Sept-Oct 2010

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Hi Class Living

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Contents Features 16 Suddenly Alone: Where Can You Turn For Help?

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20 Help Your Kids Avoid Common Pitfalls 24 Risk Everything Or Nothing Lifestyles 28 Lifestyle Buzz 30 Throwing A Boo-Tiful Halloween Bash

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Fashion 32 Fall Fashion

On the cover LOOKING UP Oil on panel 14x11

by Brian O’Neill Courtesy of Nan Miller Gallery Rochester, NY 585-292-1430 www.nanmillergallery.com September-October 2010

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results count!

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38 36 Animal Prints Call Of The Wild Child 38 Fall Into Color 42 The Modern Mix 44 Getting Casual At Work Home & Garden 50 Home Decor

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54 A Home Inside The Earth 58 Creating A Stylish ‘Man Cave’ 60 Home Makeovers 62 Fall Gardening Offers Plenty Of Activities Health And Fitness 66 CT Scan Overuse Linked To Cancer Threat

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September-October 2010

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70 Food And Fitness Facts: Myth-Busters To Help You Take Charge 74 Cross - Training The Smarter, Safer Way To Work Out Careeres 76 Performance Review Employee Evaluation System

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Travel 80 California Gems departments 86 NYC 88 News And Openings 89 Dining at Its Best

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September-October 2010

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At The New Synagogue PreSchool, we will enhance the total development of your child socially, emotionally, physically and cognitively through a curriculum that follows the Fort Lee Public Schools.

Our goal is to provide interactive experiences that stimulate a child’s learning ability, while providing a safe, tender and caring environment that encourages a child to explore.

We believe children learn best when their curiosity is aroused and all their senses are engaged in learning.

201-969-3157

THE NEW SYNAGOGUE of FORT LEE 1585 Center Ave. • TNSpreschool@gmail.com

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Hi Class Living

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Hi Class Living is published six times a year and is mailed exclusively to affluent residents in select Bergen County neighborhoods.

Publishers Nava and Michael Raviv Editor in Chief Nava Raviv Cresskill • Englewood Cliffs Fort Lee/Cliffside Park • Fort Lee Hackensack • Ridgewood West New York 201.816.8900 • www.njcb.com

Marketing Director Nancy Fields Contributors: Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz, Mark Murell, Jan Denise, Mary Carol Garrity, Sharon Mosley, Candice Olsen, Joe Lamp’l Dr. David Lipschitz, Dottie DeHart, Marilynn Preston, Jane Rubin, Marius Rubin, Guy Raviv, Scripps Howard News.

No more excuses for not knowing how your finances and investments line up with your life goals and retirement expectations

For Advertising Call: 201-363-0200

Call today for a free consultation, and we’ll explore strategies for protecting yourself and helping you prosper today, tomorrow and into the future

or e-mail: hiclassliving@aol.com MNR Promotions, Inc. Hi Class Living Magazine 120 Sylvan Avenue Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632

Matthew B. Libien

Financial Advisor 461 From Road – Mack VI Paramus, NJ 07652 201–225–6047 • 800-922-0501 Matthew.b.libien@wfadvisors.com

September-October 2010

No information in Hi Class Living is to be taken or construed as legal, medical, health or any other kind of advice. Information is published only for general reading pleasure. We are not responsible for typographical or artist’s errors. ©2010.

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High Holy Day Servicesd"sb In Our Beautiful Sanctuary Conducted by

Rabbi Meir Berger and

Cantor Leon Berger

accompanied by the

Erev Rosh Hashana First Day of Rosh Hashana Second Day of Rosh Hashana Kol Nidre Yom Kippur Erev Sukkot Sukkot Sukkot

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Wednesday, September 8 Thursday, September 9 Friday, September 10 Friday, September 17 Saturday, September 18 Wednesday, September 22 Thursday, September 23 Friday, September 24

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Hi Class Living

September-October 2010

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Suddenly Alone: Where Can You Turn For Help?

By Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz

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he death of a loved one can make everything else pale in significance. But one still has to deal with the practical and financial issues in life, and those can seem a lot more difficult when facing them alone.

At this time, it’s really important to reach out to friends, family and trusted advisers who can help you see things more clearly and prioritize what you need to do to make sure you remain financially secure. Don’t be afraid to ask for help — and don’t let yourself become isolated. There are lots of community services available if you know where to look for them.

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Hi Class Living

FINDING SOMEONE TO HELP YOU One good place to start could be the Area Agencies on Aging. Chances are there’s a local branch in your community. These agencies are dedicated to helping seniors get assistance with health care, home care, transportation and more. Many offer specific help with Medicare and Medicaid issues and provide volunteer counselors and community education programs.

To find out what’s offered in your community, you first might contact your county’s Department of Health and Human Services, which likely has a division on aging and adult services. They can direct you to specific programs.

There are also a number of websites dedicated to senior care issues, such as the Administration on Aging (aoa.gov) and the National Caregiver Alliance (caregiver. org). Both provide online tools for finding local resources and support services, as well as information on government health and disability programs, legal resources and more.

If you’re in a position to consider an active adult/senior community, this might make sense. These retirement-oriented communities offer access to a wide variety of resources from job counseling to legal services.

Speaking of legal services, another option is to find an attorney who specializes in senior issues and understands how to navigate through the maze of government agencies. This may be more costly — and you want to make sure you get an attorney who is highly recommended. The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys has an online locator (naela.org) that can provide a starting point for finding a qualified attorney in your area.

ANSWERING SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE QUESTIONS As a widow, if you’re at full retirement age as defined by the Social Security Administration, you qualify for 100 percent of your husband’s benefits. If you’re younger, benefits are graduated by age and work September-October 2010

status. (Of course, if your own benefit is higher, you should take that.)

The SSA can give you detailed information on what you need to provide to get your husband’s benefits (e.g., a death certificate, your marriage certificate and Social Security numbers for both of you) and will work with you to assure you receive the maximum in which you’re entitled. You can find specifics on how to apply at ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-7721213. You can also contact your local Social Security office.

Generally, you’re eligible for Medicare if you or your husband worked for at least 10 years in Medicare-covered employment, you’re 65 or older and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. If you have questions, there are two primary sources of information: • For eligibility, enrolling or applying for the Extra Help benefit available under the prescription drug program if your income is low, contact the Social Security Administration at the number and website above.

• For covered medical services, choosing a Medicare part D drug plan or finding a local doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare patients, contact the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services at 1-800-633-4227 or medicare.gov.

MOVING FORWARD WITH YOUR FINANCIAL LIFE I know it’s not easy, but it’s very important that you now take a close look at your new financial reality. You don’t have to do it alone. You can discuss it with your family or seek out a financial adviser, if you don’t already have one. Talk about how your lifestyle may change. Go over your saving and spending needs and assess your current situation and goals as you look ahead.

The key is to stay active and involved, reach out, and in some ways be your own advocate. By doing so, you may find that you have more of a support system than you imagined — one that can help you move forward with confidence. ∆

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Hi Class Living

Help Your Kids Avoid Common Pitfalls Mark Murrell

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s the school year begins, parents are purchasing clothes, notebooks and backpacks for their kids. But there are other important ways to prepare your child.

September-October 2010

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Call for a Complimentary Consultation “There are several common pitfalls that can affect our kids deeply and quite easily,” says Malcolm Gauld, co-author, with his wife Laura, of the parenting book “The Biggest Job We’ll Ever Have.” “These pitfalls may be detrimental long-term, but they can also be avoided when emphasized and discussed openly.”

According to the Gaulds, these pitfalls include: 00

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Fort Lee • Manhattan • Nyack Hi Class Living

Winning at Any Cost that is earned through a learning process “Our culture has become preoccupied that includes mistakes and some hardship,” with achievement,” Laura Gauld says, says Malcolm “In the end it can leave kids referrr too, beyond the report cards and feeling empty.”

The Gaulds feel that the development external aing to the increasing educational focus on grades, test scores and awards in of authentic self-esteem – and the greatest our public schools. “These scores are exter- chance of true and meaningful success in nal indicators that name winners at school life – rests on a foundation of principles and at an early age. Kids know we have created knowing that you have done your best with an educational system that values their honest efforts.

Their advice to parents: ability over their character. They are sura. Communicate your values clearly to rounded by signs that tell them that what your children. What are your they can DO is more important principles, as parents? What than who they ARE.” do you believe is right? Become “As a result, today’s kids are Your familiar with your own beliefs, under tremendous pressure,” actions clarify them, and learn to comsays Malcolm, “and that presmunicate them to your child. sure leads many children to and words If you as a parent have fallen cheat.” off-track and are disconnected According to a recent study will have from what is good and right in by the Josephson Institute, find people and activities sixty-four percent of students a lifelong life, that can help you reconnect cheated on a test in the past with solid principles. year and 38 percent did so impact “Parents of good kids tend two or more times, up from to think they don’t need to say 60 percent and 35 percent in a on your anything, but your children 2006 survey. Thirty-six percent need to hear what you believe, said they used the Internet to child’s loud and clear. Let them know plagiarize an assignment, up what you believe, what you from 33 percent in 2004. sense of expect of them, and what you Further, the study demonstrates that cheating is common right and hope for them. In the end, what they will have is the choices among most types of students — they make. Their choices will boys, girls, athletes, smart kids, wrong. define who they are, just as student leaders, even those with yours have.” “strong religious beliefs.” b. Share the value of a challenge. Help “We all want our kids to succeed,” says Laura. “However, parents need to make it children realize that struggle, challenge clear that there are serious ramifications and some failure are expected in life – even to ‘winning at any cost,’ including lack of helpful.

“Parents know that some of our greatest character as well as lack of self-esteem.”

“Kids know when they have not earned lessons in life have come from our failures,” their standing honorably,” Laura continues. says Malcolm. “We want to shield our kids “And it takes a major toll on their ability to from failure. But some failure is necessary for personal growth and healthy developdevelop confidence in life.”

According to the Gaulds, an environ- ment.” c. Model daily character for your kids. ment that values only achievement can Generally, a parent is the first person a make it extremely easy for test scores and awards to lure good kids into a false sense child sees after waking up in the morning and the last person before falling asleep, of fulfillment.

“But this is not the genuine self-esteem so know that you as the parent hold center September-October 2010

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FLORIDA stage in your child’s life. Your actions and words during those fleeting moments will have a lifelong impact on your child’s sense of right and wrong.

“This is where the rubber meets the road,” says Malcolm. “If you say you believe in honest efforts and then wince when your child gets a B, your child will know exactly where you stand. Support your child in their honest efforts.”

Another pitfall parents and their children can fall into is related to the first: Overlooking What’s Really Going On If parents continue to use grades, the number of friends, sports awards, etc., as their gauge for determining the state of their children’s character and emotional well being, they may not see the truth of their child’s life and moral acumen.

Often parents look at their children’s achievements and think, ‘She’s doing very well. She’s getting all A’s, is a very accomplished athlete, and does amazing work with her art. She obviously doesn’t need help.’

“It takes a high level of awareness and fortitude,” Laura explains, “but parents need to look beyond the report card 26

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Hi Class Living

September-October 2010

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Risk Everything Or Nothing?

By Jan Denise

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he’s a good person, which is hard to find. And she’s ready, but I’m not sure she’s the one and I don’t feel like I can afford another divorce. Do I risk everything?

When you commit to somebody — especially for better or worse, till death do you part — there’s an inherent risk. And it can feel as though you risk everything: Selfesteem, reputation, meaningful relationships, half of what’s left of your estate and even your last chance at happiness.

What do you really risk, though? The court doesn’t generally take what was already yours when you entered the marriage.

The real problem is that sometimes we’re looking to get from a relationship what we haven’t quite been able to get our arms around. So, it may feel as though we’re risking what we don’t truly have yet.

Marriage can offer you a partner in life, a trusted companion. If you’re looking for more than that — i.e., self-esteem, reputation, meaningful relationships, money or

happiness — you’re barking up the wrong tree, but you’re not alone!

Those who enter a relationship thinking it will make them happy are disappointed, every time. But if you’re emotionally healthy going in, you’re likely to enjoy a healthy relationship and remain healthy even if the relationship ends.

And provided you behave in accordance with your values, your self-esteem, reputation, relationships and overall happiness can only be enhanced (not feeling too sure about anybody’s financial picture these days)!

Breaking up is often devastating more because of perceived loss than actual loss.

If we expect a relationship to deliver more than it can, we feel as though we lost what we never really had, what we only hoped the partnership would provide!

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A good person isn’t really hard to find, trying to make something work?

Sometimes we’d rather jump in and not when you’re manifesting your own goodness. When you’re shining goodness, take the risk than do our homework. you attract a partner who is; and neither Diving in can be exhilarating; we’re making something happen and one of you is looking for moving forward. Besides, salvation in the other. people are expecting us to do Instead of picking the If you’re something. only “good” person who But it’s when we get in comes along, you can seemotionally a hurry and commit under lect, from a whole pool of that we put more people, the sweetheart for healthy going pressure on the line than we have to you, the one you can conand the only thing we can nect with in a broad range in, you’re hope to gain is an expensive of areas, and on a deep level in those areas that are likely to enjoy lesson. Fortunately, if we get the lesson, we’re still ahead in most important to you. the game!

You want to spend time a healthy The homework requires together working, playrelationship time and effort but sooner or ing, exercising, eating and later, you have to do it! You relaxing — with similar and remain can put it off, but you can’t values and a common vialleviate the need for it. It’s sion for a life together. You healthy what prepares you for what want to relate intellectually, you want. emotionally, spiritually even if the Once you’ve done it you and sexually, and enjoy have everything that matevery minute of it. relationship ters, and it’s not at risk; it’s And if you’re both imyours for keeps. You’re gopeccably honest with each ends. ing to be healthy and happy other from the very beginregardless of the outcome of a ning as you explore your connectedness, the decision to commit is relationship.

You’ll know when it’s right, though! dramatically less risky. In fact, it doesn’t And life can only get better with a trusted have to feel like a gamble.

So why do we risk our time and energy companion and partner in love. ∆ HELP YOUR KIDS — From Pg. 23 and external achievements, to discern what their kids are actually doing and feeling.”

To help parents stay on track, the Gaulds offer some simple tips: a. Talk to your child about what’s happening. Look beneath the surface — for example, stress, fears, attitude, relationships, anxiety, sexuality, friends, teachers.

These are concerns and challenges that will not appear on a report card, and they are important aspects and triggers in your child’s life. b. Don’t wait for an overt problem.

“Sometimes, parents’ participation can September-October 2010

be startled into action by a child’s sudden misdeed — for example, an honor student who is caught stealing,” says Laura.

Don’t wait for something to ‘happen’ in your child’s life — something overt, morally wrong, unacceptable social behavior — to discuss moral choices, principles, and what kind of person your child is supposed to become.

“Do not assume that because your child is getting straight A’s that there is no need for your clear, direct parenting efforts and support,” Laura says. “Your children always need parenting.” ∆

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Hi Class Living

Lifestyle Buzz The Silver Chair The Silver Chair is an ergonomically designed, hand crafted chair for home or office. www.kimballoffice.

Express Shave Foam Gel from DeclĂŠor Paris Express Shave Foam Gel is a shaving gel loaded with essential oils and natural ingredients designed to keep skin revitalized. Available at department stores.

Gear Tie Organizes Everything Gear Ties are reusable rubber twist ties for packing up, and organizing almost everything.

At www.geartie.com.

Skybar One Wine System The Skybar One Wine System chills, pours and preserves a single bottle of wine for up to 10 days. In stores and at www.skybarhome.com.

September-October 2010

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Boba Classic Baby Carrier The Boba Classic wearable baby carrier features baby leg support and a protective sleeping hood. In stores and online at www. bobababycarrier.com.

Pure Brilliance

by Celine Dion Parfums Pure Brilliance is a new fruity, floral perfume by Celine Dion Parfums available in September.

Lifestyle Buzz Supersmile Travel Pack The Supersmile Travel Pack is a kit that incudes toothpaste, powdered mouth rinse, and whitening gums in a TSAapproved size. In stores and at www. supersmile.com

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Hi Class Living

Throwing A Boo-Tiful Halloween Bash

By Mary Carol Garrity

Even though I am the world’s biggest chicken, I can’t resist the fun of throwing a Halloween soiree at my historic home, dressing it up so it looks like a haunted Victorian mansion. Why not join in the fun and throw a sensationally sinister dinner party of your own?

SET THE STAGE From the moment guests approach your front door, let them know they are in for a spine-tingling good time. Line your walkway and flank your door with lanterns filled with flickering, battery-operated candles. Surround the lanterns with clusters of leering jack-o-lanterns or ghoulish September-October 2010

green pumpkins.

Hang a piece of creepy artwork on your door, like a photocopy of a cadaver from an old anatomy textbook or an old clock face ominously stuck at midnight. One year, I decorated my front door with a bull’s-eye mirror that distorted the faces of guests when they looked into it. Finish with some gnarly sticks painted black and a few spiders.

FRIGHTFUL FOYER I love to serve drinks and appetizers in my foyer so guests have a chance to congregate before being ushered into the dining room. To turn your entry into a

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spooky reception area, pull in a table set with crystal decanters holding spirits, or create a witches’ brew in an elegant punch bowl. To shroud the room in a mysterious mist, add dry ice.

around the serving platter.

Whether or not you start your party in your foyer, make sure this all-important space reflects the spooky mood you created at your front door. For instance, work

Why not join in the fun and throw a sensationally sinister dinner party of your own?

Fill tarnished silver trays with dark and sinister-looking appetizers, such as plumbs, blackberries, black grapes and figs. If you want to get really icky, put fake vermin like rubber bugs, snakes or a rat

a lacy, pre-made spider web into the arms of your chandelier, then suspend little wire spiders from fishing string. Create a macabre display on an entry table: Prop a skull atop a cake plate covered with a glass 46

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King Bicycle tee by Jack & Jokers as seen on Vincent Chase in Entourage Society Men Westwood, 201-722-9300.

Fall Fas Chic, smart, and affordable investment clothing, made in New York: perfect for Fall 2010 at ‘News’ Boutique Westwood, 201-722-0011.

Kids shoes by Uggs, Primigi, Geox and many more at Little Steps Englewood, 201-567-0878.

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A Unique Selection of Diamond Jewelry at Curiosity Jewelers Cresskill, 201-568-8471.

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Dancewear apparel, shoes and accessories at On 1 Dancewear Englewood, 201-503-0111.

Hermes Birkin Bags and Gucci Shoes

at DoubleTake Consignment Boutique Ridgewood and Englewood, 866-678-6464.

Fashion forward styles for children sizes 4-14

at Stage Left www.stageleftusa.com, Franklin Lakes, 201-847-8243.

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Fabulous Fall Fashions for Men and Boys

at Monte Carlo, Westwood, 201-594-9777.

Fall Fas Casual Fall Fashions

at Simply The Best Clothing Teaneck, 201-836-2304.

Fabulous high end accessories for fall at e-Designer Resale Cliffside Park, 201-943-3401.

September-October 2010

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Let your eyewear make a fashion statement.

The FRED collection at Fort Lee Vision 201-346-9000, Fort Lee.

hion “Freesia� earrings, 18K yellow gold with 0.50 ct total weight diamonds. at Ayesha Studio Jewelry Englewood, 201-503-0073.

Fabulous designer shoes, bags and accessories

at Past and Present, Consignment Boutique Closter, 201-784-7441.

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Animal Prints Call Of The Wild Child

By Sharon Mosley

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ions and tigers and bears! Throw in a few leaping leopards, pulsing pythons and zippy zebras, and you’ve got an animal menagerie that is creating a fashion jungle out there this fall.

The cats haven’t been howling as much as they have on this season’s runways, since legendary fashion editor extraordinaire Diana Vreeland pushed the animal prints of a young Yves Saint Laurent. The print that can truly be called a classic has now found its way into stylish wardrobes everywhere, young and old. Animal-print diapers, anyone?

Here are a few ways to get your fall wardrobe roaring with chic animal prints: Dress it up Yes, this may be the ultimate style statement -- head to toe animal prints in a chic dress. But you can get away with it, especially for evening occasions when you’ve got your claws out, ready to scratch your way out of the little black dress crowd.

September-October 2010

Jackets required Another way to do animal prints big time. Top off jeans and a white T-shirt with a cropped animal-print jacket, and you’ve got a winning combination. Or dress up in a satin version a la St. John (www. stjohnknits.com), and you’ve got elegant cocktail attire ready for any party.

Skirting the issue This fall, the perfect foil to the classic black turtleneck the animal-print pencil skirt. Pair it with black tights and ankle boots for an instant trend boost. Find a bargain skirt at JCPenney (www.jcp.com).

Power plays Even the suit gets a lift from animal prints this season. When you want to 41

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Hi Class Living

Fall Into Color

By Sharon Mosley

D

on’t let life get you down... just open your closet and throw some color on. How about Lipstick Red? Purple Orchid? Living Coral? Blue Lagoon? These are the new hues touted by the color forcasters at Pantone, and by fashion designers hoping that we’ll all get in a much brighter mood this fall.

Designer Nanette Lepore agrees that happy colors are more important now than ever. “Incorporating a few fresh colors into your wardrobe can revitalize and provide an array of potential new color combinations to make getting dressed exciting,” she says.

“Color is an incredible fashion tool that’s often taken for granted,” says style expert Andy Paige, author of “Style on a Shoestring.” “We are all naturally attracted to color,” she says, “and it stimulates September-October 2010

emotional, physical and even behavioral responses. Every fashion decision we make has a color connection that sends a message to others and reflects our personality.”

Indeed, there is a whole array of “science” behind how we interpret certain colors, according to Paige. “A stunning purple blouse reflects a passionate visionary. To-die-for red shoes communicate energy, determination and charisma.

“Your chocolate-brown suit tells your boss you are stable, earthy and reliable.

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The beautiful turquoise scarf you never wear could be telling the world you are motivated, active and dynamic, and the fantastic yellow handbag that you were so attracted to before you opted to go with the black instead would have declared you optimistic, playful and enthusiastic.”

So, how do you electrify your personality and your wardrobe with color? Here are a few tips from Paige: • Deliberately use colorful pieces as your style statements.

If you are a girl who is most comfortable swaddled in black, show your adventurous side with a chartreuse handbag, bold jade earrings or a stack of colorful bangles. If you live in a gray fog and frolic in tones of stone, charcoal and slate, make your unique style statement with a fuchsia wrap, seagreen coat or cognac boots.

• Pale colors rarely do anything for your skin tone.

They are usually perceived as a little mousy.

Saturated colors look more expensive and can elevate the look of a very inexpensive garment.

Choose richer colors like peacock blue, fuch-

sia, pumpkin, emerald green and deep purple to send a strong, confident message.

• Keep your anchor pieces dark, neutral and adornment-free.

Then use colorful tops and accessories to highlight your upper half and de-emphasize your lower half, naturally making you look taller and leaner. This is also known as fashion color blocking — strategically using light and dark colors to minimize figure flaws and showcase the good stuff.

This fall, red is one of the most dramatic colors that designers are falling for. The hot color always adds a spark to black and is the perfect foil for the popular leopard prints and camel tones this fall. When worn head-to-toe, it can be stunning.

“Red plays an important role in our fall and holiday collections,” says special occasion designer Sherri Hill, whose namesake collection this fall features her famous “shift shaper” sheath dresses.

“When dressing up and wanting to make a fashion statement, nothing evokes more attention than a red dress or gown,” Hill adds. “When women wear red, they feel attractive and sexually desirable. All eyes go to the woman in the red dress when she enters the room. Red is a strong color that inspires confidence and inner strength and makes the wearer feel positive and good about herself.”

Other designers are getting into the rush on red this fall, too. Tommy Hilfiger, famous for his signature “Americana” classic collegiate style, says that “pops of color, especially tomato red, really plays off gray to create a dynamic look.”

Yigal Azrouel, whose favorite fall color is vermillion red, says that “it screams against stark cool neutrals.” His musthave item for your closet is a vermillion cocoon coat that “dramatically envelopes the body.”

Christophe Lemaire at Lacoste uses what he calls a “vibrant and crisp color-

Printed blouse in saturated hues

by Born Purple.

September-October 2010

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ANIMAL PRINTS — From Pg. 36 look powerful, suit up in a spotted leopardprint jacket, belted, and worn over a matching skirt like the ones in the fall collection at Moschino. (www.moschino.com)

Fall 2010

ful cocktail of red-orange, nugget gold, virtual pink and raspberry radiance” in his go-to item of the season -- a cotton and wool bolero jacket that combines all these vibrant hues.

In Thuy Diep’s fall collection, a dahliared, paisley wrap dress is sparked with Swarovski crystals. ∆

Faux fur The cat fur was flying off the runways, especially in coats and jackets, but vests are one of the newest ways to get the feline fashion growling in your wardrobe. Vests are easy to wear and layer over T-shirts and turtlenecks or even sweatshirts — and another way to dress up jeans or leggings.

Check out the leopard-print puffer vest by Rebecca Taylor at Neiman Marcus (www. neimanmarcus.com).

Topping it off Want something new to wear with those trusty black trousers to work? How about an animal-print bow blouse? Or a belted animal-print tunic top? It’s the perfect way to perk up basic black or camel basics.

Dolce and Gabbana and Dries Van Noten have some of the best toppers, but for less expensive animal-print tops, check out the ones at Top Shop (www.topshop.com).

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Catty accessories You may not want to dress up like Cat Woman in that suit or cocktail dress, but you can at least purr over a furry wraparound muffler or an animal-print tote bag or a spotted leopard belt. There are plenty of shoes and boots in a wide range of prices that will give you even more meow pow.

My favorite animal-print accessory spot?

The python leggings from Wolford (www. wolford.com) Happy hunting! ∆

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Hi Class Living

The Modern Mix

By Sharon Mosley

F

ashion designers have come up with some new combinations this season that will definitely have an impact on how some of us put together our outfits every morning.

It’s an artful blend of prints and patterns that made the runways buzz with this modern fusion of contemporary style whipped up just in time for fall.

Here are some of the latest ways to master the new mix: Mix assorted patterns in one color palette Yes, this can be tricky, but follow the lead of designers like Marc Jacobs and Donna Karan who did some of the best “pattern on pattern” combos for fall. Jacobs teamed Fair Isle sweaters with checked skirts in soft grays and tans, while at DKNY, plaid jackets and skirts are layered over geometric-print sweaters in autumnal hues of gold and brown. The key to mixing such diverse prints is to make sure all the pieces blend in the same color family.

September-October 2010

Mix your textures Another modern way to dress — pair “unlikely” fabrics with each other. In his fall lineup, designer Ralph Lauren takes lightweight floral chiffon dresses and layers chunky cardigan sweaters and menswear coats over them. The fall collection at Burberry Prorsum includes lacy see-through skirts teamed with leather and shearling aviator jackets.

Mixing matte and shiny textures is another mix-master trick. For evenings out, one of my favorite “go-to” outfits is a pair of dark jeans with a black, ruffled chiffon blouse over a black tank. In the fall, I add a shiny, black leather jacket and boots.

Mix your styles Think outside the fashion box and come up with your own way of combining

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Marc Jacobs is the ultimate mix-master by teaming Fair Isle sweaters with checked skirts. Photo courtesy of www.stylesight.com.

clothes and accessories. I like to mix animal prints into my wardrobe. For summer, I layer black-and-white polka dots with black-and-white zebra prints; in fall and winter, I switch to leopard prints layered with accents of red. Roberto Cavalli’s fall collection plays up a mixture of animal prints layered with dramatic red coats — a definite inspiration for my own closet.

Mix masculine with feminine This is one of the best ways to update a “suit” for work. Many designers have incorporated menswear looks into their collections this year, bringing back the streamlined tailoring loved by mini- 47

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Hi Class Living

Getting Casual T

here are plenty of ways to look

“With business casual, you have the freedom to be a little more stylish and a lot less conservative,” says Jill Martin, TV personality, style expert and author of “Fashion For Dummies.” Of course, what you wear to work depends on the particular business environment in which you are employed. However, Martin believes that “business casual” may be one of the most common forms of dress these days.

“Instead of the traditional business suits,” she says, “you can wear pants, blouses, skirts and dresses. These selections make business casual more comfortable and give you the opportunity to inject some more of your personal style.”

Still, it can get complicated. Waking up every morning and putting on a suit requires much less thinking — pulling on an entire outfit that is comfortable, but not sloppy is a whole other matter.

“If you’re the slightest bit confused about what to wear as far as business casual goes, take a cue from the men in your office,” advises Martin. “If they’re wearing khakis and polo shirts, you can use that standard, even though you don’t want to wear exactly that. Your goal is to distinguish yourself in a way that makes you look both stylish and feminine.”

She suggests wearing sharp gabardine slacks or a fitted shirt instead of the traditional polo that a man would wear.

“Don’t forget a great pair of shoes,” adds

September-October 2010

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Fashions

by Theory.

At Work

by Sharon Mosely

professional and still loosen up a bit.

Martin. “Ballet flats are always chic yet comfortable.”

The more options you have when you get dressed for work, the better. But putting them all together is the trick. Here are some more tips from Martin on how not to be a fashion dummy: • Keep a few items in your office to throw on when you need to. Perhaps a cardigan in a neutral color and/or a scarf.

• Keep a perfect pair of black pumps and a perfect pair of black flats at work. “You’ll be glad you have the flats if your feet are killing you, and if last minute plans come up, you can dress up your outfit with the black heels.”

• Even if your workplace doesn’t require you to dress formally, show up decked out from time to time. “It helps people see you in a different light, which never hurts,” says Martin. “And when people ask why the change, just say with confidence, ‘I felt like getting dressed up today.’”

• Don’t go overboard. “You can be playful,” admits Martin, “but make sure it doesn’t turn from playful to too sexy.”

Wearing a tight skirt that keeps riding up during a business meeting is not something you want to worry about or to be a distraction to your clients.

• Are jeans OK? If the dress code at your office is on the “creative” casual side, then jeans are often the “go-to” item, says Martin. “Some jeans scream casual, while

45

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others can be chic and appropriate.” She suggests sticking to a pair of nicely fitted, dark denim jeans paired with a sophisticated blouse or sweater set.

Forget the jeans with the holes in the knees. Just remember, she adds, “make sure you have a few great pairs of heels and at least one fabulous work tote to pull an outfit together and make you look ‘done.’”

• Accessorize! “Aside from wearing more comfortable clothing,” says Martin, “business casual dress is an opportunity to wear clothes with more flair. A scarf, earrings and a nice pair of sandals can totally transform your work look. Accessories can be a quick fix when trying to make an outfit pop.”

• And last but not least, there’s one universal rule of dressing in any business setting, says Martin. “It’s always better to be a little overdressed than underdressed.

You can never go wrong if you follow this advice. In fact, people will end up looking to you to set the standard.” ∆ Throwing A BOO-TIFUL — From Pg. 31 cloche, then elevate the stand on a stack of classic tales of horror, like “Frankenstein.”

Add in a greenish gray pumpkin with a raven perched on top.

DREADFUL DINING ROOM Bring out the silver, crystal and china, and set the most opulent table you can imagine. Then creep it up with a few terrifying touches. Cover your candelabra with webs made of cheesecloth or scrim.

Roost bats in your chandelier. Fill flower vases with blackened hydrangeas and carnations. Slip wart-covered rubber toads in guests’ water goblets. Put rubber bugs on dinner plates.

The goal is for your tablescape to tell the story of a beautiful dinner party that was mysteriously interrupted, and no one was left to tell the tale of unspeakable horror.

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46

ner party without giving out goodies. Fill small fabric pouches from a craft store with wire spiders that guests can use to decorate their own homes. Hunt for classic tomes of terror at a used-book store, like “Dracula” or the works of Edgar Allan Poe, then wrap the books in scrim tied up with Halloween ribbon. Fill pumpkin-shaped soup bowls with candy corn. Or give everyone a gothic picture frame they can use to hold snapshots taken during the party. ∆

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THE MODERN MIX — From Pg. 43 malist fashion followers. Inject some feminine flair into these pieces with flirty shirts or soft skirts. A chiffon blouse with a tweed suit is always a “do” for office dressing.

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Mix your “eras” Don’t be afraid to mix a few vintage pieces into your fall wardrobe. There’s still plenty of “granny grunge” out there from the ‘90s to layer under a tailored jacket for more of a bohemian touch. One “funky” piece at a time, please. Wacky can quickly become tacky.

Mix your accessories This is one of the easiest ways to amp up the style factor in your wardrobe during any season of the year. This fall, a big trend statement for the young at heart is wearing pointy-toe shoes with ankle socks. Booties worn with patterned tights is another fashion favorite. One colorful handbag will also do wonders in dressing up your basics. And don’t forget those furry finishing touches showing up in abundance.

Mix your metals Metallics are one of the best ways to get the look of the new modern mix. Antique bronzes, smoky pewters and rich coppers all complement fall’s warmer color palette.

Don’t be afraid to mix your metals when layering on necklaces, bangles and rings.

Experiment with adding some antique jewelry with your newer pieces and pile it on. More is definitely better. ∆

47

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September-October 2010

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Just a few of the treasures available at Frames of Mine Fort Lee, 201-947-9132.

Blue Lotus Candle Holder and Red Bowl at Fair World, After All Englewood, 201-408-4514.

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Art imitating nature. Floral design

by Paul Anthony Designs Cresskill, 201-816-1557.

Custom kitchen with Omega cabinetry. at Berceli Kitchen & Home Design, Fort Lee, 201-947-4157.

Enjoy your own outdoor paradise

by Avalon Plant Systems, River Vale, 201-573-0156.

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Huge selection of wall to wall carpets, custom made area rugs and custom installations at Starr Carpets Englewood, 201-569-7067.

Frame by Jay Strongwater from the Hot House collection at Jewel Spiegel Gallery Englewood, 201-871-3577.

Custom window treatments and handcrafted fine upholstery at Mike’s Custom Upholstery and Window Treatments Cliffside Park, 201-941-3370.

September-October 2010

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Hi Class Living

A Home Insi

September-October 2010

54

de The Earth

By David Templeton

W

hen it came to building his house, David Moorehead drew advice from prehistory, then mixed in futuristic ideas to produce a structure very much in the present.

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Hi Class Living

Moorehead, of Mount Pleasant, Pa., So-called passive solar heat, combined lives underground in an earth shelter, as with ground protection against wind and he prefers calling it. The modern-looking weather, provides steady temperatures. home with its stone face sticks out from an Several winters ago it was minus 18 emerald-green hillside. degrees on his 3.6-acre property. The night Its roof is covered with grass, myrtle and before he burned wood in the fireplace, so periwinkle. Inside, the sloping white walls the house was a comfortable 70 degrees the of the concrete dome reflect natural light next morning. But passive solar heat then and give the impression of a spaceship. took control. When the Mooreheads reDon’t confuse it with a prehistoric cave turned home from church, it was below zero featuring bison and elk on dirty rock. The outside but 82 degrees inside. They opened underground cavity defies doors to cool the house. caveman stereotypes. It is And whether it’s dubbed clean, quiet, dry, warm and an earth shelter, a subterbright. an underground The concept ranean, Underground homes are house, or a cave or burrow, rare, perhaps due to higher this house is spacious. has been initial construction costs The 2,850-square-foot inteand difficulties in finding rior features three bedrooms, around financing and experienced two bathrooms, a powder builders. But the advantages room, a dining room, a livare plentiful, according to forever, and ing room, game room and Moorehead. laundry room.

His natural-gas bill averThe house’s atrium in the modern-day ages $30 to $40 a month. back provides natural light While neighbors’ gas bills construction and a second exit, along average $250 a month, he with space for a hot tub. typically receives a $45 credit The cupola atop the dome techniques because the gas company provides central lighting always overestimates his throughout the house. A have brought usage. two-story garage beside the Other advantages include house is above-ground conit to the never replacing the roof or struction. worrying about tornadoes, Prices are about 10 percent forefront hurricanes, wind damage higher because of the superor termites. structure it requires, but you For these reasons, undermake it back in energy savground houses slowly are ings. On heating and cooling, gaining in popularity, with energy ef- you save 80 to 90 percent of the cost” of ficiency being the key attraction. There’s traditional houses. more than 2 feet of dirt covering most of Rick Ohanian, an architect and homehis house. builder, recommends installing photoThe eye-catching structure faces south- voltaic or solar panels on the sloping roof ward with an 18-degree eastern tilt to to provide green energy and eventual catch early-morning sun, which shines savings. through 26 feet of glass doors. The sun “The only maintenance is mowing the heats dark tile floors and the house’s roof,” Ohanian said. “A lot of people grow stone face, which then radiate heat the vegetable gardens there.” rest of the day, especially in winter when “The concept has been around forever, and the sun’s low arc sends sunlight deeper modern-day construction techniques have inside the house. brought it to the forefront,” he said. ∆ September-October 2010

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Hi Class Living

Creating A Stylish ‘Man Cave’

By Mary Carol Garrity

D

oes the guy in your life have a “man cave?” You know, that sacred spot he’s carved out for himself in your home, the one outfitted with the recliner he can’t live without and the other dubious furnishings you’ve banned from the rest of the house?

He may ardently declare his love for this sanctuary of masculinity, but chances are, if you could help him make this space more attractive, comfortable and functional, he’d be over the moon. So why not treat your guy by making his man cave one of the best rooms in the house?

Here are some ideas to get you started.

If your guy loves pool, poker or any other sort of guy game, make his cave into a smart-looking game room. I’m a lover of the English-men’s-club look, with its dark woods, rich leather furniture, menswear-fabric details and masculine artwork. This is the perfect place to bring that look into your home.

To make a pool table a bit more sophisticated, replace the standard green-felt top with black felt. That 64 September-October 2010

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Home M

A selection of home improvement projects

A boring, blue bedroom becomes a soothing, relaxing sanctuary.

A cramped, 60s kitchen gets a facelift for the 21st century.

September-October 2010

60

akeovers by the host of HGTV Devine Design

by Candice Olsen

A grungy bath becomes a calm and refreshing oasis.

A cold, warehouse of a room becomes a warm and inviting family room.

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Hi Class Living

Fall Gardening Plenty Of Acti

By Joe Lamp’l

E

xperienced gardeners know that some of the most productive and long-lasting improvements to any outdoor space take place in the fall.

Here are just a few things to consider for your autumn to-do list: Landscaping Fall is absolutely the best time of year to plant any tree and shrub. The soil is still warm enough for roots to actively grow, and yet the demand on foliage growth is waning. Trees and shrubs planted now have months to develop a healthy root system before the heat of next year.

September-October 2010

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Be sure to keep your new plants watered.

The drying winds of the cooler weather can quickly dehydrate plants. Check the soil moisture often, and water when needed.

For new plantings, provide water once a week in the absence of rain.

Leaf Roundup Don’t waste those fallen leaves! My single biggest job this time of year is rounding up all of my leaves, and those of my neighbors. As they say, one man’s trash is another’s treasure. My neighbors are glad to let me take their leaves off their hands.

I dump the leaves onto my grass, and run my mower over them. This shreds them into small pieces, which then get raked into my beds. They eventually break down, and as they do, they provide an excellent source of organic amendments for my beds. They also pull double duty, serving as that important layer of mulch throughout the winter.

Flower Gardening October to early November is the best time to plant spring-flowering bulbs. Tulips, daffodils, crocus, iris and hyacinths are all great choices for spring color. This is also the ideal time to divide perennials, and plant perennial seeds for next spring.

Vegetables If you were one of the approximately 43 million Americans growing vegetables this summer, good for you! But it’s time to clean up that summer garden. Many pests and diseases overwinter in old plant debris. Get it out of your garden and into the compost pile, as long as it is disease-free. Otherwise, have it removed from your property.

Hopefully, you’re growing some coolseason crops right now, like broccoli, spinach, lettuce, garlic and onions. Floating row covers do a great job of providing a few extra degrees of heat, and provide frost protection for those tender young seedlings. Most cool-season crops can handle cooler temperatures than you might September-October 2010

imagine, and many taste even better after a few light frosts. If you’ve never had a fall vegetable garden, give it a try. You’re missing a real treat.

Lawns If you have cool-season turf, like fescue or bluegrass, you are about out of time to renovate or overseed your lawn. However, if this is still on your to-do list, be sure your soil pH is around 6.0 to 6.5. A soil test from your county extension service can give you this information, as well as any additional nutrient requirements that might be needed, along with the appropriate amounts to add for your lawn.

But these reports can take a couple of weeks to get back. By then you may have missed your window for this season, depending on where you live. Go ahead and add seed now, if needed. You can add the required nutrients after you get your report. Keep new grass seed moist. You may have to water briefly, several times each day, until germination.

It’s best to overseed with enough time for it to germinate before fallen leaves cover the ground. They can really hinder the success of your efforts. However, if leaves are already falling, you should at least keep them off the lawn area by using a blower.

One of the rewards for your efforts is that, next spring, you will have a garden that comes alive while looking better than ever. Enjoy! ∆ CREATING A STYLISH — From Pg. 58 one change will make a big difference in the overall appearance of the room. Also use leather-topped poker tables to help elevate the game room from cheesy to sophisticated.

Hunt for attractive furnishings to hold game accessories. A replica of an antique pool-cue holder adds loads of Old World style while it corrals all those cues that would otherwise be laying on the floor or leaning against the walls.

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NAHMAN GALLERY How about making the man cave into a study where he can work from home?

Outfit the room with a marvelous desk and a comfortable chair and add weight to the space by filling one wall with cabinets that would keep his papers out of sight.

Soften things up with winged-back chairs and curtain panels.

If your study has a fireplace, consider replacing the mantel with something masculine, like a cast stone surround. Then, style it with guy accents, like hunting trophies or antlers.

For most guys, paradise is a comfy sofa and a big-screen TV. House his flat screen and other high-tech gear in a bookcase that has room for storage and displays.

This is a great place to showcase accents that celebrate the things he loves, like golf, hunting or sports memorabilia.

Pick out a sofa that’s sizable enough to fit him comfortably. And there is no better place to nap than on a deep, soft sofa.

Make it more manly by adding a few accent pillows in menswear fabrics like hound’stooth check, paisley and tartan plaid.

If your guy wants a bar where he and his friends can gather for a drink, get a greatlooking butler’s cart and fill it with bar supplies? These attractive carts are great because you can wheel them wherever you want and they aren’t so large that they dominate the room, like built-in bars do.

For seating, consider adding a high-top table and chairs. It will make the room feel more like a pub and it will take up less room that a traditional table and chairs. ∆

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CT Scan Overuse Linked To Cancer Threat

By Dr David Lipschitz

September-October 2010

66

W

?

ithout question, the development of the CT scan was one of the biggest breakthroughs in 20th-century medicine. This test has allowed diagnosticians to examine every internal organ in the finest detail.

The tiniest tumors can be identified, hemorrhages in the brain recognized early, and problems in bones and joints characterized to assure the most appropriate therapies.

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But it seems that in health nothing comes without problems, and for CT scans it is excessive irradiation. In a report published in The New England Journal of Medicine, Dr. Rebecca Smith-Bindman, a leading authority in the field, cautions about the danger and the excessive use of this invaluable technology.

Smith-Bindman says that one CT scan delivers the same amount of irradiation as 100 to 500 traditional X-rays. And in the future, CT scans will contribute to and become a major cause for cancer in the United States.

Others have stated that one CT scan provides the same amount of irradiation to that part of the body as if the patient was a few miles from ground zero when an atomic bomb explodes.

Alarmingly, on occasion the machines themselves can be defective. In this report, Smith-Bindman tells of a patient who developed permanent brain damage because she received massive irradiation to her brain during a CT scan. Currently, 378 patients are part of a lawsuit seeking damages because of excessive irradiation from faulty machines.

There are several problems of which we must be aware when it comes to this diagnostic test. First and foremost, because the CT scan provides such exquisite detail of the body, it is frequently ordered for even the most minor symptoms. Each year, approximately 10 percent of the American population has a CT scan.

In 1980, 1 million CT scans were done annually, which increased to 70 million in 2007. The number of scans done in America is five to 10 times higher than any other developed country, and approximately 7 million CT scans are done annually on children.

The amount of irradiation delivered to children is somewhat higher than older patients, and the relative lifetime risk of cancer is five times higher than in adults.

Clearly, we must more compulsively assure that CT scans are done when there is an appropriate clinical indication and September-October 2010

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only used repetitively if there is a justifiable reason. CT scans done on healthy people are particularly egregious. Despite the clear risk of this powerful tool, some medical groups market whole-body CT scans to seek early disease — millions of people receive the so-called “heart saver CT” to identify coronary artery disease.

There is no evidence that screening healthy people for disease is of any value.

Doing a CT scan of your whole body for no clear medical reason is not only preposterous, but it is also a dangerous misuse of medical power.Though heart saver CT scans can identify coronary artery disease, it is a diagnostic tool that should be used appropriately in symptomatic patients and only ordered by an expert, usually a cardiologist.

We must insist on better training of medical students and physicians on the indications and risks of CT scans. The true experts, such as radiologists, should become more proactive in assuring appropriate use of the test. For example, CT scans vary in the amount of irradiation they deliver: The finer the detail, the more the irradiation. Not every test requires the most accurate machine.

The causes of excessive use of CT scans are complex. These scans are highly profitable and potentially strong generators of revenue for medical clinics. As such, these machines are available in radiology centers or hospitals as well as in doctors’ offices and freestanding for-profit facilities.

Payment for CT scans must be modified to discourage unnecessary testing, and the health industry must do more to make CT scans safer by delivering less irradiation.

In Massachusetts, research indicates that 10 percent of CT scans are done because of fears of litigation.

We all have a responsibility in assuring the appropriate use of CT scans and all other medical tests. In doing so, we can avoid harm as well as reduce costs and contribute to a better, more effective health care system. ∆

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Food And Fitness

Myth-Busters To Help You

By Dottie DeHart

Y

ou can’t control the economy, or the job market, but there is one thing you can control: your body weight. Now is the time to get fit, lose a few extra pounds, and develop the habits that will keep your weight at a healthful level over the long term.

“Soothing yourself with comfort food and spending hours on the couch obsessing over TV news reports won’t make the economy better, and they certainly won’t make you better,” says Gilliam, coauthor (along with Jane Neill, R.D., L.D.) of Move It. Lose It. Live Healthy.: The Simple Truth About Achieving & Maintaining a Healthy Body Weight. “If you want to feel more in control, take charge of your health. Not only will you feel better physically, your emotional state will improve as well.”

Because we tend to live in a dietingobsessed, “quick fix” society, most of us have absorbed some common misinformation that might actually be hindering our fitness goals.

To really be successful, you must first debunk the myths that you might have read on the Internet or received as advice from friends or coworkers.

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Free Consultation and Estimate Read on for the revealing answers to common weight loss blunders that might trip you up in your quest to get healthy: MYTH #1: Weight loss is all about the cardio Anyone who believes cardio exercise alone will burn off the pounds hasn’t gotten up an hour early every day for two months to hit the treadmill…only to be disappointed when the scale doesn’t budge. While it’s true that cardio is highly beneficial, you won’t really see results until you add equal amounts of strength training to your exercise plan. That’s because muscle burns more calories than fat in a process called protein metabolism.

Quite simply, the more muscle you have the more calories you burn each day. Lifting weights is also critical as you grow older, because it will prevent you from losing muscle. In short, keep the cardio but add the strength training. The combination will help you to burn the fat and calories you desire in a healthy and balanced way.

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MYTH #2: Salads are the best choice for healthy eating A salad full of fresh vegetables can be packed with healthy vitamins and minerals, but depending on what else you throw on top, it can also be loaded with calories.

For most people, cheese, croutons, and salad dressings are a must, but often these salad accessories are high in fat and calories, practically negating all the healthful

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veggies that lie underneath.

Many people don’t know that because of all of the extras they add, salads at fast food restaurants can contain more calories than a hamburger. Be conscious of the extras you’re adding to your salads. If you can’t stick to the vegetables and a light dressing on the side, you might be better off choosing a small burger and an order of fruit or a plain baked potato.

MYTH #3: Vegetarian = Healthy When we hear the word “vegetarian,” we automatically assume it’s healthful.

But the reality is that dishes at restaurants that are labeled as such can be deceiving to patrons trying to make a conscious choice about their meal.

Many vegetarian options replace meat with flavor boosters like mayonnaise, cheese, and dressings, causing the calorie count to soar. Be wary of the ingredients in vegetarian dishes. Just because it sounds healthful, doesn’t mean it is.

MYTH #4: Reduced fat means low in fat It’s easy to be persuaded to pick up items at the grocery store or out at restaurants that are labeled “reduced fat.” But before you assume that reduced fat equals low fat, consider what the food’s original fat content may have been.

The FDA says in order for a label to claim a food has “reduced” fat content, it must contain 25 percent less of the nutrient than the regular product. If an item contains 10 grams of fat, it need only reduce its fat content to 7 ½ grams to qualify for the reduced fat label. So, while it has less fat than its original counterpart, it’s only marginally more healthful, and may still contain more fat than you need to consume.

MYTH #5: Fresh is better than frozen With an increasing number of products being marketed as “organic” and “fresh” as part of the current health food trend, it can be easy to assume that fresh foods September-October 2010

are naturally better for you than frozen ones. However, we forget that in order for the so-called “fresh” food to get to the stores, it often has to travel long distances from its place of origin. During the journey, fresh fruits and vegetables can lose some of their nutritional value. Fruits and vegetables that have been flash frozen (or even canned!) immediately after harvest maintain their nutritional value until they are consumed. As a bonus, frozen and canned goods can be much less expensive to buy when they are out of season, helping you to stay healthier year-round.

If you are able to buy locally grown produce, you should. Garden-grown foods do have the best flavor, and if it’s grown locally, you can be sure that the time between picking and eating is reduced.

MYTH #6: All fat is bad for you For years we have had it drilled into our brains that fat is public enemy number one when it comes to losing weight and staying fit. And it is true that you want to avoid saturated fats such as those found in fried foods, sweets, and full-cream dairy products. However, if you avoid all fat all the time, your body will be missing out on important nutrition that it needs to function properly.

Of course, you should never overindulge, but you do need healthy fats in your diet to be on the top of your fitness game. Great options include moderate servings of nuts, seeds, and fish. Keeping your fat intake in check will make for a healthier lifestyle than one with no fat at all.

MYTH #7: If you exercise, you need to consume a sports drink While sports drinks can be beneficial for those individuals involved in long continuous exercise routines (lasting more than 2 hours) or working out in a very hot and humid environment, most of us Average Joes and Jills don’t need them. True, these drinks have electrolytes that are critical for normal body function such as muscle

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contraction and heart function, but these same electrolytes can be obtained from our daily diet. So unless you are exercising in extreme conditions or for an extended period of time, water is a better way to go.

What people often forget is that sports drinks contain calories, which in many cases cancel out the ones you just burned during your workout. Stick with water.

You’ll get all the hydration and none of the added calories.

MYTH #8: You should work out as much as possible If exercise has overall health benefits in addition to contributing to weight loss, the more we exercise, the better—right?

Not so. Weight lifting should be done only every other day, three days a week. That’s because strength training breaks down muscle, and the day off between workouts allows time for the muscle to rebuild. You should also be careful not to overdo it on cardio. Too much can cause excess wear and tear on your tendons and joints, which over time can lead to joint pain or discomfort, especially in the knees, lower back, and shoulders.

You simply need to remember to give your body time to recover from its workout. Consider taking a day off once or twice a week as an “exercise holiday.” If you abuse your body, you will have difficulty achieving the results you are looking for.

Keep in mind the new federal guidelines from the American College of Sports Medicine when you plan your workout routine for the week. It recommends 30 minutes of moderate activity five days a week plus your strength training. It may seem cliché, but the saying rings true—slow and steady does win the race.

MYTH #9: Stretching before exercising is critical It’s no secret that stretching after a workout can be beneficial and improve results.

However, many people mistakenly assume that stretching before a workout is good as well. The truth is that stretching before a workout does not actually increase our

range of motion, as previously thought.

Warming up is actually a better preworkout exercise than stretching. Great warm-up activities are running in place and jumping jacks. They will get your blood flowing and your heart pumping.

Save the stretching for after your workout and look forward to maximizing your results.

MYTH #10: Your weight is the best way to tell if your “get healthy” efforts are working Research is clear that weighing yourself every day is critical to a weight loss program, but many people don’t realize that taking their waist measurement is just as important. A simple tape measure can tell you what kind of progress you are making and can sometimes be a better indicator than the scale.

We’ve all stepped on a scale that won’t budge and wondered why our weight isn’t going down even though our clothes are feeling loose. Here’s why that happens. When you first begin to exercise, two things will happen: 1. You will gain muscle mass, which is good, and 2. You will lose fat weight, which is also good. The increase in muscle mass offsets the loss of fat, which is why the scale has not changed, but your tape measure shows an improved waistline. This process occurs for about the first six months of your exercise program, and then finally the increase in muscle mass levels off or plateaus but your fat loss continues, which is then reflected on your scale.

Successful weight management is really about education and mindfulness. It means rejecting the myths and making a conscious choice every day to eat the right foods and get the right amount of exercise. And there really is a tremendous satisfaction in making that choice. Once you realize that you can pursue and achieve good health, you’ll feel calmer and more in control. Getting healthy is truly empowering. Whatever the future may hold, you’re taking the best possible care of yourself—and that’s a great feeling in any economy. ∆

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Cross-

The Smarter, Safer

A

re you hooked on your favorite sport?

Do you spend all your workout time either running, biking or swimming, believing that single-minded dedication is going to make you stronger and faster, better and better?

Sorry. That’s not how it works. It’s time to learn about the benefits of cross-training, a fancy name for simply including a mix of sports in your exercise regime.

If you’re a runner, for example, regular Pilates classes would do wonders for your core. Swimming is a good complement to biking, and vice-versa, and your performance in both can significantly improve

September-October 2010

if you add some yoga and/or targeted strength training to your weekly routine.

Cross-training isn’t just for uber-exercisers or competitive triathletes. It’s for all the rest of us who want to live healthier, happier lives with more fun and fewer injuries.

Here are four good reasons to switch to multi-sport training, starting now:

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Training

Way To Work Out

CROSS TRAINING HELPS PREVENT INJURIES Repetitive stress is a major cause of injuries in all sports. You use the same muscles doing the same sport, over and over, and your risk of injury (especially tendonitis!) goes way up. Cross-training lets your overused muscles rest, while pushing others into action. It’s a good remedy for overused tendons and ligaments, too.

BEATS BACK BOREDOM Doing one sport day after day can leave you bored, and boredom is one of the main reasons people quit working out. Doing two or three different activities keeps your mind fresh, and your body willing, so lifelong fitness is a more manageable goal.

By Marilynn Preston

NEW SKILLS BUILD CONFIDENCE One way to keep your brain fit is to face new obstacles and work on new skills.

Cross-training -- which takes you out of your comfort zone and makes you a beginner again in a new sport -- challenges your mind and body in ways that boost confidence and self-esteem.

LIFE DEMANDS FLEXIBILITY If your only sport is running, what do you do when your knees give out? If the only exercise you enjoy is swimming, what happens when you travel and there’s no pool around? It’s always better to have a mix of sports up your sleeve, at the ready, for bad weather or unexpected free time or limited hotel facilities. ∆

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Hi Class Living

Performance

Employee Evaluation Dottie DeHart,

P

erformance reviews get a bad rap. Employees dread them, and managers see them as an obligation. Business journalists have gotten in on the act, not only questioning the relevance of reviews but suggesting that they’re actively harmful to morale and overall organizational results.

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great employees, and move not-so-great ones up or out.

“That being said, many companies could stand to overhaul their performance review system,” he adds. “Changing your approach will not only make your reviews more effective, it can have a positive impact on company culture.”

So what can you do to make your performance reviews really count? Studer offers some guidelines:

Review

System

Are the naysayers right? Should the performance review be banished to the ash-heap of obsolete business practices?

Absolutely not, says Quint Studer. author of the Wall Street Journal bestseller Results That Last: Hardwiring Behaviors That Will Take Your Company to the Top, Performance reviews themselves aren’t the problem. It’s the way companies handle the review process that’s flawed.

“Performance reviews are necessary,” says Studer. “And when they’re done properly, people actually like them. I mean, employees want to know how they’re doing.

They want to connect with their managers.

And reviews give leaders an opportunity to measure performance results, reward

Think of them as a process, not an event Let’s put the traditional performance review in context. It’s “business as usual” all year: Employees go about their work, managers go about theirs, and never the twain shall meet. Then suddenly, once a year, they do meet. That one encounter is expected to yield a productive meeting of the minds, followed by growth and progress on the employee’s part. It rarely works that way. The review is an aberration in the fabric of daily work life, so of course results are lackluster.

Leaders should be laying the groundwork for performance reviews all year long, says Studer. He recommends leaders practice weekly or even daily rounding for outcomes. In the same way that a doctor makes rounds to check on patients, a leader makes rounds to check on employees. The technique allows you and your managers to regularly touch base with employees, make personal connections, recognize success, find out what’s going well, and determine where improvements are needed.

“Rounding is not about tossing out a casual ‘How are you?’ and then walking off without waiting for an answer,” says Studer. “It means asking specific questions in the right sequence: Do you have the tools and equipment you need to do the job? What is going well? What isn’t going well? Is there anyone who’s been particularly helpful to you that I should recognize? Always listen and write down your answers and then follow up—if you

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don’t do this last part, it negates all your hard work.

“When you build your reviews on a foundation of rounding, they become meaningful,” he adds. “They’re the culmination of lots of mini-meetings. Neither party is surprised by what the other party says during the reviews because the issues have been raised before—probably more than once.”

Hold them four times a year That’s right. The annual performance review should become the quarterly performance review. If this sounds like a lot of work for managers, it is. But it’s also far more effective than the annual review, which too often reflects an employee’s performance during the previous month leading up to the meeting.

“What if that month turns out to be an employee’s one bad month in an otherwise good year?” asks Studer. “Quarterly reviews are a far more accurate reflection of the employee’s overall performance.

They force leaders to pay close attention all year long.”

Link reviews to organizational goals It may seem an obvious strategy, but surprisingly few leaders structure employee evaluations around concrete, companywide goals. This is a mistake, says Studer.

When employees know they are going to be graded on the progress they made toward goals the entire company shares, they will alter their behavior accordingly.

But don’t just impose these goals. Get employee input up front. This helps employees “connect the dots” regarding the impact they have in the organization and makes them feel like an important part of the whole.

“When employees are involved in crafting organizational goals, they’re far more likely to understand them, buy into them, and work toward them,” he says. “And when leaders bring up these goals again and again in performance reviews, it reinforces employee efforts.”

September-October 2010

Make review criteria as objective as possible One of the major criticisms leveled at performance reviews is that they’re based on maddeningly subjective criteria. What do words like communication, organization, and professionalism really mean?

And what does it say that Manager A gives Rebecca a 2 in “Communication” while Manager B, who supervised her last year, gave her a 4? Clearly, it says that perceptions—of the criteria measured, of employee behavior, and maybe of both— vary wildly.

What you can’t argue with, says Studer, is hard numbers. Measurement. The medical field is notorious for its measuring— Which department has the highest patient satisfaction scores? Which one has the lowest employee turnover? — and there is no reason other industries can’t take the same approach.

“Let’s say you work for an appointmentbased business — maybe a tax preparation firm or a spa — and you’ve found that customer follow-up calls increase return business,” says Studer. “What you do is ask employees to make a certain number of calls per week. Then, in your performance reviews, you can tie their efforts to outcomes. Look at how many calls are actually being made and how much return business they’re generating. When you keep an eye on these follow-up calls all year long, you can more accurately track what’s working and change the script for effectiveness.”

Strive to make performance reviews conversations, not confrontations In Results That Last, Studer endorses the 90-day plan, a coaching tool designed to manage dialogue between a leader and his or her supervisor on progress toward goals and to put specific actions in place to achieve those goals. While 90-day plans tend to involve the management team rather than the rank & file, the “coaching” aspect should hold true for all levels of

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employees.

“The words ‘performance review’ call up an image of a stern judge pronouncing a sentence on the nervous employee,” remarks Studer. “This doesn’t inspire anyone. The best leaders draw employees out, solicit their ideas for improvement, and offer concrete suggestions on how to better pursue the goals you’ve set together.”

Avoid falling back on we/ theyism Let’s be honest. Most employees come into performance reviews with the hope of walking away with a pay increase. Leaders often have to disappoint them (especially in today’s economy). And many of them fall prey to what Studer calls the “we/ they” phenomenon — as in, “Well, Rick, I fought for your pay raise but you know those tightwads over in Corporate.” Problem is, we/theyism has a divisive effect on company culture.

“This is rarely a deliberate choice but rather the natural fallback position of someone who hasn’t had formal leadership training,” says Studer. “Make a conscious effort not to do it. In fact, make an effort to position the company as a united entity.

It’s fine to say something like ‘Sales are down 11 percent and no one is getting raises. But we have a great team, we’re all working hard, and I’m confident we can turn things around.’”

Make sure all leaders are singing from the same choir book Leaders aren’t born knowing how to hold effective performance reviews. They need to be trained. And Studer, who regularly decries the leadership variances that keep companies fragmented and unfocused, says standardizing the review process is a must.

“Train your managers in how to do these new performance reviews before you roll out the initiative companywide,” he urges.

“Otherwise, you’ll see inconsistent results in companywide goals.”

Use reviews as a springboard to move low performers up or out Of course, the whole idea behind these reviews is to improve employee performance, right? So what do you do when certain low-performing employees refuse to budge? What you don’t do is let them hang around year after year, asserts Studer, who spent the first chapter of his book teaching leaders how to solve this problem by implementing a structured series of highmiddle-low performer conversations.

“It’s essential to get rid of low performers,” he says. “It’s not optional. When they’re tolerated in a company, they tend to pull middle performers down to their level. Worse, your high performers will get disgusted and leave. Get rid of your ‘bad apples,’ and your middle performers will naturally start to emulate the behavior of your star employees.

“The reviews I’ve described — frequent, objective, and goal-driven — enable you to very quickly build a case against your low performers,” he adds. “It’s a good way to gather the evidence you need to fire them if they don’t start improving.”

Admit it: Not having to endure the annual “performance review” charade of old would be a huge relief for all concerned.

But the benefits reach far beyond the meetings themselves. In fact, says Studer, it’s no exaggeration to say that transforming your performance review system can transform your entire company.

“The way you motivate and reward employees is everything,” he explains. “When employees believe they are treated fairly, when they are engaged in the company’s mission, when they are coached toward meeting clearly stated goals, well, they’re going to put their hearts into their work.

They’re going be passionate about it.

“We’re talking about nothing less than changing the culture of your company,” he adds. “That’s a huge, major step toward long-term success. I’ve always said it and I still believe it: A great culture outperforms strategy every time.” ∆

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California

T

he discovery of gold in California in 1848 spurred an unprecedented interest in the sleepy state. Today, with the gold rush long gone, California beckons visitors with natural beauty, fabulous cities, and great resorts.

Here are some of our favorite picks along the golden, sun swept coast.

Hotel Grand Del Mar, San Diego The Grand Del Mar is nestled amidst the sprawling Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve in the Northern San Diego area. As you approach the resort you are slowly engulfed Lobby at the Grand Del Mar.

September-October 2010

by nature. Soon, the majestic Grand comes into view, a luxurious oasis surrounded by lush fairways and sumptuous estates.

Inspired by the rich decorative arts of Spain, Italy and Morocco, it combines old world sophistication with modern California flair.

Guestroom at the Grand Del Mar.

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Gems

pering. Indulge in an “athletic massage,” a combination of vigorous acupressure and Swedish strokes designed to de-stress and soothe your aching body.

The resort features several dining venues, including the Addison, an elegant restaurant with French doors that open into a manicured lawn. The menu, highlighted by seasonal offerings, include exquisite pasta dishes such as lobster pappardelle, braised short rib cannelloni, and California sturgeon.

The Grand offers a myriad of activities on and off the property. Book a tour of the Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve, a 4,100-acre playground for nature lovers. The resort’s naturalist will show you a world of streams The Grand Del Mar. and waterfalls, native vegetation, and bird and animal habitats.

Hop in your car and explore some of The Grand’s ornate lobby is accented by the neighboring sites. Watch the surf on gleaming arches, marble columns, opulent Del Mar beach, browse La Jolla’s shops furnishings, art, and stunning floral ar- and galleries along Prospect Place, and rangements. continue along La Jolla’s coastal trail for Hotel grounds are a verdant mix of stunning views of the shoreline. Stop at tropical and indigenous plants, dotted the “children’s pool and seals,” and watch with fountains, patios, courtyards, and the harbor seals and sea lions that call this flowering terraces. area home.

Guestrooms are oversized and lavishly Visit the Wild Animal Park, an 1,800 acre appointed with rich brocade upholstery, preserve operated by the San Diego Zoo. crown moldings, fine Italian bed linen, View the elephants’ habitat and try to spot and goose down pillows. Spacious marble the little newborns. Take the Photo Caravan bathrooms with huge soaking tubs open Safari, a two-hour guided tour through into the suite and towards balconies that African and Asian savanas. You’ll have overlook a sun splashed golf course and the chance to photograph massive Indian landscaped grounds, rhinoceroses and curious giraffes, eating Make sure to experience the resort’s spa, off your hands. 858-314-2000 or www. a 21,000 sq. ft. oasis of relaxation and pam- thegranddelmar.com.

by Jane and Marius Rubin

Seals at La Jolla’s Beach.

Photo Caravan at the Wild Animal Park.

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Terranea Resort.

Terranea, Palos Verdes Terranea is a new resort in the Palos Verdes area, just a few miles from Los Angeles, but a world apart. The 102-acre property, artfully carved on a high bluff, hugs the rugged Pacific coast and offers mesmerizing views of the azure ocean. Designed with Mediterranean influences, the hotel is a classic California resort.

Accommodations include casitas, bungalows, villas and hotel style rooms and suites. The decor is modern, accented with blond woods and white crisp colors.

The resort’s main allure is its natural setting and stunning views. Take a long stroll along Terranea’s coastal trails and watch the waves lapping the craggy shore. Continue to the pebble beach cove below and relax in the sun, or take out a sea kayak and explore the nooks of this coastal paradise.

Treat yourself to a blissful massage at the resort’s spa, a 50,000 sq. ft., 25 room September-October 2010

Spa Complex. complex, with its own pool, spa cafe, beauty salon, and a state-of-the-art fitness facility.

The resort also caters to children, featuring a large pool with a 140 ft. waterslide, and a play area with spraying fountains.

Golf lovers can play at the resort’s 9-hole par-3 oceanfront course or at Trump National Golf Club nearby.

At dusk, head to Nelson’s, a cliff-top sports bar overlooking the ocean, and

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enjoy a spectacular sunset while sipping a refreshing cocktail.

Terranea offers several dining venues, including the Catalina Kitchen restaurant overlooking the main pool. The eclectic menu accompanied by several well

matched wines, features creative salads and entrees. Try the pickled beet with baby arugula and goat cheese salad, and the pan roasted halibut with ginger carrots, and grilled ramps. 866-802-8000 or www.

Terranea.com.

The Queen Mary, Long Beach

The Queen Mary.

If you have time, visit the Queen Mary Hotel in Long Beach. One of the largest luxury liners afloat, it has been an attraction since 1967. The ship offers tours, ghost tours, hotel rooms (excellent for a pre cruise stay) and the famous Sunday Brunch in the grand ballroom. Sitting in this ballroom, sipping champagne and sampling the different cuisines, you can’t help but imagine the ship’s glorious past. ∆ Pool Area.

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Santa Barbara Santa Barbara is a city of whitewashed adobe buildings with red tile roofs, framed on one side by the majestic Santa Ynez mountains, and on the other side by glistening palm-lined beaches. The city, home to many celebrities, is a magnet for tourists who come to experience the legendary California lifestyle.

Join them and enjoy the sandy Pacific beaches, dine in trendy restaurants, shop designer boutiques, take in historical sites, and sample local wines.

Start you exploration aboard the “Land Shark” a land and sea tour offering a general orientation of the city, and a scenic sail through the harbor. www.out2seeSB. com.

Stop for lunch on Stearns Wharf, the oldest operating wharf on the West coast. Grab an order of fish and chips, sit on a bench and take in the salty ocean breezes and panoramic views of downtown.

Rent a bicycle or take a walk along the city’s iconic boardwalk. Browse the boutiques and galleries along State Street, and visit the courthouse, a Spanish-Moorish architectural edifice with an 85 ft. observation tower. Stroll the bohemian SoCo, South of Cota Street, and on Saturdays, head to the farmers market and sample locally grown fruits and vegetables.

Santa Barbara’s most recognizable landmark is the Santa Barbara Mission, with its distinctive twin bell towers. Founded in 1786, the mission is still active and offers self-guided and docent tours of the property and its magnificent gardens.

Set aside time for wine tastings along the city’s Urban Wine Trail, www.urbanwinetrail.com, and sample award winning vintages created by local wine makers. The syrah wines from the Santa Ynez valley are a real treat.

If you want to visit a working winery, follow the scenic road towards Solvang and

September-October 2010

Santa Barbara Mission.

The Land Shark Tour.

Wine Tasting Room.

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Villa Elegante.

Wine Tasting Room.

The courthouse.

Gainey Vineyard.

Kitchen at Villa Elegante.

stop at Gainey Vineyard. Take in the views of their rolling hills laden with grapevines, than head to their wine cellar for a tasting. www.gaineyvineyard.com.

Visit Solvang, a charming Danish town that preserves the looks and feel of a traditional European village. Meander along the picturesque streets, explore quaint shops, and try their famous “Danish.”

Santa Barbara is also a gourmet heaven featuring a large selection of restaurants.

We liked Elements, a restaurant that prides itself on offering local, sustainable products mostly from “green” farmers. Their menu includes a delicious smoked tomato soup, arctic char with avocado salsa, black sesame seared Ahi tuna, and more. www. elementsrestaurantandbar.com.

Santa Barbara offers a myriad of accommodations for any taste and budget.

We stayed at Villa Elegante, a group of Mediterranean style villas, located one block from the beach.

Our unit was a two-bedroom, two-bath flat that could easily accommodate four adults in complete privacy. The spacious living room features comfortable furniture, a fireplace, a plasma TV, and a modern sound system. The oversized kitchen, equipped with stainless steel appliances, is comfortable and practical.

The units also offer terraces with patio tables, shady umbrellas, and stainless steel barbecues. Our apartment had a rooftop terrace with views of Santa Barbara’s palm-lined beach. All units have their own garages and one can easily stay here with friends or family for an extended period of time. A market is located across the street so you don’t have to pull the car out for basic food shopping. 805-565-4459 or www.

Villaelegante.com.

So next time you plan a vacation, think California! ∆

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Hi Class Living

NYC Agua Dulce Restaurant Celebrates One Year Anniverasry Agua Dulce, the trendy Pan Latin restaurant at 802 9th Ave. (btwn 53rd and 54th St.), celebrates its one year anniversary. This contemporary restaurant features Chef Ulrich Sterling’s fusion cuisine of Latin and Caribbean influenced dishes.

Try the tangy salmon citrus cevice and the melt-in-your-mouth braised beef short rib.

212-262-1299 or www.aguadulceny.com.

Haunted House in Lower Manhattan Nightmare, the city’s No.1 rated haunted attraction opens on September 24 at 623 Broadway (at Houston). The theme this season is confronting superstitions. Through November 6. 212-352-3101 or www.hauntedhousenyc.com.

Big Apple Circus “Dance On” The Big Apple Circus opens at Lincoln Center on October 21 with Dance On. The show features a myriad of acts from around the world including unicyclists, contortionists, miniature horses, and the popular Grandma. Through January 9.

800-922-3772 or www.bigapplecircus.org.

The Lord of the Rings Score at Radio City The Grammy winning score for Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers comes to life at Radio City for two performances, on October 8 and 9. The original score will be performed to film by over 300 musicians beneath a 60-foot screen.

866-858-0008 or www.theradiocitylotrconcert.com.

September-October 2010

86

New Season at the Metropolitan Opera Photo by Yves Renaud

The Metropolitan Opera opens its season on September 27, with a new production of Wagner’s Das Rheingold (the Ring). The 2010-11 season features six more new productions, including the Ring’s second part, Die Walküre, premiering April 22, as well as Boris Godunov (October 11), Don Carlo (November 22), La Traviata (December 31), Nixon in China (February 2), and Le Comte Ory (March 24). For information and tickets visit www.metopera.org.

Salute to Vienna Returns to Lincoln Center Salute to Vienna, a favorite New Year tradition, returns to Avery Fisher Hall for one performance on January 1 at 2:30pm. The concert pays homage to the celebrated waltzes and melodies of old Vienna.

It features the Strauss Symphony of America and acclaimed soloists and dancers. 212-721-6500 or www.cso.org

Chaos and Classicism Exhibition at the Guggenheim Chaos and Clacisssism: Art in France, Italy, and Germany, 1918-1936 opens on October 1, at the Guggenheim museum. The exhibit features over 150 works, and focuses on the vast transformation in European culture between the World Wars. Through January 9.

212-423-3500 or www.guggenheim.org.

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Hi Class Living

News and Openings The Bar Method in Englewood Carolyn Norden and Shirley Morris have recently opened The Bar Method, a state of the art exercise studio at 525 N. Dean Street in Englewood. The Bar Method is a revolutionary workout offering 60-minute classes that combine isometrics, interval training, and dance conditioning to burn fat, carve muscle, and reshape your body. It focuses on personal attention and results.

Call 201-567-6006 or visit www.englewood.barmethod.com.

Nahman Gallery in Englewood Nahman Gallery has opened at 66 E. Palisade Ave., in Englewood. The gallery features American and European late 19th and 20th century paintings, drawings and sculpture with an emphasis on American Modernism. The gallery also carries a fine collection of 20th century decorative art representing the Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Mid-Century modern movements. They work with collectors, decorators and dealers. 201-567-0056

DoubleTake Consignment Boutique in Ridgewood and Englewood DoubleTake of Short Hills, New Jersey’s premier Consignment Boutique, has opened two new locations: 35 Nathaniel Pl. (near Shop Rite) in Englewood, and 189 East Ridgewood Ave. (next to Starbucks) in Ridgewood. Their consignment concierge will help you turn your Gucci, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and other designers into cash. New inventory arrives daily. Stop by and browse or call 866-678-6464.

Assembly Steakhouse Adds Sushi Bar For over 63 years, the Assembly Steakhouse at 495 Sylvan Ave, Englewood Cliffs, has built a reputation for serving top-quality prime beef and seafood. They have recently added an authentic sushi bar under the direction of Peter Park, a locally known sushi chef. You can now compliment your dining experience with sushi at your table, or enjoy traditional selections at the sushi bar. www.assemblysteakhouse.com. 201-568-2616.

September-October 2010

88

Dining at Its Best American Esposito’s Park Café – 790 Anderson Ave., Cliffside Park, the original location of the first Villa Amalfi. The Esposito family has completely renovated the space, turning it into a modern, comfortable restaurant. The first floor features a full bar surrounded by tables and high tops. The upstairs dining room is decorated in a Mediterranean motif with a stunning wall mural of the Italian coast and impressive lighting fixtures. The menu offers a large variety of American and Italian favorites including salads, brick-oven pizza, pasta and more. This is the perfect spot for dining with friends or family. Lunch MonFri, Dinner Mon-Sun. Parking on premises.

201-313-2441.

Italian Specialties • Prepared Food Brick Oven Pizza • Soup & Salad Bar Italian Pastries • Gourmet Baskets Catering

201-567-7002

105 North Dean St. • Englewood

The Best Al Fresco Dining at

Cuban Madre’s Restaurant—477B Cedar Lane, Teaneck. Chef Agusto, formerly from top-rated Victor’s Cafe in NYC, is now preparing his traditional, authentic Cuban cuisine at Madre’s.

The restaurant is warm and inviting offering a large variety of Cuban dishes including vegetarian items. Some of the house specialties include Empanadas, Casuela Madre’s Seafood Consume, Ropa Vieja, traditional Paella, as well as homemade desserts. Bring your favorite beverage. Open daily for lunch and dinner and/or take out. 201-530-5100.

Greek

Cafe Italiano & ristorante

89

bar

Uncompromising Quality Generous Portions at Great Prices Private Party Rooms Available to Fit Any Budget ­— Call Danny TOP 10

Taverna Mykonos — 238 Broadway (Rt. 4E.) Elmwood Park - The atmosphere and décor in this newly opened restaurant in reminiscent of a typical taverna. Taverna Mykonos specializes in Hellenic cuisine, a melting of Greek and Mediterranean influences. The menu features healthy and seasonal selections including fresh fish, the highest quality meat

Now in Englewood

Pick

by The Record 2002

“Among the Best in New Jersey”

— Zagat Survey

Readers’ Choice Award NJ Savvy Living

Daily Sunset Dinner

Four Course Prix Fixe $1395-$1995 Mon-Fri 4pm-6pm • Sun 1pm-3pm

201-461-5041 • Open 7 days 14 Sylvan Ave. • Englewood Cliffs Hi Class Living

Dining and sun-loving fruits and vegetables. Greek products such as cheese, olive oil, herbs and spices highlight the cuisine. The full bar offers wines from Greece and the US. On-site parking. Serving lunch and dinner. 201-7039200. www.tavernamykonos.com.

Italian Amarone Ristorate – 63 Cedar Lane, Teaneck.

Rated Excellent by Zagat and in the “Top 5” for Atmosphere by the Record. Amarone Ristorante is serving distinctive Northern Italian specialties such as Osso Buco, Roasted Duck and many varieties of homemade pasta. The menu also features fresh fish, poultry, and beef. Owner Nick uses the highest quality ingredients and all dishes are made to order.

The atmosphere is warm and hospitable and prices are moderate. Full bar service, ample parking. Outdoor dining. Open for lunch MonFri and dinner daily. 201-833-1897 Café Italiano — 14 Sylvan Ave., Englewood Cliffs. The restaurant occupies the historic home of flamboyant 1920s NYC mayor, Jimmy Walker. The turn of the century architecture, combined with the fine Italian cuisine makes for a memorable dining experience.

The menu features great selections, large portions and affordable prices. From the hot and cold appetizers, to the pastas, risottos, chicken, veal, seafood, beef and lamb entrees, you will find every item uniquely prepared and presented. End your meal with a cappuccino or sinful desert. A wine list at fair prices is now offered. Open 7 days for lunch and dinner. Available for private parties for up to 100 people. Ample Parking. Call 201-461-5041.

Il Mulino — 132 Veterans Plaza, Dumont. “You don’t have to break the bank for top notch Italian fare at this charming Dumont eatery.”

All regular dinner entrées cost under $20 and Mondays thru Thursdays from 5 to 6pm the “Sunset Dinner” includes an appetizer, choice September-October 2010

90

at Its Best of soup or salad, entrée, fresh fruit and coffee or tea for $1395 - $1795. BYOB. Owner Jimmy, formerly of Cafe Italiano, will take care of you.

Open 7 days for lunch and dinner. Party room up to 120. 201-384-7767. www.njdiningguide. com/ilmulino.

Villa Amalfi – 793 Palisade Ave. Cliffside Park.

The elegantly appointed dining rooms are ideal for business, private occasions or intimate dining. The extensive menu features seafood, chops, prime steaks and pasta and is complimented by wines from France, Italy and California. Dance to live music on Friday and Saturday evenings. A private banquet room accommodates up to 250 people. Lunch Tue-Fri, dinner Tue-Sun and brunch on Sun. Valet parking. Reservations suggested. Call 201-886-8626.

Announcing

’s

ito spos

E

PARK CAFE

Classic American Cuisine with Italian Accents

Lunch Mon-Fri, Dinner Mon-Sun

201-313-2441

790 Anderson Ave. Cliffside Park Parking on Premises

Italian Catering Bartolomeo Cucina Italiana — 105 N. Dean St. Englewood. Family owned and operated for 19 years, Bartolomeo has moved from Palisades Park to downtown Englewood.

Bartolomeo features prepared Italian specialties, brick oven pizza, soup and salad bar,

ZAGAT Rated — Excellent The Record — Top 5 for Atmosphere The Finest in Seafood, Chops, Prime Steaks, Pastas

Distinctive Northern Italian Cuisine lunch, dinner, sunday brunch, closed monday live music & dancing fri & sat, banquet room up to 250, valet parking

Outdoor Dining Open 7 Days

201-833-1897

Ample Parking

201.886.8626 • 793 Palisade Avenue,

63 Cedar Lane, Teaneck www.amaroneristorante.net

Cliffside Park • www.villaamalfi.com 91

Hi Class Living

Dining at

Turkish - Middle Eastern Restaurant

cappuccino, pastries, and imported delicacies. Eat in or take out. They also specialize in catering private parties and corporate events.

Ample parking. 201-567-7002.

Japanese

4 Course. Early Bird 1995 (mon -fri)

Kaname ­— 783 Palisade Ave., Cliffside Park.

Rated ★★★ by the Bergen Record, Kaname is a favorite spot for Japanese food lovers, offering an extensive menu of traditional dishes and unique sushi & sashimi specialties. Sit at the Sushi bar and watch your host George create the most imaginative items using the freshest ingredients. If you haven’t tried Sushi before, George will assist you with your order.

Portions are generous, the staff helpful and friendly. Cocktails, wine and beer are available. Ample parking in rear. Lunch Tue-Fri, dinner Tue-Sun. 201-886-0080.

Bar/Bat Mitzvahs Private Room • Bar Catering • Delivery • Take Out

201-816-7343

178 Piermont Rd. Cresskill samdanrestaurant.com

★★★ —the Bergen Record

KANAME Authentic Japanese Cuisine & Fabulous Sushi Bar

Seafood Oceanos Oyster Bar and Sea Grill — 2-27 Saddle River Rd. Fair Lawn (1 block off Rt 4W).

Manhattan comes to NJ. Oceanos, features raw bar selections, whole Mediterranean fish and steakhouse specialties. There is a sit-down bar offering a list of sophisticated cocktails and an inviting patio for outdoor dining. Open for lunch Sun-Fri, dinner MonSun, and the kitchen stays open late. www. oceanosrestaurant.com. 201-796-0546.

201-886-0080

783 Palisade Ave., Cliffside Park (Across from Winston Towers)

open Tue.-Sun. — Take-Out available

Steaks and Seafood Assembly Steak House — 495 Sylvan Ave., Englewood Cliffs. Assembly Steak House is a favorite local dining spot among those who recognize and expect fine food, service, and ambience. The Assembly prides itself on serving prime beef, fresh seafood, fish and daily specials. Enjoy a 16oz. Rib Eye Steak with baked potato, and soup or salad for only $1995. You can also order traditional Sushi dishes in the main dining room, or at the new Sushi Bar. Champagne Sunday Brunch and Sunday Pasta Nights. Happy

Agusto, Victor’s Cafe

Chef

formerly from in NYC presents traditional, homestyle

Cuban Specialties 201-530-5100

477B Cedar Lane, Teaneck • www.madresnj.com Dine In • Take Out • BYOB • Open 7 days September-October 2010

92

Its Best

RISTORANTE

hour 4-7pm Mon-Thu, and 4-9pm Fri., with complimentary hors d’oeuvres. Sun-Fri 11:30am-10pm; Sat 5-10p. Outdoor dining.

Party room. (larger groups accommodated at Assembly East Hill). Off premises catering.

201-568-2616.

Turkish - Middle Eastern Samdan — 178 Piermont Rd., Cresskill. This casual, elegant restaurant has won the hearts of area residents and food critics alike. Samdan offers mouth-watering appetizers, kebabs, a large selection of Turkish delights along with regional delicacies and daily specials. Lunch Specials Mon-Sat $990, Early Bird Special Mon-Fri 4-6, 4 courses plus coffee $1995. Open 7 days. Sun-Thurs noon-10pm, Fri-Sat noon-10:30. Party Room for 80-100 persons. www.samdanrestaurant. com. 201-816-7343.

Authentic Italian homestyle cooking with the finest ingredients.

“Excellent” HHH — The Record

Best Value....

Even during these economic times, you Can Afford to Dine at Il Mulino!

Join us for our Famous Sunset Dinner 4-Course Meal $ 1395 -$1795 Mon-Thurs 5-6 pm Sun 1-3pm

Open 7 days

#1 #1 #1 #1

Jim Lulani,

formerly of Cafe Italiano, celebrates 10 years at Il Mulino

Italian Best Prices BYOB Family Friendly

Readers Choice

Bergen Health & Life 2009

BYOB Restaurant

Italian Restaurant

Spring 2008

2009

BYOB FIRST PLACE ITALIAN RESTAURANT

Beautifully Renovated 132 Veterans Plaza, Dumont

201-384-7767

www.njdiningguide.com/ilmulino

New Jersey’s Premier Steakhouse Introduces the NEW Assembly SUSHI BAR

4 Course Prix Fixe Menu Mon thru Fri 3-6pm.

Live Entertainment • Outdoor Dining Tuesday & Thursday Karaoke • Sunday Champagne Brunch Buffet

201-568-2616 • 495 Sylvan Ave. • Englewood Cliffs On and Off Premises Catering • Party Room • www.AssemblySteakhouse.com

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Hi Class Living

201-541-6400

457 Sylvan Avenue Englewood Cliffs petercolao@aol.com

Celebrating 14 Successful Years in Englewood Cliffs!

Two Great ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS Homes!

6 Bdrms, 81/2 Bths

4 Bdrms, 31/2 Bths

Call Herminia Venetsanos Exclusive building design!!! Builder’s own.

Patio for entertaining with outdoor kitchen and fireplace. Walk out lower level for extended family living. Green house heat/AC. Large beautiful lot in the North Cliffs. Reasonable taxes. Owner has real estate license. Offered at $2,785,000.

Call Bettina Peretti Monaco Custom home, with pristine, sun-filled rooms.

One level living. New customized eat-in-kitchen with granite countertops. Family room with fireplace. Master suite. Finished ground level.

Great for an extended family. Approx. 15,000 sq ft lot. Flexible closing. Offered at $1,399,000.

Hudson Cove

DIRECT WATERFRONT LOCATION!

Edgewater, NJ – This very special townhome has spectacular northeast views of the Hudson River and George Washington Bridge. The exquisite 3-level brick townhome design boasts 3,586 Square Feet (includes the 2-car garage). Beautiful living room with high ceilings, 2 bay windows and a center fireplace. Magnificent open plan kitchen with an island facing the family room, both of which have access to the riverfront deck. A skylit open staircase leads to the bedroom level. The master suite and spacious spa like master bath both enjoy direct river views.

The lower level has a recreation room, 4th bedroom with bath and access to a riverfront patio. Rarely can you find a true townhome like this sitting directly on the riverfront with a 24-hour gatehouse and pool!

Offered at $1,280,000

Nelson Chen The Chen Agency,

www.ChenAgency.com

Realtors

201.346.8888

1392 Palisade Avenue • Fort Lee, NJ 07024

September-October 2010

nelson@chenagency.com

94

Joan and Bob Oppenheimer of

E PROPERTIES RE/MAX FORTUN • Closter • Fort Lee Englewood Cliffs

Englewood

h colonial in bedroom, 3 full, 2 half bat Personalized & Wonderful, spacious 5 hen boasts granite kitc ge Lar .

Hill t Eas ’s has m roo the heart of Englewood ily Professional 2 dishwashers. Grand fam counters, skylight and Services a fireplace and great g space for relaxation, livin and entertaining. The in ster Licensed exceptionally large ma y and rse Je w Ne m/ roo suite has a sitting rk Yo h New nursery and master bat wer, featuring a steam sho whirlpool and skylight.

Serving for This is a perfect home Bergen County se a suburban lifestyle clo and Manhattan to NYC.

89

201-816-88 , Englewood Cliffs • -2517(eve.)

474 Sylvan Ave.(9W) 9100 • 201-224 ster • 201-750Clo ., Rd t on rm Pie 518

friedberg

tm

properties & associates

AL P I N E – U n i q u e a n d M a g i c a l

Picturesque chalet is built into the land to blend perfectly with its park-like surroundings. Special features include a serene living room with fireplace, gracious open kitchen with breakfast area, and formal dining room. An amazing floating staircase captures the spectacular grounds through a stunning glass wall. On the upper level a walkway connects the main house to a separate guest wing. Lower level boasts bedroom, bath, workshop, cabana and sauna. Inviting deck overlooks a tranquil pool. GREAT ESTATES

CHRISTIE’S

201-768-6868

Alpine

201-894-1234

Tenafly

201-871-0800

Cresskill 95

201-666-0777

River Vale

201-568-1818

Englewood Cliffs Hi Class Living

M.N.R. Promotions Inc. 120 Sylvan Avenue Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 201-363-0200

Presorted Standard Mail U.S. Postage PAID Permit #5377 Denver, CO

Michele Kolsky-Assatly and Michael Kolsky present

Two Great Tenafly Properties

TENAFLY, East Hill

Charming Hampton style shingled colonial offering all the essentials of elegant living. Gorgeous gated property on over one acre, with 3 car garage and paver driveway. Beautiful dark hardwood floors throughout; formal living & dining rooms; 2 story great room with fireplace; custom fitted library; kitchen with Viking & Sub Zero appliances + breakfast room with French doors to patio; circular staircase to lower level w/playroom; gym.

7 bedrooms, 6 full and 3 half baths.

TENAFLY, East Hill

Positioned on a slight rise at the end of a private cul-de-sac, the setting for this home is beyond spectacular. The 1.86 acre property is a nature lovers dream in Old Smith Village. The 1940’s New England style clapboard center hall colonial offers all the charm of yesteryear.

Hi ceilings; crown moldings; handpainted Gracie wallpaper; this perfect location has it all including 211 ft. of frontage on Farview Road.

7 bedrooms, 4 full and 3 half baths.

Prices upon request.

201-944-6583 (office) • 201-310-6136 www.michelekolsky.com Specializing in Luxury Hi-Rises, Town Homes, Land and Estates from Fort Lee to Saddle River.

Residential Brokerage

Michael Kolsky Realtor

Each Firm Independently owned and Operated. Equal housing opportunity. REALTOR® realtor

Michele Kolsky-Assatly

Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Owned And Operated By NRT LLC.

Realtor