Tag: Ridgewood Council

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Back to School Treats from Eat Your Spinach Children’s Boutique in Ridgewood

Eat Your Spinach Children's Boutique in Ridgewood

photo courtesy of Eat Your Spinach Children’s Boutique Facebook page

September 3,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Eat Your Spinach Children’s Boutique  sells clothes kids love to wear. Unique, fashionable, and superior quality children’s clothing since 1991. Ages from birth to age 14.

Lets face it its the this is the perfect place for the little fashionista that has almost everything .

Eat Your Spinach Children’s Boutique has some of the  cutest, most stylish outfits for the little ones.  This is the place you shop at if you want your child to be original. No one else in the school yard will be wearing the same outfit as them. They have everything from play wear, to dress wear, to swimwear and accessories and it all comes wrapped in an excellent shopping experience .

Eat Your Spinach Children’s Boutique is located at 42 E Ridgewood Ave,Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Phone number(201) 444-5503 open Tue-Sat:10:30 am – 5:30 pm

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Reader asks what happened to the concrete dumped at the Lakeview leaf recycling center in Ridgewood ?

DPW illegal dumping

file photo by Boyd Loving

Here is another one to the list. Just about a year ago tons of concrete from Village sidewalk projects were dumped at the Lakeview leaf recycling center. It was found by a DEP inspector and the Village was ordered to remove it. So how dumped it? What did it cost the TAXPAYERS to remove it? Was the Village fined for this illegal dumping and how much? The last report the Village Manager told the 3 Amigos that the police were investigation the incident. So Roberta blew off the the taxpayers again or are the police are still investigating this incident for over a year now.

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Ridgewood’s New Crossing Guard Program

ridgewood crossing guards

file photo by Boyd Loving

September 3,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, New Crossing Guard Program is Outlined in Letter from Dr. Fishbein and Police Chief Luthcke
Click below to read a letter to parents and guardians issued September 1, regarding the new service that will assist the Ridgewood Police Department with providing adult school crossing guards through the Village.

https://office-of-the-superintendent.ridgewood.schoolfusion.us/modules/groups/homepagefiles/gwp/923620/955169/File/Crossing%20Guard%20Letter%209_06_17.pdf?sessionid=e9c0b50382b622ce4bfe77ea58c3e139

“The Village of Ridgewood is pleased to announce its recent agreement with All City Management Services, Inc. (ACMS) to provide Adult School Crossing Guard services throughout the Village. There are currently employment opportunities available for individuals who would like to work on a flexible schedule as substitute Crossing Guards or for those who would like to work toward becoming a regular guard. Crossing Guards work a short shift before and after school and receive compensation of $35 per day. If you would like more information on serving as a School Crossing Guard for the Village of Ridgewood, please contact Area Supervisor Gene Raffa at (201) 218.4615.”

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Ridgewood Water : Stage 2 watering restrictions still in effect

ridgewood water

Dear Nattering nabobs of negativism,
Although Stage 2 watering restrictions will continue to be in effect, Ridgewood Water will begin to consider waivers beginning on September 6th.

The following guidelines are the basis for granting individual exceptions to restrictions on outdoor water use:

  • New trees, shrubs, and perennials – Waivers may be granted, but will be limited to use of soaker hoses or drip irrigation on Tuesday,Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday only.  No automatic irrigation will be allowed for this purpose.
  • New lawns (sod or seed) – Waivers may be granted for automatic irrigation on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday only.

Applications are available on the Ridgewood Water website atwater.ridgewoodnj.net. Your completed application and documentation may be submitted in the following ways:

Village Hall
131 N. Maple Ave.
Fifth Floor
Ridgewood, NJ 07450

Waivers cannot be guaranteed and are subject to cancellation if conditions worsen. Residents are still urged to postpone landscape installations when weather conditions are unfavorable.

Thank you for your support and cooperation.  By working together we have been successful in avoiding more stringent restrictions this year.

Have a great Labor Day weekend,
2
Roberta Sonenfeld
Village Manager
201-670-5500, ext. 203

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Allegations pertaining to the Schedler Park Project still stand and many Schedler area residents are still looking for answers

Village_Manager_Roberta_Sonenfeld_theridgewoodblog

file photo by Boyd Loving

September 2,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, as previously reported on the Ridgewood blog ,in October 2015 Resident Jacqueline Hone raised several issues pertaining to the Schedler Park Project including the allegation that the applications for Open Space Funds were fraudulent .

Ms Hone basically received the blow off from the Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld  and she sent a second email exclaiming ,”A citizen’s complaint should not be viewed as a threat, but rather an opportunity to dismiss wrong doing and restore/gain public trust. As public servants, Village Manager and Council, have a fiduciary obligation to investigate citizen’s complaints and afford the complainant due process. The complainant has a right to receive a panel decision, with detailed explanation, as to whether allegations are sustained, not sustained, deemed unfounded or exonerated.”

As of now the allegations pertaining to the Schedler Park Project still stand and many Schedler area residents are still looking for answers . https://theridgewoodblog.net/october-2015-allegations-on-schedler-park-project-in-ridgewood-still-need-to-be-rectified/

In August we asked  Clearly, the time has come for the Village of Ridgewood Manager Roberta Sonenfeld to move on

after an OPRA request turned up”an undated e-mail obtained via a recent Open Public Records Act request, Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld refers to taxpayers’ comments about the proposed Van Neste Memorial Park revitalization project as being “ridiculous” and “malicious.”  The e-mail was sent by Sonenfeld to all members of the post July 1 Village Council.”
https://theridgewoodblog.net/clearly-the-time-has-come-for-the-village-of-ridgewood-manager-roberta-sonenfeld-to-move-on/

Jacqueline Hone continues  to push for clarity on the issue and says there is much confusion with County letter of intent.

“The intent only happened because residents attended a VC meeting and complained. Without any notice to VC or residents, Roberta introduced the idea/grant and pushed for an immediate approval.

Roberta’s usual “oh by the way” management style failed. Mayor Susan Knudsen stepped in and saved the day. Our mayor stressed that things have to be done in a  correct manner and the process has to be followed to include residents. Prior to that, Roberta wanted to put the cart in front of the horse (as always). Residents would have been excluded and procedure would have been ignored. Listen to the meeting minutes.

Her email is not looking for VC support of the plan. Her email is “TELLING” VC to cover what she tried to do and publicly come down on residents that blew the whistle and complained.

All is documented and recorded. My heart breaks for residents that have no idea what is truly happening in our village. I urge everyone to seek first to understand.

Replace opinions with facts. There is a reason why thousands of residents petitioned (twice) and won. Our Village Manger is entangled in state ethics violations, citizen complaints and lawsuits. Did you know?

Residents are unaware, if they are moving forward with the grant, the Public Hearing must be appropriately advertised and scheduled for September 14, 2016. I haven’t seen a single thing.

Why isn’t Roberta gone yet? She’s a runaway train, taking out everything in her way, plowing down residents and our quaint village.”

Schedler Field Ridgewood , Everything you need to know but were afraid to ask
https://theridgewoodblog.net/schedler-field-ridgewood-everything-you-need-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask/

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Don’t forget, the Ridgewood Public Library is closed for Labor Day Weekend

Ridgewood Public Library by ArtChick

file photo by ArtChick

September 2,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Don’t forget, the Ridgewood Public Library is closed on Saturday 9/3, Sunday 9/4 and Monday 9/5 for the Labor Day weekend.

Visit us until 6pm on Friday to pick up your holds, books and 5 for $1DVD rentals for your downtime this weekend.

Or check out digital magazines, ebooks, or audiobooks anytime athttps://buff.ly/2bY9xEL or https://buff.ly/2bYbIYC

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Test plays greater role in New Jersey teacher evaluations

BOE_theridgewoodblog

Updated: SEPTEMBER 1, 2016 — 5:33 AM EDT

by The Associated Press

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) – A standardized test will play a greater role in the evaluation of teachers in New Jersey.

The state Education Department says teachers in grades 4-7 whose students participate in the PARCC math tests or in grades 4-8 whose students take PARCC English exams will have 30 percent of their ratings based on how the students performed on the tests. That’s up from 10 percent.

In a memo, Deputy Education Commissioner Peter Shulman says the test is in its third year and can be used as a tool to improve classroom instruction more effectively than any previous statewide assessment.

https://www.philly.com/philly/education/20160901_ap_d19cb726c33245a2848b8a889d1b5aff.html

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Reader says Town Garage investors should be on the hook for the remediation

Town Garage Ridgewood

The problem with the town garage is that is a pollution nightmare. The property is now owned by a group of private investors who scooped it up to profit from a possible quick sale to the town as a parking garage. The investors should be on the hook for the remediation, but surely own the property in some sort of LLC with no assets. The town should take the property or start proceedings to have the current owners clean it up. the current cost of $1.2 million is an estimate and costs can surely be higher. We have let this pollution continue for too long and based on us having a ground water system need to do something NOW. we have waited wait too long. Hopefully the new council will shift into high gear and get something accomplished. That parking lot along with the town garage would make a nice parking garage. Forget about retail space.

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Ridgewood Police Officer Assaulted During Traffic Stop

Ridgewood_Police_theridgewoodblog

file photo by Boyd Loving

September 2,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, According to the Ridgewood Police on 8/25/16 Ptl. Elwood was investigating a motor vehicle complaint on East Ridgewood Avenue when a party who was not involved became agitated and aggressive towards Ptl. Elwood. The party then assaulted Ptl. Elwood and was arrested at the scene. The 28-year-old Franklin, N.J. resident was then transported to headquarters and processed for Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer. The arrestee was released without bail pending his court date.

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Ridgewood Police Make Drug Arrest in 17 South Starbucks Parking lot

Ridgewood Starbucks 363 Route 17 South

September 2,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police report that on 8/26/16 Ptl. Karcher was dispatched to the parking lot at 363 Route 17 South on a report of suspicious females sleeping in a motor vehicle. Ptl. Karcher responded and located the vehicle, which was registered in Pennsylvania. Ptl. Karcher began to investigate as Sgt. Chuck and Ptl. S. Amoruso arrived on scene. The occupants within the vehicle were arrested at the scene and transported to headquarters for processing. A 34-year-old female from Albany, N.Y. was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia as well as possession of hypodermic needles. Additionally the arrestee had an outstanding warrant from Trenton Municipal Court for a N.J. Transit violation. Trenton City Police and N.J. Transit Police were notified of the arrest and of the arrestee being transported to the Bergen County Jail. The second occupant, 21-year-old female of Albany, N.Y., was arrested for possession of an unlawful weapon as well as possession of a controlled dangerous substance. The arrestee was released without bail with a pending court date.

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Pro Arte Chorale Announces 2016-2017 Season

Pro Arte Chorale Announces 2016-2017 Season
September 1,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Our upcoming concert season “Musical Works of Art” will begin November 20 th with a 4:00 pm performance of Brahms’ beautiful Ein Deutsches Requiem. Our Summer Sing on August 15 and 29 featured this magnificent work, giving interested singers the chance to join their voices with Pro Arte and experience the joy of choral singing. Our March 26 th concert at 4:00 pm will feature a selection of Opera Choruses, which will include collaboration with a high school chorus. Our final concert, June 10 th at 8:00 pm will be an all-Bruckner program featuring 6 Motets and his Mass in E Minor. Interestingly, Bruckner is known mostly for his symphonies, but he was a church musician as well, and his music for the Roman Catholic liturgy is considered to be amongst the finest of the last 150 years. We are excited to present our 2016-2017 season and remain deeply grateful for the support we receive from our funders and audience members. We look forward to seeing you at our concerts and events!

The Pro Arte Chorale, a 50-member volunteer chorus based in Ridgewood, is committed to enriching the lives of its members and its audience by exploring many musical traditions. The Pro Arte Chorale welcomes voices in all sections. We will be hosting auditions throughout the season, starting in early September on Monday nights @7pm. Singers interested in auditioning will be asked to prepare a piece of music that best highlights their voice, and will also be tested for range and reading ability. To schedule an audition, please contact us via email (info@proartechorale.org) or via phone (201) 497-8400. We rehearse on Monday nights, 7:30 – 10:00pm at The Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ridgewood.

The Pro Arte Chorale is lead by Maestro Steven Fox. Maestro Fox is also the artistic director of Clarion Music Society in New York, and the music director for Musica Antiqua St. Petersburg in Russia which he founded in 2001 at the age of 21. He has a distinguished background in sacred music, having served as Acting Director of Music at historic Trinity Church, Wall Street from 2009-2010 and Cantorial

Soloist at the majestic Temple Emanuel in New York City from 2009-2013. Maestro Fox has given master classes and clinics at Dartmouth College, Julliard School and Yale University, where he served for two years as preparatory conductor of the Yale Schola Cantorum. He graduated a Senior Fellow with High Honors from Dartmouth College and with Distinction from the Royal Academy of Music, London, where, in 2010, he was named an Associate for ‘remarkable achievement in and contribution to his field in music’. Recognized as a leader in his generation of conductors, Steven has been called an “esteemed director” by The New Yorker, “visionary” by BBC Music Magazine, and ‘a conductor to watch’ by Seen and Heard International.

The Pro Arte Chorale is sponsored in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment of the Arts. All performances are held in ADA compliant venues with handicapped accessible parking, ramps, elevators and restrooms. Large print programs are available.

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9 Rules of Brain-Healthy Eating in Ridgewood

RidgewoodFarmersMarket_theridgewoodblog

September 1,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, “If you are going to eat right to think right, it is critical to make sure your food is loaded with proper nutrients that your body is able to properly digest.”

Over the years, clinical neuroscientist and brain imaging expert, Dr. Daniel Amen has refined nine rules of brain-healthy eating.

9 Rules of Brain-Healthy Eating

  1. Think “high-quality calories” and not too many of them.
  2. Drink plenty of water and not your calories.
  3. Eat high-quality lean protein throughout the day.
  4. Eat smart carbohydrates (low glycemic, high fiber).
  5. Focus your diet on healthy fats.
  6. Eat from the rainbow.
  7. Cook with brain-healthy herbs and spices to boost your brain.
  8. Make sure your food is clean as possible.
  9. If you’re having trouble with your mood, energy, memory, weight, blood sugar, blood pressure, or skin, make sure to eliminate any foods that might be causing trouble, especially wheat and any other gluten-containing grain or food, as well as dairy, soy, and corn.

Daniel Amen, M.D. heads Amen Clinics, which are located in Orange County, Calif., Atlanta, San Francisco, New York City, Washington, D.C., and the Seattle area. He has written numerous books, including “Healing ADD” and “Change Your Brain, Change Your Life.” Dr. Amen also has appeared as a guest on such TV shows as “The View” and was a consultant for the movie “Concussion.”

Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce Farmers Market
Sun, June 26, 2016 – Sun, October 30, 2016
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Location: Train Station Parking Lot, Godwin Ave & W Ridgewood Ave

It is here! Sundays  June 26, 2016 – October 30, 2016
9:00am – 3:00pm

Enjoy “Farm to Table”
Ridgewood Train Station
Parking Lot West Side

or call 201-445-2600

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NJ TRANSIT OFFERS ‘EARLY GETAWAY’ SERVICE FOR LABOR DAY WEEKEND

Ridgewood Train Station

photo by ArtChick

Kids ride free all weekend with Family SuperSaver Fare

August 31, 2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, there will offer “early getaway” rail and bus service on Friday, September 2, for the benefit of customers leaving work early for the Labor Day holiday weekend.

To help speed the getaway, customers are reminded that they can enjoy the convenience of purchasing tickets through the MyTix feature on the NJ TRANSIT mobile app.On Friday, September 2, extra outbound trains will operate on the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast, Raritan Valley, Morris & Essex and Port Jervis lines starting at approximately 1 p.m.  Extra buses will operate from the Port Authority Bus Terminal and the Hudson River Waterfront on more than two dozen bus routes starting around noon.  Visit njtransit.com for details.  All light rail systems will operate on regular weekday schedules.

REMINDER: Effective September 3, 2016 12 bus routes servicing the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York will have departure gate assignments changed.  Selected routes will be changed as of Saturday, September 3rd with other routes being changed mainly during the weekday PM peak and evening hours as of Tuesday, September 6th.  Check njtransit.com for details.

On Labor Day, Monday, September 5, trains will operate on a weekend/major holiday schedule on all lines.  Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on a weekend schedule. Newark Light Rail will operate on a Saturday schedule.  River Line will operate on a Sunday schedule.  Bus schedules vary by route—customers are advised to check their timetables or visit njtransit.com for schedule information.

Customers are reminded to check njtransit.com for their individual bus timetables for the weekend as departure times will vary by route.

For complete schedules and fares, visit njtransit.com or call 973-275-5555.

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Reader says No More Kicking the Can down the Road for the Ridgewood School Board

Ridgewood EA teachers protest

Will the kicking of the can continue with the Teachers contract??? Now is the time to stop this nonsense!!

Let’s hope we can at least put a dent in the can! One would think the REA has gotten the message by now. It would appear that most of Ridgewood (excluding the teachers who actually live in town) oppose their union’s demands. Why are we paying our teachers more than surrounding towns with better or comparable ratings? There goes your real estate values. Wyckoff, Allendale, HoHoKus, Franklin Lakes, Upper Saddle River are all lovely towns with lower taxes. I just can’t get that photo of those teachers’ and their mean, arrogant and angry faces out of my mind. The blonde and one next to her wearing sunglasses look particularly nasty! If they knew who my child was I’m sure there would be ramifications in the classroom for this comment!

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Time to Clean Up the Town Garage in Ridgewood

Town Garage Ridgewood
September 1,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the residents in Ridgewood reject the idea the town is run by an”anti-development majority opinion”. The objection most have with the proposed development projects is that they do little to help improve the central business district and do almost nothing to address some of the current problems . A typical example is the newly misguided proposal of destroying Van Neste park . The simple fact is that it will like most of the current proposals that will do nothing to fix the town garage property and issues dating back to 2007.

IMG 2328 e1472732510705

Readers have previously stated the, “Previous councils also spent over $1.0 million on “environmental studies” with funds raised from the previous Village garage bonding. They were looking to remediate the land on a old gas station site and the site of the old Town Garage. What happened to those studies????”

In 2007 , the Town Garage has a checked past and was featured in a series of articles on the Ridgewood blog ,”The current hot discussion topic among those who monitor Village Hall happenings is how an out of town firm was able purchase the Town Garage property from right out under the noses of Village Council members. Village ownership of the subject property (see posted photo) is seen as key to the successful construction of a municipal parking garage.” https://theridgewoodblog.net/the-town-garage-120-franklin-avenue-the-eye-of-the-storm/

IMG 2327

More Recently the Town Garage was featured prominently in the parking lot discussion for the central business district in Ridgewood .” the Town Garage site and the village owned property in that area.  The DEP declared it a remediation site 10 years ago.  Nothing has been done and their is an underground water stream running through the property that is compromised by seepage from the hydraulic and diesel fuel tanks still buried there,  The village spent 35,000 dollars to identify what needed to be done several years ago and I have not heard a thing until last weeks meeting at the very end where the council discussed briefly the abandoned property ordinance, eminent domain and the fact that there is a toxic flume at the site which is adding to the contamination and needs monitoring so as to minimize the effect on the water and I believe wells were mentioned.  I have more information which I will forward to you.  Saw in old minutes where Keith Killion and Pat Mancuso saw the need to clean the site and put a garage there.  It is so much more centrally located and would be used by employees, shoppers ,diners as well as commuters more readily than HUdson Street.”
https://theridgewoodblog.net/town-garage-site-in-ridgewood-and-the-village-owned-property-in-that-area-still-a-dep-declared-it-a-remediation-site/

The fact remains the Town Garage property must be cleaned up and made safe . It is one of many properties down town that need major rehabilitation . A rehabilitation in keeping with and consistent with the over all small town feel of the Village of Ridgewood .
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