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Posted on February 15, 2014February 15, 2014 by James — 1 Comment

Four Ridgewood girls sign lacrosse letters

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.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/sports/245485211_Four_Ridgewood_girls_sign_lacrosse_letters.html#sthash.qmk6Bm0N.dpuf

Posted on February 15, 2014February 15, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

Exhibit in Ridgweood features two artists Vi Shipley and Jackie Collier

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

Posted on February 15, 2014February 15, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

A Mano to Host Mozzarella-Making Class and Wine Tasting Dinner

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

Butternut Squash Pizza – wood-fired pizza topped with roasted butternut squash puree, caramelized onions, crispy pancetta, spinach, homemade mozzarella and gruyere

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.

Posted on February 15, 2014February 15, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

New state school performance report raises the stakes in Ridgewood

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.”

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/245569251_New_state_school_performance_report_raises_the_stakes_in_Ridgewood.html#sthash.SMEzBVVJ.dpuf

Posted on February 15, 2014February 15, 2014 by James — 23 Comments

Valley Hospital buying up string of properties near its Ridgewood site

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.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/valley_paramus_ford_ridgewood_hospital_ups_real_estate.html#sthash.ETbswYzJ.dpuf

Posted on February 15, 2014February 15, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

Thomas J. Donohue :A steady flow of talented, industrious immigrants can fuel a booming economy

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.

https://www.fresnobee.com/2014/02/13/3767153/a-steady-flow-of-talented-industrious.html

Posted on February 14, 2014February 14, 2014 by James — 3 Comments

Proposed Law Could Mean Trouble for Corrupt Politicians

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)

https://nj1015.com/proposed-law-could-mean-trouble-for-corrupt-politicians-audio/?trackback=tsmclip

Posted on February 14, 2014June 27, 2021 by James — 8 Comments

Ridgewood crash pushes Audi into snowbank; driver freed by firefighters

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.

Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving

Posted on February 14, 2014February 14, 2014 by James — 2 Comments

McClatchy-Marist Poll: American dream seen as out of reach

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.

https://www.mcclatchydc.com/2014/02/13/218026/mcclatchy-marist-poll-american.html

Posted on February 14, 2014February 14, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

Ramapo College Finance Professor Murray Sabrin says he’s running for U.S. Senate

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)

Sabrin says he’s running for U.S. Senate | Politicker NJ

Posted on February 14, 2014April 9, 2020 by James — Leave a comment

Deal puts focus on placing New Jersey’s disables kids in local classrooms

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)

https://www.northjersey.com/news/Deal_puts_focus_on_placing_New_Jerseys_disabled_kids_in_local_classrooms.html#sthash.gxLItz1Z.dpuf

Posted on February 14, 2014June 27, 2021 by James — Leave a comment

Obamacare Enrollment Rate Slows Markedly In January

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.

https://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/obamacare-enrollment-rate-slows-markedly-january_781553.html

Posted on February 14, 2014February 14, 2014 by James — 5 Comments

Nominating packets can be picked up for Ridgewood Council seats

Nominating packets can be picked up for Ridgewood Council seats
Thursday February 13, 2014, 11:03 AM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News

Nominating packets are now available for pickup by residents interested in running for Ridgewood Council this spring.

Two seats on the village’s governing body, each carrying a four-year term, will be up for grabs during the municipal election in May.

The Ridgewood Council is a non-partisan, five-member body that carries out the municipality’s legislative functions, including the passage of new ordinances and the approval of bills and payments, among other responsibilities. Council members, who receive an annual stipend, hold open public meetings at least twice a month and also serve on other village boards and committees.

Ridgewood’s chief executive, the village manager, is directed by the municipal council.

Residency as well as a completed nominating petition is requisite to run for council, and individuals have until March 10 to file their petitions at Village Hall.

The election will be conducted on May 13, and the two winners will be sworn into office on July 1.

Tom Riche, who is serving his second non-concurrent term with the Village Council, has not publicly expressed his decision to seek reelection. On Tuesday, he told The Ridgewood News that he was still undecided about another term, saying he is “keeping my options open.”

Councilwoman Bernadette Walsh announced in December that she will not seek reelection, choosing instead to focus on winning a bid as a Republican nominee for Bergen County freeholder. The Bergen County GOP will select its two party representatives in March, and the freeholder election takes place in November.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/245381331_Nominating_packets_can_be_picked_up_for_Ridgewood_Council_seats.html#sthash.fhqkhYcI.dpuf

Posted on February 14, 2014February 14, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

An uptick in crimes in Ridgewood, but village is still on safest lists

photos by Boyd Loving

An uptick in crimes in Ridgewood, but village is still on safest lists
Thursday February 13, 2014, 10:57 AM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News

Ridgewood witnessed an increase in overall crimes in 2012, according to preliminary statistics for the state’s annual Uniform Crime Report (UCR), but others maintain the village’s reputation as one of the safest municipalities in the country.

The UCR is based on information provided to the New Jersey State Police by individual law enforcement agencies. In addition to statistics, the report also calculates crime rates and trends.

Representatives at the state police’s Uniform Crime Reporting Unit noted this week that the 2012 UCR has not yet been released, and statistics compiled and posted on the AG’s office website are still considered unofficial. The UCR has historically been released in the late fall with the previous year’s data, but state police have said they were behind schedule.

Agencies have already submitted 2013 crime data, though the state has not yet conducted a review of that information.

But based on the 2012 numbers, Ridgewood reported 346 incidents of crime in 2012, 25 percent more than the amount filed in 2011.

The most recent UCR statistics also show the total number of violent crimes in Ridgewood increased to 11 in 2012, up from eight incidents in 2011. In 2012, seven assaults, three robberies and one rape were reported.

The AG’s office defines a violent crime as any murder, rape, aggravated assault or robbery.

Non-violent crimes in Ridgewood also spiked through the course of 2012 – burglaries jumped by 11 percent while the number of reported larcenies increased by 45 percent, with 210 cases in 2012 compared with 144 the previous year.

The police department also recorded the theft of eight motor vehicles in 2012, three more than in 2011. Ridgewood’s 2012 reports buck the trend of decreasing overall crime.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/245379801_An_uptick_in_crimes_in_Ridgewood__but_village_is_still_on_safest_lists.html#sthash.BRJlIGq0.dpuf

Posted on February 14, 2014February 14, 2014 by James — 9 Comments

Storm Message form Chief John Ward

Storm Message form Chief John Ward

First I would like to thank our residents for demonstrating concern and compassion for the neighbors. Throughout the day I witnessed neighbors helping neighbors. We have experienced a significant snowfall thus far with another 3-6 inches anticipated by tomorrow morning, so I am making the following requests;

I would encourage those of you with snow blowers to lend a hand to your elderly and special needs neighbors.

Please check on your neighbors to be sure they are okay.
Please continue to reframe from driving unless absolutely necessary, as road conditions will continue to be dangerous.

Please do not park your vehicles on the roadway through noon tomorrow, so our plow crews can continue to clear our streets.

Please do not throw and/or push snow onto the roadways.
Further information is available of the Village of Ridgewood website www.ridgewoodnj.net

I thank you for your continued cooperation
Chief John M. Ward

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