(Newser) – Now Tyler Hansbrough, Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington, and Danny Green can head to the NBA feeling good about their decision to return to school. The upperclassmen led North Carolina to its fifth national championship with an 89-72 blowout of Michigan State tonight in Detroit, reports the AP. “We’ve been working so hard since last year when we fell short,” said Ellington, named most outstanding player. “I wanted to redeem myself. We worked so hard.”
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MENENDEZ THRILLED OVER RELEASE OF SOLECKI, THE U.N. OFFICIAL AND NEW JERSEY NATIVE HELD CAPTIVE IN PAKISTAN
Menendez, member of Senate Foreign Relations Committee, worked with family, pressed Pakistani ambassador
Monday, April 6, 2009
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WASHINGTON – The United Nations has confirmed the release of John Solecki, the head of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and native of Demarest, New Jersey who was being held captive by an extremist group in Pakistan.
US Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, worked with the Solecki family during this ordeal and was in touch with the Pakistani ambassador through his position on the committee. Today, he released the following statement:
“First and foremost, this is a beautiful day for John Solecki and his family in New Jersey, and I am thrilled for them. In working on behalf of the Solecki family, it was evident that John has a strong and loving family back here at home, and it is absolutely wonderful that they will be reunited.
â€This harrowing episode is another reminder that there are militant groups in our world who seek to destroy freedom. John is doing terrific work for some of the most helpless people on Earth, and to target him is a sign of an extreme and disturbed group. Organizations like the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees are helping make this a freer, more peaceful world – the type of work that can one day help make militant organizations like the one that detained John obsolete.â€
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David ZimmermanWinner of four Outer Critics Circle Awards including Best Off-Broadway Musical in its original New York production, the show is a fund raiser put on by the Little Sisters of Hoboken to raise money to bury sisters accidently poisoned by the convent cook, Sister Julia (Child of God). Full of laughs and songs and singing nuns, this zany musical is a sure-hit for audiences of all denominations!
“A hail of fun and frolic! Wacky and outrageous with a hysterical anything goes sense of fun!”
-The New York Times
for more information-http://atticensemble.org/
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SECAUCUS, NJ – Continuing to expand its presence throughout the country, Sports Authority will formally open a new store in Secaucus on April 4th, it was announced today by Greg Waters, chief operating officer of Sports Authority.
The full-line sporting goods store, located at Hartz Mountain’s Mill Creek in Harmon Meadow, 31 Mill Creek Dr, will mark the company’s 21st New Jersey store.
As part of the Grand Opening festivities, on April 4th former New York Yankee outfielder Roy White was on hand to make an in-store appearance, and former New York Giants linebacker Carl Banks also made an appearance. Continue reading SPORTS AUTHORITY TEAMS WITH FORMER GIANT CARL BANKS AND FORMER YANKEE ROY WHITE FOR GRAND OPENING OF 21st NEW JERSEY STORE
 TOURISM EXECS SHOWCASE IMPACTS OF STATE FUNDING
 On Monday, March 23, 2009, senior executives from 16 of New Jersey’s Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) made a case for a 400% increase in the state’s tourism development spending at historic Macculloch Hall in Morristown.  Signing the Declaration of Destination, which detailed the economic development rationale for the program, the industry expects revenues to increase by $20 million as a result.  Â
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Pictured from left to right:
Row 1 (holding declaration): Leslie Bensley, Morristown Visitors Center and Noreen Bodman, Jersey Shore Region
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Row 2: Â Taniesha Nash Laird, Destination Trenton; Sandra Woods, Middlesex County Convention and Visitors Bureau; Kimberly Charne, Somerset County Business Partnership; Giulia Iannitelli, Skylands of NJ Tourism Council; Diane Wieland, NJ Southern Shore
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Row 3: Peter Crawley, Princeton Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau; Rick Reynolds, Southern Ocean Greater Long Beach Island; Bill LaRosa, Hudson County Cultural Affairs and Tourism; Hector Ortiz, Greater Newark Convention and Visitors Bureau; Judith Ross, Meadowlands Liberty Convention and Visitors Bureau
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Row 4: Bob Golz, Warren County Convention and Visitors Bureau; John Seitter, Visit South Jersey; Chris Phelan, Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce; Jim Kirkos, Meadowlands Liberty Convention and Visitors Bureau.
 MORRISTOWN, NJ – MARCH 23, 2009 – Emboldened as one of the few industries to avoid cuts in the recently released state budget, Destination Marketing Organizations have signed the “Declaration of Destination,†setting forth an aggressive agenda that calls for an increase of 400% in 2010. Continue reading Tourism-DECLARATION OF DESTINATION†SIGNED BY 16 DMOs:
Funding from New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Helps Placing Children by Bringing Homes up to Code
JERSEY CITY –Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy announced that the Jersey City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is administering a $100,000 grant to help prospective foster parents correct any physical problems with their homes that may be impeding them from caring for foster children.
―In these difficult times, our City is working to find ways that we can help as many people as possible,‖ said Mayor Healy. ―We are particularly concerned about helping the generous families who want to provide displaced children with safe, loving homes. Continue reading Jersey City Economic Development Corporation Assisting Foster Care Families with $100,000 Grant
Jersey City’s Mike Marino Back in Town
By Evelyn BonillaÂ
Mike Marino, as a comedian, actor, and writer has learned his craft well. Born in Jersey City, and raised in the Marion section; Marino, entered the world of theatre at an early age, and is a graduate of the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
Marino has appeared in over 200 national television commercials, and has received a Best Actor Clio Award Nomination. He has acted in many Prime Time soaps and television shows including: As the World Turns, One Life to Live, Becker, Nikki, Frasier and Party of Five. His film credits include Crooks, Steven King’s Lucky Quarter, Volaré, Walking on the Sky, Three Tables and Hangin’ in Hedo.After great success in film, theatre, commercials and soaps, Mike began touring the nation performing at countless comedy clubs. His stand-up material ranges from cutting edge to his Italian family roots. His comedic style has landed him guest spots on many shows including: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno Continue reading Comedian Mike Marino – Back in Jersey City to Shoot TV Pilot – ” Marino’s”
“ You want to read something fascinating get a copy of Tony Napoli’s My Father, My Don “- The River View Observer
Published back in September of 2008Â this book from beginning to its last word will keep you glued to its pages
My Father, My Don: A Son’s Journey From Organized Crime To Sobriety tells the saga of the Napoli Family, taking the reader on a true-life journey detailing one family’s involvement in American organized crime. Told through the eyes of Anthony “Tony Nap” Napoli, the book follows the story of his father, James “Jimmy Nap” Napoli, who grew up in New York at the turn of the century and ascended through the ranks of the Mafia to become one of the most powerful and respected mob bosses of all time. Jimmy Nap ruled over the largest gambling empire in America for almost 40 years, and his sphere of influence extended to many businesses and industries, including professional boxing, casinos, and entertainment.
Rosalia Scotman, program coordinator at the hospital’s Behavioral Service Department, gives blood during the Community Blood Services drive at Jersey City Medical Center. As the surgical volume increases at the hospital, there is an increased need for blood donations.
River View Observer -Site Seeing -On The tiny Nano car, being sold at a base price of $2,200, already has 1 million applicants for the 60,000 expected to roll out this year. Environmentalists fear the impact of such a cheap car clogging streets.