An exerpt from a chapter . . .

Below is a paragraph from our yet-to-be-titled book. This is from my chapter on sports' loyalties in New Jersey.

In Monmouth, which is roughly at the same latitude as Mercer County, the fans are decidedly more North Jersey/ New York. The roads and transit lines whether bus, train or ferry, make the county easily accessible to New York City. Mercer’s transit links it with both cities, but the closer commute is to Philadelphia. Cable and media affect these two counties as well: In nearly all Mercer towns, the local network channels of Philadelphia and New York are on all of the cable plans and while this is mostly true in Monmouth, in some parts of that county, like in Hazlet, there are no Philadelphia channels (Comcast/ Cablevision). The main newspapers in these counties cover mostly all of the teams, but the Times of Trenton and Trentonian in Mercer give slightly bigger headlines to the Philly teams and the Asbury Park Press in Monmouth gives headlines to the boys of New York. And Dunkin Donuts should take note; there are areas in these counties that do not fit the norms for sports’ loyalties. Princeton and West Windsor seem to have more Devils and Rangers’ fans than Flyers, just walk into Dick’s Sporting Goods on Route 1 and look for jerseys. In the panhandle of Monmouth, there are plenty of loyal Flyers’ fans that loathe those northern teams. These central areas of the state showcase the intense rivalries nicely, and many have a 50/50 split of fans. Theo’s Tavern in Hightstown would be a good place to stop the next time the Giants play the Eagles. Pick a side of the bar and cheer loudly.

Trailer is done . . .

. . but my co-producers are procrastinating big time to put it on the web. They're awesome one week and then don't call me for the next. Patience.

Anyway, thought you would enjoy this clip of Bruce Willis (Penns Grove - Salem) and Jon Stewart (Lawrence - Mercer) . . though Salem's county's area code changed from 609 to 856.

We're writing a book too!

Hey all, we've got some pretty cool things to still film, but for the most part we are in post-production right now. We're writing a book about the differences between North and South Jersey with New Jersey's "popular historian" John T. Cunningham and I just finished my chapter on where the divide of sports loyalties exists (e.g. - are you an Eagles or Giants' fan?).

We were in Hoboken today partying with many Rutgers' football fans, the biggest unifier of our state from what we've found. So I'm posting an old clip here to showcase the fun we've had. 2008 is the year our film will come out, (and hopefully the book too) so Happy New Year all! And cheers to a Rutgers' win!

With the Author of the Jersey Shore: Atlantic City to Cape May

Some time with Jen A. Miller, author of: The Jersey Shore: Atlantic City to Cape May in Collingswood, NJ - Camden County.

Taylor Ham Pork Roll and more

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Is it called "Taylor Ham" or "Pork Roll?" For those that eat pork, New Jersey's famous breakfast can be eaten with ketchup, mustard or mayonnaise. But what to call it? It is as devisive as "sub" or "hoagie." And then, there are some clips from my weekend as we try to wrap up filming.

Where is the Center of New Jersey?

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There have been disputes. Just searching online will lead to them if you search for the "geographic center of NJ." Environmental factors cause it to change slightly from year to year. But people who think they live in Central Jersey may be surprised to find out the state's Center.

Interviews with colleagues

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Some good times with my fellow colleagues . . .

LBI: Chowderfest

My ventures around LBI. Very rough, but hope you like it. We recommend counting Mets, Yankees & Phillies' apparel on people. Sorry about the typo on "Mets" vs. "Meets." It will be fixed tonight.

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With the Author of, The South Jersey Shore . . .

See a brief write up about our interview with author, Jen A. Miller in Collingswood about South Jersey.

Take our survey . . .

Jon Bon Jovi from Sayreville is from North Jersey. Read this excerpt he gave in a Playboy magazine interview:

“The roadside diner right off the circle in Wall Township is a fabulous greasy spoon, one of the real silver-bullet diners. Taylor ham—a pork roll—is a Jersey fixture. Taylor ham with cheese on a hard roll is love. The big question is: ketchup or mustard? Everyone in north Jersey puts on mustard, everyone in the south, ketchup. I’m a mustard guy myself. A cherry Coke is wonderful with chipped ice. Diners are made for Sunday mornings or the day after when you need grease to soak up everything you did the night before. Then you order breakfast and lunch at the same time. That’s the greatest. It cures a hangover.”

It certainly challenges the Raritan River/ Driscoll Bridge theory . . which states that everything south of the Bridge is South Jersey. But Bon Jovi used both terms: Taylor Ham AND Pork Roll . . . but he used Taylor Ham twice. NORTH JERSEY!

Take our survery on whether you put ketchup or mustard on your Taylor Ham or Pork Roll.
Taylor Ham or Pork Roll?

Rutgers tailgating

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Although Rutgers lost again this past weekend, there is no doubt this football team has united the state. You see flags in the southern & northern counties equally. Those flags were just not there five years ago. It is a pleasure to see. As you can tell, we are getting to the bottom of our conclusions. Enjoy the outtakes from the tailgate!