Sun Valley at Florham Park

Five Celebrated Photographers You Should Know

admin — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:33:26 +0000

The famous photographer Dorothea Lange once said: “Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still.” If you’re fascinated by the power of what a camera can capture, read on to learn about five renowned photographers who have altered life by “holding it still” for an instant:

Ansel Adams

Ansel Adams (1902-1984) was best known for his black-and-white photos of life in the American West, particularly his images depicting Yosemite National Park. His technical innovations and unique usage of large-format cameras gave his photos a rare clarity and depth.

Christopher Burkett

Christopher Burkett (1951 -) is an acclaimed landscape photographer whose photographs often depict sweeping vistas of the natural world. Burkett’s award-winning photography also possesses a strong spiritual element, which many critics contribute to Burkett’s involvement in a Christian brotherhood in the 1970s. In 2011, he was one of twelve photographers honored with a prestigious Hasselblad Masters Award.

Dorothea Lange

Dorthea Lange (1895 – 1965), the woman who authored the quote mentioned above, also happens to be one of America’s most noted photographers. She is particularly famous for her work depicting people during the Great Depression. Her pictures captured displaced farm families, sharecroppers, and struggling migrant workers, bringing public attention to often-ignored social issues and conditions.

William Klein

William Klein (1928 -) is famous for his innovative picture-taking techniques as a photojournalist and fashion photographer. He rose to prominence as a Vogue photographer and then expanded outward into other areas, gaining particular renown for his photo essays centered on various cities. His photos of 1950s New York are definite must-see highlights of American photography.

Annie Leibovitz

Annie Leibovitz (1949 -) is a celebrated photographer most famous for her work capturing intimate portraits of celebrities and important cultural figures. She worked for several years as the chief photographer for Rolling Stone Magazine. Her work has been printed in hundreds of publications and displayed all over the world, and she was featured (the first women ever to appear) in an exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery.

The Best Indian Food In Morris County: Cinnamon Indian Restaurant

admin — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:38:04 +0000

This fantastic Northern Indian restaurant has been tantalizing diners with an extensive menu of dishes for years. You’ll fall in love with Cinnamon from the minute the servers bring the basket of complimentary garlic naan to your table—diners unanimously agree that their take on the traditional Indian flatbread is some of the best you’ll find anywhere. Thankfully, the rest of the menu offers plenty of delicious dishes to soak up with that bread. Regulars rave about the delicious saag paneer, chicken tikka masala, lamb kachi mirchwalla, and more. There really isn’t a bad note on the menu, though, so order with confidence and you won’t be disappointed. Service is attentive and helpful, with the staff able to explain the flavors that you might not be familiar with. Some complain that the prices are a little high for Indian fare, but budget-conscious diners visit at lunch to take advantage of the well-stocked buffet.

Cinnamon Indian Restaurant
2920 New Jersey 10
Morris Plains, NJ 07950
(973) 734-0040
www.cinnamonindianrestaurant.com

Rise And Shine: Exceptional Egg Breakfasts

admin — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:48:34 +0000

Eggs are the cornerstone of many a breakfast, but it’s easy to get tired of some of the standard preparations. If you’ve had one too many mornings start with scrambled eggs, here are five new ideas for interesting egg breakfasts.

Toad in a hole is a classic British preparation – use a jar or cookie cutter to punch a hole in the middle of a slice of bread, then fry it in a pan. Crack an egg in the middle and cook them all together for a delicious meal.
Bake eggs in small ceramic ramekins with sliced tomato and spinach. These dishes will come out like miniature quiches with much less preparation time.
Make a savory and delicious omelet with fresh mozzarella, basil, and slices of tomato. This Italian flavor combination is healthy and tasty.
For a different take on the omelet, fill a finished egg omelet with strawberries and sour cream. Eggs actually go really well with sweet flavors, and this unusual combination is a winner.
Make an egg sandwich on whole wheat bread or English muffins and top it with sharp cheddar cheese and slices of avocado. This is a delicious and portable breakfast if you’re in a hurry.

Newark Museum: World of Art

admin — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:38:48 +0000

Where else in Newark can you gaze at the galaxies through a high-tech star projector, behold a Tibetan altar that’s been consecrated by the Dalai Lama and take a leisurely stroll through a sculpture garden? It’s all happening here at the Newark Museum, the largest museum in the state of New Jersey. Early American art, African art, Native American art, modern art and their collection of classical Greek, Etruscan, and Roman art are also part of the permanent exhibits at the museum. Also on the grounds and available for touring are the historic Victorian-era Ballantine mansion, a restored 1784 stone school house, and the Newark Fire Museum. The Newark Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Newark Museum
49 Washington Street
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 596-6550

New Jersey Nets: Ready to Surprise

admin — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:40:57 +0000

The New Jersey Nets have one more year to make a splash in Newark before heading to Brooklyn. There's still plenty of time to say goodbye in style, though, and head coach Avery Johnson intends to put some excitement into the Prudential Center. Last season may have had its disappointments, but Johnson is more than capable of helping his team win, as his time with the Dallas Mavericks made abundantly clear. With the start of his sophomore season with the Nets, he's got talent to make that happen. Deron Williams is a two time all-star, and the recent acquisitions of veterans Shelden Williams and Mehmet Okur will add some serious and needed depth to the Nets' frontcourt game. This adds, of course, to a roster already featuring the skills of players like Brook Lopez, Kris Humphries, and Sundiata Gaines. A number of people will tell you that this is a year of rebuilding to get ready for the team's move into the Barclays Center for the 2012-13 season. Those folks, though, are ignoring a lot of talent already on the roster, and a coach well acquainted with success. With all of the strength in Jersey this season, the Nets may just surprise the naysayers who think that the team is only building for Brooklyn. Stick around, because these guys aren't done with Jersey just yet.

For all of your Nets needs, including schedules, merchandise, and tickets, visit http://www.nba.com/nets

Pat Thai: A Morris County Must For Thai Food

admin — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:40:41 +0000

Originally located in a somewhat downmarket spot in Bloomfield, NJ, Pat Thai’s relocation to Parsippany is the best thing that could have happened to the place. Locals have been raving about the excellent, authentic Thai dishes here for years, and you’ll know why from your first bite. The menu is massive, with over a hundred dishes ranging from familiar favorites to excellent new sensations. Regulars rave about the excellent curries, with the Massaman curry a special standout; this robust, comforting meal is laden with meat and vegetables and perfectly spiced. A note to adventurous diners: pay attention to the Pat Thai's spice ratings—when they give a dish the highest "Hot Two Star" rating they mean it, so make sure you can handle the heat. The restaurant does not have a liquor license, so bring your own wine or beer to enjoy with dinner.

Pat Thai
435 North Beverwyck Rd
Parsippany, NJ 07054
(973) 257-1444
www.patthai.net

New York at the Holidays

admin — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 16:05:49 +0000

There’s nothing quite like New York City at the holidays – festive crowds, sparkling lights, and countless attractions that perfectly capture the season's spirit. Here are some must-visit New York sites for the holiday season:

Rockefeller Center
No holiday adventure in New York would be complete without a visit to this iconic location. Every year, thousands of people flock to see the dazzling Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. Make sure you also check out the famous Rockefeller ice skating rink, where you can watch skaters in action or strap on a pair of skates and join the fun.

Holiday Windows
At Christmastime, New York’s most famous department stores unveil brilliantly artistic and elaborate holiday window displays. Macy’s, Lord & Taylor, Bloomingdales, and Barneys are just a few of the stores that attract awed window-gazing crowds every season.

Radio City Christmas Spectacular
If you want the ultimate New York City holiday experience, make sure to book tickets for the classic Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall. The show features song and dance numbers that will truly dazzle you, as well as stunning sets and costumes. The iconic Rockettes steal the show, of course!

Holiday Train Show
Every year, the New York Botanical Garden hosts a holiday exhibit featuring model trains and replicas of New York City landmarks, popular with people of all ages. The exhibit is housed in Garden’s Conservatory, a lovely indoor space, so it’s an ideal holiday outing in any kind of weather.

New York City Pops
If you love holiday music, you won’t find a better concert that the annual New York City Pops holiday celebration at Carnegie Hall. This year the featured singers are John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey, described by the New York Times as a “musical match made in heaven.”

Get Your Dose of Entertainment at the Bergen Performing Arts Center

admin — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 14:19:40 +0000

New Jersey has a horrible reputation as a pretty lowbrow state, but institutions like Englewood’s Bergen Performing Arts Center buck that stereotype. Established in 2004 to rehabilitate the John Harms Center, which had been one of North Jersey’s most-respected arts venues until closing in 2003, the Performing Arts Center has grown to be a fantastic venue for performances of all types. The venue is now a primary location for the New Jersey Ballet, which performs there several times a year, as well as a wide variety of touring musicians from all genres of music. Attendees rave about the hall’s excellent acoustics and great sightlines. During intermission, walk over to the Intermezzo Art Gallery to take in great exhibitions by local artists. The Center also hosts a number of excellent educational programs for children in the community to learn about dance, theatre, and musical performance.

Bergen Performing Arts Center
30 N. Van Brunt Street
Englewood, NJ 07631
(201) 816-8160
www.bergenpac.org

Arthouse Awesomeness: Quirky Indie Films

admin — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 17:15:30 +0000

We all love the big-budget Hollywood blockbusters, but sometimes our cinema tastes desire something a little more alternative. Thankfully, the world of independent film offers a wide selection of movies that think outside the box. In this feature, we’ll share some quirky indies that you might not have seen:

- Ghost World, directed by Terry Zwigoff. This hipster comedy launched the career of Scarlett Johansson. Based on a graphic novel, it tells the story of a teenage girl friendship that goes awry when they start stalking a geek (played by Steve Buscemi).

- Eagle Vs Shark, directed by Taika Waititi. From New Zealand, this romantic comedy is about a shy fast food cashier who develops a crush on a video game nerd who is looking for revenge against his high school bully.

- Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, directed by Shane Black. Black paid his dues in mainstream Hollywood – he wrote Lethal Weapon, after all – but his directoral debut was a decidedly different affair. A dark film noir comedy with some incredible performances, it’s totally unique and very worth watching.

- The Baxter, directed by Michael Showalter. New York improve comedy veteran Showalter also stars in this hilarious romantic comedy, about a guy who’s always left at the altar in every one of his relationships.

Gourmet Cafe: The Best of Parsippany Dining

admin — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:24:46 +0000

This classic bistro is one of Parsippany’s most popular restaurants, and for good reason. If you’re looking for high-quality Italian-influenced fare prepared with excellent ingredients and precision, you’ll find lots to rave about here. Located in an unassuming shopping plaza, when you step inside you’ll find yourself in a classic dining room adorned with watercolors by local artists. Service is competent and professional. Chef and owner Matthew Pierone has worked at some of New Jersey’s best restaurants and he uses that expertise to produce popular dishes like his delicious broccoli rabe and sausage appetizer, which bursts with robust flavor, as well as the house trademark Portobello mushroom topped with warm goat cheese, artichoke hearts, and roasted pine nuts with a balsamic demi-glaze. The pastas are cooked to perfection and served with a number of savory sauces. As part of their commitment to the community, a portion of profits on “Make A Difference Mondays” are donated to local charitable organizations.

Gourmet Café
136 Baldwin Road
Parsippany, NJ 07054
(973) 316-0088
www.njgourmetcafe.com