James Beard Awards, NJ's 2012 Nominees

This year's James Beard Foundation Awards, the most prestigious in the world of food and wine, will be given out May 4 and May 7. The process starts with a first round of nominees. On the list from NJ, several familiar names and, in the category of Best New Restaurant, Zeppoli in Collingswood...

Tags: Atlantic City | Hoboken | Highlands | Presilla, Maricel | Starr, Stephen | Keyport | Araneo, Andrew | Krikorian, Michael

Super Class of 2012 for NJ Hall of Fame

From soup to Superman to the Super Bowl-winning Giants, the Garden State’s impact on contemporary culture is clearly evident in the 2012 class of New Jersey Hall of Fame inductees, announced today.

Tags: art | New Jersey Hall of Fame | Film | Bruce Springsteen | Literature

Snowy Owl Roosts in Warren County

Harmony Township has a new resident, and everyone’s freaking out. A snowy owl has made a temporary nest at the Merrill Creek Reservoir and Nature Preserve.

Tags: Merrill Creek Reservoir

Streep Slips Up, Jersey-Style

If you had any doubts about Meryl Streep’s Jersey authenticity, just know that she was bleeped during her Golden Globes acceptance speech. As a longtime fan, I was delighted.

Tags: Streep, Meryl | Bernardsville

Holidays With The Stars

Holiday parties are always a treat, but a holiday party spent mingling with ABC’s Dancing with the Stars professional dancers is a night to remember.

Tags: Dancing | Dance | reality television

Do Good with the Gift of Beads

Your little brother is bringing his new girlfriend, whom you’ve never met, home for the holidays this year. Hold the fruit basket. I’ve got a gift solution that will make you the coolest and most charitable sister around.

Tags: charity | Jewelry | philanthropy

Everybody Loves Raymond's

Well, just about everybody in Montclair and environs. We're not talking about the TV series but about the wildly popular eatery on Church Street, known for its hearty, well-made comfort food and its hip interior, part Brassai-era Paris, part 1930's diner.

The news is the owners, Raymond Badach and Joanne Ricci, are opening a second Raymond's...in Ridgewood this summer.

Tags: Montclair