When Success Changes Its Meaning: Life in the Upper-Middle-Class Suburb
On a Saturday morning in many affluent suburbs, the signs of success are easy to spot. The manicured lawns. The renovated kitchens. The youth sports schedules. The carefully chosen schools. The vacations documented in family photo albums and social media feeds. Less visible is another transformation that sometimes occurs: a shift in how people define […]
Roots Cafe: Vegan, Gluten-Free With An Unmistakably Artistic Spirit
A gathering place that feels world’s away from the suburbs. A few years back, we adopted our wonderful pup Grace from an amazing dog rescue group, Peace4Paws, which hosts adoption events at different venues throughout Bergen County. A recent event was held at Roots Cafe in Closter, a simply magical vegan,gluten free restaurant. It is […]
Knowing When to Navigate (and When to Netflix): Crucial Lessons from a Wild Holiday Weekend
The unofficial start of summer is officially here, but Mother Nature didn’t exactly roll out the red carpet. While Memorial Day weekend usually marks the grand reopening of our favorite waterways, this past weekend served up a harsh reminder of how quickly a fun day on the water can turn into a serious rescue operation. […]
The Real You or Me
I was so delighted last week. I walked into a Free People shop and it was like being in a candy store. Beautiful, Fun, Bohemian clothes in great colors. Was actually better than a candy store. I have always loved their stuff, but mostly from the window. I don’t know why , I just never […]
A Taste of Bergen Local Favorites That Show Off Our Delicious Diversity
Bergen County’s dining scene is one of the most exciting in New Jersey. Within just a few miles, you can travel across continents through food — from Mediterranean elegance to Vietnamese street-food flavors, modern American creativity, and comforting classics. That’s part of what makes eating in Bergen so special: the choices are wonderfully diverse, eclectic, […]
Locked In
This past week parts of the northeast experienced a true blizzard, high winds and between 15 “and 24” of the white stuff. It sure looks pretty, but for me, it is anything but. Snow belongs on the ski slopes period. People who say they love snow probably do not have teen age drivers, or kids […]
Alan’s Banana Bread Recipe
We are not a family with recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation, well until now. We, my husband and I, have two recipes that our whole extended family loves. I am going to share one of them with you today. This recipe for banana bread is easy, foolproof and delicious. I […]
In Anticipation of the Academy Awards
On January 22nd we will find out which films and all the other categories will be nominated for an Oscar. This has been a great year for film. Grown up, thought provoking and sometimes absurd to make a point. I have seen six of them. No special effects, no super heroes, just films that will touch […]
Teaneck’s Two-Mandolin Miracle: A Holiday Tale of Theft, Regret, and Redemption?
In the heart of Teaneck, New Jersey — that charming Bergen County borough — something straight out of a holiday movie happened this past December. It wasn’t miracle on 34th Street… but it was close. At Lark Street Music, the beloved vintage guitar and stringed-instrument shop that’s been part of the community’s soundtrack for decades, cameras caught a very […]
My Amazing Artifact
Someone sent me this essay and I thought it was extraordinary. Jack is a sixth grader and this is his response to an assignment. I wanted to share it. My artifact, a 1795 dated half dollar, is one of my favorite coins. It’s made out of silver with dark, beautiful, toning on the faces and […]