Author: James

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Was Zika outbreak caused by release of genetically modified mosquitoes in Brazil?

mosquito-blood

16:09, 31 JAN 2016
UPDATED 12:25, 1 FEB 2016
BY ELLE GRIFFITHS

The genetically engineered insects were designed to stop the spread of dengue fever but critics now fear the programme may have had a deadly consequence.

The Zika virus outbreak currently gripping the Americas could have been sparked by the release of genetically modified mosquitoes in 2012, critics say.

The insects were engineered by biotechnology experts to combat the spread of dengue fever and other diseases and released into the general population of Brazil in 2012.

But with the World Health Organisation(WHO) now meeting in Geneva to desperately discuss cures for the Zika virus, speculation has mounted as to the cause of this sudden outbreak.

The Zika virus was first discovered in the 1950s but the recent outbreak has escalated alarmingly, causing birth defects and a range of health problems in South and central America.

The first cases were reported in Brazil last May with up to 1.5 million people now thought to be affected by the virus which is spread by mosquitoes endemic to Latin America.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/zika-outbreak-caused-release-genetically-7281671

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The Ridgewood Board of Education will hold a Regular Public Meeting on Monday, February 8, 2016

BOE_theridgewoodblog
BOARD UPDATES

BOE-REA Negotiations
Click here to read a Letter to the Editor of The Ridgewood News, which appeared in the paper on January 29, 2016.

BOE Meets on February 8 at 7:30 p.m.
The Ridgewood Board of Education will hold a Regular Public Meeting on Monday, February 8, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.

The public is invited to attend the meeting at the Ed Center, 49 Cottage Place, Floor 3. The meeting may also be viewed on FiOS channel 33, Optimum channel 77 or from computers via the “Live BOE Meeting” tab on the district website.FiOS channel 33, Optimum channel 77 or from computers via the “Live BOE Meeting” tab on the district website.

Click here to view the agenda for the January 25, 2016 Regular Public Meeting.

Click here to view the minutes of the December 21, 2015 Regular Public Meeting.

Click here to view the minutes of the January 4, 2016 Reorganization/Regular Public Meeting.

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Deputy Mayor Moves to Stop Video Taping of Public Meetings in Ridgewood

Deputy_Mayor_Albert_Pucciarelli_theridgewoodblog
file photo by Boyd loving
February 1,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ ,Deputy Mayor Albert Pucciarell at a recent council meeting said   “Im going to introduce an Ordinance” In regards to video taping of council meeting. Seemed after his recent out bursts he was not happy with being taped by outside sources .

You might want to run that one by the NJ Supreme Court .

At Village Council Meetings There are no expectations of privacy in a person in a public place.The meeting is already being videotaped, why is personal video a problem?

The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey praised a New Jersey Supreme Court decision released today that protects an individual’s right to videotape public meetings.

“Videotaping is an invaluable method of documenting government activities or misconduct,” said ACLU of New Jersey Legal Director Ed Barocas. “We are pleased that the Supreme Court recognized that American freedom and democracy depend on the people having a right to access government information.”

So whats the problem ?

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BCIA Hudson street Garage Option , great for out of Town Commuters , not so great for Ridgewood

Hudson Street Parking Garage
February 1,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The reason why the project has been studied and studied but never actually built is because at the end of the day, although we need more parking, it does not make sense from a practical, logistical or financial sense to build one in the downtown proper

Going to the BCIA , once the money is approved, it tends to appear almost instantaneously, accruing interest long before the project can even get started. That is a significant reason to reconsider this plan or ploy and an excellent reason, if it does happen, not to ask for a cent more than is needed. But losing control over the way commuter spaces are priced is a huge problem and there are undoubtedly more.

There will be approximately 320 car garage. 4 levels. The mayor said in the last meeting that 2 levels may be dedicated to commuters. That’s about 160 cars for commuters. We currently already have one level, which is mostly used by Ridgewood commuters. Lets say the second level is used by Bergen County commuters at no extra money compared to Ridgewood commuters. So, 2 levels are either used by out of Ridgewood commuters or commuters who are already using this lot today without the garage.

With remaining 2 levels, we will get 160 new spot, presumably for non commuters. Cost – 12.3 million in new bond, 500K bond has been already spent + 450k already spent on environmental studies in 2014 & 2015 on this lot. = 13.25M.

That’s 82,800 for every new parking spot created for CBD. This assumes that the project will not go over the budget. With the way this council and village manager are spending the money, this is highly unlikely to stay in the budget.

How does putting a garage at one end of the CBD really help the rest of the downtown area ? This proposal, like Valley, is over the top and in no way needed. This country goes into a slowdown/recession and you can kiss going out to the real beneficiaries of this (the restaurants) good bye.

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Ridgewood Residents are starting to think the Village has ” lost its Luster “

Clock CBD
January 31st 2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Sorry but the consensus is just that. The Village of Ridgewood is losing its allure. It’s a shame, so many people talking about moving because the town falling apart, crappy horrible water issues, not listening to its high tax paying residents, teacher issues, high density issues, parking issues.
The negatives of high taxes used to always be balanced out by great schools and a community that offered a lot of opportunities.

But with and increasing hostile council majority dead set in many residents opinions of destroying the very nature of the Village , with massive over development  residents are left to wonder what happened to their town. The village has simply turned into everything many residents were trying to get away from .

It’s a constant theme heard all around the Village , at cocktail parties, student activities and other social gatherings ; the Village has lost its luster. From harsh notices on an outstanding summons for “failure to comply with leaf removal requirements.”

 Residents expresse frustration with a political process that ignores voters wishes as well as common sense .

Residents also feel harnessed and  ask themselves ,”What the hell is going on with all these tickets lately? 600 or so so we have been told . No comfort when the notice threatens to arrest you and revoke oury license if you dont respond with guilty and pay the $85, or not guilty and go to court.

New residents say , “our experience so far has us feeling an awful lot like generating revenue is more important than making sure we’re safe.”

To many the excessive use of ticketing sounds like a scam or typical New Jersey .Many residents complain that despite following the rules they were ticked anyway with no reasonable recourse . Contrary to the Deputy Mayor other people have jobs as well.

“Sorry to hear all those troubles, welcome to Ridgewood” is the now the new greeting in town.
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NY Teacher fired for sex with student got new job at NJ school

Castro and Chez

By Susan Edelman and Dean Balsamini

January 31, 2016 | 1:40pm

A New York teacher who investigators say had sex with a student was able to exploit loopholes and delays in the disciplinary system to land a teaching job in New Jersey, The Post has learned.

Jinwoo Seong, 36, repeatedly grabbed a male student’s crotch, exposed himself, had the youth stroke him and engaged in oral sex while a special-education math teacher at Martin Van Buren HS in Queens, according to an explosive eight-page report by special schools investigator Richard Condon. The student cried throughout an interview with investigators.

Seong also touched a girl’s breast and crotch over her clothes, slapped other boys’ butts, hurled obscene comments and made “gay jokes,” the probe found.

One girl told investigators that Seong asked her to measure a classmate’s penis during an after-school tutoring session. Another boy claimed Seong kicked him in the testicles when he cursed the teacher.

But Seong, who was fired, managed to get a new job in Jersey simply by not revealing his troubled past. The case shows how a teacher accused of shocking misconduct can slip through bureaucratic cracks and back into the classroom.

Condon’s nine-month investigation ended last Sept. 28 with a letter to Chancellor Carmen Fariña, saying Seong “has no place in New York City schools.”

But Seong, who was assigned to a “rubber room” pending the probe, remained on the city payroll until the Department of Education terminated him on Nov. 30. The untenured Seong denied the charges but was not entitled to an administrative trial.

Seong used his time in the rubber room to scramble for new employment. In October, New Jersey granted his application to recognize his New York certifications to teach special-ed and math in grades 7 to 12.

Seong then found an opening at Don Bosco Technical Academy, a public middle school in Paterson, NJ, telling officials he wanted to “relocate.” As soon as his NYC firing was official, he accepted the $62,000-a-year position. He started on Dec. 7.

https://nypost.com/2016/01/31/teacher-fired-for-sex-with-student-got-new-job-at-nj-school/?utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_source=NYPFacebook&utm_medium=SocialFlow

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Sessions: Choose carefully America, 2016 is ‘THE LAST CHANCE’

VOTE_theridgewoodblog

By PAUL BEDARD

1/29/16 5:34 PM

Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, a leading voice on trade, immigration and executive powers, is urging Americans to choose their next president carefully because 2016 “is the last chance for the American people to take back control of their government.”

In a sober interview with Secrets, the Republican warned that liberal special interests, Wall Street moguls, and international media conglomerates are fast turning the United States into just another member of the European Union and that the effort is being led by a Democratic president eager to go his own way with executive orders.

“This election is different because we have pell mell erosion of law, the constitutional order, where President Obama has pushed an agenda that eviscerates the immigration legal system, and pushed this trade agreement that will commence decades of transferring American economic power to an ever-expanding international commission. It’s just not going to stop” unless voters take action, he warned.

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/sessions-2016-is-last-chance-to-take-back-control-of-government/article/2581874

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Ridgewood High School English Students Excel in New York Times Learning Network’s Review Contest

RHS

January 31,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, This past fall, RHS juniors Catherine Keating and Emily Holmquist received honorable mentions in the New York Times Learning Network’s Review Contest.

All students of Lynn Moore and Colleen Contreras’ English 11 class participated in the contest, which asked them to write about experiencing works of culture new to their daily life. Out of over 1600 entries, there were only nine winners, nine runners-up, and 23 honorable mentions.

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JAMBOREE 2016 – RIDGEWOOD REWIND!

RHS_BEST_theridgewoodblog

JAMBOREE 2016 – RIDGEWOOD REWIND!

Ridgewood NJ, Since 1947, Ridgewood’s Jamboree has presented an original musical revue raising funds for need-based college scholarships for graduating RHS seniors.

Over 125 RHS parents and guardians participate and contribute each year by singing, dancing, acting, performing in the band, designing and making costumes, building sets, managing set changes and being back-stage heroes.

The Jamboree Scholarship Fund, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) qualified charity and all contributions are tax deductible. The entire production and all Jamboree fund-raising efforts are 100 percent voluntary. All Fund revenues are raised through program advertising, ticket sales and corporate and individual sponsorships.

Wheelchair accessible!  VIP paid parking available!

TICKETS ARE ALWAYS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR!

ALL ONLINE TICKET SALES FOR A PARTICULAR PERFORMANCE DATE ENDS ONE HOUR BEFORE SHOW. https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2485468

Donations are welcomed on our website – www.rhsjamboree.org!

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Franklin and Oak Street Crash backs up Ridgewood’s Central Business District

Ridgewood Crash oak street
file photo courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook
Franklin and Oak Street Crash backs up Ridgewood’s Central Business District 
January 31,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ,  A motor vehicle crash with reported injuries at the intersection of Franklin Avenue and Oak Street in Ridgewood drew response from PD, FD, and EMS personnel late Saturday afternoon, 01/30.
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Both drivers in the crash refused medical attention, however the two (2) vehicles involved sustained damages that required their respective removal from the scene by tow trucks.
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Jersey’s Grace Helbig signs new book in Ridgewood

Grace Helbig

JANUARY 30, 2016    LAST UPDATED: SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2016, 1:21 AM
BY VIRGINIA ROHAN
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

BOOKS

WHO: Grace Helbig.

WHAT: Signing “Grace & Style: The Art of Pretending You Have It.”

WHEN: 6 p.m. Tuesday.

WHERE: Bookends, 211 E. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood, 201-445-0726, book-ends.com.

HOW MUCH: Must purchase book ($19.99) at Bookends.

Jersey girl and YouTube star Grace Helbig sought a very specific balance in her new “Grace & Style: The Art of Pretending You Have It.”

“I wanted to make a book that felt sort of like a hodge-podge vision-board variety show all in a book sort of thing, that kind of ran the spectrum of serious and completely silly,” says Helbig, who now lives in Los Angeles but grew up in South Jersey and got her start in comedy when she was a student at Ramapo College.

“You know, beauty and style and how you see yourself aesthetically, they’re a really personal experience that you have. So I wanted to put in more serious stories so there’s a context that kind of gives permission to make fun of the beauty world in a way, but not in a mean-spirited way. I think it’s always important to understand someone’s perspective and point of view, especially when it comes to comedy, so I really wanted to have a balance there of serious and completely stupid.”

https://www.northjersey.com/arts-and-entertainment/books/jersey-s-grace-helbig-signs-new-book-in-ridgewood-1.1502446

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The Ridgewood Art Institute 36th Annual Regional Juried Art Show

CLAIR - Oil painting by Rebecca Jean Leer
Sun, January 31, 2016
Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

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

Ridgewood Nj, An Opening Reception and Awards Ceremony will be held at the Ridgewood Art Institute. Light refreshments will be served. Over $5,000 in awards and prizes, including a $1,000 grand prize, will be presented by the RAI President. Prize winners or representatives must be present at the awards ceremony.

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Sunday, January 31st, 2 -4 pm is the “Opening Reception” for RAI 36th Annual Regional Juried Show – the show is a “must see” in the tri-state area. We are giving out over $5,000 in awards. Here is a sneak preview of some of our Award Winners.

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Ridgewood Open Houses for January 31st 2016

Ridgewood Real-estate

137 Ackerman Ave, Ridgewood, NJ. Open House Sunday 1/31 from 1:00-4:30. Modern town home in a great location! $699k

1535587.1 MLS # 1535587
433 George St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, C/C
Cynthia B Torres, Broker Owner
Discover Real Estate

  • Open House: 2:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 1/31
11

1603382.1 MLS # 1603382
30 Pershing Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 1 Full Bath, Col
Carolyn Strittmatter, Sales Associate
Weichert Realtors Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 1/31
16

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. 1/31
21

1602447.1 MLS # 1602447
80 Pershing Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, C/C
Maribeth Germinario, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 1/31
24

1602609.1 MLS # 1602609
650 Wall St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 1 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Ranch
Esther Axelrod, Sales Associate
Weichert Realtors, Wyckoff

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 1/31
6

1548880.1 MLS # 1548880
332 Eastside Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, Col
Michael Shetler, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. Sun. 1/31
24

1601845.1 MLS # 1601845
211 Godwin Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Ghada Abbasi, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 1/31
21

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. 1/31
12

1601475.1 MLS # 1601475
137 Ackerman Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Twnhs
Erin Pruitt, Sales Associate
Tarvin Realtors

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 1/31
25

1545430.1 MLS # 1545430
312 Thompson Pl, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, Col
Anthony Comunale, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Alpine/Closter

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 1/31

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

1601186.1 MLS # 1601186
292 Spring Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Twnhs
Michelle Stojanovic, Sales Associate
Tarvin Realtors

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 1/31
25

1602795.1 MLS # 1602795
524 E Saddle River Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Paul Lagano, Sales Associate
Weichert Realtors Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 1/31
25

1518579.1 MLS # 1518579
521 W Saddle River Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Michele Italia, Sales Associate
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Abbott Realtors-HoHoKus

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 1/31
24

1603006.1 MLS # 1603006
265 Phelps Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, S/L
Cynthia Stadulis, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 1/31
24

1600534.1 MLS # 1600534
140 Woodland Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
6 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Jennifer W. Celiberti, Sales Associate
Tarvin Realtors

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 1/31
24

1603099.1 MLS # 1603099
51 N Hillside Pl, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Barbara Masarky, Broker Associate
Tarvin Realtors

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 1/31
25

1602593.1 MLS # 1602593
362 Crest Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
6 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Frances Ekblom, Sales Associate
Tarvin Realtors

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 1/31
25

1533078.1 MLS # 1533078
371 Crest Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Samira Cook, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 1/31
25

1603233.1 MLS # 1603233
87 Madison Pl, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Deborah Monroe Tarvin, Sales Associate
Tarvin Realtors

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 1/31
25

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

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Nasty Outbursts by Council members Now the Norm at Ridgewood Village Council Meetings

3 amigos in action Ridgewood NJ

January 31,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Other than by possible anonymous postings, we have not heard a word from Paul, Albert or Gwenn. Sadly, this is not surprising. Paul and Albert lost their tempers and spewed innumerable nasty adjectives to discredit a resident who was acting completely in accordance with the law, and Gwenn sat quietly and allowed this verbal onslaught to carry on. This is one of many, way too many, such meetings at which Paul, Albert, and Gwenn have allowed and enabled the public crucifixion of an elected official, an appointed official, or a member of the general public.

Whether a resolution is inserted into the code at a future time to require that all recording by private citizens must be announced, the fact is that at this time such an announcement is not required. Thus, their nasty characterizations were way, way out of line. It is entirely possible that they went over the line into libel and slander. Lawyers can decide about that. Well, lawyers other than the one who calls himself Deputy Dawg.

We, the people, have all the dates and transcripts of their vicious outbursts dating back 4 years, and in Paul’s case 8 years. For Albert and Gwenn, who are running for reelection, we will be happy to replay these over and over and over for the voting public to be reminded of your true colors. We do not need to say anything; your own words will say it all.

To use one of Albert’s favorite catch words – GOTCHA!

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Ruptured Gas Main Closes Route 4 in both Directions

Route 4 Paramus
photo courtesy of Boyd Loving
Ruptured Gas Main Closes Route 4 in both Directions
January 30,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paramus NJ, A construction company performing work on Route 4 westbound under Forest Avenue in Paramus accidentally struck and ruptured a 6 inch high pressure natural gas main shortly before 1 AM on Saturday, 01/30 causing the complete closure of Route 4 in both directions near the incident site.
As of 2 AM on Saturday, PSE&G supervisors on the scene anticipated the leak would not be stopped and repaired until at least 5 AM or 6 AM on Saturday. Paramus PD, FD, and Rescue Squad personnel are all on the scene. Traffic control assistance is being provided by numerous Bergen County law enforcement agencies along with NJDOT personnel. No incident related injuries have thus far been reported.