Just Plain Cool

February 22, 2022

Jersey Represent at the Olympics

As the Olympics in Beijing comes to a close, it is important to take a moment and say “thank you” to the athletes for bringing their best to the games. New Jersey sent over 30 athletes to the Olympics. Here are just a few of our great athletes. Hakeem Abdul-Saboor – Bobsled Growing up in… Continue reading

Essex County, Hunterdon County, Just Plain Cool, Mercer County, Monmouth County, Morris County, New Jersey

Beijing, Bobsled, East Orange, Fair Haven, Ice Hockey, Mount Olive, New Jersey, Olympics, Princeton, Skeleton, Speed Skating
January 20, 2022

The Language of New Jersey

If you live in New Jersey, you know we have a language all our own. However, if you are just a visitor, you may not know how best to communicate with us. Here are a few suggestion to help navigate a typical conversation. “How You Doin’?” Most people in other states start conversations with “hi”… Continue reading

Cape May County, Essex County, Food, Jersey Icon, Just Plain Cool, Morris County, New Jersey

BENNY, Disco Fries, Down the Shore, Eagles, Giants, Goosey Night, Hibernia Diner, hoagies, Jefferson Diner, Jets, Jughandle, Mischief Night, New Jersey, New Jersey history, North Jersey, Pork Roll, Roxbury Diner, Shoobie, South Jersey, subs, Taylor Ham
December 8, 2021

Paterson’s and Newark’s West Side

“When you’re a Jet, You’re a Jet all the way. From your first cigarette, To your last dyin’ day.“ My favorite Broadway show, hands down, is West Side Story. The show that put Stephen Sondheim on the map has transcended time. I remember watching the movie for the first time in middle school during general… Continue reading

Arts, Essex County, Just Plain Cool, New Jersey, Passaic County

Bamberger's, New Jersey, Newark, Paterson, Rachel Zegler, Stephen Sondheim, Steven Spielberg, West Side Story
October 13, 2021

Italian Heritage in New Jersey: John Basilone

In an earlier post, I noted that Italian immigrants and Americans of Italian descent made up approximately 10% of the entire fighting force during World War II; more than any other ethnicity. Despite Italian immigrants kept under surveillance and some put in containment camps, they volunteered by the thousands to fight against their Motherland. One… Continue reading

History, Jersey Icon, Just Plain Cool, New Jersey, Somerset County

John Basilone, Marine Corps, Medal of Honor, New Jersey, Quantico, Raritan, Somerset County, US Army, World War II
October 8, 2021

Italian Heritage in New Jersey: Frankie Valli

“Newark, Belleville; Frankie Valli walks on water. As he should. Frankie Valli has been around so long he’s attached to everything and everybody. And they are very proud.” ~Steve Schirripa, Talking Sopranos podcast. Belleville has been home to plenty of talent over the decades. Connie Francis, Joe Pesci, and of course Francesco Stephen Castelluccio, known… Continue reading

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

Belleville, Frankie Valli, Italian American Heritage Month, New Jersey, Newark, Stephen Crane Village
October 1, 2021

October is Italian Heritage Month

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you know I am a proud New Jerseyan. I am also very proud of my Italian heritage. October in Italian Heritage Month and as I do each year, I plan on writing about New Jerseyans of Italian heritage that have made a significant impact on our… Continue reading

Essex County, History, Just Plain Cool, New Jersey

First Ward, Italian American Heritage Month, New Jersey, New Jersey history, Newark, St. Lucy’s Church
August 20, 2021

Book Review: brat: an 80s Story

When anyone meets me for the first time, two things are obvious. I am a born-and-bred Jersey Girl and I am a Gen-Xer. I still love the music and movies of the 80s. Nowadays when I drive, there are very few radio stations I listen to; most of which are satellite and focus on music… Continue reading

Arts, Jersey Icon, Just Plain Cool, New Jersey, Union County

Andrew McCarthy, Brat Pack, Gen-X, Pingry, Pretty in Pink, St. Elmo's Fire, Westfield
May 15, 2021

Always Bee Prepared

Nature is a truly amazing thing. Whether you like to go for a hike, fly fish, or something else, being outside is always an adventure. Last night’s nature adventure took place at the local Roxbury Community Garden. This is my third season at the garden and it has been a great experience. I’ve met wonderful… Continue reading

Conservation, Just Plain Cool, Morris County, New Jersey, Outdoors

Apiary, Bee Keeping, Community Gardens, Honey Bees, New Jersey Bee Keepers Association
February 3, 2021

Kids, a Trumpet, and an Album: 1966

While my husband and I never had children of our own, we have thousands of kids. How you may ask? Decades of students taught by my husband. From marching band during his college years to 25 years as a public school band director. No matter what our kids decided to do professionally, we were always… Continue reading

Just Plain Cool, Music, New Jersey

The Oliva Brass Project
September 30, 2020

Going Old School in Jersey

My entire career has been focused on high tech. From prepress to IT to SEO, everything I’ve done has involved the latest in technology. I think that’s why people are so surprised to hear I have analog hobbies. I fly fish, as well as tie my own flies. I do yoga, hike, crochet, felt, weave,… Continue reading

Bergen County, Just Plain Cool, Music, New Jersey, Passaic County, Photography

Film Photography Podcast, Film Photography Project, photography, Singer Sewing, The Sopranos, William Paterson University