Nicole Pensiero

Interview with James Brown in 1995.

There are typical glass paperweights and then there are the works of glass art created by Paul J. Stankard. One of the most influential artists to emerge from the Studio Glass movement, Stankard crafts three-dimensional sculptural works with all elements produced individually in glass using a technique called flamework. His pieces — in which flowers, leaves and natural elements like honeybees seem to float in glass — can be seen in more than 75 museums around the world.

Travel story about Nashville, Tennessee and its many attractions. Mullica Hill Neighbors, February 2024.

Travel feature about Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Travel feature about Madrid, Spain, for South Jersey Times, December 2023.

TRAVEL: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Feature story in Mullica Hill (NJ) Neighbors Magazine, January 2024

It was a trip planned on a whim: two friends ready for a little getaway somewhere (anywhere!) in Europe before winter’s chill fully took hold. Spain -- with its mild temperatures, many attractions and low prices -- seemed a natural fit. After some debate, we opted for the capital city of Madrid. From its big city vibes and many museums to great dining and fantastic shopping, this is a city that has it all. Plus, it is quite inexpensive, not too touristy, and very welcoming – the common slogan...

TRAVEL: Today’s Catskills

Forget “Dirty Dancing” or “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” – today’s Catskill Mountains are moving into a new era of tourism transcending stereotypes and creating new fans of this bucolic region about 100 miles northwest of New York City.

Made up of four counties that are also part of the 10-county Hudson Valley, the Catskills have experienced a tourism resurgence in recent years, which only accelerated during the pandemic. In fact, the region has “exploded in popularity,” Ulster County Tourism Di...

With his smooth-as-silk vocals and boy-next-door good looks - not to mention plenty of self-deprecating humor - Canadian crooner Michael Bublé, 34, is a true onstage charmer. So much so that not even the cavernous Wachovia Center could detract from the intimate vibe at his sold-out performance Tuesday night. Nor could it hide the mutual affection between the much-adored singer and his much-praised audience, which joined him for sing-alongs several times during the 90-minute show.
It didn't se...

It’s a magical place where the desert meets the ocean, where you can snorkel amid dramatic rock formations, or ride a camel on the beach.
But before I went to Cabo San Lucas, this popular Mexican resort destination was a mystery to me. And it was curiosity, more than anything that made me want to visit. Over the past several years, I’d been to Mexico’s other famed beach towns – Cancun, Cozumel and Puerto Vallarta, among them – and loved them all. But I didn’t know anyone who had actually been...

Travel story about Toronto for NJ.com, Summer 2022

If you’re looking for the ideal getaway – one that is easy to get to, and has a fun mix of cultural attractions, big-city excitement, and culinary adventures – look north. Toronto, North America’s fourth largest city, has plenty to see and do year-round, attracting some 27.5 million visitors of all ages annually.

Think “Pizza Capital of the World” and you probably think of Naples, Italy; Brooklyn, or even the Jersey Shore.
But a little town of just over 8,000 people near Scranton, Pa.? Really?
Really.
The former mining community of Old Forge, Pa., is, in many ways, the pride of Lackawanna County, which recently created a county-wide “Pizza Trail” as part of its tourism efforts. Locals were asked to vote for their favorite shops from more than 160 pizzerias. A list and map of 62 restaurants was created...