Arts

August 15, 2025

Belleville’s Favorite Sons Receive Special Honor

There is nothing I love more than hearing good news from my beloved hometown – Belleville. I spent about 20 years there, in the very same house as a matter of fact, and it will forever hold a special place in my heart. This past week, the bandmates were honored with keys to Belleville during… Continue reading

Arts, Essex County, Jersey Icon, Just Plain Cool, Music

Belleville, Giants Stadium, Met Life Stadium, My Chemical Romance, New Jersey
June 1, 2025

Remembering Loretta Swit

This week New Jersey lost a favorite daughter, Loretta Jane Szwed; but the world knew her as Loretta Swit. Born and raised in Passaic, Ms. Swit was an active member of her community. She participated in all the things a typical American girl did growing up. She was a member of the Girl Scouts that… Continue reading

Arts, Essex County, Jersey Icon, New Jersey, Passaic County

Holy Rosary, Loretta Jane Szwed, Loretta Swit, Montclair, New Jersey, Passaic, Pope Pius XII High School
January 25, 2025

The Retirement of a Jersey Giant

When it comes to the “Jersey Sound,” there are few that stand out as much as John Lyon. Most of us known him as “Southside Johnny.” A staple of Jersey pride for 50 years, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes’ shows are legendary. He has toured the world. Johnny and Steven Van Zandt formed the… Continue reading

Arts, Jersey Icon, Monmouth County, Music, New Jersey

Asbury Park, Jersey Sound, John Lyon, NJArts, South Side Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, The Stone Pony
October 31, 2024

Upcoming Event at End of Italian Heritage Month

I’ll be honest, October was a terrible month. I normally look forward to October every year, as it is the perfect excuse to celebrate all that is wonderful about Italian heritage. However, that wasn’t the case for me. My Aunt had been sick for a long time. Heart issues, kidney issues, fluid buildup; it was… Continue reading

Arts, Essex County, History, New Jersey, Passaic County

Clifton, Italian American Heritage Month, Italian Genealogy Society of New Jersey, New Jersey, New Jersey history, Newark, The Italians of Newark
October 2, 2024

Remembering John Allen Amos Jr.

Today is October first. Normally my post today would kick off the celebration of Italian Heritage Month. But I needed to pause and note the passing of Jersey’s favorite son, John Amos. John Allen Amos Jr. was born in Newark and grew up in East Orange. He was what I would call a Renaissance Man.… Continue reading

Arts, Essex County, Jersey Icon, New Jersey

East Orange, Good Times, John Amos, Newark
August 21, 2024

Coins and Cruz

Growing up, I would sit on my grandmother’s couch with my Uncle Sonny and look at coins. We would go through all the change he would bring home in his pockets at the end of the day and look for wheat pennies. We filled the old blue coin books and I still have a Tootsie… Continue reading

Arts, Bergen County, Jersey Icon, Just Plain Cool, Music, New Jersey

American Women Quarters, Celia Cruz, Cuba, Fort Lee, Grammys, New Jersey, Salsa Music, United State Mint
April 12, 2024

It’s Time to Know your Roots

The town of Fairfield is home to the largest percentage of Italian Americans in the country, according to the 2020 US Census. So it is appropriate the town will play host to the first annual Paisan Con this weekend. What is Paisan Con, you ask? Well, let me share. Paisan Con is an all-encompassing event… Continue reading

Arts, Essex County, Just Plain Cool, New Jersey

Fairfield, Genealogy, Italian Heritage, New Jersey, Newark, Paisan Con
March 7, 2024

The Mother of all Jersey Girls

This Friday is International Women’s Day. The day we should all stop and recognize the contributions of woman from all over the world. We Jersey Girls know there is something truly unique about us. We can go from perfect lady to Tony Soprano in 2.3 seconds. We may not know how to pump gas, but… Continue reading

Arts, Essex County, History, Hudson County, Jersey Icon, New Jersey

Kearny, Mother Cabrini, New Jersey, Newark, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Redemptoris Mater Seminary, St. Anthony’s Orphanage
February 17, 2024

Newark Academy Makes Ellington Proud

Nothing makes me happier than seeing a school system’s music department thrive. And they are certainly thriving at Newark Academy. The Academy’s jazz band, Chameleon, made the cut as one of only 15 finalists throughout the United States to perform at the Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival. The ensemble will compete… Continue reading

Arts, Essex County, Music, New Jersey

Chameleon, Essentially Ellington, Jazz Band, New Jersey, Newark Acacdemy
August 25, 2023

It’s Marching Band Season!

As much as I hate to see summer come to a close, it does mean one of my favorite seasons is right around the corner. No, not all that pumpkin spice nonsense. It’s marching band season! If someone asked me one of most memorable times growing up, my time in marching band would probably be… Continue reading

Arts, Essex County, Music, New Jersey

Belleville, Glen Ridge, Marching Band, New Jersey, New Jersey Marching Band Directors Association