Mayor Cory A. Booker, the Municipal Council and Newark Emergency Management and Homeland Security Director Keith Isaac reminded residents that the Federal Emergency Management Administration has extended the deadline to apply for federal disaster assistance funds for home and business owners and renters affected by the severe rains and flooding that impacted New Jersey from March 12 to April 15, 2010. The deadline to apply for such aid is now Thursday, July 1, 2010.

Homeowners, renters, and business owners in Atlantic, Bergen, Cape May, Essex, Gloucester, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, and Union Counties can apply for federal disaster assistance funds by phone at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or on-line at www.disasterassistance.gov Speech or hearing-impaired residents should use TTY 1-800-462-7585.

“Nature had a powerful and harsh impact on our State and region in March,” Mayor Booker said. “I urge residents, tenants, and business owners whose property was damaged by the heavy rains and flooding to contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency and learn about the resources available to help them recover from nature’s wrath. I commend our Office of Emergency Management, which stayed on top of the situation during the storm, coordinating our response to it, and ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents.”

A record 3.99 inches of rain hammered down on Newark and North Jersey on March 13, 2010, causing damage and flooding across the region, along with winds that gusted up to 70 miles an hour. Most NJ Transit rail service was suspended, and as many as 260,000 residents statewide lost electrical power.

According to Director Isaac, the City of Newark suffered some flooding on Meeker and Frelinghuysen Avenues that day, but the Office of Emergency Management monitored the area and barricaded the arteries when necessary, so that no vehicles or motorists were trapped. The OEM also coordinated municipal and county responses to any reported incidents of flooding. It also monitored conditions at nursing homes and other care centers around the City, to make sure their backup generators were working in case of power failure. No care center reported any problems during the storm.

Director Isaac said that persons contacting FEMA should have the following information ready when they call for assistance:

• Address and contact phone number
• Social Security number
• Current mailing address
• Date the damage occurred
• Address of the affected property
• Brief description of the damages
• Insurance information
• Family’s gross income

“While many property owners have insurance, some losses may not be covered,” Director Isaac said. “Residents who have suffered damage and losses should contact FEMA, and find out what disaster relief is available to them.”

The Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security is the City of Newark’s lead agency in planning for and responding to man-made or natural disasters that may impact the City of Newark and its residents, ranging from hurricanes to hazmat spills. It unites resources and agencies for planning, prevention, and preparedness, directs the response to events when warranted, and oversees recovery efforts.

For more information about any City of Newark program, call the Newark Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311.

• Download the Save Money, Save Energy, Save the Planet Brochure

Lower your energy bills by up to 30% using the tips recommended in the City of Newark’s Save Money, Save Energy, Save the Planet Brochure

Participate in Green Activities

COMMUNITY GARDENING
City of Newark Adopt a Lot Program
For information, call 973 733-3631

Greater Newark Conservancy
Offers assistance to community gardens, contact (973) 642-4646

COMMUNITY GREENING & TREE PLANTING
Greater Newark Conservancy offers discounted flower barrels to residents and local businesses, contact (973) 642-4646
Visit http://citybloom.org for further information

The NJ Tree Foundation responds to residents and schools who want more trees in their neighborhood.  Contact Shannon Buckley at (609) 439-1755 or email her at njtf_sbuckley@yahoo.com

OUTDOOR EDUCATION
Greater Newark Conservancy Educational Center
The Conservancy offers year round workshops for adults, teachers and programs for youth.  The Sensory Garden at 32 Prince Street is always a lovely place to visit.   Contact (973) 642-4646, visit http://citybloom.orgfor further information

Sky Observatory – Public Viewing Nights
Every Monday and Wednesday evening
NJ Meadowlands Commission
One Dekorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst, NJ  07071
(201) 460-1700 www.njmeadowlands.gov
More information about the observatory and the Meadowlands Environment Center’s astronomy programs is posted at: http://www.rst2.edu/meadowlands/observatory/index.shtml

Free Guided Bird Walks
First Sunday and Third Tuesday of Each Month
The Meadowlands Commission and Bergen County Audubon Society are sponsoring free 90-minute nature walks on the first Sunday and third Tuesday of every month. Bring binoculars, bug spray, sunscreen and a sense of wonder.
NJ Meadowlands Commission
One Dekorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst, NJ  07071
(201) 460-1700 www.njmeadowlands.gov

BIKING IN NEWARK
Monthly bike rides on the first Friday of each month, meet at Beaver Street and Market Street at 7 pm.
Repair and Ride:  Learn how to fix your bike at free repair sessions from 2 to 4 pm on the third Sunday of each month in Lincoln Park, and join in a group ride leaving from Lincoln Park at 4:15 on those days. Visit http://www.brickcitybikecollective.org/

NEWARK WATERSHED
The Newark-Pequannock Watershed is a 35,000 acre natural resource owned by the City of Newark. The Newark Watershed supplies the City of Newark with its water and sells water to the surrounding suburbs.The Watershed resource, from a land-use perspective, is managed by the Newark Watershed Conservation and Development Corporation (NWCDC). Part of the Watersheds physical make-up are large reservoirs and streams. More specifically, the Watershed has four reservoirs normally open to recreational boating and fishing.
For information visit http://www.newarkwatershed.com/
For information about Camp Watershed call (973) 697-9018

ESSEX COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
621 Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland, NJ 07068
The Essex County Environmental Center is dedicated to creating awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the environment and its relationship to Essex County residents.  The Center is devoted to uniting its twenty-two municipalities through integrated educational programs including hands-on-activities. The Center is a state-of-the-art facility constructed using natural and recycled materials, innovative energy saving technologies, and topped by a “green roof” for the purpose storm-water management, among other things.

The Center offers workshops year round as well as fishing, boating and birding opportunities, a greenhouse and gardens, and a forested interpretive trail.

For information call (973) 228-8776
For calendar of events visit http://www.essex-countynj.org/p/index.php?section=env/o

ENJOY OUR PARKS!
The City of Newark is graced with beautiful parks of all sizes.  Enjoy them, get involved in stewardship. Some useful contacts are:
Branchbrook Park – http://branchbrookpark.org
Weequahic Park – http://www.wpapark.org
Trust For Public Land has a contact list of “Friends of Parks” groups throughout Newark and offers technical assistance – contact Donna Kirkland at (973) 718-7338

EXERCISE & OUTDOOR EDUCATION
The City’s Recreation Centers offer state of the art facilities and programming for residents of all ages.  Visit the Recreation Center pages for addresses and programs!

Follow These Green Tips

SAVE ENERGY AT WORK AND AT HOME
Did you know that “energy phantoms” — electronic devices that continue to draw power when left on standby — account for five percent of the electricity used in the United States, and millions of tons of CO2 released into the atmosphere each year? Did you know that leaving one computer on overnight can burn 1 Kilowatt-hour of electricity?

Goal: Switch off appliances at the end of the day to kill “energy phantoms.”  At home, use power strips to turn off appliances that continue to draw energy even in standby mode, as well as appliance chargers, like cell phone chargers.

Put another way, if just 10 people remember to switch off their computers each night, over the course of one year they will have saved enough energy to power the average residential household for four months.

Be an Energy Star – Take the pledge! Do your part to help conserve energy and demonstrate Newark’s green leadership.

RECYCLING
Did you know that recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a 100-watt bulb for 20 hours, a computer for 3 hours, or a TV for 2 hours?

Goal: Recycle plastic, metal and paper products that you use throughout the day. Recycling saves resources. You can consolidate your recyclables in a dedicated bin near your desk to eliminate repetitive trips to different disposal containers.

CUT DOWN ON PAPER WASTE
Did you know that New York City throws out enough waste each day to fill the Empire State Building?

Goal: Use paper wisely — re-use the back side of single-sided documents for drafts, incoming faxes, phone messages, and other in-house tasks. Reduce the font size on standard form documents, and adjust their margins to “narrow,” (.75 or less) so that they are as few pages as possible.

SPREAD A SIMPLE CONSERVATION MESSAGE
Did you know that Americans use enough sheets of paper every year to build a 10-foot-high wall that would stretch from New York to Tokyo and beyond?

Goal: Add a line to your e-mail signatures that reminds the recipient not to print the e-mail unless necessary, such as, “Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.”

THINK REUSABLE, NOT DISPOSABLE, AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE ON YOUR LUNCH BREAK
Did you know that every year Americans toss out enough paper or plastic cups, forks and spoons to circle the Equator 300 times? And that approximately 60 to 100 million barrels of oil are required each year to make the world’s plastic bags — greatly contributing to global warming? Did you know that plastic bags cause more than 100,000 sea turtle and marine animal deaths annually and take more than 400 years to bio-degrade?

Goal: Avoid disposable products whenever you can. Use re-usable plates, cups, mugs, and utensils at the office, and bring a re-usable travel mug with you to the coffee shop.

USE PLANTS TO IMPROVE AIR QUALITY AT HOME OR IN THE OFFICE
Did you know a study by NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) concluded that common houseplants such as bamboo palms and spider plants not only make indoor spaces more attractive but convert carbon dioxide into oxygen? Did you know plants through photosynthesis purify the air by removing harmful elements such as trichloroethylene, benzene, and formaldehyde?

Goal: Bring some greenery to your home! An average home or office of less than 2,000 square feet should have at least 15 plants to help improve air quality.

Attention high school seniors: apply for a $20,000 college scholarship!

The Brick City Scholarship Fund – thanks to the generosity of One Newark Center, the City of Newark and Municipal Council – is accepting applications from Newark high school seniors graduating June, 2010. The eight recipients will each be awarded $20,000 in four $5000 installments, one for each academic year, to be used toward college tuition, books and transportation. 


Requirements

• College-bound Newark senior attending a public,private or charter school and graduating in June, 2010

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 70 (C), minimum junior-senior years GPA of 80 (B)

• Overcame a personal hardship or significant challenge

• Application completed and postmarked by Friday, June 4, 2010

How to Apply

1.   Write two essays* (Complete A & B):

A.   Write a 1-2 page essay on how a personal experience, hardship or challenge made a difference in your life and how you used it to make a positive change in yourself, family or community.

B.   Write a 1-2 page essay on your future plans and include any experience(s) you have in community service or positions of leadership.  Discuss how this experience will help you to be successful in your future ambitions.

*Essays must be 1-2 pages, typed & double-spaced with 12 pt Times New Roman font & 1” margins.


2.   Complete Scholarship Application Form

• Download the Brick City Scholarship Fill-In Application

A.    Fill in all of the blanks on the scholarship application and sign your name at the bottom of the form once it is complete.  You must include additional support documenting your college plans (such as a copy of your acceptance letter to a four-year college or university).

B.    Provide school documentation of your cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) from Fall of 9th grade through Fall of 12th grade (on a scale of 0-100) AND your attendance record for Fall 2008 from your school.  You are required to have a minimum cumulative 70 (C) GPA AND a minimum 80 (B) GPA during both junior and senior years to apply for the scholarship.

C.    Provide a one page letter of recommendation from a teacher, guidance counselor or school administrator.  The letter of recommendation must be submitted in a sealed envelope with your completed application.

D.    Obtain parent or guardian signature for your application form.

E.    Show your complete application package to your guidance counselor and ask him/her to sign the application form.


3.     Consideration will be given to your GPA, attendance record, quality and content of the two essays, and letter of recommendation.  Completed applications must be postmarked by Friday, June 4th, 2010 and sent to the following address:

Brick City Scholarship Fund
Attention: Nelson A. Rodriguez
Newark City Hall, Office of the Mayor
920 Broad Street, Room 200
Newark, New Jersey 07102

Please note that incomplete & late applications will be disqualified.

Pitney Bowes is hiring at its new Newark facility. It is the nation’s largest provider of presort services, aggregating outbound mail from many organizations and enabling more mailers to enjoy the benefits of postage discounts.  It is also one of the nation’s largest providers of international mail services, allowing outbound international mail to get to its destination faster and at lower cost to the mailer.

The following positions are available:

• Presort Mail Machine Operator (various shifts)

• Outbound Shipping Team Leader

• Mail Presort Machine Team Leader

• Machine Operator

• Mail/Packages Sorter

• Bulk Mail/Packages Sorter

• Account Manager

• Receptionist/Assistant Traffic Coordinator

How to apply:

Newark residents should apply online and list Newark Work as the referral source.

For more information, stop by Newark One-Stop Career Center at 990 Broad Street, Newark or call: 973-733-4311

Pitney Bowes is located at:
181 Mt. Olivet Ave.
Newark, NJ 07114

Interfaith Week will continue through June 6, concluding with an Interfaith Worship Weekend with the Mayor, on Friday, June 4, at a Muslim Mosque; Saturday, June 5, at a Jewish Synagogue; and on Sunday, June 6, at a Christian Church.

The Interfaith Prayer Breakfast is an annual event hosted by the City of Newark, the Council of Religious Leaders, Newark Police Clergy Alliance, New Jersey Institute of Technology, the Newark Interfaith Coalition for Hope and Peace, Newark Now, and numerous other faith and community based organizations. The annual breakfast and focuses on promoting unity all throughout the City. Also in attendance were Central Ward Council Member Charles A. Bell and Deputy Mayor of Neighborhood Engagement Margarita Muñiz.

“I congratulate the organizers of our Third Annual Interfaith Breakfast and proudly open our City’s first-ever Interfaith Week, which will unify residents of all faiths and backgrounds.  In order to overcome these challenging times, we will need the guidance and support of our City’s spiritual and moral leaders more than ever,” Mayor Booker said. “Together as a community that is strong in its faith, we will achieve our destiny and Newark, New Jersey, will become the new ark of God’s Covenant.”

“It is a pleasure being here for the breakfast’s third year. We are all a part of God’s Family. We all have a connection. We all belong to one another, and it’s so great to act as we belong to one another, and work together for the greater good,” said Municipal Council President Mildred C. Crump.

This year’s Breakfast was themed: “Expressions from Young People of Faith,” and Newark youth shared with attendees the importance of faith in their lives, and how they are using that faith to create positive change in their homes, schools, and neighborhoods. Their names and backgrounds are attached.

Senior Mayoral Adviser W. Deen Shareef, one of the founding members of the Newark Interfaith Coalition, and also the Imam at Masjid Waarith ud Deen in Irvington, worked with Newark Clergy President Steven V. Davis, who is pastor of Calvary Gospel Church in Newark. Together they spearheaded the Coalition’s sponsorship to organize the Breakfast and Week. Imam Shareef discussed its unique nature. “We couldn’t find a precedent for this being done before. I have spoken to interfaith leaders in other cities, and they have embraced this idea, and it looks like this is something that other cities will duplicate. I think this Week is as important as many other celebrations we have, because the essence of a person is their spirit,” Imam Shareef said.

“Newark is a very diverse community, with a wonderful dynamic leader, who is a man of faith, and we have a bond that is most important for me, as a religious leader. At this breakfast, we heard from young people, who have accomplished something with their life. I think they will bring about a sense of hope and peace in the community,” he added.

“This event brings everyone together. It promotes healing and restoration, which are some of the key words that everyone used today. For people who weren’t inclined to associate with people of other faiths, it helps bridge the gap and helps them to become comfortable working with people of other faiths toward common goals,” said Police Sgt. Leslie L. Jones, who supervises the Department’s Police/Clergy Affairs Unit.

“This is our first Interfaith Week and we are using it to launch a new message to the City to protect and support our children. It’s our responsibility with three faith groups in Newark, Christian, Muslim, and Jewish, and we’re embracing the sense of community in the City to overcome some of the other messages that people hear that are distracting, distorting, or demeaning,” said Mark Beckwith, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark.

Makini Boothe and Hayden Knight Wiler, both from the Spiritual Assembly Ba’hai of Newark, opened the event with a prayer chant. After the prayer, Ms. Boothe, who is Chair Person of the Assembly, talked about the Breakfast. “This time was the first that we were invited to participate in the program itself, so I think that it’s amazing to have a gathering of different faiths to come together like this, and the Ba’hai faith recognizes the spirituality of all religions and sees our religion as historically and spiritually connected to working to the same goal of the unification of mankind,” said Ms. Boothe.

Community and neighborhood engagement have been hallmarks for the Booker administration since taking office in 2006. In three years, the City has created Family Success Centers, Fatherhood Success Centers, and a Children’s Bill of Rights to empower residents. The annual “Super Summer” program brings a wide range of recreational and educational activities for all ages to all neighborhoods while the Mayor’s Office Hours and Division of Constituent Services enable residents to address issues and concerns directly with the Mayor and the administration. Programs like the Super Neighborhood Community Covenants make residents leaders and planners in determining the destinies of their communities.

For more information about The Newark Interfaith Coalition for Hope & Peace, visit their website at www.newarkinterfaith.org. For information about any other municipal program or policy, contact the Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311.

From left, Brick City Development Corporation Vice President Darryl Godfrey; Verizon New Jersey Director of External Affairs Anna Lustenberg; Verizon NJ Vice President of Telecom Operations Andrea Custis; Verizon NJ Vice President of Marketing, Mid-Atlantic Region, Mary Yarbrough; Deputy Mayor of Economic and Housing Development Stefan Pryor; Verizon Vice President of External Affairs Samuel Delgado; Newark Regional Business Partnership President and CEO Chip Hallock; Brick City Development Corporation CEO Lyneir Richardson; and Verizon New Jersey External Affairs Manager Mark Bocchieri join to cut the ribbon to open the new store.

“We are very proud today to open a full service local presence center,” said Verizon Sales and Marketing Vice President Mary Yarbrough. “You can come here to purchase Verizon products, and come here to discuss and find out about Verizon products. In addition, citizens of Newark can come here and pay their bills. Residential customers as well as business customers can come here and pay bills in any form; cash, credit cards, debit cards, we provide the full service billing capabilities as well.”

“A Healthy Home Is a Lead-Safe Home”

Monday, June 14

3:30 p.m.

Newark Public Library

Children’s Room

5 Washington Street

Presentation to children on lead hazards.

Tuesday, June 15

Citywide – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Lead prevention literature distribution at nail/hair salons and barber shops.

Wednesday, June 16

10 a.m.

Newark Preschool Council

201 First Street

A play and lead poison prevention workshop for childcare providers.

6 p.m.

Department of Child and Family Well-Being

110 William Street

Lead poison prevention workshop for childcare providers in collaboration with the Office of Children.

Thursday, June 17

Noon

Ironbound Community Corporation

317 Elm Street

Lead poison prevention presentation

Friday, June 18

Citywide – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Lead prevention literature distribution at supermarkets and convenience stores.

Saturday, June 19

Noon to 4 p.m.

John F. Kennedy Recreation Center

211 West Kinney Street

Entrance on Howard Street

Grand Finale, featuring free lead screenings, dance demonstrations, family fun activities, and free food.

All Week Long

Department of Child and Family Well-Being

110 William Street

Free lead screenings

The Newark Public Library

Children’s Room

5 Washington Street

Meet Dusty the Dog, the Library’s kid-friendly educational display,

which teaches children about lead hazards.

McDonald’s Restaurants

913 18^th Avenue

772 Broad Street

334 West Market Street

Tray liners will provide information about lead poison prevention

The City of Newark will host an array of FREE activities including a Newark Public Library presentation to children on Monday, June 14, a play and lead poison workshop for childcare providers in collaboration with the Newark Preschool Council on Wednesday, June 16, and the “Grand Finale” celebration on Saturday, June 19 at the JFK Recreation Center at 211 West Kinney Street. A complete list of events is attached.

“The destruction caused to families and children by lead poisoning in the City of Newark has been devastating over the years. We have united as a City, State, and community to address this health hazard, but we cannot succeed without the engagement of our residents and families in this effort,” Mayor Booker said. “Learn about the dangers. Get your homes and children tested. Take action in your lives and families.”

Throughout the week, lead poison prevention literature and information will be distributed in supermarkets, convenience stores, barber shops, nail and hair salons, and community workshops. The City of Newark’s Government Access Channel 78 will also broadcast Lead Poison Prevention Public Service Announcements.

In addition, McDonald’s is partnering with the Department of Child and Family Well-Being for the first time to educate the public about the dangers of lead poisoning by offering tray liners with lead prevention and safety messages at their Newark restaurants located at 913 18^thAvenue; 772 Broad Street; and 334 West Market Street.

“We at McDonald’s are determined to ensure that children do not suffer from lead poisoning and that families have the information they need to prevent it in their homes,” said Celest Quintana, Owner and Operator of McDonald’s in Newark. “Lead poisoning can be prevented. It’s very important for Newark to hold this campaign.” McDonald’s Newark owns and operates 10 restaurants in the Newark area, three of them in the City.

“Lead poisoning is a tragedy that destroys children and families,” Child and Family Well-Being Director Maria Vizcarrondo said. “We are working to remove lead from homes and screen our children for signs of lead poisoning. I urge Newark residents to learn how they can protect themselves from lead dangers, not just this week but every day of the year.”

Director Vizcarrondo noted that the City has received and used federal, state and private foundations monies to address lead. “Last year we received $4 million from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development to abate 250 homes by 2010, and we expect to meet that deadline. We also received funding from the state Department of Health and Senior Services for $743,143. Of that, $229,101 is a Community Development Block Grant for Childhood Lead Poisoning Control programs, while another $173,084 CDBG grant supports Lead-Safe Houses. We are also getting $100,000 from the state Department of Community Affairs for Lead Education and Outreach, and $1,542,000 from The Kresge Foundation to purchase new temporary lead safe houses and launch a citywide lead awareness campaign,” she said.

Newark is one of a few municipalities nationwide that provides uninsured City residents access to affordable, quality healthcare. Extensive services include but are not limited to pediatric care, an adult medical practice, communicable disease control and prevention, a dental clinic, and access to the Women, Infant and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program.  The LEAD prevention program provides a continuum of care including inspections, abatements, case management and interim housing,  and provides free screenings for children Monday through Friday at 110 William Street. These services are largely supported by local, state and federal funding including philanthropic organizations, such as the world-renowned Kresge Foundation, which has contributed $1.5 million in funding to support the City of Newark’s ‘Getting the Lead Out’ initiative.

For more information about preventing lead poisoning, contact the Newark Childhood Lead Prevention Program at (973) 733-5323.

The block parties will be held on Halsey Street between the blocks of Central Avenue and New Street on specific Thursdays and Saturdays, between 5:30 – 10:00 p.m., through September 30. A complete list of block party dates is attached.

Last night’s Block Party began with remarks from dignitaries, including Mayor Booker, Deputy Mayor Pryor, Brick City Development Corporation CEO Richardson, and local business owners. Greater Newark Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Hector Ortiz served as Master of Ceremonies. After the ceremonies, attendees enjoyed a disk jockey, vendors, and open-air dining.

“This is what we’ve always believed to be one of the important, dynamic, streets in the City,” Mayor Booker said. “We have here the potential to do tremendous things in increasing the vibrancy and excitement of the City of Newark right here. There will be many things going on here, from façade improvements to numerous events to celebrate the City, to rejoice in this street. It will also allow us to make this a keystone street in the larger plan of transforming the downtown Newark area.”

The Halsey Street Block Party celebrates the emergence of the Halsey corridor as a vibrant destination. The festivities are part of a pilot program designed to promote the revitalization of key retail and mixed-use corridors throughout Newark. The project also includes an arts program involving the display of works by  local artists  in vacant floors of buildings along Halsey Street. Newark Pulse, led by Tamara Remedios, headed efforts to organize this year’s Block Parties. Berkeley College also co-sponsored the event.

“This is a beautiful event that brings a lot of people to Halsey Street, and something we want in the City of Newark. We want people to feel free to come to Newark and relax and enjoy themselves. This Block Party provides that. I love the idea of having festivals like this,” said Council Member-at-Large Carlos M. Gonzalez.

In his remarks, Deputy Mayor Pryor noted that Halsey Street business owners will be receiving monies to improve facades under a partnership with the Brick City Development Corporation this summer, while the Newark Downtown District is working to improve the Halsey Street streetscape with new curbs, lighting, and street furniture.

“There are multiple intersecting pieces that make this possible. There’s the pure festivity of block parties that help make the street a destination and energizes the university community going into the new academic season this fall. Then there’s façade improvements to upgrade this beautiful human-scale corridor in our City and help bring new businesses and residents to Halsey, which is becoming one of the signature locations and destinations in Newark,” Deputy Mayor Pryor said. “We’re so excited about what’s happening on Halsey Street, and we are looking forward to an even more bright and exciting future.

Brick City CEO Richardson said, “We are proud of the resources on Halsey Street. The Mayor told me he wanted this street to be ‘sexy.’ We’re investing in people, we’re investing money, we’re helping people get permits, and we’re working with entrepreneurs. We want a sexy Halsey Street – a place you want to go, a place you want to hang out, a place you want to shop, and eat, and drink, and party and experience more. I’m pleased to be here, pleased that you are all here, and helping bring ‘sexy’ back to Halsey Street.”

Also addressing the attendees was Newark native and lawyer Anton Lender, who partnered with fellow Newark native and lawyer Everett Johnson to purchase a “distressed property” on Halsey Street, which the pair will convert into a mixed-use residential and commercial building.

“We both graduated from Rutgers-Newark up the street, and we saw the potential in Halsey Street while we were students at Rutgers. We made an effort to invest in a distressed property and are looking forward to investing in our home town. We’re going to be good neighbors and try to bring a business that enhances the community. We thank the administration and BCDC for working with us, and helping us get through the permit processes,” Mr. Lender said. “There’s definitely a positive feeling about the neighborhood and the investment going on here on Halsey Street. I’m glad this is getting the attention it deserves, and we’re looking forward to getting started.”

In addition, programs and incentives for small businesses through the Brick City Development Corporation and the Rutgers Business School Center for Urban Entrepreneurship and Economic Development hope to increase the access and investment opportunities for entrepreneurs along the corridor. Biederman Redevelopment Ventures Corporation served as a consultant to a working group of institutions and organizations  on the strategy and implementation of all aspects of the Halsey Street pilot program.

Details for the Halsey Street Block Parties can be accessed at www.GoNewark.com/HalseySt, on Facebook at the “GoNewark” fan page or at twitter.com/GoNewark.

Photo credits: Newark Press Information Office

A ceremony was held before the parade at the memorial plaque in front of the Newark Fire Museum, which is housed in the Housed in the Ward Carriage House in the Alice & Leonard Dreyfuss Memorial Garden on the campus of the Newark Museum. The ceremony honored Newark Firefighters who fell in the line of duty in years ending with the numeral “0,” which was attended by relatives and descendants of such firefighters. Here, Helen Clayton (left) and Ray Schumacher (right) point out the names of their ancestors on the plaque. Ms. Clayton’s great-grandfather was Lt. Joseph J. Owens, who died on Christmas Day in 1911, two days after his fire truck crashed into another vehicle, while both were answering a call. He fell to the curb and was fatally injured in the crash.

It was her second Muster. Mr. Schumacher is the grandson of Fireman John Schumacher, who went to fight a fire in 1938, and suffered a heart attack from the exertion. Both were excited to find the “This is the first time I’ve been to this ceremony. It’s really something how they relate this to other people. It keeps the memory of these men active,” Mr. Schumacher said. For more information on The Newark Fire Museum, contact The Newark Museum at (973) 596-6550. For information on the Newark Fire Department Historical Society, visit their web page at http://newarkfirehistory.com/