First a Book then a Bottle!

"Everyone wants to drink a margarita, but no one wants the guilt or the calories. That's why I created the Skinnygirl Margarita - the margarita you can trust," says Bethenny Frankel. The New York Times best-selling author, Real Housewives of New York City reality star and personal chef  calls herself a "Fix-ologist." She fixes recipes to be enjoyed without worrying about the waistline.
Frankel will be having a "bottle signing" for  Skinnygirl Margarita, her pre-mixed premium 100 calorie cocktail in Wayne.

Thursday, March 18, 2010, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm 

Gary's Wine & Marketplace of Wayne

1308 Rt. 23 North, Wayne, NJ 07470
Phone: 973-633-3900

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Give the Look... Get the Look

Prom is a magical time for high school students and every girl wants to wear a special dress but not every girl can afford to purchase the gown of her dreams.
The mission of Catherine's Closet,  a non-profit organization founded in 2002, is to collect gently worn dresses from across New Jersey and sell them for just $20.00 to girls in need.  All  proceeds from the sales are used to provide scholarships for students who volunteer with the organization.  To date, over 6,000 girls in New York/New Jersey have benefited from the generosity of Catherine’s Closet, Inc. and over $20,000 has been awarded in scholarships! 
Do you have a dress to donate? Giving the look is made easy-gowns can be dropped off at Bloomingdales in Bridgewater, now through Sunday March 14. 
Then Get the Look on Sunday, April 10, 1 – 5 pm at Bloomingdale's special prom event with a live DJ, the latest prom fashions, accessories, make-up and hair ideas.


Bloomingdale’s at Bridgewater Commons

410 Commons Way, Bridgewater, NJ 08807

Dresses on 2

Catherine's Closet, Inc., P.O. Box AR, Paterson, New Jersey 07509 

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Healthy Indulgence

If you're tempted to visit Atlantic City during restaurant week for the low impact to your wallet ($15.10 for lunch, $33.10 for dinner), don't worry about the high impact on your waistline! In conjunction with the AtlantiCare Foundation, one of the sponsors of Atlantic City Restaurant Week, chefs have included specially designated Heart Healthy items such as spice rubbed salmon served with roasted corn salsa and tomatillo puree, available at Knife and Fork Inn (pictured above) and pan seared Black Pearl Scottish salmon with roasted butternut squash and brussels sprouts at Steve & Cookie's by the Bay in Margate.

Days, times and menus for these restaurants and many more are available online at www.acrestaurantweek.com, along with chef bios, parking and transportation information, and links to hotel rates and packages. To receive mobile updates about Atlantic City Restaurant Week text "ACRW" to 77950, we'll give you tips and ideas to enjoy the week even more.

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CABIN FEVER????

Nothing like being stuck inside all day, staring at the NJ tundra, wearing sweatpants and eating peanut butter out of the jar (note to self: keep some bread in the freezer) to make me want to plan a wonderful evening O-U-T!!! Next Friday, I'm joining Chef Jason at the Salt Creek Grille in Princeton for a wine tasting dinner featuring wines from Argentina and Chile. I'm backing off the peanut butter and looking forward to mingling with fellow diners over fois gras with roasted fruit chutney and prosciutto wrapped lobster guava skewers (and those are just two of the starters!). The reception period will be followed by a three course meal as a wine expert talks about the pairing choices. Reception and 3-course menu for $79 plus tax and gratuity, created by Amy Foulks and Jason Hensle.
Friday, March 5th from 6:30-9:30
Salt Creek Grille
Princeton Forrestal Village, Princeton, 609.419.4200
saltcreekgrille.com

Love Potions

Have your chocolate and drink it too!

Raspberry White Chocolate Truffle

1-1/2 oz Van Gogh Raspberry Vodka

1/2 oz White chocolate Godiva Liqueur

1-1/2 oz White crème de Cocoa

1 oz Raspberry Liqueur

 3 Raspberries

Combine liquid ingredients in a shaker and shake over ice. Strain into
glass. Garnish with raspberries on a pick.





Hearts Afire

2 oz Van Gogh Dutch Chocolate Vodka

4 oz Hot Chocolate

3 Roasted marshmallows on small skewer

Pour Van Gogh Dutch Chocolate Vodka into a mug and add hot chocolate.
Garnish with home-roasted marshmallows on a skewer or whipped cream.
(Always use caution when handling hot liquids).

From Scrolls to Dumplings...

...and all sorts of fun (and mostly free) events between! Chinese art, culture, film and food will be explored from February 24 through April 25 in a series of concerts, exhibitions, art symposia, film screenings, and food lecture demonstrations at Montclair State University's Chinese Festival 2010.

For further information, please call University Communications at (973) 655-4333 or visit Chinese Festival 2010.

NJ FILM FESTIVALS

THE RUTGERS FILM CO-OP/NJMAC

Dedicated to the noncommercial exhibition of independent, classic, international, and experimental films and videos.

Rutgers Film Co-Op/New Jersey Media Arts Center

New Brunswick, New Jersey

732.932.8482

NJMAC@aol.com   e-mail

www.njfilmfest.com    Various dates throughout JANUARY, FEBRUARY and MARCH 

NJ STATE FILM FESTIVAL

New Jersey’s premiere weekend film festival dedicated exclusively to the support and presentation of creative, challenging, groundbreaking, film/video works by New Jersey filmmakers. Cape May, www.njstatefilmfestival.com   NOVEMBER 

THE GARDEN STATE FILM FESTIVAL

Founded to promote the art of filmmaking on all levels by showcasing a wide variety of film, video and animated works as well as provide educational programs in the creative arts to the public by industry leaders.

Asbury Park,  www.gsff.org   MARCH
BLACK MARIA

An international juried competition and award tour that advocates cutting edge works from independent film and videomakers. www.blackmariafilmfestival.org

Various dates and places through out the year
THE TRENTON FILM SOCIETY

A variety of exciting year-round programs designed to be of interest to both the casual and the most discriminating of moviegoers.
www.trentonfilmfestival.org   

NJ JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL

The best of Israeli, American, and international films of Jewish interest and content. Various Theaters throughout northern NJ.  973.530.3473
www.njjff.org, MARCH 

HOBOKEN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

"HIFF" is dedicated to showcasing and promoting fine non-studio films, TV pilots, and screenplays from filmmakers throughout the United States and internationally. www.hobokeninternationalfilmfestival.com Various theaters including outdoors at Pier A Park, JUNE
PARABOX INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Shown at the Luna Stage and the Montclair Public Library Auditorium in Montclair.

973.509.7300 or 1.866.744.0774 for updated information on movies, showtimes, and ticket prices for the Montclair International Film Festival.
www.montclairfilmfestival.com, JUNE