Help Set The Record Straight On "Real Jersey"

Egregious tanning, overblown drinking, furious fist fights, big hair, overturned tables—enough!

Two current contests are looking to overturn negative perceptions of our state and its inhabitants by promoting "real" New Jersey residents, their accomplishments and their communities.

Recently Springfield Patch reported on a challenge to filmmakers, and Jersey fans in general, to compete in a video contest showcasing the "real Jersey shore." The contest is an attempt by Assemblyman Jon Bramnick to change thoughts about New Jersey that are based on the MTV reality show.

Now, t-shirt maker A Simple Daisy has entered the fray. The company is looking to provide an antidote to The Real Housewives of New Jersey by a searching for "real women of New Jersey who are making a positive impact in their communities and represent all the wonderful qualities of the Garden State." (Mary Marzano, where are you?)

To enter the contest, women 21 years of age or older should take a picture or 30-second video of themselves doing a charitable deed or in front of their favorite Jersey icon, landmark, restaurant, beach, store, etc. wearing the Jersey Girl tee from A Simple Daisy explaining why they believe they are the ultimate Jersey girl. All profits from the sale of the Jersey Girl t-shirts will benefit the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. You can visit A Simple Daisy's website for more information.

Now, all this seriousness doesn't mean that Bramnick and A Simple Daisy don't own a sense of humor or even enjoy the reality shows they wish to counter. Bramnick, who moonlights as a stand-up comedian and has been voted the funniest lawyer in the state, even admits to watching between five to 10 minutes of Jersey Shore.

Simpledaisy.com also understands that the shows are just entertainment. As the website states: "The reality shows can be amusing, fun, and entertaining but we all know that there is so much more to Jersey Girls than what is depicted on television."