The death of NJN and New Jersey's search for identity

I didn't watch NJN as much as I should have and apparently neither did you. Despite some freshly produced recent programming, Governor Christie announced network's likely fate on Monday.

It's not unique to New Jersey; this is happening all over the country. States are broke and cutting public television is a way to save some cash. Some are cheering the move because they believe the way public television operates is outmoded. They may be right.

Unless the legislature vetoes it within a two-week period, after 43 years of programming, NJN is dead. The network will metamorphose into NJTV, produced by New York's WNET, or as many in North & "Central" Jersey know it, Channel Thirteen. . . you know, that channel Billy Joel mentioned under pressure.

The radio programming gets split North and South: New York Public Radio gets four state owned licenses and Philly's WHYY gets five. The radio side may actually be more profitable, hitting niche audiences with more relevance at a lower production cost.

So New Jersey is now left with two privately owned television networks: Channel 9 WWOR in Secaucus (North) and NBC 40 (South) in the Atlantic City area. And in one way, NJN's demise can be linked to how those channels perform.

Talk to people who live in those areas (I was on both sides for eight years). They're likely watching the New York or Philadelphia channels for news while passing over the more local option. Afterward, their remote controls stay out-of-state for the sitcoms.

Why is this? My guess is that people like to feel they're a part of something bigger. Maybe we think it somehow makes us more cultured, to be on a big city channel. That and they're more slickly produced.

But the death of NJN brings up a bigger debate about our identity in the Garden State.

There is something about Jersey Pride. But many of us still form our identities around major metropolitan areas: North Jersey with New York, South Jersey with Philadelphia and the Shore people tend to wrap their arms around the beach and dread the mainland (or at least anything 5 miles west of them). The rest of us might find something else to rally around: the Boss, a diner or Rutgers football.

But NJN never used its power to unite the Garden State in a way that spoke to the trendsetters, the people who don't just pass on culture, but create it.

NJN never made us cool.

Don't get me wrong, the network had some gems, including Down Jersey, NJ Fresh and other shows dedicated to tourism in the Garden State. One program last year showcased the Jersey Shore as an international tourist destination. It would have been great if that show got more publicity to counteract MTV's view.

But would they have broadcasted this? Or shown this full-length movie?

I don't think so. Or how about New Jersey: the Movie? (clearing throat) Yeah it is happening all over the country and it's all about funding. But if we all loved it, we would have fought harder for NJN.

For instance, look at the success of NJ 101.5 FM. They have done an excellent job since their inception of Jersey centric-branding, their call sign is just the tip of the iceberg. The traffic reports make them relevant and their controversial broadcasting keeps people there. True it's private, and I often can't stand the hosts, but they're very successful.

So New York will run a news incarnation of the old NJN with a reduced staff of only 15 - 20 people working on New Jersey issues. South Jersey will likely be ignored (preserving a historical trend).

So what does the future hold for NJTV?

Well, I have three suggestions:

1) Find a cool NJ town and broadcast from there. (This can be done)
2) Target the young and nerdy.
3) Embrace some of NJN's past, while evolving into the future.

I will separately detail each point in later posts. But whether you loved NJN, hated it or didn't even know it existed, New Jersey lost some of its identity this week. Problem is, it's an identity that's always been hard to find.

Besides the Shore: Where do you vacation?

photo: NJ.com

Ahhh Memorial Day traffic. When I traded my "shoobie" moniker for "local" upon moving to the South Jersey Shore in 1999, I learned quickly to bulk up on supplies for big weekends and hope that I didn't have to get in the car - or God forbid - cross a bridge to go to the mainland during this time. Early reports are that local tourists are flocking to the Jersey Shore and predictions are that visits will be up throughout the summer . . . weather permitting

Good news for the economy, but the report also got me waxing nostalgic. Since I moved from the Shore in 2005, I often miss that feeling of relaxation that makes so many pile in cars and brave the roads. But the traffic is intimidating. Despite advice on back roads, or leaving during different times, I usually I opt for day trips during the week now.

But yesterday, due west, away from the beach, my wife and I strolled around Lambertville, NJ and New Hope, PA (different states, symbiotic economies). And I noticed something: The Jersey Shore vibe. No guidos running around getting into fights . . . quite the opposite. Just a lot of relaxed people, escaping for the weekend, enjoying their days off. Very similar to my memories of the Shore.

A month ago, I tried to capture my feelings on moving to Lambertville in a short video:

As we had dinner at Bell's Tavern in Lambertville and drinks at The Landing in New Hope, I looked around and saw packed restaurants, lots of cargo shorts, flip flops and even some Hawaiian shirts. A lot of motorcycles. It was an overall sense of electricity in the air with a side of chill.

Many people in the area get away to the beach and enjoy the ocean. And some also come to the many NJ river towns: Lambertville, Stockton, Frenchtown & Milford to enjoy the scenery along this bucolic part of the Delaware River. It's a different vacation, and for many, a different vibe. But I had actually had many similar feelings last night as I did when I lived in Margate City. No beach, but the vacation relaxation vibe was apparent and intoxicating. Just more humid with no salt in the air.

There are many other local non-shore relaxation spots. Let's not forget the many lake towns in Morris, Warren Passaic & Sussex. Some people also do the Poconos in PA or Lake George area in NY.

So I needed to ask the question: Besdies the Jersey Shore, what local spots do you visit to chill out in the summer?

The Battle for New Jersey's Soul

Look at Muhammad Ali hammering Chuck Wepner and you get an idea of what the media has done to New Jersey. The Bayonne Bleeder withstood a lot vs. Ali and even knocked the champ down during the fight, but for a more apt example, imagine if the media was Mike Tyson and New Jersey was Michael Spinks. That quick knockdown is what it's been like for New Jerseyans to defend against the media onslaught over the past decade.

The initial punches for this generation were The Sopranos. But it got a pass from many because it was fictional, well-written, on HBO and artsy, even though the opening credits were jabs to the gut. Then came the uppercut to the jaw, MTV's Jersey Shore, followed by the roundhouses: Real Housewives, Jerseylicious, & Jersey Couture. Everyone across America was watching the fight and the world viewed via satellite TV. Even Iranian secret agents who tortured dissidents were enamored by what they saw as exciting - fast forward to 42:25 to see.

But now comes a new round in the larger heavyweight fight. If you were on vacation, Snooki from MTV's Jersey Shore made $32,000 speaking at Rutgers University recently. Here were some students' reactions:

Snooki's Rutgers Appearance Raises Eyebrows

The story blew up because it was slightly more money than Noble & Pulitzer winning writer, Toni Morrison will make at commencement. (Although according to nj.com, Snooki's fee was split some ways by related parties). Some initially feared that Idiocracy was upon us; others noted she was a cheaper alternative to many higher profile and more expensive acts. Writers may have hopped on this bandwagon because local stories dried up; some are tired of it already. But it's significant. It matters because a punch has been thrown back.

A facebook event has been posted to counter Snooki's appearance and get The Boss to return to Rutgers after a very long 30 plus year hiatus. Additionally, a petition (that lacks the political overtones) was started.

If Springsteen comes to Rutgers, it would be bigger than just vindicating the University's image post-Snooki and after the tragedy of Tyler Clementi. It could be a winning round on the scorecard of a losing fight. It matters because what's going on at Rutgers could be a microcosm of New Jersey's overall pulse. Social media is being used to galvanize the grassroots and counter the media who have for so long used us as their punching bag.

Maybe Bruce will come. Maybe he'll play and not be political about how this came about (unlikely for The Boss these days).

But let's not underscore this: timing is everything.

The New Jersey-themed reality shows are mostly petering out. Their 15 minutes are up. Even Jersey Shore, a show that has staying power and whose cast just got big bonuses, is rumored to be ending after season 4. People will forget the shows, but the stereotypes will live on. A show by Bruce Springsteen on the campus of Rutgers would represent New Jersey fighting back, while these shows are still relevant to many.

Jersey guy Chuck Wepner went to round 15 with Muhammad Ali and became the inspiration for Rocky. We're calling for you Bruce. Make this matter.

Census part I: WNYC's take

I've been eagerly awaiting the 2010 Census numbers for a while now.

Public radio station WNYC has released some census maps, including racial demographics and population changes from 2000 - 2010. I took some screen shots of the the population change map, but of course, I was more interested in focusing on how the New York based radio station divided New Jersey.

Did they divide it based on where their listening audience is?

Where the fringe signal reaches?

Where the census divides New Jersey?

I really don't know.

But I did notice some interesting patterns:

They left out the Lehigh Valley area of New Jersey that we focused on heavily in New Jersey: the Movie. In the film's extras, we interviewed a friend Doug, who grew up near Belvidere and both owners of Gunnar's Landing. You can see the newest interview of Gunnar's here.

Finally, my hometown of Ewing gets split by this map. Actually, it splits Mercer County and Monmouth County. The significance of this: it is exactly where our People's Line (detailed in the film) goes through.

But surprise: no Ocean County.

This all makes me wonder if Ocean County will continue to be counted as part of the New York metropolitan area in the new census or if it will become something else . . . Anyway, I hope to post more as the new census numbers creep out.

New Jersey's fashion divisions

For a yet-to-be-released article (or maybe it will never be written), I was asked to comment on the differences in style between North and South Jersey.

This, from a guy who prefers hoodie sweatshirts & sweatpants in the winter and lives by cargo shorts in the summer. However, I did have an opinion, even though you can't put clothes on my observational skills. But it couldn't be done in two. So the map I made looks like a frankenstein NJ assortment of style classifications. Let me explain.

1. Bergen Posh is in YELLOW is all it's own. The people here emit a certain amount of confidence in themselves that you won't find anywhere else in the state. To most New Jerseyans, Bergen County is a different world, but ironically, it's dominated media depictions of us for so long. This is Real Housewives territory, but there is more to it than that. Not everyone has the stereotypical big Jersey hair here, but it definitely exists in large quantities. Being underdressed is not something I would advise on a weekend night. Style is very important and a reflection of your privileged status. You'll find hoop earrings, stilettos and BIG handbags. It's a populous place & pretty diverse; there is the GTL group, but also many golfers. I'm mostly referring to Northern Bergen County and some parts of Passaic & Morris. Because "Bergen is Bergen," it emits its culture to neighboring areas. It continues to a lighter degree in Morris, West Essex & West Union (you can see the change in shade) where many of those suburbanites are transplants from somewhere else. This is what people in Manhattan think Jersey is like.

2) Horse Country Prep GREEN - Hunterdon, Somerset, southern Morris, southern parts of Middlesex, & east central Monmouth. northern parts of Mercer (Princeton) and western Monmouth & northern Ocean counties. This is more the prep school look, no hairspray. Major achievement goals for this LL Bean crowd would be to get into an Ivy or similar college, become an Abercrombie model or a professional equestrian. Many here work at pharmaceutical companies too. They know their wines and are well traveled. The Far Hills Steeplechase would be the time to see this group's very style conscious mojo in action. Horse country continues into southeastern Mercer, Northern Ocean & Monmouth, but to a more laid back degree (The green is shaded lighter here).

3) Gateway Urban - RED From the Hazlet & the Brunswicks to southern Bergen County, you're more likely to see makeup, & big hair. This area is close to where Jerseylicious is filmed. The GTL crowd exists in big numbers, but it's also where I think the best food in Jersey is because you have so many newer immigrants. You can go from a Korean BBQ to Indian to Dominican. It's really the best kept secret in all of NJ in my humble opinion. I don't know if you can link cuisine to style, but we have your urban NJ flavor here. Very confident, train-saavy people. Also found in the area of southern Passaic around Paterson.

4) Garage Beachy - Powder BLUE Flip flops in the summer, dark sneakers in the winter. There's a difference between the people that grew up here from the people who moved here from North. Ed Hardy & tattoo sightings are a common sight. This is the epicenter of music in New Jersey, so you have longer hair for guys as well unique combo of the surfer look. This is eastern Monmouth & Ocean counties. My guess is more guys per capita here can play a musical instrument. Atlantic & Cape May counties are even more casual, more jeans and more tattoos, but less musical. Spotting a woman with a handbag down here is less likely.

5) South Jersey style - BLUE Philadelphia suburbs are very much like the Atlantic & Cape May counties (these counties are culturally tied). However in Cherry Hill, Moorestown, Haddonfield & Haddon Twp. you're likely to see a preppier variation (I've colored these a lighter shade of blue), but in other South Jersey towns my experience it's lots of jeans, more likely to see the big hair, more makeup & more people smoking outside taverns. I'm always welcomed here at pubs in my hoodie and sweatpants too.

6) Counterculture/ Bedroom. PURPLE These towns were tough to categorize because there's really two small sets. The counterculture towns include Lambertville, Frenchtown, Collingswood and increasingly New Brunswick & Asbury Park. To a different degree up North: Weehawken, Edgewater, Downtown Jersey City & Hoboken have your bedroom community yuppies (for lack of a better term). Lots of transplants here too. In the Counterculture towns, you're more likely to see styles similar to Brooklynites. Coffee & music are important here. You'll see big hipster glasses, scarfs, and tighter, darker colored jeans. In the bedroom communities, the gyms are packed with transplants who work in the city. Parts of Maplewood, South Orange and Montclair give you the best combo of the two sides here which is why I included them in one category.

7) Exurb Sprawl - ORANGE To use a David Brooks' term, these include Warren, Sussex, Salem, Cumberland, western Atlantic, Gloucester & the Pineys in Burlington & some of Ocean. Very laid back. I've only been to a few taverns out here (check out Millville on 3rd Friday) but it's a VERY low key style. A sweatshirt with work boots should be fine on a Saturday night. I've seen many paintballers here drinking off their wounds. There's a nice lack of pretentiousness and very friendly people.

My day on the Sports Dividing Line

I stopped at 3 bars yesterday during the Eagles - Giants game. The results of what I saw were as unpredictable as the result of the game itself.

My journey started at the Dublin Square in Bordentown. Then, we went northwest to my hometown of Ewing at the Firkin Tavern. Finally we drove south (through PA) & finished at the 45th Street Pub in Edgewater Park.

First, I have stated here before that Bordentown, in Burlington County is safely Philadelphia sports territory. I still stand by that. If you were to go to Bordentown High School, it would be pretty evident. However, because Routes 206, 130, 295, 195 and the Turnpike all intersect in or near Bordentown and because the town has three great sports pubs right next to each other, these establishments are often filled with many Mercer and Monmouth County people - which means more Giants fans. This was obvious at Dublin Square, where I counted 17 people in New York gear and only 4, including myself, in Philadelphia apparel. There were others there, including the Boston guy, but it gives you the atmosphere.

We then trekked to Ewing in Mercer County, which was 6 - 4 Eagles in terms of apparel. But most of the people were Eagles fans. When the Giants scored to finish out the first half, only those four people (pictured) cheered. It was like a funeral in the bar and was a completely different atmosphere from Bordentown. Even though Ewing is further north, it is kind of isolated along the Delaware River if you look at the roads. All you've really got is the Interstate 95's infamous gap to PA and Route 29 to Trenton and Lambertville. The Firkin was an Eagles bar. The four Giants fans also looked like TCNJ students.

We finished by going 95 South through PA and hitting up Edgewater Park. This was safely Eagles country. There were two loud Giants fans at the bar and that was it. I got some locals to pose for a picture, but this was before the big comeback. They reluctantly agreed, but by the end of the game, we are all hugging and high-fiving each other. It was quite a sight. It was quite a game.

It was quite a fun travel day through the sports dividing line of New Jersey.

Battle of the Bulges: Wawa line moves farther north

The opening of Wawa in Parsippany - Troy Hills this winter makes it Wawa's northernmost New Jersey location. It eclipses Phillipsburg, which previously held the title since 2008.

This has created another bulge in the Wawa map. The problem is there are many people in the middle of these two extensions who are still far from a Wawa, thus making the map somewhat deceiving.

Many, like their non-shaded brethren, are hoagie refugees

Where in NJ to watch the Eagles at Giants

This Sunday. 1pm. It's the Philadelphia Eagles at the New York Giants.

Most experts predict whoever wins this game will win the NFC East Division title and stamp their ticket to the playoffs. For the other team, they'll likely be looking at the last spot or worse - they'll be out of the playoffs all together.

VS

If we follow the New Jersey sports dividing line, below is a list of some bars that will have divided crowds.

So get out the people watching binoculars, get your jersey, pick your side and enjoy this VERY rare occasion. It's too often the NFL schedules these two opponents at night. While it's great for TV at home; it's not the same at the taverns. This Sunday is going to be special.

Get off the couch and out to one the following places this Sunday.

Warren County

Gunnar's Landing - Belvidere

Pinstripes - Alpha

Mercer County

Wildflowers - Pennington

The Firkin Tavern - Ewing

Burlington County

All Starz Sports Pub - Bordentown

Dublin Square - Bordentown

Chickies & Pete's - Bordentown

Ocean County/ Monmouth

Plumsted Grill - on border of Cream Ridge/ Plumsted Twp.

Ocean County

L.A.'s Restaurant- Manahawkin

Doyle's Pour House - Tuckerton

It could happen: HS Winter Classic in NJ

Ice Hockey. New Jersey. Outdoors.

It is something that we rarely picture. But could it happen here?

Possibly.

On Sunday, Paul Bruno of NJ.com thought out loud about
holding a high shool outdoor ice hockey event in the Garden State.

Alliance Hockey photo
It is a rare occurence that allows me to write about two of my passions in the same post. As a kid, I skated on a branch of the Assunpink Creek that went through my parents' property. It rarely freezes over anymore, but in North Jersey, especially the Skylands, they get to lace up skates outdoors quite often. Even parts of the award-winning documentary, Pond Hockey, were filmed farther east - in Bergen County.

But where in the state could a game like this occur?

The coldest place in New Jersey of course - Sussex County. And they have two potential venues that would work.

My first thought would be Skylands Park in Augusta. It is home to the Sussex Skyhawks of the Cam-Am League. If you could get Century Link and other sponsors on board, it would be the perfect venue.
If that doesn't work, I have heard the new owner of Mountain Creek, Eugene Mulvihill, who has a big vision for the resort, could pull it off.

Then, get the New Jersey Devils involved in that Northwest corner that often goes ignored PR-wise (co-owner Jeff Vanderbeek did not stop here on his summer Jersey Tour) and you may have something.

If not high school, make it college teams like Princeton, Seton Hall, William Paterson, Rutgers, Monmouth, Rowan, TCNJ or Rider. Men's and Women's games.

Hot chocolate, revived roasted chestnut stands, a guest announcer like Glenn "Chico" Resch and ice hockey outside - the way it was meant to be played.

New Jersey as a winter sports paradise? Add it to the tourist books.

Short trailer

See Steve's new movie on Thanksgiving & after

Steve's new film, Hockey in the USA - part I, will be screening online starting Thanksgiving Day. It will be screaming for free on the Backyard Hockey website and for a couple weeks thereafter. Please check it out.