Evening Zoom Book Club

May 3, 2026 | Events, Upcoming

Evening Zoom Book Club

Calendar of Events

Always once a month.

hipcil- Marily Gonzalez-Escobar, CEO/President is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Heightened Independence & Progress Evening Book Club.
Time: May 29, 2026 07:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Every month on the Last Fri, until Jun 26, 2026, 4 occurrence(s)
Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.

Monthly:

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Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 870 9940 9558

Passcode: 919685

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One tap mobile
+13092053325,,87099409558#,,,,*919685# US
+13126266799,,87099409558#,,,,*919685# US (Chicago)

Join by SIP

• 87099409558@zoomcrc.com

Join instructions

The Evening Book Club is a friendly, laid-back space for readers to come together to enjoy a good story and share thoughts, laughter, and conversation.

We meet on the last Friday of each month via Zoom, making it easy to join from the comfort of home.

At the end of each meeting, members help choose the book for the following month—so everyone has a voice in what we read next.

May Selection:

The Measure
Author: Nikki Erlick
DB Number: DB 109475
Narrators: Whelan, Julia.

One ordinary morning, people around the world receive a small wooden box containing a string that reveals the exact length of their life. As society grapples with this shocking discovery, eight individuals must confront what their strings mean for their futures, relationships, and choices. Thought-provoking and deeply human, The Measure explores fate, free will, and how knowing the length of one’s life could change everything.

Discussion Highlights:

Discussion questions are included below. Participants are welcome to review them in advance, write down responses, or simply use them to guide conversation during the meeting.

All are welcome. Bring your curiosity, your favorite beverage, and your love of books—we look forward to reading with you!

For more information, please call Blagica at 201-996-9100 ext. 115.

Discussion questions

Rating 1-5

1. If the box from The Measure arrived on your doorstep, would you open it? Is there perhaps a particular age or moment in your life when you would be most inclined to view your string?

2. Knowing the length of their string causes many characters to rethink their careers, their dreams, even their views on marriage and children. Some people quit their jobs and shutter their businesses; others travel to distant lands. How would knowing about your string—or not knowing about it — affect the way you lived your life?

3. Ben initially feels conflicted over telling his parents about his string, while Javier chooses to hide the truth from his. Do you think family members have a right to know about each other’s strings?

4. In today’s world, do you think the arrival of the strings would bring out the worst in people, or the best? Would you view the boxes as a gift or a curse?

5. The world of The Measure feels familiar to our own, except for one powerful twist. What is the benefit of setting a novel in a slightly altered version of our world? In what ways did this fictional society’s reaction to the strings mirror the behavior of our own society? In what ways did it differ?

6. Do you think any members in the public arena — such as doctors, employers, or government

officials — should be able to know the length of someone’s string? Should short-stringers be able to publicly identify themselves in order to receive legal protections or government aid? Do you think political candidates should be able to use their strings during a campaign, like Anthony did?

7. In the support group, Maura argues that, “We never should have allowed them to start labeling people as ‘long-stringers’ and ‘short-stringers.’” Do you agree with her? Do you think it would create more division or strengthen community in society?

8. Nina worries that if Maura were to enter the hospital, she might face multiple biases as a Black woman and a short-stringer. How does the experience of short-stringers in the novel reflect any of the past or present injustices facing historically marginalized groups? How do they differ?

9. Religion takes on varying degrees of importance in the characters’ lives. Javier is Catholic, Nihal is Hindu, and other characters aren’t observant. How do you think the arrival of the strings might impact a person’s religious devotion, or lack thereof?

10. In the world of The Measure, people receive their boxes upon turning 22. Do you think that’s too young to be facing such a choice? Or should the choice be offered to people even younger?

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Book Club

May 1, 2026 | Events, Upcoming

Book Club

Calendar of Events

Always once a month.

Book Club

May 29, 2026
Time: 11 AM

The book will be discussing is

The last patient of the nigh

The DB number is 132772

The call-in number
for the book club is 945-218-0051
access code 426-6427 #

If anyone has further questions, feel free to call
Marie at 973-777-2006

The book club is a reading group, usually consisting of a number of people who read and talk about books based on a topic or an agreed-upon reading list.

Fall into a book… join the hip bookworms!

Good conversation, good insights into books and good friends meeting and having a good time.

We’d like to invite everybody to join the book club!

Come and have some fun, read some good books, and meet some new people.

It’s very easy, just pick up the phone dial 945-218-0051 Access 426-6427# and you are part of the group!

If anybody wants any more information about the bookclub, please contact:

Marie at 973-777-2006

Hope you’ll come and join us. Happy reading!

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AVL Group

Apr 1, 2026 | Events, Upcoming

AVL Support Group Meetings

Calendar of Events

AVL Group – Secaucus Public Library

Location: 1379 Paterson Plank Rd, Secaucus, NJ, 07094

Time: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Dates: See the Calendar

AVL Adjustment to Vision Loss Project

The Adjustment to Vision Loss program (AVL) is run for the blind and visually impaired, meeting monthly to engage and enjoy group activities in both North Arlington and Secaucus.

Please email

mmartinez@hipcil.org

If you have questions to the AVL Project

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COVID-19 Community Response Program

Dec 19, 2022 | COVID-19

COVID-19 Community Response Program

Funding Application

Dear Applicant:

Welcome to the COVID-19 Community Response Program, administered by Heightened Independence and Progress (hip) in Bergen and Hudson Counties. The program will address food insecurities, personal protective equipment, assistive devices (medical and non-medical), transportation, in home support services, emergency rental and utility assistance, because of COVID-19. For us to be more efficient in evaluating your request for funding, we will need your cooperation and diligence. Our program coordinators are available to assist you.

The following items must be enclosed:

APPLICATION: Fully complete the 3-part application, all information is required.
MEDICAL PRESCRIPTION: It should state your disability (COPD, end stage renal failure, lung cancer, diabetes, heart disease, developmental delay, etc.) and the reason you need the item you are requesting. The doctor, or other health care provider, may fax it directly to us.
ONE-TIME EMERGENCY RENTAL OR UTILITY ASSISTANCE: Please include a copy of the lease, utility bill and documentation of past due amount.
PROOF OF INCOME is required. Submit most recent income verification (Social Security, pension, wages, etc.). We will require information about income changes due to COVID-19 circumstances.
If you are applying for an air conditioner or home modification, a letter from landlord, granting you permission to obtain/install item, must be included. The program does not provide installation, installing air conditioners is the consumers responsibility. You may call the ASK Umbrella Program at 1-973-200-4499 for air conditioner installation assistance.
The COVID-19 Community Response Program can also provide a one-time $250 funding towards the purchase of incontinent or wound care supplies, for individuals in need.

INDEPENDENT LIVING PLAN is a tool used to assist consumers to meet their goals. Please complete the section that is moat appropriate.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, it is very important that you complete and email this application promptly. Please note that hip cannot reimburse you for any paid bill(s). hip makes payments directly to the vendor. We will not be able to process your request, until all documents are received.

Each application will be reviewed, and funding will be determined based on needs.

hip has two locations to serve the community If you have any questions or need assistance completing the application, please contact us at the office in your county.

hip Bergen County (201) 996-9100 ext. 18 or email at mvalentin@hipcil.org
hip Hudson County (201) 533-4407 or email mgonzalez@hipcil.org

Mail application to: Heightened Independence and Progress (hip)

Attn: COVID-19 Community Response Program

131 Main Street, Suite 120 Hackensack, NJ 07601 for Bergen County residents
35 Journal Square Suite 703, Jersey City, NJ 07306 for Hudson County residents

Application

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Get Fit Bergen – Spring Workout

Apr 27, 2021 | Events, Past

SPRING WORKOUT

Day(s)

:

Hour(s)

:

Minute(s)

:

Second(s)

SPRING WORKOUT

BERGEN COUNTY NEW JERSEY

Bergen County Executive

James J. Tedesco III
and the
Board of Commissioners

Cordially invite you to

GET FIT Bergen
SPRING WORKOUT
FREE FITNESS CLASSES

ALL-INCLUSIVE RECREATION PROGRAMS

BERGEN COUNTY
ACCESS FOR ALL

Free classes sponsored by the Bergen County Departments of Health Services, Human Services and Parks and Recreation

WEDNESDAYS,
MAY 12TH – JUNE 2ND, 2021
TIME: 10:30AM – 11:30AM

J. A. McFaul Environmental Center – Pavilion 150 Crescent Ave, Wyckoff, NJ 07481

Registration is required: https://bergenworkout2021.eventbrite.com

MASKS REQUIRED • MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING
NO CLASS IF RAINING • BRING YOUR OWN MAT • SIGNED WAIVER REQUIRED

Special accommodations: Contact
Marla Klein • 201-274-5094 • mklein@co.bergen.nj.us

James J. Tedesco III
Bergen County Executive

Board of Commissioners
Steven A. Tanelli, Chairman • Tracy S. Zur, Vice Chairwoman • Dr. Joan M. Voss, Chair Pro Tempore
Mary J. Amoroso • Ramon M. Hache, Sr. • Germaine M. Ortiz • Thomas J. Sullivan

Flyer in PDF

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