November 18,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ ,Join the Ridgewood PBA Local 20 on Monday December 7th 2015 as we honor six officers retiring from the Ridgewood Police Department with a dinner and Comedy show at Seasons Restaurant in Washington Township.
Sun, June 21, 2015 – Sun, November 22, 2015
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: West Side of NJ Transit Train Station, Ridgewood NJ
We have some new farmers this year…Come visit, taste and cook!
201-445-2600 or email [email protected] www.experienceridgewood.com
NOVEMBER 20, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2015, 7:26 AM
BY ELISA UNG
THE RECORD
Upon entering the new Fish Urban Dining Ridgewood, it’s best to look up. Gazing high provides glamour and drama: ceilings that soar, dramatic chandeliers fit for a ballroom, swaths of fabric crisscrossing tall windows, intricate molding and second-floor private dining areas with lovely views of the entire scene. All perks of dining in a venerable old bank building.
But looking at your plate can be a mixed story. Over my two meals, there was a flawless bowl of raw ahi tuna poke that could have come straight from a Hawaiian luau and a bountiful, well-seasoned crab cake. But there was also a drab-looking, bitter-tasting bowl of monkfish and a plate of limp, undercooked scallops. Fish’s food has a ways to go before it matches the scenery.
Owners James and Karen DeGilio opened Fish in July in the historic landmark First National Bank and Trust Co. building on Ridgewood Avenue that was most recently home to Bank of America. Their original Fish in Asbury Park also occupies a former bank building, and when they decided to start another restaurant, they were drawn to renovate the landmark in Karen’s native Bergen County. While they won’t say how much they spent on the renovation — James admits growing “dizzy every time I say that number” — the job was clearly extensive and meticulous. Workers salvaged marble from the teller windows, which then became part of the raw bar and the bathroom vanities.
November 21,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Residents are very concerned with what is going on between the Village of Ridgewood Council and the Health Barn USA, Inc.
The fact that the Habernickel property was purchased in partnership with NJ DEP Green Acres and Bergen County Open-Space funding mandates very specific rules and regulations that have been completely overlooked by the VOR. On the contrary, the VC is setting up a For Profit Corporation on the Park. This is in complete contradiction with the Green Acres rule.
The official record of the Public Hearing in Ridgewood on November 4, 2015 clearly has Tim Cronin, Director of Parks and Rec, stating that the Village will NOT be administrating the business of Health Barn.The President and CEO of Health Barn, Stacy Antine, stated that nothing will change with her website and registration methods.
Further the Health Barn Website now says that winter programs will be held at The Stable?
The following quote is from an article on NorthJersey.COM dated October 14, 2015
HealthBarn USA moving into Ridgewood house
OCTOBER 14, 2015 LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2015, 9:03 AM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Antine said the site was ideal for her organization because the house has more classroom space than HealthBarn currently has. Also in the works are plans for a proper kitchen to have demonstrations and teach nutritional eating through learning to cook in that manner.
Another factor in the decision to come to Ridgewood was the nature of the horse farm and its conversion to an outdoor recreation area, which will allow Antine and her staff to install a children’s production garden. Antine said the facility is “perfectly matched” with the curriculum.
Residents say there is NO doubt that this is growing business and as good as it is, it does NOT belong on a neighborhood park.
There are many other issues that are being uncovered by a growing group of concerned neighbors that will be brought to the State and County level of government in the next few weeks. Issues with County OPEN-SPACE rules and regulations. Issues with the Park / Village Deed of Conservation.
This is NOT the place for a Year Round School / Camp that quite literally will put a strangle hold on the accessibility of the Park by citizens as well as make our community a traffic nightmare.
Worse yet Parks and Recs department has agreed to host Health Barn who is going to run a for profit business out of the The Stable assuming many if not most its patrons are not residents Ridgewood taxpayers are paying for the upkeep, the overhead and the oversight of Health Barn . Residents are failing to see the benefit to the Village of Ridgewood.
November 21,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Just when I thought I’d seen it all, the latest “Ridgewood Parks and Recreation News” arrived at my home via US Mail this week, and in it I was shocked to find notice of a upcoming program entitled: LETS STAY ACQUAINTED WITH GWENN HAUCK “Community Wide Outreach of Available Senior Services.”
The Councilwoman’s name was printed in bold caps and was highlighted in yellow. The names of no other Village Council members appear anywhere within the two (2) page newsletter, nor, for that matter, do the names of any Village of Ridgewood Parks and Recreation Department employees.
“Mayor’s Office Hours For Residents”, “The Mayor’s Corner,” now “LETS STAY ACQUAINTED WITH GWENN HAUCK.” When can we expect the Deputy Mayor to announce his regular offering?
Can we just put an end to all of this self promotion, please. Next thing you know, we’ll be painting the names of Council members on municipal vehicles and hanging names off of signs to our parks just like they do in Hudson County. We’ve got to stop this ego driven madness now.
Linda Ferraro courtesy of Facebook
NOVEMBER 20, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY GAIL KISLEVITZ
CORRESPONDENT |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Running can be described as the simple act of putting one foot in front of the other. But in a marathon, that simple act of moving forward for 26.2 miles takes on a whole new meaning, one with lots of perseverance and discipline. Among the finishers at the New York City Marathon on Nov. 1 were two Ridgewood women, Linda Ferraro and Dominique Hamel, who will never forget their day.
The New York City Marathon is the largest marathon in the world, with 50,000 registered runners. It starts at the foot of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in Staten Island and winds its way through all five boroughs of New York. Standing at the foot of that span on Marathon Sunday was Ferraro, running her first marathon at age 60, gripped with the usual fear and anxiety that every marathoner feels. Hamel was also nervous but for a different reason. A veteran of more than 50 marathons, all run under four hours, she was volunteering as an Achilles guide for a 73-year-old male cancer survivor who was predicting it would take nine hours to complete the course. She had never run that slowly or with a disabled runner as sick as he was. This was her third consecutive year as an Achilles guide and it would be her most challenging and rewarding.
Ferraro decided to tackle the marathon as a way of celebrating turning 60, and as a lifetime runner wanting to know what the experience was all about. “I have to admit it was on my bucket list, but way down, close to the bottom of the barrel,” laughs Ferraro, who had run a few half marathons. At the time she signed up for the marathon, Ferraro had nothing on the horizon and knew she could dedicate five months to the training. But then her two daughters got engaged and planned weddings three months apart, scheduled for June and September in 2015. Ferraro not only had to train for a marathon, she had to plan back-to-back weddings.
https://www.northjersey.com/community-news/friends-have-unique-experiences-1.1459289
Information before referendum vote was confusing
NOVEMBER 20, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2015, 12:31 AM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Details on garage were ‘confusing’
To the Editor:
When the village manager and council asked residents to vote on a non-binding resolution to build a parking garage, it did not tell voters what they voted on had little bearing on reality. We were told to look at the village website for a description of the garage, financial plans, the Walker study, etc. for facts before voting. The words “draft” was on the rendering and “preliminary” on the financials, so voters really didn’t know what they were voting on, yet the ballot was specific. On the basis of the wording on the ballot, residents by a 2-1 margin voted yes. The town was very careful to use the words “non-binding,” but I doubt many understood the ramifications, that nothing on the website, in the plans, in the financials was definite. Yet we were told just the opposite.
All the money spent on the plans and financials was only for an “idea” of what was planned. All the details, the explanations, the reasoning taxpayers would not be responsible because of the very detailed financial plan, were not accurate.
Residents were told time and again to look at the website for details before they voted. There was nothing “non-binding” about that. The picture on the “Vote Yes” signs for the garage was a partial rendering of the presentation to the public. Yet in a statement made on Facebook, both the manager and a council member said the vote was just to give an “idea” and in fact there was no decision about size, cost, etc. I don’t think voters knew when they voted. If there was no decision, why spend time, money and signs for this. The goal was to gauge public opinion, but the time, the signs, the letters urging the vote, was time better spent working with neighborhoods on more urgent matters.
It appears we have a council more dedicated to public relations than to good government. This is discouraging to say the least.
Mayor Aronsohn, in his recent Ridgewood News column, excoriated the author(s) of a flyer for what he characterized as inaccurate information. On the other hand, he sent a robo-call to residents urging them to vote yes, stating he was doing this at his own expense as a private citizen. So it was all right for him to do this, albeit he wasn’t anonymous (to his credit) with inaccurate information, but it was not all right for an anonymous flyer to be sent with accurate information? “Non-binding” usually refers to the number of votes pro and con, not on votes based on inaccurate information entirely. The council has turned this on end.
This is a further example of confusing information, vague ideas stated as facts, backpedaling, decisions made without public input. This is not transparency or good government. We deserve better.
Wouldn’t it be nice if all the unsatisfied neighborhoods got together to figure out a way to make our council and manager more transparent?
Ellie Gruber
Ridgewood
file photo by Boyd Loving
Ridgewood Residents Voice Concerns over administrative increases in the expenditures at Village Hall
November 20,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, residents continue to voice concern over administrative staff increases at Village hall, specifically the hiring of a full time HR manager. As many remember rightfully or wrongfully that one of the reasons, Gwenn and Albert were elected was because many were unhappy with the compensation package offered to Ken Gabbert, our former Village Manager.
But now with the addition of a full time HR manager we are spending much more money surprise ,surprise. In addition the 95K we are paying, there is also the cost of benefits. Councilman Sedon asked this question in a public meeting. He questioned whether the salary of the Village Manager would be reduced accordingly to compensate for the addition of a new position that encompases what was, previously, part of the Village Manager’s job. The response to Councilman Sedon was pretty much a reprimand for having asked this in the first place.
Its being going to look more and more like the whole “Gabbert” hulabaloo was a well staged coup to replace their guy with your guy .
NOVEMBER 20, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
The village’s current financial situation and the results of an independent audit were presented to the council earlier this month as part of the series of quarterly financial updates.
The report focused on areas of the budget in which the village may fall short of expected revenue as well as comments and recommendations made by auditors for the village’s annual financial report for the year ending Dec. 31, 2014.
Village Chief Financial Officer Bob Rooney said revenue for the general fund appears to be on target, although there were a couple of areas that may present budgetary issues.
One area to keep an eye on is in the Building Department, where Rooney said new construction fell short of expectations, possibly resulting in a shortfall. The village also may come up short in administrative charges for outside police services. With a low headcount in the police department, the village is not able to provide the services it normally would, Rooney said.
Rooney also provided three budgetary expenses that need continued monitoring – attorney fees, police overtime and the maintenance of fleet in the central garage.
Mayor Paul Aronsohn asked why expenses for the central garage required additional observance. Rooney responded the village has had to send its equipment out for repairs due to limited staff, and there is a higher cost of maintaining because the equipment is older.
November 20,2015
Photos taken at 12 noon on Thursday, 11/19, 16 days post election day.
Ridgewood NJ, As per Village Code 199-122H6.: Election signs. Temporary signs for elective office shall be permitted in nonresidential zones. Such signs shall be removed no later than 10 days after the date of the election to which they pertain. In the case of a primary election, the signs of all candidates who fail to remain as candidates in the ensuing general election shall be removed no later than 10 days after the date of the primary election. Such signs may be freestanding or attached to a building wall.
Any summonses issued here?
Ridgewood NJ, YWCA Bergen County now offers holiday babysitting for children ages 3 to 12 years at YWCA Bergen County, 112 Oak Street, Ridgewood, NJ. Holiday Babysitting is now available with dates offered through Wednesday, December 23, 2015.
Let the YWCA Bergen County’s experienced child care staff be Santa’s Helpers during the busy season! Santa’s Helpers are here to watch your children while you get those last minute shopping, wrapping, baking, cooking and appointments done in time for the holidays. It is one less thing to stress about during the holiday season! Your children will be safe and engaged at a place they know and love. YWCA’s reliable and caring staff will help put a little sanity back into your holiday season.
For ages 3 to 5 years: Holiday Babysitting is offered from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Each date of Holiday Babysitting is $30 for YWCA 360 Members ($20 for each additional sibling), $40 for YWCA Program/Swim Members ($30 for each additional sibling) and $50 for Non-Members ($40 for each additional sibling). No babysitting will be held on Friday, November 27th.
For ages 5 to 12 years: Holidays Babysitting is offered from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on Saturdays. Each date of Holiday Babysitting is $50 for YWCA 360 Members ($40 for each additional sibling), $60 for YWCA Program/Swim Members ($50 for each additional sibling) and $70 for Non-Members ($60 for each additional sibling).
Children must be registered 48 hours prior to attendance. Registration forms are available athttps://www.ywcabergencounty.org/PLymu. For more details or to register, contact Mary at 201-444-5600 ext. 352 or [email protected].
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Poloice report that on Monday, November 10, 2015 a juvenile walking on Godwin Avenue near the Whole Foods market reported that a vehicle traveling West on Godwin Avenue on the opposite side of the street described as a turquoise blue SUV (sport utility vehicle) or Crossover slowed as it passed him. The juvenile was not positive that the operator was speaking to him when he shouted “Get in the car, get in the car” from across the street. There was no attempted physical contact by the alleged actor.
NOVEMBER 18, 2015 LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2015, 10:55 AM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
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(This article is the first of an ongoing series examining the Schedler property and the issues surrounding it.)
If you were to take a drive up West Saddle River Road, you would see a typical quiet suburban neighborhood with homes and manicured lawns spread out on small winding streets.
However, you would also see green signs asking people to help save their neighborhood as plans loom on the distant horizon for possible development of the area near the Zabriskie-Schedler house.
The house sits on 7 acres of woodlands between West Saddle River Road and the northbound side of Route 17. Last Sunday afternoon, it was also the site of a rally attended by dozens of neighborhood residents who fear their quiet environment, property values, health and quality of life would be harmed by development.
“Our concern is our houses, our quality of life and the impact on us,” said Paul D’Arpa, a Racetrack Road resident who organized the event. “We don’t want to stop the kids from being kids and playing. But is this the right environment for everyone?”
On a recent cloudy, drizzly Tuesday afternoon, D’Arpa stood on the sidewalk on West Saddle Road. He made his way further into the woods, moving towards Route 17. A soft-spoken man, the sound of trucks, buses and cars roaring by drowned out his voice.
“How is an umpire supposed to make calls here?” he asked, referring to a proposal to build a 90-foot baseball diamond after clearing some of the trees away. D’Arpa was standing at the approximate spot for home plate.
At the moment, the concept for the baseball field is just that – a proposal presented in October during a Village Council meeting, although the issue dates back several years. The council has not taken any action in regards to the field except for a resolution endorsing a report by the Open Space Committee that recommended a 90-foot baseball diamond with multi-purpose overlay field be constructed on the Schedler property.
But building a field and possibly clearing several acres of trees could result in unacceptable noise coming from the highway along with added pollution of the heavy traffic that passes through the area. The proposal detailed in October has a six-and-a-half foot high, 17-foot wide berm with deciduous trees along the highway and another line of trees along West Saddle River Road.
However, local residents who have come forward since the latest proposal was unveiled have said this may not be enough to satisfactorily reduce the potential negative side-effects of building a park and field.
https://www.northjersey.com/community-news/concern-over-ridgewood-park-location-continues-1.1457787
Picture from Left to Right: Bruce Calari – Lead Guitar and vocals, Mike Casey – Drums, Eugene Thomas – Lead Vocals, John Florance – Bass and vocals. Special guest on Saxaphone.
Eugene Thomas and No Big Deal
“No Big Deal” will perform at The Office, 32 Chestnut Street in Ridgewood NJ,December 4 at 9pm.
It’s been a long time since Ridgewood’s own Eugene Thomas has put on an R&B show.
Ridgewood NJ, Eugene Thomas was the Lead Singer of the “Megatones” in the 1960s, and later the group “Epitome of Sound”, who’s 1968 hit song “You Don’t Love Me” was recently featured in the movie “Northern Soul”, and is #4 in the book “Northern Soul Top 500 hits”. “No Big Deal” was formed by Mike Casey and John Florance who both grew up in Ridgewood and Bruce Calari of Oakland, show casing Eugene singing R&B and Motown hits.
November 18,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra with Diane Wittry.
*** SUBSCRIPTIONS AND CONCERT TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE ***
“GREAT MUSIC….CLOSE TO HOME!”
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra opens its 76th season with a concert featuring organist Greg Zelek in performances of “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor” by J.S.Bach and Symphony No. 3 in C Minor – “Organ” by Camille Saint Saens.
The concert will take place on November 20 and will also include
“Finlandia” by Jean Sibelius and “The Moldau” by Bedrich Smetana.
The concert will begin at 8:00 PM, and will take place at West Side Presbyterian Church at 6 Monroe Street in Ridgewood. Subscriptions for the entire three-concert season are available for $65 ($55 for seniors, $30 for students). Advance purchase concert tickets are $25 ($20 for seniors, $10 for students).
The Ridgewood Symphony is led by Diane Wittry, who is in her second season as RSO Artistic Director and Conductor.
For more information on programs, subscriptions, or advance ticket sales, call (201) 612-0118, or visit the RSO website at www.ridgewoodsymphony.org
