Talk of the Town: A Gentlemen's Guide Holiday 2011

TALK OF THE TOWN: A GENTLEMEN’S GUIDE

HOLIDAY 2011

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INTRODUCTION Director of Operations Bob Dodge Publishers Sharon & Steven Goldstein Associate Publisher Brandon Goldstein Executive Editor Nayda Rondon Contributing Editor Justin Davidson Director of Marketing Sergio Rodrigues Marketing Manager Bobby Dodge Design Director Evan Eagleson

eighty6 Photography Bill Streicher Contributing Writers Michael Bellatoni Anthony Chiarella Patrick Clancy Barbara Lozzia George E. McKechnie Nicholas Poyner Talk of the Town is published by

The Magazine

Dear Readers,

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All too often regarded as just a day full of giant balloons parading toward 34th Street followed by lots of football, food and family, Thanksgiving Day—and the idea behind it—is frequently overlooked. This is an amazing holiday, and a favorite of mine. But each year, as my family sits down for our feast, before the food is served, we must all begrudgingly answer one question: “What are you thankful for this year?” Unfortunately for most of us, we are never really sure.

The economic situation of the past three years has set a cloud of gloom upon us. Will it ever end? I’m far from a scholarly economist, but even they seem to have no answer. So instead of fruitless future forecasting, we should focus on looking at the now and striving to make tomorrow better. Thanksgiving can be—needs to be—the perfect reminder that life isn’t all that bad. We sit around a table of bounteous delights with the people that matter most. We are all clothed, warm and about to be well fed. Regardless of what happens the other 364 days of this year, today is the day that we need to remind ourselves about life’s true priorities and values.

For this issue, I sat down with Holocaust survivor Bernard Gola to hear his amazing story. During the time he recounts, food was scarce, and warmth and safe shelter were nonexistent. He was starved and battered, but he had the heart of a lion. It got him through. He is now thankful for the weather, even when it rains.

Jimmy Vivino, our profile this issue, has risen to the top of musical stardom.

Night after night, he leads the Basic Cable Band on Conan with Conan O’Brien.

Hardworking and a master of his craft, he can enjoy the heights he has risen to with absolute appreciation.

The holidays are upon us. The period between Thanksgiving and Christmas usually marks a time of both joy and great stress. The highs of great food and better company are equalized by the lows of trying to make it all perfect. This year, do yourself and your loved ones a favor—give your worries a rest. This issue will help you do just that. In the following pages you will find ways to look good, what shows and movies to watch, and how to watch them. We will provide you with a nice holiday recipe, some great gift ideas, and a tequila that will make you feel young once again. That’s just a taste of what lies within Talk of the Town: A Gentleman’s Guide.

Lastly, I want to answer that looming question: “What are you thankful for this year?” Well, simply put: you. Talk of the the Town Town has been a blessing to create and share with our readers. It is a first of its kind in the region, and as it continues to grow, we will try our hardest to bring the best, most interesting content to suit your tastes. My hope is that you will enjoy reading these pages as much as I enjoyed helping to create them. Share it with your family and friends. Let us know what you liked and what you didn’t. This next month is an amazing time of the year. Let us all actually be thankful thankful for it. After all, ’tis the season…

www.BCTHEMAG.com For advertising and information, call 201-265-2286.

Copyright 2011. All materials are the property of Bergen County the Magazine, LLC. and may not be copied or reproduced without written consent from the publishers.

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HOLIDAY 2011

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CONTENTS

HOLIDAY 2011 10

Jimmy Vivino: Journey to the Top

20

Talk of the Town Picks: What to Watch For

22

The New World of Today’s Wireless

88

Dream Theater

90

32

Football Highs: Top 10 Most Exciting Moments in Bergen County’s Sports History

Talk of the Town Picks

44

94

American Luxury: A Cadillac Story

100 TV or Not TV? 102

34 Man Central Gift Guide

Look Great and Feel Confident After Weight-loss Surgery

Home Integration

26

Bergen County Cribs: Building a

Number 3073: A Survivor Story

108 They Just Don’t Make ’em Like They Used To

Reel Romances: Top 10 Movies to Watch with the One You Love

112 Taking on Tequila: Gran Patron Platinum

50

Talk of the Town Style

118 Talk of the Town Picks:

62

Top of the Totem Pole: Totem Acoustic

66

Meaty Matters

83

Restaurant Latour: A Wine Lover’s

The Smoking Section

120

Talk of the Town Stays: The Roosevelt Hotel

Tour de Force

126 Sedans for the Sophisticate 13 0 Working Off Holiday Pounds

102

112

120

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Cassidy: clothing from Hartly’s, Westwood.

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Jimmy

Vivino Journey to the Top WRITTEN BY

JUSTIN DAVIDSON

Jimmy Vivino is pretty damn good at making music.

B

orn in Paterson, but coming of age in Glen Rock, where he graduated from Glen Rock high, Jimmy Vivino has one of the sweetest gigs in the world. Since 1993, Jimmy Vivino has worked with Conan O’Brien on his late night TV shows. In 2010, when Conan moved to TBS, Vivino became the leader of The Basic Cable Band.

“It’s amazing to me,” said the guitarist, who was chatting with Talk of The Town all the way from Warner Brothers Studios in Burbank where Conan is taped. “I love it every night that we play. I never feel like it can get old.”

It doesn’t, but on nights and weekends it’s time to hit the town — actually make that the country. Better yet, wherever Enzo the Baker’s next gig is. Yeah, that’s a nickname Conan gave him when the two ran into each

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HOLIDAY 2011

other oddly enough when they were vacationing at the same resort on the Amalfi Coast. In fact, there’s a sign with the name of The Godfather character on Vivino’s dressing room door.

You can catch Vivino jamming on one of his many guitars (“too many, but not enough”) anywhere from Mexicali Live in Teaneck, where he’ll be playing with his good friend John Sebastian on December 10th, or in Liverpool, England, the birthplace of the Fab Four where his Beatles tribute band the Fab Faux has headlined shows during Beatles Week.

He’s played at Radio City Music Hall, Levon Helm’s famed Midnight Ramble up at Helm’s cottage in Woodstock, and everywhere in between.

But all of this success can be traced back to his Jersey roots.

Jimmy’s father, Jerry, Sr., came over from Italy when our country was in the midst of the Great Depression. He took up the trumpet

in elementary school, and he loved it so much that when World War II came around he was good enough to be in the Army band, which was stationed in Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

When he was discharged, however, music wasn’t an option. It was back to the family carpentry business. The family lived in Paterson, then moved down to Point Pleasant, then back to Paterson for a bit, before finally settling in Glen Rock, a costly move at the time that forced the family to scrap for money.

Music was always around.

Vivino’s father still had time to perform with some of his relatives at Paterson’s old Plaza Ballroom, which was then owned by his father’s uncle, Frank Vivino. And when Jimmy and his two older brothers were old enough, his father would take them for music lessons, provided that they were ready.

“He would make us play the

Jimmy Vivino

Journey to the Top whole lesson for him before we went—‘Oh, you’re not ready. I’m not paying for that. I’m calling up and cancelling your lesson!’”

Jerry Sr.’s tough-love was exactly just that. He loved music, and wanted to make sure his sons never took their opportunity for granted.

“He never forced us, but I knew how hard he was working, and we all knew that they were sacrificing a lot for us,” said Jimmy, who started off on trumpet and piano.

It wasn’t until he was 23 that he started studying guitar seriously.

So, in turn, the boys put in the same hours with their instruments that their father did with the carpentry business, and that their mother did with cutting hair, or whatever she could do to earn money. The boys watched Ed Sullivan and Lawrence Welk, and knew that performing was for them.

When Jimmy was nine years old, he performed a tap dancing routine at the 1964 World’s Fair with his older brothers Floyd and Jerry.

Home was always the best place to fine-tune their skills.

“Basically our thing was we would go home and we would put on Broadway albums like Music Man and I would learn all of Robert Preston’s stuff,” Vivino said.

“We would do West Side Story and we would actually act out these things. My brother Floyd would make us tape the Marx Brothers.”

It was good practice for them.

Floyd would later host the television program The Uncle Floyd Show.

Jerry currently plays sax in the Basic Cable Band.

When Jimmy arrived at Glen Rock High School, his teachers encouraged his music ability by giving him the opportunity to write charts for the orchestra. The choir director gave him a book on composing, and Vivino learned it immediately.

Continued on pg. 14

HOLIDAY 2011

13

Jimmy Vivino

Journey to the Top Continued from pg. 13

A Quick Thought with Jimmy Vivino

New Jersey...Home Rock and Roll...Home Tomorrow Never Knows...John’s finest hour While My Guitar...Eric Clapton and George share the love She Said She Said...No Paul on bass Conan’s Hair...Red version of Jack Lord’s, Really My First...Girlfriend is now in Minneapolis. Her name is Marlene.

YesterdaY...Beautiful string chart by George Martin Things We Say Today...Dude WHEN I’m 64...I hope to still be working Performing...Somewhere near you this week Rehearsing...Every day Derek Jeter...Derek Trucks — better NYC...Second home L.A....Third home Paterson...Lou Costello (Everybody’s grandfather claims to have gone to school with Lou Costello)

Family...Nothing is more important, including extended family Kids These Days...Know a lot more than we give them credit for Happiness...Is a warm guitar I’ve got a feeling...It was pretty cold on that roof When I get home...Watch the Yankees on MLB on my computer

Imagine...The most important musical statement ever

“You know, it had all the practical writing arrangements of all the orchestra instruments, so I applied that just to paper,” said Vivino. “It seemed to me to make a lot of sense.”

At around the same time, Vivino started going to see live shows. When he was about 13, Vivino went to the Fillmore East for what was supposed to be a show headlined by Al Kooper. He was in for a surprise.

“So I went to the Fillmore, and Al didn’t show up, and I still bust his chops to this day,” said Vivino, who has become very good buddies with Kooper.

There were many shows in store for Vivino after that, and many were right in Jersey.

“Shows at the Fox Theater in Hackensack. Stevie Wonder at the Capitol Theater in Passaic with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. Half a house, you know, not even a full house,” said Vivino.

It all had a huge impact on Jimmy, his bandmate Jerry and their friend Frank Pagano, the drummer at whose basement they would practice.

They got a horn band together, and started playing gigs around town, the two big ones being at The Canteen at the Central School, and The Block Dance, held on Saturday nights at the Glen Rock ambulance parking lot.

Before they started playing in town, they would admire the acts playing before them.

“The atmosphere was to aspire to be as good as these older guys,” Vivino explained. “We weren’t thinking about ‘Oh, I want to play like Hendrix,’ or ‘I want to play like Clapton.’”

Soon Vivino and his groups proved themselves to the older guys and were adopted into the local music fraternity. As Vivino got older, he started playing gigs all over, and eventually started playing in Rockland County.

Jimmy enrolled in Montclair State, but he decided he didn’t want to be a music teacher, and quit after a semester.

Jerry was just wrapping up a program at the Manhattan School of Music. By the Continued on pg. 16

14

HOLIDAY 2011

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Jimmy Vivino

Journey to the Top Continued from pg. 14

time 1973 rolled around, Vivino was already making good money doing what he loved.

“We’re sitting in lounges seven nights a week, playing music every night. Five sets a night, and this is the best training you can have for the rest of your life,” Vivino noted. “This was my college.”

Eventually Vivino broke into the Jersey shore scene by playing pop music like Kool and the Gang. Down at the shore, Vivino met the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Southside Johnny, from Southside Johnny and the Asbury Dukes.

Through them, he would meet many of the members of what would later become the Max Weinberg 7, and then the Basic Cable Band.

Punk started to get big in the late ’70s and early ’80s. It wasn’t for him, but he decided to really commit to guitar. It was a good choice.

In time, Jimmy started working with one of his idols, Al Kooper, as well as Phoebe Snow.

From then on it was off to the races. One gig would lead to another, and his musical connections and skills increased exponentially.

In the early ’80s, Vivino started writing charts for a musical about Ellie Greenwich’s life called Leader of the Pack at The Bottom Line, a famous Greenwich Village club at the time. The show would go on to have a short run on Broadway; this was an exciting time for Vivino, who now calls this busy period his “graduate school.” He started working with Paul Shaffer and Will Lee, who have worked with David Letterman for years.

They told him just to play as much as he could. Never turn down a gig. Always play. Do anything and everything.

“I’m working weddings in between. I’m doing everything I can to stay in music,” Vivino noted. “And I

16

HOLIDAY 2011

never had to do anything but music.”

In the years leading up to the beginning of his television career in 1993, Vivino got to work on some really cool shows. He started recording music with people as well.

At one point, Dion was going to do a doo-wop show at Radio City Music Hall, and Vivino was going to be in the band. As an Italian kid growing up, Vivino had heard Dion’s music his whole life. Dion hadn’t done a show in years. This was special. The band started playing “That’s My Desire,” and slowly but surely, Dion and The Belmonts came up from the pit

onto the stage.

Vivino recalled the event: “So we start playing, and they start singing in the pit, and they’re slowly coming up, and by the time they hit the put, the audience is going crazy, man!”

Then there was the time he worked with James Brown in Detroit. Vivino’s connections led him to meet a producer named Joe Gallen, who was later influential in creating MTV Unplugged. He was presented with the opportunity of a lifetime: to be a part of a show called Deja View, which would feature James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Joe

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Jimmy Vivino

Journey to the Top Cocker and Robert Palmer. Vivino would be writing charts. He was the musical director.

But why Detroit? Well, Aretha wouldn’t fly.

One night, Vivino was rehearsing the band, when James Brown walked in.

“He’s got a scarf around his neck.

He’s got dark sunglasses. His hair is done up. He’s wearing a green suit. He looks so cool, and he’s got his hands folded in front of him,” said Vivino.

“He’s just looking, looking around, and surprisingly the band stops playing and I’m still talking. I’m a little white kid up here; I don’t know that I’m not supposed to still be talking.”

Then one of the band members told Jimmy that Mr. Brown would like a word.

They shook hands. “He leans over to me, and in this Miles Davis kind of voice, he says, ‘How come you got two drummers playin?’”

Jimmy wasn’t aware of how Brown used his drummers; he thought he always used two.

“He says, ‘No, one gets tired, the other one picks up.’ He says, ‘Go ahead, you can use them both but they don’t play my music like that.’

Lesson learned.”

Through various other gigs, he’s meeting the members of the E Street Band and Southside Johnny and the Asbury Dukes who will later become part of The Max Weinberg 7, and later the Basic Cable Band.

Though he was never a part of the Conan shows, Clarence Clemons did come close. Jimmy got to meet Clarence when they needed a sax player for Brenda Lee in a TV special called Legendary Ladies of Rock and Roll. Clarence was never a reader, so Jimmy took him through everything.

The Big Man was a quick learner.

“The nicest teddy bear of a person I ever met in my life,” said Vivino. “So I had gone through it

18

HOLIDAY 2011

with Clarence once, now they’re going to get him to do the show. It’s great. He’s just comfortable to do it because I’m there and we just become great friends.”

Jimmy and Jerry were in a band with Mark Pender and Max Weinberg called Killer Joe. They finished up an album, and then Clarence wanted Vivino to come out to California to be a part of his band.

Meanwhile, Jimmy is working with legendary Broadway musical producer Marc Shaiman on music for Sister Act, starring Whoopi Goldberg.

He’s running back and forth, coast to coast. Things are crazy, but in the music industry, that’s good.

While at Clarence’s house in Sausalito, California, Vivino gets a call from Weinberg. He had tracked him down. By this time, it’s 1993. TV had come a calling.

Weinberg bumped into Conan O’Brien on the street in New York, and they got to talking about music for his upcoming show, Late Night.

They needed to put a band together as soon as possible. Weinberg told the music director at Late Night that it was all set; they just needed to audition. They agreed not to tell Clarence, as he would have stolen the show.

“If anybody found out Clarence wanted to do this gig, nobody would have a chance. We both agreed on that. Clarence would have been the perfect band leader for a TV show.”

Quickly the Max Weinberg 7 came together. It was Weinberg on drums, the Vivino brothers on guitar and sax, Mike Merritt on bass, Mark Pender on trumpet, Richie “La Bamba” Rosenberg on trombone, and Scott Healy on keys. Needless to say, they killed the audition. James Wormworth often subbed on drums, when Weinberg would tour with Bruce. Currently he’s the full-time drummer for the Basic Cable Band, since Weinberg left.

The rest is history, and Vivino says it’s gone by awfully fast.

“This is the best bunch of guys, and I hope to work with them for the rest of my life,” said Vivino. “And we’re all brothers.”

There have been countless side projects for Vivino and the others in between. Of course there’s the Fab Faux, which started with Vivino and Will Lee, the bass player from Letterman who was living in the same building as Vivino in New York. That started in 1998, and it has introduced Vivino to even more musicians.

“We just want it to be people having that sonic experience when they come to see us, and that’s all we strive for,” said Vivino.

Vivino’s opportunity to do what he loves has provided him with endless joy — plus, Conan’s a great guy to work with. “He is just one of the most creative, smartest, funniest guys.

I’m blessed to have worked with him for this long, and hope to keep working with him for a long time,” said Vivino. “When he laughs now on this show, you may notice he’s really, really, really having a good time.”

And so are Vivino and his band members.

“I wish this on as many people as possible — to love going to work every day, and to be thankful that even after doing this for so long, there’s still a place, and more to learn. The education of music doesn’t just end, and I believe it’s probably that way with everything.”

This Bergen cat just never stops learning.

Jimmy Vivino will be performing with John Sebastian at Mexicali Live in Teaneck, December 10 at 8PM. For tickets go to MexicaliLive.com.

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Samples courtesy of The Timepiece Collection HOLIDAY 2011

21

The New World of

Today’s Wireless Home Integration WRITTEN BY

I

magine being able to monitor and control all of the major systems in your home from the smart phone in your pocket:

• Make sure the housecleaners closed up the house this time—and lock it remotely if they forgot.

• Check up on the nanny—or your teenagers—while waiting for your flight.

• Fire up your Jacuzzi from your car, as you return from a long weekend trip.

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HOLIDAY 2011

• Make sure the wine cellar temperature at your vacation home is holding steady after the storm.

• Adjust the watering schedule for your newly sodded lawn—from Paris.

These are just a few of the tasks that can be accomplished—effortlessly and cost-effectively—in the new world of wireless home integration.

What makes this possible? Astute home integration specialists are harnessing today’s technological advances to monitor and control almost

GEORGE E. McKECHNIE

anything in the home, from almost anywhere in the world, by combining the following elements: • Advanced wireless home security systems, which include remotely controlled door locks, Internet-compatible smart surveillance cameras and custom communications applications, together with wireless door and window sensors and motion detectors • Cloud (off-site) computing and data storage of security camera images, heating and cooling data, water

usage, home lighting plans, intrusion and access control data… you name it • Home entertainment systems that stream audio and video content (via the Internet or local network) from wherever source you choose— worldwide • Smart appliances that can be controlled remotely (Oven, turn off the lasagna; we’re running late) • Cost-effective home integration processors that coordinate all of the systems and communicate via text messages, email or voice mail with whomever you choose.

• Automated lighting, heating and cooling, and window covering control that will help keep your home comfortable, energy-efficient and safe • The ubiquitous smart phone, iPad or whatever So what’s the big deal? Haven’t some of these features—like lighting control and step-back thermostats— been around for more than a decade?

Yes, they have, but the latest versions are wireless, network-compatible and

inexpensive to purchase and install.

These factors dramatically increase the ease of use, completeness of integration and cost-effectiveness, allowing these elements to be integrated into a convenient, easy-to-use system controlled by your smart phone.

Also, new devices, such as remote water sensors and shut-off; bed pads that measure heart rate, temperature and quality of sleep; and intelligent surveillance cameras (that protect household privacy by not recording until a triggering event occurs), dramatically expand the range of solutions available today to assist special needs family members. And more apps are on the way, almost every day.

The concept of wireless home integration is so powerful that it has attracted the attention of some of the largest electronic service providers in the country. Comcast, ADT and Verizon, for example, have begun to offer basic home control functions by way of their existing phone or cable TV connections to the house. This is useful since it allows households with minimal integration needs (such as a

simple alarm system or the desire to remotely schedule a ball game to record on a DVR) to just add these features to an existing service contract.

And it’s certainly getting the word out about new wireless features. But these corporations deal in cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all solutions. They don’t have the interest—or capacity—to assess your needs fully or tailor custom solutions from the broad range of available elements.

The new world we’re talking about involves high-performance, fully integrated systems, designed and installed by seasoned specialists who respect your time and know how to make you happy; specialists who can custom integrate these systems to match your home, your family and your lifestyle.

Here are some of the hallmarks of custom home integration: • High-performance streaming of audio and video content, from whatever source you choose, using superior DACs (digital to audio converters) Continued on pg. 24

HOLIDAY 2011

23

The New World of

Today’s Wireless Home Integration

Continued from pg. XX

Continued from pg. 23

to deliver the highest possible quality.

Leaders in this area include, Peachtree Audio, Crestron and Pioneer Elite.

• Powerful and flexible control systems that are up to whatever tasks are required of them—energy management, thermostat control, window shade or drape activation, home theater control, multi-room audio and much more—installed by technicians experienced in custom home integration, who can program them to your specific needs and preferences. Crestron and Control 4 are dominant players in this space.

• Comprehensive wireless network coverage for your home (regardless of size or layout), to support all of your needs: computers, wireless streaming of audio, lighting and

24

HOLIDAY 2011

shade control, etc, installed and configured by IT experts.

• The ability to custom-tailor the above applications—as well as specialty products—to the adaptive needs of elderly or disabled household members. These include health monitoring and alert devices, medication dispensers, appliance monitors, water flow alerts with remote shut-off, special security and surveillance accommodations, and adaptive computer, phone and related devices to help those with vision, hearing, movement or cognitive impairments.

Skillfully integrated by knowledgeable specialists, wireless home integration offers a new world of safety, security, comfort and control.

It expands the notion of luxury be-

yond the realm of premium goods and services, and redefines it in terms even more valuable: real-time highvalue information about your home and everything inside and around it, and the ultimate control over the systems that make it work. Properly designed and installed, wireless home integration allows the owner to tailor his home to his lifestyle, his family’s needs, even his own personality, and makes his home fully responsive to his control.

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Talk of The Town has been the area’s leader in home theater and audio systems for over two decades. Let one of our sales / design experts create a home entertainment system that will enhance your lifestyle. Our team can design and install your system to ensure ease of use and maximum performance. Our theaters and media rooms are creatively designed to fit both the purpose and style that you want - and best of all we work within your budget. From flat panels to fully integrated media rooms and audio systems, Talk of The Town can make your house the only place you’ll want to be.

Visit our Home Theater Showroom 319 Franklin Turnpike Allendale, NJ 07401 www.talkofthetownvideo.com

For more information call 201.236.1006

FOOTBALL HIGHS:

Top 10 Most Exciting Moments in Bergen County’s Sports History WRITTEN BY

PATRICK CLANCY

B

aseball arguably may be America’s pastime, but football is without question its most popular sport. Each year during football season thousands of people across the country gather at local high schools to cheer on their teams. These fans—comprised of current students, alumni, and the family and friends of players—join together to enjoy one of the few remaining instances of pure athletic competition.

Bergen County is home to some of the greatest football rivalries in the country. Since the early 1900s, football teams in northern New Jersey have tested their might against one another, standing toe-to-toe in a battle of strength and willpower to exert their dominance. Recalling the excitement and conflict, Talk of the Town presents the 10 most exciting moments in the history of high school football in our county’s last 25 years.

1. DECEMBER 8, 1985: new milford vs. hasbrouck heights championship game new milford, 10; hasbrouck heights, 7

ot, tie-break The New Milford Knights took the field against the Hasbrouck Heights Aviators in the North 1, Group 1 NJSIAA (New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association) Championship game. Extra excitement filled the cold December air; the game had been postponed because of snow. The game was a defensive battle with little scoring up until the final minutes of the 4th quarter. With 1:40

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left to go in regulation, the Aviators scored the first points of the game, giving them a 7-0 lead. Seeing their championship hopes slipping away, the underdog Knights tied the game up with a 58-yard touchdown reception with 10 seconds left in the 4th quarter. A scoreless overtime led to a tie-break, in which each team had four downs to score in any manner from the 10-yard line. New Milford received the ball first, and, having thrown 3 incomplete passes on the first 3 downs, kicked a field goal to earn a 10-7 lead. The Aviators’ offense ran the ball to the 2-yard line after 3 downs. The Knights and the Aviators lined up for one final play:

a goal line stand that left the Knights victorious and the Aviators crashing in defeat. The game gave New Milford its first North 1, Group 1 title.

2. DECEMBER 5, 1987: river dell vs. hawthorne, championship game river dell, 7; hawthorne, 6 By the time the championship game for the North 1, Group 2 section had come around, the River Dell Golden Hawks had been devastated by injuries. Four starters were out and several risky moves by Coach Greg Toal (such as changing the number

of linebackers and switching two of the remaining starters to alternate positions) had made the Golden Hawks the clear underdog in the game, despite their perfect 11-0 season. The Hawthorne Bears ran for a 57-yard touchdown with less than a minute left in the first half, and a botched snap on the PAT left the score at halftime 6-0, Bears. The Golden Hawks fought back, scoring on their first possession of the second half, driving 65 yards in 12 plays, and taking the lead, 7-6. From that point on, the defense of the Golden Hawks reigned supreme, allowing the Hawks to soar to victory.

After the game, Toal noted: “We were decimated, but the kids showed their guts and rose to the occasion.”

3. DECEMBER 9, 1989: st. joe’s vs. st. peter’s prep, championship game st. peter’s prep, 22; st. joe’s, 21 St. Joe’s was the favored team to win on that Saturday. The Green Knights were hot; they were undefeated, had sailed past Delbarton in the previous round of the playoffs, and were known for their late-game comebacks. It seemed only natural that the Knights would go on to win their 3rd championship in a row. Yet, despite leading their opponent 21-7 in the 3rd quarter, miscues and turnovers (6 during the game) shifted the momentum toward their opponents.

With 2:10 left in the 3rd quarter, Anthony Guma of St. Peter’s Prep threw for the team’s second touchdown, cutting their deficit to 8. In a fateful turn of events, Guma, who was also the placekicker, took a shot to the ribs during the PAT, resulting in his leaving the game and a “roughing the kicker” penalty that ultimately lead to a 2-point conversion. With the score now 21-15, the teams battled on. The Green Knights were poised to score another touchdown halfway through the 4th quarter, which would have practically guaranteed a St. Joe’s victory. A fumble on the 1-yard line,

however, gave the Marauders one final chance. A 99-yard game-winning drive gave St. Peter’s Prep a 22-21 lead. When asked about his team’s incredible comeback, coach Rich Hansen declared: “You’ve got to keep fighting for everything you want.”

4. DECEMBER 12, 1992: bergen catholic vs. paramus catholic, championship came bergen catholic, 44; paramus catholic, 34 The Record called the 1992 Parochial North A championship game between the Bergen Catholic Crusaders and the Paramus Catholic Paladins “the game of the century.”

It was a game characterized by contagious excitement, incredible offense and even a personal vendetta.

The weeks leading up to the game had been filled with drama, with coaches from both teams expressing their desire

to beat the other. Both teams showcased their offensive talent and the game ultimately became a battle of possessions rather than defense. Bergen Catholic punted only once during the team’s 10 possessions, while Paramus Catholic never kicked the ball away. Instead, critical turnovers by the Paladins allowed the Crusaders to win the game; two fumbles were converted into 10 points, the Crusaders’ margin of victory. The most crucial moment of the game came in the 4th quarter when Paladin wideout Naeem Noble fumbled in Crusader territory. BC quarterback Mark DeRosa led a 6-minute drive that sealed Bergen Catholic’s victory.

The excitement didn’t end when the final whistle was blown, however. A shoving match erupted at midfield when BC coach Fred Stengel accosted Mike Campanile, coach of the Paladins. Sportsmanship aside, this game

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FOOTBALL HIGHS: Top 10 Most Exciting Moments in Bergen County’s Sports History

will undoubtedly go down as one of the most exciting games in Bergen County football history.

5. NOVEMBER 21, 1996: teaneck vs. north bergen quarterfinal playoffs teaneck, 20; north bergen, 19 The Teaneck Highwaymen had many things going against them during the season of ’96. Forced to play on the road all season due to issues with their home field, and missing their star linebacker for 5 games, they still somehow managed to make it to the playoffs. The Highwaymen had already put together an impressive 7-1 record, which included a 21-19 season-opening victory against North Bergen, their quarterfinal opponent. The Bruins, who went undefeated since their opening loss

to Teaneck, entered the game seeking revenge and another opportunity to play in the championship game, which they had lost for 4 years straight. Fans hoping for an entertaining game were not disappointed.

North Bergen took the lead early and lead at the half 19-7. Yet the Highwaymen, showing the resilience they had developed as a road-warrior team, scored a 41-yard rushing touchdown halfway through the 3rd quarter that ignited the team and sparked their comeback. The game-winning touchdown came with 4:52 left in the 4th quarter, a 72-yard touchdown pass that put the Highwaymen up 2019 (a score reminiscent of the teams’ first meeting). Though the Bruins continued to fight, the Teaneck defense stood strong, and delivered the Highwaymen to their first championship game appearance since 1981.

Though Teaneck eventually lost to Hackensack in the Group 4 championship

game, their fans will forever remember this exciting game.

6. NOVEMBER 22, 1997: bogota vs. hasbrouck heights semi-final playoffs bogota, 33; hasbrouck heights, 27 ot As the Bogota Bucs and Hasbrouck Heights Aviators took the field for a North 1 Group 1 semi-final playoff game, no one thought it would be an offensive shoot-out. Due to heavy rain the field was in poor condition; part of the field had been underwater that very morning. Yet coaches, players and fans alike were treated to an overtime thriller in which the two teams combined for 700 yards and 5 lead-changes. The Bucs and Aviators fought back and forth for 4 quarters, extending the game into overtime. Bogota took an early lead in OT with a rushing touchdown, but the Aviators fought back with a touchdown of their own. Finally, Mark Tanaka, who ran for 106 yards on 15 carries with a badly hurt hip, scored his second touchdown of the game to put the Bucs up 33-27.

Anyone who attended this thrilling playoff game witnessed one of the hardest-played games in Bergen County football history… coaches say the contact on the field was often louder than the cheering.

7. NOVEMBER 23, 2002: hackensack vs. ridgewood semi-final playoffs hackensack, 22; ridgewood, 20 3ot Undoubtedly one of the most exciting football games in Bergen County history (possibly even in New

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FOOTBALL HIGHS: Top 10 Most Exciting Moments in Bergen County’s Sports History

Jersey history) was the North 1 Group 4 semi-final playoff game between the Ridgewood Maroons and Hackensack Comets. Fighting from behind for most of the game, Ridgewood forced three overtime periods, and came within 1 yard of forcing a fourth. Ridgewood used every ounce of cunning and trickery they had to keep up with the Comets. The Maroons were down 14-7 when halfback Drew Pilipiak executed a halfback option play, throwing to a wide-open receiver for a touchdown with 1:10 remaining in the 4th quarter. The Maroons went to the playbook again, calling a flea-flicker that led to a game-tying touchdown to force a second overtime. In the third overtime, Ridgewood scored a touchdown on a third-and-11 pass from the Comet’s 26. Unfortunately, the Maroon’s bag of tricks had been emptied. Comets cornerback Brian Horton finally ended the game with a tackle on the 1-yard line, sending Ridgewood home and the Comets to their eighth sectional championship.

dium, the Crusaders and Ironmen faced each other once again. A scoreless 1st quarter gave way to an explosive 2nd quarter in which nearly all of the game’s points were scored.

The Ironmen struck first, scoring on a running play from the 3-yard line.

Bergen Catholic looked to senior Brian Cushing (currently a linebacker in the NFL) to get them back in the game. Cushing scored 13 seconds after Don Bosco kicked off the ball, running 80 yards from scrimmage.

He scored again just before the end of the half to put Bergen Catholic up 13-7. Though most of the scoring was over, the game was hardly at an end.

Turnovers and scoring opportunities for both teams kept the 12, 902 fans on the edge of their seats. By the time the final whistle was blown, another legendary football game had become part of history.

8. DECEMBER 3, 2004:

On December 15, 2009, USA Today ranked the Don Bosco Ironmen as the #1 team in the country.

This marked the first time that a New Jersey team had reached the top spot in the oldest and most prestigious national high school ranking system.

The Ironmen, who had been ranked in the top 10 for several years, truly deserved it. They had completed yet another perfect season (12-0) that included a Parochial North A Championship victory over St. Peter’s Prep on December 5. The Ironmen also had victories over California’s De La Salle and Alabama’s Prattville, two of the nation’s best teams. Many feel that Don Bosco’s prowess has put New Jersey football on the map, as well as legitimized Bergen County football.

bergen catholic vs. don bosco championship game bergen catholic, 13; don bosco, 10 The Bergen Catholic-Don Bosco rivalry is one of the best in the state.

It extends back nearly 40 years and is responsible for some of the most exciting football moments in Bergen County history. Both teams were 10-2 entering the game, though Bergen Catholic had started the season 0-2. The Crusader’s most recent loss to the Don Bosco Ironmen on September 18, had been their 8th consecutive loss to Don Bosco, a losing streak that had BC fans reeling. On a cold Friday night in Giant’s sta-

9. DECEMBER 15, 2009: don bosco is #1

10. NOVEMBER 19, 2010: old tappan vs. paramus quarterfinal playoffs old tappan, 63; paramus, 56 The quarter-final showdown in the North 1, Group 3 playoffs between the Old Tappan Golden Knights and Paramus Spartans was called “one of the greatest playoff games in the history of New Jersey”

by MSG writer Brian Fitzsimmons.

Anyone who attended the game can tell you that it lived up to its name.

The Spartans entered the playoffs against all odds. Having started 0-2 and ending the regular season at 6-4, the Spartans had a tremendous lateseason surge and beat higher-seeded Ramapo in order to face the Golden Knights. Old Tappan, having had a spectacular season as well, cruised into the playoffs ranked at #2, ready to face any opponent. This game was a tale of two quarterbacks: Devin Fuller of Old Tappan and John Robertson of Paramus. Fuller had 465 total yards and scored 7 touchdowns, while Robertson had 559 total yards and 9 touchdowns. The two quarterbacks fought back and forth for four quarters, but in the end, Old Tappan came out on top. The Spartans led 56-55 with 4:57 left in the 4th quarter. Yet a costly fumble set up the game-winning drive for the Golden Knights, who scored with 1:01 left in the game. Fans, coaches and players alike stood in awe of what they saw that night. In total, 11 state playoff records were set during the game, with Robertson himself setting four. To date, the 119 combined points are the most ever scored in State playoff game. Perhaps Paramus coach Dan Sabella said it best: “I think everybody got their money’s worth.”

M

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GIFT GUIDE

MANCENTRAL Labyrinth Aquarium This innovative aquarium, produced in cherry, black or carbon fiber, conceals rare filtration and lighting components. Fish swim freely throughout the entire aquarium, which is designed for tropical freshwater fish. A little fish tank is lame; the Labyrinth Aquarium rocks. Available at opulentItems.com.

Icon A5 Sport Plane Let’s be honest — who doesn’t want their own plane?

Now the dream can be a reality with this two-seat sport plane, which features an amphibious design with retractable landing gear for flying from land and water, plus folding wings that allow it to be towed on the road. The carbon fiber airframe is powered by a 100HP able to run on auto or aviation gasoline, with an estimated top speed of 120 mph.

Visit iconaircraft.com for more information.

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Bowers & Wilkins (C5 Headphones) These noise-isolating in-ear headphones bring you amazingly natural acoustics and fit so comfortably and securely you’ll hardly be aware you’re wearing them. Their unique Micro Porous Filter system makes sure that sound is open, spacious and full of rich, lifelike detail, so you can truly lose yourself in sound. They feature an innovative loop design — loops of plastic-coated wire that curl around the inner rim of your ears and hold the in-ear headphones firmly in place. The C5s are also tungsten balanced, meaning that the headphones are weighted towards your ears, rather than away from them, for optimized noise isolation. C5’s MFI remote and microphone make the headphones a perfect match with your iPod or iPhone. Available at Talk of the Town in Allendale.

Meridian (M80) Combining incredible audio quality with supreme versatility, this beautiful high-performance compact entertainment system with a luxury hand-tooled leather finish features many technologies distilled from Meridian’s flagship products, helping it extract detail and reveal information previously buried in the recording. You’ll be amazed that something so small actually allows you to hear more of your music. It includes a CD/DVD player, AM/FM/ DAB radio and alarm functions, and an i80 Dock for iPod. The M80 is available in three hand-finished leather colors: obsidian black, chestnut and ivory. Available at Talk of the Town in Allendale.

Cirrus Ice Ball Press This unique device chills fine scotch and whiskey without diluting it too rapidly like traditional, or crushed, ice will. An ice ball melts slower because of its shape, a sphere, which has the least surface area of any solid form. Simply set a chunk of ice between the two halves, place the top half on the guide rails, and let aluminum’s high thermal properties and gravity do their thing. In about a minute you will have a perfect 2.75” diameter ice ball that will chill your drink and amaze your guests. After all, it takes balls to drink whiskey. Let the whiskey put the hair on your chest and the Cirrus Press put the balls in your glass. Available at cirruspress.com.

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GIFT GUIDE

MANCENTRAL Sonos (Play 5) Whether you’re cooking in the kitchen or chilling out on the deck, listening to music just makes it better. Now it’s easy to tap into your collection of tunes plus lots more music from the Internet, from anywhere in your home. The Sonos Play 5 is a self-contained wireless music system with built-in speakers that connect to your home computer network. You’ll get top-notch, room-filling sound from a player that easily fits on a tabletop.

The Play 5 teams up five drivers (two tweeters, two midranges and a subwoofer) with five tailor-matched amplifiers to deliver full-bodied, lifelike sound. Available at Talk of the Town in Allendale.

Tanner Krolle York Slim Computer Case Handcrafted by Tanner Krolle’s very own master craftsmen in their Shoreditch factory, the bag is available in English Bridle leather or TK’s newly developed waxed French calf leather. The leather, tactile and resistant to outdoor elements, is luxuriously soft. The York Slim Line computer case is inspired by iconic 1950s document cases, yet makes a sleek statement for today’s fashion forward business leaders.

Look for it from tannerkrolle.com.

McIntosh (MX-A60) Capable of true-to-life sound reproduction that belies its diminutive size (the product measures 22.5” long, 10.6” high, and 14.9” deep, including loudspeakers), the MXA60 is a full-blown McIntosh HIFI in miniature. Now, perhaps for the first time, music aficionados need not trade performance for convenience.

Conceived and executed by the same team responsible for the $250,000 McIntosh Reference System, the MXA60 stands ready to introduce a whole new range of music lovers to the pleasures of owning a hand-made audio system, one steeped in the McIntosh traditions of unerring quality and value, and built to last a lifetime. Available at Talk of the Town in Allendale.

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MANCENTRAL

GIFT GUIDE

McIntosh MCLK12 Clock A tribute to classic McIntosh design, this mantle clock marks time in true style. Constructed with the same sized faceplate and meters used in the latest McIntosh stereo power amplifiers, MCLK12 demonstrates the same easy-to-read visual interface. Blue meter lighting may be switched from the front panel or controlled by other McIntosh components. The hour and minute hands cover a 12- and 60-minute arc, respectively. Both hands “fly-back” in a retrograde fashion when they reach the end of their scale. MCLK12 is the ultimate fun way to monitor the passing of time. Available at Talk of the Town in Allendale.

Paul Bunditz Bicycle No 1 The fastest and most comfortable and beautiful commuting bicycle in the world, the No 1 is created by hand in the USA to last a lifetime. Constructed in limited quantities using world-class components such as titanium, the bicycle is available as a belt-driven single speed or with an 11-speed internally geared transmission. Sleek, stylish and sophisticated, it will complement your business attire perfectly.

Available at budnitzbicycles.com.

Alpina Beer Bar How’s this for convenience: an exclusively designed transportable unit with a professional beer tap. Four sturdy wheels allow it to be easily moved, and the specially designed refrigeration system means the beer will stay at its ideal temperature for hours without electricity. There is also an option to fit the beer bar with a cooking top. No man should have to walk too far from the ’cue to get a beer. Get the keg flowing at www.alpina-grills.com.

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See the whole picture with Samsung Active 3D.

The choice for 3D TV is clear – Samsung ACTIVE 3D.

Use to communicate FPTV 3D Features

Featuring 3D in Full 1080p HD resolution, Samsung ACTIVE 3D with ACTIVE 3D glasses makes every seat in your living room the best seat in the house. Samsung ACTIVE 3D delivers Full 1080p to each eye, as compared to PASSIVE 3D technology, which reduces the resolution to 540p to each eye. When deciding between Samsung ACTIVE 3D and PASSIVE 3D, the decision is simple. That’s the Wonder of Samsung. ©2011 Samsung Electronics America, Inc. All rights reserved. Megamind ® & © 2011 DreamWorks Animation L.L.C. Megamind is a registered trademark of DreamWorks Animation L.L.C. All other product and brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Screen images are simulated.

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The choice for 3D TV is clear – Samsung ACTIVE 3D 3D

is the latest feature on premium HDTVs that gives users the capability to display three-dimensional images from 3D content. Right now, alongside a growing catalog of 3D Blu-ray movies, an increasing amount of 3D programming is available on cable and pay-per-view. And new 3D films and shows are being made all the time.

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According to DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg, quality is what matters when it comes to 3D. “DreamWorks Animation has always been dedicated to creating movies of the highest quality and, since 2009, we have been the only studio to exclusively produce films in 3D. So, it is tremendously important to us that 3D in the home must also be of the highest quality.

This is why Samsung is our consumer electronics partner of choice. Samsung’s active 3D TVs offer the best in-home 3D viewing experience. Their full-resolution 3D TVs deliver to the home the same immersive 3D experience that our filmmakers intended for our audiences. By contrast, passive 3D TVs generate only half the resolution, resulting in a compromised viewing experience. Day after day, Samsung’s R&D team keeps redefining state of the art. We are extremely proud to be their partners, as they lead the way in bringing the 3D revolution into the home.”

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Beware the black bars.

Samsung ACTIVE 3D technology consistently displays a 1080p HD experience to each eye. PASSIVE 3D TVs are known to be susceptible to the “venetian blind effect.” When viewing 3D content on a PASSIVE 3D TV, it is not uncommon for faint black lines to appear horizontally from the top of the screen to the bottom.

This effect does not occur with Samsung ACTIVE 3D technology.

Angles don’t matter.

Where you place your TV in a room may not always be a matter of feng shui. A lot depends on how the picture looks when viewed from different angles. And while PASSIVE 3D technology tends to lose its 3D image quality at relatively short vertical angles (about 20 degrees), Samsung ACTIVE 3D delivers great results from almost anywhere in the room. No matter whether you are sitting, standing, or lying down on the couch to watch TV, Samsung ACTIVE 3D technology delivers a great 3D picture – even from angles up to 178 degrees!

An obvious difference.

Experts agree that when it comes to 3D, ACTIVE 3D technology consistently delivers outstanding quality. In a recent column for CNET. com, Senior Editor for HDTV David Katzmaier echoed these sentiments.

“We expected this difference... We just didn’t expect it to be so obvious...

It makes you appreciate how good 1080p looks to each eye,” said Katzmaier in reference to the overall 3D quality that ACTIVE 3D technology delivers. (Crave news, CNET.com, January 20, 2011) Samsung ACTIVE 3D technology consistently delivers Full HD 1080p resolution, overall image quality, and viewing versatility that consumers should expect in a home 3D experience. See the whole picture today with a Samsung ACTIVE 3D HDTV.

To see our full line of 3D HDTVs visit samsung.com ©2011 Samsung Electronics America, Inc. All rights reserved. Megamind ® & © 2011 DreamWorks Animation L.L.C. Megamind is a registered trademark of DreamWorks Animation L.L.C. All other product and brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Screen images are simulated.

GIFT GUIDE

MANCENTRAL Bowers & Wilkins (PM1) The latest in a long line of Bowers & Wilkins audiophile mini monitors, the PM1 is a luxury, compact loudspeaker offering extremely high-quality audio performance. Its many innovative features include the new Carbon Braced Tweeter, an aluminum dome strategically stiffened with a wound ring of carbon fiber to push the breakup frequency to above 40kHz, providing a marked improvement in performance in the audible frequencies below 20kHz. Unlike anything previously constructed by Bowers & Wilkins, the PM1 cabinet combines the Matrix bracing system for greater rigidity, with a new moulded baffle and top plate for improved image localization. The enclosure, crossover and terminals are all designed to achieve maximum synergy between all the components. The result is a loudspeaker that provides truly expansive sound. Available at Talk of the Town in Allendale.

Desktop Jellyfish Art Jellyfish may look really cool, but they can’t survive in traditional fish tanks.

The Desktop Jellyfish Tank is designed to allow for the particular water flow needed by the jellyfish. I’m no marine biologist, but I will tell you that it is truly fascinating and makes a great conversation piece.

Available at jellyfishart.com.

Bowers & Wilkins (Zeppelin Air) The best sounding Zeppelin yet, this ultimate AirPlay wireless speaker system features dramatic changes over previous models. It is the first premium iPod speaker to boast the new Apple AirPlay wireless streaming technology. Apple’s AirPlay technology allows music to be streamed wirelessly from your Mac or PC to Zeppelin Air. You can even bypass the computer entirely and stream high-quality audio directly from your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. Want more than one Zeppelin but not sure why? It just so happens you can use them to create an elegant multi-room system. Available at Talk of the Town in Allendale.

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MANCENTRAL

GIFT GUIDE

Giotta Rocket Espresso Machine Espresso aficionados swear by this Italian treasure. The stainless steel machine — the perfect size for any home kitchen or mancave — makes premium espresso for cappuccino, macchiato and more. The accompanying milk wand with steam nozzle is designed for easy milk foaming with fine texture; the hot water outlet allows for all degrees of coffee strength and consistency. It looks great. It wakes you up. Win, win. Learn more at seattlecoffeegear.com.

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: The Blueprints Star Wars: The Blueprints brings together for the first time more than 500 photographs and illustrations that show how the Star Wars galaxy was designed, from R2-D2 and the Cantina to the Millennium Falcon and the Death Star. It is accompanied by commentary by J. W. Rinzler and many of the original draftsmen who worked on the designs. This awesome 15” x 18” look into the building of Star Wars weighs in at 35 pounds. It is limited to just 5,000 English-language copies, each of which will be handnumbered. Begin your Death Star construction at theblueprintsbook.com.

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F

or this list, we turned to our softer side, in order to come up with flicks that we could watch with our ladies without falling into a bored stupor. We quickly knew what movies not to include (The Notebook, anyone?). After that, it was easy, really; we just replaced blood, guns and explosions with beautiful women and great humor.

Hitch The (ironically) single “Date Doctor” (Will Smith) attempts to teach his new client (Kevin James) how to land the girl of his dreams. In the meantime, Hitch tries to figure out his own love life with a gossip columnist who, like Hitch, seems to know all the tricks. Thanks to Smith and James, this is no chick flick. Smith’s smooth humor and James’ awkwardly funny antics keep us laughing, making us quickly forget that the whole story is about romance, love and getting the girl.

Hitch: Lean in, place your hand on the small of her back, say it in her ear like a secret. But watch your hand placement, too high says, “I just wanna be friends,” too low says, “I just wanna grab some ass.”

Albert: [making holding gestures at different levels] Okay... Friends. Ass. Me.

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Bridesmaids My first thought was that this was going to be the female version of The Hangover. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered that the plot actually had depth. Kristen Wiig headlines a cast of ladies that kept us in hysterics the whole way through. Disgustingly raunchy at times, it gave a depiction of what men believe women are like when we are not present—or so we think. In a movie completely about the rituals of women, we were surprisingly entertained. (No tigers were kidnapped in the making of this film.)

Megan: This is some classy sh-... [burp] Megan: I want to apologize. I’m not even confident on which end that came out of.

Casablanca Winner of the 1943 Academy Award for Best Picture, this classic has all the right pieces: Humphrey Bogart, regarded as one of the greatest actors in American cinematic history; a beautiful leading lady, Ingrid Bergman; and a story that has truly withstood the test of time. A sensational mix of humor, action, suspense, romance and everything in between, it is truly a remarkable film.

Captain Renault: And what in heaven’s name brought you to Casablanca?

Rick: My health. I came to Casablanca for the waters.

Captain Renault: Waters? What waters? We’re in the desert.

Rick: I was misinformed.

Love Actually This romantic comedy follows the lives of eight people from all walks of life to show that love, actually is, everywhere. It begins, it ends, it can be long, it can be brief. It toys with your emotions in so many ways. There are highs and lows. It makes you feel great and it can really bring you down. However, I’m not Hitch, and I’m not a date doctor. So just watch the movie.

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Jerry Maguire Featuring Tom Cruise before he went crazy and Cuba Gooding Jr. when he was still only an up-and-coming actor, this movie twists Renee Zellweger into the plot to create a story that mixes the passion of sports with the fervor of love, all the while alluding to that one question we never seem able to answer: What is the meaning of life? Even if it didn’t “have you at hello,” this is one flick you’ll enjoy by the end.

Jerry Maguire: So this is the world, and there are almost six billion people on it. When I was a kid, there were three. It’s hard to keep up.

Wedding Singer It’s hard to believe this one is nearly 14 years old. One of Adam Sandler’s less over-the-top movies, The Wedding Singer combines Sandler’s witty humor with a love story about potentially marrying the wrong person.

We’ve all been there, right? (Don’t answer that.) Drew Barrymore turns out to be the ’80s nostalgic wedding singer’s true love, and after a plane ride with Billy Idol, it finally becomes a tale of happily ever after.

Holly: I mean, you know why she’s marrying him, don’t you?

Robbie (The Wedding Singer): The money thing? Security?

A nice house? I guess that’s important to some people.

Holly: No, it’s not important to some people, Robbie. It’s important to ALL people.

Robbie: Really? Well, then I guess I’m in big trouble.

What Women Want Luckily, this movie came out back when we were still fans of Mel Gibson. As a playboy advertising exec, Gibson thinks he has women all figured out. However, as fortunes would have it, he soon finds out how women really feel about him, and it’s quite a comical wake-up call. Helen Hunt plays his boss and her character won’t put up with his antics, until of course, they fall in love. It’s just one of those movies that remind us that no matter how educated we become, we will never understand women.

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When Harry Met Sally This movie tries to answer the age-old question: Can men and women just be friends. Throughout the movie, the characters played by the hilarious Billy Crystal and the lovely Meg Ryan stay in touch as friends while always dating other people. They go through their lives occasionally and coincidentally meeting in different places throughout New York until they eventually become close. However, there is always that looming question of whether they can—or should—be more than friends. This may surprise you, but by the end of the movie, that question is answered.

Harry: You know, you may be the first attractive woman I’ve not wanted to sleep with in my entire life.

Sally: That’s wonderful, Harry.

Princess Bride A classic tale of love and adventure, it has princesses and sword fighting, evil royalty, ferocious giants and beautiful women named Buttercup.

Full of all that fairy tale nonsense but with a humorous edge poking fun at the genre, it is 98 minutes of pure and clever entertainment. As a grandpa reciting this tale to his sick grandson, Peter Falk even tries to leave out the mushy romantic kissing parts. We agree, it’s perfect for this list.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall Peter (Jason Seigel) is a composer suffering from a broken heart after the supposed love of his life, Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell), leaves him for a British rock star (Russell Brand). Peter attempts to get away from it all at a luxurious Hawaiian resort but soon finds out that Sarah is there with her new love, and Peter spirals into deeper sadness. Finally, the resort’s sexy receptionist (Mila Kunis) gets him out of the dumps, and we learn a valuable lesson: The grass is always greener on the side with Mila Kunis.

Peter: Hi, can I have another Bloody Mary, please?

Female Bartender: You’re still working on that one.

Peter: It’s an anticipatory order.

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Top Of The WRITTEN BY

ANTHONY CHIARELLA

Pole

Committed to excellence and quality, Totem Acoustic and its owner, Vince Bruzzese, rise above the competition.

W

hen Vince Bruzzese bought his first highend audio system, he never dreamed it would prompt him to start one of the world’s most honored speaker companies. Yet, more than 25 years later, Bruzzese and Totem Acoustic have become the envy of the specialty AV industry.

A math and science prodigy, Bruzzese followed college with a teaching career in his hometown of Montreal and when he had saved enough money, he splurged on his dream stereo. It proved a disappointment. “I bought a very expensive, highly reviewed pair of loudspeakers whose sound quality changed dramatically over the course of every listening session. It was this sonic inconsistency that most perplexed me,” said Bruzzese. For most music lovers, “buyer’s remorse” would have been the end of the story; however, Bruzzese’s relentless intellectual curiosity yielded a very different result.

In his quest to find out what caused the variability in sound, Bru-

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zzese started tinkering, experimenting with various drivers, crossover designs and loudspeaker enclosures (he even built what is arguably the world’s first “on-wall” speaker).

Eventually, he created his own compact “monitor” loudspeaker—the Totem Model One—for his personal enjoyment.

Soon, friends in the Montreal audiophile community were asking Bruzzese to build speakers for them and Totem was born.

Universally praised as “a breakthrough” in modern loudspeaker design, the Model One became the choice for music lovers, audio reviewers and recording studios alike. Opus 3, the legendary Scandinavian recording studio, still masters all its recordings with Totem monitors, and many of

today’s quality-conscious engineers and boutique studios do likewise.

Twenty-five years after it was introduced, an updated version of the Model One remains in Totem’s product line, and is a perennial best seller.

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The Model One’s remarkable longevity is a cornerstone of Totem’s product philosophy. Given the heirloom-quality construction that graces every Totem speaker—from the entry-level ($625/pr) “Dreamcatcher” monitors to the flagship ($12,995/pr) “Metal” towers—most Totem models have been in continuous production for more than a decade, and it is not uncommon for a pair of Totems to be passed down, like a fine Swiss wristwatch, from parent to child.

Large stockpiles of parts ensure that Totem keeps its speakers functioning flawlessly for a lifetime. For Totem customers, the value is obvious.

“We put an incredible amount of time, effort and passion into designing each Totem model,” Bruzzese emphasizes. “So we’ll never discontinue a state-of-the-art speaker in the name of ‘new and improved’ marketing.”

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While he may be loath to discontinue models, Bruzzese is absolutely obsessed with keeping each product at the forefront of technology. Although the name and external dimensions of a given model might stay the same, cutting-edge drivers, electrical components and crossover circuitry ensure that every Totem delivers bestin-class audio performance.

Décor friendliness is another hallmark of Totem products. Thanks to Bruzzese’s scientific background, he developed his own proprietary mathematical models, which empower him to squeeze more bass output from smaller enclosures than any of his competitors. Bruzzese’s obsession with achieving perfect phase response means that Totem will deliver musically satisfying sound in less-than-ideal room locations, thus explaining why Totem’s “wife ac-

ceptance factor” is the best in the industry. At the same time, Totem’s small, exquisitely finished speaker enclosures have more in common with fine furniture than they do with other loudspeaker brands. While most speakers—even very expensive ones—now utilize enclosures made in the Far East, Totem still handcrafts its own cabinets in an old-world furniture shop in Quebec, Canada. Each panel of each cabinet is veneered both inside and out to eliminate warpage, and all exterior panels and internal braces are assembled as a single unit (an exotic construction technique known as “monocoque” developed for Formula One race cars) to maximize strength and stiffness.

As Totem has grown over the past quarter-century, so have its product offerings. The company that started with a single “Mini-Monitor”

Top Of The Pole now offers a comprehensive range of “Bookshelf ” monitors and floorstanding “Towers” as well as an assortment of matching Center Channel and Surround speakers, which enable their legendary stereo speakers to flourish with home theater.

Designed to augment both music and movies, Totem’s innovative Subwoofers deliver visceral bass from small, attractive and easily hidden enclosures.

Lately, Bruzzese has focused his considerable design and engineering skills on a new line of architectural products. His “Tribe” Series now

includes four on-wall models, two in-walls, an in-ceiling, three subwoofers… and more products are on the way. As with its traditional, audiophile offerings, Totem Tribes has little in common with competing brands.

“Totem will never build a ‘metoo’ product,” promises Bruzzese.

“When we decided to conquer the architectural loudspeaker market, I had to create speakers that would make a statement in their genre.” The success with which Tribe met Bruzzese’s goals is measured not only in sales, but also in the number of music- and

movie-lovers who have abandoned conventional box-type loudspeakers in favor of Tribes. Many of Totem’s wealthy urban customers choose Tribe on-walls as their primary music speakers, regardless of whether video is part of their installation!

What’s next for Totem? Although the company has always sourced outrageously expensive drivers from Europe’s finest suppliers, Bruzzese is now designing and manufacturing his own proprietary drivers in his Montreal factory. This is the final frontier of loudspeaker design because it allows the author to control all of the engineering parameters.

“If I know the speaker enclosure and the other drivers employed in the design, I can tailor a driver to precisely meet my needs,” Bruzzese explains. “These parts enable me to achieve a higher level of performance than even the best commercially available drivers can deliver.”

Extremely complex and costly, Bruzzese’s patented “Torrent Technology” drivers can now be found in Totem’s flagship “Element Series,” as well as several Tribe on-walls. In these loudspeakers, the inclusion of Torrent drivers has enabled Bruzzese to virtually eliminate crossover circuitry, for a purer and more realistic presentation than any competitive product.

Of course, the true test of a Totem is in the listening. Talk of the Town is proud to represent and demonstrate the full line of Totem Classic, Tribe architectural and Element loudspeakers. Once you’ve heard how Totem brings your favorite musicians or movie scores to life, you’ll understand our enthusiasm!

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MEATYMATTERS Meat-hungry men will love this recipe. It’s hearty, filling, delicious and simple to make. Who could ask for more?

Ingredients: 2 lb. beef stew meat Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 3 tbs. vegetable oil 1 yellow onion, diced 1 1/2 tsp. minced garlic 2 fresh bay leaves 1 sprig, fresh thyme 1 1/2 tbs. cider vinegar 9 oz. canned crushed tomatoes with juice 2 cups chicken stock ½ cup Bad Jew BBQ™ Mashed sweet potatoes for serving Directions: Season the beef with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tbs. of oil in a wide shallow pot over medium high heat.

Brown half of the seasoned beef in the hot oil. Remove when browned on all sides, and place on a plate lined with a paper towel. Repeat for the other half of the beef.

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Restaurant Latour: A Wine Lover’s Tour de Force

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hree stories below the world-class Restaurant Latour at Crystal Springs Resort in Hardyston, New Jersey, rests an eclectic blend of wine and history that any collector would envy. Leave it to Gene Mulvihill, owner of Crystal Springs and Restaurant Latour, to assemble one of the world’s most prestigious and lauded wine collections. Mulvihill, aided by wine director Robby Younes and sommelier Susanne Lerescu, has amassed an inventory of approximately 8,000 labels and over 100,000 bottles valued between 33 and 35 million dollars.

However, it is more than just the size of the cellar that separates Restaurant Latour’s collection from the rest; Mulvihill’s exceptional passion for select vintage wines has resulted in an assortment of the most exquisite, rare and highly sought-after bottles.

In just seven years, Restaurant La-

WRITTEN BY

tour’s wine cellar has received numerous awards and accolades. In addition to its “excellent” rating in The New York Times and a perfect four out of four rating from the food critics at The Star-Ledger, Restaurant Latour has been awarded Wine Spectator’s prominent Grand Award every year since 2006. This honor is no easy feat, as only 75 restaurants hold the title worldwide.

Walking down the spiral staircase into the grand dining room makes you feel like you have taken a step into an authentic 17th century French château. Rustic wooden arched windows surround an elegant dining room table and present the restaurant’s famous Bordeaux vertical selection, which features vintages of Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Mouton Rothschild and, of course, Château Latour, which Restaurant Latour has honored in its name. In

MICHAEL BELLANTONI

addition to the superior taste, it is impossible to ignore the history embodied in every bottle. The oldest Bordeaux on the list is the 1863 Château Latour priced at $17,700. The Bordeaux room also holds a 1945 Château Mouton Rothschild, sporting a label commissioned by Phillipe Jullian, on the list for $10,000.

(Every year, Château Mouton Rothschild commissions a different artist to design; past artists have included Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol.)

With seating for up to 24 guests, the dining room in front of the Bordeaux room can be booked for private parties, such as memorable dinners, wine tastings and wine classes. The restaurant also offers the more intimate but equally majestic Grand Cru Room, which seats 12 guests. The renowned seven-course wine pairing dinners have become increasingly Continued on pg. 84

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Continued from pg. 83

popular with Restaurant Latour’s visitors. During this memorable experience, chef John Benjamin prepares a unique menu to be paired with wines chosen by sommelier Lerescu.

Perfect for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries or even a weekend getaway, Crystal Springs Resort offers the “Wine Gourmet” package, which includes a wine pairing dinner, tour of the cellar, wine tasting, and a stay at either the Crystal Springs’ Grand Cascades Lodge or Minerals Resort.

These resorts, which are in close proximity to Restaurant Latour, come with unlimited access to the hotel’s respective sports club and provide the perfect environment to relax and unwind in the beautiful and expansive countryside of Sussex County.

Although not as large as the Bordeaux room, the wine cellar has seven other rooms holding wines from different parts of the world. In addition to the champagne/dessert and the Burgundy/Rhône wine rooms, the

impressive California red wine room holds a variety of wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Meritage, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet and Bordeaux blends, as well as a healthy mix of California cult wines. Boasting some of the most prominent Californian vintages of Harlan, Screaming Eagle and Dalla Valle Maya, this cellar could save you a trip to Napa Valley. One of the most interesting wines on display in the room is the 1935 Simi Cabernet. A true piece of history, the Simi from 1935 was the first vintage available after prohibition was repealed (Simi managed to continue to produce wine during prohibition by supplying church wine).

Around the corner from the California red wine room is the Italian room, which contains an assortment of wines from various regions in Italy dating back to 1918. Looking through the polished glass, you can see bottles of Angelo Gaja, Amarone della Valpolicella, Brunello di Montalcino and multiple Super-Tuscans

resting alongside one another. The Italian room also features a mixture of Barolo producers. Yet, it is the black-bottled 1964 Barolo that was purchased from Frank Sinatra’s personal collection that seems to catch the wandering eye.

The white wine room boasts the collections of Montrachet, widely considered the finest Chardonnay from Burgundy, and Château d’Yquem, a highly rated dessert wine.

Originally intended to house Australian wines, the Australian room now carries all sorts of international wines, along with the oldest bottle in the cellar: the 1795 Madeira. The light tasting Madeira actually is still drinkable because it’s what is known as a fortified wine, which means it typically has an alcohol content over 17%.

The high alcohol percentage allows the wine to withstand very high temperatures and, once opened, can last anywhere from three to six months.

The most recent addition to the cellar, the international room is priContinued on pg. 86

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Discover yours.

For more information visit totemacoustic.com

Restaurant Latour:

A Wine Lover’s Tour de Force

Offering Everything You Need and Crave

Restaurant Latour’s enormous wine list—more than 400 pages—is available online at www.crystalgolfresort.com. For private party inquiries, contact Oonagh Barrow at 973-8236580; for corporate events, the corporate sales department can be reached at 973-827-4357. In addition to the surrounding attractions, which include seven championship golf courses, a ski resort and several spas, Restaurant Latour offers a number of events and tastings, as well as the Annual Food and Wine Festival, and hosts an annual New Year’s Eve party designed to ring in the New Year with class and style.

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Continued from pg. 84

marily composed of many new, highly rated wines, including a rare double magnum vertical of 2007 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. However, the hand-painted Courvoisier cognac decanters garner most of the attention. Crafted by the famous Russian artist and designer Erté (Roman Tyrtov) in 1988, the decanters depict Erté’s interpretation of cognac making. These eight bottles are each filled with a distinct blend of cognac that are not for sale and, in all likelihood, will never be opened.

Restaurant Latour has even delved into the science of wine.

With the help of scientists from the University of California, three machines sit in the back of the cellar: the MNRI (nuclear magnetic resonance imaging) machine, a mass spectrometer and the cork taint machine. The MNRI machine is able to test if a bottle of wine is drinkable without opening it, a valuable attribute in the art of wine collecting and trading, and the mass spectrometer verifies the authenticity of a wine by taking an actual bottle from the vineyard and testing it against bottles already in its collection. The cork taint machine measures TCA, bacteria that can turn wine and ruin a bottle, by taking a small sample of cork without damaging the cork or the bottle. Crystal Springs Resort holds the patents on each of these machines, and stands to be the leader in wine testing technology.

(If you fancy the chance to test your own wine, call Mr. Younes at 973823-6769.)

In short, a visit to the remarkable Restaurant Latour will have wine lovers raising their glasses in spirited celebration.

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BERGEN COUNTY

CRIBS Building a Dream Theater

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hen Ray decided it was time that his Wyckoff home had a true theater, he did not go with the conventional convert-an-unused-room-intoa-home-theater space option. Instead, Ray constructed a new wing to his home, and was able to build every aspect of the theater from the foundation up.

The first step was simple: Ray sat down with representatives from Talk of the Town Video in Allendale to let them know exactly what he was looking for in the space. This planning process can be quite meticulous.

When a customer, such as Ray, has decided to allocate hefty funds to construct a home theater, they want everything to be perfect. Several design consultations followed, as the cus-

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tomer, engineers and designers handpicked every aspect, from the largest screens to the smallest detailed woodwork. Ray decided to keep his home theater simple, and his every demand was met. Of course, having the opportunity to construct the room from the ground up did make things a bit easier.

This allowed for several key components of the home theater installment to be streamlined. Soundproofing the walls and floor became an easier task, as Talk of the Town was able to install soundproof sheetrock paneling both horizontally and vertically before lining it with another sound-absorbing layer. Wiring was also easier, as they did not have to drill into existing walls but instead were able to map out exactly where wires could be placed.

The last steps involved the audio and visual components. Thanks to direction from Talk of the Town, Ray finally determined that a McIntosh system was best for his needs.

The process, from first consultation to finished construction, took nearly four months, and Ray could not be happier with the final results.

After construction, we caught up with Ray to see what he thought of his home theater now that he has had time to really use it. A couple of days a week, Ray sinks down into his luxurious leather seat and enjoys sports games or movies. The 110inch screen puts him right in the action, and once Talk of the Town calibrated the sound to perfection, there was no place Ray would rather be on a Sunday when the Jets are playing.

Screen:

Made by Stewart Film Screen 110-inch screen size (diagonal) Model: Luxus Screenwall

Projector:

Digital Projection D-Vision 1080P High Definition Projector 30 Series

In-ceiling Speakers:

Triad Bronze 8 Speakers. The system consists of (3) front speakers/front left, center and front right. The system also has (2) side surrounds and (2) rear channel speakers.

In-Wall Subwoofers:

Made by Triad Model: Bronze 4 Power Subwoofers. (2) subwoofer were installed into the theater behind the paneling underneath the projection screen.

You can’t see them, but you sure can hear them.

Theater Seating:

Acoustic Smart Metropolitan Chairs. Fully powered reclining chair with footrest.

Control:

Crestron TPS-6X 5.7-inch Wireless Touchpanel. Custom Programming with (2) docking stations.

Headend Gear:

Mcintosh MX150: Home Theater Processor Mcintosh MVP881: Universal A/V Blu-Ray Player Mcintosh MC207: Multi Channel Amplifier

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Look Great and Feel Confident After Weight-loss Surgery WRITTEN BY

BARBARA LOZZIA

Using minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques and a variety of surgical options, Holy Name Medical Center’s board-certified bariatric surgeons Stefanie Vaimakis, M.D., and Amit Trivedi, M.D., help patients lose weight, improve their health and bolster their confidence. Both surgeons stress the importance of comprehensive pre- and post-surgical services, such as nutrition counseling, exercise and support groups, as part of an overall approach to sensible weight-loss surgery.

W

ith arthritis plaguing his joints and four herniated disks in his spine, Tom Rielly tried to lose weight to reduce the pressure on his knees, shoulders and back. As a fire inspector charged with helping businesses, stores and households maintain fire safety in their buildings, he was on his feet all day long, climbing up and down stairs.

“I couldn’t do more than a small flight without getting out of breath,” says the 60-year-old Lodi resident.

“But every time I tried to lose weight, I would take a step forward and then go back two. I reached my breaking point when I had to buy bigger clothes.”

Stefanie Vaimakis, M.D.

Rielly researched weight-loss (bariatric) surgery and chose to see Stefanie Vaimakis, M.D., who has offices in Teaneck, Englewood and North Bergen.

“Dr. Vaimakis sat down with me, and we thoroughly discussed all of my options, after which she convinced me that she could help me,” notes Rielly. “I believe, given the large number of doctors who perform bariatric surgery, that I could not have made a better choice of a doctor or procedure.”

Rielly opted for gastric banding, also known as Lap-Band® or Realize® band surgery (see sidebar).

Gastric banding is performed laparoscopically, through small keyhole incisions, offering patients the benefits of a short hospital stay and quick recovery.

“The gastric band is a wonderful choice for many because the band can be adjusted or even removed, thus making it reversible,” says Dr. Vaimakis.

“I liked the idea that I didn’t have to have any part of my stomach removed,” explains Rielly.

“The band is an appliance to help me lose weight by helping me to control my portions, chew slowly and enjoy my food.”

From a high of 229 pounds when he had the surgery at Holy Name in November of 2009, Rielly dropped 46 pounds to his current 183 pounds.

He gained an appreciation of nutrition and exercise. Losing weight has

Amit Trivedi, M.D. eased pressure on his joints so that climbing stairs is much simpler.

Rielly plans to lose about 20 more pounds; when he feels he reaches a weight-loss plateau he goes to Dr. Vaimakis for an adjustment to his band.

“Everyone at Dr. Vaimakis’ office has been terrific. I can’t wait until next spring to plant a big garden and wrestle with my six grandchildren without tiring,” says Rielly with a laugh.

Rielly says he has “re-learned” how to eat and developed a new relationship with food.

“When we were kids, we had to clean our plates,” Rielly remembers.

“As a Sicilian, who is used to eating Continued on pg. 92

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Zeppelin Air

Zeppelin Mini P5 Headphones

C5 in-ear headphones

Experience the award-winning line of Personal Audio products from Bowers & Wilkins at Talk of the Town.

Finding the Right Bariatric Surgery for You No doubt weatherman Al Roker and New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan made the right decision about their bariatric surgery.

A thoughtful discussion with your bariatric surgeon will help you to choose the type of weight-loss surgery that meets your needs. Holy Name Medical Center’s boardcertified bariatric surgeons perform the following bariatric surgeries, all done laparoscopically through keyhole-sized incisions: • Sleeve gastrectomy removes about 80 percent of the stomach and creates a sleeve-like, banana-sized stomach for food.

• Gastric banding places a flexible belt around the stomach to create a small section that receives food. Gastric banding is the least invasive option, has the lowest risk, requires regular adjustments in the doctor’s office and is reversible.

• Gastric bypass surgery typically reduces the size of the stomach by 90 percent. This surgery usually results in the largest, fastest weight loss, but patients must take vitamins and supplements for the rest of their lives.

Choosing Your Surgeon For weight-loss procedures, it’s especially important to select a fully qualified, skillful practitioner you trust. Look for a surgeon who: • is skilled in all types of bariatric surgery • performs a high volume of surgeries • is a member of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons • is board-certified in general surgery • has completed a fellowship in bariatric surgery • offers a comprehensive pre- and post-operative program • has a physician practice that is easily accessible to you, with a comfortable office and a friendly, efficient staff 92

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Continued from pg. 90

good food, I feel I made the right decision about the gastric band because I can still enjoy Italian food, chili and even hot sauce in small portions.”

Men-approved Surgery

Rielly’s sentiments are common among men seeking information about bariatric surgery, according to Dr. Vaimakis, who says, “Male patients ask me: Will I still be able to eat my favorite foods? How will I entertain clients at events where there is a lot of food served? Will I still be able to eat meat?’”

Holy Name bariatric surgeon Amit Trivedi, M.D., hears similar concerns in his practice based in Paramus.

“My male patients want to know that they can still be social, watch the game with friends, have a beer and some chicken wings, and still feel full and satisfied,” says Dr. Trivedi. “For many of my patients, a sleeve gastrectomy offers them the ability to eat all kinds of food, but in moderation.”

George Padilla, 36, of Brooklyn, NY, made his way to Dr. Trivedi’s office this summer on the advice of a friend’s spouse, who had had bariatric surgery performed by Dr. Trivedi.

Padilla’s long hours, poor eating habits and stressful job as vice president of the New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council added up to excess weight and little time for exercise.

His weight eventually crept up to 370 pounds, a tremendous burden on his 5-foot-7-inch frame.

“My blood pressure, glucose and liver enzymes were all high,” Padilla recalls. “I suffered from back and knee pain. Worst of all, the excess weight was limiting my ability to engage in a hobby, scuba diving. I was prevented from diving below 150 feet. But, I still wanted to be able to eat Indian food and all my other favorites.”

After learning about the three types of bariatric surgery, Padilla chose to have sleeve gastrectomy at Holy Name this August. During this procedure, 80 percent of the stomach is removed, including the section that causes hunger pangs. The remain-

ing 20 percent resembles a bananashaped sleeve (see sidebar), into which small amounts of food pass through the digestive tract.

Each day Padilla takes a multivitamin and several nutrition supplements. He keeps a cooler in his car filled with small containers of chicken or tuna salad and protein bars so he can eat properly during unpredictable workdays.

“I learned from Dr. Trivedi and his staff what foods would give me the biggest bang for my buck,” notes Padilla, who is on his way to his goal weight of 200 pounds, which would allow him to pursue his dream of scuba diving off the side of an ocean rig.

“Dr. Trivedi told me to trust him with the surgery and he would make me feel 20 years younger,” says Padilla. “And he was right!”

Dangers of Obesity

Obesity raises a man’s risk for a host of medical conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and colon and prostate cancer. Men, more than women, tend to carry excess weight in their abdomi-

After

Before

Look Great and Feel Confident After Weight-loss Surgery

nal area, which is a risk factor for heart disease. Dr. Trivedi points out that testosterone converts to estrogen in peripheral fat (around the waist), resulting in feminine attributes in severely overweight men. Excess weight also can affect a person psychologically and lead to depression, isolation and lack of confidence. In addition, obesity contributes to sleep apnea, one of the major reasons men come to Dr. Vaimakis to discuss weight-loss surgery.

“Usually a loss of just 30 pounds will stop sleep apnea,” says Dr. Vaimakis. “Exciting new research also shows that gastric bypass surgery can immediately reverse type 2 diabetes even before weight loss occurs.”

Although obesity can cause infertility in women, excess weight does not directly affect a man’s ability to father a child, explains Dr. Vaimakis.

However, she notes, losing weight can boost a man’s confidence and contribute to a healthier sex life.

Comprehensive Services

Both Drs. Vaimakis and Trivedi point out that pre-surgical and post-

surgical services and support for patients are crucial to successful weight loss after bariatric surgery. A pre-surgical educational seminar is a must.

After surgery, patients are urged to explore common concerns during support groups held at Holy Name Medical Center and at the doctors’ offices. Patients must commit to regular exercise, dietary restrictions, regular doctor visits, and daily vitamins and supplements. Each of the doctor’s staffs includes registered dietitians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses and patient-mentors.

“My male patients respond well to a ‘tough love’ approach from our staff in helping them to adjust to their new lives after surgery,” says Dr. Trivedi.

Dr. Vaimakis notes that she and her staff strive to develop lifelong relationships with their patients.

“It is enormously rewarding to partner with them in improving their lives and their health,” she says.

For referral to a Holy Name bariatric surgeon, call 1-877-HOLYNAME (1-877-465-9626).

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93

American Luxury: A

Story WRITTEN BY

N

JUSTIN DAVIDSON

o American brand is associated with luxury driving as much as Cadillac. These bold vehicles are organically American, and indicate power, class and attitude. Elvis drove a pink Cadillac Fleetwood Series 60. You can see it down at Graceland to this day. Duke Snider, the Hall of Fame outfielder for the Brooklyn Dodgers, once said, “My high salary for one season was $46,000 and a Cadillac.” You’ve seen them in countless movies from Goodfellas to The Mask. In 1918, President Woodrow Wilson became the first head of state to ride in a Caddy, and later Calvin Coolidge became the first to use one as his personal limousine. President Obama cruises around in Cadillac One—an amalgamation of parts from several Cadillac models ranging from the STS, DTS and Escalade.

You get the point: These vehicles are symbols of our Americana, and it all started with one man in Detroit.

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1902

1912

Henry Martyn Leland, born in Vermont in 1843 and a master machinist, founds the Cadillac Automobile Company. Leland names the company after Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, the founder of Detroit. The founder’s family coat of arms inspired the Cadillac crest. Leland wanted to build a car that had 100% interchangeable parts. The first model was completed on October 17, 1902, but was not given the “A” name that you see here until 1903. These first Cadillacs had a 98 cubic-inch single cylinder with variable valve timing and high ground clearance. The 1903 model pictured here would probably have set you back about $850. Not too shabby. They’ve come a long way since then.

This four-door Touring model could seat five comfortably. In this year, Cadillac featured an electric “self-starting system,” as well as electric headlamps. There was no crank on these models. Cadillac was the first car to function in such a way. The features made Cadillac a much safer vehicle, and helped earn the company its second Dewar Trophy.

1915 Power and speed! Cadillac introduces the first V-8 engine. In September, these 5.1 cylinder, 70 horsepower engines were featured on two Touring cars that drove at speeds of up to 70 mph for 100 miles at Chicago Speedway.

1908 Cadillac wins the Dewar Trophy, awarded by the British Royal Automobile Club, for its advancement with interchangeable parts.

How did they prove it? Three Cadillacs were picked randomly, dismantled and then put back together. Then the Cadillacs ran on a 500-mile course in Brooklands, England—sans problems.

1909 Cadillac’s growth as a brand prompts William Durant to purchase Cadillac along with Chevrolet, Buick, Oldsmobile and Oakland car companies to form General Motors.

1930 Ernest Seaholm, Cadillac’s chief engineer from 1923 to 1943, unveils the V-16 engine that propelled the stunning model shown here.

Notice the colorful paint job. In the previous decade, the company began offering hundreds of different lacquer paint combinations while competitors offered much more drab colors. After the V-16 debuted in 1930, Cadillac came out with a V-12 to offer a middleground alternative between the V-8 and the ultra-powerful V-16.

Continued on pg. 96

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American Luxury: A

Story

Continued from pg. 95

1948

1957

Like every company in America, Cadillac spent World War II focused on the war effort. The company used its V-8 engines in M5 light tanks, and in M8 Howitzer motor carriages. Cadillac surely did its patriotic part. But in 1948, the company returned to production, and what you see here in this Cadillac 60 is the first use of the tail fin—a design feature that would revolutionize American cars. The tail fin came from the Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter plane, and gave the car an edgier and victorious quality.

The Eldorado was the ’50s. You can clearly tell from the exhaust, fins and side detailing that Cadillac gained invaluable design insight from combat aircraft.

1958 Cadillac produces its two-millionth car.

1953 Cadillacs truly take off with the post-war boom. In 1952, Cadillac celebrated its 50-year anniversary, and unveiled its Eldorado concept, which would be released in limited production a year later.

For a lack of a better word, this car is simply beautiful. Also in the decade, Cadillac started to offer power steering, windows and automatic transmissions as standard equipment.

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1959 The Eldorado had the highest tail fins of any Cadillac model in its history. The brand keeps raising the standard of design.

American Luxury: A

Story

1967

1981

Cadillacs keep getting more and more comfortable. Safer, too.

In 1963, the company made seatbelts available, and the next year they would become required by law. Oh and that famous wreathed crest emblem? That appeared for the first time on the 1963 Eldorado. In 1964, Cadillac introduces Comfort Control, a thermostatically regulated heating, venting and air-conditioning system. We don’t think twice about modern fixtures like those, but they started with Cadillac. Where did the tail fins go? Cadillac discontinued them in 1965, thus marking the end of an era.

Cadillac introduced front-wheel drive as a new drive train for the Eldorado in ’67. The ’60s also saw the introduction of stereo radio. Now you could cruise in your Cadillac and listen to your favorite program or song.

The 1980s saw a great era of redesign amid a decade of change.

This top-of-the-line Seville pays homage to the stylistic designs of the prewar years. It was a sight to be seen, and was often imitated by other brands. The Seville had a long list of luxury items that were standard, including cast aluminum wheels, lighted vanity mirrors and an illuminated entry system. Cadillac yet again ups the ante when it comes to the standard of luxury. During this decade, Cadillac also entrenched itself as a leader in customer service when J.D. Power ranked the company number one in sales satisfaction.

1991 1976 The last Eldorado convertible is built by General Motors in 1976, and you see one of them here. Future models of the Cadillac convertibles would be custom built through coachbuilders. Becoming the first U.S car manufacturer to do so, Cadillac debuted electronically fuel-injected engines in 1975.

The ’90s were big years for the Cadillac. Cadillac introduces new body styles, and the brand gives the Eldorado and Seville an update. Also, Cadillac updates its engine technologies with the new 32-valve Northstar V-8 in 1992, which is inside the hood of this beauty of a ’93 Allante Convertible. The Northstar Engine had unique cooling technologies that optimized performance.

Continued on pg. 98

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American Luxury: A

Story

Continued from pg. 97

1998

2008

The ’90s were marked by Cadillac’s efforts to position itself on the global stage and its commitment to innovation. The Seville, like the one shown above, was developed for export in more than 40 countries. In the early part of the decade, the Seville won “Car of the Year” honors. The decade also saw Cadillac’s bold entrance into the SUV market with the unveiling of the Escalade in 1998. As the pre-eminent SUV on the market, it soon became a top seller.

The Escalade goes green! In an effort to reduce its carbon footprint, Cadillac introduces a hybrid version of the top-selling SUV. (Note: The Cadillac 2009 shown was introduced in 2008.)

2002 Now with more than 100 years of car-making experience, Cadillac continues to push the boundaries of design, speed and luxury.

In 2008, the company released a hybrid Escalade to address everrising fuel costs and environmental concerns. The CTS is now available in coupe and sedan models. If you want to kick into a high gear, then you can get the V-Series version of the CTS. Henry Leland, I tip my hat to you.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GM HERITAGE CENTER

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or TV Not TV? WRITTEN BY

NICK POYNER

I

f you hadn’t noticed, the Fall TV season premiered around 25 new shows. It left us all wondering when we’d ever have time to watch even a few of them. From the previews, many looked interesting, but when added to the shows we already love, it was just too much to contemplate. Luckily, our TV Guy, Nick, breaks down the shows you should spend some time trying out (with On Demand, these days you can catch up on almost any show), the ones you should not worry about, and those that did not even make it past the first couple of weeks. As the holiday season approaches, forget all those “Christmas Specials” and enjoy some great new TV instead. Merry watching.

The Good Person of Interest In 2011, anything J.J. Abrams gets behind has the potential to be a hit. Lost fans will find something to celebrate here in the form of Michael Emerson as he guides Jim Caviezel (The Passion of the Christ) on a wild goose chase.

Oh, yeah, and it’s created by Jonathan Nolan, who spends his off days working on The Dark Knight Rises. CBS delivers another well-crafted procedural.

Homeland Homeland is a drama that, for some, may hit too close to home. This edgy thriller tells the story of a returned war

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hero (Damian Lewis) and the agent (Claire Danes) who suspects that he has turned on his country. There’s espionage. There’s confusion. There’s family, sex and scandal: everything you could ever want in a show.

The X Factor If you’re itching to fill the void left by a lack of both American Idol and The Voice, then this show is for you. Bringing his ridiculously successful U.K. hit to American television, Simon Cowell reunites with his AI co-host Paula Abdul. The X Factor also features judges L.A. Reid and Nicole Scherzinger.

Up All Night Alright, alright. A family-oriented comedy about a couple that is dealing with the pressures of having a baby?

It’s easy to see how this could be shrugged off, but how could anyone not love the cast? Christina Applegate, Will Arnett and Maya Rudolph are comic gold. It is cutesy and it does costar Nick Cannon, but give it a chance.

The Bad Two and a Half Men version 2.0

Steven Spielberg. Dinosaurs. Time travel. Need I say more?

You can’t blame Ashton Kutcher for bad writing. The idea here is to keep the womanizing but nix the Charlie Sheen-like symptoms. Gone are the days of cockiness and booze. My advice: Don’t settle for this show. Eight seasons were plenty. Maybe Sheen was smart to get out at the right time?

American Horror Story

Whitney

Terra Nova

The sexy Shining remake you never knew you wanted is definitely the strangest new show on television.

Glee creator Ryan Murphy gets back to his FX roots on the most horrorbased show in recent memory. The best part of AHS: Connie Britton who was criminally underrated on the recently ended Friday Night Lights.

Prime Suspect Maria Bello plays a tough female cop in a male-dominated New York police squad. With this U.S. remake, Bello has to fill the big shoes of the British lead, Helen Mirren. Not original by any means, the show plays it safe yet is rather enjoyable.

The Already Gone The Playboy Club Early buzz on this was that it was a Mad Men rip off. The first cancelled show of the season lasted only three episodes before getting the axe. With a terrible pilot and no Don Draper, the show was doomed to fail.

How to be a Gentleman

It’s never a good sign when the standout star of a sitcom is the obnoxious laugh track. Whitney will hopefully get better, as it has been picked up for a full season, but for now the show remains dull at best.

Kevin Dillon played the Oscar to show creator David Hornsby’s Felix in what is almost a remake of The Odd Couple. But the man-centric contrast to the female skewing hit Two Broke Girls could not get the job done.

It turns out Drama couldn’t carry a show on Entourage and definitely couldn’t on network TV.

Last Man Standing

Charlie’s Angels

Maybe Tim Allen back on network TV wasn’t exactly what the world needed. Jerry Seinfeld and Ray Romano have yet to return to prime time. Allen probably should have followed in their extremely successful footsteps.

There was no doubt that the girls on Charlie’s Angels are beautiful, but this lazy resurrection couldn’t survive on that alone. With possibly the worst reviews of the season, Angels proved to be far less successful than last year’s Hawaii 5-0 remake. To be fair, though, Charlie’s Angels delivered on exactly what it promised: hot bodies and no content.

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101

Number 3073 WRITTEN BY

BRANDON GOLDSTEIN

E

veryone has a story to tell.

How we got from point A to point B, who we met along the way, what experiences changed us. The story always ends in the present. Where we are now, and how that story has made us who we are today. Bernard Gola is no exception. He is a Jewish, 85-year-old Bergen County resident who has lived a long and exceptional life. His pride and joy is his family and he cherishes every moment of every day. He has defied the odds and stared death straight in the face.

Once a prisoner in one of the world’s most infamous death camps, he wears his prisoner’s mark still. This is his story.

On September 5, 1939, Nazis took over the Polish city of Kielce.

The Nazi movement across Europe had already begun a year earlier, and a 13-year-old Bernard had been hearing rumblings from his aunt and uncle in Vienna, Austria, that the Nazis were persecuting Jews—revoking their businesses, depriving them of education, enforcing curfews, etc. So by the time the Nazis invaded Kielce, Bernard knew that there would be

trouble, but to what extent he was undoubtedly not prepared for.

When the Nazis began beating Jews, cutting off their beards in the street and publicly humiliating them, Bernard was still absolutely surprised. “How could man do this to man?” he asked his uneasy family. There were no answers, and no escape. Upon punishment of death, radios were outlawed. No Jewish business could remain open, and all able Jews had to go and work for the Nazis. After his family’s clothing business was ransacked and closed, Bernard was put to work for the next year and a half by cleaning barracks, digging ditches, working on the railroad and in the mines. This was only the beginning.

In the spring of 1941, the Nazis rounded up the Jews and forced them into a large ghetto, confined by barbed wire fences and guards at every gate. Attempted escape was a death warrant. Bernard lived in a crammed single room with eight or nine family members. Food was sparse and the forced labor was exhausting. Even more horrifying was the fact that through his labor—

building railroad lines, doing factory work and mining—he was unknowingly helping to manufacture his own nightmare and that of millions of fellow Jews.

By 1942, Nazi Germans looked to be the likely victors of World War II. Their spoils: all of Europe. Of course Bernard and his family were unaware of this at the time. However, that was not all they did not know.

There were now Nazi camps specifically designated for the efficient liquidation of mass amounts of human beings all over Europe, with a goal in mind of the complete extermination of all Jewish people.

In 1942, the Nazis, with assistance from Ukrainian soldiers, began removing people from this ghetto. It was a simple process: divide all the ghetto’s inhabitants into two lines.

Bernard and his younger brother were selected to be in the line to the right (with only about 20% of the entire ghetto); their mother and the rest of the family were selected to be in the line to the left. As the lines started to move in their separate directions, Bernard’s younger brother panicked and ran to his mother. He, along with Continued on pg. 104

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318780

Number 3073 Continued from pg. 102

the rest of Bernard’s family, boarded a cattle train and headed to the death camp of Treblinka. That was the last Bernard ever saw of his family.

Bernard and others put in the line to the right were selected to work in nearby factories, before being moved to a new camp for unknown reasons.

His responsibility then became loading wooden wagons onto trains or unloading train-cars of coal in a day.

At 15 ½ years old Bernard first had thoughts of making a run for it. He was granted some freedom to do his task, and there were opportunities.

He came to one stark realization, though. There was nowhere to go.

By 1944, the tide of war had changed. The Russians were approaching Poland. Although a bright end was in sight for the Allied forces, it was still a dark road for Bernard.

He was loaded on a cattle train headed for Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Upon arrival, Bernard was stripped of every last possession. His clothing was removed and he was told he was being “sent for a shower” by

the Nazi officers within the camp.

Once again, two lines were created, yet both were supposedly headed for the showers. Bernard took his shower. A quick dash of cold water, and then he was handed his new attire: a striped prisoner uniform with a yellow patch on the right side, signaling he was Jewish. The line Bernard was not in also went straight to “the showers,” and perished.

Bernard was then given his new identity: 3073. He had lost his family, his possessions, and now, his name.

Wooden bunks lined every available space in the barracks Bernard now called home. Bernard recalls living in Birkenau for about five weeks, with 10 to 12 bunkmates huddling just to keep warm and very little food. From his barrack he could see the gas chambers and crematorium.

He could hear the screams. Smell the ash rising from the brick crematorium chimneys. His diet was one small piece of bread and a watery slush no Jewish Grandmother would ever call soup. His daily tasks consisted of

The ruins of a gas chamber in Auschwitz Birkenau

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moving corpses from the gas chamber to the crematorium.

Bernard was then moved to yet another camp that was part of Auschwitz concentration camp. Here, he was enrolled in a brick laying school and then helped build an X-ray building for the Nazi officials.

Death was always an option, but Bernard never lost hope, never thought he wouldn’t make it out. He was going to do what was asked of him, even if it meant aiding the people he now despised most. He was going to make it out alive. Bernard and another prisoner had even devised a plan to steal extra food. They had noticed there was only one chef in the kitchen and there were doors to the right and left of the kitchen.

One boy would come in and cause a ruckus, getting chased off by the chef while the other boy would go and take all the bread he could handle.

They knew death was the punishment. They didn’t care.

As the Russians approached the Continued on pg. 106

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Number 3073

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Installing Dreams

For more information call 201.236.1006 www.talkofthetownvideo.com

WRITTEN BY

JUSTIN DAVIDSON

G

rowing up, I once had a pinball machine in my basement. The Cowboys and Indians themed machine was nothing flashy.

There were no 3D glasses, no wireless controllers, no motion sensors.

It just had two flippers. We fixed it up so it didn’t need quarters. It was good, simple fun—and, of course, my mom sold it to a collector. I sure wish I had it today.

Technology generally improves most forms of recreation and entertainment. It becomes faster and more complex, but sometimes the end product can just seem cheaper, though the price may be higher. I’ll take an iPod over a record player any day, though it is pretty cool to listen to Born to Run or the White Album on vinyl. Nintendo Wii is fun, but sometimes I just wish I had those flippers back. Now if I want something like that today, it may require me going to an auction, a tradeshow, a museum or maybe I’ll just have to tune into Pawn Stars.

We appreciate the old because the new just ain’t the same, so without

further ado, relax, sit back, rewind like a VHS, and recall your youth, along with some of these items that you may have had the pleasure of enjoying when you were younger.

These cars were a staple in my grandmother’s house when I would visit as a kid, and they still have the power to bring a smile to my face as I realize now in hindsight how she’d cleverly use them to keep my racing limited to the cars and not to running around her orderly home. Grandma, who had been around the block a few times when it came to raising kids, sure knew how to find her way into a boy’s restless heart. But back to the Matchbox cars: Once upon a time, they were all made in the U.K. — the home of the Aston Martin, Rolls Royce and Bentley. One word, two syllables: Metal. If you threw one at your sister, it would be like throwing a rock. (Grandma, wasn’t me. Honest.)

The metal marvels were first made by Lesney Products, a British die-casting company founded by Leslie and Rodney Smith in 1947. Their

first cars rolled out in 1953, and it’s no coincidence that one of their first and top sellers was a coronation coach that honored Queen Elizabeth II. While not the manliest of models, it’s a collector’s item today. I found one model of the coach with the king and queen and horses on eBay for over $1,000. Something tells me it didn’t quite go for that back in 1953.

For any kid car lover, Matchbox was a way of life. That’s not to disparage Hot Wheels, which hit the market in 1968. Lesney went bankrupt by 1982, and ownership went through several phases before finally landing in the hands of Mattel, which as fate would have it, manufactured Matchbox’s former rival Hot Wheels.

Of course more plastic components have been incorporated into the models, but the metallic legacy lives on.

Gentlemen, they don’t make them like they used to.

In 2007, Ken Hendrick, the owner of the Arizona Diamondbacks, purchased arguably the most legendary piece of sports memorabilia: Continued on pg. 110

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a T206 Honus Wagner baseball card.

He did so anonymously (maybe because of the price—a cool $2.8 million). There are only about 50 of these cards still in existence. In 2011, Kendrick revealed that he had bought the card. He put it on display in Cooperstown, along with other cards from his impressive set. “It’s like art,” Hendrick noted.

Baseball cards, and all types of cards used to be just that: Art. Whenever I’m back in my hometown, I pay a visit to the little card shop that my friends and I used to frequent as kids. With too much time on our hands and not enough spending money, we’d pore over the display cases deliberating on the relative merits of each and which ones we coveted most. Miraculously, the shop is still in business, probably thanks to people like me. The shop has some nice deals on old unopened packs. I bought one from the late ’70s that still had chewing gum in it.

(Note: Do not chew it. I really mean that.) Today, you can buy packs that guarantee you’ll get a signed card, or a one-in-ten chance of getting a piece of someone’s jersey. I tried that

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and got a piece of Dontrelle Willis’ shirt. My, my how things change.

Is that Art? I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t say so. To me, it’s more like a piece of something that should belong in the laundry.

The excitement with the cards of my childhood lies in opening them, and reliving the first time you saw Don Mattingly hit a home run, or seeing what Barry Bonds looked like in a Pirates uniform with a mustache and much smaller muscles. It’s the stats on the back, and the photos on the front, and remembering the trades you’d somehow get your younger brother to agree to. Ah, yes, those were the days.

You have to give George Lucas credit for making Star Wars such a powerful commercial empire. Half of the Star Wars franchise was phenomenal. After all, he gave us the now legendary Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. But then again, he also gave us Jar Jar Binks and Padme Amidala of Naboo. Na-who?

Before the franchise became oversaturated with senseless charac-

ters, Star Wars toys were out-of-thisworld incredible. If your parents bought you a 20-inch high Death Star playset back in 1978, you were one lucky—and envied—boy. Maybe you would sit on your living room floor reliving the Battle of Hoth with your AT-AT Walker. If you had a Millennium Falcon, then you could pretend to enter hyperdrive. Kenner sure knew how to make one heck of a toy.

The magic of Star Wars is that it continuously draws in new generations of fans. Maybe Attack of the Clones isn’t as bad as many make it out to be. Still, we’ll always remember our first toy and thus recall what it was like to see the Death Star explode in theaters.

We’ve played as Italian plumbers and blue hedgehogs. We’ve hunted ducks and we’ve hunted bucks.

Video games have come a long way from the days of Pong and Pac Man. Video games consistently push the envelope of what is possible in a digital realm. At one time, adding a pink bow to Pac Man and making the yellow ball a lady was a monumental

achievement. Now gamers in New Jersey can log on and play someone else online across the globe. Thanks to Rock Band, we can imagine we’re the Beatles simply by holding a plastic guitar and pressing some colored buttons. Nintendo can tell us if we’re in good shape or not with Wii Fit. Could anyone really have foreseen this when Pong came out in 1972?

They don’t make video games like they used to, and maybe that goes to show that sometimes change ain’t all that bad.

It’s no big secret that today’s NFL is a pass-happy, quarterback and receiver friendly league. Sneeze too hard on Tom Brady after the ball releases his hand? Personal foul: 15yard penalty. Hit Desean Jackson too hard when he’s coming over the middle? Well Mr. Goodell might like to have a word with you. Just give them red practice jerseys while you’re at it.

The league is concerned about the health and safety of its players, which is good, but when did it become a crime to have a hard-hitting, vicious defense? Raiders Hall of Fame defensive back Jack Tatum once said, “I like to believe that my best hits border on felonious assault.” I’m sure he meant it. Ask anyone who’s ever played a down of even high school football and they’ll tell you that a football game is war with pads on.

It used to be said that defense wins championships. While that certainly was the case for the 2000 Ravens, I think you really just need both a great defense and at least a reasonably competent offense today, and that almost always corresponds with the effectiveness of your QB. I’m a defense and running game kind of guy. I love watching guys like

Ray Lewis, Darrelle Revis and Troy Polamalu. Even Vince Wilfork in all his hefty glory is exciting in his own right. They’re masters of their craft, and I hope that they’re not becoming a dying breed. Who knows what the future holds for the NFL? All I know is that our Sundays wouldn’t be the same without it, and that a lockout would’ve been a bigger disappointment than Ryan Leaf. Will we see more games like the 1958 NFL Championship game and the Ice Bowl? Well, maybe. After all, the Super Bowl is coming to the Meadowlands in 2014. A guy can dream, can’t he? Just imagine the memories we might have to reminisce about in the future!

I can store hundreds of songs on my phone. Wrap your mind around how crazy that is. Think about how revolutionary it was when CDs replaced records and cassettes, and

how one day they may become completely obsolete. It blows my mind.

Does technology cheapen what we listen to? Not necessarily. Rather than purchasing an entire album that stinks, I can purchase a song or two off of iTunes to see if the album’s worth paying full price. The message to musicians: Don’t pump out a lousy album. I still have the stereo I bought as a teenager. I tried syncing it up to my iPod, and boy was that a lost cause. Certain wiring just makes the melding of the old and new impossible. One last thought about the iPod. I bet if you owned a first generation that you’d never think they could come out with something better. Then Steve Jobs did just that.

Then he did it again, and again. It never stops, and I think the evolution of how we listen to music is case and point that some things can, in fact, get better with time.

But honestly, the next new thing sure makes us cherish the old.

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Taking on Tequila Gran Patron Platinum is lifting this spirit’s reputation.

WRITTEN BY

T

BRANDON GOLDSTEIN

here is always that one person at a party that at some point is going to boldly yell, “tequila shots!” At this same instant, the faces of most of the other partygoers will turn queasy, as they relive a wild college night where tequila was solely to blame for poor decisions and a follow-up morning of regret. They stare into their martini glasses full of Goose or rocks glasses of Makers, hoping they aren’t forced by the aforementioned partier into the no-age-spared ritual of peer pressured shot consuming. Some won’t be so lucky.

For too long tequila has endured this poor reputation, struggling to be found in the homes of anyone past the ripe age of 25. It sits, lonely, bored and nearly full on the shelves at fine restaurants and elegant bars. This is a call for the end of this madness, and the beginning of the best nights of your tequila-drinking life.

Tequila can be the perfect drink for a great night. All you have to do is put those college memories behind you and open a bottle of Gran Patron Platinum.

Begin by going to look for Gran Patron Platinum at a liquor store. There you will discover that the exterior package is an unassuming, dark colored coffin-esque shape. Silver “Gran Patron Platinum” lettering runs up vertically on the front right of the packaging. However, once you pull the top off the packaging (it took me a second to figure it out, actually) within is a glorious sight—a crystal bottle shining with the “Gran Patron Platinum” etched in along with Patron’s logo and the usual alcohol bottle information. A shiny silver cork top and Patron’s unusually beautiful bottle design leave no doubt that

within the bottle lies premium, delicious tequila.

Tequila’s main ingredient, the agave, is produced in the highlands of the Mexican state of Jalisco. Patron Platinum uses the finest Weber blue agave found in the region, enriched by its volcanic soil. The agaves for this distinct tequila are hand-selected for their high sugar content. Following the extensive selection process, Gran Patron is then put through an extensive distillation process.

Unlike its other Patron counterparts and many other tequilas that are only double distilled, Platinum is triple distilled. This is what gives Gran Patron that pristine clarity, which shimmers through its crystal bottle with such damn sexiness. (Yes, I said sexiness.) Lastly, the tequila is aged in oak tanks for about two months, making it extraordinarily full-bodied.

So now, for the fun part where I ran Gran Patron Platinum through its paces. I tried the drink in its many forms: neat, on the rocks, in a margarita (recipe provided), and as a shot. Each method created a different tequila experience, with none being right and none being wrong.

Fearing it might end up being a half-day of work for me, I nevertheless gamely conducted my sampling experiment at 11:40 am on a Tuesday.

11:42 am: I pulled the cork and took a curious sniff. I was ready for that blunt smell of tequila, providing flashbacks of crazy nights with little memory. However, instead I encountered a very flowery, light aroma with hints of black pepper and sweet citrus. The morning was looking better already.

Continued on pg. 116

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Gran Patron Margarita 1 1/2 oz. Gran Patron Platinum 3/4 oz. Patron Citronge Fresh lime juice Lime wedge

Method:

Combine Gran Patron Platinum, Patron Citronge and lime juice in a highball glass with ice. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Continued from pg. 114

11:48 am: I poured the Gran Patron neat into a snifter.

As I slowly swirled the tequila around the glass, it mixed with the air. The vibrant aroma made it clear that it is a tequila, yet it was by no means a pungent smell. My first sip went down much smoother than expected. I let it sit on my tongue for a second and tasted the natural, but not overpowering, flavor. This was my first experience sipping a tequila neat, but it won’t be my last.

11:58 am: On the rocks may be an unconventional way to sip tequila, but I let the Gran Patron sit and settle with the ice for a minute. Now, the aroma was more citrus-like and the pungent tequila smell was subdued. As the aroma suggested, the flavor had a bit more of a citrus aspect.

I was blown away by how delicious this actually tasted.

12:23 pm: It’s Margaritasville! After a quick bite to eat followed by a glass of water to cleanse my palette, I mixed Gran Patron Platinum and Patron Citronge with lime juice. It was delicious, yet too sweet for my liking (though everyone has a preference). It did have a nice kick, but the flavor of Gran Patron was obviously less pronounced.

Probably the last Gran Patron Margarita I will have.

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12:45 pm: College may come and go but shots last forever. From my days as a bartender, I learned that you are never too old to take shots; it just depends on precisely what is in the 1½-ounce glass. I offered a customary preshot toast: “To my bosses, for the tasks I must fulfill!”

The shot went down nicely. It would have been better served chilled, which I highly suggest, but in the case of no ice or “tequila chilling apparatus,” the room-temperature Gran Patron was in no way terrible.

Tequila is often looked upon without the respect given to its other kindred spirits. Gran Patron Platinum changes all that, and elevates the tequila experience to a whole new level. If you find yourself in the tequila mood, or in the presence of a nagging “tequila shots!” reveler, there is no better option than Gran Patron Platinum. So if you see me at the bar (I’ll be the one yelling “tequila shots!”), my preference is on the rocks, though a chilled shot would be warmly welcomed as well. However, as I hope I helped prove with my little drinking experiment, there is no one great way to drink tequila. Forget those college fallacies and give it a chance. You will be pleasantly surprised.

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HOLIDAY 2011 119

Stays WRITTEN BY

BRANDON GOLDSTEIN

M

any of us catch a glimpse of the city daily. The bustling high rises shooting into the sky present a stark contrast to our two-story homes and quiet suburban life. The city is so close we can almost touch it. Many commute back and forth; others just look from a distance at the inspiring skyline. The “city that never sleeps” teases us from afar, as we return to our homes craving long nights in the city that are just unrealistic. As close as we sit to the city, the logistics of getting back home late at night are stressful. You can take a taxi, but that commute loses you either an extra hour of nightlife or that hour of post-crazy night rest. No one wants to take a long taxi ride home at 3am. In a city that has represented the American Dream for 90 years, that is exactly what you are looking to do: dream.

Hotel offerings in New York City are anything but rare. In Midtown there is one at almost every block.

However, you live in an extraordinary home, full of the luxuries you have become accustomed to—a big comfy bed fit for a king, flat screen TVs, wireless Internet, and the list goes on and on. Your hotel should be no different.

This is where The Roosevelt Hotel is a step above the rest. In the 1920s, when The Roosevelt Hotel first opened, guests in all of the 1,000 rooms were greeted with a profound luxury: a radio in every room. Up to this point, there were few, if any, hotels offering such an exclusive luxury. This has since become The Roosevelt’s mantra: offering the best and most luxurious amenities available for its guests.

Named after Teddy Roosevelt, The Roosevelt Hotel opened for guests in 1924. The hotel, deemed the Grand Dame of Madison Avenue, is a 20-story hotel spanning a full city block, with 1,015 rooms, 52 of which are suites. The beautiful exterior facade is covered in gracious antique French marble and

limestone, reflecting Colonial American architecture. This hotel is classy through and through, and its historical aura abounds. After all, it was Governor Thomas Dewey’s election night headquarters when he erroneously announced that he had defeated Harry S. Truman during the dubious 1948 presidential campaign.

As I walked through the revolving doors on 45th and Madison and up the lavish stairway toward the lobby, the hotel’s classic ambience had me feeling like a character out of Mad Men. When I reached the top of the steps I briefly paused to look around. This elegant and vast lobby had me awestruck. I immediately got a nostalgic feeling for an era I never lived in, where “classic” was the status quo and a “gentleman” was what every man strived to be.

The neo-classical lobby with its gilded adornments captures the buzz and electric current this vibrant city is known for. The immense lobby instantly became one of my favorite points of the hotel. Every opporContinued on pg. 122

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Urology Center of Englewood The Urology Center of Englewood is a group of board certified urologists with expertise in all aspects of male and female urologic disorders. We are committed to excellence by pledging to provide the highest quality of care possible in a modern, comfortable environment, with respect for the unique issues of all our patients.

Specific goals of our practice include: - Readily accessible appointments and same day availability for emergent add-ons.

- Innovative treatments with emphasis on non-invasive or minimally invasive techniques including laser and laparoscopic surgery.

- Along with the treatment of immediate or chronic problems, we strive to integrate the doctrine of prevention in all our treatment plans as a way to alleviate possible future difficulties. Special emphasis on patient involvement and education including preventative and nutritional strategies for urologic diseases such as prostate, bladder and kidney cancer, stones, erectile dysfunction and male infertility.

- Active participation in national multi-institutional research trials studying new drugs or innovative surgical techniques including robotic surgery, laser surgery, cystoscopy, and minimally invasive procedures.

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Continued from pg. 120

tunity I had, I sat down in a plush chair with a glass of scotch from the Madison Club Lounge, right off the lobby, and watched the hustle and bustle of a grand New York City hotel unfold. I wondered if I would see one of the many celebrity guests who call The Roosevelt their homeaway-from-home strolling through. I even thought I caught some curious “is-he-someone-important?” glances coming my way, which only added to The Roosevelt’s appeal.

After a quick and painless checkin, I headed for my room on the 16th floor. The hotel is currently going through a multi-million dollar upgrade and redesign program, which is slated for completion by February 2012. All 1,015 guestrooms will

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be enhanced with new décor, beds, TVs and other tech improvements to make the guest experience even greater. The renovation, taking place floor by floor, will close off each entire floor so that guests on other floors need not be disturbed by noise or other construction inconveniences. My room on the 16th floor was one that had just completed the renovation process.

I have always enjoyed that feeling of anticipation when you open the hotel room door just slightly, not knowing exactly what to expect. It is like shaking the boxes of presents around the Christmas tree. Once I walked into the room I quickly noticed the lavish yet classic styling of the décor. I then did as all must: I

plopped down on the king-size bed to enjoy a minute of complete relaxation and comfort that gave me the energy and excitement for the day’s tasks.

The Madison Club Lounge, the bar in the lobby, has also received a facelift. Dark mahogany walls and a 31-foot long mahogany bar create a perfect atmosphere for loosening your tie, sitting back and relaxing with enticements from the extensive cognac, port wine and single malt scotch lists.

A billiards table right off the Lounge allows those who love shooting pool to blow off some steam. Returning to my very comfortable king bed right upstairs was a definite plus.

The next day of my stay turned into a quest to discover what else The Continued on pg. 124

Available at

www.talkofthetownvideo.com

Stays Continued from pg. 122

Roosevelt Hotel offered. I was going to test myself by spending the entire day in the hotel. I began with breakfast at The Roosevelt Grill where I had the delectable Grand Central Eggs, two poached eggs and salmon croquettes topped with American sturgeon caviar hollandaise. I then had a quick workout in the fitness center, followed by a stop downstairs at John Allan’s, a full-service men’s grooming club (complete with a pool table, of course).

Lunch was at The Roosevelt’s newest addition, Vander Bar. Contrasting most of the rest of the hotel, the bar offers a more contemporary feel, while still boasting delicious, highquality foods and an array of beers not available at just any restaurant.

The rest of my day of relaxation consisted of a long nap, HBO on my room’s hi-def flat screen and a room service dinner that topped off a day of first-class dining. The rest of my night would be spent with friends in the Madison Club Lounge. From March through October, Mad46 is also open. The Roosevelt’s 19th floor rooftop lounge is an incredible place to relax and escape the bustle of the city and enjoy Midtown’s amazing views.

Whether escaping the quiet of the suburbs or hosting a business meeting, The Roosevelt Hotel has everything you could desire. Its rich history, combined with the classic feel, newly renovated rooms and the importance the hotel staff places on keeping guests happy, all contribute to making the stay comfortable and enjoyable. The Roosevelt Hotel has been serving New York City for over eight decades, with no end in sight.

In the confines of the concrete jungle, it is nice to have a place where you can quietly relax, eat like a king and live the American Dream.

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AUTO

Sedans for the

Sophisticate

After getting a bit wild and removing our tops in the summer issue of Talk of the Town where we featured some great convertibles, we decided we would be a bit more refined this time around. These sedans are some of the biggest, best performing four doors roaming the roads today. They represent the trifecta of the car world, sporting great design, astounding performance and every possible creature comfort a gentleman could need.

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AUTO Audi A8L W12 Engine: W-12 Horsepower: 500 Weight: 4409 lb 0-60: 4.4 sec Top Speed: 155 mph Design: Performance: Staff Rating:

Think living room, but in the back seat of a car. The A8L W-12 sports a pair of power-adjusting heated rear seats with a foldout table and small ’fridge. (Yes, a ’fridge). For the true living-room-in-a-car experience, however, the rear passenger side seat can become the nicest lazy boy you’ll ever sit in. While you sit back and relax with your feet rested on the power footrest, enjoying either a cooled or heated massage, you also are at the helm of an array of rear seat entertainment. Two 10.2-inch monitors are mounted on the front seatbacks and with a DVD drive, TV tuner and Wi-Fi to name a few features, you will quickly forget you are in a car. Although we did find the design a bit bland considering many of the other great new Audis, we still found the car to be exceptional.

Mercedes S65 AMG Engine: V-12 Horsepower: 604 Weight: 4455 lb 0-60: 4.2 sec Top Speed: 186 mph Design: a Performance: a Staff Rating: a

The S65 is the most powerful Mercedes-Benz production sedan ever created. Its hand-built AMG engine is a work of art in itself, and only attests to the level of sophistication that the S65 is known for. The car is quick, and handles nicely on its 20-inch wheels. The sportier suspension with active body control allows you to handle all the muscle under the hood with ease. The AMG body kit gives the car a sportier look than that of the traditional S, yet still includes all the interior creature comforts expected of a luxury sedan.

A night-view camera helps the driver see the road ahead, while the Harman/Kardon audio system provides perfect sound. It looks great and drives nicely, but for its steep price, there are some other great options.

Jaguar XJL Supersport Engine: Supercharged V-8 Horsepower: 510 Weight: 4275 lb 0-60: 4.1sec Top Speed: 161 mph (limited) Design: Performance: Staff Rating:

It’s quicker than expected. Initially I did not think it stood a chance against the likes of a much more expensive, much more powerful S65, but the numbers speak for themselves. The 12.4-second quarter mile at 115 is nothing to laugh at, especially once you consider it is a spacious sedan. The creature comforts are all there, but not up to the fine-tuned level of several of the other sedans on this list. The Nav can run a bit slower than one would expect, but the Bowers & Wilkins stereo provides great sound. As Jaguar again catches up to the rest of the brands as a premier luxury sedan, it still maintains an air of quiet classiness. Its design fits consistently with the rest of the Jaguar line, while the performance goes quite beyond.

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AUTO Porsche Panamera Turbo S Engine: Twin-Turbo V-8 Horsepower: 550 Weight: 4350 lb 0-60: 3.2 sec Top Speed: 190 mph Design: a Performance: a Staff Rating: a

The Panamera’s styling truly breaks the traditional sedan mold, and that is what we love to hate about it. Yes, a new take on the “same ole” was definitely needed, but was that a station wagon with Porsche insignia on it? Of course, Porsche realized that this wasn’t any old soccer mom’s car, so in making up for its outward appearance they made the performance absolutely incredible. Its 550 horses blast you to an incredible 0-60 time and an 11.4-second quarter mile. Wow! On the interior, fine leathers abound, but the center console is a bit button-busy, detracting a bit from the perception of the Porsche’s refinement. Personally, I’m not a fan, but several of our staffers love it.

Bentley Mulsanne Engine: Twin-Turbo V-8 Horsepower: 505 Weight: 6036 lb 0-60: 4.9 sec Top Speed: 187 mph Design: Performance: Staff Rating:

Bentley needed a new automobile to replace its aging Arnage, and the Mulsanne is it. Beautiful, elegant and quite expensive, it is a 3-ton mammoth with plenty of power, too. I’m not sure the owner actually ever drives this car, but if he were to, he would instantly be impressed by its quickness. Any comfort you could possibly think of is inside this car, but you do end up paying for them all. The exterior is, however, absolutely beautiful. Where Porsche missed the mark on its sedan, Bentley hit it perfectly with its Mulsanne. The entire car, as long as a Suburban, is all about refined elegance. There is no line that is not perfect, and a beautiful leather-bound and wood-trimmed interior keep the car’s classy appearance through and through. A truly amazing piece of automotive craftsmanship.

BMW 760Li Engine: V-12 Horsepower: 535 Weight: 5026 lb 0-60: 4.5 sec Top Speed: 150 mph Design: a Performance: a Staff Rating: a

We could not write about the Audi, Jaguar, Mercedes and Porsche without also including BMW as part of our auto feature on sedans for the sophisticate. The new 760Li comes complete with a new active chassis management system called IMS. This new system will give the driver the choices of Comfort, Normal, Sport and Sport Plus settings, which will allow the car to adapt to your particular driving style. In the context of this feature, the new car is average to subpar, but what it lacked in performance, it made up for in design. There is no confusing the 760 with any of the other cars in the class. It has a touch of youthful sportiness to it that is hard to find among the other sedans.

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Call 201-236-1006 or visit Talk of the Town for a private demo.

M

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5 minutes brisk walk or jog 25 jumping jacks 10 alternating front lunges 15 arm circles (clockwise and counterclockwise)

(with dumbbells) Make sure you keep your upper body straight and that your back knee almost touches the floor.

Perform a push-up; at the bottom of the rep, explode off the ground (hands should leave the floor) landing with soft elbows.

Sit on the floor with a medicine ball, legs in front of you with knees slightly bent. Lean back to engage your core; touch the floor with the ball (side to side).

Hold dumbbells at your side, squat down until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Return to start position.

Lower into a squat, jump up and land with soft knees; repeat for 30-40 seconds.

For 30-90 seconds, lie flat on the floor (face down) with elbows underneath your shoulders. Lift your body off the floor so that your hips are the same height as your shoulders. Hold the position.

Choose a favorite type of cardio machine — bike, treadmill, elliptical, etc. Do intervals of 20 to 40 seconds at a high intensity, followed by a recovery time of at least 40 to 60 seconds. Do this for at least 10 minutes and gradually work up to doing for 20 minutes.

HOLIDAY 2011

In banking and in life…

Free is its own reward!

The FREE benefits of a Bogota Savings Bank relationship: • FREE Debit Card with no ATM fees.* • FREE Personal Checking or Free Business Checking.

• FREE Unlimited Online Banking and Bill Pay. • FREE Mobile Banking.

Contact your local Bogota Savings Bank for details, or just click  www.BogotaSavingsBank.com Visit one of our convenient branches ~ Open 7 days a week.

Bogota ~ Saturday 9 – 12 • Teaneck ~ Sunday 9 – 12 • 201-862-0660

Small enough to know you, strong enough to serve you well!

Free personal checking account may be opened with a minimum of $25. There are no minimum balance requirements, transaction fees or monthly service fees. Free business checking may be opened with a minimum of $25. There are no minimum balance requirements and no monthly service charges for the Free business checking. No ATM fees, withdrawals relates to Bogota Savings Bank on premise ATM’s. Other bank’s ATM’s may charge a transaction fee.

Only one

hospital in Bergen County

holds this key.

Holy Name Medical Center was the only hospital in Bergen County and one of only 12 in New Jersey to be recognized as a Top Performer on Key Quality Measures.

We are proud to receive Top Performer recognition for heart attack, pneumonia and surgical care from The Joint Commission, the nation’s leading accrediting body for healthcare. Nationwide, Holy Name was in the top 14 percent of all Joint Commission–accredited hospitals to be recognized. So now you know who holds the key when it comes to top-quality care. For more information, call 1-877-HOLY-NAME (1-877-465-9626) or

visit holyname.org.

Healing begins here. • 718 Teaneck Road • Teaneck, NJ 07666 • www.holyname.org