When the link to the newest AwesomeNJ post, Is there a Central Jersey, came up on my Twitter feed a few nights ago, I had to click it. What I found was a video for a Montclair State University student discussion organization. The topic that they chose to examine was whether or not a “Central” New Jersey exists. Though one student proudly defended the notion as she explained “it’s the best place to be”, the overwhelming consensus given off by the rest of her fellow scholars was quite to the contrary.

Appalled and speechless, I watched the video again. And then again. As I viewed one ignorant blowhard call those who live in Central Jersey “horrible people”, I thought to myself, “Could students at one of our state’s finest institutions (one that is known for producing exceptional teachers of all professions, at that) truly be this uneducated about the boundaries of the Garden State?”

Surely, someone has to set the record straight.

The most basic of all Google or Wikipedia searches will inform even a fool that Central Jersey is, indeed, recognized officially. It extends from the counties of Hunterdon to Monmouth, and contains Mercer, Somerset, Middlesex, and Union Counties in between. Sometimes, even Ocean County is in the discussion (or at the very least is a disputed territory between the Central & Southern portions of the state). This locality is equipped with modern marvels such as exclusive Area Codes and Circulating publications, just like any other region to the north or south would hold.

The 908 and 732 Area Codes are both obviously identified as digits for “North & Central” New Jersey phone numbers. Most owners of the 908 and 732 codes are primarily concentrated squarely in the middle of the state. They are two of the most popular area codes that NJ offers and I’m willing to wager that most owners of said digits would ID themselves as Central New Jerseyans, if given the choice.

Still not a believer? Consider this:

The Home News Tribune & the Courier News are two exclusive Central Jersey Newspapers. They cover the daily happenings of every township and city in Middlesex, Somerset & Union Counties. Thusly, a useful piece of information about their joint-website (the firms merged in 2009) is that it can be located at the interesting web domain name of www.MYCENTRALJERSEY.com.

Assuming you trust straight-forward language such as the phrase “officially recognized”, you would then have to concede that Central Jersey, in theory, contains properties such as the State University’s two primary campuses (Rutgers New Brunswick & Piscataway), the birthplace of electricity and one of the most populated cities in our state (Edison), premier shopping outlets and centers for commerce (Menlo & Woodbridge malls), the state capital & governing body (Trenton), the world’s widest bridge (the 15-laned Driscoll Bridge along the Parkway in Perth Amboy) and the vast majority of our state’s Revolutionary War historical locations.

Oh, right, lest I forget the top-notch tourist attractions that include, but are not limited to, Concert Venue Starland Ballroom, Six Flags Great Adventure, valuable spots along the Jersey Shore and Monmouth Park Racetrack.

That’s a lot of “horrible people” inhabiting an area that supposedly doesn’t even exist.

I respect my brothers and sisters to the north and south. The Jersey bond is strong and for life. However, I am willing to go to my grave fighting to ensure that Central Jersey remains an integral part of our state’s reputation. Much misguided hatred is already sent our way by those in New York & Philadelphia. What we need to strive for is unity when discussing events applicable to New Jersey, not division.

By Brian Erhardt

It is no wonder that New Jersey has inspired some of the greatest movies of all time. I mean, Thomas Edison invented motion picture technology in West Orange. Check out the following list of Awesome NJ inspired movies, in no particular order….

On the Waterfront (1954) – Arguably Marlon Brando’s magnum opus (well, he wasn’t too bad in The Godfather, either), this heart-wrenching noir -filmed throughout Hoboken but “set” in Brooklyn- about a troubled shipyard worker/mob informer, features the iconic line: “You don’t understand. I could’a had class. I could’a been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am, let’s face it. “

Jaws (1975) – Oh, so you thought Peter Benchley’s novel and Steven Spielberg’s cinematic adaptation of the same name both stemmed from the rough waters of the New England beach resort areas? Well, the dirty Jerz, the summer of 1916 and one badass great white shark have something to say about that. And by “something to say”, I mean four fatalities and a near-death injury in an eleven day period. Cue the theme song!

Rocky (1976) – Speaking of Garden State legends, AwesomeNJ would be remiss not to include the Sylvester Stallone film tribute to New Jersey’s own “Bayonne Bleeder”, Chuck Wepner – the unlikely challenger for the heavyweight title who knocked down an overconfident Muhammad Ali in the process of going the distance with the champion of the world. Does this story ring a bell? That’s because a young Sly was in the crowd to watch this ’75 Bout near Cleveland, Ohio.

Cinderella Man (2005) – Why does the sport of boxing personify & embody the state of New Jersey so well? ‘Cause we’re a tough, gritty and working-class people. That’s why. This Ron Howard directed picture staring Russell Crowe as underachieving to overachieving fighting hero, James J. Braddock of Bergen, NJ is no exception (all he does in the film is beat the Great Depression for his family and an antagonistic boxer who previously killed a man. Nothing too epic here.).

The Wrestler (2008) – Ok, ok. I’m slowly weaning myself off of the Jersey-Boxing-Movie relationship. Wrestling will help make that transition smooth & painless. Seriously though, how many times in this Darren Aronofsky film did you say to yourself “Hey, I’ve driven down that road!” or “Wait a minute! I’ve shopped in that convenience store!” Well, that’s probably because you did at one point or another. Rahway, Clark, standup!

Garden State (2004) – The directorial debut and coming of age story from the pride of South Orange, Zach Braff. Surprisingly, what makes this indie, cult favorite awesome – even more so than the various NJ settings made clear throughout, and, you know, Natalie Portman – is the immaculate Grammy award-winning soundtrack handpicked by the Scrubs star himself.

Big (1988) – Tom Hanks. New Jersey. Toys. Big is a winner.

A Beautiful Mind (2001) – Films set in New Jersey and Russell Crowe: Perfect Together. This psychological thriller – based on the true story of John Nash Jr. – does eventually deviate from the Garden State, but it’s in the numerous plot shaping scenes along the beautiful campus of Princeton University that we truly crawl into the belly of the beast that is this troubled and schizophrenic intellectual’s mind.

Clerks I & II (1994 & 2006) – Can a Jersey film list honestly be awesome without a large Kevin Smith presence? Hell, no. We are forever in debt to our friendly neighborhood Director/Silent Actor.

Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004) – This unlikely stoner film (Cherry Hill & Princeton aren’t exactly drug-use Mecca’s, a la San Francisco) tours our state and actually gives a semi accurate portrayal of the NJ night life. In some strange way…

By Brian Erhardt

What are your favorite NJ inspired movies?