Tag: Ridgewood Public Library

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Ridgewood Board Of Education and Dr. Fishbein Host Residents for Coffee on March 28

Dr-Fishbein_theridgewoodblog

March 28,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. Daniel Fishbein will host residents for coffee and casual conversation on Tuesday, March 28. The casual meeting will take place from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Education Center, 49 Cottage Place, Ridgewood. All residents are invited to drop in to share their thoughts, questions, suggestions and concerns.

The final 2016-2017 Coffee and Conversation is planned for Wednesday, May 17.

Superintendent’s Monthly Column: What’s Your Story?
Click here to read Dr. Fishbein’s monthly column for The Ridgewood News, March 10 edition.

Preliminary 2017-2018 School Budget
At the March 6 Board of Education meeting, Business Administrator Dr. Alfredo Aguilar presented the preliminary 2017-2018 budget, which is based on a .97% local tax levy increase. The total preliminary budget is $105,565,593, which would mean a $184.39 annual tax increase on the average assessed Ridgewood home of $696,093.

Click here to view the preliminary budget presentation as a PDF.

Following discussion, the Board approved the following resolution for Adoption of the 2017-2018 Preliminary Proposed Budget for Submission to the Executive County Superintendent of Schools:

BE IT RESOLVED, by the Ridgewood Board of Education, to approve the 2017-2018 school district preliminary proposed budget, as follows, for submission to the Executive County Superintendent of Schools:

There should be raised for the General Fund Tax Levy $91,519,173 for the ensuing School Year: (2017-2018).

 

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Monday Morning Route 17 South Bound in Ridgewood Crash Creates Traffic Havoc

Ridgewood Crash Creates Traffic Havoc

photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook

March 28,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police, Fire Department, and EMS personnel aided two (2) victims of a Monday morning, 03/27, motor vehicle crash that took place on Route 17 southbound just north of Linwood Avenue, Ridgewood. A pickup truck rear ended a van; two (2) occupants of the van were transported by separate ambulances to local hospitals with non life threatening injuries. A flatbed tow truck removed the van from the scene. The pickup truck appeared to have been undamaged. Traffic flow on Route 17 southbound in the crash vicinity was significantly restricted, which caused major backups.

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Ridgewood High School Summer School Registration Opens April 15th

RHS

photo by Boyd Loving

March 27,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, we have been informed that the information previously posted on Ridgewood High School Summer School  was outdated.

If you are thinking of hiring a tutor this summer or putting your child in a summer academic or enrichment program, Ridgewood High School’s Summer School may have the programs you are looking for. RHS Summer School is not just remedial classes anymore, we are now offering High School & Middle School Enrichment Classes as well as Test Preparation classes including; College Essay Writing, Intro to Geometry, Algebra II and Pre-calculus, Honors Geometry and Algebra II, Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship, and SAT and ACT Prep Classes.

https://tinyurl.com/rhssummerschool  ”

 

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Opinion: College admissions are so random we’d be better off turning it into a lottery

Graduation 13

Published: Mar 23, 2017 1:19 p.m. ET

The high school senior qualified to audition for all-state choir, but he’d also been invited to interview for the prestigious Jefferson Scholarship, which promised a full ride to the University of Virginia worth $125,000. He couldn’t be in both places at the same time.

“Unfortunately,” warned the Jefferson Scholars Foundation, “the flexibility will have to come from the choral organization, or you will have to choose between the two.”

The Virginia Choral Directors Association was just as uncompromising. It cautioned that only an illness “severe enough that continued participation would be harmful to the student’s health” would excuse the 17-year-old choir president from a full day’s attendance.

The annual mating dance between high school seniors and the nation’s colleges and universities is under way, and it’s not pretty. Class of 2020 decision letters will go out at month’s end, even as tuition and fees rise faster than inflation, producing about $107 billion in education debt last year, according to the College Board.

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/how-to-fix-the-big-disconnect-between-entry-level-job-candidates-and-employers-2017-03-21?link=sfmw_fb

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The Ridgewood Art Institute to offer college scholarships to high school seniors

Ridgewood Art institute

March 27,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Art Institute is proud to offer college scholarships to high school seniors who will be majoring or minoring in art. If you are a member of Ridgewood Art Institute, please fill out the attached form to be considered. Worthy candidates will be expected to bring six pieces of original artwork on April 29, 2017 for the Board of Trustees review.

Print an apllication Here.  Deadline is April 15, 2017

In addition, Our Summer Schedule for Young People is attached. You can find it online here.

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Reader says FAC Presentation on Hudson Garage was well-intentioned, was a waste of time

godzilla

As someone who is on the fence about the garage to begin with – the FAC presentation did nothing to convince me this is what the town needs. How can the council and residents get an accurate idea of the financial impact of the garage if the numbers are not even accurate for the current proposal. This presentation, while well-intentioned, was a waste of time for all involved.

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Mayor Releases VILLAGE COUNCIL WORK SESSION QUICK NOTES

Village Council Meeting Uber

file photo by Boyd Loving

VILLAGE COUNCIL WORK SESSION QUICK NOTES
MARCH 22, 2017
Public Comments: A variety of topics were covered by residents during public comment including, and most noteworthy, statements regarding parking Bogert/Cambridge and Pomander parking restrictions. Some residents reiterated their perception of a safety concern while others touched on personal challenges resulting from the changes and exacerbated safety concerns. Both topics were listed as agenda items for discussion.

FAC Assessment in Paying for a Parking Garage: Committee members reviewed the Parking Utility and garage funding based on the Walker Report.

Cambridge and Bogert Parking Restrictions: Striking a balance addressing safety concerns around the curved area closest to Glen while implementing a modified parking schedule 50’ beyond the second curved intersection. A modified ordinance will be introduced in April allowing changes to coincide with the end of school.

Train Station Parking Lot: Suggested by a former Planning Board member to somewhat reduce the grassy island allowing for the addition of about 25 +/- parking spaces. This does NOT require removal of the entire green space and trees. The remaining island should allow for ample grass, trees, flowers, urns and an appropriately meandering walkway. As stated during the meeting, this idea will require further evaluation.

Pomander Walk/Sherman/Stanley Place: April introduction to temporarily suspend parking restrictions on one side of Pomander.

Ridgecrest – Graydon: an initiative to allow Ridgecrest senior citizens to spend time at Graydon Pool for free or at a reduced rate.

Schedler Park Plans: Project development of a community park for all ages to possibly include pedestrian nature paths, bird watching, children’s play space & equipment and low impact exercise areas.

Kings Pond Area Cleaning Program: moving forward!

Citizens Safety Advisory Committee – Standardized Form for Requesting Parking Changes: a recommendation to standardize the procedure for requesting parking changes and/or restrictions in residential areas. Over the years CSAC has made many safely recommendations to Council; most changes are welcome but some have created unanticipated issues in adjacent areas. Implementing a formal process to ensure residents are properly notified of impactful changes by providing detailed information to VC. Still in draft document form.

***these are only brief notes/highlights and not intended as minutes

Next meeting: Village Council Special Public Budget Meeting
Monday, March 27, 2017, 5:30PM

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Reader says The council were fooled on how the original ordinance was implemented on Bogart and Cambridge

village Council

Bogart/Cambridge is less a council issue. The council were fooled on how the original ordinance was implemented. The Village Engineer decided it was easier to just to have no parking 500 feet down each street which he admitted to at the council meeting. Regardless of who did what, the majority of the neighbors on the blocks affected we’re never informed of what was going on. Communication was abysmal, that should be a council issue moving forward. Kudos to the Mayor for suggesting a new form and process be followed, but the people affected by these decisions should also have input into the decision making process. Aren’t they supposedly working for ALL of the people in the village.

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Ridgewood Arts Council: Emerging Artists Gallery Scavenger Hunt!

Ridgewood Arts Council: Emerging Artists Gallery Scavenger Hunt! Dana H

March 26,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Arts Council, wants share with you a very special and unique event that is happening at our Earth Day Fair one month from now. Check out the video to learn more. Hope to see you at our Emerging Artists Gallery event. Please share with others. Thanks!

Please join the Ridgewood Arts Counci at Ridgewood’s Earth Day fair on Sunday April 23rd 11am-2pm in Van Neste Park to be a part of this exciting event. For more information and to sign-up please email [email protected]

 

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Emmanuel’s Sunday School Christian Education Blanketing Making Session for Project Linus Brings Smil

Emmanuel Baptist Church
March 25,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Eighteen children of all ages participated in making twenty blankets for Project Linus as part of Emmanuel’s Sunday School Christian Education program in a one hour blanket making session on March 12th. Women of Emmanuel sponsored the event and supplied the soft plush material for the project.

Marilyn Clark, head of Women of Emmanuel and Church Council Moderator, stated, “It was a fun day! The children were able to make beautiful blankets for a worthy cause. You could see how pleased and proud they were with the blankets they made. Their smiles said it all.”

Leslie Maltz Taylor, a representative from Project Linus, led the one hour blanket making session during Sunday school at Emmanuel. Emmanuel will donate the completed blankets to Project Linus, a non-profit organization that provides homemade blankets to children in need.

Emmanuel, founded in 1891, is celebrating its 125th Anniversary Year and maintains a tradition of community outreach. Emmanuel is located at 14 Hope Street, at the corner of Hope Street and East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ. The building is ADA accessible and all are invited to attend.

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West Side Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood Presents Handel’s Messiah Parts II and III

Hadels messiah

March 26,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, There’s no need to travel to New York City to enjoy a performance of George F. Handel’s Messiah Parts II and III, a classical music high point of the Easter season. You can simply travel to West Side Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood, where the Oratorio Choir and Orchestra (directed by Deborah Holden-Holloway) will present the Messiah on Sunday, April 9 at 3:00 p.m.

Part II focuses on the death and resurrection of Jesus, ending with the glorious “Hallelujah Chorus.” Part III features some of the most uplifting and triumphant music of the Messiah, including “I Know That My Redeemer Lives,” “The Trumpet Shall Sound” and the culimating chorus, “Worthy is the Lamb.”

Featured performers: Kristine DiMauro-Gonzalez, soprano, of West Milford; Apryl Beddingfield-Helder, mezzo-soprano, of Fair Lawn; Kevin Hanse, tenor, of Fair Lawn; Robert Preuss, tenor, formerly of Glen Rock; and David Langan, bass-baritone, of Ridgewood.

Tickets are not required, but early arrival is suggested. A free-will offering will be received.

Sunday, April 9 at 3 PM – 4:30 PM
West Side Presbyterian Church Ridgewood, NJ
6 S Monroe St, Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450

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Reader Writes , Our roads are a shambles in Ridgewood

Road work theridgewoodblog.net

Ms.Mailander

Good luck with a very difficult Position.

Our roads are a shambles,beyond the winter frost freeze and expanding pothole excuses …; the ongoing maintenance and milling of our main and secondary roadways are completely inadequate.meanwhile we are looking at tearing up the safety median at the train station raceway.Incredible..

Utility companies cut and run while highly paid village police offices yes on pseg perdiem and we pay their benefits and pensions while they stand by texting and witness the crime.North Pleasant Fairway and so many other main streets are like a war zone on our cars ,runners and bicyclist.

No real solutions offered outside of its on a list..ill tell my car repair guy so that he can plan to hire many more repair folks for Tires,Suspensions Shocks ,underbody and other serious car damage invoicing to Vor taxpayers.Its simply unacceptable .town in a serious downward spiral .

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Reader says Ridgewood loves signs they have become a New form of urban pollution

Ridgewood Parking signs

file photo by Boyd Loving

comment was specific to the Bogart Parking Issue we thought it held a lager context

They don’t give a dam what property owners nor what their right are. You are just one of the many little people who pay high Taxes and keep them employed.They know better and file an obscure legal notice In the abandoned property notice in some unread obscure legal notice newspaper that no one buys or reads .Its a CYA OPERATION.Town loves signs tho.New form of urban pollution and loss of basic Freedoms of property owners.

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the Fly …always a buzz about parking in Ridgewood

fly-on-wall

….the fly has noticed that with every new suggestion for parking changes there is a concerted push to undermine the Mayors efforts .Who could believe that here in “turf town” that people suddenly are concerned with an empty strip of grass at the Ridgewood Train Station. Mind you years of neglect didn’t seem to make an impact. Every new suggestion is attacked by the same group that brought you “Garagezilla” an ill fitting monstrosity with its sole purpose was creating taxpayer funded parking so private developers didn’t have to. Recent events on Bogart and Cambridge suggest  a further attempt to undermine the Village council efforts ,with engineering over reach and a failure to communicate. The Financial Advisory Committee’s recent debacle  with their “alternative facts “garage report gave away the game proving unequivocally that the FAC is behind attempts to undermine Mayor Susan Knudsen as they were with previous Mayor Kieth Killion.

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Reader says like many others, walked outside one day to find No Parking signs posted in my yard

garber square LED sign

file photo by Boyd Loving

I would like to know where this issue was “broadcast, publicized, and discussed,”for, in my “ignorance,” it took me completely by surprise! I, like many others, walked outside one day to find signs posted in my yard. How could so many of us have been so busy “driving our SUV’s and drinking lattes,” which, by the way, I do not have nor do! It seems those of us who are directly affected by this ordinance should have been included in the many discussions referred to and been given the opportunity for input. I was not even aware of these proclaimed discussions. This, happening as it did, seems to have been quite purposefully secretive and it makes one wonder if it is a power/ego issue rather than a safety issue. I, like another, would like to see a copy of said safety study. I would also like statistics on the recent number of implied incidents requiring this ordinance. Also, as another mentioned, it seems strange that there is parking allowed nearest the school where many children enter and exit but none halfway down quiet streets further away. I hope the Council will take another look at this situation which seems to be more of an inconvenience for a number of people than a solution to what may or may not be a problem.