Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld will hold office hours for Ridgewood residents and business owners on Tuesday, July 29th between the hours of 5 to 8pm. This is an opportunity to share your thoughts and provide input to Roberta. These sessions will be scheduled at 15 minute intervals and will be held in the Council Chambers on the 4th Floor of Ridgewood Village Hall. Please contact Beth Spinato at 201-670-5500, ext. 203 to make an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome but should realize that the schedule may already be booked. We will announce the schedule for these meetings on a monthly basis.
JULY 21, 2014 LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, JULY 21, 2014, 1:21 AM THE RECORD
NOW OPEN
Roots Steakhouse
15 Chestnut St., Ridgewood
201-444-1922; rootssteakhoue.com
* How it started: This Roots Steakhouse was eight years in the making. Harvest Restaurants, the parent company for nine restaurants in New Jersey, including two Roots Steakhouses — one in Summit, one in Morristown — wanted to open a Roots in Bergen County, specifically in Ridgewood. “It took us eight years to find the right location with a liquor license,” said Grant Halliday, director of operations for Harvest Restaurants. Why Ridgewood? “We like a downtown setting,” Halliday said. “The town is unique in Bergen County in that it has a vibrant downtown setting.”
Valet parking , Trolley cars and other solutions in search of a problem.
written by readers, edited by staff and smiled upon by the gods
Welcome to Mister Rogers neighborhood? i liked that trolley…especially the part about how it transported us to the land of make believe .
Readers mentioned a Trolly car system , Valet Parking , a parking garage and even the use of County Police new Light Armored Vehicles as commuter buses .
All the time keeping in mind “The public good” is not feeling as if you’re in a big city when you go downtown. Not seeing guys in polo shirts with logos on them running back from parking (and probably getting hit by cars on Franklin Ave.). Not having those guys, who will probably not be from here and unfamiliar with the territory, driving like maniacs up and down that street. Not having to TIP someone after having a pizza or burger. Personally, I will stay away more than be lured by this.
But Please folks. May I have your attention please?Attention please! I can deal with this trouble, friends, with a wave of my hand, this very hand! Please observe me if you will. I’m Professor Harold Hill, and I’m here to organize the Ridgewood Trolley Plan!
I like the trolley idea., hummm we do to ,It would be an attraction and help with the parking situation….ugh yes that right a solution in search of a problem .
Ridgewood’s Central Business District – Open Discussion July 23, 2014
July 23, 2014 – 7:30 p.m. – Court Room of Village Hall – Join Deputy Mayor Albert Pucciarelli for an open discussion about Ridgewood’s Central Business District. Please be prepared to offer your comments, suggestions, concerns, and ideas for improvement for the Central Business District at this meeting. All are welcome to attend.
Major Win For School Choice: Charter Students Smarter, Earn More
Robby Soave|Jul. 22, 2014 10:15 am
Wikimedia CommonsA just-released study from the University of Arkansas provides a substantial endorsement of charter school education. U.S. students who spent several years in charter schools were found to score significantly better on tests and make more money than their counterparts in traditional K-12 public schools, when adjusted for funding discrepancies.
Researchers examined data from 21 different states. While the results varied, charter schools were found to be more productive—and generate a higher return on investment—than traditional public schools (TPS). On average, charter school students scored so much better on assessments that spending money on charters was roughly 40 percent more efficient than spending money on TPS. According to the study:
Comparing [National Assessment of Education Progress] achievement obtained in public charter schools versus TPS for 21 states and DC, we find the public charter school sector delivers a weighted average of an additional 17 NAEP points per $1000 invested in math, representing a productivity advantage of 40% for charters; In reading, the public charter sector delivers an additional 16 NAEP points per $1000 invested, representing a productivity advantage of 41% for charters.
JULY 22, 2014 LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, JULY 22, 2014, 3:14 PM
Before a more “user-friendly” village website is launched this fall, the municipality wants more resident feedback.
According to Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld, the village has assembled a focus group to test the website and comment on its visual appearance, content, ease of use and search/navigation capabilities. The group is open, and others who want to participate can email [email protected]. The revamp is being handled by Ridgewood’s network administrator, Dylan Hansen.
“Our focus group currently consists of residents, business representatives and internal staff. We do have some web designers in the focus group as well,” the village manager said. “By Aug. 1, we will synthesize all of the input and prepare the new website for its launch.”
Sonenfeld noted that the new website will “be more visually appealing, easier to navigate, and most importantly, will have a user-friendly search engine.” It will also feature a full business directory and other business-friendly elements, based on the input of business owners.
The launch date is scheduled for early fall, but feedback will be welcomed “even after the website is live and in production,” Sonenfeld said.
Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving Driver escapes injury after car hits tree in Ridgewood July 22,2014 Boyd A. Loving 2:15 AM
Ridgewood NJ, The driver of a white Nissan Altima escaped injury after losing control of her vehicle and hitting a tree in Ridgewood early Tuesday morning, 07/22. The incident occurred in the 300 block of Kensignton Drive at approximately 1:30 AM. The driver was the only occupant of the vehicle; the tree remained standing. Response by Ridgewood PD. The vehicle sustained heavy front end damage and was removed by a tow truck. No summonses were issued to the driver who may have swerved to avoid hitting a deer.
Ridgewood’s Central Business District – Open Discussion July 23, 2014
July 23, 2014 – 7:30 p.m. – Court Room of Village Hall – Join Deputy Mayor Albert Pucciarelli for an open discussion about Ridgewood’s Central Business District. Please be prepared to offer your comments, suggestions, concerns, and ideas for improvement for the Central Business District at this meeting. All are welcome to attend.
Tammy Dunwoody
Owner
The Art of Cake
email: [email protected]
201-483-9176
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
John Aramian
Producer
Peasant Chef TV
ROLLING PIN ACADEMY
The Rolling Pin Academy is owned by Tammy Dunwoody and John Aramian and located in the town of Ridgewood, New Jersey. Tammy, pastry chef and owner of The Art of Cake has been featured on The Martha Stewart Show and Cupcake Wars. John is a talented chef and Producer of Peasant Chef TV. Together their desire to share their combined culinary talents led to the opening of the academy.
The Rolling Pin Academy camps, classes and birthday parties are a fun activity for kids and adults of all ages, and a great way to learn about the basics of cooking, baking and decorating. .
Cooking Camp
Our young cooking camp chefs learn to prepare Pasta, Pizza, Burritos, Tacos, Wings, Mac & Cheese, Nachos, crepes, apple enchiladas, and more! Time will be spent on safety rules for working in a kitchen, healthy food facts, and kitchen clean up. Campers will be eating the items they make, bring home daily samplings, and receive an apron and recipe booklet on the last day of camp.
We have a minimum cooking camp size of 4 campers and a maximum of 8 campers. We reserve the right to cancel camp if the minimum number of campers is not met.
Cake Camp
Our fondant cake campers learn to read recipes, measure and mix ingredients and fill and crumb coat a cake. They will work with fondant icing, make decorations, and cover and decorate an edible 7″ cake and decorate a two tiered “dummy cake” (made from styrofoam) to take home. Campers will also learn to decorate cupcakes during our cupcake decorating competition and lear n to use chocolate molds and melted chocolate to make decorations for cakes, cupcake and party favors. Campers bring home daily treats and receive an apron on the last day of camp.
We have a minimum cake camp size of 8 campers and a maximum of 12. We reserve the right to cancel camp if the minimum number of campers is not met.
Ridgewood Police Department assist Secret Service on Clinton Visit
July 18,2014
Ridgewood NJ , The Ridgewood police Department assisted the United States Secret Service providing security for former United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at Bookends on 7/17/2014. Secretary Clinton took a moment to pose for a picture with Ridgewood Officers at the end of the event. Pictured from left to right are Sgt. Heath James, Ptl. Darrin Thomas, Lt. Glenn Ender, Lt. Todd Harris, Det. Douglas Williams.
taken by Michael Karas of The Record, not by Dom Nizza.photo by Dom
While 1200 showed up for Hillary Clinton others in town were not so convinced
Reader says … 1200 people who are clueless. They spend too much time on social media and watching msnbc. Hillary Clinton has not accomplished anything in her public life for the public good. She has only enriched herself and her posse at the expense of the American Taxpayer. Wake up! American is in serious decline. We need a serious person as candidate for the next President. Not a Social Organizer or Political Operative.
Readers says …Do you know who DOESN’T think she’s so great? Ambassador Stevens, Glen Doherty, Ty Woods and Sean Smith. Also unavailable for comment were Vince Foster, and chairman of the Watergate Commission. The woman is a fraud, a phony and represents everything vile and despicable about the state of politics in this country. Congrats Mr Mayor, you idolize a woman who LIED to the families of 4 dead Americans while standing in front of their caskets.
Rita says …Hillary:
*1% elitist complains about the 1% making too much money *vilified women who complained about the sexual abuse from Bill (which in time all turned out to be true) – great helper of women’s rights..instead she blamed the victims *defended a rapist who she believed to be guilty and laughed about it *moved into NY for the progressive vote to go to Congress – accomplished little to nothing *settled for secy of state from Obama – accomplished nothing except the death of embassy personnel and covered up and lied to the families over the coffins as they came home *Watergate – fraudulent brief filed; committee general counsel FIRED her *Whitewater – land deal went wrong; other people’s accounts used to pay off her and Bill’s debts; Vince Foster suicide?? *Lied that she was being fired upon in Bosnia; video came out and showed she was leisurely walking and never in danger *said Chelsea was near the WTC when it was bombed; Chelsea later refuted that *took furniture out of the WH after Bill’s term was up;had to return the furniture *claims and complains they were dead broke due to legal fees…..(defending BIll’s purjury) so they had a hard time getting HO– USES (plural) but gets multi thousands for speaking engagements
And this behavior is to be valued??? Why do you glorify people who lie and steal from you – don’t enable them! Wake up people, wake up!
Bill says …Um….. she married Bill Clinton? wrote a book about her hard choices like what to do after he cheated on her? She had a baby girl? She couldn’t decide how to spin an al-Qaeda terrorist attack in Benghazi so that it would not hurt Obama’s chances of reelection (oh wait that is not an accomplishment, but she did do it).
Reader says …Hillary Clinton accepted the consolation prize of Secretary of State from Obama. She then commence a world tour on the taxpayer’s dime. She traveled over 1 million miles in 4 years with her entourage, security etc. and accomplished NOTHING. How much did that fiasco cost? She is useless.
Rockets being launched from populated areas of Gaza.
The Moral Difference Between Israel and Hamas
Steven Bucci / @SBucci / July 17, 2014
What most Americans—and the world—hear about the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas goes something like this: “125 Palestinians, most of them civilians, have been killed by Israel’s relentless assault on Gaza. No Israelis have yet been killed.” This may be true, but there is absolutely no context to it. One must look at the methodologies of the two sides.
Hamas sets up rocket launchers—as well as supply dumps and command-and-control sites—in the midst of apartment buildings, mosques and schools. From these sites, its fighters launch dozens of rockets in salvos, targeting population centers with no discrimination at all. They have been firing almost continuously of late. But normally, they fire when Israeli school children move from their homes, which have safe shelters, to their schools, which also have shelters. They do this deliberately to try and catch the kids in the open. They don’t seek to minimize collateral damage – they seek to maximize it.
Israel, on the other hand, fires only at specific, intelligence-derived military targets. Since these targets are deliberately intermixed with the civilian population by Hamas, Israel must take steps to minimize the collateral casualties.
Before the Israelis strike a building, every home in it gets a call on its landline phone, as do all the cell phones associated with the inhabitants of the building—the cells additionally get text messages—telling them that in a few minutes the building will be targeted. Finally, to make sure everyone gets the message, Israel drops a dud bomb—one containing no explosives—onto the roof of the structure. Minutes later, the building is destroyed. There is no instance in modern military history where a force has taken greater measures to give the innocents as much chance to get out of the way. It is a “discriminant” as a modern military can be.
Additionally, Israel has developed its much-touted—and rightly so—Iron Dome rocket defense system, which renders most of Hamas’ efforts of no effect. Between the Iron Dome shooting down the rockets that might otherwise do damage, and the “Red Alert” app that alerts civilians on their cell phones in real time when a terrorist rocket attack is launched, and where it is headed, the civilian casualties in Israel have been negligible.
Israel just wants to be left alone; Hamas wants the destruction of Israel. There is no moral equivalence there, and the tactics of the two sides prove the point.
The Ridgewood News Superintendent’s Corner June 2014 by Daniel Fishbein, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools 201-670-2700 ext. 10530 (fax) 201-670-2668 Round-up The following column appeared in The Ridgewood News on June 27, 2014. Each June I reflect on the many great opportunities the Ridgewood Public Schools and the Village of Ridgewood provide our youngest citizens, culminating in the Ridgewood High School graduation at the close of the school year.
On Tuesday, June 24, Ridgewood High School seniors received their diplomas in the district’s 119th annual graduation ceremony.
Here are the stats:420 graduates
91.4% 4-yr. Colleges
5.3% 2-yr. Colleges
2.1% Post-secondary Schools
1.2% Work
Congratulations to all!
Click here to read Superintendent Dr. Fishbein’s remarks to the RHS Class of 2014 at Graduation.Click here to read RHS Principal Dr. Tom Gorman’s remarks to the RHS Class of 2014 at Graduation.
NEA Teachers unions turn on Obama
By Peter Sullivan – 07/12/14 01:49 PM EDT
Teachers unions have turned on Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and the Obama administration, creating a major divide in the Democratic Party coalition.
The largest teachers union in the country, the National Education Association (NEA), called for Duncan to resign at its convention on July 4, arguing his policies on testing have failed the nation’s schools.
Tensions between Duncan and the unions had been building for some time.
The administration’s Race to the Top program, which has provided $4.35 billion to states, incentivized changes that unions strongly oppose. One of the most controversial policies backed by Duncan is using students’ improvement on standardized tests to help evaluate teachers and make pay and tenure decisions.
“Our members are frustrated and angry,” said NEA president Dennis Van Roekel. “Number one is the toxic testing. There is too much.”
An added spark came on June 10, when a California judge ruled the state’s teacher tenure laws are unconstitutional because they keep ineffective teachers in the classroom and deprive poor and minority students of their right to an equal education.
Teachers unions, which are strong defenders of tenure, expressed outrage when Duncan said the plaintiffs in the case were just some of millions of students disadvantaged by tenure laws. He called the decision “a mandate to fix these problems.”
With the teachers unions at loggerheads with the administration, Democrats are suddenly at risk of losing one of their most reliable allies and fundraising sources.
PSE&G Project to modernize low pressure cast iron gas mains in or near flood zones
PSE&G – Energy Strong Gas Project in Ridgewood – Starts July 21
Below are details of gas replacement project that will start in Ridgewood on July 21, 2014.
Click Here for Maps of work locations..
Click Here for FAQ’s
Click Here for a Fact Sheet.
PSE&G Press Release:
New Jersey’s gas and electric infrastructure is on its way to becoming stronger and more resilient thanks to approval of PSE&G’s Energy Strong Program. This $1.22 billion program will allow the utility to proactively protect and strengthen its electric and gas systems against severe weather damage like the state experienced during Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy.
As part of the Energy Strong program, PSE&G will make the following investments during the next few years:
• $620 million to protect, raise or relocate 29 switching and substations that were damaged by water in recent storms.
• $350 million to replace and modernize 250 miles of low-pressure cast iron gas mains in or near flood areas.
• $100 million to create redundancy in the system, reducing outages when damage occurs.
• $100 million to deploy smart grid technologies to better monitor system operations to increase our ability to more swiftly deploy repair teams.
• $50 million to protect five natural gas metering stations and a liquefied natural gas station affected by Sandy or located in flood zones.
