BC the Mag Summer '23

NEW PRACTICE SAME NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED CARE

Six nationally recognized orthopedic surgeons, Drs. Bassora, Klein, Koerner, Levine, Seidenstein and Seigerman, are bringing their expertise to Hackensack Meridian Orthopedic Specialists of New Jersey. It’s a new practice, but with all the same renowned treatments, personalized care and convenience they’ve brought to this community for years.

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A Letter from the Editor

The Notes app on my iPhone is my most used. I open it daily, throwing in there quotes from my current read (“Drowning: The Rescue of Flight 1421” by T.J. Newman – captivating!) or from my Peloton instructors during my workouts; funny things my kids say; article ideas for the pages of BC The Mag; and so much more.

While adding another note to my never-ending Notes app on my birthday, my eye caught one: “Have you ever clapped for yourself? You clap for everyone else, baby.”

Reading those words transported me back to my strength workout with Peloton instructor Rebecca Kennedy. It’s been quite some time since I took that class, according to my Notes app, however, I remember answering out loud to no one but myself, “No.”

No, I haven’t clapped for myself. No, I don’t clap for myself. Why don’t I clap for myself?

What a realization to have! And, I’m sure I’m not the only one that’s had it.

Maybe we don’t clap for ourselves because we tend to focus on all that we didn’t complete? The goals we haven’t yet reached?

Despite not clapping for myself, I do clap for everyone else. I clap for everyone else loudly, obnoxiously.

So, on my birthday I decided: This year, and all those that follow, I’m clapping for myself. I’m clapping for myself now, and I’m clapping for all the different versions of myself I’ve been throughout the years because you can be more than one kind of person in your life, and they all deserve a clap. The tiny details are just as important as the main event.

Clapping for you from the back, JeSSiCa huMphrey-Cintineo

SuMMer 2023

Publishers

Sharon & Steven Goldstein

Associate Publisher Brandon Goldstein

Editorial Director

Jessica Humphrey-Cintineo

Art Director

BMG Marketing

Fashion Director

Candace Kristin

Contributing Writers

Sheila M. Clancy MS, CHES

Tara DeLorenzo

Courtney Gilroy

Michael L. Gross MD

Soneca Guadara

Megan Montemarano

Richard Posluszny

Kimberly Redmond

Bergen County The Magazine is published six times a year. Mail all editorial and advertising materials to 297-101 Kinderkamack Road, Suite 135, Oradell, NJ 07649 or email materials to steven@bcthemag.com.

For advertising and information, please call (201) 694-5196. For subscription information or to contact us, go to www.bcthemag.com.

Copyright 2023. All materials are the property of Bergen County The Magazine, LLC. and may not be copied or reproduced without written consent from the publishers.

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Bogota Savings Bank Charitable Foundation

The Bogota Savings Bank Foundation held their annual golf outing at Knickerbocker Country Club. For more information, visit www.bogotasavingsbankcharitablefoundation.com.

Peter Hanson, Jerry Cooney, Joe Coccaro Greg Mathis, Dorothy Deluca

Mark Matri, Felix Nihanin, Jason Rossig

Jim Brown, Jerry Cooney, Steve Goldberg

Amanda Tivok, Janet Brown

John Wessling, Erica West, Joe Coccaro

Taylor Smith, Matt Langer, Monica Rivera

Taylor Smith, Linda Hanson

Danny Aller, Tony Almeida, Kevin Pace

Fran Spiegel, Ruthie Harper, Cathy Tronlone

Rich Deluca, Joe Coccaro, Alicia Mucci, Greg Mathis, Mike Zola

Matt Langer, Linda Hanson, Dorothy Deluca, Taylor Smith, Nancy Donio

Ken Lundberg, Zachary and David Wolf

Steve Goldberg, Tom Kemly, Bill Masterson

Peter and Linda Hanson Kevin Pace, Taylor Smith, Matt Langer, Linda Hanson, Joe Coccaro

The Friends of Hackensack University Medical Center

The FRIENDS of Hackensack University Medical Center held their spring luncheon at Indian Trail Club. For more information, visit www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org.

Bonnie Weiner, Sarah Kelly

Heather Sculthorpe, Vara Edara, Niena Jerdee, Lura Lutz

Marella Keiser, Jeannie Harris

Rosita Grijalva, Debra Fabbio, Lisa Moumdjian

Barbra Krzywicki, Neena Arora Dr. Lisa Tank, Dr. Joseph Underwood

Bamaris Lounsbury, Nadia Graham

Kathy Napolitano, Agnes Taub, Mary Krugman, Marina Chassapis

Liz Glenning, Linda Kotch, Jacqueline Miller Nancy Kennedy, Richard Knupp, Ro Sorce

Daria Fox, Susan Azarman, Liz Weber, Yocaira Arjona

Amy Bonistalli, Cindy Harkins, Sharon Simoncini

Dr. Collette Knight, Dr. Jacqueline Hollywood, Dr. Lisa Tank, Dr. Ami Vaidya, Maureen McLaughlin

Reshma Thomas, Soneca Guadera, Sally McQuade

Priscilla Thoma, Mary Ward, Laura Metzler

Allison Fordes Sidow, Nancy Kennedy, Jackie Peticca

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North Jersey Friendship House Gala

The North Jersey Friendship House held their annual gala at The Venetian. For more information, visit www.njfriendshiphouse.org.

Krissy and Mike Sciarra Michael and Peter D’Auri Gillian and Ronni Brown Patti Murray, Marc Julius

Joe and Liz Rucci John Corcoran, Kathleen and David Demarest

Vanessa Restrepo, Rebecca Hernandez

Dinorah D’Auria, Kim Pulido

Donna Winterich, Uwe Malakas

Ale Pazmina, Mike Catania

Charles and Jennifer Matar Taylor Smith, John Amato

Erin Myers, Tiffany Sanders, Donnalee Corrieri, Rosemarie Klie, Tracy Schoenberg, Valeria Perez

Erika, Takeshi, Jesus and Kenji Garcia

Jack and Rosalie Serapiglia John and Deborah Allen

Good Samaritan Spring Ball

The Good Samaritan Hospital held their annual Spring Ball at Edgewood Country Club. For more information, visit www.goodsamhosp.org.

Mark Schwartz, Tara Gold, Judi and Harvey Schwartz

Dr. Andrew and Lori Pickens

Meredith and Dr. Jeff Oppenheim

Dr. Cary and Gayle Hirsch

Dr. Michael Schwartz, Jessica Mitchell

Melissa, Emma, Kara and Michael Feltham

Michele Muldoon, Mona Montal, Marie Yezzo

Dr. Stephen and Stephanie Menitove

Joe Allen, Jessica Mitchell, Dr. Michael Schwartz Barry and Laura Weiss

Marissa Forte, Ariella Gelardi

Mona Montal, Dr. Mary Leahy, Joshua Hans, Rabbi Yosef C. Golding

Dr. Sunandan and Mita Pandya

Dr. Mary Leahy, Josh Sonett, Dr. Michael Schwartz, Ken Steinglass

Jon Wilhelm, Stephanie Iglesias

Drs. Josh and Dayna Olstein

It's a Colorful Life

Yellow Door Art Studio Boasts Judgement-Free Space For All Ages

By Megan MonteMarano

Life’s journey is never a straight line nor is it black and white. Yet, as we grow older, things often have a way of losing color. Bergen County muralist and art teacher Lauren Mandal hopes to change this trend, bringing color — and with it, life, energy and joy — back into the lives of her students and community.

For Mandal, color is at the center of all that she does and all that she is. That is why it should come as no surprise when you see her work — a unique burst of brilliant hues painted on the playgrounds, exterior walks and the walls of Westwood’s Brookside and Berkley Elementary schools.

“I look to bring color to the unexpected and inspire students with their everyday surroundings,” says Mandal.

“From having students paint ceiling tiles as book covers leading to the library and challenging them with colorful math problems as they climb stairways, to creating under-the-sea-themed water fountain work that hydrates their imaginations.”

Inspired by her students, who show no fear when they are given the freedom to create, Mandal embarked on her latest endeavor to open Yellow Door Art Studio in Westwood. The studio is a space where people of all ages can squiggle and circle through the creative process of art without judgement. Mandal describes art as the desire to create, not how well you do it.

“When someone walks through Yellow Door, my hope is that they follow their imagination,” she says. “This is not something that can be taught, only empowered and I hope that they can then carry this knowledge and confidence with them through life.”

Art and self-expression have always been core to Mandal. Some of her earliest memories are with her grandma, who was also an artist, buying her paint and encouraging her to experiment with it. In middle school, she began painting murals in her bedroom. When friends came over, Mandal would let them paint on her walls. Even then, she saw the power and joy people experienced when painting on something other than paper.

It was in college, though, that Mandal was truly able to explore her creative side without boundaries. For the first time in her life, professors provided her with a sense

of space for her one-of-a-kind ability to create using unconventional materials like pantyhose, resin, rice and beans. Focused on painting and sculpture, Mandal was given the opportunity to take master’s courses during her undergrad. With this, also came the privilege to use two studio spaces: one in the undergrad area and one with the master’s program students. She is forever grateful for her time in these studios, where she was surrounded by other talented artists and a blank canvas to express herself.

To further share the healing power of art with others, Mandal eventually went on to receive her teaching certification. For the past 15 years, she has viewed her role as a teacher as providing the materials, but letting her “little artists” decide what’s going to happen rather than follow step-by-step instruction. She believes creation should be personal, and sharing the finished product true bravery.

“Nothing is better than students saying they don’t want to leave your class,” says Mandal. “Or when they ask to stay during lunch, or tell me that they feel happiest in the art room. My teaching style has always been very unique and I hope truly memorable.”

With the support of her administration, Mandal regularly takes students into the halls to make an impact on their everyday surroundings. They paint the walls, ceiling tiles, stairs, garbage cans, bathrooms – you name it!

“I love to see how empowered a young person gets when you hand them a brush and tell them they can paint a wall. They feel trusted, valued, and important.” Mandal makes sure to provide endless creative freedom in the art room, and updates her projects every year with fresh ideas.

One of her favorite outdoor murals and playground projects was a combined effort by the community. People of all ages and backgrounds came together to transform an old park building into a four-sided mural with beautifully painted flowers spreading to the ground – a torrent of color that can now be seen by Google Earth from above.

“I love seeing children play in the places I paint,” adds Mandal. “The art becomes alive when kids are hopping, skipping, and laughing amongst what I have created. I draw upon that as I set my brush towards the next.”

Eager to continue sharing her passion, Mandal’s latest venture, Yellow Door Art Studio, is now open for all to enjoy. This colorful, messy, free-spirited studio allows individuals to explore their creativity with elevated Art + Craft + DIY experiences for kids and adults that span age parameters. From fashion design and cartooning to painting and sculpting, cookie decorating, seasonal workshops, parties, and summer camps, the options are unique and vast.

Continued on page 22

Other workshops include, “Kool Kicks Shoe Art,” “Kid Spin Art,” collage/mood board nights for teens and moms alike, and even black light painting parties.

“In all that I do, whether through the studio or playground murals, my aim is to always confidently spark creativity and self-expression, while also promoting and developing our youth’s self-esteem,” says Mandal. “I hope when kids walk into Yellow Door Art Studio, they experience a similar feeling of acceptance and a judgement-free space to play and explore materials, without fear of being wrong or making a mess.”

Now officially adding entrepreneur to her repertoire, Mandal is well on her way to fulfilling her mission — and she’s already started building her dream team to help. Never thinking of herself as a leader of a group, but rather, more of the visionary, finding people who believe in her vision and who can carry it out when she can’t, is the key to her confidence and success.

When asked how she juggles her studio with teaching, Mandal responds, “I just keep watering both gardens. I share my gift with as many schools and kids as I can –which in turn, replenishes and grows me and my passions.”

In addition to her new business, Mandal has other playground murals planned throughout Bergen County. This spring and summer, be on the lookout for her work at JCC Tenafly Camp’s outdoor track and playground, Midland Park’s Godwin Elementary School and a community mural at Fair Lawn’s Memorial Field by their newly installed basketball courts, with more to be confirmed soon.

For more information on Yellow Door Art Studio and to plan your visit today, check out the website, www.yellowdoorartstudio.com/. You can also follow Yellow Door’s Instagram at @yellowdoorartstudionj for colorful projects, ideas and events.

Holy Name MS Center Fashion Show

Holy Name held their annual Fashion Show at Teaneck Marriott to benefit their MS Center. For more information, visit www.holyname.org/mscenter.

Maureen Buhowski, Joe and Tina Coccaro, Theresa Glynn

Shant Temiz, Aline Frankian, Leon Temiz

Joe Sanzari, Giada Aiello, Lori Rubino Inez and Larry Inserra

Cathy Teitel, Linda Cennerazzo

June Halper, Nancy Chazen, Dr. Maryann Picone

Lyly Colon, Jennifer Lopez Gabriella D’Amico, Giuliana Iuso

Edmi and Chris Cimino Donna Lee Heyer, Theresa Larsen, Terri Savelli, Shelly Cantone

John Massey, Vanessa Aiello

Barbara Mezzina, Phyllis Polevoy, Lauren Sardineer

Brittney and Vinny Aiello Teri Capperelli, Lisa Futterman

Sharon Goldstein, Debbie Cangialosi

Sara and Susan Zurndorfer, Ellie Suzuki

Carl Inserra Leukemia Fund Golf Outing Kick Off Dinner

The Carl Inserra Leukemia Fund held their kick off dinner at the Hackensack Golf Club. For more information, visit www.carlinserraleukemiafund.org.

Ira Keeperman, Mario Barone, Richard Borchers

Bill Ruckert, Larry Inserra, Pasi Nurminen

James Dorey, Steve Liantonio

Pat Sullivan, Mike Rubin

Gregory Schmidt, Charlie Kruer, Ivan Quiles, Dave Wolf

Don Carter, Tim Farrell

Bob and Jackie Burke

Kevin Charles, Jeff Riggitano, Kyle Dupont, Rich Chamberlain Jr.

Steve Setteducati, Marisa Guastella

Marie Inserra, Vera Kovalski, Frank Siclari

Lina and Richard Colloca Larry Inserra, Pat Sullivan

Peter Hanson, Lawrence Inserra Jr., Linda Hanson

Ron Roburto, Richard Chamberlain

Jeff Riggitano, Carl Inserra Jr., Janice Mitchell

SonS of BaSeBall

Growing Up, On and Off The Field, With a Major League Dad

By riChard poSluSzny

Iam not sure how to best describe it, but there’s something very different about baseball when you compare it to other sports. Sure, it’s America’s pastime. There’s something more to it than that though.

When you arrive at a Major League Baseball (MLB)

game, you emerge from the darkness of a stadium’s tunnels and you’re immediately struck by the perfectly presented playing field. The vibrant green grass that’s mowed just right. The freshly laid baselines. Players taking batting and fielding practice. You may even catch a waft of a hot dog or beer. Then, there’s something unmistakable. The crisp

crack of a wooden bat sending a ball into the outfield. It’s all a bit magical.

While all of that is certainly special, for years people have been trying to synthesize something else about the game: How it connects people and how bonds are

formed. Phil Alden Robinson’s “Field of Dreams,” which starred Kevin Costner, is arguably the keystone in that effort. That said, it hasn’t stopped others from exploring what the game means to people.

Glen Rock’s Mark Braff is the latest to delve into the topic. A first-time author, Braff has published

“Sons of Baseball: Growing Up with a Major League Dad.”

An original idea he conceived several decades ago, Braff initially thought about fathers and their sons having a catch. Braff notes, “There’s more of a tendency for fathers and sons to have a catch than, say, pass a hockey puck or shoot hoops. And, you get that one-to-one time with your dad.”

Then, he wondered about the professional players’ behind-the-scenes situations. Do players that have made it to The Show even want to have a catch? What about the pressure on their kids as they learn to develop their baseball skills in youth leagues?

I am sure this isn’t a surprise to Braff’s family and friends. He’s been a baseball aficionado for as long as he can remember. For Braff, the site of the old Yankee Stadium is his mecca.

“[Yankee Stadium] is the one place where I have memories from my entire life, from age eight to present. I went there with my dad, who took me to my first game. I took the bus when I went with my friends. I went with my wife when we started dating and after my sons were born, I took them. There’s no other

place that represents this continuum,” Braff says. “When I think of baseball, I think of it in terms of my life and those moments at games with my dad, my wife and my sons. And, all those great memories we shared through the years.”

After shelving the concept due to timing constraints and this sort of project requiring extensive travel to execute properly, Braff kept the idea in his back pocket. It wasn’t until his retirement was looming that it was reinvigorated.

During his last year of work as a public relations professional in 2020, Braff found himself conducting the majority of his business through video calls. Although writing a book “wasn’t on my radar,” Braff says that he remembered his faded idea and he had a light bulb moment. Essentially, Braff realized that he didn’t have to travel to make these interviews happen and he could do it all by using Zoom. In turn, interviews can happen faster and, even better, it would be significantly more cost effective.

Braff recalls sharing the idea with his wife, Laura, saying, “I think I have a retirement project.” She wished him good luck and off he went.

Starting in January 2021, Braff put on his journalist hat. It had been a while since he “went to the dark side” in PR, but he just needed to get into

the mindset of his early days as a reporter and news editor at The Paramus Post.

Braff’s biggest challenge was curating the content. After all, he figured he would need around 15 interviews. Firstly, finding professional athletes’ family members that are open to having a conversation with a first-time author is a difficult task. If you’re a writer for Sports Illustrated or The New York Times, it helps grease the wheels. Adding to that, there was the complication of locating a subset of candidates that actually wanted to talk: Sons. They’re not exactly a dime a dozen.

“I had serious doubts about getting the content. I felt that I needed six or seven in the bank before I would be comfortable enough to start writing, with a goal of getting to 15. All said and done, I was able to get 18.”

Thankfully, the baseball community is a giving one. Having seen some of the space’s top sports journalists’ generosity first-hand via social media platforms, Braff dove in and started leveraging the power of his network to make connections and set up introductions.

It worked.

While Braff finds it difficult to pick a favorite interview, he did note one takeaway, “Pretty much all of these guys seem to be really happy to talk about their dads and growing up in that environment.”

Braff adds, “The sons are just like ours. There were some families that were close, others not so much. All of the emotions and experiences we have as we grow up were the same, Continued on page 34

however, the major difference was the backdrop –growing up in ballparks. That said, we still can’t imagine what they ultimately had to deal with.”

In the book, there’s hard-hitting stories. Braff connects with one son whose father becomes estranged once he and the mother divorce. As the years go on, their paths unexpectedly cross but the strain on the relationship is real as the dad simply isn’t in the picture. Also, Braff speaks with another son that has a relationship with his father, however, there is one caveat: The dad refuses to acknowledge his son’s sexual orientation. At the end of the day, the son – who is gay – is left yearning for his father’s acceptance. Maybe, just maybe, if that dad picks up the book, it will serve as the catalyst for a dialogue to happen.

Once the content was completed, Braff thought that all he would need to do is produce a manuscript and distribute it to publishers to capture their interest. Unfortunately, he was wrong. It’s far more complex than that.

First, Braff would have to compile a book proposal. From there, he could take that document to literary agents that cover the sports genre and, if they were interested, they could use it as a tool to pitch publishers. After some rejections and a lot of radio silence from submissions, Braff heard back from an agent who wanted to learn more. Braff makes it clear, Jill Marr was his champion from day one.

If you thought that’s all, however, guess again. That’s because it was only the start of what turned out to be a meandering journey. Additionally, Braff had to put together a detailed index, acquire photos via museums, families, personal collections and more, and he had to do multiple rounds of edits to the book’s copy.

All in, it was approximately a 30-month commitment.

There was one crucial thing missing though. A bit of credibility. At the suggestion of Marr, Braff was tasked with further leveling up his book. Braff needed to get someone with serious brand equity to write a relevant foreword.

And, boy, did Braff come through. That’s because he landed Cal Ripken Jr. to do the honors. I mean, honestly, can you do any better than that? Just wait until you read what Ripken wrote.

Looking back, Braff isn’t sure if he would have approached the project differently. One thing is certain though. He’s glad that he wasn’t fully aware of the roadblocks he’d come up against as it may have discouraged his pursuit.

“I’ve had friends ask me, ‘Are you going to write another book?’” Braff slyly brings up the ending of “Rocky.” Remember when the bell rings, and Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed are holding onto each other, completely exhausted? Creed says, “Ain’t gonna be no rematch,” and Rocky replies, “Don’t want one.” That sort of sums it up.

But, Braff smirks and readily admits, “Maybe I’d do it again.”

“Sons of Baseball: Growing Up with a Major League Dad” is available at fine bookstores everywhere as well as online retailers in print, e-book and audio formats.

StorieS Left UntoLd Tenafly High School Junior Raises Awareness For

Teen Mental Health

By Megan MonteMarano

Everyone should have the chance to finish their story – no blank pages left unturned. But with the rising rates of teen suicide, far too often these stories are cut short, a precious life gone too soon.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, suicide is the second leading cause of death in the United States among people ages 15-24. Nearly 20 percent of high school students have seriously contemplated taking their own life and 9 percent have attempted suicide. These numbers continue to rise, with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reporting the rate of teen death by suicide (ages 15-19) up approximately 35 percent over the past two decades.

While there are many contributing factors at play, Tenafly High School junior Jaylen Tang, saw the negative effects of the recent COVID-19 pandemic on himself and his peers first-hand.

“We were really struggling due to the constant fear of isolation and not being able to go outside of the house,” says Jaylen. “I believe it was then when my interest in mental health spiked, but I didn’t have the courage to take action.”

This all changed after a study abroad trip to Costa Rica. Jaylen encountered a counselor named Louis, who was dedicating his life to traveling to different parts of the world to spread awareness about mental health. Immediately, Jaylen thought of the days of the pandemic. He asked Louis what made him decide that mental health would be his life’s mission.

“Louis told me that his father took his life in front of him,” explains Jaylen. “He literally held his father in his arms and watched and listened to him taking his final breath.”

Hearing this story rekindled a fire within Jaylen, providing him with the courage to finally act.

“It was then that I made the decision to be like Louis and help do my part in creating awareness within my community,” he says. “Increased awareness can help to save lives.”

Sure enough, Jaylen soon had a teen suicide prevention exhibit and event underway. “Hope & Healing” was held at Englewood Public Library in commemoration of May’s Mental Health Awareness Month.

“Once my idea was secured and venue booked, I spent the whole year up until the very last moments before the event emailing multiple contacts and resources to ask for advice and help spreading the word,” comments Jaylen.

The exhibition consisted of 73 loose-leaf binders representing the number of young adults ages 15-24 who tragically died by suicide in New Jersey in 2022. The first 15-24 pages featured color paper, while the remaining pages were left blank to represent the young adults that did not have a chance to finish writing their story. Each binder had a quote on the front that a young individual who died by suicide might have said. There was also the symbol of a large period underneath the quote, representing the end of their unfinished story.

Continued on page 38

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Jaylen set the scene by speaking about the recent rise in mental health struggles, and his resulting determination to end any stigmas and encourage further discussions around this topic in the community. Englewood Mayor Michael Wildes, New Jersey Assemblywoman Shama Haider, Tenafly Mayor Mark Zinna and Bergen County Commissioner Mary Amoroso, also said a few words about the challenges regarding teen mental health in New Jersey, and how important it is to provide resources to their residents.

An event highlight was fellow Bergen County teenager Colin, from the national mental health nonprofit, Minding Your Mind. He shared his own personal challenges in high school with mental health and suicide, discussing how critical the support of family and friends are in helping to reframe priorities and perspectives as a teenager. Now a regular speaker for the non-profit, Colin is focused on spreading awareness and leaving a positive impact on the community, just like Jaylen.

“Becoming a speaker for Minding Your Mind has

changed my life,” says Colin. “The people I’ve met, relationships I have created, and the opportunity to go out in the world and share my story is truly special. I know there are kids everywhere who are struggling in silence just like I once was. I want to reach those kids and let them know that they are not alone.”

Minding Your Mind also donated comfort blankets for the audience to receive and use in times of need. Colin’s discussion had a huge impact on all attendees, including Jaylen.

“His story about attempting suicide not once, but twice, really moved us all in the audience,” says Jaylen. “His message of belonging, hope and never giving up is exactly the message that I want to convey.”

It’s not easy being a teenager in today’s complicated society, and the COVID pandemic made it even harder.

“Whether it was the fear of isolation or the constant

concern about the safety of ourselves and loved ones, this time really affected me and others in many different ways,” explains Jaylen.

When asked about other contributing factors to a teen’s mental health and wellbeing, he cited bullying and peer pressure, both online and offline. Increasing pressures to fit in, conform or engage in risky behaviors further contribute to feelings of isolation and distress. Jaylen also mentioned high expectations from parents, schools and society to achieve academic success and the fear of failure. Intense competition and excessive workload can negatively affect mental health and intensify vulnerability to suicidal thoughts.

During the event, Jaylen received many awards that he humbly says he did not expect. He received two from Bergen County Commissioner Mary Amoroso, one award from New Jersey Assemblywoman Haider and one award and written letter of gratitude and acknowledgment from NJ Senator Cory Booker.

While this event is now over, it is certainly not the end of Jaylen’s restorative journey in the Bergen

County community. He plans to continue using the binders for more mental health awareness events coming up in September, which is National Suicide Prevention Month. Other ideas include the creation of a volunteer website and a 5K run for mental health. Jaylen will eventually donate the binders to underprivileged schools or give them to a non-profit organization that will send them to Ukraine.

“My hope for the future is that more young people will be okay with admitting they are not okay,” adds Jaylen. “And for them to always know that no matter what, they are not alone.”

For more information on Minding Your Mind, visit mindingyourmind.org.

Welcome To 'The District'

High-End Development Creates A Great Gathering Space

By tara delorenzo

As Upper Saddle River enters a renaissance of new amenities, longtime residents Stephen Sweeney and Frank Inserra have been working on a high-end development to create a welcoming space for family and friends to gather called The District | USR.

Over the past few years, there has been a growth of development in Upper Saddle River, including the completion of a luxury townhome community built by Toll Brothers, with 200+ units and the installation of a multi-use eight-acre sports and recreational

facility, which will include sports fields and walking paths for residents. And adjacent to this new facility, The District | USR will be opening Summer 2023.

“This mixed-use, high-end retail center is fashioned after an eclectic Manhattan street,” said Sweeney. The District will feature a number of eateries, including a high-end, two-story, full-service restaurant; Rush Bowls, which specializes in acai bowls and smoothies; Pierre & Michel Authentic French Bakery, which serves Lilly coffee and French pasteries; Bogota Savings Bank; and national brands, such

as Ivy Rehab and Deka Lash. Additionally, the center will have valet parking and a large esplanade with over 3,000 feet of outdoor space to accommodate visitors. A notable amenity for The District | USR is the liquor license obtained for the property.

“Our retail development is the first in the history of the town,” Sweeney said. “It’s exciting to develop a high-end, mixed-use retail environment that will serve the residents. We think it’ll be great to enjoy a glass of wine or sit at the bar and have a cocktail before having dinner. This is unheard of in the boundary of

Upper Saddle River. They’ve never had a ‘downtown’ retail dining experience in the municipality, so it’s a big step forward as far as an amenity.”

Sweeney has been a longtime resident of Upper Saddle River (he moved there in 1972) and Inserra lives there as well. The Inserra family is best known for their ShopRite grocery stores throughout the state. For these two developers, The District | USR is a self-proclaimed passion project. Just as much as they hope to create a place for their own families to be proud of, they are also hoping to give other families a place to spend quality time together.

“We’re investing in and creating new opportunities for the next generation,” said Inserra. “It’s something we’re excited about. To be able to invest resources to ensure our kids’ kids can enjoy a new environment that has all the amenities – we just think it is great for the town, its residents, and the local area. As we move on, it’s nice to know that so many people will smile, laugh, eat and share experiences in a place we built from the ground up.”

As locals too, they were able to look critically at Upper Saddle River to think about what the area might benefit from, which helped them select the ideal location, tenants and retailers for the property. Their goal for the center was to provide a range of experiences where families can gather and relax.

Having a bank at The District | USR, Sweeney and Inserra were excited to partner with Bogota Savings Bank, one of the oldest and most tenured in New Jersey. And with the two-story restaurant, ambiance was a critical consideration – they ensured it was fully equipped to provide a firstclass dining experience, including outdoor seating, firepits and an outdoor cocktail area.

“The District | USR offers a great environment where you can walk a short distance from the ball field into the facility and have dinner, or dine while your children are playing their recreational sports. You can enjoy a coffee or drink, or perhaps an acai bowl or dessert and relax,” Sweeney said. “We think it’ll be great for the community.”

Continued on page 42

The property itself was acquired 10 years ago, but development started in November of 2020. The pandemic did cause some shortages that delayed the opening, but the property owners are eager to open the facility’s doors. Based on feedback, the community is also excited.

“The reality is the community can’t wait,” Inserra said. “To have a beautiful upscale French bakery with pastries, croissants, and all of those offerings, where they can gather and have a quiche or a coffee – and then have a facial or a white tablecloth lunch – we think this is much needed in USR. It creates an environment that doesn’t exist currently in the municipality. Because we have plenty of parking and open spaces, this should be an enjoyable and safe environment for the town, kids, moms, and dads to spend time and be a part of the active lifestyle that the younger population is seeking.”

In addition to the retail space, The District | USR also plans to host car shows and play movies along the side wall of the building for families. Sweeney and Inserra also anticipate hosting vendors on the weekends with kiosks so that families can get ice cream after a game. With WiFi readily available, the developers anticipate patrons can work comfortably at the Authentic French Bakery or restaurant.

“This is a renaissance for the municipality and it’s just a beautiful experience with the recreational park and our lovely retail experience,” Sweeney said. “We want to invite everyone in the area to come and be a part of it.”

The District | USR is located at 558 East Crescent Ave. in Upper Saddle River. More information can be found at thedistrictusr.com.

-Seasonal Must Have

The Statement Jacket a Trans

By SoneCa guadara

When it comes to wardrobe mileage, few garments can go the same distance as a blazer. Since shedding its natural two-piece, tailored-pant companion to become an independent staple, it has established itself as one of the most versatile items in our closets. From dawn until dusk, winter to spring, summer to fall, a blazer looks the part wherever you’re headed, whether it’s a wedding, a work meeting or a weekend brunch.

Indeed, this closet ally is the fail-safe sartorial option when it comes to dressing for a shift in climate, and designers have once again turned their attention to enduring button-ups for fall. With comfort being the prevailing factor this season, they’ve loosened the blazer up somewhat, proffering relaxed cuts and lighter colorways that feel fresh and fun, rather than formal. For instance, choose something that is oversized, that is easily shrugged on over a slip dress.

Looking for something tonal and timeless? Switch up your winter blacks for blue, cream and light brown – these palate cleansers will work effortlessly with your on-repeat staples; slip them on with wide-leg tailored pants to create a look that’s both boardroom- and bar-worthy.

You can’t go wrong with a double-breasted style, with its ability to be worn both traditionally and belted. We’re still seeing a wide offering of blazers at all price points making them a great investment style to add to your wardrobe.

A black blazer is surely one of the most versatile wardrobe staples you can own, and while it certainly lends itself to smart dress codes, it can also be useful for adding polish to more casual separates, wear underneath with a tee, blouse or nothing at all.

Buy now and wear forever – whatever the weather or season.

Soneca Guadara is a personal fashion stylist who helps women feel beautiful and confident. If you want more tips then go tostylebysoneca.com to download her “Must Have Wardrobe Checklist” or follow her on Instagram @styledbysoneca.

Leslie Marmol Is Making A Splash With VIRAGO SWIM

By tara delorenzo

Inspired by her daughter and with the hope of empowering women, Leslie Marmol, mother of two and Bergen County resident, launched VIRAGO SWIM, a swim line for all women.

With a lifelong passion for design, Marmol’s intent for her line is to celebrate women of every background and not only make them feel seen but make them feel beautiful and confident. The core of the line goes all the way to the name, virago, which signifies a strong, female warrior, she said.

For the 36-year-old mother of two, the line is very personal, as it was partly a gift to her daughter. But design was always something she wanted to pursue. As a child, she would play with paper dolls but instead of dressing them in the clothes they’d come with, she’d take blank paper and design her own clothes for them. When she had gotten pregnant though, she put her design dreams on hold.

During her maternity leave with her second child, she felt ready for a change.

“I have this sketchbook I’ve been sketching in for years, and when I looked at it, it was just a feeling of ‘Why am I putting this on hold? Am I putting this

on hold because of fear?’” she said. “It was a matter of the time is now and just go and do it, and I just had an epiphany and said I was going to do this and while I do this, I’m also showing my kids no matter how big or small your dream is or how scared you are to pursue it, what’s worse is not trying. Failure doesn’t matter. If you fail, at least you tried and gained experience and knowledge from it. But to pursue something and go for it, I had a drive in me to just do it and prove I could do it. That was really the push that gave me that feeling.”

When it came to pursuing swimwear, that came from her own experience of trying on swimsuits at the mall shortly after her daughter had been born.

“I had just had the baby, and I remember having no confidence and feeling horrible in everything I put on because nothing fit me and I remember in that moment just thinking, ‘If I could design these pieces, I would make it so a woman felt empowered,’” Marmol said. “It was something I always wanted to do and something that was always in the back of my mind. I always wanted to make women feel empowered and confident and not hate the process of trying a swimsuit on.”

VIRAGO SWIM launched in May 2020 on Marmol’s daughter’s birthday. The goal is to have designs for every woman, and for Marmol, inspiration comes from all over. In her family, and for women everywhere, there are a lot of different body shapes, and she really wanted to highlight that in her own line, so the swimsuits are made for every woman. Her hopes are to make women feel happy and confident.

“My favorite part of designing is the hope that the end resolution is something that’s going to make a woman feel amazing,” she said.

Launching VIRAGO SWIM was a very vulnerable time for Marmol, as this line became a way of expressing herself. Starting this line was something she expressed made her feel shy at first and excited, and she just hoped it would get a positive reaction. But as the feedback came in, her excitement only grew.

“It was a ton of emotions and now I feel empowered,” she said. “I feel strong and excited because I get the feedback about how much people love it, and it confirms what I’m doing. It keeps me want-

Since the launch of the line was in the start of the pandemic too, Marmol had a lot of extra hurdles to work through and described it as a lot of trials and tribulations to make it come to fruition. But having everything in the standstill that was COVID allowed her to take advantage of other opportunities that she may not have had an opportunity to have otherwise, she said, but having the unique challenges allowed her to push herself out of her comfort zone and find creative solutions.

VIRAGO SWIM was also able to participate in both Miami Swim Week and New York Swim Week.

ing to continue doing it because it’s not just creating and selling a swimsuit, it’s giving a reminder to women that you are everything, with or without the swimsuit, and to hear that from the community of women who have shopped and the women I call my viragos, That is everything, so it’s super exciting and I love it – I really love it.”

For the future of the line, Marmol would love to expand the brand into other items of clothing, but for now she’s keeping her focus on the swim line. And her main focus will always be showcasing every woman.

Her campaigns for her website and all her work all incorporate all different types of women. Growing up, she had always felt like underrepresented in the media, as a short Latina woman. So, for own work, she wants all women represented. And when it comes to her fashion shows even, she asks the models what swimsuit speaks to them individually to help them feel more empowered.

“For me, the way I’d like you to feel in my swimsuit is I want you to feel like you are strong, you are a warrior, you are a virago,” Marmol said. “I want you to feel amazing and feel good and confident. When you wear my piece, I want you to get that extra strut in your step and that’s my goal always.”

Another important aspect of the line is that everything is done sustainable. In a world of fast fashion, Marmol is looking to reduce waste and only makes her orders based on demand. Even the packaging is made of compostable material.

And now that her daughter is 16, she is also happy to be involved with the work her mother is doing, and Marmol is happy to have her daughter part of it all.

“It’s funny because the first model I used for my campaign, I wanted my daughter to see herself, so my daughter has big, curly hair, so the model also had big, curly hair and my daughter is a little darker skin, so for her it’s a matter of her being like, ‘Oh, that looks like me,’” she said “We’re in a day and age where all we see are beautiful people and it’s hard to not compare, so I don’t want people to compare themselves. I want people to see things and relate and say, ‘Oh my goodness, I can see myself, I would love to rock that.’ So, I see the confidence it gives her and she loves to wear my swimsuits, which is really fun.”

Marmol hopes all women feel that both in their swimsuits and in their lives. She encourages everyone to find the spirit that inspired her own line and go after their own dreams as well.

“Don’t let fear take hold of you because whatever you want to pursue, that feeling is always going to be there and if it’s always there, it’s meant for you to go after,” Marmol said, “Forget about fear and just push and do whatever you want to do and you’re going to see it succeed because if you’re passionate about it, it will succeed no matter what.”

Photos Courtesy of:

Bryan Johnson

Faruq Adib

Jose Esquilin

Zavier De’Angelo

MarbleJam Kids

MarbleJam Kids held their annual gala at The Fiesta. For more information, visit www.marblejam.org.

Liza Baugh, Branden Hope

Jessica Campoverde, Katie Schneider

Willie Wilson, Robin Diprimo

Maria Trice Jenkins, Ana Vila Bager

Anne and Jerry Bunone Kathy Werheim, Shelisa Foster

Arlene Hall Rose, Maria Trice Jenkins

Jeffrey Kahn, Bridget Johnson

Cynthia Daisley, Kenneth and Angela Martin

Patrizia DeLillo, Rose Zara

Dean Pastras, Deborah Bajakian

Robin and Mark Friedman

Steve Weissblum, Rebecca Stern Michelle Schueller, Richard Motto

Todd Cympol, Laura Gambino, Michael Altieri

Eric and Debbie Grossbardt

Protect Those Luscious Locks

By Courtney gilroy

In our last article, we touched up on skincare and my go-to routine to keep my skin glowing. Now, with warmer weather here and a bunch of pool and beach days ahead of us, it’s going to be super important that we take care of our hair.

Our hair and scalp isn’t that much different than our skin. Just like we must nourish our face, our scalp needs to be properly taken care of. Something I cannot stress enough is the benefit of a weekly deep conditioning treatment for both your ends and scalp. This is even more important for any chemically treated blondes.

When you highlight your hair, the bleach alone can cause damage to it. Now, add sun exposure on top of it and you’re looking at what us hairdressers call a “chemical haircut” where your hair might start to break off. Of course, no-one wants that. So, my job is to make sure you all get the proper hair care tips in time for the summer.

First things first. Before we get into treating your hair, we need to look at what products you’re using. If you find your scalp gets greasy within a day of washing it, that could be due to your shampoo or conditioner. Basically, the pores in your scalp may be getting clogged with too much product buildup. During the summertime, it’s crucial for us to use product that can help protect our hair and scalp. Especially with more pool days coming up, the chlorine and any sulfates from products will build up on the cuticle of the hair and cause stress by making the follicle dry and brittle. So, if you know you’re going to be spending more time by the pooI this summer, I always suggest clarifying your hair at least once a week, which is the recommend treatment. Doing that, along with the proper care to moisturize your hair and scalp, provides great benefits. Two of my favorite ph balancing shampoos are the Paul Mitchell Clarifying Shampoo Three and K18 ph Balanced Shampoo.

Now, it’s important to note that a clarifying shampoo will strip your color each use. So, if you want to only use it as needed that’s okay. Maybe limit it more for those pool days or when you feel like your hair is getting greasier faster. You only need one wash with it before going back to your regular shampoo.

When picking a shampoo, it’s important to refrain from using anything with too much sulfate and silicone, or even any at all. Color-treated shampoo is especially great for summer days because all the products are already accommodating to hydrating your scalp and the rest of your hair. Here are my recommended shampoos. They range in price but are all amazing:

• Truss Professional has several shampoos and conditioners that are good for the summer such as Ultra Hydration, Blond (good for both blonde or gray hair) and for my curly hair girlies they even have a curly shampoo.

• A more expensive option (but worth every penny) can be found in the Oribe line. I personally recommend their Gold Lust, Brilliance and Shine, along with Beautiful Color. They also have a shampoo for blondes, but in all honesty, you can use a different purple shampoo that’s more affordable, such as Shimmer Lights.

All these recommended shampoos also have accompanying conditioners. I recommend using the same conditioner from the same lines because the products are designed together and will always work best when used together.

Now onto the most important part of this article – masks and treatments for your hair to beat the summer heat. Two hair masks I absolutely love and have been using for a while (especially after coloring my hair) are Truss Professional Miracle Mask and Mielle Rosemary Mint Strengthening Hair Masque. For those beach and pool days, I recommend applying one of these conditioners to your wet hair. You can do this either after you’ve finished laying out by the pool, or during. The Truss Professional Miracle Mask has ingredients that help nourish and untangle your hair. It’s made up of cold pressed vegetable oils and has those pure, natural nutrients and vitamins that our hair and scalp need.

The Mielle Rosemary Mint Strengthening Hair Masque is another favorite of mine that has brought my hair back to life after all the bleaching I’ve done. Not only is this product affordable, it’s also full of nutrients. This product is infused with biotin, rosemary, sesame seed oil, honey and coconut oil. Rosemary oil is particularly known to be good for your scalp because it stimulates blood flow to the hair follicles. While the coconut oil will keep your hair and scalp hydrated while maintaining the frizz and healing any breakage.

I always recommend deep conditioning your hair at least once a week during the summertime, especially if you already know that you need to take extra care of your hair and scalp to prevent any breakage.

Hope everyone has an amazing summer full of luscious healthy locks! Make sure you follow me @talkcurlytome_ on Instagram for more tips and tricks, and message me with any questions you may have.

Meadowlands Area YMCA

The Meadowlands Area YMCA held their annual gala at Il Villaggio. For more information, visit www.meadowlandsymca.org.

Tom Shea, Jose Lozano

Dan Domicoli, Dominick Tucci, Frank and Mike Mariani, Steve Klos

Jo and Jim Kirkos

Lloyd Rosenberg, Robert Donnelly Jr.

Jeremy Kaplan, Ed Russo, Jon Kushner Sara Scott, Brian McLoughlin, Liz Scopelliti, Wes Masco

Ron Simoncini, Richard Blanca, Derrick Leikness

Lance and Joseph Van Calcar, Marco Howington

Ed Russo, John Saraceno, Jose Lozano, Ron Simoncini

Noelle and Mike Coletti

Jason Suter, Michele Baker

Bob Rains, Mike Palumbo

Scott Houldin, Dan Weber

Steve Fusco, John Mazur

Jennifer Schuck, Sharon and Andrew Simoncini

Bernadette and David McPherson

The New Rolls-Royce Ghost And a Taste of the High Life

By riChard poSluSzny

There are very few things that actually are extraordinary these days, although you wouldn’t know it. That’s because the word gets thrown around, a lot. You can thank mass production, cratered expectations and a societal waning of pride in the quality of one’s work.

So, when you do come across a product or service that is objectively unique, or has a certain type of joie de vivre, it stands out. And, for me, it brings a rush of excitement.

As someone that’s an automotive enthusiast as well as a self-described “foodie,” I figured it’d be a good idea to marry the two. What would happen if I over indexed on both, just for one night? As they say, there’s only one way to find out.

Taking delivery of a Rolls-Royce Ghost was a surefire way to start.

In its second generation, the Ghost is the über luxury automaker’s more accessible sedan that’s packaged in a tidier fashion. That means its footprint is smaller than the flagship Phantom and it boasts a more sporting driving experience. But, of course, when you’re talking about a Rolls-Royce, “sporting” is relative. That’s because, as with any vehicle with the interlocked R’s, comfort and sophistication are prioritized above all else.

Where the Ghost shines is in the brand’s balancing act of minimalist design cues and the integration of the latest technology. Frankly, no one does it quite like Rolls-Royce. When you get situated in its cockpit, it becomes abundantly clear. I love the simplicity of its HVAC controls. Essentially, you have a handful of fan speeds you can select from, and then you have these red and blue adjustments that act as a spectrum for heating and cooling. While it sounds archaic, it’s actually brilliant because it simply works and is easy to control. Then, there’s the 10-inch infotainment display that controls many details of the vehicle. Take, for example, raising and lowering the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy that deploys and retracts from the hood when you start/stop your Ghost. From the leather-trimmed, well, everything, to the real metal brightwork, to the neatly integrated screens, it all comes together in an especially tasteful way.

Adding to that, there’s the customer experience. Having seen Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Paramus open its doors just last year, I wanted to explore what that journey is all about. Right off the bat, I can tell you that it’s the polar opposite of your traditional car dealership experience. It’s best to think of it as a luxury boutique that features a one-on-one consultation with an automotive sales professional. According to its General Sales Manager, Ron Haro, the Paramus showroom is the “first of its kind in the country.”

I believe it.

While the space is exceedingly well designed, its crown jewel is the atelier, which is located in the back of the store. Equipped with a stateof-the-art Rolls-Royce visualizer as well as a myriad of paints, hides, trims, threads and more, Haro says, “We have the ability to create their [the customer’s] dream.” He’s not kidding, either. That’s because now, more than ever before, “Customers want to express their individuality and express themselves,” which has led to “More bold selections,” notes Haro. This requires extra attention and a more involved consultation to ensure that buyers walk away pleased with their choices.

What better way to meet people’s expectations than by providing them a realistic rendering of their to-be-built vehicle? As the saying goes, seeing is believing.

Now the tough part: How do I try to match Rolls-Royce with a night on the town in Manhattan? Although I had my work cut out for me, I had a trick or two up my sleeve.

Propelled by a 6.75-liter, twin-turbocharged V12 engine, my fiancé and I ventured into New York City. Working our way down the West Side Highway, two things were crystal clear. First, power was more than adequate. With more than 560 horsepower and over 625 lb.-ft. of torque at my disposal, getting to our destination was essentially effortless. Second, as expected, the Ghost lives up to the Rolls-

Royce brand with an uncompromised suspension system. Leveraging multiple advanced technologies, it provides a Magic Carpet Ride that’s smooth and able to absorb even the worst of New York’s pockmarked-ridden roads. You don’t feel like you’re driving as much as you feel as though you’re floating along the highway.

Arriving at our destination, Cosme, we were struck by its contemporary, dimly lit interior. While I understand it may be off putting to some folks, it intentionally provides a significantly more intimate atmosphere for your party. Having learned a bit more about its chef founder, Enrique Olvera, via Netflix’s “Chef’s Table,” it’s clear that Olvera has crafted a space that celebrates relationships, platonic or romantic.

And, when it comes to the food, his approach focuses on simply prepared dishes that feature ingredients of the highest quality. Where things get interesting: Some dishes have components that are deeply rooted in Mexican tradition. Others are more eccentric and experimental.

For example, we started our dinner with a striped bass tostada, which was accented by a chicatana chintextle. If you’re not in the loop, let me get you dialed in. Chicatanas are a Mexican delicacy – ants. Their unique flavor harken back to traditional Mexican salsas and moles. Simply put, it adds a bit of a kick and smokiness that was welcomed.

Speaking of mole, one of our two entrées was just that. Plated in a straightforward manner, don’t let its look deceive you. It is not just a brown circle. Once it hits your tongue, you’re in for a treat. That’s because Olvera’s mole has so much dimensionality, you’re not likely to eat something with as many layered flavors in your life. This thick paste is truly something to behold and savor in the moment.

And then there’s the duck carnitas for two. Think of this as Cosme’s pièce de résistance. The lean portion of poultry is prepared in a fashion that its texture is more reminiscent of pulled pork. With

each bite, somehow, Olvera’s team manages to serve a dish that gets more vibrant as you consume it. While it’s probably attributable to the freshness of the onions, radishes and cilantro, I like to think there’s some other sorcery going on here.

The reality is, much like the Rolls-Royce’s unfathomable abilities, every single detail has been engineered over time with the sole purpose of delighting – and, in some ways, surprising – the customer. There’s a pursuit of decadence and exceptionalism, which you can’t help but admire.

Although Cosme and duck carnitas can’t really be topped, I did have one more thing on my agenda. A nightcap at the Mandarin Oriental’s MO Lounge.

Located high above Columbus Circle on the 35th floor of the Deutsche Bank Center, the MO Lounge is one of the best spots in New York to watch golden hour emerge and the

sunset take over the Central Park skyline. Even better, the relaxed atmosphere lends itself to a more delicate side of Manhattan that you don’t often get to see.

Watching midnight and purple hues sweep over the skyscrapers, we knew it was time to hit the road.

Getting situated in the Ghost’s sumptuous front seats and setting our feet on the plush lambswool carpeting, there’s no question that a Rolls-Royce cockpit is one of the most comfortable places to be. The only thing that could improve the environment would be the soft glow of a crackling fireplace. Until the British marque figures out how to deliver that, its shooting star headliner will have to suffice.

Working our way through the concrete maze, there was a decidedly hushed tone. While this is how I like New York best, a part of me knew that it wasn’t simply a quiet night in the city. The Ghost was doing all the heavy lifting, ensuring our cruise back to the other side of the Hudson was as peaceful as possible.

The Sports Doctor

Heel Pain Might Be Plantar Fasciitis

By MiChael l groSS Md

Many professional athletes have had plantar fasciitis. It is a common injury among athletes, especially those who engage in high-impact activities, such as running, jumping, and walking on hard surfaces. Most recently, we saw Tiger Woods pull out of the final round of the Masters, due to an excruciating episode of plantar fasciitis. Some other well-known athletes, who have had plantar fasciitis include: David Beckham, a retired professional soccer player; the late Kobe Bryant, a retired professional basketball player; Rafael Nadal, a professional tennis player; Ryan Howard, a retired professional baseball player; Steve Nash, a retired professional basketball player; Peyton Manning, a retired professional football player; Alex Rodriguez, a retired professional baseball player; and Serena Williams, a professional tennis player.

It’s worth noting that this list is not exhaustive, and many other professional athletes have likely had plantar fasciitis at some point in their careers. Please also notice that this list runs the gamut of professional sports from golf to football. No sport and no athlete is immune, and athletes at every level of participation can be affected.

Plantar fasciitis is a common condition that causes pain in the bottom of the foot, specifically in the area of the plantar fascia, a band of fascia or connective tissue that runs from the front of the heel bone to the toes. This condition is often caused by overuse or strain on the plantar fascia, which can result from a variety of factors such as increased weight, high arches or flat feet, tight calf muscles and high-impact activities like running. It is also more common in people who are on their feet for long periods of time, such as those who work in retail or healthcare.

The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is pain in the heel or bottom of the foot that is worse when

first getting out of bed in the morning or after sitting for a long period of time. Foot pain the first time your foot hits the floor in the morning is the hallmark of plantar fasciitis. The pain may also be worse after standing or walking for long periods of time, or after participating in high-impact activities.

If you are experiencing pain in the bottom of your foot that you suspect may be plantar fasciitis, it is important to seek the advice of a healthcare professional. A thorough history and physical examination will usually be enough to make the diagnosis. X-rays can confirm the diagnosis by showing a “spur” on the front of the heel bone, or calcaneus. In fact, plantar fasciitis is also referred to as “heel spur syndrome.”

The first stage of treatment for plantar fasciitis often involves a combination of rest, ice, stretching and exercises to strengthen the muscles in the foot and calf. Rolling your foot on a frozen bottle can stretch your foot and ice it at the same time. Treatment may also involve the use of orthotic inserts or special shoes to help alleviate pressure on the plantar fascia. If plantar fasciitis is suspected, do not go barefoot in the house (socks don’t count). I have found that a specific shoe, Dansko Clogs, can be very helpful if worn first thing in the morning. Over-the-counter pain medication and NSAIDs may also be recommended to help reduce pain and inflammation.

In severe cases, more aggressive treatment may be necessary, such as corticosteroid injections or physical therapy. Treatment with high intensity ultrasound has been useful in many cases. In rare cases, surgery may be necessary to release the plantar fascia if other treatment options have not been successful.

Preventing plantar fasciitis involves taking steps to reduce the strain on the plantar fascia, such as wearing properly fitting shoes with good arch support; avoiding high-impact activities if you are prone to the condition; and stretching the calf muscles regularly. It is also important to maintain a healthy weight and to avoid standing or walking for long periods of time, if possible.

With proper treatment and prevention measures, it is often possible to alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with this condition and to prevent it from recurring.

Michael L. Gross, MD is the founder of Active Orthopedic and Sports Medicine in Hackensack. He is the section chief of sports medicine at Hackensack/Meridian University Medical Center and an assistant professor at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.

Eating Healthier Without Changing Everything

By Sheila M. ClanCy MS, CheS

The foods we eat can help our bodies function better, give us more energy and keep our weight in check, or it can make us feel sluggish, add unwanted pounds and exacerbate conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. While “eating healthier” sounds scary, it is doable and doesn’t mean you have to ditch your favorite foods. Here are some ideas to get you started:

1) Don’t eat the exact same foods every day. If you don’t change things up a little bit there is a good chance you are missing a few vitamins or minerals. If you love having a sandwich for lunch, switch it up in a few different ways. Try a wrap instead of bread, try mustard instead of mayo, try adding sliced cucumbers, lettuce, tomato, arugula, or spinach and add some herbs or spices such as oregano, parsley or basil.

2) Try to have protein at every meal. Some of us are eating a carb heavy diet with lots of pasta, rice, bread and potatoes. This can contribute to insulin

resistance and make you more susceptible to developing Type 2 Diabetes. Make those portions smaller and add protein to the meal. Some examples could be eggs at breakfast (or anytime!), tuna or peanut butter at lunch and lean meat such as chicken or fish at dinner. Even adding protein to a snack is a good idea such as peanut butter on an apple, Greek yogurt with fresh fruit in it, or carrot sticks dipped in hummus.

3) Add a side salad to your dinner and eat that first. You can buy a premade salad to start so it doesn’t seem like a giant undertaking. Or you can buy a mix of already cut up lettuce or spring mix and then you add in whatever you like. Instead of pouring the salad dressing all over it, dip your fork in the dressing and then into the salad. That way you get the taste of dressing without drowning the salad in it.

4) Add in more fiber. The American Heart Association recommends we eat 25-30 grams of fiber per day, but the average American eats about 15 grams

per day. You can get more fiber in your diet by adding chia seeds, flax seeds, avocado, beans, fruits and vegetables to your day. Seeds can go into salad, yogurt or oatmeal and try adding fruit as a snack or put it into cereal or a smoothie. Vegetables are versatile and many can be eaten raw, cooked, hot or cold. While many of us have already made it clear which ones we like or don’t like, there are many different ways to prepare vegetables and it is worth another try to taste some different ones. Different cultures prepare foods differently so don’t be afraid to try something new.

5) Prepare most of your food yourself and back off on eating out. When you prepare your own food, you know exactly what is in it and you control your portion sizes. You can spend a little extra time on Sunday preparing a couple of meals and then pack them up, so they are ready for the week. You can bring your prepared food to work, or it will be ready for you to heat up when you get home.

6) Drink more water. We drink to keep our bodies hydrated. It doesn’t sound like a big deal, but water helps control blood pressure, maintains kidney function, keeps your digestive system regular, protects joints and maintains body temperature. To add more water to your day, try drinking a glass before or after your morning coffee, drink a bottle on the way to work and keep a bottle on your desk. If you need a little flavor, try adding cut up lemons, limes or cucumbers to the water.

What we eat is directly related to how we feel.

Putting food in your body is like putting gas in your car. We want to put in the fuel that we need for our bodies to run optimally. Eating healthier can start with adding in the vitamins and minerals that we need instead of focusing on taking things out of our diet. Variety is key to getting all the nutrients that you need, and it helps to keep things fresh and exciting. Consider it an adventure to try different foods and recipes and enjoy the process of eating healthier.

Multiple Sclerosis Association of America

The MSAA held their annual Bergen County Golf Outing at Ridgewood Country Club. For more information, visit www.mymsaa.org.

Alex Kim, Anne Lyons, Andrew Donohue

David Koppelman, Greg Pinkus, Katy Bender

Josh Northridge, Suzanne Matarazzo, Neil Vendetti

Dave Fowler, Ed Maher

Gian LaVecchia, Steve Mougis

Doug Brodman, Bill McLaughlin, Brad Stockton

John Kerr, Reid Kellam, Tim Clinton, Eric Delange

Brian Cohen, Jay Carella

Jeffrey Miller, Al Montesdeoca, Stephen Berkowitz

Charles Matar, Troy O’Sullivan

Ted Aerni, Frank Rico, Ryan Coakley

Brian Hurrowitz, David Koppelman

Teryl Brown, Chris Lange, Michelle Kornett

Phil Caputo, Erin Keating

Brad Van Nostrand, Jimmy Spano, Arthur Huber, Jeff Balancio

Scott Falzone, Eddie Hill, Justin Warshowsky, Chris Paul, Susie Corona

Michelle Calcagni Brings The Heat on 'Next Level Chef'

By KiMBerly redMond

Michelle Calcagni brought the heat this season on Celebrity Chef Gordon Ramsay’s popular one-of-akind cooking competition “Next Level Chef.”

{Editor’s Note: This article contains spoilers.}

The 30-year-old Washington Township resident and Oradell native was among 18 contestants tasked with some rather unique culinary challenges as they vied for the title of the world’s next culinary superstar, a $250,000 cash prize and a one-year-mentorship from Ramsay, as well as elite Chefs Nyesha Arrington and Richard Blais.

Described by the television network as “the next evolution in cooking competitions,” the concept revolves around Ramsay’s belief that “the true test of great chefs is not only what they can do in the best of circumstances” but also “what kind of magic they can create in the worst.”

The show – which returned for its second season in February on Fox –was set on an iconic stage over three stories high, with each floor containing a different kitchen featuring culinary equipment and ingredient matching their environment – from the glistening top floor to the no frills basement.

Entering a high-stakes competition wasn’t exactly something Calcagni ever expected to do, but when the chance presented itself, she couldn’t say no.

“I have loved being in the kitchen ever since I can remember,” the River Dell Regional High School graduate said. “I always loved getting involved in prep as a young girl watching my parents make dinner for our family.”

Calcagni, who works as a senior brand marketing manager for Food & Wine and Travel + Leisure, said, “Food has always been at the center of my universe, and a way that my family and I express love,

celebrate, comfort and connect. For me…cooking is therapeutic. I love the whole process: coming up with new ideas for a meal, shopping for groceries, prepping, cooking, plating and serving. Whether for a big group, or just my husband, love nurturing through food.”

Then, in May 2022, her Instagram account (@michelle_ calcagni), which features some of the dishes she enjoys preparing and sharing with loved ones, caught the eye of the casting agency searching for the very best home chefs, social media stars, food truck operators, line cooks and everything in between as potential contestants.

“The agent asked if I was interested in the opportunity, and, of course, I said yes! As a next step, I was interviewed on video with the casting producer and we hit it off,” she said. “At this point, I didn’t think it was actually going to happen. I knew there were thousands of applicants determined to get involved.

A few weeks later, as she and her husband, Anthony, traveled to Italy to attend a friend’s wedding, she received word that was selected for the show and would soon be on her way to spend a month filming.

It wasn’t the last surprise in store for her. Just days after arriving, Calcagni learned she was expecting her first child.

Besides grappling with what she describes as “hormonal chaos,” Calcagni said, “Part of me wanted to be home, celebrating the exciting news with my loved ones away from the stress of the competition. However, I understood that opportunities like this one are oftenonce in a lifetime type chances, and I felt blessed to have been chosen out of thousands of qualified and passionate applicants.”

Trusting that the opportunity was given to her for a reason, Calcagni said she felt determined to make the most of it.

“Besides, what an amazing story I will have to share with my daughter one day. I like to think she took part in giving me an extra boost of motivation to push through,” she added.

As part of the competition, Ramsay, Blais and Arrington, each handpicked who would be on their teams and took the contestants under their wings.

During a recent interview with Parade magazine, Ramsay – who ultimately lost last season to Arrington’s protegee – said he looked for three qualities in the chefs for his team: drive, hunger and willingness to learn.

“If they’re willing to learn, then we have a real shot of winning this season,” he told the publication.

Ramsay, who is nothing short of an icon in the culinary world, went on to select Calcagni to compete on his team in the home cook category.

After finding out that Ramsay – a multi-Michelin starred chef with a successful string of restaurants and several TV credits, like “Kitchen Nightmares” and “Hell’s Kitchen” – selected her, Calcagni said, “I almost hit the floor.”

“Although many people assume that cooking with a chef of his caliber would be paralyzingly stressful, which it was, at times, he was an incredible mentor and I am a better chef today because of him.”

“After the initial shock of him being there dissipated, his presence in the kitchen actually put me at ease, because I knew I could lean on him to push me in the right direction and always share honest feedback to help me improve,” Calcagni said. “He taught me to trust my instincts as a natural cook. I really tuned into this advice throughout the competition. It’s so easy to start second guessing your decisions and direction in this competition, so being confident enough to trust your gut and run with it was crucial.”

“What many people don’t realize is that during each challenge, the chefs are being tasked with conceptualizing a dish within seconds, oftentimes with-

out experience utilizing the all ingredients we have access to during the platform grab, and executing it within a limited timeframe. We aren’t making our signature dishes, so being creative, adaptable and quick on your feet was absolutely key to being successful in the competition,” she explained.

Now back home in Bergen County, the expectant mother is taking stock of the experience, saying, “I learned that I am more capable than I initially gave myself credit for.”

“When I think about my time competing on the show, I feel really proud of myself for taking a leap of faith despite all the fear I was experiencing about it. Because of that, I am now more confident as a chef and as an individual overall,” she said. “The experience was life changing. I pushed myself in ways I didn’t know I was capable of and it helped me grow, not only as a chef, but as a person.”

Perhaps the most memorable moment of the season came in Episode 11 when Gordon named Calcagni a “top chef” after being challenged to elevate a dish by frying their entire. As the overall best of the night, Calcagni won the Time Token advantage.

In the following episode, however, Calcagni, who was the only chef left who hadn’t yet been in an elimination competition, runs into trouble when the contestants are given 60 minutes to bake a dessert. Due to being uncomfortable baking, Calcagni decides to use her Time Token advantage to give herself 10 extra seconds at the platform. Deciding on a cheesecake, Calcagni admits she’s “kind of winging it” and that this is the first time she’s baking something from scratch.

Ultimately, Calcagni is left to battle it out for elimination against Mehreen Karim and Nuri Muhammad. They are tasked with making eggs Benedict. While Calcagni’s eggs are “delicious,” the shrimp “taste like sand” as they were not properly cleaned. Calcagni is eliminated from the competition.

Calcagni wasn’t the only New Jerseyan competing on “Next Level Chef” this season. Cassie Yeung, a social media chef from South Brunswick, joined Calcagni on Team Ramsay, while Matt Groark, a social media chef from Medford Lakes, was part of Team Blais, according to Fox.

“Next Level Chef” is available for streaming on Hulu.

Rolling Out the Red Carpet for Kids Fighting Cancer

Flourish Salon & Spa, Liam’s Warriors and 2 Girls Giving Hope held their annual fundraiser for kids at Bottagra Restaurant.

Mirna Macchiavello, Blerim Ibraim

Amanda Krakowiak, Maggie Marecki

Robyn Davis, Tammy Bagnuolo

Elina Demelo, Jim Pantopicos

Tiffany Roth, Dureen Cappadonna, Julie McGraw, Dorothy Puzio

Stephanie Rubino, Paula Corrieri, Mike Rubino

Erin Naha, Jamie Brewer

Joe Mazza, Ralph Lauretta, Jessica Myers, Sal Rametta

Michele Mccollum, Nancy Santers Braddell, Liz Statuto

Jessica Myers, Maria Lauretta, Paula Corrieri, Kimberly Gerena

Jennifer Bertoli, Carla Ganguzza Rawan Hmoud, John Murray

Danielle Seymour, Nicolina Greco, Enza Aquino, Michael Penaranda

Audrey and Steve Myers, Sebastian and Kim Marquez, Colleen Bonanni

Martha Fava, Danielle Marinello

Jenn and Brent Williams

Valley Hospital Auxiliary Vegas Night

The Valley Hospital Auxiliary held their second annual Vegas Nigh at the Indian Trail Club. For more information, visit www.valleyhealth.com.

Joe Lolino, Bonnie Dalel, Barbara Milla

Anne and Peter Swist, Les Weiss, Lisa Beslity

David and Mary-Catherine Bohan

Theresa Salaneno, Nancy Weiss

Bonnie Dalel, Elaine Heimberger

Bettina Daly, Kathy Nardella

Kristin Jackson, Alexa Green

Steve Botbyl, Ryan Barlow, Ed Hall, Pat Avallone

Jon Mechaly, Toni Modak

Tracey Ingrasselino, Philip and Fabiola Santos, Claudine Callison

Aimee Halbert, Jaclyn Mazzola

Carolann Townsend, Christine Sanchez, Elina Polyakov, Denise Meeks

Ken Sumomchi, Sunny Choinv Jane He, Lynn Holuba, Wendy McGuire

Angelo and Sandy Carapezza, Rich Keenan

Diana and Frank Hughes, Rosemarie Ranuro