Monmouth
Our lungs give us a life we love. It’s time to love them too. If you’ve ever smoked, early cancer detection can make all the difference. Scan the QR code to love your lungs and take a lung screening assessment today.
A New Beginning
WELCOME
to the latest edition of Fiscal Fitness! We are living in extraordinary times, to say the least. Donald Trump was elected President, the markets have reached all-time highs, and Bitcoin surpassed $100,000 for the first time amid cryptocurrency optimism. A day doesn’t go by without a conversation about AI, or artificial intelligence. With so many changes taking place and new technology at our fingertips, many are nervous about the markets and crave a human touch, especially when it comes to managing their wealth.
PREPARE FOR HIGHER RMDS IN 2025
Required minimum distributions (RMDs) are based on the prior December 31 value, even if those values decline later. With markets at or nearing record highs, you could be facing a much larger tax bill in 2025 than prior years, depending on your income. This also goes for beneficiary IRAs who are subject to RMDs.
COMPLICATED RMD RULES
continue to confuse everyone, especially for inherited IRAs and retirement plans. A provision of The Secure Act has eliminated the “stretch” IRA for most non-spouse beneficiaries inheriting an IRA on or after January 1, 2020. The new 10-Year Rule is complicated and could result in large tax bills for beneficiaries who stand to inherit high-value IRAs. If your designated beneficiary is an entity such as a trust, charity, or estate, other rules apply and should be revisited with your estate planning attorney.
TO ROTH OR NOT TO ROTH
Now is the time to consider contributing to a Roth IRA as contributions are tax-free
when withdrawn and earnings are tax- free if the distribution is considered “qualified”2 There are no RMDs for the original account owner and starting in 2024, Roth balances in qualified accounts are no longer subject to RMDs. Many employers offer a Roth 401(k) option, allowing high income earners to make contributions that are not subject to income limitations. You can also split your contributions into pre-tax and post-tax. Roth IRAs are one of the best gifts you can leave to beneficiaries. Although subject to the same 10-year rule that applies to pre-tax IRAs, the RMDs generally come out income tax-free.3 Depending on your tax bracket, Roth conversions may make sense to reduce large IRAs balances.4
About THE AUTHOR
DEBRA FOURNIER, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst™, has been providing comprehensive wealth management services to families and independent women for over 30 years.
CATCH-UP CONTRIBUTIONS
If you are age 50 or over, you can take advantage of making a catch-up contribution in the amount of $7,500 into your employer plan, such as a 401(k). New for 2025-that number increases to $11,250 if age 60-63. This is a great opportunity for those who are closer to retirement.
With so many changes on the horizon, taking a holistic approach to managing your wealth can make all the difference. Now is the time to collaborate with an experienced and qualified CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional who can guide you in the right direction.
Recognized as an experienced and knowledgeable professional in the areas of financial transitions and divorce financial planning, her guidance is often sought where there are complicated financial issues, significant assets or an imbalance in financial knowledge between divorcing couples.
Debra has been quoted in Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine and AOL Daily Finance, appeared numerous times on Good Day New York and has been featured in the Asbury Park Press section Getting Ahead.
Looking for a more personalized approach to your finances? We invite you to call us at 732-800-8400 or email debra.fournier@lpl.com and discover how we can help you pursue your financial goals.
Debra Fournier
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Certified Divorce Financial Analyst™
2006 Highway 71, Suite 1 Spring Lake, NJ 07762 732-800-8400 | 732-800-0622 fax seaviewwealth.com
Contents
Features
Advice On Gut Health 16
Gastrointestinal problems are unpleasant to discuss and even more unpleasant to suffer. Here, a Monmouth doc explains them.
Diets—And Their Downsides 18
Want to shed pounds in the new year? Here are seven popular plans—and a doctor’s view of the pluses and minuses of each.
The Year Of You 22
A new calendar year offers a fresh start. Here are a few of your neighbors’ New Year’s resolutions for 2025. What will you resolve?
Moments That Say ‘Monmouth’ 28
High school students were turned loose with cameras and asked to snap an enduring image of life in our oceanfront county. Here’s what they came up with.
Departments
Monmouth Buzz 8
Our guide to new ideas, tips, trends and things we love in the county.
Style Watch 12
The right gear can help you stay on top of your game.
Home Front 13
A classic yet contemporary weave pattern can boost the style of any space.
28 14 13
Friends & Neighbors 14
When Asbury Park’s Marci Mazzarotto launched an event to showcase movies written and/ or directed by women, she chose an old suffragist rallying cry for its name. You go, Professor!
Milestones 34
Escapes 36
This month, in five great U.S. cities, Chinatowns will welcome the Year of the Snake.
Tastes 38
You won’t miss meat when you try these delicious veggie-packed recipes.
Bar Tab 42
Spice up brunch or evening happy hour with this spin on a classic cocktail.
Restaurant Review 47
A new eatery in Tinton Falls offers both novel and familiar flavors for all.
Gatherings 54
Monmouth residents always show up to support their neighbors.
A Monmouth Moment 56
A Belmar resident captures the once-in-a-lifetime magic of the aurora borealis. 22
Just in time for its 20th birthday, the Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal has turned pro.
IN EVERY ISSUE
4 Editor’s Note
15 Health News
43 Where to Eat
52 Be There
Monmouth Goes Monthly
The start of a calendar year is a logical time to make a change, and we have a milestone to announce. Beginning with this January issue, your MONMOUTH magazine will arrive every month rather than every other month. At a time when other media entities are cutting back, we’re doubling our frequency to serve our readers, our advertisers and our Jersey Shore community more fully. Call it our New Year’s resolution.
We’re not alone, of course, in planning a big change for 2025. Starting on page 22, you’ll read about the resolutions your Monmouth County neighbors (and this magazine’s own staffers) have made. Restoring a fitness routine, running a 5K race and psychologically “being more present” are among these stated goals, along with “finding my one true love” and learning Italian.
But Rome wasn’t built in a day, speaking of things Italian, and that suggests a guiding insight: In your quest for self-improvement, don’t expect sudden miracles. As another article in this issue warns, don’t declare victory or admit defeat too soon. In any big life change, it’s the long haul that counts.
The article I’m referring to, on page 18, explains seven much-touted approaches to shedding pounds and lets a doctor assess the pros and cons of each. Some of them are considered “fad” diets. Fads aren’t bad per se, but heed our physician’s warning that quick weight loss isn’t always either healthy or lasting, especially if it sacrifices balance. (Fad diets, he says, “are like the shiny new toy of the weight-loss world.”) And no diet is worth its salt (with or without salt itself) if it’s so onerous that you end up lapsing and using your failure as an excuse to feel bad.
Speaking of doctors, do you have a gastroenterologist, a doctor who focuses on gastrointestinal ills? This hard-to-spell specialist may not be part of your medical routine (yet?), and concerns in this area aren’t the easiest to talk about. They could be mere annoyances, but occasionally they can indicate a serious condition—and embarrassment shouldn’t keep you from finding out. On page 16, a gastroenterologist helps you decide which worries justify a visit to the doc.
Did I mention a milestone? This month’s Milestones department on page 34 wishes a happy 20th birthday—and congratulations on “turning pro”—to the Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal. This past November’s production of Fiddler on the Roof was the first to reflect the facility’s new status. A blessing on your head, Axelrod!
Finally, a quick shoutout to the winners of the Archives & History Day High School Photography Contest, whose arresting photos you’ll see starting page 28. These young camera bugs were asked to capture images that said “Monmouth County.” Granted, they had a beautiful county to work with, but talent too came into the picture. Enjoy this issue—and remember, we’ll see you again in February. We wish our readers a Happy New Year—and a happy new frequency!
Rita Guarna Editor in Chief rita.guarna@wainscotmedia.com
Monmouth
Group Publisher
THOMAS FLANNERY
Publisher JODI BRUKER
THE POLLS ARE OPEN!
Senior Account Executive
SARA MCMAHON
Director, Special Programs
LAURA A. DOWDEN
MARKETING, DIGITAL & OPERATIONS
Director of Marketing and Digital Media
NIGEL EDELSHAIN
Director of Advertising Services
JACQUELYNN FISCHER
Chief Finance Officer
STEVEN RESNICK
Assistant Controller
URSZULA JANECZKO
Accounts Receivable Manager
KASIE CARLETON
Director of Operations
CATHERINE ROSARIO
Office
MARIA MARTUCCI
PUBLISHED
Chairman CARROLL V. DOWDEN President
DOWDEN
Senior
LIZETTE CHIN, RITA GUARNA Vice
NIGEL EDELSHAIN
THOMAS FLANNERY
NOELLE HEFFERNAN
MARIA REGAN
STEVEN RESNICK
ADVERTISING
“First
Monmouth Buzz
OUR GUIDE TO NEW IDEAS, TIPS, TRENDS AND THINGS WE LOVE IN OUR COUNTY.
WINTER WONDERLAND
From snow-filled adventures to cozy evenings by a fireplace, there are many reasons we romanticize winter. Monmouth offers every seasonal pleasure, so you don’t miss out on any of the vibes, whether you prefer the indoors or out. Some examples:
• Take to the ice. Is there anything more quintessentially winter than ice skating? For an outdoor rink, keep your eye on county park facilities at Holmdel Park in Holmdel, Shark River in Wall and Turkey Swamp Park in Freehold. If it’s safe to take the ice, a sign will be posted (make sure you bring your own skates!). Prefer something indoors (and with rentals)? The Jersey Shore Arena (1215 Wyckoff Rd., Wall Township, 732.919.7070; jerseyshorearena.com) offers several open public skates each week, while the Middletown Sports Complex (214 Harmony Rd., Middletown, 732.856.9700; middletownsc.com) also offers a DJ skate every Friday in addition to public sessions.
• See a show. Monmouth’s theater scene is buzzing, and this season is a treat. Throughout January, Two River Theater (21 Bridge Ave., Red Bank, 732.345.1400; tworivertheater.org) is presenting The Tempest, while the Algonquin Arts Theatre (60 Abe Voorhees Dr., Manasquan, 732.528.9211; algonquinarts.org) is staging You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown For those
seeking great music, Count Basie Center for the Arts (99 Monmouth St., Red Bank, 732.842.9000; thebasie.org) will host tribute bands that pay homage to the likes of Elton John and Eric Clapton throughout the month. A special movie experience? Independent movie theater ShowRoom Cinema (707 Cookman Ave., Asbury Park, 732.502.0472; showroomcinemas.com) brings smaller indie flicks to the big screen and your fingertips.
• Take a hike. An ice-encased landscape can truly take your breath away, and it only becomes more beautiful when you add the ocean. When covered in ice, the Manasquan Reservoir in Howell is stark and breathtaking.
The Monmouth County Parks Department (monmouthcountyparks.com) offers two guided winter nature walks: one Jan. 8 at 10 a.m. at Freneau Woods Park in Aberdeen, and the other Jan. 22 at 10 a.m. at Highlands’s Hartshorne Woods Park.
• Indulge in something warm. Coffee is perfect for every time of year, but cocoa really does hit differently in the winter. At the Asbury Park Roastery (803 Second Ave., Asbury Park, 732.807.3155; 1300 Ocean Ave. N., 732.807.3155; aproastery.com), hot chocolate constantly makes favorites lists. At Almost Home General (276 Sunnyside Rd., Lincroft, 732.590.5199; almosthomegeneral.com), a “campfire hot chocolate” with a roasted marshmallow on top and a caramel hot chocolate are delicious treats for the season.
STAY ACTIVE AND STAY WARM
What do you do when your inner athlete wants to perform but the winter weather outside is frightful? In Monmouth, you can work up a sweat indoors! Below are some spots to play in climate-controlled conditions:
• Get climbing: Scale new heights and get a good workout at a climbing gym. The Gravity Vault (37 Kanes Ln. Middletown, 732.856.9599; gravityvault.com), Garden State Rocks (705 Ginesi Dr., Morganville, 732.972.3003; gardenstaterocks.com) and ClimbZone (5369 Rte. 9, Howell, 732.813.8300; climbzone.us) offer climbing walls with varying degrees of difficulty that’ll get anyone’s heart rate going.
• Take a swing: Golf is an any-day sport thanks to simulators, which allow participants to “play” on some of the world’s most famed courses. For example, swing for the greens at recently opened Golf Republic (343 Rte. 34, Matawan, 732.584.2090; mygolfrepublic.com), bring the entire family to The Golf Den (8 E. Front Ave., Red Bank, 732.366.9022; golfdennj.com) or hang out with the crew at Swing Loose (101 Crawfords Corner Rd., Holmdel, 732.444.6333; swingloosegolf.com).
• Practice pickleball: One of the hottest sports of the moment can be played inside. The Fort Monmouth Recreation Area in Tinton Falls offers shared-use, indoor pickleball courts that are available for open play. Register for a timeslot on monmouthcountyparks.com. There also are newly opened pickleball facilities at the New Shrewsbury Racquet Club (71 N. Gilbert St., Red Bank, 732.747.0464; nsrctennis.com) and One Love Pickleball (2343 Seaview Square Mall, Ocean Township, 732.508.7800; onelovepickleball.com).
KUDOS TO…
…the Neptune High School’s Scarlet Sound A Cappella Choir, which performed during NBC’s broadcast of “Christmas in Rockefeller Center.” Led by Director Erin Radvanski, the 25-member student choir was selected to sing on the national broadcast through the 2024 NBC 4 New York/Telemundo 47 “Star Choir” competition.
Fran Griffin and Matt Lee, who were named grand marshals of the 2025 Belmar–Lake Como St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Both longtime supporters of the parade, the pair were selected for their dedication to celebrating Irish heritage in Belmar and throughout Monmouth County, according to the parade committee. One of the largest St. Patrick’s Day events in New Jersey, the Belmar–Lake Como parade this year will take place Sunday, March 2.
…Colts Neck teen Ricky Ecklord, who founded Tennis Balls Round Two, a tennis ball recycling program. A tennis player and coach, Ecklord is partnering with Monmouth courts to collect and recycle balls that have been discarded or simply left behind by others. He’s also set up recycling boxes at Park Avenue Tennis Center in Oakhurst, New Shrewsbury Racquet Club in Tinton Falls and Laird Road courts in Colts Neck.
LET’S GET MOVING!
You’ve heard of food and bar crawls, where folks travel from place to place noshing or drinking to their collective delight. But what about a get-healthy alternative? On Feb. 1, nonprofit WEforum will host its 10th annual Fit Crawl, a day for participants to sample three back-toback fitness or wellness classes led by local businesses and instructors.
“The Fit Crawl has become a beloved tradition, empowering participants to move for life,” says Carolyn DeSena, founder of the women-led organization. Classes take about 30 minutes each, range from yoga and boxing to cycling and Pilates to meditation and cryotherapy and are held in studios throughout the county’s Two Rivers region. Oh, there’s more! The day ends with a post-crawl “happy hour” at Baseline Social in Oceanport, featuring vendors and healthy snacks and refreshments. You’ll get all that for a $50 donation, which supports local businesses. Visit weforumgroup.org to sign up now.
GREAT FISHING WEATHER?
Fishing may seem a warm-season activity, but keep an open mind—those who brave the cold are richly rewarded. While trout season doesn’t officially begin till April 5, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Fish and Wildlife ensures that the state’s waterways are stocked all year long. The Winter Trout Stocked Lakes Program keeps lakes and ponds teeming with trout (as long as they’re not frozen solid), and anglers also still have a chance to catch large and smallmouth bass in the colder months. Bonus: A wintertime outdoor adventure provides stunning views of the county’s parks. Some options:
• Echo Lake, 1225 Maxim–Southard Rd., Howell
• Englishtown Mill Pond (Lake Weamaconk), Park Avenue, Englishtown
• Garvey’s Pond, Lakeside Avenue, Middletown
• Manasquan River at Brice Park, 3324 Lakewood-Allenwood Rd., Wall Township
• Shark River, Shark River Park, 1101 Schoolhouse Rd., Wall Township
FOR JANUARY, TRY DRY
Searching for something other than trout, or more of a coastline fisher? Cod is in season in January. Head to an inlet or jetty of your choice, cast a line and try your luck.
After possibly overindulging during the holidays, abstaining from alcoholic beverages for a month— say, January—is a great choice for your physical and mental health. But that doesn’t mean you must give up the social aspect of a trip to the tavern (or those Instagram shots of a colorful drink). Here are Monmouth locales where you can grab nonalcoholic or low-alcohol cocktails:
• Catbird, 1215 Sunset Ave., Asbury Park; catbirdap.com. The “mocking bar” at this wood-fired pizza joint also offers nonalcoholic beer options.
• Nettie’s, 5119 Asbury Ave., Tinton Falls; nettiesrestaurant.com. This Italian option has a special “Placebo Effect” mocktail menu that offers, among other things, a phony negroni and a refreshing citrus fizz.
• Iron Whale, 1200 Ocean Ave., Unit 504, Asbury Park; ironwhalenj.com. The eatery boasts a “high and dry” menu that includes options with zero-alcohol gin, rum and tequila alternatives.
• Laylow Cocktail Lounge, 603 Mattison Ave., Asbury Park; laylowap.com. This spot is all about innovation (and was a 2024 Readers’ Choice Award nod), and the website and menus urge you to ask your bartender for a non-alcoholic creation, whipped up just for you.
• The Robinson Ale House, multiple locations; robinsonsalehouse.com. With sites in Red Bank, Long Branch and Asbury Park, this local chain keeps the low-ABV options close on hand (we’re looking at that pomegranate faux-ito).
REMEMBERING DR. KING
On Jan. 20, we honor the legacy of a great civil rights leader. Martin Luther King Jr. would have turned 96 this year, and 57 years since his death we still use his legacy to spread awareness of tolerance and fight for equality. The day also is a National Day of Service, when everyone is encouraged to host, partner and engage in service. Below are places you can observe MLK Day and make an impact in the community:
• Fulfill of Monmouth & Ocean. Volunteers at this Neptune food pantry help stock shelves and distribute items to more than 215,000 clients from Monmouth and Ocean counties. Info: fulfillnj.org
• JBJ Soul Kitchen: This Red Bank kitchen seeks volunteers to serve meals to the community. Info: jbjsoulkitchen.org
• Jersey Cares: Multiple in-person and virtual volunteer opportunities are available, from sorting winter coat donations to creating electronic greeting cards to participating in
a two-mile or 5K walk. Info: jerseycares.org
• Lunch Break: Volunteers at this Red Bank facility support the mission of providing food, clothing and instruction in life skills to residents in need in Monmouth County and beyond. Info: lunchbreak.org
• YMCA of Greater Monmouth County: 36th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Breakfast, Jan. 17, 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Ocean Place Spa & Resort, Long Branch. Info: ymcanj. org
PUPPY LOVE
Dogs: Lucy, a 2-year-old mutt, and Patty, a 10-month-old mutt
Owners: Cheryl and Jack Adkins of Middletown
These canine sisters from Middletown are both rescues, originally from North Carolina shelters. Cheryl and Jack adopted both pups at PetSmart in Holmdel during events featuring the local rescue organization No Paw Left Behind. Cheryl calls the doggos “super-mutts”—a DNA test on Lucy showed she’s a mix of shepherd, chow chow, mastiff and 13 other breeds, while Patty combines chihuahua, Boston terrier, poodle and 20 other breeds.
The pair took to each other quickly when Patty was adopted in summer 2024. “They learn from each other,” Cheryl explains. Lucy is an anxious dog and dislikes loud noises, but she’s brave and tries to be a good big sister to Patty. They wrestle, play-fight and love to sleep next to or on top of each other at the end of the day, Cheryl reports.
Lucy’s nemesis is the garbage truck (she won’t even go outside when it’s around), but she does have a soft spot for chew toys and her groomer, Gina at Petco in Middletown. Patty loves to play Frisbee, and she learned to play catch with one without any special training. She’s happy, energetic and often bounces off the walls—or anything else she can reach. Both pooches love going for walks at Fort Hancock in Sandy Hook, particularly at sunset.
Want to see your pet in an upcoming issue of MONMOUTH? Send a photo and a brief description to Editor Rita Guarna at rita.guarna@wainscotmedia.com.
YOUR VOTE COUNTS!
It’s that time of year again. Our annual Readers’ Choice contest is back, and we can’t wait to hear about your favorite places in Monmouth County, from bakeries to bike shops to boutiques. Show off your local knowledge, clue people in to the best IYKYK spots and support local businesses by voting at monmouthmagazine.com today. And remember to follow MONMOUTH magazine on Instagram (@monmouthmagazine) for voting updates and future announcements.
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FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS
Creating A Film Festival
When Marci Mazzarotto launched an event to showcase movies written and/or directed by women, she chose an old suffragist rallying cry for its name. You go, Professor!
Forty-three-year-old Marci Mazzarotto took the long road to Monmouth County. Born in Southern California, she spent her grade school years in Brazil and grew up in Arizona. In 2018, she moved east to become an assistant professor of communication at Georgian Court University in Lakewood, and she now calls Asbury Park home.
Mazzarotto is the founder and executive director of the Bread & Roses Film Festival. Starting with its inaugural season in 2023, the festival has been a platform for elevating the oft-neglected voices of women in film. It enjoyed a successful second season in October 2024.
What was the hardest part about moving to Monmouth County?
I was much closer to family and friends in California. I don’t have any family in New Jersey. It was a big change. How did you come to film?
I wanted to be a filmmaker since I was in middle school. It was always my dream. I loved watching the Oscars as a kid. At the time, I had a very rosy view on what it would mean to be a female filmmaker. What sparked the idea for Bread & Roses?
The day Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022 I was thinking, “Wow, we’re still in a space where women’s rights are being attacked.” I am a woman, and I have a love of film. I teach it; it’s my whole life. There wasn’t really a film festival like this in the Jersey Shore. There’s one in North Jersey, but in Monmouth we kind of get sandwiched in between Philadelphia and New York. There wasn’t a place to give female filmmakers a voice here. I wanted to make that.
What’s the story behind the name?
“Bread & Roses” is a suffragist slogan, most famously associated with a labor strike in Lawrence, Massachusetts, in 1911. Helen Todd was one of the suffragists who said it. It’s this idea that these women wanted dignity, but also wanted to live with beauty
in their lives. “Give us a living wage so we can buy bread, but enough to buy roses as well, because we deserve that.”
What was the hardest part of putting the festival together?
Building branding and trust. There are a lot of scam festivals out there—we needed to be visible so people would trust us enough to submit. We were very lucky, because amazing women submitted to us. Both years we screened fewer films than we received; we needed to say no to some really great projects. The money was also a challenge. You need grants, people to invest. A film festival is notoriously expensive, and it doesn’t make a lot of money back. The biggest difference between the first year and the second?
Having a template was great, and we got to improve based on audience feedback from the first time. We
had the festival over three days instead of one. Instead of doing a Q&A after every film, we screened more films and had one dedicated filmmakers’ forum.
Did you see any themes among the films you screened?
Many of them are ingrained in the female struggle and the female identity. We’ve shared a lot of really tough stories about what women go through—abusive relationships, for instance. We also see stories of women surviving, overcoming and finding hope.
A favorite moment from the festival?
The most powerful thing is to see that people have had their perspective changed by these stories. People walk out of a theater and go, “Wow, that was amazing.”
How do you balance running the festival with your teaching? It was extremely challenging. Being the executive director of a film festival is a full-time job in itself. I had a busy October.
Something you’re proud of regarding the festival?
Films that receive an award from Bread & Roses are eligible for submission to Asbury Park TV (APTV) to be broadcast. If they are, that makes them eligible for a New York chapter Emmy Award. For short films in particular, being broadcast on local TV and then opening up to possibly a regional award is a big deal. What do you like about Asbury Park?
It’s a year-round town. There’s always an energy here. Going on the boardwalk in the middle of winter or the middle of summer is very different, but both are beautiful. I love the feeling of this little city right by the beach.
What’s next?
Next festival is planned for summer 2026. We are skipping a year to have a longer runway to prepare and move it to a different time of year. I’m grateful that we’re going to be staying in Asbury Park and working with this wonderful community again.
—Kirsten Meehan
by
Photography
Marci Mazzarotto
LAUGHTER FOR DRY EYES?
Laughter may be as effective as eye drops in improving symptoms of dry eye disease (DED), a chronic condition estimated to affect around 360 million people worldwide. (Common symptoms include uncomfortable, red, scratchy or irritated eyes.) Researchers say that laughter could be an initial treatment for relieving symptoms of dry eye disease. Evidence suggests that laughter therapy alleviates depression, anxiety, stress and chronic pain while strengthening immune function and is recognized as a beneficial complementary and add-on treatment for various chronic conditions.
—The BMJ
BELLY FAT LINKED TO CHRONIC PAIN
Excess abdominal fat is associated with widespread chronic pain, particularly in women, finds the first study of its kind. Reducing excess fat deposits in the abdomen may help reduce chronic musculoskeletal pain, especially if it’s experienced at multiple body sites, suggest researchers.
—Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine
LONG ER WAIT LINKED TO POOR OUTCOMES FOR HIPFRACTURE PATIENTS
DON’T RELY ON AI ACCURATE DRUG INFO
Patients shouldn’t rely on AI-powered search engines and chatbots for accurate and safe information on drugs, conclude researchers after finding a considerable number of answers were wrong or potentially harmful.
BMJ Quality & Safety
Waiting more than four hours in emergency rooms for treatment is linked to heightened risks of death and a longer hospital stay for hip-fracture patients, reveals a recent study. The waiting time for more than 1 in 3 of these patients exceeded four hours.
—Emergency Medicine Journal
FUTURE DAD AND DIABETES MEDS
Potential fathers with type 2 diabetes can be reassured that taking the drug metformin is not associated with birth defects in their offspring, according to a large study of more than 3 million pregnancies. Researchers say the findings show that metformin can continue to be considered a suitable drug for managing blood sugar levels in men with type 2 diabetes who plan on having children.
FATAL FALLS AMONG OLDER ADULTS EXCEED FIREARM DEATHS
The cost of fatal falls among older people (ages 45-85+) exceeds those of firearm deaths in the U.S., finds recent research. Falls account for around 1 in 5 of all injury-related hospital admissions, and the World Health Organization reports that falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths worldwide, with folks 65 and older especially vulnerable, say researchers.
—Trauma Surgery & Acute Care Open
MATERNAL EXERCISE MAY PROTECT AGAINST ASTHMA
The risk of asthma in the child can be reduced by nearly half if the mother engages in active physical exercise at least three times a week during pregnancy, compared to a child of a mother who is less active, a new study reports.
—University of Eastern Finland
—Compiled by Paul Rance Jr.
Advice On Gut Health
GASTROINTESTINAL PROBLEMS ARE UNPLEASANT TO DISCUSS AND EVEN MORE UNPLEASANT TO SUFFER. HERE, A MONMOUTH DOC EXPLAINS THEM.
If your stomach is bloated, burbling and upset, it may be time to grab an antacid or a Pepto—or time to see a gastroenterologist. Wondering when you should opt for the latter? Tina Vazirani, M.D., gastroenterology section chief at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold, offers insight on common GI questions and concerns.
What’s most important to know about gastrointestinal (GI) health?
“Digestive issues can always be a sign of a bigger health problem. GI health is linked to the immune system, to hormone regulation, even to mental health. The gut is home to trillions of bacteria, and we don’t know the functions of all the bacteria yet, but they’re all important. If something feels wrong, early intervention is key. If you’re having GI issues, listen to your body and get checked out as soon as possible.”
What lifestyle changes can people make to improve GI health?
“Follow a balanced diet, and make sure you’re hitting your fiber goals for the day. [That’s 25 grams a day for women and 48 grams a day for men.] Regular exercise, stress management and staying hydrated are also great steps to good digestive health.”
What should people know about gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?
“GERD, or acid reflux, happens when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus. To manage it, lifestyle changes are important. You don’t always have to immediately run to medication. Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day, and make sure you eat three hours before going to bed. Avoiding the midnight snack is key! If that doesn’t alleviate symptoms, medications can help significantly. However, there is an association between osteoporosis and the proton pump inhibitors [the classification of drug in many GERD medications], so we’ll always try to minimize the medications and emphasize lifestyle modification. But if you have long-term reflux, it’s important to get checked because it can lead to Barrett’s esophagus, which is a precancerous condition.”
Have there been advances in treatments for common GI problems?
“So many! In the last 10 years there’s been significant growth in treatment options, with the creation of more focused therapy and more effective treatment and medicines, especially in the world of inflammatory bowel disease. Ten years ago, we only had really two medications. Now, we are seeing more focused therapies that home in on the GI tract or decrease inflammation without causing a great drop in the immune system, which used to be a problem.”
What would you tell someone who is putting off seeing a gastroenterologist because of embarrassment or anxiety?
“We see a lot, and we’ve probably heard everything before. There’s also a confidential patient-physician relationship, so people shouldn’t be worried. Plenty of GI conditions happen to everybody, so people needn’t feel alone. Symptoms are much more common than people think.”
Is there a myth or misconception you’d like to debunk?
“A common one is that you have to have one bowel movement every day. I have couples who come in and the wife will say, “Oh, my God, he goes to the bathroom three times a day. That’s not normal!” And the husband will say, “Well, she doesn’t go to the bathroom for three days, and that’s not normal.” But there really is no exact frequency—whether it’s three times a day or three times a week, that’s all considered normal. Everyone is different, and it’s influenced by a lot of things, including diet, hydration, how active you are and your age. If you do have sudden changes in your bowel movements, then that’s something to go and get checked out, because it could be a symptom of something else.”
Why should people seek to get to the bottom of GI symptoms?
“It’s important not to ignore symptoms because they can always be the sign of some more chronic condition, such as inflammatory bowel disease, certain types of food intolerances or even stomach or colon cancer. Get checked out!”
What are the screening guidelines for tests that rule out disease?
“Colon cancer is the big one. We now start screening at 45 instead of 50. From then, it depends on whether or not you have polyps [a clump of cells that forms on the lining of the colon and can develop into cancer].
If you have no polyps, then you have a colonoscopy every 10 years. If you have one or two polyps, it’s every five. If you have three or more, you do it in three years. We also look at risk factors for colon cancer, including obesity, a diet low in fiber and high in red meat, a sedentary lifestyle and a family history of polyps.”
DIETS— And Their Downsides
WANT TO SHED POUNDS IN THE NEW YEAR? HERE ARE SEVEN POPULAR PLANS—AND A DOCTOR’S VIEW OF THE PLUSES AND MINUSES OF EACH.
Seun Sowemimo, M.D. CentraState Healthcare System
That gut, that butt, those thighs, that size— does a January glance in the mirror tell you it’s time to shed pounds? Never fear. Scrolling through social media will bombard you with suggestions from friends, brands and influencers alike. “Keto,” “paleo” and “raw food” are just three of the trendy names you’ll hear. Doctors, of course, say that healthy, balanced and restrained eating combined with exercise over the long term is more effective than “fad” diets. But it can be reassuring to get with a program that has a name.
“Fad diets are like the shiny new toy of the weight-loss world—exciting, promising and often overhyped,” says Seun Sowemimo, M.D., medical director of CentraState’s Bariatric Surgery Program in Freehold. “They gain traction because they tap into our natural desire for quick results with minimal effort. Let’s be honest—who wouldn’t want to drop 20 pounds just by cutting out carbs or drinking celery juice? But real health is about long-term good habits, not short-term fixes. Not all diets that provide weight loss also improve health.”
Is there any diet Dr. Sowemimo sings the praises of? MONMOUTH wanted to know, so we asked him what’s great about seven popular plans—and what’s not so great:
KETOGENIC DIET. Developed by Russell Wilder, M.D., in 1923 as a treatment for epilepsy, the ketogenetic diet (often shortened to “keto”)
operates off a “4:1” ratio—just one part of carbohydrates is consumed for every four parts of fat. In essence, it promotes eating a very small amount of carbohydrates (the main nutrient in foods such as bread and pasta) and replacing other carbs with fats. The goal is to increase your fat intake to a point where you’re putting your body in a state of ketosis, which means it’s using fat as its main energy source.
PROS: One thing remains consistent in research on the keto diet, according to a 2022 study published in Frontiers in Nutrition entitled “Fad Diets: Facts and Fiction”: It’s effective in improving quality of life and seizure frequency in epileptic patients. It has also been associated with a “neuroprotective action” effect against neurological illnesses including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, because it encourages the production of ketones in the liver, which supply energy to the brain—though this benefit is still being studied. Cutting carbs to this extent can also encourage short-term weight loss.
CONS: However, says Dr. Sowemimo, “While keto can help some people lose weight quickly, it can also lead to or worsen heart and kidney disease.”
People don’t always look at the type of fats they are consuming, so their diets become high in saturated fats, and that leads to the risk of raising cholesterol. There are short-term risks for going all-in on keto as well. The 2020 paper “Consumer Reports of ‘Keto Flu’ Associated with the Ketogenic Diet,” also published in Frontiers in Nutrition, describes that affliction—those who have recently started keto often experience lethargy, low blood sugar, nausea and gastrointestinal discomfort. In addition, much of the weight shed from keto is “water weight,” which will be shed any time you cut carbs.
PALEOLITHIC DIET. Though it’s been around since the mid-1980s, Loren Cordain, Ph.D., popularized this approach in 2010. The theory is that our modern diet, high in processed foods, dairy products and grains, is the main cause of obesity. To combat it effectively, Cordain said, people need to eat as their hunter-gatherer ancestors did. The diet puts no restrictions on lean meats, fruits or non-starchy vegetables (such as carrots or broccoli), and largely cuts out dairy, legumes, cereals and processed foods.
PROS: “I agree with aspects of the paleo diet, such as eating high-fiber plants, fruits and vegetables,” says Dr. Sowemimo. Eating more whole foods and avoiding the heavily processed ones is always a good goal. This diet cuts out a lot of unnecessary sugar
and carbs without upping the saturated fat in your system as keto does. It can also produce short-term weight loss, usually as a symptom of getting rid of carbs and sugary drinks in their entirety. Though this is a restrictive diet, there are more options than there are in keto. It can be a great place to kick-start your health journey. As the doctor says, “I very often encourage my patients to consume high-quality, whole plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, seeds and nuts.”
CONS: The American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics notes in a 2024 examination of the diet, “Should We Eat Like Our Caveman Ancestors?”, that its lack of whole grains is not ideal. Whole grains have been connected with a lowered risk of heart disease and some cancers. Cutting out dairy can also remove your greatest source of calcium. Dr. Sowemimo dislikes its focus on animal-based products and meat, an overindulgence that can lead to weight gain and chronic disease. An additional, more practical point: It can be expensive to buy only whole foods all the time.
MEDITERRANEAN DIET. One of the beststudied diets out there, this one prioritizes whole grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables, olive oil and fish, with allowances for alcohol, dairy products and meat. Most calorie intake comes from fish and plant-based foods.
PROS: This diet has been linked to a lower occurrence of cardiovascular disease. And not only has it been summarized as “nutritionally adequate for the general public” in a study published in Nutrients (“The Mediterranean Diet and Nutritional Adequacy: A Review”), but research has also shown its preventive potential for chronic diseases such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and breast cancer. In a 2024 study by Women’s Health Initiative, a Mediterranean diet was associated with a reduced risk of premature death in women. Because this diet does not heavily restrict food groups, it is less challenging to follow long-term. Says our expert: “A good diet plan feels like something you can stick with for the long haul. In fact, replace the word diet with the word lifestyle. It should be balanced, include a variety of foods and not make you feel like you’re suffering.”
CONS: People searching for an intensive, immediate weight-loss solution may not find what they are looking for here, despite Mediterranean cuisine’s healthy rep. Also, if you’re worried about your iron levels, the lack of red meat may give you trouble unless you find compensatory sources.
RAW-FOOD VEGAN DIET. This diet plan takes veganism one step further. Besides cutting out meat, fish and other animal products, it also specifies that you eat only uncooked, unprocessed, plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and grains. Instead of traditional heating and cooking, raw food diets rely on juicing, dehydrating and blending as preparation methods. Some raw-food vegetarian (rather than vegan) diets allow the consumption of raw eggs and dairy, but this is less common because of food contamination concerns. This diet focuses on the health benefits of whole foods; its proponents consider even the application of heat to be removing foods from their most healthful state.
PROS: Plenty of benefits come with cutting red meat out of your diet, and Dr. Sowemimo says he has seen “strong results with plant-based eating.” Too much red meat has been associated with heart disease, colorectal cancer and diabetes. In addition, processed meats, particularly processed chicken, have been linked to a higher risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. As noted above, cutting out carbs and highfat processed foods will lead to short-term weight loss in many people. The raw-food diet is also naturally high in fiber, which is connected to a lowered risk of prostate cancer and certain gastrointestinal issues.
CONS: That fruits and vegetables are healthy is well proven; that they have a higher health benefit if eaten raw is highly debated. Plant-based diets pose a danger of people not getting the right nutrients, vitamins and minerals, leading to deficiencies that can produce other health complications. Meat and animal products are our bodies’ easiest source of things like zinc, iron, vitamin E, vitamin B12 and essential fatty acids. The raw-food diet is also low in calcium and highly restrictive. Dr. Sowemimo warns against diets that “demonize food groups” or “have rules so complicated you need a Ph.D. to follow them,” stressing that a good diet should make you feel “in-control and confident.”
INTERMITTENT FASTING. Rising in popularity, this diet approach is all about the when rather than the what. Instead of calorie or food-group restriction, intermittent fasting focuses on scheduled eating and abstaining from food entirely for certain periods. Popular methods include alternate-day fasting, wherein you fast or restrict food every other day, and periodic fasting, in which you eat normally within an eight-hour period and fast outside that time.
PROS: There is some evidence that intermittent fasting facilitates weight loss for certain people and populations, and Dr. Sowemimo says he’s seen those
“strong results” with it as well. A review published in Canadian Family Physician (“Intermittent Fasting and Weight Loss: Systematic Review”) found that, on average, people lost 4.3 percent of their body weight practicing intermittent fasting for periods from two to 12 weeks. The National Institute on Aging also identifies this diet as more than a temporary weight-loss plan, noting that there is “interest in [its] potential health and aging benefits.” Our doctor says: “Timing meals more mindfully can be really beneficial. The trick is to take what works and leave the rest behind.”
CONS: A common problem with intermitted fasting comes from people overindulging during the periods when they can eat—either by overeating or by choosing unhealthy foods. It can also be difficult for people with hectic schedules, or who are always on the go. If there’s only one window in 16 hours when you can eat and you don’t have time to do so, then you’re not eating at all. Lack of nutrition on fasting days can leave you sluggish, unfocused and irritable.
THE ATKINS DIET. Developed in the 1970s by the late cardiologist Robert Atkins, M.D., this diet seeks to correct a “metabolic imbalance resulting from carbohydrate consumption,” which he theorized was the main cause of obesity. It takes place over four phases, the first cutting carbs to under 20 grams a day for two weeks, and then slowly reintroducing them until reaching the “lifetime maintenance phase” in which a person is eating between 40 to 90 grams of carbs a day. Protein-rich foods are emphasized. PROS: Cutting complex carbs from your diet will almost always result in a short-term shedding of that “water weight,” and high-protein diets are known for being satiating and satisfying. In general, low-carb lifestyles combined with other healthy eating habits—keeping calories to the recommended number per day, stressing fruits and vegetables and limiting fat intake—have been shown to lower body weight across the board. A 2013 study published in the British Journal of Nutrition also showed a correlation between low-carb diets and lowered blood pressure.
CONS: Restricting carb intake to this degree is notoriously difficult, and Atkins has a high dropout rate. For example, one bagel is about 48 grams of carbs—almost all of your daily allowance in the lifetime maintenance phase. And dropping in and out of diets can have some serious consequences.
“Even if [fad diets] are effective in the short term, most people can’t keep up with them,” says Dr. Sowemimo. “Extreme calorie restriction might slow
your metabolism. When the diet ends, weight often comes back, with even more weight added.”
WEIGHT WATCHERS. Designed to help you eat anything in moderation, Weight Watchers assigns “smart points” to different kinds of foods and then helps you track the number of points you eat in a day. Different diet plans offer different points goals. Some foods are zero points, such as fruits, vegetables and lean protein, meaning that these can be eaten at will. Portions of foods such as cheese, popcorn and salad dressing cost points, and that encourages you to eat smaller amounts of them.
PROS: One of Weight Watchers’s selling points is not “banning” any one food or food group. Having more options makes you more likely to stick to the plan, and therefore more apt to have long-term success.
The Weight Watchers program also offers workshops and support groups for people on a weight-loss journey, and these can make all the difference for certain people.
CONS: You need to pay to have access to everything Weight Watchers has to offer, which is a huge barrier to entry for some— though some of these expenses are sometimes covered by health insurance.
As with intermittent fasting, some who follow this plan feel the need to “stock up” on points so they can later overeat guilt-free, possibly with unhealthy foods, and that’s not ideal. Weight Watchers’s own health notices state that, though its program was created by dieticians, it isn’t for everyone. The plan should be avoided by those who are under age 18, pregnant or following an eating plan to treat a disease, whether that be diabetes or an eating disorder. Dr. Sowemino says, “It’s important to speak to your doctor before starting any diet for weight loss. A doctor can offer recommendations and options to support your individual weight loss goals.”
None of these diets is sheer fraud, but none is instant magic either. The point is to put knowledge, discipline and good sense together and, above all, be good to your body by choosing healthy foods. Talking to your doctor or healthcare professional before embarking on a major change in your eating is essential. And don’t celebrate victory or concede defeat too early—long-term improvement is what counts. Remember what many doctors say: A good diet plan for you is one you can stick with for the long haul.
THE YEAR OF YOU
A new calendar year offers a fresh start. Here are a few of your neighbors’ New Year’s resolutions for 2025. What will you resolve?
The phrase “Set it—and forget it!” was once heard routinely on late-night TV rotisserie commercials. But that’s a feature New Year’s resolutions lack. When you decide to make a big change in your life come January, your success depends on remembering it. Monmouth residents knew that when we asked them about the promises they’d made to themselves for ’25—and a few of them were brave enough to share those vows anyway. Of course, far be it from us to request something we wouldn’t provide ourselves, so the staff of MONMOUTH chimed in as well.
“My goal for 2025 is to find my one true love. I’ve been single and focused on building my business for years, but I turned 50 last year and have resolved to spend more time searching for my person—someone strong, ambitious, empathetic and kind. Funny wouldn’t hurt either!”
—Moira Nelson, Shark River Hills
“My New Year’s resolution is to be more present when I’m with family and friends. I love the time I spend with loved ones, and I want to really sink into those moments with intention.”
—Liz Walter, Shrewsbury
“COVID derailed my desire to travel, and I hadn’t taken a ‘big’ trip since 2019. I went to Egypt in the fall, a bucket-list destination, and it reminded me to embrace what matters most to me—and one of those things is travel.”
— Rita Guarna, editor
in
chief
“To set small, achievable goals for myself throughout the year, such as trying one new thing each month. I’m going to use a journal to monitor my advancements and create a vision board, so I can better visualize those goals for the year. Patience is key, as new habits take time to form.”
—Lisa Matthews, Monmouth Beach
“I ran my first 5K on Thanksgiving and have caught the running bug. My goal is to do at least one 5K race a month leading up to November, and then try to get a top-10 finish in the 2025 turkey trot.”
—Ryan Hernandez, Manalapan
“I’m a workaholic, and I’ve spent decades growing and honing my career as a gallerist and interior designer. I need to turn that curatorial eye toward myself and ask, ‘Does this thing I’m doing move my goals forward?’ My resolution is to clear the clutter in my life and edit out the things that do not support my work, my family or my hopes for the future.”
“I’ve
been promisingmyselffor a while now to learn a new language, and this yearI’m going to do it. I alreadyspeakSpanish,though not fluently anymore, so Italian mightbe the logicalchoice.
Buon Anno!”
— Stephen Vitarbo, creative director
am looking forward to getting back into page-a-day journaling. I find that I am always more focused and creative when I keep up that habit, it fell out of my routine in 2024. I have a new notebook ready to go.”
Kirsten Meehan, assistant editor
“Not to get caught up in all the things I can’t change. I worry a lot. I want to enjoy the present moment more.”
—Matt Collins, Asbury Park
“A shoulder injury threw off my fitness routine over the past year, so I want to get back into an active lifestyle, take more advantage of our area’s great hiking trails and immerse myself in nature.”
— Darius Amos, senior associate editor
“To continue to create positive experiences for my friends and family. For instance, I want to create charity events geared toward spending time together while we raise money. I also want to grow my design business in 2025 so I can continue to follow my passion for creating décor and artwork.”
—George Sakelaris, Middletown
MOMENTS THAT SAY ‘MONMOUTH’
High school students were turned loose with cameras and asked to snap an enduring image of life in our oceanfront county. Here’s what they came up with.
Every year, the Monmouth County Clerk challenges local high school students: “Can you capture something special about Monmouth County for future generations?”
And, armed with their cameras, teens set out to do just that. Their selection announced at the end of last year, these images are the winners of the Archives & History Day High School Photography Contest. All of them will be added to the Monmouth County Archives collection. County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon (pictured on opposite page with contest winner Edmund Lee) says the photos “provide a glimpse into life here in Monmouth County through the eyes of our young people.”
What do our young people see? A lot of beauty, and natural environment worth fiercely protecting.
FIRST PLACE
EDMUND LEE, MORGANVILLE JUNIOR AT MANALAPAN HIGH SCHOOL.
After a 6–0 victory, the Manalapan High School soccer team is interviewed by a student reporter—the team is captured here in a moment of teamwork and togetherness. “This photo tells future generations that Monmouth County has a strong emphasis on youth participation in sports,” explains Lee. “It shows that athletic activities play a significant role in developing teamwork, leadership and our sense of community.”
SECOND PLACE
AVELLANA CAMERON, OCEANPORT FRESHMAN AT SHORE REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Stark and striking, this aerial shot shows a lone surfer in the midst of a cresting wave just about to crash. The light and darkness play across the picture, and the surfer seems to be escaping the shadow behind him. “This photo not only represents the beauty of Monmouth County, but of the world that we need to fortify,” explains Cameron, connecting this very local image with an environmental message.
THIRD PLACE (TIE)
SOPHIA VILLA, HOLMDEL FRESHMAN AT BIOTECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL
With this picture of a buck silhouetted against a rose-gold sky, Villa captures the way the mundane can become extraordinary once you slow down enough to look. It also highlights the everyday delights of Monmouth, which can be easy to overlook. “This photo highlights the natural beauty of Monmouth County by displaying a variegated sunset peppered with native trees,” Villa explains.
THIRD PLACE (TIE)
DYLAN CZEKAJLO, UNION BEACH
SOPHOMORE AT RED BANK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Taken off the shores of Sandy Hook, Czekajlo’s picture shows a colony of seals intermingling with sea birds. He took it with the goal of conservation. “It highlights the importance of preserving these natural habitats for future generations to enjoy,” says Czekajlo. “The image serves as a reminder of the strong connection between our county and the natural world.”
HONORABLE MENTION
ISABELLA LA TORRE, HOWELL FRESHMAN AT THE ACADEMY OF ALLIED HEALTH AND SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL
Sometimes the perfect picture falls into your lap. La Torre saw this sunset over the Manasquan Reservoir one morning when she was on her way to school. “The colors were so radiant and compelling that I had to take a picture,” she says, adding that she hopes such images inspire future generations to protect Monmouth’s wild spaces.
THE LITTLE THEATER THAT COULD
JUST IN TIME FOR ITS 20TH BIRTHDAY, THE AXELROD PERFORMING ARTS CENTER IN DEAL HAS TURNED PRO.
Theater is a tough business. The audience can be fickle, the actors flighty and the expenses jaw-dropping. That’s all the more reason to celebrate when a professional theater in the county hits a major birthday— such as Deal’s Axelrod Performing Arts Center, which is turning 20 this year. Since it officially opened its doors in 2005, Axelrod has been bringing musicals to the Vogel Auditorium’s stage for all of Monmouth to enjoy, and it’s only trending upward.
Axelrod PAC has a history that wouldn’t be out of place in one of the musicals it produces. Its roots stretch back to the Center Drama group of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Monmouth County, now the JCC Jersey Shore, which was one of the first community theater groups in the area. “Axelrod emerged from this program, which existed for over 70 years,” explains the theater’s founding CEO, Jess Levy. “It was one of the oldest community theater programs in the state, founded in Long Branch at the turn of the [20th] century.” Among its leaders then was Abe Vogel, for whom the Vogel Auditorium is named. Herbert and Evelyn Axelrod, local philanthropists involved in JCC, made the donation that allowed the new arts center to be built. Before that, the theater troupe was operating out of what Levy calls a “multi-purpose room” at the JCC—“a combination of a gym, a bingo room and a performing arts building,” he says with a laugh. The Vogel Auditorium, on the other hand, seats 500.
For years, Axelrod chugged along as a community theater, though one of impressive skill and renown. During this time, it also began to fully carve out its identity. Where other local theaters staged plays, Axelrod focused on musicals. In 2010, it became its own nonprofit, separate from the JCC. Its growth was continual. “We won a number of Perry awards [for outstanding achievements in New Jersey community theater] from the New Jersey Association of Community Theaters,” says Andrew
DePrisco, now the program’s executive artistic director, who has also been with the PAC from the start and was sometimes directing those community shows. “We won ‘best production’ a few times. The quality of community theater here was the best in this area. I knew that this theater could be doing an even higher level of artistic achievement if we were associating ourselves with professional actors. I knew we could transition to a professional regional theater.”
The transition wasn’t without bumps. On the business end, Levy found that a professional theater production costs “nearly three time more” than a community production. On the artists’ end, DePrisco says, “Sometimes you throw your heart into a show and then realize that there’s no audience for it.” For nearly 10 years, Axelrod successfully used the Guest Artist Agreement, a contract through the Actors’ Equity Association that allows not-for-profit educational theaters to occasionally employ professional actors. “Then we outgrew that as well,” says DePrisco. Axelrod’s November 2024 production of Fiddler on the Roof was the center’s first show as a full member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT), the largest professional theater association of its kind in the country. In May of that year, Axelrod had also opened a second location at Bell Works in Holmdel, a much smaller venue ideal for concerts.
And now? “We had almost 6,000 people come to Fiddler on the Roof,” says Levy. “We had two concerts sell out at Bell Works, and our youth performing arts program sold out three performances as well. There’s an amazing arts community here.” Looking forward, DePrisco says, “We have all the elements for the very best theatrical experience in Monmouth. I want to reach that dedicated audience who wants to see quality theater thrive in New Jersey. I sometimes feel like we’re still the best-kept secret in the state, but there’s so much here once you find us.”
Roof
Carole
ESCAPES
CHINATOWN’S
This month, in five great U.S. cities, that distinctive neighborhood will welcome the Year of the Snake.
January begins with the Times Square ball drop and fireworks—and this year it ends with lanterns and lion dances. Widely celebrated throughout East Asia, the Lunar New Year begins Jan. 29, and that means millions will be ringing in the Year of the Snake with joyous celebrations. Cities like Hong Kong and Beijing will be transformed into living light shows, but you needn’t pack your passport to enjoy the fun. Right here in the U.S., the Chinatowns of five major cities are ready to sweep you into the new year in style:
NEW YORK. N.Y.
A comparative stone’s throw from central Monmouth, just 56 miles away, Manhattan’s Chinatown takes in the territory south of Broome Street and east of Lafayette Street. Keep your eyes peeled—the area is lined with vendors selling everything from eels to rambutans to boba. In classic Big Apple form, this New Year’s celebration goes all out. The yearly parade begins at Mott Street and then moves downtown, and the celebration is capped off with the always-impressive lion dances. Stick around until Feb. 16 and be treated to a Firecracker Ceremony and Cultural Festival, with incredible food, amazing visuals and plenty of vendors.
Where to eat. You’ll find a wealth of options in this Chinatown. Every local foodie has devoted favorites, but you can’t go wrong with Chrystie Street’s Potluck Club, with spins Chinese classics in new, modern directions, or Green Garden Village on Grand Street for Cantonese favorites. On Division Street you’ll find Fong On, the city’s oldest family-run tofu shop. Outside the festivities. The Museum of Chinese in America, tucked into Chinatown, celebrates all things Chinese American. The American Museum of Natural History has a whole hall dedicated to Asian peoples and cultures. More musically inclined? On Feb. 11 the New York Philharmonic offers a full symphonic celebration of the Year of the Snake. (You know Broadway, Rockefeller Center, Greenwich Village and this city’s many other attractions. But don’t look for too many Chinese names at Ellis Island’s National Immigration Museum, because in 1882 the U.S. enacted the Chinese Exclusion Act, which barred Chinese workers as immigrants for many years. Wrote one angry Chinese American to the New York Sun, explaining why he declined to contribute to a public fund for the new Statue of Liberty’s pedestal: “This country is the land of liberty for men of all nations except the Chinese.”) More info: betterchinatown.com
BOSTON, MASS.
Established in the 1890s, Boston’s Chinatown is the only historic Chinatown in New England. (It’s also home to the third-largest Chinese community in the U.S.) You’ll enter it through lion-flanked gates after traveling 264 miles from Monmouth. The yearly parade is an allday spectacle, usually starting at 10 a.m. and going until the late afternoon. Firecrackers and performances abound, and watch for some truly special food vendors. Where to eat. You’ll get a lot of gratification poking around hole-in-the-wall dim sum shops but, for a sit-down meal, Taiwan Café on Oxford Street offers mouthwatering pan-fried dumplings and other traditional Taiwanese dishes, such as Sichuan-style white fish served in bubbling chili oil. Pho Pasteur on Washington Street is another local staple with plenty of Vietnamese options. Outside the festivities. Rich in culture, Boston is filled with things to do in the winter, whether you’re looking for art, history or sports. Catch a Bruins game at TD Garden (known for its electric atmosphere), browse the Museum of Fine Arts or bundle up and take a stroll down the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail, which connects 16 nationally significant historic sites.
More info: chinatownmainstreet.org
MOMENT
CHICAGO, ILL.
You may want to opt for a plane for this 825-mile trip, but check out Chicago’s Armour Square, another of America’s top Chinatowns. It’s also highly walkable—window-shop and browse Chinatown Square Plaza’s tea shops and specialty grocers. See the Nine Dragon Wall on Cermak Road, a giant public art piece that celebrates ancient Chinese folklore in stunning jewel tones. The 2025 Lunar New Year celebration on Feb. 9 will feature traditional dragon and lion dancing teams and colorful floats in addition to marching bands and community groups. Where to eat. You can go super-traditional and try Chiu Quon on Wentworth Avenue, the oldest bakery in the neighborhood. This is the place to go for authentic pork buns, dim sum and egg custard tarts for dessert. Something more sitdown? Ken Kee Restaurant on China Place has an extensive Cantonese menu. (Try the Hong Kong Boat Noodles.)
Outside the festivities. Take advantage of the season and head to Millennium Park, where the iconic and distinctive McCormick Tribune Plaza & Ice Rink will take you in loops for stunning views of the city. If you want to catch a show, try the Tony Award-winning Goodman Theatre, which will be putting on the Pulitzer Prize-winning, fivetime Tony-nominated play Fat Ham More info: chicagochinatown.org
SEATTLE, WASH.
A trip to the Pacific Northwest will take you more than 2,850 miles, and into the heart of a vibrant Asian-American community. The Historic Chinatown Gate—ornate, 45 feet tall and made from some 8,000 imported ceramic Chinese tiles—will greet you as you arrive. Lunar New Year is an all-day festival in Seattle, as vendor booths line up along South King Street and dance performances take the main stage at Hing Hay Park. On Feb. 1, the Seattle Asian Art Museum will host a Lunar New Year Family Festival with live lion dances, drop-in art activities with local artists and story times.
Where to eat. The oldest Chinese restaurant in the city is Tai Tung on King Street, where you can find an authentic spread of all your favorites (plus more). Something more adventurous? Kilig on Eighth Avenue South offers Filipino cuisine from James Beard–nominated chef Melissa Miranda. Outside the festivities. At the Panama Hotel and Tea House, you can sample artisan teas from around the world before checking out the only Japanese-style bathhouse left in the U.S.A. If this is your first visit to the Emerald City, the Space Needle and the Pike Place Market are two attractions that live up to the hype. Another option: The Museum of Pop Culture is fun, informative and a hit with locals and tourists alike.
More info: visitseattle.org
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF.
This is the largest Chinatown outside of Asia, the farthest of our five from Monmouth at more than 2,900 miles—and despite the comparative youth of most West Coast development it’s also America’s oldest. Its Lunar New Year celebration matches that legacy and scale. Enjoy a Flower Fair Market on Jan. 25 and 26, when you can purchase fresh flowers, fruits and candies from more than 120 booths while taking in traditional Chinese magicians, acrobats and folk dancers. The parade kicks off Feb. 15, and the route spans one-and-a-half miles, all filled with music, dancers and floats.
Where to eat. Begoni Bistro on Jackson Street offers Chinese cuisine with a unique French influence, all tied together by the capable hands of Howard Wong, a well-known face among this Chinatown’s restaurants. You can also head to Commercial Street and try Four Kings, which started as a pop-up restaurant before settling down to serve Cantonese-inspired cuisine with incredibly fresh seafood.
Outside the festivities. Film buffs can check out the Noir City Film Festival in nearby Oakland, which from Jan. 24 until Feb. 2 offers screenings from the classic film noir genre. Or you could choose one of the milder days (January in San Francisco tends to hover in the mid-50s) and enjoy a stroll around Golden Gate Park, ride a cable car or take a walking tour through this (admittedly hilly!) architectural gem of a city. More info: sanfranciscochinatown.com
—Kirsten Meehan
Hearty & Healthy
You won’t miss meat when you try these delicious, veggie-packed recipes.
TASTES
CAULIFLOWER PARMESAN
Yields 4 servings
INGREDIENTS
For the Beef:
n 1 head of cauliflower
n 2 Tbs. olive oil
n 1 cup marinara sauce
n 1 cup reduced fat shredded mozzarella cheese
DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with foil or non-stick spray.
Cut the head of cauliflower into 4 “steaks” and set them on the baking sheet.
Brush both sides with the 2 tablespoons of olive oil divided evenly between the four and season with salt and pepper.
Place the baking sheet into the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Flip the cauliflower over and bake for another 10-15 minutes.
Remove the cauliflower from the oven and set the oven to broil. Divide one cup marinara sauce evenly between the four cauliflower steaks and top with one cup reduced fat shredded mozzarella cheese divided evenly as well.
Place the baking sheet back into the oven and bake for another 3-5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Once done, remove from the oven and serve right away.
“When you have a a plant-based dish, it can sometimes be difficult to meet your protein needs. When
adding the
marinara
sauce to this cauliflower dish, consider blending it with a half cup of low-fat cottage cheese to boost the protein and the satisfaction of the whole dish.”
Julianna Szatmari, registered dietitian/nutritionist, Intuitively Nourished, Eatontown
VEGETARIAN CHILI
Yields 6 servings
INGREDIENTS
n ½ Tbs. olive oil
n 3 cloves garlic, minced
n 1 yellow onion, chopped
n 1 large carrot, diced
n 1 red bell pepper, diced
n 1 (4 oz.) can mild green chiles
n 1 medium to large sweet potato, peeled and cut into ½ inch cubes
n 2½ Tbs. mild chili powder
n 1 Tbs. cumin
n ½ tsp. dried oregano
n ¼ tsp. garlic powder
n ¼ tsp. paprika
n ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
n ¼ tsp. salt
n freshly ground black pepper
n 1 (28 oz.) can crushed tomatoes (fire-roasted is great)
n 3/4 cup vegetarian broth (or water, plus more if it needs more liquid)
n 1 (15 oz.) can black beans, rinsed and drained
n 1 (15 oz.) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
n 1 heaping cup frozen sweet corn
TASTES
DIRECTIONS
Place oil in a large pot and place over medium high heat. Add in garlic, onion, diced carrot, red bell pepper, cubed sweet potatoes and green chiles; saute for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently.
Next add in chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt and black pepper; stir for about 30 seconds.
Finally add in crushed tomatoes, broth/water, black beans, kidney beans and corn. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30-45 minutes or until chili thickens and flavors come together. Taste and adjust seasonings and salt as necessary.
Garnish with anything you’d like. Makes 6 servings, about 1½ cups each.
“Chili is one of my favorite dishes, and I would love to share my secret ingredient—unsweetened cocoa powder! Cocoa powder helps reduce the acidity in the dish and adds rich and earthy tones, complementing the tomatoes. Cocoa powder contains polyphenols, an antioxidant reducing inflammation, cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure. Try adding 2 teaspoons to your next chili creation.”
Julianna Szatmari, registered dietitian/nutritionist, Intuitively Nourished, Eatontown
Kickstarter
Spice up brunch or evening happy hour with this spin on a classic cocktail.
BLOODY MARY MARSALA
Makes: 1 serving
INGREDIENTS
n 1½ oz. dry Marsala
n ½ oz. lemon juice
n 4 oz. tomato juice
n 3 dashes Tabasco sauce
n 10 dashes
Worcestershire sauce
n lemon wedge and celery stalk, for garnish
DIRECTIONS
Combine the first five ingredients in a tall glass over ice. Stir well, and garnish with the lemon wedge and celery stalk.
Where To Eat
Getting three squares a day has never been easier—Monmouth County is home to a selection of restaurants diverse enough to satisfy all of your cravings.
Pascal & Sabine, Asbury Park
ASBURY PARK
Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten 527 Lake Ave.
732.997.8767 asburybiergarten.com
Cubacan Bar & Restaurant
800 Ocean Ave. N.
732.774.3007 cubacanrestaurant.com
Moonstruck
517 Lake Ave.
732.988.0123 moonstrucknj.com
Pascal & Sabine
601 Bangs Ave.
732.774.3395 pascalandsabine.com
Porta 911 Kingsley St. 732.776.7661 pizzaporta.com
Robinson Ale House
1200 Ocean Ave. N.
732.774.1400 therobinsonalehouse asburypark.com
Stella Marina Restaurant & Bar
800 Ocean Ave.
732.775.7776 stellamarinarestaurant.com
Taka 660 Cookman Ave.
732.775.1020 takaasburypark.com
Talula’s
550 Cookman Ave. 732.455.3003 talulaspizza.com
ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS
Copper Canyon
51 First Ave.
732.291.8444 thecoppercanyon.com
Harborside Grill
40 First Ave.
732.291.0066 ahwinebar.com
Kunya Siam Thai Restaurant
99 First Ave.
732.291.2397 kunyasiam.com
On The Deck
10 Simon Lake Dr. 732.872.1424 onthedeckrestaurant.com
AVON-BY-THE-SEA
Clementine’s
306 Main St. 732.988.7979 clementinesavon.com
Seed to Sprout 410 Main St. 732.774.7333 seedtosproutnj.com
BELFORD
Belford Bistro 870 Main St. 732.495.8151 belfordbistro.com
Naples Pizzeria 872 Main St. 732.787.9479
BELMAR
10th Ave. Burrito Co 801 Belmar Plz. 732.280.1515 tenthaveburrito.com
Anchor Tavern
713 Main St. 732.280.2266 anchortavernnj.com
Boathouse Bar & Grill
1309 Main St. 732.681.5221 boathousebarandgrill.com
Brandl
703 Belmar Plz. 732.280.7501 brandlrestaurant.com
Federico’s 700 Main St. 732.681.6936 federicospizza.com
La Dolce Vita
400 Ocean Ave. 732.749.3177 ladolcevitanj.com
Simply Southern 817 Belmar Plz. 732.243.9259 simplysouthern comfortfoods.com
BRADLEY BEACH
The Buttered Biscuit 700 Main St. 732.807.4069 thebutteredbiscuit cafe.com
Roadside Cantina, Englishtown
The Elbow Room
416 Main St. 732.898.6860 elbowroomnj.com
BRIELLE
Due Amici
420 Higgins Ave. 732.528.0666 dueamicibriellenj.com
La Mondina 110 Union Ave. 732.612.8331 lamondinabrielle.com
The Pig And Parrot Sandbar 201 Union Ln. 732.528.7750 thepigandparrot.com
Shipwreck Grill 720 Ashley Ave. 732.292.9380 shipwreckgrill.com
Waterman’s Tavern
403 Higgins Ave. 732.722.8978 watermanstavern.net
EATONTOWN
All Seasons Restaurant 176 Wyckoff Rd. 732.542.9462 allseasonsrestaurant.net
ENGLISHTOWN
Rosalita’s Roadside Cantina 180 Rte. 9 732.617.0099 rosalitasnj.com
FREEHOLD
618 Restaurant 618 Park Ave. 732.577.0001 618nj.com
Aarzu Modern Indian Bistro 30 E. Main St. 732.333.0933 aarzu.com
Court Jester 16 E. Main St. 732.462.1040 courtjesternj.com
El Meson 40 W. Main St. 732.308.9494 elmesoncafe.com
Photos
Rosalita’s
Federici’s Family Restaurant
14 E. Main St. 732.462.1312 federicis.com
Metropolitan Cafe
8 E. Main St. 732.780.9400 metrocafenj.com
Tommy’s Tavern + Tap
3492 Rte. 9
732.543.0053 tommystavernandtap.com
Tre Pizza Pasta Beer Garden
611 Park Ave. 732.751.4422 trepizzanj.com
HAZLET
Neil Michael’s Steakhouse 1104 Rte. 36
732.217.3626 neilmichaelsteakhouse. com
Yesterday’s Restaurant 3153 Rte. 35
732.264.3777 yesterdaysnj.com
HIGHLANDS
Bahrs Landing 2 Bay Ave. 732.872.1245 bahrslandingnj.com
Proving Ground 56 Shrewsbury Ave. 732.872.2266 theprovingground.com
KEYPORT
Drew’s Bayshore Bistro 25 Church St. 732.739.9219 drewsbayshorebistro.com
Palumbo’s 24 Ayers Ln. 732.842.5505
LONG BRANCH
21 A On Broadway 202 Broadway 732.483.6967 21aonbroadway.com
Avenue 23 Ocean Ave. 732.759.2900 leclubavenue.com
Charley’s Ocean Grill 29 Avenel Blvd. 732.222.4499 charleysoceangrill.com
Mar Belo 611 Broadway 732.870.2222 marbelorestaurant.com
McLoone’s Pier House 1 Ocean Ave. N. 732.923.1006 mcloonespierhouse.com
Rooney’s Oceanfront 100 Ocean Ave. N. 732.870.1200 rooneysocean.com
Sirena Ristorante 27 Ocean Ave. N. 732.222.1119 sirenaristorante.com
Tuzzio’s 224 Westwood Ave. 732.222.9614 tuzzios.com
MANALAPAN
Anemos Greek Cuisine 333 Rte. 9 732.414.6590 anemosgreekcuisine.com
Cholula Restaurant 24 Wilson Ave. 732.786.0080 cholularestaurant englishtown.com
Manalapan Diner 48 Rte. 9 732.462.7165 manalapandiner.com
Nonna’s Citi Cucina 190 Rte. 9 N. 732.536.9050 nonnasnj.net
Peking Pavilion 110 Rte. 33 732.308.9700 pekingpavilion.com
MANASQUAN
Blend On Main 390 E. Main St. 732.223.0030 blendonmain.com
Harpoon Willy’s 2655 River Rd. 732.223.8880 harpoonwillys.com
The Salty Whale And Guesthouse 390 E. Main St. 732.592.3344 thesaltywhale.com
Squan Tavern 15 Broad St. 732.223.3324 squantavern.com
MARLBORO
Bad Hat 133 S. Main St. 732.858.6855 badhatnj.com
Osteria Cucina Rustica 91 S. Main St. 732.577.8288 osterianj.com
MATAWAN
Buttonwood Manor 845 Rte. 34 N. buttonwoodmanor.com
MIDDLETOWN
Crown Palace 1283 Rte. 35 S. 732.615.9888 crownpalacenj.com
MJ’s Restaurant Bar & Grill 1005 Rte. 35 732.796.1400 mjsrestaurant.com
Neelam Exotic Indian Cuisine 1178 Rte. 35 S. 732.671.8900 neelamindiancuisine.com
NEPTUNE Il Posto 1129 Fifth Ave. 732.775.4823
Molinari’s 312 W. Sylvania Ave. 732.775.7733 molinarirestaurant.com
Pete & Elda’s 93 Summit Ave. 732.774.6010 peteandeldas.com
OCEAN
Illiano’s 933 W. Park Ave. 732.493.2003 illianosrestaurant.net
Piccola Italia 837 W. Park Ave. 732.493.3090 piccolaitalianj.com
Neil Michael’s Steakhouse, Hazlet
RED BANK
26 West On The Navesink
26 W. Front St.
732.383.5664 26westonthenavesink.com
Birravino
183 Riverside Ave. 732.842.5990 birravino.com
B2 Bistro + Bar
141 Shrewsbury Ave.
732.268.8555 b2bistro.com
Char Steakhouse
33 Broad St.
732.450.2427 charsteakhouse.com
Danny’s 11 Bridge Ave. 732.741.6900 dannyssteakhouse.com
JBJ Soul
Kitchen
207 Monmouth St. 732.842.0900 jbjsoulkitchen.com
Juanito’s Restaurant
159 Monmouth St. 732.747.9118 juanitosredbank.com
Kitch Organic 75 Leighton Ave. 732.471.5400 kitchorganic.com
Molly Pitcher Inn
88 Riverside Ave. 732.747.2500 themollypitcher.com
Muang Thai Restaurant
7 E. Front St. 732.741.9999 muangthairedbank.com
Nicholas Barrel & Roost 160 Rte. 35 S. 732.345.9977 barrelandroost.com
Patrizia’s
28 Broad St. 732.741.5555 patrizias.com
Pazzo MMX
141 W. Front St. 732.747.4551 pazzoredbank.com
Teak
64 Monmouth St. 732.747.5775 teakrestaurant.com
RUMSON
Barnacle Bill’s 1 First St. 732.747.8396 barnaclebills rumson.com
Giorgia 102 Ave. of Two Rivers 732.741.3880 ristorantegiorgia.com
Salt Creek Grille 4 Bingham Ave. 732.933.9272 saltcreekgrille.com
Surf 132 E. River Rd. 732.530.6590 surfbbq.com
Undici 11 W. River Rd. 732.842.3880 undicirestaurant.com
SEA BRIGHT
Anjelica’s 1070 Ocean Ave. 732.842.2800 anjelicas.com
Eventide
Grille
1400 Ocean Ave. N. 732.530.1414 eventidegrille.com
The Rum Runner 816 Ocean Ave. 732.842.2894 mcloonesrumrunner.com
Tommy’s Tavern + Tap 1030 Ocean Ave. 732.842.5044 tommystavernandtap.com
SEA GIRT
Fratello’s 810 The Plaza 732.974.8833 fratellosnj.com
WHERE TO EAT
SHREWSBURY
Americana Diner 1160 Rte. 35 S. 732.542.1658 americanadiner.net
Bayroot 555 Shrewsbury Ave. 732.747.3444 bayrootmarket.com
D’jeet 637 Broad St. 732.224.8887 djeetcatering.com
SPRING LAKE
Arugula 306 Morris Ave. 732.974.2800 arugulaspringlakenj.com
Bareli’s By The Sea 1505 Ocean Ave. N. 732.769.5700 barelisbythesea.com
Spring Lake Tap House 810 Rte. 71 732.282.1530 springlaketaphouse.com
St. Stephen’s Green Publick House 2031 Rte. 71 732.449.2626 ssgpub.com
Whispers 200 Monmouth Ave. 732.974.9755 whispersrestaurant.com
WALL Meemom’s 1825 Rte. 35 732.359.8544 meemoms.com
Mossuto’s Market & Cafe 2029 Rte. 35 S. 732.449.8058 mossutosmarket.com
Shogun Legends 1969 Rte. 34 732.449.6696 shogunlegends.com
Arugula, Spring Lake
RESTAURANT REVIEW
Mediterranean Marvel
A new eatery in Tinton Falls offers both novel and familiar flavors for all.
The well-documented decline of America’s chain restaurants has left a void in some neighborhoods, but here in Monmouth it’s given local eateries an opportunity to shine. About a year ago I was treated to first-class service and wonderful Turkish fare at what was formerly a Ruby Tuesday in Freehold. Prior to that, I reviewed for this magazine a burgeoning New American bar and grill that had taken over a TGI Fridays, also in Freehold.
I found myself in a similar situation this past fall, when a friend and I decided to try Golden Horn Mediterranean Cuisine in Tinton Falls. It had been on our radar for a couple of weeks, as we frequently pass the building, which once housed a Ruby Tuesday. Inside, however, you’d never know a chain had once occupied the space. Gone are the logos and big-screen TVs, and in their place are muted colors, elegant chandeliers and proper place settings with wine glasses. The most notable difference, of course, is the menu.
Golden Horn is termed a “Mediterranean” restaurant, and it has many offerings found in similar establishments, such as a grilled octopus appetizer, whole branzino and meaty dishes like gyros and kebabs. But its menu also has a selection of dishes from Türkiye, with a full section of “Turkish Oven” choices.
For our visit, my friend and I took our time when deciding on appetizers—
Photo by Darius Amos
everything sounded so good. We chose two: beets tarator and spinach pide. The beets tarator was something new to us; though we’ve both enjoyed tahini in the past, having it made with fresh and vibrant-colored beets in lieu of chickpeas was a first—and it won’t be the last. The dip was decadent and rich, as the flavors of beets and garlic blended perfectly. The spinach pide was just as memorable. On its own, pide could serve as an entrée, but it’s also suitable as a shared app. The flatbread was warm and crisp, with a generous amount of delicious spinach, onion and cheese on top. (For those wondering, this pide dipped in beet tarator is taste that didn’t grow on me during this sitting.) We could easily have filled up on the pide alone, so we only finished about half to save valuable belly space for our main courses.
And I needed the space for my entree, baby lamb chops. Sure, these chops are called “baby,” but each of the four cuts was loaded with juicy, savory meat. They also were grilled to my ideal temperature (medium-rare), making each bite more delightful than the last. My only quibble was the small sides: While satisfied with the lamb, I wish the rice and fresh vegetable accompaniments had been more abundant.
My dining companion, meanwhile, had the lighter grilled salmon special. (The menu also features a grilled salmon shish.) The fish was a wonderfully flaky and tasty filet, served alongside mashed eggplant and sauteed veggies. It looked, smelled and tasted so good that it made this redmeat lover jealous!
A great meal demands dessert, so we jumped at the chance to see a sweets menu when our server asked. The options didn’t immediately blow us away, as we didn’t see anything that we hadn’t seen at other Mediterranean restaurants. But we quickly changed our tune when we tried Golden Horn’s kunefe. The shredded phylo had a delightful crisp that complemented the soft, gooey cheese and warm syrup. Though the dessert is large enough to split between two people, which is how my friend and I enjoyed it, I secretly wished I’d had it all to myself. Even after we finished, and even with a full stomach, I still wanted more. I believe that feeling’s the result of Golden Horn’s good service and great food—and not a catchy slogan or jingle.
—Darius Amos
BARBARA TATUM, LPC
Shoreline Counseling, LLC 85 1st Ave., Suite B2, Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716 | 732.794.7833
barbara@yourshorelinecounseling.com www.yourshorelinecounseling.com
What is your current position?
Owner/Psychotherapist, practicing for 7 years.
What are characteristics that make you and your practice unique:
I utilize an integrative wellness model to diagnose, counsel and implement treatment. I specialize in the areas of anxiety, depression, anger management, stress management, self-image, self-esteem, school problems, interpersonal relationships, divorce, grief, family conflict, parenting, life transitions, crisis intervention, and substance abuse.
What is my goal as your provider?
My goal is to provide you with a positive, motivating, sincere, and authentic counseling experience. I truly enjoy supporting and empowering children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. I am committed to partnering together authentically to help solve and resolve personal, interpersonal, family, career and other mental health changes that impact your functioning.
BONNIE BLACK, MA, MSW, LCSW
Two Rivers Counseling, LLC
732.788.6146 | Bonnieblacklcsw@gmail.com
How long have you been practicing?
I have been working in mental health for over 16 years, solely operating my private practice since 2020.
What types of procedures do you perform regularly?
I provide individual counseling, clinical supervision, and mental health consultation services.
What characteristics make you and your practice unique?
I have spent my career providing various services with every attempt to meet each individual on their unique journey towards wellness. My approach focuses on assisting those seeking clarity, encouraging personal growth, and providing empathetic, non judgmental support towards navigating life’s path.
RAHUL VEMULA, MD FACS
V Plastic Surgery
107 Monmouth Rd., Suite 201 West Long Branch, NJ 07764 | 848.420.9073 | info@doctorvnj.com | www.doctorvnj.com
What is your current position?
Practice Owner / Medical Director
How long have you been practicing? 8 years
What types of procedures do you perform regularly?
Our office performs a variety of procedures regularly such as breast reduction, breast reconstruction, breast augmentation, liposuction, scarless necklift, Botox, dermal fillers, lasers, abdominoplasty, skin cancer removal and reconstruction after Moh’s surgery.
Do you use any special technologies?
Renuvion—which is a cosmetic technology used in liposuction that uses radiofrequency and helium gas to contract the skin and subdermal tissue, creating firmer and smoother results. We also use Microvascular breast reconstruction including DIEP Flap.
What are some characteristics that make you and your practice unique?
V Plastic Surgery is a concierge practice where the focus is on the patient to provide a VIP experience. We are with the patient every step of the way, from the initial call to the office through the post operative care. Our knowledgeable team will determine if insurance may cover your procedure.
ROB COOMBS, DC, PRACTICE OWNER
Coombs Chiropractic 2424 Bridge Ave., Point Pleasant, NJ 08742 | 732.899.9600 | DrRob@CoombsChiropractic.com | www.CoombsChiropractic.com
How long have you been practicing?
25 years
What types of procedures do you perform regularly?
Full spine adjustments, pregnancy alignment, Breech techniques, Infant Well Checkups
Do you use any special technologies?
Core Score Spinal Neural Testing for stress and wellness, Digital X-ray and Instrument Adjusting available if needed
What are some characteristics that make you and your practice unique?
We specialize in pre and post natal care, pediatrics and family wellness
What are the benefits of being adjusted during pregnancy for both mom and baby?
Childbirth is hard enough. Prior traumas, accidents and injuries cause pelvic tension that can impact childbirth and delivery. An aligned and flexible pelvis will help reduce the pain and strain in labor. This reduces the likelihood of torticollis, dystocia and spinal stress for the baby and helps empower a better childbirth experience and recovery post-partum for mom!
Be There
From Shakespeare and ’60s songs to The Wizard of Oz and winter runs, there’s much to enjoy this month in Monmouth.
JAN. 11
Indulge in some swinging ’60s nostalgia with THE STRICTLY 60S BAND , which will perform at the Heights 27 Bar & Grille in Spring Lake Heights. Enjoy the restaurant’s extensive menu and bar while listening to your favorite tunes from The Beatles, Van Morrison, The Rolling Stones and many more. The music begins at 8:30 p.m. For more
JAN. 12
Don’t miss your chance to see MEMBERS COLLECTIVE at the Monmouth Museum in Lincroft. exhibit shows off creative work from artists all over the county, spanning every medium from watercolors to charcoal drawings to oil paintings. The museum also will host a pop-up gift shop during the exhibit’s run visitors to browse. Doors open 10 a.m. For more information, monmouthmuseum.org.
JAN. 12, 19 & 26
The Freehold Area Running Club hosts its SERIES RACES Michael Tighe
JAN. 18
Brave the cold and take the plunge with Lifetime Assistance for Developmental and Challenging Individual Needs (LADACIN) Network in Manasquan at its 2025 LADACIN PLUNGE Sure, you’ll probably end up shivering (a dip into the icy ocean will do that), but it’s for a great cause— proceeds from this event go toward improving the quality of life of people with disabilities. LADACIN invites all participants to join them at Leggett’s Sand Bar and Restaurant for festivities postplunge. This event begins at 10:30 a.m. For more information, see ladacin.org.
JAN. 18–26
JAN. 15 & 16
Red Bank’s Count Basie Center for the Arts presents a performance of THE WIZARD OF OZ: YOUTH EDITION
Come enjoy the classic American story of Dorothy, Toto and her adventures in the magical land of Oz. Doors at 6 p.m., and the show 7. For tickets and more information, see thebasie.org.
The Peanuts crew stops by the Algonquin Arts Theatre in Manasquan for a twoweekend run of YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN Watch the stories of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and Sally come to life, all set to classic score by Clark Gesner. Both evening and matinee performances are available. For tickets, times and more, see algonquin arts.org.
JAN. 18 & 19
New year’s home renovation plans have you feeling overwhelmed? You’ll find all the help you need at the JERSEY SHORE SPRING HOME SHOW in Lincroft. Browse a wide selection of home improvement vendors and professionals, all ready and waiting to make your projects into a reality. The show begins at 10 a.m. For early registration and more, see njhomeshow-br.com.
JAN. 24–FEB. 1
The Bard’s most bewitching tale blows into the Two River Theater in Red Bank. The newest entry into Two River’s “A Little Shakespeare” series, THE TEMPEST tells a story of magic, romance and revenge. Directed by seasoned professional Noelle Marion, the show is acted and supported backstage by local high school students. Multiple showtimes are available. For tickets and more information, see tworivertheater.org.
JAN. 29
Working on your resolutions? See some of the latest wellness offerings in one place at the Eastern Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce’s HEALTH AND WELLNESS EXPO This event, which takes place at Brookdale
JAN. 25
Coming to Asbury Park’s iconic Stone Pony is DAMN THE TORPEDOES , a Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers cover band that’s been rocking since 2007. Enjoy your favorite tunes and what the band describes as a “complete Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers concert experience.” Doors open at 7 p.m. for the 7:30 show. For tickets and more, see stoneponyonline.com.
binoculars and head over to Reservoir Environmental for a CASUAL BIRDER WALK
Gatherings
1. MONMOUTH ARTS
Red Bank-based nonprofit Monmouth Arts held its L’art du Cirque Gala last fall. The fundraiser honored organization supporters Joe Grushecky, Porkchop, Tim McLoone, Beth Robinson McLoone and Joe Barris, and featured guest entertainers.
2-3. FAMILY & CHILDREN’S SERVICE Family & Children’s Service in Long Branch held its FCS Leading Lights Gala at the Rumson Country Club. All attendees enjoyed the dinner and celebration, which honored Dena Walter Reger and Heather Stout of the Wall Girls Scout
4-5. MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF MONMOUTH
The Mental Health Association of Monmouth held its annual Gala by the Sea at the Berkeley Hotel in Asbury Park. In addition to food, music and, attendees honored supporters Ann Goldman, Teena Lomack and The Provident Bank Foundation.
6. MID-DEMS COMMUNITY OUTREACH COMMITTEE
The Mid-Dems Community Outreach Committee hosted An Evening of Hope—No Limits To Love event at The No Limits Café in Middletown. The group is comprised of volunteers who fundraise and generate awareness for non-profit organizations throughout the community.
7-8. MONMOUTH HABITAT
Land Rover Monmouth hosted the Monmouth Habitat’s 9th annual House That Rock Built. Attendees at the fundraiser and celebration built 18 walls, which will go into the home of a hardworking, deserving family in Wall.
Beacon Hill Country Club
The community celebrates the club’s 125th anniversary.
by
Photos
Tom Zapcic Photography
Beacon Hill Country Club in Atlantic Highlands hosted its 125th Gala, paying tribute to its storied past while recognizing its commitment to quality and innovation.
“My granddaughter, Renée Herbert, witnessed this heavenly glow of the aurora borealis above the Belmar Fishing Club, and took a picture on her phone. The iconic building was built in 1930 and has survived many storms since then, including Superstorm Sandy in 2012. In this rare light, it is truly magical.”
—Nancy
Califano, Belmar
Photo courtesy of Renée Herbert
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