3:30PM Reindeer Crafts at Lyndhurst Library in Lyndhurst, NJ. http://www.lyndhurstlibrary.org
7PM Kids Decorating Class: Holiday Gingerbread Houses at Chef Central in Paramus, NJ. http://bit.ly/1TDr81O
7PM NJ Devils vs. the Detroit Red Wings at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. www.prucenter.com
7PM Champagne & Candlelight at The Hermitage in Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ. http://thehermitage.org
8PM Molly Ringwald Visits the Club at NJPAC in Newark, NJ. http://www.njpac.org more
Interview by Lynn Adams Smith
Photography by Joe Garrad
abc carpet & home has been described as the magic carpet store. The flagship store windows are pure theater and act as the magnet that pulls shoppers in, for a full sensory experience. Once inside, the exploration begins, and be prepared for an inspirational visit.
There are six cavernous floors with a rustic warehouse atmosphere, filled with home furnishings, decor, chandeliers, pillows, jewelry, rugs, and much more. As you meander through the store and admire the creative selection of products, you will be immersed into the textures, colors, drama, and love of it all. Manena Frazier is the abc Visual Director and has shared insight into their aesthetic and vision. more
By Sarah Emily Gilbert
10AM-9PM Photos with Santa & Santa Paws at Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus, NJ (now through December 24). www.westfield.com/gardenstateplaza
5-8PM Ladies Night at Bars of Beauty in Oradell, NJ. Discounted blowouts, facials, and complimentary champagne. www.barsofbeauty.com
7PM Walt Disney on Ice 100 Years of Magic at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ (through Sunday, November 22). www.prucenter.com
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By Mort Zachter
Sixty years ago this month, the Brooklyn Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees to win their first and only World Series. Less than two years later, the Dodgers played their final game in Brooklyn and moved to Los Angeles.
For Brooklyn, the loss was immeasurable. The Dodgers were a source of civic pride—a final link to a time, before 1898, when Brooklyn was an independent city. Especially when it came to baseball, Brooklyn had always been cutting-edge, as well as quirky.
In 1862, the first enclosed baseball field ever built, the Union Grounds, opened in Williamsburg. A Brooklyn writer, Henry Chadwick, invented the box score. A Brooklyn pitcher, Candy Cummings, threw the first curve. A Brooklyn player, Dickey Pierce, laid down the first bunt. A Brooklyn manager, Wilbert Robinson, was the first, and probably the only person to try catching a grapefruit dropped from an airplane. And a courageous Brooklyn player, Jackie Robinson, became the first black man to play in the major leagues in the 20th century. more
By Sarah Emily Gilbert
Why spend a fortune booking a flight for a vacation when you can retreat in the good ol’ Garden State? New Jersey is home to a surprising number of charming inns and hotels that are full of character and coziness. If you are looking for a quiet, relaxing and more intimate getaway, the following destinations are perfect for you. more
By Sarah Emily Gilbert
On Saturday and Sunday, October 17-18, Open House New York (OHNY) presents the 2015 Open House New York Weekend, an open invitation to the public to discover, explore, and experience some of the most significant buildings across the five boroughs of New York City. A highly anticipated NYC tradition, OHNY Weekend celebrates architecture and urban design by opening the doors to hundreds of sites each year, ranging from the historic to the contemporary, for tours and talks. more
By Sarah Emily Gilbert
Summit, New Jersey is a modern locale steeped in history. Known as one of the most prestigious towns in the country, Summit was first settled around 1710 as a region of small farms. With the 1837 addition of the Morris and Essex railroad line, the town became increasingly commercialized and by the late 1800s, it was considered the premiere weekend resort area for wealthy city-dwellers. Summit, aptly named for its location atop the Second Watching Mountain, quickly became known for its rural charm. Due to its close proximity to New York City, many families built summer estates in the town to enjoy the fresh air and vast natural landscape. more
By Sarah Emily Gilbert
Assouline publishing’s In the Spirit of Napa with text by Jennifer Raiser provides the perfect mental reprieve from this heat wave. The stunning images of the valley’s rolling hills, sprawling vineyards, and impressive estates make you feel as if you’re amidst the dry air of Napa Valley sipping a glass of wine. Better yet, it helps you make your imaginings a reality by providing readers with a trip-planning guide to the region. The book includes surveys of Napa Valley’s local food and wine establishments, while specifying the best places for sightseeing, entertaining, recreation, and more. So, pour yourself a glass of wine and get some inspiration for your next trip to Napa through the stunning images below. more
By Linda Arntzenius
Photography by Nic Lehoux
The Whitney Museum of American Art’s move from the Upper East Side to the once gritty meatpacking district constitutes a seismic shift in Manhattan’s cultural scene and further confirms the city as a safe, family- and tourist-friendly place to visit. The first large-scale museum to take up residence downtown, the Whitney’s new $422 million nine-story building by architect Renzo Piano opened May 1. What the Upper East Side was in the mid-sixties, when the Whitney opened its Marcel Breuer-designed building on 75th Street and Madison Avenue, is now to be found south and west of Chelsea and the West Village. more
By Anne Levin
A century ago, touring impressive homes and gardens was a popular warm weather pastime. Just read up on Edith Wharton or Henry James, both of whom were known to spend weeks, if not months, being driven from one Gilded Age estate to another—perhaps gathering details for their novels. more
By Sarah Emily Gilbert
Images Courtesy of Glamping Hub
With adventure tourism on the rise, travelers are swapping their “sun and sand” vacation packages for zip lining, canopy tours, and the newly popular, glamping. A term that combines “glamour” and “camping,” glamping allows for the ultimate authentic camping experience. more
By Greta Cuyler
At the mouth of Barnegat Bay lies a quaint Victorian village with a family atmosphere that appears relatively untouched by time. Bay Head Borough is located on the Jersey Shore’s barrier island, nestled between Point Pleasant to the north and Mantoloking to the south. more
By Anne Levin
Sixteen years ago, Bill and Hillary Clinton bought a house on a quiet cul de sac in Chappaqua, New York. The political power couple was putting down post-White-House roots so that Hillary could run, and win, the election to become United States senator from New York. The ink on the real estate deal was barely dry before the media was staking out this leafy town in the middle of Westchester County. more
By Sarah Emily Gilbert
Known as “the park in the sky,” the High Line has transformed into more of “a museum in the sky” thanks to the non-profit conservancy group, Friends of the High Line. Since 2009, they have raised funds to create a rich collection of art installations along the reclaimed elevated freight rail line that intersects New York’s Meat Packing District and Chelsea. The result of their efforts is a park meets public art gallery that is just as limitless, accessible, and awe-inspiring as the open air that surrounds it. With six million annual visitors and universal recognition, the High Line has become a symbol of the art-infused revitalization and gentrification efforts that are sweeping urban areas. As a way to celebrate the sixth anniversary of the High Line art program and extend the life of its yearlong art installations, the Friends of the High Line released their Skira Rizzoli book, High Art: Public Art on the High Line. more
By Taylor Smith
There is more to Aspen/Snowmass, Vail, and Beaver Creek than just world class skiing. These Colorado resorts deliver it all – fine dining, distinctive nightlife, shopping, and cosmopolitan base villages. Sunny days are frequent and the snow is deep. Add to that the dramatic mountain vistas and western attitude, and it’s no wonder that these resorts are considered to be some of the best in North America.
VAIL MOUNTAIN RESORT
VAIL, COLORADO more
By Taylor Smith
Directly north of New York City lies the Hudson River Valley, an incredibly unique place that has inspired generations of artists and creative types. The art and history museums are numerous and could easily occupy a traveler for weeks, but there are also several dozen “can’t miss” Hudson River Estates, many of which are open to the public. Large mansions overlooking the lush, loamy farmland and seductive landscape of the Hudson Valley, these sites were once home to the rich, famous, and downright eccentric. more
By Taylor Smith
The Brandywine River Valley encompasses sections of Southeastern Pennsylvania and Northern Delaware. This is horse country, rich in farmland, rolling hills, and history. The area is dotted with 19th century grist mills and Civil War sites. In autumn, the foliage is alive with color and the many bed and breakfast lodgings open their doors to weekend travellers. It’s no wonder that the famously talented Wyeth clan made the Brandywine their primary home when they weren’t in Maine. Located only a few hours from Philadelphia and Manhattan, the Brandywine makes for a relaxing long weekend. Visitors will soon come to understand why it is often referred to as the “England of Pennsylvania.” more
By Taylor Smith
Saratoga Springs was historically a place of healing. Prior to the arrival of wealthy American barons and European aristocrats, the Mohawk Indians bathed in the naturally carbonated mineral springs that dotted the area. By the 1830s, dozens of springs were outfitted so that tourists could “take to the waters,” hoping to heal all sorts of ailments ranging from depression to diabetes. more
By Taylor Smith
Nantucket is a storied island off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The island’s maritime history is legendary. Whaling was at the heart of Nantucket’s culture and livelihood until the mid-19th Century. Many of the original islanders were connected to the sea in some way, and all of them lived by it. Spontaneous storms, fog, and strong currents often caught sailors and visitors to the island off-guard. more
By Taylor Smith
New Jersey is gifted with approximately 217 miles of coastline. During the summer months, it is not uncommon to hear discussions of your neighbor’s “shore” house or when the family reunion is planned at one of the local beach rentals. In fact, ask anyone who was raised in New Jersey what their fondest childhood memories are and they will undoubtedly mention summers spent “down the shore.” For such a small state, each beach is unique in its own way. While Ocean City is alcohol-free and kid-oriented, Asbury Park is rock and roll, and Spring Lake is country club chic.
No matter where your summertime memories reside, the shore is entwined within many New Jersey residents’ identity and it can’t be ignored. more
By Taylor Smith
Consistently ranked the number one ski resort on the East Coast, Mont Tremblant easily combines many a New Yorker’s twin passions of winter and everything French. Located in rural Quebec, Tremblant is nestled neatly inside of the Laurentian Mountains. Here, caribou and moose roam freely and yak jerky is the snack of choice. Known as “trembling mountain,” Tremblant is now easily accessible via shuttle from Montreal-Trudeau International Airport. Notably, Tremblant and Mont Blanc represent the two highest peaks in the Laurentian range. Today, the term “Mont Tremblant” refers to both the Mountain and the Village that make up this ski resort. During the winter resort season of November through April, the resort shuttle will transport visitors from the airport runway to the slopes of the mountain. more
By Taylor Smith
Located about 90 miles north of New York City and 160 miles southwest of Boston, the Hudson Valley is steeped in history as rich as its soil. The area was initially home to Algonquian-speaking tribes before being settled by Northern Europeans at the start of the 17th century. It was Henry Hudson who first sailed down the dramatic river that now bears his name. Much of the area was then turned into fruitful farmland, supplying vast amounts of produce and meat to New York City. It wasn’t long before the magnetic quality of this land attracted painters like Frederic Edwin Church, Thomas Cole, and others of the Hudson River School. Writers Edith Wharton and Washington Irving set many a vivid tale in the Hudson Valley. The area also nurtured great political thinkers like Franklin D. Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Robert Livingston. more
