NEW JERSEY FOCUS: Blogs, Food Co-ops, NAACP, NJDC, Alternative Energy, Groups and Events

NEW JERSEY BLOGGING:

LeftyBlogs New Jersey is the place to find out what's happening in the progressive blogosphere across New Jersey.

Blue Jersey is a great source for the latest in New Jersey politics.

EnvironmentNJ: Fighting for New Jersey's Environment

Every Wednesday Evening: Blue Jersey Radio
Wednesday nights at 8pm with hosts Jeff Gardner and Jason Springer. Listen live or download podcasts at anytime.


Click here to listen!

New Jersey:Politics Unusual: A blog about New Jersey politics by the Chairman of the Flemington Democratic Party

LatinosNJ.com – a website designed for and about New Jersey Latinos who number almost 1.5 million – provides the latest news and issues, and features blogs and columns from Latino leaders and experts in various fields such as health, education, business, and immigration...sadly the site has been "under maintenance" for months now. I hope they come back because this was an excellent resource.


New Jersey Stonewall Democrats is on Facebook:

New Jersey Stonewall Democrats claism to be "New Jersey's only grassroots Democratic LGBTI organization." And from what I can find, there aren't too many others around. If you want to fight for LGBT rights in New Jersey, sign up with NJ Stonewall Democrats on Facebook.


And for less political LGBT resources: PFLAG of North Jersey: Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays of North Jersey is a group of people who meet regularly in the South Orange area and are dedicated to providing support, education, and advocacy to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people, their families and their friends. Meetings are 2nd Sunday of Every Month. Our regular meeting is from 2:30 to approximately 4:15. Newcomer's meet from 1:30 to 2:30 in a smaller, more informal setting. For more info contact: Helpline: 973-267-8414 or
pflagwaver_at_aol.com


New Jersey for Democracy:
Howard Dean started the strategy that won big in 2006 and 2008. Let's continue to the tradition. Here are the local Democracy for America groups in New Jersey:

North Jersey -

Bergen County
meets at the Ethical Culture Society
687 Larch Ave
Teaneck, NJ 07666
RSVP at www.dfalink.com/bergen

Essex County
Cryan's Beef & Ale House
24 First Street
South Orange, NJ 07079
RSVP at www.dfalink.com/essex

Hudson County
The Hard Grove Cafe
319 Grove St.
Jersey City, NJ 07302
201-451-1853
RSVP at www.dfalink.com/hudson
(First Wednesday of the Month, 7:30pm)

Morris County
Morris County Democratic Headquarters
11 Washington St
Morristown, NJ 07960
RSVP at www.dfalink.com/morris

Passaic County
Puzo's Restaurant (Upstairs)
4 Garfield Ave.
Hawthorne, NJ 07506
RSVP at www.dfalink.com/passaic
(First Thursday of the Month)

Union County
Rockin Joe Cafe
20 Prospect Street
Westfield, NJ 07090
908-232-1660
RSVP at Union Meetup

Warren County
MS Health Software Corp
605 Grand Ave.
Hackettstown, NJ
RSVP at www.dfalink.com/nwnj

Central Jersey -

Hunterdon County
Friendly Grounds Coffee
36 Mine St.
Flemington, NJ
908-788-8983
RSVP at www.dfalink.com/hunterdon

Mercer County
Carl A Fields Center
86 Olden Street
(Corner of Olden St and Prospect Ave on Princeton Univ campus)
Princeton, NJ
RSVP at www.dfalink.com/mercercounty
(please check DFA-Link for schedule)

Middlesex County
Panera Bread
1551 Route 1 South
Edison, NJ 08837
(732) 516-1611
RSVP at www.dfalink.com/middlesexNJ

Monmouth County
Racioppi's Kitchen
107 Oakland St. (at the train station at Bridge Ave.)
Red Bank, NJ
(917) 863-2408
RSVP at www.dfalink.com/monmouth

Somerset County
Somerset County Complex
40 North Bridge St. (off of High)
Somerville, NJ
RSVP at Somerset Meetup
(Second or Third Tuesday of the Month)

South Jersey -

Camden County
Haddon Township Library
15 MacArthur Blvd
Westmont, NJ 08108
856-854-2752
RSVP at Progressive Democracy South Jersey
4th Tues. of month

Gloucester County
RSVP at Democracy for Gloucester County
(Please check DFA-Link for date & location)

Ocean County
Joshua Huddy Brew Pub and Grill
1250 Hooper Ave.
Toms River
RSVP at www.dfalink.com/oceancounty
(First Tuesday of the Month)


NATIONAL JEWISH DEMOCRATIC COUNCIL: The National Jewish Democratic Council is the trusted voice and resource for Democratic office holders, candidates and party organizations to better understand and engage with the Jewish community. NJDC mobilizes the Jewish community and convenes opinion leadership to support the Democratic promise for all Americans. We look to our Jewish tradition to guide us on the issues of social and economic justice, religious pluralism and the peace and security of the State of Israel that will be the hallmark of our work.

NJDC believes that through our work in Democratic Party politics, we can ensure a better world for our children and grandchildren.

NJDC Chapter: New Jersey

For more information, or to become a member of the New Jersey chapter, email larry@stemplerlaw.com.


NEW JERSEY NAACP: Here is a list of local NAACP branches in New Jersey

ACTSO
Chair: Deborah Smith Gregory
800 S. 11th Street
Newark 07108
Phone: 201-563-0868
Email: debfor1@aol.com

Montclair
President: Ruth C. Taylor
PO Box 353
Montclair 07042
973-744-3080
Email: ruthtaylor@montclairnaacp.org
Email: info@montclairnaacp.org
Website: www.montclairnaacp.org

Asbury Park/Neptune
President: Adrienne Sanders
PO Box 1143
Asbury Park 07712
888-789-3549
Fax: 732-775-8823
email: asburyneptnaacp@aol.com
website: www.asburyparkneptunenaacp.com


Morris County
President: Belvia Thompson
PO Box 2256
Morristown 07962
973-455-0381
Fax: 973-267-5261

Atlantic City
President: John Lyles-Belton
PO Box 1977
Atlantic City 08404
609-344-4482
Fax: 609-344-4483
email: jhnbltn@aol.com

New Brunswick
President: Bruce Morgan
PO Box 235
New Brunswick 08903
732-828-5363
Fax: 732-296-0364
email: newbrunswickareanaacp@gmail.com
website: www.newbrunswickareanaacp.org

Bayonne
President: Al Strickland
PO Box 1764
1195 East 21st Street
Bayonne 07002
201-407-9634
Fax: 201-858-0915
email: bayonnenaacp@aol.com

Newark
President: Joyce Simmons
PO Box 1262
Newark 07102
201-259-8208
email: joyce_simmons916@yahoo.com

Bayshore
President: Lionel Wilson
PO Box 865
Matawan 07747
732-583-9770
Fax: 732-290-0571
email: bayshorenaacp@aol.com

Ocean County/Lakewood
President: James Waters
PO Box 836
Lakewood 08701
Phonw: 732-364-3622
email: coachjmw@aol.com

Bergen County
President: Estina Baker
PO Box 1136
Teaneck 07665
201-227-1875
Fax: 201-227-1875
email: bc.naacpfamily@gmail.com
email: www.bergencountynaacp.com

Oranges/Maplewood
President: Tom Puryer
PO Box 1127
East Orange 07019
Phone: 973-675-5325
Fax: 973-675-0506
email: puryeartl@gmail.com

Camden County
President: Colandus Francis
1123 1/2 Kaign Avenue
Camden 08103
Phone: 856-964-6705
Fax: 856-342-8006
email: darnhard@aol.com

Passaic
President: Calvin Merritt
PO Box 1600
Passaic 07055
Phone: 973-472-7494
Fax: 973-472-1711

Camden County East
President: Lloyd Henderson, Esq
PO Box 53
Lawnside 08045
Phone: 856-547-8572
Fax: 856-795-4072
www.twitter.com/CCENAACP
email: ldhend@hotmail.com

Paterson
President: Linda Smith
PO Box AQ
Paterson 07509
Phone: 973-754-4233

Cape May County
President: Robert Jackson
200 Eldridge Avenue
Cape May Court House 08210
Phone: 609-827-8974
email: surffishing54@comcast.net

Perth Amboy
President: Rev. Milton Lester
PO Box 1219
Perth Amboy 08861
Phone: 732-442-6508
Fax: 732-324-6244
website: http://www.naacp-panj.org
email: president@naacp-panj.org

Elizabeth
President: Iman Rashada Haneef
126 Broadway
Elizabeth 07207
973-373-8282
Fax: 908-764-8044
email: imanrashada@yahoo.com

Plainfield Area
President: Peter Briggs
PO Box 368
Plainfield 07060
Phone: 908-753-7073
Fax: 908-753-7179
website: www.plainfieldnaacp.org
email: naacpplainfieldarea@verizon.net

Gloucester County
President: Loretta Winter
PO Box 545
Williamstown 08094
Phone: 856-728-4936
Fax: 856-875-9799
email: hwin10@verizon.net
website: www.gcnjnaacp.org

Rahway
President: Shirley Palmer
PO Box 424
Rahway 07065
Phone: 732-340-9477
Fax: 732-381-8466
email: tlswlg@aol.com

Greater Delaware
President: Dr. Cleophus Robinson
PO Box 524
Bordentown 08505
Phone: 609-877-1598
Fax: 609-871-4474
email: car2ndi@aol.com

Roselle
President: Myrtle Counts
PO Box 391
Roselle 07203
Phone & Fax: 908-241-9847
(Call before faxing)
email: naacpbranch2104@yahoo.com

Greater Freehold
President: Earl Fulcher
PO Box 246
Marlboro Annex 07746
Phone: 732.431.5439
Fax: 732-431-3117
email: efs2@optonline.net

Salem County
President: Kennard Braxton
396 Bailey Street
Woodstown 08098
Phone: 856-769-1575
email: luth_sr@yahoo.com

Greater Long Branch
President: Lorenzo W. Dangler
PO Box 472
Long Branch 07740
Phone: 732.571-9444
Fax: 732-571-9699
email: doublejay8@comcast.net

Toms River
President: Bahiyyah Abdullah
PO Box 5144
Toms River 08754
Phone: 609-698-3198
email: bahiyyah@aol.com

Greater Red Bank
President: Rev. Dr. Henry Davis Jr
PO Box 311
Navesink 07752
Phone: 732-291-0105
Fax: 732-872-0269
email: drhpd@webtv.net

Trenton
President: Fred Herndon
PO Box 1355
Trenton 08608
609-392-6772
609-392-7742
email: trentonnaacp@yahoo.com

Greater Vineland
President: Richard Smith
PO Box 744
Vineland 08360
Phone: 609-501-1071
email: NAACPgreatervinelandbranch@yahoo.com

New Jersey Prison Branch
President: Maurice Taylor
PO Box 861
Trenton, NJ 08625

Hoboken
President: Carrie Gilliard
PO Box 3385
Hoboken 07030
201-659-5329
Fax: 201-222-6210
email: gilliardcarrie@yahoo.com

Tri-City
President: Marguerite Brown
Chambers PO Box 669
Summit 07902
Phone: 973-674-1174
Fax: 908-273-0489

Irvington
President: Kathleen Witcher
PO Box 377
Irvington 07111
973-373-6948
Fax: 973-373-0801

Warren/Sussex County
President: Melvin Warren
PO Box 229
Washington 07882
908-835-1582
Fax: 908-835-1582
email: melvinmwarren@hotmail.com

Jersey City
President: Kabili Tayari
153 Martin Luther King Drive
Jersey City 07305
201-333-3697
email: info@naacp-jc.com
website: www.naacp-jc.com

Willingboro
President: Reva Foster-Shropshire
PO Box 335
Willingboro 08046
Phone: 609-209-1386
email: rfoster@willingborotwp.org

Mainland/Pleasantville
President: Clifton Sudler
PO Box 773
Pleasantville 08232
Phone: 609-407-0800
Fax: 609-407-7224
email: acsd120@yahoo.com

Youth & College Division
President: Paige Floyd
email: njnaacpycd@gmail.com

Metuchen/Edison Area
President: Reginald Johnson
PO Box 86
Edison 08818
Phone: 732-205-9888
Fax: 732-205-1773
email: info@naacpmeab.org
website: www.naacpmeab.org

Mizpah
President: James L McClain
PO Box 141
Mizpah 08342
Phone: 609-476-2916
Fax: 609-476-3281
email: tcamaw3@gmail.com


NEW JERSEY FOOD CO-OPS

It took nearly 7 years living within a few blocks of one of the biggest food co-ops in America before Joy and I joined it. We were definitely reluctant. But, in the end the lack of good produce and the decline of our local supermarkets led to us joining. And the result is a slighly more inconvenient shopping trip each week, but much healthier, higher quality and cheaper food. I recommend joining a co-op if there is one nearby. You will save money and eat healthier. So I will list some local food co-ops in New Jersey:

Purple Dragon Co-op
289 Washington Street
Glen Ridge, New Jersey 07028
Phone: (973) 429-0391
FAX: (732) 247-0103
http://www.purpledragon.com/

Purple Dragon Co-op was formed in 1987 to bring natural foods into our area at prices closer to wholesale. In 1989, we began working to improve the availability of exquisitely fresh organic produce for our members. Janit London, a songwriter and veteran of many food co-ops, with 20 years’ experience in the Natural Foods business, designed Purple Dragon’s unique format, i.e., a new low-labor co-op model that works for today’s busy families.

Purple Dragon originated the idea of a mixed produce variety basket that has been copied all over our area and has become a national trend. We buy from many local organic and some ecological farmers and work closely with them to support their efforts to grow food in an ecologically sound manner in our own community.

We also shop up and down the East Coast, eastern Canada, the rest of the US, Europe, New Zealand, Israel and buy from certain farms in Central and South America and the Caribbean. When in doubt about a grower’s authenticity, we double check certifications with reliable sources in the industry. We work to provide you with the finest and most interesting variety of organic produce available.

We work constantly to refine and improve our service. We welcome your suggestions. We are also different in that we are the only group that is really a co-op. Our members actually work (see “How much do I have to work?”) This allows lower prices, better quality produce, and we get to meet people with similar interests in our area. It is also a chance to be closer to nature by handling the beautiful fruits and vegetables soon after they arrive from local farms.

Another difference is that we stand up for what we believe. We recycle all office paper, use only recycled paper, return crates to farmers and support environmental and organic farming associations, including the Organic Trade Association, CAFF, Sierra Club, NYCAP, NCAP, NOFA, American Farmland Trust, and the NJ Organic Farming Association.

George Street Co-op
89 Morris Street
New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901
Phone: (732) 247-8280
FAX: (732) 247-0103
gscoop@georgestreetcoop.com
http://www.georgestreetcoop.com/

The George Street Co-op is a non-profit natural foods store owned and run by its members. We sell vegetarian foods with the greatest nutritional value possible, and only minimal processing, additives or toxins. Everyone is welcome to shop at the Co-op and choose from our excellent selection of fresh organic produce, bulk foods, vitamins & herbs, body care and earth-friendly products, gifts, and more.

The Co-op serves the community by supporting local farms, community groups, events and gardens. We host a variety of outreach programs and informational seminars and produce a free, informative publication, Food for Thought.

We are also committed to bringing jobs and wellness into the area as a conscientious employer providing a safe, healthy work environment and offering benefits and competitive wages to our employees.

Sussex County Food Co-op

See Sussex County Page


In Good Taste
1301 N Delsea Drive
Vineland, New Jersey 08360
Phone: (609) 794-4856
FAX: (856) 794-4856
igt@snit.net


Drinking Liberally:

For the more social and fun-oriented (and booze oriented), there's Drinking Liberally. Here are the New Jersey Drinking Liberally Chapters:

Hillsborough, New Jersey
* Second and fourth Wednesday of each month, 8:00 pm onward
* Petrock's Bar and Grill, 419 Amwell Rd (at Amwell and 206)
* Hosted by Matthew Dawson, hillsborough (at) drinkingliberally.org

Montclair, New Jersey
* Second Thursday of each month, 7:30 pm onward
* Just Jake's, 30 Park Street (b/t Bloomfield & Claremont)
* We meet in the REAR DINING ROOM. Turn left after entering, go past the juke box, bar and W.C.
* Ample parking in municipal lot next to Just Jake's (free after 7 pm)
* ** Mtclair DL ON THE ROAD, TUES, NOV 13, from 8PM at PAUL'S BAR & BOWLING, 377 CROOKS AVE, PATERSON, NJ (973) 278-1982 http://local.yahoo.com/details?id=10780514 **THIS IS AN ADDITIONAL MEETING, WE STILL HAVE OUR USUAL 2nd THURSDAY
* Hosted by Kevin Kelly and Dan Evans Farkas, montclair (at) drinkingliberally.org

Morristown
* Third Thursday of each month, 8:00 pm onwards
* Hennessey's Tavern, 140 Morris St (Corner of Elm & Morris, next to the train station)
* There's plenty of public parking behind train station or on Elm Street.
* Come on by & raise a pint with other fun loving local progressive's! Hope to see you there...
* Hosted by Jim Long, Chip Robinson, David Cochran and Linda Humphries, morristown (at) drinkingliberally.org


Dover
* First Thursday of each month, 7:00 pm onward
* The Hop, 14 N Morris St
* Hosted by Jim Long, Chip Robinson, Dave Cochran and Linda Humphries, dovernj (at) drinkingliberally.org

New Brunswick, New Jersey
* Second and fourth Wednesday of each month, 7:00 pm onward
* Doll's Place, 101 Paterson St (corner of Paterson & Joyce Kilmer)
* Hosted by Bob Scardapane and Chris Swasey, newbrunswick (at) drinkingliberally.org

Pennsauken, New Jersey
* First and third Wednesday of each month, 7:00 pm onward
* Kings Row Sports Bar and Billiards, 6030 S Crescent Blvd (Route 130 N)
* Hosted by Art Williams and Denise Williams, pennsauken (at) drinkingliberally.org

Toms River, New Jersey
* First Tuesday of each month, 8:00 pm onward
* Joshua Huddy Brew Pub, 1250 Hooper Ave (across from Ocean County Mall)
* Hosted by Robin Kinlin and Ian Valentine, tomsriver (at) drinkingliberally.org


Alternative energy and Sustainable Agriculture in New Jersey:

Some stats from Repower America:

* New Jersey has approved a 350-megawatt, offshore wind farm at least 16 miles out to sea. If completed in 2013 as scheduled, it will be the first offshore wind farm in the US.

* The state's energy efficiency programs save enough electricity to power over 25,000 homes for a whole year, save more than $29.2 million in energy costs, and prevent the greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking over 20,000 cars off the road. Although great progress, the state still has much more potential to increase its energy efficiency.

* New Jersey has a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) that requires all public utilities to generate 22.5% of their electricity from renewable energy resources by 2021.

Alternative energy and YOUR energy bill: YOU can be part of the solution for America by signing up to purchase your energy through a Green Power Provider. My wife and I have been doing this in NYC for years. All our energy usage is provided through wind energy generation on American farms. So we use clean energy AND help American farmers. It costs us three cents per kilowatt-hour more per month, but we feel great about it. Although our actual energy may come from anywhere, we are paying to purchase wind energy for the energy grid. Each state has different programs available, usually through yuor existing energy provider right on your existing energy bill. To find such options in New Jersey, go here and pick your energy provider from the list. If you need help, you can email me and tell me who you get your bill from (don't give me any other info!) and I can tell you who to contact to go green through that energy provider. Or you can do the same thing using Renewable Energy Certificates through an organization that works with utility companies, though in this case it is a separate bill. One off the cheapest (.4-1 cent per kilowatt-hour), but still e-Green certified, ways to do this is through Good Energy. Or, for about half a cent per kilowatt-hour you can purchase renewable energy certificates through Carbonfund.org. ANY of these ways you do it, you are helping the environment, helping America, and helping cut carbon emissions.


The Newark Alternative Energy Meetup Group
Meet other local individuals interested in exploring all forms of Alternative Energy. Discuss ways to preserve the world's resources and protect the environment!

In Addition, you will receive informative newsletters that are chock full of Alternative Energy news from around the country. For more info go here.

Alternative Energy Resources in New Jersey: a short summary of alternative energy resources for New Jersey. For more information on each technology, visit the State Energy Alternatives Technology Options page.

Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey is a twenty two year-old, membership based educational nonprofit organization. We are a unique collaboration among the stakeholders in our food system; our members and our governing board include farmers, consumers, retailers, processors, educators and researchers. We serve as a catalyst in the development of a sustainable organic agricultural system; provide assistance to both organic and progressive conventional farmers to help build and maintain sustainable operations; educate diverse audiences about the significance and meaning of organic practices for food and the environment; and provide independent, third-party certification to organic farms and processors.


Groups and Events:

Cape May County Federation of Democratic Women Meeting
Sam DiVico Senior Center
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
Join the Cape May County Federation of Democratic Women to discuss important local, state and federal issues. All are encouraged to join!

2nd Thursday of every month.
7:00pm
Sam DiVico Senior Center
Romney Place
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210

For more information, please contact:
Virginia Hesel
609-884-5848