Bogota Sports

28- Feb.-2013
   Both basketball teams have be eliminated from the NJSIAA playoffs.
 The #15  Lady Bucs lost at #7 Butler by the score of 28- 47.
 The Boys team ranked at #6 lost at #3 Cresskill by the score of 36-68.

Bogota Sports

 26-Feb.-2013
   In first round play of the 2013 NJSIAA tournament both Bogota teams advance to the next round.
 The Lady Bucs seeded number 15 came away with a one point upset of # 2 Wallington 54-53. They will next # 7 ranked Butler on Thursday 28- Feb.  at Butler with the time to be determined later.
  The #6 ranked Bucs hosted #11 New Milford Knights at Speary Gym. After New Milford took a early three point lead, the Bucs went on an eleven point run to take a lead they would not give up.  Bogota got in to foul trouble through out the game , but was able to capitalize on the Knights poor free throwing. Bogota would rebound the missed attempts and turn them in to points from themselves.
   Liam Geraghty added to his career leading three points baskets, by added four more in the game, to help Bogota maintain the lead. One  potential turning point came when Ruben  Acosta was charge with a Technical Foul  after scoring himself. This cause him to be bench by Bogota Coach Mahoney to calm down his senior guard. New Milford took advantage of the two free points , and the inbound afterwards to score again cutting in to Bogota lead. The game continued at a quick pace as New Milford would pressure and force turnovers leading to points. Then the Bucs would take advantage of  their own hard work and continue to add to their lead. By the end of the game play became a bit sloppy as New Milford had to keep fouling just to get Bogota into a bonus situation and hope the Bucs would miss the first free throw. This did not happen as Bogota came away with a 63-45 victory.
  Bogota now must wait for the winner of the Cresskill / Pompton Lakes  game to see who the will play on Thursday 28- Feb.

The Bogota defense surrounding the ball.

Liam Geraghty with a three point shot.

Danny Connors (L) guarding Chaheen payne

 # 11 Ruben Acosta

#11 Ruben Acosta following #10 Bobby Blunt

 Another three points for Liam Geraghty

 # 11 Ruben Acosta jumping through the New Milford defense.

 # 35  Isiah Dela Cruz scoring even with a masked to protect his nose.

 End of the Game

Comedy Night

24-Feb.-2013
   On Saturday Day 2- March there will be a Comedy Show at the Knights of Columbus in Teaneck. This is for the Dave Musikant Memorial Fund. The monies raised at this event will go to the purchase of a new scoreboard for the football side of Feigel Field. Another will be to help get some playground equipment for Steen School.
  Dave Musikant was a lifelong resident of Bogota. He was a member of the High School Football, and Wrestling teams. He served as Captain for both sports before graduating from Bogota.  In 1996 Mr. Musikant was diagnosed with a tumor that was located on his optic nerve. The surgery that would remove the tumor would leave him " legally blind".  After this he would start the Dave Musikant Seminars so he could share his story with others,  to show that  changing event can be more than just "Why Me" and to focus on the positive of life.
  He is also known for his run for Mayor of Bogota in 2003. He ran as a third party candidate opposing then Mayor Steve Lonegan, and Democratic candidate Fred Pesce. That election was the story behind the film "Anytown USA"
  Dave Musikant passed away on 13- Sept-2004 in his memory was started the Dave Musikant Positive for  Life Foundation.
 For more information , or tickets please contact Amy Becerra at: amybecerra60@mail.com . Or to learn more about the  Dave Musikant Positive for  Life Foundation. go to : www.positiveforlife.org

Bogota Sports

24-Feb.-2013
 In Wrestling
 Three Bogota wrestlers won their matches at the NJSIAA District  #7  Final round
- Edwin Fiscal won the 126 lbs class title with a 6-2 decision over Bergen Catholic's Troy Schaafsma. Mr. Fiscal was also named  Most Outstanding Wrestler.
In the Third Place qualifiers:
 - Jimmymack Casey defeated Omar Elmeshad of Leonia in the 138 lbs class 5-2
 - Freddy Takla  defeated Aaron Vaz from Bergenfield at 160 lbs class with a pin fall.
Bogota placed fourth in the District

 In Basketball
 The Lady Bucs had a victory over Palisade Park 44-20 on Thursday 21- Feb. They have a 9-14 record going into the first round playoffs as the will travel to Wallington for a 7:00p game on Tuesday 26- Feb.

 The Boys team had two wins at the end of the week, the first being on Thursday 21- Feb. with a 48-28 win at Palisade Park. The a 46-36 victory at home over Ridgefield. This makes their record 15-11 as hey host a first round playoff game on Tuesday 26- Feb. as they take on New Milford at Speary Gym starting at 7:00p.

Police Unity Tour

19- Feb. -2013
   On Monday night  the Bogota - Ridgefield Park chapter of the  the Police Unity Tour held a dinner at the Westside Tavern in Ridgefield Park. This was a fundraiser for the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial and Museum, which is located in Washington DC. Bogota Police Chief John Burke, one of the riders, spoke of how each year they dedicate a ride to a recently fallen Officer last year was and Officer from neighboring Teaneck NJ. Chief Burke relaid a story about the Officers Mother who was apprehensive about being at the Memorial in Washington. He later told of how he of how the experience of visiting the Memorial and seeing all of the support from the large number of people who are apart of this event helped her with the loss of her son.
 Ridgefield Park Officer  Brain Hippe talked about follow Officers who are a part of the tour  and the support they get at events like the one on Monday. Then PUT President John Jedrejczyk   told about how the tour started in 1997 in Florham Park with 18 riders in order to bring awareness of Police Officers who have been lost in the line of duty to the public. This first ride raised about $18,000 for the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial. This year Mr. Jedrejczyk is expecting over 1,800 riders from all parts of the United States, as well as, from overseas. Mr. Jedrejczyk estimates that since the tour began a total of 15 million dollars has been raise for  the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial and Museum, which goes to the upkeep of the Memorial, but also the construction of the Museum which is planning to open in 2015.
   Their next ride will start on  Thursday 9-May 2013 in East Hanover, NJ and is scheduled to be in Washington DC on Sunday 12- May.
 For more information about the Police Unity Tour  please go to www.policeunitytour.com

Bogota Police Chief Jon Burke talking with Ridgefield Park Mayor George Fosdick

Chris Choi (L) and Chief  John Burke

Bettina Fowler buying  raffle tickets from Shannon

 Shannon & Erin Fowler

 Chief Burke  talking about last years ride.

Brain Hippe  addressing the crowd.

John Jedrejczyk talking about the history of the police Unity Tour.

International Night

18- Feb.-2013

  On Friday night Steen School held it's annual International Night in the school's Gym. This yearly event again shows off the ethnic, and cultural diversity of the school, and the Borough of Bogota   To accompany the food there was music proved  by J& M Entertainment through- out the evening so students, and some parents, could dance.
 There was also a performance by the " Blue Chip Chorus" of Teaneck during the food serves to calm things down in order to enjoy the meals. Food was provided by some families to display their cultural heritage, while there was also a variety of offerings by local restaurants.

Some  dancing before dinner.

Thais and Valeria help with Chop Stick skills.

Former Steen student helping serve.

Miranda showing off her choices to Principal Conroy.

Adam getting served pizza by Principal Conroy.

Amber & Ali Shaikh in traditional Pakistani dress. 

The Blue Chip Chorus performing.

Some of the staff with a cake donated by
 Palermo's Bakery of Ridgefield Park.

Police Unity Tour

17-Feb.-2013

   The Bogota & Ridgefield Park Police Unity Tour Riders are hosting a social night at the Westside Village Tavern. This is Located at 18 Paulison Ave. Ridgefield Park, starting at 6:00p to 11:00p. This is a fund raiser for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington D.C. As of this posting ticket prices have not be set yet, but for information about them please email tickets@matterofhonor.org. And for more information about the Unity riders and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial please go to www.werideforthosewhodied.org

 Scenes from last years event.

Bogota Sports

17- Feb.-2013
  A brief recap of the week of Bogota High School sports
The Wresting team competed in the NJSIAA sectional tournament. They entered the tournament with a #5 ranking in the North 2 Group 1 sectional. The Bucs had an upset victory over #4 Rutherford on Monday 11- Feb. by the score of 33-29. The following Wed. 13- Feb the suffered a 10- 56 defeat to #1 Hanover Park.
  The Lady Bucs basketball team had a 48-29 victory at Waldwick on Thursday 14- Feb.  In their next game they had a 44-51 loss to Dwight- Englewood. They now have a 8-13, and play at Speary Gym on Tuesday 19 Feb. as they host Cresskill with a 5:30 tip-off.
  The Boys team had a 44-50 loss to Waldwick at home on 14- Feb. They then had a 62-34 win at Kinnelon on Saturday 16- Feb. Their record is now 13-9 with their next game at Cresskill on Tuesday 19- Feb.

 # 3 Liam Geraghty shooting a  3 pointer 

# 3 Liam Geraghty on defense

 # 11 Ruben Acosta shooting

 # 1 Danny Conners bring the ball up court.

 # 3 Liam Geraghty on a break.

Bogota vs Waldwick

14-Feb.-2013
   The Bucs lost to Waldwick 44-50 at Speary Gym on Thursday night. Unfortunately the score takes a back seat to other events that occurred during, and worse after the game.  In the first half Bogota's Ruben Acosta was seen  laying on the court in paid after what Bogota's Head Coach Jay Mahoney called a " Punch to the head" As coach Mahoney looked after his player, the Assistant Coaches talked to the Game officials to find out what they saw, since there was no foul called on the play. Mr. Acosta was able to return to play, and could be seen talking to Waldwick's Brain Neische several time during the course of play. Before the first half ended uniform officers of the Bogota Police where on hand to help maintain order. The second half of the game was a series of comeback attempts by the Bucs fall short as Waldwick finished the game with a win.
 The as the two teams met to shake hands after the game Waldwick's Mr. Neische dropped to the floor on pain holding below his belt-line. A number of players, and students, and even parents started pushing each other as emotions began to get out of control. The players from both teams were rushed towards their dressing rooms school staff did their part in clearing the gym of students, and instructing them to leave the building , and go home. Waldwick Coaches and Officials were assured that safe passage to their bus would be maintained, and more police would be on hand to protect their players. Officers from Teaneck  were called in to assist the Bogota Police, and the  bus carrying the Waldwick left the school without further trouble.
   Note: This writer did not see first hand either of the physical encounters only the aftermath.
 In the past  Coach Mahoney displays his passion for his team, and the game without  apologies. He has let his team know in front of their supports that hard clean play is acceptable anything else is not. Sportsmanship  and Gamesmanship are excepted part of all contests. Personal conflicts are not. It is left to all parties involved to discipline themselves to stop any more incidents like this from happening again.
  Note: Regular readers of this blog would normally see photos of game action, those photos are being withheld for now, in order to to maintain the focus on what else happen, and see that it does not occur again.  

International Night

11- Feb.-2013
 Steen School will hold their annual International Night this Friday stating at 6:30 p going until 9:00 p in the Steen Gym. Admission is $5 for Adults, and $3 for Students . In addition to a wide arrange of different food available, there will be a performance by the Blue Chip Chorus. They are a  Barbershop Quartet based in Teaneck. The Chorus is scheduled to  perform at 7:30 p
  For more information,  or tickets please contact Eileen Lewis at eileenr26@yahoo.com or call at 2012 489-5502

Bogota Sports

 11- Feb.-2013
 Scores, and upcoming games for the High School teams. Both the Girls , and Boys team lost to Saddle River on Thursday 7- Feb. The Lady Bucs were defeated by the score of 20-59. Their record is now 6-12, and they next play at Speary Gym when they host Hawthorne Christian Academy on Tuesday -12- Feb, with a tip off time of 5:30 p
  The Boys team had a closer game , but still fell one point short as the lost by the score of  57-58. They now have a record of 12-7. Their next game is away to Hawthorne Christian  on Tuesday 12- Feb. with their start time at 7:00p
  The Wrestling team moved their record to 19-9 with a 43-30 victory at Garfield on Wed. -6- Feb. Their next match is Wed. 13- Feb. when the host Cliffside Park at Speary Gym starting at 7:00 p

After snow day

9-Feb.-2013
   After the largest snow fall of this season, so far, the members of the Bogota DPW once again showed their skills in keeping the Boroughs streets passable after a storm. Working through the night to keep ahead of the falling snow the citizens woke to see the streets in of Bogota in working order. With a bright day then home owners, along with students taking advantage of a chance to earn some extra money, got to the task of shoveling their own sidewalks.
   Many time politicians will praise public workers because it seems like they should. in a small town like Bogota when an elected official talks about the job those workers do there is more truth in what they are saying. Because not only are the Men , and Women of the DPW, and Emergency Services employees, and volunteer, they are neighbors, friend, and even family who help keep the Borough safe and livable. So not only can a small town like Bogota be proud of  their High School sports team, but of all the citizens who live here, and try to do their best to make this little part of New Jersey a good place to live.
 In other snow items the Bogota Police have issued the following alerts.
All Residents: 

-Parking on Borough Roads prohibited until roads properly cleared 

-Overnight Parking Permissions Suspended until further notice. 

-Those vehicles parked in designated areas must be dug out and moved as soon as possible for proper snow removal on road. 

-ALL SIDEWALKS must be cleared within 18 ours as per Borough Ordinance 

 Main st. cleared of snow

 Even side street like Linden Ave are cleared

As well as public sidewalks

A DPW  truck still clearing snow off the streets

Patrik Park

Borough Hall

 Shadows in front of Bogert Church

 Snow on some trees

and on the tracks