Handbags of Hope raises awareness about breast cancer
“About 1 in 8 U.S. women will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime,” says Handbags of Hope Exchange founder, Erika Hernandez.
Handbags of Hope Exchange and Hudson County Community College’s Division of Non-Traditional Programs invited Jersey Celebrity Reality TV Star, Amber Marchese, a New Jersey mother, wife, business owner and fearless breast cancer survivor as one of the guest speakers at the afternoon of education and empowerment earlier this month.
Jersey City native Dr. Julie DiGioia discussed high risk breast cancer prevention and treatment options. Dr. DiGioia serves as chief of Surgical Oncology and is the medical director of The Cristie Kerr Women’s Center at Jersey City Medical Center, the first comprehensive state of the art diagnostic imaging facility in Hudson County.
Co-author of “Personalized Breast Care, A Guide for Cosmetic Surgery, Breast Cancer and Reconstruction” Dr. Garrett Wirth shared information on his new Fenestrated FlexHD pliable allograft – or “internal bra,” as it’s been dubbed – which allows patients to endure less time with tissue expanders, and more direct-to-implant reconstruction.
“Women are ready to go beyond just the physical healing,” explains Heart & Soul Editor-in- Chief, Anita Kopacz. Kopacz will be sharing her tips for using meditation to find balance and inner strength. A successful career as a high profile event planner has enabled Hernandez to tap into a network of professionals, like Kopacz, who are dedicated to restoring hope through raising awareness of the issues affecting women.
Free breast exams and mammograms
Free breast exams and mammograms for uninsured and underinsured women will be offered at the locations listed below. Walk in. No appointment needed. Information regarding women’s health at all three Hoboken Family Planning sites will also be available on the following dates and times:
Tues. Oct. 25, 5305 Hudson Ave., West New York, 9 a.m. to noon
Wed. Oct. 26, 124 Grand Street, Hoboken, 9a.m. to noon and 4-7 p.m.
Thurs. Oct. 27, 1206 Summit Avenue, Union City, 4-7 p.m.
Call (201) 963-0300 for additional information.
Zoning changes proposed to establish restaurant row for West Side Avenue
Mayor Steven M. Fulop and Ward B Councilman John Hallanan have announced plans to create a “Restaurant Row” along West Side Avenue to increase the number of restaurants allowed and encourage new development along the commercial corridor as part of a strategic effort to grow the local economy.
The proposal, which restructures the zoning along the commercial street, continues the Fulop administration’s commitment to bringing investment and jobs off the waterfront and spurring increased economic activity throughout the city.
An ordinance to be introduced on first reading at the Council’s Oct. 26 meeting will add a roughly one-mile stretch along West Side Avenue, consisting of 14 blocks between Claremont and Montgomery Street, to the city’s Restaurant Overlay Zone (ROZ). The ROZ is an alternative-zoning category meant to encourage the creation of sit-down and take-out restaurants in order to increase economic activity, draw pedestrian traffic, and revitalize commercial corridors.
As more and more retail shopping habits move digital, restaurants are uniquely positioned to be the primary drivers of commercial growth in local economies. By relaxing the restrictions on such venues along the West Side Avenue corridor, the Fulop administration believes it can spur business and, ultimately, job growth in the area.
“WSCA (West Side Community Alliance) strongly supports this first step in an eventual restaurant row,” said Jodi Drennan, alliance president. “As Jersey City’s most diverse community, the possibility for great restaurants is really exciting. We have the best housing, the most beautiful park, and we look forward to boasting the sity’s best restaurants!”
Bill would require international background checks for doctors and surgeons
Responding to the case of a Passaic County doctor who was convicted of manslaughter in the United Kingdom and later began practicing in New Jersey, Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg and Sen. Brian P. Stack sponsored legislation to require international background checks for all applicants seeking to practice medicine or surgery in the state. The bill was approved today by the Senate.
The legislation (S975) would prohibit the Board of Medical Examiners from issuing or renewing a license to any applicant for licensure unless it first determines that no criminal history record information exists on file with the law enforcement authorities of any foreign country in which the applicant has resided, unless the BME determines that it cannot obtain reliable criminal history records from the foreign country. The bill would also require an applicant, when applying for initial licensure, to identify and provide contact information for any employers in the medical or health care fields for whom the applicant has worked in the previous ten years. The bill would prohibit the BME from issuing an initial license to an applicant unless it first contacts all of those employers identified by the applicant that the BME is able to contact and determines that the applicant is of good moral character and is capable of discharging the functions of a licensee in a manner consistent with the public’s health, safety, and welfare. Under current law, all licensees are required to register biennially with the board.
The bill cleared the Senate with a vote of 37-1 and now heads to the Assembly for consideration.
Newport Centre mall celebrates Mall-o-ween
Newport Centre will offer local children a safe and fun place to take part in Halloween activities this month.
Little ghosts, goblins, boo’tiful princesses and their families are invited to Newport Centre for its Mall-O-Ween event on Thursday, Oct. 27 from 3 to 6 p.m. Costumed children can visit Simon Guest Services for a complete list of participating mall retailers who will be giving out treats (while supplies last).
In addition, there will be pumpkin decorating and arts and crafts. Families will also have an opportunity to preserve the memory of the holiday with Halloween photos by Noerr Programs, taking place in Center Court from 3 to 6 p.m. (photo package prices apply).
“Newport Centre is the perfect place for families looking for Halloween entertainment in a fun, safe community environment,” said Jill Daniel, director of mall marketing and business development for Newport Centre. ”We look forward to welcoming costumed children and their families to take in terrific themed crafts, trick-or-treating and entertainment during our Mall-O-Ween event.”
No Halloween activities will take place on Monday, Oct. 31.