September 19th 2016
staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Today’s the day! Open your heart and home to a friend for life at our 11th Adopt-A-Pet Day, 11am-4pm, Rain or Shine! We have 25 rescue groups and shelters coming with dogs, cats, puppies and kittens, all ready to find their furever homes! We will see you soon!
Ridgewood Veterinary Hospital
320 E Ridgewood Ave
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
(201) 447-6000
Open
Today 8:00AM – 5:00PM
September 19,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, No sign in the central business district seems to raise more consternation that the “parkmobile App” only sign at the Chestnut street parking lot. The lot it seems is only accessible for smart phone users with credit cards.
As reported on this blog it all started in May of 2015 , “Starting May 11th the Multi-space meter in the Chestnut Street Parking Lot will be deactivated. The new method of payment for up to 3 hours of parking at .50 cents per hour will be by phone using the Parkmobile App” https://theridgewoodblog.net/chestnut-street-parking-lot-goes-parkmobile-app/
While some find it hard to believe that people actually function in this day and age without a smart phone or a debit/credit card . Others are not fond of giving out credit card information or being tracked by the latest app. Parkmobile has gone to great lengths to assure uses that you personal information is encrypted and safe . Non stop stories of the latest hacking give one pause to think.
So is the latest parking technology a convenience or a nuisance ? Or survival of the fittest and just one more step in the battle for parking in Ridgewood’s central business district ?
And the sign said “Long-haired freaky people need not apply”
So I tucked my hair up under my hat and I went in to ask him why
He said “You look like a fine upstanding young man, I think you’ll do”
So I took off my hat, I said “Imagine that. Huh! Me workin’ for you!”
Whoa-oh-oh
Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
Blockin’ out the scenery, breakin’ my mind
Do this, don’t do that, can’t you read the sign?
And the sign said anybody caught trespassin’ would be shot on sight
So I jumped on the fence and-a yelled at the house
“Hey! What gives you the right?”
“To put up a fence to keep me out or to keep mother nature in”
“If God was here he’d tell you to your face, man, you’re some kinda sinner”
Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
Blockin’ out the scenery, breakin’ my mind
Do this, don’t do that, can’t you read the sign?
Now, hey you, mister, can’t you read?
You’ve got to have a shirt and tie to get a seat
You can’t even watch, no you can’t eat
You ain’t supposed to be here
The sign said you got to have a membership card to get inside
Ugh!
And the sign said, “Everybody welcome. Come in, kneel down and pray”
But when they passed around the plate at the end of it all
I didn’t have a penny to pay
So I got me a pen and a paper and I made up my own little sign
I said, “Thank you, Lord, for thinkin’ ’bout me. I’m alive and doin’ fine”
Wooo!
Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
Blockin’ out the scenery, breakin’ my mind
Do this, don’t do that, can’t you read the sign?
Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
Sign
Sign, sign
Written by Les Emmerson
Downtown East Ridgewood Ave, Ridgewood, NJ
Today 12-5pm
Ridgewood NJ, Don’t miss this award winning ” Best of Bergen County” street fair with “Something for Everyone” in the family.
One hundred & seventy five exhibitors from four states will be participating with arts & crafts. Downtown Ridgewood will be lined with tents bursting with handicrafts & photography. A large food court offering delicious festival foods will be a set up in front of the park. The popular Kids Zone with inflatibles, pony rides & a petting zoo will once again be a part of this fun day. All day music will be provided by Ritchie G & Ginger.
Please note customers start to walk earlier than Noon. Held rain or shine. Free admission
September 17,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Windsor Bergen Academy in Ridgewood gets a new playground . According to their Facebook page “A day of pure bliss! Thank you to everyone who made play possible at WBA! We could not be more grateful to the volunteers, donors and especially KaBOOM! and PSE&G Foundation for making the tremendous playground possible”
Before the event Windsor Bergen Academy released a statement on Facebook , “With the help of over 125 volunteers we will build our playground on September 15, 2016! We can hardly wait! We are still in need of volunteers on Build Day and Prep Day ( September 13/14) , if you or anyone you know wishes to help build please contact us to register as a volunteer”
Windsor Bergen Academy (Grades Pre-K through 8) is a state-approved, nonprofit, private school located in Ridgewood NJ, for classified students who exhibit learning, behavioral and attention disorders and require a therapeutic environment to address their social, emotional, behavioral, and academic needs.
It is also the home of ; The R.I.S.E. (Recognizing and Inspiring Student Excellence)Program, located at Windsor Bergen Academy, is a specialized preschool for children ages 3 to 5 years old. It is a comprehensive early intervention program, which utilizes a strengths-based approach to promote social and emotional growth, school readiness and overall wellness.
Windsor Bergen Academy is located on 56 Passaic St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 (201) 857-4785
Photo: Kris Mckay
“Golden Toilet” by Maurizio Cattelan retrospective at the Guggenheim
September 17,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
New York NY, Are you sitting down? Maurizio Cattelan: “America” opened yesterday, September 16, in one of the museum’s public restrooms. “America”—the first piece that #Cattelan has exhibited since his 2011 retrospective at the Guggenheim—is a working toilet cast from gold, which museumgoers are allowed to use just as they would any other facility in the building. In a gallery environment where visitors are usually told, “don’t touch,” this is an extraordinary opportunity to spend time completely alone with a work of art.
Its nice to see a Golden Toilet get a appreciation it deserves .
We often get asked great article ,but what does this have to do with Ridgewood ? The Ridgewood blog was inspired by the “Golden Toilet” retrospective. Many of our readers have accused the Village of flushing money down the toilet years . Recent projects like the idiotic “traffic easing”, or the over priced ramp at Graydon pool ring a bell but for many the “Golden Toilet Fiasco: was one of the biggest flushes of money down the drain .The $400,000 toilet rivaled only the “Village Hall Fiasco” . While not quite on the same scope financially as the Village Hall Fiasco ,the “Golden Toilet ” became emblematic for everything wrong with the Village of Ridgewood.
“I was at the field with the $400,000 toilets and decided to go in and see, they looked ok, but the soap was empty the electric was off so the toilets didn’t flush and we couldn’t dry our hands. I guess you don’t get much for $400,000.00 anymore. ” https://theridgewoodblog.net/golden-toilet-i-guess-you-dont-get-much-for-400000-00-anymore/
Absolutely ridiculous. You can build a 2,000 sf house for $375,000 (build not buy land).https://theridgewoodblog.net/the-big-flush-golden-toilet-outrage-grows/
In later years the residents were even promised that there will be “No “Golden Toilets ” for Habernickel” https://theridgewoodblog.net/no-golden-toilets-for-habernickel/
Government has become a self perpetuating beast; enacting regulations (to protect the people!) which require people to enforce, require extra hours and costs to adhere to them and thus driving up costs for everyone else. The private sector has profit as motivation, government has service as its mandate. Government should not be running businesses that private enterprises can provide cheaper https://theridgewoodblog.net/the-golden-toilet-government-has-become-a-self-perpetuating-beast/
So next time you hear that the “Government” , or “Village Hall ” ought to do something remember the “Golden Toilet ” a $400,000 place wher only an 5th grader can go.
“here I sit all Brokenhearted paid a dime and only ….well you know the rest.
September 16,2016
the styaff of the Ridgewood blog
Rodgewood NJ, September has arrived along with weather that is more favorable for the planting of landscape materials. Water system operating conditions and vital capital projects still limit our ability to sustain reserves in peak demand situations, so Stage 2 Water Restrictions will remain in effect until further notice. Beginning on September 6th, however, Ridgewood Water will be able to accept requests for waivers from some of the Stage 2 provisions.
The following guidelines are the basis for granting or not granting individual exceptions to restrictions on outdoor water use. Applicants must provide proof that they meet the criteria listed below. Residents are strongly urged to postpone landscape installations when weather conditions are unfavorable. Waivers cannot be guaranteed and are subject to cancellation if conditions worsen.
Click HERE for an application. Application may be submitted in the following ways:
Village Hall
131 N. Maple Ave.
Fifth Floor
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
file photo by Boyd Loving
Traffic Update 9/16/16
September 17th 2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The utility work planned for Saturday 9/17/16 at the W.Glen Ave underpass has been rescheduled. The underpass will be open on Saturday.
Other underground construction activities began on or about Monday September 19th, 2016 from approximately 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday. Construction activities include the installation of manholes and underground pipe. This work is expected to be complete in November 2016, weather permitting.
Our work locations are expected in the following locations:
– South Broad Street between Passaic Street and East Ridgewood Avenue – North Broad Street between East Ridgewood Avenue and Franklin Avenue – Franklin Avenue between North Broad Street and Chestnut Street – Franklin Avenue and Walnut Street Intersection
Safety is our primary concern. PSE&G will work with the Village of Ridgewood Police Department to minimize any traffic concerns or inconvenience to the public. At this time, we expect to have alternating traffic and/or detours near the locations listed above. During construction, please refrain from going near our construction work zones.
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September 17,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
New York NY, Architect Bruno Travalja, of Ridgewood, New Jersey, died on Thursday afternoon after falling from the 48th floor of a Midtown Manhattan skyscraper near 6th Avenue and 52nd St.
According to the New York Daily News, he bent down to take a measurement and got dizzy when he stood up. He was wearing a safety harness but it wasn’t attached to anything, so the co-owner of Crowne Architectural Systems tumbled over the 18-inch security barrier. The Department of Buildings has launched an ongoing investigation. The residential tower was located at 135 52nd Street, between 7th and 6th Avenues.
Ridgewood NJ, YWCA Bergen County is offering its Vacation Day program for children in grades K-6 on October 3rd and October 12th. Trips and activities include FunPlex, Aqua Adventures and Lentini Farms. Transportation is included. For complete details, please visitwww.ywcabergencounty.org/mSIqO.
The YWCA Vacation Day program provides full day care from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on designated school holidays. Based at the YWCA’s 112 Oak Street, Ridgewood facility, the program is supervised by the YWCA’s trained child care staff. The fee is $70 per child per day for families that are currently participating in YWCA Before or After School programs, and $90 for non-participating families. Advance registration is required. To register call 201-444-5600, ext. 352 or visit www.ywcabergencounty.org for details and registration forms.
YWCA Before and After School Programs are offered at schools in seven Bergen County districts: Allendale, Cresskill, Dumont, Old Tappan, Oradell, Ridgewood, and Westwood. An after kindergarten program is available in Oradell. All programs are licensed by the State of New Jersey, Department of Children & Families.
file photo by Boyd Loving
I don’t think this council has gone far enough to come to grips with the damage done by the prior council majority and what needs to be done to right that damage. No one wants to beat a dead horse. But we need to acknowledge the damage that was done in order to move on and in order to prevent the revisionists from painting the wrong picture. Pure and simple, the Aronsohn regime was riddled with bad decisions and actions. Let’s identify them, correct the problems and then move forward. But it does us no good to stick our head in the sand out of some misguided sense of gentility.
Roberta continued to work there because she had to put in some time to build a case to then be able to sue the village. She resigned, in writing, as of Sept 6th, yet all her supporters (Weitz, Pucciarell, Halaby) are assisting in building her case with terms and fake outrage on how she was pushed out, mushandled, ‘unjustly removed’, “abrupt firing’, ‘offer to resign’. This has been the plan all along since they lost the election. Another sleazy move by the ‘wrong side’.
Her dislike for some some council members was displayed in public. Her disagreement with the vision of the new council was public.
I was surprised that she did not resign the day after the election. Why would she continue to work there? The “contentious” environment was of her making.
The fact that it was reported in the Record that she sited a “contentious” environment is enough reason for her to be removed. No professional resigns with a letter accusing anger in her environment. Of course the thought would be she might steal confidential files or even worse…,,,,
I think Roberta wanted to be escorted out. Who knows she may have feared losing control. Knudsen performed the right, safe, professional action.
file photo by Boyd Loving
Roberta was a time bomb waiting to explode left behind by the Aronsohn conglomerate. Good she’s gone. She sealed her own coffin by submitting a nasty letter of resignation, and then behaving badly immediately following its submission. No supervisor in their right mind would have let her stay on. Mr. Pucciarelli wrote in her defense only because he’s one of those who hired her. He’s only trying to save his own face.
The outgoing (gone) Village Manager, the right thing to do is tell the counsel that you think they’d be better served by someone else, and that you’d be happy to stay on and enable a smooth transition to the new Manager. If she was asked to leave anyway, then at least she looks professional. Instead, she took a figurative dump on her boss’ desks, then started emailing around the office to tell people about it. So she was escorted from the building! Think about it. How else is that scenario going to play out? How high in the corporate world could she have risen, really? I’m genuinely curious.
Albert Pucciarelli letter was just plain ridiculous.
Let’s talk reality, not nonsense:
Show me a leader/manager who would allow any employee who submitted a letter of resignation in which he/she expressed his/her utter dissatisfaction (in writing) with working conditions, and also plainly acknowledged (in writing) a complete disagreement with management’s philosophies, to continue his/her employment with complete access to the employer’s computer network, telephone system, accounting data, and confidential personnel files, and I will show you a leader/manager who is a big a-hole.
Susan Knudsen did the right thing by forcing that condescending bitch with the fat ass out of her office and out of the building.
Good riddance to bad rubbish!
September 15,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, All Ridgewood High School parents and guardians are invited to a CASTING CALL to register to participate in the JAMBOREE 2017-WORLD TOUR! Performances are February 8,9,10 &11, 2017 and Rehearsals begin January 2nd!!
For 71 years, Jamboree has presented an original musical revue, raising funds for need- based college scholarships for graduating RHS seniors. More than $1.4 million has been raised in the last 13 years alone and distributed to hundreds of worthy applicants.
CASTING CALL DATES AND TIMES (SELECT ONE)
MONDAY OCTOBER 17TH, 7 p.m.
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 19TH, 7 p.m.
TUESDAY OCTOBER 25th, 7 p.m.
In the Ridgewood High School Campus Center
Producers for this production are Linda Aktar, Gail McCarthy, and Vivienne & Mike Muldoon! They can be reached via email at [email protected].
Rosie Gunther McCooe will be returning as Director, with the incredible creative team of Maggie Devita-Set Construction/Crew, Bronwen Eastwood-Music Director, Steve Friedes- Band Director, Marjorie McConnell-Choreography, Wayne Angelbeck-Costumes and Stage Managers Sibylla Frank and Nick Lewis!
Help is always needed behind the scenes, and non-RHS parents are welcome to join the Stage Crew, or volunteer in many other ways!
The RHS Jamboree Scholarship Committee is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Please note that ALL SENIORS, not just those with parents/guardians in the show or backstage, are encouraged to apply for the RHS JAMBOREE SCHOLARSHIP! Speak with your guidance counselor for more information.
Select one date in October and come down to RHS!
NO TALENT REQUIRED!
Become a part of this wonderful RIDGEWOOD TRADITION by joining our cast and crew
as we prepare for a non-stop global adventure! Jamboree 2017 – World Tour!
September 15,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, “Abby” Wambach will sign her new book to night at Bookends at 6pm: Forward: A Memoir ($26.99). *Each person attending MUST purchase a copy of the book.
Click the link below to pre-order:
https://mkt.com/bookends
Mary Abigail “Abby” Wambach is an American retired soccer player, coach, two-time Olympic gold medalist and FIFA Women’s World Cup champion.
Appearing authors will only autograph books purchased at Bookends and must have valid Bookends Receipt.
Availability & pricing for all autographed books subject to change.
First In Line Certificate use is the the discretion of Bookends. Blackout dates may apply.
Bookends cannot guarantee that the books that are Autographed will always be First Printings.
Autographed books purchased at Bookends are non-returnable.
While we try to ensure that all customers coming to Bookends’ signings will meet authors and get their books signed, we cannot guarantee that all attendees will meet the author or that all books will be signed. We cannot control inclement weather, author travel schedules or authors who leave prematurely.
Bookends, 211 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-0726
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
NEWARK NJ ,New Jersey Transit Police have charged a man with criminal sexual contact after identifying him from a victim’s description given to police a few days earlier.
At approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday, September 9, 50-year-old Raghavan E. Narayanan of Hillsborough was arrested at Newark Penn Station and charged with criminal sexual contact. Officers recognized him from a description given by a female customer, who reported a man inappropriately touched her while on board a NJ TRANSIT train two days earlier.
“We are grateful that the New Jersey Transit Police were able to act so quickly in apprehending this person,’’ said Interim Executive Director Dennis Martin. “The safety of our customers is paramount to us and we do not take that lightly.’’
“The officers of the New Jersey Transit Police Department are the eyes and ears of the state’s transportation system,’’ said Police Chief Christopher Trucillo. “Incidents like this reinforce how our police department is vigilant when it comes to protecting our customers both in plain sight and behind the scenes.’’
Narayanan was issued a summons and released pending a court date for later this month.
The charges and allegations contained in this release are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
