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Village Tea Shop reopened at their new location in Ridgewood

Village Tea Shop

photo courtesy of Village Tea Shop Facebook page 

October 22,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog with a little help from our friends

Ridgewood NJ, After a brief absence the Village Tea Shop opened at their new location on Friday morning, 2-4 South Maple Avenue, just two doors down from where they were. The new space is wonderful and the teas and coffees are the best you will find anywhere. Hot and cold teas and coffees, as well as delicious bubble teas. Definitely stop by, you will find yourself going back again, and again, and again!

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New Jersey town decides to pay Uber instead of building a parking lot

Marco Rubio Speech On Innovation At Uber's DC Offices

Pilot program is meant to test out ride-hailing as a solution to last mile challenge

by Andrew J . Hawkins Oct 3, 2016, 10:56a

Lately, Uber has been positioning itself as the ultimate solution to the eternal challenge of shuttling people between transit hubs and their homes, also known as the “last mile challenge.” To that end, the ride-hail giant announced today that it struck a deal with the suburban town of Summit, New Jersey, to launch the state’s first subsidized commuter program.

Under the deal, Uber will offer free or extremely cheap rides to commuters who have struggled to find parking at Summit’s New Jersey Transit station. In exchange, the city, which is 30 miles from Manhattan, will subsidize the rides, paying Uber directly to cover the costs of the trips. The city says the deal will help free up nearly 100 parking spots at the transit station, as well as keep it from having to spend millions of dollars to build additional parking.

“As an alternative transportation option, ridesharing is not new,” said Summit Mayor Nora Radest in a statement. “But our program is the first of its kind in the United States to use ridesharing technology as a parking solution. Our innovation has the potential to shape how municipalities think about and implement parking options in the future.”

https://www.theverge.com/2016/10/3/13147680/uber-new-jersey-free-ride-parking-lot-train-commute

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Reader claims Ridgewood News is Trying to Hide Traffic Congestion

Reading_theridgewood_news_theridgewoodblog

Speaking of pedestrians being struck, have you noticed that whoever compiles the police blotter appearing in The Ridgewood News and the Suburban News no longer provides any information about motor vehicle accidents, including incidents involving pedestrians who were seriously injured after being struck by vehicles? Obviously, someone is trying to hide the fact that traffic congestion in Ridgewood is getting worse. I wonder who is behind this deception and why. And why does The Ridgewood News in particular fail to find this information out from other sources? Or is one hand washing the other.

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The Village of Ridgewood is seeking an Assistant Water Superintendent for the Water Distribution Facility

Sprinkler watering the lawn

JOB: ASSISTANT WATER SUPERINTENDENT

Ridgewood NJ, The Village of Ridgewood is seeking an Assistant Water Superintendent for the Water Distribution Facility. Qualified individual must minimally have current NJDEP W-2, and the ability to advance to W-3 or higher licenses in the future.  Strong leadership skills required, as well as at least 5 years’ experience in water distribution maintenance, repair, upkeep, and operation, and at least 2 years’ supervisory experience.  Please send resume and salary requirements to Sharyn Matthews, HR Director, 131 N. Maple Ave., Ridgewood, NJ 07450 [email protected]

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Some Readers Object to people purporting to having their children make “their own” statements

valley construction

 

These people purporting to having their children make “their own” statements need to better consider the long term impact of having their children make public fools of themselves. Remember how awkward we all felt when that kid stood up at the council meeting and stammered and fumbled his way through his parents speech for him as he told the adults on the dais that they were on the take? Where were his parents?? That will require years of deep therapy to overcome for sure.

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$14M lawsuit against Ridgewood Water heads to court

RidgewoodWaterLogo_061912_rn_tif_

BY RICHARD DE SANTA
GLEN ROCK GAZETTE |
WYCKOFF SUBURBAN NEWS

A long-pending class action lawsuit brought by Midland Park, Wyckoff and Glen Rock against Ridgewood Water is scheduled for trial beginning Nov. 1 in state Superior Court in Hackensack.

Officials said last week that a final mediation attempt on Friday, Oct. 7, failed to produce a resolution, landing the case on the court docket.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/business/trial-date-set-in-lawsuit-seeking-14-million-in-overcharges-1.1679899

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Ridgewood Fire Department holds Annual Open House

Ridgewood Fire Department holds Annual Open House

photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page

October 17,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood FD held its annual Open House at Ridgewood FD Headquarters on Sunday, 10/16 from 1:30 PM through 3:30 PM.

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more photos : https://www.facebook.com/theridgewoodblog/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1160529020652608

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Ridgewood Open Houses for October 16th 2016

for sale Ridgewood_Real_Estate_theRodgewopodblog
file photo by Boyd Loving

1621787.1 MLS # 1621787
379 S Pleasant Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 1 Full Bath, C/C
Jee E. Chang, Sales Associate
Weichert Realtors, Fort Lee

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M. Sun. 10/16
  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M. Sun. 10/23
25

1640155.1 MLS # 1640155
371 S Pleasant Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, C/C
Carolee Chirico, Broker Associate
Keller Williams Valley Realty

  • Open House: 12:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M. Sun. 10/16
23

1634331.1 MLS # 1634331
640 Linwood Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Theresa Jung, Sales Associate
Realty 7, LLC

  • Open House: 1:30 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 10/16
23

1641620.1 MLS # 1641620
228 Canterbury Pl, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, Ranch
Stephanie Langone, Sales Associate
Marron Gildea Realty, Inc.

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 10/16
16

1641133.1 MLS # 1641133
634 Wyndemere Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 1 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Kristin Gildea Fox, Sales Associate
Marron Gildea Realty, Inc. Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 10/16
25

1641513.1 MLS # 1641513
430 Bogert Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, C/C
Suzanne G. Grillo, Sales Associate
Venture VR Realtors

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. Sun. 10/16
25

1630138.1 MLS # 1630138
143 Kenilworth Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Angele Ekert, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 10/16
25

1641375.1 MLS # 1641375
327 Spring Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
6 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Ghada Abbasi, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 10/16
25

1639823.1 MLS # 1639823
313 Woodside Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Margaret A. Marino, Sales Associate
Tarvin Realtors

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 10/16
25

1641284.1 MLS # 1641284
355 Crest Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
2 Half Bath, Col
Jennifer Springer, Sales Associate
Tarvin Realtors

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 10/16
23

1636404.1 MLS # 1636404
344 Grandview Cir, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Megan Zangrilli, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 10/16
25

1628304.1 MLS # 1628304
123 Woodland Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
2 Half Bath, Col
Jennifer M. Parsekian, Broker
Keller Williams Village Square Realty

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 10/16
25
Open Houses for Sun 10/23

1641504.1 MLS # 1641504
618 Ellington Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Ghada Abbasi, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 10/23
25

1636234.1 MLS # 1636234
331 S Van Dien Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, Col
Qizhan Yao, Broker Owner
Realmart Realty, LLC

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 10/23
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Judge to decide future of suit claiming conflicts of interest regarding Ridgewood master plan changes

CBD high density housing

BY STEVE JANOSKI

STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD — A Superior Court judge will decide Wednesday the future of a lawsuit claiming several conflicts of interest tainted both the Planning Board’s and Village Council’s review and approval of several contentious master plan changes this year.

The suit, filed in May by attorney Kevin Mattessich on behalf of the grassroots group Ridgewood Citizens for Reasonable Development, seeks an order from Superior Court Judge William Meehan voiding four ordinances.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/judge-to-decide-future-of-suit-claiming-conflicts-of-interest-regarding-ridgewood-master-plan-changes-1.1677457

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Home Owners look for Solutions for Dramatic Changes in Ridgewood’s Yard Waste Pick

yard_work_theridgewoodblog
October 14,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood Nj, Ridgewood has made some dramatic changes in how grass clippings are disposed of . The new rules sat that grass clippings must be segregated from other yard waste and cannot be placed in the street with leaves.

The Ridgewood blog has put together some suggestions on reducing the grass clippings and alternatives for disposing of them. Many municipalities have already begun to refuse to pick up grass clippings and leaves because of reduced landfill availability. In fact, some states have banned yard waste in landfills.

In the Village many homeowners are bagging clippings to be picked up and sent to a local composting facility , particularly with leaves this seems a bit impractical. Another option is using mulching lawn mowers. A mulching mower reduces the size of clippings and spreads them back on the grass, where they rapidly decompose and return to the soil.

Grass clippings are a valuable organic source of nutrients, especially nitrogen. Some mulching-mower users have found that yearly nitrogen applications may be reduced by one-fourth when grass is returned to the turf.

Although mulching mowers and mulching attachments for existing mowers can reduce clipping size, thus increasing the rate that grass clippings decompose, you can get the same effect with a normal rotary mower. Mowing on a regular basis with a sharp blade usually produces clippings that decompose fairly quickly.

In the city of Forth Worth, Texas, participants in the “Don’t Bag It” program said, on average, they felt that their lawns looked 30 percent better when they let the clippings remain than when they previously had collected the clippings. Cities with similar programs report reduced garbage loads and healthier lawns, trees and shrubs.

Leaving clippings on the lawns does not necessarily cause problems with thatch buildup. You may encounter problems with thatch whether you use a mulching mower or not. Thatch can be controlled with vertical mowing, core aerification, and proper watering and fertilization.

If you prefer not to leave clippings on the lawn,consider using collected clippings as mulch or as a component in a compost pile (which in turn will produce nutrient-rich soil conditioners).

If you have recently treated your lawn with herbicides, you will want to wait for three mowings before using grass clippings as mulch. It is possible for herbicide residues to damage garden crops if you use recently treated clippings as mulch. If you put clippings in a compost, on the other hand, pesticides rapidly degrade.

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Readers suggest the Village of Ridgewood Re-Line many crosswalks for public safety

Bike Ridgewood Public Library theridgewoodblog.net

It’s clear Lots of catching up to do from the previous gang of neglect
Re-line the Dangerous Pedestrian Crossing in front of the Library before daylight savings dark afternoons and early winter Sunsets.

Could the Maple Ave. crosswalk between Kings and the library be painted in fluorescent or reflective paint? It’s very dangerous–anything that could be done to mitigate that would be a good idea.

Wait one minute! Why can’t you paint the crosswalks that need attention, which is basically all of them? Do pedestrian lives not matter?

Please paint more visible crosswalks at the corner of S. Irving and Ridgewood Ave. Also, the crosswalks across Ridgewood Ave in front of the High School – 2 of them. Also, the crosswalks at the corner of Ridgewood Ave and Maple. Pedestrian lives matter, too.

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Major Ridgewood Yard Waste Rule Change :Grass clippings must be segregated from other yard waste and cannot be placed in the street with leaves

leaf3_pickup_theridgewoodblog

file photo by Boyd Loving

October 13,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Rules change; disposal of grass clippings – Grass clippings must be segregated from other yard waste and cannot be placed in the street with leaves.

Effective immediately per Ordinance #3550, approved by Village Council on 10/12/2016:

A.  Grass clippings cannot be placed in the same container as brush, leaves and other vegetative debris.

B.  Placement of yard waste in the street that is not containerized is only permitted during the placement dates designated by the annualLeaf Collection Schedule Notice, and at all times shall not be placed closer than 10 feet from any storm drain inlet, and may not contain any brush or grass clippings.

No details have been provided yet as to what impact, if any, these changes will bring to the Village’s current yard waste pick up schedule (i.e., once per week during curbside yard waste pick up season).

The changes were made because:

1.  An NJDEP advisory that grass clippings can no longer be deposited in the Village’s Lakeview Compost Facility.

2.  Compost that is free of grass clippings can be sold at a higher price.

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The Valley Hospital Named one of America’s Best Breast Centers for Third Consecutive Year

valley_hospital_theridgewoodblog

Honored for providing exceptional patient care and clinical excellence

October 13,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, For the third consecutive year, The Valley Hospital has earned the Women’s Choice Award®  as one of America’s Best Breast Centers, acknowledging its dedication to providing exceptional patient care and treatment. This evidence-based designation is the only award that identifies the country’s best breast centers based on robust criteria that considers female patient satisfaction and clinical excellence.

To earn this recognition, The Valley Hospital Breast Center, along with 450 other award winners throughout the nation, had to meet the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) standards from the American College of Surgeons and carry the Breast Imaging Center of Excellence (BICOE) seal from the American College of Radiology.  The Valley Hospital Breast Center also had to receive a rating in the top 75% for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) patient recommendation measures.

“We are proud to be recognized as one of the nation’s best hospitals for breast care,” said Audrey Meyers, President and CEO of The Valley Hospital and Valley Health System.  “It’s a testament to the priority our Breast Center physicians, nurses and staff place on making sure every patient’s needs are met when it comes to breast care.”

Breast cancer is the second most common form of cancer among American women according to the American Cancer Society, and one in eight women in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime.

“Whether it’s an annual mammogram or addressing a more serious concern, every woman deserves the best breast care and an opportunity to live a healthy life. By letting women know which breast centers in their area are among America’s best, we are able to reduce their risk by helping them make smarter healthcare choices,” says Delia Passi, CEO and Founder of the Women’s Choice Award.

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Ridgewood Continues to be Hit with Incidents of Identity Theft

Nigerian scam michael-scott-
October 12,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, more identity fraud incidents have been reported in Ridgewood . The Ridgewood Police have recently reported ;

A Cambridge Road resident responded to the Police department on October 5, 2016 to report a Theft of Identity. The victim reported she received two Chase credit cards in the mail without her authorization. The victim contacted Chase Bank and was informed someone used her personal identity and applied for the credit cards. Chase Bank cancelled the credit cards and is investigating the incident.

On October 7, 2016 a Glenwood Road resident responded to the Police Department to report Identity Theft in the past. The victim reported discovering an unauthorized credit card purchase on his Chase credit card in the amount of $1527 from Bob’s Furniture. The victim reported he was satisfied that Chase reversed the unauthorized charge and he only requested documentation of the incident.

10 Ways To Protect Yourself From Identity Theft

Shielding your private information with no risk of a breakdown may be impossible these days. But there are some simple ways to protect you from becoming a victim of Identity Theft.

Simple but very important, tips to protect you and your name.

1. Destroy private records and statements. Tear up – or, if you prefer, shred – credit cards statements, solicitations, and other documents that contain private financial information.

2. Secure your mail. Empty you mailbox quickly, lock it or get a P.O. box so criminals don’t have a chance to snatch credit card pitches. Never mail outgoing bill payments and checks from home. They can be stolen from your mailbox and the payee’s name erased with solvents. Mail them from the post office or another secure location.

3. Safeguard your Social Security number. Never carry your card with you, or any other card that may have your number, like a health insurance card. Don’t put your number on your checks. It’s the primary target for identity thieves because it gives them access to your credit report and bank accounts.

4. Don’t leave a paper trail. Never leave ATM, credit card or gas station receipts behind.

5. Never let your credit card out of your sight. Worried about credit card skimming? Always keep an eye on your card or, when that’s not possible, pay with cash.

6. Know who you’re dealing with. Whenever anyone contacts you asking for private identity or financial information, make no response other than to find out who they are, what company they represent and the reason for the call. If you think the request is legitimate, contact the company yourself and confirm what you were told before revealing any of your personal data.

7. Take your name off marketers’ hit lists. In addition to the national Do-Not-Call registry (1-888-382-1222), you can also cut down on junk mail and opt out of credit card solicitations.

8. Be more defensive with personal information. Ask salespeople and other if information such as Social Security or driver’s license number is absolutely necessary. Ask anyone who does require your Social Security number about their privacy policy and that you do not want your information given to anyone else.

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Ridgewood Honors Law Enforcement with a Blue Line Down North Maple

Ridgewood Police Blue LIne

photo courtesy of Boyd Lovings Facebook

October 12,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,  The Village of Ridgewood became one of many Bergen County NJ communities to honor law enforcement personnel by striping a main thoroughfare with a blue colored traffic line. Ridgewood’s “blue line” is located on North Maple Avenue, between Franklin Avenue and Linwood Avenue, right in front of Village Hall and Ridgewood Police Headquarters. Village officials gathered in front of Village Hall on Tuesday, 10/11 to commemorate the event.