The Highlands Business Partnership (HBP) will host its Fall Taste of Highlands Saturday, October 8, from noon to 5:00 PM., a rain or shine date for the event. This is the first of two major October events sponsored by the Business Partnership this year.  Oktoberfest will be celebrated Saturday , Oct. 22, at Veterans Park from noon to 7 p.m.

Tickets for the Fall Taste of Highlands, which can be purchased online, are $45.00 per person, and include a Fall Taste of Highlands map of participating businesses and free parking.

Tickets can also be purchased  the day of the event from 11AM to 1 PM. At Huddy Park, Bay and Waterwitch avenues where the Farmer’s Market is held..

The Fall Taste will feature an autumn theme and offers food-lovers five hours to enjoy delicious samples of diverse cuisine as well as cocktails at 21 establishments throughout the town.  Patrons must be 21+ with valid photo ID.

Participating establishments include Absolute Audio , U.N. Owens Musicafe, Bahrs Landing, Bridge Marina, Café La De Da, Dock Donuts at Captains Cove Marina, Chilangos Authentic Mexican, Chubby Pickle, Et Al Fine Food, Feed & Seed, Franny’s Pizzeria & Restaurant, Fresh, Gert’s Snacks & Spices, Hinlickity’s Ice Cream Parlor, Inlet Café, Moby’s, Off the Hook, Porcini, Proving Ground, Sandbox at Seastreak Beach, Seafarer Bar and Spiritual Beauty.

Visit ALL stops and be eligible to win  $200 in BID Cards, good at any participating establishment. All maps stamped by the establishments must be returned to Huddy Park by 5 pm. To be eligible for the award.

To purchase tickets online or for further information on the Partnership visit Highlandsnj.com.  Participation ID bracelets are included in the ticket price.

Oktoberfest will also feature contests together with German foods, German bands, German beers and plenty of music and activities.

Two popular contests during Oktoberfest are the Steinholding Contest, a traditional Bavarian feat of strength. Entrants must hold a one liter stein of German beer in front of them in outstretched arm parallel to the ground., The holder who maintains the feat the longest will be declared the winner. Less stressful and strenuous are the costume contests for men, women and children, with prizes in each category for German finery from lederhosen to dirndls. Registration forms for the contests are available at the above links.

The Highlands Business Partnership is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Programs and events are made possible through sponsors including  the  NJ State Department of Travel & Tourism, Montecalvo/Bayshore Family of Companies, Bahrs Landing, Bridge Marina, Captains Cove Marina, Char-Ron Construction, Feed & Seed, Fleur La Fete/Dovetail Vintage Rentals, Hufnagel Tree Experts, In the Garden, Inlet Café, Off the Hook, Proving Ground, Seafarer, Sandbox at Seastreak Ferry and WRAT, 95.9.

For directions or any additional information on the Partnership’s events, please visit www.highlandsnj.com or call (732) 291-4713.

Those of the Jewish faith celebrated Rosh Hashanah last week, their New Year and a joyful two days of celebration, family, great food and looking forward to a new year filled with blessings and health. Ten days later, tomorrow ,Jews put aside those celebrations and observe Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year, and one in which Jews feel closest to God and ask forgiveness for their faults. That day, observed this year on Tuesday, is also known as the Day of Atonement. While Rosh Hashanah is actually a two day celebration, Yom Kippur is a solemn day of prayer and atonement.

In between those two days observing joy and atonement, the Jewish people reflect and repent, creating a time which makes those of other faiths realize and appreciate the depth of this religion. In reflecting and repenting, many Jews will call or write letters to friends or acquaintances of all faiths, asking forgiveness for any wrongs, hurts, or failures to help they may have committed, intentionally or not, throughout the year. It’s a practice everyone should observe at some time in their lifetime.

But the Jewish people are also people of great laughter and joy ,as has been evidenced by some of the best comedians we have ever known. Think of Red Buttons, Joey Bishop, Jack Benny, Rodney Dangerfield, Sid Caesr, Buddy Hackett, Groucho Marx, Jackie Mason, All King, George Jessel, Mel Brooks and Don Rickles, to name a few.  Each of these was a headliner in keeping people laughing and appreciating a good joke, even if it was about themselves.

And what is probably a big shock to many of today’s comedians, they could do it all with a humor that made you think, that made fun of themselves and their spouses, and so many one-liners that made you stop and think but always laugh. Here is a small sampling of things that can make you laugh and appreciate Jewish humor.  And also notice…..they didn’t use a single swear work to keep their listeners in high humor.

A belated Rash Hashanah to many Jewish friends and my prayers and thanks to you for friendship and  understanding as you observe Yom Kippur.

May we all always laugh with the great comedians who brought us these: (and they really loved their wives and their doctors, in spite of their one liners!)

I just got back from a pleasure trip. I took my mother-in-law to the airport.

* I’ve been in love with the same woman for 49 years! If my wife ever finds out, she’ll kill me!

* What are three words a woman never wants to hear when she’s making love?

“Honey, I’m home!”

* Someone stole all my credit cards, but I won’t be reporting it. The thief spends less than my wife did.

* We always hold hands. If I let go, she shops.

* My wife and I went back to the hotel where we spent our wedding night. Only this time I stayed in the bathroom and cried.

* My wife and I went to a hotel where we got a waterbed. My wife called it the Dead Sea.

* She was at the beauty shop for two hours. That was only for the estimate. She got a mudpack and looked great for two days. Then the mud fell off.

* The Doctor gave a man six months to live. The man couldn’t pay his bill, so the doctor gave him another six months.

* The Doctor called Mrs. Cohen saying, “Mrs. Cohen, your check came back.” Mrs. Cohen answered, “So did my arthritis!”

* Doctor: “You’ll live to be 60!” Patient: “I am 60!” Doctor: “See! What did I tell you?”

* Patient: “I have a ringing in my ears.” Doctor: “Don’t answer it!”

* A drunk was in front of a judge. The judge says, “You’ve been brought here for drinking.” The drunk says “Okay, let’s get started.”

* Why do Jewish divorces cost so much? They’re worth it.

* The Harvard School of Medicine did a study of why Jewish women like Chinese food so much. The study revealed that this is due to the fact that Won Ton spelled backward is Not Now.

*There is a big controversy on the Jewish view of when life begins. In Jewish tradition, the fetus is not considered viable until it graduates from medical school.

Q: Why don’t Jewish mothers drink?

A: Alcohol interferes with their suffering.

Q: Why do Jewish mothers make great parole officers?

A: They never let anyone finish a sentence!

A man called his mother in Florida, “Mom, how are you?” “Not too good,” said the mother. “I’ve been very weak. “The son said, “Why are you so weak?” She said, “Because I haven’t eaten in 38 days. “The son said, “That’s terrible. Why haven’t you eaten in 38 days?” The mother answered, “Because I didn’t want my mouth to be filled with food if you should call.”

A Jewish boy comes home from school and tells his mother he has a part in the play. She asks, “What part is it?” The boy says, “I play the part of the Jewish husband.” The mother scowls and says, “Go back and tell the teacher you want a speaking part.”

Q: How many Jewish mothers does it take to change a light bulb?

A: (Sigh) “Don’t bother. I’ll sit in the dark. I don’t want to be a nuisance to anybody.”

Did you hear about the bum who walked up to a Jewish mother on the street and said, “Lady, I haven’t eaten in three days.”

“Force yourself,” she replied.

Q: What’s the difference between a Rottweiler and a Jewish mother?

A: Eventually, the Rottweiler lets go.

Q: Why are Jewish men circumcised?

A: Because Jewish women don’t like anything that isn’t 20% off.

While we all know carrots are great for the eyes, we don’t often think of how beneficial they are for so many other parts of the body or health issues. And finding a variety of recipes from soup to Carrot Cake  is a good way to ensure we all eat a healthy supply of this crunchy, inexpensive root vegetable.

Full of beta-carotene and Vitamin A, carrots may not fix eye problems, but there’s a lot of evidence they can halt them from becoming worse, especially aging macular degeneration and night vision. There is also strong evidence, because of the amount of Vitamin A and beta carotene, carrots may be helpful in preventing diseases  since those nutrients  build a strong base against harmful cells like cancer  and slow down fat in the circulatory system which also makes them great fighters of stroke and coronary illness. Most surprising to me is how good carrots are for your teeth! The crunchiness of them scratches off plaque and food particles from teen, and chewing invigorates the gums. They also cause more salivation, which helps get rid of the bad stuff that causes cavities. That’s because of the minerals they contain.  More reports say it’s also great in fighting diabetes, improving skin tone and health and improves memory! An apple a day isn’t a bad idea but a few carrots in a variety of ways every day is also a great idea.

Soups are also a good way to use carrots that may have been forgotten in the refrigerator and past their most delicious time. With fall coming on, soups are a great choice for  lunch or before the entrée at dinner. What’ more, it’s easy to make a big pot of soup and simply refrigerate half for another day or evening.

CREAM OF CARROT SOUP

For those who want to add some cholesterol, heavy cream or half and half can be used, or simply leave it out. Instead, use a blender at high power for the mix and you’ll still get a creamy carrot soup.

Ingredients

1 Tbls.  each butter and olive oil  (EVOO is best)

1 onion, chopped

1 stalk celery, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 teasp. chopped parsley or fresh thyme

5 cups chopped carrots

2 Cups water

4 Cups chicken broth

Bit of salt and pepper to taste.

1/3 Cup heavy cream or half and half (optional)

Heat butter and oil in heavy pot until butter melts, add onion and celery and cook about 5 minutes until softened, stirring once or twice. Add parsley or thyme,  and stir in carrots. Add water and broth and bring to a simmer over high heat. Reduce the heat to keep a mile simmer and cook until everything is tender, about half an hour. Put the soup into the blender, blending until smooth. If using, stir in half and half at the end.