Jamboree auditions on Sunday at RHS Campus Center
NEXT WEEK AT NIGHT: Jamboree auditions on Sunday at RHS Campus Center; Coffee and Conversation with the BOE on Wednesday. Visit the RPS website for more information at www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us.
Month: November 2012
Schools pitch in to help one another after storm
Schools pitch in to help one another after storm
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2012, 7:27 AM
BY LESLIE BRODY”AND PATRICIA ALEX
STAFF WRITERS
THE RECORD
As many North Jersey schools reopened Wednesday for the first time since superstorm Sandy, educators and parents sought to use the moment to teach students a lesson in resilience, flexibility and compassion.
A special greeting welcomed students back to Teaneck High School on Wednesday.
In the front hall of the Catherine E. Doyle Elementary School in Wood-Ridge, sprawling piles of donated textbooks, pens and glue sticks greeted 50 children who transferred in from Moonachie because their K-8 school flooded during the storm. Their teachers helped the first- and second-graders move into a library and a classroom, and expressed awe at the generosity of strangers from Ridgewood, Wyckoff and other towns who sent supplies their way.
One Wood-Ridge mother, Elizabeth Diaz, told her 7-year-old daughter, Sophia, to make the newcomers welcome during their temporary stay. “You have to make them comfortable and happy,” she said. Opening doors to them “shows we’re strong. We move on.”
https://www.northjersey.com/news/177837771_Schools_pitch_in_to_help_one_another_after_storm.html
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church Warming Shelter is Closing
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church l Warming Shelter is Closing as of 12 noon Friday ,November 9th
As of 12 noon Friday, November 9th the warming shelter at OLMC will OFFICIALLY CLOSE!
VOLUNTEERS PAST 12 NOON FRIDAY WILL NOT NEED TO REPORT FOR THEIR ASSIGNED SHIFTS.
NO MORE FOOD INCLUDING BREAKFAST ITEMS WILL BE NEEDED.
ON BEHALF OF THE PRIESTS, STAFF AND ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO — USED THE SHELTER AS A PLACE OF REFUGE,
THANK YOU!!!!!!
A Guide to the Fiscal Cliff and the Options for Congress
A Guide to the Fiscal Cliff and the Options for Congress
Analysis Details What Is Expiring and Who Is Going to Be Most Impacted
Washington, D.C., November 8, 2012—Uncertainty over the expiring sections of the federal tax code known collectively as the “fiscal cliff” represents not only a threat to a prosperous and growing economy, but an abdication of leadership in Washington. The existence of an increasingly temporary tax code highlights the accumulated questions that Congress has refused to answer, according to a new guide to fiscal cliff provisions from the Tax Foundation.
In confronting the cliff, elected officials will need to start by asking big questions about how they want the tax code to work, including what the least economically destructive ways to raise revenue are, how high total spending should rise, and to what extent the code should be used to redistribute income. The present list of fiscal cliff elements will also require them to ask some more specific questions about the future of Obamacare, the estate tax, and the payroll tax.
“The huge potential impact of the fiscal cliff in scope, importance, and dollars is reflected in the anxiety felt by American taxpayers,” said Tax Foundation Chief Economist William McBride. “With so much of the tax and budget system on a short-term lease, and with the proposed permanent fixes so widely varying, economic growth suffers. While past practice suggests Washington will once again duct tape together another short-term extension and put off the hard choices, anything can happen.”
Among the expiring provisions are the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts enacted under President Bush, a compromise on the estate tax, a “patch” in the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), the temporary 2 percent payroll tax holiday, increased business expensing, and the “extenders” package of miscellaneous tax deductions.
In addition, on January 1, 2013, five taxes enacted as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA)—popularly referred to as Obamacare—also take effect, along with sequester spending reductions of $109 billion. In late February, the U.S. government will also hit the current debt ceiling, exhausting its ability to borrow without an increase by Congress. Finally, the federal government’s continuing resolution appropriating spending expires on March 27, 2013.
Tax Foundation Special Report No. 204, “The Fiscal Cliff: A Primer” is available here.
The Tax Foundation is a nonpartisan research organization that has monitored fiscal policy at the federal, state and local levels since 1937. To schedule an interview, please contact Richard Morrison, the Tax Foundation’s Manager of Communications, at 202-464-5102 or morrison@taxfoundation.org.
The Era Of Big Government Is Back!
The Era Of Big Government Is Back!
In his State of the Union speech on January 23, 1996, President Bill Clinton famously proclaimed, “The era of big government is over.” If anything is clear from the Obama victory, it is that the era of big government is back.
While the pundits pour over the voter turnout results and parse their meaning for Republicans and future elections, there is at least one common thread uniting all of those who voted for President Obama: They all believe in big-government handouts and bailouts.
It’s more than just the nanny state, it’s the sugar daddy state.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/merrillmatthews/2012/11/07/the-era-of-big-government-is-back
The President’s Top 5 Immediate Problems
The President’s Top 5 Immediate Problems
Amy Payne
November 8, 2012 at 9:03 am
Now that President Obama will never face re-election again, it is time for the campaigning to end. Perpetual political rhetoric and promises do not matter any more. Action—and leadership—are sorely needed on pressing issues that threaten the United States. America’s people are under threats to their livelihoods, their protection, and their freedom. For some of these, deadlines for action have already come and gone, making them more dire than ever.
Here are the top five problems that require the President’s immediate attention.
1. Massive Tax Increases Scheduled
When the chairman of the Federal Reserve says the nation is headed over a cliff, the President should take notice. A total of nearly $500 billion in tax increases—old tax policies expiring and new ones taking effect—is scheduled to hit on January 1. This “Taxmageddon” fiscal-end-of-days scenario will hit individuals and their families, struggling small businesses and investors alike. So much for creating jobs. The Congressional Budget Office, which does not normally forecast recessions, has said that without some action to change our direction, the country is heading straight for another recession in 2013. As Heritage’s J.D. Foster wrote, “If a slowdown or even a recession unfolds as CBO predicts, the blame will lie with President Obama.”
2. Cuts to the U.S. Military
Through a legislative process called sequestration, the President and his allies in Congress thought they could secure tax increases by holding America’s military hostage. So they programmed massive cuts to our defenses to take effect in January. Using the military as a political weapon is wrong, and nothing has been done to prevent these harmful cuts. While our enemies build up their weapons programs and terrorists target Americans around the globe, the U.S. is preparing to radically downsize the military—all because the President and liberals in Congress want to raise taxes.
So far, the President hasn’t achieved his tax hike goal. If the military cuts are allowed to go forward, it will devastate our defenses. Contrary to the political rhetoric, Washington leaders could fix this without raising taxes.
3. The Middle East
It’s easy in a campaign to say you’d rather focus on “nation building here at home.” But the Middle East is ablaze with conflict, and that is not going to be put on hold for the President to focus on other issues. According to some reports, Iran could be able to arm a nuclear bomb within the next few months.
Heritage’s James Carafano writes today: “Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, protests in the Gulf States, an increasingly unsteady Egypt, terrorists in the Sahel—these are all distinct problems, yet each has the potential to cascade throughout the region and beyond.”
4. Terrorism
To begin, the President needs to come clean about the intelligence regarding the terrorist attack in Benghazi, Libya, that killed the U.S. ambassador and others.
Carafano says a wholesale change in strategy is needed:
There is more than enough evidence that the President’s counterterrorism strategy, though less than two years old, has come to the end of its life. That strategy focused on “decapitating” al-Qaeda. It didn’t work because al-Qaeda is really just a piece of a global Islamist insurgency. Unlike a drug cartel, it can’t be taken down by just taking out the leadership. Unless the President changes course soon, terrorists will have more sanctuaries by 2016 than they had in 2010.
5. Obamacare’s Mandate Threatening Religious Liberty
Just a few days ago, a second federal district court issued a preliminary injunction on behalf of a family-owned business against the Health and Human Services (HHS) mandate under Obamacare. The HHS mandate forces nearly all employers to pay for abortion-inducing drugs, sterilization, and contraceptives in their employee health coverage, regardless of religious objections. It disregards conscience and steamrolls religious freedom: Religious charities and family-owned businesses that object are forced to pay massive fines for non-compliant plans—up to $100 per day per employee. For a company like Hobby Lobby with more than 500 stores, that fine would amount to $1.3 million per day.
No wonder more than 100 plaintiffs have joined legal challenges to the mandate, which went into effect on August 1. As employers reach their health plan annual renewal date, they’ll be forced to comply. This is only one of the many obtrusive parts of Obamacare, but it is an immediate problem for employers—costly, demoralizing, and a direct attack on religious freedom.
Time to get to work, Mr. President.
Why Stocks May Keep Falling: ‘The Sugar High Will End’
Why Stocks May Keep Falling: ‘The Sugar High Will End’
Published: Wednesday, 7 Nov 2012 | 2:40 PM ET
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By: Jeff Cox
CNBC.com Senior Writer
Investors cast their own vote on the presidential race Wednesday, and the result was a landslide rout that could have lasting repercussions beyond Tuesday’s results.
Getty Images
A trader holds his head in his hand on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange in New York City
A day after President Barack Obama stormed past Republican challenger Mitt Romney, the stock market sent a clear message: There’s still a lot more to do than win a campaign.
Market experts said a confluence of factors are poised to make for a difficult environment that could last well into 2013, which traditionally would be a slow year outside of all the present headwinds.
Theories abounded on why the market tumbled. They ranged from worries over the “fiscal cliff” of tax increases and spending cuts, as well as troubles in Europe, a slowdown in the U.S. and questions over the efficiency and effects of Federal Reserve policy.
https://www.cnbc.com/id/49728143
The Cake Boss Buddy Valastro at Bookends Tuesday, November 13th
The Cake Boss Buddy Valastro at Bookends Tuesday, November 13th @ 6:00pm
From TLC’s The Cake Boss, Buddy Valastro, will sign his new book: Cooking Italian with the Cake Boss. Books available Oct. 6th
We Take Phone Orders If you can’t make the event!
Appearing authors will only autograph books purchased at Bookends and must have valid Bookends Receipt.Availability & pricing for all autographed books subject to change.Bookends cannot guarantee that the books that are Autographed will always be First Printings.
Autographed books purchased at Bookends are non-returnable.
While we try to insure that all customers coming to Bookends’ signings will meet authors and get their books signed, we cannot guarantee that all attendees will meet the author or that all books will be signed. We cannot control inclement weather, author travel schedules or authors who leave prematurely.
Bookends, 211 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-0726
A possible tax hit for Sandy’s victims
file Photo by Boyd Loving
A possible tax hit for Sandy’s victims
By Bill Bischoff
In addition to the tragedy of lost lives and injuries, Superstorm Sandy caused many billions of dollars in property damage. The sad truth: disasters occur every year in America. If you’re unlucky enough to suffer a disaster-related casualty, here’s what you need to know about the federal income tax implications.
Deductions for Personal Casualty Losses
Theoretically, our beloved Internal Revenue Code allows you to claim an itemized deduction — on Schedule A of your Form 1040 — for personal casualty losses to the extent they are not covered by insurance. Exactly what is a casualty loss? It’s when the fair market value of your property or asset is reduced or wiped out by a hurricane, flood, storm, fire, earthquake or volcanic eruption (not to mention sonic boom, theft or vandalism).
In reality, however, many disaster victims won’t qualify for any personal casualty loss write-offs because of the following two rules. First, you must reduce your loss by $100. Obviously, that’s no big deal. Then you must further reduce the loss by an amount equal to 10% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) for the year (AGI is the number at the bottom of page 1 of your Form 1040). That is a big deal. Say you incur a $20,000 personal casualty loss this year and have AGI of $100,000. Your write-off is a relatively puny $9,900 ($20,000 minus $100 minus $10,000). You get absolutely no tax break if your loss before the two required subtractions is $10,100 or less, and you have no chance at all if you don’t itemize.
But let’s assume you do have a deductible personal casualty loss from a 2012 event after the two subtractions. If the loss was caused by a disaster in a federally declared disaster area (more on that later), a special rule allows you to claim your rightful deduction either this year or last year. For example, victims of Hurricane Sandy can file amended 2011 returns and claim their losses last year. This rule allows you to get some immediate tax savings instead of having to wait until next year when you finally get around to filing your 2012 return. Remember: this special rule is only available for losses in federally declared disaster areas. You can find a by-state listing of these areas by using the interactive map on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website at www.fema.gov .
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/a-possible-tax-hit-for-sandys-victims-2012-11-07
Christie and Donovan push Bergen blue-law suspension and say it applies to all stores
Christie and Donovan push Bergen blue-law suspension and say it applies to all stores
November 8, 2012, 1:36 PM
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Governor Christie said in a press conference Thursday that his suspension of the Bergen County blue laws applies to all stores, and that Borough of Paramus cannot limit which stores can Be open, or which items may or may not be sold.Christie also reiterated that the suspension order would remain in effect until Bergen County Executive Kathleen Donovan asks him to lift it.
Critics have pointed out that this opened suspension is in effect because both the Governor and the County Exec are looking to eliminate the publicly supported blue laws in an effort to make the “American Dream Mall formerly Jim Mac greevey’s “Xanadu” more appealing to foreign visitors from New York City .
Officials in the borough of Paramus have challenged the Christie Administration and contend the suspension should only apply to storm-related necessities, not all stores, and have warned they will issue summonses to stores that violate their interpretation of the order. The County Executive Kathy Donovan countered that her office it would go to court, if necessary, to block Paramus from interfering with the right of stores to open.
The archaic “blue laws” have heavy voter support and despite several full court presses by the power that be. Voters enjoy one day a leisure without all the traffic in the county .
The Staff of the Ridgewood blog is curious to find out what the Governor Christie has in mind when picking up hurricane supplies at Bloomingdales , Nordstroms or Saks?
Boeing Announces Big Layoffs in Defense Division
Boeing Announces Big Layoffs in Defense Division
Published: Wednesday, 7 Nov 2012 | 2:59 PM ET
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By: Reuters
Boeing announced a major restructuring of its defense division on Wednesday that will cut 30 percent of management jobs from 2010 levels, close facilities in California and consolidate several business units to cut costs.
The company [BA 70.11 -1.47 (-2.05%) ] told employees about the changes on Wednesday, in a memo obtained by Reuters and confirmed by Boeing.
Boeing, the Pentagon’s second-largest supplier, said the changes were the latest step in an affordability drive that has already reduced the company’s costs by $2.2 billion since 2010, according to the memo.
The measures come as U.S. weapons makers are under pressure to cut costs and preserve profit margins amid dwindling defense spending in the U.S.
In a message to employees, Dennis Muilenburg, chief executive of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, said the company aimed to cut costs by an additional $1.6 billion from 2013 through 2015.
“We are raising the bar higher because our market challenges and opportunities require it, and our customers’ needs demand it,” Muilenburg said.
He said the total savings would reach $4 billion, making the company healthier and better able to deal with a tougher marketplace.
Hurricane Sandy Statement from Mayor Paul Aronsohn – Nov 8, 2012
Hurricane Sandy Statement from Mayor Paul Aronsohn – Nov 8, 2012
Good morning. This is Ridgewood Mayor Paul Aronsohn.
Today is day ten of our recovery effort for Hurricane Sandy. Despite yesterday’s snow event and a series of temporary power outages, most power has now been restored throughout the Village. The latest estimate had us at about 90%.
For many, last week’s storm has evolved into this week’s inconvenience – one characterized by school delays, gas lines and clean up efforts.
But for others … for too many of our friends and neighbors … this storm remains very much a present, miserable reality. Their struggle continues. Their homes remain cold and dark. Their lives remain disrupted.
For them, Hurricane Sandy continues.
That was the clear message at last night’s council meeting, and that is the driving imperative that informs and fuels our Village-wide recovery effort.
For that reason, our houses of worship will continue serving as warming centers.
For that reason, neighbors will continue helping and housing neighbors.
And for that reason, the Village Council and Village staff will remain focused on our number one post-storm recovery goal: getting power restored in each and every Ridgewood home.
Although this will likely be my last daily update, please know that we remain fully mobilized … clearing the streets, providing vital services and, of course, pushing PSEG to do its job.
And please also know that you can call or email me at anytime. My email address is paronsohn@ridgewoodnj.net. My cell phone number is 201.213.1811.
And if you’re interested, I will be holding a special set of office hours this Saturday, November 10, from 9am to 12pm in the Village Hall 4th floor Council chamber. Please contact Village Clerk Heather Mailander for an appointment or take your chance and just stop by. All Ridgewood residents are welcome.
Again, Hurricane Sandy was a devastating storm that created an unprecedented amount of destruction throughout the Village. Many houses were damaged. Many roads were blocked. Many families put in a precarious position. But we are very fortunate in that no one here was hurt during the storm, and we are very fortunate to live in a place where compassion and a profound sense of community reign supreme.
Thank you. Be well. And be safe.
Power Restoration – Arden Court, Grove Street, South Irving Street – Glen Rock and Ridgewood
Photo by Boyd Loving
Power Restoration – Arden Court, Grove Street, South Irving Street – Glen Rock and Ridgewood
November 8th 2012
Boyd A. Loving
11:30 AM
Ridgewood NJ, Lineman from B & B Electrical and Utility Contractors located in Brandon, Mississippi, worked on Thursday morning to restore power to dozens of residential customers located on Arden Court, Grove Street, and South Irving Street in Ridgewood and Glen Rock.
photos by Boyd Loving
Harry Reid Mandate for Higher taxes
Harry Reid Mandate for Higher taxes
Harry Reid agenda: Filibuster crackdown, tax increases
By MANU RAJU | 11/7/12 1:54 PM EST Updated: 11/7/12 9:14 PM EST
Sen. Harry Reid embraced his role as a more empowered Senate majority leader Wednesday, calling for a major fiscal deal in the lame duck session while vowing a new push on immigration reform and an overhaul of filibuster rules in the new Congress.
He also promised not to “mess with Social Security” as negotiations begin on fiscal reform.
Speaking at a packed news conference on Capitol Hill, Reid laid out an ambitious agenda for 2013 after his party’s surprisingly decisive Senate victories and President Barack Obama’s reelection bid, saying the public gave Democrats a new mandate to raise taxes on wealthy families as part of a major year-end fiscal deal. While Reid said he’s not going to “draw lines in the sand” ahead of the year-end fiscal cliff, he insisted on higher revenues.
Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/stories/1112/83514.html#ixzz2BdebAeTT
18 year Resident says Mr Mayor Stop Blaming PSE&G
Dear Mr. Mayor,
Please stop blaming PSE&G for your poor leadership skills in responding to a crisis. After 9 days I finally got power back yesterday. There were 6 trees and 3 utility poles down on my block. Everyone involved with PSE&G was doing their job, from the local PSE&G crew to the crew from Illinois. It was not a quick fix. 3 poles had to be replaced and all utilities needed to be marked. PSE&G checked every day on the progress and spoke freely about the procedures and steps that needed to occur. Frankly, I was amazed that we got our power back as quickly as we did after seeing and hearing stories of the devastation to residents of Ridgewood, Little Ferry, Moonachie and other communities. You may have driven around last night (probably the first time) but when a local resident mentioned our problem to you a week ago, you had no idea that our street even existed and never bothered to check on us or visit.
My problem with you Mr. Mayor was your lack of leadership in providing local residents with helpful information. Instead of Robo calling to throw blame on PSE&G, why didn’t you call to tell us where to get hot food, because eating out every meal got to be very expensive. How about calling to say where we could get ice, extra water, computer access, charge our phones, help for our pets, extra blankets, a place to sleep or get warm, or that we were still having garbage pick -up. Not everyone had family to go to or could afford to get a hotel, or a generator and pay the cost to fill it.
In one of your Robo calls you mentioned that we were responsible for taking the tree branches down to recycling center on our own and to not put them in the street. I have no idea of how we are suppose to accomplish that. Meanwhile you had trucks collecting leaves? That is a perfect example of your pathetic leadership.
You sir, failed to do your job as a mayor, so just stop talking and calling, because frankly I’m tired of hearing from you!!
just sign me
A very pissed off 18 year Resident
