SOMA Living September 2021

VOL. 6-9 SEPTEMBER 2021

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PUBLICATION TEAM

FACES IN THE CROWD

More than 100 attendees recently gathered in Memorial Park for SUNUP 2021, a Daybreaker-style event with meditation, yoga and dancing to benefit Isaiah House, the shelter and social-services provider in East Orange. Organized by Elizabeth Kubany and Kristen Beveridge, this event raised almost $10,000, which will go to fund Isaiah House’s life-saving work caring for the most vulnerable in our community.

Advertising Sales Michael E. Goldberg I 973.271.4306 somalivingmagazine@gmail.com Contributors: Cathy Roma,Kate Elliott, Dr. Stephen Levine, Sarah Maloney, Elizabeth Kubany, Gary T. Jones, Yoni Kreger, Dr. Alissa Gardenhire, Dr. Daniel Roig, 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

“Malcom recently turned 15 on August 8, 2021. Our daughter desperately wanted a dog and after we adopted Malcolm when he was 3 years old, we learned he shared the same date of her birth He is amazingly smart and very friendly to everyone he meets. We are certain that he understands words and at one point swore he barked his version of ‘yes’ when we asked him a question. He has added so much to our lives and we love having him as a part of our family.” Lisa Vilardi

(973) 232-6025 www.grandstanddesign.com

Family Photography by: LIVE LOVE LENS PHOTOGRAPHY

jamie@livelovelens.com www.livelovelens.com

Kristine Foley

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THE LEADING BOUTIQUE BROKERAGE IN SOUTH ORANGE AND MAPLEWOOD

MEET OUR TEAM REALTOR-ASSOCIATES

Daria Knarvik 973-704-6718

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Nichole Mariette, Maggie Axelrod-Calister, Mark Truscinski, Chris Danuser, Laura Wilson 973-368-3188

Over 250 Homes Sold in 2020! Thank you for supporting your local boutique real estate brokerage. Industry leading technology, advertising and marketing. 0% Seller Home Repair Financing Program Selling? Contact us for a consultation today!

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SEPTEMBER 2021 | SOMA LIVING 5

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BOOK FESTIVAL

The Fifth Annual Maplewood South Orange Book Festival— An All-Children’s Affair

The fifth annual Maplewood—South Orange Book Festival will take place in-person on Sunday, September 26th from 11:00-4:00 at the Woodland in Maplewood. The festival will feature all children’s authors this year, with nearly 50 young adult, middle grade and picture book authors and illustrators. The list includes local SOMA favorites such as Pamela Erens, Jay Cooper, Morgan Baden, Kristin Mahoney, Christopher Healy, and Lee Bacon. Other authors include Christine Kendall, Veera Hiranandani, Sayantani DasGupta, Nina Crews, and Sharee Miller.

973-632-0302

The festival will be held in accordance with all current COVID precautions.

“We are looking forward to a fun, safe and exciting book festival this year,” says festival director Robert Lasner. “Having all these kid’s authors will be amazing!”

Improving Maplewood/South Orange one house at a time Ask about our weekly maintenance plans landscape design and construction

The festival is FREE of charge.

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The MAPSO Book Festival has hosted many illustrious authors during its five years, including Isabel Wilkerson, Paul Krugman, Ruth Reichl, Keith Hernandez, Tayari Jones, Anna Quindlen, R.L. Stine, and Mary Roach.

For more information, contact Robert Lasner at robert@mapsobookfest.org.

Check us at www.mapsobookfest.org

Instagram - mapsobookfest https://www.facebook.com/MaplewoodSouthOrangeBookFestival/

SEPTEMBER 2021 | SOMA LIVING 7

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BEAUTY

NOT ALL KERATIN TREATMENTS ARE CREATED EQUAL

For many, the humidity of the storm season brings a less-than-ideal look for your hair. Curly and wavy hair becomes frizzy and unruly the moment we step outdoors. I once flat-ironed my newly minted 3rd grader’s hair on the first day of school. By the time we crossed the street, her smoothened locks had seemingly shortened by an inch, and her sweet little face was framed with puffy frizz. If this scenario sounds familiar, there is a solution. While you may have heard about keratin treatments, you may not know that there are several options available, each with their own pros and cons. I’ll break down for you the differences between them, what they can help you achieve, and what each entail. Keratin Express If you think about keratin treatments as a three-tiered system, the “starter” treatment is the Keratin Express. This service is designed for clients that want to keep their natural texture, including curls and wave patterns, and acts more like a de-frizzing solution rather than a true relaxer. The Keratin Express is perfect for the client with

thinner hair, someone who wants to reduce the frizz of summer or simply cut down on blow drying time. It lasts for about 3–4 months, and is therefore ideal for someone who doesn’t want to commit to a more lasting look. The Full Keratin Next up is the Full Keratin Treatment System. Like the Express, the Full Keratin massively cuts down on frizz but also can change the hair texture and somewhat relax natural waves or curls. This treatment is ideal for those with uneven curls or waves, or with medium to thick hair, or for those who prefer a straighter look by cutting your blow dry time in half. The Full Keratin lasts a good 4–6 months, but it does come with some rules to follow. First, we strongly recommend clients to refrain from washing their hair for three days after treatment and to avoid putting anything in the hair that will create “ridges,” such as bobby pins, elastic ties, etc. If this sounds like torture to you (my wife, for instance, absolutely insists on going to bed with a ponytail), the Full Keratin may not be your ideal. The Brazilian Blowout And finally, we come to the Brazilian Blowout. Often sought after by clients with thick, textured hair, this powerful treatment “brings down” the texture of the hair significantly. While it doesn’t make the hair straight per se, it does make blowouts at home a cinch: all you have to do is rough dry it in the morning and then add some slight tension with a round brush to make the hair smooth. After the treatment, you can also wash your hair immediately without the three-day waiting period required of the Full Keratin. It lasts for about six months, though as the new hair grows in, you may want to consider a touch up before then. Consultation is the Key To find the right keratin for your lifestyle and hair, it is important to talk to your stylist before deciding on a treatment. With all the options at your disposal, having an expert weigh in can give you the best chance of finding one that makes you happy.

THE SMART WAY TO DO LAUNDRY

LAUNDRY PICKUP & DELIVERY SERVICE

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

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NEWSTEAD 5K The Newstead 5K be back in person for the 19th annual Newstead 5K to benefit the Achieve Foundation on Saturday, September 25th at 9 AM! The fun and family-friendly race for participants at all fitness levels begins at the South Mountain Annex and continues through the residential Newstead neighborhood. This year will see the addition of a virtual option (ala last year’s INstead 5K) so out-of-towners and those with scheduling conflicts can participate. Race registration opens August 1st. The price is $25 through September 17th and includes the popular race T-shirts. The price goes up to $35 per person on 9/18, so don’t delay. Registration and all race details are available at Newstead 5K (runsignup.com) The Newstead 5K is one of Achieve’s largest events with a fundraising goal of $40,000 to underwrite initiatives that promote high-quality education and prepare South Orange-Maplewood School District students for the future. They support students, families, and educators by addressing inequities, inspiring innovation and fostering community. Your support helps fund initiatives that include Achieve’s signature volunteer tutor program, educator grants, a Chromebook lending library at CHS, STEAM education and more. Pledge your support for the race by September 1st by contacting director@ achievefoundation.org or learn more at website achievefoundation.org/ instead5k.

means you have an assigned project manager to your flooring project. Your assigned Carpet Girl is just a phone call away and ready to address all your installation needs.

SELECTION, SALES AND INSTALLATION

www.thecarpetgirl.com

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DRINK OF THE MONTH THE “SEPTEMBER HEATWAVE” COCKTAIL This cocktail is brought to you by my desire for one last heatwave in SOMA. I spent the Summer at the Shore and pool. It’s time to heat things up! I’m hoping for at least 1 more day of sweltering heat so I can mix up a few rounds of these and drink them at the Shore or around the pool. Add a garnish to this drink with either cured olives or Luxardo cherries. Either would do very nicely! For additional garnish to this cocktail, I looked just outside my house. A few lovely white flowers and a single hydrangea blossom.

IT’S BLOCK PARTY SEASON

INGREDIENTS • 2 ounces whisky

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

• 1 ounce fresh peach juice • ½ ounce fresh lemon juice • 1 tsp. crushed red pepper • Cured olives – or cherries

INSTRUCTIONS Pour all ingredients into a shaker over ice. Shake vigorously. Strain crushed pepper and pour your tasty cocktail! Garnish with olives (or cherries) and pretty flowers.

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.

WWW.SCALORA.COM 973.313.3912

SEPTEMBER 2021 | SOMA LIVING 25

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RECIPE OF THE MONTH

ONE POT CREAMY CHICKEN PASTA Prep Time: 10 min • Cook Time: 40 min • Servings: 6 This one pot creamy chicken pasta is your ticket to weeknight winning. Or weekend winning. Or just straight up taste bud winning. Because this dish is the definition of winner, winner, chicken dinner. It is quick, it’s decadent, and it is stomach and soul satisfying. And did I mention that only one pot needs washing after dinner? Yup. One pot creamy chicken pasta is on the table in 40 min and will please everyone at the table.

INSTRUCTIONS

RECIPE NOTES

• Don’t have pancetta? Substitute 5-6 strips of bacon. • Don’t skip dredging the chicken in flour. Not only does it give the chicken a golden brown crust, it helps to thicken the sauce as it cooks. • Don’t over-cook the chicken! It will continue to cook after it’s mixed into the stock. • Any medium type pasta will work in this creamy chicken pasta. I love medium shells, but rotini, farfalle, or penne would be excellent substitutes. • When you deglaze with the white wine, be sure to scrape up all the browned bits for added flavor. • I keep this dish simple with just parsley, but torn basil leaves would also be delicious. • Leftovers? Reheat with an extra splash of cream and/or stock.

1. Heat the oil and lay the pancetta (if sliced) in a single layer in the bottom of dutch oven or large heavy bottomed pot. Cook over medium heat until crisp, turning over once. Remove the pancetta to a paper towel lined plate and leave the drippings in the pan. 2.Season the chicken on both sides with kosher salt and pepper and dredge in flour. Cook the chicken in the pancetta drippings over med/ high heat until cooked through, turning once (about 8-10 min). Remove the chicken to a plate. 3.Add the garlic to the pan and cook until golden and fragrant, about 2 min. Add a splash of olive oil if the pan is dry. 4.Deglaze the pan with the white wine, scraping the bottom of the pan. Cook until reduced by one half. 5.Add the stock and cream to the pan and season with kosher salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer. 6.Crumble the pancetta and slice the chicken into strips. Stir the pasta, pancetta, chicken, parsley, and red pepper flakes into the stock/ cream. Cover and cook for 10 min over medium heat. 7. Uncover and cook until the pasta is cooked al dente, 10-15 min. 8.Stir in the parmesan and top with a sprinkle of parsley and serve.

INGREDIENTS

3 1/2 cups chicken stock 1 cup heavy cream 10 oz dried pasta (shells, rotini or other medium size pasta) 1/4 cup parsley, minced (+1 Tbsp for garnish) 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated

1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 3 oz pancetta (sliced or cubed) 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thin cut kosher salt and pepper 1/4 cup AP flour 4 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 cup dry white wine

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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REAL ESTATE

FREE VACAY!

The real estate boom hasn’t just propelled people from the City to the Suburbs. Work from homers are parlaying their extra cash from a year of not eating out or traveling into down payments on vacation properties. It can be fairly simple to leverage this investment into paying for itself (or even boosting your income) but what steps are important to become a land baron? Presuming you’ve worked with your Realtor to purchase a property that makes financial sense & maximum-vacation-fun-for-your family, here are some steps to get started: Become a Pencil Pusher There’s a lot of paperwork involved (I know, you thought this was vacay). In addition to registering the property with the town as a rental, you’ll need to dig into state and local regulations. In many cases, you’ll be required to have a Certificate of Habitability or Smoke Certification inspection. Mark your calendar to make sure you do this annually! You may also be required to settle up on some taxes. Since people will obviously be clamoring to rent your sweet digs, be prepared with a rental agreement, Welcome Packet, cleaning & packing checklists and a directory of area attractions & eats. No need to reinvent the wheel here. Many sites where you choose to advertise the property have articles and examples that you can snag. Overall, you just want your guests to have an easy experience booking, checking in and out, experiencing the home and area. Also, you don’t really want to break a sweat here. Seamless is the goal. Put Yourself Out There There are many platforms to get the word out - the big boys being VRBO & Airbnb. Sure, they collect fees but they can simplify your life & help you maximize your rental enough to justify their services. They provide pricing guidance, a simple process to accept and change bookings, affordable travel protection policies (in lieu of collecting and releasing security deposits), a platform for reviews and endless articles on how to effectively run the business side of your leisure house. Can I Speak To Your Manager? You can certainly increase your profit margin if you’re willing to either manage the property yourself or work with individual vendors, but if skimming the pool in your monokini and scrubbing the fridge in between guests isn’t your jam, you may want to consider hiring a property manager to take care of maintenance, lawn & pool care, cleaning services, etc. The agent who helped you locally may have a name or even provide this service. It’s worth looking into as you determine the value of your own time. Pro Tip Don’t be those people who were so excited about the bookings rolling in that they forgot to block off a week for their own vacation. So, if there is one takeaway - remember to balance your rental bookings with your own time at the house so you can enjoy a truly free vacay.

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.

Your full-service, any carrier shipping, printing & business services store Graphic Design, banners & more (973) 275-1144 71 S Orange Ave • South Orange, NJ 07079

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

SEPTEMBER 2021 | SOMA LIVING 27

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ATHLETE OF THE MONTH SPONSORED BY BASS FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC

HARRY KLEIN 3rd grader at Jefferson Elementary School

• 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

Sport: Ninja Warrior I love ninja because I can hang on stuff, swing from the bars, and fly in the air. My favorite part of ninja is training for it - I like having my coaches teach me new parts of the course each week. Last year was a challenge because I couldn’t go to the ninja gym to train. I was so lucky that my dad and grandpa designed a ninja course extension for our old swing set which allowed me to keep up with my daily ninja workouts. Warrior, Junior show! To get on the show I have to train really hard and create a video explain ing what obstacles I do as a ninja warrior and what I think it takes to be on the show. I have to be out there every single day training and be confident that I am going to do well. I have to be brave and have the courage to get out there and do something big. And, of course, I have to be strong. I also have to have a ninja persona - mine is the Extreme Ninja. It means that when it comes to doing ninja, I’m excited to the extreme! My training goals are to accomplish a ten-foot lache (a leap from one bar to another with both hands in the air at the same time). I also want to make it up the fourteen-foot warped wall, which is really hard for someone as little as me to do. Goals My big goal is to be on the American Ninja

Favorite Things School Subject: Math Exercise: Pull-Up Food: Pigs in a Blanket

Least Favorite Things School Subject: None - I love school!

Exercise: Crunches Food: Guacamole

What I Want to Be When I Grow Up An engineer or an American Ninja Warrior Favorite Trip I love going to Cape Cod. I like to boo gie board and swim in the ocean. Hobbies I’m a singer and I play electric guitar. I also love checking out new technology and helping people fix their technology issues.

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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ARTIST OF THE MONTH

Lara Tomlin

The coffee and treats notwithstanding, one of my favorite things about The Able Baker are Lara Tomlin’s pencil-on-paper portraits of the bakery’s incredible staff. Covering almost an entire wall of the space, Tomlin’s charming and expressive drawings give us so much insight into the people who run this beloved Maplewood institution. She has drawn almost 50 Able Baker portraits since 2015 as part of an ongoing series; each one takes her five to six hours to complete. Tomlin is a professional illustrator whose work has been published in The New Yorker, Time Magazine, Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times, among others. Her business, The Painted Pup, launched when she started painting miniature dog portraits for family and friends. Tell us about your work, your medium, and your tools. I specialize in portraiture – human and animal. I work in pencil, gouache, or gouache and ink and always work on cotton rag paper. I work with commercial/editorial clients, and also do private commissions. What is your process of creation? I work from photographs. I love to use my own photos, but can also work from photos that people provide. I’ll do a sketch or two, show the client, and then proceed to painting or drawing the final art. This is how I’ve always done editorial illustrations, and it’s a system that works. What is your inspiration? I am inspired by so many things: art history, photography, plants, animals, weird music, terrible movies, baking . . . all of those things can inform what I’m doing.

Do you work at home? If so, do you have a dedicated studio space? Yes, we converted our attic to a studio for me. How long have you been a full-time artist? Since 2004, but I’ve really always had part-time jobs. I worked as a cookie decorator at The Able Baker for eight years. What other artists do you draw inspiration from? I’ve always loved the German Expressionists and the Russian Avant-Garde. I also love photography – Atget, Avedon, Horst, and Weegee’s street-murder photos.

Have you always wanted to be an artist? Yes!

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

SEPTEMBER 2021 | SOMA LIVING 29

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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Trish Azeez is so excited to bring Premier Martial Arts (PMA) to SOMA!

After 6 years as a stay-at-home mom in South Orange, she was ready to do something more but couldn’t fathom the Wall Street lifestyle of her prior life. “After a bit of soul searching, I knew without a doubt- whatever I did next would be centered around the development and empowerment of children. I explored opening a preschool and kid’s gym, but instead rediscovered a natural passion in Martial Arts!” Trish says she found the combination of building character and promoting fitness in youth in particular to be the ideal platform for her. Trish is looking forward to Premier Martial Arts Maplewood’s Grand Opening in September as well as the opportunity to meet and serve more SOMA families! PMA offers many martial arts classes and programs for kids 3 years and older and will be adding “Parent and Me” classes to the schedule in the Fall. “This is heaven for me. I’m the mom you’ll catch racing her children down Wyoming Ave and often the only adult on the gym floor at birthday parties, so being able to positively impact so many children through a physical activity like Martial Arts is a dream.” PMA Maplewood is currently offering a “Founders Special” to all new members who join throughout the month. SOMA Living Magazine readers will get an extra surprise! Until the studio officially opens, you can find Trish and her team training families throughout Maplewood including the Springfield Ave Gazebo on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Character development and self defense are at the core of PMA Maplewood programs. “We instill principles like self control, respect, confidence, and leadership in a very intentional way”, says Sensei Andrew, Lead Instructor. We also strive to ensure that our students are living by our student creed in and out of the studio. And because our mixed martial arts program is primarily Krav Maga and kickboxing, our classes are both practical and exciting. Because let’s face it, kids (and adults too) just want to have fun and our staff are trained and ready to make sure they do just that! Of course they offer classes for teens and adults too. So if you’re looking to get in shape, learn to defend yourself, or simply connect with neighbors in a safe and active environment, PMA Maplewood is here to serve.

For more information and to take advantage of the Founder’s special, call Trish at 973-850-4516.

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ROBERT HUBSMITH, CLTC Financial Services Professional

I help my clients (at no cost to them) get the best Medicare insurance plan to fit their unique health care needs and at the best price. Navigating the Medicare system can be confus ing and overwhelming, whether you are currently enrolled in Medicare or are newly eligible, so let me answer your ques tions, create a knowledge-based foundation, analyze options and ultimately guide you to an informed decision.

(201) 704-7872 rhubsmith@thejgagency.com

SEPTEMBER 2021 | SOMA LIVING 31

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CHARITABLE ACTS

The Northern New Jersey Heart Walk is back, and you won’t want to miss it! On Sunday, October 17, 2021, we are bringing you a one-of-a-kind experience to join with friends, family, and colleagues to get moving and focus on improving heart health, all while helping to defeat heart disease and stroke.

The non-competitive walk will welcome community teams, local businesses, family, and friends in North Jersey to the South Mountain Recreation Complex at Turtle Back Zoo, while following state regulations to protect against COVID-19. Join us for a fun and inspiring day uniting as a community to fight the No. 1 killer of all Americans, cardiovascular disease. Co-chair: Chris Rush Co-Chair: David Finkelstein

“We are proud to lead this year’s walk to support the overall health and well-being of our community. Events like these are a great way for you to get active with your own family and colleagues while supporting our survivors and taking steps together to help save lives. Nothing unites us more like doing good together,” said co-chair Chris Rush, Sr. Division Vice President, Strategy and Business Development at ADP. Rush will be joined by co-chair, David Finkelstein, MD, FACEP, CHCQM, Director, Physician Advisor Services at RWJ Barnabas Health. Together, they will lead the campaign and hope to create more awareness on heart disease and stroke while raising funds towards more research. To learn more and to register for the 2021 Northern NJ Heart Walk, visit greaternnjheartwalk.org.

• New and pre-owned bikes for sale

• Repair services • Bike accessories • Skateboards

“ Locally Owned and Operated” Tues-Sun • 12-5

1673 Springfield Ave., Maplewood • 973-996-2080 www.maplewoodbikeshed.com

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RAISE THE ROOF!

INTRODUCTORY HOME EQUITY LOAN RATES AS LOW AS

FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS

15 Scotland Road in South Orange, NJ

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

We want to hear from you!

Cover Family Meet the Artist Charitable Acts Athlete of the Month Events Meet the Merchant Community Groups School Activities Meet the Merchant Cover Family Meet the Artist Cover Family Charitable Acts Athlete of the Month Events School Activities Community Groups Cover Family

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

SEPTEMBER 2021 | SOMA LIVING 33

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YARD CONTEST

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS!

Aimee Ryan

Aimee Ryan

Emilie Arel Designed by The Inspired Garden

Steve and Kirstie Vornea Designed by The Inspired Garden

Vanessa Marling Designed by The Inspired Garden

Jim & Diane Myracle

Mara Ebert

Wendy Chan - Designed by The Inspired Garden

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

• 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

MASONRY & PAVING EXPERTS

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

BEFORE

AFTER

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FROM THE DOCTOR

ANKLE SPRAINS AND WEEKEND WARRIORS

Now that the Summer is over and Fall is here, we still feel the need to get out and do more outdoor activities before Winter arrives. Suddenly there is the urge to go out and play flag football or soccer with your friends. Maybe you are feeling good and want to go for a long bike ride or just go for a run. What you didn’t know is that your body may not be ready for that kind of activity, and you could fall victim to the injury bug. Sprained ankles happen when a ligament gets pulled too far. If you sprain your ankle, you feel pain in the area, especially when you put weight on the affected foot. The most common symptoms of a sprained ankle are swelling, bruising, tenderness to touch and/or instability of the ankle which may occur when there has been complete tearing of the ligament or a complete dislocation of the ankle joint. Sprains are graded based on how much damage has occurred to the ligaments. Grade 1 Sprain (Mild) - Slight stretching and microscopic tearing of the ligament fibers and mild tenderness and swelling around the ankle. Grade 2 Sprain (Moderate) - Partial tearing of the ligament and moderate tenderness and swelling around the ankle. If the doctor moves the ankle in certain ways, there is an abnormal looseness of the ankle joint. Grade 3 Sprain (Severe) - Complete tear of the ligament significant tenderness and swelling around the ankle. If the doctor pulls or pushes on the ankle joint in certain movements, substantial instability occurs. So now that the ankle is sprained, here is how to treat it. A 3-phase approach is used and it is broken down like this: Phase 1 includes resting, protecting the ankle and reducing the swelling. A brace may or may not be used at this phase. Phase 2 includes restoring range of motion, strength and flexibility. Phase 3 includes maintenance exercises and the gradual return to activities that do not require turning or twisting the ankle. This will be followed later by being able to do activities that require sharp, sudden turns (cutting activities)—such as tennis, basketball, or football. If the pain does not go away with conservative treatment from your local PT you should schedule an appointment with an Orthopedic MD for a more thorough evaluation that involves either x-rays or MRIs.

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

Dr. Daniel Roig South Orange Rehab Wellness SouthOrangeRehab.com 973-761-0077

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

SEPTEMBER 2021 | SOMA LIVING 35

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FROM THE DOCTOR

SPINAL DECOMPRESSION

When you’re suffering from back pain or neck pain, it can impact every area of your life, from making completing everyday tasks difficult to interrupting your sleep. Fortunately, you can find relief from many back and neck pain symptoms through spinal decompression therapy performed by a licensed chiropractor at South Orange Chiropractic Center. Our experts are trained to evaluate your condition and put together an appropriate treatment plan designed to get you feeling better as quickly as possible. Much as its name suggests, spinal decompression therapy removes the pressure from your spine, allowing the vertebrae and discs to return to their natural and proper positions. This is accomplished through the use of a motorized, computer controlled table that gently applies traction to stretch your spine, creating a negative pressure within the spinal column that almost sucks the discs back into their proper place. It also relieves pressure that can impede blood flow, allowing nutrients and oxygen to reach injured or damaged areas, which promotes healing. Unlike other methods for treating similar injuries or conditions, spinal decompression therapy is non invasive and does not rely on prescription medications to relieve pain. Because spinal decompression focuses on allowing your spine to return to its proper alignment naturally, it can be effective in treating a number of different conditions. These include the following: herniated, slipped or bulging discs, spinal stenosis, facet syndrome, degenerative disc disease and sciatica. Depending on your medical history and the underlying cause of your back pain, your chiropractor will go over the benefits of spinal decompression with you and let you know why they recommend it. There are several conditions that may make you a poor candidate for this type of treatment as well, and these include pregnancy, fractured vertebrae, and previous spinal fusion surgery. When you visit South Orange Chiropractic Center for back pain treatment, our experts will complete a thorough evaluation to determine the best course of treatment for you. This will involve going over your medical history, as well as testing your range of motion and reflexes, and palpating the affected area. With the information we gather from this assessment, our chiropractor will put together a treatment plan designed to relieve your symptoms quickly while simultaneously working to correct the misalignment causing the problem in the first place. In addition to spinal decompression therapy, your treatment plan may include therapeutic massage, spinal manipulation, class IV laser therapy, and more. Your chiropractor can also teach you some exercises and stretches to do on your own at home to help build on the progress you make during your in-office session. What Is Spinal Decompression? Conditions Treated with Spinal Decompression Professional Care from Your Chiropractor in South Orange

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

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WRITE ON!

I wrote a book and changed my life. Want to know how? I sat down, and I wrote it. I rewrote it, and then, I wrote it again.

So simple, however the lead up was brutal! I have this awful voice inside my head. Her name is Bertha. When I told her about the book she said “You’re not a writer! Who do you think you are? Passion smashion. Writing doesn’t pay the bills. People will think you’re a joke.” So mean, right? Bertha and I went a few rounds, and when I finally told her to lose my number, the rest is history - A fire was re-lit in me. It was the same fire that had dimmed when I became a wife, a mom, a professional and I started to inhabit the neatly constructed boxes of what I thought was “responsible adulting.” Once Bertha was gone, I was free. I traveled to Iceland to write, wrote a screenplay, a parenting blog, and I became a certified coach. We all have voices that tell us we shouldn’t / can’t / could never do the things we are LONGING to do. The things we long for are the things that fuel our passionate selves. These are the things that give us purpose, meaning, and joy! Are you ready to give your Bertha the boot? Here are two ways to give her the ol’ heave ho this Fall. Join Write On! - If you’re a writer and you’ve been sitting on your brilliant writing project, join us. Write On! is a weekly group for writers to get inspired, build community, be held accountable and WRITE! We’re enrolling for the fall session now! Discovery Call - If you’re ready to say YES to your passion, schedule a complimentary call. I specialize in getting people who are stuck to unstuck - a 30 minute call might be just the ticket to kick Bertha to the curb, and light your fire again. Make room for YOUR voice this Fall. KIM KASSNOVE

SEPTEMBER 2021 | SOMA LIVING 37

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EDUCATION This article was originally written in August 2018. We have experienced many changes since then in how we, as parents and students, perceive and experience school, as the classroom experience came right into many of our dining rooms, bedrooms and spread across our kitchen tables. What will school be this fall? What will schools do to accommodate the larger than ever spread in preparedness for “grade level”? A teacher friend of mine said, in response to my question about what she thought her district would do to accommodate this, “Sixth grade is still sixth grade, as far as I can tell so far.” “Schools are like trains, they go from origin (September) to destination (June) with children as their passengers. Each year your child boards the train along with his or her K to 12th grade classmates. He or she takes a seat in his or her “classroom car” as the train pulls out of September Station. The trip starts out smoothly as the train begins to move along. Every child has his or her ticket, the conductor is friendly and knowledgeable, the bathrooms are clean, and the Wi-Fi is working! We are all hoping for a safe and secure trip. Take note, however, trains move quickly and sometimes the ride can be bumpy and jolt a child out of its seat! Your child’s conductor, despite excellent training, experience and intentions, cannot secure every single child in every moment. I come from a family of conductors and know that things happen, kids slip, despite good intentions. The train is on time to June station, no matter what. Time tables, schedules, curricula and lesson plans dictate it. Tutoring is a seat belt for your child while on this important annual academic journey. Supplemental academic support, like we offer at Best in Class, holds your child firmly in their seat as the classroom car speeds along to June Station. Getting this “academic seat belt” on your child before the train starts and keeping it on the whole ride is critical to make sure they successfully make it to their destination, academic progress and success.” What we have come to realize, more these last 18 months than ever, is the critical necessity of parent buy in to children’s academic success, which means more than dropping them off or logging them into our classes. It means setting up structures for study at home, it means checking on progress and engaging in the ideas being learned with us over the dinner table or in the ride to karate practice. It’s not easy, but that is what works best in enrichment and in school settings, active parental involvement in the success of the student.

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.

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FINANCIAL FOCUS BITCOIN: INVESTING OR SPECULATING? Many people have decided that bitcoin is the next big thing – and they are backing up their enthusiasm with dollars. Should you, too, consider putting money into bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies? First of all, keep in mind an essential piece of financial advice: Don’t invest in something you don’t understand. And bitcoin is not easily understandable. There’s no physical bitcoin, nor is it backed by a bank or government. It’s a digital currency, used for transactions on a decentralized network of computers. The market’s demand for bitcoin largely determines its price, though other factors are also involved. And this price can vary widely. Since bitcoin was introduced in 2009, it has gone through periods of enormous gains and precipitous declines. Its short history has reminded market watchers of the bursting of the “dot. com” bubble in 2000 and the housing market bubble in 2007. These results have raised the following question about purchasing bitcoin: Is it investing or speculating? There’s a big difference between the two. Speculators engage in risky transactions with the hope of profiting from short-term price fluctuations in various financial vehicles. Investors, on the other hand, stick with these practices: • They follow a long-term strategy. Real investors follow a long-term strategy based on their goals, risk tolerance and time horizon. Generally speaking, long-term investors don’t do a lot of buying and selling, saving on fees and potential taxes. But this “buy and hold” approach doesn’t mean investors put their portfolios on autopilot. Instead, they review their portfolios at least once a year to make sure their investment mix is still appropriate for their needs. • They focus on quality. Long-term investors stay away from the flashier – and riskier – financial instruments. Instead, these investors seek quality. When they’re considering stocks, for example, they look for companies with solid fundamentals, including strong management teams, competitive products and services and business plans that bode well for the future. When they buy bonds, they seek those with high credit ratings issued by the independent rating agencies. Focusing on quality doesn’t yield quick results, but it can instill confidence in one’s investment choices. • They diversify their holdings. If a downturn in the financial markets affects one type of asset particularly hard, and your portfolio contains a high concentration of that asset, your financial strategy could be jeopardized. Long-term investors reduce this risk by owning a variety of investments. While diversification can’t guarantee profits or protect against all losses, it can help reduce the impact of market volatility on your portfolio. You work hard for your money – so think carefully about how you can best put it to use to help you reach your lifetime goals.

J ROCK CONSTRUCTION, LLC

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

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.

SEPTEMBER 2021 | SOMA LIVING 39

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