Rvo may 27 june 9th river view observer 2014

Volume 18, No. 5

May 27th - June 9th 2014 FREE PUBLICATION

riverviewobserver.net

201-349-4336

Pg. 2

Bayonne Run-Off 5 Questions

Legend of

Pg. 3 Communipaw Pg. 6

On the cover

Film & TV Producers Predict Jersey City Will Become The Next Hollywood Pg. 12 Shop the Village Pg. 17 Benny Tudino’s

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By Sally Deering

usiness partners and co-producers Michael Billy and Jarl – yes, just Jarl, like just Cher – recently wrapped their first feature “The Jersey Devil” starring Chris Mulkey who plays God in the film and Jersey City Mayor Frank “Boss” Hague in the hit HBO series “Boardwalk Empire”.

Billy and Jarl, executive producers for Humanity Pride Productions – and 9 other companies – reside in Jersey City and produced “The Jersey Devil” on location in Jersey City because it is incredibility cheap to film in the city, Jarl says. They served on Mayor Steven M. Fulop’s transition team as members of the cultural development and tourism committee with Elizabeth Cain, who Fulop recently named cultural affairs director; and they are in pre-production on other projects all with Jersey City as the backdrop.

Both producers agree that Jersey City has the potential to be the next Hollywood because of the tax credits it offers filmmakers, large warehouses big enough to transform into soundstages and its Above: Michael Billy and Jarl, co-executive producers of Humanity Pride Productions on location in Jersey City. close proximity to Manhattan.

Below: Chris Mulkey, who plays former Jersey City Mayor Frank Hague in ‘Boardwalk cont’d pg. 6 Empire” meets Jersey City Mayor Steven M. Fulop. (photo by Steve Mack)

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5 Questions for Bayonne Mayoral Run-Off Candidates Mayor Mark Smith and Jimmy Davis

By Ricardo Kaulessar

Who will be the next

Bayonne Mayor will be decided by a runoff between incumbent Mark Smith and challenger James Davis on June 10.

Smith, who has been mayor since November 2008, is running for a second four-year term.

Before becoming mayor, Smith served In the Bayonne Police Department for 25 years where he rose through the ranks to deputy chief. He is married and has two daughters.

Davis has been on the police force for over 25 years, currently holding the

title of captain. His work has included leading a task force from 2007 to 2008 that made a number of arrests while dismantling a burglary and motor vehicle theft ring, and later helping to shut down cocaine distribution network operating partly out of Bayonne. He is married and is the father of three sons.

The River View Observer posed questions to both candidates about dealing with a prolonged campaign season in the Peninsula City, strategies the city’s highest office, and their respective plans for governing their hometown if one of them prevails.

Bayonne Mayor Mark Smith RVO-Why do you think you ended up in a runoff with your opponent rather than had won the election outright?

Smith: We always knew this was going to be a challenging race. While we won the popular vote, there’s still some lingering

Mayoral Candidate Jimmy Davis effects from the national recession. People are still struggling. The outcome may have reflected a bit of that. We heard their concerns. Some people are still restless and we need to communicate our plan with them. We’re going to show them that our team has the

plan and the ability to continue revitalizing our community.

Davis: When you combat a war chest of $1 million collectively and numerous outside entities attacking from different flanks, I feel making it into the runoff was our first win. I am proud of what our team has accomplished and know our drive will pull us all over the finish line in the end.

RVO-What is one advantage that you believe you have over your opponent that will enable you to prevail in the runoff?

5 Questions Cont’d on page 4

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Playwright to Hold Fundraiser for Play adapted from Short Story 17th Century Jersey City is the Setting for New Play Adaptation

By Sally Deering 17th century Jersey City is the locale for Washington Irving’s Short Story “A Legend of Communipaw” and artist Trish Szymanski

Washington Irving wrote several stories about legends that have a permanent place in American literature like “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and Rip Van

A scene from A LEGEND OF COMMUNIPAW The Play, by Trish Szymanski based on the work of Washington Irving. (Left to right) Patrick Taaffe, Dolores Reyes, John Jayme, Charles Herrion, Trish Szymanski and Tim Kutka.

Photo by Christina Coaker will be hosting a fundraiser Winkle”. Irving wrote “A on June 21st at the Old Ber- Legend of Communipaw” about the Dutch village gen Church in Jersey City to raise money for her play settlement and The Wild adaptation of Irving’s short Goose Inn that was on the Jersey City shoreline where story. the Liberty Science Center “I first read the story by Washington Irving in 2006 is today, Szymanski says.

After Szymanski and I knew I would put discovered Irving’s short it on the stage some day; this story has to be brought story she researched the forward,” Szymanski says. subject and wrote ROOST. “The script is based on “It’s about Jersey City in Washington Irving’s story,” its earliest time, 20 years after the English have taken Syzmanski says. “Its literature, theater and history all over for the Dutch and it has already been described rolled into one.”

“A Legend of Commuas a thriving community, a diverse place. It’s kind of a nipaw” takes place from Cont’d on page 5 no-holds-barred place.”

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Bayonne’s Mayoral Run-off Election -5 Questions for the Candidiates Cont’d from page 2 Smith: Well to begin with, we have a plan that’s working to bring Bayonne back.

The facts support that.

We’re going to better communicate the successes we have had and the fact that all the work we have done getting our finances in order are starting to bear fruit.

We’ve delivered a zero tax increase this year, property values are up for the first time in nine years, and our bond rating has improved.

We have a great story to tell and we’re prepared to get our message out.

Davis: Our team’s honesty and integrity has shined

since the first day we announced that we will run for office. We never instilled fear into the citizens of Bayonne like our opponent has. We delivered our message that unity in the City of the Bayonne will prevail.

RVO-Do you think you will be able to maintain enough of a cordial relationship with your opponent after the election that you will consult him on any issues if you become mayor?

Smith: I’ve known Jimmy Davis for decades. I’m certainly willing to work with him and anyone else at any time to make our community better.

Ricardo Kaulessar

Page 4 - May 27th -June 9th, 2014 River View Observer

Davis: After we win, I am sure we will be able to converse civilly and do what is best for the City of Bayonne.

citizens. We need to find a way to resolve the teachers’ contract impasse in a way that’s fair to both the teacher and the taxpayer.

RVO -If you win, what will be the first issue(s) you will tackle within the first year of the new term?

Davis: The first issue we will tackle is to review all land sales associated with the Military Ocean Terminal and the revitalization of Broadway.

Smith: I think we will continue to work our plan to encourage new development on Broadway, the Peninsula and elsewhere in town. Our focus has been on getting Bayonne’s finances under control, controlling municipal expenses and developing more ratables so we can broaden our tax base to provide property tax relief for our

RVO-What is the one major goal that you want to accomplish in the next four years as mayor?

Smith: I grew up in this town. I had a wonderful childhood here. I had the best job in the world working as a policeman. I met my wife and now we’re raising our daughters here.

I want for them, what we had growing up. I want a great community for all of our children. I’m working hard to bring Bayonne back.

In everything that we do, I’ve always had one eye on property taxes. By working

to bring city finances under control, limit the growth of city spending and increasing our ratable base, we will finally see property taxes stabilize remain under control. I want to continue to build a great community while taking less money out of homeowners’ and renters’ pockets.

Davis: One major goal is to unify Bayonne and bring back the feeling we had growing up in this great city, to insure quality services to all our residents, and to develop community centers for our senior citizens and our youth.

Bayonne’s Mayoral Run-Off is June 10th, 2014

Playwright to Hold Fundraiser for Play

Cont’d from page 3 1685-1715 and follows a young Dutch teenager whose parents died and who lives with his aunt and uncle at the Wild Goose Inn and an African man who befriends the boy. Szymanski believes Irving based his story on real events and maybe added some supernatural touches like he did with “Winkle” and “Sleepy Hollow”.

“Washington Irving came to Communipaw,” Szymanski says. “He wrote here. He came to the Dutch church and sat in the cemetery and wrote. It was another place for him to take in the vestiges of that Dutch culture.”

An independent artist, Szymanski works part-time at the Jersey City Free Public Library’s Marion

Branch where she assists patrons with research and computer use, coaches the glee club, leads art workshops, and designs and installs two display windows every month. She offers private training in acting and vocal technique for actors and public speakers and has worked behind the scenes at New York and New Jersey performance venues.

Szymanski produced her play last fall at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church where the company did 9 performances and they’re doing it again Oct. 24, 25 and 26th.

The fundraiser happens on June 21st and for a $20 admission, audience members can enjoy performances by The Legend Folk Ensemble, a blend of professional musicians who play

classical, jazz and African folk music; a reading of the Washington Irving essay “The Conspiracy of the Cocked Hats;” a talk about the history of the Dutch in Jersey City by Fr. Tom Murphy of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and scenes from Szymanski’s play.

“I call it the most exciting ‘bromance’ of the 17th century,” Szymanski says.

If you go: Sat, June 21, 7 pm Fundraiser for “A Legend of Communipaw – The Play”

by Trish Szymanski Old Bergen Church One Highland Ave (corner of Bergen Ave) Jersey City Tickets are $20 online at www.brownpapertickets. com; $25 at the door.

For more info: Email: info@ alegendofcommunipaw.com (917) 536-2682 Light refreshments served

Page 5- May 27th -June 9th, 2014 River View Observer

Welcome to Jerseywood!

Film & TV Producers predict Jersey City will become the Next Hollywood Cont’d from cover “Location, location, location, Jersey City is right next to Manhattan,” Jarl says. “Location costs have been taken away because of the tax credits. Mayor Fulop followed through with everything he promised.”

“That’s incredibly important right now. Tax incentives for film incentives.” Billy says. “Filming in Jersey City, your crew comes out of New York.

When you go to middleAmerica (to film) you bring your crew and put them up in hotels. If we build Hollywood in Jersey City we can house them in hotels and have the spaces and the lots for production houses and studios.” “’Jersey Shore,’ love it or hate it, that went to $1.8 million in revenue,” Jarl says. “You have to look at the benefits. People want to go to see the places where the movies were shot.”

So far, the producers made a film and two TV shows in Jersey City and they are in pre-production for their second film.

“We were able to make the film for under $60,000 because we partnered with Jersey City,” Jarl says. “All the locations, city hall, the mayor’s office, were in Jersey City.”

Chris Mulkey plays God

“Production companies reap the benefits of being here,” Jarl says.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN Jarl and Billy’s company Humanity Pride Productions produced the reality TV show “The Next American Gay” in 2012 and shot it in Jersey City. The show was about finding a role model for the gay community in the U.S. and each week contestants competed in challenges like cooking, interior design, and political debates.

“It was like ‘America’s Next Top Model’ meets ‘The Apprentice’,” Jarl says. “It’s not just about looking good. We took it to the TV Festival in Cannes and sold it to seven countries including internet rights in Canada that sells it on YouTube. That all happened in one year. Then we signed a deal with London.

They bought a concept of the show.”

Billy says they got the show made through volunteers and friends who gave their time and energy.

in “The Jersey Devil’ and says working with Jarl and Michael was a totally collaborative effort.

“It’s the ultimate independent experience,” Mulkey says. “They’re Cont’d on page 7

“The job of an executive producer is to get people on board,” Billy says. “You have to get them to believe in your project, get them to see what you see. You have to connect with people.”

“And be yourself,” Jarl adds.

When Green Light Films saw what Billy and Jarl did with “The Next American Gay” they joined forces with Humanity Pride and Diamond Jesus Productions and with just under $60,000, they produced “The Jersey Devil”. Written by Joseph and Billy Pepitone, the indie comedy is a fantasy about the devil moving his hellish headquarters to Jersey City because it offers a myriad of opportunities for him to do his evil deeds.

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Film & TV Producers predict Jersey City will become the Next Hollywood Cont’d from page 6 ready to rock. I love working with those guys. I think they can accomplish great things in Jersey City.”

It was Jarl and Bill who set up a meeting between Mulkey who plays former Jersey City Mayor Frank Hague in “Boardwalk Empire” and Jersey City’s Mayor Fulop. They talked and took pictures and Mulkey says he felt like a time traveler from the past visiting the future.

“I’ve met a lot of public figures and I got a sense of Mayor Fulop as a guy who is going to get stuff done,” Mulkey says. “He’s a really smart individual and wants to make people come

Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop encourages more filmmakers to make their movies in Jersey City

together. I think he has the welfare of the city in his hands and he wants to make it happen. I’m a big fan of his and it was a privilege to meet him. He did not ask me for any advice, and he got my jokes.”

JERSEY CITY, A COMMUNITY FOR FILMMAKERS Jersey City gives a great backdrop to the movie, Jarl says about filming “The Jersey Devil” on location.

As board members of The Ethical Community Charter School in Jersey City and as they develop a partnership with New Jersey City University, they feel strongly about paying it forward and getting the local community involved in filmmaking. Their second unit director started with them as an intern 3 years ago. He came to them in a school hallway and said he wanted to learn about making films.

“That’s a great example of what we do,” Jarl says.

“He’s a Jersey City kid.”

“We are citizens of Jersey City,” Billy says. “We have multiple businesses in this city. If we have business here and the business is feeding us, we should be part of the community.”

The producers are now working on their next TV series, “Coming Out Straight” a satire where two gay parents have a straight son (you can see the short on their website humanitypride.com and YouTube).

They’re working on a new film project, too, “The Phoenix” an action movie about a former federal agent riseing from the ashes to avenge his family’s

murder and prevent a global crisis. And it takes place in Jersey City.

“Downtown Jersey City people call themselves New Yorkers,” Billy says.

“What we’re trying to do is get them to have pride in Jersey City. We enjoy the quietness downtown, so give back and be part of the growth. You walk in Jersey City you see tourists which make more businesses grow. It’s putting Jersey City on the map. Now you can mention Jersey City at a lot of places in Europe and they come and stay in Jersey City and they say they love Jersey City.”

For more info: www.humanitypride.com Email: jb@jbtalent.net

Page 7- May 27th -June 9th, 2014 River View Observer

Bayonne’s Annual Relay for Life

Relay for Life honors cancer survivors and caregivers raising both money and awareness to prevent cancer.

The event takes place in over 20 countries and 5,000 communities across the world.

In Bayonne beginning Friday May 30th at 6pm to Saturday morning 6 am the Bayonne Relay for Life will take place at Don Ahearn Veterans Stadium at the foot of 25th Street in Bayonne.

This years theme Follow the Yellow Brick Road to a World with No Cancer has teams and individuals

Bank Night-On Wednesday May 11th teams participating in this years Bayonne Relay for Life met at Bayonne’s 20th Street Branch of the Provident Bank to bring in monies collected for the event.( L)Daphne Higgins, Provident Bank Manager of the 20th street Branch, hands a check to Amanda Klich, Race Relay Chair (C) also pictured: Olivia Schafer next to Ms Higgins, Lisa Renwick, Relay for Life Specialist ACS, Joanne Baran, Survivor Chair and (far right) Marlien Ishak Provident Teller

participating by walking the track, sometimes all night to raise money and awareness to fight Cancer Lisa Renwick, Relay for Life Specials for the ACS encourages the public to come out on Friday and participate and wants

Page 8-May 27th -June 9th, 2014 River View Observer

everyone to know in case they can’t make it the event donations will be accepted until August 31st, 2014.

This years goal is to raise well over $98,000 To donate or for more info www.relayforlife.org /bayonnenj

Page 9- May 27th -June 9th , 2014 River View Observer

6th Annual Hudson County Volunteer Expo at The Landmark Loews Theater, JC Produced by The Friends of the Loew’s (FoL) the Expo is a fun and easy way to connect with dozens of local service organizations and investigate a wide variety of meaningful volunteer opportunities -- all in one convenient location. You can wander through the Loew’s Grand Lobby & meet reps from dozens of great, local organizations, and browse hundreds of volunteer opportunities that Make a Difference!

The Expo is FREE, and will be held in the Lobby of the Loew’s Jersey Theatre at Journal Square, conveniently located right across from the Bus and PATH

station.

Guests can meet with representatives from dozens of non-profits in need of volunteer assistance, in order to fill ever-widening gaps in funding.

They can explore hundreds of volunteer options, and find out how they can make a difference for Youth, Families, Seniors, the Disabled, the Homeless, the Hungry, the Abused, Animal Rescue, Medical and Mental Health services, Theatre, Dance, Film, LGBT support, Recreation, Environment, Service Clubs, Neighborhoods, Parks, Scouting, Emergency & Disaster Response & Recovery, Small Business

Page 10-May 27th -June 9th, 2014 River View Observer

Development, Affordable Housing, Historic Preservation, and more!

Visitors to the Expo can also learn how to help themselves while they are helping other – because volunteering builds resumes and job skills.

“Everyone is invited to stop by the Expo & browseaccording to Joanne Smith, Friends of Loew’s Board Member and Expo Coordinator.

If You Go: The Landmark Loews Theater 54 Journal Square Jersey City June 10th, 2014 2pm -8pm For more info email: volunteer.expo@gmail.com or call 201-668-0546.

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Only one team has the experience to

Move Bayonne Forward The SMITH Team TERRY RUANE for Council at Large - 3B      

Assigned as Post Master and Officer in Charge of eight major northern New Jersey Post Offices including Bayonne.

Responsible for over 1200 employees during his career.

Management level experience in budgeting, labor relations, human resources and facilities management.

Former shop steward for the National Association of Letter Carriers Local.

Volunteered to serve in the army during the Vietnam War. As Council President, delivered a Zero Tax increase budget this year.

DEBBY CZERWIENSKI for Council-at-Large - 4B 

Grade School Teacher for 15 years, presently teaching at All Saints Catholic Academy.

   

Director of Religious Education at Mt. Carmel R.C. Church for the past 6 years.

Active in Scouting, serving on the Troop 25 Committee.

Previously employee as a health and safety specialist.

Serves as a commissioner on the Bayonne Planning Board.

JOE HURLEY for Second Ward Council - 7C      

Dedicated Bayonne Firefighter who rose through the ranks to be come Deputy Chief of Operations.

Responsible for a $17m budget and 175 Firefighters. Managed labor issues, capital planning, supplies and employee morale and discipline.

Led the first group of Bayonne firefighters to respond to ground zero on 9/11 As Commander at fire scenes, made critical decisions that saved lives and prevented injury.

Organizes an annual picnic for special needs children and adults.

Volunteer youth coach, sports official and mentor to hundreds of Bayonne kids

RAY GREAVES for Third Ward Council - 8C

One of New Jersey’s leading Labor Leaders Business Agent/State Chairman—Amalgamated Transit Union NJ State Vice President AFL-CIO Dedicated, proven fighter for workers rights Working to improve transportation options for Bayonne Residents Appointed Commissioner of NJ Transit Corporation Founder and Standard Bearer of the Ray Greaves Association

VOTE for the entire SMITH TEAM - Tuesday, June 10

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      

Page 14 -May 27th - June 9th, 2014 River View Observer

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Commit...

mances by Gisel Mizanty, Christian Quatlebaum and the Kennedy Dancers Inner City Youth Junior Dance Company.

Artist Accessories by Angeline of Gorgeous Pink Includes drinks, and refreshments at after over over reception.

Kennedy Dancer’s Inc Presents Bare Soles Goddess Night Art House Productions presents COMMIT A new play by EJC Calvert Kitchen sinks are dashed in three stories of loving estrangement and bloody romance. These dark comedies of desperation and loneliness address love and bears, murder, and the fine art of the martini. “Commit” investigates the various ways we fall together, and how we fall apart.

STARRING Evie Freeman, Eleanor Handley*, Terence MacSweeny*, David Riley*, Kit Vogelsang Written by: E. J. C. Calvert Directed by: Mason Beggs

Tell a friend you read it in the River View Observer Get our app http://mippin.com/app/ riverviewobserver

If You Go: Mana Contemporary 888 Newark Ave. Jersey City Thurs - Sat, May 29-31 at 8pm Thurs - Sat, June 5-7 at 8pm Tickets: $20 General Admission Purchase $15 Advance Price Tickets here http://commit.brownpapertickets.com/ This performance is not suitable for children. Rating PG-13 Place your restaurant ad on this page call 201-349-4336 for information &rates Page 16- May 27th -June 9th, 2014 River View Observer

Bare Soles Goddess Night is a fundraiser for the Kennedy Dancers many outreach programs and inner city youth dance programs.

All Proceeds are tax deductible Music and Dance perfor

Call 201-659-2190 Email: Kennedydancers @aol.com If you Go: 79 Central Ave. Jersey City May 31st, 7pm Tickets $20 in advance $25 at door Diane Dragone Executive and Artisitc Director

restaurant Views

Benny Tudino’s, Home of the Largest Slice

By Sally Deering

Hoboken Pizzeria Still Serves ‘Em Big after 45 Years

B

enny Tudino’s pizzeria serves “the largest slice in town” – so big it needs two paper plates and both hands to carry it.

Tudino’s House Special is a 32-inch pizza pie and he divides that into 8 super huge slices – about the size of a newborn baby – and his customers are delighted.

Benny Tudino’s opened in 1968 and after 45 years it has become a Hoboken landmark on 6th and Washington Streets. Look at the wall covered in photographs above the booths and you’ll see pictures of happy customers including one of Vice President Joe Biden chomping on a huge slice. Tudino even served Frank Sinatra back in the day. Ol’ Blue Eyes liked his slice plain.

“Sauce is key, sauce

is important,” Tudino says, holding court in a booth at the entrance of the store. “A lot of pizzerias don’t know how to make a sauce. They open the can and throw it on and pizza.

I make my sauce. The flavors, I can’t reveal my secrets, but I have a magic tongue.”

Pizza lovers can order the 32-inch House Special for $28. For extra toppings, its $1 or more for each topping on each slice, i.e. to add pepperoni its $8 extra; chicken topping, an extra $10. A 16-inch pizza pie is $15.25; the 18-inch is $15.75. Toppings like meatballs, sausage and mushrooms are $2 each – and if you’re a meatball

Benny Tudino enjoys greeting his customers at his landmark Hoboken restaurant

Tudino’s House Special 32-inch pizza Pie

fan, Tudino doesn’t disappoint. They’re moist, juicy and when served with pasta, they’re the size of a baseball.

Tudino packs his menu with Appetizers, Salads, Casseroles, Pastas, Chicken, and Seafood dishes.

Appetizers include Antipasto, Mussels and Fried Calamari ($8-$12); Salads feature Greek, Caesar and Avocado ($5-$10); Casserole dishes include Ravioli Parmigiana, Eggplant Rollatini with Pasta, and Baked Lasagna with Meatballs ($9-$15); Chicken dishes feature Chicken Alla Sophia, served with mushrooms, hot peppers and light garlic; Chicken Sorrentino, chicken breast with onions topped with ham, eggplant and provolone cheese, and Chicken Marco Polo, served with onions, broccoli and fresh Cont’d on page 18

Page 17-May 27th -June 9th, 2014 River View Observer

restaurant Views Benny Tudino’s

Cont’d from page 17 tomatoes in Marsala sauce topped with mozzarella cheese ($12-$13). Seafood dishes include Calamari Alla Marinara and Jumbo Shrimp Scampi ($15-$18).

Benny Tudino’s sells Jumbo Buffalo Wings and Chicken Fingers in regular and large quantities: 10 wings for $9-100 wings for $75; chicken fingers, 10 for $10-100 for $65. Hot and cold sandwiches and wraps are also on the menu and include Sausage Parmigiana, Sausage and Peppers, and Tuna and Veggie Wraps ($7-$9).

During a recent visit, Benny Tudino’s was packed with customers filling tables inside the pizzeria’s two dining areas, and outside in front of the eatery. A continuous flow of customers lined up for slices to go. Tudino has a loyal clientele and a loyal staff, some who have been with him over 25 years.

One waitress shared how generous Tudino can be:

Benny Tudino’s Wall of Images “Whenever I needed a job, Benny gave me a job.”

Tudino also helps those less fortunate. One homeless man in particular stops in every day for a free slice of pizza and the staff accommodates him, no questions asked.

“My mother taught me that,” Tudino says.

One of eight children, Tudino’s roots are Albanian and Italian. He was 24 when he came to the states to become a singer.

He sang under the stage name “Bari” but his singing career turned into a career as a restaurateur and he became a family man, raising two sons and a daughter.

Tudino owes his success, in part, to excellent customer service.

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“You have to know how to talk to people, how to make friends with people,” Tudino says. “You have to make them happy.”

Tudino also attributes the success of Benny Tudino’s to the food he serves.

He says: “How you like it, that’s how I give it to you, but the sauce you cannot change.”

Benny Tudino’s earned an “Excellent” rating from Zagat, the restaurant guide.

One of the reasons may be that Tudino is always at the restaurant ensuring things run smoothly and up to his high standards.

“I come in every day because I like to control the business with my eyes,” Tudino says.

If you go: Benny Tudino’s Home of the Largest Slice 622 Washington St Hoboken, NJ (201) 792-4132, 792-4133 Open Mon-Sat, 11 am – 1 am Sun, 11 am – 12 midnight Free Delivery: “You Ring, We Bring”

e In You Home

Finding Balance: Creating Functional Family Living Spaces These combinations offer form, function, and style, as well as the opportunity to

(BPT) - Let’s face it - life is

busy. And one of the byproducts of a busy life is a cluttered house. With piles of paper coming home from school and toys creating obstacle courses in the family room, parents may wonder how they’ll ever take back control of the house. A few experts share their ideas for doing just that.

Making the most of small spaces Lisa Godsey, a registered interior designer for nearly 20 years and an instructor at The Illinois Institute of Art - Chicago, recommends that people start looking at interior spaces in a new way - up. Utilizing a room’s vertical space along the walls takes the heavy lifting off floor space as a catchall for clutter.

“Consolidating objects in

some kind of containment, whether with shelves, cubes, wall-hung baskets or other organizational options cleans up visual clutter,” she says This technique is especially beneficial in small living areas. In these situations, adding vertical modular storage units opens up space for tables and couches, while adding utility and keeping potentially harmful items away from small hands.

Family-friendly furniture Marissa Alexander, academic director at The Art Institutes International Minnesota ad

fit in alongside new furniture purchases.

Cont’d on page 21

vises families to think toward the future when choosing furniture items. “Durability, easy maintenance and flexibility of the fabric are essential,” she says. Children will grow up quickly so choosing materials that meet the family’s needs now and in the future is highly advisable.

Both Alexander and Godsey suggest nylon upholstery and durable, low-sheen furniture finishes, fiber seal textiles and individual lounge chairs sharing an ottoman instead of

a loveseat.

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Finding Balance: Creating Functional Family Living Spaces Cont’d from page 19

“Selecting furniture with clean lines, in subdued patterns in a medium value range - not too light or dark - can work in a variety of settings,” Godsey adds.

To add pops of color,

change the wall paint. Adam B. Nash, LEED certified designer and interior design instructor at The Art Institute of San Antonio, a branch of The Art Institute of Houston, suggests choosing Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) free products - because they are very eco- and child-friendly.

These paints don’t emit any toxic fumes and are completely odorless making it possible to literally paint a bedroom and have the kids sleep in it that same evening. “It also allows for flexibility of changing things around without huge costs, especially when transitioning from a nursery to a preschooler to a preteen, etc,” shares Nash.

Keeping peace in shared spaces

It’s hard enough to convince siblings to share a tablet; what

happens when they have to share closet space?

“Sharing a closet is best accomplished when it is clear who controls which space,” asserts Godsey.

She recommends defining areas based on age - for example, placing an older child’s clothing on the top level of a double-hung closet.

The area can be accessed via a stepstool - out of a younger sibling’s reach.

Another option is to hang two bars extending into the depth of the closet, rather than one utilizing the width of the closet.

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“Two bars on each side, in double-hung fashion, gives each child four feet of hanging space,” she says. And it may help to keep the peace when it’s time to choose an outfit.

A time and place for individual style Alexander suggests that parents provide children with flexible display systems that show off their creativity in a simple, neat and contained package.

“Magnetic paint gives children direct control over what they display, allowing them to change displays whenever they want. A large frame with a plexi shield is a lightweight way to display a variety of flat work like children’s custom artwork.”

Creating a functional living space - where parents and children coexist harmoniously - doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By choosing durable but stylish furniture, practical storage solutions, and allowing everyone the chance to express their style in defined places, your home can become a haven for all ages.

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