Has your Cricut machine got a workout during the pandemic? Or did you get hooked on another gadget, hobby or pursuit during these last two strange years? I want to hear about it.

Good morning!

I’m doing something a little different this week, and instead of talking at you about what’s on my mind, I’m going to seek your help.

One big part of my job I don’t often talk to about is development -- I get to help dream up new newsletters, email products, social media and what we loosely call “content.” Some journalists don’t love that term, “content,” but it really just means anything we’d find interesting enough to report on or do a story about. And these days, a “story” can mean a lot of things, anything from a long form narrative piece to a Twitter thread to an Instagram reel.

Long story short, we have more ways than ever to bring you vital information, to report on government, to tell interesting and entertaining stories with words and sound, and to show it all to you through graphics, data visualizations, photos and video. And because so much of that is made possible by the support of our subscribers and readers, we know you have deeply valuable insights to share. So this is where you come in!

Before I get to this week’s links, I want to ask a few questions, and if you’d be kind enough to answer, just hit that reply button. See you at the inbox.

Tell me about things you’re interested in that aren’t related to “serious news”: Hobbies like fishing or needlework, things you’re into like comics or gardening or cooking. Have you bought any fun new household gadgets? Tell me about those Blackstone griddles and Cricut machines.

Have you done major home repairs or renovation projects during the pandemic? Hanging shiplap, or taking it down? Re-doing bathrooms, or (like me) replacing flooring after a plumbing incident? So many homeowners I know have had to make major repairs over these last two years of heavy home use -- how’s your place holding up?

You’ll notice these questions are purposely broad -- this isn’t a formal, scientific survey. I want to know what sorts of things other than work and caregiving you’re doing these days, if you have the privilege of free time. And if your life is mostly about work and caregiving, tell me about products or processes that have made your day-to-day easier or better, whether it’s a meditation practice or a kitchen gadget you can’t live without.

As for myself, I’ve taken up projects that involve using my hands, which forces me to put the phone down and turn away from the laptop. I’ve re-started crochet projects I laid aside years ago, done more cooking with non-stove appliances like InstantPot and air fryer, and begun giving myself salon manicures at home. How about you?

I value so much the insights of our readers and subscribers, and hope you’ll take a moment to share some thoughts. And of course, if you’re not a subscriber yet, here’s how you can join our community and support journalism that serves New Jersey.

Also this week: the dog-eat-dog world of puppy financing, the gift of open space, red-hot Rutgers, not far now, and popcorn for the people, right on:

PRICEY PUPS: I love my dog, and dogs in general, but I just want to suggest that taking out a loan to finance the cost of a pricey pup may not be the wisest thing. Still, it’s outrageous to charge anyone 189% interest, a usurious -- and illegal -- rate designed to prey on those with bad credit. Consumer groups are speaking out.

BEAUTIFUL JERSEY: Let’s celebrate our state’s natural beauty, with these gorgeous shots by Michael Mancuso of a beautiful, 800-acre farm in Hopewell that’s being preserved as open space. It’s happening because of a gift by the late philanthropist Betty Wold Johnson, matriarch of that famous family. She passed away last year, and her sons bequeathed the land to the D&R Greenway Land Trust in her honor.

R-U-RAH RAH: As the bumper sticker say, my kid and my money go to Rutgers, so seeing the men’s basketball team become the hottest ticket in the Big Ten gives me a special sense of pride. James Kratch and Scott Faytok were there, don’t miss this terrific report and photos.

NOT QUITE: Are we nearing the place where we can say COVID is “over”? The CDC director hints at a time coming soon when COVID is not a “constant crisis” and a disruption to everyday life. As a wise guy once said, “Not far now, my little Smurflings.”

POPPIN’ GOOD: This Piscataway-based nonprofit employs adults with autism to make your favorite crunchy treat: Popcorn for the People. Sam Bier’s parents started the company after seeing him have difficulty finding employment. ““They saw in my eyes I could become a leader,” Bier said. They were right.

Finally, if you haven’t been following the story of a brawl inside a mall that has a lot of people questioning how the police handled it, here’s a catchup: A fight broke out inside Bridgewater Commons mall on Saturday, between a Black 14-year-old and a white 16-year-old. Video of the incident shows police pull the white teen off the Black teen, then pounce on and handcuff the Black teen. The white boy is shown to a comfy spot on a nearby couch.

The mother of the younger teen says her son was trying to defend his friends from bullying by the older teen, and that her son sat in a mall security office in handcuffs for about 30 minutes. Both teens are now banned from the mall, but it’s unclear if the white teen was ever handcuffed or detained.

If you think this seems to be a pretty clear case of bias in policing, and how young Black men are too often assumed to be aggressive, violent, guilty of something, you’re not alone.

The NAACP has called for the firing of the two Bridgewater cops involved, Gov. Murphy has said he’s “disturbed” by what the video seems to show. Heck, even the folks on NJ101.5 sound positively woke over this, with DJ Jeff Deminski having a scales-falling-from-eyes moment over the existence of implicit bias.

I’m trying to keep an open mind about it all, and will be watching as our Tony Attrino continues to follow this story wherever it leads.

Have a great weekend, everyone.

P.S.: Ah yes, Rhode Island, the state the size of a Jersey Turnpike rest stop.

P.P.S.: A reminder that if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission. It’s just business!