Last Holiday Gift Ideas

Give the gift of giving; donate to a charity, for yourself or for someone who you know is interested in a particular charity or type of charity.  

Donate to a local historical society; there are many throughout New Jersey.

Donate to an animal rescue group or to a wildlife organization.  Again, there are many in New Jersey.

Here are a few charities I intend to donate to before the end of the year:

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital -- "Our vision is to be the world leader in advancing the treatment and prevention of catastrophic diseases in children." 

Heifer International -- make it possible for you, through a range of gifts, to help others.  Because I prefer to not be involved with the gift of animals, I'm happy that they have useful and affordable gifts like honeybees and stoves that will be of valuable to someone elsewhere.

Donate to Smile Train or Operation Smile and make a huge difference in the life of a child.  

The National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) GreenGifts provides a variety of ways that you can donate, for yourself or someone else, to help our environment.  

Finally, for now, The American Red Cross do many things to help people.

Remember, depending on the charity of your choice, many of your donations also benefit you and your donations are tax deductible.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday.

We'll be back in the New Year.  May it be a better year for us all.

Have you run out of shopping steam yet?

I'm nearly finished.  I still have a couple of errands to run and food to plan and get before the big day.

Some last minute Christmas suggestions:

Thinking of a pet for someone?  Think twice.  A pet is for life.  One of the things I do routinely, is repost FB posts of lost, found, abandoned pets, no-kill shelter posts and posts of rescue organizations.  There are thousands of missing, lost, found, abandoned and homeless animals in New Jersey alone.  If you know someone who's pet is missing or, if you find a dog or cat, or anything else, actually, take a look here.  There have been, happily, lots of reunions because of them:  Lost and Found Pets New Jersey (it's a brilliant idea and it's been working).

So, if you are serious about a pet, don't buy from a breeder or, especially, a pet store, visit our Directory of Wildlife and Animal Rescue and give a homeless animal a home for Christmas.

Thinking of animals, Lakota Wolf Preserve was open as of yesterday and is a great outing.  You might check with them if winter weather returns and give another gift and ask what they might need in supplies, etc.

This blog and the directories are focused on small, local, independent businesses in New Jersey but, every once in a while, something online catches my eye and I think you'll find this product and enterprise of interest:  Inkkas    
I love these.  When Christmas is over and I've recovered, fiscally, I will definitely be ordered a pair for myself and for my granddaughter.

A few more suggestions (I am running out of steam):

Flim Flam Candles, Cape may have truly unique and lovely candles.

Barbara at Devilbiss Designs provides period doll fashions for porcelain dolls.

Jewelry?  Thomas D. Cherin in Westfield or Michal Negrin in Atlantic City.

Lovely knits from Nahyat Designs.

So happy for the warm wind and thaw today.

Time spent together is better than stuff

Trying to be more green; trying to reduce consumption; trying to reduce the accumulation of stuff, we think that the gift of activities and time together is better than the gift of stuff.

Decorating together for Christmas, or any holiday, for that matter, especially with the kids or grandkids, is a great way to spend the holidays.  Making Christmas ornaments, before getting a tree, is a gift in itself.

There are tons of ideas and instructions online.  I've picked a video on How to Fold a Poinsettia from YouTube.  There are many more.

I've seen a few origami crane Christmas trees.  The origami crane is easy to make and many children already know how to make them.  

I've added some Christmas books and DVDs to our online shop, including a really nice adult Christmas novel, by Frederick Forsyth, I read a long time ago.  Click on the the links to buy them through me or visit your nearest independent bookstore; they will usually special order for you but time is flying.

And, don't forget mulled cider and hot chocolate.

And

More Holiday Shopping Suggestions

How about a kids After Christmas Party as a holiday gift?  You can do it at home with craft gifts and books for each child and, of course, holiday treats.  Or you can make arrangement for a party at any of these places:

Paint-a-Treasure -- Haddon Heights

Culinary Kids At Home -- Princeton area

Bee N' Crafty -- Nutley

Jump Zone -- Hillsborough

Monkey Town -- Turnersville

and this and that:

Creative Genius Art Gallery and Studio -- Medford

Cape May Miniatures -- Williamstown

Candles in the Attic -- Millville

Down Cellar -- Basking Ridge

Flim Flam Candles -- Cape May

Tachair Bookshoppe -- Jersey City

Ivy Cottage Baskets -- see website

That's it for now.  Our connection is troublesome this morning.  More tomorrow.

Doing Business:

The trend is toward small, local independent business.  It's also our focus.  So, even if you're doing business online, it's a good idea to indicate where you're based and absolutely important, if you're a brick-and-mortar store to have your address and hours on your website, blog and/or Facebook page.  Otherwise, nobody can find you.

I recently stopped in to an Applebees on the long trek to visit my father in rural New York state.  As I waited for my order, I notice that the decor was different and unique.  On closer look, I realized that it was all large blown up and collaged images of local sports teams, events and organizations.  I talked to the manager a bit.  While Applebees is, of course, a restaurant chain, the company headquarters has had the idea of sponsoring and being involved with local activities.  It's a great idea.  For those of you who are independent, local businesses, don't let the chains out do you in this activity.  You may not have all the money and staff they have but you can do something to support your local community.  Think of something related to your products and services or just something dear to your community.  Find out more about it.  Talk to people involved.  What can you do to contribute?  Do it regularly:  annually, seasonally, whatever works for you and the community.  Make your business known for supporting that one thing.

Finally, I told that Applebee's manager that I would mention his restaurant in my blog.  He never asked the address of my blog.  I know he's busy.  So am I.  It's always a good idea, particularly when someone is being supportive and spreading the word about you, to show enough interest to check out what they've actually done.  I believe that small, local, independent businesses need to find ways to partner and support each other.  The more unique and inventive the partnerships the better.  It gets attention.  It makes you and your business human and it's appreciated by customers who notice.

And, BTW, we are a business.  I was just asked, for the first time, about an ad on our blog.  We've been at this for about a year and a half.  There isn't enough traffic to our site yet to expect to make money but I'd appreciate it if you'd visit from time to time, add a comment, drop us an email, correct and criticize the site.  I love finding all the wonderful independent businesses, products and services, quite honestly, I could use a little income from all the time I spend on this.  Thank you.

Lorraine

Christmas is best with kids

And, with that in mind, we'll continue our 

Holiday Gift Suggestions -- for kids

We will be making every attempt, despite the specific materialistic wishes of the kids and grandkids, to do our holiday shopping at unique, independent, local brick-and-mortar businesses; driving past the malls and national chain stores.

So, where can we find toys, games and other holiday treats locally?  There's quite a list of toy stores (some for bigger kids too):

Toys

Happy Hippo Toys -- Haddonfield and Moorestown

Toy Genius -- Freehold and Old Bridge

sticks and stones -- Hopewell

Toy Kingdom -- Flemington

The Model Railroad Shop -- Piscataway

Big Little Train Shop -- Somerville

The Train Room -- Pt. Pleasant Beach

Jabberwocky -- Chatham

Meyer's Dolls, Toys and Hobbies -- Livingston

The Rocking Horse -- Cranford

The Toy Professor -- Summit

Toys With Love -- Chester

Teddys -- Robbinsville

Twirl Toy Shop -- Pennington

Cherished Friends -- High Bridge

ToyMasters of Red Bank -- Red Bank

Little Mommies -- Toms River

Hobbies

Hobbies Now! -- Mercerville

Kenvil Hobby -- Kenvil

Tom's Model Trains -- Scotch Plains

Miscellaneous

Suki's:  The Children's Boutique -- Millburn

Sweet Childrens Boutique -- Barrington

The Rocking Horse -- Madison

Doing business:  I believe I've exhausted the limits of blogger for the purposes of this business.  Or, I've exhausted my skills with blogger.  I'm looking for software to create an online directory that will facilitate getting the mountain of New Jersey independent businesses in the database.  There are pages that aren't showing for no apparent reason.  

More to Come

Did you know that Millville, NJ is named "The Holly City"?  More about that at some point.



More Holiday Gift Ideas  

I just got an email from Delaware River Tubing about their double value Holiday gift certificates.  Get the details....

You might want to check on the SoKind Registry to see if anyone you're planning to give a gift to would rather not have more stuff.  Better yet, open your own registry there and get gift ideas like:

Tickets to the Atlantic City Aquarium

A gift certificate for your crafter friend from Jubili Beads & Yarns

A gift certificate toward a workshop at Peters Valley School of Craft  or at the Bead and Glass Boutique or for a pottery class at For Love of Mud Pottery

Look into the Museum Pass Program at your local library and give the gift of making the arrangements for a day together at a museum that you both like.

New Jersey has many unique, local and communities theaters that you can take a friend or family member:  The Broadway Theatre of Pitman, Two River Theater Co., Centenary Stage Company, to name a few.

There are so many unique things to do in New Jersey and so many different places to go.

Just think how much more fun to give a gift that has a more lasting memory than just a thing.  Even more fun to give a gift you can share.

Running Holiday Gift Suggestions

How about giving books for the holidays?  I'm a professional librarian.  Books are great gifts and the variety is awesome.  Books are especially nice gifts for children.  New Jersey has many, many local bookstores.  In addition to books, Bogarts Book Store and Cafe in Millville, Cumberland County, has a cafe with coffee, tea and tasty treats -- and they have live music.  The Book Garden in Frenchtown, Hunterdon County, "features strong sections on local lore and history and works by homegrown authors."  Books, Bytes and Beyond, in Glen Rock, Bergen County, specializes in children's literature and author events.  And, there are so many more.  Visit our Directory of Cultural Resources to find more (and we have many more to add).

A very special gift for the family would be to have a family portrait done.  Village Studio of Hunterdon in High Bridge, Hunterdon County, or Joel Gerard, Shrewsbury, Monmouth County, are 2 possibilites to make that happen.

Planning a unique activity, for the kids or as a family outing is another great gift idea.  You might consider The Lakota Wolf Preserve in Knowlton Township, Warren County or Field Station Dinosaurs, Secaucus, Hudson County.  

Or maybe you know someone, adult or child, who has a burning interest and you'd like to give them a gift certificate for a workshop of some kind.  The All Children's Theatre in Parsippanny, Morris County, provides theater camps for kids.  Anne's Artistic Journeys, Lake Hopatcong, Sussex County, has "classical and contemporary instruction in the fine arts  for ages 3 to adult."  

How not to do business

I had a very bad shopping experience this past week.  I'd misplaced my gloves, looked everywhere for them and decided I'd have to replace them; there have been a few cold days recently.  So, my list of errands took me to a nearby department store where I knew I would probably find a pair to my liking.  The list included a new winter cap and an additional pair of jeans, if I was able to find a pair that fit.  

I found acceptable gloves (over priced), a pair of jeans that actually fit and a very cute hat that also fit and stayed on my head.

It wasn't busy so I didn't have to wait for a cashier.  She began ringing up my items as I looked in my purse for my debit card to find my card case missing.  I asked her to stop as I kept looking but she ignored me.  (Nobody was waiting behind me)  I asked her to stop again and told her I must have left my cards home.  I asked her if she could hold the items for me while I went home to get my cards.  She finished ringing up all the items and handed me a slip with some numbers on it and the word suspended.  She asked me if I was coming back and I told her I expected to be back in about half an hour.

When I returned, the cashier who had rung up my items wasn't visible.  I waited a few minutes then asked the next nearest cashier about her and told her what had happened.  She told me to look behind the other cashier's counter.  Really?  I didn't think it was a good idea but I did what she suggested.  I didn't see anything and told her so.  She told me to go round that cashier's station and look from the other side.  That seemed an even worse idea but I did it.  Again,  I didn't see a bag or anything and told her that.  She said she didn't know if that cashier was returning and that I should go to Customer Service and waved her hand toward the other side of the store.  

When I got to that end of the store, there were more cashier stations and some set back but the sign didn't say Customer Service, it said Returns and Checkout.  But, I waiting in line until I was able to tell my situation again to the cashier there and showed her the "suspend" slip.  She said it meant the items weren't rung up - I hadn't paid for them and they had probably been returned to the racks.

I was angry and left.  What I hadn't thought to ask either cashier was why I'd been asked if I was coming back if the items weren't going to be held for me. I went home angry and frustrated and wanted to write to the manager who, as a manager of quite a few large, public institutions, I hold responsible for not having trained store staff and for not setting up procedures and communications methods that benefit customers.

Words mean something; they aren't just sounds that come out of mouths.  I was asked if I was coming back.  I said yes and gave a clear time frame.  I wasn't told where the items might be when I returned and I failed to ask.  When I returned, nobody thought it was important whether or not I was satisfied shopping there or whether or not I got the items I came back for.

As a customer, and someone who has spent most of my adult life working in public service, this is NOT the way to do business.  But, I understand that national chains can afford to be indifferent and cavalier toward their customers which is why shopping at local, independent businesses is a better shopping experience.

Running Holiday Gift Suggestions

Shop at Local Small Businesses for the Holidays.

Find unique local gifts throughout New Jersey.

Help the local economy; avoid "donating" to national corporate coffers.

"For every $100 spent in locally owned independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures.  If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays here.  Spend it online and nothing comes home." -- The 350 Project

We are so fortunate in New Jersey to have such diversity in our population, in our communities, in our local cultures.  There's so much here to choose from.  We don't have to settle for the plastic, over-abundant, un-interesting array of foreign made products on display in all the large corporate department stores.  Are you bored with seeing the same shops and the same products, mall after mall after mall?  

We'll be offering suggestions for gifts from local artists and shops, of all kinds, from all over New Jersey.  Just keep visiting this blog.

From the Pinelands Folk Music and Basketry Center in Mt. Holly, Burlington County, you can find a variety of acoustic folk instruments like hammered dulcimers, flutes and more; as well as locally handcrafted woven and gourd baskets.

Perhaps there's a special someone you'd like to give a special fragrance.  The Perfume Gift Shop/Historical Fragrances in Hawthorne, Passaic County, handcrafts artisan scents.  Their unique fragrances, for men and women, are combined with the allure of historic figures and events.

Is a gift of jewelry on your mind?  Perhaps a unique item from a local jeweler; something you won't find in a mall:  earrings, a bracelet, a necklace or something else.  Anita DiPeitro of Marlton, Burlington County, designs truly unique jewelry.  Visit her web site to find the best way for you to purchase one of her creations.

Maybe something special to ennhance a relative's home is what you're thinking of.  Designs for Tranquility, in Frenchtown, Hunterdon County, offers a variety of art, decor and more.  

A unique gourmet treat is always nice to receive for a holiday.  Why not take a look at Jams by Kim to see if there's something tasty you can share.  Kim is in Hillsborough, Somerset County but her products are available in various places throughout the state.

Events:

Crafts in the Warren Tech is the 4th Annual Juried Craft Show at the Warren County Technical School in Washington, Warren County, Saturday, December 7th.  It's a family event with over 100 crafters, door prizes, caroling and more.

11th Annual Holiday Arts & Crafts Extravaganza in Whippany, Morris County, is the coming Wednesday, December 4th.

We will continue to provide gift ideas and local events information until the 'Night Before Christmas'.

So keep visiting.

We appreciate comments and emails.  Thank you.

AwareNewJersey -- awarenj@rocketmail.com

Just stopped by the pottery @ Rocky Hill featuring John Shedd Designs.  I drive by the shop frequently on the way to the supermarket but just haven't taken the time to stop.  I noticed a Help Wanted sign the past week or so and stopped in to see what help they need.  Something I can't do.

I highly recommend that you visit this little shop in lovely Rocky Hill, in Somerset County.  Be prepared to be stunned when you open the shop door.  I'm not going to ruin the surprise for you, you just have to get there and see what I'm alluding to.

John creates beautiful ceramics:  tiles, round and square platters, teapots, cups, treasure boxes, vases, tile paintings; decorative and utilitarian, large and small.  The shop is filled with beautiful things.  He also features stone, pearl and turquoise jewelry designed by friends of his.

It's a great little shop.  A great place to pick up a special gift; Christmas isn't far away.

Redesigning

I've been away from this for too long.  Time to regroup and redesign.  I'm working on the directories to add the mountain of listings I've collected and to make the directories simpler and more viewable.  

We're fortunate in New Jersey to have an enormous array of interesting and diverse small, local, independent business.  Despite the very difficult economy, these businesses are working to provide products and services.

It's our aim here at AwareNewJersey to help get the word out.

I particularly want to call your attention to:

Lost and Found Pets New Jersey - this is a great service that I want everyone to know about.  This Facebook page posts information and photos about animals that have been lost or found so they can be reunited with their families or new homes found for them.  Like them from your Facebook profile and share their posts so these missing and found animals can get to where they belong.

I'm currently working on the Animal Welfare section of the directories.  There are so many people throughout New Jersey, looking out for pets and wildlife and so many educators and educational organizations enlightening us about New Jersey wildlife.  I should have the directory revised in a couple of days when it will reappear in the list on the right.

In the meantime, Happy Autumn.

Photo acquired on Facebook, will post credit or remove on request.

Hot and Humid

Yesterday was difficult; very hot and humid. I heard thunder as the day wound down and hoped for rain but nooooo....

Just returned from the Montgomery Friends of Open Space Farmers' Market which has become a regular visit of mine on Saturday mornings.  Today there was a local artist displaying his paintings.  It's always nice to see new vendors and different wares.  I picked up a few things for a vegetarian pasta Alfredo I'm going to make later.  The Griggstown Quail Farm Market usually has a booth there with mushrooms, eggs and pies.   TreeLicious Orchards is often there all the way from Warren County, with fruits and vegetables.  There are several other farms and a winery that seem fairly regular.

I also stopped at the supermarket across the street and drove around the parking lot of the adjacent strip mall to see what's there. I'm still exploring the nearby area.  I might go out later to check out a pottery and an art glass place.  If I get there today, I'll post it here.  

Yesterday, on my way back from a nearly wasted trip to Trenton, since the State web site was down and the business I needed to conduct couldn't happen, I stopped at La Costenita (imagine the tilda) in Hillsborough.  I've been there a few times now.  Yesterday I had a chance to talk with la propietra un poco.  (My Spanish is so sad.)  Yesterday I ordered quesadillas de carnitas.  I love carnitas. I've had their soft tacos with carnitas a couple of times.  They use a seasoning in their carnitas that I don't use and can't quite identify although it's definitely familiar.  I like their food very much.  This is genuine Mexican food, not some Americanized version.  It will be a regular stop for me.  Their pastel de tres millas o tres leches is good but a little sweeter and richer than I really should be eating.

Visit the businesses I blog about and those in my directories which I add to continually.  Tell them where you heard about them.  Tell me what you like and don't like that you see hear.  Let me know about local shops that you like.

Have a great day.  Stay cool.

Getting Familiar with the New Neighborhood

Hi,

It's been a while.  The move has taken longer than expected and taken more of my energy and attention than intended.  But, it's mostly done.  Finally.

So, today, I have a little breather and decided to get around the area and see what I can find.

Where I live now

You might remember that I first discovered Robinson's Chocolates after I moved in.  They can make some custom items for special occasions, so I went in recently to see what I can get for an event coming up in a few weeks.  I'm happy with what I found.

I just got back from the Griggstown Quail Farm and Market  which I discovered is also a CSA (Community Supported Agricultural coop).  I looked around, had a little chat about a variety of neighborhood things and picked up a bunch of kale for a recipe I printed from online earlier this morning.  I'll be back later.  They have produce, chicken and other poultry, pheasant (in season), homemade pies and much more.  They're very near where I am now.

Next stop, after a small chore, is Norseville.  How I discovered Norseville is a little complicated so I'll try to simplify.  Physically, I'm in Griggstown which is a community, I guess you could say, of Franklin Township, also called Somerset.  I was surfing online, trying to find out what else is in the Griggstown area and found Norseville, another little community within Franklin Township.  I'm just going to drive to the neighborhood to see where it is.  There appears to be a flea market coming up so....

The Belle Mead Coop is next on the list.  I need some half barrels to try to start a container garden even though it's a little late to start.  I haven't planted vegetables in years but I want to give it a try.  I'm aiming for a couple of varieties of potatoes, tomatoes, lettuces, and herbs.  I want to use containers because I have no idea how long I'll be here and the ground on the lot is hard and rocky so this should work best for me.  I'll keep you posted.

I visited the Coop earlier in the week to see if they have scythes because there's grass etc. to clear where I want to put the garden.  They don't but I'll figure out something.  So going there today to see about half barrels, look around some more and probably pick up a few other things.

Actually, I think I should first go farther up 206 to Cammps Hardware and Lawn Products, in case I get plants at the Coop; I don't want them sitting in a hot car too long.  I'll see if they have a scythe, I don't want a hand cutter; I want one with a long handle.  Cammps showed up in a search for something and it's a local independent so I want to see what they have to offer.  Then I'll come back down to the Coop.  If I don't end this and get on the road, I'll be too late; it's nearly 5 pm.

And, this is just the beginning....

In the midst of moving

But, I finally found a few minutes to post something here.

I'm moving back to central New Jersey, combining a couple of households which is messy but necessary.

Here's a view from near the new location, taken a couple of days ago:

On the way to the market last week, I discovered Robinson's Fine Candies in the Montgomery Shopping Center on Rte. 206 in Skillman.  In business since 1978, they have a large variety of candies and make their own fillings as well.  Their products include dietetic chocolates and Coco-Vine Chocolate (wine infused chocolate).   I didn't partake that day but will be back soon to try a few things.

*~~~~~~~~~~*

The cicadas are coming.  This year is expected to be a bumper year for cicadas.  There are many species but this year is the year of the 17 year maturation of the Brood II cicadas.  Billions are expected to emerge from there nests in the ground.

Generally benign to humans, these heavy insects have scratchy feet.  While they don't normally bite not do they have stingers, as they fly around they can crash into you with an impact that can sting, take my word for it.  They make a huge noise while mating and buzzing if knocked upside down on their backs.

One of my previous cats loved them.  He thought they were toys.  He'd bring one in the house and bat it around until it landed on its back and spun around buzzing noisily which delighted him.  If he didn't tire of watching and fall asleep, he eventually would tear it apart (my apologies to sensitive readers) and eat the meaty muscles that hold the wings on.  Cicadas have been eaten in various parts of the world. Looking at a carcass after the cat was finished with it, I have to admit that the little pink chunk of muscle at the base of the wing looks as good as any other meat I've seen.  No, I did not try it.

*~~~~~~~~~~*

Camelot Horse Weekly and Auction House is new to me and I don't know much about them yet.  Apparently, Camelot is an auction house dealing with feed lot horse rescues.  Their Facebook page posts photos and descriptions of horse, mules, and ponies of various sorts available for rescue.  The photos show beautiful animals of various breeds, ages and histories and some in not such great shape.  My heart goes out to all of them.  If I had land, I'd be adopting constantly.  Prices range from about $400 up.  It's so sad that so many animals are cast off without a thought.  It's so wonderful that there are people concerning themselves with doing whatever they can to rescue and find homes for these animals.

Also associated with these horses and the efforts to do something for them is Helping Hearts Equine Rescue in Perrineville, NJ.  There is more information about Camelot Horses and about equine rescue efforts on their site.

Liberty Equine Rescue in Morris County also has horses for adoption.

You can also adopt a horse from Horse Rescue United in Allentown, NJ

Like all the other animals that need homes and have people trying to save them, please take care of your animals, have them neutered, find them a home yourself or ask for help if you need it, don't just dump them.  Adopt a pet, dog, cat, rabbit, horse, whatever rather than buy from breeders who don't necessarily care about the over population of domestic animals.  And, please, don't breed your animals.  There are already too many without homes, many of which will have to be euthanized for no other reason.

There is more in our Directory of Wildlife and Animal Welfare and we'll keep adding to the directory as we do all our directories.

Clearwater

Environment

New Jersey Friends of Clearwater

38th Annual Environmental Festival

Great Lawn Beach, Long Branch, NJ

Sunday, September 15, 2013

The Arts

Montclair Film Festival

Shop Local

New Jersey vendors

Spirituality

If you're interested in the ideas and teachings of G. Gurdjieff ... or email me.

Steampunk

Culture


Steampunk   is coming - May 17-19th, 2013


Did you know that New Jersey is home of one of the world's largest Steampunk events, The Steampunk World's Fair, in Piscataway?

I've just recently become acquainted with the phenomenon.  I love it.  Steampunk is a cultural phenomenon associated with a mixture of Science Fiction and Fantasy catagories.  Settings can be early Industrial Revolution, Old West or a mixture of present day and these or Victorian or Edwardian eras.  Cogs and gears, steam, trains, machines, industry are all elements.

There's a literature such as:

Steampunk by Ann & Jeff VanderMeer

I've been watching films and tv series related to Steampunk.   

Giorgio Moroder's Metropolis has modern music as the soundtrack but remains true to the story of industrial laborers rising up against repressive industry owners.

Hugo is one of my favorites.

The music of Steampunk is more difficult for me to define.  In the films, the sounds of metal against metal, chains clanging, whistles, hammers against anvils and other mechanical sounds abound.  I'll hazzard the opinion that Tom Waits' Rain Dogs is an example of Steampunk,  with its metallic sound effects and its dark atmosphere.

Clothing and accessories are an appeal and include elaborate corsets, top hats, jewelry made from gears, nuts, leather, watch parts as well as heavy leather and canvas industrial work clothing and metal helmets and other head and body gear.  The Steampunk Emporium online has a wonderful assortment of Steampunk fashion.

It's great fun.

You find more related films and books in the Monthly Selections in my Shop.

Have a product or event related to Steampunk?  Email us and we'll post it here.

News

Animal Rescue Force - in East Brunswick

COUNTING DOWN!!!

 Only 6 days left to buy your advanced tickets to the biggest fundraiser in town! Don't miss out on the fun. To be held on April 6, 2013 at the East Brunswick High School on Cranbury Road. 

Prizes include a weekend nite stay in a NYC hotel, restaurant and excursion(worth $500) in addtion to a 42" flat screen tv, $500 Visa Card, $500 Target card, Lap top Computer, I Pad, camera, printer, Gift Baskets, Theater, Restaurant, etc., gift cards. Two 50/50 raffles, door prizes and more. 

$5.00 admission only if you buy tickets in advance. $8 at the door the night of the event if there are tickets left. Doors open at 6:00pm and ticket pulling starts at 7:30pm Must be over 18 to play. Free coffee and pastries. Help support the animals in need. 

ticket prices are: Level 1 (up to $49 value) 1 sheet (of 25 tickets) for $2.
Level 2 ($50 – 99 value) 1 ticket for $2.
Level 3 ($100 – 499 value) 1 ticket for $3
Grand prize ($500 plus) 1 ticket for $5
The value packs are $40. 

For advance tickets, please send a check payable to Animal Rescue Force, P.O. Box 418, East Brunswick, NJ 08816 along with a self-addressed stamped legal sized envelope. Upon receipt the tickets will be mailed to you.***deadline to mail tickets will be April 1, 2013****

Now Reading:

Round House by Louise Erdrich

An excellent novel about the aftermath of the rape of a Native American woman seen through the eyes of her teenage son.  I haven't finished it but I highly recommend it.

Books, Bytes and Beyond - in Glen Rock

Annual Warren County Seniors’ Art Show - 10 AM and 12 NOON on Monday, April 15th at Shippen Manor

New cheese shop in Clinton - Fourchette

108th Annual Spring Sale at Spitaleri Furniture in South River

In Red Bank:

Internationally Famous Watercolor Artist Tom Lynch is headed to Colorest!

Internationally famous watercolor artist Tom Lynch will be teaching multiple workshops and a demonstration from April 25 until April 29.

Be sure to register soon as spots are very limited.

 Holistic dentist in Milburn

Steampunk World's Fair news coming soon.