Central Jersey Daily Rundown, Saturday, Feb. 1 – My Central Jersey

4-H/Middle Earth awarded grant

The Somerset County 4-H and Middle Earth announced they have received a Major Grant for $10,000 from The Provident Bank Foundation to support their Student Ambassador for Community Health program. The Student Ambassador program seeks to empower young people to design and implement projects that address unique health challenges in their community. Somerset County 4-H, a youth development organization, and Middle Earth, a youth support and mentoring nonprofit, partner to advise and coach the team of approximately 10 youth. This program teaches youth skills in leadership, business, government operations, problem-solving, teamwork and creativity. Middle Earth received the check during a presentation on Nov. 7, 2019 at the Middle Earth offices. Jane Kurek, executive director of the Provident Bank Foundation, presented the check. Accepting from 4-H/Middle Earth were Lisa Rothenburger from Somerset County 4-H, Maria Strada from Middle Earth and several youth from the 2019 Student Ambassador program. For more information about Middle Earth, visit www.middleearthnj.org. For more information about the Somerset County 4-H, visit www.4histops.org.

Two-for-one cat adoptions

During February, Tabby’s Place, a Cat Sanctuary, is offering two-for-one adoptions. You can add two feline Valentines to your family for $135, the usual fee for just one cat. Tabby’s Place has more than 100 cats available for adoption. For more information, contact Tabby’s Place Director of Operations Danielle Rice at dr@tabbysplace.org or 908-237-5300, ext 450. Tabby’s Place is open from noon to 5 p.m., seven days a week, and is at 1100 Route 202 in the Ringoes section of East Amwell Township. Can’t adopt right now? You can also “virtually adopt” a Special Needs cat by donating at www.tabbysplace.org/sn/.

Immigration report released

With immigration reform remaining one of the biggest policy issues in 2020 and $7.2 billion in Pentagon funds potentially going toward border wall funding, the personal-finance website WalletHub recently released its report on 2020’s Economic Impact of Immigration by State. In order to determine which states benefit most from immigration, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 23 key metrics, ranging from median household income of foreign-born population to jobs generated by immigrant-owned businesses as a share of total jobs.

Immigrants’ Economic Impact on New Jersey (1=Biggest Impact; 25=Avg.):

• 1st — Percentage of Jobs Generated by Immigrant-Owned Businesses Out of Total Jobs

• 4th — Median Household Income of Foreign-Born Population

• 1st — Percentage of Foreign-Born STEM Workers Out of Total STEM Workers

• 11th — Percentage of Foreign-Born Population Aged 25 & Older with a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher

• 19th — Percentage of Fortune 500 Companies Founded by Immigrants or Their Children

• 19th — Percentage of Jobs Created by Presence of International Students Out of Total Jobs

• 24th — Economic Contribution of International Students per Capita

For the full report, visit:

https://wallethub.com/edu/economic-impact-of-immigration-by-state/32248/.  

Funding received for Sayreville’s Bailey Park

A Sayreville park that has fallen into disrepair over the years has received funding from the state to help rehabilitate the land. Funds for Bailey Park were recently released when Gov. Phil Murphy unfroze the remaining money allocated by the Legislature in this year’s State budget. With the $500,000 dedicated to Bailey Park improvements, the Borough of Sayreville intends to construct a spray park that would allow local children and visitors to enjoy a water playground in the hot summer months. If the spray park is decided upon, it would be the first within the municipality. Visit www.njsendems.org.

Howard is new Stingrays Swim Academy coordinator

The Hunterdon County YMCA (HCY) welcomed Janet Howard to her new role as the Stingrays Swim Academy Coordinator. The HCY has provided swim lessons and water safety programs to the community for more than 50 years and recently launched the Stingrays Swim Academy, a new format for swim lessons. Howard has been a swim instructor at the Y for almost 20 years and recently began a new role as coordinator of the Swim Academy. In her new role, Howard will work with Aquatic Director Flora Mannino to assure the smooth running of the Stingrays Swim Academy. She will coordinate and train staff, supervise the program and provide support and communication to parents regarding their children’s progress. Howard will also continue to teach pre-team classes. The Hunterdon County YMCA indoor pool is at the Deer Path Branch, 144 West Woodschurch Road, Flemington. The Stingrays Swim Academy serves children 6 months through 12 years, beginner level through advanced, providing swim instructions. Registration is now open and more information is available at www.hcymca.org/swim-academy.

‘Go Red Event’ on Feb. 7

Explore insights to women’s heart health at Saint Peter’s University Hospital’s “Go Red Event,” celebrating American Heart Month. It will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, National Wear Red Day, in the Main Hospital Lobby & Sister Marie De Pazzi Conference Center at Saint Peter’s University Hospital, 254 Easton Ave., New Brunswick. Medical experts will be available to discuss heart disease risk factors for women and Saint Peter’s Cardio-Oncology program. Cardiovascular health screenings and education and more. Visit www.saintpetershcs.com.

Bill clears Assembly panel

With the goal to gain a better understanding of the effectiveness of online courses compared to traditional college classes, legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Thomas Giblin (D-Essex, Passaic), Daniel Benson (D-Mercer, Middlesex) and Joseph Danielsen (D-Middlesex, Somerset) was recently advanced by the Assembly Higher Education Committee. The bill (A-876) would direct the Secretary of Higher Education to conduct a study to examine the prevalence, cost and quality of online courses offered by institutions of higher education. Visit www.assemblydems.com.

Brusco appointed chief medical officer

Hackensack Meridian Health Raritan Bay Medical Center has announced the addition of Louis Brusco, Jr., M.D., FCCM, CPE as chief medical officer for both Raritan Bay Medical Center — Old Bridge and Raritan Bay Medical Center — Perth Amboy. Prior to joining Raritan Bay Medical Center, Brusco served as chief medical officer at Atlantic Health System’s Morristown Medical Center, where he created programs, strengthened resource management and improved patient safety. In addition, while Brusco was at Morristown Medical Center it was the recipient of Vizent’s 2018 Bernard A. Birnbaum MD Quality Leadership Award. In 2015, Dr. Brusco led the effort to lift the Leapfrog safety grade of the hospital to an “A” and elevate the Healthgrades ratings from top 100 hospitals to top 50 hospitals. Prior to his role at Morristown Medical Center, Dr. Brusco spent 22 years at Mount Sinai St. Luke’s and Mount Sinai Roosevelt hospitals in various physician leadership roles. For more information about Raritan Bay Medical Center, visit www.rbmc.org. 

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