BC the Mag Late Spring 2016

UTAH

Hackensack University Medical Group

Providing care right here in your community.

The h ackensack University m edical Group team brings together the country’s best primary and specialty doctors. we offer the latest innovations in diagnostic testing, therapeutic procedures and clinical research. we embody the concept of “patient-centered care” by developing personalized treatment plans to meet your needs. Our medical team treats the right patient, in the right place, at the right time. w ith offices conveniently located right in your community, our team is committed to delivering outstanding care to you and your loved ones. we look forward to caring for you and your family for years to come.

LATE SPRING 2016

PUBLISHERS

SHARON & STEVEN GOLDSTEIN

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

BRANDON GOLDSTEIN

EDITOR

NAYDA RONDON

DESIGN DIRECTOR

DEANA IVORY

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

LINDA BARBA AMY SCHWARTZ

PHOTOGRAPHERS

BILL STREICHER

STEVEN GOLDSTEIN

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

LINDA BARBA

TARA DELORENZO

BRANDON GOLDSTEIN

STEVEN GOLDSTEIN

DR. MICHAEL GROSS

ROBERT HAYNES-PETERSON

JESSICA HUMPHREY-CINTINEO

RICHARD POSLUSZNY

MICHELE TRIMARCHE

JUDITH TURNER

TESSA VIOLE

NATALIE ZISA

Bergen County The Magazine is published six times a year. Mail all editorial and advertising materials to: 297-101 Kinderkamack Road, Suite 135, Oradell, NJ 07649. Or email materials to: steven@bcthemag.com.

For advertising and information, please call 201-694-5197 or 201-694-5196. For subscription information or to contact us, go to www.bcthemag.com.

Copyright 2016. All materials are the property of Bergen County The Magazine, LLC. and may not be copied or reproduced without written consent from the publishers.

Spring has officially sprung! It’s the time of year when for a short time tulips are in bloom, it’s not too hot or too cold, the air is filled with excitement about the fact that summer is soon to come, and we can finally get to participate in all the outdoor activities we’ve been dreaming of since last Fall.

For some of us, that means golf. In North Jersey, there’s no shortage of beautiful and challenging courses ready to test our skills and our patience. What I’ve learned is that a great golf game starts way before your tee time. Practice is critical, but being flexible is also such a big help when knocking that ball 180 yards away. We spoke with Michele Trimarche, the golf pro at Alpine Country Club, who gave us a yoga routine rundown that is perfect for getting that little extra out of your swing, and not hurting yourself trying.

Maybe golf isn’t your thing. There has been quite a spike in popularity for hiking among many local Bergenites, who enjoy New Jersey’s many great areas for leisurely strolls and more challenging trails. As it turns out, Dave Bryson, who many of you know as the general manager at Capital Grille, is also an avid hiker, having climbed some of the world’s highest peaks. Just wait until you see some of his photos!

And speaking of photography, it’s worth taking a look at the work of this issue’s highlighted artist, Michael Hamlett. What he captures through the lens is not only beautiful, but once again reminds us of the natural beauty that we often take for granted.

With the sun shining and warm weather, outdoor sports are already in full swing. For most of us, it means a lot of fun watching our kids play. For some, though, it means having to deal with concussions. Our Sports Doctor columnist, Dr. Michael Gross, gave us the lowdown on the basics of concussions, and how we may be able to prevent and treat them when they happen to our family or us.

When it comes to family, most of us would include our beloved pets. The special folks at the Bergen County Protect and Rescue Foundation aim to find loving homes for neglected and abused animals, and it’s our goal that each year more and more cute little cats and dogs find the amazing families and homes they so deserve.

As spring flies by, we hope to see you on the course or on the trails, if not at one of the favorite local al fresco dining spots! We’ll be the ones with the martinis!

Cheers!

Sharon and Steven Goldstein

MISSY: Sky blue lace sleeveless gown

Available at Boutique 811, Franklin Lakes

Turquoise beaded necklace

Turquoise beaded earrings

Available at Eric Alt Salons

SHANNONE: Light blue jumpsuit

Available at Boutique 811, Franklin Lakes

White beaded rhinestone earrings

Silver beaded and rhinestone bracelet

Available at Eric Alt Salons

200 CLUB OF BERGEN COUNTY

The Graycliff in Moonachie hosted a Winter Cocktail Reception to benefit the 200 Club of Bergen County. For more information visit: www.200club.org

Top quality care. Again and again.

Providing top quality care is our number one priority. We believe it’s why patients choose us. Again and again.

The Valley Hospital is among the top 5% of hospitals in the nation — and the only hospital in Bergen County — to be recognized for excellence in patient safety by Healthgrades®. Valley was recognized for exemplary performance as measured by 13 patient safety indicators de ned by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

CASA FOR CHILDREN OF BERGEN COUNTY

Bergen Casa held their annual dinner and casino night at Seasons in Washington Township. For more information visit: www.bergencasa.org

At Active, we strongly believe in the team concept of care. We work closely together sharing knowledge, expertise and state-of-the-art medical technologies, so that every patient receives the full benefit of our shared resources. Our full-service, multi-specialty practice features board certified and fellowship trained physicians who are all recognized as being tops in their fields.

Michael L. Gross, MD

Specialty: Sports Medicine

A. Ylenia Giuffrida, MD

Specialty: Hand & Elbow

Oscar Vazquez, MD

Specialty: Sports Medicine

Ira Esformes, MD

Specialty: General Orthopedics

James C. Natalicchio, MD

Specialty: Back & Neck

Richard D. Rhim, MD

Specialty: Spine Surgery

Thomas K. John, MD

Specialty: Joint Replacement

Michael T. Benke, MD

Specialty: Sports Medicine

Ralph C. Napoli, DPM

Specialty: Foot & Ankle

Raghu Maddela, MD, MPH

Specialty: Non-Operative Spine Care

Carissa Meyer, MD

Specialty: Hand & Wrist

QUEEN OF HEARTS BALL AND CASINO NIGHT

CareOne held an event at Guastavino’s in NYC to benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. For more information visit: www.care-one.com.

BERGEN COUNTY CASA

Bergen County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) benefited from a special night of shopping at a beautiful home in Mahwah. For more information visit: www.bergencasa.org

David Bryson: Climbing to Success

Whether it’s as a managing partner at Paramus’ Capital Grille or an adventure-seeking hiker, this goal-oriented achiever never stops reaching for the top.

With a flair for flavor and a thirst for adventure, restaurant owner and avid hiker David Bryson has created a life full of tasty and terrifying expeditions for himself as a full-time managing partner at Paramus’ Capital Grille restaurant and a parttime hiking enthusiast.

While his love for hiking took some cultivating, Bryson’s love for the restaurant business was almost instantaneous. Deciding early on that the culinary world was his calling, he went about finding people and opportunities that would feed his passion. In college, he worked at Richardson’s Canal House in Pittsford, New York, where the owner fostered his growth; this experience led him to work in New York City at the critically acclaimed Aurora restaurant owned by the late Joseph Baum, a Restaurant Hall of Famer some referred to as “the Cecil B. DeMille of restaurateurs.” At Aurora, Bryson worked his way up from busboy to maitre d’, getting a firsthand view of the restaurant industry’s fast-paced innovations.

“During the ’80s, restaurants were experiencing a seismic shift in cuisine, and it was a very exciting time,” Bryson recalled. “I loved the pace, the action, the intensity and the people. I kept pushing the boundaries of where I could work, and what I could do to make a career of it.”

Since those early years, Bryson’s career has been a steady progression of upward climbing. He’s worked with the New York Restaurant Group and Disney’s resort dining in Orlando, Florida. In Florida, Bryson earned his MBA in business management and finance, and transferred to New York City’s Planet Hollywood on 57th Street to serve as the assistant general manager. He moved on to be the general manager of Motown Café, opening manager for Dave and Buster’s in the Palisades, as well as the opening manager at the Hard Rock in Times Square, and the general manager at Disney’s ESPN Zone in New York City. In this latter position, he managed 350 employees and 23 managers. However, once Disney decided to close ESPN Zone after five years, Bryson decided to take on a new type of venture: becoming a partner at The Capital Grille, a Darden company affiliate.

Not surprisingly, Bryson brings his A-game to this new professional venture, challenging not only himself, but also seeking to inspire his work force. According to Bryson, his branch of The Capital Grille boasts one of the lowest turnover rates in the company because of the supportive work environment; people stay there for years because they are encouraged to pursue their goals both inside and outside the restaurant—just as Bryson does with his hiking goals.

“Whether they are teachers, or nurses or on a management path with us, we encourage personal growth and help them achieve that,” he noted. “Watching my team

members move forward in life is very gratifying. What goes hand-in-hand with that is our relationship with the community and guests. We all feel extremely connected to our family of guests and that is compounding through the five years of growing together. Every day we are adding new guests to that family, and that makes us even stronger. All of this translates to achieving a high standing within the 54 Capital Grilles, company wide, and that is very satisfying.”

Despite his demanding work schedule, Bryson manages to make time for hiking, a hobby he initially hated but grew so passionate about that he began incorporating his hiking goals into his work priorities.

“My father took his four boys hiking all the time, and I hated it,” Bryson said. “It seemed like going around in circles made no sense. When he took us up a mountain, then I was inspired. I started high altitude mountaineering after setting a goal at a Darden MP Convention. It was one of those timelines where you had to place a goal and set up the steps to accomplish it. I wrote that I intended to climb Alaska's Denali in five years.”

Since then, Bryson’s hiking expeditions have included the Catskills, the Adirondacks, Alaska Range and the Andes Mountains. He credits the climb to the top of Orizaba in Mexico, which he did three years ago, at 18,700 feet, especially the final 500 feet, as the most challenging trail he

has done so far. After additional training and experience, though, he successfully hiked to 19,000 feet in Ecuador with no trouble. Several hiking trips, both in the U.S. and abroad, are on the horizon.

“During the spring I have several trips planned to the Adirondacks and Catskills,” Bryson explained. “Around the Fourth of July, I climb Forbidden Peak and Baker in the Northern Cascades in Washington State. A year from now, I will attempt the summit of Denali in Alaska. Lately I have been thinking about Alpamayo in the Cordillera Blanca of the Peruvian Andes. On that trip, I could visit the parents of my chef Louis Estacio.

“On a monthly basis, I either lead backpacking trips, or go solo to the Adirondacks and Catskills,” Bryson continued. “I do have a very tight schedule, but that is part of the allure. The actual climbing of the mountains is the result of the process. The planning, scheduling and training are all what I love about it. It is quite similar to running a restaurant.

“The job allows me to appreciate both the solitude and the ability to interact with a group of strangers who you are living on a mountain with for 10 days,” Bryson noted. “[On the other hand,] there is the perception of glamour in running a restaurant and climbing high mountains. But, like anything you dedicate yourself to, perspective matters. It gives a very extreme perspective on things. On the Kahiltna Glacier, in

Alaska, where all you see for miles and miles is snow, ice and rocks as you climb from 8,000 feet to 9,000 feet there is a sense of how small and insignificant our individual lives are, and how massive and spectacular the world is. It makes you wonder about the rat race at work. But then again, you cannot get a perfectly grilled rib-eye steak on the glacier, and that is what you are thinking about and talking about as we struggle along. So returning home to The Garden State Plaza has a certain beauty to it.”

With that appreciation for home and his ongoing drive, Bryson is ready to scale new heights with The Capital Grille.

“I see The Capital Grille in Paramus continuing to create memorable experiences, year after year, to an increasing and awesome clientele,” Bryson said. “I just want to thank the community for the tremendous support, and I want them to know that we truly do care that their special occasions, lunches, dinners, meetings and simple gatherings are made more meaningful with our help. We have had sustained growth for the past five years, and I certainly plan to continue that.”

Tara DeLorenzo is a freelance writer who writes on lifestyle topics.

Snyder & Sarno, LLC is a law firm which continues to grow and provide exceptional service throughout New Jersey. The firm is equipped with litigation and mediation teams, which create an excellent balance and offer a unique approach to handling challenging matters. Clients receive individualized service from these dedicated, experienced attorneys.

Joseph V. Maceri, Esq. is the managing partner for the firm’s Hackensack office, which conveniently located in the prestigious Court Plaza Building, opposite the Bergen County Courthouse in Hackensack.

Mr. Maceri has extensive knowledge and experience in the field of family law and has focused his career on providing extraordinary service for his clients. Mr. Maceri is listed New Jersey Super Lawyers-Rising Stars published by Thomson Reuters as a family law attorney. He has also received the top 40 under 40 from NJBIZ as one of New Jersey’s most accomplished young professionals in New Jersey and top 40 under 40 by the National Trial Lawyers.

If you need help with your divorce or family law matter, contact Joseph V. Maceri, Esq. at jmaceri@ snydersarno.com or visit the firm’s website, www.snydersarno.com for more information about this premier law firm.

Humanitarian Awards and Casino Night held at Seasons in Washington Township. For more information visit: www.hopeforchildrenresearch.org

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Ben Franklin preached it. We practice it. Our team of board-certified cardiologists is focused on preventing and treating heart disease with advanced diagnostics and cardiac monitoring, along with early intervention. Take Ben’s advice to heart. Expert cardiac care is just a phone call away.

THE COLUMBIANS

The Columbians held their annual holiday fundraising gala at the Venetian in Garfield. For more information visit: www.thecolumbians.org

The Bergen County Protect and Rescue Foundation

Finding Forever Homes for Neglected and Abused Animals

In January, the Bergen County Protect and Rescue Foundation handled one of the biggest cases of animal hoarding they’ve seen since the non-profit organization was formed in 2012. About 50 Labrador Retrievers and 14 cats were found in a man’s home in North Bergen. The police received complaints of noise and offensive odors coming from the North Bergen man’s backyard, which appeared overcrowded with dogs. The animals were found malnourished and neglected.

It was then that Bergen County Humane Enforcement, the flagship company that services Bergen County Protect and Rescue Foundation’s Animal Control, was called to the scene. They were one of the three shelters that took responsibility for housing the dogs and cats until they were adopted. BCP&R took in four adult dogs and 23 puppies. At the time of this writing, the owner’s whereabouts were still unknown but

thanks to stricter New Jersey laws, he faces serious penalties for animal cruelty.

“Animals aren’t considered property anymore. They have their own rights. This borders on animal cruelty,” says Loryn Lipari, a representative from the managing staff at the Bergen County Protect and Rescue Foundation.

The foundation, located in Cliffside Park, originated out of the need to house unclaimed, stray dogs that the Bergen County Humane Enforcement acquired from its contracted towns throughout eastern Bergen County. Health and police departments in various towns were unable to care for them on their own and, although Animal Control could handle the animals by itself, it had no means to house and care for them on a daily basis, thus, the birth of Bergen County Protect & Rescue Foundation. Though the amount they are able to house depends on the size of the dog, in general they are able

to maintain an average of 15 to 20 dogs at one time.

Since the story was published in the media, the foundation received 350,000 hits to its website on the first day, lines out the door of its facility and had to literally push its phones to voicemail so staffers and volunteers could actually focus on the dogs.

“The response was overwhelming. We are not that big of a facility to handle the response,” notes Lipari, adding that she received more than 600 applications for the 23 puppies.

The comprehensive adoption process involves requests for personal references, as well as a fourpage application that asks things such as applicants’ previous/present pet history, whether they own or rent their home, and whether they have a fenced-in yard. After the application is submitted, a trained adoption team reviews it then meets with the prospective owners to see how the dog responds to them. From there, they do follow-up phone calls and conduct house visits, if needed. From start to finish, the adoption process may take from as little as a week to as much as two months.

“There really is science to it. The physical components of the home and family are key considerations, but it’s very much dependent on how the dogs interact with the people, as well.” Lipari explains. “We are especially strict with puppies. Experience is key in those instances. We do our best to avoid a return because multiple transitions are detrimental for the animal.”

Since the Bergen County Protect and Rescue Foundation’s founding, it has saved, nursed and found homes for an average of 400 dogs and nearly that number of cats per year. Foundation members and volunteers make every effort to ensure that sick animals become healthy and have the opportunity to be placed with a family. A 5013c, BCP&R operates by donations only.

“The Bergen County Protect and Rescue Foundation is a true no-kill shelter,” Lipari emphasizes.

“Bergen County residents are amazing,” Lipari continues. “We have such a good community. They are so receptive and overall supportive. Not only do they adopt, but they also stay in touch with us, donate and volunteer. Most people in rescue are great with animals, but not people. But we have both. We are truly a family.”

Lipari notes the foundation’s group of volunteers is as diverse as it is loyal. According to her, “We have volunteers that range from an 89-year-old woman to a 9-year-old boy, both of whom keep coming back like clockwork.” In addition, the organization has worked with Girl Scout troops, schools such as Dwight Englewood, and knitting club members who have crocheted blankets for the animals.

Not only does the Bergen County Protect and Rescue Foundation come to the aid in cases like animal hoarding or unclaimed animals, but they are also first responders during emergencies such as Hurricane Sandy, the Avalon fire in Edgewater and other types of disasters that might arise. A majority of the organization’s volunteers are certified members of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), as well as a part of the County Animal Response Team (CART).

While the Bergen County Protect and Rescue Foundation’s primary objective is to focus on housing displaced pets with loving, caring owners, the organization is also active in and committed to the Bergen County community. And, according to Lipari, the organization is determined to become even more community focused. Given the tremendous support and response that they’ve already received, it’s likely that they will achieve the goals they set for themselves. At the present time, they are actively looking for a bigger space so that they can save more animals.

If you’re interested in adopting or getting involved with the Bergen County Protect and Rescue Foundation, you can find more information at bcrescues.org.

Natalie Zisa is a freelancer who writes on lifestyle topics.

ACTIVE ORTHOPEDICS & SPORTS MEDICINE WELCOMES A NEW MEMBER TO OUR TEAM, DR. CARISSA MEYER, HAND & WRIST SPECIALIST.

It is our honor to introduce Dr. Carissa Meyer, an outstanding physician and surgeon who complements an already renowned group of dedicated medical professionals serving Bergen County and the surrounding area.

Dr. Meyer completed her residency training at the University of Maryland Medical Center and R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, one of the busiest trauma centers in the country. During that time, she authored multiple articles on hand and wrist injuries and also served as Academic Chief Resident during her final year.

She completed her fellowship in Hand, Upper Extremity and Microvascular Surgery at the renowned CV Starr Hand Surgery Center, the oldest hand fellowship in the country. She has also completed a separate sub-specialty fe llowship in Pediatric Upper Extremity at the worldrenowned Texas Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas. She is trained in the latest advances in both operative and non-operative treatment of upper extremity disorders.

Dr. Meyer is currently accepting new patients in our Montclair and Emerson offices.

FULL HOUSE, NEW STYLE

Now legally married, Charlie Paragian and Daniel Serakos are proving that love and parenting come in many forms.

Successfully juggling the demands of raising a family, running a successful business and keeping the love alive in a relationship is never easy by any means. But when you add extra elements into the mix—the special challenges and joys of gay marriage and multiple adoptions—things get a lot more interesting and complicated.

Welcome to the world of Charlie Paragian and Daniel Serakos. Not only do they own, manage and operate the successful and trendy Daniel Lynn Salon in Little Ferry, but they’re also relative newlyweds thanks to New Jersey’s legalization of gay marriage, and most importantly of all, proud parents whose top priority is creating a happy, stable home for their adopted kids.

Richer by the half-dozen, the couple’s family consists of six children. There’s Raymond, who is 21 and a Marine; Maggie is 19 and attends TCNJ; Kayla and Justin, both 17 years old, go to Bergen Tech; Jayda is 13 and will be attending BT High School

next year; and Nekos is seven years old.

Charlie and Danny had always dreamed of having a family together, but kept postponing it for “someday” in the future when they were more financially stable. Deciding they had waited long enough, Charlie impetuously bought the building that houses their business to “surprise” Danny and create a way to support their family goals. While they’ve only been legally married for a year, Charlie and Daniel have been together for 25 years. They’re that rare breed of couples; despite being together practically 24/7, they never seem to get sick of each other.

“I don’t think there are many couples that could say this—25 years together, we love to work together, we go home together, we’re married, and we don’t get sick of each other, so I wouldn’t want to work somewhere where he wasn’t,” said Charlie. “I like working with [Danny]. We work well together. We bounce our ideas off of each other all the time, so we’re always challenging and taking it in different directions.”

Surviving stage four cancer got Jane back to the one stage she truly loves.

Music has always been Jane’s passion. When she was diagnosed with multiple cancers including in her brain, she thought that part of her life was over. Our surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, pathologists, nurses and a physicist came together with one goal: the best treatment for Jane. Today, this mom, wife and drummer is back onstage, looking forward to many more encores. A personalized treatment plan created by a dedicated team of cancer experts – one more reason to make Englewood Hospital and Medical Center your hospital for life

englewoodhealth.org

Wanting to celebrate and further cement their union, the pair decided to adopt in order to share their blessings. Originally, they dreamed of adopting two kids, a boy and a girl. However, fate had other things in store. Two kids somehow became six.

“It just happened because we adopted two sets of biological siblings, and we wanted to keep them together,” explained Charlie.

“Every time you turned around there’s another baby, and another baby,” joked Danny.

The reality of parenthood was messier, bigger, harder and more expensive than they had anticipated, but Charlie and Danny wouldn’t have had it any other way.

“The kids grew up in the blink of an eye…but when you look back, here’s what all the hard work was for, because you see these loving kids. It’s just magical,” said Charlie. “We wanted a family, and we got a beautiful family. It’s funny because people will say to us that [the kids] are so lucky to have you, and I just say, you know what? We’re luckier than they are because there was a time when we couldn’t do this. It wasn’t legal; we all fought so this could become a reality, especially in New Jersey.”

“There were a few social workers that did not believe a gay couple could be parents,” noted Danny. “The very first child that was scheduled to come to us was stopped when the grandparents were told we were a gay couple. Just one example of many.”

Yet the struggles and obstacles only served to make them stronger and all that more determined. “From the beginning for us it’s always been all about the children,” Charlie noted. “What’s in the best interest of the children? Going through that entire process, the kids learned how laws are passed, how long it takes, got a great education on it, and learned how people create arguments against families like ours. It was a learning experience they’ll have for the rest of their lives because they saw how hard we worked for it, and I think it was a good life lesson for them. If you want something bad enough, sometimes you have to fight for it, and they know this now. Sometimes you have to go through the bad times first, and that’s okay. It’s not bad because you’ll appreciate the good times even more.”

Like most other families, they’ve also had to cope with the complications of juggling family, work and school schedules. Both Danny and Charlie are very invested in their salon, staff and clientele. They take pride in—and work extremely hard—to ensure that the Danny Lynn Salon offers a special, spa-like full service experience. They’ve also had some movie-set opportunities, such as working on wig hair extensions for the likes of Bette Midler, which they’re excited to explore and further develop.

“We’re working around the clock,” Charlie said. “We could always use more trained stylists and more experienced help here… Both of us would love to get more into the movies. We would love to continue to grow the salon’s reputation. Through the years, we’ve built it into a place where if someone gets a bad hair color, someone always turns around and says go to Daniel Lynn Salon; they’ll fix it. That’s the reputation that we have, and we’re honest. To continue to grow, and to be able to continue to do what we’re doing, what more could you ask for?”

Charlie Paragian and Daniel Serakos consider their business, the Daniel Lynn Salon, their home away from home. “We only live a block away, so the kids come in and out,” Danny noted. The family vibe extends to encompass the salon's staff and clients as well. “We strive to create a very welcoming environment,” said Charlie. “Our policy has always been that it’s a ‘no attitude zone’ here. All of our staff is like our extended family.”

Danny is grateful for the family’s closeness and fluid flexibility. “We only live a block away, so the kids come in and out,” he noted. “It was easier at first. They were smaller and we took them to work. I worked less hours and I made a playroom in the salon. Now that they are older, they are involved in so many things, it’s harder to keep track and I work longer hours.”

“Our family was formed by the waiting for a law to pass allowing us to foster and adopt, and the love we have for each other along with wanting a family,” Charlie continued. “We never take what we have for granted because we had to fight along with so many others.”

Thankfully, these days the only fights Danny and Charlie have to contend with are the typical ones between siblings, and even these are rare as the kids normally interact so well with one another, according to their proud parents.

It’s definitely a team effort. All of the kids pitch in with the cooking and chores, while the older ones help Nekos, the youngest, with his homework. The tight-knit group is boisterous and opinionated, making family gatherings full of lively and topical discussions.

Despite everyone’s full schedules, Charlie and Danny make sure there’s always fun family time. They all go camping frequently and typically take one trip a year to Cancun, Mexico. Every Saturday they enjoy going out to dinner and on Sundays they are always spending time together. When one of the kids does well in school, according to Charlie, he or she is treated to a nice restaurant and a Broadway show for some quality one-on-one time.

And special and cherished is how they all seem to feel. Speaking for all of them, daughter Maggie summed up the kids’ feelings: “While growing up with two dads was visually different than for other people, the sense of immense care and support that was given was all that really mattered in the end for all of us.”

Charlie and Danny reciprocate those sentiments: “We have the greatest kids. They’re so loving, they’re so smart; they’re just fantastic kids.”

Tessa Viole, a freelance writer, is a frequent contributor.

HACKENSACKUMC FRIENDS

FRIENDS OF HACKENSACKUMC

HackensackUMC FRIENDS held another of their “Straight Talk” luncheons with guest speaker, Dr. Julia Piwoz. For more information visit: www.hackensackumc.org

GIANTS OF GENEROSITY

The Giants of Generosity held their annual, “Celebrity Food and Wine Show”. For more information visit: www.giantsofgenerosity.org

SHOOTING FOR SUCCESS

Well-armed with family, dedicated and knowledgeable staff, and responsible business practices, Woodland Park’s Ottomanelli’s Sporting Arms is aiming to make their communities safer.

Regardless of where you stand on the issue of the Second Amendment, there is one undeniable fact: There are a whole lot of firearms circulating in this country.

Due to fear mongering on both sides of the political aisle, no one is certain of exactly how many there are, or how many are in dangerous hands. We only know that there are many. But this is not a story about firearms. It’s not a story about politics. This is about a North Jersey business named Ottomanelli’s Sporting Arms, a small family venture dedicated to helping to ensure that our law enforcement is properly equipped while firearms are kept out of the hands of those who, for many different obvious reasons, should never be able to own one.

When Michael Ottomanelli Sr. was growing up in North Jersey, hunting grounds abounded and the mentality about

owning a firearm was much different than it is today, as is the stigma carried by a shop that sells them.

Back in those days, the National Rifle Association (NRA) was lobbying for gun safety regulation and each and every person who encountered a firearm was taught the extreme danger these weapons possess, as well as the incredible responsibility required for gun ownership.

At their shop in Woodland Park, the Ottomanelli family, along with their well-trained and knowledgeable employees, stresses these points upon each and every customer who walks through the doors.

Ottomanelli Sr., an enthusiast of firearms for much of his life due to his early years of hunting, has an appreciation for the craftsmanship and mechanics that go into making every firearm, and he treats the assortment he has collected over

the years as prized possessions, much like the most sought after baseball memorabilia of an avid Yankee fan. When the opportunity arose to have a shop of his own, where he could share with others his knowledge and appreciation of firearms, he knew the risks and neighborhood concerns such an enterprise would bring. He took it as his responsibility to establish a shop that helps break that stigma.

In July 2012, after the end of a brief partnership, Ottomanelli Sr. tapped his son Michael to help start the shop. From childhood, Michael Jr. had been educated as to how to safely handle and use his father’s firearms collection. It’s now his job to impart those lessons to their shop’s customers.

Michael Sr. had worked at a shop in Lodi for several years, and knew the hoops necessary to jump through in order to open a new shop. He had friends who were police officers, and knew they needed to travel long distances just to get the equipment necessary to protect and serve their communities. When the chance to open their location in Woodland Park next to the Woodland Park Range arose, the Ottomanelli family was ready to begin the long process of proving themselves to the community.

Although most family businesses are inherited and passed down from generation to generation, the Ottomanelli boys’ opportunity to open a shop of their own together was the only way they saw it working out.

“In this business, there are a lot of tough decisions to make, and having your family right there, and knowing we are in this together, is what makes it much easier to handle this

type of business,” Mike Jr. said. “We succeed together or we fail together. We have to be on our toes at all times here. You can’t slip up or have mistakes, and as a family, we all know that, and we all can put so much trust in each other.”

Mike Jr., now 27, was always interested in becoming a police officer. After graduating William Patterson with a degree in Criminal Justice, the opportunity soon arose to start the family business, and although he hasn’t totally given up on his dream of joining law enforcement, being able to work with his family every day has been a blessing.

As father or son will tell you, about 60% of their customers are local law enforcement, who rely on local shops like theirs to help acquire the necessary equipment that keeps our neighborhoods safe. Paul, one of the shop’s employees, also serves on the local SWAT unit and teaches proper gun safety courses in his free time.

As business began to pick up, Mike Jr. asked his younger brother, Brandon, to join the team. Brandon, 24, graduated from Lincoln Tech and soon began a career as an electrician before Sr. and Jr. brought him in.

“Brandon is extremely knowledgeable about every aspect of the products here,” Mike Jr. explained. “He’s always been the type of person who you can give him all the individual pieces of something—like a car engine—and he could rebuild it right there, no instructions required. From the day he started working with my father and me, he has never taken the opportunity for granted. He could’ve walked in here and acted like he owned the place, but instead he works hard every day

and makes my father and me so proud.”

To the Ottomanelli group, the family has now extended far beyond their immediate clan. “All of our employees have become like family,” Mike Jr. noted. “Each month we make sure we all go out together for a night on my father and me, and there’s no better feeling than knowing this group of guys has your back day in and day out in a business that has the ability to be so volatile.”

It all comes back to the small family business mentality, where each link makes the chain stronger. Mike knows how important it is to take care of all his employees. “One of our best employees, Dave, had some tough things happen to him all at once,” Mike said, “so he needed about a month off, and we gave it to him, paying him the whole time. He’s back now. He knows we have his back, and in turn, we know he has ours.”

Owning and operating a small business, the Ottomanelli family feels they need to give back to their community in the same way the community has embraced them. “You can go to a big-box store and buy a firearm, but you’re getting it from a low wage worker who is either young and lacks the knowledge required to even be selling firearms, or a retired old man who is doing it to pass the time,” Mike Jr. emphasized.

At Ottomanelli’s that’s not the case. “The guys who work here have to exceed every standard set by the typical firearm shop,” Mike explained. “There is this sleazy stigma

that surrounds our profession, and we want to prove to every person who walks through that door, regardless of their opinions on firearms, that the way we conduct business is as professional and courteous as it gets.”

Walk into Ottomanelli’s on any given day, and you’ll first see Mike Sr. behind the counter, welcoming you. If he’s busy, one of the other well-trained staff members is ready to help you with your needs. “Customer service is our main priority here,” Mike said proudly. “We’ve taught every employee to be courteous, to find out every customer’s needs, to identify certain key words in language that may make us want to deny them a purchase. It’s a very fine line, but it’s safety first, for us, for the customer, for the customer’s family, and for our community.”

Making a quick sale is never the case here. However, sometimes that is put to the test. “We’ve had people come in here, and they have their permits and everything is on the up and up, but I smell a hint of alcohol on their breath, or they are mentioning that they just got into a verbal dispute with their spouse. You can’t come to our shop angry or having been drinking and expect to walk out armed.”

Surprising to some, Ottomanelli’s also has many female customers, attracted to the shop’s professional reputation and knowledgeable staff. And the environment within Ottomanelli’s isn’t politically charged, either. “Of course

we have many customers and employees with their specific opinions on many different topics, but our store isn’t the place for that,” Mike noted. “Everyone is welcome here, and once they spend a little bit of time with us, they will understand our pledge to education and responsible ownership.”

Walk into Ottomanelli’s on any given day, and you’ll feel like you’re walking into a bustling hobby shop, just men and women sharing their passion and enthusiasm, though in this case, for firearms. “Despite what people think, we are a familyfriendly and community-oriented business. People of all walks of life come through these doors, and we teach them and converse with them all the same,” Mike said. “It is our responsibility to ensure that we are making our community safer, not the other way around, and we take that extremely seriously.”

As small businesses continue to close and be replaced by big box stores with no personality or relationship, Mike Sr., Jr. and Brandon, not to mention their German shepherd Remington, strive to keep the traditions and mentality of small business going strong. In the next year or so, they will be upgrading their shop with more equipment and products, but will never sacrifice customer service and the responsibility required to belong in their line of work. With tensions higher than ever in their business, the Ottomanelli family remains on the front line every day making sure their products are placed only in the right hands.

Brandon Goldstein is associate publisher of

The Rejuvenator is a unique non-surgical treatment plan that stimulates your skin to refresh, tighten and tone in order to restore a more youthful appearance. Dr. Boss utilizes state of the art technologies and your body’s own growth factors to correct the underlying conditions associated with aging skin, sun damage and acne scars. The Rejuvenator is a customized program that creates long lasting results.

The Ho-Ho-Kus Education Foundation held their annual auction and gala at Seasons in Washington Township. For more information visit: www.hohokus.org

WINE PICKS

the wide world of american wine

see the usa in your

cabernet.

Though California gets much of the glory, all 50 states are now producing wine. Some of the wines—particularly from Oregon and Washington—have attained world-class status, while other states, like New York, Virginia, and yes, even Texas are gaining footholds on the national stage. As American winemakers learn and elevate their offerings, they’re finding that specific grapes work best in particular areas, and unique styles are the way to go.

stinson vineyards 2013 meritage (virginia)

Virginia may be for lovers, but it’s also for wine. Stinson launched in an elegantly redesigned garage, taking advantage of a small 40-yearold estate vineyard. “We’ve seen a lot of change in the past five years,” Rachel Stinson Vrooman says. “At the beginning even we were a little skeptical: is Virginia ever going to be a recognized wine region?” Their 2013 Meritage includes estate-harvested wines in the complex blend for the first time. On the palate it is bright and fruit-forward, but pleasantly dry, with notes of red cherry, raspberry and hints of chocolate and vanilla. Pair with roast pork with apples and rosemary. $32

Left Coast Cellars 2014

Truffle Hill Chardonnay

(Oregon)

Oregon’s lush Willamette Valley isn’t exactly a secret region anymore, but the state is best known for pinot gris and pinot noir. This chardonnay, from the Left Coast Cellars’ own estate-grown grapes, should help put the Beaver State on the map for other expressions. Grown alongside a four-acre stand of European black truffle-inoculated hazelnut trees and benefiting from cooling breezes coming down the Van Duzer Scenic Corridor, this wine (which sees minimal oak) has a lovely balance of mineral, cream and crisp yellow apple. Pair with crab cakes with a red bell pepper and caper remoulade. $24

wolffer estate summer in a bottle rosé 2015 (long island)

Summer’s not here yet, but it’s good to be prepared—time to think rosé. No longer the acrid or overly sweet wines of yesteryear, today’s rosés are intriguing, refreshing and wildly popular. Long Island’s South Fork isn’t (generally) as highly regarded as the North Fork for wine, but Wolffer is an elegant exception. Located on former potato fields, the stylish winery is also a wonderful wedding backdrop. Designed to evoke summertime in the Hamptons, this crisp, complex refresher incorporates four different grape varieties and pairs with summer treats like grilled shrimp, lobster rolls and fresh fruit. $24

Messina Hof GSM (Texas)

Texas has only been on the wine world’s radar for a few years. However, Spanish missionaries were planting vines in Texas as early as the mid1500s. Messina Hof, both a popular winery and a charming resort, launched in the 1970s and lays claim to being the foundation of the modern Texas wine movement. The winery produces a staggering range of wines and wine styles. The GSM blend (popular in France’s Cotes du Rhone) combines Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre to create a fruit-driven, yet surprisingly full-bodied wine with notes of plum, blackberry and black cherry. Pair with pan-fried lamb ribs seasoned with rosemary and pepper. $22

is now SUEZ United Water

70 countries. 50 companies. 1 focus — you.

We’re dedicated to the 7.5 million people nationwide who rely on United Water for their drinking water, and to protecting this valuable natural resource.

So while our name may be changing, our commitment to preserving our water supply today and for generations to come has not. Thinking Ahead

Brows Take a Bow

Give your look an extra boost with Hard Candy Brows Now All In One Brow Powder Kit ($7). Available in light medium or medium dark, this all-in-one kit includes everything to maintain brows like a pro. From powder to a soft wax and a cream, it’s super simple to achieve perfectly groomed eyebrows. Available only at Walmart and Walmart.com

Battle Signs of Aging

Le Mieux’s Eye & Lip Cream ($60) increases firmness, improves elasticity and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Its potent antioxidant properties help reverse the effects of free radicals, while protecting from future damage; its three ultra-hydrating lipids deliver intensive moisture. Available via www.myskincarebox.com

Scent to Refresh & Delight

From the legendary French perfume house of Diptyque, the luxurious Fleur d’Oranger Room Spray ($65) offers a bright citrus floral freshness that creates an elegant ambiance in any home. Available at diptyqueparis.com, diptyque boutiques, SpaceNK and Barney’s New York.

Favorite Fleurs

Tory Burch introduces Jolie Fleur, a collection of three unique fragrances (1.7 fl. oz. and 3.4 fl. oz. at $90 & $120; roller ball at $28) inspired by the flowers and colors in Tory’s garden—rose, lily of the valley and tuberose. Available online and in stores at Sephora, Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom and Tory Burch boutiques.

Organically Cool

Nudy Patooty will help mom feel beautiful while saving her from embarrassing moments when hot flashes hit. Made from a unique blend of organic bamboo, this comfortable undergarment helps regulate body temperature to keep her cool even in the hottest of weather. It’s also form flattering, so she’ll look and feel sexy, while saving her clothes from stains. Styles and prices range from $46 to $56. Visit nudypatooty.com for more info.

Pedi Perfection

Get feet fit for the summer season with Earth Therapeutics’ Precisso Pedicure File ($9.99), which is lined with crystalline abrasion cells to effectively smooth away calluses and hard skin patches, and Triple Butter Organic Foot Balm ($9.99), an intensive herbal conditioning therapy that soothes, heals and revives dry, damaged feet. Both are available at www.earththerapeutics.net

The Essence of Ease

A great Mom’s Day present, Alegria’s Essence in Posh Silver ($119.95) features print leather made to look like faux snakeskin print. The leisure lace-up is not only stylish, it also helps strengthen and support feet by naturally reducing metatarsal pressure thanks to its patented insole, called the “perfect fit footbed system.” These and other great footwear are available to purchase on AlegriaShoes.com

Wee Wonder

So Tiny Lip & Cheek ($14) is small enough to fit perfectly in your bag, clutch or even pocket. The creamy, moisturizing formula is wonderful for lips and cheeks, available in a variety of colors for all seasons and complexions. Available from Sephora at Sephora.com

EVENTS

THE VOICE: On May 19, Caitlin Caporale will perform at bergenPAC (30 N. Van Brunt Street; Englewood). Info: www.bergenpac.org; purchase tickets at www.ticketmaster.com

ART GALA: The Art Center of Northern New Jersey (ACNNJ) (250 Center Street, New Milford) will host a gala on May 22, 2- 5pm, to honor ACNNJ’s 60th anniversary and volunteer executive director Ruth Miller’s retirement. Requested donation: $25. Info: 201-2626878.

JAZZ & MORE: On June 2, Eryn Shewall will perform at bergenPAC (30 N. Van Brunt Street; Englewood). Info: www. bergenpac.org; purchase tickets at www. ticketmaster.com

REGINA SAYLES: Catch this dynamic singer/songwriter who blends her musical abilities with a love for performance on June 9, at bergenPAC (30 N. Van Brunt Street; Englewood). Info: www.bergenpac.org; purchase tickets at www.ticketmaster.com

AUTHOR TALK: On June 9, 7PM, author Maggie Kneip and psychologist Dr. Dale Atkins will discuss Kneip’s book, Now Everyone Will Know, at the Montvale Library (12 Mercedes Drive). Free and open to public. Info: 201-391-5090.

WALK & FAIR: Holy Name Medical Center will host its annual Walk for Mom on June 11, 10AM-2PM, in New Overpeck Park in Ridgefield Park. To volunteer, make a donation or learn about sponsorship opportunities, visit holyname.org/walkformom.

FOLK MUSIC: Steve Kelman will perform traditional American music (bluegrass, easy listening and folk music) on acoustic guitar and mandolin at the Montvale Library (12 Mercedes Drive) on June 23, 7-8PM. Free and open to public. Info: 201-391-5090.

STATE FAIR: From June 23 through July 10, State Fair Meadowlands (State Fair Meadowlands Fairgrounds, next to Met Life Stadium Stadium Road, East Rutherford) is back this year for its 30th anniversary with electrifying FREE entertainment, rides, and acres and acres of delicious food to delight fairgoers of all ages. Families should be sure to check out State Fair Bargain Days at www.njfair.com.

ROCK ON: Constantine Maroulis of Broadway’s Rock of Ages and Jekyll and Hyde , will perform at State Fair Meadowlands on July 9, 8PM. The concert, which will be held at The American Stage (next to Met Life Stadium; Stadium Road, E. Rutherford), is free with admission ticket to the fair. Visit www.njfair.com for info and pricing.

REGGAE DUO: On July 9, 8PM. NJPAC (Prudential Hall, One Center St., Newark) will present reggae superstar Beres Hammond with special guest Marcia Griffiths. Tickets: $59-$119. by phone (201-391-5090), in person, or by email at montvalelibraryprograms@gmail.com

Dr. Rizk and His Team: Unparalleled Lung Cancer Expertise

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To learn more, please visit JTCancerCenter.org/BC or call 844.202.6868.

Linda’s List Dancing, Dancing, Dancing!

Ilove to dance. Apart from my love of music that just propels me into rhythmic movement, dancing is great exercise and so much fun. And who doesn’t like to have fun? So, let's stop, wait a minute and put some Bergen County in it. (I may have just come up with some new lyrics here for the talented artists of the “Uptown Funk” song… Cute? Right? (You’re better off just agreeing with me.)

But come on! Let’s get to the Bergen beat… For starters, there’s the new Rugova Restaurant and Bar (259 Johnson Avenue, River Edge). I always think of it as a historic landmark; I go back to the days when it was Dinallo’s and going further back, when it was Boodles. And Rugova’s owners are no strangers to the restaurant business, as they also own three other restaurants. I have been to all and I have not been disappointed. The bar at Rugova has always reminded me of the sitcom Cheers bar. Everyone seems to know everyone; the bartenders are a comedic show all on their own. Yes, Michele and Karen, I’m talking about you both. And the music is always great, especially when it’s being played by one of the fabulous DJs.

Believe me, I have danced many a night there with one, if not all, of my besties. If that dance floor could only talk about all of our fun fiesta times!

But what’s not so fun, or easy, is getting up after a recent night of dancing the night away. But my wake-up alert had just sounded and Josh, my trainer from GYMGUYZ, mobile personal fitness training specialists (www.gymguyz.com), would soon arrive, so I had no choice but to get up.

Despite all the dancing I’d done the previous night, there was no excuse to not work out, especially when the exercise trainer comes to you in the form of a mobile gym that’s equipped with all sorts of training equipment. But I also have a full gym in my building so in my case, we work out there. Thanks, Josh, for another great workout!

Pumped by my workout with some much-needed adrenaline, I made my way to see Sloane at Hartly Fashions (104 Westwood Avenue, Westwood) for a new wow outfit to go dancing in. Hartly Fashions delivers every time I go there. Thanks, everyone; hope to see you on the dance floor soon.

Upon leaving the trés chic fashion store, I received a call

from a friend of mine looking for a venue to have a progressive cocktail hour party. My friend’s main concerns were making sure to have a big dance floor and lounge setting, as well as a great sound system. No problem! The 201 Club (90 East Palisade Avenue, Englewood) fits the bill on all counts. I’ve been there many times for parties and charity events. It’s fabulous. I pulled up to the Club and the valet took my car. I then made my way to the long bar for my glass of vino, grabbed my partner(s) and shimmied my way to the dance floor. You know us gals; we never dance alone. We start out with one bestie, and before you know it, we are all on the dance floor together. I swear the sound and lighting system took me back to my disco clubbing days, minus the big hair!

I just love the lounge areas where I can go sit, chat, sip and nibble in between my dancing. You know what they say: Once a party girl, always a party girl. I’m a Barb-A girl living in my Barb-A world!

I feel so privileged to live and work in Bergen County, where I can experience and enjoy so many great things. I’m out every night, because I don’t want to miss any of it. Life is good in Linda’s List Land. I love when people come up to me and tell me how much they love BC THE MAG and “Linda’s List.” Thank you for reading and dancing with me. See you all next time. Ciao, for now!

Linda Barba is out and about every day of the week! Have something cool for her to check out? Just let us know! Email info@ bcthemag.com with “Linda’s List” as the subject.

Also, check out her daily postings at facebook.com/bcthemag

WESTWOOD PSYCHIC - MEDIUM

People from all walks of life use Tiffany`s services of help and psychic guidance as she accepts you for who you are and does not judge.

Psychic Tiffany is recognized internationally as she performs psychic readings for clients in the tristate area as well as for people across the globe.

She will explain fully and suggest wisely and tell you things about yourself that you did not know.

She has successfully advised politicians, celebrities, corporations and she will advise you Tiffany is a true born psychic and healer who has been providing services for 20 years

A psychic reading with Tiffany will provide guidance and will reveal clear insight into your situation. As seen in her reviews, many find Tiffany’s gift of intuition very insightful and specific.

Tiffany is a love and reuniting specialist. She advises in the areas of life including: love, soulmates, break-ups, divorces and spiritual needs.

Tiffany is dedicated to making only the strongest connections with each of her clients. Open your spiritual mind, allow positive energy into your life and start living your dream!

Past all the hurt and pain, there is a better way to live your life.

Available for private and corporate events with locations in Emerson and Westwood, New Jersey. Readings are also provided by phone.

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Michael Hamlett

“Fantasy Bike and Me”

The World at His Lens

Michael Hamlett is a freelance photographer/graphic designer specializing in commercial, fashion and social photography. Hamlett’s 35-year experience with corporate events, landscapes, sports and wildlife photography has earned him the status as the house photographer at several elite golf clubs in the New York, New Jersey area and as the official photographer for several government and municipal agencies and many educational facilities.

Raised in the farming community of the middle Tennessee Valley, Hamlett has enjoyed a passion for photography since high school. After college and obtaining an electronics technician’s board certification, Hamlett joined the U.S. Army as an optics specialist stationed at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia.

While serving in the military, Hamlett operated as a training and combat photographer utilizing film, video and camera surveillance technologies. He has had the pleasure of exploring the world and America’s most prestigious embassies as a multimedia support specialist. Utilizing the hard-earned security credentials and experiences, Hamlett continued his career in photography/videography contracting to U.S. government agencies in Washington, D.C. until 1994. In 1995, Hamlett landed contract opportunities in the New York area and settled full time in New Jersey. His extensive clientele extends from national brands like Chanel, Estée Lauder and Harley Davidson, to film and government agencies and regional newspapers.

“Seaside and

To the Right: “Greenbrook Water Tree Abstract”

To the Left: “Carnival Lights”

“Old

Below:

“Fireworks”

To the Left: “February Snow Art” Below: “Kicking Brass”

Michael Hamlett is the managing partner of Right Stuff Studios, which serves the tri-state area. Visit www.rightstuffstudios.com for more on Hamlett and his work.

JUVENILE DIABETES RESEARCH FOUNDATION

The Looks of Spring

PHOTOGRAPHER: Bill Streicher

LOCATION: The Venetian, Garfield

MODELS: Missy and Shannone

MAKEUP: Alexa Mele, Eric Alt Salons

HAIR: Kim-Marie Rusbach, Eric Alt Salons

STYLIST: Bruce Estevez

ART DIRECTOR: Eric Altomare

SHANNONE: Sky blue cotton wrap dress

Available at Boutique 811, Franklin Lakes

Pastel stone and crystal necklace

Turquoise and rhinestone drop earrings

Available at Eric Alt Salons

MISSY: Coral mesh shift dress

Available at Boutique 811, Franklin Lakes

Creamsicle necklaces

Available at Eric Alt Salons

Vintage sunglasses

SHANNONE: Embellished mini kaftan

Available at Boutique 811, Franklin Lakes

Gold pendant necklace

Gold hoop earrings

Available at Eric Alt Salons

SHANNONE: ’30s style drop waist tea-length dress

Available at Boutique 811, Franklin Lakes

Available at Eric Alt

MISSY: Deep blue fringe bandage dress

Available at Boutique 811, Franklin Lakes

Gold fringe and rhinestone earrings Gold and rhinestone bracelets

Available at Eric Alt Salons

MISSY: Paint empire waist cocktail dress

Available at Boutique 811, Franklin Lakes

Layered turquoise, melon and blue necklaces

Gold cuffs

Available at Eric Alt Salons

SHANNONE: White macramé midi dress

Available at Boutique 811, Franklin Lakes

Turquoise beaded necklace

Gold bracelets

Available at Eric Alt Salons

MISSY: Blush and black cocktail dress with bow

Available at Boutique 811, Franklin Lakes

Silver and gold beaded necklace

White beaded drop earrings

Available at Eric Alt Salons

Available at Boutique 811, Franklin Lakes

Available

Available at Boutique 811, Franklin Lakes

Available at Boutique 811, Franklin Lakes

SHANNONE: Fuchsia leather motorcycle

jacket, white slim cotton pants

Available at Boutique 811, Franklin Lakes

Silver and pearl bear claw necklace

Silver bracelet

Available at Eric Alt Salons

SHANNONE: Multicolored embellished

lace motorcycle jacket

Dark wash flared jeans

Available at Boutique 811, Franklin Lakes

Pearl and bead necklace

Available at Eric Alt Salons

MISSY: Perforated denim vest and cropped pants

Available at Boutique 811, Franklin Lakes

Available at Eric Alt Salons

OAKLAND EDUCATION FOUNDATION

The OEF held their annual gala, “A Night at the Races” at the Preakness Hills Country Club. For more information visit: www.oefnj.org

DR. BRUCE G. FREUND

Liberty at Large

Hasbrouck Height’s hero dog has “changed the world” for many area residents.

Apooch from Hasbrouck Heights is receiving some national attention by being honored as one of Milk-Bone’s ten “Dogs Who Changed the World.”

The first Bergen County dog to receive the honor, Liberty, a Golden Labrador, has a special gift. She can put a smile on anyone’s face.

“Liberty is one of the most caring and sensitive dogs you’ll ever meet,” said Tom Meli, Liberty’s owner for four years. Whether she’s helping children practice their reading, helping the sick and disabled or meeting locals on the street, Liberty, a therapy dog, provides unconditional love and support to all whom she encounters.

A member of the Canine Assistants program, Liberty— along with Meli—visit numerous hospitals, schools and community events to provide compassion as well as awareness to the program.

Created in 1991 by Jennifer Arnold, Canine Assistants

provides service dogs for children and adults who have physical disabilities, seizure conditions or other special needs.

“When I was 16, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and told I would likely use a wheelchair for the rest of my life.

I fell apart,” said Arnold. “My father, a physician in Atlanta, heard about a wonderful woman in California who had just started to train service dogs to help people in wheelchairs. Unfortunately, she couldn’t place a dog as far away as Georgia so I wasn’t a candidate for her program.”

At that point, Arnold’s father decided to start a service dog school of his own. Unfortunately tragedy struck.

“Three weeks after the first planning meeting for Canine Assistants, my father was hit and killed by a drunk driver while he was walking on the sidewalk around a park near our home. After dad’s death, it took my mother and I nearly 11 years to raise the money needed to finally start the program,” Arnold explained.

Continued on page 98

Continued from page 96

Now, Canine Assistants places between 60 and 100 dogs a year, depending upon the availability of dogs, and has graduated more than 2,000 dogs in its 25-year history. Liberty is one of these special graduates.

“Liberty was born to a community service dog,” said Arnold. “She has as big of a heart as any dog I have ever known. She loves everyone she meets. Liberty is always, as my mother would have said, ‘a day maker.’”

“A day maker” indeed. Meli recalled a time when an elderly woman’s family inquired about Liberty visiting their “grandma” at her home hospice.

“Liberty arrived at the home and Grandma, eyes closed, was motionless on the bed,” Meli recounted. “Liberty—without command—approached her and put her paws on the bed and gave Grandma a kiss. Well, a smile broke out across Grandma’s face. Liberty—again without command —got up on the bed and Grandma started stroking her. Not a dry eye in the room!”

According to Meli, that was the biggest response that Grandma, in her 90s, had given the family in months.

Liberty continued to visit Grandma until Meli’s wife, Michele, caught the flu. Not wanting to get Grandma sick, a

visit was missed.

“The next day Grandma passed,” said Meli. “Every time those people see Liberty, they cannot give her enough lovin’ because of the pleasure Liberty gave their mom in her last days.”

Liberty, a “top-dog” graduate of the Canine Assistants program, is full of resourcefulness. Her top skills include comforting and calming people with epilepsy, helping children improve their reading skills and lifting the spirits of everyone she encounters.

A typical day for Liberty consists of attending work with Meli, the director of operations for St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church Oradell/New Milford and the founder and executive director of Mickey’s Kids Foundation, a 501 (3) (c) corporation that works directly with Canine Assistants and raises money to place service/therapy dogs for children and adults with disabilities in the New York metropolitan area.

Liberty is also currently showing her stepbrother Axle the ropes of being a therapy/spokesdog.

On weekends, Liberty typically visits hospices or the homes of individuals that requests to see her, according to Meli.

“Recently, she was at Wellington Hall [Care Center],”

a nursing home and rehabilitation center in Hackensack,” said Meli. “Very soon, she will be starting her Paws For Reading program at local schools.”

Liberty wasn’t always destined for greatness. In fact, she originally didn’t make the grade as a full service dog.

“She was very jumpy, especially around wheelchairs. She got car sick and she lacked focus; not good if you are going to be a service dog,” Meli noted. “So, Canine Assistants decided to give her to us to help the Mickey’s Kids Foundation raise awareness for Canine Assistants. After a while, Liberty calmed down and suddenly became this awesome dog… It seemed she realized her place and just knew what to do.”

Nominated by an anonymous person, although Meli suspects it to be his friends at Canine Assistants, Liberty is now a member of an elite group of dogs that have “changed the world.”

In its second year, Milk-Bone’s “Dogs Who Changed the World” campaign celebrates and shows appreciation to dogs, like Liberty, that have made a profound impact on the welfare of their families and the communities around them.

“These dogs work tirelessly day in and day out to help make life normal for their human partners and this campaign is just one small way we can honor them for that,” said Jesse Vasquez of Milk-Bone.

Recognizing “Dogs Who Changed the World” is not an easy task. According to Vasquez, Milk-Bone scours the country doing extensive research on hundreds of dogs that the company hears about via the news, organizations and word of mouth.

“It takes some time to select our list of 10 honorees for this year,” said Vasquez. “We found Liberty’s service to her community to be truly outstanding. As a therapy dog, she has enriched the lives of so many people, from young children learning to read to hospital patients. We wanted to honor her love and devotion to the people that need her.”

In addition to the title, Milk-Bone has created a special “Hero Dog Card,” similar to that of a baseball card, to recognize Liberty’s remarkable achievements.

“I’m so happy the world gets to see Liberty, and her people, Tom and Michele, as we do— heroes whose very existence makes the world a better place,” said Arnold of the honor.

Jessica Humphrey-Cintineo is a freelance writer and frequent contributor to BC THE MAG.

PROVIDING PATIENTS WITH CUTTING-EDGE

BRAIN & SPINE SERVICES

Including:

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Deep Brain Stimulation

Cyberknife Robotic Radiosurgery

Minimally Invasive Vascular Procedures

IGEA Brain & Spine works with all medical insurance plans, as well as patients covered under workers’ compensation, personal injury and motor vehicle claims.

PARKINSON’S DISEASE FOUNDATION

Harvest Bistro hosted the third annual, “Martinis and Bellinis” fundraiser to benefit the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation. For more information visit: www.pdf.org

YOGA FOR GOLFERS

Do you realize that you already hold the keys to a better golf game? Yoga can bend your game closer to par.

Golf and yoga have more in common than you might imagine. Bringing the two together in harmonious union is the aim behind Yoga for Golfers, an innovative program that goes beyond simple stretching to offer golfers the possibilities of golf-specific physical conditioning and increased mental focus designed to increase the overall enjoyment of the game.

By incorporating yoga principles and movements into your golf, you’ll maximize your body’s performance, strengthen your core and increase your flexibility. Other added benefits include adding distance to your golf game, and reducing back pain and the risk of injury.

Yoga for Golfers incorporates golf performanceenhancing elements—flexibility, strength, balance, core conditioning, breathing awareness, focus, relaxation and visualization techniques.

FLEXIBILITY , a core component and obvious physical benefit for golf, increases range of motion, reduces swing faults caused by short, tight muscles and produces more club-head speed. Some poses are practiced in a dynamic or fluid sequence of movements while others are held static. This is an area that most golfers would agree they need to concentrate on the most.

STRENGTH & ENDURANCE are achieved in yoga by using the force of gravity and body weight, the oldest form of “isometric strength training.” Ideal for increasing strength without restricting the golf swing, weight-bearing yoga poses increase endurance and develop lean muscles, It takes a lot of muscle strength and endurance to hold yoga poses. If certain muscles are “hyper-flexible,” more functional strength building modalities may be recommended. For that reason a clear description of the muscles affected along with direct golf benefits are provided with each pose.

BALANCE is a fundamental aspect of both yoga and golf. In golf, balance in the stance and throughout the entire swing plane is vital for a repeatable and reliable golf swing. The muscular skeletal system is often thrown out of balance by the golf swing, and as we age, the nerve endings in the spine become less efficient, affecting balance and proprioception (ability to sense body in space). Therefore, balancing poses are critical for increasing golfers’ ability to feel “grounded” to the earth and feeling stable throughout the entire golf swing.

CORE CONDITIONING involves strengthening the abdominal and back muscles. Core strength is a critical element for golf performance and longevity on the sport. A strong core supports posture at address, reduces fatigue in the golf swing and the putting stance, and has a direct correlation to trunk rotation. Core abdominal strength is clinically proven

to improve low back health. During yoga, we often refer to “drawing the navel towards the spine,” a common principle for conserving energy that will become second nature while playing golf. In addition, some students experience more definition around the waist. Simply put, to hit the ball further, with less fatigue or risk injury, you must exercise your core.

BREATHING AWARENESS is the most important component of a yoga practice. The quality of our breath impacts the quality of the pose and focus of the mind. Proper breathing increases blood flow to the muscles, body temperature and builds endurance. Certain yoga postures coordinate breathing and movement (as dynamic stretching) while others focus on slow and deep breathing as we hold the pose (as a static style of stretching). Breathing is equally critical on the golf course. When the body and mind are stressed during tight shots, bad lies or first tee nerves, the breathing becomes erratic, rapid and strained. By practicing slow, deep breathing during our yoga practice and on the golf course, breathing awareness becomes second nature and offers an immediate tool to relax and improve rhythm and tempo of the game.

FOCUS, MEDITATION & VISUALIZATION are indispensable tools on the golf course. To be successful in golf, you must have strong mental focus and the ability to block everything and everyone out. Yoga teaches you how to “get

in the zone” and stay there. Tiger Woods has been quoted as saying he sees every shot in his mind before he steps up to the ball. In a major tournament, breathing, focus and the physical challenges of yoga are the foundations for developing a meditation practice. At the end of each yoga practice, we take time to rest, lying on the back, completely relaxed but mentally aware. This period in the practice is referred to as the “corpse pose.” During corpse pose, we use visualization scripts and focus techniques in order to prepare the mind and body to be receptive to these messages.

More “spiritual” life lessons, which have a direct impact on golf, also apply. Letting go of the outcome, acceptance, fear, commitment and freedom are all integral parts of the program.

While any yoga class can be helpful, a specialist yoga golf class really targets what golfers want to improve upon, which in turn, will help them to reach their fullest potential. Golf and yoga both use mind and body to achieve overall success. It makes sense that these activities would help the other.

Yoga for Golfers is the best tool to begin, maintain and advance one’s yoga practice and achieve results on and off the course. The benefits of yoga for the golf game not only involves the swing, which becomes more powerful from the inherent strength and balance training, but also the stamina and concentration required over the course of 18 holes. A little bit of “Om” can do wonders for the scorecard.

Michele Trimarche, a PGA/LPGA teaching professional at Alpine Country Club in Demarest, has been selected among the top 50 teachers in the country by Golf for Women magazine.

Basics of Concussions

What is a concussion?

Concussions are a relatively common occurrence in sports. An estimated 1.6-3.8 million sports- and recreationrelated concussions occur in the United States each year. High school athletes suffer thousands of concussions every year, most often in football, ice hockey and soccer. Among high school athletes, concussions are most often caused by contact with an opponent, a team mate, the ground or a piece of equipment or object in the playing area. In organized high school sports, concussions occur more often in competitive sports, with football accounting for more than 60% of concussions.

Among children and youth ages 5-18 years, the five leading sports or recreational activities that account for concussions include bicycling, football, basketball, playground activities and soccer. For males, the leading cause of high school sports concussion is football; for females, the leading cause of high school sports concussion is soccer.

Concussions do not always involve being "knocked out" or a loss of consciousness. A concussion occurs whenever an athlete’s mental status changes as a result of trauma (usually a blow to the head). A child who shows signs of mental confusion or is "dinged" by a blow to the head has, by definition, suffered a concussion. A concussion, also known as a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), is caused by a bump, blow or jolt to either the head or the body that causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull. A concussion changes how the brain normally functions.

Concussions can have serious and long-term health effects, and therefore, even a seemingly mild “ding” or a bump on the head may be serious. Signs and symptoms of concussion include headache, nausea, fatigue, confusion or memory problems, sleep disturbances or mood changes; symptoms are typically noticed right after the injury, but some might not be recognized until days or weeks later.

Continued on page 106

What happens after a sport-related concussion?

Sports-related concussions often result in mental and physical symptoms (e.g., inability to concentrate, forgetfulness, headache, fatigue, dizziness). For many athletes, the symptoms disappear after about 10 days, and they typically rarely last more than several months. In some cases, though, concussions lead to persistent complaints of physical, mental, emotional and behavioral symptoms, sometimes referred to as post-concussion syndrome. We do not know whether persistent post-concussive symptoms result from primarily medical or psychological causes. In rare cases, when repeated concussions occur over a brief interval, athletes may suffer from second impact syndrome, a pathological response of the brain that can be life-threatening if not treated promptly. Parents should seek careful evaluation and management of any sports-related concussion.

How should a sports-related concussion be evaluated?

Concussions are typically managed according to their severity. Immediately after a concussion, medical evaluation is needed

to determine a child's vital signs and level of consciousness, and to rule out any other injuries, such as those to the spine. Recent guidelines indicate that a hospital emergency department should evaluate any child who loses consciousness as a result of trauma during a sporting event. In cases of less severe concussion, athletes are typically evaluated on site rather than in hospital emergency departments.

There are a variety of approaches to the "sideline" assessment of concussion. Guidelines are also available to assist in deciding when a child is ready to return to play after a concussion. Presently, most recommendations strongly advise against return to play on the day of injury. High school athletes' recovery times for a sports concussion are longer than college athletes' recovery times. High school athletes who sustain a concussion are three times more likely to sustain a second concussion.

Lack of proper diagnosis and management of concussion may result in serious long-term consequences, or risk of coma or death. Due to the potential long-term consequences of sports concussion, it is important that athletes, coaches and parents know as much as possible about how to recognize

a concussion when it occurs. Symptoms are not always obvious. Although it is commonly assumed that concussions cause loss of consciousness, many people with concussions have not been "knocked out." Concussion causes a variety of symptoms. These may appear right away or they may be delayed for several days after the injury. Some symptoms are physical, such as drowsiness. Others are cognitive, like memory loss. In many cases, people with concussions are more emotional than usual.

The most common symptoms of concussion are as follow:

• Drowsiness

• Headache

• Loss of consciousness

• Memory loss

• Irritability

• Confusion

• Balance problems, dizziness

• Difficulty speaking and communicating

• Depression

• Nausea and vomiting

• Changes in sleep patterns

Can neuropsychological assessment help?

Since it is difficult to determine when a concussion has fully healed, baseline neurocognitive evaluation is an important tool for assessing whether it is safe for an athlete to return to play. Before the sports season starts, each athlete takes a computerized test that measures brain functions, such as memory and reaction time. If an athlete later has a concussion, post-injury tests can be compared to the baseline evaluation to measure the severity of the concussion and help doctors monitor healing.

In addition, pre-season evaluations can help identify athletes who have had previous, unrecognized concussions and who are at risk for repeat concussions. For example, past injuries to the face or neck may have been accompanied by an unrecognized concussion.

Neuropsychological assessment is widely regarded as the most sensitive way of detecting disturbances in brain function associated with concussion. The National Football League and the National Hockey League have both instituted systematic programs of neuropsychological testing, as have many colleges. Athletes are administered brief tests of attention, memory and

Continued on page 108

SPORTS DR.

speed of information processing before the season. Athletes who sustain concussions are tested again, typically within 48 hours of the injury and at regular intervals afterward. Recovery to baseline levels of performance is typically required before athletes are allowed to return to play. Similar cooperative programs can be instituted for organized athletic programs at the high school level. In the absence of programmatic testing, athletes who complain of persistent post-concussive symptoms should be considered for a more comprehensive neuropsychologic evaluation.

What can be done to prevent or treat concussions?

Changes in the rules for athletic competition have reduced the number of sports-related concussions. After the National Collegiate Athletic Association made the use of the head when tackling illegal in 1976, the annual number of head and neck injuries in football declined by about 50%. The required use of helmets in many contact sports and advances in helmet design also have resulted in fewer head injuries. Improved conditioning of young athletes, especially strengthening of neck muscles, may also help to prevent concussions. Although injury prevention begins with proper equipment,

there is no such thing as a concussion-proof helmet or mouth guard. Young athletes must be trained in safe sports techniques and how to follow the rules of the game. In addition, rule changes should be considered in sports where force is delivered head first. This not only promotes fair play, but also protects both participants.

In order to get back into the game, most athletes will downplay their symptoms. Understanding the long-lasting consequences of repeat concussion is an important part of prevention. Several medical and sports organizations have recently developed concussion awareness programs for athletes, coaches and parents. These educational programs play a critical role in helping to recognize concussions and prevent repeat injury.

If despite all precautions, a concussion does occur, the key to healing from a concussion is complete physical and mental rest. Reading, computer work, playing video games, even watching television are all activities that should be limited until all symptoms have resolved. This typically takes 7 to 10 days, although some people have symptoms for weeks or months after the injury.

Once the patient is free of symptoms, the individual can

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gradually return to physical and mental activity. It is important to slowly return to daily activities because being symptom-free does not mean the brain injury has fully healed. Your doctor may recommend a step-by-step program: first add an activity, then monitor your symptoms. If symptoms do not return, the patient can continue increasing the challenges.

This slow, steady approach typically reduces the time spent away from school, work and athletics because it provides sufficient time for the injury to heal. It is important to note that diving back into activities as soon as symptoms have resolved can bring them back on and require a return to complete rest.

If a child sustains a concussion, parents should seek appropriate medical care. They should request a description of symptoms indicative of worsening brain injury and of common post-concussive symptoms, as well as guidelines for return to play and for medical follow-up. For athletes who experience persistent difficulties after a concussion such as headaches, difficulty concentrating, irritability, sleep disturbances or dropping grades, an effective treatment plan will often combine education, cognitive rehabilitation, psychological support and, in some cases, medication.

Getting back into the game too soon puts an athlete at risk for another concussion. If he or she suffers a repeat concussion before the first concussion has healed, it may take much longer for symptoms to resolve and there may be long-term problems, such as learning difficulties or chronic headaches. Although it rarely happens, repeat concussion can cause permanent brain damage and even death.

In 2010, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that young athletes with concussions be evaluated and cleared by a doctor before returning to sports. The American Academy of Neurology issued a similar statement, and stressed that doctors who clear athletes for return to sports should be trained in managing and assessing sports concussions.

Introducing our newest addition...

Dr. Michael Gross, the founder and director of Active Orthopedic and Sports Medicine, is the section chief of sports medicine and the orthopedic director of the Center for Sports Medicine at Hackensack University Medical Center, as well as medical director of Active Center for Health and Wellness.

Introducing our newest addition...

Offering long hours from 6:30AM to 6:30PM

Experienced and certified CPR care givers

Introducing our newest addition...

Nurse available on site

Outdoor playground courtyard

Offering long hours from 6:30AM to 6:30PM

Experienced and certified CPR care givers

Nurse available on site

Affordable fees for both full-time and part-time services

Outdoor playground courtyard

Offering long hours from 6:30AM to 6:30PM

Nurse available on site

Introducing our newest addition...

Outdoor playground courtyard

Affordable fees for both full-time and part-time services

Experienced and certified CPR care givers

Affordable fees for both full-time and part-time services

Providing all your childcare needs for newborns to 24 months

Providing all your childcare needs for newborns to 24 months

Offering long hours from 6:30AM to 6:30PM

817 River Road, New Milford, NJ 07646

Experienced and certified CPR care givers

Nurse available on site

Outdoor playground courtyard

Phone: 201.483.3715

Affordable fees for both full-time and part-time services

817 River Road, New Milford, NJ 07646

Phone: 201.483.3715

Email: childcare@hovnanianschools.org www.hovnanianschools.org

Email: childcare@hovnanianschools.org www.hovnanianschools.org

Providing all your childcare needs for newborns to 24 months

817 River Road, New Milford, NJ 07646

The All-New BMW 7-Series

Setting the New Large Luxury Sedan Benchmark

If you’ve decided to spend upwards of six figures for an automobile, you have a tremendous amount of options. And if you really have no clue as to what you may want, then you’re in a world of trouble. Your choices include sport-utility vehicles, luxury sedans, sport coupes, grand tourers, four-door coupes, four-door SUV coupes, and the list goes on.

While there are more form factors than ever to consider, this is where I make a plea for you to think about the traditional sedan While it may be a bit of a snooze-fest in today’s excitement-driven automotive landscape, there are two reasons why you should add a land yacht to your fleet. They’ve perfected them in the form of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the all-new BMW 7-Series.

The latter is our subject.

All new for the 2016 model year, the BMW 7-Series has some catching up to do. That’s because the big daddy S-Class is the benchmark in this category. Here’s the thing, though: While the three-pointed star has reigned victoriously for what feels like eons, on paper the Bavarians have a compelling offering on their hands. That’s due to the fact that the all-new 7-Series benefits from a slew of technology and cutting-edge engineering tricks in an attempt to steal the crown.

However, you would hardly know that if you were solely to judge by its exterior. Those who have an eye for detail will notice that the exterior has been completely revised, but if you were to park the last-gen 7 and the all-new one side by side, a civilian wouldn’t find the changes particularly groundbreaking. As one of those folks that obsess over design, I find the makeover to be a step in the right direction. Overall, the design appears a bit more cohesive and a bit tighter; the last-gen car had a bit of bloat to it. And the gorgeous little things you find are stunning. Take, for example, the soft metal crease that follows BMW’s famous Hoffmeister kink or the M Sport package’s blacked out “hockey stick” that makes the 7’s body appear less hefty from the side profile. While the “hockey stick” is a bit off-putting at first, after looking at it for a week and realizing how it adds value to the design, I came to appreciate it.

On the inside, the flagship Bimmer benefits from an all-new interior that completely caught me off guard when I slid into the driver’s seat. In fact, it’s a bit overwhelming. This is a good thing. It is elegantly finished with hide everywhere you touch and everywhere you wouldn’t, and in addition, there’s a TFT screen serving as your instrument panel and controlling the HVAC located in the center stack. If you’re lucky enough to ride in the back seat, you’ll be confronted with two back seats that have all the functionality of the front chairs. This means you get the heating, cooling and massage features and two extra bonuses: a comfortable pillow for your head and a seven-inch Samsung tablet that serves as a rear seat dictator’s control unit. Very trick stuff, indeed.

While I’ve grown up with and driven plenty of BMWs, to date, nothing from the marque even comes close to this level of luxury. It is truly staggering. There’s just one thing, though. Its design is

AUTO

a bit understated.

One must wonder, however, how much greater this all-new BMW would have been with a more striking exterior and interior design. It’s like the valedictorian with an IQ of 180 and a specialization in the sciences deciding that, instead of going for the Nobel Prize, she would rather maintain a garden. Though both paths can lead to a happy life, you must admit that the latter wouldn’t let this individual exercise her full potential. It’s a wasted opportunity.

But there are some things that really make the 7 stand out. Mostly it comes down to its breakthrough technology. Two of my favorite things are the display key and 3D surround view.

The display key may sound a bit gimmicky, but when you actually use it, it is a nifty little gadget. With the 7 you can have the larger key that features an embedded screen. Here the key will display various vehicle information and allow you to do some things we could have only dreamed of before. Take, for example, the ability to program the vehicle’s HVAC system to start at a certain time and day. For me, this made leaving my house much easier knowing I would be getting into a warm car instead of a dead cold one in the middle of winter. In addition, while it was not available at the time of testing, the display key has the ability to let you step outside of the vehicle and you can park the 7-Series with the key. Seems a bit James Bondlike, doesn’t it? Bond used a phone to control his BMW 7-Series in the film Tomorrow Never Dies, but that really was all executed through Hollywood magic.

3D surround view takes the use of cameras in a vehicle to another level. Instead of simply using a rearwardfacing display or a “helicopter view,” this feature actually displays a three-dimensional image of your 7-Series on the infotainment screen and the various cameras around the vehicle stitch together a life-like image. It’s like looking at your 7 from the outside as you attempt to park, which is how most people having difficulty parking a large vehicle do it, except you politely ask your passenger—if you have one—to step out and assist. But with the 7, rather than having to bother your co-pilot, you can simply gesture in front of the screen, and voila, you have a 360-degree perspective of your vehicle and its surroundings.

But we haven’t yet gotten to the best part—how it drives. As expected in any vehicle adorned with the blue and white logo referencing the company’s history as an airplane engine manufacturer, it has to live up to being the ultimate driving machine. The 7 doesn’t disappoint.

Equipped with a bi-turbo, 4.4-liter V8 engine good for 445 horsepower and 480 lb.-ft. of torque, the car has no problem with power. Coupled with this motor is an eight-speed automatic transmission that does a delightful

job of making shifts happen without your passengers knowing and it feels as though it’s reading the driver’s mind. Zero to 60 happens in a quick 4.3 seconds and the 7’s all-wheel drive system makes sure that getting traction isn’t problematic.

One thing that separates the 7-Series from the competition is its carbon fiber construction. While it weighs in at over 4,600 pounds, it doesn’t feel like that at all when you’re behind the wheel. I can’t say the same for the S-Class, which does feel heavy and tank-like. Don’t get me wrong; the 7 is not a ballerina but it does feel significantly more lithe, especially when you’re putting it through some switchbacks, and the body roll is super controlled when in Sport mode.

While modern BMWs lack the steering feel of yore, which made the company’s products so eagerly desired, it too is surprising. Not only does it continue making the large 7-Series feel smaller than it actually is, the steering rack is surprisingly direct. In fact, I think it feels more in tune with the driver than the much revered 4-Series. This is hard to believe, but it’s true.

And then there is the ride quality. BMW really stepped up its game here. While the last-gen 7 felt more like a normal car, it seems as if BMW AG learned some lessons from one of its

other companies, Rolls Royce. Now the suspension provides an über comfortable experience that’s, frankly, shocking. No BMW has ever felt this good and it reminds me of the “entrylevel” Roller, the Ghost. In Comfort mode the vehicle wafts along absorbing bumps with little drama and noise. Dial it up to Sport mode and it will get tauter, but without any of the negative effects typically associated with a tighter set up. And, unlike the S-Class, the Bimmer lacks any of the “float” normally associated with an air suspension. Well done, BMW!

For about two years now I’ve driven a couple of Mercedes S-Class vehicles and I really thought that no one, even BMW, would come close to trumping it. But, after my experience with the all-new 7, I have to say that the BMW is the one I’d want to put in my driveway. While the Mercedes is a hair more comfortable, it also is significantly less fun to drive. The BMW, on the other hand, makes me feel like I get my cake and can eat it, too.

To me, there’s nothing better than that.

Richard Posluszny is a freelance writer based in Bergen County.

THE ST. PHILOTHEA PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY

Neiman Marcus presented a fashion show to benefit The Greek Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral of St. John the Theologian at Seasons in Washington Township.

ST. JUDE’S CHARITY BREAKFAST AND FASHION SHOW

Neiman Marcus in Paramus hosted a fashion show and breakfast to benefit St. Judes Children’s Hospital. For more information visit:www.stjude.org

Park City, Utah: A Summer Resort, Too!

So they said, “why don’t you come to Park City in June? We will have a great time. There are so many things to do!” And I thought to myself, why would anyone go to a ski town in June? At first the cynic within me said no, but since we did not have any other summer getaway plans, I figured we should give it a shot, and off we went.

One thing is undoubtedly true: whether it is summer or winter, the view from the plane flying into Park City is outrageous. Even in June, the mountains are still snow capped and look quite majestic. From the view at 10,000 feet, little did I know that coming down those mountains was going to be both some of the most exciting and terrifying experiences I have had in a long while.

There is something to be said for the fresh air of the mountains. All of a sudden you realize how clean the air can be and how good it truly feels. Our hotel, Main and Sky, situated right off historic Main Street in Park City, is a boutique hotel with 33 rooms of suites, complete with a kitchen, dining room, living area and a large, beautiful bedroom. The balcony might have been my favorite part, as it overlooked the mountains and beautiful scenery surrounding us. Only 100 feet from

downtown Park City, it was time to explore.

The street is just as I had imagined: quaint, with local boutiques selling all the things you would expect in a western town—boots, cowboy hats, art galleries, saloons and souvenirs. There is also an assortment of salons and spas on the main street.

Before we could enjoy the town in the present, we were curious to learn about its past. We stopped at the Park City Museum, ready to discover what Park City was all about before it became a resort town. On display was 400 years of history; everything from jailhouses and interactive silver mining experiences to the Great Fire Exhibit, which showed how they rebuilt Park City in less than a year and a half after two thirds of it burned down in 1898.

It was getting a little late and we were definitely hungry. Right across the street from the hotel was a restaurant called Handle, and since it was so close, we figured we would try our luck there, and lucky we were! The food was wonderful, delicious and unique in presentation. The staff was as friendly as you could ask for.

Handle serves mostly “small plates,” so we tried a lot

of different items. The buttermilk-fried chicken was fantastic. The smoked trout sausage was yummy and the original drinks, like the Rattlesnake cocktail, made the evening even more enjoyable. To top it all off, the Caramel Whiskey Pudding served in a jar was truly to die for. Tomorrow could not come soon enough. I needed to start working off some of this delicious dinner.

They were not wrong about there being a lot of things to do in Park City in the summer. We were only going to be here a few days, so we would have to pick among all the options, which included fly fishing, golfing, hiking, horseback riding, testing out the Alpine slide at the Olympic Village and kayaking.

We chose zip lining for our first day of activity and then mountain biking for our second. I don’t know if you have ever been zip lining, but I had not. My belief was that you are maybe a couple of hundred feet off the ground and you go a short distance, sort of what I had seen at my kid’s summer camp and other videos. Wrong!

In Park City, the same “double black diamond” slopes that expert skiers ski down, are now what I was about to plummet down from tied to some measly cables. Did I mention I am not fond of heights? For the first time in my life, I was hoping that I was too heavy to go on something and that they would have to find a nice way to tell me I couldn’t go. No such luck. My weight was fine and they gave me all the gear I would need. I actually asked them if they included the additional weight from the gear into their calculations. They patted me on the back and away we went.

My wife was much more excited about this than I was, but I had agreed to go and up we went… and up and up and up. Each level included a test run and each new test run was longer and higher than the one before. When we got up to the top and stood on a platform above the treetops, 7,500 feet or so above ground level, I asked our instructor what my options were. Outside of walking down the mountain, which I did consider for a moment, grabbing the handles tightly on the zip line and letting gravity do its

ESCAPES

Continued from page 117

thing was it. What an incredible 45 seconds it was! The speed, the view and the sheer exhilaration are all things I have recommended to everyone since that day.

Now that we had crossed zip lining off our bucket lists, the following day we decided to do something else neither of us had ever done before: mountain biking. How hard could it be? We have been riding bicycles for a long, long time and this is downhill, so how strenuous could it be? Once again, not exactly what I expected, but once again something I recommend you try.

After fitting you with all the required safety gear and giving you a 30-minute lesson, it was time to ride. Going downhill at all times is not easy and much to our surprise, hard on the legs. Once you have the basics down, it’s up, up and away again. You take the ski lifts to the top of the mountain, along with your mountain bike, and once you arrive it is quite a beautiful sight once again. This time you take a much slower, heartpounding trip down the various 1½-foot wide trails that lead you back to the ground. Nothing I could ever have imagined, but something I couldn’t wait to do again. All of these activities are exhausting and just like the previous evening, we needed a little time to relax and to find a good place to have a drink and eat.

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Finding good food and great service is not a difficult task in a town like Park City. After zip lining, we had found ourselves at The Lodges at Deer Valley, five minutes up the road from our hotel. The restaurant, Brass Tag, was excellent and the server David became our new best friend. After our tiring day of zip lining, we felt the “chocolate chip skillet with High West Whisky Gelato” was well deserved.

After our day of mountain biking we were so tired we stayed at the hotel and ate at The Tavern at Main and Sky. It was a nice relaxing dinner, complete with great food and a casual atmosphere.

Our last day in Park City was to be all about relaxation. We booked a side-by-side massage and then a facial for my wife. The Sugati Spa was terrific. Our massages started with twin soaking tubs, which took a little getting used to for me. After soaking for about 15 minutes you are ready for your massage. I’m not sure if it was the soaking first, but this was definitely the best massage I ever had. A perfect way to end our vacation!

If anyone ever suggests going to Park City, Utah, in the summer, don’t hesitate. Pack your bags and go. There is certainly no lack of things to do, and I didn’t even mention the hot air ballooning or outdoor concerts. The cynic within me was wrong again. Park City in the summer is a great place to go!

Steven Goldstein is co-publisher of BC THE MAGAZINE.

Andiamo!

This local gem has been serving up great food for 25 years.

With a name that translates to “let’s go,” it’s no surprise that Andiamo in Haworth has brought Bergen County’s hungry and enthused diners to this nondescript building at 23 Hardenburgh Avenue year after year, all the while accumulating many awards and accolades along the way.

For owners Don and Linda Dickstein, along with their son Alan, Andiamo has been a labor of love. Through the restaurant they have made many friends along the way, which is evident the moment anyone walks through the door and are warmly greeted by Alan or Don. If you’re a first-time patron sitting at the bar, you’ll soon see that they treat each guest as if they’re family.

But people don’t just go there for a handshake and conversation. They are there to eat. With Chef Linda whipping up traditional Italian classics, as well as many unique creations

you rarely find elsewhere, Andiamo has something for everyone, and does not disappoint.

Whether you choose to dine at the bar, in the dining room, or on the outdoor deck, the first thing you’ll need is wine or a cocktail. With a wine list perfected throughout the years, there truly is a bottle to match each patron’s palate. For those who prefer a cocktail, the Andiamo Lemonade or house infused pineapple vodka martini are staples, although the bartender’s weekly experimentation of new concoctions always satiates the curious cocktail connoisseur. Recently, the glutenfree cucumber vodka martini piqued our interest, cool and refreshing, but still with enough bite to let you know that this martini means business.

If you’re more of a beer fan, Alan is always rotating in new and unique drafts, with a mix of local brews as well as some imports.

There is no shortage of options on Andiamo’s menu. It’s imperative to have their fried meatballs at least once a month. Topped with marinara and a dollop of warm ricotta, it may not be the lightest dinner offering, but it sure is a delicious one. The panino for two—a homemade garlic toast topped with fresh mozzarella, prosciutto, roasted red peppers, tomato, red onion and basil—is also a delicious appetizer not found on many menus.

If you’re more of a salad person, the panzanella salad, with fresh mozzarella, capers, kalamata olives, tomato, arugula, cucumbers and croutons is a great light option, but it’s hard to miss with any of Andiamo’s other salad offerings, either.

All three dining areas have the same menu, and that allows everyone to try Andiamo’s specialty pizza pies. Whether it’s the Harley Pie, a white pizza with spinach, Portobello mushrooms and roasted red peppers, or just a simple Margherita, these pizzas rank amongst New Jersey’s most delicious.

If you’re looking for pasta, you’ve come to the right place. Whether it’s Andiamo’s play on angel hair, served with fresh mozzarella and tomato, or the rich linguine carbonara, you can truly do no wrong. The cheese ravioli and homemade lasagna are sure to happily satiate the mind and the stomach, too.

Although I typically skip chicken on restaurant menus, the chicken parm is great, as is the chicken “country style,” which is chunks of sautéed chicken with sweet sausage, peppers, onions, tomato and fresh herbs.

There are plenty of great seafood, steak, and veal options as well, including the Andiamo Cioppino with fettucine and the honey citrus salmon, as well as the prime aged New York strip and the Veal Alan, layered with roasted red peppers, spinach, melted mozzarella and mushroom marsala sauce.

At Andiamo, though, the real stars are the weekly specials. Each week, Linda crafts a list of unique items, ranging from appetizers, entrees and desserts to burgers and special pizzas. You’ll find them written in classic fashion on chalkboards throughout the restaurant.

While some specials stay in line with traditional Italian flavors and dishes, it would seem Chef Linda also uses the specials as her own creative culinary outlet. Sometimes, you’ll see a fusion of flavors on a plate such as simple American and Italian, worked together perfectly in only the way an experienced chef knows how. Other times, Linda will experiment with worldly flavors, such as Japanese or other Asian influences.

The wonton Tuna tower, appearing occasionally on the menu, layers tuna tartar between crispy wontons, and you’ll find yourself eating them almost as if they were nachos with the wonton serving as the chip.

Then there’s Andiamo’s excellent meatloaf. Crispy on the outside, it oozes deliciously gooey cheese smothered in sauce and more cheese. It’s served with mash potatoes that really don’t even need to be there. The meatloaf speaks for itself, and when available at Andiamo, it sells out very quickly.

At Andiamo, it’s all about food, friends and family. The service is professional and consistent, with many of the same employees having worked there for years. It seems like everyone knows each other here, and this makes for a comfortable experience from the moment you walk in to the moment you’re giving Don a hug or handshake on your way out. It’s clear the Dickstein’s are passionate about serving

their community.

That leads us to the Annual Andiamo Motorcycle Run. Year after year, hundreds upon hundreds of motorcycles line Hardenburgh Avenue and the surrounding streets, and after a quick breakfast and singing of the National Anthem, depart for a ride across the GW Bridge down to the World Trade Center and back, culminating in a party that each year, raises large amounts of money for local hospitals as well as law enforcement.

If you live in northeast Bergen County, you’ve probably been to Andiamo time after time. For the rest of you, however, it’s worth making the trip. Being in business for 25 years, they must be doing something right, and it’s not just the meatloaf!

Brandon Goldstein is associate publisher of

BOTTAGRA RESTAURANT

EATS BC

Boozy Burbs is a website dedicated to food and drink in the Greater Bergen County Area. Coverage includes resturant openings & closings, eating & drinking events and everything else related to the local foodie scene. www.boozyburbs.com

PICCOLO BISTRO

29 Chestnut Street, Ridgewood piccolobistro.net 201-882-1111

Piccolo Bistro, a new restaurant serving contemporary Italian cuisine, is now open in downtown Ridgewood. The 45-seat BYO is owned by Jale Aktas, with Giancarlo Borletti helming the kitchen.

Borletti has many years in the kitchen, including culinary school, having worked in NYC as chef de cuisine at Alison Eighteen and beyond.

The menus are crafted from Borletti’s desire to run a sustainable kitchen and work seasonally with ingredients. He’s also been forging relationships with local farmers as he looks to “improve and learn new ingredients and flavors”.

Some notable items include the Tuscan-style veal chop with wild mushroom sauce, baby carrots and truffle parsnip gratin, as well as the quinoa crusted seared yellow fin tuna served with baked polenta.

In addition to the dining room, Piccolo Bistro will use its outdoor patio, weather permitting. The bistro offers dine in and takeout, with lunch and dinner.

NAMASTE

1086 River Road, Edgewater 201-224-9777

Namaste, a Himalayan restaurant, has opened on River Road, replacing Ravagh Persian Grill. The 3500-sq. ft. space has been renovated and offers “flavors from the Himalayan region,” which includes recipes from Southeast Asia boasting the fusion of cuisines from India, Nepal, Tibet and Burma.

At Namaste, you’ll find items such as chicken tikka masala, paneer, lamb vindaloo and Nepali fried rice.

The menu remains the same for both lunch and dinner— with a lunch buffet and lunch box special available— including both meat and vegetable-only appetizers and entrees. Namaste is open seven days a week and offers local delivery.

SMOKED

2 Godwin Road, Ridgewood smoked2go.com 201-447-6653

Chef Rob, of Smoked, has been perfecting his craft since his children bought him a smoker. After years of practice, the “in-house caterer” for his family decided to open up a shop on Godwin Avenue.

While it’s mostly a takeout joint, it does have some seats, counter space and outdoor seating in the warmer weather. It features smoked meats such as pulled pork, St. Louis ribs, sausage and more from a variety of sources.

Typically, Chef Rob smokes the meats with minimal rubs, leading to lower salt and low sugar contents, and uses all natural wood for smoking that is a proprietary blend of flavors like hickory and pecan.

The homemade sides include a mac and cheese and corn “puddin’” as well as many daily rotating specials. Additionally, there are plenty of vegetarian choices for those who don’t eat meat.

Smoked also serves a special dish named by Rob’s father called Mickey’s, which consists of potatoes cooked in the smoker to catch the meat drippings, then finished in the oven and drizzled with Parmesan cheese.

Oh, and the desserts are all homemade, too.

The meats do rotate, so be sure to check the eatery’s website or Facebook page for updates.

PARK & ORCHARD

240 Hackensack Street, East Rutherford parkandorchard.com 201-939-9292

Park and Orchard, which closed back in July 2015 after 37 years, has been completely renovated and now features a new exhibition kitchen from the new ownership team of David Madison (formerly of the Saddle River Inn) and Andrew Guarino.

Chef Christopher Albrecht helms the kitchen. A CIA-trained chef, Albrecht has worked extensively under Tom Colicchio of Craft and Craftsteak, along with Gramercy Tavern and Eno Terra in Kingston, NJ.

Park and Orchard’s menu is a mix of new dishes as well as Albrecht’s take on many of the old Park & Orchard favorites. Chef Albrecht is using organic and locally sourced meats and produce, and has brought to Park & Orchard exciting new cooking techniques, including a newly installed wood burning grill and smoker. The bar will focus on Park & Orchard’s famed wine cellar plus craft cocktails, which will be created with fresh juices and other ingredients.

PROST

1638 Schlosser Street, Fort Lee prostnj.com 201-461-1600

Prost, the restaurant and bar replacing the Original Pancake House in Fort Lee, is now officially open for business. The 4100-sq. ft. space is serving up a menu of salads, burgers, sandwiches, pastas, pizzas, seafood dishes, and other mixed American and Korean items.

Items such as the scallop risotto and seared lobster platter, and oven baked pork belly with garlic and bok choy are some must-tries, but you can’t go wrong with the Prost burger with sliced pineapple, either.

The bar offers 8 beers on tap, another 20 by the bottle, a selection of wines and cocktails, and bottle service for whisky, tequila and vodka.

Award Winning Al Fresco Dining opening in May!

RESTAURANT GUIDE

If you’re hungry or planning a special night out, this is the place to find the answer to that appetite. From steak, chops and seafood to almost any ethnic fare, it’s all here.

American (Contemporary & Traditional)

The Abbey

Ramsey Golf and Country Club

105 Lakeside Drive, Ramsey, 201-818-9298

Allendale Bar & Grill

67 W. Allendale Ave. Allendale, 201-327-3197

Allendale Eats

101 W. Allendale Ave., Allendale, 201-825-0110

Bacari Grill

800 Ridgewood Rd., Washington Township, 201-358-6330

The Barn

359 Sicomac Ave., Wyckoff, 201-848-0108

Bicycle Club

487 Sylvan Ave., Englewood Cliffs, 201-894-0880

Biddy O’Malley’s Irish Bistro and Bar 191 Paris Ave., Northvale, 201-564-7893

Blind Boar Barbeque

595 Broadway, Norwood, 201-784-6900

Bonefish Grill

601 From Rd., Paramus, 201-261-2355

Boom Burger

375 W. Passaic St., Rochelle Park, 201-843-2666

The Bouwerie

83 Dewolf Road, Old Tappan, 201-564-7939

Brady’s at the Station

5 W. Main St., Ramsey, 201-327-9748

The Brick House

179 Godwin Ave., Wyckoff, 201-848-1211

Café 37

37 Broad St., Ridgewood, 201-857-0437

Café Amici of Wyckoff

315 Franklin Ave., Wyckoff, 201-848-0198

Café Angelique

1 Piermont Road, Tenafly, 201-541-1010

Café Matisse

167 Park Ave., Rutherford, 201-935-2995

Chakra

144 West State Route 4, Paramus, 201-566-1530

Coach House Restaurant

55 Route 4- Hackensack, 201-488-4999

The Cornerstone

84 Broadway, Hillsdale, 201-666-8688

Crow’s Nest

309 Vincent Ave., Hackensack, 201-342-5445

Cubby’s BBQ Restaurant

249 S. River St. Hackensack- 201-488-9389

Davey’s Irish Pub & Restaurant

5 Park St., Montvale, 201-391-9356

East Coast Burger

75 Franklin Ave., Ridgewood, 201-857-0227

Emerson Hotel Restaurant

31 Emerson Plaza, Emerson, 201-262-7557

Esposito’s Park Café

790 Anderson Ave., Cliffside Park, 201-313-2441

Esty Street

86 Spring Valley Rd., Park Ridge, 201-307-1515

Farmhouse Café & Eatery 15 E. Madison Ave., Cresskill, 201-266-8931

Fire and Oak

100 Chestnut Ridge Rd., Montvale, 201-307-1100

Giovanni’s Deli 22-08 Morlot Ave., Fair Lawn, 201-791-1911

Glen Rock Inn 222 Rock Rd., Glen Rock, 201-445-2362

Grand Cru

36 N. Van Brunt St., Englewood, 201-568-3939

Griffin’s 44 E. Madison Ave., Cresskill, 201-541-7575

Grosso’s La Strada 231 Godwin Ave., Midland Park, 201-670-9233

Harvest Bistro 252 Schraalenburgh Rd., Closter, 201-750-9966

Haven Riverfront Restaurant & Bar 2 Main St., Edgewater, 201-943-1900

Ho-Ho-Kus Inn and Tavern 1 East Franklin Turnpike, Ho-Ho-Kus, 201-445-4115

Houston’s

The Shops at Riverside, Rt. 4W, Hackensack, 201-488-5667

Iron Horse 20 Washington Ave., Westwood, 201-666-9682

Ivy Inn 268 Terrace Ave., Hasbrouck Heights, 201-393-7699

ROMULUS RESTAURANT

RESTAURANT GUIDE

Jackson Hole

362 Grand Ave., Englewood, 201-871-7444

Just Janice

23 Sheridan Ave., Ho-Ho-Kus, 201-445-2666

Jersey Boys Grill

704 River Road, New Milford, 201-262-5600

Joe’s American Bar & Grill

Garden State Plaza (Rtes. 17 & 4), Paramus, 201-843-8858

The Kitchen

21 E. Palisade Ave., Englewood, 201-568-4570

The Kosher Nosh Deli

894 Prospect St., Glen Rock, 201-445-1186

Lakeside Grille & Bar

105 Lakeside Dr., Ramsey, 201-327-0009

Local Seasonal Kitchen

41 W. Main St., Ramsey, 201-962-9400

Mahwah Bar & Grill

2 Island Rd., Mahwah, 201-529-8056

Mason Jar

219 Ramapo Valley Rd., Mahwah, 201-529-2302

MK Valencia

228 Main St., Ridgefield Park, 201-373-0228

Nellie’s Place

9 Franklin Turnpike, Waldwick, 201-652-8626

Noah’s Ark (Kosher)

493 Cedar Lane, Teaneck, 201-692-1200

Oceanos

2-27 Saddle River Rd., Fair Lawn, 201-796-0546

Palmer’s Crossing

145 Dean Dr. (Clinton Ave.), Clinton Inn Hotel, Tenafly, 201-567-4800

Park Bistro

700 Palisadium Drive, Cliffside Park, 201-366-4047

Park Wood Delicatessen

342 Erie Ave., Midland Park, 201-689-08550

Pearl Restaurant

17 S. Broad St., Ridgewood, 201-857-5100

Peppercorns

176 Colony Ave., Park Ridge, 201-391-2818

Pizzaiolo By Brothers 85 Godwin Ave., Midland Park, 201- 444- 4944

P.J. Finnegan’s 274 Fairview Ave., Westwood, 201-664-7576

The Plum and The Pear 393 Franklin Ave., Wyckoff, 201-485-8793

Railroad Café

170 Union Ave., East Rutherford,201-939-0644

Raymond’s

101 E. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood, 201-445-5125

Regina’s Steakhouse and Grill 827 Teaneck Rd., Teaneck, 201-862-1996

Restaurant L 9 Franklin Turnpike, Allendale, 201-785-1112

Rolling Pin Café 341 Broadway, Westwood, 201-666-4660

Rosario’s Trattoria 29 Central Ave., Midland Park, 201-445-3335

Rotunda Garden State Plaza (Rtes. 17 & 4), Paramus, 201-843-7693

Ruby Tuesday Route 4 & 17, Paramus, 201-909-0886

Rutherford Pancake House 40 Park Ave., Rutherford, 201-340-4171

Sal’s Good Eats 80 Green St., Teterboro, 201-375-4949

Session Bistro 245 Maywood Ave., Maywood, 201-880-7810

Shelly’s Vegetarian Café and Caterers 482 Cedar Lane, Teaneck, 201-692-0001

Smith Brothers 51 N. Broad St., Ridgewood, 201-444-8111

St. Eve’s Restaurant (BYOB) 611 N. Maple Ave., Ho-Ho-Kus, 201-857-4717

Stony Hill Inn 231 Polify Rd. (Rt. 80), Hackensack, 201-342-4085

Tommy Fox’s Public House 32 S. Washington Ave., Bergenfield, 201-384-0900

Twisted Elm 435 River Dr., Elmwood Park, 201-791-3705

Vale Bar & Grill 625 Rivervale Rd., River Vale, 201-391-3195

Veggie Heaven 473 Cedar Lane, Teaneck, 201-836-0887

Victoria’s 336 Queen Anne Rd., Teaeck, 201-801-0888

RESTAURANT GUIDE

Village Green

36 Prospect St., Ridgewood, 201-445-2914

Waterside

7800 B River Rd., North Bergen, 201-861-7767

Chinese/Korean

Don Chun Hong

144 Main St., Fort Lee, 201-592-0450

Golden Dynasty

825 Franklin Lakes Rd., Franklin Lakes, 201-891-7866

295 Kinderkamack Rd., Hillsdale, 201-358-8685

Golden Pond

147 N. Kinderkamack Rd., Montvale, 201-930-8811

Look See

259 N. Franklin Tpke. (Rt. 17S), Ramsey, 201-327-1515

Mr. Wok & Sushi

1 Highwood Ave., Tenafly, 201-569-3969

Petite Soo Chow

607 Gorge Road, Cliffside Park 201-313-1666

P.F. Chang’s

The Shops at Riverside, Rt. 4W, Hackensack, 201-646-1565

Continental Cuisine

Al Di La 1 Hoboken Rd., East Rutherford, 201-939-1128

Fountainview Restaurant

Sheraton Crossroads, 1 International Blvd. (Rt. 17N), Mahwah, 201-529-1313

Rudy’s

107 Anderson Ave., Hackensack, 201-489-4831

Continental/American

The Elm Street Grill

20A Elm St., Oakland, 201-651-0005

Continental/ French

Café Panache (BYOB)

130 E. Main St. (Lake St.), Ramsey, 201-934-0030

Latour

6 East Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood, 201-445-5056

Le Jardin

1257 River Rd., Edgewater, 201-224-9898

Madeleine’s Petite Paris

416 Tappan Rd., Northvale, 201-767-0063

Saddle River Inn

2 Barnstable Ct., Saddle River, 201-825-4016

Continental/ Italian

Andrea’s (BYOB)

26 E. Prospect St., Waldwick, 201-670-0275/ 201-670-7958

Davia

6-09 Fair Lawn Ave., Fair Lawn, 201-797-6767

Sage 17-15 Broadway, Fair Lawn, 201-797-0500

Savini

168 West Crescent Ave., Allendale, 201-760-3700

Villa Amalfi

793 Palisades Ave. (Marion Ave.), Cliffside Park, 201-886-8626

Cuban Mambo Tea House

98 Park Ave., Rutherford, 201-933-1262

Rebecca’s Restaurant

236 Old River Rd., Edgewater, 201-943-8808

Eclectic Contemporary

Bibi’z Restaurant and Lounge

284 Center Ave., Westwood, 201-722-8600

Baumgart’s Café

59 The Promenade, Edgewater, 201-313-3889

45 E. Palisade Ave., Englewood, 201-569-6267

158 Franklin Ave., Ridgewood, 201-612-5688

Café Matisse (BYO)

167 Park Ave., Rutherford, 201-935-2995

The Dog and Cask

55 Route 17 South, Rochelle Park, 201-845-5101

GW Grill

2139 Hudson Terrace, Fort Lee, 201-947-2440

Natalie’s 16-18 South Broad St., Ridgewood,201-444-7887

Park & Orchard

240 Hackensack St. (Union Ave.), East Rutherford, 201-939-9292

Port of Call (POC)

450 Hackensack Ave., Hackensack, 201-488-0888

The Rail Yard Tavern 14-26 Plaza Rd., Fairlawn, 201-773-3372

200 Tice (Inside The Woodcliff Lake Hilton) 200 Tice Blvd., Woodcliff Lake, 201- 391-3600

Stony Hill Inn will be closed for Ala Carte Dinners 5/29/16 through 9/11/16 BRUNCH will still be served Sundays 11am-3pm Visit our sister restaurant, Sanzari’s New Bridge Inn for Dinner

201 Supper Club

90 W. Palisade Ave., Englewood, 201-541-0101

Fondue

The Melting Pot

250 Center Ave., Westwood, 201-664-8877

French Latour

6 E. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood, 201-445-5056

German

Kirker’s Inn

237 Diamond Bridge Ave., Hawthorne, 973-427-7700

Greek

After Athens 17 Park Ave., Rutherford, 201-729-1980

Axia Taverna 18 Piermont Rd., Tenafly, 201-569-5999

Daily Treat

177 E. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood, 201-652-9113

It’s Greek to Me

352 Anderson Ave., Cliffside Park, 201-945-5447

36 E. Palisade Ave., Englewood, 201-568-0440

1611 Palisade Ave., Fort Lee, 201-947-2050

21 E. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood, 201-612-2600

487 Broadway, Westwood, 201-722-3511

2020 Central Road, Fort Lee, 201-947-2055

Taverna Mykonos

238 Broadway, Elmwood Park, 201-703-9200

Varka 30 North Spruce St., Ramsey, 201-995-9333

Indian BHOJ

430 Market St., Elmwood Park, 201-797-6800

Brick Lane Curry House

34 Franklin Ave., Ridgewood, 201-670-7311

Mantra

275 Route 4 West, Paramus, 201-342-8868

Mela Authentic Indian Cuisine 47 E. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood, 201-445-6060

Irish

Biddy O’Malley’s Irish Bistro and Bar 36 North Van Brunt St., Englewood, 201-564-7893

Poitin Still 774 Main St., Hackensack, (201)- 487-0660

Italian Aldo & Gianni 108 Chestnut Ridge Rd., Montvale, 201-391-6866

Aldo’s (BYO) 640 Wyckoff Ave., Wyckoff, 201-891-2618

A Mano 24 Franklin Ave. (at Chestnut St.), Ridgewood, 201-493-2000

Amarone 63 Cedar Ln., Teaneck, 201-833-1897

Andiamo 23 Hardenburgh Ave. (Knickerbocker Rd.), Haworth, 201-384-1551

Angelo’s Restaurant 263 Ridge Road, Lyndhurst, 201-939-1922

Arturo’s 41 Central Ave., Midland Park, 201-444-2466

Baci Italian Grill 36 Jefferson Ave., Westwood, 201-722-1900

Barcelona’s 38 Harrison Ave., Garfield, 973-778-4930

Bazzarelli 117 Moonachie Rd., Moonachie, 201-641-4010

RESTAURANT GUIDE

Bel Posto

160 Prospect Ave., Hackensack, 201-880-8750

Bella Campania

456 Broadway, Hillsdale 201-666-7700

Bella Italia (BYO)

170 Main St., Ridgefield Park, 201-440-2150

Bella Notte

14 Oak St., 29 W. Ridgewood Ave., 201-444-5520

Bellissimo

12 S. Kinderkamack Rd., Montvale, 201-746-6669

Bensi

459 Rt. 17S, Hasbrouck Heights, 201-727-9525

183 Old Tappan Road, Old Tappan, 201-297-7444

Bottagra Restaurant

80 Wagaraw Rd., Hawthorne, 973-423-4433

Buon Gusto

534 Durie Ave., Closter, 201-784-9036

Buongiorno’s (BYOB)

86 Washington Ave., Dumont, 201-501-8000

Café Amici

4 Sycamore Ave., Ho-Ho-Kus, 201-389-6377

Caffe Anello

425 Broadway Ave., Westwood, 201-497-3628

Café Capri

343 Broadway, Hillsdale, 201-664-6422

Caffe Capri

119 Park Ave., East Rutherford, 201-460-1039

Café Italiano Ristorante

14 Sylvan Ave., Englewood Cliffs, 201-461-5041

Café LíAmore

455 Ramapo Valley Road, Oakland, 201-337-5558

Café Tivoli

533 Shaler Blvd., Ridgefield, 201-941-5561

Cassie’s

18 S. Dean St., Englewood, 201-541-6760

Cenzino Ristorante

589 Ramapo Valley Rd., Oakland, 201-337-6693

Cliff’s Steakhouse

18 Sylvan Ave., Englewood Cliffs, 201-944-0233

Dimora

100 Piermont Rd., Norwood, 201-750-5000

Dino’s

12 Tappan Rd. (Schraalenburgh Rd.), Harrington Park, 201-767-4245

Dolce Novita

107 Moonachie Rd. (Rtes. 3 & 46), Moonachie, 201-440-3339

Due

18 E. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood, 201-857-3232

Fiona’s Restaurant

118 Godwin Ave., Midland Park, 201-857-5800

Fontana Di Trevi

248 Fort Lee Road, Leonia, 201-242-9040

Fratelli’s Coal-Burning Pizza

206 Route 46, Elmwood Park, 201-797-7552

Mon - Sat: 11:30am - 3:00pm

Mon - Thurs: 4:30pm - 10:00pm

- Sat: 4:30pm - 11:00pm Sun: 3:00pm - 10:00pm

Gianna’s

843 Washington Ave., Carlstadt, 201-460-7997

Giovanna’s Cafe

19 East Main St., Ramsey, 201-825-5835

GoodFellas

661 Midland Ave., Garfield, 973-478-4000

Granita Grill

467 Broadway, Westwood, 201-664-9846

Grissini Restaurant

484 Sylvan Ave., Englewood Cliffs, 201-568-3535

Guilios

154 Washington St., Tappan, NY, 845-359-3657

Il Giardino (BYO)

153 Paris Ave , Northvale 201-750-0060

Il Mulino Ristorante

132 Veterans Plaza, Dumont, 201-384-7767

Il Villaggio

651 Rt. 17N (between Rtes. 3 & 46), Carlstadt, 201-935-7733

In Napoli

116 Main St., Fort Lee, 201-947-2500

Kinchley’s Tavern

586 N. Franklin Turnpike, Ramsey, 201-934-7777

La Cambusa 517 River Drive, Garfield, 973-445-7222

La Lanterna

29 W. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood, 201-444-5520

RESTAURANT GUIDE

La Piazza

29 Chestnut St., Ridgewood, 201-447-5111

La Vecchia Napoli 2 Hillard Ave., Edgewater, 201-941-6799

Locale Café

208 Piermont Rd., Closter, 201-750-3233

Luka’s (BYOB) 2310 River Road, Bogota, 201-440-2996

Lu Nello

182 Stevens Ave., Cedar Grove, 973-837-1660

Maggiano’s Little Italy

The Shops at Riverside, Rt. 4W, Hackensack, 201-221-2030

Martini Grill

187 Hackensack St., Wood-Ridge, 201-939-2000

Nanni Ristorante

53 W. Passaic St. (behind Garden State Plaza), Rochelle Park, 201-843-1250

Osso Buco 343 Broadway, Hillsdale, 201-664-1600

Pasta E Pollo 13 Godwin Ave., Ridgewood, 201-445-8410

Portobello

175 Ramapo Valley Rd. (Rt. 202), Oakland, 201-337-8990

Puzo’s Family Restaurant 4 Garfield Ave., Hawthorne, 973-423-2288

Rocca

203 Rock Rd., Glen Rock, 201-670-4945

Roxanne’s 150 Franklin Turnpike, Mahwah, 201-529-0007

Rugova Restaurant & Bar

259 Johnson Ave., River Edge; 201-880-8488

Sanducci’s Trattoria (BYO)

620 Kinderkamack Rd., River Edge, 201-599-0600

Sanzari’s New Bridge Inn

105 Old New Bridge Rd., New Milford, 201-692-7700

Sergio’s Missione 2 Mercer St., Lodi, 973-778-4545

Sicilian Sun 604 N. Maple Ave., Ho-Ho-Kus, 201-444-3494

Solaia 22 N. Van Brunt St. Englewood, 201-871-7155

Solari’s

61 River St., Hackensack, 201-487-1969

Sorrento (BYO)

132 Park Ave. (Paterson Ave.), East Rutherford, 201-507-0093

Trovato’s Due 4 Barbara Lane, Oakland, 201-337-0813

Vicolo Ristorante

216 Old Tappan Road, Old Tappan, 201-497-8777

Woodstone Pizza Bar & Grill

352 W. Passaic St., Rochelle Park, 201-845-7600

Italian/French

The Chef’s Table

754 Franklin Ave., Franklin Lakes, 201-891-6644

Japanese Akai Lounge

11 N. Dean St., Englewood, 201-541-0086

Bushido Bar and Restaurant

671 Palisade Ave., Cliffside Park, 201-941-6600

Cocoro 856 Franklin Ave., Franklin Lakes, 201-560-1333

Daruma 45 N. Dean St., Englewood, 201-567-9600

Gen Sushi

RESTAURANT GUIDE

14B Chestnut Ridge Rd., Montvale, 201-930-9188

15 E. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood, 201-493-1988

Hanami (BYO)

41 Union Ave, Cresskill, 201-567-8508

301 Center Ave, Westwood, 201-666-8508

Hiro

254 Degraw Ave., Teaneck, 201-692-1002

Kiku

5-9 Rt. 9W (Palisades Pkwy.), Alpine, 201-767-6322

365 Rt. 17S, Paramus, 201-265-7200

Kumo

55 Franklin Ave., Ridgewood, 201-652-0088

Masa Sushi & Grill

81 W. Allendale Ave., Allendale, 201-934-6616

Matsu Sushi & Grill

140 Broadway, Hillsdale, 201-930-1896

Matsuya

490 Market St., Saddle Brook, 201-843-5811

Mei Sushi Japanese Restaurant

14-20 Plaza Road, Fair Lawn- 201-398-9882

Minado

1 Valley Rd., Little Ferry, 201-931-1522

Mount Fuji Japanese Steak House

193 Route 17, Hasbrouck Heights, 201-288-2800

Sarku Japan

Bergen Town Center, Rt. 4W (Forest Ave.), Paramus, 201-880-6551

Sakura-Bana

43 Franklin Ave., Ridgewood, 201-447-6525

Sushi Cruise

725 River Road, Edgewater, 201-313-3611

Tani Sushi & Asian Grill

206 Rock Road, Glen Rock, 201-612-1188

44 E. Palisade Ave., Englewood, 201-567-7888

Tawara

53 W. Main St., Ramsey, 201-825-8712

Umeya

156 Piermont Rd., Cresskill, 201-816-0511

Wild Ginger

31 Chestnut St., Ridgewood, 201-857-3830

Yamagata

1636 Palisadeís Ave., Fort Lee, 201-585-0469

Korean

Dong Bang Grill

1616 Palisade Ave., Fort Lee, 201-242-4485/4486

Picnic Garden

150 Sylvan Ave., Englewood Cliffs, 201-816-9300

Zen Zen

356 Bergen Blvd., Farview, 201-840-1820

Kosher/Mediterranean

Tavlin

7 West Railroad Ave, Tenafly Tavlin, 201-871-6060

Mediterranean

Europe Café & Grill

1 Highwood Ave., Tenafly, 201-569-4444

Mediterraneo

23 N. Broad St., Ridgewood, 201-447-0022

Novo

37 Chestnut St., Ridgewood, 201-444-4910

Orama

595 River Rd., Edgewater, 201-945-2020

Samdan

178 Piermont Road, Cresskill- 201-816-7343

Zendiggi Kebab House

228 Closter Dock Road, Closter, 201-768-0644

Mexican Badlands Tacos

102 E. Main St., Ramsey, 201-818-2446

Blue Moon Mexican Café

23 E. Palisade Ave., Englewood, 201-541-0600

42 Kinderkamack Rd., Woodcliff Lake, 201-7829500

327 Franklin Ave., Wyckoff, 201-891-1331

Cinco de Mayo 2428 Lemoine Ave., Fort Lee, 201-947-4780

Fiesta Hut 227 Park Ave., East Rutherford, 201-939-4338

Las Maravillas De Tulcingo 3 84 Palisade Ave., Englewood, 201-568-1980

Mexicali Live 1409 Queen Anne Road, Teaneck, 201-833-0011

Rosa Mexicano

The Shops at Riverside, Rt. 4W, Hackensack, 201-489-9100

Tito’s Burritos

166 E. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood, 201-857-4619

Polish

Royal Warsaw Restaurant 871 River Drive, Elmwood Park, 201-794-9277

Seafood

Biggie’s Clam Bar

430 Route 17 South- Carlstadt, 201-933-4000 1315 Rt. 17 South, Ramsey, 201-962-9099

Boiling Pot

124 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Fort Lee, NJ 07024 201-461-0444

Legal Sea Foods

Garden State Plaza, Paramus, 201 843-8483

Oceaniare Seafood Room 175 Riverside Square Mall, Hackensack, 201-3438862

The Crab House 541 River Rd., Edgewater, 201-840-9311

Seafood Gourmet 103 W. Pleasant Ave., Maywood, 201-843-8558

Spanish El Cid

205 Paramus Rd., Paramus, 201-843-0123

Meson Madrid

343 Bergen Blvd. (Central Blvd.), Palisades Park, 201-947-1038

Segovia 150 Moonachie Rd., Moonachie, 201-641-4266

Steak Houses

Capital Grille

Garden State Plaza (Rtes. 17 & 4), Paramus, 201-845-7040

Charlie Brown’s Fresh Grill

203 Old Tappan Road, Old Tappan, 201-767-6106 2 Kinderkamack Road, Oradell, 201-265-0403

95 Linwood Ave., Washington Township, 201-6663080

CK’s Steak House

801 Rutherford Ave., (Renaissance Meadowlands Hotel), Rutherford, 201-231-3141

ETC. Steakhouse (Kosher) 1409 Palisade Ave., Teaneck, 201-357-5677

Fresh Fish. Flown

Sleek and sophisticated, The Oceanaire provides the perfect setting to enjoy an unrivaled atmosphere where you will indulge in tantalizing chef creations, exceptional wines and exquisite desserts. Make your reservation today.

The Shops at Riverside 175 Riverside Square Mall • Hackensack, NJ 07601 201.343.8862 • theoceanaire.com

The Shops at Riverside One Riverside Square • Hackensack, NJ 07601 • 201.487.1303 mortons.com/hackensack

Flemings Steakhouse 90 The Promenade, Edgewater, 201-313-9463

JD’s Steak Pit 124 Main St., Fort Lee, 201-461-0444

Morton’s The Shops at Riverside, Hackensack, 201-487-1303

The Park Steakhouse 151 Kinderkamack Rd., Park Ridge, 201-930-1300

Park West Tavern 30 Oak St., Ridgewood, 201-445-5400

The Porter House 125 Kinderkamack Rd., Montvale, 201-307-6300

River Palm Terrace 1416 River Rd. (Palisade Terrace), Edgewater, 201-224-2013

41-11 Rt. 4W (Paramus Rd.), Fair Lawn, 201-703-3500 209 Ramapo Valley Rd. (Rtes. 17S & 202), Mahwah, 201-529-1111

Roots Steakhouse 17 Chestnut St., Ridgewood, 201-444-1922

Sear House 411 Piermont Ave., Closter, 201-292-4612

Steve’s Sizzling Steaks 620 Rt. 17S, Carlstadt, 201-438-9677

Thai Aoyama 319 Franklin Ave., Wyckoff (In Boulder Run Shopping Center), 201-847-9900

Bangkok Garden 261 Main Street, Hackensack, 201-487-2620

Penang 334 Main Street, Lodi, 973-779-1128

Pimaan 79 Kinderkamack Road, Emerson, 201-967-0440

UPPER SADDLE RIVER PBA WINE TASTING

The Upper Saddle River PBA Local 218 held their annual wine tasting fundraiser at Jack Daniels Porsche.

THE VALLEY HOSPITAL AUXILIARY

The Saddle River Branch of The Valley Hospital Auxiliary held their spring luncheon with guest speaker, Kathy Wakile. For more information visit: www.valleyhealth.com

PREDICTIONS

SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW

JANUARY

You’ve been working hard to build the rainbow. It seems as if you finally have things heading in the right direction, then suddenly you feel like you want to change the course of what you want to do for the rest of your life. Don’t overthink things; just keep moving ahead, even if you think you’re moving in a totally different direction. Don’t worry; you’ll end up where you’re supposed to be in the end. You might be looking for a hobby. Mixing things up is good for you now. Embrace the changes.

APRIL

April showers bring May flowers, but right now you’re looking to take a relaxing bath. You may find yourself seeking more types of meditation and finding ways to create balance. Perhaps you just want to go to a movie and enjoy the simpler things in life. You will find yourself slowing down and not overscheduling yourself. While you won’t say yes to every invitation, you’ll really enjoy the ones you do accept. Your rainbow is simpler than others with strong, bright and thin strokes.

JULY

Your rainbow is bursting with life and action. The closer you look at it from different perspectives, the more beautiful and vibrant the dimensions you will perceive. Your rainbow will sometimes look like a party, but it will always have an exclamation point at the end of it, reflecting the movement, love and passion in your life. Your rainbow will have a heart on one end, the sun in the middle, and your hands reaching out to others.

OCTOBER

Creating balance every step of the way, you will be putting an equal amount of red, blue, yellow, purple and orange in your rainbow to make sure that it is seen by everyone and from the same perspective. Patience may shed some light on the way your mind is working these days. Over the next few months, you will find what’s preventing you from achieving balance in your life and you’ll discover things to add color and spice.

FEBRUARY

You’re distracted by what’s going on with people around you. Expect to be going in many directions. You have been putting yourself out there, signing up for things and looking for ways to keep busy. You always want to be in the middle of the action, but when you are, you feel overwhelmed. Your rainbow is a colorful one, featuring hues not typically seen in a rainbow because you create your own. Thanks to your greater energy and drive, this is a great time of year for you.

MAY

You came in like a wrecking ball! That’s how others may look at your rainbow. Slowly but surely you are creating a masterpiece of your life. Your colors are more vibrant than anyone else’s because of your passion. You will be making your mark on many people, as this is a phase where you will be participating in many social and business occasions. A golden opportunity looms on your horizon; its keys-to-the-city aspect will offer a mind-blowing experience for you.

AUGUST

No simple rainbow here! Your rainbow is organized, has definition and plenty of character. This rainbow is fluid and flowing, constantly shifting hues as you seek inspiration from others in your own search for self-enhancement. You’re not stealing ideas. Instead, you’re looking at who has the best thought processes and practices so you can adapt these in your own lifestyle.

NOVEMBER

Life is so simple it’s complicated, so is the collaboration of your life and your state of being. Your rainbow has an edgy, flat side as well as a round side with many colors. It’s not about balance for you, but rather it’s more about finding what you need. Look to have more shine and glow. Aspects of your life will take less energy and some will take more. Your colors will represent that duality.

MARCH

You’re all about putting every penny in the piggy bank. Lately, you’ve been preoccupied with finances. You’re watching the stock market while being frugal at the food counter. You are probably driving others crazy with the inconsistent way you view money. Having a realistic balance in the savings account would be what works best for you. You love luxury, yet you cut coupons. Your rainbow will always consist of the finest of things; you just won’t pay full price for them.

JUNE

You will have many rainbows. One will be black, one will be white, and the rest of the colors will balance between those two worlds. The white one will have all the pastels, all the families, and all the beautiful things. This keeps things calm, subtle and logical. The black will be all the vibrant colors, the movers and shakers, and everything that feels like the circus is in town. Sometimes you will need to have a chill day; other times you’ll need to run around like the house is on fire.

SEPTEMBER

Your complicated rainbow has lots of hidden treasures. There are very fine details in everything you do and your rainbow represents that. You need to put more yellow in your rainbow or more red in your life. Right now, you find yourself posing questions for which you don’t have answers. It’s a brain straining time for you as you try to build your rainbow. The great news is that nobody sees what it takes for you to keep that rainbow so perfect, as you hide it well.

DECEMBER

Your rainbow is always exciting with new opportunity for adventures. Where it may have more scrolls, dips and valleys, they expand over multiple areas, sometimes even joining the rainbows of others. You are preoccupied with all things having to do with the environment, whether it involves your home, your office or the people in your life. You leave no stone unturned as you participate with others; your rainbow does the same and is shared by many.

WEST BERGEN MENTAL

Attention! Attention!

I’ve been told that way back in the day, at places such as boardwalks or carnivals, there were booths where for a few cents, a patron, with his finest summer suit covering him from head to toe (don’t forget the hat; couldn’t leave home without it) could look into a contraption of sorts and see different images of scantily clad women. For the day it was wildly risqué and promiscuous. Now, it’s just called logging on to Instagram.

Don’t worry ladies, because now men are scantily clad, too! About to work out? Selfie time! Mid-workout? Selfie time! Just finished working out and the gym’s bathroom has great lighting? Seflie time! New bathing suit? Selfie time! Eating food? Selfie time!

Log on to Instagram on any given day and that summarizes about 75% of what you’ll see on your page, from people you know, people you want to know and from celebrities. Seems we must all have been unloved as children, since we crave so much attention now.

What happened here? On one hand, our society pretends to push for less superficiality. On the other hand, we welcome it with the fanfare of clicking a small heart to validate our friends, family, strangers, stranger’s pets and oftentimes, even our own photos. Do I still look beautiful if nobody “likes” it?

With self-esteem and body image at an all-time low, we

only exacerbate our own issues every time we log into pretty much any social media platform. We look at largely edited photos and wonder why we can’t attain that level of beauty, despite our best efforts. I don’t know what is fake and what is real anymore. All I know is that we put a lot of emphasis on the validation of others, and Instagram, what could’ve been a great platform to simply share beautiful photos, followed the footsteps of every other social media platform, and instead just became about people looking for attention.

Ever hear of Insta-fame? That’s real. There are people who are followed by millions of followers, mostly because they can’t stop themselves from taking a photo of themselves in tight clothing or shirtless every time they step foot in a gym. Worse, these people then have real influence on truly important topics.

It’s my belief that in this day and age, the Queen of Attention Seeking, a certain woman named Kim, has the ability to one day run for President of the United States. Why not, right? Her 68 million followers should help her secure the popular vote. Sitting in the Oval Office with Kanye? Selfie!

Brandon Goldstein is associate publisher of Talk of the Town magazine and BC THE MAG Health, Beauty & Fitness.

A STEP FORWAR D. M O D E RN AESTHETI

Introducing the all-new 2016 GLC (formally GLK-Class).

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We provide a range of service offerings that deliver an unparalleled ownership experience centered on transparency, honesty, integrity, and trust.

Awarded the Sales and Service Laureates Award from Mercedes-Benz and named Customer Champions Honoree by 1to1 Magazine for excellence in customer service.

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