Pet-Friendly Apartments

Your pet is a part of your family, and you need an apartment that will accept your pet. So what should you know about your next home?

Start your search by checking out websites and asking agents for only apartments that specifically allow pets.

After you narrow down your search to the areas and apartment communities in which you’re interested, consider the apartment's pet policies. Pets provide health and happiness to their owners, so it’s only fair to consider your pet's happiness and health as well.

Some apartment communities will require an additional deposit for a pet, as well as additional monthly rent for apartments with pets.

Some apartment communities only allow cats. Those that allow dogs may have weight and size restrictions, (ie: dogs under 30lbs), breed restrictions (no pitbulls), and or numbers of animals allowed in one apartment.

While some apartment communities cater to your pets needs with dog runs and pet spas, other have restrictions about where pets can or cannot go. Never move into a home and try to hide your pet from the landlord. Your pet, your landlord, and you will be miserable if any of you have to go.

Choose an apartment that is safe and convenient for your pet to take walks, etc. If your dog needs frequent bathroom breaks and lots of exercise during a day, living on the top floor of a 25 floor high-rise may not be the most logical choice for your new home.

Be sure your pet is up to date on all vaccinations, that you have the correct city and county animal permits, and don't forget to spay or neuter your pet.

Check out the following resources:

• Liberty Humane Society: http://libertyhumane.org/home.php


• The Humane Society: http://www.humanesociety.org


• The Anti-Cruelty Society: http://www.aspca.org


• Animal Legal Defense Fund: http://www.aldf.org

New Jersey-Based Shows Boom on Television

Ever since the ending of one of America's most beloved television series, The Sopranos, a slew of New Jersey based-television shows have tried to copy the formula of its success, and though some have been hit or miss, the rage continues.

The Sopranos

The Sopranos premiered on HBO in the United States on January 10, 1999 and revolved around New Jersey-based mobster Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) plagued by panic attacks, his family life and the organized crime family he heads. Based in Essex County, North New Jersey the show highlighted many New Jersey towns such as Elizabeth, Kearny, Lodi, Newark, and Jersey City, even in the beginning credits. After 6 seasons of violence, sex, and acclaim, on June 10, 2007 it ended with much controversy and dissatisfaction to its viewers when it cuts to black, and leaves Tony Soprano's and his family's fate in mystery spurring rumors that (due to the alleged greed of its producers), a future full-featured film would be released in order to continue to milk this cash cow. This mafia saga is reminiscent of another notable work, The God Father, and though the show has been frequently criticized for allegedly perpetuating negative stereotypes of Italian-Americans, it is credited with allowing other drama series with similarly mature content to achieve mainstream recognition, and won 21 Emmys and 5 Golden Globes.

House

House is a television medical drama (or black comedy to some) whose central character is Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie), an unconventional diagnostic genius who heads a team of good-looking doctors at the fictional Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital in New Jersey with actual aerial views of Princeton University's Frist Campus Center. However, unlike The Sopranos, House does not film on location nor highlights New Jersey landmarks. Like The Sopranos, the protagonist is villainous but lovable. It is most likely the main character's cantankerous, brutally honest, antisocial demeanor which appeals to his mostly over 30 female demographic as a very sexy brilliant bad boy. (Not to mention he rides a motorcycle, is a talented musician, and is addicted to pain killers.) Criticized for being too formulaic, most episodes revolve around the diagnosis of a primary patient, 1) events start with the onset of the patient's symptoms, 2) the team attempts to diagnose the patient, 3) the team treats the patient and the treatments fail, 4) the patient's condition gets critical, 5) Dr. House gets a medical epiphany from some obscure occurrence or passing statement, 6) Dr. House finally, saves the patient and the day (but not always). The series was among the top-ten rated shows in the United States in the 2008–09 season, and received several awards, including a People's Choice Award, a Peabody Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and four Primetime Emmy Awards. The new season begins Monday, September 20, 2010.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey

The Real Housewives of Orange County premiered in March 2006 capitalizing on the success of another guilty pleasure but fictional series Desperate Housewives, which provided the base concept for the series. To date there are five different versions of the series including Orange County, New York City, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and last but definitely not least, New Jersey. The Real Housewives of New Jersey is the highest-rated series of the "The Real Housewives of" franchise which originally followed the lives of five Italian-American women in and around the upscale Franklin Lakes, New Jersey community. Unlike its counterparts, the series follows women who are related, sisters Caroline and Dina and sister-in-law Jacqueline. However it is the contention between family friends Theresa and Danielle, which have people glued to the TV set and blogospheres, as flipping tables and attempted cat-fights erupt during family gatherings and reunions. The discovery of a book about Danielle's sordid past, bankruptcy, litigation, whispers of mafia connections, and, yes, more criticism about perpetuating negative Italian-American stereotypes have viewers coming back for more.

Jersey Shore

Jersey Shore is a reality television series, on MTV with the same concept as "The Real World," of strangers living together, and follows eight young Italian-American and self-proclaimed "guido/ guidette" housemates spending their summers together, in the first season at the Seaside Heights, New Jersey and filmed in other towns such as Toms River, Neptune and Atlantic City. The show debuted amid large amounts of controversy regarding the use of the slurs "guido/guidette", reinforcing Italian-American stereotypes and scrutiny from New Jersey residents because the cast members were predominantly New Yorkers and seemed to be portraying New Jersey residents in a negative and embarrassing light. With their hot tub soakings, drunken stupors, tans, and fist pumping, Jersey Shore continues to offer low-brow entertainment to the masses and inspire other New Jersey-based reality shows.

Jerseylicious

Jerseylicious is a comedy docu-soap that takes place in the Gatsby Salon in Green Brook Township, New Jersey, focusing on the mother and daughter owners of the salon, Gayle Giacomo and Christy Pereira, and their team of make-up artists with big hair, bigger egos, long nails, orange tans, and petty rivalries. Criticized for its lack of originality and trying to horn into Jersey Shore's fame, it airs on the Style Network, Sunday nights at 10pm.

Jersey Couture

Jersey Couture is a docu-series that follows the interactions of the Scali family as they work together running Diane & Co., a dress boutique in Freehold, New Jersey. The show focuses on the operations of the store as well as the personal lives of The Scalis, including Gambale, younger and single sister Christina, brother Anthony and parents, Diane (who owns the boutique and designs custom gowns), and Sal (who manages the demands of customers). Criticized for lacking drama but applauded for not scripting tension, the show airs on the Oxygen network.

Cake Boss

Cake Boss is a reality television show, set at Carlo's Bake Shop in Hoboken, New Jersey which can be spotted when entering Hoboken by the long line of visitors waiting to get into New Jersey's newest tourist attraction. The show stars Buddy Valastro, the shop's master baker, his Italian-American family, and depicts their lives running the bakery and typically baking a challenging cake for themed events like a life-sized racing car cake for NASCAR or a mechanical bull for a barber shop. The new season premieres on October 26, 2010.

Aqua Teen Hunger Force

Aqua Teen Hunger Force is an animated television series, yes a cartoon, shown on Cartoon Network as part of its Adult Swim programming about the adventures of three anthropomorphic fast food items including Master Shake (a Milk Shake), Frylock (a container of French Fries), Meatwad (a Meat Ball) - and Carl, their sarcastic and pot-bellied next-door neighbor in suburban southern New Jersey. The title refers to the squad's original mission to "conquer hunger in teens" but instead has convoluted plots regarding aliens, monsters, and generally doing mean things to each other. Some shows begin with non-sequiturs of Dr. Weird and his assistant Steve creating monsters, disasters, etc. in their secret lab in the Jersey shore or space aliens. It is the longest running original series on the network and has a large cult following.

Mercy

Mercy is a medical drama which aired on NBC from September 23, 2009 to May 12, 2010 shot on location in Paterson, South Amboy, Sayreville, and predominantly highlighted many businesses of Jersey City, New Jersey. On May 14, 2010, NBC announced that Mercy has been canceled and would not return for a second season due to low ratings. Criticized for being "a bunch of played-out hospital clichés" and "just another hospital soap opera," seems they excluded the winning formula of glamorized gangster-related Italian-Americans or hate-to-love-you protagonists.

Boardwalk Empire

Boardwalk Empire is an upcoming Prohibition-era gangster television series on HBO, created by screenwriter and producer Terence Winter of The Sopranos and director Martin Scorsese. The show is set in Atlantic City, New Jersey due to its strategic location as a hub of activity for rum-runners, and proximity to Philadelphia, New York City and Chicago. The show stars Steve Buscemi as Enoch “Nucky” Thompson, Atlantic City's Treasurer, and the man to see for any illegal alcohol, and includes a crew of Ward Bosses, local thugs, and historical cameos including Lucky Luciano, (Vincent Piazza) and Al Capone (Stephen Graham). The series is scheduled to debut on Sunday, September 19, 2010.

2010 Blizzard in Jersey City

I knew when I saw my window brighten from the lightening strike and heard the accompanying thunder while it was snowing in Jersey City, that this snow storm was bizarre. I felt that Mother Nature was definitely letting us know who was boss, and I was most definitely going to give her the respect she is due.

23 inches of snow and wind gusts of 30+ where reported, and according to several weather reports, we've hit Top 5 record of the reported snow fall in the area. I awoke to see my backyard with several 3 to 5 foot plants, was completely blanketed with snow, several tufts of green barely peaking out of the pristine view. Half of my window was covered with the fluff, the patio table looked like a beautiful huge white mushroom, and I dreaded opening my front door to have a small avalanche fall onto the floor of my ground-level apartment.


I watched the news as New Jersey declared a State of Emergency, and wondered who was insane or desperate enough to drive in this weather. Having had been in several terrifying experiences in bad weather including a 360 spin-out into a ditch on Route 80 a few years back, and another time seeing several sports cars lined-up in ditches, I knew I was not going to drive my car which is in need of a brake job.

The news also reported that NJ Transit bus service had been suspended, and Hoboken had also declared a State of Emergency. Though my walk to Hoboken from Jersey City Heights down Ravine Avenue is only 15 minutes, the State of Emergency, wind advisory, lack of bus service, and constant advice to "just stay home" convinced me to err on the side of caution. The fact that my stairs weren't even visible, and my landlord finished shoveling the snow from my walkway at 10:30am, made it pretty much impossible for me to hoof it to work, so I worked from home thanks to my understanding broker and boss.


As I finished a few hours of work online, the rumbling in my stomach reminded me it was time for lunch. Realizing my fridge was empty and my curiosity prompted me to walk to the nearest grocery store. The vignettes I would see in my neighborhood included a winter wonderland of frustration as neighbors shoveled their driveways and cars spun their wheels attempting to move from their parking spots. As I walked toward my car parked on the corner of Prospect and Oakland, I knew that the 5+ foot mound of snow behind my car created by the street cleaners would complicate my next morning’s commute. I didn’t own a shovel, and I was definitely going to have to invest in one. I resigned myself to having to walk to work the next day. Unfortunately the nearest store was closed due to the weather, so I walked to another store on Webster Street which had Lipton Chicken Soup in stock, and back home I trudged.


The next day, as I walked toward the bus stop, I saw a NJ Transit bus stuck in between a mound of snow and a silver SUV on Central Avenue. It had apparently jack-knifed and was blocking all of Central Avenue traffic, including the 87 bus to Hoboken. Walking to work it was. I slipped once on some compacted wet snow, but I was well insulated and the snow was quite soft. I shared the street with cars as most of the sidewalks where yet shoveled. As I got to Ravine, I saw a young man trying to figure out the best route down the hill. He turned out not only to be neighbor, but someone who worked in my building as well. We walked down the street and made it to work on time.


I left work early to run some personal and work-related errands, and walked back up the hill to my apartment. I dropped off some things, and searched Central Avenue for a shovel. Walking through the now cleaner sidewalks and sludge on each crosswalk, locals photographed themselves standing on a 10 foot mound of snow at the Stop and Shop Supermarket parking lot. I walked by Manhattan Avenue which hadn’t been touched by the snow plows. By the time I finished my errands, shovel in hand, it was quite dark. Another day will hopefully melt the snow further and I can hopefully shovel my still-trapped car.