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“Sucre bleu!” : France warms to Gérard Depardieu, the heroic tax exile

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“Sucre bleu!” : France warms to Gérard Depardieu, the heroic tax exile
Jean-Marc Ayrault, the French prime minister, may come to regret insulting the actor who symbolises Gallic exuberance
By Anne-Elisabeth Moutet
8:31PM GMT 17 Dec 2012

Asterix and Obelix have deserted Gaul. Or at least the two actors who played them in three blockbuster movies have. With Gérard “Obelix” Depardieu’s much-trumpeted exile to Belgium last week, following Christian “Asterix” Clavier’s move to London in October, France has lost her best-known fictional heroes, undefeated by Julius Caesar’s legions, but vanquished by François Hollande’s punitive new 75 per cent top marginal income tax rate, recently hiked capital gains tax, and reinforced wealth tax.

The symbolism has not been lost on the French. When France’s richest man, Bernard Arnault, the CEO and main shareholder of the luxury behemoth LVMH, applied for Belgian citizenship last August, it was easy for Socialists to paint him as an unpatriotic, despicable fat cat. “Get lost, you rich b——” blasted a headline on the front page of Libération, the Left-wing daily, effectively capturing the national mood.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/9750510/France-warms-to-Gerard-Depardieu-the-heroic-exile.html

 

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‘Still Out of Work?’ How to Handle Holiday Small Talk

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‘Still Out of Work?’ How to Handle Holiday Small Talk
By SUE SHELLENBARGER

Holiday gatherings can be anything but festive for people who are out of work. Even an innocuous “How’s it going?” can feel like a tender topic—especially for the legions of long-term unemployed Americans whose ranks have swelled since the last recession.

Frustrated job seekers may find it awkward to explain what is going on, or not going on, in their lives. (Especially dreaded: the new-acquaintance query “What do you do?”)

On the other hand, hosts and partygoers trying to catch up with an out-of-work friend or relative may find themselves unexpectedly in a conversational minefield, since research links long-term job loss to other problems such as depression and declining health.

Some partygoers shy away as if unemployment were contagious or tiptoe around work-related topics for fear of hurting feelings or being asked for help. Many people feel like, “I’m busy trying to hang onto my own job. I don’t even want to enter into that conversation,” says Frederick Hairston, a training specialist with National Able Network, Chicago, a nonprofit that works with job-seeking adults.

https://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324478304578173113703812842.html?mod=ITP_personaljournal_0

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20 Children Among 28 Dead In Newtown, Conn. Elementary School Massacre

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20 Children Among 28 Dead In Newtown, Conn. Elementary School Massacre
Law Enforcement Working To Piece ‘Puzzle’ To ‘Truly Understand What Occurred’
December 14, 2012 11:59 PM

NEWTOWN, Conn. (CBSNewYork) – A heartbreaking and unforgettable tragedy beset the town of Newtown on Friday morning as 28 people, including 20 children, were killed at an elementary school by a lone gunman.

“Evil visited this community today and it’s too early to speak of recovery,” Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy said. “Each parent, each sibling, each member of the family has to understand Connecticut — we’re all in this together.”

While the families of victims were notified, authorities on Friday night were still in the process of positively identifying those killed.

Officials had been briefing the public on the situation throughout the day, while local officials were still looking at various angles as they continued their “massive investigation” in coordination with the FBI and ATF.

While authorities have still not officially identified the gunman who opened fire at Sandy Hook Elementary School, law enforcement sources have named him as 20-year-old Adam Lanza.

https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/12/14/police-respond-to-report-of-school-shooting-in-conn/

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40th Anniversary Champagne & Candlelight Reception

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40th Anniversary Champagne &  Candlelight Reception

Friday, December 14, 2012, 6-10 pm

The Friends of the Hermitage will host a festive Champagne and Candlelight evening to welcome the holiday season and celebrate the Friends’ 40th year of stewardship of the Hermitage Museum. The evening begins with a champagne reception inside the historic Victorian home, decorated by the Ho-Ho-Kus Garden Club in the “Christmas Tea” theme.

After viewing the decorations in The Hermitage, guests will walk to Jaqua Hall to enjoy the melodic guitar of musician Jim Campanella, with wine and hors d’oeuvres. Tickets for this rare opportunity to see the museum sparkle during the evening are available by advance reservation with the Museum Office at (201) 445-8311, ext. 36. Tickets are $60 per person. Proceeds benefit the museum’s education programs for children.

Click here to registrar:  https://thehermitage.ejoinme.org/?tabid=415881

Following the reception, guests will enjoy light fare and seasonal music
in Jaqua Hall, Hermitage Education & Conference Center, 335 N. Franklin Turnpike, Ho-Ho-Kus.

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“Christmas Tea”: Holiday Decorations at The Hermitage

Costume in Front Parlor

“Christmas Tea”: Holiday Decorations at The Hermitage

Wednesday, November 14, 2012, through Sunday, January 20, 2013

For the sixth year in a row, the Ho-Ho-Kus Garden Club will decorate The Hermitage for the holiday season. This year’s theme is “Christmas Tea.” The decorations also feature period costumes from the Hermitage Collection. The decorated house is open for viewing through the holiday season during regular museum hours (Wednesday through Sunday, 1- 4 pm), depending on availability of volunteer docents. (We recommend calling the Museum Office on weekdays to ensure that the house is open for tours.)

Viewing of the holiday decorations is included with regular admission to the museum: $7 for adults; $5 for seniors; and $4 for children age 6-12. Museum members and children under 5 are admitted free of charge. The decorations will remain on display through Sunday, January 20, 2013. Special group tours are also available by contacting the Hermitage Education Department at (201) 445-8311, ext. 33.

The Museum is closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.

335 North Franklin Turnpike  Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423
(201) 445-8311

 

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19 Rules for Meaningful Conversations With Physicians

emergency theridgewoodblog.net

19 Rules for Meaningful Conversations With Physicians
Written by Kriss Barlow, RN, MBA, Principal, Barlow/McCarthy | December 07, 2012

Physicians need to do a better job of communicating with their patients. Could the same be said for how executives communicate with physicians?

Healthcare executives recognize the need to have meaningful conversations with physicians about quality, safety and patient care. They also understand the need to have consequential dialogue about referrals, partnerships and shared visions for the future. While it’s easy to fall back on conventional agendas, it’s far more valuable to take the time to understand the multi-dimensional problems at hand and craft a multi-dimensional solution. In short, executives need to take the time to “read” the situation, understand the dynamics and carefully craft a message that resonates with physicians.

Many executives pride themselves on being great communicators, but in the heat of the moment, they sometimes fail to draw on their best skills. What sets the world’s greatest communicators apart is that they go into every conversation with a clear objective, yet they’re astute enough to go with the flow, create an interesting segue and adapt their message without missing a beat.

https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-physician-relationships/19-rules-for-meaningful-conversations-with-physicians.html

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10 things real-estate listing sites won’t say

RidgewoodRealestatesign theridgewoodblog1

10 things real-estate listing sites won’t say
By AnnaMaria Andriotis

1. “The homes you’re looking at have already sold.”

Once upon a time, house hunting meant perusing local newspapers and being led through properties by a real-estate agent. Nowadays, most home buyers head straight to their computers: A record 90% searched online this year, up from 65% a decade ago, according to the National Association of Realtors. Trouble is, homes listed for sale online aren’t always actually available.

More than a third of home listings that are labeled as “active” on third-party listing sites Trulia and Zillow are no longer for sale, according to a 2012 study by consulting firm WAV Group that was sponsored by online brokerage Redfin (which also lists properties for sale). For their part, Trulia and Zillow say such outdated posts can be the result of real-estate agents inputting information incorrectly or forgetting to make updates. Walter Molony, a spokesman for the National Association of Realtors, says both parties — the sites and the agents — are sometimes responsible for outdated listings. Either way, some buyers are wasting their time reviewing homes that have already sold.

In some cases, agents intentionally leave listings up after they’ve sold, in an effort to generate future leads, says Leonard Baron, principal of real-estate consulting firm LPB Services and a lecturer at San Diego State University. Buyers who are interested in the property will reach out to the listing agent, and the agent will tell them the home has sold but that they have other properties with similar features, he says. Of course, the other properties may not meet the buyer’s criteria, says Baron, calling the strategy a “bait and switch.”

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/10-things-real-estate-listing-sites-wont-say-2012-12-07

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“A NATION IN TRANSITION “

flagpole3 theridgewoodblog .net

“A NATION IN TRANSITION “
December 5,2012
Sue Tovey

It’s the season of christmas trees and sugar plum fairies and all should be right with the world.
However, that is not where things stand in parts of suburban America today,  despite streets lined with sparkling new automoblies filled with  busy occupants racing to and from the stores, children’s athletic events and other destinations of import.

There is a strange pall over this image of oppulence and purpose. Where is the ready smile that goes with the holidays? Is there a preoccupation present within this scene of American holiday spirit as we have always known it? I dare say for many, there is a subliminal feeling of change, a lack of certainty and a schooled apprehension in the air.

Of course, the economic situation, natural disasters and the all pervasive hand of governmental uncertainty is in the air now, and for the year to come. No one is sure of what lies ahead with a lack of jobs, increased demands on the individual tax payer, inflation, and the increasing cost of Obamacare on the horizon, along with a fragmennted foreign policy hitched to a diminishing military and a budgetless Congress, just for starters. This reminds me of being at the wheel of an automobile with half your brakes gone, and a steering mechanism which is no longer responding to the touch. OOPS! This spells an accident going some place to happen!

How did this all come about?
Surely a slippage of this magnitude could not happen in America!
Well, Sally, take a breath, it has!

Where did we, the citizens, lose control of our own destiny?
Where is that ” American dream” we hear talked about all the time?
The picture is multi faceted. A case and point could be made from a number of different areas of our society. However, there is no doubt that the horse is running away with the wagon ,and the road is a bumpy one ahead. We have even been sited recently by Pravda, the Russian newspaper, as marching rapidly toward Marxism under Obama. The socialist manipultaion of our cuklture has been robust in recent years, along with the gradual bypassing of the US Constitution by the Congress and the Executive branch of government.

In the meantime, many are still recovering from the election. I would venture to say that very few are even aware of the numerous voting irregularities that are now being investigated throughout the country today.

What has happened to our two party system? Hiow could we have a 16 trillion dollar debt with a so called representative government? What has happened to fiscal responsibility in Congress?

It is past time for all of us to ask these questions, regardless of party.
There is a truism here which many have forgotten or perhaps have never known  and that is:
“GOVERNMENT HAS NOTHING THAT IT HAS NOT TAKEN FROM YOU!”

If the American people have reached the point where they want to surrender their freedom to a central government, which was established to protect our rights, not take them away, and to allow them to walk away from their primary constitutional objective in defending this nation, then,’ HAPPY NEW YEAR” everybody. You have just surrendered to the unrelenting hand of a government that has total control of you and yours in mind, using your money to turn the trick!

Are we ready to surrender everything our forefathers have fought and died for?
I think not. How about you?

Microsoft Store

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2013 Unlimited Parking Permits NOW on Sale

Parked cars theridgwoodblog.net

2013 Unlimited Parking Permits NOW on Sale

Monday, December 10th UP3 – 2013 Unlimited Parking Permits will be on sale at Village Hall. Annual fee is $650 for unlimited parking in all Ridgewood Lots 6 – days a week.

2013 UP3 Permits can be used starting December 17, 2012…2 weeks of free parking for new customers!

Village Hall is open Monday through Friday, 8:30AM to 4:30PM.

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“Syrup for Sandy” ~Breakfast for Dinner~

pancakes

A PROJECT INTERACT FUNDRAISER EVENT

“Syrup for Sandy”
~Breakfast for Dinner~

Helping Victims from Hurricane Sandy: Proceeds go to American Red Cross

Thursday, January 10 from 5-8 p.m. in the RHS Cafeteria
All tickets $5 (pre-sale raffle incentive) go on sale the week of December 17
Donations from AM Rotary, Stop & Shop, Daily Treat
For more information contact Nancy Reilly or Lynne Feeney at RHS: nreilly@ridgewood.k12.nj.us, lfeeney@ridgewood.k12.nj.us

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“Fiscal cliff” talks frozen, Obama lobbies big business

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“Fiscal cliff” talks frozen, Obama lobbies big business
By Lucy Madison /CBS News/ December 5, 2012, 1:33 PM

With talks between the White House and Congress over a deal to avert the so-called “fiscal cliff” all but frozen, President Obama today turned his focus to the business community, urging attendees at the quarterly meeting of the Business Roundtable to help him lobby Congress for a “balanced” deal that includes tax hikes for the nation’s wealthiest earners.

Mr. Obama, who has recently redoubled his efforts to rebuild a strong relationship with the business world after years of tension, is currently locked in a stalemate with House Republican leaders over averting the so-called “cliff,” a series of tax hikes and spending cuts set to go into effect next year. The president insists he will not sign off on a proposal that does not increase tax rates for households earning $250,000 or more per year, while Republicans have repeatedly reiterated their refusal to raise tax rates.

So far, there’s little reason to believe a deal is in the works: The White House and House Speaker John Boehner each offered up plans reflective of their party’s ideologies, both of which were swiftly rejected by the other side. Moreover, as CBS News’ Major Garrett reported this morning, there were no substantive conversations yesterday at any level at all between the White House and Boehner on the framework for a deal.

https://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57557326/fiscal-cliff-talks-frozen-obama-lobbies-big-business/

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‘Everyone in US under virtual surveillance’ – NSA whistleblower

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‘Everyone in US under virtual surveillance’ – NSA whistleblower
Published: 04 December, 2012, 18:01
Edited: 05 December, 2012, 19:13

The FBI records the emails of nearly all US citizens, including members of congress, according to NSA whistleblower William Binney. In an interview with RT, he warned that the government can use this information against anyone.

Binney, one of the best mathematicians and code breakers in the history of the National Security Agency, resigned in 2001. He claimed he no longer wanted to be associated with alleged violations of the Constitution, such as how the FBI engages in widespread and pervasive surveillance through powerful devices called ‘Naris.’

This year, Binney received the Callaway award, an annual prize that recognizes those who champion constitutional rights and American values at great risk to their personal or professional lives.

RT: In light of the Petraeus/Allen scandal while the public is so focused on the details of their family drama, one may argue that the real scandal in this whole story is the power, the reach of the surveillance state. I mean if we take General Allen – thousands of his personal e-mails have been sifted through private correspondence. It’s not like any of those men was planning an attack on America. Does the scandal prove the notion that there is no such thing as privacy in a surveillance state?

William Binney: Yes, that’s what I’ve been basically saying for quite some time, is that the FBI has access to the data collected, which is basically the emails of virtually everybody in the country. And the FBI has access to it. All the congressional members are on the surveillance too, no one is excluded. They are all included. So, yes, this can happen to anyone. If they become a target for whatever reason – they are targeted by the government, the government can go in, or the FBI, or other agencies of the government, they can go into their database, pull all that data collected on them over the years, and we analyze it all. So, we have to actively analyze everything they’ve done for the last 10 years at least.

RT: And it’s not just about those, who could be planning, who could be a threat to national security, but also those, who could be just…

WB: It’s everybody. The Naris device, if it takes in the entire line, so it takes in all the data. In fact they advertised they can process the lines at session rates, which means 10-gigabit lines. I forgot the name of the device (it’s not the Naris) – the other one does it at 10 gigabits. That’s why they’re building Bluffdale [database facility], because they have to have more storage, because they can’t figure out what’s important, so they are just storing everything there. So, emails are going to be stored there in the future, but right now stored in different places around the country. But it is being collected – and the FBI has access to it.

RT: You mean it’s being collected in bulk without even requesting providers?

WB: Yes.

https://rt.com/usa/news/surveillance-spying-e-mail-citizens-178/

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>Jersey Shore evacuation plan advances

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snooki2artchick theridgewoodblog.net
photo courtesy of ArtChick.biz 

Jersey Shore evacuation plan advances

New Jersey is improving its plans to quickly evacuate large sections of the Shore in the event of a storm or other emergency.

The Legislature approved the recommendations Monday of a task force that studied the state’s ability to move large numbers of people away from the coast. 

The plan includes lane reversals on major highways leading away from the Shore; using schools as emergency shelters; and setting up a registry of residents who would need special help in leaving the area.  (Parry, Associated Press)

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>Crosswalks decorative, safer

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crossingthestreet theridgewoodblog.net

photo by the staff of the Ridgewood blog

DecorativeCrosswalks006 theridgewoodblog.net

photo by Boyd Loving
Crosswalks decorative, safer

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2011
BY EVONNE COUTROS
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD — Village officials are confident that the installation of as many as two dozen simulated red brick crosswalks at busy intersections will increase pedestrian and motor vehicle safety in the central business district and near schools.

Pedestrians using Ridgewood Avenue at Cottage Place on one of the crosswalks, which cost $6,800 per intersection.
“Ridgewood is a cut-through town,” said Mayor Keith Killion, the council representative to the Citizens Safety Advisory Committee. “People come through town too fast.”

The newly installed thermoplastic crossings — such as those at Cottage Place and East Ridgewood Avenue — also are an asset because of their resemblance to brick, village officials say.

“The more attention we bring to the crosswalks, the safer it will be for pedestrians and motorists,” police Capt. Jacqueline Luthcke said.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/136469093_Crosswalks_decorative__safer.html

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>Co-op’s Open House January 12, 2012

>Co-op’s Open House January 12, 2012

The Cooperative Nursery School of Ridgewood(the Co-op), a nonsectarian school, will hold an Open House for the 2012-2013 school year on Thursday, January 12th from 9:30-11:00 and 12:45-2:30. The school is located at 100 Dayton Street in Ridgewood.

 The Co-op offers classes for children from 1 ½ to 5 years old.  Classes range from Mommy and Me to four day per week classes for 4 year olds.  Kindergarten enrichment classes are also offered. The school has both morning and afternoon classes.  There are also a variety of different extended day options available to students, including Discovery Fridays, a program designed to supplement the class curriculum.

 The school’s seasoned teaching staff guides students toward social, emotional and physical well-being.  Children learn and play in an environment ideally suited to their needs as developing individuals.  The program encourages independence, self-discipline and a love for school.

Setting the school apart from other nursery schools, The Co-op is organized and run by parents. This enables parents to actively participate in their child’s early learning experience.  Music, physical education, field trips, indoor and outdoor play time and an in-house library are just a few of the experiences to which the children are exposed as supplements to the daily education plans.

For more information or to set up a private tour, please call the school at (201) 447-6232 or email ridgewoodcoop@gmail.com .