$200 Beer Pong Tourney every Wednesday night @ Blend Bar
Wednesday, July 20 at 9:30pm – July 21 at 12:30am
Snatch Alley is spreading to Ridgewood @ Blend Bar every Wednesday Night. Come down each and every Wednesday night for your chance at winning the weekly $200 Pong Tourney.
*** $200 cash paid to winning team each Wednesday Night ***
Double elimination Tournament (at least two games) Sign up at bar ~ 9pm – 11pm Tournament Starts ~ 10pm $5 a player / $10 a team Music: DJ
*** DRINK SPECIALS ***
$3 Beers (all bottles and drafts) $3 House Wines $3 Mixed Well Drinks
Don’t forget to invite your friends, don’t want them to miss out on the competition.
Summer Writers Workshop “Poetry of Place” For kids: Wed., July 13 @ 4:00 p.m. Open to Ridgewood kids entering Gr 3-5 For teens: Wed., July 13 @ 7:00 pm Open to Ridgewood teens entering Gr 6-12 Join award-winning poet Laura Boss and learn how to write poems about new places
Career Workshop Introduction to Linked In Thursday, July 14 @ 10AM – Tech Center A hands-on workshop and demo on the popular online business networking site. Free for RW cardholders; $5 for visitors form other communities
>40th District Towns to Receive Increased School Aid
July 07, 2011 -Senator Kevin O’Toole is happy to announce that local school districts will receive increased school aid for the 2011-2012 school year.
Senator O’Toole worked closely with the Christie Administration in an effort to gain a fairer share of school aid dollars in the final state budget signed by the Governor.
“School children and property taxpayers are the primary beneficiaries of the Governor’s decision to dedicate additional state revenue to school aid for suburban communities,” said Senator O’Toole “I’m pleased that Governor Christie worked with us over the past several months to dedicate additional state revenues to school aid for suburban communities. By making tough choices and using an unexpected bump in state revenues wisely, we were able not only to increase aid over last year, but to double the rate of increase that was originally proposed in March.”
School aid for communities in the 40th District will be allocated as follows:
DistrictState Aid FY ’11State Aid FY ’12$ Increase% Increase
Two New Jersey public colleges have been warned that they need to correct problems if they want to retain their accreditation.
The Star-Ledger of Newark reported Tuesday that Kean University and Essex County College received the warnings last month from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. (The Associated Press)
>A medical malady: Where are New Jersey’s primary care physicians?
It’s shortly after 2 p.m. on a sunny Thursday in June and nearly all the waiting- room chairs at Forest Hills Family Health Associates are full: Senior citizens with their hands resting on canes or walkers, twenty-somethings in bright, t-shirts, mothers trying to corral giggling toddlers, and a very pregnant couple, whispering nervously in the corner. (Stainton, NJ Spotlight)
>43% See George Washington As Greatest Founding Father Sunday, July 03, 2011
As America prepares to celebrate its 235th birthday, a plurality of adults still sees the nation’s first president as its greatest founder. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American adults shows that 43% say George Washington is the greatest founding father of our country, up 11 points from last year. Thomas Jefferson comes in second with 24% who see him has the greatest found father, followed by Benjamin Franklin with 16%.
Just five percent (5%) see both John Adams and James Madison as the greatest founding fathers. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Washington has been at the top of this list since 2006.
Data released earlier shows that Americans continue to strongly believe in the nation’s founding ideals articulated in the Declaration of Independence. While most believe that governments derive their only just authority from the consent of the governed, only 23% believe the federal government today has such consent.
In fact, 45% believe that the gap between Americans who want to govern themselves and politicians who want to rule over them is now as big as the gap between the American colonies and England during the 18th Century.
Trumpeter – Jennifer Schuler Flag Raising by American Legion Post 53 The National Anthem sung by Grace Preuninger Congressman Scott Garrett Presentation of United States Constitution booklets to Ridgewood Elementary School students
Parade begins 10:00 am (Rain or Shine) – North Monroe and Godwin: See the Parade route.
1930 AA Truck 1946 Chevy Pick-up & 1966 Land Rover 1960 Cadillac Convertible American Legion American Merchant Marine Veterans, Dennis Rodland Chapter Arya Samaj of New Jersey BANNER – Applebees BANNER – Committee BANNER – Ridgewood Fire Volunteers, Inc BANNER – Tarvin Realtors BANNER – Valley Hospital Bergen County Sheriff’s Department Blue Star Families Bushwackers Drum & Bugle Corp Christian Health Care Center Civil Air Patrol Community Blood Services Dr. Dubious and the Agnostics Fair Lawn Fire Department Fair Lawn Rescue Squad Fidelity Lodge #113, Free & Accepted Masons Fidelity Lodge #113, Free & Accepted Masons Garden State Band Ho-Ho-Kus Volunteer Fire Department Illumination Twirlers Jamboree Scholarship fund, Inc. Knights of Columbus Council #1736 Ridgewood Lustgarten Foundation Mahwah Fire Department Co. 4 Melrose Blackhawks Meyers Manx Dune Buggies Miles of Smiles – Clown Friends Miss Patti’s School of Dance Motor Corps of Salaam Shrine New Jersey Militia/Heard’s Brigade New Jersey Tea Party Coalition New York Scottish Pipes NJ Live Musicians – Dixie String Band NJ Live Musicians – Polka Band NJ Live Musicians – Shore Brass Band Orchard Elementary School Outwater’s Militia Ramapo Rescue Dog Association (ARDA – NJ)
Ramsey Rescue Squad Rangers of Wild West City Ridge School Ridgewood Board of Education Ridgewood Choral Ridgewood Emergency Services Ridgewood Fire Department Ridgewood High School Band Ridgewood High School Girls Lacrosse Ridgewood Police Department Ridgewood Percussion Ensemble – The Babalu’s Ridgewood Public Library Ridgewood Rugby Association Shantany Hose Company Somerville School South Park Pipes & Drums Spirit of Newark The Franklin Band The Orpheus Men’s Chorus of Ridgewood The Ridgewood Choral The Village School The Waldwick Band Uncle Sam — Christopher J. Marion Upper Ridgewood Tennis Club Vietnam Vets of America Chapter #333 Rockland County Waldwick Volunteer Fire Department Washington Elm VFW Post 192 Willard School Woman’s Club of Ridgewood
By Shannon Bond in New York Published: April 21 2011 14:31 | Last updated: April 21 2011 14:31
The number of people claiming unemployment benefit stayed above 400,000 for the second week in a row, according to the latest US labour department figures.
>Christina M. Krauss : Concerned about the future of Ridgewood schools and our Tradition of Excellence
Next Wednesday, April 27th, Ridgewood voters will have the opportunity to vote for Board of Education candidates. I am prepared and committed to working diligently for Ridgewood residents and for our Village students. I am asking for your support: the support of my fellow Ridgewood residents, taxpayers, parents and all who are concerned about the future of Ridgewood schools and our Tradition of Excellence.
My decision to run for a position on the Board of Education was borne out of many years of community involvement and a sincere interest in our governing bodies and their decision making process. My background as a small business owner is the lens through which I view most issues. In order to make an informed decision, I feel all options must be investigated, potential problems thought out, spirited debate with all concerned parties engaged in and critical cost analysis (where it applies) performed. Then, and only then, can a well-reasoned conclusion be drawn. From my own experience and that of other parents I have spoken to over the years, that process is often not the norm when dealing with the BOE. For many, interaction with the Board, particularly at a public meeting, is often an anxiety-inducing encounter. Most who speak are left with a negative impression of the Board because their demeanor suggests a lack of sensitivity and engagement. Perception is reality and the current perception discourages participation. While technology and e-mail communication can be useful in responding to concerns, plain-spoken answers free of bureaucratic catch phrases would be welcome by many. It can never hurt to have an additional conversation in regard to any issue.
It is my goal, when elected to the Board of Education, to ensure taxpayers are informed about the process that results in any final decision. Whether taxpayers agree with decisions or not, at least they will be able to trust the decision makers and respect the process.
With the new master plan amendment currently being reviewed by the Village Council, opportunities will again arise for public comment. I am by no means a detractor of Valley Hospital. My children were born there and it has served my family and this community well over the years. I do, however, have serious concerns about the scope and duration of the proposal. While technological advancements and continuing facility improvement will forever be a part of the hospital’s development, the impact on the surrounding community and neighboring schools may well result in unprecedented changes to the character of our village. It is the Board’s responsibility to be mindful of the impact that a multi-phase, decades-long demolition and construction project will have on the adjacent middle school and nearby elementary school and high school. Health and environmental concerns need to be addressed well before any work takes place and the unrelenting distraction to and disruption of the children’s learning environment needs careful consideration by the Board.
Our school district has been embroiled in the controversy over the math curriculum for several years now. The math curriculum is of great concern to many families who have expressed frustration: a significant number are opting for outside tutoring. While tutoring certainly has its merits, it should not be a requirement in a district like ours with such a talented and dedicated staff. Perhaps ongoing research into the most effective program with proven results (at the lowest cost to taxpayers) bears further investigation. If the current math program is inappropriate or does not meet current standards, it must be redressed immediately in order to ensure the district prepares our students most effectively.
The issue of teacher tenure and benefit compensation is another area that residents across the state are facing currently. I believe those issues should be approached as any responsible business person would and have employees retained based on their contribution to the organization and the growth of the students in their care. Nowhere in the private sector is job security based primarily on the length of time one has been in their position. Additionally, many taxpayers’ incomes have stagnated or decreased and boards of education are going to have to find ways to be creative and do more with what they already have and the benefit compensation structure will have to reflect those changing economic realities. Many of those decisions are being crafted in Trenton now and it seems as though a restructure of the system is in order.
It is my hope that given the opportunity I will be able to facilitate a more responsive and transparent relationship between the Board and the citizens it serves. The fiscal realities we are currently faced with leave little doubt that times have changed and so to must our approach to public education. As I am not currently involved in the budget process, where the best long-term cost savings may lie is yet to be determined, but I truly believe that a new perspective will reveal options that have yet to be considered.
I look forward to serving this community as a member of the Board of Education and hope that you will allow me that privilege by casting your vote for me next Wednesday, April 27th. If anyone would like to contact me directly with questions, please e-mail to [email protected].
>Gov. Christie should take own advice on violent language TUESDAY, 19 APRIL 2011 10:31BY PAUL ARONSOHN
COMMENTARY
This time he crossed the line.
By calling on the press to “take a bat out on” State Senator Loretta Weinberg, the Governor crossed the line of decency. Such violent language has absolutely no place in our public discourse.
Granted, the statement was uttered — actually, almost shouted — in the heat of the moment, and the Governor probably did not mean much by it. After all, he is known for making outrageous, provocative statements.
>DEA Sponsored Drug Collection Program Saturday, April 30
Ridgewood residents will have an opportunity to dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs during the DEA-sponsored National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, scheduled for Saturday, April 30, from 10 am to 2 pm. The collection site is the lobby outside the Police Department on the second floor of Village Hall where a clearly marked box will be placed for collecting the drugs. This program is a follow-up to the Take Back Day that was held in September, during which 25 pounds of unwanted drugs were collected in Ridgewood. Nationally, more than 120 tons of pills were collected during the September program. This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue.
More than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, according to a survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration. Each day, approximately 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time, according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. “Simply flushing prescription drugs down the toilet is not a good option for disposal either,” notes Eco-Ed Schwartz, from REAC (Ridgewood’s Environmental Advisory Committee), “as trace amounts of these drugs are making it back to our waterways and drinking water.”
Ridgewood is one of several Bergen County communities that will be participating in the April 30 event. For a complete list of local collection locations, see the DEA website at www.dea.gov. If you have questions about the collection or need additional information, call the Ridgewood Police Department at 201-652-3900.
>Local students’ films selected for Ridgewood festival Wednesday, April 20, 2011 BY KAREN KLEIMANN TOWN JOURNAL
A red carpet event in Ridgewood featuring its first film festival will include two films by local students exploring breast cancer and looking at the inner thoughts of high school students during the day, respectively.
Above, from left, Upper Saddle River residents and brothers Sean and Ryan McIlraith at the Garden State Film Festival, where their film ‘Hallways’ was officially selected. The film is among the more than 40 selected for the first Ridgewood Film Festival, which will be held on April 27 and 28. The Ridgewood Film Festival, created by the Ridgewood Guild, is the first of its kind in the Village and had more than 60 submissions, which were narrowed down to 41 films, including directors with a few Emmys to their name, amateur filmmakers and high school students hoping to get a break into the industry.
“This festival is going to be wonderful,” Ridgewood Guild chair Tony Damiano said. “We had such an incredible response and we’re still getting submissions, and they come from all over the world.”
