Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Vehicles Obtained in Jersey shipped to West Africa, US Attorney says
More than a dozen law enforcement agencies have smashed a ring that shipped stolen cars through Port Newark/Elizabeth for sale in a number of West African nations, the US Attorney’s Office announced today. The ring handled about 200 cars -- 10 percent of which were carjacked -- with an estimated value of $6 million, said First Assistant US Attorney Gil Childers. The cars were stolen out of a number of New Jersey communities, including Newark, Union City, Hoboken, West Orange, Roseland, Elizabeth, Manalapan, Englewood Cliffs and Hillside. Most of the stolen cars were luxury vehicles, including brands like Audi, Land Rover, Jaguar, BMW and Mercedes, although less expensive models, including a Honda Accord, were also taken. Both types of cars…
Wreath-laying ceremony held Wednesday at Veterans Memorial Plaza in Newark
Essex County officials paid tribute to war veterans past and present Wednesday with its annual wreath-laying ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park in Newark. The tradition, said County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr., serves as a reminder that Memorial Day is a holiday that honors servicemen – and not just the unofficial start of summer. "If it wasn't for our veterans and those who lost their lives, we wouldn't be able to do those things," said DiVincenzo of the upcoming abundance of Memorial Day barbecues and picnics. Two wreaths adorned with patriotic red and white flowers were laid at Staff Sgt. Jorge Oliveira Plaza, dedicated to the late Essex County Sheriff's Officer last year. Oliveira, 33, was killed by insurgents in Afghanistan last …
The school district survey closes Sunday
Tell South Orange - Maplewood schools and administrators what they are doing well, and what could do better! Parents and guardians are invited to participate in an online satisfaction survey. The survey deadline has been extended to Sunday, May 27th. "Your input on the quality of education the district provides to your students and your experiences with the district will be invaluable as we plan for the future," says a representative of the district. "Everyone taking this survey is completely anonymous, and we encourage you to answer questions carefully and honestly." "If you have more than one child attending school, please complete one survey for each child. When you complete your first responses, click on the link to begin again." …
SOPAC announces a varied menu for your South Orange summer
SOPAC announces a long line-up of free musical events to mark summertime in South Orange. Arts for All Festival @ Celebrate South Orange: Kick-Off Event Where: South Orange Performing Arts Center (1 SOPAC Way), South Orange, NJ, 07079 When: Friday June 8 at 7:30PM What: Free performance by Lydia Johnson Dance company How: FREE. First come, first seated. Arts for All Festival @ Celebrate South Orange 2012 Where: Downtown South Orange; outdoors at the main stage When: Saturday, June 16th @ 1:00PM – 8:00PM How: FREE. First come, first seated. NEW THIS YEAR! Arts for All at Celebrate South Orange, a partnership between CSO and the South Orange Performing Arts Center, will bring a full schedule of live local music and dance to the main …
The Maplewood non-profit will send bedding and other necessities to emergency shelter in Newark.
Green Recoverings, a non-profit that matches gently used bedding and other items from hotels with homeless shelters, charities and families in need, is coordinating a large donation to the Apostles’ House in Newark, a family emergency shelter. Established by local churches such as St. George’s of Maplewood, Christ Church Short Hills, and St. Luke’s Montclair, The Apostles’ House provides comprehensive social services to homeless and at-risk families and individuals in the Newark area in an environment that encourages and enables self-sufficiency. Maplewood resident Mary Marzano has been working with the Apostle Houses ever since 2009, when she founded Green Recoverings. "The impact of our current economic environment has left our shelters …
A Patch reader wondered about a photo his mother kept; you answered!
Patch asked and you answered -- and how! Earlier this month, a reader sent in the following query along with the photo: My mom (and her sisters and mother) were very active in Girl Scouts in the Oranges in the 1920s. Mom's maiden name was Irene Tonks. Mom and her sister - Betty Tonks - were Golden Eaglets," writes a reader. "I now own a very good quality 8 x 10 photograph of a US flag being formally raised on a flag pole. The following is written on the back of the photo: 'October 26, 1923. First flag raising at Camp Natalie Kip.' Can you tell me more about this setting and event? Thanks! He also notes that, "There is also something else on the back of the photo: a large, black ink rubber stamp 'impression' that reads 'From Drew, Bynum, …
DiVincenzo will hear Army Corps of Engineers plans for water storage on South Mountain Reservation during major weather events.
The Mayors and South Orange's Village President whose towns border the Rahway River in Essex and Union Counties will present to Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo on Thursday a report on the potential for storm water storage in the South Mountain Reservations during major weather events. Mayor Sandra Haimoff and the Mayors’ Council on Rahway River Flood invited Joseph DiVincenzo to the presentation of the plan being developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which has preliminarily estimated through its hydrology assessment that up to two feet of storm water could be stored behind natural dams in the South Mountain Reservation. The mayors will hear the plan for the first time earlier in the day Thursday when the Corps presents …
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
"We can revert instantly to hot-blooded boyishness," writes Dan Barry, who plays Sunday basketball in Maplewood
1290 graduates were honored yesterday
Graduates of Seton Hall’s Class of 2012 were encouraged to honor their journey by finding their passion and purpose in life. Scott Chesney, a 1992 Arts and Sciences alumnus and a motivational coach and speaker, addressed the 1,290 spirited baccalaureate graduates who filled the Izod Center for the University’s 155th commencement. Chesney reminded the graduates that they had achieved something neither Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, or Steve Jobs had accomplished….a college degree. “Life is your classroom now,” he said. Echoing Chesney’s comments, Seton Hall President A. Gabriel Esteban asked the graduates to think about their goals and identify their passions. “Where ever you go on your journey,” he added, "remember Seton Hall.” Esteban's …
The 14th Annual Rubber Duck Race is fast approaching, and you can get in on the action.
One of the highlights of the local social calendar, the South Orange & Maplewood Kiwanis 14th Annual Rubber Duck Race will be held on Memorial Day in Maplewood's Memorial Park. The action-packed event immediately follows the parade and the ceremony at Maplewood Town Hall. It will be an afternoon of fun and camaraderie, as hundreds of people line the river cheering on their ducks toward victory. There are six heats in which 600 rubber duck racers will "compete." In each, the first 12 ducks to float across the finish line win prizes (each duck has a number written on it in indelible marker). Participants can sponsor rubber ducks for a donation of $5 each at Maplewood Stationers in the days leading up to the race, as well as at the starting …
Heather Hecking
5:06 pm on Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Juliet Gordon Low founded the Girl Scouts in 1912...NOT 1913. March 12, 2012 marks the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts. Just felt the need to correct that misprint. more ›