State Attorney General: Cedar Grove Doc Botched Male Enhancement Procedure

Cedar Grove NJ - The State Attorney General's Office reported on allegations that Cedar Grove based doctor, Muhammad Mirza, injected off-label dermal fillers into a man's genitals, necessitating hospitalization. When queried, Mirza declined to cooperate with hospital staff, further complicating the patient's treatment. Mirza is a well known figure in the Cedar Grove community and nearly every home in the area has received a postcard advertising his botox, filler, and surgical enhancement services. 

The State Medical Examiners Board has suspended Mr. Mirza's medical license, after an investigation
revealed that Mirza, "has been traveling to dozens of offices in New Jersey and neighboring states, performing invasive aesthetic procedures with inadequate formal training and little regard for the health and safety of his patients."

None of this is news to Mirza's former patients, over twenty of which have left one star reviews for the practice online.

Google Reviewer "Zachary's Mom" stated, "I visited Mirza because I read a lot of positive reviews on Facebook and thought that is would be a good investment and I was so disappointed that now I feel like maybe these reviews are fake or maybe they pay people to write good reviews. When I first went, the first thing he asked me was how much I wanted to spend and what's my budget for the visit. He didn't ask me what I wanted to do or even do some kind of examination. He just wanted to know how much money I brought with me. So I explained to him what my concern areas were and asked for prices to understand if my goal was realistic within my budget. I did Botox and fillers and the whole experience was a nightmare and not very pleasant. He charged me 1500$. I had bruises and I never got bruises before. The fillers felt bumpy and he told me that it would go away, and I barely feel like the Botox was effective. I don't recommend anyone go here and people should be careful to not trust any positive review they read. Or go to Dr Mirza or trust his products and all the discounts he mentioned on FB are fake"

A Google Local Guide with nearly 100 reviews reported, "Office ran as though you're their to get cocaine. Upon entering into a 1x1 sq footage office. Doctor stands there and says "what do you need?"While you sit on a folded walmart chair.   Worst bedside manner. Nasty attitude, many fakes reviews(look at the number of reviews each person wrote. Each person has 1 to 4). Front desk girls are sweet but not willing to have a neurologist-sex expert do any injections.  Didn't come off trustworthy.  Why would any doctor say "I've done this on over 3k patients, I'm know what I'm talking about. So you want it?"  When asked if I could have same effect with less units than what he recommended.  Pompous."

Numerous additional reviewers made similar statements regarding a lack of cleanliness and professionalism and claiming that they had been victims of bait and switch pricing and counterfeit products.

Photo by Diana Polekhina on Unsplash

Amid Mural Furor, Group Forms to Promote Arts in Cedar Grove

By Christopher Lotito

Cedar Grove, NJ - Recently, a new mural was unveiled on the exterior wall of local coffee shop "Cedar Beans." The owner of the coffee shop was quickly cited for violation of the sign ordinance and the town council has take steps to amend the sign ordinance to explicitly include and regulate murals. This led to an extensive discussion on Facebook among residents about the decision. 

Cedar Grove News reached out to members of the council Joe Zichelli and Melissa Skabich for comment. Both councilmembers declined to comment, in similar messages stating that they could not speak about a matter currently in litigation. Each referred our questions to Township Manager Thomas Tucci, who had not responded as of this writing. The council will likely make a decision regarding amending the sign ordinance at the next council meeting, 7pm Monday October 4th 2021. It also appears increasingly likely that they will receive extensive public comment on the topic.

Rather than speculate on the rights of the shop owner, the pending legal matter, or what might be decided by the council sans comment from the town, we caught up with Natty Bumpercar who is at the center of a movement to bring public arts to Cedar Grove and help the community build programs that mirror some of the success public arts have seen in neighboring communities. That movement is called Cedar Grove Artists Alliance.

Natty's comments follow.

Hi Natty, who are you and what's your background?

My name is Natty Bumpercar — but a couple of people know me by my nom de guerre Nat Harris. I
have a Bachelor of Arts in Painting from the University of Georgia, and a Master of Fine Art with a focus on Painting from Pratt Institute. I work in the visual arts of painting, illustration (Douglas: A Christmas Tale https://www.amazon.com/Douglas-Christmas-Tale-Joseph-Carney/dp/B08NZTPSBR/), animation, cartooning, and sculpture, but also perform both stand-up and improv comedy, act, do voice-over work, write, and have a podcast (The Bumperpodcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-natty-bumpercar-bumperpodcast/id330037859). I like to stay busy. I consider myself a maker of things and a doer of stuff. Also, I love art.

Why was Cedar Grove Artists Alliance formed?

Natty: The Cedar Grove Artists Alliance (CGAA) was formed to be a beacon for every variety of artists at all levels of their artistic journey in and around Cedar Grove, NJ. Our mission is to promote advocacy for the arts and support for artists in the hopes of building a shelter for cultural vibrancy, expressive community outreach, and inclusive creativity through shows, performances, talks, and meetings. 

I am the father of two kids in Cedar Grove, and have lamented the seeming lack of culture and artistic representation in the community. Through the years, I have taught after school art classes, worked with camps, and have engaged in some interactive virtual arts functions — and at every level, I am always amazed at how much joy making things brings to people. The act of creation is immensely powerful, and should be championed. Art should be accessible. Anyone can do it, if they allow themselves. Anyone can do it, if they allow themselves to shed the shackles that the world has been slipping on them and breaking out of the pigeon-holes that life has been sticking them in, day after day. Art is magic, and if people are open to it, the world is full of that magic just waiting to be discovered or created. We are hoping that the Cedar Grove Artists Alliance can help in that regard.

What projects would Cedar Grove Artists Alliance like to see in the near future?

Natty: Currently, the main goal of the Alliance is to work with the community. To listen to what people are saying, what they need, what they are upset about, and what makes them hopeful for the future. Without open channels of communication, people feel unseen, unappreciated, and unrepresented — so, the hope is to take the voices of the community, and create a conduit between the public, the Board of Education, the Town Council, and local businesses to build a foundational pathway for the arts in Cedar Grove for the future.

What can members of the public do to help support the arts in Cedar Grove? 

Natty: Members of the public can join the CGAA Facebook page. We are currently at the stage where the seed has been planted — but, all intentions are to break out of the proverbial shell that is symbolized by the current lack of representation, start working our artistic roots into the ground, and finally sprout and stretch towards the sky with varying branches of focus growing out upwards and outwards with the intention being to provide a safe haven for the arts, and a nice shady spot where culture can be fostered, promoted, and advocated.

Has the group considered a large scale project like an art park or sculpture park?

Natty: We aren’t quite to that level of future project exploration, yet. But, I will say that I’d love to bring the Art Walk back, have a craft fair, bring more live music and other performances to town. Too often in my time here, I have heard people complain about all of the events that are happening in other towns, and ask why nothing ever seems to happen here. Well, I’m a firm believer that things happen through action. So if we want there to be progress in the realm of artistic representation, then we need to stand up and make it happen. Art and culture are an integral part of society. Without those things, there is no heart. No spirit. No music. No love. No Joy.

Does the Alliance have a position on public art and murals in Cedar Grove? Related, what does the group think of the public arts program in nearby Montclair that has led to so many murals in that town?

Natty: Public art is good, and adds to communities. Having unexpected pops of color, composition, structure, and design are good for brains and help to build a communal identity. The Statue of Liberty, the Sistine Chapel, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, the Space Needle in Seattle, and an endless multitude of other examples are all public art that define the spaces, cities, and environments that they are in. 

To the point of Montclair, they have an in depth process by which their murals and public art is created. Here is a link to the artCONNECTS Mural Project website (http://artconnectsmontclair.org/) where everything is laid out. Obviously, Cedar Grove is not Montclair, and we are just starting to have a dialogue about the arts which is how progress happens. 

So, to answer your question, public art is good. And this isn’t just my opinion — it is an opinion that has been with and inside of people since people began. Since the first caveman grabbed a rock, and made markings on a wall, or a tree — public art is inherently intertwined in who we are.

Should art be restricted? Particularly if it is located in a public place?

Natty: This question is less about emotion, and more about precedent and law, and the First Amendment states that: “Congress shall make no law restricting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances,” which encompasses all forms of art, and allows the arts a significant level of protection. Arts bring culture, and there have been studies that show that communities with vibrant culture are more attractive to both residents and businesses. Visible public art is an integral piece that helps to raise knowledge of cultural scenes — which in turn raises the awareness of the community in general.

With all of that being said, there are several examples of expression that are not allowed protection under the First Amendment, including obscenity, fighting words, defamation (including libel and slander), child pornography, perjury, blackmail, incitement to imminent lawless action, true threats, solicitations to commit crimes. 

To quote the ACLU*: “The answer is simple, and timeless: a free society is based on the principle that each and every individual has the right to decide what art or entertainment he or she wants -- or does not want -- to receive or create. Once you allow the government to censor someone else, you cede to it the power to censor you, or something you like.”

I think that the best option is to establish a process by which proposals for public art are submitted, debated, and vetted before a committee. No one wants anarchy. Artists and lovers of art understand that we live in a society. All that is being asked is that there is an acknowledgment that we exist, that we would love to make the world a better/brighter place, and want to build bridges towards making those goals happen.

*https://www.aclu.org/other/freedom-expression-arts-and-entertainment

Top photo:  Photo by Anna Kolosyuk on Unsplash

Helping Special Needs Students Return to School: An Interview with REALISE

Since the start of the pandemic, school age children have experienced an unprecedented level of stress and uncertainty as families try to navigate their education experience while remaining safe and healthy. We reached out to Suzanne Trupia, founder of Cedar Grove based special needs support group REALISE, to find out more about the support students need as they return to in person learning. Suzanne has lived in Cedar Grove since 2003 and was previously an 8th grade Social Studies Teacher in Allendale, NJ.  She is also a comic who has taught Improvisational Acting.

What is REALISE and how did it start?

Suzanne: I founded REALISE (Realizing Excellence for Alternative Learners In Special Education) in 2011, when my daughter entered the Pre-K program at North End School.  At that time the program was only for children with special needs.  The Pre-K students didn’t have a music program at all. They didn’t even have a weekly class with the music teacher because the schedule didn’t allow for it.  Most of the Pre-K students had challenges in the area of speech.  Research has shown that music helps to develop speech in children with speech delays.  I spoke with my daughter’s case manager about this.  They suggested going to the North End FSA (Faculty School Association) and starting a committee to support students with special needs in the school.  I went to the FSA meeting and asked for this committee, and it was approved.  My goal initially was to get music in to the Pre-K.  I researched Music Therapy programs and wrote for a grant to fund this program.  The grant was approved and Music Therapy was then added to the Pre-K program.  After the funding from the grant was depleted, the district took over funding for the program.  

What are some goals REALISE has achieved in the past?

Suzanne: REALISE grew from a North End committee to a town-wide parent/guardian group for families who have students that receive services through Cedar Grove.  REALISE works very closely with the Chris Kinney, the director of the Special Education department in Cedar Grove.  REALISE provides social opportunities for children and families. In the past we have arranged Coffee Talks and Parents Night Out.  We have also organized Family Play Dates, End of Extended School Year Celebrations, Story Times and Social Clubs.  Additionally, REALISE facilitates Autism Awareness Activities in the schools and in the community, with the public library, during April.  REALISE has worked to enhance the curriculum in the public schools to teach understanding and acceptance.  

K-12 students have had a challenging year and a half of school, transitioning to brand new remote learning platforms and now returning to the classroom. All students need our support, but how can we best support students with special needs as they navigate both their personal challenges and the return to classrooms?

Suzanne: I think that most children form their opinions from the example set by their parents/guardians.  When parents and guardians react by being overwhelmed to all of the educational changes, children tend to internalize those emotions and react similarly.  As parents/guardians, I think the best that we can do is to react calmly to changes and display flexibility and patience. As they say on an airplane, “use the oxygen mask on yourself first, and then help others.” 

K-12 students have faced a lot of trauma and disruption during the pandemic. Do you believe there's trauma specific to students with special needs that we should consider as they return to school?

Suzanne: All children, including children with special needs are resilient.  Life is unpredictable.  Maintaining health and happiness during this pandemic has given us the opportunity to discover and learn coping strategies. This is the most important life lesson our children could ever learn.  Many students with special needs have specific challenges being flexible and dealing with change.  This is an enormous and essential learning opportunity for those students.  As parents/guardians and teachers of course we do need to realize that some of our students will need more time to adjust and get acclimated than others.  Maintaining routines at home and allowing our children time to unwind is also essential.  

What kinds of support can special needs families benefit from as they return to school and to receiving services outside the home? Can you recommend any resources?

Suzanne: Many children with special needs will benefit from the return to the structure that the school day provides.  Many of the outside providers are returning to in-person therapies as well.  

What does REALISE hope to achieve in the future? What's a reach goal and how can the community help REALISE to achieve that goal?

Suzanne: In the future I am hopeful that REALISE will continue to support families who receive special services in Cedar Grove.  My daughter will be in High School next year.  I am hopeful that parents/guardians with younger children will become more involved and take ownership of our endeavors.

Photo by NeONBRAND on Unsplash