A grant for bike lanes under the Complete Streets program led to the Garber Square fiasco and cost us 5 times the amount that the grant was for,. Now we have another grant and we’re using it to fix Van Neste Park which everyone seems to feel is in great shape! What happened to the old adage, ” If it isn’t broke,don’t fix it” ?
The Village Council should not miss a single opportunity to put a firm grip on the comings, the goings, and most importantly, the OPM spending patterns and priorities of the legacy Village Manager. Along these lines, the VC should probably press the pause button, indefinitely, on the contemplated renovation project in Van Neste Square. The next thing we will learn is that a half million dollars has already been spent on landscape architecture plans that will go to waste if the project doesn’t go forward immediately.
“Keep your life free from love of money.”
“Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor.”
“Do good… be rich in good works… be generous and ready to share.”
Christians consider the Bible to be our source of truth in matters of faith. And the Bible says more about money than it does about heaven and hell combined. Nearly half of Jesus’ teaching related to money, and there are over 2,300 verses pertaining to money in the Bible. Clearly, it occupies an important place in what we consider to be God’s inspired word. So, what does it say?
In short, three things:
• All of our wealth originates from and belongs to God.
• In light of this, our wealth should be used for God’s purposes.
• God’s purpose is to restore the world to wholeness. This occurs spiritually through salvation in Jesus Christ, and physically through our service and giving to serve the poor, needy, and weak.
Implicit in these three statements is the idea that our wealth is not our own. As followers of Jesus we believe that we have been bought with a price – when He died for us, we were purchased into His eternal family, accepted and redeemed. In light of what He’s done for us, nothing but radical and total submission to His purposes would be reasonable.
Thus, our wealth is not to be used for our own goals, but rather subsumed into the greater purposes of God. Since we believe it is God who enables us to get wealth in the first place, and that we are the recipients of His great grace in our lives, our natural and joyful response is to engage in radical generosity on behalf of the Christian church and the poor.
This gets expressed in a variety of ways, but a few real-life examples might paint a picture of what 21st-century Christian giving looks like in its highest and best form:
• Mark and Megan, in their late 20’s, are so thankful for Mark’s $50,000 bonus he earned at his law firm. Joyfully and with a great sense of purpose, they give the entire amount away toward international justice efforts for the poor, and a Christian camp they admire. They rank the opportunity to give to God’s work more highly than their own potential enjoyment of this money, including their imminent need for a home down-payment.
• Tom and Bree relocate to a poor neighborhood, despite Tom’s very high income. They read about God’s heart for the poor in the Bible, and they want to know God’s heart. They lead a Bible study for the community, and eventually welcome a family in need to stay in their home for a while, while they get back on their feet. They give a huge fraction of their income away, raising their family on the median family income out of a desire to serve the world around them.
• Greg and Alison are home shopping. They buy a house that is only about half of the value of what they can afford, because they want to be able to give generously to address international poverty and spread the Christian message of hope, and don’t want to be tied down by their mortgage. The house is less than what they’d like to have, but they’re thankful God has given them money to share with others.
Paul’s Goodbye
The Apostle Paul stands second only to Jesus in his influence on the Christian faith. In his final goodbye to the Christian community around him, he gave them this charge:
“And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
He commends them to the word of God’s grace – i.e. the Christian message of spiritual salvation. And then, he tells them that he never coveted money, and goes on to charge them to help the weak and remember that it is more blessed to give than to receive.
Why is Paul mixing up money behaviors with the spiritual message of God’s grace? Consistent with the rest of the Bible, Paul didn’t see money and spiritual matters as separable. His life, free of covetousness and fully generous, was evidence of God’s grace acting in his heart. As the well-known Christian Pastor Tim Keller says, reflecting on this passage,
“To the degree you understand the Gospel of grace, you will live a radically generous life! If you truly have a spiritual inheritance, you are going to be promiscuously generous with your earthly inheritance.”
Christian giving springs from our view of God. Because we believe he emptied himself and gave everything for us, we have no proper response but to turn around, face the world around us, and give ourselves away.
John Cortines, 27, is the co-author of God and Money: How We Discovered True Riches at Harvard Business School (https://www.amazon.com/God-Money-Discovered-Business-Foreword/dp/1628624078). All book royalties are given to charity. John lives in Orlando with his family and works for Generous Giving (www.generousgiving.org), an organization that can help you host a Journey of Generosity (www.generousgiving.org/smallgatherings) retreat with your friends to further explore this message. John has shared the biblical message of generosity on national radio, TV, and at conferences around the country.
Pcd Has Nothing on Me! Paperback – March 28, 2016 by Chloe Fernandez
August 13,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood N J, Getting sick when you’re a kid is no fun. You can’t always do what other kids can do, or go to school like they do. Sometimes it means spending lots of time in the hospital. She sees the nurses in the hospital almost more than her friends. It can be scary, frustrating and boring. Chloe R Fernandez knows this all too well! When she was just six years old, she was diagnosed with chronic obstructive lung disease due to underlying Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD).
PCD is a genetic disorder. A body with PCD can’t clear its own airway secretions. She’s faced many scary moments when she couldn’t draw a breath and has endured painful and embarrassing treatments. But throughout it all, Chloe has remained positive and upbeat. During her hospitalizations Chloe befriends the nurses, doctors, staff and acts as the “Resident” doctor on call. One of her strongest beliefs is that “life is what you make it,” and her most avid advice is “stay faithful always.” Children of all ages, grappling with any kind of illness or condition, will find both an understanding and comfortable friend in Chloe.
“PCD Has Nothing On Me,” is a 47-page illustrated book, chronicles Chloe’s three-year journey through diagnosis, treatment, and hospitalizations.
Chloe is a vivacious 9 year old who is smart, sassy, kind, caring, loving, a charmer and fashionista. She is an avid reader and writer who has traveled the world via all the books she has read to date. Playing with her American Girl dolls, dress up with her friends and time spent with her family are all her favorite things to do. Chloe has a miniature schnauzer named Abby who she says melts her heart every time she looks at her.
Chloe was diagnosed with Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia at the age of 6. PCD is a rare form of lung disease. Chloe has faced many scary moments when she couldn’t draw a breath and has endured many painful and embarrassing treatments. But through it all, Chloe has remained positive and upbeat.
Chloe hopes that in sharing her story she can bring awareness to PCD, but also be an inspiration for other kids living and dealing with chronic illness. She wants them to know they too can achieve anything they set their mind to. Chloe is a firm believer that her challenges don’t define her. She is often quoted as saying, “PCD is what I have not who I am.”
Chloe is a working actress, aspiring singer, and is signed to bmg Models & Talent. She is currently working on her second book.
August 13,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Veterinary Hospital has informed us that we missed “World Cat Day!”
We missed it! It was Monday, Aug. 8, 2016, but cat-owners will tell you that every day is World Cat Day anyway. We all know the world revolves around them, and they probably introduced this day to us. Humans domesticated animals such as dogs, cows, and horses. Cats moved in and domesticated themselves, at first by creating a win-win situation and taking care of the mice that invaded early man’s feed for farm animals. Before long, they realized the comforts of home and moved in, often assuming the position of head of the household. As they say, “Dogs have masters; cats have staff.” So hug your cat today, and enjoy your status as the Egyptians did – after all, they worshipped cats and wrote about them on walls (think Facebook).
file photo by ArtChick
Is everything in this town controversial? People are complaining about every move that the village makes. Moving the podium used for comments at council meetings to the side of the room. – horrors!
And turning in neighbors for sidewalk bumps and lawn watering. Some do not want dogs (cats, rabbits, deer?) urinating on the grass in front of their homes. I think they would prefer doggie diapers!
Why is everyone so mad at everyone else? What has happened to us?
photos by Boyd Loving
August 13,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood bog
Ridgewood NJ, Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld said the council was given packets about the 2015 Schedler grant, which includes information from the October and November meetings, updated and complete grant application and responses from the county.
The village submitted a request for a $59,200 grant for Memorial Park and Van Neste Square, which would be used to replace brick pavers with decorative concrete sidewalk, remove aerial electric fixtures with underground electric, install new fencing, among other ideas. Sonenfeld said a finalized plan will be made public closer to the Sept. 14 public meeting.
Is there no tradition left in Ridgewood. When will it stop?
Now they want to remove the decorative brick many of which have names of family (Grandparents, parents children and in memorial of deceased family members any yes and maybe beloved pets) Why? Because we can apply for a grant? At last night meeting the VM said we would relocate them. Where? I know that the VM stated that a plan will be made public at the Sept. 14 meeting but will this be another case that it a done deal before the public has a chance to voice the opinion. They want to use concrete. We all know what happens to concrete that is put down around trees. Just look at the CBD sidewalk cracks not to mention that digging around the trees may kill them. Try going to the engineering dept to get a permit for a brick patio. They will tell you that anything over 12 x 12 feet will need a seepage pit. More digging. So will we hear next that the monument need to be moved? Just upgrade the electric put in a new fence and reset the brick and leave them alone.
Dear Ridgewood Blog,
We would like to share information on the current oppressive heat and humid weather that will continue through this weekend.
Local Cooling Centers –
Ridgewood Library – 201/670-5600
BC Administration Building, Hackensack, NJ – 201/336-7300
NW Bergen Senior Center, 46-50 Center St., Midland Park – 201/445-5690
The National Weather Service in Upton has issued a Heat Advisory…which is in effect until 8 am EDT Saturday. An Excessive Heat Watch has also been issued. This Excessive Heat Watch is in effect from Saturday morning throughSunday evening.
* Heat index values into this evening…100 to 103.
* Heat index values Friday…100 to 105 degrees.
* Heat index values Saturday…around 105 degrees.
* Heat index values Sunday…around 105 degrees.
* Timing…highest heat indices in the mid to late afternoon.
* Impacts – The combination of the heat and humidity will increase the risk for heat related health issues…especially for the elderly…those with chronic health problems such as lung and heart disease…those working outdoors…and other heat sensitive groups of people.
Precautionary/preparedness actions – Heat Advisory is issued when the combination of heat and humidity is expected to make it feel like it is 100 to 104 degrees for two consecutive hours.
An Excessive Heat Watch means that the combination of heat and humidity could create a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are possible. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible…reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear light weight and loose fitting clothing when possible and drink plenty of water.
Seniors and those with chronic health problems or mental health conditions are at an increased risk. Homes without air conditioning can be much hotter than outdoor temperatures.
Use air conditioning to stay cool at home or go to a place that has air conditioning. Check on vulnerable friends…family members and neighbors.
To reduce risk during outdoor work the occupational safety and health administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by Heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency…call 9 1 1.
We hope this information is helpful providing information that will make these next few day more comfortable for you.
Best,
Jeremy Kleiman, Coordinator
Office of Emergency Management
Village of Ridgewood
Ridgewood NJ, Tryouts for the Ridgewood YMCA Breakers competitive swim team will take place Tuesday, September 6 through Thursday, September 8 at the Y’s Oak Street location. A full tryout schedule is available online at
www.ridgewoodymca.org/breakers-tryouts.
The Ridgewood YMCA Breakers competitive swim team encompasses all ability levels, providing youths the opportunity to acquire the skills, self-discipline, confidence, and physical conditioning to become the best swimmers they can be. The program offers instruction, training, and competition to young people of all abilities from ages 6 through high school. Swimmers will improve their skills while also learning the values of teamwork and sportsmanship.
For additional information, please contact YMCA Swim Team Coach, Bud Rimbault, at 201.444.5600, ext. 319, or email [email protected]
August 12,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Why would the former council members, who were defeated resoundingly, come to the meetings to attempt to advance their failed agendas? Are they just spiteful? Do they need to grow up?
Clearly, this was an attempt on Ms. Winograd’s part to generate a newspaper headline that the current Council was seeking to limit public comment.
According to the Ridgewood News which slept through the entire election Winograd was “compelled” to speak looking “to relieve the contentious energy that has been brewing for months”. The “contentious” energy was voted out of office and their agenda was resoundingly rejected . Perhaps if the Ridgewood News would have posted a few per election letters to the editor they would know that.
Below is a report from the National Weather Service – Reminder – the Ridgewood Library is open to serve as a cooling center.
URGENT – WEATHER MESSAGE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEW YORK NY 227 PM EDT THU AUG 11 2016 …OPPRESSIVE HEAT AND HUMIDITY THROUGH THIS WEEKEND… …HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 AM EDT SATURDAY…
…EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING… THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN UPTON HAS ISSUED A HEAT ADVISORY…WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 AM EDT SATURDAY. AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH HAS ALSO BEEN ISSUED. THIS EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH IS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING. * HEAT INDEX VALUES INTO THIS EVENING…100 TO 103. * HEAT INDEX VALUES FRIDAY…100 TO 105 DEGREES. * HEAT INDEX VALUES SATURDAY…AROUND 105 DEGREES. * HEAT INDEX VALUES SUNDAY…AROUND 105 DEGREES. * TIMING…HIGHEST HEAT INDICES IN THE MID TO LATE AFTERNOON. * IMPACTS…THE COMBINATION OF THE HEAT AND HUMIDITY WILL INCREASE THE RISK FOR HEAT RELATED HEALTH ISSUES…ESPECIALLY FOR THE ELDERLY…THOSE WITH CHRONIC HEALTH PROBLEMS SUCH AS LUNG AND HEART DISEASE…THOSE WORKING OUTDOORS…AND OTHER HEAT SENSITIVE GROUPS OF PEOPLE. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… A HEAT ADVISORY IS ISSUED WHEN THE COMBINATION OF HEAT AND HUMIDITY IS EXPECTED TO MAKE IT FEEL LIKE IT IS 100 TO 104 DEGREES FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE HOURS. AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH MEANS THAT THE COMBINATION OF HEAT AND HUMIDITY COULD CREATE A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN WHICH HEAT ILLNESSES ARE POSSIBLE. TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS IF YOU WORK OR SPEND TIME OUTSIDE. WHEN POSSIBLE…RESCHEDULE STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES TO EARLY MORNING OR EVENING. KNOW THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT STROKE. WEAR LIGHT WEIGHT AND LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING WHEN POSSIBLE AND DRINK PLENTY OF WATER. SENIORS AND THOSE WITH CHRONIC HEALTH PROBLEMS OR MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS ARE AT AN INCREASED RISK. HOMES WITHOUT AIR CONDITIONING CAN BE MUCH HOTTER THAN OUTDOOR TEMPERATURES. USE AIR CONDITIONING TO STAY COOL AT HOME OR GO TO A PLACE THAT HAS AIR CONDITIONING. CHECK ON VULNERABLE FRIENDS…FAMILY MEMBERS AND NEIGHBORS. TO REDUCE RISK DURING OUTDOOR WORK THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDS SCHEDULING FREQUENT REST BREAKS IN SHADED OR AIR CONDITIONED ENVIRONMENTS. ANYONE OVERCOME BY HEAT SHOULD BE MOVED TO A COOL AND SHADED LOCATION. HEAT STROKE IS AN EMERGENCY…CALL 9 1 1.
You forgot to mention that Gwenn Hauck came to the microphone and asked a question that she should have know the answer to had she been paying attention during the meeting instead of chatting with her buddy Rurik Halaby.
And then the FORMER councilwoman Gwenn Hauck goes flitting up to the microphone and asks a question that made no sense. She asked whether 3066 had been repealed. And it had not. And our Mayor had already explained why it was not being voted on last night. Ummmmm Gwenn…..please pay attention. It’s a shame to see you making a fool of yourself. Oh, that’s right, you always make a fool of yourself, nothing new there. Laughing my ass off from my easy chair with my ipad on my lap.
It really is time for Mrs. Hauck’s family to keep her at home for Council meetings. I feel bad and embarrassed for her at the same time.
file photo by Boyd Loving
Dear Council,
I agree that long lines of speakers behind the lectern are a relatively recent development as issues affecting the future of our village arose and contentiousness reigned. In addition, council meeting agendas were absurdly crammed and many pages long, making the hour impossibly late and everyone cranky. This meant that people who had hoped to speak but could not stay up into the wee hours were forced to leave Village Hall without saying a word. At more than one such meeting, people greeted the council with “Good morning” as they began to speak.
For years we were given only three minutes–and there was no second comment period at the end of the meeting. Those of us representing the Graydon group routinely had complicated and timely points to make. I know that I was not alone in having to rewrite and edit my statements for hours, practicing over and over in front of the clock, whittling my comments down to three minutes, often forgoing important points because I couldn’t say them fast enough, and not wanting to come off as the world’s fastest speaker, with my words signifying nothing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
It was truly a waste of time and served no one well.
Then we learned that the three-minute limitation had been incorrect all along, and suddenly five minutes was allowed. Remembering how difficult it had been to abide by the shorter limit, I felt both relieved and frustrated: it was too late for the longer time to help us much, since by then we had won our main fight to preserve Graydon.
Still, progress is progress. There will always be new issues and comments. I can say from long personal experience that the difference between three and five minutes is enormous, considering that within the allotted time one must adjust the microphone, state and possibly spell one’s name and address, and perhaps interact with one or more persons on the dais. The seconds fly by.
Some residents and others truly have complicated statements to make; others may be nervous and unaccustomed to public speaking, and end up pausing a lot, or not know how to stop talking until the bell rings; yet others simply like to hear themselves talk, and go on and on, meeting after meeting, about what they want and do not want personally, annoying and boring all present, and probably an important motivation for considering shortening the time for all.
Those making comments would do well to make their points and leave the lectern rather than feeling obliged to use the full time allowed. (I can’t claim to have always succeeded in this, but it has happened far more often when I had five minutes than three.) Perhaps it would help if the mayor noted from time to time that the speaker who does so tends to make a stronger impression.
I hope you will not restore the shorter maximum speaking time. In some important situations, that limitation prevents speakers from making their points at all.
Sincerely,
Marcia Ringel
Pro Arte Chorale Auditioning New Members
August 11,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Pro Arte Chorale is holding auditions for the upcoming 2016-2017 concert season. Pro Arte has a spectacular season ahead, starting with Brahms and Haydn. The second concert will be a fabulous selection of Opera Choruses with the talented choral students from an area high school. The final concert is an all Bruckner performance including six of his beautiful Motets. Do you love to sing? Are you free Monday nights for rehearsals in Ridgewood? All voice parts are welcome to audition. All concerts and rehearsals are scheduled to be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ridgewood, NJ. Auditions are scheduled through the Chorale Administrator. Please email [email protected] for more information or visit our website at www.proartechroale.org.
