SAVE THE DATE FOR SUMMIT GREEN FEST!

Newsletter Article              

[159 words]

On Saturday, May 10, the first annual Summit Green Fest will be held in downtown Summit, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Green Fest will be a fun, festive way to share ideas, gain new knowledge, and work together for a greener, healthier community.

Green Fest will include displays and workshops on popular topics like green cleaning, energy savings, lawn care, and much more.  There will be organic food tastings, a screening of Who Killed the Electric Car hosted in person by actress Chelsea Sexton, a visit from the Trailside Museum Eco Van, live music, and a green walking tour of downtown Summit.  All who complete the tour will receive a free organic cotton tote bag.

Visitors to Green Fest can join a “free-cycle” yard sale, donate eyeglasses for the needy and cell phones for soldiers, give to a Red Cross blood drive, and participate in other civic endeavors.

For more information, contact Anne Marie Treger at 908-277-0925 or amtreger@mac.com.

ENLIGHTENMENT ON A GREEN JERSEY

The historic Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal in Jersey City once served as the gateway for new Americans coming through Ellis Island. This spring, it will serve as the gateway for eco-friendly ideas and business initiatives.

Yesterday, Ralph Izzo, CEO of Public Service Enterprise Group, unveiled plans for the PSEG Global Green Expo, a three-day event designed to educate state residents and businesses on how to reduce their impact on climate change.

"We believe it will be one of the biggest and most comprehensive Earth Day events New Jersey has ever seen," said Jennifer Kramer, a spokeswoman for PSEG, the parent company of Public Service Electric & Gas.

The expo will take place on the weekend following Earth Day -- April 25-27 -- and will showcase environmentally-friendly products, programs and services available to consumers, businesses and communities. Activities for the entire family are being planned including a "Caring Kids Oasis," exhibits, interactive workshops, presentations by environmental leaders and organizations, entertainment and a wholesome food court.

"We basically want to show that there are so many different ways for people to go about their normal lives and reduce their carbon footprints," Izzo said. "This event is about informing and inspiring, both residents and business owners."

Scheduled speakers include Ed Begley Jr., an actor and environmental activist; Ted Danson, a Golden Globe award-winning actor who founded the American Oceans Campaign; Jeff Corwin, host of "The Jeff Corwin Experience" and "Corwin's Quest" on Animal Planet; and Deirdre Imus, wife of Don Imus and best-selling author of the "Green This!" series.

The first 1,000 people to enter the expo each day will receive a free compact fluorescent light bulb, Izzo said. Participants will also be able to bring "difficult recyclables" to collection areas in the train station parking lot, including CFL light bulbs, printers and various electronics.

"I can't think of a more fitting venue for this event than historic Liberty State Park, the crown jewel of our world-class parks system," said Lisa P. Jackson, commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, in a press release. "With its views of Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, this oasis on the Jersey City waterfront stands as a testament to the power each of us has to transform possibilities into progress."

During the news conference, Christine V. Bator, commissioner of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, said she had seen the recent Broadway musical "Jersey Boys" and was struck by the production's use of "Jersey imagery." She watched as the actors performed in a setting of smoke stacks, pollution and industrial areas -- a perception of New Jersey Bator is hoping to change.

"The Global Expo is going to help New Jersey change its image back to the image of the Garden State," Bator said.

Admission for the event is $15 for one day, $25 for two days and $30 for three days. There is no charge for children under 12. Other expo sponsors include The Star-Ledger, NJ.com, WNJN, the Jersey Journal and Liberty Science Center. For more information about the PSEG Global Green Expo visit www.nj.com/globalgreen.