WITH OVER 13 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, WE'RE HRT EXPERTS.
Did you know that more than 40% of adults in the United States suffer from obesity? Unfortunately, there is no miracle cure for this condition. Perhaps worse is that more and more adults and children are gaining weight across the country, choosing the convenience of fast and nutrition-deficient foods over healthy eating, exercise, and positive life choices. From an aesthetic standpoint, being overweight is a struggle - clothes don't fit right, people make uncomfortable comments about how you look, and everyday activities are less appealing.
From a health and wellness standpoint, however, being obese is much worse. Your life is literally on the line. The people who love you and depend on you to be in their lives could lose you sooner than you expect. With time, you have a higher chance of suffering from significant, life-changing issues such as:
While obesity is a serious problem, a new medication on the market is giving hope to millions of men and women across the U.S. This game-changing treatment is called Semaglutide in Garfield, NJ. This anti-obesity medication is unique because it treats obesity as a chronic metabolic disease, rather than a problem that can be solved through sheer willpower. The best part? Semaglutide and other medical weight-loss peptides are now available at Global Life Rejuvenation.
At Global Life Rejuvenation, we understand that losing weight is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Our medical weight loss clinic offers custom medical weight loss plans tailored to your body, rather than plans based solely on your age or weight. In fact, our team of doctors and practitioners provides personalized guidance to help you achieve real results and live a healthier life.
Because the truth is maintaining good health and fitness are crucial in the modern world. Research has shown that viruses and diseases are more likely to affect those who are overweight and unhealthy. At Global Life Rejuvenation, we take a comprehensive, custom approach to medical weight loss that includes peptide therapy and more. We then work with you to make positive lifestyle changes, so you can lose weight, get healthy, and boost your wellbeing permanently - not for a few weeks or months.
If you're ready to get back to loving your life with more energy, confidence, and positivity, medical weight loss with peptide therapy may be for you. But to truly understand the benefits of peptides like Semaglutide, it's important you grasp what peptide therapy is and how it benefits your body.
Many individuals turn to peptide therapy to enhance their overall wellbeing by boosting hormones. Different types of peptides can target different areas of health, such as collagen peptides that can help improve skin, hair, and gut health.
Other peptides, such as AOD 9604, CJC 1295, and Semaglutide in Garfield, NJ, are incredibly beneficial for losing weight. Compared to vitamin supplements, peptide therapy works differently as peptides are already part of the proteins in our bodies, making them easier to absorb and benefit from. Conversely, our bodies can sometimes fail to absorb all the nutrients present in multivitamins, leading to their excretion through urine.
However, it's important to note that weight loss is a complex process that involves various factors like age, genetics, lifestyle, exercise, and diet. While peptides like Semaglutide can provide much-needed assistance in achieving your weight loss goals, they are most effective when combined with healthy dietary choices, regular exercise routines, and overall healthier lifestyle choices.
If you've already tried different weight loss plans and diets but haven't had any success, medical weight loss with peptide therapy may provide that extra boost you need to realize your goals.
If you're looking to lose weight and keep it off, diet and exercise are important, but it can be difficult to stick to a routine. For busy adults and parents, Semaglutide can be a helpful tool for weight loss. This injection, approved by the FDA for diabetes and obesity, works by stimulating GLP-1 receptors in the brain to aid in weight loss and improve long-term health.
You may be wondering to yourself, "That sounds great, but how does this type of peptide work?" Semaglutide acts like glucagon in your body, which signals to your brain that you're full and don't need to eat anymore. When you take Semaglutide, and you try to overeat, your body waves a proverbial red flag as if to say, "That's enough."
Semaglutide also slows down digestion, reducing unnecessary snacking throughout the day. By reducing glucose spikes after meals, it reduces inflammation, which is important for overall health. Additionally, Semaglutide helps your pancreas secrete insulin, regulates the glucose levels in your body, and even has anti-aging and longevity properties. If you're struggling to lose weight, peptide therapies for weight loss like Semaglutide can be an invaluable addition to your weight loss plan from Global Life Rejuvenation.
When combined with healthy lifestyle choices like diet and exercise, Semaglutide can help provide:
There are multiple medications available to combat obesity by suppressing appetite and promoting weight loss. However, Semaglutide stands out as an exceptional option.
A recent study of 2,000 obese adults examined the effects of Semaglutide when combined with a diet and exercise program. The results were compared to those who only made lifestyle changes without taking Semaglutide. After 68 weeks, it was found that half of the participants using Semaglutide lost 15% of their body weight, with nearly a third losing 20%. In contrast, those who only made lifestyle changes lost an average of 2.4% of their weight.
It's obvious, then, that Semaglutide is a safe and effective supplement for your weight loss journey with Global Life Rejuvenation. But who is the ideal patient who should be taking it?
If you have a body mass index (BMI) of 27kg/m2 or higher and at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol, or if your BMI is 30kg/m2 or higher, the FDA recommends Semaglutide for weight loss.
As medical weight loss experts, one thing our doctors and practitioners know at Global Life Rejuvenation is that true weight loss isn't dictated by medicines. It's achieved by sticking to a combo of exercise, healthy life choices, and healthy eating habits. From there, peptides like Semaglutide in Garfield, NJ are great for taking your weight loss efforts to the next level of success.
One area where many patients fail in this process is with their diet. If you're considering Semaglutide treatment, keep these diet tips in mind.
To enhance your dietary habits, a practical approach is to concentrate on consuming whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats. These food items are rich in nutrients and can provide a feeling of fullness and satisfaction while also promoting your overall wellbeing.
Eating mindfully involves being fully present and engaged during meals. This entails taking the time to enjoy the flavor of your food, being aware of your body's hunger and fullness signals, and avoiding distractions like electronics or television.
To maintain good health and support weight loss, it's crucial to drink plenty of water. It's recommended to drink at least 8-10 cups of water daily. You may also try adding low-calorie drinks like herbal tea or infused water to keep things interesting.
Planning your meals in advance is an effective approach to maintaining a healthy diet. Set aside some time each week to plan your meals and snacks, keeping in mind to incorporate a balance of protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats. This will prevent impulsive food choices and guarantee that you have nutritious options available when hunger strikes.
Unlike many medical weight loss clinics, which only offer cookie-cutter weight loss plans and one or two additional fat-busting solutions, Global Life Rejuvenation provides access to new, innovative supplements and medicines. If you're used to fad diets and "quick" weight loss plans, peptides like AOD 9604 and others may be new to you. To help build your foundation of healthy living knowledge, let's take a look at a few of the most popular weight-loss peptides and medicines available at Global Life Rejuvenation.
Often combined with Semaglutide regimens, AOD 9604 is known to promote fat breakdown, inhibit lipogenesis, and support tendons and cartilage. However, most recently, it has gained popularity due to its ability to boost metabolism and aid in burning fat.
What sets AOD 9604 apart is that it stimulates the pituitary gland without affecting tissue growth or blood sugar levels. Additionally, it can burn fat without causing overeating, making it a viable option for obese men and women who are trying to implement better eating habits.
Interestingly, AOD 9604 activates your body's fat-burning processes without requiring an HGH receptor. It also releases obese fat cells and reduces the accumulation of new fat cells. By helping to regulate blood sugar and manage insulin levels, AOD 9604 is excellent for weight loss but also for other maladies like inflammation.
Some conditions that this powerful peptide can help address include the following:
This medical weight loss supplement Is technically a combo of two peptides. These substances work by stimulating your pituitary gland to produce more of your body's natural human growth hormone, which is secreted during both waking and sleeping periods.
This results in increased protein synthesis and levels of insulin-like growth factors. As hormone secretagogues, they help release hormones into circulation while mimicking the pituitary gland's production. Extensive research has been conducted on the effects of CJC 1295 and Ipamorelin. As a tool for medical weight loss, it has shown very promising results.
That's because when growth hormone levels increase, nutrients are transported through the body faster, more fat is burned, and weight management becomes simpler. Additionally, because CJC 1295 and Ipamorelin increase the amount of growth hormone in your body, it stimulates the breakdown of triglycerides in adipocytes, leading to improved fat metabolism and reduced abdominal fat.
Benefits of CJC 1295 and Ipamorelin for weight loss include:
A Methionine Inositol Choline (MIC) injection is a mixture of lipotropics that aid in fat breakdown. The key components - methionine, inositol, and choline - work together to metabolize fat cells and eliminate stored fat deposits in the liver and body. Methionine is an important amino acid, inositol contributes to proper cell formation, and choline is a water-soluble nutrient that promotes healthy liver function. When combined, these compounds may help reduce body fat.
When used in conjunction with a medical weight loss plan from Global Life Rejuvenation, MIC injections can be a powerful addition to reclaiming your health and wellbeing.
Request AppointmentLike other weight loss peptides and medicines on this page, Phentermine can help you lose weight when you stick to a medical weight loss plan that includes dieting, exercise, and smart life choices. It does so by reducing your appetite, which limits the number of calories you eat every day.
As is the case with Semaglutide, Phentermine has been approved by the FDA and is supported by clinical studies that show it can support weight loss. With time, patience, and healthy living, this supplement may help you reach your wellness goals sooner than you thought possible.
Request Appointment
In the body, 7-keto-DHEA is produced from dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which is a hormone made by glands near your kidneys. However, unlike DHEA, 7-keto-DHEA is not converted into androgen and estrogen in your body. Instead, 7-keto-DHEA is used orally or topically to boost your body's metabolism. It also helps convert more of your energy into heat, instead of storing it in your body as fat, which can accumulate with time and lifestyle choices.
Much like Semaglutide treatment in Garfield, NJ, 7-keto-DHEA has been shown to be very effective for weight loss as well as a host of other issues. Additional benefits of taking 7-keto-DHEA may include the following:
Have you tried everything under the sun to try and eliminate the cellulite on your legs, arms, and other areas of your body? If you're like most people, getting rid of cellulite isn't just difficult - it's nearly impossible. Fortunately, those days are over. Lipo Sculpt Cream from Global Life Rejuvenation can help reduce the unsightly appearance of cellulite while also refining your figure and firming up your skin.
The active ingredients in this product have the ability to reduce and prevent the growth of fatty tissue while also improving microcirculation. They work together to treat both adipose and aqueous cellulite, and aid in the elimination of fatty deposits and excess water stored in the tissues. This results in a reduction of dimples and an overall improvement in the appearance of your skin.
If you have experienced success with a medical weight loss plan and reached your target weight but still suffer from cellulite, Lipo Sculpt Cream is a fantastic choice to consider. A few of the most common benefits include:
Are you craving a productive life at a healthy weight? Are you ready to make a meaningful difference in your life and the lives of your loved ones? The pathway to wellbeing starts by contacting our office for an in-depth consultation, where we'll learn more about your weight-loss goals and needs.
From there, we'll create a custom weight-loss plan tailored to your body. This plan will map out the steps of your weight-loss journey, including peptide therapies like Semaglutide in Garfield, NJ. Though every person's weight management goals are different, when you're a patient at Global Life Rejuvenation, you benefit from dedicated doctors and practitioners committed to improving your weight and, in turn, your health.
Whether your health is on the line, or you don't like how being overweight makes you look and feel, our team is ready to guide you toward long-term health and happiness. This way, you can get healthy, stay in shape, and fall in love with your newfound body.
Call Us 866.793.9933
GARFIELD, New Jersey (WABC) -- Dramatic video shows a driver slam into a light post and nearly hit a pedestrian before crashing into two parked cars in New Jersey.The crash happened Monday near the intersection of Midland Avenue and Passaic Street just before 2 p.m.Police say the 88-year-old driver suffered a medical episode but was conscious when medics took her to the hospital.During the episode, she apparently put her foot down on the pedal and lost control of the car. Her vehicle went onto the sidewalk, under the Pas...
GARFIELD, New Jersey (WABC) -- Dramatic video shows a driver slam into a light post and nearly hit a pedestrian before crashing into two parked cars in New Jersey.
The crash happened Monday near the intersection of Midland Avenue and Passaic Street just before 2 p.m.
Police say the 88-year-old driver suffered a medical episode but was conscious when medics took her to the hospital.
During the episode, she apparently put her foot down on the pedal and lost control of the car. Her vehicle went onto the sidewalk, under the Passaic Street train trestle and struck a light post, traffic light and large flower pot.
The car came close to striking a man walking under the trestle who was heading to work at Walmart.
The vehicle then sped through an intersection before crashing into two vehicles waiting at the traffic light and finally coming to a stop.
Authorities say the woman's seatbelt saved her life and she only suffered minor leg injuries in the crash.
The pedestrian who narrowly escaped serious injuries spoke out on Thursday and said he considers himself very lucky.
"I heard the car and it went like ehhh... I saw it and I thought it was going to cross and it was coming to me," Warlin Almanzar said.
Almanzar got off a few stops early to grab food -- something he doesn't typically do.
"I had my empanadas in my hand, I just threw it and ran away," he said.
Almanzar narrowly escaped with his life, but a tire did go over his foot and he will need to undergo therapy.
It was not yet clear what medical episode the woman was suffering from.
Abel Rodriguez was in his shop at the time of the crash and helped the driver.
"When I got to the vehicle, the door couldn't open but she seemed shocked, she didn't know where she was," Rodriguez said.
No other injuries were reported by people in the other vehicles.
Almanzar was especially grateful for that.
"My uncle says because I have a good heart, god blessed me and saved me," he said.
ALSO READ | Child dies after falling into water behind Brooklyn IKEA
<div _="@=1606,dis=none"><div _="@=1607,dis=none,[@=1608]"><iframe width="476" height="267" src="https://abc7ny.com/video/embed/?pid=13663071" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div><iframe width="476" height="267" src="https://abc7ny.com/video/embed/?pid=13663071" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
The boy was found unresponsive in the water just hours after he went missing. Janice Yu reports.
----------
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
GARFIELD, N.J. -- Dramatic video shows a driver slam into a light post and nearly hit a pedestrian before crashing into two parked cars in New Jersey.The crash happened Monday just before 2 p.m. in Garfield, New Jersey.Police said the 88-year-old driver suffered a medical episode but was conscious when medics took her to the hospital.During the episode, she apparently put her foot down on the pedal and lost control of the car. Her vehicle went onto the sidewalk, under a train trestle and struck a light post, traffic ligh...
GARFIELD, N.J. -- Dramatic video shows a driver slam into a light post and nearly hit a pedestrian before crashing into two parked cars in New Jersey.
The crash happened Monday just before 2 p.m. in Garfield, New Jersey.
Police said the 88-year-old driver suffered a medical episode but was conscious when medics took her to the hospital.
During the episode, she apparently put her foot down on the pedal and lost control of the car. Her vehicle went onto the sidewalk, under a train trestle and struck a light post, traffic light and large flower pot.
The car came close to striking a man walking under the trestle who was heading to work at Walmart.
The vehicle then sped through an intersection before crashing into two vehicles waiting at the traffic light and finally coming to a stop.
Authorities said the woman's seatbelt saved her life, and she only suffered minor leg injuries in the crash.
SEE ALSO: Video captures moment out-of-control car flies through air, slams into house
The pedestrian who narrowly escaped serious injuries spoke out on Thursday and said he considers himself very lucky.
"I heard the car and it went like ehhh... I saw it and I thought it was going to cross and it was coming to me," Warlin Almanzar said.
Almanzar got off a few stops early to grab food -- something he doesn't typically do.
"I had my empanadas in my hand, I just threw it and ran away," he said.
Almanzar narrowly escaped with his life, but a tire did go over his foot, and he will need to undergo therapy.
It was not yet clear what medical episode the woman was suffering from.
Abel Rodriguez was in his shop at the time of the crash and helped the driver.
"When I got to the vehicle, the door couldn't open but she seemed shocked; she didn't know where she was," Rodriguez said.
No other injuries were reported by people in the other vehicles.
Almanzar was especially grateful for that.
"My uncle says, because I have a good heart, God blessed me and saved me," he said.
When you walk into Déjà Vu, in Garfield, NJ, you immediately notice the large bar and lounge area. So when a server comes around, you’ve surely already perused the selection of wine, cocktails, and beer (no draft pints). And right away, popular appetizers stand out. These include the signature Déjà Vu shrimp: lightly breaded, fried, and crispy, and served with a spicy garlic-mayo sauce.Combining American, Macedonian...
When you walk into Déjà Vu, in Garfield, NJ, you immediately notice the large bar and lounge area. So when a server comes around, you’ve surely already perused the selection of wine, cocktails, and beer (no draft pints). And right away, popular appetizers stand out. These include the signature Déjà Vu shrimp: lightly breaded, fried, and crispy, and served with a spicy garlic-mayo sauce.
Combining American, Macedonian, and Serbian cooking styles, the menu features Déjà Vu’s own take on Mediterranean cuisine. At this restaurant, you’ll find fresh, ground meat on skewers cooking over a hot grill, lounge seats around a big bar with cold cocktails and live entertainment.
Sipping drinks, popping shrimp, and taking in the restaurant’s ambiance provides ample time to coordinate entrée orders. You may find a well-designed flyer with top choices along with the full main menu. Along with skillful recommendations from knowledgeable waitstaff, these flyers will walk you through options you may not have tried in the past.
“For those experiencing our establishment for the first time, we highly recommend the Déjà Vu sofra,” notes co-owner Monika Aleksoska. “This delightful option provides a sampling of dishes, allowing newcomers to experience a bit of everything we have to offer.”
For the past two years, Aleksoska and her business partner, Ivana Vanev, have run the Déjà Vu show. As the owners, they have maintained and expanded the 25-year-old restaurant’s menu, staff, customer base, marketing efforts, and already stellar reputation.
Aleksoka and Vanev were born in Macedonia and Serbia, respectively. They met after they each moved to the States in the late 90s, and have been friends ever since.
In more recent years, they’ve built their lives in New Jersey. Professionally, they’ve been successful in their careers in corporate banking and human resources. Running Déjà Vu has been a passion project for them, and they’ve clearly pulled no punches in hiring a great team, and in sourcing products to build their menu.
“The menu primarily focuses on meats and salads, with less emphasis on pasta,” says Aleksoka. “I would describe it as Mediterranean cuisine.”
“The Déjà Vu sofra stands out as one of our most sought-after dishes,” says Aleksoka. “This generously sized platter is designed to satisfy two or three individuals and features a variety of delectable components. Included are kebapi, a savory sausage made from a blend of ground beef and pork, as well as makedonka, a succulent ground beef and pork patty stuffed with provolone cheese.” And that’s not all for this platter, which also showcases grilled pork or chicken rolls filled with provolone cheese and enveloped in bacon. This is just the beginning.
There’s also the bread bowl, which Vanev, Déjà Vu co-owner and graphic designer, describes as a unique creation, filled with flavorful ground beef and provolone cheese. “We take pride in crafting it fresh with the finest quality meat,” she says.
The variety of meat options reflect the Mediterranean-style cooking that characterizes this spot and the roots of the people who built the restaurant. Vanev notes that her own favorite item is the Déjà Vu burger.
Guests can rest assured that the drinks are strong, the desserts are rich, and the entrees are satiating—and high in quality protein.
“We take pride in making everything in-house, starting from sourcing certain meat directly from farms, grinding it, seasoning it, and shaping it ourselves. We never purchase [already] ground meat, which is something our customers find intriguing. It’s a labor-intensive and time-consuming process. While we face supply challenges from local farms at times, this meticulous process ensures that we consistently serve our customers the highest quality meat when preparing their meals.”
“When introducing new items like the quinoa bowl, we conduct a trial period during which we gather feedback and carefully document the presentation. Based on customer response, these items may potentially become permanent additions to our menu.”
The kitchen runs with two main chefs at the helm plus a hardworking crew, all to create Déjà Vu’s signature Mediterranean meals: Chef Vinny Miovski and Chef Aleksandar Mitkoski.
“Chef Vinny Miovski, by design, joined Déjà Vu six months before we acquired the restaurant,” says Aleksoka. “Chef Vinny’s extensive experience in launching new establishments from the ground up has proven to be instrumental in our success.”
Chef Aleksandar recently joined the team. Originally from Macedonia, Chef Aleksandar brings over 30 years of kitchen experience to the restaurant.
Déjà Vu has been known for live music on Saturday nights since even before Aleksoka and Vanev took ownership. This weekly party is an ode to the Balkan American community in Northern New Jersey.
“We’ve offered consistently, the Balkan Band on Saturday nights. We’ve now come up with a diverse base of bands like jazz on Sundays, or a modern-pop duo on Fridays,” says Aleksoka.
“Tonight, we have a six-member band performing inside, and we strive to maintain consistency in our offerings. We believe in sticking to what works well for us but plan to provide different entertainment options. We have invited talented individuals like DJ Chelli, who has a substantial following, and we also intend to introduce karaoke on Wednesday evenings. Our goal is to become a comprehensive destination for live entertainment.”
While Aleksoka and Vanev have made some notable changes, at Déjà Vu, guests who’ve visited before won’t notice much of a difference. Instead, the goal has been to broaden Déjà Vu’s audience.
“We’re fortunate to have been attracting a new crowd for both lunch and dinner. On certain days, it genuinely feels like we’re running a completely new restaurant. However, we value our longtime customers just as much as our new ones. When we spot unfamiliar faces, it gives us a sense of accomplishment, motivating us to strive even harder to ensure our customers’ satisfaction. We have great confidence in our offerings, and we are committed to expanding and further improving our services.”
Since finishing a major renovation in 2021, the restaurant is just as appealing to the eye as it is to the tastebuds. Guests either come here to recall homestyle cooking from their own childhoods, or to try food that they may have never had before. And now there’s also updated outdoor seating in the patio area. The result? A crowd from lunch all the way to dinner.
Déjà Vu is currently open daily from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. (Hours are subject to change.) Head to the website to see what’s on the menu and head to Instagram for updates about entertainment and weekly events.
Déjà Vu 50 River Drive Garfield, NJ 973-777-5288
Storm Team 4 Meteorologist Violeta Yas, made a visit to Washington Irving School #4 in her hometown of Garfield, NJ. Students learned all about weather science and climate change.Slide 1 of 19Violeta Yas Brings Weather Kids to Hometown of Garfield...
Storm Team 4 Meteorologist Violeta Yas, made a visit to Washington Irving School #4 in her hometown of Garfield, NJ. Students learned all about weather science and climate change.
Slide 1 of 19
Violeta Yas Brings Weather Kids to Hometown of Garfield
Weather Kids Stops in Staten Island
Weather Kids Visits Preschoolers in Closter
Weather Kids Visits PS 45 in Brooklyn
Storm Team 4 Visits Hillside School
Weather Kids Visits Garfield's Roosevelt School #7
Weather Kids Goes to Queens P.S. 21
Weather Kids Meets Over 400 Commack Students to End the School Year
Bronx Second Graders Learn About Weather
Weather Kids Goes to Basking Ridge
Weather Kids Visits Bronx Students
Weather Kids Visits Sunset Park
Ardsley 3rd Graders Particapte in Virtual Weather Lesson
Stamford Kindergartners Learn About Weather
Weather Kids Visits Ocean County
Search Videos:
A suggestion from an anxious young patient trying to make it through a CT scan caught the attention of the nurse taking care of her and ended up, months later, as a text message on Garfield High School biology teacher Victoria Derevyanik’s phone."Can you help get this done," texted Derevyanik’s longtime friend Joanne Taormina, a radiology technician at Hackensack University Medical Center. The hospital wanted ceiling tiles to distract and soothe young patients undergoing ultrasounds and scans; they...
A suggestion from an anxious young patient trying to make it through a CT scan caught the attention of the nurse taking care of her and ended up, months later, as a text message on Garfield High School biology teacher Victoria Derevyanik’s phone.
"Can you help get this done," texted Derevyanik’s longtime friend Joanne Taormina, a radiology technician at Hackensack University Medical Center. The hospital wanted ceiling tiles to distract and soothe young patients undergoing ultrasounds and scans; they were hoping a high school would take on the project.
The result, painted in exultant colors by a group of Garfield High School students, was 24 ceiling tiles now newly installed in rooms where patients undergo scans and procedures using radiology. Depictions of characters like Tom and Jerry, Elsa and Anna from the Disney movie "Frozen," and "The Incredibles" family charging fist-forward are among the painstakingly re-created images of beloved animated characters and encouraging quotes on tiles that patients' eyes would otherwise ignore. To the 13 Garfield high schoolers and their teachers visiting the radiology wing for the first time on a Thursday earlier this month, it was a moment of disbelief mixed with squeals of delight.
“Seeing it on the ceiling is kind of crazy, I guess. I’m like, wow. Speechless.” said one of the students, Bridgette Taipe.
Across the hall from her, the tiles made an impression on 66-year-old patient Bill Spahr, from Newburgh, New York, who said he loved the characters even though he is not the intended audience.
“I love it. It was just so different. God bless you,” he told the students.
The tiles are part of the Daisy Project, named after the young woman who mused about how nice it would be to have uplifting pictures on the ceiling for patients to look at during a procedure.
“She was on her back and looking up. We had old pictures on the ceiling that we wanted to redo, and it was helping her relieve her anxiety and stress. And she said we should have more of these. She was really the inspiration,” said Eileen Parapar, who coordinated the project with other radiology nurses as part of a community outreach group she runs. The nurses told the young woman they would name the project after her.
Funded by COVID-relief money, the project was part of Garfield’s Summer Arts Program, said teacher and program coordinator Rob Barbier. This is the second year that the school has provided the program, which includes yoga, art and other opportunities for creative enrichment as well as an academic credit-recovery program. Relief funds are set aside for two more years of summer programming, through 2024. School districts nationwide received three rounds of COVID funding between the Trump and Biden administrations, called ESSER, or Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief. The ceiling tiles program was funded by the second grant.
“The program is directly funded through an ESSER grant as a way of providing students an opportunity to be together — to bond. We thought it was very important for social growth, because they had missed some of that, and also it was a way for us to use the COVID money to teach students about being part of a larger community,” Barbier said. In addition to encouraging personal projects, the school picked community-focused art programs for the summer. Students painted murals in the school cafeteria in the summer of 2021. The highlight of the 2022 summer program was the Hackensack hospital's ceiling tiles.
“Each year we were able to pick out programs that will contribute something to the community in addition to their own artwork,” Barbier said.
Some students came to the program with a love for the arts. Others came looking for a way to escape the summer doldrums. Most of the artists picked a tile to complete, but everyone pitched in. Senior and football player Zuriel Vargas said he came to the program because art teacher Mike Garcia told him about it.
It was the kind of project that came together a little serendipitously but eventually reminded everyone involved that they mattered. Derevyanik, the biology teacher, brought the idea to the school from her friend and the radiology team at Hackensack. The Garfield school administrators lapped it up, and Barbier made it the star project for the summer arts program he runs. That was a relief for Garcia, who also loved the project but was worried about protecting and drying the brittle 2-by-2-foot tiles between classes during the busy school year.
Filling the perforations on the tiles with paint while staying true to the original image was the hardest part. As for the perfect copies and sharply detailed text, the trick was to trace out a stencil of the original from a projector. Students sketched the pictures standing to the side after placing them on projectors so as not to cast shadows.
It took two days to complete the stencils.
“We had to do it lightly, too, in pencil. There was only one projector for six people, so you had to kind of wait your turn,” said senior Dafne Guachamin, who worked on Winnie the Pooh and Piglet.
Vargas said he worked on touch-ups and textures — he helped paint in the textures of a vest and a bubblegum-pink background on a painting of Shrek.
“We all found ourselves moving along to other tiles. If one person had a specific ability on realistic stuff, they would help, and if one person was good at mixing colors, they would go and help,” said Victoria Begoski, a junior.
Did they make mistakes?
“Oh, my God, yes! That was so frustrating,” said Guachamin. Erasing wasn’t possible, and despite the opacity of acrylics, the medium the students used, painting over wasn’t easy because a lot of time would be wasted drying. But it was worth it, because working to give something back to the community meant a great deal to all the students who participated.
“I really liked that we were doing something for the community. Not just in our town but for other people," said sophomore Emma-Lee Montalbano, who worked on Garfield and "Frozen." She described "the self-satisfaction of knowing that you're helping someone, even if it's just to brighten their day a little bit by using something that you already are good at.”
Would they do the program again?
“Definitely,” said Begoski, who painted murals in the school the previous summer. “I like the idea of giving back.”
And there was the joy of creating.
“It was fun, painting and just doing something that's creative. It’s not only giving us time to do something fun and stuff that we want to do, but it's also helping other people,” said sophomore Brianna Emanuel.
Eleventh graders Ashley Jimenez and Kaila Bradford joined because they love painting and art. Bradford so enjoyed painting murals the summer before that she knew she would be part of this program.
Both students said art is personally important to them. “Whenever I am feeling sad, or, like, anxious, I start drawing. It really helps me be calm,” Bradford said, adding that she draws characters from games and movies. “I think art just sends its own message outwards.”
“Personally, I paint animals, because I want to be a wildlife conservationist," Jimenez said. "I find that I always draw in nature, and my artwork sends that message.” It made sense, she said, that the students chose happy characters and bright colors, “to help calm the children.”
Hanging out with friends was a draw for everyone on the project.
Eleventh grader Majitha Gomez was so reduced to giggles with her friends Nia Stuart and Haley Mceachern that she could not provide a reason for picking the quote she painted: “Follow your dreams, they know the way.” The trio said they joined the program to do something interesting in the summer. “It was a fun thing to do to pass the time,” Gomez finally said, with as straight a face as she could muster.
“We were painting each other as well. Towards the end, when there was lots of paint, we would just paint on each other's hands,” Guachamin said.
“I just love art and being able to create,” Vargas said. He spoke about art teacher Garcia with a lot of regard. “I always talk to him after school,” he said. That’s when he learned about the program.
Helping kids feel happier by seeing art and beloved characters while going through the hardship of being a patient in a hospital meant something to Vargas, who said he had a seizure in middle school. Going to the hospital at the time was “definitely scary,” and he said the project made him feel he was walking in the current young patients' shoes.
The summer program was offered in the afternoon, so that students who were taking remedial courses in the morning could work on projects later in the day. The student painters were taking academic classes and other summer offerings, but they gave the hospital tile project their time; it drew them in and gave them a purpose, Garcia said. “The core group that I was getting was leaning towards the arts. They saw the big picture; there was a goal in mind. It wasn't just about finishing something,” he said.
The school received the tiles from the hospital in June and had to complete them in July. “I told them that guys, we have a deadline, we have to get this done, and they actually beat the deadline,” Garcia said.
“Even when the ceiling tiles were done, we still got to hang out with people that we enjoyed being around,” Montalbano said. “After we were done with the tiles, Nadia and I went up to the second floor and we were on the walls finishing the murals.”
Garfield Summer Arts Program “Daisy Project” students:
