Suburban Essex

All-On-4 TEETH IN A DAY

The All-On-4 technique uses state-of-the-art technology to replace all of your upper or lower teeth in just one day. Our dentists use in office CT scans and custom guides to achieve optimal results. Using 4 or more precisely placed dental implants with a specially designed non-removable bridge you get the function, stability and cosmetic solution you deserve, all in one day. And with minimal recovery time required. To learn more about All-on-4, please call our office to schedule your complimentary consultation or visit our website www.DGDental.com

Essex County Divorce and Family Law Attorneys

The attorneys at Cipriano Law Offices, P.C. have decades of experience working to craft solutions that make sense for you and your family. No two families are the same therefore no two solutions should be. Ms. Cipriano is a qualified family law mediator, trained in collaborative law, and she is a parenting coordinator. She also holds a Master’s in Business Administration which affords her a unique insight into the handling of divorces for business owners and corporate executives. We understand the unique difficulties faced in high net worth divorces. Our attorneys have a vast amount of litigation experience; they know when to negotiate and when to press on with litigation.

We are here for all your family law needs including: pre-nuptials, adoptions, custody and parenting time issues, alimony and child support modifications, domestic violence issues and involvement with DCPP. The firm also represents client on a wide array of Municipal court charges. Visit our website for more information.

“Suddenly I felt nauseous. My head started pounding and it felt like my skull was splitting in half. This started in college. I remember sitting in class and not knowing what was happening to me. The fluorescent lights only made it worse, and I began to feel dizzy before eventually my vision gave out completely. The stereotypical college rites of passage like loud music and strobe lights at concerts would often trigger a splitting headache that would often progress into a debilitating migraine and last for days!”

Almost forty now, I have dealt with migraines an average of twice a week for two decades. It makes having a ‘normal’ life hard. It is almost guaranteed that one will rear its ugly head 2 days before my period and will not let up for several days. My migraines often make it impossible to work, to care for my young daughters… I’m afraid of driving or going to concerts and movies with my husband because there’s always a risk of being in excruciating pain. I’m scared to live my life!” This often-to-common story was shared with us by Sarah T., a Caldwell resident who has chronic migraines. She frequently suffers temporary blindness or other visual distortions as a result of these migraines and her sensitivity to light renders her incapable of leaving her bedroom. They have left her afraid to drive, or even leave her home several days out of each week.

For many, the warning symptoms of constipation, mood changes (from depression to euphoria), food cravings, neck stiffness, increased urination, fluid retention and frequent yawning will appear 2 days before the onset of the migraine. Then your hands or side of the face will begin to go numb, or flashes of light will appear in front of the eyes.” shares Dr. Aleksandra Mihajlovic, DTCM of Sasha Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine. “The numbness spreads into the face and then the blind spots start appearing before the throbbing pain starts. Some people will even have difficulty speaking.” Typically, chronic migraines and their debilitating symptoms interfere with a person’s ability to live their life. Like so many other migraine sufferers, Sarah was now often reliant on her husband to drive her around or take care of their daughters while she lays in a darkened bedroom, often vomiting and praying that this episode will finish a little bit sooner than usual.

MIGRAINES

Sarah’s quest to find help over the years has brought her first to her family doctor, then gynecologist, neurologist, endocrinologist and a few other specialists. She has tried many different medications and therapies, each would bring a temporary relief that would last for some time, but then it would stop working and Sarah would be back to square one. Finally one day, a friend suggested she visits Dr Aleksandra, as she too used to suffer from migraines for years. Migraines were the catalyst that propelled her to study medicine so she has a very special bond with her migraine patients.

“A large number of our patients, mostly women, come to us suffering from chronic migraines just like Sarah. They’re in pain frequently and they just can’t live their lives the way they used to. Many of them have suffered for years and have exhausted every possible option. Despite this, we typically see huge improvements after 3-4 months of treatment. I feel like I have the opportunity to give these people their lives back.”

“I didn’t know anything about acupuncture when I first came in. I felt like I had tried everything else, and acupuncture was a total shot in the dark for me. When Dr. Aleksandra told me she could actually make my migraines almost disappear, I was totally skeptical, but she was right. After four months my migraines were down to only 1 or 2 a month instead of multiple times a week and they were much less intense. It’s difficult to describe how much better I feel, it’s like I’m finally in control of my life again.”

Sasha Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine specializes in acupuncture and it’s a core component of their programs for treating migraines. Their treatments aren’t limited to just acupuncture though, they also include traditional Chinese herbal formulas and a modern medical technology like ATP Bioresonance Therapy, a technology developed by NASA to speed up recovery. No two patients are exactly the same and no two treatment programs are exactly the same. By skillfully layering a multitude of therapies, Dr. Aleksandra is able to make a magnificent difference in her patients’ lives.

Cynthia Burns Sue Baldini Deborah Engel Barry Farber Janis Hashe Christine Maxwell Jessica Morrow Jackie Schatell Deborah Shapiro

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Amy Schwartz Donna Stanul

REGIONAL SALES DIRECTORS Daniel Epstein SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER Bart Gorin Christian Shepard CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Mitchell Black Heidi Dommasch Robert Leo Murray Robert “Red” Murray GUARDIAN ANGELS

By Jackie Schatell

Tap Dancing Around the World

Hillary-Marie, co-owner of Grooves Unlimited Dance Studio in Livingston, which focuses on Tap and Hip hop only, is a touring Tap Dancer who has been dancing since the age of 5. She gets invited to tap dance all over the world and has danced in places like Guatemala, Columbia, Honduras, Paris, Sweden, Germany, Madrid and Taiwan, to name a few. Next, she will be dancing in Boston, where she will be teaching a few classes, and then in the UK, where she will be performing in a few concerts. She says Tap is a percussive dance form that is musical and physical. She also says that tap is an oral tradition that is passed down and that she learned it from her mentor, is teaching it to her students, and hopes that one day they pass it down to someone else.

North Caldwell Resident Bikes for Stroke and Aphasia Awareness

Emily Talkow of North Caldwell had an unusual summer. She biked from Oregon to Massachusetts, sometimes riding for 50 to 100 miles in a day. She did this to raise awareness for Strokes and Aphasia. She was originally going to ride with her grandfather, a stroke survivor, who has done rides like this three times, but unfortunately, he could not make the trip. Instead, she rode with an “inspirational group” of two stroke survivors, one person with a traumatic brain injury, a care partner for one of the riders, and another intern like herself. They held over 15 awareness raising events and camped at night. She says the trip had a profound effect on her and that she hopes to continue to bring awareness to Strokes and Aphasia.

Former Deli Owners Share ‘Stories and Recipes’

Jeanne and Robert Johannsen, of North Caldwell, who owned the Watchung  Deli in Montclair for 36 years, which opened in 1927, have written a book called Watchung Delicatessen – Stories and Recipes, which is sold exclusively at the Watchung Bookstore in Montclair. Aside from sharing some of their popular recipes, the book also offers a glimpse into their lives and their parents’ lives as deli owners. After selling the deli a few years ago, it closed soon afterward. The pair say they felt sad that their recipes were no longer being enjoyed by the public. This gave them the idea to write the book as a labor of love to their former customers. Robert says that people were always asking for recipes when the deli was open, but that he couldn’t share them. He says now is the perfect time to pass them on to fans of the deli.

If you or someone you know in Essex/Morris County are doing something interesting, send an email to Jackie.subessex@gmail.com

A Love of Trains

John Levai of Montclair has a love of riding and photographing trains. He writes about them as well. One particular article about oldfashioned NJT electric railcars will be appearing in the magazine, Passenger Train Journal. He says he loves the colors, sounds, speed, and rhythm of trains. He also says, “Riding a train is like getting some personal freedom. I don’t have to drive. I can look at the beautiful and wonderful scenery.” His favorite train is the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, which runs from San Luis Obispo to San Diego, two cities in California on the majestic Pacific Ocean.

“Choosing Yourself”

LPodcastisa Taitt Stevenson of West Orange hosts a podcast called, #ichooseme,” which is about “choosing yourself.” She explains that women are always busy doing things for other people and don’t often take the time to do things for themselves. She adds that when her daughters were younger and “choosing their boyfriends first” she would say, “while you are choosing your boyfriend and he’s choosing himself, who is choosing you?” She has guests on to discuss what choosing themselves looks like, and how to say you “won’t do something, instead of saying you can’t do something, so as to put up boundaries and set limits.” She says habits are hard to break and the podcast helps her to remember she has permission to choose herself. Aside from this podcast, she also hosts one called, Let’s Talk Relationship Not Religion, and has written nine books.

Job Haines Home Celebrates 125 Years

The staff, board of trustees, residents’ family members, medical professionals, local businesspeople and community dignitaries, and other guests came together recently to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Job Haines Home at Nanina’s in the Park in Belleville. The gala included a retrospective of the organization’s history of providing superior assisted living, long-term nursing care, respite care and subacute rehabilitation services. The celebration also included dinner and an evening of live music. Several honorees received awards in recognition of their years of service to Job Haines Home and its residents, and the organization received a resolution from the New Jersey General Assembly. President/ Executive Director Noreen E. Haveron (far left in photo), Marketing Director Reineen Dohman (2nd from left), Administrator David Repoli (far right), and board Chair John Redmond (not shown) spoke. Also pictured (left-right): Arthur Onofre, Jean Dacres, Michelle Capistrano, Suthipan Haustein, Matilda Larios, Evelyne Lemy, Donna McAllister, and Jisah Romero.

Job Haines Home 250 Bloomfield Avenue, Bloomfield | 973-743-0792 | www.job-haines.org

WILLING HEARTS Consignment Shop Supports the Community

By Jackie Schatell

Did you know that the Willing Hearts Consignment Shop, located at 491 Bloomfield Ave., in Caldwell, is fully staffed by 45 volunteers, and that all the profits—about $50,000 a year— are donated through the Rotary of the Caldwells to local charities and service organizations? Most recently, Willing Hearts efforts helped support Rotary’s donation of $12,500 for scholarships at West Essex High School, James Caldwell High School, and Essex Valley School; the donation of an automatic CPR machine to the West Essex First Aid Squad; funding support to the North Caldwell and West Caldwell Fire Departments; and a $10,000 donation to Ethan and the Bean, a non-profit coffee shop that supports people with special needs. All in all, Willing Hearts has donated $1.6M over 25 years.

“Willing Hearts is a tremendous volunteerbased operation with a goal of serving the community. In addition, Willing Hearts has really helped the Rotary, which contributes about $100,000 per year to local projects and charitable organizations, to amplify its donation efforts,” says Brian Barbera, of West Caldwell, who manages club services for the Rotary of the Caldwells.

Open for 25 years, Willing Hearts’ consignors, who come from all over NJ, consign home goods, jewelry, handbags, and women’s clothing. Consignors receive a 60/40 split. The shop holds many fundraising and needs-based drives including Project Prom Dress, where dresses are collected and donated to underprivileged students in NJ. In addition, 100% of the inventory that doesn’t sell is donated on a weekly basis to homeless shelters.

In honor of being open for 25 years, this fall, Willing Hearts held a formal dinner at the Hanover Manor to honor its volunteers for their unwavering contributions to the shop. The night was also a time for volunteers and Rotary Members to reflect on Willing Heart’s humble beginnings as the late Pat Kieran, dedicated volunteer and founder of Willing

Hearts, was remembered. At the dinner, Rotary honored Willing Heart volunteers both past and present by donating a fast response vehicle to the West Essex First Aid Squad in the name of Willing Hearts. Rotary also honored the contributions of George Bales, who dedicated his time to maintaining Willing Hearts website, social media, and promotional material.

Brian says, “During Covid, Willing Hearts shut down for nine months. However, it is now hitting record-breaking revenue records. “This is a testament to the hard work of the volunteers,” he adds.

The public is invited to shop at Willing Hearts, which is always looking for more volunteers to join their ranks. Tuesday to Saturday, from 10am to 5pm, and until 8pm on Tuesdays.

If you know someone that goes above and beyond, send an email to jackie.subessex@gmail.com

Left to right: Susan Mcintosh, Willing Hearts Manager; Brian Barbera, Willing Hearts Volunteer & Rotarian; Susan Skalsky, Willing Hearts Manager

Youths and Hearing Center Help Hearing Impaired Man Gain His Hearing

By Jackie Schatell

Four Basking Ridge high school seniors: Andrew Gu, Ethan Mathas, Aryan Nagesh (formerly of Basking Ridge, and now residing in Michigan), and Nicholas Rose, run a non-profit club called the Fund for the Aid of Hearing and Vision Impairments (FAVHI) fahvi.org. Recently, they held a few fundraisers and raised and donated $5,000 to Livingstonbased Hearing Doctors of New Jersey. The money will go toward helping a man named Johnny Thomas of Newark, who cannot afford hearing aids, finally regain his hearing. Hearing Doctors of New Jersey, which is run by Founder and Doctor of Audiology, Dr. Rhee Nesson, will donate the remaining costs associated with treating Johnny’s hearing loss for four years.

The boys started the non-profit after bonding over shared experiences with hearing loss. Andrew’s grandfather, whom he was close to, had hearing impairments which made it hard for the two to communicate. Andrew says his impetus for starting the club “has been to help other people with hearing loss so they can communicate with friends and loved ones.” Ari says his relationship with his grandfather was also strained because of his grandfather’s hearing loss. Nicholas has spent time volunteering with children with hearing impairments.

Through the club, the members research and talk about technology and raise awareness for hearing loss. While doing some research, they were introduced to Dr. Danielle Noll from the University Hospital in Newark, who put them in touch with Johnny. They also connected with Dr. Rhee Nesson, who liked what they were doing and decided to help them with their endeavor.

To raise the money, the club organized community fundraisers and bake sales, throughout the school year, and most recently held a 5k in their community. They also provided music lessons to children. The boys also have plans to hold more fundraisers and possibly do a fundraising concert in the future. They are also expanding the club to other areas including Somerset County, Bergen County and Oakland County in Michigan, where other schools will get involved.

“I am so proud of these young men who know the importance of hearing better and I have enjoyed partnering with them,” says Dr. Rhee Nesson. “Hearing loss can affect people in many ways and having the proper hearing aids can make a world of difference in being able to stay connected to friends and family.”

After making the donation, the boys were “excited to speak with Johnny on the phone and tell him the good news.” He in turn was “thrilled to hear from them and was very thankful.”

Ari says, “I feel really motivated to have met Dr. Rhee and see how the money we raised can change a person’s life.”

Nick says he feels “great to be able to help Johnny” and that he “looks forward to helping other people in a similar way.”

If you know someone that goes above and beyond, send an email to jackie.subessex@gmail.com

Left to right: Ethan Mathias, Nicholas Rose, Aryan Nagesh, Andrew Gu, Dr. Rhee Nesson, and Rebecca Smith, with the $5,000 check that was donated to Dr. Rhee Nesson of Livingston-based Hearing Doctors of New Jersey

The Art of CHARCUTERIE

Butler and the Board is a one-of-akind specialty food shop focused on charcuterie—the art of making sausages, pates and terrines. In addition to charcuterie and creating charcuterie boards, the shop offers high-quality prepared foods, such as bone broth, soups, pickles and preserves. Each week, the shop features a French-inspired Wednesday Night Dinner with modern takes on classics such as Chicken Coq Au Vin Blanc, Ratatouille Pie, and French Onion Beef Tartine. Vegetarian-friendly items include Squash and Miso Pate and Gigante Beans with Pickled Shallot. Follow on Instagram for weekend hot sandwiches and other seasonal specials.

Butler and

the Board

103 Forest St., Montclair www.butlerandtheboard.com

Coming to the Parkside Social

With kitschy holiday décor, professionally developed cocktails and the nostalgic energy of the best office holiday party you’ve ever been to, Miracle on Bloomfield is sure to get even the grouchiest grinch in the holiday spirit. The holly jolly programming events include Black Friday Brunch on November 24 and an Ugly Sweater Party on December 3. There will be Sleigh Ride Bus Tours to all the Skopos Miracle Restaurants (in Verona, Nutley, Wood-Ridge, and Harrison) on December 3 and 10 as well as Brunch with Santa on December 10.

The mastermind behind recipe creation for Miracle, Joann Spiegel, has created an array of cheery and delicious holiday cocktails to the Miracle menu. Each Miracle cocktail boasts cheerful holiday flavors while presented in unique mugs and signature glassware.

For the 2022 holiday season, Miracle is proud to partner with Seva Foundation, a global nonprofit eye care organization that works with local communities around the world to develop self-sustaining programs that preserve and restore sight. The bespoke Miracle mugs and glassware will be available for purchase exclusively at The Parkside Social during the duration of the pop-up, making it the gift that keeps on giving—Miracle will donate 10% of all proceeds from the retail sales of mugs to the Seva Foundation.

Miracle on Bloomfield November 21-January 1

The Parkside Social, 706 Bloomfield Ave, Verona 609-248-4596 | www.theparksidesocial.com

Montclair History Center’s Holiday Season

All Events take place at The Montclair History Center | 108 Orange Road, Montclair | 973-744-1796 | www.montclairhistory.org

Candlelight Tours

Afun evening that begins with period libations in the historic hearth kitchen and continues with a tour of the Crane House & Historic YWCA. See the period holiday decorations artfully designed by the Garden Club of Montclair, as Executive Director Angelica Diggs and Collections Manager Erin Benz lead special candlelight tours that tell the history of our holiday’s past from the 1700s to the 20th century. This is a smaller, more intimate tour of the house, so make your reservations early to get your spot! Recommended for visitors ages 10 and up due to Santa Spoilers!

Thursday, December 8 &15, 6:30pm $20/person. Reservation required.

Sugarplums & St. Nick: Children’s Holiday Tours

On this family tour, guests will learn how children celebrated the holidays in days gone by while enjoying the holiday decorations artfully designed by the Garden Club of Montclair. Join Education Manager Susanne Costa, and Museum Coordinator Natalie Fontana-Rivera as they go through the rooms on the first floor of the Crane House and Historic YWCA sharing stories about how Christmas has changed over the years.

Friday, December 9 & 16, hourly 4-6pm. $10/person. Reservation required.

Holiday Lights Spectacular at Turtle Back Zoo

Take a nighttime winter stroll through the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo this holiday season under the sparkling lights of more than 50 winter scenes and animal characters. Celebrate the season of giving by donating non-perishable food items, new toys, and gently used coats.

Essex County Turtle Back Zoo

560 Northfield Avenue, West Orange Free admission (donation recommended) 973-731-5800 www.turtlebackzoo.com

Meet & Greet with Santa

Add a visit with Santa to your holiday list! Meet & Greet is free and personal photos are allowed. Option to purchase professional photos on site. No appointments necessary.

December 9-11 & December 16-23, nightly, 5-8:30pm Location: Zoo Gazebo

Sea Lion Spectacular

Enjoy a Sea Lion feeding demonstration from the Sea Lion team.

Saturday & Sunday, December 10-11 Saturday & Sunday, December 17-18 Saturday, December 31 5:30-7pm Location: Sea Lion Sound

Ice Sculpting Demonstrations

PRINCESS Holiday Weekend

Meet a Princess! Sing-a-long with popular princess characters. A mix of holiday songs (and princess songs) are sure to lift your holiday spirit!

Friday-Sunday, December 9-11 6 & 7:30pm Location: Zoo Main Entrance

Limited Nights—Fridays in December. Watch a block of ice transform into an ice sculpture before your eyes. Take place during the Holiday Lights Spectacular event.

Fridays, December 9-30 | Starts at 6pm | Location: TBD

sub_essex_quarter.pdf 1 11/15/22 12:24 PM

Gift Giving Simplified…

WHERE:

West Orange Arts Council

Presents “Small Works Members Show”

An Event Showcasing Big Talent on a Small Scale

This exhibit features the work of 26 artists: Judyann Affronti, Kim Alexander-Cook, Rey Arvelo, Balkrishna E., Josie Barreiro, Booey McBooerson, Lois Condon, Kate Dowd, Maria Estrela, Gail Gardella, Stanley Gavidia, Gear 1 BYB, Elizabeth L. Glynn, Susan Greenwald, Marlene L. Hendrian, Kathleen Heron, Carol T. Jenkins, Patricia Mallory-Miah, Alex Martinez, Barbara Motley, Herbie Pabst, Sylvia Padilla, Cassandra Saint-Jean, Linda Schulman, Lakshmi Shankarreddy, and Amaya Toland.

Many of the West Orange Arts Council members and artists have been contributing their time and talent at the gallery so residents can enjoy the benefits that an artful life provides. Most of the work in the Small Works show is for sale, which provides great options for one-of-a-kind gifts for the holidays. There are also unique creations by over twenty local artisans in our fully stocked Gift Shoppe.

“It’s always an honor to present this show of local talent from our community,” said Patricia Mitrano, chair of the West Orange Arts Council.

The West Orange Arts Council’s mission is to cultivate, inspire, and support the arts in West Orange. Area artists and community leaders remain the core of this allvolunteer organization.

West Orange Arts Center Gallery and Gift Shoppe Saturdays, 11am–4pm and by appointment through January 7, 2023

551 Valley Road, West Orange www.woarts.org

Recyck (Pronunciation: ‘Re-Psych’) is a repair app that makes it easier to get repairs for your fashion products at your doorstep. If you have any repairs for your clothing, shoes, jackets, bags, jewelry— All you need to do is go to our app and place a repair order. Recyck will pick it up at your doorstep, get it repaired and drop it back at your doorstep. Recyck is the Instacart for Fashion Repairs!

Livingston Symphony Orchestra: Holiday Surprises

Maestro Anthony LaGruth and the Livingston Symphony Orchestra present a concert of “Holiday Surprises” featuring Tchaikovsky’s Selections from the Nutcracker, Elgar’s Enigma Variations and other seasonal chestnuts. Elgar’s Enigma Variations is the great English masterpiece of the 19th Century. Based on an original theme, the composer crafted musical portraits of his closest friends by creating variations on his theme. Can you guess who is who?

For many people around the world, it is just not the Holidays without Tchaikovsky’s delightful confection, The Nutcracker. As charming as it is inventive, the music of this ballet will lift your spirits and fill your mind with tune after familiar tune!

Saturday, December 10, 7:30pm

Livingston High School, 30 Robert Harp Drive 973-980-1809 | www.lsonj.org

Balance your home’s humidity to help improve your sleep, and keep you protected against the harmful effects of airborne viruses. In addition, AprilAire humidifiers will help your skin stay moisturized and prevent nose bleeds from dry household air, while also preserving your home and any contents susceptible to cracking and warping from low humidity levels.

Stage Live Nativity in Verona

One of the signature holiday traditions of Verona, The Live Nativity at Calvary Lutheran Church will be presented once again. Church members and friends, dressed in elaborate costumes, will be joined by live animals in an outside manger scene. Christmas music, refreshments, takeaway children’s crafts and favors will accompany the tableau. The event is free and open to the public and it will be held in rain, sleet or even snow.

Sunday, December 18, 5-7pm

Calvary Lutheran Church, 23 S. Prospect Street, Verona 973-239-0577 | visit www.veronalutheran.com

Looking for a necklace, bracelet or earrings you won’t see coming and going? CBL has the best selection of artisan-crafted jewelry, in all price ranges and styles. And don’t forget our gorgeous free gift-wrap!

CBL Fine Art

459 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange | 973-736-7776 www.cblfineart.com Monday-Friday 10am-5pm | Sunday 11am-5pm

Hand-Crafted Glass Blown Christmas Ornaments… Old World Christmas takes pride in hand-crafted glass blown Christmas ornaments. Whether you are looking for a gift or something for you, we have the perfect Christmas ornament for any occasion. Many more designs in store!

Smith & Company

343 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell | 973-228-1167 Like us on Facebook/Follow us on Instragram @ SmithCoGifts

Woodhouse Day Spa 56 South Park Street, Montclair | 973-509-8488 montclair.woodhousespas.com

Where Modern Meets Classic… Entertain in Style… Elegant Aperitivo Triangular Martini, Wine & Champagne Glasses with Gold Rim. More Styles in Store. Including Stemless!

Smith & Company 343 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell 973-228-1167

Like us on Facebook/ Follow us on Instragram @ SmithCoGifts

The latest jewelry trend, permanent jewelry is custom fit to your wrist and welded shut so it stays on forever (or as long as you want!). These beautiful bracelets are 14k gold, gold filled or sterling silver and are so light and dainty you’ll barely feel them on your wrist. They make perfect friendship bracelets, bridesmaids gifts, sister-sister or motherdaughter bracelets. Ready to get zapped with someone you love with a permanent bracelet? Make an appointment today! 973-994-0975.

Pink Jewels Boutique

1110 Town Center Way, Livingston | 973-994-0975 www.pink-jewels.com

Celebrate your family and the pets you love with classic portraits to be enjoyed for generations by Award-wining Master Photographer Michael Stahl. Offering specially discounted gift certificates.

Best Friend Photography 391 Broad Street, Bloomfield | 973-783-3618 www.bestfriendphotos.com mstahl@bestfriendphotos.com

When Cardinals Appear Loved One’s Are Near…

Find comfort after the loss of a loved one with this red cardinal bird token paired with a card which reads, “Cardinals Care Messengers–From Someone You Love Bringing Comfort and Peace From Heaven Above.”

Smith & Company

343 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell | 973-228-1167

Like us on Facebook/Follow us on Instragram @ SmithCoGifts

Give the gift of flavor with a customizable olive oil and vinegar gift basket.

Kitchen a la Mode 19 South Orange Ave, South Orange | 973-821-5145 KALM.biz

Give the gift of fashion this holiday season. FOX’S Gift Cards—The Perfect Fit.

Fox’s 184 Route 10W, Whippany | 973-884-3634 www.foxs.com

Smiley Slippers

Put a smile on your feet with these super popular smiley slippers! Soft plush outer fleece and a rubber non-slip bottom make these the gift on everyone’s wish list! Lots of styles available in store and online.

LikeWear

12 E. Mt. Pleasant Ave, Livingston 973-535-5654 www.likewear.com

Monet in the Rain— Even on a rainy day, you can make someone smile with a Fine Art Image umbrella. Available in stick and collapsible.

Jerry’s Artist Outlet

Essex Green Shopping Plaza, 495 Prospect Avenue, West Orange 973-669-0995 | www.JerrysArtistOutlet.com

Give the gift of Fashion through sewing, draping and other design techniques. We offer camp, kids and adult parties (Sip and Sew Night) and classes. Great for ages 6 - adults.

House of Dezign

11B Roosevelt Avenue, Chatham | 973-908-3575 www.houseofdezign.com

Livingston Councilman Al Anthony served on the event committee for Pillar Care Continuum’s Steps to Independence Celebration held on November 9th at The Grove in Cedar Grove. The event, which honored real estate developer Jeff Milanaik of Bridge Industrial, was the most successful fundraiser in the nearly 70-year history of the nonprofit, raising over $1.9 million to support the agency’s programs for individuals with disabilities.

Livingston is home to two Pillar Care group homes, Pillar Elementary School, and Pillar High School (which serve a total of more than 160 students with multiple disabilities). “We are grateful to have the ongoing support of the Livingston community and leaders like Al Anthony,” said Clark Machemer, Chair of Pillar Care’s Board of Trustees and one of the co-chairs for the fundraising event. “The proceeds from this event will do a great deal to help us as we continue to recover from the pandemic while meeting the needs of those with disabilities.”

“For six years I’ve had the honor of serving with some of the most compassionate and altruistic people you will ever meet. This year was extra special being a featured speaker at the event for the first time,” stated Anthony.

Livingston Town Councilman Al Anthony (right) with Steps to Independence committee member Barry R. Mandelbaum (left) at the 2022 Celebration.

A SELLER’S DREAM

By Christine S. Maxwell, photo by Dan Epstein

The real estate housing market may fluctuate, but one thing remains constant: the dedication that Jim Chaconas,  REALTOR®, and David Masor with Keller Williams NJ Metro Group offer their real estate clients.

One service that benefits home sellers is Home Applause, developed and implemented by both Montclair based real estate agents to service the New Jersey market. Although there are similar models to Home Applause in other areas, they believe this program is unique to the Northern New Jersey real estate market.

Home Applause was created to help homeowners sell their houses for maximum real estate value. Jim and Dave review the seller’s house and make suggestions to increase the value, resulting in faster home sales and increased selling prices.

Many improvements are minor and cosmetic, such as painting the home or replacing appliances. Some repairs may

be more extensive such as kitchen and bathroom upgrades. But the realtors are careful with their recommended renovations. “Our goal is not to spend a dollar to make a dollar. We are focused on the seller seeing a return on this value added investment. We suggest the most cost-efficient and effective improvements that can be completed promptly to sell the home quickly. We only suggest the improvements that ultimately yield top dollar for our sellers,” says Jim.

Home Applause pays for the updates upfront and gets paid back at closing. The homeowner keeps the additional profits. This process is quite a boon for sellers.

“We help the homeowner to move on with the next phase of their lives with extra cash in their pockets,”

“We make Home Applause a hasslefree experience for our sellers. We can coordinate not only the home sale, including marketing, staging, and showing but also the entire renovation process

through Home Applause—from hiring the contractors and overseeing the work to, most importantly, ensuring the client is satisfied,” states Dave.

“Now, more than ever in our current real estate market, Home Applause is beneficial. Many houses are on the market and are not selling as rapidly as last year. With Home Applause, a seller can make sure their house stands out, sells rapidly, and for maximum dollar. Home Applause is a home seller’s dream.”

(L-R) David Masor and Jim Chaconas

A Life of Poetry

Story and portrait by Dan Epstein

Like a lot of people in Essex County, Montclair resident Margaret Saraco lived the first half of her life in New York, where she wrote articles about music, health, and books for a number of small newspapers. Moving to Montclair, in 1995 she started teaching at The Writers Room, which was a program in the public school system at the Mt. Hebron Middle School. In the way that life often turns us around, in 2002 with a degree in Math from Montclair State University, she went from teaching how to write prose to teaching math in the same school.

It’s with her recent retirement from teaching that her first book of poetry has been published. Believing, she says, “that the story creates the form”, Saraco likes to work in story-form poetry. Choosing the work to include in much the same way that a music album has a theme, in this volume, she addresses grief, family, social justice, and climate concerns, the latter giving the title to the collection: If There Is No Wind. She has, she says, enough poetry on her computer currently for at least eight more books, so we can look forward to more of her heartfelt, moving work in the future. In the meantime, you can purchase this volume on Amazon or Barnes & Noble, and do check her website for a schedule of readings both in-person and on Zoom.

Margaret Saraco

MargaretSaraco.Wordpress.com

Margaret Saraco

Come for the Coffee, Stay for Community

Photos by Dan Epstein

Whether you want to work out, hang out, work on your computer, or just relax, you can do it all at The Compound, a Veronabased business that combines a fitness studio with a coffee bar. Customers flock from Montclair, Cedar Grove, the Caldwells and the surrounding areas to be a part of the community this unique business creates.

Danielle Kermizian, entrepreneur and owner along with her husband Brian, dreamt up this business combining a love of coffee with their passion for fitness and wellness. “My husband and I are always looking for cool coffee bars and after opening the studio, we found we had the space—why not open a coffee bar and combine the two,” she says.

“We thought we could create community where people could meet friends, hang out and network.” So far, the combination

has been successful. “This is not a place where you grab coffee and go,” she says. “It truly has become a community.”

Initially founded two years ago as a personal training studio, the fitness area within the 3,000-sq.-ft. space houses training equipment—everything from cardio machines, workout and cable machines, to free weights and kettlebells. Brian, with more than 25 years as a personal trainer specializing in corrective exercise, sports performance and rehabilitation, works with clients along with our head trainer, Chris Lee, and other instructors, while Danielle offers classes during the week. “The broad focus is high intensity interval training (HIIT),” Danielle says, “and strength and conditioning, with an emphasis on stretching and recovery.”

The coffee bar offers high-end coffee made from premium Counter Culture Coffee beans and provides a full range of

drinks from lattes, cappuccinos and their signature iced coffee “flash brew”—as well as healthy smoothies, all made from high quality ingredients. Also, muffins and other treats, in addition to vegan and gluten-free varieties, are on the menu, which changes seasonally.

But if there’s one thing clients overwhelmingly love, it’s the ambience. The décor’s bohemian coastal vibe stretches throughout the compound to include its library lounge area and indoor/ outdoor café and is available for events. Wherever you go, there’s a good vibe. Drop by and catch it.

The Compound

271 Grove Avenue, Bldg. C, Verona 973-601-2570 www.thecompoundnj.com

Brian and Danielle Kermizian

St.

Blooms

Silver: Rosaspina–Montclair

Bronze:

On

Walter

Champion

Serving Essex County | 973-744-6766 www.championwasteremoval.com

Silver:

Bronze:

Anderson

Silver:

GARAGE

Silver:

Gikas

Silver:

Bronze:

Bloomfield

Silver:

Bronze:

Showcase

Window Works™

38 E Northfield Rd, Livingston 973-535-5860 | www.windowworks-nj.com

Silver: Joe D’s Appliances–Fairfield

Bronze: Somewhere in Time–Caldwell

Samm Sound

1103 Bloomfield Avenue, West Caldwell 973-575-8910 | www.sammsound.com

Silver: European Touch Cleaning–West Orange

Bronze: Dial Environmental–Serving Essex County

LANDSCAPE DESIGNER

Sponzilli Landscape Group

345 Passaic Avenue, Fairfield 973-244-1410 | www.sponzilli.com

Silver: K. Macken Landscape–Caldwell

Bronze: Smitty’s Landscaping–Cedar Grove

PEST CONTROL

Dial Environmental Serving Essex County | 973-245-9749 www.dialenvironmental.com

Silver: Jay’s Extermiating Service–Livingston Bronze: Mosquito Hunters of Suburban Essex–Serving Essex County

K. Macken Landscaping

20 Lee Drive, West Caldwell | 973-261-1098 www.kmackenlandscaping.com

Silver: Sponzilli Landscape Group–Fairfield

Bronze: Martin O’Boyle Landcaping–Bloomfield

PLUMBER

Metric Plumbing

320 Grove Avenue, Cedar Grove 973-857-1535 | www.metricplumbing.com

Silver: McCormack Plumbing & Heading–Montclair

Bronze: Don Dowling Plumbing–Caldwell

Melissa Cipriano—

Cipriano Law Offices, PC

175 Fairfield Avenue, Ste. 4C/D, West Caldwell 973-852-3346 | www.ciprianolaw.com

Silver: Lynne Strober—Mandelbaum Barrett–Livingston

Bronze: Conti-Bediner & DeMarco–Livingston

PHOTO

PHOTO

PHOTO

PHOTO

PHOTO BY NEIL GRABOWSKI

PHOTO BY LISA RUSSMAN

PHOTO

MadKat Pilates

855

Silver:

Silver:

Cedar

882 Pompton Ave, Suite B1, Cedar Grove 973-857-1184 | www.cedargrovefoot.com

Silver: Foot Care 4 You—West Orange

Bronze: Foot Health Center—West Orange

Silver:

MATT ROBERTS: Every Picture Tells His Story

Story and portrait by Dan Epstein

One of his earliest memories was looking at a book featuring the photographs from the renown Family of Man exhibit. Armed with his father’s Brownie camera as a child, it was Roberts’ start making photographs. After pursuing an MFA at the Pratt Institute, it only took three months of working for a commercial photographer in NYC for him to know that the life of a professional photographer wasn’t for him. Happily a job in an ad agency in Manhattan led to a long career in marketing including being the Head of Marketing for Conde Nast publications. And that allowed Roberts to follow his photographic muse for his entire life untethered to the requirement for his photographs to support himself and his family.

He moved to Montclair in 1986, and joining Studio Montclair a local arts organization he began exhibiting his work locally, as well as in New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, and Rome. In 1990 and again in 1999, he received grants from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

Roberts seems to have multiple projects going on at once. And regardless of the project, his work is lyrical, and emotionally resonant. Each image seems to have a mysterious narrative in which both Roberts, and the subjects ask questions of us.

In Vesey Street, made in NYC in 2018 with an iPhone, Roberts captures a moment in public time. We are drawn at once to the bold graphic elements, the almost forlorn objects near the curb, the woman, seemingly in a hurry on a windy day, and finally the remarkable shadows. A story without an ending and fraught with questions.

Look at Cathy77/Cathy21. Herein are two portraits of the artists wife; one made when she was twenty, and one 44 years later. Note that both images are rotated. Having done this, Roberts throws us just a little bit, but in doing so, the young woman faces the grown up mature woman whom Roberts has spent his life with. Her beauty resonates in both portraits combining to create a striking love letter. And the water? That’s for you to figure out.

Matt Roberts

Find his muse again in Cathy2020. An image made with a full-sized Canon camera while walking in South Dakota. You can hear the crunch of your feet on the wild grass as you feel the wind blowing. This photograph is full of information. Chock full. Yet, it’s up to us, the viewers to take that data, and write the Roberts narrative. We confess: this one is one of our favorite photographs.

Finally, Backyard Reimagined, made in 2020. Roberts has a large body of work wherein he manually handdegrades some of his original photographs, and in this one he has created a collage of three separate images on three pieces of paper, then physically combining them and re-photographing them together to create the final piece: his backyard during the Covid lockdown when we all were confined, and many of us reimagining various aspects of our lives. Beauty, elegance, and contrast are all parts again, of a Roberts narrative about his reaction to Covid, and the found fragility, and loneliness of the period in time.

You can find more of Roberts’ remarkable work on his Instagram as well as his website.

Roberts MattDRobertsPhotography.com Instagram: MattRobertsPhotog

Matt

Cathy2020

Cathy77/Cathy21

Backyard Reimagined

Health and Wellness

Nutrition for Athletes

Athletes require specialized nutrition and foods that will help them maximize their performance and ability, as well as their overall health goals. Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center (CBMC) has a department devoted primarily to sports nutrition and sports medicine, where physicians, nutritionists, physical therapists, athletic trainers and other members of this multidisciplinary team work in tandem to help professional and amateur athletes in New Jersey perform and feel their best.

Additionally, over the last year or so, with funds received from a ShopRite grant, CBMC now has a greater opportunity to provide sports nutrition in the community and through the Nutritional Counseling Services department in Livingston. The

Sports Nutrition Program targets high school through professional-level athletes, including active adults who want to better understand how they can improve their sports performance through proper nutrition and fueling.

“Our goal is to provide information on body composition, but also educate the community on proper sports nutrition,” says Diana Toto, administrative director of sports and rehabilitative medicine with the Matthew J. Morahan III Health Assessment Center for Athletes (MJM Center) at RWJBarnabas Health. “Making good choices and having healthy body composition is crucial for athletes, especially for teenagers who may not fully understand how doing so can affect performance and even help prevent injury.”

To schedule an individualized sports nutrition, consult and to improve your performance plate, visit rwjbh.org/ cbmcsportsmed or call The MJM Center at 973-322-7913.

HEART HEALTH

Tips for the Holidays

Food, drinks, gifts, and time with family make the holidays a merry occasion for people across the country. However, all that celebrating can sometimes become a distraction from maintaining heart health.

“The holidays are a busy, often stressful time for many of us,” said American Heart Association Chief Clinical Science Officer Mitchell S.V. Elkind, M.D., M.S., FAHA. “Routines are disrupted. We may tend to eat and drink more and exercise and relax less. We’re getting too little sleep and experiencing too much stress. It’s important to be aware that these factors can snowball, increasing the risk for a deadly cardiac event.” Consider these tips from Dr. Elkind and the experts at the American Heart Association.

Know symptoms and take action. Heart attack signs vary in men and women, but it’s important to recognize them early and call 9-1-1 for help. The sooner medical treatment begins, the better chances of survival and preventing heart damage.

Celebrate in moderation. Eating healthfully during the holidays doesn’t have to mean depriving yourself. There are ways to eat smart—limit sodium intake and look for small, healthy swaps that help you feel your best while eating and drinking in moderation.

Practice goodwill toward yourself. Make time to take care of yourself during this busy season. Reading a favorite book, meditating or even playing with pets are productive ways to reduce stress from the family interactions, strained finances, hectic schedules, traveling and other stressors that can be brought on by the holidays.

Keep moving. The hustle and bustle of holiday preparation often pushes exercise to the side, but it’s important to stay active as much as possible. Go for a family walk or play physically active games with loved ones.

Stick to your medications. Busy schedules can cause some people to skip medications, sometimes even forgetting them at home or not getting refills in a timely manner. Try using a medication chart as a reminder, and be sure to keep tabs on your blood pressure numbers.

Discover more ways to live heart-healthy during the holidays and throughout the year at heart.org

Family Features — Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Daily Skin Care Routine

Step 1: Cleanse

It is key to cleanse your face in the morning and at night. Cleansing in the morning removes any dead skin cells that have turned over on your face after sleeping, while washing your face at night removes makeup, sebum, and oil production from the day.

Step 2: Tone

Toning prepares the skin for additional serums, so it is important to use one that does not irritate the skin. Avoid toners that have harsh formulas and use minimally to avoid drying out the skin. It is also best to opt for alcohol-free.

Step 3: Apply Eye Cream

Be gently when applying, as the skin around your eyes is thin. Using your ring finger, tap your eye cream on the lids to avoid damaging the skin.

Step 4: Exfoliate

Exfoliating removes dead skin cells that have accumulated in our pores. If you struggle with blackheads, acne, or breakouts, you’re not going to want to miss this step. It is best to exfoliate after toning and before moisturizing. Most dermatologists agree that you should exfoliate one to three times a week, but this depends on your skin type and how it reacts to exfoliation.

Step 4: Use a Serum

Serums help with specific skin needs. Whether you choose vitamin C, retinol, or hyaluronic acid, serums give a concentrated dose of ingredients to your skin.

Step 5: Moisturize

Besides hydrating your skin, applying a moisturizer will lock in all the ingredients you applied beforehand.

Step 6: Apply SPF

In the morning, apply sunscreen to avoid UV damage which speeds up the aging process and can cause skin cancer.

Vulnerability and the Spiritual Journey—a Writing and Mindfulness Gathering Series

December 15 & 29, 2022 & January 13 & 27, 2023

Time: 7:30-9pm

Crisis - whether from loss, illness, betrayal, pandemics, job loss, natural disasters & trauma can cause heightened sensitivity to change and symptoms of anxiety and depression. This writing and meditation gathering will help attendees discover additional resources to cope and move forward. Join local psychotherapist and Spiritual Intuitive Healer, Sue Waldman in Verona to learn safe, effective, relaxation methods for attendees to experientially access their innate higher consciousness to calm their nerves and learn new ways of self-knowledge and self-care.

Bring a journal book. Advance registration is required 4 days in advance. Email Sue@SueWaldman.com or call her office at 973-857-9090 for registration details.

Mindful

Writing

Series: The Healing Power of Silence and Meditation

December 9 & 23, 2022 & January 6 & 20, 2023

Time: 7:30-9pm

Mindful Writing is a writing approach focusing on the present moment, using all the senses without judgment. It provides pathways to a sense of meaning .“Wholeness” includes all aspects of our lives, not just the desirable or the positive. Looking at wholeness just from the positive makes us incomplete and creates self-aversion. Wholeness frees us from fragmentation and self-denigration.

This writing gathering is a brief introduction to Mindfulness, and how a relaxed mind connects to the practice of writing as a therapeutic means. Through writing, meditation, and clinical reflections, the attendees will leave with a peaceful sense of direction for facilitating their own psychological healing, personal transformation and feel a new sense of awe. Join local psychotherapist and Spiritual Intuitive Healer, Sue Waldman in Verona and experience the healing power of silence and guided visualization.

Bring a journal book. Advance registration is required 4 days in advance. Email Sue@SueWaldman.com or call her office at 973-857-9090 for registration details

Makeup Techniques to Help You Look Younger

By Kimberly Blaker

Regardless of how gracefully we want to handle aging, we often find ourselves making heroic efforts to stave it off, starting in early adulthood. Fortunately, you don’t have to undergo drastic measures and resort to ineffective concoctions to enjoy a more youthful appearance. Makeup techniques can go a long way toward fine-tuning features to make you look younger.

The Eyes Have It…

To make your eyes look bigger, line the inside of your lower lid with a white or flesh-colored eyeliner. Then brighten up the eye area by dabbing pale pink, flesh, or oyster color shadow to the inside corners of your eyes. Also, add a couple of more dabs just under the lower lashes moving from the inner corner to the center of the eye.

For your lashes, flare them. First,

brush through the lashes as usual with mascara. Then sweep through them again and pull the outer lashes outward and inner lashes inward. Repeat these steps with lower lashes.

Youthful Lips…

Full lips make you look younger. So, invest in a quality, long-lasting lip liner, and line your top and bottom lip. For fuller lips, line just to the outside of your lip line.

A Flawless Complexion…

Foundation can do wonders to give you flawless, youthful-looking skin. But keep in mind that skin type and age may dictate what type works best. On younger skin, sheer coverage is best. On mature skin, foundation can make your lines more noticeable. So, look opt for a sheer, very lightweight foundation or skip it altogether.

Avoid the Dry Look…

Unless you have very oily skin, skip the face powder because it can make skin look dry and lines more noticeable. If you must use powder to control too much shine, apply it only in your oily areas. Also, look for a translucent pure silica formulation and avoid mica or talc.

Add Some Color…

Use soft pink or bright coral blush to add color and brighten your face. Avoid bronze tones, which only serve to age your skin. Also, use cream rather than powder blush since powder makes skin look dryer. Apply blush along the top of cheekbones, forehead, and center of chin.

Thank

• Flatfeet

• Morton’s Neuroma

• Plantar Fasciitis Treatment

• Plantar Warts

• Tendonitis

• Toenail Fungus

Three Ways Sweet Cherries Support Your Winter Wellness Routine

Sweet cherries may conjure images of hot summer days, so who knew that they could be a year-round staple for good health? These sweet snacks provide just the wintertime boost needed to stay on track with any fitness and nutrition New Year’s resolutions.

Winter can pose a challenge to eating right and staying in shape. Certainly, nothing beats the flavor of fresh sweet cherries, but with some preparation and creativity, their goodness can be enjoyed all year long. Those who stocked up on sweet Northwest cherries during their short harvest window and planned ahead to freeze, can or dry them now have a bounty of flavor and nutrients to fuel some of the most grueling months of the year (and for those who didn’t, a trip to the freezer or dried food aisles at the supermarket may work just as well!).

“Maintaining a fitness routine can be challenging during the winter. For many of us, it’s dark and it’s cold, yet despite all the reasons we may want to shake off our routines, paying attention to our health and focusing on nutrition now will set us up for better health year-round,” says Kelly Pritchett, PhD, RD, CSSD, Associate Professor of Nutrition and Exercise Science at Central Washington University.

“As a Pacific Northwest resident and winter sports enthusiast, one of my favorite wintertime health hacks is incorporating sweet cherries into my diet,” continues Pritchett. “Cherries often get overlooked when the warmer months fade, and yet they’re a tremendously versatile fruit and are easy to weave into everything from oatmeal to smoothies. Sweet cherries also offer an abundance of health benefits and can be a great natural health aid for winter sports.”

Sweet cherries are a natural and tasty source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, potassium and melatonin. They also contain anthocyanins—the pigment that gives dark sweet cherries their deep and delicious color—which are linked to anti-inflammatory effects. According to Pritchett, anyone with a training regimen can realize at least three distinct benefits from adding cherries to their daily fruit intake.

A few of Pritchett’s winter training regime tips include:

• Decrease your muscle soreness: Several studies involving athletes suggest that cherry consumption can reduce muscle soreness and also help return loss of strength. By incorporating fresh, frozen or dried cherries into their diets, fitness fanatics may recover more quickly for the next workout.

• Improve your quality of sleep: Everyone needs a good night’s rest, and the melatonin in sweet cherries

can promote sleep quality. Sleep is critical to everything from restoring energy to boosting immunity to enhancing metabolism. A serving of sweet cherries about an hour before bedtime can help stabilize and regulate sleep patterns.

• Boost your post-workout recovery: A body that goes through a strenuous exercise routine needs to recover, and dried sweet cherries are an ideal post-workout snack. They provide healthy carbohydrates and help replace glycogen, which gets the body ready for its next go-around.

For those pursuing health and fitness goals, incorporating sweet Northwest cherries into the daily routine is one of the best ways to show some love and stay on track. More information about the health benefits of sweet cherries and the studies that support them is available at sweetcherryhealth.org.

The best care for your heart, and for everyone in it.

Leaders in emergency and elective angioplasty.

Clara Maass Medical Center has a passion for heart health. We’ve established ourselves as a leader in patient safety and quality. Our industry-leading catheterization techniques for emergent and elective angioplasty include wrist access (when appropriate) to reduce recovery time. Leading cardiac specialists provide expert care for oncology and maternal care patients. And our nationally recognized program includes certifications in acute coronary syndrome, heart failure and cardiac rehabilitation. In partnership with Rutgers Health, it’s all part of our dedication to every heart in our community. Learn more at rwjbh.org/heart

Livingston’s ‘The Feathered Fox’ is in a Class of Its Own

By Jackie Schatell, photo courtesy of Melissa Hom

In a year that featured several lows for the restaurant industry, a newbie to the Livingston dining scene manages to shine brightly. Executive chef and coowner Chris Siversen (of Maritime Parc, located in Jersey City’s Liberty State Park) delivered on his promise of a fresh take on the steakhouse with The Feathered Fox. Located within Livingston’s Westminster Hotel, the restaurant incorporates an exceptional selection of perfectly curated charred steak cuts and chops, inventive sides, and brilliant interpretations of familiar sushi rolls, freshly prepared upon order at its exceptional raw bar.

At The Feathered Fox, a sense of true craft has been infused into every aspect of the dining experience, from flavors and plating to dishware to its luxe interior. Its menu features all the classics one

expects to find at a steakhouse along with contemporary, imaginative twists. Siversen’s commitment to excellence is the cornerstone of every element within.

The impeccably sourced ingredients from local purveyors—the steaks and chops are from DeBragga—elevate its menus, which include inventive vegetarian, gluten-free, KETO friendly dishes, making it a delicious and viable option for everyone in your party.

“When developing the concept, the team placed an emphasis on three pillars—reinvention, artistry, and integrity” shares Siversen. “The Feathered Fox feels fundamentally different from most restaurants in the region, the menu crafted with the best products sourced locally, marrying tradition with innovation.”

The Feathered Fox offers a thoughtfully designed aesthetic that is strikingly different from the typical masculine, dark steakhouse décor. In its beautiful bar and lounge, guests can enjoy one of their crafted seasonal cocktails, wines (including one of NJ’s most impressive sake lists) or beers before dinner or after work (where one can also take advantage of their ‘happiest’ hour pricing). In addition to the main dining room, there’s a well-appointed private dining room, The Meadow.

The Feathered Fox

500 W. Mt. Pleasant Avenue, #1608, Livingston 973-994-4900 www.thefeatheredfox.com

Renowned Executive Chef & Owner Chris Siversen brings the best & brightest aspects of the traditional American steakhouse to The Westminster Hotel with a few unexpected twists.

CALDWELL

Cloverleaf Tavern

395 Bloomfield Ave, Caldwell 973-226-9812 | www.cloverleaftavern.com

American Cuisine

Divina Ristorante

461 Bloomfield Ave, Caldwell | 973-228-5228 www.divinaristorante.com

Italian Cuisine

Fat Fish Taco

291 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell 973-228-6825 | www.fatfishtaco.com

Coastal Mexican Cuisine

Guerriero Gelato

194 Bloomfield Ave, Caldwell | 973-403-9968 guerrierogelato.com

Ice Cream and Gelato

Il Vecchio Cafe

234 Bloomfield Ave, Caldwell | 973-226-8889 www.ilvecchiocafe.com

Italian Cuisine

La Famiglia Ristorante & Pizzeria

359 Bloomfield Ave, Caldwell | 973 226-3049 www.caldwellrestaurant.com

Italian restaurant

La Taverna

234 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell 973-226-8889 www.calandrasitalianvillage.com/la-taverna/ Bbar and lounge

Ocha Caldwell

403 Bloomfield Ave, Caldwell | 973-228-8856 www.ochacaldwell.com

Asian Japanese Cuisine

CEDAR GROVE

Kyoto Sushi III

577B Pompton Ave, Cedar Grove 973-239-8880 | www.cedargrovekyoto.com Sushi

LuNello

182 Stevens Ave, Cedar Grove | 973-837-1660 www.LuNello.com

Full Service Italian Restaurant

EAST HANOVER

East

Classic American Cuisine

Le Salbuen Cafe

Mystic Lobster Roll 145 Valley Rd, Montclair | 973 457-2651 mysticlobsterrollsmontclair.com Lobster Rolls, Specialty Rolls, Lobster Tacos

Stuff by SJ

342 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair | 973-771-6907 www.stuffbysj.com

Sweet T’s Southern Eatery

387 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair | 973-500-3452 sweettsmontclair.com

Healthy, Pork-free Southern Eatery

Taglia Pizza Bar 438 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair | 973-317-0909 www.tegliapizzabar.com

Roman Style Pizza

Walnut Street Kitchen 98 Walnut St, Montclair | 973-746-0789 www.walnutstreetkitchennj.com

Marcel 6311/2 Valley Rd, Upper Montclair 973-842-4086 www.marcelbakeryandkitchen.com Mediterranean cuisine

VERONA

Aroy-D, the Thai Elephant

605 Bloomfield Ave, Verona | 973-559-3033 www.thethaielephant.com Authentic Thai food

Bloom

648 Bloomfield Ave, Verona | 973-433-7256 www.bloomverona.com New American cuisine with French and Korean inspiration

Blue Hippo Coffee Co.

199 Bellevue Ave, Upper Montclair 973-509-8878 | www.tsmacc.com Chinese cuisine

Toros Restaurant

594 Valley Rd Montclair | 973-707-7651 www.Torosrestaurant.com Mediterranean, Turkish

662 Bloomfield Ave, Verona | 972-433-7891 www.bluehippocoffee.com Breakfast, lunch and brunch

Accountant.

Cullari Carrico, LLC provides complete tax, accounting, auditing, management and personal consulting services to a wide range of businesses, as well as individual clients.

Cullari Carrico, LLC

55 Lane Road, Ste. 300 Fairfield 973-406-3955 | www.cullaricarrico.com

Acupuncture.

Acupuncture is a complementary medicine that helps a myriad of ailments. Dr. Margaret Amireh, DACM, L.Ac is an accredited and board certified Acupuncturist with experience treating over 250 conditions. Some insurance accepted. For additional information, please call them at 973-304-1506

Balanced Body Acupuncture

792 Pompton Ave, Cedar Grove | 973-304-1506 www.balancedbodyacupuncture.com

Bakery.

Famously known for their all natural, only 4 ingredient bread, Calandra’s Bakery has been serving delicious, high-quality baked goods since 1962. All of their bread is handcrafted the old-fashion way, and NEVER made with any preservatives. Savor hot bread every hour on the hour at all three of their retail locations in Newark, Fairfield, and Caldwell. You can also find their bread in your local supermarket!

Calandra’s Bakery

www.calandrasbakery.com

All-natural sourdough loaves

Airy focaccia and buns

Flaky babka, rugelach and croissant Seasonal sandwiches and salads

Proudly serving Counter Culture Coffee we liv breads

Liv Breads Bakery

184 Essex Street, Millburn | The Mall at Short Hills 32 Nathaniel Place, Englewood www.livbreads.com | eat@livbreads.com

Chiropractor.

The Chiropractic Source, founded by Drs. Marco Ferrucci and Tim Lyons specializes in Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP) and Softwave Therapy. CBP is a leading spinal corrective care that includes postural corrective adjustments, exercises and traction. SoftWave Therapy helps identify and decrease inflammation, improves blood flow and promotes stem cell healing for joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons. This combination of care, allows them to be your source for the best in health and regeneration. Contact their office to learn more about how their care may help you!

The Chiropractic Source

388 Pompton Ave, Cedar Grove | 973-228-0500 www.thechiropracticsource.com

Coffee House.

A carefully curated menu featuring quality sourced and sustainable coffee, organic smoothies, juices, specialty crafted beverages, healthy, savory bites and coastal vibes. A few more perks: the outdoor oasis cafe + indoor hangout joint, “pick-me-up” window, our very own mobile app for order ahead convenience, the mercantile, endless parking spaces, zero meter-maids, a community of like-minded awesome people + lots of good vibes.

The Compound Coffee Co.

271 Grove Avenue, Verona | 973-601-2570 | thecompoundnj.com

Day Care/PreSchool.

Kiddie Academy believes your child’s days should be filled with learning and fun. Life Essentials is Kiddie Academy’s overarching philosophy that includes a variety of programs and techniques. They focus on developmentally appropriate curriculum, health and fitness, character education, and technology education. Ages served range from Infant to Full day Kindergarten. We also have a FUN summer program which goes until age 10.

Kiddie Academy

810 Passaic Avenue, West Caldwell | 973-227-4382 www.kiddieacademy.com

Electrician.

Customer satisfaction is O’Hara Electric’s top priority. Since 1963, this family-owned and operated business has been providing superior electrical services for homes and businesses. Fully licensed and insured.

E&M O’Hara Electric, Inc.

144 Main Street, West Orange | 973-325-3626 www.oharaelectric.com

Event Venue.

Crystal Plaza is a turn of the century mansion built in the 1890’s by the prominent architect, Stanford White. The venue has a gorgeous grand ballroom, spectacular gardens, and a range of other multi-purpose rooms. The overarching Crystal Plaza Group provides full eventproduction services and non-kosher, kosher, and glatt kosher catering for off-premise at venues in NJ and NY.

Crystal Plaza

305 W Northfield Rd, Livingston | 973-992-8100 www.crystalplaza.com

Multiple award-winning provider of high-quality heating and air conditioning equipment—with sales, installations, repairs and maintenance service for residential and commercial customers. They take pride in delivering superior customer service and were voted Best HVAC contractor in Essex County eight years in a row. They also sell, install and provide maintenance service on home standby generators and air purification systems. NJ ELEC LIC#11850B HVAC-R LIC# 19HC00144800

Bloomfield Cooling & Heating

127 Paterson Avenue, Little Falls | 973-237-0505 www.BloomfieldCooling.com

Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt.

Award-Winning Ice Cream, Gelato, Cakes, & Shakes. Featured on ESPN, Food Network, Washington Post, and more. Mark and Julie’s Ice Cream in West Orange became part of the Guerriero brand in 2022.

Guerriero Gelato

571 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair 194 Bloomfield Ave, Caldwell 6 US-46, Pine Brook 476 Pleasant Valley Way West Orange www.guerrierogelato.com

Interior Design.

For nearly 25 years, Richard Bailey Interiors, LLC has provided discriminating clients with custom residential interiors designed to deliver lasting elegance and true livability. Installed in residences throughout the New York tri-state region and beyond, the full-service firm’s one-of-kind designs interpret each client’s unique vision with a sophisticated design aesthetic, attention to detail and exceptional quality.

Richard Bailey Interiors, LLC 973-429-2106 | www.richardbaileyinteriors.com

An award-winning Interior Design business located in Verona, the perfect source for all of your residential and light commercial interior design projects. Easy and fun to work with—they offer excellent design using the best in custom window treatments, custom furniture including upholstery and reupholstery, lighting, accessories, floorcovering, design services, space planning, color consultations, and much more.

Valerie Ruddy Designs - Decorating Den Interiors 973-239-3004 | www.valerieruddy.decoratingden.com

Jewelry

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Walter Bauman is a full-service, fine jewelry store with expert jewelers and watchmakers available for all your jewelry-repair needs.

Walter Bauman

653 Eagle Rock Avenue, West Orange 973-731-3155 | www.walterbauman.com

Landscaping.

K. Macken Landscaping offers complete landscaping, lawn maintenance, and construction by a fully insured company with a knowledgeable and experienced staff. Plus, their locally owned and operated company always gives the most competitive prices.

K. Macken Landscaping

West Caldwell | 973-261-0198 www.kmackenlandscaping.com

Lawyer.

The attorneys at Cipriano Law Offices, PC work as a team to carefully examine the circumstance of your individual case. They are qualified family law mediators and trained in collaborative law, in addition to having a vast amount of litigation experience, including: high net worth divorce, equitable distribution, alimony, child support, custody, adoptions, prenuptial agreements, domestic violence matters, Division of Child Protection and Permanency.

Cipriano Law Offices, PC

175 Fairfield Avenue, Suite 4C/D, West Caldwell | 973-403-8600 www.CiprianoLaw.com

Lingerie & Intimate Wear.

Specializing in bra fittings and cup sized swimwear. They also offer VIP shopping experience for groups, private shopping events, undergarment fittings for weddings and Bridal Parties, virtual shopping experience and men’s private shopping. They also offer events such as hosting a fundraiser with the organization of your choice, seminar/lingerie and swim product knowledge events, book an outside store event, and boudoir packages.

Sitting Pretty Intimates

97 S Livingston Ave Suite C, Livingston | 973-251-2224 www.Sittingprettyintimates.com

Medi Spa.

Specializing in injections (Botox, Dysport, Fillers), Coolsculpting, PRP Procedures, Body Contouring, Microblading, Microneedling, Vaginal Rejuvenation and other Spa services,all to help clients “Look and Feel your Best.”

Montclair Rejuvenation Center

One Mt. Prospect Ave., Verona | 862 284 3747 761 Bloomfield Ave., West Caldwell | 973 650-3204 www.montclairrejuvenationcenter.com

Realtor.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices is a real estate brokerage franchise network designed for today’s real estate market. From first time home buyers to high-end residential markets to middle market communities to commercial real estate, our brokers and agents are down to earth, nimble and local experts.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Van Der Wende Properties

333 Bloomfield Avenue, Suite 304, Caldwell | 973-226-0333 www.BHHSVDW.com

Roofing.

Celebrating 20 years in business, American Roofing and Siding is a “full-service” roofing company handling everything from a new roof installation, roof maintenance and restoration to re-roofs and repairs. Each job is completed with the assurance that can solely come from years of experience. Every homeowner is treated with a personal touch, which comes from our staff.

American Roofing and Siding

1-3 St. Mary’s Place Belleville | 973 542-0710 americanroofingandsiding.com

Optician.

Block & Zuckerman Opticians has served the community for over 65 years. They strive for excellence in all that they do—from edging the highest in lens technology to selecting the finest frames for each individual’s face.

Block & Zuckerman Opticians

371 East Northfield Road, Livingston 973-736-7647 | www.BZOpticians.com

Painter.

“Professional,” “courteous,” and “exceptional” is how customers consistently describe Wilber’s Painting. Their highly trained staff of professionals knows what it takes to bring their client’s imagination to reality.

Wilber’s Painting & Home Improvements 973-762-6333 | www.WilbersPainting.com

Pest and Lawn Care.

A local favorite since 1978. Licensed and insured professionals providing environmentally conscious alternatives to control pests in and around the home, as well as fungus, diseases and pests impacting lawn, trees and shrubs.

Dial Environmental

119 Harrison Avenue, Roseland | 973-228-2500 www.DialEnvironmental.com

Pet Day Care/Boarding.

K-9 Resorts has been voted #1 Pet Service by multiple New Jersey magazines. This doggie daycare is recommended by veterinarians in the area and pet owners trust K-9 Resorts to take care of their pets and provide a healthy and safe environment for them.

K-9 Resorts

Day Care & Luxury Hotel

1275 Bloomfield Avenue, Fairfield | 973-244-7387 www.k9resorts.com

Physical Therapy.

Iron Physical Therapy is a warm and inviting place where you can get stronger than you ever thought possible. Providing orthopedic pain relief (neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, back, hip, knee, ankle, foot), sports rehabilitation, and post-surgical patients. They are focused on helping you recover using the latest treatments including Active Release Technique (ART), Kinesio Taping, Graston Technique, Dry Needling, Spinal Manipulation and the Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment of the Spine.

Iron Physical Therapy

474 Bloomfield Ave, Caldwell | 973- 228-4766 | www.ironpt.com

JAG-ONE Physical Therapy is a comprehensive physical and occupational therapy company with locations throughout New Jersey, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, Manhattan, Westchester and Pennsylvania. Their multi-specialty staff has been serving the Tri-State area for over 20 years and has developed a unique, care-first model of rehabilitation delivering high quality clinical outcome for their patients.

JAG-ONE Physical Therapy

Convenient Locations throughout New Jersey, New York & Pennsylvania West Orange: 973-669-0078 | Fairfield: 862-702-3420 | jagonept.com

The core mission of Dr. De Hoyos, DPT is to provide a positive clinical atmosphere, conducive for healing and fostering a healthy consciousness in each patient to facilitate meeting and exceeding their physical therapy goals as well as clinical outcomes.

LightPort Physical Therapy & Spa

355 Bloomfield Ave, Caldwell | 973-228-0072 www.lightportpt.com

Psychotherapy & Life Coaching.

For almost 29 years, Sue Waldman, LPC, BCC has been offering Psychotherapy, Life Coaching and Reiki services for anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and loss. Sue now offers inspirational support gatherings for teens. Sue brings empathic, intuitive insights and compassionate support to her counseling sessions, seminars, and groups. Her work is highly transformative. As the shifts occur within, you will gain a sense of personal power, self-discovery, resolution, and relief. Her practice is based on the belief her client’s needs are of the utmost importance.

Sue

Waldman, MA, LPC, BCC

Pink Light, LLC | 973-857-9090 | www.SueWaldman.com

Pilates.

MadKat Pilates, offering instruction in the Classical Pilates Method, is a haven specializing in customized workouts for all bodies, all ages, and all levels of fitness.

MadKat Pilates

855 Bloomfield Ave, Glen Ridge | 973-707-7695 www.madkatpilates.com

Restaurant.

In addition to owning and operating three bakeries, the Calandra family expanded their household name by opening three restaurants; Cucina Calandra, Calandra’s Mediterranrean Grill, and iL Vecchio Cafe. Whether you are looking for an evening out, business lunch, or to celebrate a special occasion all three restaurants offer something unique to your dining experience.

Calandra Restaurants

www.cucinacalandra.com | www.calandrasmedgrill.com www.ilvecchiocafe.com

A flavorful Italian Seafood restaurant conveniently located just east and across the street from the Turtleback Zoo. Inspired by family traditions, Anthony Dagostino wanted to bring back the old school clam house experience. True to tradition, The recipes are simple and authentic using only the freshest catch and ingredients. The personable staff, ample portions and robust flavors have gained them a loyal local community of regulars. Bring an appetite!

Mamma Dags Seafood & Pizza House

410 St. Cloud Avenue, West Orange | 862-233-7557 www.mamadags.com

PASSION: Inside & Out

By Barry Farber

Do you remember your dreams?

Sometimes it helps to write down the dream as soon as you awake otherwise the details seem to evaporate later on. This one was interesting so I wrote down most of what I remembered and then researched the rest in the books I was quoting and referencing to make sure I didn’t leave anything out.

Here was my dream… the other night I was presenting to a group of people on what it takes to make someone great. During the presentation I was talking about baseball and how constant practice builds the confidence to step up to the plate and perform. It was a metaphor for any profession where the depth of your skill and knowledge becomes great when you immerse yourself into the techniques at a whole new level. I used the late great baseball legend Ted Williams as an example. In the book, The Science of Hitting, he shares a story of how he would practice when he

“I don’t think you can emphasize enough the importance of practice. When I say practice, I mean with a bat. In the spring that means hitting pepper, or down at the iron mike machine getting some extra licks, or just swinging a bat. As a kid I was always swinging a bat, an old Bill Terry model, pretending I was in the Polo grounds, two outs, two strikes, two on, “here’s the pitch… bow!” Another tremendous imaginary home run. Even as I get older, I’d have a bat handy all the time, a heavy bat to swing during the winter, something to fool around with under the coconut trees on the Florida Keys.”

It’s this behavior that engrained his techniques into his mind so when he went to the plate his muscle memory would take over. This type of passion, vision and training fascinates me because of the way it not only hones your skill but also creates confidence and a relaxed approach when tested under pressure. In my dream I was demonstrating a method called “physiological memory.”

I did this by showing how many movements it takes your fingers to button up your shirt. I tried it slowly and counted each individual movement with both hands which came out to nine moves.

Do your fingers have memory from repeating movements over and over? So much so that you do not think of them each time you do it. They flow as one movement.

Yes, there are many methods that go into making someone great in their profession, but I have to agree with Ted that having a passion for practice and continuous improvement is omnipotent.

Here are some thoughts on the actions you could take to improve your performance at the plate.

• What mentors can you reach out to who know more than you and have accomplished the goals you’re setting out to achieve?

• What are you reading about your passion or profession that can increase your knowledge and overall understanding of your craft?

• How much hands-on experience and practical application do you have? Are you putting everything you’re learning to the test?

The key is being able to replicate your actions so they become so ingrained that they become part of you.

Barry Farber is a best-selling author, an award winning radio and television host as well as an agent and marketing consultant for corporations, professional athletes, and entertainers. He’s also the creator and marketer of the FoldzFlat® Pens. His latest release is an inspirational children’s book “In search of the magic tree” available at www.barryfarber.com

Barry Farber