Junetastic

There are so many great events coming up in June! Hit all of these, along with the Red Bank Farmer's Market on Sundays, and you've got yourself booked for every weekend (almost)! Red Bank also puts on StreetLife every Saturday with performers outside of shops on the sidewalk...that's always a good time, too. Enjoy!

June 5

Ocean Grove Giant Spring Flea Market (really... giant!)

June 5-6

Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Festival

Monmouth Park Racetrack

June 11-13

NJ Seafood Festival in Belmar

June 12

Summer Flea Market

Allaire State Park

June 12

Ocean Grove Vintage Car Show

June 18

Night of the Arts

Asbury Park (downtown)

June 20

Cruise to the Jersey Shore Car Show

Promenade, Long Branch

Story For Sale

Last Saturday we walked around the Fair Haven town-wide yard sale for hours. Aside from crazy drivers stopping in the middle of the street and cutting off pedestrians, it was a great town vibe and a wonderful way to spend the morning.

One of my favorite finds was a pair of side tables. The previous mother of my new tables said she got them from an antique shop in Red Bank, with a story - they were made by a man who was in Europe and found a barn that was about to be destroyed. He rescued this wood that would have been garbage to make these beautiful tables. They are so unique, and when put together make the perfect coffee table! Now my old table has a new job on my front porch.

The point of my rambling is that it's such a neat thing to buy furniture (or anything, for that matter) with a story and a soul, whether it be from a yard sale, antique shop, or scrap wood from a barn. Not only do you rescue something from a landfill, but you bring a little bit of history home.

Don't get me wrong, it's great fun to go into Pottery Barn and pick out a new couch or stroll into Macy's for a new dress. But there's just something special about buying something with a story.

Here's a peek inside my living room with my yard sale treasures:

(On a completely unrelated note, if you go to the Chili Festival next year, get there EARLY! Our experience was not so stellar this year, as it was super crowded and half the chili was gone by 1:00!)

ADHD linked to pesticides in fruit and vegetables

This article on msnbc summarizes a research study that concludes "Kids with higher-than-average levels of one pesticide marker were nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed with ADHD as children who showed no traces of the poison. "

Scary stuff, and another reason to spend the extra money on organics. Here is a table that lists the fruits and vegetables with the most pesticides on them, these are the ones you want to buy organic...#4 apples, ooph. I eat one a day.

Red Bank Farmer's Market

Today was the first day Red Bank Farmer's Market was open for the season! Usually the first couple of Sundays are pretty slow, so I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived to see so many vendors! A great start to the season. There were bounties of plants, flowers, fruits, and veggies...jewelry, home decor, gifts, soaps...coffees, teas...vegan pastries, regular pastries...and the list goes on!

I was in a bit of a rush today, so I didn't get to shop around as much as I would have liked, but I did manage to get my hands on a bell pepper plant. Sadly, I can't remember the name, but it's from a farmer in Old Bridge, NJ. He had so many great looking herbs, fruit, and vegetable plants. He was super nice, helpful, and grateful for the business. I'll definitely get more info on him and his farm next Sunday!

The Farmer's Market is a great way to spend your Sunday morning while supporting local farmers and small businesses. It's part of our family's weekend routine, and I highly reccomend you make it part of yours too!

Radioacitve Leak at Osyter Creek

According to the APP, The Department of Environmental Protection opened an investigation into a potential leak of 180,000 gallons of water contaminated with radioactive tritium at the Oyster Creek nuclear power plant in Lacey township, only 44 miles south of the peninsula. While tritium is on the safer side of radioactive isotopes, it can cause cancer when dumped into the drinking water. The Department of Environmental Protection says there is no immediate threat, but they are asking parent company Exelon to monitor the contamination plume. I hope they ask nicely.

If you are inclined, there is a website trying to close the plant, but its a little dated. The page is asking us to ask Governor Corzine to close the plant...something I think is now outside of Jon's responsibility.

April Showers Bring May Festivals

My husband Jason and I are do-ers. We love to go out and DO things, and I try to find some sort of event for us each weekend. It's easy in May! Here's a peek at some biggies coming up this month. Although we won't attend all, we will be at many of them. Stay tuned for details, pictures, and reviews! Hope to see you there :)

May 8: Ocean Grove Music & Art Festival

May 9: Red Bank Farmers Market opens for the season (YAY!!)

May 15: Fair Haven town-wide yard sale

Atlantic Highlands town-wide yard sale

Tom's River Annual Chili & Salsa Festival

Belmar Kite Festival

May 16: Belmar Kite Festival, day 2

May 22: Monmouth Park Opening Day

May 29: Munchmobile Hot Dog Showdown, Oceanport

May 30: Munchmobile Hot dog Showdown, day 2

May 30: Seaport Craft Show, Highlands