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Posted on January 28, 2015April 9, 2020 by James — Leave a comment

N.J. parents critical of standardized tests, poll by teachers union indicates

N.J. parents critical of standardized tests, poll by teachers union indicates

JANUARY 27, 2015, 4:54 PM LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015, 4:57 PM
BY HANNAN ADELY
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

Many New Jersey voters believe that standardized tests are too stressful, take too much time from the classroom and should be reduced, according to the results of a poll released Monday by the state’s largest teachers union.

The New Jersey Education Association, which has been critical of standards-based tests and their use in teacher evaluations, asked 800 registered voters, including 200 parents, for their opinions on testing. Also, 400 parents — including the 200 from the voters group — were polled and their results provided as a group.

In all, 71 percent of parents and 64 percent of voters said the standards-based tests should be reduced. But more than half of parents and 69 percent of voters said they had heard little or nothing about new state tests known as PARCC tests that have been controversial among educators and parent activists.

Also, 81 percent of parents and 78 percent of voters believe teachers are forced to “teach to the test.” The same percentage of parents and voters said they also believe tests aren’t a good measure of the individual student and are given too much weight when used to make decisions on teachers, schools and students.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/n-j-parents-critical-of-standardized-tests-poll-by-teachers-union-indicates-1.1259374

Posted on January 28, 2015June 27, 2021 by James — 8 Comments

Remove Ice & Snow Before You Go

Remove Ice & Snow Before You Go

January 28th 2015

the Ridgewood Police

Remember to remove all ice and snow from your vehicle before driving, especially from the hood, windows and roof. It’s the law in New Jersey! Motorists who fail to do so face fines of $25 to $75 for each offense, regardless of whether the ice and snow is dislodged from the vehicle. If flying ice or snow causes property damage or injury to others, motorists face fines of $200 to $1,000 for each offense. There are approximately 500 fatalities in the United States per year due to icy road conditions.

Posted on January 28, 2015January 27, 2015 by James — Leave a comment

Americans hate the federal government now more than ever

Americans hate the federal government now more than ever
By Catey Hill
Published: Jan 27, 2015 6:49 a.m. ET

If you have to deal with the federal government — be it the seemingly innocuous Social Security Administration or the eternally-despised Treasury Department, home to the IRS — prepare to be even more annoyed than in the past.

According to a report released Tuesday by the American Customer Satisfaction Index https://www.theacsi.org/news-and-resources/customer-satisfaction-reports/reports-2014/acsi-federal-government-report-2014, our satisfaction with the federal government has hit an all-time low (at least since the company began collecting data for this index in 2007). The federal government now scores a 64.4 out of 100 in terms of satisfaction (the average across all industries is 75 out 100). This is the lowest score across the 40 different industries – including industries like airlines, cable companies and others — that the ACSI measures, with the exception of Internet service providers.

“Overall, the services of the federal government continue to deliver a level of customer satisfaction below the private sector,” the report — in which ACSI interviewed 1,772 randomly selected people — concludes.

When asked what they specifically didn’t like about the government, some Americans cited issues with the staff and customer service. Indeed, Americans are more annoyed with the government’s customer service (specifically how courteous, helpful and professional the government staff are) than they were in 2013: customer service rankings for the government plummeted 6% from a year ago — from a score of 80 to a score of 75. While this sounds bad, ACSI Director David VanAmburg says that some of it has to do to with the fact that some agencies have fewer staff members now than in the past, which makes consumers more frustrated when trying to get something accomplished in a timely manner.

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/americans-hate-the-federal-government-now-more-than-ever-2015-01-27

Posted on January 28, 2015January 27, 2015 by James — Leave a comment

Foreign Firm Funding U.S. Green Groups Tied to State-Owned Russian Oil Company

Foreign Firm Funding U.S. Green Groups Tied to State-Owned Russian Oil Company

Executives at a Bermudan firm funneling money to U.S. environmentalists run investment funds with Russian tycoons

BY: Lachlan Markay
January 27, 2015 5:00 am

A shadowy Bermudan company that has funneled tens of millions of dollars to anti-fracking environmentalist groups in the United States is run by executives with deep ties to Russian oil interests and offshore money laundering schemes involving members of President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle.

One of those executives, Nicholas Hoskins, is a director at a hedge fund management firm that has invested heavily in Russian oil and gas. He is also senior counsel at the Bermudan law firm Wakefield Quin and the vice president of a London-based investment firm whose president until recently chaired the board of the state-owned Russian oil company Rosneft.

In addition to those roles, Hoskins is a director at a company called Klein Ltd. No one knows where that firm’s money comes from. Its only publicly documented activities have been transfers of $23 million to U.S. environmentalist groups that push policies that would hamstring surging American oil and gas production, which has hurt Russia’s energy-reliant economy.

https://freebeacon.com/issues/foreign-firm-funding-u-s-green-groups-tied-to-state-owned-russian-oil-company/

Posted on January 27, 2015January 27, 2015 by James — 1 Comment

Weatherman : bad call

Weatherman gets #Blizzardof2015 forecast wrong, apologizes

By Nadine Kalinauskas | Daily Buzz

It’s not always easy to say you’re sorry.

But this New Jersey weatherman took a page from the Canadian handbook and did just that,acknowledging that his blizzard forecast completely missed the mark.

On Monday morning, forecasts warned of a “crippling” and “historic” storm due to blanket New York City and northern New Jersey with up to 36 inches (91cm) of snow.

By early Tuesday morning, just 6.3 inches (16cm) of snow covered Central Park, with only about 2 more inches on the way, the National Weather Service reported. In New Jersey, where meteorologists predicted an 18-inch (45cm) dump of snow, only 3 inches (7.5cm) of snow had fallen.

Gary Szatkowski, the meteorologist in charge of the National Weather Service’s office in Mt. Holly, New Jersey, was quick to apologize for the “big forecast miss” on Twitter.

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/daily-buzz/weatherman-gets-blizzardof2015-forecast-wrong-154052650.html

Posted on January 27, 2015January 27, 2015 by James — 4 Comments

Conservative lawmakers form House Freedom Caucus

Conservative lawmakers form House Freedom Caucus

BY SUSAN FERRECHIO | JANUARY 26, 2015 | 10:40 AM

A group of the most conservative House lawmakers have formed a new caucus advocating many of the principles supported by the Tea Party movement.

Reps. Scott Garrett, Jim Jordan, and others announced the establishment of the House Freedom Caucus, which the lawmakers said will promote “an agenda of limited, constitutional government in Congress.”

In addition to Garrett of New Jersey, and Jordan of Ohio, the new caucus includes Reps. John Fleming of Louisiana, Matt Salmon of Arizona, Justin Amash of Michigan, Raúl Labrador of Idaho, Mick Mulvaney of South Carolina, Ron Desantis of Florida and Mark Meadows of North Carolina.

“The House Freedom Caucus gives a voice to countless Americans who feel that Washington does not represent them,” the lawmakers said in a statement. “We support open, accountable and limited government, the Constitution and the rule of law, and policies that promote the liberty, safety and prosperity of all Americans.”

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/conservative-lawmakers-form-house-freedom-caucus/article/2559258

Posted on January 27, 2015April 9, 2020 by James — Leave a comment

2015 Index of Economic Freedom

2015 Index of Economic Freedom

For much of human history, most individuals have lacked economic freedom and opportunity, condemning them to poverty and deprivation.

Today, we live in the most prosperous time in human history. Poverty, sicknesses, and ignorance are receding throughout the world, due in large part to the advance of economic freedom. In 2015, the principles of economic freedom that have fueled this monumental progress are once again measured in the Index of Economic Freedom, an annual guide published by The Wall Street Journal and The Heritage Foundation, Washington’s No. 1 think tank.

For over twenty years the Index has delivered thoughtful analysis in a clear, friendly, and straight-forward format. With new resources for users and a website tailored for research and education, the Index of Economic Freedom is poised to help readers track over two decades of the advancement in economic freedom, prosperity, and opportunity and promote these ideas in their homes, schools, and communities.

The Index covers 10 freedoms – from property rights to entrepreneurship – in 186 countries.

1Hong Kong 89.6-0.54
2Singapore 89.40.05
3New Zealand 82.1+0.9
4Australia 81.4-0.6
5Switzerland 80.5-1.1
6Canada79.1-1.121
7Chile78.5-0.222
8Estonia76.8+0.923
9Ireland76.6+0.424
10Mauritius76.4-0.1

12United States76.2+0.7

https://www.heritage.org/index/ranking

Posted on January 27, 2015January 20, 2019 by James — Leave a comment

KELLER WILLIAMS AGENTS TO COLLECT DONATIONS FOR EDGEWATER FIRE VICTIMS

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KELLER WILLIAMS AGENTS TO COLLECT DONATIONS FOR EDGEWATER FIRE VICTIMS
January 27, 2015
RIDGEWOOD, NJ – On Saturday, January 31st from 10am to 3pm,
four Keller Williams Realty sales associates will be collecting donations to help Avalon
apartment complex residents displaced by the devastating fire last week in Edgewater, New Jersey. The collection will be held outside the Ridgewood Fire Department headquarters, located at 201 East Glen Avenue (at the intersection of Maple Avenue and East Glen Avenue) in Ridgewood.

Requested items include toiletries such as shampoos, soaps and diapers, along with
ready-to-eat meals, pet supplies, and gift cards. No clothes are requested at this time. The collection will take place at the Jolly Trolley, which will be parked outside the fire station.

Maureen Ale, REALTOR® associate with Keller Williams Town Life in Tenafly and
owner of the Jolly Trolley, along with Crystal Burns and Rebecca Miller Pringle, also

REALTOR® Associates with KW Town Life and Susan Greenbaum, REALTOR® associate with Keller Williams Village Square Realty in Ridgewood, developed the idea to have residents drop off donations at the Trolley.

“When we heard about the fire, we all wanted to do something proactive, so the four of
us visited the Ridgewood Fire Department to see what could be done,” said Greenbaum. “After sharing our idea with the firefighters and fire Captain Hellerman and Chief Van Goor, we all felt this would be a great way to help the residents of the Avalon during this very difficult time.” The FMBA Local #47 has already generously donated ten $25 Walmart gift cards.

The Jolly Trolley is an actual trolley bus with all interiors seats removed. Ale, who
typically uses the Trolley for birthday parties throughout Bergen County, couldn’t think of a better way to have the Trolley help make a difference in a community.

If you would like to help victims of the Avalon apartment complex fire in Edgewater,
please bring your donations to the Trolley outside Ridgewood Fire Department headquarters this Saturday, January 31st between 10am and 3pm. Ale, Burns, Greenbaum and Pringle will be on hand to accept your donations before bringing the Trolley down to Edgewater to personally deliver the items.

Individuals with any questions regarding this collection may contact Crystal Burns with
Keller Williams Town Life at (201) 925-1228.

Posted on January 27, 2015 by James — Leave a comment

Bookends is OPEN TODAY from 11:00am – 6:00pm

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Bookends is OPEN TODAY from 11:00am – 6:00pm

Coming to Bookends This Week…

Tomorrow (Wednesday, January 28th) at 7:00pm- Member of The Ramones, MARKY RAMONE, will sign his new book: PUNK ROCK BLITZKRIEG ($28.00).

Thursday, January 29th at 7:00pm- From Little House on the Prairie, MELISSA GILBERT, will sign her new cookbook: MY PRAIRIE COOKBOOK ($24.95).

*All books MUST be purchased at Bookends Bookstore*

Appearing authors will only autograph books purchased at Bookends and must have valid Bookends Receipt.

Availability & pricing for all autographed books subject to change.
First In Line Certificate use is the the discretion of Bookends. Blackout dates may apply.

Bookends cannot guarantee that the books that are Autographed will always be First Printings.

Autographed books purchased at Bookends are non-returnable.

While we try to ensure that all customers coming to Bookends’ signings will meet authors and get their books signed, we cannot guarantee that all attendees will meet the author or that all books will be signed. We cannot control inclement weather, author travel schedules or authors who leave prematurely.

Bookends, 211 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-0726

Posted on January 27, 2015January 27, 2015 by James — 1 Comment

Snow-buried hydrants present unusual fire hazards across North Jersey

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Ridgewood Firefighters dig out Hydrant Photo by Boyd Loving

Snow-buried hydrants present unusual fire hazards across North Jersey

January 27,2015

the staff of the Ridgewood blogRidgewood NJ, Snow-buried hydrants present unusual fire hazards across North Jersey . The responsibility for keeping hydrants clear of snow varies from town to town.

If you have a fire hydrant in front of your house, help yourself and help your neighbors by keeping it clear of snow. Ridgewood Police and Fire Departments urge resident to clear a path around the hydrant of 3 feet by 3 feet .

Posted on January 27, 2015January 27, 2015 by James — 3 Comments

STATE WIDE TRAVEL BAN NOW LIFTED

STATE WIDE TRAVEL BAN NOW LIFTED :

Trenton, N.J. – The State of New Jersey has revoked the statewide travel ban that was put into effect at 11:00 p.m. last evening. The travel ban is revoked in all 21 counties.
New Jerseyans should continue to stay off the roads whenever possible throughout the day as transportation and public safety officials continue their work to clear the roadways from the snowfall. New Jerseyans should abide by all traffic laws and be extremely cautious if they must travel today.

‪NJT Rail‬ service will resume later this afternoon after mandatory federal inspections are complete. Line by line announcements will be made.‪

NJT Bus‬ service in South Jersey is now operating with limited service. Service in North Jersey will resume by 11 AM if not sooner.

PATH service will be restored at 9:30 a.m. on a weekend schedule

All Port Authority bridges and tunnels are reopened.

Posted on January 27, 2015June 27, 2021 by James — 2 Comments

Blizzard of 2015 a bust?

Blizzard of 2015 a bust?

January 27,2015

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, is it too early to pronounce the Blizzard of 2015 a total bust? Will the US weather service issue an apology ? Lets say the 24 inch snow fall fell about 20 inches short of the anticipated totals .

Readers are already commenting , “As I suspected would be the case since the weather forecasters were all subtly but backing away from their earlier predictions of doom as the day wore on. It’s almost 2:00am on Tuesday, there is next to no wind, and we’ve got maybe one inch of accumulation since 7:00pm? I’m going to send WABC meteorologist Dr. Bill Evans the bill for all the emergency supplies my wife made me buy after he made his remarkably inaccurate forecast Sunday evening. BTW, who knew D batteries had gotten so expensive?”

it does appear at this point that a lot of bread and milk is going to go to waste .

By the way Gov. Chris Christie has just lifted the state wide travel ban , yippiee….

Posted on January 27, 2015June 27, 2021 by James — Leave a comment

Congressional Budget Office : Obamacare will cost $50,000 per person

Congressional Budget Office : Obamacare will cost $50,000 per person
JANUARY 26, 2015 6:56 PM
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the UK Daily Mail is reporting ,that buried in a 15-page section of the nonpartisan organization’s new CBO ten-year budget outlook that the government will spend $1.993 TRILLION over a decade and take in $643 BILLION in new taxes, penalties and fees related to Obamacare .

The $1.35 trillion net cost will result in ‘between 24 million and 27 million’ fewer Americans being uninsured costing taxpayers, $50,000 for every person who gets health insurance under the Obamacare law, the Congressional Budget Office revealed on Monday.

The ACA will still leave ‘between 29 million and 31 million’ nonelderly Americans without medical insurance

These numbers assume Obamacare insurance exchange enrollment will double between now and 2025.

The best-case scenario described by the CBO would result in ’between 24 million and 27 million’ fewer Americans being uninsured in 2025, compared to the year before the Affordable Care Act took effect.

Posted on January 27, 2015January 27, 2015 by James — Leave a comment

Village of Ridgewood Update of Services

Ridgewood OEM, Public Safety, Public Works and Village Staff preparing for the storm

Village Services Update:

We have been meeting and planning at Village Hall. The staff that is needed to deal with this storm will largely be staying on premises throughout the storm. Our issue with sending them home is their ability to get back during the storm.

Streets: We started brining the streets yesterday to prepare them for the storm. Please do not put snow out on the streets – when you remove the snow from your sidewalks it should be going back on your lawns. We will also strive to keep the corners as manageable as possible so that residents with corner properties can more easily do their share in providing a pathway to cross the street safely.

Sanitation/Recycling/Bulk: We have cancelled sanitation and recycling pick-up for tomorrow and bulk pick-up for Wednesday. However, we are planning on picking up recycling in Section 2 on Wednesday. Also, when we resume garbage pick-up, we ask that you bring your barrels to the end of your driveway until snow and ice conditions improve.

Parking: We will be banning on street parking later on tonight; overnight parking in the Central Business District will initially be at Hudson and Prospect Lots only.

Power: If your power does go out, please call PSE&G directly at 1-800-436-7734. The Village will be monitoring this situation as well.

Resident Communications:

Please check for updates at our website (www.ridgewoodnj.net)

We will also be issuing OEM outgoing calls to residents as appropriate. We are sensitive to overcalling but we will always err on the side of keeping our residents safe.

Best,

Roberta Sonenfeld
Village Manager
201-670-5500, ext. 203

Posted on January 27, 2015January 27, 2015 by James — Leave a comment

STATEWIDE TRAVEL BAN IN EFFECT AS OF 11:00 PM January 26th

STATEWIDE TRAVEL BAN IN EFFECT AS OF 11:00 PM January 26th

The Governor has issued an Administrative Order banning ALL travel on ALL roads in the State of New Jersey starting at 11pm January 26th until further notice. This includes state, county and municipal roads. With limited exceptions for essential personnel, violation of the travel ban may be punishable as a disorderly persons offense. Please help us ensure your safety and the safety of others by staying off the roads until further notice.

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