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Matt Speiser

Community Editor

mspeiser@dailyvoice.com


Matt Speiser's Contributions

Neighbors
Hasbrouck Heights Teen Makes Wearable Street Art Hasbrouck Heights Teen Makes Wearable Street Art
Hasbrouck Heights Teen Makes Wearable Street Art HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, N.J. — In a sea of black hats and robes, Hasbrouck Heights' Christian Alexander stood out in baby blue. The then-18-year-old had painted a starry design on his sneakers and graduation cap with an obvious implication: the sky is the limit. Since his 2015 high school graduation, Alexander has been recruited by professional athletes and rappers to paint their own custom sneakers, and recently launched his own artistic clothing line. "It was so surreal to have guys who I idolized reaching out to me," he said.  They appreciated what I do. Alexander's family moved 1…

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by Matt Speiser
Business
Bogota Boutique Attracts Bergen Bargain Hunters Bogota Boutique Attracts Bergen Bargain Hunters
Bogota Boutique Attracts Bergen Bargain Hunters BOGOTA, N.J. — It's difficult for women to merely browse when they visit Browse Consignment in Bogota. They pick through the secondhand jewelry and designer pocketbooks. They try on a few pairs of sunglasses. In the back, they go through the sundresses and jackets. To the delight of owner Joanne Dubay, they usually end up finding something they love. "My customers are crazy about bargains and the thrill of the find," Dubay, 58, told Daily Voice. "I offer both and it keeps them coming back again and again." The longtime Teaneck resident had never worked in fashion befor…

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by Matt Speiser
Schools
Injured Hackensack High School Student Gets Hospital Graduation Surprise Injured Hackensack High School Student Gets Hospital Graduation Surprise
Injured Hackensack High School Student Gets Hospital Graduation Surprise HACKENSACK, N.J. — While his Hackensack High School classmates were graduating, 18-year-old Jose Guallpa-Peralta was laid up in a hospital bed recovering from surgery on a leg he broke playing soccer in gym class.Friday morning, a knock came at his Hackensack University Medical Center door. In walked Principal James Montesano, Assistant Principals Anibal Galiana and Celso King and School Counselor Maggie Magner with his diploma. "He had no idea we would all show up for him," Galiana told Daily Voice. "He got very choked up." Others helped Guallpa-Peralta into his cap an…

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by Matt Speiser
Schools
East Rutherford's Montessori School Celebrates 30 Years East Rutherford's Montessori School Celebrates 30 Years
East Rutherford's Montessori School Celebrates 30 Years EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Montessori School of East Rutherford celebrated 30 years of providing education and care to local children during its recent graduation ceremony. East Rutherford Mayor James Cassella and Councilman Joel Brizzi were guests of honor for the event, which was held in the Becton High School auditorium on Wednesday, June 22. "It’s nice to see a school build its roots in a community and give back through education," Cassella said. "It’s a pleasure to come year after year to present the diplomas to the children." Tribute was paid to Shanthi Sumitra, …

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by Matt Speiser
Neighbors
Hawthorne Native Turns Skaters Into Mentors Hawthorne Native Turns Skaters Into Mentors
Hawthorne Native Turns Skaters Into Mentors MIDLAND PARK, N.J. — Hawthorne native Steven Wolfe lays out his three core beliefs to every skateboarder who comes to his Midland Park skatepark: 1. Kids need more places to skate; 2. Skateboarders are influential; 3. Faith is part of life. These beliefs form the heart of "Solid Foundation," a non-profit organization serving young people who don't participate in traditional sports or after school activities "People think skateboarders are hooligans who destroy property and are disrespectful, but that is really not the case," Wolfe, 36, told Daily Voice. "Most of …

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by Matt Speiser
Business
Englewood Makeup Specialist Makes Living Art For Big Screen Englewood Makeup Specialist Makes Living Art For Big Screen
Englewood Makeup Specialist Makes Living Art For Big Screen ENGLEWOOD, N.J. — You may not know Mike Marino of Englewood, but you are probably familiar with his work. The Emmy-winning makeup artist has worked on hit films "The Wolf Of Wall Street," "Black Swan," "I Am Legend," "Birdman," and "Men In Black 3," to name some.  He relishes in breathing life into the unreal. "A sculptor can make a beautiful statue but I can make that same statue and then actually bring it to life," Marino, 39, told Daily Voice. "That is the heart of film making — taking something that does not exist and the…

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by Matt Speiser
Neighbors
'The Sandlot' Actor, Englewood Native Finds True Calling As Trainer 'The Sandlot' Actor, Englewood Native Finds True Calling As Trainer
'The Sandlot' Actor, Englewood Native Finds True Calling As Trainer ENGLEWOOD, N.J. — In the coming-of-age 1990s baseball film "The Sandlot," a then 12-year-old Englewood native named Wil Horneff played a bully. But Horneff, now 37, said the experience of being a child actor got him bullied. "Since I was always working I was kind of like the outsider at school and didn't have a core group of friends," the Waldwick trainer told Daily Voice. " 'The Sandlot' is actually everything I wish my childhood was." Horneff now operates "Training Grounds Jiu Jitsu & MMA," a Westwood gym where he teaches children how to defend…

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by Matt Speiser
Politics
East Rutherford Moves To Ban Sale Of Puppy Mill Dogs East Rutherford Moves To Ban Sale Of Puppy Mill Dogs
East Rutherford Moves To Ban Sale Of Puppy Mill Dogs EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Following Emerson's lead, East Rutherford officials are considering banning the sale of puppy mill dogs and cats in the borough. “It's important that we are out in front on this issue," said Councilman Joel Brizzi, who introduced the ordinance at Tuesday night's council meeting. "As a dog owner and dog lover, I believe it should be criminal to have the animals kept caged in masses." The council voted 6-0 to introduce the ordinance. A public hearing was scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 19. The council could then vote on the ordinance that night. …

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by Matt Speiser
Events
PHOTOS: Closter Fundraiser Supports Anti-Drug Film PHOTOS: Closter Fundraiser Supports Anti-Drug Film
Photos: Closter Fundraiser Supports Anti-Drug Film CLOSTER, N.J. — Local officials and others from across Bergen County gathered at The Barn in Closter Monday evening to help raise money for an anti-drug film about heroin usage in Bergen County. County Executive Jim Tedesco, state Assemblyman Joe Lagana and Closter Mayor John Glidden were among those who listened to the story of 23-year-old Closter native Brad Rosenberg, who lost several friends to heroin overdoses. The film is being commissioned by the Northern Valley Coalition and produced by actor Michael Sorvino — son of actor Paul Sorvino. He first heard about the film from The Barn's …

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by Matt Speiser
Sports
PHOTOS: Hasboruck Heights Little League Year-End Picnic PHOTOS: Hasboruck Heights Little League Year-End Picnic
Photos: Hasboruck Heights Little League Year-End Picnic HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, N.J. — A home run derby and skills competition highlighted the Hasbrouck Heights Little League year-end picnic. All players from the major division who had hit a home run were invited to participate in the derby. Tommy Capozzi won the competition with nine homers. The Skills Competition invited all 12-year-olds to test their running, throwing and pitching abilities. The winners: Base running (total time twice around the bases)" First: Just Mucci, 24.51 seconds. Second: Jake Diaz, 25.47 seconds. Most accurate throw: First: Nick Cuccio, 12 pts. Second: Tommy Capo…

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by Matt Speiser
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