Ridgewood NJ - Page 633 of 982 - THE RIDGEWOOD BLOG.

Posted on May 19, 2014June 27, 2021 by James — 7 Comments

Readers Question the wisdom of reducing traffic lanes at Garber Square

photo Ridgewood police

Readers Question the wisdom of reducing traffic lanes at Garber Square

Would be interested in knowing how much additional funds were needed to make Wilsey and Garber Squares into one lanes vs. repaving existing setup. Not completely sure what they are trying to achieve at this location with the narrow roadways — is speeding/pedestrian safety a major issue around that stretch?

Starting Wednesday, May 7th, paving construction work will begin on the West Side at Wilsey and Garber Squares from Godwin Avenue to under the train trestle on Franklin Avenue. Expect traffic congestion in this area for the next 3 months during construction. To avoid delays, we suggest the use of alternate streets to get across the train tracks – Ackerman Avenue or W. Glen Avenue.

Posted on May 15, 2014May 15, 2014 by James — 2 Comments

Seeking Residents to Volunteer Deadline for submissions is May 16, 2014

Seeking Residents to Volunteer Deadline for submissions is May 16, 2014.

TO SERVE ON THE COMMUNITY CENTER ADVISORY BOARD, PLANNING BOARD, ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT, FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE, RIDGEWOOD ARTS COUNCIL, AND RIDGEWOOD SHADE TREE COMMISSION.

The Village Council is looking for residents who are interested in volunteering to serve on the Community Center Advisory Board, the Planning Board, the Zoning Board of Adjustment, the Financial Advisory Committee, the Ridgewood Arts Council, and The Shade Tree Commission.

The Community Center Advisory Board develops policies and procedures for the operation of the Community Center facility and assists in the fulfillment of the County Municipal Alliance Grant requirements. Membership includes: Senior Citizen residents; adult residents with children in the school system; and adult residents with no children in the school system.

The Planning Board reviews site plans and subdivision applications; prepares, adopts, and amends the Master Plan; makes recommendations to the Village Council regarding amendments to developmental regulations and the official map.

The Zoning Board of Adjustment hears variance applications and appeals from rulings and determinations arising from the enforcement of Village zoning ordinances.

The Financial Advisory Committee assists in the review and understanding of the financial considerations necessary to the operation of the Village and the Village’s preparation of the Annual and Capital Budgets; provides review, advice and recommendations to the Village Council on Village financial and budgetary matters; and prepares an annual report for the Village Council to assist the Councilmembers in their budget preparation. Members will preferably have strong finance, accounting, government and/or business backgrounds.

The Ridgewood Arts Council will assist in the promotion of and encourage artistic and cultural programs and will provide for educational opportunities in the areas of art and culture. The Ridgewood Arts Council will also provide advice, guidance, and recommendations to the Village Council, as needed.

The Shade Tree Commission works closely with the Parks and Recreation Department, the Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee, and the Green Team to promote awareness and education of the residents as well as advise and provide recommendations to the Village Council in promoting and sustaining a safe and productive shade tree resource. Members will preferably have forestry or tree backgrounds or hold the designation of a certified Arborist.

All interested residents should fill out a Citizen Volunteer Leadership form (found on the Village website), and send it along with a cover letter indicating on which board(s) the resident wishes to serve, and a biography or resume to:

Heather Mailander, Village Clerk
Village of Ridgewood
131 North Maple Avenue
Ridgewood, NJ 07451

Posted on May 12, 2014April 9, 2020 by James — 20 Comments

Reader Spells out the Differences in the Village Council Candidates

Reader Spells out the Differences in the Village Council Candidates

While the papers have been giving you the impression that all 3 candidates are the same it is an over-simplification. Knudsen and Sedon have been attending VC and PB meetings for years because they are genuinely interested in the municipal issues and feel they can contribute sound, non-partisan perspectives.

Jim Albano has only started to attend these meetings since his candidacy. Why did he suddenly become so interested in our municipality that he wanted to be on the council? How about attending a meeting first? How about reading the paper and submitting a Letter to the Editor? How about standing up at ONE of the 7 years of Valley Hospital meetings to speak out (either for or against)? How about attending a meeting on the downtown development? He has been interviewed by all the grassroots organizations in town and all of them found him to be a pleasant person that loves Ridgewood, but was totally unprepared to have a meaningful conversation on the big issues in town including, but not limited to development, budget, services, parking, shared services, schools,etc.
This is all in addition to the fact that he has only voted twice in a municipal election in over 20 years (doesn’t sound too interested in Ridgewood to me!) and he has failed to submit tax returns on behalf of the RBSA, for which he is President, for at least 6 years and has not informed the RBSA members that their donations have not been tax deductible all that time. You might hear him tell you where he stands on things, but he has no track-record to prove it. That’s why I’m voting Sedon and Knudsen. Hope that helps.

Posted on May 10, 2014April 9, 2020 by James — Leave a comment

Today Melissa Guion Author of Baby Penguins Everywhere Comes to The Curious Reader in Glen Rock, NJ

Today Melissa Guion Author of Baby Penguins Everywhere Comes to The Curious Reader
in Glen Rock, NJ

May 7, 2014 – The Curious Reader is pleased to announce that Melissa Guion, author & illustrator of Baby Penguins Everywhere and Baby Penguins Love Their Mama will visit our store at 229 Rock Road in Glen Rock, NJ on Saturday, May 10 at 10:30.

In addition to signing her books, Melissa will host a storytime, lead an art activity and answer questions. Her delightful stories about an energetic brood of baby penguins and their mother’s challenges will entertain children and adults alike. A wonderful Mother’s Day gift would be signed copy of these colorful books.Melissa is our inaugural author visit. Please join us.The Curious Reader is a unique children’s bookstore in the center of Glen Rock. Look for us under the bright orange awning. We feature the best in literature for infants through high school students. We are the only area bookstore to feature a LeveledReading Library organized with Fountas & Pinnell system used by many local schools to teach literacy.

The Curious Reader
229 Rock Road
Glen Rock, NJ 07452
Phone: 201-444-1918

Posted on May 5, 2014April 9, 2020 by James — Leave a comment

Odessa Jewish community mulls emergency evacuation

Odessa Jewish community mulls emergency evacuation
By SAM SOKOL

Odessa’s Jews are prepared to evacuate should the violence in the western Ukrainian city get significantly worse, several community leaders told The Jerusalem Post on Sunday.

Odessa’s Jewish community numbers some 30,000, down from nearly 40 percent of the city’s population before the Holocaust.

Running street battles between pro-Russian and nationalist forces claimed dozens of lives in the Black Sea port this weekend, culminating in the burning of dozens of pro-Russian protesters in the city’s trade union building on Friday evening.

The Odessa bloodshed came on the same day that Kiev launched its biggest push yet to reassert its control over separatist areas in the east, hundreds of kilometers away, where armed pro-Russian rebels have proclaimed a “People’s Republic of Donetsk.”

While Jewish community leaders are unanimous in asserting that the violence is unconnected to the Jewish community and that they do not feel specially targeted, they agreed that, should the situation deteriorate, it would be easy for the spillover to affect their constituents.

According to Rabbi Refael Kruskal – the head of the Tikva organization, which runs a network of orphanages and schools and provides social services to the city’s elderly – several of the wounded from Friday’s clashes were Jews, and the community is taking all necessary precautions.

https://www.jpost.com/International/Odessa-Jewish-community-mulls-emergency-evacuation-351334

Posted on May 4, 2014May 4, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

Ridgewood Spring Sidewalk Sale Days

Ridgewood Spring Sidewalk Sale Days

Thu, May 15, 2014 – Sat, May 17, 2014
Time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Central Business District, Ridgewood NJMark your calendar!
Ridgewood Spring Sidewalk Sale Days:
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
May 15,16, and 17th.

Best Shopping Days in Bergen County.

For more details, please call us at 201-445-2600 or email [email protected] www.experienceridgewood.com

Posted on May 4, 2014June 27, 2021 by James — Leave a comment

Ridgewood Project Pride Day – May 17

Ridgewood Project Pride Day – May 17

Ridgewood’s Project Pride Day

Saturday, May 17th, 9:30 a.m.

All Ridgewood residents, church groups, local social service agencies, students, scouts, and those with or without green thumbs, are invited to join the leaders of Project Pride in a community effort to beautify our Village. Volunteers are to meet on Saturday, May 17th, at 9:30 a.m. near the Clock Tower (corner of Oak Street and Ridgewood Avenue).

Located throughout the Central Business District of Ridgewood are many large containers that are filled with blooming flowers and foliage which line East and West Ridgewood Avenue and the side streets of Oak, Walnut, Chestnut, Broad and Franklin Avenue. This beautification project is accomplished with the assistance of volunteers each year, and the enhancement of our local parks, business district and downtown brings about a true sense of community and pride. This community building effort also provides ownership, accountability and respect.

The Project Pride Committee is responsible for the summertime floral hanging baskets, the winter’s illuminated kissing balls, presentation of the HomeScape Awards, and maintenance of local pocket parks and seasonal garden plantings.

If interested in obtaining Project Pride membership, or to obtain further information, please contact the Recreation Office at 201-670-5560 weekdays between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Posted on May 4, 2014May 4, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

Home Design Expo

Home Design Expo

Proceeds Benefit Woman’s and Children’s Charities

The Woman’s Club of Ridgewood is hosting its first Home Design Expo on Thursday, May 15th from 11:00 am – 10:00 pm at the Clubhouse, 215 W. Ridgewood Avenue.

The event will showcase three key areas: a vendor exhibit; a guest speaker venue; and a dining area with catered lunches, wine service and dessert bar. Local designers, merchants and home improvement companies will display and discuss their offerings and services, guest speakers will present a variety of engaging topics including feng shui, green design, and home organization, and attendees will enjoy a day of interactive discussions, informative consultations, demonstrations and live entertainment.

Tickets are $25 in advance via www.ridgewoodwomansclub.com; $30 at the door. Proceeds from this event will benefit woman’s and children’s charities in Bergen County.

Posted on May 2, 2014June 27, 2021 by James — 7 Comments

Ms. Knudsen and Mr. Sedon clearly do care about the Village

Ms. Knudsen and Mr. Sedon clearly do care about the Village

Fifteen years in town, with three children going through the schools, is not a newbie. Ms. Knudsen is vice chair of the Zoning Board and active on many fronts. Mr. Sedon wrote about Ridgewood for the Ridgewood News, learning more about the issues than 95% of longtime residents.

Mr. Albano has been busy “in the fields” but almost never voted in municipal elections and didn’t attend any meetings. Length of residency alone does not make a person knowledgeable.

The current mayor had lived in town for only a few years before joining the council. The difference is that he has never cared about the town or comprehended what used to make it great. He simply saw it as a steppingstone and continues to use it as such. In contrast, Ms. Knudsen and Mr. Sedon clearly do care.

Posted on May 1, 2014August 14, 2021 by James — 4 Comments

Candidates for Ridgewood Council air views at forum

Candidates for Ridgewood Council air views at forum

MAY 1, 2014 LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2014, 1:20 AM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD — Voters will select two new members to the Village Council in just two weeks, so they packed a forum to meet the three candidates hoping to earn their support.

It was standing room only in Village Hall for Tuesday’s event, which was organized and hosted by the League of Women Voters.

James Albano, Susan Knudsen and Michael Sedon aired their individual views on a variety of village issues, ranging from Ridgewood’s decades-long parking dearth to Valley Hospital’s proposed expansion.

“I believe the idea of a stacked parking deck [as part of the plans] is very troubling and concerning,” Knudsen said of Valley’s proposal to nearly double in size, providing 454 private rooms with 12-foot-high ceilings.

“It will forever change the charm and character of the neighborhood,” said Knudsen, vice chairwoman of Board of Adjustment, who has lived in Ridgewood for 15 years.

Knudsen said the village ordinance providing “interested parties” the freedom to request changes to Ridgewood’s master plan “must be repealed.”

Sedon, a freelance journalist who once worked at the Ridgewood News, said it “is not OK to ask too much of your neighbors and overburden them, and this expansion project is doing that.”

Sedon has lived in the village with his wife and three children since 2010.

Albano, who lives in the neighborhood surrounding Valley Hospital, said hospital and village officials “need to find common ground” on the proposal, but agreed the “neighbors’ concerns need to come first.”

Albano, a 42-year Ridgewood resident, serves as board president of the Ridgewood Baseball Softball Association.

Parking problems have persisted in Ridgewood since “there have been automobiles,” Sedon said, adding that he supports installing second tiers for parking above existing lots in Ridgewood rather than a large parking garage in town that “will concentrate all the cars, concentrate all the traffic, and create havoc.”

Knudsen also supports a “two-tier parking system,” but also advocated “reconfiguring existing parking to get more spots.”

Albano said he thinks a parking garage in the Central Business District would help keep downtown vibrant.

All three candidates placed an importance on stabilizing taxes while maintaining service levels, and agreed government should be both sensible and efficient.

All three also agreed that three high-density, multiple-unit housing projects before the Planning Board would negatively affect the village and fundamentally change Ridgewood’s character.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/hospital-expansion-parking-lead-forum-1.1006839#sthash.JA3mDsPS.dpuf

Posted on April 22, 2014April 9, 2020 by James — Leave a comment

Ben Carson: ‘We’re Being Manipulated’ by Those ‘Trying to Divide Us’

Ben Carson: ‘We’re Being Manipulated’ by Those ‘Trying to Divide Us’
Alissa Tabirian
April 18, 2014 at 10:17 pm

Dr. Ben Carson slammed the culture of political correctness and partisan labels at a WPEC-TV town hall panel held Thursday at the station’s studio in West Palm Beach, Florida, arguing that it has stifled free expression in America—namely religious freedom.

“We’re being manipulated. We’re being played by those people who want to divide, conquer, and control,” Carson said, alluding to the labels attached to those who disagree with their liberal counterparts. (Carson’s comments begin at at the 19:08 mark on the second video,WPEC Town Hall Religion 2. Scroll down the page and the three videos of the event are on the right side).

“If you are pro-life, then you’re anti-woman. If you’re pro-traditional marriage, then you’re homophobic. If you’re a white person and you say something against a progressive black person, you’re a racist,” Carson explained, calling for Americans “to realize that we are not each other’s enemies. The enemies are those people who are trying to divide us up.”

The panel featured religious leaders and a representative of an atheist organization speaking about religious freedom in society, including prayer in schools and the roots of morality.

Carson noted that when it comes to religion in the public sphere, secular progressives “try to impose a code of silence upon those who believe differently than they do.”

He cited the role of the Founding Fathers in building America as “a very spiritual nation” despite the claims of those “who try to re-write history,” and spoke of his own faith throughout his life’s work in pediatric neurosurgery.

Commenting on the split between science and religion on human biological development, Carson said, “It requires an enormous amount of faith to believe that something came from nothing.”

https://blog.heritage.org/2014/04/18/ben-carson-manipulated-trying-divide-us/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social

Posted on April 20, 2014April 9, 2020 by James — 2 Comments

High school senior forms petition with over ONE THOUSAND signatures against Michele Obama speaking at their high school graduation ‘because it would overshadow the students’ big day’

Topeka High School

High school senior forms petition with over ONE THOUSAND signatures against Michele Obama speaking at their high school graduation ‘because it would overshadow the students’ big day’

Taylor Gifford, 18, started an online petition on Thursday with over 1,200 signatures asking that Michelle Obama not speak at Topeka High School graduation
Obama’s speech is tied to the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Brown v. Board of Education outlawing segregation in schools
Some students feel that the speech would overshadow student accomplishments and others feel limited seating will be a problem

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

PUBLISHED: 17:26 EST, 18 April 2014 | UPDATED: 01:20 EST, 19 April 2014

If expanding the guest list to include Michelle Obama at graduation for high school students in the Kansas capital city means fewer seats for friends and family, some students and their parents would prefer the first lady not attend.

A furor over what the Topeka school district considers an honor has erupted after plans were announced for Obama to address a combined graduation ceremony for five area high schools next month an 8,000-seat arena. For some, it was the prospect of a tight limit on the number of seats allotted to each graduate.

For others, it was the notion that Obama’s speech, tied to the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Brown v. Board of Education outlawing segregation in schools, would overshadow the student’s big day.

Read more: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2607817/Kansas-speech-Michelle-Obama-draws-complaints.html#ixzz2zQakn74k
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

Posted on April 19, 2014April 9, 2020 by James — Leave a comment

7 dangerous Apps that kids are using and parents need to know about

7 dangerous Apps that kids are using and parents need to know about

A look into the some of the scariest Apps for your kids

Yik Yak – This App is one of the newest and one of the most dangerous. It allows users to post text-only Yaks of up to 200 characters. The messages can be viewed by the 500 Yakkers who are closest to the person who wrote the Yak, as determined by GPS tracking. Users are exposed to – and contributing -sexually explicit content, abusive language and personal attacks so severe that schools are starting to block the App on their Wi-Fi. Although the posts are anonymous, kids start revealing personal information as they get more comfortable with other users.

SnapChat – This App allows users to send photos that will disappear after 10 seconds. Once the recipient opens the picture, the timer starts. Then it’s gone. From both the sender’s phone and the recipient’s phone. However, the recipient can take a screen shot of the photo and have it to share with others. This App enables kids to feel more comfortable “sexting” with peers.

KiK Messenger – This is a private messenger app and is coveted by those under 18 for a number of reasons. The App allows kids to send private messages that their parents can’t see. There is very little you can do to verify the identity of someone on Kik, which obviously poses the risk of sexual predators chatting with your child. And again, this is an easy tool for sexting.

Poof –The Poof App allows users to make Apps disappear on their phone with one touch. Kids can hide every app they don’t want you to see on their phone. All they have to do is open the App and select the ones they don’t want you to see. Very scary! The good news about this App is it is no longer available, which isn’t uncommon for these types of Apps. But, if it was downloaded before it was deleted from the App store, your child may still have it. Keep in mind that Apps like this are created and then terminated pretty quickly by Android and Apple stores, but there are similar ones being created constantly. Some other names include: Hidden Apps, App Lock and Hide It Pro.

Omegle – This App has been around since 2008, with video chat added in 2009. When you use Omegle you do not identify yourself through the service – chat participants are only identified as “You” and “Stranger”. You don’t have to register for the App. However, you can connect Omegle to your Facebook account to find chat partners with similar interests. When choosing this feature, an Omegle Facebook App will receive your Facebook “likes” and try to match you with a stranger with similar likes. This is not okay for children. There is a high risk of sexual predators and you don’t want your kids giving out their personal information, much less even talking to strangers.

Whisper – This is a meeting App that encourages users to post secrets. You post anonymously, but it displays the area you are posting from. You can search for users posting within a mile from you. A quick look at the App and you can see that online relationships are forming constantly on this App, but you never know the person behind the computer or phone. One man in Washington was convicted of raping a 12-year-old girl he met on this App just last year.

Down – This application, which used to be called “Bang with Friends,” is connected to Facebook. Users can categorize their Facebook friends in one of two ways: they can indicate whether or not a friend is someone they’d like to hang with or someone they are “down” to hook up with. The slogan for the App: “The anonymous, simple, fun way to find friends who are down for the night.” If that alone doesn’t scare you, I don’t know what will!

https://www.checkupnewsroom.com/7-dangerous-apps-that-parents-need-to-know-about/

Posted on April 17, 2014June 27, 2021 by James — Leave a comment

Over 60,000 New Jersey Students Take Part in Field Test of Online PARCC Exams

Over 60,000 New Jersey Students Take Part in Field Test of Online PARCC Exams
More than 62,000 New Jersey elementary and high school students were part of the nation’s first large-scale test of the online PARCC exams, an early trial that officials are calling a success — despite some glitches.

New Jersey’s participation over the past month was among the largest in the country, topped only by Illinois and Ohio.

And depending on who is talking, the trial went fairly well, with comments still coming in. NJ Spotlight is conducting its own survey, too, for our readers to share their experiences.

The chief spokesman for PARCC — the acronym for the Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers — said yesterday that the field tests, which involved more than 200,000 students in more than a dozen states, went about as expected, with no major problems but plenty of smaller issues to be addressed.

Taking place in more than 1,000 New Jersey schools, the trial was in the performance-based piece of the PARCC exams for language arts and math, in which students are asked to complete writing assignments or more complex math computations.

PARCC released new versions of the practice exam last week, allowing the public to take the language arts and math tests themselves. (Mooney/NJSpotlight)

https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/14/04/16/over-60-000-new-jersey-students-take-part-in-field-test-of-online-parcc-exams/

Posted on April 12, 2014April 9, 2020 by James — Leave a comment

Benjamin Franklin Middle School students show school spirit

photo from Ridgewood Police

Benjamin Franklin Middle School students show school spirit

Students from B.F. Middle School competed for the best Super Hero Costume as part of School Spirit week during an assembly at the school this morning. The principals of Travell, Somerville and Hawes schools came by to judge the costumes. Ridgewood Officers Michael Karcher and Lt.Glenn Ender were on hand as part of the youth outreach program.

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