Author: James

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WEST BERGEN CENTER FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH offers SIBLINGS AND COUSINS WORKSHOPS

West Bergen Mental Healthcare

February 21,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog
WEST BERGEN CENTER FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
ASPERGER’S RELATED SERVICES offers SIBLINGS AND COUSINS WORKSHOPS

Ridgewood NJ, West Bergen Mental Healthcare, a non-profit counseling and psychiatric center, is now offering workshops for siblings and cousins of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (formerly called Asperger’s Disorder) and related diagnoses. The workshops are designed for 6 to 8 and 9 to 12 year-olds and will cover topics such as tolerance, coping strategies, focusing on your relative’s strengths, disclosure, fairness, finding common ground, etc.

The workshops will be held on Monday evenings from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. beginning February 15 and February 22, 2016, depending on age level. All workshops will meet at West Bergen Center for Children and Youth, One Cherry Lane, Ramsey, N.J.

The 6 to 8 year-old group meets on February 22, March 14 and 28, April 11 and 25, May 9 and 23, and June 13 and 27. The 9 to 12 age group meets on February 15, March 7 and 21, April 4 and 18, May 2 and 16, and June 6 and 20.

The fee for the workshop is $25 per session. (Verification of family relationship is required). For further information or to register, please call Dawn Rhode, LPC at (201) 444-3565, ext. 7347.

Established in 1963 as a child guidance clinic, today West Bergen provides comprehensive services for all age groups with various levels of need. West Bergen is committed to meeting the psychological needs of each of its clients with sensitivity and responsive, innovative services of the highest quality. For further information on West Bergen and the services it provides, please call (201) 444-3550.

Contact: Carol Cohen, Director of Development (201) 444-3550

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Canines can do Chosen by Dog Writer’s Association

Vicious_dog_theridgewoodblog
photo by William Thomas
February 21,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Waldwick, NJ , The most recognized professional writing association devoted to dogs, The Dog Writer’s Association of America (DWAA), has chosen local dog trainer and journalist, Dorice Stancher, MBA, CPDT-KA as one of four select finalists from thousands of entries in the category of broadcast journalism.

Stancher has been nominated for her appearance on the popular News 12 New Jersey program, “The Pet Stop with Dr. Brian Voynick” featuring a two-part segment on obedience and trick training via the Internet. She is an advocate and certified trainer with the “Do More With Your Dog” All-Star Team initiative which provides free online training videos. Stancher sees this program as a powerful tool to help keep dogs out of shelters and create a well-trained family pet regardless of income. “Many pet owners cannot afford to hire a trainer, and the “Do More With Your Dog” program can get them started off on the right track,” she said.

Her company, Canines Can Do, LLC, reflects her “can-do” attitude. Stancher, who bounced back from a traumatic brain injury after an ice skating accident, believes all dogs and their owners should train positively and live life with zest. Her own dogs, two Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers, participate in dog sledding, surfing and dock diving in addition to being titled in formal obedience and conformation, sheepherding, and her passion, pet therapy. She was a featured presenter at the first Morristown Hospital Therapy Conference and is affiliated with The Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs recruiting
and training teams. As part of their therapy mission, they are regular visitors to Camp Dream Street, a day camp for children with cancer.

Stancher is a certified trainer and also holds a degree in Journalism and MBA in Management from Seton Hall University. She previously won an award for magazine journalism in 2013 for an article appearing in the The AKC Family Dog.

To view the nominated video or to learn more about Stancher and her work with dogs please visit: www.caninescando.com Scroll down to view the video at the bottom of the page. Canines Can Do group lessons are held at The Madison in Waldwick, NJ

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Showdown over iPhone reignites the debate around privacy

iphone_2018021b

By Todd C. Frankel and Ellen Nakashima February 19 at 11:32 PM

The Justice Department calculated that it held a winning hand — the passcode-locked Apple iPhone of a terrorist — when it went to a federal court in Riverside, Calif.

Not only did the agency want Apple to build special software to help the FBI crack open the phone, but the government also knew the order would be made public.

After a mass killing that provoked national outrage, the government hoped to win support far outside the courtroom in its bid to gain access to encrypted phones in criminal and terrorism cases.

“They picked this case to increase the chances of getting public opinion on their side,” said a former federal prosecutor.

Now, a single iPhone has reignited a broad debate about government surveillance and the needs of law enforcement vs. the need for privacy. The showdown escalated Friday with the Justice Department accusing Apple of putting its “brand marketing” ahead of the law. The stakes have soared, well beyond the fate of any particular iPhone.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/2016/02/19/cd99473e-d740-11e5-9823-02b905009f99_story.html

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Another Garage Letter that was not Printed by the Ridgewood News

3 amigos in action Ridgewood NJ

file photo by Boyd Loving , Council majority ie the 3 Amigos

Good morning-
Here is the Letter to the Editor Jim wrote that wasn’t printed this past wknd.

February 17, 2016

Letter to the Editor

What is really going on?

The Town Council voted 3-2 on February 10th to fund the Hudson Street Garage with the Bergen County Improvement Authority. Councilmembers Aronsohn, Pucciarelli and Hauck voted to turn the project over to the county.

Some questions to ponder:

If the goal is a functional, non-partisan government, WHY has our Mayor been off “forming a partnership” with the BCIA for 3 years?

If financial stewardship is important, WHY are we paying more to finance through the BCIA versus funding it ourselves?

If we are going to incur an obligation to the county of more than $10 million, WHY isn’t there a payment plan in place to pay off this obligation?

If we truly care about the look and feel of our historic downtown, WHY haven’t designs/renderings been shown to the taxpayers of Ridgewood?

If all 5 members of our Town Council are independent thinking stewards of our village, WHY haven’t Councilmembers Sedon and Knudsen been privy to all discussions and reports in a timely fashion?

If we want real informed input from our fellow residents, WHY was the Maser study, which showed the 12 feet encroachment into Hudson St., thereby narrowing Hudson to 18 feet, not made public until after the November referendum, when the Village Manager had it on her desk in October?

If the upcoming election isn’t a factor, WHY are Councilmembers Aronsohn, Pucciarelli and Hauck in such a rush to fund this with Bergen County?

Too many unanswered questions.
Lets make sure we have answers before it’s too late.

Respectfully submitted,

Jim McCarthy

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Ridgewood Open Houses for February 21,2016

Ridgewood_Real_estate_theridgewoodblog

file photo

1603620.1 MLS # 1603620
426 Van Buren St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, Col
Angele Ekert, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 2/21
19

1523480.1 MLS # 1523480
482 Northern Pkwy, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, C/C
Joyce Albert, Sales Associate
Terrie O’Connor Realtors-Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 2/21
21

1605870.1 MLS # 1605870
684 Howard Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, Ranch
Janis Fuhrman, Sales Associate
Terrie O’Connor Realtors-Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 2/21
19

1602358.1 MLS # 1602358
85 Pershing Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, Col
Sandra White, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 2/21
12

1535930.1 MLS # 1535930
456 E Saddle River Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Ranch
Thomas Panso, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Valley Realty

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 2/21
25

1603040.1 MLS # 1603040
425 Smith Pl, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Ranch
Lynn Scerbo, Sales Associate
Weichert Realtors Ridgewood

  • Open House: 12:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 2/21
17

1605789.1 MLS # 1605789
621 Alanon Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, Ranch
Beth Freed, Broker Associate
Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty-Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 2/21
13

1538028.1 MLS # 1538028
286 S Maple Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 1 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Joan Marie Monton, Broker Associate
Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 2/21
25

1545461.1 MLS # 1545461
359 Bogert Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, Col
Olivia O. Yang, Sales Associate
Weichert Realtors Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 2/21
21

1531491.1 MLS # 1531491
376 Deerfield St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, Col
Roni Farfalla, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 2/21

– See more at: https://www.njmls.com/NJ/BERGEN/RIDGEWOOD-open-houses#sthash.JSXcxo4M.8hTnMuKQ.dpuf

1605828.1 MLS # 1605828
500 Darby Ct, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, B/L
Charles S. Charllis, Broker Associate
Coldwell Banker, Hillsdale

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 2/21
25

1605243.1 MLS # 1605243
722 Newcomb Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Mui Jean Tom, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 2/21
25

1604796.1 MLS # 1604796
328 Hillcrest Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Elizabeth Coleman, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 2/21
25

1605062.1 MLS # 1605062
401 Overbrook Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Ghada Abbasi, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 2/21
19

1605485.1 MLS # 1605485
816 Parsons Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, Col
Frances Ekblom, Sales Associate
Tarvin Realtors

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 2/21
25

1605985.1 MLS # 1605985
500 Northern Pkwy, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, S/L
Kurt Hedden, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 2/21
25

1606136.1 MLS # 1606136
218 W Glen Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Michelle Stojanovic, Sales Associate
Tarvin Realtors

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 2/21
25

1604193.1 MLS # 1604193
729 Mary Ann Pl, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, Col
Carolyn Strittmatter, Sales Associate
Weichert Realtors Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 2/21
  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 2/28
25

1605004.1 MLS # 1605004
630 Upper Blvd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
2 Half Bath, Col
Christine Thares, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 2/21
25

1604794.1 MLS # 1604794
229 Bogert Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, S/L
Laura Gill, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 2/21

– See more at: https://www.njmls.com/NJ/BERGEN/RIDGEWOOD-open-houses#sthash.JSXcxo4M.8hTnMuKQ.dpuf

1605797.1 MLS # 1605797
344 N Pleasant Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
2 Half Bath, Col
Elsa Felipe Machin, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 2/21
25

1604899.1 MLS # 1604899
302 Woodside Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Barbara Masarky, Broker Associate
Tarvin Realtors

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 2/21
25

1548452.1 MLS # 1548452
112 N Walnut St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Ghada Abbasi, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 2/21
25

1549098.1 MLS # 1549098
456 Beverly Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
6 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
William F. Gilsenan Jr, Broker
Gilsenan & Co.

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 2/21
25

1604781.1 MLS # 1604781
260 The By Way , Ridgewood, NJ 07450
6 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Kimiko Miller, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 2/21
25

1605967.1 MLS # 1605967
323 Highland Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
6 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath,
2 Half Bath, Col
Frances Ekblom, Sales Associate
Tarvin Realtors

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 2/21
25

1604533.1 MLS # 1604533
302 Bedford Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Joanne Delaney, Sales Associate
Tarvin Realtors

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 2/21
25

1605774.1 MLS # 1605774
296 Manor Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
6 Bedroom, 7 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Donnamarie Giaccio, Sales Associate
Century 21 Calabrese Realty

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 2/21

– See more at: https://www.njmls.com/NJ/BERGEN/RIDGEWOOD-open-houses#sthash.JSXcxo4M.8hTnMuKQ.dpuf

 

 

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More Americans than residents of Georgia draw income from gig economy

cell phones

BY TATIANA DARIE
BLOOMBERG NEWS |
WIRE SERVICE

It’s a job market revolution: an estimated 10.3 million Americans earned income through Web-based platforms like Uber and Airbnb between 2012 and 2015. That’s more people than reside in the entire state of Georgia and amounts to 6.5 percent of the total U.S. workforce.

So-called gig jobs, in which a person performs a task for another individual often through Web-based platforms, are often easier to land, and help generate additional income when regular earnings aren’t sufficient, according to a new study by the JPMorgan Chase Institute.

Participants in this economy are typically younger, with the 25 to 34 age group accounting for the largest part of the gig workforce. They are more likely to be male, live in the West and have an average median income of about $2,800 per month, according to the study.

The number of people earning income in the online economy over the three-year period of JPMorgan’s study increased 47-fold. Labor platforms, including ride-hailing service Uber, that connect customers with freelancers have grown more rapidly than capital platforms like Airbnb, which rent homes and assets or sell goods. Demand is also driving the growth as online service use becomes more common.

Now, “most people would know they can get their groceries picked up, they can get a ride from three or four different companies — things that only a year ago, only earlier adopters learned,” Diana Farrell, the institute’s founding president and chief executive officer, said in an interview. “It’s becoming more mainstream.”

https://www.northjersey.com/news/business/10-3-million-americans-worked-gig-jobs-1.1515503

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Future’s on the line for Bergen Regional Medical Center

Bergen_regional_medical_center_theridgewoodblog

BY MARY JO LAYTON
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

With a year to go before the contract with the operators of Bergen Regional Medical Center expires, county officials are weighing several options for the institution. That decision will affect tens of thousands of patients, renew scrutiny of the for-profit company that runs the hospital, and affect regional health care for decades.

The 19-year contract between the company that runs the Paramus hospital, Bergen Regional Medical Center LP, and the Bergen County Improvement Authority, is set to expire in March 2017.

Lawmakers, several county officials and others say it’s time for a change.

Critics complain the agreement has shortchanged patients and taxpayers and allowed a for-profit company to skirt millions in repairs while reaping substantial profits from the county-owned hospital.

“This was never a good deal for the people of Bergen County,” said state Sen. Loretta Weinberg, D-Teaneck.

There’s much more at stake than drafting a new agreement.

Experts say it’s essential to preserve Bergen Regional — a linchpin in New Jersey’s fragile mental health system as more psychiatric facilities close and other hospitals cut or eliminate unprofitable mental health units. The hospital’s services are needed more than ever for seniors, addicts and even children.

“Although it’s a county facility, Bergen Regional is crucial to the entire state mental health system,” said Phil Lubitz, associate director of the National Alliance on Mental Health of New Jersey.

In the next several months, county officials will consider fundamental questions: Should the hospital continue providing psychiatric, long-term and acute services? Is it wise to have a for-profit operator continue to manage the county’s facility? Are staffing and equipment adequate? Should Bergen County invest capital in a hospital that serves so many patients who don’t live in the county?

https://www.northjersey.com/news/future-s-on-the-line-for-bergen-regional-medical-center-1.1515470

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Taking the Village of Ridgewood back, No2BCIA Petition is on a roll and the signatures keep coming

BCIA petitiion olmc

OMLC  photo by Boyd Loving

February 21,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood Nj, The people are taking back the town. No2BCIA  ( https://www.no2bcia.com/ )  is on a roll. Keep the signatures coming, we need each and every one. This is a chance to save Ridgewood from a huge financial mistake. We will be able to bond in-town when all is said and done, we will not have a big fat county garage in the middle of town, and we will have full domain over the structure.

WP 20160221 08 49 30 Pro

Several reports came in that the mayor was reportedly observed looking at the Elks Club building while standing in a nearby parking lot talking on his cell phone.

No2BCIA Petition

OLMC – AFTER EACH MASS
HUDSON/PASSAIC/PROSPECT STREETS
SUN FEB 21ST

 

  • Charlie and Nancy Nowinski, 2 Betty Court, Sunday, Feb. 21, 1-5:30 PM
  • Anne Loving, call cell 201-723-8017 to make appt to sign.
  • Melanie McWilliams – 431 Bogert Ave: Feb19th Friday 9:15-12:15pm, call/text to confirm 201-675-8937
  • Ellen McNamara: 120 West Ridgewood Ave, text 201-874-0966 to let her know you’re coming by. Friday after 11am.

 

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Reader says that Mr. Sedon and Mrs. Knudsen are the only 2 on the Ridgewood Council actually doing their job

Village Council Meeting

file photo by Boyd Loving

I’m against the single super sized garage and how the Council plans to fund it through the County. However I understand why developers and the Chamber are in favor of it – they stand to profit from it’s construction and/or operation. Much as I disagree with them I at least understand their motives. What I can’t fathom however is that our Council majority seems so set in its ways on THIS design and THIS way of funding it. Why? Do they think that this is really the best solution for Ridgewood? It seems more like they have a bone to pick with their Council mates.

The Council’s job is to say to the developers and the Chamber that yes, we understand you’d like to make more money but this is not the best solution for the Village. It isn’t. What they’ve actually done is side with the developers to use all of their collective authority to ram this plan though as quickly as possible. Again, why? The Council majority is treating the results of a NON BINDING referendum as an electoral mandate when the only question they posed to us in the fall was essentially “do you think we need more parking?”. E-mails I received from the Mayor said that the design was not final (apparently it was) and made no mention of financing the project through the County. Just when I thought my intelligence couldn’t be any more insulted by these 3.

And to those that say that we could bond the garage through the Village if only Mr. Sedon and Mrs. Knudsen would agree with the developers, I’d say that Mr. Sedon and Mrs. Knudsen are the only 2 on the Council actually doing their job. They, like many of us, feel that while we need a parking solution, there are better ways to go about it. And the rush to get this done now in the face of growing doubt and opposition only raises questions about the Council majority’s motives.

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BCIA Financing Gives County position of power over the Village of Ridgewood decisions

Ridgewood_-Village_Hall_theridgewoodblog

February 21,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood Nj, If you read the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce’s ad in TRN, one of the big bullet points is that the bond would not count against Ridgewood’s bond rating. This is horrible for several reasons: 1) It’s similar to a child using their parent’s credit card. That lets the child run up more credit on their own. 2) The BCIA has a position of power over the Village’s decisions 3) The bonding through the BCIA is a political nod to Aronsohn’s Democrat buddies for future personal political advancement. 4) The actual cost to own the building outright is significantly higher. This deal stinks to the high heavens. Mr. Vagianos, please go back to being a restaurateur and serve all the people – not just the ones who’ll build you a garage a block from your business.

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Is Twitter Silencing Conservatives?

Screenshot 2016-02-20 at 6

Posted by Jonathan Levin    Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 11:05am

Twitter, an invaluable news aggregator when properly run and used, has seemingly taken aim at conservatives and those advocating conservative causes.

In early January, Twitter stripped Breitbart Tech editor Milo Yiannopoulos (@Nero on Twitter) of his “verification,” saying he violated the anti-harassment Terms of Service.

A verified account means the user has a little blue checkmark next to his or her user name.  It is Twitter’s way of affirming to all other users that this is, in fact, the person he or she claims to be. It sounds like a small thing, but Twitter, like so much social media, is rife with accounts purporting to be or that just look like a real public figure.

That verification checkmark tells all the other users that a particular account is the real thing.  Having a verified account can be a big draw and boost followers who are otherwise reluctant to be suckered or drawn in by fakes.  Stripping verification takes that mark of legitimacy away. It is also a sort of peculiar way to punish violations of terms of service.  Assuming @Nero actually violated the terms of service, is the account somehow no longer Yiannopoulos’s?

Of course not. More important, it is not at all obvious that @Nero violated the terms of service at all.  Stipulate that he is a troll who relishes destroying the Left’s sacred cows and laughs at the resulting discomfiture.  Stipulate even that it’s really not nice and consciously deprives people of their “safe spaces.” So what?  Five minutes on twitter reveals death threats by and against every possible demographic.  Terror accounts proliferate.  Anti-Semitism is rampant.

Leaving these accounts untouched but de-verifying a public figure like @Nero for violating the Terms of Service in the course of his public persona is nonsensical. Other Twitter methods for stifling anti-PC thought have come to light.

https://legalinsurrection.com/2016/02/is-twitter-silencing-conservatives/

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PLANNING BOARD AMENDMENT TO MEETING SCHEDULE SPECIAL MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT

Clock CBD

February 22, 2016 Executive Session – 7 PM

In accordance with the provisions of the “Open Public Meetings Act,” please be advised that the Planning Board will hold a special meeting for the purpose of conducting an executive session at 7:00 p.m. in the 5thfloor conference room of Village Hall, 131 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss ongoing litigation.

With the exception of executive sessions, all meetings of the Ridgewood Planning Board (i.e., official public meetings, work session meetings and special meetings) are public meetings which are always open to members of the general public.

Michael Cafarelli

Secretary to the Boar

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Vatican back peddles on Trump remarks

Pope Francis

Vatican: Pope Francis’ Comments About Donald Trump Not ‘Personal Attack or Instruction on How to Vote’

by THOMAS D. WILLIAMS, PH.D.19 Feb 20165,343

The Vatican spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi, has issued aclarification regarding the Pope’s remarks to journalists Thursday, when he said, in answer to a question about Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, that a person who only thinks of building walls and not about building bridges is no Christian.

Aboard the plane returning from Mexico to Rome, the Pope answered Reuters reporter Phil Pullella by saying, “I would only say: if he said these things, this man is no Christian. But we’d have to see whether he said these things. And in this matter, I would give him the benefit of the doubt.”

Since news reports bore headlines suggesting that the Pope had denied Trump’s Christianity, and other comments by the Pope had also caused some confusion, the papal spokesman released a statement Friday in an effort to clarify what the Pope was trying to say.

Lombardi said that Pope-watchers know that Francis is always repeating that we should not build walls but bridges. “He repeats this over and over, constantly, and he has also said it many times regarding the issue of migration in Europe,” he said. “So it is not a specific issue, limited to this case” but part of his general attitude, consistent with “following the Gospel directives of welcome and solidarity.”

The spokesman also insisted that the Pope was not intending a personal judgment on Trump, or trying to tell Catholics how to vote at the upcoming election.

“This case drew a lot of attention,” Lombardi said, “but he never intended it to be in any way a personal attack or an instruction on how to vote. The Pope has made it clear that he would not meddle in the voting issues in the election campaign of the United States.”

The priest said that media reports often overlooked that the Pope had said that his words “depended on the accuracy and truth of what he had been told regarding the Republican candidate’s positions, thus also giving him the benefit of the doubt.”

https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/02/19/vatican-pope-on-trump-not-meant-as-a-personal-attack-or-an-instruction-on-how-to-vote/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social

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5 at Benjamin Franklin Middle School accepted into the 2016 Region I Orchestra

music-notes
February 20,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ms. Carol Sharar, Director of Orchestras, reports that the following Benjamin Franklin Middle School string players were accepted into the 2016 Region I Orchestra: Christy Chang (Violin), Daniel Son (Violin), Ryan Rhew (Violin), Eugene Park (Cello) and William Stewart (Bass).

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Watchdog group wants investigation of $1M contribution to Super Pac supporting Jersey City mayor

Mayor Steven Fulop

BY JOHN C. ENSSLIN
STATE HOUSE BUREAU |
THE RECORD

A national campaign finance watchdog group has asked the Federal Election Commission to investigate a $1 million contribution made to a Super PAC said to be supporting Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop’s potential bid for New Jersey governor.

 

https://www.northjersey.com/news/watchdog-group-wants-investigation-of-1m-contribution-to-super-pac-supporting-jersey-city-mayor-1.1515135