SOMA Living August 2021

VOL. 6-8 AUGUST 2021 MAGAZINE

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PUBLICATION TEAM

FACES IN THE CROWD

Femi Owudunni, a member of both the SOMA Fox Runners and SOLE Runners groups led the pack at the recent 10 days of 10ks to support the MEND (Meeting Essential Needs with Dignity) non-profit organization. Organized by volunteer Jessica Lituchy, the event raised over $50,000 to fill thousands of refrigerators.

Advertising Sales Michael E. Goldberg I 973.271.4306 somalivingmagazine@gmail.com Dr. Stephen Levine, Sarah Maloney, Elizabeth Kubany, Gary T. Jones, Yoni Kreger, Dr. Alissa Gardenhire Contributors: Cathy Roma, Dr. Daniele Merlis, Kate Elliott, Editor: Brenda Langan Director of Human Resources: Fudge P. Goldberg Director of Public Relations: Marli Craig Founders & Co-Publishers: Michael E. Goldberg & Juliet Bowen

PET OF THE MONTH

Design by: GRANDSTAND DESIGN

“His name is Moose, he’s 3 years old and we adopted him back in Boston before we moved to Maplewood in July 2019. He’s all tongue and all attitude, his hobbies include snuggling with his mommy, sticking his tongue out (it simply doesn’t fit in,) sitting on his bum like a “hooman,” snoring, playing with his toy “lobstah,” and eating. So if you ever see a Pug with a long tongue out there, it’s probably Moose waiting to give you a hug!” Jack Regan (incoming 9th grader at CHS) You can follow Moose on Instagram @longuetonguepug

(973) 232-6025 www.grandstanddesign.com

Family Photography by: LIVE LOVE LENS PHOTOGRAPHY

jamie@livelovelens.com www.livelovelens.com

Kristine Foley

Happy SOMA Summer

@LIVELOVEMAPLEWOOD | LIVELOVELENS.COM

#livelovemaplewood

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THE LEADING BOUTIQUE BROKERAGE IN SOUTH ORANGE AND MAPLEWOOD

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MEET THE COHEN FAMILY This month’s feature story is a little different as it looks back to 1947 when the Cohen family moved to Maplewood from the Weequahic section in Newark. At that time Ben was 3, Carrie was 7 months and Tom would come along three years later. The siblings reminisced about growing up in SOMA and the changes they’ve seen over the last 74 years. Aside from leaving for college and living elsewhere shortly after graduation, the siblings have spent the majority of their lives in SOMA, and several of their adult children and many of their grandchildren currently live in town. Joan Oppenheimer Cohen grew up in South Orange and actually met her future husband Ben at Grunings Ice Cream Shop in South Orange after school one day, while they were both students at Columbia High School. They were the first to move back to Maplewood in 1973, followed by Carrie and her husband Dave Wells who grew up in Englewood, N.J. “We knew we wanted to move to Maplewood and more specifically, we really wanted to live on the same block as Joan and Ben. So we found a home around the corner in 1976 and have been here ever since,” Dave shared. Tom and his wife Donna moved to South Orange from West Orange in 1983 because Donna, originally from Queens, really wanted their kids to go to the same schools as their cousins. Tom joked, “We also didn’t want to buy a home anywhere else, but I knew I didn’t want to live on the same street as my siblings. We frequently walk to their homes and just did so for this interview at Joan and Ben’s house.” Going back in time, “Our towns were really a suburb of Newark and didn’t have an urban feel in any way. Back then people moved here from Newark or Irvington instead of from Manhattan or Brooklyn as is often the case today. Interstate 280 didn’t exist yet. Remember that the entire Interstate Highway System in the U.S. was built in the 1950’s and 1960’s. It wasn’t until the mid-1990s when the mid town direct train line was instituted that people started moving from the New

Photography by Jamie Meier

Left to Right: Tom, Carrie & Ben

Left to Right: Dave, Tom & Ben Left to Right: Carrie, Joan & Donna

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York City boroughs,” Ben said. Joan added, “When we were growing up, Maplewood was very conservative and mostly Republican, while South Orange was only slightly less so. There was little ethnic diversity, but that has changed dramatically over the years. But physically, both towns look very much the same today, and many places are still here. Town Hall Deli was a favorite for their sloppy

schools, all of which were neighborhood schools, and 2 junior high schools (7th, 8th and 9th grades) instead of the 2 middle schools. Columbia High School actually didn’t have female sports teams, only the Girls Athletic Association was offered to the girls.” Joan expanded on their high school activities, “There was a jukebox at the Baird Community Center in South Orange, and every Friday night there were dances

joes, barrels of pickles and free buttered rye bread, along with Joe’s Pizzeria at the junction of Springfield and Millburn Avenues. We have frequented the Reservoir Restaurant in South Orange since we were young adults.” Tom shared, “Gruning’s Ice Cream was another favorite spot (until it unfortunately closed in the late 1980’s) and we went to both Grunings locations – the flagship shop in South Orange Village and “The Top” next to the South Mountain Reservation where The Top Condominiums are now located. “We lived on Parker Avenue just a few blocks from Columbia High School, so we were equidistant from both Maplewood and South Orange villages. In the summertime we rode our bikes and walked everywhere from morning until dark, only taking a break for dinner,” Tom said. Carrie jumped in, “We also walked home for lunch every day during the school year. We went to Fielding elementary school, where the current Board of Education offices are located. The school structure was quite different because there were more elementary

followed by ice cream at Gruning’s. Spending time in the South Mountain Reservation was popular at all ages. In the wintertime there was ice skating on the duck pond in South Orange and in Maplewood a portion of Memorial Park was flooded to create a place for ice skating. Many current traditions like the Fourth of July races in the morning, the circus in the afternoon and the fireworks displays at night in Memorial Park in Maplewood and in Cameron Field in South Orange, date back to our childhood and before.” Donna segued, “While I didn’t grow up here, I’ve seen so many amazing changes since I moved here almost forty years ago. The towns have become more diverse, more accepting, more interesting and even more wonderful for our children and grandchildren who live here.” The Cohen family agreed they are extremely fortunate to have grown up in SOMA and to have enjoyed so many years of marriage and so many laughs and good times with their families and friends in the tight-knit SOMA community which they love.

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BEAUTY

With so many ways that professional hair coloring can accentuate or even transform your hairstyle, it may be difficult to determine which technique can work best for you. It’s important to understand what these various color treatments mean, how they are applied, and what each will entail for optimal maintenance. First, there is balayage, a French word meaning “sweeping,” as in to sweep the hair with a lightener. The talented stylist will employ a free-hand technique to literally paint the highlights onto the hair, creating a soft and natural gradation of lightness toward the ends. The result is the look of a summer spent at the beach, or the fresh, unintentionally perfect highlights on a child. For those starting with darker hair, however, balayage may not deliver the sun-kissed look you covet in your Instagram feed. For brunettes, the balayage treatment has evolved further into the foliyage technique. Here, the hair is first teased and placed in a foil before the stylist BABYLIGHTS, BALAYAGE, FOILYAGE, OH MY!

once again employs the hand-sweeping movement. The foils work to saturate the hair, intensifying the lifting properties, and leave the client with a more dynamic and vibrant color transition. Both balayage and foilyage are ideal options for the client looking for low maintenance color. The soft blend of color eliminates the stark lines of grown-in roots. Babylights are another great low-maintenance option. Here, the stylist creates finely threaded “sections” that blend seamlessly from the root. Babylights are ideal for the client that wants to be very blonde, while still retaining the dynamic color depth not possible through a single process alone. One thing is for certain: the old school, chunky “streaks” from the 1990s are not in today’s professional hairstylist’s arsenal of tools. Those sharply contrasted stripes—once rocked by early aught stars like Cristina Aguilera and Britney Spears (#FreeBritney!)—have evolved into an array of sophisticated color techniques. Your hairstylist will be happy to walk you through the options to determine which result will work best for you and your lifestyle.

email us at AtlanticConcepts@hotmail.com to schedule a free estimate www.atlantic-concepts.com (386) 344-3894 Atlantic Concepts is a family owned business that has been serving the SOMA community for over 10 years. Its founder, Eddie Cevallos and family are proud residents of Maplewood. Specializing in kitchens, bathrooms, additions, etc, Atlantic Concepts would love to hear your ideas for your projects. Please give us a call for a free estimate.

Yoni Kreger 973-762-2900 info@yonikregersalon.com yonikregersalon.com

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RECIPE OF THE MONTH

MARGARITA WATERMELON BITES Prep Time: 30 min • Marinating time: 6 hours • Servings: 12 When summer heats up, so begins my obsession with tequila and watermelon, perfectly combined in these watermelon margarita bites. They are basically deconstructed watermelon margaritas with a savory spin. They are perfect for Summer barbecues or lazy days grabbed out of the cooler at the beach. Summer in a bite!

INSTRUCTIONS

RECIPE NOTES

Special Equipment: 1 1/2 round cookie cutter

CANDIED JALAPENOS In a small saucepan combine the sugar, water, and jalapeño slices and set over medium heat. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Simmer for about 10 minutes and remove from the heat. Place jalapeños and the cooking syrup into an airtight container and chill. LIME SIMPLE SYRUP Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan set over medium heat. Stir until sugar is completely dissolved and then remove from the heat. Chill. Margarita Marinade In a medium bowl whisk together the lime simple syrup, tequila, and orange liquor. MAKE THE BITES • Cut the watermelon into one inch thick slices. Using a 1 1/2 inch cookie cutter, cut out rounds from each slice and place into a large, flat container and set aside. • Pour the margarita marinade over the watermelon rounds. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours and up to 6 hours. • To serve: Remove watermelon from margarita marinade and place in a single layer on a platter. Scatter cojita cheese over the watermelon. Place one candied jalapeño slice on top of each watermelon round and skewer with a bamboo skewered cocktail fork. Garnish with lime zest and serve.

• I recommend 1 inch thickness and 1 1/2 inch rounds as the optimal serving size. • If you don’t have a round cookie cutter, slice the bites into even 1 1/2 inch squares. • BONUS! Save the watermelon scraps to mix up with the leftover marinade for frozen watermelon margaritas. • Cojita cheese is my go-to for topping, but feta or ricotta salata can be substituted. • The leftover jalapeño syrup can be stored in the refrigerator and used to flavor cocktails. • A sprinkle to salt to finish makes this flatbread sing.

INGREDIENTS

Margarita Marinade 2 cups tequila 3/4 cup orange flavored liquor, such as triple sec or Cointreau lime simple syrup Make the Bites 4 lb seedless watermelon 8 oz cojita cheese, crumbled (feta or ricotta salata can be substituted) lime zest, for garnish

Candied Jalapenos 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup water 3 jalapeños, thinly sliced into rounds

Lime Simple Syrup 2 cups sugar 2 cups water 2 tbsp lime zest 1/2 cup lime juice

www.WHATSHOULDIMAKEFOR.com

Cathy Roma’s food philosophy is simple: everything in moderation. She’s worked in restaurants, owned an online bakery, has a bordering-on-problematic cookbook obsession and is the writer, photographer and recipe developer for the blog whatshouldimakefor.com. She lives in South Orange with her well-fed family, overstocked pantry and mildly excessive collection of cookie cutters.

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DRINK OF THE MONTH

INGREDIENTS • 4 ounces Sparkling Clementine or Orange Pop • 1.5 ounces Dark Rum • Orange Slice for Garnish TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE COCKTAIL

INSTRUCTIONS Pour Sparkling Clementine or Orange Pop over Ice in a cocktail glass

Gently pour dark rum on top Garnish with an orange slice

The dark rum floater casts the perfect dark shadow across the bright orange sparkling beverage. Plus the flavors of the rum blend nicely into the sweet orange soda.

SOMA BLOCK PARTY SPECIAL All Summer $350/4 hrs Extra hrs $75/hr

Sarah Maloney is a longtime Maplewood resident who is known to make a refreshing drink. She is the Vice President of Mortgage Lending at Guaranteed Rate and enjoys spending time with her four children in her downtime.

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AUGUST 2021 | SOMA LIVING 11

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ARTIST OF THE MONTH

The most important thing to know about jc lenochan’s work is this: he sees his work as a set of questions, rather than answers, as ideas rather than objects. He says that, while he doesn’t believe labels, he considers himself more a “visual thinker of conceptual ideas.” I had read jc lenochan’s (he requests that his name be written in all lower case, because he says it is a question of language and the western interpretation of its rules) artist statement before

meeting him, so I was prepared for a conversation on art that would be unlike many others. He calls his work an investigation into epistemology that seeks to interrogate the origins of our knowledge and particularly our assumptions about race and class. In a conversation on his work, he cites a wide range of influences, including Allan Kaprow’s Happenings, Joseph Beuys’s theory of social sculptures, and numerous writers and books as being seminal to his practice, with Paulo Freire’s “Pedagogy of the Oppressed” and Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s “Decolonizing the Mind” being central. He uses books, furniture and discarded objects, along with paper and canvas for drawing surfaces. If you ask him what his medium is, he says “everything but painting.” His focus over the past few years is the creation of “social sculptures” where the objective is engaging the public in an active dialogue. “There are no rules to this thing called art,” lenochan says. But he also acknowledges that art “saved me from myself” as a younger man. His ideas feel radical in our culture of commerce, and he talks about revolution and

deconstruction, but he himself is patient and earnest. He has taught at the high school and university levels for years and continues to, and speaks with reverence about his students and how important their ideas are. Many years ago, he decided to seamlessly align his studio and pedagogical practices so that he was creating work that reflected concerns of race, class, and critical pedagogy, just as he was addressing those same issues in the classroom. Ultimately, he is seeking the answer to an extraordinarily complex question: “What role has education played in creating our current social condition in terms of justice, poverty, incarceration, race, and class construct?”

Elizabeth Harrison Kubany is founder of KUBANY, LLC, a communications firm established on her lifelong belief in the power of architecture, design, and art to make the world a better, more beautiful, and more equitable place. She is also the co- founder, with her husband, of Winterhouse Projects, an online gallery platform that promotes the work of emerging artists. @ElizabethKubany

CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE A FREE ESTIMATE!

scalora.com 973.313.3912 @ scalorabros • Masonry • Paving • Retaining Walls • Fence • Drainage • Pavers

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ATHLETE OF THE MONTH SPONSORED BY BASS FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC

ARIANA HEDA Rising 7th grader at Maplewood Middle School Sport: Synchronized Skating My favorite thing about skating is when I spend a lot of time on the ice and get better and better at it. I really like synchronized skating because I get to work with my team and become the best we can be. Goals One thing I would improve on in my skating would be to keep building my stamina up. I’m also working on moving up another level … I want to get better and continue to move up. Maybe one day I’ll get a scholarship to skate in college and compete at the highest levels. I recent ly passed a test just 30 days after passing the level before and I’m proud of this accomplishment. I also want to complete all of my skating tests soon. I like to push myself but I still want to have fun and skating gives me both of those things. One thing I realized recently is that it’s important to have fun because you spend a lot of time working on getting better - you have to enjoy it and I do! Favorite things: School Subject: Science Exercise: Sit ups Food: Penne with vodka sauce Least favorite things: School Subject: ELA Exercise: Burpees Food: Steak that isn’t well cooked

• Treatment and Rehabilitation for Headaches • Neck and Back Pain • Sports and Gym Related Activities • Disc Problems and Neck Problems • Auto Injuries • Pregnancy Related Aches BASS FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC

What I want to be when I grow up: Athletic training doctor Favorite trip: I traveled to Croatia on a boat cruise with a big portion of my family. We had the whole boat to ourselves and we sailed to lots of islands. One place I would really like to travel to would be the Galapagos Islands. Hobbies: I love going to the beach and hanging out with my friends.

ABOUT DR. BASS If one word were used to describe Dr. Wayne J. Bass, it would be “community.” As one who has served on the Maplewood Chamber of Commerce for a number of years, Dr. Bass understands the needs of the community and strives to achieve excellence with every appointment. In fact, his business was founded on the principle of excellence in the community in 2006. While there are many chiropractors out there, Dr. Bass is one who truly cares about the well-being of patients.

(973) 378-2277 BASSFAMILYCHIRO.COM 491B VALLEY ST, MAPLEWOOD, NJ 07040

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FINANCIAL FOCUS Like most people, you may have several financial goals. But can you reach them all? It would be simple if you had great wealth. But you’ll likely need to rank your goals in terms of their importance to your life and then follow appropriate strategies to achieve them. By doing so, you may end up getting pretty close to covering each of your objectives, in one way or another. When prioritizing your goals, consider following this process: • Identify goals as “must have” or “nice to have.” Making sure you don’t outlive your resources is a must-have goal, so you need to be as certain as possible of achieving it. On the other hand, a nice-to-have goal might be something like buying a vacation home. If you don’t attain the money needed for this goal, you do have room to compromise, perhaps by scaling down to a smaller home in a different area or just renting a place for a few weeks a year. Having this flexibility can provide a psychological benefit, too. • Put “price tags” on your goals. You need to know what your goals will cost. Even if you can only make an estimate, it’s essential to have some figure in mind. As time goes by, you can always revise your projected costs. To arrive at these price tags, you may want to work with a financial professional who has the tools and technology to create hypothetical illustrations and scenarios. • Follow an appropriate strategy. The nature of your goals and their estimated cost will drive your investment strategy. So, for example, using the must-have goal mentioned above – the need to avoid outliving your money – you’ll want to balance your growth objectives with your comfort with risk, as well as maintain an appropriate withdrawal strategy when you’re retired. However, for a nice-to-have goal, such as your large vacation home, perhaps you don’t need the same urgency – consequently, with part of your portfolio, you might be able to take more risk in hopes of greater returns. • Monitor your results. As you pursue your goals, whether must have or nice to have, you’ll want to check your results regularly. If you think you’re not making enough progress toward your desired goal, you may need to make adjustments. But don’t overreact to short-term swings in the financial markets or in the value of your portfolio, or take on an inappropriate amount of risk. When trying to reach your goals, you can alter your path, but it’s usually not a good idea to change directions altogether. The decisions involved in identifying, prioritizing and achieving your goals can be somewhat involved. But by following a well-designed process, you can help yourself get to where you want to go. RANKING YOUR GOALS: A SMART MOVE

Gary T. Jones 973.821.4900 • g.jones@EdwardJones.com

With over 25 years of experience, I work with individuals and businesses to help you achieve your financial goals. As a longtime resident of SOMA I am proud to serve the local community. To learn more about the content of this article or schedule an appointment to talk about your goals, please contact me in my Maplewood office.

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CHARITABLE ACTS

In the spirit of Daybreaker, the morning rave party that has taken off around the world, come celebrate at the first annual SunUp with us - an hour of yoga and meditation followed by some very spirited dancing to the spins of local DJ Jen - all to celebrate the day! DATE: Friday August 13 TIME: 7AM – 9:30AM LOCATION: Memorial Park Amphitheater

find information about the person or persons responsible for the tragic death of our beloved community member, Moussa Fofana. SunUp is part of the Houses of Love Summer Series of Events. Order your T-shirts to wear ahead of time!($22 and FREE shipping and all proceeds also go to the shelter!) Sunup will take place on the hill across from the train station in Memorial Park (at the amphitheater where Maplewoodstock takes place!) Coffee and morning breakfast treats will be available as well as other fun items that include the awesome logo designed by local designer Priscilla Goldman of 4elbows.

Teen Ticket: $30 Adult Ticket: $60 Family Ticket: $100

Proceeds from this event (your ticket purchase is 100% tax deductible) will be donated to Isaiah House, a homeless shelter in East Orange that is near and dear to those in SOMA. Isaiah House leadership has committed to donating a portion of our proceeds to the Justice for Moussa fund, which is working to

ONLY 250 TICKETS AVAILABLE!!!! Purchase at https://bit.ly/Bo9ADN

AUGUST 2021 | SOMA LIVING 15

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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

GETTING HIS SHINE ON, ONE CAR AT A TIME.

Tom Varbero, a former ad exec and 17-year resident of South Orange, always knew he wanted to start his own business and provide local jobs. He just didn’t think it would happen during a pandemic. Ironically, it was all the time spent at home that sparked his idea to launch a mobile detailing services and detailing business.

“As cars became an extension of our living rooms, they got messier than ever,” says Varbero. “Gleamr is the easy fix. Sign up online for a service, our team comes to you and a short time later your car is shining and smelling like new!” Business is growing steadily, and Varbero now oversees a team of five who deliver concierge detailing services across Essex, Union and Morris Counties. “The folks working with me now are so good at what they do,” says Varbero. “Providing local jobs is one of the things I’m most proud of but believe it or not, finding team members has been one of the hardest aspects of starting this business.” They’re clearly making a difference. The proof is in the client testimonials - and especially the before and after photos. So, is your car filled with Sand? Pet Hair? Kids Snacks? Coffee stains? Book your appointment today at gleamr.co so you can shine on, too!

• Steps • Concrete Work • Fencing • Sidewalks & Curbs • Bluestone • Brick & Block • Retaining Walls • Railroad Ties • Keystone • Belgian Block • Stone Work • Masonry • Porches

• New Garages • Foundations • French Drains • Waterproofing Interior & Exterior • Asphalt & Paving

• Patios • Decks • Excavation • Mulching • Soil & Seed • Tree Removal • Top Soil

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REAL ESTATE

WORD UP

One of the critical components to marketing a home is the property description. As Realtors we need to abide by Fair Housing laws, as well as making sure our illustrative linguistics fit neatly into exact character & word lengths for multiple listing sites. Accurately and attractively portraying your property can take some serious noodling! But what does one do when faced with the task of verbally beautifying a bummer abode? Let’s examine some spicy property write-ups and decipher what they actually mean.

What it says: Full of potential! Loads of opportunity to make this home your own. What it means: This house is desperately ugly.

What is says: Tucked in a quiet neighborhood with serene views. What it means: Next to a cemetery.

What is says: Cozy spaces rife with charm! What it means: Your comfort level here will be akin to riding in the back seat of a Fiat.

What is says: Bring your contractor! What it means: Unless you are a contractor, skip.

They do say that a picture is worth a thousand words and, in real estate, this is no exception. So let’s break down a few telling photographic marketing tricks and how you should interpret them while house hunting.

What you see: The first listing photo is an interior shot. What it means: There’s no curb appeal. Like, zip.

What you see: There are no photos of the bathrooms. What it means: You’d probably rather go to the bathroom in a Porta Potty.

John B. Houston Funeral Home, Inc. “When you want the best for your loved ones’’

What you see: No photos of the backyard. What is means: Backyard? You’re silly.

I liken house shopping to trying on wedding dresses. You can pull magazine tears for months (that’s from my day - now the kids use Pinterest or Snap-Zap or Swizzle or what-the-heck-ever) but until you try something on in person - you just can’t tell what you’re going to love. There’s so much information online but remember, you can work with your Realtor to preview listings and give you their opinion on how the home will work for you in person versus just what you can see on the inter-web.

• Professional Pallbearers On Demand • Honorary Casket Guards • White Glove Services • Superior Restorative Art

John B. Houston Executive Director

“Serving with Excellence”

Kate Elliott is the leader of The Kate Elliott Team at Coldwell Banker 646-662-6655 Kate.elliott@cbmoves.com Insta: @KeyToNewJersey

Cushnie-Houston FUNERAL HOME 102 Sanford Street, East Orange, New Jersey 07018 Voice 973.678.1790 Fax 973.678.8023

JOHN B. HOUSTON FUNERAL HOME 236 Ellison Street, Paterson, New Jersey 07501 Voice 973.881.8200 Fax 973.881.8207

Triboro Funeral Home 2274 Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd., New York, New York 10030 Phone: 718-335-5613 Fax: 973.678.8023

WWW.JOHNBHOUSTONFUNERALHOME.COM

AUGUST 2021 | SOMA LIVING 17

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FROM THE DOCTOR

RAISE THE ROOF!

HAIR LOSS IN WOMEN

We all lose about 50-100 hairs every day, but seeing increased hair in the shower drain, a thinning ponytail, a widening of your part, or even a bald spot is worrisome for sure. This is beyond normal shedding and should be looked into. Our hair grows in phases: the anagen phase is the growing phase and lasts 2-8 years, the catagen phase is the transitional phase and last 2-3 weeks, and the telogen phase is the resting phase and final cycle of the hair follicle before it falls out and lasts about 3 months. There are many factors that can affect this normal cycle and cause hair loss- and topping this list are stress, hormones and nutrient deficiencies. Stress is a major trigger for hair loss. This has been demonstrated during the pandemic where stress levels have been super high and hair loss has been a big concern. The stress can be psychological or physical. The body will divert blood supply, energy and nutrients away from the hair follicle when feeling stressed or ill. The hair loss can be seen a few months after an extremely stressful event or time period. When we are stressed we also tend to fall into less than optimal sleeping and eating patterns which can lead to inflammation as well as poor nutrient intake. Stress causes us to use up more nutrients like B vitamins too. Hormonal changes are a big player in hair loss. Low functioning thyroid, high prolactin, elevated insulin, and high androgens can all contribute. Loss of estrogen with peri/menopause can cause the hair follicles to shrink and hair may then fall out. And postpartum hair loss with its hormonal fluctuations can lead to hair loss too. Your doctor can check these hormone levels in the blood. Nutrient deficiencies that can affect hair loss include iron, zinc, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, Vitamin E and tocotrienols, omega 3 fatty acids, amino acid deficiencies and possibly vitamin D. Nutrition related hair loss can often be due to mild deficiencies of multiple nutrients rather than a more severe deficiency of one nutrient. If nutrient deficiencies are discovered it’s important to figure out why - are you not getting enough in, not able to digest or absorb the nutrient properly, or have a loss or increased need of that nutrient? Looking at the underlying cause of hair loss can guide treatment. In general, make sure you are eating a whole foods anti-inflammatory diet that is full of protein, healthy fats, fiber, fruits and veggies to ensure you are getting optimal nutrition. This will also help to decrease inflammation and balance hormones, as well as help even out blood sugar and insulin levels. Replenishing nutrient deficiencies is key and I always suggest going on a good multivitamin with a nice amount of B vitamins. Making some of these changes can start you on the road to reversing hair loss.

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Daniele Merlis, MD Functional Medicine Certified Physician Firefly Health

www.fireflyhealthmd.com dmerlisMD@gmail.com

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FROM THE DOCTOR

WHAT IS A CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENT

Have you wondered what it would feel like to get an adjustment from a chiropractor? Your friends have been going for years and they always declare after an appointment that they feel “so much better!” And all the while, the pain in your back or neck is bothering you more than ever, you wonder if a chiropractor can make you feel so much better too. Adjustments help eliminate subluxations (misalignments of the vertebrae causing nerve interference) in your spine. Although the spine is one of the most common areas for subluxations to occur, they aren’t solely confined to that area. This is why people often visit chiropractors for help alleviating pain in their feet, shoulders, neck, wrists, and knees, as well as in their backs. Chiropractors use their hands, an instrument, gravity, or a special table to apply a controlled, gentle force to a spinal joint; this adjustment is meant to improve your body’s physical function and ease of motion. It also helps alleviate pain. Adjustments can also include stretching, rocking, light pushing, or painless pressure. The adjustment frees the vertebrae or joint to find its correct position to be in alignment; it never “forces” anything into place. So what does it feel like? You may feel a release of pain or a relaxation of your mobility that lasts for either a short period or a while. After your adjustment, you may even feel a little achiness or soreness because your body has likely been in an improper posture for so long that it needs to “adjust” to being in alignment, which is why multiple appointments may be needed. Take a more in-depth look at what to expect from an adjustment in our blog post at South Orange Chiropractic.com, Rest assured that if yours is a chiropractic case we will tell you, if not, then we will tell you that too. With high tech thermal imaging, digital radiography and a thorough orthopedic, neurological and chiropractic exam we can achieve a level of certainty to determine what the problem is, where the problem is and how bad it is to help you gain the relief you are looking for.

Meet the Natural Pain Relievers at South Orange Chiropractic Center Moving people from pain to wellness. Dr. Stephen Levine • Dr. Mark Roczey • Dr. Mark Sielski 60 First Street, South Orange, NJ 07079 973-761-0022 Go to SouthOrangeChiropractic.com to download our FREE E-book on Health and Wellness

South Orange Rehabilitation & Wellness We provide professional, individualized and effective physical therapy. Our health and wellness interventions promote healthy living and enhanced quality of life for all athletes and patients.

Specializing in: • Post Surgical Knee & Shoulder • Spinal Decompression for Herniated and Bulging Discs • Cold Laser to Increase Healing

Stephen Levine D.C. South Orange Chiropractic Center SouthOrangeChiropractic.com Phone: 973.761.0022 Email: Docdad230@aol.com

SouthOrangeRehab.com (973) 761-0077 177 Valley Street, South Orange, New Jersey 07079

AUGUST 2021 | SOMA LIVING 19

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TRAVEL

SPLASH PADS AND SPRAYGROUNDS IN NEW JERSEY

Who doesn’t love running through a sprinkler on a hot and steamy summer day? Bring it to the next level at one of New Jersey’s splash pads and spraygrounds, many of which are located in local parks and playgrounds. Here are three area parks to cool off in their sprayground.

Bespoke Travel Adventures Beyond Your Expectations

1. Watsessing Park Spray Park – East Orange

This sprayground, which opened in July 2017, is located on Glenwood Avenue near Dodd Street in East Orange. The 3,000-square-foot addition to the 69-acre park provides deep-sea–themed water adventures to keep your kids cool when the temperatures soar. FREE!

phone: 201.747.9253 email: Inquiry@Cloud10Travel.com web: Cloud10Travel.com follow us on : cloud10_travel :

2. Snyder Avenue Park – Berkeley Heights

J ROCK CONSTRUCTION, LLC

Cloud10Ad-March21-32x295.indd 1

2/19/21 3:04 PM

This 13-acre park includes a modest spray park next to its playground, as well as a great walking trail and more. The fenced-in playground features play equipment for children of various ages, as well as rock walls and swings. The cute, football-themed sprayground, which includes a huge goal post that shoots out water, was possible because of a generous donation from the New York Jets. It’s modest and lacking in shade, but the little ones and locals definitely consider it a win! FREE!

3. Madison Street Park – Hoboken

862-246-0115 jrockconstructionllc@gmail.com jrockmasonry.com

This Park offers a large water play area with fun, modern playground equipment nearby. The water features include dumping buckets, in ground sprays, and more, right in the center of the playground. All of it is done in bright primary colors. FREE!

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EDUCATION When I am trying to make a particular point with one of our students, I will tell them I’m coming to their high school or college graduation (and I will and have done so). Just yesterday during our Brain Zone camp, I said to one of my students “If I walk up to you at your graduation and ask you to find the greatest common factor of 16, 24, and 72 you had better flip your diploma over and work it out correctly on the back!” She looked a bit perplexed but went back to practicing the GCF work in front of her—focusing on the step-by-step process I had showed her. I encouraged her throughout our session to “Do the math. Do not skip steps. Show your work. Work out the problems. Think about what you are finding and why multiplying the common factors found makes sense to then generate the greatest common factor. If you follow the steps and think about what it means, you will never forget how to do it. You’ve got to do the work, hon.” The high standards we hold for and the rigor with which we teach our students are not necessarily the norm in their lives. My camps are filled with black boys this summer. They are the most “written off” category of student, but we will never write them or any of our students off, because we know they can learn and master this content. We have had success bringing any student to or above grade level. Our expectations are high because we know they can learn, with our support. At my Best in Class Education Center, we do not stand for less than mastery for any of our students, because less than mastery leaves gaps in student learning that just grow over time ultimately hinder their success, and that is not ok with us. My staff and I are committed to and believe in the ability of our students to learn and master the math and English concepts we teach them. We do not step over misunderstandings. We instruct and we correct. We review, and look for new ways to teach, and most of all we practice until concepts are understood. The steps matter. The particles matter. Deep learning is important to us, and it is more important for the children we work with. Their lives are in the balance and that matters most to us. Best in Class Education Center invites you to take advantage of our complimentary math and English assessments for rising 1st to 8th graders online at www.bicedu.com/south-orange with no obligation. Dr. Alissa Gardenhire is the owner of Best in Class Education Center, named one of the three best tutoring centers in the region by 3 Best Rated dot com. Copyright 2021 © Dr. Alissa Gardenhire and Kids Win, Inc.

ENROLL IN FALL CLASSES NOW!

AUGUST 2021 | SOMA LIVING 21

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MAPLEWOODSTOCK Galactic and Friends of the Brothers to Headline Maplewoodstock 2021; Funk Yeah! to be a featured act After a year’s hiatus due to the COVID pandemic, the annual Maplewoodstock Music and Arts Festival is back and will be held on Saturday, October 2, and Sunday, October 3, 2021, from noon until 9 pm each day. This f ree, two-day, live music and arts event will be held at Memorial Park, Maplewood, NJ, (160 Dunnell Rd, Maplewood, NJ, 07040 -- directly opposite Maplewood’s NJ Transit train station). Saturday’s Headliner is New Orleans funk rock-n-pop act Galactic. Sunday’s Headliner is Friends of the Brothers , paying tribute to the music of the Allman Brothers Band. Sunday’s Featured Act is Funk Yeah! featuring professional talent from Maplewood, South Orange, and New York City. “We are so pleased to be able to present that the best possible free music and arts festival that we can,” says volunteer Maplewoodstock Festival Chairperson Tom Kerns. “We are looking forward to bringing the community back together after a year or more of social distancing. We may adjust some aspects of the festival to account for COVID and public health guidelines. Any adjustments will be communicated on our maplewoodstock.com website, facebook.com/maplewoodstock page, and our other Twitter and Instagram accounts.”

THE SMART WAY TO DO LAUNDRY

LAUNDRY PICKUP & DELIVERY SERVICE

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ZAKIR, GET OUTTA THE STREET

AUGUST 2021 | SOMA LIVING 23

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ERIC M. SACKS, D.M.D Board Certified Orthodontic Specialist

Top 1% Invisalign Doctor in the Nation

Former Clinical Assistant Professor of Orthodontics - Rutgers University We incorporate advanced technology, personalized care and high-quality orthodontics to give you a healthy, great looking smile!

ERIC M. SACKS, D.M.D Board Certified Orthodontic Specialist

Top 1% Invisalign Doctor in the Nation

it #5712 RD OF ORTHODONTICS

Former Clinical Assistant Professor of Orthodontics - Rutgers University We incorporate advanced technology, personalized care and high-quality orthodontics to give you a healthy, great looking smile!

XT FOR A COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION : 973.251.2265

Specialty Permit #5712 DIPLOMATE, AMERICAN BOARD OF ORTHODONTICS

on Ave | Livingston, NJ 07039 | 973.251.2265 | www.Sacksortho.com Ave | Summit, NJ 07901 | 908.499.8707 | www.summitdentalpartnersnj.com st insurances, FSA, HSA and offer in-house financing.

CALL OR TEXT FOR A COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION : 973.251.2265

cksorthodontics

Sacks Orthodontics Livingston NJ

41 N. Livingston Ave | Livingston, NJ 07039 | 973.251.2265 | www.Sacksortho.com 779 Springfield Ave | Summit, NJ 07901 | 908.499.8707 | www.summitdentalpartnersnj.com We accept most insurances, FSA, HSA and offer in-house financing.

@sacksorthodontics

Sacks Orthodontics Livingston NJ

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