Santa Claus Is Coming to Lakewood Sunday, December 7
As part of Lakewood’s annual holiday festivities, Santa Claus and his elves are parading up Clifton Avenue, Lakewood, to Town Square, Sunday, December 7 (rain or shine) at 1:00 p.m. Santa will be “delivered” by Lakewood Fire Department and the Lakewood Police Department.
The first 2,000 children ages 10 and under will receive gifts from Santa, assisted by Mrs. Claus and students in the Lakewood High School PALS club dressed as elves.
The Lakewood Recreation Department donated the gifts. DJ Jimmy Givens is providing holiday music. The annual tree lighting will take place at 4:00 p.m.
For further information, call Jeff Shapiro, Supervisor of Recreation and Special Events for the Township of Lakewood, 732-905-3405, Ext. 6017.
Direct from East Nashville – Decembersongs, a Country-style Holiday Concert at the Strand
Critically-acclaimed songwriters Amy Speace, Rod Picott, and Doug and Telisha Williams of Wild Ponies are bringing Decembersongs, a country-style holiday concert from East Nashville direct to the Strand Center for the Arts, 400 Clifton Avenue, Lakewood, on Wednesday, December 10 at 8:00 p.m.
Public radio station 90.5 FM The Night at Brookdale Community College is presenting the Decembersongs as its holiday show; and in the spirit of Christmas, Chanukah and the entire holiday season is asking everyone to bring an unwrapped new toy or a non-perishable food item for the FoodBank of Ocean and Monmouth counties.
Decembersongs is a combination of holiday songs and each performer’s own blend of original and traditional Americana songs that incorporate elements of Country, Rock, Bluegrass, R&B and Blues. Picture the Bob Hope Christmas Special but hosted by some Americana/Roots/Folk songwriters who aren’t afraid to put “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” right next to their original song, “I Won’t Be Home for Christmas” with a touch of “Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel” in the mix.
All tickets cost $19.00 plus a $4.00 service charge. Order online at www.strand.org or call 732-730-5925
It Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated! LRRC Offers Health Insurance Info Session
You have questions about health insurance? Experts at the LRRC (Lakewood Resource and Referral Center) have the answers. The public is invited to a free information session, Monday, November 24, 2014, at 8:00 p.m. in the CHEMED Education Center, 1771 Madison Avenue, Lakewood.
The session “What to Do during Open Enrollment” includes information about such topics as financial assistance, Obama Care, N.J. FamilyCare, income guidelines, new tax requirements, employer insurance, the Small Business Health Option Program (SHOP) marketplace, among others. A question and answer period will follow. The current open enrollment session, which began November 15, will close February 15.
The seminar is free but registration is encouraged. To register, email rsvp@lrrcenter.org.
The LRRC is a Certified Application Counseling Agency and Assistor for New Jersey residents seeking information about the Healthcare Marketplace and the Affordable Care Act. Daniel Meltzer, health coverage coordinator with expertise in NJ FamilyCare and the Health Insurance Marketplace, will be on hand to help individuals.
For more information, call the LRRC, 212 Second Street, Suite 204, Lakewood, at 732-587-6031 or visit lrrcenter.org.
Halloween Candy Buy-back Winners Announced – 737 lbs. of Candy Donated
Because of his willingness to part with seven pounds of his Halloween candy, five-year-old Luke Garrabrant, Toms River, is the winner of Dr. Rotem’s annual Halloween Candy Buy-back program.
Toms River dentist Dr. Rotem gave all contestants $1.00 a pound up to 10 lbs. per family for candy they collected from Halloween trick-or-treating. Garrabrant, the child who brought in the most candy, by weight, won a $50.00 gift card. Garrabrant said he is going to buy a batting cage.
Classroom teachers Cherylan Shea of Toms River and Sara Ball of Sea Girt brought in 135 pounds of candy donated by students in their fifth grade classroom at the Herbertsville Elementary School, Brick, to win $400.00.
Shea said, “The students decided to give back to two families who have critical medical issues instead of keeping the money for themselves.”
Half of their winnings will go to help a former Herbertsville Elementary School student, a nine-year-old fourth grader still in the Brick district, who needs a pancreas transplant. The rest of their winnings will go to a mother in Wall Township who has Stage 4 metastatic cancer and to one of her triplets who is also very ill.
Although Dr. Rotem’s practice at 355 Lakehurst Road, Toms River, focuses on cosmetic dentistry and conscious sedation for adults, he feels this annual contest reinforces a sense of civic duty and community involvement by sending the candy to our troops as well as an incentive to save teeth from decay.
This is the tenth year Dr. Rotem has sponsored his Halloween Buy-back Candy contest. The candy was shipped to our overseas troops through the American Recreational Military Service (ARMS). http://www.supportarms.org/
For further information, call Dr. Rotem’s office at 732-341-8500.
About Dr. Rotem: Dr. Rotem graduated from NYU College of Dentistry in 1991. His practice focuses on cosmetic dentistry and conscious sedation. Dr. Rotem belongs to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He is affiliated with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, NJ Chapter of the Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the Dental Organization of Conscious Sedation, the International College of Cranial Mandibular Orthopedics, the American Dental Association, the New Jersey Dental Association, Monmouth/Ocean Dental Society, and the Academy of General Dentistry. Dr. Rotem is an active member of the Crown Council. He is also a member of the Jersey Shore Business Network, Toms River.
“Share the Joy” WJRZ Charity Drive Benefits Three Local Charities
Three local charities will benefit from “Share the Joy,” the annual live radio broadcast drive hosted by Greater Media radio station WJRZ 100.1. Help fill a 53-foot tractor-trailer at Perlmutter Family ShopRite of Bayville, 431 Atlantic Boulevard, Route 9, Bayville, N.J. 08721 with donations of food, clothing, and toys for people and pets, starting Friday, November 21, 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and continuing through Saturday, November 22 from 8:00 a.m. until the truck is filled.
“Share the Joy,” a charity collection drive sponsored by Pepsi, New Jersey Lottery, and Michael’s Furniture of Brick will benefit Ocean County Hunger Relief, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Ocean County, and the Jersey Shore Animal Center who will distribute all donations to Ocean County residents.
Non-perishable food items and gently used clothing will go to Ocean County Hunger Relief; new unwrapped toys to Big Brothers and Big Sisters; and pet food and blankets for animals at the Jersey Shore Animal Center. Monetary donations for all charities are always welcome.
WJRZ 100.1 Promotions Director Marie Senkeleski says, “We are looking forward to helping out our fellow Ocean County residents this holiday season. Now more than ever, charities need our help to ‘Share the Joy.’ It’s been a tough year for a lot of people.”
For more information, contact Marie Senkeleski at 609-597-1100 Ext. 204.
WJRZ-FM is a radio station of Greater Media, Inc. Greater Media, Inc. is the parent company of twenty-one AM and FM radio stations in the Boston, Detroit, Charlotte, New Jersey, and Philadelphia markets. Greater Media also owns a group of weekly newspapers in central New Jersey and several telecommunications towers, located throughout the United States.
Eleven Preferred Home Health Care Aides Receive Awards at the 2014 Home Health Aide Recognition Day
Eleven Home Health Aides (HHA) from Preferred Home Health Care & Nursing Services (PHHC), Eatontown, a company that provides home care for individuals in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, recently received awards at the 2014 Home Health Aide Recognition Day, sponsored by the Home Care Association of N.J., at Gibbs Hall, Suneagles Golf Course, Eatontown, New Jersey.
The Home Health Aide of the Year is awarded to certified home health aides (CHHAs) who have demonstrated excellence, leadership and compassion throughout their careers at their individual office locations. The CHHAs of the Year from Preferred are Beatriz Huerfano, South Orange; Pamela Elam, Eatontown; Nancy Adiase, Mt Laurel; Franklin White, Brick; and Harry Hawkins, North Brunswick.
Rookie of the Year awards are given to individuals who have been certified home health aides for less than two years but have already exhibited excellence and growth in the role. PHHC’s Rookie of the Year awards went to Adeline Russulle, North Brunswick; Teresa Nieves, Galloway; Connie Smith, Brick; Lauren Ignarra, Eatontown; Margarita Perez, Mt Laurel; and Juanisa Jones, South Orange.
Jonathan Herman, Chief Operating Officer of PHHC, said, “These individuals represent Preferred so well in the community, and I know they provide quality care to many clients and families in need. We are all very proud to recognize our hard-working and caring home health aides.”
Each honoree received an award and a keepsake book with tributes about the contributions home health aides make to the care and safety of their clients.
Home health aides provide support and personal services, such as helping clients with bathing, dressing, and Seating. They adhere to professional standards and maintain a safe, secure, and healthy client environment by following federal, state, and local requirements.
For more information about Preferred Home Health Care & Nursing Services, contact Lisa Gallicchio, marketing executive, at 732-840-5566.
About Preferred Home Health Care & Nursing Services: Since 1987, Preferred Home Health Care & Nursing Services (PHHC), 45 Main Street, Eatontown, N.J., has provided a wide range of medical and non-medical home health care services from pediatric to geriatric care throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania. PHHC is accredited by CHAP (Community Health Accreditation Program), an accrediting organization for the home health care industry.
Preferred works collaboratively with physicians, hospitals, nursing homes and facilities to ensure a smooth transition to one’s home. In-house services include skilled nursing care for infants, children, adults, and seniors; personal care services, including bathing, grooming, dressing, feeding, etc.; private duty nursing services; and at-home physical therapy, among others. All of the care can be provided in-house and is coordinated by registered nurses, with clinical supervision available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Visit Preferred at PreferredCares.com for more information.
Greater Media Radio Station Helps the Needy with a Drive
Greater Media radio station the WRAT (95.9), Lake Como, is holding its annual Thanksgiving season drive Broadcast for the People of New Jersey on November 24 and 25 to help local New Jersey residents. Employees of the WRAT are hoping to fill a 40-foot tractor-trailer with items to be donated to three charities.
The WRAT’s live Broadcast for the People of New Jersey will take place at Shoprite, Route 66, Neptune, on November 24 from 6:00 a.m. to midnight, and again November 25 from 6:00 a.m. until the trailer is full. Broadcast for the People is sponsored by Pepsi, Mini of Monmouth, Surf Taco, Major Tool, Coors Light/Shore Point Distributing, and NJ Lottery.
Non-perishable food items (no glass) will go to the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean counties. Frozen turkeys will be accepted. Shore Point Distributing is donating a freezer truck for the storage of the turkeys for the two days.
New or gently used clothing will be donated to the Family Resource Associates; and toiletries, such as soap, tooth brushes, and tooth paste will be given to Holiday Express. Monetary donations are always welcome.
Two satellite locations are also available for making donations. A WRAT van will be at Brave New World, 1272 Hooper Ave, Toms River, on Monday, November 24 and Tuesday, November 25 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.; and at Verizon Wireless, 55 US Highway 9, Manalapan, on Monday, November 24 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Doug Sjonvall, promotions director for WRAT, says, “This is our 18th tractor-trailer that we are looking to fill. Year after year our listeners have never let us down, and I have full confidence that they will once again answer the call. It’s very heartwarming to experience people’s generosity and willingness to help their neighbors.”
For those interested in organizing an office or business drive to help fill the tractor-trailer, Greater Media staff will help unload cars or vans, or even coordinate a pickup with their van from your office. For further information, contact Doug Sjonvall 732-681-3800 x-306.
WRAT-FM is a radio station of Greater Media, Inc. Greater Media, Inc. is the parent company of twenty-one AM and FM radio stations in the Boston, Detroit, Charlotte, New Jersey, and Philadelphia markets. Greater Media also owns a group of weekly newspapers in central New Jersey and several telecommunications towers, located throughout the United States.
Pregnant? In Pain? Local Woman Co-Authors Book on How to Have a Mostly Pain-free Pregnancy
Oh, my aching back! Jill Hoefs, Summit, N.J., a physical therapist and a Toms River High School North graduate, had an idea for a book that could help women with problematic pregnancies about the same time she, herself, became pregnant.
“It’s important to know that if you can’t find a comfortable position, everything hurts, and you’re waddling around town, you’re not alone with your pregnancy complaints,” Hoefs said.
Hoefs, MPT (Master of Physical Therapy), wrote Your Best Pregnancy: The Ultimate Guide to Easing the Aches, Pains, and Uncomfortable Side Effects during Each Stage of Your Pregnancy with her colleague, Denise Jagroo, DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy). The 288-page paperback book, published by Demos Health, has just been released and is available through Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.
The two physical therapists met in 2008 at a women’s continuing health education class and often discussed the problems their pregnant and postpartum patients were having. “Some ladies couldn’t sit while pregnant because of excruciating tail bone pain; many had low back pain that began while they were pregnant and never subsided; others had foot pain, rib pain and non-stop peeing,” Hoefs said. “The list went on and on.”
“Once we envisioned the idea for this book there was no turning back. Over the next five years we polled our pregnant and post-partum patients to determine their biggest complaints,” said Hoefs, adding that she researched symptoms, treatments and outcomes to help other pregnant women.
Hoefs said about 50 percent of her practice is made up of pregnant and post-partum patients. “Women are often told their symptoms are due to their pregnancies and will subside when they deliver their babies.” But Hoefs doesn’t believe pregnant patients have to live with pain for nine months.
“For example, I had a patient who had horrible pelvis and hip pain that woke her during the night and worsened when she got up or moved quickly.” When the patient asked her obstetrician about physical therapy, he said she could try it but didn’t know if it would help. I realigned her pelvis and gave her a comfortable brace that kept her pelvis in the corrected position. I taught her how to get up and down without pain and made some postural corrections that allowed her to work and sleep without pain,” Hoefs said. “It was super easy to correct.”
Hoefs said she and Jagroo wrote this book because they realize everyone doesn’t have access to a women’s health physical therapist, adding that the book includes easy-to-follow exercises with clear instructions and photographs.
Although Hoefs now works in Summit and New York, she has a deep connection to the Shore. Her parents, Jane and Howard Butensky, are long-time residents of Toms River.
Hoefs, the owner of Body Align Physical Therapy, with offices at 32 Union Square East, 7th floor, New York City; and 308 Broad Street, Summit, New Jersey, is a certified physical therapist with special interests in women’s health, ergonomics, and sports medicine. She is also a licensed instructor in the Tupler Technique, a non-surgical program to help restore the abdominal wall after pregnancy, surgery, or rapid weight gain.
Jagroo, of Staten Island, N.Y., earned her doctoral degree in physical therapy from New York University. She is a specialist in Manual Therapy and is certified in Pelvic Physical Therapy through the American Physical Therapy Association’s Women’s Health Section. She is one of 150 board-certified clinical specialists in Women’s Health Physical Therapy in the country.
About Your Best Pregnancy: The Ultimate Guide to Easing the Aches, Pains, and Uncomfortable Side Effects during Each Stage of Your Pregnancy and author sites:
Book: http://www.amazon.com/Your-Best-Pregnancy-Ultimate-Uncomfortable/dp/1936303612, http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/jill-hoefs?keyword=jill+hoefs&store=book.
For more information about co-author Jill Hoefs, visit http://www.bodyalignpt.com/, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Body-Align-Physical-Therapy/179577402058208 or contact her at jill@bodyalignpt.com, or call 646-328-2525.
Group in Nat’l Spotlight Will Perform at the Strand – Their Song Jersey Strong Named Jersey’s Official Anthem
After the Reign, a country music group in the national spotlight, will be performing at the Strand Theater, 400 Clifton Avenue, Lakewood, N.J., on November 15 at 7:30 p.m. Their single “Jersey Strong” written about Superstorm Sandy and featured on their second album has been named the official anthem of New Jersey by the organization “Stronger than the Storm,” and was a feature point on Discovery’s Destination American Red, White, and You.
After the Reign is a six piece American country music group made up of Willie Kelly (Lead Vocals), John Strevens (Lead/Rhythm Guitar, Backing and Lead vocals), Dave Burlett (Bass Guitar and Backing Vocals, Bob Grado (Steel Guitar), Clay Perlman (Lead/Rhythm Guitar and Greg Annuziata (Drums).
Although After the Reign divides its time between New Jersey and Nashville, the group has performed all over the country. They play a large repertoire of their own material, written mainly by head songwriter Strevens but also include collaborations with Kelly and Burlett.
They formed After the Reign in Monmouth County in 2006 although various members have played together in other bands for more than 10 years. After The Reign performs over 80 shows a year (100 in 2011) and has performed shows with Tim McGraw, Lady Antebellum, Sara Evans, Rodney Atkins, Lee Brice, James Wesley, Montgomery Gentry, Josh Thompson, Kix Brooks, Craig Morgan, Steel Magnolias, Steve Azar, Love and Theft, Trent Tomlinson, Daryl Worley, and Bruce Springsteen, to name a few. When headlining their own shows, the band is known for its three hour plus nonstop high-energy set.
Visit http://www.afterthereign.net/home.html for more information about After the Reign. Tickets cost $19.00 for the Orchestra and Loge; $15.00 for Mezzanine; and $12.00 for Tier seating, plus a $4.00 fee per ticket. For tickets, call Ticket Biscuit at 732-730-5925, visit Strand.org. or purchase at the Strand box office before show time.
OHI’s Mobile Dental Unit to Visit Head Start Sites This November
Dr. Theresa Berger, CEO of Ocean Health Initiatives, Inc. (OHI) has announced that the OHI mobile medical unit will be stopping at several local Head Start program sites to conduct dental exams specifically for the children participating in Head Start programs.
The OHI mobile medical unit will visit Head Start Program Sites in
Toms River: Ocean County College, 1 College Drive Mon. Nov. 3 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Manchester: 2950 Wilbur Avenue Tues. Nov. 4 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Berkeley: 264 First Avenue Tues. Nov. 4 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Brick: 503 Adamston Road Wed. Nov. 5 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Barnegat: 1 Ocean Avenue Mon. Nov. 10 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
The OHI mobile medical unit brings medical and dental services to people who might not have the transportation. To make an appointment or to confirm dates, times, and locations of the medical unit, contact the Call Center of OHI at 732-363-6655.
For questions regarding the mobile medical unit, contact Monika Kwiatkowska, dental coordinator, at 732-575-5667 or mkwiatkowska@ohinj.org.
About Ocean Health Initiatives
OHI is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) federally qualified health center (FQHC) with locations at 101 Second Street, Lakewood; 301 Lakehurst Road, Toms River; 333 Haywood Road, Manahawkin; Lakehurst Circle Center II, 686 Route 70 Lakehurst; a health center within the Clifton Avenue Elementary School, 625 Clifton Avenue, Lakewood; and a Mobile Medical Unit.
OHI provides comprehensive primary and preventative health care to Ocean County’s insured, uninsured and underinsured populations. A sliding-fee scale is available, based on an individual’s or family’s ability to pay. Services include pediatrics, maternal and child health, prenatal, WIC, universal immunizations, behavioral health, dental, family medicine, internal medicine, OB/GYN, podiatry and social services.
OHI has a bilingual staff available to assist patients and callers. To become a patient of OHI, call 732-363-6655. Visit www.ohinj.org for further information.