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Fitness Guru Seeks 'Elves' To Help Bring Christmas To North Jersey Homeless Fitness Guru Seeks 'Elves' To Help Bring Christmas To North Jersey Homeless
Fitness Guru Seeks 'Elves' To Help Bring Christmas To North Jersey Homeless Leah Fairchild had just given Christmas bags to a dozen homeless people on the streets of Manhattan when she began to cry. She wanted to do more. Since that Christmas five years ago, she has. “Each year I vow to do it bigger and better,” said Fairchild, who, with the help of volunteers raised nearly $3,500 last year, visited seven shelters in Bergen, Passaic, Hudson and Essex counties and distributed 350 gift bags to those living on the street. Fairchild, a single mom of three who owns and operates Train on Purpose (TOP) Hybrid Fitness Studio in Lyndhurst, launched her “Christmas Miracle …

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by Jerry DeMarco
Neighbors
Requiescat In Pace: Popular Wayne Music Producer Succumbs To Injuries From Crash Requiescat In Pace: Popular Wayne Music Producer Succumbs To Injuries From Crash
Requiescat In Pace: Popular Wayne Music Producer Succumbs To Injuries From Crash Tributes mounted Tuesday as word that a popular music producer from Wayne who was struck by a tire that popped off a dump truck as he rode his bicycle died his injuries. "Surrounded by his father Jack Sr., brother Jack Jr., and holding the hand of Cat, his loving wife of 20 years, James John DeSalvo departed this life and reunited with his beloved mother Kathleen in that special place he liked to call 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow,' ” family friend Ruth Ozbolt Cleary wrote Monday night. Outpourings of love, honor and respect have continued to multiply ever since. Jim "Bean" DeSalvo…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Neighbors
Community Rallies For Wayne Music Producer, 53, Fighting For His Life After Freak Accident Community Rallies For Wayne Music Producer, 53, Fighting For His Life After Freak Accident
Community Rallies For Wayne Music Producer, 53, Fighting For His Life After Freak Accident A producer from Wayne who’s worked with a wide range of musicians – from Yes lead singer Jon Anderson to Darryl “DMC” McDaniels – was fighting for his life as friends, loved ones and colleagues rallied to assist him and his family. Jim DeSalvo, 53, was riding his bicycle in town Wednesday when he was struck by a tire that popped off a dump truck, critically injuring him. Supporters have rushed to help DeSalvo and his wife, Cat, a freelance video editor who married him 20 years ago next week. Cat “will be out of work for an undetermined amount of time to help him fight through this like the…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Neighbors
Family In Union Coping With Second Devastating House Fire Family In Union Coping With Second Devastating House Fire
Family In Union Coping With Second Devastating House Fire Seven years after fire heavily damaged their home, a family in Union are trying to cope with yet another fire -- one that has left them homeless.  The fire broke out on Revere Avenue near the Maplewood border Sunday night. Union and Maplewood firefighters brought the blaze under control in about 90 minutes but the home sustained heavy damage.  Union fire officials said it was the second time they had been to the house for a fire.  The family has organized a GoFundMe campaign to ask the public's help.  "With a heavy heart and a GRATEFUL spirit I am announcing for those …

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by Paul Milo
Neighbors
Last Call Coming After 82 Years For Gill's Tavern In Cliffside Park Last Call Coming After 82 Years For Gill's Tavern In Cliffside Park
Last Call Coming After 82 Years For Gill's Tavern In Cliffside Park Drink up: A Cliffside Park watering hole that served more than three generations of patrons, making it not only one of the oldest bars in North Jersey but a familiar oasis in a world of constant change, is closing this winter. Owner/operator Barbara Lupica announced the Nov. 30 last call this week, while thanking “all of our friends and patrons for all of your support over the last 82 fabulous years.” Lupica said she’s also selling off “all memorabilia and supplies” to the public. Polish immigrant Adam Gill built the bar on the front lawn of a house he shared with his wife, Mary, and their…

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by Jerry DeMarco
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What's The Deal? Residents Nationwide Ask Amazon Where 'Surprise' Package Came From What's The Deal? Residents Nationwide Ask Amazon Where 'Surprise' Package Came From
What's The Deal? Residents Nationwide Ask Amazon Where 'Surprise' Package Came From Hundreds of Allendale residents recently joined tens of thousands of fellow Americans nationwide in reporting an item delivered through Amazon that they didn't order – in this instance, an iPhone screen protector. “Tossed it in the trash,” wrote one of the recipients. “Sketchy.” “I got one to my house and to my office. Neither for phones I have,” another added. “Have been getting them too. Not once, but 3 times already,” another said. “So weird.” Should they be worried? Probably not, experts say. A flood of deliveries of an unordered item is usually part of a scam known as “brushing,” i…

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by Jerry DeMarco
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After 24 Years Apart, NJ Transit Police Help Reunite Dad With Family After 24 Years Apart, NJ Transit Police Help Reunite Dad With Family
After 24 Years Apart, NJ Transit Police Help Reunite Dad With Family A homeless man who hadn't seen his daughters in 24 years -- and who had never met some of his grandchildren -- was reunited with them with help from a concerned NJ Transit police officer, the agency said.  Transit police in the Secaucus Junction station found 61-year-old Jose Lopez, who is homeless, Aug. 6. The former Monmouth County resident had traveled from Miami to meet with his long-lost children.  Officers in Secaucus sent him on to Newark Penn Stration, where Crisis Outreach Officer Sean Pfeifer decided to help locate Lopez's offspring. The agency's outreach program is…

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by Paul Milo
Neighbors
Fundraiser Started For Belleville Man Hurt Clinging To Hood Of Stolen Car Fundraiser Started For Belleville Man Hurt Clinging To Hood Of Stolen Car
Fundraiser Started For Belleville Man Hurt Clinging To Hood Of Stolen Car The daughter of the Belleville man who was critically injured trying to prevent two thieves from making off with the family car Tuesday has started a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for his medical expenses. “My father is the most hardworking man I know and would do absolutely anything to protect his family. He is and always will be my personal hero. With me going away to college, I am worried about his recovery and how to financially give him the support that he needs,” Angela Dillon wrote about her father, James. At around 7 a.m., two men entered the Dillons’ High Street home shortly aft…

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by Paul Milo
Neighbors
Scholarship Started In Memory Of Glen Ridge Woman, 24 Scholarship Started In Memory Of Glen Ridge Woman, 24
Scholarship Started In Memory Of Glen Ridge Woman, 24 Eva Jean McWilliams- Ward of Glen Ridge died July 28. She was 24.  A college student at the time of her death, she is survived by parents Christopher Ward and Kathleen McWilliams; sisters Keegan and Christina Claire McWilliams-Ward; and her grandfather Michael Ward. She is predeceased by grandparents Jean Mary Potter-Ward and Richard and Phyliis Jean Peters McWilliams.  Phoenix Recovery LLC is creating "Eva's Memorial Scholarship Fund" in her memory. The fund will assist women recovering from drug and alcohol addiction who need assistance in getting to a sober living environment.&…

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by Paul Milo
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Cranford Woman, 106, Faced Loss Of Her Home For Unpaid Taxes Cranford Woman, 106, Faced Loss Of Her Home For Unpaid Taxes
Cranford Woman, 106, Faced Loss Of Her Home For Unpaid Taxes A woman was facing the prospect of losing the house in Cranford she's lived in since the 1940s because of delinquent property taxes.  A GoFundMe campaign launched by her daughter and caregiver, however, has staved off disaster -- for now.  "Having checked with our municipal tax office, we cannot defer property taxes. The State of New Jersey has no hardship exemptions for centenarian homeowners on social security income. We have one option available to avoid the Cranford Township Tax Sale scheduled for September 18, 2019: Make a minimum PAYMENT OF $8,367.18," Roseanne Estwanick wro…

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by Paul Milo
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LIFESAVER NEEDS YOUR HELP: GoFundMe Started For Ailing Elizabeth EMT LIFESAVER NEEDS YOUR HELP: GoFundMe Started For Ailing Elizabeth EMT
Lifesaver Needs Your Help: GoFundMe Started For Ailing Elizabeth EMT A fundraiser has been launched on behalf of an emergency medical technician who collapsed while on duty this week. Yojany Mejia suffered two aneurysms and is now being treated at JFK Medical Center, according to the GoFundMe page started for her and Elizabeth NJ Fire Officers, a professional organization. The funds will help with various ongoing expenses while she’s recuperating. “She is a person that wears her heart on her sleeve and has a heart of gold….I am hoping & praying we can all chip in a little to help her out in her time of need,” her sister wrote. “EMT Mejia always has …

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by Paul Milo
Neighbors
Family With Autistic, Diabetic Kids Needs Help After Bayonne Fire Family With Autistic, Diabetic Kids Needs Help After Bayonne Fire
Family With Autistic, Diabetic Kids Needs Help After Bayonne Fire Several people were affected by a devastating fire that heavily damaged two multifamily homes in Bayonne Wednesday evening. Fortunately, there were only minor injuries reported.  Unfortunately, nearly 40 residents lost their homes, including one family of 10 that is now seeking the community's help.  Faith Garcia has started a GoFundMe campaign on behalf of her large family, which includes infants as well as two autistic children. One of the babies has Type 2 diabetes, the medicine for which was lost in the fire, she said.  To help out, click here. 

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by Paul Milo