$\"Newark\"$ <\/a>

Attendees listening to awards ceremony<\/p><\/div>\n

My using Fannie Lou Hamer\u2019s words simply mean I\u2019m sick and tired of hearing year after year about blatant examples of environmental injustice. There are enough graphs and statistics which clearly show the amount of pollution is related to the color of skin and how much money someone has in their pocket.\u00a0 People\u2019s health around this new Hess energy center is going to be impacted again. Since the 19th century, Newark Ironbound has been a manufacturing hub, producing everything from iron to beer to paint. In the 1950s and 1960s, Ironbound\u2019s Diamond Alkali\/Diamond Shamrock Chemicals Corp. produced Agent Orange, a carcinogenic chemical weapon used extensively in the Vietnam War.<\/p>\n

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$\"Newark\"$ <\/a>

half hour before workshop Nicky Sheats, Steve Anderson, Peter Montague and Henry Rose strategizing<\/p><\/div>\n

$\"Newark\"$ <\/a>

conference speakers, Ben Forest, Angela Clerico,Senator Jennifer Beck & David Pringle<\/p><\/div>\n

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Last year at the Conference, I was outraged when PurGen wanted to build a coal firing plant in Linden and the reason officials gave me was that Linden(already off the charts in asthmatic rates) had the infra-structure in place to support a plant which needed an ocean to dump waste into and railroad tracks to move coal. I raised my hand and pointed out that exactly the same railroad tracks and ocean run up and down the rest of the east coast. There was silence; always silence<\/p>\n

Environmentally our time is running out. I voiced this to one of my favorite PhD speakers after his talk.\u00a0 Global warming and climate change is so here. The Pentagon even knows this and is beginning to project huge population shifts from coastlines and how it impacts our future security. I\u2019ve been observing attitudes that if we put a man on the moon so fast, we can do anything but maybe once we can\u2019t.\u00a0 Then I got cute. I told the PhD scientist about the movie \u2018The Graduate\u2019 when Dustin Hoffman\u2019s character, Benjamin Braddock hears the word \u201cplastics\u201d at his graduation party. \u00a0I\u2019ve done the same thing to a myriad of graduates over the years. Most graduates never know what I\u2019m talking about when I whisper, \u201cplastics.\u201d I recently whispered, \u201cwater\u201d to my son instead. \u00a0\u201cAmerica will get out of debt with China one day when we start shipping them water,\u201d I said semi-seriously. But then the PhD smiled at me.<\/p>\n

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$\"Newark\"$ <\/a>

General Anderson addressing conference<\/p><\/div>\n

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I was pleased later in the day at the second workshop when I heard NJ State Senator Jennifer Beck mention how she voted against her Republican Party and Governor on certain environmental issues. We need more courage and commitment like that. I keep looking at big picture of things; the planet and how we keep ignoring, violating and nothing changes.<\/p>\n

Amy Goldsmith, State Director, was honored for her amazing dedicated years of service and unlimited energy. Lisa Plevin, Chief of Staff USEPA, Gray Russell (a former rocker too) Environmental Coordinator, Montclair, John Weber, Northeast Regional Manager, Surfrider Foundation and Robert Westreich, Esq. (he never lost a case with First Amendment right to canvass neighborhoods throughout the state for over 20 years) all received Conference Awards. By the way, the luncheons are worth the price of admission alone.<\/em><\/p>\n

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$\"Newark\"$ <\/a>
with(retired) Brigadier General Steven Anderson<\/p><\/div>\n
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In the keynote address, Retired Brigadier General Steve Anderson electrified with his candor and passion for environmental change. Here\u2019s a few of his quotes rapid fire. \u201cWe\u2019ve got to get off oil. We won\u2019t exist.\u201d\u00a0 \u201cThe increased competition for oil is a threat to our security.\u201d\u00a0 \u201cGreen economy is where the money is.\u201d \u201cPresident Obama was absolutely right when he stopped the Keystone pipeline.\u201d\u00a0 General Anderson made a point as soon as he started to speak, saying he was a Republican.\u00a0 Sometimes he fooled me and other audience members.\u00a0 He just cares.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a 20 year process to get off oil. We need to do it under our terms.\u201d\u00a0 \u201c1000 Americans died moving oil around over there. We spend $20 billion a year on oil. The Pentagon is the world\u2019s largest consumer of energy.\u201d\u00a0 \u201cWe are funding both sides of war. We buy oil and the money ends up in Iran.\u201d\u00a0 \u201cWhat troops need is renewable energy.\u00a0 Afghanistan has 340 days of sun; so harness solar. And wind, geothermal and waste to energy systems.\u201d \u201cHow do we help?\u00a0 Pressure the Department of Defense (DOD).\u201d<\/p>\n
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At the birthday party after the conference for the 40th year of \u2018Clean Water Action,\u2019 General Anderson was quite accessible. I managed to pay him my highest compliment, when I said, \u201cListening to you, I don\u2019t think anyone could tell what political party you\u2019re in which means you care about doing the right things for people.\u201d He smiled and we took a picture together.\u00a0 Finally my exhortation to all those within earshot of me;\u00a0\u201cGet thee to the NJ Environmental Federation conference next year. And join the organization in the meantime.\u201d I\u2019ve heard it through the grapevine that both actions increases cerebral vascular circulation which makes you smarter.<\/p>\n
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$\"Newark\"$ <\/a>
asbury park ocean 2 blocks away. looks like southern california<\/p><\/div>\n
$\"Newark\"$ <\/a>
backstage before awards ceremony<\/p><\/div>\n
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One goes through life and sometimes gets to look in an old attic mirror or through a looking glass or slips down a rabbit hole and manages to be a guest at a tea party. Since November, I\u2019ve plunged into Jersey and Asbury Park music and somebody noticed me and my purist enthusiasm. I was set to cover the Jersey Acoustic Music (JAM) Awards a couple of weeks ago for NJ Discover TV when I got a call asking me to be a presenter at the prestigious awards in Asbury Park.\u00a0 I was overwhelmed and deeply honored; right up there with anything in this or any one of my past lives. I\u2019d give the award for \u2018Top Accompanying Musician.\u2019\u00a0 A little background music:<\/p>\n
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$\"Newark\"$ <\/a>
father and son reporting for njdiscover.com<\/p><\/div>\n
$\"Newark\"$ <\/a>
emily grove winning award<\/p><\/div>\n
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Sometime ago, I discovered my writing effectiveness is more heightened if I experience the subject, emote, then draw from the gut to express. Hemingway, an idol of mine, was that way too; he drove an ambulance in World War I and wrote \u2018A Farewell to Arms.\u2019 I got to Asbury Park and site of the Third Annual Jersey Acoustic Music Awards nearly two hours early to begin feeling that special electricity in the air of the Stage Performance Hall at the Lutheran Atonement Church.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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The Jersey Acoustic Music Awards honors original artists who tirelessly perform around the state at small venues. To prepare, on the Friday before the awards, I went to Point Pleasant\u2019s Green Planet Coffeehouse to see Alexandra Inglis, a sixteen year old nominee (and winner) for \u2018Top 18 and Under Performer\u2019 and was, as they say, \u2018blown away\u2019 by her voice and lyrics.<\/p>\n
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$\"Newark\"$ <\/a>
what i look like as an award presenter with maggie beltran.<\/p><\/div>\n
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As the hall filled it became evident to this first time Acoustic awards attendee that most everyone knew one another in this special community of Jersey Acoustic Music.\u00a0 MC Anton Daub stressed the night was more about getting recognition from fellow musicians. A wondrous array of singers performed in the round throughout the program in between awards. Jo Wymer\u2019s singing \u2018dazzled.\u2019 She liked my one word description of her then went on to win Top Female Performer. Emily Grove won Top Female Vocalist and perhaps was taken back when I mentioned writing about her talent in my blog nearly two years ago, after seeing her sing at Asbury Park\u2019s Clearwater Festival.<\/p>\n
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$\"Newark\"$ <\/a>
16 yr old alexandra inglis performing<\/p><\/div>\n
$\"Newark\"$ <\/a>
kevin john allen with choir . a powerful song.<\/p><\/div>\n
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A few weeks ago, I journeyed to the Strand Theatre for this amazing intimate interactive \u2018Songwriters by the Sea\u2019 Backstage event and saw Cat Cosentino sing. She won for Top Pop\/Rock and deservedly so. I also met Lo Kloza nominated for Top Female Vocalist and Top New Act. Exuberant and excited, she mentioned her much anticipated CD release party at \u2018Downtown\u2019 in Red Bank on June 20th.\u00a0 With Jon Caspi\u2019s \u2018the little ones\u2019 I was noticeably moved by his song of children in the African war zones being kidnapped and made into soldiers. Right out of sixties protestation; I was home.<\/p>\n
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$\"Newark\"$ <\/a>
anton daub singing to open awards.<\/p><\/div>\n
$\"Newark\"$ <\/a>
a view of Rutgers Law looking up. i need to look up.<\/p><\/div>\n
At intermission, strangely I wondered what folks do in Billings, Montana or near the Bridges of Madison County, Iowa, when they can sing but don\u2019t have an Asbury Park, a musical mecca nearby. Kevin John Allen, nominated for Top Male Songwriter, performed the final song with a powerful emotional moving twist. He brought a number of singers together in a choir like mode to sing, \u2018Jesus Could You Call Me\u2019 from his new CD \u2018Life\u2019s Lonely Rodeo.\u2019\u00a0 Sounds of silence filled the hall while they sang.\u00a0 So here I am in the middle of all this magic music when a few months ago, I was eating large bowls of oatmeal, self-sprinkled with raisins and cinnamon (controls sugar metabolism) and wondering what I was doing with the rest of my life; now I presented an award at JAM to Taylor Hope, winner of Top Accompanying Musician.<\/p>\n
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The power of media; It was announced earlier today that name Mason is the number two baby name in America because a Kardashian named her son that. I wish media could rally folks into more proactive environmental stances.\u00a0 I finally figured out who and what I am in this world and what I\u2019ve been most of my life since I looked at the world from a back window on a Newark bus. I am and always will be an eracist.\u00a0 I\u2019d love to see racism erased. What a silly species we are; focusing on color or gender or God. Go sign the Kyoto protocol. Stop building polluting institutions where poor people live. And now to close, I\u2019m whispering to you all, \u201cwater.\u201d \u00a0I\u2019m going upstairs now to watch \u2018The Graduate.\u2019 April she will come. So will December and January.\u00a0 And I wish just one boutique food store would sell parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme \u00a0next to each other in the herb\/spices aisle.<\/p>\n
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NOW HERE THIS<\/strong>:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>a bit of an advertisement. I don\u2019t do those very much here. BUT there\u2019s a very unusual upbeat funny precious 2 minute video involving 102 year old Emily Cook who talks about the life briefly and then invites me back to her room. Not to be missed especially the last 23 seconds.\u00a0\u00a0 PLEASE\u00a0 check it out and share it.<\/strong><\/p>\n
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http:\/\/www.hooplaha.com\/getting-better-all-the-time\/<\/strong><\/p>\n
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HooplaHa Videos and Article LINKS to Check Out. Very Interesting!!!! \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 $\"Newark\"$ <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
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Judy Feinstein: Female Pilot:<\/p>\n
Judy Feinstein pilot:<\/p>\n
http:\/\/www.hooplaha.com\/no-rearview-mirror\/<\/a><\/p>\n
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Fatherhood:<\/p>\n
http:\/\/www.hooplaha.com\/fatherhood\/<\/a><\/p>\n
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Ida Gonzalez: A Mother\u2019s Journey to Light:<\/p>\n
http:\/\/www.hooplaha.com\/a-mothers-journey-to-light\/<\/a><\/p>\n
Common Sense Approach to Common Sense:<\/p>\n
http:\/\/www.hooplaha.com\/common-sense-approach-to-common-sense\/<\/a><\/p>\n
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Flexitarianism:<\/p>\n
http:\/\/www.hooplaha.com\/flexitarianism\/<\/a><\/p>\n
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Meryl Streep and Me:<\/p>\n
http:\/\/www.hooplaha.com\/meryl-streep-and-me\/<\/a><\/p>\n
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\u00a0<\/strong>A Real College Pep Band Video (yes 85 seconds):<\/strong><\/p>\n
http:\/\/www.hooplaha.com\/rutgers-rah-a-college-pep-band\/<\/a><\/p>\n
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Also a very worthwhile cause to read up on:<\/p>\n
\u00a0Butterfly Circle of Friends.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 http:\/\/www.butterflycircleoffriends.org<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
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MY CONTACT INFORMATION<\/strong><\/p>\n
website:\u00a0 http:\/\/vichywater.net<\/p>\n
Facebook:\u00a0 Cal Schwartz<\/p>\n
Twitter:\u00a0 Earthood<\/p>\n
Email: earthood@gmail.com<\/p>\n
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\u00a0book trailer. hey its 65 seconds long<\/strong><\/p>\n
\u00a0Vichy Water Book Trailer<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qj2ko9gcC<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 $\"Newark\"$ <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n
IMPORTANT LINK<\/strong><\/p>\n
If on Facebook check out this NJ Discover site:<\/p>\n
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https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/profile.php?id=100000125711074<\/strong><\/p>\n
OR\u00a0\u00a0 www.njdiscover.com<\/strong><\/p>\n
$\"Newark\"$ <\/a><\/p>\n
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LINKS TO VIDEOS.\u00a0 Please Watch.<\/strong><\/p>\n
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1.\u00a0\u00a0 ZOMBIE WALK\u00a0\u00a0 October 22, 2011<\/p>\n
Zombie Walk Asbury Park<\/a><\/p>\n
http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=DfFA-y115nc&feature=autoshare<\/a><\/p>\n
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2.\u00a0 VETERANS DAY NJ VIETNAM MEMORIAL<\/p>\n
Nov 11, 2011<\/p>\n
Veterans Day at NJ Vietnam War Memorial<\/a><\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=fYwkaa_xreg&feature=related<\/a><\/p>\n
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3.\u00a0 RANDALL HAYWOOD & VICTOR JONES JAZZ CONCERT<\/strong><\/p>\n
Nov 19, 2011<\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=TNohzH8AHvM&feature=player_embedded<\/a><\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t $\"Fb-Button\"$ \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>
<\/fb:like><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I wonder why more citizens here in New Jersey don\u2019t make the time to attend the New Jersey Environmental Federation Conference; an annual event held at Rutgers Law School in Newark. At very least, it\u2019s an exercise in expanding the mind, by learning, listening, growing; it\u2019s just a better thing to do than […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[77,70,14,73,55,75,71,66,79,65,61,74,62,76,78,64,12,67,63,72],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.vichywater.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2510"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.vichywater.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.vichywater.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.vichywater.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.vichywater.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2510"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"http:\/\/www.vichywater.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2510\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2565,"href":"http:\/\/www.vichywater.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2510\/revisions\/2565"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.vichywater.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2510"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.vichywater.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2510"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.vichywater.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2510"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}