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audio • video • automation • home theaters
319 Franklin Turnpike
Allendale, NJ
www.talkofthetownvideo.com
201-236-1006
INTRODUCTION
Dear Readers, Welcome to the premiere issue of Talk of the Town magazine. Although our title came to us easily, our tag line, “A Gentleman’s Guide,” did not. At first we were hesitant to use the term “Gentleman’s Guide” for its unsubtle and risqué connotations. However, the more we truly thought about it, the more we realized that there was not a more fitting title for what our magazine is all about. As gentlemen, we prefer the finer things in life. We are refined, classy and deliberate. We don’t act without a cause and we make damn sure that cause is worth the act. A gentleman demands quality and commands respect. There’s simply no better way to describe Talk of the Town , our Gentleman’s Guide. Flip through the pages, or take a quick glance at our table of contents, and you will notice that we cover a variety of topics, from the top 10 movies a man must have and the latest fashion trends to an auto section on the summer’s hottest cars and the perfect whisky for a warm day. We sat down with Vince Curatola of Sopranos fame to discuss his latest movie and prepared a group of products that you wish you had received for Father’s Day. It’s never too late to spoil yourself. Now that I’ve explained what we are about, let me explain who we are. Talk of the Town of Allendale, New Jersey, is a high-end electronics store that for more than two decades has been serving the affluent Bergen County audience by creating top-of-the-line home theaters. Talk of the Town prides itself on being the premier specialists in audio, video, automation and home theaters. From the initial brainstorming process to a completely finished home theater, Talk of the Town is with you the whole way. As a business that serves primarily a male audience, we realized that Bergen County lacked a magazine that catered to them. Much like our custom home theaters, we started with the idea of a magazine and have followed through to the end, giving you the magazine you now hold. We made sure the quality and attention to detail within these pages reflected the standard we hold ourselves to in our home theater construction. As the dog days of summer approach, we wish you a great summer. Stay cool (pun intended), enjoy your issue of Talk of the Town , and look for the next issue coming in November.
Director of Operations Bob Dodge
Publishers Sharon & Steven Goldstein
Executive Editor Nayda Rondon
Director of Marketing Sergio Rodrigues
Associate Publisher Brandon Goldstein
Contributing Editor Justin Davidson
Photography Bill Streicher
Design Director Evan Eagleson
Contributing Writers Lou Mulkern Michael Fremer
eighty6
Talk of the Town is published by The Magazine For advertising and information, call 201-265-2286. Copyright 2011. All materials are the property of Bergen County the Magazine, LLC. and may not be copied or reproduced without written consent from the publishers.
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SUMMER 2011
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CONTENTS
SUMMER 2011 10
El Supremo of Smokes
68
Feature Presentation
16
What to Watch For
76
18
Vinyl Spins Again for the MP3 Generation
McIntosh: Connecting to Your Music with Power and Emotion
24
The Top 10 Movies a Man’s Home Theater Collection Must Have
82
Johnnie Walker Green Label
86
All Tied Up
90
The Grill of It All
40 Man Central
94
Talk of the Town Picks: A Pleasing Puff
50
Meaty Matters
97
Take Your Top Off
58
Suited for Summer
34
Vince Curatola: Actor with a Cause
34
40 58
76
82
ON THE COVER Wayne: Navy cotton suit by Belvest and blue and white plaid shirt by Eton
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El Supremo of Smokes WRITTEN BY
When it comes to cigars, a
JUSTIN DAVIDSON
Cuban is the top prize
El Supremo of Smokes
YF
ou’ve probably puffed on a Cuban cigar before. Maybe when you were on a trip to Mexico or the Caribbean, or even to Canada. Perhaps you know a guy who can get you some. My dad used to have a friend who could get him Montecristo No. 4’s, and Bolivars for cheap. When he could no longer get in touch with his guy, the supply ran out. Now he just has the empty boxes. Nice collector’s items and loose change holders, but he’d still rather have them full with some enormous Corona Gigantes. Now imagine a country with no trade embargo. Imagine a world without having to pay $150 to $300 for a technically legal pre-embargo
Obama be the man to finally rise up and put an end to the embargo? He has shown he’s a man of deliberate and purposeful action when it comes to foreign policy. I don’t anticipate a special 11:30 p.m. press conference, but the optimist in me thinks that there’s a chance this may be a pivotal moment for cigar aficionados. As you all know, the trade embargo with Cuba that was fully enacted in 1962 has made the importation of cigars from Havana illegal. Habanos S.A, the Cuban-run monopoly that controls all distribution for over 30 brands, exports its specialties to our neighbors to the north and south, and to countries the world over, but unfortunately, we aren’t able to indulge in post-embargo tobacco.
Churchill was such a fan that a cigar size is even named after him. Every cigar that is 18 cm long, and 19-20 mm wide bears the Churchill distinction. And who can forget John F. Kennedy? According to cigar lore, about a month after the failed Bay of Pigs invasion, the president called in his press secretary, Pierre Salinger, and told him that he needed 1,000 Cuban cigars by the next day. According to Salinger, Kennedy was a big fan of the petit H. Upmann’s. So Salinger, a smoker himself, called up his stores and returned the next day to delight the president with the 1,200 cigars he had been able to find. Immediately afterwards, Kennedy pulled out from his Oval Office desk the decree that would ban all Cuban
For the best, you simply need Cuban tobacco. cigar at a luxury hotel. What if you didn’t have to go through networks of friends to finally get you a few smokes? Think about how easy it would be to drive to the local smoke shop and pick up a box of your favorite brand. Cohiba, Romeo y Julieta, Trinidad, H. Upmann— you name it. Tell the manager what you want, and he hands it to you, and you head off to enjoy one. We live in an era of Cuban Cigar Prohibition. Cubans are illegal to import, but if you stroll down the right avenue, you can find them. You’ll hear about a seizure every now and then, like when over 100,000 Cubans were seized at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport in December 2010, but it’s not the biggest problem our government has on its hands. An era of change is certainly upon us. Could President
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Dominicans are the best alternative. But soon this may all change. Revolutions seem to be all the rage now. Look at the Middle East: Yemen, Syria, Egypt and Libya to name a few. Viva la Revolucion! Funny, considering that’s how Castro came to power. Is Cuba really that high up on our list of concerns? Maybe 2011 is the year for one side to extend the figurative olive branch. Had Castro not given up the smoking habit in 1985, maybe he’d puff on one with President Obama. Obama, after all used to have a cigarette smoking habit. Like Castro, he gave it up to set an example for his country. Politics and cigars seem to go hand in hand. Ulysses S. Grant was an avid cigar smoker. People would send him cigars; legend has it that he received over 20,000. Winston
products, and inked it with his John Hancock. Former President Bill Clinton was a cigar guy, too, and like JFK, he wasn’t always the most faithful of spouses. If you recall the Lewinsky scandal, you might remember how the swingin’ saxophonist was involved in what we’ll call a somewhat raunchy incident involving a cigar tube. It’s gotten to a point where this whole embargo is quite silly. For two decades, the United Nations General Assembly has voted for the United States to lift the embargo. The vote, however, is non-binding, so it remains in place. In 2008, 185 members of the General Assembly voted to end the embargo, while only three, including the United States, opposed it. America was joined by Israel and Palau, a small Pacific island country.
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El Supremo of Smokes President Reagan’s former secretary of state, George Shultz, called the embargo ridiculous. “During the cold war it made sense because it was a Russian base. They used it for flying spying missions, and so on, but that’s over,” said Shultz in an interview with Charlie Rose. “And all we do by our sanctions is allow Castro, and now maybe his brother, to blame the problems of Cuba on us.” Brent Sowcroft, a former national security advisor under Gerald Ford and George H. W. Bush echoed his statements in another interview. “In foreign policy, the embargo makes no sense,” he noted. Jimmy Carter has gone on record condemning the embargo as well: “I think one serious mistake that my country continues to make is the trade embargo.” Yet the embargo continues, even despite the fact that it was started before President Obama was born. I have a hunch that maybe, just maybe, 2011 might be the year of the Cuban. It no longer makes sense, and quite frankly, it hasn’t for quite some time. Also, Fidel is an octogenarian. Who knows how much longer he has. His brother Raul, the current presidente, is no youngster himself. The latest extension of the embargo expires on September 14, 2011. I’d like to think our government is rather pragmatic. It’s time we call for an end to this madness. Justin Davidson, a graduate of New York University, is a freelance writer who covers lifestyle topics.
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PICKS
What To
WATCH For
All watches available at The Timepiece Collection, Ltd. in Englewood, NJ
Harry Winston 400/MMAC44ZC.K Project Z6 in zalium with an alarm function and day/night indicators Limited edition of 250 pieces
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SUMMER 2011
PICKS
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Ulysse Nardin 265-91LE-3 Ulysse Nardin Hammerhead Shark in titanium and 18kt gold Limited edition of 350 pieces
SUMMER 2011
17
VINYL SPINS AGAIN An oldie but goodie gets a new go-around WRITTEN BY
R
ock star and vinyl records devotee Eddy Vedder implored his fans to “Spin the Black Circle” on the first single from Pearl Jam’s 1994 album Vitalogy. New vinyl record sales that year totaled a meager 300,000 units, of which 35,000 were the now classic Pearl Jam album that eventually sold almost 5 million CD copies. Vinyl was as dead in 1994 as Nirvana’s Kurt Kobain, a vinyl fanatic who committed suicide that year. But
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a funny and wondrous thing happened between then and 2011: vinyl records made an unlikely, some would say miraculous comeback— not that they ever went away for millions of music lovers.
Vinyl Vital Again Did you know that turntable sales are currently soaring? If so, you probably found out from a most unlikely source: your kids. While clueless adults ask “Do they still make records?” kids are buying them and
MICHAEL FREMER
discovering the pleasures of “spinning the black circle.” They’re not just playing your old Led Zep albums, either. Today, most “indie” rock bands—from Montreal’s The Arcade Fire to Glen Rock, New Jersey’s Titus Andronicus—release their albums on vinyl. And it’s not just the “indie” crowd.There’s vinyl from mainstream artists like 21-year-old Taylor Swift, Lady Ga-Ga, Justin Bieber and Michael Bublé. Some groups no longer bother with CDs; it’s vinyl and download only.
According to Nielsen, while CD sales crash and burn, vinyl record sales are expected to grow by 25% in 2011. True, the projected total of 3.6 million units represents at best 2% of total physical media sales, but the fact that sales of any physical medium are on the upswing is nothing short of miraculous, particularly one based on old technology that’s bulky, fragile and relatively expensive. And as anyone heavily invested in vinyl will tell you, Nielsen sees but a small sliver of the vinyl universe.
Back in the Mainstream Even if you have been unaware of the vinyl resurgence, your subconscious has been flooded with images of vinyl records and turntables in print advertising, on television and in the movies. They are featured in commercials, on sitcoms, in this year’s Saturday Night Live opening and on popular dramatic series like House. Vinyl records and turntables are everywhere, sometimes hidden in plain sight by vinyl fans among young writers, directors, set designers and other off-camera talents. Late-night TV show host Jimmy Fallon recently asked Keith Richards what format he preferred. “LP? CD? 8-track? Cassette?” Fallon asked. “Vinyl,” the Rolling Stone guitarist replied. The young audience burst into applause. Would they have had he said “CD?” Not likely. What’s going on here? Just as MP3s spread virally in the mid-’90s among the “CD generation” of college students who first had access to high-speed broadband Internet, the vinyl and turntable culture is spreading virally today among members of the “MP3 generation.” No corporate push needed and none offered, though over the past few years major labels like Warner Brothers, EMI, Sony/BMG and UMG have quietly reentered the vinyl market.
Appeal to New Fans When a young music fan raised on coarsesounding MP3s first hears a turntable, it’s like seeing HDTV for the first time. It’s a sonic revelation. But more than being an ear opener, it’s an eye opener. Kids fed the line that MP3s are “good enough” understand that they’ve been lied to. When they hear vinyl, they feel the music in ways no MP3s can communicate. They rebel. They buy a turntable. Talk to these young vinyl fans and you hear a variety of reasons for their conversion. They like the sound. They appreciate
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the packaging and the artwork. The return to a 12”x12” pallet has re-energized the album art scene. New vinyl comes in double and sometimes triplegatefold packaging with inserts and posters. More importantly, in an increasingly singles oriented music scene, young vinyl buyers feel a connection to the artist no digital download can provide, though new vinyl usually includes a free digital download coupon so buyers can conveniently load the music onto their iPod. A young generation is discovering that buying a record is like receiving a personal invitation from the artist to crack open the jacket, enjoy the artwork and listen to 12 or so carefully sequenced songs, six to a side.
Old is New Again For members of the boomer generation, that’s nothing new. It’s something old that many no longer wish to bother with. But for the current young generation, it’s a novel pleasure to be savored. Older vinyl fans who never gave up on the format can probably tell you where they bought every record in their collection, who they were dating, and what they were doing at the time (even if they’d rather forget some of it!). Many Boomers who discarded their record collections in favor of CDs now regret doing so when they realize they’ve lost the connection to their favorite music and miss both the sound and the tactile experience. Many of them are also getting into vinyl. Again.
Finding Vinyl Gold You can find these record collectors, young and old, at swap meets, garage sales, record conventions and at Goodwill and Salvation Army stores everywhere— sometimes fighting over the same old record.
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VINYL SPINS AGAIN
But where are the new records you’ve never seen and didn’t even know were being made? And who’s still making turntables and where can you buy them? While there once were thousands of record stores, today they number in the hundreds. However, they are hanging on and some are thriving. There’s even an annual “Record Store Day” that’s become a major event worldwide. Most new vinyl buying today takes place online. Do a Web search and you might be surprised by what you find and how easy it is to buy new vinyl on sites like amazon.com, though record fans lucky enough to have a store nearby tend to be supportive. In Bergen County and vicinity only a handful of record stores are left that sell new vinyl, including Westwood’s Music Merchant and Flipside II in Pompton Lakes. Best Buy, including its Paramus store, recently began stocking new records and turntables. Others, like Garfield’s Platter World and Fairlawn’s Ez 2 Collect, specialize in used and collectible vinyl. Do a Web search on “turntables” or “phono cartridges” and you might be shocked by what you find: hundreds of new turntables priced from $149. Some include a USB port so you can export vinyl to your computer. There are exotic, high-performance ones costing anywhere from a few thousand to more than $100,000. Cliffwood, New Jersey, is home to VPI Industries, man-
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ufacturer of one of the world’s most popular lines of audiophile turntables and record cleaning machines. You can buy phono cartridges (commonly referred to as “needles”) for anywhere from $20 to $15,000. Why would anyone spend that kind of money to play vinyl? As Nicholas Cage famously said in the opening scene to the film The Rock, “Vinyl sounds better!” Yes, vinyl really is back. While some predicted it would be a short-lived fad, the numbers and trends lines make clear that while it will probably never again be mainstream, like gourmet food in the face of competition from McDonald’s, it will survive because it’s better and people will always pay more for better. As Taylor Swift told Entertainment Weekly: “The vinyl is really important to me because I’m so in love with the concept of an album—a collection of memories from your life that you’re giving to people. It’s a piece of you. Buying them on vinyl is just taking that one step further and acknowledging that albums are important.”
Michael Fremer is senior contributing editor of Stereophile magazine and owns the music review website www.musicangle.com. He’s also produced two turntable and vinyl related DVDs.
“Sounds better”?
When was the last time you saw where a manufacturer actually mentioned how their audio video receiver sounded, let alone boasted about it? They may talk about the latest surround mode, or the most recent HDMI and the features of it that they support, they may even talk about how easy it is to integrate, but talk about sound quality? Perhaps they feel sound quality isn’t as important anymore. Integra feels that sound is critical to a good home theater, for music and movies alike. While still at the forefront of these technological advancements, Integra believes nothing can effect the impact of a movie experience the way that the quality of the audio can. Of the many passions that Integra is inspired by, sound quality is at the very heart of them all. This is why Integra uses oversized power supplies, fully discrete output devices, the very latest and best processing chips from the likes of Burr Brown. Integra doesn’t stop at great construction when it comes to the pursuit of the best sound. Every Integra multichannel receiver is now THX certified to bring the sound to the home theater, just the way the director intended it. Every Integra multichannel receiver features the ability to decode all the latest HD audio formats - most can even present the audio with a three dimensional stage. Experience Integra and hear what the others have forgotten, and what you have been missing.
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THE TOP
10
A Man’s
Home Theater Collection
MOVIES Must Have
WRITTEN BY
BRANDON GOLDSTEIN
A
fter beginning with a list of more than 200 movies, ToTT staffers tirelessly narrowed the list down to the ten best movies that men not only love, but also are great for the centerpiece of their homes—the home theater. It was never easy, but after several grueling hours of debate, here are the ten movies that no man’s home theater should be without.
The Godfather This classic 1972 American crime film set the standard for American cinematography through its characters’ complexity, mood, and great blend of action and suspense. Francis Ford Coppola directed Marlon Brando and Al Pacino. Need we say more?
“Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.” —Peter Clemenza in The Godfather
Pulp Fiction Many critics consider this dark-humored flick one of the best movies of the ’90s. Quentin Tarantino pays homage to pop culture and great cinema while seamlessly intertwining three stories into one epic againstthe-grain film.
Rocky The American dream story, boxer Rocky Balboa goes from rags to riches to get a shot at the World Heavyweight Title. If Stallone doesn’t inspire you, the fact that this film was made for under $1 million and grossed over $220 million will.
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The Departed In 2006, an all-star cast set about creating cinema dominance under the direction of Martin Scorcese. This crime-based thriller, set in Boston, is the perfect combination of leap-out-of-your-seat action and intense drama. Oh, and it may also hold the record for the most F words. “When I was your age they would say we can become cops, or criminals. Today, what I’m saying to you is this: when you’re facing a loaded gun, what’s the difference?” —Frank Costello in The Departed
The Dark Knight Possibly the most anticipated movie release ever, this movie showcases Heath Ledger’s incredible final performance as the Joker. This two-and-ahalf hour film hooks you right from the start and there is never a dull moment. The incredible cinematography and brilliant effects make for perfect viewing on home theater systems.
Ocean’s Eleven A 2001 remake of a Rat Pack favorite, this was one of the only action/comedy hybrids that really allow you to show off a great home theater. Clooney and Pitt pull off the heist of a lifetime. It didn’t hurt that the editor’s family simply loves this film.
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back I need not justify this one. If you haven’t seen it, I sympathize. If you don’t own it, what are you waiting for? If you’ve never heard of it, put down this magazine and shamefully walk away.
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Die Hard Lots of exhilarating action. Lots of Bruce Willis. You’ll feel even more of a man after watching this flick, and your friends will see the awesomeness of your home theater. Hans Gruber might try to ruin Christmas, but he makes your home theater experience even better.
No Country For Old Men A dark yet riveting story set on the Rio Grande that will have you at the edge of your very comfy home seating. Javier Bardem (yeah, before this we didn’t know him, either), Josh Brolin and Tommy Lee Jones give amazing performances with direction by the Coen Brothers. Llewelyn Moss: If I don’t come back, tell mother I love her. Carla Jean Moss: Your mother’s dead, Llewelyn. Llewelyn Moss: Well then I’ll tell her myself.
Goodfellas Maybe it’s a Jersey thing, but we at ToTT have a thing for gangster movies. Goodfellas is no exception, as Scorcese brings Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta and Joe Pesci together for one of the great cinematic masterpieces of all time. “By the time I grew up, there was $30 billion a year in cargo moving through Idlewild Airport and believe me, we tried to steal every bit of it.” —Henry Hill in Goodfellas
Honorable Mention continued on pg. 30
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THE TOP
10
A Man’s
Home Theater Collection
MOVIES Must Have
Honorable Mention
Citizen Kane Star Wars Episodes IV, VI Fight Club The Matrix Saving Private Ryan Old School Gladiator Gangs of New York Animal House Blazing Saddles Jaws Caddyshack The Blues Brothers The French Connection Godfather, II The Shining
Brandon Goldstein, a recent graduate of New York University, writes frequently on lifestyle topics.
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PTOYOTA
Vince
Curatola
Actor with a Cause WRITTEN BY
JUSTIN DAVIDSON
He may often play a bad guy, but in his real-life role he shows a big heart for family, friends, fellow actors and his community.
A
s a ten-year-old kid living in Englewood, Vince Curatola, or Johnny “Sack” Sacramoni in The Sopranos, delivered papers for The Bergen Record. Along his route were the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughan, Tony Bennett, Lesley Gore and Wilson Pickett. “They were on my route, and I said to myself, ‘Gee, it would be great to be a performer, or be in the arts in some way, shape or form,’” said Curatola, now 57. It took him some time, but he finally got there. He was 39 when he took his first acting class, and the family man will be the first person to tell you that he couldn’t have done it without his wife. More than 20 years ago, his wife, Maureen, told him that as a birthday present to her he should sign up for an acting class with Michael Moriarty, an award-winning actor who appeared in four seasons of Law and Order, and also Clint Eastwood’s Pale Rider.
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AwithQuick Thought Vince Curatola LIFE IS tremendous SUNDAY MORNINGS good to be home doing nothing ON RAINY DAYS time to think I CAN’T REMEMBER (chuckles)That’s a good one. That’s wild…I can’t remember ever being disappointed.
I STILL REMEMBER being four years old. It was great. THE FIRST TIME I saw my wife, Maureen, my life got better I NEVER THOUGHT I would make a living as an actor ENGLEWOOD WAS a great place a long time ago MY FAVORITE movie is Frankenstein WHEN I WAS YOUNG I didn’t appreciate being young. I feel young now.
THE COLOR GREEN never in a car! (laughs) MY FIRST JOB I wanted to rule the world MY FIRST WORD Ma NEW JERSEY much maligned FAMILY the best AMERICA God bless it always WHEN I FALL I get right back up WHEN IT SNOWS I love it ACTING a gift from God IN THE EVENT OF the end of the world, I’d still be happy HAPPINESS the people under my roof
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Despite his childhood ambitions, Curatola was reluctant to sign up. His masonry contracting business was doing well. “I didn’t want to take a pay cut,” said Curatola. “I didn’t know if I was going to make any real money in the acting world.” Curatola was quiet for the first few weeks in the class, but gradually he opened up. After he landed his first role in Law and Order in 1990 with the help of his mentor Moriarty, there was no looking back. In addition to The Sopranos and Law and Order, Curatola has appeared in several other shows including Third Watch and Monk. In 1995, he wrote and starred in Dearly Beloved, a short comedy set in Brooklyn that also featured Tony Sirico and Michael Badalucco. The Upper Saddle River resident is now working on Cogan’s Trade, a film adaptation of George V. Higgins’ 1974 novel directed by Andrew Dominik, the director of The Assassination of Jesse James. Brad Pitt, Ray Liotta, Sam Shepard and James Gandolfini also star in the film. In Cogan’s Trade, scheduled for a 2,500 screen release in March 2012, Curatola plays John Amato, a skittish, dangerous criminal who is just getting out of prison. “I play a guy who went to prison due to his own stupidity, and when I come out, I want one last big job,” Curatola explained. “I want to take down a very big card game. Trouble is it’s run by people I never ever should’ve messed with.” Much of the filming took place in New Orleans, and Curatola says that working on this project with such a talented ensemble has been a great experience. The chemistry is there, and he added that he and Gandolfini, a close friend off-camera, often finish each other’s sentences. Every actor on set is totally committed to making this project something special. “When you go to work on anything like this, you immediately get into the groove of working, and so anything other than that kind of just floats away, and you all work to that one goal to make it as believable as possible,” said Curatola. To get into his own groove, Curatola recalls a time of great personal grief and anger. He says past directors have noticed that he
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A DECADE AGO
we celebrated the opening
of a world-class research facility. Today, inside the David Joseph Jurist Research Center for Tomorrows Children, our scientists are actively engaged in the greatest advances in the history of medicine. These innovative discoveries and medical breakthroughs are made possible through the generous support of the Tomorrows Children’s Fund. An organization that has been a major contributor to HUMC for more than 20 years. Together, we are creating better tomorrows.
HUMC IS THE TOP RECIPIENT OF NIH FUNDS IN NJ FOR INDEPENDENT HOSPITALS.
Hackensack University Medical Center Proudly serving the community since 1888.
www.humc.com
can immediately turn on a switch as soon as they call “action.” His demeanor shifts to that of a man who can commit brutal, unsympathetic acts—a role he has had to play before. Curatola puts himself back at his mother’s funeral when he was only 14. She was 39. “The anger builds up instantly. I feel as if I could plunder the entire planet, and I use it,” said Curatola. “Not every time does my character need to be that way, but it’s always in the back of my mind. In a moment’s notice, if my eyes have to fill up with fire, it’s right there for me to tap into.” Another technique he uses is assigning each major role a type of animal. Johnny Sack, Curatola says, was a boa constrictor, but for Tony Amato in Cogan’s Trade, Curatola picked a different beast: a wild boar. “He’s coming at you, but he’s afraid of you at the same time,” said Curatola. But at the end of the day, Curatola is a charitable and humble man who cares deeply about his family. The protective gene he carries within him is reflected in his act-
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ing. He used to teach acting to aspiring thespians in New York, and says it taught him a lot about his own work. “I’m not saying that I’m Laurence Olivier, but whatever I was able to impart to acting students, I felt privileged to be able to do it,” said Curatola of his days teaching at Michael Imperioli’s small theater. As a member of the Foundation Board at Hackensack University Medical Center, Curatola has helped raised funds to keep the institution running strong. “We’re doing an extremely good job at that, and I’m very happy to be a part of it.” From the big screen to his charitable endeavors, Curatola has come a long way from being a paperboy in Englewood. He may be a late bloomer in the acting world, but he is making the most of it, so be sure to catch this Bergen County star in Cogan’s Trade come March. Justin Davidson, a graduate of New York University, is a freelance writer who covers lifestyle topics.
MANCENTRAL GIFT GUIDE
Father’s Day gifts not what you were hoping for? Don’t sweat it. It’s never too late to spoil yourself. Here are some hot new products that your family should have gotten you, so get them now. And feel free to invite us over to enjoy them with you; we’re a fun group.
The Official Major League Baseball Opus The Official Major League Baseball Marquee Edition is a sure collector’s item with a limited print run of 1,000 copies worldwide. This rare publication includes never-before-seen photos and images straight from the MLB archives. The commentaries are specially commissioned by some of sports most recognized writers such as Steve Wulf, Roger Kahn, Robert Cramer and Jayson Stark. This edition tells the chronological narrative of the sport with interludes exploring baseball themes such as Spring Training, Record Streaks, Ballparks, The All Star Game, Pennant Races and World Series Games, as well as profiles of Hall of Fame Legends and current stars. Each of the 30 Major League teams is featured with details of their highlights, players and unique moments that have shaped their historical development. Available at MLBopus.com.
Henge Outdoor Ping Pong Tables Ping Pong is as enjoyable outdoors as it is inside, yet most tables do not stand up well to the weather. Enter the Henge Table Tennis table. Made of three pieces of sculpted concrete and a stainless steel net, these tables conform to International Table Tennis specifications. Ping Pong outdoors can now be fun and stylish. Available at Hengetables.com.
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IK037 PASCACK AD3_Layout 1 12/2/10 10:53 AM Page 1
Local People Local Decisions
Pascack Community Bank 21 Jefferson Avenue, Westwood
Pascack Community Bank 25 Main Street, Hackensack
Pascack Community Bank 210 Broadway, Hillsdale
Bank of Hackensack Division of Pascack Community Bank 9 Polifly Road, Hackensack
Bank of Nutley Division of Pascack Community Bank 356 Franklin Avenue, Nutley
Bank of Rochelle Park Division of Pascack Community Bank 1 East Passaic Street, Rochelle Park
Expect the Exceptional right in your neighborhood! Consumer Banking Services Include:
• No Totally FREEService Personal Checking Monthly Charge • Personal FREE Online Banking & Bill Pay Checking OnlineMortgages Banking &&Bill Pay • FREE Residential Residential Mortgages & Personal Loans Loans • Personal FREE Coin Redemption FREE Coin Redemption
Business Banking Services Include:
• No FREE Business Checking Monthly Service Charge • Business Remote Deposit Capture Checking Deposit Capture • Remote Commercial Mortgages • Commercial Mortgages Loans & Commercial Loans & Lines of Credit Lines of Credit
201-722-4722 | www.pascackbank.com PASCACK COMMUNITY BANK MEMBER FDIC
OPENING 2011 OPENING SOON:FALL WALDWICK, NJ 64 CRESCENT AVENUE, WALDWICK, NJ
GIFT GUIDE
MANCENTRAL
Bhut Peppers—Warning: Very Spicy Can your Dad’s taste buds survive the crazy heat of chili peppers? TheBhut Jolokia—also known as Ghost Pepper—offers up the world’s hottest chili pepper in a variety of forms, including whole dried peppers, powder, crushed dried peppers and even spicy watermelon candy. So kick up your recipes and barbeques this summer with minimal effort. Available at www.bhut-pepper.com.
Bakon Vodka Could we really have a men’s magazine without something bacon flavored? From Sunday Bloody Mary’s to a clubhouse cocktail before hitting the links and post-5 BLT martinis, the award-winning Bakon Vodka mixes up a variety of unique drinks for any occasion and is the newest addition to the well-stocked bar. Pushing the boundaries of fruit-flavored infusions (this ain’t no cherry-vodka!), carnivorous cocktails have become a hot commodity for cocktail connoisseurs and casual drinkers alike.
Durand Cork Screw The Durand is a device that is amazingly effective in removing older and more fragile wine bottle corks whole and undamaged. It has been repeatedly tested on some of the most challenging corks in older wines and ports with unparalleled success. The Durand has been praised by members of the most prestigious wine organizations, by wine retailers, by sommeliers and by wine industry professionals. It is the tool of choice for opening your treasured, older wines and ports. Available at www.thedurand.com.
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Z’s Barber Shop A Place Where Guys Can Be Guys
Z’s is a full service barber shop that offers: Haircuts
Hot Towel Shave
Hair Coloring
Complimentary Hot Towel Available Now Booking Appointments Walk-ins Welcome
Come “Z” for Yourself
Gift Certificates Available The Perfect Gift Idea For the Man In Your Life Men’s Styling Products Available
201-857-4500 245 Godwin Avenue Midland Park, NJ 07432 Handicap Accessible
GIFT GUIDE
MANCENTRAL
Sharp 3D Projector XV-Z17000 This 3D SharpVision® 1080p high definition DLP® front projector represents an outstanding value in home theater. Utilizing a Texas Instruments DLP® chip, 1920 x 1080 technology form and Sharp’s advanced proprietary technologies, the XV-Z17000 boasts an outstanding 40,000:1 contrast ratio and a 1600 ANSI lumens high brightness rating, delivering one of the best pictures available in consumer home theater projectors today.
Denon 100th Anniversary Turntable (DP-A100) If you’re a serious LP lover, here’s a turntable that will really make the most of your treasure trove of new and vintage vinyl. The DP-A100 is part of a family of components commemorating Denon’s 100th year in the business of sound—and the company’s serious commitment to the faithful reproduction of music. This gorgeous, hand-crafted table not only sports elegant good looks, but it also features a sophisticated design that reveals the rich tonal qualities and complex musical textures hidden in the grooves of your favorite records. Denon even includes a specially tuned anniversary edition of one of its finest moving coil phono cartridges to ensure audiophile sound quality. Vinyl has returned!
Tour Striker Training Clubs The Tour Striker and new Tour Striker Pro training clubs have been created not to care about your swing style or shape. The distinctive designs have little clubface below the “sweet spot” like a traditional club. The clubs have been designed so you intuitively teach yourself how to deliver the “sweet spot” of the club to the ball like an expert ball striker. Just by hitting balls with the Tour Striker, you will learn to deliver the golf club to impact with a descending motion, naturally apply forward shaft lean during impact and learn how to get the sweet spot of the Tour Striker below the center of gravity of the ball, all of which will increase lag and retain energy, helping you hit the golf ball longer and more solidly, just like the Tour players. Available at Golf Galaxy.
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GIFT GUIDE
MANCENTRAL The Audio Core 200 Perfect for bringing together all your audio sources, the Audio Core 200 offers outstanding preamplifier quality, coupled with powerful Meridian Resolution Enhancement technologies such as an Apodising filter and upsampling for the very best sound quality. A stereo width control optimizes the stereo stage, freeing the sound from the loudspeakers, making it even bigger and more natural. The Audio Core 200 connects easily to almost any audio source, and there’s a Meridian SpeakerLink input for single-wire connection to a Meridian Sooloos Digital Media System. Fully compatible with Meridian’s i80 Dock for iPod®, the Audio Core 200 lets you play your iPod/iPhone® via Meridian DSP Loudspeakers while it charges. Compatible with the DSP3200 Digital Active Loudspeaker, the Audio Core 200 gives direct access to powerful DSP features that enable you to get the best sound in any environment.
Kenneth Cole Reaction Connected Connected is inspired by the bold and energetic attitude of the modern man, always on the go, yet connected to his world via technology. The packaging is cool, youthful and modern, and the caribiner is perfect for the guy on the go. Available at Macy’s.
Caribiana 23 These 23-foot hand-crafted skiffs are perfect for a day out at sea. The building process begins after a detailed interview to create the ideal boat for your needs. They are then constructed using the finest materials, and feature leather seating, custom mill work on the helm station, stainless steel hardware, a signature hand-made rug that accents the removable teak floors, and premium audio and GPS systems. Each of these boats, which will be limited to three per year, will be personally delivered, and will include a rare bottle of The Balvanie 14-year-old Caribbean cask with Stueben toasting glasses. These are truly beautiful boats. Available at Caribiana.com.
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We Now Offer Alterations and Tailoring for Men, Women and Children Introducing for the new Spring Season Hugo Boss
Featuring the Finest Formal, Business, Casual Menswear, Shoes and Boys Apparel
We offer Personal Service, Specialized In Made To Measure, Tailoring on Premises
Store Frii10-8 10-8 Sat Sat10 10--66 •• 26 26East EastPalisa Palisade AvenueEngl Englewood 201.894.1424 StoreHours Hours Mon Mo n --Wed We d 10-7 10-7Thu Thu --Fr de Avenue ewood •• 201 .894.1424 Email: verouomo@verizon.net www.verouomo.com Email: verouomo@verizon.net www.verouomo.com
GIFT GUIDE
MANCENTRAL SunBrite Outdoor TV Gallery Turn your backyard into a destination for entertainment with an Outdoor TV from SunBrite. Made from weather-resistant materials able to withstand rain, heat, cold and wind, the selection of all-weather outdoor televisions allows you to grill, swim or just relax outdoors while watching your favorite movies or shows. SunBrite Outdoor TVs are available in a variety of sizes to complement any outdoor setting.
Bowers & Wilkins P5 Headphones Get closer to your favorite music wherever you are with P5, the noise-isolating headphones from the makers of the Zeppelin™ iPodŽ speaker. Drawing on 45 years of Bowers & Wilkins hi-fi innovation and expertise, P5 brings you remarkably natural and highly detailed sound on the move, and a luxuriously comfortable fit that makes longer listening sessions a pleasure. Think of it as your own personal concert to go. Available at Talk of the Town.
Synergy Home Brewing System Tired of having to sort through thousands of different beers to find the flavor that fits your palette perfectly? Made of stainless steel, the Synergy Home Brewing System lets you concoct your brew using all the ingredients you want, the exact way you want it. It might take a little time to learn the system, but once you do, the final result will be one you can brag about to all your friends. Available at Synergybrew.com.
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Meet the people of Bogota Savings Bank.
Joseph Coccaro President & CEO
Diane Scriveri Executive V.P. Chief Lending Officer
Mike Catania Loan Representative
Whatever your deposit or borrowing needs are, we’ll go the distance with you. Established in 1893, our strong, stable and unwavering commitment to the community has enabled individuals and businesses to achieve their goals. How can we help you? • Work directly with senior level bankers. • Decisions are made locally... and quickly. • A full range of customized products and services at our branches in Bogota and Teaneck or online.
Small enough to know you, strong enough to serve you well!
Open 7 days a week! Bogota - Teaneck 201-862-0660 www.BogotaSavingsBank.com
MEATY
Matters No matter how you slice it, these butchers are a cut above the rest. WRITTEN BY
JUSTIN DAVIDSON
MEATY
Matters
H
earken back to the days when grandma would prepare a roasted leg of lamb for the Easter feast, or perhaps when Bubbeh fixed the traditional beef brisket for Shabbos dinner. It seems like the best-tasting prime cuts are always consumed in the home, in the company of your family. The home cook may put the love and care into the dish, but some of the magic also comes from one source: the butcher. A rare breed in today’s fast-paced world, a true butcher is an expert craftsman with a reputation to uphold. His livelihood—and good name—depends on the quality of meat he puts on the block. In many cases, these men have been perfecting this craft for decades. I was fortunate enough to speak to four such men. They’re all old school to say the least, but in this modern world, I’d trust them to deliver me the best quality cuts for an ordinary meal, or for a special occasion.
Andrew Ilnicki and Jerzy Kossakowski East Village Meat Market New York, NY
U
pon stepping into this ethnic Ukrainian shop, your nostrils are immediately filled with the delicious smells of traditional kielbasa, as well as pork, beef and lamb cuts. Beautifully marbled steaks are on display. Taking it all in, my salivary glands went into overdrive. Andrew, the former apprentice, and Jerzy (pronounced George), the master, don aprons, and sport white paper hats. The job takes expertise, and this duo certainly has acquired that over the years. Jerzy, now 65, was enrolled in an intensive five-year butchering program in Bialystock, one of the largest cities in Poland, which Andrew calls the “Old Country.” Jerzy spent time in the processing plant, and learned how to take apart every kind of meat. Andrew spoke on behalf of Jerzy: “The week was divided into six days,” Andrew told me as Jerzy nodded in agreement. “Three days he spent learning and three days was practice—going into the factory and learning.” Sunday was the only day off. There was Sunday Mass, and a feast to follow.
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East Village Meat Market opened in 1970, and has remained a mainstay, even as the neighborhood has changed drastically. Today, business is still decent, but the staff finds itself having to work harder than ever. “It was an ethnic neighborhood, Polish Ukrainian,” said Andrew. “There were not as many restaurants as you see today. There were a couple bars, a couple restaurants, and everybody cooked at home. So people used to come here and buy the meat. It was a very busy store.” Andrew started working there in 1980. Back then he only would handle the register. It was not until 1986 that Jerzy started to teach him the ways of butchering. “I had to make sure everything was nice and clean up front,” Andrew recalled. “I would sweep the floor, and then I started slicing the cold cuts. Then I worked in the kitchen, and then I came here.” Andrew paid his dues, and now at age 47, he handles prime meats with the care and expertise of his master. Together, both men take great pride and satisfaction in offering their customers the best of meats for memorable meals.
VISIT US WWW.SHOPRITE.COM
MEATY
Matters Robert Gutowsky Director of Meat Operations Inserra Supermarkets
With a large supermarket, the price of the cut is lower, but the stakes (no pun intended), are higher for the company, due to the sheer volume of meat that they handle. Robert Gutowsky, 59, has been in the meat industry for more than four decades. As director of Meat Operations for Inserra Supermarkets, the company that owns 22 ShopRite stores in New Jersey and New York, Gutowsky will travel to six or seven stores on any given day to check in on his over 220 employees in the meat department. Everyone—the cutters, the wrappers—must answer to Gutowsky. He says he loves the people he works with. It’s a family environment, and that’s what’s most important when it comes to preparing meat. And Gutowsky oversees a lot of it. In fact, on any given week, his stores will handle a total of around 1.5 million pounds of meat. Like the great basketball players who arrive before sunrise and stay after sunset to shoot hundreds of free throws on the court, great butchers must show the same drive. Gutowsky usually hits the first store around 7 am, and finishes at 6 pm or later. “I started in the grocery store just doing little things,” said Gutowsky, who first worked at a little butcher shop called Phil’s Market when he was only 13. “They started me out with deliveries and boning out, and then I went to the boning out side, waiting on cus-
tomers and boning out neck bones and things like that.” Gradually, Gutowsky carved a future for himself. He went to school, and served as an apprentice butcher as part of a state work program with Acme Markets. Soon after, he worked as a meat manager, moving on to become a meat supervisor and also working in wholesale. In 1994, the company he was with was acquired by Inserra Supermarkets, which has an excellent tradition in meat (lamb and veal in particular), going back to the days of Patsy’s Supermarket, which started the franchise. He has been with them ever since, and his drive is a reflection of a rich history. Gutowsky, who joined the Inserra Supermarkets team, dove right in to face the new challenges of working in a faster paced and evolving cooking environment. “When we started out years ago, I actually went to the farm, and we had to kill the animal, slaughter it, skin it, and then come back in a couple days and cut it up,” explained Gutowsky, who noted that in today’s world, people often don’t know how to get the right angles on their cuts, a true art form that takes the precision and expertise of a highly skilled, and deeply passionate individual. It’s a talent, and unfortunately the skill may be diminishing in modern butchers. But you’re safe with Gutowsky. He’s keeping the strong butchering tradition alive, one ShopRite shipment at a time.
Kevin Morgan united meat market new milford, NJ Like the previous three men, Kevin Morgan, owner of United Meat Market, has devoted his life to the perfection of meat preparation. From his butcher shop, Morgan, a 66-year-old meat veteran, can prepare every imaginable cut. He is particularly renowned for his signature cut, Richard’s Jersey Broil, which you won’t find anywhere else.
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Richard’s Jersey Broil, which comes from the top sirloin and has become one of the store’s top sellers, may not have come into existence had it not been for one fussy eater. Morgan took home this particular cut of top sirloin for his friend’s picky son. For some reason, this cut satisfied his tastes, so the father asked what it was.
MEATY
Matters “I said there’s no name,” recounted Morgan. “I said ‘I tell you what, your son’s name is Richard; we’ll call it Richard’s Jersey Broil,’ and it stuck.” Not every man gets to name his own prime cut. Like the previous great butchers, Morgan first had to learn the basics and hone a warrior-like affinity with his blade. He was only 10 years old when he started boning out shins at his father’s market store. The meat from the shins was grizzly, and mostly used for grinding. “This way I was able to learn how to handle a knife without ruining any meat and that’s how they got me started,” said Morgan of his early beginnings. For many years, Morgan worked with his father at their store, Morgan’s Meat Market, located at 55 Vesey Street, right across from the World Trade Center. By 1989, however, Morgan bought United Meat Market and since then, he has worked there in New Milford. Morgan too has noticed that today’s world moves much faster. Wives and husbands don’t have time to prepare meat the way they used to. The extra work now falls on the experienced hands of Morgan and his crew. For instance, Morgan makes it a point to know where all of his meat comes from. The prime cuts come from Nebraska, and chuck comes from a place in New Jersey that gets its product from Maryland. Unlike most butchers, Morgan bones out most of his beef and chicken. “When the meat comes in, it’s just as it is when it’s killed. It’s skinned and it’s split,” said Morgan. “The four quarter has the bone and everything in it, so we have to bone out the neck and shoulder. We take all the bones out and then we separate it into different cuts.” Morgan has complete control over his craft, and with almost 50 years of expertise, it’s clear he’s doing something right. His marinated flank steaks and marinated blade steaks are popular sellers. He grinds his own chicken and sausage. Just as important as his meat mastery are his people skills. He has a good rapport with his two co-workers, and, of course, his customers. “We laugh with the customers,” said Morgan. “It’s just interesting—all the different people that come in.” Justin Davidson, a graduate of New York University, is a freelance writer who covers lifestyle topics.
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The best care, from our family to yours. We could tell you about our award-winning centers, our state-of-the-art programs and our 9 convenient locations throughout Bergen and Passaic counties. But at CareOne, we know what really matters:
compassionate people delivering the best care. Featuring:
Short-Stay Rehabilitation
Memory Care
Long-Term Care
Respite Care
Assisted Living
Hospice Care
To find a location near you, call toll-free 877-99-CARE1 • visit www.care-one.com
318780
Suited for Summer Location: Glenmere Mansion, Chester, NY Makeup: Cori Colonna Leontaris Hair: Eric Alt, Eric Alt Salon, Saddle River and Wood Ridge
Stylist: Kristen Lohman Male Models: Neil, Wayne Photographer: Bill Streicher All men’s clothing is available at Vero Uomo, Englewood.
Wayne: Navy and white striped shirt with yellow, aqua and teal by Eton and jeans by Alberto. Neil: Navy and white striped T-shirt by Lacoste and white linen pants by Vigano.
Neil: Orange T-shirt by Lacoste Live and white linen pants by Vigano.
Wayne: Hot pink shirt by Eton and jeans by Alberto.
Neil: Cream sport jacket by
Pal Zileri, plaid linen shirt by Truzzi and khaki cotton slacks by Vigano.
Wayne: Lavender and white check shirt by Pal Zileri, lavender sweater by Pal Zileri and white jeans by Joe’s.
Neil: Raspberry polo by Lacoste
and jeans by Alberto.
Neil: Cement suit by Pal Zileri, blue and white striped shirt by Eton and green and white striped tie.
Wayne: Blue and white plaid shirt
by Eton and soft blue suit pants by Angello Nardelli.
Wayne: Soft blue suit by Angello Nardelli, pink striped shirt by Eton, and blue and white tie.
Neil: Camel suit by Pal Zileri, bone
dress shirt by Eton and orange polka-dot tie by Vero Uomo. Woman’s wear provided by The Engle Shop.
Feature
PRESENTATION
Truly showcase pieces, Talk of the Town’s custom creations are stellar home theater designs.
T
alk of the Town of Allendale, New Jersey, has created some of the most technologically advanced and beautiful home theaters in the Bergen County area. They work closely with their clients to create exactly what they want, from the size of the TV to the most minutely detailed custom trims. The job is not done until the client is completely satisfied. Here are just a few of the many examples of beautiful craftsmanship that Talk of the Town will provide for you in your home.
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Time to Get Inspired Take a backyard tour and stimulate the senses in our new website galleries. You’ll find loads of ideas and a variety of styles that are sure to spark your imagination! Create a private oasis for your friends and family to enjoy! Call us today to schedule a free consultation.
787 Chestnut Ridge Road Chestnut Ridge, NY 10977 888.670.0961 www.bbpoolandspa.com
Feature
PRESENTATION
Designed to comfortably entertain eight adults, this home theater did not use the typical stadium-seating layout. Instead, this dedicated home theater has a semi-circular chair layout fixed around the screen and features custom-built cabinetry and window treatments, including a bar. Straying from the typical theater design, the room evokes a comfortable yet casual atmosphere for watching all of your favorite films.
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Feature
PRESENTATION
Built in the client’s basement, this room had to be multi-purpose, yet still provide all the technology and pleasing movie-watching features Talk of the Town is known for. Quite the “man cave,” this five-seat home theater area features custom cabinetry around a wet bar, as well as fixtures throughout the room to help display the client’s sports memorabilia. The room is perfect for viewing an epic thriller or just watching a game with the boys.
SUMMER 2011
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Feature
PRESENTATION
Using an already existing living room, Talk of the Town created a space that still kept the function of the living room and flow of the client’s house intact while adding a premium entertainment system. At the client’s request, all AV equipment was concealed from view by air-cooled, custom-built cabinetry and in-ceiling speakers that provided a fully encompassing audio experience. Hanging out in the living room has never sounded so good!
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G. Fried Carpet & Design has Again Raised the Bar on Style & Service
Outstanding Home Theater Designs and Custom Stair & Hallway runners are our forte. Every design we make is produced to perfection in our own fabrication shop. We are the Quality Company that you so deserve.
201-967-1250 495 Route 17 • Paramus, NJ 07652 Hours Daily 9am to 9pm • Saturday 9am to 5pm
Visit us on the web @ gfriedcarpet.net Lic# 13VH04763800
Feature
PRESENTATION
Want a little more magic in the bedroom? This plain master bedroom was transformed into an electronic paradise with the installation of a complete surround sound system, which included in-wall speakers and remote controlled lighting, not to mention a TV with custom molding made to complement the remote controlled fireplace perfectly. Motorized shades make your bedroom viewing experience a bit more‌ private.
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Modern Art. Advanced Engineering. Classe’s Delta Series is a select group of ultra high performance audio/video components, sculpted in stunning curved aluminum, and built to last a lifetime. The CT Series from Classé is unique among high-end electronics. From the adjustable rack rails and separate faceplate to the revolutionary amplifier cooling system, it was conceived for the equipment rack. Experience award-winning sound from Classé at Talk of the Town.
Left: Delta Series Components Right: CT Series: CT-SSP
319 Franklin Turnpike • Allendale, NJ • 201-236-1006
Exceptional performance. No exceptions. Rotel’s 15 series components represent the culmination of 50 years of commitment to the art and science of electronics design. They have wrapped cutting edge technologies in stunning brushed metal cabinets, which are available in either silver or black to complement any setting.
Visit Talk of the Town to experience Rotel’s 15 Series.
319 Franklin Turnpike | Allendale, NJ | 201-236-1006
McIntosh
Connecting to Your Music with Power and Emotion WRITTEN BY
For unparalleled sound and the ultimate in prestige audio, look—and listen—no further than McIntosh Laboratory. Ever since it debuted its first audio amplifier in 1949, renowned audio manufacturer McIntosh has offered discerning consumers the ultimate in performance, reliability and musical accuracy. All McIntosh products are handcrafted at the company’s factory in Binghamton, NY, with no mass production lines. Everyone who works for McIntosh is passionate about music and about great sound. For more than 60 years, McIntosh has created the kind of audio gear that connects listeners to their music with power and emotion. This is what the McIntosh experience is all about. With McIntosh you don’t just listen; you “live your music.” Not surprisingly, McIntosh has played a leading role in the music world since its inception. In the 1960s, for instance, concert organizers for Woodstock turned to McIntosh to create the sound system for the massive last-minute outdoor concert they were planning. McIntosh went on to help reinvent the entire concept of stadium rock by creating the renowned “Wall of Sound” for the Grateful Dead. Today, McIntosh has a devoted fol
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LOU MULKERN
With McIntosh you don’t just listen; you
“live your music.”
lowing consisting of the world’s top musicians, including names like LA Reid, Rob Thomas, Snoop Dogg, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, John Mayer and many others.
Looks As Good As It Sounds Even before you turn on a McIntosh amplifier or hear music resound from the towering speakers, the rich gloss finish and detailed handcraftsmanship will strike you. With features such as the hallmark McIntosh Blue Watt Meters that add both aesthetics and function, and the protective glass faceplates cut with genuine garnet dust, McIntosh products are built to last for decades, offering ultimate performance. In fact, it’s not uncommon for 50-year-old McIntosh equipment to sound just as good today as the day it was purchased. Satisfied customers the world over view their
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McIntosh products as “heirloomquality” investments worthy of passing down through generations.
For Upscale Lifestyles McIntosh is building on its legendary past by continuing to refine and develop the world’s very best home entertainment experiences. The company recently launched a new concept—McIntosh Collections—that makes it easier than ever before to bring no-holds-barred McIntosh entertainment into your home, with the exact McIntosh components, style, look and features you need. With the new lineup of “McIntosh Collections,” you can now choose exactly the kind of system you’re seeking for your home, whether you want a home theater system that looks and sounds better than most cinemas or a two-channel Reference System that
brings together the pinnacle of power and audio purity.
Something For Everyone The new McIntosh “SOHO” Collection is a no-compromise, 2-channel Hi-Fi collection that features a C50 2-channel preamplifier and MC452 Power Amp, as well as a special AM/FM/HD Tuner Module, power conditioner and 2 ultimate-quality XR200 loudspeakers. Notably, the SOHO Collection will appeal to the growing number of audio purists who appreciate the rich sound and signature experience of vinyl LPs. It also features McIntosh’s elegantly styled MT10 Turntable, which harkens back to the classic days of vinyl, adding a hint of modernity for unmatched high-fidelity excellence. With its classic McIntosh glass frontpanel cosmetics, no-compromise
The Estate at Florentine Gardens has been dedicated to providing a high level of quality service to our clients and guest for over twenty years. The perfect venue for Corporate parties, Charity events, Social gatherings, and of course that special Wedding day. The Estate at Florentine Gardens will make your event one to remember.
97 Rivervale Road, River Vale, NJ 07675 201.666.0444 www.florentinegardens.com info@florentinegardens.com
McIntosh
Connecting to Your Music with Power and Emotion
build materials and meticulous engineering, the MT10 is a unique, ready-to-play LP solution. And for added audio romance, the light green tinted platter glows while in use! For bonafide home theater lovers, there’s the “WESTCHESTER II,” a 7-channel home theater system with a leading-edge MVP881 McIntosh Blu-ray player, two power amplifiers and a full complement of loudspeakers, or the “WESTCHESTER III,” which adds four in-ceiling loudspeakers for total (and virtually invisible) surround sound. To help clients choose precisely the right Collection for their needs, McIntosh maintains an ultra-select group of authorized high-end dealers across the country, including Talk of the Town. Each dealer is capable of working with individual customers to tailor any system to
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their needs. Last fall, Talk of the Town hosted a special “Friends and Family” home entertainment and music celebration at its Allendale location, treating guests to a first-hand look at some of McIntosh’s legendary audio gear and the intense emotional impact made possible by true no-compromise music reproduction. As McIntosh continues to refine its classic audio heritage and product lineup, it is staying current and maintaining leadership in the digital age as well. The company recently debuted its new AP1 Audio Player iPhone/ iPad App, which gives iPhone and iPad users the opportunity to enjoy the iconic McIntosh experience anywhere and anytime. It offers virtually all features of the existing iPod App, while tailoring the portable playback/control experience for the
McIntosh style. When not used as a controller, the AP1 defaults to a McIntosh “Meter Display Mode,” providing a backdrop that features with the famous “McIntosh Blue” LED watt meter. The McIntosh experience is all about getting closer to the music and home entertainment you love. People who know and cherish McIntosh know there really is no substitute. For new product news and the latest on events, visit McIntosh’s new website at www.mcintoshlabs. com, follow McIntosh on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mcintoshlabs and Twitter at McIntoshLabsInc.
Lou Mulkern is an expert in the audio/video electronics industry.
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Over 3,000 lives saved in New Jersey... and counting. Since 2001 the doctors of New Jersey Center for Prostate Cancer & Urology have been saving lives with state-of-the-art robotic prostatectomy, a minimally invasive procedure which can result in less pain and a shorter hospital stay. These same doctors even pioneered a nerve sparing technique for preservation of continence and erectile function. With over 10 years of history and over 3,000 successful robotic prostatectomies (with a zero percent mortality rate) our practice is by far the most experienced in the area. More experience makes for better outcomes. Call today if prostate cancer has impacted your lives.
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Johnnie Walker GREEN LABEL WRITTEN BY
BRANDON GOLDSTEIN
There is no bad way to drink it, and a whole lot of ways to enjoy it.
J
ohnnie Walker master of whisky Stephen Wilson kicked off our interview in a novel way. He had poured a small sip’s worth of scotch into a rocks glass, asked me to put out my hand and poured that sip into my palm. He then had me rub my hands together until most of the whisky absorbed into my skin. His final command was to smell my hands. I reluctantly obliged only to be pleasantly shocked. One sniff and I felt transported outdoors as the scent of rich honey, cinnamon and fresh summer air filled my nostrils. After this unusual start, Stephen proceeded to give me a crash course in “Whisky 101,” describing the differences in whiskeys—American, Canadian, Irish and Scotch. Every one had unique elements, be it the cereals used, the casks, the distillation processes, the blending, etc. Our conversation then turned to the prestigious brand of Johnnie Walker. Johnnie Walker’s line consists of Red Label, Black Label, Gold Label and Blue Label. All are referred to as blended scotch whisky, meaning they are a mix of several single malt scotches from various regions, with dif-
ferent distillation processes creating different flavors, all blended together with a base of grain whisky. They are all fantastic scotches, and every JW whisky drinker has a favorite. However, you may have noted that this list left out one line: The Green Label. Strikingly different from the rest of the JW lineup, Green Label is what is referred to as blended malt scotch whisky. In the 1800s, when Johnnie Walker and son Alexander began creating their scotch, they mixed several single malts together without a base of grain whisky. This was before they ever started selling their creations. You weren’t allowed to blend grain whisky and malt whisky until 1860, and Walker’s Old Highland Whisky was introduced around 1867 as the first true JW product. It is now known as Black Label. JW’s brand moniker is “Keep Walking.” The company is always trying to outdo itself, creating new whiskeys with different and unique tastes. In the late 1990s JW’s master blender (JW is not a distiller, but a blender, blending many types of malts from across many Scotland distilleries) decided it was time to create something
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different than the rest of the line, and thought back to the old days when grain whisky was not mixed in with the single malts. The result: Green Label, a truly dynamic whisky that cements JW’s reputation solidly in place at the pinnacle of first class whisky production. I could say Green Label is “smooth,” but that would not do it justice. As a drinker, a former bartender and a man who often hears others talking about spirits as if they were true connoisseurs, I can tell you that “smooth” is a completely ambiguous term. It seems the term often refers to cost; the more expensive, the smoother. That was never how the word was meant to be used. One of the greatest assets whisky offers drinkers is its diversity of combined flavors within. Green Label is meticulously constructed using 15 different single malts from across Scotland, all aged individually at least 15 years. They are the blended exactly as the recipe commands, creating a flavor that is consistent in every single bottle, year after year. In front of me were three glasses: one was Green Label straight, one on the rocks and one with a bit of water. According to Stephen, there is no wrong way to drink whisky as each drinker’s individual palette reacts differently to the whisky’s combinations of flavors. His only advice: “Take a second to enjoy it; it did take 15 years to make.” Starting with the glass of straight Green Label, I made sure to savor the flavor of my first sip. It was smoky, with a mix of vanilla and honey. A punch of spice seemed a bit overwhelming at first, but settled nicely in harmony with the other flavors. I next tried the Green Label on the rocks. It was my favorite, as the slow melt of the cubes opened the whisky up a bit more, adding pleasing hints of apple and berry
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flavors. Stephen noted that this also was his own favorite way to enjoy whisky, because you begin drinking your glass with one flavor and end up with an entirely new taste sensation. Along with many of my peers, I was under the misconception that adding water to your scotch dulls the flavor. However, Stephen explained that just as with the rocks, adding water to the scotch creates a new dimension of enjoyment. Each element that is added to the whisky does not necessarily kill its intended flavor, but rather brings out various flavors that could not be tasted by drinking whisky in its other forms. My Green Label was not a watered down version of what it once was, but almost a completely new flavor in itself. That peppery distaste I had earlier was gone, and in its place was a richer sense of the honey and vanilla that had not come out as boldly during the other ways I had sampled the Green Label. Johnnie Walker Green Label is about exploring new flavors and discovering how your taste preferences align with the ingredients that comprise the whisky. Continue to try new whiskeys, in different ways, and figure out what flavors are best for you. Whisky is not the easiest spirit to acquire a taste for, but once you have, you realize the quality, craftsmanship and pride that go into each bottle of Johnnie Walker Green Label. Put the bad behind you and drink to good times. Look forward. Keep walking.
Brandon Goldstein, a recent graduate of New York University, writes frequently on lifestyle topics.
Wines & Spirits
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The GRILL
of It All! What’s summer without some finger lickin’ ’cue food? To heat things up, the three guys—Dana
Reed, Marc Mangano and Dan Krystiniak—of the competitive barbecuing team Three Men and a Baby Back serve up a couple of their recipes.
Three Men and a Baby Back Honey Garlic Buffalo Wing Recipe Hickory Smoked Chicken 2 tbsp kosher salt 2 tbsp dark brown sugar 2 tbsp chili powder 1 tbsp poultry seasoning 1 tbsp celery salt 1 tbsp garlic powder 1 tbsp cumin 2 lbs chicken wings, tips cut off and separated (drumettes and wingettes) Hickory wood chips for smoking (soaked in water) Canola or peanut oil for deep-frying
Honey Garlic Buffalo Sauce 2 tbsp butter 10 garlic cloves, chopped 1 c Franks Hot Sauce ½ c honey 2 tbsp lemon juice ½ c whole butter (room temp) ¼ c honey (for finishing)
For the Chicken In a small bowl, mix together salt, brown sugar, chili powder, poultry seasoning, celery salt, garlic powder and cumin. Pour spice mixture over the chicken wings and rub with your hands to get each wing evenly coated with spice rub. Set your grill or smoker at 250 degrees. If using a grill, lay the chicken on grill grate opposite side of the heat source. Add the wood chips close enough to the fire so that they smolder and do not flame up. If using a smoker, follow your normal smoking procedure. Smoke the chicken wings for about 1 ½ hours.
For the Sauce In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and sauté the garlic until lightly browned. Add the hot sauce, ½ cup of honey and lemon juice. Let simmer for 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
To Finish the Wings Heat a deep fryer to 375 degrees. Add the smoked chicken wings and fry for about 5-10 minutes, just until the skin is crispy. (Remember, the chicken is mostly cooked from the smoking process.) Transfer wings to a bowl and add the honey buffalo sauce, the remaining ½ cup of room temperature butter and ¼ cup of the honey. Mix and serve.
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Three Men and a Baby Back’s Famous Rib Recipe Rub 3/4 c paprika 1/4 c freshly ground pepper 1/4 c smoked kosher salt 1/4 c brown sugar 2 tbsp chili powder 2 tbsp onion powder 2 tbsp mustard powder 2 tbsp cumin, grounded
Ribs 4 t tbsp white grape juice Agave syrup 1/4 c brown sugar Dry rub the rack of ribs. Place on the smoker or grill with indirect heat. Add 1 piece cherry and 1 piece hickory wood for the smoke. Try to maintain temperature of about 250 degrees. Cook for two hours bone side down. Cook for an additional one hour with meat side down. Remove from the grill and wrap in foil meat side down with agave syrup or honey, brown sugar and white grape juice. Place back on grill until the meat is gently pulling from the bone. Finish the ribs with your favorite BBQ sauce, such as Blues Hog or Sweet Baby Ray’s.
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A Pleasing Puff All cigars available at JR Cigar in Paramus, NJ
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TURNKEY SOLUTIONS
System Design and Sales • Theater/Media Room Design Custom Millwork and Cabinetry • System Installation Structured Wiring Services (audio, video, control, speaker, phone, network) On-Site Service and Support Contracts • Audio and Video Calibration Services Multi-room Distributed Audio/Video • New Home and Retrofit Services Custom Automation Programming (Crestron, Elan, Vantage Controls, Universal Remote) Designing Your Digital Lifestyle
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TAKE YOUR
TOP OFF
ToTT’s guide to a great summer car.
Aston Martin DB9 Volante Engine: V-12 Horsepower: 449 Weight: 4150 lb 0-60: 4.9 sec Top Speed: 165 mph Design: Performance: Staff Rating:
Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI Engine: V-10 Horsepower: 525 Weight: 3791 lb 0-60: 3.9 sec Top Speed: 195 mph Design: a Performance: a Staff Rating: a
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98
Jaguar XKR
Ferrari California
Engine: V-10 Horsepower: 510 Weight: 4817 lb 0-60: 4,6 sec Top Speed: 155 mph (limited) Design: a Performance: a Staff Rating: a
Engine: V-8 Horsepower: 453 Weight: 3594 lb 0-60: 3.9 sec Top Speed: 193 mph Design: a Performance: a Staff Rating: a
Mercedes SL65 AMG Black Series
Bentley Continental GTC Speed
Engine: V-12 Horsepower: 670 Weight: 4000 lb 0-60: 3.8 sec Top Speed: 198 mph Design: a Performance: a Staff Rating: a
Engine: W-12 Horsepower: 600 Weight: 5660 lb 0-60: 4.5 sec Top Speed: 195 mph Design: a Performance: a Staff Rating: a
SUMMER 2011
Engineered for the finest moments
PM1 There are times when only music matters. When you want to forget the world and simply lose yourself in sound. The PM1 was designed for these moments. Its carbon-braced tweeter, Kevlar bass/midrange driver and Matrix™ braced cabinet combine to make everything else seem insignificant. It might just be the most refined small speaker we’ve ever built. Listen and you’ll see.
Audition the newest member of the Bowers & Wilkins family at Talk of the Town.
319 Franklin Turnpike | Allendale, NJ | 201-236-1006 | www.talkofthetownvideo.com
in white
, MD ANGEL MULKAY tal Cardiologist spi Ho me Na Holy
STEPHEN ANGELI, MD Holy Name Hospital Cardiologist
Know the signs of a heart attack Chest discomfort—Pain commonly occurs in the center of the chest and lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back. It can feel like an uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. Discomfort in other areas of the upper body—Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach. Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort. Other signs—Breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness may also be signs of a heart attack. Gender matters—As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.
Healing begins here. • www.holyname.org • 718 Teaneck Road • Teaneck, NJ 07666
Our cardiologists understand heart disease and the importance of finding it early. They’re using technology that’s ahead of the curve— including cardiac PET/CT stress testing and CT angiography that can capture detailed images of your heart in just five seconds. And if a blockage is diagnosed, they can remove it at a moment’s notice in our state-of-the-art catheterization lab. When your heart is at risk, trust the team who can heal it.
To make an appointment with a Holy Name Hospital cardiologist, call 1-877-HOLY-NAME (1-877-465-9626).
Know the signs of a stroke Act F.A.S.T. Face—Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop? Arms—Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? Speech—Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Are the words slurred? Can he/she repeat the sentence correctly? Time—If the person shows any of these symptoms, time is important. Call 911 or get to the hospital fast. Brain cells are dying.