Just Plain Cool

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 26, 2025

A True Jersey Podcast

Awhile back I blogged about a podcast I came across that was created by Jersey transplants. Let’s just say I found them less than charming. Today, I want to share a true Jersey podcast for those of us who really love our state! The Jersey Angle The Jersey Angle Podcast is hosted by Jersey journalists,… Continue reading

Exploring, Jersey Icon, Just Plain Cool, New Jersey

Brian Donohue, Ironbound, Mark Bonamo, Mother Cabrini, Newark, News 12 New Jersey, Red Bank Green, Tapinfo Newark, The Jersey Angle Podcast
May 10, 2025

Upcoming Italian Heritage Events in New Jersey

I haven’t had the opportunity to post lately. It hasn’t been for lack of want, or news, or interest. It’s mainly due to a lack of energy. It is hard to believe, but almost two weeks ago, I had orthognathic surgery to address issues I developed from a fall while out fly fishing with my… Continue reading

Bergen County, Essex County, Festivals, History, Hunterdon County, Just Plain Cool, Music, New Jersey, Non-Profits, Passaic County

Arcangelo Sam Michele, Belleville, Clifton, Feast of the Madonna Del Sacro Monte, Filitalia, Italian Apostolate, Madonna della Fontana, Michael's Roscommon, New Jersey, Newark, Paisan Con, Rutherford
March 28, 2025

Saving the Salamanders

We have officially hit spring and I am elated. If you are a regular reader, you are aware of my keen dislike of winter. The light at the end of the day, the warmer weather, it heals my soul. Another sign of spring is the beginning of the salamander migration. Yes, I’m serious. With 33… Continue reading

Exploring, Just Plain Cool, Middlesex County, New Jersey, Outdoors

Amphibian Crossing Project, biodiversity, Conservation, Conserve Wildlife Foundation, East Brunswick Environmental Commission, environment, nature, New Jersey Fish and Wildlife, Salamander, Vernal pools, Wetlands
February 28, 2025

Sahli Negassi is Simply Perfect

“What did you get on your SATs?” It is a question we have all been asked at some point. And quite honestly, I avoid this question like the plague. If people were judged by their SAT scores alone, I would be considered dumber than a box of rocks. I took my SATs three times in… Continue reading

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

Harvard, Sahli Negassi, SAT, West Orange High School
December 19, 2024

Constitution Day in New Jersey

December 18th is an important day in New Jersey history. On this date in 1787, the Garden State became the third state to ratify the United States Constitution. In what became our no-nonsense attitude, the representatives completed all the necessary tasks to ratify in six days. It is believed this was due in large part… Continue reading

History, Just Plain Cool, Mercer County, New Jersey, Preservation

Articles of Confederation, New Jersey history, New Jersey State Archives, U.S. Constitution ratification
October 9, 2024

Italian Heritage Month: The Italian Hot Dog

Growing up in North Jersey, just a stone’s throw from Newark, a battle continues to take place that’s as old as the neighborhood of the Old First Ward – what Italian hot dog do you prefer? What is an Italian Hot Dog? Just like I’ve said countless times, I grew up with certain foods and… Continue reading

Essex County, Food, Jersey Icon, Just Plain Cool, New Jersey

Dickie Dee’s, Italian Hot Dog, Jimmy Buffs, Jimmy Racioppi, 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
November 12, 2023

A Local Guy Named Tommy

I absolutely despite the Giants. There, I said it. Yes, I am a Jersey Girl through and through, but I can’t stand the two so-called “New York” teams that, you know, just happen to play somewhere other than New York. Yeah, I know. History… whatever. But then comes along Tommy DeVito. An American of Italian… Continue reading

Essex County, Jersey Icon, Just Plain Cool, New Jersey

Cedar Grove, Don Bosco, Giants, Illinois, Livingston, New Jersey, Syracuse, Tommy DeVito