Ridgewood Restaurants Open for Thanksgiving
Looking for a place to go, Ridgewood Restaurants are Open for Thanksgiving:
The Stable: “Rodizio” charcoal grill cooking
Brick Lane: Indian
Ho Ho Kus Inn: Standard American
Park West American Nouveau
if your open lets us know we will update during the day
President Obama Grant Presidential Pardon to the 2012 National Turkey
Courtesy of Dom NIzza
The day before Thanksgiving, President Obama granted Cobbler, one of the two toms selected for national turkey honors, a presidential pardon at the White House. Cobbler, along with Gobbler, the second turkey, will then head to their future home at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate. watch the Presidential Pardon on Yourtube https://youtu.be/z7OXg9CZQt0
The Great Thanksgiving Hoax
Each year at this time school children all over America are taught the official Thanksgiving story, and newspapers, radio, TV, and magazines devote vast amounts of time and space to it. It is all very colorful and fascinating.
It is also very deceiving. This official story is nothing like what really happened. It is a fairy tale, a whitewashed and sanitized collection of half-truths which divert attention away from Thanksgiving’s real meaning.
The official story has the pilgrims boarding the Mayflower, coming to America and establishing the Plymouth colony in the winter of 1620-21. This first winter is hard, and half the colonists die. But the survivors are hard working and tenacious, and they learn new farming techniques from the Indians. The harvest of 1621 is bountiful. The Pilgrims hold a celebration, and give thanks to God. They are grateful for the wonderful new abundant land He has given them.
The official story then has the Pilgrims living more or less happily ever after, each year repeating the first Thanksgiving. Other early colonies also have hard times at first, but they soon prosper and adopt the annual tradition of giving thanks for this prosperous new land called America.
The problem with this official story is that the harvest of 1621 was not bountiful, nor were the colonists hardworking or tenacious. 1621 was a famine year and many of the colonists were lazy thieves.
In his ‘History of Plymouth Plantation,’ the governor of the colony, William Bradford, reported that the colonists went hungry for years, because they refused to work in the fields. They preferred instead to steal food. He says the colony was riddled with “corruption,” and with “confusion and discontent.” The crops were small because “much was stolen both by night and day, before it became scarce eatable.”
In the harvest feasts of 1621 and 1622, “all had their hungry bellies filled,” but only briefly. The prevailing condition during those years was not the abundance the official story claims, it was famine and death. The first “Thanksgiving” was not so much a celebration as it was the last meal of condemned men.
But in subsequent years something changes. The harvest of 1623 was different. Suddenly, “instead of famine now God gave them plenty,” Bradford wrote, “and the face of things was changed, to the rejoicing of the hearts of many, for which they blessed God.” Thereafter, he wrote, “any general want or famine hath not been amongst them since to this day.” In fact, in 1624, so much food was produced that the colonists were able to begin exporting corn.
What happened?
After the poor harvest of 1622, writes Bradford, “they began to think how they might raise as much corn as they could, and obtain a better crop.” They began to question their form of economic organization.
This had required that “all profits & benefits that are got by trade, working, fishing, or any other means” were to be placed in the common stock of the colony, and that, “all such persons as are of this colony, are to have their meat, drink, apparel, and all provisions out of the common stock.” A person was to put into the common stock all he could, and take out only what he needed.
This “from each according to his ability, to each according to his need” was an early form of socialism, and it is why the Pilgrims were starving. Bradford writes that “young men that are most able and fit for labor and service” complained about being forced to “spend their time and strength to work for other men’s wives and children.” Also, “the strong, or man of parts, had no more in division of victuals and clothes, than he that was weak.” So the young and strong refused to work and the total amount of food produced was never adequate.
To rectify this situation, in 1623 Bradford abolished socialism. He gave each household a parcel of land and told them they could keep what they produced, or trade it away as they saw fit. In other words, he replaced socialism with a free market, and that was the end of famines.
Many early groups of colonists set up socialist states, all with the same terrible results. At Jamestown, established in 1607, out of every shipload of settlers that arrived, less than half would survive their first twelve months in America. Most of the work was being done by only one-fifth of the men, the other four-fifths choosing to be parasites. In the winter of 1609-10, called “The Starving Time,” the population fell from five-hundred to sixty.
Then the Jamestown colony was converted to a free market, and the results were every bit as dramatic as those at Plymouth. In 1614, Colony Secretary Ralph Hamor wrote that after the switch there was “plenty of food, which every man by his own industry may easily and doth procure.” He said that when the socialist system had prevailed, “we reaped not so much corn from the labors of thirty men as three men have done for themselves now.”
Before these free markets were established, the colonists had nothing for which to be thankful. They were in the same situation as Ethiopians are today, and for the same reasons. But after free markets were established, the resulting abundance was so dramatic that the annual Thanksgiving celebrations became common throughout the colonies, and in 1863, Thanksgiving became a national holiday.
Thus the real reason for Thanksgiving, deleted from the official story, is: Socialism does not work; the one and only source of abundance is free markets, and we thank God we live in a country where we can have them.
* * * * *
Mr. Maybury writes on investments.
This article originally appeared in The Free Market, November 1985.
https://mises.org/daily/336
Food Stamp Nation Thanksgiving
November 22,2012
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, This Thanksgiving more Americans than ever will use food stamps to buy their Thanksgiving dinner , according to a new report from the nonprofit government watchdog group The Sunlight Foundation.
42.2 million Americans are on food stamps, according to the Economic Policy Institute. This is roughly the size of the populations of California and Connecticut combined.
Usage of food stamps among low and no-income families has spiked since the collapse of the U.S. financial system four years ago. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, average participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or food stamp program, has grown 70% since 2007. And economists warn that usage of food stamps won’t go down until unemployment picture improves.
The Ridgewod blog Wishes you and your Family a Very Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving
May we lift up our thoughts to all that is good in our country and in our families.
May we especially remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice to our country, as well as all those who have served and continue to serve this nation.
May we keep in our prayers all those that are less fortunate and those who have suffered during Hurricane Sandy
And a sincere “thank you” to all for all you who chose to turn to this blog for up to the minute information during Hurricane Sandy and its aftermath and the linemen who worked tirelessly getting the power restored.
Walters in Trenton to interview Christie
Television personality Barbara Walters was in the statehouse today interviewing Gov. Chris Christie as part of the release of her “10 Most Fascinating People of 2012.”
Christie’s was one of seven names revealed Monday. The remaining names as well as the top name on the list will be revealed on December 12. (Isherwood/PolitickerNJ)
https://www.politickernj.com/61194/walters-trenton-interview-christie
photo by Boyd Loving
Sandy spurs new look at underground power lines, grid upgrade
Hurricane Sandy has prompted utility regulators to take a new look at measures New Jersey has shied away from in the past – including replacing some above-ground power lines with underground systems — largely because of the huge price tag that likely would jack up electric rates for consumers.
In the next few months, the state Board of Public Utilities, however, plans to explore the possibility of “selective’’ burying of underground lines. It also will examine whether to require utilities to create a “smarter” power grid, a step some say would lead to faster restoration of power in the wake of powerful storms like Sandy. (Johnson/NJSpotlight)
The Village is Seeking Residents to Volunteer to Serve on Various Boards and Committees
The Village Council is looking for residents who are interested in volunteering to serve on the following Boards and Committees: Community Relations Advisory Board; Library Board of Trustees; Parks, Recreation, and Conservation Board; Open Space Committee; Project Pride Committee; and Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee.
The Community Relations Advisory Board promotes the development and implementation of educational programs which celebrate our diversity and provides offers assistance to victims of bias-related crimes.
The Library Board of Trustees is the governing board for the Ridgewood Public Library and its employees. The Board of Trustees works with the community to establish Library policy and secures funds to carry on services to the public, and set goals and objectives.
The Parks, Recreation, and Conservation Board recommends rules for use and monitors recreation facilities. The Board coordinates community recreation programs and develops and updates the long-range Master Plan for recreation in the Village.
The Open Space Committee assists in identifying specific types of open space, and makes recommendations to the Village Council on the development of existing open space acquisitions.
The Project Pride Committee plants and waters flowers, throughout Ridgewood’s Central Business District and organizes the Village Garden program with local landscapers.
The Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee assists the Village Council in long-range planning concerning environmental issues as well as anticipating environmental problems and recommending solutions.
All interested residents should fill out a Citizen Volunteer Leadership form (found on the Village website under “Forms”), and send it along with a cover letter indicating on which board or committee the resident wishes to serve, and a biography or resume to:
Mayor Paul Aronsohn
Village of Ridgewood
131 North Maple Ave.
Ridgewood, NJ 07451
Deadline for submissions is November 28, 2012.
Visit Santa and Take Trolley Ride
Chamber of Commerce
Saturday December 15th and 22nd, 2012 *12Noon-4pm Santa @ his house in Memorial Park @ Van Neste Park *12Noon-4pm FREE Trolley rides for the entire family *same hours For Holiday shopping and dining, the Village of Ridgewood is giving … FREE PARKING ON SATURDAYS’ from Thanksgiving until Christmas November 24, 2012 – December 22, 2012. Enjoy Ridgewood! For more details, call 201-445-2600 www.experienceridgewood.com info@ridgewoodchamber facebook.com
Tony Bennett Bookends This Friday
Tony Bennett Bookends This Friday, November 23rd @ 4:00pm
Seventeen-time Grammy Winner, Tony Bennett, will sign his new book: Life is a Gift Books available November 20th. 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
NJT: Thanksgiving Holiday Service Information
As NJ TRANSIT continues its storm-recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, the agency will offer nearly normal Thanksgiving service levels on most lines to ensure customers’ travel plans go smoothly over the holiday weekend.
NJ TRANSIT is reminding customers that rail service may be subject to delays and cancellations as a result of ongoing storm recovery efforts. Due to residual storm impacts, Gladstone Branch rail service remains suspended until further notice, and Newark Light Rail will continue to operate on a modified schedule between Newark Penn and Broad Street stations (service every half hour). In addition, North Jersey Coast Line service will experience delays of up to 15 minutes between Long Branch and Woodbridge stations over the holiday weekend. Most inbound (to Newark/New York) North Jersey Coast Line trains will depart stations five minutes earlier between Long Branch and Woodbridge. For post-hurricane service updates, click here.
On Wednesday, November 21, trains will operate on a modified weekday schedule on all lines (except Gladstone Branch, which remains suspended until further notice). Click here for detailed schedules. Additional “early getaway” service will operate from New York Penn Station, Newark Penn Station and Hoboken Terminal starting at 1 p.m. on the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast (to Long Branch only), Raritan Valley, Morris & Essex (from New York only), Pascack Valley (modified getaway service) and Port Jervis lines.
Light rail service will operate as follows:
Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on a weekday schedule
River Line will operate on a weekday schedule.
Newark Light Rail continues to operate on a modified schedule, with limited service between Newark Penn Station and Grove St. Station operating every 10-15 minutes, due to residual impacts from Hurricane Sandy. Limited peak period service is operating between Newark Penn and Broad St. Station.
Bus Service:
Schedules vary by route—view holiday schedule information here. Selected routes will operate on special holiday schedules to match service with ridership demand, including early getaway service from the Port Authority Bus Terminal between noon and 4 p.m. to accommodate the heaviest travel, with less frequent service during the peak periods and later in the evening due to lower ridership.
Emergency trans-Hudson shuttle bus/ferry service
On Wednesday, November 21, the following emergency shuttle bus/ferry service routes will provide early getaway service:
To PNC Arts Center (Holmdel, Garden State Parkway Exit 116): Early getaway service from Port Authority Bus Terminal and Newark Penn Station will start at 1:30 p.m. Service will operate on a load and go basis until 8 p.m.
To Ramsey/Rt. 17 Station (Ramsey): Shuttle bus service from Port Imperial Ferry Terminal in Weehawken will start at 12 p.m. and operate every 30 minutes until 8 p.m.
To Hoboken Terminal: Ferry service from Pier 79 (West 39th St. in Midtown Manhattan) will operate from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., and from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. Service from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. will operate every 30 minutes to accommodate the busiest travel period.
To Liberty State Park: Ferry service from Battery Park (Lower Manhattan) will operate every 10 minutes from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., every 20 minutes from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and every 10 minutes from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
To Summit Station: Shuttle bus service from Liberty State Park to Summit will start at 12 p.m. and operate every 30 minutes until 8 p.m.
To Gladstone Branch stations: Shuttle bus service from Summit Station to Gladstone, Peapack, Far Hills, Millington, Gillette, Murray Hill, Bernardsville, Basking Ridge, Lyons, Berkeley Heights and New Providence stations will start at 12 p.m. and operate every 30 minutes until 8 p.m.
On Thanksgiving Day, November 22, trains will operate on a weekend/major holiday schedule (except Gladstone Branch, which remains suspended until further notice). Click here for detailed schedules. To accommodate customers traveling to and from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, NJ TRANSIT will add extra trains on the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast (between Long Branch and New York only), Raritan Valley, Morris & Essex and Port Jervis lines.
Light rail service will operate as follows:
Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on a weekend schedule—however, direct service between Tonnelle Avenue and Hoboken will operate every 20 minutes
River Line will operate on a Sunday schedule.
Newark Light Rail will operate on a Sunday schedule between Newark Penn and Grove Street stations, and on a modified schedule between Newark Penn and Broad Street stations (service every half hour).
Bus Service:
Holiday bus schedules vary by route—view holiday schedule information here. Selected bus routes will operate extra service to and from the Port Authority Bus Terminal for customers traveling to the parade. Special service on the No. 111 bus route from New York to the Jersey Gardens Mall, as well as on the No. 70 and No. 73 bus routes to Livingston Mall, will begin operating before midnight on Thanksgiving night.
On Friday, November 23, one of the busiest shopping days of the year, trains will operate on a modified weekday schedule on all rail lines (except Gladstone Branch, which remains suspended until further notice). Click here for detailed schedules. Additional New York-bound trains will operate between 10 a.m. and noon on the Northeast Corridor. On the Morris & Essex Lines, one additional midday train to New York will operate. Customers are encouraged to travel early, if possible, when ridership is light. Select morning peak period trains on the Northeast Corridor will not operate on Friday, due to expected light ridership.
Light rail service will operate as follows:
Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on a weekend schedule—however, direct service between Tonnelle Avenue and Hoboken will operate every 20 minutes
River Line will operate on a Sunday schedule.
Newark Light Rail will operate on a Saturday schedule between Newark Penn and Grove Street stations, and on a modified schedule between Newark Penn and Broad Street stations (service every half hour).
Bus Service:
Schedules vary by route—view holiday schedule information here. Selected routes will operate on special holiday schedules to match service with ridership demand, with less frequent service during the peak periods due to lower ridership.
Extra bus service to New Jersey malls
Starting Friday, November 23 and continuing through December 24, NJ TRANSIT will offer additional bus service to major New Jersey shopping destinations to accommodate extended store hours and busy shopping times throughout the day. Throughout the holiday shopping season, extra trips or expanded service will be offered on several bus routes serving malls and shopping centers throughout the state, including Garden State Plaza, IKEA Paramus, Jersey Gardens, Livingston Mall, Harmon Meadow/Mill Creek in Secaucus, Willowbrook Mall, Wayne Towne Center Mall and West Belt Mall. Note: Special service on the No. 111 bus route from New York to the Jersey Gardens Mall, as well as on the No. 70 and No. 73 bus routes to Livingston Mall, will begin operating before midnight on Thanksgiving night.
Kids ride free on NJT
For the Thanksgiving holiday, NJ TRANSIT’s Family Super Saver Fare, which allows up to two children 11 and younger to travel free with each fare-paying adult, will be in effect from 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 21 until 6 a.m. Monday, November 26.
Travel tips
Check Schedules in Advance: Additional service will be provided on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Plan your trip online to take advantage of extra trains and buses.
Travel Early on Friday, November 23: On Friday, NJ TRANSIT rail lines will operate on a modified weekday schedule with additional trains during the late morning hours. Avoid the crowds by traveling during the traditional peak-period (6-9 a.m.) when ridership is light.
Allow Extra Travel Time: Traffic congestion during the holidays may affect bus travel times to and from New York City, so customers should plan accordingly.
Ticketing: Purchase round-trip tickets at the start of your trip to speed your return. Use ticket vending machines or see a ticket agent, if available, to avoid possible surcharges. Bus customers departing Port Authority Bus Terminal are reminded that tickets must be purchased before boarding the bus.
Luggage: Travel as light as possible. Passengers with luggage or packages should use the overhead racks or designated luggage spaces. On multilevel trains, customers with large bags should use the mezzanine levels at the ends of each car.
Race to the top returns, this time for school districts
Twenty-one New Jersey school districts are among more than 370 nationwide to apply for $400 million in federal Race to the Top funds, as the sweeping and sometimes controversial competition goes local with a push into specific instruction models and technology.
Due last week, the applications came from a wide range of districts in New Jersey, from Newark and Paterson to three different consortia of suburban districts. Winners will be announced by the end of the year. (Mooney/NJSpotlight)
https://www.njspotlight.com/
Winterfest Horse Drawn Hay Rides and Music December 8th and December 15th
Sponsored by Ridgewood Guild
This fun filled event created by The Ridgewood Guild has been enjoyed by people of all ages and is becoming a Ridgewood tradition! We are very excited to have The Ridgewood Symphony return for the second year, along with many more musical groups. For the third year, we will have our horse drawn hay ride, complimentary hot chocolate provided by Chestnut Deli, and ice sculpting for the kids. Our holiday elves will be on hand with free candy canes and a handout offering specials throughout town. So stop by to help celebrate the season and support our downtown by taking part in our third annual Winterfest!
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Recognizes Valley’s Intensive Care Units with Beacon Awards for Excellence
November 19, 2012 – The Valley Hospital is proud to announce that all four adult critical care units – Intensive Care, Coronary Care, Cardiac Surgery, and Intermediate Care – have once again received the Beacon Award for Excellence.
The Beacon Award for Excellence — a significant milestone on the path to exceptional patient care and a healthy work environment — recognizes unit caregivers who successfully improve patient outcomes and align practices with AACN’s six standards for a healthy work environment. Units that achieve this three-year designation meet national criteria consistent with Magnet Recognition, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the National Quality Healthcare Award.
AACN President Kathryn E. Roberts, RN, MSN, CNS, CCRN, CCNS, applauds the commitment of the caregivers at the four adult critical care units at The Valley Hospital for working together to meet and exceed the high standards set forth by the Beacon Award for Excellence.
“The Beacon Award for Excellence recognizes caregivers in stellar units whose consistent and systematic approach to evidence-based care optimizes patient outcomes. Units that receive this national recognition serve as a role model to others on their journey to excellent patient and family care,” she explained.
About the Beacon Award for Excellence: Established in 2003, the Beacon Award for Excellence offers a road map to help guide exceptional care through improved outcomes and greater overall patient satisfaction. U.S. or Canadian units where patients receive their principal nursing care after hospital admission qualify for this excellence award. Units that receive the Beacon Award for Excellence meet criteria in six categories: leadership structures and systems; appropriate staffing and staff engagement; effective communication, knowledge management, learning and development and best practices; evidence-based practice and processes; and patient outcomes. To learn more, visit www.aacn.org/beacon or call (800) 899-2226.
About the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses: Founded in 1969 and based in Aliso Viejo, Calif., the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) is the largest specialty nursing organization in the world. AACN joins together the interests of more than
500,000 acute and critical care nurses and claims more than 240 chapters worldwide. The organization’s vision is to create a healthcare system driven by the needs of patients and their families in which acute and critical care nurses make their optimal contribution. To learn more about AACN, visit www.aacn.org, connect with the organization on Facebook at www.facebook.com/aacnface or follow AACN on Twitter at www.twitter.com/aacnme.
President Obama, Clinton Prosperity Requires Clinton-Sized Government
There is a way for Congressional Republicans to reach an accord with Democrats that would enable the nation to avoid falling off “the fiscal cliff” into a searing recession.
Obama Democrats argue that the President only wants to restore the top rates that reigned during the Clinton presidency, which was a prosperous time. We should say: Absolutely, let’s do it. But in order to achieve a Clinton economy, you also must enact the other Clinton policies critical to the prosperity of those years: They include:
The oppressive ObamaCare of that time was HillaryCare, which was never enacted. If we want to re-create the Clinton economy, then we have to repeal ObamaCare. Are Democrats willing to do that?
The federal-regulation regime was also much easier then than it is now. Will the White House become serious about genuine deregulation?
II. Clinton-era Federal Spending Levels
Federal spending as a proportion of the economy was smaller in those days. That would mean budget cuts now of around $500 billion – not spread over ten years, but right now. How likely is that?
