Author Archives: Anthony Olszewski

About Anthony Olszewski

Anthony Olszewski has written on a wide variety of topics: cage birds, tropical fish, popular culture, the poetry of Amiri Baraka and a chapter on genetics for a veterinary text book, as a small sample. He worked as an editor at a magazine produced by TFH, the world's largest publisher of pet books. Anthony Olszewski is the author of a booklet on Hudson County history, Hudson County Facts, and a book of short stories, Second Thief, Best Thief, that are sold on Amazon. Anthony Olszewski established PETCRAFT.com in 1996. A pioneer on the Web, the Site continues to provide unique information on a range of companion animals, focusing on birds and fish. As a community service, he operates Jersey City Free Books. Anthony Olszewski was born in Jersey City, NJ (Margaret Hague Maternity Hospital, 1956) and is a member of Mensa.

Go on till you come to the end: then stop.

Posted on June 2, 2015 by Anthony Olszewski

At one point in the ’60s, Hal, armed robber and free lance enforcer for La Cosa Nostra, lived in a relatively large apartment house in Bayonne. The residents were all White — as was the entire neighborhood. Everyone in the … Continue reading →

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Did you ever think about becoming a fence?

Posted on May 27, 2015 by Anthony Olszewski

One of the regulars in the Tunnel Bar was Grumpy Will, an 85 year-old gent who had done a long stretch in Dannemora for murder. One day he asked me, “Did you ever think about becoming a fence?” “Nah, buying … Continue reading →

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Kwan Yin by David Friedland

Posted on March 7, 2015 by Anthony Olszewski

Kwan Yin by David Friedland I am not a prophet, Hardly seeing the present Either reveals or conceals, the Next. Thus blind I sift fog for answers no hog could guess, Two dragons sit upon a throne Vacated by a … Continue reading →

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Jungle Juice Willy’s benediction

Posted on December 6, 2014 by Anthony Olszewski

Jungle Juice Willy — Jersey City Heights resident, longshoreman, WWII combat veteran and patron of the Tunnel Bar — had a story about a visit from a priest. (God only knows now why the good Father was in the apartment … Continue reading →

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Jersey City people often had a peculiar take on things.

Posted on December 3, 2014 by Anthony Olszewski

People in Jersey City PG (PreGentrification) often had a peculiar take on things. Case in point: Back in the late-’70s, an altercation arouse in a local basement (anti?)social club. Someone tried to pull a gun. Another someone correctly realized that … Continue reading →

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“Why do you have all these quarters?”

Posted on December 3, 2014 by Anthony Olszewski

Even in the early days of Jersey City PPG (Post Pre Genrtrification) there really was no such thing as an unusual event. Through the Looking Glass style, everything always was wildly spinning out of control. Case in point: Back in … Continue reading →

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Herby the Mailman’s jail watching

Posted on November 20, 2014 by Anthony Olszewski

Herby the Mailman lived across the street from the old City / County jail on Pavonia back of the courthouse. (My memory is that somehow or other the place had a Central Ave. address?) He had a couple of funny … Continue reading →

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Jersey City and TB — Perfect together?

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Anthony Olszewski

All the Ebola hoopla reminds me of back when communicable diseases were handled with like a no margin for error policy. That was long ago. For well over ten years now, Jersey City has had one of the highest rates … Continue reading →

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Jersey City Heights resident goes to Greenville to buy a $2 bag of heroin.

Posted on October 25, 2014 by Anthony Olszewski

Remember Jimmy Time Bomb’s buddy Joe? He had a story about just happening to be driving with some friends south on Kennedy Blvd., down by Lincoln Park. Stopped at a light, for no particular reason, he looked off to the … Continue reading →

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Grumpy Will, TV Charlie and Billy Goat

Posted on July 12, 2014 by Anthony Olszewski

Old Grumpy Will’s place at 212 15th, Jersey City was a hub of homosexual action down by the Tunnel Bar. This was not any first wave colony of creatives wending their way to Jersey City. Instead, these were some who’d … Continue reading →

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Paul almost got there too late.

Posted on June 27, 2014 by Anthony Olszewski

The Boss’s mother’s house was rosy-beige rounded stone set on a low sandy hill, surrounded by pines and palms. In front, the trees thinned, giving a beautiful view of the gulf. Right now, the great golden disk was just below … Continue reading →

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A case of mistaken identity

Posted on May 17, 2014 by Anthony Olszewski

Back in the early-‘80s, I had a Harley-Davidson Super Glide. Though the engine was the same 74 cu. in. as a police bike, lacking the racks and packs, the appearance was quite dissimilar. With shoulder-length hair and clad in worn … Continue reading →

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