Independent bookstores may or may not be making a comeback. And sometimes, if the trek is a bit more cumbersome than I'd like, it's still joyous. But at the same time, if the customer service is great and the trek is less than cumbersome, the book buying experience in an independent bookstore is joyous beyond measure. As someone who doesn't care for crowds or spending 15 minutes searching for a place to park, I can appreciate the no-hassle practice of shopping from the comfort of my easy chair and laptop. I'm not knocking the online buying experience, mind you. And what better way is there to make that experience even more engaging than to purchase those items from small businesses where we can see the human side of our transaction and watch them breathe life into our neighborhoods and cities? But in the age of the mega-conglomerate, I believe recognizing the contribution of the small businesses that offer our communities a healthy dose of human connection with our shopping experience is like the elusive 'gift with purchase.' No one needs to buy music records, comic books or even beautiful tomes of fiction and nonfiction, but they do improve our quality of life. A cynic would say it's all consumerism gone mad. Instead I'm referring to days like Record Store Day, Free Comic Book Day, and the most recent addition to small business patronage, Independent Bookstore Day. No, I'm not talking about days like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or Prime Day (I don't even know how that one got started.).

He truly will be missed.It may seem odd that we have days on the calendar dedicated to shopping. Ronald Rice was a Newark icon and a man who cared deeply about the people of his city. Without his leadership and advocacy, NJIT would not be the institution it is today, and our students would not be realizing the incredible success they regularly achieve. He provided instrumental support for NJIT’s Educational Opportunity Program, its Pre-College Program, the creation and expansion of Makerspace at NJIT, and many other initiatives that were instrumental in the success of NJIT and local students. Senator Rice, throughout his tenure, was a staunch advocate for NJIT and higher education. He served in the State Senate for 36 years, 18 of which were as chair of the New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus. In addition to his work in state and local government and service to his country, Senator Rice served as Newark’s deputy mayor, as a municipal council member, and as a Newark Police detective. Senator Rice’s legacy is that of service, protecting and lifting others up while empowering his community. I would like to express my most sincere condolences, on behalf of the NJIT community, to the family, loved ones, colleagues and constituents of former New Jersey State Senator Ronald L.

My Bookstore by Ronald Rice