New Trail Bringing Life to Camden County

July 14, 2023

Yesterday, The FDA approved the first nonprescription birth control pill in the United States. Opill (norgestrel) is a daily oral contraceptive that is more effective at preventing pregnancy than the condom. The aim of the decision is to reduce unplanned pregnancies, which amount to about half of all pregnancies in the country and lead to adverse parental outcomes.

In Today’s Letter

  • NJ Trail-blazes

  • Bagel Bites

  • Featured Shop

  • The Weekend

New Trail Set to Revitalize Camden County

Depending on where you live in New Jersey walking and other outdoor activities are either a dream or practically a nightmare. As the state continues to develop and urbanize, communities are increasingly having to accommodate the public spaces that provide a setting for these diversions.

On Monday, the LINK Trail, an expansive walk and bike trail in Camden County was announced. It will run through 17 communities, connecting them via “circuit trails”; interconnected trails that facilitate commuting and leisure.

The project will cost over $30 million. Funding from the United States Department of Transportation in the form of a $19 million grant will cover a notable portion of the cost. The portion of the trail funded by the grant begins construction in the fall.

According to Camden program director for the Trust for Public Land, “the goal of all of this work [is] to ensure that this place is supportive of [residents’] long term health and well being. It’s about parks, it’s about trails, and the sort of secondary benefits of those things.”

The health benefits of walking and other exercises are obvious, but it bears repeating as a reminder of how essential they are. Exercise, especially outdoors, provides the following benefits:

  • 2.5 weekly hours of brisk walking reduces risk of depression by 25%. (Source)

  • 1 in 9 cases of depression could be prevented if all adults were to get 150 minutes of physical activity per week.

  • Aerobic exercises, “facilitate the growth of new neurons,” by releasing a protein called brain derived neurotrophic factor, BDNF for short. (Source)

  • Walking can enhance memory and mood with the release of neurotransmitters including dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins.

  • Walking lowers risk factors of cardiovascular disease. (Source)

  • Walking also decreases body weight and fat stores.

If walking, hiking, running, or cycling is tough to motivate yourself to do on your own, then you will be delighted to know that there is a plethora of clubs in NJ able to get you out the door and moving:

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Shop of the Week

Located: 52 Robinson St, New Brunswick, New Jersey, 08901

Overview: Friends Cafe is a quaint cafe situated on a corner near downtown New Brunswick. This inviting shop is an excellent place to grab a coffee, breakfast, or lunch. It also happens to be pet friendly in case you’d like to take your pet with you. Give them a visit, you will be pleased.

For The Weekend

NORTH⤴️: The Dream Food Fest is coming to the American Dream mall for the entire weekend, 7/14-7/16 from 12pm-10pm. There will be food from over 100 vendors, live music from over a dozen performers, and of course shopping. Its a food festival you won’t want to miss, get tickets here. (Link)

SOUTH⤵️: The New Jersey State BBQ Championship in Wildwood New Jersey is also happening for the whole weekend 7/14-7/16. Taste some of the best BBQ NJ has to offer while listening to some good music, as the Anglesea Blues festival is being hosted at the same time and place. Come get some food and tunes soon. (Link)

Central 🔄: Asbury Park’s House of Independents is hosting Noche de Verano Sin Ti on Friday 7/14 starting at 9pm. This event is a clubbing and dancing experience featuring Bad Bunny’s catalog of hits, coupled with other big names in latin music. It will make for a flavorful night on the town. (Link)

Ta-Ta For Now…

We hope your weekend is as magical as ever and all your wildest dreams come true.

“Don’t let your dreams, be dreams” - Shia LaBeouf

See you Monday.

-The Daily Bagel