Brazilian Day Festival, Booker to Speak at National Convention and School Begins

Ordem e progresso, Newark! (That’s “Order and Progress” to all you non-Portuguese speakers out there.) The city’s 20th annual Brazilian Day will be held this coming weekend, Sept. 8 and 9. The event will be held at Ferry and Somme streets, the Brazilian Voice newspaper reports. The event is being presented by the Brazilian American United Association.

It’s a big few weeks for New Jerseyans in national politics: last week, Gov. Chris Christie addressed the Republican National Convention, and this week it’s Mayor Cory Booker’s turn, this time at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. Booker is scheduled to present the Democratic Party platform -- which he also helped shape  - during a speech on the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 4. He joins speakers that include former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm and former President Bill Clinton. Check the convention's web site for more information.

Summer really is over -- the new school year begins Thursday, Sept. 6. There’ll be a final day of registration before the 2012-13 academic year commences on Wednesday, Sept. 5 from 8:20 to 2 pm. Parents and caregivers, please note that documentaion, including proof of immunication, will be required to register. For more information click here.

Enjoy bowling and helping out young people? Newark-based Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Essex, Hudson and Union counties is hosting “Bowl for Kids’ Sake” on two consecutive weekends. The first event will be held Sept, 8 at Hudson-Bayonne Lanes in Jersey City and the second on Sept. 16 at Eagle Rock Lanes in West Orange. To register a team, donate or for more information call 973-642-2447 or click here .