Home + Design

Built to Gather

Magnolia Home Remodeling designs kitchens where families cook, entertain, and gather Article by Tiffany Slowinski | Photography by Gravitude Brand Lab, Magnolia Home Remodeling Every good party eventually finds its way to the kitchen island. Someone opens a bottle of wine. Someone else offers to help but mostly stands nearby and talks. Plates fill the counter as guests drift in from the dining room. It usually starts with the food. Something is simmering on the stove, ingredients are being...

Food + Beverage

Maddie's BrewHERy

Maddie Bowen keeps the neighborhood spirit brewing Article by Terry Azad | Photography by Jimmy Douglas Photography From First Employee to Owner Maddie Bowen takes the reins at Lions Roar Brewing—and keeps the neighborhood spirit brewing Sometimes the best business stories begin with a plan. Others begin with simply showing up, rolling up your sleeves and becoming part of something you love. For Maddie Bowen, it was the latter. When Lions Roar Brewing Co. opened its doors in Westfield in...

Home + Design

Food for Thought

Coffee and Conversation with Coldwell Banker's Mary DePaolo Article by Terry Azad | Photography by Provided There are some people who seem to collect chapters in their lives rather than simply moving from one to the next. Mary DePaola is one of those people. Over coffee and conversation, it quickly becomes clear that her warmth and graciousness are matched by an unmistakable generosity of spirit. She is the kind of person who makes you feel as though you have known her much longer than you...

Life + Culture

More Than a Market

Finding Community at the Scotch Plains Farmers’ Market Article by Terry Azad Reusable tote bags in hand, neighbors make their way to the municipal parking lot on Park Avenue, dogs in tow and coffee in hand, stopping to say hello to friends along the way. The scent of fresh-baked goods mingles with live music —and, inevitably, something delicious to bring home. For more than three decades, the Scotch Plains Farmers’ Market has been a beloved Saturday-morning tradition. Established in 1992 as a...

Home + Design

Elevate your Style with Tile

Zabrina Castaneda, Owner of The Tile Concierge, shares tile trends that elevate your home Article by Terry Azad When it comes to home design, few materials have the power to transform a space quite like tile. Whether you're renovating a bathroom, updating a kitchen backsplash, or creating a show-stopping entryway, the right tile can instantly elevate the look and feel of your home. According to Zabrina Castaneda, owner of The Tile Concierge in Westfield, today's homeowners are embracing...

Home Services

Family Style

More than junk removal. John Valenti is building a family legacy with Go Garbage Article by Terry Azad | Photography by Photos by Craig Smith For most people, getting rid of unwanted furniture, construction debris, or years' worth of clutter is a chore they'd rather avoid. For John Valenti, it's an opportunity to help people move forward. As the founder of Go Garbage in Union County, John has built a business that does far more than haul things away. His company provides demolition, junk...

Home + Design

The Finishing Touch

Elevate Every Room with The Blind Dept. & More Article by Terry Azad | Photography by Craig Smith of Photos by Craig Smith When it comes to transforming a home, homeowners often focus on new furniture, fresh paint, or decorative accents. But one of the most impactful design elements is often overlooked: window treatments. The right blinds, shades, or shutters don't just provide privacy—they frame a room, soften natural light, improve energy efficiency, and instantly elevate the overall...

Professional Services

The Latest Chapter in a Family Story About Striving, Showing Up and Never Living Small

If you believe in such things as the Universe at work, it seems that She was very busy about two years ago. That’s when sisters Veronica Kautz and Terry Azad were presented with a fabulous business opportunity — one that would also benefit the residents of Scotch Plains and Fanwood.At a time when changes in their professional lives shifted their worlds — Terry had spent nearly thirty years as an executive at commercial real estate firm JLL, and Veronica had built a career in sales that began, as...

Arts + Culture

Crafting With Crazy

Local Mom of Two Gets Her Creative Juices Flowing With the Kids Article by Jenn Talis | Photography by Terry Azad DIY Milk Carton Bird Feeder Turn an empty milk carton into a cozy bird feeder and create a fun family project that helps local wildlife. It's an easy way to recycle, get creative, and enjoy birdwatching right from your own backyard. What You'll Need Empty milk carton X-acto knife or box cutter (adult use only) White paint Markers and/or paint for decorating String or...

Professional Services

Who Let The Dogs Out?

Meet the pets staying safe and active with Invisible Fence of Union County Article by Terry Azad | Photography by Casey Orr of Casey's Photography When Diane Nigam’s beautiful Ragdoll kitten, Chance, began venturing beyond the family’s backyard in Westfield, she knew exactly who to call: Mike “The Dog Guy” Kelly of Invisible Fence of Union County. Mike had been helping Diane with her pets for years. Initially, she turned to Invisible Fence for her two dogs, Chloe, a sweet Goldendoodle, and...