On Friday, April 19 at the Blackthorne in Parsippany, Uncle Sam’s Avengers Motorcycle Club  will present a check to Siobhan Fuller McConnell in honor of her son Army Sergeant Derek McConnell.

Uncle Sam’s Avengers Motorcycle Club (USAMC) is a is a 501(c)(3) Federal and State registered non-profit organization, made up of a group of patriots — active and retired law enforcement officers, active and honorably discharged military members, firemen, and EMTs — who share an enthusiasm for motorcycles. They use that connection to benefit the community, preserve the American way of life and honor for “those who fought before.”

The USAMC was founded in 2009 by Danny Bendas, a Navy Veteran who is a Parsippany Police Sergeant, and Parsippany Police Officer Ted “Tank” Anderson, who served as an Army Infantryman.

Currently there are twenty members of the Avengers. Bendas is the President and Anderson is the Vice President. The Secretary is Gene Criscione, a NJ State Corrections Officer; Treasurer, Air Force Reservist First Sergeant Jim Vigilante; and Sergeant At Arms, Parsippany Police Officer Ron Carrozzino.

“We support the communities in which we live and work, by organizing and participating in events that assist Active Duty Military, Veterans, Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) and children or families in need of our help. We ride for charity!” said Bendas.

The group continually supports the Wounded Warrior Project, which raises awareness of and enlists the public’s aid in providing unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of injured military service members. They also donate to local charities, such as the Family Reach Foundation which provides financial relief and heartfelt support to families fighting cancer.

There is a great camaraderie among members who share social events and undertake fun group rides. Last August the Avengers went on a 2,000-mile journey that took them to six cities in six states in six days.

For more information about the Avengers go to www.unclesamsavengersmc.com.

Lake Parsippany Variety Show

Watch the students of Lake Parsippany Elementary School hit the stage with spectacular acts.

Mark and Nancy from the Bar Association of Morris County stop by in todays episode of Law Talk Today.

Parsippany holds it’s First Annual Veterans Outreach Festival held at the Parsippany PAL Youth Center.

On Saturday, April 13, a Veterans Outreach Fair was held at the Parsippany PAL Youth Center.  The event came about as the first effort of Mayor Barberio’s Council on Veterans Affairs which is committed to assisting the brave servicemen and women who have protected our nation and defended the ideals we hold so dear.  It has come to their attention that many veterans have been unaware of the benefits they are due.  Upon returning home, many of those veterans need help finding jobs, addressing their medical needs or finding housing.  Many older veterans need help obtaining various veteran, disabled person and senior citizen tax deductions.  The purpose of this fair was to provide veterans with emotional support and services that can be tailored to their needs. The event was a huge success and was supported by Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen.

Join Mayor Barberio, Senator Anthony Bucco, and Assemblyman Tony Bucco, among other invited guests for an open dialogue between parents, young people, and community leaders on prescription drug use, and alcohol use in our communities on Monday, April 22  from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Parsippany PAL Youth Center, 33 Baldwin Road.

This is a kickoff event for a monthly gathering to focus on bringing the communities resources together to talk about addiction and alcohol related issues in the area.

Speakers include Dr. Mattiace (former NFL player and addiction counselor with youth), Elizabeth Thompson (Drug Policy Alliance), Steve Liga of NCADD-Middlesex, Paul Ressler of Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, NCADD-NJ Advocacy Leaders Christine Michaels and Devin Fox, and local youths sharing their experiences.

The event will highlight the theme of “Help for Today. Hope For Tomorrow” and assemble speakers that will address issues such as opioid use, underage drinking, and the climbing overdose rates in young people. A list of potential speakers has been put together to include young people in the community , people in recovery from alcohol and drugs, parents who have lost family members to overdose, members of the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism, and addiction and alcohol specialists.

The NCADD-NJ Advocacy Leaders in the area are currently confirming several local organizations that provide community resources such as prevention groups, family services, adolescent treatment centers, outpatient services, municipal alliances, and any other community groups working to address these issues. The resource tables will be set up during the evening for your convenience.

Bringing all of these organizations to the same event will provide you with the resources and information you will need to bring into your homes.

This is a family event – and all are welcome – please come and be part of the community that is fighting back to “save our kids”.

Acting Prosecutor Knapp announces ceremony to commemorate National Crime Victims’ Rights WeekActing Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces that the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office will recognize 2013 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (April 21-27) with a Recognition and Remembrance Ceremony. The ceremony, honoring victims and advocates of victims’ rights, will take place on Monday, April 22 at 12:00 noon in front of the County Administration and Records Building on Court Street in Morristown.

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week has been a time of national remembrance since 1981, an opportunity for communities, victims and their loved ones, and professionals serving victims to join together and reflect on the progress achieved in victims’ rights. The theme for 2013 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is “New Challenges * New Solutions”.

Thirty years ago, crime victims did not have rights, access to crime victim compensation, or services to help rebuild their lives. They were often excluded from courtrooms, treated as an afterthought by the criminal justice system, and denied an opportunity to speak at sentencing. Today, all states have enacted crime victims’ rights laws and established crime victims’ compensation funds.

Acting Prosecutor Knapp is proud of the outstanding team of capable and dedicated professionals in the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office who assist victims of crime and advocate on their behalf.

All are invited to join the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at the ceremony.  For more information or to RSVP, contact the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Community Affairs Unit at (973) 285-6268 or e-mail rsvp@co.morris.nj.us

Any inquiries regarding this press release can be directed to First Assistant Morris County Prosecutor/SDAG Thomas Zelante at (973) 285-6252 or tzelante@co.morris.nj.us.

Each year in the spring a living history event is presented at the 250 year old Livingston Benedict House on Old Parsippany Road. This year’s event will take place on Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Thirty-seven years after the American Revolution, the United States was divided about declaring war. The War of 1812, two hundred years ago now, was supposed to be “over in two weeks”, and it was said our armies would be greeted as “liberators” of Canada. After two and a half years of fighting, the burning of Washington DC, and the Battle of New Orleans, the war ended inconclusively, but with US control of lands west of the Mississippi and the end of Native American dreams of their own independent country.

Interesting stories linking Parsippany and Troy to this war will be presented on Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5.

The house will be open for tours, and costumed volunteers will present stories of people who lived in Parsippany two hundred years ago.  The kitchen features hearth cooking. The barn will be open as well, and there will be demonstrations of old-time crafts and children’s activities.

The Livingston Benedict House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is protected from development by an easement held by the New Jersey Historic Trust.Governor William Livingston and his family lived in the house during the Revolutionary War, and it has been owned by members of the Benedict family since 1857.

This event is made possible by almost thirty volunteers: Girl Scouts, members of the Historic and Preservation Society, and friends. For more information, call (973) 887-2455. Free, donations accepted.

The County College of Morris will be holding an Open House on Saturday, April 20, in the Student Community Center on its Randolph campus, 214 Center Grove Road.

The CCM Open House offers academic break-out sessions and the opportunity to speak with faculty and admissions, financial aid, career services and other student interest representatives.

Two sessions are being offered at 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., and those who attend will have the $30.00 application fee to the college waived.

High school students, their parents and others can learn about the college’s more than 70 associate’s degrees, athletic programs and student organizations. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to attend a “Financing Your College Education” workshop and view a show at the CCM Longo Planetarium.  There is also the option of taking a self-guided tour of campus.

Registration is required. To register or to obtain additional information, visit the www.ccm.edu/admissions, or call (973) 328-5101.

Community Hope, in partnership with the Mental Health Association (MHA) of Morris County, will host the Annual Mental Health Learning and Wellness Fair on Thursday, May 16 beginning from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy, 500 West Hanover Avenue.

The one-day health fair and educational forum is an educational event geared toward promoting wellness and recovery for health care professionals; individuals with mental illness; their family members and caregivers.  The Forum is also open to the public and is offered as a free public service of Community Hope and the MHA of Morris County.

The theme of this year’s event is “Putting the Pieces Together:   Integrating Mind, Body and Spirit” with the keynote address delivered by Eric Arauz, President of Arauz Inspirational Enterprises.  Arauz is an inspirational speaker specializing in such topics as trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder; suicide assessment and prevention; child abuse issues; veterans issues and addiction and mental health issues.

Following the key note address, the Expo Resource Hall will open and 40+ vendors will be displaying services pertaining to wellness and recovery.  Interactive workshops led by professionals will be offered throughout the day emphasizing the Eight Dimensions of Wellness.  Workshop topics include healthy telationships; Feng Shui; creative arts; STD prevention; a peer recovery panel; sound healing; tobacco awareness and identity fraud and scam prevention.

Interested healthcare vendors and participants can visit the events page of Community Hope’s website at www.communityhope-nj.org or contact Terry Carlson, Community Hope RN, at (973) 463-9600, extension 318, or Tracy Cappiecille at the MHA at (973) 334-3496, extension 112.

Last year, the Health and Wellness Fair drew more than 250 attendees and hosted 40 exhibitors.

Community Hope provides a continuum of housing with support services to more than 335  individuals in recovery from mental illness and substance abuse.  Community Hope is also the largest charity in New Jersey serving homeless veterans and veteran families. The agency will provide housing, services and case management to more than 500 individuals and veteran families this year.

The Mental Health Association of Morris County is a non-profit, charity organization dedicated to serving people with mental illness and their families. Incorporated in 1953, the Mental Health Association of Morris County (MHAMC) is a local chapter of the New Jersey Division of the National Mental Health Association, today known as Mental Health America.