Destinations | Urban Agenda Magazine

Destination Morristown

Acorn Hall

Birthplace of the telegraph and home to NJ’s best meatballs.

By Sarah Emily Gilbert

Morristown, New Jersey has the conveniences of a city and the charm of suburbia. Along with access to mass transit and a walkable downtown, the Morris County town boasts Victorian-era homes, respected public schools, and historic sites. Among its estimated 18,594 residents are young professionals happy to find a culturally vibrant area where they can raise their families and arrive at Penn Station in an hour’s time. more

Intimate Moments With The Boss

By Ilene Dube

If you missed the MetLife concert or any of his four-hour, sold-out stadium performances, there’s still a chance. If you were not among the thousands who waited all night to be in line for one of his recent book signings, you can see The Boss in Princeton. Morven Museum & Garden is now exhibiting Bruce Springsteen: A Photographic Journey. more

Peace, Love, & Activism at Woodstock Farm Sanctuary

Jeff Lydon, Interim Executive Director at Woodstock Farm Sanctuary

By Taylor Smith

Photographs courtesy of Woodstock Farm Sanctuary

The heart of Woodstock Farm Sanctuary’s mission is to rescue farm animals and to allow those animals to become ambassadors for compassionate living. more

The Roots of Christmas Are In North Jersey’s Tree Farms

Photo Courtesy of Dixieland Farm in Chatham, NJ

By Sarah Emily Gilbert

Nothing can replicate the scent of a freshly cut Christmas tree. Perhaps that’s because it is more a memory than a smell. With that sweet-piney aroma comes Dad’s slushy boots walking through the living room with the tree in tow, dust billowing off ornaments as they’re unwrapped for the season, and decorative lights waiting to guide Santa Claus. Our local tree farms help preserve these old-fashioned family traditions by providing the quintessential choose and cut Christmas tree experience. If you’re pining for the holidays, plan a trip to one of the North Jersey tree farms outlined in our directory. more

NJ Summer Camp Fairs Scheduled for January

SUMMER THEATER: French Woods is an individual choice performing arts summer camp for children from 7 to 17 years old in Hancock, NY. They offer programs in theater, dance, music, circus, magic, rock and roll, visual arts, film and video, sports, tennis, fitness, water sports, skate board, horseback riding and more. Younger campers have more guidance and supervision, while older campers are able to take on some responsibility and have a chance to work in the areas of their interest. French Woods is just one of the many sleep away camps that will be represented at the NJ Camp Fairs across NJ.

You might not think that the dead of winter is the perfect time to find a summer camp for your child, but indeed it is. NJ Camp Fairs will be hosting a series of events this January 2017 where parents will have the opportunity to meet camp directors from exceptional day and sleepaway camps from around the country. more

Moving Forward/Looking Back at BergenPAC

Life Spring by Elizabeth Rundquist

A solo exhibition of mixed media paintings by Elizabeth Rundquist

The Sandy Bennett Art Gallery at the Bergen Performing Arts Center located at 30 North Van Brunt Street in Englewood, New Jersey hosts Moving Forward/ Looking Back: A solo exhibition of mixed media paintings by Elizabeth Rundquist. The art exhibit is in residence at The Sandy Bennett Art Gallery on the 2^nd floor of the bergenPAC now until December 29, 2016. The gallery is open to the general public during box office hours Monday – Friday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday, 12 p.m.-4 p.m., and is available to patrons of scheduled performances. There is a free reception open to the public on Friday, December 9, 2016 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. more

Shop Montclair, NJ

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Photo Credit: @howell_montclair

Look no further than Montclair, New Jersey for this year’s stocking stufffers!

2016 Turkey Trots in North Jersey

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Photo Credit: @nyrr

Run those calories away just in time for Turkey Day!

Photograph by © Nuno Lopes | Location: Vila Franca de Xira, Lisbon, Portugal; January 17, 2014

Catch a glimpse of the Supermoon tonight, or you’ll have to wait 86 years to see it again.

By Sarah Emily Gilbert

Most of us have heard of – and hopefully seen - the Supermoon that’s been illuminating the night sky. A Supermoon is a full moon that occurs when the moon is closest to Earth in its orbit. This usually happens every 14 months, but this month, the moon is the closest its been since 1948, making for a particularly spectacular sight. If you missed it this morning, you’ll still be able to see the awesome happening tonight and tomorrow morning, so keep your eyes to the skies! more

Pampering Knows No Gender

Male-Friendly Spas in Northern NJ & NYC

By Sarah Emily Gilbert

Spa days shouldn’t be a female-only experience. Treatments like facials and pedicures often fall into the “female sphere,” but men deserve to be primped and primed just as much as women. Unfortunately, that doesn’t make men feel more comfortable about entering a spa that’s likely to be full of women and decidedly feminine in its décor and amenities. There are, however, spas that are taking the industry into a unisex arena with male-focused services. Below, we highlight salons and spas that are making massages macho and are putting the “man” in manicure. more

Forget About Turkey, This Thanksgiving is All About the Wine

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By Sarah Emily Gilbert

“What grows together goes together.” This adage guides wine rookies and sommeliers alike through the complex art of food and wine pairing. It’s true that foods from a certain area often complement wines from a similar place, but what happens on Thanksgiving when your menu includes edibles from practically everywhere? The rules of food and wine pairing mean nothing when it comes to the eclectic flavors of this holiday feast. To help with this annual conundrum, some of the leading voices from northern New Jersey’s wine scene share their wine selections for this Thanksgiving.

Art Exhibits in Morris County, NJ

newcomb-pottery

Photo courtesy of stickleymuseum.org

Plan a trip to see these North Jersey exhibits before they close.

What’s cuter than a puppy? A puppy dressed as a pumpkin.

By Sarah Emily Gilbert

Many pet owners dress their canine companions in sweaters, tutus, and jackets on a regular basis, but Halloween is the time to take it to the next level. Trick-or-treaters shouldn’t be the only ones appreciating your Chihuahua Princess Leia or your Great Dane Harry Potter. This year, show your pet’s costumes off to the masses at one of New Jersey’s Halloween pet parades and other spooky events. more

Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns Comes to NJ!

Tickets are on sale for this family-friendly Halloween event.

By Sarah Emily Gilbert

Halloween, a time for costumes, candy, and paying to get the wits scared out of you.

We can get behind the costumes and candy, but it’s harder to understand the mass desire to visit haunted houses, fright fests, or the like come Halloween. There’s a good chance that Mike Pollock, executive producer of RISE of the Jack O’Lanterns, is right there with us. His company works year-round to create a family-friendly Halloween show that allows people to ditch the ditch ax-murderers and the headless horseman for 5,000 real pumpkins carved into intricate designs. more

This Weekend in Bergen: Oct. 7-9

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Friday, October 7

10:30 a.m.: “Fly Guy and Other Stories” at the Shea Center for Performing Arts at William Patterson University in Wayne. This sensory-friendly, new musical revue is a compilation of popular children’s books and open only to classes and families with children with autism.

6:30 p.m.: Sesame Street Live: Elmo Makes Music at NJPAC in Newark. Monsters make music? Yes, they do, and in wonderful ways, too. Children learn that everyone can make and enjoy beautiful music together! more

Celebrate Oktoberfest at North Jersey’s Breweries

Before the ‘fest ends on October 3, make sure you get your chance to yell, “Prost!" at a local brewery

Saturday, September 17 marked the beginning of Oktoberfest, where millions of people flock to Munich, Germany to consume just about a million liters of beer. As the world’s largest festival of its kind, Oktoberfest is something to experience. While we can’t fund your ticket to Europe, we can provide you a list of seasonal brews in NJ ready to be consumed. Here, North Jersey brewers share their seasonal beers for this fall. more

This Weekend in Bergen: Sept. 30 – Oct. 2

Friday, September 30

6-10PM Nightmare on River Road in New Milford, NJ. A very scary indoor attraction – if you dare (through Sunday, October 2)!

8PM Dinosaurs After Dark at Field Station Dinosaurs in Leonia, NJ. Walk the park by lantern and search for escaped dinosaurs (through October 29). more

The Zombies Are Coming, The Zombies Are Coming!

Whether you’re a zombie baby or a zombie grandpa, you’re wanted this weekend for Asbury Park’s annual Zombie Walk.

By Sarah Emily Gilbert

Warning: The 8^th Annual Asbury Park Zombie Walk is this Saturday, October 1. I say warning, not because the zombies are dangerous. In fact, they’re full of ghoul-gusto and are quite friendly. I say it because last year, I neglected to remember the date of the walk and ended up on a dinner date in Asbury amongst the living dead. However, if you’re feeling corpse-like, get your fake blood ready for this weekend. more

Maniac Pumpkin Carvers

Meet Marc Evan and Chris Soria, creators of museum-worthy pumpkin carvings

By Sarah Emily Gilbert

Salvador Dali’s The Persistence of Memory, Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night, and Maniac Pumpkin Carver’s annual Halloween pumpkin carving. more

Food Photography Tips From Fish.Eye Design

North Jersey foodies Anne Constance & Natalie Lewis share their tips for taking a savory snapshot

By Sarah Emily Gilbert

In the age of Instagram, people are sharing “foodstagrams” with their social media networks in unprecedented numbers. Perfectly plated veggie dishes and artfully designed acai bowls seem to be taking over the Internet, and we’re not complaining about it. This is particularly true when a photo from Fish.Eye Design (@fisheyedesign) pops-up on our Instagram newsfeed. more

Top Tier Cake Shops in Northern NJ

Have your cake, and eat it too...

Reserve a table at this celebrated Montclair restaurant

By Sarah Emily Gilbert

Modern American restaurant and gastro-lounge Pig & Prince takes the term “Jersey Fresh” to a whole other level. Co-owner and chef, Michael Carrino hails from Nutley and his Montclair restaurant features locally grown ingredients and humanely raised animals from Andover’s Pittenger Farm. more

Urban Insider: Autumn Essentials

It's fall, and with the changing colors and cooler temps comes a change in wardrobe!

Urban Insider: Back to School

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Move to the head of the class with these stylish products.

Photo Courtesy of Pinterest

By Sarah Emily Gilbert

Staircases are often viewed as a purely functional part of a home, but with a little inspiration, they can become its central design element. Companies like Glen Rock Stair Corporation in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey can translate client’s ideas into structurally sound works of art. For over 60 years, Glen Rock’s team of skilled carpenters has been building staircases for commercial and home properties throughout the Tri-state area. more

This Weekend in Bergen: September 2-4

Sleepy Hollow NY

Photo Credit: Historic Hudson Valley

Friday, September 2

9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.: Dino Dig at Liberty Science Center, 222 Jersey City Blvd., Jersey City. Dig for dinos at this special, limited-engagement event.

10 a.m. to 7 p.m.: New York Renaissance Faire in Tuxedo Park, NY. Partake in 16th century rides, games, arts, crafts, food, music, and dance (through October 2). more

Fun Facts About the 136th US Open

@usopen

Today marks day four of the US Open, where big-name celebrities and tennis fans alike flood to Queens, NY to watch some serious tennis before summer’s close. Here, we outline some interesting facts and figures about the highly anticipated USTA event.

Best Photo Editing Apps

Prisma 1

(Photo Courtesy of @prisma)

By Sarah Emily Gilbert

As of June 2016, Instagram reached 500 million users. That’s 500 million

iPhone photographers, also known as “iPhoneographers,” sharing their images with the world. In response to these numbers, companies have created photo-editing apps that allow you to manipulate photos in a variety of ways. Whether you’re looking to remove a blemish from a selfie or turn your image into a work of art, these apps allow users to separate their photos from the masses. more

Urban Insider: Jack Rogers’ Spirit Sandals

Show your school spirit with Jack Rogers’ new Spirit Sandals collection! Perfect for cheering on your favorite school team or club, each pair features their iconic whipstitching and rondelles.

Acorn Hall

Birthplace of the telegraph and home to NJ’s best meatballs.

Jeff Lydon, Interim Executive Director at Woodstock Farm Sanctuary

Photo Courtesy of Dixieland Farm in Chatham, NJ

Life Spring by Elizabeth Rundquist

A solo exhibition of mixed media paintings by Elizabeth Rundquist

Photo Credit: @howell_montclair

Look no further than Montclair, New Jersey for this year’s stocking stufffers!

Photo Credit: @nyrr

Run those calories away just in time for Turkey Day!

Photograph by © Nuno Lopes | Location: Vila Franca de Xira, Lisbon, Portugal; January 17, 2014

Catch a glimpse of the Supermoon tonight, or you’ll have to wait 86 years to see it again.

Male-Friendly Spas in Northern NJ & NYC

Photo courtesy of stickleymuseum.org

Plan a trip to see these North Jersey exhibits before they close.

What’s cuter than a puppy? A puppy dressed as a pumpkin.

Tickets are on sale for this family-friendly Halloween event.

Friday, October 7

Before the ‘fest ends on October 3, make sure you get your chance to yell, “Prost!" at a local brewery

Friday, September 30

Whether you’re a zombie baby or a zombie grandpa, you’re wanted this weekend for Asbury Park’s annual Zombie Walk.

Meet Marc Evan and Chris Soria, creators of museum-worthy pumpkin carvings

North Jersey foodies Anne Constance & Natalie Lewis share their tips for taking a savory snapshot

Have your cake, and eat it too...

Reserve a table at this celebrated Montclair restaurant

It's fall, and with the changing colors and cooler temps comes a change in wardrobe!

Move to the head of the class with these stylish products.

Photo Courtesy of Pinterest

Photo Credit: Historic Hudson Valley

Friday, September 2

Today marks day four of the US Open, where big-name celebrities and tennis fans alike flood to Queens, NY to watch some serious tennis before summer’s close. Here, we outline some interesting facts and figures about the highly anticipated USTA event.

(Photo Courtesy of @prisma)

Show your school spirit with Jack Rogers’ new Spirit Sandals collection! Perfect for cheering on your favorite school team or club, each pair features their iconic whipstitching and rondelles.

Shop for fall during the final days of summer!