‘Real Housewives of New Jersey’ Star Involved in Family Brawl

‘The Real Housewives of New Jersey’ star, Teresa Giudice, was involved in an all-out physical fight, and this time Danielle Staub was nowhere in sight.

Giudice apparently showed up an hour late to her nephew’s baptism reception in West Orange, NJ.  She arrived with her husband Joe (who did not attend the church service) and her four daughters. When Giudice went up to congratulate her brother, Joey Gorga, he got upset over the fact that she was so late and that his brother-in-law was a no-show at the church.

According to RadarOnline.com, punches were exchanged between Joe Giudice and Gorga. Guests at the ceremony were horrified, and children were running around screaming and crying as a result of the violence.  Teresa’s father became so upset that he had to be escorted out and many were concerned that he was going to need medical assistance.

Soon after the physical exchange with Joe Giudice and Joe Gorga, Teresa got inot a physical altercation with her sister-in-law’s sisters, and Teresa’s father-in-law ended up punching one of Melissa Gorga’s brother-in-laws in the face, causing him to bleed.

All of the craziness was caught on film by the film crew for ‘The Real Housewives of New Jersey’.  Teresa’s brother and sister-in-law are the two newest members of the hit show.

Getting into a screaming match with Danielle Staub following a fashion show at a country club is one thing, but getting physical and drawing blood following a baptism where children are present is just plain wrong.  Hopefully the families can settle whatever issues caused the irrational behavior, and something tells me it is more than just being late for a reception. 

I guess we’ll see it all play out when Bravo TV airs the new season of RHONJ.

Rutgers’ Defensive Tackle is Paralyzed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rutgers University football player, Eric LeGrand, was paralyzed from the neck down after making a violent tackle during Saturday’s game against Army.

The tackle came on a kickoff return and it appears the junior player ducked his head down as he made the tackle.

LeGrand had surgery to stabalize his spine and is currently in intensive care at Hackensack University Medical Center.

Both teams knelt down in prayer and support as LeGrand was being treated on the field at the New Meadowlands Stadium.  Rutgers ended up winning the game in overtime, 23-20, but their win took a backseat to the concern over their injured player.

My prayers go out to LeGrand, his family, and the entire Rutgers University team.

Palatial Estate for Sale in Tenafly

This is a home fit for royalty, an A-list celebrity, business tycoon, or someone with a lot of dough who wants to call Tenafly, NJ home.

The 8 bedroom, 9 bathroom estate is located on 90 County Rd. It is located 8 miles from midtown Manhattan, which makes it a perfect location for a wealthy business person working out of New York.

The interior boasts a wine cellar, billiards room, media/club room with bar, gym with sauna, and an indoor pool.  If you get tired walking up and down all the stairs to get from one floor to the other, then you can hop on the elevator that will coast you up and down all three levels.

Maybe you are not one who likes to spend much of their time indoors. This home has many outdoor attractions that will keep you entertained.  There is a pool, twin cabanas, tennis court, putting/chipping green, and a basketball court.

If this sounds like the home of your dreams, then $15,900,000 asking price and it can be yours.

CLICK HERE FOR THE COMPLETE LISTING

The Richest New Jerseyians

 

When Forbes magazine recently came out with their list of the 400 richest Americans, five names on the list call New Jersey home.

Donald Newhouse (pictured above), 80, is listed at #49.  Newhouse is worth $5.4 billion, and he resides in Somerset County.  His wealth was acquired in the publishing industry.

Coming in at #62 is David Tepper, 52, from Milburn.  He is worth $4.3 billion.  Tepper became successful through hedge funds.

Peter Kellogg, 68, is worth $2.8 billion, which puts him at #124 on the list.  Kellogg lives in Short Hills, and made his money through investments.

Another New Jersey billionaire who acquired their finances through hedge funds is Leon G. Cooperman.  Cooperman is ranked #269 with a net worth of $1.5 billion.  The 67 year-old also calls Short Hills home.

Finally, there is Michael Price, 58, from Far Hills.  He is listed at #290 with a $1.4 billion fortune.  Price can attribute his financial success to investments.

New Jersey is home to quite a few counties that are ranked as some of the richest in the nation.  Alpine, NJ was ranked as the #1 most expensive zip code, until three California zip codes ranked higher this year.  So I was surprised that more New Jersey residents weren’t among those listed.  However, when you are talking in terms of billions, not too many people can claim that amount of fortune these days.

State Takes Over Atlantic City’s Finances

It’s official: the state of New Jersey will manage the city’s finances.  The move became official today. 

The takeover will apparently lessen the tax burden on the residents of Atlantic City.  Gov. Chris Christie has a long term plan for Atlantic City and sees this as a first step towards a major revitalization.

Now, we just need to put more cops back on the streets, crack down on the illegal guns, revamp many neighborhoods, and find more outlets for the youth and Atlantic City will be well on its way towards a positive turnaround.

Photo: Jerry McCrea/ The Star-Ledger

Rutgers Student Commits Suicide after Roommate Videos Sexual Encounter

I was saddened to learn this week that a 18 year-old Rutgers University freshman committed suicide after his roommate broadcast a live feed of him having a sexual encounter with another man.

Tyler Clementi’s body was discovered in the Hudson River on Wednesday, days after he jumped to his death off the George Washington Bridge.

Dharun Ravi, Clementi’s roommate, and Molly Wei, are now facing invasion of privacy charges.  They are both free pending further court hearings.  However, I find that the charges brought against them are mild considering that a young man is now dead because of their actions.

Ravi is accused of setting up a webcam to live stream the sexual encounter between Clementi and the other man on Sept. 19.  He then went to Wei’s room to watch the video.

Clementi was an accomplished violinist who had a promising future.  I can’t imagine what hurt and humiliation must have gone through this young man’s mind after learning of what was done to him at the hands of his roommate. 

People not only associated with Rutgers University, but many in the state of New Jersey and across the country have been touched by this tragedy and mourn the loss of a life lost too young.  Hopefully the case of Tyler Clementi can spark tougher penalties for invasion of privacy charges.

Photo: Facebook

 

Seton Hall University Student Killed at Party

A gunman opened fire at an apartment party early Saturday morning, killing one Seton Hall University student and wounding four others.

Jessica Moore, 19, a sophomore psychology major from Disputanta, VA died from her injuries Saturday afternoon. Two 19 year-old women who also attended Seton Hall were wounded. A 25 year-old man from New Jersey Institute of Technology and a 20 year-old man from New York City who was not a student, also were hit by gunfire.  Their injuries do not appear to be life-threatening.

According to reports, the gunman was kicked out of the party that was held on South Clinton Street in East Orange because he didn’t pay the cover charge.  He later reentered the pary and began shooting.  Partygoers ran for their lives, trying to escape from whatever door or window they could find. 

The gunman remains on the loose and a $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to his capture.

Seton Hall University is a private Catholic university located in South Orange.  The school enrolls about 10,000 students.  The university held a prayer service in honor of Moore Saturday evening.

My prayers go out to Moore’s family, as well as to the other victims and their loved ones.  It is any parent’s worse fear to have your child away at college and receive a phone call that something tragic has happened to them.  It seems these days, parents live in fear of sending their children anywhere, whether it is away to school or to the corner store for fear that someone with a gun in their possession will open fire.  Hopefully the coward who shot the five people at the party Saturday will be taken into custody and soon, before someone else falls victim to senseless violence.

Photo: AP

New Jersey Teacher Evaluations Will Now be Posted Online

As part of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that allocated $1 billion of New Jersey’s stimulus money to school districts, teacher evaluations must now be posted on school websites.

The evaluations will not have specific names, but will give a percentage as to how many teachers are effectively teaching based on the school districts’ standards.  The U.S. Department of Education wants all districts to have their evaluations posted online by Oct. 15.

If a school has 10 or fewer teachers who do not meet the standards, then that school does not have to post their results.

As expected, this is already sparking great controversy.  Those opposed to the new online evaluations feel it is opening up problems for schools and teachers who report that a certain percentage of their teachers are not performing according to the set standards.  Even though there weren’t be any names posted, parents will surely want to know if their child’s teacher is one of the ones who is not performing up to par. 

Add this latest education-themed debate as a link to an ever-growing chain of issues that teeter on acceptable and crossing-the-line.

Facebook Founder Pledges $100 million to Newark Schools

The state of Newark public schools was put on a major platform when Newark Mayor Cory Booker appeared on todays “The Oprah Winfrey Show”.

Mayor Booker discussed the major problems that have plagued Newark schools, but also his hopes for a brighter future.  The reality of that brighter future may have come sooner than expected when Gov. Chris Christie and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg came out onto the stage.  Zuckerberg announced (in what was a not so well kept secret) that he was giving a $100 million challenge grant to the Newark school system.

Gov. Christie, a republican, and Mayor Booker, a democrat, put aside political party differences in an effort to unite in the fight to save the school children of Newark.  Winfrey applauded their united front, as did U.S. Education Commissioner Arne Duncan who appeared from satellite.

Many have questioned the timing of Zuckerberg’s generous gift, due to the fact that a movie about his life is set to hit movie theaters.  Zuckerberg denounced those rumors and said that the movie is more of a Hollywood created dramatization of his life.  He said his real life is far less dramatic.

Photo: Andrew Mills/The Star-Ledger

Husband of RHONJ Star Gets Jail Sentence

Joe Giudice, the husband of ‘The Real Housewives of New Jersey’ star, Teresa, was sentenced to 10 days in Morris County jail.  His sentence began today.

Giudice, a Montville resident, was charged back in May for driving with a suspended license.  The license suspension came as a result of a previous DWI charge that stemmed from a January car accident. 

Giudice also must pay $1,500 in fines, and his driver’s license will be suspended for one year.

I wonder how Teresa will fair without having her hubby around for 10 days?  Hopefully she won’t calm her stresses by going on any lavish shopping sprees.  If Joe gets out and sees any hefty shopping bills, he may do whatever he can to put himself back in the slammer.