12-22 LG

LHS girls’ soccer continues to improve

BY RICH FISHER

At a passing glance, the 7-7-2 record compiled by the Lawrence High girls soccer team doesn’t look overly impressive.

But in the big picture, it is a sign of just how far the Cardinals have come since Emily Palombo took over as head coach 10 years ago.

During Palombo’s first three seasons, the downtrodden program went an unsightly 12-38-4. Since then, there have been seven straight seasons of .500 or better, showing the stability she has given to the program.

Lawrence managed to qualify for the Mercer County Tournament as a top-eight team this year despite having three freshmen in the starting lineup. The fact those 9th-graders performed well indicate that the Cards are now replenishing themselves without bottoming out.

Things could have gone even better with a few breaks, as Lawrence lost four one-goal games.

Along with its talented incoming class, the Cardinals returned a nice group of seniors, including recordsetting Gwyn Moore. The goalie

Steward fights on the front line against homelessness

BY REBEKAH SCHROEDER

Sarah Steward has big shoes to fill.

There is no question about that for the person chosen to take over from HomeFront’s longtime CEO and founder, Connie Mercer, who led the nonprofit organization in combating family homelessness and poverty for 31 years.

But Steward naturally stepped into

them, bringing with her a recognition of the task ahead, as well as a message of timeless importance— rather than focus on ‘replacing’ Mercer, Steward had already been working alongside her to fill stomachs across Mercer County for seven years, equally nourishing minds and spirits as HomeFront’s COO.

HomeFront, based in Lawrence Township, announced Mercer’s

transition back in March. In an April interview with the Lawrence Gazette, the pioneer behind the area’s first family shelter shared her intentions to pursue “bigger picture issues,” such as legislative reforms, before passing the torch.

Following a national search for the best candidate to succeed Mercer, the HomeFront Board of Trustees See STEWARD, Page 2

Incumbents win school board race

BY BILL SANSERVINO

The three incumbents running for open three-year terms on the Lawrence Township Board of Education won election on Nov. 8.

Patricia “Pepper” Evans, Michelle King, and Amanda Santos, who ran together on the “Building Tomorrow Together” slate, won by an almost 2 to 1 margin. Running against them were Carlos Raziel Rodriguez, Thomas Figueira, and the husband-wife team of Amy Gregory and Nathaniel Gregory.

According to unofficial results as of Nov. 21, King was the top vote-getter with 5,495, followed by Santos with 5,404 and then Evans with 5,299. Getting the next highest total was Figueira with 3,837, Amy Gregory with 2,727, Rodriguez with 2,220 and Nathanael Gregory with 2089.

County wide, more people cast their ballots on election day (60,417) than by early voting and mail (39.413).

An election day glitch throughout all towns in Mercer County delayed tabulation of the results for several days. A problem scanning ballots cast on election day meant that voters had to submit their choices via paper ballots and sharpies. The exact cause of the problem is under investigation.

Sarah Steward, the new CEO of Lawrence-based nonprofit Homefront, with her predecessor, Connie Mercer.

“unanimously” circled back to the COO, a Ewing native who joined the team in 2016. When Steward began her new position on Oct. 1, Mercer was able to move on to the next stage in her career, leaving the ‘front of house’ operations in familiar hands.

Steward found her footing initially as a college intern for Democratic Congressman Rush Holt, who then hired her for various roles in his “government constituent services office, legislative team on Capitol Hill,” and his successful campaigns for the U.S. House of Representatives.

As Steward rose to be Holt’s deputy chief of staff and district director, she worked with him for over a decade, both closer to home in West Windsor and in Washington, D.C. By the time Holt chose not to run for reelection after his loss in the 2013 Senate race, Steward was actively using her experiences to propel a dream of public service.

That same year, Steward found a new voice as a member of the Ewing Township Council, where her appointment at age 31 effectively made her the youngest person in local history to have such a designation. This gusto for government also earned Steward the title of council president. Steward easily won re-election to a new four-year term on Nov. 8.

On her first day working for HomeFront, Steward recalls getting everything set up, which included a trip to the supply closet.

She noticed that behind that very door, fate had seemingly stacked itself in boxes awaiting her arrival, as her own handwriting was already on each of them.

“When we closed Rush’s office, we had donated everything to HomeFront, so I got reunited with all my supplies. I have the same stapler on my desk,” Steward laughs. “It’s been an amazing time, and it was exactly what I was hoping for—something that was going to put my network and my passion for this community, specifically, into service.”

Steward recalls that Mercer expressed a certain satisfaction in the board’s eventual choice, the latter explaining, “jokingly, that she’s glad that they came to the right decision, because she picked me for this job seven years ago.”

“I count myself as incredibly lucky to be able to be here, to be doing something that means a lot to the community but also means a lot to me,” Steward says. “I realize that not everyone has the opportunity to do something they love every day, and I do— and I’m really grateful for that.”

Although Steward was “coming into the organization with a background in understanding the needs of our community and the support we can offer,” the ability to learn HomeFront’s operations from the founder herself was an honor she never took lightly.

“Connie was our best case manager, our best fundraiser, our best public relations firm; she was so many things to this orga-

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nization,” Steward says. “It really is going to take a team of us to continue on her legacy.”

Steward says that HomeFront’s Fam ily Campus—a sprawling site established in 2015 on the grounds of a former military base in Ewing—is the organization’s home base for meeting the needs of each family with, “depending on how you count them,” about 35 active programs.

They include: access to emergency hous ing; educational and child care; health and wellness; enrichment opportunities; part ner agencies like WomanSpace; and “Hire Expectations,” which offers “job training and career support.”

“I think about Connie’s work over the last 30 years, and she built this amazing organi zation, and it has scaled up so significantly, but at the end of the day—and she would tell you this still, up until her last day at Home Front—we do this work ‘family by family,’ so having those educational, life skills, and career supports wrapped up in everything else is an important part that helps us to make sure that this change is lasting and long-term,” Steward says.

Mercer’s pivot to a broader reach beyond the day-to-day operations of HomeFront became possible when observing the orga nization during the COVID-19 pandemic, Steward says.

“Every organization always thinks, ‘How would we react if something truly terrible happens? Are we really designed, are we built right now, to withstand an incredibly difficult situation?’ We did—and came out, in some ways, even stronger on the other side,” Steward explains, with HomeFront “surviv ing and thriving” despite the conditions.

“[Mercer] realized that she really had built something that was going to last, that she had a really strong team in place to continue this work on, and then it was the right time for her to change her role here a little bit,” Steward adds. “That’s an incredible compliment to me, and I take that to heart.”

Steward’s interest in the political sector was piqued by an American government class at Franklin and Marshall College, where she graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s in both government and psychology. In 2018, she also completed her master’s in public administration from Rut gers University.

As of press time, Steward is still fulfilling her duties as an adjunct professor for Saint Peter’s University’s MPA program, as well as HomeFront’s COO, given the hunt for her replacement remains ongoing.

But even with a full schedule and new responsibilities, Steward maintains that HomeFront shares the same guiding prin ciples as it did under Mercer.

“What Connie built here is an organiza tion that can respond to whatever the great est needs are for families in our community, so in some sense, the mission will remain unchanged,” she explains. “We are taking

on this incredibly large challenge of trying to end family homelessness. That is an auda cious goal, in some sense, but if you read our mission statement, it’s ending family home lessness, but it’s also lessening the immedi ate pain of families that are living in poverty or experiencing homelessness.”

“We’re always going to do those two sides of the coin, and we’re always going to respond to whatever today’s challenges are,” she says, adding that while those may differ from years prior, a focus as of late has been on the lack of affordable housing available.

Mercer started HomeFront in reaction to seeing families live in motels along Route 1, and she was able to drastically lower that number until the pandemic. Now, Steward says, “there is a real disconnect between the housing options available in our community and what families need,” with those build ings once again occupied by those in need of shelter.

“There are families living in motels in Mercer County right now, not because they wish to live in a motel with their children, but because there are no other options. With the limited funds they have, living in a motel is not a cheap way to live,” she says, adding that while HomeFront is proud to partner in helping develop these homes, the organiza tion “alone cannot solve the problem, so it has real repercussions for everything else we do.”

“The reality is that families are living so close to the edge,” Steward says, attributing that to “economic factors” like rising infla tion and an unstable housing market. The HomeFront hotline for those at risk of being evicted (609-989-9417 x141) has been receiv ing more calls than ever, according to the new CEO, and the lines at the food pantry are “longer than they were even a year ago.”

Steward acknowledges that the pandemic is a contributing factor to these numbers, but the increase in prices for basics like grocer ies or diapers can be a direct hit to a family’s monthly budget.

She says that while such a feeling might be shared by many at the checkout line, for those hanging by a thread—or a single receipt—that same unexpected cost is a threat to safety.

“[What’s] always close to HomeFront’s heart, and such a core part of our mission, is our support for children. Kids have had, as we all know, an incredibly difficult time dur ing the pandemic and afterwards, especially children that are in unstable housing situa tions,” Steward says. “We’re working hard to help give kids the tools to be successful long term, help them catch up academically, and make sure that as the world wants so desper ately to move on COVID, that we don’t fail to recognize that there are kids that are still liv ing with the very present effects of that, and will for years and years.”

“If you look at HomeFront’s tagline, it’s See STEWARD, Page 4

‘working to break the cycle of poverty,’ and some of that cycle breaking happens genera tionally and happens by the children in the family having a vision of a different life and the tools to get there,” she says. “Any parent with young kids, no matter their economic status, can tell you how tough this last cou ple of years has been—and for our families, even more so.”

She also highlights HomeFront’s “work to help families achieve their educational goals, and career and vocational support,” noting that while there are job opportunities, the real challenge is in “finding a job that pays [a] livable wage.”

Through Hire Expectations, anyone receiving HomeFront services can pursue tutoring, then acquire their high school diploma onsite, which can have a positive influence on earning potential. These pro grams are once again being held in-person after previously being offered online, with employers re-partnering as well.

As HomeFront works to “re-embrace and engage families” for future independence, Steward notes that “it’s not just about throw ing somebody into a job; it’s about getting somebody into a career that will help them earn enough to support their family long term. That is a challenge right now, just because the labor market has changed so much, but that’s still really core to our work here.”

* * *

“Our community is incredibly generous; I want to be able to show them the impact of the dollars that they donate, or the items that they give, or the volunteer hours that they give to us,” Steward says. “It’s impor tant for our public-facing work, but even more importantly, I think it’s going to help us really hone in on what about our work is impactful.”

As an example, she mentions that Home Front has “a relatively small program where if someone donates a car to us in good work ing order, we will, in turn, give that car to a family that is in great need.”

Steward recalls a case where a vehicle was given to a mother who could not take on a promotion at work due to the long commute and travel barriers, which not only “made an incredible difference in that family’s life,” but stuck with Steward.

The federal Administration for Children and Families program will help to possibly replicate the Family Campus model “across the country,” because while providing shel ter is important, she stresses that the ability to tailor services to families in a comprehen sive, effective manner can be just as vital for success.

“If we can help somebody in Oklahoma City embrace a model that’s going to help change lives there too, that multiplies the impact of what Connie did here and shows, I think, how effective the model that she

developed here can be in other places,” Steward says.

Through an ACF grant, HomeFront hired a new director of innovation and evaluation, Ria Brij, who is guiding staff in growing their skills so, as she explains, the team can even tually balance “data and evaluation” with “direct client services.”

The organization’s new prerogative will be to analyze the results, but Steward notes that there is always an inherent “danger” for nonprofits incorporating such a system with out the proper care. To ensure they do “not lose the heart of what they do” or start serv ing numbers rather than people, she shares that HomeFront’s ambitions to empower cli ents, as well as inspire them to advocate for themselves, will always be a priority.

This can be seen through “creative” meth ods of outreach like ArtSpace, which Stew ard describes as a way for clients to become “immersed in the healing power of art,” but also one that puts control back in the hands of those who have endured difficulties.

She also wants to continue her own advo cacy like Mercer, who helped launch state wide efforts for the benefit of families in New Jersey and continues to do so. Steward her self is passionate about expanding “Home Front’s role in advancing racial equity and inclusion.”

As Steward prepares for HomeFront’s next strategic plan, she emphasizes how much of a “great comfort and asset” it is to still have Mercer as “part of the HomeFront family,” with her involvement unwavering despite the change in leadership.

“In some ways, the transition has been over the course of this year,” Steward says. “Connie and I have been preparing for this for many years. It is strange to not have her in the office every day, for sure, but it was so deliberate and planned that I think we really did this the right way…our number one goal throughout all this was to make sure that the incredibly important work that we do survives.”

“It’s different now than when Connie began HomeFront, because she grew this to be such a cornerstone agency in our com munity. On any given night, there’s 450 or so people who are under a HomeFront roof, in some sense,” Steward notes, with the orga nization’s legacy requiring HomeFront to be able to grow and meet demands.

“When Connie hired me, it was fully knowing that HomeFront had reached a point in its growth where, to sustain it and to continue to grow, it needed to be more structured,” she explains, adding that such implementation was a key part of her work as incoming COO.

Steward says that her background in gov ernment shaped her own approach to work ing side by side with Mercer, whom she calls the “dreamer and spirit behind our mission,” as well as the one with the original, bound less vision for the future of area families.

recorded 310 saves for her career; set the school record as a junior with eight shutouts in one season, and had six more this year.

“Gwyn Moore has been phenomenal for us for four years,” Palombo said. “She’ll be a huge loss.”

The keeper had some veteran help in front of her. Senior outside back Gillean Kibby (1 goal, 4 assists) provided strength and speed and “is just an incredibly gifted athlete,” according to Palombo. In the mid dle, junior Hayley Jodoin helped anchor the defense for a second straight year along with senior Grace Dowd, who dropped from cen ter midfield.

“She’s a really vocal leader and can read the game very well,” Palombo said. “She did a nice job helping Hayley keep us organized.”

Rounding out the back was junior Jasmine Eccles, who the coach would like to move up to attack. But Palombo likes her speed and tenacity in helping shut down some of the Colonial Valley Conference’s top play ers while also making some runs. The mid field was a strength and featured two of the Cardinals bright young talents in sopho more Michaela Little and freshman Caelyn LaFlamme. Little tallied 10 goals and three assists, while LaFlamme had two goals and an assist.

“Michaela stepped up and had a lot more confidence this year. She played anywhere we asked her to and did a great job. She just always got herself in key positions to score and have the aggressive drive to put the ball in the back of the net... You pair her with (junior) Kendall Jodoin (2 goals, 2 assists), who was great with these one-time passes and is also able to see the field,” Palombo said. “And then Caelyn LaFlamme is just a force to be reckoned with. She’s all over the place and covered a ton of ground. She sees the field. She’s only a freshman, but she

just gets out there and plays. She’s naturally a forward and we’d love to get her up there but she’ll play wherever we need her to and did a great job.”

Providing leadership in the midfield was senior Jesse Everman, whose modest output of one goal and three assists did not define her as a performer.

“Jesse Everman is all over the place and does a lot of work that won’t make it into the boxscore,” Palombo said. “She’s mak ing key tackles, and she literally never stops moving.”

As were the players up top, who included freshmen Amber Wooding (4 goals, 2 assists) and Becca Boggs (5 goals, 2 assists) along with senior Jasmin Jordan (3 goals).

“Amber is lightning fast and a skilled onev-one player,” Palombo said. “She connects really well with Boggs, she knows where she’s going to be, and Becca is a very good

and talented one-v-one player as well. She is small but she’s lightning.”

Playing on the outside was Jordan, “who did a great job this year of being there when we needed to put a key ball in.” Others who rotated in at that spot were freshman Elena Rivera and senior Ava Andrew.

It turned out to be a nice mix of youth and experience that helped keep the Cardinals

competitive once again.

“We lost some key players from last year,” Palombo said. “I think we knew we were gonna be pretty good because we were returning a lot of players with experience, but you never know what you’re gonna get when freshmen are coming up, obviously. But this year we were blessed with some great newcomers who were able to play important roles right away.”

As for positives to come from the season, Palmbo said “I think making the top eight (in MCTs) was a big bright spot for them. It showed a lot of respect the other coaches had for them to put us in there. That was a key moment for us.”

As for next season, there will definitely be holes to fill, as there were this year. But there are also some talented players returning that should only improve from this campaign.

“When people get a year under their belt it’s a different experience for them when they step on the field for next year,” Palombo said. “I’m hoping we can just fill those spots and continue to have success.”

“This was a rough fall with the new sched ule. It was a difficult grind in that we didn’t have a ton of numbers, so if you get an injury it’s tough, it’s important to stay healthy and get through the grind. You’re gonna have good days and bad days. I’d love to see us grow and keep doing what we’ve been doing.”

LHS girls soccer team captains Gwyn Moore (left), Grace Dowd, Gillian Kibbey and Jessie Everman.

When is it time for a knee replacement?

Ask The Doctor

You’ve had the X-rays and your doctor says that your knee or hip is in bad shape. The doctor says you’re a candidate for joint replacement surgery. But is surgery the best answer for you?

“Ultimately, joint replacement surgery is a personal decision,” says Michael R. Duch, MD, orthopedic surgeon in the Orthopedic and Spine Institute (OSI) at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJUH Hamilton). “Orthopedic surgeons can help to make the diagnosis, but in the end the patient needs to decide what the best solution is for them.”

See our ads in SIX09 section pgs 5 and 7

are replaced. More than 1 million total joint arthroplasties (reconstructions or replacements) are done in the United States each year, according to the American Joint Replacement Registry—700,000 of the knee and 400,000 of the hip. The number is expected to increase to nearly 4 million by 2030.

Non-surgical treatment. Surgery isn’t for everyone, however. Many times, a patient’s arthritis—the major reason for joint replacement—stabilizes.

and in a topical cream form). Physical therapy and assistive walking devices, such as braces, canes and walkers, can also help relieve discomfort and restore mobility. Finally, by modifying activity and being “mindful” of the arthritic joint, patients can learn to live with their symptoms.

Signs that it’s time. The most important factor in choosing to have hip or knee replacement surgery is how the joint is affecting quality of life— physically and emotionally.

having performed thousands of these procedures,” Dr. Duch says. “That way, they can make the best informed decision.”

Orthopedic Open House: Joint Replacement.

A rising trend. Joint replacement surgery removes a damaged or diseased joint and replaces it with a combination of plastic, metal and/or ceramic parts that replicate the movements of a healthy joint. Sometimes the whole joint is replaced, and sometimes only the damaged parts

“Patients with arthritic joints who aren’t experiencing pain and who are still functioning well may not need surgery,” Dr. Duch says. In addition, a person who is medically frail may not be a good candidate, since overall health plays an important role in healing.

In these instances, patients are offered non-surgical interventions including weight loss recommendations, cortisone and “gel shot” injections, joint supplements and anti-inflammatory medications (now available both orally

“If you can’t live with your arthritic joint, or realize it’s not going to get better and the pain is interfering with your quality of life, it may be time for surgery,” says Dr. Duch.

Ultimately, only the patient can make the final decision as to whether to undergo this type of major elective surgery.

Join Dr. Duch on Jan. 17, 2023, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., RWJ Fitness and Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Road, Hamilton and discover the latest advances in knee and hip replacement surgery and learn how a team of specialists help prepare patients for a successful joint replacement. All registered for this program will receive a “healthy dinner.” Space is limited. Register online at rwjbh. org/events or call (609) 584-5900 and dial “1” to reach Health Connections.

For more information about state-of-theart orthopedic treatments offered through the Orthopedic and Spine Institute at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, call (609) 689-7031 or visit rwjbh.org/ortho.

“It’s my job to help guide patients to the best decision for their specific situation, by laying out the medical facts and by sharing my experience of

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On the Cover

Plate Expectations: Restaurants that Set the Stage for a Memorable Meal

BY GEORGE POINT

When dining out, as in most aspects of life, first impressions count big time by setting expectations of what’s to follow. If you stop to think about it, dining out is theater, and a restaurant is a stage set. Consciously or not, when you approach a dining venue for the first time and walk through the front door, you’ve already begun to anticipate what’s in store.

The website of Absolute Commercial Interiors, an English commercial interior design firm, notes in a blog post that “the ambience in a restaurant plays an undeniably significant role in shaping your customers’ overall dining experience. Ambience ties the cuisine, service, and environment together to define your diners’ perception of your restaurant.”

Some restaurants simply do a better job than others in managing diners’ expectations and making their décor an integral part of fostering an appreciation for their cuisine. Here are just four of the many examples of eateries in our area that have managed to achieve just that.

Note that before you visit, you’re encouraged to peruse the full menus for each that are posted on their websites, as well as to verify opening and closing times. Reservations are also highly recommended.

Kristine’s

In its décor and cuisine, Kristine’s in downtown Princeton clearly aspires to create the look and feel of a casual yet elegant French dining spot — and manages to do a highly satisfying job on both counts. Considerable effort has been spent on the details of the exterior and interior design, doing so in ways that appear both obvious and subtle to the eye.

Approaching Kristine’s from Hinds Plaza, one is drawn to the cafe curtains, the inviting blue and white striped awnings emblazoned with “Kristine’s” in distinctive script. The “Bienvenue (‘Welcome’) Kristine’s” on the window glass beckons as you pass by the outdoor dining area to the double entry doors on the south corner of the brick structure.

A more subtle design element, intentional or not, is the simple semi-circular awning over the entry, a sly visual reference to the Art Nouveau canopies covering access to the Paris Metro.

SIX09

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“Many of these treatments may come as a surprise to patients suffering from chronic pain, especially those who think that their pain — and poor quality of life — is something they have to endure,” Dr. Patel notes. A double board-certified anesthesiologist and pain management specialist, Dr. Patel focuses on treating pain in the back, neck, face, and joints as well as pain related to cancer and chemotherapy.

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Regenerative Medicine/ Stem Cell Therapy. Regenerative medicine is a fastgrowing, highly developed treatment that helps the body heal or rebuild itself. Dr. Patel uses stem cell therapy to treat ailments, particularly low back or neck pain, caused by degenerative vertebral discs or joint pain in the shoulders, hips, or knees caused by osteoarthritis. The patient’s stem cells are removed, purified, concentrated, and injected into the injured or weakened tissue. Stem cell therapy can also speed recovery and help avoid surgery.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP). A favorite treatment for sports injuries, PRP uses the patient’s blood to produce a platelet-rich plasma that targets a host of chronic and acute pain conditions, including muscle strain, arthritis, tendinosis, cartilage injuries, joint inflammation, and wound care. The treatment is also used in orthopedic and plastic surgery. By synthesizing platelets and releasing proteins, PRP can aid in generating new tissue. And it has helped chemotherapy patients grow back hair faster and thicker.

Cannabis Therapy. The legalization of medical marijuana has brought new treatment options. “We are very excited by the potential of cannabis-based treatments and we comply fully with New Jersey’s evolving regulations,” says Dr. Patel. He uses a local dispensary to provide treatments, which include edibles such as gummy bears and cannabis-based rubbing and vaping oils.

Minimally Invasive Therapy. Dr. Patel offers a wide variety of minimally invasive therapies. These include epidural steroid injections, facet joint injections, radiofrequency ablation, and spinal cord stimulation for patients suffering from chronic neck and back pain stemming from herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, or spinal stenosis. His goal is to help his patients avoid surgery and at the same time regain functionality.

Thanks to these and other game-changing treatments, pain levels can be greatly reduced or eliminated and quality of life enhanced. Says Dr. Patel, “Stop your pain. Start your life.”

666 Plainsboro Road, Suite 100D Plainsboro. 609-269-4451 www.njpaindoc.com

Dr. Ronak Patel

continued from Page 2

The restrained design choices in the din ing room evoke Paris without crossing over into kitsch. The petite floor tiles are set in a pattern that makes them seem to swirl across the room. Fluted glass shades adorn the overhead lighting. The horseshoeshaped bar, replete with bentwood stools, conveys the look of the zinc-topped bars in many establishments found throughout La Belle France. The artwork adds to the feel ing that you’ve been transported back to Paris in the 1930s.

In short, Kristine’s manages to be invit ingly French in appearance, an especially remarkable feat considering that the space housed a boutique in its previous incarna tion. But it’s the ambient sound of Kristine’s that seals the deal.

The sound system may be playing the strains of Bal-musette, a style of French instrumental music usually featuring an accordion that became popular in Paris in the 1880s. Or you may hear the little spar row Édith Piaf proclaiming “Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien,” Charles Trenet crooning “La Mer” (long before Bobby Darin made the English version a hit in the U.S.) or per haps the iconoclastic folk singer Georges Brassens singing a tune you’re probably better off not understanding the words to.

And the conversations of the patrons din ing at adjoining tables can be part of the charm of Kristine’s as well, as likely to be in French as English.

The menu at Kristine’s reads like a hit parade of well-curated French favorites that regulars have come to expect: onion soup, foie gras torchons, moules et frites, duck confit, steak frites, as well as vegan and glu ten-free options. General manager Branden English notes that cool weather additions may include burgundy beef, cassoulet, boudin noir, and lamb shank.

Underscoring Kristine’s French pedi gree is the restaurant’s selection of French wines and spirits, with knowledgeable staff

eager to make recommendations; for exam ple, Branden is certified by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, a global provider of wine and spirit education for professionals and enthusiasts.

Bon appetit!

Kristine’s, 51 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., then 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. 609-924-3339 and kristine sprinceton.com.

Local Greek

Do an online search for “typical Greek taverna” and you’ll see that Local Greek, at 44 Leigh Avenue in Princeton, has fulfilled the promise that owner Tony Kanterakis made upon opening its doors in Novem ber 2017 — an assurance that, when visit ing, customers can “escape Princeton” and enter Greece.

Despite the un-Greek presence of Tor tuga’s Mexican Village, another neighbor hood mainstay, across the street, that state ment still rings true. Nearly five years later, Local Greek continues to be a neighbor hood gathering place to enjoy Greek cui sine in a setting with the authentic spirit of a cozy local hangout on a Greek isle.

As reported in U.S. 1 soon after the res taurant opened, the look of Local Greek is a big part of its appeal, from the sun-washed white and blue exterior and inviting out door seating to the rustic wooden tables and floors, white subway tile, and white washed walls within — not to mention the welcoming attitude and efficient service of the staff. You may hear the strains of Greek music in the background, but at a volume that permits quiet conversation.

At the time, Kanterakis reflected on the spirit of Greek culture that he had worked to bring to Local Greek. “I think a lot of the Greek words on the walls explain what’s

important about Greek culture,” he noted, “the warmth and hospitality of the Greek people, the attitude that strangers are friends you haven’t met yet.”

To cite one example, a sign over the entrance to the side dining room proclaims that ‘the secret ingredient is always love,’ and three Greek words and their defini tions hand-painted on the wall expand on the sentiment; ‘Filoksenia – An act of hos pitality, a warm welcome,’ ‘Kefi – The spirit of joy and enthusiasm in which good times and passion for life are experienced by an abundance of excitement, happiness and fun,’ and ‘Meraki – The soul; creativity or love put into something: the essence of yourself put into your work.’

It would be impossible to quote the extensive menu here, a well-curated selec tion of soups, salads, appetizers, meat, fish, and vegetarian dishes that range from old favorites (avgolemono, dolmades [stuffed grape leaves], gyro platter, souvlaki, bak lava) to more upmarket entrees like shrimp flambé, whole grilled branzino and top ping out at a substantial mixed grill platter ($74.95). Local Greek is BYO, or patrons may choose from the offerings of Old York Cellars in Ringoes.

Perhaps the best example of “plate expectations” is the string of Greek letters diners pass under that proclaims, “We are all family.”

“When strangers to a Greek town wan der by, it’s not unusual for locals to invite them in and share their hospitality,” Kanter akis explains. “That’s the feeling I’m trying to create here — to capture the spirit of the Greek people.”

Local Greek, 44 Leigh Avenue, Princ eton. Monday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Tuesday to Friday, noon to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m.to 8 p.m. 609285-2969 and localgreeknj.com

Note: Tony Kanterakis has four other

Greek-themed restaurants, including Greek Bites and Loco Cheese in Princeton, Local Greek Lambertville, and Local Greek Seafood in Hopewell. Visit eatlocalgreek. com for details.

AJA Asian Cuisine and Lounge

Diners in the area with very long memo ries may recall that 1736 Route 206 in Mont gomery was once the address of the County Line restaurant, back in the day when a slab of prime rib served with a wedge of iceberg lettuce topped with blue cheese dressing was considered the height of haute cuisine. Come to think of it, that combo still sounds mighty tasty. The County Line is long gone, replaced by a succession of eateries in what turned into a hard-luck location.

Perhaps that’s why koi are a recurring presence in the current establishment at that address, Aja Cuisine and Lounge. In Japan, koi, a colorful relative of the com mon carp, serve as a symbol of good luck and determination in the face of hard times.

Koi have been reported to live as long as two centuries; perhaps they are the good luck charms that will ensure Aja’s longev ity, given that there are koi abound at Aja, most notably in the large pottery vessel next to reception that contains live fish lan guidly lazing about.

Koi also appear on assorted fine china serving pieces, and three koi, writ large, circle gracefully on the wall behind the sushi bar. Uniformed itamae (sushi chefs), donned in their caps and tunics, silently and methodically go about their work.

Koi aside, it’s hard to know where to begin to describe Aja’s lavish décor. The quality and quantity of detail one dis

Toast to a French meal at Kristine’s, left and middle, or settle in for some traditional hospitality at Local Greek, right, to get a sense of community with your atmosphere.

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Ever feel tightness in your chest when going up a flight of stairs, or short of breath after carrying in the groceries? These can be signs of coronary artery disease. If you think you may be at risk, you should talk to a cardiac specialist at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton. At RWJBarnabas Health, we perform more elective and emergent procedures than any other health care system in New Jersey. Our heart team can clear blocked or narrowed arteries to safely restore blood flow to your heart. Schedule an appointment with one of New Jersey’s top cardiac specialists at rwjbh.org/heart

covers while meandering through the multi-roomed, multi-themed interior is astonishing.

Push the beautifully carved hardwood push plates affixed to the entry doors and note the display of dozens of abaci on the wall to your right. Asian artwork and statuary of all sizes are strategically placed throughout, well-positioned to encourage appreciation by their patrons — almost like wandering through an art gallery.

Many of the interior walls of Aja are finished in small, smooth river stones, with thousands of them set in plaster. Apart from the strips of neon that define the various dining areas, the soft indirect lighting succeeds in giving what would otherwise be cavernous spaces a hushed ambiance and an intimate feel.

The lighting, combined with the use of Asian hardwood accents, river stone, and slate floor tiles, work together to convey the impression that Aja is a place for serious dining. With a mix of spacious booths and tables, it’s no wonder that in the cooler months, seats near the working fireplace are sought-after spots.

The décor continues down to the stairs leading to the lower-level lobby, additional party rooms, and even the restrooms; all are tastefully designed and realized.

There is no shortage of dining options for parties of every size. In addition to the main dining room, Aja sports a sushi bar and cocktail bar, as well as the (lavenderbedecked) Lavender room and the (very red) Mandarin rooms, which may be booked singly or in combination for private events.

And then there are Aja’s menu offerings, too numerous to enumerate in this limited space and best perused at your leisure online.

There you’ll find enough soups, salads, sushi, sashimi, rolls, wok and grilled selections, noodle and rice dishes, bento boxes, and dessert choices to keep you occupied for a while.

Looking for a low-risk introduction to

Aja? Stop in for lunch and choose from a selection of reasonably priced dishes that include salad, soup, and a main course.

My friend and longtime Princeton resident Marty, one of my go-to experts on all things Japanese, especially enjoys the sushi/sashimi luncheon special; 4 pieces of sushi, 8 pieces of sashimi, and a spicy tuna roll for a very reasonable $23.

AJA, 1736 US 206, Montgomery. Hours: Monday to Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. then 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. then 4:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.; Saturday, 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.; and Sunday,

12:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Full bar service available. 908-262-2512 and ajamontgomery. com.

El Tule

If you’ve only experienced Lambertville as a Delaware River town characterized by the charming 19th century structures along Bridge Street, take the first right after turning in off Route 29.

On your left, you’ll happen upon the bright orange, black, and green sign on a

AJA Asian Cuisine and Lounge in Montgomery, left , and El Tule Mexican & Peruvian Restaurant in Lambertville, right, sport both inviting interiors and extravagant exteriors.

The Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey (YOCJ) provides many opportunities for students to take their skills, passion and talent to new musical levels, including master classes with professional musicians, concert performances, chamber music opportunities and more! YOCJ features three orchestras, as well as small ensembles for brass, percussion, woodwinds, saxophone and flute.

Upcoming events:

• Saturday December 10, 7:30pm Winter Small Ensemble Concert at Community Middle School, Plainsboro NJ

• Sunday January 15, 3pm & the 8pm Winter Large Ensemble Concerts at Kendall Hall, TCNJ. The 8pm concert features Billy Hunter, Principal Trumpet of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra

New Student Auditions:

•Tuesday January 31 and June 6, 2023 For more information, visit https://yocj.org/

one-story building boldly proclaiming it to be the home of El Tule Mexican and Peru vian Cuisine.

Walk past the row of picnic tables and catch a glimpse of the patio dining area at the rear, festooned with twinkly lights crisscrossed overhead and on the fence that encloses the space.

As you step inside, witness the bright colors abound; orange predominates on the walls and on the red-bordered menus and includes other bright colors as well, reflecting the natural dyes from native plants and the earth that color the tradi tional clothing of both countries.

One wall is covered with concert post ers in dayglo colors announcing appear ances by Peruvian musicians, singers, and composers of contemporary and tradi tional Andean music, like Peruvian singer-

composer Dina Paucar and the dazzling Andean orchestra Super Briliantes del Ande.

The background music reflects the décor as well, played at a festive yet com fortable volume. Rustic floor tile, dark brown tables, and comfortable chairs com plete the picture, giving El Tule the look and feel of a neighborhood establishment you might find in Oaxaca or Cuzco.

And then there’s “El Tule” itself, the tree logo that appears throughout the restau rant and on the t-shirts worn by Jack, the owner, and his staff.

It’s a graphic reference to El Árbol del Tule, Spanish for ‘The Tree of Tule,’ a massive Montezuma cypress located in the center of Santa María del Tule in the Mexican state of Oaxaca said to have been planted 1,400 years ago by Pechocha, a priest of the Aztec wind god Ehecatl.

As with the décor, El Tule comes by the

authenticity of its cuisine honestly. Relo cating from Peru in 1992, the Egoavil and Anguino families present a Mexican Latin fusion menu, guided by chefs from the Egoavil and Anguino families. Peruvian chef Carmen Egoavil has built on the culi nary skills she learned from her mother, while chef Said Anguino crafts the Mexi can side of the menu with interpretations of traditional recipes.

The menu includes a selection of veg etarian, seafood, and meat dishes. Cevi che includes ceviche limeno (corvina fish, sweet potatoes, Peruvian corn) and cevi che mixto (corvina fish, shrimp, octopus, and calamari), “Flavors of Peru” includes coliflor saltada tacu (vegan wok stir-fried cauliflower and fresh vegetables, served over Peruvian beans and rice) and lamb stew tacu tacu (boneless lamb slowly cooked for 48 hours in a sauce of Peruvian panca peppers and Chicha de Jora (a beer

made from fermented maize).

Mexican specialties include spinach and crab enchiladas, tampiquena (marinated ribeye topped with guacamole), and more.

There’s also a good selection of large and small plates to share, and a non-alco holic drink selection that includes Inca Kola, Jamaica tea, and Chicha Morada (purple Peruvian corn, pineapple, a “hint of lime, and a hint of cinnamon”).

A ‘Locals Night Special’ on Wednesday evenings offers three courses, plus a com plimentary margarita for just $30. Che vere! (‘Awesome’).

El Tule Mexican & Peruvian Restau rant, 49 N. Main St., Lambertville. Tues day to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sun day, noon to 9 p.m. BYOB. 609-773-0007 and eltulerestaurant.com.

Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute

Treating Pain with PRP and Stem Cell Therapy

Pain.

It gnaws at you. It drains you. It becomes the focus of your life.

Experiencing a few pain-free moments can be euphoric; it makes you realize how long you’ve been living with aches and pain. You might wonder how you can find a solution to relieve the pain and regain your freedom from discomfort.

Dr. Ronak Patel at Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute wants you to know there are two new revolutionary answers to pain relief.

Both platelet-rich therapy — otherwise known as PRP — and stem cell therapy give patients new hope by using the body’s powerful healing power to accelerate the battle against pain. Dr. Patel has seen incredible success implementing these cuttingedge treatments on hundreds of patients suffering from pain-related issues.

So if you are suffering from any of the ailments below, there’s a lifeline.

• Osteoarthritis

• Rotator cuff tear

• Back pain

• Meniscus tears

• Tennis elbow

• Disc herniations

• Tendonitis

• Neck pain

Here’s the best news: Neither PRP or stem cell therapy involves drug use with side effects or any surgical procedures.

Both PRP and stem cell treatments use the body’s own healing resources to repair diseased or damaged tissue — and the results are quite remarkable.

PRP therapy involves injecting concentrated platelets and growth factors into damaged tissue to

stimulate the faster growth of new healthy cells. Platelets are cells that prevent and stop bleeding. If a blood vessel is damaged, the body sends signals to our platelets to get on the job and start the healing. Some call platelets the body’s natural bandage. So how does PRP therapy work? It’s basically drawing a one small vial of blood from the patient and then using a centrifuge to turn it into a potent and concentrated form of platelets. It is then injected back into the patient. Think of it as a boost of your own blood — only superpowered. Recovery time for PRP therapy is far shorter than for surgery. Patients usually experience soreness for a week or so, but the gradual improvement soon begins. Unlike

a steroid shot, which gives you immediate relief and quickly wears off, a PRP patient will see pain symptoms improve over a period of months, and up to 80 percent of patients will see relief for up to two years.

Stem cell therapy can be an even more powerful way to harness the body’s healing power. Stem cells are the building blocks for every cell in our body. These powerful cells can be harvested to produce powerful new cells to fight inflammation and disease.

For those suffering from osteoarthritis, stem cell therapy has proven very effective. That’s because the stem cells may help develop new cartilage cells and suppress inflammation. Stem cells can be harvested through a sample of body fat or bone marrow or be harvested from donated umbilical cord tissue.

And yes, you can even augment PRP therapy with stem cell therapy for an even bigger boost!

Stop wondering if you’ll have to live with your pain forever. Contact Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute today at 609-269-4451 or go to www.njpaindoc.com to book an an appointment and learn more. See ad, page 3.

THE GIFT OF A SMILE

With the end of the year in sight, now is a great time to assess your family’s unmet dental needs. Consider your annual benefits that expire at the end of the year. Contact us to help you plan your New Year smile!

Dr. Irving Djeng • Dr. Lauren Levine • Dr. Michael DeLuca • Dr. Matthew Etter • Dr. Kevin Collins • Dr. Deolinda Reverendo

Hamilton Dental Associates

Don’t Let Your Annual Benefits Go to Waste!

Every year, thousands of people sit on their dental insurance and benefits until the new year rolls around, los ing out on their past year of cover age. While some may use it to cover routine dental checkups, most pay for these yearly benefits without ever using them, leaving them unused and therefore going to waste. Instead of eating it as a sunk cost, consider scheduling some dental work with Hamilton Dental Associates!

Dental insurance can be much less confusing for patients to understand compared to medical insurance. The language used in dental insurance policies directly tells people what procedures receive coverage, how much you have to pay, and how much the insurance provider pays. How ever, people wind up leaving money on the table when their insurance plan rolls over at the end of the year. Whatever the difference between their maximums and what they spent on dental procedures is, they lose that money. To maximize the benefits of their dental insurance plans, patients need to understand what is currently offered, what kind of procedures are offered, and how much their insurance will cover.

Knowing Your Coverage. Most dental insurance plans follow the 10080-50 structure. They will cover 100% of the costs of minor procedures such as bi-yearly visits, teeth cleanings, x-rays, and dental sealant procedures. For things such as cavity fillings, root canals, and gum disease, your insur ance will cover around 80% of the total cost after the deductible is met. The major procedures like crowns, bridges, inlays, or dentures will only

have about 50% of the procedure covered. Knowing how much your in surance will cover helps you plan out your visits and maximize the money still left on your account before losing it at the end of the year.

What If I Have an FSA Account?

Flexible Spending Accounts, or FSA, are provided through employersponsored insurance plans and are designed to help provide flexibility in how you pay for specific procedures. During your enrollment period, you select which FSA account you want and determine how much money is in that account. These pre-tax dollars come out of your paycheck over the year and are then used to help cover the cost of these procedures.

The FSA plans work similarly to a debit card in that the money in the account can be withdrawn to cover the expenses. However, like other benefits, once the new year comes and the plan rolls over into 2021, you lose whatever balance is left on the FSA account. This is why you should take the time to plan out what dental procedures you need done throughout the year and do what you can to maxi mize the money in your FSA account.

Where Do I Go From Here? That’s the most important question right now. Since you only have a set amount of time left in the year to utilize your den tal insurance benefits to their fullest, don’t wait!

We can help you schedule your routine checkups, schedule any ad ditional dental work you may need, and work with your insurance provider to figure out how much is covered and what you need to pay out of pocket. We’re an in-network option for various insurance plans and can work with plans that offer out-of-network ben efits. Contact our team to learn more about how we can help today!

Visit Hamilton Dental Associates today, and come see what all the smiles are about! See ad, page 10.

AllCure Spine and Sports Medicine

Helping seniors find the right diagnosis and right treatment

AllCure Spine and Sports Medicine is a multidisciplinary family practice that has been in business for over 10 years. Over the past decade, the senior community has been a big portion of our patient demographic. We hear many different complaints week to week, but one of the biggest complaints we see with our seniors is balance and gait dysfunction. As our bodies get older, degenerative changes take place, which can lead to a host of symptoms taking away from your quality of life. This can lead to loss of balance, decreased range of motion, decreased strength, trouble with gait mechanics, and much more. Here at AllCure, we provide the proper imaging and testing to help us diagnose these common complaints before they become debilitating. We always say that a small problem will remain small if it’s treated early

RWJ Hamilton

7 Keys to a Woman’s Healthy Heart

Heart disease, the leading cause of death for women in the United States, can be insidious, creeping up slowly and seemingly without warning. Often it can be “silent,” too, with no obvious symptoms at all—until a crisis or emergency, like a heart at tack, strikes. “Fortunately, there are steps women can take to help prevent heart disease,” says interventional cardiologist Edward Wingfield, MD, Medical Staff President at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, an RWJBarnabas Health facility. “Awareness is important, but it’s not enough to just be aware of risk factors. Women need to be proactive when it comes to their self-care and overall healthcare.”

Here are seven things women can do to help prevent or reduce their risk of heart disease:

1. Monitor Your Blood Pressure. “High blood pressure can lead to heart disease, so get your blood pressure checked regularly,” says Dr. Wingfield. “If it’s high, talk to your doctor about how to lower it. There are many ways to get those numbers down.”

2. Eat a Heart-Healthy Diet. Re duce sugar and salt and eat a diet that

enough. We strive to get ahead of each patient’s chief complaints and provide a comprehensive plan of care. One of the major issues seniors face is getting a proper diagnosis early enough to find effective treatments. In many cases we see that patients are given a prescription for medication that will only treat the symptoms, but not the root cause.

contains whole grains, lean proteins, fruits and vegetables, and that’s low in saturated fats and cholesterol. A Mediterranean diet is a healthy option to consider.

3. Avoid Overeating. In addition to causing weight gain, eating heavy meals and large portions causes your body to work overtime and increases your heart rate. Fatty meals are par ticularly taxing.

4. Exercise. Take a walk, ride a bike, swim, dance— just get mov ing, and aim for at least a half-hour of moderate exercise per day, incorpo rating strength training twice a week. “Be sure to check with your healthcare provider about a regimen that’s appro priate for your specific health needs,” advises Dr. Wingfield.

5. Quit Smoking. Just do it. After one year, your risk of developing heart disease will be cut by 50 percent.

6. Manage Stress. Stress can have a profound effect on your heart health by inducing the release of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which in turn cause an increase in blood pressure and injury to the inner layer of your heart vessels (endothelium) leading to a heart at tack. Yoga and meditation are just two things that can help with managing stress. Speak to your provider about other options.

7. Sleep Well. Sleep is important

This will lead to worsening symptoms over time and keep patients from an active and independent lifestyle. We pride ourselves in making tailored treatment plans to fit each patient’s individual needs and impairments. There is no one-size-fitsall approach to healthcare and each patient should be treated with that mindset.

We strongly feel that a multidisciplinary approach is the best way to get patients the care they need and the relief they deserve in a safe, fast, and efficient manner. Our experienced team of providers consisting of chiropractors, physical therapists and acupuncturists collaborate on each case to get the patient the best plan possible to achieve their goals.

We do accept Medicare! We find that most of our Medicare patients don’t have to pay a dime out of their pocket, rather just commit the time and effort.

Please give us a call today and we would be happy to hold a free 10 minute consultation for you or a family member to make sure that you are comfortable and get the correct information to make an important decision for improving your health and quality of life. We look forward to hearing from you!

AllCure Spine & Sports Medicine, 140 Cabot Drive, Suite A, Hamilton. 609-528-4417. www. allcurespineandsports.com. See ad, page 9.

but it’s not just about getting enough sleep, which for most adults is about seven to nine hours per night. Getting enough restful, restorative sleep is what matters. Go to bed at about the same time every night; sleep in a cool, dark room; and turn off electronic devices like cell phones and tablets.

Though there is some overlap in the symptoms of heart attack in men and women, women have some dif ferent symptoms, many of which can be subtle or may be attributed to just aches and pains, the flu or heartburn. But if you think you’re having a heart attack, call 911:

• Jaw, neck or upper back pain

• Chest pain

• Chest tightness

• Pain in the shoulder or arm

• Nausea or vomiting

• Dizziness or fainting

• Cold sweats

• Shortness of breath

• Pain or pressure in the lower chest or upper abdomen • Indigestion

Wingfield, MD

McDougall, Integrative RN, and spon sored by Robert Wood Johnson Uni versity Hospital Hamilton Community Education. Registration is required for this program. Register online at rwjbh. org/events or call 609-584-5900 and dial “1” to reach Health Connections.

“LOVE

YOUR HEART” DISCUS SION GROUP

All are welcome to come out on Thursday, December 8, 10 to 11 a.m., as we explore the connection between food and mood, along with a recipe tasting and discussion. Unhealthy nutrition and difficult emotions, such as depression, can often put us at risk for heart disease. Hosted by Patti

Whoever your heart beats for, our hearts beat for you.

To connect to a top cardiovascu lar expert at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, call 888723-7123 or visit rwjbh.org/heart.

To learn more about Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, visit rwjbh.org/Hamilton or call 609586-7900. See ad, page 5.

Edward

Brothers Anthony Alfieri, DC, left, and Victor Alfieri, DPT.

Jan: 9, 23 Feb: 6, 20 Mar: 6, 20 Apr: 3, 17 May: 1, 15, Jun: 3, 12, 26

Jul: 10, 24 Aug: 7, 21, Sep: 9, 18 Oct: 2, 16, 30 Nov: 13, 27 Dec: 11, 30

Jan: 2, 16, 30 Feb: 13, 27 Mar: 13, 27 Apr: 10, 24 May: 8, 22 Jun: 5, 19

Jul: 3, 17, 31 Aug: 14, 28 Sep: 11, 25 Oct: 9, 23 Nov: 6, 20 Dec: 4, 18

Jan: 10, 24 Feb: 7, 21 Mar: 7, 21 Apr: 4, 18 May: 2, 16, 30 Jun: 13, 27

Jul: 11, 25 Aug: 8, 22 Sep: 5, 19 Oct: 3, 17, 31 Nov: 14, 28 Dec: 12, 26

Jan: 3, 17, 31 Feb: 14, 28 Mar: 14, 28 Apr: 11, 25 May: 9, 23 Jun: 6, 20

Jul: 8, 18 Aug: 1, 15, 29 Sep: 12, 26 Oct: 10, 24 Nov: 7, 21 Dec: 5, 19

Jan: 4, 18 Feb: 1, 15, Mar: 1, 15, 29 Apr: 12, 26 May: 10, 24 Jun: 7, 21,

Jul: 5, 19 Aug: 2, 16, 30 Sep: 13, 27 Oct: 11, 25 Nov: 8, 22 Dec: 6, 20

Jan: 11, 25 Feb: 8, 22 Mar: 8, 22 Apr: 5, 19 May: 3, 17, 31 Jun: 14, 28

Jul: 12, 26 Aug: 9, 23 Sep: 6, 20 Oct: 4, 18 Nov: 1, 15, 29 Dec: 13, 27

Jan: 5, 19 Feb: 2, 16 Mar: 2, 16, 30 Apr: 13, 27 May: 11, 25 Jun: 8, 22

Jul: 6, 20 Aug: 3, 17, 31 Sep: 14, 28 Oct: 12, 26 Nov: 9, 25 Dec: 7, 21

Jan: 12, 26 Feb: 9, 23 Mar: 9, 23 Apr: 6, 20 May: 4, 18 Jun: 1, 15, 29

Jul: 13, 27 Aug: 10, 24 Sep: 7, 21 Oct: 5, 19 Nov: 2, 16, 30 Dec: 14, 28

Jan: 13, 27 Feb: 10, 24 Mar: 10, 24 Apr: 7, 21 May: 5, 19 Jun: 2, 16, 30

Jul: 14, 28 Aug: 11, 25 Sep: 8, 22 Oct: 6, 20 Nov: 3, 17 Dec: 1,15, 29

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hockey. Cards, autographs, photos, memorabilia.

Highest cash prices paid! Licensed corporation, will travel. 4thelovofcards, 908596-0976. allstar115@ verizon.net.

Looking to buy old Mysteries, Science Fiction, Children’s Illustrated, Signed books, kids series books (old Hardy boys-Nancy Drew-Judy BoltonDana girls, The Happy Hollisters, ect WITH DUSTJACKETS in good shape), old postcards, non-sports cards, good conditioned pre 1975 paperbacks (also Avon,Popular Library, Dell, Ace, BEACON, Monarch, Midwood pbs) old COSMOPOLITAN 1920’s-1940’s. Call 609-619-3480 or email

To book a classified ad in this section, please email your text and any other information to mdurelli@communitynews.org. Classifieds run at 75 cents per word with a $20 minimum per month. For more information, call 609-396-1511, ext. 105.

happyheroes@gmail. com.

Cash paid for World War II military items. Helmets, swords, medals, etc. Call 609-581-8290 or email mymilitarytoys@ optonline.net

Cash paid for SELMER SAXOPHONES and other vintage models. 609-581-8290 or email mymilitarytoys@ optonline.net

WANTED- QUALITY CAMERAS AND PHOTO EQUIPMENT, FOUNTAIN PENS AND OLDER WATCHES FAIR PRICES

PAID CALL JAY-609-6899651.

COMMERCIAL SPACE

Doctors Office Suite Turn-Key Ready in Hamilton, Mercer County NJ approx. 1405+/- SF for lease. Fully furnished. $2,550/mth.

DiDonato Realty 609-5862344 Marian Conte BR 609-947-4222.

VACATION RENTALS

Florida Beach Rental: Fort Myers Beach 1br vacation condo on the beach, flexible dates available. Call 609577-8244 for further information

BUSINESS FOR SALE

Salon for sale- excellent opportunity. Priced to sell. Relocating out of state. Large space, great potential. Call 609-4620188.

CEMETERY PLOTS

For sale double depth cemetery plot. Location Princeton memorial park, Gordon Road, Robbinsville. Call 609259-7710.

National Classified

Health & Fitness

Dental insurancePhysicians Mutual Insurance Company. Covers 350 procedures. Real insurance - not a discount plan. Get your free dental info kit! 1-855-526-1060 www. dental50plus.com/ads #6258

Attention oxygen therapy users! Inogen One G4 is capable of full 24/7 oxygen delivery. Only 2.8 pounds. Free info kit. Call 877-9299587

Miscellaneous

Prepare for power outages today with a GENERAC home standby generator $0 Down + Low Monthly Pmt Request a free Quote. Call before the next power outage: 1-855-948-6176

Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter

protection. Schedule free LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-833-6101936

BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 855-7611725

Donate Your Car to Veterans Today! Help and Support our Veterans. Fast - FREE pick up. 100% tax deductible. Call 1-800-2450398

HughesNet - Finally, super-fast internet no matter where you live. 25 Mbps just $59.99/mo! Unlimited Data is Here. Stream Video. Bundle TV & Internet. Free Installation. Call 866-499-0141

november december

A Holiday Tradition

9am-3pm

9am-6pm 9am-6pm 9am-6pm

9am-6pm 9am-6pm 9am-6pm

FARMS

CEDARVILLE FARMS (WEST) - Cabbage, cauli ower, leeks, broccoli, apples, Asian pears, Brussel sprouts, and tomatoes.

CRANBERRY HALL FARM - Locally grown/raised vegetables and beef. Christmas wreaths and holiday sprays.

PINELAND FARMS - 609-392-1550 Homemade “from scratch” pies, breads, candy & caramel apples. Christmas orals, wreaths, grave blankets, and hand cra ed bows.

RUSSO’S FRUIT & VEG FARM - Wreaths, poinsettias, grave blankets, kissing balls, white pine roping, cider donuts. Still available: yams, sweet potatoes, apples, carrots, beets, and apples.

TERHUNE ORCHARDS - 609-695-7855 Fruit pies, apple cider & donuts, organic produce and herbs, fresh apples, and wine.

ZELL’S FARM - 908-444-2367 O ering fresh and dried exotic mushrooms, pastured eggs, chicken, and duck.

9am-6pm 9am-6pm 9am-6pm 9am-3pm

9am-6pm 9am-6pm 9am-6pm

9am-3pm 9am-6pm 9am-6pm 9am-6pm 9am-6pm 9am-2pm

9am-6pm 9am-6pm 9am-2pm

EATERIES

HAMBONE OPERA 609-325-7357 Cherry wood smoked brisket, ribs, and chicken; homemade sides. Food Network-NJ winner-50 States of BBQ.

KAFE’ KREYOL - Delicious Caribbean soul food. Oxtail, curry chicken, rice & beans.

KING FOODS - 609-989-1047 Fried chicken, take-out platters, fresh chicken plus a wide selection of salads and desserts.

LADY & THE SHALLOT - 609-955-1120 Plant based vegan clean comfort foods! Tacos, our famous street spuds, sandwiches, chili, soups, salads, raw juices, teas & infused waters.

SAVORY LEAF CAFE - 609-557-7585 100% plant based comfort foods such as cheesesteaks, hamburgers, bu alo chick’n sandwiches, and homemade baked treats. All deliciously vegan.

PURVEYORS & PROVISIONS

BABE & BANGLE BOUTIQUE - Handmade accessories & Beauty products, genuine crystals & stones (Tiger’s Eye, Jade, Red Coral).

CARTLIDGE’S QUALITY MEATS - 609-396-3966 Now taking Christmas orders: prime rib, smoked hams, tenderloin, pork roast, homemade fresh pork roll.

CREATIVE WRAPPING - 609-519-4814 Don’t be overwhelmed; let us wrap your holiday gi s & food baskets!

LUNA ROSSA SHOP - Hand-tooled leather and vegan leather handbags, Paparazzi jewelry. O ering 10% o with this ad, see our $5 specials.

MICHAEL’S SWEET LISA - Premier artisan of gourmet sweet & salty kettle corn, made the old fashioned way. Hand-cra ed joy made in the heart of historic Trenton. A big bowl of LOVE, especially for you.

MR. G’S COUNTRY STORE - Wide variety of dry goods, groceries, snacks, cleaning products & household items, all at low prices.

OUT OF STEP OFFBEAT BOUTIQUE & GENERAL STORE - 609-245-2987 Year round gi shop featuring items from nearly 100 small businesses, artists, and markers including specialty foods, unique home decor, regional art, handmade goods, & more.

THE PIE’D PIPER A Gourmet Shop 609-775-5087 Artisan pies, desserts & baked goods; pierogi, kielbasa & Polish specialties. Authentic prepared foods & catering.

PULASKI MEATS - 609-599-4206 Fresh & smoked kielbasa, homemade pierogi, stu ed cabbage, babkas, strudel, and blintzes. Polish favorites year-round.

RECOVERY IS ESSENTIAL - Recover to Uncover the Truth www.recoveryisessential.com.

ROSE BOUTIQUE LLC - Unique clothing, jewelry, and accessories from around the world. Fine quality and best prices.

SO SPLURGE - Extensive selection of customized gi s, home décor, apparel, and marketing merchandise for personal and/or professional use along with superior customer service. Shop So Splurge!

TEA-FOR-ALL - 609-577-8038 Discover the Trenton Farmers Market and Tea-For-All will help you discover your tea! Tea and herbs from around the globe.

THE WATCH & CLOCK DOCTOR 609-396-1116 Antique and cuckoo clock repair specialists; we repair all watches and clocks; batteries and bands while you wait.

WIN, PLACE & SMOKE - 609-695-0206 Tobacco, smokeless tobacco, and accessories. Lottery tickets and snack foods.

HEALTH HEADLINES

BI-MONTHLY NEWS FROM CAPITAL HEALTH

Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell Earns ‘A’ Grade for Quality from The Leapfrog Group

Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell was awarded an ‘A’ from The Leapfrog Group’s fall 2022 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade. This national distinction recognizes Capital Health’s achievements in protecting patients from preventable harm and error in the hospital.

“Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell is a one of the region’s leading hospitals and home to dynamic services such as our Cancer Center, the Josephine Plumeri Birthing Center, and minimally invasive robotic-assisted surgery with the da Vinci® Surgical System,” said Al Maghazehe, president and CEO, Capital Health. “Our most recent ‘A’ grade from the Leapfrog group show residents in our community that we remain committed to providing our neighbors and their families the best possible care when they need it most.”

“Our continuous drive to improve quality and safety outcomes is woven into the fabric of our organization through our just culture as well as our ISO 9001 certification and on-site surveys with DNV,” said Dr. Mark Arcaro, vice president of Clinical Performance at Capital

Health. “And while we are pleased to earn this latest recognition from The Leapfrog Group, it also motivates to keep looking ahead to meet and exceed national standards of care.”

The Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization, assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over thirty national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm.

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on hospital prevention of medical errors and harms to patients. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.

“I applaud the hospital leadership and workforce for their strong commitment to safety and transparency,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “An ‘A’ Safety Grade is a sign that hospitals are continuously evaluating their performance, so that they can best protect patients. The team at Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell should be extremely proud of their dedication and achievement.”

What is a Whipple Procedure? Frequently Asked Questions

After a pancreatic cancer diagnosis, patients naturally want to know what treatment options are available to them. The single most effective pancreatic cancer treatment option is surgery.

One particular complex and technically demanding surgery, called a pancreaticoduodenectomy, is one of the surgeries used for longterm control of pancreatic cancer. More commonly referred to as the Whipple procedure, this surgery may extend the person’s life and, for some, may be the best chance at a cure.

If you or someone close to you has recently been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, here are some important questions you may be asking:

What is the pancreas?

The pancreas is a gland about six inches long that sits in the back of the abdomen, behind the stomach. It plays key roles in producing enzymes and hormones that help digest food. It also produces insulin and glucagon to help regulate blood sugar levels.

What is pancreatic cancer?

Because the pancreas has a number of different cells, each can bring about a different type of tumor. The most prevalent is from the cells that line the pancreatic duct, and often there are very few to no symptoms. There are some, however, you should be aware of, and include:

… Loss of appetite or unintended weight loss

… Abdominal pain that radiates to your back

… Light-colored stools

… Dark-colored urine

… Jaundice (yellowing of the skin)

… A new diabetes diagnosis, or existing diabetes that’s become difficult to control

… Nausea or vomiting

What is the Whipple procedure?

The Whipple procedure involves removing the head, or the wide part, of the pancreas next to the first part of the small intestine, called the duodenum. Then, the duodenum, some of the common bile duct, the gallbladder and possibly some of the stomach are all removed. Once that’s done, the surgeon reconnects the remaining intestine, bile duct and pancreas. It’s currently one of the only surgeries that can offer a potential cure for pancreatic cancer.

Who is a good candidate for the Whipple procedure?

Determining the right type of surgery for pancreatic cancer is largely based on the tumor’s location. The Whipple procedure is considered for tumors located at the head of the pancreas that have not spread to other parts of the body.

What is recovery like for the Whipple procedure?

Every person responds differently to surgery, and it depends on how it is performed. For a Whipple procedure performed as traditional open

surgery, a patient generally takes about four weeks to reach complete recovery. This type of surgery generally requires a hospital stay of about four days, though this varies from person to person.

Specially trained surgeons are able to offer a minimally invasive option through the da Vinci Surgery System robotic-assisted Whipple procedure. This approach reduces recovery time for patients.

Your surgeon will want you to be up and walking almost immediately after surgery to reduce the risk of blood clots or a pulmonary embolism.

Are there common complications to this surgery?

As with any surgery, there can be complications, which may be minor or major. Those include bleeding, infections, clots, pneumonia or heart attacks. They can also include trouble with the stomach emptying itself after meals.

Your surgeon should be able to manage most of these complications without the need for another surgery.

Who should perform the Whipple procedure?

The Whipple procedure is a complex and technically demanding surgery. However, extensively trained surgeons at Capital Health Cancer Center are certified and experienced at such a high level that the National Pancreas Foundation recognized them as a Center of Excellence for treating pancreatic cancer-related illnesses.

Patients who are good candidates for the Whipple procedure should choose a surgeon who has extensive experience with this type of surgery and has performed numerous Whipple procedures. Patients should also select a hospital large enough to care for Whipple procedure patients post-operatively, and are used to managing any post-surgery complications.

The decision to select a surgical team is a very important one. The team at Capital Health Cancer Center is here to help you. If you’d like to make an appointment, please call 609.537.5000 or visit CapitalHealthCancer.org.

Dr. Cataldo Doria, medical director of Capital Health Cancer Center and an internationally renowned hepato-pancreato-biliary surgeon, offers robotic-assisted Whipple procedures to treat pancreatic cancer.

Capital Health Launches Advanced Simulation Training Center

Mobile Lab Provides Cutting-Edge Clinical Training for Health Care Providers and Community Health Education

Capital Health recently announced the launch of its new Advanced Simulation Training Center, a mobile simulation laboratory that provides state-of-the-art, multidisciplinary clinical training for physicians, nurses, emergency medical service providers, and other staff. The initiative was made possible through more than $500,000 of federal grant funding secured by Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), who was recognized for her role in the project at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Capital Health Regional Medical Center.

“As part of our mission to improve services for urban and suburban patients, Capital Health has made a commitment to becoming a leading academic health center for the region,” said Al Maghazehe, president and CEO of Capital Health. “The Advanced Simulation Training Center is the latest demonstration of that commitment. Any great endeavor such as this requires strong partners, and we are grateful for the support of Rep. Watson Coleman, whose decades of hard work, experience, and commitment to our community helped bring this initiative to life.”

“For over 125 years, Capital Health has provided high-quality medical care to local residents. I am so grateful that some of our country’s finest medical professionals are right here in Trenton and this new mobile lab will help reach further into our neighborhoods to better serve some of our most vulnerable populations,” said Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman.

Capital Health’s Advanced Simulation Training Center is a mobile facility that can be driven directly to learners to provide enhanced, customized instruction to doctors, nurses, paramedics, and other staff at or near their place of work. The 40-foot unit has two large, independent simulation rooms equipped with manikins

Capital Health Simulation Coordinator Paul Morer demonstrates one of the simulation rooms to Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) and Dr. Robert Remstein, Chief Academic Officer (Capital Health) aboard the Advanced Simulation Training Center.

(life-sized models of human bodies) to simulate real patient scenarios. Instructors in two central control rooms create situations that learners will see in real life, document their performance, and provide meaningful feedback. Simulation training like this promotes learning through active hands-on experience in a risk-free environment while supporting the development of teamwork, communication, and critical thinking skills.

Capital Health will use the Advanced Simulation Training Center to provide safe training in advanced cardiac life support, interventional procedures, management of acute hemorrhagic crises, childbirth, infant resuscitation, team care and other areas to prepare the next generation of its medical staff. Additionally, the simulation labs will be used for process improvement, medical error investigation, and research to help Capital Health continue to advance health care quality, safety, and best practices. On top of its clinical training mission, the Advanced Simulation Training Center will provide health education and wellness screenings at local community-based events.

Capital Health – Virtual Primary Care, part of Capital Health Medical Group, offers telehealth services to individuals in New Jersey and Pennsylvania (ages 16 and older) who wish to receive support in managing common health issues from the comfort of their home or anywhere in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

“Throughout the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Capital Health Medical Group providers have conducted thousands of patient visits in a virtual setting,” said Dr. Michael Stabile, a board certified family medicine physician at the Capital Health Primary Care – Hamilton office. “As a result, our team is thoroughly prepared to provide outstanding, high quality health care services at a time and place most convenient for patients located in New Jersey or Pennsylvania – whether they are at home or on the go.”

Capital Health’s team of more than 35 virtual primary care providers can address a wide range of health conditions, including (but not limited to) symptoms of COVID-19, sinus problems, upper respiratory infection, sore throat, urinary tract infection, cough, flue, rash, common cold, eye infection, and more.

While Capital Health – Virtual Primary Care is designed to serve as an online platform to host sick visits, patients have the ability to schedule an in-person, follow-up visit with the same providers they see during their video visit at one of the many Capital Health office locations across the Mercer, Bucks, and Burlington county region.

To learn more or to request an appointment, visit capitalvirtualcare.org or scan the QR code to complete the online form.

Check your internet connection. Wi-Fi on wired connection is strongly preferred for a great video visit experience.

Use headphones. Cut down on any background noise and help keep the conversation with your health care provider private.

Please be patient! Video visit traffic may be high as clinicians work to provide care for patients during the current health crisis, so some appointments may run a few minutes behind schedule. A provider will be with you as soon as possible!

During virtual care visits with patients who aren’t feeling well, our clinicians address symptoms of numerous health conditions and issues, including but not limited to:

COVID-19

Sinusitis

Upper respiratory infection

Sore throat

Urinary tract infection

Cough

Influenza (Flu)

Rash

Common cold

Yeast infection

Allergies

Eye infection

Insect bites

Nausea

Back pain

Tick bites

KEVIN NERWINSKI

FROM THE MANAGER’S DESK

A seemingly very long time ago, in the days before called COVID-19, the members of our governing body and I had discussions about making a more substantial effort to improve communications with the community and better support our local businesses.

Operating our municipal government in a fiscally conservative manner (i.e., with departments appropriately staffedbut not overstaffed, and maintaining the services we provide at a level acceptable to a reasonable person standard—but not more), the concept of improving and delivering something new and more to the residential and business community translated into a commitment beyond using what we had and making it better; a thought process that has and will be the first consideration.

Over the past several years, advancing this plan was “tabled” for budgetary reasons to minimize tax increases and maintain the good services we provide to our residents and business. Also, and just as important, we had not found the “right person” for a position that would be unique to our municipal operations and advance our effectiveness as a municipal government serving its community.

About a year ago, a young man responded to our advertisement for a position within our recreation department. Nancy Bergen (superintendent of recreation) reviewed his resume, was intrigued by his qualifications and interviewed him. Nancy came to my office after the interview and recommended

that I meet with him because her sense was he may be perfect for the long-unfilled position we called “community aide.”

She told me she was impressed with him and his ideas and skill set and believed the township might be better served with him in this role as opposed to working in her department. So I met with Craig Dinwoodie, and I agreed. It was one of those times as a manager when having an “open door policy,” creating an environment of trust and a sense of “team” to empower your staff, paid off and continues to daily. Well done, Nancy!

Craig was hired about 11 months ago and has worked to define his role within our municipal operations and community in a manner consistent with the vision of our elected officials. Whether it is improving the delivery of information to the community in the digital landscape of social media, creating the monthly “Senior Connect” for the elderly, being the first point of contact for businesses (new and existing) to assist in their interactions with various municipal departments and the community, or working with township committees to advance their missions, he finds himself in the mix in a lot good and positive ways.

The community aide is an evolving position within our municipal operations, making it unique to it as well. Here is a link to the Community Aide page on our website for a closer look: lawrencetwp.com/ directory/CommunityAide.

If you are curious about how the community aide may be of assistance to you, don’t hesitate to give him a call and find out. His e-mail is cdinwoodie@lawrencetwp. com, and his telephone number is (609) 844-7074.