About this column:
About Town is a look at the smaller items and happenings around Teaneck. Check back often as the column is updated several times a day. Have a suggestion for some "not quite news" to note? E-mail the editor at noah@patch.comAt 7:30 p.m. Saturday on Food Network, a rerun episode of Food Feuds will feature a burger match-up between White Mana in Jersey City and White Manna in Hackensack. The episode, which is hosted by Food Network Iron Chef Michael Symon, originally aired on Nov. 4. Teaneck native Faith Alpher, who now lives in California, was in the area and picked a good time to crave a scrumptous slider from White Manna in Hackensack. "I was there the day prior to shooting, and the staff told me what was going down the next day, so I came back," Alpher said. "I told the crew I was from California, and they …
Smokey Joe's owner Joe Godin said there are still some tables open for reservations for Saturday night's musical guest performance at the kosher BBQ restaurant. Yale Strom and his band Hot P'Stromi missed out on performing at the Teaneck eatery last year due to a snowstorm, but they're set to amaze dinner guests with their mix of Gypsy, Jewish, Hasidic and Balkan music at 8 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday. "Hot P'Stromi and Smokey Joe's go together like that other favorite combination – smoked lox and bagels," said Godin. "Yale is going to be rocking the house with his klezmer band while we dish up …
Heritage Pointe of Teaneck is collecting books and unwrapped toys in their original packaging starting today through Dec. 20. A drop-off box will be located in the rental retirement community's lobby. Donations can be left from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Heritage Pointe will hand over the items to the Teaneck Police Department, which will then deliver the gifts to local children. FREE COFFEE AT TEANECK GENERAL STORE The Teaneck General Store is offering a free medium coffee from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. In order to receive the free cup of Joe, you must "Like" them on their Facebook page, and print …
Lifelong Bergen County resident Carol Lotito will lead a free lecture about Facebook for seniors at 10:30am Friday at the Teaneck Library Friday Morning Group. According to a press release, the lecture is designed to be fun and informative and is designed for both avid computer users and nonusers. Seniors can learn how to connect with friends and family in a secure manner. Lotito is the social media consultant for mybergen.com. She was the former marketing director for The Record. The event is free and will be held at the library auditorium. Coffee will be available at 10 a.m. GQ …
The Teaneck Terpsichoreans (a local dance club also known as the Terpsys) are sponsoring a holiday shopping fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 11 at Teaneck High School in the small gymnasium. Items available for purchase include jewelry, books and other gift items. Any vendor interested in being a part of the event can email tjeanice@yahoo.com or call 201-245-6857. Students of all grade levels make up the self-supporting group, which will celebrate its 40th anniversary in February. "Terpsichoreans is an organization that allows young people to grow as individuals and offers the …
According to an article in the New York Times, the owners of Honey Mediterranean Gourmet & Market on Teaneck Road got into the food business when demand for products at their Persian rug store dried up because of the recession. Owned by Ali and Fatima Khayatian, the store stocks such items as cardamom tea, pomegranate paste and spices and serves menu items that include traditional Persian dishes, with kebabs being the most popular. The business is named after Fatima, who's called "honey" by her husband. Find them on Facebook here. See photos of their food on this blog here. ANCIENT MURALS …
As mentioned in an article in the New Jersey Jewish Standard, the band Steel Train has its roots in North Jersey, with many of the founding members having attended school together. Two of the current five members grew up in Teaneck: Evan Winiker (bass) and Jon Shiffman (drums). The band has appeared on shows like "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and the "Late Show with David Letterman" and performed at Webster Hall in Manhattan. Shiffman credited Teaneck schools for his early exposure to and appreciation of music. "The Teaneck public school system had an incredible music program for young …
As mentioned in a Los Angeles Times story, the popular School of Rock music education program, which is based in Teaneck, opened its 60th location in West Los Angeles on Nov. 13. School of Rock teaches kids age 7 to 18 how to play an instrument with the ultimate goal of having them perform live in front of an audience. The program aims to help kids break out their shells and unlock any hidden talents.
TEANECK STUDENTS JOIN LITERACY CAMPAIGN Sixth-graders from Thomas Jefferson Middle School are participating in the Scholastic Book Club ClassroomsCare Program through Dec. 17. This literacy campaign teaches students about the benefits and joys associated with reading. Participating classrooms read for charities. Charity Partners are: Reach Out and Read, Save the Children and Scholastic's Pajama Program. "My students are excited to participate in the reading challenge and have set a goal of 500 books. I am proud of their initiative," said sixth-grade teacher Valerie Beavers. BIRTH …
LONG-TIME EDUCATOR RETIRING FROM COUNTY SCHOOLS POST After more than 41 years in education, Teaneck resident Aaron Graham will be retiring from his current role as Bergen County Executive Superintendent of Schools. He has been involved with the county's schools since 1971 and prior to that was a teacher in Ohio. SLIDE PRESENTATION BASED ON THREE-YEAR COLLECTION OF PHOTOS Nature and wildlife photographer Douglas Goodell will present a slide-lecture entitled "Jungle of the Maya" at 10:30 a.m. this morning during the Teaneck Library Morning Group meeting. Goodell, of Ridgewood, will discuss …
SECURE YOUR TICKETS – TIFF OPENING NIGHT IS FRIDAY Teaneck International Film Festival organizers have announced that director Ruedi Gerber and co-producer Mike King will attend the Q&A following the screening of their film "Breath Made Visible," which is a film about the life of Anna Halprin, an American dance pioneer. Their post-screening discussion will follow the short artistic dance film "Jack & Judy," which will be moderated by retired Teaneck High School teacher Alice Twombly. The films will be shown at 6:45 p.m. Saturday at the office of Davis, Saperstein & Salomon. TIFF Executive …
CHICKIES' CAP'N MUNCH MAKES IT INTO COOKBOOK Author Susie Fishbein has penned another cookbook under her "Kosher by Design" series. This one, titled "Teens and 20-somethings: Cooking for the Next Generation" (Artscroll, October), aims to help young cooks feel more comfortable in the kitchen. According to an article published in The Jewish Week, recipes in the cookbook include "Mexican pizza empanadas, pastrami burgers and homemade Chickies' sandwiches (recreated from the fast food joint in Teaneck, N.J.)." Chickies French Fry and Chicken Bar on West Englewood Avenue does feature a kid-…
HAWTHORNE STUDENTS LEARN THE POWER OF POSITIVE SELF-ESTEEM Officers Aimee Mehnert and Nick Nazare of the Bergen County Sheriff's Office presented an anti-bullying assembly to third- and fourth-grade students at Hawthorne School on Monday. The theme of the presentation was "Students Can Conquer Bullies with Self-Esteem." Mehnert, who led the assembly, reminded students that they're "beautiful on the inside and on the outside" and not to believe negative comments said about them from others. She shared tips on how positive self-esteem can counteract a bully's negative effect. Mehnert also …
FIND A PENNY, PICK IT UP – AND GIVE IT TO A TJMS STUDENT Thomas Jefferson Middle School fifth- and sixth-graders are learning how to be good citizens by taking part in the Pennies for Patients, which raises funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. School Counselor Grace Rivera is leading the event, and, according to the district, the students are off to a great start. The goal of the students is to raise $500 by Dec. 23, so dig under those couch cushions and keep your eyes out for fallen change. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MOTHER OF THE GROOM As mentioned in the New York Times, the son of …
THROW AN EXTRA CAN OF YAMS IN YOUR SHOPPING CART Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away. If you're in the position to donate some nonperishable food, money or a turkey, consider giving to Helping Hands Food Pantry, which has been assisting more than 80 area families for the last couple years. Councilman Elie Katz created the food pantry with Daniel Meys, who's Senior Pastor of Teaneck Assembly of God. Katz, Meys and a staff of dedicated volunteers rely on donations to keep Helping Hands up and running. For more information on how you can help, call 201-715-5179 or email katz07666@gmail…
BUSINESSES DO THEIR PART TO HONOR VETERANS A partial list of free and discounted items and services available to U.S. military who provide proof of service that they're either a veteran or on active duty. For locally owned franchises, check with the manager to make sure they're a participating business. Pickle Licious: Ask for details at the store Subway: Free six-inch sub. Dollar General: 10 percent discount off total bill. Applebee's: Free entree. Outback Steakhouse: A free Bloomin' Onion and non-alcoholic beverage. Golden Corral: Free dinner 5 to 9 p.m. Monday for those who …
TOWN PARKS AWASH IN FALL COLORS You just can't say enough nice things about Votee Park. What a great place to go for a walk, watch a soccer game, have fun with the kids or just sit and enjoy the scenery. During the Halloween weekend, visitors to the park may have noticed a beautiful tree with deep, red leaves on the upper path. It stood out amazingly from its neighbors. Today, some of the red leaves are still there, though they have thinned out a bit and dulled in their appearance. Do you have any photos of fall you'd like to share – even something like the obnoxiously large piles of leaves …
Welcome to Teaneck's new About Town column! About Town is a quick look at the not-quite-news but still-neat happenings that occur in Teaneck everyday. See something wacky, wild, cute, cuddly, funny or fun? Got an incidental observation or a minor celebration? E-mail it to your Patch editor at noah@patch.com. We want pictures too! Make sure to check back throughout the day. About Town gets updated daily during the week. TEANECK RESIDENT, CO-EDITOR OF 'DENIED' TO BE AT TIFF The Teaneck International Film Festival (TIFF) is just around the corner – Nov. 19-21 – to be exact, and organizers …
