The Daily Newarker — Press Wire

For Immediate Release

CITY OF NEWARK AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

ANNOUNCE NEW FEDERAL GRANT

Federal $100,000 Community Action for a Renewed Environment grant

will help Ironbound Community address environmental health risks

Newark, NJ - March 12, 2010 – Deputy Mayor of Economic and Housing Development Stefan Pryor, East Ward Council Member Augusto Amador, Federal Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Judith Enck, and Ironbound Community Corporation (ICC) Executive Director Joseph Della Fave, Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura and other dignitaries announced the award of a federal $100,000 Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) grant to the Ironbound Community Corporation to identify and address environmental health risks in the East Ward, during a press conference which was held at the River Bank Park Field House in Newark, yesterday. River Bank Park is located between Raymond Boulevard and Market Street, and between Van Buren and Somme Streets.

In a statement, Mayor Cory A. Booker said, “The City of Newark is committed to working with government agencies and community stakeholders to enhance our environmental, economic, and social well being.  We are pleased to announce that we will partner with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Ironbound Community Corporation to enhance the quality of life for Newark residents.  Together, we are building a greener and greater City that is becoming a national model for urban transformation.”

“The EPA is proud to partner with the Ironbound community to work in identifying and finding solutions to the environmental impacts affecting New Jersey’s largest city,” said EPA Regional Administrator Enck. “This CARE project will tap into local expertise to address environmental issues by finding consensus within the community and focusing on targeting actions that can ultimately bring some relief to people in the places they live, work, and raise families.”

Ironbound Community Corporation is a comprehensive social service provider located in the East Ward of Newark. The Ironbound, one of the most densely populated and diverse areas of the City, is home to more than 50,000 residents. In this area, 75 percent of those over the age of five speak a foreign language, typically Portuguese or Spanish. The wide variety of pollutants in the Ironbound – from both existing and former chemical plants, waste industries, and mobile sources like trucks, airplanes, and ships – require a comprehensive and innovative approach to decrease risks of exposure.

“I salute the Ironbound Community Corps for their long time leadership on environmental health issues,” said City Sustainability Officer Chelsea Albucher. “In addition to being the largest social service agency in the East Ward, ICC is one of the nation’s oldest environmental justice organizations. Through the grant announced today, ICC will empower residents and engage stakeholders in a process to better understand environmental issues and help design strategies to make Newark healthier and more vibrant.”

“The Ironbound Community Corporation is proud to be a recipient of the prestigious EPA CARE grant,” said Mr. Della Fave. “The Ironbound CARE Cumulative Impacts Project will be an important step toward improving the environment and public health in the Ironbound.”

“This grant is going to be instrumental in improving the quality of life for Ironbound residents. I commend Mayor Booker, the City of Newark Office of Economic Development, and the Ironbound Community Corporation for this wonderful partnership,” said Council Member Amador. Sheriff Fontoura attended, to represent Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo.

For the CARE Project, ICC has brought together various stakeholders including residents, business and community group representatives, members of the academic and governmental sectors to help gather diverse sources of information about current and potential environmental problems. The CARE project will also take into account community experiences, socio-economic and public health data to better determine the community’s vulnerability to pollution exposure. The project will also investigate the cumulative impacts of these environmental burdens and work through a consensus process to prioritize issues that must be addressed moving forward. Ultimately, ICC and its CARE stakeholders will work with the public to draft strategies for reducing or mitigating impacts and secure commitments for action.

“This EPA grant will be instrumental in identifying and implementing environmental solutions across Newark,” stated Ana Baptista, member of the Environmental Commission. “The best experts will collect data, identify cumulative impacts, and prioritize actions and recommendations.  The Environmental Commission is looking forward to applying these findings throughout our City to improve the quality of life and environmental conditions for our residents.”

“Under the Booker Administration, the City is committed to making Newark a sustainable community to live, work, and play,” said Deputy Mayor Pryor.  “We are working together with residents, community organizations, businesses and local, state, and federal agencies to make Newark a greener, greater city, and we are grateful for the support of the Environmental Protection Agency.”

“Going Green” has been a major priority for the Booker Administration since it took office in 2006. Together with the residential and commercial sector, the City has made significant progress in greening its neighborhoods, homes and business.  Hundreds of units of new energy efficient affordable housing are coming on line to ensure that residents can enjoy energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly homes. Newark is connecting residents to weatherization programs that can reduce utility bills and is connecting businesses to retrofit and job-training programs so they can participate in the clean energy economy. In addition, the City has leveraged millions of dollars to reclaim brownfields and has marked the largest rehabilitation and renovation project of City parks in decades, opening the largest such municipally-owned facility, Nat Turner Park, in 2008. Led by stakeholder recommendations gathered from the 2007-2008 Newark’s Green Future process, the City brought on its first Sustainability Officer. In March 2009, the City swore in its first-ever Environmental Commission.

Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) is a competitive grant program that offers an innovative way for communities to organize and take action to reduce toxic pollution in its local environment.  Through CARE, a community creates partnerships that implement solutions to reduce exposure to toxic.  By providing financial and technical assistance, EPA helps CARE communities develop renewed environments and CARE has been providing financial assistance to communities annually since 2005 and expects to award nearly $2 million in 2010.

For more information about the CARE grant, visit EPA’s Web site at: http://www.epa.gov/CARE Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter at http://twitter.com/eparegion2 and visit their Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/eparegion2.

For more information about all City of Newark programs and policies, contact the Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311.

-NEWARK-

Contact:        Newark Press Information Office: (973) 733-8004

E-mail: Pressoffice@ci.newark.nj.us

Environmental Protection Agency - (212) 637-3664

                Elias Rodriguez

E-mail: Rodriguez.elias@epa.gov

About the City of Newark, New Jersey

Newark, commonly referred to as Brick City, is the third oldest city in the United States and the largest in New Jersey, with a population of more than 280,000 people. Newark sits on one of the nation’s largest transportation super-structures including an international airport, major rail connections, major highway intersections and the busiest seaport on the east coast.

With a new Administration as of July 2006, Newark continues to see signs of a strong revival.  In population, it is one of the fastest growing cities in the northeast. Its six major colleges and universities are further expanding their presence. The production of affordable housing has doubled, businesses are returning and crime is going down. There is still much work to be done but Newark is on its way to achieving its mission:  to set a national standard for urban transformation.

For more information on the City of Newark, please visit our website at www.ci.newark.nj.us

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/cityofnewarknj

HIGHLIGHTS OF NEWARK’S GREEN ACCOMPLISHMENTS

“Going Green” has been a major priority for the Booker Administration since it took office in 2006. Led by recommendations from hundreds of stakeholders gathered through Newark’s Green Future process, the City established its first-ever Environmental Commission, which works closely with the Sustainability Office to work across municipal departments and develop police, programs, and partnership to support healthy neighborhoods, vibrant businesses, and job creation.

Notable accomplishments include hundreds of units of new energy-efficient affordable housing units coming on line; connecting over a thousand households to cost saving weatherization programs; helping more than 50 businesses reduce operating costs through energy efficiency upgrades; and supporting career path job-training programs to put Newarkers to work in green jobs. In addition, the City has leveraged millions of dollars to reclaim brownfields and has marked the largest rehabilitation and renovation project of City parks in decades, opening the largest such municipally-owned facility, Nat Turner Park, in 2008. The City has marked significant accomplishments in making Newark a sustainable, vibrant community in which to live, work, and play.

Together, with residents, businesses, and community organizations, we are making Newark greener and greater.

We are greening our neighborhoods, homes, and our businesses.

Here are some highlights: 

Greening our Neighborhoods:

·       Parks & Gardens: In our neighborhoods, with more than $40 million dollars committed, the City is in the midst of the largest open space expansion and rehabilitation in over a century, and has already doubled city available parkland.    In addition, our residents are using the Adopt a Lot program to create community gardens throughout the City.

·       Riverfront:  We are committed to working with EPA to advance the cleanup of the Passaic River and we have a concerted effort underway to reclaim the Newark’s riverfront.  Newark Riverfront Park, slated for completion in 2010, will be the City’s first true waterfront park, covering 3.5 acres and including a 1/3 mile riverfront walk, public access floating dock, plantings, and lawns.  The City has secured almost $5 million of funding and continues to engage the community at large in the planning and design of the City’s entire riverfront stretch.

·       Brownfields & Community Cleanups: Greening our neighborhoods with federal and state support for brownfields assessment and cleanup to bring underutilized property back into productive use; and partnering with residents, organizations and businesses for neighborhood cleanup actions.

·       Air Quality & Asthma:  Working with the Port, NJTPA and other agencies to address air quality that impacts the health of Newarkers.  With our asthma rates far exceeding our homicide rate, this is a priority for the City and our families. Initial steps to reduce harmful emissions include a Port Authority program geared to see over 500 of the most polluting trucks get off the road, reducing polluting ship fuel and electrifying cargo-handling equipment.

·       Fresh Foods:  To increase availability of fresh food and help fight obesity and diabetes, we have a three pronged strategy – we are helping small grocers expand their availability of produce, meat and dairy by providing forgiveable loans from Brick City Development Corps.; we are attracting supermarkets to underserved areas; and, we are bringing farm stands with regionally grown produce into neighborhoods throughout the City.

Greening our Homes:

·       Energy Efficient Homes: Greening our homes by bringing hundreds of new energy star affordable housing on line and weatherizing existing homes.  In 2009, Comfort Partners, La Casa de Don Pedro and First Hopewell provided over 450 residents with no-cost weatherization that can save up to 30% on utility bills.

·       Energy Awareness: As a NJ Clean Power Community Partner, we are engaging residents and youth to become energy efficient through workshops, fairs and other activities.  Through partners, more than 10,000 Energy Star light bulbs were distributed in 2009, and over 500 students participated in energy awareness workshops.   

·       Healthy Homes:  Newark is a Model Lead Safe City and is working to reduce the high levels of lead poisoning incidence in our community. 

·       Greening Buildings: Through our property disposition and tax incentives, the City encourages green building and has LEED qualified residential development, such as Richardson Lofts and Lincoln Park townhouses and hundreds of energy star affordable housing units in the pipeline. In partnership with NJHMFA and NJ BPU we have held two green building workshops for contractors and developers.  The City is also greening its new capital construction including the new police precinct.

Greening our Businesses:

·       Greening Existing Businesses:  Engaging Newark businesses in being environmentally and socially responsible through energy conservation, hiring locally, and participating in good stewardship activities such as tree planting and neighborhood cleanups. 

·       Helping Businesses Save Money & the Environment:  Connecting businesses to cost effective programs to reduce their electric bills – in 2009, over 40 businesses and non-profits enrolled in PSE&G’s Direct Install program where 80% of energy efficient upgrades are paid for by PSE&G. 

·       Attracting New Green Business:  Attracting new green business such as Innovation Fuels, a biodiesel producer, and two new solar companies.

·       Supporting Green Job Training:  Established a Green Jobs Network to provide residents with quality training for green career path jobs. There are training programs for youth, ex-offenders, career transition and white-collar workers. Highlights include Local 55 providing union jobs for weatherization workers; Clean & Green providing ex-offenders with immediate attachment to meaningful work reclaiming vacant lots; EPA funded brownfields job training; green building workshops for contractors; and UEI’s solar job training graduates helped install solar on a city leased municipal garage. 

·       Greening Municipal Operations:  Making municipal buildings more energy efficient; installed solar on a municipal garage in the East Ward; and are greening our fleets with 100% electric cars and cleaner sanitation trucks.

Combined our activities are geared to help the municipal, residential and commercial sectors in going green to save money, save energy, and save the environment.

Making Newark a greener and greater city requires broad participation, hence our slogan: 

City of Newark – Go Green With Us!

The City of Newark e-mail system is for business purposes only. This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which they are addressed. This communication may contain material protected by the attorney-client privilege. If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the e-mail to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this e-mail in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing, or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original mail.

For Immediate Release

CITY OF NEWARK REMINDS RESIDENTS: CHECK YOUR SMOKE ALARMS

WHEN YOU CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS THIS WEEKEND

Start of Daylight Savings time is also time to replace old batteries

in home and office smoke alarms and Carbon Monoxide detectors

Newark, NJ – March 10, 2010 – Mayor Cory A. Booker, the Municipal Council and Fire Director David Giordano reminded residents today that as they move their clocks one hour forward on Sunday, March 14 to begin Daylight Savings Time, they should also take the time to replace old batteries in home and office smoke alarms and Carbon Monoxide detectors.

“As we move our clocks one hour ahead this weekend it’s important for our residents to make another change that could save their lives – changing the batteries in their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors,” said Mayor Booker. “The peak time for home fire fatalities is between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when most families are sleeping. Changing the batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors will increase the chance of home fire survival.”

In many homes, using space heaters, stove ovens, and other devices can produce odorless but deadly carbon monoxide fumes that can kill. Furthermore, improperly-maintained space heaters and fireplaces are potential causes of house fires.

“While winter is nearly over, temperatures can still drop. When the mercury dips, some families, struggling to pay their heating bills, will turn on the kitchen stove burners and the oven in an effort to take the chill off of their home. What these families don’t realize is how dangerous this practice can be. A gas oven or range top should never be used for heating. A fire could start and poisonous carbon monoxide (CO) fumes could fill the home. Any fuel-burning heating equipment (fireplaces, furnaces, water heaters, space or portable heaters), generators, and chimneys can produce carbon monoxide,” said Director Giordano.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), hundreds of people die each year from unintentional CO poisoning. Fire departments responded to an estimated 61,000 CO incidents in 2005, a 9 percent increase from 2004. (This excludes incidents where a fire was present.) Close to 90 percent of CO incidents occur in the home.

“The Fire Department seeks to reduce the number of carbon monoxide incidents in the city of Newark and discourage anyone from using the range or oven to heat their home. Install CO alarms inside your home to provide early warning of accumulating CO. Have your heating equipment inspected by a professional every year before cold weather sets in,” Director Giordano said.

Communities nationwide witness tragic home fire deaths each year. Approximately every 3 hours a home fire death occurs somewhere in the nation and 80 percent of those occur in homes without working smoke alarms. Non-working smoke alarms deprive residents of the protective benefits home fire safety devices were designed to provide. The most commonly cited cause of non-working smoke alarms are worn or missing batteries. Additionally, many homes do not have adequate smoke alarms or have out-dated alarms that require replacing. Households using the 10-year lithium smoke alarms are encouraged to test their alarms to ensure they are functioning properly.

Often called a silent killer, CO is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas created when fuels, such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil and methane, burn incompletely. CO enters the body through breathing. CO poisoning can be confused with flu symptoms, food poisoning and other illnesses. Some symptoms include shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, lightheadedness or headaches. Everyone is at risk for CO poisoning, but infants, pregnant women and people with physical conditions that limit their ability to use oxygen, such as emphysema, asthma or heart disease, can be more severely affected by low concentrations of CO than healthy adults. High levels of CO can be fatal for anyone, causing death within minutes.

·       CO alarms are not substitutes for smoke alarms. Know the difference between the sound of smoke alarms and CO alarms.

·       Test CO alarms at least once a month.


·       If your CO alarm sounds, immediately move to a fresh air location and call for help. Remain at the fresh air location until emergency personnel say it is okay.

·       If the audible trouble signal sounds, check for low batteries or other trouble indicators.

The Fire Department also warned against leaving space heaters on and fireplaces blazing unattended.  The majority of heating fire deaths are caused by space heaters or creosote build-ups in chimneys. Home heating equipment was involved in an estimated 62,000 home fires in 2005, according to the non-profit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The cost of these fires is more than just property damage. The cost includes roughly 700 lives and roughly 1,500 injuries.

“Home heating fires are largely preventable when you know the rules. The Newark Fire Department’s goal is to reduce the number of home-heating fires in our community. But we need your help. We are urging Newark citizens to use extra caution when heating your home,” Director Giordano said. “Put fresh batteries in your smoke and Carbon Monoxide detectors. Heat your house safely.”

The Fire Department recommends that you follow these guidelines:

·               Space heaters need space. Keep all things that can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture, at least 3 feet away from heating equipment.

·       Turn portable heaters off when you go to bed or leave the room.


·       Plug power cords only into outlets with sufficient capacity and never into an extension cord.


·       Inspect for cracked, frayed or broken plugs or loose connections. Replace before using.


·       Have your chimney inspected each year and cleaned if necessary.


·       Use a sturdy fireplace screen.


·       Allow ashes to cool before disposing. Dispose of ashes in a metal container.


·       Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. For the best protection, interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home – when one sounds, they all sound. Test smoke alarms at least once a month.

·       Install and maintain a carbon monoxide alarm in a central location outside each sleeping area.


·       Never use an oven to heat your home.


·       For fuel assistance, contact the National Fuel Funds Network at 1-202-824-0660.

Since 2006, the Newark Fire Department, under the leadership of Fire Director David Giordano, has opened new and renovated fire stations, and added new vehicles to its inventory. In 2008, the Department graduated the 39th Recruit Class of 18 recruits from the Fire Academy. The Newark Fire Department also has a number of specialized units, including an Arson Unit, a Hazardous Materials Unit, a Fireboat, a Confined Space Rescue Team, a Foam Tanker, and a Cascade Unit, which responds to emergency scenes to fill air bottles. In addition, the Department is one of only nine in the State of New Jersey whose Metro Strike Team has a Collapse Unit, to deal with collapsed buildings. Most of the Department’s specialized units are assigned for regional response, to assist neighboring communities that lack such equipment and training.

For more information about fire prevention and all other City of Newark programs and policies, contact the Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311.

-NEWARK-

Contact:        Newark Press Information Office: (973) 733-8004

E-mail: Pressoffice@ci.newark.nj.us

About the City of Newark, New Jersey

Newark, commonly referred to as Brick City, is the third oldest city in the United States and the largest in New Jersey, with a population of more than 280,000 people. Newark sits on one of the nation’s largest transportation super-structures including an international airport, major rail connections, major highway intersections and the busiest seaport on the east coast.

With a new Administration as of July 2006, Newark continues to see signs of a strong revival.  In population, it is one of the fastest growing cities in the northeast. Its six major colleges and universities are further expanding their presence. The production of affordable housing has doubled, businesses are returning and crime is going down. There is still much work to be done but Newark is on its way to achieving its mission:  to set a national standard for urban transformation.

For more information on the City of Newark, please visit our website at www.ci.newark.nj.us

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/cityofnewarknj

The City of Newark e-mail system is for business purposes only. This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which they are addressed. This communication may contain material protected by the attorney-client privilege. If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the e-mail to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this e-mail in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing, or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original mail.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE WILL CAUSE STREET CLOSURES

IN DOWNTOWN NEWARK, TODAY, FRIDAY, MARCH 12

75^th Annual Salute to the Irish will close Mulberry Street,

Central Avenue, and Washington Street starting at Noon

Newark, NJ - March 12, 2010 – Mayor Cory A. Booker and Police Director Garry F. McCarthy reminded Newark motorists today to anticipate delays and closed streets in the downtown area today, Friday, March 12, as the City hosts the 75^th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, starting at Noon.

The parade will tip off at a reviewing stand in front of the Prudential Center on Mulberry Street (between Lafayette and Edison Place) and head north along Mulberry to Centre Street, past the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, across Broad Street, and up Central Avenue to Washington Street and St. Patrick’s Pro-Cathedral, where another reviewing stand will be located. The parade will then turn north up Washington Street and terminate in Washington Park.

From Noon to approximately 4 p.m., traffic will be diverted in the downtown area as a whole. Motorists driving in downtown should plan alternate routes, plan for delays, and allow extra time in reaching their destinations. They can also take advantage of parking lots on fringes of the downtown and walk or use public transportation to reach their destinations.

The parade is the oldest in the State of New Jersey, and Essex County Clerk Christopher J. Durkin will serve as Parade Grand Marshal. The Deputy Grand Marshal is Jennifer Nagle McGovern, founder of the DeNogla School of Irish Dance, located in Verona. The Parade is dedicated to Belleville Council Member P.J. Mac Donald, who also serves as president of the Belleville Irish-American Association.

Persons with questions about the re-routing can contact the Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311 for more information.

For more information, contact the Newark Press Information Office - (973) 733-8004

-NEWARK-

For more information on the City of Newark, please visit our website at www.ci.newark.nj.us

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/cityofnewarknj

The City of Newark e-mail system is for business purposes only. This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which they are addressed. This communication may contain material protected by the attorney-client privilege. If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the e-mail to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this e-mail in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing, or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original mail.

NEWARK FIRE DEPARTMENT REMINDS RESIDENTS: CHECK YOUR SMOKE ALARMS WHEN YOU CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS THIS WEEKEND

Newark children will learn fire safety tips from Firefighter Katrina Hall and Sparky the Fire Dog;

Residents urged to replace batteries in Smoke and Carbon Monoxide detectors at start of Daylight Savings time

 

Newark, NJ – March 11, 2010 – Newark Fire Department Firefighter Katrina Hall and Sparky the Fire Dog will visit the preschool children of the North Ward Child Development Center on Friday, March 12 at 10 a.m. to remind residents that as they start Daylight Savings time this weekend they should also replace the batteries in their carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. The children will join Firefighter Hall and Sparky the Dog in moving the arm of a big clock one hour ahead and will learn fire safety tips.  The North Ward Child Development Center is located at 300-306 Mt. Prospect Avenue in the Casa Israel facility.

 

In October 2009, Newark Firefighter Katrina Hall was featured on the cover of Time for Kids magazine. Ms. Hall is the City of Newark’s only active female firefighter.

 

* MEDIA PHOTO OPPORTUNITY*

 

WHO:             Newark Fire Department Firefighter Katrina Hall, Sparky the Fire Dog, and students from the North Ward Child Development Center

 

WHAT:           Will remind Newark residents to change their clocks for daylight savings time and replace batteries in their carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. 

 

WHEN:           Friday, March 12.

                        10 a.m.

 

WHERE:        North Ward Child Development Center

                        300-306 Mt. prospect Avenue (in the Casa Israel facility)

                        Newark

 

                       

Contact:          Newark Press Information Office – (973) 733-8004

                       

                       

-NEWARK-

 

 

The City of Newark e-mail system is for business purposes only. This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which they are addressed. This communication may contain material protected by the attorney-client privilege. If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the e-mail to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this e-mail in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing, or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original mail.

 

ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE WILL FORCE STREET CLOSURES

IN DOWNTOWN NEWARK, TODAY, FRIDAY, MARCH 12

75^th Annual Salute to the Irish will close Mulberry Street,

Central Avenue, and Washington Street after Noon

Newark, NJ - March 12, 2010 – Mayor Cory A. Booker warned Newark motorists to anticipate delays and closed streets in the downtown area today, Friday, March 12, as the City hosts the 75^th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, starting at Noon.

The parade will tip off at a reviewing stand in front of the Prudential Center on Mulberry Street (between Lafayette and Edison Place) and head north along Mulberry to Centre Street, past the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, across Broad Street, and up Central Avenue to Washington Street and St. Patrick’s Pro-Cathedral, where another reviewing stand will be located. The parade will then turn north up Washington Street and terminate in Washington Park.

From Noon to approximately 4 p.m., traffic will be subject to delays and re-routing on those streets and in the downtown area as a whole. Motorists driving in downtown should plan alternate routes, plan for delays, and allow extra time in reaching their destinations. They can also take advantage of parking lots on fringes of the downtown and walk or use public transportation to reach their destinations.

Persons with questions about the re-routing can contact the Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311 for more information.

For more information, contact the Newark Press Information Office - (973) 733-8004

-NEWARK-

For more information on the City of Newark, please visit our website at www.ci.newark.nj.us

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/cityofnewarknj

The City of Newark e-mail system is for business purposes only. This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which they are addressed. This communication may contain material protected by the attorney-client privilege. If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the e-mail to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this e-mail in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing, or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original mail.

For Immediate Release

MAYOR BOOKER CELEBRATES FAMILY SUCCESS CENTER AND RESIDENT COUNCIL

AT GEORGIA KING VILLAGE WITH WEST WARD RESIDENTS

Center provides a variety of services to support families;

including nutrition, parenting skills, and youth development programs

Newark, NJ – March 11, 2010 – Mayor Cory A. Booker, West Ward Council Member Ronald C. Rice, Newark Now President and CEO Edgar Izurieta, and other dignitaries joined residents to celebrate the achievements of the City of Newark’s Georgia King Family Success Center at 250 Georgia King Village (off of West Market Street) in Newark’s West Ward, today. Also in attendance was Council Member-at-Large Carlos M. Gonzalez.

“We are a manifestation of the daring dream and the heroic hope of our ancestors. This Center and its success are the result of the fortitude and persistence and hard work of a community that was determined to do and get things done that others might not,” said Mayor Booker. “It’s been quiet here for a long time, in terms of violence and shootings, for a year. Nobody would believe you would have this kind of safety and security for such a long time four years ago. But we knew this would happen. We are showing what we can do as a community. I am proud of how we have turned Georgia King Village into towers of light, showing the way to America.”

Since its opening on August 17, 2009, the Georgia King Family Success Center has played a major role in improving the public safety and quality of life of Newark residents. It has provided neighborhood youth with karate classes, development trips to Washington, D.C., and a range of positive activities. In turn, the community has seen no shootings since August 12, 2009, fewer open-air drug sales, and an increased number in drug addicts seeking detoxification intake.

The Georgia King Village Family Success Center has partnered with The Georgia King Village Resident Council, the West Ward Collective, and other community organizations to connect Newark residents to key services and resources, including Food Stamps, health insurance, employment assistance, financial education workshops, parenting workshops, and much more.

The Georgia King Center has achieved a remarkable record of success since its opening, and a list of them is attached. One of its major achievements has been the “GKV Goes to Washington” youth development excursions. In partnership with Council Member Rice, 18 local youth visited the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., and met with U.S Representative Donald M. Payne in October 2009. In November, 2009, 14 winners of an essay contest also had the opportunity to visit with Representative Payne.

“As I stand here today, the first thing that pops in my mind is that phrase, ‘It takes a village to raise a child.’ But this is no ordinary village. This is Georgia King Village, a village that is setting a new standard for that phrase, how governments, organizations, companies, and residents can work together to maximize opportunities for our people,” Mr. Izurieta said. “I have to thank Mayor Booker and Council Member Rice for their support of this initiative. It takes all the residents and all their tools to build the village that is Georgia King Village.”

“From parenting workshops to information about vital social services, when people are gong through some of the toughest times in their lives it’s a wonderful thing when you can go to a place where you can receive the support and resources that can help you. To help make families whole again is a great goal and these family success centers are part of a movement which is not only helping to strengthen families in Newark but throughout New Jersey,” said Rev. Darlene Reynolds, who is Executive Director of The West Ward Collective.

“Our resident council just became a non-profit this past November and we’ve been actively trying to improve the quality of life for our residents. There’s a lot of young people to we need to reach and a lot of seniors who need our support. There’s a lot of work to do and through our partnership with the Family Success Center program we are strengthening our families and building a safer community. People are coming out of the darkness into the marvelous light, and doing things we have never seen being done before. Now is not the time to grumble, but the time to stick to the wheel and push,” said Georgia King Village Resident Council President Pamela A. Muhammad.

Launched in 2007, the City’s Family Success Centers provide a range of governmental and non-governmental services and support to promote safety, well-being, and self-sufficiency for families who voluntarily request assistance at the Center sites. These include Earned Income Tax Credit support, Career Readiness, Abbott Pre-School, Parenting Workshops, Anti-violence Workshops, Food Stamps, Health Insurance, and Nutrition Workshops.

“My heart is full today as a son of Georgia King Village. In the spirit of Rev. Horace P. Sharper who is the founder, innovator and visionary who started Georgia King Village and named it after his mother Georgia and in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. this is a wonderful tribute to their memory. Georgia King Village is pregnant with possibilities as we continue move forward we have to seize this moment. In 2006, when we first tried to start a resident council here we faced and overcame many obstacles to get where we are today. I would like to thank Newark Now and all of our community partners for all of the support you have given to the residents of Georgia King Village which is on the rise,” said Council Member Rice.

For further information about any municipal service or program, contact the City of Newark Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311, Mondays to Fridays, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

-NEWARK-

Contact: Newark Press Information Office - (973) 733-8004

pressoffice@ci.newark.nj.us

About the City of Newark, New Jersey

Newark, commonly referred to as Brick City, is the third oldest city in the United States and the largest in New Jersey, with a population of more than 280,000 people. Newark sits on one of the nation’s largest transportation super-structures including an international airport, major rail connections, major highway intersections and the busiest seaport on the east coast.

With a new Administration as of July 2006, Newark continues to see signs of a strong revival. In population, it is one of the fastest growing cities in the northeast. Its six major colleges and universities are further expanding their presence. The production of affordable housing has doubled, businesses are returning and crime is going down. There is still much work to be done but Newark is on its way to achieving its mission: to set a national standard for urban transformation.

For more information on the City of Newark, please visit our website at www.ci.newark.nj.us

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/cityofnewarknj

LIST OF GEORGIA KING VILLAGE ACCOMPLISHMENTS

August 2009-Oct 2009

• 106 Individuals were screened for (government and non government) benefits using the Single Stop Calculator
• 47 Individuals utilized our employment opportunity services (resume building, online job search, weekly local job leads) 22 of those who utilized this service were residents of Georgia King
• 35 Families were enrolled in Food Stamps on-site
• 14 Individuals were enrolled in Medicaid
• 50 Referrals for local food pantries were provided to 40 individuals
• 16 Safelink wireless phones were applied for through the Center

Center serviced a total of 150 Families this quarter where 65 of those Families were residents of Georgia King Village

November 2009- Jan 2010

• 183 Individuals were screened for (government and non government) benefits using the Single Stop Calculator
• 92 Individuals utilized our employment opportunity services (resume building, online job search, weekly local job leads) 39 of those who utilized this service were residents of Georgia King
• 48 Families were enrolled in Food Stamps on-site
• 21 Individuals were enrolled in Medicaid
• 110 Referrals for local food pantries were provided to 64 individuals

Center serviced a total of 264 Families this quarter where 123 of those Families were residents of Georgia King Village

August 2009 to January 2010

• 289 Individuals were screened for (government and non government) benefits using the Single Stop Calculator
• 139 Individuals utilized our employment opportunity services (resume building, online job search, weekly local job leads) 39 of those who utilized this service were residents of Georgia King
• 83 Families were enrolled in Food Stamps on-site
• 35 Individuals were enrolled in Medicaid
• 160 Referrals for local food pantries were provided to 104 different individuals
• 16 Safelink wireless phones were applied for through the Center

Center serviced a total of 414 Families this quarter where 188 of those Families were residents of Georgia King Village

Partnership with UMDNJ

GKV Family Success Center serviced a total of 414 Families from August 17, 2009 to January 31, 2010. There were 188 Families (45.4 percent) who were residents of Georgia King Village. There were 226 Families (54.6 percent) who used the FSC who were not residents at the GKV complex.

Newark Rx

Newark RX and Newark Health Plus programs are promoted to the community at every opportunity and individuals are signed to the programs. In addition to these efforts, a representative from the Heinz foundation will be making a presentation to the site staff next week. The representative also has arranged on-site sign-ups.

The City of Newark e-mail system is for business purposes only. This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which they are addressed. This communication may contain material protected by the attorney-client privilege. If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the e-mail to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this e-mail in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing, or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original mail.

For Immediate Release

CITY OF NEWARK AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ANNOUNCE

FEDERAL GRANT TO ADDRESS POLLUTION AT RIVER BANK PARK FIELD HOUSE

Federal $100,000 Community Action for a Renewed Environment grant

will help Ironbound Community Corporation address pollution on Passaic Riverfront

Newark, NJ - March 11, 2010 – Deputy Mayor of Economic and Housing Development Stefan Pryor, East Ward Council Member Augusto Amador, Federal Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Judith Enck, and Ironbound Community Corporation Executive Director Joseph Della Fave announced today the award of a federal $100,000 grant to the Ironbound Community Corporation to identify and address pollution problems in the East Ward, during a press conference which was held at the River Bank Park Field House in Newark, today, at 2 p.m. River Bank Park is located between Raymond Boulevard and Market Street, and between Van Buren and Somme Streets. Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura was also in attendance, representing Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo.

In a statement, Mayor Booker said, “The City of Newark is committed to working with government agencies and community stakeholders to enhance our environmental, economic, and social well being. We are proud to have a partner in the Environmental Protection Agency for their recognition of the efforts of the Ironbound Community Corporation and City residents as they work to increase the quality of life for Newark residents.  Together, we are building a greener City that is becoming a national model for urban transformation.”

“The EPA is proud to partner with the Ironbound community to work in identifying and finding solutions to the environmental impacts affecting New Jersey’s largest city,” said Ms. Enck. “This CARE project will tap into local expertise to address environmental issues by finding consensus within the community and focusing on targeting actions that can ultimately bring some relief to people in the places they live, work, and raise families.”

Ironbound Community Corporation is a comprehensive social service provider located in the East Ward of Newark. The Ironbound, one of the most densely populated and diverse areas of the City, is home to more than 50,000 residents. In this area, 75 percent of those over the age of five speak a foreign language, typically Portuguese or Spanish. The wide variety of pollutants in the Ironbound – from both existing and former chemical plants, waste industries, and mobile sources like trucks, airplanes, and ships – require a comprehensive and innovative approach to decrease risks of exposure.

“I salute the Ironbound Community Corps for their long time leadership on environmental health issues,” said Newark Sustainability Officer Chelsea Albucher. “In addition to being the largest social service agency in the East Ward, ICC is one of the nation’s oldest environmental justice organizations. Through the grant announced today, ICC will empower residents and engage stakeholders in a process to better understand environmental issues and help design strategies to make Newark healthier and more vibrant. The City is pleased to partner on this important initiative and is grateful for EPA’s support.”

The non-profit Ironbound Community Corporation will use the funds to identify and address pollution problems in the East Ward, focusing on the cumulative impacts of multiple courses of pollution and finding ways to reduce posed risks.

“The Ironbound Community Corporation is proud to be a recipient of the prestigious EPA CARE grant,” said Mr. Della Fave. “The Ironbound CARE Cumulative Impacts Project will be an important step toward improving the environment and public health in the Ironbound.”

“This grant is going to be instrumental in improving the quality of life for Ironbound residents.  Not only is this instrumental to cleaning the air we breathe, but as a direct result of this grant we will be able to develop Newark’s waterfront as an attraction for all City residents.  I commend Mayor Booker, the City of Newark Office of Economic Development, and the Ironbound Community Corporation for this wonderful partnership,” said Council Member Amador.

For the CARE Project, ICC will bring together various stakeholders including residents, business and community group representatives, members of the academic and governmental sectors to help gather diverse sources of information about current and potential environmental problems. The CARE project will also take into account community experiences, socio-economic and public health data to better determine the community’s vulnerability to pollution exposure. The project will also investigate the cumulative impacts of these environmental burdens and work through a consensus process to prioritize issues that must be addressed moving forward. Ultimately, ICC and its CARE stakeholders will work with the public to draft strategies for reducing or mitigating impacts and secure commitments for action.

Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) is a competitive grant program that offers an innovative way for communities to organize and take action to reduce toxic pollution in its local environment.  Through CARE, a community creates partnerships that implement solutions to reduce exposure to toxic.  By providing financial and technical assistance, EPA helps CARE communities develop renewed environments and CARE has been providing financial assistance to communities annually since 2005 and expects to award nearly $2 million in 2010.

“This EPA grant will be instrumental in identifying and implementing environmental solutions across Newark,” stated Ana Baptista, member of the Environmental Commission.  “The best experts will collect data, identify cumulative impacts, and prioritize actions and recommendations.  The Environmental Commission is looking forward to applying these findings throughout our City to improve the quality of life and environmental conditions for our residents.”

The City of Newark has received three EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grants in the amount of $200,000 each. Following the City’s stimulus philosophy of putting funds directly to work, and not exacerbating municipal budget issues by adding staff, the budgets of each grant is 100 percent dedicated to the cleanup activities and related public involvement that is required under the State’s Brownfields cleanup program.

“Under the Booker Administration, the City is committed to making Newark a sustainable community to live, work, and play,” said Deputy Mayor Pryor. “We are working together with residents, community organizations, businesses and local, state, and federal agencies to make Newark a greener, greater city.”

The City is currently finalizing the remedial action work plans for these sites. Once the remedial action work plans are approved by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection, in accordance with federal, state and local procurement rules, the work plans will be integrated into Request for Proposals, and clean up services will be procured via a competitive process. The anticipated time frame varies per site, but all cleanups are estimated to be under 12 months paving the way for redevelopment in short order.

Hazardous substances grant funds will be used to clean up the NSC Plating and Polishing Company at 242 South 12th Street. The site is a former plating and polishing facility that is contaminated with cadmium, nickel, and zinc. This site is currently blighting the Fairmont Neighborhood of the West Ward. This project is part of the City’s West Ward Initiative that is layering community development tools to reclaim abandoned properties and bring them back into productive use.

Grant funds also will be used to clean up the International Metallurgical Services site in the East Ward at 190-202 Blanchard Street. The 1.6-acre site is a former ethanol production facility and metal recovery operation that is contaminated with beryllium and other metals. After the cleanup project is completed, the site is expected to be part of the Morris Companies Blanchard Street development of a 600 to 700,000 square foot distribution center. This development is expected to create 350 temporary construction jobs; more than 300 permanent jobs, and generate almost $1 million in annual tax revenue.

Petroleum grant funds will be used to clean up a former gas station at 1037 Bergen Street in the South Ward that is contaminated with petroleum products. This property is expected to be redeveloped as a retail space that is expected to create up to 20 jobs. This is an example of stimulus supporting the vitality of our main streets, as this grant will help bring life back to an empty stretch of Bergen Street, a commercial corridor that is the lifeline of a residential neighborhood.

“Going Green” has been a major priority for the Booker Administration since it took office in 2006. The City has made major efforts to ensure that residents can enjoy energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly homes. Newark is connecting residents to weatherization programs that can reduce utility bills, connecting businesses to retrofit programs and supporting job-training programs so that residents are prepared to participate in the clean energy economy. In addition, the City has moved ahead on the largest rehabilitation and renovation project on City parks in decades, opening the largest such municipally-owned facility, Nat Turner Park, in 2008. In March 2009, the City swore in its first-ever Environmental Commission.

For more information about the CARE grant, visit EPA’s Web site at: http://www.epa.gov/CARE Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter at http://twitter.com/eparegion2 and visit their Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/eparegion2.

For more information about all City of Newark programs and policies, contact the Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311.

-NEWARK-

Contact:        Newark Press Information Office: (973) 733-8004

E-mail: Pressoffice@ci.newark.nj.us


Environmental Protection Agency - (212) 637-3664

                Elias Rodriguez

E-mail: Rodriguez.elias@epa.gov

About the City of Newark, New Jersey

Newark, commonly referred to as Brick City, is the third oldest city in the United States and the largest in New Jersey, with a population of more than 280,000 people. Newark sits on one of the nation’s largest transportation super-structures including an international airport, major rail connections, major highway intersections and the busiest seaport on the east coast.

With a new Administration as of July 2006, Newark continues to see signs of a strong revival.  In population, it is one of the fastest growing cities in the northeast. Its six major colleges and universities are further expanding their presence. The production of affordable housing has doubled, businesses are returning and crime is going down. There is still much work to be done but Newark is on its way to achieving its mission:  to set a national standard for urban transformation.

For more information on the City of Newark, please visit our website at www.ci.newark.nj.us

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/cityofnewarknj

HIGHLIGHTS OF NEWARK’S GREEN ACCOMPLISHMENTS

The City of Newark has numerous green initiatives underway to enhance quality of life, public health and support economic development.  The City has made significant progress in greening municipal operations and in “greening” the City at large.  For Newark, green is about the economy, the environment and social equity.  Here are some highlights: 

GREENING THE CITY

·       Newark’s first Sustainability Officer was hired in August 2008, and first Environmental Commission sworn in March 2009.  A package of proposed green ordinances is being developed. 

·       Sustainability is being folded into our master plan, design guidelines, economic development strategy, and funding for development of our Sustainability Action Plan recently secured. 

·       Green Space: With more than $40 million dollars committed, the City is in the midst of the largest open space expansion and rehabilitation in over a century, and has already doubled City park land.

·       Gardens & Trees: The City’s Adopt a Lot program encourages community gardens and the City has planted about 1,000 trees a year with help from our residents and businesses.

·       Green Building: Through our property disposition and tax incentives, the City encourages green building and has hundreds of energy star affordable housing units in the pipeline as well as LEED qualified residential development, such as Richardson Lofts and Lincoln Park townhouses.  The City is also greening its new capital construction including the new police precinct.   Also, in partnership with NJHMFA and NJ BPU we have held two green building workshops.  

·       Riverfront: like many older industrial cities our river and riverfront is polluted and inaccessible.   We are building Newark’s first riverfront park designed with community input and creating a plan for our entire stretch our riverfront.

·       Stormwater: Drafted enhanced stormwater regulations.


·       Brownfields: Drawing down over $4 million of federal and state funding for brownfields assessment and cleanup to bring underutilized property back into productive use. 

SAVING ENERGY SAVING THE ENVIRONMENT

·     Climate Prosperity Initiative:  Recognizing the potential to realize savings through energy efficiency, the City has developed a collaborative energy initiative to address the municipal, residential and commercial sectors.  We are connecting residents to weatherization programs that can reduce utility bills, connecting businesses to retrofit programs and supporting job-training programs so that residents are prepared to participate in the clean energy economy. 

·       Our homes pollute more than our cars and buildings are a significant source of a city’s carbon footprint.  This year alone, we expect to weatherize 1,000 homes (450 PSE&G and 550 La Casa); retrofit 60 businesses and non-profits and address at least 5 municipal buildings.

·    Engaging residents and youth through workshops, fairs and activities such as energy efficient light bulb distribution – more than 10,000 Energy Star bulbs were distributed this past year!

·    Like many Port communities, our community suffers from air quality issues that result from transportation-related pollution.  We are working with local stakeholders and the Port Authority to mitigate air quality impacts.  Initial steps include getting over 600 of the most polluting trucks off the road, phasing out polluting ship fuel and electrifying cargo-handling equipment. 

·     We are also promoting clean power choice and renewable energy.  The City has three geothermal schools; and two sizeable solar installations, one on a building supply center and another on a municipal garage. 

·     City is field-testing a fleet of 100 percent electric MINI E vehicles with no tail pipe emissions!

GREEN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

·       Greening existing businesses by helping them be sustainable through energy conservation, hiring locally, and participating in community initiatives such as tree planting. 

·       Attracting new green business such as Innovation Fuels, a biodiesel producer, and three new solar companies. 

GREEN JOBS

·       The City has developed a Green Jobs Network with NewarkWORKS to stimulate collaboration and coordination across organizations to provide residents with quality training, in areas such as weatherization, brownfields remediation, landscaping, solar installation and other green career path jobs.

·       Green Jobs for All – our network of local organizations have programs for youth, ex-offenders, career transition and white-collar workers. 

·    Laborers launched Local 55 in Newark, which is providing union jobs for weatherization workers. Clean & Green provides ex-offenders with immediate attachment to meaningful work reclaiming vacant lots.  EPA funded brownfields job training is ready to launch. NewarkWorks supported solar job training and trainees are currently installing solar on a city leased municipal garage.  

ACCESS TO FRESH FOODS

·       Fresh Foods:  To address the fresh food deserts common in inner city areas, we have a three pronged strategy – forgiveable loans for small grocers who expand availability of produce, meat and dairy; attracting supermarkets to underserved areas; and bringing farmstands with locally and regionally grown produce into our Family Success Centers throughout the City.

·    Supporting local urban agriculture initiatives and community gardens.

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

·       Newark is a Model Lead Safe City and is working to reduce the high levels of lead poisoning incidence in our community. 

·       The City is also addressing other environmentally related illnesses such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease that disproportionately affect low income and inner city communities. 

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION & INVOLVEMENT

·       Numerous workshops and green events have been held, such as Newark’s Green Future Summit; the Green Fair at JFK Recreation Center; the Youth Leaders Earth Day Forum, and the Green Workshop for Faith Based Organizations

·       The Newark Public School system has formed a team that has prioritized environmental education, recycling and energy.

·       With assistance from the Sustainability Officer, NPS is scoping a Green Big Picture alternative school; pursuing signing up 12 schools for the State’s Energy Education program; and developing RFP for solar installations on up to 15 buildings.




Going green is not something that can be done in a vacuum or by any one office or program.  Going green requires broad participation – hence our slogan:  City of Newark – Go Green With Us!

The City of Newark e-mail system is for business purposes only. This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which they are addressed. This communication may contain material protected by the attorney-client privilege. If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the e-mail to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this e-mail in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing, or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original mail.

CUSTOM BICYCLES HANDMADE IN NEWARK
Folk Engineers Fulfill Their Dreams by Building Dream Bicycles

Newark, New Jersey – March 11, 2010 – Folk Engineered proudly announces New Jersey’s only custom handmade bicycle manufacturing service. Each Folk Engineered bicycle is designed and fabricated in-house, one at a time. Husband and wife framebuilders, Marie Pasquariello and Ryan Reedell, aspire to build the perfect bike for every person in their workshop in Newark.

Newark, once the bicycle capitol of the world, is a breeding ground for new talent and innovation. Folk Engineered helps to bring the cycling tradition back by resurrecting an ancient trade. Custom framebuilders offer something different than bike shops and department stores. Each bike is built for a specific rider and with extreme attention to detail. “Building custom handmade bicycles is a scientific art form,” Pasquariello says. “It is geometry, physics, chemistry, visual thinking, and sculpture.”

Each bicycle is drafted specific to the rider’s body, biking style, and aesthetic desires. Reedell explains, “A bike is a machine that’s designed to work with the human body. The better the fit, the better the experience.” Using the highest quality steel materials, each tube is carefully mitered, assembled using a fixture, brazed, and sanded until smooth. The finished frame and fork are inspected and aligned within a 0.02″ tolerance. Folk Engineered builds all breeds of bicycles, including city, touring, road, track or somewhere in between.

Pasquariello and Reedell love bicycles. Their first date was a 1500 mile bike tour, they rode a tandem during their wedding, and their cat is named “bottom bracket” (a bicycle component). Combined, they have accumulated over 6,000 miles of bicycle touring, a certificate for completing the United Bicycle Institute’s chromoly framebuilding course, 2 years of academic and sculptural bicycle studies at Rutgers University, 8 years of volunteer and professional bicycle mechanics, 1.5 years of machining experience, and 7 years of participation in bicycle collectives, including the New Brunswick Bicycle Library and the Brick City Bike Collective. Over the past two years, the couple has worked to transform their bicycling passion into a livelihood.

About Folk Engineered: We are Newark-based framebuilders that work with the needs of the rider and the concepts of physics to create dream bicycles. Catering to all disciplines of cycling and cyclists, we offer personalized services of the highest quality. We engineer bicycles for people. For more information, please visit www.folkengineered.com.

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Newark Today, our live monthly call-in show with Mayor Cory Booker, hosted by Andrew Meyer.      This week on the WBGO Journal Friday, March 12, 2010 – Hosted By Doug Doyle SLED HOCKEY IN NEW JERSEY Eugene Sonn reports on the South Jersey Wings of Steel. One former member of the team is competing in the 2010 Paralympics in Vancouver. COMMENTARY: SUPPORTING 100 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE A recent experience reminded commentator Mildred Antenor about the importance of staying connected to our oldest citizens. THERE’S MORE TO NEW JERSEY THAN THE SOPRANOS! Andrew Meyer talks with historian Marc Mappen about his new collection of stories documenting the Garden State’s rich past: There’s More To New Jersey Than The Sopranos. REVIEW: NEXT FALL Michael Bourne reviews the new Broadway play, Next Fall.       Last week on the WBGO Journal Friday, March 05, 2010 – Hosted By Andrew Meyer POLICING THE NEWARK PD BREAKTHROUGH IN COURAGE A NEW ONE FROM THE FUGS REVIEW: THE MIRACLE WORKER       Also from the WBGO News Room PROPOSED LEGISLATION WOULD REQUIRE NJ PUBLIC WORKERS TO LIVE IN THE STATE LOBBYIST SPENDING IN NEW JERSEY RISES TO A RECORD CHRISTIE SAYS HE’S BOUND BY AGREEMENT CORZINE MADE WITH STATE WORKERS    | WBGO| WBGO News | WBGO Journal | WBGO Journal Arcives | News On-Demand |

Art Shop is on the ground floor of Gallery Aferro in the main gallery, and offers seasonally curated artist multiples and one of kind items from around the world. Here are some new items, some Newark-centric.

"EWR"

A portion of proceeds from sales of this Necklace go to the Susan G. Komen fund for women, to support breast cancer research.

The selections of record bowls is always changing. All genres are represented, and “musical requests” can be made to artshop@aferro.org

"Panther Mix" signed

Sold out, now restocked!

"Newark Rings"

"NJ"

And finally, the onesie:

"Heart and Tools"