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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Booker Releases Emails On $100 Million Donation to Newark Schools

Newark officials released 36 emails about the $100 million donation Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg made in 2010 to city schools.

After Newark officials were order to release emails about the $100-million donation Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg made to the city’s schools in 2010, they showed it never happened. The emails revealed the donation was dismissed by one of Mayor Cory Booker's top aides as too small, according to NJ.com. However the emails also showed Newark philanthropist Ray Chambers was in favor of it. “It is unfortunate that it took a lawsuit and ruling from the judge to force the City of Newark to turn over public documents," the American Civil Liberties Union Legal Director, Ed Barocas, said. "We and our clients will now review the documents. And if there are no bombshells in these emails, the public has a right to ask why the city was so adamant in …

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FEMA Disaster Recovery Center Opens

One-stop center in Newark has information on assistance for homeowners, small business owners

The FEMA Disaster Recover Center opened its doors Monday to assist those still dealing with the mess left behind by Super Storm Sandy. Located at the Willing Heart Community Care Center (555 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Newark), the center is a one-stop shop for all Sandy and nor'easter Athena recovery resources. Residents can apply for disaster and recovery grants on site, as well as obtain information on things like homeowner mitigation, disaster unemployment and low-interest disaster loans for small businesses. "We want to make certain all those who sustained losses or damages from the recent storms understand exactly what they have to do in order to determine if they're eligible for aid – and that they receive that aid," said …

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PHOTOS: Making Strides Against Breast Cancer in Newark

Annual walk attracts thousands to city for fundraising walk

Military Park in Newark Sunday hosted the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk for the 13th consecutive year. The Brick City walk helped raise more than $180,000 for breast cancer research through the initiative. Last year, the popular walk attracted more than 12,000 people and raised more than $345,000 to fight cancer. Click through the photos above to see more.

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Cory Booker, Stephen Colbert Are "Hot in Jersey"

The Mayor of Newark appeared on the Montclair resident's show, The Colbert Report

Newark Mayor Cory Booker was once Montclair resident Stephen Colbert's "threat to America," when he described America's diversity as "delicious."  Recently Booker was "Alpha Dog of the week," according to the host of the Colbert Report, for pulling a woman from a burning building.  "Am I on fire?" asked the host. "In New Jersey," replied Booker, "you are hot." Booker, who appeared on Colbert's show on October 16, told Colbert, "Newark is doing extremely well," citing economic development and growth. Colbert congratulated Booker for having Manischewitz come to Newark.  "Mazel, baby, mazel," said Colbert. Booker spoke at length about his online activism project Waywire.  Waywire, often seen in print as #waywire, is a video social network "…

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Rajapaul

6:37 am on Monday, October 22, 2012

Seems like an issues based, online town hall. An excellent idea for elected officials. Another great idea Cory.   more ›

Archbishop Celebrates 25th Anniversary of Consecration

Special mass held Saturday at Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark

  Hundreds of priests and members of the Archdiocese of Newark filled the pews of the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart Saturday for a special mass celebrating Archbishop John J. Myers 25th anniversary of ordination. "What a joy and honor it is personally to be with you and to celebrate this occasion," Myers said in his homily. "In my own mind, it is more about you and your goodness and faithfulness than it is about me." In attendance for the celebratory mass were three cardinals, including Archbishop of New York Timothy Dolan, 13 bishops and one abbot. Myers, whose was consecrated in 1987 in Peoria, Ill., has served as the fifth archbishop of Newark since 2001, a month after the Sept. 11 attacks, which he spoke of during his homily. …

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Where to Watch Fireworks in Essex County

Fourth of July celebration gets under way Friday in Branch Brook Park, Bears-Eagles stadium

Head on over to Branch Brook Park tonight for a Fourth of July celebration, including a performance by the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO) followed by a dazzling fireworks display. Beginning at 6 p.m. at the park's Great Lawn, near Heller Parkway, families can enjoy child-sized orchestral instruments to play, provided by Touch the Music, and student ensembles from the greater Newark area will perform. At 7:30 p.m., NJSO will perform hits from the stage and the screen, like music from "E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial," Richard Rodgers’ "Carousel Waltz," while Gilbert and Sullivan’s "H.M.S. Pinafore" will mix with patriotic favorites and a salute to the Armed Forces. The program also features Tchaikovsky’s Polonaise from "Eugene Onegin," …

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Gooch's Garlic Run Brings Fundraiser Back to Newark

Annual motorcycle run benefits four young individuals with serious illnesses

Newark has got the Gooch. For the second consecutive year, thousands of motorcyclists will pour into the city's Ironbound Wednesday night for the 25th annual Gooch's Garlic Run, a 28-mile bike ride that benefits individuals with serious illnesses. The run, organized by law enforcement motorcycle club Blue Knights New Jersey Chapter IX and named for retired Andover Township Police Lieutenant Al "Gooch" Monaco, will depart from Rockaway Townsquare mall in Rockaway at 6:30 p.m. and trickle onto Newark's Ferry Street after 7 p.m. "It was just a whole environment that made us come back," said Mike Little, president of Blue Knights Chapter IX, of returning to Brick City for a second year. "We found a new home, so to speak." In the past, the …

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Petals Near Peak in the Park

With festival a few weeks away, cherry blossoms bloom early at Branch Brook Park.

Cherry blossom season is in full swing in Essex County and, with 60 to 70 percent of trees in Branch Brook Park currently in bloom, now is the time to visit the nation's largest exhibit, officials said. The 36th annual Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival, sponsored by Aetna, kicks off Saturday, April 7 and ends Sunday, April 22 and is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors. But the recent stretch of warm weather has forced the early bloom of thousands of the park's 4,300 trees, attracting a crush of sightseers this past weekend. "We're gonna urge everybody – don't wait 'til April 7, get out [to Branch Brook Park] now," said Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. Monday during a press conference at the Cherry Blossom …

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PHOTOS: 77th Annual Newark St. Patrick's Day Parade

Watch video of the oldest parade in New Jersey

The trill of bagpipes filled the air in downtown Newark Friday afternoon, as the city celebrated its 77th annual St. Patrick's Day parade, known as the oldest and finest parade in New Jersey. The hour-long parade, which began at the Prudential Center on Mulberry Street, was led by Grand Marshal Kevin Cummings, president and chief executive officer of Investors Bank, and Deputy Grand Marshal Sr. Deborah L. Humphreys, councilor of the Leadership Team of the Sisters of Charity. The parade kicked off with its traditional grandstand ceremony, which honored organizers and dignitaries and included a performance by the Peter Smith School of Irish Dance and music by the Castlerea Brass & Reed Band. "Essex County is a diverse county and we celebrate…

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