It’s been five years since Pope Francis kicked off one of the most striking papacies in memory. Within the Catholic world, sadly divided into warring political camps, he is seen as a hero by progressive Catholics and a scourge of conservatives.
Why do so many conservatives dislike Pope Francis? In many cases, because he makes noises they dislike.
Francis has had harsh words against globalized capitalism, has written a major encyclical on the environment, and has been a major supporter of migrants in the crisis seizing Europe. In all these controversies, he actually hasn’t strayed too far from Catholic orthodoxy. But the most charitable version of the conservative critique, which is not unjustified, is that his tone and emphasis make him sound like a straightforward progressive, and risks identifying the Magisterium of the Church with the progressive left.
Ridgewood NJ, Join us on Sunday, May 7th as we Hike or Bike to support Family Promise of Bergen County. Choose your route – 3 mile hike or bike OR 15 mile bike. We begin and end at Van Neste Square in Ridgewood. Fun for everyone with food, music, games, prizes, giveaways and more!
PLUS – Hike or Trike for kids under 5 and under! Free with adult registration.
Click here to register now!
Form a team with your family, friends, colleagues, school,
congregation, scout troop, sports team, etc.!
Create your own fundraising page! Have fun!
Family Promise is the only organization in Bergen County that provides shelter and support to homeless, working families with children. Thank you for your support.
For more information, please contact [email protected] or 201-833-8009
Ridgewood NJ, Lesleypalooza – a month long effort to support my friend Lesley Linker, a soon-to-be single mother who is fighting an aggressive form of multiple sclerosis.
Specifically, we are trying to raise enough money so Lesley can cover the increasing costs of her medical care / support and so she and her two young kids can stay in their home.
To that end, I have two requests:
1. Visit Lesley’s “Go Fund Me” Page – Please visit the Lesleypalooza Go Fund Me page to learn more about Lesley, her kids and their situation and to make a donation of any size.
2. Forward This Message – Please forward this message to all of your friends, families and colleagues so that they can learn about Lesley’s situation … make a donation … and forward this email to all of their friends, families and colleagues.
Our goal is to reach as many people as possible over the next month.
For more information, please visit the Lesleypalooza Facebook page.
Ridgewood NJ, After at lest 10 years of water restrictions Ridgewood Water is now pushing “environmental changes” as an excuse for poor service.
A series of missteps has led Ridgewood Water from one disaster to another characterized by massive excuse making and under investment.
The fact is that poor management decisions have even resulted in a lawsuit that could have a significant impact on Village finances. A long-pending class action lawsuit of $14M against Ridgewood Water was brought by Midland Park, Wyckoff and Glen Rock and is now in state Superior Court in Hackensack.
at the 39:00 mark, 39:14 “several wells down due to contamination issues, historic data back in 1978, there were 61 wells in operation, today 34 wells. Good majority of those that are out, are due to contaminates, not caused by us, but over the years, may be caused by adjacent properties or over pumping the acquifier over the years.”
According the the Village of Ridgewood website there will be a non stop series of events promoting and attempting to establish “climate change” as the reason behind Ridgewood Waters failure to deliver proper service to Ridgewood residents.
2017 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FOR RIDGEWOOD WATER
March 29th – The Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee (REAC), in conjunction with Ridgewood Water, will be hosting a presentation on issues relating to local water resources. The Ridgewood Water service area is under a State drought warning and continued Stage 2 watering restrictions. Changes in local municipal water restrictions are proposed which will make these conservation efforts permanent. Mike Furrey, Chair of the New Jersey Section of the American Water Works Association and president of AGRA Environmental & Laboratory Services will address the audience on the state of the water industry and Ridgewood Water’s “Journey from Rain to Drain”. Information on what customers can do to conserve water will also be presented and made available. The event will take place from 7:30 – 9 pm in the Senior Center at Village Hall, 131 N. Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ, on the first floor.
April 6th – The Ridgewood Public Library, Ridgewood League of Women Voters and the Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee (REAC) will present a documentary screening and discussion on the movie, “Tapped”. This film explores the role of the bottled water industry and its effects on health, climate change, pollution and the environment. Dave Scheibner, Ridgewood Water Business Manager, will also speak at the event which will take place from 7 – 9 pm in the Ridgewood Library Auditorium, 135 N. Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ.
April 6th – The Wyckoff Environmental Commission’s FLOW Green Film Festival will feature The Highlands Rediscovered. Following the movie will be a discussion with Sean Gilson of the NJ Highlands Coalition and updates on conservation and contaminants from Ridgewood Water’s Director of Operations, Richard Calbi Jr. The film starts at 7 pm in the Wyckoff Public Library, 200 Woodland Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ.
April 23rd The Conservancy for Ridgewood Public Lands and the Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee (REAC) in partnership with Ridgewood Water welcomes your participation at this year’s Earth Day event focusing on water conservation and featuring Ridgewood Water’s “Journey from Rain to Drain” as well as educational exhibits, food, musical entertainment, petting zoo, crafts, dog parade, giveaways and more. The event will be held from 11 am – 2 pm at Van Neste Memorial Park, E. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ.
Sept. 14th – The Ridgewood League of Women Voters, in conjunction with Ridgewood Water, will host a water forum. Discussion topics to be announced this summer. The event will take place from 7:30 – 9 pm in the Senior Center at Village Hall, 131 N. Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ, on the first floor.
Oct. 18 th – The Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee (REAC), in conjunction with Ridgewood Water, will be hosting a presentation on issues relating to weather and drought. Dr. David Robinson, New Jersey State Climatologist, will address the audience on the changing climate in the state and the effects on utilities like Ridgewood Water. The event will take place from 7:30 – 9 pm in the Senior Center at Village Hall, 131 N. Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ, on the first floor.
Snowstorm Stella brought over eight inches of snow to the Village this week, and many of us are still digging out. I want to thank the residents for staying indoors and not traveling during the storm. Due to your assistance, only two motor vehicle crashes were reported and our crews doing the plowing were better able to manage the snow removal, in an attempt to keep the roadways clear.
Our crews doing the plowing and salting did a good job on the roads, despite the fact that they were challenged by large amounts of snow falling in a short amount of time. In addition, there was sleet mixed in with the snow, and bitter cold temperatures, which turned many streets to ice. Our crews doing the plowing also spent two nights clearing out both the streets and the parking lots of the Central Business District, the train station lot, and the Park and Ride lot. Many of you contacted the Village to let us know where there were ice or snow issues, which allowed us to address them as quickly as possible. We appreciate the feedback, because there is always room for improvement.
Due to the continued cold temperatures and the possibility of more snow in the coming days, all garbage must continue to be brought to the end of your driveway (not in the street), for the safety of our Village employees. This will continue through March 24th. Backyard collection of garbage will resume on March 27th, weather permitting.
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Police Department would like to thank all residents for their cooperation in staying off the roads during the blizzard on Tuesday. Due to your assistance, only two motor vehicle crashes were reported and our Street Department was able to better manage the snow removal in an attempt to keep the roadways clear.
Ridgewood NJ, At least seven (7) Ridgewood PD officers, two (2) NJ Transit PD officers, one (1) Glen Rock PD officer, and an officer from the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department Patrol Division were present at the Ridgewood train station on the morning of Friday, 03/17 to keep order after a Hoboken bound NJ Transit train was halted at the station when a train conductor observed several individuals who were allegedly smoking marijuana. One (1) car of the train was cleared of all passengers before the train was allowed to continue to Hoboken. No arrests were made. Passengers cleared from the train car in question were allowed to board the next Hoboken bound train.
Ridgewood NJ, Park West Tavern celebrate St Patrick’s Day today .Park West Tavern turns green for the day.
Todays St Patrick’s Day today Festivities include :
Listen to live authentic Irish music by The Poor Finnian’s from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
The music continues later on when The Declan Power Band performs at 10:00pm.
And a surprise visit from the Ridgewood Irish Dancers.
Traditional Irish Fare served all day
Corned Beef And Cabbage
Fish & Chips
Lamb Stew with Barley
Bangers & Mash
Park West is Located at 30 Oak St
Ridgewood, New Jersey
@parkwesttavern
Call (201) 445-5400
TRENTON — Towns and counties would gain another exemption to the spending limits of the cap on property tax increases if a bill passed Thursday by the Assembly makes it into law.
Assemblyman Gary Schaer, D-Passaic, said he has heard from municipalities about having to pass on opportunities to use federal or private grants to hire police or buy fire trucks because of concerns over fitting the required local matching funds under the 2 percent cap.
The Assembly voted 48-26 to exempt matching-funds spending from the cap.
“We cannot hamstring local government from doing necessary things that members of one municipality or another would otherwise want to do but they have their hands tied and vital, vital considerations like police, like fire, like EMS, etc., are being jeopardized right now,” Schaer said.
Republicans opposed the bill.
“Any time we begin to erode away that 2 percent property tax cap level, that’s a problem for taxpayers. There’s no question about it,” said Assemblyman Anthony Bucco, R-Morris.
“We had a property tax cap years ago, but it had a million exemptions,” Bucco said. “We were able to negotiate a new property tax cap and limit the number of exceptions to very few, and I think you have to take very seriously any bill that begins to put exceptions back in.”
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Police are reporting a host of identity theft and fraudulent account activity in Ridgewood .
On March 6th, an Arcadia Road resident responded to Ridgewood Police headquarters to report fraudulent activity on her Optimum Online account. The victim reported that her identity was stolen as her account was accessed and had numerous changes made to it.
On March 8th, a South Broad Street resident responded to Ridgewood Police headquarters to report that a fraudulent account had been opened in his name at T-Mobile. The Ridgewood police Detective Bureau will be investigating the matter.
On March 11th, a North Murray Avenue resident responded to Ridgewood Police headquarters to report that a fraudulent account had been opened in her name at Verizon. The victim was notified by Verizon that a person used her social security number to purchase three new devices. Verizon Fraud Prevention will be investigating the matter.
On March 13th, an Oak Street resident responded to Ridgewood Police headquarters to report that her identity had been stolen. The Victim stated that she received notification from Bank of America that $1920 had been transferred from her account to an unknown Western Union account. Bank of America was able to put a hold on the transfer. The Ridgewood Police Detective Bureau will be investigating the matter.
The Ridgewood Police Department would like to remind everyone to be very vigilant when conducting any business on-line as identity theft crimes are becoming very popular. If you would like more information on how to keep yourself safe from identity theft, please go to www.ftc.gov/idtheft
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Police Department reminds all residents to be aware of “diversion burglaries” as many of our surrounding towns have seen an increase in these. A diversion burglary is when someone posing as a utility worker or chimney inspector or repairer comes to your door and while you are distracted speaking with them or when they request you take them to a distant part of the home, an accomplice enters and burglarizes your home.
If anyone comes to your door that you are not expecting, please verify who they are before allowing them access into your residence and maintain proper safety at home with your doors and windows locked, even while you are home. If you do not believe the person is who they say they are or they are unable to show you proper credentials, deny them access to your home and call the police department.
WATER EVENT – MARCH 29TH PRESENTED BY RIDGEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
March 17,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Water service area is under a State drought warning and continued Stage 2 watering restrictions. Changes in local municipal water restrictions are proposed which will make these conservation efforts permanent.
The Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee (REAC), in conjunction with Ridgewood Water, will be hosting a presentation on issues relating to local water resources. Mike Furrey, Chair of the New Jersey Section of the American Water Works Association and president of AGRA Environmental & Laboratory Services will address the audience on the state of the water industry and Ridgewood Water’s “Journey from Rain to Drain”. Information on what customers can do to conserve water will also be presented and made available. Wednesday, March 29th, 2017 from 7:30-9:00 p.m. in the Senior Center at Village Hall, 131 N. Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey, on the first floor. Attendance is free.
REAC is a board of volunteers, appointed by the Village Council, to assist in developing long-range planning on environmental issues.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
,
Ridgewood NJ, Lost water is a serious issue in North Jersey, where drinking water is an increasingly scarce resource. Utilities are caught between the clashing realities of rising demand and chronically low reservoirs. The watershed is under so much stress that some utilities have been forbidden by the state from drilling new wells in their search for more water.
This story was first published July 15, 2012. United Water is now called Suez.
Drinking water going to waste
James M. O’Neill , Staff Writer, @JamesMONeill112:10 p.m. ET Nov. 23, 2016
In 2011, Ho-Ho-Kus couldn’t account for 33 percent of the water it pumped and treated — one of every three gallons — according to state documents. Oakland lost 28 percent, while Ridgewood Water lost 20 percent. In fact, across the nation, water utilities lose billions of gallons of drinking water each year because of their aging infrastructure.
Ridgewood NJ, Last weekend the Ridgewood Library wrapped up the Friends Of the Ridgewood Library READING MARATHON Month with our first ever Ridgewood Comic Con.
The Library had cosplay actors and comic book artists, crafts, games, face painting, raffle prizes and a FANTASTIC costume contest.
The Ridgewood Library offered a ,”Congratulations to all participants from preschool to 8th grade, and thank you to everyone who attended our event and to Whole Foods for providing delicious snacks!”
Customers are welcomed to taste, learn and explore from an Italian artisan showcase
March 16,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Kings Food Markets (Kings) is excited to take its customers on an authentic culinary journey through the regions of Italy with an eight-day tasting and entertainment event called Piazza Italia, beginning March 31. The exclusive showcase will recreate a traditional Italian market, or “piazza” across 12 Kings’ stores, featuring a collection of hand-curated products that customers will be welcomed to sample and learn about directly from the Italian artisans. The showcase will feature 25 artisans from 12 regions across Italy, bringing over 75 products for customers to explore including traditional products spanning centuries of history, alongside innovative concepts that will intrigue and please even the most discriminating palates.
“At Kings, we’re always looking to delight our customers with new and authentic options,” said Judy Spires, chairman and CEO of Kings Food Markets. “Our passion for food is what drives us and programs like Piazza Italia are what inspire us. We can’t wait to share this inspiration with our customers and give them the opportunity to taste the highest quality products and engage with these skilled Italian artisans.”
Featured products, hand selected from almost 100 producers, will feature:
· Olive oils from four different Italian regions including Liguria, Tuscany, Umbria and Apulia
· Giusti Balsamic Vinegars, the oldest producer of balsamic vinegar established in 1605
· Rich and succulent specialty sauces direct from Sicily
· Genuine artisanal pasta from different Italian regions including Marche, Campania and Apulia
Additional Italian delights will be available: marinated vegetables, decadent sweets including chocolates, cookies and coffee/tea. There will even be a selection of craftsman ceramic dishes as well as pots and pans to purchase. Kings customers’ will have the opportunity to vote on the top artisan products to bring to its stores and enter to win one of four $250 gift cards, creating yet another exclusive offering with a brand new line of Italian goods.
To celebrate this distinctive showcase, Judy Spires, chairman and CEO of Kings Food Markets, will kick off the event with an opening ceremony that includes Francesco Genuardi, the General Consul of Italy in New York, as well as partners of Italian Products USA at 11:00 a.m. in the Kings’ Short Hills, NJ location. Following the ceremony and throughout the eight-day event, customers will be able to enjoy:
· An operatic flash mob with young promising talents on the rise
· Two centuries of Italian Music with the musical duo Kristine Massari and Enrico Granafei
· A musical Grand Finale with the Ron Aprea Big Band
Customers will also be able to meet Rossella Rago, the star of the Cooking with Nonna Show, and listen to Julia della Croce, distinguished as one of America’s best cooking teachers and food historians by the James Beard Foundation, talk about the regional differences of pastas and sauces as well as the traditional sweets of Easter. The Kings Short Hills Cooking Studio will also be offering an Italian Boot Camp Class, on Friday, March 31 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets to the class can be purchased athttps://kingsfoodmarkets.com/in-store-events/italian-boot-camp.
To help shoppers learn more, Kings will have information posted on its site beginningMarch 17, sharing specific times and locations for each of the in-store events occurring during the eight-day artisan showcase, here: www.kingsfoodmarkets/Italian. Additionally, customers can look to take part in the conversation in real-time on Kings’ social media channels via Twitter (@KingsFoodMkts) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/kingsfoodmarkets).
