NJ Court Decisions Online

The Rutgers University School of Law at Camden has digitized several groupings of court decisions. The following information is now available online:

Decisions of the New Jersey Supreme Court’s Attorney Disciplinary Review Board from December, 1998 onward. These decisions are online at http://lawlibrary.rutgers.edu/drb/search.shtml.

New Jersey Session Laws, which currently offers a complete compilation of session laws from 1703 to 1970. Rutgers-Camden plans to complete the collection “at least through 2000. This collection likely is of great interest to historians who can access archival legal and census information about New Jersey.” The documents are online at http://lawlibrary.rutgers.edu/njleg/index.shtml.

U.S. Congressional Documents, which offers digital access to congressional hearings and committee prints. This is an ongoing project. The collection is online at http://lawlibrary.rutgers.edu/gdoc/search/shtml.

Full press release here.

Rutgers Goes Down the Shore

Family and job responsibilities prevent some people from getting the education they would like simply because they can't travel to where the courses are offered. Rutgers University and the Atlantic Cape Community College have signed an agreement that would bring Rutgers faculty and classes to ACCC, allowing local residents access to the same education they would get on the Camden campus.

Information on the program is available at www.rutgersataccc.org.

See newspaper article here. ("Rutgers, ACCC join forces to offer more degree programs," by Diane D'Amico, Press of Atlantic City, Thursday, August 31, 2006)

Restaurant Review: The Brass Rail

The Brass Rail, sometimes known as Shirley's Brass Rail, has been a Camden fixture for many years. At 425 Market it is a block or two from PATCO, Rutgers, and the courthouse. The Brass Rail is a diner, with a menu of sandwiches, salads, some entrees, and soups, as well as standard breakfast fare. Their eggs are wonderful. My favorite lunch selection is egg salad on whole wheat toast, but just about everything is good. Stop in and give it a try. Meals are reasonably priced.

Two New Businesses Coming to the Victor

Two new restaurants are slated to open at the Victor Apartments (or Luxury Lofts as they like to be called), corner of Delaware Ave. and Cooper St., just a hop, skip, and jump from the Camden waterfront

Beginning this fall, The Victor’s Pub, a grill and sports bar will open. The menu will be varied but include standards like hamburgers, wings, and, my personal favorite, cake. It will also have 10 brews on top and cocktails. Fifteen flat screen tvs are expected to keep patrons up to date with the latest sporting events and news. There will also be private dining rooms. A varied menu will allow the pub to appeal to families visiting the waterfront during the day and businesspeople and students who might want to unwind after hours.

Also expected to open this fall is Miss G's grocery and convenience store, with household, dairy and food products, prepared meals, fresh salads, ethnic food, fresh brewed coffee and a variety of other beverages. Convenient items including an ATM and fax/copying service will also be provided. You will be able to shop on site, or have items delivered.

River Walks

I've been walking the red brick pathway along the river regularly this summer. Some days the river is choppy and the ducks bob like "whack a mole." Some days it is calm. Some days you are there at the right time to hear the ferry horn. Once or twice I've passed the Riversharks stadium when an afternoon game is in progress. It smells wonderful. A friend walking with me said it was fresh funnel cake.

Rutgers-Camden and Rowan among best in nation

On August 21, U.S. News and World Reports will issue their annual "America's Best Colleges" report. Rowan University is ranked 29th and Rutgers-Camden 31st out of 165 colleges in the region in the same category, which includes universities that provide comprehensive undergraduate and graduate programs.

Yardsale: The Movie

What could be better than movies at yardsales? A movie ABOUT yardsales!

Local filmmaker Robert Emmons has combined his love for observing people and the history of objects into a 20-minute short subject documentary titled “YARDSALE!”

“YARDSALE!” will debut at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7 at the Home Fine Art Gallery, located at Two Church Street in Mount Holly. More information (and a trailer) here

vacation post

CtD is on vacation. Back soon.

All About the Music

Looking for something to do this weekend? Friday, Saturday and Sunday, WXPN is hosting the All About the Music Festival on the Camden Waterfront.

The Inquirer's house blogger and knower of all things musicial gives a rundown of the bands and acts that will be appearing here.

Franklin Square Park Opens July 31st

When I cross the Delaware on the PATCO, I always look out the window at the abandoned Franklin Square station that appears before the 8th and Market stop. The last time it was used was in 1976 during the bicentenial celebrations and then it was closed due to lack of ridership. There is some possibility that this station may become active again according to the Southern New Jersey to Philadelphia Transit Study but I wouldn't wait for that to happen in order to visit the newly renovated Franklin Sqaure Park.

New features include a a carousel, mini golf and playgrounds.

Hot Spot on a Hot Day

If it weren't so darn hot out today, I would grab a laptop and take a walk down to Wiggins Park to test out the new wireless connection. At noon today, Wiggins park became the first wireless internet “Hot Spot” in the Camden County Park System according to this press release.

Here is a description of the kickoff.

Free Concerts in Camden

The Sunset Jazz Series has a performance tonight, Tuesday July 11th:
Charles Fambrough & The All-Stars at Wiggins Park at 8:00.

Camden County residents, get your free tickets for the XPN All About the Music Festival

Free tickets to Friday's performances (July 21st) are being offered to all Camden County residents. Get your tickets at a Camden County Store by July 14th. Two free tickets per person with proof of residency.

Check out the Camden County Parks website for more information on upcoming events.

Weekend activities on both sides of the bridge.

Here are some interesting activities being held this weekend:

BlueBEARy Blast and Celebrate NJ Day at the Camden Children's Garden. 11 am. Crafts, planting, entertainment and of course local NJ Blueberries (I've already eaten about 3 pints of Jersey blueberries in the past 2 days!!) Cost is $3-$5.

After filling up on blueberries, you can head across the river on the River Link Ferry to Penn's Landing for the Hispanic Festival at Penn's Landing for some traditional food and dance.

Jersey Fresh Produce

I have been reading some negative reaction to Farm Aid coming to Camden, NJ. Apparently people do not realize that the "Garden State" does indeed have farms and fresh produce.

I am referring people to the Jersey Fresh website to set the record straight. Here you will find information on agricultural events throughout the state, where to find roadside markets, where pick-your own, and locations of community supported markets. Two other features include recipes and whats in season to help you eat the healthiest, freshest produce available.

Camden Community Farmer's Market

On my way home from work today, I caught the train at Broadway in order to check out the Camden Farmer's Market. I can't wait to sink my teeth into the fresh corn that I purchased there!

Along with fresh produce, there were crafts, information booths, and other food vendors. By the time I got there most of the festivities were wrapping up, but I spoke with the woman selling me the corn and she said they had a large crowd earlier in the day.

Produce was available from Pastore Farms, a third generation farm located in Elm, NJ and Fruit Haven Farms located in Monroeville, NJ.

Other food vendors:
McCargo's Creative Cuisine, which is a fantastic restaurant on Cooper Street.
Front Page Caribbean Cuisine, a place I am certainly going to check out after viewing the menu.
Erlton Italian Bakery, a "Camden fixture since 1966".

I am so glad I went to the Market, not only because I now have corn for dinner, but because I found out about a local restaraunt and bakery that I did not know about!

I plan on coming home that way every Friday to stock up on fresh bread and produce!

Farm Fresh Produce in Camden and surrounding areas.

In the spirit of the Farm Aid announcement...here are some places where you can support the local farmers and get locally grown fresh produce.

The Camden Farmer's Market will be starting the season with special events tomorrow, July 7th from 11am-6pm.
This is the first year at its new location between the PATCO and RiverLine stations at Broadway. This is especially exciting since it is in Camden and convenient to mass transit.

If you are closer to Gloucester County on the Jersey side of the Delaware, you may want to check out the "Seeds to Success" youth farm stands. This is a great program that benefits local youth, local farmers and the local community. Farm stands are open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in Glassboro, Paulsboro and Woodbury. For more details regarding locations and times click here.

On the Philly side of the river, there is always the Reading Terminal Market for farm fresh goods.

Here are some links for finding more Community Supported Agriculture and Farmer's Markets in your area:

Local Harvest : Find Farmer's Markets, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA's) as well as grocery stores and resteraunts that purchase and serve local foods.

The Agricultural Marketing Service of the USDA provides information about Farmer's Markets as well as a Farmer's Market locater.

Farm Aid to be in Camden Sept 30th

Coming from a midwestern family of farmers and Willie Nelson fans, I have been watching Farm Aid since it began and making sure my suburban East Coast friends were aware of the plight of farmers throughout the country. Neil Young has just announced the details that will bring Farm Aid to the Tweeter Center here in Camden! Wow! More details will be posted as they become available.

Here is the article from the Courier Post.

The official Farm Aid website has more details.


Read this entry from the Farm Aid Blog, Around the Kitchen Table, that addresses the question Why Camden?

Kudos to Jersey Surf!!!

Over the holiday weekend I saw the Jersey Surf Drum & Bugle Corps perform. Wow! They are fantastic. If you haven't seen them, take a look at their web page for upcoming events. The next one listed is:

The Jersey Surf and
The City of Wildwood Present
The "Sounds of The Surf Summer Classic" A Drum and Bugle Corps Competition Featuring 9 Atlantic Division Corps Entertainment for the Entire Family!

Saturday, July 15th, 2006 - 7:00 PM
Historic Maxwell Field
4000 Park Boulevard, Wildwood, NJ

The uniforms are jazzy. The dancing is snazzy. Definitely worth a look.

Missing Monday

It's the first Monday of the month -- Missing Monday in the regional blogosphere.
"Gloria Damon"
Race: Black
Gender: Female
Age: 38
DOB: 10/9/1966
Height: 5’5"
Weight: 170 lbs
Build: Heavy
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
Complexion: Dark
NOTE: Gloria was last seen Tuesday, November 25, 2004. She has been missing before for days at a time. Subject known to abuse drugs and alcohol and is possibly in the Philadelphia area.

Phildelphia History Online

There is a fantastic new resource out there for Philadelphia history. Check out www.phillyhistory.org. You can look up a neighborhood and find thumbnails of historic photos of that area. There is also a street name index, indicting name changes, etc. It's wonderful. Give it a look. I'm adding it to the links list on the sidebar.