Tag: Ridgewood Board of Education

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Judge green-lights parent’s lawsuit against New Jersey public school teaching ‘Islam is the true faith’

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June 24,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Chatham NJ, If it were not for these two moms, Nancy Gayer and Libby Hilsenrath, the Islamic propaganda videos would still be rolling inside the Chatham Middle School.
A federal judge has refused to toss out a lawsuit brought by a parent against the Chatham, New Jersey, school district, which showed seventh-graders a pro-Muslim video that included an invitation to convert to the “true faith.”
In denying the school district’s motion to dismiss the case, U.S. District Court Judge Kevin McNulty said the motion was worth only “minimal discussion.”

Kate Oliveri, an attorney with Thomas More Law Center, is representing Libby Hilsenrath, whose 12-year-old son attends Chatham Middle School. Oliveri said the decision to let the lawsuit proceed came as no surprise.
“The motion to dismiss was a further attempt by the school district to bully and silence Mrs. Hilsenrath,” she said. “The school district ignored the legal standard and ignored the facts, attempting instead to fool the judge with a poor attempt at sophistry.”

The lawsuit claims that seventh-grade students at the Chatham Middle School were forced to watch a set of videos in their World Cultures and Geography class that sought to convert them to Islam. Here is a sampling of what the students learned by watching just one of the 5-minute videos:
God gave Muhammed the noble Quran
The Quran is a Perfect guide for Humanity
The Quran is divine revelation
Islam is a shining beacon against the darkness of repression, segregation, intolerance and racism​
The Beautiful Quran is Guidance for the wise & sensible.
Then came the topper. The video ends with this: “May God help us all to find the true faith, Islam.”

A musical version of an Arabic poem plays in the background throughout the video. The lyrics describe Christians and Jews as infidels and praises Muhammed for slaughtering them: . . . “their white shining swords red with the blood of infidels
. . . until they looked like meat on the butcher’s block.”

When Libby Hilsenrath first brought her concerns to the school board’s attention, on Feb. 6, 2017, they were dismissed out of hand.
And, when she and fellow parent Nancy Gayer appeared on Fox News’ Tucker Carlson Show a week later to express her concerns to the nation, she was roundly condemned by the school community. [See interview with Tucker Carlson below]

Because of Hilsenrath’s attempts to persuade school officials to remove the videos and stop the Islamic indoctrination of her son and the other seventh-grade students, she has been subjected to a barrage of vicious personal attacks on social media and in public venues across her community.
Oliveri said the Chatham Board of Education and certain school-district teachers are “waging a war” against the religious protections afforded by the First Amendment.
“They attack religious liberty by enticing young school children with a direct call to convert to Islam and providing a step-by-step guide on how to effect that conversion,” Oliveri said. And then when two parents complained, the school district embarked on a concerted effort to smear their character.

TMLC attorney Kate Oliveri
If anything remotely this aggressively Christian were presented to public-school children in any corner of the United States, the ACLU would be ready to pounce with a lawsuit. But the ACLU is curiously silent in the New Jersey case.
Thank God for the Thomas More Law Center, said James Komaniecki, president of RestoreAmericanLiberty.com.
“Thank Almighty God that TMLC is taking these people to the mat on this,” said Komaniecki. “If we don’t stand up to radical Islam in our own nation, we will be undermined from within until nothing remains of our own culture and Christian faith.”
The federal lawsuit was filed Jan. 23 in the New Jersey District Court against several officials and teachers of the Chatham Middle School and the school district.
Richard Thompson, president of TMLC, said the absurdities introduced to students at Chatham Middle School are the same ones being introduced to students at schools across the U.S.
“Witless school officials have converted classrooms across America into Islamic indoctrination centers,” he said. “These schools do not educate, they propagandize. Under the guise of teaching social studies courses, teachers promote the religion of Islam in ways that would never be legally allowable for Christianity or any other religion.
“Because the explicitly stated goal of Muslim leaders and organizations is to dominate America by a ‘civilization jihad,’ these schools collude with them to jeopardize our national security.”
The Thomas More Law Center is a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
“To protect our children and our nation from the insidious Islamic propagandizing going on in our public schools, courageous parents like Libby Hilsenrath must take the time to know exactly what their children are being taught,” Thompson said. “And if it’s Islamic propaganda, take action to stop it.

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Readers say there is Zero Enforcement of Water Restrictions

Sprinkler watering the lawn

Zero enforcement. On Friday I saw watering during the day, even on busy Glen Ave by Travell.

Either enforce it or scrap it.And  I agree with you it taste like shit and smells like chlorine , apparently management has let our clean deep wells fall into disrepair and chooses to buy surface water to supplant the deficiency so it must be treated with chlorine . Which brings up the question. So we buy all want then why both to restrict ? Just allow irrigation at 3-6am so the inadequate storage tanks don’t get depleted.

Since we must water only during dark hours and only certain days, hire some students to drive around town at 6AM and see all the wet streets (they dry pretty quickly but often are there until 8.) Another good clue is a green lawn–those are the houses that need checking. make a list and have those houses have an early morning check. The town could make a fortune on the fines.

 

 

 

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Reader says Looks good but did Parks & Rec add much needing lighting to the parking lot?

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Looks good but did Parks & rec add much needing lighting to the parking lot? After all Habernickle Park has had lights in the parking lot for 3 years. This field gets used a lot past dusk and could benefit from lights after all Tim said ALL Parks will be getting parking lot lights So either take them down at Habernickle or put them up at ALL Parks!!!!! Let’s face it our kids safety is way more important then the business at the gatehouse in Habernickle Park.

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US Supreme Court Rules States Can Collect Sales Tax For Online Purchases

Whole Foods installs Amazon E lockers in Ridgewood

June 24,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Washington DC, US Supreme Court rules states can collect sales tax for online purchases nationwide . Online shoppers could find costs going up after the Supreme Court did away Thursday with a decades-old precedent limiting the ability of states to collect sales tax on certain out-of-state Internet purchases.

The 5-4 ruling called the current rules “unsound and incorrect.” The Court shot down the “physical presence” required .Currently, businesses shipping a product to another state where it does not have a “physical presence” — a store, office or warehouse — are not forced to collect that state’s sales tax.

The high court said that rule is outdated, “When the day-to-day functions of marketing and distribution in the modern economy are considered, it is all the more evident that the physical presence rule is artificial in its entirety,” Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote.

The current regulation “allows remote sellers to escape an obligation to remit a lawful state tax is unfair and unjust,” added Kennedy. “It is unfair and unjust to those competitors, both local and out of state, who must remit the tax; to the consumers who pay the tax; and to the states that seek fair enforcement of the sales tax.”

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Coyote Sighting in Ridgewood

Wile_E_Coyote

June 24,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewod NJ, we have received reports of what appeared to be a coyote making the rounds near the corner of Heights and Madison, next to the apartments.

The coyote is a wild member of the dog family and closely resembles a small German shepherd with the exception of its long snout and bushy, black-tipped tail. Another key difference from a domestic dog is readily noticeable even from a distance: The coyote has a habit of holding its tail below a horizontal position while standing, walking and running.

Eastern coyotes differ from their western counterparts with a larger average size and various color phases, including blonde, red and black. Past interbreeding between wolves and coyotes may be responsible for the larger size and color variations in our eastern coyote. In New Jersey, adult coyotes range in weight from 20-50 lbs. and exceptionally large ones may be up to 55 lbs. Coyotes adjust well to their surroundings and can survive on whatever food is available. They prey on rabbits, mice, birds and other small animals, as well as young and weakened deer. They also consume carrion (decaying tissue). They are tolerant of human activities and rapidly adapt to changes in their environment.

Eastern coyotes differ from their western counterparts with a larger average size and various color phases, including blonde and black.

Coyotes bear litters during April and May, with females delivering between three and nine pups. Conflicts between coyotes and humans are most likely to develop as adults forage for food for the pups in the spring and summer.

Coyotes primarily hunt rodents and rabbits for food, but will take advantage of whatever is available, including garbage, pet food and domestic animals that are left unattended. Allowing coyotes access to human food and garbage is irresponsible and can lead to problems.

Coyotes, along with foxes, are sometimes afflicted with mange which can result in significant hair loss. The loss of fur can result in making identification of a coyote difficult, resulting in reports of a “mystery” animal, or even a cougar.

In suburban and urban areas, coyotes have occasionally attacked small pets. Although attacks on humans are extremely rare in eastern states, as with any predatory animal they can occur.

Coyotes play an important role in the ecosystem, helping to keep rodent populations under control. They are by nature wary of humans. However, coyote behavior changes if given access to human food and garbage. They lose caution and fear. They may cause property damage and threaten human safety, requiring euthanasia. Relocating a problem coyote is not an option because it only moves the problem to someone else’s neighborhood.

Coyote Precautions

The following guidelines can help reduce the likelihood of conflicts with coyotes:

  • Never feed a coyote. Deliberately feeding coyotes puts pets and other residents in the neighborhood at risk.
  • Feeding pet cats and/or feral (wild) cats outdoors can attract coyotes. The coyotes feed on the pet food and also prey upon the cats.
  • Put garbage in tightly closed containers that cannot be tipped over.
  • Remove sources of water, especially in dry climates.
  • Bring pets in at night.
  • Put away bird feeders at night to avoid attracting rodents and other coyote prey.
  • Provide secure enclosures for rabbits, poultry, and other farm animals.
  • Pick up fallen fruit and cover compost piles.
  • Although extremely rare, coyotes have been known to attack humans. Parents should monitor their children, even in familiar surroundings, such as backyards.
  • Install motion-sensitive lighting around the house.
  • Clear brush and dense weeds from around dwellings – this reduces protective cover for coyotes and makes the area less attractive to rodents and rabbits. Coyotes, as well as other predators, are attracted to areas where rodents are concentrated like woodpiles.
  • If coyotes are present, make sure they know they’re not welcome. Make loud noises, blast a canned air siren, throw rocks, or spray them with a garden hose.

If you observe coyotes in the daytime that show no fear of humans or if a coyote attacks a person, immediately contact your local police and the Division of Fish and Wildlife at 908-735-8793; outside of normal business hours call the DEP Hotline at 877-WARN-DEP.

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Sore election losers, and we do mean losers, strike again

Jeff Voigt Ridgewood Council

June 24,2018

by the staff of The Ridgewood Blog

Ridgewood NJ, We just received a text from a reader that included photos taken off of Jeff Voigt’s Facebook page of theConservancy for Ridgewood Public Lands’ Butterfly Garden grand opening event. The event was held at The Stable (taxpayer owned property) on Thursday, 06/21.

NO VILLAGE COUNCIL MEMBERS OTHER THAN JEFF VOIGT WERE LISTED AS HAVING ATTENDED THE EVENT. THE STAFF OF THE RIDGEWOOD BLOG WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF ANY VILLAGE COUNCIL MEMBERS OTHER THAN COUNCILMAN VOIGT INVITED TO ATTEND.  WHAT SAY YOU MRS. HALABY?

In attendance were, among others – Nancy Bigos, Heather Mailander, Tony Daminao, Janice Willett, Siobhan Winograd, Roberta Sonenfeld, Cynthia Halaby, Lauren Saraceno, Chris Raimondi, and Jeffrey Voigt.

Some losers just don’t know when to give it up.

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Ridgewood Public Library : What We’re Reading This Weekend

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June 22, 2018

By Kerri Wallace, Circulation Supervisor

Ridgewood NJ, School’s out, pools are open, and it is time to start catching up on our TBR (to be read) piles this summer. Librarians Kerri and Lorri share what they plan on reading this weekend. Tell us what you’re reading in the comments.

From Kerri:

I’m just finishing up The Innocent Wife by Amy Lloyd, a psychological thriller about a woman named Samantha who moves from England to America to marry a death row inmate. Soon after their wedding, Dennis is exonerated for a murder he didn’t commit and the two move in together. Dennis and Sam are confronted by community members who still feel that Dennis is responsible for other unsolved murders, and his new wife becomes suspicious of Dennis’ strange behavior as a free man. Lesson to be learned here: a first date that takes place in prison might be a red flag.

I feel like the story is slightly different from the Gone Girl / Women in the Window type books and would be enjoyed by fans of psychological thrillers. The storyline reminds me of the

murders that took place in the 90s.

I’ll also be starting Circe by Madeline Miller and listening to Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate.

From Lorri:

The Book of Essie by Meghan MacLean Lear was my Friday read. Essie grew up in the spotlight’s glare as part of her evangelical family’s TV show, but she is seventeen and pregnant, and she wants out. There is a dark secret, a lost sister, and a reporter with a murky past of her own. It’s like the Duggars meets Lifetime Movie of the Week, but in an entertaining way.

Tommy Orange’s There There is getting a ton of buzz on the literary internet. It’s the story of twelve urban Indians (Native Americans) living in Oakland, California, who are attending the Big Oakland Powwow for very different reasons–some generous, some fearful, some joyful, some violent– and momentum builds toward a shocking yet inevitable conclusion that changes everything. It’s told in short chapters in alternating points of view, which is like
catnip to me, and it is supposed to be breathtaking. Check back with me on Monday

Ridgewood Public Library

125 N Maple Ave
Ridgewood, New Jersey

Call (201) 670-5600

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Violet Ramis Stiel ,Today at Bookends in Ridgewood , Ghostbuster’s Daughter: Life with My Dad, Harold Ramis

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June 23,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Violet Ramis Stiel will be appearing today at 2 PM – 3 PM at Bookends Bookstore,211 E Ridgewood Ave, Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450 .  Stiel is the daughter of Actor Harold Ramis (Ghostbusters/Caddyshack), Violet Ramis Stiel, will sign her new book: Ghostbuster’s Daughter: Life with My Dad, Harold Ramis.

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

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Median Age in the USA Increases to 38 years Old

seniors working artchick

file photo by ArtChick

June 23,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Washington DC, Approximately half (51.4 percent) of the nation’s 531 counties that were getting younger between April 2010 and July 2017 were in the Midwest, according to newly released 2017 population estimates. Out of the counties that were getting younger, the South also had a high proportion (32.4 percent) of the counties that experienced a decrease in median age — the age where half of the population is younger and the other half is older— followed by the West (14.1 percent), and the Northeast (2.1 percent).
“Nationally, almost 17 percent of counties saw a decrease in median age from April 2010 to July 2017. The majority of the counties getting younger were in the Midwest, and of these counties with 10,000 people or more in July 2017, some of the largest decreases were in North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska,” said Molly Cromwell, a demographer at the U.S. Census Bureau. “Williams County, N.D., had the largest decrease in median age, declining by 7.1 years.”
Despite the decrease in median age in many of the Midwest’s counties, a majority of counties in the country continued to grow older. The nation as a whole experienced a median age increase from 37.2 years to 38.0 years during the period 2010 to 2017. This continued aging of the country is consistent with the projected changes to the nation’s population through 2060.
“Baby boomers, and millennials alike, are responsible for this trend in increased aging,” Cromwell said. “Boomers continue to age and are slowly outnumbering children as the birth rate has declined steadily over the last decade.”
Last year, Florida had the largest percentage of seniors (age 65 and older) with 20.1 percent, followed by Maine (19.9 percent) and West Virginia (19.4 percent). Maine also saw its median age increase to 44.7 from 42.7 years old in 2010, making it the state with the highest median age.
On the other hand, Utah had the smallest percentage of its population age 65 and older (10.8 percent), followed by Alaska (11.2 percent) and the District of Columbia (12.1 percent). Utah is also the state with the lowest median age (30.9 years).
View our graphics on change in median age from 2010 to 2017 at the county level and the median age in 2017 to see how the nation has changed.
Population Continues to Become More Diverse

At the same time that the U.S. population becomes older, it also is becoming more diverse by race and ethnicity. Nationally, the population of all race and ethnic groups, except for the non-Hispanic white alone group, grew between July 1, 2016, and July 1, 2017. View our graphic on the age and race distribution from 2010 to 2017 to see how the nation has grown more diverse. References below to the race and ethnic compositions of county populations apply only to those counties with a total population of 10,000 or more.
The Hispanic population increased 2.1 percent to 58.9 million.
The black or African-American population increased 1.2 percent to 47.4 million.
The Asian population increased 3.1 percent to 22.2 million.
The American Indian or Alaska Native population increased 1.3 percent to 6.8 million.
The Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander population increased 2.1 percent to 1.6 million.
The population of those Two or More Races increased 2.9 percent to 8.7 million.
The white alone-or-in-combination population increased 0.5 percent to 257.4 million.
The non-Hispanic white alone population decreased .02 percent to 197.8 million.
The Hispanic Population (All Races)
The Hispanic population made up 18.1 percent of the nation’s total population in 2017, primarily due to natural increase (the difference between births and deaths).
California had the largest Hispanic population (15.5 million), and Texas saw the largest numeric increase in Hispanic population (234,000 people).
Los Angeles County, Calif., had the largest Hispanic population of any county (4.9 million), and Starr County, Texas, had the highest percentage of Hispanics with 96.3 percent.
The Black or African-American Population

Texas had the largest black or African-American population (3.8 million) and the District of Columbia had the highest percentage of the black or African American alone-or-in-combination population (48.8 percent).
Cook County, Ill., had the largest black or African-American population of any county (1.3 million).
Clark County, Nev. had the largest numeric increase of black or African-American population of any county (14,000). There were 104 counties nationwide that had a majority black or African-American population, led by Holmes County, Miss. (83.2 percent).
The Asian Population
Asians were the fastest-growing racial group in the nation. Their increase is primarily due to net migration.
California had the largest Asian population (6.8 million).
Hawaii was the only state where the Asian population represented a majority of the population (57.1 percent).
The American Indian or Alaska Native Population
California had the largest American Indian or Alaska Native population (1.1 million), and Alaska had the highest percentage (20.0 percent).
Los Angeles County, Calif., had the largest American Indian or Alaska Native population of any county at 233,000.
Oglala Lakota County, S.D., had the largest percentage of the American Indian or Alaska Native population (93.9 percent).
The Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander Population
The median age of the Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander population increased the most of any race group (2.3 years), rising from 26.4 years old in April 2010 to 28.7 years old in July 2017.
Hawaii had the largest number (382,000) and proportion (26.8 percent) of the Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander population.
Honolulu County, Hawaii, had the largest Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander population (245,000) in 2017. Clark County, Nev., had the largest numeric increase for the Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander population (1,400) in 2017.
The Two or More Races Population
Those who identify as two or more races made up the second-fastest growing race group (2.9 percent) in the nation. Their growth is due primarily to natural increase.
The two or more races group had the youngest median age of any other race group at 20.4 years.
California had the largest two or more races population (1.5 million) and Hawaii had the highest proportion (23.8 percent).
White Alone-or-in-Combination and the Non-Hispanic White Alone Population
The non-Hispanic white alone group was the only race group to experience population decline between 2016 and 2017 (-0.02 percent). Of all the alone-or-in-combination race groups, the white alone-or-in-combination group grew the slowest (0.5 percent).
Both the non-Hispanic white alone and white alone-or-in-combination populations had the highest median ages compared to the other race groups at 43.5 years and 39.2 years, respectively. The non-Hispanic white alone population is projected to continue aging and declining, with one-third of children projected to be non-Hispanic white alone by 2060, as compared to over one-half projected to be older adults.
The four states with the largest percentage of non-Hispanic white alone populations: Maine (93.3 percent), Vermont (92.9 percent), West Virginia (92.2 percent) and New Hampshire (90.5 percent) are also the four oldest states by median age with 44.7, 42.9, 42.5 and 43.1 years old, respectively.
This is the last of the population estimates for 2017. Previous estimates include national, county, metro area, city and town population estimates. The population estimates as of July 1, 2017, do not reflect displacement or other migratory changes to the nation’s population due to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria in August and September 2017. For information on how the country is projected to change through 2060, view our previous release, Older People Projected to Outnumber Children for First Time in U.S. History.

 

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Pierre & Michel bakery Opening a Ridgewood location

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June 23,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Pierre & Michel Bakery, the “authentic french bakery” in Elmwood Park, is opening another location in Ridgewood.The chef graduated pastry school at Ecole de Boulangerie et Patisserie in Paris plus trained at Lenotre – the French culinary brand including restaurants, catering and cooking schools.The bakery currently offers traditional pastries, cakes, macarons, breads (brioche, baguettes) and more. No word yet on an opening date.

On June 15th they celebrated their two year anniversary on rout 4 in Elmwood Park.

Pierre & Michel is a family owned Authentic French Bakery a craft passed on from father to son, focusing on the traditional taste and methods of old world Paris. Graduating from french pastry school Ecole de Boulangerie et Patisserie in Paris, our chef has trained in all kinds of pastries, petit gateau, chocolates, artisanal breads, and other specialties including Macarons, where he trained at the famous french house LeNotre.
Our chef has also achieved success in wedding cakes working under MOF Jean Michel Perruchon president of the school at Bellouet Conseil Paris. His resume also includes the 4 star Hotel Concorde Lafayette and Maison Privat Boulangerie Patisserie.

The Ridgewood spot is similar in size to that in Elmwood Park. It will seat 25 customers. Pierre & Michel is located at 95 Broadway in Elmwood Park (201-300-6580). The second location will be at 38 E. Ridgewood Ave., frenchbakerynj.com/ .

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The Jamboree Scholarship Fund Awarded 36 Need-based Scholarships to RHS Seniors in 2018

Jamboree

June 23,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Since 1947, Jamboree has presented an original musical revue to raise need-based scholarship funds for college bound Ridgewood High School seniors.

Over 125 RHS parents and guardians contribute each year by performing on stage, designing costumes, building sets, and working back-stage.

The entire production and all Jamboree fund-raising efforts are 100 percent voluntary. All Fund revenues are raised through program advertising, ticket sales and corporate and individual sponsorships.

This year, the Jamboree Scholarship Fund awarded 36 need-based scholarships to RHS seniors. This would not have been possible without all the hard work of RHS Jamboree volunteers. These scholarships can make a real difference to the recipients – so your contributions do have an impact on Ridgewood’s students!

Please consider donating to the Jamboree Scholarship fund and please support our local businesses that support Jamboree and our incredibly talented students at https://rhsjamboree.org/wp/donate-now
Jamboree Scholarship Fund, Inc, is a 501(c )(3) charitable organization.

 https://rhsjamboree.org/wp/donate-now

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Healthy Smoothie Ideas from Valley Hospital

landscape 1462989593 delish smoothies

June 22,2018

by Andrea Collins, MS, RD, CDE, Dietitian, The Valley Hospital

Ridgewood NJ, Smoothies can be a delicious and healthy part of your food plan. Include the ingredients below to boost your phytonutrient, protein, omega 3 and fiber intake.

Combine ingredients in the order listed below and blend to desired consistency.

Base liquid: 4 to 6 ounces
Brewed and cooled tea, green or an herbal tea

Juices (optional): 2 to 4 ounces
100% fruit juices, try cranberry, orange, dark cherry, pomegranate

Fruit
½ cup of unsweetened fruit, try apple, berries, banana, mango, melon, peach, pear, pineapple

Vegetables
1-2 cups of leafy greens or other vegetables of your choice

Protein
Choose one: Unsweetened protein powder (1 scoop), nut butter (1 Tbsp.), yogurt or kefir (1/2 cup)

Flax seeds
Add 1 to 2 Tbsp. of ground flax seeds to the blender

Ice
Add ¼ cup to the blender if you prefer your smoothie cold

Enjoy!

If you are interested in meeting with a nutrition coach to learn more about a wide range of personalized services including menu planning, refrigerator makeovers, supermarket shopping, advice about what to order in restaurants, personal chef referrals, lunch box ideas, collaborative cooking instruction and recipes, please contact Joe Juliano, DTR, Nutrition and Wellness Manager, The Valley Hospital, at 201-447-8093 or [email protected].

The above smoothie ideas were inspired by The Institute for Functional Medicine

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A Record Number of Travelers Will Hit the Roads on 4th of July

Route_17_Glen062_theridgewoodblog

file photo by Boyd Loving

June 22,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, A record number of Americans are planning to travel for the 4th of July holiday, AAA said Thursday.The travel group’s annual forecast predicts that 46.9 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home for Independence Day, a 5% increase compared to last year and the highest number since AAA’s first report 18 years ago.

A strong U.S. economy is contributing to the expected rise in travel, according to AAA. The increase also comes as Independence Day falls on a Wednesday, allowing travelers to plan a weekend getaway before and after the holiday. The 4th of July holiday period is defined as Tuesday, July 3, through Sunday, July 8.

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PSE&G Proposes to Lower Residential Gas Bills This Fall

PSEG Gas leak

file photo by Boyd Loving

June 22,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Public Service Electric and Gas Co. (PSE&G) today filed for a decrease in residential gas bills that would take effect this fall for the winter heating season.
While the proposed lower gas rates would take effect later this year, bills for PSE&G’s residential electric customers are dropping 1.9 percent today just in time for summer. The lower electric bills are the result of the Basic Generation Service auction held in February for customers who receive their electric supply from PSE&G. The typical customer who uses 750 kilowatt-hours per summer month and 7,200 kilowatt-hours annually will pay $2 less per month, or $24 less per year.

Under the gas supply filing made today, a residential gas heating customer who uses 165 therms in a winter month and 1,010 therms annually would pay about $1 less in a winter month or about $12 less per year.
Residential gas bills are 50 percent lower than they were in 2008. Under the proposal, the rate residential customers pay will decrease to 35 cents from 37 cents per therm. PSE&G has also requested to increase its Balancing Charge, which recovers the costs of providing storage and peaking services, to 10 cents from 9 cents per therm.

“We work hard to keep our bills as stable as possible for customers,” said Jorge Cardenas, vice president of asset management and centralized services. “The cost of natural gas is still historically low when compared to a decade ago, and costs for the 2018-2019 period have decreased further.

“Overall gas prices are lower due to increased production levels, as compared to last year,” Cardenas said. “These historically high production levels are resulting in abundant gas supplies to meet market needs. All of these factors — combined with PSE&G’s ability to efficiently manage our gas supply contracts and purchases– result in further savings that we are pleased to pass along to customers.”
Cardenas added, “During the past nine years, PSE&G has provided significant savings to our customers as the cost of natural gas has steadily dropped. As a result, the typical customer will pay about $844 less per year than they did in 2008 – in addition to monthly bill credits that have been implemented in the last few years.”

PSE&G makes no profit on the sale of natural gas, passing along what it pays to its customers. If the price of natural gas increases, the BPU allows the state’s natural gas utilities, including PSE&G, to recover those costs. Conversely, reductions in the gas supply price may be implemented at any time if market conditions warrant.

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Ridgewood Water: Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays are no irrigation days

ridgewood water

June 22,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, As a means to conserve water, Ridgewood Water has set two day per week watering: Even numbered addresses on Wednesday and Sunday, and odd numbered addresses on Tuesday and Saturday. No watering Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. Water smart any day by using a hand held hose or drip irrigation, or apply for an exemption to water any day by using a smart controller.

Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays are no irrigation days, with the exception of hand held hoses and use of a SMART CONTROLLER on your automatic irrigation system. Water Conservation is always a smart idea.

Stage II restrictions (2 days per week irrigation) were imposed in June 2016 and are still in effect in Glen Rock, Midland Park, Ridgewood and Wyckoff. Without these restrictions, the use of drinking water for irrigation will continue increasing toward levels that are unsustainable regardless of drought conditions. To reverse this trend, an ordinance was approved by the Village Council on April 12, 2017 to amend the provisions governing Watering and Water Emergencies in the Village of Ridgewood Code. Changes include:
Making 2 days per week irrigation permanent year round,
Restricting irrigation hours to limit losses to evaporation,
Restricting irrigation using private wells to 2 days a week,
Adding new exemptions, including drip irrigation and smart controllers.
This ordinance became effective on May 2, 2017 and applies only to Ridgewood, but it is expected that the Boroughs of Glen Rock and Midland Park, and the Township of Wyckoff will enact similar rules as they have in the past. Below is the approved ordinance. Questions can be directed to Ridgewood Water at 201-670-5521 or [email protected] .