Tag: 07450

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Ridgewood Guild 2016 Movies in the Park Schedule!

Vertigo

Come Join us this Summer for Movies in the Park!

Below is the schedule of what will be playing. Make sure to check our Facebook page or event page for updates, notifications of weather changes, etc. before coming out to the Park.

June 15 – To Kill a Mockingbird

June 29 – Vertigo

July 13 – Grease **We’ll also feature live 50’s music, a sock hop & more, so come to the park early and enjoy the party!

July 27 – Raiders of the Lost Ark

August 10 – Despicable Me

August 24 – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

All movies are shown on a big screen at Memorial Park in Van Neste Square! Movies begin at sundown (approximately 9pm in June and July and 8:30pm in August).

We look forward to seeing you there!

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Ridgewood Water Reader says Time to Cut Our Loses

Ridgewood_water_theridgewoodblog

So let me ask a question to all the Private Sector poster on this blog to include Roberta who say that Government should be run like the private sector. Here it goes. What happens in the private sector when you have a supplier or division that cannot meet the supply of the parent company because of inefficiency,incompetence, antiqued infrastructure,or not enough room for that division or supplier to expand? Does the parent company continue to throw money at that division or supplier knowing that it past, record shows that they cannot keep up with the demand. Or does the parent company cut their losses and sell that division or find a new supplier.

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The “little guy” is now able to counter the misinformation and party politics in Ridgewood

village-hall-theridgewoodblog

June 25,2016

by Derek Schnure

Ridgewood Nj, this was taken from “it takes a Ridgewood Village ” Facebook page :

I just wanted to comment on the past two elections here in Ridgewood. We have seen the power of social media drive the results of the VC and Referendum contests. In the past, the public would have been spoonfed much more information from those in power (i.e. through such cultivated media such as the Ridgewood News, VOR email blasts, regular politics as usual campaigning).

The “little guy” is now able to counter the misinformation and party politics, at least at the local level, through such forums as this FB group, the Ridgewood Blog, etc.

It is very interesting how much information came out on the Mayor’s plans that never would have been revealed but for these forums.

It’s pretty cool and empowering! Unfortunately, it’s not really working on a state or national level yet…

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Reader asks Who is the new Ridgewood watering czar?

water meter theridgewoodblog.net

Who is the new watering czar? I want to know where to call to report a neighbor’s system that’s watering at illegal times and has done so for years. It has to be anonymous. Is there such a thing?

Water Dept. wants us to approach the neighbor in person. Not gonna happen.

I have suggested a “tip line” before with no result. They’d get a million calls from frustrated neighbors. Last year the schools were watering at the wrong times, it was reported on the blog. They can be fined, too, although they’d pay with our money! But they could get reprimanded.

I’d guess that in 99% of cases, the owners have no idea that there are restrictions (despite the robo-calls, which they either don’t listen to or figure are meant for other people) or don’t think they apply to them…and in addition, have no idea how to reconfigure their sprinkler systems, and won’t pay their suppliers for a house call. People must be told, firmly, that they MUST learn how to reprogram their systems to comply with rules quickly, as they change. Last night’s call had me dashing out to the garage to remove one day–today–from the cycle.

I would give a pass to anyone who was on vacation, until they got home.

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Mentoring is Secret to a Satisfying & Impactful Career at YWCA June Women’s Empowerment Network

Ridgewood_YMCA_theridgewoodblog
June 25,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, YWCA Bergen County is holding its June Women’s Empowerment Network (WEN) event, “Mentoring: The Secret to a Satisfying & Impactful Career”, on Wednesday, June 29, 2016 from 8:30 to 10:00 am at 112 Oak Street, Ridgewood.

No matter what point you are in your career, do you know that having a mentor can help you flourish, achieve your goals AND experience new meaning in your work? Do you wish you had someone you could truly talk with, trust fully AND who would totally “get it” so that you could maximize your potential and realize your career goals? Learn the key lessons to enhancing your career success and satisfaction by selecting and working with the mentor that is BEST FOR YOU.

Elizabeth Resnick is the President and Founding Partner of Elizabeth Resnick, LLC. She lives her passion by significantly contributing to the success and satisfaction of her clients as
a senior executive advisor and career coach. Highly skilled and deeply intuitive, Elizabeth motivates, inspires and guides the leadership capability and effectiveness of individual executives and teams. Her key strength is identifying and solving human condition issues that inhibit executive and business success. She specializes in coaching business leaders in transition; those preparing for their next senior level position and those whose career path requires strategic analysis and redirection.

Get the personal and professional growth you seek with exclusive opportunities for WEN Membership. Annual WEN Memberships are available at $100 for Professionals and $75 for Military or Students (with valid ID). Memberships include one-year basic YWCA membership, members-only discount for all WEN Intensive workshops, and a tax deductible donation ($50/$25) toward vital YWCA programming. WENPlus Memberships are also available at $250 annually and include a one-year basic YWCA membership, exclusive early bird registration and members-only discount for all WEN Intensive workshops, one non-member guest pass for the monthly program series, and discounts for other YWCA programs for women. A $200 tax-deductible donation toward YWCA is also included. Per event rates for monthly WEN programs include $25 for non-members, $10 for WEN members, and no charge for WENPlus members.

To become a WEN member, please visithttps://www.ywcabergencounty.org/programs/empowerment/womens-empowerment-network/ or for more information, please contact Samantha at 201-345-1895 or[email protected]. To register for June WEN event, please visit https://ywca-jun-wen16.eventbrite.com.

YWCA Community Sponsors include Suez Water and Wilmington Trust. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available.

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Common Core Does Not Prepare Students for College, New Report Finds

RHS_BEST_theridgewoodblog

Mary Clare Reim / @Mary_Clare21 / June 14, 2016

A recently released report confirms what Common Core critics have suspected all along: Common Core State Standards do not adequately prepare students for college-level work.

The ACT report finds many concerning shortcomings in the Common Core State Standards, which have been adopted by most states. Notably, the report reveals:

“While secondary teachers may be focusing on source-based writing [essays written about source-based documents], as emphasized in the Common Core, college instructors appear to value the ability to generate sound ideas more than some key features of source-based writing.
“Some early elementary teachers are still teaching certain math topics omitted from the Common Core standards, perhaps based on the needs—real or perceived—of students entering their classrooms.
“In addition, many mathematics teachers in grades 4–7 report including certain topics relevant in STEM coursework in their curricula at grades earlier than they appear in the Common Core.”

Teachers who must adjust their curriculum to fit Common Core aligned state tests now find themselves in a bind. As the report finds, the Common Core math standards do not adequately provide a child with the skills needed to succeed in the classroom, forcing teachers to add on extra material to their limited instruction time.

Additionally, high school English teachers must now emphasize material that leaves students lacking in original thought and analytical skills, according to many college professors. For example, only 18 percent of college professors surveyed rated their students as prepared to distinguish between opinion, fact, and reasoned judgement—a skill determined to be important for college-level work.

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The “one-size-fits-all” national standards are underserving American children. It is nearly impossible, and does a great disservice to future generations, to demand uniformity and place restrictions on the classroom that assumes one “best practice.”

Each child’s unique abilities require variation in teaching styles and curriculums. Common Core limits a parent’s say in their child’s curriculum, making the possibility of an education suited to his needs a near impossibility. Unfortunately, this report indicates that in an attempt to create uniform standards for achievement, Common Core fails to create the building blocks necessary to prepare aspiring students for college-level work.

The Heritage Foundation’s Lindsey Burke and Jennifer Marshall predicted the unintended consequences of Common Core in 2010:

It is unclear that national standards would establish a target of excellence rather than standardization, a uniform tendency toward mediocrity and information that is more useful to bureaucrats who distribute funding than it is to parents who are seeking to direct their children’s education.

Education isn’t mentioned in the U.S. Constitution; it is quintessentially a state and local issue. Common Core forces uniformity on America’s ingenious system of federalism—which decentralizes power and allows different, but finely attuned policies to serve communities.

Yet initiatives like Common Core—and other efforts before it to establish national standards and tests—reinforce a misalignment of power and incentives, forcing states to respond to the demands of bureaucrats in Washington, D.C., instead of being responsive to the needs of families.

Correcting that misalignment will come by infusing education choice throughout K-12 education, by ensuring every child can access options like vouchers, tuition tax credit scholarships, and education savings accounts in order to be able to finance education options that fit their unique learning needs.

Instead of more centralization, which further removes parents from the decision-making process, states should fully exit Common Core and work to create choices for every family. Restoring parental control of education is essential to establishing truly high standards.

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Ridgewood Water violation enforcement only on Ridgewood

ridgewood water
June 24,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood blog asks , How many tickets were given out last year to Ridgewood residents last year for water irrigation violations ?

Just wondering if any other towns that Ridgewood water supplies were issued tickets for the same violations?

Our newly hired code violation enforcement person does not have jurisdiction in those towns to issue tickets . So in a nut shell the Village Manager Roberta hired and employee with taxpayer money to issue tickets only to Ridgewood residents .Other towns that are supplied by Ridgewood Water do not have a dedicate employee for that service.

Do you really think they were issued the same amount of violations?

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Teachers claim the Ridgewood Board of Education has refused to meet with the new state appointed Super Conciliator

REA, ridgewoood teachers

BOE has not made an offer.. on the contrary;
The Ridgewood Board of Education has refused to meet with the new state appointed Super Conciliator assigned to mediate the contract impasse.

The REA and BOE were recently assigned a state appointed Super Conciliator. This past Tuesday he offered three available dates of June 21, June 23, and June 27. The REA quickly informed the Super Conciliator and the BOE that they would make themselves available all three dates.

On Thursday, the BOE’s attorney sent an email to the Super Conciliator requesting dates after July 6 due an upcoming meeting of the SEHBP Commission where 2017 premium rate increases will be discussed. They also “heard” that the elimination of Direct 10 is an anticipated topic of discussion for the same meeting. They feel that both issues are key to resolving the current impasse.

#1. The commission doesn’t have the ability to eliminate a plan. That is done by the SEHBP design team which is not meeting until the Fall. Is it the Board’s intention to keep delaying negotiating until after the start of the new school year?

#2. Rates discussed will be recommendations and probably will not be adopted until another meeting later in the summer or closer to the Fall. Those are the rates which would be implemented on January 1, 2017.
REMINDER: The Fact Finder’s report had no change in healthcare plan and took into consideration the BOE’s projected premium increases which they budgeted at 10%. The Fact Finder’s report proved they could keep status quo health plan and settle this contract while balancing their budget under the 2% cap – without any additional increase in taxes. This upcoming meeting has no bearing on the Fact Finder’s recommendations which is the basis of the next round of mediation

#4. Delaying the process creates concern for finding availability of dates from the Super Conciliator that will work when trying to coordinate vacation and summer work schedules.

The BOE informed the public at their last meeting that they were willing to meet anytime with the REA to work towards settling this contract. Apparently that simply was not true. There is now an opportunity to meet with the new state appointed mediator as early as next week. Their refusal to meet is further indication of their lack of desire to settle a contract.

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Ridgewood Mom Thanks Village for Support During Sons Injury

Ridgewood LAX Association

They say it takes a village, right? The support that our village gave us and is still giving, during our sons injury has been amazing!

That Tuesday and the days that followed were one of the scariest times in our lives. The support , love and comfort that the Ridgewood village extended our way was heart warming and greatly appreciated. Whether you sent us an email, text, phone call, a meal, cards, gifts, words of love, sent prayers, gave us a hug, took the girls, and so much more, you will never know how much it all meant to us.

Jack is coming along but has months of recovery ahead, so continue to send those prayers his way. He too is amazed by the support we received and thanks you too! We are truly grateful to live in such a wonderful town and have the support of so many.

Thank you to everyone who came to our aid , it was truly appreciated and we thank you form the bottom of our hearts! xoxo Nancy and Tom , Thomas , Brett, Laurel, Kailey and of course JACK!

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Does Ridgewood Water own 2 small boats ?

Ridgewood Water , boats

June 23,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Just one day after an announcement of stage 2 water restrictions ,does the Village’s water utility own 2 small boats, or are some of the utility’s employees now being permitted to store their personal property on land owned by the utility? Roberta, are you on this?

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Doherty Comes on as Senate Sponsor of Christie School Funding Plan

Senator Mike Doherty

“When some districts continue to fail decade after decade, it’s clear that money is not the answer,” – Senator Mike Doherty, on his support for Gov. Chris Christie’s new school funding plan.

A longtime proponent of changing New Jersey’s school funding formula is coming on as the Senate sponsor of Governor Chris Christie’s plan to change the state’s apportionment of school aid. Senator Mike Doherty (R-23), who has pushed his own plan to change the amount of tax revenue given to certain districts rather than the amount of state aid, will serve as primary sponsor of the governor’s plan in the upper house. JT Aregood, PolitickerNJ Read more

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Ridgewood’s Twinney Pond gets Mosquito eating fish

Twinney Pond Park
June 22,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,  in a new weapon against the spread of the Zika virus a village pond has been stocked with mosquito-eating fish as part of a program to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses in Bergen County.

In a campaign called Bergen Bites Back, the Bergen County Mosquito Control stocked Twinney Pond with the mosquito eating fish ,the Gambusia fish .The fish feed on mosquito larvae.  Bergen County Mosquito Control is using the Gambusia fish, along with regular spraying of standing water, as part of a mosquito population control and an attempt prevent mosquito-borne illnesses, including the Zika virus.

More Information
For additional information on efforts underway in Bergen County, please call the hotline at 201-225-7000 or visit the Bergen Health website and click on “West Nile Virus”.

System
Bergen County Mosquito Control Program is based on a system of  “Integrated Pest Management” consisting of surveillance source reduction, water management, and biological and chemical control.

Mosquito Control in Bergen County is an ongoing, year round program.

Early Spring
In early spring, the surveillance and application program begins. Surveillance entails looking for larvae and applying materials to prevent hatching.

After Pre-Season
After the pre-season is completed, a regularly scheduled inspection and control program begins in the eleven districts covering the 70 municipalities.

Nearly 4000 specific breeding sites are routinely inspected and larvae is collected and identified.

Bacillus Thuringiensis
If mosquito larvae is found, Bacillus Thuringiensis (BTI) is applied. BTI is a selected larvicide which affects mosquito and black fly larvae and causes no harm to

Animals
Beneficial insects
Birds
Humans
Marine life
Pets
Vegetation
Wildlife

Warmer Months
During the warmer months, mosquito breeding habitats are stocked with Gambusia, a small fish with a hearty appetite for mosquito larvae. During this time a variety of traps are installed county-wide to monitor the adult mosquito population.

Adulticiding to control the adult population is only done when necessary, from a truck or hand held unit, not by helicopter, in response to adult mosquito surveillance and identification.

Biological Control Program
The NJ State Mosquito Control Commission funds a Biological Control Program which uses five species of mosquito-eating fish which are raised at the DEP’s Division of Fish, and Wildlife’s Charles O. Hayford Hatchery in Hackettstown.

These fish are distributed at no charge to county mosquito control agencies. Where practical, these fish control mosquito populations and reduce the need for pesticides.

Winter Months
During the winter months, hand labor and heavy equipment is used to clear and desilt ditches, streams and ponds to allow for free movement of water. Tide-gates and dikes are inspected and repaired to prevent flooding of low-lying areas and water in ditches and brooks are lowered to minimize mosquito breeding.

MOSQUITO PREVENTION TIPS
Bergen County Executive Kathleen A. Donovan Encourages Residents to Take Simple Precautions

It’s time to take important steps to protect yourself and your family against West Nile Virus (WNV) infection and mosquito annoyance in general.

WNV is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito, so it’s important to take steps to prevent getting mosquito bites and to clean or remove items on your property that can serve as mosquito breeding grounds.

Individuals can take a number of measures around the home to help eliminate mosquito-breeding areas, including:

• Dispose of cans, buckets, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar containers that hold water on your property.
• Properly dispose of discarded tires that can collect water. Stagnant water is where most mosquitoes breed.
• Drill drainage holes in the bottom of outdoor recycling containers.
• Clean clogged roof gutters every year, particularly if the leaves from surrounding trees tend to plug drains.
• Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use.
• Turn over wheelbarrows and don’t let water stagnate in birdbaths.
• Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools not in use and remove any water that may collect on pool covers.

For stagnant pools of water, homeowners can buy Bti products at lawn and garden, outdoor supply, home improvement and other stores. This naturally occurring bacteria kills mosquito larva, but is safe for people, pets, aquatic life and plants.

Additionally, these simple precautions can prevent mosquito bites, particularly for people who are most at risk:

• Make sure screens fit tightly over doors and windows to keep mosquitoes out of homes.

• Consider wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks when outdoors, particularly when mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk, or in areas known for having large numbers of mosquitoes.

• When possible, reduce outdoor exposure at dawn and dusk during peak mosquito periods, usually April through October.

• Use insect repellants according to the manufacturer’s instructions. An effective repellant will contain DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Consult with a pediatrician or family physician if you have questions about the use of repellent on children, as repellant is not recommended for children under the age of two months.

WNV is an arboviral disease which people can acquire through the bite of a mosquito that has fed on an infected bird. WNV is not directly transmitted from birds to humans. About one in 150 persons, or less than 1 percent of those infected with West Nile virus will develop a more severe form of the disease. Symptoms of more serious illness include severe headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness and paralysis.

The elderly are at higher risk of more severe disease. Bergen County’s WNV surveillance, control, and prevention activities involve the coordinated efforts of a number of federal, state and local agencies. These include DHSS, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the State Mosquito Control Commission, the Rutgers Center for Vector Biology, local and Bergen County Health Departments, and of course our Bergen County Department of Public Works Division of Mosquito Control.

For more information about mosquito control in Bergen County,
call the Health Hotline: 201-225-7000 or visit the website:https://www.co.bergen.nj.us/index.aspx?nid=325

To contact the Bergen County Division of Mosquito Control about a mosquito problem, call 201-634-2880.

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Ridgewood Shakespeare in the Park

Porch Light Productions Shakespeare in the Park,
Sun, July 17, 2016
Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Location: Memorial Park at Van Neste Square, E. Ridgewood Ave.-Walnut-Van Neste

The is FREE to the public.

Shakespeare in the Park July 17th
(weather permitting)

Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce and Porch Light Productions proudly presents a
“Midsummer Night’s Dream,”
William Shakespeare’s most popular comedy!

It portrays the adventures of four young lovers and a group of amateur actors, their interactions with woodland fairies and a duke and duchess. Taking place in a mythical Athens and an enchanted forest, there is a handsome fairy king, a misguided parent, star-crossed lovers, a weaver who’s transformed into a half-donkey, wood sprites and elves. This work is widely performed around the world, and no wonder – it’s about the world’s most popular pastime, falling in love. But as Puck knows, falling in love can make fools of us all.

Bring your umbrella-hat for shade, blankets-chairs to sit on, cold drinks to stay cool and your listening ear for some of Shakespeare’s best words.

for more details and weather reports
201-445-2600 or email –
[email protected] for updates.

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Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce Farmers Market

RidgewoodFarmersMarket_theridgewoodblog

Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce Farmers Market
Sun, June 26, 2016 – Sun, October 30, 2016
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Train Station Parking Lot, Godwin Ave & W Ridgewood Ave

Sundays
June 26, 2016 – October 30, 2016
9:00am – 3:00pm

Enjoy New Jeresy’s Own
“Jersey Corn, Tomatoes, Blueberries and Strawberries”

Ridgewood Train Station
Parking Lot West Side

or call 201-445-2600

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Readers say Support our students, support Ridgewood taxpayers, and support the BOE

Ridgewood EA teachers protest

I agree with the above. System has to be changed. No more using the last few years of highest earnings to determine pension payout – should be average of working years. No more pensions for part timers. If taxes are raised any more, anyone who is able to move will even if they wanted to stay. No more platinum health care unless the workers pay more for it if they choose. Don’t get me started on teachers … most believe they are a special class of worker and have the hardest jobs in the world. No, not an easy job but I am not seeing the dedication in the profession that I remember seeing in teachers I had as a child. I stand with our BOE and draw the line for providing benefits better than the private sector offers.

Just got an update from my financial advisor saying my wife and I need to save $366,000 for health care insurance in retirement because Medicare will only cover 51% of total costs after 65. Long-term care costs can run up to $1,680 A WEEK. And 45% of retirees are expected to pay more than 20% of their income on health care by 2040. Yet teachers, cops and firefighters just expect taxpayers to subsidize their “platinum” health benefits year after year, including those who take “special” early retirements as early as their 40s. It’s sickening, and we can’t afford to be paying for better health plan benefits for public sector workers than we get ourselves. Christie and the Ridgewoid BOE are fighting for taxpayers – we must support them against the lies and misinformation being spread by the REA and the full-time Union lawyers and lobbyists behind them from the NJEA. Support our students, support Ridgewood taxpayers, and support the BOE