>Get ready for a ‘global Katrina’: Biggest ever solar storm could cause power cuts which last for MONTHS By DAVID DERBYSHIRE Last updated at 8:59 AM on 22nd February 2011 Comments (273) Add to My Stories
Earth is overdue a solar storm as the sun enters its most active period The world is overdue a ferocious ‘space storm’ that could knock out communications satellites, ground aircraft and trigger blackouts – causing hundreds of billions of pounds of damage, scientists say.
Astronomers today warned that mankind is now more vulnerable to a major solar storm than at any time in history – and that the planet should prepare for a global Katrina-style disaster. A massive eruption of the sun would save waves of radiation and charged particles to Earth, damaging the satellite systems used for synchronising computers, airline navigation and phone networks
>Federal, state and local debt hits post-WWII levels
By Steven Mufson Washington Post Staff Writer Sunday, February 20, 2011; 11:33 PM
The daunting tower of national, state and local debt in the United States will reach a level this year unmatched just after World War II and already exceeds the size of the entire economy, according to government estimates.
>Ridgewood kids have been racing to nowhere long before the documentary
Ridgewood kids have been racing to nowhere long before the documentary. The emphasis for resume building begins in ‘enrichment’. God forbid you call it pre-K in Ridgewood. Kids are guided into a plethora of programs and activities that we actually have to have a ‘holiday’ to do nothing.
If being athletic is good, then more is better, right? Ask baseball or soccer players about 3-season sports, club teams and personal trainers. Places like PBI and Parisi are virtual gold mines for all the local kids who are brianwashed into believing that they are the greatest players to ever walk onto the field.
Forget about teachers teaching kids being enough. We have tutors for every discipline, music instructors with Lincoln Center backgrounds and SAT prep programs bankrupting families because having the best is the only option.
I have regular, happy and and reasonably well-adjusted kids. They have friends who started in therapy while still in single digits and pre-teen years because of stress and anxiety problems. And for this, we are shelling out 18k per student.
We might show them more compassion by putting them in lock-up at juvi.
The pointy heads at Cottage Place should be focusing on a good educational experience for ALL kids and not just an excellent experience for some.
>Pension Reform : It is the State government that has failed to pay into the pension
While there is little doubt that some form of change will take place. Public employees have paid into their pension each and every pay period. It is the government that has failed to pay into the pensions. Where did that money go? Why were the payments not made? If a private pension fund was managed that way someone in management would go going to jail.
1. The teachers (and other state employees) paid their share of pensions, the state repeatedly did not pay their share, that is why it is massively underfunded.
2. During the boom years people made choices. In the private sector, achievers got large raises and bonuses. Teachers didn”t fly high but got the promise of job security and very good benefits. Now that the boom is over, the former high-flyers say that teachers should be treated just like them. If the economy ever booms again, will you be giving private sector style bonuses to teachers?
3. I absolutely agree that public pensions shouldn’t be able to be manipulated at the end – moving from a 3 year average salary to a 5 year average salary is very sensible. What happens now is that crafty people go for a supervisory job at the end of their career, a job that they don”t really want or put their heart into, but which boosts their salaries.
Presidents Day: More than just a Presidents Day sale part 2
Presidents’ Day is celebrated in February to honor two of our greatest presidents, Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. The holiday is celebrated in the United States on the third Monday in February.
George Washington : When the Second Continental Congress assembled in Philadelphia in May 1775, Washington, one of the Virginia delegates, was elected Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. On July 3, 1775, at Cambridge, Massachusetts, he took command of his ill-trained troops and embarked upon a war that was to last six grueling years.
He realized early that the best strategy was to harass the British. He reported to Congress, “we should on all Occasions avoid a general Action, or put anything to the Risque, unless compelled by a necessity, into which we ought never to be drawn.” Ensuing battles saw him fall back slowly, then strike unexpectedly. Finally in 1781 with the aid of French allies–he forced the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown.
Lincoln warned the South in his Inaugural Address: “In your hands, my dissatisfied fellow countrymen, and not in mine, is the momentous issue of civil war. The government will not assail you…. You have no oath registered in Heaven to destroy the government, while I shall have the most solemn one to preserve, protect and defend it.”
Lincoln thought secession illegal, and was willing to use force to defend Federal law and the Union. When Confederate batteries fired on Fort Sumter and forced its surrender, he called on the states for 75,000 volunteers. Four more slave states joined the Confederacy but four remained within the Union. The Civil War had begun.
Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey has cut more than the state budget in his first year in office: he has also dropped a few notches in his belt. (The Associated Press)
The Ridgewood Guild is an exciting new organization dedicated to making Ridgewood a more enjoyable place to shop, dine and visit. Our board is made up of a group of high-energy, hard working individuals who plan to make a difference. Because we have no rent, overhead, or salaries to pay, our annual dues are minimal. This gives us the opportunity to give back to the community via a carefully planned out series of events, fundraisers and marketing strategies.
The Guild’s membership includes retailers, restaurateurs, non-profits, professionals and residents who have an interest in seeing our village thrive. We are always looking for ideas and suggestions, so don’t hesitate to contact us. We hope you will join us!
Make a purchase at any of the participating merchants from January 28th – Friday, February 11th and you will be entered to win one of 12 fabulous prizes. The more purchases you make, the more chances you have to win! The winners will be picked and notified Saturday, February 12th, just in time for a Valentine’s Day treat.
Participating Merchants:
Araya Rebirth • Ben and Jerry’s • Cupcakes by Carousel • Glamour Beauty Supplies • Happy Tuesday Indulge Boutique • Jekyll and Hide • Mango Jam • Natalie’s • Pink Bungalow • Pattycakes and Maur
>HILT Senior Citizen Meeting Open House and Speaker Peter Fenzel
Ridgewood residents 55 and older are invited to join Highlights In Leisure Time (HILT), a senior organization under the auspices of the Ridgewood Department of Parks and Recreation. Monthly meetings include entertainment and/or informational presentations, followed by refreshments. Also, a variety of monthly trips are offered.
In February, HILT will be hosting an Open House for new members on Thursday, February 10 at the Ridgewood Community Center from 10:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. Annual membership dues are $15.00. Peter Fenzel, a loyal supporter of the Concerned Citizens of Allendale (instrumental in the acquisition of the Fell House), will be the featured speaker. The Fell House, a national historic treasure, was purchased by the town through fund raisers and donations. Fenzel will discuss John Fell’s life in Bergen County as a merchant and also his involvement in the American Revolution.
On February 17th, a HILT trip has been planned to the Hunterdon Hills Playhouse. The Playhouse is celebrating its 30th anniversary with the presentation of a new musical revue entitled, “The Great American Songbook.” The program will consist of music and songs that immigrants brought with them from their native lands. The bus departs from Graydon Pool at 9:45 a.m. (boarding at 9:30 a.m.) and returns at 5:30 p.m. The cost for HILT members is $48.00; non-members $53.00. For more information, please contact the Ridgewood Parks and Recreation Department at (201) 670-5560
>N.J. population shifting from heavily Democratic North By Shane D’Aprile – 02/04/11 12:32 PM ET
New detailed Census data released Thursday for New Jersey shows population growth concentrated in the central and southern parts of the state, which could make it harder for Democrats to ensure the loss of a single congressional seat comes at the expense of a Republican.
The state must shed a congressional district this year, and two potential Republican targets will use the new data to bolster the argument to leave their districts alone.
Seniority tends to rule the roost in the state’s congressional redistricting process, so speculation has centered on GOP Reps. Leonard Lance and Jon Runyan, who was just elected in November.
But Runyan’s district contains Ocean County, which saw the largest population growth of any county in the state, further bolstering the case that he won’t be a redistricting target
>N.J. lawmakers advance bill allowing towns to post legal notices only online
State lawmakers Thursday advanced a bill eliminating the requirement for governments, businesses and citizens to run legal notices in newspapers and instead allow them to only be posted on government websites. (Megerian, The Star-Ledger)
>Gov. Christie says N.J. tax structure makes for poor business climate
Gov. Chris Christie said he will act on business leaders’ concerns that the state’s tax structure is keeping companies from expanding in New Jersey. (Gibson, The Star-Ledger)
>Panel: NJ facing possible budget shortfall of $15 billion
A blue ribbon panel of former government officials and public servants said New Jersey residents face a fiscal crisis so severe it could restrict the state’s ability to function and thrive, with a combined budget shortfall of up to $15 billion in public spending forecast by 2016. (Jordan, Gannett)
>Electronic Waste Management Act : Disposal Ban on Electronics – Jan 31 2011
The State of 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 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]
>Village Car Wash? the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ- The Village of Ridgewood is looking to get into the car wash business , it all depends on the kind of return on investment the village can get from installing such a facility.
At Wednesday night’s Village Council workshop while discussing a $71,000 budget reserve transfer resolution, Deputy Mayor Tom Riche pointed to a $3,500 line item for the annual payment for washing vehicles in the town’s fleet.
The washing charge covers vehicles ranging from garbage trucks to police cruisers, Riche raised the possibility of Ridgewood installing its own car washing facility, which could then be used, not only for Ridgewood vehicles, but also as a shared service for other towns’ municipal vehicles.
Critics suggest that the real problem is that the Village only wastes $3,500 annually when doing it themselves the could wastes hundreds of thousands of dollars. Given these are the guys that brought us a $400,000 toilet at Vets field and the Village still manages significant revenue loss from the parking meters in the central business district it doesn’t seem like a very good idea .
