“fancy white people” dinning in Ridgewood photo by ArtChick
By Jeff Goldman | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on April 04, 2017 at 8:56 AM, updated April 04, 2017 at 11:46 AM
A Newark woman enraged by “fancy white people” is being sought for allegedly attacking a man with a hammer and smashing his Porsche and boat at a gas station in what Virginia police described as a racially-motivated attack Saturday.
Angela M. Jones, 26, faces potential hate crime charges after allegedly beating the man at an Exxon Station off Interstate 95 in Caroline County, Va., according to WTVR.com.
Jones has not been located or arrested as of 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, according to a spokesman for the New Jersey State Police.
The incident began when Jones approached the Massachusetts man as he fueled his Porsche and began yelling at him, authorities told the television station.
“We’re going to win economically; we’re going to win with the economy.” – Donald J. Trump
BUILDING CONFIDENCE IN THE AMERICAN ECONOMY: Since President Donald J. Trump’s election, economic indicators have responded with record confidence to his pro-growth agenda.
April 4,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, last week the National Association of Manufacturers released its Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey showing the highest level of optimism in 20 years.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average is up over 12 percent since Election Day 2016.
The Weekly Gallup Economic Confidence Index turned positive shortly after the President’s election and has remained positive for 19 consecutive weeks.
The Business Roundtable’s CEO Economic Outlook Index recently jumped 19 points, the largest jump since 2009.
The National Association of Home Builders Confidence Index currently is at its highest level in 12 years.
The Gallup Small Business Index reflects the most optimistic small business owners have been since July 2007.
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index recently soared to its highest level in more than 16 years.
The American Dream Index recently rebounded to 100.5, up from a 12-month low point in December, the final full month of the Obama administration.
EARLY PROGRESS: In just the first full month of President Trump’s Administration, the United States economy has already made promising strides in the job market.
In February, the President’s first full month in office, the U.S economy created 235,000 new jobs.
58,000 new construction jobs were created.
28,000 new manufacturing jobs were created.
In February, the U.S. unemployment rate fell to 4.7 percent.
In February, the U.S. labor force participation rose to 63 percent.
In February, long-term unemployment in the U.S. fell by 49,000.
IMPLEMENTING JOB CREATING POLICIES: President Trump is executing an agenda that favors the American worker.
President Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum creating the White House Office of American Innovation, which will implement policies and scale proven private-sector models to spur job creation.
President Trump ordered the United States to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement and negotiations.
President Trump initially signed a Presidential Memorandum to clear roadblocks to construction of the Keystone XL pipeline and recently his Administration formally approved the project.
President Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum declaring that the Dakota Access pipeline serves the national interest and is being prepared to be put into service.
President Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum to help ensure that new pipeline construction and repair work uses materials and equipment from the United States.
CUTTING GOVERNMENT RED TAPE: President Trump has quickly taken steps to get the Government out of the way of job creation.
President Trump signed an Energy Independence Executive Order to help eliminate burdensome regulations on America’s energy industry.
President Trump directed each agency to establish a Regulatory Reform Task Force to identify costly and unnecessary regulations in need of modification or repeal.
President Trump has required that for every new Federal regulation, two existing regulations be eliminated.
President Trump directed the Department of Commerce to streamline Federal permitting processes for domestic manufacturing and to reduce regulatory burdens on domestic manufacturers.
President Trump signed legislation, House Joint Resolution 38, to prevent the burdensome “Stream Protection Rule” from causing further harm to the coal industry.
President Trump ordered the review of the “Clean Water Rule: Definition of Waters of the United States,” known as the WOTUS rule, to evaluate whether it is stifling economic growth or job creation.
PARTNER OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR: President Trump has worked hand-in-hand with the private sector to get companies re-investing in America.
Exxon Mobil Corporation announced a $20 billion investment in the United States, which will create more than 45,000 jobs.
Charter Communications announced a $25 billion investment in the United States, and that it will hire 20,000 American workers in the next four years.
Accenture announced the creation of 15,000 new high skilled jobs in the next four years and a $1.4 billion investment in training its own employees.
Intel announced a $7 billion investment in a new factory in the United States, supporting over 10,000 jobs.
Fiat Chrysler announced a $1 billion investment to modernize two plants in the United States, creating 2,000 jobs.
General Motors announced plans to invest $1 billion in the United States, creating over 1,000 new jobs.
Ford announced the cancelation of a plant in Mexico, while adding 700 jobs in Michigan.
FOLLOWING THROUGH FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE: President Trump campaigned on jumpstarting the economic engine of America so businesses could grow and Americans could get back to work.
As a candidate, Mr. Trump promised “I am going to bring back the jobs that have been stripped away from you and your country.”
As a candidate, Mr. Trump promised “we will make America the best place in the world to start a business; we’ll hire workers, and we’ll open factories.”
As a candidate, Mr. Trump promised “we will also get rid of wasteful rules and regulations, which are destroying our job-creation capacity.”
By Thomas Moriarty | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on April 03, 2017 at 5:31 PM, updated April 03, 2017 at 8:22 PM
CAMDEN — A Camden County teen admitted in federal court Monday to plotting to kill Pope Francis during his 2015 visit to Philadelphia.
Santos Colon, 17, of Lindenwold, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Noel L. Hillman in Camden to a charge of attempting to provide material support to terrorists, according to court records.
Colon, also known as Ahmad Shakoor, had tried to recruit a person he thought was a sniper to join him in his plot, which involved shooting the Pope during his Papal mass and setting off explosive devices, according to a statement from Acting U.S. Attorney William E Fitzgerald and Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security Mary B. McCord.
Authorities say the “sniper” was actually an undercover operative for the FBI, which arrested Colon after he scoped out possible targets with an informant, who Colon also instructed to purchase bomb components.
Ridgewood NJ, Join the men of Orpheus to honor the boys of 1917 and to commemorate the 100th anniversary of America’s entry into World War I, as The Yanks Go ‘Over There.’
Thrill, and perhaps shed a tear or two, to the choral majesty of Orpheus reprising Cohan’s “Grand Old Flag,” “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” and “Over There;” the heartbreaking “Madame Jeanette,” Thomas Juneau’s “The Parting Glass,” and old time favorites “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary,” Roses of Picardy,” “Keep the Home Fires Burning,” and “Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag.”
In true Orphean fashion, there will be something to delight everyone in this performance including, the stirring “Di quella pira” from Verdi’s “Il Trovatore,” our Doo Woppers rendition of “Why Do Fools Fall in Love,” the great Rogers and Hart love song, “With a Song in My Heart,” and so much more!
This is a once in a generation concert. Do not miss it. Do not let your children and grandchildren miss it. Tickets for the concert are $15 in advance and $25 at the door Seniors and students may purchase tickets at the door for $18. Get your advance purchase ticket discount today online at our website, www.ridgewoodorpheusclub.org
The Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus has been a keystone of the cultural life of the tri-state region for 111 years. Founded in 1905, it is the oldest cultural institution in all of Bergen County. Now over 50 voices strong, it is directed by John Palatucci and accompanied by pianist Ron Levy.
Grand Opening of Ridgewood Location is its 39th in New Jersey, and 109th throughout Tri-State Area
April 4,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ ,Professional Physical Therapy, a leading provider of physical and hand therapy and rehabilitation clinics throughout New Jersey, New York and Connecticut, announces today the opening of its newest clinic in Ridgewood, New Jersey.
Located in the picturesque village of Ridgewood, N.J., this clinic joins 14 surrounding Professional Physical Therapy offices serving Bergen County.
Professional’s elite staff customizes recovery plans based on the needs of each patient and uses proven techniques and best practices to get patients back to doing the things they love faster. Clinical Director, Danielle Post, DPT and her team bring extensive experience to the community and are committed to creating patient treatment plans using evidence-based practices to meet each patient’s goals.
“Professional remains committed to delivering our nationally recognized and industry leading level of service and expanding our presence in New Jersey. As a life long Bergen County resident, I am thrilled to be directly involved in bringing our wide array of patient focused services to the Village of Ridgewood. This new facility complements our existing locations in the surrounding area, and serves as another example of our continued dedication to offering our patients and referring physicians access to the highest quality physical, hand, and occupational therapy services,” said Jeff De Bellis Vice President of Clinical Operations in New Jersey.
“Professional Physical Therapy attributes its success to the personalized, compassionate care we provide, coupled with our outstanding clinical education program. An exceptional patient experience is one of the many reasons we were recognized nationally as Practice of the Year in 2016. We are very excited to become part of the Ridgewood neighborhood,” added Donald Demay, Partner and Chief Operating Officer at Professional Physical Therapy.
The opening of the Ridgewood clinic is Professional Physical Therapy’s 109th clinic, and its 39th in New Jersey. The facility is located at 85 South Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ. For more information and a list of all of Professional Physical Therapy’s locations, please visit https://www.professionalpt.com.
ABOUT PROFESSIONAL PHYSICAL THERAPY
Professional Physical Therapy, headquartered in Uniondale, New York, is a leading provider of physical and hand therapy, and rehabilitation services throughout the New York metropolitan area, New Jersey and Connecticut. Professional is an award-winning organization, most recently honored as the recipient of the 2016 ADVANCE for Physical Therapy and Rehab Medicine magazine’s annual Practice of the Year award, and selected based on its clinical expertise and exceptional patient experience. Founded in 1998, Professional Physical Therapy operates 109 outpatient physical and hand therapy centers: 12 located within Equinox Fitness Centers, five located in Blink Fitness facilities, one located in a STACK Sports Performance Center, one inside a Golf & Fitness Academy, one inside Chatham Club, one inside Strive Fitness, and 88 standalone.
Trenton NJ, GOP Assemblyman Ron Dancer introduced legislation to combat vandalism in cemeteries. People accused of intentionally damaging gravesites can be charged with bias intimidation under Dancer’s bill (A4778).
“Recent cemetery attacks in the national news have all had an element of bias intimidation, targeting and desecrated Jewish cemeteries,” said Dancer, noting that in February approximately 100 monuments or markers were destroyed or damaged at a Philadelphia graveyard. “These are not incidents of vandalism. These are hate crimes, and an attack on the Jewish people in our country.”
Defacing or damaging graves is a fourth degree offense. If bias intimidation is found, the charge is elevated to third degree, punishable by five years in prison and a $15,000 fine.
“This reprehensible behavior cannot be accepted,” said Dancer. “Intolerance, bigotry and hatred are diseases that spread like viruses. It’s crucial to fight every form of racial and religious bias.”
West Keansburg NJ, American Water (NYSE: AWK), the nation’s largest publicly traded water and wastewater utility company, announced today that it completed its acquisition of the Shorelands Water Company, a privately owned water utility that provides water services to more than 11,000 customer accounts in Monmouth County, N.J. The acquisition was approved by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) on March 24, 2017. The purchased assets will become part of New Jersey American Water. Additionally, 14 employees accepted offers to remain with the utility as New Jersey American Water employees.
“New Jersey American Water is proud to be the new water service provider for our new Shorelands customers. We have been providing safe, reliable service to customers in the state for more than a century, and we are committed to delivering that same standard of excellence to these new customers,” said Robert MacLean, president of New Jersey American Water. “This new system connects to our existing Union Beach system, and will enhance our supply, helping us achieve our goal of increased reliability for customers in our northeastern Monmouth County service areas.”
Customers will be receiving a letter from New Jersey American Water this week with information about the acquisition. New Jersey American Water is committed to ensuring a smooth transition for customers.
Shorelands was first established in 1926 as a supplier to the summer residents of West Keansburg. Under the guidance of the current owners since 1957, it grew to provide service to residents in the Bayshore communities of Hazlet, Holmdel, Union Beach, Keyport and Aberdeen, delivering approximately two billion gallons of water to customers annually.
New Jersey American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 2.7 million people. More information can be found at www.newjerseyamwater.com.
With a history dating back to 1886, American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest and most geographically diverse publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. The company employs 6,800 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 15 million people in 47 states and Ontario, Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.
Ridgewood NJ, Special beach (not ocean) lifeguard training available at Graydon soon! Become an accredited lifeguard and apply for a job close to home. Tell friends and relatives in other towns; there is no residency requirement for Graydon employees.
Sick pay is for when you’re sick. If you’re not sick, and you don’t use it, you lose it.
This is the simple policy fix to one of New Jersey’s most maddening problems. Yet, again and again, we have failed to write it into law.
There is no justifiable reason. Sick pay is supposed to protect you from losing income when you’re ill – not amount to a kingly entitlement bonus. You don’t deserve a six-figure payout just for being healthy.
Editors note :Susan Rice, former President Obama’s national security adviser — who is infamously known for her role in misleading the American people about the nature of the 2012 terrorist attacks in Benghazi, Libya — is in the middle of another national controversy.
BY OLIVIA BEAVERS – 04/03/17 02:27 PM EDT
White House lawyers discovered last month that Susan Rice, a national security adviser in the Obama administration, requested that identities of U.S. citizens be revealed in raw intelligence reports connected to President Trump’s transition team, according to a Monday Bloomberg View report.
U.S. officials told Bloomberg that the White House discovered Rice’s requests during a National Security Council review of how the government handles the “unmasking” of American citizens whose communications and information are incidentally collected in broader foreign surveillance. Those names are normally redacted in reports.
Foreign officials discussing the Trump transition, as well as conversations between foreign officials and Trump aides, were reportedly monitored during the government’s usual surveillance work.
Cross-Honoring Continues, Delays and Crowding Expected
April 4, 2017
Ridgewood NJ, NJ TRANSIT will continue to operate an adjusted schedule to and from Penn Station New York (PSNY) for Tuesday, April 4th. The reduced train service is due to track constraints at PSNY following the slow-speed derailment of a NJ TRANSIT train Monday morning.
At approximately 9 a.m. Monday morning, NJ TRANSIT’s Northeast Corridor line train #3926 experienced a slow-speed derailment while pulling in to Track 9 at New York’s Penn Station. Three cars in the middle of the ten car train derailed. These were cars 5, 6, and 7.
Northeast Corridor (NEC) and North Jersey Coast Line (NJCL) trains will operate on a HOLIDAY schedule with some additional service. Customers should locate the SATURDAY/SUNDAY/HOLIDAY schedule on their timetables and note that all trains will be operating, including those listed in the color-shaded columns. Due to the holiday schedule, rail service with NOT be operating to/from Jersey Avenue and Avenel stations.
NJ TRANSIT and private bus carriers are increasing bus service as much as possible on routes along the affected rail lines. Academy will enhance their PNC park-and-ride service to accommodate North Jersey Coast Line customers. Suburban Transit will also add service to accommodate Northeast Corridor customers.
MidTOWN Direct trains will continue to operate in and out of Hoboken Terminal where customers can access PATH and NJ TRANSIT bus service. PATH will also be increasing service.
Raritan Valley Line service will operate on a regular weekday schedule and originate/terminate at Newark Penn Station.
Main/Bergen, Pascack Valley and Port Jervis Lines will operate on regular weekday schedules.
Atlantic City Rail line rail service will operate on a regular weekday schedule.
Customers are encouraged to check njtransit.com for complete details.
Cross honoring remains in effect with NJ TRANSIT bus, private carrier bus, NY Waterway ferry, and PATH at Newark, Hoboken and 33rd Street.
Hoboken services will also be impacted due to the additional trains in the terminal. Because of track limitation in the terminal some Summit-bound trains will be impacted.
Due to the circumstances, impacted customers are advised to build in additional travel time as delays and overcrowding conditions are anticipated.
A New Jersey lawmaker wants to offer tax credits to organ donors, but his no-strings approach is meeting opposition from groups who believe the practice runs afoul of federal law.
While the National Organ Transplant Act makes it illegal for hospitals to pay for organs, 19 states provide either a tax credit or deduction for verifiable, unreimbursed expenses related to living organ donations, said Troy Zimmerman, of the National Kidney Foundation. In some states, the benefit also includes the donor’s lost wages.
Donor groups who support a cost-neutral approach have raised issues with New Jersey’s proposal to provide residents with $1,000 in income tax credits for donating organs, or a $100 tax credit for donating blood, platelets or plasma because it does not specifically apply to a donor’s expenses.
“It falls into the category of well-intentioned legislatures looking to do something to increase the number of donors,” said David Fleming, president of Donate Life America.
Operator of nation’s largest power grid reports increased reliance on natural gas and renewables is not adversely affecting sustainability
In a rapidly changing energy sector, are there still enough power plants available to provide the electricity everyone needs?
The operator of the nation’s largest power grid is answering that question in the affirmative. Its new study finds that with the addition of more natural-gas and renewable resources the system can remain reliable.
With the retirement of scores of coal plants and the early closing of some nuclear units, PJM Interconnection sought to determine whether the system is losing too many traditional resources in a new assessment, “PJM’s Evolving Resource Mix and System Reliability.’’
The study highlights some of the issues affecting the energy sector in New Jersey, which will see its two biggest coal units shut down later this year; its oldest-running nuclear plant, Oyster Creek, scheduled to shut down at the end of 2019; and questions raised about the economic viability of nuclear units elsewhere.
As elsewhere, at least five new natural-gas plants have either come on line or will soon be active, amid a rapid and controversial expansion of the gas pipeline infrastructure in the state. Amid all this activity, clean-energy advocates are pushing state policymakers to ramp up reliance on renewable sources of energy, such as solar and offshore wind.
Ridgewood NJ, Can you imagine going on an extended vacation without making any plans?
No websites or tour guides consulted. No hotel reservations made. No itinerary mapped out.
Of course not. If you wanted your vacation to be a success, you’d budget enough money to cover your costs. You’d know when you were going, how long you could stay and at least generally what you would do while there.
But when it comes to the longest vacation most people will ever take – retirement – fewer than half of all Americans have a formal plan.
And that can spell trouble.
“There’s nothing worse than being 85 years old, full of life, and being flat broke,” says Randy Becker, a retirement planner and co-founder of the Becker Retirement Group in Bellevue, Washington (www.beckerretirement.com).
But it takes some work to avoid the many pitfalls that can ruin your golden years, Becker says. Inflation, taxes, bad health and bad investments can be devastating.
“It’s up to you to have a sound plan, so you can focus on the important aspects of a wonderful retirement life,” he says.
Becker offers these tips for getting started so you’ll know you’re ready to begin your retirement journey:
• Get everybody on board. You and your spouse need to agree on your retirement goals – and the financial decisions that will get you there. Start talking about priorities: Do you want to relocate? Stay close to the grandkids? Are you emotionally and physically ready for retirement? How long will each of you keep working, and how will that affect the income streams you’ll rely on when those paychecks stop? • Make a budget. Most people think their expenses will go down after they retire, but usually that doesn’t happen. Your wardrobe budget might go down when you aren’t working, but other expenses might go up if you travel, enjoy new hobbies, or start going out more for dinner, movies and concerts. • Know where your money will come from. Most financial professionals agree that income is king when it comes to retirement planning. A pile of scattered paperwork and account statements is not a plan. A good advisor can help you maximize your Social Security benefits, come up with tax-efficient distribution strategy and talk to you about other options, such as annuities, that can guarantee income in retirement. This is vital as people now live 20, 30 or even 40 years after retiring. • Know your retirement timeline and reevaluate your risk tolerance.One of the biggest mistakes investors nearing retirement make is sticking with the same advisor and portfolio they had when they were younger. You’ll need to move to a more diversified approach, with fewer risks and more protection for that all-important income.
Although he’s a financial professional, Becker says retirement is about more than money. There’s also the adjustment retirees must make from working every day to suddenly having too much time on their hands.
“Perpetual Saturdays are exciting for about a week,” Becker says. “Maybe you’ll find ways to volunteer. Maybe you’ll learn to paint or play guitar. Maybe you’ll end up working part-time. But most people discover that they need something in retirement that will keep them engaged and excited about life.”
About Randy Becker
Randy Becker is a retirement planning professional and owner of the Becker Retirement Group in Bellevue, Washington (www.beckerretirement.com). He has 30 years of experience in the insurance industry and holds a degree in personal financial planning from Metropolitan State College of Denver. Randy is co-host with his wife and business partner, Arwen Becker, on Real Retirement Radio which airs on Newstalk AM 870 on Saturdays at 8 a.m. and Sundays at 6 a.m. Real Retirement Radio is a one-hour show dedicated to all things retirement.
Ridgewood NJ, Mohr Keet of South Africa bungee jumped when he was 96, landing himself in the Guinness Board of World Records.
Yuichiro Miura of Japan climbed Mount Everest when he was 80.
Not everyone in the golden years of life will attempt and accomplish such extraordinary feats, but most people can take steps to keep themselves young – at least in spirit – when they reach retirement.
Unfortunately, for many people retirement planning remains fixated on finances, so when the big day arrives they’re not quite ready to segue into life’s new chapter, says Ann Vanderslice (www.annvanderslice.com), president and CEO of Retirement Planning Strategies, which specializes in advising federal workers about their benefits.
“After you’ve planned for the money, there is still anxiety about retirement,” she says. “You don’t know what it’s like to not work and so there is that emotional part of retirement you need to manage. Sometimes people aren’t ready in any way, shape or form.”
She says a few ways to hang onto a little youthful exuberance while aging gracefully in retirement include:
• Be a lifelong learner. Making the effort to learn about new things keeps our brains young. Read something you wouldn’t normally read. Sit in on a lecture that a college opens to the public. “Some of my clients mention they took classes in philosophy or in a foreign language,” Vanderslice says. “It’s proven that those who are lifelong learners have a greater sense of optimism and a lower chance of dementia.” • See the world – or at least some of it. There are no doubt plenty of places you haven’t ventured out to, some close by and others far away. Traveling and enjoying new experiences is a great way to keep you feeling young and enthusiastic about life, Vanderslice says, whether you head to a state park just an hour’s drive away or you board a plane bound for Paris. “Part of the fun of traveling is deciding where you want to go,” Vanderslice says. “The sky should be the limit.” Don’t eliminate anything from your initial list just because of expense, she says. You might be able to find bargains, and because you’re retired you can travel any time you want, which allows you go in the off season when prices are lower. • Remember your doctor’s advice. Activities such as enrolling in a college class can help keep you mentally young, but you want your body to cooperate, too. “We’re always looking for that magic bullet, the easy and quick way to feeling younger,” Vanderslice says. “The truth is that those things your doctor tells you – exercise, eat a healthy diet, get the appropriate amount of sleep – are about as close to a magic bullet as you’re going to get.”
“People think that money is the most important aspect of retirement, but it’s really No. 2,” Vanderslice says. “You can have more than enough money, but if you aren’t healthy or doing the things you enjoy, the money won’t matter.”
About Ann Vanderslice
Ann Vanderslice (www.annvanderslice.com), president and CEO of Retirement Planning Strategies, helps federal employees understand their benefits, maximize the value of their benefits, and plan for retirement, as well as organize income planning and IRA distributions. Vanderslice holds the Registered Financial Consultant designation from the International Association of Registered Financial Consultants and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation from the College for Financial Planning. She is author of “Fedtelligence 2.0 – The Ultimate Guide to Mastering Your Federal Benefits.”
