Film Festival in Teaneck

Fort Lee and vicinity is a tough place to find independent films (unless you count the time you spend on the couch watching the Sundance Channel.) So when you see an event like the Teaneck International Film Festival (running Nov 14 - 16)--it's like finding a present at the breakfast table when it isn't even your birthday.

It's an eclectic mix of documentaries and feature films, and brings cinematic life back to the area that was once the home of the film industry. If you've got kids, check out the Kids Flicks, a full 70 minutes of children's films hosted by "Bob" from Sesame Street! Other highlights include "The Golem," a classic silent film accompanied by live orchestra, "Take Out," a chronicle of a Chinese immigrant's experience, and "The Sandwich Generation," documenting a family's struggle with caregiving for an elderly parent.

Dinner Dance Fundraiser

The Church of the Good Shepherd is hosting its second annual Fall Dinner Dance on Saturday November 1, 2008, a fundraiser for doing capital repairs to its historic building.  (It's next to the Judge Moore House, which serves at the Fort Lee Museum.)

Definitely a family-friendly event, with music, food, and dance demonstrations by couples taking lessons at the Recreation Center.  Lots of fun for a good cause (much needed bell tower and roof repairs!)

Call 201-461-7260 for further info.  Tickets are $25 per person.

Support Groups Formed

The Church of the Good Shepherd in Fort Lee in forming two support groups, one for caregivers to adults, and the other for grief support. A professional social worker will facilitate at group meetings. For more information, contact Ms. Olga Derick or Rev. Allison Moore at 201-461-7260. or email churchofthegs@verizon.net.

Dining for the Cure

The Italian eatery Franco's Metro in Fort Lee is supporting the fight against breast cancer this entire week--one meal at a time:

"It is a week long event where Franco’s Metro will be donating a portion of each check to the fight against breast cancer and cancer awareness. It is something that we are very passionate about, as Breast cancer has touched our friends & family in a number of ways. Obviously, we want to make the largest donation possible in our inaugural year, but in order to do that, we need support from friends like you to help fill our seats all week long.

Together we can find a cure."

Gene Bazzarelli

The effort is part of "New Jersey Restaurants for a Cure" which benefits the Susan G. Komen Women for the Cure North Jersey. Other restaurants in the region include Bazzarelli Ristorante in Moonachie, Bensi in Clifton, Hasbrouck Heights, Hillsdale, Moonachie, North Arlington, Paramus and Wayne, the Cornerstone in Hillsdale, and the Ho-Ho-Kus Inn.

Hungry for more information about dining in North Jersey? Check out the Record's Food blog, Second Helpings, and Jason Perlow's numerous postings on dining around the area on his blog.

A New Cop in Town: The Furry Side of the Law

The State Trooper academy recently graduated a fresh crop of 14 police dogs, and Fort Lee was one of the lucky towns to receive a K9 cop.

Greener, a 20-month-old German shepherd, is new on the scene. All dogs who graduate from the academy are trained to a uniform state-wide standard, and it looks like Greener's training has already been put to use cracking down on drugs.

These dogs are trained by the Seeing Eye folks in Morristown, and have such sensitive training to narcotics that even some forms of legal medication (like Tylenol with codeine) can trigger their detection training.

Rock the Olympics: Hsu-nami

If you haven't caught the local band Hsu-nami in person, get ready to be blown away. I heard them at an outdoor festival at the Fort Lee Community Center last summer, and can honestly say I never expected this level of musicianship from a free concert. A virtuoso of the erhu (a Chinese 2-stringed violin), band frontman Jack Hsu (a Fort Lee High School graduate) is electrifying with energy and a completely unique rock sound. You can catch their music airing during the Olympics when the Beijing athletes are on screen, and a local shows throughout the fall, including a gig at Ramapo College on September 20.

Their album, Entering the Mandala, is a fine example of good old fashioned indie rock--I bought my copy from a a bored looking Asian woman manning the Hsu-nami table at the summer festival, presumably Hsu's mom, and was really pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed the music. She may have no idea how talented her son is. Click below to see their video for the "Rising of the Sun."

UPCOMING EVENTS: Summer Fun

This is a big weekend for summer fun--not only is the annual San Rocco festival happening through August 10, 2008 along Martha Washington way (rides, food, games) the Mitsuwa Japanese supermarket is having a traditional festival tomorrow, August 9, 2008, (taiko drumming, masks, food, lanterns.) I plan to gorge and sausage and peppers and mochi ice cream all weekend long.