THE BERNARDS-RIDGE CONNECTION PAGE 6 APRIL/MAY 2024 Angela London Hair Studio Page 16 Camden Road Page 22 Panzano Enterprises-Help People Prosper Page 50 Pandya Dermatology Page 51 Jewish Family Service Page 59 Metropolitan Window Fashions Page 62 Michal Barkai Michal was born and raised in Israel and resides in Livingston, NJ. Around 2001, she transitioned from IT to visual arts (painting and digital photography) and soft pastels became her medium of choice. Waterscapes and the changing seasons are her main source of inspiration. She enjoys painting on location, often in her garden or local parks and arboretums, searching for beauty, harmony, serenity, and peace. Barkai is a distinguished signature member of the Pastel Society of New Jersey, of which she served as President for 8 years, retiring in 2022. Her other memberships include the Pastel Society of America, Allied Artists of America, American Women Artists, and the NJ Plein Air Painters, and Studio Montclair Inc. Barkai’s work has appeared in Southwest Art Magazine, American Art Collector Magazine, Still Point Arts Quarterly, and Stone Voices Magazine, to name a few. Most recently, she was awarded “Best in Painting” at the Gaelen Gallery juried exhibition for her painting, Local Gossips. In her spare time, Barkai enjoys dancing (Ballroom, Latin, Argentine Tango), gardening, and sightseeing. To view more of Barkai’s artwork please visit www.MichalBarkai.com, Michal Barkai Art | Facebook, and https://michalbarkai.wordpress.com/ . THE CONNECTION MAGAZINES TEAM Donna Reina, Georgeann Agaisse, Heather Silver, Patty Herman, Alicia Singman Somewhere in this Magazine is aFAKE AD. Spot it and send your answer, along with your name, city or town and phone number to: spotthefake@theconnectionsnj.com or play online at theconnectionsnj.com TheWINNERof the Snowby Fake Ad in our February issue is Miriam Kotsonis of Basking Ridge. SPOT THE FAKE! Disclaimer: The views expressed in the articles are the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Connection Magazines. We publish all advertisements, editorials and other content in good faith. We cannot guarantee or accept liability for the accuracy of the claims made by the advertisers. ON OUR COVER Highlights... As we welcome the arrival of spring, we are delighted to present to you the latest edition of the Bernards-Ridge Connection. This issue is dedicated to celebrating the beauty of nature’s new blossoms, the excitement of new growth, and the joy of warm weather. Spring is a time of renewal and rejuvenation, and what better way to embrace this spirit than by exploring the new businesses that have recently opened their doors. Whether you are in search of a cozy café for a leisurely afternoon, a boutique filled with the latest fashion trends, a wellness center to nurture your body, or a designer to help update and brighten your home, our local advertisers have something for everyone. In addition to celebrating the arrival of spring, we are thrilled to announce that this issue will be dedicated to highlighting Woman-Owned Businesses. We want to take this opportunity to recognize and honor the incredible women who have shown tremendous dedication, passion and perseverance in their entrepreneurial endeavors. As a fellow business owner, it’s truly inspiring to see the hard work and dedication of other women in the business world. We’re honored to have them featured in this issue, and we support and stand by them in their entrepreneurial journey. Take a look at our Women-Owned Directory and see how many small businesses in our towns are owned by women. Together, we can uplift and empower one another to achieve greater success. These entrepreneurs have entrusted us with spreading the word about their ventures, inviting you to patronize their establishments. Let’s come together and show our support for them. We encourage you to take the time to peruse this issue and discover the hidden gems that await you in our community. Our Community News column features the good works of nourish.NJ. With the rise in families su ering food insecurity, this non-profit’s work is more important than ever. For nearly 40 years, nourish.NJ has been providing relief to those su ering from hunger, homelessness, and poverty. Read the column to learn more about the upcoming golf fundraiser and how to volunteer or donate. When I think of spring, words like renewal and transformation come to mind. Eileen Barna’s article, “Personalizing Your Bath or Kitchen,” comes just at the perfect time! Discover how to transform these spaces into “extensions of your personality.” Eileen describes how with a little planning and creativity, your bath or kitchen can become “personalized sanctuaries.” So, let’s get decorating! What are the cows on our cover whispering to each other? The artist, Michal Barkai, imagined just that when she named the piece, Local Gossips. She was inspired to paint these beautiful, colorful, texturized cows from a photo she took while sightseeing in Ireland. Could they be whispering about the tourists photographing them? Thank you for your continued readership and for joining us in welcoming the arrival of spring. We hope that this issue inspires you to embrace the spirit of new beginnings and explore the exciting opportunities that our community has to o er. Wishing you a season filled with joy, growth, and warm weather. Best regards, Anna Petro A Note From Our Publisher... CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mariah Acree, Eileen Barna, Cassandra Bellmann, Gail Bicknell, Brianna Bridges, Kaylynn Ebner, Barry Farber, Sandra Fava, Jill Fuerst, Joanne Kleinle, Trish Mahoney, Ellyn Mantell, David Marzano, Dr. Michael Osit, Dr. Komal Pandya, M.D., Mary Lou Panzano, Robert Shapiro CPA, Dr. Vincent Sferra, Cathy Siegal, Eric Soloto Young Author – Cassandra Bellmann Page 10 Financial ForumShapiro Financial Group Page 12 Lawyer’s View- Fox Rothschild Page 14 WELCOME SPRING- Shopping, Dining, Beauty & Events Pages 15-25 Fashion Flash- Adams Fine Clothing & Tuxedos Page 19 Family Adventures Page 20 KIDZ CONNECTION Pages 26-29 WOMEN OWNED DIRECTORY Pages 30-31 SENIOR LIVING Pages 32-34 Senior Corner Page 32 Slice of Life Page 34 HEALTH & WELLNESS Pages 48-58 The Art of Living- Barry Farber Page 48 Health HotlineAdvanced Frequency Energy Spa Page 53 Medical Minutes-Janjua Facial Surgery Page 54 Health Hotline-NMR Page 56 Lessons from a Life Coach- Brianna’s Best Life Page 57 Mind the Mind Page 58 HOME & DESIGN Pages 60-72 Home Improvement- TrueLeaf Kitchens Page 66 Hints for the Home-Fair Street Interiors Page 71 Community News-nourish.NJ Page 73 COMMUNITY CALENDAR Page 74-75
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