Author: James

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Reader says I urge some of you road warriors to actually spend some time trying to use crosswalks during busy times

DecorativeCrosswalks006_theridgewoodblog

This subject comes up about every two months and the resulting comments are always the same. We get a few sensible comments but they are drowned out with these made-up and exaggerated accounts of dodging pedestrians who run out, some putting on make-up, some are texting. I’m not suggesting that some pedestrians aren’t reckless but these stories are simply untrue. They are the same stereotypical stories of teenagers driving while applying make-up or aggressive, latte-sipping moms from the Heights in their big SUVs.

I urge some of you road warriors to actually spend some time trying to use crosswalks during busy times. It’s not a case of waiting for that one car to pass by before crossing. Traffic is heavy, and it comes in multiple directions. One lane might stop for the waiting pedestrian, but the other lane does not. Stopped driver gets frustrated and thinks the pedestrian is being stupid for not crossing, so he shakes his head and drivers on.

It’s not that simple. It’s easy to say just wait, but that often isn’t practical. The only real safe way to solve this would be to have traffic lights at every crossing. The downsides of this, however, would be massive costs and massive traffic congestion while the generally free-flowing traffic is caught up in multiple traffic lights.

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The Ridgewood Police would also like to warn residents of the increased amount of Thefts, Identity Thefts and Frauds during the holidays

Ridgewood Guild's Winterfest 2016

December 22,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood Nj, As the holidays are rapidly approaching the Ridgewood Police Department would like wish everyone a safe and joyous holiday season. The Ridgewood Police would also like to warn residents of the increased amount of Thefts, Identity Thefts and Frauds during the holidays. A common scam the Ridgewood Police have become alert to involves Amazon.com. The Fraud Watch Network through AARP has provided a bulletin for awareness for Holiday Shoppers. See possibilities.aarp.org for more information.

Here are three recent examples:

On December 18, a Highland Avenue resident responded to Ridgewood Police headquarters to report being the victim of a Theft by Deception. The victim reported he received a phone call from an anonymous caller on December 17, who reported a family member had been arrested in Smithfield, Rhode Island and was in need of bail money. The caller advised the victim to contact the “Public Defender,” “Bernie Wall,” to arrange bail. The victim reported he made contact with “Mr. Wall” and then wired $1500 to a Walmart in Warwick, Rhode Island and later discovered the caller created a false impression of arrest.

Ptl. Kyle Monton responded to Garfield Place to investigate a Theft of Impersonation on December 15. Upon arrival the resident reported they were the victim of identity theft. The victim reported receiving a letter in the mail containing an Amazon Rewards credit card with her name on it and immediately contacted Chase Bank to cancel the card. Chase Bank reported there was no balance on the card.

A Linwood Avenue resident responded to Ridgewood Police headquarters on December 16, to report Identity Theft. The victim reported an unknown person opened a T-Mobile account without authorization utilizing the victim’s social security number. T-Mobile is reported to be investigating the incident

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The Ridgewood Financial Advisory Committee Can Not Fix the “Mess” they Created

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file photo by Boyd Loving

December 22,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, many continue to speculate on all the recent hubbub around Councilman Jeff Voigt. The Councilman suggested the FAC were trying to “fix” a “mess”. The reality is that the FAC was created by former Mayor Paul Aronsohn to take out Village Manager Ken Gabbert and former mayor Keith Killion and promote Aronsohn’s pet projects in the Village thereby creating the “mess”.

The “Financial Advisory Committee”  aka the “FAC” works in only an advisory capacity ie promoting the former mayor’s agenda whenever possible and was designed to have no mechanism to force their agenda, yet “supposable allow” residents to pool their talents and submit financial advice to the council.
So far the results have been non-existant except to promote Garagezilla and myriad of housing projects for downtown Ridgewood. In order to clean up “the mess”, the first order of business would be to disband the FAC and shut it down as well as anything the former mayor and his “3 amigos” had or have anything to do with.
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Parking changes coming to downtown Ridgewood

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Mark Krulish , Staff Writer, @Mark_Krulish5:37 p.m. EST December 21, 2016

RIDGEWOOD – To free up parking spaces for downtown shoppers, the Village council has made changes to employee and commuter parking.

Cottage Place, the village’s largest municipal lot, will have meters priced at 50 cents per hour.

https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/bergen/ridgewood/2016/12/21/parking-changes-coming-downtown-ridgewood/95696582/

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Three Arrested in Ridgewood Package Theft Ring

Ridgewood _police_theridgewoodblog

file photo by Boyd Loving

December 22,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, according to the Ridgewood Police ,Ptl. Patrick Elwood conducted a motor vehicle stop on a white colored Honda on December 14, which matched the description of a vehicle which had reportedly been involved in the theft of packages from front steps of homes in the area.

Upon further investigation the three occupants were arrested at the scene and transported to police headquarters for further investigation. The vehicle was impounded at the scene and transported to Ridgewood Police headquarters. The driver signed a Consent to Search form and within the vehicle many stolen items were discovered. The three male occupants were served with Compliant Summons for Theft by Unlawful Taking, Receiving Stolen Property, and Conspiracy. The driver was also issued three motor vehicle violations and all three arrestees were served with Complaint Summons and released with pending court appearances.

If any residents know they are missing packages, please contact the Ridgewood Police Department.

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LAST MINUTE SHOPPING IN RIDGEWOOD – “SMALL BUSINESS” STORES OPEN UNTIL 8PM THURSDAY, DEC 22

last minute shopping down town

December 22,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood Nj, Need to get some last minute gifts ?For last minute shopping Check out “Small Business” stores in Ridgewood – open  until 8PM – Thursday, December 22   Click Here  for a listing of the Ridgewood stores that will be participating.

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Eating more red meat does NOT hurt your heart: New study insists larger portions of beef and pork can actually be GOOD for blood pressure

Meatball2_theridgewoodblog

Health officials recommend cutting our intake of red meat for our heart health
But a new study has found unprocessed beef and pork are not dangerous
In fact, a review of clinical trials showed the meat was beneficial for patients

By Mia De Graaf For Dailymail.com

PUBLISHED: 13:07 EST, 20 December 2016 | UPDATED: 15:15 EST, 20 December 2016

Red meat has been condemned as a cancer-causing, blood pressure-raising no-no.

Indeed, nutritional guidelines in both the UK and the US advise eating no more than 70g of beef, pork, or steak per day.

But a new review of clinical trials from Purdue University has found quite the opposite.

According to the study, eating more than the recommended daily amount of red meat does not affect short-term heart disease risk factors, such as blood pressure and blood cholesterol.

In fact, they found unprocessed red meat to be a good source of nutrients for patients.

Read more: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-4052606/Eating-red-meat-does-NOT-hurt-heart-New-study-insists-large-portions-beef-pork-wonders-blood-pressure.html#ixzz4TWKJKmJG

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NJ Transit Special Schedules From Christmas Eve thru New Years Day

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NJ TRANSIT OFFERS EXTRA SERVICE AND SAVINGS FOR HOLIDAY WEEK

December 22,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, NJ TRANSIT is offering extra service for the upcoming holidays to give customers more travel options for last-minute shopping at the mall, leaving work early or attending New Year’s Eve festivities.

In addition, NJ TRANSIT is giving customers almost two weeks of continuous savings through a special extension of the Family SuperSaver Fare, which allows up to two children 11 and younger to travel free with each fare-paying customer.  Usually limited to weekends, the Family SuperSaver Fare will be in effect for the entire holiday period, starting at 7 p.m. Friday, December 23 until 6 a.m. Tuesday, January 3, on all trains, buses and light rail lines.

“This is the time of year when so many special events take place and many visitors are using NJ TRANSIT to get where they need to go,’’ said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Steven H. Santoro. “NJ TRANSIT is pleased to offer the Family SuperSaver Fare, which allows our customers to stretch their holiday budgets just a bit. So leave the car behind and use NJ TRANSIT to go the mall, get into New York City or gather at a loved one’s home without the hassle of driving.’’

For complete schedule and fare information, customers may visit njtransit.com or call 973-275-5555.

A new, key feature to aid customers this holiday season is “The Commuter Tool Kit – The Tools You Need for a Better Travel Experience,’’ a colorful campaign designed for both the everyday commuter and visitor travelling on NJ TRANSIT’s rail, bus, light rail and Access Link systems. Several features such as the mobile app, trip planner, ticket purchase options, travel information and travel savings are highlighted in the campaign. The brochure is printed in both English and Spanish.

The Commuter Tool Kit is available in brochure form and on the NJ TRANSIT website, in digital displays and delivered through the agency’s social media channels.

Customers can also take advantage of other ways to save money. NJ TRANSIT works with promotional partners throughout the year to offer discounts to many entertainment venues. Customers can go to njtransit.com/deals for special offers on show tickets, admission costs and travel this holiday season.

On Friday, December 23, trains will operate on a weekday schedule on most lines with additional “early getaway” service from New York Penn Station, Newark Penn Station and Hoboken Terminal starting at 1 p.m. on the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast, Raritan Valley, Morris & Essex and Port Jervis lines.  Newark Light Rail, Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and RiverLINE will operate on a weekday schedule.  Buses will operate on a weekday schedule on all routes, with early getaway service from the Port Authority Bus Terminal and on selected Jersey City waterfront routes starting around noon until 4 p.m. to accommodate the heaviest travel.  Visit njtransit.com for details.

On Saturday, December 24, trains will operate on a weekend schedule. Most bus routes will operate on a Saturday schedule. Newark Light Rail and RiverLINE will operate on a Saturday schedule. HBLR will operate on a weekend schedule. Customers should consult their timetable for the holiday schedule or visit njtransit.com for details.

On Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25, trains will operate on a weekend schedule on all rail lines. Newark Light Rail and RiverLINE will operate on a Sunday schedule.  Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on a weekend schedule.  Bus will operate on a Sunday schedule and schedules vary by route — Customers are advised to consult their timetable for the holiday schedule or visit njtransit.com for details.

On Monday, December 26 (observed), trains will operate on a weekend schedule on all lines, with additional morning and evening peak trains on most lines. Customers should visit njtransit.com for details. Newark Light Rail and RiverLINE will operate on a Sunday schedule. Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on a weekend schedule.  Buses will operate on a Saturday schedule. Select bus routes will operate offer fewer trips during the traditional morning and evening peak periods. Customers are advised to consult their timetable for holiday schedules or visit njtransit.com for more details.

On Tuesday, December 27, Wednesday, December 28, Thursday, December 29 and Friday, December 30, the trains will operate on a modified weekday schedule with certain morning peak period trains cancelled and additional mid-to-late morning service on each line. Rail customers are encouraged to visit njtransit.com for details and travel before 9 a.m. on these days, if possible, when ridership is lighter.  Buses and light rail lines will operate on a weekday schedule. Selected PABT bus routes will have more frequent service operating inbound to PABT on some lines during the late morning hours and outbound from PABT during the early and late evening hours. Consult timetable or visit njtransit.com/Bus Holiday Service Guide for details.

On New Year’s Eve, Saturday, December 31, trains will operate on a weekend schedule. In the evening, there will be extra train service to New York.  Special printable schedules that cover the period from 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve until 6 a.m. on New Year’s morning are available at njtransit.com.

Buses will operate on a Saturday schedule with extra early evening service inbound and extra outbound from PABT after midnight on selected routes. Customers are advised to consult timetable or visit njtransit.com/Bus Holiday Service Guide for more details.

Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on a weekend schedule. Newark Light Rail and RiverLINE will operate on a Saturday schedule.  RiverLINE and Hudson Bergen Light Rail will both operate some additional trips on a ‘load and go’ capacity after the fireworks displays during the early hours of January 1.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  No open containers of alcohol will be permitted on board trains, light rail vehicles, aboard buses or in any NJ TRANSIT facility on New Year’s Eve and after midnight on New Year’s Day.  This policy will be strictly enforced.

After midnight (early January 1), additional late-night trains will operate on most rail lines with one-seat ride service available on certain Raritan Valley Line and North Jersey Coast Line trains. Some trains that normally depart New York/Hoboken/Newark between midnight and 1 a.m. are cancelled and will be replaced with later trains. Customers should visit njtransit.com for details, including special printable schedules that cover the period from 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve until 6 a.m. on New Year’s morning. Expanded bus service will be provided from the Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT) until approximately 2 a.m. Some routes will be departing from alternate areas within the PABT. Visit njtransit.com/Bus Holiday Service Guide for specific schedule details and departure gate assignments.

On New Year’s Day, Sunday, January 1, after 5 a.m., trains will operate on a weekend schedule.  In addition, Meadowlands service will operate for the Jets vs. Bills game. Customers should visit njtransit.com for more details. RiverLINE will operate on a Sunday schedule. Newark Light Rail will operate on a Saturday schedule. Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on a weekend schedule. Buses will operate on a Sunday schedule. Customers are advised to visit njtransit.com for details.

On Monday, January 2 (observed), trains will operate on a weekend/major holiday schedule on all lines with additional morning and evening peak trains on most lines. Customers should visit njtransit.com for details. Most bus routes will operate on a Saturday schedule. Newark Light Rail will operate on a Saturday schedule. RiverLINE will operate on a Sunday schedule. Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on a weekend schedule. Consult njtransit.com for additional details.

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Today December 21st is the Winter Solstice the Shortest Day of the Year

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file photo

December 21,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Today December 21st is the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year.  The Winter solstice (or hibernal solstice), also known as midwinter, is an astronomical phenomenon marking the day with the shortest period of daylight and the longest night of the year. In the Northern Hemisphere this is the December solstice and in the Southern Hemisphere this is the June solstice.

 

 

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The U.S. is no stranger to interfering in the elections of other countries

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The CIA has accused Russia of interfering in the 2016 presidential election by hacking into Democratic and Republican computer networks and selectively releasing  emails. But critics might point out the U.S. has done similar things.

The U.S. has a long history of attempting to influence presidential elections in other countries – it’s done so as many as 81 times between 1946 and 2000, according to a database amassed by political scientist Dov Levin of Carnegie Mellon University.

That number doesn’t include military coups and regime change efforts following the election of candidates the U.S. didn’t like, notably those in Iran, Guatemala and Chile. Nor does it include general assistance with the electoral process, such as election monitoring.

Levin defines intervention as “a costly act which is designed to determine the election results [in favor of] one of the two sides.” These acts, carried out in secret two-thirds of the time, include funding the election campaigns of specific parties, disseminating misinformation or propaganda, training locals of only one side in various campaigning or get-out-the-vote techniques, helping one side design their campaign materials, making public pronouncements or threats in favor of or against a candidate, and providing or withdrawing foreign aid.

https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-us-intervention-foreign-elections-20161213-story.html

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Poll: Dems more likely to unfriend people due to political posts

House Minority Leader Boehner wipes tears as colleague Johnson speaks about his prisoner-of-war status in Washington

BY JOE CONCHA – 12/19/16 01:46 PM EST

Democratic voters are almost three times as likely to have “blocked, unfriended, or stopped following someone on social media” after Donald Trump’s victory, according to a study released Monday.

The nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI ) found 24 percent of Democrats distanced themselves from people on social media because of a political postings. Nine percent of both Republicans and independents reported doing the same to those in social media circles.

Additionally, 28 percent of liberals surveyed said they removed someone from their social media circle because of the content that person posted, compared with 8 percent of conservatives.

For moderates, 11 percent said they blocked, unfriended or unfollowed someone due to what that person posted online.

https://thehill.com/homenews/311047-poll-dems-more-likely-to-unfriend-people-due-to-political-posts

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Readers debate Ridgewood Cross Walk Safety

Village of Ridgewood

Too many pedestrians are on their cell phones or concentrating on their music and never even attempt to stop or look before entering a crosswalk. This often requires a car to slam on their brakes to avoid hitting them while hoping that their car does not get real ended at the same time.

The second major problem that I find is that I do stop to let the pedestrian cross–but the car behind me does not and goes around me. This turns the pedestrian into a target. If a car is stopped without a signal, it usually means a pedestrian.

Thirdly, the tall plants at the corners are lovely, but after dark, they could easily be a person or vice versa

I also have no problem letting a pedestrian cross in the crosswalk and will always yield to them. As for jaywalking – good luck. It is nerve-wracking enough just driving thru town trying to get from one end to the other without hitting anything!. Watching for the transit bus, runners, jaywalkers, cell phone users, double parkers, sun glare and other cars not paying attention…..to name a few distractions

I find in Ridgewood a majority of people do not use a crosswalk they just step out from between parked cars children in tow and hope you stop. In the central business area, there is a complete lack of police enforcement of motor vehicle laws and nothing is ever done about dumb pedestrians stepping out where ever they wish.

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Medical Waste Dumped Near Ridgewood High School

Medical Waste Dumped Near Ridgewood High School

photos courtesy of Boyd Loving

December 21,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, A large plastic garbage bag filled with human medical waste products somehow wound up on a sidewalk near Ridgewood High School on Tuesday morning, 12/20. The improperly disposed of items were spotted by the manager of a garden apartment building located at 535 East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, who in turn notified Ridgewood PD. A Ridgewood EMS EMT assisted uniformed patrol officers and their supervisor in bagging the debris in plastic bio hazard disposal bags, which were then transported in the back of a marked police patrol unit to The Valley Hospital. The errant garbage bag contained no identifying material that would have allowed police officers to determine its origin.

more photos: https://www.facebook.com/theridgewoodblog/