Bergen Buzz

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

WORK OUT, EAT OUT

Trying to exercise more and eat healthier in ’23? Kill both birds with one visit at these Bergen locations, where a nutritious meal or snack is steps away from exercise equipment: • Drop Fitness (2 Chestnut Ridge Rd., Montvale) opened last year where The Gym used to be, boasting a highintensity-interval-training and strengthtraining studio and studios for yoga, elite running and barre. Worked up an appetite? Drop by Wellness Café, with smoothies, sandwiches, bites and bowls to maintain your healthy trajectory. Pro tip: If you download the app, you can order ahead for pickup. • Marketplace (400 Frank W. Burr Blvd., Teaneck) opened within the Glenpointe Hotel late last year, with made-to-order and grab-and-go items prepared by chefs. Its hearty line of burritos, wraps, bagels and quiches is available until 3 p.m. There’s kosher food too, and locally roasted coffee. And the hotel’s 26,000-square-foot fitness center features cardio equipment, strength training machines, free weights and much more. • LifeCafe (10 Van Riper Rd., Montvale) is located within LifeTime Fitness, a luxe facility with indoor and outdoor pools, weights, yoga classes and the like. LifeCafe’s chef works closely with nutritionists and trainers to create healthy snacks and meals—options include breakfast bowls, salads, sandwiches and even a grassfed beef or turkey burger. • The Spring yoga studio (91 W. Clinton Ave., Tenafly) last fall opened a cafe with a “plant-forward” menu (it’s about 80 percent vegan) that changes seasonally. The Spring has egg dishes, sandwiches, bowls and create-your-own options, as well as smoothies and coffee. Namaste!

DID YOU KNOW? More than 141 million cards are sent for Mother’s Day in the U.S., according to the folks at Hallmark. But the holiday only ranksDID YOU KNOW? Of the 47,746 runners who finished the 2022 New York City Marathon in November, 2,972 are from the Garden State. third on the list of top greeting card holidays. Christmas tops the list with 1.6 billion cards, followed by Valentine’s Day (151 million).Cole Dailey, 39, of Rutherford was the top Bergen runner. He crossed the finish line with a time of 2 hours, 58 minutes and 32 seconds.

WHERE WILL YOU GO?

National Plan for Vacation Day, says the U.S. Travel Association, is the last Tuesday in January—the 31st this year. But actually, any day this month is a good time to book a trip, as airlines, cruise lines and hotels offer discounts at the top of the calendar year. “Airline credits, resort credits, complimentary meal plans and kids-stay-free are all promotions I’ve seen in January,” says Jaime Garcia, a travel advisor with Once Upon a Vacation in Ridgewood. “Many locations are looking to attract new and returning clientele, so they offer great post-holiday sales.” Garcia shares travelplanning tips: • Book early. Solidifying your trip months in advance can do wonders for both the getaway and your wallet. Garcia says the sooner you book, the better your selection of hotels, room types and destinations. Besides enjoying top-ofthe-year promotions, you can sometimes pay in increments rather than all at once if you need to. • Try the tropics. How does a pina colada on the beach sound right about now? The travel industry knows just how you feel. “Tropical locations usually have the best promotions to offer because bundled-up deals offer the best savings,” says our expert. “Bundled-up deals” means you’ll save if you buy hotel, airfare and transportation to and from the airport all at once. • Read the fine print. Many travel suppliers advertise web specials, coupons and bundled deals in January, but make sure you can live with the caveats. “For example,” Garcia says, “are the flights nonstop? Are the seats standard economy or basic? I also always recommend making sure the terms of the promotion are something you feel comfortable with. A nonrefundable rate may be enticing, but the terms are super-strict.”

• Know that you can (probably) cancel if need

be. Pre-pandemic, airlines and travel suppliers had stricter cancellation and refund policies, but they have since loosened, says our agent. “Many wholesalers have eliminated change fees, cancellation fees and offer flexible terms,” she explains. Still, she always recommends purchasing travel insurance in case unexpected issues arise, such as inclement weather, illness or a family emergency that prevents you from taking the trip. Expect to pay $75 to $100 per person for a travel credit or upwards of $200 per person for an insurance policy with a cash refund, she notes. • Consider using a travel agent. Most travel agents don’t charge a fee for their services; they get paid by the hotels and airlines they book. Many agencies have longstanding relationships with select resorts and carriers and can book these places for their clients at a better-thanaverage price. “Some deals are exclusive to the travel-agent community and the wholesalers we use,” Garcia says. “I love to pass that savings along to my clients.” Using an agent also means you can talk to a real human being on the phone.

PUPPY LOVE

Dogs: Millie, 4-year-old Labrador retreiver/greyhound mix Owners: Genna and Craig Weintraub of Mahwah While Genna and Craig worked from home during the height of the pandemic, they took breaks during the day by walking around their neighborhood. “Doing it with a dog would make it more exciting,” Genna recalls thinking during more than one of those strolls. So the couple searched and found the perfect pup at a shelter in Rockland County, N.Y. “Millie seemed so scared in her pen but was so friendly with us. We immediately knew she was ‘the one’.” And the pup quickly made herself at home, where she has a large yard to “chase squirrels and run her heart out” or dig holes like she’s “searching for buried treasure,” Mom says. When Millie’s inside, she’s a big mush and lays in her very own spot on the living room couch. There, Genna says, the pup—who’s full size and about 100 pounds now—watches her owners’ every move and makes demands for jerky treats, Milkbones or a game of tug o’ war with one of her dozen rope toys. Outside of their home, Millie enjoys hikes at the Ramapo Valley Reservation or burning energy at the Ridgewood dog park. “She’s two breeds that love activity,” Genna notes, “so we do our best to keep up!” Want to see your cat or dog in an upcoming issue? Email your pet’s photo and brief details to rita.guarna@wainscotmedia.com.

STRESS? IT’S SO 2022

Want to unwind, de-stress and decompress after the long holiday season? The world of meditation and yoga is calling! The classes below are professionally taught and free— though registration is required. Just bring a yoga mat, water, comfortable clothes! • Meditation with Lenna and Nirmal. Instructors Leena Unnikrishnan and Nirmal Mukhi, who have more than two decades of experience in Sahaja meditation, can help you reduce stress, relieve pain and recharge the mind. Mahwah Library, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. • Sahaja Yoga Meditation. This is easy to learn, and all ages or cultural backgrounds are welcome. Attendees can sit either in a chair or on the floor and should wear loose, comfortable clothing for the hour-long sessions. Englewood Library, Wednesdays at 7 p.m. • Yoga Workshop. This open-level class will help you breathe deeper, get stronger and feel more relaxed. Taught by certified instructor James Mokarry. Sign up for five sessions. Johnson Library in Hackensack at 10 a.m. for five consecutive Fridays, starting Jan. 13.

GEAR HERE!

Working out isn’t easy, but there’s a fun part to that resolution: getting new gear!

Below is a collection of items that, while they won’t do the work for you, will make you feel tip-top while you’re sweating away at the gym.

• Fitbit Charge 5

Advanced. A userfriendly interface and reliability make this one of the leading fitness trackers. It records all your stats— steps, distance, heart rate, sleep pattern, etc.

• On Cloud X.

Whether you’re running outdoors or high-stepping in an aerobics class, these lightweight trainers provide plenty of support and stability.

• Bose Sport

Earbuds. These Bluetoothenabled buds are comfortable, sweat-resistant and secure, so you can enjoy your tunes without worry or distraction.

• Athleta Salutation Tights.

These leggings are made of lightweight fabric that not only allows unrestricted movement and has two dropin pockets for your phone, but also passes the squat test.

• Lululemon Pack It Down

Vest. Layer this vest over a running jacket for your outdoor jog or simply over a tee during the drive to the gym. It’s lightweight but filled with down material to keep your core warm.

HELP FOLKS BUNDLE UP

Coats piling up in your closet that you don’t wear anymore but don’t know what to do with? Donate them! Most coat drives will accept coats that are newish or gently used (still wearable, no holes or stains), and several Bergen locations—including some mall stores you may be visiting anyway—will gladly give your garment to someone for whom a new winter coat wasn’t in the budget: • 2nd Annual LJC III Legacy Coat Drive, Fair Lawn. Leo J. Czekalski III, a Realtor at Keller

Williams in Fair Lawn, donates coats to a dropoff point for the national nonprofit One Warm Coat, then they’re distributed to people in need. To make it even easier to give, he’ll pick them up from your home— just sign up for a pickup slot. Visit facebook.com/listingleo for more info. • Garden State Plaza, Paramus. Stores here that are taking part in winter coat drives during mall hours include Aero, Forever 21, J. Crew, Eddie Bauer and Lucky. As an extra incentive, whenever you donate a coat, you’ll get 10 percent off (or $10 off, depending on the retailer) your outerwear purchase made that day.

• John F. Kennedy Memorial Library,

Wallington. Collection hours: Monday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday 12 to 8 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• National Honor Society Coat

Drive, Ridgefield Park. In 2020, students in the Ridgefield Park school district’s NHS collected more than 200 coats; can they hit 300 this year? Drop-off at Ozzie Nelson Drive Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

VOTE FOR LOCAL FAVES

BERGEN’s annual Readers’ Choice Poll is officially open online—it’s a chance to honor your favorite Bergen businesses. From doggie daycare to donut shops, boutiques to bars, vote in more than 100 categories on our website—bergenmag.com/ votereaderschoice2023. We’ll reveal the winners in our September issue, so stay tuned.

SHOP ON!

So done with buying things after the holidays? So’s everyone else—that’s why January can be a great time for bargains as merchants try to move remaining inventory. Depending on what you want, here are places to try: • Holiday décor and wrapping paper, for the same reason Halloween candy is half off on Nov. 1. Christmas Tree Shops, Paramus, 201.291.1340. • Linens and “soft home goods,” which have been discounted in January since the first “white sale” in 1878: Don’t panic if you missed that year’s sale—you can still get bedding, duvets, pillows and towels. And not just whites—colors too! Avanti Home, Moonachie, 201.641.7766. • Toys. (Birthdays coming up?) Tons of Toys, Westwood, 201.641.7766. • Video games. New releases are timed to the end of the year, but they’re just as much fun to play in January. The Game Zone, Hillsdale, 201.358.6800. • Exercise equipment, treadmills, etc.—just in case you really meant that New Year’s resolution. Fitness

Showrooms of New Jersey, Paramus, 201.262.1670. • Winter clothing and sports gear such as ski and snowboarding equipment, boots, hats and goggles. (Alas, most of winter still lies ahead.) Ramsey Outdoor, Ramsey, 201.327.8141. • Flooring and carpeting, in case you’ll want to improve the look of your home in ’23. Floor & Décor, Paramus, 201.477.6044. • TVs. The Super Bowl is just weeks away. Best Buy, Paramus, 201.556.1321 • Suits and formalwear for those special occasions in the new year. Sal Lauretta for Men, Midland Park, 201.444.1666.

CULINARY CORNER

Italy times 3

Fans of Cork & Crust in Harrington Park are rejoicing at the arrival of sister restaurant Augie’s Trattoria. This BYOB Italian eatery features assorted classic and specialty pasta dishes as well as traditional chicken, veal, seafood and vegetarian entrées. A full gluten-free menu featuring gluten-free pasta and a tempting twin lobster-tail dish is also available.

• Augie’s Trattoria, 112 La Roche Ave., Harrington Park, 201.660.7865 Another Italian restaurant, Verana, is now open in Norwood. The brainchild of former Del Posto chef Giuseppe Agostino, it boasts upscale selections such as tagliatelle in black truffle butter, whole lobster in a spicy tomato sauce and whole grilled branzino. Oh, and we can’t forget dessert—the budino (milk and dark chocolate custard) sounds amazing!

• Verana, 530 Livingston St., Norwood, 201.347.6759 A third Italian eatery recently joined Bergen’s dining landscape: Da Mimmo is now open in Dumont. Created by a TikTok-famous trio (the Gigante brothers), it specializes in brick-oven pizzas and paninis. We can’t wait to try (and post photos of) the Cheesesteak Da Mimmo!

• Da Mimmo, 132 Veterans Plaza, Dumont, 201.367.9648; damimmonj.com

KUDOS

A round of applause for Old Tappan’s Cara Boyce, Cresskill’s Isabella Kim and Wyckoff’s Gina Certo, three of the five high school sophomores selected to represent the Academy of the Holy Angels at the 2023 Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Seminar. The trio will be joined by classmates Xenaya Medina of Clifton and Molly Doherty of New City, N.Y., at the three-day student leadership conference in June.

Speaking of leaders, raise a glass to Sunmerry Bakery and Café in Fort Lee, which Food & Wine magazine rates as one of the state’s top breakfast spots. The foodie publication raves about the café’s “airy brioche filled with cream.” Give it a try at 2024 Center Ave. or check out SunMerry’s menu at sunmerryus.com.

Two Bergen-based businesses picked up honors at the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce’s Inaugural Awards in November. Hackensack Meridian Health earned the DE&I Trailblazer Award in “Workforce Diversity,” while Columbia Bank, based in Fair Lawn, received the prize in the “Board Diversity” category.

REACH YOUR SUMMIT IN ’23

The new year is a perfect time to diversify your get-in-shape agenda and set a new goal. Here are some possibilities: • Spring goal: If you’ve been racking up miles on the roads and treadmills, maybe change it up and take on trail running. Sign up for the Lost Brook Trail Race Sunday, March 26. There are 5- and 10-mile options that take runners through the Lost Brook Preserve forest, which is maintained by the Tenafly Nature Center. • Summer goal: Treadmills, pools, bikes—use each of them to train for the 41st Annual Wyckoff Franklin Lakes Triathlon, which takes place (final date not available at press time) at the Indian Trail Club in Franklin Lakes. Individual and relay options are available, so you can have more fun by making it a team effort. • Anytime goal: If you’re not ready for a racer’s pace, perhaps a hike is more your speed. Download an app such as AllTrails and follow it up Bald Mountain in the Ramapos. At 1,152 feet, it’s Bergen County’s highest peak. And if the trek up the trail doesn’t take your breath away, the view at the summit just may.

{ YOUR FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS } Livvy’n The Life

Gymnast Livvy Dunne is the most followed student athlete on social media, the top-valued female college athlete, and—not to brag, but—she hails from right here in the Pascack Valley.

Fun fact: The most followed student athlete on social media is from Bergen County. Her name is Olivia Dunne, known personally and professionally as “Livvy,” and she’s a college gymnast competing for Louisiana State University in the NCAA. LSU is a far cry literally and figuratively from her hometown of Hillsdale, but it was here in North Jersey that she learned just about everything she knows about the sport. Livvy was homeschooled starting in sixth grade, and trained since she was 4 years old at ENA Gymnastics in Paramus. And this 20-year-old is doing just fine out on her own in the South. Dunne has amassed more than 8 million followers combined on TikTok and Instagram, landing her that coveted title of most followed student athlete, brand partnership deals with brands like Forever21 and Vuori, as well as the clout—and money—that comes with being a social media influencer. BERGEN asked Livvy via an email interview how she balances sports, school and “internet fame,” her coach’s best advice and her favorite spots to visit when she’s back home in Jerz.

You’re the most followed student athlete on social media. How do you strike that balance between being an athlete, an influencer, as well as a student?

It can be a lot to balance it all, but I try to prioritize what I have to do each day and I stick to a pretty tight schedule. Most of my day is at the gym or in class and doing schoolwork. Then, I carve out an hour or two in the evening to work on social media. I also make sure to work with brands that understand my schedule and will work with me so that I have the flexibility I need.

What did your schedule look like when you were homeschooling and training? Tell us a bit more about your childhood in Bergen.

Being homeschooled allowed me to go to the gym during the day and do my schoolwork at night. I’d do around five hours a day in the gym with breaks for lunch and school. During the time when I was training at the elite level, I was in the gym around 30 hours a week and we traveled monthly to the USA National Training Center in Texas. It was an intense schedule, but that’s not unusual in elite gymnastics. I often also did physical therapy after practice and then would go home to work on school for 3 or 4 hours.

Do you feel you missed out on the regular school experience?

I did miss out on a lot of “normal” things, and that was really hard at times. I was lucky to have my sister Julz one grade ahead of me. She would include me in things she did, like high school football games. But you do have to give up a lot to train at that level.

What’s one thing your coaches at ENA taught you that still sticks with you today?

They taught me how to dream big. They saw something in me when I was really young, and they always made me feel like I was talented enough to go as far as I wanted to in gymnastics. We are still very close. I call my ENA coach, Craig Zappa, when I have a hard day to get advice or on a good day to share those moments as well. It means a lot that the coaches at ENA are proud of everything I’m accomplishing. They’re still some of my biggest supporters.

How did you grow your social following so quickly?

I actually love social media! I like the whole process of looking at trends—planning what to post, even watching the analytics after I post something. I think the more you enjoy something the better you get at it. I started TikTok before it was super popular and that really helped me build up a following fast. But, I take it very seriously and work hard to post consistently.

How would you describe your personal brand?

I think my followers enjoy seeing all the different sides to my personality. I like showing what it’s like to do a college sport, go to school and also be involved in social media. I think it’s important to realize that you are more than just your sport. I try to focus my brand and everything I do on always being myself and being authentic with my audience, and to show younger girls that being a gymnast is just one part of who I am.

Have you had any pinch me moments lately? Any celeb followers or any notable interactions?

Yes! I got to have dinner with Joe Burrow [of the Cincinnati Bengals] who is an amazing quarterback and LSU legend. I got to go to the ESPY Awards and meet all kinds of professional and Olympic athletes. I was also in a Walker Hayes music video which was very cool!

What do you miss most about Bergen County when you’re in Louisiana? The lifestyle seems very different there…

I miss pizza and bagels and the food from home. I also miss the seasons. I love warm weather, but I do miss the fall leaves or the feeling you get when it’s snowing outside.

Where are some of your favorite places to hang out when you’re home?

I love to go to the Ridge Diner in Park Ridge, Brooklyn Pizza in Ridgewood and Houston’s at The Shops at Riverside in Hackensack. I shop the local stores at Tice’s Corner a lot. I feel very lucky to have grown up in Bergen County. There’s no place like home.

What are your goals for 2023, personally or professionally?

I’d love to keep growing my brand and maybe start working on my own merchandise or products. I hope LSU gymnastics has a great season and gets to compete for a national title too!

NANCÉ AGRESTA, LCSW, CASAC, NCACII KIMBERLY AGRESTA, MSW, LCSW

AGRESTA PSYCHOTHERAPY GROUP

60 Grand Ave., Suite 204, Englewood, NJ 07631 | 201.567.3117 80 Eighth Ave., Suite 1108, New York, NY 10011 | 212.627.7727

STATISTICS SUGGESTthat one in four individuals experience some type of mental distress. Kimberly and Nancé Agresta of Agresta Psychotherapy Group believe proper treatment can help patients lead better lives. Advocates of eliminating the stigma of seeking help for mental illness, Kimberly and Nancé offer a nurturing environment for adults, families and children of all ages, including those with special needs. In addition to working with couples on relationship issues, they treat anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, grief, eating disorders, addictions, sexual abuse, gender identity and PMAD’s. Therapeutic services include weekend couples’ groups, parenting groups, art therapy and Nancé’s work as a certified Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapist for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Agresta Psychotherapy Group now offers treatment via telehealth as well as in office. In times of crisis, having support is vitally important. Agresta Psychotherapy Group provides that support and guidance to those struggling with all mental health issues including those stemming from the pandemic.