SEPTEMBER 7, 2015, 12:30 PM LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2015, 12:49 PM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
RIDGEWOOD — The Board of Education is once again exploring the pros and cons of offering a full-day kindergarten program in the district, but officials are concerned that coming up with the money to do so could be problematic.
Officials claim a full-day kindergarten program would require 10 additional teachers with an estimated cost of $1 million-plus.
Providing daylong kindergarten has been a longtime goal for Ridgewood’s educators, said Sheila Brogan, president of the village’s school board.
“We are one of the few districts that don’t have full-day kindergarten, and we realize it would be an enhancement,” Brogan said. “The question for us is: Is it feasible?”
The school board discussed the prospect of expanding its offerings during a meeting held late last month.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2015, 7:17 PM LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2015, 7:19 PM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
RIDGEWOOD — Efforts to conserve water supplies are paying off, thanks to last week’s imposition of stringent irrigation restrictions and strict enforcement of those limits, village officials say.
Ridgewood’s village manager, Roberta Sonenfeld, said Wednesday that the measures — including having firefighters cut off water service to 15 homes this past weekend — have been working.
On Saturday, use dipped by 1 million gallons systemwide from the August daily average, Sonenfeld said. On Sunday and Tuesday, water usage was down by 2 million gallons. It dropped by nearly 3 million gallons on Labor Day, the village manager said.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2015 LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2015, 10:59 AM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
The Community Center Advisory Board is set to undertake a large-scale survey of the needs of the village’s oldest residents in an effort to better meet the needs of the senior citizens it serves.
A subcommittee of the Community Center Advisory Board, known as the Survey Committee, will be heading up the initiative, which the group says is needed due to the increasing world population of citizens 60 and over. Among its various duties, the board oversees many aspects of the senior center on the first floor of Village Hall, including the events held there.
In presenting the idea to the Village Council last month, Beth Abbott, the chairperson of the Survey Committee, said the board is charged with serving both the current and future users of the center, therefore learning more about Ridgewood’s population of older residents would allow it to provide better services and programs.
“We feel we would be remiss if we did not learn more about this portion of our community,” Abbott said. “Thus, we would like to conduct this needs assessment.”
The plan is for the group to take the survey to various focus groups to ensure it is user-friendly to its participants and the content is acceptable. Abbott noted two-thirds of the Survey Committee itself is age 55 or over, but the board still reached out to groups that study aging, such as the Taub Foundation of Bergen County and researchers at Rutgers University and Montclair State University.
Once the survey is ready to go, it will be circulated online via the online development company Survey Monkey and at various village organization meetings, in churches, the library and at the Oct. 4 Wellness Fair.
Councilwoman Gwenn Hauck, the liaison to the Community Center Advisory Board, said the survey would be conducted between October and December, with a final report coming the following spring.
2. Statement of Compliance with the 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
4. RESOLUTIONS
15-261 Renewal of Liquor License
15-262 RBSA Donation to Improve Citizens Park Lower Field
15- 263 Endorse BC Municipal Grant for the Schedler Field
15-264 Endorse BC Historic Grant for Schedler House
5. Adjournment
09/09/157:30PMVillage Council Special Public Meeting
09/09/157:30PMVillage Council Public Work Session
09/15/157:30PMPlanning Board Public Meeting
09/16/158:00PMVillage Council Public Meeting
09/22/157:30PMBoard of Adjustment Public Work Session
09/29/157:30PMBoard of Adjustment Public Meeting
09/30/157:30PMVillage Council Public Work Session
With elegant architecture and high-end restaurants all within walking distance, Ridgewood is both urbane and sophisticated.
By Mary Ann Castronovo Fusco | September 1, 2015
Young parents pushing strollers share the broad sidewalks with friends schmoozing at an outdoor café. Teens hunt for bargains, while grandparents treat their charges to a matinee at the Bow Tie Cinemas Warner Quad or a fresh-made waffle cone at Kilwins. Nearby, Memorial Park at Van Neste Square is an oasis of calm. Welcome to downtown Ridgewood.
“I love how walkable it is, and that everything is in one small area,” says children’s book author Ann Malaspina. “I can go to the post office and mail a package, get a coffee at Ridgewood Coffee Company, meet a friend for lunch—all while having my car serviced.” And the town is “family friendly,” adds Malaspina, who raised her two sons in Ridgewood.
East Ridgewood Avenue is the main artery, ending at the sprawling California Mission Revival-style train station, which dates to 1916 and is listed on the national and state Register of Historic Places. Over the past year, elegant way-finding signs—a joint effort by the Village and the local Chamber of Commerce—have sprouted on downtown corners, pointing visitors toward the many shops and restaurants on the side streets. More will come.
“I look at downtown as a destination,” says Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld, a 19-year resident. “We have lots of people coming from different directions. It’s a small town feel that is also urbane and sophisticated.”
SEPTEMBER 7, 2015 LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2015, 1:20 AM
THE RECORD
Village to hear plansfor parking garage
Proposals for a potential parking garage in downtown Ridgewood will be discussed during a special council meeting that has been called for Tuesday night.
The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Village Hall, 131 N. Maple Ave.
Ridgewood officials said the meeting will include presentations from a number of the firms that responded to the village’s request for proposals.
The council will likely choose a firm to design a multilevel parking garage when it meets Wednesday night, with an official vote planned for Sept. 16.
Village residents will vote this fall on the proposed expenditure of $15 million for the garage, slated for a site within the central business district.
Sammy Hagar Monday, September 14th @ 6:00pm
Legendary Lead Singer with Van Halen & inductee in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Sammy Hagar, will sign his new book, Are We Having Any Fun Yet?
Books available September 14th
Cat Cora Wednesday, September 16th @ 7:00pm
Catherine Ann “Cat” Cora is a professional chef best known for her featured role as an “Iron Chef” on The Food Network, Cat Cora, will sign her new book:Cooking as Fast as I Can
Josh Altman Wednesday, September 30th @ 7:30pm
Star on Bravo TV’s Million Dollar Listing, Josh Altman, will sign his new book:
It’s Your Move
Appearing authors will only autograph books purchased at Bookends and must have valid Bookends Receipt.
Availability & pricing for all autographed books subject to change.
First In Line Certificate use is the the discretion of Bookends. Blackout dates may apply.
Bookends cannot guarantee that the books that are Autographed will always be First Printings.
Autographed books purchased at Bookends are non-returnable.
While we try to ensure that all customers coming to Bookends’ signings will meet authors and get their books signed, we cannot guarantee that all attendees will meet the author or that all books will be signed. We cannot control inclement weather, author travel schedules or authors who leave prematurely.
Bookends, 211 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-0726
The Park Steakhouse Park West Tavern Golf Classic
Fri, September 25, 2015
Time: 10:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Location: New York Country Club, 103 Brick Church Road, New Hempstead, NY, 10977
Cost: $200 per person
The Park Steakhouse Park West Tavern Golf Classic
When: Friday September 25th, 2015
Where: New York Country Club
103 Brick Church Road
New Hempstead, NY, 10977
845 362-5800
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Registration, Breakfast
Practice at the Range
12 Noon – Shotgun Start
6:00 p.m. Cocktail
Reception and Awards
Entry Fees: $200.00 per Golfer
We hope you will join us for a fun day of golf at New York Country Club. The day starts with a breakfast, followed by an on the course surprise lunch prepared by both restaurants staff. Capped off with a Cocktail/Dinner reception.
Proper attire & soft spikes required
The Park Steakhouse & Park West Tavern Golf Classic Entry Form
New York Country Club
Name of Golfers:
1. _____________________________________________________ I wish to purchase the
2. _____________________________________________________ following # of $200 tickets
3. _____________________________________________________ # of Golfers_____________
4. _____________________________________________________ X $200= $____________
I/We will attend the Cocktail Reception only. @ $50 per person # of Guests__________
Please make checks payable to The Park Charities
At the Starbucks annual shareholders meeting on Wednesday, CEO Howard Schultz sent a clear message to anyone who supports traditional marriage over gay marriage: we don’t want your business.
After saying Starbucks wants to “embrace diversity of all kinds,” he told a shareholder who supports traditional marriage that he should sell his shares and invest in some other company.
According to a report by Forbes, Schultz seemed a bit intolerant of any Starbucks shareholders who opposed gay marriage for moral or religious reasons.
During the meeting, shareholder Tom Strobhar (who founded the Corporate Morality Action Center) pointed out that after the company voiced its support for a referendum backing gay marriage in Washington state, a boycott by traditional marriage supporters caused a drop in sales revenue.
Please plan to attend the Village Council Meeting on Wednesday, September 16 at 7:30 pm at Village Hall.
This will be your LAST CHANCE to voice your opinion on a series of “sweeping reforms” that will allow high-density housing to be built in our Central Business District.
While surrounding towns like Ho-Ho-Kus and Glen Rock welcome new housing development appropriate for their downtowns at 10-15 units per acre, Ridgewood is ready to change the zoning in our downtown to 35 units per acre. Is Ridgewood looking to become a more urban village? If our Village Council approves this Master Plan Amendment, the answer will be yes.
This is YOUR village and you do have a voice. September 16is your last chance to speak up.
Please come to the Village Council Meeting to speak up, or just to lend your support. Encourage friends and neighbors to come, too. Mayor Paul Aronsohn said the Village Council will vote on September 16. We are hoping a room filled with concerned citizens will sway Council members to reconsider enacting these ordinances.
Thank you for your continued support! We hope to see you on the 16th!
Citizens for a Better Ridgewood
citizensforabetterridgewood@aol.com
SEPTEMBER 4, 2015, 7:44 PM LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015, 11:02 PM
BY LINDY WASHBURN
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
In a lawsuit that illustrates how inescapable surprise medical bills can be, a judge in Bergen County has sided with an anesthesiology practice that did not accept a patient’s insurance for emergency services at The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood and sued the patient for payment.
The judge found that the bill was reasonable and that the doctor had no obligation to figure out — “at midnight” — whether the patient’s insurance would cover the anesthesia she needed to deliver her baby.
Brenda Cristiano, who lives in Franklin Lakes, chose the hospital and her obstetrician because they participated in her insurance plan, Cigna. But when she needed an emergency cesarean section to deliver GianLuca in October 2014, none of the anesthesiologists at the hospital accepted Cigna.
RCNG – Ridgewood Chamber Networking Group
AM – worth getting up early to be part of–
AM Networking in Ridgewood
Tuesday and Thursday
7:30am-8:45am
ConnectOne Bank
171 E. Ridgewood Ave.
201-445-2600 for more information
email: info@ridgewoodchamber.com
*******************************
PM NETWORKING IN RIDGEWOOD!
27 Chestnut Street
RCNG – Ridgewood Chamber Networking Group
every Wednesday,
Meet/Greet 5:30pm
Networking 5:45-6:45pm
rsvp 201-445-2600
info@ridgewoodchamber.com
************
RYPE- Ridgewood’s Young Professional Exchange
Networking for ages 40 and under Professionals.
Next Networking
Thursday, September 10th, 6pm
call 201-445-2600 info@ridgewoodchamber.com
meeting at 27 Chestnut Street.
go through restaurant’s patio and
take elevator to first floor.
Invite your business friends to join us!
rsvp to Allison-
afriedman@ywcabergencounty.org
*************
Woman’s Networking
BBLB-Brown Bag Lunch Bunch meet on
Tuesday’s – alternating between 9am & 11am
call for dates of times-201-445-2600
women supporting women at its best!
mark your calendar!
chamber office-27 Chestnut St.
This networking is designed to place real value on the advise and wisdom of today’s business women.
Engage, Encourage, Empower!
for more information call 201-445-2600
N E T W O R K I N G
still the best way to do business
The Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce is a
member of the ICC – Inter-Chamber Consortium.
The ICC is an organization of several Bergen County Chambers that come together to work with each other to help build relationships for
the area business owners.
ICC MONTHLY MEETING SCHEDULE
Cliffside Park Chamber of Commerce
September 14, 2015.
MegaNet Networking date to TBA
Ridgewood NJ, Every fall, over 55 million children across the United States head back to school. With 13 percent of those children typically walking or biking to their classes, drivers need to be especially vigilant for pedestrians before and after school hours. The afternoon hours are particularly dangerous – over the last decade, nearly one in four child pedestrian fatalities occurred between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
According to AAA first and foremost drivers need to slow down. Speed limits in school zones are reduced for a reason. A pedestrian is struck by a vehicle traveling at 25 mph is nearly two-thirds less likely to be killed compared to a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling just 10 mph faster.
Come to a complete stop. Research shows that more than one-third of drivers roll through stop signs in school zones or neighborhoods. Always come to a complete stop, checking carefully for children on sidewalks and in crosswalks before proceeding.
Eliminate distractions. Research shows that taking your eyes off the road for just two seconds doubles your chances of crashing. And children can be quick, crossing the road unexpectedly or emerging suddenly between two parked cars. Reduce risk by not using your cell phone or eating while driving, for example.
Reverse responsibly. Every vehicle has blind spots. Check for children on the sidewalk, in the driveway and around your vehicle before slowly backing up. Teach your children to never play in, under or around vehicles.
Watch for bicycles. Children on bikes are often inexperienced, unsteady and unpredictable. Slow down and allow at least three feet of passing distance between your vehicle and a bicyclist. If your child rides a bicycle to school, require that he or she wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet on every ride.
Talk to your teen. Car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States, and nearly one in four fatal crashes involving teen drivers occur during the after-school hours of 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
