Evening Swim

29-July-2012
  Even a steady rain, and sound of thunder in the distance could not stop the third annual Evening Swim at the Bogota Pool. The one thing that was mainly different was the number of canopies that had popped up. They began little oasis' where people could go to avoid the rain while still being able to mix with friends. The band " Wildflowers" still played, under their own covering, to keep the mood upbeat. When the rain slowed , at times, some took full advantage of the pool with a little water volleyball, high diving , or just to hang out in the water. Having a steady rainfall did help to reduce the friction on a tarp set on the hill to have an grown up slip & slide.

Bat Show

28-July-2012
 On Thursday 26-July the Bogota Public Library had Joseph D'Angeli of the Wildlife Conservation & Education Center of Ridgefield Park, present a show about bats. This is in cooperation with the Library's "Dream big & read" summer program. The presentation started with Nikki Spiegel reading the book "Bats in the Library" then she introduced Mr. D'Angeli to the audience gathered. He talked to both the children & adults about the misconception that surrounds the idea of bats. He said there are about 1,300 types of bats in the world, which makes them the largest species of mammals on Earth. Also that any bat will not try and get tangled in a person's hair, and that no bats are know to attack people. He did say that there is such a thing as a Vampire Bat, but it is a small type of bat which lives in South America, and licks blood off of some animals to survive.  Mr. D'Angeli had a slide show of some of the different types of bats in the World. From large fruit bats, which could have a wing span of 5 to 6 feet. To a " Bumble Bee" bat which can fit in a teaspoon. 
  Another part of the program was devoted to the educated the public on a disease called " White Nose Syndrome"  which is killing off a large number of local bats. With a lesser number of bat the area the bug , and mosquito population can grow unchecked, which will be harmful to crops, and allow mosquito borne disease to spread to human. While there is no known cure for WNS, it is the of Wildlife Conservation & Education Center of Ridgefield Park, and other to bring the plight of these bat to the public ,in order to help protect bats and their habitat.
  Final the highlight of the show was the chance to see two live fruit bats, Louie, and Caesar from Wildlife Conservation & Education Center. For their safety the bats stayed in their cage, but with a clear panel on two sides the audience had a chancre to see them. A couple of children got to feed the bat pieces of melon, but not  much more because this was the last show of the day  and " we are just running out of food" explained Mr. D'Angeli. As the children left the room they were able to get a closer look at the fruit bats, and asked some more question. On the way out every one was given a card to visit  Wildlife Conservation & Education Center  Located at 15 Mt. Vernon St in Ridgefield Park. Or for more information it's website at www.njbatman.com

Nikki Spiegel reading a "batty" book from the Library

Joseph D'Angeli talking about bats.

Fruit bats Louis & Cesar

Mr. D'Angeli talking with his bats.

Louis & Cesar getting ready to go home. 

Dolak (L) asking Joseph D'Angeli some questions

Evening Swim

27- July-2012 

   A reminder about tomorrow night.

The Bogota Swim Club

&

New Horizon Financial Present

The 3^rd Annual Adult Swim

Open to the Public- tell your friends & neighbors

This Saturday July 28th

8 PM - 1 AM

Live Music by the Wildflowers

Food, Music and Pool

BYOB (no glass)

To pre-register call Pat Rochford at the Bogota Swim Club (201) 489-1991

Single $15/Couples $20 Pre-register

Day of the event $20 single/$30 couple

Proceeds to benefit sports programs in town

Night Sponsored by New Horizon Financial and Insurance Company

Summer fun isn’t just for the kids!

Even if you don’t swim, come on down to the pool and enjoy

fabulous company, first class music and fine food!

Concert Night

27- July-2012
   This weeks concert at McGowen Park in Ridgefield Park had a more local and different flavor to it. Larry Umana of Ridgefield Park and the "Larry's Latin Jazz Project" It featured a mix of Latin Salsa, with Mambo,along with a Santana cover set in the middle.
  Next week's concert will be on Wed. 1-August starting 7:00p and will be Sounds of Sinatra & more. It will feature Al Russo along with Garry Collett.

Crowds sitting around and enjoying the Latin sounds

Along with a little dancing.

And a sunset over Overpeck Creek.

Bogota Youth Academy

25-July-2012
   Class two of the Bogota Police Emergency Services Youth Academy had their graduation ceremony Tuesday night in the Steen school Gymnasium.  Fifty young Women & Men from Bogota completed the eight day course, in which they went through intensive training to learn about the different branches of the emergency service department within Bogota. The Academy is more than just a show & tell for kids during the summer.
The Academy is based on a "military style " training program that teaches the Cadet to work as hard as they can to improve themselves, and work as a team with other Cadets, as much as possible. Program Director Sgt. Craig Lynch of the Bogota Police Dept. talks about how the Academy's mission is to bring out the best in each Cadet in order to prepare them for the next part of their lives. The Academy accepts  a limited amount of applicants each year with many candidates needing to be turned away. This year class of Cadet spent each day doing physical as well as academic training, also there was a different discipline to be learned as well. One day may be spend with the Police Dept. while another is devoted to learning how to preform a water rescue. The Cadet are excepted to preform the tasks they are learning about, which in turn should be up the Cadets confidence.
   The graduation program started with the Cadet being into the Gymnasium with the sound of bagpipes as the Cadets preformed a quick of precision drill to honour the parents, friends & family in attendance.
After a performance of the National  Anthem by Katie Ferris. Sgt. Lynch  began the program by thanking the parents of the Cadet for allowing them to take part in the Academy. He told the parents that was his honour, & pleasure the he was entrusted  with their children. He introduced his staff who helped instruct and motivated the Cadet.  Police Chief Burke was asked to speak to the audience about his idea for the Academy. Chief Burke in-turn thanked Sgt Lynch and Program Coordinator Anna Ferris(with a broken toe not stopping her from sharing this event with the Cadets) in growing the Academy idea in two short years into the stellar program that is has become. 
   During the field trips for training, the four squads of the Academy would have a relay competition at the end of the day. Alpha Squad winning at the EMS  "Hands on CPR" and the Rescue Squad "Rescue line throwing" while Bravo Squad won the Fire Dept. Relay. There were awards for Physical Fitness won by Delta Squad, and Academics won by Charlie Squad. There were some individual awards for Leadership handed out by Sgt. Lynch for the Cadets that took control of a situation on their own. Showing that they have the skills to view a situation and act accordingly. Some of the highest praise from Sgt. Lynch came when he announced the awards for Courage. By Sgt Lynch's definition:" Courage is NOT a lack of fear, but knowing what one's fear is, and facing it in order to do the job that needs to be done." One award was given to Cadet Patrick Brophy who at the beginning of the Academy training talked to Sgt. Lynch to tell him that he was mistaken for signing up for the Academy. Cadet Brophy talked how it was too tough to be on time, and that he thought he could not do the physical requirements needed. Sgt. Lynch told him that it was alright to feel that way, and there was not harm in trying, but if he could  give it another chance tomorrow. After seven more tomorrows Cadet Brophy stayed with his class to the end. Then there was Cadet Kristin Sybel, who on the first day was asked to be looked at for her own safety. Sgt Lynch thought the first day " Boot Camp" had taken their toll on Cadet Sybel, and ask Ms. Ferris "Miss Anna"to look after her. After some hydration, and cooling down Cadet Sybel rejoined her squad and continued to perform her duties. Then there is Cadet Denzel Profitt, who had to start the Academy with a misspelled name on the back of his shirt. Having survived any comments about that then came the day at the pool. Cadet Profitt said that not only he did not how to swim, but he had a fear of heights. So when it was his turn to jump off the high dive he showed what kind of Cadet he really was. He put on his Life-vest , and helmet, and went to to top of the ladder. His follow Cadet cheered him on, and let him know the supported him. Next Cadet Profitt had walked off the board to plunge into the water, and was "rescued" by his follow Cadets. Cadet Profitt knew his fear, and had the courage to act upon it, and not letting his fear win. 
  The final award was top Cadet of the class. It could have been Cadet Kesley Castro who despite her small stature was a squad leader, and did her best to act as one. Or it could have been another squad leader Cadet Kayla Garcia, who stood up for her squad when need, and  kept on leading them. 
   But the top Cadet for the 2012 Bogota Youth Academy was Cadet Jaclyn Villafuerte. One time she was asked by Ms. Ferris to talk with her privately. It was only then she revealed an ankle injury she suffered while playing softball.  She was asked if it was going to be too much for her, but  Cadet Villafuerte insisted on staying. She then went on to excel at all that was asked of her. For her achievements both physically and academically Cadet Villafuerte was all of the instructors and staff first choice to be top Cadet. Sgt. Lynch praised her as being the best of the best, but continued in saying that all of the young women & men who went through the Academy showed themselves to be some of the best Bogota has to offer. Some of the Cadets will now have out grown the Academy for next year, but are still welcome back to support future Cadets. While some are still eligible to return next year.
   His final thoughts again were that is was honoured and proud to have these Cadets for eight days, and he returned them back to their families better and stronger. Not only for themselves but for the Borough as well.    

Piper Eamom Radburn , of Engine Co. 2, serenading the audience into Steen School 

The Academy Class #02 drilling for the audience.

Katie Ferris singing the National Anthem.

Some of the instructive 

Bogota Police Chief Burke talking about the Youth Academy.

Program Coordinator Anna Ferris talking about the Cadets 

Bogota Police Sgt. and Program Director, Craig Lynch describing how proud he is of the Cadets 

Some of the award winners

Ms. Ferris reading a few of the comments of the Cadets to Sgt. Lynch

Sgt. Lynch with top Cadet Jaclyn Villafuerte.

School Uniforms

20-July-2012
   Today was the final day of a week of uniform fitting for all of the public schools of Bogota. It was a full week for the High School uniforms , but only on day for each for Steen , and Bixby.
   There will be another chance for the High School uniforms  Mon. & Tues 20 &21- August for ordering and fittings
    There will also be another day for the grade schools Wed, 1-August from 5-8p at Bixby , uniforms for Steen may also be order at this time. Pick-up of uniforms at Bixby  will be Tues. 28 August from 5-8p. While Steen will be Weds. 29 August also from 5-8p
 For more information about the the High School uniforms please go to www.backtoschooluniformstore.com or for Steen & Bixby please go towww.sharpprintingplus.com
 Most parents were happy with the fact that all students are required to have a uniform code for the up-coming school year, but some did not approve of the quality of the shirts, or the mandate that only Dickies brand pants had to be purchased for the High School. The restrictions that would not permit " Skinny Jeans" and only allowing non-cargo pants was agreeable. However ,to be forced to buy from one company was not .

Parents & Students from both Bixby and Steen  looking over the type of clothes available .

   

Bogota Youth Academy

19-July-2012
  On Wed. 18-July the Bogota Youth Academy held a water rescue training course. This is a new training exercise the Academy has added this year, to give the cadet a basic idea of what skills would be needed to perform a water rescue. As with most of the programs of the Academy this exercise will help the cadet work as part of a team, learning new skills, and show the cadet how they can reach beyond themselves.  There were four stations set-up around the pool of the Bogota Swim Club. Members of Rescue Squad 46, and senior Lifeguard from the swim club showed the cadet what the equipment was for and how it should be used to help save the life of a person in a emergency situation that is in or near the water.
  One station was  a cold water rescue, where the cadets had to put on a " cold water' emersion suit, and wade into the pool to rescue a person. Putting the suit on alone was part of the challenge, this had to be done with the help of fellow cadets, this showed how even a simple task of getting prepared  may need the help of teammates. As one cadet went into the water, a partner was needed to hold a line attached to the suit. The line was to keep in contact with the rescuer, so the the victim was ready to be recovered the two rescuers would work together to bring every safe to dry land.  The next station was learning to a life line , or life ring, to a victim in the water. This was a demonstration of how a rescue can be performed from dry land with a victim in the water. A throw bag with a line attached was throw to the victim in the water, with the rescue then pulling the victim closer to land in order to assist them.
  The third station was how to stabilized a victim in the water with the use of a backboard, while still in the water. The cadet had to submerge the backboard under the victim and secure them while still in the water. They also had to safely remove the victim from the pool while still on the backboard in order to be placed on a stretcher. The final station was to perform a rescue from a non-motorized boat, in this case an inflatable rescue boat. A team of four cadet were to paddle to the victim, place them into the boat, secure them to a backboard, paddle back to dry land, and with the help of a second team of cadet remove the victim to a stretcher.
    Except for the in-water backboard demonstration all the victims were also played by cadets. All cadets had a chance to be the victim, and all had a chance to be the rescuer, to fully understand what is involved with a water rescue. For some cadet the role of the victim might have been the tougher challenge. At the second, & fourth  stations the cadet had to put on life vest, and rescue helmets and walk off the high diving board. Not all cadets were willing to do this, but with help from the pool, and rescue personal, along with the encouragement  from fellow cadets all cadets had a chance to be rescued from the water.
   After all stations were completed , by all the cadets, an in Academy relay game using the life lines ended their time in the pool. There was however, one more demonstration to be involved. The new Medivac Helicopter from H.U.M.C landed in the open field in Olsen Park. The cadet had a chance to meet the Nurses, and Pilot who fly to rescues when needed. They also had a chance to go into the helicopter to look around. After a Academy photo in front of the helicopter the cadets then went back to the High School for lunch , and more class work.

The Cadets march into the pool area.

Helping put on an Immersion suit

Cadets performing a cold water rescue

Using a life line, or ring, to perform a from shore rescue.

  

An in-pool rescue.

Cadets taking a break on a hot day.

Cadets offering encouragement to fellow cadets.

Ms. Anna jumping in to be a "victim"

A rescue from a boat.

Life line relay race.

Wet cadets thanking the Pool staff and members of Rescue Squad 46 for the demonstration.

Watching the  helicopter land.

The Bogota Youth Academy with the HUMC helicopter & flight crew.