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Paramus Teacher and Son Turn Front Yard into NJ’s Hottest “Cold” Listing: Inside the Luxury Ice Suite

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Move over, Five-Star hotels. New Jersey has a new “coolest” destination, and it’s located right on a suburban lawn in Paramus

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Paramus NJ, what started as a New Year’s Day project between Michelle Zakko, a first-grade teacher at Midland Elementary School, and her 14-year-old son, Nicholas, has melted the hearts of the local community. Using 150 plastic shoe bins to mold custom ice blocks and fresh snow as mortar, the duo constructed a 4-foot-tall, 6-foot-wide artisanal igloo.

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Verizon Outage? How Ridgewood’s Vintage Red Fire Boxes Could Save Your Life Today

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Cell Service Down? This 100-Year-Old Ridgewood Secret Still Calls 911 Without a Phone

photo courtesy of the Ridgewood Professional Firefighters FMBA Local 47

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, with a massive Verizon outage currently pushing thousands of phones into “SOS mode” across the country, many Ridgewood residents are asking the same question: How do I call for help if my cell phone doesn’t work?

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Online Ordering Doubts That No Longer Hold Up in 2026

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Buying custom or specialty items online used to come with a long list of worries—especially for products where size, materials, and finish truly matter. Not long ago, shoppers had to rely on vague photos, incomplete descriptions, or slow email exchanges just to feel comfortable placing an order. That hesitation was understandable, particularly for large, detailed, or one-of-a-kind purchases.

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Best Audio Recorder for Mac in 2026: Top Apps to Capture Voice & System Sound

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In 2026, the best audio recorder for Mac is Vomo.ai for the vast majority of users, offering an unparalleled combination of seamless system audio capture and AI-powered transcription. While the macOS ecosystem has traditionally made recording internal sound difficult due to Core Audio restrictions, the current landscape offers a variety of powerful tools. From native solutions like QuickTime Player for basic tasks to professional Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) like Logic Pro for music production, there is an app for every need. However, for professionals and students seeking to boost productivity by turning recordings into actionable text, Vomo.ai stands out as the definitive leader.

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Verizon Down: Nationwide Outage Leaves Thousands in “SOS” Mode—Is Your Service Back?

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Can You Hear Me Now : Over 180,000 Users Hit by Massive Nationwide Outage

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, several Ridgewood residents reached out to the blog , if you looked at your iPhone this morning and saw nothing but “SOS” in the status bar, you aren’t alone. A massive network failure has crippled Verizon Wireless services across the United States, leaving tens of thousands of Americans without the ability to call, text, or use data.

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Is Ridgewood Being Sold Out? The Truth Behind the 5-Ordinance Zoning Blitz

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Is Ridgewood Under Attack? The “Weaponized” Zoning Laws Threatening to Trash Our Village

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood is facing a defining moment, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Under the guise of state-mandated housing requirements, a “perfect storm” of aggressive legislation and local maneuvering is threatening to permanently alter the character of our village.

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Aldi’s Massive 2026 Expansion: 180+ New Stores and a Digital Revolution

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The “Aldi Movement” is officially going into overdrive. As the fan-favorite discount grocer celebrates its 50th anniversary in the U.S., it has announced a monumental expansion plan for 2026

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ramsey NJ, on Monday, January 12, 2026, Aldi US CEO Atty McGrath revealed that the company will open more than 180 new stores this year across 31 states. This surge is part of a broader $9 billion investment aimed at reaching 3,200 stores nationwide by 2028.

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Retirement Reality Check: Why New Jersey Was Named the Worst State to Retire—Again

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For the second consecutive year, New Jersey ranked 51st out of 51

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, If you were planning to spend your golden years in the Garden State, you might want to look at the map again. According to the newly released 2026 CareScout Study on the Best and Worst States to Retire, New Jersey has officially claimed the bottom spot for the second year in a row.

With a record 61.2 million Americans now aged 65 or older, the stakes for choosing the right retirement destination have never been higher. As older adults face rising costs and longer life expectancies, CareScout’s data-driven ranking provides a sobering look at where your dollar—and your health—will go furthest.

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“Prison Break” in Ridgewood: Barstool’s ‘Large’ Reunites with Dog Thanks to Ridgewood Police

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Ridgewood Police Chief Forest Lyons highlighted the department’s commitment to community policing—even when the “suspects” have four legs

photo courtesy of Barstool Sports personality Michael McCarthy

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, It was a New Year’s Eve to remember for Barstool Sports personality Michael McCarthy, better known to his fans as “Large.” But instead of a countdown in Times Square, McCarthy was busy orchestrating a “midnight prison break” at the Ridgewood Police Department.

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The LoSauro Legacy: How a Sophomore Phenom is Leading Ridgewood Hockey to New Heights

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There’s a “will” and a way in Ridgewood, and right now, that “Will” is Sophomore winger Will LoSauro

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, after a historic week on the ice, North Jersey Media has officially named LoSauro the Male Athlete of the Week, presented by HSS. But if you ask the young star, he’ll tell you the secret to his success isn’t just his skating—it’s the sibling chemistry shared with his older brother, AJ.

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Ridgewood Alert: Your Voice Matters! Why the January 14 Council Meeting is Different

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Public Hearings on five proposed massive zoning changes

file photo courtesy of Boyd Loving

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, If you have felt silenced or rushed by the “three-minute buzzer” at past Village Hall meetings, take note: Wednesday, January 14, 2026, is your night to be heard.

The Ridgewood Village Council is set to hold critical Public Hearings on five proposed zoning changes. Unlike regular public comment periods, these are formal ordinance hearings governed by the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA).

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A Deli Legend Retires: Ridgewood Honors Wilkes Family with “Wilkes Corner” Street Sign

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On December 28, 2025, the Wilkes Family Delicatessen officially closed its doors

photos coutesy of the Village of Ridgewood

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood is saying a heartfelt goodbye to a neighborhood cornerstone. After a remarkable 65-year run, the Wilkes Family Delicatessen (affectionately known by locals as “The Little Store”) officially closed its doors on December 28, 2025.

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Gallop into 2026: Celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse at Ridgewood’s Lunar New Year Festival!

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4th Annual Lunar New Year Festival

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, get ready to ignite your spirit! The Ridgewood Asian American and Pacific Islander Alliance (RAAPI) is back with its 4th Annual Lunar New Year Festival, and this year promises to be the most energetic yet.

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Foodie Alert: Ridgewood Restaurant Week 2026 is Here! Your Ultimate Guide to Deals & Dining

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Ridgewood Restaurant Week 2026 is Here! 

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Calling all North Jersey food lovers! If you’ve been looking for an excuse to skip the cooking and explore one of the best dining scenes in the state, your time has come.

The Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce has officially kicked off its annual Restaurant Week, a two-week celebration of the village’s culinary excellence. Whether you’re craving upscale Italian, a classic steakhouse experience, or trendy tapas, Ridgewood’s top chefs are rolling out the red carpet with exclusive menus and price-fixed deals.

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End of an Era: Macy’s Shuts Down Two North Jersey Locations in 2026 Strategy Shift

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Ramsey and Livingston Stores to Close

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ramsey NJ, New Jersey’s retail landscape is shifting once again. Macy’s has officially confirmed the closure of two North Jersey stores as part of its massive “Bold New Chapter” turnaround plan.

The announcement, made on January 9, 2026, signals the end of a long-standing anchor at a local mall and a surprise exit from a new “small-format” experiment. If you shop at these locations, here is what you need to know about the closures and the upcoming liquidation sales.

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