In today’s standards-based education system, the main focus is on teaching skills rather than content. There’s a prevalent idea that it matters less what students read just so long as they are reading.
But according to E.D. Hirsch, professor emeritus of education and humanities at the University of Virginia, that’s bull.
Some of you may know Hirsch through his famous advocacy of “cultural literacy”—the idea that some amount of “shared, canonical knowledge is inherently necessary to a literate democracy,” and that students in a particular culture should have common exposure to certain texts and concepts.
Fantasy fiction is often pooh-poohed by academics and intellectuals, but it can whet the appetite for learning.
Jon Miltimore | August 19, 2016
Recently I spoke with a friend who expressed some angst that his 12-year-old son was primarily interested in reading fantasy novels. Efforts to introduce the lad to higher forms of literature were proving more difficult than he’d expected.
Not to worry. Fantasy novels and science fiction yarns, I said, are often gateways to the higher forms of literature. This was not just my opinion, I added, it was my experience.
When I was 12, I was not yet much of a fan of reading. I had enjoyed some young adult fiction writers (S.E. Hinton, R.L. Stein, Christopher Pike, etc.) and enjoyed the histories of NFL football teams, but I didn’t have a passion for books. That changed when my father gave me J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings.
“The one thing that is never taught by any chance in the atmosphere of public schools,” wrote G. K. Chesterton, “is…that there is a whole truth of things, and that in knowing it and speaking it we are happy.”[1] Such words would be greeted with calculated coldness by the architects of the common core curriculum, who would no doubt respond with chilling indifference that there is no whole truth of things and therefore no meaningful happiness to be derived from it. Modernity never gets beyond Pontius Pilate’s famous question, quid est veritas, which is asked not in the spirit of philosophy as a question to be answered, but in the ennui of intellectual philandery as merely a rhetorical question that is intrinsically unanswerable. This intellectual philandery spawns numerous illegitimate children, each of which has its day as the dominant fad of educationists, at least until a new intellectual fad replaces it. It is in the nature of fads to fade but in the brief period in which they find themselves in the fashionable limelight they can cause a great deal of damage, a fact that Chesterton addressed with customary adroitness in 1910, over a century ago:
The trouble in too many of our modern schools is that the State, being controlled so specially by the few, allows cranks[2] and experiments to go straight to the schoolroom when they have never passed through the Parliament, the public house, the private house, the church, or the marketplace.
Obviously it ought to be the oldest things that are taught to the youngest people; the assured and experienced truths that are put first to the baby. But in a school today the baby has to submit to a system that is younger than himself. The flopping infant of four actually has more experience and has weathered the world longer than the dogma to which he is made to submit.
Many a school boasts of having the latest ideas in education, when it has not even the first idea; for the first idea is that even innocence, divine as it is, may learn something from experience.[3]
While not necessarily improper, administrators and board members might be forced to choose between what’s best for the hospital and what’s best for their private interests.
By
ANDREA FULLER and
MELANIE EVANS
Aug. 21, 2016 12:31 p.m. ET
Nonprofit hospitals have extensive business ties that can pose conflicts of interests for their administrators and board members, a Wall Street Journal analysis of newly released Internal Revenue Service data shows.
While having relationships with companies doing business with a nonprofit hospital isn’t necessarily improper—as long as the deals are disclosed and at market rate—administrators and board members sometimes may be forced to choose between what’s best for the hospital and what’s best for their private interests.
“Just because something is legal doesn’t mean that it’s appropriate,” said James Orlikoff,a Chicago-based hospital governance consultant. “You run the real risk of violating the public trust.”
Ridgewood NJ, once again Ridgewood Police report incidence of “Identity Fraud . On 8/9/16 a Woodside Avenue resident responded to headquarters to report an incident of fraud in the past. The victim reported an unknown person made a purchase using the victim’s PNC debit card in the amount of $1910.76 in Flushing, N.Y. The victim reported PNC Debit Card Fraud department was notified and investigating the incident.
A Hawthorne Place resident reported a theft of impersonation on 8/12/16. The resident reported an unknown person utilized his personal identity to submit a tax return. The resident contacted the IRS and made notification of the fraud.
According to the US Department of Justice these are the most common ways to commit identity theft or fraud;
Many people do not realize how easily criminals can obtain our personal data without having to break into our homes. In public places, for example, criminals may engage in “shoulder surfing”  watching you from a nearby location as you punch in your telephone calling card number or credit card number  or listen in on your conversation if you give your credit-card number over the telephone to a hotel or rental car company.
If you receive applications for “pre-approved” credit cards in the mail, but discard them without tearing up the enclosed materials, criminals may retrieve them and try to activate the cards for their use without your knowledge. (Some credit card companies, when sending credit cards, have adopted security measures that allow a card recipient to activate the card only from his or her home telephone number but this is not yet a universal practice.) Also, if your mail is delivered to a place where others have ready access to it, criminals may simply intercept and redirect your mail to another location.
In recent years, the Internet has become an appealing place for criminals to obtain identifying data, such as passwords or even banking information. In their haste to explore the exciting features of the Internet, many people respond to “spam”  unsolicited E-mail  that promises them some benefit but requests identifying data, without realizing that in many cases, the requester has no intention of keeping his promise. In some cases, criminals reportedly have used computer technology to obtain large amounts of personal data.
With enough identifying information about an individual, a criminal can take over that individual’s identity to conduct a wide range of crimes: for example, false applications for loans and credit cards, fraudulent withdrawals from bank accounts, fraudulent use of telephone calling cards, or obtaining other goods or privileges which the criminal might be denied if he were to use his real name. If the criminal takes steps to ensure that bills for the falsely obtained credit cards, or bank statements showing the unauthorized withdrawals, are sent to an address other than the victim’s, the victim may not become aware of what is happening until the criminal has already inflicted substantial damage on the victim’s assets, credit, and reputation.
Statement required by the Open Public Meeting Act “Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by a posting on the bulletin board in the Village Hall, by mail to the Ridgewood News, The Record and by submission to all persons entitled to same as provided by law of a schedule including date and time of this meeting”.
Please note: A curfew of 11:00 PM is strictly adhered to by the Zoning Board of Adjustment of the Village of Ridgewood. No new matter involving an Applicant will be started after 10:30 PM. At 10:00 PM the Chairman will make a determination and advise Applicants as to whether they will be heard. If an Applicant cannot be heard because of the lateness of the hour, the matter will be carried over to a future meeting to be determined by the Board at 10:00 PM.
Roll call
Approval of minutes
Non-agenda items:
Board member comments
Members of the public comments
Discussion: Franco, 143 Circle Avenue – revised site plan
Public hearings
Old Business:
CHANGLONG HUNG – An application to widen the driveway which will result in a driveway width of 21 feet where 12 feet is the maximum permitted at 235 Brookside Avenue, Block 4107, Lot 8, in an R-2 Zone. (Continued from June 14, 2016) (Carried from August 9, 2016)
VERIZON WIRELESS, 6 S. MONROE – Whispering Woods hearing – Proposed wireless communications facility amended to provide that antennas be placed inside of the existing steeple behind RF friendly material. (Carried from August 9, 2016)
AGENDA – CONTINUATION pg. 2 August 23, 2016
210 S. Broad Street LLC – An application to permit development for a medical office building which will result in side yard setbacks varying between 0 feet and 12 feet, where 0 feet or 12 feet is required; a floor area ratio of 54%, where 45% is the maximum permitted; coverage by improvements of 94%, where 90% is the maximum permitted; maximum illumination level at residential boundary of 0.5 to 1.0 foot-candle, where 0.1 foot-candle is allowed; 8 parking spaces proposed, where 30 parking spaces is minimum required; setback for parking area from side and rear lot lines varying from 0 feet to 4.5 feet, where 5 feet is the minimum required and setback for driveway from residential zone of 0 feet, where 10 feet is the minimum required at 210 South Broad Street, Block 3905, Lot 7, in a B-2 zone. (Continued from February 9, 2016) (Carried from June 28, 2016)
(all timeframes and the order of agenda items below are approximate and subject to change)
7:30 p.m. – Call to Order, Statement of Compliance, Flag Salute, Roll Call – In accordance with the provisions of Section 10:4-8d of the Open Public Meetings Act, the date, location, and time of the commencement of this meeting is reflected in a meeting notice, a copy of which schedule has been filed with the Village Manager and the Village Clerk, The Ridgewood News and The Record newspapers, and posted on the bulletin board in the entry lobby of the Village municipal offices at 131 North Maple Avenue, and on the Village website, all in accordance with the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act.Roll call: Knudsen, Voigt, Altano, Joel, Reilly, Patire, Thurston, Scheibner, Torielli, McWilliams
7:35 p.m. – 7:40 p.m. – Public Comments on Topics not Pending Before the Board
7:40 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. – Committee/Commission/Professional Updates for Non Agenda Topics, Correspondence Received by the Board
7:45 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. – Executive Session
9:30 p.m. – 9:45 p.m. – Appointment of Legal Counsel
AdjournmentIn accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, all meetings of the Ridgewood Planning Board (i.e., official public meetings, work sessions, pre-meeting assemblies and special meetings) are public meetings, which are always open to members of the general public.Members: Susan Knudsen, Jeff Voigt, Joel Torielli, Melanie McWilliams, David Scheibner, Richard Joel, Kevin Reilly, David Thurston, Isabella Altano, Debbie Patire
Professional Staff: Blais L. Brancheau, Planner; Gail L. Price, Esq., Board Attorney; Christopher J. Rutishauser, Village Engineer; Michael Cafarelli, Board Secretary
We ALL know that there is ample parking. Even Sonenfeld says so. The problem is that PROMISES WERE MADE to certain key people that a garage would be built near their properties and businesses in the business district. What Aronsohn, Saraceno, Pucciarelli, Vaggianos, Sonenfeld, Hauck and company failed to consider is that the town if full of very smart people. And the people rose up and ran a petition drive and stopped the insanity. Bye Bye Garage.
Ridgewood NJ, Registration is now open for the next session of YWCA Bergen County programs. Classes run from September 6 through October 29 at the YWCA’s 112 Oak Street, Ridgewood location, and members can register at www.ywcabergencounty.org, by phone, or in person.
For Kids & Teens: American Red Cross Certified Swim Classes for every age and level teaches lifelong fitness and safety skills in a fun and therapeutic environment. Water Polo for ages 10 to 18 years teaches game strategy, swim techniques, and water polo skills like throwing and shooting goals with one hand while treading water. Children’s Dance for ages 3 to 13 introduces and fosters love of movement through Ballet, Jazz, Tap and Hip Hop classes. Tiger Sharks Swim Team for ages 5 to 18 combines team sport and individual challenge with an emphasis on skill development, positive values, and competitive experiences. Taekwondo for ages 6 to 14 years teaches martial arts patterns, sparring, and self-defense in addition to improving physical fitness and mental discipline.
For Adults: 360 Movement Fitness Classes cross-train the body with a wide variety of challenging and motivating group fitness classes. Active Older Adult Fitness Classes provide a friendly and supportive environment to help improve member’s health and well-being.
Plus: WEN is Now: A Women’s Empowerment Network, dozens of other fitness, wellness, and enrichment programs. Drop-in child care is also available at the 112 Oak Street, Ridgewood facility. Visit www.ywcabergencounty.org or call 201-444-5600 for more information.
Ridgewood NJ, The best-selling author of Girl Waits with Gunreturns with another adventure featuring the fascinating, feisty, and unforgettable Kopp sisters.
In 1915, lady cops were not expected to chase down fugitives on the streets of New York City. But Constance Kopp never did what anyone expected.
Constance Kopp and her sisters aren’t going to be living a quiet life anymore. They made the news by fighting back against a ruthless silk factory owner and his gang of thugs. And after Bergen County’s Sheriff Heath sees Constance in action, he appoints her as one of the nation’s first female deputies. He knows she’s a powerful addition to his force, and she knows she can do the job, but when the wiles of a German-speaking con man threaten her position and her hopes for this new life—and risk the honorable sheriff’s being thrown in his own jail—Constance is forced to prove herself again.
Lady Cop Makes Trouble sets Constance loose on the streets of New York City and New Jersey. Even as she tracks her fugitive, she’s also tested by other cases—helping runaway girls taken in by unscrupulous men and sorting out why an old woman is taking the fall for a murder she couldn’t have committed. Cheering her on are her sisters Norma and Fleurette—that is, when they aren’t, respectively, training pigeons for the war effort or fanning dreams of a life on the stage.
Based on the Kopp sisters’ real-life adventures, Girl Waits with Gun introduced the sensational lives of Constance Kopp and her unconventional sisters to an army of enthusiastic readers. This second installment, also based on their true story, takes us further into the romping, riveting story of a woman who defied expectations, forged her own path, and tackled crime—and nefarious criminals!—along the way.
Amy Stewart Author Visit to the Ridgewood Public Library
Wednesday, Sep. 7, 7:00pm
Amy Stewart presents her new book Lady Cop Makes Trouble, based on the remarkable true story of Bergen County’s own Kopp Sisters. Special appearance from audiobook narrator–and Ridgewood native–Christina Moore. Copies of Girl Waits with Gun and Lady Cop Makes Trouble available for sale and signing. Please reserve your copies at Bookends: (201) 445-0746
cod·dle ˈkädl/ verb past tense: coddled; past participle: coddled
1. treat in an indulgent or overprotective way. “I was coddled and cosseted” synonyms:pamper, cosset, mollycoddle; spoil, indulge, overindulge, pander to; baby, mother,wait on hand and foot “your sons are too old for you to be coddling them”
They broke the law so now it is time to pay. It is public information, besides a little embarrassment may go a long way and make this idiots think before doing things on impulse.
Coddling a 19 year old – please. This was incredibly poor decision making. If they haven’t learned by the time they reach the age of majority, maybe real world experience will yank the Ridgewood spoon out of spoons from their mouths.
Because they are young people who will have enough problems without this. is your life better knowing the names? Are their lives better.
Do you feel safer knowing their names? It is really about being nosey.
I don’t know what the police do all week, are these the only people that they arrested? Are there others whose names we were not told? How do they decide the names to give to the press.
In two years it will be legal anyway.
Wow, some parents are so ridiculously defensive. Your adult kid broke the law. Well, that’s how it goes. Are you going to be trying to get them out of trouble for the rest of their lives? Let the kids own up to what they did. Names ARE relevant. Sorry charlie.
Whether or you think Pot its dangerous, or want it to be legal, the fact is that its currently illegal. Smoking it makes you a criminal. Smoking it on school grounds, in public, makes you a really dumb criminal. If these kids are starting their adult lives by thumbing their noses at the law, the least of their problems is getting their names in the paper. Fly straight!
Everyone wants to see names until it is their relative/friend.
Why aren’t all names printed? Traffic accidents, summonses for leaves, sprinklers and sidewalks. This gossip, I mean, public information is important.
Do the police ever make other arrests? Aside from the RHS kids, was anyone pulled over or arrested this week? If these kids are the only ones this week then we need to look at RPD staffing.
A classic case of “think of the potential consequences before you act.”
If you don’t commit a crime you won’t be charged and your name won’t b in the paper
I think the real age of adulthood in this country is somewhere like 35 now. Anything under that and we think of them as kids.
Possession of C.D.S. and Drug Paraphernalia.” Where does it say ” POT” Unless you are the person that was arrested or their parent.
Whether or you think Pot its dangerous, or want it to be legal, the fact is that its currently illegal. Smoking it makes you a criminal. Smoking it on school grounds, in public, makes you a really dumb criminal. If these kids are starting their adult lives by thumbing their noses at the law, the least of their problems is getting their names in the paper. Fly straight!
Read below so you can educate yourself on what the term CDS means
The DEA and its state affiliates (Department of Consumer Affairs, Drug Control Unit in NJ) categorize CDS materials into or ‘schedule’ categories based on the likelihood of diversion, mostly due to abuse and addiction prevalence. Materials fall into one of five schedules, from highest control to least;
Schedule I No accepted medical use, high potential for abuse
(e.g., heroin, methamphetamine)
Schedule II High potential for abuse, severe psychological or physical dependence
(e.g., cocaine, oxycodone)
Schedule III Potential for abuse less than Schedule I & II
(e.g., ketamine, and anabolic steroids)
Schedule IV Low potential for abuse relative to Schedule III
(e.g., midazolam, diazepam)
Ridgewod NJ, Ridgewood schools are prepping for back to school .
Annual Re-registration is Underway
The annual online Skyward re-registration is open. Parents and guardians, to update your information, please log on to Skyward Family Access via the district website at www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us. Click here for details.
School Starts on September 6
Students will return to school on Tuesday, September 6 (minimum day schedule). Opening Day for teachers and support staff is Thursday, September 1.
Back-to-School Night Schedule
Click here to view the schedule.
No garage at Hudson and S. Broad, please. That parking lot could be rejiggered for whole lot less than $11.5 million and counting to provide more spots. But restore the lane at the north end of the rows in the middle that previously enabled people to go all around the lot seeking a space. Blocking it off to insert a couple of more spaces was wrong. Parking garage contingent: please read all the information and rethink. A garage at that location would be of benefit only to local building owners and the would-be developers of apartments who could legally use the existence of such a garage to reduce even further the paltry number of parking spaces they intend to provide, merely worsening the situation and putting us back to Square One or worse. Unfortunately, careful manipulation of the populace replaced honesty for too long. Look deeper, for the real motivation, and shake yourself awake–do not believe the hype of the departed council members or the yaps of their hangers-on or those with a personal stake in this (Vagianos, etc.).
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