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VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD IS SEEKING RESIDENTS TO VOLUNTEER TO SERVE ON VARIOUS BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

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OPPORTUNITIES TO VOLUNTEER TO SERVE ON VILLAGE BOARDS – DEADLINE NOVEMBER 30

VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD IS SEEKING RESIDENTS TO VOLUNTEER TO SERVE ON VARIOUS BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS NOVEMBER 30, 2016

The Village Council of the Village of Ridgewood is looking for Ridgewood residents who are interested in volunteering to serve on the following Boards and Committees: Community Relations Advisory Board; Library Board of Trustees; Planning Board; Parks, Recreation, and Conservation Board; Open Space Committee; Project Pride Committee; Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee; The Green Team Advisory Committee; the Shade Tree Commission; The Central Business District Advisory Committee (a member of the Ridgewood Guild is needed) and the Stigma-free Task Force.

All interested residents should:

Fill out a Citizen Volunteer Leadership form (found on the Village website under “Forms”)
Prepare a cover letter indicating on which board or committee the resident wishes to serve and a brief explanation as to why the resident chose the particular board(s) or committee(s)
Include a biography or resume

and send them to:

Donna Jackson

Deputy Village Clerk

Village of Ridgewood

131 North Maple Ave.

Ridgewood, NJ  07450

Deadline for submissions is November 30, 2016.

A brief description for each Board/Committee is listed below:

The Community Relations Advisory Board promotes the development and implementation of educational programs which celebrate our diversity and provides offers assistance to victims of bias-related crimes.

The Library Board of Trustees is the governing board for the Ridgewood Public Library and its employees. The Board of Trustees works with the community to establish Library policy and secures funds to carry on services to the public, and set goals and objectives.

The Planning Board reviews site plans and subdivision applications; prepares, adopts, and amends the Master Plan; makes recommendations to the Village Council regarding amendments to developmental regulations and the official map.

The Parks, Recreation, and Conservation Board recommends rules for use and monitors recreation facilities. The Board coordinates community recreation programs and develops and updates the long-range Master Plan for recreation in the Village.

The Open Space Committee assists in identifying specific types of open space, and makes recommendations to the Village Council on the development of existing open space acquisitions.

The Project Pride Committee plants and waters flowers, throughout Ridgewood’s Central Business District and organizes the Village Garden program with local landscapers.

The Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee assists the Village Council in long-range planning concerning environmental issues as well as anticipating environmental problems and recommending solutions.

The Green Team Advisory Committee is looking for residents who are interested in making Ridgewood a sustainable community; and/or are LEED Certified; and/or have working experience with sustainable practices such as solar energy or recycling; and/or have experience in obtaining grants for sustainable purposes.

The Shade Tree Commission works closely with the Parks and Recreation Department, the Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee, and the Green Team to promote awareness and education of the residents as well as advise and provide recommendations to the Village Council in promoting and sustaining a safe and productive shade tree resource. Members will preferably have forestry or tree backgrounds or hold the designation of a certified Arborist.

The Central Business District Advisory Committee will work with the Village Council, business owners, and residents to evaluate and initiate enhancements to the Central Business District including traffic flow, parking, and pedestrian safety, while creating a more desirable, vibrant and memorable destination for all visitors. In this way, the Central Business District can remain a vital and healthy part of the Ridgewood community. This Committee needs a member of the Ridgewood Guild.

The Stigma-free Task Force aims to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness so that residents who have the disease, and their families, feel supported by their community and neighbors and feel free to seek treatment without fear of stigma. Resident Members of the Task Force include two residents working within the field of mental healthcare or healthcare; and three other residents who are interested in supporting the Stigma-free program initiatives, including educating residents that mental illness is a disease and must be treated as such; raising awareness of mental health issues; and helping those in need by linking them to local mental health resources.

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Pro Arte Invites You to Our Messiah Sing Thursday, December 1st

Pro Arte Chorale

November 22,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Come join the Pro Arte Chorale for a joyous sing-along of Handel’s Christmas masterpiece, conducted by Maestro Steven Fox.  The Chorale will gather for this event on Thursday December 1st at 7:30pm at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church at 155 Linwood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ.  Bring your own score or rent one of ours.  Admission is $10 at the door, including rental score.

Handel created such compelling melodic and fluid music that it’s easy to overlook what is one of history’s great examples of “word painting.”  The baroque era in music — roughly 1600 to 1750 — saw enormous interest in this technique of depicting a word’s meaning through music. A basic example is using dissonance to set the word “pain.”  Even those who have sung “Messiah” aren’t always made fully aware of Handel’s continual crafting of music to express the words.

Steven Fox, the Music Director of The Pro Arte Chorale, is also the artistic director of Clarion Music Society in New York, and the music director for Musica Antiqua St. Petersburg in Russia.  The Pro Arte Chorale, a 60-member volunteer chorus based in Ridgewood, is committed to enriching the lives of its members and its audience by exploring many musical traditions.  All performances are held in ADA compliant venues with handicapped accessible parking, ramps and restrooms.

For more information about Pro Arte Chorale or to join the mailing list, visit  www.proartechorale.org or send an email to [email protected].  The Pro Arte Chorale is sponsored in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment of the Arts.

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The Valley Hospital Foundation Joins the Global #GivingTuesday Movement with a Radiothon

valley_hospital_theridgewoodblog

November 22,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, For the 2nd consecutive year, The Valley Hospital Foundation has joined #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide.
Occurring this year on November 29, #GivingTuesday is held annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday to kick-off the holiday giving season and inspire people to collaborate in improving their local communities and to give back in impactful ways to the charities and causes they support.
Throughout the month of November, in honor of Men’s Health Month, The Valley Hospital Foundation has been encouraging the community to learn about and support Valley’s men’s health programs, in particular those within the Urologic Oncology Center which treat prostate cancer.
Additionally, The Valley Hospital Foundation is working with the radio station Q104.3FM to help spread the word about Valley’s Urologic Oncology Program and prostate cancer.  On that day, radio personalities Jim Kerr and Shelli Sonstein will be broadcasting the “Rock and Roll Morning Show” from 5:00AM until 9:00AM, airing interviews with Valley clinicians and touting the many benefits of Valley’s prostate cancer services.
The Valley Hospital has established the Urologic Oncology Center at the Blumenthal Cancer Center. Designed for those who have been diagnosed with prostate, bladder, or renal cancer, or those seeking a second opinion, this multidisciplinary center will provide the most up-to-date information regarding all aspects of urologic cancer care.  For more information about Valley-Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Care, please visit: www.ValleyCancerCenter.com.
Those who are interested in supporting The Valley Hospital Foundation on #GivingTuesday can visit www.ValleyHospitalFoundation.org and click on “Donate Now.”
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Santa in the Park in Ridgewood

santa_inthepark_theridgewoodblog
Sat, December 03, 2016
Time: 12:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Location: Memorial Park at Van Neste Square, E Ridgewood Ave and Oak St

Event Description

Save the Date

For details, check back at our website experienceridgewood.com

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The Ridgewood Singers Winter Concert The Light in the Darkness

The Ridgewood Singers Winter Concert The Light in the Darkness
November 21,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Here are four members who will have solo moments in our upcoming concert. Adam, Tim and Terri will be singing verses in Sing Ye All, Now Rejoice (Gaudete) from the Piae Cantiones of 1582 and Linda is playing tambourine and sleigh bells in Tambourine Noel and Merry Christmas Mozart.

Sun, December 04, 2016
Time: 3:00 PM

Location: Ridgewood United Methodist Church, 100 Dayton Street, Ridgewood, NJ

Event Description
Rdg%20Singers

 

 

 

The Ridgewood Singers Winter Concert “The Light in the Darkness”
Date: December 4th, 2016 at 3PM
Location: Ridgewood United Methodist Church
Admission: Students/Seniors $15.00 Adults $18.00

Thomas DeLorenzo
[email protected]
theridgewoodsingers.com

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UPDATE : The Ridgewood Blog Has Learned that One Council Member has Opted Out of Endorsing Maura McMahon DeNicola for the District 40 Assembly Vacancy

Maura McMahon DeNicola with Bernadette Walsh ,Ramone Hache,Mike Sedon, Susan Traina Knudsen and Jeff Voigt

photo by Maura McMahon DeNicola; Bernadette Walsh ,Ramone Hache,Mike Sedon, Susan Traina Knudsen and Jeff Voigt

November 20,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, late this morning the Ridgewood blog has received word the one council member has opted out of endorsing  Maura McMahon DeNicola .We had previously received information that the entire Mayor & Council of the Village of Ridgewood had endorsed Maura McMahon DeNicola for the District 40 Assembly vacancy left by the departure and Judgeship of Scott Rumana.

Maura said , “I can’t thank Ridgewood enough for their confidence in my leadership. The County Committee election for this vacancy will be held Tuesday evening – a very fast process and one in which I am working diligently”

 

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State Releases PARCC Scores for Ridgewood Schools

o-STANDARDIZED-TESTS-facebook

November 21,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,The Staate New Jersey released the latest PARCC standardized test results for every public school across the state on Wednesday, giving Ridgekwood parents a chance to see how their schools performed in math and English in grades 3-11.

Level 1: Not Yet Meeting Requirements
Level 2: Partially Meeting
Level 3: Approaching Expectations
Level 4: Meeting Expectations
Level 5: Exceeding Expectations

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Ridgewood Board Of Education Meets Tonight at 7:30 p.m.

REA Members come out to greet our Board of Ed
Election Results on Full-day Kindergarten
All results are tentative and subject to resolving provisional ballots

Yes 5161 votes
No  4999  votes

RBOE Election: 2 seats
Jeannie S. Wilson 4405 Votes
James Morgan      2951 Votes
RESOLVED, That there shall be raised an additional $929,800 for General Funds in the 2016-17 School Year. These taxes will be used to employ additional personnel and to acquire additional equipment and supplies in order to implement the District’s full-day Kindergarten program. Approval of these taxes will result in a permanent increase in the District’s tax levy. The additional taxes authorized herein will be used exclusively for purposes described herein and to finance expenditures that are in addition to those necessary to achieve the Core Curriculum Content Standards.
Click here for a PDF of the public presentation.
Click here for Frequently Asked Questions.
Click here to view all full-day Kindergarten documents.

BOE Approves REA Contract

At the October 10 meeting, the Board of Education approved the three-year contract with the Ridgewood Education Association (REA) that was ratified by the REA on September 28. Click here to read a letter to the Ridgewood community from the Board.

BOE Meets on November 21, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.
The Ridgewood Board of Education will hold a Regular Public Meeting on Monday, November 21, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Board Room at the Education Center, 49 Cottage Place. The public is invited to attend the meeting or view it live via the district website at www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us using the “Live BOE Meeting” tab on the district website, or on Fios tv channel 33 or Optimum 77.

Click here to view the agenda  for the November 21, 2016  Regular Public Meeting.

Click here to view the minutes of the October 24, 2016 Regular Public Meeting.

Click here to view the 2016-2017 Budget presented at the May 2, 2016 Regular Public Meeting.

Click here to view the Full Day Kindergarten Recommendation presented to the Board at their March 7, 2016 Regular Public Meeting.

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Bergen County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad Unit Summoned to Ridgewood Stop & Shop

Bergen County Sheriff's Office Bomb Squad Unit Summoned to Ridgewood Stop & Shop

photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page

November 21,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Bergen County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad Unit was summoned to the Stop & Shop supermarket at 175 Franklin Avenue, Ridgewood on Sunday morning, 11/20 to investigate a suspicious canvas bag that was found next to the building’s northernmost outside wall. Output from a portable x-ray device deployed by bomb squad personnel showed the bag contained neither electronics nor explosives. Contents of the bag were turned over to Ridgewood PD officers for return to their owner, or disposal. A portion of the store’s parking lot was cordoned off while the investigation was underway. However, the building was not evacuated.

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RIDGEWOOD DOWNTOWN FOR THE HOLIDAYS – TREE LIGHTING – DECEMBER 2

Christmas tree Ridgewood NJ

Downtown for the Holidays and Tree Lighting Celebration- 31th Anniversary

Friday, December 2, 2016

Early event – “for the kids”

5:30-6:45pm – Santa in the Park for the “wee tots”

along with live entertainment by the “clock”, in the stores and restaurant along E. Ridgewood Ave.

Featuring the RHS Marching Band, RHS Carolers, RHS Orchestra, Taekowondo all in.

5:30-7PM BIG DISCOUNT SHOPPING at many stores in Ridgewood, www.experienceridgewood.com

for participating stores.

7-8pm “on stage-live”

Live Entertainment and Tree Lighting Celebration

Featuring: performances by Porch Light Productions, Art of Motion, RHS Marching Band,

Taekowondo all in.

8:00-9:00pm “merriment” on E. Ridgewood Ave.

Shh – Santa will be back in the Park

Lots of music on the Avenue

Restaurant reservations suggested.

Saturday, December 3th, 2016

8am-Breakfast with Santa at The Office reservations 201-652-1070

10:00am-2pm – Santa arrives at Columbia Bank in a fire truck with gifts for all

children attending – 60 S. Broad St.

10:30AM FREE KIDS Movie at the Bowtie Warner Theatre-featuring a classic Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.

2:00-4:00pm Meet Santa at his house – Memorial Park at Van Nest Square-weather permitting

Saturday, December 10, 17 and 24

12/10/16 Breakfast with Santa at The Office reservations 201-652-1070 (12/10/16 only)

12Noon-3:00pm Meet Santa at his house – Memorial Park at Van Neste Square

12N-2pm Meet Santa at his house-Memorial Park at Van Neste Square-weather permiting

For more information call 201-445-2600 [email protected] www.experienceridgewood.com

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Ridgewood High School New Players present You Can’t Take It With You

RHS New Players

November 21,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, RHS New Players present You Can’t Take It With You: December 8, 9, 10. Tickets on sale November 21 at www.rhsnewplayers.com

You Can’t Take It with You is a comedic play in three acts by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. The original production of the play premiered on Broadway in 1936, and played for 838 performances.

The play won the 1937 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and was adapted for the screen as You Can’t Take It with You, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Director.

 

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Make the Holidays Bright at RidgeCrest in Ridgewood

Holiday gifts theridgewoodblog.net
November 20th 2016
the staff of the Ridgewood bog

Ridgewood NJ, Join us in making this holiday season a little brighter for your neighbors in need at RidgeCrest Senior Housing by making a donation towards our upcoming holiday activities and special events which include:

Thanksgiving Day Luncheon
Deck the Halls Dinner and Decorating Event
Cookies, Carols and Crafts Activities
Hanukkah Celebration
Christmas Celebration
New Year’s Celebration

Please make checks payable to
The Ridgewood Senior Citizen Housing Corp., Inc.
with RidgeCrest Activities noted in the memo

For more inforamtion please contact our activity and resource coordinator at [email protected]

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TUBACHRISTMAS coming to Ridgewood

TUBACHRISTMAS

November 18,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, For those who are new to TUBACHRISTMAS, it is an event that allows tuba and euphonium players of all ages and abilities to come together to play holiday music specifically arranged for their instruments. The first TUBACHRISTMAS took place at New York City’s Rockefeller Plaza Ice Rink on Sunday, December 22, 1974. Since then TUBACHRISTMAS events have been held all over the world.

This year’s event in conjunction with the second concert in the Ridgewood Concert Band’s (RCB)34th Season promises to be an exciting night of music for audience and musicians alike. TUBACHRISTMAS participants will rehearse and then will be invited to enjoy the RCB portion of the program, which will include Commando March (Barber), Yiddish Dances, and Nutcracker Suite (Tchaikovsky). Tuba soloist Mike Salzman will also be featured. The concert will conclude with the TUBACHRISTMAS performance of carols arranged for tuba and euphoniums.

4:00 pm – Registration Opens
5:00 pm – Rehearsal
6:30 pm – Dinner
7:30 pm RCB/NJWS Concert
Post Concert Tuba Christmas Performance

Cost to Participate: $10

What is Included:
-TubaChristmas 2016 Pin
-Participation in Rehearsal and Performance
-Complimentary entrance into RCB/NJWS Concert on December 9

What to Bring:
-Your Instrument
-TubaChristmas Carol Book (available for purchase at event)
-Music Stand

What to Wear:
-Festive Clothing

Registration:
-Pre-Register online: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BM5CK6X
-On-Site Registration will be available if capacity has not been reached in pre-registration.

Friday, December 9 at 4 PM – 9:30 PM
West Side Presbyterian Church Ridgewood, NJ
6 S Monroe St, Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450

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Ridgewood Open Houses for November 20th 2016

1643943.1 MLS # 1643943
590 Cliff St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
2 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, Ranch
Ghada Abbasi, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 11/20
18

1641133.1 MLS # 1641133
634 Wyndemere Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 1 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Kristin Gildea Fox, Sales Associate
Marron Gildea Realty, Inc. Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 11/20
25

1645024.1 MLS # 1645024
356 Franklin Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, Col
Angele Ekert, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 11/20
25

1639914.1 MLS # 1639914
165 Kemah Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, Col
Nicholas R. Alutin, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 11/20
25

1639467.1 MLS # 1639467
620 Albert Pl, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Jeff Vander Molen, Sales Associate
Terrie O’Connor Realtors-Wyckoff

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 11/20
25

1626762.1 MLS # 1626762
571 Knollwood Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
6 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath, Ranch
David Shein, Sales Associate
Anhalt Realty

  • Open House: 12:00 P.M. – 1:30 P.M. Sun. 11/20
23

1645061.1 MLS # 1645061
442 Van Buren St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
James Collins, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Alpine/Closter

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 11/20
25

1620561.1 MLS # 1620561
309 Beechwood Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Linda Aktar, Broker Associate
Tarvin Realtors

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 11/20
22

1642179.1 MLS # 1642179
296 Manor Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
6 Bedroom, 7 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Donnamarie Giaccio, Broker Associate
Century 21 Calabrese Realty

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. Sun. 11/20
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Readers suggest , The Ridgewood “parking problem” is all about laziness

DecorativeCrosswalks_theridgewoodblog

The Ridgewood “parking problem” is all about laziness, where people want to find a space on a Friday night or Saturday right in the prime area of the CBD. Heaven forbid that they have to walk two blocks, or even 10 minutes from their actual house.

No garage required. The town has a wonderful design. The original design trumps the shop keepers. That’s what makes Ridgewood what it is, a charming quaintish historical architecture downtown. Some business will make it, some won’t.

By the way, what no one says is that there are many times in any mall and I am talkin WestField, Fashion Center, Paramus Park, when it is difficult to find an up close parking spot near your favorite store, and sometimes any parking spot. No one says that. So why shouldn’t it be crowded in tiny Ridgewood downtown.

I mean, hey, you walk the WHOLE downtown and I’ll tell you folks, it doesn’t count as an exercise walk to prevent heart disease and cancer , the heart organization and cancer society says is necessary for good health. I mean it is that tiny. So what the f..k.

Take a walk those who want a parking garage. Meaning Go Away!

Upon further review, there is no parking problem in Ridgewood. While parking in town can be occasionally inconvenient, there has never been a need for the 5 story structure that nearly got built.