RHS Girls Lacrosse team captured the Bergen County Tournament title for the ninth time
The captains of the 2013 Ridgewood High School girls lacrosse team are, from left, seniors Maura Feeney, Lauren Beausoleil and Maggie Carver. (photo/anthony locicero)
Ridgewood NJ, For the ninth year in a row the RHS Girls Lacrosse team captured the Bergen County Tournament title on May 11, beating out Immaculate Heart by a score of 13 to 10.The game was very close, but the Maroon Girls won the day.
RHS Robotics Team takes Honors Annual Botball Competition
Ridgewood NJ, The RHS Robotics Team competed in the annual Botball Competition on May 11 at Rahway High School.
The RHS team won the Alliance Competition, in which their robot was teamed up with Hackensack High School’s robot to perform a required task in an allotted time period.
The Ridgewood robot also won the award for “Most Photogenic Robot” for its well-designed look.
Photo: Kevin Heom, Sebastian Yoo, Toby Highfill, Akash Kumar, Leo Yoo and Chris Criscitiello pose for a picture with their award-winning robot design.
How I Dress Now: Willie Geist
By Willie Geist
at 8:00AM
From the June/July 2013 issue
I can’t say for sure where I was headed the first time my mom put a blue blazer on me. Church, probably. West Side Presbyterian in Ridgewood, New Jersey, specifically, where my blazer was paired with a clip-on tie and a pair of khakis for a Sunday morning with my fellow congregants. The blazer gave the impression to all that I was a well-scrubbed, respectful, devout young man, even as I heckled the pastor under my breath and drew a pair of boobs on the offertory cards. Powerful as it may be, there’s only so much a blue blazer can conceal.
When you’re young, the blue blazer feels like a grown-up costume. It’s the first piece of adult clothing that most boys ever own, and on those rare occasions when you pull it out of the back left-hand corner of your closet — for church, weddings, funerals, and graduations — it gives you the look (in your own mind, anyway) of one of those old men with white hair and stock portfolios talking about putting in the Men’s Grill. (Ted Knight’s Judge Smails in Caddyshack, at Bushwood Country Club, comes to mind.) The fit is never quite right because, really, what kid goes to a tailor? A blazer is generally grabbed off the rack by Mom every few years at Brooks Brothers or Syms (we favored the one on Route 17 North in Paramus) in a race to keep up with pubescent growth spurts. I believe my size was “close enough.”
Read more: https://www.esquire.com/blogs/mens-fashion/willie-geist-style-0613
Top IRS official will invoke 5th Amendment
By Richard Simon and Joseph Tanfani
May 21, 2013, 1:17 p.m.
WASHINGTON — A top IRS official in the division that reviews nonprofit groups will invoke the 5th Amendment and refuse to answer questions before a House committee investigating the agency’s improper screening of conservative nonprofit groups.
Lois Lerner, the head of the exempt organizations division of the IRS, won’t answer questions about what she knew about the improper screening — or why she didn’t disclose it to Congress, according to a letter from her defense lawyer, William W. Taylor III. Lerner was scheduled to appear before the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday.
“She has not committed any crime or made any misrepresentation but under the circumstances she has no choice but to take this course,” said a letter by Taylor to committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Vista). The letter, sent Monday, was obtained Tuesday by the Los Angeles Times.
https://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-top-irs-official-fifth-amendment-20130521,0,6645565.story
State grants to help improve aesthetics in Ridgewood
Monday May 20, 2013, 10:07 AM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News
Two recently obtained grants amounting to nearly $200,000 will assist the Village of Ridgewood as it embarks on various beautification and improvement projects this year.
Of the total $87 million of local aid awarded to New Jersey municipalities this month by the state and Gov. Christie, the village will take home $150,000. The funds, available through the state’s Municipal Aid program, were granted to Ridgewood to offset the costs of repaving jobs on South Van Dien Avenue.
“These grants enable municipalities to stretch their resources and advance important roadway projects and other safety and quality-of-life improvements that benefit all who share the road, including pedestrians and bicyclists,” NJ Department of Transportation Commissioner James Simpson said in a news release. “The Christie administration supports the Local Aid program because it helps relieve pressure on local property taxpayers.”
https://www.northjersey.com/news/208123111_State_grants_to_help_improve_aesthetics_in_Ridgewood.html
Menendez, NJ Brewer Discuss “Small BREW Act” During American Craft Beer Week
May 16, 2013
Washington, DC – Today, during American Craft Beer Week, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) met with members of the Brewers Association, including Gene Muller, founder and general manager of New Jersey’s Flying Fish Brewing Company.
Among the topics discussed was the recently introduced “Small BREW Act” (S. 917, The Small Brewer Reinvestment and Expanding Workforce Act). This legislation, of which Senator Menendez is an original co-sponsor, would fuel regional economies by reducing the excise tax on each barrel of beer brewed by small brewers.
“It isn’t every day a Senator gets to talk about beer on the job, but it makes sense when you consider small brewers’ ability to create jobs and propel our economy. For all that they do, I tip a figurative pint to the outstanding small brewers I met with today,” said Sen. Menendez. “In New Jersey, small brewers like Gene Muller and his Flying Fish Brewing Company not only produce some great brews, they help the New Jersey economy. I’m glad to have met this Somerdale success story. He is just one reason why we need to pass the Small BREW Act, and help cut small brewers’ tax burden so they can put more people to work and bring more artisan brews to the marketplace.”
“Small brewers have reenergized the nation’s beer culture by combining creativity, personality and a healthy dose of fun. But that doesn’t mean what we do isn’t serious business,” said Gene Muller, founder and general manager of the Flying Fish Brewing Company of Somerdale, New Jersey. “Senator Menendez and his colleagues understand that behind every American craft brewer’s label is a small business creating jobs, fueling the economy and needing government’s help–not its hassles. That’s why I appreciate Sen. Menendez and his colleagues for sponsoring the Small BREW Act and for giving us the chance to discuss the needs of our businesses. This kind of support will help small brewers like me do everything we can to keep America moving forward.”
Under current law, brewers generally pay an $18 excise tax on each barrel brewed. Small brewers, currently defined as those that brew fewer than 2 million barrels of beer a year, pay a reduced excise tax of $7 per barrel for the first 60,000 barrels of beer they brew each year. The Small BREW Act would reduce the excise tax applicable to brewers producing up to 6 million barrels per year to just $3.50 on the first 60,000 barrels and $16 on additional barrels below 2 million per year.
An economic impact study by Dr. John Friedman at Harvard University found that the bill would generate $183.1 million in economic activity in the first year and almost $1.04 billion over five years and would also create nearly 5,230 jobs in just the first year. New Jersey is home to 31 craft brewers, with at least 28 more in the planning stages.
The small brewer threshold and tax rate were established in 1976 and have never been updated. Since then, the annual production of America’s largest brewery increased from 45 million barrels to 105 million barrels. Raising the ceiling that defines small breweries from 2 million barrels to 6 million barrels more accurately reflects the intent of the original differentiation between large and small brewers in the U.S.
American Craft Beer Week, May 13-19, is a celebration of America’s small and independent craft brewers and their contributions to America’s communities and our economy..
Judge’s deadline for Valley Hospital creeps up
Monday May 20, 2013, 2:40 PM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News
The Valley Hospital expansion plan public hearing process is moving forward “one session at a time” despite the mounting urgency to complete it before the end of June, according to Ridgewood Planning Board Chairman Charles Nalbantian.
Detailed presentations and spirited debate and conversation between the applicant and board members during the most recent Planning Board meetings, coupled with existing scheduling conflicts, have slowed the fluid pace established in early March. When Valley representatives first met with the Planning Board on March 11, all parties had hoped to meet a Superior Court directive that the hospital’s public hearing conclude before July 1.
While reviewing Valley’s remaining witnesses and schedule last month, project attorney Jonathan Drill expressed skepticism that the hearing would wrap up in time.
“I’m just going to say it,” Drill said as the April 30 meeting concluded, “there’s no way this is going to finish in June, but that’s just – that’s what it is.”
https://www.northjersey.com/news/208167471_Judge_s_deadline_for_Valley_Hospital_creeps_up.html
Ex-congressman Former Rep. Andy Maguire exploring a run to unseat Garrett
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
BY HERB JACKSON
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT
The Record
Former Rep. Andy Maguire is hoping to make a comeback next year, when he’ll be 75 years old, to retake the House seat he lost more than three decades ago.
A spokesman said he still considers it exploratory, but Maguire, of Ridgewood, has filed paperwork and is raising money to seek the Democratic nomination to challenge Rep. Scott Garrett, a six-term Republican from Sussex County, in the 5th Congressional District.
A Maguire-Garrett race would pit an old-school liberal, whose work after Congress included helping farmers in the developing world and trying to limit carbon emissions, against a leader in the House GOP’s movement toward a more conservative agenda who believes in strict application of the U.S. Constitution’s limits on federal power.
Garrett, 59, has easily won six terms, most recently in November by a 12-point margin.
Democrats note, however, that Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez also carried the district on the same ballot.
https://www.northjersey.com/news/208262021_Ex-congressman_exploring_a_run_to_unseat_Garrett.html
Climate slowdown means extreme rates of warming ‘not as likely’
By Matt McGrath Environment correspondent, BBC News
Since 1998, there has been an unexplained “standstill” in the heating of the Earth’s atmosphere.
Writing in Nature Geoscience, the researchers say this will reduce predicted warming in the coming decades.
But long-term, the expected temperature rises will not alter significantly.
“The most extreme projections are looking less likely than before”
Dr Alexander Otto University of Oxford
The slowdown in the expected rate of global warming has been studied for several years now. Earlier this year, the UK Met Office lowered their five-year temperature forecast.
But this new paper gives the clearest picture yet of how any slowdown is likely to affect temperatures in both the short-term and long-term.
An international team of researchers looked at how the last decade would impact long-term, equilibrium climate sensitivity and the shorter term climate response.
Smoking ban gets green light in Ridgewood
Monday May 20, 2013, 10:07 AM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News
It’s official: Smoking is now banned in all parks, playgrounds and sports fields owned or leased by the Village of Ridgewood.
After several months of discussion and scratching a handful of drafts, the Village Council finalized and unanimously approved its smoke-free parks plan last Wednesday.
As part of the initiative, Ridgewood will receive more than 70 signs declaring areas as smoke free. The signs are provided by the Center for Prevention and Counseling (CPC) through a state Department of Health grant at no cost to municipalities that adopt a smoking ban proposal.
https://www.northjersey.com/news/208123141_Smoking_ban_gets_green_light_in_Ridgewood.html
NJ’s COAH money grab is latest raid on property taxes
It’s a classic case of “Catch 22.”
As they wait for state approvals for committing affordable housing funds, municipal officials throughout New Jersey find themselves fending off state attempts to take that money — because it’s not being spent
Editorial-Times of Trenton
https://www.nj.com/times-opinion/index.ssf/2013/05/editorial_njs_coah_money_grab.html#incart_river
A Change in Tone for the Village
May 20,2013
the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, three recent letters to the editor posted in the Ridgewood News may be signaling a change of tone for the Village .
All three were noticeable in the absence of heaping praise for the irresponsible spending and outlandish promises that usually make headlines in this town .
So what gives ,Ridgewood is no longer a safe heaven for left wing loons , like the mad bomber or supporters of New Jersey’s Democratic machine politics . Maybe the grip of Hudson County is soiling the upscale nature of the Village and degrading residents self image ?
No , its seems more like the reality of the continued negative impacts of Big Government or Government knows best policies are hurting more and more people . It is one thing to read about it in the paper its anther to see your neighbors go down the tubes .
It seems the tax payer is feeling far less generous and growing weary of the we know best shut up and pay attitude .
https://www.northjersey.com/news/opinions/207826851_Letter__No_thanks_for_paying_taxes.html
PSE&G provides more detail on upgrade plans
A plan by the state’s largest power company to upgrade a major portion of New Jersey’s power grid would reduce storm-induced blackouts by 39 percent and save customers from hundreds of millions of dollars in losses, according to the utility.
Public Service Electric and Gas said its $3.9 billion Energy Strong proposal would be worth the money because customers would avoid the kinds of financial losses incurred after Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Irene and other recent weather events.
Dave Sheingold-The Record
https://www.northjersey.com/news/207978481_PSEG_provides_more_detail_on_upgrade_plans.html
Legendary Coach of the Chicago Bulls and LA. Lakers, Phil Jackson Wednesday at Bookends
Ridgewood NJ, Wednesday, May 22nd @ 6:30pm ,Legendary Coach of the Chicago Bulls and LA. Lakers, Phil Jackson, will sign his new book: Eleven Rings
Book available May 21st
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
Photo by Boyd Loving
New fire engine is great, but why is the government paying for it?
Friday, May 17, 2013
The Ridgewood News
New fire engine is great, but why is the government paying for it?
To the Editor:
I read with interest your recent article, “Senator warns of sequester’s impact” (The Ridgewood News; May 10: page A1).
Sen. Menendez was in town to help unveil a new fire engine, which was largely paid for by the federal government. At a press conference with Menendez as the keynote speaker, village officials applauded the fire department and other agencies for obtaining $800,000 in federal funds over the past three years. Officials praised the fire department for searching for “alternate revenue sources” and for their grant writing success.
