Ira Kaplan is not a religious man. So, when he and the members of his indie band, Yo La Tengo, decided to create a year-end series of benefit concerts during Hanukah in 2001, it had nothing to do with celebrating the Festival of Lights.

Seen in: Best Of Jersey

The state-of-the-art Prudential Center, new home of Devils’ hockey (and more), launches Newark’s ice age.

Seen in: Jersey Living, Sports

Ever watch the offbeat TV series Monk and wonder, How did they come up with that? For the answer, step into the writing laboratory of Madison’s Andy Breckman and his quirky crew.

Seen in: Jersey Celebrities, Jersey Living

Seated at his pedal steel guitar, Robert Randolph gets a thrill leading his Family Band and the crowd into a musical party. He gets an equal charge speaking to inner-city kids, encouraging them to seize life’s opportunity. He practices what he preaches.

Seen in: Best Of Jersey

The alt-rock band Fountains of Wayne famously took its name from an outdoor furniture store on Route 46 in Wayne. Bassist Adam Schlesinger, who grew up in Montclair, got his driver’s license at the DMV office, which is next door to the Fountains of Wayne store. “We just thought it was funny,” he says.

Seen in: Best Of Jersey