APRIL 2021 | $3.95 | BERGENMAG.COM | VOLUME 21 ISSUE 4
VOLUME 21 ISSUE 4 | APRIL 2021
HEALTH & LIFE | FOOD & FASHION | HOME & HAPPENINGS
*
THE HOME & GARDEN ISSUE
TOP REAL ESTATE AGENTS
GREAT ROOMS
*
HIGH STYLE
in Ridgewood
INSTAGRAM-INSPIRED YARD GETS A PHOTO FINISH SHED SOME LIGHT: FIXTURES THAT SAY ‘WOW’
+ ANIMAL CONTROL: TIPS FOR DEALING WITH OUR WILDLIFE NEIGHBORS BERG.0421.coverFIN.indd 2
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Sometimes, the Best Care is at Home Valley Home Care brings the highest level of healthcare to the homes of more than 12,000 people each year. We are here to care for you in your home.
To arrange for Valley Home Care, just call 201-291-6283, or speak with your doctor about our services.
Care Like No Other
®
ValleyHealth.com/HomeCare
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Your Safety is Our First Priority To ensure your safety, our Valley Home Care professionals are wearing appropriate personal protective equipment and following enhanced safety protocols during visits to your home.
HIGHEST RATING FOR
PATIENT SATISFACTION
HHHHH
Source: Medicare Home Health Compare
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Sometimes, the Best Care is at Home
OPEN TO LEARN MORE
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Join us for a cup of coffee... and a second opinion
When the markets turn as volatile and confusing as they have over the last several years, even the most patient investors may come to question the wisdom of the investment plan they’ve been following.
We’d like to help – starting with a cup of coffee and a second opinion. By appointment, you’re welcome to come in and sit with us for a while. We’ll have a conversation and talk about your financial goals — what you’d like your investment portfolio to do for you. Then, we’ll review the portfolio and discuss our thoughts with you. If we think your investments are well-suited to your long-term goals, we’ll gladly tell you so. If, on the other hand, we believe some of your investments may no longer fit with your goals, we’ll explain why, using plain English. We will also recommend some alternative strategies for your consideration.
Either way, the coffee is on us! For a free consultation, please contact my office at 201-505-0472 and let us know if you like milk or cream. Or, if you prefer, we will bring the coffee to you. ERIC L. KOHLMEIER Senior Financial Advisor Managing Director – Investments 100 Park Avenue, Park Ridge, NJ 07656 Phone: 201-505-0472 Toll-Free: 888-213-1460 Fax: 908-598-3956 www.erickohlmeier.wfadv.com
Investment and Insurance Products:
u NOT FDIC Insured
u NO Bank Guarantee
u MAY Lose Value
© 2019 Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. 0321-00076
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We are pleased to congratulate
Eric Kohlmeier Senior Financial Advisor
for being named to the 2021 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors ranking. At Wells Fargo Advisors, we recognize the importance of excellent service and trusted investment advice. Contact us to learn more about our focus on helping clients achieve their financial goals.
Eric Kohlmeier
Senior Financial Advisor Managing Director - Investments 100 Park Ave. Park Ridge, NJ 07656 Office: 201-505-0472 Toll Free: 888-213-1460 eric.kohlmeier@wellsfargo.com www.erickohlmeier.wfadv.com
The Forbes 2021 Best-In-State Wealth Advisors ranking algorithm is based on industry experience, interviews, compliance records, assets under management, revenue and other criteria by SHOOK Research, LLC, which does not receive compensation from the advisors or their firms in exchange for placement on a ranking. Investment performance is not a criterion.
Investment and Insurance Products: NOT FDIC Insured / NO Bank Guarantee / MAY Lose Value Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. © 2020 Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC CAR-0620-02310 IHA-6759107_5a
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CONTENTS
{ APRIL 2021 }
Features
Have a Healthy Spring | 44
Tips from an emergency room doc on avoiding the hazards warmer weather brings.
Keeping the Cook | 50
POOLING THEIR TALENTS
A landscape designer, an architect and a savvy client turn a small Ramsey yard into a great place to swim—or just hang out.
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A Franklin Lakes kitchen becomes a bright and airy visual treat for the homeowner, an artist who loves to bake. (It’s practical too.)
Best Room in the House | 54
Four Bergenites pick the spaces in their homes that best combine visual style with a penchant for making everyday family history.
Show Room | 58
This eclectic master bedroom was designed for an annual showcase, but a real-life resident would love its spirit, equal parts regal and contemporary.
Let There Be Light | 62
Sure, lighting sets the mood, but a distinctive fixture can make a statement of its own. Three Bergen designers offer illuminating advice.
One Yard, Many Moods | 68
Timing was perfect as a wooded Franklin Lakes backyard became a multi-‘room’ paradise ideal for socially distant socializing.
The Wildlife Surprise | 72
Deer, geese, bears and other unwanted animal visitors are more common in Bergen’s suburban landscape these days. What can be done?
IN EVERY ISSUE
10 Editor’s Note 40 Health News 122 Where to Eat
BERGENMAG.COM
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All of us for all of you. *All photos taken prior to masking requirements.
Whether you need a routine visit with a primary care doctor or want to have something checked out by a specialist, the Englewood Health Physician Network has you covered. Our team of more than 500 providers welcomes patients at more than 100 office locations throughout northern New Jersey and Rockland County, New York. SERVICE AREAS: Bariatric Surgery
Dermatology
Gynecology
Neurology
Rheumatology
Behavioral Health
Diabetes Education ENT Head & Neck Surgery
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Sleep Medicine
Blood Disorders
Gynecologic Oncology Hematology
Orthopedics
Emergency Medicine (adult & pediatric)
Infectious Disease
Palliative Care
Surgical Oncology
Endocrinology (adult & pediatric)
Integrative Medicine
Pain Management
Interventional Cardiology
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Podiatry
Men’s Health
Pulmonology
Breast Surgery Cancer Cardiac Electrophysiology Cardiology Cardiothoracic Surgery Colon and Rectal Surgery
Functional Medicine Gastroenterology (adult & pediatric) Geriatric Medicine
Neonatology
Primary Care Radiology
Surgery Thoracic Surgery Urgent Care Urology Vascular Surgery Vein Disease Women’s Health Wound Healing
Find a physician: Call 833-234-2234 or visit ehpn.org
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CONTENTS
Departments Bergen Buzz | 23 Our guide to new ideas, tips, trends and things we love in the county.
For Men Only | 32
This month may be rainy and dreary, but a few pieces in electric blue will give your look a spark.
Style Watch | 34
These fashionable—and cozy—slides will help you put your best foot forward this season.
Jewelry Box | 36
Earrings, rings, necklaces and bracelets get a literal twist with these interwoven, sometimes mixed metals.
Home Front | 38
These unique accent tables are multi-purpose, not to mention both practical and pretty.
Tastes | 76
These lighter, vegan pancakes are inspired by Swedish, Korean and Japanese cuisines and make a delicious brunch, lunch or dinner.
Power Food | 116
Move over, black and green. Move along, oolong. It’s time to try purple tea.
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Spirits | 118
The Brits’ ode to spring, a Pimm’s Cup is best enjoyed with friends here or across the pond. Cheers!
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Gatherings | 126
Bergenites always show up to support their friends and neighbors—especially when help is needed most.
A Bergen Moment | 128
A Ho-Ho-Kus dad of two captures a moment of tranquilty at home with his two little ones.
ON THE COVER: The Taggart family of Ridgewood uses their “everything room” for watching TV, assembling puzzles, lounging and much more. Photo by Steve Freihon
BERGENMAG.COM
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Left to Right: EVAN BAIRD, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor, Mount Sinai Medical Center; RAFAEL LEVIN, M.D., M.S.C., Chief of Spine, HackensackUMC at Pascack Valley; JONATHAN LESTER, M.D., Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; NOMAAN ASHRAF, M.D., M.B.A., Assistant Clinical Professor, Mount Sinai Medical Center
WHERE OUR TEAM BELIEVES IN CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT FIRST. BOARD CERTIFIED SPINE SURGEONS AND PHYSIATRY SERVICES
WESTWOOD | CLIFTON | BRIDGEWATER EAST BRUNSWICK 201.634.1811 | COMPSPINECARE.COM
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{ EDITOR’S NOTE }
Your Sanctuary, Indoors And Out How can you get excited about home, you may ask, when you’ve recently been “stuck” there for many months? The Home & Garden Issue you hold in your hands is our answer. That bit of the cosmos you control— your house and its surroundings—has been a special kind of refuge for the past year, but it’s always your sanctuary in a hustle-bustle world. In a way, our environments speak back to us. Your ability to craft yours to meet your needs isn’t just a chance for self-expression; it’s an affirmative embrace of your family’s daily life— self-esteem with a paintbrush. Home is where you can always go; let it be because you love the place. In that spirit, BERGEN asked you to tell us about the room in your house that you love most—because it best combines style and functionality. We thank everyone who responded, and we’re excited to share with you four personal spaces we wouldn’t mind calling our own. Turn to “Best Room in the House” on page 54 for a peek. Over the past year, the kitchen became the spot for entertaining, learning, working and, of course, eating. In “Keeping the Cook Happy” on page 50, see how designer Sharon Sherman created a bright space where a Franklin Lakes family could actively use or stay and pass the time. Speaking of time passing, have you noticed that spring is in the air? That’s a great reason to step outside—but that needn’t mean leaving home. Your yard can be just as well-crafted as your interior to meet your needs, and Franklin Lakes’ Mitch Knapp proves that point. With the help of his design firm Scenic Landscaping, he was able to make his backyard suitable for an evening with family or a socially distant get-together with friends. Turn to “One Yard, Many Moods” on page 68 to see the oasis. The Takla family also knew exactly what they wanted in their Ramsey backyard—and with the help of Thomas Flint Landscape Design, they got it. From a pool to a firepit to a trampoline, the features in the space fill their need to escape and entertain. Flip to “Pooling Their Talents” on page 46 to see the results of the project. Besides showcasing these wonderful spaces, this issue features other articles that can inspire you to create an area to fit your lifestyle. The show room on page 58, the lighting ideas on page 62 and the kitchen trends in Bergen Buzz, for instance, are chock full of tips to get you started. There’s our usual range of topics too. Do you know, for instance, what color of tea is even healthier than green (page 116)? What wild animal is most likely to turn up on your doorstep (page 72)? Why Bergen parks are headed for a major sprucing-up (page 23)? You’ll find all of that and more in this Home & Garden Issue; we invite you to flip its pages and see what catches your eye. Perhaps it will even inspire a fresh look at what you’ve supposedly been seeing constantly. Welcome home!
Rita Guarna Editor in Chief editor@wainscotmedia.com
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RE-DEFINING THE ART OF OUTDOOR LIVING L A NDSC APE MASO NRY | OUTDOO R LIVING SPAC ES | CUSTOM SWIMM ING POOLS
award-w inning residen tial desig n-build firm 201.327.5162 / THOMASFLINT.COM HIC# 13VH02422300
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Editor in Chief RITA GUARNA Creative Director STEPHEN M. VITARBO Senior Associate Editor DARIUS AMOS Lifestyle Editor HALEY LONGMAN Contributing Editors TIMOTHY KELLEY, LESLIE GARISTO PFAFF
dream in
ART
Art Director MICHAEL FORTE
M-F: 10-8 • SAT: 10-6 Paramus, NJ • (201) 322-5000 help. stop by for a complimentary design consultation, and experience KohlerSignatureStoreParamus.com Designing a new kitchen or bathroom? your Kohler signature store can
Kohler products, lighting, tile and cabinetry selections firsthand.
Contributing Photographers HEATHER KNAPP, ADAM PASS, PETER RYMWID, MIKE VAN TASSELL PRODUCTION
Graphic Designer, Advertising Services VIOLETA MULAJ
Let’s make your dream a reality.
Production Artist CHRIS FERRANTE CIRCULATION
Circulation Manager KATHY WENZLER
BE SOCIAL Join our online community! LIKE us on Facebook: BergenMag FOLLOW us on Twitter: @BergenMag SEE our photos on Instagram: @BergenMagNJ VIEW our boards on Pinterest: HealthandLife
Paramus, NJ • (201) 322-5000 KohlerSignatureStoreParamus.com
Kitchens & cabinetry
bathrooms
lighting
SEND YOUR FEEDBACK AND IDEAS TO: Editor, BERGEN, 1 Maynard Dr., Park Ridge, NJ 07656; fax 201.746.8650; email editor@wainscotmedia.com. BERGEN assumes no responsibility for the return of unsolicited manuscripts or art materials. BERGEN (ISSN 25738151) is published monthly by Wainscot Media, 1 Maynard Drive, Suite 2104, Park Ridge, NJ 07656. © 2021 by Wainscot Media LLC. All rights reserved. Periodicals postage paid at Mahwah, NJ, and additional mailing offices. Subscriptions in U.S. outside of Bergen County: $14 for one year. Single copies: $3.95. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to BERGEN, 1 Maynard Drive, Suite 2104, Park Ridge, NJ, 07656. Material contained herein is intended for informational purposes only. If you have medical concerns, seek the guidance of a healthcare professional
utility rooms
schedule your design consultation online or by phone M-F: 10-8 • SAT: 10-6 160 Route NJ 17 North, Paramus 322-5000 | 201.322.5000 Paramus, • (201) For additional locations please visit KohlerNJ.com KohlerSignatureStoreParamus.com
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CHOOSE BETTER. MOVE BETTER. At HSS we’re uniquely focused on the way you move. As the U.S. #1 in Orthopedics for 11 years in a row, we know that how you move is critical to your quality of life. That’s why our team of experts remains dedicated to making the highest-quality, most responsible musculoskeletal care available to you — wherever you are. Now open Saturdays. To learn more about our in-person appointments, virtual visits, and enhanced safety protocols, visit HSS.edu/Paramus
Most major insurance plans accepted. Ask about our new relationship with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield. 140 East Ridgewood Avenue, Suite 175 S., Paramus, NJ 07652 • Call: 201.599.8000
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Publisher THOMAS FLANNERY Associate Publisher MARY MASCIALE
HIGHER EDUCATION.
ADVERTISING
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Director of Digital Media NIGEL EDELSHAIN Director of Advertising Services JACQUELYNN FISCHER
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At Fairleigh Dickinson University, we’ve increased access to a private college education — helping more students get the opportunities they deserve. In addition to lowering tuition, we’ve restructured our learning programs to include over 100 majors, plus 43 combined bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
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ADVERTISING INQUIRIES Please contact Thomas Flannery at 201.571.2252 or thomas.flannery@wainscotmedia.com.
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WHAT YOU CAN FIND ON BERGENMAG.COM RIGHT NOW YOUR VOTE COUNTS! It’s that time again! Choose your favorite bakery, day spa, sushi spot and more in the 2021 Best In Bergen Readers’ Choice Awards. Online ballots are now available at bergenmag.com/ best-in-bergen-2021-voting. Vote soon—ballots close on April 15!
HOME, SWEET HOME Making a house into your dream home takes work, but where do you begin? In House to Home by Devi DuttaChoudhury, you’ll learn how to design your space to fit your needs and way of life. For a chance to win a copy of the book, visit bergenmag.com/ house-to-home.
NO PIECE OF CAKE Funnyman Jimmy Fallon recently graded the famed crumb cake from Hackensack’s B&W Bakery, spawning a hotly contested debate: Who makes it best? We spotlight five bakeries that can step up to the challenge. Read about it at bergenmag.com/cantmiss-crumb-cakes.
STAY IN THE KNOW Want the latest tips, news and things we love in our county? Head to bergenmag.com and subscribe to our free BERGEN Buzz weekly e-newsletter.
Follow us: BERGENMAG.C0M
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WHO BETTER THAN NEW JERSEY’S PREMIER CANCER PROGRAM RANKED BEST CANCER CENTER IN NEW JERSEY BY U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT PART OF THE NCI-DESIGNATED GEORGETOWN LOMBARDI COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER ACCESS TO NOVEL THERAPIES WITH OVER 450 CLINICAL TRIALS INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED EXPERTISE ONE OF THE NATION’S LARGEST BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT PROGRAMS PIONEERS IN THE ADVANCEMENT OF IMMUNOTHERAPY FIRST TO BRING CAR T-CELL THERAPY TO NEW JERSEY ONE OF THE LARGEST ROBOTIC SURGERY PROGRAMS IN THE NATION When it comes to your cancer, there’s no question. New Jersey’s premier cancer program is Hackensack Meridian John Theurer Cancer Center. See or speak to an expert within 48 hours. Call 833-CANCER-MD.
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SPECIAL PROMOTION
James W. Geuder, M.D. VEIN CENTER OF ORADELL
680 KINDERKAMACK ROAD, ORADELL 201.262.8346 | VEINCENTEROFORADELL.COM
BERGEN COUNTY’S
TOP DOCTORS
2021
VEIN SPECIALISTS Dr. James Geuder is a board certified vascular surgeon with over 25 years of experience treating vascular and vein problems in Bergen County. At The Vein Center of Oradell, Dr. Geuder personally examines, educates and treats all patients. The Vein Center of Oradell has an ICAVL-approved vascular lab, and they became the first vein center in New Jersey to be certified by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission. Nurse Patty Galitsis, R.N. has many years of experience with vein problems and is certified in fitting compression hose. Castle Connolly and New York Magazine consistently include Dr. Geuder on their “Best Doctor” list and he also has the Patients Choice Award which is based on patients’ experience. The Vein Center of Oradell makes every effort to offer patients the most comfortable and friendly environment as they receive the best medical care.
WE ARE FOLLOWING ALL CDC GUIDELINES TO KEEP OUR PATIENTS AND STAFF SAFE.
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FREE TO SUBSCRIBERS!
An exciting e-newsletter from the editors of BERGEN magazine!
An exclusive weekly peek into the people who are helping to shape the county, the places that are generating the most excitement (including restaurants, shops and hangouts) and the things that people from Allendale to Alpine are talking about.
BUZZ
Our guide to new ideas and people, tips, trends and things we love in the county.
DON’T MISS IT! Omm for the Holidays Looking to unwind this holiday season? Check out a sound healing and mediation session at the Graf Center for Integrative Medicine at Englewood Health. Learn more about the event here.
5 WAYS TO... Dress your Family for Holiday Photos Plaid shirts and red cable knit V-neck sweaters not exactly your family’s style? Ours either. But we still want an adorable photo for a holiday card that rivals the year’s best Instagram post. Read on for five creative ways to dress your brood for this year’s holiday pictures.
SPONSOR CONTENT
THE SECOND STREET PAVILION Hackensack University Medical Center is creating a state-of-the-art new facility on Second Street which will transform the way we provide patient care. The nine-story building will bring together the latest medical technology with the best in patient comfort, including private patient rooms. By Hackensack University Medical Center
SEEN & HEARD All Revved Up in Woodcliff Lake Find out where this outrageous orange race car was headed. For more of what’s been Seen & Heard around the county, click here.
LOOKING FOR LOVE Adoptable Pups in Our Area Meet Emma, a 9-week old, blue-eyed beauty who loves to nap and snuggle.
SPONSOR CONTENT
CRAFT BEER TASTING: BROWN ALES Thursday, Nov. 14 from 4-8pm I Wayne, Closter & Bernardsville Join us as we showcase some of our best 21st Century brown ales from the US and Europe. By Gary’s Wine & Marketplace
Contact Tom Flannery, Group Publisher, for details on how to sponsor BERGEN BUZZ! Think you have something edit worthy for BERGEN BUZZ? Contact Rita Guarna, Editor in Chief, at editor@wainscotmedia.com.
SUBSCRIBE Please click here to subscribe to the print edition of BERGEN Magazine.
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Copyright © 2019 Wainscot Media, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: One Maynard Drive, Park Ridge, NJ 07656
This is the place for you. Imagine hundreds of exceptional bath, kitchen and lighting products from trusted brands, in settings that help you envision them in your own home. You’ll find classic styles alongside the newest trends. A friendly, accessible staff offers guidance and detailed
For sponsorship information, contact Tom Flannery at 201.571.2252 or thomas.flannery@wainscotmedia.com
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coordination to ensure that your project goes smoothly. Find details and hours for more
ELMWOOD PARK 261 Route 46 West • 201-421-2955
than 40 showrooms at frankwebb.com.
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Don’t let the pandemic distract you from seeing your doctor. Cancer could take the lives of 10,000 people due to missed screenings. Book an appointment today.
atlantichealth.org/cancerhides
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{ BERGEN BUZZ } OUR GUIDE TO NEW IDEAS, TIPS, TRENDS AND THINGS WE LOVE IN OUR COUNTY.
WHAT’S COOKING WITH KITCHENS Before you tear down cabinets and put a sledgehammer to the wall, you should know that upgrading a kitchen takes plenty of thought and planning. Colors or neutrals? Traditional or “smart” appliances? BERGEN asked Jenn Klaus, spokesperson for the Northeast District of Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery, for some insider info on the latest in kitchen design. Experiment with color. White is still the “it” choice for kitchens, but some homeowners are adding accent colors. “Many are going the two-tone route with their cabinets, often installing white upper cabinetry with colored bottom cabinetry,” Klaus says. “The most popular colors we’re seeing right now are navy blue, hunter green and gray.” She adds that accent lights in bright colors or those with natural elements like rattan or crystal are also trending. Smarter kitchens. Many vendors are syncing their appliances with smartphone apps, with ovens—used so often during the quarantine—leading the way. “And to extend the life of appliances, many manufacturers are including technology that alerts homeowners when it is time for routine maintenance or when there is a potential problem,” Klaus notes. “And some appliances can communicate directly with the manufacturer to help diagnose performance issues,” which can spare a costly visit from a repair person. Water…from above. Another growing trend is a suspended faucet in lieu of countertop- or wall-mounted fixtures. “Why not free up some space and install a ceiling-mount faucet?” says Klaus. “A suspended faucet can be adjusted to any preferred ceiling and hanging height. It’s a great option for those homeowners looking for a sleek, modern and smart kitchen faucet.” See it in person. While consumers may shop for items such as faucets online, Klaus warns that many customers should visit a showroom first. “Online shopping may be a good option for small items or to replace a similar item, but when purchasing large items online, such as an appliance or new bathtub, many consumers don’t purchase all of the additional parts needed to complete the installation,” she says. “They may not know what they are missing until it’s too late and, in the end, they spend more money and time correcting problems.”
DID YOU KNOW? New Jersey’s first hydroponic vertical farm is located in Hackensack. Greens Do Good uses soilless, pesticide-free technology and offers locally grown, sustainable produce to local businesses. One-hundred percent of its proceeds benefit support services for adults with autism. BERGENMAG.COM
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{ BERGEN BUZZ }
TREE TLC Your trees are about to claim your attention again when they burst into full, glorious leaf. Why not act now to make sure they’re getting the care they need? BERGEN consulted Jay Reitter, district manager of Davey Tree, who offered a few tips: Spot problem signs. Check out your trees as early as possible so you have an idea of what you’ll need to do throughout the season. “If a tree hasn’t been looking right in recent years, if it’s discolored or if leaves haven’t been as green as they once were, you’ll want to get an arborist to give you answers before it’s too late,” Reitter says. Homeowners can identify when pests eat leaves, but certain damage isn’t as noticeable: Many insects also feed on plant roots. Licensed professionals can conduct computerized tests and scans to identify problems beyond a tree’s surface.
Pick your pruning time. Growth and damage during the off-season may have left trees and shrubs misshapen, so many homeowners will want to prune them. “Now is the best time to prune fruit trees— you don’t want to prune them when the blossoms are out,” advises Reitter. “For other trees, wait till they bush out more during the season.” Time to trim? Your tall trees may have survived another winter, but how long can they keep it up? Before you start cutting from the canopy, have an arborist look at suspect trees and determine any level of decay. “We’ll be able to tell you if a tree is really safe and help you sleep at night,” he says. “Does it guarantee nothing will happen? No, but the tests provide the most accurate information.”
Cover your bases. Using mulch adds nutrients to the soil and helps it retain moisture, but using it improperly can cause harm. “If you volcano-mulch at too great a depth around a tree, you’ll suffocate the roots, depriving the tree of water and oxygen, and invite disease and insects,” he says. “Keep mulch 3 to 4 inches away from the base of the tree.” Go deep. “My biggest piece of advice,” Reitter says, “is to plant trees and shrubs at the correct depth. An arborist will be able to tell you the appropriate depth for each plant. I’ve seen plants put in eight years ago that are now just showing problems. Plants are vigorous and fight through a lot, but this could be a final nail in the coffin that creates a problem.”
A BOOST FOR LOCAL BIZ As the pandemic reached its height last summer, Jeff Werntz ((left, holding son, Van, and cousin Keith) watched as Fiesta Banquets, his family’s 70-year-old catering business in Wood-Ridge, slowly started to drift away. With grand events like weddings, anniversaries and bar/ bat mitzvahs on hold, cash flow stopped. The company had to lay off longtime employees and barely got by with a bare-bones staff, which had been reduced to a few family members. “It decimated our industry,” says Werntz, “but you still have to pay vendors and taxes, and you still have to maintain the facility.” But Fiesta wasn’t the only one hit hard—hundreds of beloved businesses and restaurants nationwide have felt the economic impact of the coronavirus, sending an immediate S.O.S. to the public. While the government threw a few lifeline grants to small businesses, a major crowd-funding effort spearheaded by Dave Portnoy, a pizza-loving blogger who founded the sports and pop culture site Barstool Sports, gained traction. Dubbed the Barstool Fund, the ongoing campaign collects monetary contributions from the public (through traditional BERGENMAG.COM
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donations and apparel sales) and awards a sum to small businesses that meet eligibility requirements. (More than $50,000 in lost profits, for example, is a major qualifying factor.) To date, the Barstool Fund has raised more than $36 million from nearly 220,000 donors—and helped 315 businesses. Fiesta is one of four Bergen County establishments (Nanni in Rochelle Park, Bibi’z Restaurant and Lounge in Westwood and Ramsey Corner Café are the others) to receive Barstool’s support. “In my head, I know everyone deserves help—from the pushcart deli to the biggest guy in town,” Werntz says. “We’re just so grateful for everyone at Barstool for their help. In fact, when I took the call from Dave, I couldn’t wait to hang up with him because I had to share the news with my group [at Fiesta].” “Dave just got it,” he adds. “And he got all his followers and fans to contribute to the fund. We’re in the service industry and we want to do everything for other people. It hits home when they turn around and help you.” For more about the Barstool Fund, visit barstoolsports.com/the-barstool-fund.
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SHARE THE BOUNTY Closter Farm has had a more adventurous year than many of us, and that’s saying a lot. The proprietors cleared an old space and turned it into a viable field for growing crops. Now, the farm has debuted a new CSA program—short for community-supported agriculture—and launched its 2021 Farm Share just in time for the spring season. Members who join the Farm Share get a Farm Card, which acts like a gift card. With it they can purchase their choice of local, organic vegetables, eggs and meat weekly during the season (typically May through November). Another option is to let the farmers curate a Farmers Box weekly with their picks. It’s a great way to try new produce (chicory or Swiss chard, anyone?), eat healthy, organically-sourced foods and support a local establishment—a win/win for all! • Closter Farm, 681 Closter Dock Rd.; closterfarm.com. Farm Share pricing: Half share: $500 for $550 Farm Card; Three-Quarters: $750 for a $850 Farm Card; Full: $1,000 for a $1,150 Farm Card. Here are some other CSA programs in the area: • Abma’s Farm, 700 Lawlins Rd., Wyckoff, 201.891.0278; abmasfarm.com • Demarest Farms, 244 Wierimus Rd., Hillsdale, 201.666.0472; demarestfarms.com • MEVO Fresh Roots Farm, Mahwah, at Campgaw Mountain Reservation, 200 Campgaw Rd., Mahwah, 201.316.4888; mevo.org • Stokes Farm, 23 Dewolf Rd., Old Tappan, 201.768.3931; stokesfarm.com
PARKS GET SOME GREEN… Spring has sprung, so it’s time to enjoy the outdoors—because Bergen County has awarded more than $19 million in grants for park improvements to be completed between now and April 2023. Sixty-two municipal and county parks received funding earmarked for open-space purchases, recreation upgrades and historic conservation. “What the pandemic showed all of us is how essential our parks and open space are in the county,” says Steve Tanelli, chairman of the Bergen County Board of Commissioners and chair of the county Parks Committee. “The parks are a great place for people to get out, get exercise, get fresh air and spend time with their families in a natural setting.” Tanelli, who resides in North Arlington, is particularly looking forward to the updates to Riverside County Park in Lyndhurst (pictured), home to the county’s first pickleball courts. That park will also become the site of a state-of-the-art boathouse and a stage, where planners hope to hold concerts in the future. Says Tanelli: “We’re thrilled to perfect these parks and spaces for the next generation.” Want to see if your neighborhood park will be beautified? Visit bergenmag.com/parks-getgrants to see the complete list of grant recipients.
GIVE HELP, GET HELP People helping people—that’s Bergen Volunteers. Community residents donate time, expertise and energies to help fellow Bergenites in varied ways, from spring cleaning to graphic design and website maintenance. Here’s how it works: Nonprofit organizations and small businesses in the county sign up as part of a network and post opportunities for which they’re looking for extra hands. Then, interested volunteers browse the listings—much as you would a job site—and apply for the unpaid “positions” that interest them. To find out about volunteering—or receiving services— mail Debbie Emery at demery@bergenvolunteers.org.
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….AND BERGEN GOES GREEN Ah, nature. We almost forgot what it smelled and looked like while we hibernated in our homes all winter. But April 22 is Earth Day, which encourages us to get outside and practice an eco-friendly lifestyle. Here are a handful of ways to celebrate our green planet, both in person (outdoors) and virtually: • Demarest Nature Center (pictured) hosts a birdhouse and birdfeeder building event for kids at the Demarest train station. Saturday, April 24, 12–3 p.m., $15 per kit and $10 for each additional kit per family. BYOH (bring your own hammer). 22–52 Park St., Demarest; demarestnaturecenter.org • New Jersey Audubon is based down in Bedminster, but it hosts a weekly virtual, nature-infused yoga class that explores the connections between the calming ritual and nature. Saturdays in April, 9:30–10:45 a.m., $13 for nonmembers; njaudubon.org • Nyack Chamber of Commerce, just across the state line in Rockland County, is moving forward with its Earth Day celebration, which will include farmers’ market vendors, craft tables and live entertainment (all socially distanced, of course). Sunday, April 18, 12–4 p.m., free admission, corner of Main St. and Cedar St., Nyack; nyackchamber.org • Teaneck Creek Conservancy, in conjunction with the Teaneck Public Library, hosts a new monthly Eco Book Club via Zoom, where environmental and naturethemed books are discussed. Monday, April 19, 7–8 p.m.; teaneckcreek.org • Wyckoff Public Library hosts an informative Zoom lecture presented by Anthony Bracco of Bracco Farms located in Pine Island, N.Y., on how to grow a victory garden: siting the garden, preparing the soil, crops to grow and tools to use will all be discussed. Thursday, April 8, 7–8:15 p.m.; wyckofflibrary.org
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PATIENT SUCCESS RUNS THROUGH OUR VEINS
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205 Robin Road, Suite 333 Paramus, NJ 07652 201-357-7596 www.chubackmedical.com Untitled-1 1 cvc-bergen-magazine-full-page-April2021.indd 1
At Chuback Vein Center, your success is our success, so we strive to provide you with the care that has earned us our 5-Star reputation. Come experience our friendly atmosphere, professional staff and state-of-the-art facility. Your health. Your beauty. Our passion. 3/10/21 9:45 AM 3/9/21 4:43 PM
{ BERGEN BUZZ }
STRANGERS HELPING, 24/7
CULINARY CORNER: HOT POTATO French fries play only a supporting role on most burger plates, but at Jack Potatoes, spuds are the star. Recently opened in downtown Westwood, this eatery makes the beloved baked potato the main course, offering a range of signature combos such as the spicy Jack on Fire as well as a build-your-own option featuring add-ons like sausage and Tzatziki sauce. As for “side dishes” at Jack Potatoes, there are assorted burgers and paninis.
Had a hard time booking an appointment for a COVID vaccine in Bergen County? Imagine trying to get one without knowing how to use a computer or a smartphone! Fortunately, two sisters, Brittany Prell Cohen and Brandi Prell, started “New Jersey COVID Vaccine Info,” a crowdsourcing group on Facebook for which they and hundreds of volunteers help older people or those otherwise eligible book vaccinations across the state. “In our lifetimes, we rarely get the opportunity to make such an impact on a stranger’s life,” says Sharon Kates, a Paramus resident who volunteers as one of 16 group moderators—a full-time job on top of her full-time job. “That is the sentiment we get with each vaccination appointment
• Jack Potatoes, 288 Third Ave., Westwood, 201.664.5225; jackpotatoes.com
PUPPY LOVE Dog: Hudson, 4½-year-old
HOW SWEDE IT IS! If the raggmunk recipe on page 76 leaves you craving more Swedish sweets, visit Bageriet in Hackensack. The bakery boasts authentic, homemade Swedish café treats, from cakes and cookies to tarts and muffins. Those with dietary concerns need not feel left out: Bageriet offers vegan and gluten-free pastries too. • Bageriet, 355 Essex St., Hackensack, 201.487.8787; thebageriet.com
¡HOLA! AGAIN One of the first eateries to close shortly after the COVID outbreak began last year, the venerable Spanish restaurant Meson Madrid has reopened under new management. The eatery retains many favorites from the previous iteration (three must-try paella options), but the new team members—one trained at a Michelin-starred NYC restaurant—have curated an improved menu. We can’t wait to try it! • Meson Madrid, 343 Bergen Blvd., Palisades Park, 201.947.1038; mesonmadridcorp.com
LAST CALL FOR THE ‘BEST’ POLL! There’s still time to show support for the best local businesses in our annual Best In Bergen Readers’ Choice Poll. Visit bergenmag.com/best-inbergen-2021-voting and choose your favorites in all categories, from bakeries and boutiques to salons and sporting goods stores. Polls close April 15.
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received by our seniors.” At presstime, the group had amassed more than 100,000 followers, and these “power bookers” with fast fingers—“survival of the fastest,” if you will—have confirmed shots for thousands of individuals, mostly by refreshing websites, staying up late when new appointments open up and generally having the time and tech savvy to navigate the flawed signup system. “A post from Northvale resident Arlene Ivory to her volunteer really touched my heart, as she was trying for weeks to schedule an appointment,” Kates recalls. “She requested help on the page and within minutes she was paired with a volunteer who then scored a vaccine for Arlene and her husband. It is as simple as that, but lifechanging for Arlene.” For those needing vaccination, the group is open to anyone with a Facebook account; simply request access, answer two questions about abiding by community rules and you’re in. Then you can post about how many inoculations you’re looking for and for whom, and you’ll be “matched” with a volunteer who can help secure your appointments. “In this group, you will find strangers helping strangers every hour of every day,” says Kates.
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American bulldog, Boston terrier, St. Bernard mix Owners: The Larcara family of Oakland The Larcaras had been searching for the perfect pup to adopt when they heard of the plight of a deaf American bulldog mix available at Jersey City-based See.Spot.Rescue. Before landing in New Jersey, Hudson was at a kill shelter, where he ended up after previous owners abandoned him when Hurricane Harvey hit Houston. “He has been through a lot,” says Shannon Larcara, who adopted Hudson three years ago. “But he has finally found a permanent home filled with love.” Since he joined the Larcara clan, Hudson has learned sign commands and has become “an amazing and well-behaved dog,” she says. “We are avid hikers, and Hudson comes with us and stays by our side every step, even if we let him off leash,” Shannon adds, noting that their favorite spots are Campgaw Mountain and the Ramapo Reservation. “If he goes ahead, he’ll always turn around to make sure we are still there.” Like any adventure dog, Hudson also enjoys the beach and a good game of fetch with his tennis ball, but that doesn’t mean he’s not a mush too. “His favorite thing is cuddles,” Mama says. “He thinks he is a lap dog even though he is 65 pounds. He likes to feel people near him as a result of his loss of hearing.” If you’d like to see your puppy or kitten in an upcoming issue, email rita.guarna@wainscotmedia.com or DM us on Instagram @bergenmagnj.
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Coming In June
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Compass Congratulates our Nominees for Bergen County Top Real Estate Agents for 2021!
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Diane Cookson Broker Associate, REALTOR M: 201.788.6667 dianecooksonrealtor@gmail.com
Erin Pruitt Licensed Real Estate Salesperson M: 201.888.4800 erin.pruitt@compass.com
Mary Premtaj Broker Associate, REALTOR M: 201.410.8022 mary.premtaj@compass.com
Ani Messikian Licensed Real Estate Salesperson M: 201.913.6678 ani.messikian@compass.com
Frances Hanson Ekblom Broker Associate, REALTOR M: 201.602.4683 frances.ekblom@compass.com
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{ FOR MEN ONLY }
EMPORIO ARMANI LOGO POLO Neiman Marcus, Paramus, 201.291.1920 BURBERRY HOODED CAR COAT Burberry, Paramus, 201.518.0082
CANALI TWO-BUTTON BLAZER Sal Lauretta for Men, Midland Park, 201.444.1666
VAN HEUSEN SATEEN DRESS SHIRT Macy’s, Paramus, 201.967.1400
Baby Blues This month may be rainy and dreary, but a few pieces in this electric hue will give your look an instant spark.
BALENCIAGA DENIM JACKET balenciaga.com
LOUIS VUITTON FLOWER PRINTED SWEATSHIRT Louis Vuitton, Hackensack, 201.489.4409
PERRY ELLIS TREAD SNEAKER Perry Ellis, Paramus, 201.368.5249 BERGENMAG.COM
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{ STYLE WATCH } VERONICA BEARD GILLIAN FLORAL SLIDE SLIPPERS Neiman Marcus, Paramus, 201.291.1920
PRADA LOGO LEATHER MULE SLIPPERS Nordstrom, Paramus, 201.843.1122
Step It Up
These fashionable—and cozy—slides will help you put your best foot forward this season.
VERSACE I LOVE BAROQUE SLIPPERS Versace, Paramus, 551.245.8111
SALVATORE FERRAGAMO VARA BOW TRAVEL SLIDE SLIPPERS Salvatore Ferragamo, Paramus, 201.845.4714
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{ JEWELRY BOX }
LAUREN RALPH LAUREN COLLAR CHAIN NECKLACE Bloomingdale’s, Hackensack, 201.457.2000
BRUNELLO CUCINELLI MONILI BRAIDED COLLAR NECKLACE Nordstrom, Paramus, 201.843.1122
Make The Braid
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LOREN STEWART 14K GOLD HOOP EARRINGS net-a-porter .com
Earrings, rings, necklaces and bracelets get a literal twist with these interwoven, sometimes mixed metals.
14K YELLOW GOLD DIAMOND BRAID RING LaViano Jewelers, Westwood, 201.664.0616
14K GOLD TRI-TONE BRAIDED HOOP EARRINGS Kohl’s, Ramsey, 201.327.2877
TRI-COLOR GOLD BRAIDED MESH BANGLE BRACELET ross-simons.com TRI-COLOR BRAIDED ROPE WEDDING BAND bluenile.com
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Diane Durocher Interiors
An award winning design firm that specializes in creating beautiful interiors customized to reflect our clients' individual needs and style. Diane Durocher, ASID, IIDA, CAPS, CID Ramsey, NJ • 201.825.3832 • www.dianedurocherinteriors.com • diane@dianedurocherinteriors.com
{ HOME FRONT }
CHELSEA HOUSE MITCHELL SIDE TABLE chelseahouseinc .com
IRON ACCENTS FLOWER SIDE TABLES ironaccents.com
WILLIAMSSONOMA MARBLE AND METAL ACCENT TABLE Williams-Sonoma, Hackensack, 201.488.3440
On The Side
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These unique accent tables are multi-purpose, not to mention both practical and pretty.
LIGNE ROSET JAN CHRISTIAN DELFS SIDE TABLE ligne-roset.com
WEST ELM MARBLE TOPPED PEDESTAL SIDE TABLE West Elm, Paramus, 201.261.2552
PLATNER SIDE TABLE Design Within Reach, Paramus, 201.843.2650 BERGENMAG.COM
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S:9.375"
WEALTH IS ABOUT MORE THAN MONEY. At PNC, we understand that wealth is about more than just your finances. Security, health, family and your future are all important aspects of your wealth. You can rely on a PNC Wealth Manager to take all this into consideration. With our personalized approach and flexible solutions, we can provide you with the right guidance, even as your plans evolve. When we combine what we know with what we know about you, it’s easier for you to protect what matters while pursuing your goals. Call Ludmila Golad, Wealth Director, at 201-447-7701, or visit pnc.com/wealthsolutions
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The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (“PNC”) uses the marketing name PNC Wealth Management® to provide investment consulting and wealth management, fiduciary services, FDIC-insured banking products and services, and lending of funds to individual clients through PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC Bank”), which is a Member FDIC, and to provide specific fiduciary and agency services through PNC Delaware Trust Company or PNC Ohio Trust Company. PNC does not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice unless, with respect to tax advice, PNC Bank has entered into a written tax services agreement. PNC Bank is not registered as a municipal advisor under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. “PNC Bank” and “PNC Wealth Management” are registered marks of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. Investments: Not FDIC Insured. No Bank Guarantee. May Lose Value. ©2020 The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
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{ HEALTH NEWS }
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The percentage of women in a recent study who said their first gynecological exam was stressful or embarrassing. —American Journal of Nursing Research
IN A WORD
While it was believed that adults had the strongest vocabulary skills in their 40s, a recent study found that they continue improving their vocabulary into their 70s.
RELATIONSHIPS MATTER
Healthy relationships affect more than emotional well-being. Research shows that people who are chronically lonely have a 26 percent increased likelihood of early death.
—Psychological Science
BENEFITS OF DRYING OUT
Participants in a “dry January” challenge, whereby they agreed to take a break from imbibing for the month, were more likely to drink less and felt more confident to resist drinking six months later—even if they didn’t successfully complete the challenge. —Health Psychology
—Brigham Young University
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EXERCISE YOUR MEMORY
The percentage of Americans who are up-to-date on their Tdap immunization, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis.
—Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Adults who do aerobic exercise are more likely to improve memory scores—by 47 percent—than those who do strengthening exercises. Researchers posit that aerobics increases blood flow to the hippocampus, which may help protect against memory loss. —Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease
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SCHEDULE SLEEP
Folks with irregular sleep hours had nearly twice the risk of heart attack or stroke as those whose shut-eye was more regular. Strive for six to eight hours a night for optimum health.
The percentage of Americans who get the recommended amount—150 minutes weekly— of aerobic and muscle-building exercise.
—Journal of the American College of Cardiology
—Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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—Compiled by Paul Rance Jr.
3/19/21 12:12 PM
SPECIAL PROMOTION
Reuniting loved ones through better hearing at home. THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC, our Board Certified Specialists, along with our outstanding Patient Care Coordinator, Jennifer, have been working diligently as a team to reassure our patients we are not only meeting Local, State, and Federal guidelines, but continuing to try to exceed them. We are happy to announce that our Professional Hearing Aid Center family has grown and we are seeing many more patients from our community and are more than happy to be of service. We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to our patients and their families for their trust and patience with us, as we continue navigating through this uncharted territory and these ever-changing times. That means the world to us; we do not take that responsibility lightly, and our patients truly become like family. We are looking forward to Spring and new beginnings! We are embracing change, adapting our practice to streamline each visit to enhance our patient journey in the office, as well as now increasing our availability to be able to offer more home and Care Center visits. Better hearing in just one visit, all in the comfort of your own home or facility. We have become completely mobile and all safety protocols are strictly enforced during these visits as well. We encourage families to join in on our fittings; we want your loved one to hear you, not us! These types of successful collaborations lend to some of our best results for our patients with hearing loss and difficulty with speech understanding. So, If you or a loved one feel you may be experiencing hearing loss, call us today for your free hearing test and consultation—you’ll be happy you did. We look forward to helping you along your journey to a lifetime of better hearing.
Hear Better, Live Better!
Nationally Recognized*, Locally Preferred! PROFESSIONAL HEARING AID CENTER
Mark P. Salvesen, BC-HIS* NJ Hearing Aid Dispenser Supervising License No. 535
Peggy J. Stanlick, BC-HIS* NJ Hearing Aid Dispenser Supervising License No. 1086 *Certified by the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences
681 MAIN ST., HACKENSACK, NJ 07601 | 201.343.1980 | PROFESSIONALHEARINGAIDS.NET
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{ WELLNESS }
HAVE A HEALTHY SPRING Tips from an emergency room doc on avoiding the hazards warmer weather brings.
After a harsh COVID winter, spring is—hurrah!—finally upon us. Warmer weather beckons, but while the nation emerges from a historic pandemic (and we continue to observe precautions—wearing masks, for instance), we can’t afford to forget the minor illnesses and injuries that can come with these milder days. You know the ones: the bumps and bruises people get as they return to outdoor exercise and leisure activities; sprains and strained muscles caused by overexertion during outdoor yard and home maintenance work; allergies and asthma brought on by the blooming of tree and grass pollens; sunburn; and even minor bug and animal bites. Usually we’re not talking emergency room treatment here. Most of these problems can be tended to at home or by your family physician. But the best course is to prevent them from occurring in the first place, says Matthew Scro, M.D., an emergency
medicine physician at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus who, this time each year, sees an uptick in injuries that cause back, shoulder, knee, wrist and elbow pain. Remember to stretch those winterdormant muscles and give them time to regain strength and flexibility. “Easing into activities is paramount to prevent injury,” says Dr. Scro, who suggests that for exercise you “start small by walking, light running and lifting smaller objects.” In other words, don’t run a 10K or play five sets of tennis your first day out. This is a time for spring cleaning as well, and that presents dangers of its own. “Using long-handled cleaning tools can help prevent placing the body in stressful positions,” says Dr. Scro. “Break chores into smaller tasks,” he says, and ask for help when needed. Be careful with cleaning agents too. “Pour chemicals into a receptacle outside, if possible, or in a well-vented room and never
mix chemicals unless the packaging expressly says to do so.” Also, keep a close eye on your kids. “Apply sunscreen every two hours to prevent sunburn and other damaging effects including skin cancer,” Dr. Scro advises. “If your children are likely to play in wooded areas, dress them in clothing that covers their arms and legs to prevent tick and other insect bites as well as poison ivy.” Springtime allergies are blossoming, and many people turn to antihistamines for relief. That’s fine, Dr. Scro says, as long as you don’t combine them with narcotic pain medications, muscle relaxants or certain seizure and antidepressant medications. (Check labels carefully.) Spring is an exciting time in New Jersey, so go out and enjoy it, says the doctor. With simple precautions, you can stay injury- and illness-free while you do. “But when something begins to hurt,” he says, “take a break, stretch, ice any sore joints and set limits for yourself.”
“While a healthy lifestyle that includes exercise is encouraged, it is important to be cautious to avoid injury. During the winter months, most of us will become more dormant and may believe we can pick up where we left off, but easing into activities, however small, is paramount to prevent injury.” — Matthew Scro, M.D., emergency room physician, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, Paramus BERGENMAG.COM
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{ OUTDOOR SPACES }
POOLING THEIR TALENTS A landscape designer, an architect and a savvy client turn a small Ramsey yard into a great place to swim—or just hang out. By Haley Longman
Design by Thomas Flint Landscaping
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Thomas Flint Landscaping turned a small Ramsey yard that wasn’t conducive to entertaining into a backyard escape with separate areas for dining, playing, swimming and lounging. “My favorite part is how intimate it feels,” says Flint, “how much we put into this small space without it feeling crammed.”
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{ OUTDOOR SPACES }
It all started with Instagram. Homeowner Kristen Takla and her husband decided in 2019 that they wanted to build a pool in the backyard of their Ramsey home, and she fell in love with a photo a friend had shown her of a pool with fiber-optic starlights at the floor. After searching its hashtag on Instagram, she discovered Thomas Flint Landscape Design, immediately loved that firm’s work and was thrilled to learn that it was located just a few miles away in Waldwick. “Tom smiled and lit up as much as I did when we discussed this project,” Takla says of their first inperson, pre-COVID encounter. “He said, ‘Kristen, this is a game changer.’” That it was. After much online research, Takla, who works as a professional home stager, knew they wanted a “curvy” pool to complement their linear and, frankly, limited backyard space. But they also sought a soft, spacious surrounding area that would be good for entertaining and would give them longevity—a space with great flow that would “grow” with them and their 9-year-old son. So Thomas Flint, in conjunction with designers A. Kosits and J. Orellano, designed a layout with separate functional zones that would, of course, also look great and flow nicely. “They requested a pool area, shed storage, dining, a firepit and a lawn for their son’s trampoline,” Flint says. “We took their wish list and broke it down.” Takla had an existing curved wicker couch with navy cushions from Frontgate that she wanted to incorporate into the overall design. “The couch was my inspiration, and I loved that it seats two, two and two [people] for easy conversation,” she says. Takla and Flint agreed to put a natural gas firepit in the middle of it. They also transformed a storage space attached to the house and across from the couch into a cabana room, complete with a bar, a glass entry door and a mounted BERGENMAG.COM
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TV, at which the family gathers to watch games during football season. In between the adjacent dining area and the grill are steps that lead up to the pool patio. The hardscaping throughout is “suitable for all needs,” says the homeowner. It’s made of brown and gray marble, a stone chosen because it is soft but not slippery and doesn’t get too hot on the feet in the summer. Up top, there’s a second curved sofa where the parents can hang out and watch the kids swim, a Jacuzzi to unwind in and fire bowls that turn on and off with a smartphone. The pool was deliberately made the yard’s focal point. Spillways from the back wall add visual interest and a faint backdrop waterfall sound to set the mood. “It’s not loud, but it drowns out some of the sounds of the neighbors or passing cars,” says Flint. “When not in use, the pool doubles as eye candy, because the sound of the water and the reflections create a nice ambience.” And let’s not forget the beautiful starlights that illuminate it at night. To the right of the pool is a shed for storage and a small, tuckedaway plot of lawn, which Flint calls “visual relief.” There the boy and his friends play and bounce on the trampoline, which can easily be removed when he outgrows it. The project overall took a little bit longer than anticipated due to the pandemic—Flint and others in the contracting business had to shut down operations for a few weeks last spring. But the team turned it around quickly, and the family of three was able to enjoy the finished project last summer, just when they needed that refuge the most. “It is literally our favorite place to be,” says Takla. “We just walk outside and it’s so comfortable and inspiring. Instead of curling up with a good book, we go outside and hang out together.” APRIL 2021
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This page: A natural gas firepit, a curved sofa and a storage-unit-turned-indoor-outdoor-bar make this backyard an entertainer’s dream. Opposite page: The homeowners already had this beautiful hedge that offered them privacy, but the team worked wonders by designing this spacious pool in a yard that was small and limiting.
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{ KITCHEN RENO }
KEEPING THE COOK A Franklin Lakes kitchen becomes a bright and airy visual treat for the homeowner, an artist who loves to bake. (It’s practical too.) By Leslie Garisto Pfaff Design by Sharon Sherman Photography by Mike Van Tassell
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There’s nothing an artist prizes more than light, and in the old kitchen, light was in short supply. So the Franklin Lakes homeowner, an artist trained in architecture, turned to designer Sharon Sherman of Thyme & Place Design in Wyckoff to create a kitchen for her family that was filled with light and other things the old space lacked: storage, hardworking appliances, enough room to entertain a large extended family, and that most elusive of aesthetic qualities, charm. The result was a kitchen with everything a devoted cook and passionate baker could want, in a space designed to please an artist’s eye. Even more impressive was the fact that Sherman and her team accomplished all this without expanding the old kitchen. Structurally, they removed two walls, opening the kitchen up to the family and dining rooms, raised the family room ceiling and installed a series of skylights. They also added a new sliding door to open up the view to the leafy backyard and all the sunlight it affords. With the confining walls gone, the area easily accommodates large gatherings. “So it’s now this big, bright, light-filled area,” says Sherman. A deft use of color also helped brighten the space. While most of the cabinetry is white, the large island is painted a soft gray, and the wall behind the coffee bar is a deep, rich pumpkin, the color pulled from a vivid
Capacious cabinetry offers a place for everything in this hardworking kitchen, which includes a Wolf six-burner range with grill and a Sub-Zero refrigerator. The large custom island seats four and offers additional storage. The space is brightened by the white cabinets and a backsplash of easy-to-clean white subway tile from Wayne Tile of Ramsey.
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{ KITCHEN RENO }
This page, top: To add pop to the backsplash, the designer created an inset above the stove with black-and-white, Moroccan-influenced marble tile from Wayne Tile of Ramsey. Bottom, left: French doors help to flood the space with light and, at the rear of the space, another glass door leads to a spacious pantry. Bottom, right: The Mitzi pendants from Hudson Valley Lighting Group add a rustic/industrial note to the eclectic space. Opposite: The custom coffee bar of ebonized maple and the rich pumpkin color of the wall create a dramatic contrast with the white palette that predominates in the main kitchen area.
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vintage poster that hangs above the bar. The bar itself is an ebonized maple that manages to reflect the light rather than absorb it. The white subway tile backsplash might have registered as cold, but the designer added a blackand-white, marble-tiled inset in a pattern that reflected her client’s fondness for all things Moroccan. “We didn’t want a lot of color there,” says Sherman, explaining her choice of dichromatic tiles, “because there’s color all over the walls.” She says she and her client were looking to add a touch that was at once simple, elegant and unexpected. The inset worked so well in the kitchen that they used the same tile on the fireplace mantel in the family room. Another element balancing the white cabinets and subway tiles is wood, used in both an antique ceiling beam and the mantel range hood and its supporting corbels. “It’s my twist on a farmhouse kitchen,” says Sherman, who notes that her client wanted to add some rustic touches to the space to warm it up. The kitchen is also warmed by the honey-bronze cabinet hardware and the same finish on three pendant lights above the kitchen island and a pair of sconces above the coffee bar. And it’s softened by the choice of traditional Windsor-style counter stools instead of something more modern and hard-edged. Of course, even for an artist and her family, aesthetics aren’t the only consideration. This is a kitchen that works—in every sense of the word. Extra-tall cabinets—as well as a dedicated corner cabinet for mixing bowls and colanders—and deep drawers hold all manner of essentials. There’s pull-out storage for condiments and a microwave drawer that makes reheating a snap. And a spacious, glass-doored pantry houses staples, a full set of “holiday” dishes and oversized cooking and serving pieces. For the client, the pièce de résistance is a built-in mixer lift in the island, which also offers additional storage space. The coffee bar, which contains a refrigerated beverage center, provides even more storage for another set of dishes. Surely a successful kitchen needs to accommodate more than just the accoutrements of food prep and dining. It needs room for people to sit, sup, cook and congregate. Here, in addition to an island that seats four, there’s a large table and a dining room that’s now open to the kitchen, all of that offering comfortable spaces to fit up to 20 diners. And for large cocktail parties, the newly connected family room easily accommodates a crowd. Even the coffee bar offers seating, though on a much smaller scale. A single chair near the bar provides the ideal place not just for enjoying a morning jolt of coffee or an afternoon sip of tea, but also for reading and basking, thanks to the skylights above. While most renovations on this scale present design challenges, this one, Sherman says, was a breeze. The only real challenge, she says, was to rein in the fertile imaginations of designer and client, the latter of which now calls the kitchen “my very own blissful space, a place that invites gathering and togetherness—and makes you smile.” That description is proof that both the designer and her client/muse rose splendidly to the challenge, creating a space that makes cooking a delight and delights even the most discerning eye. BERGENMAG.COM
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{ READERS’ ROOMS }
BEST ROOM IN THE HOUSE
Four Bergenites pick the spaces in their homes that best combine visual style with a penchant for making everyday family history. By Rita Guarna
Flip the pages of any design magazine and you’ll see beautifully cohesive rooms, each with a striking motif and a soothing palette and that unexpected, well-positioned antique treasure. But have these splendid spaces met the ultimate test: a family’s daily life? The rooms you’ll see on these pages have. We asked BERGEN readers to share with us their favorite rooms—and explain their choices. You’ll find design savvy in their accounts, but you’ll also encounter the quotidian wisdom of lived experience. These real rooms—our four favorites—are part of real lives. But one question remains, of course. Were these families tipped off in time to tidy up a bit, or do they simply live this way, happily answering the doorbell when company drops in unannounced? We’re not telling; you be the judge.
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FAMILY ROOM Ria Taggart, Ridgewood
“This is where my family always congregates. It’s our ‘everything’ room, perfect for watching TV, assembling puzzles, relaxing and—although I hate to admit it—eating. We’ve enjoyed lots of pizza and wine here. “I wish I could claim the décor, but the house has been professionally decorated by Alexa Hampton of Mark Hampton, who is regularly named to Architectural Digest’s AD 100. The artwork is actually a TV; it’s an ‘art TV’ so when it’s not being used, I choose various paintings to display. My husband Michael wanted a TV in the room. I really hated the idea of such a pretty room with a big TV just hanging there. So we compromised, and it really worked out well. “Somehow our family—we have four grown kids: Elena, Jerry, Nate and Erik—always ends up here. I think it’s because the room has two seating areas. We can all be in one space while carrying on separate conversations. That’s what makes the space a great room for entertaining. Everyone is together, and yet we can split up into smaller groups within the space. There are big windows that let in lots of sunlight during the day, and the wood-burning fireplace is wonderful for chilly evenings.” BERGENMAG.COM
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{ READERS’ ROOMS }
NURSERY Meagan Offitto, Wood-Ridge
“It brought me so much joy decorating for the arrival of our daughter Madilyn, making sure every detail was just right as my husband Mark and I anticipated her birth. It was also a bit of a challenge decorating a room during the pandemic (we moved into our home March 24, 2020!), purchasing every item online because so many stores were closed. I took a leap of faith and crossed my fingers that it would all go together—and that it would arrive on time. Our daughter was born in May. Seeing her in this room is a testament to being able to live our lives and get things done despite the virus. To me, knowing the room came together amid the madness gives it a special character.”
FAMILY ROOM Elizabeth Kobb, Oakland “Although we added this room 25 years ago, we jokingly call it the New Room. The window faces the woods and the Ramapo River, and every day, no matter the season, we see a different picture there. It used to be our deck so it’s like bringing the outside in. The room is filled with light, love and laughter. My husband Harris and I have lived here for 42 years (and will be married 45 years in October), and it never gets old. We’ve raised our two children, Jennifer and Evan, here. They’re both married and live just a couple of blocks from us and each other, so our five grandchildren are nearby and visit often. I have so many wonderful memories, watching my children grow up there, and now seeing my kids with their kids, our room has come full circle. Home is where your heart is.”
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LIVING ROOM Darlene Finn, Saddle River “Back in 2018 I wanted to redo this room—and admittedly needed help. I called on Debbie Crispano of DLC Interiors in Wyckoff and her associate Nicole to start the conversation. My vision was to use this room as a sitting room for conversations. I wanted it to be feminine and glamorous but comfortable. “My husband Jack gifted me piano lessons, so it was a perfect time to learn to play this piano. (At 59, I guess it’s never too late to learn something new!) The first question the designers asked was, ‘Are you opposed to wallpapering the ceiling?’ I was so excited to say no. I wanted the space to be different yet appealing, with curved feminine couches and light colors. I pictured my lady friends from book club sitting around discussing our current reads. “I’m surrounded by three males, Jack and our sons Michael and Luke. But this room is definitely all female. It’s the perfect place for me to welcome everyone and share a drink, a story and a laugh.”
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This eclectic master bedroom was designed for an annual showcase, but a real-life resident would love its spirit, equal parts regal and contemporary.
SHOW ROOM
By Haley Longman Design by Diane Durocher Photography by Peter Rymwid Diane Durocher of Diane Durocher Interiors in Ramsey says designing for a showcase like Splendor in September is “not for the faint of heart,” but she put her heart and soul into this master bedroom display at the historic Tyvan Hill in New Vernon. “There are a lot of pieces in this space that make it feel fresh and new,” she says.
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{ PERSONAL SPACE }
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{ PERSONAL SPACE }
Designing a room for a showhouse is different from designing a home for a client. It allows the designer free creative rein, the ability to incorporate stylistic elements that truly represent his or her aesthetic. And that’s what Diane Durocher of the eponymous Ramsey firm did when it came time to participate in the annual New Jersey designer showcase Splendor in September (known as Mansions in May before a COVID-related postponement in 2020). Durocher and her team have participated in this showcase five times before at Tyvan Hill, a 1928 New Vernon estate where it is held every year. For the 2020 display, she conceptualized a romantic master bedroom. She wanted the space to reflect her personal aesthetic, but also the aesthetic of a grand master bedroom reminiscent of the home’s construction in the Roaring Twenties. The inspiration for the design was an archival Lee Jofa print called Tresillian, which was used in the window treatment, the dust ruffle and the throw pillows and BERGENMAG.COM
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served as the springboard for the palette. “I wanted something fresh, something that seemed somewhat unexpected for a historic home,” the designer says. But she wanted to infuse youthfulness into the traditionalism too, so Master Interiors upholstered a contemporary cut velvet fabric by Kravet on the two antique bergère chairs that flank the fireplace. Durocher also positioned a leopard-print bench from the same company at the foot of the bed to add a touch of whimsy. “It has that sense of fun but never goes out of style,” she says, “It’s a neutral tone, so it really can go anywhere.” Another common thread in the master that pays tribute to the era is in the architectural details, the trellis pattern in particular. “I think it’s important to repeat a motif,” says the designer, “but in a way that is not so obvious.” The trellis is seen on the ceiling, on the radiator covers, on the bedside lamps by Chelsea House and on the screen for the fireplace. And rather than establish one focal point in the room—though that painted ceiling by Studio 18 just may be a candidate—the Durocher team created numerous areas that celebrate the height of the room so that it didn’t seem so boxy and horizontal. That was done, for example, by adding molding to the fireplace, by repainting and glazing an antique secretary from the Chippendale era and opting for a transitional-style canopy bed from Old Biscayne Designs, which has a metal base and a woven footboard and headboard. “The bed is romantic, but it combines masculine and feminine,” she says. “And I loved the idea of softening the bed with sheers in the corner.” Oh, and about that part where a showcase is exemplary of the designer’s talents, tastes and vision? Durocher says this one nails all that to a tee. “I love eclectic design that incorporates clean lines, and where I combine transitional or traditional pieces with more contemporary fabrics and accessories,” she says. “It’s my way of being a bit greener—I take something old and antique and give it a new life, and this project definitely represents that.” This page: The trellis design, reminiscent of early 1900s architecture, was a motif the design team incorporated throughout the space, from the fireplace to the radiator covers. Window treatments from Steve’s Custom Drapery Shoppe in Haskell cozy up this window seat. Opposite page, top: Durocher chose contemporary art from Broadfoot & Broadfoot, Design Domain and Studio 18 to complement the room’s traditional stylings. Opposite page, bottom: There isn’t just one focal point in this bedroom, but the ceiling draws attention. “It beckons you to look up because it’s so interesting and detailed,” Durocher says.
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LET THERE BE LIGHT
Sure, lighting sets the mood, but a distinctive fixture can make a statement of its own. Three Bergen designers offer illuminating advice. We often rely on themes, color choices or an accent piece to create visual impact in our home décor. (“Where’d you find that?”) But we may overlook one of the most important design elements: light fixtures. The light they provide, of course, can show off everything, establish the prevailing mood, even create illusions that “transform” a room’s size and shape. But the design of the fixture itself can add cohesion, drama, aesthetic richness or an element of delightful surprise—and this is a choice you don’t want to get wrong. BERGEN asked three local interior designers to shed some light on five beguiling rooms and the key roles light fixtures play in them.
GREAT ROOM Carry a room’s color scheme above eye level with a ceilingmounted light fixture that will add to the décor, not dominate it. “The color of this light fixture creates a bold statement yet matches beautifully with the other neutral elements in the room,” says Jennifer Pacca, who runs an eponymous Hillsdale-based interior design firm. “It is somehow very striking yet completely understated at the same time.” Rina Capodieci-Quinn of RCQ Design in Ramsey agrees, but with a hint that lighting can still be the star of the show. “The fixture is scaled properly to give the room impact,” she says, “and it’s centrally located amongst the cleaner whites in the artwork, lamp shade and area rug.”
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{ DETAILS MATTER }
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{ DETAILS MATTER }
KITCHEN Though light fixtures should reflect a room’s theme, making them stand out a bit isn’t a bad thing, suggests Capodieci-Quinn. Here, the use of the oversized, opaque white globes “makes this postmodern fixture eye-catching,” she says. The orbs play boldly against the cabinets’ squares and rectangles. Meanwhile, Christie Adams, who leads an eponymous design company in Wyckoff, notes that the contemporary look of metals is a goto style choice for many kitchens, as it is here. “Mixing metals is very ‘in’ right now,” she says, “and this is done beautifully in the pairing of the gold finish on the fixture with the silver tones in the kitchen and on the dining chairs.”
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DINING ROOM Chandeliers should be interesting— and exude elegance. Sometimes simplicity is the way to go. “I love how this chandelier is a work of art yet does not compete with any of the other magnificent pieces in the room,” says Pacca. “I think the chandelier works well because it is white and pulls out the white in the art. Had it been a color, it would have changed the whole vibe of this stunning dining room.” Adds Capodieci-Quinn: “Fabricated in white tones, the fixture successfully adds texture and interest without interfering with the prominent artwork of the room.”
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{ DETAILS MATTER }
SITTING ROOM Forgo floor and tabletop lamps and give smaller rooms an arresting fixture for a retro yet modern vibe. “The clear glass multi-drop light fixture brings dimension to the room,” says Capodieci-Quinn of this sitting area. “The not-so-perfect wavy cords that drop from the ceiling soften the rigid lines seen throughout the space.”
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BEDROOM Besides using the same color scheme, echoing a room’s architecture can accentuate its overall design. “This chandelier mimics the design on the crown molding, yet in a much more contemporary way,” Pacca observes. And size matters—the light should always be suitable for the space, Adams points out, adding: “The scale of this light fixture makes for a dramatic piece and highlights the tall ceiling.”
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ONE YARD, MANY MOODS
Timing was perfect as a wooded Franklin Lakes backyard became a multi-‘room’ paradise ideal for socially distant socializing. By Darius Amos
Design by Scenic Landscaping
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Photos by Heather Knapp
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{ BACKYARD OASIS }
New silver travertine pavers brighten the space around this Franklin Lakes swimming pool, which was replastered by Tranquility Pools. The firepit area to the left provides a socially distant getaway from the poolside lounge chairs from Backyard Living in Ridgewood.
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{ BACKYARD OASIS }
Getting what you want isn’t always easy, even if you’re the one calling the shots. In the world of backyard architecture and planning, much of what a homeowner can do—even if he or she runs a design firm—is dictated by environment, including property lines and topography. “Our home was perfectly set up in a woodland setting,” says Franklin Lakes resident Mitch Knapp, owner and president of Scenic Landscaping in Haskell. “But over time, the woods began to deteriorate, and drainage issues started to arise. So we decided it was time for an upgrade.” That was two years ago, when Knapp and his firm—which includes sister companies Tapestry Landscape Architecture and Tranquility Pools—began a small project to simply “fix up” his backyard and adjust the grade of the land. But by the time the entire scope of the work was completed early last spring, Knapp had created a perfect pandemic getaway for his family and friends. “It was originally old and rustic,” he says. “But Rick Zimmer [who oversees operation at Tapestry] and I designed a yard that had better air flow, better drainage and better utilization of the space.” Before social distancing became a norm, the design team arranged the yard into separate zones, installing different seating and lounging areas throughout the yard. A new firepit area “became its own room,” Knapp says. “It was a good central point and really became the heart of the backyard during COVID,” he says. New silver travertine pavers were used to update and brighten the hardscape’s walking areas, from the area around the firepit to the patio surrounding the pool. The designers also installed a new stone wall BERGENMAG.COM
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behind the firepit and ran it along the majority of the yard’s perimeter. The rocks, which came from a New Jersey-based topsoil recycling center, not only add extra seating in the yard; they aid in drainage too. Updated landscaping, also part of the plan, included several tropical plants and specimen trees. Fruit-bearing banana trees and Christmas palms were planted, as was a 15-foot-tall butterfly maple and a rare orange ogon that came straight from the Pacific Northwest. “I collect plants; that’s just who I am,” Knapp says. “I tagged the ogon in Oregon.” The new landscaping and patio added to the relaxed and entertaining vibe of the yard’s existing features, most of which received updates during the “reutilization” of the space. Tranquility Pools replastered the swimming pool so that it appeared “cohesive” with its surroundings, while the outdoor kitchen and raised terrace areas also got boosts. “We have a covered porch for the guys who want to smoke cigars, and the TV area has a 65-inch screen with three subwoofers and 10 speakers throughout the yard,” he says. “If there’s a movie on, you can enjoy it from anywhere in the yard.” “COVID, as terrible as it is, really changed how people use and value their yards,” Knapp says. “People are working from home now, kids aren’t going to camps and everyone wants a staycation. So, if you have the means to do it, why not make your yard beautiful? “Our backyard is a nice spot to relax and get away from the worries of COVID. And it’s not just for us to experience—friends come over, spread out safely across the yard and enjoy it.” APRIL 2021
3/21/21 7:42 PM
This page, clockwise from top: Homeowner Mitch Knapp, president of Scenic Landscaping, designed his backyard with separate “rooms” in mind. The entertaining area includes ample seating from Backyard Living around a large-screen TV (not pictured), while the covered porch, flanked by colorful hydrangeas and other plants, offers another space to kick back and relax, even when the weather isn’t cooperating. The centerpiece of the outdoor kitchen is the grill from Reno’s Appliance in Paterson. A variety of tropical plants, such as banana trees, Christmas palms (which are replaced every year) and 20-foot-tall evergreens, bring new life to the wooded yard.
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THE WILDLIFE SURPRISE { SPECIAL REPORT }
Deer, geese, bears and other unwanted animal visitors are more common in Bergen’s suburban landscape these days. What can be done? By Leslie Garisto Pfaff On an early morning this past December, Karin Freeland opened her front door to retrieve a package on the porch and spotted what she thought was a pair of unleashed dogs. It quickly dawned on her, however, that the animals padding along the sidewalk in front of her Bergenfield house weren’t dogs at all, but coyotes. “They must have traveled down due to the snow and were out looking for food,” she says of her first, and so far only, interaction with a species known for its night hunting and general shyness around humans. In spite of the animals’ reputed reticence, coyote sightings have increased in Bergen County, along with coyote attacks, though the latter remain rare. In 2019, for example, there were three attacks in Mahwah, including one on a woman who’d encountered a coyote chasing a deer. In fact, the county’s overabundance of deer may be one reason for the uptick in coyote sightings: Although coyotes are more likely to eat small animals like frogs and grasshoppers, they’re fully capable of taking down a deer, especially in the snow. If you live in Bergen, you’ve likely had a brush with wildlife in your own backyard or neighborhood. Encounters with wildlife of all kinds are increasingly common, as animals adapt to, and often profit from, human habitation, even in a highly suburban environment like Bergen. “The density of residential areas, the elimination of natural habitat and the fact that people are planting many foods that encourage certain pests like deer work to create more and more conflict between homeowners and unwanted wildlife,” notes Joel Flagler, Rutgers professor and agricultural extension agent for Bergen County.
Joel Flagler, Agricultural Extension Agent
Jodi Lin Gresham, Wyckoff resident
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Karin Freeland, Bergenfield resident
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BERGEN’S BROWSERS: WHITE-TAILED DEER
Of all those encounters, the most common—and, for many homeowners, the most frustrating—are with deer. New Jersey as a whole is home to roughly 125,000 white-tailed deer, and while the state doesn’t break down that number by county, when it comes to automobile-deer collisions, Bergen is surely in the top 10. Many residents are charmed by the deer, but others consider their proliferation a nuisance. Sharon Sherman of Wyckoff speaks for many county residents when she bemoans the decimation of her landscape. “The deer in my yard have eaten everything—my roses and any other flowers they move past,” she says. Other problems posed by the gentle but voracious animals are the ticks they can carry and the fact that their habit of ground-browsing has made them the most serious threat to New Jersey’s native plants and its forest understory, or layer of underbrush. At present, Bergen County has no deer control policy in place, but a number of municipalities have tried their own measures to reduce the deer population. For the past three years, for instance, Saddle River has allowed a deer hunt on residential properties, and Bob LaViano, chairman of the town’s Environmental Commission, considers the hunt a success. “The deer population’s down; the ticks are pretty much gone; the understory’s starting to come back; and you can grow stuff in your yards,” he says. Not everyone in town is happy, however. Residents can opt out of the hunt, but some nevertheless cite safety concerns when they encounter hunters in an adjoining yard, and others condemn the hunt on humanitarian grounds. LaViano believes that a statewide policy that includes hunting and/or oral sterilization would be an even better solution. What you can do: “Fencing,” says Flagler, “is the best exclusionary device, and a 7-foot fence will go a long way toward keeping deer out.” If that doesn’t work, you can try adding a slanted fence to a standard vertical fence, or using just a slanted fence, which deters deer partly by visually confusing them. Zoning laws, however, may restrict not just the fence’s height but also where that fence can be used. Many municipalities, for instance, don’t allow tall fences in front yards. When fencing isn’t an answer, the Rutgers Cooperative Extension recommends deterrents such as motion-activated sprinklers and nontoxic sprays that combine odors that deer find odious, like pepper, mint, garlic and cloves. You can also landscape with plants that deer dislike, such as magnolia and holly. (For a full list, go to njaes.rutgers.edu/deer-resistant-plants/.) “Of course, if deer are truly hungry,” warns Flagler, “very little can stop them.”
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THE PREDATORS IN OUR MIDST: BLACK BEARS
A YEAR-ROUND PRESENCE: CANADA GEESE
Canada geese have also become a nuisance, mainly in public and office parks and on school and college campuses, but also on residential properties that have what Flagler calls “an interface of water and lawn.” (These critters’ name is often a geographical misnomer these days, as most of the geese throughout the state have given up migrating, thanks to feeding by residents and our year-round foraging grounds, aka lawns.) Unlike deer, however, with geese it’s generally not their eating that creates a problem, but with what happens after they eat. “My neighbors across the street live on a little lake, and they’re constantly cleaning up goose droppings in their yard,” says Wyckoff resident Jodi Lin Gresham, who notes that she and her family are also bothered by the geese’s honking, which can be loud. Again, there’s no countywide control of this species, and this loosey-goosey situation leaves municipalities (and individual homeowners) to choose their own methods to keep the population in check. Fair Lawn, for instance, has just slated $7,500 toward the hiring of dogs to chase geese away from ballfields and playgrounds. Other approaches—all of which require a permit from the state’s Division of Fish and Wildlife or the U.S. Department of Agriculture— include egg addling (puncturing or oiling eggs to make them unhatchable), nest destruction and lethal methods such as shooting or gassing with carbon dioxide, both of which have been protested as inhumane. What you can do: If you have a pond on your property, says Flagler, covering it with nylon netting will discourage geese from landing. And because geese like neatly clipped lawns so they can easily spot predators, you can let your grass grow to 6 inches, if you don’t mind the aesthetics. A dog in the yard will keep geese away, and even a metal dog facsimile can help. You can also investigate liquid goose repellents and devices that emit a very high-pitched sound that humans can’t hear but that geese detest. BERGENMAG.COM
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In October 2020, a black bear was spotted checking out Red Bull Arena and then perching on a rooftop in Harrison, while another was seen ambling along Riverside Avenue in Rutherford and still others were out and about in Saddle River and Rochelle Park. In fact, in 2020 bear complaints in the county doubled from the prior year, reflecting a rapidly increasing population and a willingness to forage in suburban yards. While the oversized predators don’t threaten the landscape, bears have been known to kill pets and break into trash cans (and even houses), and bear encounters are almost always rattling. For many years the state turned to a controversial bear hunt to help control its bear problem, but Governor Phil Murphy has sworn that there will be no more hunts under his administration. While the state continues to euthanize bears that have proven dangerous to humans, cancellation of the hunt means that residents will have to change their behavior to keep bear encounters in check. What you can do: “Cool it with the birdseed,” says Flagler. Birdfeeders are tapas to hungry bears, and your trash can is the large plate. “You can’t put out garbage the night before— bears quickly learn neighborhood pickup schedules,” Flagler warns. And invest in the best anti-bear trash can you can find. If you do spot a bear but he or she doesn’t spot you, stand still until the creature moves away. If you’re in the bear’s line of sight, back away slowly but don’t turn and run or you could end up triggering a chase response. When you’re in a safe place, alert the authorities. Never approach a bear, especially in the early summer when mothers are fiercely protective of their cubs. Oh, and those rare coyote encounters? If coyotes have been reported in your neighborhood, consider carrying an air horn with you when you walk your dog. The critters tend to shun the horn’s noise. The truth is that even the most precisely targeted methods of control aren’t going to remove our wild neighbors completely. But the prudent choices we make can help us to share our human habitat with these uninvited guests—when we must—more safely and comfortably.
APRIL 2021
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{ SPECIAL REPORT }
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{ TASTES }
PANCAKES ALL DAY
The breakfast staple need not be loaded with carbs and calories. These lighter, vegan versions of the flattened American delicacy are inspired by Swedish, Korean and Japanese cuisines and make a delicious brunch, lunch or dinner.
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OKONOMIYAKI Yields: 2 pancakes
INGREDIENTS:
n 1 cup chickpea flour n ½ cup all-purpose flour n 2 Tbs. tamari n 1 Tbs. baking powder n ½ tsp. salt n 3½ cups leek, chopped n 3½ cups white cabbage, finely shredded n 1 Tbs. fresh ginger, grated (optional) n canola oil for frying To serve: n mayo or sesame sauce n sriracha or other chili sauce n hoisin sauce (optional) n 1–2 red chilies, sliced (optional) n sesame seeds, toasted (optional) n fresh coriander (cilantro)
DIRECTIONS:
Whisk together the chickpea flour, plain flour, ¾ cup water, tamari, baking powder and salt. Stir in the cabbage, leek and ginger. Heat a skillet and add enough oil to just cover the base. Pour in half of the batter and spread out across the pan, using a spatula. Fry the okonomiyaki over low–medium heat until golden brown. Place an upside-down plate over the frying pan (the plate should be as large as or larger than the pan). Hold the plate steady and flip the pan upside down to turn the cabbage pancake out onto the plate (be careful if there’s a lot of oil in the pan). Then slide the pancake back into the pan and fry on the other side until golden. Repeat using the remaining batter. To serve, spoon over some mayo or sesame sauce and drizzle with chili sauce. If using, drizzle with hoisin sauce, scatter over some red chillies and sprinkle with sesame seeds and coriander.
Different areas of Japan have their own twist on okonomiyaki, and it’s fun to try each variation. It becomes a mishmosh because of the various ingredients. You can make it with or without meat and lots of veggies. My favorite is the version made in Hiroshima, which includes noodles and pork.” —Victoria Beall, Leonia
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{ TASTES }
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KOREAN PANCAKES Yields: 4-6 wedges
INGREDIENTS:
n 1¼ cups all-purpose flour n 2 Tbs. cornstarch n 3 Tbs. canola oil, plus extra for frying n 2 Tbs. white miso paste n 1 cup leek, finely chopped n ½ cup sauerkraut or kimchi (optional) For the dipping sauce: n 1 small shallot, finely chopped n 1/3 chili, chopped n 3 Tbs. tamari n 1 Tbs. lemon juice n 1 tsp. sesame oil n 1 Tbs. sesame seeds
DIRECTIONS:
Mix together the flour and cornstarch in a bowl, then whisk in the canola oil, miso paste and 3 cups water to make a lump-free batter. Stir in the leek and, if using, the sauerkraut or kimchi. Leave to rest for 5 minutes. Mix all the ingredients for the dipping sauce together in a small bowl and set aside. Heat up a skillet, pour in a thin layer of oil and then pour in enough batter to cover the whole pan, slightly thicker than a standard pancake or crepe. Fry over medium heat until the surface has set, then flip over with a spatula and fry the other side until it is golden brown. Repeat with the remaining batter. Cut the pancakes into wedges and serve with the dipping sauce on the side.
I grew up on these pancakes, but modified the process as I got older. Most notably, I add an egg to give it a softer texture and bake them. The result is the same crisp-on-theoutside snack without the extra frying oil.” —Paul Cho, Edgewater
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{ TASTES }
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RAGGMUNKAR/ SWEDISH POTATO PANCAKES Yields: 11-12 pancakes
INGREDIENTS:
n 1¾ lb. firm potatoes, peeled and finely grated n ¾ cup all-purpose flour or sifted spelt flour n 1 tsp. salt n 1 tsp. baking powder n 1¼ cups plant milk For the mushroom and onion topping: n 3 brown onions, thinly sliced n 10 chestnut/cremini mushrooms, roughly chopped n canola oil, for frying n ½ tsp. liquid smoke n salt, to taste To serve: n lingonberry jam
DIRECTIONS:
First, make the topping. Fry the onions and mushrooms in oil until they’re colored nicely and the onions are soft. Add a dash of liquid smoke and a little salt. Stir, taste and season with more salt and liquid smoke if needed. For the pancakes, mix the potatoes together with the flour, salt, baking powder and milk and whisk to make a batter. Fry one pancake (about ½ cup of batter) at a time in oil until golden brown on both sides. Serve the freshly fried pancakes topped with the mushrooms and onions and top with lingonberry jam.
These are thinner and crispier than regular pancakes; lighter and fluffier than crepes. They’re kind of the perfect breakfast dessert that is satisfying without being too heavy. And don’t think about any topping other than lingonsylt— lingonberry jam!” —Maggie Fazeli, Harrington Park
All recipes and photos are reprinted with permission from Happy Vegan Comfort Food: Simple and Satisfying Plant-Based Recipes for Every Day by Karoline Jönsson. Photos by Karoline Jönsson, Rizzoli © 2020.
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ASK THE HEALTH PROFESSIONAL Special Advertising Section
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3/19/21 3/12/21 10:42 8:45 AM AM
Special Advertising Section
How has COVID-19 affected your philosophy in practicing dentistry? Today, more than ever as we battle against COVID-19, it’s imperative that we maintain a well-balanced, healthy regimen to boost the immune response. My well-rounded comprehensive practice integrates general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry as well as airway issues and overall esthetics. Practicing Integrative Dental health, I consider the entire patient and the correlation between a healthy mouth and a healthy body. A healthy airway is the foundation for optimal overall health at any age. As we continue to understand more about the pathology of COVID-19, we’ve learned that the management of airway health is critical to fighting off the disease. Well trained in airway disturbances, I am adept at identifying and evaluating compromised airway health in children and adults. Aside from COVID, if an airway disturbance is not addressed, sleep apnea and other serious breathing problems can arise.
What protocols and safety measures do you have in place in your office? Our focus has always been, and will continue to be, providing the safest and most healthy environment for our patients and team. We’ve developed and implemented a process that provides safety and reduced anxiety before, during, and after your appointment. Here are just a few of the steps we are taking to keep you safe:
DR. ROLANDO CIBISCHINO, D.M.D. 71 Summit Ave., Hackensack, NJ 07601 201.345.7659 | Smilebeautification.com
• Before your appointment you will be asked a series of questions designed to screen and identify anyone with possible COVID-19 symptoms. • All patients will be required to sanitize their hands, have their temperature taken, and wear a mask while in the common areas. • Appointments are made to minimize the risk of “passing” other patients in the common areas. • We have installed air purifiers with medical grade HEPA filtration. • If you cannot make it to the office, Telehealth appointments are available.
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1 8:45 AM
Special Advertising Section
With all the talk about COVID vaccines, when will life get back to normal, and how does the development of new variants affect this timeframe? At the time of this publication there are now three vaccines approved for emergency use. They are all quite safe and effective for reducing both the total number of infections as well as the severity of infections. When 75% to 80% of the population is adequately vaccinated there will be sufficient immunity to prevent the ongoing spread of infections. Variants are a concerning matter, but they can only develop during an infection. The fewer total infections, the fewer variants.
Do you think the COVID vaccine will be something we need to get continuously, or will one round of vaccinations be enough? Obviously we do not fully know the answer, but based on the behavior of seasonal coronaviruses, as well as the need for sustained immunity, I believe yearly vaccinations, or even more frequent vaccinations, are going to be required. I believe we should do whatever it will take to make masks a thing of the past.
JASON SHATKIN, M.D.
Medical Director, Sleep Disorders Center Physician Specialists of Northern New Jersey Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine 313 Broadway, Westwood, NJ 07675 1 Sears Dr., Suite 306, Paramus, NJ 07652 201.830.2287 | Psonj.com
AsktheHealthPro_v1.indd 83
• Co-founder of the Physician Specialists of Northern New Jersey • Board-certified pulmonologist, critical care specialist, sleep medicine specialist • Specialist in obstructive disorders of breathing including asthma, bronchiectasis, chronic cough, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, and lung cancer • Serves on several expert panels within Valley Hospital • Recognized as a thought leader in the war on COVID, Dr. Shatkin has appeared on CNN and featured in The Bergen Record and the Queens Chronicle • Graduate of Albert Einstein College of Medicine
3/19/21 10:42 AM
SPECIAL SECTION
BERGEN
2021 BERGEN COUNTY IS HOME TO SOME OF THE MOST SEASONED AND TALENTED REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS IN THE COUNTRY. To help readers find the best agents to work with, BERGEN magazine contracted DataJoe Research of Boulder, Colorado to facilitate a multi-faceted research campaign. It consisted of an online survey delivered directly to agents across Bergen County via email as well as internet research. In the survey, real estate agents were asked to provide sales volume ranges and also nominate their peers. In the Internet campaign, DataJoe consulted a variety of websites to build richer knowledge of individual licensed real estate agents across the country. DataJoe checked and confirmed that each published winner had, at the time of review, a current, active license status with the appropriate state regulatory board. If they were not able to find evidence of a real estate agent’s current, active registration with the state regulatory board, that real estate agent was excluded from the list. Finally, DataJoe presented the tallied results to BERGEN magazine for final review. We recognize that there are many good real estate agents who are not shown on the representative list. This is only a sampling of the huge array of talented professionals within the county
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TOP REAL ESTATE LISTINGS
BERGEN COUNTY TOP REAL ESTATE AGENTS—ELITE ALPINE Dennis McCormack Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty 1022 Closter Dock Rd. Alpine, NJ 07620 201-768-9300 917-566-9800
CLIFFSIDE PARK Ryan D’Errico Century 21 Calabrese Realty 745 Palisades Ave. Cliffside Park, NJ 07010 201-840-0044 201-988-4670
CLOSTER Attilio Adamo Howard Hanna Rand Realty 277 Closter Dock Rd. Closter, NJ 07624 201-660-8800 201-264-8305 Edward An RE/MAX Signature Homes 189 Homans Ave. Closter, NJ 07624 201-660-9933 201-923-1247 Rebecca LaPira RE/MAX Signature Homes 189 Homans Ave. Closter, NJ 07624 201-660-9933 201-779-1630
EDGEWATER Brian Kim Group Twenty Six, LLC 115 River Rd., Suite 103 Edgewater, NJ 07020 201-969-2626
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS Michael Broderick Ridgeco Properties Inc. 480 Sylvan Ave. Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 201-568-4450 201-638-1815 William Broderick Ridgeco Properties Inc. 480 Sylvan Ave. Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 201-568-4450 201-615-0716 Barri Plawker Howard Hanna Rand Realty– Plawker Group 601 E. Palisade Ave. Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 201-567-5335 201-615-6759
FAIR LAWN Joseph Kapon RE/MAX Properties Select 13-17 River Rd. Fair Lawn, NJ 07410 201-852-0711 David Quinones Coldwell Banker Garden State 26-02 Broadway Fair Lawn, NJ 07410 201-791-9000 201-773-9109
FORT LEE David Arabia Evelyn G. Rafter & Associates, LLC 1561 Lemoine Ave. Fort Lee, NJ 07024 201-944-1925 Michele Kolsky Coldwell Banker Fort Lee 375 Park Ave., Suite 21 Fort Lee, NJ 07024 201-944-6583 201-310-6136
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FRANKLIN LAKES
OAKLAND
Stephen Braconi Christie’s International Real Estate Northern New Jersey 837 Franklin Lake Rd. Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417 201-904-2085 551-804-8364
Thomas “Chopper” Russo RE/MAX Traditions Real Estate 383 Ramapo Valley Rd. Oakland, NJ 07436 201-374-0320 201-240-5200
Maryanne Elsaesser Christie’s International Real Estate Northern New Jersey 837 Franklin Lake Rd. Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417 201-904-2085 551-206-9264
Sheldon C. Neal RE/MAX Real Estate Limited 297 Kinderkamack Rd. Oradell, NJ 07649 201-481-2891
Patricia Pollio Toll Brothers Real Estate, Inc. 845 Ewing Ave. Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417 201-904-2700 Grazyna “Grace” Ziarko Christie’s International Real Estate Northern New Jersey 837 Franklin Lake Rd. Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417 201-904-2085 201-218-8504
GARFIELD Johnny Rojas Century 21 JR Gold Team Realty 352 Lanza Ave. Garfield, NJ 07026 973-772-9404 201-913-4438
HILLSDALE Susan Laskin Coldwell Banker Hillsdale 50 Broadway Hillsdale, NJ 07642 201-930-8820 201-615-5353
ORADELL
RAMSEY Claudia Sanchez Christie’s International Real Estate Northern New Jersey 19 Spear Rd., Suite 104 Ramsey, NJ 07446 201-345-6601 201-410-7575
RIDGEWOOD Ghada Abbasi Coldwell Banker Ridgewood 44 Franklin Ave., Suite 4 Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-9400 201-407-6630 Dawn Braithwaite Keller Williams Realty 74 Godwin Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-4300 201-951-5196 Phyllis Calianese Keller Williams Realty 74 Godwin Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-4300 201-446-3870 Laurie Catizone-Jordan Keller Williams Realty 74 Godwin Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-4300 201-937-5070
Nena Colligan Keller Williams Realty 74 Godwin Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-4300 201-321-3810 Diane Cookson Compass Real Estate 45 N. Broad St. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-888-4800 201-788-6667 Melinda Cronk Coldwell Banker Ridgewood 44 Franklin Ave., Suite 4 Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-9400 201-264-5987 Frances Ekblom Compass Real Estate 45 N. Broad St. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-888-4800 201-602-4683 Ann Ewell Coldwell Banker Ridgewood 44 Franklin Ave., Suite 4 Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-9400 201-723-5059 Christina Gibbons Christie’s International Real Estate Northern New Jersey 50 West Ridgewood Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-962-9552 917-837-8853 Laura Gill Keller Williams Realty 74 Godwin Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-888-2900
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Cynthia Stadulis Coldwell Banker Ridgewood 44 Franklin Ave., Suite 4 Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-9400 201-747-3916
Stacy Esser Keller Williams Realty 25 Washington St. Tenafly, NJ 07670 201-894-8004 201-431-3390
Till Horkenbach Keller Williams Realty 74 Godwin Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-4300 201-310-1260
SADDLE RIVER
Jeri Green Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty 90 County Rd. Tenafly, NJ 07670 201-568-5668 201-519-0289
Eileen Meehan Keller Williams Realty 74 Godwin Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-4300 551-265-7611 Nicole Minetti Keller Williams Realty 74 Godwin Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-388-0077 Mary Premtaj Compass Real Estate 45 N. Broad St. Ridgewood, NJ 07405 201-888-4800 201-410-8022 Lisa Sammataro Keller Williams Realty 74 Godwin Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-4300 201-970-8183 Melissa Shiel Keller Williams Realty 74 Godwin Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-891-2111 201-232-7756
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Vicki Gaily Special Properties 158 W. Saddle River Rd. Saddle River, NJ 07458 201-934-7111 201-390-5880
TEANECK Esther Shayowitz V and N Group, LLC 1401 Palisade Ave. Teaneck, NJ 07666 201-692-3700 201-638-5858
TENAFLY Orna Ben-Or Jackson Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty 90 County Rd. Tenafly, NJ 07670 201-568-5668 201-376-1389 Renee Bouaziz Keller Williams Realty 25 Washington St. Tenafly, NJ 07670 201-894-8004 201-233-1852 Orly Chen RE/MAX Properties Plus 3 W. Railroad Ave. Tenafly, NJ 07670 201-567-9191 201-803-9611 Anat Eisenberg Keller Williams Realty 25 Washington St. Tenafly, NJ 07670 201-894-8004 201-341-4765
Jason Pierce Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty 90 County Rd. Tenafly, NJ 07670 201-568-5668 201-397-5888 Tami Rapaport Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty 90 County Rd. Tenafly, NJ 07670 201-665-5558
WOODCLIFF LAKE Carolee Chirico Keller Williams Realty 123 Tice Blvd. Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677 201-391-2500 201-400-3259 Paula Clark Keller Williams Realty 123 Tice Blvd. Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677 201-391-2500 201-280-0056 Antoinette Gangi Keller Williams Realty 123 Tice Blvd. Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677 201-391-2500 201-970-0570 Gary Silberstein Keller Williams Realty 123 Tice Blvd., Suite 100 Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677 201-391-2500 201-647-4225
WYCKOFF Adam DeFino DeFino Realtors 300 Franklin Ave. Wyckoff, NJ 07481 201-891-2022 201-693-0103
OUTSIDE BERGEN: ELITE MILLBURN Qizhan “Jack” Yao Realmart Realty, LLC 27 Bleeker St. Millburn, NJ 07041 888-362-6543
TOP REAL ESTATE LISTINGS
Christine Gubb Keller Williams Realty 257 W. Ridgewood Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-4300 201-362-6344
MONTCLAIR Nina Eizikovitz Links Residential Real Estate 28 Valley Rd., Suite 1 Montclair, NJ 07042 201-992-3600
Philip Soo Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty 90 County Rd. Tenafly, NJ 07670 201-568-5668 551-265-7521
WESTWOOD Edward DiTroia Christie’s International Real Estate Northern New Jersey 313 Broadway Westwood, NJ 07675 201-476-0777 201-410-2650 Taylor Lucyk Christie’s International Real Estate Northern New Jersey 313 Broadway Westwood, NJ 07675 201-476-0777 201-360-1292
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TOP REAL ESTATE LISTINGS
BERGEN COUNTY TOP REAL ESTATE AGENTS ALLENDALE
CLOSTER
Janine Fraser Coldwell Banker Allendale 2 W. Allendale Ave. Allendale, NJ 07401 201-327-5050 201-286-8596
Ravit Advocat Christie’s International Real Estate Northern New Jersey 237 Closter Dock Rd. Closter, NJ 07624 201-899-7100 201-815-1236
Zachary Lisella Coldwell Banker Allendale 2 W. Allendale Ave. Allendale, NJ 07401 201-327-5050 201-661-0527 Michael Randy Coldwell Banker Allendale 2 W. Allendale Ave. Allendale, NJ 07401 201-327-5050 201-218-5850
ALPINE Rosemarie Campi Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty 1022 Closter Dock Rd. Alpine, NJ 07620 201-768-9300 201-741-9939 Sharon Kurtz Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty 1022 Closter Dock Rd. Alpine, NJ 07620 201-768-9300 551-775-3288 Peggy Mann Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty 1022 Closter Dock Rd. Alpine, NJ 07620 201-768-9300 201-400-3264
CLIFFSIDE PARK Roy Kesenci Century 21 Calabrese Realty 745 Palisades Ave. Cliffside Park, NJ 07010 201-945-1070 201-566-1150
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Youngmi Bailey Coldwell Banker Closter 15 Ver Valen St. Closter, NJ 07624 201-767-0550 201-390-9940 Igor Beyder Beyder and Company Realty 550 Durie Ave., 3rd Floor Closter, NJ 07624 201-380-2010 201-995-3488 Avia Blum Coldwell Banker Closter 15 Ver Valen St. Closter, NJ 07624 201-767-0550 201-965-9248 Risa Corson Coldwell Banker Closter 15 Ver Valen St. Closter, NJ 07624 201-767-0550 201-745-4490 Joanne Kopelakis Coldwell Banker Closter 15 Ver Valen St. Closter, NJ 07624 201-767-0550 201-819-8899 Miriam Lambert Christie’s International Real Estate Northern New Jersey 237 Closter Dock Rd. Closter, NJ 07624 201-899-7100 917-428-1259
Maryann LaViola RE/MAX Signature Homes 189 Homans Ave. Closter, NJ 07624 201-803-2617 Karen Leddy Coldwell Banker Closter 15 Ver Valen St. Closter, NJ 07624 201-767-0550 201-232-5627 Sungmin Lee Coldwell Banker Closter 15 Ver Valen St. Closter, NJ 07624 201-767-0550 201-835-2313 Barbara Ostroth Coldwell Banker Closter 15 Ver Valen St. Closter, NJ 07624 201-767-0550 201-965-3105 Jeffrey Shapiro Coldwell Banker Closter 15 Ver Valen St. Closter, NJ 07624 201-767-0550 201-519-1600 Suzanne Summers Coldwell Banker Closter 15 Ver Valen St. Closter, NJ 07624 201-767-0550 201-665-4772 Bryan Turci Howard Hanna Rand Realty 277 Closter Dock Rd. Closter, NJ 07624 201-660-8800 201-674-3917 Jennifer Yang-Wu Coldwell Banker Closter 15 Ver Valen St. Closter, NJ 07624 201-767-0550 917-363-4884
Miriam Yu Coldwell Banker Closter 15 Ver Valen St. Closter, NJ 07624 201-767-0550 201-230-2142
DUMONT
Kellie Gersh Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty 457 Sylvan Ave., 2nd Floor Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 201-585-8080 201-264-1598
John M. Jamieson RE/MAX Integrity 75 E. Madison Ave. Dumont, NJ 07628 201-385-8100 201-281-0105
Jordan Hirschorn Ridgeco Properties, Inc. 480 Sylvan Ave. Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 201-568-4450 201-983-1688
Dave Miller RE/MAX Integrity 75 E. Madison Ave. Dumont, NJ 07628 201-264-3980
Sonia Kwak Top Realty 485 Sylvan Ave. Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 201-503-0090 201-851-5700
EDGEWATER Tina Cernuda RE/MAX Villa 932 River Rd. Edgewater, NJ 07020 201-886-2008 201-681-4888 Matthew C. Perasso Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty 2 Main St., Suite F Edgewater, NJ 07020 201-840-8898 917-834-0454
ELMWOOD PARK Aldo Lavorini Aldo’s Realty 550 Boulevard Elmwood Park, NJ 07407 201-796-9300
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS Shin Chung RE/MAX Fortune Properties 474 Sylvan Ave. Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 201-816-8889 201-403-1777
Chung Hee Lee RE/MAX Fortune Properties 474 Sylvan Ave. Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 201-816-8889 201-925-2184 Kaili Liang RE/MAX Fortune Properties 474 Sylvan Ave. Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 201-816-8889 201-585-1234 Maggie Raffaele Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty 457 Sylvan Ave., 2nd Floor Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 201-585-8080 201-286-2927 Sandra Solomon Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty 457 Sylvan Ave., 2nd Floor Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 201-585-8080 201-519-6384
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FAIR LAWN Ming Tilley Prominent Homes Realty, LLC 16-00 Route 208 Fair Lawn, NJ 07410 201-355-0705 Monis Young Exclusive Properties Realty 2419 Fair Lawn Ave. Fair Lawn, NJ 07410 201-796-7777
FORT LEE Roberto Alvarez Keller Williams Realty 2200 Fletcher Ave., 5th Floor Fort Lee, NJ 07024 201-592-8900 201-658-6023 Joshua Baris Coldwell Banker Fort Lee 375 Park Ave., Suite 21 Fort Lee, NJ 07024 201-461-5000 201-741-4999 Nelson Chen The Chen Agency 1392 Palisade Ave. Fort Lee, NJ 07024 201-346-8888 James Chung Coldwell Banker Fort Lee 375 Park Ave., Suite 21 Fort Lee, NJ 07024 201-461-5000 201-916-7088
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Bruce Elia Jr. Keller Williams Realty 2200 Fletcher Ave., 5th Floor Fort Lee, NJ 07024 201-592-8900 201-917-5884 Emilia Freitag Keller Williams Realty 2200 Fletcher Ave., 5th Floor Fort Lee, NJ 07024 201-592-8900 201-741-8445 Rich Kim eXp Realty, LLC 185 Bridge Plaza North, Suite 300 Fort Lee, NJ 07024 201-500-4886 Lillie Kim Realty 7, LLC 2182 Lemoine Ave. Fort Lee, NJ 07024 201-292-7777 201-410-9764 Simon Kim RE/MAX Select Properties 262-264 Columbia Ave. Fort Lee, NJ 07024 201-981-7007
Tony Nabhan Keller Williams Realty 2200 Fletcher Ave., 5th Floor Fort Lee, NJ 07024 201-592-8900
Stephanie Posnak Toll Brothers Real Estate, Inc. 845 Ewing Ave. Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417 201-904-2700
Pinal Shah Keller Williams Realty 2200 Fletcher Ave., 5th Floor Fort Lee, NJ 07024 201-952-7387
GARFIELD
Sara Shin Eastern Realty, Inc. 2050 Center Ave., Suite 300 Fort Lee, NJ 07024 201-346-0200 201-446-7705 Lori Stein Coldwell Banker Fort Lee 375 Park Ave., Suite 21 Fort Lee, NJ 07024 201-461-5000 201-280-2913 Doojin Yoon Coldwell Banker Fort Lee 375 Park Ave., Suite 21 Fort Lee, NJ 07024 201-461-5000 917-300-8484
FRANKLIN LAKES
Jaeseung Lee Eastern Realty, Inc. 2050 Center Ave., Suite 300 Fort Lee, NJ 07024 201-346-0200 201-913-5247
Kathleen A. Falco RE/MAX Select 824 Franklin Ave. Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417 201-891-0300 201-310-4324
Anne K. Lee RE/MAX Select Properties 262-264 Columbia Ave. Fort Lee, NJ 07024 201-886-8888 201-220-1363
Ellen Horowytz Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty 804 Franklin Ave. Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417 201-848-4002 201-410-1332
Daniel Lorch Keller Williams Realty 2200 Fletcher Ave., 5th Floor Fort Lee, NJ 07024 201-939-0050 617-680-8322
Henna Abbassi Coldwell Banker Hillsdale 50 Broadway Hillsdale, NJ 07642 201-930-8820 201-788-9863
Agata Kowalczyk RE/MAX 100 358 Midland Ave. Garfield, NJ 07026 973-800-1702 973-460-8731
Ana Moniz Coldwell Banker Hillsdale 50 Broadway Hillsdale, NJ 07642 201-930-8820 201-247-6341
Zvonko Veskov New Jersey Homes & Estates 27 Outwater Ln. Garfield, NJ 07026 973-340-2520 973-332-3396
Elizabeth Ruckdeschel Coldwell Banker Hillsdale 50 Broadway Hillsdale, NJ 07642 201-930-8820 201-522-4020
HACKENSACK
Deborah Sirico Coldwell Banker Hillsdale 50 Broadway Hillsdale, NJ 07642 201-930-8820 201-286-4216
Derek Eisenberg Continental Real Estate Group, Inc. 3 Elm Ave. Hackensack, NJ 07601 877-996-5728
HASBROUCK HEIGHTS Aldo Merendino Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Merendino Realty 236 Boulevard Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604 201-288-4222 201-803-8892
HILLSDALE Widad Abbasi Coldwell Banker Hillsdale 50 Broadway Hillsdale, NJ 07642 201-930-8820 201-264-5667
TOP REAL ESTATE LISTINGS
Jia Yan Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty 457 Sylvan Ave., 2nd Floor Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 201-585-8080 201-238-7987
Suzanne Walker Coldwell Banker Hillsdale 50 Broadway Hillsdale, NJ 07642 201-930-8820 201-832-3120
HO-HO-KUS Kristin Gildea Fox Christie’s International Real Estate Northern New Jersey 19 Sheridan Ave. Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423 201-447-6100 201-819-4575 Megan Fox Christie’s International Real Estate Northern New Jersey 19 Sheridan Ave. Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423 201-447-6100 201-362-6789
4/14/21 8:18 AM
TOP REAL ESTATE LISTINGS
Maxwell Stokes Christie’s International Real Estate Northern New Jersey 19 Sheridan Ave. Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423 201-447-6100 201-951-9403
Linda Rowe Christie’s International Real Estate Northern New Jersey 1009 MacArthur Blvd. Mahwah, NJ 07430 201-962-9555 201-417-6085
OLD TAPPAN
LITTLE FERRY
Megan Runyon Toll Brothers Real Estate, Inc. 315 E. Crescent Ave. Mahwah, NJ 07430 201-962-3900
ORADELL
Louis Tedesco RE/MAX Pros 216 Washington Ave. Little Ferry, NJ 07643 201-394-4220
LODI Avo Derbalian Zeal Realtors 115-A First St. Lodi, NJ 07641 201-279-6761 201-803-7208
LYNDHURST Kathleen Savino Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Coccia Realty 424 Valley Brook Ave. Lyndhurst, NJ 07071 201-939-8900 201-401-2416
MAHWAH Linda Dator Christie’s International Real Estate Northern New Jersey 1009 MacArthur Blvd. Mahwah, NJ 07430 201-962-9555 201-264-1164 Margaret Gregorek Christie’s International Real Estate Northern New Jersey 1009 MacArthur Blvd. Mahwah, NJ 07430 201-962-9555 551-427-3270 Helen Martino Christie’s International Real Estate Northern New Jersey 1009 MacArthur Blvd. Mahwah, NJ 07430 201-962-9555 201-615-5188
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MAYWOOD Dominie Healey Vikki Healey Properties, LLC 25 W. Pleasant Ave. Maywood, NJ 07607 201-881-7902 201-560-7727
MIDLAND PARK Marie Kahvajian Fast Track Real Estate Co. 700 Godwin Ave., Suite 230 Midland Park, NJ 07432 201-445-2000
NEW MILFORD Jason Levine One94 Real Estate Group, LLC 194 Main St. New Milford, NJ 07646 201-967-0050 201-906-0519 Katherine Levine One94 Real Estate Group, LLC 194 Main St. New Milford, NJ 07646 201-967-0050 201-906-6276
OAKLAND Valerie D. Tramontozzi RE/MAX Traditions Real Estate 383 Ramapo Valley Rd. Oakland, NJ 07436 201-337-6600 201-788-7916
Serina Lancia ERA Lancia Realty 12 Bi-State Plaza Old Tappan, NJ 07675 201-666-0007 201-370-4963
Jeana Cowie RE/MAX Real Estate Limited 297 Kinderkamack Rd. Oradell, NJ 07649 201-982-2200 201-251-1274 Joanne Curcio RE/MAX Real Estate Limited 297 Kinderkamack Rd. Oradell, NJ 07649 201-220-8161 Ellen C. Farmer RE/MAX Real Estate Limited 297 Kinderkamack Rd. Oradell, NJ 07649 201-599-1100 201-446-0214
Eileen M. Tummino Weichert Realtors 445 Kinderkamack Rd. Oradell, NJ 07649 201-925-0112 Kelly Weber The Weber Group 700 Kinderkamack Rd. Oradell, NJ 07649 201-345-7300 201-281-5594
PALISADES PARK Gina Seo KayMax Realty, Inc. 216 Broad Ave. Palisades Park, NJ 07650 201-461-2664 201-638-3857 Kay Suh C Land Realty - Palisades Park 242 Broad Ave. Palisades Park, NJ 07650 201-944-5353 201-852-0107
PARAMUS
Geoffrey S. Gilchrist RE/MAX Real Estate Limited 297 Kinderkamack Rd. Oradell, NJ 07649 201-888-0099
Arun Thomas ATP Realty, Inc. 140 E. Ridgewood Ave. Paramus, NJ 07652 201-566-2116
Ellen McCourt RE/MAX Real Estate Limited 297 Kinderkamack Rd. Oradell, NJ 07649 201-543-1962
Avner Zvulun RE/MAX Property Center 193 Route 17 South Paramus, NJ 07652 201-566-5353
Theresa M. Murphy RE/MAX Real Estate Limited 297 Kinderkamack Rd. Oradell, NJ 07649 201-599-1100 201-390-8280
RAMSEY
Maria Rini RE/MAX Real Estate Limited 297 Kinderkamack Rd. Oradell, NJ 07649 201-599-1100 201-615-4783
Sean Farley Terrie O’Connor Realtors 45 East Main St. Ramsey, NJ 07446 201-934-0600 201-286-7206 Wendy Herzon Terrie O’Connor Realtors 45 East Main St. Ramsey, NJ 07446 201-934-0600 201-906-3909
Samantha A. Palazzolo-Perini Christie’s International Real Estate Northern New Jersey 19 Spear Rd., Suite 104 Ramsey, NJ 07446 201-345-6601 201-394-7042
RIDGEWOOD Keren Abraham Keller Williams Realty 74 Godwin Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-4300 201-913-7283 Linda Aktar Coldwell Banker Ridgewood 44 Franklin Ave., Suite 4 Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-9400 201-723-5901 David Barthold Coldwell Banker Ridgewood 44 Franklin Ave., Suite 4 Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-9400 201-481-1572 Marilyn Becker Gilsenan & Company, LLP 219 E. Ridgewood Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-1600 201-406-2742 Cathy Bossolina Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty 55 N. Maple Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-639-5565 201-410-0642 Debra Cirino Keller Williams Realty 74 Godwin Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-4300 201-925-2033
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Diane Haroutunian Coldwell Banker Ridgewood 44 Franklin Ave., Suite 4 Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-9400 201-983-7819
Jenny Lindberg Keller Williams Realty 74 Godwin Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-4300 201-390-7900
Christine Odell Keller Williams Realty 74 Godwin Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-4300 201-280-2212
Charlie Delman Coldwell Banker Ridgewood 44 Franklin Ave., Suite 4 Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-9400 201-602-1552
Cathy Harris-Banu Keller Williams Realty 74 Godwin Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-4300 201-809-9111
Alyssa Mandara Coldwell Banker Ridgewood 44 Franklin Ave., Suite 4 Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-9400 201-956-7514
Jennifer M. Parsekian Keller Williams Realty 74 Godwin Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-4300 201-213-9018
Angele Ekert Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty 55 N. Maple Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-639-5563 201-774-3487
Kurt Hedden Keller Williams Realty 74 Godwin Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07481 201-445-4300 201-675-2558
Regina M. Martino Christie’s International Real Estate Northern New Jersey 50 W. Ridgewood Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-962-9552 201-496-3523
Sally Ponchak Keller Williams Realty 74 Godwin Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07481 201-445-4300 201-981-8934
Sheryl Epstein-Romano Christie’s International Real Estate Northern New Jersey 50 W. Ridgewood Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-962-9552 201-819-2999 Jane Ferlanti Coldwell Banker Ridgewood 44 Franklin Ave., Suite 4 Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-9400 201-452-8601 William F. Gilsenan Jr. Gilsenan & Company, LLP 219 E. Ridgewood Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-1600 201-406-2741 Felicia Goldberg Keller Williams Realty 74 Godwin Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-4300 201-389-8901 Deborah Graske Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty 5 N. Maple Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-639-5557 201-679-4075
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Rocio Hernandez Coldwell Banker Ridgewood 44 Franklin Ave., Suite 4 Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-9400 201-315-1883 Edward J. Jablonski Keller Williams Realty 74 Godwin Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-4300 201-245-9893 Peggy Jung Coldwell Banker Ridgewood 44 Franklin Ave., Suite 4 Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-9400 201-315-8949 Amrita Khurana Keller Williams Realty 74 Godwin Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-4300 201-749-1990 Jolanta Krygier Christie’s International Real Estate Northern New Jersey 50 W. Ridgewood Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-962-9552 201-805-4335
Corinne McKenna Keller Williams Realty 74 Godwin Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07481 201-445-4300 201-739-2533 Ani Messikian Compass Real Estate 45 N. Broad St. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-888-4800 201-913-6678 Suzy Milazzo Coldwell Banker Ridgewood 44 Franklin Ave., Suite 4 Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-9400 201-421-1062 Vivienne Muldoon Christie’s International Real Estate Northern New Jersey 50 W. Ridgewood Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-962-9552 201-398-5189 Megan Murphy Keller Williams Realty 74 Godwin Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-4300 551-206-4890
Erin Pruitt Compass Real Estate 45 N. Broad St. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-888-4800 201-888-4800 Melissa Rubenstein Keller Williams Realty 74 Godwin Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-4300 646-872-5912 Arlene Sabo Coldwell Banker Ridgewood 44 Franklin Ave., Suite 4 Ridgewood, NJ 07450 845-634-0400 845-300-0162
Cristina Sippel Christie’s International Real Estate Northern New Jersey 50 W. Ridgewood Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-962-9552 201-788-3222 Christine Thares Coldwell Banker Ridgewood 44 Franklin Ave., Suite 4 Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-9400 201-819-6413 Jaimie Yannalfo Keller Williams Realty 74 Godwin Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-4300 201-294-2544
TOP REAL ESTATE LISTINGS
Patricia Davis Keller Williams Realty 74 Godwin Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-4300 201-389-8444
RUTHERFORD Joseph Costello Keller Williams Realty 301 Route 17 North Rutherford, NJ 07070 201-939-0050 Jessica Davidson ERA Justin Realty Co. 118 Jackson Ave. Rutherford, NJ 07070 201-939-7500 201-800-4373 Andres Ospina Keller Williams Realty 301 Route 17 North Rutherford, NJ 07070 201-939-0050
Patricia Santo Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty 55 N. Maple Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-639-5566 201-739-2445
SADDLE BROOK
Lynn Scerbo Weichert Realtors 15 W. Ridgewood Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-745-9467
SADDLE RIVER
Halina Strzepek RE/MAX Excellence 131 Market St. Saddle Brook, NJ 07663 201-843-2000 201-906-4343
Christine Frosini Special Properties 158 W. Saddle River Rd. Saddle River, NJ 07458 201-934-8100 201-314-1195
4/7/21 3:48 PM
TOP REAL ESTATE LISTINGS
Kristin Graves RE/MAX Properties 82 E. Allendale Rd., Suite 4B Saddle River, NJ 07458 201-825-6600 201-562-3880 Laurie Katsapis Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty 152 W. Saddle River Rd. Saddle River, NJ 07458 201-825-3600 201-264-4021
TEANECK Annekee Brahver-Keely Russo Real Estate 873 Teaneck Rd. Teaneck, NJ 07666 201-837-8800 201-314-2125 Steven L. Finkelstein Russo Real Estate 873 Teaneck Rd. Teaneck, NJ 07666 201-837-8800 917-804-2618
Sophia Meneve Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty 152 W. Saddle River Rd. Saddle River, NJ 07458 201-825-3600 201-394-7170
Edyie Rosenfeld Wein Agency Realtors 811 Queen Anne Rd. Teaneck, NJ 07666 201-347-3044 201-647-9716
Natalia Migliore RE/MAX Properties 82 E. Allendale Rd., Suite 4B Saddle River, NJ 07458 201-669-1160
Rhoda Russo Russo Real Estate 873 Teaneck Rd. Teaneck, NJ 07666 201-837-8800 201-321-5691
Catherine G. O’Connor Smiechowski Terrie O’Connor Realtors 75 East Allendale Rd. Saddle River, NJ 07458 201-934-4900 917-592-0656 Kathy Platt Terrie O’Connor Realtors 75 East Allendale Rd. Saddle River, NJ 07458 201-786-9064 201-657-3963 Erica Salk Terrie O’Connor Realtors 75 East Allendale Rd. Saddle River, NJ 07458 201-934-4900 917-685-5705 Colin Somerville RE/MAX Properties 82 E. Allendale Rd., Suite 4B Saddle River, NJ 07458 201-825-6600 201-970-5338
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Zeevyah Benoff V and N Group, LLC 1401 Palisade Ave. Teaneck, NJ 07666 201-692-3700 Linda Stamker V and N Group, LLC 1401 Palisade Ave. Teaneck, NJ 07666 201-692-3700 646-234-9900 Eric Wein Wein Agency Realtors 811 Queen Anne Rd. Teaneck, NJ 07666 201-347-3044 201-410-1556
TENAFLY Frances Aaron Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty 90 County Rd. Tenafly, NJ 07670 201-568-5668 201-707-5426
Jessica Abergel Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty 90 County Rd. Tenafly, NJ 07670 201-568-5668 201-658-3173 David Axelrad Keller Williams Realty 25 Washington St. Tenafly, NJ 07670 201-894-8004 201-500-2167 Norma Bonilla Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty 90 County Rd. Tenafly, NJ 07670 201-568-5668 201-647-3603 Connie Choi Keller Williams Realty 25 Washington St. Tenafly, NJ 07670 201-894-8004 201-960-4646 Shana F. Cohen Keller Williams Realty 25 Washington St. Tenafly, NJ 07670 201-894-8004 305-915-6888 Scott Cowan Keller Williams Realty 25 Washington St. Tenafly, NJ 07670 201-894-8004 201-233-7695 Miriam Finkel Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty 90 County Rd. Tenafly, NJ 07670 201-568-5668 201-741-0467
Ronit Gordon RE/MAX Properties Plus 3 W. Railroad Ave. Tenafly, NJ 07670 201-885-7777 201-679-2290 Emily Kim Keller Williams Realty 25 Washington St. Tenafly, NJ 07670 201-894-8004 201-835-9660 Jennifer Kirschen-Hamani Keller Williams Realty 25 Washington St. Tenafly, NJ 07670 201-894-8004 201-783-5089 Ann Malesardi Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty 90 County Rd. Tenafly, NJ 07670 201-568-5668 201-788-6914
Yaffa Regosin Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty 90 County Rd. Tenafly, NJ 07670 201-568-5668 201-966-5589 Jill Saunders Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty 90 County Rd. Tenafly, NJ 07670 201-568-5668 201-788-8959 Lauren Scher RE/MAX Properties Plus 3 W. Railroad Ave. Tenafly, NJ 07670 201-788-8300 David M. Simon Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty 90 County Rd. Tenafly, NJ 07670 201-568-5668 201-538-7279
Maureen McSpirit McSpirit & Beckett Real Estate 4 Highwood Ave. Tenafly, NJ 07670 201-569-6300 201-281-0899
Merna Testino Keller Williams Realty 25 Washington St. Tenafly, NJ 07670 201-894-8004
Liora G. Meidan Keller Williams Realty 25 Washington St. Tenafly, NJ 07670 201-894-8004 201-615-7678
Ian G. Williams Keller Williams Realty 25 Washington St. Tenafly, NJ 07670 201-894-8004 201- 470-0231
Ruth Miron-Schleider Miron Properties 140 County Rd. Tenafly, NJ 07670 201-266-8555 201-906-6024
Nini Wong Friedberg Properties & Associates 20 W. Clinton Ave. Tenafly, NJ 07670 201-894-1234 408-307-9664
Richard Orlando Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty 90 County Rd. Tenafly, NJ 07670 201-568-5668 551-486-2065
Sung Min Yoo Piers International 25 Washington St. Tenafly, NJ 07670 201-994-9295
4/7/21 3:48 PM
Carolyn Whitaker Toll Brothers Real Estate, Inc. 1 Lake St. Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 201-783-8482
WALDWICK Jackie Azcurra Liberty 100 Realty 171 Franklin Tpke. Waldwick, NJ 07463 201-445-1996 973-768-9774 Gina Diaz Liberty 100 Realty 171 Franklin Tpke. Waldwick, NJ 07463 201-445-1996 201-694-1216 Mary Ellen O’Connell Liberty 100 Realty 171 Franklin Tpke. Waldwick, NJ 07463 201-445-1996 201-788-1169
WESTWOOD Thomas Mikalouskas Christie’s International Real Estate Northern New Jersey 313 Broadway Westwood, NJ 07675 201-476-0777 201-370-6175 Vyacheslav Zborovsky Christie’s International Real Estate Northern New Jersey 313 Broadway Westwood, NJ 07675 201-476-0777 201- 396-0930
WOODCLIFF LAKE Jeff Adler Keller Williams Realty 123 Tice Blvd. Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677 201-391-2500 201-825-1266
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Margaret Hanna Keller Williams Realty 123 Tice Blvd. Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677 201-391-2500 201-819-6119
Patricia R. DePhillips Terrie O’Connor Realtors 395 Franklin Ave. Wyckoff, NJ 07481 201-891-0100 201-424-9136
Natalia Kabanov Compass Real Estate 221 River St. Hoboken, NJ 07030 201-627-4947 347-268-8600
Michele DeStefano eXp Realty, LLC 28 Valley Rd., Suite 1 Montclair, NJ 07042 862-354-8224 201-891-0402
Jillian Laga Keller Williams Realty 123 Tice Blvd. Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677 551-265-1649
Theresa Meese Terrie O’Connor Realtors 395 Franklin Ave. Wyckoff, NJ 07481 201-891-8900 201-819-5763
Michael Hern Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty 306 Washington St. Hoboken, NJ 07030 201-795-5200 973-477-7175
WAYNE
Liliana Militaru Redfin 50 Harrison St. Hoboken, NJ 07030 877-973-3346 201-669-3486
William Boswell Keller Williams Realty 1700 Route 23 North Wayne, NJ 07470 973-696-0077 973-224-4605
Douglas F. McLean Keller Williams Realty 123 Tice Blvd. Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677 201-391-2500 201-819-1670 Anna Mecca Keller Williams Realty 123 Tice Blvd. Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677 201-391-2500 201-725-7853 Nicholas Triano Keller Williams Realty 123 Tice Blvd. Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677 201-391-2500 201-522-5403 Sheri VanHouten Marino Keller Williams Realty 123 Tice Blvd. Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677 201-391-2500 201-707-8361
WYCKOFF Esther Axelrod Keller Williams Realty 385 Clinton Ave. Wyckoff, NJ 07481 201-891-2111 201-819-2594 Carole Lynn Brescia Coldwell Banker Wyckoff 360 Franklin Ave. Wyckoff, NJ 07481 201-891-6700 201-738-7315
Jeff Vander Molen Terrie O’Connor Realtors 395 Franklin Ave. Wyckoff, NJ 07481 201-891-0100 201-290-2103 Nekije Rizvani Keller Williams Realty 385 Clinton Ave. Wyckoff, NJ 07481 201-891-2111 551-206-6698 Sergio Sciortino Keller Williams Realty 385 Clinton Ave. Wyckoff, NJ 07481 201-891-2111 201-707-2337
OUTSIDE BERGEN CLIFTON
Ronald Aiosa Keller Williams Realty 1700 Route 23 North Wayne, NJ 07470 973-696-0077 973-600-3262
TOP REAL ESTATE LISTINGS
UPPER SADDLE RIVER
HOLMDEL AJ Ten Hoeve Keller Williams Realty 24 South Holmdel Rd. Holmdel, NJ 07733 732-945-5253
JERSEY CITY Renee Condon Keller Williams Realty 190 Christopher Columbus Dr. Jersey City, NJ 07030 201-433-1111
KEARNY
Wilfredo Alfaro Coldwell Banker Clifton 789 Clifton Ave. Clifton, NJ 07012 973-778-4500 973-219-5434
Guillaume Da Silva Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Coccia Realty 636 Kearny Ave. Kearny, NJ 07032 201-997-7000 201-702-9398
HOBOKEN
MONTCLAIR
John Scipione Lighthouse Residential 1422 Grand St., Suite 3D Hoboken, NJ 07030 201-500-6850
Nishan “Michael” Akkus eXp Realty, LLC 28 Valley Rd., Suite 1 Montclair, NJ 07042 201-800-6166 201-280-4462
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TOP TOPREAL REALTORS ESTATEPROFILES AGENTS
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Circle of Excellence
Sales Award
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Keller Williams Village Square Realty Dawn Braithwaite, CLHMS, CNE, SFR Realtor®/Associate, “The Accent“ of Real Estate® 74 Godwin Ave., Ridgewood, NJ 07450 O: 201.445.4300 Ext. 203 | C: 201.951.5196 | dawnbraithwaite@kw.com RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE MOST RESPECTED NAMES in Northern New Jersey Real Estate, Dawn Braithwaite is committed to providing the most comprehensive and distinguished Real Estate Services to her valued customers. Awarded the highly coveted “Platinum” Level of Circle Of Excellence, Dawn’s small 3 person Team jumped to #6 Team in the Keller Williams Village Square Realty Office in 2019 2020, from their #1 Individual Agent spot the previous year 2018. 2021 The Dawn Braithwaite Team now includes 3 Buyer Agents, Jacqueline Miller, Sylvia Abdelsalam and Lisa Ceccon with Team Admin Stacey Tornatore! 2020 The Dawn Braithwaite Team Ranked #1 Team in the KWVSR Office for February, and also in the Million Dollar Closed Producers. Her clients enjoy this outgoing Brit with a delightful accent, and they find her warmth and heartfelt care is very present in everything she does on their behalf. Dawn attributes her success to remaining present and answering her phone at all times! A specialist in the Acquisition and Marketing of Residential, Luxury and New Construction, her trusted perspective, acute discretion and thorough, competent representation is highly valued and Dawn consistently orchestrates the most rewarding Real Estate experience possible. With a presence widespread throughout Bergen County, Dawn is also a
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member of the Keller Williams Luxury Division, and The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing. When working with sellers, she creates a comprehensive pricing analysis, customized listing consultation and refined staging services that clearly accentuates each property’s specific features, with her deep understanding aesthetic composition with her background in Fashion & Textile Design, and her passion for Architecture. By utilizing professionally produced videos, high-quality photography, exquisite printed books, floor plans, and refined staging services her listings arguably stand out from the competition as her marketing ideas create a “wow” factor. In helping a client find their “Dream Home” Dawn and her Team carefully listen and take the time to educate them on current market conditions as well as evaluate and prioritize their goals in order to find a home that meets their lifestyle requirements. Dawn’s clients appreciate her genuine commitment, gracious service, immediate accessibility and perspective—all part of her distinguished style in providing an unprecedented depth of Real Estate expertise that ensures her client’s Real Estate dreams come true! “The Realtor on the Move” Each office independently owned and operated
3/19/21 11:29 AM
TOP REAL REALTORS ESTATE PROFILES AGENTS
Christie’s International Real Estate/Northern New Jersey Taylor Lucyk, Broker Associate
313 Broadway, Westwood, NJ 07675 O: 201.476.0777 | C: 201.360.1292 | Taylorlucyk1@gmail.com | Christiesrennj.com TAYLOR C. LUCYK IS ONE OF THE TOP REAL ESTATE AGENTS IN NORTHERN NEW JERSEY has been published in multiple magazines and has industry recognized sales awards. An ambitious and accomplished professional, he prides himself in providing a smooth transaction for each and every one of his clients. His extensive knowledge of the regional/local markets, raw energy, and affinity for customer service have quickly made him an industry recognized name. A trusted real estate professional such as Taylor will create reasonable expectations and will set the tone for a timely sale, allowing sellers to focus on their next move. His wide-spread understanding of the market reassures clients time and again that they can value his views. Within the past year, the 2020 housing market astounded many with its strength. Taylor believes that 2021 is primed to be just as strong, if not stronger. Heading into 2021, the Northern New Jersey real estate market will remain active with strong momentum, and buyers and sellers alike will
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continue to benefit. With mortgage rates projected to remain low, high buyer demand is expected to fuel more home sales and continue to increase home prices. Clients can rely on Taylor’s expertise and insider’s knowledge of New Jersey’s ever-changing real estate and economic markets, but it’s his can-do and positive attitude that has enabled him to have a steady stream of referrals and repeat clients. Taylor is the leader of the Taylor Lucyk Group, a full-time multi-service real estate team that is part of Christie’s Northern New Jersey. He was recently recognized with the distinguished 2020 NJ REALTORS® Circle of Excellence Sales Award-Platinum Level and is also a member of the prestigious Christie’s Master Circle, an elite group of high-performing luxury real estate specialists from across the Christie’s global network. Please reach out to Taylor through email with any questions you have or contact him via phone if you’re ready to start planning a move this year.
3/19/21 8:37 AM
TOP REAL ESTATE AGENTS
Compass Realty
Frances Hanson Ekblom, Broker Associate, C.N.E., Founding Agent 45 N. Broad St.,Ridgewood, NJ 07450 C: 201.602.4683 | frances.ekblom@compass.com THE YEAR 2021 IS AN IMPORTANT ONE FOR TOP REALTOR FRANCES HANSON EKBLOM, a real estate industry veteran of 25 years. She opened the first leading-edge Compass brokerage firm in Ridgewood as the Founding Agent with her team “Frances and Partners.” The innovative Compass strategy, which leverages the internet as a marketing tool using proprietary technology and strategies, is working well for Frances, who has already signed over $10 million in sales this year. What sets this team apart is Frances, who is well known in the Ridgewood real estate market for her masterful skills as a trained and certified negotiation expert. Frances also has a reputation for her breadth of detailed knowledge of the area and the genuine warmth she exudes to clients who may have complicated or emotional situations she fully comprehends. Because of her unyielding compassion for others, Frances has made a promise that although she heads a team, her clients will always have her full attention without her having to hand off clients to another agent.
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Frances’ accomplishments reflect the scope of her talents and skills that she offers clients. She has the honor of being named the #1 listing agent in Ridgewood for 2019, and also the #1 agent in Ridgewood from 2010 through 2016. She was named one of America’s most productive agents as a part of REAL Trends America’s Best Real Estate Agents which ranks, collects, and verifies data for an unbiased report. She is a member of America’s Best Real Estate Agents, which ranks her as #27 for the entire state of New Jersey. Also, she is a consistent recipient of the National Association of Realtors Circle of Excellence Sales Award, Platinum for 2016 and 2019, Gold for 2012 to 2014, Silver for 2016 and 2020. To see how Frances can leverage proprietary Compass technology, contact Frances at “Frances and Partners” at Ridgewood Compass.
3/19/21 8:37 AM
TOP REAL ESTATE AGENTS
Century 21 JR Gold Team Realty
Johnny Rojas, MBA, ABRM,CRS, CDPE, Broker/CEO & The Rojas Team Group 352 Lanza Ave., Garfield, NJ 07026 O: 973.772.9404 | C: 201.913.4438 | johnny.rojas@century21.com | century21jrgoldteamrealty.com A REALTOR FOR TWENTY-TWO YEARS, Johnny Rojas has used his knowledge to help. As an Inc. 5000 honoree, Century JR Gold Team Realty has earned the position of 50 on the 2020 Inc. 5000 to be-come one of the fastest-growing real estate brokerages in Bergen County. Johnny’s background is impressive. With a MBA in Business Administration, Johnny continues to add knowledge relevant to his career, and is currently pursuing an additional degree in law at Rutgers University Law School. He has extensive experience selling Short Sale Bank-owned properties and has provided many clients the opportunity to buy their perfect first home. Century 21 JR Gold Team Realty is a full-service real estate brokerage. Equipped to handle both residential and commercial transactions, the company, led by Johnny, is poised to continue its growth. The entire sales team uses the most current and effective marketing programs and the lat-est technology tools to stay at the forefront of the industry.
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The company’s sales associates are well-trained in all aspects of real estate transactions. Johnny and his team have been named a Centurion Office Award Producer since 2007-2020. For many years, they have also received the NJAR® Circle of Excellence Award. Johnny has also been recognized by NAHREP as a Top Latino Real Estate Agent in the United States ranking #4 from 2013-2020 & AREAA A-List Top Team Producers States ranking #10 Team sides #10 Team Volume. With a belief in giving back to the community, Johnny and the Century 21 JR Gold Team have par-ticipated with Easter Seals and Alpine Learning Group (for children and adults with autism) on fund-raising events for fourteen years. Johnny was proud to present large donations to both organiza-tions on behalf of his real estate office. He continues to challenge himself and his team to portray a superior professional attitude, combined with a dedication to clients and their communities.
3/19/21 8:37 AM
TOP REAL ESTATE AGENTS
Howard Hanna | Rand Realty—Plawker Group Barri Plawker, Realtor Associate
601 E. Palisade Ave., Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 C: 201.615.6759 | barri.plawker@randrealty.com | barriplawker.com BARRI PLAWKER COMBINES EXPERT-LEVEL INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE WITH HONESTY AND ACCESSIBILITY. “It’s not about me, it’s about you, your needs and your goals.” If you ask her clients, she is succeeding; “Barri is by far the best! She is highly professional, always responsive and has a great network to get the job done,” praises a seller on Google. “She is resourceful, knowledgeable, and attentive without being too pushy,” says a recent buyer. While Barri shies away from measuring her success in anything other than her clients’ experiences, there’s no denying she is a force in Northern New Jersey real estate. For the past 8 years, she has been ranked the #1 agent in Englewood Cliffs by NJMLS in both dollar volume and number of transactions. Additionally, New Jersey Monthly has named her a Five Star Professional for 9 consecutive years. Barri developed her work ethic and passion for sales working on Wall Street. She joined her family’s business, Plawker Real Estate, 27 years ago and has never looked back. “I learned from the best, Terry Plawker, a real
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estate icon and my mother-in-law. She taught me the business, strong ethics and how to navigate the demanding world of real estate.” On the company’s recent merger with Howard Hanna | Rand Realty she states, “This merger adds a layer of innovative technology and digital marketing to our boutique expertise and top-notch personal service. We are now affiliated with Luxury Portfolio International and Leading Real Estate Companies of the World and can provide our clients with the best available global luxury marketing.” In the face of unprecedented change resulting from the pandemic, Barri buckled down and adapted to make sure she could provide her clients with the best possible experience that included Zoom meetings, virtual showings, and enhanced digital marketing. As people fled the more congested areas, Bergen County real estate thrived. “Realtors who could adapt to the changing and demanding needs of their clients were able to succeed,” she says. “I feel truly fortunate to be among them. 2020 was my best year in real estate.” Barri Plawker is “Your Local Market Expert with a Global Market Reach.”
3/22/21 11:54 AM
TOP REAL ESTATE AGENTS
Christie’s International Real Estate Northern NJ Christina Gibbons Group | Christina Gibbons, Realtor® Associate Cell: 917.837.8853 | Office: 201.962.9552 | christina@christinagibbonsgroup.com CHRISTINA GIBBONS GROUP IS THE EXPERT TEAM when it comes to buying or selling in Ridgewood and the greater Bergen County area, just outside of New York City. In 2020, Christina and her team generated over $87 million in sales across 76 transactions, placing the Group in the top 0.1% of all agents/teams in Bergen County. Among the many highlights from the year, the Group sold the most expensive homes in Ridgewood, Franklin Lakes, and Montvale and completed transactions in 27 different towns across all price points. The Group’s success is driven by a significant repeat client and referral business that values the team’s white-glove customer service, utilization of the latest technologies, customized marketing and sales strategies, and keen intuition for people’s needs.
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Christina and her team are not just selling homes. They are helping clients realize their lifestyle goals by introducing them to towns, microneighborhoods, homes, clubs, schools, special needs resources, and volunteer organizations, among other things. Christina was named one of Bergen County’s Top Real Estate Agents for 2019 and 2020 by Bergen Magazine and is a multi-year recipient of the Circle of Excellence® Platinum Sales Award® from New Jersey Realtors - the Group’s highest award level. She is also a multi-year designee as one of America’s Best Real Estate Professionals by RealTrends.
3/22/21 11:54 AM
TOP REAL ESTATE AGENTS
Ridgeco Properties Inc.
William Broderick, Owner/Broker | Michael Broderick, Realtor Associate 480 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 | 632A Bergen Boulevard, Ridgefield, NJ 07657 William’s cell: 201.615.0716 • william@ridgecoproperties.com | Michael’s cell: 201.638.1815 • mbroderick@ridgecoproperties.com O: 201.568.4450 | ridgecoproperties.com FOR THREE GENERATIONS, the Broderick family has been offering the highest level of real estate services. Founded over 50 years ago by William’s mother, Joan Broderick, the family matriarch, this family-owned venture has become one of northern New Jersey’s leading luxury real estate brokerage firms with two active offices and over 50 agents. Now William and his son, Michael, are committed to continuing the legacy as industry leaders who provide an unprecedented level of expertise and knowledge to their clients. The highly respected father/son team appreciate the benefits of each other’s strengths. They take pride in together shaping the premier independently owned real estate firm and in building a model where sales associates thrive on mutual support and clients can expect guidance and direct access to owners and management. Recipients of the ELITE Award
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both individually and as a team -- William and Michael are recognized as two of only 59 agents in Bergen County to make this list for outstanding sales performance. The Brodericks specialize in new construction working primarily with developers and representing buyers looking for new luxury homes. The duo has also been bestowed, along with three other agents in the office, the NJ Realtors® Circle of Excellence Sales Award; William and Michael at the highly coveted Platinum level. Always staying one step ahead of the fast moving changes in real estate, William and Michael are well versed in current trends and mortgage forecasts, particularly in the new construction market. With real estate in the Broderick blood, the future continues to be bright as they make plans and look forward to further expansion in the coming months ahead.
3/19/21 8:38 AM
TOP REAL ESTATE AGENTS
Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty Jason Pierce, Licensed Sales Associate, Realtor® 90 County Rd., Tenafly, NJ 07670 | O: 201.568.5668 | C: 201.397.5888 WHEN IT COMES TO COMPREHENSIVE DIGITAL MARKETING for residential Real Estate in and around Bergen County, the New Jersey Proper team at Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty has become the platinum standard for achieving incredible results. Nationally recognized & ranked on Real Trends’ 2020 & 2019 “America’s Best Real Estate Professionals” list, the New Jersey Proper team is now officially the #1 team by sales volume at the #1 Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty office by sales volume (the Tenafly office) for calendar year 2020.
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The leader and founder of this team, Jason Pierce, is an expert photographer, videographer & digital media editor. Their unique style of marketing can be seen at NJProper.com, where every listing is showcased at the highest level. Jason consistently ranks in the top 1% of licensed Real Estate agents in New Jersey for total sales volume, and has achieved the highest level (Platinum) sales award from the New Jersey Association of Realtors for calendar years 2020, 2019, and 2018.
3/19/21 8:38 AM
TOP REAL ESTATE AGENTS
Compass Realty
Erin Pruitt, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson 45 N. Broad St.,Ridgewood, NJ 07450 C: 201.888.4800 | erin.pruitt@compass.com ERIN PRUITT, A BERGEN COUNTY NATIVE, recorded over twelve million dollars in sales in 2020 and notched another year as one of the County’s leading realtors. Her determined, client-centric approach has helped her create a successful business built on personal referrals. Excellent communication and a genuine, friendly attitude are well-known hallmarks of an Erin Pruitt client experience. “I work really hard to keep the process fun and stress-free for my clients,” she says. Growing up in Franklin Lakes and raising her own family in Ridgewood, Pruitt spent years getting to know the nuances of the area and understanding the unique feels of individual neighborhoods. Pairing that extensive, local knowledge base with her commitment, expertise and hands-on style has proven to be a recipe for success that’s kept her at the top of Bergen’s competitive market for years.
Prominent Properties | Sotheby’s International Realty Jill Saunders, Sales Associate
90 County Rd., Tenafly, NJ 07670 C: 201.788.8959 | O: 201.568.5668 | prominentproperties.com/agent/jill-saunders JILL SAUNDERS IS A NATURAL-BORN SALESPERSON Her ability to connect with people through a genuine interest in their well being, along with confidence, experience and keen negotiation skills, turns prospects into closed deals. After many years of success in retail as a buyer in a luxury department store chain and owner of her own clothing boutique, it was evident that Jill had an innate talent for sales. Jill’s strong professional track record and interpersonal skills have enabled her to become one of Northern Valley’s top agents. Jill represents both buyers and sellers in Bergen County’s Gold Coast towns including Alpine, Norwood, Tenafly and Demarest. She “shows up” for her clients every step of the way to deliver the highest level of service with honesty and loyalty. Having lived in Bergen County over three decades, Jill can offer invaluable knowledge about the local schools, transportation and shopping. Jill’s success now supports a team of professionals who together were awarded Sotheby’s 2019 Top Team Achievement Recognition.
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3/19/21 8:39 AM
Cathy Bossolina, Sales Associate, CNE, ABR 55 North Maple Ave., Ridgewood, NJ 07450 C: 201.410.0642 | O: 201.639.5555 | prominentproperties.com
“IT’S ABOUT BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS,” says Cathy Bossolina. She credits her success to her commitment to delivering individualized attention to every client. Cathy knows this sets her apart from the competition. She provides personal service and works with her clients through every step of the real estate process. A practice she upheld through the pandemic, creating a safe environment for her clients, listening to their needs, and working as a team to help her clients achieve their goals. Cathy’s professionalism, patience, and creativity have earned her a stellar reputation. She responds quickly to client communication and is always available to offer support during the real estate process. Most of her clients come to her via referrals from satisfied clients who refer their friends and family. Since her entry into real estate in 2010, Cathy has been a consistent Top Producer with a proven track record. Impressed by Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty’s marketing platform. Cathy also joined the company for their outstanding dedication to assisting clients, a philosophy that was preserved even under the unprecedented circumstances of the last year. Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty celebrated its best year yet in 2020 with over 2,900 transactions and over $2.5 billion in sales. A repeated recipient of the company’s Top Producer Award, Cathy was the #1 Producer in the Ridgewood regional office for 4 consecutive years (2017-2020) and the #4 Producer Company Wide out of 15 offices with over 700 agents. Cathy’s business was over $30 million for 2020. A client’s testimonial speaks volumes, “Communication, patience, professionalism, resourcefulness, integrity, all in one package.”
TOP REAL ESTATE AGENTS
Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty
Terrie O’Connor Realtors, Franklin Lakes Group Theresa “Terry” Meese, Sales Associate
395 Franklin Ave., Wyckoff, NJ 07481 C: 201.819.5763 | O: 201.891.0100 | tmeese@tocr.com | myrealestatedoula@gmail.com TERRY’S PASSION FOR HELPING HER CLIENTS IS PALPABLE “Transacting real estate, whether purchasing, selling or leasing, is a life changing experience, and I relish the role I play as a trusted counselor, advising and advocating for my clients every step of the way.” Client reviews confirm that Terry takes the time to get to know her clients and their needs, and that their relationship is one built on trust. “Doing what’s best for my clients is my North Star, and I’ll never waiver from that commitment.” Terry also utilizes her experience managing five home renovation projects to assist clients in preparing their home for sale, or identifying the diamond in the rough. Terry was named #1 Sales Associates for Terrie O’Connor Realtors / Franklin Lakes Group for 2019 and 2020, and is also a member of the Terrie O’Connor Realtors’ President’s Circle. A Zillow 5-Star Agent, she is also a 2020 member of the New Jersey Realtors Circle of Excellence.
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3/22/21 11:55 AM
TOP REAL ESTATE AGENTS
Prominent Properties | Sotheby’s International Realty Laurie Katsapis, Sales Associate
152 West Saddle River Rd., Saddle River, NJ 07458 O: 201.825.3600 C: 201.264.4021 | laurie.katsapis@sothebysrealty.com | prominentproperties.com AFTER A LIFETIME IN BERGEN COUNTY AND 25 YEARS IN REAL ESTATE, Laurie Katsapis has an extensive knowledge of both the housing market and the nuances that make living in each town unique. Laurie is an accomplished buyer’s agent and listing agent. She’s also an expert in investment properties; a skillset she puts to work for all her buyers to help ensure their money is working for them whether they plan to own a property for two years or twenty. From luxury real estate to affordable rentals, whether you’re looking to move in or move out, Laurie can help you take the next step. She’s committed to working hard for her current and future neighbors. “I’m not just dealing with one of the biggest financial decisions my clients will ever make; it’s more than that. It’s their happiness. It’s a chapter of their lives. I always put in the effort to match that,” she says.
Prominent Properties Sotheby’s Sophia Meneve, Sales Associate
152 West Saddle River Rd., Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 C: 201.394.7170 | O: 201. 825.3600 | sophia2x2@aol.com WORKING FOR A LUXURY REAL ESTATE firm like Prominent Properties Sotheby’s has ensured my clients with quality service, extensive marketing, social media management, and global exposure. With this iconic brand, I deliver a standard of service designed to elevate properties. I tell the story of these properties with great attention to detail, area knowledge, and current market value. I have been a Top Producer for 17 years and I love what I do. I attribute my success to my clients who trust in my work ethic, networking skills, and accessibility. I personally show all my listings and take out all my buyers for a completely customized experience. I guide them through the real estate process with individualized attention and care. Currently, with the challenge of Covid-19, homes had to become a safe place to work, relax and exercise. The safety of my clients and their homes became my #1 priority. They say, “when you do what you love, you don’t work a day in your life,” for me, no truer words have been spoken!
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3/22/21 11:55 AM
Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Property Specialist
74 Godwin Ave., Ridgewood, NJ 07450 O: 201.445.4300 | C: 201.937.5070 | lauriejordan.kw.com
Carole “Lynn” Brescia, Broker/Sales Associate
Laurie Catizone-Jordan, Sales Associate, CNE®, PSA
AS A TOP-PRODUCING REALTOR®, Laurie CatizoneJordan has consistently received the Circle of Excellence® Sales Award®, a Platinum Level winner again for 2020. She is dedicated to making her relationships and transactions successful through uncompromising service and attention to detail. An adept strategist, she diligently pursues and achieves her clients’ goals, ultimately exceeding their expectations. In testimonials, Laurie’s buyers and sellers repeatedly applaud that she goes above and beyond to make their real estate experiences as seamless as possible. Raved one of many satisfied clients, “She knows her craft, executes it masterfully, and does it all while treating you like family.”
Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty Matthew C. Perasso, Sales Associate
2 Main St., Suite F, Edgewater, NJ 07020 O: 201.840.8898 | C: 917.834.0454 | matt.perasso@sothebysrealty.com | mattsellsedgewater.com MATTHEW’S STELLAR PERFORMANCE sets record breaking benchmarks. He was the #1 agent for residential sales in Edgewater for the past three years, the #1 agent in the PPSIR Edgewater office, and one of only 13 agents out of 580 company-wide to become a 2020 NJAR Platinum Level Circle of Excellence. Matt credits some of his success to his vast background and higher education, having earned a B.A. in Communications/News Broadcasting and a B.S. in Marketing. He has lived coast to coast from Colorado to the West Village, allowing him to attract people from all walks of life. With sharp intuition and genuine empathy, Matt continues to grow his business organically.
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Global Luxury Property Specialist 360 Franklin Ave., Wyckoff, NJ 07481 Direct: 201.848.3202 | C: 201.738.7315 | lynnbrescia.com A PERENNIAL RECIPIENT of the National Association of Realtors Circle of Excellence Sales Award, Lynn’s achievements include Platinum Level for 18 years. She has consistently been a top agent in New Jersey and across the country for Coldwell Banker joining in since 1982, the top agent in the Wyckoff/ Franklin Lakes office since 1982 and a member of the company’s International President’s Elite, an honor which places her among the Top 1% of the company’s agents worldwide. Lynn is also a Global Luxury specialist, handling Premier luxury properties. Over ONE BILLION DOLLARS in career sales.
TOP REAL ESTATE AGENTS
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Real Estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Coldwell Banker. Owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC.
Terrie O’Connor Realtors Erica Salk, Sales Associate
75 East Allendale Rd., Saddle River, NJ 07458 C: 917.685.5705 | O: 201.934.4900, Ext. 269 | esalk@tocr.com SEVENTEEN YEARS AGO Erica Salk was blessed simultaneously with two of the loves of her life. The birth of her eldest son and her real estate license. And today, Erica still feels that pang of excitement when she does the hard work of helping families find the home of their dreams. Using a holistic approach, Erica takes the time to get to know and understand the needs of her clients helping them to make the most informed decisions when buying or selling a home. Her client-centered practice ensures that clients get her full attention and the best possible treatment every step of the way.
4/5/21 11:41 AM
TOP REAL ESTATE AGENTS
RE/MAX Real Estate Limited Jeana Cowie, ABR, CRS, GRI, SRES© Broker Associate/REALTOR©
297 Kinderkamack Rd., Oradell, NJ 07649 O: 201.599.1100 Ext. 348 | C: 201.982.2200 | jeanacowie@optonline.net JEANA COWIE HAS CONSISTENTLY BEEN ONE OF BERGEN COUNTY’S TOP AGENTS FOR 27 YEARS This achievement comes from working tirelessly to help client’s achieve their goals & by using her priceless experience. Helping clients navigate real estate during challenging times is not easy, but when you are ever-evolving & always put your client’s best interest first, top results shall follow. Jeana is in the elite RE/MAX Platinum Club, Hall of Fame & is in the top 1% of all RE/MAX real estate agents in NJ. Jeana specializes in her hometown of Paramus, but works with buyers & sellers in all of Bergen County.
Eileen Tummino,
Sales Associate—30 Years of Experience 445 Kinderkamack Rd., Oradell, NJ 07649 C: 201.925.0112 | eileentummino@gmail.com E.T. SELLS HOMES! As a professional, I am committed to providing the best in real estate services. During this challenging time with COVID-19, I have been able to guide my clients successfully, cultivating relationships that are built on trust. I take pride in my strong referral base, as my past and present clients continue to recommend the exceptional service that I deliver. Whether buying or selling and also renting, I embrace a client first attitude - I am always working for you. Let us start your journey together. Andrew Tummino has joined my team. #1 Agent in the Oradell Office 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 Ranked in the top 2% company wide for 2020 Weichert Million Dollar Sales & Marketed Club Weichert Presidents & Ambassadors Club NJAR Circle of Excellence , Relocation specialist Staging Services and Accessories Provided
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RE/MAX Pros
Louis A. Tedesco, Jr., Associate
216 Washington Ave., Little Ferry, NJ 07643 O: 201.641.8800 | C: 201.394.4220 | Loutedesco626@aol.com LOU IS A PROVEN PROFESSIONAL with a track record of exceeding his clients’ expectations. His experience in Community Service as Mayor and Bergen County Commissioner for more than 2 decades brings an unflagging sense of Ethics, Honesty and Knowledge to each transaction. He always goes above and beyond what is required to get the job done to everyone’s satisfaction. Lou has earned NJ REALTORS Circle of Excellence Award 2015-2020, Re/Max Executive Club, ABR and BPOR Designations. Lou would like to thank his clients and is deeply Honored to be chosen for this Prestigious Award.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Merendino Realty Aldo Merendino, Broker/Owner
236 Blvd., Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604 C: 201.803.8892 | O: 201.288.4222 aldo@merendinorealty.com | bhhsmerendinorealty.com ON ANY GIVEN DAY OF THE WEEK, you can find Aldo Merendino working in his office. That’s how dedicated he is to providing individualized attention to his clients and support for the team of over 30 agents in his office. Aldo takes pride in his long, prosperous 35 year career in real estate. Extremely honest and forthright, he offers clients impeccable service through a balance of industry knowledge, accessibility and sound advice. His long list of repeat business, client referrals and recognition as a top 1% Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chairman’s Circle Award recipient, attest to Aldo’s track record of success.
3/22/21 11:59 AM
RE/MAX Real Estate Limited
74 Godwin Ave., Ridgewood NJ 07450
297 Kinderkamack Rd., Oradell, NJ 07649 O: 201.599.1100 | C: 201.543.1962
Phyllis Calianese, Realtor Associate
Ellen McCourt, Real Estate Agent
EVERY HOME HAS has a rich history and a celebrated story. Circle of Excellence Platinum Level winner, Phyllis Calianese knows that when it comes time to sell your home, it’s more than simply putting out a sign; it’s a collaboration. A partnership with Phyllis and Keller Williams Classic and Luxury International brand provides the expertise needed to showcase the distinct lifestyle and splendor of your treasured work of art. Phyllis’s business savvy working with Fortune 100 companies is the force behind her success in negotiating deals. Selected as a Bergen County Top Agent, Elite, FORBES 2020 and FORTUNE 2021 Real Estate Market Leader, Phyllis has also earned the Five Star Professional recognition for her commitment to providing outstanding customer service and her dedication to Providing an Exceptional Real Estate Experience. Contact Phyllis Calianese For All of Your Real Estate Needs.
CONSISTENTLY RECOGNIZED for her real estate success, Ellen McCourt has been a fulltime Real Estate Agent for fifteen years. After earning her B.S. degree in Business Administration with a concentration on Sales and Marketing, Ellen enjoyed a long and prosperous career in Marketing for Fortune 500 companies. As a 25-year resident of River Edge, Ellen understands the surrounding market, which has been integral to her achievement as a consistent Circle of Excellence Award recipient. As an accredited Buyer Representative, Senior Real Estate Specialist, Certified Negotiation Expert and Seller Representative Specialist, Ellen provides reasons for her clients to trust her. Relocation specialist
TOP REAL ESTATE AGENTS
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
BERGEN
2021 FIND LISTINGS, CONTACTS AND MORE AT bergenmag.com
TopRealtors_v5_CF_0421.indd 107
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TOP TOPREAL REALTORS ESTATEPROFILES AGENTS
$3,295,000 42 CAROL DRIVE, ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, NJ
Location, Location, Location!
New Construction with Optional Pool. 6 Bedrooms, 6 ½ Baths. 7000 square feet of Pure Luxury. Open Floor Plan. Transitional Finishes. Prominent Local Builder.
$1,928,000 22 VAN WAGONER DRIVE, ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, NJ
Best Value in the North Cliffs! Elevator to All Levels.
5 En-Suite Bedrooms, 2 Fireplaces, Home Office, 3 Car Garage. Quality, Design and Elegance.
Howard Hanna | Rand Realty—Plawker Group C: 201.615.6759 | O: 201.567.5335 Barri Plawker, Realtor Associate
$4,495,000 RIDGEWOOD, NJ
Modern Masterpiece.
Recently constructed 7,200 square foot smart home with 6 bedrooms and 7.5 bathrooms. Notables include the gourmet kitchen, banquet-sized dining room, custom-built walnut wine room, gunite pool and spa.
$1,100,000 NORWOOD, NJ
Elegant Colonial.
Sun filled home situated on a private cul-desac. Approx. 3,300 square feet, 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, high-ceiling living room, eat-in kitchen, and finished walk-out basement that’s perfect for extended family living.
Christie’s International Real Estate | Northern NJ C: 917.837.8853 | O: 201.962.9552
Christina Gibbon’s Group | Christina Gibbons, Realtor® Associate
PARAMUS
Coming soon! Prestigious Brettonwoods Townhouse! Desirable
Deerfield model is in move in condition. 1st flr MBr & Mbth. MEIK, Fam rm w/ Fpl, FDR, 3-4 Brs, 3.5 bths. Vaulted ceilings. Crown moldings. Finished bsmnt. 2 car gar. Deck w/pretty views.
RE/MAX Real Estate Limited C: 201.982.2200 | O: 201.599.1100 x348
Jeana Cowie, ABR, CRS, GRI, SRES© | Broker Associate/REALTOR©
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Luxury Living Defined.
Rarely does a home this spectacular come on the market. High on the East Hill of Tenafly, only minutes to NYC this 6 br, 6 fl bth, 2 designer kitchens, is a must see! Price upon request.
Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty C: 201.788.8959 | O: 201.568.5668 Jill Saunders, Sales Associate
3/19/21 11:32 AM
Bring Your Boat. Unlike anything you’ve ever seen. State of the
art waterfront smart home with elevator and the option to add a private boat dock. Indoor pool and hot tub. Visit njproper.com/21-annett
Retail/Office Space! Great Location in Garfield 7,000 sq. ft.
retail/office building on busy Midland Ave with off street parking for 5 cars. This building is comprised of 2,700 sq. ft. of prime retail space and 4,300 sq. ft. of renovated office space with separate utilities. Combined with 21 Maitland Pl, which has direct access to the rear of 362 Midland Ave and parking for 5 cars.
TOP REALTORS REAL ESTATE PROFILES AGENTS
362 MIDLAND AVE GARFIELD $685,000: COMMERCIAL
$4,750,000
2 EASTGATE CT., LODI $665,000: 2 FAMILY HOUSE
2 Family House newly renovated located in a quiet residential area.
$5,449,000
Six Car Garage.
Beautiful gated estate. Over 10,000 Sq Ft, Brand new kitchen, ballroom, incredible master suite, theater, pool w/waterfall. Exquisite details throughout. Visit njproper.com/ 51-chestnut-ridge for details.
Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty O: 201.568.5668 | C: 201.397.5888 Jason Pierce, Licensed Sales associate, Realtor®
Century 21 JR Gold Team Realty
O: 973.772.9404 | C: 201.913.4438
Johnny Rojas, MBA, ABRM, CRS, CDPE, Broker/CEO
$1,899,000 FRANKLIN LAKES
$2,098,000
Co-op/Condo/Townhouse.
Brand new “SOHO Style” home. Two 5 story towers wtih 5 stop private elevator in prime Edgewater. Soaring 13 ft ceilings wtih dramatic large windows. Spectacular views of the Hudson River & NYC with a great roof deck to take it all in from.
Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty C: 917.834.0454 Matthew C. Perasso, Sales Associate
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Close to transportation NYC, 10 min Shopping Center, Schools and Parks. 1st Floor LR, 2BR, Meik, Full bath 2nd Floor LR, Meik, Full bath. Finished Basement, Summer Kit, Family Room BR Full Bath Sep Enter Totally Renocated, New Kitchen, New Bath, Backyard. Don’t wait! Just move right in!
Luxury meets privacy
in this custom built 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath manor home on over 1.3 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. The gorgeous pool and luxurious cabana make this the perfect home for entertaining.
Terrie O’Connor Realtors/Franklin Lakes Group C: 201.819.5763 | O: 201.891.0100 Theresa “Terry” Meese, Sales Associate
3/19/21 11:32 AM
TOP REAL ESTATE AGENTS
245 WHITMAN ST., HAWORTH, NJ
Brand New Construction This dream home which is being
built by one of North Jersey’s premier builders and designers will be absolutely STUNNING and extra spacious. First and second floors will be 6,000 sqft. You will enter into a jaw dropping two-story foyer that leads to a two-story great room. Chefs kitchen with a massive center island and designer cabinetry/ appliances.
$899,000 160 SPRING VALLEY ROAD MONTVALE NEW JERSEY 07645
Welcome to The Alexa, the definition of luxury living. The
Alexa is a gated community situated on a beautiful 15-acre property, just off the Garden State Parkway, with easy access to NYC, public transportation, world class shopping, dining, golf, and top-rated schools. Community amenities include Pool, Clubhouse, Tennis, and Playground. Flexible layouts featuring 3 Bedrooms/2.5 Baths +, 10ft ceilings, modern gourmet eat-in kitchens, spa-like Master bathrooms and elevator options.
RIDGEWOOD, NJ
An inspired lifestyle
Exquisitely crafted Hamptons style colonial with over 6200 sqft set on over 1 acre of professionally landscaped property. Located on Ridgewood’s only luxury cul-de-sac which comes with views of the NYC Skyline. Contact Cathy Bossolina for further property information.
RIDGEWOOD, NJ
Premiere Neighborhood in Ridge School area. Blocks to NYC
transportation and town. Approx 8000 Sqft, 1.5 Private Acres. Gunite Salt Water Pool/Spa. Spectacular Newer Kitchen loaded with top of line appliances and designer finishes. Contact Cathy Bossolina for further property information.
Christie’s International Real Estate Northern New Jersey
Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty
Taylor C. Lucyk, Realtor
Catherine “Cathy” Bossolina, Sales Associate, CNE, ABR
Cell: 201.360.1292
C: 201.410.0642 | O: 201.639.5555
$1,799,000
Coming Soon! Spacious custom split level home, perfect for entertaining, generous square footage, beautiful property!
Terrie O’Connor Realtors C: 917.685.5705 | O: 201.934.4900 Erica Salk, Sales Associate
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LAKEFRONT!
On Franklin Lake! This unique home is an ideal getaway retreat or special year round residence! Unique, custom built log home with soaring ceilings is set on 2 secluded lakefront acres on the lake with wonderful views, offers serenity and tranquility at every turn. 5 Bedrooms 4 baths and multi room office space. Come see!
Coldwell Banker Realty O: 201.848.3202 | C: 201.738.7315
Carole “Lynn” Brescia, Broker/Sales Associate
3/22/21 10:37 AM
Nantucket Colonial in the Village of Ridgewood! Modern updated 6410 square foot home within the
prestigious Old County Club section. Modern and country living over 1.8 acres with access to schools and downtown Ridgewood. Great opportunity to get newer construction in Ridgewood. Includes a heated swimming pool, fully finished lower level, flawless finishes and 5 bedrooms make this home not to be missed.
DEMAREST, NJ
Set High on Demarest’s East Hill,
this custom, all brick masterpiece by James Paragano sits on over one acre of secluded, manicured grounds. Loggia Pool with Spa, Tennis Court, Outdoor Kitchen, Home Theater, Lower Level Gym/Sauna/Spa. The perfect home close to Closter’s downtown!
TOP REAL ESTATE AGENTS
RIDGEWOOD, NJ
LEONIA, NJ
Exquisite Old Country Club House Professionally
decorated by Architectural Digest top 100 interior designer Alexa Hampton. Exquisitely renovated from top to bottom, this home is ready for a sophisticated modern family to move right in! Almost 7,000 sf of customized entertaining space set on a gorgeous oversized .88 acre lot featuring gunite pool, bluestone patios & manicured grounds.
Magnificient, Newly Constructed, One of a Kind
custom residence featuring 4 Bedrooms and 5.5 Baths. Designed by AH Design Group, this residence boasts the highest level of luxury materials and craftsmanship along with the perfect outdoor oasis.
Compass Realty
Ridgeco Properties Inc.
Frances Hanson Ekblom, Broker Associate, C.N.E., Founding Agent
O: 201.568.4450 | William’s cell: 201.615.0716 | Michael’s cell: 201.638.1815 William Broderick, Owner/Broker | Michael Broderick, Realtor Associate
C: 201.602.4683
$5,495,000 SADDLE RIVER, NJ
Exquisite Manor Estate
River Edge Beauty
The stunning handcut stone and cedar shake home offers the ultimate in luxury, quality and design. A few key features are the Clive Christian Kitchen, Six Ensuite Bedrooms, 4 fireplaces, Movie Theater, Wine Cellar and so much more. The backyard has a Salt Water Pool with Spa and Cabana on 2 beautiful acres, an entertainer’s dream!
Custom built 4/5 bedroom Colonial by well known builder. Boasts high-end updates & finishes. Provides astute layout with ample entertaining & work from home options.
Prominent Properties Sotheby’s O: 201.825.3600 | C: 201.394.7170
Weichert, Realtors C: 201.925.0112
Sophia Meneve, Sales Associate
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Eileen Tummino, Sales Associate
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TOP REAL ESTATE AGENTS
$1,599,000 191 WHITMAN ST., HAWORTH NJ
Modern Chic New Construction with WOW Factor! Stunning new home with designer accents on quiet
street, overlooking park. Approx 4713sf, 6 bedrooms, 6.1 bathrooms and finished basement. Come customize the finishes to make this your dream home!
Gracious and Welcoming
Colonial located on a quiet cul de sac. Less than a mile to bus/train and beautiful downtown Westwood with shops, restaurants, and a movie theatre. This home has all the charm of an older house with updated kitchen and baths, spacious rooms, high ceilings and ample closets and storage space. 3 bedroom/3 full bath Colonial
RE/MAX, Real Estate, LIMITED O: 201.599.1100 | C: 201.543.1962 Ellen McCourt, Sales Associate
$1,199,000 475 PROSPECT ST., GLEN ROCK NJ
Stunning New Construction in Desirable Glen Rock! Gorgeous new construction with modern twist, on
230’ deep property. Approx 2830sf, 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms and finished basement. Come choose the colors and make it yours!
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
C: 201.951.5196 | O: 201.445.4300 ext. 203 Dawn Braithwaite, Realtor® Associate
RIDGEWOOD, NJ
RIDGEWOOD GEM!
Exceptional young colonial home with enormous yard in the desirable Willard School neighborhood. 5 bedrooms, 4 full baths. Light and bright with beautiful details, 11 foot ceilings, open floor plan, multiple fireplaces, and offices. This is the perfect family home.
Compass Realty C: 201.888.4800
Erin Pruitt, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson
COMING SOON!
Charming Colonial with Wrap Around Porch The very best of traditional Saddle River! Charming Colonial set
upon a knoll with incredible property and 1.37 acres of sublime privacy. This beautifully renovated home with custom features throughout offers the perfect floor plan for classy entertaining and comfortable family living. This exquisite home is coming soon to the market.
Keller Williams Village Square Realty O: 201.445.4300 | C: 201.446.3870 Phyllis Calianese, Realtor Associate
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Coming in June, July and August Issues of
Your favorite Al Fresco Restaurants in the County! To advertise, contact Publisher Tom Flannery at 201.571.2252 or thomas.flannery@wainscotmedia.com
3/22/21 10:17 AM
TOP REAL ESTATE AGENTS
4 BROOKVIEW CT., HO-HO-KUS, NJ
$619,873 16 MARIANI DR., LITTLE FERRY, NJ
Stunning Custom Built
Hamptons-style home with the finest architectural details and endless luxuries is newly constructed on a level, beautifully landscaped acre located on a picturesque cul-de-sac in Ho-Ho-Kus. Timeless elegance and state-of-the-art design throughout. This magnificent home is perfection.
Beautiful Renovated Home 4 Bedrooms and 2 Full Baths. Located on one of Little Ferrie’s Most Prestigious Streets
RE/MAX Pros O: 201.641.8800 | C: 201.394.4220
Keller Williams Village Square Realty O: 201.445.4300 | C: 201.937.5070
Louis A. Tedesco, Jr., Associate
Laurie Catizone-Jordan, Sales Associate, CNE®, PSA
$9,950,000 $799,000
Breathtaking Estate.
Privacy abounds in this gated entry, one of kind 14 acre setting. Park-like property surrounds the 10,000 sq ft palatial Chateau. All rooms enjoy views of the stunning 2 acre pond. Take a stroll or golf cart along the path that leads to the pool, tennis court, 9 stall horse barn, car collectors building or guest house.
New Construction Enjoy this ALL NEW construction and
make it your home. Amenities abound with crown molding and wainscotting throughout this 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath Colonial featuring a beautifully appointed custom kitchen and luxurious master suite. 2 car garage.
Prominent Properties | Sotheby’s International Realty O: 201.825.3600 | C: 201.264.4021
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices - Merendino Realty
C: 201.803.8892 | O: 201.288.4222 Aldo Merendino, Broker/Owner
Laurie Katsapis, Sales Associate
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{ POWER FOOD }
Purple Reigns
Move over, black and green. Move along, oolong. It’s time to try purple tea.
There’s no cooler color than the hue of royalty, celebrated in music (Deep Purple, “Purple Haze”) and literature (The Color Purple, Harold and the Purple Crayon). But who knew purple was a tea? The answer, surprisingly, is Kenya. That tea-exporting East African nation’s Tea Research Institute spent 25 years developing a purple-leafed variety. Today that type is growing in popularity as a tasty, nutritious teatime alternative. All varieties of real tea—black, green, oolong, white, etc.—are turned into the familiar hot liquid when just-shy-of-boiling water is poured over the leaves of an evergreen shrub known to scientists as Camellia sinensis and allowed to steep. (What we call herbal teas are steeps or infusions of other plants’ leaves or parts.) Tea is the planet’s second most-sipped beverage, after water. And while the purple variety so far accounts for only a dribble of this ocean of consumption (the Kenyans just started releasing it commercially in 2011 to combat a dip in tea prices), it’s reportedly a hardy, high-yielding, easy-to-harvest plant, with properties that guard against drought, frost and natural pests. How fortunate, then, that purple tea has a taste that’s been called “sweet and woodsy” and “robust but not bitter.”
POWER UP Grown pesticide-free in the hills at elevations of 4,500 to 7,500 feet, purple tea leaves get high levels of ultraviolet exposure, causing the plants to defend themselves by producing anthocyanins. These are the antioxidants that create its deep hue (they’re also found in blueberries, eggplant and purple grapes), and they’re said to help combat cancer, guard against cardiovascular disease and aid in cognition. Like its green and black brethren, purple tea contains an amino acid known as l-theanine, which is believed to help relieve anxiety and promote relaxation. But purple wallops the other teas when it comes to polyphenols— micronutrients that can aid digestion, fight infection and prevent or reverse aging-related damage to cells. One tea company reports purple’s polyphenols content at 16.5 percent versus 10.1 percent for black and 9.1 percent for green. A 2015 study in the International Journal of Biomedical Science found that “purple tea leaves and its extract provide anti-obesity effects in mouse and humans,” and suggested that the mechanisms of action involve three compounds: caffeine, catechins (flavonoids) and a polyphenol
called GHG, which appears to affect lipases, enzymes that break down fats. Speaking of caffeine, are you worried about getting too much? That could be another reason to go purple. It has a bit more caffeine than white tea, but significantly less than green or black. BUY/STORE/SERVE Your grocery store may not yet stock purple tea, but it’s available from online retailers (try artfultea.com, justea.com or thewhistlingkettle.com) and certain tea shops. Experts recommend purchasing loose tea rather than tea bags to be sure of getting the best quality, and don’t be disheartened if purple demands a slightly higher price, as befits a royal hue. When it comes to storage, however, the king of your tea cabinet requires no more deference than a commoner quaff. Keep it in a tightly sealed container, preferably made of opaque material, and not in a humid area or near anything with a strong odor. Buy your tea in small quantities you’ll use up soon rather than letting it sit for a long time. When preparing a cup, let it simmer for three to four minutes—or a bit longer if you’d like it strong. Sip some of this new brew and you’ll agree: Tea’s healthy new hue has a promising destiny. —Timothy Kelley
DID YOU KNOW? Kenya ranks third as an exporter of all teas, behind much larger China and India, but it’s the world’s purple-tea champ.
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3/17/21 2:31 PM
Richard C.E. Anderson
Alfred T. Ogden
William S. Cobb
Jonathan Yun
Gaetan Moise
Dorthea Altshul
Anthony D’Ambrosio
Michael G. Kaiser
NEUROSURGEONS OF NEW JERSEY ALFRED T. OGDEN, M.D., FAANS RICHARD C.E. ANDERSON, M.D., FACS, FAAP JONATHAN YUN, M.D. WILLIAM S. COBB, M.D., PH.D., FAANS DOROTHEA ALTSCHUL, M.D., FAHA GAETAN MOISE, M.D., FAANS MICHAEL G. KAISER, M.D., FACS, FAANS ANTHONY D’AMBROSIO, M.D., FAANS 1200 East Ridgewood Ave., Suite 200, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 • 201.327.8600 • neurosurgeonsofnewjersey.com NEUROSURGEONS OF NEW JERSEY brings together a highly specialized group of physicians who have made it their mission to save lives. “We are committed to providing patients with the most appropriate approach for addressing their particular neurological condition,” says Dr. Richard Anderson. Each neurosurgeon in the practice has developed the highest degree of specialization in their chosen discipline—making Neurosurgeons of New Jersey one of the most sub-specialized groups in the area. Through specialized expertise and cross-discipline consultation, the surgeons bring clarity to complex situations and achieve excellent outcomes. “The technology used in neurosurgery is changing all the time. Every day, science and technology take this rapidly evolving specialty to advanced levels. At Neurosurgeons of New Jersey, we have an unwavering regard for new treatments and remain steadfast in our work toward trailblazing new approaches,” says Dr. Gaetan Moise. Neurosurgeons of New Jersey is highly skilled in a wide variety of
NeurosurgeonsofNJ_FP.indd 1
disease conditions, treatments, and research including brain tumors, spine surgery, cerebrovascular disease, pediatric neurosurgery, and Gamma Knife Radiosurgery. With locations from Ridgewood to Livingston to Long Branch, the specialists at Neurosurgeons of New Jersey are conveniently located throughout the state. Furthermore, the group participates in almost all insurance networks and has an insurance specialist on staff to help patients manage the complex insurance process. From children to adults, the goal is to deliver compassionate care to help patients achieve the quality of life they deserve. On behalf of the entire Ridgewood practice, Dorothea Altschul, Richard Anderson, William Cobb, Anthony D’Ambrosio, Michael Kaiser, Gaetan Moise, Alfred Ogden, and Jonathan Yun would like to say thank you for being recognized amongst the many wonderful physicians receiving the recognition of New Jersey’s Top Doctors. Call 201-327-8600 to schedule an appointment at Ridgewood’s COVID-safe and continually disinfected office. Telehealth appointments are also available.
3/18/21 11:06 AM
{ SPIRITS }
A Royal Refresher
The Brits’ ode to spring, this cordial cocktail is best enjoyed with friends here or across the pond. Cheers!
PIMM’S CUP Yields: 4 servings n 2 cans of lemon San Pellegrino n 1 cup Pimm’s No. 1 n ½ cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed n 1 cucumber, sliced n 8 strawberries, quartered n 8 basil leaves, torn n lemon slices, for garnish
DIRECTIONS
n In a pitcher, mix the San Pellegrino, Pimm’s and lemon juice, then mix in cucumber, strawberries and basil. Let stand for 10 minutes. n Fill four highball glasses with ice and pour cocktail evenly over the ice, making sure each glass gets equal amounts of cucumber, basil and strawberries. Garnish with lemon.
Recipe courtesy of themodernproper.com
“To shake up the classic Pimm’s Cup, use fresh mango and raspberries with lemon, cucumber and Thai basil. For an extra boost, add a little Prosecco with the sparkling water and Pimm’s. I call this twist the Spring Pimm’s Cup.” —Colin Pursley, bartender, Stern and Bow, Closter
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
HOME & GARDEN SHOWCASE AJ MADISON
BOOTH MOVERS, LTD.
FRANK WEBB HOME
Since its founding in 2001, AjMadison has become the go-to resource in the tri-state area for home appliances, both online and in its Brooklyn showroom, easily accessible from the Verrazano Bridge or the Holland Tunnel. Boasting over 20,000 SKUs and more than 150 premium brands, AjMadison offers an unrivaled selection of top-rated appliances. Homeowners, contractors, builders, and designers depend on our team of experts to recommend, deliver, and service the best appliances for every project. NEW YORK CITY SHOWROOM 3605 13TH AVE., BROOKLYN, NY 718.732.4900 | AJMADISON.COM
One of New Jersey’s oldest, familyowned and most awarded moving and storage companies is located here in Bergen County. Proudly serving its residents for over 76 years, Booth Movers provides professional packing, moving and storage services to all of its clients. With one of the largest local fleets in Northern NJ and with its partnership with Atlas Van Lines, Booth Movers has the ability to handle any project large or small, near or far. 1 ANDERSON AVE., MOONACHIE, NJ 201.896.4500 | BOOTHMOVERS.COM NJMOVER.COM
There are spaces in our homes where we actually create health and happiness. Rooms where water flows and light shines. The team at Frank Webb Home provides friendly, expert guidance in over 46 Northeast showrooms, including Elmwood Park. Enjoy hundreds of bath, kitchen and lighting products in room settings that help you envision them in your own home. Experience working displays that allow you to see and compare how water is delivered from different fixtures. 261 ROUTE 46 WEST, ELMWOOD PARK, NJ 201.421.2955 | FRANKWEBB.COM
B&B POOL AND SPA CENTER
DIANE DUROCHER INTERIORS Diane Durocher Interiors is an awardwinning interior design firm that specializes in creating timeless interiors that encompass a wide spectrum of design aesthetics. Diane Durocher, ASID, IIDA, CAPS, CID believes that the foundation of a successful design project is built on trust and confidence. She achieves this by listening to her clients’ needs while employing a keen eye for color and outstanding space planning skills, resulting in a finished project that exceeds her clients’ expectations. RAMSEY, NJ | 201.825.3832 DIANEDUROCHERINTERIORS.COM
GPS Showrooms aren’t just a place to find kitchen and bath innovations— they’re a place to envision your next home design. From faucets and sinks to showers, cabinets and countertops, your inspiration is our mission. And because we’re also a major supplier, delivering the details to contractors throughout the East Coast since 1910, our in-house experts can help with even the most challenging projects. Whether you’re casually browsing or searching for something specific, stop by your local GPS showroom for a truly remarkable experience encompassing thoughtful design, top brands, and impeccable customer service. SHOWROOMS: BAYONNE, BERGENFIELD, EDISON, EATONTOWN, FLEMINGTON, GREEN BROOK, HAWTHORNE, LAKEWOOD, MATAWAN, MORRIS PLAINS, ORANGE, PARAMUS 1.800.CALLGPS | SHOPGPS.COM
EXCLUSIVE STONEWORKS
KOPA DRAPES
Exclusive Stoneworks takes pride in bringing unparalleled professionalism and high quality award winning craftsmanship to an affordable budget. Our team of highly skilled, well trained, and highly motivated craftsman have proven themselves repeatedly and work together to provide a well-coordinated and stress-free professional service to you. Depend on us to deliver superior designs, the very best practices in installation, and personal attention to detail that have fueled our growth and success. 201.939.2492 EXCLUSIVESTONEWORKS.COM
KOPA Drapes is a company with a purpose and an idea. The idea that beauty and sustainability go together. We handcraft and install sustainable custom drapes and shades. We offer complimentary at-home design consultation. What makes KOPA Drapes different? Our focus is on natural and eco-friendly fabrics, made with the highest quality raw materials, woven by the best weavers in the world. Our custom drapes and shades are made locally, in our workshop in Belleville, NJ. The quality of our products and installation is backed by a lifetime warranty. 145 HECKEL ST., BELLEVILLE, NJ 973.751.1545 | KOPADRAPES.COM
The team at B&B has been satisfying customers for 47 years. The pools they build— including all those from their early days—continue to be beautiful and inviting. Virtually every year since B&B started building pools, they’ve won awards. With their attention focused on providing ease, convenience and efficiency, B&B created the IntelliPool® and IntelliSpa® bringing the best of technology together with the simple pleasure of crystal-clear water. 787 CHESTNUT RIDGE RD. CHESTNUT RIDGE, NY | 845.356.0778
BALITANO CONTRACTING Balitano Contracting tastefully constructs outdoor kitchens, outdoor living rooms, fireplaces, fire pits, custom patios, landscape, and swimming pool designs. We engage our customers in an exceptional way, ensuring we deliver the highest quality in our work and materials while composing an affordable price. We preform all aspects of the project from initial design to final installation. As a part of our commitment we offer a 100% guarantee on all of our work. Trust your next project to Balitano, a business built on trust, service, reliability. FORT LEE, NJ 201.944.5425 | BALITANO.COM
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GENERAL PLUMBING SUPPLY
3/18/21 1:22 PM
HOME & GARDEN SHOWCASE
MAGNOLIA HOME REMODELING GROUP Magnolia Home Remodeling Group is a family owned and operated Home Remodeling and Home Improvement Contractor in New Jersey. We are experts in vinyl siding, roofing and window installation, as well as kitchen, bathroom & basement remodeling. We also offer porch remodeling, decks, masonry, patios and more, with a variety of affordable product choices to fit any budget. Magnolia Home Remodeling Group is a NJ Licensed Home Improvement Contractor, fully Insured with over 30 years of industry experience. We are an Angie’s List Super Service Award Winner and encourage everyone to check our reviews on Google, Houzz, Angie’s List, Home Advisor, Yelp and BBB! 855.624.6655 MAGNOLIAHOMEREMODELING.COM
MICHAEL FELICE INTERIORS Michael Felice Interiors is a full service interior design firm. We specialize in home updates using the best mix of time tested styles as well as cutting edge techniques. Our team, Michael, Cecilia, Barbara and Janette, believe every resident deserves a home that not only uses space well, but reflects their unique personality. Stop in or call for a casual sit down to discuss your wish list (carpentry, wall coverings, rugs, lighting and furniture, etc). 318 FRANKLIN AVE., WYCKOFF, NJ 201.710.5796 MICHAELFELICEINTERIORS.COM
NJ GRAVEL & SAND Celebrating 84 years in business, our staff at family-owned New Jersey Gravel & Sand brings a world-class level of attention and detail to your every landscape, hardscape, and natural stone need. We fabricate stone masterpieces for all interior and exterior applications, from fireplace hearths and mantels crafted with natural stone, to thin veneers, to stone used for outdoor kitchens, and custom pool coping. Visit our website, Facebook or Instagram accounts and of course our amazing 23-acre stone yard to experience exciting new products and ideas. 1661 HWY. 34 SOUTH, WALL, NJ 732.938.5252 | NJGRAVELSAND.COM
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OBERG & LINDQUIST Oberg & Lindquist is a destination store for homeowners seeking the best quality products for their living space. We are the oldest independent GE dealer in the US and have received numerous awards. We are also proud to offer products from Sub-Zero Wolf, Weber, Miele, Bosch, Braun, Dacor, Electrolux, Frigidaire, Jenn-Air, Maytag, Whirlpool and more. We are dedicated to providing quality products and superb customer service. 671 BROADWAY, WESTWOOD, NJ 201.664.1300 | OBERGANDLINDQUIST.COM LIVE CHAT AVAILABLE
SCENIC LANDSCAPING Scenic Landscaping is the premiere landscape design-build firm with over 45 years of award winning projects. In collaboration with our sister companies, Tapestry Landscape Architecture and Tranquility Pools, we provide superior craftsmanship and creativity. Our services include everything from intimate gardens, to custom pools, outdoor living spaces, and entire property transformations. We pride ourselves on our ability to exceed all expectations while bringing our clients visions to life. 7 ARGYLE RD., HASKELL NJ 973.616.9600 WWW.SCENICLANDSCAPING.COM
THOMAS FLINT LANDSCAPE DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT
THYME & PLACE DESIGN/ SHARON L. SHERMAN My passion has always been collaborating with my clients to design warm, inspired spaces for their families. Creating homes which balance health, wellness, function and beauty has really been my calling. I realized it was “time” to have my own “place” to put my vision to work, and Thyme & Place Design was born. I am happy to say my team and I have been Creating Thymeless Luxury for kitchen, bath, and home since 2002. 385 CLINTON AVE., WYCKOFF, NJ 201.847.1400 THYMEANDPLACEDESIGN.COM
ULRICH, INC.
Ulrich, Inc. offers comprehensive design/build services specializing in kitchens, baths and custom home remodeling. With a staff of over 25, our employee-owned company has served homeowners in the Northern New Jersey / New York metro area for over 70 years with an exceptional reputation for our commitment to personalized service, high quality products and fine craftsmanship. Ulrich professionals work with you every step of the way to make your remodeling experience as delightful as the outcome! 100 CHESTNUT ST., RIDGEWOOD, NJ 201.445.1260 | ULRICHINC.COM
Thomas Flint Landscape Design & Development is an award-winning full service landscape design and construction firm specializing in state-of-theart, custom gunite swimming pools, masonry and complete outdoor living spaces. We are focused on the big picture and how every element and detail fits, flows and works together. Our completed projects represent the essence of our clients’ characters, style and passions synthesized into a final creation that embodies timeless comfort and style. 36 INDUSTRIAL PARK, WALDWICK, NJ 201.327.5162 | THOMASFLINT.COM
3/18/21 1:23 PM
{ ON THE TOWN }
Where To Eat
Getting three squares a day has never been easier—Bergen County is home to a selection of restaurants diverse enough to satisfy all of your cravings. SAMDAN 178 Piermont Rd. 201.816.7343 samdanrestaurant.com
DEMAREST YASOU MYKONOS 134 Hardenburgh Ave. 201.768.8500 yasoumykonos.com
DUMONT
DE NOVO EUROPEAN PUB 1257 River Rd. 201.496.6161 denovoeuropeanpub.com
FINK’S BBQ 26 W. Madison Ave. 201.384.3210 finksbbq smokehouse.com
EMMA BISTRO 2 Hilliard Ave. 201.402.7719 emmabistronj.com
FOSCHINI’S 21 E. Madison Ave. 201.387.9998 foschinis.com GRANT STREET CAFÉ 25 Grant Ave. 201.385.1705 thegrantstreetcafe.com Greek Taverna in Edgewater *Editor’s note—Patrons are encouraged to confirm individual restaurant policies regarding seating capacity, social distancing and curbside service.
ALLENDALE ALLENDALE BAR & GRILL 67 W. Allendale Ave. 201.327.3197 allendalebarandgrill.com ALLENDALE STEAKHOUSE 95 W. Allendale Ave. 201.962.9797 allendalesteakhousenj.com NIRVANA INDIAN KITCHEN 29 W. Allendale Ave. 201.818.2300 nirvanaindiankitchen.com RESTAURANT L 9 Franklin Tpke. 201.785.1112 restaurantlnj.net
SAVINI 168 W. Crescent Ave. 201.760.3700 savinirestaurant.com
ALPINE KIKU 385 Rte. 9 W. 201.767.6322
BERGENFIELD CHAPALA GRILL 52 S. Washington Ave. 201.387.2107 chapalamexican grill.com NIHON KAI 41 S. Washington Ave. 201.384.3000 nihonkaijapanese.com TOMMY FOX’S PUBLIC HOUSE 32 S. Washington Ave. 201.384.0900 tommyfoxs.com
BOGOTA LUKA’S ITALIAN CUISINE 10 River Rd. 201.440.2996 lukasitaliancuisine.com
CARLSTADT
CLOSTER
BIGGIE’S 430 Rte. 17 S. 201.933.4000 biggies.com
THE HILL 252 Schraalenburgh Rd. 201.899.4700 thehillcloster.com
IL VILLAGGIO 651 Rte. 17 N. 201.935.7733 ilvillaggio.com
LOCALE CAFÉ AND BAR 208 Piermont Rd. 201.750.3233 locale208closter.com
CLIFFSIDE PARK
SEAR HOUSE 411 Piermont Rd. 201.292.4612 searhouse.com
354 STEAKHOUSE 354 Lawton Ave. 201.941.0499 AVO’S GRILL 720 Anderson Ave. 201.945.9038 orderavos.com RUDY’S RESTAURANT 591 Anderson Ave. 201.943.9252 SEDONA TAPHOUSE 679 Anderson Ave. 201.943.2300 sedonataphouse.com VILLA AMALFI 793 Palisade Ave. 201.886.8626 villaamalfi.com BERGENMAG.COM
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STERN AND BOW 171 Schraalenburgh Rd. 201.750.3350 sternandbowrestaurant .com
CRESSKILL DELVINA RESTAURANT 172 Piermont Rd. 201.816.0239 delvinarestaurant.com FARMHOUSE CAFÉ 15 E. Madison Ave. 201.266.8931 farmhousecafenj.com
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BROWNSTONE PANCAKE FACTORY 860 River Rd. 201.945.4800 brownstonepancake factory.com
IL MULINO 132 Veterans Plz. 201.384.7767 ilmulinodumont.com NAZCA CEVICHERIA 20 E. Madison Ave. 201.385.2689 nazcanj.com
EAST RUTHERFORD AL DI LA 1 Hoboken Rd. 201.939.1128 aldilaitalianbistro.com
FLEMING’S STEAKHOUSE 90 The Promenade 201.313.9463 flemingssteakhouse.com GREEK TAVERNA 55 The Promenade 201.945.8998 greektavernausa.com HAVEN 2 Main St. 201.943.1900 havenedgewater.com THE ORIGINAL PANCAKE HOUSE 15 The Promenade 201.366.4065 ophedgewater.com PIER 115 115 River Rd. 201.313.2155 pier115barandgrill.com
ANNABELLA’S HOUSE OF MOZZARELLA 900 Paterson Plank Rd. 201.804.0303 annabellasmozz.com
REBECCA’S 236 Old River Rd. 201.943.8808 rebeccasedgewater.com
BLARNEY STATION PUB 258 Park Ave. 201.531.0001 blarneystation.com
RIVER PALM TERRACE 1416 River Rd. 201.224.2013 riverpalm.com
CAFFÉ CAPRI 119 Park Ave. 201.460.1039 caffecaprirestaurant.com
ROBERTO’S II 936 River Rd. 201.224.2524 robertosii.com
EDGEWATER
SEAK 725 River Rd., #30 201.402.3400 seaknj.com
BAUMGART’S CAFÉ 59 The Promenade 201.313.3889 baumgartscafe.com
APRIL 2021
3/17/21 2:39 PM
ELMWOOD PARK TAVERNA MYKONOS 238 Broadway 201.703.9200 tavernamykonos.com ROYAL WARSAW 871 River Dr. 201.794.9277 royalwarsaw.com
EMERSON PIMAAN THAI 79 Kinderkamack Rd. 201.967.0440 pimaanthai.com
ENGLEWOOD AKAI LOUNGE 11 N. Dean St. 201.541.0086 akailounge.com BAUMGART’S CAFÉ 45 E. Palisade Ave. 201.569.6267 baumgartscafe.com BENNIE’S 54 E. Palisade Ave. 201.894.5700 benniesofenglewood.com BLUE MOON CAFÉ 23 E. Palisade Ave. 201.541.0600 bluemoonmexican café.com CASSIE’S 18 S. Dean St. 201.541.6760 cassiespizzeria.com CHAT KAEW THAI CUISINE 4 E. Palisade Ave. 201.894.0343 HUMMUS ELITE 39 E. Palisade Ave. 201.569.5600 hummuselite.com LA FONDA PAISA 95 W. Palisade Ave. 201.871.3544 afondapaisausa.com
Photos courtesy of SGreek Taverna, Andiamo
LA’MEZZA 63 Nathaniel Pl. 201.569.2662 lamezzarestaurant.com LAS MARAVILLAS DE TULCINGO 84 W. Palisade Ave. 201.568.1980
ROSE’S OF ENGLEWOOD 126 Engle St. 201.541.0020 rosesplacenj.com
SAGE RESTAURANT 17-15 Broadway 201.797.0500 sagefairlawn.com
VENTANA’S 200 Park Ave. 201.583.4777 ventanasatthemodern.com
SOFIA 36 Engle St. 201.541.8530 sofiaenglewood.com
FAIRVIEW
FRANKLIN LAKES
NOCHES DE COLOMBIA 172 Broad Ave. 201.840.8428 nochesdecolombia.com
THE CHEF’S TABLE 754 Franklin Ave. 201.891.6644 tctnj.com
PATSY’S 344 Old Bergen Blvd. 201.943.0627 patsysbistro.com
SUSHI COCORO 856 Franklin Ave. 201.560.1333 sushicocoro.com
FORT LEE
GARFIELD
AQUARIUS 230-234 Main St. 201.592.8338 aquariusrestaurant nj.com
THE FIREHOUSE 42 Plauderville Ave. 973.478.2226 firehouse-restaurant.com
TANI SUSHI & ASIAN GRILL 44 E. Palisade Ave. 201.567.7888 taniofenglewood.com
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS BROWNSTONE PANCAKE FACTORY 717 E. Palisade Ave. 201.945.4800 brownstonepancake factory.com CAFÉ ITALIANO 14 Sylvan Ave. 201.461.5041 cafeitaliano.net CLIFFS STEAKHOUSE 18 Sylvan Ave. 201.944.0233 cliffssteakhouse.com LEFKES ESTIATORIO 495 Sylvan Ave. 201.408.4444 lefkesnj.com GRISSINI 484 Sylvan Ave. 201.568.3535 grissinirestaurant.com
FAIR LAWN ANTHONY’S COAL FIRED PIZZA 2101 Promenade Blvd. 201.796.2625 acfp.com EMPRESS DINER 13-48 River Rd. 201.791.2895 empressdinernj.com KIMCHI MAMA 7-09 Fair Lawn Ave. 201.703.2905 kimchimamafairlawn.com OCEANOS OYSTER BAR & SEA GRILL 2-27 Saddle River Rd. 201.796.0546 oceanosrestaurant.com
NOCHES DE COLOMBIA 90 W. Palisade Ave. 201.567.4950 nochesdecolombia.com
RIVER PALM TERRACE 41-11 Rte. 4 W. 201.703.3500 riverpalm.com
PINTXO Y TAPAS 47 N. Dean St. 201.569.9999 englewoodtapas.com
ROSE’S PLACE 32-01 Broadway 201.475.8800 rosesplacenj.com
BAGGIOS 212 Main St. 201.585.7979 baggiospizzarestaurant. com BIG RED TOMATO 1205 Anderson Ave. 201.224.6500 brtnj.com CAP’T LOUI 210 Main St. 201.461.7080 captloui.com
LA CAMBUSA 517 River Dr. 973.272.8739 cambusanj.com LA FORTALEZA 361 Midland Ave. 973.928.4470 lafortalezamexrestaurant .com
GLEN ROCK
CHILLERS GRILL 2191 Fletcher Ave. 201.461.0075 chillersgrill.com
GLEN ROCK INN 222 Rock Rd. 201.445.2362 glenrockinn.com
IN NAPOLI 116 Main St. 201.947.2500 inapoli.com
TANI SUSHI & ASIAN GRILL 206 Rock Rd. 201.612.1188 taniofglenrock.com
KUBA RESTAURANT 2139 Hudson Ter. 201.585.1601 kubarestaurant.com PHOBU 1645 Lemoine Ave. 201.363.8900 phobu.com PHO TODAY 2151 Lemoine Ave. 201.585.8818 POMODORO 795 Abbott Blvd. 201.224.0800 pomodoro1.com PRIME & BEYOND 501 Main St. 201.461.0033 primeandbeyond.com
HACKENSACK CASUAL HABANA CAFÉ 125 Main St. 201.880.9844 casualhabanacafe.com CHEERS BAR & RESTAURANT 774 Main St. 201.487.0660 cheersnewjersey.com THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY 390 Hackensack Ave. 201.488.0330 thecheesecakefactory.com THE CROW’S NEST 309 Vincent Ave. 201.342.5445 crowsnest.com
PUNTA CANA 2151 Lemoine Ave. 201.849.5556 puntacanarestaurante .com BERGENMAG.COM
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GOODFELLAS 661 Midland Ave. 973.478.4000 goodfellasristorante.com
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Andiamo in Haworth
HOT FISH 450 Hackensack Ave. 201.881.0180 hotfishhackensack.com HOUSTON’S 1 Riverside Sq. 201.488.5667 houstons.com MAGGIANO’S LITTLE ITALY 70 Riverside Sq. 201.221.2030 maggianos.com MORTON’S THE STEAKHOUSE 1 Riverside Sq. 201.487.1303 mortons.com THE OCEANAIRE 175 Riverside Sq. 201.343.8862 theoceanaire.com P.F. CHANG’S 390 Hackensack Ave. 201.646.1565 pfchangs.com THE PICCO TAVERN 160 Prospect Ave. 201.880.8750 piccotavern.com ROSA MEXICANO 60 Riverside Sq. 201.489.9100 rosamexicano.com STONY HILL INN 231 Polifly Rd. 201.342.4085 stonyhillinn.com
HARRINGTON PARK DONATELLA RISTORANTE 12 Tappan Rd. 201.767.4245
HASBROUCK HEIGHTS BENSI 459 Rte. 17 S. 201.727.9525 bensihh.com IVY INN 268 Terrace Ave. 201.393.7699 ivyinn.com SOFIA’S 220 Boulevard 201.462.0123 sofiasmediterranean grill.com TOM YUM KOONG 305 Boulevard 201.288.3840 tomyumkoong.net
HAWORTH ALESSANDRO’S 157 Terrace St. 201.385.8544 alessandrosnj.com ANDIAMO 23 Hardenburgh Ave. 201.384.1551 andiamorestaurant.net TERRACE STREET CAFÉ 149 Terrace St. 201.338.4720 terracestreetcafe.com
HILLSDALE THE CORNERSTONE 84 Broadway 201.666.8688 thecornerstonenj.com DELLA CUCINA 100 Park Ave. 201.722.8880 dellacucinanj.com DOMANI 387 Washington Ave. 201.722.8881 domanirestaurants.com
APRIL 2021
3/19/21 12:24 PM
{ ON THE TOWN }
HEARTH & TAP CO. 125 N. Kinderkamack Rd. 201.307.6300 hearthandtap.com YUKI 2 S. Kinderkamack Rd. 201.391.9877 yukimontvale.com
MOONACHIE BAZZARELLI 117 Moonachie Rd. 201.641.4010 bazzarellirestaurant.com
Biagios Ristorante in Paramus
MATSU SUSHI & GRILL 140 Broadway 201.722.9388 OSSO BUCO 343 Broadway 201.664.1600 ossobucogrill.com
HO-HO-KUS ALT EATS 622 N. Maple Ave. 201.444.1300 alteatscafe.com CATCHY CAFÉ 614 N. Maple Ave. 201.445.6400 thecatchycaterer.com HO-HO-KUS INN 1 E. Franklin Tpke. 201.445.4115 hohokusinn.com HO-HO-KUS SUSHI CAFÉ 29 Sheridan Ave. 201.670.7677 hohokussushicafe.com ST. EVE’S 611 N. Maple Ave. 201.857.4717 stevesnj.com
LEONIA CAFÉ MIGNON 332 Broad Ave. 201.292.1992 DANTE’S PLACE 373 Broad Ave. 201.592.9071 dantesplace.com FONTANA TRITONE 248 Fort Lee Rd. 201.242.9040
LITTLE FERRY THE CAKE LOUNGE 389 Liberty St. 201.336.9819 thecakelounge.com SEGOVIA STEAKHOUSE 217 Main St. 201.814.1100 segoviasteakhouse.com
LODI KAYA 334 N. Main St. 973.779.1128 kayalodi.com REBAR & KITCHEN 132 Essex St. 201.368.8181 rebarkitchen.com SERGIO’S MISSIONE 2 Mercer St. 973.778.4545 sergiosmissione.com
LYNDHURST ANGELO’S 263 Ridge Rd. 201.939.1922
MAHWAH BAR & GRILL 2 Island Rd. 201.529.8056 allendalebarandgrill.com
THE SEAFOOD GOURMET 103 W. Pleasant Ave. 201.843.8558 seafood-gourmet.com
NAGOYA 1007 MacArthur Blvd. 201.818.9933 nagoyacuisine.com
MIDLAND PARK ARTURO’S 41 Central Ave. 201.444.2466 arturos.co
NONNA’S 11 Franklin Tpke. 201.529.1151 nonnasmahwah.com
FIONA’S RISTORANTE 118 Godwin Ave. 201.857.5800 fionasristorante.com
ROXANNE’S 150 Franklin Tpke. 201.529.0007 roxannes restaurant.com
ROSARIO’S TRATTORIA 29 Central Ave. 201.445.3335 rosariostrattoriamenu.com
SANGRIA 1033 MacArthur Blvd. 201.962.3310 sangriamahwah.com
MONTVALE DELPINO RESTAURANT 108 Chestnut Ridge Rd. 201.391.6866 delpinorestaurant.com
FOSCHINI’S BRICK OVEN PIZZA 298 Ridge Rd. 201.460.7600 foschinis.com
STATE LINE DINER 375 Rte. 17 N. 201.529.3353 statelinediner.com
MICHAEL’S RIVERSIDE 528 Riverside Ave. 201.939.6333 michaelsriverside.com
ANGELO’S GREEK TAVERNA 245 Maywood Ave. 201.845.4278 angelosgreektavernanj.com
MAHWAH BON APPETIT 180 Franklin Tpke. 201.512.1144 bonappetitmahwah.com
MAYWOOD
BELLISSIMO 12 S. Kinderkamack Rd. 201.746.6669 bellissimonj.com FIRE & OAK 100 Chestnut Ridge Rd. 201.307.1100 fireandoak.com
MAYWOOD INN’S TWIN DOOR TAVERN 122 W. Pleasant Ave. 201.843.8022 twindoortavern.com BERGENMAG.COM
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MAYWOOD PANCAKE HOUSE 92 W. Pleasant Ave. 201.880.7842 maywoodpancake house.com
JUN LUNG 180 Franklin Tpke. 201.529.9898 junlungnj.com
BISTRO 107 107 Moonachie Rd. 201.440.3339 bistro107nj.com SEGOVIA 150 Moonachie Rd. 201.641.4266 segoviarestaurant.com
NEW MILFORD CASUAL HABANA CAFÉ 200 Main St. 201.576.0400 casualhabanacafe.com SANZARI’S NEW BRIDGE INN 105 Old New Bridge Rd. 201.692.7700 sanzaris.com TOROS 690 River Rd. 201.265.0004 torosrestaurant.com
NORTHVALE BIDDY O’MALLEY’S 191 Paris Ave. 201.564.7893 biddyomalleys.com THE GREEK VILLAGE 254 Livingston St. 201.750.8570 greekvillagenj.com MADELEINE’S PETIT PARIS 416 Tappan Rd. 201.767.0063 madeleinespetit paris.com TASTE OF SPAIN 493 Tappan Rd. 201.767.8904 tasteofspainrestaurant.com
NORWOOD RAGAZZI 530 Livingston St. 201.660.7950 ragazzirestaurantlounge.com
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OAKLAND CENZINO 589 Ramapo Valley Rd. 201.337.6693 cenzinos.com TROVATO’S DUE 4 Barbara Ln. 201.337.0813 trovatosduenj.com YUKI 350 Ramapo Valley Rd. 201.337.8889 yuki-oakland.com
OLD TAPPAN PATRIZIA’S 183 Old Tappan Rd. 201.515.2900 patrizias.com VICOLO RISTORANTE 216 Old Tappan Rd. 201.497.8777 vicoloristorante.com
PALISADES PARK SO MOON NAN JIP 238 Broad Ave. 201.944.3998 so-moon-nan-jip.com
PARAMUS BIAGIO’S RISTORANTE 299 Paramus Rd. 201.652.0201 biagios.com THE CAPITAL GRILLE 1 Garden State Plz. 201.845.7040 thecapitalgrille.com GRAND LUX CAFE 1 Garden State Plz. 201.909.0399 grandluxcafe.com KIKU 365 Rte. 17 S. 201.265.7200 MANTRA 275 Rte. 4 W. 201.342.8868 mantranj.com SUBURBAN DINER 172 Rte. 17 N. 201.261.2605 suburbandiner17.com
PARK RIDGE 103 PRIME AT VALENTINO’S 103 Spring Valley Rd. 201.391.2220 103prime.com ESTY STREET 86 Spring Valley Rd. 201.307.1515 estystreet.com
Photos courtesy of Biagios Ristorante, Tawara
GEN SUSHI & HIBACHI 14B Chestnut Ridge Rd. 201.930.9188 gensushimontvale.com
APRIL 2021
3/19/21 12:25 PM
{ ON THE TOWN } THE PARK STEAKHOUSE 151 Kinderkamack Rd. 201.930.1300 theparksteakhouse.com
VARKA ESTIATORIO 30 N. Spruce St. 201.995.9333 varkarestaurant.com
FINCA 20 E. Ridgewood Ave. 201.444.1199 fincanj.com
PEPPERCORNS 176 Colony Ave. 201.391.2818 peppercorns176.com
RIDGEFIELD
GREEN FUSION 22 Oak St. 201.670.7502 greenfusionnj.com
RIDGE DINER 125 Kinderkamack Rd. 201.391.4242 ridgediner.com
RAMSEY ANTHONY FRANCO’S 128 E. Main St. 201.236.8000 afpizza.com BRADY’S AT THE STATION 5-7 W. Main St. 201.327.9748 bradysatthestation.net CAFÉ PANACHE 130 E. Main St. 201.934.0030 cafepanachenj.com KINCHLEY’S TAVERN 586 N. Franklin Tpke. 201.934.7777 kinchleyspizza.com THE SHANNON ROSE 1200 Rte. 17 201.962.7602 theshannonrose.com SMYRNA 21 E. Main St. Ramsey 201.934.7990 TAWARA 53 W. Main St. 201.825.8712
CAFÉ TIVOLI 533 Shaler Blvd. 201.941.5561 cafetivoli.com 88 RICE SHOP 88 Rte. 46 W. 201.840.8688 88riceshop.com
RIDGEFIELD PARK MK VALENCIA 228 Main St. 201.373.0228 mkvalenciarestaurant.com THAI PALACE 218 E. Main St. 201.441.9119 thaipalacenj.com
RIDGEWOOD CAFE 37 37 S. Broad Ave. 201.857.0437 cafe-37.com COUNTRY PANCAKE HOUSE 140 E. Ridgewood Ave. 201.444.8395 countrypancakehouse.net CRAVINGS TAPAS BISTRO 8 Wilsey Sq. 201.857.8533 cravingstapas.com DELHI ACCENT 37 Chestnut St. 201.444.4910 delhiaccentnj.com FELINA 54 E. Ridgewood Ave. 551.276.5454 felinarestaurant.com
IT’S GREEK TO ME 21 E. Ridgewood Ave. 201.612.2600 itsgreektome.com LA LANTERNA 29 W. Ridgewood Ave. 201.444.5520 lalanternaof ridgewood.com LATOUR 6 E. Ridgewood Ave. 201.445.5056 latourridgewood.com LISA’S MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE 28 Oak St. 201.251.8686 lisasmediterranean cuisine.net MEDITERRANEO 23 N. Broad St. 201.447.0022 mediterraneo ridgewood.com PARK WEST TAVERN 30 Oak St. 201.445.5400 parkwesttavern.com PEARL 17 S. Broad St. 201.857.5100 pearlridgewood.com RAYMOND’S 101 E. Ridgewood Ave. 201.445.5125 raymondsnj.com
Photos courtesy of Fontana Tritone, La Lanterna
ROOTS 17 Chestnut St. 201.444.1922 rootssteakhouse.com S. EGIDIO 17 N. Broad St. 201.389.3525 segidiopizza.com VILLAGE GREEN 36 Prospect St. 201.445.2914 villagegreenrestaurant.com Tawara in Ramsey
WHITE MAPLE CAFÉ 47 E. Ridgewood Ave. 201.447.1953 whitemaplecafe.com
BERGENMAG.COM
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RIVER EDGE
SADDLE RIVER
MADO RESTAURANT 570 Kinderkamack Rd. 201.265.3629 madorestaurant.business .site
THE SADDLE RIVER INN 2 Barnstable Ct. 201.825.4016 saddleriverinn.com
SANDUCCI’S 620 Kinderkamack Rd. 201.599.0600 sanduccis.com
AMARONE 63 Cedar Ln. 201.833.1897 amaroneristorante.net
BACARI GRILL 800 Ridgewood Rd. 201.358.6330 bacarigrill.com
RIVER VALE
B V TUSCANY 368 Cedar Ln. 201.287.0404 bvtuscany.com
WESTWOOD
AMMATA THAI KITCHEN 184 Rivervale Rd. 201.664.2299 ammata.com ARMANDO’S GRILL 688 Westwood Ave. 201.722.5820 armandostuscan grill.com LET’S MEAT STEAKHOUSE 625 Rivervale Rd. 201.660.7960 letsmeatsteakhouse.com
ROCHELLE PARK NANNI 53 W. Passaic St. 201.843.1250 nanni.com
RUTHERFORD CAFÉ MATISSE 167 Park Ave. 201.935.2995 cafematisse.com FINCH’S 801 Rutherford Ave. 201.231.3141 finchsdining.com PAISANO’S 132 Park Ave. 201.935.5755 paisanos.com THE RISOTTO HOUSE 88 Park Ave. 201.438.5344 therisottohouse.com VOLARE’S 7 Station Sq. 201.935.6606 volaresrestaurant.com
SADDLE BROOK MIDLAND BREW HOUSE 374 N. Midland Ave. 201.797.0070 midlandbrewhouse.com QUE PASTA 326 Market St. 201.712.1900 qpitalian.com
TEANECK
ETC. STEAKHOUSE 1409 Palisade Ave. 201.357.5677 etcsteakhouse.com NOAH’S ARK 493 Cedar Ln. 201.692.1200 noahsark.net NOBO WINE & GRILL 1400 Palisade Ave. 201.837.1000 nobowineandgrill.com
LIMONCELLO 32 Franklin Tpke. 201.652.5577 limoncellonj.com
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP
BIBI’Z 284 Center Ave. 201.722.8600 bibizlounge.com CAFFÉ ANELLO 11 Madison Ave. 201.786.8137 caffeanello.com DOWNTOWN DHABA 266 Center Ave. 201.664.0123 dhabadowntown.com THE IRON HORSE 20 Washington Ave. 201.666.9682 theironhorse.com
REGINA’S 827 Teaneck Rd. 201.862.1996 reginassteakhouse andgrill.com
THAI WEST 22 Jefferson Ave. 201.497.6981 thaiwestrestaurant.com
TENAFLY
WOODCLIFF LAKE
AXIA TAVERNA 18 Piermont Rd. 201.569.5999 axiataverna.com BRASSERIE 4 Washington St. 201.266.6400 tenaflybrasserie.com PALMER’S CROSSING 145 Dean Dr. 201.567.4800 palmerscrossing restaurant.com SAYOLA 50 Prospect Ter. 201.871.2182 sayolarestaurantnj.com TPR RESTAURANT 38 W. Railroad Ave. 201.871.0444 tprrest.com
WALDWICK ANDREA’S RISTORANTE 20 E. Prospect St. 201.670.0275 andreasrestaurant nj.com
SOL 42 Kinderkamack Rd. 201.746.9363 solrestaurantnj.com
WOOD-RIDGE MARTINI GRILL 187 Hackensack St. 201.939.2000 martini–grill.com
WYCKOFF ALDO’S 640 Wyckoff Ave. 201.891.2618 aldosofwyckoff.com BENARES 327 Franklin Ave. 201.904.2222 benaresnj.com BLUE MOON CAFÉ 327 Franklin Ave. 201.891.1331 bluemoonmexicancafé.com TS MA CHINESE CUISINE 637 Wyckoff Ave. 201.891.8878 tsmachinesecuisine.com
CIRCOLO 53 Franklin Tpke. 201.882.1818 circolo.info
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{ ON THE TOWN } BERGEN RESTORE Bergen County Habitat for Humanity and Bergen ReStore continued its campaign, Desks 4 Homes, to build and donate student desks to families in need. Their most recent project gave 40 students attending Englewood schools a new desk. Local Staples stores, NVE Bank and Lakeland Bank donated supplies and monetary support for the initiative. 4–5 Representatives from Bergen ReStore, Staples, NVE Bank and Lakeland Bank with desk recipients
Gatherings
Bergenites always show up to support their friends and neighbors—especially when help is needed most. 1
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5
RIVER VALE CERT
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FAIR LAWN POLICE DEPARTMENT Dozens of residents partipated in the recent Snow Tubing with a Fair Lawn Cop program, which connected the borough police department with young members of 1 community. The event was held in cooperation with Campgaw Mountain ski the area in Mahwah. 1 Members of the Fair Lawn Police Department pose with a group of children before the kids enjoyed a snow tubing session.
CONNEX4NPO
2
Westwood residents, businesses and organizations used social media throughout February to show their appreciation of the community. Members of Connex4NPO, a nonprofit organization that assists individuals facing food insecurities, was one of the participants to create handmade signs to post on Instagram using the hashtag #LovetheHub. 7 Connex4NPO volunteers sort through food donations. 8 Group members show off their heart design.
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CENTER FOR FOOD ACTION The Center for Food Action, with locations in Englewood, Hackensack and Mahwah, among other towns, recently received donations and helping hands from the community. A college student volunteer, Jessica, received a grant to fund Shoprite gift cards that are given to CFA clients. And members of Saddle Brook-based HandWorks donated reusable grocery bags and diapers. 2 Jessica prepares a grocery gift card for donation. 3 Sally Gillenson and Kathy Conrad of HandWorks donate reusable bags and diapers to CFA.
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Fair Lawn Police Department (1), Center for Food Action (2–3), Bergen ReStore (4–5), River Vale Police Department (6), FrantVisuals (7–8)
The River Vale Police Department and DPW got an assist from the town’s CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) unit this winter. Volunteers from CERT went through neighborhoods to clear snow from fire hydrants. 6 CERT members take a break between their shoveling efforts.
3/21/21 7:47 PM
All-New For 2021!
THE GUIDE 2019
The Bergen Guide FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF BERGEN MAGAZINE SPONSORED BY ENGLEWOOD HEALTH
From the Publishers of
Sponsored by
To advertise in the 2022 Bergen Guide, contact Publisher Tom Flannery at 201.571.2252 or thomas.flannery@wainscotmedia.com.
{ A BERGEN MOMENT }
“My wife, Jennifer, and I captured this photo of our children, 4-year-old Beckett and 2-year-old Emersyn, enjoying an early morning cartoon and warming up together in front of the fire in our living room. You’re always on the go when raising little ones, so capturing these moments of tranquility is truly cherished.”
*
BERGEN Magazine Volume 21, Issue 4 (ISSN# 2573-8151 and USPS 025-351) is published 12 times a year by Wainscot Media, One Maynard Dr., Park Ridge, NJ 07656. Postmaster: Send address changes to Subscription Department, Wainscot Media, One Maynard Dr., Park Ridge, NJ 07656. Periodicals postage paid at Mahwah, N.J., and additional mailing offices.
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Send us your Bergen Moment! Email your photo and a short description to editor@wainscotmedia.com.
Photo courtesy of Ryan and Jennifer Foy. Instagram: @foysauce84
—Ryan Foy, Ho-Ho-Kus
APRIL 2021
3/19/21 12:15 PM
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P E D I AT R I C S P E C I A LT Y C A R E
SMALL PATIENTS,
Big CARE
WE GET IT.
You want the very best for your child. So do we. That’s why Valley’s pediatric specialists deliver experienced care, tailored to the needs of young patients. Our team takes the time to understand their patients’ concerns, answer questions, and reassure parents in a child-friendly environment. Our team of pediatric experts specializes in: Developmental Pediatrics Endocrinology Food Allergy*
Gastroenterology & Nutrition*
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Pulmonology
Sleep Medicine
Weight Management * In alliance with Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital
CALL 201-447-8151 TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. Telemedicine appointments also available. ValleyHealth.com/PediatricSpecialties
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