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The Hoboken Man, Hoboken’s #1 barbershop opened its second location in Ridgewood

The Ridgewood Man
December 9,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Hoboken Man, Hoboken’s #1 barbershop opened its second location in Ridgewood, NJ on December 2 in coordination with Ridgewood’s ”Downtown for the Holiday’s Tree Lighting Ceremony.” The Ridgewood Man mirrors the services and ambiance of its predecessor and aims to give its clients a classic barbershop experience with all the services of a high-end salon.
Located at 66 East Ridgewood Avenue, The Ridgewood Man is the premier place to go for any man who wants to look his best.
“We are excited to open our second location,” said co-owner and Ridgewood resident, Dan Hood. “So many of our Hoboken clients are moving to Ridgewood that opening a second location simply made sense. As in Hoboken, we saw that Ridgewood men wanted an upscale place to get their hair cut- not the typical, female-centric salons that populate the area. We’re filling that void.”
The shop itself has a modern, masculine feel with richly stained wood panel walls, chrome accents, and historical tin ceiling. Flat panel high-definition televisions hang in optimal viewing areas around the barbershop, as do a collection of vintage Playboy magazine covers.
The Ridgewood Man offers clients everything from classic straight razor shaves with hot lather and precision haircuts, to spa manicures and pedicures, to anti-aging and deep cleansing facials and massages. Clients can choose individual services, or purchase memberships for unlimited haircuts.
“Once men see the benefits of professionally maintaining their appearance, they’re hooked,” said Hood. “We’re here to give them a premium experience every time they visit us.”

The Ridgewood Man owners include Dan Hood, who led the effort to open the new location; Steven Holm, a finance professional; Emily Gonce, a lobbyist; Erik Connaughton, a consultant; and Jennifer Connaughton, a high-end children’s clothing designer and owner of Ferd Kids. Dan and his wife, Dr. Cristina Maniu, an OBGYN physician at Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, recently moved to Ridgewood from Hoboken, NJ.
“We understand and believe in our collective vision for both The Hoboken Man and The Ridgewood Man,” says Gonce. “The backbone of any business is highly skilled staff paired with intelligent, strategic, forward thinking management. We look forward to serving the Ridgewood community for years to come.”

For more information about the specific services available and membership options, please visit www.theridgewoodman.com

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Fresh Cut Christmas Trees at Wards Farm in Ridgewood

Wards Farm Christmas Trees

December 9,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, They’re here!!!! Please come for a visit to pick out your beautiful freshly cut Christmas tree. Our stock is vast and we anticipate a great season.

Ward’s Farm is a seasonal Farm offering a wonderful array of freshly cut Christmas trees which include Douglas, Nobel, Grand and Fraser Fir trees.

We also have a beautiful assortment of both large and small hand crafted wreaths, table-top trees, super sturdy tree stands, and white pine roping (garland).

We also offer pumpkins, mums and other fall foliage during October and November.

There is also a small petting zoo which is great fun for the whole family.

You are always welcome, so please feel free to stop by and say hello.

Please don’t forget…National Ugly Sweater Day is 12/16 but your ugly sweaters are welcome every day at Ward’s Farm!!!!

552 NJ-17, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Phone: (201) 523-0824

 

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Reader says The Pomander situation reminds us that All Streets Are Equal but Some Streets Are More Equal Than Others

free-parking

The Pomander situation reminds us that All Streets Are Equal but Some Streets Are More Equal Than Others. The Pomander no parking came about based on the CSAC (which did not see the need for no parking) but residents of the street wanted no parking and the previous council made it so without any study. Sherman residents have requested safety changes (with parking remaining intact) – but the Council is requiring an expensive tax payer funded study before even allowing our qualified village staff to make these changes. Pomander had changes with no study – no consideration for how it would affect surrioundings streets. Sherman, with very obvious safety concerns and closer proximity to GW, is being left to wait FOR MONTHS for any of the issues to be simply reviewed by the council.

Some streets in Ridgewood are much more equal than others. Let’s hope you and your children live on a street that is deemed worthy of being safe.

And don’t get me started on how poorly businesses on the west of the tracks are treated. God Forbid anyone not get parking to go to one of the CBD’s high price restaurants – you can get valet! If you want to eat at a restaurant on the other side of the tracks you are just out of luck. Only our fine Mayor cares about them. No solid parking solutions are ever discussed – not at the CBDAC, not at the council meetings, not by anyone except the Mayor. I feel for her having to deal with the short-sidedness of some of the council and committees.

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Reader says Yes, a sad day that another Elks lodge is gone but even sadder that this one could have been rescued

Ridgewood Elks

Truly sad. This Lodge while once in not the best of shape was making improvements by leaps and bounds. A new group of dedicated and excited officers took charge and were taking a no prisoners approach in their efforts to get the Lodge back on track. They had won awards for membership gains (I believe over 40 new net new members in a year), started an Antlers group that was very active in the community, had won several community awards for their local efforts. Looking at the decision from the GF, losses were cut by 81% in a single year (yes a single year) which by definition means revenue was significantly higher (by tens of thousands actually). All signs that the lodge was on the rise in a major way.

This Lodge could have been salvaged. When objectively looked at they were one, maybe two years at the most away from meeting all the requirements of an All American Lodge. That is how far they came in a very short amount of time. Can you imagine that story in the national magazine?

Just look at the effort they put into saving their charter to see how much love and dedication they felt for their Lodge. They never gave up on the Elks or what the Elks stood for. They worked hard to right all the past wrongs, they put their hearts and souls into the place and were making real and accountable progress.

Yes, a sad day that another Elks lodge is gone but even sadder that this one could have been rescued and then been held out as an example that when a team works TOGETHER anything is possible. I say this is an opportunity lost to showcase a potential success story of how to climb that mountain and reach the top.

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Time to Rid the Village of Ridgewood of the Bogus Financial Advisory Committee

Jeff Voigt Ridgewood Council

December 9,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, at Wednesday night’s Council meeting Mayor Knudsen suggested that the missions and bylaws of boards and committees need to be reviewed.  Some have cumbersome bylaws some have none, while others overstep beyond the original intent.  Some, most notably the Financial Advisory Committee, border on performing management functions.

While the volunteer efforts of committee and board members is greatly appreciated and was duly acknowledged, the fact remains that these hard-working individuals need guidelines under which to function.

Interesting this obvious point resulted in an angry, nasty, vituperative outburst from Councilman Voigt, who made wild accusations about Mayor Knudsen. Were we back in the days of the 3 amigos and their consorts? One could close one’s eyes and think, for a horrifying moment, that the angry quartet of Aronsohn-Pucciarelli-Hauck-Sonenfeld had returned to the dais.
Desperately defending the worthless Financial Advisory Committee, just going on and on about it.  The committee that adds nothing to the Village ,has no minutes and no defined responsibilities .The FAC was set up and used by the Aronsohn and Co. to oust former Mayor Kieth Killion and discredit Village Manager Ken Gabbert.
Paraphrasing Shakespeare…….methinks thou dost protest too much.  Who is pulling your strings to protect the FAC with such venom??? (and the Jeopardy answer to that question is……).
The other four elected officials (you know, the four that are level headed and do not have people behind the scenes telling them what to do) agreed that Mayor Knudsen’s suggestion is valid and that the review of committee and board bylaws will be worthwhile…..all while Councilman Voigt continued to spew his objections.  A template for committee bylaws will be developed, thus providing  a framework for each group.
Well that is just not good enough, New council members were well warned about ceding power to nameless special interest run committees. It was a huge mistake not disbanding this “fake” finance committee right from the get go. FAC which only exists to push and justify special interest politics on Village Taxpayers. There is nothing they have to offer about running the Village that could not be found in the comment section of the Ridgewood blog over the last 10 years . FAC is no less of a joke than that ridiculous”civility “committee set up to squash free speech and stifle dissent .
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Ridgewood’s Glenwood Road to become one way street east of Upper Boulevard

Ridgewood's Glenwood Road to become one way street east of Upper Boulevard

December 9,2016
by Boyd A. Loving

Ridgewood NJ, Acting Village Manager Heather Mailander has announced that the portion of Glenwood Road between Upper Boulevard and the Ho-Ho-Kus train station will be designated one-way eastbound (i.e., all motor vehicle traffic down hill only; no motor vehicle traffic will be permitted to travel from the Ho-Ho-Kus train station up hill) sometime within the coming year.

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This change is being mandated by the NJ Department of Transportation (NJDOT) because tractor trailers, buses, and other larger motor vehicles attempting to travel westbound on Glenwood Road from Ho-Ho-Kus are continuing to create hazardous conditions at the grade level railroad crossing just north of the Ho-Ho-Kus train station.

NJDOT gave the Village two (2) options; ban motor vehicle traffic completely between Upper Boulevard and the Ho-Ho-Kus train station, or keep the route open to eastbound traffic only.  Village officials chose the later option.

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The one-way change will be implemented shortly after the grade crossing itself is rehabilitated, which is scheduled to happen sometime in 2017.

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School boards across N.J. to coordinate legal action against FieldTurf

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By Christopher Baxter and Matthew Stanmyre | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on December 07, 2016 at 1:43 PM, updated December 07, 2016 at 2:08 PM

The state School Boards Association will coordinate legal action against the nation’s top maker of artificial sports fields, FieldTurf, in response to a report that the company for years sold high-end turf after knowing it was falling apart.

The executive director of the group, Lawrence Feinsod, said Wednesday the allegations should “anger anyone concerned about corporate responsibility” and that he supported calls for an investigation by the state attorney general.

“We are urging school boards to have their attorneys contact NJSBA’s general counsel, who will assist districts in identifying and coordinating legal action,” Feinsod said in a statement.

https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2016/12/nj_schools_to_coordinate_legal_action_against_fiel.html?utm_campaign=Observer_NJ_Politics&utm_content=New%20Campaign&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=New%20Jersey%20Politics#incart_river_index

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The Story of Santoni’s Pizzeria

Santoni’s Pizzeria

photo Vegan personal pizza with fresh portobello mushrooms, sautéed spinach and garlic, broccoli, green peppers, basil with avocado and hemp seeds!

Tuesday Special 2 Large Pizza’s for $15.95  and Wednesday Special ! Large Pizza choice of Wings, antipasto or mussels  $14.95 (After 3pm)

December 8,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Santoni’s Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant in Garfield was founded in 1988 by Ed Lewer and Joe Parillo. Both coming from a vast variety of restaurant experience they set out to create mouthwatering food using only freshest ingredients and the highest quality products. Santoni’s Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant was an instant hit and over the years has become a staple in the town of Garfield. Ed and Joe believed in not only providing a great product as a key to their success but staying involved in the community. For decades they have been highly involved in the community. Santoni’s has sponsorship many fundraising events, nonprofit organizations, and various town sports teams. This community involvement led the business to win Business of the Year in 1994.

Santoni’s Pizzeria has always been a family run and operated business. Joe and Ed’s sons worked in the pizzeria since they young kids and are continuing their father’s principles and philosophy.  In 2013, Santoni’s opened its second location in Ridgewood, NJ with the same idea and principles in mind. Since the grand opening Santoni’s has been an instant success in town and has won several awards for best pizza in Ridgewood voted in a blind tasting by the Ridgewood High School pizza club.

Much more than just another pizza joint, Santoni’s embodies what your favorite neighborhood pizzeria should be– A warm, welcoming place where you can have a delicious meal with your friends and family. We pride ourselves on making the only best quality food while using only the freshest ingredients. Santoni’s aims to be your favorite neighborhood pizzeria and restaurant.

Everyone should order pizza from Santonis Pizzeria and Restaurant at 88 Godwin Avenue. This guy has really gotten the shaft from the NIMBY’s in his neighborhood; his business has been unjustly and unfairly affected by the privatization of precious Pomander Walk. His food is delicious, and he is a really nice guy who is just trying to run his business.   Call 201-389-6810  Show him that the rest of Ridgewood is filled with nice people who appreciate good food and hard-working shop owners. https://www.santonispizza.com/menus/ridgewood-menu/

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Ridgewood Council Meeting : Pomander Walk war, Pizza,a Central Valet plan, the “Financial Advisory Committee”, Hauck Speaks for Seniors , parking and by-laws

Ridgewood Village Council

 

December 8,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ten points to ponder from the Village Council Work Session of December 7

  1. The Pomander Walk war continues, with people from all sides arguing loudly about why parking should or should not be permitted on this PUBLIC STREET. The Sherman Place residents are totally disgusted that all the cars are now on their street. The Pomander Walk people are as happy as can be with their private street.  For now Pomander remains no parking, but a study is commencing that will assess the entire neighborhood in terms of parking, safety, traffic flow, etc.
  1. Everyone should order pizza from Santonis Pizzeria and Restaurant at 88 Godwin Avenue. This guy has really gotten the shaft from the NIMBY’s in his neighborhood; his business has been unjustly and unfairly affected by the privatization of precious Pomander Walk. His food is delicious, and he is a really nice guy who is just trying to run his business.   Call 201-389-6810  Show him that the rest of Ridgewood is filled with nice people who appreciate good food and hard-working shop owners. https://www.santonispizza.com/menus/ridgewood-menu/
  1. FORMER (with emphasis on the former) Councilwoman Gwenn Hauck showed up to speak about seniors and to refresh everyone’s memories that she is the savior of all elderly residents. And she indicated that seniors cannot really manage using UBER, you know, because they are old and addled.
  1. A grant is being applied for to finally get the N. Walnut St. lot remediated.  Kudos to this council for getting this going.Wonder if a parking deck could go there?5. Councilman Voigt presented a detailed spreadsheet itemizing the restaurants, numbers of employees, numbers of seats in the restaurants, and more.  He entitled it Councilman Voigt’s Parking Analysis…..just to make sure that everyone knows that he did this.  Listening to him one might have the impression that several hundred cars are prowling the streets of Ridgewood on Saturday nights looking for a parking space, which we all know is far from reality.  The mayor indicated that more than a year ago a request was made of the Chamber of Commerce to provide the information presented in Councilman  Voigt’s document.  The Chamber would not, or at least did not, provide this information; what was with the Chamber’s lack of cooperation?  Paul Vaggianos???
  1. Deputy Mayor Sedon talked about smaller parking garage options for Hudson.   A long-ago, quickly discarded plan that actually fit on the Hudson Street lot was dug out of the archives, and is now being revisited.Father Ron of Mt. Carmel was contacted and his position reportedly remains the same (not too big, not too intrusive, not messing up the traffic flow, not removing street parking by the church).  Question:  if they are remediating North Walnut, why not put a garage there?
  1. Councilman Hache talked of all the parking improvements that are being made. The Central Valet plan is moving forward, which will enable people to leave their cars and go shopping, dining, whatever they wish. Drivers will not be restricted to just going to a certain restaurant, but will have the freedom to go anywhere in town.  There are plenty of spaces where the valet cars will be parked….including Cottage Place…..because, you know, there ARE plenty of parking spaces in Ridgewood if you are willing to walk a block or two.  Councilman Hache also indicated that signs now direct people to lots, a huge and simple improvement.  Enforcement is being stepped up to keep employees of the shops from parking on the streets.  Lower-priced parking will be available at the Cottage and Walnut lots, with blocks of spots designated just for employees.  The UBER-at-the-train plan is still underway, but it promises to be a congestion problem since no area has been assigned for all the anticipated cars.
  1. Mayor Knudsen suggested that the missions and bylaws of boards and committees be reviewed.  Some have cumbersome bylaws.  Some have none.  Some overstep beyond the original intent.  Some, most notably the Financial Advisory Committee, border on performing management functions.  While the volunteer efforts of committee and board members is greatly appreciated and was duly acknowledged, the fact remains that these hard-working individuals need guidelines under which to function. This resulted in an angry, nasty, vituperative outburst from Councilman Voigt, who made wild accusations about Mayor Knudsen.   One could close one’s eyes and think, for a horrifying moment, that the angry quartet of Aronsohn-Pucciarelli-Hauck-Sonenfeld had returned to the dais.  Really, Mr. Voigt, cool your jets.  You were obnoxious and completely inappropriate and you came off as a total jerk.  In particular, Mr. Voigt was desperately defending the Financial Advisory Committee, just going on and on about it.  Paraphrasing Shakespeare…….methinks thou dost protest too much.  Who is pulling your strings to protect the FAC with such venom??? (and the Jeopardy answer to that question is……).  The other four elected officials (you know, the four that are level headed and do not have people behind the scenes telling them what to do) agreed that Mayor Knudsen’s suggestion is valid and that the review of committee and board bylaws will be worthwhile…..all while Councilman Voigt continued to spew his objections.  A template for committee bylaws will be developed, thus providing a framework for each group.
  1. The Ridge School Traffic Study was presented.  Could the subject of sidewalks on Clinton Avenue be reading its head once again?
  1. No word from Mr. Halaby, guessing he was not there or surely he would have pontificated. Former candidate and current FAC member Evan Weitz was clearly visible on camera…..maybe he is planning to run again in 2018?
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Ridgewood Public Library to undergo $5 million renovation

Bike_Ridgewood_Public_Library_theridgewoodblog

December 8,2016
Boyd A. Loving

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Councilman Jeffery Voigt announced during Wednesday evening’s Village Council Work Session that the Ridgewood Public Library plans to undertake a massive $5 million renovation, and will close for at least one (1) full year to facilitate construction.

The planned renovations will focus on changing the facility to be more in line with the Library’s new focus as a “community center,” this according to Voigt.

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Ridgewood Elks No Longer

ridgewood elks

file photo by Boyd Loving

December 8,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, After years of on again off again probation culminating in the seizure of the property and a lengthy court battle, by Executive order the Charter of the Ridgewood Lodge has been revoked .

Basically , the Grand Elks found the Ridgewood lodge had violated too many lodge rules  such as meeting times and missing audit deadlines as well as it committed bad business practices leading to the lodges insolvency .

It’s a sad demise to a long time Ridgewood Institution . The Ridgewood blog will be keeping our ears open to see who wants the building and liquor license and follow the money.

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Ridgewood Goffle Road Pile Up Sends One Driver to Valley Hospital

Ridgewood Goffle Road Pile Up Sends One Driver to Valley Hospital

photos courtesy of Boyd Lovings Facebook Page

December 8,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Three (3) flatbed tow trucks were required to remove vehicles damaged in a Wednesday morning, 12/07, crash that occurred near 465 Goffle Road, Ridgewood. One (1) driver involved in the collision was transported by a Ridgewood EMS ambulance to The Valley Hospital; the victim’s injuries were reported to be non life threatening. Ridgewood FD personnel attended to a minor crash related fluid spill in addition to providing EMS support. Goffle Road was closed to through traffic in both directions between Rock Road and Ravine Avenue until the roadway was cleared of wreckage and debris. One (1) crash related summons was issued by Ridgewood PD.  provided traffic control assistance at the scene.

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Effort to stop surprise medical bills stalls as doctors fight back

valley_hospital_theridgewoodblog

By Susan K. Livio | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on December 05, 2016 at 5:35 PM

TRENTON — The seven-year effort to crack down on surprise out-of-network medical bills was delayed again Monday, the same day a group of doctors urged lawmakers to consider an alternative proposal they say won’t force them out of business.

Sen. Joseph Vitale (D-Middlesex), who sponsored the leading legislation that would cap the amount out-of-network doctors and hospitals are paid for emergency treatment, announced Monday he had pulled his bill from a the committee’s agenda for the day. Vitale said is working with the New Jersey Hospital Association to make changes to the bill (A1952) and wants that work to continue.

“I remain confident that efforts of working to build consensus will result in the strongest consumer protection out-of-network bill in the country,” Vitale said in a statement.

https://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/12/effort_to_stop_surprise_medical_bills_delayed_as_d.html?utm_campaign=Observer_NJ_Politics&utm_content=New%20Campaign&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=New%20Jersey%20Politics#incart_river_index

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Turn Holiday Gatherings Into A Family-History Research Project

Bolger Heritage Center, Ridgewood Public Library

December 7,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The holiday season represents the perfect opportunity for anyone who’s been thinking of taking a deep dive into their family history.

All those grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins gathering to feast on turkey or exchange gifts possess a treasure trove of genealogical information and family stories.

All you need to do is ask – and perhaps turn on a recording device – and soon you may be learning about great-great grandfather’s treacherous journey across the Atlantic or Uncle Phil’s courageous actions during World War II.

“Interviewing family members is one of the best places to start when you want to learn about or write about your family’s story,” says Ceil Lucas, a sociolinguist, amateur genealogist and author of How I Got Here: A Memoir.

“Older relatives especially may have wonderful tales from decades ago involving people you never heard about. If you’re lucky, you may even learn that they have stashed away somewhere letters, diaries or photographs that belonged to those long dead ancestors.”

But be warned, Lucas says. While people dream about learning they descended from royalty or happen to be distantly related to Benjamin Franklin, genealogical research is just as likely to turn up horse thieves, drifters and scandals of every sort.

“You’re going to find stuff you might not want to know,” Lucas says. “But who knows, those might be your most fascinating finds.”

Lucas began working on her family history three decades ago, about the same time she began making notes on what would become a memoir of her childhood in Guatemala City and Rome, Italy. This upbringing left her with a sense of “I’m not from here” – “here” being the U.S., where she was born.

But her genealogical research, which revealed her first ancestors coming to the U.S. from Scotland in 1654 and England in 1679, showed her just how “from here” she is. Lucas realized that the stories of her ancestors needed to be included in her memoir and the result was a genealogical memoir.

“The thing is, once the genealogical story is learned, it simply can’t be unlearned,” she says.

Interviewing relatives between sips of eggnog is just the beginning. Lucas has other suggestions for those who want to explore their family histories:

• Check census records. Every 10 years since 1790 the census has taken a snapshot of who’s living in the United States. Valuable information can be found in census records, and you might even discover relatives you never heard about.
• Sign up for a genealogy class. Many community colleges offer non-credit courses in genealogy that will help you understand how to research your family and interpret what you find.
• Consider DNA testing. People often think they know their ethnic lineage, but discover surprises when they have a DNA test.  Lucas’ DNA test revealed that she is descended not only from people who hailed from England and Scotland, but also the Iberian Peninsula.

In Ridgewood we have a unique option you can visit the Bolger Heritage Center, Ridgewood Public Library.
They offer genealogy help for moments like this. Stop by the Heritage Center during our genealogy consultation hours to get assistance with your research:
12/6 from 11-2pm
12/7 from 7-9pm
12/14 from 10-2pm
12/16 from 1-3pm
12/28 from 10-12pm
Questions? Contact Sarah Kiefer at 201-670-5600×135 or [email protected] — at Ridgewood Public Library.

“It also probably doesn’t hurt if you are a nerd about these things like me,” Lucas says. “I found an ancestor who was involved in the Oklahoma Land Rush, so I researched that and found newspaper articles about the land rush. I think it’s important to put your family story in the historical context, especially if you plan to write a memoir.”

About Ceil Lucas

Ceil Lucas, author of How I Got Here: A Memoir, is a sociolinguist. She holds a bachelor’s degree in French and Art History, a master’s degree in French and Italian, and a doctorate in Linguistics.  She spent 40 years as a university professor and researcher. She began teaching Italian in 1973 and continues to do so.  She is the editor and co-author of 22 books.

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RHS Bands Perform Annual Winter Concert on December 7

RHS Band Concert 12_10

file photo

December 7th 2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, On Wednesday, December 7, the Ridgewood High School Bands will perform their annual Winter Concert in the RHS Campus Center, beginning 8 p.m. This concert will feature the school’s three curricular bands – the Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and Wind Ensemble. Admission is free.

The Symphonic Band, under the direction of John Luckenbill and Jeffrey Haas, will perform Of Time and Change by James Swearingen, a well-established hymn with many joyful themes and expressive sections, and Sundance by Carl Strommen, which is a programmatic piece depicting a day on the prairie.

The RHS Concert Band, also led by Luckenbill and Haas, will present Carnegie Anthem by William Owens, Canticles by James Curnow, and Lords of Greenwich by Robert Sheldon. Carnegie Anthem pays tribute to the renowned Carnegie Hall and the bustling metropolis of New York City, while Canticles is a piece designed to uplift the spirit and enthusiasm of any listener. Lords of Greenwich, inspired by Gustav Holst, is written and performed in the style of a British folk song.

Finally, under the baton of Jeffrey Haas, the RHS Wind Ensemble will perform Beltway Jam by Jack Stamp, Robert W. Smith’s arrangement of Gustav Holst’s In the Bleak Midwinter, and The Hounds of Spring by Alfred Reed. Beltway Jam is a piece with an exciting melody and an overall engaging feel. In the Bleak Midwinter is based on a poem by the same name, and became a Christmas carol after many different musicians put the poem to music. One of the versions, written by Gustav Holst, was arranged by Robert Smith, and will be performed at this concert.  The last piece to be performed will be The Hounds of Spring, which Alfred Reed composed to convey the youthful delight of love and tenderness.

The Ridgewood High School Band Program is Bergen County’s largest, comprised of more than 230 students who participate in no fewer than 15 varied musical ensembles.  The curricular bands, marching band, jazz ensembles, chamber ensembles, winter color guard and twirlers have been acclaimed locally, regionally, and nationally for superior performance.  Individually, members of the Ridgewood High School Bands are chosen annually to perform in honor ensembles at the county, regional, and state levels.