Author: James

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Software Offers Alzheimer’s and Dementia Prevention During Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

Ridgewood Police Alzheimer's patient was found

Ridgewood Police Alzheimer’s patient was found

September 24,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Yesterday marked Alzheimer’s Action Day and with September being World Alzheimer’s Month, it comes as no surprise that millions of people are joining together in the global fight to raise awareness and end stigma surrounding the disease. With Alzheimer’s being the 6th leading cause of death in the United States and 5.4 million Americans currently battling the disease, volunteers and advocates alike are tirelessly pushing for the critical medical support, research, and developments needed to prevent and cure Alzheimer’s. One company working towards achieving these much-needed neurological breakthroughs is Posit Science with its flagship brain-training program BrainHQ.

Created by world-renowned scientist, Dr. Michael Merzenich – a UCSF professor emeritus in neurophysiology, member of the National Academy of Sciences, co-inventor of the cochlear implant, and Kavli Prize laureate – and an international team of top neuroscientists, Posit Science’s plasticity-based software is being used to treat people with a multitude of severe neurological disorders, mental illnesses, and brain injuries, changing the way we think about medicine in the process. Dr. Merzenich is one of the few scientists who, in the past 30 years, has dedicated his life to transforming the field of neurology through disproving the conception that the brain is fixed and unmalleable. Cognitive impairments and neurological maladies – dementia, schizophrenia, strokes, autism, and traumatic brain injury – are commonly seen as untreatable, however, Dr. Merzenich’s comprehensive and long-term studies have proven otherwise.

In fact, just this summer, the Alzheimer’s Association highlighted a landmark study on cognitive training that used a brain-training exercise developed by Dr. Merzenich – the longitudinal study tracked older adults over 10 years and showed a 50% decrease in risk of dementia among those who used a particular type ofcognitive exercise that trains visual processing speed. The study additionally showed several other cognitive benefits of speed training, including improved cognitive function, better health and mood, more self-confidence, and even fewer car accidents. It’s worth noting that this is the very first time that any intervention – brain-training program, physical exercise, diet, or drug – has been shown to reduce the risk of dementia.

We’re transforming neuroscience-based software into medicine. Drugs are an extremely primitive method to treat the neurology. [With drugs] We’re manipulating machinery that is controlled by dozens of variables, by powerfully distorting one particular chemical. What we’re doing instead is replacing that chemical approach with strategies that actually correct the neurological underpinnings of these problems. And the only way is to have the brain correct itself. — Dr. Michael Merzenich

If you are interested in discussing the developments and breakthroughs being made in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease, the future of medicine, and how technology is creating new medical breakthroughs, please let me know – I would be happy to arrange an interview with Dr. Merzenich or provide you with written commentary and additional information.

Best,

Laura Viglione

More About Dr. Michael M. Merzenich (Full Bio Here)
Dr. Merzenich has published more than 150 articles in leading peer-reviewed journals (such as Science and Nature), received numerous awards and prizes (including the Russ Prize, Ipsen Prize, Zülch Prize, Thomas Alva Edison Patent Award and Purkinje Medal), and been granted nearly 100 patents for his work. He and his work have been highlighted in hundreds of books about the brain, learning, rehabilitation, and plasticity. Dr. Merzenich’s work is also often covered in the popular press, including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Time, Wired, Forbes, Discover, and Newsweek. He has appeared extensively on television and is the scientific consultant for the Discovery Channel show “Hack My Brain.” His work has also been featured on four PBS specials: “The Brain Fitness Program,” “Brain Fitness 2: Sight and Sound,” “The New Science of Learning,” and “Brain Fitness Frontiers.”

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Reader says the Ridgewood Public Library has no business getting involved in a performing arts center

Bike_Ridgewood_Public_Library_theridgewoodblog

The Ridgewood Public Library has no business getting involved in a performing arts center. They are not the village Entertainment Center.

They are trying to build up their numbers by hosting book clubs, cooking clubs and other hobby clubs. What is the purpose of a library? They need to evolve to electronic information – if that even makes sense.

A performing Arts Center should use private funds. Create a nonprofit and give it a go. Government should not be in the entertainment business. And opera and ballet are entertainment.

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Anthony Daniels Cancer Survivor!

anthony Daniels and Bradley Cooper

September 24,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, After six long years of battling Hodgkin’s lymphoma, native villager Anthony Daniels is now cancer-free.

Daniels was 19-years-old and a sophomore at Fordham University in New York City when he was diagnosed with the blood cancer.

Despite four relapses and 30 rounds of chemotherapy, Daniels never gave up trying to find a bone marrow match . Daniels struggle was well documented on this blog.

Daniels whose ongoing battle against Hodgkin’s lymphoma was the focus of a documentary film, and his fight against Hodgkin’s lymphoma even got the attention of actor Bradley Cooper.

Daniels, who never found his perfect match, was told that his final shot at surviving would be to get an alternative stem cell transplant. On March 25th he took his chances heading to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas .With less than a 30% chance it would work it did and now he is in complete remission.

 

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Saturday morning the Railroad underpass on West Glen Ave will be closed from 7am until 4pm

Road_work_theridgewoodblog

Today Traffic Alert for Saturday 9/24/16

September 24,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, On Saturday morning the Railroad underpass on West Glen Ave will be closed from 7am until 4pm to all vehicular traffic due to utility work. A detour will be in place at Oak Street and North Monroe Street. Police officers will be stationed at intersections around the detour to assist with keeping traffic flowing.

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Reader says Gotta give credit to the Ridgewood police

Two Arrested

file photo by Boyd Loving

Gotta give credit to the Ridgewood police. They are well trainied professionals who know how to perform their duties with a level of respect and restraint they deem appropriate to the situation and in so doing they are often able to defuse what otherwise could have turned into a confrontation. Just look at the pic.Seemingly friendly and non-confrontational…..but backed up by officers from two other departments just in case things went bad. Consummate professionals !! We are so lucky to have them.

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Garrett Calls on FDA to Answer Questions About EpiPen Monopoly

Epi-pen

September 24,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood bog

Ridgewood NJ, Rep. Scott Garrett (NJ-05) called on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to express concerns over the near monopoly currently held by Mylan Pharmaceuticals on the EpiPen (epinephrine injection) which is used in the treatment of severe allergic reactions. The price of these life-saving devices has skyrocketed recently, making them unaffordable for many Americans families.

“Like many government bureaucracies, the Food and Drug Administration stifles innovation and creates unnecessary roadblocks that end up hurting the American people,” said Garrett. “In this case, their short-sightedness has made a common treatment that millions of Americans rely on prohibitively expensive. The FDA has a job to protect Americans and ensure the food and drugs we use are safe, but they also need to make sure their actions don’t hurt the very people they’re trying to protect.”

The letter, signed by a number of Members of Congress, asks the EPA to allow other companies to make alternatives to the EpiPen product by streamlining the FDA review process. Specifically, the letter asks:

–          If the FDA can clarify whether any barriers exist to the approval of safe alternative products to EpiPens.

–          How many alternatives to Mylan’s EpiPen are currently being reviewed by the FDA

–          Where these alternatives are in the review process

To read the entire letter, click here.

 

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Obama vetoes 9/11 bill

9/11 wtc

President Obama vetoes bipartisan bill that would let families of 9/11 victims sue the government of Saudi Arabia, setting up a showdown with Congress where lawmakers on both sides of the aisle aim to override the president’s decision.

 

By Jordan Fabian – 09/23/16 04:26 PM EDT

President Obama on Friday vetoed legislation that would allow families of 9/11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia in U.S courts, setting up a high-stakes showdown with Congress.

Obama’s move opens up the possibility that lawmakers could override his veto for the first time with a two-thirds vote in both chambers.

Republican and Democratic leaders have said they are committed to holding an override vote, and the bill’s drafters say they have the support to force the bill to become law.

The Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) unanimously passed through both chambers by voice vote.

But the timing of the president’s veto is designed to erode congressional support for the bill and put off a politically damaging override vote until after the November elections.

Obama waited until the very end of the 10-day period he had to issue a veto, hoping to buy time to lobby members of Congress against the measure.

White House officials also hope congressional leaders will leave Washington to hit the campaign trail before trying for an override, kicking a vote to the lame-duck session after the election.

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/296862-obama-vetoes-9-11-bill

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Local Levels of Chromium-6 detected in Ridgewood and Bergen County Water

tap-water

Here are the local agencies and the average levels of Chromium-6 detected, according to the study:

United Water NJ: Samples taken: 12, detects: 12, range: 0.034-0.33 ppb, average: 0.15 ppb
Ridgewood Water: Samples taken: 56, detects: 56, range: 0.14-2.9 ppb, average: 0.40 ppb
Fair Lawn Water Department: Samples taken: 20, detects: 18, range: 0.0-0.93. ppb, average: 0.28 ppb
Garfield Water Department: Samples taken: 12, detects: 12, range: 0.033-3.8 ppb, average: 0.70 ppb
Mahwah Water Department: Samples taken: 15, detects: 14, range: 0.0-0.37 ppb, average: 0.21 ppb
Passaic Valley Water Commission, Lodi Water Department: Samples taken: 8, detects: 8, range: 0.038-0.098 ppb, average: 0.064 ppb
Lyndhurst Water Department: Samples taken: 8, detects: 6, range: 0.0-0.068 ppb, average: 0.039 ppb
Elmwood Park Water Department: Samples taken: 8, detects: 7, range: 0.0-0.12 ppb, average: 0.063 ppb
Ramsey Water Department: Samples taken: 18, detects: 18, range: 0.044-1.8 ppb, average: 0.62 ppb

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Readers Debate Radicalized Terrorist or Failure, bottom rank idiot?

Ahmad Khan Rahami

September 23,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, readers seems to fall into two major groups when it comes to terrorism ; either they are just losers with no friends or the more malevolent view that they are true believers in the fundamentalist cause .

“Dude failed in life, tried to find a purpose in religious extremism, and failed at that too. In a weird way, I pity him (that must be the latent Christian in me). Having said that, it would have been better for him to have died during his arrest. He’s obviously too stupid to have been trusted with any valuable information, and that’s assuming he’s ever been in contact with someone who would have such information. Highly doubtful. Right now he is spending a lot of time with people who know how to get answers, but they’ve probably already discovered they’re dealing with a bottom rank idiot.”
or….
“He was not radicalized. He was merely activated. Active or passive, they are all on the same page. Islam is a religion of peace only in regions or countries of the world where they have achieved utter political dominance. Every other place on earth is a war zone. Motivation? To terrorize and kill infidels, and die a martyr for Allah. Why must we feign ignorance when these thugs are so clearly telling us why they do what they do?”

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Hillary Clinton: “Why aren’t I 50 points ahead of Trump?”

hillary-clinton-what-difference-does-it-make

September 23,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton spoke about foe Donald Trump during a video conference of the Laborers’ International Union of North America, saying, “Why aren’t I 50 points ahead?”

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Are tolls too high? Moody’s 3 concerns for NJ Turnpike Authority

toll-booth

Despite increased revenue and a better bond rating, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority has key financial risk, one ratings agency says.

According a Sept. 14 report by Moody’s Investors Service, political interference and toll-wary drivers could put the Authority — which oversees the Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike — in a financially precarious situation in the coming years.

The report comes after a year of growth for the Authority, which saw nearly $1.5 billion in revenue between July 2014 and June 2015. During that same period, Moody’s increased its bond rating to “A2,” its highest since the early 2000s.

https://www.app.com/story/news/traffic/commuting/2016/09/22/new-jersey-turnpike-authority-garden-state-parkway-tolls-moodys/90827884/?utm_content=New+Campaign&utm_campaign=Observer_NJ_Politics&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=New+Jersey+Politics

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OUR TURN NJ PULLS PLUG ON PAID MEDIA CAMPAIGN PUSHING NORTH JERSEY CASINOS

Xanadu_main_theridgewoodblog

Current Climate, Polling Data, Lack Of Specifics Make Campaign Untenable

September 22, 2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Roseland NJ, Paul Fireman and Jeff Gural are today reluctantly announcing the suspension of the paid media component of the statewide OUR Turn NJ campaign.  In doing so, they issued the following joint statement:“We believe deeply that gaming expansion to Northern New Jersey is a remarkable opportunity that should not be squandered. We have committed $4 billion in private investment to this state to create world class resort destinations with gaming. The benefits include 43,000 new jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in recaptured revenue — a rare opportunity for New Jersey.  In addition, as New York debates allowing gaming in New York City, it is critical that we beat them to market or risk losing this opportunity permanently.

“The data, however, speaks for itself. The current political climate in New Jersey and voters’ concerns about the lack of details relating to the effort have proved overwhelming. Even knowing that an out-of-country gaming company that sends New Jerseyans’ gaming dollars to Malaysia is funding opposition ads does not have an impact.  As such, with great reluctance we have decided to suspend the paid media component of the statewide campaign.”

Recent internal and third-party polling data have noted how difficult the current climate is.  As noted in the attached internal polling summary, “Voters have a very negative outlook on the direction of the state and have extremely low confidence that the revenue promised in the Casino Expansion Amendment will be delivered as it is promised. Just 19% of New Jersey voters believe that the state is headed in the right direction. And an even lower proportion (10%) have a high level of confidence that the state will deliver upon the promised revenue as stated in the ballot measure.”

The summary also notes that when asked to explain why they have low or no confidence in the revenue being delivered as promised in the amendment, 50% of respondents say it is because politicians will use the funds for their own priorities, while another 30% volunteer that it is a concern for them.

The polling shows that, while there are strong arguments to be made for the benefits of gaming expansion, “Respondents react very strongly to reasons to oppose the Amendment, which play to the lack of specifics and distrust directed at state government in Trenton.  For comparison, the highest testing positive message is viewed as a very strong reason to support the measure by 48% of voters.  The four negative messages tested in the survey all receive anywhere between 56% to 60% of voters who say that each one is a very strong reason to oppose the measure.”

Polling released earlier this week by Rutgers-Eagleton reinforces this voter dissatisfaction.  In that poll, only 25 percent of those surveyed believe New Jersey is headed in the right direction, while 68 percent say the state has gone off on the wrong track. The poll is available at:https://eagletonpoll.rutgers.edu/rutgers-eagleton-Christie-casinos-NJ-Booker-Menendez-Sept2016/

The current campaign to expand gaming is mirroring New Jersey’s first efforts to legalize casino gaming in 1974.  In that year, the New Jersey voters rejected a ballot initiative to legalize gaming due to a lack of specifics in the ballot question about where casinos would be located.  Two years later, a revised ballot question passed.  One of the main reasons the 1976 question passed, unlike the 1974 one, was that it was more specific in nature. The 1974 campaign indicated that casinos would most likely be in Atlantic City, but the resolution itself did not indicate a specific location. Thus, proponents of the 1974 resolution “later admitted that a large number of voters apparently rejected the proposal simply because they did not want to see casinos in their own community.”[1] In 1976, the resolution clearly stated that casinos would only be legal in Atlantic City, making voters far more comfortable with the idea.

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N.J. school aid formula is flawed for pre-K, special ed, audit says

home alone

By Adam Clark | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on September 22, 2016 at 1:45 PM

TRENTON — As New Jersey politicians debate changing the state’s formula for funding public schools, a new state audit has highlighted some specific flaws in the current system.

The report, released Wednesday by State Auditor Stephen Eells, shows that schools are both underfunded and overfunded in some respects based on the current model.

Among the problems identified are outdated data, inaccurate pre-K enrollments and an inadequate system for funding special education.

Here’s a look at three of the major findings from the review of school funding and the auditor’s suggestions for addressing the issues:

https://www.nj.com/education/2016/09/nj_school_aid_is_flawed_for_pre-k_special_ed_audit.html?utm_content=New%20Campaign&utm_campaign=Observer_NJ_Politics&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=New%20Jersey%20Politics#incart_river_index

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CEO pay at N.J.’s non-profit hospitals is a big issue. Here’s what Top 10 make

Meyers-Audrey-2012

7. Audrey Meyers, Valley Hospital: $2.2 million

By Susan K. Livio | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on September 22, 2016 at 7:15 AM, updated September 22, 2016 at 5:02 PM

TRENTON — Ask hospital leaders whether New Jersey’s nonprofit hospital CEOs earn too much money, and they will confidently say no. Their compensation packages are based on what other CEOs are making in a highly competitive market.

But a tax court judge last summer sharply disagreed with that assessment, describing this method of comparison as a “wholly self-serving” justification.

State Tax Court Judge Vito Bianco ruled Morristown Medical Center should lose its tax-exempt status — in part because of its parent company CEO’s $5 million-a-year pay package.

https://www.nj.com/healthfit/index.ssf/2016/09/non-profit_hospital_ceo_pay.html?utm_content=New%20Campaign&utm_campaign=Observer_NJ_Politics&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=New%20Jersey%20Politics#incart_river_home_pop