By Susan K. Livio | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on December 05, 2016 at 5:35 PM
TRENTON — The seven-year effort to crack down on surprise out-of-network medical bills was delayed again Monday, the same day a group of doctors urged lawmakers to consider an alternative proposal they say won’t force them out of business.
Sen. Joseph Vitale (D-Middlesex), who sponsored the leading legislation that would cap the amount out-of-network doctors and hospitals are paid for emergency treatment, announced Monday he had pulled his bill from a the committee’s agenda for the day. Vitale said is working with the New Jersey Hospital Association to make changes to the bill (A1952) and wants that work to continue.
“I remain confident that efforts of working to build consensus will result in the strongest consumer protection out-of-network bill in the country,” Vitale said in a statement.
Ridgewood NJ, The holiday season represents the perfect opportunity for anyone who’s been thinking of taking a deep dive into their family history.
All those grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins gathering to feast on turkey or exchange gifts possess a treasure trove of genealogical information and family stories.
All you need to do is ask – and perhaps turn on a recording device – and soon you may be learning about great-great grandfather’s treacherous journey across the Atlantic or Uncle Phil’s courageous actions during World War II.
“Interviewing family members is one of the best places to start when you want to learn about or write about your family’s story,” says Ceil Lucas, a sociolinguist, amateur genealogist and author of How I Got Here: A Memoir.
“Older relatives especially may have wonderful tales from decades ago involving people you never heard about. If you’re lucky, you may even learn that they have stashed away somewhere letters, diaries or photographs that belonged to those long dead ancestors.”
But be warned, Lucas says. While people dream about learning they descended from royalty or happen to be distantly related to Benjamin Franklin, genealogical research is just as likely to turn up horse thieves, drifters and scandals of every sort.
“You’re going to find stuff you might not want to know,” Lucas says. “But who knows, those might be your most fascinating finds.”
Lucas began working on her family history three decades ago, about the same time she began making notes on what would become a memoir of her childhood in Guatemala City and Rome, Italy. This upbringing left her with a sense of “I’m not from here” – “here” being the U.S., where she was born.
But her genealogical research, which revealed her first ancestors coming to the U.S. from Scotland in 1654 and England in 1679, showed her just how “from here” she is. Lucas realized that the stories of her ancestors needed to be included in her memoir and the result was a genealogical memoir.
“The thing is, once the genealogical story is learned, it simply can’t be unlearned,” she says.
Interviewing relatives between sips of eggnog is just the beginning. Lucas has other suggestions for those who want to explore their family histories:
• Check census records. Every 10 years since 1790 the census has taken a snapshot of who’s living in the United States. Valuable information can be found in census records, and you might even discover relatives you never heard about. • Sign up for a genealogy class. Many community colleges offer non-credit courses in genealogy that will help you understand how to research your family and interpret what you find. • Consider DNA testing. People often think they know their ethnic lineage, but discover surprises when they have a DNA test. Lucas’ DNA test revealed that she is descended not only from people who hailed from England and Scotland, but also the Iberian Peninsula.
In Ridgewood we have a unique option you can visit the Bolger Heritage Center, Ridgewood Public Library. They offer genealogy help for moments like this. Stop by the Heritage Center during our genealogy consultation hours to get assistance with your research: 12/6 from 11-2pm 12/7 from 7-9pm 12/14 from 10-2pm 12/16 from 1-3pm 12/28 from 10-12pm Questions? Contact Sarah Kiefer at 201-670-5600×135 or skiefer@ridgewoodlibrary.org — at Ridgewood Public Library.
“It also probably doesn’t hurt if you are a nerd about these things like me,” Lucas says. “I found an ancestor who was involved in the Oklahoma Land Rush, so I researched that and found newspaper articles about the land rush. I think it’s important to put your family story in the historical context, especially if you plan to write a memoir.”
About Ceil Lucas
Ceil Lucas, author of How I Got Here: A Memoir, is a sociolinguist. She holds a bachelor’s degree in French and Art History, a master’s degree in French and Italian, and a doctorate in Linguistics. She spent 40 years as a university professor and researcher. She began teaching Italian in 1973 and continues to do so. She is the editor and co-author of 22 books.
THE RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL’S PUBLIC WORKSHOP AGENDA
DECEMBER 7, 2016
REVISED
1. 7:30 pm – Call to Order – Mayor
2. Statement of Compliance with Open Public Meeting Act
Mayor: “Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by a posting on the bulletin board in 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 the date and time of this meeting.”
3. Roll Call – Village Clerk
4. Flag Salute/Moment of Silence
5. Public Comments (Not to Exceed 3 Minutes per Person – 40 Minutes in Total)
6. Public Hearing
a. Brownfield Grant – N. Walnut Street Parking Lot
7. Presentation
a. ITN – Senior Transportation
8. Discussion
a. Ridgewood Water
1. Award Contract – Line Stop and Valve Insertion Services
2. Award Contract – Laboratory Analysis Services
3. Award Contract – Water System Divestiture Study
4. Award Contract – Vance Tank Rehabilitation
5. Award EUS – Repairs to Air Stripping Tower – Main Treatment Facility
6. Award Change Order – Water Main Stream Crossings
7. Rejection of Bid – Glen Tank Rehabilitation
b. Parking
1. CBD Parking Improvements
2. Central Valet
3. Parking Garage
4. Amend Valet Parking Fee Ordinance
5. Amend CBD Parking Permit Ordinance – Parking Permit for All Parking Lots
6. Free Last Minute Shopping Parking – December 22nd
7. Rental of Parking Spaces on N. Broad Street – Taxi Stand
8. Discussion (cont’d)
c. Budget
1. Award Contract – Purchase of Ammunition
2. Award Contract – Purchase of Bullet Proof Vests
3. Award Contract – Electronic Ticketing Software
4. Authorize Shared Services Agreement – Child Health Clinic
5. Award Contract – Professional Services – 2017 Child Health Conference Physician
6. Award Contract – Two Kenworth Sanitation Trucks
7. Award Change Order – Disposal and Recycling of Vegetative Waste
8. Award Contract – Sanitary Sludge Hauling – Water Pollution Control
9. Award Contract – Edmunds Service Contract
10. Award Contract – 2017 Employee Assistance Program Services
11. Award Contract – 2017 Recreational Program Instruction
12. Award Contract – Preparation of 2017 Village Council Meeting Minutes
13. Budget Transfers
14. 2017 Temporary Budgets
15. 2017 Cash Management Plan
16. Cancellation of Grant Receivables and Grant Reserves
17. Approve RFP for Pilot Program for Ridgewood Resident Commuter
Transportation To and From Ridgewood Train Station
18. Approve RFP for Grant Writer
19. Authorize Application for Brownfield Grant
20. Authorize Application for Bergen County Municipal Alliance Grant
21. Surplus Fire Equipment
d. Policy
1. ITN – Senior Transportation
2. Civility and Sports
3. Establish Regulations for Bird Feeders and Bird Food
4. Short Term Rentals of Private Homes
5. Boards and Committees – FAC, RAC and Planning Board
6. Vacation of Portion of Barrington Road – Paper Street
e. Operations
1. Recycling of Electronics Legislation
2. No Left Turn – Van Neste Square
3. Glenwood Road Railroad Crossing
4. Donation of Generator for Traffic & Signal Building
5. Ridge School Traffic Study
6. Sherman Place, Pomander Walk and Washington Place Traffic Study
7. New Master Plan Budgeting
9. Review of December 14, 2016 Regular Public Meeting Agenda
10. Manager’s Report
11. Council Reports
12. Public Comments (Not to Exceed 5 Minutes per Person)
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police, Fire, and EMS personnel responded to aid a pedestrian who was struck at the intersection of East Ridgewood Avenue and Oak Street on Tuesday night, 12/06. The victim, who appeared to have sustained non-life threatening injuries, was transported by ambulance to The Valley Hospital. The driver of the vehicle involved was driving westbound on East Ridgewood Avenue at the time of the incident, and remained at the scene to cooperate with police officers assigned to investigate the collision.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ad’s targeting Ridgewood Water on Facebook has some residents rattled . A resident recently asked ,”Is it ‘over the top’ / ‘misleading’ or our kids who drink unfiltered water at school are really at risk?”
While the risks of Chromium 6 have been well documented .Chromium 6 is the same suspected carcinogen that made Erin Brockovich famous and was found in Ridgewood Water. The levels, however are well within EPA, guidelines.
Some residents are concerned whiles others think the current risk is overblown and the Brockovich comparison is without merit at this time.
from Ridgewood Waters website:
Chromium 6
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) recently released a report raising concerns about the presence of chromium 6 – also known as hexavalent chromium – in public water supplies. Hexavalent chromium, a suspected carcinogen, is the contaminant made famous by the 2000 movie “Erin Brockovich.”
Ridgewood Water shares the EWG’s concern for water quality and public health protection. Water utilities currently monitor for “total” chromium, of which hexavalent chromium is a component. Most public water utilities, including Ridgewood Water, are in compliance with the existing standard.
The Safe Drinking Water Act, which was established to protect the quality of drinking water, requires a rigorous scientific approach for evaluating contaminants for regulation. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been looking at health effects data on hexavalent chromium. Ridgewood Water has been testing for this substance as part of the unregulated contaminant sampling program which provides data to EPA for scientific evaluation.
It’s important to remember that detecting a substance in water does not always imply a health risk. The key question that researchers seek to answer is whether the substance presents health concerns at the level it is detected. That’s why the federal regulatory process requires EPA to examine potential health impacts of the substance, paths of exposure and occurrence data. A thorough evaluation of all this data increases the likelihood that new regulations will offer meaningful risk reduction. Ridgewood Water is committed to meeting all regulatory standards for public water supplies including any new requirements for hexavalent chromium that may be instituted.
For more information on chromium in drinking water, please refer to the following links:
Ridgewood NJ,On Saturday a group called RidgewoodWestSide.com distributed a flyer alerting neighbors on Sherman and Washington of the December 7th Council Work Session which will discuss Sherman Place and Washington Place. Flyers were given to many of the Godwin and Wilsey Square businesses as well since changes to nearby streets may impact their customers.
Pomander Walk, a quiet dead end street next to out stores, was granted NO PARKING under our old village council? Am I mistaken or does our town need parking? Please review attached flyer and come to the meeting Wed. night at 7:30 at town hall to let your current council know this decision must be reversed. If not reversed, maybe we should all push council for private roads?
ATTENTION:
What:Village council discussion of parking and traffic following Pomander Walk Parking Ban
Where: Village Hall
When: December 7th at 7:30pm
Background: For years residents of Pomander Walk have sought to ban parking on their dead end street citing business parking and safety concerns. Residents of surrounding streets were not informed of the request until days before the village council passed Ordinance 3556 in 2016 banning parking on Pomander Walk with no impact analysis. Despite promises from Pomander residents that they did not require parking they continue to use the street for their parking needs while other streets suffer gridlock. Residents of Sherman have since seen a severe increase in traffic, parked cars and safety issues. The newly elected council has agreed to consider changes inclusive of a comprehensive safety review all area streets.
Your neighbors from Sherman, Godwin, Garfield, Washington are asking you to voice your opinion at the Wednesday, December 7thtown council meeting.
Resident tax payers should be afforded equal access to parking – NO PRIVATE STREET STATUS
All residents living near businesses should share the parking burden
To remain successful, the west side business district needs access to parking for customers. If parking is important for the central business district, it is equally important for the west side and removing parking sets a bad precedent
Removing parking from one street just relocates it to another
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood PD officers made fast work of nabbing a suspected shoplifter on Monday afternoon, 12/05. The alleged perpetrator was cornered on the center platform of NJ Transit’s Ridgewood train station by Patrol Officers Joseph DiBenidetto and Rosario Vaccarella, and Detective Peter Youngberg. In his possession at the time of apprehension was the Samsung Galaxy 7 smartphone reportedly taken from the Verzion store located at 44 East Ridgewood Avenue. The adult male suspect was transported, in handcuffs, to RIdgewood PD headquarters for processing.
Here come those moving trucks for the late Spring selling season..so many
Families moving south for lower taxes ,retirees seek social security favorable or non tax status for retirees.Younger families will end up holding the bag of worst choices in order to stay in north jersey. Technology is also creating a huge increase in home office remote work lifestyles.which means that as long as the children are in a decent school district the past ties to the need to be in a commuter friendly costly tax town is not as high on the list as in years past.Familiies also have to save hundreds of thousands of after tax dollars as their kids college and high costs years are just ahead.Not everyone is a Wall Street mogal or a ridgewood millionaire.We need to keep costs in check,examine cross township shared muni services,Garbage , Maintenance ,sewers departments ..even Fire Department etc.TAXES ARE TOO HIGH RIDGEWOOD AND NO ONE IS ADDRESSING THIS RISK To our home investments here ..lots of for sale signs I mid winter is a possible early warning .people getting out early
photo and video courtesy of Boyd Lovings Facebook page
December 4,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ,Ridgewood FD personnel from Engine Company #35, “C Shift” transported Santa Claus into the Village on top of a fire truck on Saturday morning, 12/03 and took time out for a photo op inside the Columbia Bank on South Broad Street.
Ridgewood NJ, As previously reported the PSEG planned final paving of W. Glen Ave will be delayed until the Spring due to the late completion of the project and curbing required by Bergen County. W. Glen Ave is a county road and for that reason their regulations must be followed.
A reader pointed out that, “There is no reason why they can’t start the curbing now and finish the paving. If not, then PSE&G should be required to make W Glen safe for the winter by temporarily repaving where necessary. Not only will the Village not be unable to plow the street properly when it snows, it is literally tearing cars apart on daily commutes. Can someone post the address of PSE&G so we may send our car repair bills to them for reimbursement!”
Ridgewood NJ, The Annual kick off for Ridgewood Downtown for the Holidays got started with the Christmas Tree lighting
Celebration on Friday evening.
Mayor Susan Traina Knudsen ,Deputy theMayor Mike Sedon ,Councilmen Jeffrey Voigt, Councilwomen Bernie Walsh, Councilmen Ramon M Hache were all on hand for the festivities.
The weather was cold the crowds were large and the kids all had fun.
Location: Memorial Park at Van Neste Square, E Ridgewood Ave and Oak St
Santa will be all around Ridgewood today!
8am-10am Breakfast with Santa at
The Office Beer Bar & Grille
call for reservations 201-652-1070
10am-1pm…Santa starts up E. Ridgewood Ave in a Fire Truck and goes straight to Columbia Bank
-60 S. Broad St.- inside a warm cozy setting.
All children get a FREE gift and picture.
10:30am FREE MOVIE at the Warner BowTie
Theatre in Ridgewood.
2-4pm…Santa in his little red house located at
Memorial Park at Van Neste Square, in the middle of Ridgewood’s business district.
Little Ivy Learning Center sponsorship
Ben & Jerry’s sponsorship with hot choloate
for more information call 201-445-2600
info@ridgewoodchamber.com
Salvador Rizzo , State House Bureau, @rizzoTK6:19 p.m. EST December 1, 2016
During a tense hearing Wednesday, the state Supreme Court appeared ready to reject an argument by several towns seeking to tamp down their affordable-housing obligations.
In a series of landmark rulings dating to the 1970s, the Supreme Court said that New Jersey’s low- and moderate-income residents have a right to affordable homes in their communities, and that towns must allow their development.
Downtown for the Holidays-Tree Lighting Celebration
Fri, December 02, 2016
Time: 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: End or E. Ridgewood Ave. at Train Station, E. Ridgewood Ave & Broad St
The Annual starting of Ridgewood
Downtown Town for the Holidays
Tree Lighting Celebration
Friday, December 2, 2016 5:30-9:00pm
NEW THIS YEAR…
BIG DISCOUNTS FROM THE FOLLOWING STORES
FROM 5:30-7PM…I am bringing my list, see you on the streets of Ridgewood.
Check the stores listed below!
SANTA – Starting at 5:30pm until 6:45pm
and 8-9pm – Santa in the Park
5:30pm -Streets are closed – merriment begins
5:30-7pm, Music by the Village clock.
by the clock GET YOUR MAP OF THE STORES THAT WILL BE GIVING BIG DISCOUNTS
7:00pm -On Stage – bring in the Holiday cheer –
music with the
RHS Concert Band,
Taekwondo all in,
Art of Motion,
Porch Light Production,
7:30pm Lighting of the Tree
8pm – 9pm – back on E. Ridgewood Ave. for some
merriment – don’t forget Santa in the Park.
December 3, 2016
-8am-10am, Breakfast with Santa at the
The Office Beer Bar & Grill
reservations required 201-670-1070
$8.00 for Kids-$12.00 Adults
-10AM Santa visits Ridgewood
in a big red fire truck… meet him at
Columbia Bank 10am-1pm – 60 S. Broad Street.
Gift for all the little kids.
-10:30AM FREE MOVIE for the kids at 10:30am
at the Warner Bow Tie Theatre
Great classic movie for the entire family-
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory,
mom and dad will remember this one.
-Santa will be in the Park on
Memorial Park at Van Neste Square
12/3/16 Saturday 2-4pm
12/10/16 Saturday 12N-3pm
12/17/16 Saturday 12N-3pm
12/24/16 Saturday 12Nn-2pm
last day for that list!
Downtown for Holidays/Tree Lighting Celebration
brought to you by –
Columbia Bank –
Valley Health System
Van Dyk Healthcare
Freedom Bank
The Ridgewood News
Prestige Motors
Boiling Springs Savings Bank
Little Ivy Learning Center
Park West Tavern and Loft
C.C. VanEmburgh Funeral Home
West Bergen Mental Healthcare
Ulrich, Inc.
ConnectOne Bank
West Ridgewood Dental
Anik
Bagelicious
Country Pancake House and Restaurant
Clemente Orthodontics
Haagen-Dazs
Little Ivy Academy
Ridgewood Party Rental
Shelly Glam
Country Pancake Restaurant
Duxiana
Biltmore Tuxedo
S&SO Produce
Life Opportunities Unlimited
Art of Motion
Porch Light Productions
Sakuraana
Please “thank” these supporters by visiting their place of business. They are keeping this
Holiday “tradition” going in Ridgewood.
for more information call 201-445-2600
or email info@ridgewoodchamber.com
*BIG DISCOUNTS AT THESE STORE on
Friday December 2, 2016 from 5:30-7pm.
Bookends – 211 E. Ridgewood – 20% Lego’s +
Femmebot Clothing- 203 E. Ridgewood-20%entire store.
Kate Spade-202 E. Ridgewood-sale on selection
Double Take Consignment-189 E. Ridgewood-SALE
Pink Bungalow-185 E. Ridgewood-SALE Selection
Little Skye Children’s-171 E. Ridgewood-SALE
Hocus Pocus-103 E. Ridgewood-20%HocPocus stock
ANIK-119 E. Ridgewood-Store Sale
Learning Express Toys-111 E. Ridgewood-20% off
Lucky Brand-67 E. Ridgewood-Big Sale
Duxiana-63 E. Ridgewood-25% down products
Victor’s Men’s-55 E. Ridgewood-20% off $100 pur.
Shelly Glam-82 E. Ridgewood-30% entire store
Oasis Clothing-80 E. Ridgewood-Sale
Loft 41 Jewelry-41 E. Ridgewood 50% selection
The Green Olive Branch-37 E. Ridgewood 20%
Pangea Jelwelry-35 E. Ridgewood-sale selection
Ridgewood Man NEW- 66 E. Ridgewood-FUN STUFF
Town & Country 60 E. Ridgewood 15% purchase
SIDE STREETS
CHESTNUT ST.
Shoppettes-22 Chestnut – up to 80%
S. BROAD ST.
DPARZ SHOES – 12 S. Broad-Buy one pair get second 50% off.
N. BROAD ST.
RACEFASTER – 11 N. Broad-SALE, SALE.
CHECK BACK FOR NEW STORE LISTINGS.
Bring your list – checking it off at sale time.
It will be here before you know it!
Shopping for the Holidays in Ridgewood!
