RALLY FOR BATTERED WOMENS RIGHTS

Battered women and advocates for women's rights, led by Sandra Ramos of Strengthen Our Sisters, held a Mother's Day rally on the courthouse steps in Paterson

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BIDEN BACKS STIMULUS PLAN

VP Joe Biden visited Lodi for a ceremonial ground-breaking on New Jersey’s first construction project funded from the $787 billion stimulus program approved in February. Biden joined Gov. Jon Corzine, Senators Menendez and Lautenberg, and hundreds of union workers who lined up in the pouring rain behind police barricades near Route 46, to get a glimpse of Biden. Read more.

S-A-N-C-H-E-Z JETS JETS JETS

Jets have a new quarterback, Mark Sanchez from USC, and if his future as a QB is as bright as his personality, then the Jets just might be inching a little closer to that elusive 2nd Super Bowl ring. In his very first rookie mini-camp session (yes, I know its a little early...) he displayed great leadership, mechanics, footwork, arm-strength, and perhaps above all else -a winning attitude.

In fact, other than appearing a little shorter than the 6'3" as advertised, he looked pretty darn good. I guess we'll see...

DUNKIN' DONUTS NUTS

There were two more Dunkin' Donuts stickups in Paramus by the same two brazen bandits who have now robbed three D&D's in Paramus, and are suspected in over a dozen other similar robberies across North Jersey. Check it out. Story.

YANKS HOME OPENER

The Yankees and their fans opened their brand new stadium the same week the Mets christened Citi Field. And they too stunk it up in the historic home opener.


Yours truly, hours after the historic opener, and horrific loss. Photo taken by my friend Leslie Barbaro. Nice light.

METS HOME OPENER

The Mets & their fans held their 2009 home opener at their the brand ball park -Citi Field. The stadium was great. The team wasn't.

the new YANKEE STADIUM

The Yankees usher in the 2009 season in their brand new stadium, right across the street from the old one. Here's a sneak-peak at what Yankee fans can expect at the new billion-dollar ballpark in the Bronx. Beautiful narration done here by Paul Dottino. Also, check out this interactive presentation on both new New York stadiums done by my colleague at The Record, Bob Rebach.

CITI FIELD OF DREAMS

The Amazin's usher in the 2009 season in their brand new ballpark, Citi Field. Modelled after Ebbetts Field, Citi Field is a stark improvement to old Shea, and may prove to be a field of dreams for the Mets. Beautiful narration done here by Paul Dottino. Also, check out this interactive presentation on both new New York stadiums done by my colleague at The Record, Bob Rebach.

GREATER FALLS

This week, the House approved a bill that would make Paterson's Great Falls part of the National Park Service. Read this week's story by The Record's Herb Jackson.

This has been a long time coming. The Great Falls was denied such a designation in the 1970's just when it was poised and ready to join the NPS after a strong movement by city officials led by then mayor Pat Kramer -see video. Paterson was left at the alter by the Ford Administration, and left stranded without proper monies to make it a destination. Obviously, with the federal designation comes big federal dollars, making this a HUGE economic opportunity for Jersey's third largest city.

If you've never been, you should go. The Falls are sight to behold, smack in the middle of the city, in Paterson's rich historic district. It's a spectacle, one that changes with the seasons. In winter, much of the Passaic River freezes around the falls. In spring the water moves over the falls with such ferociousness, it kicks water spray into the air -so much so you often need a pancho.

Paterson is a city that never seems to catch a break. It's been a hard luck city. Perhaps now, finally, the Great Falls will bring proper recognition, and more importantly tourist dollars, to the Silk City. This is great news for the Great Falls.

Farewell to Chief Reda

Woodland Park (West Paterson) bids farewell to it's Police Chief Robert "Bobby Reda."

NO ORDINARY RECESSION

NJ Governor Jon Corzine called these tough economic times, "no ordinary recession," in his annual state budget address in Trenton, where he outlines some belt-tightening.

AVERY RETURNS

Troubled NHL player Sean Avery returns to the Rangers after clearing wavers. Avery was suspended and then released by his former team after making crude comments about his former girl friend actress Elisha Cuthbert of the television show "24" and the movie "Old School," and her hockey playing boyfriend Dion Phaneuf. Avery also dated Rachel Hunter, the former Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover model and actress who is now the girlfriend of Los Angeles Kings center Jarret Stoll. Avery claims to be a changed man. Time will tell. Here's a look at his first day back with the Blueshirts.

FIREFIGHTER'S SKI RACE

Firemen from 45 departments across New Jersey competed in the 22nd annual downhill ski race at Hidden Valley to benefit St. Barnabas Burn Foundation. Thrills, chills, and spills -all for a good cause.

A CONVERSATION WITH CHRISTIE WHITMAN

Former NJ Governor and EPA director Christie Whitman discusses her environmental record, EPA's response after 9/11, and her strained dealings with President Bush and Vice President Cheney. Her comments are quite surprising; describing Bush as being easily swayed by Cheney on issues related to the environment.

TORRE TALES

Ex-Yankees manager Joe Torre discusses his new book "The Yankee Years," and addresses the controversy surrounding the book he wrote with Tom Verducci. Video was shot prior to a book-signing at Barnes & Noble in mid-town Manhattan.

A Conversation with John Scher

Legendary rock concert promoter John Scher talks about The Who, Stones, Sinatra, and Springsteen from his front row seat to rock-n-roll history.

INAUGURATION DAY

North Jereyans joined 2 million others in Washington DC to witness history, as Barack Obama became the 44th President of the United States. This a video I produced along with a team of photographers and reporters from The Record; Chris Pedota, Kevin R. Wexler, Giovanna Fabiano and Joseph Ax. See full coverage here.

Additional photos by Thomas E. Franklin / The Record

A CONVERSATION WITH LOU DUVA

In the latest installment of "A Conversation With..." we catch-up with the Godfather of boxing, Lou Duva, who candidly recalls his humble beginnings in the fight halls of Paterson, rising through the boxing ranks, and some of his fondest memories in a storied career in the "sweet-science."

VIEW TO A KILL

For this past Sunday's Giants vs. Eagles playoff game, I gained access to the roof of Giants Stadium, where I shot action photos during the first quarter. While it was quite cold and windy, and deathly high, it provided a spectacular view of the military fighters fly-over, the field below, as well as the surrounding North Jersey landscape.

Yes, that's me waving to the camera from high above, photo taken by my friend an colleague Chris Pedota.

GIANTS FALL TO EAGLES 23-11

The Giants fall to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Divisional playoffs, 23-11. The Giants were lackluster and were unable to find the endzone in game that brought the defending Super Bowl champs' season to a disappointing end. Here are some photos from the game.



Photos by Thomas E. Franklin / The Record

A CONVERSATION WITH BRENDAN BYRNE

"A Conversation With..." is a new video project series we've launched at The Record. It will feature candid interviews with prominent people of the world of politics, business, sports, entertainment, and literature. This video is the first installment.

JETS FALL TO FISH, NO PLAYOFFS AGAIN

Jets lose 24-17 to the Dolphins in dismal showing during season finale, denying them playoff berth, in perhaps Brett Favre's final game.

SEASON'S GREETINGS FROM CAMP BUCCA IRAQ

New Jersey National Guard troops send good tidings from Camp Bucca, Iraq, to loved ones back home in New Jersey.

This a video I produced with colleague Tyson Trish, who was in Iraq with columnist Mike Kelly, reporting on the NJ National Guard. This is part of our year-long report, NJ at War.

GIANTS FALL TO EAGLES 20-14

Giants were lackluster in ho-hum loss to rival Eagles, in game that had little at stake for Big Blue.

METS STADIUM ALMOST READY

NY Mets executives gave a behind-the-scenes tour of the nearly completed new baseball stadium, Citifield. The state-of-the-art facility, which draws inspiration from the old Brooklyn Dodgers stadium -Ebbet's Field, promises to be a huge hit with fans, offering many upgraded amenities.