Month: June 2011

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Valley Renewal Renditions called “misleading”

Anyone see the new Ridgewood Chamber Guide 2011? Right in the centerfold is an artists rendition of the new North Building and new entrance to the Valley Hospital. Do they think we’re stupid?? It’s not going to look anything like this. When are they going to come clean on this? They make it look like there is going to be all this space, when in reality they’ll need a shoehorn to squeeze in there.

All of the renditions coming from Valley have been inexcusably misleading. We have yet to see a true plan, drawn to scale. We have seen no view at all from Linwood Ave, or Steilen, —and this is downright scary!

Valley hospital is a big business that is steamrolling over the people of Ridgewood.

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There are better alternatives to Solar Panels on Poles 

The panels are ugly and seem to be hap-hazardly installed on the poles. They are also very low on the pole. I don’t expect that my utility bill will be reduced by this obtrusive initiative. Even if my bill does go down, it will not compare to the decline in my home value, do to the “institutional looking” solar panel on the telephone pole in front of my house. I undertstand that PSE&G owns the poles. But, I fail to understand how they can be permitted to adversely Impact the aesthetics of our neighborhood. Is there a way to sue PSE&G to halt this poorly conceived plan?

A far better approach would have been to work with businesses install large square footage of panels on top of industrial/commercial buildings, instead of utility poles in residential neighborhoods.

>Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration
Evening Activities
Summer’s Best Entertainment Value


Monday, July 4, 2011
Alternate Date – Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Veterans Field, Ridgewood, New Jersey

July 4th in Ridgewood is a very special day that our entire area looks forward to all year.  This year’s theme is “Celebrate the Constitution.”  The Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration Committee is an all-volunteer community group that coordinates the day’s events and does not receive direct funding from the Village of Ridgewood.

While the Parade is free, Fireworks Tickets are required for entrance to Veterans Field. Donations for Fireworks Tickets are one of the Celebration’s largest sources of income. Ticket sales cover the evening entertainment which begins at 6:00 P.M., the fireworks at dark, as well as the bands in the parade, additional security and traffic control.  Come early and enjoy some great entertainment.

After performing in our parade Illumination Twirlers will be our first performer of the evening.  They have participated in the parade for over thirty years and are an important part of our celebrations.  We look forward to another wonderful show.  They hold state, regional and national titles including an AA National Team Championship. In 2008, the girls performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as members of the All Star Twirlers. The girls also compete in a wide variety of individual events including Dance Twirl, 2 Baton Twirling, 3 Baton Twirling and Freestyle. They are accomplished in many areas.

Long time sponsor and participant, Miss Patti’s School of Dance, will perform two short dances.  One is a patriotic tap dance with dancers in military costumes.  The other will be the Betsy Ross Rockettes.  Children from ages 2 1/2 through teen are welcome at Miss Patti’s. All children experience the wonder and joy of dance in an environment that nurtures their individual creativity and personal growth.

Sit back and enjoy these timeless classics, or if you’re *In the Mood* get up and dance! The Manhattan Dolls blend beautiful ballads with your favorite toe-tapping tunes, and of course, in classic USO fashion, takes some time to honor our brave men and women in the military.  From boogie woogie to the blues, The Manhattan Doll celebrate the best the Great American Songbook has to offer.

The Patriot Brass Ensemble is the first and only professional brass group dedicated to serving Veterans.  The Patriot Brass Ensemble functions, works, and sounds much like the “premiere” active duty military bands in Washington DC. They spend many hours studying military protocol so they can seamlessly fill in for these bands who, unfortunately, rarely perform for Veterans’ events due to cutbacks and availability. Long-term goals include annual concerts at every Veterans’ Hospital in the United States, and the establishment of mobile groups that perform for individual events, such as fundraisers, ceremonies, parades, holidays, weddings and interments nationwide. The Patriot Brass Ensemble strives to return the humanity to the Veterans who have sacrificed so much serving our county with their full devotion and honor.

We welcome back Doug Angel and The Fallin’ Angels exhibition skydiving team.  Weather permitting their tea will land on Veteran’s Field at 8:00 P.M..  The Ridgewood July 4th Celebration Committee thanks Roy Tarvin and Tarvin Realtors for once again sponsoring the team.  Look for the American flag as well as the Tarvin banner.

At dusk, Fireworks Extravaganza will put on a fabulous show.  Each year we have one of the most spectacular fireworks displays in our area.  The very best viewing area is right on Veteran’s Field.  The Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration Committee thanks Applebee’s for sponsoring the finale of our fireworks display.

For many years the cost of our tickets remained the same while our costs increased.  This year we have increased our ticket prices.  It was a decision that the Committee did reluctantly in the face of rising costs.  To keep the ticket prices as reasonable as possible for attendees, while covering costs, pre-sales of tickets are being made available through a wide range of local businesses.

Tickets to the Evening Entertainment and Fireworks will be on sale June 1 at various locations as well as on our website, www.Ridgewoojuly4th.org. Buy your tickets in advance for $8.00 and save over 50% off the gate price of $15.00.

For the fifth year, readers of (201) magazine named our parade and fireworks as best in their Best of Bergen 2010 readers poll.  Additional information and answers to many of your questions can be found on the Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration’s website at www.ridgewoodjuly4th.org.  Please join with the Committee in a very special 2011 Fourth of July celebration as we once again “Support the Tradition!”