Category Archives: Events

Here’s the new EJ Green Drinks flyer – what do you think?

Here’s a flyer I made up for EJ Green Drinks in north Jersey. What do you think of it?
Green Drinks flyerAnd by the way, Newark EJ Green Drinks happened last night on 02 May at Aguilas de México. We’ll be back there next month on June 6. Here’s the schedule for the rest of May:

Hackensack EJ Green Drinks
Monday 09 May 2016 7-9pm
Villa de Colombia
12 Mercer Street, Hackensack NJ

Paterson EJ Green Drinks
Wednesday 18 May 2016 7-9pm
Sultan Restaurant
429 Crooks Avenue, Paterson NJ

Remember to check out the 2016 NJ Urban Mayor’s Conference on Urban Ag, happening this week on Thursday, May 5 in Trenton.

1000 seedling tree giveaway in Newark Friday 29 April at Hawthorne Hawks Farm

Free Seedling Tree Distribution Newark
Source: New Jersey Tree Recovery Foundation

Newark, NJ on 27 April 27 2016 — The City of Newark and Hawthorne Avenue Elementary School students will celebrate Arbor Day on Friday, April 29 with a tree giveaway. Students will plant trees at the farm and 1000 tree seedlings will be gifted to Newark residents to beautify the city.

When Friday, April 29
1:30-2:30pm
When Hawthorne Hawks Healthy Harvest Farm in the South Ward
446 Hawthorne Avenue (Between Demarest and Dewey Streets, Entrance on Demarest Street
Newark, NJ

The tree seedling giveaway is part of the New Jersey Tree Recovery Campaign, which has set a goal to distribute over 500,000 tree seedlings to New Jersey residents over the next five years. It is a joint effort between the City of Newark, New Jersey State Forest Service, New Jersey Soil Conservation Districts, Sustainable Jersey, Arbor Day Foundation, Brothers International, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Wyndham Vacation Resorts, FedEx and local partners Greater Newark Conservancy and Newark DIG (Doing Infrastructure Green!).

Arbor Day was begun in Nebraska in 1872 by President (and New Jersey native) Grover Cleveland’s Secretary of Agriculture, J. Sterling Morton. It was part of his effort to encourage forestry and land conservation, and the planting of 1 million trees in that state. Today, unique Arbor Day celebrations are held world and country-wide, each with their own flavor and date but unified by the same theme: planting and preservation of trees and protection of the Earth’s environment.

Jan 2016 EJ Green Drinks & other sustainability activities

chipotle_day_of_action tomato
Foto courtesy Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW)

ej green drinks with words, smallECJ/EJ Green Drinks meets monthly in 3 north Jersey environmental justice cities

 

Green Drinks Newark (Meets 1st Mondays)
Mon 04 Jan 2016 | 7-9p
Burger Walla
47 Halsey Street, Newark NJ
Street parking

Green Drinks Hackensack (Meets 2nd Mondays)
Mon 11 Jan 2016 | 7-9p
Villa de Colombia
12 Mercer Street, Hackensack NJ
Parking in restaurant lot or private lot corner of Mercer & State

State of Environment & State of the Union Watch Party in Paterson
Co-hosted by OFA, Green Drinks and Tierra Madres

Tues 12 Jan 2016 @ 8p
Sultan Restaurant
429 Crooks Avenue (on the Paterson border), Clifton NJ
Buy your own food & drinks
RSVP at https://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gsf7dy

State of Environment & State of the Union Watch Party in South Orange
Co-hosted by OFA, Green Drinks and Tierra Madres

Tues 12 Jan 2016 @ 7 PM
Above Restaurant and Bar
1 South Orange Avenue
3rd Floor (elevator access is available)
South Orange, NJ
Cash Bar and Lite Refreshments
RSVP at https://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/stateoftheunionwatchparty/gsf7dc

Dr Martin Luther King Jr. March For Racial Equality, Economic Justice And Peace
Fri 15 Jan 2016 | 12-3PM
Lincoln Statue: West Market Street & Springfield Avenue
Newark, NJ
The People’s Organization For Progress invites you to make Dr. King’s birthday an international day of protest – join this march, or hold your own. For more info call 973-801-0001 or visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1485451345110972/.

Green Drinks Clifton-Paterson (day of the month varies)
Thurs 21 Jan 2016 | 7-9p
Sultan Restaurant
429 Crooks Avenue on the Paterson border, Clifton NJ
Small lot 1/2 block south or safe street parking

Green Drinks Discussion Agenda for January 2016

  • If your business or non-profit relies on the internet, help to Save the Internet. You don’t want laws that allow traffic to your website to be shut down because bigger companies can pay more for access and lock your traffic out. Fight CISA and other unreasonable privacy intrusions at Fight for the Future.
  • Our family, led by Horticulturist and social justice leader Ivan Wei setting up an urban farm and community garden in Paterson. Wanna help?
  • Municipal Water System privatization looms on New Jersey’s horizon. We need to nip this in the bud!
  • Great Adventure’s holding company is trying to get permission to kill 90 acres of trees to put up a solar farm where they now stand, instead of putting the panels over its vast 100 acre parking lot structure – where they would offer much better environmental protection. We need to keep challenging the wisdom of destroying so many carbon-sequestering and moisture-storing trees.
  • A company is trying to locate a garbage burning incinerator in Paterson. Let’s talk about this.
  • The New Meadowlands Project is beginning and community input is being sought on designs to protect the area against flooding during big weather events. The project is funded by the EPA and administered by NJ DEP. If you’re an interested local resident or a person with special knowledge about flooding protections, shoot me an email.

ORGANIZERS
Kimi Wei, Ivan Gomez Wei, Ariel Lopez Wei, Joseph Dunsay, Sally Gellert and Cinda Wallace

To join the EJGD mailing list, please send an email

ECJ Green Drinks Paterson Area on Thurs Oct 29 & more sustainability events

GD Meets Bernie Sanders
ABOUT GREEN DRINKS
Green Drinks are gatherings where community members informally discuss Environmental Justice, climate change and sustainable living issues in English, Spanish and sometimes other languages. Green Drinks is about Environmental Justice and Sustainability – not about green colored drinks, or drinking. Green Drinks is just our name!

Green Drinks gathers people together in friendly north Jersey spaces to chat over good food and coffee or mint tea about the green and sustainable issues relevant to our lives, health, communities and businesses. Plenty of expert knowledge is shared and we have a good time, too.

ej green drinks with words, smallECJ Green Drinks Paterson Area Oct 2015
Thurs 29 Oct 2015 | 7-9p
Sultan Restaurant
429 Crooks Avenue, Clifton NJ

Everyone is welcome 🙂 and there’s never a meeting charge … so please support our host venue by eating or drinking something while we chat (each person pays for what s/he orders).

We also meet monthly in Newark and Hackensack. Mayor información More information at ejgreendrinks.org or call Kimi at 201-477-8711

Other green/sustainable activities & events:

Food & Water Watch Climate and Energy Forum
Sat 31 Oct 2015 | 9a-3p
Trustees Pavilion at Ramapo College
505 Ramapo Valley Road
Mahwah, NJ 07430
RSVP: Tickets $13 or Scholarship (click the scholarship option).

Buses available from Cherry Hill and East Brunswick. Scholarships are also available, so reserve your seat now.

FWW Forum FlyerJoin Food & Water Watch and the Center for Sustainability at Ramapo College for a one-day Climate and Energy Forum to bridge the gap between local energy infrastructure fights and the larger movement to end fossil fuel dependence. It will be a full day of workshops, speakers, panels, trainings and skill sharing to:

  • Build skills to engage in all levels of grassroots organizing and critical climate and energy policy making
  • Connect with people around the state to share best practices and enhance skills and knowledge
  • Dig deeper into the inadequacies of our current policy options to combat climate change, and explore common-sense and just policy solutions to our current crisis.

More info…

Speak out on NJ State DEP plans to redevelop the Meadowlands

The Federal Government has created a national competition to award $1 Billion dollars to assist communities with becoming more resilient to disasters. The New Jersey DEP has submitted an application for more than $326 million dollars in funds to create berms in the Meadowlands, a NJTransit garage in Teterboro, and Resiliency Planning Assistance to municipalities throughout the state. The New Jersey application (see it in English and Spanish) proposes a pilot project “service area” in the municipalities of Carlstadt, East Rutherford, Hackensack, Hasbrouck Heights, Little Ferry, Moonachie, Rutherford, South Hackensack, Teterboro, and Wood-Ridge.

It is critical that the State hear everyone’s thoughts on how this money should be spent. This project will affect our neighborhoods, our schools, our businesses and our quality of life.

There will be a meeting for residents to find out more about this application; assistance in providing comments will be available.

National Disaster Resilience Competition Residents’ Meeting
Monday 05 Oct 2015 | 6-9:30pm
North Jersey Vineyard Church
370 North Street, Teterboro, NJ 07608

(Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/824726964314802/)
If you can’t make the meeting, you can submit your comments from now through October 9, 2015, at 5:00 p.m.

By E-mail: ndrcpubliccomments@dep.nj.gov
By Postal Mail:
Office of Flood Risk Reduction Measures
Attention: Dave Rosenblatt
501 East State Street
Mail Code 501-01A
P.O. Box 420
Trenton, NJ 08625-0420

ECJ Green Drinks Paterson Area & Brunch for Bees Event

Bernie Sanders meets Green DrinksAugust Environment & Climate Justice Green Drinks Paterson Area
27 August 2015 at 12 noon
Sultan Restaurant
429 Crooks Ave, Paterson, New Jersey 07011

Everyone is welcome 🙂 and there’s never a meeting charge.
Mayor información – More information:
ejgreendrinks.org | 201-477-8711

ABOUT GREEN DRINKS
Green Drinks are gatherings where we discuss Environmental Justice, climate change and sustainable living issues in English and Spanish!

A lot of knowledge is shared around the table each month along with tasty food and good conversation. Come spend a couple interesting hours with the friendliest bunch of EJ nuts you’ll ever meet.

Please support our host venue by eating or drinking something while we chat.

Bee flyingAUGUST DISCUSSION AGENDA

  1. Brunch for the Bees – what are we eating and drinking that bees pollinate? What foods and drink don’t need pollinators?
  2. Delta incinerator company is trying to locate facility in Paterson. It needs to be stopped.
  3. The Wei Family is setting up a community garden. How can you help?
  4. Buying a home or property in Paterson as a community collective initiative to Occupy the City
  5. Pres. Obama’s Clean Power Plan

ORGANIZERS
Kimi Wei, Ivan Gomez Wei, Ariel Lopez Wei, Joseph Dunsay and Sally Gellert

JOIN GD MAILING LIST

SEPT 2015 NJECJ GREEN DRINKS SCHEDULE
Newark cancelled this month due to Labor Day
Hackensack WED 16 SEPT 7-9 PM
Paterson date TBA
(more at http://ejgreendrinks.org/)

Shred papers, recycle tires & electronics at free event in Paramus on Sunday Aug 16

Spread The Word! Protect your identity at the free BCUA Recycling Event in Paramus: shred papers for free and also, safely recycle tires and electronics.

Sunday 16 August 16 2015
9am-2pm
Bergen Community College
400 Paramus Road
Paramus, NJ

shred confidential papersPrivacy experts recommend that individuals shred files, tax documents, credit cards, bank statements and other items which could be used to steal their identities. Residents will be able to observe their confidential documents being shredded on-site.

Documents acceptable for shredding at this event are limited to confidential and sensitive materials only. Non-confidential materials such as books, magazines, newspapers, etc., should be recycled through your local municipal recycling program and will not be accepted at this event. It is not necessary to remove paper clips, staples or paperboard binder covers. To accommodate all those wishing to participate, there is a limit of 4 bags or boxes of documents weighing no more than 10 lbs. each.

recycle electronicsAcceptable electronic equipment includes computers, monitors, printers, circuit boards, speakers, modems, mother boards, power supplies, photocopiers, fax machines, televisions, VCRs and DVD players, stereo equipment and cellular phones.

recycle tiresResidents will be limited to the recycling of four tires per person. Tires will be accepted with or without metal rims.

These recycling services are free and are for Bergen County residents only. No materials from businesses will be accepted. For further information about BCUA programs and for a schedule of future events, please call the BCUA Environmental Programs Hotline at 201-807-5825 or visit the BCUA Web site.

Join EJ rally Aug 11 on Energy Master Plan or comment at a BPU hearing

On Tuesday August 11 from 1-3PM please join Newark residents, the Ironbound Community Corporation (ICC) and allies at a peaceful rally and protest outside of Seton Hall Law School (1109 Raymond Blvd, Newark, NJ) where the Board of Public Utilities will be hosting a public hearing to review the NJ State Energy Master Plan created in 2011, which is in the process of being updated. Some community activists will wish to attend the hearing and possibly, to comment – which is an activity rallying protestors wholeheartedly endorse.

The Sierra Club comments,

The Board of Public Utilities (BPU) is putting together the 2015 Energy Master Plan (EMP) which will help determine where we get our energy from in New Jersey. The plan decides New Jersey’s priorities for clean AND dirty energy and can also set limits on how much energy we waste.

Compelling statements from environmental justice (EJ) and environmental groups were made before the 2011 plan was adopted. But community voices were ignored, with operation of existing dirty fossil fuel and incinerators not only continuing unabated, but expanding. A new 655 megawatt natural gas plant was situated in Newark’s already heavily polluted Ironbound neighborhood; and several other dirty fuel facilities were located around the state.

Let’s not allow community demands for clean energy to lose impetus because New Jersey state has recently opted to label as “clean energy” both nuclear energy and fracked natural gas – which are anything but … are also dangerous to the environment and cause health issues too.

Since the facilitators of public hearings do not listen to the community anyway, the EJ community is taking their objections, concerns and demand for real solutions to the street and demanding JUSTICE across the board, including: Energy Justice, Environmental Justice, Climate Justice. Stefan Ali of the ICC writes,

The last time there were public hearings on the Energy Plan, industry was allowed to speak first and concerned residents spoke at the end when the media had left. We want to make our voices heard by protesting and rallying.

The August 11 action will not be about standing around listening to an endless roster of speakers. Instead, there will be activities, performances, music and some fun street puppets as well. Please join in and support #actonclimate!

Please email or phone Molly Greenberg at 973.817.7013 x217 or 218 for additional information.

Should you wish to comment on the New Jersey Energy Master Plan 2015 and the state’s energy future, you can do so in person or electronically. Here are your options:

  • Comment in person at one of the three public hearings taking place on August 11, 13 and 17; or
  • Submit a public comment electronically through the Sierra Club’s website. Please feel free to edit any information which already appears in the Sierra Club’s form by adding to it or you can entirely replace their wording with your own.
  • Send your comment directly to the State of NJ. Written public comments on updates to the 2011 Energy Master Plan can be submitted by close of business on Wednesday, August 24, 2015 to EMPupdate@bpu.state.nj.us

Resources:

  1. BPU Hearing Schedule for the NJ Energy Master Plan 2015
  2. NJ Spotlight article looks at some issues the BPU needs community feedback on
  3. Download English & Spanish language fliers for the August 11 rally

Free Farmer’s Market: fresh veggies all summer long in Newark

PACTS & grow a rowPACTS brings America’s Grow-A-Row program back to Newark this season. It’s not too late to sign up for the free veggies Farmer’s Market! Just come to the first distribution event on Saturday July 11 at 10am.

Please note that the America’s Grow-A-Row program is completely free, but PACTS charges a $10 registration fee to cover the costs of administering the program. Participants are also required to put down a $5 “service” deposit. The entire $5 will be refunded if during the course of the summer, you volunteer 4 hours of service at either the market or farm.

Your free weekly Farmer’s Market goodies include:

  • Free bags of produce every week mid-July through November
  • Reusable grocery bags
  • A summer bus ride to the farm to pick your own veggies
  • At the June 14 orientation, master farmers gave presentations on growing your own crops in urban areas and how to eat healthy on a limited budget

PACTS Farmer’s Market Opening
Saturday 11 July 2015 @ 10am
Franklin-St John’s United Methodist Church
124 Maple Avenue (corner of Keer Ave)
Newark, NJ

Free EPA webinars on safe chemical waste disposal

Chemical disposalWe should all be aware by now that many of the chemicals we use are poisonous. Bottle labels from pesticides to paint thinners carry skull-and-crossbones and “dispose of properly” warnings. Repair facilities and manufacturing businesses work with many dangerous chemicals that, obviously, need to be discarded after use.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s job is protecting the environment in which we all live, work, and play. This charge includes regulating the manufacture, handling, and disposal of useful but dangerous chemicals. President Clinton’s executive order in 1994 made environmental justice part of the EPA mission. The EPA Web site explains:

Environmental Justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. EPA has this goal for all communities and persons across this Nation. It will be achieved when everyone enjoys the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards and equal access to the decision-making process to have a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work.

The EPA is holding two webinars this month on reducing the risks of the use of chemicals that are recognized as having a high impact on environmental justice communities.

You must register to attend EPA webinars. Registrants have the option of just listening in but can also ask a question, share information or make a statement.

Environmental Justice Public Consultation on trichloroethylene (TCE) Webinar
Date: 27 May 2015
Time: 1-2pm EDT
Register

Environmental Justice Public Consultation on paint removers NMP and methylene chloride Webinar
Date: 27 May 2015
Time: 1-2pm EDT
Register