Author: James

The Long, Strange History of the Christmas Tree
December 23, 2012, 8:08 AM

Trees may bear blossoms, fruits, or pinecones, or the weight of birds and squirrels, or just plain snow. They are not normally found in houses, nor are they decorated with candles, straw stars, tinsel, or glass balls. And most trees have roots that stretch deep into the ground beneath. But the Christmas or Holiday tree as we know it today usually has only its crown and trunk – and its place is in the home. It has developed a life of its own, and there is an entire ritual surrounding it.

Is it really just a pagan remnant – as common mythology has it? What can account for the imaginative combination of natural and cultural elements, for our splendid Christmas tree? It seems like different traditions came together: Wood has been used for thousands of years in celebrations of the winter solstice in northern Europe. To honor the gods, it was set alight to scare away the spirits. And mid-winter greenery was thought to radiate and summon life force and fertility, to keep harm at bay. The custom of celebrating the changing year with greenery was already known among the Romans, who used bay branches. Some of the objects used as tree decorations have long been found in the context of Christmas. For instance, in the 10th century it was common in the German lands for children to give apples as presents at Christmas time – a custom that soon also included other foodstuffs such as bread and cheese.

The solstice evergreen, a freestanding tree usually found next to the village well, was much loved in Northern and Central Europe. It was freed of its bark and branches, while leaving the treetop. Sometimes this was later replaced by a new treetop and the tree was then decorated with string, small figures, and blown eggs. This tree had an established place in the life of the community – the girls of the village formed a round dance, singing and dancing around it.

https://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2012/12/23/the-long-strange-history-of-the-christmas-tree/?mod=e2tw

What every seller should know
Sunday, December 30, 2012
BY  MARY DIDUCH
STAFF WRITER
The Record

As 2013 emerges with signs of a bottoming out of the real estate slump, homeowners who have been sitting on the sidelines may finally be ready to take the plunge and put their homes on the market.

But for those hoping to sell in the spring, the most popular season for home sales, now is the time to make a few New Year’s resolutions to pave the way for the best deal.

Many North Jersey real estate agents say 2013 is as good a time as ever to sell, as the housing market is slowly creeping back — though still far below the peak.

While home values nationwide have begun rebounding, prices in the New York metropolitan area, which includes North Jersey, ticked down 1.2 percent in October compared with levels a year earlier, according to the Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller home price index. Home prices in the region are back to the levels of February 2004 and have dropped 23 percent from their peaks in mid-2006.

https://www.northjersey.com/realestate/185191522_What_every_seller_should_know.html

file photo by Boyd Loving

Village Hall Closed New Year’s Day – January 1, 2013

In observation of the New Year Holiday, Ridgewood Village Hall will be closed Tuesday, January 1. Village Hall will reopen Wednesday, January 2 at 8:30A.M.

Rearyard Garbage and Curb Recycling is suspended on Tuesday, January 1 and will resume on Wednesday, January 2.

New Year’s Eve – Monday, December 31 – Village Hall will be open 8:30AM tp 4:30PM, and all services on normal schedule

MAYOR’S OFFICE HOURS FOR RIDGEWOOD RESIDENTS – Saturday, January 5, 2013

Mayor Paul Aronsohn will be holding office hours for Ridgewood residents on the first Saturday of every month from 9:00 a.m. to Noon in the Council Chambers (Sydney V. Stoldt, Jr. Court Room) on the fourth floor of Ridgewood Village Hall. The next session will be Saturday, January 5, 2013.

Scheduled appointments will be given priority, but walk-in appointments will also be accommodated, time permitting.

To schedule a meeting with Mayor Aronsohn, please call the Village Clerk’s Office, at 201-670-5500 ext. 201 or send an email to Heather Mailander, Village Clerk, at [email protected] .

If would like a meeting, but this timing does not work for you, please email Mayor Aronsohn directly at [email protected] .

Ridgewood Police : Village Ordinances pertaining to parking on the street and clearing sidewalks of snow and ice

With snow in the forecast here is a look at Village Ordinances pertaining to parking on the street and clearing sidewalks of snow and ice.

Parking 265-75

In accordance with the provisions of § 265-43, no person shall park a vehicle upon either side of any of the streets or parts of streets thereof listed below, whenever snow has fallen and the accumulation is such that it covers the street or highway:

Snow and Ice Removal 249-1

A. The owner of any land abutting upon the streets or public highways in the Village, if such land is owner-occupied or vacant, otherwise the tenant or occupant of such land situate in all zones of the Village of Ridgewood as shown on the 1990 Zoning Map, with the exception of the B-1, B-2, P and P-2 Zones of the Village, shall remove all snow and ice from the abutting sidewalks of such streets or highways within 24 hours after the same shall fall or be formed thereon. No snow or ice so removed, however, shall be deposited or placed in the street or highway in such a manner or location so as to impede the flow of traffic. For purposes of this section, such land shall be deemed owner-occupied if occupied by either the owner or owners of record or any agent, servant or employee thereof.

B. Owners, tenants and occupants of any land abutting the streets or highways of the Village situate in the B-1, B-2, P and P-2 Zones of the Village are subject to the following snow removal regulations. Special regulations are adopted for the business and office zones in order to maintain an attractive and safe environment in the business and professional office zones of the Village by assuring that the snow will be removed from the sidewalks in and around the central business district on a timely basis.

C.Snow is required to be removed in the B-1, B-2, P and P-2 Zone Districts from the sidewalks concurrently with its fall. To assure compliance with this section, more than one clearing may be required to keep the sidewalks as free of snow as is practical. The following specific regulations are hereby adopted. Snowfalls commencing during the evening, that is, after 6:00 p.m., will be cleared by no later than 9:00 a.m. the following morning, Sundays and holidays included. During weekday storms, Monday through Saturday, occurring during business hours, sidewalks shall be cleared to a five-foot minimum width to provide access from the storefront to the curb, between meters, if meters are installed. After 6:00 p.m. and on Sundays and holidays, sidewalks will be completely cleared into the street.

D. A court appearance will be required to answer any summons issued for a violation of this section occurring in the B-1, B-2, P and P-2 zones of the Village. A court appearance will be required to answer any summons issued for a second or subsequent violation of this section in all zones of the Village.
[Amended 7-11-1995 by Ord. No. 2533]

Reminder- Electronics Waste Must be Recycled!

New Jersey has significantly revised its regulations to enact a disposal ban on electronics as solid waste. Effective January 1, 2011, the Electronic Waste Management Act (NJSA 13:1E-99.94 et seq.) requires that all “used covered electronic devices” be recycled. The law defines a “used covered electronic device” as a desktop or personal computer, computer monitor, portable computer, or television sold to a consumer.

Electronic equipment is accepted at the Ridgewood Recycling Center at 205 East Glen Avenue. The computer and electronic recycling program provided at the Recycling Center, is at no cost to the Village, and provides an easy option for residents to recycle their computers and electronics. Upon arrival at the Recycling Center, each resident may place their computer components and electronic devices into our convenient walk-in container.

Accepted items (which must NOT be setout for curbside pickup, nor placed in household trash) include:

• Computers (Desktop or Portable) • Printers

• Televisions • Keyboards

• Monitors • Scanners

• Fax Machines • Keyboards

• Televisions • Speakers

• Stereo Equipment • Modems

• Electronic Mouse • Cell Phones

• Desktop Copy Machines • Power Sources

• Hard Drives • VCRs

• DVD players • Video Game Consoles

The Recycling Center at 205 East Glen Avenue has the following, convenient hours:

Monday – Saturday 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Ridgewood residents have always embraced recycling for its cost avoidance and environmental benefits. As a result, Ridgewood has enjoyed a savings of over $12.8 million, since New Jersey mandated recycling in 1987. As a community, may all continue to work together towards the goal of responsible environmental practices and greater reductions in solid waste.

If you’d like more information about this topic, please call Frank Moritz at 201/670-5500 x272 or [email protected],or Johanna Luttrell at 201/670-5500 x266 or [email protected]

Oliver Stone: ‘US has become an Orwellian state’
Published: 28 December, 2012, 20:19
Edited: 29 December, 2012, 00:14

Americans are living in an Orwellian state argue Academy Award-winning director Oliver Stone and historian Peter Kuznick, as they sit down with RT to discuss US foreign policy and the Obama administration’s disregard for the rule of law.

­Both argue that Obama is a wolf in sheep’s clothing and that people have forgiven him a lot because of the “nightmare of the Bush presidency that preceded him.”

“He has taken all the Bush changes he basically put them into the establishment, he has codified them,” Stone told RT. “It is an Orwellian state. It might not be oppressive on the surface, but there is no place to hide. Some part of you is going to end up in the database somewhere.”

According to Kuznick, American citizens live in a fish tank where their government intercepts more than 1.7 billion messages a day. “That is email, telephone calls, other forms of communication.”

RT’s Abby Martin in the program Breaking the Set discusses the Showtime film series and book titled The Untold History of the United States co-authored by Oliver Stone and Peter Kuznick.

https://rt.com/news/oliver-stone-us-orwellian-022/

Aleana’s Bridal 

Every woman lives to experience that special bridal moment once in her life time. Her bridal gown is the final outcome of her dreams, beliefs and hopes. Aleana’s Bridal understands that and offers a great personal service to guide its clients to create a most wonderful custom gown.

We have a great collection of bridal dresses and sets that is only offered in our Ridgewood store in Bergen County. Every garment can be modified to enhance a beauty of any body type.
Our gowns are created for the woman who is not afraid to cross boundaries and who enjoys experiencing the triumph of individual style. In the mind of this iconic woman, the clothes she wears is a symbol of her unique self—a symbol of self-expression that makes a powerful statement in the physical world about her inner nature.

Aleana’s Bridal has a great selection of European lingerie and lounge wear, as well as exclusive accessories.

Make your appointment today at 201-444-1500

46 East Ridgewood ave, Ridgewood, NJ, 07450

Ridgewood Healthy Gourmet Lunch and Learn Series
Tue, January 08, 2013 – Tue, February 05, 2013
Time: 11:30 AM – 12:45 PM
The Stable Community Center, 259 N. Maple Ave. Ridgewood, NJ
Cost: $95 per person

$95 for 5 sessions: January 8, 15, 22, 29 and March 5, (Includes: 2 course lunches, recipes and supporting handouts)
Each session is from 11:30-12:45

To register, call 201.670.5560

Join Natural Foods Chef and Certified Holistic Health Coach, Christine Okezie, for a 5 week series of delicious and health-promoting culinary demonstrations and learn how proper eating can give you amazing, disease-proof your body, and help you achieve your ideal weight without sacrificing pleasure.

Canines Can Do

Training for “Real Life”

Does your dog have housebreaking issues? Do you wish your dog would come when called, or walk nicely on leash? Do you have a puppy and just don’t know where to start with the mouthing and puppy biting? Do you have a dog that knows the basics and want to do more, like being certified for Therapy Work, the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) or do you want to try some canines sports like kayaking, competitive obedience/rally, skijoring or fungility?
Let me help you create the perfect family member training with positive reinforcement training.
What is Positive Training? Dog Training Services in Northern NJ

Canines Can Do
150 Cottage Place
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Phone: 201-323-2514
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.caninescando.com

Realistic Resolutions 2013 – Health Fair!
Thu, January 17, 2013
Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Ridgewood YMCA/YWCA of Bergen County, 112 Oak Street, Ridgewood, NJ

The Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce invites you to attend Realistic Resolutions 2013 Health Fair with featured guest and keynote speaker Joy Bauer, MS, RD, CDN.

Joy is one of the nation’s leading health authorities. As the nutrition and health expert for the TODAY Show, she shares reliable, practical and straightforward advice that helps millions of Americans eat better, lead healthier, and more fulfilling lives.

Joy hosts RLTV heartwarming show, Good Food, Good Deeds. She is a monthly columnist for Woman s Day magazine.

Joy recent releases include:
The Joy Fit Club –
Cookbook, Diet Plan & Inspiration,
Slim & Scrumptious.
Your Inner Skinny.
The #1 New York Times bestseller-Joy Bauer Food Cures: Completely revised & Updated.

For FREE – come early and visit all the Health Fair providers starting at 5:00pm and then listen to TV fame Joy Bauer who will answer your questions.
Snow date: January 24, 2013 – 5-8pm

If you are interested in being vendor, please click download for the sponsorship opportunities, print out and fax to 201-251-1958, email [email protected] or call 201-445-2600.

This will be the biggest Health Fair event in Bergen County. Start off 2013 with healthy thoughts.

For more information call the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce 201-445-2600.

Sponsors of the 2013 Realistic Resolutions
Van Dyk Healthcare
Valley Hospital
201 Magazine
West Ridgewood Dental
Jewish Home at Home
Alexandrite Group
Allergey Free
A Little Lift
Adult Care Advisors
BLS Eldercare
Bolger Fitness Center
Bookends
Brentwood/Buckingham
Christian Health Care
Community Meals
Hypnosis by Cathy Savino
Dellridge Care Center
Distinctive Care
Duxiana
Esplanade
Hospices of NJ
Feeney Funeral Home
Home Helpers
ING Financial
Kings
Marriott Courtyard/Residence Inn
Massage Envy
Mill Gardens
Northeast Laser Vain Institute
Northwest Mutual
Precision Orthodontics
Professional Hearing Aide Center
Third Space Medical
Balance and Thrive
Ridgewood Chiropractic
Right at Home
Senior Resources of NJ
Sunrise Senior Living
Unicity Homecare
Walgreens
YMCA Ridgewood
YWCA of Bergen County
Yinsideout