Under snow, roofs cave in across Bergen, Passaic counties
Friday, February 14, 2014 Last updated: Saturday February 15, 2014, 12:39 AM
BY MATTHEW MCGRATH AND SCOTT FALLON
STAFF WRITERS
The Record
First came a pair of storms last week that dumped more than a foot of wet snow on the region. A week of subfreezing temperatures followed, creating a dense ice pack that began to stress roofs across North Jersey.
But it wasn’t until the nor’easter on Thursday pounded the region with 12 to 16 inches of snow, rain and ice that roofs began to be brought down under the weight of this winter’s unrelenting misery.
An elementary school in Wallington, a department store in Woodland Park and a sports complex in Waldwick were among at least a dozen buildings that partially collapsed on Friday. A ShopRite in New Milford was closed after the ceiling buckled. No major injuries were reported in any of the incidents.
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/hillsdale/Roof_collapsing_in_North_Jersey_under_weight_of_snow.html#sthash.VQrR78Ec.dpuf
Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving Ridgewood firefighters work to free hydrants from deep, hard packed snow
Febuary 15th 2014
Boyd A. Loving
1:29 PM
Ridgewood NJ, Fire departments throughout Bergen County have dispatched firefighters with shovels to free fire hydrants from the mounds of deep, hard packed snow created when snowplows cleared main road and side streets. Here, a team of Ridgewood firefighters assigned to Engine Company #35 free up a hydrant located near the corner of Spring Avenue and Hope Street at the start of Saturday’s snow storm.
Ridgewood Girl Scout achieves Gold Award
Friday, February 14, 2014
BY GLORIA GEANNETTE
MANAGING EDITOR
The Ridgewood News
Tayler Tai enjoyed every minute of the 80 hours she devoted to earning her Gold Award, the highest honor a Girl Scout can receive. Her leadership project was to raise awareness about organ donations by attending health fairs and other events where she could speak about the NJ Sharing Network, a cause that interests her on a very personal level.
“I was born with a hole in my heart,” she said. Surgery, when she was only 3 years old, repaired the hole and prevented further damage.
“If I hadn’t had the surgery, there was a possibility that the hole could have gotten bigger and caused bigger issues. It could have led to me needing a transplant,” she explained.
Four Ridgewood girls sign lacrosse letters
Friday, February 14, 2014
BY GREG TARTAGLIA
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
The Ridgewood News
RIDGEWOOD — How strong is this village’s love for lacrosse? Even the fiercest of college rivalries takes a back seat when Ridgewood High School players choose their next stop after graduation.
Katie Smesko was one of four senior members of the Maroon girls lacrosse team who formally announced plans to play at a Division I school during RHS Fall Letter of Intent Media Day on Nov. 21. She and teammate Devon Maltz both committed to the University of Michigan, though in only one of their households did the decision cause a stir.
“My dad grew up in Ohio, so his whole side of the family are really big Ohio State fans,” said Smesko, adorned in a blue and maize Michigan sweatshirt at the time. “So, when I went to visit Michigan, it was a little tough for him. But he’s so happy, and he knows it’s such a great school, so I’m really excited about it.”
Kelly McBrearty is headed to Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa. to join former teammate Lauren Beausoleil (RHS Class of 2013) – and play 15 miles down the road from Maroon alum Maggie Carver (Class of 2013), now at rival Lafayette College.
Darby Kiernan will play for the University of Colorado. The Buffaloes are a Pacific-12 Conference foe of Southern California, where 2012 RHS grad Courtney Tarleton plays.
Exhibit in Ridgweood features two artists Vi Shipley and Jackie Collier
Friday, February 14, 2014
BY EILEEN LA FORGIA
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News
“I fell in love with the cardinal,” said a viewer of Jacqueline Collier’s watercolor paintings on display at the Valley Hospital Gallery in Ridgewood. Collier is sharing gallery space this month with Vi Shipley.
‘Cardinal in Winter’ by Jackie Collier’Daylilies’ by Vi Shipley’Hibiscus’ by Vi Shipley’Martha’s Vineyard’ by Jackie Collier
“Mainly I consider myself a watercolorist, but I am interested in other mediums – like print making,” said Collier. Lately she is doing linoleum cuts and lithography. On display are linocuts including “In the News,” printed on newspaper, “Bouquet in Black and Gray,” printed without the newspaper and “Bouquet in Black and White.” “Kimono” is a linocut done from a live a model while “In the Parlor” is a linocut from a photograph.
Interesting artworks include: “Sunflower Bouquet,” done on her iPad, enlarged and printed. “Summer Garden” is a pastel. Collier feels her pastel artwork is able to portray some of the same soft qualities as watercolor with slightly more intensity. “Double Vision” is a Styrofoam print from a photo of sunflowers she grew on her deck. Also on display is a monotype print on Plexiglas. “As a Special Ed teacher I often used art to enhance subjects,” she added.
Watercolor scenes span the seasons – “Summer Time,” “Autumn,” and “Spring is Here” and “Cardinal in Winter.” “Along River Road Park” shows autumn reflections while “Martha’s Vineyard” is where she summers.
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/arts_entertainment/art/245484791_Exhibit_in_Ridgweood_features_two_artists.html#sthash.br3PdiI6.dpuf
A Mano to Host Mozzarella-Making Class and Wine Tasting Dinner
(RIDGEWOOD, NJ, February 14, 2014) — Continuing its series of educational and entertaining culinary events, Ridgewood, New Jersey’s premiere authentic Neapolitan trattoria A Mano, is pleased to announce two upcoming delectable a!airs. Taking place
March 2014, is the restaurant’s first hands-on mozzarella-making class and a five- course wine tasting dinner with New Jersey’s Alba Vineyard. Since its inception in 2007,the A Mano proudly aims to share its commitment to o!ering top-quality, traditional foods from Naples, Italy, with local patrons.
Hands-On Mozzarella-Making Class – March 1, 2:00 PM
A professional cheese maker will teach the tantalizing techniques of making mozzarella at home. From an explanation of coagulation to methods of stretching, setting and forming di!erent styles of fresh mozzarella, guests will roll up their sleeves and participate in the fromage-fun, and bring home a mozzarella masterpiece. Attendees will also take an up close look at the art of making burrata during a demonstration. The cost
of the class is $45 per person (adults 18+). Reservations are required.
A Mano Wine Tasting Dinner with Alba Vineyard – March 12, 6:30 PM
Guests will pamper their palettes with a five-course Neapolitan dinner each paired with a di!erent wine to compliment and reflect the character of the menu. Patrons will learn about the dining and tasting selections from A Mano’s owner Fred Mortati and Alba
Vineyard’s owner and winemaker. Courses include:
Mozzarella Caprese – housemade mozzarella, tomatoes and fresh basil, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil
Fresca Salad – baby arugula, shaved parmigiano reggiano and cherry tomatoes with a balsamic glaze
Braised Beef Ravioli – ravioli filled with slowly braised braised short rib, topped with a truffle-butter sauce
Chocolate-Hazelnut Tiramisu – ladyfingers, espresso, chocolate/hazelnut mousse and mascarpone
The dinner is $50 per person (tax and gratuity additional. Adults 21+ only) and via reservation only.
Reservations for both the Hands-On Mozzarella Making Class and A Mano Wine Tasting
Dinner with Alba Vineyard, can be made by calling A Mano at 210.493.2000. Patrons who do not wish to attend the class or tasting dinner can enjoy regular lunch and dinner service during both the events. A Mano is located at 24 Franklin Avenue (at Chestnut Street) in Ridgewood, NJ.
New state school performance report raises the stakes in Ridgewood
Friday February 14, 2014, 2:36 PM
BY LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News
The 2012-2013 School Performance Reports, which the state released last week, are as confusing as ever, highlighting even more areas for improvement in an already high-performing district, Ridgewood school officials said.
While confusion is a typical complaint about state school reports, this year’s is made worse by the fact that they were introduced only last year, replacing the former “School Report Cards” to “bring more information to educators and stakeholders about the performance of schools,” according to the state’s NJ School Performance Interpretive Guide.
Schools are now measured for the first time based on similar “peer” schools, with a new emphasis on measuring college and career readiness and student growth percentiles, on which teachers will now be evaluated. This new focus, administrators said, is placing increasing pressure on schools to improve.
According to Superintendent Daniel Fishbein, administrators are currently reviewing the latest reports on each of the district’s schools, which are available for public access via a link on the district website, by looking up “each school in the peer group to determine accuracy and see how like test scores impact rating.”
“This new performance report is so … different than in the past, that it will take years for the public to get used to this new report versus what we had in the past,” Fishbein said. “The same data has become much more high stakes.”
Valley Hospital buying up string of properties near its Ridgewood site
Friday, February 14, 2014 Last updated: Saturday February 15, 2014, 12:40 AM
BY LINDA MOSS AND BARBARA WILLIAMS
STAFF WRITERS
The Record
As The Valley Hospital has struggled for years to expand its campus in Ridgewood, it has been quietly buying real estate in Bergen County, assembling a portfolio that includes a string of properties on North Maple Avenue in Ridgewood and the building that houses the New Jersey Children’s Museum in Paramus.
Over the past two years, the hospital, in some cases through holding companies, has spent at least $54 million to acquire roughly a half-dozen sites in the village and neighboring Paramus as potential future locations for doctors’ offices, along with outpatient and other services that would be moved from its main campus. Some of these newly acquired properties are already operating as off-site hospital facilities.
But the hospital’s plans for some of its other new properties remain unclear, and Valley’s real estate shopping doesn’t appear to be over. Recently, it has been in talks to purchase buildings that the global parcel deliverer UPS will be vacating on Winters Avenue in Paramus, as reported by The Record. If that deal closes, it would add another property to a medical-services cluster that the hospital has been creating in Paramus, near the Fashion Center mall.
Thomas J. Donohue :A steady flow of talented, industrious immigrants can fuel a booming economy
Thomas J. Donohue is president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
McClatchy-Tribune News ServiceFebruary 13, 2014
WASHINGTON — In a global economy, investment follows talent. When we draw top talent to our shores, investment dollars follow because companies want to be near the best workers.
An infusion of capital and economic development will be a tide that lifts all boats, creating jobs and opportunity for all Americans.
But the reverse is also true. If companies can’t find talent on U.S. soil, or if it becomes too costly and burdensome, they will move their operations elsewhere. It’s in our own best interests to welcome the world’s brightest minds and hardest workers into our economy.
Immigrants can help bridge a growing skills gap in science, technology, engineering and math – the so-called STEM fields that are vital to a modern, competitive economy.
Proposed Law Could Mean Trouble for Corrupt Politicians
If legislation first introduced in 2012 was law in New Jersey today, elected officials such as Trenton mayor Tony Mack (D) — who was found guilty last week of corruption charges — might have been ousted a long time ago.
Despite the charges against him, Mack refuses to leave office. He is still drawing a taxpayer-funded paycheck and he still has executive powers. The acting state Attorney General is using the courts to try and have Mack removed.
If the previously introduced was law, this would not be an issue. The measure’s sponsor plans to re-introduce it next week.
The resolution proposes a constitutional amendment that calls for the suspension, without pay, of any elected officials as soon as they are indicted. If the official is acquitted or the charges are dropped, the official would return to office and be paid retroactively. The official would be permanently removed from office if convicted.
“If my bill would have been in effect, he (Mack) would have been removed from office at the time of indictment,” said state Sen. Shirley Turner (D-Trenton). “The city would have been allowed to move ahead and not deteriorate as it has right now.”
The senator understands that many indicted officials don’t resign their office on the advice of legal counsel, who may argue that doing so would be tantamount to admitting guilt. Turner said the suspension provision of the amendment takes away that argument because it allows officials who are innocent of criminal charges to resume office upon their acquittal. (McArdle/NJ101.5)
Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving Ridgewood crash pushes Audi into snowbank; driver freed by firefighters
Boyd A. Loving
February 14,2014
3:24 PM
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood firefighters required shovels to free the driver of an Audi sedan who was trapped inside of her vehicle after it was broadsided by a BMW SUV on Friday afternoon, and pushed into a snowbank. The accident occurred at approximately 2:20 PM in front of 81 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood. No one was injured in the collision, but the Audi and BMW both sustained major damage and were removed by separate tow trucks. One summons was issued to the BMW’s driver in connection with the crash. The BMW was exiting the King’s Shopping Plaza and collided with the Audi, which was traveling northbound on North Maple Avenue.
McClatchy-Marist Poll: American dream seen as out of reach
By David Lightman
McClatchy Washington BureauFebruary 13, 2014 Updated 19 hours ago
Shoppers wait in line to purchase discounted shoes at Macys women’s department at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, Calif., on Black Friday morning, Nov. 29, 2013.
WASHINGTON — Racing into a new century in which many of the old rules don’t seem to apply anymore, Americans are overwhelmingly pessimistic about their chances of achieving and sustaining the American dream, according to a new Marist-McClatchy Poll.
They see an economic system in which they have to work harder than ever to get ahead, and a political system that’s unresponsive to their needs. They see the wealthy allowed to play by a different set of rules from everyone else.
Eight out of 10 Americans think it’s harder now than before, taking more effort to get ahead than it did for previous generations. Just 15 percent think it takes the same work as it did before, and a scant 5 percent think it’s easier now.
Ramapo College Finance Professor Murray Sabri says he’s running for U.S. Senate
“Yes, I’m in,” Ramapo College Finance Professor Murray Sabrin declared today in an email blast to supporters.
Sabrin said he wants to fight for the GOP nomination to face incumbent U.S. Senator Cory Booker in the 2014 general election.
“Corey (sic) Booker is a celebrity politician,” wrote Sabrin, 67, of Fort Lee. “A master of the sound bite and the slogan. But behind it all are more of the failed policies of a government too big to get out of our way. ”I’m Murray Sabrin, and I’m running for the United States Senate to begin a serious, mature discussion about America’s future. An honest discussion about the role of government and the free market in achieving the individual goals of every American. For thirty years, I have been writing and teaching about the dangers of government intrusion into our lives. I’ve become known as New Jersey’s foremost defender of economic freedom and individual liberty.”
Sabrin last ran for the U.S. Senate in 2008, an unsuccessful bid that found him finishing third in the Republican Primary behind former U.S. Rep. Dick Zimmer and state Sen. Joe Pennacchio. (Pizarro/PolitickerNJ)
Deal puts focus on placing New Jersey’s disables kids in local classrooms
Thousands of special-needs students across New Jersey could get the support they need to attend mainstream classes or return from out-of-district programs to their local schools after a settlement was reached in a seven-year court fight over whether disabled children were unfairly segregated.
The federal suit, filed by an array of advocacy groups, contends that the state violated the rights of disabled children to attend school — to the greatest extent possible — with children who do not have disabilities and in their neighborhood schools. The suit said that because of the state’s failures, countless disabled children were unnecessarily separated from their peers.
About 15 percent of New Jersey’s 1.4 million public school students have special needs, and about 8 percent of the disabled go to out-of-district sites.
The settlement, approved by the state Board of Education on Wednesday, requires that for three years, the state must scrutinize the placement of special-needs children in more than 55 districts that put a disproportionate share of students in restrictive settings. That includes Westwood,Hackensack, Garfield, Passaic, Elmwood Park and Englewood.
If the state finds districts are not doing their utmost to include students in regular classes, school staff must undergo extra training in tailoring lessons to the children and giving them aides and other individualized services.
Ruth Lowenkron, an attorney at the Education Law Center, which was one of the plaintiffs, said the settlement could help many special-needs students in a state that has historically put more of them in separate programs than is typical nationwide. (Brody/The Record)
Obamacare Enrollment Rate Slows Markedly In January
7:01 AM, Feb 13, 2014 • By JAY COST
On Wednesday, the Department of Health and Human Services announced that enrollment in the Obamacare private exchanges increased by 1,146,071 in January. In December, HHS reported 1,788,000 enrollees in the month of December. That suggests a drop-off of approximately 500,000, or 29 percent. (See the chart on page 5 here for a graphical representation).
Yet this underestimates the true extent of enrollment dropoffs. The HHS reporting period for December was four weeks, beginning on 12/1 and ending on 12/28. The reporting period for January was five weeks, beginning on 12/29 and ending on 2/1. This suggests that in December, enrollments averaged 447,000 per week, compared to 229,000 in January, or a 49 percent drop-off in new enrollees.
