Month: January 2012

>Before you start the “do it for the kids” diatribes, I also have to do it for my own kids too, which is why I ask my Association to negotiate the best salary possible in this economic climate

Parents donate their time to the kids. It is for the kids, right?

Why is a donation to the classroom for the teachers?

Why is volunteer parent time in the classroom for the teachers?

When I donate items to the clasroom as a teacher, it is for the students. My classroom budget doesn’t even come close to covering all of the things I need to buy to maximize the learning experience of my students, but it needs to be purchased so it comes out of my pocket. But when a parent sends a box of tissues in it is for the teacher?

I am not saying that people in other jobs don’t pay for things out of their own pockets, but please stop saying that HSA items are for teachers, they are for the kids. When the HSA asks teachers what they need/want for their classrooms, they hear about things that would make the learning experience better, because that is what we do.

Before you start the “do it for the kids” diatribes, I also have to do it for my own kids too, which is why I ask my Association to negotiate the best salary possible in this economic climate. Teachers, due to increased health and pension payments this year and for the next 3-6 years, are expecting to see little or zero increase in their take home. If we weren’t negotiating, we could expect to see dramatic decreases in our take home. The negotiation is to try to minimize the damage, not to try to get some amazing pay increase

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>Life-Changing Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Robert L. Woodson Sr.January 16, 2012 at 8:37 am(0)

The greatest tribute to the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., is not to name a street in his honor or celebrate a national holiday. It is to recognize and support those who are working to carry out his vision, those who empower those facing the greatest obstacles through personal relationships that restore the fabric of civil society—without the need for federal government intervention.

As former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Jack Kemp once said, “We need an anti-poverty agenda based on democratic capitalism, not socialism and on private ownership, not government control. Our definition of compassion is not how many people live on the government welfare plantation, but how many of our people are liberated from government dependence.”

Among those ranks of individuals who are carrying out Dr. King’s vision are three young men—Curtis Monroe, Michael Toland, and Roger Marshall—who give their time, talents, and earnings from their day jobs serving as coaches and mentors of at-risk youths in the Benning Terrace public housing development in Washington, D.C.

https://tinyurl.com/7msxsjs

> Toll hikes sending drivers on a detour

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2012  
BY KAREN RO– USE
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

Thousands of drivers ditched the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway during the first workweek of 2012 — just as a 50 percent toll hike kicked in.

On the turnpike, where tolls jumped 53 percent on Jan. 1, traffic was down by about 70,000 vehicles — or 2.7 percent — during the first five weekdays of the month, compared to the same week in 2011, said Thomas Feeney, spokesman for the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.

The parkway, where tolls increased 50 percent, saw 110,000 fewer vehicles the first week of this month, a 2.6 percent drop from the same week last year, he said.

Feeney said there were 2.7 million drivers on the turnpike during that week, and 4.2 million on the parkway.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/137402418_Toll_hikes_sending_drivers_on_a_detour.html

By the numbers On the turnpike


The average driver of a passenger car is paying an additional $1.10 per trip, according to the Turnpike Authority.
The peak rate for a passenger car to travel the entire length of the turnpike climbed from $9.05 to $13.85.
The toll to drive a five-axle truck the length of the turnpike climbed from $32.50 to $49.75.


On the parkway


The toll at most plazas on the parkway increased by 50 cents.
The toll to travel the length of the parkway rose from $5.50 to $8.25.
To check the toll for a specific trip


Visit www.state.nj.us/turnpike/toll-rates.html

https://www.northjersey.com/news/137402418_Toll_hikes_sending_drivers_on_a_detour.html

>The race to build more federally funded health centers in New Jersey

>Christie signs Urban Hope Act allowing nonprofit-run schools in Camden, Newark and Trenton

>Gov. Christie: I won’t force N.J. towns to allow medical marijuana facilities

>Christie will consider raising N.J.’s minimum wage

>Congress logs most futile legislative year on record
Outlook for House, Senate also shows scant accomplishment for ‘12 session
by Stephen Dinan

It’s official: Congress ended its least-productive year in modern history after passing 80 bills — fewer than during any other session since year-end records began being kept in 1947.

Furthermore, an analysis by The Washington Times of the scope of such activities as time spent in debate, number of conference reports produced and votes taken on the House and Senate floors found that Congress set a record for legislative futility by accomplishing less in 2011 than any other year in history.

The Senate’s record was weakest by a huge margin, according to the futility index, and the House had its 10th-worst session on record.

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/jan/15/congress-logs-most-futile-legislative-year-on-reco/?page=all#pagebreak

>Bill aids growth of pot facilities

>Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce PM Networking 
Tue, January 17, 2012
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Pompanoosuc Mills, 257 East Ridgewood Avenue

Start the New Year by Networking your business with other business owners. Partner and share ideas that prompt business for everyone.

Bring your business cards and meet us at –
Pompanoosuc Mills –
(you will feel like you are at home)
while meeting and greeting –
view handmade furniture at its finest quality.

257 E. Ridgewood Ave.
(corner of E. Ridgewood & Maple Ave.)

Lots of FREE parking under and around the building.

Beverages and lite fanfare food served.

$10 at the door.
Donation to scholarship fund.

GOOD NEWS: Sole Proprietorship Health Insurance #S-2874 is being scheduled for a Hearing. This is a great step for Chamber members. We will have more information at the
PM Networking event.

Please rsvp by 1/13/2012.

Here’s to a great 2012 for all businesses.

>Health Fair
Thu, January 19, 2012
Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Ridgewood YMCA/YWCA of Bergen County, Oak Street, Ridgewood, NJ

Exciting new Health Fair for 2012.
Guest speaker – Amanda Arlauskas – from the “Biggest Loser” to speak at 7pm.

The day will include a health fair from 5-7pm with screenings, such as blood pressure, body fat analysis, and much more! Representatives from service providers and local businesses will be on hand to provide free information on helping you start your New Year healthy. Chair massage, reflexology, door prizes and discounts will be available!

Visit all the vendors that have information on wellness, preparing yourself for a healthy future.

More details to follow.
Call 201-445-2600
email: info@ridgewoodchamber.com

>Ridgewood Chamber Spotlight: Diana Brown’s Neighborhood Fit Club

THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2012
BY AIMEE LA FOUNTAIN
CORRESPONDENT
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

Diana Brown, owner of Diana Brown’s Neighborhood Fit Club, knew at an early age she wanted to be a business owner. With that decision made early on, she chose to fulfill the goal doing something she enjoyed.

“I love working out and doing Zumba, so I naturally thought it’d be a great idea to turn what I love doing into a business,” she said.

Brown is a licensed Zumba instructor, ZIN member, and a certified AFAA group exercise instructor. Brown holds dual degrees from Rutgers University in art history and criminal justice, and studied non-profits and grant writing at Bergen Community College. Brown also volunteers with numerous organizations, including the USO and Relay for Life.

https://www.northjersey.com/topstories/ridgewood/137235753_Neighborhood_Fit_Club_is_beginning_to_take_shape.html

>Home Energy Efficiency Program
Sponsored by REAC at Library Thursday, February 2 at 7:30PM

Home Energy Efficiency is a hot topic these days. Energy costs are higher than ever, eating up an ever-increasing percentage of household income. There seems to no end in sight. In addition, the associated pollution and carbon emissions are damaging the environment. The creation of electricity, solar panels, dependency on foreign oil, coal-fired plants, natural gas drilling, and nuclear plants are all topics that people are discussing currently. Which ones are safest, and will not pollute the water we drink or the air we breathe?

In Washington DC, this battle is often won by the companies with the deepest pockets, which does not usually coincide with protecting our water, air, or even our pocketbooks! The one area that everyone agrees upon is that increasing the efficiency of how energy is used is the greatest opportunity for this nation. Our homes and the ve hicles we drive are the two areas in which efficiency improvements can make the greatest strides towards this common goal. New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program has stepped up to help NJ residents improve their home energy efficiency and reduce their energy costs. By encouraging home energy audits with certified partners, this helps to ensure that improvements are made with an eye out for health and safety issues that are normally overlooked when homeowners simply install additional insulation.

To spread awareness of these programs, the Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee is sponsoring an event to provide local residents with information on how they can get up to $5000 along with 0% interest loans up to $10,000 to help offset the costs of these energy efficiency improvements. The featured speaker is “Eco” Ed Schwartz, Chairperson of Ridgewood’s Environmental Advisory Committee, and co-founder of Green Living Solutions (Century Award winner within the Clean Energy Program). He will be speaking about energy use, energy savings approaches, along with how to make the dollars you spend on utilities go further. He will also explain how to take advantage of the significant subsidies that are currently available to New Jersey homeowners. Come and find out how to reduce your costs and do your part to improve the environment! Ridgewood Public Library Auditorium – February 2, 2012, 7:30pm