Bergen: December 2018

VOLUME 18 ISSUE 11 | $3.95 | BERGENMAG.COM

VOLUME 18 ISSUE 11 | DECEMBER 2018

HEALTH & LIFE | FOOD & FASHION | HOME & HAPPENINGS

THE HOLIDAY ISSUE

THE HOLIDAY ISSUE nD ÉCOR: LESS REALLY CAN BE MORE nC OZY KNITS FOR COLD WEATHER n 4 GIVE-BACK GETAWAYS

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COMFY CHIC

by Ginger N’ Cream, Westwood

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EASY APPOINTMENTS. Book Online Join the thousands of patients who have made their Valley Medical Group primary and walk-in care appointments online.

We are here for you when you need us, and we offer lower copays than other centers in the area.

Evening and weekend appointments are available.

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All 10 of our Primary and Walk-in Care Centers are now accepting online, real-time appointments.

WALK-IN CARE HOURS*

NANUET | 845-623-4000

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MONTVALE | 201-930-1700

OAKLAND | 201-651-9635 ShopRite of Oakland 14 Post Road, Oakland, NJ 07436

RIVERDALE | 973-835-7290 72 Hamburg Turnpike Riverdale, NJ 07457

WAYNE | 973-709-0099 759 Hamburg Turnpike Wayne, NJ 07470

WAYNE | 973-706-0238 1578 Rt. 23 North, Suite 100 Wayne, NJ 07470

TEANECK | 201-836-7664 780 Cedar Lane Teaneck, NJ 07666

85 Chestnut Ridge Road Montvale, NJ 07645

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KEEP YOUR ATHLETE SAFE. PROPERLY-FITTED MOUTHGUARDS HELP PREVENT DENTAL AND FACIAL INJURIES.

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CONTENTS

{ DECEMBER 2018 }

CASUAL CHIC You don’t have to sacrifice comfort for style with these sophisticated looks.

p.

Features

52

Are You At Risk? | 50

Peripheral artery disease, a sometimes symptomless condition, can increase an individual’s risk of heart attack and stroke.

A Simple Holiday | 56

Nothing against opulent celebrations, but sometimes— with all the stresses in life—less really is more.

A Chat With... | 64

Upper Saddle River’s Rockette mom Nicole Baker tells what it’s like to perform in that famous chorus line at Radio City.

Holiday Eats | 66 Here’s a simple—yet elegant— three-course meal that’s perfect for when guests stop by.

Bergen’s Givers | 72

Meet eight special citizens who show a holiday-like spirit of generosity year-round.

IN EVERY ISSUE

10 Editor’s Note 104 Be There 108 Where to Eat

ON THE COVER: Coat by Sanctuary, sweater by DO+BE, skirt by J.O.A., boots by Lucky Brand, tights by Levante all available at Ginger N’ Cream, Westwood. Photography by Daniel Springston.

BERGENMAG.COM

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CONTENTS

Departments Bergen Buzz | 21 Our guide to new ideas, tips, trends and things we love in the county.

For Men Only | 28

Who said you can’t stay warm and look good too?

Style Watch | 32

Adding comfy sweaters to your winter wardrobe is a no-brainer.

Jewelry Box | 34

These statement brooches will make your holiday outfit sparkle.

Home Front | 36

Wood-wrapped seating adds warmth to family rooms.

Talk of the Town | 38

While it is a hub for shopping and dining, Ridgewood maintains its historic charm.

Escapes | 78

Any vacation will do you good. But these trips do good for others too.

Power Food | 80

In a ranking of the most nutrient-filled superfoods, watercress took top honors.

Who knew?

Tastes | 86

68 56

92

These succulent veggie side dishes just might outshine the entrée.

Spirits | 92

There’s nothing to mull over here—this toasty, spicy cocktail is an obvious pick for the season.

Gatherings | 100

Whether it’s at a charity Oktoberfest or a “spooky stroll,” Bergenites show support for their friends and neighbors.

Restaurant Review | 106

The Dominican flavor is alive at El Conuco in Cliffside Park.

A Bergen Moment | 112

A local photographer at Van Saun Park captures a young couple’s love and the holiday spirit.

BERGENMAG.COM

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Ginger STORES Women, Children & Home

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A season to shine Like clockwork, the end-of-the-year festivities have again quickly snuck up on us.

Think about how many times in your life you’ve thought (or maybe even exclaimed aloud), “I can’t believe the holidays are here already!”

In the past, I usually followed the sentiment by frantically drafting lists: people to see, gifts to buy, cards to write, food to cook, decorations to hang.

But the story’s different today: Instead of feeling the stress and pressure of December, I’m immediately filled with excitement. In putting together this year’s Holiday Issue, our hopes were to not only fill you with a festive spirit but also give you ideas that might relieve some of your early winter worries.

Let’s say, for example, you’re hosting a get-together and want to fill your home with holiday joy. If over-the-top decor isn’t your cup of tea, turn to “A Simple Holiday” on page 56, where four Bergen Countybased designers offer decorating advice that, when followed, proves less really can be more.

Hunting for the best gifts to slide under the tree or stuff a stocking is always a challenge, but this issue is packed with dozens of ideas to make everyone happy. The ladies in your life, for instance, will love one (or more) of the cozy and stylish sweaters featured in “Casual Chic” on page 52 or the brooches in “Pin Me” (page 34). For the guys, we’ve curated a selection of wardrobe essentials that every man needs in his closet. See the looks in “Top It Off,” starting on page 28. A great family gift would be a trip to New York City to see the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes. On page 64, Upper Saddle River resident Nicole Baker talks to BERGEN as she enters her 13th season with the eye-high-kicking dancers. If you’re still looking for the perfect present, turn to Bergen Buzz (page 21) and find out what BERGEN staff members want to give and receive!

I’d be remiss not to mention this month’s travel feature, “Volunteering Vacations,” beginning on page 78. In the spirit of the season, we highlight four family-friendly getaways where you can give back and help others. A holiday to preserve wildlife in New Zealand? A trip to build a school in Morocco? Where do I sign up?

We hope these and all the articles in this issue put you at ease (even for a little bit) this season. On that note, it’s time to join family and friends for the most wonderful time of the year. I wish all of you a warm and safe holiday, and happy new year!

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Contributing Designer EILEEN CRABILL Contributing Photographers ALEX CRAWFORD, DANIEL SPRINGSTON PRODUCTION

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BE SOCIAL Join our online community!

LIKE us on Facebook: BergenMag FOLLOW us on Twitter: @BergenMag SEE our photos on Instagram: @BergenMagNJ VIEW our boards on Pinterest: HealthandLife SEND YOUR FEEDBACK AND IDEAS TO: Editor, BERGEN, 110 Summit Ave., Montvale, NJ 07645; fax 201.782.5319; email editor@wainscotmedia.com.

BERGEN assumes no responsibility for the return of unsolicited manuscripts or art materials.

BERGEN is published 11 times a year

by Wainscot Media, 110 Summit Ave., Montvale, NJ 07645. This is Volume 18, Issue 11. © 2018 by Wainscot Media LLC. All rights reserved. Subscriptions in U.S. outside of Bergen County: $14 for one year.

Single copies: $3.95. Material contained herein is intended for informational purposes only. If you have medical concerns, seek the guidance of a healthcare professional.

Design Showrooms: Edison | Morris Plains | Bayonne | Orange | Lakewood | Matawan | Green Brook | Flemington For additional locations please visit our website

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Publisher THOMAS FLANNERY Associate Publisher MARY MASCIALE ADVERTISING

Senior Account Executives MARY LIMA, JENNIFER SWEETWOOD, MAURA HUNTER TEMPLETON Account Executives BRIDGET JULIANO, PEARL LISS Director, Special Programs LAURA A. DOWDEN MARKETING, DIGITAL & OPERATIONS

Director of Marketing and Digital Media NIGEL EDELSHAIN Associate Editor GIANA BRUCELLA Advertising Services Director JACQUELYNN FISCHER Controller AGNES ALVES Senior Staff Accountant MEGAN FRANK Manager, Office Services and Information Technology CATHERINE ROSARIO PUBLISHED BY WAINSCOT MEDIA

Chairman CARROLL V. DOWDEN President & CEO MARK DOWDEN Senior Vice Presidents SHAE MARCUS CARL OLSEN Vice Presidents NIGEL EDELSHAIN THOMAS FLANNERY RITA GUARNA CHRISTINE HAMEL

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES Please contact Thomas Flannery at 201.571.2252 or thomas.flannery@wainscotmedia.com.

SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES To inquire about a subscription, to change an address or to purchase a back issue or a reprint of an article, please write to BERGEN, Circulation Department, 110 Summit Ave., Montvale, NJ 07645; telephone 201.573.5541; email christine.hamel@wainscotmedia.com.

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WHAT YOU CAN FIND ON BERGENMAG.COM RIGHT NOW

FASHIONABLE FUNDRAISER Did you miss the Don Bosco Prep Mothers’ Guild Fashion Show or do you want to relive the party? Turn to Gatherings on page 108 to see images from the festivities, then visit bergenmag.com/donbosco to see even more photos of the fashion, entertainment and people who made the event a success.

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WHAT’S ON OUR LIST? Are you looking for some gift ideas this season? Turn to Bergen Buzz to see what Editor-in-Chief Rita Guarna and Lifestyle Editor Haley Longman are giving (and hoping to receive) this year, then visit bergenmag.com/wishlist to see what’s on other staff members’ wish lists.

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BEST OF THE BEST It’s that time again! Choose your favorite bakery, day spa, sushi spot, sports bar and more in the 2019 Best In Bergen Readers’ Choice Awards. Cast your ballots at BergenMag.com/bestinvoting beginning Jan. 10. Then stay tuned for more info on BergenFest, where we’ll celebrate the winners!

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Watch nature’s majestic shows...

...or a Manhattan matinée.

Naturalist and author E.O. Wilson once wrote, “Nature holds the key to our aesthetic, intellectual, cognitive, and even spiritual satisfaction.” We couldn’t agree more. Located on Christian Health Care Center’s 78-acre campus, The Vista is a new Continuing Care Retirement Community in northern New Jersey that will offer myriad opportunities to commune with nature and enjoy spectacular views of the Ramapo Mountains.

Nestled within verdant woodlands, you’ll be conveniently located near the many shopping, dining, medical, spiritual, and entertainment destinations you know and love. When you want to enjoy big-city attractions such as museums, boutiques, and the theatre, you’re but an hour away from New York City.

Make an appointment to view The Vista’s future site. Call (201) 904-4300 today.

All architectural renderings are conceptual and subject to change.

CEDAR HILL PLAZA 525 Cedar Hill Avenue | Wyckoff, NJ 07481 (201) 904-4300 | TheVista.org Anticipated completion late 2020 The purpose of this material is to solicit nonbinding reservations. A nonbinding reservation is not a contract and may be cancelled by the prospective purchaser at any time, without cause. Any money paid to the developer should be refunded to the prospective purchaser upon the request and cancellation of the nonbinding reservation. CHCC is a non-profit organization and is open to anyone regardless of race, sex or religion.

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THE JOYS OF JELLY DONUTS ’Tis not only the season for eggnog and gingerbread. It’s lucky that Bergen County is the place to get some of the best kosher jelly donuts, known in Hebrew as “sufganiyot,” for those eight nights of Hanukkah. Is there anything not to like about fried pieces of dough stuffed with jam and topped with powdered sugar? Get in line to enjoy these sweet treats for the Festival of Lights and beyond.

Butterflake Bakery Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is the busiest time of year for Butterflake Bakery, but Hanukkah is a close second. Customers come from all over the tri-state area to get a bite of their trademark donuts—they even mail orders out via one-day shipping to Boston and Maryland—and it’s no wonder given their extensive selection. Jelly custard, caramel, Boston crème, Oreo, lemon meringue, apple pie, churros and the fan-favorite pizza donut are just some of Butterflake’s offerings for 2018. They also have mini munchkins for the kids and a “drunkin donut” filled with vodka, bourbon or scotch for the adults. “We love to push the envelope,” says owner Richard

Heisler. “We also have dreidel cookies, menorah cookies and gingerbread Hanukkah houses. During Hanukkah, we fry 14, 15 hours a day straight. We’re on the forefront of creating a wonderful Hanukkah experience when it comes to desserts.”

• Butterflake Bakery, 448 Cedar Lane, Teaneck, 201.836.3516, butterflake.com.

Bread Boutique and Café Bread Boutique & Café’s vast selection of Hanukkah donuts was a hit in 2017. This year, owner Tali Siso says, it will expand its menu further with a huge variety of flavors. Besides traditional jelly donuts, customers can choose from “dolce de leche, smores, pistachio, Oreo and chocolate with M&Ms for kids,” she says, plus Mediterranean-inspired lotus donuts, which were a best-seller. The treats come in both dairy and dairy-free options and are baked fresh daily in-house.

• Bread Boutique and Café, 15 West Railroad Ave., Tenafly, 917.514.6380, breadboutiqueandcafe.com.

Zadies Bake Shop Zadies of Fair Lawn takes the opposite approach, selling only the traditional jelly donuts, which are fried, filled with custard and topped with powdered sugar. “Realistically we’re just trying to put in the maximum effort and quality control,” says Adam Steinberg, who co-owns the bakery with his father and brother. Customers who shop at Zadies yearround for cakes, challahs and pies look forward to the donuts, which are only available for the holidays. “The donuts are really popular and we get really good reviews on them,” he adds.

“We make a pretty darn good jelly donut.”

• Zadies Bake Shop, 19–09 Fair Lawn Ave., Fair Lawn, 201.796.6565, zadiesbakeshop.com.

P.S.: If you don’t keep kosher but still want a good jelly donut (for Hanukkah or whenever the mood strikes), try our other favorite donut shops: • D’Ercole Donuts, Northvale (201.768.0360); • Glaze Donuts, New Milford (201.483.8634); • Donut King, Norwood (201.767.1723).

DID YOU KNOW? New Jersey is the only state in the U.S. to outlaw the sale of home-baked goods. Any ambitious entrepreneur has to bake their cake pops, pies and, yes, donuts in a licensed kitchen...or move to any other state in the union.

BERGENMAG.COM

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Two terrific teens

Color of the year

Theater, performed on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and won first place on Fox’s Showtime at the Apollo. Not bad. n Saddle River Day School has a star in its ranks. Basketball player Michelle Sidor scored her 1,000th point as a sophomore and then became the county’s first junior to reach 2,000 points. That year she was dubbed “North Jersey’s most coveted athlete,” and as a senior she’s not slowing down. The Hackensack resident has made the state’s Top 10 all-time scoring list.

After a lengthy recruitment process, Sidor has accepted an offer to play at the University of Michigan after she graduates. Go Michelle!

Benjamin Moore Metropolitan AF-690

Greige is here to stay. Montvale-based paint distributor Benjamin Moore has declared Metropolitan AF-690, a grayish beige, its Color of the Year for 2019. The company says the understated hue exudes “glamour, beauty and balance,” and we say it’d be the perfect complementary color for any room in the home.

A TRUE LEGEND

Stars, they’re just like us. John Legend pulled up in a black SUV to the 7-Eleven on Hackensack Street in Wood-Ridge one morning in October, where two local officers were selling tickets to their fundraiser breakfast.

The EGOT winner (that’s Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony, the showbiz equivalent of “hitting for the cycle”), likely on his way to Teterboro Airport, didn’t have time for chit-chat and declined the officers’ invitation to attend the event, but did donate $20 to the cause.

Leveling the Playing Field Arenas and stadiums are surely making strides when it comes to accommodating those with disabilities, but Gary Noll is taking it even further. The Wood-Ridge resident, who is deaf, is an avid sports fan who’s spent the bulk of his adult life advocating for equalizing the sports experience for the hearing impaired. How? By writing and speaking to guest services, venue managers and others at tristate area arenas about the importance of having closed captioning for the public address announcer at sporting events. He’s already had success at Prudential Center in Newark for Devil’s games, Red Bulls Arena in Harristown for Red Bulls games and for sporting events at his alma maters, Rutgers and Seton Hall. Next, he’s aiming big with Madison Square Garden, home to the Rangers and Knicks. And why shouldn’t he?

Photos/Clockwise from top left: Rob Davidson; Benjamin Moore; A.PAES / Shutterstock.com; Shutterstock

n How many teens do you know who’ve been compared to Stevie Wonder? Hackensack piano prodigy Matthew Whitaker, 17, is one.

The musician, who was born blind, has been tickling the ivories since he was 3, won Amateur Night at the Apollo at 9 and became the youngest talent ever to be endorsed by the Hammond Organ Company at 13. Two years later he was named the youngest-ever Yamaha Piano Artist, and he has performed at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Newark’s Prudential Center, the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and across Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Whitaker also opened for the legendary Wonder at the Apollo

DID YOU KNOW? New year, same NJ Transit problems. Many commuter trains along the Main and Bergen County lines (plus lines in other counties too) will be undergoing route changes and train suspensions at least until mid-January. Check njtransit.com or call 973.275.5555, and plan your commute accordingly!

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WHERE OUR TEAM BELIEVES IN

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{ BERGEN BUZZ }

HOLIDAY SHOPPERS’

SCHOOL’S OUT, BUT ART’S IN You’ll likely need something to entertain the kids over holiday break, right? These local make-yourown art studios will keep your little Picassos occupied…and keep you sane.

Art Brainz Academy This studio offers a variety of classes— painting, drawing and ceramics—for both advanced and budding artists.

Art Brainz Academy, Waldwick, 201.932.0202

Bazaar Star Beadery Walk right in to make one-of-a-kind necklaces, bracelets, anklets or earrings with their vast selection of loose beads in all shapes, sizes and colors.

Bazaar Star Beadery, Ridgewood, 201.444.5144

Color Me Mine Paint and decorate a pre-made ceramic item such as a serving plate, a cartoon character or a seasonal Christmas tree at this popular chain store.

Color Me Mine, Ridgewood, 201.445.4898

Painting Pottery Café Don’t let its name deceive you—Painting Pottery Café also offers clay handbuilding, glass fusing, canvas painting, mosaics, wine glass painting and pencil drawing for both kids and adults.

Painting Pottery Café, Englewood, 201.871.5958

WAYFAIR another way Talk about counter-trendy: Now a big online furniture retailer is trying out the brick-and-mortar concept— temporarily. Wayfair, which sells thousands of items for every room in the home, has opened a pop-up shop at Westfield Garden State Plaza for the holiday season.

The 400-square-foot shop located outside Lord & Taylor carries 300 products, including bestselling furniture and decorative items from Wayfair’s online catalog, as well as some holiday decor. There are also interior design experts on hand to help customers create custom furniture and tackle home design projects. The pop-up is open during the mall’s normal business hours of 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. (closed Sundays), and it closes for good Jan. 1.

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PET PEEVES Buying gifts this time of year is never as much fun as it should be—we’d all rather not have to deal with long lines, aggressive customers and “All I Want For Christmas Is You” playing on every store’s loudspeaker. Bergen County residents share their other gripes with holiday shopping. n “Texting while walking around the crowded mall is just rude.” —Thecla Jones, Teaneck n “I hate that stores don’t have a separate line for returns. The holidays are a time when people are buying and returning a lot. Make the process smoother by having a separate return line!” —Ariana Dalezman, Teaneck n “Trying to find a parking spot during the holidays, especially at Garden State Plaza. I think it literally took us half an hour one time. My husband has no patience.” —Fara Simon, Montvale n “Clothes shoppers who don’t refold sweaters or put jackets back on hangers have no manners. At least try to make the display nice for the next person.” —Renato Villegas, River Edge n “People shouldn’t be on the phone when they’re paying a cashier. It’s a distraction to you and whoever is working the register.” —Kevin Coburn, Westwood

DECEMBER 2018

11/20/18 9:09 AM

Bergen County premier full service S A L O N A N D SPA . e x te ns ions | e yel ashe s | sk inc are | w axing | nai ls br idal s er v ices available

317 Franklin Turnpike, Allendale, NJ 07401 | 201.327.7615 | willowandedge.com

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{ BERGEN BUZZ }

CULINARY CORNER A BAGEL A DAY… Everything Bagel surely lives up to its name. The brand-new breakfast spot in Paramus, run by father-son duo Elliot and Andrew Cohen, has your typical fresh coffee, cookies and pastries on the menu, but the Cohens pride themselves on their unique bagels and seasonal flavors—think pumpkin spice for fall and bagels shaped like hearts and shamrocks for Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day, respectively. Everything Bagel also takes custom orders and makes novelty bagels to fit kids’ birthday-party themes with doughy delights shaped like sports balls or animals.

• Everything Bagel, 483 Rte. 17 S., Paramus, 201.599.9999, everythingbagel.net.

Were you one of the 3,100 New Jersey residents who participated in the New York City Marathon on Nov. 4—or were you cheering the runners on from the sidelines? Bergen County’s finishers made us proud, averaging 4 hours and 57 minutes in the 26.2-mile run. Special kudos to the county’s top five finishers, listed below by ranking: MEN: Cole Dailey, 35, Rutherford, 2:39:09, 158th place Isaac Markel, 25, Teaneck, 2:39:51, 171st Evgeny Beletskiy, 32, Teaneck, 2:44:06, 268th WOMEN: Caroline Day, 20, Northvale, 3:01:05, 1,273rd Giuseppa Maceri, 38, Fort Lee, 3:12:45 2,398th

BEST IN BERGEN SEPTEMBER 2018 | $3.95 | BERGENMAG.COM | VOLUME 18 ISSUE 8

THE BEST OF BERGEN 2018

Online voting for next year’s Readers’ Choice Poll opens Jan. 10. Visit BergenMag. com/bestinvoting and let us know your favorite burger joint, deli, day spa and more. The results will be revealed in our September 2019 issue. Then stay tuned for info on BergenFest, where we’ll celebrate the winners.

VOLUME 18 ISSUE 8 | SEPTEMBER 2018

BIENVENIDAS, EL CONUCO Say “hola” to a new Dominican restaurant! El Conuco has opened its first Bergen County (and second North Jersey) location in Cliffside Park. Conuco means “parcel of land” in Spanish; the vast menu features traditional Dominican salads, beef, chicken, seafood, rice, soups and sandwiches, made from only the freshest, most natural ingredients.

• El Conuco, 455 Palisade Ave., Cliffside Park,

OFF AND RUNNING

HEALTH & LIFE | FOOD & FASHION | HOME & HAPPENINGS

THE BEST OF 2018

*

CIDER DONUTS at Demarest Farms

n EAT

& DRINK

n SHOP &

PLAY

n PAMPER

& MORE

523

WINNERS INSIDE!

201.945.9201, elconuco.com.

Rita Guarna, Editor-in-Chief

What I want: An iPhone X. No, not because it’s the latest and greatest, but because I’m still on the iPhone 5 (yes, people make fun of me). Sure, I’ve thought about upgrading, but I’ve loved its size, but it’s time.

What I’ll give: For gals, I love Voluspa candles.

They make great hostess gifts. Their lemon coco is a lovely scent that reminds me of lemon groves in Italy.

For guys, Dinner With DiMaggio, is a great choice. Who doesn’t love the Yankee Clipper, and the promise of learning some of the private icon’s secrets makes this a winner.

Lifestyle Editor

201.272.1900.

DINNER...and a movie If you missed it when it made its way through the filmfestival circuit across the U.S. and Italy, now’s your chance to stream Closter’s own Pizza Shop: An Italian-American Dream. The documentary, directed by Anthony Osso, chronicles Rudy’s Ristorante and Pizzeria, specifically how owners (and Osso’s father and uncle) Charlie and Fred Osso emigrated from Italy and lived out the American dream with their very own restaurant. To pay homage to the film, the developer of Closter Plaza hired muralist Jason Naylor, who created a colorful masterpiece on the restaurant’s 23-foot-tall wall that reads, “We love you to pizza.” Go to vimeo.com/ondemand/pizzashop to see the film, and take a trip to Rudy’s to see the mural in person.

Rudy’s, 55 Vervalen St., Closter, 201.768.8444, rudysitalianrestaurant.com BERGENMAG.COM

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Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, everyone deserves to unwrap something this holiday season. Here’s what we’ve been pining for, and what we can’t wait to give.

Haley Longman,

SAY ‘CHEESE’ If you’ve never tried khachapuri, the traditional Georgian baguette filled with cheese, you’ve been missing out. Good thing the new Georgian bakery in Fair Lawn offers multiple variations of this delight, plus more yummy options like salads, kebabs, homemade sauces and baked goods.

• Shoti Bread House, 14–29 River Rd., Fair Lawn, Bagels at Everything Bagel

EDITORS’ PICKS

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What I want: A Moncler puffer coat.

I’m ashamed that I’ve been wearing the same black peacoat for the past four winters, so it’s time to upgrade to a high-quality jacket that will actually keep me warm… and also last me another four winters.

What I’ll give: My soon-to-be-oneyear-old son is on the top of my list. His birthday is in late December so we’ll be doubling up on gifts for his birthday and for Hanukkah! I’m eyeing the Kidcraft Toy Kitchen and the FisherPrice Bright Beats Dance & Move BeatBo, though I’ve heard from mom friends that the songs from the latter might haunt my dreams.

DECEMBER 2018

11/21/18 12:25 PM

ITSNOTOPTIONAL.COM | 866-435-6731 LOCATED THROUGHOUT NEW JERSEY & NEW YORK CITY

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{ FOR MEN ONLY }

Top It Off Who said you can’t stay warm and look good too?

Waterville jacket, Sal Lauretta for Men, Midland Park, 201.444.1666; Canali half-zip sweater, Vero Uomo, Englewood, 201.894.1424; Johnnie-O flannel shirt, Nordstrom, Paramus, 201.843.1122.

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4.

3.

1.

2.

Ginger STORES

Women, Children & Home

GUID T F I E G

5.

7.

201-664-2440

Reach for the moon and the stars.

Celestial jewelry is so on trend this season.

2.

Ready for the holiday party season with a sleek and festive box clutch.

3.

Welcome friends and family with this long cutting board to serve challah bread or cheese and crackers. Yum.

4.

One can never have too many scarves, especially in festive cheery colors.

5.

Cozy slippers with loving sentiments are high on the want/need list.

6.

These beautiful, architectural, colored stemless glassware will wow any hostess with the mostest.

7.

Penguins and sleds, oh my. This whimsical print is perfect for the morning of the big day. Ready to tear open those presents. Starting young.

8.

Celebrate in style. Cheers to the New Year and every day. This ice scoop is a great grab bag gift.

9. + 10.

9.

Unicorns and fairies are on every girls’ mind. Pretty in pink and sure to bring a smile to that gorgeous face.

6.

8.

Ginger N’ Cream

1.

9.

Ginger

young contemporary

201-664-1107

@GingerNCream, @GingerNCreamKIDS

Ginger Kids &Tweens 201-358-KIDS

10.

Ginger Dream 201-497-6200

350-368 Center Avenue, Westwood NJ

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{ FOR MEN ONLY }

Jacket, sweater and shirt by Paul & Shark, Saks Off 5th, Paramus, 201.291.1949.

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C H I LT O N MEDICAL CENTER

ONE OF THE SAFEST HOSPITALS IN THE COUNTRY IS RIGHT HERE IN THE COMMUNITY

“A” is the highest grade given by the Leapfrog Group, an organization dedicated to patient safety. What’s more, Chilton Medical Center was voted #1 mid-size hospital by New Jersey doctors three years in a row. Atlantic Health System is proud to bring our best to the communities we serve.

Source: The Leapfrog Group, a national patient safety group

To learn more visit atlantichealth.org/chilton

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AUTUMN CASHMERE BOXY FUNNEL NECK W/ TWIST SEAMS Hartly, Westwood, 201.664.3111

Knit Wits

{ STYLE WATCH } TORY BURCH KIMBERLY BELL SLEEVE SWEATER Tory Burch, Hackensack, 201.996.9409

TOPSHOP DOGTOOTH CHUNKY ROLL NECK SWEATER Nordstrom, Paramus, 201.843.1122

JONATHAN SIMKHAI STRIPED MIXED-STITCH COTTON SWEATER barneyswarehouse.com

Adding comfy sweaters to your winter wardrobe is a no-brainer.

MILLY VARSITY STRIPE WOOL BLEND SWEATER Boutique 811, Franklin Lakes, 201.485.8650

VERONICA BEARD MARLY LEOPARD-PRINT CREWNECK Hartly, Westwood, 201.664.3111 MAJE JACQUARD KNIT SWEATER Maje, Paramus, 201.843.8591 BERGENMAG.COM

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{ JEWELRY BOX }

DRAGONFLY BROOCH Eli Jewels, Ramsey, 201.291.4200

CARTIER PANTHER PANTHÈRE 18K TRI-COLOR GOLD PIN BROOCH, fortrove.com

OSCAR DE LA RENTA CRYSTAL PAVÉ LEAF BROOCH Neiman Marcus, Paramus, 201.291.1920

Pin Me

These statement brooches make your holiday outfit sparkle.

LV WINDSOR FLEUR BROOCH Louis Vuitton, Hackensack, 201.489.4409

GEORGIAN EMERALD BOW BROOCH Arthur Groom & Co., Ridgewood, 201.670.0300

MIKIMOTO SPLASH PEARL AND DIAMOND PIN Sidney Thomas, Paramus, 201.226.9666

ALEXIS BITTAR LUCITE FLOWER & CRYSTAL SNAKE PIN Neiman Marcus, Paramus, 201.291.1920

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11/20/18 9:01 AM

Excellence in Brain and Spine Care — Northern NJ’s Largest Subspecialty Neurosurgery Practice —

Conditions treated: • Spinal stenosis • Disc herniation • Neck and back pain • Brain tumor surgery • Skull base surgery • Brain aneurysm • Brain AVM • Endovascular coiling

• Stroke • Brain hemorrhage • Hydrocephalus • Pediatric Neurosurgery • Deep brain stimulation • Functional and restorative neurosurgery

— Our Team of Doctors —

Roy Vingan, M.D.

Patrick Roth, M.D.

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K. Daniel Lee, M.D.

Harshpal Singh, M.D.

Mohammad Khan, M.D.

Timothy Vogel, M.D.

Robert Goodman, M.D.

Giorgio Rotoli, D.O.

Oradell (Main) Office: 680 Kinderkamack Rd. | 201.342.2550 Hackensack Office: 20 Prospect Ave, 907 | 201.342.2550 www.northjerseybrainspine.com

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{ HOME FRONT }

BANK POUF Lazzoni Furniture, Paramus, 201.556.0606

HEXAGON STORAGE OTTOMAN CB2, Paramus, 201.472.5799 SPIN DINING ARM CHAIR David Sutherland Showroom, New York, 212.871.9717

Just Encase

OSCAR DINING CHAIR reaganhayes. com

Wood-wrapped seating adds warmth to family rooms.

RICK 17 DINING CHAIR Safavieh Home Furnishings, Paramus, 201.291.0200

SHERWOOD LEATHER EXPOSED WOOD SOFA Crate & Barrel, Paramus, 201.986.2999

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{ TALK OF THE TOWN }

HOUSING COSTS The median home value in Ridgewood is $706,100, down 1.5 percent over the past year and predicted to rise 4.9 percent within the next year, according to Zillow.

WELCOME TO

Ridgewood

LOCALS LOVE

Even a top-ranked bedroom community with just the right dose of historical charm, community spirit and downtown trendiness had to start somewhere. For Ridgewood, that first step came in 1698 with Johannes Van Emburgh’s purchase of 250 acres. He built the first house here in 1700, and while we don’t know what it sold for, we’re sure it was a far cry from the $2 million price tag that some of the village’s finest homes command today.

The secret of Ridgewood’s success lies in how it developed— embracing the future while also cherishing the past. Ridgewood boasts 12 sites on the National Register of Historic Places—which is quite a bounty for a nearly six-square-mile community—and many of these spots have been woven into the fabric of town life.

One of the old-time treasures that remains a contemporary gem is Graydon Park; the natural swimming area in a tree-lined setting provides an idyllic refuge and the adjacent skateboard park inspires some rad moves from the daring. The site is named after Samuel

Graydon, who not only donated the land in 1912 but also kicked off a summer tradition by damming up the nearby brook each year to increase the swim area. Folks would come to cool off and picnic then, and the ritual continues today. Right next door is Veterans Field, where many a homerun has been hit, and the Kasschau Bandshell, known for 60 years of free summer concerts. And just a stone’s throw away is Ridgewood Wild Duck Pond, where residents can enjoy a waterside stroll, picnic or walk with a furry friend to the dog park.

And as any good fashionista knows, exercise comes in all forms.

For those who would rather shake off the pounds exploring the stores, Ridgewood does not disappoint. For women, some of the selections include Femmebot Clothing, Fox’s of Ridgewood, alba contemporary boutique and Savvy Chic Consignment; for men, there’s Gap, Victor’s and Biltmore Tuxedos. But if weight loss is really your aim, be warned: The downtown is also bursting with restaurants with menus too tempting to pass on by.

FUN FACTS

DINING

n The McGuire Air Force Base was named after Major Thomas B. McGuire Jr., a Ridgewood resident and World War II flying ace who was awarded a posthumous Medal of Honor. n The Old Paramus Reformed Church, a local historic site, was a haunt of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. n Many sport notables hail from the village: the late Bowie Kuhn, the longtime baseball commissioner; Younghoe Koo, former NFL kicker (pictured); Todd Demsey, professional golfer; and even competitive eater L.A. Beast, aka Kevin Strahle.

Start the day with pancakes smothered with strawberries at Country Pancake House and Restaurant and you’ll have reason to smile. This restaurant is owned by family, who will treat you like family with generous portions you’re not likely to finish. Raymond’s is upscale dining and comfort food combined. Best lunch and best brunch are just a few of the accolades Raymond’s has gathered over the years. Start your dinner with smoked chicken wings but leave room for the sausage rigatoni. Steel Wheel Tavern boasts a menu with locally sourced ingredients (for instance, free range chicken from Goffle Road Poultry Farm in Wyckoff) that’ll tempt vegetarians and meat eaters alike.

MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME Approximately $144,734, according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau statistics.

Clockwise from top: Steve Fretz; Joondong Kim; Steel Wheel Tavern; Kevin Sullivan

Although a hub for shopping and dining, the village maintains its historic charm.

n M eeting a celebrated author and taking home a good read from Bookends Bookstore in the heart of the downtown. n F inding trendy gifts and home decor items at Pazzazed. n E njoying a cup of java and a treat at one of the village’s many independent coffeeshops.

DID YOU KNOW? Ridgewood was once a destination for live entertainment and movies. The former Playhouse Theater sat 800 patrons for film and stage shows before it was converted into office and retail space, while the Opera House (present day Van Neste Square) served the movie-going crowd.

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RIDGEWOOD

Our restaurant is as unique as the pearl…

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Pearl creates a new menu each day using protein and produce from local farms and markets. Nonna Carmela from Sicily makes fresh pasta daily (gnocchi, Cavatelli, etc.).

Open 7 days for dinner • 3 course prix fix menu Sunday thru Thursday $26.95 PARTY ROOM AND GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE MAKE YOUR EASTER RESERVATIONS TODAY!

Pearl Restaurant Italian American Nouvelle Cuisine

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17 SOUTH BROAD ST. RIDGEWOOD, NEW JERSEY 201.857.5100 PEARLRIDGEWOOD.COM

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30 Cottage Place Ridgewood, NJ 07450 30 Cottage Place |Ridgewood, NJ 07450 (201) 389-6900 SavvyChicConsignment.com

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CONSIGNMENT BOUTIQUE

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Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days a week Thank You

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READERS’ CHOICE

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READERS’ CHOICE

HOME OF THE HEARTY PANCAKE It’s worth the trip from anywhere to the famous Country Pancake House & Restaurant.

Customers leave our restaurant with a smile on their face and a doggie bag in hand.

SUN-THURS 6:30AM–9PM | FRI & SAT 6:30AM–10PM 140 East Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201.444.8395 | countrypancakehouse.net

FIRST PLACE

2015

CONSIGNMENT SHOP

READERS’ CHOICE

CONSIGNMENT BOUTIQUE

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30 Cottage Place Ridgewood, NJ 07450 (201) 389-6900 | SavvyChicConsignment.com

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SPEND MORE

Thur 11-7, Fri 11-6, Sat 11-5, Sun Closed

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WITH THIS AD (201) 389-6900 | SavvyChicConsignment.com

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2016

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

WOME N TO WATCH

S P E C I A L A D V E RT I S I N G S E C T I O N

WOMEN TO WATCH WOMEN TO WATCH Bergen County is home to some of the most innovative and successful businesses Bergen County is home to some in of the the country. most M&T Bank Many are owned and led by women.

45 Eisenhower Drive, 4th Floor innovative and successful businesses in the country.

Shannon Lazare

Paramus, NJ 07652 201.368.4538 | mtb.com

Many are owned and led by women.

On the following pages, learn more about them A recipient of the “40 under 40�

Award by NJ Biz, Shannon Lazare is how they plan to be difference-makers Onand the following pages, learn more about them President of the Mahwah Regional the year Chamber of Commerce and a Board and how theyin plan to beahead. difference-makers Member with Jersey Cares and BVMI.

With 15 years of banking experience, Shannon is a Team Leader with M&T Bank, directing a team of relationship managers in northern New Jersey. Her team provides business owners with tools that will allow WomentoWatch_Cover_FINAL.indd 1 them to grow and maintain their businesses through changing economic environments.

WomentoWatch_Cover_FINAL.indd 1 Working with both start-ups and businesses with up to $20,000,000 in revenue, Shannon and her team offer customized solutions that include Lines of Credit, equipment financing and more.

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in the year ahead.

11/1/18 8:58 AM

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WOME N TO WATCH

Lynn White Sutton East Boutique 300 Franklin Ave., Wyckoff, NJ 07481 201.891.2900 | suttoneastboutique.com When Lynn White opened Sutton East Boutique in 1972, her goal was to encourage women to find their true style. Lynn’s approach has never wavered from that goal. Today, decades later, she continues to “style” her clients in timeless pieces reflecting each woman’s personality.

Lynn’s passion for empowering women doesn’t stop at fashion.

Committed to helping women find their best and authentic version of themselves, especially when faced with challenging life situations, she orchestrated a fundraiser in 2003. The idea for this event originated from Lynn’s personal interaction with women facing a breast cancer diagnosis, and is now known as The Angels of Hope Foundation. With Lynn’s guidance and with impressive donor support, the foundation has funded several life-changing projects, including those at The John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center.

According to Lynn, her passion AND her compassion allow her to coax the inner beauty out of every woman.

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Linda Granert, ASID, NJ CID

WOME N TO WATCH

Granert Interior Planning & Design LLC 225 Franklin Ave., Suite 3 Midland Park, NJ 07432 201.251.8377 granertinteriordesignnj.com Award-winning interior designer Linda Granert brings over 30 years of professional design experience and impressive credentials to every engagement. Linda’s passion for art and aesthetics is reflected in all of her designs, which can be seen throughout the Metropolitan Area.

As owner and principal designer of Granert Interior Planning and Design, Linda has built a loyal clientele in the residential, commercial, retail and healthcare areas.

Her signature style is recognizable by her use of color, as well as her unrivaled attention to detail. Linda’s impressive mastery of these skills lends dimension to all her stunning projects. She seamlessly blends modern and classical elements, successfully reflecting each client’s vision.

Since establishing her business in 1992, Linda has perfected the professional and collaborative relationship between client and designer. Through her love of design, Linda succeeds in achieving the style, timeless aesthetic and functionality that best fit their needs.

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Dr. Lori Nuzzi Nuzzi Chiropractic Lifestyle Wellness Center 12 Goffle Rd., Midland Park, NJ 07432 201.447.2570 | nuzzichiro.com Celebrating her 25th year in private practice, Dr. Nuzzi is one of few Certified Pediatric and Prenatal Chiropractic Physicians. Her holistic approach is summarized in her frequent reference to the three “Rs,” representing her dedication to Relieve pain, Rehabilitate from injury and Renew a commitment to a healthier lifestyle.

Passionate about restoring the wholeness of each patient, Dr. Nuzzi states, “I am blessed to have the privilege of caring for several generations within one family.”

Nationally recognized as a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician with collegiate student-athletes from more than fifty universities and colleges, Dr. Nuzzi is active in her local business community and a member of the Association of New Jersey Chiropractors.

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WOME N TO WATCH

Dr. Nuzzi and her team of therapists and lifestyle coaches blend chiropractic care for adults and children with state-of-the-art pain therapy, therapeutic and sports massage, guided exercise and weight-loss counseling to achieve the desired personal health care plan.

11/21/18 12:14 12:05 PM

Adelfi Molina, D.D.S., F.A.G.D.

WOME N TO WATCH

Dental Arts of Hackensack, PC 176 Summit Ave., Hackensack, NJ 07601 201.525.0202 dentalartsnj.com When Dr. Adelfi Molina reflects upon her professional successes, it’s her passion to help others for which she is most proud. Every day she demonstrates that by blending science and art and exercising grace and dignity, she not only creates beautiful smiles, but transforms her patients’ lives.

Practicing since 1988, Dr. Molina’s passion for dentistry has driven her to evolve and excel, granting her prestigious honors such as the Academy of General Dentistry Fellowship Award (F.A.G.D). Her path is a story of determination and fortitude and a message to go above and beyond.

Dr. Molina’s first priority is to integrate dentistry with care using advanced technologies to deliver the most comfortable experience.

In a profession of few Latino women, she is an inspiration and role model for women all over the world to follow their dreams.

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Wostbrock Home 225 Goffle Road, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201.445.0807 | wostbrockhome.com

WOME N TO WATCH

Heidi Wostbrock and Krista Wostbrock

Wostbrock Home, now headed by the third generation Wostbrock family, offers full-service Interior Design.

Heidi Wostbrock directs the showroom, manages the design team and acts as a liaison between designers and the trade. Designer Krista Wostbrock is passionate about showcasing her clients’ spirit through interior design.

Working with clients from beginning to completion on every project, the Wostbrock team makes it look easy. Heidi and Krista want their clients to know that no job is too big or too small, and that their personal attention to detail is a guarantee.

Wostbrock is a one-stop shop for all things home, including flooring, furniture, window treatments, lighting and accessories. Wostbrock Home serves a diverse group of clients, and appropriately, uses its endless resources to achieve any type of design aesthetic, according to each client’s goals. Wostbrock also works with the trade, making its showroom and resources available to outside interior designers.

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Lauren Clancy IV+REVOLUTION™ 855.549.3728 | ivrevolution.com In 2016, Lauren Clancy established IV+REVOLUTION, New Jersey’s first I.V. vitamin therapy company. As a licensed medical practice, it specializes in intravenous vitamin therapy for a variety of purposes such as Immunity, Beauty, Athletic Recovery, Jet Lag, Energy, Hangover, Hydration and Weight Loss.

WOME N TO WATCH

Her professional Registered Nurses provide house calls throughout New Jersey, and offer special pricing for groups and special events. Lauren also has a Montclair location, by appointment, as well as a new Hoboken location (coming soon).

“I started this company to revolutionize the way people think about health and wellness. I.V. therapy delivers quick results to Re+Fuel, Re+Hydrate & Re+Vitalize.”

Dr. Grace E. Chin Twinkle Little Star Pediatric Dentistry 259 Kinderkamack Rd., Westwood, NJ 07675 201.358.0800 | twinklelittlestardentistry.com Dr. Grace Chin’s goal is to make sure that her young patients’ introduction to dentistry leads to a lifetime of superior dental health.

Dr.Chin knows the importance of treating patients with patience, whether it is a child’s first cleaning or a visit as part of treatment.

With an impressive educational background which includes having completed a Pediatric Dental Residency at NYU’s Pediatric Dentistry Program, Dr. Chin is a Board-certified pediatric dentist and clinical site director at Montefiore Medical Center’s Pediatric Dental Program, which allows her to work with future pediatric dentists, while keeping up-to-date with the latest dental innovations.

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Alexa Rae Alt Beauty by Alexa Rae 15 Sheridan Ave., Hohokus, NJ 07423 201.713.6938 | beautybyalexarae.com It has always been Alexa Rae’s dream of owning her own salon. After years of working in the industry she joined forces with Eric Alt and within two years their collaboration of Alt Beauty by Alexa Rae was born.

Advanced Gynecology and Laparoscopy of North Jersey 20 Wilsey Square, Suite C, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 2025 Hamburg Turnpike, Suite C, Wayne, NJ 07470 201.957.7220 | advancedgynnj.com Dr. Shaghayegh DeNoble and Sharon Ukleja, PA-C’s mission is to provide personalized gynecological health care in a comforting atmosphere. Dr. DeNoble’s minimally-invasive surgical training surpasses that of the average gynecologist, allowing her to use innovative medicine and technology. She focuses on nonsurgical procedures, such as the MonaLisa Touch™ and Votiva™.

The new Wayne location gives patients access to treatment with the doctor or Sharon Ukleja, a board-certified PA with 30 years of experience.

WOME N TO WATCH

Within her career she has won Best Makeup Artist in Bergen County. Her beauty bar specializes in special event hair and makeup, spray tans and both in salon and on location bridal services.

Shaghayegh DeNoble, MD, FACOG Sharon Ukleja, PA-C

Lara Henawi Ludovica 170 Westwood Ave., Westwood, NJ 07675 201.358.2313 shopludovica.com

Danielle Boldin and Jeannine DePhillips Flowers by Joan 22 West Prospect St., Waldwick, NJ 07463 201.670.6767 | flowersbyjoan.net Passionate about flowers, Jeannine and Danielle purchased Flowers by Joan a year ago, but it has been owned by successful women since 1993. Jeannine’s creativity was ignited when she began working at the shop 16 years ago.

When the business became available, Jeannine asked friend and sorority sister Danielle to buy Flowers by Joan. Each brings something special to their venture, with Danielle watching current trends for new ideas and Jeannine creating unique floral designs.

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Opened when owner Lara Henawi was just twenty years old, Ludovica will celebrate its fifth anniversary soon. Lara understands a girl’s desire to show her personality through her choice of clothing, but also realizes that not all buyers have the same budget.

Almost five years later, Ludovica continues to reflect Lara’s commitment to providing trendy, but affordable clothing, shoes and accessories. She is proud of the youthful perspective and personalized attention she offers her clients.

11/21/18 12:17 12:05 PM

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• AFFILIATED WITH HACKENSACK UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, PALISADES MEDICAL CENTER, CHILTON HOSPITAL AND HACKENSACK SURGERY CENTER

11/20/18 11:12 AM

{ HEALTH }

PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE:

ARE YOU AT RISK? This serious, sometimes symptomless condition increases an individual’s risk of heart attack and stroke.

SYMPTOMS

TO WATCH FOR Some people with peripheral artery disease may not experience any symptoms. For those who do, symptoms may include: • Claudication—heaviness, tiredness or cramping in the leg that occurs during activity and resolves after the activity is stopped • Sores on toes, feet or legs that heal slowly or not at all • Pain in the legs or feet that wakes you up or prevents sleep • Color changes in the feet, particularly blueness • Poor nail growth or decreased hair growth on the legs • A lower temperature in one leg than the other If you have questions or concerns about PAD, contact your primary care physician.

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Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects 1 in 20 Americans over the age of 50. It occurs when plaque, a fatty deposit, builds up in the arteries, restricting blood flow to the legs. These fatty deposits put the individual at a greater risk of heart attack and stroke. The problem is that buildup of plaque may not result in any detectable symptoms. That’s why it’s important to know not only the potential symptoms, but also the risk factors so you can talk with your doctor.

According to Theresa Impeduglia, M.D., a vascular surgeon who is affiliated with Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, some of the symptoms include painful cramping of the legs when trying to walk or climb stairs, and numbness, weakness or coldness of the extremities.

“You need to pay attention to these symptoms to protect your body from

progressive vascular disease and intervene early,” says Dr. Impeduglia.

When assessing your risk for PAD, your doctor will take a personal and family medical history. He or she also will perform a physical exam to check pulses, color and temperature of the legs and feet, and may perform an ankle-brachial index. This test compares the blood pressure in your ankles with that in your arms. If PAD is suspected, your doctor also may order an ultrasound to try to identify the blocked artery.

Treatment options for PAD include lifestyle changes, medication and surgery. Lifestyle changes that improve PAD include quitting smoking, regulating cholesterol and blood glucose levels, eating a healthy diet, exercising and achieving or maintaining a healthy weight.

Medical treatment may include prescriptions to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol, manage diabetes, or prevent the formation of blood clots. In addition, surgery or minimally invasive therapy, including stents coated with an antiproliferative drug, may be used to unclog arteries, Dr. Impeduglia says.

The best thing you can do to decrease your risk for PAD is to make those lifestyle changes now, if necessary, or to maintain your healthy lifestyle into the future.

PAD is one of hundreds of conditions that develop in patients who have high cholesterol, are overweight, don’t exercise, have developed diabetes or smoke. Remedying these health issues will help reduce your risk of PAD and countless other conditions as you age.

Why not start now? Your future self will thank you for it.

You have high blood pressure

You have diabetes You are a smoker or former smoker

You have a history of vascular disease

RISK

You are over the age of 50

FACTORS 50+

You may be at increased risk for PAD if any of the above are true.

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You are AfricanAmerican

DECEMBER 2018

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{ FASHION }

CASUAL CHIC You don’t have to sacrifice comfort and style with these sophisticated looks.

Wear this studded top as a tunic layered on top of leggings with an over-the-knee boot for a fashion-forward look. If you’re thinking everyday casual chic, you can pair the top with a skinny jean and ankle booties.”

Blouse by Elisa Cavaletti, danieladallavalle .com; jeans by AG, Femmebot, Ridgewood, 201.857.3720.

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALEX CRAWFORD

—Tina Setia, owner, Femmebot, Ridgewood

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A woman can go from the office to dinner in this outfit. It’s an easy, comfortable look that can be dressed up with pumps, wedges or a beautiful bootie. The sweater is gorgeous for holiday time and winter white is also magnificent.”

—Grace Guido, owner, Ambience Boutique, Edgewater

Sweater by Eleventy, Neiman Marcus, Paramus, 201.291.1920; jeans by AG, Nordstrom, Paramus, 201.843.1122.

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{ FASHION }

This is a great outfit. Animal print, especially in different colors, is really big this season, so people are warming up to it. In my opinion, animal print is a staple—it never goes out of style. ”

—Alina LeshinerDeCicco, owner, Suite201, Ridgewood

Animal print blazer

by Rino and Pelle, rino-pelle.com; T-shirt

by Majestic Filatures, Nordstrom, Paramus, 201.843.1122; jeans

by AG, Femmebot, Ridgewood, 201.857.3720.

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Faux fur is a great accent for collars, shawls, jackets and dresses.

You could wear it with anything—a midi, maxi or mini skirt or jeans.

When accessorizing, less is more. A plain gold chain or gold choker works with the earthy colors of this top. ”

—Grace Guido, owner, Ambience Boutique, Edgewater

Sweater with fur cuffs by D. Exterior, Sutton East, Wyckoff, 201.871.2700; jeans by AG, Bloomingdale’s, Hackensack, 201.457.2000.

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{ ENTERTAINING }

A SIMPLE HOLIDAY Nothing against opulent celebrations, but sometimes— with all the stresses in life— less really is more.

What good is decking the halls for the holidays if you can’t sit, relax and enjoy it? These low maintenance yet festive decorating and entertaining ideas will help you spruce up the place while focusing on what really matters during this busy time of year— spending time with family and friends.

Skinnier, less decorated pines in powder rooms, by a front window or by the back staircase add festive flare. It will be the first thing you see when you come home and the last thing you see before you go to bed!”

—Milena Eror, principal designer, Ivanka’s Home, Wyckoff

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{ ENTERTAINING } Skip the artificial decor and cut a little live garland from your tree and arrange it with cranberry and pinecones for your table centerpiece. Using nature can make decorating easy, simple and inexpensive.”

—Christine Clay, designer and owner, Chris Clay Design, Ridgewood

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Clockwise from top left: The added benefit of decorating with bare garlands or wreaths is they “last a long time and you don’t have to worry about a water source,” says Xin Huang, event coordinator and owner, Le Petite Privé, Fort Lee; keep gift wrap simple and cohesive, says Christy Kohler, designer and owner, CK Design, Mahwah. “Choose one or two wrapping papers and wrap all gifts with them in different sized gift boxes,” she says. “And choose a ribbon color that pops off your flooring, otherwise no one will notice all your hard work;” white ceramic dinnerware is understated and easy to repurpose for multiple occasions and holidays; try floating candles, votives, tea lights or tapered candles as an illuminating accent. Opposite page: Not sure how to present food to your guests? “Crystal bowls, platters and serving pieces sparkle but are not heavy or cluttered-looking,” says Kohler.

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{ ENTERTAINING }

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{ ENTERTAINING }

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You can have a representation of more than one holiday by mixing, say, a menorah and Star of David with a Christmas tree and mistletoe.

I don’t think there’s a wrong way [for interfaith families] to decorate.”

—Christine Clay, designer and owner, Chris Clay Design, Ridgewood

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Clockwise from top left: Upper Saddle River resident Nicole Baker (at left) is in her 13th year as a Radio City Music Hall Rockette; like the other Rockettes, Baker does her own hair and makeup; each of the 80 Rockettes performs 16 shows a week.

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{ A CHAT WITH }

A ROCKETTE MOM A Bergen County mother of four—under the age of 8—tells what it’s like to perform in that famous chorus line at Radio City. By Haley Longman

Pretty much all parents try to make the holidays memorable and special for their kids, but Nicole Baker’s brood has extra bragging rights. They get to watch their mother perform on stage as one of the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes.

Baker has lived for four years in Upper Saddle River with her husband and their three sons and one daughter, ages 8, 6, 3 and 5 months. And she’s been performing in the famous Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes since she graduated from college. In a recent conversation, she shared with BERGEN what it’s like to be an eye-high-kicking dancer on Manhattan’s most iconic stage, what goes on behind the scenes and what her family likes to do in our area.

Where did you study dance before becoming a Rockette?

I went to a dance studio in Florida, where I grew up, and then I went to the University of Arizona. I got a B.F.A. in dance there and then, in my senior year of college, I auditioned. The Rockettes was my first professional job, and I’ve been doing it ever since. This is my 13th year dancing with them. When I was young I used to come up to New York every year for big national competitions, and we used to compete against a dance studio that my daughter now goes to, Studio L in Waldwick. So it’s come full circle.

Was being a Rockette always your ultimate career goal?

I always knew I wanted to perform, and being a Rockette is unlike anything else.

The rehearsal process, the teamwork and how synchronized we are on and off stage all create a feeling that is totally indescribable.

What’s the audition process like?

Do you have to audition every year?

Yes. It’s a two-day process. The first day is very intense—a jazz combination, a tap combination and our eye-high kicks. They call you back the next day if you make it, and you come back to do the same combinations plus some more. Then you wait a couple months for a phone call. I think I auditioned in May and got the call in August.

Do you ever feel like you might not make it even though you have for so many years?

Of course! I tell myself I love that nervous feeling because it makes me know I still want the job and I’m gunning for it. It’s constantly changing; they hire dancers who are capable in every field of dance and are also strong and athletic.

Is there an age limit for Rockettes?

Nope! As long as you can keep dancing and keep kicking, you can get your job back.

How often do you perform each week?

We have two casts in New York, 40 in each cast, for a total of 80 Rockettes; 36 onstage and four “swings” off-stage in case someone gets injured. We rehearse six days a week, six hours a day, and then each cast works six days a week with one day off. I do the morning shows and work every day except Thursday. We each do 16 shows a week. Broadway dancers do eight, and we do double that.

Any funny backstage stories?

It’s probably organized chaos back there.

It’s very choreographed backstage, but it’s live theater so things happen. And we do our own hair and makeup. You kind of learn as you go along, but the French twist is hard to master!

Has anything ever gone awry while you were on stage?

One time somebody stepped on my shoe and my shoe was flapping in the air. It’s kind of exciting. You never know what’s going to happen. But it’s usually as smooth as possible.

Do you have a favorite number?

I love the “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers.”

It’s been in the show since 1933. It’s so epic because every Rockette before me has done the same exact steps on the stage.

It’s special to take a moment to think about that. But this year we have a new finale called “Christmas Lights” that is absolutely stunning—from the costumes to the music to the way it makes you feel as if each audience member is part of the show. There are 100 drones flying on the stage, which has never been done before. The feeling of doing this new choreography is very special.

What do you do on your days off and on your breaks in between shows?

Usually on my day off I’m with my kids in Jersey or doing PR events. We usually only have an hour and a half between shows, so we eat and rest, put our feet up, play games BERGENMAG.COM

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in our dressing rooms, try to keep everybody awake and energized.

What is the vibe like with all the women? Are you all close?

Everybody has her own personality but we always say together we’re better and it’s 100 percent true. We’re all exhausted and we’re away from our families, but we support each other 100 percent, whether it’s a happy moment or a sad moment.

What about during the off season?

Right now I am a mom. My youngest just turned 5 months old so I am back to my fulltime mom role!

Do your kids ever come see you in the show?

Yes! They’re excited to share it with their teachers and their friends. My kids are screaming, “Mommy, Mommy!” while I’m on stage. It’s something special, and we live close to the city, so it’s nice.

What are your favorite things to do with them in Upper Saddle River?

We go to Lions Park a lot to play on the playground. My kids love going to Elmer’s, which is like a gas station and convenience store. We love Ridgewood—it’s cute just to walk around there. And my older two boys are in sports in Mahwah, Ramsey and Woodcliff Lake, so we’re all over the county.

Any fun Jersey holiday traditions?

We moved here from a one-bedroom apartment in the city, so our favorite thing to do is have people over and just enjoy the space and let the kids run around. I’m Jewish, so I celebrate Hanukkah, which is all about having family and friends over.

What’s your advice for little girls who want to grow up and become Rockettes?

I just say never give up and always keep trying—keep a smile on your face. I try to be the best mom, the best dancer, the best Rockette I can be. I’m just going to try to be the best version of me that I can be at that moment and just not give up.

DECEMBER 2018

11/20/18 11:06 AM

HOLIDAY EATS

Here’s a simple—yet elegant—three-course meal that’s perfect for when guests stop by.

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{ CHEFS’ CHOICE }

MARTYNA KROWICKA, CHEF DE CUISINE, FELINA, RIDGEWOOD

GNOCCHI WITH SQUASH, HAZELNUTS AND POMEGRANATE SEEDS Yields: 6 servings

INGREDIENTS: n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n

1 delicata squash 1 pomegranate 2 eggs 2 cups ricotta cheese 1¼ cup grated pecorino cheese 1 Tbs. salt ½ tsp. ground black pepper ¼ cup buckwheat flour 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus 1 cup for dusting 2 cups hazelnuts 1 cup canola oil, or any neutral oil ½ stick butter 2 cups chicken stock, vegetable stock or water 1 bunch sage leaves juice of ½ lemon

DIRECTIONS:

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Meanwhile, mix ricotta, eggs, 1 cup pecorino cheese, salt and black pepper in a large bowl. Once combined, add buckwheat and all-purpose flours one cup at a time. Mix with your hands until all the flour is thoroughly blended. The dough should be a little wet but not to the point that it sticks to your hands. Set the dough aside and let rest.

Cut delicata squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Then cut the squash into ¼ inch pieces. To fry the sage, pour about one cup of oil into a sauté pan on medium high heat. When the oil is hot, add the sage leaves; they should crisp up in 15-30 seconds. Remove the sage using tongs or a skimmer and lay them onto paper towels to cool. Reserve the oil for later use.

Toast the hazelnuts in a 350°F oven for 8 minutes. Once nuts are cool, place in a resealable plastic bag and squeeze out as much air as possible. Using a rolling pin or heavy-bottomed pot, beat the nuts in the bag until they are mostly broken up, then set aside. Cut pomegranate vertically from top to bottom. Place half of the pomegranate in your non-dominant hand with the seed side facing your palm and spread your fingers apart. Using a wooden spoon, strike the pomegranate over the bowl so the seeds fall out. Set aside.

Cut dough into four pieces. Roll each piece into logs that are about 1-inch thick, add flour to the surface as needed so it doesn’t stick and cut into 1-inch pieces. Once all gnocchi are cut, season your boiling water with salt and put half the gnocchi into the boiling salted water. The gnocchi are ready once they float to the top.

Oil a baking sheet and remove the gnocchi from the boiling water using a skimmer and place onto the oiled baking sheet. Cook the rest of the gnocchi.

Heat a large sauté pan and add some of the “sage oil” from earlier. Place the delicata squash in the pan and allow them to cook on each side for about 3 minutes. Add a little more oil and ½ stick of butter. Add the gnocchi to the pan and let them get a little crispy. Add your stock or water, allowing the liquid to reduce for 1 minute and stir as needed.

Add remaining cheese and lemon juice and season with ½ tsp. salt. Spoon gnocchi into a large bowl or 6 individual bowls. Sprinkle nuts on top of the gnocchi, followed by pomegranate seeds, and garnish with sage leaves.

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{ CHEFS’ CHOICE }

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CHEF JOSEPH CUCCIA, 17 SUMMER, LODI

ROASTED RACK OF LAMB WITH CABERNET POACHED PEARS Yields: 4 servings

INGREDIENTS:

n 2 racks of lamb (8 ribs each) n 4 Bartlett pears, peeled n 2 small acorn squash, cut in half and seeded n ½ tsp. fresh thyme, chopped n ½ tsp. fresh rosemary, chopped n 4 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed n 1 bunch flat leaf parsley, chopped n kosher salt n freshly ground pepper n 4 cups Cabernet Sauvignon n ½ cup water n ¼ tsp. ground cumin n ¼ tsp. whole clove n extra virgin olive oil

DIRECTIONS:

Season the lamb with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. Heat medium skillet until hot, about 3 minutes. Add 1 tsp. olive oil into hot pan. Be sure the racks of lamb are dry and seasoned liberally with salt and pepper.

Carefully place one rack at a time into the hot skillet. Sear on all sides. Remove from skillet and transfer to roasting pan or backing tray with wire rack. Mix garlic, thyme, rosemary and parsley together until incorporated into a loose paste and add olive oil if too dry. Rub onto seared lamb. Roast at 375°F for approximately 15 minutes for medium rare. Allow meat to rest and reabsorb all the natural juices.

Place whole peeled pears in a large saucepan. Cover with Cabernet Sauvignon and water. Add ground cumin and whole clove. Bring to simmer and cook pears until fork tender, approximately 15 minutes.

Remove from heat and allow to cool, keeping the pears in the poaching liquid.

Once cool, cut pears into ¼ inch pieces and set aside. Once ready to serve, add one tsp. of oil to a frying pan, add cut pears and season with kosher salt and pepper. Look for some caramelization on the pears and serve with lamb.

Season inside of the acorn squash with kosher salt, freshly ground pepper and olive oil. Place face down on a non-stick baking sheet.

Bake for 40 minutes at 400°F. Slice acorn squash and serve with the lamb and pears.

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{ CHEFS’ CHOICE }

CHEF PETER ANGELAKOS, BACARI GRILL, WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP

CHOCOLATE PANNA COTTA Yields: 8 servings

INGREDIENTS:

DIRECTIONS:

n n n n n n n n

Place chocolate in a separate bowl. Temper eggs with hot cream. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Cook until thick enough to coat the spoon and return saucepan.

cups heavy cream 2 2 cups milk ¾ cup sugar 8 egg yolks 1 whole egg 8 oz. bittersweet chocolate 3 leaves bloomed gelatin ¾ cup malted milk powder (optional)

TO SERVE: n n n n n

Oreo cookies, crushed cigarette cookie whipped cream cherries mint leaves

Heat the cream and milk with the malt powder, if using, until just below boiling. In a bowl, whisk sugar and eggs until combined.

Strain mixture into bowl with the chocolate. Wait 5 seconds and whisk until well combined, being careful not to overmix.

Stir in bloomed gelatin while still warm. Fill glasses (Irish coffee cups work well) ¾ full and chill until set.

Top with crushed Oreo cookies and whipped cream and garnish with cigarette cookie, cherry and mint leaf.

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BERGEN’S GIVERS

Meet 8 special citizens who show a holiday-like spirit of generosity year-round. By Leslie Garisto Pfaff In a season when gifts are top of mind, it’s timely to share the inspirational stories of people who do good for their neighbors—in the county, the country and beyond—throughout the year, freely donating their time, their talent and their treasure. Here’s how eight of your Bergen County neighbors give back:

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{ SPECIAL REPORT }

BY PILOTING WHERE NEEDED:

BY MATCHING VOLUNTEERS WITH THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT NEED THEM:

When a devastating earthquake hit Haiti in 2010, Steven Epstein stepped up—way up—and volunteered to fly in supplies by helicopter. The Tenafly native flew three missions, including one to deliver medical supplies to a hospital where patients were dying from lack of oxygen. Epstein is between planes now, but he’s planning to acquire another one in the near future, which is a good thing—for Epstein and for the people whose lives he’s saved by doing what he loves most: flying.

In 2015, he returned to Haiti to deliver an ambulance donated

by Englewood Health. He’s also flown for Sky Hope Network, which arranges flights for sick children whose compromised immune systems won’t allow them to fly in commercial airliners.

He credits his pilot’s training for allowing him to perform so many mitzvahs. “Flying is my passion,” he says, “and it’s been wonderful to be able to do good with it.”

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Louisa Hellegers had a long career in publishing, as an editor and then as a manager, and today she’s putting her managerial skills to work as the director of Redefining Retirement, a yearold program she spent 18 months designing for the Bergen Volunteer Center.

Though Hellegers, a River Vale resident, doesn’t pull down a salary, she works a full 40-hour week, helping Bergen County’s hard-working nonprofits find the volunteers they need and locating volunteer work for retirees looking to stay busy and lend a hand. She’s matched a docent with the Ridgewood Historical Society’s Schoolhouse Museum, a woman yearning to offer hospice support with Holy Name Medical Center, and two accountants with Northern Jersey Meals on Wheels, where they’re in the process of putting together a new software system for the charity. “All the matches I make are exciting to me,” Hellegers says.

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DECEMBER 2018

11/19/18 10:54 AM

{ SPECIAL REPORT }

BY TEACHING MATH SKILLS: He’s at Princeton now, majoring in mathematics, but his first tutoring gig was as a middle-school student, after a teacher asked him to help younger students struggling in math. For Zachary Stier, it was a revelation: “I was surprised by the tremendous impact individual attention had on students' performance,” he says. As a high school student, the Paramus native realized that there were few, if any, tutoring programs in Bergen County that offered free math support to students who couldn’t afford private tutoring—so he founded one. YMath, which debuted at the YMCA of Greater Bergen County in Hackensack, is now in its seventh year, with two locations (the Garfield Y and Bergen County Academies), 95 student tutors and some 100 students whose grades and lives benefit from free math tutoring.

Peer tutoring is at the heart of the program. Early on, Stier learned that students are often less intimidated and more comfortable asking questions of fellow students than of teachers or parents.

Running the program taught him something else too: “A small weekly commitment from many students,” he says, “can have an enormous impact on the community.”

BY TEACHING AT-RISK AND DISABLED CHILDREN TO RIDE A HORSE: It was Alicia deTorres’s daughter who was looking to volunteer, but it was deTorres herself who reaped the benefits. Five years ago, the area resident who now volunteers in Bergen County, advised her youngest, Lauren, an equestrienne, to “do something in a field that means something to you.” So Lauren signed on at Pony Power Therapies, the Mahwah farm where children with disabilities build physical and emotional strength by riding horses. Not long afterward, deTorres, a rider herself, joined her daughter at the farm.

For five years, she’s volunteered as a lead walker, part of a three-person team assigned to each child-horse team, and the experience has had a profound impact on her. “To see people with disabilities learn how to ride a horse, which seems so unlikely at first, and to see how they progress—it’s fantastic,” she says.

Two years ago, another family member joined the Pony Power team: JD Rockafella, the competitive show horse the deTorreses had owned for 12 years. The farm has worked its magic on him as well: “He’s healthy, happy and relaxed, and he’s helping others,” says deTorres, “which is a wonderful thing for our family to be part of.”

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BY BEING A PRESENCE AT THE END OF A LIFE: Twenty years ago, Esther Marks’s father was dying in New York City. And because she and her sister both lived in New Jersey, they couldn’t be around as often as they wished to comfort their father and give their mother a respite from caregiving. “I vowed to myself then,” Marks remembers, “that someday I would be there for other people in the same situation.”

For the past eight years, Marks, who lives in Paramus, has volunteered at Valley Hospital Hospice, where she visits patients receiving end-of-life care. What she gives them is deceptively simple: companionship, a walk in the fresh air, a game of cards.

If patients prefer, she’ll read to them or just sit quietly and watch TV by their side. If they’re unresponsive, she’ll sit and talk to them, hoping they can hear her.

The patients who have few visitors—or sometimes none—are the ones she feels most gratified to visit. “I just feel like I’m giving them a little bit of pleasure,” she explains. While the gift may be small, its impact is incalculable.

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BY PLANNING CREATIVE FUNDRAISERS: Christine Figliuolo loves a party, and she certainly knows how to throw one. A former producer at HBO, the Waldwick resident founded Creations by Christine, an eventplanning company, in 2006. For a dozen years, she’s put together weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, sweet sixteens and corporate galas from a home office that’s allowed her to spend quality and quantity time with her three daughters.

For that, she says, she feels especially blessed, which is why she plans events that are more than merely celebratory.

She organizes an annual 5K run for the Waldwick Chamber of Commerce that raises money for several dozen local charities; a gala for Eva’s Village, an antipoverty nonprofit; and a fall fundraiser for the Center for Hope and Safety, a shelter for women and children fleeing domestic violence. What’s next? As an animal lover, Figliuolo hopes to create a fundraiser to benefit local shelters. “I could never afford to give the money that these events raise,” she says. “But I’ve got these skills and I’ve built this business, and if I can use them to help, then I’m going to do it.”

BY HELPING TO MAKE THE COUNTY A LEADER IN MEDICAL CARE: He’s been called a business icon, and the business he founded—beginning with just two trucks and a backhoe—has helped to build the Garden State. His company handled the renovation of the New York Giants’ playing field to major reconstruction of the Route 4 and 17 overpasses, together representing the largest highway project in state history.

Joseph Sanzari, president of Joseph M. Sanzari Inc., has been in business for more than 50 years, but he’s known as much for his medical philanthropy as for his commercial acumen.

That’s not surprising. He helped to found and continues to support the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Medical Center; the Women’s Health, Education, Research and Resource Center; and the Women’s Hospital, all at Hackensack University Medical Center.

He has served in countless roles at the medical center, and he’s donated equipment and manpower to help repair Bergen County schools, churches and historic buildings. He also provides ongoing support to Holy Name Medical Center, including for the hospital’s mission in Haiti, Hôpital Sacré Coeur, to which he has given construction equipment that’s been essential to the completion of major building projects there.

Like so many who give back to the community, Sanzari, who makes his home in Ho-Ho-Kus, feels a deep gratitude, especially for his family, who, he says, “has supported me in all of my endeavors.” And he’s actually a bit shy about discussing his philanthropy. “I prefer giving back,” he says, “to talking about giving back.”

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BY NURSING THE NEEDY: Aret Varvar remembers the sense of insecurity his family had because they lacked health insurance. So today, Varvar, a hemodialysis nurse who hails from Cliffside Park, volunteers at Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative (BVMI), the Hackensack medical center devoted to serving the uninsured. “I do it to give patients something that my loved ones didn’t have, and that’s peace of mind,” he explains.

Sometimes, his patients ask him what they should do if they get sick again, and Varvar gets enormous satisfaction from telling them to “give us a call—we’re your healthcare providers.”

"You can see the relief in their faces,” he says.

His favorite cases are the tough ones.

In particular, he talks about an elderly woman with diabetes who has no one at home to help her keep track of her bloodpressure and blood-sugar levels. So Varvar and his colleagues spend extra time with her to ensure that she gets the attention she requires.

DECEMBER 2018

11/20/18 9:07 AM

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SPECIAL PROMOTION

IT’S ALL ABOUT “GIVING BACK” The Knutsen family has opened and operated very successful businesses throughout Bergen County. Currently, they own and operate The Fountain Spa in both Ramsey and The Shops at Riverside as well as Quest Tennis in Mahwah. So why did these business entrepreneurs open a fitness club by the name of Jeff’s Quest Health Club in Mahwah?

The matriarch of the family, Rita A Knutsen says, “Jeff’s Quest is going to hopefully provide substantial yearly income to Camp Acorn, a non-profit organization which serves children and adults with developmental disabilities through year round enrichment programs. My son Jeff was born with Cerebral Palsy and had a hearing disability as well. With the help of dedicated volunteer agencies, much therapy, and his own courage and determination, he was able to conquer his disabilities and to succeed in all he set out to do. He completed a successful Boy Scout career culminating in his receiving Scouting’s highest honor---the Eagle badge. Only about one percent of all scouts become Eagle Scouts which makes his feat astonishing considering the hand he was dealt at birth.

“In addition, after working for a year to prove his ability, he even became an active member of the Upper Saddle River Fire Department and served for several years. Unfortunately, we lost Jeff in January of this year at the age of 58. He was admired and loved by all and an inspiration to many. We wish to keep Jeff’s legacy alive by starting a Fitness Club in his name and by donating fifty percent (50%) of the yearly profits to Camp Acorn as our way to help children with special needs just as Jeff was helped.” Rita particularly relates to the mothers of these children and wants to be of help to them as well by providing hope.

The Knutsen family is very thankful for the support their business ventures have enjoyed over the last 63 years and are especially thankful to all those who helped Jeff. And, Rita doesn’t hesitate to admit,

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“Jeff’s Quest is our way of thanking God for our blessings and passing those blessings forward to others. It’s only appropriate for us to help strengthen the communities that have provided a livelihood to our entire family.” The Knutsen’s business career started in 1955 when Rita and her late husband Harold opened a florist shop in Bogota. In 1967, they opened another florist shop in Closter and continued to run the two stores for 25 years. In 1973, they purchased property on Route 17 in Ramsey and built Ramsey Racquet Club followed in 1981 by Quest I Heath Club, which they owned and operated until 1998. In the meantime, they purchased the site of the old Tennis Barn in Mahwah and still operate Quest Tennis there. A few years later they opened the second Quest I Health Club, which they operated there until they sold both Health Clubs to New York Sports Club in 1998.

When New York Sports Club decided not to renew their lease at the Mahwah location, Rita decided that they would get back in the fitness business by opening Jeff’s Quest at that location. The facility was totally renovated - all new equipment, and intend to run a family Club catering to the needs of members as they did with Quest I for almost 20 years. Several of the old employees of Quest I are excited to come back to work at the new Jeff’s Quest.

This is not the Knutsen’s first association with non-profits. Back in 1965, Rita and Harold were on the founding Board of Directors responsible for building the Bogota Swim Club. And, in 1969, she and Harold started a non-profit co-op and built the Saddle River Valley Swim and Tennis Club for the residents of Upper Saddle River. Currently, her granddaughter Amanda Crawford and her son Harold Knutsen are serving on the Board of Directors of Camp Acorn. Amanda, who is a special needs teacher in Tenafly also works at Camp Acorn in the summer.

Their mission statement reads, “Camp Acorn’s mission is to provide a supportive environment through enrichment programs that address the physical, emotional, and social well-being of children and adults with special needs. Our programs help campers build self-esteem, confidence, and life skills that branch into all aspects of their lives.” They deal with the reality that disabled teens are faced with being isolated from their peers leading to hopelessness, increased dependence and low self-esteem.

Camp Acorn strongly believes that all people truly have value and all people have both needs to be fulfilled and gifts to bestow to others. Right now, Camp Acorn is housed in a space that they rent from a local church. They conduct various fund-raising activities during the year, but have not accumulated enough funds to move to larger quarters. It’s the Knutsen’s belief that the association with Jeff’s Quest Fitness Center will dramatically alter the future of Camp Acorn.

As previously stated, Jeff was greatly helped and motivated by volunteers of other similar organizations when he was a child. He carried this motivation and desire forward serving as fitness director for one of the Knutsen’s health clubs. He was very involved working with disabled youth. He discovered building strength using strength training equipment was an outstanding way to help teens build confidence. His mother Rita recalls, “Jeff never lost sight of what assistance he received and he made it his life to help others with disabilities.”

Jeff’s Quest Health Club opened in early September. Located at 10 Edison Road, Mahwah, New Jersey 07430. For more information visit our website: JeffsQuestFitness.com or Call 201-462-3030.

CAMP ACORN Camp Acorn is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit and was co-founded in the fall of 2001 by Cathy Carisi who has continued serving as the Executive Director.

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{ ESCAPES }

VOLUNTEERING VACATIONS A trip will do you good. These trips can do good for others too.

Travel with an ulterior purpose doesn’t always work. Consider the sailor in the old song who joined the Navy to see the world.

“And what did I see?” he sang plaintively.

“I saw the sea.” Still, if glimpsing new places and helping others are both on your 2019 “to-do” list, you may be able to do both—perhaps even with the whole family.

A growing number of “voluntourism” opportunities offer to take multigenerational travelers to exotic locations and give them altruistic ways to engage with local cultures and assist people—and animals—in need.

Here are four tours worth exploring:

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RESCUE ELEPHANTS IN KENYA

Take a digital detox and unplug to walk on the wild side in the heart of Africa. From safari to service project, every member of your clan will be awestruck and inspired during this once-in-a-lifetime trip organized by Elevate Destinations travel group.

This off-the-grid holiday safari adventure boasts accommodations in secluded, family-friendly luxury lodges on the fringes of Nairobi National Park and an agenda packed with custom-designed activities for your family members’ needs and interests. Volunteer opportunities can include preparing and serving meals for children in need. Visit the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust orphan-elephant rescue and rehabilitation center to adopt one of these majestic—and arguably adorable—creatures. Then get close to the world’s tallest living terrestrial animals at the nearby Giraffe Center.

When your volunteer and educational excursions are over, explore the lively city of Nairobi, soak in the wonders of nature while exploring the endless plains of Laikipia and venture out into the bush on walking safaris guided by local Maasai warriors. Enjoy picnics set in the open wilderness, birdwatching, scenic sundown cocktail hours and night drives to spy on nocturnal creatures. The possibilities are as vast as the African landscape!

DECEMBER 2018

11/16/18 2:07 PM

PRESERVE BIRD LIFE IN NEW ZEALAND

This dreamy island nation has it all—mountains, beaches, geysers, lakes and wine country.

It’s compact enough to explore in a couple of weeks but sufficiently diverse to keep you coming back for more. Taking an eco-centric luxury vacation to this bucket-list destination through the Hands Up Holiday tour company will be made even more memorable when you head out to the wops to help conserve habitats for native sea birds on the North Island or penguins on the South Island.

But this tour isn’t all work and no play. If your brood is the adventure-seeking type, you can go sailing on the Bay of Islands, swim with dolphins, enjoy a private guided tour of geysers, explore hidden hot springs, take a helicopter flight for a bird’s-eye view of a live volcano and even heli-hike on a glacier!

BUILD A SCHOOL IN MOROCCO

When your kids get back from this break, we bet they’ll ace their “What I did on my vacation” essays. Your Moroccan trip will be sure to earn them merit points if they’ve volunteered to help build a community classroom or library in a Berber village. The longest-established inhabitants of Morocco, the Berber people come from a feudal society that has proudly preserved its culture and traditions. In another tour organized by Hands Up Holiday, you’ll be working side by side with natives on this project—a true labor of love to educate local children and raise their standard of living.

During your free time, continue your quest for knowledge and adventure with private guided tours of magical Marrakesh and Fes, hikes on the Atlas Mountains, camel rides in the Sahara, kitesurfing on the coast or a visit to the blue-washed walls of the city of Chefchaouen. Be sure to take the time to enjoy the famous Berber hospitality over a cup of mint tea.

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FEED THOSE IN NEED IN GREECE

The chance to enjoy local fare is always an enticing travel lure; feeding your soul while doing so is priceless. And that’s just what you’ll gain through participating in International Volunteer HQ’s food outreach program in Chios, Greece. As part of your two-week experience, you and your family will not only enjoy Greek food, but help others in need do so too by providing daily meals to residents of nursing homes, public schools and special-needs care centers.

During the week, you’ll connect with local community members and savor the satisfaction of making and delivering food and smiles to local residents. On the weekend, you’ll explore Chios, the fifth largest island in Greece, where beautiful beaches, quaint medieval villages, breathtaking coastline views and historical sites abound. You can islandhop or take a day trip to nearby Turkey. If you want to stay longer or travel before or after the program, indulge your wanderlust further afield by visiting Athens and other great destinations throughout Greece to feast on the region’s rich history, culture and natural beauty.

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“After my 12-year-old daughter read the book I Will Always Write Back, she asked my husband and me if she could forgo her bat mitzvah party, and instead go to Africa to do volunteer work with children. We decided this would be an experience we should have as a family and planned a trip to Kenya this past August through Elevate Destinations.

The volunteering was our favorite part of the trip.

The safari was amazing, but we wished we had planned more time for volunteer work.”

—Toby Hirsch,

Alpine

“There are ways to make doing good doable when traveling. Sprinkling in elements of service work with cultural immersions and fun activities allows multiple family members—from grandparents to young children—to work together while keeping everyone happy.”

— Theresa Jackson, Mahwah resident and travel advisor for Enlightened Journeys Travel, Allendale

DECEMBER 2018

11/21/18 10:46 AM

{ POWER FOOD }

And the Winner is…

Watercress!

In a ranking of the most nutrient-filled superfoods, this crunchy green took top honors. Who knew?

Watercress is a huge deal in Alresford, England, where the annual Watercress Festival draws 15,000 visitors each year. Elsewhere, perhaps, it’s not the most charismatic menu item. But you can really spice up your salad and boost your health with this nutrient-dense, flavor-packed superfood.

A member of the mustard family (Brassicaceae), watercress is closely related to other peppery plants—like wasabi and arugula—that deliver a powerful punch of piquant flavor to any dish. And considering its array of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, it’s a kick in the right direction.

POWER UP Like other leafy greens, watercress is low in calories (only 11 in 100 grams raw) and is mostly fat free. It delivers only a paltry amount of fiber (1.2 grams) but is rich in an assortment of health-boosting nutrients, most notably vitamin K (more than 300 percent of the recommended daily value), which helps the blood to clot and strengthens the bones. It’s so rich in vitamin C (72 percent of the daily value), which supports the immune system, that it has been used to treat scurvy in Britain, according to the Encyclopedia of Folk Medicine. It delivers a high portion of vitamin A (64 percent of the daily value) and several antioxidants important for eye health, including beta-carotene and lutein.

There is some scientific evidence that suggests watercress also may work to prevent and fight cancer.

In 2014, Jennifer Di Noia, Ph.D., a sociologist and dietary researcher at William Paterson University in Wayne, used USDA data to rank 41 fruits and vegetables by their density of 17 nutrients known to prevent disease. Watercress earned the top spot on her list with a perfect score of 100. In 2007, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported that eating one portion of watercress daily may prevent DNA damage to white blood cells, a risk factor for cancer.

Chomping on watercress itself isn’t

the only way to get benefit from this versatile plant: Watercress oil has been used topically to treat burns and to soothe sore joints.

BUY/STORE/SERVE When shopping for watercress, look for bright green leaves with sturdy stems and avoid bunches that are limp or yellowed. It can keep fresh in the refrigerator for about five days when stored in plastic or standing upright in a cup of water. Its peppery taste mimics arugula, so it goes well in a salad with

a mustard dressing or paired with a meat dish. It can be whirred into a pesto or a soup or enjoyed between two slices of bread and accompanied by tea, as the English have done for centuries. —Liz Donovan

DID YOU KNOW? Watercress once grew abundantly in Bergen streams and rivers, so much, in fact, that founding fathers gave the name “Cresskill” to one of the county’s northeastern towns.

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DECEMBER 2018

11/16/18 2:20 PM

A SK THE

Dental Professional Questions from residents— Answers by leading healthcare professionals

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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ASK DENTAL PROFESSIONAL

An Interview with Dr. Auerbach Why would my Dentist refer me to an Oral Surgeon?

What do I need to know when choosing an Oral Surgeon?

[A] First, it’s important to know that general dentists and oral and maxil-

[A] Choosing and trusting a doctor to preform a surgical procedure

lofacial surgeons work together to ensure every patient receives the best and most comprehensive oral healthcare possible. In this environment of increased patient awareness and self advocacy in healthcare decisions, patients should see general dentists as primary care providers in the dental arena, and under their direction, patients can expect to be referred to specialists, including oral surgeons, for care that requires a higher or more complex level of expertise.

Most general dentists are well-trained and proficient in many areas of dentistry, but in order to become an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, a graduate of an accredited dental school must go on to complete many additional years of intense and specialized, hospital-based training with rotations in areas ranging from general surgery to anesthesia. In addition to our core training in more common procedures like dental implants and wisdom tooth removal, oral surgeons are trained in corrective jaw surgery, diagnoses and treatment of facial pain, pathology and reconstruction, facial trauma and so much more.

of any kind is an important decision, but it does not need to be a stressful one. Key topics to consider include: referred by a trusted professional, Board Certified and ADA recognized, procedure experience and post-operation availability.

A true full-scope oral surgery practice would offer a team of surgeons with unique subspecialty concentration ranging from and including: pediatric surgery, corrective jaw surgery, advanced bonegrafting and reconstructive surgery, dental-implant surgery, pathology, oral cancer treatment and even minimally invasive facial aesthetic procedures.

I also recognize an emotional connection with an oral surgeon is equally important to a patient and strongly advise they feel very comfortable and confident with their oral surgeon’s personality, approachability and bedside manner, as well as with the surgical and administrative teams. When possible, I also recommend that a patient take the time to meet with an oral surgery team and practice before

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11/21/18 11:59 11:55 AM

Jason M. Auerbach is the Founder and Chief of Surgery of Riverside Oral Surgery. Dr. Auerbach attended New York University’s College of Dentistry where he earned his DDS degree and graduated with honors. He completed the prestigious Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery residency program at SUNY-Downstate Medical Center, where he served as Chief Resident. Dr. Auerbach founded Riverside Oral Surgery in 2007 and has worked tirelessly to ensure his guiding principle of “Optimal Patient Care...Each and Every Time” is realized at every location as the practice has grown throughout New Jersey. Dr. Auerbach’s belief in the importance of education and training is evident in his dedication to the residents at Hackensack University Medical Center where he volunteers his time. Dr. Auerbach is also on staff at The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, NJ and Beth Israel Medical Center in New York, NY. Riverside Oral Surgery is the Official Oral Surgeons of the New Jersey Devils.

ASK DENTAL PROFESSIONAL

JASON M. AUERBACH. D.D.S.

RIVERSIDE ORAL SURGERY

PICTURED LEFT TO RIGHT:

Shawn Lynn, D.D.S. Ronald Federman, D.D.S. Jason M. Auerbach, D.D.S. Sung Hee Cho, D.D.S., M.D. Justin R. Messina, D.M.D., M.D.

making a commitment. Potential patients should also feel comfortable to ask for current patient references. Other patients will always give the best insight into a doctor and their practice.

How has Riverside Oral Surgery grown to be the leading full-scope oral and maxillofacial surgery practice in New Jersey?

[A] I founded Riverside Oral Surgery with a comprehensive vision, but it all really comes down to one guiding principle – create the optimal patient experience…each and every time.

From our first office, in River Edge, throughout our growth in Bergen County and now into additional locations in New Jersey,

Riverside Oral Surgery was founded in 2007 by Dr. Jason M. Auerbach. With offices in River Edge, Westwood, Englewood and Livingston, Riverside Oral Surgery has grown to be the leading full-scope oral and maxillofacial surgery practice in New Jersey and the surrounding New York City area. Expertise includes: dental implant surgery, wisdom tooth removal, out-patient anesthesia, corrective jaw surgery and diagnoses and treatment of all facial pain, pathology, trauma and fractures.

Riverside Oral Surgery is a proud partner and the Official Oral Surgeons of the New Jersey Devils.

every move we make is designed to ensure we deliver the optimal experience to our patients. In order to provide the full scope of contemporary oral and maxillofacial surgery, we have built a team of surgeons with diverse and complementary skills but who are unified in their philosophy of patient care. Equally as important to what sets Riverside apart is our highly trained patient care team of experts. Our administrative teams consist of compassionate, approachable and incomparably knowledgeable men and women who treat every one of our patients like family.

We are constantly focused on implementing the latest in technology including 3D digital imaging, bladeless surgery and CT guided procedures. Our patients are happy! Although a visit to the oral surgeon is not anything someone would look forward to, a visit to Riverside Oral Surgery is an experience that will inspire confidence.

RIVERSIDE ORAL SURGERY

130 Kinderkamack Rd., Suite 204, River Edge, NJ 07661 333 Old Hook Rd., Suite 100, Westwood, NJ 07675 300 Grand Ave., Suite 102, Englewood, NJ 07631 209 Livingston Ave., Suite 2, Livingston, NJ 07039 201.487.6565 | riversideoralsurgery.com

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11/21/18 11:59 11:55 AM

ASK DENTAL PROFESSIONAL

Are implants right for every patient?

[A] The stability, natural feel and permanence of a dental implant provides one of the best options for replacing a missing tooth. Implants prevent facial sagging and stop bone deterioration that can cause the loss of additional teeth. However, immediate or delayed implants are not always the answer for every patient. If a patient’s teeth and bone can be saved through advanced periodontal disease therapies and other procedures, it’s almost always a better option than an implant. There are other factors that we evaluate. We look at the reason for tooth failure, the integrity of the tooth and a patient’s oral and general health. It’s important for patients to know that they have a choice today when it comes to saving teeth and bone or having a dental implant.

Periodontal and regenerative technology has greatly advanced in recent years so that we can save more teeth and regenerate bone. Although implants work well, a dentist should evaluate whether a patient can get five to ten more years of keeping their own teeth in place. A patient may not want to sacrifice surrounding healthy teeth and bone for an implant. However, there are instances when a full arch implant works best for a patient. In that case, we may have to sacrifice a tooth in order to restore a healthy mouth.

As leaders in cosmetic and implant dentistry, we treat both simple and complex patient’s needs. Our office is a cutting-edge facility which serves as a teaching facility for hundreds of other dentists throughout the world. We are also a full spectrum practice, offering a multitude of services from pediatrics and orthodontia, to laser and cosmetic implant dentistry. Our office provides in-office CAT scans, digital x-rays, a fully equipped surgical suite, an in-house lab for optimum results, a board-certified anesthesiologist and a friendly, well-trained staff.

M E E T T H E H E A LT H P R O F E S S I O N A L S

LEFT TO RIGHT: Drs. Anna Hong, John Minichetti and Joseph D’Amore

SERVICES OFFERED: Aesthetic/Cosmetic Dentistry • Porcelain Veneers & Lumineers, Zoom and Glo Whitening, Complete Smile Makeovers, Bonding, Cosmetic Gum Lifts, Snap-On Smile/Snap-In Dentures, Dental Implants General Dentistry • Checkups/Cleanings, TMJ Therapy, Orthodontic Braces, Invisalign/Clear Braces, Fillings/ Restorations, Crowns/Bridges SEDATION/SLEEP DENTISTRY PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY SPECIALIST ORTHODONTIC SPECIALIST BOTOX® & JUVEDERM® SAME DAY IMPLANTS LASER DENTISTRY 3D IMAGING

JOHN MINICHETTI, D.M.D.

• General Dentist, Director of The Center for Implants and Aesthetics at Englewood Dental • Chief of Department of Dentistry, Englewood Hospital • Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry • Treasurer, American Board of Oral Implantology • Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology • Fellow of the Academy of Implant Dentistry • Fellow of the International Academy for Implant Dental Facial Esthetics • President, Bergen County Dental Implant Group • American Dental Association • New Jersey State Dental Association • Past President, American Academy of Implant Dentistry

THE CENTER FOR IMPLANTS AND AESTHETICS AT ENGLEWOOD DENTAL

370 Grand Ave., Suite 200, Englewood, NJ 07631 | 201.871.3555 | Englewooddental.com

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[A] Fast-paced and ongoing technological advancements have changed every aspect of the way businesses in virtually every industry operate and serve their customers. Dentistry is no different. Advancements in the field of dentistry have allowed me to combine experience and expertise with technology to deliver a truly customized and enhanced patient experience.

At the onset of my career, I created a vision that placed the needs of my patients at the heart of everything I do. Decades later, that vision continues to drive everything we do at Midland Park Family Dentistry; from the investments we make in our office décor and environment, to the latest technologies and methods we employ, to the highly trained professionals and staff we hire and retain. While staying abreast of, and employing the latest technologies has transformed the way I practice dentistry, the benefits to patients are considerable and boundless.

For example, innovative technologies such as Cerec® enable the delivery of same day crowns without the need for messy impressions and multiple office visits. Our Solea® laser aids in the delivery of needle-free, drill-free, and pain-free procedures. New to the office, our iTero scanner creates digital impressions, that when integrated with the Invisalign® system, allows the patient to visualize the end result before we’ve committed to treatment. These systems, whether combined or on their own, enhance the patient experience by making visits less stressful and time-consuming.

If you don’t know us, I encourage you to stop in and visit the office. We would love to welcome you in as part of the Midland Park Family Dentistry Family . . . where innovation and experience are transforming the way patients view dentistry.

ASK DENTAL PROFESSIONAL

How has the field of dentistry changed and how does it affect your practice?

M E E T T H E D E N TA L H E A LT H P R O F E S S I O N A L :

Tony Caramico, d.m.d.

• Fairleigh Dickenson University, graduate with honors • University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Doctor of Dental Medicine degree • UMDNJ’s Geriatric Dental Medicine, recipient • Academy of Laser Dentistry, member • American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, member • American Dental Association, member • Cerec Doctors Academy, mentor • New Jersey Dental Association, member • Academy of General Dentistry, member • Bergen County’s Top Dentist 2017, 2018 • New Jersey Monthly Top Dentist 2017, 2018 STATE-OF-THE-ART SERVICES INCLUDE: • General and Laser Dentistry • Gingivitis and Periodontal Disease • Pediatric Dentistry • Crowns with CEREC • Dental Fillings with SOLEA • Root Canal Treatment • Tooth Extractions • Cosmetic Dentistry • Digital Imaging • Dental Implants • Oral Appliance Therapy and Sleep Apnea • Invisalign

MIDLAND PARK FAMILY DENTISTRY

662 Godwin Ave., Midland Park, NJ | 201.447.5555 | midlandparkfamilydentistry.com | team@midlandparkfamilydentistry.com

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SIDEKICKS

These succulent (and healthy) veggies just might outshine the entrée.

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{ TASTES }

HERBED CHEESY SWEET POTATOES Yields: 4 servings

INGREDIENTS:

n 4 medium sweet potatoes n olive oil n 2 heaping Tbs. fresh chives, finely chopped n 2 heaping Tbs. fresh parsley, finely chopped n 7 oz. feta cheese, room temperature n salt and black pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

Heat oven to 400°F. Rub each potato with olive oil and season all over with salt and pepper. Prick the skin one or twice with a fork.

Arrange on a baking sheet or pan.

Put the baking sheet into the preheated oven and cook for 45 minutes, or until the potatoes offer no resistance to the point of a sharp knife.

While the potatoes are cooking, mash the herbs into the cheese along with some more black pepper.

Remove the potatoes from the oven and cut a cross into each one. Open slightly and stuff each potato with a quarter of the herbed cheese mixture. (If you want the cheese to warm a little, return to the oven for 3–4 minutes.) Drizzle with a little extra olive oil and eat while hot.

Many people choose ketchup, BBQ sauce or other processed condiments to add flavor to a dish. Herbs on the other hand, especially fresh herbs, have added benefits such as increasing antioxidant availability. Some herbs even contribute to inhibiting tumor growth.”

—Linda McLachlan, registered dietitian/nutritionist, All Nutrition Matters, Wyckoff

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{ TASTES }

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SPICY LAMB-STUFFED EGGPLANT Yields: 4 servings

INGREDIENTS:

n 2 eggplants, untrimmed, cut in half lengthwise n 9 oz. lean ground lamb n 1 onion, finely chopped n 3-4 Tbs. olive oil n 1 Tbs. pine nuts n 1 Tbs. tomato paste n ¼ tsp. ground cumin n 1 large tomato, seeded and finely chopped n 1 Tbs. chopped fresh parsley n 1 Tbs. chopped fresh dill n salt and black pepper to taste

TO SERVE:

n warm flatbreads, pita bread or Turkish bread n Greek or Turkish-style yogurt

DIRECTIONS

Heat oven to 400°F. Use a large, wide Dutch oven or flameproof casserole dish with a lid. Set it over medium heat on the stovetop and add 3 Tbs. of olive oil. With the cut sides facing upwards, slash three lines straight down the length of each eggplant half, without breaking the skin underneath. Place eggplants, cut side down first, in the pan and brown them all over. Remove from the pan and season well with salt and pepper. Set aside.

Add the lamb to the same pan and brown it well too—do this in batches, if necessary, so that the meat browns instead of stews.

Return all the meat to the pan and add the onion. Cook, stirring, for 10 minutes, until the onion begins to brown. Next, add the pine nuts and toast for a minute or two; then add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, for a couple of minutes. Add the cumin and chopped fresh tomato, then 1 cup of hot water. Bring up to a gentle simmer and let bubble for 10 minutes. Add the chopped herbs, then taste and season as needed.

Return the eggplants to the pan and arrange them cut side up. Use a large spoon to scoop up the lamb mixture and pile it on top of the eggplants, dividing it equally among the 4 halves and pulling the slashes in each one apart slightly so that they open up during cooking.

Eggplants contain a red-blue flavonoid plant pigment called anthocyanin, which has been found to help with dropping blood pressure significantly. They also help with anemia, manage blood sugars, and may prevent some cancers.”

—Angela Langner, registered dietitian/ nutritionist and owner, Nutrition Center of Bergen County, Ridgewood

Pour an extra ¼ cup of hot water into the pan, cover with a lid and cook in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the lid, baste the eggplants and lamb with the pan juices, and return to the oven for another 10 minutes.

Remove from the oven and check that the eggplants are well cooked—they should be almost collapsing and soft all the way through. If they are not, cover the pan again and return to the oven for 5 minutes.

Serve with warm bread to mop up the juices, and a dollop of thick yogurt on the side.

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{ TASTES }

ROASTED SQUASH STUFFED WITH FREEKEH & FETA Yields: 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

small butternut squash 2 1 ⁄4 cup olive oil 1 tsp. ground cumin 1 ⁄2 tsp. ground coriander 1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced n 1 onion, diced n 1 zucchini, diced n 2/3 cup cooked freekeh n 1 cup crumbled feta chunks n 1 Tbs. finely chopped fresh chives n 1 ⁄2 tsp. crumbled chili flakes, or more to taste n 1 Tbs. pumpkin seeds n salt and black pepper to taste

n n n n n

TO SERVE n 2 Tbs. coarsely chopped fresh cilantro n extra virgin olive oil

DIRECTIONS

Heat oven to 400°F. Halve the squash and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and stringy flesh. Drizzle 2 Tbs. of the oil over the squash and season with salt and pepper; use your hands to rub the oil all over the cut sides of the flesh.

Put the squash into a large metal roasting pan, flesh side down, and place in the hot oven. Cook for 30 minutes, then remove from the oven. Mix the ground cumin and coriander with another Tbs. of oil; turn the squash cut side up and drizzle the mixture over the top.

Toss the diced vegetables in the remaining oil with some more salt and pepper. Add to the roasting pan, arranging them in a single layer around the squash. Return to the oven for another 20 minutes.

Remove from the oven and spoon out the diced cooked vegetables. Put them into a bowl with the freekeh, feta, chives and chili flakes and stir to combine. Pile the mixture into the hollow of each squash—don’t worry if some falls out into the pan. Top each half with a sprinkle of pumpkin seeds. Return to the oven for 8 minutes to heat the freekeh, pop the seeds and warm the cheese.

Top with the fresh cilantro and a restrained drizzle of extra virgin olive oil just before serving.

Freekeh is an ancient grain from the Middle East with many nutritional properties.

It is a type of wheat that has a chewy and firm texture, which is very versatile and can be used in many dishes. This grain is higher in protein and fiber than quinoa or brown rice, but does contain gluten.

It is also a great source of iron, good for oxygenating the blood.”

—Janet Brancato, registered dietitian/nutritionist, Nutopia, Glen Rock

All recipes and photos are reprinted with permission from Leon Happy One-Pot Cooking by Rebecca Seal and John Vincent.

Photos by Steven Joyce.

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{ SPIRITS } HOT-MULLED WINE

Seep & Sip

INGREDIENTS

n 1 (750 ml.) bottle red wine n 1 orange, sliced into rounds, plus more for garnish n 6 whole cloves n 3 cinnamon sticks, plus more for garnish n 3 star anise n ¼ cup honey n ½ cup brandy

There’s nothing to mull over here— this toasty, spicy cocktail is an obvious pick for the season.

DIRECTIONS

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine all ingredients. Bring to a simmer not a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer gently over low heat for 10 minutes.

Serve warm and garnish with more citrus slices and cinnamon sticks.

Keep the wine simple with a spicy drink like this. I recommend staying away from strong-based reds such as Merlot and opting instead for a lighter Burgundy.”

—Mimi Kim, head bartender and manager, Straphanger Bar and Grill, Hackensack

Recipe courtesy of delish.com

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Discover

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Bergen (USPS 025-351) Published 11 times/year by Wainscot Media, 110 Summit Ave., Montvale, NJ 07645. Thomas Flannery, Publisher; Rita Guarna, Editor; Daria Meoli, Managing Editor. Subscription Price: $14.00 US. Filing Date: October 31, 2018; Issue Date for Circulation Data: December 2018. Average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months: Total # of copies: 44,035; Outside County paid/requested mail subscriptions: 0; In- County paid/ requested mail subscriptions: 23,350; Sales through dealers and carriers, street vendors, counter sales, and other paid or requested distribution outside USPS: 0; Requested copies distributed by other mail classes through the USPS 1,829. Total paid and/or requested circulation: 25,179; Outside County nonrequested copies: 0; In- County nonrequested copies: 18,204 Nonrequested copies distributed through the USPS by other classes of mail: 0; Nonrequested copies distributed outside the mail: 0. Total nonrequested distribution: 18,204; Total distribution: 43,383 Copies not distributed: 653; Total: 44,036 Percent paid and/ or requested circulation: 57.18%; No. Copies of single issue published nearest to filing date: Total # of copies: 43,700; Outside County paid/requested mail subscriptions: 0; In-County paid/requested mail subscriptions: 23,375; Sales through dealers and carriers, street vendors, counter sales, and other paid or requested distribution outside USPS: 0; Requested copies distributed by other mail classes through the USPS: 1,732.

Total paid and/ or requested circulation: 25,107; Outside County nonrequested copies: 0; In- County nonrequested copies: 17,831; Nonrequested copies distributed through the USPS by other classes of mail: 0; Nonrequested copies distributed outside the mail: 0. Total nonrequested distribution: 17,831; Total distribution: 42,938; Copies not distributed: 762 Total: 43,700; Percent paid and/or requested circulation: 57.5%.

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JOIN OUR ONLINE COMMUNITY! LIKE US ON FACEBOOK  BergenMag FOLLOW US ON TWITTER  @BergenMag VIEW OUR BOARDS ON PINTEREST

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Your ONE Partner for Comprehensive Senior Care When it comes to Skilled Nursing, Assisted Living and Long-Term Acute Care, no one covers New Jersey like CareOne. We are the community’s ONE choice for quality, personalized care, delivered with compassion.

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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Talking about hearing loss can be a sensitive subject for many people.

It’s an automatic assumption that the person presumes, “it’s because I’m old”, and will immediately go on the defense.

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We take great pride in having only Board Certified Specialists and being family owned and operated for over 30 years. Let us help your loved one on their journey to better hearing.

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Family owned and operated, Promenade is dedicated to the wellbeing of its residents, providing an ideal environment for your loved one to age gracefully. With multiple communities of different sizes, specialties, and prices, Promenade offers comprehensive and enthusiastic support for your loved one. Between each of our communities, you can find the assisted living, memory care, independent senior living,

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VAN DYK HEALTH CARE AT RIDGEWOOD

Finding the right care for your family is an important decision. It’s about trust. It’s about commitment. It’s about having an award-winning staff at your side, creating a nurturing environment. Our goal is simple—to find solutions that lead to better health and quality of life. Whether you need short-term care to get back home quickly and safely, or you need long-term care for your loved one, you will always have the peace of mind that we will treat you like family. 65 years of family ownership says it all. We will continue to be there when you need us most.

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The emotional and physical struggle can be devastating. Our certified experts provide meaningful social stimulation to help with Mom’s memory loss. Give yourself the gift of time. Regain your balance in life.

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{ ON THE TOWN }

Gatherings

Whether it’s at a charity fashion show or a fall festival Bergenites show support for their friends and neighbors.

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DON BOSCO PREP MOTHERS’ GUILD The Don Bosco Prep Mothers’ Guild held its annual fashion show at the Rockleigh Country Club. The fundraiser included the “Stepping Out In Style” fashion show with fashions provided by Bloomingdale’s and Biltmore Tuxedos, a three-course dinner, raffles, silent auction and more. All proceeds benefit the students at Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey.

1 Denise O’Connor, Pam Giovatto, Linda Bobroy, Linda Akerman 2 Student volunteers from Don Bosco Prep 3 Maria Stewart, Jane Potenza, Nicole Marian

AMERICAN SPECIAL CHILDREN’S PILGRIMAGE GROUP Students are the Academy of the Holy Angels in Demarest participated in “This Is Me,” a benefit concert at Saint Therese Church in Cresskill to raise money for the American Special Children’s Pilgrimage Group. The Bergenfield-based group hosts trips to Lourdes, France, for special needs children and young adults.

4 Emily Stanzione, Olivia Polise, Caitlin Neville

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THE COMMUNITY CHEST The third annual Oktoberfest at the The Community Chest took place at the Englewood Field Club, where attendees enjoyed music, dancing, a live auction and Bavarian fare. The organization raises money to provide social, cultural, recreational and educational services to residents of all ages in eastern Bergen County.

5 Nadeem and Amie Abu-Rustum 6 Marcie Mann, Tom Manolio, Barbara Strauss, Jami Toolen, Melanie Simon BERGENMAG.COM

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Chris Flannery (1–3), The Academy of the Holy Angels (4), Sam Lee (5–6)

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8 FAMILY PROMISE OF BERGEN COUNTY The OritaniBank Charitable Foundation presented a $25,000 matching grant to Ridgewood-based Family Promise of Bergen County. The organization will use the donations—a total of $50,000—for its Camp Lots-of-Fun, which gives underprivileged kids ages 5–12 a place where they can play, run, dance, create, laugh, learn, grow and make friends.

10 Paul Shackford, Kate Duggan, Kevin Lynch

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HOLY ROSARY FOOD PANTRY City Place at The Promenade in Edgewater hosted the fifth annual 3K Spooky Stroll, a family event sponsored by the Edgewater Education Association that featured music, face painting and trickor-treating with the retailers.

The participants also donated non-perishable food items and raised more than $1,900 for the Holy Rosary Food Pantry in Edgewater.

7–9 Costumed kids enjoy a day of trick-or-treating at City Place at The Promenade in Edgewater.

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ENGLEWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT As part of its Inner Explorer program, LG USA—headquartered in Englewood and Englewood Cliffs—hosted a fall festival and a conference with more than 200 teachers from the Englewood School District. Both events helped increase awareness of the benefits of mindfulness for students and staff.

11 Michael Pepperman, Laurie Grossman, Robert Kravitz, Denise V. Tighe 12–13 Families enjoy LG’s fall festival.

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Gale Branding (7–9), Family Promise of Bergen County (10), Jeremy Smith (11–13)

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11/20/18 9:14 AM

CELEBRATING 35 YEARS

W E LCO M E TO T H E

GOURMET

S TO R E

Pumpkin Spice Caramel Grahams Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash

that comes to your door!

Our decadent chocolate collections are just the beginning. Cocoa is our secret x-factor ingredient for easy gourmet weeknight dinners, crowd-pleasing meals, and so much more.

Explore our collection of award-winning exclusive gourmet products curated by professional chefs.

Karen Azzarello | Founding Curator

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{ ON THE TOWN }

Be There

You’ll end 2018 on a high note with these concerts, dinners, holiday celebrations and more happening right here in Bergen County.

DEC 1 Ring in the holiday season at TICE’S CORNER HOLIDAY FESTIVAL in Woodcliff Lake. From 6-8 p.m., enjoy warm refreshments, carolers, a visit with Santa and a special lighting of both a tree and a menorah. Tickets: FREE. Get additional information at ticescorner.com.

DEC 1 Italian-Argentinian restaurant Campanello Trattoria in Franklin Lakes is hosting a family friendly LUNCH WITH SANTA from 12–2 p.m. After you’re done with the meal, get some shopping done at their holiday boutique stocked with unique gifts. Tickets: $15 minimum food purchase required. Visit campanellotrattoria.com for more.

DEC 1–DEC 22 Make a date with Santa every Saturday in December at the annual SANTA IN THE PARK event at Memorial Park at Van Neste Square in Ridgewood. From 12–3 p.m., visit and take photos with Jolly Old Saint Nick and indulge in some Ben & Jerry’s hot chocolate. Tickets: FREE. Learn more at ridgewoodchamber.com.

DEC 1–JAN 1 The biggest winter event in Bergen County returns for another year of fun at the WINTER WONDERLAND at Van Saun Park in Paramus. The festivities include iceskating, unlimited carousel and train rides, zoo events, food trucks, visits from Santa and tons

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more. There will also be an indoor/outdoor beer garden for adults. Tickets: $14 online or $15 at the venue. Children 3 and under are free. Go to bergencountywinterwonderland.com for the complete schedule of events.

DEC 3 Learn where the tradition of Winter Solstice began and enjoy some celebratory treats at Mahwah Public Library’s event with CHEF WENDY GORDON AND PROFESSOR SHERRILL WILSON from 6:30–8:30 p.m. Attendees also will make a globe ornament craft. Tickets: FREE, but guests must register in advance. Do so by calling 201.529.7323 or by visiting the library’s registration desk.

Photo by Yvonne Marki; Dana’s Bakery; shutterstock

Dec. 1–Jan. 1 WINTER WONDERLAND

DECEMBER 2018

11/16/18 2:04 PM

DEC 6–9 Your whole family will enjoy the Wyckoff YMCA theater’s production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Kids and adults in the company tell the classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge from 7-10 p.m. Tickets: $20 for adults, $12 for kids 12 and under. Learn more and find out showtimes at wyckoffymca.org/events.

DEC 7–9 Is it even December without seeing The Nutcracker? JulieDance of Midland Park is putting on its annual production of the holiday favorite THE NUTCRACKER at Paramus Catholic High School with the Donetsk Ballet troupe from Ukraine, the award-winning Adelphi Orchestra and ballet students from Miss Patti’s School of Dance. Tickets: $40-45, and proceeds benefit pediatric cancer research. Go to juliedance.org for showtimes and more info.

DEC 7 KENNY G’S THE MIRACLES HOLIDAY AND HITS TOUR is making its way to bergenPAC in Englewood at 8 p.m. The Grammy winner will play some of his greatest hits from his three

decades-long career as well as put a jazzy twist on some holiday favorites. Tickets start at $64. Learn more at bergenpac.org.

DEC 8 This isn’t your typical holiday craft fair. The MOM-PRUH-NUR VENDOR EVENT, run by the PTO at Brookside Elementary School in Westwood, allows entrepreneurial parents to showcase their products and network with other local moms and dads. Browse the goodies from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. More than 80 different vendors are expected. Get more info by emailing mompruhnurcarrie@gmail.com.

Dec. 21 WINTER SOLSTICE DREAMTIME

DEC 8 & 16 Impress your guests by making some holiday-themed macarons at a hands-on BAKING CLASS taught by a pastry chef at Dana’s Bakery in South Hackensack. In the 2.5 hour session from 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m., you’ll prepare and bake three dozen macarons and learn some recipes to use at home. The

first class’s theme is gingerbread, followed by Christmas/Hanukkah. Tickets: $100 per person.

Danasbakery.com has all the details.

DEC 10 Need gift ideas for the ladies in your life? Amy Kanarek of Amy Kanarek Designs will lead a hands-on MAKING EARRINGS WORKSHOP at the Mahwah Public Library, where participants will create a pair of beaded earrings in the color of their choice from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tickets: $5. Adults only. Register in advance by calling 201.529.7323 or visiting the registration desk.

DEC 14 & 29 Solve a hilarious crime and enjoy a four-course meal while you’re at it with THE DINNER DETECTIVE MURDER MYSTERY SHOW from 6–9 p.m. at DoubleTree by Hilton in Fort Lee. The “killer” is hiding somewhere in the audience….could it be you? Tickets: $67.95. Adults only. Purchase your tickets at thedinnerdetective.com/fort-lee.

DEC 21 You could use some relaxation on the longest day of the year. Learn reflection exercises that will energize you and clear your mind at the WINTER SOLSTICE DREAMTIME guided meditation class from 7–9 p.m. Tickets: $35 and up, which includes the price of crystals. Email the instructor at lois@loiskramerperez.com for more information; exact location is shared upon registration.

DEC 22 Bring the joy of dance to the holiday

Photo by Yvonne Marki; Dana’s Bakery; shutterstock

season at JOYFUL NOISE at the Hackensack Cultural Arts Center, from 1–3 p.m. The performance will be presented by Blossom Sisters Dance & Performing Arts in Hackensack, whose mission is “no child should be denied access to dance arts.” Tickets: $15. For tickets and more information, visit hacpac.org.

Send event listings to: BERGEN, 110 Summit Ave., Montvale, NJ 07645; or email us at editor@wainscotmedia.com. Listings must be received two months before the event and must include a phone number or website that will be published. Share events online by clicking the “Submit an Event” link below the Community Calendar at bergenmag.com.

Dec. 8 & 16 BAKING CLASS

BERGENMAG.COM

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{ ON THE TOWN }

RESTAURANT REVIEW:

El Conuco

It’s a known fact that I’d travel far and wide in the name of well-prepared and delicious pork—as many other of my fellow FilipinoAmerican friends would do. While my global exploits fall well short of those enjoyed by the late Anthony Bourdain, I’ve toured many of Bergen’s best. My latest journey in search of “the other white meat” brought me back to downtown Cliffside Park (I come here often), where a revamped restaurant row boasts a variety of cuisines, from New American and Turkish to traditional Italian and Thai.

I’ve often heard the acclaim for chefs from the Dominican Republic, the best of whom are skilled in the “art of pork,” which includes mastery of the skin, fat and meat. It was just my luck that a new Dominican restaurant, El Conuco, opened this fall only a few blocks away from the central business district.

The cozy storefront, situated on Palisade Avenue near Cliffside’s border with Fairview, is the ownership team’s second location. The first restaurant, in Union City, has been earning rave reviews with diners for several years, giving me high hopes for the Bergen spot. Off the bat, my dining companion gave high marks for the cleanliness of the bright interior and the friendliness of the staff. The menu is printed in English and Spanish with photographs of each dish (I assume to assist in the ordering process, though all the images did for me was tempt and make my mouth water).

Hoping to immediately satisfy my yearning for pork, I started with a plate of chicharrón.

The morsels of pork belly had everything a carnivore loves—crispy skin, just the right amount of fat and tender meat. My friend isn’t a fan of belly fat, so she passed on my dish but devoured our second app, empanadas de yuca. The tiny pockets were breaded with cassava flour (naturally glutenfree) and fried, each crunchy bite containing ground pork and other spices.

Entrees on El Conuco’s menu are separated by meat: pork, beef, chicken, shrimp and fish. Vegetarians have few listed options but chefs will accommodate special requests. I was still on a meat high, so I went with the grilled pork chops. The sizzling chops were topped with a tangy medley of diced peppers and onions and served with a side of white rice and broccoli.

The chops were wonderfully crisp on the outside, delightfully moist on the inside and packed with the Dominican flavor consisting

of garlic, onion, parsley and other herbs and spices.

My companion, meanwhile, went with a lighter selection: breaded fried shrimp with a side of white rice and fried plantains.

The mediumsized crustaceans were cooked to perfection—each was generously coated with pankolike breadcrumbs and had a soft, buttery texture with every bite. We also shared a plate of vegetable mofongo, mashed green plantains molded in a mound resembled mashed potatoes. This was the only plate that fell flat in flavor, though we salvaged it by drizzling the accompanying zesty tomatobased sauce on top.

The restaurant has a full bakery with Dominican pastries and desserts. We split a small plate of flan, a rich and creamy caramel cake that was the perfect balance to the meaty dinner.

El Conuco, with its array of pork plates (and other dishes), was a worthwhile stop on my quest to try the best menus in Bergen—and it’s the perfect place to fill food cravings.

—Darius Amos El Conuco, 455 Palisade Ave., Cliffside Park, 201.945.9200, elconuco.com BERGENMAG.COM

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Photos by Darius Amo

Dominican flavor is alive at this new Cliffside Park eatery.

DECEMBER 2018

11/20/18 9:15 AM

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Holiday GIFT GUIDE CYCLESPORT

CAFÉ ITALIANO RISTORANTE & BAR If you haven’t dined out lately, or if you’ve been looking for a place with a unique atmosphere to take someone special, then you owe it to yourself to visit Cafe Italiano Ristorante & Bar, one of the best Bergen County NJ Italian restaurants, located in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.

We offer the most authentic Italian pasta and risotto, fresh seafood, milkfed veal, steaks, and chops, creative chef specials in a cozy and charming atmosphere.

THE GEM MINE There’s something for everyone, in every price range, at The Gem Mine—creative artistdesigned silver, gold, & quality craft jewelry... gemstones, minerals, fossils, shells...crystals, carvings, bookends...vintage jewelry—and much more! The Gem Mine is truly unique. Visit us and see for yourself.

There’s nothing better than a new bike for Christmas.

Cyclesport has the Area’s largest selection, priced right, and a top-notch staff to help you with all things cycling. Voted one of the top 100 bike shops in the USA 10 years in a row.

Serving you daily: Monday-Thursday 11am8pm; Friday 11am-7pm; Saturday 10am-6pm.

Holiday hours M-F 9:30-7, Sat. 9:30-6.

Plan your special event in our private party room!

14 SYLVAN AVE., ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, NJ 201.461.5041 CAFEITALIANO.NET

65 WESTWOOD AVE., WESTWOOD, NJ 201.722.8676 THEGEMMINENJ.COM

1 HAWTHORNE AVE., PARK RIDGE, NJ 201.391.5269 CYCLESPORTONLINE.COM

THE FOUNTAIN SPA COOKIES BY DESIGN Cookies by Design offers freshly baked hand decorated cookie gifts and treats that can be personalized for any occasion. The perfect gift for Christmas, Hanukkah and the Holiday Season! Local and Nationwide Delivery!

Visit www.cookiesbydesign.com or call 201.567.1206.

IL FRENO ESPRESSO BAR AND CAFÉ Michael and Tracy Grotz, owners of Cyclesport, have opened a stand-alone café and espresso bar. Located at 81 Park Ave., Park Ridge, directly below the bike store. The Espresso bar features coffee and espresso drinks from La Colombe, teas from Waterfall Tea company, pastries from Balthazar Bakery, vegan and gluten free items, and a variety of snacks.

Open Monday-Friday, 7am-4:30pm; Saturday, 7:30am-4pm; Sunday, 8am-3pm.

125 N DEAN ST., ENGLEWOOD, NJ 201.567.1206 COOKIESBYDESIGN.COM

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81 PARK AVE., PARK RIDGE, NJ 07656 201.856.8036 ILFRENOESPRESSOBAR.COM

This Valentine’s Day, pamper someone you love or yourself with services at The Fountain Spa. Along with extraordinary massages, facials, manicures, pedicures and cutting edge hair services, The Fountain Spa features luxurious amenities: Marble Showers & Steam Rooms.

Private Jacuzzis for you to experience alone or to share with that special someone... Couples Spa Suites, Side-by-Side Massages and Facials.

Tranquility Rooms with waterfalls where you can relax & enjoy spa cuisine.

The Perfect Gift that says “I Love You.” ROUTE 17 NORTH AT FRANKLIN TURNPIKE, RAMSEY THE SHOPS AT RIVERSIDE, ROUTE 4 WEST AT HACKENSACK AVE., HACKENSACK 201.327.5155 | THEFOUNTAINSPA.COM

11/20/18 2:10 2:06 PM

{ ON THE TOWN }

Where To Eat

Getting three squares a day has never been easier—Bergen County is home to a selection of restaurants diverse enough to satisfy all of your cravings.

CLIFFSIDE PARK

MASA 81 W. Allendale Ave. 201.934.6616 masasushiandgrill.com

AVO’S GRILL 720 Anderson Ave., Ste. 4, 201.945.9038 orderavos.com

MEZZALUNA BISTRO 97 W. Allendale Ave. 201.327.6556

RUDY’S 591 Anderson Ave. 201.943.9252 rudyscliffsidenj.com

SAVINI 168 W. Crescent Ave. 201.760.3700 savinirestaurant.com

ALPINE KIKU 385 Rte. 9W 201.767.6322

BERGENFIELD BAMBOO GRILL 54 S. Washington Ave. 201.384.5951 bamboo-grill.com CHAPALA GRILL 52 S. Washington Ave. 201.387.2107 chapalamexicangrill.com WAGON WHEEL 16 S. Front St. 201.384.9464

BOGOTA 101 PUB 101 Queen Anne Rd. 201.343.9802 LUKA’S 10 River Rd. 201.440.2996 lukasitaliancuisine.com

CARLSTADT BIGGIE’S 430 Rte. 17 S. 201.933.4000 biggies.com

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T & THAI 644 Anderson Ave. 201.941.0099 tnthai.com

CLOSTER AZÚCAR CUBAN CUISINE 171 Schraalenburgh Rd. 201.660.7977 azucarcubancuisine.com THE HILL 252 Schraalenburgh Rd. 201.899.4700 thehillcloster.com LOCALE CAFÉ & BAR 208 Piermont Rd. 201.750.3233 locale208closter.com SEAR HOUSE 411 Piermont Rd. 201.292.4612 searhouse.com

CRESSKILL DELVINA RESTAURANT 172 Piermont Rd. 201.816.0239 delvinarestaurant.com FARMHOUSE CAFÉ & EATERY 15 E. Madison Ave. 201.266.8931 farmhousecafenj.com

DEMAREST

GIANNA’S 843 Washington Ave. 201.460.7997 giannas.biz

YASOU MYKONOS 134 Hardenburgh Ave. 201.768.8500 yasoumykonos.com

IL VILLAGGIO 651 Rte. 17 N. 201.935.7733 ilvillaggio.com

DUMONT

MASSAMAN THAI CUISINE 312 Hackensack St. 201.559.1424 massamanthaicuisine.com

FOSCHINI’S 21 E. Madison Ave. 201.387.9998 foschinis.com IL MULINO 132 Veterans Plz. 201.384.7767 ilmulinodumont.com

This page: photo courtesy of Varka Estiatorio; opposite page: courtesy of Ho-Ho-Kus Inn/Nadya Furnari

Varka Estiatorio, Ramsey

ALLENDALE

11/16/18 2:28 PM

Ho-Ho-Kus Inn & Tavern, Ho-Ho-Kus

PIMAAN THAI 79 Kinderkamack Rd. 201.967.0440 pimaanthai.com

ENGLEWOOD AKAI LOUNGE 11 N. Dean St. 201.541.0086 akailounge.com BAUMGART’S CAFÉ 45 E. Palisade Ave. 201.569.6267 baumgartscafe.com

EAST RUTHERFORD ANNABELLA’S HOUSE OF MOZZARELLA 900 Paterson Plank Rd. 201.804.0303 annabellasmozz.com CAFFE CAPRI 119 Park Ave. 201.460.1039 caffecapri restaurant.com

EDGEWATER CAFÉ ARCHETYPUS 266 River Rd. 201.941.0609 archetypus.com

This page: photo courtesy of Varka Estiatorio; opposite page: courtesy of Ho-Ho-Kus Inn/Nadya Furnari

HAVEN 2 Main St. 201.943.1900 havenedgewater.com IZZY’S PIZZERIA 86 The Promenade City Place 201.795.2600 izzyspizzeria.com JACK’S LOBSTER SHACK 1040 River Rd. 201.224.2808 jackslobstershack.com

REBECCA’S 236 Old River Rd. 201.943.8808 new.rebeccas edgewater.com THE RIVER PALM TERRACE 1416 River Rd. 201.224.2013 riverpalm.com ROBERTO’S II 936 River Rd. 201.224.2524 robertosii.com THAT FONDUE PLACE 934 River Rd. 201.224.2524 thatfondueplace.com

ELMWOOD PARK ELMWOOD PARK DINER 375 Market St. 201.796.6641 epdiner.com ROYAL WARSAW 871 River Dr. 201.794.9277 royalwarsaw.com

KINARA 880 River Rd. 201.313.0555 kinararestaurant.com

TAVERNA MYKONOS 238 Broadway 201.703.9200 tavernamykonos.com

LE JARDIN 1257 River Rd. 201.224.9898 lejardinnj.com

THE TWISTED ELM 435 River Dr. 201.791.3705 twistedelm.com

ORAMA 595 River Rd. 201.945.2020 orama.com

EMERSON

PIER 115 115 River Rd. 201.313.2155 pier115bar andgrill.com

FRANCO’S PIZZA 207 Kinderkamack Rd. 201.265.8111 francospizza restaurant.com

FAIRVIEW NOCHES DE COLOMBIA 172 Broad Ave. 201.840.8428 nochesdecolombia.com PATSY’S 344 Bergen Blvd.

201.943.0627

CASSIE’S 18 S. Dean St. 201.541.6760 cassiespizzeria.com

FORT LEE

DARUMA 45 N. Dean St. 201.567.9600 darumaenglewood.com

CITY PERCH 2023 Hudson St. 201.582.7101 cityperch.com

EMMA 34 E. Palisade Ave. 201.227.6103 emma34.com

G.W. GRILL 2139 Hudson Ter. 201.947.2440 gwgrill.com

RED, WHITE & PASTA 21 E. Palisade Ave. 201.731.3223 redwhiteandpasta.com

IN NAPOLI 116 Main St. 201.947.2500 inapoli.com

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS

LOUI LOUI 210 Main St. 201.461.7080 louiloui.com

CAFÉ ITALIANO 14 Sylvan Ave. 201.461.5041 cafeitaliano.net CLIFF’S STEAKHOUSE 18 Sylvan Ave. 201.944.0233 cliffssteakhouse.com GRISSINI 484 Sylvan Ave. 201.568.3535 grissinirestaurant.com

FAIR LAWN DAVIA 6-09 Fair Lawn Ave. 201.797.6767 KIMCHI MAMA 7-09 Fair Lawn Ave. 201.703.2905 MEI SUSHI 14-20 Plaza Rd. North 201.398.9882 meisushi.com OCEANOS 2-27 Saddle River Rd. 201.796.0546 oceanosrestaurant.com RIVARA’S RESTAURANT 6-18 Maple Ave. 201.797.4878 rivaras.com BERGENMAG.COM

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THE RIVER PALM TERRACE 41-11 Rte. 4 201.703.3500 riverpalm.com

CAFFÉ MILANO 2117 Rte. 4 East 201.461.0466

MOOD FOOD 1224 Anderson Ave. 201.313.8278 moodfood.life PRIME & BEYOND 501 Main St. 201.461.0033 primeandbeyond.com

FRANKLIN LAKES THE CHEF’S TABLE 754 Franklin Ave. 201.891.6644 GOLDEN DYNASTY 825 Franklin Ave. 201.891.6644 goldendynastynj.com SUSHI COCORO 856 Franklin Ave. 201.560.1333 sushicocoro.com

GARFIELD GOODFELLAS 661 Midland Ave. 973.478.4000 goodfellasristorante.com LA CAMBUSA 517 River Dr. 973.272.8739 cambusanj.com

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LA FORTALEZA 361 Midland Ave. 973.928.4470 lafortalezamexrestaurant.com

GLEN ROCK

HASBROUCK HEIGHTS BENDIX DINER 464 Rte. 17 201.288.0143

THE GLEN ROCK INN 222 Rock Rd. 201.445.2362 glenrockinn.com

BENSI 459 Rte. 17 South 201.727.9525 bensihh.com

NECTAR CAFE 175 Rock Rd. 201.857.0825 nectarcafenj.com

IVY INN 268 Terrace Ave. 201.393.7699 ivyinn.com

ROCCA 203 Rock Rd. 201.670.4945 roccanj.com

HAWORTH

HACKENSACK

ALESSANDRO’S 157 Terrace St. 201.385.8544 alessandrosnj.com

HOUSTON’S 1 Riverside Sq., #181 201.488.5667 houstons.com

ANDIAMO 23 Hardenburgh Ave. 201.384.1551 andiamorestaurant.net

MORTON’S THE STEAKHOUSE 1 Riverside Sq., #274 201.487.1303 mortons.com/hackensack

TERRACE STREET CAFÉ 149 Terrace St. 201.338.4720 terracestreetcafe. wixsite.com

THE OCEANAIRE 175 Riverside Sq. 201.343.8862 theoceanaire.com THE PICCO TAVERN 160 Prospect Ave. 201.880.8750 piccotavern.com POITIN STILL 774 Main St. 201.487.0660 SOLARI’S 61 S. River St. 201.487.1969 solarisrestaurant.net STONY HILL INN 231 Polifly Rd. 201.342.4085 stonyhillinn.com WHITE MANNA 358 River St. 201.342.0914

HARRINGTON PARK DINO’S RESTAURANT 12 Tappan Rd. 201.767.4245 dinoshp.com ORIGINAL PRESTO’S PIZZA 90 La Roche Ave. 201.750.1077 originalpresto.com

HILLSDALE THE CORNERSTONE 84 Broadway 201.666.8688 thecornerstonenj.com MATSU SUSHI & GRILL 140 Broadway 201.722.9388 matsunj.com NINO’S PIZZA 456 Broadway 201.497.6900 ninospizzaonline.com OSSO BUCO 343 Broadway 201.664.1600 ossobucogrill.com

HO-HO-KUS ALBERT’S CAFE AMICI 4 Sycamore Ave. 201.389.6377 albertscafeamici.com ALT EATS CAFÉ 622 N. Maple Ave. 201.444.1300 alteatscafe.com HO-HO-KUS INN & TAVERN 1 E. Franklin Tpk. 201.445.4115 hohokusinn.com ST. EVE’S 611 North Maple Ave. 201.857.4717 stevesnj.com

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{ ON THE TOWN } CAFÉ L’AMORE 455 Ramapo Valley Rd. 201.337.5558 cafelamore.com

GREEK CORNER GRILL 99 Park Ave. 201.476.1400 greekcornergrill.com

PORTOBELLO 175 Ramapo Valley Rd. 201.337.8990 portobellonj.com

THE PARK STEAKHOUSE 151 Kinderkamack Rd. 201.930.1300 theparksteakhouse.com

W’S GRILL 20 Elm St. 201.651.0005 wsgrilloakland.com

PEPPERCORNS 176 Colony Ave. 201.391.2818 peppercornsparkridge.com

OLD TAPPAN

YUKI HANA 131 Kinderkamack Rd. 201.391.3230 yukihanaparkridge.net

HOSHITORI 216 Old Tappan Rd. 201.666.6544 VICOLO RISTORANTE 216 Old Tappan Rd. 201.497.8777 vicoloristorante.com

ORADELL LEONIA

MAHWAH

DANTE’S PLACE 373 Broad Ave. 201.592.9071 dantesplace.com

MASON JAR 219 Ramapo Valley Rd. 201.529.2302 masonjar.com

FONTANA DI TREVI 248 Fort Lee Rd. 201.242.9040 fontanaditrevirestaurant. com

NAGOYA 1007 MacArthur Blvd.

201.818.9933 nagoyacuisine.com

BAZZARELLI 117 Moonachie Rd. 201.641.4010 bazzarellirestaurant.com

THE RIVER PALM TERRACE 209 Ramapo Valley Rd. 201.529.1111 riverpalm.com

BISTRO 107 107 Moonachie Rd. 201.440.3339 bistro107nj.com

MIGA RESTAURANT 344 Broad Ave. 201.592.9071

LITTLE FERRY SEGOVIA STEAKHOUSE & SEAFOOD 217 Main St. 201.814.1100 segoviasteakhouse.com

LODI REBAR & KITCHEN 132 Essex St. 201.368.8181 rebarnj.com SERGIO’S MISSIONE 2 N. Mercer St. 973.778.4545 sergiosmissione.com

LYNDHURST ANGELO’S 263 Ridge Rd. 201.939.1922 LEE’S HAWAIIAN ISLANDER 768 Stuyvesant Ave. 201.939.3777 MICHAEL’S RIVERSIDE 528 Riverside Ave. 201.939.6333 michaelsriverside.com

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SANGRIA 1033 MacArthur Blvd.

201.962.3310 sangriamahwah.com STATELINE DINER 375 Rte. 17 201.529.3353 statelinediner.com

MAYWOOD ANGELO’S 245 Maywood Ave. 201.845.4278

MIDLAND PARK ARTURO’S 41 Central Ave. 201.444.2466 arturos.co FIONA’S RISTORANTE 118 Godwin Ave. 210.857.5800 fionasristorante.com

MONTVALE BELLISSIMO 12 S. Kinderkamack Rd. 201.746.6669 bellissimonj.com

HEARTH & TAP CO. 125 Kinderkamack Rd. 201.307.6300 hearthandtap.com

MOONACHIE

LA HAVANA 59 110 Moonachie Ave. 201.964.9515 lahavana59.com PROVA 94 Moonachie Ave. 201.939.8500 provanow.com SEGOVIA 150 Moonachie Rd. 201.641.4266 segoviarestaurant.com

NEW MILFORD CASUAL HABANA CAFÉ 200 Main St. 201.576.0400 casualhabanacafe.com SANZARI’S 105 Old New Bridge Rd. 201.692.7700 sanzaris.com SECTION 201 704 River Rd. 201.262.5600 section201.com BERGENMAG.COM

NORTHVALE THE GREEK VILLAGE 254 Livingston St. 201.750.8570 greekvillagenj.com MADELEINE’S PETIT PARIS 416 Tappan Rd. 201.767.0063 madeleinespetitparis.com TASTE OF SPAIN 493 Tappan Rd. 201.767.8904 tasteofspain restaurant.com

NORWOOD CHOK DEE THAI KITCHEN 561 Livingston St. 201.750.8880 chokdeethaikitchen.com COUSINS PIZZA 450 Livingston St. 201.767.4300 cousinsnorwoodnj.com DIMORA 100 Piermont Rd. 201.750.5000 dimorarestaurant.com RAGAZZI 530 Livingston St. 201.660.7950 ragazzirestaurant lounge.com WILD WASABI 460 Livingston St. 201.767.1300 gowildwasabi.com

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ESTI’S CAFE 680 Kinderkamack Rd. 201.322.6362 estiscafe.com

RAMSEY ANTHONY’S COAL FIRED PIZZA 984 Rte. 17 201.818.2625 acfp.com CAFÉ PANACHE 130 E. Main St. 201.934.0030 cafepanachenj.com

RED APPLE RESTAURANT 235 Kinderkamack Rd. 201.986.1800 redappleoradell.com

GAO THAI KITCHEN 63 W. Main St. 201.962.2691 gaothaikitchen.com

OCEAN SUSHI 619 Oradell Ave. 201.986.1113 oceansushioradell.com

GIOVANNA’S CAFÉ 19 E. Main St. 201.825.5835 giovannascafe.com

PALISADES PARK

THE SHANNON ROSE 1200 Rte. 17 201.962.7602 theshannonrose.com

MESON MADRID 343 Bergen Blvd.

201.947.1038 mesonmadrid.com SO MOON NAN JIP 238 Broad Ave. 201.944.3998 TO SOK CHON 138 W. Central Blvd.

201.482.0910

PARAMUS CHAKRA 144 Rte. 4 East 201.556.1530 chakrarestaurant.com KIKU 365 Rte. 17 South 201.265.7200 MANTRA 275 Rte. 4 West 201.342.8868 mantranj.com

PARK RIDGE ESTY STREET 86 Spring Valley Rd. 201.307.1515 estystreet.com

VARKA ESTIATORIO 30 N. Spruce St. 201.995.9333 varkarestaurant.com

RIDGEFIELD CAFÉ TIVOLI 533 Shaler Blvd.

201.941.5561 cafetivoli.com TUTTO A MODO MIO 482 Bergen Blvd.

201.313.9690 tuttoamodomio.com

RIDGEFIELD PARK LUIGI’S RESTAURANT 54 Mt. Vernon St. 201.641.9869 luigisridgefieldpark.com MK VALENCIA 228 Main St. 201.373.0228 mkvalenciarestaurant.com

Photos: this page: courtesy of Bacari Grill; opposite page: Darius Amos

OAKLAND Bacari Grill, Washington Township

DECEMBER 2018

11/16/18 2:29 PM

SPARTA TAVERNA 206 Main St. 201.296.0095 spartataverna.com THAI PALACE 218 E. Main St. 201.441.9119 thaipalaceteaneck.com

RIDGEWOOD A MANO 24 Franklin Ave. 201.493.2000 amanopizza.com BAMBOO HOUSE 28 S. Broad St. 201.447.3111 BAUMGART’S CAFÉ 158 Franklin Ave. 201.612.5688 baumgartscafe.com CAFÉ 37 37 S. Broad St. 201.857.0437 café-37.com FINCA 20 E. Ridgewood Ave. 201.444.1199 fincanj.com FROM SCRATCH 44 E. Ridgewood Ave. 201.857.5188 fromscratch ridgewood.com KAILASH 22 Oak St. 201.251.9693 KUMO 55 Franklin Ave. 201.251.9693 kumo55.com

LA LANTERNA CAFÉ & GRILL 29 W. Ridgewood Ave. 201.444.5520 lalanternaof ridgewood.com LE BON CHOIX 11 Godwin Ave. 201.689.0400 lebonchoixcafe.com LISA’S 28 Oak St. 201.251.8686 lisasmediterranean cuisine.net PARK WEST TAVERN 30 Oak St. 201.445.5400 parkwesttavern.com PEARL RESTAURANT 17 S. Broad St. 201.857.5100 pearlridgewood.com RAYMOND’S 101 E. Ridgewood Ave. 201.445.5125 ROOTS STEAKHOUSE 17 Chestnut St. 201.444.1922 rootsteakhouse.com

RIVER EDGE

VOLARES 7 Station Square 201.935.6606 volaresrestaurant.com

SAYOLA RESTAURANT 50 Prospect Ter. 201.871.2182 sayolarestaurant.com

MEZZA 20 Jefferson Ave. 201.722.8822 mezzawestwood.com

SANDUCCI’S 620 Kinderkamack Rd. 201.599.0600 sanduccis.com

SADDLE BROOK

SIMPLY VIETNAMESE 1 Hollywood Ave. 201.568.7770 simplyvietnamese.info

THE IRON HORSE 20 Washington Ave. 201.666.9682 theironhorse.com

RIVER VALE ARMANDO’S TUSCAN GRILL 688 Westwood Ave. 201.722.5820 armandostuscangrill.com CRECCO’S CAFÉ 649 Westwood Ave. 201.664.7200 creccoscafe.com

ROCHELLE PARK BUCCO’S 60 Essex St. 201.226.1030 buccosristorante.com DD THAI CUISINE 184 W. Passaic St. 201.880.8227 ddthaicuisine.com THE DOG AND CASK 55 Rte. 17 South 201.845.5101 thedogandcask.com

A TASTE OF GREECE 935 Kinderkamack Rd. 201.967.0029 atasteofgreecenj.com

NANNI 53 W. Passaic St. 201.843.1250 nanni.com

FUKI SUSHI 828 Kinderkamack Rd. 201.225.0160 fukisushi4u.com

WOODSTONE PIZZA BAR AND GRILL 352 W. Passaic St. 201.845.7600 woodstonepizza barandgrill.com

GREEN PAPAYA 110 Kinderkamack Rd. 201.678.1888 greenpapayanj.com

T & Thai, Cliffside Park

Photos, this page: courtesy of Bacari Grill; opposite page: Darius Amos

ISTANBLUE 645 Kinderkamack Rd. 201.262.4400 istanblueriveredge.net

RUTHERFORD CAFÉ MATISSE 167 Park Ave. 201.935.2995 cafematisse.com FINCH’S RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE 801 Rutherford Ave. 201.231.3141 PAISANO’S 132 Park Ave. 201.935.5755 paisanos.com THE VILLAGE GOURMET 75 Park Ave. 201.438.9404 villagerestaurantgroup.com TRATTORIA GIOTTO 15 Park Ave. 201.528.7142 trattoriagiotto.com BERGENMAG.COM

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MATSUYA 490 Market St. 201.843.5811 matsuyasteakhouse.com QUE PASTA 326 Market St. 201.712.1900 qpitalian.com SADDLE BROOK DINER 30 Market St. 201.843.5929 saddlebrookdiner.com THE GOLDEN PUB 335 Market St. 201.843.9210 thegoldenpub.com

SADDLE RIVER THE SADDLE RIVER INN 2 Barnstable Ct. 201.825.4016 saddleriverinn.com

SOUTH HACKENSACK I GEMELLI RISTORANTE 268 Huyler St. 201.487.4220 igemelliristorante.com

TEANECK AL’S CHARCOAL PIT 540 Cedar Ln. 201.530.7786 AMARONE 63 Cedar Ln. 201.833.1897 amaroneristorante.net ROSE RESTAURANT 1150 Teaneck Rd. 201.569.3600 rosepersian restaurant.com

TENAFLY AXIA TAVERNA 18 Piermont Rd. 201.569.5999 axiataverna.com CAFÉ ANGELIQUE 1 Piermont Rd. 201.541.1010 cafeangeliquenyc.com KINARA 10 Jay St. 201.399.7788 kinaracuisineofindia.com PALMER’S CROSSING 145 Dean Dr. 201.567.4800 palmerscrossing restaurant.com

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WALDWICK ANDREA’S 20 E. Prospect St. 201.670.0275 andreasrestaurant nj.com CIRCOLO 53 Franklin Tpke.

201.882.1818 circolo.info LIMONCELLO 32 Franklin Tpke.

201.652.5573 limoncellonj.com MOSHI MOSHI 137 Franklin Tpke.

201.444.1130 sushimoshi.com THE VILLAGE GRILLE 71 Crescent Ave. 201.670.8200 villagegrillewaldwick.com

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP BACARI GRILL 800 Ridgewood Rd. 201.358.6330 bacarigrill.com DOG HOUSE SALOON & GRILL 270 Pascack Rd. 201.722.1820 LILI’S BISTRO 251 Pascack Rd. 201.664.5454 lilisbistronj.com PHO MIU 255 Pascack Rd. 201.497.3915 WING LEE KITCHEN 301 Pascack Rd. 201.358.0702 wingleekitchen.com

WESTWOOD BACI ITALIAN GRILL 36 Jefferson Ave. 201.722.1900 baciwestwood.com BOP N SUSHI 441 Broadway 201.722.8687 bopnsushi.com CAFFÉ ANELLO 11 Madison Ave. 201.786.8137 caffeanello.com

WOODCLIFF LAKE BLUE MOON MEXICAN CAFÉ 42 Kinderkamack Rd. 201.782.9500 bluemoonmexican café.com CASA DEL SOLE 115 Broadway 201.391.5671 casadelsole.biz

WOOD-RIDGE ANGELONI’S AT THE WOODRIDGE INN 191 Valley Blvd.

201.939.1234 JUSTIN’S 269 Hackensack St. 201.933.4276 justinsristoranteii.com MARTINI GRILL 187 Hackensack St. 201.939.2000

WYCKOFF 3 CHICAS MEXICAN KITCHEN 637 Wyckoff Ave. 201.848.4700 3chicas.com ALDO’S 640 Wyckoff Ave. 201.891.2618 aldosofwyckoff.com THE BARN ORIGINAL 359 Sicomac Ave. 201.848.0108 thebarnoriginal.com THE BRICK HOUSE 179 Godwin Ave. 201.848.1211 thebrickhousewyckoff. com SAKURA 371 Franklin Ave. 201.848.6988 sakurawyckoff.com T.S. MA 637 Wyckoff Ave. 201.891.8878 tsmachinesecuisine.com

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For our complete list of dining options, visit the “Where to Eat” section at bergenmag.com.

DECEMBER 2018

11/20/18 9:15 AM

I shot Samantha and Matt Smith’s engagement session on a really mild December day at Van Saun Park in Paramus. We used simple props such as mistletoe and Christmas lights to capture their love, excitement for their engagement—and the holiday spirit. Casual, cozy apparel—plaid and sweaters—really tied the look together.” ­— Kristen Maus, Kristen Maus Photography kristenmausphotography.com

BERGEN Magazine Volume 17, Issue 11 (ISSN# 2573-8151 and USPS 025-351) is published 11 times a year by Wainscot Media, 110 Summit Ave., Montvale, NJ 07645. Postmaster: Send address changes to Subscription Department, Wainscot Media, 110 Summit Ave., Montvale, NJ 07645. Periodicals postage paid at Montvale, N.J., and additional mailing offices.

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Photo courtesy of Kristen Maus; Instagram: @kristenmausphotography; Facebook: kristenmausphotography

{ A BERGEN MOMENT }

Send us your Bergen Moment! Email your photo and a short description to editor@wainscotmedia.com.

DECEMBER 2018

11/20/18 9:16 AM

I had Pelvic Surgery less than two weeks ago Thank You, Women's Pelvic Surgery of North Jersey

WOMEN'S PELVIC SURGERY OF NORTH JERSEY, LLC 211 Essex Street, Suite# 402, Hackensack, NJ 07601 www.womenspelvicsurgery.com

Call 201-301-2772

Dr. Shakiba is one of the most respected pelvic reconstructive surgeons in our area and is Board Certified in ""Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery".

Whether you are facing or considering surgery for Urinary Incontinence, Pelvic Organ Prolapse, Pelvic Pain, Sexual Dysfunction, Uterine Fibroids, Ovarian Cyst, Endometriosis, or the possible need for a Hysterectomy, Dr. Shakiba will determine if you are a candidate for minimally invasive robotic-assisted surgery. Benefits of this procedure include minimal pain and scarring, less blood loss, shorter hospital stay, and quicker recovery time than traditional open surgery. Dr. Shakiba is:

fil fil fil fil Khashayar Shakiba, MD. FACOG Director of Women's Pelvic Surgery of North Jersey, LLC.

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A Board Certified Urogynecologist A Board Certified Gynecologist A Certified Robotic Surgeon

A Fellow of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Dr Shakiba is the division director of ""Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery," Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Hackensack University Medical Center.

Dr. Shakiba works closely with his patients and their referring physicians throughout all phases of the procedure and welcomes his Fellow Doctors to join him for a case observation and discussion of the benefits of robotic-assisted surgery.

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