Newark News!

The Delta Dental of NJ Foundation and the Newark Public Schools celebrated the opening of the Delta Dental of New Jersey Careers Center at Newark's Central High School on May 15th. The opening of the new, state-of-the-art learning environment was made possible through a $75,000 grant from the Delta Dental of NJ Foundation.

The Delta Dental Careers Center will serve as a hands-on facility for students enrolled in the school's Dental Assisting program. Approximately 26 students will gain the skills to work in the dental field through school-based and work-based experiences. The students will learn about dental science, including how to use dental materials, instruments, and techniques. Additionally, safety, employment skills, professionalism, and applicative law are a major focus of the student's learning. This program has been running for five years.

One of the leading factors to the evolution of dentistry is the increasingly important role of dental assistants. The Delta Dental of NJ Foundation recognizes this link and supports dental assisting education programs such as Camden County College, the Bloomfield Health Careers Foundation Dental Assisting Program, UMDNJ School of Allied Health Professionals, and Newark's Central High School, in their commitment to the dental profession.

Students enrolled in the Dental Assisting program are expected to complete the following courses during their four years at Central High School: Dental Assisting I & II as well as Dental Assisting Clinical. Once all three classes are completed, students are eligible to take the National Occupational Technical Institute (NOCTI) exam in Dental Assisting.

The Prudential Center is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the Downtown district of Newark New Jersey. The arena was designed by Populous (formerly HOK Sport), with the exterior designed by Morris Adjmi Architects.

Opened in 2007, it is the home of the New Jersey Devils, as well as the NCAA's Seton Hall Pirates men's  basketball team, and the New Jersey Ironmen of the Xtreme Soccer League. The arena seats 17,625 people for hockey. Prudential Center is also known by its nickname, "The Rock", in reference to the corporate logo of Prudential Financial, the company that owns the naming rights to the arena.

Have you visited "The Rock" yet, if so share your experience with your fellow Alumni.  In the meantime, check out these images of one of Newark's impressive new landmarks.

A development group, with pro basketball superstar Shaquille O'Neal at center, has entered into a contract to construct a 25-story condominium tower in a rebounding downtown Newark.

The $90 million project would become the city's third-highest building, and the first ground up condominium project in Newark in more than four decades.

Planned for the site where the former Science High School stands, just north of the NJPAC, it would include 152 high-end units, retail on the ground floor & a parking garage.

Next spring, Newark children will have the chance to learn the secrets behind Dwight Gooden's killer fastball from Doc himself.

The former Cy Young Award winner outlined his plans Thursday to launch the Dwight Gooden Baseball Academy as part of his new gig as senior vice president of the Newark Bears.

"I've got both feet on the ground now," said Gooden, 44, whose substance abuse derailed his Mets and Yankees pitching careers. "I know there's been a lot of talk about how to get minority kids back to baseball. Me, I think I need to be personally involved, sharing my experiences with the kids, both on and off the field."

Now a full-time employee with the independent Atlantic League team, Gooden said he will be an active coach in the academy, which the Bears pitch as part of a long-term effort to revive the fledgling club and restore Newark's baseball glory days.  (Full Story here)