A Health Care Exchange is Coming to NJ and Some Pols Want a Campaign to Spread the Word

BY  |  Thursday, May 02, 2013 8:36am  |  COMMENTS (3)

health insuranceIn late 2012, Governor Chris Christie vetoed using New Jersey monies to fund a state health care insurance exchange. But one will begin operating on October 1, backed by federal financing, in compliance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Now there’s a bill in the state legislature to create a statewide awareness campaign to let residents know that it exists, when it will be accessible and how it may help them.

Under ACA, an exchange provides individuals, families and small business owners, who are otherwise not able to obtain health insurance coverage, a way to identify affordable options, purchase a policy, and find subsidies and other assistance programs. Continue Reading

NJ Ranks Low in Air Quality

BY  |  Friday, Apr 26, 2013 9:00am  |  COMMENTS (0)

smogThe American Lung Association’s 2013 State of the Air report does not look good for New Jersey. According to the report, which measured air quality over a three-year period (2009-2011), no county in the state ranks a grade higher than a D for ozone levels (Essex County gets an F). Those grades helped put the New York-Newark-Bridgeport area at number 17 for metropolitan areas most polluted by ozone.

Though the levels have improved over the years–in fact, New Jersey scored better this year than it has since the report was first released 13 years ago–they still do not fall below the threshold of what is considered safe. Those rankings mean that more than 95 percent of the residents in New Jersey live in areas that received failing grades for ozone pollution. We are not alone, however–about 38 percent of the country lives in areas with unhealthy levels of ozone, according to the report. The worst areas, not surprisingly, are in California. Of the 13 most polluted cities, 10 are in that state.

And while both New Jersey and Essex County score high in pollution by ozone, we do much better with year-round particle pollution. In that category, Essex County scored an A, and no county in the state fell below a C grade. So we can breathe easy…sort of.

 

Feeling Stuck Without A Flu Shot? Here’s Where To Get One

Tuesday, Jan 15, 2013 9:46am  |  COMMENTS (14)

Is your doctor out of flu vaccine? You can still get a much needed shot in the arm at several pharmacies, grocery stores, and urgent care clinics in the Montclair area.

Be sure to call ahead to make sure supplies are available, and to ask about wait times. Here are some locations to check, according to the CDC’s Vaccine Finder website:

A&P on Valley Road, CVS/Pharmacy Stores on Valley Road, and also on Claremont, Pompton, and Bloomfield Avenues, Stop & Shop Pharmacy on Broad St., Rite Aid on Clifton Avenue, Pathmark in Lackawanna Plaza, and ImmediCenter on North Broad Street.

And remember, if you get vaccinated, but still end up in bed for a week with the dreaded virus working you over–blame the flu bug, not the vaccine. It takes takes about two weeks to build up enough antibodies to protect against influenza, and the vaccine does not protect against every strain of the virus. The CDC says this year’s shot is about 60% effective against the currently circulating flu strains.

Have you got your shot? Please share in comments any other locations you know of where you can still get vaccinated.

Get the Holistic Scoop on Staying Healthy in Winter

BY  |  Thursday, Jan 10, 2013 4:50pm  |  COMMENTS (1)

If you subscribe to the Montclair Right Now e-Newsletter, do you scroll down beyond the notices about tax due dates and Christmas tree collection? Nearly every time I look at the full listings lately, I discover something that’s timely, interesting — and free.

Take tomorrow, January 11, for example. At noon in the second floor conference room of the municipal building, you can get a quick primer on how to stave off colds, and avoid the aches, pains and fatigue typically associated with winter.

Montclair resident Deborah Kanter, a holistic educator, Reiki practitioner, and wellness advocate, will discuss strategies for staying healthy. You can sample soothing winter scents and teas, while learning which seasonal foods actually warm the body (and soul). What’s more, she’ll help you set yourself up for the weekend with a brief relaxation meditation.

“I’ll be talking about what how we can use food as medicine, and how to work with our natural wintertime desire to curl up,” Kanter explained. “We’ll touch on what foods, herbs and beverages are good, and how to honor our bodies with exercise. In winter, for example, foods like root vegetables and certain nuts nourish our energy and bring what in Chinese medicine is called ‘heat energy’.”

Kanter frequently shares her knowledge and tips at area retirement centers, colleges, and community centers. The program is titled Winter Tools You Can Use, and I’m so glad that doesn’t mean shovels, salt spreaders or windshield scrapers (though come to think of it, if someone could tell me how to use one of those without getting the front of my coat all wet, that would be handy too).

The program is free, but please call 973-509-4969 to reserve a seat.

Looking further, the newsletter also tells me of a program perhaps even more suited to my sedentary occupation: on Wednesday, February 27 the Montclair Health Department’s Workshop is called, Stay Fit While You Sit. Sign me up.

To get on the email list for the Township e-Newsletter, go here, and after filling in your information, scroll down and check off “Right Now Newsletters.”

Photo: Flickr Creative Commons

Montclair’s Medical Marijuana Dispensary Opens Today

BY  |  Thursday, Dec 06, 2012 10:09am  |  COMMENTS (49)

Montclair’s Greenleaf Compassion Center, the state’s first medical marijuana dispensary, emerged from several years in the planning, licensing and regulatory stages, to officially open for business this morning.

Julio Valentin, Jr., COO of Greenleaf, located at 395 Bloomfield Avenue, said they were expecting between 20 and 30 customers today. All of them were prescribed the unconventional treatment by physicians, have registered with the state and received a special identification card. Back in October, Greenleaf told Baristanet that about 320 patients have signed up, while more than 175 physicians have registered.


Although no one other than card-carrying patients will be allowed inside, a news crew from NBC-TV was given a sneak peek of the facility, which has been described as a soothing, spa-meets-doctor’s-office environment. All patients have to make an appointment at Greenleaf. No walk-ins or curiosity seekers are allowed. “Unless you have your medical marijuana card you can’t come in,” Valentin said.

Citing privacy considerations, Greenleaf principals were unable to answer questions posed at a brief press conference this morning about the nature of the patients’ ailments, or where in the state they may be traveling from to obtain the product. Valentin notes, “Our intention is never to take care of whole state of New Jersey — it’s impossible, but we will do our best”

Cannabis has been shown to relieve extreme pain, staunch nausea and vomiting, and stimulate hunger in chemotherapy and AIDS patients, and to lower eye pressure for glaucoma sufferers. Valentin explained,”Different strains are made specifically for different types pain relief; so we have a low, medium, high level — which, no pun intended — is more of pain management, depending on level of pain.”

Marijuana is already legal for medical use in 18 states and the District of Columbia (and was recently approved for legal recreational use in Colorado), and many eyes are trained on Greenelaf and the facility’s Montclair location.

Here’s a video Baristanet shot at this morning’s press briefing.

When The Holidays Are Hard

BY  |  Tuesday, Nov 13, 2012 12:00pm  |  COMMENTS (0)

It’s hard to believe, but Thanksgiving is next week. For some, it’s the start of the holiday season — the most wonderful time of the year. Unfortunately for many others, it can be a very difficult time. If you’ve lost a loved one and are experiencing deep grief, getting through the holidays can be a challenge, especially because how holiday, ritual and family are so intrinsically linked. Feeling isolated, or feeling pressure from others to “move on” from grief can make this season even harder.

A bereavement group can offer relief from living and experiencing life through the gray lens of deep grief. Vincent Dopulos, a licensed professional counselor in Montclair specializing in loss and bereavement, began running bereavement groups at Overlook Homecare and Hospice in 1996 and later at Saint Barnabas Medical Center, where he started a group specifically geared to “Getting Through the Holidays,” offering people a way to navigate this difficult time.

Creating a space where people struggling with grief can safely expose their feelings and receive support can make all the difference. Being in this structured environment brings relief from a painful way of living and “makes change possible for people who have no hope and a great deal of pain,” says Dopulos, who adds that participants emerge with hope and the tools they need to get their life back. One former group member writes… Continue Reading

Featured Comment

Once you see a picture, the situation becomes more real. So sad for the loss of such a lovely young woman. May her family somehow find peace.
Posted by
Nellie

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