Category Archives: Events

Half the Sky New York screening this Fri 01 Feb

Half the Sky MovementPlease join us for a screening of Half the Sky and to raise awareness and funds for New Light, an organization in Kolkata, India helping to empower women through education and life-skill training.

A discussion and reception will immediately follow the screening.

Friday 01 Feb 2013 7:30-10:30pm
At Anthology Film Archives
32 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

About Half the Sky:

The central moral challenge of our time is reaching a tipping point. Just as slavery was the defining struggle of the 19th century and totalitarianism of the 20th, the fight to end the oppression of women and girls worldwide defines our current century.

Hidden in the overlapping problems of sex trafficking and forced prostitution, gender-based violence, and maternal mortality is the single most vital opportunity of our time and women are seizing it. From Somaliland to Cambodia to Afghanistan, women’s oppression is being confronted head on and real, meaningful solutions are being fashioned. Change is happening, and its happening now.

Journalists Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn took on this urgent moral challenge in 2009 with their acclaimed best-selling book, Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide (already in its 25th printing in hardback). They encouraged readers all over the world to do the same.

Now, a landmark movement inspired by Kristof and WuDunns work and also entitled Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide is working to amplify the books impact. Ignited by a high-profile national television event and fueled by innovative multi-platform initiatives, Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide is galvanizing even more people to join the burgeoning movement for change.

Learn more about Half the Sky Movement at halftheskymovement.org
Learn more about New Light at newlightindia.org/#

Green Drinks Gatherings October 2012

    In October, Green Drinks receives a mini-grant from Global Exchange

    Global Exchange says,

    Global Exchange’s Elect Democracy campaign knows that local grassroots power is what will eventually halt Wall Street’s destructive greed. We also know that every penny counts in our communities, so we want to help support *your* local organizing efforts by offering you a $60 mini-grant (to bring) people together to eat, talk, and build relationships of support and understanding … We hope this grant will be a small boost for groups (whose members are) impacted by foreclosure, student debt, and limited social services (and that the connections we help to) create are important and lasting.

    In October, Green Drinks discusses

    • How to Save the Internet and advocate to keep the internet open
    • Resources for Newark’s new Community Garden Coalition
    • How to build healthy, bikeable/walkable communities
    • The connection between stormwater management and flood reduction
    • What do gardeners do in the winter?
    • Creating a seed exchange
    • Healthy food

    SAVING THE INTERNET & NET NEUTRALITY

    Green Drinks Newark - Irvington schools discussionOpen internet access is one of the great freedom fights of our time. We have to use it so we don’t lose it. This is now a standard topic of discussion at every Green Drinks 3 event. See more at http://thewei.com/kimi/verizon-wants-to-control-your-internet-keep-them-out/

    Newark Green drinks

    Wednesday, 03 October 2012 6:30-8:30pm
    Rio Rodizio Restaurant – in the lounge to the left as you walk in
    1034 McCarter Highway (Route 21), Newark NJ
    Meets 1st Mondays at Rio Rodizio Newark except on major holidays. (This month we’ve switched to first Wednesday due to the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, and we’re wrapping up a bit earlier than usual so people can watch the presidential debate at 9pm.)

    Hackensack Green Drinks

    Wednesday, 10 October 7-9pm
    Meets 2nd Mondays except on major holidays. (This month we’ve switched to first Wednesday due to the Jewish holidy of Shmini Atzeret.)
    At Victor’s Maywood Inn, 122 W. Pleasant Avenue, Maywood NJ

    Paterson-Clifton Green Drinks

    Tuesday, 16 October 2012 7-9 pm (and 3rd Tuesdays)
    Sultan Restaurant, 429 Crooks Avenue, Clifton NJ (we’ll be outside if the weather’s nice)

    Engage with us

    Green Drinks 3 http://greendrinks3.org/
    Like us on Facebook https://www.fb.com/thegreenwei/
    Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/greenwei
    862-203-8814

    99% SPRING GROUP MEMBERS are welcome at all of our Green Drinks meetings.

    Volunteers needed for voter registration & Get Out The Vote activities
    High-demand locations
    Bergen Community College, Paramus NJ 10am-5pm every day through Oct 16.
    Hackensack Street Fair: Saturday, October 6 10am-4pm

    If you can volunteer or know of a location where people are needed, please reach out

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    Help Protect National Forests
    America’s national forests provide essential habitat for lynx, grizzlies and other wildlife — and clean water for millions of Americans. Yet new rules could threaten the sanctity of these special places, paving the way for more logging and more destructive development on our national forests. Help protect these special places. Sign the petition online at: http://dfnd.us/vYt93D

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    Prevent racism from blocking the Latino & Black vote
    Watch the 4 minute video by Van Jones’ Rebuild the American Dream team
    http://thewei.com/kimi/racist-romney-gop-move-to-block-the-latino-black-vote/ )

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    SHOE DONATIONS FOR HAITI
    Collected at Stride Rite Wyckoff location ONLY
    Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm
    319 Franklin Ave, Wyckoff NJ

    Stride Rite of Wyckoff is accepting worn/used shoes, children’s and adults for donation. All donations are sent to Haiti. We have received hundreds of pairs of shoes to date, but the need is much greater.

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    After Rio+20: Moving Beyond 2015: 1 week of workshops
    15-19 OCT 2012 (9am – 5pm only)
    COST: FREE
    RSVP at http://j.mp/rio20plus
    Ramapo College, 505 Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah, NJ
    Campus Student Center, Room SC 137

    The speakers for this event series are all key players from Civil Society Organizations and from the United Nations, collectively engaged in planning for a post-Rio+20 future. The purpose of the workshop series is to lay out the framework for a road map to plan for a Global Citizens Movement to help us move beyond the major United Nations Rio+20 conference held earlier this year in June.

    In this intensive workshop, the many dimensions of the UN Conference in Rio de Janeiro will be explored, and a coherent path forward will be charted.

    As you may be aware, by most conventional accounts, Rio+20 was at least a disappointment, if not a failure. We argue that real, path-breaking, and innovative solutions began to emerge from the grassroots level out, and we will present many dimensions of these solutions, as well as strategize a way forward into a more sustainable future.

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    Support the Ramapough Indians: tell the EPA to clean up Ford’s mess in Ringwood.

    Journalist Jan Barry started the research on the tragic and intentional pollution of a housing development which was home to members of a tribe of Ramapough Indians in Ringwood, NJ, and collaborated with HBO to create Mann v. Ford, a moving documentary about the crushing impact this has had on the health of tribe members as well as the water source for the entire region.

    The site was prematurely de-listed by the EPA from its Superfund cleanup status, and several years later became the first site to be listed for a second time. Ford has resisted taking responsibility for the poisonous effects on tribe members of the toxic paint sludge it trucked in under cover of nightfall every day for many years, and has also resisted funding the cost of cleanup.

    Make sure the EPA knows you support the clean-up of the Ramapough Indians by (Action 1) signing the Change.org petition and (Action 2) sending a letter to the EPA. Petition and sample letter available at

    Tell the EPA to clean up Ford’s mess in Ringwood

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    JUST CLICK to give Morris County Hispanic-American Chamber of Commerce the chance to win $30,000

    You get 10 votes just for having an email address! and clicking doesn’t cost you anything but a little time. Click on http://j.mp/mchaccvoh

    MCHACC was selected as a Voices of Health finalist for its commitment to the health of ethnic minority individuals in the northern New Jersey area. Learn more about the chamber at http://mchacc.org.

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    OUR SPONSOR
    MENTION GREEN DRINKS FOR 20% OFF DISCOUNT

    Eco Galleria

    Eco Galleria at the Historic Oradell Train Station
    400 Maple Avenue, Oradell, NJ
    201-447-GIFT (4438)
    http://www.ecogalleria.com

    Eco Galleria carries fun or fine items handcrafted by artists from throughout the Americas in many price ranges. Including eco-friendly jewelry, pottery, glass, wood, fiber, watches, bags and more. Call ahead to have your gift boxed, wrapped and ready for pick-up or shop online at http://ecogalleria.com

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    Interested in sponsoring Green Drinks? If you have a good cause or service, we have a contact base of about 6000 people we can share your information with. Contact Kimi for information at mailto:kimi@thewei.com or 862-203-8814

Tour your area’s greenest buildings on Oct. 13 – free

green alternative energy houseOn 13 October 2012 from 10-3, hundreds of residential homes and commercial buildings fro Maine to Pennsylvania will invite the public to tour their structures and learn about each property’s sustainability features. The tours are completely free. See a list of tour locations and the annual energy savings (in dollars) which accrues to each. The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association sponsors this annual Green Buildings Open House.

http://energysage.com/projects/nesea-gboh

You too can be a New Jersey Environmental Steward

Would you like to understand the relationship between pollution, grass nutrients, construction, flooding, deer, wildlife, denuded forests and Lyme disease in New Jersey? You can learn all this and more in Rutgers Cooperative Extension’s New Jersey Environmental Steward program. It will be offered this year in Atlantic, Warren, and Somerset counties from January through June at a cost of $280.

Duke Farms Environmental Steward sign with antique carWhen my son Ivan and I took the training in 2011, we happily made the trip once a week for 20 weeks to amazing Duke Farms in Hillsborough, NJ (Somerset County). We took classes in a beautiful, high-ceilinged carriage house in the estate’s administration building. Learning and being at Duke Farms made those weeks some of the most special of my life. I’d gladly do it again at the drop of a hat – except I’m too busy now doing environmental steward work!

Imagine being able to discuss climate change first hand with New Jersey’s State Climatologist and learn about the importance of native species from a specialist with national recognition? Stewards in training learn about the way soils affect plant growth and cause environmental conditions from the person who runs Rutgers’ Soil Testing laboratory. They also get a crash course on how local environmental decisions are made and how land preservation laws work in our state.

Rutgers Environmental Stewardship program brochureRegistration is already open for the 2013 Environmental Stewardship program. It will be held at locations in Warren, Somerset and Atlantic Counties, and you register by directly contacting the coordinator at the location of your choice. I wish everyone could have the chance to enjoy this extraordinary opportunity to learn about environmental challenges and the conservation measures that can solve them with some of New Jersey’s finest environmental scientists and advocates. I hope that I will be congratulating at least a few of my friends at next year’s graduation. If you have any questions, just ask.

Warren/North Training Location
RCE of Warren County, 165 Rt 519 South, Belvidere, NJ 07823

Normal Class Time: Thursdays, January to May, 2011; 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Cost: $280

Contact: Milly Rice, marnavy@hotmail.com
Ag and Resource Mgmt. Secretary, 908-475-6505

Central/Duke Training Location
Duke Farms, Hillsborough, NJ

Normal Class Time: Tuesdays, January to May, 2008; 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Cost: $280
Contact: Rosalie Kelly rkelly@ddcf.org
Duke Farms Foundation, 80 Route 206, Hillsborough, NJ 08844 908-243-3602

Coastal Region Training Location
Atlantic County Utility Authority, 6700 Delilah Road , Egg Harbor Twp NJ

Normal Class Time: Wednesdays, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Cost: $280
Contact: Amy Menzel, amenzel@acua.com
PO join 996 Pleasantville, NJ 08232, 609.272.6950 ext 6934

Green Drinks Hackensack July 2012 Announcement

¡Espanõl parlantes siempre bienvenidos! Visite http://greendrinks3.org para mayor información.

UPCOMING GREEN DRINKS 3
Newark | 1st Mondays @ 7-9pm | (06 August)
Hackensack | 2nd Mondays @ 7-9pm | (09 July)
Paterson/Clifton | 3rd Tuesdays @ 7-9pm | (17 July)
(complete details at http://greendrinks3.org)

Green Drinks Hackensack | Mon 09 JULY @ 7-9pm
Victor’s Maywood Inn
122 W. Pleasant Avenue, Maywood, NJ
Find us in the lounge area or call 862-203-8814

DISCUSSION THEMES THIS MONTH
How are residents supported by the municipal and county government? What’s the role of trees, biking and walking in a healthy community? How can we eliminate raw sewage from ending up in our rivers and streams?

GREEN DRINKS GATHERINGS ARE
Not about drinks: they’re about the environment!
Admission: Always free
Food: Pay only for food and drinks you order
Parking: free on site and on street
Public transit: check http://njtransit.com
Want to carpool? Let us know mailto:kimi@thewei.com

GREEN DRINKS ARE COMPLETELY OPEN
New and old friends gather at Green Drinks for an hour or two to exchange information and share company. Some drop by briefly to impart a bit of interesting news. Join us and be part of building a friendly sustainable community one person at a time. Green professionals and local residents always especially welcome.

WHAT WE DO AT GREEN DRINKS
Green Drinks is a relaxed social event where serious issues are discussed, like protecting the ENVIRONMENT and practicing SUSTAINABILITY. We talk about alternative energy, the emerging green economy and jobs, healthy food and gardening, conserving culture, celebrating arts, environmental and social justice . . . Communities with safe walking and biking routes (aka Complete Streets), good quality air and water, healthy local economies . . . and happiness.

Cheers,
Kimi , Yulie, Sally, Angenett and Jorge Ivan

CONTACT US
Ivan 201-688-0036
Kimi 862-203-8814
kimi@thewei.com
@greenwei
http://greendrinks3.org

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ACTIONS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
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99% SPRING GROUP MEMBERS
You are welcome at any Green Drinks meeting. We are always ready to discuss plans for actions and volunteer opportunities.

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Help Protect National Forests

America’s national forests provide essential habitat for lynx, grizzlies and other wildlife — and clean water for millions of Americans. Yet new rules could threaten the sanctity of these special places, paving the way for more logging and more destructive development on our national forests. Help protect these special places. Sign the petition online at: http://dfnd.us/vYt93D

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Irvington Youth Save Our Schools
NEW DATE TBA @ 6-7:30pm
Irvington Public Library
5 Civic Square, Irvington, NJ

Join the next strategy session on how Irvington high school students can become leaders of transformation and positive change in both their communities and their own lives. Parents, residents, those able to contribute as mentors or collaborators – and especially, Irvington High School students are welcome to attend.

This initiative is being led by Kimi Wei, Sustainable Community Consultant, and Jordan Geffrard, Irvington High School graduate and is being sponsored by Green Drinks Newark http://greendrinks3.org. We look forward to hearing your ideas and learning how you are able to lend a hand

Read more at http://greenwei.com/blog/coalition-to-empower-irvington-high-students-meets-517/

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#140edu conference on impact of real time web on education
and the state of education today.
Curated by Jeff Pulver, the creator of Vonage

Tues 31 July 2012 @ 8am-5pm and
Wed 01 Aug 2012 @ 8am-5pm
92nd Street Y on Lexington Avenue
New York City, NY

STEM and other educators pay only $1.40 – apply for the special rate at http://edu2012.stateofnow.com/educator

With 5% OFF promo code XORUM1IF
Students and parents pay only $13.30
General public pays only $133.00

Using the promotion code gives you 5% off and sends a gift to Green Drinks 3. http://www.amiando.com/140edu12.html?discountCode=XORUM1IF

Learn more at http://140edu.com
See it on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/155798231222705/

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Coalition to Save Our Homes
MEETING EVERY MONDAY NIGHT @ 7pm
Irvington Public Library
5 Civic Square, Irvington, NJ

AND, MARCH ON SATURDAY JULY 21 2012 @ 11:30
Gather in Civic Square, Irvington

Join this group’s weekly meetings to learn about how banks are taking unfair advantage of people’s ignorance of the law and financial transactions to collect on mortgages that they may not own. Mortgage payments often don’t get credited to homeowners’ accounts and people are losing their homes despite paying. Help bring these issues into the light and advocate for proper legal enforcement of laws that protect Americans against this type of abuse.

March to protest what makes the abuse possible:
End Robo signing
Reduce principal to current value
Prosecute predatory lenders
Make banks follow rule of law

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The People’s Organization for Progress (POP) Daily Protest for Jobs, Peace, Equality, and Justice ends on July 11. Join POP and endorsing organizations for the rally and march to celebrate 381 days of continuous protest.

Daily Location: @ intersection of Springfield Avenue
& West Market Street (by the Lincoln Monument)
WEDNESDAY 11 JULY
4pm RALLY and 5pm MARCH to Newark City Hall

Daily rallies are held through 11 July. Feel free to join any day
4:30pm-6pm Monday-Friday and 2pm-3pm Sunday @ Lincoln Monument
12noon-2pm Saturday @ corner of Broad & Market Streets

For more information
(973) 801-0001 mailto:info@njpop.org  or http://www.njpop.org

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Tell the EPA to clean up Ford’s mess in Ringwood!

Journalist Jan Barry started the research on the tragic and intentional pollution of a housing development which was home to members of a tribe of Ramapough Indians in Ringwood, NJ, and collaborated with HBO to create Mann v. Ford, a moving documentary about the crushing impact this has had on the health of tribe members as well as the water source for the entire region.

The site was prematurely de-listed by the EPA from its Superfund cleanup status, and several years later became the first site to be listed for a second time. Ford has resisted taking responsibility for the poisonous effects on tribe members of the toxic paint sludge it trucked in under cover of nightfall every day for many years, and has also resisted funding the cost of cleanup.

Make sure the EPA knows you support the clean-up of the Ramapough Indian’s by (Action 1) signing the Change.org petition and (Action 2) sending a letter to the EPA. Petition and sample letter available at

Tell the EPA to clean up Ford’s mess in Ringwood

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OUR SPONSOR

Eco Galleria at the Historic Oradell Train Station
400 Maple Avenue, Oradell, NJ
201-447-GIFT (4438)
http://www.ecogalleria.com

Eco Galleria carries both fun and fine items handcrafted by artists from throughout the Americas in many shapes and price ranges. We carry eco-friendly jewelry, pottery, glass, wood, fiber, watches, bags and more – and are the perfect gift source for the men, women and children in your life. Call ahead to have your gift boxed, wrapped and ready for pick-up.
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Interested in sponsoring Green Drinks too? We communicate with about 6000 north Jersey residents each month. Contact Kimi for information and rates mailto:kimi@thewei.com 862-203-8814

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Education and fun at the 2012 Fair Lawn Green Fair

Please join us for this educational and fun community event sponsored by the Fair Lawn Borough Mayor, Council & Green Team. Learn about what the borough’s Sustainable Jersey certification means to residents, and congratulate Pat Larocco, winner of the Fair Lawn 2012 Going Green Award. The event is free and open to the public!

Fair Lawn Green Fair 2012
Tuesday May 22 6-9:00pm in the D-Cafe
Fair Lawn High School @ 14-00 Berdan Avenue
View the event on Facebook!

Giveaways and Special Promotions!

You could win a rain barrel from The Green Wei or receive the gift of an Eastern White Pine tree (over 50 will be given away). Kits with 10 CFL bulbs, 2 lamps and 2 LED night-lights will be on sale for $10 ($70 value) from a NJ State Green Communities program administrator.

Workshops and Demonstrations

Build Your Own Rain Barrel Demo
Composting Lessons
Rain Garden Education & Demonstration
Make Eco-friendly Paper Pots
Learn to crochet a bag from plastic shopping bags!
Gardening tips from the Master Gardeners

Exhibitors

Fair Lawn Borough Organizations
     Community Garden, Garden, Open Space & Shade Tree Committees
     Historic Preservation & Environmental Commissions
Fair Lawn Sunshine Rotary club
Fair Lawn Schools
Garretson Forge and Farm
Green Living Solutions
Hackensack Riverkeeper
League of Women Voters
Lime Energy
NJ Food & Water Watch
Americorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassador
NY/NJ Trail Conference
The Wei
Master Gardeners of Bergen County
The Wei
Green Wei
Green Drinks

For more information 201-794-5327 or greenteam@fairlawn.org.

Native tribes hold public Prayer For the Earth

Saturday, May 5, 2012
12:00pm
95 Halifax Rd. Mahwah, New Jersey 07430

Native Tribes & Local Communities BAND TOGETHER to Bridge Cultures
for the Preservation & Protection of our Water from Hydraulic Fracking

The Ramapough/Lunaape Nation is calling on all humans of good conscience to join a Prayer Rally/Vigil on our Ceremonial Land:

Why? This is the time, this is the hour to speak out for the protection of all US Watersheds that supply everyone with fresh drinking water, preserve Native traditions, and for the healing of Grand Mother Earth.

The Ramapough are expecting an array of communities, native peoples, environmental groups, representative of diverse cultural and spiritual traditions. Several of the guest speakers include:

-Professor Airy Dixon/Saponi
-Chief Vincent Mann/ Ramapough Nation
-Dean Hutchins Cherokee Nation
-Monica Evans/Haida Nation.

There will also be light entertainment. Please bring chairs and blankets. This event will close in Ceremony with a Prayer for Grand Mother Earth.

The Ramapough’s traditional land has met with imprudence from numerous outside groups, including Ford Motor Company – which used our land as a “toxic dumping ground”, and now gas/oil corporations want to endanger our vital watersheds by hydrofracking for export to foreign markets. To create this supply of fracked gas would involve blasting and clearing of public and private land, creating hazards for communities in the Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York regions which includes the beautiful Long Island Sound. Fracking fluid contaminates water sources, poisons ecosystems [animal & plant], and is currently suspect to have caused earthquakes in Ohio.

The Ramapough believe that callous disregard for humans and Grand Mother Earth cannot go unanswered. The Ramapough assert: it is the civic duty of all people of good conscience everywhere to ensure change be just, rather than a reinforcement of finance inequities that have so long divided us. To that end, we are asking everyone to join in making their voices heard on behalf of families, community, our watersheds, and Grand Mother Earth against this current atrocity.

Ramapough Lunaape Chief Perry(Kihkay Maqua) states:

“We have chosen to hold this event now because the hour is critical for America. The destructive extraction of gas/oil resources from our Grand Mother Earth is almost complete. We hope this event will result in “An Awakening, an Occupation of the Spirit”, whereby each and every human concerned with the Earth and Future Generations will stand together as “One Voice”, accumulating the collective strength of millions. Knowing we are not alone, that each action is not an isolated action but supported by millions who vote, sends an important message to our elected officials & the gas/oil corporations that our tax dollars can no longer be used to literally poison us. The potential increase to medicaid costs will skyrocket for these toxins will cause long term damage.

I ask in a good way, that each and everyone of you who hold a drop of knowledge to come forth now; share, teach, put down some medicine, send up some sounds, help in any way you can for our Grand Mother is in pain. Join those who have been speaking out and those who have been keeping us alive. Stand Up Now, help us to pray. Show us how to heal in a good way our Grand Mother Earth for she is crying out for our assistance. Remember who you are, Humans. Remember you are dependent on Grand Mother Earth to sustain your lives.”

The Ramapough have lived in this area for over 15,000 years, with unfortunately a long tragic history that drove a wedge between the Ramapough and the community at large; a gap we are seeking to bridge with this event. We are honoring our past and seeking to move forward as a strong coalition that will address issues common to all communities.

Rain Date: Sunday, May 6th, 2012

for more information contact: Charlene – charlene@ramapoughlenapenation.com
Jill – jillll@optimum.net
Jon – jonlrucker@gmail.com

Not easy to find ideal venue for Hackensack Green Drinks

Green Drinks Hackensack has been meeting at Victor’s Maywood Inn in Maywood since our first meeting venue, The Restaurant, burnt down. Victor’s has been very hospitable to us and they have great food, but there are a few reasons we’d like to find a new home for our monthly get-togethers:

  • We’d like to meet in downtown Hackensack because it’s convenient for local residents to access by biking or walking, and it also houses the regional county bus hub.
  • We’re getting a bit cramped at our table in the bar area of Victor’s, where we meet, but don’t relish the idea of sitting in the restaurant portion of the place because it’s kind of formal for the type of gathering we enjoy holding.
  • When there are sports games on Monday nights or the regular bar patrons decide to play the juke box, it’s so loud it’s hard to carry on conversations. Ultimately, conversation about sustainability and the environment is what Green Drinks is all about.

Last night the group gathered was rolling ideas around about a change in venue, and I thought of a restaurant I’ve eaten at several times that’s located on Main Street and has great food. It’s a tradition for Green Drinks to take place in places that serve liquor, and this place doesn’t, but this is not a requirement or a big consideration for us anyway, since 70% of our members don’t drink at meetings. This morning I reached out to the restaurant’s owner to discuss the idea of us meeting there, but although he admits to his place being pretty empty on Monday nights, he still isn’t keen on the idea of hosting us.

In the couple of years I’ve been scouting out good places to meet, B is certainly not the first venue owner to offer discouragement instead of a warm welcome. He wanted us to commit to ordering a minimum amount per person, something I’m not willing to do since inclusion is part of the Green Drinks philosophy I’m sure B’s not asking casual diners who happen by on a given Monday night to do the same, so that’s a discriminatory practice! When restauranteurs hear “environmental”, do they think of wispy hippy types who consume only alfalfa sprouts, honey and wheat bread and ride bikes because they can’t afford to drive cars – and can’t imagine the reality: that the north Jersey Green Drink crowd contains plenty of professionally employed home owners who eat out on a regular basis?

I ended up asking myself – and now I’m asking followers: do you think it’s shortsighted of a food establishment’s owner to discourage Green Drinks from gathering there on an off night mainly because we won’t guarantee consumption of a minimum amount of food per person? Since I was thinking about it, I made up a list of:

Reasons a venue can benefit from hosting Green Drinks gatherings

  • If the menu’s good at the place we meet, group members do order food. For some reason, many Green Drinkers are also foodies. Sometimes, every member of the group eats.
  • We meet on Mondays and Tuesdays because those are off nights for restaurants. We want to be able to chat easily without the distraction of too much ambient noise, and feel at ease holding the kind of lively discussions Green Drinks is famous for.
  • It costs a restaurant to be open whether or not they have customers, so why not fill the seats at empty tables?
  • It’s easier to draw diners into a full place than an empty one.
  • Places empty on off nights benefit from a bit of revenue by having us there, no matter how much our group spends
  • If Green Drinkers like a venue, they will introduce friends to it and patronize it on other occasions besides our monthly meetings.
  • Over 3,000 people a month receive announcements about Green Drinks meetings and the venues where we hold them.
  • A host venue can show its support for environment health and making their community more sustainable just by hosting Green Drinks gatherings (=free advertising).
  • By listening in on – or actively participating in – our conversations, business owners can learn about ways to save money and enhance their communities through implementing sustainability practices.

Saddle River County Park watershed cleanup 3/24!

Water is one of our most valuable resources with less than 1% of the water supply on Earth used for drinking. This precious resource is being threatened, whether from fracking or pollution, but we can and must protect it. World Water Day is March 22nd: what better way to celebrate and help care for this precious resource than by a water way (watershed) clean up? Please join ours on Saturday, March 24. If you have gardening or work gloves please bring them and dress appropriately.

Saturday March 24th from 10am to 12pm
Saddle River County Park

Meet at Saddle River Road in Fairlawn Exit Off of Route 4 parking lot P on your Right
Here is a map to better understand: http://www.co.bergen.nj.us/bcparks/maps/FairlawnAreaMap.pdf
Everyone Welcome! Friends, family, neighbors spread the word to whoever wants to come out & make a difference!

Please RSVP to the clean up

Nicole Dallara, Outreach Coordinator, New Jersey Sierra Club
609-656-7612

Rain barrel education and training on 3/7

Are you interested in helping rainwater get into the ground? Rain barrels are a great way to do this! In this program, you’ll not only learn how to make rain barrels, you’ll also learn about their environmental benefits, why stormwater management is important and how to do rain barrel building workshops in your own community!

Rain Barrels are a great tool for promoting water conservation and reducing stormwater runoff. The Rain Barrel Train the Trainer program is for environmental commission members, educators, municipalities, garden clubs, and environmental organizations interested in learning how to teach their communities about the environmental benefits of rain barrels.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012, 6:30-9:00pm
Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County
Davidson Mill Pond Park
42 Riva Avenue, South Brunswick, NJ

Covered at the workshop:

  • How to get barrels
  • Tools and materials needed to build a rain barrel
  • Rain barrel installation examples
  • Methods for painting rain barrels
  • Preventing mosquitoes, and other maintenance issues
  • Education on water conservation and stormwater management
  • Brochures, fact sheets and other resources for educating the public and promoting your program

For those building a rain barrel, the cost is $50.00. For those not building a rain barrel, the cost is $12.00. Call 862-203-8814 to register or email info@greenwei.com. Payment must be made in advance by Wednesday, February 29th in order to reserve your space. Class size is limited so register early!