[jQuery] Way to "convert" DOM event to jQuery event?

[WalterGR]

I want to take advantage of jQuery's cross-browser Event object, but
via an onclick event handler.  For example:

<a href="#" onclick="showTextNearThisLink(convertToJQueryEvent(event),
'foobarbaz');">show details</a>

Is something like this possible?

I may be thinking about the problem wrong.  I understand that event
handlers are usually wired up on $(document).ready, but I need to send
additional information ('foobarbaz' above) to the event handler.

Thanks,

WalterGR