Verona's Got Talent!

VHS students entertain with music, comedy, and more.

An audience of 150 people filled the VHS auditorium Wednesday night to enjoy an evening of entertainment provided by the school's students as part of the class of 2011's Project Graduation fundraising efforts.  Masters of Ceremony Alex Sniatkowski and Canberk Oguz kept things moving with a presentation style they said before the show that would "channel Steve Martin and Drew Carey." They especially did during an unplanned moment, when an act wasn't ready to come on stage, providing laughs at Charlie Sheen's expense. Holly Denton of Music Together assisted in putting the program together and as needed during the show. All kinds of music from the great American songbook was presented, and even some selections not in it, perhaps yet: the band…

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Book Worms' Big Picks to Read, Right Now

Local librarians' top picks for kids... and adults!

Readers rejoice: Wednesday, March 2 is national "Read Across America Day." It's a nice turn of the page put forth by the sometimes militaristic N.E.A. (that's National Education Association, and this writer is also a teacher - take my word for it). Reading is an amazing, engaging, life-skill building activity - and doing it is an  ongoing event, not limited to just one day. It's also just plain lo' fun. Sometimes it's nice to get a good reading recommendation - who better to turn to than the professionals? Here are some assorted picks from the staffs at the Verona Public Library, and more.  1) The Cricket in Times Square Longtime and recently retired Verona Public Library children's librarian Rebecca Burkhart picked this one by George …

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Thinking Outside the Big Box: Verona and Cedar Grove Boutiques For Those in the Know

5 Local Shops With Hearts Bigger Than a Big Box

There's a line in an older, rather obscure Ramones song entitled "Somebody Like Me" wherein Joey Ramone sings that if you want to find him, he's "out on the street," or "at the concert," and finally, "at the boutique." If those lyrics finished with "at Target" (even in 1983, where the reference would have been to a store chain being held at bay in the Midwest by the likes of Bradlee's over here) it wouldn't have been nearly as cool, for the Godfather of Punk knew (as well as the tune's writer, Dee Dee Ramone) that hanging out a boutique was a lot cooler than a big box store. Now, before you think this writer is some alt-minded, anti-Retail crusader, he's not, but rather, varied. Shopping is an experience where those indulging in it are …

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Five Non-Profits That Are Making a Difference

Donations are key to advancing the arts, health

Verona and Cedar Grove are chock full of organizations that exist not for profit, but to help you - and that "you" is plural. Many fine folks devote their time, energy, and money to various pursuits across the spectrum, from the arts to learning, and much more.   The following are just five of the many nonprofit organizations located within Verona and Cedar Grove town limits.  Who knows - you may want to get involved and help make a difference … or get some help.  1) The Pushcart Players - this Verona-based and beyond theatre troupe group specializes in "arts, in education workshops, school assembly programs, and field trips to performing arts venues" for younger crowds. It's certainly not all recreation; performance art is proven to …

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The Super Bowl Shuffle

Places to pigskin party and see the big game.

This Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers will play the Green Bay Packers in professional football's ultimate battle, Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.  On the day of the game, you will tap into your inner child by probably drinking something on tap and eating all kinds of fun food, while playing armchair quarterback. Where is the question, and somewhere in Verona or Cedar Grove is the answer. Here are a bunch of places with cool atmospheres, good food, and bunches of TVs. Over at O'Neils in Verona, Rich Luongo says "we're going to have a quite a nice time. There are quite a lot of Steeler fans that come here … people were coming in during the playoffs and asking, is this 'New Jersey?'" He adds that Packer fans do pack-in …

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Goodbye 2010, Now Let's Eat: Local Hotspots to Ring in the New Year

A guide to where to have your last meal of the year.

Ah, New Year's Eve: it's the end, and the beginning, and somewhere in between, a rip-roarin' good time. It's not without its challenges, however; traveling can be tough (especially if there's bad weather), and it can limit how much saying goodbye and hello you'd like to do, beverage wise. So why not stay in town? Doing New Year's Eve locally doesn't necessarily mean staying home, heating up cocktail weenies and watching Ryan Seacrest - many local restaurants and bars stand at the ready to help you eat, drink, and make your resolutions in style. Visit Verona's Vivacious Eateries Over at the legendary O'Neils in Verona, things will be going full tilt, although they've taken out the Elvis pinball machine. The local watering hole and full …

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Merry Lateness: A Last-Minute Shopper's Emergency Primer

A Grab-Bag Shopping Guide for Last-Minute Shoppers.

Christmas shoppers: maybe you've been too busy this year to shop for your presents in a timely fashion. Perhaps your hard drive went kaput, and thus online shopping wasn't an option. Then again, maybe you're like this writer, and get some sort of strange kick out of running around at the last minute. It's risky business, but kind of fun - and although procuring a season's "must have" item may not be feasible, when one is under the gun it seems that cool, creative selections rise to the fore. The trick is to go local - by cutting travel time and not having to hear The Boss' version of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" another 50 times, you'll have more time to get something for everyone - except perhaps Clarence Clemons. Here's an exclusive…

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Everything Old is New - and Cool - Again at Verona's Vintage Alley

Verona's Vintage Alley Leads to Wares and Wears from Days Gone By

As pop culture moves on and on, it leaves in its wake vast eras of style, including design, music, fashion, and just plain ol' stuff that nowadays people are appreciating more than new things. They research them on the Internet, bid for items on eBay (where this writer just won a boxed Blip digital game from 1979, by the way), browse Goodwill, and even shop in stores specifically selling items from the past. Verona happens to have its own time machine in the form of Vintage Alley. Located at 730 Bloomfield Avenue, for the past 4 years owner Colleen Connell has been selling the best of the past history of women's wear, and much more. What Year is This? It's a big place - actually two. A recent development at Vintage Alley has been a spin-…

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R's Place is Your Place

For Italian Food, Restaurant Has Double-Sided Appeal

As its name suggests, the Verona restaurant known as Bella Gente & R's Place has a split personality. As such, it caters to a diverse crowd; for parents sneaking out for a nice intimate dinner on Saturday while the kids are with a sitter, the fancier Bella Gente side might be the ticket. If those same parents have their children in tow on a Wednesday night, along with a couple of their friends following an after-school activity, the R's side would be the way to go. No matter which side you sit in, you're in for good atmosphere. Bella Gente has a classic, formal feel, with artwork, carpet, and other lush accoutrement. R's sports more of a converted warehouse theme, with an exposed brick wall and ceiling, and Italian movie posters hung here …

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It's Italian Fusion

Modern Meets Traditional at Sonny's on The Avenue in Verona

"One for dinner? Where would you like to sit? At a table? The counter?" I know that voice. I turn and quickly realize I'm talking to the owner, Tom Malanga. He's well-known around town for his personable nature and dedication to the Chamber of Commerce (he's currently it's president). He's also known for his "cracks" - he's a chiropractor with an office also in town. Tonight, he's also Sonny's chief operator. Who's "Sonny?"  "That was my father's nickname - his real name was Salvatore. He hung out on Bloomfield Avenue in Newark, so that's where I got the name from." Looking around, it's clear that Tom picked up more than a name from his dad; the decor is the story keeping family at the heart of things. Taken with the modern, rich color …

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