November 2016
Brielle
Sea Girt
Manasquan
Inside this Issue... You Go Girl Bigger Than Fear
PG
Eyes Wide Open
The Power of Positive Thinking
The Powerful Pumpkin Seed
Shore Recipes Perfectly Peared
...and much more!
Poor Sleep Health Could Contribute to Inflammatory Disease By Tony Garrow, D.C.
A new meta-analysis in Biological Psychiatry reports that sleep disturbances and long sleep duration are associated with increases in markers of inflammation. “It is important to highlight that both too much and too little sleep appears to be associated with inflammation, a process that contributes to depression as well as many medical illnesses,” said Dr. John Krystal, Editor of Biological Psychiatry. Insufficient sleep is considered a public health epidemic by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Common sleep disturbances, such as insomnia, have been associated with increased risk of inflammatory disease and mortality. Substances that increase in response to inflammation and circulate in the blood stream, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), predict adverse health conditions including cardiovascular events, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes. Many studies have investigated the mechanism behind the association between sleep health and immunity, but variations between studies have made it difficult to understand the effects. In a recent article, Michael Irwin, Richard Olmstead and Judith Carroll, all of the Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience, University of California, Los Angeles, systematically reviewed existing studies for associations between sleep and inflammatory markers. The meta-analysis examined 72 different articles, which included over 50,000 participants from population-based and clinical studies. The researchers looked at CRP, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) as indicators of inflammation.
People with a normal sleep duration get 7-8 hours of shut-eye per night. The analysis showed that sleep disturbance (poor sleep quality or complaints of insomnia) and long sleep duration (more than 8 hours) were associated with increased levels of CRP and IL-6. Shorter sleep duration was associated with increased levels of CRP. No associations were found with TNFα.
Dr. Tony Garrow & Dr. Susan Nemiroff
According to Irwin, sleep disturbance or insomnia should be regarded as behavioral risk factors for inflammation, similar to the adverse effects of high fat diet or sedentary behavior. Treatments targeting sleep behavior could be a strategy for reversing the inflammation and reducing risk of inflammatory illnesses. “Together with diet and physical activity, sleep health represents a third component in the promotion of health-span,” said Irwin. “Talk to one of the doctors at our office to learn about our natural sleep remedies,” said Dr. Garrow
Jersey Shore Wellness Center 3001-03, Route 88, Suite #2 Point Pleasant Borough, NJ 08742 732-892-0485 www.facebook.com/jerseyshorewellness Garrow Family Chiropractic, P.C. 2204 Highway 35, Suite 7 Wall, NJ 08750 732-223-1990 www.facebook.com/GarrowChiropractic The doctors of the Jersey Shore Wellness Center work with many athletes including professional athletes from:
Sky Blue Soccer and
Blue Claws
Call now to get a free check up and prevent upcoming exercise related injuries!
November 2016
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The Powerful Pumpkin Seed by Allison Feehan, N.D., D.Psc, CRMT
Raw pumpkin seeds provide a rich source of fiber, a type of carbohydrate that prevents constipation and benefits digestive health. They are packed with antioxidants, vitamin E which supports the cardiovascular system as well as vitamin K which stimulates blood clot formation after tissue damage. Zinc is also present in pumpkin seeds providing the body with immune boosting benefits that allow you to sleep better by increasing the sleep hormone of melatonin, better male sexual function, as well as, healthier looking skin. Due to zinc’s insulin regulation and cell growth, pumpkin seeds are beneficial to those with diabetes. Zinc also improves prostate health. Abundantly present in pumpkin seeds is magnesium. To lower your cholesterol or the risk of a stroke while improving heart health, you only need a half a cup of pumpkin seeds a day to meet your daily recommended intake of magnesium.
A new season brings the birth of new things. Coming off some really powerful energy in September, the intentions we set last month take us into the New Year. We don’t need to wait until the New Year to make new plans for ourselves. Sometimes just a change in season will do. In the spring and early summer we assess our physique and spring into action with a workout and a possible diet plan. The fall season may have you thinking about the changing of the foliage and the leaves falling. It may even have you getting ready to whip out those amazing fall recipes with anticipation of the temperatures dropping. Pumpkins are in full swing everywhere as we prep for Halloween and then Thanksgiving. We enjoy the taste of Pumpkin Spice in our lattes and coffees. We enjoy carving and making jack-o-lanterns to scare off the evil, use them as center pieces on the table or festive displays outside our home. We craft amazing desserts from this abundant orange-yellow fruit but let’s take a peek inside the pumpkin, at the seeds.
Women who suffer from post menopause symptoms such as headaches, high cholesterol, joint pain and other health problems can reduce these symptoms for pumpkin seeds have natural phytoestrogens.
A recent study has shown that pumpkin seeds have amazing antiinflammatory properties that are as effective as a leading anti-inflammatory prescription drug on the market today. These seeds are packed with OMEGA-3 fatty acids which are great for fighting inflammation. This plant based source of OMEGA-3 also lowers the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. More research was performed around the anti-inflammatory properties in the seeds and its link to reduce the risk of cancer.
The benefits of pumpkin seeds are massive and further studies will without a doubt continue. Do your research, choose organic non GMO pumpkin seeds, and before you throw away the insides of your carved pumpkin this Halloween, harvest it instead. Many Blessings
Allison Feehan N.D., D.Psc, CRMT Owner of Integrative Healing and Wellness 732.202.6797 1531 Beaver Dam Rd. Pt. Pleasant
November 2016
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Summer Sizzled!
By Steven & Michelle Schneider, The SCHNEIDER TEAM at Gloria Nilson & Co. Real Estate
A few months ago, we reported that the SMonNOc1 shore towns market experienced a blossoming Spring! Home sales and days-on-market data all showed positive trends. And those trends continued into the Summer. Mortgage rates have remained low and homebuyers are taking advantage of these favorable financing opportunities. Sellers are capitalizing on their accumulated home equity and figuring that now is the time to trade-up or downsize. The motivations that were present in the Spring persisted throughout the Summer and the results are encouraging.
The increase in unit sales drove down the average days on market (“DOM”) of the SMonNOc shore town properties. In total, DOM declined by 11.0% to 69 days. The four market segments also experienced decreases: • Monmouth County = 68 days, down 8.7% • Ocean County = 69 days, down 12.3% • Larger towns = 64 days, down 12.9% • Smaller towns = 81 days, down 4.2%
Each month, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) reports its Multi-Indicator Market Index® (MiMi), which provides housing data with local market context for lenders, real estate experts, analysts, economists, reporters, and other industry professionals. This index offers unique insight into local housing activity today, over time, and compared to other markets across the nation. Essentially, MiMi measures the stability of local housing activity by combining current local market data with Freddie Mac state and national data.
The towns posting the lowest average DOM over summer were Lake Como (46), Belmar (49), Bradley Beach (49), Wall (54), and Spring Lake Heights (58). Only two towns had an average DOM of over 100 – Avonby-the-Sea and Spring Lake – compared to five towns last Summer. Spring sprang! Summer sizzled! What’s in store for Fall 2016? The Consumer Confidence Index, which reported each month by the Conference Board, rose nicely in September. This index focuses on five categories: current business conditions, business conditions for the next six months, current employment conditions, employment conditions for the next six months, and total family income for the next six months. Essentially, consumers were more optimistic about both their current situation and the near-term outlook in September compared to August. That said, we hope to see a continued, increasing trend in those planning to buy homes in the near future.
The most recently released national MiMi showed a year-over-year improvement of 5.76%. The five most improving states were Oregon (12.28%), Colorado (11.59%), Florida (11.02%), Tennessee (10.37%) and New Jersey (10.31%). The real estate activity in our local area during this past Summer followed suit. For Summer 2016, the SMonNOc shore towns experienced a 10.5% increase in sales units over Summer 2015.2 However, a more detailed study showed that the larger towns (those with populations over 10,000) grew by 16.8%, while the smaller towns fell by 5.4%. Looking at the figures on a county-by-county basis, we find gains of 13.1% in Monmouth County and 9.0% in Ocean County. The towns that experienced the greatest percentage growth in unit sales year-over-year were Lake Como (60%), Wall (43%), Sea Girt (31%), Belmar (31%), and Bay Head (14%).
To receive a free copy of the full, detailed SMonNOc report for Summer 2016, email a request to sschneider@glorianilson.com. 1
The SMonNOc (Southern Monmouth / Northern Ocean) shore towns are listed below, with 2010 population statistics in parentheses: • In Monmouth County: Avon-by-the-Sea (1,901), Belmar (5,794), Bradley Beach (4,298), Brielle (4,774), Lake Como (1,759), Manasquan (5,897), Sea Girt (1,828), Spring Lake (2,993), Spring Lake Heights (4,713), and Wall (26,164). • In Ocean County: Bay Head (968), Brick (75,072), Mantoloking (296), Point Pleasant (18,392), and Point Pleasant Beach (4,665).
2
All sales and DOM statistics are based upon information from the Monmouth/Ocean Multiple Listing Service.
Michelle Schneider
Steven Schneider The SCHNEIDER TEAM at Gloria Nilson & Co. Real Estate
November 2016
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Saturday, October 29, 2016 2218 Mahoney Drive, Point Pleasant Boro Zack attends Ocean Road School in Point Pleasant Borough, New Jersey and was recently diagnosed with Landau Kleffner, a rare seizure disorder. Let’s help out a local family, right here in Point Pleasant. 100% of the proceeds go directly to the family. Help support him by donating garage sale items, any furniture pieces that could be refinished or just spread the word and join us on October 29th! HELP US TO “MAKE A DIFFERENCE” FOR ZACK AND HIS FAMILY AS THEY FIGHT THIS BATTLE! **Donations can be dropped off at 2218 Mahoney Drive in Point Pleasant, NJ 08742 or email us for more information at sdejacimo@gmail.com.
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November 2016
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November 2016
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Smudging by Natalie Berko
Before you begin open a window or door, clear your space of any clutter allowing clean air to circulate into the space.
Smudging is the common name given to the 2,000 year old indigenous American tradition known as the “Sacred Smoke Bowl Blessing”. The practice is a way of connecting the material plane to the realm of the spirits it is a powerful spiritual cleansing technique that calls upon the spirits of various sacred plants to cast away negative energy restoring balance to a person, group or space. Traditionally herbs and resins were placed in a special bowl and burned over the smoldering coals of a fire. Any sort of fragrant, medicinal herb may be used in smudging; most commonly sage and sweet grass are used. Sage drives away the negative energies and the sweet grass attracts positive energy to the space from which the negative energy was banished. All herbs carry a special energetic benefit and may be added in with the sage and sweet grass. Some tribes used cedar as a way of carrying prayers up to the heavens, lavender is used to attract love and bring a soothing calm energy. The tradition has been a part of the spirituality practices for thousands of years, and now is rising in popularity becoming readily available to anyone who is willing to give it a try. When performing a smudging ritual you are plugged in to an ancient, powerful line of spiritual tradition. Mystics have touted the practice as a powerful way to clear any space and the apparent benefits are now steeped in science. When sage is burned and other herbs they release negative ions, which research has linked to a more positive mood. If you’re feeling stuck, negative, sluggish or even depressed it may be due to some stagnant energy in your field. Your field can include your emotional, energetic, mental, spiritual or physical body as well as your environment. Stagnant or negative energy can have extremely detrimental effects on your mental and physical state. This bad “juju” is even believed to have the ability to manifest into things like a lack of happiness and success. Smudging helps to change this through ritual alchemy, changing and shifting the air element transforming our current experience into a more positive one. Think of it as taking an energetic shower, and doing a deep metaphysical cleansing.
1. Use loose dried white sage or a ceremonial sage wand. You can find sage bundles at Cauldron & The Cupboard in Point Pleasant NJ, or at any local health store. 2. Next, place it on any heat-proof burning surface like an Abalone Shell. Light the wand by holding a flame to it until it begins to smoke. If a true flame appears shake it gently or blow out the flames until it is just embers and smoke. 3. Once you have a steady smoke going, use your hand or a feather to direct smoke over your body from your feet up to your head, then back down again. As you do this, visualize the smoke taking away with it any negative energy from your life. 4. Once you have smudged your body, begin to move through your space. Wave the smoke into all corners, across doorways and into shadow spaces. Once the space is cleared allow the sage bundle to either burn out or gently press it out in your heat-proof shell or vessel. Traditionally once the ritual is over the sage wand would be buried in the ground and returned to the earth. Ideally you should try to use a new sage bundle for each time you do a cleansing. Bring in something new and positive to keep the good energy flowing crystals, or a pretty smelling candle are always a great way to bring in more good energy.
Some ideal time to smudge your aura and/or space: • When you move into a new living space • Beginning a new job • Before and after a yoga or healing session • Before meditation • After an argument or an illness
What you need for a smudging session: • Sage Wand (Sage represent the Earth) • Abalone Shell or another vessel (Meant to hold and burn the sage. The shell represents Water) • Matches or a lighter (represents Fire) • Feather or you may use your hand to waft the smoke (Feather represents Air)
Natalie Berko
November 2016
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Perfectly Peared
So I’m sparing you anything with pumpkin spice as I’ve heard that there are a few people out there that don’t appreciate the popularity of this lovely orange gourd. (I can’t imagine there are very many!) I’m moving onto my next favorite fall fruit, the pear. Pears rarely get credit for their flavor and versatility, but I promise if you venture past the common bartlett pear you will experience culinary inspiration. My favorite is the brown bosc pear, as it is sweet and flavorful even when slightly firm, they poach well and can be added to savory dishes such as salads, baked bries, and tarts. Poached pears are a favorite of my kids and if you add a chocolate drizzle, it is absolute heaven. Enjoy!
Poached Pears
Spiced Pear Cocktail
(pictured with pumpkin ice cream, roasted pumpkin seeds and spiced syrup)
4 firm bosc pears, peeled and core removed from the bottom 1 cup brown sugar 2 cups water
1 Goya cup pear nectar 8 ice cubes 4 oz. spiced rum 1 cup ginger ale 2 TBSP spiced syrup from poached pears
2 tsp. vanilla extract 2 tsp. ground cinnamon 5 thin slices of fresh ginger
Combine ingredients and shake vigorously. Coat rim of glasses with brown sugar and garnish with a slice of pear, cinnamon stick or candied ginger.
Place pears in a medium heavy bottomed pot and bring to a simmer. Simmer 7 minutes until tender but not soft. Remove pears gently and continue to reduce liquid to 25 percent its original volume. Strain and allow syrup to cool. (Reserve for additional recipes below.) Serve warm or cooled with ice cream and a drizzle of reduction.
Pear Cheesecake with Pretzel Crust
In food processor combine 1 ½ cups of pretzels, ⅓ cup brown sugar and ¼ cup melted butter. Pulse until a consistent coarse crumb and press into bottom of a 9 inch springform pan. Filling: 20 oz low-fat cream cheese (Neufchatel)
½ cup sour cream 2 tsp vanilla extract
4 eggs 1 cup sugar
With electric mixer, whip room temperature cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Add eggs one at time. Add sour cream and beat for 1-2 more minutes until smooth and fluffy. Spoon evenly over pretzel crust. Slice poached pear and gently arrange on top of cheesecake filling. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Remove from oven and cool on top of stove for an hour. Slide knife gently around edge of pan before covering and allowing to set in the refrigerator for 5 hours before serving. Serve with a drizzle of spiced syrup reduction.
November 2016
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Bigger Than Fear by Katherine Kehoe
Fall is a fabulous time of year. Aside from the gorgeous scenery, there is a sort of delightfully spooky atmosphere in the air around Halloween! Whether you have little ones or not, chances are, you’ll spend some time watching scary movies, maybe going to a haunted house or hayride, and thinking up some exciting costumes. This got me thinking about fear. It’s interesting that most of our celebrating this season is based around fear. Fortunately, it’s the fun kind of fear, where we get to be in control of it. We know we can expect people in masks to pop up from behind a corner and make us jump. But what about the not-so-fun fear? You know what I mean: the kind that creeps into our heads when we feel vulnerable. I’m talking about the panic that strikes us when we think about losing loved ones or about losing our jobs or when we’re around snakes, heights, or small spaces. There are all sorts of fears that hit us for different reasons. Some are logical, and some aren’t. Either way, they usually make us feel completely powerless. But they don’t have to. Sometimes, it’s good to pay attention to fear, because it’s our body telling us we may be in danger. But other times, our fear is totally unwarranted. I’ll admit: I’m totally terrified of horses (yes, you read that right). A few weeks ago, I found myself face-to-face with a pony. My palms started sweating, my heart was racing, but I walked over to it and put my hand on its head. It just kind of sat there watching me as I petted it gently for a few moments. And you know what?
I felt awesome! It might seem trivial and insignificant to most people, but for me, I stared down something I was afraid of and it made me feel like Wonder Woman. There is something undeniably empowering about facing our fears and telling them they are not going to control us. How many of us are terrified of public speaking? I was, Katherine Kehoe When not writing for too, until I took a public speaking class 08742, Katherine is during my undergrad and I had no choice a Librarian Assisitant but to get up there and do it. And the total and Drexel Graduate euphoria that came after actually inspired Student me to change my major to Communication Studies and enroll in lots more public speaking classes. Now, I’ve done it so much, I don’t get nervous at all anymore. I just do my thing because I know I can. My confidence is so solid because I can look back at the fear I’ve overcome. My point is this: There are definitely things worthy of fear. But there are also a lot of things we are afraid of and we really don’t need to be. And you are so much bigger than your fear of any of those things. So give it a try: pick something that scares you, step right up, and face it down.
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Eyes Wide Open By Maureen Whelan
Eyes are thought to be the window to the soul. But they are also the bridge between the brain and the body, especially in the early years of life. Eyes go beyond seeing black and white, they provide information about speed, texture, depth, color, facial expressions and body position. In fact the eyes account for 80-90% of the information the brain receives. Researchers estimate that one half to twothirds of the cerebral cortex is devoted to deciphering visual information. For comparison sake, consider this. “ In the brain itself, neurons devoted to visual processing number in the hundreds of millions and take up about 30 percent of the cortex, as compared with 8 percent for touch and just 3 percent for hearing.” ( Discover Magazine, June 1993) There are 2 parts to acquiring visual skills. The first involves the eye muscles working together in a controlled and coordinated fashion. These ocular motor skills are vital for the brain to receive accurate information. Ocular motor coordination is developed through experiences and behaviors, with behaviors in this case being defined as the act of doing something. Infants who engage in frequent gazing at their parents will focus both eyes on the face. When done in close proximity such as while nursing your baby, the eyes work together to create one image in the brain.. Babies will use their eyes to follow their parents, and become excited when they are in close proximity. These very early skills lay the groundwork for later skills of tracking, convergence and divergence. The second part of visual skills is brain based, and can be impacted by underdeveloped ocular motor skills. Infants will reach out to people and objects gaining an understanding of depth perception. As they move from their back to their belly the eyes transmit information to the brain to understand body and spatial awareness, And yes, all this happens before a child is 6 months old. It’s great when it all goes according to plan, but what happens when there is a glitch? I’m not just talking about low vision here, but distorted perception, commonly known as visual processing disorders (VPD). In the case of low vision, the problem is within the structure of the eye and can often be corrected with a lens. VPD is a brain based disorder and can occur in children who routinely pass the annual vision screening. It is difficult to know exactly how common this is, but if you have concerns about your child’s learning or development, it is worth exploring. When a child is unable to achieve convergence, each eye sends a different image to the brain based on what it is focusing on. The brain puts both images together as one layering them. Imagine looking at the world constantly through pictures that experienced double exposure. This layering creates 3D images that the brain attempts to sort and make sense of. This is similar to what occurs in children with dyslexia, a brain based language disorder that impacts learning. There is an increase in the occurrence of visual perceptual disorders and under developed ocular motor skills in the children I work with as well. Its no wonder to me when I see the abundance of inappropriate baby videos with claims to make your your child a genius. I’ve also had parents defend their use of these while I am in the process of completing an early intervention evaluation. “But he loves Baby Genius”, they tell me. If your child loved to eat toilet cleaner, would you let him? Meaningless visual stimuli is like crack for young brains. The digital world provides a great deal of visual stimulation, most of it with flashing lights and quickly changing colors that are without purpose to your child. Thus, your child’s brain is stimulated but is unable to attach meaning to what it sees. His brain responds with an increase in activity that is disorganized and insignificant. The fact that your child has to do little to gain access to this stimulation results in underdeveloped motor skills to experience and problem solve his environment. Years later these children often experience difficulty with reading, following directions, writing and planning their movements. As parents, we love to make our children happy. But we have a greater responsibility to provide them with developmentally rich experiences so that they are able to learn and interact with their world. With eyes wide open, we need to understand the peaks and pitfalls of childhood fun, and provide them with natural learning through social and play experiences. We need to take off our own blinders to not only look, but see what our child sees. If we can visualize healthy, happy and productive children, the effort and hard work will be worth it.
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action is a daydream.
Action without vision is a nightmare. ~ Japanese Proverb
E
F P T
O Z L P E D P E C
F D E D F C Z P F E L
O P D E Z D F P O L E T E F O C D
T D P C P L T E P E C D Z A W O L T K
**If you suspect a visual processing disorder with your child consult your doctor. A Developmental Ophthalmologist can provide an evaluation and recommendations for treatment. Many pediatric Occupational Therapists are trained in treating this disorder.
November 2016
Vision without
16
Maureen Whelan is a pediatric Occupational Therapist and mother of 4 children ages 16,14, 11 and 7.
No Longer Fall’s Pump-King by Matt Connelly
Since its debut in 2003, Starbucks has sold 200 million Pumpkin Lattes. Last year alone, the Seattle coffee giant made $100 million in revenue from the seasonal drink, according to Forbes magazine. With everything from Pumpkin Pringles to Pumpkin soap lining our shelves this Fall, our nation’s palate for pumpkin-flavored food and drink is seemingly insatiable. And although the potato chip- and soap-makers may be new to this market trend, craft brewers have been capitalizing on America’s love of all-things-pumpkin for decades.
To call back an earlier anecdote, its important to note that research shows most consumers of a Starbucks Pumpkin Latte purchase just one per season. The strong and pronounced flavors don’t lend themselves to regular consumption. According to Jim McCune, executive director of the craft beverage division at the ECG group, the same is true with pumpkin beer. “The aromatic flavorings of pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, ginger, clove, nutmeg and allspice tend to have a demarcation point. People simply got bored of that flavor, and only a break from it can reset the desire.”
Pumpkin beer, in reality, is not even a relatively modern phenomenon. In the absence of readily available malts, early colonial brewers used pumpkin and squash in the brewing process as their fermentable sugars. And although the popularity of pumpkin beer had waned by the start of the 19th century, it was a recipe from America’s most famous home brewer that served as inspiration for Bill Owens to brew the first modern pumpkin beer as an experiment more than 30 years ago. As Geoff Harries, current CEO of Buffalo Bill’s Brewery explains, “Bill read that George Washington was a home brewer and experimented with squash in his brews. Bill loved the idea of recreating a moment in time that George Washington, or forefather, had experienced.”
The fact of the matter is most of the pumpkin beers that found their way onto shelves in 2015 were not good. Market trends and commercialization have been known to ruin everything from craft breweries (see Goose Island) to that band we knew about before everybody else. If pumpkin beer is going to survive, breweries are going to need a less-is-more approach (e.g. 22oz “bombers” instead of 72oz six-packs) and focus on the quality of ingredients and flavors being produced (i.e. nix the pumpkin pie spice rack).
Between 2005 and 2013, pumpkin beer sales experienced a steady and significant growth. But, as Forbes magazine reported back in February of this year, the 2015 pumpkin beer market took a nosedive and market shelves were left with scores of unsold pumpkin beers. The cause of such a dramatic and unanticipated inventory left brewers and analysts scratching their heads. What had happened? The simple answer was a combination of overproduction combined with declining demand but brewers were left to question how demand changed so dramatically in just one year? For one thing, craft beer drinkers’ tastes and preferences are wickedly variable and increasingly more sophisticated.
November 2016
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Matt Connelly is a 17-year educator currently serving as the Vice-Principal of Woodbridge High School in Woodbridge Township, NJ. Follow Matt on Untapped at MConnelly
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Puppies on their Road to Becoming... before being made available for public adoption. However, because the demand for these career change dogs far outweighs the supply, the organization must maintain a waitlist of prospective adopters, which ranges from one to four years!
Training a puppy to become a well-behaved family pet is a challenging yet rewarding experience. Experts estimate the average new pet owner will spend about a month working diligently and consistently - with continued reinforcement – to housebreak their puppy and to train him or her the very basics of obedience. Though every housebreaking accident and chewed up shoe is bound to bring frustration, pet owners are assured with the knowledge that – with consistency – the rigors of training will yield a lifetime companion and friend that is both respectful and well mannered.
“The Seeing Eye has very rigorous standards for our guide dogs,” Ms. Higham said. “Approximately 450 puppies – mainly German Shepherds, Labs, and Golden Retrievers - are bred each year; about 70 percent of those raised by the puppy raisers will ever make it to the next stage. Of those, 80 percent will eventually be placed with a blind person.”
Training a puppy to become a seeing eye dog is also challenging and rewarding, but in completely different ways. Companion dogs trained to guide the visually impaired – like those raised by Morristown’s The Seeing Eye - typically undergo between 11 and 14 months of training by specially trained foster families. These families nurture and care for the puppies, preparing them for further training and eventual placement with a blind person. Though the foster families do not keep the puppies they’ve raised, knowing the vital role the dogs will serve in a blind person’s life can make the experience even more rewarding than typical pet training.
According to Ms. Higham, placement is the goal of every puppy raiser, yet it’s also bittersweet. “We raise these dogs as our own,” she said, explaining that and her family have raised 40 puppies for The Seeing Eye. “We love them and they are part of our family for the first year of their lives. It’s difficult when the time comes to return them to The Seeing Eye.” Though once the puppies are returned, the volunteer puppy raisers are unlikely to meet them again, postcards help keep them apprised of the dog’s progress. The puppy raisers are invited back for graduation day to watch from afar as the puppies they’ve raised officially become Seeing Eye dogs.
The journey from puppy to Seeing Eye dog is a lengthy and rigorous one that begins when the Seeing Eye puppies are between seven and eight weeks old and are delivered to the homes of volunteer puppy raisers. Puppy raisers are foster families, who raise the puppies until they reach about 13- to 16-months of age, during which time they teach the puppies basic manners and commands, and socialize them to a variety of social situations and experiences that range from shopping and car rides, to visiting airports and boarding airplanes. They also socialize the puppies with people, especially children.
Bonnie is the Higham family’s 40th puppy raised for The Seeing Eye, when asked if relinquishing the puppies gets easier with time and experience, Ms. Higham said, “It never gets easier but as painful as it is to give them up, it’s profoundly comforting to know that we’re helping someone live a better life,” she said. Ms. Higham concluded the assembly with a word of thanks to the Ocean Road Elementary School PTO who made a donation to The Seeing Eye, she said, “The Seeing Eye is a non-profit philanthropic organization, which means we rely on donations to operate. We’re very grateful to your PTO for your support as well as to your principal, Mrs. Buck, for inviting us to visit you today.”
“Exposing the puppies to children is an important part of the socialization process,” said Christine Higham, who works in the Seeing Eye’s Puppy Placement department. “Being around groups of children is an excellent way for the puppies to practice their distraction training.” It’s for this reason, according to Ms. Higham, that The Seeing Eye’s puppy raisers like to bring their charges to visit schools – especially elementary schools.
Principal Buck returned the thanks, saying, “The Seeing Eye is a wonderful organization full of very special people who raise and love dogs in hopes that they will make a difference in the lives of others. We thank Ms. Higham and her fellow puppy raisers, as well as the puppies, for showing us what it’s like to raise and train Seeing Eye dogs.
“Visiting younger students presents a valuable educational experience not only for our puppies, who learn important socialization skills like how to improve their focus and attention, but also for the students, who learn about our school as well as about the visually impaired and how to behave appropriately around service dogs,” she said. Ms. Higham’s 11-month old yellow lab Bonnie was among five Seeing Eye puppies that - joined by their puppy raisers - took part in a recent training exercise at Ocean Road Elementary School. The training exercise, which doubled as an assembly for the school’s fourth and fifth grade students began with Ms. Higham encouraging the students to close their eyes and use their other senses to interpret what was happening around them.
“The Seeing Eye volunteers are welcome to practice here at Ocean Road School whenever they’d like,” she said before inviting the students to step outside to meet and greet the puppies. The Seeing Eye’s mission is to enhance the independence, dignity and self-confidence of people who are blind, through the use of specially trained Seeing Eye® dogs. In pursuit of this mission, The Seeing Eye breeds and raises puppies to become Seeing Eye dogs, trains Seeing Eye dogs to guide blind people, instructs blind people in the proper use, handling, and care of the dogs and conducts and supports research on canine health and development.
“Blind people must use their senses of hearing, touch and smell to make sense of the world around them,” Ms. Higham told the students before asking them to recount their observations, all of which seemed to center on the click-clack sound of puppy toenails on the All Purpose Room’s tile floor, signifying that the puppies had arrived. “Puppy raisers raise the Seeing Eye puppies as our own pets,” said Ms. Higham as German Shepherd puppies Cindy and Foster and Lab puppies Bonnie, Holliday and Harriett and their respective puppy raisers provided a brief demonstration of some simple commands. “We provide regular training like housebreaking and house manners but we also take them on trips and train rides to acclimate them to different activities.”
The Seeing Eye works locally with the Ocean County 4H Seeing Eye Club, “Puppy Power,” a group of volunteer puppy raisers. Prospective volunteers must be in grade four or higher and share the goal of raising the best possible Seeing Eye puppy. For further information on raising a puppy, visit The Seeing Eye website at www.seeingeye.org and contact the area coordinator.
After about a year with their raisers the dogs are returned to The Seeing Eye, where they have a physical exam and undergo a month-long intensive training regimen administered by professional instructors. Dogs are then assessed for placement; those that are ready, graduate, and are placed with people from all around North America; dogs that do not graduate - what The Seeing Eye refers to as career change dogs – are often placed in alternate careers like law enforcement and search and rescue. The remaining dogs are offered first to their puppy raiser November 2016
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Seeing Eye Dogs
November 2016
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“Deliver Her” by Patricia Perry Donovan A book review by Brian Favretto
Writing for this local magazine, the only thing better than having the opportunity to review a book by a local author, is having the opportunity to review a GREAT book by a local author. Patricia Perry Donovan calls the Jersey shore her home, and while she is no stranger to writing, “Deliver Her” is her first fiction novel, and it turned out great. “Deliver Her” is a family drama that forces us to realize the importance of the decisions that we make, and the life-long consequences that those decisions can have. The story begins in the midst of action, cryptically describing a car wreck that we know from the jacket cover claims the life of Cass, Alex Carmody’s best friend. The girls were celebrating Alex’s sixteenth birthday, but a simple joyride after the party, as well as a series of bad choices, led to consequences that changed lives. The story then jumps ahead, and begins to chronicle the changes in Alex’s life since the accident. According to her mother Meg, Alex has lost interest in school and her future, and seems more interested in the things that offer immediate gratification: partying and drugs. Meg wants nothing more than to get her pre-crash daughter back. She thinks removing her from her home turf, the “scene of the crime” so to speak, is the answer. She finds a boarding school in New Hampshire that seems to be a perfect fit, but she convinces neither Alex, nor her estranged husband Jacob, that this is a good idea. Meg however, is so sure that Alex’s changes are the result of grief over Cass, and so determined to send her away, that she secretly arranges for a transport company to haul her off and deliver her safely to the boarding school. We learn from Alex’s point of view that “things are rarely that black and white”. Her perspective is entirely different. Although she has been struggling, she hasn’t given up. She has been making attempts to get her life back on track, and she feels like her life is falling apart because of the actions of her parents. They have been consumed with their marital problems (and their own secrets), and Alex can’t forgive them for getting into an argument and crushing her college dreams during her sweet sixteen party. When she is dragged out of her bed and ushered away from her home by this transport company, she can’t believe the consequences that her parents’ poor choices are having on her own life. But then, the transport goes downhill.
Here, Donovan cleverly uses verbiage already seen in the prologue to foreshadow another tragedy. Alex survives yet again, and decides to use this opportunity to fulfill a dream she shared with Cass. Can she do it? Or will her parents crush this dream too? Donovan did such a great job developing the characters in this novel that I felt like this could be any family, including my own. The emotion is so strong, that twice while reading this I put the book down, just to go sit with, and be close to my kids. This book is fiction, but the tragedy is so real in this day and age that many of us can relate to what the Carmody’s are going through. A relationship whose foundation wasn’t built on love, leading to the marriage failing and the children suffering. The difficult task of balancing being a parent or being a friend. Have I gone too far or not far enough? Reacting versus overreacting, and the dangers of a communication breakdown, keeping secrets, and holding stuff in. This story isn’t all tragedy though. In the end, we learn that there is always someone that can help us through our problems, and sometimes it’s the person we least expect that can help us find our happy place. Often, the hardships we face in our own lives can be valuable lessons that help us empathize with others. “Deliver Her” really did deliver for me, and I would encourage you to reserve your copy at the Manasquan Library. I look forward to Donovan’s second fiction novel, “At Wave’s End”. It promises to resonate with the community, and will arrive in August, 2017. For updates on “At Wave’s End”, and to learn more about our local author, be sure to visit her website at www.patriciaperrydonovan.com. “Deliver Her”, Lake Union Publishing, 2016. Patricia Perry Donovan was kind enough to speak with me, and give our readers some insight into the world of writing. What advice would you give to an aspiring writer? Don’t just aspire, do! Schedule regular time for writing. Hold yourself accountable. And don’t write in a bubble. Find trusted critique partners, then seek (and give) feedback. Now that you’ve written both fiction and nonfiction, which do you find more challenging? I initially found fiction writing very liberating, compared to journalisms rigors. However, I soon learned that fiction readers, while willing to surrender a certain amount of belief, demand realism. If your story isn’t believable, you’ll lose your audience.
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All Breeds Matter by Lauren Kehoe
How many people would raise their hand today and volunteer as racists? Probably zero. So why are we open to judgment against certain dog breeds? Each decade there seems to be another target of breed discrimination. In the past it has been Rottweilers, Dobermans, German Shepherds, and Chows. Currently, Pit Bulls are suffering. This issue has been brought to the media lately with the Montreal Pitbull Ban. Individuals argue that Pit Bulls are dangerous dogs. They are seen as violent and aggressive, and many cities in the United States have ownership bans as well, such as Denver, Toledo, and Dade County Miami. In my eyes, this discrimination is the equivalent to human racism. What if we labeled an entire race as terrorists and banned them and anyone from a similar bloodline from a city? It would seem ridiculous. Breed discrimination is horribly flawed. It does not make sense to label an entire group of dogs as vicious based on isolated incidents. Dogs are similar to people in the way they develop. There is a small percentage of the human population that is innately bad or dangerous. Many criminals are victims of their environment and how they are brought up. Family has a huge influence on development; abuse or neglect can lead to complications. Dogs are the same way. There may be a small percentage born with something off in their brain. These could have a predisposition to turn and attack. The majority of the canine population are products of their owners or lack of. Dogs are not born with a desire for blood. Dog fighting is sport created by humans. Owners will keep the dogs in horrible living conditions, often outside, in small spaces, and with lack of food and water. Blinded by starvation, the dogs go in to Dog on human attacks do happen, but they are not breed specific. In fact, in recent years, some of the breeds with the most bites include Dachshunds and Chihuahuas. Larger breed dogs can do more damage with stronger jaws and teeth, but this doesn’t mean they are more dangerous. It is the responsibility of the pet owner to know the commitment of time, patience, and money that goes into owning a dog. They are like children that we must raise with a balance of kindness and discipline. Proper socialization and training is vital to a happy life for both dog and owner. To top it off, the laws are difficult to enforce. Visual breed identification is extremely inaccurate and DNA testing is expensive. The breed “pit bull” is actually not a breed at all, but a mix that encompasses American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers and Staffordshire Bull Terriers and dogs with similar characteristics. The law raises costs due to euthanasia, law enforcement, and housing restrictions. Prejudice against pit bulls and other breeds are illogical and unfair. Breed discrimination is based on flawed data and is difficult to enforce. Resources should instead be used on education on proper training and socialization and finding abusers.
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Bubbles’s and Sunny’s Story
Meet these 2 silly sisters, Bubbles and Sunny, who will steal your heart! They are cuddle bugs who like other kitties, dogs, children and most of all each other. Bubbles was born with undeveloped eyelids. Because of this she requires an over the counter eye medication twice daily. Bubbles is also very dependent on her sister, Sunny, and often follows her around. We feel they would do best adopted together. http://www.adoptapet.com/pet/16514781-brick-new-jersey-kitten http://www.adoptapet.com/pet/16514780-brick-new-jersey-kitten
Sheldon’s Story
Sheldon is a 5 yr old hound mix. We pulled him out of a shelter in North Jersey but he was originally from the South. He is very active and could use some obedience training. He likes most other dogs but would prefer a home without cats. He would love a nice big yard to run around in. Kids 10+ http://www.adoptapet.com/pet/15155406-brick-new-jerseyhound-unknown-type-mix
Louise’s Story
Hi! My name is Louise and I was pulled out of an overcrowded shelter down in Tennessee. I like one-onone time with people and I LOVE to be brushed. I am housebroken! I did live with other dogs and was fine with them but I do protect my food. I know with some time and proper training, I can get better at this….I promise! Kids 12+ http://www.adoptapet.com/pet/15399167-brick-new-jerseyshepherd-unknown-type-mix
Holly’s Story
Holly was adopted from us as a kitten, her owners moved to a place that didn’t allow cats. She needs a quiet home with an owner who has the patience to see the sweet girl who’s hiding under that fearful exterior, someone who will talk to her softly and discover just how much she loves to have her cheeks scratched. Holly is waiting for your love. Please don’t make her wait too long! http://www.adoptapet.com/pet/12822699-brick-new-jersey-cat
Harley’s Story
This one-year-old calico was owned, but came to us covered in fleas and in a shameful state of neglect. After her fleas were treated, we noticed that she was still itchy, and it wasn’t long before we found out that she has some allergies that cause her skin to become irritated. Harley is very playful and loves to play with her toys. She does need to be on a special diet due to her allergies, but her food is available at pet stores. http://www.adoptapet.com/ pet/11600960-brick-newjersey-cat
Lauren Kehoe is an avid animal lover and dog owner.
November 2016
Open Your Heart and Your Home...
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Bridge Over Troubled Water by Mackenzie Malpass
For Mackenzie, using her passion for singing to help people is a no-brainer. She is a student at the audition-based Performing Arts Academy, she loves Broadway and the radio, and hopes to be involved with music in some capacity in the future.
Some of the most touching performances in the history of music have been the ones that are entangled with social causes: We Are the World, Live Aid, Do They Know It’s Christmas?, The Concert for New York City in 2001, 12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief, and too many more to name.
In the immediate future, Mackenzie will be filming a music video to go along with the song, all while keeping the focus on Ocean of Love and the work they do for Ocean County children.
When 15-year-old Point Beach resident Mackenzie and her mother Jen, were talking about community service a few years ago, the death of her uncle from cancer was still fresh on Mackenzie’s mind. She told her mother that she would like to help people with cancer, but she wanted to help children who lived around her. Her mother had worked for years for the Children’s Specialized Hospital, so she knew of the charity Ocean of Love, a Toms River-based nonprofit dedicated to helping Ocean County children with cancer and their families.
After that? With a performance as beautiful as this, which you can find at https://mackenziemalpass.bandcamp.com/releases, and a dedication to volunteerism, it’s not hard to envision a future filled with social cause-related tunes for Mackenzie, whether she’s on Broadway, on the radio, or on stage with hordes of other famous musicians singing about something that matters to her. Of course, no 15-year-old star is an island: Mackenzie would like to thank her vocal teacher Chris Pinnella, as well as Maddie Wicker, Gabriella Mansour, Sydney Burton, Jill Moran, Nicole Curnan, Emma O’Keeffe and everyone at the Performing Arts Academy.
Now, two years after she first participated in a larger Ocean of Love event, where she sang “Wind Beneath My Wings,” a song originally recorded by Roger Whittaker and most famously covered by Bette Midler for the film Beaches, Mackenzie is making contributions all on her own, with a recording and upcoming music video for her cover of Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Mackenzie’s own touching performance of the song is currently on bandcamp, an online music store mostly used as an outlet for independent artists, for $2, or as much as listeners want to donate. All the proceeds from the song will be going to Ocean of Love, which Mackenzie says has changed her life so much since she first became involved with them.
November 2016
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