The Green Scene

Going green from the ground up? Walk, pedal or if you must, drive over to the Rariran Exposition Center for the first Northeast Green Building and Design Show. You'll find dozens of energy-efficient and environmentally-responsible products along with services and ideas for green building and remodeling. Raritan Expositon Center Edison, NJ http://www.njexpocenter.com/ October 8, 10 am-6 pm October 9, 10 am-5 pm $10 in advance for both days, www.gogreenexpo.com $20 at the door

PINK Bagels

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Panera’s New Jersey locations are going pink! Beginning tomorrow, Panera will donate 25 cents to the Cancer Institute of New Jersey for each Pink Ribbon bagel purchased at any of their 37 New Jersey locations. Last year they raised more than $6,000. Jim Nawn, a NJ Panera franchise owner, brought the Pink Ribbon campaign to New Jersey to support Sue Stees, a Panera franchisee in Oklahoma, who was fighting breast cancer. “I started with Operation Dough-nation which was just financial support but now Panera’s contribution has blossomed into a month-long event with activities and a special luncheon for local cancer survivors.” Panera will also be offering the pink ribbon bagel, which was designed by Stees in 2001 and is sold in all participating Panera’s across the country. This year also marks the 10th anniversary of Panera in New Jersey and in celebration, three North Jersey locations are holding “Panera in Pink” day on October 1st. Residents of West Orange, the first store, and their neighbors in Montclair and West Caldwell will be treated to a free pink ribbon bagel and coffee (with purchase) for dressing in pink that day. And if pink is your color, go BIG! Customers who show up in the most “Pinkerific’ outfit may just win a free lunch courtesy of Panera. Jim Nawn has turned his franchise into more than just a café and bakery. For him, he has given New Jersey residents what he calls a “gathering place in a community.” For more information about The Cancer Institute of New Jersey and ways to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month, www.cinj.org. This column was written by blogger Hilary Morris of Mrs Mo’s New Jersey who helps manage and promote NJ My Way.

Jersey City Artists' Studio Tour

The 2009 Jersey City Artists' Studio Tour gives you the chance to visit more than 600 artists in more than eighty venues including their private studios. This year's three-day citywide celebration begins Friday evening, October 2, during the kick-off party at Grace Church and concludes Sunday, October 4, with a closing party hosted by Jersey City Museum, from 6 to 8pm. Studio Tour Map and Guides will be available for free at the Kick Off Celebration, at Grove and Journal Square Path Stations on Sat. and Sun. Oct. 3rd and 4th from 11am-6pm, and in the Hudson Reporter up to 7 days before the Studio Tour.

OIL Change

There are a lot of reasons to visit the new Calandra's Italian Village in Bloomfield--maybe you'll want to have Sunday dinner in the restaurant with your extended family or watch Monday night football in the comfy bar. Maybe you'll pick up some fresh pastries or bread in the bakery, treat yourself to some gelato or stock up on Italian specialty foods. But what ever you go for, when you leave, be sure to pick-up a bottle of the house olive oil to take home. It's the same fragrant and fruity oil that graces your table in the restaurant. You know, the one they serve and top with freshly grated parmegian cheese for pre-dinner dipping. A delicious meal can be made of the bread and a bowl of Nonna’s Hand Pulled Chicken & Vegetable Soup...well maybe I'll have a salad too...and a glass of wine!

234 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell, NJ

973.226.8889

NJ Wine Tours

These first crisp days of autumn are the perfect time to tour some of the state’s prettiest spots and taste the local wine. Let’s begin at the Cape May Winery and Vineyard (www.capemaywinery.com). This vineyard has been producing delicious wines for 10 years and has won dozens of metals in State competitions. They offer a fantastic tour of the vineyard, a delicious wine, fruit and cheese tasting, and a souvenir vineyard glass. Tomasello Winery (www.tomasellowinery.com) in Hammonton has been producing quality wine since the 1930’s. Tomasello produces approximately 30 still wines and eight sparkling wines, all made from estate-grown fruit or fruit from local farmers. This winery uses only the finest fruit for its wine, giving it brilliant flavor.

Wine is any fermented beverage made from fruit… and our state is one of the largest producers of blueberries and cranberries. Tomasello creates blueberry, cranberry, cherry and red raspberry wines which are rich in antioxidants and other healthy elixirs. Alba Vineyards (www.albavineyard.com) is nestled in the village of Finesville. They have created a recognizable style of wine making which borrows from the past, looks to the future, and emulates the finest wineries in the world. Their mission is to offer honest craftsmanship inherent value and unmatched service. Tasting Friday, Saturday, & Sunday plus all kinds of special events.

This NJ My Way article was contributed by Jason Spages, owner of the Vino Fine Wines and Spirits in Boonton (www.vinofinewines.com). Check out Vino’s facebook (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=33377&id=1499670495&saved#/profile.php?id=1499670495&ref=name) for singles events, tastings, and other special events at this marvelous store.

Stage Fright

Your house has been on the market for 6 months. You lowered the price by $40,000 and are considering dropping it even further. Your home is priced to sell for the current market, so why won't it sell? The problem: Your house may not be staged to sell. You need to see Vicky Salazar of Lawrenceville, who conquers all stage fright with functional and practical solutions. Vicky’s Salazar Redesign, LLC (http://www.salazarredesign.com/) is a home staging service for homeowners who are looking to sell or de-clutter. “It gets them unstuck in a very stuck real estate market,” says Vicky. Vicky uses the owner’s own furnishings and accessories to accent the homes' features and minimize flaws. She claims her proven techniques will attract a buyer within minutes of walking in the door. The pictures here tell the story; the slightly cluttered and busy bedroom was transformed into a hotel style retreat with neutral colors and a welcoming bottle of wine. Simple and relatively inexpensive changes can make the difference between getting the price you want – as opposed to what you settle for. “I … like to see peoples’ reactions to the transformation of the home they have lived in for so long with just some simple and inexpensive ideas. Many never thought their homes can look as good,” Vicky says. If you think your home may qualify for some home staging expertise, but you're not ready to hire a professional, here are some quick tips from Vicky to get started: De-clutter Inside and Outside: Remove any excess tools/toys etc in front and back yards. Remove excess inside off of counters, cabinets and furniture. Clean: Sweep and mop all floors for showings. Steam clean carpets before open house. Clear cobwebs from front and back doors. Repair: Patch holes, repair broken screens and anything that needs fixing. Neutralize: Remove collectibles, personal pictures and paint over any bold colors. Enhance: Show off the space in the room or fireplace and architecture. Already exhausted reading this? Call a pro like Vicky to take charge. Then watch what happens to buyers when the house lights come on, and your home takes center stage. NJ My Way contributor Hilary Morris authored this article. You can find more of her work on http://www.mrsmonj.com/ .

Zipped and Pumped

TREND WATCH: The exposed zipper is one of Fall's hottest looks from tip to toe. The Lola Peep-toe booties ($360) and Jacky pumps ($325) from Elizabeth and James are ruffled and ready for a fashion rendezvous.

You'll find more great zipper looks in NJSL's upcoming October issue-

bloomingdales.com

Cell Support

 

If you’re one of the estimated 130 million Americans getting a new cell phone, why not put your old phone to good use instead of squirreling it away in a drawer? The non-profit group, Cell Phones for Soldiers, uses your donation to provide pre-paid talk time for our troops overseas to call home. At the website you can print a postage-free shipping label, find a drop-off location and even get directions on erasing the memory from your cell. 

www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com

Tools Of The Trades

The cooler weather makes us think of feathering our nests for the winter; getting to that indoor decorating project that we've put off for the past months. or buying some new furniture or appliances. For inspiration, we recommend a visit to a place where simplicity rules. The Museum of Early Trades and Crafts (www.metc.org) is a fun way to get some ideas. Housed in Madison's historic James Library building, the museum is dedicated to preserving the art of making things before there were machines and factories for mass production. Before everything said Made In China. It is full of tools and artifacts used by the earliest makers and merchants. Wood, metal, leather and textiles; the basics you find in your home and furniture, were created by New Jersey's original artisans. You'll find crates and barrels made the old fashioned way. Trunks that were used for luggage and not ornament. Urns and churns that held kitchen staples and produced butter that would make Julia Child proud. A zoetrope for viewing pictures was the entertainment center. Afterwards, when you look for ways to feather your nest, remember the carefully made, sturdy and long lasting chatzkas of days past. You might even pick up a hand tool, and carve out a niche for yourself!

Pizza Plus

A Mano: whispers and purrs from Naples By Joel Levin Strategically sited on Ridgewood's Restaurant Row, A Mano is one of only three American restaurants with certification for authenticity from both Neapolitan rating agencies, such a big deal that their PR folk treated us to dinner to learn what it's all about. Two eight-foot-diameter igloo-red-tiled ovens dominate the handsome, clean open space seating 120 on two levels. 22-foot ceilings and clerestory windows complete this culinary cure for claustrophobia. In this pizza-plus place, discard any ideas you've had about pizzas and southern Italian cuisine; there's no gloppy red sauce. The motif here is subtlety -- seasonings that whisper and tastes that purr. A Mano means "by hand." It's comforting to know and taste that the mozzarella, the pies, and everything on the menu is made from scratch as you watch. The fruitwood-fueled 1000-degree ovens produce 20+ varieties of pizza in 60-90 seconds. Imported 00 Caputo flour, water, yeast, salt, incendiary heat, and careful attention are the sole ingredients in the heavenly crust. Start with mozzarella/grilled vegetables/prosciutto pinwheels and the best-ever arancia (fried riceballs), crispy greaseless wonders stuffed with pasta and squash. Can't decide? Choose a hot sampler. Then devour a pie fragrant with smoke and order a special like chicken cacciatore or tilapia/tomato/onions en papillote. Mama mia, the meatballs are a must! Until the fall menu, content yourself with a meatball pizza. Beef, eggs, Parmiggiano, and garlic combine for an Olympian "10" score. Our only questions about our experience are: how can foods as minimalist as grilled artichokes with Parmiggiano shaved over arugula, and gnocchi in marinara taste so good? Of the homemade gelati, our favorites were coconut and amarena (cherry). Nutella pizza (the nutty chocolate topping on sugar-dusted dough) was elemental and fabulous, just one of many house-baked desserts. Those serious about casual dining (including us) will make return visits to try more of old Napoli from the more than 50 menu entries. Autentico is the reason A Mano was built. Autentico is why you'll be back. A Mano 24 Franklin Avenue, Ridgewood 201.493.2000 amanopizza.com lunch and dinner served seven days.

JOEL LEVIN's reviews of food and wine, entertainment, automobiles, and travel are distributed through New Jersey Newspaper Group. He can be reached at JL@NJNewsGroup.com.

Giant Taste with Giants Players

Mix and mingle with current and former Giants players as you munch, crunch and savor delicous offerings from some of the metropolitan area's favorite restaurants. Chefs from TAO, Blue Smoke, STK Steakhouse, Patsy's and Sushi Samba (to name a few) are joining forces with

General admission tickets are $250 each, with a limited number of VIP tickets available for $400 each. To purchase tickets, please visit www.giants.com or www.ticketmaster.com. WHO: Current and former Giants players WHEN: Monday, October 19, 2009 Taste-Around: 7:00-9:30 pm VIP Hour: 6:00-7:00 pm WHERE: Stadium Club at Giants Stadium 50 Route 120 East Rutherford, NJ 07073 WHY: Hunger is a growing concern in our local communities and in America today, there are more than 36 million people suffering from food insecurity. All proceeds from this event will benefit the ShopRite Partners In Caring fund, a year-round community-based program that fights hunger in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut and Maryland.

Dog Day Afternoon

I read Suzanne Zimmer Lowery's article, "Get Your Hot Dogs Here," (NJSL JUNE, 08 ) last summer with great relish (yeah, I know its a lame pun) and it got me salivating to try one of NJ's most revered hot dogs. Yet somehow a year slipped by with nary a bite. So on a recent Saturday I finally dragged (actually he was happy to go) hubby with me to Hot Dog Johnny's in Buttzville.

Being neophytes, we looked for a menu (non-existent) and then asked what to order. The offerings are limited, hot dogs, french fries (served in a brown paper bag), soda (birch beer for the regulars) and buttermilk. Yes, buttermilk, it seemed a little odd to me but they've been in business since 1944 so they must know what they're doing.

The signature dog was served on a roll with mustard under a snow cap of chopped raw onions and topped with a pickle spear. It was great!

Hot dog nirvana!

Thanks, Suzanne- Rutt's Hut is next!

Hot Dog Johnny's

Buttzville, NJ

Route 80 to Exit 12 and drive south Route 519 towards Hope, left on Route 46.

Note: You will pass right by the Four Sister's Winery on Route 519 if you're interested in a little wine tasting too!

www.hotdogjohnny.com

www.foursisterswinery.com