Author: James

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Cesar A. Jerez and Elaine Sgambati Showing at Ridgewood Art Institute

Ridgewood_Art_Institute_theridgewoodblog

October 21,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Cesar A. Jerez and Elaine Sgambati cordially invite you and your guest to a showing of their Fine Art Oil Paintings 

Work on exhibit: October 30th-November 12th
Opening Reception: October 30th, 2016 1:30-4:30pm
Meet the Artists Reception: November 6, 2016 1:30-4:30pm

Ridgewood NJ, C. Augustus Jerez is a longtime New Jersey resident, raised in Montclair and presently residing in Butler. After graduating from William Paterson University with a degree in Business Administration, Mr. Jerez studied at the Art Students League in New York City. There he studied with, and was class monitor for, both Robert Beverly Hale and Gustav Rehberger. Studying with Mr. Hale, the human anatomy was the center of focus. Studying with Mr. Rehberger, the focus was on being able to capture the human form quickly while gracefully depicting its elegance and beauty through form and composition.
After several years of figurative study at the Art Student’s League, Mr. Jerez directed his attention to painting. At the Ridgewood Art Institute in Ridgewood, New Jersey, he studied and monitored Arthur Maynard’s evening oil painting classes. Mr. Maynard was a disciple of the famous League instructor, Frank Vincent Dumond. He guided Mr. Jerez through the process of putting life into his art, landscape, seascape, still life or portrait.
Mr. Jerez captures the life of the subject by identifying the essential components of an object or scene and depicting them in the most simplistic manner to convey complete realism without neglecting the artistic elements of form and strong composition. He uses prismatic color and light effects in his paintings to create a sense of distance and drama while capturing both the weather conditions and the specific time of day.
His paintings have been exhibited nationally and are in many private collections. He was an exhibiting member of the National Arts Club, a member of The Hudson Valley Art Association, The Ridgewood Art Institute and a life member of the Art Students League. He is the recipient of many awards including The Lambertville Historical Society’s Friend of the Arts Award, The Ridgewood Art Institute’s Weber Marine Award and The Hudson Valley Art Association’s Prestigious Frank Vincent Dumond Award. Mr.. Jerez now teaches at The Ridgewood Art Institute.
Self taught at a very early age, Ms. Sgambati began her formal art training at 21 years old when she took her first oil painting class at the Ridgewood Art Institute in Ridgewood, NJ. She knew immediately that this was her medium and studied the whole of the subject including still life, floral, landscape, seascape and portrait painting. Her principal teachers were Arthur Maynard and Frank Giovinazzo. Four years later she was invited to join the faculty and taught adult and teenage classes for seventeen years. Her move to Vernon Valley, NJ opened up an opportunity for extensive plein air painting. Other opportunities for outdoor study took place in Monhegan Island, ME, Warwick and Chester NY, the Pocono Mountains and Bucks County, PA, the Hudson River Valley and towns bordering the Hudson River. Landscape painting became her passion and her love for the Hudson River School painters is evident in her work. Elaine furthered her art education at the Art Students League of New York, which brought her the opportunity to exhibit in this area, mainly the Salmagundi Club, the World Trade Center, Lever House and ABC Studios. Sales and commissions followed this exposure as well as representation in major galleries in the tri-state area.

For more info on this exhibition, please call Ms. Sgambatti at 973 869-9914 or Mr. Jerez at 973 953-5027

The Ridgewood Art Institute is a non profit organization providing the finest instruction in Classical Realism in a variety of mediums. Classes are offered on an open enrollment basis, and can be joined at anytime. Each student is taught in direct relation to their personal skill level. For more information on class scheduling, and future events please visit ridgewoodartinstitute.org

The Ridgewood Art Institute
12 East Glen Avenue
Ridgewood , NJ 07450
201 652-9615

Posted on by — 4 Comments

Ahead of Al Smith Dinner, Cardinal Dolan says Hillary owes Catholics an apology

Mt_Carmel_Church_theridgewoodblog

Lisa Bourne

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado, October 19, 2016 (LifeSiteNews) – New YorkCardinal Timothy Dolan called for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton to disassociate herself from anti-Catholic statements made by her campaign chairman and said the remarks were “extraordinarily patronizing and insulting to Catholics.”

Asked about the anti-Catholic comments after speaking at The Bishop’s Respect Life Dinner on Monday night for the Diocese of Colorado Springs, Cardinal Dolan suggested that had other faith traditions been the target of the prejudiced remarks, there would have been a swift apology and absolute disavowal of them.

But as far as an apology from Clinton for the remarks demeaning Catholics, “Hasn’t happened yet,” Cardinal Dolan said.

Emails released last week by WikiLeaks showed Clinton Campaign Chairman John Podesta and Director of Communications Jennifer Palmieri, both Catholics, in conversations with activists from two left-wing organizations. In the emails, Catholics were debased, with their beliefs being called “severely backwards.” Conservative Catholics also were accused of “an amazing bastardization of the faith,” and Rupert Murdoch was mocked for baptizing his children as Catholics in the River Jordan.

The U.S. Church’s bishops were slammed in the emails as well, referred to as “a middle ages dictatorship.”

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/cardinal-dolan-clinton-owes-catholics-an-apology

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Oil Painting Demonstration by John C. Trayno at The Ridgewood Art Institute

Ridgewood_Art_Institute_theridgewoodblog
Oil Painting Demonstration by John C. Trayno
Sat, October 22, 2016
Time: 10:00 AM

Location: The Ridgewood Art Institute, 12 East Glen Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450

Event Description

Oil Painting Demonstration by John C. Traynor, born and bred in NJ

Saturday October 22nd, 2016 at 10am
The Ridgewood Art Institute
12 East Glen Avenue
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
201 652-9615

Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Art Institute, a prominent player in the perpetuation of Classical Realism today is proud to host an oil painting demonstration by esteemed painter and instructor, John C. Traynor.

Traynor has won numerous awards, including the Frank Dumond Award from the Hudson Valley Art Association and the Medal of Honor from the Salamagundi Club, of which he is an honorary member. John was also recently inducted into the Delbarton School of Honors and he has reached the level of Copley Master from the Copely Society of Boston. John is a skilled painter of every genre: landscape, still life and portraiture.

His unique blend of realism and atmospheric impressionism sets his work apart. Many people can recognize a “Traynor Painting” by it’s brushstrokes and unique feeling. Part of his success is connecting emotionally with others through his work. People are often reminded of moments in their life or memories of the past. His use of light and atmospheric effect is found in many of the Old Master paintings, such as the American Tonality painters and the French Impressionist artists. There is a richness and fullness to his work that is “old world” yet contemporary with his unique style.

Please don’t miss this rare opportunity to observe the creative process at work. This free event is worthwhile to both artists and art enthusiasts. All are welcome.

The Ridgewood Art Institute is a non profit organization providing the finest instruction in Classical Realism in a variety of mediums. Classes are offered on an open enrollment basis, and can be joined at anytime. Each student is taught in direct relation to their personal skill level. For more information on class scheduling, this and future events please visit ridgewoodartinstitute.org

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Valley Emergency Medical Technicians Help Out Needy Patient

Paul Gilard and Susan Hook, are Valley Emergency Medical Technicians

October 21,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Paul Gilard and Susan Hook, are Valley Emergency Medical Technicians of the Special Transport Unit, During one of their shifts, Paul and Sue brought a person who appeared to be homeless into the Emergency Department (ED). This person’s shoes were deteriorating and practically falling apart. Shortly after leaving the ED, they returned with a pair of sturdy boots for the patient.

“Everyone in the ED expressed their gratitude and pride as these two Valley employees went above and beyond to help a patient in need,” says Chris Robertson, Emergency Department Director.

Thank you, Paul and Sue, for your kindness and compassion.

Posted on by — 1 Comment

Funding approved for new Hudson rail tunnels. Will tolls go up?

Lincoln Tunnel

By Larry Higgs | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on October 20, 2016 at 5:58 PM, updated October 20, 2016 at 5:59 PM

Tolls on the Port Authority’s bridges and tunnels will not be increased to help fund construction of new Hudson River rail tunnels, officials said Thursday after approving a financing plan for the Gateway Project.

Authority officials will discuss revising the agency’s 10-year capital plan next month to include Gateway, building a new Port Authority Bus Terminal and replacing the aging Newark Airport Monorail, said John Degnan, the board chairman.

Both Foye and Degnan said revising the capital plan won’t include a toll hike. The last toll hike took place last December as part of an increase that was phased-in over five years.

“The two governors said the Port Authority will take the lead for a financing plan,” Degnan said. “We’re not accepting that the Port Authority will pick-up the entire (local share of costs).”

The federal government and both states have agreed to a 50-50 financing plan for Gateway, but New York and New Jersey officials said they would turn to the Port Authority for some of that funding and to create a development corporation to apply for financing.

https://www.nj.com/traffic/index.ssf/2016/10/funding_approved_for_new_hudson_rail_tunnels_but_will_tolls_go_up.html#incart_river_home

Posted on by — 12 Comments

Former Bergen County Prosecutor who Tried Ridgewood’s “Meter Thief” now Works for former Ridgewood Planning Board Attorney

bergen-county-prosecutor-john-l-molinellijpg-6994b5ed55b809b7
October 21,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, former Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli joined Price, Meese, Shulman and D’Arminio, which is headquartered in Woodcliff Lake and has offices in White Plains, N.Y.. in November when he was unceremoniously pushed out by the Christie administration after a series of high-profile case losses.

To many Ridgewood residents the name Price, Meese, Shulman and D’Arminio rings a bell .Price, Meese, Shulman and D’Arminio is the firm of former Ridgewood planning board attorney Gail Price.

Interesting that Mollineli now works for Gail Price. He’s also the guy that cut a deal with the Ridgewood quarter thief, Ricca.

Rica, a Hawthorne resident, will pay back just under $250,000 of the $460,000 he admitted stole under a plea agreement.

Thomas Rica known in the Village of Ridgewood as ‘coin boy” or the “meter thief” was convicted and sentenced for stealing nearly 2 million quarters from the Ridgewood parking system.

Initially, Rica paid a $64,337.55 down payment, to be followed by $2,000 a month in monthly payments over the five years he will serve probation. Ricca also agreed  to forfeit his $30,000 pension as part of the plea deal and $4,000 Ridgewood seized from his home. Shockingly Rica received no jail time .

Mollineli the Bergen County prosecutor at the time was later forced out of office .

Posted on by — 5 Comments

Whose responsibility is it to empty the cans in the Ridgewood parks?

Dunham Trail which runs between Grove Street and Spring Avenue

October 20, 2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,  This garbage can is overflowing with dog-poop that has been carefully bagged by the responsible owners.  But the can is totally jammed.

The Dunham Trail which runs between Grove Street and Spring Avenue. It seems dog owners and dogs always get such a bad rap from the haters in town……but here you have a clear example that the owners are absolutely trying their best to pick up all the poop, even from a woodsy nature trail, yet no one empties the garbage can.

Whose responsibility is it to empty the cans in the Village parks?

Posted on by — 1 Comment

Senator Mike Doherty Joins Senator Kip Bateman Working to Repeal the Gas Tax Increase

gas tax nj
October 21,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, On Tuesday, November 1st, just two weeks from today, every fill-up at the gas pump will cost drivers and commuters 23 cents/gallon more in gas taxes.

A family with two cars will pay about $300 more per year. Commuters with long drives may pay hundreds more.

I announced yesterday that I’m joining with Senator Kip Bateman to sponsor a bill to repeal this unaffordable gas tax increase.

We’re introducing the legislation, but we can’t repeal the gas tax by ourselves. We’ll need your help. Will you join the repeal effort too?

If you want to help stop this tax increase, please take a few seconds to sign our repeal petition:

https://www.senatenj.com/gastaxrepeal

Every person who signs and shares helps to build the momentum we’ll need for the repeal effort to succeed.

Posted on by — 4 Comments

Goodell on dip in ratings: We don’t make excuses

Boycott NFL #boycottNFL

By Conor Orr
Around The NFL Writer
Published: Oct. 19, 2016 at 03:46 p.m.
Updated: Oct. 20, 2016 at 04:26 p.m.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed for the first time Wednesday a recent Wall Street Journal report that detailed a dip in television ratings over the first few weeks of the 2016 regular season.

While he mentioned various pitfalls, such as the monumental ratings drummed up amid the 2016 general election, he said that the NFL does not want to make excuses.

“It’s something that I don’t think there’s a single reason for. I really don’t. We look at all those factors,” Goodell said at the Fall League Meeting in Houston. “Everyone’s got theories, you guys got theories, others got theories. We work closely with our network partners. We see tremendous strength in our numbers. But we also know that the prime time ratings we’re seeing the most dramatic decrease. It went straight up against two very significant debates. Another one of our prime time games on Thursday night was on the NFL Network, as opposed to a network, which will always get a lower rating. There are a lot of factors to be considered.

“We don’t make excuses, we look at it and we try and figure out what’s changing. I think you’re touching at a point that I think is significant, which is consumer changes and their behavior, and the way they consume media. That’s something we’ve been focused on for several years. It’s why we’ve been doing more with with Snapchat and YouTube and others. And it’s why we did our work with Yahoo last year. … We’re seeing these changes. We recognize that network television is still dominant, and we believe it’s going to be dominant going forward. It’s where the vast majority of our fans view our games. It’s a great experience. The advertising markets are incredibly strong. I think our ratings are something that we’ll continue to look at and trying to make sure we’re doing everything, not just to get them to tune in but to get them to stay tuned in. That’s the issue, that’s what we’ve worked on.

https://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000724083/article/goodell-on-dip-in-ratings-we-dont-make-excuses

Fans watching fewer NFL games cite protests as primary reason

Ratings in the NFL, while still stronger than any other challenger on the television landscape, continue to decline, and a new survey by Yahoo Sports and YouGov discerns several reasons why.

In a survey of 1,136 Americans who identified themselves as NFL fans, 29 percent said they are watching fewer NFL games. (Interestingly, 27 percent said they were watching more, though that does not necessarily correlate only a 2 percent net loss.) The fans claiming they watch less of the NFL cited the following reasons:

https://sports.yahoo.com/news/fans-watching-fewer-nfl-games-cite-protests-as-primary-reason-172059483.html

Posted on by — 2 Comments

Two Pedestrians Struck by Vehicle in Fair Lawn

Two Pedestrians Struck by Vehicle in Fair Lawn

photo courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook

October 20,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Fair Lawn NJ, Yesterday two (2) pedestrians, an adult male and an adult female, were struck by a vehicle while crossing Fair Lawn Avenue near Well Drive in Fair Lawn on Wednesday afternoon, 10/19. Both victims were transported by ambulance to The Valley Hospital. Fair Lawn PD and EMS responded. The victim’s injuries appeared to have been non life threatening. The driver of the vehicle involved remained at the scene and was cooperating with police officers.

Posted on by — 4 Comments

The Village of Ridgewood is seeking an Assistant Water Superintendent for the Water Distribution Facility

Sprinkler watering the lawn

JOB: ASSISTANT WATER SUPERINTENDENT

Ridgewood NJ, The Village of Ridgewood is seeking an Assistant Water Superintendent for the Water Distribution Facility. Qualified individual must minimally have current NJDEP W-2, and the ability to advance to W-3 or higher licenses in the future.  Strong leadership skills required, as well as at least 5 years’ experience in water distribution maintenance, repair, upkeep, and operation, and at least 2 years’ supervisory experience.  Please send resume and salary requirements to Sharyn Matthews, HR Director, 131 N. Maple Ave., Ridgewood, NJ 07450 [email protected]

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Will NJ soon be under drought warning?

tapwater-1

Kala Kachmar , @NewsQuip2:54 p.m. EDT October 19, 2016

The state is holding a public hearing on Thursday to determine whether a drought warning will be issued for 12 New Jersey counties.

Minimal rainfall, below-normal storage in water supply reservoirs, depleted stream flow and low groundwater levels are all contributing to the drought situation, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

Issuing a warning gives the DEP the authority to manage water resources to avoid a shortage.

All but three — Cape May, Atlantic and Cumberland counties — are under a drought watch. Counties that could soon be under a warning: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset and Union.

https://www.app.com/story/news/local/public-safety/2016/10/19/njdep-drought-warning/92407032/?utm_campaign=Observer_NJ_Politics&utm_content=New%20Campaign&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=New%20Jersey%20Politics

Posted on by — 5 Comments

6 reasons the dark days of N.J.’s old DMV hell may have returned

MVC

By Larry Higgs | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on October 19, 2016 at 9:00 AM, updated October 19, 2016 at 11:13 AM

As little as three years ago, an NJ.com story declared the “bad old days of the DMV” — long lines, rude employees and a bureaucracy from hell, were a thing of the past.

In 2002, then Gov. James E. McGreevey convened the “Fix DMV” commission, which delivered a report about how to deal with the Division of Motor Vehicles chronic problems of lines, long waits and inefficiencies. The Nov. 2002 report led to the creation of the current Motor Vehicle Commission.

Under the MVC, wait times and lines had gotten shorter. Even beleaguered Jersey drivers stuck up for the agency, saying that it was better than it used to be.

https://www.nj.com/traffic/index.ssf/2016/10/6_reasons_the_dark_days_of_njs_old_dmv_hell_may_have_returned.html?utm_campaign=Observer_NJ_Politics&utm_content=New%20Campaign&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=New%20Jersey%20Politics#incart_river_home_pop

Posted on by — 1 Comment

Frustrated Sandy victims interrupt event to challenge Democrat Pallone on FEMA reforms

Frank Pallone

By Alex Napoliello | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on October 19, 2016 at 2:15 PM, updated October 19, 2016 at 3:58 PM

HIGHLANDS — U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone’s attempt Wednesday to tout legislation for more oversight of the Federal Emergency Management Agency turned into an opportunity for Hurricane Sandy victims to vent about the agency.

“We need you to make a louder voice,” George Kasimos, one of the founders of the group Stop FEMA now, told Pallone (D-6th Dist.) “You’re a senior congressman with a lot of clout, and you got to stand up.”

Kasimos’ outburst from the rear of the Highlands Community Center came about six minutes into Pallone’s press conference.

Kasimos said there are 20,000 people nationwide who have been treated unfairly by FEMA, and maybe approximately 30,000 more who have lost their homes and are still waiting for a check.

Pallone acknowledged that FEMA and its National Flood Insurance Program have to do a better job. He even raised the possibility of getting rid of FEMA altogether.

“The reason I’m here … is because I believe there have been all sorts of problems and they continue, not because they’ve been solved,” Pallone said.

https://www.nj.com/monmouth/index.ssf/2016/10/sandy_victim_to_pallone_you_are_just_repeating_fem.html?utm_campaign=Observer_NJ_Politics&utm_content=New%20Campaign&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=New%20Jersey%20Politics#incart_river_home