November 2021
Hello!

Here's the latest information about things going on in the Borough of Oakland this month, assembled and produced in a collaboration between the volunteers on the Oakland Communications Commission's Newsletter Committee and the Assistant to the Borough Administrator.
Top Stories
Pickleball in Action in Oakland
Pickleball Arrives in Oakland
Pickleball was first introduced to Oaklanders on an experimental basis last fall when residents were invited to come and play in the evenings.  

Pickleball has been around since the 1960’s, when a U.S. congressman and his friends invented it, and it became a popular backyard game for children. 
The game spread like wildfire to community centers and physical education classes in schools, then to YMCA facilities and retirement communities. Today the game is played around the world. It’s the fastest-growing sport in the country, with more than 3 million players, and, yes, there is even a U.S. Open Pickle Ball Championship. It’s a fast game, folks have lots of fun and it’s affordable. 

The game is played on a shortened court, with up to two players on either side of the net. Players use solid paddles made of wood or composite to hit a plastic ball with holes in it, much like a wiffle ball.

“We didn’t realize our kids had been playing pickleball here in school before we ever thought to introduce it to adults,” said a chuckling Mike Guadagnino, Oakland’s recreation commissioner.
Oakland TV Now Offered Through Free Innovative Streaming Platform
The Borough of Oakland is excited to announce that Oakland TV, a long-standing public access television channel made available to Oakland’s Altice (Channel 77) and Verizon (HD Channel 2145) customers, has now collaborated with technology company Didja to offer access to view Oakland TV through their mobile, tablet, and smart TV applications.
At no cost to the Borough and at no cost to anyone wishing to utilize its basic service, Didja, through its LocalBTV platform, is providing anyone living in the entire New York City Metro area the ability to tune in and watch Oakland TV wherever they are. Their service for this area, NYCBTV, is described by Didja as "antenna TV for the mobile age”.

To Watch Oakland TV online:

  • Visit www.localbtv.com
  • Download LocalBTV app on Android or Apple Smartphone
  • Download LocalBTV app on Roku Device, Apple TV, Android TV, and Amazon Fire devices

NYCBTV is available to New York City area residents only, so Oakland TV cannot be seen by anyone outside of the New York City television market.
Mayor Schwager's Message
Veteran's Day is observed annually on November 11th regardless of the day of the week. It has not been moved to a Monday like so many other holidays. 

WHY? Veterans Day is the anniversary of the date and time of the armistice which ended World War I in 1918. 

This day was originally called Armistice Day. Armistice means truce--a temporary suspension of hostilities by mutual agreement. The armistice in WW I went into effect on the 11th day at the 11th hour in the 11th month.
Your Monthly Garbage & Recycling Cheat Sheet
Yard Waste: Yard waste is collected every Monday or Tuesday depending on your side of town. If Monday is your garbage collection, Tuesday is your yard waste pickup. If Friday is your garbage collection, Monday is your yard waste pickup. If your yard waste pickup falls on Memorial Day or Labor Day holiday, there is a makeup collection the next day (Tuesday).

Electronics: November 3 & 17

Paper: November 3 & 17

Commingled: November 10 & 24

Household Appliances/Metal: Nov. 11

Trash: Mon & Thurs garbage collection on the South side of town. Tues & Fri garbage collection on the North side of town.
First Responders Flash Briefing
Oakland Police Department Offers "Neighbors by Ring"

The Oakland Police Department is excited to be joining 'Neighbors by Ring' in their efforts to connect with residents and improve the safety of our community. Neighbors allows you, the user, to share photos, videos, and information related to local crime and safety incidents so fellow residents can stay informed.

Neighbors by Ring app can be downloaded for free on the App Store or Google Play. Remember, you do not have to have a Ring doorbell/device to be able to use and/or contribute to this app. For more information visit www.ring.com/neighbors.
Project Medicine Drop
Project Medicine Drop is an initiative involving the installation of "prescription drug drop boxes" at participating New Jersey police departments.

The Oakland Police Department keeps the locked metal box inside our lobby with the “Project Medicine Drop” logo clearly visible and recognizable.
Project Medicine Drop allows the public to dispose of unused and expired prescription medications safely, securely, and anonymously. The opportunity is available seven days a week, 365 days a year.

If you are disposing of medication we ask that you follow this procedure:

  • We do not accept loose medication and request it be placed in a Ziploc bag.
  • Deposit the sealed Ziploc bag into our drop box

We CANNOT and DO NOT accept:

  • medical waste
  • syringes
Oakland Senior Center
Oakland Senior Center Transportation Program Schedule
The Borough of Oakland Senior Center Transportation Program is back up and running. For reservations, please call the Senior Center no later than 4:00 p.m. on the Monday before your requested trip at (201) 405-7731.
Oakland Senior Center 'Books to Go' Program
The Borough of Oakland Senior Center and the Oakland Public Library are offering 'Books to Go' Program, which began earlier this Fall. Contact the Library and see availability of books. Delivery and pick-ups will take place every Tuesday by the Senior Center Van. To reserve books, (201) 337-3742.
Recent News
Applications Open for NJEDA Small Business Grant Program
Applications for the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Small Business Lease Grant has opened for applications.

The Small Business Lease Grant provides grants up to 20 percent of annual lease payments to small businesses and nonprofits entering new or amended market-rate leases for at least 250 square feet of street-level space. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all funds are awarded.
More information and the application are available at https://www.njeda.com/small-business-lease-grant/.

Please Note: This announcement is for the Small Business Lease Grant only, which is a separate program from the Small Business Improvement Grant. Applications for the Small Business Improvement Grant will launch at a later date, which the NJEDA will communicate to the public on its website and through social media accounts prior to application launch.
Bergen County Announces Winter Wonderland for 2021
Bergen County's Winter Wonderland is back for 2021, starting on 11/26. For information on tickets and events, visit www.bergencountywinterwonderland.com.
Bergen County Utilities Authority Last Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event
The Bergen County Utilities Authority last Household Hazardous Waste Collection is scheduled for Saturday November 13, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the Bergen County Utilities Authority, Foot of Empire Boulevard, Moonachie, N.J. Do not bring paper, electronics, shredding, or trees. For additional information, visit www.bcua.org.  
2022 Borough Calendar Advertising Opportunities for Local Businesses
The Borough of Oakland has announced the 2022 Borough Calendar and Information Guide. An Oakland Business can purchase a 1/5" x 5" advertising space to be displayed in the Borough Calendar. Your business can purchase a maximum of 6 months and can select which months you would like to advertise in. The Borough Calendar will be mailed to every residence and business in Oakland in late December 2021. The Borough Calendar features Recycling, Garbage, Meetings, Events, and other important information. 
If interested, please fill out the Sponsorship Application and return to the Oakland Borough Hall, 1 Municipal Plaza, Oakland, N.J. 07436, or email a PDF copy to assistadmin@oakland-nj.org. Checks are made payable to the Borough of Oakland. Businesses may email your high resolution artwork to assistadmin@oakland-nj.org. This is a first come, first serve basis. If the months you selected are already filled, you will be contacted promptly. 
Bergen County Vaccination Center Now Offering COVID-19 Booster Shots
The County of Bergen in partnership with Bergen New Bridge Medical Center announces that starting Monday, September 27, the Bergen County Vaccination Center will begin offering booster shots of the Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccine to the following:
  • Those over 65
  • Long term care facility residents at least six months after they were fully vaccinated
  • Healthcare workers, teachers, and other workers at risk
  • Those age 50-64 with underlying medical conditions according to the eligibility guidance provided by the ACIP and CDC.

The Bergen County Vaccination Center also continues to offer all three COVID-19 vaccines to those who have yet to receive a first dose. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is available to anyone age 12 or older and the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccines are available to anyone age 18 or older. Bergen County health officials strongly urge all who are eligible to receive their vaccines as the more contagious Delta variant is responsible for 99% of COVID cases.
Communications Commission
The Oakland Television Committee is always seeking volunteers to assist with TV production and event filming. If interested, contact the Communications Commission at occ@oakland-nj.org.
Communications Commission
The Oakland Communications Commission and Oakland Newsletter Committee is seeking volunteers to help write stories and articles for the Borough Newsletter. Experience in journalism and writing is a plus. Community service hours for high school and college are accepted. To those interested, contact assistadmin@oakland-nj.org.
Register for the Oakland Dog Park
Registration is open for the new Oakland Dog Park, located within Great Oak Park off Ramapo Valley Road. Register online here.
Sustainable Oakland Green Team Seed Bank Open for Residents
The Sustainable Oakland Green Team has launched the new Library Seed Bank, featuring native and heirloom seeds. This program is available at the Oakland Public Library, 2 Municipal Plaza, Oakland, N.J. 07436, and is open to all Oakland Library card holders. 

Any questions, contact the Sustainable Oakland Green Team at greenteam@oakland-nj.org. 
Borough of Oakland Selling Backyard Composters
Backyard Composter Bins are available for purchase at the Oakland Department of Public Works, 63 Oak Street, Oakland, NJ 07436 during normal business hours Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

The composter is available at a discounted price to Oakland Residents at $60.00.

Questions, email recycle@oakland-nj.or (201) 337-8104.

Sustainable Oakland Green Team Reminds You To Eliminate Idling
The Sustainable Oakland Green Team would like to remind residents to please not idle their car! It saves gas, it saves the planet, and it makes us healthier.
Skip the Straw!
The Sustainable Oakland Green Team encourages residents to "Skip the Straw" as NJ law mandates that plastic straws can only be provided upon request starting November 4, 2021.
Sustainable Oakland Green Team Encourages Residents to Bag Up!
Starting next May 2022, NJ Law will ban grocery stores from providing plastic and paper bags to help reduce litter. Start using reusable bags in anticipation of this new law. For more information, visit www.bagupnj.com.
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