SHOUT OUT: Continuing a 55-year tradition, Washington Township’s volunteer firefighters are selling a wide variety of Christmas trees — seven days a week until Christmas Eve, 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. — at their Washington Avenue headquarters.

Also available are wreaths (1-5 feet), grave blankets and other Christmas accessories — along with plenty of netting and twine — as well as metal tree stands and disposal skirts.

Photos with Santa will be taken Dec. 14-15 (Saturday & Sunday), from 1-3 p.m.

There’s also a complimentary BBQ from noon-3 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday.

As an entirely volunteer organization, the Washington Township Fire Department depends on donations. The firefighters, as a result, are dedicated to offering value to those looking for anything from the dense, traditional Balsam, the versatile old-fashioned Douglas or the strong-branched Fraser, to a a four- or five-foot high “Charlie Brown” tree.

The firefighters will also provide the muscle to make sure your tree is loaded properly onto your vehicle.

SHOUT OUT: Bergenfield police will be conducting their first “Tweet-along” from 7 to 11 p.m. this Friday.

During that time, Police Chief Michael T. Carr and Captain Cathy Madalone (above, left) will shadow an officer on patrol and post to the department’s Twitter page.

The hope is to create a virtual ride-along with a police officer, Carr said.

“We will be posting photos and tweets of events and incidents which occur during the officer’s shift,” Madalone said.

But there’s more: “We will also tweet a time and location for a meet and greet during the event,” the captain said.

TO PARTICIPATE: Twitter@BergenfieldNJPD

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS DOG? Friends and strangers were still searching tonight for a chihuahua mix named Drama from Cliffside Park who went missing three days ago while his owner was overseas.

“The owner is coming back from Taiwan tomorrow and we will be arranging a search party,” the operators of Lost and Found Dogs NJ told CLIFFVIEW PILOT tonight.

They will cut a wide swath: Fort Lee, Palisades Park and Ridgefield are all within blocks of where the dog went missing.

Drama bolted from his Lafayette Avenue backyard, which backs on a baseball field near Bergen Boulevard, on Saturday.

He was wearing a tag and a microchip, although those searching for him were uncertain whether it’s active.

If you see him, or think you’ve seen him, contact Andres Gomez: (201) 954-9358

UPDATE: A missing Cliffside Park chihuahua mix named Drama was found, safe and sound, thanks to a woman who operates an increasingly popular Facebook page that searches for lost pets.

Drama’s owner was overseas when he bolted from his Lafayette Avenue backyard, which backs on a baseball field near Bergen Boulevard, on Saturday.

He was wearing a tag and a microchip, although those searching for him were uncertain whether it was active.

He could have gone anywhere: Fort Lee, Palisades Park and Ridgefield are all within blocks of where Drama went missing.

From the original story

Unable to find him, Andres Gomez turned to animal rights advocate Adriana Bradley, who runs Adriana at Lost and Found North Jersey out of Andover.

On Monday, Gomez said, he “got a call from someone who saw the post on Adriana’s page.”

The caller said Fort Lee police received a call reporting a found chihuahua.

“I was so excited that I forgot to ask the lady her name,” Gomez said.

“I called the police and they gave me a number, but the person would not pick up the phone,” he said. “We left multiple messages and offered cash but no answer.”

Yesterday, Bradley called instead, got hold of the woman and arranged a time for Gomez to pick up Drama.

“The woman who found him was super nice,” he said. “She took great care of Drama.”

Gomez also praised Bradley, whom he called “an amazing person.”

If you have or find a lost pet, go to: Adriana at Lost and Found North Jersey

EDITOR’S NOTE: New Jerseyans have heard all the jokes about the Garden State, from “What exit?” to cracks about a new slogan (“One state, under indictment,” for instance). Now comes a remark from the president of the Super Bowl host committee that’s giving East Rutherford Mayor Jim Casella agita.

From NJ.com:

SHOUT OUT: The most racially diverse class in New Jersey State Police history — 54% of it minorities — was graduated today at Elizabeth High School.

The 153rd class, the second to be graduated this year, “represents a major step forward in our continuing effort to develop and maintain a State Police force that reflects the diverse population it serves,” Gov. Christie said.

“That is critical because the State Police is the most visible symbol of law enforcement throughout New Jersey, and every individual trooper who puts on the uniform is recognized as a leader — on the road, in his or her neighborhood and in the community at large,” Christie said.

Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman and Col. Rick Fuentes, the NJSP superintendent, presented badges to the 118 probationary troopers, will be assigned to stations throughout the state over the next 11 weeks, mentored by trooper-coaches and supervisors. A full 25% are Hispanic and 16% African-American.

There are also six Asians and one American Indian,  along with 29 Hispanics and 19 African-Americans.

Five of the troopers are women.

They join 91 troopers who were graduated in October.

“The difference between mediocrity and excellence for any organization is not just equipment or facilities – it is about people,” Hoffman told them. “And that is where you, the graduates of the 153rd State Police class, come in.

“As of today, the continued success of the State Police mission is in your hands. You are the organization’s future, and your dedication and professionalism will determine its success,” Hoffman said.

Fuentes told the group that they’ll be required to “hit the ground running.”

“The life of a New Jersey state trooper can be demanding, but in return you will be rewarded knowing that you are protecting and serving our citizens,” he said. “As you wear the blue and gold uniform, you will realize, just as every trooper has before you, that being a trooper is more than a job.

“It is now part of who you are.”

Of those graduating, 74% have Bachelor’s degrees or higher; 42% played college sports; 16% have prior military service — and several have previous law enforcement or emergency management experience, the NJSP said.

“The 118 men and women of the 153rd Class entered on day one as individuals, and are now leaving as a unified team,” said Academy Commander Julian Castellanos. “They successfully completed the transformation from civilian to highly-skilled law enforcement professional, and are ready to begin their careers as protectors of the citizens of New Jersey.”

While this class was in the academy, seven recruits had family members die, three were married, and three had children.

Still, the NJSP said, “they maintained their focus and concentrated on their training” — 24 weeks of exhaustive classroom and physical work at the State Police academy in Seat Girt.

That included role-playing exercises focused on domestic violence situations, human dignity, and cultural diversity, with which outside representatives of various ethnic, cultural, community, and professional organizations helped.

Each NJSP applicant is required to have a bachelor’s degree or, alternatively, a minimum of 60 college credits, plus two years of work experience.

PHOTO: John O’Boyle/The Star-Ledger (courtesy NJ.com)

SHOUT OUT: A Garfield family got a magical treat when Santa Claus and his helpers — a group of city firefighters — brought a Christmas tree and a bounty of gifts, including new bicycles.

Arojita, 7, and her 5-year-old brother, Mario, “were absolutely amazed by the tree and all the gifts we brought,” said Garfield Fire Co. #3 Assistant Chief Edward Morano.

Using money raised by the company, Morano and his girlfriend, Amanda Yarmula, bought several sets of clothes, pajamas, jackets, gloves hats, scarves, socks, sweaters, as well as the toys and bikes for the Adopt-a-Family Santa Run.

“Santa” allowed them to open the bicycles, but the rest of the gifts are to remain wrapped until Christmas.

“This is the perfect way to do something for the needy in our community,” Morano said.

The mother thanked the firefighters, saying they brought her family “a full Christmas.”

PHOTOS: Courtesy GARFIELD FIRE Co. #3

SHOUT OUTS: A 12-year-old boy who sends baseballs to American troops and a veteran U.S. Marine who is now a police lieutenant – both from Washington Township – were honored by the North Jersey Regional Crime Prevention Officers Association this past week.

Billy Cook, a 7th-grader at Westwood Regional Middle School, was named this year’s Exceptional Citizen – an award that recognizes patriotism, the human spirit and “the best that our communities have to offer.”

Billy, who gets people to write encouraging messages on the baseballs, is “making a real difference in the lives of U.S. troops,” the association said.

For his part, Billy said: “I hope the notes let them know that we are thinking of them and the baseball helps provide a distraction from the serious work they do every day.”

The NJRCPOA also honored Washington Township Police Lt. Richard Skinner as its Crime Prevention Officer of the Year.

Skinner, a 20-year department veteran, launched the Washington Township Jr. Police Academy in 2000. It has since blossomed into the Pascack Valley Junior Police Academy, with about 100 students from the township, Westwood, Hillsdale and Ridgewood attending.

Skinner, who oversees his department’s Patrol Division, served in the Marines for six years before becoming a police officer. He is a founding member of the Bergen County Rapid Deployment Force, for which he serves as a platoon commander and chemical agent operator.

Skinner, who frequently lectures on Internet safety, also coaches youth baseball and football and is extremely active in the community.

Receiving the association’s highest honor, the Valor Award, were Hackensack Police Sgt. James Dalton and Officers Joseph Ayoubi, Franklyn Bay and Brett McCarthy for their “exemplary actions” while converging on a gunman who began shooting at them near Newman Street and Railroad Avenue on July 22.

All four returned fire, hitting him several times and ending what could have been fatal circumstances for police and bystanders. The shooter was then jailed on charges that include attempted murder (SEE: Hackensack police shooting: What happened).

“These officers distinguished themselves by demonstrating bravery, unwavering service to the citizens of the city of Hackensack, and the utmost valor in the face of true and imminent danger,” the NJRCPOA said.

Other honorees:

Eric Kanefsky, the director of New Jersey’s Division of Consumer Affairs, received the Exceptional Service Award for protecting the public in the wake of Hurricane Sandy by deploying a team of investigators to fan out across the state and identify price gougers.

“Within hours, subpoenas were issued to these businesses and they were put on notice about any suspected price gouging,” the association said. “These investigations ranged from lodging, fuel, food, generators, and bare necessities.”

Kanefsky – and by extention his staff – was recognized for “important and diligent efforts to protect the public and prevent crime” following the storm (SEE: Bergen judge OKs settlement dissolving bogus Sandy charity).

Bergenfield Police Officers James Acito, Ahmed Alagha, Ramon Cruz and Michael Dymek were honored for rescuing an elderly family from a house fire the morning of June 2 “despite the conditions and the obvious risk of injury.”

The rescue of the residents “would not have happened without these four officers,” the NJRCPOA said.

The Crime Prevention Detective of the Year Award was given to River Vale Detective Sgt. John J. DeVoe for, among other reasons, his “education initiatives to protect children and families.”

“These projects have ultimately reached tens of thousands of children and adults throughout the northeastern United States by virtue of [DeVoe’s] affiliation with Internet Safety and anti-bullying campaigns started by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Computer Crimes Task Force,” the association said.

DeVoe has attended specialized training and attained distinguished memberships that the NJRCPOA said have “equipped him with the skills to promote community policing, crime prevention, and youth outreach in his local community and beyond.”

Most notably, he is an active member of the F.B.I. National Academy Associates, having been graduated from the F.B.I. National Academy in Quantico, VA, as a member of Session #252 in March (SEE: River Vale Police Sgt. John DeVoe is graduated from FBI National Academy).

DeVoe is also an active member of the F.B.I. Law Enforcement Executive Development Association, having been graduated from the Mid-Atlantic Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar at Princeton University in June 2012.

The 17-year veteran frequently lectures and speaks at various public and private schools and universities, while working at the local level to keep children safer online by giving talks and sponsoring activities.

It is “his involvement in youth projects that has continued to make him a cut above the rest,” the association said.

For instance, DeVote created the first youth Junior Police Academy in the Pascack Valley area, which he continues to run. It is, per capita, the largest JPA in the north region, with an average of more than 125 students from River Vale alone.

He is also a senior investigator with the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Computer Crimes Task Force, for which he also serves as the educational outreach coordinator.

The NJRCPOA says it “has a mission of uniting police officers, security professionals, and concerned business owners in the common goal of preventing crime while propelling community involvement in public safety. The association is a collaboration of community policing, classic crime prevention, and educational awareness to help citizens and law enforcement fight crime together.”

1. Billy Cook (holding baseball) and family
2. Lt. Skinner, Sgt. DeVoe
3. Award winners
PHOTOS: Courtesy Hillsdale Police Officer William Diedtrich/NJRCPOA

SHOUT OUT: A group of Bergen County police chiefs gave Santa Claus a five-star escort, bringing gifts to children at The Valley Hospital Pediatric Unit.

The visit and donations were arranged by the Bergen County Police Chiefs Association.

Those pictured above (l. to. r.):

STANDING: Elmwood Park Police Chief Thomas Johnson, nurses Judith Brewer of Waldwick and Bridget Schweisguth of Mahwah; Glen Rock Police Chief Fred Stahman, Dumont Police Chief  Joseph Faulborn, Oakland Police Chief Edward Kasper, Englewood Cliffs Police Chief Michael Cioffi, Midland Park Police Chief Michael Marra

SEATED: Ashley and her mom, Fanny Howell, Santa and patient Holly Neville of Midland Park

(PHOTO: Courtesy THE VALLEY HOSPITAL, Ridgewood)

SHOUT OUT: Members of the Hackensack Fire Department’s two unions brought some early Christmas joy to orphans and other children, delivering 75 gifts to Youth Consultation Service this week.

International Association of Fire Fighter Locals 2081 & 3172 bought and delivered the presents for youngsters from 3 months to 17 years old.

“Most if not all of these children do not have parents, or they have been taken away from their parents to keep them safe,” Lt. Justin Derevyanik told CLIFFVIEW PILOT.

“They wouldn’t have had anything this Christmas without those presents,” Robert Burgos, secretary of Local 2081 added. “The look on their faces was priceless.”

The non-profit YCS serves children with special needs, from birth to 25. It provides educational, psycho-therapeutic and psychiatric programs, as well as crisis intervention, foster care and home placements, along with residential and in-home services.

SHOUT OUT: Jake Abraham got the Christmas of his young life today when a group of police officers from Teaneck and River Edge took him on a Toys R Us shopping spree, thanks to a fledgling organization that cares for the families of cops killed or injured in the line of duty.

The mildly autistic youngster — whose father, Teaneck Police Officer John Abraham, was killed in a car crash three years ago — got the Xbox games and other prized presents most kids want this season.

But he also wasn’t leaving the Paramus store without a pair of police-styled walkie talkies and a remote-controlled cruiser.

“Why are these police officers giving me gifts?” Jake asked his mom.

“Because you’re special,” Teaneck Detective Ed Kazmierczak told him.

Jake, mom and friends go Christmas shopping (PHOTO: Courtesy Ed Kazmierczak)

Jake is one of 20 children from New Jersey, Pennsylvania and around the nation getting police-escorted shopping sprees this Christmas, the fruits of a labor of love by a Pennsylvania State Police sergeant.

Four of the New Jersey youngsters were taken out earlier today — among them, the offspring of Jersey City Police Sgt. Mark DiNardo, who was killed by a crazed gunman in July 2009, days short of his 39th birthday.

Mary DiNardo and her children — 9-year-old Gwen, 7-year-old Marc and 6-year-old Ella — had $1,150 to spend, thanks to the fundraising drive. “I could not have picked a better family myself,” said New Jersey State Police Trooper Gene Geissinger, who accompanied the DiNardos (photos, below).

Other happy youngsters were buying toys in Pennsylvania, California, Illinois, Texas and Florida.

The event has its seeds in the suicide of a close friend and fellow trooper of Pennsylvania State Police Sgt. Craig Polen.

Wanting to do something meaningful, Polen just months ago created a Facebook page only for law enforcement officers.

“I thought maybe I could help other officers who are struggling and maybe keep them from committing suicide,” he told CLIFFVIEW PILOT this afternoon.

“There are so many groups on Facebook that are made up of civilians who like law enforcement, which is great,” Polen said. “But the guys themselves don’t have many safe havens where we can talk amongst themselves.

“Many have seen or been through things that others who aren’t in our line of work haven’t,” he added. “One of our guys told a story of seeing a dead baby. He reached out and the members immediately gave him contact information and support. Another officer’s partner was killed.

“Through the page, you’re dealing with more than just the people you work with every day.”

In just four months, the group has grown to more than 8,250 civil servants nationwide and in a couple of other countries.

Teaneck Police Officer John Abraham

The idea of a fundraiser for officers’ offspring was a natural outgrowth, Polen said.

“The surviving parents of these children have to pay the bills even if money isn’t there,” he explained. “So those immediate needs must be taken care of first. Unfortunately, Christmas also gets wiped off the table and the kids are left behind.

“We’re just paying it forward is all.”

Polen created a message board for the drive (www.leo-only.com) and began accepting nominations.

“We were going to do 10,” he said. “Then we kept getting more and more names. So we made it 20.

“We’ve never met each other, but many of our members are still sending money,” Polen said. “It’s pretty incredible.”

In just a few weeks, the group raised $7,200 — enough to give each nominated youngster $350 for anything he or she wanted, in addition to whatever amount the locals throw in.

“We reached out to the family of an officer just outside Philadelphia, toward Landsdale, who was severely injured a couple of months ago,” Polen said. “He has three children. One is autistic. One has cerebral palsy.

“I put it out to the guys yesterday. By 10:30 last night, we had $2,300 raised for that one family,” he said. “We’re taking them Christmas shopping tomorrow. Then we’re going to give them the rest of the money to help pay their bills.”

PHOTOS: Courtesy MARTHA ABRAHAM

Jake Abraham got $700 worth of gifts today, after Teaneck PBA Local 215 matched the group donation. River Edge Officer Marc Abate joined Kazmierczak and Teaneck Officers Jason Hosey and Gabriel Santiago at the Route 4 store.

“We kept it low-key because it’s the Saturday before Christmas,” Kazmierczak said. “We were afraid if we put the word out, the store would be jammed with cops.”

John Abraham, 37, was a popular officer who won several awards and made a significant number of important arrests in his 17-year career, which ended tragically when his cruiser smashed into a utility pole near headquarters, killing him, before dawn on Oct. 25, 2010.

Just hours earlier, Abraham — an India native who grew up in Teaneck — helped save a man who was choking on dinner in a local restaurant.

“I know that at times it was just easier for you to just go to work,” his wife, Martha, wrote in a memorial tribute. “I know that is where you were happiest so I let you go.

“I just always wanted you to be happy.”

As they loaded Jake’s presents into her car today, Martha Abraham (photo, above) smiled.

“The best part,” she said, “is that I don’t have to wrap them.”

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: To contact Pennsylvania State Police Sgt. Craig Polen, email him: SgtPolen@hotmail.com / or go to: www.leo-only.com / or find Polen on Facebook. “We’re going to try and get together the middle of January in Newark,” the sergeant said. “We’re hoping for at least 100 people.”

PHOTOS BELOW: New Jersey State Police Trooper Gene Geissinger and the DiNardo children — Gwen, Marc & Ella

(PHOTOS: Courtesy Gene Geissinger)

SHOUT OUT: A disabled 8-year-old pro wrestling fan from Waldwick will get to see his World Wrestling Entertainment heroes at the Prudential Center in Newark this Saturday, thanks to Acting NJ Attorney General John J. Hoffman and the state Division on Civil Rights.

Waldwick resident Chant Macleod repeatedly tried getting tickets for him and his son Brennan, who has cerebral palsy, through an online presale but was blocked because there was no wheelchair accessibility offered, state officials said this morning.

As a member of the WWE Fan Council, the elder Macleod brought the situation to light, they said.

Hoffman said the tale has a happy ending “owing to Mr. Macleod’s advocacy and the readiness of the three entities – WWE, Ticketmaster and the Prudential Center — to work with us.”

Besides providing the tickets, the WWE has added its “VIP Experience” to the package, Macleod said. He and his son will received commemorative WWE souvenirs and will be invited backstage to meet some of Brennan’s idols.

Macleod went on Ticketmaster’s Web site in October to try and tickets himself, his wife and their son.

The site directed him to submit an online request for wheelchair-accessible seating and said that someone would contact him within an hour, Hoffman said.

After two hours passed, Macleod called Ticketmaster and was told it could take several days to process his request because Ticketmaster needed to contact the Prudential Center.

Over the ensuing seven days, Macleod tried unsuccessfully to obtain wheelchair-accessible tickets for the WWE event through repeated calls to Ticketmaster and the arena, Hoffman said.

Although the representatives he spoke with tried to assist him, no tickets materialized, said Macleod, who then contacted the DCR.

“Being disabled and using a wheelchair should never be an impediment to someone enjoying a public sporting or entertainment event,” Hoffman said.

“This is a great example of the public and private sectors partnering together to bring joy to a young New Jersey resident,” said Division Director Craig T. Sashihara.

SHOUT OUT: A gigantic holiday gift promising a healthier, happier and safer New Year for the animals of the Northeast will be unveiled Monday at the Bergen County Animal Shelter — and will be broadcast nationally on The Weather Channel.

One year after Hurricane Sandy, the American Humane Association will dedicate its new 50-foot-long emergency rescue vehicle, designed to provide help to the Northeast during disasters. It will carry four certified and specially trained responders, along with supplies and equipment to shelter up to 100 animals.

ALL PHOTOS: Courtesy BERGEN COUNTY EXECUTIVE

Made possible through donations to the AHA, the country’s first national humanitarian organization, the truck is the latest addition to an emergency services program that rescues and shelters animals in crises, and provides animal-assisted therapy to children and families following traumatic events.

The program began in World War I by saving wounded horses and has been part of every major disaster relief effort since, from Pearl Harbor to Hurricane Katrina, the Oklahoma tornado, the Colorado floods, 9/11, and Superstorm Sandy.

When Sandy struck, the AHA’s Red Star team delivered more than 100,000 pounds of emergency food, supplies, and medicines to animal shelters in Bergen and Atlantic counties and provided lifesaving shelter and supplies to New York and Pennsylvania. It underscored the need to devote a vehicle to the region.

“The dedication of the new Red Star vehicle continues to enhance our partnership with American Humane Association and is another step toward making Bergen County and the surrounding communities better prepared to respond to disasters and weather-related emergencies,” says Dr. Nancy L. Mangieri, director of the Bergen County Department of Health Services.

*      *      *      *      *      *

STORY BY: Joseph Appio (BERGEN COUNTY EXECUTIVE’S OFFICE)

*      *      *      *      *      *

“The Northeast is the most populous area in the country,” says philanthropist and for the new emergency vehicle and has financed other major additions to the fleet in regions the country. “American Humane Association has deployed many times to help during crises and we are pleased to be able to take a step toward better protecting the families, kids and more than 30 million animals who found themselves in the path last year of  Hurricane Sandy.

“We saw the toll the storm took on the Northeast last year and wanted to make a difference,” said AHA Board Member Lois Pope, who provided the lead funding. “By investing in this new emergency vehicle, we may help keep more families safer during the next disaster.”

The American Humane Association is also a leader in providing animal-assisted therapy to children and families experiencing crises, medical illnesses, deployments of their parents during military duty, and other challenges. In April, its animal-assisted therapy team brought calm and healing to Boston following the marathon terror bombings.

Last week, AHA and The Weather Channel announced the launch of a nationwide search to find a therapy dog who will assist with recovery in hard-hit communities affected by severe weather.

In the weeks and months following a natural disaster, The Weather Channel therapy dog and association handler will visit schools, hospitals, shelters and other locations in hard-hit communities to bring comfort and service.

MORE INFO: weather.com/therapydog

ALL PHOTOS: Courtesy BERGEN COUNTY EXECUTIVE

SHOUT OUT: Members of Teaneck’s business community have teamed up for a three-month, weight-loss support program offering discounted gym memberships, healthy eating choices — and prize money to the biggest losers — to help feed the hungry.

The cost to register in Pounds for a Purpose is $25.

You also need to be a member of Club Fit NJ on Cedar Lane — although the gym is charging a half price $49 for the three months — and you need to either live or work in Teaneck.

The way the program works:

After registering online (www.getfitteaneck.com), you weigh in at Club Fit NJ before Jan. 8 and get a pass on which to record your progress. The pass also entitles you to discount at participating businesses.

You can get a free healthy menu item from the eatery Chopstix, for instance. The business is owned by Teaneck Councilman Elie Katz, the primary organizer and one of the program’s chief sponsors along with Club Fit and Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C.

Weekly specials will be announced on the official Get Fit Teaneck website (www.getfitteaneck.com) and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/getfitteaneck).

The final weigh-in is set for April 5 at Club Fit NJ.

The top three male and female winners each get a one-year free memership to the gym. Prizes will also include cash, gift cards and electronics.

The best part: All proceeds will go to the Helping Hands pantry in Teaneck.

Katz said he hopes he’ll be able to say that Teaneck lost 5,000 pounds and raised thousands of dollars for the food pantry.

He said organizers are encouraging other businesses — particularly local restaurants — to participate. It will provide them free advertising on the program site: www.getfitteaneck.com

(There are three levels of sponsorship: Gold $250, Silver $100 or listing for $50.00. To become a sponsor or for more information, contact Danielle Craft at Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. at 201-907-5000 or: danielle.craft@dsslaw.com.)

The Helping Hands Food Pantry provides food from its nonperishable pantry to more than 100 families each week in Teaneck. During the holiday season and cold winter months, the demand for food supplies is even greater.

SPONSORS:

- Club Fit NJ
- Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C.
- The Teaneck Chamber of Commerce
- HaonTech.com, LLC
- Bauer Printing
-The Jewish Link
- Packer Shoes
- Ruthie Levi
- Teaneck VFW
- Veggie Heaven
- Ermann Chiropractic and Wellness, LLC
- Dr. Harry Lefkowitz, DC

SUPPORT:

- Teaneck Comes Together
- The Township of Teaneck
- Jeff Foxx

SHOUT OUT: An elderly Alpine couple whose dog wandered off after their car overturned on a Vermont highway yesterday afternoon got him back after a state trooper this morning found the chilly pooch 150 yards or so away.

Vermont State Police said relatives of David and Nancy Andrews were caring for Zorro — who, like his owners, was none the worse for wear after yesterday’s crash on Route 91 in Rockingham.

David L. Andrews, an 83-year-old former orthopedic surgeon and college professor, told police he fell asleep, after which they said the 2010 Honda Accord careened off the road and into a patch of trees, where it flipped and skidded nearly 20 feet.

Neither he nor his 81-year-old sister, Nancy Andrews, were injured seriously, police said.

The small, gray dog was found 12 hours later, walking on the snowy shoulder of the highway, early this morning, State Police said.

SHOUT OUT: Financial assistance for the natural or adopted children of police are now available through the 2014 Law Enforcement Children’s Scholarship Program run by Wives Behind the Badge Inc.

Two scholarships are available: one for $1,000 and one for $500.

Applicants must be a dependent child of a law enforcement officer (full-time active service, retired, or killed in the line of duty), must be enrolled at or accepted to an accredited four-year college/university or community college, and must be active in the community through volunteer work.

Deadline: April 15

(Winners announced May 15)

DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION: Wives Behind the Badge Scholarships

Wives Behind the Badge is continuously seeking funding through private donations, corporations, police associations, and grants to help support its projects and programs.

MORE INFO: www.wivesbehindthebadge.org

SHOUT OUT: One driver who had nothing more than a damaged taillight and another who’d just mowed down everything in his path while driving on two flat tires on the sidewalk were among the department-record 90 DWI arrests last year for Port Authority Police Officer Edwin Berdecia, who was honored yesterday for his work.

“His skill set in this particular area has been honed over the years,” Port Authority Chief Security Officer Joseph Dunne said. “He’s out there looking and hunting for bad guys and he has done a great job.”

Berdecia, a 12-year-old department veteran assigned to the GWB command post, continues to study up — including taking courses out of his own pocket — on how to spot drunken drivers, said the authority’s Joseph Pentangelo.

After nailing 55 impaired drivers in 2012, Berdecia set a all-time high standard last year — in only 11 months.

“Every time I make a DWI arrest, I feel I may have saved a life,” he said.

Most times, Berdecia spots a violation, or something out of the ordinary and finds a driver high or drunk.

Other times it’s more obvious:

Two months ago, Berdecia rushed to grab a driver who pulled into a GWB toll plaza with two flat tires and front-end damage before dawn after driving his car onto a Lemoine Avenue sidewalk in Fort Lee.

The driver “crashed into and knocking down a light pole, a street sign and pole, a flood light, several bushes and destroyed a parking meter,” Pentangelo said. He then tried to flee across the bridge before Berdecia moved in, he said.

Berdecia, who has been honored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving, was congratulated yesterday by Port Authority Police Superintendent Michael Fedorko (photo) and Chief Louie Koumoutsos for his outstanding work and achievements at Port Authority Police Headquarters.

His total for 2012 “is out of the ordinary and deserving of commendation,” Pentangelo said. “This officer is doing an outstanding job.”

TRIBUTE: A World War II fighter pilot about to celebrate his 70th wedding anniversary was named the Woodcliff Lake Planning Board’s first Chairman Emeritus.

Ken Glemby, 91, has lived in the borough 50 years and served the planning board for 17.

He and his wife, Paula, purchased property on Kenwood Drive in 1963 and built their home while renting on Saddle River Road. They moved in a year later. This August they celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary, said their daughter, Ellen Ferne Glemby.

“The running joke in the family is that my mother has been married to my father for 69 years,  but that my father has been married to my mother for 80, since the day he first met Mom at camp one summer,” she said.

“As with many people of that generation, their lives were shaped by the war,” Glemby told a large gathering of current and former borough officials who paid tribute to her father at Monday night’s Planning Board meeting.

“Dad was one of, if not the youngest pilot in the war. He flew almost 100 sorties over France and Germany as a fighter pilot,” she said.

“The plane he flew was a P47 Thunderbolt with an incredible top speed of 400 miles per hour, which he named, ‘The Paula’  after my mother. Dad was one of those pilots at the Battle of the Bulge that was in the providing air support for the battle, as soon as the weather lifted.”

He still has a letter from General Patton to his division in recognition of their heroism.

“It is one of his treasured possessions,” Glemby’s daughter said.

He also prizes the title of Woodcliff Lake’s very first Planning Board Chairman Emeritus, which was conceived by Councilwoman Donna Abene along with Mayor Jeffrey Goldsmith.

Goldsmith spoke in honor of Glemby, as did former mayor and current Planning Board member Josephine Higgins and former mayor Joseph LaPaglia, among others.

The distinction, his daughter said, is “a great confirmation of a life well spent.”

Ken Glemby with current Planning Board members
TOP PHOTO: Glemby flanked by Woodcliff Lake Planning Board Chairman George Fry, former Mayor/Planning Bd. Member Josephine Higgins, former Mayor Joe LaPaglia, and Mayor Jeff Goldsmith
PHOTOS: Lisa Volpe Yakomin

SHOUT OUT: A quartet of Hackensack schoolteachers who are also all published writers will be holding a “Book Talk” on Saturday to benefit a fellow teacher with leukemia.

Caseen Gaines, Christopher Ryan, Toney Jackson (l. to r., above) and recently-added Dina Nasr-Heerema will be at the Hackensack Cultural Arts Center, 39 Broadway, beginning at 2 p.m.

The suggested $5 donation will benefit Hackensack High School teacher Ashley Paladino (below), an HHS alumna who is currently undergoing treatment for leukemia. A portion of the proceeds from the afternoon’s book sale will go toward the cause, as well.

Ashley Paladino

There will also be an a 50/50 raffle and concessions.

Gaines, Jackson and Ryan have participated together in several book events throughout New Jersey and New York, including last year’s ComicCon.

Ryan has been named “Best New Voice in Fiction – 2013” by the Independent Book Publishers Association. His debut novel, “City of Woe,” also was honored by theBookcast.com as its first-ever recipient of the “Book of Exceptional Quality” award. Ryan is an award-winning former journalist and has written comedy, songs, and comic books and films. He is currently working on the sequel to “City of Woe” and its sequel, “City of Sin.”

Gaines directs the school’s theater productions. He is the award-winning author of pop culture histories on Pee-wee’s Playhouse and A Christmas Story. He is currently working on his third book, on the “Back to the Future” trilogy, which will be published by Penguin next year.

Jackson is an award-winning poet, songwriter, and author/illustrator of children’s literature. His most recent book, “Who Wants to Be a Teacher?”, includes his reflections on teaching at Nellie K. Parker Elementary School and the current state of education in New Jersey and the nation.

Nasr-Heerema, who teaches 1st grade at the Fanny Meyer Hillers School, is the author of “A Twist of Fate,” a children’s book that details her family’s journey from war-torn Lebanon to Bergen County.

SHOUT OUT: Two new Woodcliff Lake police officers, Matthew Schanel from Saddle Brook and Eric Ingoglia from Park Ridge, were sworn in last night.

Proud loved ones and friends joined a large contingent of borough officers for the ceremony at the mayor and council meeting at Borough Hall.

PHOTO, ABOVE: New Woodcliff Lake Police Officers Eric Ingoglia, Matthew Schanel, Police Chief Anthony Jannicelli (ALL PHOTOS: Courtesy LISA VOLPE YAKOMIN)

New Woodcliff Lake Police Officer Eric Ingoglia is sworn

New Woodcliff Lake Police Officer Matthew Schanel