The Clifton, N.J.-based company recently finished the final buildings at The Point at Sutton Hill, a collection of 112 apartment homes which is almost 100% leased in the Orange County, N.Y. town of Middletown, according to Jack Linefsky, Vice President of Property Management for the Value Companies.  The last phase of apartment homes is expected to be occupied by the end of the year.

“The Point at Sutton Hill was completed ahead of schedule and well within budget, a trademark of a Value Companies’ development we’re proud of,” says Mr. Linefsky.  “The ability to finish construction and leasing in quick fashion allows us to forge ahead with the debut of our next exciting Orange County rental community, Northwoods in Middletown, N.Y. which is expected to begin leasing early this year.”

With the completion of The Point, the nearly 30-year vision for the Sutton Hill rental community has been realized.  The community is the final step in completing the initial plan Value Companies had for a large-scale rental community near the Catskill Mountain resort area in the late 1970s.

The story of Sutton Hill II is one of persistence and resiliency.  While Orange County – once considered a popular vacation destination for Manhattanites – was struggling to attract residents and businesses by the 1970s, the area was seemingly poised for revitalization with the promise of a large commercial airport at Stewart Air Force Base and the anticipation of legalized gambling.

Enter the Value Companies.  Hoping to capitalize on the reemergence of the Catskill Mountains, Earla Associates, an affiliate of Value Companies, purchased the existing Sutton Hill community of 276-apartment homes in a foreclosure sale, but was unable to secure an adjacent 11.5-acre site that was planned as Phase II of the original development.  Earla made several attempts to purchase the land, eventually backing off once it was evident the dream of an airport and possible casino was in doubt.

“As the 1970s rolled into the 1980s, it became clear the Orange County boom wasn’t going to happen,” says Mr. Linefsky.  “That didn’t mean the company wasn’t fully committed to the region.”

“We completed improvements and the repositioning of Sutton Hill and managed it attentively – all while keeping an eye on the possibility of acquiring and developing the final phase of Sutton Hill.  It was never a question of whether, but rather that of when.”

In December of 2005, the Value Companies finally purchased the site and began plans to construct a new modern, state-of-the-art rental complex, as well as undertake significant renovations and improvements to the existing Sutton Hill I buildings.

“It may have taken time, but the vision for Sutton Hill is complete,” says Mr. Linefsky.  “Our dedication and confidence in the project is evident by our willingness to move forward and introduce the homes despite current economic and housing market conditions.”

“In addition to providing brand new apartments to meet the growing demand for quality rental homes in Orange County, we also invested into upgrades including the addition of an on-site fitness facility, updated exterior facades, upgraded tennis courts and improvements and additions to the common areas.”

“Aside from the fitness center, pool and tennis, racquetball and basketball courts, we also completed the installation of a brand new playground.”

Sutton Hill is in close proximity to major transportation outlets such as Routes 17 and 84, providing a quick commute to White Plains and Westchester County, as well as public trains and buses that bring Manhattan a 90-minute commute away.  Shopping is also easily accessible at the nearby Galleria Mall at Crystal Run and Woodbury Commons.

For additional information on The Point at Sutton Hill, please call (845) 343-2272 or email suttonhill@valuecompanies.com.

About Value Companies

Value Companies, founded in 1952, is a leading real estate development, investment and management company headquartered in Clifton, N.J.  The company currently owns and manages a portfolio of 3,600 residential units located throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and Texas.

Across its development division, Value Companies has embarked on $50 million in new apartment developments and investments in strategic suburban and urban locations throughout the country.  Value’s development success is directly tied to its steadfast commitment and expertise in multifamily housing, and its ability to introduce new housing products that address consumer and community needs.

Value’s residential properties are built and managed by a highly-skilled, in-house management team of more than 80 industry professionals which oversee all aspects of Value’s communities, including construction, leasing, maintenance, property management and administration.  Value’s third-party management business, Value Asset Management (VAM), provides full-service management capabilities and customized asset solutions to a growing list of third-party real estate investment and property owner clients.  Value Companies was also recently named Management Company of the Year for 2011 by the New Jersey Apartment Association.

For more information, please contact Andrew Abramson, President and CEO of Value Companies, at its corporate headquarters at 973-473-2800 or visit www.valuecompanies.com.

VIA JENNIFER V. HUGHES/SPECIAL TO THE RECORD

Jeff Rossi is only 25, but when he was leaving his parents’ home recently, he contemplated buying.

“My mother is a Realtor and she fought me on renting,” he said. “She told me to get an investment. I’m very hands-on, but I don’t have time and patience to do it now.”

Rossi is a renter at Harrison Station, a 275-unit building in Harrison.

He loves the pool, amenities room, business center and retail offerings. Although those choices are available in the condo market, Rossi said he likes the flexibility of rentals.

“The other great thing is that with a lot of new buildings, there are incentives to move in, you get two free months here, two free months there,” he said. “I’m a single guy, I can move around a lot. You can get a great deal.”

Rossi is one of legions of renters in North Jersey who are in no hurry to buy. Some are waiting for economic stability or for the market to settle. Many also just enjoy the renter’s lifestyle.

The rise of the renter can be seen in how home-ownership rates have dropped in recent years. In 2005 and 2006 in New Jersey, between 69 and 70 percent of people owned their own home, according to census data. In the third quarter of 2011, that number dipped to 65 percent.

Marnie Raimondo is well aware that this is an excellent time to buy a home.

She knows interest rates and prices are at record lows, and her sister — her younger sister, she points out with a laugh — has been looking at homes for months.

“She’s always telling me, ‘You should really be out there looking,’ ” said Raimondo, who has a one-bedroom apartment at 140 Mayhill, a luxury rental building in Saddle Brook.

“I do make a good living and, technically speaking, I could afford it, but I don’t feel like I have enough to put down on a house and still have money in my back pocket in the event that something happens.”

“I like renting,” Raimondo said. “It’s easy, it’s convenient. I don’t have any maintenance to worry about. They take care of everything for me. There’s a parking garage, and when it snows my car is covered. There’s no shoveling.”

Raimondo said her rent is similar to a mortgage, but she knows there are hidden costs associated with homeownership.

“If anything goes wrong, you have to foot the bill, you can’t just call the super,” she said.

Another sign of renting’s popularity is how vacancy rates are low — about 3.7 percent in Bergen County for the third quarter of 2011, according to the real estate investment-services firm Marcus & Millichap.

Those numbers are a far cry from the U.S. average, which was 9.8 percent in third quarter of 2011, but lower than the first quarter of 2010 when Bergen County’s vacancy rate hit 5.7 percent.

The recent low vacancy rates are similar to what they were in 2005 when the economy was stronger, said Michael Fasano, Marcus & Millichap vice president and regional manager.

‘A better lifestyle’

“The vacancy rates were low in 2005 because the stronger economy was driving companies to hire people out of college who needed to rent apartments,” Fasano said. “Today what’s driving it is that people now see apartment renting as part of a better lifestyle.”

Low vacancy rates mean that rents also are on the rise. In Bergen County, effective monthly rent in 2005 was $1,348. In 2011 it nudged up to $1,484, according to Fasano.

Another way to gauge the popularity of renting is to look at the buildings. The developer BNE Real Estate Group recently switched two projects from condo to rental to respond to marketplace demands.

The first originally was conceived as an active-adult condo development, then switched to a free-market for-sale product. Last month, they broke ground on a 194-unit rental project in Fort Lee called Twenty50 that should be done by September 2013. The second project, in Jersey City, also was originally slated to be condos; it’s now planned as a 139-unit rental development.

“In general what we’re really seeing is a lot of people are renting by choice now,” said Jonathan Schwartz, senior vice president for BNE. “It’s about greater mobility and flexibility and not having to worry about maintaining a home, and still living within 10 minutes of Manhattan.”

Sally Robertson and her husband, Oscar Burgos, would seem to be prime candidates for home ownership, thanks to their three children. But Robertson said they have no plans to move from their Hoboken duplex at The Shipyard, where they have lived for nine years.

“For us, it’s about lifestyle,” said Robertson, whose family loves the building’s pool, the proximity to New York City and the conveniences of rental living.

“We don’t spend any of our free time doing maintenance or mowing lawns or fixing things,” said Robertson, who is originally from London; her husband is from Colombia. “Any free time we have we spend enjoying where we live, not maintaining it.”

In the early years at the Shipyard, Robertson watched many of their friends buy homes in the suburbs. Recently, they’ve seen more staying, and some people who left have returned.

“I think in all honesty, if we did buy a place it would be in Europe or somewhere else, a place that we would live part of the year,” she said.

Robertson said her family can’t believe how much they spend on rent, knowing that none of it is building equity.

“If you stop at the end of the year and think about how much money you’ve paid in rent, that can be a little shocking,” she said. But she always comes back to the luxury features of the Shipyard — the waterfront park, the health club, the on-site retail shopping.

“Honestly, we could not afford to live in such a beautiful place if we bought,” she said.

Luxury rentals are a major driving force, said Jacqueline Urgo, president of the Marketing Directors, which does in-house sales and marketing for both condo and rental projects. In the three decades Urgo has been with the company, she has seen major changes.

“Let’s say that in 1995, if you had a lounge in a rental building, it was considered an unbelievable luxury,” she said. “Now you have buildings with a doorman, a spa, an upscale lounge, a state-of-the-art fitness center. You have an amenities package similar to a luxury condo.”

In those early days, rental buildings never trumpeted in-unit features such as finishes and appliances. Urgo said one of their newest projects, a 108-unit rental building in Elmwood Park built by Riverfront Residential, will have granite countertops and artistically designed tiling.

“The materials will be incredible,” she said.

Urgo said she’s seeing luxury rentals go quickly. At Harrison Station, about 50 percent of the homes have been rented after only three months on the market. Urgo compares that to a project she recalled in the 1990s that took 16 months to rent out.

Real estate agents say their rental clients are rising. Scott Selleck, broker sales associate for Re/Max Villa Realtors in Edgewater, said his rental clientele has increased by 50 percent in the past six months.

“There is a mindset that people would rather rent and keep their payments reasonable, and not get caught with the market dipping again,” Selleck said.

The story of the steady rise of the Value Companies to its present position as a leading real estate development, management and investment firms is a reflection of its name. During a history that spans six decades, this Northern New Jersey-based firm has consistently added value to every aspect of its burgeoning operation.

Andrew Abramson, President and CEO

“Business scale and integration have been key to our strong record of success,” notes Andrew Abramson, President and CEO of the family-run company founded by his father, Harold, in 1952. “Our multi-disciplinary team approach enables us to envision a broad range of real estate possibilities. Then, we have the in-house skills and experience to realize these possibilities. It is a philosophy that has stood us in good stead over the years.”

Harold Abramson began by focusing predominantly on building single-family homes in key suburban locations in the Garden State. In the 1960′s, he turned his attention to the multi-family sector and the development and acquisition of rental communities. His vision, insight and forward thinking resulted in an unprecedented expansion of business throughout New Jersey and well outside the state.

Today, the Value Companies boasts a portfolio of over 3,600 apartment homes in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas- all of which the company built and still manages. The firm historically has been involved in a wide range of developmental activities – from traditional single family and luxury condominium communities to multi-family in-fill rental property development.

“We combine thoughtful design, efficient engineering, community-based planning, quality construction and sophisticated sales, leasing and marketing to achieve our self-imposed high standards of performance,” Andrew Abramson points out. “Our goal is to provide high-quality multifamily developments while minimizing risk and maximizing return on investment.”

Value has also kept a keen eye on development opportunities in its home state. Recent success stories include 140 Mayhill, an upscale rental community in New Jersey’s Bergen County Saddle Brook Township, which was completely leased up just nine months after opening in 2009.

In addition to its development initiatives, the company has found great success on the management front through its Value Asset Management (VAM) division, which provides fee-based management capabilities and customized asset solutions to third party real estate investments and property owners. VAM adds value by deploying an efficient operating platform, coupled with highly skilled personnel to maximize long-term investment potential of every client’s projects.

“For example, we have in-house roving renovation teams that do complete interior and exterior renovations-drawing on our experience as not just an owner and manager, but also from our deep history as builders and developers,” says Mr. Abramson. “We maintain a service philosophy as if the property was one of our owned assets. Our mission is to create long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with our clients.”

One example is Dorchester Manor, a rental community in the Bergen County, New Jersey Town of New Milford, which is now one of the region’s best-performing assets and apartment communities and one of the best managed properties thanks to the efforts of Value Asset Management (VAM).

Less than one year after VAM was retained by the property’s owners to direct the management, leasing, operations and marketing efforts, the apartment community is nearing full occupancy of its 200 apartment homes.

Although the property was already well known in the Bergen County area, VAM provided Dorchester Manor with the opportunity and support to take the community’s performance to the next level. The company recently completed an aggressive $1.5 million capital improvement program to modernize and significantly update the community, including insulated energy efficient windows and apartment entry doors, new shutters, removal and installation of new landscaping, new roofs on select buildings and apartment renovations. Additionally, VAM is looking forward to pursuing more improvements in the near future.

While proud of its development success, Mr. Abramson is quick to point out that the genesis of the Value Companies would not be complete without a strong dedication and concern for the communities it serves and causes it believes in.

He and his family are responsible for the creation of the Cure Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF), which was founded in 2007 to raise money for breast cancer research at the Manhattan-based Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and other national and international cancer research facilities under the direction of Larry Norton, MD. CBCF has raised in excess of $3 million through its annual October Lease For A Cure program and other events including a fashion show, golf outings, walk-a-thons and more.

With a steadfast commitment and expertise in multifamily housing and its ability to introduce new housing products that address consumer and community needs, Value Companies is poised for extensive development success, growth and expansion in the years ahead.

“Today’s residential market has certainly presented growth opportunities and we’ve implemented a company-wide approach to identify and pursue appropriate development initiatives,” Mr. Abramson points out. “This strategy has the Value Companies well-positioned to emerge from current market conditions stronger than ever.”

A perfect gateway into its milestone 60 year anniversary, in 2011 Value Companies, Inc. was crowned with the prestigious “Management Company of the Year Award”during the New Jersey Apartment Association’s (NJAA) 18th Annual Garden State Awards.

PHOTO CREDIT: Larry Falkow, The APTS Magazine

CLIFTON, N.J. – Value Companies, Inc., a leading developer, owner and manager of apartment communities entering its milestone 60th year anniversary, was crowned with the prestigious “Management Company of the Year Award” during the 2011 New Jersey Apartment Association’s (NJAA) 18th Annual Garden State Awards held at the Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick.

Given by a panel of real estate industry experts from New Jersey and beyond, the celebrated achievement distinguishes the Clifton, N.J.-based company as one of the state’s most exceptional residential apartment management companies.

In total, Value Companies, Inc. and its employees took home seven awards during the gala evening. In addition to Management Company of the Year, Betsy Trible was recognized as Leasing Agent of the Year (Multiple Properties); Pete Mroz received Maintenance Supervisor of the Year (Multiple Properties), Ricky Young of Gateways at Randolph for Maintenance Supervisor of the Year (Over 200 Units), Jarek Halajko of Crestview Apartments for Maintenance Supervisor of the Year (Central New Jersey), Gateways at Randolph for Best Curb Appeal and Foxhall Apartments for Best Managed Property (200 Unites and Under).

“The Management Company of the Year award is a significant achievement for Value Companies, Inc., especially when you consider we were going head to head with some of the most prestigious apartment managers in New Jersey,” says Jack Linefsky, Vice President of Property Management for Value Companies, which owns and manages a portfolio of over 3,600 residential units in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

“The awards are a tribute to an exceptional staff of property managers, leasing agents, maintenance personnel and more who form the Value Companies team and are responsible for these exemplary efforts to serve our residents. To have prominent industry peers acknowledge Value Companies and our properties is certainly an honor and we look forward to continuing a high level of customer service and professionalism at every rental community throughout our portfolio.”

Value Companies, founded in 1952, is a leading real estate development, investment and management company. Across its development division, Value Companies has embarked on $50 million in new apartment in strategic suburban locations in New Jersey and New York.

Value’s development success is directly tied to its steadfast commitment and expertise in multifamily housing, and its ability to introduce new housing products that address consumer and community needs. Value’s residential properties are built and managed by a highly-skilled, in-house management team of more than 80 industry professionals which oversee all aspects of Value’s communities, including construction, leasing, maintenance, property management and administration. Value’s third-party management business, Value Asset Management (VAM), provides full-service management capabilities and customized asset solutions to a growing list of third-party real estate investment and property.

For more information on Value Companies and its rental communities, please contact the company headquarters at 973-473-2800 or visit www.valuecompanies.com.

Proceeds from the event – won 2-0 by the Pink team – benefited the Cure Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF), a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization which supports breast cancer research under the direction of Dr. Larry Norton, the Deputy Physician-in-Chief for Breast Cancer Programs and the Medical Director of the Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

The team raised and donated $1,359 for the foundation through gate proceeds, an Ipad II raffle and concession stand sales during the contest which was played under blue skies on DePaul’s Wayne, N.J. campus on October 8th.

“We are so grateful these young women are community-minded and took the time and effort to arrange this terrific event and support our Foundation,” says CBCF Executive Director Leslye Schulman. “They are the prime examples of socially-responsible youths who make entire communities proud. The strong sense of volunteerism and generosity displayed of the DePaul Girls Soccer Team is exactly what we need to find a cure for breast cancer and we can’t thank them enough for their support.”

Since its inception in December 2007, CBCF has raised in excess of $2 million through events such as the fashion show, golf outings and more. Fully 100% of its net fundraising proceeds received by the foundation are donated to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan and other national and international cancer research facilities to support the ground-breaking research being conducted under the direction of noted oncologist Dr. Larry Norton.

Dr. Norton’s research focuses on the theory of breast cancer “self seeding”: the ability of breast cancer cells to move and start new cancers growing, not only in distant organs like the bones and liver (called metastases), but in the breast itself. This behavior is referred to as “self seeding” as it recalls the way weeds take over a garden: not by the growth of each individual weed plant, but by the seeding of new weed plants that grow in a confluent fashion. By this concept, breast cancer is not one mass, but rather a collection of contiguous smaller masses.

This method of growth is indeed true in certain experimental models and research is ongoing to prove that it happens in people as well. It explains many aspects of cancer: rapid growth, disorganization, formation of new blood vessels, need to irradiate a breast after a lumpectomy for cancer and the association of all of the above with distant metastases. If correct, it will provide new targets for the development of drugs to treat and prevent cancer. Since “seeding” is an abnormal process—as opposed to the normal process of mitosis—such drugs may not only be more effective, but less toxic as well. Hence, the concept of self-seeding is not only interesting from the point of view of biology, but also possibly very important in the design of better approaches to cancer management and prevention, as well as in finding a cure.

For additional information on CBCF, please call (973) 471-CBCF (2223), email info@curebreastcancerfoundation.org, or visit www.curebreastcancerfoundation.org.

Cure Breast Cancer Foundation

The Cure Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF), is a Clifton, N.J. –based not-for-profit 501(c)3 charity devoted to fund breast cancer research on the growth and spreading of breast cancer cells, also known as the theory of self-seeding, at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan and other national and international cancer research facilities under the direction of Dr. Larry Norton. The founder and president is Carly Abramson. Her father, Andrew Abramson, is treasurer. Leslye Schulman is Executive Director. For more information, call (973) 471-CBCF (2223), e-mail info@curebreastcancerfoundation.org or visit www.curebreastcancerfoundation.org.

# # #

More than 70 residents have already moved into the community, according to the Clifton, N.J.-based owner/developer/manager of The Point.

Leasing is currently underway on the latest phase of the 112 rental homes and Value Companies is now taking reservations on the final three apartment buildings, indicates Jack Linefsky, Vice President of Property Management for the Value Companies.

“Many of the homes in our newest building which is expected to be completed shortly have already been spoken for,” says Mr. Linefsky. “As a result, we’re preparing to begin the final phase which will be released this fall and ready for occupancy by the end of 2011.”

The Point at Sutton Hill features state-of-the-art one-, two-and three-bedroom garden-style homes in ten residential buildings. Homes range from 773 to 1,234 square-feet with monthly rents ranging from $1,225 to $1,800.

The Point at Sutton Hill differentiates itself thanks to a host of modern features in each apartment home such as a washer and dryer, individually controlled central air and heat, fully equipped kitchens and spacious walk-in closets. Additionally, each unit has a balcony or patio.

The Point at Sutton Hill is the second stage of the overall development plan for the community. In addition to new rental homes in The Point, Value Companies has repositioned the existing Sutton Hill community of 276 apartment homes. Improvements include the addition of an on-site fitness facility, updated exterior facades, upgraded tennis courts and improvements and additions to the common areas.

“Aside from the fitness center, pool and tennis, racquetball and basketball courts, we also completed the installation of a brand new playground,” Mr. Linefsky points out.

Sutton Hill is in close proximity to major transportation outlets such as Routes 17 and 84, providing a quick commute to White Plains and Westchester County, as well as public trains and buses that bring Manhattan a 90-minute commute away. Shopping is also easily accessible at the nearby Galleria Mall at Crystal Run and Woodbury Commons.

For additional information on The Point at Sutton Hill, please call (845) 343-2272 or email suttonhill@valuecompanies.com.

 About Value Companies

Value Companies, founded in 1952, is a leading real estate development, investment and management company headquartered in Clifton, N.J. The company currently owns and manages a portfolio of 3,600 residential units located throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and Texas.

Across its development division, Value Companies has embarked on $100 million in new apartment, condominium and mixed-use developments and investments in strategic suburban and urban locations throughout the country. Value’s development success is directly tied to its steadfast commitment and expertise in multifamily housing, and its ability to introduce new housing products that address consumer and community needs.

Value’s residential properties are built and managed by a highly-skilled, in-house management team of more than 80 industry professionals which oversee all aspects of Value’s communities, including construction, leasing, maintenance, property management and administration. Value’s third-party management business, Value Asset Management, provides full-service management capabilities and customized asset solutions to a growing list of third-party real estate investment and property owner clients.

For more information, please contact Andrew Abramson, President and CEO of Value Companies, at its corporate headquarters at 973-473-2800 or visit www.valuecompanies.com.

###

Orange County, N.Y.—Orange County, N.Y. residents seeking apartment homes close to work, recreation, shopping and public transportation won’t have to look far come this winter. That’s when the initial phase of 28 one- and two-bedroom garden-style apartment homes at Northwoods, a new apartment community in the Hudson Valley town of Wallkill, is made available for rent.

With an array of recreational and fitness amenities on site, Northwoods promises to deliver a fulfilling lifestyle to both single professionals and married couples with children, according to Jack Linefsky, vice-president of property management for the Value Companies, the nearly six-decade-old Clifton, N.J. real estate development, investment and management company serving as the developer, owner and manager of Northwoods.

Singles and families alike “will find Northwoods offers exactly what they desire in a home,” Linefsky says. “Homes include all the modern touches they seek, and amenities will offer recreation right outside their doors. What’s more, our location is minutes from the bustling Middletown business district. Major highways and public transportation allow for quick trips to countless business and entertainment centers.”

The Northwoods community itself features amenities appealing to active residents, including a fitness center and half basketball court to a playground. The apartments also benefit from the nearby parks and recreational settings, including the Town of Wallkill Golf Club, a public course.

The setting allows for less active pursuits as well. The Hudson Valley’s myriad cultural and historical attractions include performing arts houses, wine making operations, history museums and a wide-ranging array of retail venues, among them the Galleria Mall situated just minutes away. In addition, Northwoods’ proximity to Rt. 17 and the New York State Thruway makes commuting to jobs in northern New Jersey and Manhattan convenient. For commuters, the Metro North Railroad is another commuting option.

Those moving to Northwoods will have a range of housing choices as well. Northwoods is comprised of seven buildings, and will eventually feature 70 apartments. The 800 to 1,100-square-foot apartment homes offer fully-equipped kitchens; individually-controlled central air conditioning and heat; walk-in closets; in-unit washers and dryers; and balconies or patios.

Raise Money For Breast Cancer Research

SHORT HILLS, NJ – The Cure Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. (CBCF) is teaming up with Saks Fifth Avenue to “Shop For A Cure,” an exclusive shopping event that will feature a fashion show highlighting the most popular fall styles.

The special night will take place on Thursday, September 22^nd from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. at Saks Fifth Avenue in the The Mall at Short Hills in Short Hills, New Jersey.  A portion of the event sales will benefit the Cure Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF), a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization which supports breast cancer research under the direction of Dr. Larry Norton, the Deputy Physician-in-Chief for Breast Cancer Programs and the Medical Director of the Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

Guests will delight in a dinner reception where Dr. Larry Norton, the Foundation’s Scientific Advisor, will address the guests.  The Event will also feature a Chanel Makeup Artist, who will be on hand for consultations and each attendee will receive a deluxe gift bag provided by Chanel!  Additionally, Ippolita will be on location for a private trunk show.

To reserve a seat at CBCF’s “Shop For A Cure,” please call (973) 471-CBCF (2223) or email leslye@curebreastcancerfoundation.org.

“While our 1^st Annual Fashion Show was a huge success, we wanted to take 2011 to the next level by creating an event that would stand out and a shopping spree with a purpose is certainly unique,” says CBCF Executive Director Leslye Schulman.  “We’re extremely fortunate to partner with Saks Fifth Avenue whose incredible generosity illustrates their dedication to the communities they serve and commitment to support charitable endeavors.”

“Thanks to their efforts, ‘Shop For A Cure’ is quickly shaping up to be a terrific event and a tremendous opportunity to enjoy an incredibly fun-filled night of fashion and beauty.”

Since its inception in December 2007, CBCF has raised in excess of $2 million through events such as the fashion show, golf outings and more.  Fully 100% of its net fundraising proceeds received by the foundation are donated to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan and other national and international cancer research facilities to support the ground-breaking research being conducted under the direction of noted oncologist Dr. Larry Norton.

Dr. Norton’s research focuses on the theory of breast cancer “self seeding”: the ability of breast cancer cells to move and start new cancers growing, not only in distant organs like the bones and liver (called metastases), but in the breast itself.  This behavior is referred to as “self seeding” as it recalls the way weeds take over a garden: not by the growth of each individual weed plant, but by the seeding of new weed plants that grow in a confluent fashion.  By this concept, breast cancer is not one mass, but rather a collection of contiguous smaller masses.

This method of growth is indeed true in certain experimental models and research is ongoing to prove that it happens in people as well.  It explains many aspects of cancer: rapid growth, disorganization, formation of new blood vessels, need to irradiate a breast after a lumpectomy for cancer and the association of all of the above with distant metastases.  If correct, it will provide new targets for the development of drugs to treat and prevent cancer.  Since “seeding” is an abnormal process—as opposed to the normal process of mitosis—such drugs may not only be more effective, but less toxic as well.  Hence, the concept of self-seeding is not only interesting from the point of view of biology, but also possibly very important in the design of better approaches to cancer management and prevention, as well as in finding a cure.

For additional information on CBCF, please call (973) 471-CBCF (2223), email info@curebreastcancerfoundation.org, or visit www.curebreastcancerfoundation.org.

Cure Breast Cancer Foundation

The Cure Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF), is a Clifton, N.J. –based not-for-profit 501(c)3 charity devoted to fund breast cancer research on the growth and spreading of breast cancer cells, also known as the theory of self-seeding, at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan and other national and international cancer research facilities under the direction of Dr. Larry Norton.  The founder and president is Carly Abramson.  Her father, Andrew Abramson, is treasurer.  Leslye Schulman is Executive Director.  For more information, call (973) 471-CBCF (2223), e-mail info@curebreastcancerfoundation.org or visit www.curebreastcancerfoundation.org.

# # #

Construction is currently underway on the initial phase of 28 homes at the new neighborhood, which is expected to be released this winter, according to Value Companies, Inc., the developer/owner/manager of Northwoods.  In addition to apartments equipped with the latest features and appointments, the community will offer residents an activity-rich lifestyle with state-of-the-art on-site amenities including a fitness center, half basketball court and playground.

“Young couples with children and single-professionals will find that Northwoods offers exactly what they desire in a home,” says Jack Linefsky, Vice President of Property Management for the Value Companies.”

“The community will provide a complete lifestyle.  Homes include all the modern touches they seek and amenities will offer recreation right outside their door. What’s more, our location is minutes from the bustling Middletown business district; major highways and public transportation allow for a quick trip to countless business and entertainment centers.”

 Northwoods will consist of seven rental buildings on a professionally managed and beautifully landscaped site, with access-controlled entries to each building.  Homes will range from 800 to 1,100 square-feet and boast washer and dryers, individually controlled central air and heat, fully equipped kitchens and spacious walk-in closets.  Additionally, each unit will also feature a balcony or patio.

Nestled in the historic Hudson River Valley, Northwoods boasts a country-like atmosphere with panoramic mountain views.  Local sites in the Town of Wallkill consist of twelve parks and recreational areas, including the public Town of Wallkill Golf Club.  The Hudson Valley region is also home to a variety of performing arts venues, wineries, historical attractions, museums, fine shopping and a host of state parks and outdoor activities.

Shopping can be found minutes away at the Galleria Mall.  Northwoods is also a quick trip from Route 17 and the New York State Thruway, making commuting to destinations in northern New Jersey and Manhattan extremely convenient; and public transportation is available nearby at the Metro North Railroad.

For additional information on Northwoods, please call (973) 473-2800 or visit www.valuecommunities.com.

About Value Companies

Value Companies, founded in 1952, is a leading real estate development, investment and management company headquartered in Clifton, N.J. The company currently owns and manages a portfolio of 3,600 residential units located throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and Texas.

Across its development division, Value Companies has embarked on $100 million in new apartment, condominium and mixed-use developments and investments in strategic suburban and urban locations throughout the country. Value’s development success is directly tied to its steadfast commitment and expertise in multifamily housing, and its ability to introduce new housing products that address consumer and community needs.

Value’s residential properties are built and managed by a highly-skilled, in-house management team of more than 80 industry professionals which oversee all aspects of Value’s communities, including construction, leasing, maintenance, property management and administration. Value’s third-party management business, Value Asset Management, provides full-service management capabilities and customized asset solutions to a growing list of third-party real estate investment and property owner clients.

For more information, please contact Andrew Abramson, President and CEO of Value Companies, at its corporate headquarters at 973-473-2800 or visit www.valuecompanies.com.

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