Bergen Buzz

OUR GUIDE TO NEW IDEAS, TIPS, TRENDS AND THINGS WE LOVE IN OUR COUNTY.

IT’S BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

A BREAST CANCER QUIZ

Screening mammograms are one tool for fighting this dreaded—but often beatable—disease. Another is knowledge; take this quiz to test yours.

Breast cancer will claim the lives of about 42,500 Americans this year. If you’re a woman at average risk, the American Cancer Society (ACS) says that at age 40 you have the option to begin annual mammogram screening—and once you reach 45 it becomes more than an option; it should top your to-do list. (If you’re at high risk, consult your doctor.)

How well do you understand breast cancer? The true-false quiz here should help you find out. (And to bust some widely believed myths about other healthcare issues, see page 42.)

True or false?

1. Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the U.S. 2. Breast cancer is only found in women. 3. A woman’s risk of breast cancer nearly doubles if she has a mother, sister or daughter who has been diagnosed with the illness. 4. Most breast lumps are cancerous. 5. The most significant risk factor for breast cancer is lifestyle/BMI. 6. Following a diagnosis of metastatic or stage IV breast cancer, the patient may still be undergoing treatment even after the disease is “cured” or goes into remission. 7. A clear mammogram means you don’t have to worry about breast cancer for at least the next year. 8. Women should perform a breast self-exam monthly. 9. Breast cancer invariably causes a lump you can feel. 10. Black women are more likely to die from breast cancer than from any other cancer.

Join the fight

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and now’s the time to join the fight to end breast cancer if you haven’t already. As always, several events in our neighborhood will support the men and women battling breast cancer and those who’ve survived it: • Pink Week. Tuesday, Oct. 4, to Thursday, Oct. 6. This nationwide initiative features virtual and in-person events that heighten awareness of the disease; sessions will debunk myths about mammograms, delve into BRCA gene testing and more. For more info, visit bcrcsb.org/ pinkweek/.

• Making Strides of Bergen

County. Saturday, Oct. 22, 8 a.m. In association with the American Cancer Society, this walk takes place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. For more info, call Jennifer Schoonover at 732.955.7419.

• Walk for Awareness.

Sunday, Oct. 23, 1 to 3 p.m. The Englewood Health Foundation hosts this fundraising walk for a good cause—proceeds go toward treatment for uninsured or underinsured patients at The Leslie Simon Breast Care and Cytodiagnosis Center who can’t afford care. This takes place at the Englewood Field Club and Memorial Park in Fair Lawn. For more info, visit englewoodhealthfoundation. org/event/walk-2022/.

cancer.org breastcancer.org; Sources: diagnoses as fewer women smoke. part to a decrease in lung-cancer Black women. This may be due in leading cause of cancer death for replaced lung cancer as the 10. True. As of 2019, breast cancer for early detection. mammograms, are so important manual exams, in conjunction with always cause a lump. This is why

Breast cancer doesn’t

9. False.

detection tool for breast cancer. bumps. BSE is the best earlyto check for abnormal lumps or in which the hands are used conduct a breast self-exam (BSE), at least once a month a woman Experts recommend that

8. True.

with dense breast tissue. likely to occur in younger women cancer is present. This is more

images that look normal even if foolproof; sometimes, it can return 7. False. Mammography isn’t for the rest of their lives. disease and need hormone therapy long-term side effects from the remission. Such patients may feel and surgery may not end with as chemotherapy, radiation breast cancer, treatments such individuals with late-stage Unfortunately, for

6. True.

being female and growing older. risk factors for breast cancer are 5. False. The two most significant noncancerous. majority prove to be benign, or always be checked out, but the 4. False. Breast lumps should member diagnosed with it. breast cancer have a family percent of women who contract

However, only about 15

3. True.

Prevention.

Centers for Disease Control and disease each year, according to the American men die from the but not nothing. Roughly 500 833—much lower than a woman’s of breast cancer is about 1 in False. A man’s lifetime risk

2.

2022. diagnosed with breast cancer in in the United States will be 1. True. About 290,000 people

ANSWER KEY:

DID YOU KNOW? More than 141 million cards are sent for Mother’s Day in the U.S., according to the folks at Hallmark. But the holiday only ranksDID YOU KNOW? Of the estimated 55,730 new cancer cases in New Jersey this year, approximately 8,410 will be female breast cancer third on the list of top greeting card holidays. Christmas tops the list with 1.6 billion cards, followed by Valentine’s Day (151 million).diagnoses, according to the American Cancer Society.

THE LEAVES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN’

Leaf it to North Jersey to put on a colorful autumnal show. Three spots in and around Bergen are famed for their leaf-filled views at this time of year. Palisades Interstate Park is picturesque and hiking-friendly all year round, but fall here is exceptional. The moderate hikes themselves will get you the best views of the changing foliage, but there are also lookout areas along the

Palisades Interstate Parkway where you can park and snap some pics. Ramapo

Mountain State Forest, which spans 4,200 acres across Bergen and Passaic counties, is another fall hot spot, where the colors reflect off Ramapo Lake and make for exquisite photo ops. Continue your hike up to Van

Slyke Castle for views from the top. Then make a stop at nearby Ringwood State Park in Ringwood, which has 5,000 acres of trees. Now, how many leaves is that?

CELEBRATE YOUR SKIN

Did you wake up like this, or do you have an aesthetician to thank for your flawless self? National Aesthetician Day, Oct. 15, is devoted to the pros who work tirelessly to keep our skin looking fabulous. Distinct from a makeup artist (but not quite a dermatologist either), an aesthetician is trained to analyze clients’ skin conditions and provide cosmetic facial treatments, as well as hair removal.

“Scheduling a consultation with an experienced aesthetician can help simplify the process of finding your right skin-care routine,” says Juliette Bush, “and make it clear which services would best suit your needs to get you the best skin possible.” She’s an aesthetician at Aesthetica MedSpa in Paramus. Bergen County is home to some of the state’s top-rated skin experts, so why not treat yourself? Here are three popular services an aesthetician performs: • Dermaplaning: Similar conceptually to shaving, dermaplaning involves scraping your skin with a small blade to remove the top “dead” layer (no, it doesn’t hurt!). The result is clearer skin that’s vibrant. • Chemical peels: “Chemical peels use chemical exfoliation to remove the epidermis,” says Bush. They can employ a mixture of many different kinds of acids such as salicylic or glycolic. You may see results right away, but over time a peel improves fine lines, dark spots, scars and acne. • Hydrafacial: There’s a spa facial, and then there’s a hydrafacial, which is the most popular treatment offered at Aesthetica MedSpa. This three-step process of exfoliation, extraction and hydration results in a healthy, clean glow. “Through boosters and different modalities such as LED light therapy, the hydrafacial can be adjusted to address each client’s needs,” says Bush.

‘TREATS’ WITHOUT EATS

Candy for Halloween? It’s been done and done. Maybe this is your year to hand out something new. Parents may silently thank you if there’s one less melty chocolate bar in the bucket. (And who cares if some of those skeletons, ghosts, Demogorgons and Bezos-inSpaces look at you funny at first?) Some alternative ideas: • Glow sticks, which can help late-night trick-or-treaters stay visible and will also come in handy on evening walks in coming weeks, as it will soon get dark early.

Popglo Bulk Glow sticks, 100 count, Walmart, Saddle Brook, 201.226.0575 • Glow-in-the-dark vampire teeth, which are perfectly spooky and great as a costume accessory even if your youngster is Boris Johnson instead of a vampire.

Glow-in-the-dark Vampire Teeth, 12 count packs, Dollar Tree, Elmwood Park, 201.421.2000 • Bubble-blowing bottles that’ll keep the little ones busy on the trick-or-treating trail. (Bonus: They double as easy centerpieces for an All Hallows’ Eve party.)

Jack-o’-lantern mini bubble bottles, 144 pieces, orientaltrading.com • Mini slime containers, a year-round hit; they’re in their glory Oct. 31. Have the slime of your life! Halloween slime, 12 count, Party City, Paramus, 201.345.2514 • Halloween stamps, which will make for some seriously festive arts and crafts projects.

Tiny Mills Halloween stamps, 50 pieces, amazon.com

CULINARY CORNER

Greek, Mexican or Colombian? There’s a new restaurant in Bergen for each of these cuisines:

He’s an expert

Mike Tolos knows a thing or two about restaurants. His mom’s a baker, his dad, “Bobby the Baker,” has owned diners across New Jersey and his uncle owns a gyro shop in Greece. The gyro shop inspired Tolos to open Jersey Gyros in Lodi, an authentic Greek eatery that resembles those you’d find in Athens. The menu here includes Greek staples such as pork, chicken and lamb gyros, as well as homemade dips and baklava.

• Jersey Gyros, 170 Main St., Lodi, 973.777.4976

For a south-of-the-border taste...

Stop by Crazy Tacos in Cliffside Park, where the claim is that one bite will “transport you to the streets of Mexico.” The tortillas here are made fresh daily in the kitchen—fill one with chicken, shrimp, brisket or fish—or try a quesadilla, nachos or burritos. Also sample the aqua fresca, a light, refreshing drink made of fruit, water and sugar.

• Crazy Tacos, 350 Lawton Ave., Cliffside Park, 201.699.0888; crazy-tacos.com

Come hungry

At Colombia Kaliente in Englewood (say it with a Colombian accent for the full effect), the menu is overwhelming in a good way. There are salads, seafood, chicken, meat, pork and pasta dishes with a Colombian twist, as well as sandwiches, burgers and a kids’ menu. There’s also a whole smattering of arepas, as well as baked goods and cocktails (sangria, mojitos and margaritas galore).

• Colombia Kaliente, 30 E. Palisade Ave., Englewood, 201.569.2510; colombiakaliente.com

WHAT’S YOUR APPLE AGENDA?

The tart red fruit that begins a child’s alphabet is nutritious, delicious and multi-use. But it’s also multi-type. More than 30 varietals of apples grow in New Jersey, and different kinds are best for different purposes.

“Going direct to a farm market or local grower is much better and healthier than shopping in a big-box store, where the origin of fruit can be suspect,” says Ron Binaghi, co-owner of Stokes Farm in Old Tappan. Binaghi says the most popular apples in our area are Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji and Empire. They’re all sweet, but sweetest of all is the knowledge that you’ve chosen exactly the right kind for the use you have in mind. Here’s a cheat sheet to help you find the apple you need—and yes, they’re all available for picking or purchasing in the Garden State: —Best apples for baking: Braeburn, Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Winesap —Best apples for pie: Braeburn, Granny Smith,

Golden Delicious, Jonathan —Best apples for salads: Fuji, Gala, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady —Best apples for juicing: Fuji, Golden

Delicious, Red Delicious, Pink Lady —Best apples for snacking: Cameo, Gala,

Ginger Gold, Honeycrisp

CAPTION THIS!

The eagle has landed…and BERGEN is lucky enough to get a photo of it. That’s thanks to Emerson resident Paul Sullivan, who emailed us this extraordinary photo he snapped of a bald eagle nest along the Palisades.

What do you think the mama eagle is saying to her babies? Think up your best caption—it can be funny, scientific, literal, whatever— and email it to our editor, Rita Guarna, at rita.guarna@ wainscotmedia.com or via DM on Instagram @bergenmagnj for a chance to see your caption featured in a future issue or on our website.

KUDOS

SAVING THE BEES

Congrats to Bradley Vierheilig, Michael Snono, Thomas Esposito and Evva Vassiliou at Franklin Avenue Middle School in Franklin Lakes, who during the summer won the national American Student Assistance “Solve Together” competition, which encourages career exploration. With the help of their science teacher, Alyssa McAloney, these gifted and talented seventh graders set out to find ways to save endangered bee populations. After interviewing experts, they created a prototype out of cardboard to house bees and ensure they were stored at a safe temperature. The tweens went home with $10,000 for their school and $1,500 to split four ways.

ANOTHER BERGEN BEAUTY

Perhaps our county’s all-girls schools are a breeding ground for pageant queens? Isabella Galan, a senior at Immaculate Heart Academy who was among the students featured on BERGEN’s 2022 High School Forum (see our August issue), was crowned Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2022. And now, Juliet Gelineau, a student at Holy Angels in Demarest, will represent our state at the USA National Miss Teen competition in July 2023. The chance to serve as Miss USA National Teen NJ “strengthens my opportunity to inspire others to find the gift of joy through service within their community and charities that are meaningful to them,” Gelineau wrote on Instagram. She also won the title of Miss Pre-Teen New Jersey 2018.

SOPHOMORE SLAM

Speaking of IHA, sophomore softball player Gabriella Shadek got some recognition this summer for winning the Junior Home Run Derby at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Shadek, a Kinnelon resident,slammed 17 home runs in the first round and 16 more in the championship round, basically annihilating her competition.

HUES FOR ’23

Your home should be a reflection of you. That’s the idea behind SherwinWilliams’ Colormix 2023 Collections, which predict the colors we’ll be seeing more of in our homes next year. One collection, titled Terra, features a cohesive palette of soothing colors—think along the lines of rich earth tones and natural clays— that the brand describes as “natural, inventive, warm and uplifting.” Essentially, this is where interior design is headed, and who can say no to a room that’s relaxing and soothing? Check out the full paint collection and the lookbooks at your local Sherwin-Williams—there are stores in Bergenfield, Fair Lawn, Paramus and Ridgewood.

GET A HANDLE ON HEMLOCK

We’re still dealing with the spotted lanternfly; but now there’s hemlock. This poisonous plant was quite prevalent this past spring in New Jersey—and if ingested or even smelled, it can have dangerous consequences for humans and pets. Don’t be fooled by its delicate appearance— hemlock has little clusters of white flowers and looks like Queen Anne’s lace, but can cause COVID-like symptoms such as dizziness, sleepiness and respiratory failure.

The best way to prevent next year’s crop of hemlock is to get a handle on it now. Fall is the ideal time to apply an herbicide, as the chemicals will transfer easily into the root system before winter. Call in an herbicide expert such as New Milford-based Weed Man (201.342.8228), which can tell you the type of herbicide to use and how to apply it (or can do it for you themselves at a cost). If you spot hemlock in your yard or think you’ve been exposed, call the New

Jersey Poison Center at 1.800.222.1222.

PUPPY LOVE

Dog: Marley, 14-year-old golden retriever/border collie mix Owners: The Hughes family of Dumont

Catherine Hughes and her husband had lost two dogs within a year. They missed the companionship, so they decided to adopt again. At an adoption event at PetSmart in Dumont, they met Marley, then just 6 months old and a ball of energy who needed a lot of exercise. They fell in love with him.

In Marley’s 13½ years with his family, he’s served as quite the travel buddy, from Provincetown, Mass., to a cross-country road trip just last summer. “He made a few new friends, human and animal,” Catherine says. Now he’s “perfected the art of relaxing,” and is the best possible companion. “If anyone is thinking about [getting] a pet, consider adopting or rescuing,” she says. “I highly recommend it.”

Want to see your dog or cat featured in a future issue of BERGEN? Email his or her picture and a few details to our editor, Rita Guarna, at rita.guarna@wainscotmedia.com.