Author Archive

Hey Mercy, Hire Dirt Pie the Empathy Dog Surach Now!

By Melissa Surach • Mar 18th, 2010 • Category: Arts, Featured

Dear NBC, Universal Media Studios, Blond Nurse, President Obama, et al,

You have been filming Mercy on my block for nearly a year now, but despite my dog’s constant begging, you have not hired him to star on it. Dirt Pie the Empathy Dog Surach is very upset about this and it would behoove you to rectify the situation immediately.



You’re Welcome!: Life After Honor

By Melissa Surach • Mar 15th, 2010 • Category: Arts, Featured

On Sept. 25, 2009, the City Council voted unanimously to honor me. Although I was disappointed that my dog wasn’t allowed to join me in the chambers that day, I was almost happy for once. I’d been publicly nagging the council for an award for nearly a year, and I’d finally seen the fruits of [...]



Flying Fish Unveils ‘Exit 16′ Beer Focused on the Meadowlands

By Melissa Surach • Mar 10th, 2010 • Category: Arts, Featured

New Jersey’s Flying Fish Brewing Company launched the newest beer in its Exit Series Monday night at Copper Mine pub, a craft beer bar in North Arlington. The beer, called Exit 16, was designed not only to be a delicious double IPA, but also to educate the nation about the Meadowlands, the plight of the Hackensack River and how great New Jersey is in general. Indeed, the Jersey Pride emanating from Flying Fish’s Andy Newell and Hackensack Riverkeeper Captain Bill Sheehan was inspirational and nearly brought tears to my eyes.



Me Want Cookies: Feed Your Soul’s Cookies Inspire Brooklyn’s Cookie Jar Porter

By Melissa Surach • Mar 2nd, 2010 • Category: Arts, Featured

A few months ago, I had the pleasure of reviewing cookies from Jersey City’s Feed Your Soul. This weekend, I got the chance to get drunk on them in the form of Cookie Jar Porter, the newest beer in the Brooklyn Brewery’s Brewmaster’s Reserve series, inspired by Feed Your Soul’s Honey Oatmeal Raisin cookie.



Jersey City Creeps: The Lady in White at The Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal

By Melissa Surach • Oct 23rd, 2009 • Category: Arts, Featured, News

The Central Railroad of New Jersey terminal in Liberty State Park is a transportation and immigration landmark. But there are plenty of people who say the terminal is something else: haunted. We set out to find out more and catch some ghosts.



You’re Welcome!: Who Do I Have to F**king Bribe to Get an Award?

By Melissa Surach • Aug 20th, 2009 • Category: Arts, Featured

Editor’s note: This is the first installment of ‘You’re Welcome!,’ a column documenting Melissa Surach’s ongoing struggle to receive an award from City Hall.

Hello. My name is Melissa Surach and I am a writer/comedian/model/actress/filmmaker/artist/philosopher and waitress. A few weeks ago, I publicly threatened to hold a rally at City Hall to protest Not Having an [...]



Me Want Cookies: Feed Your Soul

By Melissa Surach • Jul 29th, 2009 • Category: Arts, Featured

Editor’s note: We’re happy to roll out another new column today. In “Me Want Cookies,” Melissa Surach will write about cheap sweets all around Jersey City. Enjoy.
When I recently visited the Feed Your Soul cookie factory, I was not allowed to lie on the floor at the end of the production line and let [...]