Officer suffered serious injuries in Newark hit-and-run

Antonio Cruz, Terrell Day, James Stewart, Josue Duran, Jennifer Jeffra, Nancy Caballero, Sherri Dillard, Ana Colon, Angel Pared and Teresea Johnson of the Newark police with Ramos family (Photo: FOP) 

However, thanks to a contingent of law enforcement officers, the veteran cop was well represented by a group of stand-ins at his boy's graduation. About 15 officers showed up at the ceremony Wednesday in Scotch Plains wearing uniforms with patrol cars to make sure the fifth grader still had a special night.  

"We went to show the young boy that he wasn't alone and we wanted to show his family that they weren't alone," said Newark Fraternal Order of Police President James Stewart Jr. "They were ecstatic."

When the police union learned that Ramos would be forced to miss the graduation, Stewart said they sought permission for officers to attend and the idea was immediately approved by Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose.

"That's the least we can do for the officer's son," the director said. "His father couldn't be there because he was doing his job protecting the residents of Newark."

Ambrose thanked members of the police division and the FOP president for showing their support at the graduation. 

Newark police officer struck, dragged by hit-and-run driver

The younger Gonzalo Ramos got to sit in the police cars, snap photos with the officers, use the lights and received special recognition from his school principal. Former Newark officers, now working for the Union County Sheriff's Office, also attended to show their support.

Ramos, a 14-year veteran of the city police force, was issuing a summons to a car near Foundry and Roanoke streets around 3:40 a.m. Sunday when the driver took off, according to investigators. The 37-year-old officer suffered serious injuries and needed surgery after he was hit, police said.  

"The sight of [the officer] brought tears to his son's eyes. I told the son a lot of policemen cried too," Stewart added.

Though he faces another surgery, Ramos was released from the hospital Thursday afternoon, Stewart added.

"Short term [Ramos] missed a very important event in his son's life but long term, thankfully, he has an opportunity to make every other one," he said. "Things could have been a lot worse."

Essex County prosecutors on Thursday said they charged a 27-year-old city man with aggravated assault on a police officer, assault by auto and other offenses in connection with the incident.  

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Volunteers describe Knuckles as a "pure joy."

Knuckles 

BLOOMFIELD -- Knuckles is a young mixed-breed dog at the Bloomfield Animal Shelter. Volunteers describe him as a "pure joy."

Knuckles, an affectionate dog who walks well on a leash, needs to go to a calm home without other pets.

He has been neutered and is up-to-date on shots.

To meet Knuckles and other adoptable pets, visit the Bloomfield Animal Shelter at 61 Bukowski Place in Bloomfield. The shelter is open every day from noon to 5 p.m. (Wednesdays until 7 p.m.) For more information,  call 973-748-0194 or visit the shelter's website at njhumane.org.

Shelters interested in placing a pet in the Paw Print adoption column or submitting news should call 973-836-4922 or email essex@starledger.com.

Greg Hatala may be reached at ghatala@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find The Star-Ledger on Facebook.

 

Samad Savage's 'The Clair' is inspired by Montclair. Watch video

MONTCLAIR -- New York, Miami, and Los Angeles -- just some of the cities that have inspired iconic rap songs. A local 20-year-old rap artist is hoping to add Montclair to that list.

Samad Savage, a recent grad of Montclair High School who was born and raised in the eclectic Essex County township, has penned and released an ode to his hometown.

"It's such a refreshing place," Savage said in an interview about the town that inspired his rap song, "The Clair."

He started writing the rap, he said, after hearing a new resident speak about the acceptance he felt soon after moving to the community.

"He was very emotional...he feels loved here," Savage said. "Montclair really is that kind of place."

Savage was born and raised in Montclair. (Courtesy Samad Savage) 

That's the feeling Savage said he was trying to get across when rapping about Montclair, which the song calls "the town where it's cool to be a weirdo. Everybody's nice here, what you scared for?...We welcome everybody here, so you're good, bro."

The song speaks to Montclair's reputation as a diverse, hip, and forward-thinking community - an estimation often embraced and defended by its residents.

The inclusive nature of the rap, Savage said, is not only part of his town's culture, but indicative of what he does as an artist. He doesn't rap about drugs, drinking, or sex, he said. Savage, who was born Samad Thomas Abu Sabuur, said he chose his stage name as a way to indicate that he is not afraid to do something different with his music. He hopes the tunes will inspire others to have the same fearlessness, he said.

"It's about daring to be different," he said. "It's about reaching that kid in school who feels weird (because he doesn't) drink or smoke...and (helping him realize) it's cool to do your own thing."

Court decision on cop's job saves Montclair $270K

Savage produced and recorded the song on his own, and released it on iTunes. The music video has gotten about 7,000 views on YouTube since it was released a month ago.

Thanks to a shout out in the song to Montclair's Urban Outfitters, Savage scored a review on the retailer's blog, and a performance at the South Park Street store on July 29, he said.

The refreshing brand of positive rap, and the Jersey town that inspired it, have also garnered social media support.

Chillen with my homies in the clair https://t.co/lNp4IrbNVo

-- iCreate Visuals (@KayTheKreator) June 9, 2016

Samad Savage - The Clair (Dir. by Lump Shadow) REMEMBER WHERE U CAME FROM https://t.co/FYMG4Rf2tt

-- btown (@trickystricky) May 10, 2016

Savage said he plans to continue building his career and reaching more people with his music.

"My ultimate goal is to change the world in a positive way," he said.

Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Daniel Breslin was critically injured in the crash with an alleged drunk driver.

Bergen County Police Officer Daniel Breslin. (Courtesy BCPD)
 

FAIRFIELD -- A Bergen County police officer injured by an allegedly drunk driver nearly two years ago is getting a helping hand from his hometown brothers and sisters in blue.

The Fairfield police and fire departments are hosting a charity "Battle of the Badges" softball game Saturday to raise funds to help support Daniel Breslin's ongoing recovery, the departments announced. Breslin, a Bergen County police officer, was critically injured in 2014 when an allegedly drunk driver rear-ended his car on route 46 in Lodi. High school teacher Michael Ettz was charged in the crash.

Breslin was in a medically-induced coma for weeks after the crash. According to a NorthJersey report, he suffered a traumatic brain injury, and has had to re-learn how to eat and speak.

Wesley Mierzwa, a captain with the fire department in Fairfield, where Breslin lives with his wife and two kids, said the game is meant as a way to help the officer's ongoing struggle.

"His recovery is going well and (he is) still doing therapy at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation," Mierzwa said of Breslin. The money raised at the event will go toward the family's medical bills, he said.

Local restaurants also got in on the action, with Franklin's Steakhouse, Thatcher Mcghees, and Sidelines Bar and Grill, donating portions of their proceeds this week to the effort.

The softball game is Saturday at 4 p.m. at Palmieri Field in Fairfield.

Today, the subject is usually referred to as Family and Consumer Science.

IRVINGTON -- This photo from the 1960s shows a Home Economics class in progress for teenage students at the Grove Street School in Irvington.

Located at 602 Grove St., the school is still in operation today for students in grades K to 5.

The International Federation for Home Economics notes that American educator Catherine Beecher first championed the teaching of "Home Ec" topics in 1863; in modern times, the subject is usually referred to as Family and Consumer Science and does not focus solely on cooking, sewing and other disciplines once viewed as gender-specific.

If you would like to share a photo that provides a glimpse of history in your community, please call 973-836-4922 or send an email to essex@starledger.com. And, check out more glimpses of history in our online galleries Thursdays on nj.com.

Greg Hatala may be reached at ghatala@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find The Star-Ledger on Facebook.

 

Nathaniel Coleman, 88, was the recipient of a much-needed surprise.

ORANGE -- He watched very closely the changes being made to the backyard he has known for 70 years.

Volunteers clad in bright orange shirts from the local Home Depot were busy renovating the area by packing down soil, laying down a stone path and heaving up stubborn roots. Nathaniel Coleman, an 88-year-old Korean War veteran, watched the upgrades from his perch on the back steps of his house, where his arthritis anchored him on Friday, but kept one eye trained on what was leaving out the back gate.

"No, no," Coleman said, as a worker started to wheel a well-worn wheelbarrow out the gate. "I hate to see that thrown away. If you could hear the stories that one could tell."

A collection of items Coleman wanted to keep lay around the backyard. But the rest of the yard was being redone for free by Home Depot after Coleman received several code violations from the city, but was physically unable to bring his house up to standard.

Coleman, who has lived in the same home in Orange since 1946, is part of an aging veteran population, The octogenarian, who has troubled knees, said health and mobility issues have prevented him from keeping up with chores around the house.

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Since 2011, Team Depot, a volunteer-based force, has been working to keep elderly veterans in their homes. The need, they say, is great.

According to the Social Security Administration, 8.4 million veterans will turn 65 by the year 2020. In New Jersey alone, according to the Department of Veteran Affairs, there are 236,000 veterans age 65 and older.

For Coleman, his home was the site for several milestones: It was where he got his first job in his late teens picking vines off the side of the exterior. It was the home he and his late wife, Kate, lived in for decades. It was where they raised their three children, Candace, Paula, and Carl. The backyard was where he planted a flowering pear tree back in 2007 to commemorate one of his granddaughters getting married. 

Home Depot volunteers were careful with their renovations, giving the items Coleman kept close to his heart a wide berth.

"We're really happy to be doing this for Mr. Coleman," said Michael Flavius, store manager at the Home Depot in Totowa. "He needed some help and we're here to bring it to him."

Katie Park may be reached at kpark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @kathspark. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

The family is hoping to raise $10,000 to pay for travel expenses. Watch video

Malikah Stevenson hates to fly. If it were up to her, she'd never step foot in an airport again in her life. But what's a mom to do when her son is boxing for a gold medal at the Olympics?

She gets on a plane, that's what. Shakur Stevenson, the 18-year-old Newark native, believes -- with good reason, given his undefeated international record -- that he'll be standing atop the medal stand in August. Mom can't miss that. Mom won't miss that. 

"My baby wants me to go, so I said I'll go," she said, and then with a laugh. "I'm still scared, but I'll go."

But there's a bigger problem: Mom can't afford to pay for the trip. So "Team Shakur" has started a Go Fund Me page in hopes of raising the $10,000 to send her and Shakur's grandfather, Wali Moses, to Rio de Janeiro. If they meet their goal, Shakur's oldest brother, Ibn, will also make the trip. 

The first donation to the fund was $1,000 and from someone who wanted to remain anonymous. "That made me think, 'Okay, maybe we can do this,'" Malikah Stevenson said. 

The trip is so expensive because Stevenson could be competing for as many as 10 days. The preliminaries in his class, bantamweight, begin on August 10 and the finals are not until August 20, the day before Closing Ceremonies. 

See all of New Jersey's Olympic hopefuls 

Stevenson credits his strong support system for helping him become an elite boxer at such a young age. He is the oldest of nine kids, and whenever he makes the trip back to Newark from the Olympic training center in Colorado Springs, most or all of his brothers and sisters are at his side. 

"It's amazing to know that I have family to back me up, people who have my back and support me at all times," Stevenson said in his most recent visit to the city last month. "I want to provide for them. I want to get them a lot of stuff. I want to make their lives easier."

Will enough people make it easier for that family to support his Olympic journey? Click here to help.  

Steve Politi may be reached at spoliti@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevePoliti. Find Steve on Facebook.

Morton was born Lenora Anderson in Greenwood, S.C., on June 10, 1904.

Lenora Morton of Newark celebrated her 112th Birthday on June 10 at a party at BrookHaven Nursing Home in East Orange. 

EAST ORANGE -- Lenora Morton celebrated her 112th birthday on June 10 at a party at BrookHaven Nursing Home on South Harrison Street in East Orange.

She was born Lenora Anderson in Greenwood, S.C., on June 10, 1904, and moved to Newark, where she lived with her husband, Haywood Morton, and their four children.

Morton, who operated a hair salon in the Central Ward of Newark for many years, was a member of the Business and Professional Circle at the Abyssinian Baptist Church.

Members of her congregation were on hand to celebrate along with fellow residents at BrookHaven, her grandchildren, nieces, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

To submit news for the Senior Spotlight column, please call 973-836-4922 or email essex@starledger.com.

Greg Hatala may be reached at ghatala@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find The Star-Ledger on Facebook.

Undercover operation targeted alleged "johns"

NEWARK -- An undercover operation overnight into Friday led to the arrests of nine men on charges of soliciting prostitution in the city, according to Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose.

The Newark police division's Special Investigation Bureau launched the sting in response to complaints from residents around Frelinghuysen Avenue, Wright Street, Sherman Avenue and East Bigelow Street, Ambrose said in a statement.

"We will continue to take definitive steps to combat crime and the activities that impeach our reputation at every level here in our city," the director said. "It is important that we address quality of life concerns as well as other criminal activities."

The effort focused on so-called "johns," who cruise city streets looking for prostitutes, Ambrose added.

6 alleged 'johns' charged in prostitution sweep

"Targeting these individuals not only improves the quality of the life in these neighborhoods, it also reduces the likelihood of these men becoming the victim of crimes themselves," a statement from the city's public safety department said.

Of the nine arrested, six were not Newark residents, according to police.

"This operation is one of many ongoing initiatives designed to address citizen complaints throughout the city," Ambrose said.

Police said the following men were arrested in the operation:

Damion Abrahams, 33, of Maplewood

Brandon Peele, 35, of Newark

Michael Calouro, 40, of Garfield

Ernest Corbett, 27, of Newark

William Wiafe, 47 of Parlin

Guilherme Pinto, 69, of Roselle

Emildio Vasquez, 39, of Rahway

Peter Quick, 54, of Basking Ridge

Leon Coleman, 42, of Newark

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Victim identified as East Orange resident

ORANGE -- A 24-year-old man was wounded in a shooting on Pierson Street Thursday night, authorities said.

The East Orange resident was treated for non life-threatening injuries at University Hospital in Newark, according to Orange spokesman Keith Royster. The shooting was reported around 7:40 p.m.

Additional details were not immediately available, the city spokesman said.

1 wounded in shooting near Orange park

Anyone with information can call Orange police Detective Tyrone Grundy at 973-266-4111, ex 5063.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Police released photos of the suspects

Police released these images from the Bergen Street Walgreen's theft case (Photo: Dept. of Public Safety) 

The charity collection box was lifted from a store on the 100 block of Ferry Street around 8 p.m. on June 8, Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said in a statement.

In the cash register case, Ambrose said the thief struck a Walgreen's on Bergen Street around 12:40 p.m. May 6.

Both crimes were captured on store security cameras and police released suspect images to the public.

Men charged in prostitution sting, Newark official says

Ambrose asked anyone with information to contact the city's 24-hour Crime Stoppers tip line at 877-NWK-TIPS (877-695-8477) or NWK-GUNS (877-695-4867). Authorities said anonymous Crime Stopper tips would be kept confidential and could lead to a reward.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Authorities said a passenger on a flight from Tel Aviv repeatedly touched a woman on an overnight flight after the cabin lights dimmed.

NEWARK--Federal prosecutors in New Jersey Friday charged a Monsey, N.Y., man with sexually abusing a woman on an overnight flight from Israel to Newark Liberty International Airport as she attempted to sleep.

The alleged incident occurred on May 29, aboard an El Al flight from Tel Aviv.

According to U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman, Yoel Oberlander, 35, was seated next to a female passenger and her mother. During the flight, Oberlander--a registered sex offender--was said to have repeatedly placed his hand on the passenger's thigh and breast without her consent.

In court papers, an FBI agent said Oberlander had been at a window seat. Several hours into the flight, after dinner was served and the cabin lights dimmed, he allegedly placed his hand on the victim's left thigh. After she shifted position, he removed his hand, but again touched her later in the flight.

Later, while the victim was attempting to sleep, the FBI agent said she felt Oberlander's hand on her left breast. He pulled away again after she shifted in her seat, closer to her mother. When her mother awoke, the victim asked to switch seats with her and reported the incident to the flight crew.

Airline abuse charges leads to 8-year prison term

Oberlander was charged in a criminal complaint with one count of abusive sexual contact on an airplane.

In an initial appearance Friday afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph A. Dickson in Newark, he was ordered detained.

Authorities said Oberlander was previously convicted in 2002 in New York for sexual abuse arising from a sexual assault of an eleven-year-old girl.

If convicted on the latest charges,he faces up to two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Ted Sherman may be reached at tsherman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TedShermanSL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Seniors graduated Friday night in Caldwell University's George R. Newman Center.

CALDWELL -- Graduating Verona High School students were treated to two rap songs Friday night.

One came from math and computer science teacher Richard Wertz, who was the guest speaker at their commencement at Caldwell University. In a performance inspired by the Broadway hit "Hamilton," Wertz rapped about the many things Verona High School students will accomplish.

Valedictorian and student council president Anthony Giuliano delivered the other rap, which expressed admiration for his parents' choice to follow life paths that they love. He told the crowd his parents had taught him that success is defined not by wealth or possessions, but by the passion a person with which someone lives.

"It isn't about where you live, but living wherever you are," he said.

Check out our photo gallery of the high school's graduating seniors above and another photo gallery here.

Be sure to check out our complete graduation coverage at nj.com/graduation.

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Are you one of the people pictured at this graduation? Want to buy the photo and keep it forever? View the photo gallery on desktop and look for a link in the photo caption to purchase the picture: Click on it, and you'll have the ability to order prints in a variety of sizes, or products like magnets, keychains, coffee mugs and more. The link won't be viewable on mobile.

SHARE YOUR GRADUATION PHOTOS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

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MORE ESSEX COUNTY NEWS

Marisa Iati may be reached at miati@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @Marisa_Iati. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Barry Farber hosts "Breakthrough with Barry Farber" on cable television.

Barry Farber is difficult to pin down. More than 25 years ago, he began working as a sales consultant for a long list of Fortune 500 companies, seeking to help employees at corporations such as BMW and American Express reach beyond their loftiest business goals. He has since authored 12 books, become a noted radio and television personality and even created the FoldzFlat brand of pens. The Livingston resident's new television show, "Breakthrough with Barry Farber," can be viewed on Comcast channel 36 and Verizon channel 33 in New Jersey.

1 | You've seemingly done a bit of everything. What do you consider yourself?

It's hard to say. Years ago, a PR firm came to me and asked what I do -- I was working with entertainers and putting out products, corporate training -- but what I really love is that moment when people break through. Companies will come to me with a challenge and I help them break through -- that's what I do. And it doesn't have to be a huge breakthrough. It can be small. But that is the guiding force. In martial arts, they teach you how to fall. If you know how to fall, you can get back up. I became a fanatic about falling. I'd fall everywhere. On the floor, on rocks, all over the place. I wanted to perfect it. It's the greatest metaphor in the world. Falling isn't failing as long as you know how to get back up. Whenever you try to do something that hasn't been done, there are setbacks, obstacles that haven't come up. But I want to help people see the opportunity and move toward it.

2 | Has it been a challenge for you to operate in so many fields?

Yes and no. I'm working on manufacturing, licensing, building products, writing and, at one point, (was) working with Evel Knievel to get his name on a roller coaster -- that was a dream of his. I was also on TV and helping a company launch recycling efforts in the Meadowlands. If you have value inside your head on what you're working on, you can go far. Once you see something you believe in, the synergy that happens from that is tremendous. You can't be everything, but you can do some things really well. Here's an example: I met the comedian Jackie Mason at a deli. He said, "So, you're a salesman." I imitated his voice and said, "Yeah, just like you, some kind of comedian." He got a kick out of it and we had a coffee. We pitched a radio show for him and it went beyond that -- he ended up getting a TV show.

3 | You seem to carry a great sense of enthusiasm through all of these projects. From where does that emanate?

When I was a kid in Maplewood in the early 1970s, I watched Evel Knievel. This guy was jumping over cars, so I would go out with my Schwinn Stingray and my father would help me build a ramp. I had my football helmet on and I'd ride down the sidewalk -- my neighbors would watch and crack up -- and I'd jump over garbage cans, go-karts, even people. I loved the challenge. I fell in love with it. I always wanted to dig a little deeper. The key thing is confidence, and that comes from the homework and preparation others don't do. You end up finding things you're so excited about, that when you get there, you can't help but share it with others.

4 | Is there a universal recipe for success?

Technology is an amazing tool -- and provides many answers if you do your homework -- but people respect when you interact in person. In those settings, you can really forge connections. For instance, I recently met an executive who was involved in saving dogs from being euthanized and finding them new homes. Knowing this, the first thing I talked about with him was our love of dogs and how I adopted a dog that was rescued during Hurricane Katrina. He stopped me and said, "No one ever meets me and talks about this." There is a saying: "No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care about their business." You have to shake it up and try things differently. It's about internal value also. If what you are doing has value to you, it will drive you forward. If what you're doing doesn't have value, that's when setbacks occur.

5 | Your new TV show focuses on "breaking through." Can you outline that concept?

You can be working on something and you hit a wall. It gets you down. You start to say, "Why did I even start this? What am I doing?" When I started my company in 1990, I used to interview customers on a tape recorder. I learned so much from those customer interviews, because this content was rich with real-world experiences. I became consumed with finding people who had that moment when they broke through to find success. I wanted to share that through as many mediums as possible. I really get a kick out of this stuff. It is so interesting to understand how athletes, entertainers, the brainiest people among us, journeyed to break through in their fields. How were they able to get to another level? As a media guy, I'm not Howard Stern or Johnny Carson, but this stuff is interesting.

Next month: Opera singer Anthony Roth Costanzo

MORE FROM INSIDE JERSEY MAGAZINE

The discount grocery chain is expanding in the Garden State.

BLOOMFIELD -- ALDI, the discount grocery giant with more than 10,000 locations around the world, is expanding in New Jersey. The supermarket chain Friday opened a store on Bloomfield Avenue in Bloomfield, its 37th location in the state.

Bob Grammer, ALDI's Center Valley Division Vice President, said there are more stores in New Jersey to come, several of which will open later this year.

The top 15 supermarkets in the U.S.

"ALDI has been part of the New Jersey community for 20 years and we're excited to expand our presence in New Jersey and provide high-quality, affordable groceries to more families," he said. Grammer did not have specific details on when and where the other locations would be opening.

"We're excited to bring our Simply Smarter Shopping experience to Bloomfield and help customers stretch their dollars with our exclusive brand products - including fresh meats, fruits, vegetables and bakery items," he said.

The supermarket chain, which sells a majority of its own brands, is known for its discounted prices on food, toiletries, and other basic products. The international company has more than 1,500 stores in 34 states across the U.S. It is expanding, and plans to open about 130 new stores each year in the future, officials said.

Last year, the chain purchased three former Bottom Dollar sites and reopened them as ALDIs. It was also named in a Market Force study as one of the best grocery stores in the U.S.

In Bloomfield, locals already took to social media to express their excitement about the new store.

The #Aldi store in #bloomfield #nj officially opened today. #new

-- Trenton Douglas (@FredMinorTDR) June 17, 2016

Get ready #bloomfieldnj #aldi is almost here!! Bloomfield and Watsessing Avenues!! June 16

A photo posted by The Nicholas team (@bphughes_nicholasteam) on Jun 8, 2016 at 4:43am PDT

Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Charles Sessa and Jeffrey Seidenberg want to help the city they make a living in.

NEWARK -- When 30 of the district's schools tested positive for 35 times above the federal action limit of lead in water in March, concerned New Jerseyans came through to donate packs of bottled water. On Thursday, Harness Homes Group joined the charity effort -- again.

Charles Sessa and Jeffrey Seidenberg of Harness Homes Group, a business that buys out and renovates residential spaces in Newark, donated 50 packs of bottled water for John F. Kennedy High School.

The school already amassed a solid stockpile of bottled water, said principal Glenda Johnson-Green. But with Sessa and Seidenberg's donation, the students entirely have their water needs covered.

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"That kind of outpouring of people, the generosity of people," Johnson-Green said. "It's been great."

Sessa and Seidenberg made their first water donation on April 7, when they donated five pallets of bottled water valued at about $1,500 and decided they wanted to give a little more.

They created a GoFundMe page and rallied to raise $10,000 to buy more water that they would then donate to various schools in the district. As of Friday afternoon, the GoFundMe page had raised $10,235.

"This was just something we took an interest in and affected the community we helped establish," said Seidenberg, an acquisition analyst at Harness Homes Group. "We want to do our part."

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Seidenberg said Harness Homes Group will donate water every time a school expresses a need.

Sessa and Seidenberg's charity efforts come two months after the Newark Teachers Union alleged that the district was aware of the water contamination for more than 10 years, and that remediation filters were not adequately maintained.

Superintendent Chris Cerf rebutted the union's claims and the internal memos and photos the union provided to back up their statement. He said the photos were "unauthenticated" and that the dates scribbled in marker on the filters did not "necessarily correspond" to the dates the filters were replaced.

Since mid-March, more than 17,000 students who were enrolled in the schools and centers listed to be impacted by the lead in water were tested for elevated levels of lead in their blood.

Officials said the level of lead in the water was because of the buildings' infrastructure and not a product of the city's drinking water.

Health officials also said the level of lead poisoning is less potent in drinking water with lead compared to ingesting lead paint chips.

But Newark schools are taking no chances, and John F. Kennedy High happily accepted Sessa and Seidenberg's donation.

"It felt amazing," Sessa said. "I mean, it felt just as good as the first time. But to be able to facilitate, just be the person who was able to collect the money and help with distributing the water to help the cause, it just felt really good."

Katie Park may be reached at kpark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @kathspark. Find NJ.com on Facebook. 

We spent a day and night in the bustling suburb of Montclair to see everything its cultural bounty has to offer

MONTCLAIR -- While many recognize Montclair as New Jersey's foodie haven, there's plenty more to see in this bustling downtown just a 45-minute train ride from Manhattan.

A swath of eclectic shops, gorgeous galleries and indie theaters are great for a day trip, and surely contributed to Montclair's Great American Main Street Award win, from the National Trust for Historic Preservation last year.

Dubbed the Upper West Side of New Jersey by New York Magazine, Montclair navigates the tightrope between city and suburb, offering a bustling Main Street, U.S.A. vibe while still harnessing a cozy, small-town aura. And due to its embrace of its own colonial history, plus an enticing amount of art and incredibly popular restaurants, the town cements itself as one the state's preeminent cultural hubs.

We recently spent a breezy Friday exploring Montclair's streets to see some of the sites that put the six-square-mile town on the map.

MONTCLAIR BREAD COMPANY

113 Walnut St., to satisfy a morning sweet tooth

The day began at Montclair Bread Company, a shop that lives up to its name with artisan breads, but owner Rachel Crampsey is a self-proclaimed donut addict. Montclair Bread's funky flavors are what earned the shop recognition from the New York Times -- maple bacon, fruity pebbles and monthly specials, like sangria and margarita. Hearty and fresh, even their staple flavors, like glazed, stand out. We ate ours at the cute, turquoise tables outside the shop.

TRY:

• A Glazed donut (perfection doesn't have to be complicated), $2
• A Maple Bacon donut, $3

Montclair Bread Company offers dozens of imaginative donut flavors in a cozy corner shop. (Sydney Shaw | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) 

MONTCLAIR BOOK CENTER

221 Glenridge Ave., to browse a massive indie bookstore

Next on the schedule was another spot labeled with a misnomer, as Montclair Book Center offers much more than just reading material. You could spend hours exploring this shop's 10,000 square feet of new and used books, vinyl, CDs and apparel. It has a classic bookstore feel, and smell -- who doesn't love the scent of old books? Ladders alongside bookshelves scrape the ceiling, amid a maze of shelves ranging from sci-fi to contemporary romance. The selection of vinyl is expansive, but you probably won't find that new record you've been pining for here -- their collection skews more Bee Gees than Beyonce. 

TRY:

• Flipping through the vinyl in the bins in the basement. Maybe you'll find that old record you've been searching for

There are hundreds of thousands of books at the Montclair Book Center. (Sydney Shaw | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) 

RAYMOND'S

28 Church St., for a superior brunch

We darted across busy Bloomfield Avenue and headed to Raymond's, a beloved brunch spot for locals. The Montclair mainstay touts a classic diner atmosphere with post-modern decor -- brightly-colored vintage seltzer bottles stand out against the stark, white tile wall. We snagged one of the last inside seats, but dozens of other hungry patrons had opted to sit at the red tables outside. The quinoa breakfast bowl ($12) is a healthier option to start the day, complete with sunny side up eggs, slices of fresh avocado and Napa cabbage. One of Raymond's most coveted menu items is its famous Belgian hot chocolate. It only costs an extra 50 cents for a huge homemade marshmallow that adds a creamy component to the rich drink.

TRY:

• Raymond's (secret recipe) French toast, $11
• Belgian hot chocolate with a homemade marshmallow, $4.50

Belgian hot chocolate with a homemade marshmallow from Raymond's on June 10, 2016. (Sydney Shaw | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

VAN VLECK ESTATE

21 Van Vleck St., for a stroll through the gardens

Celebrating 100 years, the Mediterranean-inspired Van Vleck Estate was the perfect spot to walk off our huge brunch. The Van Vleck family first claimed the 5.8-acre property more than 140 years ago and over the last century has developed the grounds, which features a greenhouse, tennis court and an array of gardens -- print out a map of the gardens and get lost in the rows of foxglove, irises and azaleas. It's free to walk around and open all year long.

TRY:

• Wandering through the butterfly garden -- the hummingbirds enjoy it, too
• Take a stroll down the azalea walk

Vines grow up the arched trellis at the Van Vleck Estate on June 10, 2016. (Sydney Shaw | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) 

SIMIT HOUSE BAKERY & CO.

2 Church St., for traditional Turkish goods

On Church Street, a stone's throw from Raymond's, sits Simit House Bakery & Co., a Turkish corner store with wicker table tops and gorgeous ceramic bowls hanging from the wall. If its colorful, Middle-Eastern flair isn't enough to get you to walk through the door, the delicious smells that waft from the bakery should do the trick. Its namesake, the simit, is a circular Turkish bread encrusted with sesame seeds, reminiscent of a classic bagel. Simit House's version of the treat is hard and crunchy on the outside yet lusciously soft on the inside. Luckily, it's not too filling -- we felt safe trying one before lunch.

TRY:

• Simit with cream cheese, $3
• Baklava, $5

A simit from Simit House Bakery on June 10, 2016. (Sydney Shaw | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) 

VILLALOBOS

6 South Fullerton Ave., for tasty tacos

Next up we checked out Villalobos, a little Latino joint tucked away on a side street. The tortillas are homemade on-site every day, and it's obvious from the first bite. We ordered tacos, which can be stuffed with everything from chicken and chorizo to beef tongue or sea scallops. The queso fresco is unbelievably fresh and the chicken is tender. Tacos cost $6 each, but you'll probably need two to get your fill. Fun-flavored Mexican sodas (like mango Jarritos and Squirt) paired well with our salty snacks.

TRY:

• Chicken and chorizo tinga (both meats are braised together with spices), $6
• Esquites, $11

A customized chicken taco from Villalobos on June 10, 2016. (Sydney Shaw | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) 

MONTCLAIR ART MUSEUM

3 South Mountain Ave., for a striking bit of culture

After messy tacos, we craved some culture and headed for the Montclair Art Museum, where Andy Warhol's personal polaroids and a Native American feathered headdress taller than us are just a few of the items on display. The nationally recognized institution, which is more than a century old, hosts more than 65,000 visitors annually, many of whom come to see the George Inness Gallery, one of the only galleries in the world dedicated to America's revered landscape painter (Inness spent the last nine years of his life in Montclair). But no exhibit is as powerful as MAM's collection of New Jersey Native American art. Dozens of samples of Native American jewelry and pottery are on display. Admission is $12 for non-members and grants you access to all of the exhibits.

TRY:

• Undaunted Spirit: Native American Art, included with $12 admission
• Dannielle Tegeder: Infrastructure, included with $12 admission

The "Undaunted Spirit: Native American Art" exhibit at the Montclair Art Museum on June 10, 2016. (Sydney Shaw | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) 

TREND COFFEE & TEA HOUSE

411 Bloomfield Ave., for dozens of tea options

We opted for a window seat at the front of Trend Coffee & Tea House, a circa 1860 joint that supplies comfort food and creative drinks in a quaint, living room setting. While we waited for our tea (more than a dozen flavors on call), we noticed the cozy corner stage, which hosts live music nights near an array of guitars hanging on the wall and a vintage red Fender stool. As its name implies, Jasmine Blossom tea tastes just like flowers -- a surprisingly pleasant flavor -- while the Mandarin Orange Spice tea is tangy and sweet.

TRY:

• Jasmine Blossom iced tea, $2.50
• Mandarin Orange Spice hot tea, $2.50

The coveted window seat in Trend Coffee and Tea House on June 10, 2016. (Sydney Shaw | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) 

AH' PIZZ

7 North Willow St., for authentic Neapolitan pizza

Just around the corner from Trend is Ah' Pizz, a pizzeria that follows strict standards while handcrafting its neapolitan pizzas. The dough is made with only finely ground Italian wheat flour, natural neapolitan yeast, sea salt and water. Then, the dough is kneaded by hand and baked for less than 90 seconds in a 905-degree, oak-wood fire oven. The results are mouthwatering; the crust is flavorful and crispy, and the cheese on our bianco pizza ($17) was melted to perfection.

TRY:

• Margherita pizza, $12
• Pizze di Montclair (for the mushroom lover), $18

Bianco pizza with arugula and salsiccia pizza from Ah' Pizz on June 10, 2016. (Sydney Shaw | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) 

APPLEGATE FARM

616 Grove St., for homemade ice cream

For dessert, we headed to the home to New Jersey's largest sundae (made with 16 scoops, according to a sign behind the counter). Applegate Farm has provided Montclair residents with homemade ice cream since 1929. The trademark red barn has operated since 1848 and, according to the parlor's website, saw many slaves to freedom during the Civil War. The line of customers weaved all the way down the parking lot, but it was worth the wait. The ice cream itself is wonderfully fresh and creamy and there is no shortage of topping choices -- we went with a mint chocolate chip cone ($4) and banana ice cream with coconut shavings ($4).

TRY:

• One scoop of banana ice cream in a waffle cone, $4
• Coconut ice cream with M&Ms, $4

A mint chocolate chip ice cream cone from Applegate Farm on June 10, 2016. (Sydney Shaw | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) 

CUBAN PETE'S

428 Bloomfield Ave., for delicious Cuban food in a fun atmosphere

A short walk up a Caribbean-inspired sidewalk lined with palm trees led us to Cuban Pete's, where we stumbled upon the best food we had all day -- yes, we were still eating. We sat outside near a small waterfall built into the stone wall and enjoyed a mariachi band that complemented the lively, carefree atmosphere. The tapas (we ordered empanadas, which had a nice spice to them, and queso frito, a superior version of mozzarella sticks) are spectacular, and the pollo con mango -- thinly sliced, boneless chicken with a "rico suave" mango salsa -- and toasted coconut shrimp ($16.95) are perfect combinations of salty, sweet and savory. Cuban Pete's is a BYO joint, so we brought red wine to pair with the Cuban Pete's virtually non-alcoholic sangria, with apples and oranges.

TRY:

• Cuban Pete's red sangria, $12 for a small pitcher (BYO)
• Pollo con mango, $12.95

Pollo con mango and island shrimp conga at Cuban Pete's on June 10, 2016. (Sydney Shaw | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) 

TURTLE + THE WOLF 

622 Valley Rd., for elevated bistro fare

The new locale Turtle + The Wolf impressed with its high-end eats and industrial-chic setting. It's more upscale than Cuban Pete's, but it's also BYO (there's a liquor store across the street). Chef and owner Lauren Hirschberg was formerly culinary director of the posh New York City restaurant Craft, which earned three of four stars from the New York Times. Now, Hirschberg flaunts his cooking finesse in Montclair with locally sourced ingredients. The pecorino aranchini (deep-fried rice balls with cheese) is warm and gooey on the inside and perfectly portioned as an appetizer, and the brisket is expertly tenderized and comes with a side of velvety pommes puree (a creamier mashed potato).

TRY:

• Pecorino aranchini with arugula pesto, $6
• Braised brisket, pommes puree, radish, black garlic jus, $27

Pecorino aranchini from Turtle + The Wolf on June 10, 2016. (Sydney Shaw | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) 

JUST JAKE'S

30 Park St., for drinks and imaginative bar food

With a rustic wooden interior and a patio illuminated by string lights, we decided on Just Jake's for after-dinner drinks, and an end to the day. The menu features elevated tavern fare, like Tokyo fries (bacon, sauteed onions and fries in soy butter, $7) and Cajun BBQ wings with remoulade sauce ($10). This evening was a bit slow, but the place gets wild on live music nights -- beware of a cover charge some weekends. Our bartender recommended the pomegranate margarita, which proved to be a refreshing sip while relaxing out on the patio.

TRY:

• Pomegranate margarita, $10
• Sriracha sesame and soy wings with cilantro mayo, $10

A pomegranate margarita with salt from Just Jake's on June 10, 2016. (Sydney Shaw | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) 

Sydney Shaw may be reached at sshaw@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ShawshankSyd. Find NJ.com on Facebook

Judaism and Christianity are far from perfect, but in this regard, perhaps Islam can learn a lesson from its older siblings.

By Clifford M. Kulwin

Like others, I quickly assumed last weekend's attack in Orlando, Fla., was an instance of extreme Islamic homophobia. In recent days, however, as more information has seen the light, we've learned that shooter Omar Mateen's own sexuality heavily figured in.

Mateen was married twice, and his second wife said "he had very strong feelings about homosexuals." On the other hand, we also know that for many months he was a regular at Pulse, the Orlando nightclub where he fatally shot 49 people and injured 53 more. One report quoted an Orlando resident as having been messaging with Mateen on a gay cruising app for more than a year.

With Mateen dead, barring discovery of a diary, a true reconstruction of his inner life will be impossible. But given what we do know, a key role in pushing him over the edge was his feeling ripped in two between his attraction to other men and the tradition he revered, which considers homosexuality as evil as it comes.

Christianity and Judaism have long struggled with homosexuality, which until modern times, both regarded as an abomination. Today, the head of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, the largest rabbinical organization in the world, is gay, as are bishops in several Protestant denominations.

Many Christians and many Jews still judge homosexuality a sin -- note the religion wars in Israel today -- but the Christian and Jewish communities by and large not only see but cherish their tradition in the light of modern values. Jewish and Christian anti-gay discrimination persists, but as indicated by Pope Francis' statement last July -- Who am I to judge? -- progress continues to be made. Gay Jews and Christians who wish to can find a religious home where they feel accepted, loved and honored.

Now the Islamic world faces this challenge. Speaking last week on WNYC public radio program "The Takeaway," Sarah Eltantawi, a professor at Oregon's Evergreen State College, noted that "we cannot blame Islam for Omar Mateen's problem," but added it is shameful there was "no religious space where this man, with of his contradictions and self-hatred, could have walked in and felt loved and respected."

Advocates for gay rights within the American Muslim community include the two Muslim members of Congress, Democrats Keith Ellison of Minnesota and Andre Carson of Indiana. But it is a tough road. Efforts three years ago to found a gay-oriented mosque in Washington, D.C., foundered, largely because potential worshipers feared being outed and ostracized by other Muslims.

Hussain Turk, a UCLA law student and gay activist, told an NPR reporter that "the obstacles for any queer person, especially a queer person of color," are significant, but the additional challenge for Muslims is to "reclaim our faith and redefine for ourselves what it means to be a Muslim and following the teachings without the blanket prohibitions."

The Muslim community in this country faces challenge and prejudice. It is hard, for example, to see the conflict between the Islamic Society of Basking Ridge and Bernards Township authorities over a new building for the mosque as a simple matter of bureaucracy. And when some act of violence occurs, and a Muslim is involved, the word "terrorism" often comes quickly to many minds.

As Eltantawi said, Islam is not to blame. Mateen was applauded by an Islamic State under whose banner he could cravenly pronounce himself a patriot, as well as gun laws that allow pretty much anyone who wants to purchase an assault-style weapon such as the Sig Sauer MCX he used, or the popular AR-15. Nevertheless, Mateen alone is responsible for his despicable and cowardly assault.

But Turk is also right: Islamic religious leaders must teach their tradition in light of the time and place in which they live. Islam must find a space for all Muslims. The modern world demands it. Judaism and Christianity are far from perfect, but in this regard, perhaps Islam can learn a lesson from its older siblings.

Omar Mateen alone is responsible for what he did, but I still wonder: Had he a place to go in which he could be himself, a spiritual community that accepted him for who he was, tradition that he understood in a different light -- might our thoughts this past week have been elsewhere?

Clifford M. Kulwin is rabbi of Temple B'nai Abraham in Livingston. 

Follow NJ.com Opinion on Twitter @NJ_Opinion. Find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.

City man charged

Eric Michael O'Neal (Photo: Dept. of Public Safety) 

Officers Ivelisse Johnson and Lazaro Rivero, who were assigned to walking patrols made up of recent police academy graduates, were on foot near Bloomfield Avenue and Broadway around 5 p.m. when bystanders told them a man just stole a phone from a passenger on a bus, according to Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose.

A group of witnesses told the officers the thief jumped on another bus headed eastbound, Ambrose said in a statement. Backup officers, Sgt. Anthony Venacio, Angel Pared and Daniel Mendez, stopped the bus and arrested Eric Michael O'Neal, 20, for the theft.

More than 70 sworn in as police officers, firefighters

As police boarded the bus, they spotted O'Neal trying to hide the stolen phone, according to authorities.

Ambrose said the police division's Community Deployment Teams put officers from the two most recent police academy graduating classes on foot patrols in neighborhoods around the city.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Resident wounded early Saturday

NEWARK -- A 27-year-old city man was in critical condition after he was shot on Sanford Avenue early Saturday, authorities said.

Detectives with the city's Major Crimes Cease Fire Shooting Response Team were in the early stages of an investigation, according to Department of Public Safety spokesman Capt. Derek Glenn. The shooting occurred shortly before 3:30 a.m.

Police have not identified any suspects or a motive for the gunfire.

Additional details were not immediately available.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.