Fall brings temperate weather, changing colors, falling leaves and — if the nannies in New Jersey have anything to say about it — backbreaking labor.
Neighborhood advocacy groups across the state have been working to prohibit the use of leaf blowers, which they say are too noisy and disrupt the peace and quiet of their neighborhoods.
Earlier this year, Maplewood, New Jersey, banned leaf blowers used by commercial businesses for the summer, largely because residents objected to the loud noises. Now, activists in Princeton are working to ban leaf blowers for the same reason.
Quiet Princeton, an organization of local Princeton residents opposed to anything breaking the peace of the New Jersey town, has pushed for a reduction in leaf-blower noise. There are existing regulations on the books about leaf-blower noise, but that’s not enough for Quiet Princeton.
“Back in the ’90s an effort was made in Princeton to ban leaf blowers outright, but it failed,” Tony Lunn, a Quiet Princeton activist, told Mercer Space, a publication of Community News Service..
Princeton’s current ordinance calls for landscapers to be as quiet as possible, but its subjectivity has the activists upset. “No one would think this reasonable,” Lunn said. Some have attempted to get a 65-decibel limit written in as the legal regulation.
In Maplewood, the city is holding hearings to expand the summer leaf-blower ban. An Oct. 18 Township Committee meeting had many residents voicing their hatred for leaf blowers.
“Why should they be able to disrupt my quality of life as a taxpayer so my neighbor can have a few blades of grass blown around?” one resident said, according to NJ.com.
A prohibition limited to commercial leaf blowers means the burden falls disproportionately on landscaping companies, rather than, say, neighbors doing their own landscaping work. Other than driving up the cost for landscaping work, this is a burden for the manual laborers as well — many of whom are unlikely to be able to afford to live in a posh suburb like Maplewood, where the median household income is over $100,000 per year.
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.
Pictured (from left): Maria Mediago, Vice President, Facilities Management, The Valley Hospital; Howard Halverson, Director, Environmental Services, The Valley Hospital; and Audrey Meyers, President and CEO, Valley Health System.
December 4,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (EPA) has recognized Valley’s commitment to recycling with an outstanding achievement award.
Valley was lauded for its recycling efforts, which include solid waste, medical waste, recycled waste and hazardous waste. The hospital uses a single-stream recycling system and makes a concerted effort to recycle whenever possible. For example, the OR now sends its reports electronically, which is saving hundreds of reams of paper annually. The hospital also recycles items such as old hospital beds and sends certain medical goods to be recycled for use by other institutions.
According to the EPA, “The Department promotes recycling through the annual recycling awards program that is coordinated in conjunction with the Association of New Jersey Recyclers (ANJR). The awards recognize the outstanding recycling achievements of municipalities, counties, businesses and industry and individuals, as well as schools and other institutions and are presented at ANJR’s annual recycling symposium. This program has generated positive publicity for New Jersey’s recycling efforts.”
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
Tuesday, December 6 with New York Times money columnist Mr. Ron Lieber, who will address parents and guardians on “How, When and Why to Talk to Your Kids about Money.”
December 5,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The district’s free Wellbeing Series for parents, guardians and the general adult public continues on Tuesday, December 6 with New York Times money columnist Mr. Ron Lieber, who will address parents and guardians on “How, When and Why to Talk to Your Kids about Money.”
Mr. Lieber’s program will cover the basics of allowance, chores, clothing, phones, cars and college, with a focus on values. His talk will be given at Benjamin Franklin Middle School Auditorium from 7-9 p.m.
Mr. Lieber has written extensively on the topic of money and personal finance. He is the author of several books, including bestsellers “The Opposite of Spoiled” and “Taking Time Off: Inspiring Stories of Students Who Enjoyed Successful Breaks from College and How You Can Plan Your Own,” co-authored with Colin Hall.
Closing out the first part of the series is a program on Special Education 101 on Tuesday, December 13 by Dr. Kim Buxenbaum, district Director of Special Programs. Dr. Buxenbaum will provide an overview of the process and procedures for educational intervention with struggling students and discuss referral for special education evaluations, classification and service delivery.
This program will take place at the Education Center, 49 Cottage Place, from 7-9 p.m. Parents and guardians of children currently receiving special education and those concerned about their child’s progress in school are especially encouraged attend.
Dr. Buxenbaum currently oversees the district’s pre-K through Grade 12 programming for Special Education students, English Language learners and students at risk, while also directing the district’s crisis counseling program. Dr. Buxenbaum earned her doctorate in School Psychology from Rutgers University, where she also worked as an adjunct professor. Over the years, Dr. Buxenbaum has served as a clinical psychologist both in institutions and private practice.
Programming in the second half of the school year will begin with a meaningful interactive program on suicide from the Minding Your Mind organization on Tuesday, January 10, 2017. “Just Talk About It: A Suicide Prevention Program will take place at George Washington Middle School Auditorium from 7-9 p.m. (snow date, January 11).
On Wednesday, February 1, author, New York Times columnist and teacher Ms. Jessica Lahey will present “The Gift of Failure” at George Washington Middle School Auditorium from 7-9 p.m. The program will focus on the importance of self-motivation to success and ways that parents can support their children to stay motivated over the long term. “Life Beyond Your Eating Disorder” will follow on Tuesday, March 14 with author,
“Life Beyond Your Eating Disorder” will follow on Tuesday, March 14 with author, advocate and Founder of the Alliance for Eating Disorder Awareness Ms. Johanna Kandel. This program will take place at George Washington Middle School Auditorium from 7-9 p.m. On Tuesday, April 4, district Director of Special Programs Dr. Kim Buxenbaum will return to the program schedule with a presentation on “Least Restrictive Environment/Transitions.” She will explain terminology and describe the district special education program. This presentation and panel discussion will take place from 7-9 p.m. at the Education Center. Psychologist and author Dr. Catherine Steiner-Adair will cover the topic, “Protecting Children and Family Relationships in the Digital Age” on Tuesday, April 18 at the George Washington Middle School Auditorium from 7-9 p.m. The final speaker in the Wellbeing series will be Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg,
Psychologist and author Dr. Catherine Steiner-Adair will cover the topic, “Protecting Children and Family Relationships in the Digital Age” on Tuesday, April 18 at the George Washington Middle School Auditorium from 7-9 p.m. The final speaker in the Wellbeing series will be Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg, pediatrician,
The final speaker in the Wellbeing series will be Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg, pediatrician, professor and author. Dr. Ginsberg will speak to parents and guardians on Tuesday, May 23 at 9:30 a.m. on the topic, “Fostering Resilience,” and at 7 p.m. on “Authentic Success.” The morning program will take place at the Ridgewood Public Library Auditorium, located at 125 North Maple Avenue. The evening program will take place at George Washington Middle School Auditorium.
All programs are free and open to the adult public.
Ridgewood’s Benjamin Franklin Middle School is located at 335 N. Van Dien Avenue. George Washington Middle School is located at 155 Washington Place. The Education Center is located at 49 Cottage Place.
This year’s Wellbeing Series, developed for parents, guardians and the Ridgewood adult public by the district’s Office of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment. The ten-presentation series is a component of the Ridgewood Public Schools Community Outreach Program, which strives to help parents and guardians create balance in children’s lives and support their emotional health.
The series is co-sponsored by The Valley Hospital, with support from The (Ridgewood Education) Foundation and the district’s Home and School Associations.
For more information, please contact the office of the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment at 201-670-2700, ext. 10532 or email [email protected]
Ridgewood NJ, Congratulations to the Ridgewood Maroons for winning the North 1 Group 5 State Championship at MetLife Stadium by defeating Passaic County Tech 14-13! The Maroons completed their 12-0 season and first perfect campaign since the middle fifties .
As chronicled on this blog MetLife Stadium had been the home of many disappointments both on and off the field for the Ridgewood Maroons over the years ,but this time thanks to a strong defense it was a different tune.
With the offense struggling to gain its rhythm, the Maroons defense stepped up and forced a pair of turnovers deep in the Passaic Tech territory. The takeaways led to all of Ridgewood’s scores and the state championship.
The breaks went all Ridgewood surviving an extra point try to tie with 1:24 remaining on the clock and the 14-13 victory led to the first perfect campaign since 1956.The win also marked the fifth state sectional championship for the Maroons and the first since 2004.
Ridgewood NJ, Eleven RHS band students have been selected to perform in the 2017 All Bergen County Band. More than 300 students auditioned yesterday for 85 positions. Congratulations to: Katlyn Tagliabue, principal bassoon* (10); Joshua (Jaehyeok) Yang, clarinet (11); Tony (Jongyun) An, clarinet (9); Colleen Duffy, clarinet (12); Kieran Corcoran, tenor saxophone (9); Chris Morse, principal baritone saxophone* (10); Jonathan Negron, trumpet (11); Teddy Trent, trumpet (12); Stefanie Haas, trombone (9); and Ethan Glenning, principal euphonium* (12).The All County Band will perform in January.
In addition, two students have been selected to perform in All Eastern ensembles that will perform in April. These students have been recognized as among the top performers on their instrument for the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont. Congratulations to: Maxwell Caine, guitar (All Eastern Jazz Ensemble) (12); and the other student, an oboe player (11), whose name is withheld pending media permission.
Ridgewood NJ, It is with great pleasure that the Ridgewood High School Alumni Association announces the launch of our Commemorative Brick Campaign. This effort is the first of several exciting initiatives we are working on to honor and celebrate 125 years of academics, athletics and the arts at RHS.
Ridgewood High School is built on a tradition of excellence. You can continue to support and inspire students by purchasing your own brick paver today. Commemorate an event, reunion or significant milestone by purchasing a brick. You can memorialize a treasured individual or simply declare your love of RHS through this program. These bricks will line the walkways of our campus and honor the past and the future of RHS.
Please help us spread the word through our RHS community by forwarding this note to other alumni whether classmates, siblings, parents, teachers or friends.
Or ask them to register themselves at rhsalumniassociation.org as we always love to connect with alumni.
This is a wonderful opportunity for alumni and the community to be a part of RHS history and to leave their lasting mark. Hopefully you can come see your brick in person in the fall of 2017 when they are installed. We look forward to celebrating this important anniversary year with all of you.
Late in 2006, the CEO and co-founder of FieldTurf — the leading maker of artificial sports fields — urgently emailed a supplier about a new turf being marketed and sold to the public as the best money could buy.
The issue was so pressing, some of the messages went out on New Year’s Eve.
The subject was so troubling, it could cripple both companies.
And the problem was so basic, anyone could understand it: Fields were falling apart before they should.
Ten months later, FieldTurf executives flew to New Jersey to check out the product, known as Duraspine, in one of their most lucrative markets. They discovered more trouble. The turf was breaking apart and lying flat, undermining their own breathless marketing materials that heralded its revolutionary durability.
The stakes couldn’t have been higher. Sales to schools and towns across the country were skyrocketing, and the company was turning big profits off taxpayers. A problem this significant, if people knew, could cost tens of millions in warranty claims and ruin its prized reputation for quality.
So FieldTurf powered on, full steam ahead, keeping customers in the dark even as the Great Recession was forcing communities to cut school programs and lay off teachers and police officers.
All told, from 2005 until Duraspine was discontinued in 2012, records show FieldTurf sold 1,428 of the fields throughout the U.S. — including 164 in New Jersey — for an estimated $570 million in revenue.
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, This holiday season round out your table with rustic root vegetables and colorful produce – the side dishes and ingredients of the season. From savory to sweet, these sought after vegetables have a ton of natural sugars and are loaded with vitamins, bringing you and your guests a healthy and delicious dish to add to the table.
Kings Food Markets Nutritionist, Shari Bilt Boockvar, MS, RDN Nutritionist, works closely to select options from Kings that offer a variety of inspirational root vegetable recipes to round out your table this season, including:
Spiralized Butternut Squash (video): Spiralizing never seemed so fun especially in our Spiralized Butternut Squash with Italian Sausage Ragu video.
Shari explains, “This season has a bountiful array of colorful produce, which provides a wonderful source of beta-carotene, potassium, fiber, and other nutrients. Enjoy them simply roasted with olive oil, garlic and seasonings or in a beautiful crudité.” In addition to these inspirational recipes and simple basics from Shari, Kings offers a great assortment of classes to further inspire your meals this holiday season taught by some of the area’s top chefs:
Elegant Christmas Dinner: Chef Theresa Merges leads this interactive class as guests will learn to make the ultimate elegant Christmas dinner including Oysters Rockefeller, Tomato Mozzarella and Basil Stacks, Prime Rib with Garlic and Horseradish Crust.
Celebrate Chanukah with Family Kids/Teens with Parent: Make it a family affair and learn to make classics like Potato Latkes 3 ways – Traditional, Sweet Potato and Spaghetti Squash, Homemade Applesauce, Beef Barley Soup, Grandma’s Rugelach.
New Year’s Eve Party: Ring the New Year in the right way with a menu all guests will be sure to enjoy including Spiced Nuts, Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts, Creamy Crab and Artichoke Dip.
To complete your holiday table Kings offers fully catered meals in their Catering department, covering all of your bases, including root vegetables as well as holiday staples such as Mini Crab Cakes, Kings Apple Pie, Kings Classic Carrot Soufflé and even custom floral arrangements for all your holiday tablescaping needs.
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!”
