? Can they quickly connect with my customer base and learn how to market effectively?

When the business sale goes as planned, it creates a tremendous opportunity for both business owners and the success continues. When working with a qualified M&A advisor, they prequalify all buyers to make sure they are a good fit for the purchase and have your best interests, as well as the interests of the company aligned.

Tony Valentino is A Neumann & Associates, LLC’s Managing Director of Northern New Jersey. A Neumann & Associates, LLC is a professional mergers & acquisitions and business brokerage firm having assisted business owners and buyers in the business valuation and business transfer process through its affiliations for the past 30 years. With an A+ Better Business Bureau rating, the company has senior trusted professionals with a deep knowledge based in multiple field offices along the east coast and has performed hundreds of business valuations in its history. The firm’s competitive transaction fees are based on successfully completing transactions. For more information, please contact Tony at 732872-6777 or t.valentino@neumannassociates.com.

LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

Communicate With Class When You Quit

W

e have all been there at one time or another. We find ourselves in a work situation or career that is not a great fit, doesn’t fulfill our professional aspirations or, simply put, is just not making us happy in one way or another. If we stay in that job and let the negative energy and emotions build up, we may get to a point where we implode and tell our boss, “Take this job and shove it.”

I get it. Many people dislike their jobs and would love to depart in a very dramatic fashion (think Tom Cruise in the movie, Jerry Maguire, holding up a bag with a goldfish, publicly leaving his job and asking who is coming with him). However, in real life, trashing the company or telling off your boss or your colleagues has an obvious catch. If you ever have to work again for another organization, it will stick with you for years to come. With this in mind, consider the following tips and tools on how to communicate when quitting:

No matter how much you hate your job, there is no value in saying so How are you helping yourself by telling your boss that he’s a jerk or telling a coworker that you dislike him or her? I’m not suggesting that you go out of your way to lie and tell them how great they are, but show some dignity. Take the high road and communicate something like this; “You know, I wish it could have worked out here. But, both of us know it just wasn’t the best match. I wish you success in the future.” How does that hurt you? What does that really cost?

Never publicly trash or bad mouth your former employer Sure, you can tell your close friends 10

meadowlandsmedia.com

and family in private everything you really feel. Get your frustration out there, but remember, when you publicly trash the place and the people you are leaving behind, that carnage has a tendency to follow you when your next prospective employer calls some of those folks and asks about you as an employee. This also means no negative comments on social media either, since once you put it out there, you can’t take it back. Think about your next step before you open your mouth on your way out the door.

Train your replacement No matter how happy you are to leave and want to get out the door as quickly as possible, make sure you communicate how willing you are to take the necessary time (preferably two weeks or longer if possible) to train your replacement. You may hate everything about doing it, but it speaks highly of you and your professionalism when you do this. It will help when people check out your previous employer and it will also do something for you to know that you’ve helped a new person learn the ropes. Karma is a funny thing.

June 2021

Communicate face to face Communicate face to face that you are leaving, first with your supervisor and then with anyone else who matters in the organization. I have heard of employees quitting via e-mail, text, a phone call or, one time, an employee just mysteriously left a letter on her employer’s desk and disappeared into the sunset, never to be seen or heard from again.

Talk about tacky and unprofessional. Never resign in such a fashion. Just like you don’t accept a job through electronic communication, you shouldn’t leave a job that way. Face to face communication will hopefully never go out of style in the world of business.

Steve Adubato, PhD, is the author of five books including his latest, “Lessons in Leadership.” He is an Emmy® Award-winning anchor with programs airing on Thirteen/ WNET (PBS) and NJ PBS. He has also appeared on CNN, FOX5 NY and NBC’s Today Show. Steve Adubato’s “Lessons in Leadership” video podcast with co-host Mary Gamba airs Sundays at 10:00 a.m. on News 12+. For more information visit www.Stand-Deliver.com

INSURANCE & RISK MANAGEMENT

NJM Expands Offerings For Business Owners Introducing new policies and extending commercial line offerings

N

JM Insurance Group is now writing businessowners policies and corresponding excess and umbrella policies in New Jersey.

“NJM has a proud legacy of serving New Jersey business owners with value-based insurance solutions with a focus on service,” said Mitch Livingston, NJM president and CEO. “Our new commercial policies allow us to expand on this commitment to businesses throughout the state.”

The ProEdge Businessowners Policy provides protection for property and liability risks associated with small businesses.

NJM’s Commercial Excess and Umbrella policy can expand coverage and provide higher limits of liability for ProEdge

12

meadowlandsmedia.com

policyholders. Businesses can apply for these products by connecting with a Premier agent at njm.com/agent. Entities with seven or fewer employees may also apply for coverage directly at njm.com.

“NJM has been protecting customers through uncertain times for 108 years,” said Arjay Pedalino, NJM vice president of commercial lines. “We are excited to partner with our Premier agent network to provide our ProEdge Businessowners Policy and commercial excess and umbrella policy and help businesses thrive.”

The product launch comes at a time when the company is implementing its multi-year strategic plan, widening its geographic footprint as a regional carrier.

June 2021

The Company is among the leading writers of workers’ compensation insurance in the Mid-Atlantic region. It offers business insurance in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

NJM is among the Mid-Atlantic’s leading property and casualty insurers.

Founded in 1913, NJM’s mission is to provide value-based insurance solutions to its policyholders with the highest levels of service, integrity, and financial stewardship.

The Company operates in a mutual fashion for the exclusive benefit of its policyholders.

Headquartered in West Trenton, NJ, NJM employs nearly 2,500 workers. For more, visit njm.com

HIGHLY TRAINED AND DRUG TESTED WORKFORCE

I.B.E.W. LOCAL 164

IBEW164.ORG

BUSINESS PROFILE

Personal Touch Catering Experience Exquisite food, attention to detail, the finest hospitality Contact Information: Kitchen & Tasting Studio 146 Division Place Hackensack, NJ 07601 New York Office 116 W 23 Street New York, NY 10011 Telephone Number: (201) 488 -8820 Email Address: info@ptevents.com Website: www.ptevents.com John Policastro is the owner of Personal Touch Catering Experience, a longstanding member of the MC. History of the company John Policastro in March of 1988 opened Mamma Mia, a small restaurant and pizzeria that blossomed into a local spot. Over the course of fifteen years, the beloved restaurant spiraled into a larger vision of catering. It seamlessly segued into Personal Touch Catering. Then in 2014, the company evolved into Personal Touch Catering Experience.

Great events never happen by chance The values of Personal Touch Catering are integrated into every event; integrity, innovation, excellence, delicious food and outstanding service. All events are created with the ultimate goal of making people happy.

14

meadowlandsmedia.com

The success of every event is created Personal Touch Catering Experience has developed a process to which leads to their highly successful events. The first step is the initial chat. After the chat, the company will send over a menu to coordinate with the season and desired style of service as well as an experience questionnaire. This allows Personal Touch to narrow down your initial wants, needs and event requirements. From there a proposal and timeline is created, then a walk through and tasting. Finally before the event, there is the seven days out process. At this time, Personal Touch will review all the final details of the event, perfecting the event.

June 2021

Going far above and beyond the standard Personal Touch Catering Experience puts on events for social gatherings, weddings or corporate events. Personal Touch Events caters to three specific services: catering, design and production.

With the company’s roots based in good food, catering comes as a second nature.

Personal Touch also has partnerships with the finest vendors for furniture, linens, custom signage, props, floral, lighting and balloons for all the design aspects needed for an event. They also have excellent partnerships for the production aspect of any event, from invitations, entertainment, tenting and photography.

Fueled by a passion to create the perfect celebration experience Family owned and operated since 1988, Personal Touch Catering’s stellar reputation has been built on strong core values, energy and great hospitality. The company is famous for the dedication to detail, energy and love put into every event. The inventive staff and talented vendor partners continually push for imaginative new ideas, making Personal Touch one of the top trendsetters in the catering industry.

BUSINESS PROFILE

CTCI

Integrating customized IT, AV and security solutions for commercial, industrial and educational applications Contact Information: 152 Huron Ave. Clifton, NJ 07013 Telephone Number: (973) 594-9500 Email Address: info@ctcitechnology.com Website: www.ctcitechnology.com Mission: Spearheading technology integration by providing solutions to an organization’s ability to CONNECT, COLLABORATE and CREATE. History of the company The company was originally created in 1982 on the platform of Interconnect, working primarily on Business Telephone Systems. As the demand for high-speed networks and physical infrastructure grew, so did CTCI. Since then, we have evolved into a prominent technology integrator of customized low voltage solutions for commercial markets, including healthcare, education, retail, hospitality, government and industrial applications.

Delivering exceptional technology and unparalleled customer service We are a technology integrator that designs, implements and services advanced technology systems. Our core competencies include immersive audio visual, physical security systems, structured cabling, POE lighting, proptech and managed services.

CTCI delivers exceptional technology and unparalleled customer service to businesses and organizations in the New York Metropolitan area, national and international markets. In today’s fast-paced, ever-evolving business environments, we understand that integrated technology plays a central role in helping companies capitalize on new digital capabilities.

By providing an advanced systems platform, these capabilities can help our clients build deeper relationships, launch new business models and make processes more efficient to result in better decisions.

Providing clients with a competitive edge As a single-source supplier of structured cabling, audio-visual unified collaboration and security systems, we provide a competitive edge for our customers. With a growing staff of 90 experienced professionals who pride themselves on learning, we ensure the highest levels of customer satisfaction with our comprehensive

suite of in-house design, build, installation, management, maintenance and inspection capabilities.

TCI represents the leading technology manufacturers in the industry— engineering the system structures and integrating these cutting-edge technologies into user-friendly applications for our end-user clients.

Building long-term relationships Recognized in the tech industry for our commitment to innovation, integrity and customer responsiveness, CTCI acknowledges the importance of developing long-term relationships with our customers as we anticipate and address their critical technology challenges. Our integrated systems are the arteries through which information flows within the organizational network: improving productivity, enriching communications and increasing profitability.

Designing personalized solutions for each unique client CTCI Technology specializes in a wide variety of services within the construction industry, including ground-up projects. We understand that systems integrations solutions are a vital component of every commercial, healthcare, education, hospitality and manufacturing plants. Facilities that incorporate state-of-the-art technology have been proven to help attract and retain employees, improve learning and collaboration and enable informed decision-making through better data and analytics.

For nearly 40 years, CTCI has provided low voltage design and installation services

monitoring and system integration solutions within the IT Infrastructure, Audio Visual and Security sectors. We provide technology solutions that can all work together to create a building intelligence network which can take control of security, alarms, lighting, HVAC and additional building systems to reduce operating expenses, minimize manual labor, omit the possibility of human error, improve business continuity and increase communication.

We specialize in designing personalized solutions that accommodate the unique needs of each client. We present our clients with unparalleled scopes of low voltage services and products that result in user friendly, fully integrated systems – setting new standards in the industry’s technology.

Giving back Winston Churchill said it best, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

We work hard to support our families, build and stay current in this fast-paced environment. However, we make it a point to slow down, be thankful for our blessings and remind ourselves of others who are less fortunate. Aligned with our core values and part of our culture, we believe it is our responsibility to give back and have made several impacts on communities, foundations and lives.

Over the years we have personally and professionally aligned with organizations like Make-A-Wish Foundation, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Susan B. Komen, Fairleigh Dickinson, Commack Community and Rutherford Food Pantry, just to name a few. meadowlandsmedia.com

June 2021

15

BUSINESS PROFILE

Eastwick College: College & Trade School

Ranked in the “Top 100 Colleges in the Nation” for return on investment Contact Information: Eastwick College – Ramsey 10 S Franklin Turnpike, Ramsey, NJ 07446 (201) 327-887 | ramsey@eastwick.edu Eastwick College – Nutley 103 Park Ave, Nutley, NJ 07110 (973) 661-0600 | nutley@eastwick.edu Eastwick College - Hackensack 250 Moore St, Hackensack, NJ 07601 (201) 488-9400 | hackensack@eastwick.edu HoHoKus School of Trade and Technical Sciences – Paterson 634 Market St, Paterson, NJ 07513 (800) 646-9353 | paterson@hohokus.edu Visit: eastwick.edu Thomas M. Eastwick: President & Founder of Eastwick College and HoHoKus School of Trade and Technical Sciences (he also serves on the board of advisors of the MC) About Eastwick College A recent Georgetown University study recognized Eastwick College as one of the “Top 100 Colleges in the Nation” for a return on investment. This study reviewed graduates six, eight and ten years after graduating and compared the cost of their education. Eastwick is an educational institution that emphasizes students graduating on time with the skills, licenses

and certifications needed to enter the job market.

Eastwick College has four campuses in New Jersey: Ramsey, Nutley, Hackensack and Paterson. The Paterson campus is also known as the HoHoKus School of Trade and Technical Sciences. The four advantages of the education at Eastwick are: 1. Hands-on training 2. Strategic partnerships 3. In-demand education 4. Focus on philanthropy Every path of study at Eastwick has been developed to meet a specific job market demand and is backed by a robust set of industry certifications and affiliations. The learning environment at Eastwick College is set up for the hands-on learning; Students will physically be doing what is expected of them in their careers. For our students, the combination of hands-on and traditional textbook learning is the key gaining the confidence they need to succeed in their jobs.

Giving Back To Our Community Eastwick College has a foundation named The Eastwick Foundation, which provides scholarships to deserving students. The foundation also supports local organizations in the local area. There is an emphasis on food pantries through its “Feed the Hungry” program. Some other organizations the foundation partners with are Community Outreach Services, Eva’s Village, Family Promise of Bergen County and Meals on Wheels. The college also aids the Good JuJu Charity Project, a program that provides free tuition and school supplies for 30 preschool students from impoverished families in Jamaica.

Charity work is a key part of student life at Eastwick College and HoHoKus School of Trade and Technical Sciences. Students regularly help organize food drives, bake sales, disaster relief fundraisers and blood drives. For every dollar the students raise, the Eastwick Foundation matches with a donation. The students within Eastwick College also work with the American Heart Association, Birth Haen, March of Dimes and Relay for life, among other nonprofit organizations.

Accreditation and Strategic Partnerships One of Eastwick’s proudest achievements is the prestigious accreditations it receives and strategic partnerships that it builds with the corporate, medical and educational communities. This allows Eastwick to connect students with important partnerships that will sustain them through their career.

16

meadowlandsmedia.com

June 2021

Culinary Arts

Ultrasound/ OB-GYN

Occupational Therapy Assisting

Licensed Practical Nursing

Surgical Technology

Funeral Service

Medical Assisting

Medical Billing and Coding

Registered Nursing (RN)

Computer Certifications

Plumber Apprenticeship

Still time to enroll!

Ranked in the Top 100 Colleges

Network Support/IT

in the Nation for Return on Investment!

HVACR

Manufacturing Technology

Structural Plate Welding

Electrician Apprenticeship

Hospitality Management

Business Administration

eastwick.edu | 201-825-2229 eastwickcollege

The Fun Ghoul Costume Shop Of beginnings and endings

F

or 36 years, the Fun Ghoul Costume Shop in downtown Rutherford, has ‘wowed’ customers with their creative custom-made costumes. If someone envisioned it, they could create it. True professionals, they could also provide the extras: the theatrical make-up, the trickedout hearse, the Batmobile or the Party Bus – whatever it took. They were producers of the magic – the show - and not just the costumes.

Fun Ghoul was never your typical Party Store. Oh no, it focused upon the extraordinary. Of course, they too offered the pre-packaged and the pablum, but what distinguished Fun Ghoul was that the floors above the showroom were there to design, to sew and to professionally make-up. Ever so much more than a shop, Fun Ghoul was a full-service, soup-to-nuts production venue.

Owner Cliff Witmyer would proselytize, cajole and regale with stories; a great staff would see to every detail and fulfill, while his Mother and partner, Caserarine Witmyer, now 85, would make each customer feel as if they had become part of the Fun Ghoul Family.

It has been a great resource to the people of Rutherford, Bergen and Hudson Counties, New York City and other regions afar. It’s not just Halloween, for you’d 18

meadowlandsmedia.com

be amazed at just how many turkeys, Pilgrims and Mohawk Indians celebrate Thanksgiving and how many Santas, Elves, Littlest Angels and Shepherds visit each Christmas. Why Fun Ghoul alone outfitted more than 10O Easter Bunnies and any number of chicks every year. You’d also be surprised at just how many Abes, Georges and presidents du jour roam around each February. Also, Jefferson, Franklin and that relentless American cheerleader, Uncle Sam, then shine in July.

In short, while Halloween is indeed the Holy Grail, there are 364 other days and reasons to celebrate.

Among their customers were both the distinguished and the eclectic, independent filmmakers, commercial producers, theatrical producers, rock bands, major corporations, fire and police departments and the children who lived a couple of blocks away.

Fun Ghoul created the Fart Man costume for the infamous radio and tv personality, Howard Stern, the French’s Mustard and Vlasic Pickle Stork you met in the TV commercials and literally hundreds of mascots. Open and honest, Cliff said, “Stern wasn’t very personable and wouldn’t even shake my hand when, pre-pandemic, I extended mine to him.”

New Jersey’s own, the celebrated

June 2021

Uncle Floyd, was tabbed a, “Delight” and C.C. Sabathia, the great Yankees pitcher was heralded as “One of the nicest guys you’d ever want to meet.”

As to comedians Gilbert Gottfried, Charlie Callas and Kathy Griffin, “I don’t think they ever leave the stage.”

On Pat Verbeek of the New Jersey Devils and Victor Cruz of the New York Giants, Cliff said: “Why they’re just pros, on and off the field”.

As to the Housewives of New Jersey, Morton Downey Junior, “The Love Doctor”, Eddie Munster, Mankind the wrestler, DJ Envy and so many others, I

don’t know. But I do know that Dee Snider, the lead singer of Twisted Sister is both a customer and a personal friend of Cliff’s, as is Steve Tyler of Aerosmith and I know that he also clothed Bon Jovi and other legends. In fact, Cliff had the pleasure, at Tyler’s request, of introducing him to Stevie Ray Vaughan. His running joke became that the only reason he met Stevie Ray Vaughan was because “Clifford instructed me to.”

Love of Rock notwithstanding, music for Cliff begins and ends with the “Birth of the Blues” and it never got better than Stevie Ray Vaughan, his Double Trouble and Buddy Guy. It all began on a sweet Spring day in 1985, when State Senator Gabe Ambrosio, Mayor Barbara Chadwick of Rutherford, and I (then president of the Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce), and either Kiss or Kiss lookalike in a Witmyer costume joined Cliff and Caesarine to cut the ribbon.

I choose to believe it was Kiss, no matter what Cliff says.

But all good things must come to an end and while his other company, Cliffhanger Productions, will remain, Fun Ghoul itself is at a crossroads, as the Holman Family is selling the historic building that long housed Fun Ghoul. That the building itself is also slated for redevelopment is problematic.

“There is nothing left for us to do but try to sell Fun Ghoul, as Mom is retired and I’m putting my all into our Cliffhanger Productions arm,” said Cliff. “That noted, our great stock and inventory, our prodigious customer list and tremendous good will still have great value. We’re rolling the dice on a sale of the whole, but should the sun not shine upon us, come late July and August, get ready for one hell of a close-out sale; one that we’ll dazzle you with.”

Richard Fritzky is a consultant, writer, motivational speaker and professor. He formerly served as president of the Meadowlands Chamber and editor-in-chief of Meadowlands Magazine (then Meadowlands USA).

Compassionate Care. Expert Treatment.

When you’re having a mental health crisis, immediate help is just a phone call away.

The CBH Care Wellness & Support Center provides Bergen County residents experiencing a mental health crisis with 24/7 rapid responses and support services.

Must be 18 years or older, with a diagnosable mental illness.

By phone 24/7: 201.957.1800 Walk-ins: Mon–Fri: 8am–8pm Sat–Sun: 9am–5pm

CBH Care Wellness and Support Center 569 Broadway Westwood, NJ 07675 cbhcare.com

meadowlandsmedia.com

June 2021

19

Lung cancer screening is covered by all private health insurance plans and Medicare for eligible patients. Patients without insurance can receive lung cancer screenings at Hackensack University Medical Center at a discounted rate.

Telehealth Makes Lung Cancer Screenings More Convenient at Hackensack University Medical Center Eligible patients now have the option to schedule a telehealth shared decision-making visit as part of their comprehensive screening.

L

ung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in the United States. If you are a current or former smoker, lung cancer screening increases the chance of finding lung cancer early, when it is most treatable.

But although lung cancer screening may lead to early detection of cancerous tumors, only 3% of eligible Bergen County residents access this potentially lifesaving service.

Hackensack University Medical Center offers a comprehensive Lung Cancer Screening Program that connects eligible patients with the preventive lung care they need. To make lung cancer screening even more convenient, the hospital now offers an option to schedule a telehealth shared decision-making visit with a Hackensack University Medical Center nurse practitioner - that can be done from the comfort of their own homes.

“We want to make it as easy as possible for patients to get preventive lung cancer screenings,” said Emilija Bitinaityte, RN, BSN, Lung Cancer Screening Program Coordinator. “Our team handles all aspects of lung cancer screening for our patients — including scheduling, shared decision-making telehealth visits, preauthorization, billing, communicating results to the referring physician and reminders for follow-up care.”

Here’s what you need to know about lung cancer screening at Hackensack University Medical Center: 20

meadowlandsmedia.com

June 2021

Eligibility for lung cancer screening The Annals of Internal Medicine and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force currently recommend lung cancer screening for patients who: • Are current smokers or former smokers who have quit in the last 15 years; • Are between the ages of 55 and 80 years old; • Have no symptoms of lung cancer; and • Have at least a 30-pack-year smoking history, such as two packs per day for 15 years, or one pack a day for 30 years.

Lung cancer screening is covered by all private health insurance plans and Medicare for eligible patients. Patients without insurance can receive lung cancer screening at Hackensack University Medical Center at a discounted rate.

Early detection, peace of mind Lung cancer may not cause noticeable symptoms until it is advanced and has spread to other areas of the body.

Common symptoms of lung cancer include: • A cough that does not go away or worsens • Coughing up blood • Chest pain • Hoarseness • Fatigue • Unexplained weight loss • Wheezing • Shortness of breath • Chronic lung infections, such as bronchitis or pneumonia, that keep coming back or do not go away The most significant benefit of lung cancer screening is the ability to find lung tumors in their early stages, before they cause symptoms and when they are easier to treat.

Other benefits of lung cancer screening include: • More treatment options • Less invasive surgery • A better chance of survival • Peace of mind “If you are experiencing lung cancer symptoms, it’s important to see your healthcare provider right away,” said Nabil Pierre Rizk, M.D., MPH, MS, Chief of Thoracic Surgery, Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center and Co-Director of Thoracic Oncology, John Theurer Cancer Center. “However, our goal is to connect atrisk patients with lung cancer screening so we can identify problems before symptoms develop.”

How to start the process If you are a current or former smoker and have questions about lung cancer screening, just call Hackensack University Medical Center’s Lung Cancer Screening Program at (551) 996-3384 or visit Hackensackumc.org/lungcancerscreeening.

A team member will answer your questions and complete a phone screening to determine if you are eligible for the program.

If you are eligible, you can complete a convenient shared decision-making telehealth visit with a Hackensack University Medical Center nurse practitioner. Or, you can schedule a shared decision-making visit with your referring provider.

“We understand that patients are busy, so we wanted to offer a flexible telehealth option that allows them to do their shared decision-making visit from home, work, or on the go,” said Bitinaityte. “Although we will still provide the patient’s screening results to their primary care provider, patients who choose the telehealth option no longer have to schedule an inperson primary care visit before their lung cancer screening.”

Schedule your lung cancer screening at Hackensack University Medical Center in just three simple steps:

STEP 1: Call Hackensack University Medical Center’s Lung Cancer Screening Program at 551-996-3384 or visit Hackensackumc.org/lungcancerscreeening. A team member will complete a phone screening to determine program eligibility.

STEP 2: Complete a convenient shared decision-making telehealth visit with a Hackensack University Medical Center nurse practitioner. You also have the option to schedule a shared-decision-making visit with your referring provider.

STEP 3: Schedule your screening. Your screening will be performed using a safe, low-dose CT scan that takes approximately one minute and uses a fraction of the radiation of a standard CT scan. meadowlandsmedia.com

June 2021

21

Scheduling your screening After the shared decision-making visit is complete, the next step is to schedule the imaging that screens for lung cancer.

“Lung cancer screening is performed using a safe, lowdose CT scan that takes approximately one minute,” said Dr. Rizk. “Low-dose CT uses only a fraction of the radiation of a standard CT scan.”

A Lung Cancer Screening CT scan is a painless imaging procedure that uses special x-ray technology to take many pictures of your body, providing detailed images of your lungs.

“It’s not necessary to avoid eating or drinking before the test, and you will not receive any medications or injections,” said Bitinaityte. “It’s painless, simple, takes only a few minutes, and you can resume your normal activities immediately afterward.”

Results, recommendations and follow-up The Hackensack University Medical Center team will provide your lung cancer screening results to your referring physician. Your physician will contact you with your results and provide recommendations for follow-up care.

“If you need further care, the pulmonary medicine, medical oncology and thoracic surgery experts at Hackensack University Medical Center can provide the treatment you need — including the latest, evidence-based therapies and access to clinical trials,” said Dr. Rizk.

The Lung Cancer Screening Team will also provide scheduling reminders for future scans if patients require longterm follow-up.

Smoking cessation services One of the best things you can do to prevent lung cancer is to quit smoking — and it is never too late!

Hackensack University Medical Center has a smoking cessation program that offers free smoking cessation counseling and free nicotine replacement.

All participants in the Lung Cancer Screening Program will receive access to a telephone quitline, as well as web, print and text-based educational materials. You may also opt to participate in up to six brief telephone counseling sessions to help you quit.

Do not put your health on hold During the pandemic, some patients have been postponing preventive care — sometimes with devastating consequences.

“Postponing preventive screenings could allow a health condition to go undetected, resulting in a later-stage diagnosis,” said Dr. Rizk. “When it comes to lung cancer, later-stage disease may require more invasive treatment and has a lower chance of survival.”

If you are eligible for a lung cancer screening and put off your scan due to COVID-19, now is the time to schedule.

Hackensack Meridian Health facilities are safe, and enhanced safety protocols remain in place to protect patients and staff.

“Lung cancer screening is such an important tool to help current and former smokers take the best care of their health,” said Bitinaityte. “It’s an underutilized resource that can provide lifesaving benefits.”

22

meadowlandsmedia.com

June 2021

A Better Lung Biopsy Procedure

Ion approach helps surgeons access hard-to-reach lung nodules with precision

If lung cancer screening finds an abnormality called a nodule, collecting a tissue sample during a biopsy and analyzing it in the lab can confirm whether the nodule is cancerous. Hackensack University Medical Center is one of only a few hospitals in New Jersey to use a novel technology called Ion to perform minimally invasive robotic-assisted biopsy of suspected lung cancer.

Ion enables thoracic surgeons to access hard-to-reach nodules, such as those on the outer edges of the lungs that are difficult to biopsy using standard techniques. The innovative new tool can help surgeons identify lung cancers earlier than with other existing technologies, allowing patients to start effective treatment sooner and improving the chance of a better outcome.

The Ion system combines computed tomography (CT) data and robotic-assisted surgical technology to help surgeons access to these nodules without the need for any external surgical incisions. Further, the Ion system’s precision, and may result in more accurate biopsies.

Ion will be used to screen for and diagnose lung cancer by providing more access to small airways or hard-to-reach nodules than other technologies, as well as for patients who cannot have surgery but need a lung biopsy.

To make an appointment with Dr. Rizk at Hackensack University Medical Center or a doctor at another Hackensack Meridian Health location near you, call (551) 996-3384 or visit doctors.hackensackmeridianhealth.org and search “lung cancer.”

Here when you need us most.

Now and always.

We’re making it easier to get the care you need, like chatting with a nurse or having a virtual doctor visit 24/7 at no cost.

HorizonBlue.com/Coronavirus

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. The Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. The Horizon® name and symbols are registered marks of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. © 2020 Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. Three Penn Plaza East, Newark, New Jersey 07105

INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY

Email Security

Do I really have all I need?

I

t may be stating the obvious, but it’s worth reiterating: email traffic in and out of an organization is typically the greatest exposure any organization has. Email provides an exit-way for company information, but both secure and non-secure. Email also provides an entryway into an organization, be it beneficial or malicious. These are known facts, yet many organizations do not provide the email security necessary in our current threat environment.

Hacking is at an all-time high. Major software vendors, airlines, government agencies, security companies, medical facilities, utility companies and even Apple itself have been hit (check the “Significant Cyber Incidents” link below for full details). The Microsoft Exchange hack may be one of the most significant breaches of our time.

We most certainly need a stronger approach to email security.

If entities such as Apple and Microsoft are being compromised, despite the dollars spent on cybersecurity defense, why would we think our companies would be any less vulnerable?

Yet the rationale from businesses is often, “Our organization is too small, there’s nothing here anyone wants.” Or they say, “our Managed Service Provider (MSP) has us covered” or “My IT guy/ gal (the kid down the street) takes care of that for me.”

Please allow me to share my reality. I’ve been pulled in to lead incident response teams numerous times.

Many MSPs don’t know enough about the security features in Office 365 to provide the security coverage necessary; be sure yours does. Secondly, the Office 365 security features cover the major prevention methods but don’t go far enough. Thirdly, anytime there is a large attack surface, the bad actors tend to spend a lot of time there looking for vulnerabilities, making your email an attractive target. That’s why you are seeing a significant uptick in phishing emails.

Think about it, there are over 200 million users actively subscribed to Office 365 which causes the bad actors to be deeply invested in compromising its security. It’s like the kid in the candy store for them. Cybercriminals are specifically designing their attacks to evade an organization’s “elevation of privilege” (EOP) security defenses.

As it turns out, security vulnerabilities are quite common. As an example, Microsoft recently launched a public bug bounty program for their platform to recruit the end-user community to assist them in identifying security bugs, confirming the serious ongoing risks that Office 365 users face.

The built-in protection of email systems is static in nature. It’s single-layered and ineffective in preventing today’s sophisticated attacks. Organizations and MSPs cannot rely on EOP alone to secure cloud email.

EOP takes a retrospective approach to security, which relies on updates and patches that are issued after vulnerabilities have been discovered and potentially exploited. It’s important to remember that a security patch is provided to known vulnerabilities. Bad actors take advantage of those vulnerabilities as long as they are available to them.

24

meadowlandsmedia.com

June 2021

What can be done to increase my email security?

1. Security is all about layers. Add a supplementary cloud email security layer of defense designed to close gaps in EOP’s protection. This will protect against known and emerging threats and assist in protecting against zero-day attacks.

2. Work with your IT team or MSP to implement security “best practices” and secure behavior in Office 365. Enforce strong passwords and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all accounts and ensure that Azure Active Directory password sync is correctly configured.

3. Enable mailbox auditing and unified audit logging in the Office 365 Security and Compliance Center.

4. Disable legacy email protocols (if not required).

Office 365 must be set up and configured properly and securely. Unfortunately, small and medium-sized businesses often do not have the technical expertise to offer the additional security coverage that a fully managed, supplementary email security solution provider can offer.

Office 365 email risk is significant without effective supplementary protection in place. To realize the benefits of Office 365 email without sacrificing security, businesses must implement a proactive, multi-layered email security solution designed to complement and bolster the EOP’s built-in defenses.

The bottom line is this: Cloud email offers a host of benefits (flexibility, ease-of-use, cost-efficiency, etc.), but also introduces serious risk if inadequately secured. To realize those benefits while mitigating the risk of exposure, add the extra layer of protection.

Mike Battistella is the President of Solutions3 LLC, an IT Management Company focusing on cybersecurity training & governance, IT service management, IT operations management, critical notification and technical training. Mike is also a key partner of CMMC Academy focusing on the NIST Cybersecurity Professional (NCSP) Training & Certification program.

ACCOUNTING

HR Considerations Under The American Rescue Plan

T

he American Rescue Plan Act, the new stimulus package passed in March of 2021, includes several provisions that employers need to be aware of and address within their human resources (HR) procedures.

The most significant is a 100% COBRA subsidy that employers must provide to assistance eligible individuals (AEIs), which are generally employees who experience involuntary termination (for reasons other than gross misconduct) or a reduction in hours that disqualifies them from the employee benefit plan.

The Act mandates that employers must pay the entire COBRA premiums for AEIs during a six-month period, beginning on April 1, 2021 and ending on September 30, 2021.

The Act does not extend the 18-month COBRA period, but it does provide additional relief to participants in the following ways: • AEIs who declined or dropped COBRA coverage before April 1 are allowed to elect into the COBRA plan for the remainder of their covered period, as long as it extends into the six-month subsidy window. For example, if an employee was terminated on January 1, 2021 and wants to now elect COBRA coverage effective April 1, he or she will be entitled to coverage for the remaining 15 months of COBRA coverage, including six months paid by the employer. Participants will have 60 days from the date they receive the notice to make this election.

• AEIs who make a COBRA premium payment during the subsidy period must be reimbursed by the employer within 60 days of receipt of the payment.

• Group health plans are allowed (but not required) to offer a lower cost COBRA option to AEIs. Individuals will have 90 days from the date they receive the notice to make this election. Contact your plan administrator if you would like to consider this option for your plan.

Tax credits Payroll tax credits against the employer share of federal employment taxes will be available to employers to cover the cost of these subsidies.

The credit is fully refundable and may be advanced, or the employer can choose to not deposit the amount of Medicare payroll taxes they anticipate to be refundable. The maximum credit is limited to the amount of Medicare payroll taxes paid in a quarter.

Under the language of the Act, these credits will be reduced by credits received by the employer through the paid sick and family leave credit and the employee retention credit. Your tax advisor should keep you informed as new guidance is released on this topic.

Ineligible AEIs AEIs will no longer be eligible for the subsidy when their COBRA coverage expires or when they become eligible for coverage under another group health plan – whichever is earlier. Individuals could be subject to penalties if they do not notify the former employer of their new coverage.

Required notices Employers should continue to use existing COBRA notices for voluntary and other non-AEI terminations. For purposes of AEIs, the Act stipulates the following new election notices: • COBRA general election notice that describes the 100% subsidy must be used between April 1 and September 30, 2021 for AEIs only.

• A new notice must be provided to AEIs who previously declined or dropped COBRA coverage, if they meet the election eligibility requirements described above.

• By May 31, 2021, employers must provide a notice of the 100% subsidy to all currently enrolled AEIs. • A notice reminding AEIs that the subsidy will end on September 30 must be provided within 15-45 days prior to the expiration.

This notice is only required for AEIs that are still covered under the subsidy at the time of notice.

The Department of Labor issued a new model election notice which can be found here: www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa/laws-and-regulations/ laws/cobra/premium-subsidy Expanded paid leave credits The Act also extends the availability of paid sick and family leave credits under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).

Eligible employers (generally those with fewer than 500 employees) who choose to continue FFCRA benefits can receive the credits through September 30, 2021 (formerly March 31, 2021).

The maximum tax credit for family leave wages was increased under the Act from $200 per day and $10,000 per employee to $12,000 of paid family leave wages per employee.

The Act also expands the definition of paid leave wages that are eligible for the credit, including time taken to obtain the COVID-19 immunization, recover from an injury caused by the immunization and/or quarantine or care for someone under an isolation order due to COVID-19.

Under the Act, employers are prohibited from receiving this tax credit for wages that are covered in a forgiven Paycheck Protection Program loan, a grant under certain provisions of the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Non-Profits, and Venues Act or a restaurant revitalization grant under the American Rescue Plan Act. Grassi, a leading consultant firm, has a full team of HR consulting professionals who can help you navigate these mandates and changes.

Please HR Consulting Principal Jeff Agranoff to receive the guidance and support you need at (516) 336-2418 or jagranoff@grassicpas.com meadowlandsmedia.com

June 2021

25

ECOTOURISM: IN OUR BACKYARD

The Natural Hackensack Meadowlands Parks, educational programs, environmental research and more

C

ompanies located within the Hackensack Meadowlands operate in an exceptional business environment with plentiful resources to help stimulate sales and generate revenue. The natural environment in these companies’ backyard is equally as exceptional and filled with a multitude of resources.

The Hackensack Meadowlands is an expansive, unique, urban ecosystem consisting of abundant natural resources including environmentally-sensitive wetlands, wildlife habitats, parks and recreational opportunities. It’s a region where parks, birding and boating enthusiasts, and others, will find a number of open spaces for peaceful relaxation. The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA) welcomes visitors near and far to explore and enjoy this true environmental gem and participate in the agency’s fun and educational community outreach programs.

Part of the reason the Meadowlands is so attractive to people is due to the work of the NJSEA and environmental groups dedicated to the Meadowlands. Working together, they all promote the beauty of the Meadowlands and the importance of its preservation, protection and enhancement. The organizations also provide educational, family-friendly activities that raise awareness of the importance of environmental stewardship among all ages.

There are many exciting initiatives and events showcasing the Hackensack Meadowlands taking place this summer. NJSEA scientists and ecological restoration field workers are busy conducting studies on the area’s environmentally critical wetlands, monitoring the water quality in the Hackensack River - which continues to get cleaner - and observing and documenting bird species, terrapins and other wildlife.

The Hackensack Riverkeeper through its advocacy efforts and array of programming, greatly improves and protects the region. Through a partnership with the Bergen County Audubon Society, the NJSEA offers guided nature walks through various Meadowlands locations several times each month. The walks are a great opportunity to learn from expert BCAS guides about Meadowlands natural areas, parks and wildlife up-close and personal.

In addition, the NJSEA and BCAS co-sponsor Butterfly Day, a highly-anticipated, annual event that takes place this year on Sunday, July 18, and the Meadowlands Festival of Birding, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12. (see breakout box for more details and contact information).

Speaking of birds, evidence that the Hackensack Meadowlands is thriving comes in part from the more than 285 bird species that can be seen in the region, including some three dozen on the State threatened, endangered and species of special concern lists. The Bald Eagle, the Osprey and the Peregrine Falcon, all not seen in the Meadowlands even 20 years ago, are now here and breeding.

Meanwhile, the Hackensack River is home to white perch, bass and snapper blues for catch-and-release fishing.

Both Butterfly Day and the Meadowlands Birding Festival 26

meadowlandsmedia.com

June 2021

River Barge Park

Butterfly Day is July 18

take place at DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst, home of the NJSEA and the centerpiece of its environmental activities. The park attracts 60,000 visitors per year, including many bird watchers and those interested in leisurely walks while taking in the stunning beauty.

DeKorte Park also serves as an outdoor classroom to tens of thousands of students that participate in school year field trips and summer camps offered by the Meadowlands Environment Center, the agency’s educational arm.

Here is information about NJSEA parks and this summer’s programs along with other areas of interest in the Meadowlands.

We hope to see you soon!

Parks and Recreational Areas DeKorte Park, Lyndhurst DeKorte Park features 3.5 miles of tranquil walking paths, panoramic views of wetlands and waterways, and birds galore, all framed by the New York City skyline. The park is the focal point of NJSEA activities. Birders and nature lovers frequent its trails and educators from the park’s Meadowlands Environment Center program use the park as an outdoor classroom for hands-on environmental education classes for school groups.

A series of colorful, interpretive signs highlight the park’s resources and the wildlife that inhabit its tidal waters, marshes, and uplands. These informational signs provide visitors with an understanding and appreciation of the Hackensack Meadowlands’

unique and diverse urban eco-system.

DeKorte Park, like the entire Hackensack Meadowlands, is located along the Atlantic Flyway, one of three major routes used by migratory birds in North America. The park has been nationally recognized by Birder’s World magazine as a birding hotspot. Birders can be seen throughout the year with their binoculars and spotting scopes looking for Egrets, Osprey, hawks, falcons and many more avian species.

The park also includes the William D. McDowell Observatory. The Observatory is temporarily closed.

When operating, it’s open for free stargazing on Wednesday nights year-round. Hours vary by season.

River Barge Park and Marina, Carlstadt River Barge Park and Marina is a 5.5-acre, urban jewel located along the Hackensack River in Carlstadt.

It provides much-needed public access to the river’s western banks in southern Bergen County. The park offers splendid riverfront views and a peaceful setting for relaxation by the water, bird-watching and environmental education. River Barge Park and Marina includes a boat ramp, docks, paddling and rowing launch points, a 17-slip marina, a scenic promenade with picnic tables, and paths lined by native plants.

Mill Creek Marsh, Secaucus Once the proposed site of a townhouse development, Mill Creek Marsh was preserved and restored by the agency in 1998. The invasive Phragmites reeds that had choked the marsh were replaced with native plant species to attract a diversity of aquatic life and birds, and tidal flows were reestablished in the wetlands. The one-mile Mill Creek Marsh Trail provides breathtaking views of the wetlands and the New York City skyline which frames the 209-acre natural area.

Losen Slote Creek Park, Little Ferry This 28-acre natural area comprises six acres of meadows and a 22-acre lowland forest – one of the few remaining woodlands in the Hackensack Meadowlands. The park’s diverse environment supports many migratory songbirds, as well as a variety of small mammals and reptiles. On a summer’s day, you might see an Eastern Box Turtle, an Indigo Bunting, or a flock of Cedar Waxwings. The Nearby Mehrhof Pond Wildlife Observation Area is a major site for wintering waterfowl, especially Ruddy Ducks, which congregate by the hundreds until the pond freezes solid.

For more information on all NJSEA facilities and programs, visit www.njsea.com, email info@njsea.com or call 201-460-4619.

Ongoing/Upcoming NJSEA Public Programs

Guided Nature Walks Through a partnership with the Bergen County Audubon Society (BCAS), the NJSEA offers free, two-hour guided walks of Meadowlands parks and open spaces several times a month. They are great opportunities to get to know the flora and fauna of the Meadowlands up-close and marvel at the spectacular natural environment and plentiful bird species.

Butterfly Day DeKorte Park, Lyndhurst Sunday, July 18 (rain date Sunday, July 25) 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Bergen County Audubon Society and NJSEA co-host their most anticipated event of the summer. There will be butterfly walks to take in these winged marvels, talks about how butterflies play a key role in the health of the environment, plus scavenger hunts and costume contests for the kids. There will also be information tables with material on butterflies and their role in the environment.

Meadowlands Festival of Birding DeKorte Park, Lyndhurst Saturday, Sept. 12 (rain date Saturday, Sept. 19) 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Join the BCAS and NJSEA for a day of birding walks and talks, including by guest speaker Gabe Willow of the New York City Audubon Society, focusing on optics, bird identification, beginners tips and, of course, the wonderful avian population of the Meadowlands. There will also be a live raptor show.

DeKorte Park Marsh Discovery Trail

DeKorte Park Shorewalk

meadowlandsmedia.com

June 2021

27

COMMUNITY

The Performing Arts School at bergenPAC Launches Racial Justice Institute

I

All photos courtesy Jeremy Lebled

n response to the racial violence and protests occurring throughout the country last year, Bergen Family Center Vice President Liz Corsini, MPH, and Director of Clinical Services Mariam Gerges, LCSW, partnered with Reverend Sanetta Ponton, Director of Metro Community Center, and community leaders Olga Correa and Yessenia Gonzale to launch the Racial Justice Institute. A group of local teens from diverse racial, economic, religious and ethnic backgrounds discussed the ongoing issues. bergenPAC Teaching Artist Derick Cross, a Brooklyn-based artist, performer and art educator who has served as a cultural Hip-Hop Ambassador for The U.S. State Department’s Next Level Program, then helped the students explore their feelings through visual art.

“This important work empowers young people to have a voice through creative and artistic expression,” Corsini said. “Derick Cross creates a

space for conversations about systemic racism, while supporting youth as they create anti-racist messages through art.”

Despite the difficulties caused by the pandemic, this program was a way for The Performing Arts School at bergenPAC to continue its community and educational outreach initiatives. Cross initially met with the students through Zoom until it was safe to have in-person sessions.

The May 24 ceremony was a culmination of the program. Fred and Andrew Fish, of Treeco, generously donated the space on the side of the ShopRite building to hang the artwork so that it could be shared with the community.

The Racial Justice Institute was funded by the Russell Berrie Foundation.

Located at One Depot Square in downtown Englewood (formerly the Grammy® Award-winning Bennett Studios) The Performing Arts School at bergenPAC is northern New Jersey’s premier arts education program. Offering classes in a variety of performing arts disciplines and opportunities to participate in live performances, the school provides students of all ages and backgrounds with arts experiences that stimulate learning and spark creativity and imagination. This program was developed for young people ages 3 months to 21 years old, and since its inception has reached thousands of children. For more information, visit: bergenpac.org/education

28

meadowlandsmedia.com

June 2021

MEADOWLANDS EAT & DRINK

Al Di La East Rutherford, (201) 939-1128

Bistro Six-Five-Zero Hasbrouck Heights, (201) 288-6100

Cheeseburger In Paradise Secaucus, (201) 392-0500

Olive Garden Secaucus, (201) 867-3543

Applebee’s Bar and Grill Clifton, (973) 471-6161

Boogie Woogie Bagel Boys Weehawken, (201) 863-4666

Chili’s Restaurant Secaucus, (201) 319-0804

Panera Bread Secaucus, (201) 348-2846

Angelo’s Ristorante Lyndhurst, (201) 939-1922

Annabella’s Fine Foods, Inc. East Rutherford, (201) 804-0303 Bagels Plus & Deli Secaucus, (201) 330-0744 The Barrow House Clifton, (862) 336-7070

Bazzarelli Restaurant & Pizzeria Moonachie, (201) 641-4010 Big Bowls Little Plates Secaucus, (201) 514-4163 Biggies Clam Bar Carlstadt, (201) 933-4242

Bistro at Courtyard Secaucus Meadowlands Secaucus, (201) 617-8888

Bonefish Grill Secaucus, (201) 864-3004

Buffalo Wild Wings Secaucus, (201) 348-0824 Burger King Secaucus, (201) 325-0498 Cafe Four Fifty Five Secaucus, (201) 864-7300

Caffe Capri East Rutherford, (201) 460-1039 Carrabba’s Italian Grill Secaucus, (201) 330-8497

Casa Giuseppe Restaurant & Bar 503 Lyndhurst, (201) 460-0060

Chart House Restaurant Weehawken, (201) 348-6628

Outback Steakhouse Secaucus, (201) 601-0077

Chevys Clifton, 973-777-6277

Pink at Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment East Rutherford, (201) 842-5013

Chipotle Mexican Grill Secaucus, (201) 223-0562

Colonial Diner Lyndhurst, (201) 935-3192

CUPS frozen yogurt - that’s hot Secaucus Dunkin Donuts/Subway Secaucus, 201-617-9200

Elia East Rutherford, (201) 939-9292 Finch’s Rutherford, (201) 231-3141

Poke Bros Secaucus

Red Lobster Secaucus, (201) 583-1902 Redd’s Restaurant & Bar Carlstadt, (201) 933-0015

Ruth’s Chris Steak House Weehawken, (201) 863-5100 Ruth’s Chris Steak House Jersey City, (201) 448-8664

Firenza Pizza Secaucus, (201) 210-2562

Ruth’s Chris Steak House Paramus - Maywood, (551) 258-0013

Francesca’s Gourmet Food Fair Lawn, (201) 773-8293

Gabriel’s Grille & Bar Hasbrouck Heights, (201) 288-9600 Ghost Hawk Brewing Company Clifton, ghosthawkbrewing.com Good Chinese Kitchen North Bergen, (201) 295-0806

Hoboken Road Tavern East Rutherford, (201) 939-1128 Houlihan’s Secaucus, (201) 330-8856

Rutherford Pancake House Rutherford, (201) 340-4171

Saladworks East Rutherford, (201) 939-8886 Sals Good Eats Teterboro, (201) 375-4949

Segovia Restaurant Moonachie, (201) 641-4266

The Shannon Rose Irish Pub Ramsey, (201) 962-7602

Il Cafone Lyndhurst, (201) 933-3355

Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas Clifton, (973) 661-2435

Jack Austin’s Weehawken (201) 348-4444

Starbucks Coffee Secaucus, (201) 223-4924

La Reggia Restaurant & Banquets & Lounge Secaucus, (201) 422-0200

Subway Weehawken, (201) 865-2500

Il Villaggio Carlstadt, (201) 935-7733

Starbucks Coffee East Rutherford, (201) 438-0584

Justin’s Ristorante II Wood Ridge, (201) 933-4276

Stefanos Mediterranean Grille Secaucus, (201) 865-6767

Subway Secaucus, (201) 325-0300

Marco Polo Pizza/ Breakfast Grill Weehawken, (201) 863-0057

Subway North Bergen, (201) 869-4469 Tandoor on the Hudson Weehawken, (800) 221-6721

Mamma Vittoria Nutley, (973) 662-0242

Masina Trattoria Italiana Weehawken, (201) 348-4444

McDonalds North Bergen, (201) 868-9888 Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament Lyndhurst, (201) 933-2220

Varrellman’s Baked Goods Rutherford, (201) 939-0462 Vesta Wood Fired Pizza & Bar East Rutherford, (201) 939-6012

New Jersey Beer Company North Bergen, (201) 758-8342 Oceanaire Seafood Room Hackensack, (201) 343-8862

Top That! Donuts Rutherford, (201) 559-5485 Urban Plum Gastropub Secaucus, (201) 520-0574

Morton’s The Steakhouse Hackensack, (201) 487-3614 Mr. Bruno’s Pizzeria & Restaurant Lyndhurst, (201) 933-1588

Tokyo Hibachi & Buffet Secaucus, (201) 863-2828

Volare’s Restaurant Rutherford, (201) 935-6606 Wayback Burger Secaucus, (201) 293-4654

meadowlandsmedia.com

June 2021

29

700 Plaza Drive | Secaucus, New Jersey 800.488.0768 @PlazaHarmonMeadow theplazaatharmonmeadow.com

FOOD / DRINK

18 6

1 Bagels Plus 2 Big Bowls Little Plates

27 9

ES

14

AC

28 A

L

UL EV AR

D

az

a

A

Dr

ive

Secaucus Meadowlands

26

EA

DO

6

AT M hr 24

ng

O Se utd at oo in r g

M RM

ON

0102

7 3

10

3-

H

11 Niko Niko Sushi

B

31 12

17

19

ou

rP

ar

ki

10 Houlihan’s

15

13

HA

9 Firenza Pizza

20

5

W

BO

6 Chipotle Mexican Grill

25

Pl

21

32

W

5 Chili’s Grill & Bar

8 CUPS frozen yogurt

24

K

RK IN G PA

4 Carnegie Diner & Café (Coming Soon)

Y

SP DE CK

-2

4

RA M W P

04

3 BURGERFI (Not Open)

Public Restrooms

22 29 30

2

11

12 Plaza Candy

16 8

13 Red Lobster

1

Secaucus Meadowlands

14 Starbucks

23

A

15 Stefano’s Mediterranean Grille 16 Subway/Dunkin’ Donuts 17 Tokyo Hibachi & Sushi 18 Available 29 Poke Bros.

30 Cumin N Eat

HOTELS

SPECIALTY 19 Bank of America

26 Terra Dental Center

A Residence Inn

20 GNC

27 The Max Challenge

B Holiday Inn (Not Open)

21 Hair Cutter in the Meadow 28 USPS 22 Jewelry Exchange

31 Cellphones Guy

23 Kerasotes Showplace 14

32 Taiji Oriental Massage

24 Mill Creek Art Gallery

MEADOWLANDS TRANSPORTATION

AAA Giants Limousine & Car Service (201) 933-3313

Lyft Lyft.com

Minuteman II Limousine and Car Service (973) 347-6100

Academy Bus, LLC (201) 420-7000 Axis Global Systems, LLC (718) 458-3666

NJ Transit (973) 491-8903, www.njtransit.com

Country Club Services (973) 376-4352

NY Waterway (201) 902-8700

Empire CLS Worldwide Chauffeured Services (888) 826-3431

TIME TO GET OUTSIDE!

Come Join Us and Explore the Real Meadowlands

Panorama Tours (973) 470-9700

Enterprise Rent-A-Car (908) 497-1234

State Shuttle (800) 427-3207

Enterprise Rent-A-Car (845) 537-6067

Stout’s Transportation Services (609) 883-8891

EZ Ride (201) 939-4242

Vander Plaat Executive Limo (201) 891-3856 PARTNERING TO PROVIDE CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN SERVICES

CALL FOR APPOINTMENT (201) 939-0707

A STREAMLINED PAPERLESS PROCESSING SOLUTION DISCOUNTED SERVICES

Let the adventure begin, via Eco-Cruise, guided kayak tour, or a river cleanup all in your Hackensack River.

DO YOU SHIP

Reservations and info: 201-968-0808 HackensackRiverkeeper.org

INTERNATIONALLY

FOR MC MEMBERS

MCHQ & BUSINESS HUB 1099 WALL STREET WEST SUITE 110 BUSINESS HUB LYNDHURST NJ 07071

(201) 939-0707 MEADOWLANDS.ORG

EVENT PLANNING & CATERING SERVICES

16W Marketing Rutherford, (201) 635-8000

Audience Pleasers Garfield, 973-773-0953

4 Wall New York Moonachie, (201) 329-9878

Bounce Music & Entertainment Englewood Cliffs, (201) 482-8191

Adam Leffel Productions/ Petals Premier Event Design Hackensack, (201) 487-1300

Cliffhanger Productions Inc. Rutherford, (201) 460-1489

Al Di La Fine Italian Private Catering Rutherford, (201) 939-1128 Annabella’s Fine Foods, Inc. East Rutherford, (201) 804-0303 Any Excuse For A Party (973) 808-8700 Apple Spice: Box Lunch Delivery & Catering Company South Hackensack, (201) 525-2775

Freeman Kearny, (201) 299-7400 Graycliff Catering Inc. (The Graycliff) Moonachie, (201) 939-9233 Il Villaggio Carlstadt, (201) 935-7733 In Thyme Catered Events River Vale, (201) 666-3353 Jimmy’s Artistic Creations East Rutherford, (201) 460-1919

LTB Entertainment Secaucus, (201) 282-1117

Sal’s Good Eats Teterboro, (201) 375-4949

Mamma Vittoria Nutley, (973) 662-0242

Seasons Catering Washington Township, (201) 664-6141

Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment East Rutherford, (201) 842-5013

Sterling Affair Caterers Carlstadt, (201) 372-0734 Sweet Dreams Studio Photo Booth Madison, (703) 585-4704

Nanina’s In The Park Belleville, (973) 751-1230 Party Supplies Co, Inc. Rutherford, (646) 431-1805 Personal Touch Experience & Catering Hackensack, (201) 488-8820 Pink at Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment East Rutherford, (201) 842-5013

Unique Event Center Little Ferry, (201) 880-5025 United Eventures (201) 694-6583 Venetian Garfield, (973) 546-2250 Willwork Inc. Woodland Park, (201) 321-1135

meadowlandsmedia.com

June 2021

31

• • • • • •

Secaucus, NJ • harmonmeadow.com • 201-348-1200

25+ Restaurants with a variety of choices 9 Hotels, 1,529 Rooms Expo Convention Center Located on Route 3, Secaucus, NJ Exit 16E & 17 on NJ Turnpike, direct to Harmon Meadow Pedestrian-Friendly Campus with LA Fitness Signature Club & Kerasotes ShowPlace 14 Theatres

Re s iden t i al, Re t ai l, Res t a u ra n t & Hot el D ir ect o r y RESTAURANTS and CAFÉS at HARMON MEADOW

MILL CREEK at HARMON MEADOW

Bagels Plus Big Bowls Little Plates Bonefish Grill Buffalo Wild Wings Burger Fi Café 455 (455 Plaza Drive) Carrabba’s Italian Grill Cheeseburger In Paradise Chili’s Chipotle Mexican Grill Cosi CUPS Frozen Yogurt Dunkin Donuts Houlihan’s In Thyme Plaza Café (100 Plaza Dr) Nikko Sushi & Bento Olive Garden (500 Route 3) Outback Steak House Panera Bread Press Coffee Bar (at Holiday Inn) Red Lobster Red Robin Starbucks Stefanos Mediterranean Grille Subway @ Mill Creek Subway @ Plaza The Urban Plum American Pub Tokyo Hibachi Asian Cuisine

201-330-0744 201-514-4163 201-864-3004 201-348-0824 551-257-7979 201-864-7300 201-330-8497 201-392-0500 201-319-0804 201-223-0562 201-330-1052

Bob’s Discount Furniture Bonefish Grill Casual Male XL HomeGoods Jenny Craig Kohl’s Marshalls Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt Michaels Olive Garden (500 Route 3) PetSmart & PetsHotel Subway @ Mill Creek Supercuts TJ Maxx Verizon Wireless

Tokyo Buffet Which Wich

201-863-2828 201-325-8000

201-617-9200 201-330-8856 201-583-9663 201-325-1000 201-867-3543 201-601-0077 201-348-2846 201-520-0570 201-583-1902 201-471-9795 201-223-4924 201-865-6767 201-866-9111 201-617-9200 201-520-0574 201-863-4848

SECAUCUS OUTLETS Secaucus, NJ Burlington Coat Factory (275 Hartz Way)

Calvin Klein Company Store (30 Enterprise Ave)

Eileen Fisher (45a Enterprise Ave) Group USA (25 Enterprise Ave) Gucci (50 Hartz Way) Lenox (60 Enterprise Ave) Prato Menswear

201-866-1665 201-223-9760 201-866-0300 201-867-4455 201-392-2670 201-319-1980

201-864-1450 Rent the Runway Warehouse Store (100 Metro Way) 800-509-0842 Children’s Place 201-223-4849 (210 Meadowland Pkwy) Tommy Hilfiger (25 Enterprise Ave) 201-223-0601 Worth NY (210 Meadowland Pkwy) 201-605-2010 (210 Meadowland Pkwy)

0418

1-101 Mill Creek Drive, Secaucus, NJ

ENTERTAINMENT/FITNESS at HARMON MEADOW Kerasotes Theatres 1-800-Fandango (#1658) LA Fitness Signature Club 201-751-9940 Meadowlands Expo Center 201-330-7773

PLAZA at HARMON MEADOW

700 Plaza Drive, Secaucus, NJ Art Gallery 201-902-0889 Bank Of America 201-319-0031 Chase Bank (450 Plaza Drive) 201-348-9204 Dunkin Donuts/Subway 201-617-9200 GNC 201-348-9549 Haircutter In The Meadow 201-863-3900 Harmon Meadow Jewelry Exchange 201-864-9666 Harmony Early Learning Center 201-348-2905 Pier 1 Imports 201-319-1110 Plaza Candy News & Lottery 201-520-0043 Raymour & Flanigan 201-809-1353 Sam’s Club (300 Park Place) 201-974-0702 Travel Meadows 201-348-3400 U.S. Post Office 201-866-6314 Walmart (400 Park Place) 201-325-9280

HARMON MEADOW HOTELS Secaucus, NJ Aloft Hotel Courtyard By Marriott

OPENING SOON

(455 Harmon Meadow Blvd)

Embassy Suites

(455 Plaza Drive)

Extended Stay America (1 Plaza Drive)

Meadowlands River Inn

(250 Harmon Meadow Blvd.)

Holiday Inn

(300 Plaza Drive)

Hyatt Place

(575 Park Plaza Drive)

La Quinta Inn and Suites

(350 Lighting Way) Residence Inn (800 Plaza Dr)

201-617-8888

LINCOLN HARBOR

1200 Harbor Boulevard, Weehawken, NJ Info & Security Desk Best Wishes Cards & Gifts Blue Ale House Boogie Woogie Bagel Boys Bright Horizons Family Solutions CarePlus/CVS Pharmacy Chart House Estuary Living Houlihan’s Jack Austin’s Eat & Drink Lincoln Harbor Shoe Repair Lincoln Harbor Yacht Club NY Waterway Ruth’s Chris Steak House Sheraton Lincoln Harbor Hotel Harbor Cleaners

201-348-3703 201-713-9762 Coming Soon 201-863-4666 201-351-5350 201-330-8147 201-348-6628 201-355-0455 201-863-4000 201-348-4444 609-505-1640 201-319-5100 800-53-Ferry 201-863-5100 201-617-5600 201-453-3300

HARTZ RESIDENTIAL

201-864-7300 201-553-9700 201-867-4400 201-348-2000

TheHarperApts.com 2 01 . 9 7 4.8 8 99 theharpermgr@greystar.com

201-422-9480 201-863-8700 201-223-9901

harmonmeadow.com 201-348-1200

201-643-1370 201-864-3004 201-223-1330 201-864-4832 201-330-0110 201-553-9143 201-864-4832 201-863-7700 201-293-0214 201-867-3543 201-583-0861 201-866-9111 201-330-7676 201-866-6279 201-553-6600

VIE WS OF NYC WEEHAWKE N

LEASING UNITS 2 0 1 -3 5 5 -0 4 5 5

LEASING UNITS SECAUCUS 2 0 1 -2 7 1 -1 7 0 0

EXPLORE THE MEADOWLANDS ECOTOURISM Hackensack Riverkeeper Hackensack, (201) 968-0808 NJSEA DeKorte Park Lyndhurst, info@njsea.com / (201) 460-1700 River Barge Park and Marina Carlstadt (201) 460-1700

BERGEN COUNTY PARKS Belmont Hill County Park Garfield Borg’s Woods Nature Preserve Hackensack Dahnert’s Lake County Park Garfield

Darlington County Park Mahwah, (201) 327-3500

Samuel Nelkin County Park East Rutherford, (973) 777-0318

Mill Creek Point Park Secaucus, (866) 927-6416

Hackensack River County Park Hackensack, (201) 336-7275

Van Saun County Park Paramus, (201) 262-3771

Losen Slote Creek Park Little Ferry

Wood Dale County Park Hillsdale, (201) 336-7275

Washington Park Jersey City/Union City, (201) 348-5700

Laurel Hill Park Secaucus, 201-915-1386 Overpeck County Park Leonia, (201) 336-7275

HUDSON COUNTY PARKS Mercer Park Bayonne

Pascack Brook County Park Westwood, (201) 336-6000

Stephen R. Gregg Park Bayonne, (201) 858-7180

Ramapo Valley County Reservation Mahwah, (201) 327-3500

Columbus Park Hoboken, (201) 915-1388

Riverside County Park Lyndhurst, (201) 939-9339 Saddle River County Park Saddle Brook, (201) 796-0324

West Hudson Park Kearny, (201) 217-5482 Braddock Park North Bergen, (201) 915-3188 Laurel Hill Park Secaucus, (201) 915-1388

NJSEA PARKS Richard W. DeKorte Park Lyndhurst, (201) 460-1700

Liberty State Park Jersey City, (201) 915-3403

River Barge Park and Marina Carlstadt, (201) 460-1700

Lincoln Park Jersey City, (201) 915-1388

STAY IN THE MEADOWLANDS Aloft Secaucus Meadowlands Secaucus, (201) 809-1000

Fairfield Inn By Marriott East Rutherford, (201) 507-5222

AVE CLIFTON Clifton, (973) 859-3200

Fairfield Inn By Marriott North Bergen, (201) 272-6600

Best Western Premier NYC Gateway Hotel North Bergen, (201) 758-5770

Hampton Inn Carlstadt, (201) 935-9000

Canopy by Hilton Jersey City Arts District Jersey City, (800) 445-8667 Courtyard by Marriott Edgewater, 201-945-5440 Courtyard by Marriott Lyndhurst, (201) 896-6666 Courtyard by Marriott Secaucus, (201) 617-8888 Courtyard by Marriott Wayne/Fairfield, (973) 646-3377 Crowne Plaza Saddle Brook, (201) 880-5952 Econo Lodge Carlstadt, (201) 935-4600 Element Harrison, (862) 234-4922 Embassy Suites Secaucus, (201) 864-7300

Hampton Inn & Suites Teaneck Glenpointe Teaneck, (201) 883-9777

Home2 Suites by Hilton Hasbrouck Heights Hasbrouck Heights, (201) 552-5600

Residence Inn East Rutherford, (201) 939-0020

Homewood Suites by Hilton East Rutherford, (201) 460-9030 Homewood Suites by Hilton Teaneck/Glenpointe, (201) 883-1777

Residence Inn by Marriott Port Imperial Weehawken, (201) 758-7922 Residence Inn Saddle River, (201) 934-4144 Saddle Brook Marriott Saddle Brook, (201) 843-9500

Hilton Garden Inn Secaucus, (201) 864-1400

Hyatt Place Secaucus/ Meadowlands Secaucus, (201) 422-9480

Hilton Hasbrouck Heights Hasbrouck Heights, (201) 288-6100

La Quinta Inn & Suites Clifton/ Rutherford Clifton, (973) 778-6500

Hilton Meadowlands East Rutherford, (201) 896-0500

La Quinta Inn & Suites Secaucus, (201) 863-8700

Teaneck Marriott at Glenpointe Teaneck, (201) 836-0600

Holiday Inn Hasbrouck Heights Hasbrouck Heights, (201) 288-9600

Marriott at Newark Liberty International Airport Newark, (973) 623-0006

The Meadowlands River Inn Secaucus, (201) 867-4400

Holiday Inn Secaucus Meadowlands Secaucus, (201) 809-4746

MC Hotel Montclair, (973) 329-5500

Holiday Inn Express Paramus, (201) 843-5400 Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Carlstadt, (201) 460-9292

Sheraton Lincoln, Harbor Hotel Weehawken (201) 617-5600 Station at Lyndhurst Apartments Lyndhurst, (201) 252-4036

W Hotel Hoboken, (201) 253-2420 Element by Westin Jersey City, (973) 484-1500

Red Roof Inn Secaucus, (201) 319-1000 Renaissance Meadowlands Hotel Rutherford, (201) 231-3100

meadowlandsmedia.com

June 2021

33

www.naninasinthepark.com 973.751.1230

540 Mill Street, Belleville, New Jersey 07109 info@naninasinthepark.com

DESTINATION MEADOWLANDS

SOJO Spa Club Edgewater, (201) 313-7200

RECREATION, SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Hornblower Cruises & Events 888-467-6256

Statue Cruises Jersey City, (201) 432-6321

Aviation Hall of Fame & Museum Of NJ Teterboro, (201) 288-6344

Kerasotes Showplace 14 Secaucus (201) 210-5364

Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island (212) 344-0996

The DOJO Rutherford, (201) 933-3050

Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) Englewood, (201) 816-8160

Liberty Science Center Jersey City, (201) 200-1000

ECOTOURISM

SHOPPING MALLS/CENTERS

NJSEA Meadowlands Environment Center Lyndhurst, (201) 460-8300

Bergen Town Center Paramus, (201) 845-4051

Bowlero Walllington Wallington. (973) 773-9100 Chuck E. Cheese’s North Bergen, (201) 861-1799 Durkan Fencing Company South Hackensack, 201-880-9585 Entertainment Cruises | Spirit of New York & New Jersey Dining Cruises (201) 333-8600 Field Station: Dinosaurs Leonia, (855) 999-9010 Fun Ghoul Costume Co. Rutherford, (201) 460-1489 GolfTec Englewood, (201) 567-0103 Hi-Tech Billiard Club & Lounge Weehawken, (201) 624-8240 High Exposure Rock Climbing/ Ninja Warrior Gym Northvale, (201) 768-8600

Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment East Rutherford, (201) 460-4166 Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament Lyndhurst, (201) 933-2220 MetLife Stadium East Rutherford, (201) 559-1562 NY Giants East Rutherford, (201) 935-8111 NY Jets Florham Park, (516) 560-8100 NY Red Bulls Harrison, (201) 583-7000

American Dream East Rutherford, 1-833-AMDREAM

Hackensack Riverkeeper Hackensack, (201) 968-0808

HEALTH, FITNESS & BEAUTY GNC Live Well Secaucus, (201) 348-9549

The Plaza at Harmon Meadow Secaucus, (908) 226-5285 Newport Centre Jersey City, (201) 626-207z The Mills at Jersey Gardens Jersey City, (908) 436-3005

Haircutter in the Meadow Secaucus, (201) 863-3900

The Shops at Riverside Hackensack, (201) 489-0151

Jenny Craig Secaucus, (201) 330-0110

Westfield Garden State Plaza Paramus, (201) 843-2121

NY Waterway Weehawken, (201) 902-8700

King’s Court Health & Sports Club Lyndhurst, (201) 460-0088

RPM Raceway Jersey City, (201) 333-7223

LA Fitness Signature Club Secaucus, (201) 751-9940

Sofive Carlstadt, 347-790-5032

Poofy Organics Rutherford, (201) 438-6800

Space Farms Zoo & Museum Sussex, (973) 875-5800

Sally Beauty Supply North Bergen, 201-295-0020

OUTLET SHOPPING

Calvin Klein Company Store Secaucus, (201) 223-9760 Gucci Secaucus, (201) 392-2670 Tommy Hilfiger Secaucus, (201) 863-5600

FOR ALL YOUR LOADING DOCK AND OVERHEAD DOOR NEEDS COMMERCIAL | INDUSTRIAL

CORPORATE OFFICE 20 META LANE | LODI NJ 07644

CONTACT JAI PATEL | jai@dockndoors.com www.overhead-doors.com

OTHER OFFICES SERVING WESTCHESTER COUNTY, ALL BOROUGHS OF NYC

RECENT JOBS METLIFE STADIUM • AMERICAN DREAM MALL WORLD TRADE CENTER

meadowlandsmedia.com

June 2021

35

Meadowlands Chamber Update

T • • • • • • •

he Meadowlands Chamber recently announced the appointment of seven new members to the organization’s board of advisors, effective immediately: Nina Bachrach, Bergen Volunteers Dr. James W. Crawford, Felician University Pooja Desai, Hospital for Special Surgery Mark Devaney, Langan Engineering Pradeep Kapoor, DMR Architects Sarah Rutherford, Prologis Willie Tolbert, Legal Shield

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS Allstate Agency, www.allstate.com/kmeredith........................................................ 29 Bergen Community College, www.bergen.edu........................................................ 1 Branca Properties Inc., www.brancaproperties.com................................................. 7 CBH Care, www.cbhcare.com.................................................................................. 19 Eastwick College, www.eastwick.edu...................................................................... 17 Frank’s GMC, www.franksgmc.net.......................................................................... 29 Grassi, www.grassicpas.com..................................................................................... 2 Hackensack Meridian Health, www.hackensackumc.org.......................... Back Cover Hackensack Riverkeeper, www.hackensackriverkeeper.org................................... 31 Hartz Mountain Industries, www.hartzmountain.com............................................. 9 Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, www.horizonblue.com....................................................................................... 23 IBEW Local 164, www.ibew164.org........................................................................ 13 J. Fletcher Creamer & Son, www.jfcson.com................................... Inside Back Cover

Nina Bachrach, Bergen Volunteers

Dr. James W. Crawford, Felician University

Jewel Electric, www.jewelelectric.com............................................Inside Front Cover NAI James E. Hanson, www.naihanson.com............................................................ 5 Nanina’s In The Park, The Park Savoy & Park Chateau, www.naninasinthepark.com.............................................................................. 34

Pooja Desai, Hospital for Special Surgery

MC Certificate of Origin Services, www.meadowlands.org.................................... 31 Mark Devaney, Langan Engineering

Overhead Door, www.DockNDoor.com................................................................... 35 The Plaza at Harmon Meadow, www.theplazaatharmonmeadow.com................... 30 Prologis, www.prologis.com................................................................................... 35 State of Affairs with Steve Adubato, www.nj.com/SteveAdubato............................ 11

Pradeep Kapoor, DMR Architects

Sarah Rutherford, Prologis

For more information on multimedia advertising in Meadowlands Media products, please contact Martha Morley at (201) 493-7996 or email: greerentps@aol.com

Call for new items! If your organization has news or announcements to share with our audience, please send to Joe Garavente at

Willie Tolbert, Legal Shield

36

meadowlandsmedia.com

JGaravente@meadowlands.org or call (201) 939-0707

June 2021

BUILDING THE FOUNDATION FOR LIFE For nearly 100 years, J. Fletcher Creamer & Son, Inc. has provided solutions to the infrastructure needs of the business community, governmental agencies and utility companies throughout the United States.

To learn more visit us at JFCSON.COM UTILITY | HEAVY/HIGHWAY | SIGNS & GUARD RAIL | EMERGENCY WORK

WHO BETTER THAN NEW JERSEY’S PREMIER CANCER PROGRAM RANKED BEST CANCER CENTER IN NEW JERSEY BY U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT PART OF THE NCI-DESIGNATED GEORGETOWN LOMBARDI COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER ACCESS TO NOVEL THERAPIES WITH OVER 450 CLINICAL TRIALS INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED EXPERTISE ONE OF THE NATION’S LARGEST BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT PROGRAMS PIONEERS IN THE ADVANCEMENT OF IMMUNOTHERAPY FIRST TO BRING CAR T-CELL THERAPY TO NEW JERSEY ONE OF THE LARGEST ROBOTIC SURGERY PROGRAMS IN THE NATION When it comes to your cancer, there’s no question. New Jersey’s premier cancer program is Hackensack Meridian John Theurer Cancer Center.

See or speak to an expert within 48 hours. Call 833-CANCER-MD.