Bergen June 2024

The Valley Hospital is Now Open in Paramus

Care

RANKED AS A in

Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs for the

We are proud to honor our Founding Partner Samuel L. Davis, for his recognition by the New Jersey Law Journal for achieving the largest reported New Jersey Personal Injury Settlement during the Court’s 2022-2023 term.

“TIER 1” FIRM

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Intimate in Scale

Grand in Lifestyle

Only a limited number of fortunate people can call The Vista home. Nestled within Christian Health’s 78-acre campus, The Vista’s intimate size provides many advantages. Your individuality is respected and encouraged. Personalized service is a given. And the spirit of community is upbeat and uplifting. Intimate scale aside, The Vista’s amenities rival those found in many country clubs. Why wait? Explore the rewards of Bergen County’s only life plan community today.

For more information, or to arrange a tour and receive event invitations, visit TheVista.org/contact, scan the QR code, or call (201) 684-9775.

Features

The Misery Of Migraine 30

This debilitating attack by your nervous system is more than just a headache. Happily, there’s help.

Our Happy Home? 32

Statistics suggest that the road to contentment just may run through Bergen County.

The Call Of Water 36

A Wyckoff couple found they could enjoy the allure of a seaside resort without leaving their backyard.

Taming A Hard Yard 42

The family loved being outside, but a forbidding backyard with a steep slope and too many trees made that difficult—until the right landscape designer went to work.

Surprise In Stone 48

At first expected to do only the façade of a newconstruction Springfield home, an outdoor design firm ends up taking on a much bigger assignment.

Departments

Bergen Buzz 15

Our guide to new ideas, tips, trends and things we love in the county.

Style Watch 22

The votes are in: Eyelets are delicate detail that adds elegance to any outfit.

Home Front 24

Maintain a wellrounded home with these shapely pieces.

Friends & Neighbors 26

the Audubon Society’s Don Torino of Moonachie, the feathered creatures of the air are a constant fascination—and so is the rest of nature.

Escapes 52

Travel is a fine teacher, with destinations near and far. Here are five ways it can smarten you up.

Tastes 54

Burgers and dogs are classics, but these fish dishes are just as delicious—and they’ll have your guests reaching for seconds.

Bar Tab 58

This summertime cocktail is rich with flavors that‘ll keep your guests relaxed and refreshed.

Restaurant Review 68

Craving Korean hot pot?

The Moon is your spot.

Gatherings 79

Bergen residents always show up to support their neighbors.

A Bergen Moment 80

A local photographer enjoys a peaceful moment while sitting pondside.

IN EVERY ISSUE

8 Editor’s Note

28 Health News

64 Where to Eat 78 Be There

A New Jersey backyard oasis features a pool, a sun deck and multiple entertainment zones. Photo by James Puzo.

Getting More Than You Hoped For

Putting together BERGEN’s Outdoors Issue for June is a predictable annual pleasure, one we can see coming when the first buds start turning green. We know that glorious nature will be our focus. But part of the fun is that each year there are twists and turns we couldn’t have predicted.

Take the experience of the folks at Lyndhurstbased Exclusive Stoneworks, for example. When they were asked to create the stone façade of a new home (page 48), they didn’t know they’d also need to take over the larger task of designing an entire backyard landscape, with an outdoor kitchen, a firepit and a sand-blasted marble area surrounding the swimming pool. But take it over they did, with stellar results for the family’s indoor-outdoor life.

A pair of Wyckoff homeowners (page 36) had a surprise in store too. They’d long felt what our writer terms “the call toward water” and figured that either moving to the Shore or buying a second home there was in their future. But they’d loved their home for 28 years and weren’t eager to start shuttling between House A and House B. When the possibilities became clear, they opted to “bring the water to them.” Today, thanks to Thomas Flint Landscape Design & Development in Waldwick, they have a backyard oasis with a patio, a swimming pool and a pool house complete with TV, sound system and shower. They’ve got it all—except the Shorebound traffic.

Sometimes you get more than you hope for. “We just wanted to set something up where we had an outside living area that wasn’t all woods,” says another owner, the father of three little boys who needed a backyard. But his goals evolved as he worked with the people at Arapahoe Landscape & Pool Contractors (page 42). Now his family enjoys a five-tiered outdoor entertainment center with a swimming pool, a natural-timber pavilion, a fully equipped kitchen, a grill and a bocce court. There’s even a waterfall they can swim under.

You’ll find much more in this issue of BERGEN, of course. A conversation about the joys of nature with the president of the county’s Audubon Society (page 26). Wisdom from the county’s dads (page 15) and ways to celebrate Dad on his special day (page 16). A health report on migraine attacks and what to do about them (page 30). A review of a new Hackensack hot-pot spot (page 68). On page 32 we even have a Special Report on happiness—how it’s defined and the conditions that promote it. (It turns out that living in Bergen County helps!)

Here’s hoping your June brings you even more pleasure than you hope for. The month promises to be full of sunny, warm days, days we can spend as freely as a sailor on a spree—outdoors when we can swing it. Let other months envy us! And let this issue of BERGEN inspire you, inform you and aid in your enjoyment.

Rita Guarna Editor in Chief rita.guarna@wainscotmedia.com

Bergen

Editor in Chief RITA GUARNA

Creative Director

STEPHEN M. VITARBO

Senior Associate Editor

DARIUS AMOS

Assistant Editor

KIRSTEN MEEHAN

Contributing Editors

LESLIE GARISTO PFAFF

DENISSE GONZALEZ RAMIREZ

PAUL RANCE JR.

DONNA ROLANDO

Contributing Photographers

JOHN BUTLER

ADAM PASS PHOTOGRAPHY

JAMES PUZO

PRODUCTION

Production Manager

FERN E. MESHULAM

Production Artist

CHRIS FERRANTE

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BERGEN is published 12 times a year by Wainscot Media, 1 Maynard Dr., Park Ridge, NJ 07656. This is Volume 23, Issue 6. © 2024 by Wainscot Media LLC. All rights reserved. Subscriptions in U.S. outside of Bergen County: $14 for one year. Single copies: $6.95. Material contained herein is intended for informational purposes only. If you have medical concerns, seek the guidance of a healthcare professional.

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5

Is there any better way to spend Father’s Day (or any summer day) than casting a line at one of Bergen’s best fishing spots? Pack your gear, grab a New Jersey Freshwater Fishing License (dep.nj.gov) and head to one of these spots, recently spotlighted in Bergen Buzz, our weekly e-newsletter:

• Ramapo Valley County Reservation’s MacMillan Reservoir, 608 Ramapo Valley Rd., Mahwah

• Overpeck County Park, 40 Fort Lee Rd., Leonia

• Ridgewood Wild Duck Pond, 1133 E. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood

• Liberty Park Reflection Pond, Old Stone Church Road, Upper Saddle River

• Oradell Reservoir, 200 Lake Shore Dr., Haworth

HELP FIGHT FOOD INSECURITY

It’s a critical time of the year at food pantries and kitchens, as donations tend to drop off in summer months, according to nonprofit Move For Hunger.

Unfortunately, hunger doesn’t take a vacation.

To help, groups like Saddle Brook-based Table to Table are doing their part to help combat food waste. As one of its many initiatives, the organization collects fresh, nutritious and perishable food—from restaurants, grocery stores and other businesses—that would otherwise be discarded and wasted. Volunteers then deliver the food for free to groups that serve residents in need throughout Bergen County and neighboring communities.

Want to find out more ways you can help? Visit bergenmag.com/pitch-in-against-food-insecurity to learn more about Table to Table’s initiatives and for a list of local food pantries that are accepting non-perishable food donations.

When it comes to how you move, choices are everything. So choose to see the world’s top orthopedic specialists at HSS Paramus, and get back to doing what you love.

To learn more or to make an appointment, visit HSS.edu/Paramus

Bergen Buzz

OUR GUIDE TO NEW IDEAS, TIPS, TRENDS AND THINGS WE LOVE IN OUR COUNTY.

FATHERLY ADVICE

That stony-faced old guy who says “no” a lot, always appears busy and never seems to completely get where you’re coming from—that guy has a secret wish. It’s that you never experience unhappiness, pain or privation of any kind. And because that wish is impossible, he settles for the next best thing: telling you to keep plenty of gas in the car.

With the cliché title of the old family sitcom Father Knows Best ringing in our ears—and knowing that counsel from Dad always triggers a certain ambivalence in our hearts—BERGEN set out to mark Father’s Day (June 16) by asking readers for the nuggets of Pop philosophy they remember best:

“If something doesn’t work out the way you wanted it to, it isn’t a failure—it’s just a notch of experience in your belt.”

—Gina Marie Agderian, Bergenfield

“Engage the brain before putting the mouth in motion.”

—Jennifer Grabow Brito, Ridgewood

“You are worth what you believe you are worth. Never accept less.”

—Roberta Beehler, Cliffside Park

“All a man has is his word.”

—Tim Conklyn, Emerson

“Believe none of what you hear and half of what you see.”

“Listen to your mom.”

—Tony Hand, Englewood

—Marisol Kozlovski, Oakland

“Never give up and never let anyone let you down.”

—Gracy Lema, Franklin Lakes

“

Family always comes first, and spending time together creates smiles and memories that are greater than any other gift.”

—Valerie D’Amico Martinkus, Franklin Lakes

“Always do your best. You’re the only man who I want to do better than me.”

—Steve Masson, Park Ridge

“Be nice to the people on your way up, because they are the same people you will meet on your way down.”

—Amy Mazzarella, Waldwick

“Have a healthy disrespect for authority. People need to earn your respect; it doesn’t come automatically just because they have a title.”

—Susanne Ziskis, Ridgewood

MAKE DAD’S DAY

He may stoically wave away any thanks or attempts at praise, but don’t let that fool you—Dad will appreciate being recognized, and when better than on Father’s Day, June 16?

Some ideas:

• Make him a high flier. If your dad is gadget-inclined and always wanted to get into drone flight, the DJI Mini 4 Pro is a great way to start. It’s light, small and designed to be easy for a beginner to pick up and fly.

Available at DJI by Camrise, Paramus, 212.333.3150

• Boost his swing. Nothing improves a golf game like a launch monitor. Rapsodo’s MLM2PRO, portable and powerful, delivers all recorded stats directly to a smartphone—everything from the “carry axis” to the ball’s spin rate.

Available at Dick’s Sporting Goods, Paramus, 201.261.2926

• Give him great shades. Guard Dad’s eyes and vision with New Wayfarer Sunglasses from Ray-Ban, which protect against harmful UV rays while looking sharp and stylish.

Available at James Tracey Eye Care, Midland Park, 201.447.3121

• Serve him suds. Hackensack Brewing Company is a frequent BERGEN Readers’ Choice winner for a reason. Grab some extraordinary beer for Dad to enjoy whenever he wants. We recommend the Hackensack Comet, a West Coast Double India pale ale with just a touch of citrus. Available at Hackensack Brewing Company, Hackensack, 201.880.1768

INDEPENDENCE DAY, YOUR WAY

Planning a Fabulous Fourth? There’s no way to spend it. Yes, fireworks, barbecues are popular ingredients, but the options Bergen County are legion. A few:

• Celebrate big. You can’t get much bigger a state fair. Stop by The Meadowlands Rutherford to check out the fair from June July 7—but you’re in for a treat if you visit pendence Day. Close out a day of food music with the spectacular fireworks show, is free with admission. Get tickets at njfair.com.

• Celebrate small. Looking for a little bustle and a more traditional celebration troops? You can head over to Ridgefield morning festivities, which include a reading the Declaration of Independence and raising for a moment of patriotic reflection.

• Celebrate loud. Fireworks are loud enough, but those who want to crank the volume even more can visit Ridgewood for its July 4 celebration. Beginning at 6 p.m. there’s an extensive lineup of live music until the fireworks begin at 9. There will also be food trucks and a beer garden. Visit ridgewoodjuly4th.com.

• Celebrate quiet. For an option that’s a bit easier on the eardrums, head to Paramus on July 3 for the Annual Frank “Dutch” Cleenput 4th of July Softball Game at the Cliff Gennarelli Sports Complex. Watch Paramus’s Finest take on Paramus’s Bravest for a trophy and bragging rights. Info: paramus4thofjuly.com.

PUPPY LOVE

Dog: Mario, 3-year-old Redbone coonhound

Owners: Warren and Arielle Lagana of Hackensack

Almost a year after their beloved cocker spaniel died, the couple decided to open their hearts and home to another pooch. They initially sought a purebred retriever, but after researching the adoption option, they turned to local animal rescues. In fall 2023 they fell in love with Mario at a shelter in nearby Rockland County, N.Y.

“He had an energetic personality that matched our personalities,” Warren says. “We’re so lucky to have found him!” Mario has since continued to show off his rambunctious demeanor, whether he’s chasing “his mortal enemies, squirrels, in the backyard” or running with bigger dogs at Saddle River County Park in Ridgewood. His owner says Mario also burns energy on hikes at Ramapo Valley County Reservation and Campgaw Mountain, both in Mahwah, as well as up and down the aisles at The Home Depot in Ramsey.

But despite the daytime energy he exudes, “he’s a total mush” when he and his family wind down at night, Warren says. “We can always find him on his bed on the floor before we call him up to the couch,” says “Dad.” “Then he’ll settle in between us and watch whatever’s on TV. When it’s time to sleep, he knows his place too—at the foot on our bed! And we’re absolutely OK with that!”

Want to see your pet featured in an upcoming issue? Send your animal’s details and his or her photo to Editor in Chief Rita Guarna at rita.guarna@wainscotmedia.com.

PUT THE “HIP ” BACK IN YOUR HIPS.

To schedule an appointment, simply scan the QR code or call 848-245-8080.

We know what you’re thinking, “With my bad joints, I can’t move like that.” Well, it’s time to think again. At Hackensack Meridian Health, our leading orthopedic experts perform the most hip and knee replacements in New Jersey, bringing new life to the joints of our patients.

HACKENSACK UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER

CULINARY CORNER

We love our go-to spots, but why not try something new? Bergen welcomes new and innovative restaurants every week, and they’re well-worth exploring. Here are three:

—Cue the BBQ Bar 26 BBQ and Grill is now open in Dumont, just in time to fulfill all your summer cravings. It has big shoes to fill, as it replaces longtime BERGEN Readers’ Choice pick Fink’s, but this new establishment has hit the ground running. Stop by for rotating weekly specials, traditional barbecue and a pool table in the lounge.

• Bar 26 BBQ & Grill, 26 W. Madison Ave., Dumont, 201.384.3210; bar26dumont.com

—Royal treatment

Can’t get enough of vibrant Mexican flavors? Prince Taqueria in Hackensack just may offer enough options to satisfy you. With a menu that boasts hand-pressed tortillas and a wide range of protein options (the management recommends the cilantro lime chicken, but we’re eyeing shrimp tacos), as well as flan and tres leches for dessert, this is a spot worth revisiting.

• Prince Taqueria, 111 Anderson Hackensack, 201.199.441.96; princetaqueria.com

—The art of the taco

The possibilities are endless at Westwood’s new Craft Taco Company, where local celebrity chef Michael Merida (who “beat Bobby Flay” in the Food Network show that phrase names) pushes past the conventional boundaries of the south-of-the-border staple. Its tacos take inspiration from India, Korea and the American South as well as traditional Mexico.

• Craft Taco Company, 328 Kinderkamack Rd., Westwood, 201.383.0043; crafttacocompany.com

PICK OF THE CROP

Summer is the time for fresh fruits and vegetables, and when you pick them yourself you know they’re fresh. The three places below offer a pick-your-own option—remember that such events depend on the weather and farm supply, so check out the websites, call ahead and plan your visit in advance.

• In June, Stokes Farm in Old Tappan offers pick-your-own strawberries (its pick-your-own flowers are available all season long). Updates can be found on their website and social media pages.

—Stokes Farm, 23 Dewolf Rd., Old Tappan, 201.768.3931; stokesfarm.com

• As June moves into July and peach season arrives, head over to Demarest Farms in Hillsdale for a variety of pick-your-own peach options. Reservations are required!

—Demarest Farms, 244 Werimus Rd., Hillsdale, 201.666.0472; demarestfarms.com

• If you’re craving something more savory, Abma’s Farm in Wyckoff offers pick-your-own vegetables throughout the summer months. Want a Jersey tomato fresh off the vine? Abma’s has you covered. Keep an eye on the website for more.

—Abma’s Farm, 700 Lawlins Rd., Wyckoff, 201.891.0278; abmasfarm.com

SUMMER READING ALERT

Local arts go beyond galleries and open mic nights—Bergen has its share of book authors too. Two have new offerings:

• If you’re fascinated by Greek myths, A Holder of Hope: A Pandora Retelling (JM Books, $14) by Maureen Zuppichini of Washington Township, under her pen name Jane McGarry, tells the story of Pandora as you’ve never seen it before. Caught in a game of power between the Titans and Olympians and armed only with her wits and a mythical jar, can one woman overcome the will of the gods?

• Those in the mood for a grounded family drama can reach for Life’s Love Song (Austin Macauley, $14) by Westwood’s Gina Charles. It’s the story of an upper-middle-class family banding together as their perfect world begins to crumble. Charles began writing the story in 2009, and but shelved the project as motherhood got in the way. Now completed, it hits bookshelves just in time for summer reading.

HAVE SOME PRIDE!

Since 1999, the anniversary of the Stonewall riots has marked a celebration of the LGBTQ community worldwide— or celebrate your own pride, you can get involved with charity that connects local LGBTQ people with resources health struggles and celebrates the community all year. website for more information. If you want even more ways celebrate Pride in Bergen, check out:

• June 23: Over at the Bergen County Zoo in Paramus, you can enjoy the Pride at the Zoo event, which offers food trucks and activities. For more information, see friendsofbergencountyzoo.org.

June 26: The Mahwah Pride Celebration is an all-day event with live performances, vendors, resources and food. honors the LGBTQ population of Bergen—and Mahwah specifically—and raises money for local scholarships. For information, see mahwahpride.org.

June 28: Animal rescue group Southern Paws holds its Pride and Puppies fundraiser at Portobello Banquets Oakland, bringing together amazing drag performances adorable puppies. For tickets and more information, southernpawsinc.org.

FLAVORS YOU’LL SAVOR

cream in summertime? There’s no wrong to eat it—chocolate or vanilla, cup or cone, sprinkles or hot fudge on top. But before you order what’s tried and true, consider tasting something new at one of Bergen’s ice cream shops. One of these seven distinctive flavors could become your new favorite: Yuzu at Ice Cream on Grand, Englewood. this Japanese citrus fruit flavor in homemade, ice cream. 523 Grand Ave., Englewood, 201.569.5346; icecreamongrand.com

Song Mule at Conrad’s, Westwood. butter ice cream, chocolate chips and crackers in a cup? We’re lining up now. Westwood Ave., Westwood, 201.664.2895; conrads1928.com

Caramel Truffle at Van Dyk’s, Ridgewood. this cash-only favorite run the gamut, but this you’ll always remember. 145 Ackerman Ave., 201.444.1429; vandyksicecream.com

Francy’s Artisanal, Bergenfield. A Philippines-inspired menu wouldn’t be complete without with red beans, macapuno, coconut gel, evaporated milk. 461 S. Washington Ave., 201.942.6282; francysicecream.com

Monster at Cranberry Junction, Hackensack. cookie-loving Sesame Street character in ice even blue like him! 19 Temple Ave., 201.546.8966.

Poppyseed at Daniela’s, Closter. This gluten-free, vegan and sorbet flavor, which is reminiscent of Dock Rd., Closter, 201.428.9600; danielasicecream.com

Cream Charlie’s, Rutherford. The cream? Dreams do come true! cash-only shop’s Facebook page for day. 200 Park Ave., Rutherford,

KUDOS TO…

HOORAY FOR WESTYWOOD!

We in Bergen are no strangers to iconic film and television shoots. The old Closter Plaza was the backdrop for some scenes in The Wolf of Wall Street, and the arena of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire was assembled from shots in Oakland. Now there’s word that more movies may be coming. Westwood is the most recent Bergen town to earn the designation “film-ready community” from the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission. (Towns with this distinction already include Ridgefield Park and Fair Lawn.) This five-step certification course educates towns on the basics of motion picture and television production, enabling them to effectively accommodate on-location filming. The borough has now been photographed extensively, and these photographs have been submitted to the Reel Scout database, which film-industry professionals

…students at St. Joseph High School, who held a “wheel wash” at Thrive Senior Living in Montvale. They washed motorized vehicles, walkers and wheelchairs for senior residents. It was part of St. Joseph’s Senior Service Day, when high school seniors commit themselves to giving back around the community.

…the Italian National Honor Society of Pascack Valley High School in Hillsdale, whose members collected nearly 700 plush bunnies during its “someBunny loves you” campaign. These bunnies were distributed to kids at Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center, as well as a local elementary school in an underserved area.

…Mitchell Saron of Ridgewood, who has qualified to compete in the 2024 Olympic Games in saber fencing. The 24-year-old also fenced on Harvard University’s team during his time at the school. He says that his inspiration to take up fencing was watching light-saber duels in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith as a child.

A CUT ABOVE

Grilling season is here, so what’s cooking? Burgers and dogs are classics, but when you want to serve something different, there are options aplenty. Instead of a hefty rib eye, for instance, Jonathan Goldstein, owner of B&M Meat Market in Park Ridge, says skirt steak is a good alternative, as its thin cut allows it to be served in smaller strips for easy, picnic-style picking.

“Our most popular steak is our prime skirt steak in homemade scallion sauce,” he says. Goldstein also recommends pork chops and gluten-free Kobe beef hot dogs—or a burger blend such as B&M’s short rib, brisket, Kobe and skirt patties.

While big-name grocery stores have plenty of selections, they may not always have what you want. Bergen’s local butchers, however, can trim your choice cut to your specifications. Here are seven that are a cut above:

• B&M Meat Market, 146 Kinderkamack Rd., Park Ridge, 201.391.4373; bmfoodlovers.com

• Luigi Meats, 261 Valley Blvd., Wood-Ridge, 201.933.0105; luigismeats.com

• Simoes & Almeida, 617 Ridge Rd., North Arlington, 201.991.6379; simoesandalmeida.com/butcher-shops

• Steve’s Market, 41 W. Main St., Ramsey, 201.327.9466; stevesmarket.com

• Swiss Pork Store, 24–10 Fair Lawn Ave., Fair Lawn, 201.797.9779; swissporkstoreoffairlawn.com

• Westwood Prime Meats, 190 Westwood Ave., Westwood, 201.664.0069; westwoodprimemeats.com

• Wyckoff Prime Meats, 384 Main St., Wyckoff, 201.447.3340; waldwickprimemeats.com

SPECIAL PROMOTION

UNLOCK RELIEF FROM PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY:

Discover Dr. Aleksandra’s Innovative Therapies

Living with peripheral neuropathy can be a challenge, marked by shooting pain, numbness, discomfort in hands and feet, and limited options for relief. However, there’s a beacon of hope in the comprehensive approach offered by Dr. Aleksandra Mihajlovic, DTCM, LAc, and her cutting-edge clinic. The time-proven ancient science of acupuncture is combined with modern, non-invasive technological advancements of ATP BioResonance therapy, ozone insufflation, and LED light therapy into individualized treatments crafted by Dr. Aleksandra to provide not just symptomatic relief but a pathway to regenerate damaged nerves leading to improved quality of life, especially for those who feel they’ve exhausted other avenues.

Acupuncture: Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Precision

Acupuncture, a staple in traditional medicine, is reimagined under Dr. Aleksandra’s expert hands. Her technique, tailored to combat nerve pain, involves precise needle placements that help revitalize nerve function and enhance blood flow. This ancient practice is backed by modern research, highlighting its effectiveness in reducing pain and inflammation associated with neuropathy.

ATP BioResonance Therapy: Targeted Healing Frequencies

ATP BioResonance Therapy offers a non-invasive solution that utilizes specific frequencies to address the underlying causes of nerve pain. Dr. Aleksandra’s personalized ATP BioResonance protocols are designed to target the unique frequency needs of neuropathic conditions, promoting nerve repair and pain relief. Patients report significant improvements in sensation and mobility, often within just a few sessions.

O3 Insufflation: A Breath of Fresh Air for Your Nerves

Ozone therapy is another cornerstone of Dr. Aleksandra’s approach. By safely administering ozone via ear insufflation, this therapy enhances oxygen utilization in the body, which is crucial for healing damaged tissues and alleviating pain. Ozone insufflation has shown promising results in improving overall cellular function and reducing symptoms of neuropathy.

LED Therapy: Lighting the Way to Recovery

Adding another dimension to her comprehensive treatment portfolio, Dr. Aleksandra incorporates Celluma LED therapy, renowned for its role in promoting angiogenesis and pain relief. This innovative therapy uses specific wavelengths of light to penetrate the skin, stimulating the natural healing processes at the cellular level. The light emitted by

the Celluma device encourages the formation of new capillaries, enhancing blood flow to the affected areas. This not only helps to nourish tissues and remove waste products but also accelerates repair and relieves pain. Patients undergoing Celluma LED therapy in conjunction with Dr. Aleksandra’s other treatments often report faster recovery times.

TRANSFORMATIVE PATIENT SUCCESS STORIES

Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy:

James, a 58-year-old former cancer patient, struggled with debilitating neuropathy after his chemotherapy regimen. His feet hurt all the time and the loss of nerve function in his right foot resulted in drop foot and extreme difficulty walking. Traditional medications provided little relief, and the persistent pain began affecting his daily life. After beginning a combined treatment of acupuncture, ATP BioResonance therapy, and O3 Insufflation with Dr. Aleksandra, James noticed a remarkable reduction in pain and a significant restoration of feeling in his feet and hands. After about 4 months, his right foot regained its function and James was able to walk normally, a truly miraculous outcome.

Diabetic Neuropathy:

Maria, a 65-year-old with long-standing diabetes, faced severe neuropathic pain that made walking difficult. Her treatment regimen at Dr. Aleksandra’s clinic included ozone insufflation alongside acupuncture and LED light therapy. Within weeks, Maria experienced a dramatic decrease in pain

and improved her walking ability, leading to a much-improved daily functionality and independence. She was able to go on a family trip to Italy and walk longer than ever before, only occasionally needing her cane.

Idiopathic Neuropathy:

Tom, aged 72, suffered from neuropathy of unknown origin. His mysterious condition left many doctors puzzled, but Dr. Aleksandra’s holistic approach offered new hope. Through targeted ATP BioResonance Therapy and regular ozone treatments, Tom regained much of the sensation he had lost and significantly reduced his pain levels.

WHY CHOOSE DR. ALEKSANDRA?

Dr. Aleksandra’s clinic, Sasha Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine is not just about treating symptoms but understanding and combating the roots of neuropathic pain. Her integrative approach combines the best of traditional and modern therapies, personalized to meet the needs of each patient. With a compassionate team and a track record of successful outcomes, Dr. Aleksandra offers a beacon of hope for those who have tried everything else.

Experience the difference with Dr. Aleksandra’s unique therapies and join the many patients who have regained control over their lives. Don’t let neuropathy define your life’s limits. Reach out today and step towards a pain-free tomorrow.

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FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS

Bird Man

For the Audubon Society’s Don Torino of Moonachie, the feathered creatures of the air are a constant fascination—and so is the rest of nature.

The red-winged blackbird is a migratory songbird that spends the warmer months around Bergen County’s marshlands and ponds. To many, the creature is an occasional visitor to backyards, or an innocent onlooker perched above shopping-center parking lots. Don Torino, 68, sees something different. To the Moonachie resident, the bird symbolizes the natural beauty of our area, particularly his beloved Meadowlands. As president of the Bergen County Audubon Society (BCAS), Torino shares his knowledge of birds—and all wildlife.

What do you do with the Bergen County Audubon Society?

I’ve been with the BCAS for 20 years, serving as president for about 12, and we do just about everything. It’s not your grandma’s Audubon Society, which used to be just about birds. We try to connect people with nature, especially those in underserved communities and cities, offering free walks and educational events for everyone. We also monitor both endangered and non-endangered species and host butterfly and native plant programs. What did you do before joining the BCAS?

I retired from [the retail store] Wild Birds Unlimited, where I worked for 20 years as a naturalist. Before that, I worked in warehouses. Working retail and doing labor prepared me for the Audubon Society, which doesn’t stop when the clock hits five. How did you become interested in birds?

My first exposure to birds was in Hackensack, where my father kept pigeons. Then my fourthgrade teacher at Jackson Avenue School taught us about different birds. Back then, birders were considered eccentric people, and we called her “the crazy bird lady.”

But your feelings about birders soon changed. A lot! We moved from Hackensack to Moonachie when I was 12, and though it was only a few miles away it was a total culture shock. I remember standing with a group of

friends when I saw three great egrets fly overhead. “Did you see that?” I asked them. They didn’t seem to care, but that sight, along with being in the Meadowlands, was the start of my passion for birds and nature. From then on, while other kids were playing baseball and football, I was out fishing in the clay pits in Carlstadt and watching the birds in the area.

Do you have a favorite bird?

The red-winged blackbird. It’s the spirit of the marsh, and its colored wings and its song are beautiful.

How many different species have you seen in your lifetime?

For me, birding isn’t a hobby. It’s a passion, an obsession, a way of life. I don’t keep a life list the way other birders do. If someone in South Jersey calls me because they spotted a rare bird, I’ll say, “That’s great!” But I won’t hurry down there to see it. I’m happy seeing the birds in our backyard.

What does your family think about your love of birding?

My wife, Pat, always says I walk too slow when we’re out—I’m always looking up at the birds. And they always joke about the events we host: “You do all of this for free?” It’s all for fun, though, because they understand the passion and the goal of what we do.

Are there still misconceptions about birding, like “crazy bird people”?

In the beginning, other birders didn’t like me because I wasn’t part of their community. But those days and “crazy bird person” labels are gone forever. Birding and nature are for everyone. Why is birding a hobby for everyone?

Birding is more popular than ever because it’s a great way to relax, and it’s something that anyone can do free of charge. COVID brought more people outside to explore nature. There’s more to do in our parks than just play pickleball. What’s required to get started?

Nothing. When you step into your backyard and appreciate the color of a cardinal or the song of a sparrow, you’re a birder. A pair of binoculars helps you get a closer look, but you can do just fine without them.

Where are great locations to see a variety of birds?

Bergen has some of the best places and unique habitats, from the mountains to the Meadowlands to all the nature centers. DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst and Mill Creek in nearby Secaucus are wonderful, and people come from as far away as the Midwest to see Losen Slote Creek Park in Little Ferry. The Ramapo River area has great species too. What’s up next for you?

Continue doing what I love: Trying to get everyone involved with nature. Meanwhile, BCAS holds guided walks and events at DeKorte, Teaneck Creek and Mill Creek all summer, and we’re getting ready for the annual Butterfly Day, July 21, at DeKorte. —Darius Amos

Photo courtesy of Don Torino

ACTIVE KIDS REDUCE RISK OF DIABETES

An increase in sedentary time in childhood is associated with a significant increase in blood insulin concentration, a new study shows. However, activity could reduce

RED MEAT VS. FISH?

Swapping red meat for “forage such as herring, sardines and anchovies, could save up to 750,000 year in 2050 and significantly the prevalence of diet-related disease, suggests a data analysis.

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ONLINE TIME LINKED TO MISSING SCHOOL

Spending too much time online plus not sleeping or exercising enough are linked to an increased risk of school absence due to illness among teens—ages 14 to 16— according to research. And teen girls appear to be more vulnerable to excessive internet use.

—Archives

‘WHEYS’ OF PROTEIN POWDER

Adults seeking to boost protein intake should consider whey protein powder, according to research. Derived from milk, whey appears to be better at reviving muscle growth than plant proteins or casein.

—Nutrients

—Compiled by Paul Rance Jr.

VITAMINS AND CANCER SURVIVAL

A study that followed people with colorectal cancer showed that moderate use of multivitamins was associated with a lower risk of both colorectal cancer (45 percent lower) and all-cause mortality (20 percent lower) over the following 11 years.

—Cancer

LIFETIME OF AFIB

The lifetime or Afib, a heart causes an irregular increased from to one in three past two decades, a recent study. those with the two in five are develop heart over their lifetime, one in five encounter a stroke.

EXERCISE TO CUT INSOMNIA RISK

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The Misery Of Migraine

THIS DEBILITATING ATTACK BY YOUR NERVOUS SYSTEM IS MORE THAN JUST A HEADACHE. HAPPILY, THERE’S HELP.

A migraine attack brings a throbbing, painful headache, typically on one side of the head, but it doesn’t stop there. It can turn everyday stimuli into excruciating pain. An overhead light, a friend’s perfume, the droning of a TV in the next room—all can become almost intolerable. Migraines can also cause nausea and impair vision, as, according to the National Institutes of Health, about 25 percent of people who have migraines also experience an “aura” before or during an attack that causes them to see bright spots, shapes or flashing lights.

A migraine is a disorder of the nervous system.

“Much is still unknown about what causes migraines,” says Kirk Levy, M.D., a neurologist at Bergen Neurology in Englewood and a member of the Englewood Heath Physician Network. “A common genetic neurologic condition, migraine affects approximately one in five women and one in 16 men, as well as children and adolescents.”

As Dr. Levy explains, a series of inflammatory events in the brain plays a key role in the condition, initiating changes in the brain and body. Patients may experience either episodic migraines (less than 15 headache days per month) or chronic migraines (15 or more). These attacks are, he says, “disabling for many people.”

Is migraine pain keeping you from enjoying activities you love? To mark National Migraine & Headache Awareness Month in June, BERGEN sat down with Dr. Levy and Tracy Scheller, M.D., medical director of the Graf Center for Integrative Medicine at Englewood Health in Englewood, for advice on how to make sense of the condition and find relief.

• Figure out your triggers. A migraine attack often follows a specific trigger. While that trigger may be difficult to identify, doing so is an essential first step to feeling better. “Stress, sensory

stimulation, insufficient or excessive sleep, missed meals, consumption of alcohol and certain foods and hormonal changes—particularly estrogen fluctuations in women during menstrual periods, pregnancy and perimenopause—are all common migraine triggers,” says Dr. Levy. “Environmental factors, such as cold-weather fronts, also play a role.” He recommends keeping a log of your migraines, noting their duration, their intensity, how they affect your activity and potential triggers you were exposed to, including foods you’ve eaten. This is important information to share with a neurologist.

• Make adjustments. Learning to avoid and manage migraine triggers is essential. “It can be beneficial to adopt a lifestyle aimed at preventing and reducing the severity of your headaches,” says Dr. Scheller, who adds that managing stress is a key factor. Incorporating exercise, meditation, relaxation techniques and yoga into your daily routine can help lessen the number of headache days you experience. Changes in diet can also help—avoiding food triggers and emphasizing anti-inflammatory foods. “At the Graf Center, patients often consult with one of our registered dietitians,” she says.

• Give yourself a break. Dr. Levy stresses that a migraine isn’t just a bad headache. “Migraines make your entire nervous system more sensitive to stimuli,” he says. If you’re experiencing an attack, in addition to over-the-counter or prescription medications, other comfort therapies such as cold packs or massages may help provide relief. “Find a peaceful environment, turn down the lights and avoid loud noises and strong smells,” says Dr. Levy. “You can also try sipping caffeinated tea; small amounts of caffeine can relieve migraine headaches in their early stages.”

Communication about your condition, says the doctor, is also key. “Patients often need to

lie down and rest during a migraine episode,” he explains. “Share your experience with your family, friends, colleagues and teachers. Their understanding can go a long way in supporting you through migraine attacks.”

• Learn long-term options. Though there is no surefire cure for migraine headaches, there’s also no need to despair. Medical technology and research continue to advance. Dr. Levy explains: “In the past five years, there have been advances in understanding the pathophysiology of migraines. As a result, newer medications that block pain signals, which can be taken by injection, orally or as a nasal spray, are now available. They can be effective in treating or preventing acute migraines.” Besides over-the-counter and prescription pain relievers and anti-nausea medication, there are other preventive options. “Other therapies may include periodic Botox injections, neuromodulation devices and nerve blocks,” says Dr. Levy.

Dr. Scheller adds that patients also find success with treatments such as acupuncture. “We offer acupuncture for migraine—it has been shown to reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms,” she says. “Many migraine patients also benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy with a licensed therapist.”

• Be patient. Dr. Levy says that finding a treatment plan that truly improves your migraines can be a long process. He also stresses that the time you put in will be worth it. “It may take some trial and error with a variety of preventive activities, medications and interventions,” he says. “However, over time, a plan can lead to improved quality of life for patients of all ages. Consult with a neurologist to seek out a diagnosis and an appropriate treatment plan.”

Special Report

OUR HAPPY HOME?

Can a place confer happiness? We don’t mean a getaway spot, like Disney World or the south of France, but the more permanent place—the county, let’s say—that one calls home. According to two annual “happiness” reports, where you live is indeed both an indicator of and a contributor to your sense of contentment and well-being.

For residents of Bergen County, those reports, which rank geographic locations based on factors believed to contribute to long-term happiness, deliver a mixed message this year: For the first time since the World Happiness Report (WHR) was initially published by the United Nations in 2012, the U.S. fell off the list of the top-20 happiest countries, behind, among others, Lithuania (19), Canada (15), Kuwait (13), Switzerland (9), Iceland (3), Denmark (2) and Finland (1). On the other hand, according to the Happiest States in America, published by the financial website WalletHub, New Jersey scores high on the happiness scale—landing in fifth place in the latest report, after Minnesota (4), Maryland (3), Hawaii (2) and Utah (1). (The

Statistics suggest that the road to contentment just may run through Bergen County.

BY LESLIE GARISTO PFAFF

report compared states according to three key dimensions: emotional and physical well-being, work environment and community enrichment, considering things like life expectancy, physical health, economic security and commute time.) We wondered, then, whether Bergen County might equal or even exceed its home state’s average in giving its residents a lasting sense of happiness, and we’re happy to say that seems to be the case. Based on metrics used by both reports, as well as those provided by professionals working in the realm of human well-being, Bergen appears to be an excellent place to live if one of your goals in life is to be happy.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE HAPPY?

When Mina Ahn, Ph.D., a psychology professor at Bergen Community College, asked her students to define happiness, the responses were anything but uniform. “Happiness, to me, is becoming financially stable and having a family of my own,” one student wrote. Other answers included “self-love,” “playing soccer and taking

care of my family” and “a combination of being part of a community with good people and also achieving individual goals.” One student found happiness elusive on the basics. “You cannot truly be happy if you spend two-thirds of your life at work, just trying to make a living,” he wrote. Clearly, what makes us happy is as individual as we are. But for the purposes of gauging the overall happiness of a population, “life satisfaction” is a good summary of what the surveys are measuring—and what most of us are chasing. Some of the metrics used in both reports— wealth, for instance—indicate that a place’s residents are happy. Yes, on average, Bergenites are wealthier than residents of most other U.S. counties, and yes, research indicates that wealth can make us happy. But living in Bergen doesn’t necessarily make you wealthy; rather, if you have money, you can afford to live here and take advantage of other things that actually do contribute to happiness, like ample access to green spaces. None of this means living in the county guarantees you happiness. But residency here might

just afford you an easier ascent to that universally desired state of mind.

Income. The oft-repeated adage “Money can’t buy happiness” may be balm to those of us who don’t have much of the former, but according to recent research, it may just represent wishful thinking. A 2010 study by a pair of Nobel Prize-winning economists, for instance, showed that money could indeed increase happiness, up to a cap of $75,000 in annual earnings; beyond that, however, income didn’t seem to have much additional effect. Explaining why money and happiness may be intertwined, Eileen Klein, Ph.D., a professor of social work at Ramapo College, says: “I think we need to attain some basics to feel good. Once we get our immediate needs satisfied, we then have enough energy and time to start working toward sustaining happiness.”

But a more recent study by one of those two Nobelists concluded that more money—beyond what we need to feel relatively comfortable—may, in fact, lead to greater happiness, up to a cap of $500,000 in annual earnings. The connection between green and serene is probably more nuanced: A recent study out of Harvard University found that people who prioritized time over money tended to be happier than those who were motivated by money alone. In any case, WHR lists income as one of its important metrics. And if wealth is an indicator of happiness, Bergen is smiling. With an average household income of $104,623, it ranks 33rd among the nation’s 3,142 counties. Life and death. Like income, life expectancy is another metric used in WHR (it’s also given double weight in the Happiest States report). While a long life may not afford you happiness, it’s a sign that you possess some of those basics on which happiness can be built, such as good health and a safe environment. In fact, a 2010 study from the University of Illinois found that, simply put, happy people live longer. Bergen residents can, on the whole, expect to live long (and yes, prosper), with a median life expectancy of 83.2 years. For comparison, New Jersey’s life expectancy is 80.5 years, versus the national average of 77.5. Another positive indicator of happiness is the county’s very low suicide rate—a metric that’s given triple weight in Happiest States: 1 per 100,000 people, as opposed to 7.8 for New Jersey and 13.9 for the U.S.

things that contribute to life satisfaction—and some of them are even free.

Access to healthcare. On the U.S. News and World Report’s list of healthiest communities, published in 2022, Bergen scored 78 out of a possible 100 points, while New Jersey as a whole came in considerably lower, at 59. One of the reasons for our high score is residents’ easy access to quality healthcare. In fact, according to U.S. News and World Report, two of the best hospitals in the state are located in Bergen: Hackensack University Medical Center (No. 1) and The Valley Hospital in Paramus (3). In addition, Englewood Health was rated as high performing in a number of areas, including cardiac care, and Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck was rated high performing in, among other things, ICU care. Our good hospital grades help to explain why the percentage of Bergen’s adults in poor or fair general health

common responses was places where neighbors can encounter each other spontaneously, such as parks, community centers and restaurants, along with community events such as celebrations and festivals—all of which Bergen has in profusion.

Overall, says Dr. Spariosu, “Bergen County has a strong sense of community, and living in communities where families and individuals feel supported and connected to each other can certainly contribute to overall happiness.”

Safety. Among the basics we need to be happy, says Klein, “is living in a safe place,” and safety is also a metric in Happiest States. While Bergen only ranks sixth for safety out of New Jersey’s 21 counties, our crime rates would be enviable to most of the rest of the U.S. According to the FBI, Bergen’s violent crime rate is 8.6 per 1,000 residents compared with the national rate of 22.7, and our property crime rate is 19 versus 35.4.

“Once we get our immediate needs satisfied, we then have enough energy and time to start working toward sustaining happiness.” —Eileen Klein, professor of social work, Ramapo College

is relatively low: 13.9 percent as opposed to 15.5 percent in New Jersey as a whole and 19.5 percent across the U.S.

Additionally, notes Magdalena Spariosu, M.D., director of behavioral health at Englewood Health, “there’s a wealth of mental health resources in the area. And access to a variety of mental health modalities, professionals and programs makes it that much easier for individuals to find support when they need it.”

Bergenites are also well insured. Only 8.4 percent of us lack health insurance, as opposed to 9.3 percent of New Jerseyans and 11 percent of Americans as a whole.

Social support. It’s hard to understate the importance of social support—in the form of strong interpersonal relationships—to human happiness. “Almost all psychologists consider positive relationships to be crucial to well-being and satisfaction,” says Ahn. “And strong social ties have been linked to better physical and mental health.” Those relationships are particularly in evidence among Bergen’s tight-knit Asian communities, which represent 17.6 percent of the county’s population.

WHAT MAKES US HAPPY?

If the idea that money can buy happiness depresses you, you may be cheered by the fact that Bergen County offers its residents plenty of other

Bergen County also fosters community connection through its physical layout. When a recent Knight/Gallup survey asked people what traits happy communities share, one of the most

Generosity. “Making someone else feel good helps you feel better,” says Klein. And generosity, indeed, is one of the major metrics of WHR. Bergenites appear to be happy to give: The personal financial company SmartAsset ranked New Jersey counties according to annual charitable giving, and Bergen County was fifth among the state’s 21 counties. (Of course, it’s easier to donate if one has wealth to spare.)

Positive effect: That’s WHR’s combined metric for what it describes as “laugh, enjoyment and doing interesting things.” While we couldn’t find statistics on how often Bergenites laughed, the county is rich in what Klein calls “the opportunity for diverse experiences.” “There’s a lot going on, pretty close to home,” she says, citing “places to eat, all different sorts of food to experience, cultural events, varied physical environments—waterfalls, parks, hiking trails, public gardens, different ethnic neighborhoods.” In fact, many of those varied environments, says Ahn, help Bergenites lead healthier lives, “and physical health,” she notes, “is strongly linked with mental and emotional health.”

Of course, no one is happy all the time, and many of us have mental health conditions, like anxiety and depression, that keep happiness at bay. Bergen’s abundance of mental health professionals are ready to help you find the greater satisfaction in life you’d like to achieve. If you’d just like to be happier, take your cue from the happiness reports: Help others, cultivate a healthy lifestyle, nurture positive relationships (you don’t need hundreds, says Ahn—one really good one helps a lot) and enjoy all the environmental and cultural riches that living in a happy county like Bergen bestows.

THE CALL OF WATER

A Wyckoff couple found they could enjoy the allure of a seaside resort without leaving their backyard.

Design by Thomas Flint, Thomas Flint Landscape Design & Development

Photography by Adam Pass Photography Text by Kirsten Meehan

The homeowners were happy where they were. Nearly 28 years in their Wyckoff home, the husband and wife had raised two children, now both grown and living in New York City. They saw no reason to go anywhere else.

Still, they felt the call toward water.

“We’d thought a lot over the years about a second home near a body of water,” says the wife. “But we didn’t want the responsibility of having two different properties. We love our home.”

After many years of thought, they decided that the solution was to bring the water to them. Their objective was simple, as they put it: “Let’s make this an even happier place to be.”

Enter Tom Flint of Thomas Flint Landscape Design & Development in Waldwick, who was up for the task of

This Wyckoff backyard underwent a complete transformation at the hands of Tom Flint of Waldwick’s Thomas Flint Landscape Design & Development. Gone was a disconnected, heavily wooded corner of the property; in its place is a resort-like haven with a full pool house and patio.

This page: The wife is delighted with her outdoor shower. “It’s something I’ve thought about every time I visited somewhere with a really nice one; I always think, ‘What a fun accommodation!’ I use it all the time.” Opposite page: Because the pool would be an inconvenient distance from the house, making the pool house the main hub was essential. The space is covered and well lit, and includes a television, a ceiling fan and a sound system. There is also a bar area with a refrigerator, a sink and seating options, as well as a full bathroom and storage inside.

crafting a full pool, a patio and a pool house to transform the backyard over the course of this three-month project.

The homeowners wanted something simple, modern and functional. They also wanted to be able to use a corner of their yard that was heavily wooded and distant from the house. It felt disconnected. Recalls Flint: “At first glance, it almost didn’t look like it was part of their property, so they wanted to reclaim it.”

That distance informed the rest of the project. The pool would be more than 100 feet from any entrance to the home. Rather than seeing this as a hindrance, Flint saw an opportunity. “We could build a destination,” he says. “Sometimes a pool is close enough to the house that we can ‘borrow’ the back patio and make it multifunctional. Because this project was off and away from the house a little bit, we needed the patio to be of a good size, and the pool house to be the hub.”

And a hub it is. The pool house brings all the comforts of the indoors out,

with a full bar, a sink, a refrigerator, a television, a ceiling fan and a sound system. The inside boasts a full bathroom and extra storage space; tucked over to the side is an outdoor shower.

According to the wife in the homeowning couple, the pool house has become a place where all who enter can release a breath. “It’s a beautiful space to simply exist in,” she says. “It’s very soothing, and it’s perfect for entertaining.”

The patio itself is lined with a porcelain paver sourced from City Stone in Clifton. “It’s a great material,” says Flint. “It offers the look of stone, but with the ease of installation that comes from a paver. It is also incredibly durable—it doesn’t absorb and doesn’t stain.” The soft color adds to the simple, modern vibe of the overall design. Flint also applied a keen eye for detail to the layout—he says, “We designed down to the way the joints in the pavers line up. Every cut was considered. In a design this simple, it’s the details that really elevate it.”

The pool design is slightly elongated, for both form and function. The shape is in harmony with the yard itself, which is also longer than it is wide. “A rectangular pool seemed correct from the start,” says Flint. “Then we stretched it out a little bit. The result is very pretty, while still being practical. It’s great for doing laps.”

Flint also championed a darker finish in the pool. “I wanted those reflections,” he explains. “Darker colors make the light bounce off the water more.” The resulting deep blue color of the water conjures the ocean. The pool feels both alive and perfectly integrated into the scenery around it, creating something balanced and Zen.

Also perfectly integrated was the homeowners’ taste in plant life. The husband is an avid, talented gardener; the wife describes them both as “very into landscaping.” Flint and the couple set up a temporary plant nursery on the property while the project was underway so that the original flowers and bushes could be reincorporated back into the yard upon completion.

The lighting choices are an ode to value of details; they ensure that this destination can be open 24 hours. “You see the light, but you don’t see the source,” explains Flint, who wanted the space to be bright and safe without feeling industrial. The result is soft and elegant, and creates a warm welcome. The lights themselves gently guide a person from the house’s entrance, through the landscape and into the pool area like an usher at a resort.

That welcoming feeling and resort vibe are, in Flint’s eyes, the heart of the project. “From the start, I told the clients that this was going to change their lives,” he says. “We were building them a lifestyle. I don’t think they expected a full transformation, but that’s what we wanted to give them.”

According to the wife, that transformation has been nothing but positive, and has brought the waterfront retreat the couple always dreamed of right to their fingertips. “My kids feel like they can come here to escape from the city,” she says. “It’s a perfect little oasis in the summertime.”

This page: Simple, cozy patio furniture, sourced by the homeowners from Houzz and Wayfair, keeps this covered pool house comfortable and perfect for entertaining. Opposite page: Flint knew the darker finish in the pool would create breathtaking reflections, and the Silver Shadow Eased Edge coping adds to the effortless, streamlined look. “When we first put the water in and the homeowners saw the reflections, there was a lot of emotion,” he says. “They were ecstatic.”

TAMING A HARD YARD

The family loved being outside, but a forbidding backyard with a steep slope and too many trees made that difficult—until the right landscape designer went to work.

Design by Arapahoe Landscape & Pool Contractors

Photography by John Butler

Text by Donna Rolando

A Washington Township family with three little boys loved the outdoors and longed to spend more time there. But the terrain surrounding the home they’d purchased wasn’t welcoming. It featured 80-foot trees and a steep slope, and had not a blade of grass. Even kicking a ball there was a challenge. The boys needed a backyard.

Homeowners Bobby and Nicole thought they knew the answer. To create a family-friendly oasis in place of the forbidding woods, they required a landscaper, one who would share their

A former backyard wasteland is now the go-to place for entertaining after a redesign that tamed a steep slope to create five tiers of outdoor living, including a lagoon-style pool.

goal of turning no-man’s-land into Entertainment Central with a lagoon-style pool and play space. Interviews with four contenders made John Butler, founder of Arapahoe Landscape & Pool Contractors in Mahwah, the clear choice. As they collaborated, it soon became clear that with some landscaping magic this space could exceed their wish list, as Butler proposed an open-air, modern-timber pavilion for multi-season use.

“Night and day” is how homeowner Bobby describes the 2023 transformation of a 2-acre lot so wooded their house had been hidden on Google satellite. The family’s mission? “We just wanted to set something up,” Bobby says, “where we had an outside living area that wasn’t all woods.”

What they got were five tiers of outdoor living, starring a 760-square-foot, freeform pool carved into the slope and wowed with a waterfall. “You can swim under the waterfall,” says Butler. “It’s like a cave.” He likens it, in fact, to an illuminated grotto beside a raised hot tub. LED pool lights change color to reflect the mood,

while the shallow area welcomes sunbathers with lounge chairs.

When the pool is closed for the season, this family can still have fun in their new yard. That open pavilion featuring a kitchen and bar regularly airs the big game from the big screen; there’s also a firepit with modular couch hugging the curved wall, a 10-seat dining table chosen for its size, and everyone’s new favorite game: bocce ball played in its own court.

Butler recalls how the rugged land resisted niceties. “From one side of the property to the other was probably 12 feet of elevation change,” he says. “We were able to create what they wanted. It just took engineering and forethought,” specifically excavation, stabilizing the earth and drainage.

Of the multiple tiers of living for different activities, from entertaining to swimming, Bobby marvels: “It’s almost like he did a giant set of stairs.”

Taming the terrain gave the couple a yard they could never have fully envisioned, and they credit Butler for making it happen. “John’s been

Left: This free-form pool with a waterfall one can swim under is a favorite of the family’s three young boys. Right: A 10-seat table ideally situated outside the natural-timber pavilion and bar area was chosen with entertainment in mind.

instrumental in how we brought it to life,” says Bobby, “It’s definitely different than what we thought it would be….It’s been great.”

Since the goal was to work with nature, not against it, Butler and his team performed artistry with stone. For the terracing so important to this project, he took a puzzle approach, piecing together angular shot rock, which had been blasted right off a mountain. There are also solid bluestone for the steps, largeformat Cambridge paving stones for the dining area and beyond and Pennsylvania fieldstone veneer for features such as the hot tub.

But don’t think for a moment that no-man’s-land became stone-cold with all this hardscaping. As one terrace transitions into another, there’s plenty of space for plantings that provide a soft touch while helping to stabilize the earth. Even the yard’s low-voltage LED lighting works with nature, serving to accent but not steal the show, says Butler.

The direct result of collaboration, the timber pavilion with its standing-

seam metal roof blends minimalist, modern and natural elements both inside and out—a perfect accompaniment to the contemporary home’s style. The L-shaped kitchen with a large grill and a raised bar combines dark-stained wood—especially teak—and the natural look of a Pennsylvania fieldstone veneer backsplash and a black-leather-finish granite countertop. This couple not only joined in planning with Butler, but Bobby took a hands-on approach, as he custom-fabricated the media wall—a key feature of the outdoor bar, where action is in the fall.

“We have a kind of modern but Southern rustic style,” Bobby explains of the pavilion’s vibe. “My wife grew up in Bergen County, and I’m from Texas.”

As in Bobby’s day-and-night analogy, his backyard makeover has dramatically changed the way this family spends their time. They now have the go-to house for holidays, parties and other gatherings. Says Bobby: “Everyone wants to come to our place and spend time outside.”

A roomy, modular sectional gives everyone a chance to get themselves—or a marshmallow—toasty by the firepit. Right, top: Bocce ball is more fun in its own dedicated court. Bottom: Large gatherings are no hassle with the natural-timber pavilion and its fully equipped kitchen.

SURPRISE IN STONE

AT FIRST EXPECTED TO DO ONLY THE FAÇADE OF A NEW-CONSTRUCTION HOME, AN OUTDOOR DESIGN FIRM ENDS UP TAKING ON A MUCH BIGGER ASSIGNMENT.

Design by Rich Andreu, Exclusive Stoneworks

Photography by James Puzo

Text by Darius Amos

Rich Andreu and his firm, Lyndhurst-based Exclusive Stoneworks, were initially asked to install the stone veneer of a new Springfield home. “We were supposed to begin after the driveway was done,” he says of the project. But it turned out that they were called upon for much more.

Scheduling conflicts halted the original driveway and backyard patio plans, so the homeowner asked Andreu’s team to step in to do the work. They put a temporary driveway and worked with the homeowner to “make tweaks” to the original design plans.

“There were other challenges too,” Andreu recalls. “It was a new-construction home, so the entire property was still a disaster, with dirt and a lot of rocks everywhere.”

Many rocks and much debris were cleared from the 13,000-square-foot backyard, allowing SJ Pools and Landscaping of Paramus to install a swimming pool and a hot tub. Andreu added a finishing touch

Cambridge’s Brick Alley pavers line the driveway of this Springfield home. Lyndhurst-based Exclusive Stoneworks installed the customcolored pavers in a double herringbone pattern. Gas lanterns at the entrance welcome visitors.

This page, top: Patio furniture by RH graces the dining area and sun deck, while the centerpiece of the outdoor kitchen is a 54-inch Alfresco grill. The kitchen, dining area and fire pit are connected by 2-foot-by-2-foot bluestone.

Opposite page: Braen Supply Bellagio sand-blasted marble surrounds the pool, which was designed and installed by SJ

and Landscaping in Paramus.

Pools

around the pool, installing a patio made of Braen Supply Bellagio sandblasted marble with a 12-inch bluestone border. To complete the resort feel, chaise longues and patio umbrellas from RH were placed next to the pool, giving sunbathers easy access to the water when they want to cool off.

The same stonework is found in the dining area and the outdoor kitchen. The kitchen features a 54-inch Alfresco grill for this barbecue-loving family and a covered lounge area with television and fireplace. And just steps from the pool and kitchen areas is the firepit, where Andreu and company installed a Warming Trends burner as the centerpiece. But the fire feature isn’t the only source of nighttime illumination.

“We installed lights in the patio, with 2-inch coring drilled through the marble slabs,” says Andreu. “The owners live behind a golf course,

so it’s very dark at night. Lighting was an important part of the backyard, and we’re happy to have included it in the plan.”

Greg Imhoff of Greg Imhoff Visionscape Design in Ringwood created a landscape plan to complement the hardscape. While plenty of grassy areas were preserved for the couple’s four kids to run on, assorted plants and flowers such as blue spruce, hydrangeas, lilacs and daisies provide plenty of visual interest along the border of the property.

When the backyard was complete, Exclusive Stoneworks circled back to tackle the driveway. The homeowners selected Cambridge’s Brick Alley pavers, which were custom-colored, and the team laid them in a double herringbone pattern. Those pavers were then bordered with Cambridge’s Belgium 5-pc stones, also in a custom hue.

“It was a long project for everyone,” Andreu says, “but the homeowners got exactly what they wanted.”

ESCAPES

THE WORLD’S YOUR

Travel is a fine teacher, with destinations near and far. Here are five ways it can smarten you up.

On a vacation, there’s nothing wrong with beach-bumming, relaxing poolside or watching the world go by from a sidewalk café. But challenging your mind with new learning, or probing deeper into something that’s always intrigued you, can also make travel a rich, memorable experience. Which vagabond curriculum below suits you best for an educational trip? Consult your inner chef, photographer, artist, sailor or archaeologist!

GET COOKING

PICTURE THIS

STATESIDE: PEAPACK, N.J. With a multitude of great restaurants in our area, fine dining is always within reach. A few classes at The Cooking School at Natirar, however, give you even better access— and knowledge to prepare amazing meals at home. Located in picturesque Somerset County, the school offers a range of individual classes (no long-term commitment required) for all kitchen-skill levels, large groups, families and friends. Previous culinary experiences include French Bistro Brunch, New England Comfort Food and Italian Seaside, each taught by a specialty chef instructor. Info: natirar.com/nj_cooking_school

After class: When you’re done in the kitchen, leave the Natirar campus and explore Bluebird Farm Alpacas in Peapack. Hike on the 15-acre farm—or, better yet, take a furry and friendly alpaca for a walk around the site. For a quieter outdoor adventure, head to Willowwood Arboretum in Chester for an easy stroll surrounded by flowers and plant life. After a day of cooking and adventure, rest your body and soul at the Pendry Natirar, a luxury hotel with a full-service spa, a fitness center, a swimming pool, tennis courts and additional outdoor activities.

STUDY ABROAD: PARIS, FRANCE. A land rich in the culinary arts offers some of the finest opportunities to develop cooking skills. In this city of love, Le Cordon Bleu, which operates the largest network of culinary and hospitality schools in the world, offers two- to three-hour group or private courses in cuisine, patisserie and wine tasting. Don’t worry if your culinary know-how isn’t up to par: Classes range from basic to advanced level.

Info: cordonbleu.edu

After class: Drop off your luggage at the five-star Mandarin Oriental Hotel or the equally posh Hotel Opéra Richepanse, which is less than half a mile away from the culinary school. Paris is rich in history and can provide many adventures. Take the classic route and visit the famous Eiffel Tower or Arc de Triomphe—or spend a day observing the work of renowned artists at the Louvre Museum. During your stay, consider a commute to visit the nearby Palace of Versailles to take in the stunning architecture. The palace now offers overnight accommodations, so guests can experience a mystical night there.

STATESIDE: NEW YORK, N.Y. There’s no shortage of sights to see in the Big Apple, and what better way to capture them than through a lens? Keep your smartphone in your pocket and learn how to handle a DSLR at NYC Photo Safari, which provides information on composition, lighting and other technical details before leading foot tours in the city. Shutterbugs will hit spots like Central Park, Times Square and the Brooklyn Bridge during sessions that last anywhere from two to five hours. Don’t have a digital camera? You can rent one (and a tripod too) for the session with a memory card that’s yours to keep afterward.

Info: newyorkcityphotosafari.com

After class: A day in the city virtually guarantees getting your steps in, so give yourself a break and see a show on Broadway. Tickets are always available, and nothing wraps up the night like a great performance. However, if you’re still up to the challenge, explore the city some more and visit iconic landmarks such as Rockefeller Center or St. Patrick’s Cathedral. A good trip always requires wonderful rest, and five-star hotels like Marriott’s Times Square Edition, The Algonquin or The Plaza can meet those standards.

STUDY ABROAD: DUBLIN, IRELAND: Immerse yourself in the lush green landscape and join a private or public workshop or tour by Gareth McCormack. Depending on your interest—and time—lessons can range from three to 10 days. Tours will usually focus on one region of the country but involve travel through many towns.

Info: garethmccormack.com

After class: Lodging and entertainment are covered when you’re signed up for courses with Gareth McCormack. Bed-and-breakfast-style accommodations are provided depending on the duration of your trip, and there’s much to see and do beyond photography. When you put the camera down, consider visiting the Guinness Storehouse, Kilmainham Gaol, The Irish Emigration Museum or the National Museum of Ireland.

CLASSROOM

FIND YOUR ART’S DESIRE

STATESIDE: SANTA FE, N.M. Designated as a UNESCO Creative City in Design, Crafts and Folk Art, New Mexico’s capital has been a haven for artists for decades. The city was home to famed American painter Georgia O’Keeffe, and it continues to inspire many up-and-coming creatives thanks to art centers such as Paseo Pottery. The popular workspace and gallery offer two-hour pottery sessions for beginners and intermediate students, who can learn the pottery-making process using a wheel or develop different techniques to manipulate clay with hands. Advanced individuals can partake in Raku firing, which creates a distinctive color, pattern and texture on the piece.

Info: paseopottery.com

After class: The area is rich in markets such as the Railyard Artisan Market, indigenous art markets and the International Folk Art Market. Outdoor adventures include trips to inspiring sunset locations and food tours to sample the city’s diverse flavor and culture. Visitors should also check out the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, the Museum of International Folk Art, the New Mexico History Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Native Arts. After exploring, take a break at the Four Seasons Rancho Encantado, which provides a spa, a swimming pool, a fitness center, an outdoor firepit and more.

STUDY ABROAD: CARMONA, SPAIN. To truly immerse yourself in another culture, spend two weeks living and learning in this city in southern Spain. A two-week residency here through Art Immersions provides a variety of workshops where artists work on a piece and share it twice, during a mid-term check-in and at a final exposition of everyone’s completed work. Tours of Carmona as well as Seville are provided for art inspiration—and sightseeing.

Info: artistimmersionprogram.com

After class: This trip offers everything in one: accommodations in a historic hotel, guided tours, entertainment and culinary experiences are all included. Guests will check out the cities’ exclusive art and architecture, local museums, historic sites and artisan studios.

SET SAIL

STATESIDE: NEWPORT BEACH, CALIF. You can take up sailing all along the California Coast, but proximity to famed Catalina Island and top-tier instruction are two of the biggest draws of Newport Beach Sailing School. It offers three-hour private lessons for one to three students or a three-person group assigned by the school, creating a personal learning opportunity. Participants will also learn terminology, steering and maneuvering. Additional classes for all levels include Coastal Cruising and Cruising Catamaran.

Info: newportbeachsail.com

After class: Being on the water is work, but save time for play. Consider a sunset cruise, dolphin watching or whale watching—or simply take a relaxing stroll along the Newport Beach Pier or the Balboa Pier and visit the Crystal Cove State Park. For a shopping adventure, stop by luxurious Fashion Island. When the day ends, rest up and enjoy the amenities at Newport Beach Marriott Bayview or the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach.

STUDY ABROAD: FEZZANO, LIGURIA, ITALY. A country surrounded by water naturally has much to offer in terms of sailing opps. Orza Scuola Vela is a sailing school focusing on beginner and intermediate courses, which can range from seven to 14 days. It has three camp locations, one of them here on the Mediterranean Coast. The sea is your classroom; most instruction takes place on a cabin cruiser, a dinghy or a keelboat.

Info: orzascuolavela.it

After class: In Fezzano, enjoy weekend cruises, rowing, speedboating, scuba diving or dining while on the water. Luxury accommodations also can be found at various hotels, including Poet Hotel, a pet-friendly location that offers a variety of suites and workspaces.

UNEARTH THE PAST

STATESIDE: CORTEZ, COLO. Archaeologists are still learning about the past civilizations and people who thrived in our country centuries ago, and you can do the same. At the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center in this southwest Colorado city, visitors can explore replicas of the Pueblo native structures, survey the area and learn about the lives of people who lived in the land’s earliest days, including the Pueblo, Ute and Navajo. To complement on-site learning, researchers, experts and tribal members lead free weekly webinars focusing on the land’s history and geography.

Info: crowcanyon.org

After class: Not far from Cortez is Rocky Mountain National Park, which offers unrivaled views of rivers, mountains and trees. And don’t miss an outdoor concert at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre or the exhibits at the Denver Art Museum or the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. If you’re staying for the weekend, The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs offers topflight amenities and access to water rafting, rock climbing, hiking, golf, tennis and pickleball.

STUDY ABROAD: GUATEMALA CITY, GUATEMALA. Home to volcanoes, rainforests and national parks, this country is also known for its relics from the ancient Mayan civilization. Researchers at Chabad Antigua Guatemala welcome visitors to observe them as they work and offer tours around the archaeological site known as Kaminaljuyú Archaeological Park. There you can witness live excavations as archaeologists learn more about the pre-Classic Maya city.

Info: chabadantiguaguatemala.com

After class: Continue touring history and visit the Hill of the Cross, the Santa Catalina Arch, the Antigua Guatemala Central Park and the Great Jaguar Tikal. The area is also rich with restaurants, where you can indulge in Guatemalan cuisine (beef, chicken and turkey stews, for instance). Wrap up each day of exploration at the luxurious Casa Santo Domingo near La Antigua. This location provides a spa with saunas, hot tubs, pools and indoor and outdoor areas. There’s also a private museum at the hotel, where guests can enjoy collections of modern art.

—Denisse Gonzalez Ramirez

TASTES

Great Catch!

Burgers and dogs are classics, but these fish dishes are just as delicious—and they’ll have your guests reaching for seconds.

SWORDFISH PICCATA

Yields 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

n 1/2 cup all-purpose flour for dredging

n 1 tsp. sea salt

n 1 tsp. fresh black pepper

n 3 fresh swordfish steaks

n 1 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil

n 2 Tbs. unsalted butter

n 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

n ¹/³ cup fresh lemon juice

n 1/2 cup dry white wine

n 2 Tbs. capers, drained

n ¹/³ cup fresh parsley, minced

n lemon, for garnish

DIRECTIONS

Combine the flour, pepper and salt in a shallow dish such as a pie plate. Dredge the swordfish steaks in the flour mixture and shake off any excess.

In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil with the butter. When hot, add the fish and cook until browned on the underside, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn fish over and cook until well browned on the other side. Transfer to a platter and keep warm.

To make the sauce:

Add the garlic to the skillet and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Add the lemon juice and wine to the pan and deglaze, scraping up any browned bits. Bring to a boil, turn heat to low and add the capers. Adjust the salt seasoning to taste.

Return the swordfish to the skillet and let the fish cook for a few minutes so that it can absorb the flavors of the sauce. Sprinkle with the parsley and serve at once, garnished with parsley and lemon.

“For a healthier twist, skip the flour and bake the fish at 425 degrees. Coat both sides with the sauce mixture, flip halfway through and bake until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees, which should take about 20 to 25 minutes.”

—Alexis Michel, registered dietitian/nutritionist, Alexis Michel Nutrition, Saddle Brook

TASTES

GRILLED TERIYAKI SALMON

Yields 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

n 4 (6 oz.) salmon filets

n ½ cup low sodium soy sauce

n ¼ cup brown sugar

n 2 cloves garlic, minced

n 1 tsp. fresh ginger, grated

n 2 Tbs. rice vinegar

n 1 Tbs. sesame oil

n 2 tsp. cornstarch

n 1½ Tbs. water

n green onion, sliced, for serving

n sesame seeds, for serving

DIRECTIONS

Whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, rice vinegar and sesame oil in a medium bowl. Reserve ½ cup; set aside.

Add the salmon filets to a resealable container and pour the remaining marinade over top. Mix well, seal and marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight. Heat grill to 400°F. Grill salmon for 8-12 minutes, flipping once, or until the thickest part of the filet reaches 145°F.

Meanwhile, whisk together the cornstarch and water until well-combined. Add to a small saucepan over medium heat with the remaining ½ cup of marinade. Bring to a boil over medium-low heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 5 minutes, or until thickened. Remove from heat.

Brush teriyaki sauce on salmon after grilling, or serve on the side as a dipping sauce. Serve topped with sliced green onion and sesame seeds, if desired.

“If you’re looking for a gluten- or soy-free swap for low-sodium soy sauce, coconut aminos is a great alternative. It’s low in sodium and has a savory-sweet flavor similar to soy sauce.”

—Lauren Torrisi-Gorra, registered dietitian/nutritionist, FORME Nutrition, Franklin Lakes

Greener Pastures

This summertime cocktail is rich with flavors that‘ll keep your guests relaxed and refreshed.

GREEN GODDESS

Yields: 1 serving

INGREDIENTS

n 11/2 oz. tequila blanco

n 1/2 oz. Salers aperitif

n 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice

n 1/2 oz. pineapple juice

n 1/2 oz. fresh celery juice

n 1/2 oz. vanilla syrup

n tonic water

n celery ribbons, for garnish

DIRECTIONS

Combine all the ingredients except the tonic water in a shaker tin with ice and shake briefly to combine. Strain into a glass filled with ice and top with tonic water. Garnish.

“If celery is too strong for your taste, replace it with cucumber. Cucumber juice— and a cucumber slice for garnish— is milder and has a less salty flavor than celery, and it also gives any cocktail a refreshing flavor. It’s a good option for a daytime drink. And you won’t sacrifice the green color by making the swap!”

—Nelson

Armbruster, bartender, Hackensack

Peter DeNoble, M.D., FAAOS.

Modern Orthopaedics of New Jersey

72 Rt. 17 North, Paramus, NJ, 07652 | 201.751.2301 pdenoble@modernorthonj.com | www.modernorthonj.com

Current position: Founder, CEO, President

Years in practice: 13

What are your greatest accomplishments?

Marrying my wife AND starting Modern Orthopaedics of New Jersey, our independent 100% physician-owned orthopedic private practice in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and growing this practice to 3 locations in 4 years, including our premier Paramus location, and all in the era of big hospital medicine and private equity-purchased orthopedic practices, where most private practices have gone out of business or have sold to hospitals.

What makes your practice stand out from others in your field?

Our practice emphasizes the end-to-end patient experience above all else, from the first phone call to the final follow up. Our staff is the best in the business, and they accompany each of our patients through every step of his or her orthopedic journey. My approach, along with the other surgeons in our practice, is to tailor a custom treatment plan to each of our patient’s needs. I will often recommend conservative treatment as a first step. If surgery is necessary, I will typically use minimally invasive surgical techniques, including arthroscopic shoulder stabilization surgeries, arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs, wrist, thumb and finger ligament repairs, tendon repairs, and endoscopic carpal tunnel releases, to name a few. We are also the only practice in Northern New Jersey that offers focal shockwave treatments to our patients. This non-invasive office based treatment (typically 3 sessions) stimulates the local tissue stem cells to begin a regeneration process and to improve vascularity and healing in difficult-to-treat conditions like shoulder calcific tendonitis, rotator cuff tendonitis, knee meniscal tears, tennis elbow, biceps tendonitis, Achilles tendonitis, and plantar fasciitis.

Raphael S.F. Longobardi, M.D.

RWJ Barnabas Health Medical Group

130 Kinderkamack Rd., Suite 300, River Edge, NJ 07661 | 201.343.1717 www.universityorthopaedic.com

Current Position: Orthopaedic Surgeon - Sports Medicine and Athletic Injuries Specialist.

Years in practice: 28

Who or what inspired you to go into the medical field?

I have two people who inspired me in the field of medicine. The first person, was my family pediatrician, who was more like the family doctor for members of all ages. He was such a kind, considerate and caring individual; he was more part of our family than just a doctor. I always wanted to be like him. The second person who inspired me occurred after I had a fracture dislocation of my wrist while playing football in college. The orthopaedic surgeon who treated me took a personal interest in me, my sports, my college studies, my interest in medicine and then introduced me to the field of orthopaedic surgery. He took me to see patients with him, as well as, to see surgery. He has been a friend and mentor for over 40 years

What are your greatest accomplishments?

My greatest professional accomplishments have been my patients and the relationships I have formed with them. I can list things like papers, publications, being the chairman of orthopaedic departments, and professional sports teams & league championships I have been a part of, but, even with the teams, it has always been about the individual people, restoring their musculoskeletal health and well-being.

James W. Cahill, M.D.

Attending Orthopedic Surgeon Hackensack Meridian Health, Valley Hospital and Holy Name Hospital, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopedic Society of Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy Assoc. of North America, Saint Peter’s Director of Sports Medicine, Student Mentor for Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.

Cahill Orthopedic Sports Medicine and Joint Replacement

87 Summit Ave., Hackensack, NJ 07601

201.489.0022 | jcahillmd@gmail.com www.drjamescahillnj.com

Current position: Orthopedic Surgeon Years in practice: More than 20 years.

Who or what inspired you to go into the medical field? I was inspired to go into the medical field by my uncle, who is a thoracic surgeon. He was also a military surgeon in Vietnam. He served in the Air Force as a major. My work as a lifeguard also inspired me to go into medicine. I very much enjoyed the first aid and rescue aspect.

What are your greatest accomplishments?

My greatest accomplishment in medicine would stem from the interpersonal relationships on a multigenerational nature that I have developed with my patients and their families. I have enjoyed very impressive patient and family loyalty to our practice. I am also particularly proud of performing one of the first cartilage transplants in the State of New Jersey. I was fortunate enough to be involved in the original research during my fellowship in sports medicine. In addition, we are very proud of bringing Mako robotic assistive joint replacement technology to Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, New Jersey.

What makes your practice unique or stand out from others in your field? One of the main things that makes our practice unique and stand out is our patient-centered approach. We certainly get to know our patients quite well. We are kind and compassionate and serve each person individually. Unfortunately, medicine has become very corporate, where patients are treated like a number. We have taken particular effort to prevent this in our practice.

What are your future goals? One of my most important future goals is to continue to build our practice in a way that allows us to continue to serve our patients. We are very blessed to have a busy practice. I would like to build on the three offices that we have up and running. The physical therapy arm of our practice, Superior PT, has also been fortunate to be of excellent service to our patients. We are looking to continue to build on that as well.

Kimberly Koury, M.D.

Current position: Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgeon

Years in Practice: 3

What inspired you to go into the medical field?

Driven by a passion for working with my hands and continuously seeking challenges, I pursued a career in the medical field as an orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon to make a tangible difference in people’s lives. My passion lies in restoring patients’ ability to move comfortably and live life to the fullest. By specializing in foot and ankle care, I found a unique niche where my skills can address complex conditions with innovative solutions. Whether it’s enabling individuals to walk without pain or helping athletes return to their sport, my commitment to this field is rooted in the satisfaction of seeing lives transformed through expertise and compassion.

What makes your practice unique or stand out from others in your field?

My practice stands out due to its highly personalized, patient-focused care, incorporating advanced techniques and specialized Orthopedic Foot and Ankle training. With expertise in total ankle replacement as well as the latest minimally invasive surgical methods, I aim to provide quicker recovery times and optimal patient outcomes. My approach emphasizes early mobilization and range of motion exercises, encouraging patients to regain function swiftly. By blending these advanced surgical and non-operative strategies with compassionate care, I create a supportive environment where each patient feels heard and valued on their journey to healing.

Alandra Greenlee, DPM

Current position: Foot and Ankle Surgeon

Years in Practice: 4

What are your greatest accomplishments?

Aside from having the opportunity at my job to work with patients every day, I am very proud of my physical / sports accomplishments. I have qualified for and run the Boston Marathon, set American records in rowing, competed as an Elite Athlete in Hyrox (Hybrid Fitness), won a world championship title in Spartan Deka, run a 50 mile ultra-marathon and competed at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships

What steps can someone take to prevent injury when beginning a new sport or activity?

Injury prevention is key for staying healthy and active. Before diving into a new sport or activity, it’s smart to check where you’re at fitness-wise. Have you been inactive for a while, or are you just mixing things up from your usual routine? If you’re starting from scratch, teaming up with a trainer to figure out where you stand and what areas to focus on is a good move. Sometimes, adding in a bit of extra accessory work or stretching can work wonders! Take it slow and ease into it. It’s tempting to jump in full throttle, especially when you’re having fun, but going 2-3 times a week with rest days in between is a good way to go. And if you’re already pretty athletic, watch out for feeling too confident. Overdoing it could lead to injury. Listen to your body - if anything feels off or tight, it might be a sign to adjust your form or take it down a notch.

Being Enough: Women, Relationships, and Resilience

On May 7, Alexis Totaro, MSN, RN WHNP-c, CARN-AP spoke to a room of 250 women at the Bergen Magazine Women’s Health Event about women’s most important relationship — their relationship with themselves.

“We are not what we do, We are mothers, workers, wives, and daughters, but our identity is larger than each of those things.”

“Women need to love and express their authentic selves if they’re going to be truly resilient. We can’t change our past, what’s done is done. But we can let our past walk alongside us rather than letting it trample over us.”

-Alexis explaining that the first step in resilience is self-love.

Alexis Totaro Vice President/Administrator of Mental Health Services

Chief

Nurse

Executive for Ramapo Ridge Behavioral Health Hospital

Caring is not simply what we do – it’s who we are.

If you need support building or re-building a healthy relationship with yourself, or if you know someone who would benefit from mental health counseling, we can help. Our LiveWell Counseling center provides one-on-one counseling with compassionate mental health experts in a comforting, nonjudgmental environment.

Call us today at (201) 848-5800 or visit ChristianHealthNJ.org to learn about the options that are available to you.

Mental Health | Senior Living | Rehabilitation

Where To Eat

Getting three squares a day has never been easier—Bergen County is home to a selection of restaurants diverse

ALLENDALE

Allendale Bar & Grill

67 W. Allendale Ave.

201.327.3197 allendalebarandgrill.com

Allendale Steakhouse

95 W. Allendale Ave. 201.962.9797 allendalesteakhouse.com

Mezza Luna

96 W. Allendale Ave.

201.327.6556 mezzalunabistro.com

Nirvana Indian Kitchen

29 W. Allendale Ave.

201.818.2300 nirvanaindiankitchen.com

Savini

168 W. Crescent Ave.

201.760.3700 savinirestaurant.com

ALPINE

Kiku

385 Rte. 9 W. 201.767.6322 kikurestaurantsnj.com

BERGENFIELD

Bamboo Grill

54 S. Washington Ave. 201.384.5951 bamboo-grill.com

Chapala Grill

52 S. Washington Ave. 201.387.2107 chapalamexican grill.com

The Cuban Around The Corner

260 S. Washington Ave. 646.483.8511

Nihon Kai

41 S. Washington Ave. 201.384.3000 nihonkaijapanese.com

Tommy Fox’s

Public House

32 S. Washington Ave. 201.384.0900 tommyfoxs.com

BOGOTA

Luka’s Italian Cuisine 10 River Rd. 201.440.2996 lukasitaliancuisine.co

CARLSTADT

Biggie’s 430 Rte. 17 S. 201.933.4000 biggies.com

Hunkar Restaurant 319 Hackensack Ave. 201.507.0606 hunkarrestaurant.com

Il Villaggio

651 Rte. 17 N. 201.935.7733 ilvillaggio.com

CLIFFSIDE PARK

354 Steakhouse

354 Lawton Ave. 201.941.0499 354steakhouse.com

Avos Grill

720 Anderson Ave. 201.945.9038 avosgrill.com

Rudy’s 591 Anderson Ave. 201.943.9252

Sedona Taphouse 679 Anderson Ave. 201.943.2300 sedonataphouse.com

Villa Amalfi 793 Palisade Ave. 201.886.8626 villaamalfi.com

CLOSTER

Brasserie Memere 107 Vervalen St. 201.660.8822 brasserie-memere.com

The Hill

252 Schraalenburgh Rd. 201.899.4700 thehillcloster.com

Locale Ristorante 208 Piermont Rd. 201.750.3233 localeristorante.com

Sear House 411 Piermont Rd. 201.292.4612 searhouse.com

Stern & Bow

171 Schraalenburgh Rd. 201.750.3350 sternandbow restaurant.com

CRESSKILL

Chef Mediterranean 38 Union Ave. 201.367.9565 chefmediterranean.com

Farmhouse Cafe 15 E. Madison Ave. 201.266.8931 farmhousecafenj.com

Hanami 41 Union Ave. 201.567.8508 hanamirestaurant.com

Samdan 178 Piermont Rd. 201.816.7343 samdanrestaurant.net

DEMAREST

Yasou Mykonos 134 Hardenburgh Ave. 201.768.8500 yasougreekfood.com

DUMONT

Da Mimmo 132 Veterans Plz. 201.367.9648 damimmonj.com

Fink’s BBQ Smokehouse 26 W. Madison Ave. 201.384.3210 facebook.com/finksbbq

Foschini’s Brick

Oven Kitchen 21 E. Madison Ave. 201.387.9998 foschinisbrickoven kitchen.com

Grant Street Café 25 Grant Ave. 201.385.1705 thegrantstreetcafe.com

La Taberna 31 W. Madison Ave. 201.374.1661 latabernanj.com

EAST RUTHERFORD

Al Di La 1 Hoboken Rd. 201.939.1128 aldilaitalianbistro.com

Annabella’s House of Mozzarella 900 Paterson Plank Rd. 201.804.0303 annabellasmozz.com

Blarney Station Pub 258 Park Ave. 201.531.0001 blarneystation.com

Caffé Capri 119 Park Ave. 201.460.1039 caffecaprirestaurant.com

EDGEWATER

Baumgart’s Café 59 The Promenade 201.313.3889 baumgartscafenj.com

Brownstone Pancake Factory 860 River Rd. 201.945.4800 brownstonepancake factory.com

De Novo European Pub 1257 River Rd. 201.496.6161 denovoeuropean pub.com

Fleming’s Steakhouse 90 The Promenade 201.313.9463 flemingssteakhouse.com

Greek Taverna 55 The Promenade 201.945.8998 greektavernausa.com

Haven Riverfront Restaurant and Bar 2 Main St., Suite G 201.943.1900 havenedgewater.com

Original Pancake House 15 The Promenade 201.366.4065 ophedgewater.com

Pier 115 115 River Rd. 201.313.2155 pier115barandgrill.com

Rebecca’s 236 Old River Rd. 201.943.8808 rebeccasedgewater.com

Photo

Grant Street Café, Dumont

River Palm Terrace 1416 River Rd.

201.224.2013 riverpalm.com

Roberto’s II

936 River Rd. 201.224.2524 robertosii.com

Seak

725 River Rd., #30

201.402.3400 seaknj.com

ELMWOOD PARK

Taverna Mykonos

238 Broadway

201.703.9200 tavernamykonos.com

EMERSON

Pimaan Thai

79 Kinderkamack Rd.

201.967.0440 pimaanthai.com

ENGLEWOOD

Akai Lounge

23 E. Palisade Ave.

201.541.0086 akailounge.com

Cassie’s

18 S. Dean St.

201.541.6760 cassiespizzeria.com

CZEN Restaurant

36 N. Van Brunt St. 201.431.9199 czenrestaurant.com

Fat Choy

52 E. Palisade Ave. 201.408.4581 fatchoyworld.com

Hummus Elite

39 E. Palisade Ave. 201.569.5600 hummuselite.com

Khao Thai Cuisine

4 E. Palisade Ave. 201.894.0344 khaothainj.com

La Fonda Paisa

95 W. Palisade Ave. 201.871.3544 lafondapaisausa.com

Noches de Colombia

90 W. Palisade Ave.

201.567.4950 nochesdecolombia.com

Pintxo y Tapas

47 N. Dean St.

201.569.9999 englewoodtapas.com

Rose’s of Englewood

126 Engle St. 201.541.0020 rosesplacenj.com

Sofia

36 Engle St. 201.541.8530 sofiaenglewood.com

Tani Sushi & Asian Grill

44 E. Palisade Ave. 201.567.7888 taniofenglewood.com

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS

Brownstone Pancake

Factory 717 E. Palisade Ave. 201.945.4800 brownstonepancake factory.com

Café Italiano 14 Sylvan Ave. 201.461.5041 cafeitaliano.net

Cliffs Steakhouse

18 Sylvan Ave. 201.944.0233 cliffssteakhouse.com

Lefkes Estiatorio 495 Sylvan Ave. 201.408.4444 lefkesnj.com

Grissini

484 Sylvan Ave. 201.568.3535 grissinirestaurant.com

FAIR LAWN

Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza 2101 Promenade Blvd. 201.796.2625 acfp.com

Fair Lawn Diner 13-48 River Rd. 201.791.2895 fairlawndiner.com

Jerry’s Hot Chicken 7-09 Fair Lawn Ave. 201.402.9300 jerryshotchicken.com

Oceanos Oyster Bar & Sea Grill 2-27 Saddle River Rd. 201.796.0546 oceanosrestaurant.com

Rose’s Place 32-01 Broadway 201.475.8800 rosesplacenj.com

RP Prime Steakhouse 41-11 Rte. 4 W. 201.267.0702 rpprime.com

Sage Restaurant 17-15 Broadway 201.797.0500 sagefairlawn.com

FAIRVIEW

Noches de Colombia 172 Broad Ave. 201.840.8428 nochesdecolombia.com

Patsy’s

344 Old Bergen Blvd. 201.943.0627 patsysbistro.com

FORT LEE

Aquarius

230-234 Main St. 201.592.8338 aquariusrestaurant nj.com

Baggios

212 Main St. 201.948.4004 baggiospizza restaurant.com

Big Red Tomato 1205 Anderson Ave. 201.224.6500 brtnj.com

Cap’t Loui

210 Main St. 201.461.7080 captloui.com

Chillers Grill

2191 Fletcher Ave. 201.461.0075 chillersgrill.com

In Napoli 116 Main St. 201.947.2500 inapoli.com

Kuba Restaurant 2139 Hudson Ter. 201.585.1601 kubarestaurant.com

Pho Today 2151 Lemoine Ave. 201.585.8818

Pomodoro 795 Abbott Blvd. 201.224.0800 pomodoro1.com

Prime & Beyond

501 Main St. 201.461.0033 primeandbeyond.com

Punta Cana 2151 Lemoine Ave. 201.849.5556 puntacanarestaurante. com

Ventana’s 200 Park Ave. 201.583.4777 ventanasatthe modern.com

FRANKLIN LAKES

Harmony Mediterranean Grill 842 Franklin Ave. 201.485.8707 harmony-nj.com

Sushi Cocoro 856 Franklin Ave. 201.560.1333 sushicocoro.com

GARFIELD

The Firehouse 42 Plauderville Ave. 973.478.2226 firehousefamily restaurantnj.com

Goodfellas 661 Midland Ave. 973.478.4000

La Fortaleza 361 Midland Ave. 973.928.4470 lafortalezamex restaurant.com

GLEN ROCK

Glen Rock Inn 222 Rock Rd. 201.445.2362 glenrockinn.com

Stone & Rail 175 Rock Rd. 201.345.0709 stoneandrail.com

Tani Sushi & Asian Grill 206 Rock Rd. 201.612.1188 taniofglenrock.com

HACKENSACK

Casual Habana Café 125 Main St. 201.880.9844 casualhabanacafe.com

The Cheesecake Factory

390 Hackensack Ave. 201.488.0330 thecheesecake factory.com

Hot Fish

450 Hackensack Ave., #6 201.881.0180 hotfishhackensack.com

Houston’s 1 Riverside Sq. 201.488.5667 houstons.com

Lido Restaurant 701 Main St. 201.487.8721 thelidorestaurant.com

Maggiano’s Little Italy

70 Riverside Sq. 201.221.2030 maggianos.com

Morton’s The Steakhouse 1 Riverside Sq. 201.487.1303 mortons.com

P.F. Chang’s 390 Hackensack Ave. 201.646.1565 pfchangs.com

Rosa Mexicano

60 Riverside Sq. 201.489.9100 rosamexicano.com

HARRINGTON PARK

Donatella Ristorante 12 Tappan Rd. 201.767.4245 donatellasitalian. restaurant

HASBROUCK HEIGHTS

Bensi 459 Rte. 17 S. 201.727.9525 bensihh.com

The Heights Bar & Grill 163 Boulevard 201.288.9338 heightsbarandgrill.com

Ivy Inn

268 Terrace Ave. 201.393.7699 ivyinn.com

Sushi Cocoro, Franklin Lakes

Sofia’s 220 Boulevard 201.462.0123 sofiasmediterranean grill.com

Tom Yum Koong 305 Boulevard 201.288.3840 tomyumkoonghh.com

HAWORTH

Alessandro’s 157 Terrace St. 201.385.8544 alessandrosnj.com

Andiamo 23 Hardenburgh Ave. 201.384.1551 andiamorestaurant.net

HILLSDALE

The Cornerstone 84 Broadway 201.666.8688 thecornerstonenj.com

Domani

387 Washington Ave. 201.722.8881 domanirestaurants.com

Fig & Tomato

100 Park Ave. 201.722.8880 figandtomatoeatery.com

Koon Thai Eatery

126 Broadway 551.246.3646 koonthaieatery.com

Matsu Sushi & Grill 140 Broadway 201.930.1896 matsusushibest.com

Osso Buco

343 Broadway 201.664.1600 ossobucogrill.com

HO-HO-KUS Alt Eats

622 N. Maple Ave. 201.444.1300 alteatscafe.com

Catchy Café 614 N. Maple Ave. 201.445.6400 thecatchycaterer.com

Ho-Ho-Kus Inn

1 E. Franklin Tpke. 201.445.4115 hohokusinn.com

Ho-Ho-Kus Sushi Café 29 Sheridan Ave. 201.670.7677 hohokussushicafe.com

St. Eve’s 611 N. Maple Ave. 201.857.4717 stevesnj.com

LEONIA

Café Mignon 332 Broad Ave. 201.292.1992

Dante’s Place 373 Broad Ave. 201.592.9071 dantesplace.com

Fontana Tritone

248 Fort Lee Rd. 201.242.9040 fontanatritone.com

Shumi Japanese Cuisine 354 Broad Ave. 201.272.6577 shumiomakase.com

LITTLE FERRY

Segovia Steakhouse 217 Main St. 201.814.1100 segoviasteakhouse.com

LODI

Kaya

334 N. Main St. 973.779.1128 kayalodi.com

ReBar & Kitchen 132 Essex St. 201.368.8181 rebarkitchen.com

Sergio’s Missione 2 Mercer St. 973.778.4545 sergiosmissionelodi.com

LYNDHURST

Angelo’s 263 Ridge Rd. 201.939.1922

Foschini’s Brick Oven Kitchen 298 Ridge Rd. 201.460.7600 foschinisbrickoven kitchen.com

Michael’s Riverside 528 Riverside Ave. 201.939.6333 michaelsriverside.com

ON THE TOWN

MAHWAH

Mahwah Bar & Grill

2 Island Rd. 201.529.8056 allendalebarandgrill.com

Nagoya 1007 MacArthur Blvd. 201.818.9933 nagoyamahwah.com

Nonna’s 11 Franklin Tpke. 201.529.1151 nonnasmahwah.com

Novino Restaurant 64 Ramapo Valley Rd. 201.529.1900 novinonj.com

Roxanne’s

150 Franklin Tpke. 201.529.0007 roxannes restaurant.com

Sangria 1033 MacArthur Blvd. 201.962.3310 sangriamahwah.com

State Line Diner

375 Rte. 17 N. 201.529.3353 statelinediner.com

MAYWOOD

Angelo’s Greek Taverna

245 Maywood Ave. 201.845.4278 angelosgreektaverna.com

Maywood Inn’s

Twin Door Tavern

122 W. Pleasant Ave. 201.843.8022 twindoortavern.com

Maywood Pancake House

92 W. Pleasant Ave. 201.880.7842 maywoodpancake house.com

The Seafood Gourmet

103 W. Pleasant Ave. 201.843.8558 seafood-gourmet.com

MIDLAND PARK

Arturo’s

41 Central Ave. 201.444.2466 arturos.co

Fiona’s Ristorante

118 Godwin Ave. 201.857.5800 fionasristorante.com

Rosario’s Trattoria 29 Central Ave. 201.445.3335

MONTVALE

Delpino Restaurant 108 Chestnut Ridge Rd. 201.391.6866 delpinorestaurant.com

Bellissimo 12 S. Kinderkamack Rd. 201.746.6669 bellissimonj.com

Fire & Oak

100 Chestnut Ridge Rd. 201.307.1100 fireandoak.com

Gen Sushi & Hibachi 14B Chestnut Ridge Rd. 201.930.9188 gensushimontvale.com

Hearth & Tap Co. 125 N. Kinderkamack Rd. 201.307.6300 hearthandtap.com

Yuki 2 S. Kinderkamack Rd. 201.391.9877

MOONACHIE

Bazzarelli 117 Moonachie Rd. 201.641.4010 bazzarellirestaurant.com

Bistro 107 107 Moonachie Rd. 201.440.3339 bistro107nj.com

Segovia 150 Moonachie Rd. 201.641.4266 segoviarestaurant.com

NEW MILFORD

Barrel & Brew 872 River Rd. 201.483.3329 barrelandbrews.com

Casual Habana Café 200 Main St. 201.576.0400 casualhabanacafe.com

Crespo Hookah Grill 160 Henley Ave. 201.694.4081 crespohookahgrill.com

Sanzari’s New Bridge Inn 105 Old New Bridge Rd. 201.692.7700 sanzaris.com

NORTHVALE

Biddy O’Malley’s 191 Paris Ave. 201.564.7893 biddyomalleys.com

The Greek Village 254 Livingston St. 201.750.8570 greekvillagenj.com

Madeleine’s Petit Paris 416 Tappan Rd. 201.767.0063 madeleinespetit paris.com

Olar Noso 493 Tappan Rd. 201.402.9355 olarnoso.com

OAKLAND

Cenzino 589 Ramapo Valley Rd. 201.337.6693 cenzinos.com

Trovato’s Due 4 Barbara Ln. 201.337.0813 trovatosduenj.com

Yuki

350 Ramapo Valley Rd. 201.337.8889 yuki-oakland.com

OLD TAPPAN

Bosfa Italian Restaurant

183 Old Tappan Rd. 201.649.8730 bosfaitalian restaurant.com

PALISADES PARK

So Moon Nan Jip 238 Broad Ave. 201.944.3998 so-moon-nan-jip.com

PARAMUS

Biagio’s Ristorante 299 Paramus Rd. 201.652.0201 biagios.com

The Capital Grille 1 Garden State Plz. 201.845.7040 thecapitalgrille.com

Grand Lux Cafe 1 Garden State Plz. 201.909.0399 grandluxcafe.com

Kiku

365 Rte. 17 S. 201.265.7200 kikurestaurantsnj.com

Mantra 275 Rte. 4 W. 201.342.8868 mantranj.com

Suburban Diner 172 Rte. 17 N. 201.261.2605 suburbandiner17.com

PARK RIDGE

103 Prime At Valentino’s 103 Spring Valley Rd. 201.391.2220 103prime.com

Esty Street 86 Spring Valley Rd. 201.307.1515 estystreet.com

The Park Steakhouse 151 Kinderkamack Rd. 201.930.1300 theparksteakhouse.com

Peppercorns 176 Colony Ave. 201.391.2818 peppercorns176.com

Ridge Diner 125 Kinderkamack Rd. 201.391.4242 ridgediner.com

RAMSEY

Anthony Franco’s

128 E. Main St. 201.236.8000 afpizza.com

Brady’s at the Station 5-7 W. Main St. 201.327.9748 bradysatthestation.net

Café Panache

130 E. Main St. 201.934.0030 cafepanachenj.com

Kinchley’s Tavern 586 N. Franklin Tpke. 201.934.7777 kinchleyspizza.com

The Shannon Rose 1200 Rte. 17 201.962.7602 theshannonrose.com

Smyrna

21 E. Main St. 201.934.7990 smyrnacaferamsey.com

Tawara

53 W. Main St. 201.825.8712 tawarajapanese restaurant.com

Varka Estiatorio

30 N. Spruce St. 201.995.9333 varkarestaurant.com

RIDGEFIELD

Café Tivoli

533 Shaler Blvd. 201.941.5561 cafetivoli.com

RIDGEFIELD PARK

MK Valencia

228 Main St.

201.373.0228 mkvalencia restaurant.com

RIDGEWOOD

Cafe 37

37 S. Broad St. 201.857.0437 cafe-37.com

Cravings Tapas Bistro

8 Wilsey Sq. 201.857.8533 cravingstapas.com

Delhi Accent 37 Chestnut St. 201.444.4910 delhiaccentnj.com

Felina 18 Prospect St. 551.276.5454 felinarestaurant.com

Green Fusion

22 Oak St. 201.670.7502 greenfusionnj.com

It’s Greek to Me 21 E. Ridgewood Ave. 201.612.2600 itsgreektome.com

Kimchi Smoke

BBQ Shack

2 Godwin Ave. 201.447.6653 kimchismoke.com

La Lanterna

29 W. Ridgewood Ave. 201.444.5520 lalanternaof ridgewood.com

Latour

6 E. Ridgewood Ave. 201.445.5056 latourridgewood.com

Lisa’s Mediterranean Cuisine

28 Oak St. 201.251.8686 lisasmediterranean cuisine.net

Park West Tavern 30 Oak St. 201.445.5400 parkwesttavern.com

Pearl 17 S. Broad St. 201.857.5100 pearlridgewood.com

Raymond’s 101 E. Ridgewood Ave. 201.445.5125 raymondsnj.com

Roots 17 Chestnut St. 201.444.1922 rootssteakhouse.com

S. Egidio

17 N. Broad St. 201.389.3525 segidiopizza.com

Steel Wheel Tavern 51 N. Broad St. 201.882.1800 steelwheeltavern.com

Village Green 36 Prospect St. 201.445.2914 villagegreen restaurant.com

White Maple Café 47 E. Ridgewood Ave. 201.447.1953 whitemaplecafe.com

RIVER EDGE

Mado Restaurant 570 Kinderkamack Rd. 201.265.3629 madorestaurant. business.site

Sanducci’s 620 Kinderkamack Rd. 201.599.0600 sanduccis.com

RIVER VALE

Ammata Thai Kitchen 184 Rivervale Rd., Suite 2 201.664.2299 ammata.com

Armando’s Grill 688 Westwood Ave. 201.722.5820 armandostuscangrill.com

Let’s Meat Steakhouse 625 Rivervale Rd. 201.660.7960 letsmeatsteakhouse.com

ROCHELLE PARK

Nanni

53 W. Passaic St. 201.843.1250 nanni.com

RUTHERFORD

Café Matisse 167 Park Ave. 201.935.2995 cafematisse.com

Finch’s 801 Rutherford Ave. 201.231.3141 finchsdining.com

Paisano’s 132 Park Ave. 201.935.5755 paisanos.com

The Risotto House 88 Park Ave. 201.438.5344 therisottohouse.com

Volare’s 7 Station Sq. 201.935.6606 volaresrestaurant.com

SADDLE BROOK

Midland Brew House

374 N. Midland Ave. 201.797.0070 midlandbrewhouse.com

Que Pasta 326 Market St. 201.712.1900 qpitalian.com

The Plank Pizza Co.

Beer Parlor 383 Market St. 201.843.2426 ppcbp.com

SADDLE RIVER

The Saddle River Inn 2 Barnstable Ct. 201.825.4016 saddleriverinn.com

TEANECK

Amarone

63 Cedar Ln. 201.833.1897 amaroneristorante.net

B V Tuscany 368 Cedar Ln. 201.287.0404 bvtuscany.com

Farmhouse Cafe & Eatery, Westwood

Etc. Steakhouse 1409 Palisade Ave. 201.357.5677 etcsteakhouse.com

Noah’s Ark 493 Cedar Ln. 201.692.1200 noahsark.net

Regina’s 827 Teaneck Rd. 201.862.1996 reginassteakhouse andgrill.com

TENAFLY

Axia Taverna 18 Piermont Rd. 201.569.5999 axiataverna.com

Brasserie 4 Washington St. 201.266.6400 tenaflybrasserie.com

Sayola 50 Prospect Ter. 201.871.2182 sayolarestaurantnj.com

Tenafly Pizza

38 W. Railroad Ave. 201.871.0444 tprrest.com

WALDWICK

Andrea’s Ristorante 20 E. Prospect St. 201.670.0275 andreasrestaurantnj.com

Limoncello 32 Franklin Tpke. 201.652.5577 limoncellonj.com

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP

Bacari Grill

800 Ridgewood Rd. 201.358.6330 bacarigrill.com

WESTWOOD

Bon

487 Broadway 201.238.2371 bonwestwood.com

Downtown Dhaba 266 Center Ave. 201.664.0123 dhabadowntown.com

Farmhouse Cafe & Eatery 301 Center Ave. 201.664.8424 farmhousecafenj.com

Granita Grille 467 Broadway 201.664.9846 granitagrille restaurant.com

Mezza 22 Jefferson Ave. 201.722.8822 mezzawestwood.com

Osteria Crescendo 36 Jefferson Ave. 201.722.1900 osteriacrescendo.com

Phoenician Restaurant 284 Center Ave. 201.722.8600 phoeniciansail.com

Tavern @ Iron Horse 20 Washington Ave. 201.666.9682 thetavernwestwood.com

WOODCLIFF LAKE

Bareburger 455 Chestnut Ridge Rd. 201.746.9275 bareburger.com

WOOD-RIDGE

Al Toro 187 Hackensack St. 862.243.3850 mexicanfoodwoodridge.com

Concourse Club 379 Rte. 17 S. 201.710.6459 concourseclubnj.com

WYCKOFF

Aldo’s 640 Wyckoff Ave. 201.891.2618 aldosofwyckoff.com

Benares 327 Franklin Ave., Suite 4 201.904.2222 benaresnj.com

Blue Moon Café 327 Franklin Ave. 201.891.1331 bluemoonmexican cafe.com

T.S. Ma

Chinese Cuisine 637 Wyckoff Ave. 201.891.8878 tsmachinesecuisine.com

RESTAURANT REVIEW

Moon Over Hackensack

Craving Korean hot pot? Here’s your spot.

I’ve always been fascinated by the precision and artistry of Asian culinary techniques (not to mention the delicious food at the end of the process). But I’ll admit that the hot-pot cooking method isn’t my cup of tea. A quick explanation:

The Chinese cooking technique (it’s been adapted by other countries) involves creating a broth base that’s used to cook a variety of foods, from fresh vegetables and noodles to an assortment of proteins and meat. Diners select the items they wish to prepare in the broth, and they add the ingredients and cook them at the table—unsupervised and on their own. For me, someone who seems to set off the smoke alarm in the kitchen every other day, too much can go wrong.

But I’d heard that the experience is a memorable one at The Moon, a new Korean BBQ and hot-pot restaurant that opened this spring in Hackensack. The eatery takes over the spot once occupied by a popular Chinese and sushi buffet, and before that a Brazilian rodízio-style eatery. In other words, folks who frequent the physical building are used to eating a big meal.

When a friend and I visited The Moon for a recent dinner, we were greeted by friendly staff and a server who was very detailed when reviewing the ordering process. Guests have a choice of ordering Korean barbecue—in which diners cook their own meats using built-in grills at the table—or hot pot, which we both selected. The fun (or in my case, the stress) was about to begin.

The sheer number of choices is perhaps one of the reasons why hot pot isn’t my preferred dining choice—there are just so many options. Of course, that could be a positive for other patrons, who may think “the larger the selection, the better.” The former restaurant’s buffet stations were repurposed to house an assortment of non-meat hot-pot ingredients: vegetables, noodles, tofu and more. It was a seemingly endless parade of ingredients.

One of the most important ingredients to hot pot is the broth. I selected the pork broth base and combined it with a spicy

sauce to give the soup a kick. My friend, meanwhile, selected a milder dashi broth, a seafood-based broth that meshes together the flavors of kelp seaweed, bonito flakes, shiitake mushrooms and other ingredients.

After we selected our broths and other ingredients, we brought everything back to our table, where the components were to be cooked together in a table-installed pot— the hot pot. Though we had previously ordered our meats from an attentive server, they were later brought to us by a robot: beef brisket for me and chicken for my friend. When the broth starts boiling, you dip the thin-cut meats to cook.

To my surprise, everything cooked relatively quickly and to perfection. (I didn’t set off any smoke detectors!)

The brisket came out tender, as did my companion’s chunks of chicken. I wish we’d had other meat varieties on the table (e.g., ribeye, lamb and pork belly), but the level of our order restricted meat selections to the number of diners, in our case two.

I quickly regretted this decision, as higher levels allow unlimited meat. Lesson learned for next time. I also slightly misjudged the flavor of the sauce—I was a little shy about adding more, so my broth tasted a tad under-seasoned.

Another idea for next time is ordering one hot pot and one Korean barbecue. Customers around us had both at their table and enjoyed that best-of-both-worlds combo. While I thoroughly relished our dinner, the delicious aroma of the grilled meats was on my mind most of the night. Dessert wasn’t spectacular, but the sweets—fruit, cookies and soft-serve ice cream—hit the spot after the big meal. And I’ll be honest; I didn’t expect to have a full, satisfying meal simply because I wasn’t too familiar and comfortable with the hotpot concept. Sometimes, however, when we step out of our comfort zone we find something satisfying.

—Darius Amos

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BANK & FINANCIAL INSTITUTION SHOWCASE

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CFS Tee Off For the Kids, benefiting Make a Wish NJ is scheduled for August 5, 2024, at the prestigious Knickerbocker Country Club. This is their 38th year and promises to be an unforgettable experience for all involved.

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Senior Living Guide

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Caring is not simply what we do – it’s who we are. Since 1911, it has been our mission to offer a listening ear, a helpful hand, and steady, supportive guidance throughout your wellness journey. Through our comprehensive continuum of mental health services, communities for older adults, and rehabilitation, we work diligently to foster physical health and also nourish the spirit. Call us today to learn more about our communities and services.

At Mill Gardens, we offer first-class assisted living services in a serene, residential neighborhood of Bergen County. Our spacious apartments feature large windows, private bathrooms, and updated kitchenettes–and our inclusive rates are an exceptional value for individuals and couples alike. This year, we celebrate 23 years of engaging social events, gourmet meals, personalized care, and beautiful amenities like our 24-Hour Café and outdoor Park & Gardens. Celebrate with us by calling for a tour to see for yourself!

Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care.

Experience the best in luxury senior living at Thrive at Montvale! A vibrant community offering independent living, assisted living, and memory care. With its modern farmhouse design, spacious interiors flooded with natural light, and panoramic views of the Social Court, every corner exudes elegance. Here, our dedicated team provides unwavering support and fosters meaningful connections that inspire joy each and every day. Enjoy happy hours, social

classes, and more. Come thrive with us!

Longview

Premier Assisted Living in Wyckoff

At Longview, older adults thrive with personalized care in a secure community that fosters independence. Residents have access to personalized assistance with professional clinical staff, while also enjoying innovative programs and a diverse calendar of activities and events. For more information about Longview or to schedule a tour, please contact Victoria Durante, CALA, Admissions Director, at vdurante@ChristianHealthNJ.org or (201) 848-4303.

Vibrant Senior Living in All Seasons

ON THE TOWN

Be There

for laughs, music or fair food, sure

with Library releasing month. and check mahwah.librarycalendar.com.

Corvette ANNUAL makes, years. In the fully Corvettes, event will food music and Spectator free, and takes place to p.m. at the Panera parking lot on Route 4 in information, head allamericancorvetteclub.com.

ENGELBERT charm albums. prices bergenpac.org.

JUNE 15

If you’re looking for a different kind of music festival, try Rutherford’s PORCHFEST Take a stroll through the borough’s streets and enjoy local musicians as they perform on residents’ front porches and lawns. For more information and participating homes, see rutherfordboronj.com.

JUNE 15

Push yourself to your limits at the 2024 WYCKOFF/ FRANKLIN LAKES TRIATHLON in Franklin Lakes. This race begins at 9 a.m. and includes a ½-mile lake swim, a 13-mile cycling ride through Franklin Lakes and a 3.1-mile run that circles the borough. Awards will be given to top finishers. For race routes and sign-up information, head over to runsignup.com.

JUNE 19

Whether you’re learning about cameras, brushing up on your skills or trying out a new lens, PINTS & PICTURES: AN EVENING OF LIVE MUSIC, DRINKS, & PHOTOGRAPHY is workshop for you. Hosted by Bergen County Camera the Five Dimes Brewery in Westwood, this event offers chance to practice photographing live musicians relaxed environment with the help of experts. program starts at 7 p.m. For tickets and more information, check out blog.bergencountycamera.com.

JUNE 20–JULY 7

experience pits two teams of comedians and improv actors against each other to compete for audience laughs and guest judges’ votes. Described by organizers as “part fantasy football, part wrestling and all comedy,” this is a show sure to please. The laughs begin at 9 p.m. Go to hacpac.org for ticket

JUNE 23

Celebrate the longest day of the year at Tenafly Nature Center’s SUMMER SOLSTICE CAMPFIRE AND NIGHT HIKE Enjoy an evening hike led by expert naturalist and then settle down for s’mores around a campfire to kick off the first day of summer. The fun starts at 7 p.m., and registration information can be found at tncnj.org.

JUNE 26

STATE FAIR returns to the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, bringing with it entertainment, food and live music. In true fair fashion, this event offers more than 50 vendors, more than 100 rides, a petting zoo and much more. For tickets and more info, see njfair.com.

Join fellow revelers at MAHWAH’S 4TH ANNUAL PRIDE CELEBRATION, which honors the LGBTQ community in Mahwah, Bergen and beyond. Enjoy vendors and entertainers as well as informational speakers and educational resources. The guest list keeps growing, so keep your eye on mahwahpride.org for updates and times.

*Editor’s note: All events are subject to cancellations or changes. Attendees are encouraged to confirm times and dates with event organizers.

Gatherings

Bergenites always show up to support their friends and neighbors.

1. BERGEN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

The Bergen County Department of Human Services, Bergen County Commission on the Status of Women and the Jr. Commission on the Status of Women held a Women’s History Month Celebration earlier this year. The event honored women who advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion.

2-3. FAIR LAWN SENIOR CENTER

The Fair Lawn Senior Center recently celebrated the 100th birthday of one of its community members, Charles “Charlie” Wolf. The occasion was marked by heartfelt tributes, special presentations and entertainment by The Belle Tones.

4-5. NORTH JERSEY FRIENDSHIP HOUSE

Hackensack-based North Jersey Friendship House held its 60th Anniversary Gala at the Venetian in Garfield. Friends, family, volunteers and staff celebrated this year’s honorees John McKendry and his wife, Audrey Newman, and Michael Kates.

6-7. PASCACK VALLEY JAZZ BAND

The PV Jazz Band had an outstanding showing at the New Jersey Association for Jazz Education (NJAJE) State Jazz Competition, where they received a silver rating. Senior trombonist Ming-Lang Qin and sophomore alto saxophonist MingYang Qin both received Honorable Mention Solo Awards.

8. CENTER FOR FOOD ACTION

The Center for Food Action opened its New Choice Pantry in Mahwah. The facility is designed to provide a dignified and inclusive experience, allowing guests to select food items based on their individual and cultural preferences.

9. VALLEY HOSPITAL AUXILIARY

The Valley Hospital Auxiliary’s Ramsey branch held a St. Patrick’s luncheon. Pictured, first row: Nancy MacFarran, Tina Pellicciari, Hulda Paras, Pat Bernius, Pat Dandeneau. Back: Rosemary Galvin.

A BERGEN MOMENT

“I was visiting my grandmother at her nursing home in Rockleigh last summer. I was not feeling very anchored because of the grief I’m experiencing. An innocent duck gliding on the reflective pond caught the corner of my eye. The photograph was captured in a flash. It instantly brought me back to reality. I felt grounded. If you focus only on the present, it will create art.”

—Sky Rose, Tenafly

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

Photo courtesy of Sky Rose, Instagram:

Care That’s Authentically You

The Center for LGBTQ + Care

At Valley Health System’s Center for LGBTQ+ Care, we’re more than just healthcare providers — we’re advocates for your total well-being. Our inclusive approach ensures that every individual who walks through our doors feels welcome, respected, and valued.

From primary and gynecologic care to programs for sexual health, HIV testing and prevention, transgender care, and behavioral health, you’ll find the services you need in an environment where you can be your authentic self.

Experience care that not only meets your healthcare needs, but celebrates your identity. Your journey to wellness starts here, with us.

Center for LGBTQ+ Care 95 Route 17 South, Paramus, NJ 07652

Call 201-612-4735 to schedule an appointment today.