APRIL 28, 2015 LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2015, 2:48 PM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
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The Ridgewood Guild will present its Fifth Annual International Film Festival on Wednesday, April 29 and Thursday, April 30 at the Bow Tie Cinema, Ridgewood; and on Friday, May 1 at the Ridgewood Public Library.
Red carpet festivities will begin at 6 p.m. each night, with film programming running in two theaters simultaneously beginning at approximately 7 p.m. Ridgewood Mayor Paul Aronsohn will be on hand to open the festivities on Wednesday, April 29.
“There were so many high-caliber entries from around the world this year, the executive committee felt the time had come to expand the festival from two nights to three,” Film Festival Chairwoman Lynne Clements said in a news release.
Chef Elie Kahlon of Novo puts the finishing touch on a salmon dish.
April 29, 2015
By Curt Schleier
Diners at Novo, in Ridgewood, New Jersey, likely appreciate the spices, imported from the Middle East, that accent their meals. Some might even be aware that their food was cooked on an open-flame oven called a taboon or that a special Arabic steamer was used to prepare the couscous.
But will they get that every dish comes with a heavy dollop of memory, forged in the Israeli-born chef’s upbringing? Hard to say. But the chef in question, Elie Kahlon, certainly hopes so.
But for the Middle Eastern music that’s piped into the dining room at Novo, the restaurant/s look and feel seem less Mediterranean than American contemporary, with modern fixtures lighting chic wooden tables. Yet it all works quite well, thank you.
In fact, the Record, the local paper, recently called Novo “arguably North Jersey’s best new restaurant.” It had been In business less than half a year when it earned 3½ out of 4 stars from the paper’s restaurant critic last January.
The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, NJ, is one of only 182 hospitals nationwide that have received straight A’s for patient safety in seven consecutive score reports.
29-Apr-2015 11:05 AM EDT
Ridgewood NJ, For the seventh consecutive time, The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, NJ, has been recognized for its dedication to patient safety by being awarded an A grade in the Spring 2015 Hospital Safety Score, which rates how well hospitals protect patients from preventable medical errors, injuries and infections within the hospital. The hospital is also being recognized as a “Straight A’s” hospital, as it has never received a grade lower than an A from the Hospital Safety Score since the Score first launched in June 2012.
Hospitals nationwide received Hospital Safety Scores of A, B, C, D, or F based on how well they protect patients accidents, errors, injuries and infections. The Hospital Safety Score report was released today by The Leapfrog Group, an independent, national not-for-profit organization of employer purchasers of health care.
Of the more than 2,500 general hospitals issued a safety score in the Leapfrog report, only 782 — roughly the top 31 percent — received an A in this round. Valley is one of only 182 hospitals nationwide that have received straight A’s in all seven reporting periods since 2012.
“We are pleased and proud to once again receive an “A” for patient safety, and particularly proud to be among the select group of ‘Straight A’s’ hospitals” said Audrey Meyers, President and CEO of The Valley Hospital and Valley Health System. “This top grade is a reflection and a result of our longstanding focus on and commitment to patient safety and quality care.”
“The Valley Hospital’s achievement of Straight A’s validates its achievement in preventing harm within the hospital, and we are proud to recognize the efforts of the care providers and staff,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group, which administers the Hospital Safety Score.
To see Valley’s full score, and to access consumer-friendly tips for patients and loved ones visiting the hospital, visitwww.hospitalsafetyscore.org or follow The Hospital Safety Score on Twitter or Facebook. Consumers can also download the free Hospital Safety Score mobile app for Apple and Android devices.
7 of the 10 counties in America with the highest property taxes are in N.J., study says
By Paul Milo | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
April 28, 2015 at 12:36 PM, updated April 28, 2015 at 1:12 PM
Counties in New Jersey dominate the top 10 nationwide for property taxes, according to data compiled by real estate Web site Zillow.
It’s no secret that New Jersey homeowners are hit with some of the highest property taxes in the nation. But just how high, relative to other parts of the country, might be a bit of a shock.
A typical homeowner in Bibb County, Ala., paid just $228 in property taxes in 2013,according to an analysis by Zillow, the real estate website. Compare that to someone paying the median in Paramus or Ridgewood in Bergen, who shelled out $9,546 — about 45 times as much.
Ridgewood NJ, which includes The Valley Hospital, Valley Medical Group and Valley Home Care — is using both services to simplify appointment scheduling for patients. Valley Medical Group (VMG) has partnered with ZocDoc to offer online appointment scheduling for select physicians. The Valley Hospital Emergency Department offers InQuicker to allow patients with non-life-threating medical conditions to browse and select a treatment time in advance of arriving at the hospital.
ZocDoc gives patients a simple, convenient way to book a doctor’s appointment at any time, even when the doctor’s office is closed. Appointments can be made with VMG physicians in the following specialties: primary care, cardiology, obstetrics and gynecology, and dermatology. To use this free service, visit www.ValleyMedicalGroup.com and click on the “Book an Appointment” button, or download the ZocDoc app.
“At Valley Medical Group, we are committed to increasing access to our physicians and services and enhancing the patient experience,” said Marc Goldstein, President of VMG. “By offering the option of scheduling medical appointments online with select VMG physicians, we are providing better access to quality care and making the process of scheduling an appointment much more convenient for our patients.”
InQuicker allows patients to browse, select, and lock in a treatment time in Valley’s adult or pediatric Emergency Departments online at www.ValleyHealth.com. Simply click on the ED Check-In Online button at the top of the page and complete a few simple online steps to book a treatment time. The ED is sent a notification with details about the patient and the time selection. A triage nurse then reviews the information and sends a real-time confirmation via phone or e-mail to the patient.
“Knowing their treatment time allows patients to wait comfortably at home before coming to the hospital for care,” said Chris Robertson, Director of Valley’s Emergency Department. “The service has been very well-received by our patients who have used it.”
Ridgewood NJ , Tom Chapin Society Cafe Concert Series Society Cafe Concert Series presents TOM CHAPIN, folk singer, Sunday, April 26th, concert at 7:30 p.m. The Society Cafe Concert Series offers a series of acoustic singer/songwriter concerts at the Unitarian Society of Ridgewood. Dessert and coffee, provided by local vendors, are available before the shows and during intermission. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., the concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Advance tickets are $20 and can be purchased via PayPal on the Society Cafe website, www.societycafeconcertseries.com. Tickets are $25 the night of the concert. The Unitarian Society of Ridgewood is located at 113 Cottage Place. For more information call 201-444-6225.
file photo by Boyd Loving
APRIL 24, 2015, 10:20 PM LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015, 10:25 PM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
RIDGEWOOD — Village property owners would pay 1.2 percent more in taxes over the next year, under a $47.1 million 2015 municipal budget introduced by officials this week.
Ridgewood’s operating budget raises expenses and revenues overall by 1.8 percent, Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld said during the council’s Wednesday night meeting.
The tax increase is the first in the village in two years and would result in a $46.72 increase for owners of the average home, assessed at $690,672.
Second quarter property taxes are due May 1, 2015. There is a 10 day grace period for property tax payments. Since the 10th falls on a Sunday, all payments must be received in this office by Monday, May 11, 2015 to avoid a penalty. Postmark is not accepted.
Please allow ample time for mail delivery. If you are using online checking, confirm with your banking institution that payments will arrive on time and be sure to include your block and lot number in the memo. We cannot make exceptions for payments still en route on May 11th . All payments received after the May 11th deadline will accrue interest from May 1, 2015. Payments may also be dropped off in the yellow Village mail box at the rear main entrance.
US Air Force Band comes to Ridgewood Hosted by the Ridgewood YMCA, YWCA of Bergen County with the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce Friday May 1, 7:00pm The YMCA YWCA building 112 Oak Street Ridgewood, NJ 07450 For details or reservations please call: 201-445-2600 Donations gratefully appreciated at the door Proceeds benefit Ridgewood YMCA and YWCA Bergen County children’s summer camp scholarships
For details or reservations please call – 201-445-2600 or email [email protected]
Bergen County children’s summer camp scholarships
PHOTOS COURTESY OF MICHAEL PARLOFF Paquito D’Rivera is a world-class musician who composes and plays both the saxophone and clarinet. Stefon Harris plays the vibraphone and marimba and is one of today’s top jazz artists
APRIL 24, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY SUBMITTED BY MICHAEL PARLOFF
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Editor’s note – Michael Parloff of Ridgewood is presenting the final event of the 2014-15 season of his very popular Parlance Chamber Concerts this coming Sunday afternoon, April 26, at 3 p.m. at West Side Presbyterian Church. Here he offers our readers some background on the world class performers.
The legendary sax and clarinet virtuoso Paquito D’Rivera, the reigning master of Latin jazz, will team up with special guest Stefon Harris, the blazing young star of the vibraphone and the marimba.
They will be joined by Paquito’s all-star Quintet, which includes the Argentinian trumpeter/trombonist Diego Urcola, the Peruvian bassist Oscar Stagnaro, and the American pianist Alex Brown and drummer/percussionist Eric Doob. Together, this stellar ensemble was awarded the Grammy award for best Latin Jazz Album of 2001.
The two Planning Board members (Thurston and Abdallah) in favor of the project,as is, are both involved in commercIAL real estate and development. Interesting…very interesting.
We are not sure industry experience automatically implies a conflict , but …
There’s a real conflict if he is voting on things or even commenting on things that could affect his clients or potential clients. He can add his comments from the podium along with the rest of us. Did the council know he was actively involved in real estate projects in Ridgewood when they appointed him? What the hell were they thinking????
Even if he currently does not do business with these firms he may hope to work with them in the future.
He should enter the discussions because of his experience but he should not vote.
Thurston is not afraid of developers . . . he IS a developer.
Mr. Thurston has been active as a Real Estate Professional for over 30 years. After graduating from Law School in 1982, Mr. Thurston spent two years in Dallas, Texas practicing real estate law. He then moved back east and spent the next four years practicing real estate law in Philadelphia and Manhattan at the law firms of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius and Shea and Gould. In 1987 he left legal practice and joined The Binswanger Company headquartered in Philadelphia where he managed the National Industrial Brokerage Group for four years and then the International Group for the next five years. He then joined NAI in New Jersey and managed the Corporate Services Group for two years. He was recruited to start up and manage the National Office Sales force at Equis Corporation. He moved to Marcus & Millichap in 1999 to manage the New Jersey office. He is a Director in the Company’s National Office and Industrial Properties Group and in it’s Net Lease Properties Group and specializes in the sale of Retail, Office, and Industrial Properties in New York, New Jersey, Northern New Jersey and Bergen County and in Single Tenant Properties Nationwide.
David Thurston’s background certainly gives him an interesting perspective in all of this. Since he is involved in the sale of commercial real estate in Ridgewood, should he recuse himself from these discussions? Is there potential conflict of interest” Or does he bring years of valuable experience to the table? Interesting.
“Marcus & Millichap has brokered the sale The Lincoln Building, an office property at 45 N. Broad St. in Ridgewood. The 24,000-square-foot multi-tenant property sold for $3.9 million. David Thurston of Marcus & Millichap’s New Jersey office represented the seller, a partnership, and secured the buyer, a local limited liability company.”
“Mr. Thurston has been active as a Real Estate Professional for over 30 years. After graduating from Law School in 1982, Mr. Thurston spent two years in Dallas, Texas practicing real estate law. He then moved back east and spent the next four years practicing real estate law in Philadelphia and Manhattan at the law firms of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius and Shea and Gould. In 1987 he left legal practice and joined The Binswanger Company headquartered in Philadelphia where he managed the National Industrial Brokerage Group for four years and then the International Group for the next five years. He then joined NAI in New Jersey and managed the Corporate Services Group for two years. He was recruited to start up and manage the National Office Sales force at Equis Corporation. He moved to Marcus & Millichap in 1999 to manage the New Jersey office. He is a Director in the Company’s National Office and Industrial Properties Group and in it’s Net Lease Properties Group and specializes in the sale of Retail, Office, and Industrial Properties in New York, New Jersey, Northern New Jersey and Bergen County and in Single Tenant Properties Nationwide.”
By Kathleen O’Brien | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on April 21, 2015 at 7:38 AM, updated April 21, 2015 at 1:22 PM
The federal government recently debuted an online tool that lets consumers compare the patient experience at hospitals around the country through its “star” ratings.
A quick stroll through the spreadsheet shows that New Jersey has not a single five-star hospital. It has four four-star hospitals (Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, Deborah Heart & Lung Center in Browns Mills, Virtua West Jersey Hospitals, Berlin, and Inspira Medical Center in Elmer), while the other 58 facilities get just one, two or three stars.
By contrast, the good people of Iowa are blessed with 11 five-star hospitals.
And the world-renowned Mayo Clinic gets only four stars.
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services unveiled its star system for rating hospital patient experience, based on patients’ ratings of a hospital’s cleanliness, communication from staff, and attentiveness to patients, and whether it was sufficiently quiet at night.
Those attributes, while admirable, are not necessarily the same as what goes into to providing top-notch care, said David Knowlton of the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute.
Village of Ridgewood Street Resurfacing and Repair Program – 2015
Ridgewood Receives NJDOT Paving Grant
Ridgewood has been selected to receive funding from the New Jersey Department’s (NJDOT) Fiscal Year 2015 Municipal Aid Program for Morningside Road in the amount of $149,000.
NJDOT’s Municipal Aid Program is a very competitive program. This year the Department received 630 applications requesting more than $253 million. There is $78.75 million available in funds from the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF).
Streets and Schedule – 2015
For the 2015 street paving list
Click Here
For the criteria for paving and maintaining streets
April 21,2015
Ridgewood NJ, We have received a few reports of random daytime sightings of raccoons. We have no reason to believe they are rabid. Usually raccoons are nocturnal but during this time of the year they are breeding and are often looking for food or drink for themselves and their babies from dumpsters, garbage cans, pools or other water sources.
Tyco, our Animal Control expert, suggests that there should only be concerns if an animal looks like they are drunk or intoxicated; if they are lying around and not responding to loud noises; attack inanimate objects (trees/rocks); or other types of weird behavior. In these cases you are encouraged to call the Police Department who will contact the animal control service.
We recommend that you do not feed feral animals or leave food out or stagnant water for them.
Big Foot https://theridgewoodblog.net/ridgewood-blog-to-promote-night-out-for-big-foot-for-earth-day/
Ridgewood NJ, Willard School has received a report from parents of a possible coyote sighting near the school. Patrol has checked the area and no coyotes have been found. The Police Department has not received a direct complaint from any residents of a coyote sighting. The school has taken the precaution of alerting parents to the possible sighting. If you see a coyote near the school please contact the Ridgewood Police Department at 201-652-3900.
For more information about Coyotes in New Jersey visit the Division of Fish and Wildlife Web Site
Honoring the memory of a former RHS graduate, Matthew Sayles (Class of 2003). Matt lost his battle with salivary duct cancer in November, 2011, at the age of 27. His family has created this musical/artistic event in his memory.
One of the bands (Alex Bleeker and the Freaks) features Alex Bleeker (Class of 2004) who is also in another band, Real Estate, which performed on the David Letterman show last year. Also in the Alex Bleeker and the Freaks band is Nick Lenchner (Class of 2003).https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GP9XEcOtjbc (Real Estate on David Letterman show). And, Hot Fries is a current Ridgewood High School band.
