It's hard to deny that we live in a world where health issues seem to be increasingly common. From allergies that baffle doctors to chronic pain that never seems to go away, it's no secret that many individuals struggle to maintain good health. Respiratory issues, reproductive complications, and other conditions add to the mix, making it clear that we're all susceptible to some kind of malady.
Unfortunately, many modern doctors still believe that throwing pills at the problem or scheduling surgery is the best way to provide long-term relief. While certain serious conditions can warrant such extreme treatments, a large percentage of Americans are looking for something far less harmful and much more holistic. They're looking high and low for a reliable, well-studied solution that doesn't require time off work or sketchy pain medications.
At NJ Sports Spine & Wellness, one of the most effective and exciting treatments we've seen work for such patients is acupuncture in Rumson, NJ - a modern take on an ancient treatment that has been used for thousands of years.
If you're new to holistic healing, acupuncture may seem intimidating. You might be wondering how needles pressed into your skin could possibly make you feel better. Wouldn't someone pushing a needle into your back be painful? As it turns out, acupuncture is far from painful and is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after treatments for chronic pain and for regulating issues relating to:
In fact, acupuncture has been studied and practiced for over 2,500 years and, more recently, has been researched and supported by many scientific studies. While acupuncture may not be a "miracle" treatment for every type of pain or condition, it has been shown to be effective in treating a wide range of issues, from depression and allergies to morning sickness and cramps.
Acupuncture is a therapy in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that aims to balance the body's energy, called qi, which flows through pathways called meridians. This balance is crucial for overall wellness, as disruptions to qi can lead to health concerns. According to TCM, inserting small stainless-steel needles into specific points called acupoints along the meridians can help rebalance the flow of qi and restore overall health.
These acupoints are believed to release certain chemicals when stimulated, which can trigger an immune response and promote physiological homeostasis. Recent research suggests that this therapy may help alleviate symptoms of various health ailments.
In fact, the National Institute of Health conducted a survey on complementary health approaches, revealing that acupuncture usage in the United States has increased by 50 percent between 2002 and 2012. As of 2012, 6.4 percent of American adults have reported using acupuncture as a form of treatment.
One of the most common questions from new patients interested in acupuncture typically revolves around whether it really works or whether it's all "new age" malarky. We get it - for most folks, the thought of inserting stainless-steel needles into one's back, arms, or neck sounds loony. However, with the ever-increasing popularity of acupuncture in New Jersey and other locations, numerous studies centering on acupuncture's effectiveness have taken place.
Extensive research has been conducted on the effectiveness of acupuncture for various conditions. A February 2022 analysis published in the BMJ, which evaluated over 2,000 scientific reviews of acupuncture therapies, revealed that acupuncture's efficacy is strongest for:
Additionally, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), acupuncture is most effective for pain relief in cases of chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis, lower back pain, and tension headaches. Additionally, a review of 11 clinical trials found that acupuncture may also alleviate symptoms associated with cancer treatment, as noted by the NIH.
When meeting with your acupuncturist for the first time, they will discuss your condition with you before conducting a physical examination to identify areas of your body that might respond to acupuncture. The needles used in acupuncture are incredibly thin, sterile, and disposable, with your acupuncturist inserting them at different depths ranging from a fraction of an inch to several inches.
Acupuncture needles are less painful than medical needles used for vaccines or blood draws. This is because acupuncture needles are thinner and solid, not hollow. During the treatment, you may experience some muscle sensations like dull aches or tingling.
Your practitioner will ask you to report any deep heaviness or numbness, which are positive signs that the treatment is working. Depending on the condition you're treating and the supplemental treatments you're undergoing, like physical therapy, acupuncture needles will remain in place for several minutes or up to 30 minutes.
Once your first acupuncture treatment is finished, it's normal to feel extra relaxed and calm. For that reason, some patients like to arrange for a ride home after their first or second session. With that said, you shouldn't experience much pain at all, and it's quite possible for you to return to work after acupuncture.
This is another common question that we get at New Jersey Sports Spine & Wellness. The simple answer is, "It depends." While we understand that that's not a satisfying answer for some, it's important to understand that every patient is different. Everyone has different bodies and, by proxy, different bodily conditions and issues that need to be addressed.
During your initial consultation at our office, your licensed acupuncturist will go over your needs and goals as it relates to acupuncture therapy. Once your therapist has a good sense of the scope of your needs, they can give you a loose idea of how many sessions you'll need.
Generally speaking, most patients have appointments once a week. Others may require more or less frequent sessions. It's important to note that the full benefits of acupuncture may not be immediately evident after the first or even the second session. It's common for normal patients to undergo up to five treatments to realize the full benefits of acupuncture.
There's no question that acupuncture is more popular than ever as a non-invasive, non-addictive way to reclaim balance and well-being. But what types of conditions can this traditional therapy help alleviate in the modern world? Advances in acupuncture techniques and applications have resulted in some very promising benefits.
Did you know that regular acupuncture treatments can help reduce the pain associated with osteoarthritis? In May 2017, a meta-analysis was published, which studied approximately 18,000 patients with chronic pain, such as low back, neck, and shoulder pain, knee OA, and headache or migraine. The analysis found that the benefits of acupuncture therapy in reducing pain lasted for more than 12 months.
That's wonderful news for athletes and other people who push their bodies daily to accomplish goals or bring home money for rent and bills. In fact, many medical experts consider acupuncture as a viable option for managing chronic pain in conjunction with traditional methods like physical therapy and chiropractic care. The idea behind this approach is that acupuncture may trigger the body's natural healing response to alleviate pain.
When a licensed acupuncturist in New Jersey inserts an acupuncture needle, it penetrates your fascia, a connective tissue that wraps around your organs and muscles. Like a slight tickle on your arm, your body realizes that something is happening and responds by delivering lymph fluid, blood, and other important nutrients to speed up healing in affected areas like your knees, back, neck, joints, and more.
If you're like other people who suffer from migraines, you know that once one of them hits, it can be next to impossible to function properly throughout the day. Fortunately, acupuncture in Rumson, NJ may be a viable solution if you have to endure migraines often.
A study conducted in 2009 by the Center for Complementary Medicine at the University of Munich analyzed 11 studies involving 2,137 patients who received acupuncture treatment for chronic tension-type headaches. The researchers concluded that acupuncture could be an effective non-pharmacological solution for frequent headaches.
The study compared the effects of acupuncture sessions with sham acupuncture and no treatment at all. Both groups that received acupuncture treatment, whether needles were placed randomly or strategically, reported a reduction in headache symptoms, while the control group reported no change. The group that received real acupuncture treatment also reported a decrease in the number of headache days and intensity of pain in a follow-up survey.
For individuals who struggle with insomnia and other sleep disturbances, acupuncture is a promising therapy. Although sedatives are commonly prescribed for insomnia, long-term use can lead to negative side effects such as dependence and excessive drowsiness.
A study conducted on 72 participants and published in Sleep Medicine in 2017 found that individuals who received acupuncture three times a week for four weeks experienced significant improvements in sleep quality and anxiety compared to those who received sham acupuncture.
Similarly, a review of 30 randomized, controlled trials found that acupuncture was more effective in improving sleep quality and daytime functioning than sham acupuncture.
While many patients choose acupuncture as a way to avoid surgery altogether, those who need surgery also use it for improved recovery. Because, at the end of the day, recovering from surgery is no easy feat. Patients may experience various symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, pain around the incision, restlessness, sleep troubles, constipation, and sore throat.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, healthcare providers may use acupuncture as a way to alleviate some of these symptoms and help with healing. A study published in Integrative Cancer Therapies in January 2017 involving 172 participants found that patients who received acupuncture after surgery reported significant improvements in sleep, anxiety, pain, fatigue, nausea, and drowsiness.
Did you know that supplementing physical therapy with acupuncture and vice versa can have profoundly beneficial effects for patients in New Jersey and across the country? If you're like most, chances are you didn't.
The truth is that acupuncture and physical therapy have both been proven effective in reducing pain and inflammation. While many people view them as separate methods, combining the two modalities can produce a synergistic effect that enhances pain relief and delivers long-lasting benefits to patients.
Physical therapists work with patients of all ages and abilities, from children to elderly adults, to help them overcome physical limitations and improve their quality of life. At NJ Sports Spine & Wellness, our physical therapists help treat a wide range of conditions, from neck pain and spinal cord injuries to back pain and arthritis.
To effectively reduce pain and treat tissue injury, a combination of acupuncture and physical therapy can be very helpful. Acupuncture helps to reduce inflammation and release muscle tightness and trigger points, allowing the patient to better receive manual therapy or exercise-based physical therapy techniques. In doing so, acupuncture can actually create a window of time that allows your body to respond better to other treatments at New Jersey Sports Spine & Wellness, such as physical therapy and chiropractic care.
There are many benefits of combining physical therapy with acupuncture in Rumson, NJ, including the following:
You may be wondering, "Are there any studies showing these benefits?" As it turns out, there are many. One such study, published on the NIH's website, was conducted on patients suffering from frozen shoulder.
Patients who received acupuncture experienced a significant reduction in pain, while those who underwent physical therapy saw an improvement in range of motion. However, the best outcome was observed in patients who received a combination of both treatments, with reduced pain, increased their range of motion, and improved quality of life. This study highlights the potential benefits of using acupuncture and physical therapy as complementary treatments for frozen shoulder.
It makes sense, then, that people from all walks of life are combining acupuncture with chiropractic treatments at New Jersey Sports Spine & Wellness, including:
At New Jersey Sports Spine & Wellness, our doctors, practitioners, occupational therapists, and physical therapist specialize in a range of therapies and treatments. Much like physical therapy and acupuncture, combining chiropractic care with acupuncture therapy gives patients a new way to reclaim their mobility, reduce chronic pain, and maintain a healthy quality of life.
Chiropractic care and acupuncture in Rumson, NJ are natural healing practices that don't rely on drugs to improve the body's health. They focus on correcting imbalances in the body's structural and supportive systems, promoting natural healing, and ultimately leading to better health. These practices have a proven track record of helping patients improve their quality of life and overcome physical difficulties.
Integrating chiropractic and acupuncture as a dual-modality treatment offers the most efficient solution for removing blockages from the body, promoting balance, and accelerating healing. Rather than using these treatments sequentially, a combined approach allows for maximum benefits at one time.
Chiropractic targets subluxations in the nervous system through manual adjustments, facilitating the central nervous system to promote healing, while acupuncture removes blockages that may hinder the body's internal balance. Together, these treatments work synergistically to optimize energy flow and restore harmony in the body.
When our physical well-being becomes imbalanced, and our innate healing mechanisms are compromised, illnesses can manifest. The integration of acupuncture and chiropractic practices can effectively address a wide range of health conditions that they individually target, such as:
Curious if combining chiropractic care or physical therapy with acupuncture is right for your body? The best way to find out is to make an appointment at our sports rehab clinic in New Jersey. Once our team of medical professionals has a chance to evaluate your conditions, we can explore the best options to provide the most relief in the shortest amount of time possible.
New Jersey Sports Spine & Wellness consists of a team of athletic trainers, chiropractors, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and other professionals. We're very proud and passionate about caring for our patients, many of whom are suffering from debilitating conditions like back and neck pain, plantar fasciitis, sports-related injuries, and more. If you're trying to get on the road to pain relief and recovery, acupuncture may be the non-surgical solution you need to reclaim your life. Contact our office today to learn whether this exciting treatment is right for you.
732-526-2497PISCATAWAY — Football is a game of inches.Rumson-Fair Haven was closer than even that to beating an undefeated team and winning the NJSIAA Group 2 state championship Monday night.Rumson fell to Westwood, 21-20 in overtime, in a game that the Bulldogs led through four quarters and scored the first touchdown of the extra period at SHI Stadium on the campus of Rutgers University.But Westwood’s Aidan Dugan blocked the OT extra-point kick, opening the door for the Cardinals to answer with a matching...
PISCATAWAY — Football is a game of inches.
Rumson-Fair Haven was closer than even that to beating an undefeated team and winning the NJSIAA Group 2 state championship Monday night.
Rumson fell to Westwood, 21-20 in overtime, in a game that the Bulldogs led through four quarters and scored the first touchdown of the extra period at SHI Stadium on the campus of Rutgers University.
But Westwood’s Aidan Dugan blocked the OT extra-point kick, opening the door for the Cardinals to answer with a matching touchdown and the game-ending PAT kick by Sean Morrison.
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The Bulldogs had been on the winning end of one-score games in the last two rounds of the playoffs.
Not this time.
“Last two games, we’re on the other end of it,” said Rumson-Fair Haven head coach Jeremy Schulte. “Sometimes the magic runs out a little bit. It’s a shame, that’s life.”
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With less than six minutes left in the fourth quarter, and up by a touchdown, the Bulldogs opted to go for it on 4th-and-goal at the 1-yard line. However, the ballcarrier was stopped short with 5:50 left.
Westwood responded in a championship fashion by driving down the field 99 yards, capped off by a 6-yard Robbie Carcich touchdown throw to Tommy Bussanich. Morrison's point after tied it up with 5 seconds left.
“We thought we were going to score,” Schulte said of the decision to not kick a field goal. “It’s the little plays, they made more of those plays than we did. They deserve it.”
Bussanich and Carcich connected again in overtime to lead up to the winning extra point on a 14-yard slant touchdown pass down the middle to tie the game, 20-20. Westwood, the team that fumbled the ball on the opening kickoff and never led in the game for a single second, finished on top and undefeated (13-0).
“Tommy’s been awesome,” Carcich said. “This is a great way to send him off not only him but the rest of the seniors. You can’t beat this, an overtime win against a loaded Group 2 Rumson-Fair Haven, this is just a storybook ending to a really great career by the seniors.”
Despite the gut-wrenching loss for Rumson-Fair Haven, their season was no cakewalk to their reappearance on the big stage. And even when the game leaked into overtime, the Bulldogs still responded each time.
“Our guys played their assess off the entire game,” said Schulte, whose team finished 8-5. “I’m so proud of them, they left everything out there. We were 2-4 at one point this year, and to be here now, I’m not just happy to be here, we weren’t happy to be here last year, it just [stinks] man. It’s a tough loss.”
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This is just the second year that the state of New Jersey has held state championships. Last year, Rumson Fair-Haven played in the final game but lost to Caldwell 18-14. The Bulldogs have won eight sectional titles since 2010. Westwood has won seven sectional titles.
On third-and-10 with the ball on their own 1-yard line and down seven points under six minutes in the fourth quarter, Bussanich connected to Joe Klein down the sideline for 31-yards for a first down to keep Westwood’s hopes alive.
“They did a great job, going 99 yards at the end of the game to put it in to overtime,” Schulte said. “It’s tough.”
After Rumson-Fair Haven’s Jackson Gallagher finished a 2-yard touchdown run in overtime, it was Aidan Dugan who made the key PAT block for his team.
Right guard and defensive end Jack Harris finished with 4.5 total tackles for Rumson Fair-Haven. The 6-foot-3 sophomore was a clear impact in halting Westwood’s offense for most of the game.
“Yeah, he’s an animal,” said Schulte. “Absolute animal. Only a sophomore, he’s a great kid, he just does everything we ask him to do, he never comes off the field, he epitomizes our program.”
Westwood kicker Sean Morrison went was a perfect three for three in extra kicks and made the winning point for the Cardinals to win a state championship.
Westwood’s Steve Klein finished the game with 13 total tackles.
Rumson’s Wesley Kennedy led the Bulldogs in total tackles with eight.
Schulte on the words he gave his guys before and after the game: “We tell these guys, it’s what you do in the face of adversity that matters. These guys showing up for school tomorrow, getting back into lifting next week and make another run at it next year.”
Schulte on Westwood being a deserving champion: “There’s a reason they’re in this game, there’s a reason they’re undefeated, they’re a hell of a football team.”
Rumson-Fair Haven 7 0 7 0 6 – 20
Westwood 0 7 0 7 7 – 21
First Quarter
RFH: Alastair Orr 2 run (Ryan Child kick).
Second Quarter
W: Aidan Dugan 3 run (Sean Morrison kick).
Third Quarter
RFH: Jack Gyimesi 8 pass from Owen O’Toole (Child kick).
Fourth Quarter
W: Tom Bussanich 6 pass from Robbie Carcich (Morrison kick).
Overtime
RFH: Jackson Gallagher 2 run (kick blocked).
W: Bussanich 14 pass from Carcich (Morrison kick).
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing: RFH: Alastair Orr 28-96, Kellen Murray 12-74, Jackson Gallagher 3-24, Owen O’Toole 2-5, Team 1-(-2). W: Robbie Carcich 22-77, Aidan Dugan 14-40, Steve Klein 3-13, Aidan Carrazana 3-(-1).
Passing: RFH: O’Toole 12-22-1-128. W: Carcich 16-20-0-145.
Receiving: RFH: Gallagher 5-62, Nick Rigby 2-32, Nick Thomas 1-12, Jack Gyimesi 1-8, Orr 1-7, Matteo Gangemi 1-4, Griffin Kolb 1-3. W: Tom Bussanich 7-72, Joe Klein 5-55, Aidan Carrazana 3-5, Sean Morrison 1-13.
Interceptions: W: Michael Rinaldi.
U.S. News & World Report announced rankings of the top 10 elementary, middle schools in N.J. Forrestdale School in Rumson was on the list.Patch Staff|Updated Wed, Nov 15, 2023 at 5:36 pm ETRUMSON, NJ — Forrestdale School in Rumson found a place in the top 10 of new education rankings from U.S. News & World Report for New Jersey's best K-8 schools - the only Monmouth County school on the list.The news outlet based its 202...
Patch Staff
|Updated Wed, Nov 15, 2023 at 5:36 pm ET
RUMSON, NJ — Forrestdale School in Rumson found a place in the top 10 of new education rankings from U.S. News & World Report for New Jersey's best K-8 schools - the only Monmouth County school on the list.
The news outlet based its 2024 Best Elementary and Middle School rankings on publicly available data from the U.S. Department of Education, focusing on student proficiency in core subject areas, it notes.
Forrestdale School, 60 Forrest Ave., ranked No. 7 in New Jersey Elementary Schools and ranked No. 3 in New Jersey Middle Schools, according to the report.
Schools are ranked on their performance on state-required tests, graduation, and how well they prepare their students for high school.
In New Jersey, the top 10 public elementary schools are:
The top 10 public middle schools in New Jersey are:
The student population of Forrestdale School is 551 and the school serves grades 4-8, the report said. At Forrestdale School, 74 percent of students scored at or above the proficient level for math, and 77 percent scored at or above that level for reading. Student/teacher ratio is 10:1. You can see more details here.
Deane-Porter School is the other elementary school in the district and serves grades PK-3. It was ranked No. 58 in that category in the same report.
The U.S. News list includes data on more than 79,000 public elementary and middle schools nationwide, according to a Patch article.
In the analysis, U.S. News looked closely at state assessment of students who were proficient or above-proficient in mathematics and reading/language arts, while also accounting for student backgrounds, achievement in core subjects, and how well schools are educating their students. Student-teacher ratios are applied to break ties in the overall score.
LaMont Jones, managing editor for education at U.S. News, said the state and district-level rankings are intended to give parents a snapshot of their child’s school and how well it’s doing within its community.
“Easily accessible data on student-teacher ratio, district spending, and the number of school counselors available at the school can keep parents informed and involved,” Jones said.
Patch Editor Michelle Rotuno-Johnson contributed to this report.
RUMSON, NJ — The Rumson St. Patrick's Day Parade is March 10, but there's many a pre-parade activity planned to put you in the spirit, organizers say.Here's a rundown of the events happening in the weeks leading up to the parade - and they are starting soon:Green Tree Lighting: The borough is to adorn the town with green lights during this week - Feb. 26, culminating with the fu...
RUMSON, NJ — The Rumson St. Patrick's Day Parade is March 10, but there's many a pre-parade activity planned to put you in the spirit, organizers say.
Here's a rundown of the events happening in the weeks leading up to the parade - and they are starting soon:
Green Tree Lighting: The borough is to adorn the town with green lights during this week - Feb. 26, culminating with the full illumination on March 1. Join us as we light up Rumson in festive hues to kick off the St. Patrick's Day festivities.
Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School Tower Lighting: On Friday, March 1, the tower of Rumson-Fair Haven High School will glow green in honor of the celebration.
Irish Soda Bread Contest: Co-sponsored with the Oceanic Library, the Irish Soda Bread Contest will offer Irish music, dance, bagpipers - and soda bread. The event is Thursday, March 7, starting at 7 p.m. Contestants will vie for the title of best Irish Soda Bread, with the winner receiving a plaque, prize, and a donation to the library. Registration forms (due March 4) are at the library, and there is a limit of 16 entries Registration is $25 by cash or check and the breads should be delivered to the library by 6 p.m. on night of event, Library Director Wendy Cettina said. The two owners of Cups & Cakes in Rumson will judge.
Irish Essay and Poster Contest: The Michael J. Larkin Memorial Irish Essay Competition invites participants to explore the contemporary identity of Irish Americans in the 21st century. With a deadline of March 1, participants can submit their essays for a chance to win cash prizes and recognition.
Additionally, the Rumson St. Patrick's Day Page Bigelow Irish Poster Contest encourages budding artists to showcase their creativity by depicting favorite Irish symbols or portraits of St. Patrick. Winners will be awarded cash prizes and accolades.
For the essay contest, winners will be awarded as follows: 1st place - $750 and plaque; 2nd place - $500 and plaque; 3rd place - $250 and plaque.
For the poster contest, winners will be awarded as follows: K through 3rd grade, 1st place - $25; 4th through 8th grade - 1st place winner, $50.
Post-Parade Awards Night recognitions will be announced soon, organizers say.
For more information and updates on these events, visit the Rumson St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee website at www.rumsonstpatricksdayparade.org/.
Surf Bar & Grill in Rumson, which Victor Rallo opened as Surf BBQ in 2016, has closed.Rallo shard the news in a message on the restaurant's website and on social media."To our customers, friends and wonderful community, after an incredible seven years of serving you at Surf Bar and Grill, we have chosen to close our doors Monday, Sept. 4," it reads. "Thank yo...
Surf Bar & Grill in Rumson, which Victor Rallo opened as Surf BBQ in 2016, has closed.
Rallo shard the news in a message on the restaurant's website and on social media.
"To our customers, friends and wonderful community, after an incredible seven years of serving you at Surf Bar and Grill, we have chosen to close our doors Monday, Sept. 4," it reads. "Thank you for your patronage and support during these past years. We are truly grateful for the opportunity to have provided all of you with warm and welcoming hospitality."
Rallo said he is planning a new concept for the space.
When the Rumson restaurant opened in the former Molly Maguire's Gastropub on East River Road, it represented new territory for Rallo, known for his Italian restaurants and PBS program, "Eat! Drink! Italy! with Vic Rallo."
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To open Surf BBQ, he turned to Billy Durney of Brooklyn's Hometown Bar-B-Que and Alex Smith of the original Mighty Quinn Barbeque in Manhattan.
"I'm passionate about the cuisines of the world, and the only true American cuisine is barbecue," Rallo told the Asbury Park Press in 2016. "It's a historic cuisine with its origins in the South, and we're trying to be true to the origins."
Rallo also owns Birravino in Red Bank, Undici Taverna Rustica in Rumson, and Pastavino Trattora E Enoteca in Staten Island. A Staten Island Surf location opened in 2017 and closed in 2020.
Sarah Griesemer joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2003 and has been writing all things food since 2014. Send restaurant tips to sgriesemer@gannettnj.com.
RUMSON, NJ — Waterspirit, the eco-spiritual nonprofit based in Rumson, has a busy - and beautiful - Saturday coming up.First, you can Join Waterspirit’s program manager, Anne Price, as she monitors the many species of seals at Sandy Hook. The seals feed and then "haul out" to rest and digest, the organization says.Save Coastal Wildlife has been recruiting and training volunteers to monitor these seasonal populations, and Price is a trained volunteer.According to ...
RUMSON, NJ — Waterspirit, the eco-spiritual nonprofit based in Rumson, has a busy - and beautiful - Saturday coming up.
First, you can Join Waterspirit’s program manager, Anne Price, as she monitors the many species of seals at Sandy Hook. The seals feed and then "haul out" to rest and digest, the organization says.
Save Coastal Wildlife has been recruiting and training volunteers to monitor these seasonal populations, and Price is a trained volunteer.
According to Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, true seals (not sea lions) traverse the New Jersey coastline between the months of November through April. The most abundant is the harbor seal, followed by the larger gray seal, the harp seal, and the least common, the hooded seal.
Those who attend can watch the seals and record data to report. While there, Price will discuss other area wildlife.
Registration is required for this free event, taking place from 1 to 4 p.m., Feb, 24. Sandy Hook Parking Area D is at 100 Hartshorne Drive, Highlands, 07732. See this map. Meet up near the restrooms in parking area D.
Remember your binoculars, spotting scope and camera. Dress for the weather. There is no protection from the elements.
In the U.S., all marine mammals, including seals, are federally protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Whether with Waterspirit or on your own, view and photograph seals from a distance of at least a 150 feet away (half a football field). Do not bring pets to this event.
Later on Saturday, from 5:30 to 6 p.m., Waterspirit will have a Water Ceremony to mark its 26 years of working to protect waters.
Meet at Sandy Hook South Beach Parking Area C, Hartshorne Drive, Highlands 07732.
The ceremony will include poetry readings, a candle-lit labyrinth on the sand and watching the full moon rise.
This is a fair-weather event. All registered participants will be notified via email if the event needs to be cancelled.
Visit the Waterspirit events tab on its website to register for either or both. The events are free but registration is required.