SOMA Living May 2022

VOL. 7-5 MAY 2022 MAGAZINE

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MAY 2022 | SOMA LIVING 3

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PUBLICATION TEAM

FACES IN THE CROWD

Publisher: Michael E. Goldberg

Editor: Karen L. Driggs

Director of Human Resources: Fudge P. Goldberg

Advertising Sales Michael E. Goldberg I 973.271.4306 somalivingmagazine@gmail.com Contributors: Cathy Roma, Natalie Farrell Dr. Stephen Levine, Gary T. Jones, Dr. Daniel Roig, Jill Cohen, Yoni Kreger, Kerry Cordero, Julie Greene, Norah Salazar Lee Seidenberg, Dr. Alissa Gardenhire

Columbia Boys JV Distance Track Team at a recent track meet in Livingston. Each runner had a personal best time. The fastest of the group was Asa Glassman with a mile time of 5:15. Way to go Cougars!

PETS OF THE MONTH • Sponsored by Jennifer McManus Real Estate

Design by: GRANDSTAND DESIGN

(973) 232-6025 www.grandstanddesign.com

Say, “hi” to SOMA’s very own Golden Girls! Bea Arthur, in the blue sweatshirt, is an anxious, but loveable rescue. Roux Machlanahan, in the yellow sweatshirt, is an absolute cuddlebug. And Estelle Getty, up front in pink, is as energetic and attention seeking as she appears to be. These girls only get photographed together at Preferred Pet care, where they spend their days. At home, they maintain a constant distance of three feet unless huddled at the foot of the snack cabinet. The Les ter family would not be the same without them.

Family Photography by: LIVE LOVE LENS PHOTOGRAPHY

jamie@livelovelens.com www.livelovelens.com

Kristine Foley

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MAY 2022 | SOMA LIVING 5

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MEET THE ALLSOPP FAMILY

Photography by Jamie Meier

This is a story of parallel lives merging.

Jacquelyn and Dale Allsopp were both born and raised in Brooklyn. She in Bensonhurst and he in Brownsville. At the age of four, Jacquelyn started dancing. By fourth grade, she was accepted in to the highly competitive Ballet Tech program (The NYC public school for dance). By sixth grade, Dale excelled in the class room and applied to participate in the “Prep for Prep” program (designed to provide students of color with access to top tier educational, leadership, and advancement opportunities. After completing the preparatory component of “Prep for Prep”, Dale enrolled in high school at The Calhoun School as a full scholarship student. Jacquelyn explained, “By age eleven we were both taking the train to the city by ourselves to attend class. I can’t imagine our own kids doing this.” By 2004, both Jacquelyn and Dale had jobs in San Francisco. They met at a Salsa night club. Jacquelyn shared, “He started Salsa dancing young and I’m part Puerto Rican. It was a natural match.” She added, “Once we decided to have babies we wanted to be back on the East Coast with family, so we moved back to Brooklyn. After our second child, we outgrew our apartment and longed for a bigger place. Dale’s Aunt, Lynette Robinson, was part of one of the first black families in Maplewood 40 years ago. We loved visiting. Growing up

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in Brooklyn you never say, ‘I’m going to live in NJ’, but here we are. It’s so beautiful and so nice.” Dale and Jacquelyn fell in love with the town and enjoy being part of an artistic community. The Allsopp’s also appreciate family bike rides and take out pizza from “Reservoir.” Jacquelyn’s career highlights include dancing in the Feld Ballet, MetropolitanOpera, and MoMix NY. Most recently, Jacquelyn was an Associate Choreographer for the international broadway tour of “West Side Story”. Dale’s academic success continued with admission to Wesleyan College and ultimately completing an MBA at Wharton. He is now a director of corporate strategy for Google. Jacquelyn and Dale share a passion for bringing the opportunities that shaped their lives to a new generation. Dale is on the board of “Prep for Prep” and is now a mentor for the program. Under his leadership, Google has become the largest employer of graduates from “Prep for Prep”. “He’s really working hard to bring more students of color into the tech field,” said Jacquelyn. At the same time, Jacquelyn is eager to bring a cultural arts program to the SOMA district. She explained, “Bringing professional dancers, musicians, stage actors and artists to the classroom can have a life changing impact.” She is equally excited to continue her work as a choreographer and teacher to help break down barriers for students of color in joining professional ballet companies. She shared, “I was more curvy than most girls in dance. I was often discouraged from becoming a professional dancer. Today, many dance companies talk about diversity and inclusion but overlook dancers from diverse backgrounds who don’t have a traditional ballet dancer’s figure.” Jacquelyn and Dale live in SOMA with their three children Aviana (9), Nevaeh (7), Jonah (4). All three of their children are active in dance programs: ballet, musical theater (dance/voice), and ballet (for future athletic agility) respectively.

CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE A FREE ESTIMATE!

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

MAY 2022 | SOMA LIVING 7

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DREAM TEAM

THIS MONTH’S MAKEOVER IS DIVYA GUPTA

and clearing her skin. For pain, I recommended TribeREVIVE Delta 8 pain cream to help relieve the pain in her lower back and legs. - Jill Cohen, Canniboss Lady.

Divya has used her love and education of architecture to start up two successful businesses. Immigrating from India as a newlywed, becoming a mom to a beautiful young lady, Divya started her professional career in the ACM fabrication industry observing every aspect of the business in Atlanta,

Julie Perlow-Greene

Prior to the photoshoot, I met with Divya to find out what she wants to change within her present style. Divya holds a big position as founder and CEO of architectural companies. She travels around the world and

is expected to present and lecture 3-4 times a month to colleagues. She loves to dress casual, yet elegant and tends to like classic structural lines. We found three different looks that will work for her and would accentuate her positive attributes. This includes switching out some less style-conscious sneakers for Chanel-inspired red wedges, and

GA. for 7 plus years. She took this gained knowledge and started her own Manufacturer’s rep firm in the NY/NJ region representing architectural building exterior cladding products. In the process, she also grew her multi-service design and drafting firm specializing in exterior façade systems with offices presently in India and Colombia. Her aspirations continue to grow as an entrepreneurial woman while juggling all aspects of a busy life.

Jill Cohen

integrating a classic yet hip high-end vintage blazer. What a difference these stylish wardrobe details make in Divya’s overall look; In two words: polished and confident. - Julie Perlow-Greene, Retail Therapy & Kerry Cordero, Dress your Dream

I listened to her story about what keeps her up at night and how it affects her health. She is new to CBD therapy and interested in a holistic approach to healthcare. Her stress caused lower back pain and nerve pain in her legs.

Yoni Kreger

For Divya, I wanted to create something that is beautiful yet functional; a look that is both vibrant and inviting. Sombré highlights around her face give her the sun-kissed lightness of summer rays while accentuating

I explained the endocannabinoid system and how the benefits of the cannabis plant help reduce symptoms of inflammation, anxiety, pain, and depression. I suggested she use “Of The Earth CBG Tincture with Peppermint” for nerve pain and anxiety. The peppermint extract will also help calm her stomach. NFZD Beauty Mushroom powder would clean the bad bacteria out of her gut while brightening

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Lee Seidenberg

the warm foundational color that compliments her skin tone. We maintained her hair length but added angles around her face to draw the eye to her dazzling smile. Layers on top create a bit of volume

This is the second time I’ve had the pleasure of taking Divya’s portrait. The first time was in 2019 when she came to me for headshots. Divya is a lovely woman and has both gentle and kind energy. This time, I wanted to show off her wardrobe, and new hairstyle, and capture her with a more natural and authentic look and feel. We chose a simple, flattering lighting setup consisting of a single light and a large white panel to fill in the shadows. We played with different color backdrops to complement her clothing and skin tone. You can see more images at leeseidenbergphotography.com/somaliving - Lee Seidenberg, Lee Seidenberg Photography

and dynamic, easygoing movement. The overall effect achieves a perfect balance to her natural face shape and provides an easy-to-replicate look at home, perfect for the busy working mom. - Yoni Kreger, YK Salon

Norah Salazar

For Divya’s makeup look, I chose a soft daytime glow, fresh skin, warm tones, and subtle contour to accentuate her features. Divya’s wardrobe is cool-toned so it makes sense to keep her makeup understated. In one of her looks, however, I use a red gloss to change things up and create a pop of color. Divya is a powerful lady and I want her makeup to reflect that. Sometimes with makeup looks, less is more. Lee has very tonal lighting and that is a great backdrop for me to work with. - Norah Salazar, NorahSalazarMakeup

MAY 2022 | SOMA LIVING 9

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RECIPE OF THE MONTH

GRILLED STEAK CAESAR SALAD Prep Time: 20 min • Cook Time: 15 min Servings: 6 Salad is one of my go-to warm weather dishes, but I like to make them a little heartier for dinner by adding a protein and some char from the grill, like in this grilled steak caesar salad. It’s funny, chicken and salmon usually get all the love when it comes to caesar salads. But a juicy sliced ribeye may be my new favorite. The buttery richness of the ribeye holds up against the homemade lemony caesar dressing, requires no marinade, and takes only minutes on the grill. Dinner is served!

INSTRUCTIONS

Grilled Steak 1. Allow the steak to sit at room temperature for about 20 mins. Brush both sides with olive oil and season generously on both sides with kosher salt and pepper.

about 1-2 minutes per side and then cut into cubes. 4. Arrange the romaine halves, steak slices,

croutons, parmesan and dressing as a composed salad. Alternatively, you can chop up the lettuce, toss with dressing, and top with steak slices, croutons, and parmesan shavings. Recipe Notes • Allow the steak to sit at room temperature for at least 20 mins before grilling, so the steak cooks evenly. • Be sure to let the steak rest, covered, for at least 5 minutes before slicing to preserve the juices. • Keep an eye on the bread and romaine lettuce as you grill. They can burn in a blink! • A mini prep or food processor is ideal for keeping dressings emulsified. No food processor? Simply add the oil and the other ingredients in a slow, steady stream while whisking vigorously. • Serve this as a composed salad on a big board for a pretty presentation or chop it up and mix it together for easy eating!

2.Set the grill to high heat. Grill the steak for about 3 minutes per side for medium rare. Remove to a plate and allow the steak to rest for a few minutes before slicing. Caesar Dressing Whisk all ingredients except olive oil together in a small bowl, and then add the oil in a steady stream while continually whisking. Alternatively, the dressing can be blended in a food processor or mini prep. Set aside. Make the Salad 1. Spilt the lettuce heads in half longwise, brush with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. 2.Grill Romaine for about 3mins per side at med/ high until lightly softened and slightly charred. 3.Brush the baguette or roll with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill the bread for

INGREDIENTS

Grilled Steak 2 lbs. Ribeye steak (2 steaks), NY strip can be substituted 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil kosher salt freshly ground black pepper Caesar Dressing 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard 2 Tbsp. parmesan cheese, grated 2 Tbsp. white wine vinegar 1 tsp. lemon zest, grated

½ tsp. kosher salt ¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper ½ cup extra virgin olive oil Grilled Steak Caesar Salad grilled steak, rested and thinly sliced 3 heads of Romaine lettuce, ends trimmed, but core left intact 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, divided 1 baguette or french roll, split lengthwise 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, shredded or grated

1 Tbsp. lemon juice 2 tsp. anchovy paste

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

WHAT IS FROZEN SANGRIA?

Sangría is a traditional wine punch that originates from Spain. A classic Sangria is made with red wine and chopped fruit, and often orange juice or brandy. But there are lots of Sangria variations as well: peach Sangria, white Sangria, strawberry Sangria, apple cider Sangria, and so forth.

Frozen Sangria is a variation on Sangria that’s frozen, like a slushie. Is frozen Sangria an authentic Spanish drink? Not at all! It’s most likely an American invention honoring the Spanish alcoholic punch, and it’s made quite differently from traditional Sangria. However, the method makes for a frozen alcoholic drink that tastes like Sangria and is incredibly festive! It’s perfect for entertaining. Like our frozen margarita, we’ve added this one to our summer entertaining repertoire and it’s here to stay.

Instructions 1. The night before serving: Peel and section the clementine oranges and pop them in the freezer. 2. The day of serving: Blend together the frozen clementine oranges with the berries, red wine, and honey, stopping to scrape down the sides as necessary. 3. Serve in glasses garnished with orange slices. Best served immediately. If you do have leftovers you can freeze for a few hours, but the texture becomes thicker. We don’t recommend freezing overnight: so, plan on making a batch right when you plan to serve it!

Ingredients • 12 ounces 3 large or 4 to 6 small clementine oranges, frozen (see below*) • 10 ounces frozen mixed berries • 2 cups dry red wine (we used Rioja Tempranillo) • 2 tablespoons honey (or maple syrup for vegan) • 1 orange, cut into slices for garnish (optional)

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.

973-632-0302

Improving South Orange/Maplewood one house at a time We offer weekly maintenance plans, landscape design services and hardscape construction www.slevingroupnj.com

MAY 2022 | SOMA LIVING 11

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SOMA ADULT SCHOOL

‘SCHOOL’S OUT’ FUN’S IN: ADULT SCHOOL’S PUTTING ON A SHOW

CHILDREN’S SUMMER PROGRAM

The South Orange-Maplewood Adult School’s popular Children’s Summer Program is back! There’s a wide variety of classes to choose from in the worlds of creative arts, music, science and sports. This “camp a la carte” is unique in that it offers a flexible schedule where students get to choose their own classes (there are five periods a day) and make the day as long or short as they like. In the creative category, the camp features Glass Fusing, Song & Playwriting, Graphic Design, Beading, Design the Runway, Interior Design, Filmmaking, Mural Design, just to name a few.

On Monday, June 13, the curtain goes up on a one-off Broadway Cabaret, “School’s Out,” conceived and produced by theater veteran and Maplewood resident Robert Dusold, who is also co-president of SOMAS (South Orange-Maplewood Adult School). He is creating the show as a fundraiser for the 85-year-old Adult School, which like many other non-profits, suffered financially during the Covid lockdown when in-person classes and events were suspended. “School’s Out” will feature a stellar gathering of stars from such Broadway hits as The Lion King, The Producers, Mamma Mia, Les Miserables, Chicago, Phantom of the Opera, Company, Cats and more. For its creator, the event sums up “the whole purpose of my career, art and education. Both art and education can change minds. By offering cultural enrichment, the Adult School has been creating new opportunities for everyone in our communities.”

Highlights in the sports category include Fencing, Volleyball, Ultimate Frisbee, Juggling, Basketball and Indoor Sports & Games!

The camp also features offerings to calm and center the mind like Yoga, Happy Minds, Mindful Club and more.

The camp is open to children grades 1-9, and all classes take place at CHS.

Get more info and tickets at somadultschool.org

Register at somadultschool.org

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ATHLETE OF THE MONTH SPONSORED BY BASS FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC KATY WALMSLEY

• 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

Birthplace: Epsom, Surrey, England Grade: Graduate with BA, International Relations; JD Sports Played: Triathlon Athletic Achievements: 20+ year triathlete. 2021 USA Tri athlon All American Team.

- I love cheering them on and watching their skills and confidence grow each game. Hobbies: When I’m not busy swimming, biking, or running, I love spending time

with my family at the beach, diving through waves, going on bike rides to our favorite coffee shop, or trying to read a good book (which with four kids might even be harder to do than completing an Ironman!) Favor i t e f ood: My favorite meal is when my husband, Davis prepares Seafood-fest. It’s delicious AND I’m not cooking! Do you have a teacher or coach who in spired you? Ali Headley. She knows how to push her athletes to achieve and she leads by example. When I’m not motivated to do a workout just knowing Ali is out there working just as hard (or harder) gets me out the door. What are your tips for success for other athletes? Always be open to learning new things. No matter how successful you are, or how many years you have been working at a sport, there is always something you can learn to improve your performance.

Age group win at the New Jersey State Triath lon in July in the Olympic distance. Age group win at Ironman Atlantic City 70.3 with a time of 5:06:05. First full Ironman race (140.6 miles of swimming, biking and running) at Iron man Florida in November. Placed first among females 40-44 with a time of 11:01:23 and earned a spot in Ironman World Champion ships this October in Kona, Hawaii. Teams: Katy is a former Division I soccer player for Lehigh and now represents TRIumph Coaching as both an athlete and a coach. Favorite Professional Team: I don’t really have a favorite professional sports team. My favorite athletes to watch are my own kids. Whether they are tossing the disc with Home town Ultimate, swinging for the fences with South Orange/Maplewood baseball, shoot ing hoops with the St. Joe’s Celtics, or tearing up the soccer field with the Union Soccer Club

ABOUT DR. BASS If one word were used to describe Dr.Wayne J. Bass, itwouldbe“community.” As one who has served on theMaplewood 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

MAY 2022 | SOMA LIVING 13

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UNDER COVER MUSIC Under Cover Music Fest (UCMF) returns to South Orange Downtown (SODT) on Saturday, May 14 from 4-10pm, presented by Mark Murphy’s Music and Pollock Properties Group of Keller Williams. An anticipated 1,000 music lovers of all ages will gather at the Sloan St. parking lot for an evening of great food, a bustling beer garden, and FREE live music! The one-of-a-kind event features world-class musicians performing covers of the most popular hits from a collection of famous artists: The Grateful Dead (Deadful Greats), Herbie Hancock (Karl Latham Big Fun(K)), Stevie Wonder (Vivienne Frederick and Mark Murphy’s Music Faculty Band), Lauryn Hill (Autumn Jones), Phil Collins (Dustin Kaufman), and Led Zeppelin (Charlie Pollock and Friends). The Fox & Falcon will host a large beer garden (cash bar), which will serve beer and cider from NJ’s best breweries; including, SOMA Brewing, Four City Brewing Co., Kane Brewing Co., Ironbound, and Michigan’s Founders Brewing Co. You’ll be able to order food from the Fox & Falcon’s full menu and dine outside. Food will also be available for purchase from main stage sponsors Miti Miti and Tandoori Chef II. This family friendly event will have kids’ activities in the Y-Zone from 4-6pm (courtesy of the South Mountain YMCA). Festival guests are allowed to bring their own food, blankets, and low-profile folding chairs (no higher than 9” off the ground ). There will be downtown sidewalk sales happening all day. While enjoying the music, visit all of the great local businesses in South Orange to enjoy special sales. T he rain date for UCMF is Sunday, May 15 from 3-9pm. Under Cover Music Fest would not be possible without its generous presenting sponsors Pollock Properties Group of Keller Williams and Mark Murphy’s Music and main stage sponsors Miti Miti, Tandoori Chef II and PSEG. Additional thanks to in-kind sponsors: SOPAC, The Fox & Falcon, South Mountain YMCA, the Village Green, and South Orange Village. Track the latest news by following @southorangedowntown on Facebook and Instagram and using #UnderCoverMusicFest or #UCMF

www.thecarpetgirl.com SELECTION, SALES AND INSTALLATION

WWW.SCALORA.COM 973.313.3912

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REPAIR CAFE What do you do with a broken toaster? Or a lamp? Or a bike with wheels out of alignment? How about a vase you can’t use or jewelry you can’t wear because it needs repair? The Repair Café is a community gathering place where people bring broken items for repair, free of charge, by skilled volunteers (who might also be your neighbors). The goal is to keep useful things useful and out of the landfill/incinerator. The next Repair Café will be held on Saturday, May 7 from 1-4 pm. We will be returning to our original location at the Fellowship Hall at the Morrow Memorial Church, corner of Baker and Ridgewood Rd in Maplewood. Questions? Contact Tracy Carroll at 973-558-0863 or soma2towns@gmail.com . Bring it to the Repair Café, of course!

SOPAC SOUTH ORANGE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Scan for More Events!

NICK LOWE’S QUALITY ROCK & ROLL REVUE STARRING LOS STRAITJACKETS SUN, JUN 19 AT 7:30PM

ZOSO The Ultimate

MAX WEINBERG’S JUKEBOX THU, JUN 9 AT 7:30PM JOAN OSBORNE FRI, JUN 10 AT 8PM BRIA SKONBERG QUARTET SAT, JUN 11 AT 8PM

Led Zeppelin Experience FRI, MAY 20 AT 8PM EDDIE PALMIERI LATIN JAZZ BAND SAT, MAY 21 AT 8PM

SOPACnow.org | (973) 313-2787 Buy Tickets Today!

Visit SOPACnow.org/Covid-19 for all Covid-19 Precautions & Policies

CHILDREN'S

PíÊʨÞ

JUGGLING

FENCING

COOKING

YOGA

FASHION

INTERIOR DESIGN

MOSAICS

ENGINEERING

ULTIMATE FRISBEE CLAYMATION

ASL

DESIGN

SONGWRITING

FILMMAKING

AND SO MUCH MORE!

SOMADULTSCHOOL.ORG * 973.378.7620

MAY 2022 | SOMA LIVING 15

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FROM THE DOCTOR

WHAT IS SPONDYLOLISTHESIS ?

Low back trouble is a common issue among most people. There are many ways a person can injure their back such as sprains, disc herniations, pinched nerves, or muscle strains. There is another injury that is also common to the spine or lower back called spondylolisthesis. This condition is when a vertebra slips out of place, resting on the bone below it. No matter what the cause, when the vertebra slips out of place, it puts pressure on the bone below it. There are different types of spondylolisthesis: Congenital spondylolisthesis, Isthmic spondylolisthesis, and degenerative spondylolisthesis. There are less common types such as traumatic, pathological, and post-surgical spondylolisthesis. Congenital spondylolisthesis occurs when a baby’s spine doesn’t form the way it should before birth. The misaligned vertebrae puts the person at risk for slippage later in life. Isthmic spondylolisthesis happens as a result of spondylolysis. The crack or fracture weakens the bone. Degenerative spondylolisthesis, which is the most common type, happens due to aging. Over time, the disks that cushion the vertebrae lose water. As the disks thin, they are more likely to slip out of place. The cause of spondylolisthesis is generally due to overextending the spine. Genetics may play a role, too. Some people are born with thinner vertebral bone. In older adults, wear and tear on the spine and disks (the cushions between vertebrae) can cause this condition. A patient may not experience any symptoms of spondylolisthesis. Lower back pain is typically the main symptom. The pain may extend to the buttocks and down the thighs. You may also experience: muscle spasms in the hamstring, back stiffness, difficulty walking or standing for long periods, Pain when bending over and numbness, weakness, or tingling in the foot. There are treatments out there but treatment depends on the grade of the slippage, your symptoms, age, and overall health. The patient may need medication, physical therapy, or surgery. Nonsurgical treatments include rest, medication, injections, physical therapy, and bracing. There are ways to prevent or minimize the risk of coming down with this condition such as regular exercise performance (for strong back and abdominal muscles), maintaining a healthy weight and eating a well-balanced diet. Nonsurgical treatments cannot undo the crack or slippage, but they can provide long-term pain relief. Surgery can relieve pressure on the nerves, stabilize the vertebrae, and restore your spine’s strength. While the condition won’t go away on its own, you can often experience relief through rest, medication, and physical therapy.

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

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

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15 Scotland Road in South Orange, NJ

*All loans subject to approval. Rate determined by credit score. Garden Savings is an equal opportunity lender.

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FROM THE DOCTOR WHY IS WORKING AT HOME CAUSING ME NECK AND BACK PROBLEMS? Did you know that since the increase in the number of Americans working from home, the incidence of office workplace pain and injury has also increased immensely? In one study by the American Chiropractic Association, 92 percent of chiropractors said that patients were reporting more neck pain, back pain, or other musculoskeletal issues even early on in the pandemic. If you’re still doing your work from home sitting on a barstool at the kitchen counter or hunched over on your couch, even if it’s only a couple of days per week, it’s time to make some updates to your remote work setup. To create an ergonomic workspace, consider your head position, arm position, back position, and ensure regular movement. Your work setup should allow you to keep your head and spine in a neutral position, so you may need to prop your computer screen up so it is at eye level. The ideal position for your arms is at 90 degrees with your shoulders resting downward (not hunched up towards your ears). An external keyboard and an ergonomic mouse are helpful. Your feet should be touching the floor (resting on a stack of books or a footstool) and your back should be supported (you can use a lumbar pillow or small cushion) and your head is over your neck and shoulders. Visit our web site for a short video on ergonomics and exercises to do while seated to counteract poor seated postures. (southorangechiropractic.com) Finally, it’s important to take regular breaks to move. Try to include short “micro-breaks” where you simply change your posture for a moment, as well as longer breaks of several minutes to stretch your shoulders, walk around the house, or practice some deep breathing. Of course, daily exercise is also important for our overall health. Take a morning and afternoon bike ride with some of the time you used to spend commuting. Starting and ending the workday with exercise is not only great for our physical well-being, it also helps signal a transition for our brain between “work” and “home”, so we can maintain a healthy boundary between the two. If months of working from a kitchen chair have you experiencing neck, back, or shoulder pain that’s affecting your quality of life, book an appointment with our chiropractic team today.

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

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

MAY 2022 | SOMA LIVING 17

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REAL ESTATE Living in South Orange for over 20 years, I’ve never felt as though our town subscribes to the ordinary idea of mundane suburbia. South Orange’s uniqueness comes from the many untold layers that have molded the town, and, perhaps specifically, the history of the brook that babbles down the Glen near Mountainside Road. After accepting the listing for 361 North Ridgewood Road, I learned the historical accounts of the brook’s once-famed healing benefits. During the mid 19th century, South Orange was a mecca for wellness, as the air was said to have pulmonary vitality and the water, untouched by noxious urbanism, was considered mineral-rich and healing. The foundation of the railroad through South Orange allowed New York City’s wealthiest elites easy access to enjoy their summer days here. The most prominent landmark of this time was the South Mountain House– a luxurious water-cure hotel and spa, located on what we now call North Ridgewood Road not far from the Orange Lawn Tennis Club. The Hotel was first built around 1830 and was later owned by Mr. Lord of Lord & Taylor in 1850. The magnificent wood Hotel and Spa could house 150 guests and was supervised by two physicians who would administer the water’s medicinal benefits. On August 23, 1890, the hotel unfortunately burnt down. Today, the only remaining relics of its existence are Mountain Station and Mountain House Road, both of which led the hordes of travelers to find their fountain of youth here. It can be fascinating uncovering South Orange’s past in relation to the familiar present-day fabric. These memories dwell beneath our everyday– the streets we walk, the parks our children play, and the homes in which we reside. Whether a destination for wealthy, youth-seeking tourists, or our current home and community, South Orange is undoubtedly a healthy and flourishing place to live.

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littlestages.com info@littlestages.com 973-762-2679 14 South Orange Ave. South Orange

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BATTLE OF THE CHEFS A Jespy House Benefit – An evening of food, fun, and support will be on the menu on Thursday, June 23, 2022 at Orange Lawn Tennis Club in South Orange, NJ as JESPY holds its annual fundraising event – which this year is titled Battle of the Chefs: A Benefit for JESPY House. Starting at 6pm, the event will raise essential funds to support JESPY clients, while honoring The Cottingham Family, The Oppenheimer Family, and The Plotnick Family (shown right). JESPY assists 260 adults with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities through a variety of support services. While actively participating at JESPY, the client honorees have grown exponentially as part of the Day Habilitation Program; found increased independence while living in JESPY shared housing; and developed important life skills through JESPY’s Community-Based Supports Program. “We are excited to highlight and share the growth of these clients and their supportive families,” said JESPY Executive Director Audrey Winkler. “Their growth is indicative of how our wide array of support services have helped all our clients in various aspects of their lives.”

Chef Tony Villanueva, a seasoned chef with decades of diverse culinary experiences, has been the Executive Chef at Edgewood Country Club in River Vale since 2015. In 2020, he was promoted to WS Hospitality Group Executive Chef at Edgewood Country Club. The Battle of the Chefs event will also include a silent auction that will feature everything from floral and restaurant gift certificates to one-of-a-kind art items. Bidding starts on June 13th at 12pm, and the auction closes on June 24th at 12 pm with auction items going to the highest bidder. Proceeds from the Silent Auction support JESPY’s whole-life programs and services. To RSVP to the event, log onto www.djespyhouse. org/Battle-of-the-Chefs. For additional information, call (973) 762-6909 ext. 313 or email events@ jespy.org. JESPY’s programs provide support in the areas of clinical & behavioral health, residential options, athletics & fitness, recreation, daily living skills, and employment. JESPY’s mission is to help its clients, who are age 18 and older, to live full and independent lives. Learn more at www.jespy.org.

In addition to honoring three JESPY families, the Battle of the Chefs event will feature Chef Tony Villanueva and Chef Ivan Villanueva, who Tony began mentoring more than 15 years ago. The two will now come together, but this time for a head-to head competition to see who will be JESPY’s ‘Battle of the Chefs’ winner! Although the chefs share the same last name, they are not related. They are, however, connected in other ways. Chef Ivan Villanueva was named the Executive Chef at Orange Lawn Tennis Club in 2020. Prior to that, he was Executive Chef at the Edgewood Country Club in River Vale, N.J., having started his career as Executive Sous Chef under the guidance of Chef Tony Villanueva in 2010.

MAY 2022 | SOMA LIVING 19

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FINANCIAL FOCUS Will your money last as long as you do? We all hope for long, healthy lives. But there’s a serious “side effect” of longevity – the possibility of outliving our money. How can you help prevent this? It’s useful to know the seriousness of the threat. Consider this: About 41% of all U.S. homes in which the head of the household is between 35 and 64 are projected to run short of money in retirement, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute. While this statistic indicates a cause for concern, it certainly doesn’t mean that you are necessarily headed for trouble – because there’s a lot you can do to help build and manage enough resources to last a lifetime. Here are a few suggestions: • Consider your estimated longevity. On average, a 65-year-old man can expect to live another 17 years, while a 65-year-old woman can anticipate about 20 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Of course, you’ll want to take into account your health and family history of longevity to arrive at a reasonable estimate. You can then use this figure to help determine how much money you’ll eventually need. To play it safe, you might even want to try to build an income stream that can last beyond your estimated lifespan, possibly up to age 90. • Don’t overlook health care costs. When budgeting for retirement, allow enough for your health care expenses, which can be considerable. Even with Medicare, you can expect to spend anywhere from $4,500 to $6,500 per year, per person, for traditional medical costs. Also, you may want to prepare for two to three years of long-term care expenses, which currently range from about $50,000 per year for home health care to over $100,000 per year for a private room in a nursing home. • Keep building assets for retirement. While you’re working, constantly try to put away as much money as possible for your retirement years. Each year your salary goes up, increase your contributions to your 401(k) or similar employer-sponsored retirement plan. You may also want to contribute to an IRA, depending on your goals. And within your retirement savings, make sure you devote a reasonable percentage of your investment dollars to growth-oriented vehicles that align with your goals and risk tolerance. • Seek out sources of guaranteed income. As a retiree, you will receive Social Security benefits – and the longer you wait before claiming them, the bigger your monthly checks will be. But you might also consider investments that can provide a source of income you can’t outlive, such as annuities. • Revisit your strategy before you retire. As you near retirement, you may want to review your investment strategy, possibly adjusting your risk level so that your portfolio would be somewhat less susceptible to market volatility. This is also a good time to review your spending needs in retirement. • Maintain a reasonable withdrawal rate. Once you are retired, you’ll likely need to start withdrawing from your 401(k), IRA and other investment accounts. To avoid taking out too much money too early in your retirement, you’ll need to set a reasonable, sustainable withdrawal rate based on your assets, age and retirement lifestyle. A financial advisor can help you determine an appropriate rate.

It will take dedication and determination to help ensure your money doesn’t run out during your lifetime. But you’d probably agree that it’s well worth the effort.

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.

Jennifer McManus Coldwell Banker Realty 917-837-2192 (Moblie) • 973-378-8300 (Office)

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OLDER AMERICANS MONTH

SOMA Two Towns Celebrates Older Americans Month

Join our towns as we celebrate and honor Older Americans this month. Our richly diverse community is home to over 5,000 older adults who enjoy the many benefits our community offers, diversity, community engagement,

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

environmental exploration, cultural restaurants, boutique shopping, and easy access to NYC and other parts of the Northeast. As vital community members, older adults have given and continue to lend their time and talents to build and support many organizations and systems that make our community so inviting. This year’s national theme, Age My Way, focuses on how adults can live happily in their homes as long as possible. To age at home, three aspects of daily life need to be considered, community engagement, social connections, and planning for the future. In our newsletter, available on our website, we invited our community to understand the value and benefit of planning for the future, linking them to recorded sessions through NJ Advocates for Aging Well on creating safe spaces and when to know you need assistance in your home. Two new intergenerational connections are planned, Helping Hands, a CHS student designed program to help older adults with general home needs and the Older Adult 2 Rising Senior program pairing CHS juniors with local older adults to exchange ideas and better understand generational differences. Our intergenerational Repair Café will be indoors again on May 7th where local repair experts help residents of all generations fix beloved items instead of tossing them out. At a May 10th session, a tech expert will provide guidance on using smart phone features. May 17th Decluttering Lunch and Learn will off tips on cleaning out and freshening of your home. Our weekly themed walks will get you out and moving this spring. May celebrations include a Mother’s Day Party (11th) and the month’s culminating event, the luncheon Honoring Older Adults (24th). At the latter, we will recognize older adults in several ways. Join us for this celebration. The schedule of Older Adult Month activities will be available on our website, somatwotownsforallages.org, soon. To receive the SOMA Two Towns for All Ages e-blasts, go to Notify Me • South Orange Village, NJ • CivicEngage.

John B. Houston Executive Director

“Serving with Excellence”

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MAY 2022 | SOMA LIVING 21

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SOMA COMMUNITY COALITION ON RACE

The Pursuit of Racial Equity & Integration: A 25-Year Journey in Maplewood and South Orange, New Jersey” kicked off with an address by the Honorable Tahesha Way, Secretary of State of New Jersey and included a moving video history of the founding of the organization. Reflections on being raised in our two towns were shared Maplewood’s own Grammy-winning artist SZA alongside her mother and Coalition Program Director Audrey Rowe. A panel discussion, moderated by WNYC’s Nancy Solomon, explored the two towns’ ups and downs over the past quarter century, measures to advance equity and stop resegregation in the future, and a roadmap for other American communities with similar goals. Panelists included Coalition Founders Fred Profeta, Jr. and Carol Barry-Austin; Executive Director Nancy Gagnier; Trustees Abigail P. Cotler, Kelly Quirk and Erin R. Scherzer; and Committee Member Patricia Canning. Following the increase in Black residents during the late 1990s, the demographics of the towns remained relatively stable for over a decade. While the Black population dropped by 5% in 2020 and is cause for concern, the towns continue to have a higher percent of Black residents than comparable communities and have experienced growth in Hispanic, Asian, and multi-racial residents. Today SOMA is 53.6% white, 26.1% Black, 8.6% Hispanic, 5.6% multi-racial, and 4.9% Asian. Both diversity and integration have increased at the census tract level since 2010. The Coalition’s aim is not only to preserve integration but also to create equity so that people of different races can live among one another, receive the same quality education, visit the same parks and shop in the same stores. “As the Coalition focused on racial steering and issues surrounding white flight, we also addressed equity and excellence in our district schools, in particular the minority achievement gap,” said Barry-Austin, who co chairs the Coalition’s Schools Committee. “How was the tracking system in our schools creating racially imbalanced classes and what could be done about it? We also examined issues such as stereotype anxiety, teacher expectations and race, and the influence of family background and income.” The streaming event is now available for viewing on the organization’s website. The Coalition also announced a new podcast series called “Light The Way,” which will feature candid conversations the community’s journey toward racial equity and integration. The first episode features SZA and Audrey Rowe.

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.

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EDUCATION Long-term Academic Success

Success can mean different things to different SOMA families. Success can include a variety of elements, like academics, athletics, social development, emotional health, peer and family relationships, a sense of self, and confidence. Long term success of a student has a foundation in consistent academic support. Specifically, for some families, it may mean that their student is like Charlie, who they want to be able to pursue his love of math and science to the fullest degree. He was reading before kindergarten and took to learning, like a duck to water. He naturally works “above grade level” because he is curious about STEM but is a little bored in school. They don’t want him to “skip” a grade, although he probably could do so academically, because he is comfortable with his peer group in 5th grade. Other families may have a student like June, who loves soccer above all else, is working at grade level, doesn’t really like school, but does love to read and write. They want to keep her academics steady, so she can pursue soccer at this high school and college level as is her dream. They understand that without the solid academics the high school and college athletics won’t be a possibility for their daughter. Still other families may have students like the twins, Mae and Miller, who struggled in kindergarten and “fell behind” in the last couple of years. They want to provide supports to their two 3rd graders so they don’t fall further behind and disengage from school. Each of these families, if they’re like the families we see, mostly want their children to feel confident and engaged with their learning. My advice to any of these types of families is to start providing your children with supplemental educational support now and do so consistently through elementary, middle and high school. In elementary school, small group enrichment classes like those we offer at Best in Class are tailor made to allow students who are ahead, at or slightly below grade level to gain the foundation in math and English that can get and keep them at the head of the class. In middle or high school, enrichment can still be valuable, as a curriculum like ours provides them with foundational skills that improve their writing skills in English and their calculation and critical thinking in math. Middle and high school students also can benefit from private tutoring or test prep help as needed. What we have seen to be most effective is consistency. The students who have worked with us between 7 months and 4+ years have seen the most growth, progress, movement above grade level, confidence, awards, and ease in school. Feel free to try us this year or this summer—enrichment, private tutoring, camps, and test prep.

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Alissa Gardenhire, Ph.D., Owner of Best in Class Education Center, South Orange. We are excited to offer our awesome summer camp (see our ad). For 2nd to 6th graders we are offering intensive Summer Enrichment Classes in math and English to give them a real boost and provide strong readiness for next school year. Our half day camp is fun, curated to your child’s needs and your wants, and most of all effective. Visit Bit.ly/thebrainzone to register.

MAY 2022 | SOMA LIVING 23

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ART WALK WARREN COURT ART WALK

Offers a Weekend of Arts Immersion for Collectors, Connoisseurs and Art-Lovers of All Ages

22 artists and artisans will coverage on Warren Court in South Orange, NJ, for a wonderful weekend of art, fun, and community connection. Come meet emerging, and established, independent local artists, and shop affordable original works of art. Stroll down a beautiful block in the Montrose Park Historic District and experience vibrant creativity from our local artists at a curated show and sale. They will be accompanied by live music as well as Latin street food from Miti Miti. The Warren Court Art Walk will be held on Saturday, May 21nd and Sunday, May 22rd from 11:00am to 5:00pm. Featuring painting, photography, woodworking, jewelry, ceramics, textiles and more. Whether you’re a first-time art buyer, a seasoned collector, interior designer, or just someone who loves to see art and support local artists, there will be something for everyone’s taste and wallet. Demonstrations of live art will be presented along with a variety of free raffles and refreshments. This is a wonderful opportunity for art-lovers ranging from serious collectors to families. Update your décor, find a graduation gift or just treat yourself! This is a family friendly outdoor event so bring your entourage and enjoy this wonderful community experience!

12 Taylor Street - Millburn, NJ 973-376-0739 Follow us on @neighborhoodhousemillburn www.neighborhoodhousenursery.org

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