Posted on 6 Comments

Ridgewood formally adopts $47 million budget with $7.1 million in unfunded liabilities

village-hall-theridgewoodblog

MAY 28, 2015    LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2015, 3:53 PM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

The local budget season came to an end in Ridgewood with the formal adoption of a $47 million spending plan on Wednesday night.

The budget, which was passed by a 3-2 vote, is primarily funded by a $33 million tax levy – $31 million for municipal purposes and another $2 million for the public library. The municipal portion of a Ridgewood resident’s tax bill will by increase 1.2 percent, or $46.12 on a home assessed at the village average of $690,062.

The municipal budget has significant investments in services and people, said Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld, including revitalization of the Building Department, establishment of Human Resources, growth in technology, reaccreditation of the Ridgewood Police Department and enhanced support for the community center. Improvements in parking include the hiring of a chief financial officer who doubles as the parking utility director and implementation of ParkMobile and other strategies to minimize the handling of quarters, the village manager said.

The budget also comes with some risk as the village currently has $7.1 million in unfunded liability payments and utilized one-time revenues in 2015, such as the $800,000 reimbursement received from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). There are also some expenses, such as legal fees for the Planning Board and police contract negotiations as well as maintenance of the village’s aging infrastructure, which could exceed the amount set aside in their respective lines.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/spending-plan-gets-green-light-1.1344552

Posted on 4 Comments

Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce Postpones Taste of Ridgewood and dedicates Annual Car Show to the Memory of those who died on 9/11

Rgwd _carshow09_therisdgewoodblog

May 28,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce has announced that Taste of Ridgewood has been postponed  this year and that the Chamber is planning  a big event for 2016 . Updates will be forth coming .

The Chamber also announced that this years Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce Annual Car Show is dedicated to the Memory of those who died on 9/11. Pre-Registration fee by August 14th is $17.00 and August 15th-September 4th Registration fee is $20.00 .

A special “Memorial Award” will be given out
by Duxiana of Ridgewood.

Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce
Annual Car Show

Mark you calendars –
this is the best EVENING car show in the Fall!

Friday, September 4, 2015
Memorial Park
at Van Neste Square and
along E. Ridgewood Ave.
6:00-9:00pm
A special tribute will made!

Pre-Registration fee by August 14th is $17.00
August 15th-September 4th Registration fee is $20.00

The Car Show will be held around Memorial Park at Van Nester Square
and along E. Ridgewood Avenue.
Non Pre-Registered cars will begin registration at 5:00pm.  Parking will be on a first come, first served basis.  Registration fees are not refundable.

Music will keep the evening lively and there will be trophies for many categories.

1. The Ridgewood Police Department wishes to remind all participants there is no consumption of alcohol allowed at this event.  Summons will be issued to violators.
2.  Due to pedestrain safety, cars will not be allowed to leave the event until the
Police Depart. opens up the road.

Please print out the below form or go to our website and download our registration form,
and make your reservation early.
We will fax or email your Window Registration Certificate.
Make checks payable and send to:
Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce
27 Chestnut Street
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
[email protected]
www.experienceridgewood.com
MC, Visa, AmExp accepted.

2015 CAR SHOW REGISTRATION
Print/Download your registration form (also available at www.experienceridgewood.com) and fax/mail/e-mail
your info.
Name: ________________________________________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________________________
City: ______________________________________ State: ______________ Zip code: _______________
Phone: ________________*Fax: _______________________*E-mail:_____________________________
Register by: ____Check** Credit Card: ____Visa ____Master Card ____Am. Express
Credit Card#:____________________________________________Exp Date:_______________________
Name on Card:___________________________________Signature:______________________________
Year: _________Car Make: _____________________________Model: ____________________________
Car Club Name: ____________________________________________________________________

*We will fax or e-mail your Window Registration Certificate

**Make checks payable and send to: Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce, 27 Chestnut Street,

Ridgewood, NJ 07450, fax 201-251-1958, [email protected]

Posted on Leave a comment

The Yeomen of the Guard operetta at Ridgewood United Methodist Church

yeomen_guard_theridgewoodblog

The Yeomen of the Guard operetta at Ridgewood United Methodist Church

May 28,2015
Ridgewood NJ, The Yeomen of the Guard operetta will be presented by The Ridgewood Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company at the Ridgewood United Methodist Church in Quimby Hall (100 Dayton St., Ridgewood NJ) on Friday 5/29 at 7:30 pm; Sunday 5/31 at 2:00pm; and Saturday 6/6 at 7:30pm.

The Yeomen of The Guard is a comic operetta by Gilbert & Sullivan known for its rich score and beautiful trios and quartets. It centers around Colonel Fairfax, who is unjustly awaiting to be executed for sorcery due to an evil cousin who wants him to die unmarried so that he may inherit his estate. Conveniently Jack Point and Elsie Maynard, a pair of strolling players, agree to let Elsie marry Fairfax for a price on the condition that she will shortly be widowed. What none of them know is that Sergeant Meryll of the Yeomen and his family are secretly plotting to help Fairfax escape by disguising him as another Yeomen, which leads to terror and chaos, new love interests, and some very awkward situations. How will all of this be resolved? Come find out!

To order tickets go to ridgewoodgands.ticketleap.com or call 973-423-0300.  Our ticket site and other information is also accessible by going to our homepage www.ridgewoodgilbertandsullivan.com.

Posted on 7 Comments

One last sunset: Ridgewood man dying of cancer to spend last days in Hawaii

ed_schwarts_theridgewoodblog

By Kathryn Brenzel | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Ed Schwartz drinking from a coconut he picked off a tree during a previous trip to Maui. (Photos courtesy of Julie Tung)

RIDGEWOOD—With only a few weeks to live, a Ridgewood man is on his way to fulfill his dying wish: to see the sunset in Hawaii.

“I think it’s one of the most beautiful places on the planet,” said Ed Schwartz, whose battle with blood cancer can no longer be waged medically. “Doctors are telling me I only have a few weeks. I’d much rather spend the time there, in paradise.”

Schwartz, known locally as “Eco Ed” for his work as an environmentalist, began his journey to Maui on Wednesday, along with his wife, Julie Tung, and his son, Kyle. They took off this morning from Teterboro in an air ambulance, heading to Oakland, Calif., in order to take a charter plane for the rest of the way. Friends and community members have raised more than $35,000 on a GoFundMe page to help make the trip possible.

After undergoing chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant and various trials, Schwartz has run out of treatment options and doesn’t have much time left, Tung told NJ Advance Media by phone, when they stopped to refuel the medical transport in Omaha, Neb. They don’t have a set plan for their visit, except to relax and enjoy the scenery, she said.

“We don’t have a game plan. We don’t know how long we’ll have,” she said. “If he could just see one last sunset, it will be worth it.”

Schwartz was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a rare form of blood cancer, in late 2013. Before he started chemotherapy, he asked his doctor if he could first take a trip to Hawaii, Tung said. The answer was “yes, but you’ll die.” So, they held off on the trip, but now, knowing that the cancer is incurable, “it’s time to go,” she said.

 

https://www.nj.com/bergen/index.ssf/2015/05/one_last_sunset_ridgewood_man_dying_of_cancer_to_s.html#incart_river

Posted on 2 Comments

Ridgewood’s new finance officer settling in to dual roles

village-hall-theridgewoodblog

MAY 27, 2015    LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2015, 8:56 AM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

The village has brought in a new chief financial officer and its first-ever parking utility director with the hiring of Robert G. Rooney, who began his tenure earlier this month.

Rooney’s first day was May 4, and he “hit the ground running,” said Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld when she announced his hire. Sonenfeld had been temporarily serving as the village’s CFO and parking utility director, in addition to her other duties.

Rooney was ceremonially sworn in at the council’s May 13 meeting.

The new CFO has his roots in Bergen County, growing up in Fairview, Cliffside Park and Rutherford as well as attending Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck. He has spent his entire career in public accounting, most recently working for Manhattan-based McGladrey in its public sector practice.

Rooney said his memories of Ridgewood come from having played basketball for Cliffside Park High School. He said he remembered how beautiful the high school was and the friendliness of village residents.

“When I lived in Bergen County, Ridgewood was always the cream of the crop,” Rooney said. “People always talked very highly of the municipality.”

https://www.northjersey.com/news/cfo-to-serve-in-dual-roles-in-ridgewood-1.1343139

Posted on Leave a comment

PSE&G Offers Money-Saving Hot Weather Tips

light-bulb

Utility Prepared for Additional Power Demand

How to Report Outages and Stay Informed

May 26, 2015

Ridgewood NJ, With the hottest temperatures of the season forecasted to begin today, Public Service Electric & Gas (PSE&G), New Jersey’s largest utility, reminds customers that higher temperatures can also lead to more usage and higher electric bills. Customers can save energy and money this summer by following a few simple tips.

Keep your house warmer than normal when you are away, and lower the thermostat setting to 78° F only when you are at home and need cooling.
Install a programmable thermostat.
Use fans to circulate cool air.
Set refrigerators and freezers to the most efficient temperatures. Recommended temperatures are 35°-38° F for the fresh food compartment, and 0° F for freezers.
Run such appliances as clothes washers and dishwashers in the morning or late evening to avoid the peak demand hours of 2 to 8 p.m.
Seal holes and cracks around doors and windows. Eliminate air leaks around window air conditioners with foam insulation or weather-stripping.
Close blinds and draperies facing the sun to keep out the sun’s heat.
Turn off power sources. TVs, computers and other electronic devices draw power when they are in standby mode or turned off but still plugged in. Plug electronics into power strips and turn off the power switch when the items are not in use.
Use timers and motion detectors on indoor and outdoor lighting.
Replace old appliances with new energy efficient Energy Star® appliances.
Install whole-house fans to bring in cooler night-time air that can pre-cool a house and reduce energy use in the daytime.

Prepared for Additional Power Demand
PSE&G expects to have no problem delivering the additional power required during the hot-weather months, but utility crews will be ready to respond to service interruptions should they occur. PSE&G’s rigorous, year-round preparedness program for summer includes conducting employee training; developing emergency summer operating plans; performing summer peak reliability analysis; helicopter and climbing inspections of transmission circuits; infrared inspections for “hot-spots” on transmission lines; and system reinforcements and transmission line work.

How to Report an Outage and Stay Informed
If you should experience an outage, PSE&G offers its customers a number of ways to stay in touch and informed.  These tools can be found at www.pseg.com in the “Outage Center,” under “How you can stay connected.”

Sign up for My Account and bookmark the mobile-friendly homepage on your smart phone so it’s easy to report outages and check restoration progress.
To report power outages via text message, and receive outage updates by text and email, sign up for MyAlerts.
Updated every 15 minutes, PSE&G’s newly enhance and mobile friendly “Outage Map” displays the location and status of power outages in PSE&G’s service territory.
The utility’s Twitter and Facebook pages also keep the public informed about restoration progress. Sign up as a follower to monitor restoration process.

Posted on Leave a comment

ART OF MOTION IN RIDGEWOOD HOSTS ASHTANGA YOGA MASTER CLASS TO BENEFIT NEPAL

Yoga-May26

PHOTO by Allynn Gooen

ART OF MOTION IN RIDGEWOOD HOSTS ASHTANGA YOGA MASTER CLASS TO BENEFIT NEPAL
May 26,2015

RIDGEWOOD, NJ , On May 30th, 2015, a Master Class will be taught by Annie Hickman at Art of Motion in Ridgewood, NJ from 2:00-4:00 PM.  This Ashtanga Yoga Workshop will introduce an athletic style of classical Indian yoga as taught by the lake Srik Pattabhi Jois.

After dedicating herself to a daily practice of Ashtanga yoga for the past ten years, Annie Hickman, a certified yoga teacher, followed her dream this year to study in Mysore, India. Annie just returned from her 5-month yoga tour through Nepal and India, and she is eager to share the power of Ashtanga Yoga.

Annie will guide students through the Primary Series of Ashtanga – a challenging flow class with therapeutic yoga poses that strengthen and transform the body. This master class will encourage students to experience a higher level in their practice.

All $25.00 donations will benefit relief services in Nepal. All are welcome to practice and/or observe. For information and to reserve a spot, please contact Art of Motion.

Art of Motion is located at The Performing Arts Building, 17 Chestnut Street, 2nd Floor, Ridgewood, NJ.

Posted on 6 Comments

Planning Board retroactively approves Ridgewood church’s improvements

Paul_Aronsohn_theridgewood blog

file photo by Boyd Loving

MAY 26, 2015    LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015, 9:56 AM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

The Ridgewood Planning Board approved the site plan application of the World Mission Society Church of God on Godwin Avenue on May 19.

The plans were approved by an 8-1 vote, with Mayor Paul Aronsohn dissenting. Alternate board member Isabella Altano cast a vote in the absence of board member Kevin Reilly.

Over the course of several meetings, changes requested by the Planning Board and members of the public were included in the site plan, which now includes three 150-watt high pressure sodium lights to be installed on 18 foot poles in place of the current solar lights, car bumpers for parking spaces along the rear of the property and a buffer of trees to protect neighboring properties from excessive lighting.

Engineer Robert Costa said the new lights would be pointed downward, but if they are causing a nuisance to the church’s neighbors, the applicant would work with village professionals to install additional shielding.

The site plan calls for 75 parking spaces on the property, but at the request of the board, perpendicular spaces were scrapped in favor of angled spots. The applicants were concerned that a few more spaces would be lost – the original plan called for 98 – but since the drive aisle would no longer need to be 24 feet, those lost spots could be regained.

The church also agreed to remove planters at the southeastern portion of the building at the request of the Ridgewood Fire Department.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-approves-church-s-application-1.1342441

Posted on Leave a comment

Running: Ridgewood Run notes

Ridgewood_run_theridgewoodblog

MAY 26, 2015    LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015, 1:21 AM
THE RECORD

Bank on Brown

For the 40th consecutive year — the entire life of the event — Jacob Brown lent a supporting hand at the Ridgewood Run.

This time it was giving out water and juice to runners not far from the finish line Monday.

He was overseeing quite a few members of his Ridgewood High School girls track team that also were volunteering their services on the refreshment line for the thirsty competitors.

In past years, Brown has done any number of jobs at the race, including patrolling the grounds, picking up trash, using his ever-present camera for photography work — basically whatever assignment that needed to be handled, he did it enthusiastically.

The 69-year-old Brown, who is retiring after 44 seasons as the legendary coach of the Maroons’ track and field squad (and as a health education teacher) was there at the beginning in 1976 when race founder Fred d’Elia turned to him for advice.

“Basically it was all about the logistics of how to put something like this together starting from scratch; I was sort of like an aide-de-camp for Fred,” said Brown.

“He was able to get all the politicians and police and other departments to close the streets off, but he also needed a plan to actually formulate on how and where everything would take place.

“We were very surprised that first year because we thought that less than a hundred people would show up and we got eight or nine times that many entrants.”

https://www.northjersey.com/towns/running-ridgewood-run-notes-1.1342249

Posted on 2 Comments

Mike Fisher wins Fred d’Elia Ridgewood Run

mike_fisher_ridgewood_run_theridgewoodblog

photo by norm chester

MAY 26, 2015    LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015, 1:21 AM
BY ED MILLS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD — A year ago Mike Fisher was too sick to compete. This time it was a healthy Fisher who made the rest of the field look pale in comparison next to him.

Employing a sound strategy all the way through, Fisher, of Brookline, Mass., earned first place in the Men’s 10K at the 40th annual Fred d’Elia Ridgewood Run on Monday with a time of 32 minutes, 17 seconds, as he broke away from Fair Lawn’s Anthony Fatuzzo (32:57) down the stretch to build a solid margin at the end.

“I was supposed to run here last year for the first time but on the eve of the race I came down with food poisoning,” said the 31-year- old Fisher. “This time, I was at full strength and the weather [mid-60s and a small breeze at race time in the morning] was a major boost; the cloud cover overhead helped. And I used my experience in marathons [five, including Boston twice] to pave my way through some of the rolling hills and winding paths in the middle of the course.”

Also taking a clear route to a championship was Roberta Groner of Randolph, who was clocked in 35:53 in the Women’s 10K, with Leonia’s Elizabeth Eickelberg coming on strong in the final couple of miles to place second in 36:22.

“I was happy with my overall performance,” said Groner, who moved from Pittsburgh to Morris County less than a year ago. “It doesn’t get much better than this. I didn’t need to do much sprinting and I kept a pretty even keel throughout. There were some ridges with some slight slopes and then a few dips, but overall the course ran very smoothly.”

https://www.northjersey.com/towns/fisher-s-win-is-worth-the-wait-1.1342285

Posted on 10 Comments

Village of Ridgewood Stage 1 Watering Restrictions Begins June 1

sprinklers_vets_fielf_theridgewoodblog

May 26,2015
Ridgewood NJ, Stage I watering restrictions begin on June 1st. Odd-numbered addresses may irrigate only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Even numbered addresses may irrigate only on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Irrigation using a hand-held hose is allowed at any time. Details are available on the Ridgewood Water website, water.ridgewoodnj.net.

Compliance with the initial restrictions will reduce the likelihood that more severe controls will be needed.  Your cooperation is appreciated.

Stage I  (Moderate) – Mandatory restriction of irrigation to Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays for properties with odd-numbered addresses and Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays for properties with even-numbered addresses.  Irrigation using a hand-held hose shall be allowed at any time. No irrigation shall be allowed on Mondays except for the use of a hand held hose.

Stage II  (Severe) – Mandatory restriction of irrigation to Tuesdays and Saturdays for properties with odd-numbered addresses and Wednesdays and Sundays for properties with even-numbered addresses.  No irrigation shall be allowed on Mondays, Thursdays, or Fridays except for the use of a hand held hose. Irrigation using a hand held hose shall be allowed at any time.

Stage III  (Pending/Critical) – Mandatory restriction of irrigation to the use of a hand held hose on Tuesdays and Saturdays for properties with odd-numbered addresses and Wednesdays and Sundays for properties with even-numbered addresses.  No irrigation of any kind shall be allowed on Mondays, Thursdays, or Fridays.

Stage IV  (Critical) – Irrigation is prohibited at any time. Exceptions for irrigation using a hand held hose may be allowed under conditions prescribed by the Village Manager of the Village of Ridgewood.

Posted on 2 Comments

Ridgewood firefighter beats Guinness World Record time for running in full gear

Brendan_Corcoran_theridgewoodblog

MAY 25, 2015, 3:28 PM    LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, MAY 25, 2015, 3:35 PM
BY STEFANIE DAZIO
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD — Temperatures in the mid-70s couldn’t stop him. A recent bout of bronchitis surely didn’t. And forget about those 25 pounds of firefighting gear — including three and a half pounds of boot on each foot.

In the end, Ridgewood Fire Lt. Brendan Corcoran smashed the Guinness World Record he’d been chasing by more than a full minute on Monday. The previous record for the one-mile run wearing full fire gear was 7 minutes 58.02 seconds. Corcoran unofficially clocked in at 6 minutes 45 seconds on his brother Greg’s watch, a fellow firefighter who ran alongside him at the Fred d’Elia Memorial Day Ridgewood Run.

You might say Corcoran has been training for this run since age 7, when he ran his first 10-kilometer race in Ridgewood with his Uncle Greg. Since then, he’s competed in marathons, half-marathons, triathlons and Ironman Triathlons — including one half-marathon in March in full firefighter gear that’s soon to become the new world record with 1 hour 48 minutes 24 seconds.

Fast forward to 2001, when he was working as a personal trainer and living in Hoboken. Sept. 11 hit and he realized he wanted to step up for his community.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-firefighter-beats-guinness-world-record-time-for-running-in-full-gear-1.1342168

Posted on Leave a comment

Ridgewood Guild Presents 2015 Movies in the Park

ap_star_wars_cast_jef_130503_wmain

May 25,2015

Ridgewood NJ, Join us in Memorial Park at Van Neste Square for family fun and entertainment. We show films great for the whole family on a 25 foot screen and professional sound system. Bring snacks, a picnic blanket, and get ready for a great evening with your community.

2015 Movies in the Park Schedule

All movies are on Wednesdays. In case of rain movies will be shown the next day (Thursday). Follow-us on Facebook for the latest information.

June 10: Star Wars
June 24: Citizen Kane
July 8: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
July 22: Momma Mia!*
August 5: Murder on the Orient Express
August 19: Harry Potter and the Sorcer’s Stone*

*Join us for an event with food, music and more!

Posted on Leave a comment

Memorial Day Ceremony, Ridgewood

Memorial_Day_Ceremony2_theridgewoodblog

Photo credit:  Boyd A. Loving

Memorial Day Ceremony, Ridgewood
May 25,2015
Boyd A. Loving
12:41 PM

Ridgewood NJ, American Legion Post 53 conducted a Memorial Day service on Monday, May 25th 2015 . It took place at 11 am in Veterans Memorial Park in downtown Ridgewood.

Memorial Day Ceremony3 theridgewoodblog.net

Memorial Day Ceremony theridgewoodblog.net 1

Memorial Day Ceremony4 theridgewoodblog.net

Photo credit:  Boyd A. Loving

more photos https://www.facebook.com/theridgewoodblog

Posted on Leave a comment

Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration Salutes ‘American Innovation’ with 2015 Parade

Ridgewood_-4th_of-_July_theridgewoodblog

May 25,2015

Ridgewood NJ, Now in its 105th year, the celebration will commemorate the creativity, ingenuity and hard work of Americans past and present. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. and will be held Saturday, July 4, rain or shine.

“It’s good for the schools who are participating in the float competition to know what the parade theme is,” said Katie Burns of the parade’s theme announcing. “Also, maybe it’ll give us all something good to look forward to amidst this bleak weather!”

One of the largest Fourth of July events in the New York City area, the day-long celebration will include a flag raising ceremony, followed by the parade, evening entertainment at Veterans Field beginning at 6:30 p.m., and fireworks display at dusk. An estimated 30,000 people are expected to attend the festivities.

Pre-sale tickets for evening entertainment and fireworks (kids and adults) are $10 and can be found at various community offices, local businesses or purchased online. Tickets can also be purchased at the Veteran’s Field gates on July 4 for $15 for adults and $10 for kids ages 5-11. Children 5 and under are admitted for free. Pre-sale tickets will be available beginning June 1.

Ridgewood has won “best parade” and “best fireworks” in the Best of Bergen poll from 201 Magazine for 11 years running. All aspects of the annual event are funded by donations from businesses and individuals in the surrounding community. For a list of volunteer ticket sellers, more information on how to support the tradition or to purchase tickets online, visitwww.RidgewoodJuly4th.com. Follow the celebration on Facebook for the latest updates from the committee.

The Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration was born out of American ingenuity when, in 1910, local community groups joined forces to create a “safe and sane” July 4th holiday with an emphasis on community and patriotism. The event is organized and put on by the Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration Committee, Inc., an all-volunteer organization.