The annual online Skyward re-registration is open. Parents and guardians, to update your information, please log on to Skyward Family Access via the district website at www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us. Click here for details.
School Starts on September 6
Students will return to school on Tuesday, September 6 (minimum day schedule). Opening Day for teachers and support staff is Thursday, September 1.
Back-to-School Night Schedule
Click here to view the schedule.
The Ridgewood Board of Education will hold a Regular Public Meeting on Monday, September 12, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Board Room at the Education Center, 49 Cottage Place. The public is invited to attend the meeting or view it live via the district website at www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us using the “Live BOE Meeting” tab on the district website, or on Fios tv channel 33 or Optimum 77
Coffee and Conversation Dates Are Announced
The Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. Daniel Fishbein will host residents for coffee and casual conversation on three separate occasions this school year. The first date for Coffee and Conversation is Wednesday, October 19 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Education Center, 49 Cottage Place, Ridgewood. Future dates will follow on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 and Wednesday, May 17, 2017. All residents are invited to drop in to share their thoughts, questions, suggestions and concerns.
FAQ on Full-Day Kindergarten: Vote is November 8
The November 8 election ballot will include a question for residents about implementing full-day Kindergarten in Ridgewood. To learn more about full-day Kindergarten, please click here for a FAQ sheet, updated on August 23, 2016. Please click here to go to other Full-Day K documents that are located in the Full-day Kindergarten Exploratory Committee folder on the Curriculum web page.
2016-2017 Community Outreach Program Series Starts October 18
The Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment Department will again offer free presentations for parents and guardians throughout the 2016-2017 school year. The topic is Well-being. Click here for information on the series, which is co-sponsored by The Valley Hospital with support from The Foundation and the Home and School Associations.
Ridgewood PSE&G Glen Avenue Update – August 31,2016
Dear Nattering nabobs of negativism,
I just wanted to provide you with an end-of-August update on the large PSE&G Energy Strong Gas Glen Avenue modernization project that has been periodically causing traffic delays in the Village throughout the summer. The good news is that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the major infrastructure work will be done by this Friday. The other good news is that the planned work has been completed on East Glen so there should be no detour issues impacting Travell School.
Over the next two days, the intersection of Monroe and Glen will be closed while work is being done; this will cause a significant detour and associated traffic problems. Please try to avoid this route as much as possible.
In the next several weeks, through late September, individual service line hook-ups will be scheduled with homeowners along West Glen. These hook-ups could result in intermittent lane closures.
Thanks for your patience during this period – we have been fortunate that, in working closely with PSE&G, they were able to complete the most impactful part of this project within the summer months. We are also fortunate that this major PSE&G project of modernization to our gas lines enhances the safety, cleanliness and reliability of the services that we rely on.
We are almost at the finish line!
Best,
Roberta Sonenfeld
Village Manager
201-670-5500, ext. 203
Ridgewood Firefighters Visit the NJ Fireman’s Home
photos courtesy of the Ridgewood Professional Firefighters FMBA Local 47
August 31,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Members of the Ridgewood Professional Firefighters FMBA Local 47 visited the NJ Fireman’s Home in Boonton recently. Each Friday in the summer months the Northern District of the NJFMBA has sent a local to help out at the resident’s picnics. This is our second year doing this and we hope to be a part of this for a long time, for it is a great day for all.
Y.O. Cigar Event This Saturday at the Tobacco Shop of Ridgewood
August 31,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Saturday September 3rd ,from 10 am to 2 pm, stop by and meet Yaxel Ortiz and watch the master cigar roller make fresh Y.O.’s.
Yaxel Ortiz the super boutique cigar maker from Cuba has now produced his first blend fro his new factory in Nicaragua available in only a select group of retailers .
The Tobacco Shop of Ridgewood
10 Chestnut Street
Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450
Phone: 201 – 447 – 2204
Email: info@tobaccoshop.com
Hours:
Mon – Sat: 10AM – 5:30PM
Thursday Evening: 6:30PM – 8:30PM
The Ridgewood Public Library is Ready for the Fall
August 31,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Anybody ready for Fall? Before you get your sweaters out of storage, visit the Ridgewood Public Library in person or online and get your reserves in for some of the best new literary Fall releases. Here’s an insider tip: reserve The Nix by Nathan Hill. It’s a horrible title, but a great book about a man trying to either ruin or reconnect with the mother who left him.https://buff.ly/2bMLvdt
Looking for something new to read? Try a new novel by a debut author.
We all know the best place to go for book recommendations is the Ridgewood Public Library, but when you can’t get to us, check out some of these awesome sites for book lovers.
Do you want to join a book group? Are you in a book group and want some book recommendations? The Ridgewood Public Library can help. Visit our Book Group page online to see what we’re reading this month https://buff.ly/2bABnHM or stop by the Circulation Desk and ask for one of our Reader’s Advisors who can help you find your book group’s next great read.
Reader says the sky is not falling in Ridgewood
file photo by Boyd Loving
This just in: the sky is falling!!!!!
Ridgewood schools are still ranked highly, and even are ranked above Tenafly by several organizations. Niche.com also rates the entire Ridgewood public school district as 7th best in the state (Tenafly is 15).
As far as the real estate market goes, I am certainly no realtor, but I can tell you that homes around $1M in the Upper Ridgewood area (near Willard School) are still going in bidding wars and for above asking price. I have several friends who recently purchased in the area and some who are currently looking for a larger house within Ridgewood, and these are the stories I hear. In some cases I have heard that 20% down isn’t even enough for houses $1M+.
Some countervailing thoughts:
1. Wall St/Finance mostly drives the top of the market. That end is definitely soft and will remain that way. One might argue that the huge bonuses created a market segment that is inherently unsustainable. The 4k-5k sq ft homes are definitely going to be hard to sell. If you are around the $1MM mark there remains a robust market
2. A home should not be viewed as a real estate investment. Historically, residential real estate keeps pace with inflation over time (decades). In the short term there are of course peaks and valleys. I have been in Ridgewood for almost 40 years, so I have seen dramatic increases and long flat periods. that’s real estate.
3. School system is in decline? Based on these arbitrary metrics from magazines trying to sell copy? I don’t see it.
4. Taxes in Ridgewood have always been high. This is not a new development.
5. I am an early baby boomer. I am still here. When and if I leave Ridgewood it will have nothing to do with the real estate market or the school system–it will be a lifestyle decision.
6. Apart from the unpleasant crew (Aronsohn et al) that recently tried to disrupt the fabric and culture of this village, this has been a very nice place to live and raise kids for many years. It will continue to be. Take the long view–don’t plan your life around the ups and downs of the real estate cycle.
RIDGEWOOD TRAFFIC ALERT – MILLING AND PAVING ON VILLAGE ROADS – SCHEDULE
TRAFFIC ALERT – MILLING AND PAVING ON VILLAGE ROADS – SCHEDULE
August 31,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, In preparation for road paving, on Monday, August 29th milling and paving will begin on Kenilworth Road, Linwood Avenue (between Oak and Maple) and Robinson Lane (between Walnut and Cottage ). See planned schedule below.
Schedule –
August 29th – Kenilworth – Milling
August 30th – Kenilworth – Paving
August 31st – Linwood (Oak to Maple), Robinson (Walnut to Cottage) – Milling
September 1st – Linwood (Oak to Maple), Robinson (Walnut to Cottage) – Paving
This work could take several days.
Please allow time for potential delays in traveling on or near these roads.
Reader here is some more sobering news for Ridgewood
file photo by Boyd Loving
The economic argument above is all I needed to counter your complete fantasy of $1MM houses being in great demand, but let me also comment on the rest.
2. The 40 years that you claim to have been in Ridgewood for happened to be the 40 years when the financial sector exploded in size, and NYC being the financial center benefited tremendously. Additionally, home ownership steadily increased to an all time high in 2004. Unless you have not read the news for 8 year now – all of that is GONE. That is history. Finance is rapidly shrinking, homeownership is at lower than it has ever been since 1984. This despite mortgage rate being lower than it has been in forever.
3. Those ‘arbitrary rankings’ are what new homeonwers make their decision based on. And who will I believe – what multiple magazines claim or what you claim? And how is it that school districts like Short Hills, West Windsor and Tenafly are unaffected by the randomness of those surveys?
4. If taxes were already ‘high’ shouldn’t they stop rising then? What is the logic of already ‘high’ taxes going even higher – for no additional services whatsoever?
5. For a vast majority of people without money to burn, it is a rational decision based on their own income and costs vs. quality of services. I just pointed out that the equation is very unfavorable right now when it comes to Ridgewood.
6. The long view is that the state of NJ is bankrupt given how horribly underfunded its pensions are. Militant union will not let their benefits be haircut. So you are looking at combination of significantly higher taxes, fewer services and constant disruptions from striking unions. Math is math. The bill will come due – the can can only be kicked down just so much further down the road!
PSE&G to Begin Saturday Work to expedite the upgrade project in Ridgewood
file photo by Boyd Loving
PSE&G TRAFFIC ALERT – SATURDAY WORK
August 30,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The Village of Ridgewood, in an effort to expidite the conclusion of this project and to minimize traffic interference, has met with PSE&G and has agreed to allow working on Saturdays to expedite the upgrade project.
Saturday work takes place generally from 7am to 5pm; with some need to mobilize in advance to be ready to work. PSEG has brought in extra manpower and will be working on Saturdays into the 3rd week of September.
Reader say Hold The Line Ridgewood Board of Education
I sincerely hope our Board of Education can remain strong against these union boss Thugs. ( I hate to say it because many teachers don’t want to picket and would be happy to sign what is offered. Their top officers have nothing better to do than prove how superior they are to other leaders and would gladly use “Sticks and stones” since it appears “names will never hurt our RBA.”) And students, you will get better recommendations from people who actually know you than a teacher who has lots of students.
Teachers in Ridgewood complain about being paid less than other “professionals” or similarly educated folks – just a crock! (Really do not consider their behavior “professional” in any respect.) They have it made in our town and are holding the taxpayers hostage. Most of us are tired of your whining and livid at how you are taking this out on the kids and most of us do not speak up because we know you will retaliate against our children. Shame on you!
My vote is “NO” until the BOE settles the teacher contract. I have a feeling I am not alone in my thinking. My kids are in High School now. I am in NEED of teacher recommendations, etc……. I’ll be darned if I will support a tax increase for 5/6 year olds to socialize.
Reader says Ridgewood had a full day kindergarten at Hawes school 25 years ago
Ridgewood had a full day kindergarten at Hawes school 25 years ago. Were records kept as to how successfully that worked out? They had to quit when class sizes became too big. All our elementary schools have an extra classroom to be used for kindergarten? And extra teachers and aides must be hired (and provided with benefits for life.) This is a very costly endeavor.
Ridgewood students have very little free time to participate in all the activities this town offers. We did not have all these options years ago, but my child was still cranky and tired when he came home from a full day of kindergarten.
Readers say, “High Performing” is a second tier ranking for Valley Hospital
“High Performing” is a second tier ranking. Valley was not ranked or rated in any of those adult specialties. Sorry Audrey, a little research goes a long way. “In addition to broader specialty categories like orthopedics and urology, U.S. News evaluates hospitals in certain common medical procedures and conditions. Rather than a numerical ranking, hospitals are given a rating of high performing, average or below average in each category.”
Read the subcategories, they go as low as “worst” in several critical rankings.https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/nj/valley-hospital-6221235
Audrey is overpaid for running a single hospital not a system. Why aren’t they paying Village property taxes? Where’s our new Council in this? $4mn is 10% of the annual Municipal budget. Would mean property tax cuts for residents.
Ridgewood Traffic Alert: PSE&G Work at N. Monroe St. and W. Glen Ave.
file photo by Boyd Loving
TRAFFIC ALERT – N. MONROE AND W. GLEN INTERSECTION – AUGUST 30 & SEPT 1
August 30,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Tuesday, August 30 and Thursday , September 1 – PSEG will be working in the intersection of N. Monroe St. and W. Glen Ave. Travel through that intersection is going to be difficult and at some times not available. Wednesday they will be working between N. Monroe St. and Erie Ave. Ridgewood Police are coordinating with Midland Park during this entire time for traffic control. A detour plan has been put in place and posted.
Reader has some sobering thoughts on Ridgewood
file photo by Boyd Loving
1) Historicall (pre-07) people still hung around because home prices were going up. 2% a year in taxes does not matter as long as your house’s value is going by by 6-7% a year. Home prices are at best flat now, if not declining. The 2.5% and ever growing property tax is coming out of people’s pockets now.
2) Wall St (finance generally) was on a 30 year tear till 2007. That is the NYC area’s main driver. Accordingly, the riches drifted to places like Ridgewood. That gig is OVER. I work in the industry – trust me. That gig is done. People are lucky to hang on to their jobs, forget compensation. The replacement tech folks want to live in ‘city-like’ environments. Condo prices in NYC and surrounding towns have gone up at double-digit rates per year for 4-5 years running now. Home prices are at best flat in Ridgewood.
3) Schools are not a function of teachers, they are a function of students. Being a top school district attracts parents who are interested in education, and that is a self reinforcing dynamic. The reverse is also true – once you drop out of the top rankings, you stop attracting top students. Ridgewood is no longer a ‘top school district’ compared to places like Teaneck, Short Hills, Baskin Ridge etc.
4) Ridgewood taxes are higher (on a % of property market value basis) than even Short Hills, let alone neighborhood Bergen County towns, all with similarly rated schools. And despite paying higher taxes than everywhere else, and more than ever paid in Ridgewood’s history, you have greedy teachers striking and looking for various ways to make life difficult for students as payback. And this will only get worse once Obamacare taxes kick in and the teachers force taxpayers to pick up the 40% excise tax tab on their platinum insurance plans.
So to summarize,
1) The main supporting industry is in sharp decline
2) Home prices are no longer increasing
3) Taxes are at national highs and only likely to increase further
4) School district ranking is falling and will get worse
This combination has not existed so far. In fact, the reverse did. That was history. This is reality.
I curse the day I bought a house in the place. My kids are still too young so I am likely stuck, and am going to live through the decline. Assuming, of course, my industry even has a place for me till then.
LEON Mexican Opens in Ridgewood
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, according to the website ,”LEON Mexican is a modern Mexican Restaurant offering its customers a large variety of fresh vegetables, meats, pleasing dining area with striking contemporary design. Our Restaurant features Classical Mexican favorites such as tacos, quesadillas, fajitas, burritos, ceviche, table side guacamole, tortilla chips and tomato salsa which are freshly prepared on premises. All of our vegetarian dishes contain no meat stock including our rice & beans.”
LEON Mexican is a modern Mexican Restaurant with a fairly simple mission statement.
“We believe in fresh, and we believe in quality. Our ingredients are one of the finest ones chosen from a large variety of fresh vegetables & all natural meats. We never pre-cook or pre-freeze any food on our premises. Everything on the menu is made once order is placed.
Leon features classic Mexican favorites such as tacos, quesadillas, fajitas, burritos, ceviche, table side guacamole, tortilla chips and tomato salsa which are freshly prepared everyday. Unlike most Mexican restaurants, all of our vegetarian dishes contain no meat stock including our rice & beans.Colorful rustic walls, antique mirrors, cactus pots and spice jars ,elaborate indoor bougainvilleas add up to a very authentic ambience, along with some folk mariachi music in the background, welcome to our little Mexico in the heart of Ridgewood.”
HOURS
Everyday: 12Noon – 10PM
ADDRESS
16 Chestnut Street
(Between E. Ridgewood & Franklin Avenue)
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
info@leonmexican.com