Happy Monday, New Jersey!

Explore the depths of history: Guided tours are being offered of the Battleship New Jersey while it rests in dry dock in the historic Philadelphia Navy Yard, offering guests an opportunity to see the awe-inspiring Iowa-class battleship propellers and explore the hidden realms beneath its hull. Tickets for tours on Saturdays and Sundays are $225 each and will continue each weekend until work on the ship is complete. Veterans who served on the battleship can get discounted tickets for $170. Learn more here.

👀What’s on tap today:

• New and noteworthy culinary offerings in New Jersey

• Walk your way to better health

• Plenty of events in New Jersey this weekend

Up first …

Taste of the Garden State

• Dine at James Beard Semifinalist Restaurants
  New Jersey’s dining scene scored three nominations on the prestigious James Beard Semifinalist list this year. Lita, a new Iberian restaurant in Aberdeen Township is a semifinalist in the “Best New Restaurants” category. Lita only offers a three-course, prix-fixe menu ($78), which includes starters such as rissóis de camarão, crisp and creamy shrimp turnovers, and delicate saffron spaghetti with braised chicken sofrito. Also honored in the “Best Chefs Mid-Atlantic” category are Dane DeMarco of Gass & Main in Haddonfield, serving American cuisine, and Nur-E Gulshan Rahman of Korai Kitchen in Jersey City serving Bangladeshi cuisine.
   

• D’Serve Opening This Spring
  Expected to open its doors soon in Flemington in Hunterdon County, D’Serve will feature French, Latin, and Caribbean cuisine with a menu set to change biweekly. The intimate, 25-seat bistro is owned by Chef Andrew Mercado and his wife Shannon Mercado, owner of Suga’Pie Bakehouse. D’Serve will be open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and will host pop-up events such as cooking classes, taco nights and private gatherings.
   

• FiNNBAR Opened its Doors in January
  Located in the former Frenchtown Inn in Frenchtown, FiNNBAR has taken over the centuries old building that closed its doors in 2022. A vegetable-driven Italian and Mediterranean restaurant, FiNNBAR is led by cookbook author and acclaimed chef, Cal Peternell, and features a full bar, set along views of the Delaware River. FiNNBAR also has a charity component that donates a majority of profits to Studio Route 29, a Frenchtown arts center for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
   

• Ram & Rooster Opens in Metuchen This Spring
  Sean Yan, former pastry chef at the acclaimed Heirloom Kitchen in Old Bridge, is opening his passion project in Metuchen. Ram & Rooster, a Chinese-Inspired eatery, will only offer a prix-fix menu in the intimate 35-seat setting. The restaurant and its name are named after Yan’s parents’ Chinese zodiac signs – the ram and the rooster – to pay homage to them and his culture.
   

• Stop Along The New Jersey Brews Trail
  Launched in November 2023 by The New Jersey Division of Travel & Tourism, The Jersey Brews Trail Pass is a free mobile guide to 49 of the most wow-worthy craft breweries throughout the state. On top of offering brewery recommendations, the pass also offers discounts at select breweries. After visiting just three trail locations, users will be eligible to win one-of-a-kind prizes and swag. The trail features breweries from all over the state, including Angry Erik Brewing in Newton all the way south to Coho Brewing Company in Cape May Courthouse.

Healthy Aging

Walk your way to better health

A walk is not just good for your body, it's also good for your soul. Physical activity, like walking, is one of the best ways to reduce stress and boost your mood. However, reports show walking rates are declining steadily in the United States. On average, 1 out of every 4 U.S. adults sits for longer than eight hours each day, per research from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, which can have negative consequences on physical and mental health. Regular exercise improves mood, boosts energy and can even help you sleep better. Staying active is one of the best ways to keep your mind and body healthy.

Consider this advice from the American Heart Association, which has worked for decades to promote policies and strategies that make it easier for communities to get and stay active. Indeed, adding more movement can benefit your body and mind in numerous ways, such as:

• Lowering disease risk. Getting the recommended amount of physical activity (at least 150 minutes of moderate, 75 minutes of vigorous or a combination of those activities per week) is linked to lower risk of diseases, stronger bones and muscles, improved mental health and cognitive function and lower risk of depression, according to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services.

• Increasing sunlight exposure. Outdoor exercise is an easy way to get moving and take in the sunlight, which can improve mood, boost immunity and help you get some vitamin D. Spending time outdoors is a no-cost option and has been shown to reduce stress, promote a sense of belonging and improve mood.

• Improving cognitive and mental function. Physical activity keeps your mind sharp now and later. Studies show higher fitness levels are linked to better attention, learning, working memory and problem solving. What's more, a study published in the "British Journal of Sports Medicine" shows people who get the recommended amount of physical activity are less likely to develop depression.

• Living longer. Healthy life expectancy can be positively impacted by increasing activity. According to research published in the "American Journal of Epidemiology," swapping just 30 minutes of sitting with low-intensity physical activity reduced risk of death by 17%.

Get moving to reduce your stress and step into better health. Learn more at heart.org/movemore.

Upcoming events

April 26 – Earth Day (Smithville, Atlantic County)
April 26 – The Breakers – Tom Petty Tribute Live in Concert (Newton, Sussex County)
April 26 – TPC’s Casino Night 2024 (Nutley, Essex County)
April 26 – Jazz Night (Voorhees, Camden County)
April 26 – 28 – Nunsense (West Windsor, Mercer County)
April 26 – 28 – Jane Eyre (Fort Lee, Bergen County)
April 27 – Buy Rite Beer & Wine Festival (West Windsor, Mercer County)
April 27 – The Original NJ Empanada Festival (Manville, Somerset County)
April 27 – Art Walk (Smithville, Atlantic County)
April 27 – Sparta Special Olympics Spring Vendor & Craft Fair (Sparta, Sussex County)
April 27 – Barefoot Grape Stomping at Four Sisters Winery (Belvidere, Warren County)
April 27 – Made in Monmouth (Lincroft, Monmouth County)
April 27 – Spring Maker’s Market on the Square (Haddon Twp, Camden County)
April 27 – Monmouth County SPCA Dog Walk & Pet Fair (Eatontown, Monmouth County)
April 27 – Haddonfield Music Festival (Haddonfield, Cameden County)
April 27 & 28 – Clue (New Brunswick, Middlesex County)
April 28 – Hermitage Museum Vintage & Antique Fair (Ho-Ho-Kus, Bergen County)
April 28 – HunterFest 5k & Festival (Jersey City, Hudson County)
April 28 – Spring Market & Dog Adoption Event (Montclair, Essex County)
April 28 – Montclair’s Earth Fest (Montclair, Essex County)
April 28 – Raritan Valley Symphonic Band “40th Anniversary” Concert (Somerset, Somerset County)

Today in History

In 2023, Ken Potts, one of the last two remaining survivors of the USS Arizona battleship, which sank during the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, died at the age of 102.

Quote of the day

"Age is not measured by years, but by the wisdom, experiences, and lessons learned along the way." 🌟

Birthdays

🎂Celebrating her 73rd birthday today is Allison McCarthy of Stanhope! We wish you a day filled with joy, laughter, and all the things that make you smile! May this year ahead be as amazing as you are!🥳🎈Other notable figures sharing a birthday today with Allison are Jack Nicholson, 87; singer Mel Carter, 85; author Janet Evanovich, 81; and singer Peter Frampton, 74.

Want to have your birthday listed here? Refer a friend to sign up for the newsletter and receive a free birthday wish. Refer 20 friends and receive a free “Better With Age New Jersey” t-shirt. Copy and paste this link to share: https://betterwithagenj-newsletter-b594a7.beehiiv.com/subscribe

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