NJ Lifestyle Online Holiday 2016

LifeStyle NEW JERSEY

HOLIDAY 2016

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THE • VIEW

Gone to the beach.

Love, Santa

Home for the Holidays

T

he rest of America may dream of a “picture perfect” Christmas in a Norman Rockwell town sprinkled with snow and decorated with twinkling lights. My dream is closer to the Jersey shore “picture postcard” variety.

Each holiday season, I’m reminded of the draw of the Jersey shore — our beloved traditions and unique shore offerings that have brought countless family members and friends back this time of year to celebrate the season. When it comes to the holidays, I think you’ll agree that no one does it quite like South Jersey.

It starts with a perfect setting. Gone are the crowds of summer, but left are the beautiful beaches. There’s a special peace of mind that comes from strolling the boards and gazing at the ocean. In winter, the crests of the waves seem brighter and the sand seems whiter, unobscured by beach umbrellas and sunbathers. The salty scent of the ocean air never fails to both calm and energize me, no matter how much shopping I still have left to do or how stressed I may be over a holiday party.

Then there are the charming shore towns with their tree lightings, parades, caroling, carriage rides, and more. You find yourself in the holiday spirit without even trying. Plus, it’s great fun to see the shore-inspired holiday décor; only in a beach town will you find scallop shell ornaments or starfish-laden wreaths!

South Jersey is also filled with activities that have become special holiday traditions for many of us. The Atlantic City Ballet’s performance of The Nutcracker, the holiday light show at the Towne of Historic Smithville and Candlelit House Tours in Cape May are just a few of the events that are uniquely South Jersey. Shows at Stockton University and the Atlantic City casinos deliver the full range of entertainment from classical to rock to Broadway-inspired. Even family gatherings at our favorite shore hangouts — impossible to get to during peak times during the high season — are leisurely versions of their summer counterparts.

Let’s face it. Whether or not you celebrate the holiday, there are few finer things in life than a quiet stroll on the beach on Christmas Day, coffee in hand. Search for seashells to make your own shore-inspired centerpiece perhaps. Extra money in your pocket? The casinos are open with their own version of holiday lights.

If only we could bottle that special “shore” feeling of the holidays in South Jersey, we could bring it with us everywhere we traveled. But I’m glad that it gives so many of us a reason to return home and connect with our loved ones.

This season, I invite you to join me in celebrating all that is special about South Jersey.

Grab a hot cocoa (or a hot toddy), a copy of New Jersey Lifestyle, and plan your itinerary.

After all, you’re home for the holidays, and what’s better than that?

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Divorce Law South Jersey 2016 • 2017

Michael Gill

Goldenberg, Mackler, Sayegh, Mintz, Pfeffer, Bonchi & Gill

660 New Road, Northfield gmslaw.com

(609) 646-0222

“One of the Atlantic City area’s best known ... and most accomplished ... divorce lawyers ... He possesses a unique and valuable personal background, which has attracted a stream of clients over the years.”

Mark Biel

Biel & Stiles, P.A.

450 Tilton Road, Northfield bzs-law.com

(609) 344-1173

“Renowned for his experience, skill and personality ...

Universally regarded as one of the state’s premier matrimonial attorneys ... Considered a straightshooter ... effective, thorough and the keeper of exceptionally high standards.”

See all Members of Ten Leaders of Matrimonial & Divorce Law of Southern New Jersey at

www.TenLeaders.org

The Ten Leaders of Matrimonial & Divorce Law of Southern New Jersey is based on interviews and peer referrals originating in first quarter 2003 and continuing through 2016. Attorneys listed here were referred by at least three of their out-of-firm peers. Ten Leaders is a consensus presentation of experienced, accomplished professionals, based on independent surveys and peer referrals; it is administered by The Ten Leaders Cooperative, Reston, Va., and Fort Lee, NJ. This announcement complies with advertising guidelines set forth by The Supreme Court of The State of New Jersey.

Ten Leaders professionals underwrite the distribution of their lists. To read Ten Leaders profiles in the law, medicine and finance, and for more information visit www.tenleaders.org. Copyright 2016, 2017, The Ten Leaders Cooperative, All Rights Reserved.

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LIFESTYLE | Holiday 2016

3

CONTENTS

DEPARTMENTS

48 Enjoy an expertly-served experience during the Holiday season, and throughout the year, at the iconic Ram’s Head Inn.

Local Chatter.............................................. 6 The buzz on happenings in and around our area.

Lifestyle Fashion......................................... 8

As it prepares for a year-long shindig that will mark its 300th 20 birthday in 2018, New Orleans epitomizes that time-tested adage.

Holiday chic for under $300.

Lifestyle Home.......................................... 14

FEATURES

Home decorating 101.

Money Watch............................................. 16

Fabulous Finds................................... 12

Tax loss harvesting.

Gifts for everyone on your list.

Home & Design Spotlight........................... 18

Taking It Easy in The Big Easy............. 20

High expectations are met at Royal Building Products.

Relish in the sights and sounds of New Orleans.

On Wheels................................................. 24

Reel-ality at the Jersey Shore.............. 30

A look at two new powerhouses.

An acting studio in Ventnor — go figure!

Lifestyle Entertainment............................... 34 Delightful duos.

Salut to a Legend............................... 32 Patsy’s and Sinatra: It was a very good year(s).

Health Watch............................................. 38

Celebrate Deliciously.......................... 48

Lifelines.................................................... 40

Be younger next year.

Mouth-watering merriment is served at the Ram’s Head Inn.

Holiday hacks.

Lifestyle Opinion........................................ 42 Harry Hurley’s Happy New Year wishes.

The Social Scene........................................ 44

24

Get an up-close look at the 2017 Dodge Viper.

Get the picture on the latest events and happenings.

Lifestyle Wine............................................ 52 Toast the New Year with these perfect bottles.

Lifestyle Cooking........................................ 55 Time to be thankful.

Dining Gallery............................................ 56 All the details on the area’s great dining venues.

A Final Word.............................................. 59 Scrooge a Humbug? Bah! 4

Holiday 2016 |

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LifeStyle NEW JERSEY

MAGAZINE

Publisher / Creative Director

Darla Hendricks darlabh2@gmail.com Associate Publisher

Barbara Scarduzzio barbaras1@comcast.net Editor

Bill Henry

Visit us online for hours, tastings and private events New Jersey Distillery of the Year n Award Winning Spirits! n Lazy Eye Vodka Gold Medal Winner New York Int. Spirits Competition n

Copy Editor

Alyson Boxman Levine Contributing Writers

Candice Adler Molly Golubcow Bill Henry Harry Hurley Alyson Boxman Levine Michelle Dawn Mooney Felicia L. Niven Marjorie Preston Matt and Tom Reynolds Will Savarese Phillip Silverstone David Spatz Robin Stoloff Travel Editor

Dan Schlossberg Photographers

Nick Valinote Eric Weeks Online Media Info.

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Michael I. Mann, CPA Zelnick, Mann and Winikur, P.C.

New Jersey Lifestyle is published by New Jersey Lifestyle, LLC. The entire contents of New Jersey Lifestyle are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without the express written consent of the publisher. New Jersey Lifestyle, LLC assumes no liability for products or services advertised herein. New Jersey Lifestyle, LLC reserves the right to edit, rewrite or refuse editorial material and assumes no responsibility for accuracy, errors or omissions. All correspondence should be sent to:

New Jersey Lifestyle Magazine, LLC 174 S. New York Road, P.O. Box 787 Oceanville, NJ 08231 Telephone: 609-703-0787 6

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Local

Chatter Uncork Christmas

WHAT COULD BE BETTER than a glass of wine, live music, and festive holiday decorations? Visit Hawk Haven Vineyard & Winery in Rio Grande on Saturday, December 10 for their Holiday Hoopla. From 12 Noon to 5 PM, visitors can peruse their selection of live Christmas trees, enjoy wine tastings — including a special mulled wine — and listen to live music with plenty of holiday tunes. Bring the kids for a check-in with Santa so he can get those wish list requests before heading back to the North Pole. If you’re not in the Christmas spirit yet, you will be by the time you leave!

Karma is a Boom

e rang

HAVE SOME SPARE TIME this holiday season? Spread cheer to the local charities that give back to the community. Donate some toys or much-needed food; or serve a holiday meal to those in need. The following charities are seeking your assistance: Toys for Tots, Jewish Family Services, Community FoodBank of New Jersey, Atlantic City Rescue Mission, Sister Jean’s Kitchen and the Humane Society of Atlantic County. As industrialist and philanthropist Henry Ford once said; “To do more for the world than the world does for you — that is success.”

Crafting Holiday Cookies

JOIN IN THE HOLIDAY fun on December 10 from 10 AM – 3 PM for a Holiday Cookie Swap taught by the professional pastry chefs at Star Career Academy in Egg Harbor Township. In this fun, hands-on class, students will learn how to pipe, roll, and decorate classic holiday cookies, including: gingerbread men, butter spritz, double chocolate mint, linzer, and sugar cookies. The class is $60 per person and is held in the academy’s professional, commercial-size kitchen. Class size is limited; to RSVP call 609-407-2999.

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Inspirational Art GET INSPIRED THIS SEASON through the arts. Visit artist Lou Storey’s free exhibition, The Best Medicine, currently on view at the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center on the Atlantic City Campus until January 1, 2017. This collection of paintings was completed over a ten year period and explores the concepts, theories, and feelings that surround Storey in his work as a psychotherapist and as a social worker.

“I have always used the making of art as a kind of personal journal, a way to reflect upon all the various components of the life I am living,” said Storey. “For the maker of art as well as the viewer, art can provide a moment of selfreflection, can provoke a memory, can inspire a myriad of emotions, and can bring a sense of joy and wonder.”

Guided mostly by color and pattern, as well as the pleasures of play and discovery, Storey’s paintings convey a loose narrative that evolves and solidifies intuitively while he is working on them. The highly-textured surfaces are built up in layers using forms that he creates and then casts in plastic. These forms begin with letters and numbers and progress into various squiggles, spirals, and shapes — a personal iconography that has reoccurred in his paintings over a twenty-year period.

T HE BUZ Z O N HA P P E N IN GS IN AN D A ROU N D O U R A R EA Caring for Sea Creatures

THE TWO LOGGERHEAD sea turtles that have been cared for by the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine have recently been transported to North Carolina for further rehabilitation, according to the center. Members of the Brigantine Fire Department helped move the turtles to Atlantic City International Airport, where airport firefighters helped Brigantine firefighters and Stranding Center staff load the turtles onto a private plane.

Both females, the two loggerheads were the largest the local center has ever cared for, weighing 140 and 280 pounds. The 280-pound loggerhead, estimated to be 50 years old, was found struggling in the surf on an Avalon beach. The 140-pound loggerhead was rescued near the Oyster Creek nuclear power plant after suffering wounds consistent with being hit by a boat.

After successfully completing their rehabilitation, the pair will likely be placed in an aquatic zoo or aquarium.

Spirited Trolley

Theresa Caputo

Rides

Be a Believer

VISIT CAPE MAY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON and book a ride on the East Lynne Theater Company’s Ghosts of Christmas Past Trolley.

The tour honors the old-fashioned pastime of telling ghost stories on Christmas eve, and is co-sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities.

Listen to classic American holiday ghost stories expertly told by a costumed performer in a dark trolley, while the twinkling lights of the beautifully-decorated homes and streets are seen through the windows of the heated vehicle. The rides begin and end at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth and reservations are strongly suggested.

THE LOVED LONG ISLAND MEDIUM Theresa Caputo comes to the Jersey Shore this holiday season on December 14 at 7:30 at the Tropicana Casino and Resort. The performance, titled Theresa Caputo Live!

The Experience features interactive readings with audience members throughout the show. During the evening, Caputo will also share personal stories about her life and her unique gift. The show has received rave reviews and according to one fan, ”She is marvelous! Funny, sassy, sexy, and spot on with her reads.”

Raise Your Glass

AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT on December 31, 2016, across the globe countless glasses will be raised toasting the beginning of a new year. For those looking to memorialize the occasion, here is a cheat sheet with five memorable and meaningful toasts guaranteed to start the year off right.

“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson “Be at war with your voices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every New Year find you a better man.” —Benjamin Franklin “Youth is when you’re allowed to stay up late on New Year’s Eve. Middle age is when you’re forced to.”

—Bill Vaughn “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” —Eleanor Roosevelt “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” —C.S. Lewis njlifestyleonline.com

LIFESTYLE | Holiday 2016

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Lifestyle Fashion

By Alyson Boxman Levine

Holiday Chic for Under $300

P

urchasing a new dress for your holiday event can be a daunting task. After carefully deciding on the color and length, you excitedly head to the dressing room with your top picks in hand. After trying on a slew of styles to find just the “one”; then comes the moment of truth.

As you glace down at price tag, a pang of shock and disbelief comes Ruffle Cocktail Dress, Self-Portrait, $299

Low-cut Metallic Dress, Milly, $295

LIFESTYLE

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Shoulder-baring Looks

Holiday 2016 |

“Mila” Cold Shoulder Lace Dress, Bardot, $119

Oh So-Low-Cut Style

Chic Ruffles

10

over you. How can a holiday dress be so pricey?

With styles and trends changing from year to year, looking current can be expensive. And in today’s unstable economic climate, wardrobe update funds are getting replaced with day-to-day expenses as looking fashionable gets placed on the back burner for many style seekers.

These trendy holiday looks won’t break the bank.

This holiday season, toss aside the fear of price tag shock and look oh-so current with these on-trend options for under $300. Get party ready in these budget-friendly beauties from top fashion designers and celebrate the end of 2016 in style. nnn Chic Ruffles The ruffle trend is back in a big way this season and was one of the dominant trends on 2017 catwalks. Both feminine and playful, ruffles are a fabulous way to look and feel current at your next holiday event.

Many designers have mastered this frilly trend and this lace cocktail dress from the Self-Portrait label is high on the must-have Christmas list. Featuring lace sleeves and structured ruffle accents, this “Ophelia” dress offers a modern mock neckline and a form-fitting bodice, with a sexy cutout at the right side.

Both sweet and sassy, Self-Portrait’s decidedly feminine looks are executed with a devilish style — lace dresses lose the romance and get tough as sheer panels and eye-catching overlays swiftly capture the eye. Launched in 2013 by Malaysian native Han Chong, this LondonVelvet Sheath Dress, Maggy London, $148

Coral Cocktail Dress, Erin Fetherston, $295

Python Sequin Romper, Saylor, $264

Sophisticated Sparkle Draped in Velvet

Coral is the New Red njlifestyleonline.com

LIFESTYLE | Holiday 2016

11

LIFEST YLE FASHION

As you prepare for your holiday season soirées, choose your dresses wisely. Budget-friendly designer fashion is readily available; so don’t let your limited budget give you the holiday blues. based clothing brand offers a contemporary line of cocktail dresses, jackets, and separates worthy of the red carpet. The brands growing list of celebrity fans include Reese Witherspoon and Elizabeth Banks. nnn Oh So-Low-Cut Style Another hot trend this season is plunging necklines, and finding a dress that incorporates this look with taste and style can be difficult.

Wearing something too revealing to an office party is a fashion faux pas. This new metallic dress from the Milly label checks all our musthave boxes. Fashion forward, with a touch of daring design, this dress is ideal for that special New Year’s event when you want to stand out from the crowd. Crafted in Italian diamond jacquard, this sleeveless beauty — with a plunging, yet tasteful, neckline — takes a night out to the next level.

Epitomizing bold, contemporary fashion with a feminine edge, the Milly label has a worldwide following. Designer Michelle Smith transforms classic silhouettes by merging American sportswear influences with distinctive Parisian techniques. Her impeccable eye for detail, use of luxurious, cutting-edge fabrics, and exact tailoring have garnered Milly many celebrity fans, including Beyoncé, Emily Blunt, and Jennifer Lopez.

spotlight-stealing outfit.

The brainchild of New York designer Jillian Shatken, Saylor is a Manhattan-based contemporary label that marries California effortlessness with a distinct sense of downtown cool. Made from expertly-sourced fabrics, the label’s separates and dresses are characterized by modern-feminine silhouettes, throw-on ease, and impeccable fit. They’re the playful, wear-anywhere pieces you will consistently reach for — and look fabulous in. nnn Coral is the New Red Forget wearing red this season and opt for coral, the hot color trend for the holiday season. Designers incorporated this neutral shade on runways, both domestic and abroad, celebrating this soft hue in style. This Georgia Twill Cocktail Dress from designer Erin Fetherston features a slimming fit-and-flare silhouette, luscious matte twill fabrication, and a flattering halter neckline.

Known for her enchanting and whimsical designs, Erin Fetherston is an icon of fashion and style. Her design have instantly enthralled A-listers and have shifted attitudes around feminine dressing with eccentric, ethereal style. Her signature romantic sensibility has earning the brand a devoted following with celebrities, including Kirsten Dunst and Zooey Deschanel.

nnn Shoulder-baring Looks Shoulder-bearing silhouettes peppered the runways this season and is a stunning style well-suited for everyone. Dramatically hued in passionate red lace, this show-stopping cocktail dress from Bardot conceals and reveals with a contemporary high neck, open back, and flowy bell sleeves with cold-shoulder cutouts. Featuring a back zip with a button-and-loop keyhole closure and a halter-style neck, this shoulder-flashing dress will make any holiday event beautifully memorable.

Launched in 1996, Australian fashion power-house Bardot creates the hottest fashion styles for women every year. The key to Bardot’s success is designing the latest look of the moment. The destination for women who wear fashion, with a bit of attitude, the brands celebrity fans include style trendsetter Kate Middleton and actress Sienna Miller.

nnn Draped in Velvet Nothing screams the holidays more than a velvet dress, and highend designers have not disappointed this season with a selection of contemporary styles. All eyes will be on you at the next holiday party in this long-sleeve velvet sheath dress from Maggy London. Detailed with an intricate design and cut from luxurious velvet, this budgetfriendly dress will make you feel confident and sexy.

Maggy London infuses each and every piece from their collection with not only an exquisite sense of style, but also a heightened level of craftsmanship. According to founder Larry Lefkowitz, a dress is the ultimate symbol of femininity. Each dress is designed for the woman of today, supplying them with limitless best-dressed moments.

Celebrity style icons Brooke Burke and Tori Spelling have embraced the label, along with countless woman worldwide.

nnn Sophisticated Sparkle Shine is always in style for holiday fashion, and this year is no exception. The holiday lights will pale when compared to you as you enter the room in this glistening romper from coveted label Saylor.

Shining sequined scales and a plunging V-neck adds extra bite to this

As you prepare for your holiday season soirées, choose your dresses wisely. Shop around, take advantage of sales and coupons, and don’t wait for the last minute to make your selections. Budget-friendly designer fashion is readily available; so don’t let your limited budget give you the holiday blues. n

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Shiny Happy Handhelds Add some sparkle to your outfit with these party-ready clutches

This Sofia Tassel Leather Clutch Bag from designer Rebecca Minkoff is both edgy and playful. Flaunting multicolor tassels and gunmental hardware, this unique clutch has a flap top with a snap closure and a jacquard-lined interior with six card slots, $245.

With its creamy surface and metallic-flecked texture, this vintage-inspired design from Edie Parker is a handheld sculpture. Impress everyone with this confetti acrylic clutch bag, featuring glow-in-the-dark signature “ice” details, handmade in the U.S. from custom-poured acrylic, Lara Backlit Acrylic Clutch, Edie Parker, $1,195.

Your holiday event will be legendary when you carry this art-deco inspired beauty from the iconic label Judith Leiber Couture. Made in Italy, this rectangular clutch in marbled resin features a framed, hard-shell case embellished with inset crystals, Jazz Age Ridged Rectangle Marble Resin Clutch, Judith Leiber, $1,495.

Go for the gold with this heart clutch bag from designer Les Petits Joueurs. With a golden pyramidal pattern, and a rectangular hard-shell body, this hot accessory is expertly-crafted in Italy. The designer’s playful incorporation of Lego blocks makes this bag easy to spot and desire, Grace Lolita Heart Clutch Bag, Les Petits Joueurs, $975.

Fashionistas of all ages will love this gold metallic leather clutch. Featuring saffiano leather and jeweled with golden hardware, designer Tory Burch’s attention-grabbing clutch has a removable chain and leather strap, a flap top with magnetic closure, and a signature cutout logo, Metallic Leather Clutch Bag, Tory Burch, $350.

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LIFESTYLE | Holiday 2016

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Fabulous Finds Gifts for everyone on your list.

Home Is Where The Wine Is

This holiday season, give the gift of quality pairings that will spark happiness by bringing these luxurious sets into your family and friends homes. Gift Sets by Hall & Walt are perfect for the novice wine drinker to the serious wine collector.

2013 “Kathryn Hall” Cabernet Sauvignon 1.5L, $165.

2014 Walt “Sierra Mar” Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir, $75.

Available at hallwines.com.

Buckle up!

Sparkle Baby

Chamilia, a Swarovski Company, is having a holiday in pastels this season. And rather than worry about the traditional countdown until the holidays, the “Seven Days” collection reminds us that we want our loved ones near us every day of the week, and “Eternity” bands remind us that true love last forever. Both collections feature Swarovski Pure Brilliance Zirconia, the highest quality zirconia available and renowned as the finest simulated diamond in the world.

Available at fine jewelry stores and chamilia.com.

Eternity Ring $79 Seven Days Vertical Bar Earrings $65.

Seven Days Vertical Bar Necklace $65.

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Holiday 2016 |

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Radio Flyer recently launched the Tesla Model S for kids. It boasts the exhilarating performance of a Tesla and features the longest run and fastest recharge time thanks to Flight Speed™ Lithium Ion battery technology. Features a long range battery, premium paint finish in authentic model S colors, personalized license plate, working headlights and front trunk storage. Your little one will be the talk of the neighborhood!

Available at radioflyer.com. Starts at $499.

Stylish Bathroom Upgrades

Upgrade your bathroom’s look and functionality with a stylish new design and finish. New Amora vanity set in Navy Blue with LED Sun Mirror is manufactured with the highest-quality hardwoods from sustainable forests. Available at Artistic Hardware in Northfield, NJ. 609-407-7200, artistichardware.net.

Oh So Rosy

Everything is coming up rose gold – Apple MacBook, Beats Headphones, Kylie Jenner’s Hair – and now HUROM is extending the pink-tinted metallic hue to the kitchen.

Combining the trendy metallic with nutrition, the Rose Gold H-AA features HUROM’s patented slow squeeze technology, ensuring that your juice stays fresh and retains all of its natural nutrients. Even better, it works wonderfully on fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, nuts and soybeans to create nutritious juices, milk, tofu, and more, as well as features the ability to create healthy ice cream straight from the chamber.

Available at hurom.com, $459.

Luxurious Essentials

Legacy cashmere brand, RAFFI has branched outside of their luxurious sweaters to bring cashmere essentials to the home. The brand introduces a pure cashmere cable pillow case and a cashmere throw for those cold nights. Available at raffionline.com.

Pillow case $275.

Blanket $1,625.

For the Chef

Cooking, home entertaining, and baking just got infinitely easier with the creation of the biém butter sprayer, a first-of-itskind kitchen tool that lets users convert a stick of real butter from solid to liquid spray in seconds. The new hand-held device gives users a much more efficient way to use and enjoy real butter in a way not possible before. Consumers now have one more reason to stop buying margarine and artificial cooking sprays.

Available at biémspray.com, $129.

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LIFESTYLE | Holiday 2016

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Lifestyle Home

Home Decorating 101 Tips to make decorating your home an enjoyable experience

By Candice Adler

D

ecorating a home can be very Photo by Eric Weeks intimidating for anyone, so I thought it may be helpful to suggest some simple tips even a first time novice can master. Don’t stress out as to where to begin; I am going to guide you through the process.

Whether you just purchased your first home or you are redoing the home you raised your family in, there is a process to make it an enjoyable experience.

First, start off thinking about your color scheme. I usually have a basic color scheme I carry over from room to room. The way I differentiate each space depends on how I play out the different construction. tones and accent colors within each room. It Something I have also done in a space is is really that simple. If my clients have certain paint the trim with color. I’ve done black trim, pieces of furniture they absolutely want to which makes a bold statement without a large recycle, I decide where and how they will investment. Trim is usually overlooked as a function best while being esthetically pleasing basic neutral. Painting it can definitely be a at the same time. If you truly love something, scary, bold move, but I say go for it. Take that it should be on display. It does not necessarily chance. Think out of the box. I believe you have to “go” with the colors or furniture as may be more than pleased with the outcome. far as theme. It is more about the scale and When purchasing your furniture, do not personality it brings to the space. skimp because the kids will be “destroying it Many of my clients call me about their in no time.” It is well worth spending your older home; distraught about the lower money on comfortable, well-made furniture ceilings and broken floor plans. They complain that will last. If there is a very expensive fabric the flow is fragmented and dated. People want you’re dying to use, but afraid of the longevity, to entertain their friends and families in an use it on a pillow or accent ottoman. That updated, open floor plan. One way I make a way, if you decide to put it away for a reason, room feel larger is by using mirrors to trick the you can as you have control over it. Use it in a eye into believing the space is much larger. I smaller way, but use it. love over-scale large mirrors in small spaces for If your taste tends to be neutral in flavor, just this reason. add a twist with a variety of textures and Mirrored panels on a wall, if done correctly, materials. Try cotton, silk, taffeta, velvets, or can make a room grow right before your eyes. organics. The possibilities are endless, while Sectioned mirrors will look best, as sheets of allowing you to keep with the neutral tones mirror tend to look too commercial. I create you’re most comfortable with. Depending strong verticals to make the ceilings feel taller, on the lighting in the room, the textures and along with furniture that is considered lowcolors will read differently, so try and select slung. This also adds to the feeling of height, your fabrics in the natural setting if possible. a factor difficult to change without extensive Please pay close attention to my next bit of 16

Holiday 2016 |

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advice. If you think you are saving money by purchasing pre-fabricated window treatments, then you must make sure they are not in line for the next flood. Panels must go all the way to the floor, and just touch it lightly. If they do not come in the exact length, go up a size and hem them. It is the only way; please trust me.

People are always surprised when I mix my metals, and I say, why not? Metal finishes add sparkle to the room and come in a variety of finishes. Mix gold, silver, and bronze.

As long as each plays their role — and is thought out and balanced — it works. The key is to use equal amounts of each.

If you’re struggling with your rug selection, play it safe. You can always use a straw rug inside; it is not just an outdoor textile, and I love the organic feeling it gives to any space.

Straw and jute are my usual staples. They are chic and considered the white t-shirt of design. Throw in a grouping of pillows with contrasting patterns, color, and texture and “voila” …your space has new life. Go with bold oversized pillows that don’t look like they just came with the sofa.

Add some eye-catching tile to the backsplash in your kitchen or bathroom.

This quick change can really make a bold statement. It does not need to be overly costly or too time consuming if it’s thought out and prioritized.

Make your home yours for the holidays.

You won’t regret it. I promise a smile when you walk in the door, and a feeling of accomplishment for what you have achieved.

The only obstacle in your way is you; so go for it. n We wish you all a very happy holiday season filled with peace, love and joy to all, from Candice Adler Design. Visit www.candiceadlerdesign.com for inspirational photos and ideas.

Create

LIGHTING

A ROOM WITH A VIEW

ARTISTIC DECORATIVE HARDWARE 430 Tilton Road, Northfield, NJ 609-407-7200 www.artistichardware.net

Lighting n Shower Doors n

Plumbing Fixtures n Decorative Hardware n

Vanities n Ceiling Fans n

Medicine Cabinets n Accessories njlifestyleonline.com L S and| More! n

IFE TYLE

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MONEYWATCH

Tax Loss Harvesting Don’t Miss Out on the Opportunity

NOBODY LIKES TO SELL AN INVESTMENT AT A LOSS. However, using a strategy of realizing losses to reduce taxable gains, referred to as tax loss harvesting, can help you enhance the after-tax returns of your portfolios.

Tax loss harvesting can not only save an investor taxes in the current year, but if done properly, can provide tax savings for years to come. Many investors avoid tax loss harvesting because they want to avoid selling something at a loss and possibly missing a rebound. We advise our clients to maintain their equity exposure even while tax loss harvesting. You can do this by simultaneously selling your asset that has an unrealized loss and purchasing a similarly correlated asset to the one just sold.

For example, if you have a large cap U.S. stock fund with a loss, sell it and purchase another large cap U.S. stock fund with similar risk and holdings profile. If you have an individual stock with a large loss, choose a stock in the same industry or sector or comparable market (i.e. sell KO (Coca Cola) and buy PEP (Pepsi). If you feel you have to own the same security you are selling, you cannot buy it back for at least 31 days. Buying it back in 30 days or less will disallow your taxable loss under the IRS’s “wash sale” rules.

Losses can be used to offset any current year taxable gains. In addition, once you offset all of your gains, you can deduct an additional $3,000 in capital losses against your ordinary income. By deducting the 18

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additional $3,000, an investor in the 39.6% bracket can save $1,188 in federal taxes. Of course, any realized losses in excess of $3,000 can be carried forward indefinitely to future tax years to offset future capital gains. Therefore, an investor in the 39.6% bracket who had total unrealized losses of $50,000 in his or her portfolio can recover more than 1/3 of that loss by harvesting now and saving taxes in the future. We believe this is a good strategy and one that is often overlooked by investors.

Since individuals are on a calendar year for tax purposes, it is imperative that you review your portfolio with your investment advisor prior to the end of the year and if you have some unrealized losses in your portfolio, it may make sense to consider a tax loss harvesting strategy, especially if you already have taxable realized capital gains. n Tom Reynolds, CPA & Matt Reynolds CPA, CFP® Co-Managing Partners, CRA Financial Francis C. Thomas CPA, PFS, Investment Advisor Robert T. Martin, CFA, CFP®, Investment Advisor This article is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be relied upon as the basis for an investment decision. Consult your financial adviser, as well as your tax and/or legal advisers, regarding your personal circumstances before making investment decisions.

“We take Having Fun seriously!

Experience Smithville in this Mediterranean masterpiece Viewed from the street, this sparkling split rancher with separated sleeping areas is just one of many charming homes along the meandering lanes of Four Seasons in Smithville. Set halfway around a quiet circle in the 55-plus community, the house has a traditional pitched roof, sided walls and fieldstone face, plus artfully landscaped grounds complete with a picturesque birch tree.

An expanse of Florentine terracotta tile flooring leads to a sumptuous, single story living space that has 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms. An unobstructed floor plan and 14-foot ceilings give the home quite a spacious feel. The spacious master bedroom has a high-soaring ceiling, large windows with multiple views, his-and-hers closets, and a master bath that recalls an Italian grotto in its cobblestone floors and tub surround.

The kitchen is set behind a 10-foot rough-cut stone partition that contrasts with the smooth granite counters and rich wood cabinets. There are contemporary touches that mix well with the more formal features – like a dining room. The sunroom boasts a splendid view of the sun-filled backyard, with pavers used for retaining walls, flowerbed enclosures, and walkways.

There’s a lot to love about the Four Seasons lifestyle. The K. Hovnanian master-planned community spans hundreds of verdant acres crisscrossed by lakes, walkways, and bike paths.

Developed in the 1990s, the neighborhood designed like a series of interlocking hamlets adjoins Historic Smithville, a small town that sprang up around a stagecoach route in the late 1700s.

Smithville and the Village Green are close by, with their rows of boutiques and restaurants. In the spring and summer, the ice cream parlor, amusement park, and boat rides are especially popular.

Call to see this home today.

Barbara Morgan Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Shore Office: 609.484.9890 • Cell: 609.432.9060 Web: BarbaraMorganSellsHomes.com Email: Barbaramorganrealestate@gmail.com

High Home Expectations: Met Whether you’re building a new home or simply looking at remodeling your existing abode, the idea of picking out products for the exterior of your house can be a daunting one. The outside of our homes is our message to the world about the style and designs we appreciate, and yet it’s often a forgotten or at least much-maligned portion of the building or renovation process. Perhaps it’s because we’re overwhelmed, uninformed, or both.

For Heather Killie, a homeowner in the beautiful New Hampshire town of Windham, this difficulty could have put a damper on her excitement for her new home. Fortunately, a modern approach to an age-old problem would help make the process as easy as possible for the homeowners.

One of their biggest sticking points however, was the exterior.

“We were looking for a maintenance-free exterior and something that was going to be pretty,” Killie said. A seemingly simple request hasn’t historically been that easy to fulfill. That is until Royal® Building Products, a building products manufacturer, stepped in to provide much needed assistance. Royal Building Products offers several lines of premium building products, perfect for the home that Killie and Ingraham were planning.

The company’s product lines of cellular-PVC siding, decking, and trim products offered the unique combination of beauty and maintenance freedom that the couple were seeking. It started with Celect® Cellular Composite Siding by Royal®, which Killie discovered after discussions with building professionals and online research. “Originally, we had other siding products in mind, but I was not thrilled with the idea of using them,” she said.

Today’s consumer deserves more than just looking at tiny swatches of color in their kitchen when deciding what the outside of their home is going to look like for the next 20 or more years. Companies like Royal are investing in technology that empowers the homeowner to not only experiment with style and color, but to take a more active role in the process of finishing their home’s exterior. Royal’s HomePlay Prime design tool provides a variety of home styles to serve as a canvas for experimentation. The company has taken it a step further, however, allowing anyone to upload a photo of their own home into the program, which can be mapped and designed with the software.

The level of customization within the tool—even down to the color of the front door or garage—lets homeowners really fine-tune their designs.

No longer should the opinions of the homeowner be limited to the kitchen or paint colors on the walls.

HomePlay Prime allows the user to customize their trim packages as well with color options from the company’s cellular PVC trim product, created to accompany Celect on high-end homes like that of Killie and Ingraham. It’s designed to have the same maintenance-free features as Celect, while offering all the ease and freedom in installation that is commonly associated with wood.

Zuri boasts a real wood look without the maintenance

The front of Killie and Ingraham’s home

Ultimately, what sold Killie on Celect was Royal’s online visualization tool, which allowed her to see how different color and siding combinations might look on her home. “In the Northeast you don’t see a lot of Board & Batten, and we wanted it to look more like a Craftsman-style house, so we liked the idea of adding Board & Batten accents. We weren’t sure where we should put them, so we turned to the Royal design team for help. It was really nice to see all the colors and different options on the computer screen before we put it on the house,” Killie shared. Royal’s tool, named HomePlay™ Prime, allowed Killie to try out a variety of siding styles and color combinations before committing to one for her home.

The tool is packed with options as Celect is available in four styles and 18 colors, giving the homeowner complete control over the look of their exterior.

Royal Building Products’ suite of exterior products is rounded out by their premium decking product, Zuri®. The product is created through a similar process to Royal’s other cellular PVC products, but features a photorealistic wood print and acrylic cap that provides enhanced beauty and durability. Zuri comes in a variety of colors, and Royal has created an online visualization tool for it as well that allows homeowners to see how different colors might look with a variety of railing options.

Killie and Ingraham installed Zuri on their front porch and have found that guests often mistake it for real wood. It perfectly matches the high-quality finishes that Killie selected for the rest of the exterior while still offering the maintenance-free lifestyle the couple envisioned.

When it all started, Killie acknowledged that she was a, “cautiously optimistic beginner.” Now? “We couldn’t be happier with our decision to use Celect and Zuri on the exterior of our house,” said Killie.

“The outcome was exactly what we were looking for—high-end, maintenance-free products that look amazing.”

© 2016 Royal Building Products

There’s building. Then there’s transforming.

Zuri® Premium Decking, Celect® Cellular Composite Siding and Royal® Trim and Moulding were created for homeowners and building professionals who embrace and demand seamless beauty, effortless longevity and unlimited possibilities.

Make your exterior project a great one.

Start Transforming: RoyalBuildingProducts.com • ExpressionofWow.com Or call 855-683-7368

© 2016 Royal Building Products

Relish in the sights and sounds of New Orleans, a city like no other

Red trolley streetcar in New Orleans French Quarter

Lifestyle Travel

There’s no such things as too much of a good thing.

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As it prepares for a year-long shindig that will mark its 300th birthday in 2018, New Orleans epitomizes that time-tested adage.

Every night is a party, not to mention every minute of every day. The French influence is everywhere, from the beads thrown by parade spectators to frivolous costumes frequently made of feathers. The local motto, “Laissez le bons temps roulez,” means “Let the good times roll.” And roll they do.

The town is called The Big Easy because it’s easy to live there, easy to find work there, and easy to score there. It’s also so easy to drink there that frustrated federal enforcers considered the town an oversized speak-easy during the dark days of Prohibition.

Laws are still lax, especially when Mardi Gras marches into town every February and women behind wrought-iron balconies flash their breasts for strings of beads. On Bourbon Street, in the heart of the famed French Quarter, they show even more.

Bourbon Street bars sell go-cups that allow patrons to purchase drinks while strolling down the street. Many blare a bizarre potpourri of music ranging from Zydeco to Dixieland. And more than a few try to lure male visitors by showcasing curvaceous female Holiday 2016 |

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dancers who leave little to the imagination. Relaxed, raunchy, and riveting, N’awlins relishes its reputation as both historical and hysterical.

Part of the United States since the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, New Orleans has 350,000 residents but 10 million annual visitors who pump $5.5 billion into the local economy. They come not only for Mardi Gras but for the festivals, the food, and the free, anythinggoes attitude that pervades every nook and cranny. A New Orleans timeline would be too lengthy to print here. But hundreds of structures have survived wars, floods, and hurricanes.

Decorated donkeys parked near Jackson Square pull wooden carts packed with tourists. Kids covered in sugar pose for photographs after beignet battles at Café du Monde. And a music club called The Spotted Cat has an upright piano packed into its ladies room (they could have added another stall and reduced the line).

A piano owned by Fats Domino is on display at a Katrina museum exactly as the 2005 storm left it — tilted on its side. Even though that hurricane flooded 80% of the low-lying city and sent a quarter of the population packing, the beat goes on in this resilient seaport.

Vehicle and airplane exhibits in The National WWII Museum. Photos by Dan Schlossberg.

Taking It Easy in

The Big Easy

By DAN SCHLOSSBERG

There are 1,400 restaurants and almost as many varieties of music. At Preservation Hall, a nondescript building that survived for a century, the musicians are as old as the structure but play delightful Dixieland sets that wow spectators of all ages.

Zydeco, the country cousin of Cajun music, is on the menu at MidCity Lanes Rock ‘n Bowl, with blues at the Spotted Cat, opera at the Orpheum, brass bands along Frenchmen Street, and calliope coming from the top deck of a paddlewheel steamboat named the Natchez.

Blending African rhythms with European instruments created sounds unique to the area: Delta blues, cajun, zydeco, a variation of hip hop called bounce, and a fast form of southern rock nicknamed cowpunk.

Famous figures still receive jazz funerals, with dirges marking the path to the cemetery and Dixieland cheering up mourners afterward.

Although it once harbored North America’s largest slave market, New Orleans was the only city to let slaves share their native sounds.

The same music that was at once a lifeline for slaves can still be heard in Louis Armstrong Park.

Satchmo gave his name, though not his trumpet, to the New Orleans airport. A new $826 million terminal, with 30 gates, will be ready by next year’s Tricentennial. Armstrong was one of the city’s favorite native sons, along with Fats Domino, John Goodman, Wendell Pierce, Soledad O’Brien, William Faulkner, Tennessee Williams, and Chef Emeril Lagasse, who opened his fourth local restaurant in 2016.

World-famous for its food, New Orleans staples include Gulf oysters on the half-shell, broiled catfish, jambalaya, gumbo, pralines, beignets, and the Asian-inspired beef yaka mein. Armstrong himself favored red beans and rice so much that he signed his letters, “Red beans and ricely yours.” Street food, like street music, is on every corner. And traces of

African, Cajun, Chinese, Cuba, French, Italian, and Spanish cuisine can be detected at Commander’s Palace, Antoine’s, and the Court of the Two Sisters, home of a daily jazz brunch.

A restaurant called Tujague’s (pronounced too-jacks) marked its 160th anniversary in 2016 and has done so well for so long that its artifacts, menus, and memorabilia reside in the Southern Food and Beverage Museum. Visitors can see Creole candy made daily at Magnolia Praline Company or try chicory coffee, a local favorite, at Café du Monde, near the bustling French Market. It started serving beignets (sugary French pastries) during the Civil War. Several other restaurants are nearly that old, though the popular po’ boy sub sandwich is always made fresh. It is to New Orleans what the knish is to New Jersey.

There are 20 districts on the National Register of Historic Places and 14 local historic districts. Half the city is below sea level, which is why cemeteries have mausoleums instead of graves. Architecture ranges from the antebellum mansions of St. Charles Avenue to Creole cottages, American townhouses, and both Victorian and Greek Revival structures — with a handful of downtown skyscrapers for good measure.

Getting around is easy, with four different streetcar lines intersecting throughout the city and more in the works. The green St. Charles streetcar, which links the French Quarter with the Warehouse District, is the oldest continuously-operating trolley line in the country (a JAZZY pass allows unlimited hop-on, hop-off privileges).

The star attraction of the Warehouse District, if not the whole city, is the National World War 2 Museum, which opened as the D-Day Museum on June 6, 2000, the 56th anniversary of the Normandy invasion. Now a sprawling campus that occupies several blocks, it features interactive exhibits, videos, and such vintage artifacts as planes, njlifestyleonline.com

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LIFEST YLE TRAVEL tanks, and even a train station and passenger car used by departing soldiers. The 4-D Beyond All Boundaries, a multi-media show produced

by Tom Hanks, is the best starting point for a tour that includes sections devoted to the European and Pacific fronts, the Battle of the Bulge, and the final mission of the submarine USS Tang. The American Sector restaurant uses vegetables grown in the museum’s Victory Garden, while The Stage Door Canteen presents Wednesday and weekend USO shows starring The Victory Belles. Not surprisingly, the attractive young singers wear red, white, and blue dresses.

The museum is in New Orleans because historian Stephen Ambrose, whose book inspired the Band of Brothers mini-series, campaigned for its location in his hometown. In addition, the amphibious boats used by American forces in Normandy were designed, built, and tested locally

by Higgins Industries.

While it’s best to allow a full day for the museum, other must-see spots demand less time. In fact, many of them are free. The best antidote to the frenetic French Quarter is City Park, a 1300-acre oasis loaded with lakes, trails, ballfields, bicycle paths, and oak trees that were seedlings during the Civil War. The steeples of St. Louis Cathedral, 222 years old in 2016, tower over Jackson Square and rank as the most photographed local landmark.

Artists who capture it on canvas drape their work on surrounding fences, along with signs that say NO PHOTOS. Vendors selling hats and shirts from stalls inside French Market also frown on photographs of their goods. But there’s no charge to look.

Photos by Dan Schlossberg

Court of Two Sisters fountain

Stage Door Canteen inside the WWII Museum

Fats Domino’s piano

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Other options without charge include Thursday night concerts at Louis Armstrong Park, located in the Treme district popularized by the HBO series, and free shows on summer Fridays at the uptown Tipitina’s and free cooking demonstrations Saturday mornings at the Crescent City Farmers Market. In all seasons, free music pours into the street up as freely as the beer on Bourbon.

Festivals are free too, with many (especially Mardi Gras) ranking as both spectator and participation sports. Something always seems to be happening, from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in April to Satchmo SummerFest and COOlinary New Orleans, both in August.

There’s an oyster festival, Creole tomato festival, po’ boy festival, blues & barbecue festival, Cajun zydeco festival, and even a Voodoo Music & Arts Experience (Louisiana Voodoo, a minority religion, blends African and Caribbean Catholic beliefs). Crowds cram river vantage points on July 4, when Go Fourth on the River features a Dueling Barges Fireworks Extravaganza.

Visitors can also watch ships ply the mighty Mississippi, explore French Quarter courtyards, view antebellum mansions on St. Charles Avenue, or hear impromptu street concerts. The Magazine Street Club offers free music and free oysters on Fridays while any day allows photo buffs to ride a free ferry from the foot of Canal Street to the less frenetic but still photogenic Algiers district across the river.

The list of can’t-miss attractions extends far beyond the World War 2 museum. Mardi Gras World, which makes floats for more than 40 parades per year, offers daily tours. Fritzel’s Jazz Club is not only older

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than Preservation Hall but claims to be the world’s oldest jazz venue, with Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop claiming to be the nation’s oldest bar.

Its namesake, pirate Jean Lafitte, helped Gen. Andrew Jackson beat the British in the Battle of New Orleans that ended the War of 1812.

Although most of the city’s early commerce was conducted by boat, trains have served the city for more than a century. There’s even a song named after a train: The City of New Orleans. Amtrak’s offerings also include The Crescent, for the shape of the city around the river, and The Sunset Limited.

Hollywood loves New Orleans, where the realistic backdrop helped Twelve Years a Slave win the Best Picture Oscar in 2014. Out-of-towners love the place too. They pack the city’s hotel rooms for conventions, festivals, and just plain fun. The mild climate, with precious little snow, helps.

In addition to its myriad of conventions, the city has hosted seven Super Bowls, all in the 73,000-seat Superdome, and numerous NBA AllStar games. New Orleans is home to the NFL Saints, the NBA Pelicans, the Triple-A baseball Zephyrs, and an all-female roller derby team called the Big Easy Rollergirls. During San Fermin in Nueva Orleans, the N’awlins answer to Spain’s “running of the bulls,” the skaters — armed with plastic bats — are the “bulls” that chase anyone who dares get in their way.

After a good game or a good run, there’s nothing better than downing a Hurricane — a rum-and-juice cocktail — at Pat O’Brien’s, though the best morning-after drink is the Ramon Gin Fizz at the rejuvenated Hotel

Photos by Dan Schlossberg

A purple carriage in New Orleans

Roosevelt. Veteran visitors insist the official cocktail of New Orleans is the Sazerac, a mix of rye, whiskey, bitters, and absinthe.

Places to stay range from the towering Westin Canal Place, with its expansive views of the sprawling Mississippi, to the minimalist MOXY, a Marriott offshoot that opened last spring down the street from the stately Roosevelt. The historic Pontchartrain Hotel, erected during the Roaring ‘20s, reopened on St Charles Avenue in June after a $1 million facelift.

The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, consisting of two parallel bridges that stretch for 24 miles, link the city to its suburbs on the north shore.

There’s no longer bridge on the planet. To make a smooth crossing of the bridge to this one-of-a-kind destination, visitors would be wise to start their stays at “Creole of Course,” a multi-media jazz dinner theater show that starts in January at the convention center. New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park explores the roots of jazz, while Historic New Orleans Collection offers a good crash course on the city’s history.

Numerous airlines, including jetBlue, link the New York area and The Big Easy. Just be sure to book accommodations and flights months in advance — especially for Mardi Gras. The next one is scheduled for Feb. 28, 2017.

For further information, contact the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau, 2020 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 90130, www.neworleanscvb.com, Tel. 800-672-6124. n Former AP newsman Dan Schlossberg of Fair Lawn is travel editor of New Jersey Lifestyle and The Maggie Linton Show on Sirius XM Satellite Radio.

Al “Jumbo” Hirt and Pete Fountain statues at Music Legends Park

Carriages in front of St. Louis Cathedral

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On Wheels

Charge On A look at two new powerhouses from Dodge

By Bill Henry

2017 Dodge Durango Citadel AWD

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THE DODGE DURANGO’S COMBINATION OF uncompromised utility, advanced technology, class-leading towing and driving range, confident driving dynamics and aggressive styling make it the Dodge Charger of the SUV segment. For 2017, Durango builds on its proven performance, utility, and comfort with a new model, new appearance packages, and a newly available soft-touch hand-wrapped instrument panel. Durango’s standard eight-speed automatic transmission is paired with either the award-winning 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine rated at an impressive 290 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque, delivering up to 26 miles per gallon (mpg) and best-inclass towing capability of 6,200 pounds or the classic 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine that produces a best-in-class 360 horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque and classleading towing capability of 7,400 pounds.

The latest technology includes a programmable digital instrument cluster, available class-exclusive 9-inch dual screen Blu-ray and DVD player, available Beats premium audio system, 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen radio with navigation and, new for 2017, a function to view trailed items through the rear mounted camera while the Durango is in motion. Durango’s available three-row seating offers spaciousness and flexibility with 85 cu. ft. of cargo capacity, 50 different seating configurations, including available second-row captain’s chairs.

A driver’s SUV, the 2017 Dodge Durango delivers excitement and modernized refinement thanks to its world-class suspension, structural refinements, and performance driving characteristics, all of which are usually found on premium performance SUVs at much higher price points. The Dodge Durango’s rear-wheeldrive-based drivetrain is the foundation for its outstanding on-road driving performance. Available all-wheel drive (AWD) further enhances driver confidence by leveraging the SUV’s 50/50 weight distribution. The Durango’s two available AWD systems — one for the HEMI V-8 and one for Pentastar V-6 powered models — greatly enhance the vehicle’s traction and handling.

While competitors have switched to front-wheel-drive car-based platforms, the HEMI®-powered all-wheel drive Durango features a low-range transfer case with a neutral position. Low range improves light off-road performance and helps ease maneuvers, such as pulling a boat up a steep launch or backing up with a trailer. The neutral position in the transfer case allows the vehicle to

Durango R/T interior with Radar Red Nappa leather seats

Durango R/T interior with Radar Red Nappa leather seats Durango R/T interior

ON WHEELS

Durango R/T with towing capabilities in bruiser grey

Durango R/T in the heritage-inspired hue redline be flat-towed without damaging powertrain components. Durango’s standard 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine generates 290 horsepower (295 horsepower on Blacktop Package and Citadel) and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. Equipped with the V-6, Durango can tow a best-inclass 6,200 pounds. In addition, engine stop start (ESS) is standard on the V-6 and lowers emissions while also saving fuel. The 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine produces a best-in-class 360 horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque with a best-in-class tow rating of 7,400 pounds. Fuel Saver Technology with cylinder-deactivation 28

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Durango R/T seamlessly alternates between smooth, highfuel-economy four-cylinder mode and V-8 mode when more power is in demand.

The 2017 Dodge Durango features a standard eight-speed automatic transmission with rotary shifter and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. With standard five-passenger seating, optional seven-passenger seating and second-row captain’s chairs available on all models, the seats in the 2017 Dodge Durango can be converted to as many as 50 different configurations. Families with three or more children will find the Durango’s available

captain’s chairs with pass through especially helpful as two car seats can stay latched into the second row seats, and there’s still easy pass-through for passengers to walk between to get to the third row. A versatile 60/40 split folding second-row seat conveniently folds and tumbles.

Transporting long items, like 10-foot 2x4s, is not a problem as the left side of the second row folds 60%, allowing the versatility of folding the 40% seat in tandem with the front passenger fold-flat seat. To make passengers more comfortable, second-row seats also

are available with heat, and they recline 18 degrees. The third-row seat features a 50/50 split and is easily folded from the rear of the vehicle. For even more utility, both the second- and third-row seats fold to provide a flat load floor. A switch in the instrument panel remotely lowers third-row headrests when not in use.

Uconnect is available via either a standard 5-inch or available 8.4-inch touchscreen, the latter of which is the largest touchscreen in its class. Durango offers a class-exclusive

Blu-ray video rear entertainment system with two high-resolution 9-inch screens, one on each front seat back. Each screen allows customers to watch their movies on Blu-ray or standard DVDs or play their gaming systems via inputs for HDMI cables or RCAs for each screen integrated into the front seat backs.

Wireless headphones are included as is a wireless remote. The 2017 Dodge Durango offers consumers more than 60 available safety and security features, with seven standard airbags, including full-length three-row side-

curtain airbags, standard front-seat mounted side-thorax air bags, front-row active head restraints, standard trailer-sway control and available forward collision warning with crash mitigation, adaptive cruise control with stop, Blind-spot Monitoring (BSM) and Rear Cross Path (RCP) detection, Uconnect Access with 9-1-1 call and roadside assistance.

Continuing for the 2017 model year is the exclusive Viper “1 of 1” customization program that enables buyers to create their one-ofa-kind “Snake” from the ground up. With

Powering the 2017 Viper is an all-aluminum 8.4-liter V-10 engine that delivers 645 horsepower and 600 lb.-ft. of torque — the most torque of any naturally aspirated sports car engine in the world.

2017 Dodge Viper GTC painted in “1 of 1” custom matte finish exterior with Time Attack Group 1.0 Package

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ON WHEELS Viper GTC painted in “1 of 1” custom matte finish exterior with Time Attack Group 1.0 Package

2017 Dodge Viper’s powered by all-aluminum 8.4-liter, mid-front V-10 overhead-valve engine rated at 645 horsepower and 600 lb.-ft. torque

16,000 exterior color options, including matte exterior finishes, 24,000 custom stripe colors, 11 wheel options, 16 interior trims and seven aero packages, three brake packages and four suspension options, there are more than 50 million ways for buyers to customize their oneof-a-kind Dodge Viper.

The fifth generation of the flagship performance machine of the Dodge and SRT brands features more power and performance, superior craftsmanship, new technologies and creature comforts. Powering the 2017 Viper is an all-aluminum 8.4-liter V-10 engine that delivers 645 horsepower and 600 lb.-ft. of torque — the most torque of any naturally aspirated sports car engine in the world. Standard Viper safety features include electronic multistage stability control, traction control and a new four-channel anti-lock brake 30

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system.

The newest Dodge Viper ACR (American Club Racer) launched in 2016 and has taken the performance car world by storm by becoming the indisputable “ultimate streetlegal race car” with more track records than any production car in the world — a total of 13 road course lap records as certified by the Sports Car Club of America.

Since 1992, Dodge and SRT have built approximately 30,000 Vipers at the Mack Avenue Assembly (1992–1994) and Conner Avenue Assembly Plant (1995–current), both in Detroit. For 2017 there’s Six new serialized special edition models. With more track records (13) than any production car in the world, the Dodge Viper ACR honors its long-standing legacy as ultimate street-legal track car through significant aerodynamic and

Sepia interior of 2017 Dodge Viper GTC

suspension upgrades.

Viper GTC and ACR models are available in more than 50 million unique configurations as customers can choose from more than 16,000 unique paint colors (in gloss or matte finishes) and more than 48,000 unique stripe combinations from “1 of 1” customization program, for truly one-of-a-kind hand built American supercar. Each “1 of 1” model Viper features a personalized instrument panel badge with customer’s chosen name to commemorate their exclusive design. No two customers can order the same configuration, including color, in the same model year.

All Dodge Vipers are powered by the iconic, hand-built 8.4-liter V-10 engine rated at 645 horsepower and 600 lb.-ft. of torque — the most torque of any naturally aspirated sportscar engine in the world. n

Cold weather is approaching...

Time to Snuggle by the Fire.

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Lifestyle Leisure By MOLLY GOLUBCOW

“Creativity is contagious, pass it on.” —Albert Einstein

1st Assistant Camera, Nate Vitale, Director of Photography; Sherry McCracken; and Director Stuart Connelly on set of the feature film Bloodletting.

A

Reel-ality at the Jersey Shore

ccording to Hollywood lore, Lana Turner, 1940s actress and pinup girl, was miraculously discovered sipping soda at a drug store fountain. Nice story, but just not true. In reality, being discovered in the arts rarely falls into the overnight sensation category. For example, after years of acting in small parts, Brian Cranston of Breaking Bad fame, only became a household name and face when he was about 50 years old. In the writing world, Steven King, still keeps a box full of rejection letters from editors who read his manuscripts and told him not to quit his day job.

Fame and fortune rarely come quickly and easily. Do you think Michelangelo’s first piece was the Sistine Chapel? So, what is a creative soul to do? First things first — work on, hone in, and practice your craft.

Whether you have your sights acting on stage or screen, the New York Times Best Seller list, or a photography exhibit at the Met, you need coaching and guidance. In the past, you had to travel out of Atlantic City to find creative mentoring, but now Little Rock Films & Studios in Ventnor can coach you in 32

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acting, writing, photography, and much more.

An Acting Studio in Ventnor — Go Figure!

Dina Engel and Sherry McCracken, Little Rock founders, understand creativity because they live and breathe it — acting and photography flow through their veins respectively. Although Engel majored in theater in college, she took another career path after graduation and left her passion for the arts. Years later she took some acting classes that reignited the flame in her core for acting.

Engel explains, “The day I returned to an acting class, I felt like I came home. There is a special camaraderie that occurs in an acting or any type of arts related class.” McCracken, who some say held a camera since the day she could walk, studied photography and had a wedding photography business before moving on to filmmaking and producing. In October, McCracken won Best Director of Photography in a Feature Horror film for Bloodletting at the 9th Annual Atlantic City Cinefest held at Dante Hall.

Over the years, both women studied independently in a variety of schools, studios, and workshops. Like roads on an artistic super highway, Engel and McCracken intersected one day and decided to bring an arts studio to Ventnor. Why a studio and why in Ventnor, NJ? Engels explains, “You don’t need to live in NYC or LA to make movies. So, why not Ventnor? We love it here! We want to teach people how to optimize their skills and knowledge. We know there is a lot of local talent and our studio is a place where people who are just starting or already have experience will have the opportunity to network, explore, grow, and do great things.”

Cathy Casper, Ventnor resident and one of the photography students attending Little Rock, appreciates the studio, its location, and its offerings. Casper has taken four classes, so far, and is excited to “know” her camera as opposed to being “intimidated by it.” Casper explains, “Having a studio like Little Rock here in Ventnor brings art to the community. Along with being a very talented photographer, Sherry (McCracken) is also a wonderful teacher. It adds a welcome artistic vibe and a cool level of class.”

An Artistic Menu of Options Little Rock and its team of talented instructors share their artistic experiences and knowledge in a variety of classes — from writing to acting. In addition to classes, they offer services in audition assistance, acting reels, voice over demo reels, and web commercials. Whether you come to sharpen your writing pencil or your acting tongue, Engel feels Little Rock is “unique” in many ways including adding local flavor, diverse class offerings for all ages and backgrounds, and something very important to novice and expert alike — an environment where people can explore their creativity without judgment.

In addition, Little Rock believes in cross pollinating their students’ artistic juices. Engel describes the vision, “Besides acting, our most popular classes are writing and photography. We believe that our filmmaking class will also take off once students give it a try. We want our writing, filmmaking, and acting students to collaborate and work together on projects. How great would it be to take a story written by one of our writing students and shoot/edit it with our filmmaking and acting students! This is what we call real filmmaking experience.”

Something for Everyone Little Rock Films & Studios believes that everyone has something special to offer, and everyone has their motives for taking a class. Although some students come specifically to enhance their artistic careers, acting classes are not just for actors.

Regardless of your profession, acting classes help increase self-esteem and confidence. In addition, you learn how to effectively communicate to one or many people, and even with a bit of style.

Engel explains the reasoning behind taking artistic-related classes, “Not everyone wants to make it their profession. Some want to hone their craft where others may want to learn something new, overcome shyness, or just have fun. Our job is to understand the reasons people are interested in classes and focus our training in a way they can accomplish their goals. The entertainment industry

On the set of the feature film Natural Selection Dina Engel as a Science Teacher getting ready to shoot a scene.

DP Sherry McCracken and Dave Conte filming the first day on set of Bloodletting.

Inside the professional sound studio on recording day for Music Video Class.

At Little Rock Films & Studios standing left to right, Suzie Neustadter (instructor), Sherry McCracken and Dina Engel (owners), Laurie Staller and Amanda Goudie (acting student).

Behind the scenes still shot by Sherry McCracken on the set of the feature film Natural Selection with Brandon Ripley (DP) and actor Ryan Munzert. is not for everyone. It requires a thick skin and the ability to handle repeated rejection. It IS for people who believe in themselves, prepare, and persevere. In this case, we are there to offer our support and professional guidance.”

Like a good baseball manager, Engel and McCracken also understand the value of having a professional and talented bull pen of coaches ready for their students. They carefully research and interview potential coaches to represent not only the talent and skills they have to share, but also how they can “fit” into the Little Rock family. For example, Leonard Dozier (the new voice of NFL Films) was selected as an instructor because he had the right attitude, experience (both in teaching and acting), and is local. In an example of how teacher and student and founder can work in a symbiotic world, Dozier convinced Little Rock to create a voice over studio class that he is now teaching in Ventnor.

Although Little Rock is armed and ready for students of any background and purpose, Engel jokes that her dream would be to coach (or work with) her favorite actress, Meryl Streep. “Not only do I admire her talent, but how she presents herself in her personal life. I wouldn’t dream of coaching her … I’d want her to coach me. I find her ability to transform absolutely amazing and would love to watch and learn about her process.”

To use artistic license and mangle several sayings together; “A star is born every minute,” and Little Rock Films & Studios is a place “full of energy and magic” ready to guide and coach students straight towards an Oscar! n njlifestyleonline.com

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Lifestyle Legends By MOLLY GOLUBCOW “May you live to be 101 and may the last voice you hear be mine.”

—Frank Sinatra

SALUT TO A LEGEND Patsy’s and Sinatra: It was a Very Good Year(s)

Clockwise, from top left: Linguine with Lobster Sauce; Spaghetti and Veal Meatballs; Roasted Broccoli Rabe with Olives, Cherry Peppers, Capers and Anchovies; Pasta Fagioli; Patsy’s exterior; Sal Scognamillo stirring sauce; Patsy’s dining room; Joe Scognamillo and his son Sal Scognamillo at the bar.

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W

When Frank Sinatra sang, “If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere,” do you think he was thinking about cooking up a perfect Pasta Puttanesca or maybe some Lobster Fradiavlo in New York? Probably not, but when he was in the city, Ol Blue Eyes would regularly visit one of his favorite Italian restaurants — Patsy’s, a family owned and operated gem located in the theater district serving home-style Neapolitan Italian dishes from its same location for over 70 years.

From Eggplant Rollatine appetizers to cannoli for desert, Patsy’s has been feeding people for generations. So, is it the food, the warm family atmosphere, or the essence of Sinatra that keeps Patsy’s a “must do” in NYC for celebrities, tourists, and locals alike?

The answer is all of the above if you are looking for a perfect venue for dining and remembering a legend — all under one roof.

“I’ve Got You Under My Skin …”

Founded in 1944 by Pasquale “Patsy” Scognamillo, Patsy’s has been in its Midtown local for decades. And through its 70 years of chopping and dicing, Patsy’s has had only three chefs — the late Patsy himself, his son Joe, and Joe’s son Sal, who has been manning the kitchen and welcoming guests for the last 29 years. A few years prior to opening his own restaurant, Patsy co-owned the Sorrento restaurant. In 1942, Tommy Dorsey, conductor and bandleader, brought 27-year-old Frank Sinatra to the restaurant.

The chemistry was instant for Sinatra and the Scognamillo family and continued when Patsy’s opened its doors in 1944. The bond remained (and continues) between Sinatra and Patsy’s like a good dish — made up of the right ingredients that blend just so — main ingredients like friendship, respect, and loyalty.

Sal Scognamillo recounts what his grandfather told him about the first encounter with Sinatra, “Dorsey told my Grandpa Patsy, ‘This kid is from Hoboken.

I want you to fatten him up ….’ Sinatra was a steady customer from that point forward.

I think he and his family kept coming back for one reason: loyalty. My family formed an instant friendship with Frank from his first visit, and that friendship continued until the day he passed away. We always loved Frank, through good times and bad, and highs and lows. Frank appreciated that and the loyalty was mutual. Frank was always there for us as well. The Sinatra family remains good friends

till this day.”

Although Patsy’s menu offers up many mouthwatering dishes, Sinatra pretty much stuck to his favorites — Veal Milanese (pounded very thin, of course), Veal Meatballs (with whole garlic, of course), and Fusilli Pasta with Filetto di Pomodoro (freshly made, of course). At Patsy’s, Sinatra had his culinary preferences, he had his table, and he had friends and fans around him who respected his privacy while simultaneously basking in his presence. In a world where paparazzi and rag newspapers invade a celebrity’s every bit of privacy, Patsy’s family and customers left Sinatra to his meal and his friends.

When Sinatra dined at Patsy’s, it was impossible not to feel that magic (possibly “That Old Black Magic”) and the mesmerizing charisma emanating from those legendary blue eyes. Customers and staff alike could feel the vibes and the difference. One of Patsy’s longtime loyal customers, Lee Forlenza, recalls the magic in the restaurant when Sinatra was in the house. “I was in the room when Frank Sinatra was dining at Patsy’s on several occasions,” remembers Forlenza.

“What I observed was the excitement in the restaurant when he entered the room. There was a certain aura about him. Everybody knew who he was and as soon as he walked in the door, heads turned. People in the restaurant definitely respected his privacy and never ran up to him for photos or autographs.

It was like he was safe at home.”

“I Did it My Way…” When first entering Patsy’s, you immediately see and feel a special something — warm greetings from a family member, customers (either their first time or their hundredth) enjoying the food and drink, and the comfy, yet elegant ambiance. In addition, the walls are neatly packed and stacked with pictures of past guests ranging from politicians to celebrities including Alec Baldwin, Tom Hanks, Madonna, George Clooney, Oprah Winfrey, Robert DeNiro, Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs, Al Pacino, and Patty LaBelle, just to drop a name or two.

Whether you were famous, infamous, or just a regular ‘Joe’ looking for a great Italian meal, Scognamillo fondly remembers when Frank was in the house, the atmosphere was always “fun, festive and glamorous.” What else could it be when a legend like Sinatra walks into your restaurant? Scognamillo

recalls, “One story that illustrates this is when Frank and Sammy Davis, Jr. were both here.

They had a friendly competition over the song “Anything you Can Do I Can do Better.”

They tried to outdo each other. Frank sang and Sammy would imitate him. This went back and forth until Sammy suddenly started to laugh and proceeded to take his glass eye out of its socket and said, “Frank, let me see you top this!”

Unfortunately, Frank and Sammy are no longer with us, but that “have a good time” atmosphere still prevails at Patsy’s. On the bar stands a statue of Sinatra — hat slightly tipped and top coat stylishly flung over one shoulder. You can feel his attitude and spirit.

In fact, some say that spot at the bar, with all the famous Who’s Who pictures in the background and the Sinatra statue in front might be one of the most photographed spots in NYC next to the Statue of Liberty herself!

“You Make Me Feel So Young…”

Last year on December 12th, Patsy’s organized a tribute on the 100th anniversary of Francis Albert Sinatra’s birth. Although the day was exciting and “electric” for Patsy’s, it also brought up bittersweet feelings and memories of a lost friend. Scognamillo arranged to honor the occasion with five different events including a 3-hour Sirius radio broadcasted live from Patsy’s. The “party” included guests like Tony Danza, Danny Aiello, Tina Sinatra (Frank’s daughter), Tony Bennett, Michael Bublé, Frankie Valli, and many more reminiscing about Ol Blue Eyes. Sinatra fans listening in at home or those lucky enough to be at Patsy’s that day, felt the love and admiration for the kid from Hoboken.

Scognamillo sums it up, “As you can imagine, there was a lot of laughter and a lot of tears.

It was a really great day and Frank was definitely looking down and smiling!”

This year, Sinatra will be memorialized once again for what would have been his 101st (centouno) birthday. Sirius radio again will host the event live from Patsy’s on December 12th offering up another all-star line-up of guests sharing their Sinatra stories.

In addition, the element of bitter sweetness will be even more noticeable this year as the program plans to include a tribute to Frank Sinatra, Jr. who passed away in March 2016.

Perhaps this time, father and son will look down together and smile as their old friends at Patsy’s hold up a glass of wine and say, “Salut.” n njlifestyleonline.com

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Lifestyle Entertainment

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Delightful Duos

LIFESTYLE

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Penn & Teller

By David J. Spatz

Some slight of hand with entertainment icons Penn & Teller; plus comedy duo Cheech and Chong together again Imagine working for a company that pays you a lot of money, lets you do whatever you want, never questions or second-guesses your work and doesn’t even miss you if you disappear for a few days.

Some would call it the perfect job.

Penn & Teller call it the ultimate expression of artistic freedom.

For the past 15 years, the magic and comedy team of Penn Jillette and his stage partner Teller — just Teller, no first name for the Philadelphia native — have had a residency gig in the 1,475-seat theater that bears their names at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

“We have bosses that don’t care about us. At all. Don’t even know we exist,” says Jillette, who has the stage banter and patter of an old-time Boardwalk huckster, which plays brilliantly off the perfectly-silent Teller, who nary utters a word on stage yet speaks volumes with his eyes and his facial expressions.

“They have slot machines to worry about, they have buffets to worry about,” he adds. “And as long as X number of people are in (the Penn & Teller Theater) every month, they just check that off on the bottom line.”

And that, Jillette says, is a type of freedom other artists only wish they had.

“There are (people) that make much more money than us, and are much more famous than us, but they don’t have that freedom,” he says very candidly. “I mean, Beyoncé certainly doesn’t. Jay-Z certainly doesn’t. Jimmy Fallon certainly doesn’t. But we really get to do artistically just what we really like, and we get paid for it, and we get to live at home.”

Show business is filled with magicians. It also has a plethora of comedians. Some have even managed to find a way to combine both forms of entertainment. But no act — at least none in the 40 years since Penn & Teller teamed up — has found a way to combine inventive, how-do-they-dothat magic and very clever comedy into an art form uniquely their own.

Even though he recently shed 100 pounds, Jillette remains the towering, 6-foot-6-inch force whose looming presence can’t help but command an audience’s attention. At 5-feet-9, Teller has an almost impish quality about him that can garner just as many laughs as Jillette simply by his expressions.

And then there’s the magic. Students of the art of legerdemain say magic is like comedy. Just as there are seven basic jokes, and everything else is a

variation on them, there are only a handful of actual tricks or illusions. The real art is to package a magic trick so it bares no resemblance to the basic one to which its origins can be traced. That’s where Penn & Teller succeed better than any other magicians, including great contemporary performers like David Copperfield and Criss Angel, both of whom have residency Las Vegas gigs and compete with Penn & Teller for ticket sales.

Having spent the past four decades working as a team, Penn & Teller have literally amassed a warehouse filled with original tricks. At this stage in their careers — Penn is 61, Teller 68 — you’d think they could rotate tricks in and out of their show and never have to concern themselves with developing new material.

Since Jillette says he has no evidence that they’ll ever be offered another job if this one ends, they’re constantly thinking of new ways to fool an audience. Some tricks can be developed in a few months. Others take a bit longer.

“One bit we worked on for six years, one three-minute hunk of the show,” Jillette explains during a phone call from his Las Vegas home just a few days before flying to Atlantic City for a one-night stand at Caesars. “Some bits we work on for a few months … and then we put them in the show. There’s always a lot of puzzle-piece moving we have to do. We want to make sure the new bits get ‘hammocked,’ they’re put between two really strong bits so if they’re not that good, people don’t notice as much.”

Even the simplest trick can get complicated in the planning, developing and execution stages.

“Teller and I start with an idea that we’re thinking about that seems important to us. We then tend to think about how the plot of that idea can be presented,” he says. “Then we start thinking about what the trick would look like. Then we think about how to do the trick. Then we think about the plotting again, (then) we think about the comedy needs. And then we put the whole thing together.”

Although magic’s basic concepts date back many centuries, Penn & Teller are very much 21st Century entertainers. One bit currently in development would bring audience members on stage and involves their computer passwords. There are a lot of steps in creating the actual trick. The comedy is added almost as an afterthought.

Pictured left, Penn & Teller. Below, David Spatz with Penn & Teller on the Atlantic City Boardwalk shooting Spatz’s TV show Memorial Day weekend 2010. Photo by Tom Briglia/Photographics

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Why Go Anywhere Else?

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“How do we get the people on stage? How do we move through them? How do they write, is it a pencil or a pen? How do we light it? How do we make it big enough for (an audience of) 1,400 people?” Jillette says. “And what do we say? Are the people (wearing microphones)? Then, after all of that’s done and it’s all laid out, I’ll go back a write a few jokes.”

Despite their on-going gig in Las Vegas, Penn & Teller have enough time to slip in some side projects. For seven years, they hosted “Penn & Teller: Bullshit!” on the Showtime cable network in which they mostly debated and debunked all kinds of previously-accepted theories and philosophies.

The documentary-style series was nominated for 11 Emmy Awards, but never won an actual statuette because — some have suggested — the Emmys air on a broadcast TV network on which the word “bullshit” would get bleeped if they actually won.

The pair also hosts the TV reality series “Penn & Teller: Fool Us,” in which talented magicians from around the world try to pull one over on the guys. During three seasons, 34 out of 153 magicians, illusionist and mentalists have managed to put one over on Penn & Teller. The winners get to perform as the duo’s opening act in Las Vegas.

One reason the pair has endured for 40 years and shows no signs of ending is because each is free to go off and do separate projects without the other. They’re close, but they’re not best friends.

If he’s not working on a movie project or a television show, Jillette may be indulging his passion for jazz by playing an upright bass somewhere. Teller is a student of the theater whose side projects are about as far removed from Penn & Teller as you could imagine. He loves to direct live theater and has guided legitimate stage production of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” and “Macbeth,” but in each show he managed to slip in a little stage magic. The Bard would have been amused.

And now we arrive at what can best be described as Penn & Teller and the Trump factor.

President-elect Donald Trump could probably make a case for taking the credit for introducing Penn & Teller to Atlantic City in 1988. It was at his now-closed Trump Plaza Hotel & Casino where Penn & Teller made their Atlantic City debut in the 750-seat showroom. It’s also where the magical jokesters filmed their dark comedy movie “Penn & Teller Get Killed” the following year.

So on the surface, it would seem Trump did play some role in bringing the duo to town. But Jillette, a contestant on season five of Trump’s “Celebrity Apprentice” until he was fired during week 11, wouldn’t buy Trump’s claim if he tried to make it. He’s not exactly The Donald’s biggest fan.

“Back then, (Trump) was too busy filling (Atlantic City) up with junk bonds and ripping off local contractors,” says Jillette, never one to mince words, even about the man about to become the nation’s 45th president. “But I don’t think he himself had much to do with us, because he can’t

do anything.”

The real credit, he says, belongs to former Trump Plaza entertainment director Joel Fischman, who first booked Penn & Teller. Fischman relocated to Las Vegas in the early 1990s and still works on projects with Penn & Teller.

“As I far as I can tell, Joel Fischman does nothing but good and Donald Trump does nothing but bad,” Jillette says candidly. “That’s just the way it goes.” *** When they first began writing and performing comedy about smoking pot nearly 50 years ago, Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong never thought they were actually blazing new trails in the funny business. Today, they still don’t think their stoner humor is unique.

“Well, our attitude about it today is the same as it’s always been because we always thought it was legal,” Marin, 70, says with a big laugh during a phone chat prior to performing at the Golden Nugget Atlantic City.

“We were just reflecting what the … culture was doing at the same time,” he adds. “We didn’t become hippies, we were hippies. I mean, George Carlin went from a straight (comedy) guy to a hippie guy. Richard Pryor went from a straight comedian to an edgy comedian. But we started out as hippie comedians.”

Despite the pale smoky blue haze in which they functioned, they still came up with a theory about pot a long time ago. Maybe, just maybe, pot could do more than simply get people high. Maybe it actually did have healing and medicinal properties.

“We thought, ‘What if we’re right? What if marijuana really is good for you?’ And now 26 states have some form of medical marijuana and four states have recreational (pot).”

Six states legalized either recreational or medical marijuana during November’s general election. That means even though the federal government says it’s illegal and still classifies pot as a dangerous drug, at least 29 states have now approved its medical or recreational use.

Marin expects pot to be completely legal across the country within five years. “And the world won’t come to an end,” he says.

Cheech and Chong are together again — sort of — and occasionally go out on tour to recreate the stoner routines that made them famous beginning in the late 1960s, when possession of even a single joint could get people thrown in jail for years.

The reason they’re “sort of” together is because they still argue over the creative differences that drove them apart for nearly 30 years beginning in the mid-1980s. Even today, backstage before a show, they might get into a tiff about something.

But it doesn’t happen with the frequency it used to, Chong says during a separate phone call because they really don’t like each other that much that they’re willing to do an interview together.

“We don’t really fight that much backstage anymore because we’re both kind of deaf, and we’re kind of slow, and we can’t even remember

L I F E ST Y L E E N T E R TA I N M E N T if we went to the bathroom, that’s how old we are,” Chong says with a big laugh. “So I have to bring a bucket sometimes.”

Actually, it was their kids who engineered the reconciliation after Cheech and Chong had essentially been divorced for decades. First, two of Chong’s daughters, Rae Dawn and Robbi, convinced them to do a movie, which would have been their first in about 25 years. But that deal fell apart when the movie studio folded.

Chong’s son Paris, now 42, had better luck convincing his dad and his former partner to make up just long enough to go on stage and do a show.

That initially caused some confusion among newer fans, who came to know Cheech & Chong through their movies like “Up In Smoke,” “Nice Dreams,” “Still Smokin’” and “The Corsican Brothers,” to name a few.

“The vast majority — the Millennials — didn’t even know we did a theater act,” Marin says with

Cheech and Chong

a small laugh. “When we announced that we were going to go out on tour, they asked, ‘Well what are you gonna do on a stage? Are you gonna do like a (live) movie or something?’ They didn’t know (the live shows) was the biggest part of our identity before we started making albums and movies.”

So, when they go out on stage these days, they’ll do the comedy bits that are probably older than the parents of the kids in the audience. They’ll also do some fresher material written for them by Paris Chong, who’s now his dad’s manager. And, since they both started out as musicians, there’ll be songs like “Born in East L.A.,” “Santa Claus and his Old Lady” and “Earache my Eye.” At 78 and now a first-time great-grandfather, Chong has been smoking pot recreationally since the late 1950s. But several years ago, he was able to tap its medicinal qualities when he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

“If it wasn’t for marijuana, I wouldn’t be here today,” Chong says in his one serious moment of the conversation. “Pot calms the brain down. It puts the brain to sleep in some cases. And that allows the body to heal itself. The body’s immune system kicks in, and that’s what happened with me. I just had a checkup and I’m totally cancer free.”

Some cancer specialists and researchers may take issue with Chong’s findings. But that’s his story, he says, and he’s sticking to it. n

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Be Younger Next Year

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Health Watch

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Three Simple Rules for a Better Life

It happens gradually. You move a little more slowly. It takes longer to get out of bed.

Various body parts begin to ache for no apparent reason, your memory is not quite as sharp, and you just don’t seem to have the same kind of stamina or energy you once had. Yes, the aging process can be cruel, but it doesn’t have to be, according to “Younger Next Year: A Guide to Living Like 50 Until You’re 80 and Beyond.”

Written by Henry “Harry” S. Lodge, MD, a prominent internist and gerontologist and his 70-year old-patient, Chris Crowley, a retired attorney who followed his advice and radically changed his life, the pair join forces in manual for better living. They outline how men can rewind their biological clocks, reduce serious injury or illness, and postpone 70% of the normal aging process, such as weakness, sore joints and bad balance.

Their book first was so successful that they followed it up with “Younger Next Year For Women” which offers new material covering menopause and post-menopause, as well as cardiac disease, osteoporosis, sexuality and more. The books are credited for changing people’s lives and making a huge difference in how those who follow their guidelines look and feel.

As Dr. Lodge puts it, “Normal aging isn’t normal.” A lot of people assume they will get old and die, actually, they will get old and live. He says you can get decrepit if you let yourself but you will probably live like that for a long, long time. Many Americans live into their eighties or well into their nineties which is a good reason to make the “Last Third” of your life fantastic. Normal aging is intolerable and avoidable. “You can skip most of it and grow old, not just gracefully but with real joy.”

Dr. Lodge also focuses on our biological make-up and how nature dictates that we

as human beings, are wired to be lean, fit, happy, and energetic, not lazy, sluggish couch potatoes who eat chips all day. Our modern lifestyle, he says, with junk food, too much TV, long commutes, job stress, marital stress, poor sleep, artificial light and noise and no exercise, is not how we are meant to live. This lifestyle sends warning signals to our body and brain which begins to deteriorate. Being sedentary is one of the biggest signals for our body to decay.

“Younger Next Year” outlines three basic principles — “Harry’s Rules” — based on the most recent research on cell physiology, evolutionary biology and psychology. The biggest rule for most people is to get much more exercise. They call it the secret to great health, and recommend that we exercise hard almost every day of our life — about six days per week, with about four days of cardio (biking, jogging, speed walking and the treadmill or elliptical) and at least two days of weight training. If you have not exercised in a while, they advise you to do what you can and be consistent. The most important piece of it all is to show up and do something every day. Think of it as a job, because once you pass 50, exercise is no longer optional. They warn, “You have to exercise or get old.”

The next of “Harry’s Rules” is rather blunt and obvious, yet is worth saying — “Stop Eating Crap.” Unfortunately “crap” makes up a good percentage of the American diet — food with little nutritional value, such as fast foods, fatty foods and simple carbohydrates and sugars. Carbohydrates and sugar might fill you in the short run, but they are often followed by spikes of intense hunger, leading to a vicious cycle of eating again. Another problem with our diet in this country — we drink too many empty calories. Soda has zero nutritional value, a ton of sugar and a list of chemicals most of us cannot even

By Robin Stoloff

pronounce. When we are tempted by foods that are no good for us, sometimes it is easier to just avoid them altogether. “For those who are given to excess, abstinence is easier than moderation,” a quote by John Dybred and great piece of nutritional advice. Who really just has one potato chip, or a bite of bread or a little taste of the desert? Once those flood gates are open, they are very hard to close.

Finally, the last of “Harry’s Rules” is simple — Care, in other words, be involved, care about something, care about your own life.

Set goals, find a hobby and appreciate friends and family. Making a commitment to other people and staying emotionally connected can have a big impact on our overall health.

Many people lose their sense of purpose, especially after retirement. We all need causes and people that are important to us. Studies show isolation can harm us and connections heal us. Think about how good you feel when you have a good laugh with a friend or enjoy a family dinner. Having a good marriage or even one close friend can actually lower mortality rates. When you have people that you love in your life, you have a reason to get up every morning, a reason to be alive.

So, three basic rules to live by — exercise almost every day of the week, stop eating what is no good for you and care about something and someone. Fairly simple rules, yet often extraordinarily difficult to follow at times. However, according to authors Henry Lodge and Chris Crowley, if you follow them, you can be “Younger Next Year.” n Former television health reporter, Robin Stoloff, is the Host of Living Well With Robin Stoloff on Lite Rock 96.9 WFPG Atlantic City airing every Sunday morning from 9-11 AM with health tips and interviews to help you live a better, healthier and longer life. Check out her Facebook page at Health Update with Robin Stoloff. njlifestyleonline.com

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Lifelines

Holiday Hacks 10 Things We Can Learn from “Buddy the Elf” to Survive Celebrate the Season

I

By Michelle Dawn Mooney

t’s the most wonderful time of the year and for many, the most stressful. Interestingly enough, it was while watching my favorite modern holiday movie, Elf, when I discovered a few ways to better navigate through the seven layers of candy cane craziness.

1.Watch Elf If you haven’t yet seen this hilarious movie ... go now. Run to the TV. For those of you who have seen it at least one, two, or a dozen or more times ... you know you want to watch it again.

2. Smile: “I love Smiling. Smiling’s My Favorite” If you are stressed, odds are people around you are feeling the pressure as well. Whether you’re at the office, at home, or running errands, try to pass on a quick smile. It’s perhaps the quickest way to change someone’s perspective. Even if they don’t smile back, you’ll be glad you did.

3. Give Credit Where it’s Due: “You did it! World’s best cup of coffee. Great job everybody!”

I love when Will Ferrell busts into a NYC coffee shop with his sincere congratulatory wishes. Cleary, they did not serve the best cup of coffee (as evidenced later in a scene with Buddy’s love interest Jovie), but that doesn’t mean it didn’t give a jolt of caffeine and get the job done. With all of our holiday prep, there will no doubt be crooked trees, burnt cookies, and botched wrapping jobs. Even if it’s not perfect, it doesn’t mean the person behind it didn’t do their best. Let people know you appreciate what they’ve done to help out, even if the work falls short of a master decorator or baker. Remember to give yourself a break as well.

4. Find Joy in the Simple Things: “Beautiful. Looks like a Christmas tree.”

From spinning around in a revolving door, to lighting up every button in the elevator to “looks like a Christmas tree,” Buddy could find joy in just about anything. Some of our best holiday memories often include seemingly simple pleasures ... drinking hot chocolate, watching a favorite holiday movie, or looking at Christmas lights. Make sure they’re on your to-do list.

5. A Compliment Goes A Long Way: “You should be on a Christmas Card!”

In the crazy hustle and bustle of the season, you’d be surprised how fast you can slow things down with a quick compliment.

If you like the boots the person standing in front of you in line

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is wearing — tell them! Thank someone who helps you find an item in a store, or compliment a busy barista churning out peppermint lattes if you think they’re doing a great job. A kind word can really brighten someone’s day.

6. It’s the Thought that Counts: For that Special Someone Yes, Buddy was a little off with the his gift giving when he mistakenly thought a nightgown would be a great gift for dad, but there was love behind it and that’s really what counts. Don’t beat yourself up if you can’t find that perfect gift. Trust that they will know you cared enough to give it to them in the first place.

7. Say you’re sorry: “I’m sorry I ruined your lives, and crammed eleven cookies into the VCR.” Things will be broken, foods will be overcooked, words will be spoken in the heat of the moment that we don’t really mean.

“I’m sorry” are two very powerful words that get great results.

8. Food: “You want to go eat food?”

Of course you do! Food is a key component of our holiday celebrations, but just as Buddy opted to use a quick “code” to ask out Jovie, remember to keep things simple. I have wasted so much time over the years working on gourmet dishes when most of my holiday party guests were none the wiser when I opted for the “not from scratch” route. My new semihomemade philosophy makes for less headaches in the kitchen and more time with family and friends.

9. Sing: “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.”

This one is pretty self-explanatory. Whether it’s caroling in your neighborhood, singing hymns in church, or rocking out in the privacy of your own car ... sing your heart out!

10. Find Your Christmas Spirit One of my favorite scenes in Elf is when they need to find enough Christmas spirit to fly Santa’s sleigh. I shed a little tear every time I watch it. It’s not about having the perfect party, and the perfect tree with perfectly wrapped presents. It’s about the true meaning of Christmas and celebrating a time when we are able to open our hearts to give and to love and to hopefully be loved in return. If only we could treat every day like Christmas.

Wishing everyone the happiest of holidays and a wonderful New Year! n

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Lifestyle Opinion

Ho Ho Ho Happy Holidays

Harry Hurley’s Happy New Year Wishes IT’S TIME TO HAND OUT MY ANNUAL “HURLEY” HOLIDAY presents to our various elected officials throughout our beloved Garden State.

Some have been good. Some have been very bad this year. Some will receive special recognition. Some will get a “lump of coal” this year.

DONALD TRUMP “The Donald” is now the 45th Presidentelect of The United States. He will take office at 12 noon on Friday, January 20, 2017. Trump is the first person in American history to win the presidency without ever having been an elected official, highappointed official, or military member. He led a movement that America has never seen before.

Trump faced the most dishonest and blatantly corrupt national media in history.

This was the election whereby the once vaunted 4th Estate officially turned in their press cards. Along the way, Trump also had to defeat the Pope, United Nations, 41st, 42nd, 43rd and 44th Presidents of The United States, Vice President, multiple First Ladies, Republican Establishment, national media, Pollsters, Exit Pollsters, Governor John Kasich, R-Ohio and more.

Kasich refused to attend the Republican National Convention, held in his own home state. It was disgraceful. He never endorsed Trump and actually worked feverishly against him. He even announced early on election day that he had voted for Senator John McCain for President. Kasich had been preparing a formal announcement that he was running for President in 2020. That’s now over.

My view on Trump: Having interviewed with Trump in 1989, nothing he accomplished has surprised me. I had long predicted he would win

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the Republican Nomination against 17 other very worthy challengers, and then the presidency. Based upon the countless disadvantages he faced, Trump has achieved the greatest election victory in American history.

Trump spent about $300 million ($5 per-vote) to win election versus more than $2 billion spent by Hillary Rodham Clinton. This doesn’t count the billions more spent against Trump by Clintonleaning PAC’s and the dishonest national media, which basically made daily in kind contributions to Clinton, disguised as objective news reporting.

I’m wishing our new President-elect peace and the clarity of mind and purpose as he is about to become the Leader of the Free World.

UNITED STATES CONGRESSMAN FRANK LoBIONDO, R-2 Winning a record 11th term as the Representative from the 2nd Congressional District, LoBiondo captured 60% of the vote, versus 38% for his challenger Dave Cole. LoBiondo’s legendary constituent service, coupled with his important work serving on military and intelligence committees, has never been more important.

I wish Congressman LoBiondo a highly successful next two years in the 115th Congress.

GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE I wish our governor a peaceful final year in office as New Jersey’s Chief Executive Officer, though he may leave early to join the Trump administration.

Being the Governor of New Jersey is a lot like being processed through a meat grinder. No matter how hard you try, the

massive structural financial imbalances that have been going on for decades makes it very hard to look good.

The media’s relentless desire to attach Governor Christie to so-called “Bridgegate” failed. But the endless media attacks derailed Christie’s run for President.

I also wish Governor Christie a place in the Trump Cabinet. He is currently serving as the Trump Transition Team Chairman.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR KIM GUADAGNO, R-NJ Guadagno has been a fabulous Lt. Governor and Secretary of State for New Jersey. She has also been fiercely loyal to Governor Christie. Guadagno has been New Jersey’s only Lt. Governor in history, so she’s also been a role model trailblazer.

Guadagno will be a candidate for the Republican nomination for Governor in the upcoming 2017 election. Should Governor Christie leave for a cabinet position in the Trump administration, Guadagno would become Acting Governor of New Jersey.

NEW JERSEY SENATE PRESIDENT STEVE SWEENEY, D-3 Senate President Sweeney was very wrong in his push for legalizing gaming in North Jersey. However, he has been consistently very good for Atlantic City, South Jersey, and all of New Jersey for many years.

I wish Senator Sweeney another year as President of the New Jersey Senate. He’s a very good man.

NEW JERSEY SENATOR JOE KYRILLOS, R-13 Senator Kyrillos has decided not to run for re-election in 2017. He has been a member of the New Jersey State Senate since 1992.

He is a great friend, patriot, and statesman.

Always a gentleman, I wish Senator

By Harry Hurley Op-Ed Contributor Kyrillos a great next chapter to his already accomplished life.

NEW JERSEY ASSEMBLYMAN CHRIS BROWN, R-2 I wish Assemblyman Brown the clarity to decide whether or not to step up and challenge New Jersey Senator Jim Whelan, D-2, for his Senate seat in 2017.

Assemblyman Brown was the single most ardent defender of Atlantic City and the fierce battle to defeat legalized casino gaming in North Jersey. The ill-advised measure failed in a state wide vote by a margin of 80% to 20%.

NEW JERSEY SENATOR JIM WHELAN, D-2 A lump of coal in his stocking this Christmas for working so hard to help outsiders try and deliver legalized casino gaming to North Jersey. If Whelan had been successful, it would have devastated the Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, Ocean and Camden Counties, respectively.

Four more Atlantic City casinos would have closed if Whelan’s initial scheme was successful.

Whelan did jump on board the VOTE NO train at the very end. Despite Whelan’s regular anti-2nd District activities, he has been highly successful on Election Day, having vanquished Republican stars such as former Senator James “Sonny” McCullough, Assemblyman Vince Polistina, and Sheriff Frank Balles.

NEW JERSEY SENATOR JEFF VAN DREW, D-1 Senator Van Drew is one of the finest-ever public servants in New Jersey history. He always supports the best interests of the taxpaying public. When Congressman LoBiondo finishes his career in the House of Representatives, which could be in the next four years, look for Van Drew to step up. Van Drew would be an outstanding member of Congress. He is un-bought and

un-bossed.

I wish Senator Van Drew another victory in his re-election bid on November 7, 2017.

He is most deserving.

NEW JERSEY ASSEMBLYMAN VINCE MAZZEO, D-2 Assemblyman Mazzeo took the same untenable position as Senator Whelan regarding the important ballot question #1 regarding expanding casino gaming into North Jersey. Mazzeo left Atlantic City and the region high and dry on this pivotal question. He came back home in the final few weeks when all of the polling data showed a lopsided victory for the Vote No effort.

He is up for re-election in 2017. This will be a very challenging re-election bid for Mazzeo. Much of his electoral fate rests in the hands of Assemblyman Brown. If Brown moves up and takes on Whelan, then Mazzeo’s path to re-election will be much more achievable. If Brown and Risley are the Republican ticket, Mazzeo can be defeated on November 7, 2017.

ATLANTIC COUNTY FREEHOLDER JOHN RISLEY, R-Atlantic County Freeholder Risley has already announced on “Hurley in the Morning” that he will be seeking one of the two New Jersey Assembly seats in the June 2017 Republican Primary. He has come within a whisker in the past of winning a Republican nomination. I think 2017 is the year Risley achieves the nomination. He’s earned it.

ATLANTIC COUNTY EXECUTIVE DENNIS LEVINSON, R-ATLANTIC Levinson is the finest County Executive in the state. Democratic Senate President Sweeney has also said this publicly. I wish Levinson continued good health.

We currently face the most challenging financial times in at least 40 years. Levinson has guided Atlantic County with honesty,

integrity, and competently.

ATLANTIC CITY MAYOR DON GUARDIAN, R-AC Mayor Don Guardian has worked hard for the past three years.

Despite this, the state of New Jersey is officially going to take over Atlantic City.

2017 also represents the first re-election year for Guardian, who previously announced on “Hurley in the Morning” that he will seek a second term.

The demographic math is against him, with Democrats outnumbering Republicans by a more than an 8-1 margin.

Guardian winning three years ago was an almost supernatural event. My well-placed sources have confirmed that former long-time Mayor Lorenzo Langford intends to run. Guardian narrowly defeated Langford in 2013.

Current City Council President Marty Small and immediate past City Council President Frank Gilliam, Jr. will also be seeking the Democratic Nomination this upcoming June, 2017. With the state soon-to-be running Atlantic City’s day-today operations, this will be a very tough election.

Atlantic City Councilman at Large George Tibbitt and Mo Delgado remain the top two favorites for re-election. All can expect to lose a great deal of their authority.

Look for the city to file litigation in Federal Court against the state of New Jersey in 2017.

To all of the wonderful readers of New Jersey Lifestyle Magazine, I wish you and yours a very beautiful Holiday season. n Harry Hurley is the president of Harry Hurley Consulting and Communications, LLC. He hosts the daily talk radio program “Hurley in the Morning” 6-10 AM weekdays on Townsquare Media, WPG Talk Radio 1450, where he also serves as the senior programming consultant, www. harryhurley.com.

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The Social Scene

ARMC Auxiliary Awards 2016 Keates Fellowship The AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center City Campus Auxiliary named Deanna Mascioli as the 2016 Martha B. Keates Fellowship recipient. Fellowship recipients must be pursuing a nursing education and are chosen based on academic achievement, career goals, community service, honors/awards, and student leadership. The fellowship is a $4,000 grant, which Mascioli will apply to tuition at Thomas Jefferson College of Nursing, where she will begin its BSN program this fall.

Mascioli volunteered with AtlantiCare’s Satellite Emergency Department in

Left to right, Deanna Mascioli, Audrey Fisher and Robyn Begley during the scholarship presentation

Hammonton from September 2015 through June 2016, where she assisted in patient care. She says the experience affirmed her desire to become a nurse, and allowed her the opportunity to give back to her community.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer this scholarship to Deanna to help her continue her nursing education,” said Audrey Fisher, president, ARMC City Campus Auxiliary. “It’s a wonderful way to honor Martha Keates, a long-time member of the ARMC City Campus Auxiliary and advocate of education. We congratulate Deanna on her many successes.”

Deanna Mascioli and her mother Patricia Mascioli

Mascioli was joined by family and friends during the Deanna Mascioli with her parents Patricia and scholarship presentation Dominic Mascioli

Robyn Begley (right) congratulates Deanna Mascioli

Mascioli with members of the Auxiliary, AtlantiCare Foundation and Customer Relations

AtlantiCare Completes Phase One of Manahawkin Campus AtlantiCare, a member of Geisinger Health System, marked the completion of its first operational facilities in the AtlantiCare Health Park, Manahawkin Campus on October

AtlantiCare Physician Group Manahawkin staff at the AtlantiCare Health Park, Manahawkin Campus Open House Reception 46

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24. Center staff gave attendees a first-hand overview and tour of the fully renovated and repurposed 3,800-square-foot building.

L to R: Paul Marchal, Sharon McKenna, Margaret Belfield, John Spodofora, Mayor, Stafford Township Alan Smith, Jatin Motiwal, Eugene Arnone, John Spodofora, talks with AtlantiCare’s Cynthia Meli and Lori Herndon, and Michael Charlton cut the ribbon Charisse Fizer

The Social Scene

AMI’s New Imaging Center Breaks Ground Atlantic Medical Imaging (AMI) held a groundbreaking ceremony in October to celebrate the construction of their new, state-of-the art, 14,847 square foot imaging center in Egg Harbor Township. The facility will be located at 6529 Black Horse Pike in Egg Harbor Township and is expected to be open and fully operational in the spring of

Dr. David Levi (right) and the architects

Marilyn Kessler and Dr. David Levi

EHT Mayor James “Sonny” McCullough

2017.

AMI’s new location will be a full-service imaging center, featuring state-of-the-art technology; including CT, MRI, X-ray, and Ultrasound. The Women’s Imaging Center will include 3D Mammography, DEXA, Ultrasound, and minimally invasive breast biopsies.

Dr. David Levi (left) and EHT Mayor James Dr. David Levi with local dignitaries “Sonny” McCullough

The official groundbreaking

Representatves of Fulton Bank

Dr. Robert M. Glassberg (3rd from left), Dr. David Levi (4th from left) with local dignitaries njlifestyleonline.com

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The Social Scene

Atlantic Medical Imaging Hosts Annual Girls Night Out Atlantic Medical Imaging in Galloway hosted its annual event Girls Night Out to recognize October Breast Health Awareness Month.

Girlfriends, sisters, and moms came out to the event on October 18 to enjoy pampering, snacking, and time with friends. The event also included screening mammograms, free mini chair massages, free nail polish changes, light hors d’oeuvres, and cocktails. The ladies also had the chance to meet AMI’s female physicians, technologists, and staff.

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The Social Scene

MBCA Gala Honors the Dougherty Family

Photos by Nick Valinote

The Metropolitan Business & Citizens Association (MBCA) held their 26th Annual Installation and Awards Gala on November 1 at Caesars Atlantic City.

Over 1,100 people attended, including leading community, business, and union leaders, as well as political and social dignitaries.

Special guest Miss America 2017 Savvy Shields welcomed the organization, Lloyd Levenson Esq. was master of ceremonies, and Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian was the installing officer of the 2017 MBCA Board. The 2016 MBCA Community Spirit Award was given to the Dougherty family for over 120 years of commitment to the community, expansion of businesses, and charitable contributions. According to the MBCA, they are truly “anchors of the business community.�

MBCA is a non-profit civic group which prides itself on its diverse membership of over 700. Members consist of small local businesses, casinos, residents, and non-profits in the greater Atlantic City area.

MBCA Silver Sponsors, The FORZA Insurance Group

Pictured far left, MBCA 2016 Community Spirit Award Recipients, The Dougherty Family Pictured left, from left to right, Jeff Guaracino, Mary Tindal, Joe Dougherty, Tom Ballance and Diane Spiers Pictured far left, back row, l. to r., Father John Thomas, Kalheem Shabazz, Mayor Guardian, Louis Fatato, Gary Hill.

Seated is Bob Larandino (l.) and Bob Labanara Pictured left, l. to r., William Hughes Jr. and guest, Lloyd Levenson Esq, and Liane Levenson Pictured far left, l. to r., Mr. & Mrs. Michael Bray, Ryan Bray and Dr. Bob Bray Pictured left, l. to r., Lloyd Levenson, Miss America Savvy Shields, Mayor Guardian, John Schultz, Joseph Dougherty and Frank Dougherty

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C D

elebrate eliciously

MOUTH-WATERING MERRIMENT IS EXPERTLY SERVED DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON — AND THROUGHOUT THE YEAR — AT THE ICONIC RAM’S HEAD INN An array of their traditional offerings

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RESTAURANT REPORT

By Alyson Boxman Levine Photos by Eric Weeks Rack of Lamb

AS SOON AS YOU STROLL THROUGH THE DECORATED DOORS OF THE Ram’s Head Inn in Galloway during the holiday season, a sense of elegance and charm takes over. From the well-appointed holiday decorations that adorn each room, to the cozy wood-burning fireplaces that seem to make every room glow, each detail has been expertly planned. As you walk to your table, clad with a crisp white tablecloth and sparkling silverware, you realize this restaurant is a must-visit holiday experience.

Formal, but not stuffy, is how many visitors describe the iconic South Jersey establishment and, according to General Manager K. Afifi, that is exactly the feel the restaurant is seeking. “We relaxed our formal dress code in 2007, so no jacket is required,” he explained.

Happy hour and daily specials make this standout local landmark a necessary stop during the week, as well as over the holiday season.

A welcoming change of pace from bustling Atlantic City, located a mere eight miles away from shore, the Ram’s Head Inn’s classical elegance is brought out by its charming fireplaces, sprawling gardens, unique outdoor courtyard dining, and an extensive menu that seamlessly blends traditional American specialties with creative cuisine. For those looking for a more formal setting without the high prices of casino restaurants, look no further.

“We are 20% less than the casino restaurants, and most of those restaurants are à la carte,” explains Afifi.

“Here, we serve a potato and vegetable with every entrée, along with quality service and reasonably-priced delicious contemporary cuisine.”

Creating delectable menus for over 15 years at the Ram’s Head Inn, Chef Elio Gracia has developed a strong sense of what his restaurant patrons enjoy and respond to most about the Ram’s Head Inn dining experience. Much like his personality and that of the restaurant’s, Chef Gracia has maintained a culinary approach that is refined, but not pretentious. On his menu, guests can discover impeccably-presented dishes — such as roasted duck with cranberry brandy sauce, as well as lobster tail and beef wellington — right alongside more homespun fare, such as the Inn’s coveted rustic chicken pot pie.

With culinary influences spanning French haute cuisine to the flavors of Puerto Rico where he was born, Chef Gracia combines a professional touch and care for

Beef Wellington

Lump Crab Meat Brúleé

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R E STAU R A N T R E P O R T quality ingredients with a practical sense of what will make a dish stand out for its tastes and textures, not just what sounds good on a menu. So, whether it’s chateaubriand or polenta — both of which you can find on his menu — the flavor and enjoyment of the dish is what’s important to him, regardless of the origin or method of the preparation.

As a resident of Egg Harbor Township, Chef Gracia strives to integrate fresh, local ingredients into his dishes. He uses local vendor B.F. Mazzeo for the restaurant’s produce and in season he has an on-site herb garden.

Catering to the everyday restaurant goer as well as the specialoccasion guest, the Ram’s Head Inn offers their customers a bevy of specials. From their popular Wine Down Wednesdays, featuring live entertainment, to their daily happy hour, with both food and drink specials. Try an enchanting elixir from their signature martini list, currently featuring a mouth-watering seasonal pumpkin spice and

pretzel martini.

The restaurant’s impressive, well-trained staff even serves tableside with style. Where else in South Jersey can you get a Chateaubriand — which is a 19 oz. center cut beef tenderloin — carved tableside for two; along with customer-favorite Caesar salad and desserts including bananas foster and cherries jubilee prepared for your enjoyment. “Many customers know us from The Manor, our sister restaurant in West Orange, NJ, and visit us for the same exceptional service and food,” reveals Afifi.

Reserve your table by the fireplace and enjoy the tradition of the season and the year ahead. Not merely “just” a meal out, the Ram’s Head Inn is a deliciously-enchanting experience … and one not to be rushed.

Spend a few hours basking in their charming ambiance, relaxing and dining, and you will wonder why anyone would choose to go anywhere

Grilled Fresh Red Delicious Apples

Chateaubriand for Two Executive Chef Elio Garcia and General Manager Khalid Afifi

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Here’s to a Thirst-quenching 2017

I

t always makes me chuckle this time of year when A Christmas Carol is shown for the millionth time on TV and all sorts of black and white movies suddenly appear, depicting the Dickensian tale in various guises. It makes me fall off my perch with laughter when the ancient movie channels show old flicks set in World War II London, with everyone speaking with clipped upper-class accents.

Then there are the Sherlock Holmes sagas (Rathbone’s versions) with fogs swirling and mustachioed fiends presenting themselves as princes, lords, or some such upper tier of the landed gentry set. Today, of course, lords are mostly rock opera impresarios and the only peers of any note are spelled piers and you have a walk along them looking down at the ocean.

The U.S. and the U.K., once separated by a common language, are now pretty identical. Same stores along the high street, same Starbucks serving same cappuccinos, same ole same ole. Thanks to the European Community laws (preBrexit), red telephone boxes are the wrong color, double decker buses too high, and policeman’s helmets plain silly looking. It’s enough to make a grown man tear off his slippers, tread on his pipe and sack the downstairs servants.

However, one is truly thankful for the odd morsel of old Britain — lavish annual rituals drizzled with a little sentiment. The annual Harrods’ Christmas catalogue was always delivered to my letterbox, without fanfare or tugging at the forelocks. It just appeared, as it had for countless years, filled with delicacies and quaffs fit for self-

proclaimed queens and lesser mortals than Elton John. But now, it’s instantaneous gratification simply by going to www. harrods.com.

The online catalog is crammed with some astonishing Christmas hampers, which really switch the saliva glands to maximum throttle. Of course, nothing matches the olfactory experience of walking into the great store’s Food Hall where all the senses are mesmerized by the melding of fruits and cheeses and breads and meats and fish and every type of food known to man. But in a very distant second place, is the opportunity to ponder the many Holiday gift items available at the Harrods online store.

I’m just going to mention a couple for no other reason than the off-chance one of my readers might win the NJ Lottery and feel inclined to order me a Christmas gift! In which case, can I recommend (and request) “The Decadence Hamper” from Harrods? A mere snip at £20,000 (the exchange rate is wildly fluctuating right now but it’s around $25,000). It contains some of the finest wines from the greatest vintages along with the best cheeses, smoked salmon, and caviar. I’m not here to promote Harrods, but it’s a great read if you want to enjoy life in the manner of a Lord or Lady, vicariously through the catalog.

For those of us who live on planet Earth, the Holiday season is always predictable. And “procrastinate” is the most used verb this time of year to describe the average shopper’s intensions for buying gifts. And, of course, the

Lifestyle Wine

By Phillip Silverstone

meal itself — served either on Christmas Day or Chanukah or Kwanzaa or any other Holidays being observed — is also pretty predictable. The ONLY aspect of this season, which isn’t predictable, is the choice of wine to either gift or serve.

Which leads me nicely into my Holiday Cheer Column for this year. Here are some quaffing and gifting wines, which come under the category of: “Most Awesome.”

Viansa Sonoma is a stunning winery perched atop the summit of Sonoma Valley, California. Check it out online.

Gorgeous! And I had the good fortune of sampling a pair of their wines recently which will be stellar accompaniments to your Holiday meal, or again, as a gift.

Viansa Sonoma Pinot Noir Reserve 2013 (approx. $28) is the perfect wine for Pinot groupies who will adore this 100% Pinot Noir. The perfume you get from a couple of swirls in the glass is just like sitting in a garden of berries in the summer. Typical of a young Pinot yet this one is 3 years old so there’s life in it’s engine yet. This is most definitely a Pinot Noir I would chuck into the fridge for 10 minutes for a super-amazing flavor experience. And the flavor is dark and plummy and yummy.

Viansa Sonoma Gewurztraminer 2015 (approx. $48) is a beaut! To some extent, it’s text book with the typical character profile of perfume you enjoy when walking into a florist’s shop with those passion fruit and lychee flavors. But I also tasted some tropical fruit notes in this wine and it is njlifestyleonline.com

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LIFEST YLE WINE

definitely a two-glasser quaffer. Viansa Sonoma wines are NOT available in stores, so you have to buy them online, www.viansa.com.

Since I received some amazing responses from my last column on wine I only recently discovered and fell totally in love with, I’m including two more of their wines this month. As I noted in my previous column, Masciarelli Winery is led by the forward thinking and dynamic female owner Marina Cvetic in Abruzzo, Central Italy.

Villa Gemma Masciarelli Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC (approx. $14.99) is a red wine made with 100% Montepulciano d’Abruzzo grapes and the appellation “Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo” is the newest DOC of Abruzzo. This complex rosé wine is a deep cherry pink, offering an exquisite floral bouquet with hints of thyme, pomegranate, and walnuts. With a palate that is balanced and fresh with subtle tannins and boasting flavors of red fruit, this wine is bold, elegant, and a perfect pairing with the lighter fare on your holiday spread.

Marina Cvetic Merlot IGT Terre Aquilane (approx. $32) is a 100% Merlot wine, striking a concentrated ruby red with garnet reflection in the glass. The bouquet is intense, full, and complex while the flavor profile is rich with notes of ripened red berries, blackberries, dry flowers, violets, and vanilla. The wine pairs exceptionally well with charred meats, lamb, game, and strong cheese.

Harken Chardonnay 2015, Salinas Valley, California (approx. $15) is made in a style that the winemaker believes offers the traditional Chardonnay flavor the consumers still craves. The wine is fermented in barrel to ensure the oakiness so many people lust after. There are some tropical fruit notes and that beautiful creaminess the best Chards 56

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always deliver.

One of the most intriguing wine regions on this planet is also the one which is most overlooked: Hungary.

And that is a terrible shame since the wines coming out of that country are totally fabulous. The principal grape is the Furmint, which makes stunning dry wines but is also responsible for the legendary Tokaji dessert wines. We have tasted several on my radio show and I’ve attended many tastings in New York and I’m never disappointed. The names of the wines are perhaps difficult to say, but the drink inside the bottle is always very easy to swallow. Here are a few you should look out for: Barta Winery Szamorodni Sweet Furmint 2013 (approx. $47). Barta Winery is family-owned with vineyards planted on volcanic soil. This particular wine is made from overripe botritysed Furmint grapes then cellar-aged in oak barrels for 18 months. Grapes which are late harvested produce intensely, natural, sweet nectar and although this type of wine is traditionally served at the end of a meal, or sipped in front of a fire, I actually love having it BEFORE the meal as an aperitif. And at the price, it’s a steal!

Béres Vineyards & Winery Estate Furmint Száráz Dry 2014 (approx. $19) is a delightful fresh and fruity wine and ideally suited to those wine lovers who enjoy Pinot Grigio, and I will go so far as to say anybody who enjoys dry German white wines.

Erzsébet Cellar Zafír Furmint 2012 (approx. $25) is a wine crafted from a single vineyard. And normally single vineyard wines are very expensive. So this wine is a very pleasant surprise … on the wallet and the palate. Two grapes were blended for this elixir: Furmint and Hárslevelu. Thank goodness I don’t have to say the name of the latter grape on the

radio. I would serve this wine with your first course, ideally a salad. The wine is fresh and crisp and simply elegant.

Holdvölgy Winery Vision Furmint 2013 (approx. $24) has enormous character. The perfume has a scent of summer flowers and the taste is reminiscent of citrus fruit and Bartlett pear. This is a very unusual wine as I could easily drink it with any number of food pairings and I feel it would be a great gift as it should please almost every palate.

I haven’t included any sparkling wines this year because I have one simple rule about fizz. Don’t spend a lot and don’t buy from France. I’m not anti-French, I truly believe that California produces some of the most remarkable sparkling wines on earth. If your intention is to party like crazy on New Year’s Eve and pop open “bubbly” just to toast and be flirty, then why waste the money on expensive stuff? And if you plan to sit quietly with your main squeeze and watch the ball drop on TV, I urge you to go to your local store and find some fizz from Napa and Sonoma. Well, OK, if I had to name drop, my favorite sparkling wine from the Left coast made in the Champagne method and tasting far better than most French fizz and costing considerably less is my go-to turn of the year bottle: Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut, which should give you change out of a $20.

As another year is about to become history, I want to wish you all a very happy holiday season and a happy and healthy and thirst-quenching 2017.

Cheers! n “Time Out With Phillip Silverstone” is a weekly podcast heard exclusively on TuneIn radio anytime worldwide either on the free TuneIn app for all smart phones and tablets. You can also LIKE Phillip on Facebook: www.facebook. com/Phillipsilverstone and follow him on Twitter: @wining.

Lifestyle Cooking With Chef Will Savarese

Time to be Thankful Connect with loved ones this holiday season over a comforting meal

A s the brisk, cool breeze blows through the trees, you can see the

times are really changing; in more ways than just the seasons. As the seasons change, we are expected to change with it as time moves swiftly by. Just don’t let it move by so fast it overwhelms you; as life sometimes can do just that.

I’ve been writing this column for quite a while and life has given us many obstacles. These challenges come into one’s life, and you can either accept them or not. My advice to you is to try to embrace them and maybe you can learn from them.

I’ve been the chef of Robert’s Steakhouse in Atlantic City at the Taj Mahal. More than four years ago, I came down to the shore to have input with construction and to help in the design of the kitchen.

Robert’s was a huge success. The problem we face now is that the restaurant was an independent restaurant located inside a casino, a casino that has come to close. Problems between ownership and the union put people out of their jobs. It wasn’t just union jobs, everyone lost. I’ve been lucky enough to be in demand for employment and am currently working on some restaurant projects, but many are not as lucky.

We are facing the holiday season and I’m wondering why we try to see family and friends on the holiday? Wouldn’t it make more sense to make more frequent visits. Yes, I know the holidays are for getting together … I just wish people would be able to spread this out over the course of the year.

We, as a nation, need to be more considerate of people around us. A visit is nice and appreciated. You can just see it in their eyes.

I know we all have busy lives and families of our own, but if you like that feeling of helping someone for one day, just think how you would feel doing a little extra throughout the year.

Make a classic roasted chicken and bring it along for a visit. It’s something that can be made in one pot and even travel the same way.

I suggest that the chicken gets brined for a few hours to overnight in the fridge. Then add onions, potatoes, carrots, and garlic to the same pot when cooking the bird. I really find this to be a home-cooked comfort food. And who doesn’t like a really good chicken shared with family and friends, new and old. n Follow chefwsavarese on Instagram.

Recipe Corner Chicken Brine • 1 gallon water • 6-8 cloves of garlic • 1 tsp. whole cumin seed • 1 tsp. dry thyme leaves • 1 Tbsp. Old Bay • 1 bay leaf, crumbled • 2 oz. of vinegar (apple cider or malt, your preference) • 2 oz. soy sauce • 1/2 c. kosher salt • 1/2 c. sugar Mix all well, place bird in brine and refrigerate for four hours; I prefer overnight. Then, take the chicken out of brine and let it air dry in fridge until the skin isn’t so wet. Cook as usual, in oven or grill. I like to start it high at 400° F and reduce to 350° F. Cook until the juice runs clear. Add onions, potatoes, carrots, and garlic to the pan as well. Season and enjoy. njlifestyleonline.com

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dining gallery

Blue Water Grille

Ram’s Head Inn

9 W. White Horse Pike, Galloway, NJ 609-652-1700 ramsheadinn.com The Ram’s Head Inn continues the long-standing tradition of superior quality food and service that the Knowles family brought to Southern New Jersey in 1979. This started at the Manor in the 1950s, and also continues at the Highlawn Pavilion and Pleasantdale Chateau (all located in West Orange, NJ). Traditional food and beverage is served with a contemporary flair at various venues within this one-of-a-kind restaurant.

Executive chef Elio Gracia has provided outstanding culinary excellence for seventeen years, incorporating as many seasonal organic and locally-grown foods as possible. Walk-ins are always welcome.

Ventura's Offshore Cafe

2015 Shore Road, Northfield, NJ 609-641-5158 venturascafe.com Ventura's is a family restaurant and sportsman's bar with a cozy hometown atmosphere that makes you want to come back again and again.

From their famous mussels marinara to their award-winning filet mignon, to their simply delicious gourmet pan pizzas, they offer fresh homemade meals to please everyone's palate.

60 N. Maine Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ 609-343-7447 fantasearesorts.com Located on the 7th floor of FantaSea’s Flagship Resort, the Blue Water Grille is reinventing itself under Executive Chef A. Juliano Cannuscio. Amazing views abound as the well-trained servers offer American Mediterranean cuisine with Italian influences. Dine on their delicious selections as you enjoy the magnificent ambiance.

A Touch of Italy

6629 Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Twp. 609-641-1855 touchofitaly.net A Touch of Italy offers the finest quality of food and service. Each meal served is cooked to order. A friendly and pleasurable atmosphere will make your visit a memorable one. Established in 1981 with more than 31 years of experience, this restaurant, banquet facility, and lounge serves only the finest natural veal, steaks, poultry, pasta, seafood and brick-oven pizza.

Crab Trap

2 Broadway, Somers Point, NJ 609-927-7377 thecrabtrap.com Overlooking the Great Egg Harbor Bay in Somers Point is the Crab Trap Restaurant. Flourishing as a 400-seat full service restaurant serving the finest seafood in South Jersey. As many businesses expand, they often lose touch with the quality and small personal touches that made them special. At the Crab Trap, they don’t believe that has happened, or ever will.

Joseph's Restaurant at Renault Winery

72 Bremen Avenue, Egg Harbor City, NJ 609-965-2111 renaultwinery.com Open since 2001, Joseph's Restaurant at Renault Winery has become a local favorite of the Atlantic County area. The continued patronage speaks volumes to the flavors that Chef Joe DeGennaro creates, which combines his unique flair and traditions. The food quality and atmosphere are surpassed by none. The Milza family commits themselves to the highest level of service and customer satisfaction. Whether you choose Italian, seafood, premium steaks or a burger, you are sure to be pleased. Try their diverse flavors and experience their amazing ambiance in a unique setting.

Maplewood

470 White Horse Pike, Hammonton, NJ 6126 Black Horse Pike, Mays Landing, NJ 609-561-9621, 609-625-1181 joesmaplewood.com For almost 70 years, Joe Italiano’s Maplewood has been known for its consistently great food! They believe that freshness and loving preparation are keys to satisfied customers. They have high standards for their food. Consistency can and should be expected. Food is fresh, salads are made to order, and pasta is boiled right before sauce is poured over it. “Gravy” or red sauce is made fresh daily and is loved by the locals in the area. They only use the finest ingredients at the Original Maplewood. Two locations — Same Great Food. Your Choice.

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The Historic Smithville Inn

1 N. New York Road, Galloway, NJ 609-652-7777 historicsmithvillenj.com The Historic Smithville Inn offers a sophisiticated dining experience combined with the atmosphere of warm hospitality, since 1787. Their scenic view dining areas looking out on Lake Meone, private dining rooms with fireplace and formal banquet and wedding facilities coupled with their attention to detail services will make your dining, banquet or wedding event a night to remember.

Discover the Tradition of the Historic Smithville Inn.

The Melting Pot

2112 Atlantic Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ 609-441-1100 meltingpot.com At The Melting Pot, fondue truly becomes a memorable four-course dining experience.

Patrons can dip into something different — and discover all the ingredients for a unique dining experience, including a relaxed atmosphere, private tables, attentive service, fine wines and signature fondue dinners.

Barista’s Coffee House

199 New Road Ste. 10, Central Square, Linwood 609-904-2990 baristascoffeehouse.com Owners Mark and Debbie Becker have created the perfect “neighborhood” atmosphere coffee house.

Brewing up more than just coffee, customers come back time and time again for Barista’s espresso, tea breakfast, Liege waffles, Brussels waffles, gourmet desserts, and Italian gelato. Once you walk through the doors, you instantly become part of the “Barista’s Family”. Open Monday thru Friday, 7 am - 5 pm; Saturday, 8 am - 5 pm and Sunday, 8 am -2pm.

Award-Winning Seafood

Tomatoes

9300 Amherst Avenue, Margate, NJ 609-822-7535 tomatoesmargate.com A favorite of chefs and foodies who are impressed with the location, food, and view of the Margate Bay. The elegant and refined atmosphere includes a bar area, sushi bar, private meeting and dining rooms in addition to the main dining room. Trendy with a high-end, eclectic American fare and sushi, plus a happening bar scene. Excellent fresh fish, wonderful sauces and impressive desserts.

Angeloni’s II

2400 Arctic Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ 609-344-7875 angelonis.com Offering the finest Italian-American cuisine in the Atlantic City area. This family owned and operated business has been preparing the finest ItalianAmerican entrees in the greater NJ area for over 40 years. Angeloni’s II surrounds you in a warm and elegant ambiance fitting the fine dining you will be sure to enjoy.

Roberta’s by Joe Muldoon

1205 Tilton Road, Northfield, NJ 609-677-0470 robertasbyjoemuldoon.com A young Joseph Muldoon found his passion for food early on; while still at a tender age he began to work in the kitchen of New Jersey country club, Scotland Run. It was through this experience that Chef Joseph knew he wanted to pursue a career in the culinary field, but wasn’t sure what institution would allow his creativity to flourish. Almost in time to celebrate his 28th birthday, Muldoon opened his first independent restaurant, Roberta’s, at the intersection of Tilton and New roads in Northfield. Named for his mother, a home economics teacher whom he credits for instilling in him a love of cooking.

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Playground at Caesars, Atlantic City, NJ 609-348-2273 phillipsseafood.com Phillips Seafood brings guests a classical American seafood menu boasting an array of fresh seasonal fish and Phillips’ famous jumbo lump crab cakes.

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Playground at Caesars, Atlantic City, NJ 609-348-4443 souzaisushi.com.com Simple… seasonal… sensual… Souzai features a diverse menu of hand-rolled sushi, fresh sashimi and traditional Japanese dishes, as well as a wide range of innovative cocktails, Japanese sake and beer. Showcasing stunning views of the beach, ocean sunsets and the sparkling cityscape from its perch high above the famed Atlantic City boardwalk, Souzai has become one of the hottest spots in town to mix and mingle. Grab a seat and discover Souzai for yourself.

Open Monday - Friday 7 AM - 5 PM, Saturday 8 AM - 5 PM, Sunday 8 AM - 2 PM

Barista’s Coffee House Central Square, 199 New Road, Linwood, NJ 08221 609-904-2990 baristascoffeehouse.com

RESORTS Gallagher’s Steakhouse

Resorts Casino, Atlantic City, NJ 609-340-6555 gallaghersresorts.com Gallaghers is located on the 2nd floor of Resorts Casino. A classic steakhouse serving hearty salads, dry-aged meats, wonderful fish and shellfish. Their glassenclosed meat locker is in the front of the restaurant for all to view; and all of the beef is dry-aged for 21 days at a constant 36 degrees to insure tenderness.

Offering the finest selections of seafood as well. An ambiance of warm woods and deep reds. Friendly, efficient and gracious service. Open for dinner Sunday thru Thursday 5-9:30 pm, Friday 5-10 pm, Saturday 5-11 pm.

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The Quarter at Tropicana, Atlantic City, NJ 609-317-4660 broadwayburgerbar.com Ark Restaurants introduces Broadway Burger Bar at the Quarter in Tropicana Casino & Resort, Atlantic City serving up fresh ground, grilled, prime beef burgers and a large selection of tapas-style appetizers. Order from a full bar featuring 60 craft beers, specialty cocktails, adult milkshakes, as well as your traditional favorites. Live acoustic acts every Friday and Saturday add to the vibrant and unique atmosphere. Fun for families, a quick lunch or an intimate dinner. At Broadway Burger Bar, they make burgers great.

(Every day but Saturday) In addition to our daily lunch and dinner options.

Specializing in private and corporate Holiday parties as well as Weddings.

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: The Bonnie Bennett Jazz Duo — Fridays 5:30p.m. - 6:30p.m.

Beth Tinnon ~ Wednesdays 5:30p.m. - 8:30p.m. & Saturdays 5:30p.m. - 9:30p.m.

9 W. White Horse Pike, Galloway, NJ n 609-652-1722 n RamsHeadInn.com 60

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Cuba Libre

The Quarter at Tropicana, Atlantic City, NJ 609-348-6700 cubalibrerestaurant.com Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar is dedicated to a continued exploration of Cuban heritage, art, music, flavors and traditions. The open-air setting, tropical ambiance, vintage décor, upbeat Latin music and Concept Chef/Partner, Guillermo Pernot’s delectable menu of ‘Nuevo Cubano’ dishes and traditional favorites, make this restaurant a must-see, must-experience dining destination.

A Final Word

Scrooge a Humbug? Bah! What comes to mind when you hear the name Ebenezer Scrooge?

By Marjorie Preston or generations, the name has F been synonymous with snarling, grim-lipped stinginess. For most people, Scrooge is a low-down dirty scoundrel — oblivious to the beggar at his door, indifferent to the suffering of his fellow men, and cruel to the poor clerk, Bob Cratchit, who shivers in his counting house.

Yes, Scrooge is all these things.

But I like to think of him as my role model, especially during the holidays. Let me tell you why.

In the great old ghost story A Christmas Carol, first published in 1843, Charles Dickens described Scrooge as “a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone … a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner! Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire; secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster … He carried his own low temperature always about with him; he iced his office in the dogdays, and didn’t thaw it one degree at Christmas.”

To this day, that’s how most people view the old coot — as a stoop-shouldered, penurious miser, bitter and cold enough to frost glass.

But that was the “before” guy. As everyone remembers, the “after” guy was a benevolent, loving, and lovingly active man whose generosity graced everyone around him.

For this transformation, Scrooge thanked the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. But the true miracle was wrought by Scrooge himself. After a lifetime of selfimposed isolation, in which his feelings of malice and meanness hardened like bones, Scrooge found the courage to change. In a single spirited night, he went from unrepentant sinner to a blazing hearth of kindness.

For my money, anyone who does that is as praiseworthy as all the saints.

It’s important to remember that Scrooge — like most everyone who turns a harsh face to the world — had his reasons. Remember him as a young boy? Rejected by a heartless father, he was banished to boarding school, far from the sister he adored, and couldn’t come home, even at Christmas.

As a young working man, he feared poverty above all else — again, no surprise. In Dickens’ England, the poor were subject to workhouses and even debtors’ prison, where they lived in abysmal conditions and were sometimes tortured and starved.

In 1824, when Dickens was 12, his own father was imprisoned in the Marshalsea Debtors’ Prison in London, where he lived for several months until an inheritance enabled him to pay his bills.

“There is nothing on which this world is so hard as poverty,” Scrooge laments, “and nothing it condemns with such severity as the pursuit of wealth.” Who would argue with that?

But due to his grasping ways, Scrooge would eventually lose the love of his life. He also lost his sister, who died young.

Again, from Dickens: “The cold within him froze his old features, nipped his pointed nose, shriveled his cheek, stiffened his gait; made his eyes red, his thin lips blue and spoke out shrewdly in his grating voice. A frosty rime was on his head, and on his eyebrows, and his wiry chin.

“No warmth could warm, no wintry weather chill him,” Dickens wrote. “No wind that blew was bitterer than he, no falling snow was more intent upon its purpose, no pelting rain less open to entreaty.”

But that’s not the end of the story. From that miserable character, look at Scrooge on Christmas morning. He scampers and dances and sings for sheer joy. He falls to his knees in gratitude. He’s awakened in his own bed. He’s awakened in the larger sense.

“I don’t know what to do,” he exults. “I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a schoolboy.

I am as giddy as a drunken man.”

He laughs, and “for a man who had been out of practice for so many years, it was a splendid laugh, a most illustrious laugh, the father of a long, long line of brilliant laughs.”

Of course, you know how it ends. Our old friend Scrooge becomes “as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man as the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough, in the good old world … And it was always said of him that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge.”

And so Scrooge is my role model. It took a hard knock to get through to him, but when he saw the error of his ways, he mended them — and then some.

As Dickens concludes, “May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, ‘God bless us, every one!’”

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