This Inspiring Story Brought to You by Grape-Nuts

Booker: 'Leading Newark Is the Greatest Challenge of My Life'

Cory Booker says community collaboration is the secret to Newark's progress, in this series sponsored by Grape-Nuts.

About this sponsorship: In honor of the 60th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary’s historic ascent of Mount Everest, Patch and Grape-Nuts are teaming up to highlight those who inspire people around them to climb their own mountains. As the mayor of Newark, New Jersey’s largest city, Cory Booker says he understands the importance of leadership. But he especially acknowledges the importance of inspiring and engaging local leaders to assist in achieving community goals. Q. PATCH: What is the biggest challenge you’ve taken on?   A. BOOKER: Leading Newark is the greatest challenge of my life, but it’s not a policy challenge.  I’m proud we’ve notched victories — fought to improve education, create jobs and cut crime. But the challenge has been the…

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Lauryn Hill Sentenced To Prison For Failing To Pay Taxes

Former Fugee, a South Orange resident, didn't file returns for five years

Singer Lauryn Hill was sentenced to three months in prison Monday afternoon for not paying taxes on more than $2.3 million in earnings for five years beginning in 2005. She must also serve up to an additional 3 months’ home confinement and pay various penalties and interest fees. Hill made a lengthy statement in court immediately prior to her sentencing but declined to speak to reporters outside federal court in Newark. Hill said that the burdens of fame complicated her efforts to earn money and that she had been thrust into a industry at a young age not fully understanding the consequences. Describing herself as “the child of former slaves,” Hill said she was forced to choose between her artistic integrity and the commercial demand to …

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Local and County Responders Participate in Hazardous Spill Drill

More than 100 responders participated in the drill Wednesday in West Orange with eight fire department and 16 EMS providers along with New Jersey and county services.

West Orange Fire Department along with seven other township fire departments and 16 EMS providers participated in a New Jersey National Guard decontamination drill in West Orange Wednesday. The drill tested the capabilities of the county's hazardous material response and treatment of patients  at the NJ National Guard Armory, according to West Orange Fire Chief Peter Smeraldo. It required the EMS to treat and triage about 20 potential people contaminated by the hazardous material.  "We were very pleased with the results," said Smeraldo. "We identified our strengths and where we can improve." More than 100 first responders from local townships attended as well as Essex County Sheriff's Department, New Jersey EMS and University Hospital in …

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Bloomfest at Branch Brook Park Sunday

The famous Essex County event celebrating the blooming cherry blossoms begins at 11 a.m.

Branch Brook Park will be pink Sunday for Bloomfest. The event will run between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. at Branch Brook Park in Newark. It is part of the 37th annual Cherry Blossom Festival that will continue through April 20.  Bloomfest will feature a packed schedule of events, including cultural demonstrations, children's activities, live music, a crafter's marketplace, food and much more. Winners from the “Why My Essex County Park is Important to Me” essay contest for fourth-graders and “Cherry Blossom Poster Contest” for sixth-graders will be recognized on stage. Bloomfest is free and will be held rain or shine.     1-Mile Fun Run and Walk April 20  Celebrate the arrival of spring and get fit with your family or friends. Children are …

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Newark Mayor Booker Speaks To, Inspires Montclair Students

Mayor Booker 'set a tone for the rest of the evening that was so inspiring for us as young students,' said Montclair High School senior and President of the Civics and Government Institute Jake Ephros.

Students in Montclair High School's Civics and Government Institute were addressed by Newark Mayor Cory Booker at its 14th annual state dinner on April 10 at Mayfair Farms in West Orange. Booker’s address focused on how small acts of kindness can change the world. He told personal stories from his family and youth encouraging students to acknowledge those who fought for freedom and justice before them and to continue the work by caring about others. “His emphasis on how we’re the next generation and how we can’t just sit around living off of what our parents have given us, how we have to take it and make it better, was pretty inspiring,” said Montclair High School senior Eliza Jacobson. CGI President and Montclair High School senior Jake …

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What Are You Doing St. Patrick's Day Weekend?

There are still parades and plenty of Irish pubs to hang out in leading up to the holiday.

There is plenty to do this St. Patrick's Day weekend in Montclair.  Your Montclair pub crawl can begin at Egan & Son's Restaurant and Pub, located at 118 Walnut St., who will celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a dance party starting at 8 p.m. in an outdoor tent on Saturday. On Sunday, the party at Egan & Son's will be from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and be accompanied by live entertainment and festivities.  Or you can stop by Tierney's Tavern, located at 136-138 Valley Road, where you can meet old friends and the Guinness is on tap all year long.  Your bar crawl can continue at The Office Bar & Grill, located at 619 Bloomfield Ave., or at the DLV Lounge, at 300 Bloomfield Ave.  What are you doing this holiday weekend? Did you head over to the West …

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Jazz House Kids Hosts Spa Day for Newark Students

Jazz House Kids and other local businesses teamed up to sponsor a spa day for special needs students from Newark's John F. Kennedy School.

More than a dozen girls from John F. Kennedy School for special needs students in Newark indulged in a spa day on Thursday morning at the new location for Jazz House Kids. Makeup artists from Montclair's own Bobbi Brown studios, manicurists and masseuses were on hand to pamper every need of the students and parents.  Student Dai-Jonia Sumler, who had her makeup done and nails painted a bright pink, said it felt good to come out and indulge with friends.  “You feel real girlie?” asked Dai-Jonia’s mother Shanta.  Dai-Jonia shook her head emphatically.  Founder and President of Jazz House Kids Melissa Walker, a Montclair-based organization which teachers music to local students, said the idea for the event, called Something Wonderful!, arose …

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Montclair Gun Buyback Nets 716 Weapons

Churches in Newark, Montclair were among collection points for 1,770 firearms

NEWARK -- More than 700 guns — including an AR-15 high-capacity assault weapon similar to the one used in the Newtown, Conn., school shooting — were turned in this weekend in Montclair during a countywide gun buyback program. The cash-for-guns program was held at five churches in Essex County, including in Montclair and Newark. In Montclair, 716 weapons were collected at the Union Baptist Church on Midland Avenue, where local and state police officers could be seen on Friday and Saturday. "We did get some of the weapons we do see common in crimes," said Montclair Police Department Deputy Chief Todd Conforti. "We did get the weapons we were looking for, along with other weapons that people turned in which are safer in our hands."  The four …

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Man Struck, Killed by Motorist Following Devils Game

No charges filed against driver, investigation continuing

  A Pearl River, N.Y., man was struck and killed by a car Tuesday night after leaving a New Jersey Devils hockey game at the Prudential Center, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement. Thomas Argenti, 18, was hit by car at around 10:30 pm near East Kinney Street and McCarter Highway. He was pronounced dead about a half-hour later. The 28-year-old driver, whose name was not released, remained at the scene, officials also said. No charges had been filed as of Wednesday afternoon and the investigation is continuing.

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Alicia Keys Coming to Newark April 8, Tickets on Sale this Week

'Girl on Fire Tour' continues with a stop at Prudential Center

  Singer-songwriter Alicia Keys begins her 24-city “Set The World on Fire Tour”  next month that will include a stop at the Prudential Center April 8. The 14-time Grammy winner is touring in support of her number-one album Girl on Fire.  R&B star Miguel, whose “Adorn” has reached number one on the urban adult charts, will be opening for Keys. Presale tickets are available for Citi credit card holders Feb. 13 at 10 am through Citi’s Private Pass Program. For more information, click here. Regular sales of tickets begin Saturday, Feb. 16 at noon and can be ordered through Ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000…

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