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Fire Heavily Damages Classroom at the Willard Elementary School

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photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page

July 26,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, A fire heavily damaged a classroom at the Willard Elementary School, 601 Morningside Road, Ridgewood on Wednesday morning, 07/25. No injuries were reported in the blaze, which also sent heavy smoke throughout the building’s entire first floor. Ridgewood Fire Department extinguished the fire within minutes of arriving on scene. The school was occupied by over a dozen construction and maintenance workers when the fire broke out. Everyone was safely evacuated from the building. Ridgewood Police, Ridgewood EMS, and Ridgewood Emergency Services personnel also responded to the incident. The fire’s origin and cause remains under investigation.

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Two Essex County, Men Charged With $600,000 Credit Card Fraud, Identity Theft Conspiracy

Nigerian scam michael-scott-

July 25,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

NEWARK NJ,  Two Essex County men were charged today for their alleged roles in a conspiracy that used stolen personal identifying information to open credit cards and defraud a victim bank out of approximately $600,000, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Akintunde Adeyemi, a/k/a “AK,” 33, of East Orange, New Jersey, and Duluth, Georgia, and Oluwaseun Jato, 29, of Newark, are charged by complaint with one count each of bank fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft. Jato was arrested this morning in Atlanta and will appear today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Justin S. Anand in Atlanta federal court. Adeyemi is still at large.

According to the complaint:
Between July 2016 and May 2017, Adeyemi, Jato and others conspired to use stolen personal identifying information to fraudulently apply for credit card accounts with an entity referred to in the complaint as “Victim Bank 1.” As part of the conspiracy, Adeyemi obtained the stolen personal information from other conspirators and used it to create the fraudulent credit card accounts.
After establishing the accounts, the conspirators contacted Victim Bank 1 to change the addresses associated with the accounts so that Victim Bank 1 would send the credit cards to addresses controlled by members of the conspiracy, including locations near Adeyemi and Jato’s residences in New Jersey and Georgia. Jato and other conspirators then used the cards at retail stores in New Jersey and Georgia, among other places, to purchase smartphones, tablets, and other high-value items, which were later sold for profit. Overall, the conspirators defrauded Victim Bank 1 of approximately $600,000.
The bank fraud conspiracy charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The aggravated identity theft charge carries a mandatory sentence of two years in prison, which must run consecutive to any other term imposed.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Inspector in Charge Judy Ramos, and special agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian Michael in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s charges
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas P. Grippo of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Unit and David M. Eskew, Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Health Care and Government Fraud Unit in Newark.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty

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Pascrell Fails to Accept Responsibility for New Jersey’s Failed Fiscal Policies

Bill Pascrell

“Pascrell Lambasts Latest Republican Tax Outrage”

July 25,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

WASHINGTON D.C. ,  Today, Representative Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09), the Ranking Member of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade, hammered the release of the so-called second phase of the Republican tax plan which announced that the egregious cap placed on federal deductions for State and Local Tax Deductions (SALT) would be made permanent.

“As New Jersey’s Yogi Berra liked to say, it’s déjà vu all over again. Another day, another attempt by congressional Republicans to stick it to Garden State. Already burdened with the highest property taxes in America, for years people in my state relied on the state and local tax deduction to provide their families with flexibility to pay their bills. Republicans took care of that, capping those deductions to help pay for a trillion-dollar tax cut for big corporations and big tycoons. Now Republicans are announcing the SALT cap is going to be made permanent to bedevil New Jerseyans for all time. We already know Republicans go out of their way to bring pain on the people of the Northeast. They said so themselves. But they keep trying to prove it again to us. We’ve had it with this garbage. The GOP tax scam should be overturned and the full state and local tax deduction reinstated. Let the top 1% pay their fair share and leave New Jersey the hell alone.”

Pascrell, made no mentions of the 50 or so years of unabated irresponsible fiscal policies of the state New Jersey or the “Garden State ” as he like to say. Pascrell like many New Jersey politicians likes to blame the abject failure of state policies on the federal government .

Pascrell has represented his district since January 1997 and in that time there has been massive flight of people and businesses out of the “Garden State” for far greener pastures .  New Jersey ranks at the top only in taxes and ranks near the bottom is business climate and quality of life . Perhaps he and his fellow  New Jersey representatives could spend far more time on the problems in the state of New Jersey and less time grand standing and name calling .

 

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Ridgewood Village Council OK’s Plan to Improve Schedler Park

Schedler Park

July 25,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, lost in all the debate over school board elections  was that  the Village Council has  moved ahead with plans to develop the Schedler Park property ( 18-236 Approve Field Design for Schedler Park ).

The Village council approved a plan Wednesday night  to construct a multi-use athletic field, playground, a walking trail, bathrooms, and 44 more parking spaces to the tract of land on West Saddle River Road just off of  Route 17.

The athletic field will be the slimed down version , a 75 by 50 that could be used for soccer, lacrosse, and kickball games .

 

Schedler Park Back Ground Information:

Updated Schedler Grant Application Click Here
For the Bergen County response regarding the Schedler Grant Click Here
Below are the Site Development Plans prepared by the Ridgewood Engineering Department.
Click Here for Part 1A
Click Here for part 2B
Click Here for Part 3 C, D, E
Maps – Revisions
Schedler Map Rev 8 – October 7, 2015

Info Click Here for the Schedler Park and House Grant Timeline – as reported by the Village Manager at the September 16, 2015 Village Council Public Meeting. Wednesday, August 12th the Village Council discussed the use of the Schedler property.
They voted on the following resolutions:
Click Here for Schedler Property Resolution including House ,  Click Here for Resolution to apply for Schedler House Grant

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Ridgewood Mayor Ramon Hache Accepts a 7 lbs Zucchini

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photos courtesy of HealthBarn USA

July 24,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, yesterday Ridgewood Mayor Ramon Hache accepted a 7 lbs zucchini from their organic garden .

HealthBarn USA gave a “thumbs up Village of Ridgewood Mayor Ramon Hache for being today’s guest expert taste tester! The #campers rose to the Chef Challenge and delivered a winning whole wheat pizza topped with veggies! We wrestled a 7 lb. zucchini out of the #organic garden and Mayor Hache took home a #zucchini #trophy to grill up for his family! Thanks Mayor Hache for making this rainy day sunny for these peeps!”

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New Jersey Revenue Certification Reform is Long Overdue

Money Down The Toilet1

July 24,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, This afternoon the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee held a hearing on SCR132, a constitutional amendment to overhaul New Jersey’s revenue certification process. SCR132 would take away the governor’s constitutional authority to certify revenues and create a joint legislative and executive branch panel to provide consensus revenue certification. New Jersey would become the 29th state in the nation to adopt this budget forecasting framework.

NEW JEREY POLICY PERSPECTIVE PRESIDENT GORDON MacINNES:

“This change to the budgeting process is long overdue and will bring more clarity, collaboration, and credibility to the state’s revenue projections. Consensus forecasting follows best practices from across the country and ensures economic factors – not political ones – set the parameters of the budget debate.

For the state to fully realize the benefits of this reform, the legislature should also pursue multi-year budgeting practices to better prepare New Jersey for the future. These changes could lead to a healthier, more democratic budget debate, boost public trust, and produce better results for a state budget that has suffered from years of politically convenient decisions.

However, while consensus revenue forecasting is an important change to the constitution, it should not be made with the same swift action that defines the last-minute budget practices the state seeks to reform.”

Full testimony by NJPP President Gordon MacInnes: https://www.njpp.org/budget/njpp-testimony-revenue-certification-reform-is-long-overdue

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Summer Fun Wtih Ridgewood Parks and Recreation

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photos courtesy of Ridgewood Parks and Recreation

July 24,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, a buy summer for Ridgewood Parks and Recreation . The Graydon Swim Team and Swim Team Readiness both had meets recently against Fair Lawn and Glen Rock.

Splash Day at Ridgewood Day Camp! DJRidd, sand castles, arts and crafts, volleyball and corn-hole!!

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Pepperidge Farm : 4 Types of Goldfish Crackers recalled, on Salmonella Fears

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July 24,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Pepperidge Farm is voluntarily recalling four varieties of its famous Goldfish Crackers because of fears they could potentially have salmonella.

On Monday the company took the action after one of its ingredient suppliers notified it that whey powder used in a seasoning may be contaminated. The products were distributed in the United States and no illnesses have been reported.

The Goldfish recall covers Flavor Blasted Xtra Cheddar, Flavor Blasted Sour Cream & Onion, Goldfish Baked with Whole Grain Xtra Cheddar and Goldfish Mix Xtra Cheddar + Pretzel. The company has posted a chart with the product codes on its website.

The products can be returned to place of purchase for a refund.

Consumers can call customer service at 800-679-1791.

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New Jersey Outdoor Alliance Celebrates Bear Complaints Down Again

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July 24,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, while this may come to a surprise to Ridgewood, Glen Rock, Paramus, Ho Ho Kus , Allendale and the rest of the North West corner of Bergen County residents but the  Sportsmen’s advocacy group celebrates the precipitous declines in negative bear-human interactions and bear complaints yet again.

The New Jersey Outdoor Alliance today released a statement celebrating news reports that, since the end of 2016, damage and nuisance complaints involving black bears have been cut in half, with a reported dip in bear sightings as well.

“The numbers are in and, as every NJ sportsman knows, the bear hunt has been and continues to be a huge success,” said spokesman Cody McLaughlin. “The New Jersey Outdoor Alliance is proud to stand on this record of responsibly managing NJ’s amazing wildlife populations and we will continue to stand with the scientists at the Division Of Fish And Wildlife as we work towards healthy, sustainable ecosystems and safe communities.”

The report, published by NorthJersey.com, cites “Encounters with aggressive bears tied the lowest total since 2010 with two in 2017. This year, however, four were reported through June 20… Reports of negative encounters with bears in general have dropped severely since that 2014 mauling. State records show that reports of nuisance, or unwelcome, black bears made to the state through late June mostly reflected 2017’s totals. The 962 reports registered in 2017 were the fewest since 2013, when there were 1,866 reports, records show.”

About the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance: The New Jersey Outdoor Alliance is a grassroots organization dedicated to supporting outdoor-minded legislation and legislators who support hunting, fishing, trapping and the conservation of our natural resources in New Jersey. Notable accomplishments include the recent passage of the Blood Tracking bill, along with the institution of Hooked On Fishing, Not On Drugs.

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Ridgewood Public Schools spring calendar survey results are out

Ridgewood-High-School-3

July 24,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Public Schools spring calendar survey results are out.

At the July 16, 2018 Board of Education meeting, Dr. Fishbein presented the results of the spring calendar survey sent to district parents / guardians and staff. The Board discussed possible changes to the 2019-2020 calendar based on the survey results. The survey results may be viewed here:

https://www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=15423474

 

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Home break-ins are far more prevalent in the U.S. during the summer

Ridgewood_Police_theridgewoodblog

July 24,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

 

Ridgewood NJ, While it is commonly thought that most burglaries take place when nights are at their longest, home break-ins are far more prevalent in the U.S. during the summer when the days are longer, spiking 10% in June, July and August in particular. In 2016, 278,600 break-ins occurred at night, while 486,006 took place during the day, with $2,361 in items stolen on average.

Further, as reported by the FBI, 60% of burglaries happen between 6am and 6pm.

Understanding that your home is most at risk when the sun is shining, Ooma Home [https://www.ooma.com/home-security/] — an innovative home security and monitoring platform, and creator of the Ooma Butterfleye security camera — has compiled 5 essential tips for residents to keep in mind to help prevent break-ins this season:

#1 Purchase a smart security video camera
33% of break ins could be prevented by better security tech. A security camera such as the Ooma Butterfleye (link) that provides 24/7 live-streaming allows you to check on your home from work or wherever you are in the world, as well as capturing any suspicious activity that might occur.

#2 Mind the front door
34% of break-ins occur at the front door. Make sure the door frame and lock are well secured and in good condition, and consider installing a smart doorbell.

#3 Stay off social media
66% of burglaries are committed by someone who knows the victim. Don’t share your location on social media or post any photos from a vacation until you return.

#4 Become a vigilant landscaper

Unkempt shrubbery and trees around the house provide the perfect hiding spots for intruders. Keep them trimmed, and consider planting thorny bushes near entry points

#5 Keep your car keys near you at all times
Someone is home during 28% of burglaries. Keep your keys within reach to turn on your car alarm to scare off any thieves.

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A Wrinkle in Time! The last summer show for the RHS New Players

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July 23,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Don’t miss it!! A Wrinkle in Time! The last summer show for the RHS New Players. This show will also be performed at The Fringe Festival in Scotland next week! Let’s send these kids off in style with a great audience! Show times are Thursday July 26th at 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm! All ages welcome! For ticket info, please visit www.rhsnewplayers.com

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Ridgewood Chamber Annual Summer Sidewalk Sale Days Starts August 2nd

Ridgewood_Chamber_of_Commerce_theridgewoodblog

July 23,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Sizzle into Summer……Ridgewood’s Famous Summer Sidewalk Sale Days are fast approaching…do not miss this one!

Side Walk Sale Days…
– If raining-sales will be in side…
– call store to see if they will be
extending sale until Monday.

Mark your calendars!

Thursday, Friday, Saturday
August, 2nd, 3rd and 4th 2018
Traditional store hours
When shopping make sure you visit E. Ridgewood Ave., the side streets all through the business district and the West side business district.

E. Ridgewood Ave. stores participating…
Gardiner and Co.
Beauty Plus Salon
Lucky Brand
P. Smith
Bookends
Jekyll & Hide
Loft 41
Shoe Inn
Victors Men’s store
Red Velvet Luxe
Duxiana
P. Smith
Learning Express Toys
Little Skye
Double Take Consignment Boutique
Savvy Chic Consignment Boutique
Hot Jewelry Box
Femmebot Clothing
GAP
Jack Rabbit
Parks Wealth Management
Woofgang Bakery, Grooming & Spa
Ridgewood Bootery
Oasis
East Your Spinach-if rain SALE on Monday
GiGi’s
Biltmore Tuxedo

Side Streets
DPARZ – 112 S. Broad St.

RACEFASTER-11 N. Broad St.

West Side
Olive R Twist Olive Oil-34 Wilsey Squ.
Lora Celli Salon – 39 Godwin Ave.

WOSTBROCK – 225 Goffle Road

In front of the park – if the weather is OK
Charlotte King
Coldwell Banker
Iron Side Fitness
Advance Family Eyecare
Mothers In Training
Venture Studios
Endless Possibilities
Primrose School

ridgewood chamber annual summer sidewalk sale days
Thu, August 02, 2018 – Sat, August 04, 2018
Time: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Ridgewood Business District, E. Ridgewood Ave and Side Streets

 

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RIDGEWOOD TENNIS INSTRUCTION AND SUMMER CAMPS

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TENNIS INSTRUCTION AND SUMMER CAMPS
Registration continues for the summer session of tennis instruction with All Pro Tennis which starts next week.
Youth/Adult Instruction
Mondays – June 25, July 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30
Wednesdays – June 27, July (no 4), 11, 18, 25, August 1 and 8
(rain make ups will be announced as needed)
PreK & K – 5 to 6 pm
Grades 1 & 2 – 5 to 6 pm
Grades 3 to 5 – 6 to 7 pm
Grades 6 and up – 7 to 8 pm
Adults – 7 to 8 pm
Summer Camps
Camps, for grades 1 and up, run Monday through Thursday (Fridays are for rain makeups).
Weeks: June 25, July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, August 6 and 13
Choose from 9 to 10:30 am or 10:30 to 12 noon.
All sessions are held at the Somerville Courts on South Pleasant Avenue, Ridgewood
$120/6 week instructional session or for each camp (non-residents $130)
Participants must possess a 2018 Tennis Membership which may be purchased online via Community Pass, www.ridgewoodnj.net/communitypass.
Registration for class sessions and camps must be made in person or by mail to The Stable, 259 N. Maple Avenue. Please make checks payable to ALL PRO TENNIS. The registration form is attached for your convenience. Call the Recreation Office at 201-670-5560 with any questions or you may contact Barry Ruback, All Pro Tennis at 201-568-3946.

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Pro Arte Chorale will present two summer sings with our new and exciting music director, Bryan Zaros.

Pro Arte Chorale

July 23,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Pro Arte Chorale will present two Summer Sings with our new and exciting Music Director, Bryan Zaros. Please join us as Bryan takes us on these lovely musical journeys:
– Monday, July 30th, “Choral Treasures”, a variety of masterpieces from Mozart, Schubert, Haydn, and Palestrina
– Monday, August 27th, “Mosaic Mass”, a selection of magnificent works from Durufle, Beethoven, Bach and Mozart.
Pro Arte warmly welcomes you to these two enjoyable evenings to experience and sing with Masetro Bryan Zaros and the Chorale! 7:30- 9:00 pm at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 155 Linwood Ave, Ridgewood, NJ. $10 admission includes score rental and refreshments. No registration required. For more information visit www.proartechorale.org; or call 201-497-8400.

Mon, July 30, 2018
Time: 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 155 Linwood Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Cost: 10.00