Listen up rising stars: today is the last day for you to wonder when your music will make it on the radio. Introducing Rock on Radio, a radio program dedicated to helping emerging artists get the chance they’ve been waiting for.
The host of Rock on Radio, Hamilton Township resident Danny Coleman, had a dream of going into radio, but wasn’t able to make a living at it. As fate would have it in the form of a Craiglist ad, the long time drummer and music lover turned his hopes into a reality.
“I was home on disability after 20 years as a UPS driver and started to investigate other job possibilities,” said Coleman. “I saw a post on craigslist that read "seeking radio show hosts." I set up a mee ...

Sandwiched between two culturally rich hubs like Bucks County and New York City, it should come as no surprise that En Jay is home to many extraordinarily talented artists, artisans and craftspeople.
This coming weekend, the Sugarloaf Crafts Festival (www.SugarloafCrafts.com), which showcases 275 artisans from around the country, will feature twenty talented New Jerseyans.
Former Landscape architect turned master illustrator, John DeAmicis of Milltown (www.deamicis.com) has penned a series of satirical drawings and notecards that have garnered the attention of Pepsi and the Dr. Seuss Estate.
For Sherry Lane of Scotch Plains (www.sherrylanejewelry.com), making jewelry started as a hobby. After a diagnosis with bre ...

I have a big problem with education today. I can’t keep up. Since I am no longer in school, this shouldn’t be a problem. But as a parent I always envisioned myself patiently guiding my children through their homework, filling them with wonder that I could know so much about so many things.
But my kids come home using words that frighten me; words like “fractions”, “physical sciences”, “social studies” and—this is really scary—“language arts”. What’s next? History?
One day my son asked if I knew what a Googolplex was. I thought it was a big movie theater. He quickly corrected me. “It’s the largest number in the whole world! There is this number called a Googol which is a 1 with a hundred zeros ...

First Saturday in Asbury is (www.asburyparkchamber.com) going green. Free energy efficient help and products, plus live Irish music, free trolley rides, downtown stores and restaurants all participating.
JC Fridays, a city-wide celebration of local arts and culture, all day tomorrow in Jersey City. Go to www.jcfridays.com for a list of events and participants .
Return to the 90’s with The Wedding Singer on stage at New Brunswick’s State Theatre Saturday night (www.statetheatrenj.org). There’s a theme party with the cast afterwards… no charge but you need to RSVP to donations@statetheatrenj.org.
The Women’s Theatre Company presents Doubt at the Parsippany Arts Center beginning tomorrow (www.womenstheater. ...

Step a bit off the beaten path and find the café/caterers named: The Fruited Plain (www.thefruitedplain.com). The restaurant is in Parsippany, the take-out/catering shop is in Pine Brook.

This seven year-old shop is a bit hard to find, set your GPS for this welcoming well lit space, brimming with gourmet to go. Both fresh and frozen delicacies prepared for your holiday and everyday table, plus soups, desserts and savory and sweet, toothsome treats.
A refrigerated case is filled with amazing salads. One which I love is Edemame and Quinoa with a light soy, sesame dressing. Other favorites include batons of deeply flavorful beets in a vinaigrette and a lightly seasoned curried chicken salad. Their bread from a NYC is just crusty enough to su ...

If you plan to indulge in some retail therapy as soon as the snow clears, we’ve got what you need to freshen up your ‘drobe for Spring.
The color mavens call it pink champagne, or blush. This season, it’s everywhere you look, on sweaters, tee shirts, jackets, part of the pastel combinations you will be buying and wearing.
At Nordstrom, one designer of a chiffon shirt calls it “Cloud Pink.” Designer Stella McCartney calls her satin blouse “Powder.”  Chico’s, for women of a certain age, calls the color “Delicacy”.
You get the picture.
Slip into your meditative muted clothing to help relieve the stress of sour co-workers,  screaming children, and real life kitchen nightmares. Pair your pastels with white or b ...

Want to learn to dance with the stars? Celebrity dancer Geo Hubela opened Icon, a state of the art dance training center in Englishtown (www.icondancecomplex.com).

This could be the creative work-out you need to get ready for warmer weather—or a chance to prepare for a more serious career.
 The Brooklyn-born Geo now lives in Manalapan . He and his sister Beth, are co-founders of the school. He got his big break at age 19 when he was picked by a Disney scout to become a theme park dancer in Orlando. He went on to dance with the likes of Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, ‘NSYNC, and Jennifer Lopez.
You might recognize his hip hop silhouette in the IPOD ad. He also led a team of finalists on America’s Best Dance Crew.
Geo’s ambition i ...

The Perfect Snowball requires perfect snow; not too wet, not too dry. The Perfect Snowball packs evenly between gloved-hands and holds its spherical shape firm and sure. It has perfect mass and balance, so that it can be hurled, in tact, with great precision at pleasing velocities.
The Perfect Snowball explodes on impact with a dramatic poof of snow that leaves an unmistakable imprint on a winter coat. The Perfect Snowball is cold, but it doesn’t hurt. It will rattle a window pane, but not break it.
There are defenses against The Perfect Snowball. Trees are good. Snow forts too. And, if you are very, very patient, summer. It is easily blocked by a shovel or an upturned sled, or in desperation, by a human shield— ...

Snowstorm permitting, there are plenty of ways to say farewell to February this weekend, and hopefully, welcome some better weather!
Hoboken’s newest watering hole opens up this weekend. McCarthy’s Pub (www.mccarthyshoboken.com), described as “an upscale spin on an Irish Pub” throws a Pre-St.Patrick’s Day Bash as it celebrates the grand opening.
Asbury Park’s Langosta Lounge (www.langostalounge.com) is hosting a “Full Moon Over Haiti” event on Saturday, celebrating the February full moon while also raising funds for Haiti relief efforts.
Canines On The Catwalk—the best in doggie fashion, is Saturday evening’s benefit for Companion Animal Advocates at the Knights Of Columbus Hall in Oakland (companionani ...

Aozora (www.aozorafusion.com) in Montclair, is a modern Asian fusion restaurant with remarkably fresh fish and produce.
The restaurant describes itself as “Art of Sushi & European Fusion Cuisine” and chef/owner Nelson Yip is a craftsman at his trade. Even with the many Japanese / sushi restaurants in the trendy area, you’ll feel fortunate to have discovered Aozora. The menu offers excellent quality sushi and sashimi and outside-the-box fusion dishes.
For starters, don't miss the Salmon Lover platter (there’s a tuna version also), heaven for diners who enjoy salmon sushi, rolls and sashimi. The sampler features a mock tartar with refreshing lemon rind that is outstanding.
Another winner is the Zen Salad made up of ba ...

We know how stressful planning the perfect holiday party can be. While it’s fun to invite friends and family, orchestrating an event with a colorful theme and food that will please the masses can be a daunting task.
Take the guesswork out of your next party with the help of Basking Ridge party planning pro Dawn Sandomeno and her party blueprints.
Dawn is co-founder of PartyBluprints.com ä, the first ever website to provide e-party plans, and author of the PartyBluprints Blog (www.partybluprintsblog.com), a “real girls’” guide to home entertaining which received a “thumbs up” from Good Housekeeping.
She is also a regular expert contributor on various party and entertaining sites and she does this all ...

Have you made your New Year’s Resolutions yet? Weight loss is one of the most common resolutions that people make at the beginning of each year.
Susan Jakers, of Avenel, is a Certified Health Coach. After battling her own weight problems for years,  she’s developed a system to help you manage your mind and your body, and is dedicated to the achievement of health and well-being.
Inspired by the other female entrepreneurs in her family, Susan teaches you (www.healthandwellnessadvisor.com) to improve your mental attitude and trust in yourself as tools to achieve your healthy body and weight goals. Through smart eating, enjoyable exercise and self-esteem building strategies, you’ll learn to maintain ...

Some people would say that Jim Barbour is a saucy kind of guy. But the West Windsor entrepreneur would take that as a compliment!
After launching his own line of all-natural barbeque sauces called FunniBonz (www.funnibonz.com) in December 2008, Barbour has been treating En Jay residents to his unique blends of sweet and tangy flavors. The inspiration behind the sauce came from Barbour’s own entrepreneurial spirit and love of cooking.
“I was always the kid at my mother’s apron strings and I have always had a curious fascination about good food,” Barbour said. “I spent a lot of time grilling out and I could not find a sauce that I really like, so I decided to make my own.”
After quitting his day job as an account manager in the city, ...

Have you ever realized there are fewer men’s clothing stores in our towns? Well… one Maplewood woman is filling that gap.
Renee Kingston opened Grade A Goods…(21 Scotland Rd South Orange 973-761-0876) a Soho style men’s clothing store  in the heart of downtown South Orange. The store  features an "urban classic trend," according to Kingston that mixes and matches styles. The store opened its doors in December, 2008.
Renee is a recent Cornell University graduate with a major in textile and apparel management. She opened Grade A Goods because she felt there was an absence of men’s clothing stores in the area.
Renee’s target customers are young men- twenty to early thirties- who are sophisticated, outgoing, and wil ...

Tanya Blue of Woodbridge knows that women going through chemo therapy have special worries about how the treatment will affect their beauty.

Hair loss, skin reactions, exhaustion—Tanya experienced all of it when she was diagnosed with breast cancer four years ago, just before her wedding. But Tanya was determined to maintain her beauty routine, and battled the disease by always putting her best foot forward.
Blue, who dresses Broadway actors for a living, knew that if she looked good, she would feel better and stronger. So she created Chemo Beauty Box (www.chemobeautybox.com) a web-based business where she combines accessories and cosmetics that women need into pretty gift boxes.
“I work in the theater, the land of make-believe, so what be ...

Keep the address 99 Rumson Road in mind this weekend. It’s the annual spectacular Stately Homes By The Sea (www.statelyhomesbythesea.com) showcase—it opens this week and you won’t regret making the trek to tour one of the foremost properties in this ultra-exclusive ‘hood. It’s all for a great cause, the Visiting Nurse Association of Central New Jersey.
In South Orange, you can celebrate some of the town’s magnificent homes, and help the town historical society this weekend by attending the Gems of South Orange House Tour on Saturday. (www.sohps.org).
Travel Around The World in Eighty Days without leaving En Jay this weekend, by taking in the Shakespeare Theatre’s (www.shakespearenj.org) production of the Jules Verne novel.
Watch former bandleader-turned-cabaret star Eddie Bruce’s famous tribute to Tony Bennett ...

NJ My Way sought out three purportedly delicious cupcake spots and sampled them in order to guide you, our readers, towards a more perfect pastry experience.
Cupcakes by Carousel (www.CupcakesbyCarousel.com) in Ridgewood has a variety of cupcakes beautifully displayed in the fun little shop, and evokes child-like enthusiasm for dessert. The cheerful staff happily answered my queries about flavor and ingredients, chatting welcomingly. The vanilla-on-vanilla cupcake I selected had dense cake coated in a generous layer of thick, sugary frosting. The cupcake prices ranged between $2.25 and $3.75, depending on how elaborate the flavors. On my way out, I grabbed a free colorful magnet and complimentary temporary cupcake tattoo. Cupca ...

Sitting on the side of a forlorn lot just off the main drag in Florham Park, Viet Ai (www.vietai1.com) will delight your taste buds. The small lot in the back fills up quickly, so you may wish to park off Columbia Turnpike. Walk in through the back.
Smiling faces abound this nearly two year old temple of all things Vietnamese food. All from scratch and cooked with abundant love.
 This gem of a "hole-in-the -wall" restaurant serves "classic" Vietnamese food like Pho, the salubrious national soup dish, chock full of any kind of meat your heart desires. Rare beef is king here, as are navel, stomach, brisket and sweet slices of smoked then grilled barbequed pork.
One can never go wrong with a summer roll consisting o ...

This weekend, we devote our “picks” to helping the victims of the Haiti earthquake--- How can you help? Your options are all around you:
Wegmans throughout the state (www.wegmans.com) will accept customer donations at checkout through Saturday January 23rd. Donations will go to the American Red Cross.
The Peapack-Gladstone Bank is collecting donations in support of the Red Cross relief efforts, in all of its branches. Checks made payable to the American Red Cross can also be mailed to Peapack-Gladstone Bank, PO Box 178, Gladstone, NJ 07934.
Students at Gateway Regional School district in Woodbury Heights will be collecting spare change for the cause through Friday January 22nd.
Millburn students will be collecting funds in the downtown on Saturday January 23rd and Sunday the 24th.
Morris County churches are holding foo ...

{mosimage}A powerful exhibit from Holocaust survivors at the Monmouth Museum (www.monmouthmuseum.org ). This multi-media display features suitcases of survivors filled with scrapbooks, photographs and letters; and award winning art from local students.
They’re going to the dogs tomorrow and Saturday in a big way at the NJ Convention & Exposition Center (www.njexpocenter.com). Root for your favorite breeds from the New Brunswick Kennel Club (www.nbkc.org).
Head out on Spring’s first birding adventure at Duke Farms (www.dukefarms.org) on Saturday morning. You’ll need to pre-register on their website for this hike with naturalists from the New Jersey Audubon Society.
Environmentally friendly Earthshare (www.earthsharenj.org) is holding a fundraiser at the Laurita Winery in New Egypt tomorrow, which includes a wine t ...