The Personal Injury Attorney in River Ridge, NJ, You Can Trust

2-min read

NorthJersey.com

Bodies in the Seats. That's rule no. 1 for any venue — whether its a theater, cinema, concert hall, or The First Congregational Church of River Edge.

Like many places, they've experienced a decline in attendance, post-COVID.

Unlike many paces, they're doing something about it. Something interesting.

The River Crossing Concerts, a series of classical and jazz performances that have been hosted by the church for a year and a half, are many things. They are art. They are entertainment. They are a way to showcase the talents of Slavina Zhelezova, the internationally-known concert pianist who became the church's musical director in 2021. She's played some of the concerts, and curated all of them.

Not least, they are a way to reintroduce people to the church. Perhaps remind them of how much they miss it.

Empty pews

"Churches right now are going through a very difficult time, trying to get people back in the pews," said Bert Stratford, one of a foursome of church members who are producing the events.

As of 2023, they've ramped up to four shows a year. The next one, on June 4, will be something of a joyous potpourri: the Nicole Zuraitis Trio (jazz originals and Broadway standards), Alí Bello and the Sweet Wire Band (Latin Jazz), City Winds Trio (ragtime), the Tri-county Irish War Pipe Band (traditional Irish music from River Edge), Batalá (an all-female percussion group), and Zhelezova's own GZ Piano Duo (tango, classical, Hungarian dances).

The free 12 to 6 P.M. concert — donations accepted — will, weather permitting, be outdoors. But a congregation is a congregation. No matter whether the roof they're sitting under is man's, or God's.

"Something's going on in this country, where there's a decline in worship services," said Stratford, a River Edge resident. "I think everybody's being affected by it. It's a complex situation. We want to get people back to the church."

Zhelezova, it turns out, was just the one to help.

In addition to being a high profile concert pianist who has toured Europe, Mexico, China and Taiwan with her performing partner, pianist Citlalli Guevara, she was also the music director for a Bronxville church at the time COVID suddenly forced people into lockdown.

Home alone

Her concert engagements stopped, abruptly. All that was left were the Sunday services — conducted virtually. She suddenly discovered how much music means to people. And also how much people mean to a performer.

"Literally overnight, we went to live-streaming services," she said. "I was playing in an empty church, for a camera. We pianists sometimes have our heads in the sand — practicing, practicing, practicing. We don't realize how much the connection with the audience means to us. The euphoria, the energy of the crowds, the applause. You don't realize how much it means until it's not there."

Local:River Edge school reconfiguration will not happen this fall. Here's why

Equally, she learned that people are thirsty for music. She suddenly felt needed, in a way she never had before.

"I don't think if I had cancelled a concert before, anyone would have cared," said Zhelezova, originally from Bulgaria (she now lives in New York). "But if I missed a Sunday, folks knew it. I suddenly realized how meaningful this is to people."

So when the world began to open up — cautiously — in 2021, Zhelezova knew just what would draw people to her new professional home, The First Congregational Church. Her first concert there, a four-hand piano recital with her partner Guevara, featured Schubert, Poulenc, some Brahms Hungarian Dances, and some Astor Piazzolla tangos. And folks beat a path to the church door.

"Maybe 100 people showed up," Stratford said. "They did a full act, two hours. They were phenomenal. And this started us all thinking: with this ability and her talent and her contacts, let's start to do more of these. That's the germ that really set this off."

In the spotlight

Stratford knows show business. He's had a long career as a theater and TV producer, and sometime Broadway actor. His wife, Lee Meredith — also a Congregational congregant — is well known from her roles on stage, film, and TV (she was the original Ulla in Mel Brooks' 1967 "The Producers"). The two have themselves done productions at the church, from time to time. All of which is to say, it takes talent to know talent. And Zhelezova is it.

"We were really lucky," he said. "Our organist had retired, and we were looking for a new one. She showed up and blew everybody away. She was one of the best pianists I've heard."

Previous shows have been all over the musical map: from vocal programs with tenor Errin Brooks and baritone Kyle Oliver, to a Women's History Month show that featured music by Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel (the more talented Mendelssohn, if you ask some). But the common denominator in all these attractions was the live audience.

"We're just bringing all these people back to in-person performances," Zhelezova said. "During COVID, you could feel this kind of distance, with people wearing masks and sitting six feet apart, and not really connecting. I wanted to do something about that. And then there's this civil war going on in this country. There was a need for some unifying experience. Music is the best cure for all of this."

If you go...

River Crossing Concerts, featuring Nicole Zuraitis Trio, Alí Bello and the Sweet Wire Band, City Winds Trio, others. 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. June 4, First Congregational Church, 109 Continental Ave, River Edge. Free admission; donations accepted. rivercrossingconcerts.org

RIVER EDGE — Mazzone’s Pizza has closed its doors after 47 years selling slices and pies, to the dismay of its faithful customers.

"It's an institution in a small town like River Edge," said Cameron Albergo, a borough resident who has been a patron of the pizzeria for 40 years. "I think it’s one of a kind."

A notice placed on the pizzeria in the Kress Plaza strip mall didn't give an indication of when the business' last day was, but it bid its customers from over the years farewell.

"We would like to take a moment to let you know how delightful it was working with all of our faithful, wonderful customers," the note read. "We are sorry to say goodbye. It has been an honor serving all of you these past 47 years."

Among the many customers who were sad to see their favorite pizza place close was Anthony Bonastia, a former River Edge resident who now lives in Kearny. For over 30 years, Bonastia visited the pizzeria, playing games and eating slices with friends during his school days.

Later, in his 20s, Bonastia even worked behind the counter for Tom Tantillo, owner of Mazzone’s Pizza, who is affectionately known by many as Chief.

"He would always bust everyone’s chops," Bonastia said of Tantillo. "He’s a fun guy."

It wasn't just the pizza that drew people to Mazzone's; the eggplant parmesan had a special place in Bonastia's heart.

“When you go to every pizzeria, they all taste the same, but his sauce had a little zest to it,” Bonastia said. “It’s cooked with a little bit more love than other places.”

Lessons:Paramus professor shows 'what she would do' on hidden camera show

Now open:'Dream' space opens for 165 students with autism

And many regard Tantillo as special, too: More than just the guy behind the counter, to many around town, he is known as a musician who used to play his keyboard with the local children.

"I remember he came here to my home with a keyboard and he was going to play with the kids," said Carolynn Monaco of River Edge. "He was always so pleasant."

Longtime customers said they loved coming to Mazzone’s not only for the food, but for the atmosphere. Many recall Tantillo’s video game collection or his penchant for watching "Jeopardy" at 7 p.m. sharp every day.

“It was a huge spot for kids,” Albergo said. “I have very fond memories from over the years. As an adult, my relationship with Tom, Mary and his kids never really changed. He was invited to my wedding.”

Tantillo could not be reached to say why he decided to close his shop, and friends were reluctant to speak for him.

Bob Cummings, a former River Edge resident who now lives in Waldwick, said Tantillo "knew everyone in River Edge."

"A lot of the older people who came in with their kids — years later they're adults in their 20 or 30s bringing kids of their own," he said.

Stephanie Noda is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: [email protected] Twitter: @snoda11

Staff Directory Corrections Careers Accessibility Support Site Map Legals Our Ethical Principles Responsible Disclosure Subscription Terms & Conditions Terms of Service Privacy Policy Your Privacy Choices

Contact Us Support Local Businesses Advertise Your Business Advertising Terms and Conditions Promote your Event Buy and Sell Licensing & Reprints Help Center Subscriber Guide Manage Account Give Feedback Promote Your Event

Subscribe Today Newsletters Mobile Apps Facebook X eNewspaper Archives

Jobs Cars Homes Classifieds Reviewed 10Best Events LocaliQ Digital Marketing Solutions

Staff Directory Corrections Careers Accessibility Support Site Map Legals Our Ethical Principles Responsible Disclosure Subscription Terms & Conditions Terms of Service Privacy Policy Your Privacy Choices

Contact Us Support Local Businesses Advertise Your Business Advertising Terms and Conditions Promote your Event Buy and Sell Licensing & Reprints Help Center Subscriber Guide Manage Account Give Feedback Promote Your Event

Subscribe Today Newsletters Mobile Apps Facebook X eNewspaper Archives

Jobs Cars Homes Classifieds Reviewed 10Best Events LocaliQ Digital Marketing Solutions

A new study found drinking water is often less safe than what the federal government may deem legal.

RIVER EDGE/ORADELL, NJ —Most Americans don’t think twice about drinking a glass of water. A report released Wednesday, though, found more than 270 harmful contaminants in local drinking water across the nation, including in River Edge and Oradell. The substances are linked to cancer, damage to the brain and nervous system, hormonal disruption, problems in pregnancy and other serious health conditions.

The nonprofit Environmental Working Group, collaborating with outside scientists, aggregated and analyzed data from almost 50,000 local water utilities in all 50 states.

The organization found a troubling discrepancy between the current legal limits for contaminants and the most recent authoritative studies of what is safe to consume.

"Legal does not necessarily equal safe," Sydney Evans, a science analyst at the environmental group, told Patch.

"A lot of these legal limits are outdated and not necessarily the safe level, and the EWG really wants to fill that gap," Evans said. "The federal government has not been able to, or is not willing to, set those new regulations to protect public health. We’re trying to fill the gap to let people know, based on the latest science, what the safe levels of contaminants in water are."

In River Edge and Oradell, the group found seven contaminants across our water supply between 2012 and 2017.

United Water New Jersey serves 792,713 people, according to the environmental group.

The following contaminants were detected above the environmental group’s own recommended health guidelines in River Edge and Oradell:

1. Arsenic

2. Bromate

3. Chloroform

4. Chromium (hexavalent)

5. Dichloroacetic acid

6. Nitrate and nitrite

7. Trichloroacetic acid

In the case of polyfluorinated substances, or PFAs, the environmental group estimated up to 110 million Americans could have the potentially cancer-causing, immune-system damaging contaminant in their drinking water. Yet the EPA requires drinking water utilities across the country to test for only six of 14 known substances in the category.

A variety of other contaminants often found in the water of millions of Americans can profoundly impact health. They include lead, which has been linked to brain damage in small children; arsenic, which can cause cancer; and copper, which can be harmful to infants.

The EPA did not respond to numerous requests by Patch seeking comment on the findings of the study.

According to the environmental group, many of the 270-plus contaminants detected through water sampling are at levels deemed legal under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, yet are above levels that recent studies have found to pose possible health risks.

Visit the environmental group’s web page for River Edge and Oradell to see the recommended ways to combat the specific substances in your drinking water and the risks that they pose.

The environmental group has a clear opinion on the federal government’s handling of water safety.

"The regulatory system meant to ensure the safety of America’s drinking water is broken. The inexcusable failure of the federal government’s responsibility to protect public health means there are no legal limits for more than 160 unregulated contaminants in U.S. tap water," Environmental Working Group researchers stated in its "State of American Drinking Water."

A focal point of the organization’s concern is the Environmental Protection Agency’s refusal to add a single new contaminant to the toxic chemicals list covered by the Safe Drinking Water Act in almost 20 years.

Independent experts agree.

"With the science on what we call 'emerging contaminants' continuing to grow, it is clear that there are components of our tap water that can be improved," Kristin Strock, professor of Environmental Science at Dickinson College, told Patch.

Strock, who is not affiliated with the environmental group, also emphasized the challenges in the process of federally regulating harmful contaminants, suggesting the current system is somewhat backward.

"The road to regulating harmful contaminants is difficult, as our current construct for ensuring clean water is based on 'proving' that something is harmful before it is regulated as opposed to assuming contaminants could be harmful and ‘proving’ them safe before allowing them to go into industrial production and, as a result, our environment," she said. "The EPA has been working on identifying safe limits for a number of these emerging contaminants and continues to work on the problem."

The Environmental Working Group also noted that the every-day person is frustratingly helpless to the chemicals going into their water supply, and the subsequent costs associated with different water filtering techniques.

Olga Naidenko, vice president of science investigation at the group, further explained, "Industries and companies that released PFAS into the environment and drinking water sources — should be responsible to covering such costs, as it is unfair for homeowners to be saddled with costs for pollution they did not create."

The water group does offer information, though, on filtering technologies that you can use to dramatically reduce water contamination. Filtering technology will help. Carbon filters, for example, will reduce many, but not all, contaminants.

How to Check Contaminants In Your Water:

The environmental group’s public database catalogues contaminants in every water system in the country — the first such database of its kind. First, select the state where you live, and you’ll see state-level data. For more local information, enter your ZIP code.

After you enter your ZIP code, you’ll be directed to a page showing the name of your water utility system. Select "View Utility" to see which contaminants were identified in your area.

What You Can Do

For those with concerns, the environmental group provides a guide to buying water filters. If you find your local water supply has a particularly high level of a dangerous chemical, you can search for a filter that best blocks the specific substance.

While water filters are important, the group also acknowledges they are more of a Band-Aid solution than an actual fix.

"We really want to iterate that’s a first-line, temporary measure," Evans told Patch. "It's what you can do today to protect yourself, but really we want long-term permanent change, and that's going to happen at the community level."

Subsequently, the environmental group has created a set of seven questions to ask your elected officials about tap water.

The organization strongly believes that everyone can help in the battle to improve tap water safety.

"We absolutely believe in the power of personal advocacy — for individuals to reach out to their local elected officials of all levels. The power of people can come into play," Naidenko said.

Where The Environmental Working Group Gets Its Funding:

The majority of the group’s funding comes from private charitable foundations, here’s a partial list of the organization’s largest backers.

More detailed information on the organization’s funding and annual reports are available on its website.

Email: [email protected]