N.J. may close motor vehicle inspection stations, forcing drivers to pay
Friday, May 10, 2013 Last updated: Saturday May 11, 2013, 12:01 AM
BY MICHAEL LINHORST
STATE HO– USE BUREAU
The Record
New Jersey drivers who get their cars tested for free every other year at a state inspection station may find themselves having to pay $50 or more at a private garage.
The state is still in the early stages of deciding whether to privatize the inspections, and any change is at least three years away, Raymond Martinez, the Motor Vehicle Commission’s chief administrator, told an Assembly committee this week. He said it was too soon to know precisely how much a privatized system might cost drivers or save the state.
But that hasn’t stopped Democrats from raising questions about why New Jersey would consider changing the current inspection system, which Martinez has said boasts “very little wait times” and “very high customer satisfaction.”
Special ops halted from responding to Benghazi attacks, U.S. diplomat says
By Ernesto Londoño, Published: May 6
As the weakly protected U.S. diplomatic compound in eastern Libya came under attack the night of Sept. 11, 2012, the deputy head of the embassy in Tripoli 600 miles away sought in vain to get the Pentagon to scramble fighter jets over Benghazi in a show of force that he said might have averted a second attack on a nearby CIA complex.
Hours later, according to excerpts of the account by the U.S. diplomat, Gregory Hicks, American officials in the Libyan capital sought permission to deploy four U.S. Special Operations troops to Benghazi aboard a Libyan military aircraft early the next morning. The troops were told to stand down.
Defense Department officials have said they had no units that could have responded in time to counter the attack in Benghazi, but Republicans on Capitol Hill have questioned whether the Obama administration could have saved lives with a nimbler, more assertive response. They say that the reluctance to send the Special Operations troops may have, at the very least, deprived wounded Americans in Benghazi of first aid.
Congressional investigators released a partial transcript of Hicks’s testimony Monday ahead of a hearing Wednesday at which he is scheduled to appear. His remarks are the first public account from a U.S. official who was in Libya at the time of the attacks about the options that were weighed as militants mobbed the American diplomatic outpost and CIA station in Benghazi, killing U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three other government employees.
The new details are certain to reignite a debate over whether the Obama administration has been sufficiently forthcoming in its public accounting of the events and missteps that resulted in the first death of a U.S. ambassador in the line of duty in a generation. If Republicans in Congress succeed in portraying the administration’s response as feckless, the episode could dog any future political aspirations of Hillary Rodham Clinton, who was secretary of state when the attacks happened.
300 attend Ridgewood fundraiser for AIDS support organization
SUNDAY MAY 5, 2013, 10:13 PM
BY MONSY ALVARADO
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD
RIDGEWOOD — They gathered at Saddle River County Park on Sunday, some sporting red T-shirts to remember family and friends they lost too soon to HIV and AIDS, and to bring awareness to the disease that affects more than 36,000 statewide.
“It’s important for people to understand and be safe and not to push anyone aside because of it,” said Melanie Sullivan of West Milford, who attended the event to honor her aunt, who died on Thanksgiving Day of complications from AIDS. “If it affects one person, it affects us all.”
Around 300 people, some pushing strollers and others leading dogs on leashes, took part in the annual New Jersey AIDS Walk. TheBergen County event, held in conjunction with four others across the state to benefit HIV and AIDS, was hosted by Buddies of New Jersey Inc. of Hackensack — a non-profit that helps people living with the disease.
9th Annual Wiffle for Cancer Tournament
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Online registration is now available! Remember every registrant receives a free t-shirt. Registration will be limited to 64 teams. Walk-up registrations are welcome if space is still available on the day of the event.
When?
Sunday, June 2, 2013
12:00 Noon (Check-in begins at 11:30am)
Rain or Shine
Where?
Ridgewood High School
627 East Ridgewood Avenue
Ridgewood, NJ 07450We hope to see lots of new faces this year. We want to make this year’s tournament the biggest ever, so please spread the word to as many people as you can.
Tournament sponsorship opportunities are available. Sponsors who donate at the Bronze level (a minimum of $100) will receive recognition on the Wiffle for Cancer website, post-event publicity recognition, as well as have their name placed on the tournament t-shirt. Any sponsor who donates at the Silver level (a minimum of $200) will receive everything from the Bronze level as well as a link directly to the sponsor’s website from our Wiffle for Cancer website. For a donation of $300 or more sponsors will achieve Gold level sponsorship, which includes the two previous levels, the opportunity to have a sign on the fence facing East Ridgewood Avenue visible to drive-by traffic and a field will be named after your company or family. At the Gold level, the sponsors who donate more than the minimum will have their names placed on the most prominently located fields and the largest donor’s name will appear on the field where the championship game is played. We also welcome companies who wish to donate items for the event (e.g. – food items or prizes) in lieu of cash donations.
All proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Nick Currey Fund for Ewing Sarcoma Research. If you are unable to play donations will gladly be accepted. To donate send checks payable to “Nick Currey Fund” to Wiffle for Cancer c/o Ralph Currey, 260 Woodside Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450-5036. Alternatively, you can send checks payable to “Nick Currey Fund” to CureSearch for Children’s Cancer, Development Office, 4600 East West Highway, Suite 600, Bethesda, MD 20814-3457. To donate online, visit www.curesearch.org/nickcurreyfund and make a donation “in memory of Nick Currey”.
All are invited to Place flags at Valleau with American Legion – May 11th
The American Legion will place small American flags on the sites where veterans are buried in Valleau Cemetary on Saturday, May 11th 2013 starting at 9 am. Everyone is welcome to join us.
The American Legion will conduct a Memorial Day service on Monday, May 27th 2013 at 11 am. The ceremony will take place at Veterans Memorial Park at Van Neste Square in downtown Ridgewood opposite the Ridgewood bus station. Everyone is invited to join us. Please bring a chair or blanket
N.J. car insurance rates, already the nation’s highest, on the rise
Sunday, April 28, 2013 Last updated: BY RICHARD NEWMAN
STAFF WRITER
The Record
Northjersey.com : News
N.J. car insurance rates, already the nation’s highest, on the rise
Sunday, April 28, 2013 Last updated: Sunday April 28, 2013, 10:39 AM
BY RICHARD NEWMAN
STAFF WRITER
The Record
Vehicles damaged by superstorm Sandy, such as this car in Moonachie, are not the reason regulators have approved rate increases for 26 New Jersey insurance companies so far this year.
Auto insurers are raising rates in New Jersey this year, in some cases by double digits, unwelcome news for motorists in the nation’s highest-priced market.This time, motorists might be willing to cut the insurance companies some slack in light of the hundreds of millions of dollars they paid to policyholders whose sedans and SUVs were wrecked by superstorm Sandy in October.
However, insurers and the state regulator say Sandy is not the reason the state has approved rate increases for 26 insurers so far this year. The rate hikes are driven by factors such as losses related to Tropical Storm Irene and the Halloween nor’easter from two years ago, medical costs that are trending higher, reinsurance expenses and lackluster forecasts of investment income, industry experts say.
AARP The Magazine Highlights The Valley Hospital as One of America’s Safest
April 26, 2013
Ridgewood NJ, The Valley Hospital has been cited by AARP in the latest edition of AARP The Magazine as one of the safest hospitals in the United States. Drawing upon data and rankings from The Leapfrog Group, AARP compiled a list of 66 hospitals throughout the country. Valley is one of only three hospitals in New Jersey to be included by AARP.
The list was part of an extensive report on hospital safety titled “Lessons from America’s Safest Hospitals,” featured in the April/May issue of the publication.
For the report, AARP The Magazine partnered with The Leapfrog Group, an organization which grades hospitals across America for safety. The Valley Hospital received a Grade A for Patient Safety from The Leapfrog Group for the past two years.
The publication’s safety report highlights a number of Valley initiatives, such as the hospital’s focus on Patient- and Family-Centered Care, which has led to the creation of an advisory committee that includes former patients
Affluence is deceptive word for those trying to get by in Ridgewood
Thursday April 25, 2013, 4:55 PM
BY LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News
She lives in Ridgewood, her children play lacrosse and other sports, and every month, unbeknownst to them and her neighbors, she gets four bags of donated groceries and supermarket vouchers from Ridgewood’s social service organization.
She also asks for waivers for most sports fees. “I think Ridgewood has that stigma that if you live in Ridgewood, you’re wealthy,” the resident said, speaking to The Ridgewood News on the condition of anonymity.
Her husband has been unemployed on and off for the past few years, and the couple does not have health insurance. Thanks to outside help, their children are covered.
Lisa’s Mediterranean Cuisine in Ridgewood
April 23,2013
By Tony Mangia
https://devilgourmet.com/lisas-mediterranean-cuisine-in-ridgewood-new-jersey/#
Lisa’s Turkish Kitchen is a Ridgewood, NJ institution for Middle Eastern, namely Turkish, cuisine. A few months ago, the restaurant moved from its original location on Chestnut Street one block east to 28 Oak Street and changed its name to Lisa’s Mediterranean Cuisine.
I have never been to Lisa’s at its original location, but have heard great things. So recently I decided to pay Lisa’s a visit for a solo lunch. I love Turkish food. It’s delicious and shares similar flavors with other Mediterranean cuisines.
2013 Film Festival Committee: Lynne Clements, Andres Valenzuela, Gail Mandeli, Tony Damiano, Barbara Kiernan, Marialyse Wostbrock, Sean Mccooe, RJ Konner [missing Dotti Fucito]
2013 Ridgewood Film Festival
The third annual Ridgewood Film Festival was a huge success!
We had some wonderful films shown from very talented filmmakers from all over the world. Thursday night’s Festival screenings where dedicated and focused on Women in Film and was very well received.
Check out our highlight video from the 3rd Annual Ridgewood Film Festival. Exceptionally filmed and edited by Tim at Studio 94.
Experienced professionals in the film and photography industry gave free workshops before the red carpet both nights and we had tremendous support from Mayor Aronsohn, Deputy Mayor Al Pucciarelli, and Councilwoman Gwenn Hauck. Thank you all for your support and hope to see you again at next year’s festival! — in Ridgewood.
Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving A Dog’s Best Friend is a Uniformed Patrol Officer
April 25,2013
Boyd A. Loving
4:22 PM
Ridgewood NJ , Ridgewood Police Department Patrol Officer Jeffrey Kay comforts a dog who was seriously injured after being struck by a car in front of 466 Northern Parkway, Ridgewood on Thursday afternoon.
The 22 year old son of the dog’s owner was quickly located by Officer Kay; the son subsequently transported the dog to a local animal hospital for treatment of leg and hip injuries. The driver of the vehicle involved remained at the accident scene until the dog was identified and on its way for treatment.
2012-2013 Ridgewood Schools Teacher Recognition Program
Ridgewood NJ, The BOE approved the following nominees for the 2012-2013 Teacher Recognition Program:
Educational Services Professional: Lorraine Zak (Ridge & Willard Schools) Hawes School David Jenkins Orchard School Sawyer Austin Ridge School Lynne Peabody Somerville School Susan Foreman Travell School Darien Dastis Buckler Willard School Linda Diorio BFMS Erin Corcoran GWMS Lauren Sacks RHS Michael Yannone
Each of the award recipients will receive a stipend of $500 ($250 awarded by the Individual Home and School Association and $250 awarded by the Board). The Ridgewood Teacher Recognition Award reception will be held at the Education Center on Tuesday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m. for the award recipients, their families, school parents, teachers, and friends.
The members of the panel that reviewed and approved the nominations were Mr. Patrick Bernardo, Ms. Jeanine Dawkins, Ms. Rea Hunter, Ms. Annemaire Kleinman, Ms. Margaret Leininger, Ms. Liz McCarthy, Ms. Elizabeth Moreland, Ms. Ellen Raupp, Ms. Jean Schoenlank, and Mr. Gary Hall, Facilitator.
Ali Stroker from Glee will headline the benefit concert for Ridgewood Friends’ Neighborhood Nursery School
Ridgewood NJ, Actress and Ridgewood native Ali Stroker, who was part of The Glee Project and appeared on Glee, will headline a family-friendly benefit concert for Ridgewood Friends’ Neighborhood Nursery School.
Blue Plate Special will also appear. The group plays original and traditional American roots music. Based in northern New Jersey, they have shared the stage with the likes of Les Paul, Jeffrey Gaines and Tom Chapin.
The concert will take place at 3 pm on April 28th at the Unitarian Society, which is located at 113 Cottage Place, Ridgewood. Suggested donation is $10 for adults, $5 for children. Additional contributions appreciated. For more information or reservations: 201-445-0681.
Changing legislation means that New Jersey will soon be offering medical marijuana to patients that suffer from a number of debilitating illnesses. Unlike many of the previous states to offer these services, however, New Jersey medical marijuana dispe nsaries will be run a bit differently. Most details surrounding the new measure seem to indicate that everything about the program will be run with a higher degree of regulation and stricter adherence to guidelines than in previous states.
The New Jersey medical marijuana dispensaries will be set up in three regions – southern, northern, and central to start – with two facilities per region. Medical marijuana will be obtained from these dispensaries by patients with an active ID card registered with the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, or by a designated, registered caregiver, responsible for obtaining and administering medication to the patient.
In the past, New Jersey residents who have had medical marijuana recommended to them by physicians as a viable treatment option for pain management have been unable to legally obtain it. Some have driven outside state lines to achieve relief from their suffering, always worried about the legalities in question.
Though the New Jersey medical marijuana dispensaries will be limited in number at the start, public demand could see their numbers grow. Patients unable to travel long distances to their closest dispensary should write to their local representative, explaining why the law should allow for more dispensaries in a denser allocation.
Unfortunately, many still see medical marijuana as a danger to their neighborhood, mistaking legitimate, legal dispensaries for drug dens on the corner, endangering their children. Education is the only weapon against such misinformation. In reality, the New Jersey medical marijuana dispensaries will be heavily monitored by the DHSS and the Department of Law and Public Safety. Both institutions will be in charge of monitoring the amount of marijuana patients are allowed to obtain from the dispensaries.
While New Jersey law will only legalize the sale of medical marijuana to eligible patients within the state, the new legislation will allow a patient who legally purchased marijuana at a dispensary to travel anywhere within the United States without fear of legal ramification, provided they carry their ID card.
Accounting Gimmick: Ridgewood considers using $3M surplus
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER
The Record
RIDGEWOOD — The Village Council could conceivably draw $3 million from the village surplus, if it is intent on delivering a zero-percent tax increase while maintaining current staffing levels.
The $3 million solution to Ridgewood’s lingering budgetary concerns was floated by Village Manager Ken Gabbert at a recent council meeting.
The village’s present fund balance sits at $4.3 million, Gabbert said, adding that $800,000 of the money is restricted and cannot be touched.
That, Gabbert said, leaves $3.5 million in the surplus account the council could access to attain its stated goal of no tax increase for 2013.
Tapping into that money would prevent layoffs, increase funding to the library’s budget, and permit extended hours at Graydon Pool, Gabbert said.
The tactic gave Councilman Thomas Riche pause, because he said such a move would leave the village with a fund balance of just $500,000.
