Ridgewood NJ - Page 611 of 982 - THE RIDGEWOOD BLOG.

Posted on March 11, 2015March 11, 2015 by James — Leave a comment

Ridgewood Composer in NJSO Spotlight

Composer and musician Darryl Kubian, whose work will be performed by the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.
Photo courtesy of NJSO/Dan Dutcher.

Ridgewood Composer in NJSO Spotlight

March 09, 2015 05:00 AM ET | Gregory Moomjy

Darryl Kubian is a rarity. The New Jersey native, who lives in Pompton Lakes, is both composer and working musician. His work as a composer will be highlighted in March, when the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra premieres O for a Muse of Fire, Kubian’s concert overture based on Shakespeare’s Henry V.

This is the second of Kubian’s compositions to be premiered by the NJSO. The concert will also feature Tchaikovsky’s swan song, Symphony No. 6, Pathétiqueand Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. O for a Muse of Fire is the last installment in this season’s New Jersey Roots Project, a program, now in its fifth season, that spotlights talented musical voices from New Jersey’s past and present.

Larger than life questions and ideas attract Kubian to composition. His first piece for the NJSO, 3-2-1, which the orchestra debuted in the 2007-2008 season, is a vision of the universe expanding and contracting as discussed in an article inScientific American. Both works tackle large questions, whether it is our place in the universe or the extent of a king’s power. The new work dramatizes the Battle of Agincourt, which cemented Henry V as the king of England and France. A king’s ability to send people to their death lies at the center of the work and according to Kubian, what relates the piece to the concert as a whole, “it’s a relationship about death [King] Henry has to make the decision to send people to die.”

https://njmonthly.com/blogs/garden-state-updates/2015/3/9/ridgewood-composer-in-njso-spotlight.html

Posted on March 10, 2015June 27, 2021 by James — 6 Comments

Readers say Tragic Window Jumper give cause for Concern ,but does over protection of kids do more harm than good ?

photo by Boyd Loving

Readers say Tragic Window Jumper give cause for Concern ,but does over protection of kids do more harm than good ?

Is added safety just a distraction from real threats to our childern?Here’s an idea. Let’s have all kids just stay at home in their protective cocoons. The Village will provide private tutors for all of them. That way, they are completely safe. No more snow days. No threat of abduction by pedophiles. Yes, let’s continue to bubble-wrap our kids. I didn’t make the “gender” comment, but I think the writer was of the opinion that it’s another example of the femininization of society, where women have this instinct to protect us.

…..An upstairs window that can easily be flung open is a hazard. Children do not understand all the risks, they see super heroes flying on TV, they are melodramatic. It is the job of adults to protect them in reasonable ways. Making windows difficult to open wide makes complete sense, and it should be done at the schools. This horrible tragedy could have been prevented. This poor child’s impulsive fatal act would never have happened. Let us learn from this . I can guarantee that if this had been a Ridgewood incident, windows would be secured immediately.

When we over-react to incidents we create unexpected harms and we create tax burdens. In fact, were it an event we should react to, it would likely not even be a news story. Suicide, obesity, drug addiction, car accidents. These events really kill kids. Falls from windows?–Not so much. Spend those precious resources where they do the most good, not where the latest news story points.

Posted on March 9, 2015June 27, 2021 by James — 1 Comment

Examining New Jersey’s Highest in Nation Highway Costs

10329180_706803452716024_6845165961212394791_n-1-669x272

Examining New Jersey’s Highest in Nation Highway Costs

SATURDAY, 07 MARCH 2015 12:36

BY BRAD SCHNURE

SPECIAL TO NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

In response to concerns that New Jersey highways are the nation’s most expensive to build, operate and maintain, Senator Mike Doherty (R-23) hasdrafted legislation that will give policymakers the information they need to lower costs for drivers and taxpayers.

As Doherty expressed in a recent editorial, the new measure addresses the dual concerns of excessive state highway costs highlighted in a recent report by the Reason Foundation and calls by some legislators to raise the state’s gas tax to fund new transportation projects.

“Some may quibble over how much more New Jersey spends on our highways than other states, but nobody disputes that we do spend more than everyone else,” said Doherty. “With New Jersey drivers already shouldering such a heavy tax and toll burden, it’s imperative that we find out why the many millions we spend on our roads get us so little in return.”

According to the Reason Foundation’s 21st Annual Highway Report, New Jersey’s overall highway performance ranked 48th among the states despite our roads being the nation’s most expensive. The next most expensive state, Massachusetts, was found to spend two-thirds less per mile than New Jersey despite similarities in population density, climate and highway system size.

Doherty’s legislation would create the “State Transportation Cost Analysis Task Force” to conduct a methodical analysis of the factors that contribute to New Jersey’s road costs, compare our costs to those of other states, and provide recommendations to complete projects more cost-effectively.

https://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/economy/examining-new-jerseys-highest-in-nation-highway-costs

Posted on March 8, 2015April 9, 2020 by James — 3 Comments

Boy Dies After Leaping From 2nd-Floor Window of New Jersey Elementary School in Apparent Suicide: Source

photo NBC 4 New York

Boy Dies After Leaping From 2nd-Floor Window of New Jersey Elementary School in Apparent Suicide: Source

By Brian Thompson

Updated at 10:38 PM EST on Friday, Mar 6, 2015

A student at a New Jersey elementary school plunged to his death from a second-story window in what police are investigating as a suicide, a law enforcement source familiar with the case tells NBC 4 New York.

The boy, in fifth grade at Grant Elementary School in Dumont, was initially taken to a hospital in critical condition after the jump around noon Friday, authorities say. The source said he later died at Hackensack University Medical Center later in the afternoon.

A law enforcement source said the boy got into a dispute with a classmate during a game of chess. Afterward, the boy passed his classmate a note, then went to the window, opened it and jumped, the source said.

Schools superintendent Emmanuel Triggiano said there were other students in the classroom at the time.

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Boy-Fifth-Grade-Window-Elementary-School-Grant-New-Jersey-Suicide-Attempt-Police-295380651.html

Posted on March 6, 2015March 6, 2015 by James — 7 Comments

Ridgewood begins municipal budget discussions

file photo Boyd Loving

Ridgewood begins municipal budget discussions

March 5, 2015 Last updated: Thursday, March 5, 2015, 3:01 PM
By Mark Krulish
Staff Writer |
The Ridgewood News

Ridgewood officials gathered at Village Hall last Saturday morning for a discussion between department heads and the governing body about some details of the municipal budget, including the needs of various departments and anticipated spending.

The seven-hour roundtable meeting was a departure in style from previous years and talks centered on the Department of Public Works, the Building Department, Health Department, Parks and Recreation, Fire Department, Police Department, Engineering and Human Resources, along with a closing discussion on the capital budgets.

Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld said one of the goals for the meeting was to present the best numbers possible, but there would not be any indication of the final figures or tax impact to residents until closer to budget introduction.

Sonenfeld noted that some increases in spending were attributed to the need for repairs to an aging infrastructure and upgrading the village’s technology.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-begins-municipal-budget-discussions-1.1283442

Posted on March 5, 2015March 5, 2015 by James — 6 Comments

Church in Ridgewood seeking permits for repair work it did in 2011.

Church in Ridgewood seeking permits for repair work it did in 2011.

MARCH 5, 2015 LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015, 1:21 AM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD — Congregants from the World Mission Society Church of God are seeking retroactive approval from the Planning Board for work performed on the grounds of its church four years ago.

A lawyer and engineer representing the religious group appeared before Ridgewood’s Planning Board on Tuesday night requesting the permits the Godwin Avenue religious institution needs for work that was done in 2011.

The unauthorized work was detected by village officials during an inspection of the Church of God site, and included re-striping of parking spots, installation of solar-powered light fixtures, and the addition of pavement and retaining walls.

Complaints from neighbors about traffic to the church and allegations regarding after-hours operations prompted the inspection, officials said.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/church-seeking-permits-for-past-work-1.1283034

Posted on March 5, 2015October 21, 2024 by James — 5 Comments

Ridgewood announces $2.1 million settlement in lawsuit over boy’s drowning at Graydon Pool

file photo by ArtChick ;PJ Blogger

Ridgewood announces $2.1 million settlement in lawsuit over boy’s drowning at Graydon Pool

MARCH 4, 2015, 11:23 PM LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015, 11:30 PM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD — A wrongful-death lawsuit filed against the village by the family of a 13-year-old boy who drowned in Graydon Pool in 2008 has been settled.

Ridgewood’s manager, Roberta Sonenfeld, said BetWinner Argentina ,the $2.1 million settlement was reached Wednesday.

Sonenfeld briefly discussed the settlement during Wednesday night’s council meeting.

Soo Hyeon Park, his sister and parents had just arrived from South Korea when they went to visit friends in Ridgewood on July 15, 2008. As he swam to a dock in the deep end of the pool with the two sons of his host, the boy began struggling to stay afloat and went under.

None of the nine lifeguards on the stands around the pool that day saw the boy while he was in distress.

In 2011, a jury had awarded Soo’s family $10 million in damages. That decision was vacated in January by the state’s Appellate Court and a new trial was ordered.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-announces-2-1-million-settlement-in-lawsuit-over-boy-s-drowning-at-graydon-pool-1.1282318

Posted on March 5, 2015March 5, 2015 by James — 9 Comments

NJ Attorney General’s Office rules out probe of stolen meter coins in Ridgewood

NJ Attorney General’s Office rules out probe of stolen meter coins in Ridgewood

MARCH 4, 2015, 11:33 PM LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015, 11:38 PM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD — The state Attorney General’s Office will not conduct its own investigation into the theft of hundreds of thousands of dollars in quarters from a storage room in Village Hall, it was announced Wednesday night.

Instead, Ridgewood’s police department will be looking further into the disappearance of $850,000 in collected parking meter coins on its own, according to Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld.

Former Ridgewood public works inspector Thomas Rica pleaded guilty last spring to stealing $460,000 of that missing $850,000. Rica had been arrested for stealing collected parking meter quarters over a three-year period.

Sonenfeld said village officials met this week with representatives from the Attorney General’s office. Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli also was present at the meeting, she said.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/nj-attorney-general-s-office-rules-out-probe-of-stolen-meter-coins-in-ridgewood-1.1282324

Posted on March 4, 2015March 4, 2015 by James — 17 Comments

Pedestrians must show common sense

Pedestrians must show common sense

Regarding “Pedestrian safety must start from ground up” (Page L-1, March 1):

My route home from work often takes me through Ridgewood, and it is a white-knuckle driving experience after the sun goes down. Pedestrians dart out from between parked cars, cross at unmarked crosswalks and give no indication of planning to cross until a car is practically on top of them.

Many also wear dark clothing that makes them difficult to see. Combine these dark-clad wraithlike figures with the blinding quality of today’s headlights, and it’s a wonder the number of pedestrian deaths isn’t higher.

I’m all for yielding to pedestrians, but one would think that when faced with a multiple-ton vehicle, hedging your bets is just not a great idea. I realize that “look both ways,” as I was taught as a child, no longer works on the congested roads of today. But I would ask that pedestrians please be sensible. Don’t jaywalk. Don’t assume cars will stop. Don’t use your baby in a stroller as a human shield. Verify that drivers can see you before crossing.

A little courtesy both ways could help pedestrians and drivers.

Jill Cozzi

Washington Township, March 2

https://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-letters-to-the-editor/the-record-letters-wednesday-march-4-1.1281885

Posted on March 3, 2015April 9, 2020 by James — 1 Comment

PARCC: More New Jersey Students Opt Out of Tests

PARCC: More New Jersey Students Opt Out of Tests

As New Jersey schools began administering new online state exams on Monday, a few affluent communities reported large numbers of students opting out.

In Livingston, the suburb where Gov. Chris Christie grew up, school officials said about 1,100 students declined to take the tests, more than a quarter required to take them.

In Princeton, more than half of the high-school students who are scheduled to take them in coming days said they wouldn’t.

These districts appeared to be among the biggest pockets of resistance to the tests aligned with the Common Core, a set of expectations adopted by most states that spell out what skills children should master in each grade. (Brody/Wall Street Journal)

https://www.wsj.com/articles/more-new-jersey-students-opt-out-of-tests-1425348219

Posted on March 3, 2015April 9, 2020 by James — Leave a comment

Reader says Common Core :The most important reason appears to be the intimate connection between federal funding to support state staffing positions for education

Reader says Common Core :The most important reason appears to be the intimate connection between federal funding to support state staffing positions for education

Why are school districts so adamant about subjecting our children to this? The most important reason appears to be the intimate connection between federal funding to support state staffing positions for education. For example, in Alaska 43% of the jobs in the department of education are federally funded. An Alaskan legislator also pointed out that two-thirds of their educational administrative costs are federally funded. Concern over this intimate connection creates a culture of silence where teachers and administrators fear losing their jobs. Another reason is school administrators believe they must have 95% participation on the standardized test in order to receive funding for their schools. Local districts also comply with the tests because they have been both pressured by the federal government and conditioned to obey federal mandates (however unconstitutional).

The SBAC and PARCC tests and Common Core are acts of educational tyranny never agreed to, never voted on by parents or legislatures, and never discussed or debated. This system of so-called educational reform is radical, egalitarian, socialist and counterproductive. Should we accept this conversion to nationalized education with unflinching obedience? It is up to us. Will we protect our children from planned failure based on poorly designed schemes? Or will we refuse this poorly disguised federal tyranny? I will refuse. A growing number of parents are joining me. Will you?

Mary Anne Marcella is a parent and public school teacher who wants the best for her children and students. Her views are her own and do not necessarily reflect the views of others in the education field.

Posted on February 28, 2015January 20, 2019 by James — 10 Comments

Glaze Donuts opens new location in Ridgewood

Glaze Donuts opens new location in Ridgewood

February 27, 2015, 12:17 PM Last updated: Friday, February 27, 2015, 12:20 PM
By Elisa Ung
Staff Writer |
The Record

Glaze Donuts, the New Milford shop that sells outrageously delicious “artisan” doughnuts, has opened a second location in Ridgewood where you can get all of its fresh creations, including two of its popular hybrid pastries: the cronangle and the doughnish.

The cronangle ($2.50) is, of course, a play off the Manhattan sensation called the cronut – Glaze’s version is essentially like a fried flaky croissant, served glazed or with flavored fillings (such as apple and cheese) or toppings (such as chocolate and caramel drizzle). It’s quite rich, though much less oily than other cronut imitators we’ve tried.

https://www.northjersey.com/food-and-dining-news/glaze-donuts-opens-new-location-in-ridgewood-1.1279776

123 East Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood, 201-445-4309, and 358 River Road, New Milford, 201-483-8634, glazeartisan.com

Posted on February 26, 2015June 27, 2021 by James — 1 Comment

The Society Cafe Concert Series Presents ,Spook Handy – Remembering Pete Seeger

Spook-Handy-+-Pete-Seeger-Photo-by-Econosmith-4

The Society Cafe Concert Series Presents ,Spook Handy – Remembering Pete Seeger

Acoustic Singer and Songwriter Concert

Spook Handy – Remembering Pete Seeger

Ridgewood NJ, The Society Cafe Concert Series offers a series of acoustic singer/songwriter concerts at the Unitarian Society of Ridgewood. Wine, dessert and coffee, all provided by local vendors, are available before the shows and during intermission. Doors are open at 7 p.m. for coffee and refreshments and the concert starts at 8 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. On Saturday, February 28th we welcome Spook Handy in his “Remembering Pete Seeger” World Tour

Posted on February 26, 2015February 25, 2015 by James — 12 Comments

Casting New TV Show Family Take Over, Ridgewood NJ

Casting New TV Show Family Take Over , Ridgewood NJ

Looking for families in Ridgewood,NJ that are struggling financially for new series. Fortune 500 CEO Victor Antonio will help families get back on track with a financial bootcamp.
Call Sarah Mahoney Furlong @ 323-822-7384. We are filming in March.

Posted on February 25, 2015June 27, 2021 by James — 5 Comments

A Letter from Dr. Fishbein on PARCC, Policies and Procedures

A Letter from Dr. Fishbein on PARCC, Policies and Procedures

February 24, 2015

Dear Parent or Guardian:

Next week, we will begin the implementation of the New Jersey state-mandated PARCC assessments in our schools. Although we have been administering state-mandated assessments for decades, these particular required assessments have been subject to much debate and controversy.

Simply, all New Jersey public school districts are mandated by the State of New Jersey to administer these assessments and students are required to participate. On Monday, February 23, 2015, the Ridgewood Board of Education updated Policy #2622 – Student Assessment. (A link to the policy is provided below.)

The State of New Jersey does not recognize parents who do not permit their children to take the PARCC assessments. However, in preparation for the administration of PARCC in the Ridgewood Public Schools, we have developed an administrative process we will follow under Procedure #2622 – Student Assessment. Because this is a procedure, it is not subject to Board of Education approval. (A link to this procedure is provided below.)

Below are links to relevant FAQ information from the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) and from the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE). In addition, significant PARCC information may be found on the Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment page of our district website at www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us. The link to the PARCC information is located on the right side of the page.

I hope you find this information to be helpful.

Sincerely yours,

Daniel Fishbein, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools

Click here to read the letter.
Click here to view Policy #2622.
Click here to view Procedure #2655.

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :)