Author: James

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YWCA celebrates its Ridgewood roots

Ridgewood-YMCA_theridgewoodblog

DECEMBER 4, 2015    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015, 12:31 AM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

Editor’s Note – This historical background, timeline and pictures were provided by Marie DeNoia Aronsohn, YWCA director of Development and Communications

Ninety-five years ago the world, the nation, and Ridgewood were very different places. In 1920 Woodrow Wilson, president of the United States Congress approved The Eighteenth Amendment which prohibited alcohol (as one historian notes, “Not only did the Amendment fail to be heeded; it often failed to be acknowledged with a straight face.”) and finally, after a crusade that began as far back as 1638, the states ratified the Nineteenth Amendment legalizing a woman’s right to vote. Ridgewood had a lot going in on in 1920 as well. One resident, in particular, was inspired to make an addition to her community – one that stands as a valuable resource to this day. Her name was Nell Doremus.

Born in 1891 to Ridgewood parents, Doremus was a local girl with an abiding commitment to serving her community and more specifically was an avid advocate for safe affordable housing, better working conditions, and improved wages for young women in industry. In 1920, as a leader of a group called the “Girls Patriotic League,” Doremus applied to the national YWCA and received a charter to form the YWCA chapter which is now the YWCA Bergen County. This year the YWCA Bergen County is celebrating its Ridgewood roots, reflecting on its legacy, while also embracing a new call to action: recommitting to the YWCA’s mighty mission: eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, dignity, and freedom for all.

This month, as part of its Giving Tuesday appeal, the YWCA Bergen County is sharing specific stories about the power and promise of its mission-driven programs: from girls’ leadership seminars to sexual violence intervention, to special needs and therapeutic swim classes, the YWCA Giving Tuesday site will be featuring true stories that illustrate what we mean by “living our mission” to promote the self-empowerment and social justice of the families and individuals throughout Bergen County.

The now international YWCA, formed in its earliest incarnation in 1858, is the oldest and largest multicultural women’s organization in the world. Throughout our history, YWCA has been in the forefront of most major movements in the United States as a pioneer in race relations, labor union representation, and the empowerment of women. The YWCA Bergen County’s history is also richly reflective of the international organization’s spirit and traces Ridgewood’s own community history.

https://www.northjersey.com/community-news/clubs-and-service-organizations/ywca-celebrates-its-ridgewood-roots-1.1467311

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Ridgewood, Fair Lawn temples host ‘Dummies and Dreidels’

Dreidels

DECEMBER 4, 2015    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015, 12:31 AM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

Temple will host ‘Dummies and Dreidels’ on Sunday

A children’s Hanukkah event, run in part by Ridgewood’s Temple Israel, will take place Sunday morning at Temple Beth Shalom in Fair Lawn.

The event, called “Dummies and Dreidels,” will feature family-friendly entertainment and refreshments, according to Rabbi Estelle Mills of Temple Israel.

The program will include a Hanukkah carnival for pre-school and elementary aged school children, a puppet show by a nationally-known Jewish puppeteer and latkes and other foods, Mills said.

The puppeteer, Jonathan Geffner, will be performing with “his wacky, whimsical, wooden sidekicks in the highly acclaimed Maccabee Mishegash Puppet Show,” according to a news release for the event.

https://www.northjersey.com/community-news/community-events-and-announcements/ridgewood-fair-lawn-temples-host-dummies-and-dreidels-1.1467398

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Protest follows talk of demolishing Oradell mansion

Atwood-Blauvelt mansion

DECEMBER 4, 2015    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015, 1:21 AM
BY NICHOLAS PUGLIESE
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

ORADELL — A former owner of the Atwood-Blauvelt Mansion said Thursday that the property’s current owner has signaled that it intends to file for a permit to demolish the historic structure.

Jeffrey Wells, who owned the home until 2011, said that representatives of CareOne, one of the state’s largest nursing home operators, informed him this week that “they were looking to do a walk-through on the house because they were going to apply for a demo permit.” Supporters of efforts to preserve the mansion, which was built in the 1890s, responded by staging a small demonstration there on Thursday.

But Timothy Hodges, CareOne’s chief strategy officer, said Thursday that the fate of the building has not yet been decided.

“Ever since CareOne acquired the property at 699 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell, it has continued to explore its development options for the property,” he said. “That process is still ongoing and no final decisions have been made.”

He added: “CareOne has not applied for a demolition permit from the Borough of Oradell.”

Borough Administrator Laura Graham confirmed that no such application had been filed as of Thursday afternoon.

Wells said the purpose for the walk-through would be to show CareOne’s construction professionals how the building receives utility services. The tour was scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, he said.

But when those professionals saw about a dozen people displaying a banner reading “SAVE the BLAUVELT” on the property’s front lawn, they canceled the appointment, Wells said.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/education/talk-of-demolition-1.1467524

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Flags At Half Staff Honoring the Victims of the Attack on San Bernardio

half mast flag

To honor the victims of the attack on San Bernardino, California the flags will be lowered.

A PROCLAMATION

As a mark of respect for the victims of gun violence perpetrated on December 2, 2015, in San Bernardino, California, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions through December 7, 2015. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand fifteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fortieth.

BARACK OBAMA

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Traffic Alert Friday 12/4/15 Downtown for the Holidays starting at 4:30pm today

ridgewoodtreelighting thridgewoodblog.net

Traffic Alert Friday 12/4/15 Downtown for the Holidays

East Ridgewood Ave will be closed Between North Maple Ave and Broad Street starting at 4:30PM for the Downtown for the Holidays-30th Anniversary Celebration. Expect heavy traffic delays surrounding the business district due to the road closures.

Event Description

30th Year Celebration !
Santa is in Ridgewood-bring your list!
Lots of Music and entertainment !

Early Event – “for the kids”5:30 – 6:30 – Santa in the park for the “wee tots” along with live entertainment by the “clock”, in the stores and restaurants along E. Ridgewood Ave featuring the RHS Marching Band, RHS Ridgewood Carolers, RHS Orchestra, Taekwondo All In

NEW THIS YEAR –
5:30-9pm Special Feature-Holiday Express Train-bring the family and ride this fun train up and down E. Ridgewood Ave.

7-8 – “on stage live”Live entertainment and tree lighting Celebration featuring performances by Porch Light Productions, From the Top Studio, Art of Motion, Arthur Murray Dance Studio, Santa and Much More!

8-9 “Merriment on E. Ridgewood Ave Shh – Santa will be back in the parkLots of music on the avenueRestaurant reservation suggested

Specials going on during the Tree Lighting…
Femmebot has music and 10% store wide sale until 9pm on 12/4/15
Alex and Ani having in-store events-

THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING SPONSORSfor the 30th Anniversary Celebration

Columbia Bank
Valley Health System
Van Dyk Health Care
Freedom
BankCareOne at Ridgewood
Ridgewood News
Boiling Spring Saving Bank
PNC Wealth Management
Park West Tavern & LoftWest
Bergen Mental Healthcare
ConnectOne Bank
Ulrich, Inc.
C.C. VanEmburgh Funeral Home
Pearl Restaurant
Daily Treat Restaurant
Atlantic Stewardship Bank
Bagelicious
Country Pancake House and Restaurant
Life Opportunities
Unlimited
Pink Bungalow
Hillmann Lighting
Lazarus & Williamson
The Woman’s Club of Ridgewood
Christ Church
Cupcakes by Carousel
Femmebot Clothing
Beauty Plus Salon
Gold Fish Swim School
Ridgewood Public Library
West Side Nursery School
Ridgewood YMCA
Ridgewood Party Rental

For more details, please call us at 201-445-2600 or email [email protected] www.experienceridgewood.com

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Village of Ridgewood Leaf Collection Update

leaf3 pickup theridgewoodblog.net 12

file photo by Boyd Loving

Leaf Collection Update

Updated Information on Leaves from Ridgewood DPW:

• Collection: We are still running three to four days behind. With the recent damage to the pusher catching up is going to be unachievable.

• Schedule: We are recommending a shift in the leaf schedule based on the following new dates:

o Area A: Dec. 4 to Dec. 10

o Area B: No change

o Area C: Dec. 11 to Dec. 17

o Area D: Dec. 18 to Dec. 23

• Enforcement: There is no stopping enforcement at this point. For the remainder of this week enforcement will focus on Area B.

For further information: 201/670-5585

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Ridgewood Council members review parking garage design options

Village Council

file photo Boyd Loving

DECEMBER 4, 2015    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY MATTHEW SCHNEIDER
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

The Ridgewood Council this week weighed in on a proposed parking garage to be built at the existing Hudson Street lot, and each member offered reasons why they supported one of the three options over the others.

Three members of the council supported option A, a notion that most of the public commenters agreed with, while the other two were in favor of option C.

Councilwoman Gwenn Hauck, who was in favor of the largest-sized and most-expensive option available (option A), explained that her decision was based upon three different factors: finances, aesthetics and intangibles.

“Economically, if you bought into the idea of the garage at all, option A is the one that makes sense; that provides the service that everyone has been clamoring for,” she said, noting that while the first two levels of the garage will cost $10 million to build, the next two will only cost a total of $2 million, allowing the village to save some money while meeting greater demand.

Hauck also explained that current interest rates are favorable, and that taking advantage of a 3 percent rate is the smart thing to do. A bigger garage, she said, means more rentable spots, which will allow the town to pay off the garage faster.

Addressing aesthetics, Hauck said she wanted the garage to be “an experience.”

“I think any substantial detailing that we can have to improve the look and strengthen it, we should have,” she said.

In terms of intangibles, Hauck explained that any large project involves a lot of risk, but that the risk is necessary for the reward.

https://www.northjersey.com/community-news/town-government/council-reviews-design-options-1.1467285

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Rebuttal to: “Planned garage a plus for Ridgewood”

parking

December 4,2015

Boyd A. Loving

Editor, The Ridgewood Blog:

Re:  “Planned garage a plus for Ridgewood,” The Ridgewood Blog, November 29.

Mr. Don Delzio’s letter fails to state the obvious; the reason there has been no progress for decades on the construction of a parking garage in downtown Ridgewood is the repeated inability to cost justify such a project.  And the current plan to fund a new garage by significantly increasing metered parking rates and extending the times during which municipally provided parking must be paid for, has not yet been fully vetted.  This leaves a very strong possibility that Ridgewood’s predominantly residential taxpayer base could wind up footing the bill for a project that would do absolutely nothing to increase residential property values.

With regard to a controversial “anonymous mailer” that opposed construction of the garage, Mr. Delzio failed to mention that the hundreds of lawn signs and flyers promoting construction of the garage, displayed at publicly and privately owned properties throughout Ridgewood, were also anonymous in that no sponsoring individual, organization, nor business name was printed on any of them.  Only after Election Day was it revealed that those printed materials were paid for by the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce.  And despite Ridgewood Mayor Paul Aronsohn’s claim that “no one was willing to take responsibility for the mailer . . . ,” at least one (1) individual who contributed to its production and distribution has come forward publicly on two (2) separate occasions.

Finally, Mr. Delzio’s suggestion that no member of the Village Council should consider voting anything but yes to bond a parking garage because there was “overwhelming voter support for the project,” implies that there is no room in Ridgewood for dissenting opinions.  I say let those who we elected base their decisions on the facts and data at hand and not be swayed by opinions from voters, some of whom may have been misinformed, or who voted based on perceptions, not facts.

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Village of Ridgewood’s own photo simulations look a lot like the ones on the “anonymous mailer”

village parking flyies

December 4,2015

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Don’t these photo simulations look a lot like the ones on the “anonymous mailer” Mr. Aronsohn can’t seem to shut up about?

More, and more importantly:

During the Wednesday evening, December 2nd Ridgewood Village Council Work Session, Mayor Paul Aronsohn vowed that the parking deck (garage) will be built, even in the absence of a 4 vote “super majority” vote of the Village Council, which would be required to bond the debt service.

WP 20151202 22 44 50 Pro

The Mayor and Deputy Mayor Albert Pucciarelli revealed that “they” have already discussed an alternate (and completely legal) plan of having the Bergen County Improvement Authority (BCIA)  issue bonds for the project if the 4 vote “super majority” isn’t obtained.

At a minimum, this would add an additional $750k in BCIA fees to the project, plus an as yet to be determined interest fee each year for 30 years.

The staff of The Ridgewood Blog will attempt to keep you fully abreast of developments along this front, although we are sure a person or persons at Village Hall will do everything in their power to keep information away from us.

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The tax-avoiding Facebook mogul and an act of charity that reeks of hypocrisy

facebook-dislike-1

By IAN BIRRELL FOR THE DAILY MAIL

PUBLISHED: 20:18 EST, 2 December 2015 | UPDATED: 03:44 EST, 3 December 2015

Once, it was enough to put a notice in the newspaper when your child was born. But Mark Zuckerberg, the multi-billionaire founder of Facebook, likes to do things differently.

So he welcomed his newborn daughter, Max, into the world with an open letter on his social media site, in which he and his wife, Priscilla Chan, pledged to donate almost all their £30 billion fortune to charity during their lives.

The happy couple talked rather smugly about how their first child gave them cause to reflect on the future, saying they were inspired by their desire to build a better world and because they have a ‘moral responsibility to all children in the next generation’.

Read more: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-3343771/The-tax-avoiding-Facebook-mogul-act-charity-reeks-hypocrisy.html#ixzz3tJ3sKgBj

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Scott Garrett: “New Jersey residents deserve to have their tax dollars spent on transportation and infrastructure projects right here in the Garden State instead of being wasted in Washington, D.C.”

Rep Scott Garrett rail car safety

Garrett Statement on Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act

Dec 3, 2015
the staff of theRidgewood blog

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Scott Garrett (NJ-05), issued the following statement after voting against the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act:

“New Jersey residents deserve to have their tax dollars spent on transportation and infrastructure projects right here in the Garden State instead of being wasted in Washington, D.C. Unfortunately, the FAST Act is full of budgetary gimmicks that will ensure another round of taxpayer-funded bailouts when what we really need are substantive reforms that put our transportation funding on a sustainable fiscal path. The reason Americans have spent $143 billion on bailouts over the last seven years is money set aside in the Highway Trust Fund—the tax you pay at the pump—has been wasted on projects that are unrelated to roads and bridges.

“And if the bailouts aren’t bad enough, the FAST Act also includes provisions to resurrect the most shameless example of crony capitalism Washington has ever concocted—the Export-Import Bank. Overall, I believe New Jersey deserves better, which is why I will continue to fight to end bailouts, end special treatment for Washington insiders, and ensure that my constituents can see their transportation dollars being spent closer to home.”

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Did Political Correctness Kill , Neighbor Suspicious, Didn’t Report For Fear Of Being Called RACIST!

FAROOQ SAEED

 

December 3,2015

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

San Bernardino CA, In a report from KABC in Los Angeles, a neighbor of the Muslim terror suspect in Redlands, California, says that other neighbors were suspicious of the Middle Eastern men and their activities, but didn’t do anything out of it for fear of “profiling” them.

Hours after the attack, authorities followed a tip to the home on Center Street in Redlands. As Police officers approached, the two suspects fled in a dark SUV. A police chase ensued, ending back in San Bernardino, where the two suspects — one male and one female — were killed in the gun battle with police.

Police report that both suspects were armed with assault rifles and handguns and a third person who fled from the shooting scene was detained after an extensive search but It was not immediately clear if that person was involved in the Inland Regional Center shooting.

Neighbors in Redlands expressed shock that the suspects had ties to their area. KABC also reported that a man who has been working in the area said he noticed a half-dozen Middle Eastern men in the area in recent weeks, but decided not to report anything since he did not wish to racially profile those people.

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N.J. investigative report targets car dealers over operations

used car

DECEMBER 2, 2015    LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015, 6:43 PM
BY HUGH R. MORLEY
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

The New Jersey Commission of Investigation (SCI) on Wednesday released a report targeting businesses known as multi-dealer locations that the agency said enable hundreds of car dealers to operate beyond the state’s regulatory authority.

The report, which identifies 11 multi-dealer locations (MDLs) in the state – including five in Bergen and Passaic – said they are part of a system that is open to abuses, such as non-payment of taxes by the dealers at the location, consumer fraud, and “suspicious financial transactions on a domestic and international scale.’’

Most of the report focused on the activities at one MDL, New Jersey Auto Dealers Mall in Bridgeton in Cumberland County, where 1,214 dealers are registered. The report said that dealer was a “sham that serves as the foundation for an amalgam of consumer and bank fraud, unpaid taxes, suspicious financial transactions and other questionable, unscrupulous and possibly illegal activities.” The owner also had ties to organized crime, the report said.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/business/n-j-investigative-report-targets-car-dealers-over-operations-1.1465890

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Ridgewood December School Recess -Recreation Activities

MAGIC SHOW FEATURING JOE FISCHER

December School Recess

Special Events with Ridgewood Recreation

MAGIC SHOW FEATURING JOE FISCHER – Monday, December 28th, 11:30 am at the Anne Zusy Youth Center, Village Hall, 131 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood. Tickets are $5 for all attending (under 2 free).

A show that is sure to amaze.

Be sure to watch for “Secrets of Magic” during our winter session – a 6 week class of behind the scene magic with Joe Fischer, with take home tricks each week.

ARCTIC ANIMALS ART CAMP WITH ABRAKADOODLE – Monday and Tuesday, December 28 and 29, 10 am to 12 noon each day, at the Stable, 259 N. Maple Avenue, Ridgewood. Grades K-3. $90, all materials provided ($100 non-residents).

Calling all animal lovers! Students will use clay and paint in this camp while learning about some snowy friends! From igloos and polar bears to chilly moose, a fun time will be had by all!

CHILDREN’S CRAFT WORKSHOP WITH MRS. C. – Monday, December 28th, 1 to 3 pm, at the Stable, 259 N. Maple Avenue, Ridgewood. Grades 2-6. $30, all materials provided ($40 non-residents).

Use your creativity and imagination while learning simple techniques required to draw, paint, and finish a project of your choice. All materials included. Bottle dolls, wood painting, basket weaving, tile painting, beads, jewelry, and a lot more!

TRIVIA MANIA WITH MAGIC CUBE – Tuesday, December 29th, 1 to 2:15 pm, at The Anne Zusy Youth Center, Village Hall, 131 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood. Grades 3-6. Tickets are $5 for all attending.

Come enjoy a live interactive trivia game show with buzzer system, lighting and sound effects, fun contestant games, musical competitions, audience participation activities, prizes, and two exciting co-hosts.

MYTHBUSTERS WITH EDUCATION EXPLORERS – Tuesday, December 29th, 1 to 3 pm, at The Stable, 259 N. Maple Avenue, Ridgewood. Grades 1-5. $45, all materials included ($55 non-residents).

Explore science the Busters Way! Children will participate in a variety of hands-on experiments that put common “myths” to the test. Using scientific method and children’s innate curiosity, they will have fun exploring many STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) principles.

Purchase of tickets for the shows or registration for the program offerings may be made either online at Community Pass, www.ridgewoodnj.net/communitypass or in person at The Stable, 259 N. Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450, weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For additional information, or if special accommodations are needed, kindly contact the Recreation office at 201-670-5560