300 attend Ridgewood fundraiser for AIDS support organization
SUNDAY MAY 5, 2013, 10:13 PM
BY MONSY ALVARADO
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD
RIDGEWOOD — They gathered at Saddle River County Park on Sunday, some sporting red T-shirts to remember family and friends they lost too soon to HIV and AIDS, and to bring awareness to the disease that affects more than 36,000 statewide.
“It’s important for people to understand and be safe and not to push anyone aside because of it,” said Melanie Sullivan of West Milford, who attended the event to honor her aunt, who died on Thanksgiving Day of complications from AIDS. “If it affects one person, it affects us all.”
Around 300 people, some pushing strollers and others leading dogs on leashes, took part in the annual New Jersey AIDS Walk. TheBergen County event, held in conjunction with four others across the state to benefit HIV and AIDS, was hosted by Buddies of New Jersey Inc. of Hackensack — a non-profit that helps people living with the disease.
9th Annual Wiffle for Cancer Tournament
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Online registration is now available! Remember every registrant receives a free t-shirt. Registration will be limited to 64 teams. Walk-up registrations are welcome if space is still available on the day of the event.
When?
Sunday, June 2, 2013
12:00 Noon (Check-in begins at 11:30am)
Rain or Shine
Where?
Ridgewood High School
627 East Ridgewood Avenue
Ridgewood, NJ 07450We hope to see lots of new faces this year. We want to make this year’s tournament the biggest ever, so please spread the word to as many people as you can.
Tournament sponsorship opportunities are available. Sponsors who donate at the Bronze level (a minimum of $100) will receive recognition on the Wiffle for Cancer website, post-event publicity recognition, as well as have their name placed on the tournament t-shirt. Any sponsor who donates at the Silver level (a minimum of $200) will receive everything from the Bronze level as well as a link directly to the sponsor’s website from our Wiffle for Cancer website. For a donation of $300 or more sponsors will achieve Gold level sponsorship, which includes the two previous levels, the opportunity to have a sign on the fence facing East Ridgewood Avenue visible to drive-by traffic and a field will be named after your company or family. At the Gold level, the sponsors who donate more than the minimum will have their names placed on the most prominently located fields and the largest donor’s name will appear on the field where the championship game is played. We also welcome companies who wish to donate items for the event (e.g. – food items or prizes) in lieu of cash donations.
All proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Nick Currey Fund for Ewing Sarcoma Research. If you are unable to play donations will gladly be accepted. To donate send checks payable to “Nick Currey Fund” to Wiffle for Cancer c/o Ralph Currey, 260 Woodside Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450-5036. Alternatively, you can send checks payable to “Nick Currey Fund” to CureSearch for Children’s Cancer, Development Office, 4600 East West Highway, Suite 600, Bethesda, MD 20814-3457. To donate online, visit www.curesearch.org/nickcurreyfund and make a donation “in memory of Nick Currey”.
Major heroin bust targets buyers from North Jersey suburbs
Friday, May 3, 2013 Last updated: Friday May 3, 2013, 12:57 AM
BY REBECCA D. O’BRIEN
STAFF WRITER
The Record
Each day, they leave the leafy streets of Ridgewood, Dumont, Wayne and dozens of other suburbs, cutting across North Jersey on roads lined by schools and strip malls, and descend on Paterson, looking for a fix.
They do not search long — their dealer is waiting by a grocery store on the corner of 12th and 22nd, or the housing projects along Rosa Parks Boulevard. Ten minutes and $40 later, the young heroin addicts cross the Passaic River with a bundle of dope, 10 slender bags to sniff, or inject, in their cars or in their bedrooms back home.
The arrests of more than 100 people on an array of heroin charges, the fruits of a four-month investigation presented Thursday by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, painted a stark portrait of heroin supply and demand in North Jersey: a vulnerable population, a permeable city and the drug that binds them.
The Ridgewood News Superintendent’s Corner April 2013 by Daniel Fishbein, Ed.D.
Street Smarts
The following column appeared in The Ridgewood News on April 26, 2013
As I often do in April, this month I’m taking the topic of safety back to the streets.
A simple message that I often use when communicating important information to parents and guardians is this: The safety of our children is my utmost concern It’s a phrase that I’ve written in letters responding to difficult events that have impacted our community both directly and peripherally, from the acute events of Super Storm Sandy to the Sandy shootings, for example.
These words, as much as they are intended to reassure, go beyond sincere intentions to the heart of our operating system. This phrase is a grounding expression that serves as the foundation for all that we do in the Ridgewood Public Schools, providing an essential framework for the pursuit of our mission of excellence. Safety is the first question we ask when exploring any changes in our district, when we plan new protocols and adopt new policies, when we design renovations to our facilities. It’s a phrase that cannot be repeated too often.
Unfortunately, our security was once again questioned when earlier this month we all witnessed the senseless bombings at the Boston Marathon and then the tragic fertilizer explosion in Texas. Horrific events like these make a deep and lasting impact on us . Since I am a runner and know people who ran in Boston, these events have particularly strengthened my resolve not only to serve as a school administrator but also to make sure our facilities and our events are as safe as possible, while remaining friendly and welcoming.
All are invited to Place flags at Valleau with American Legion – May 11th
The American Legion will place small American flags on the sites where veterans are buried in Valleau Cemetary on Saturday, May 11th 2013 starting at 9 am. Everyone is welcome to join us.
The American Legion will conduct a Memorial Day service on Monday, May 27th 2013 at 11 am. The ceremony will take place at Veterans Memorial Park at Van Neste Square in downtown Ridgewood opposite the Ridgewood bus station. Everyone is invited to join us. Please bring a chair or blanket
A NIGHT OF FUTURE BROADWAY STARS
Benefit for Covenant House for Homeless Youth
Gifted rising stars from Bergen county high schools offer their talent to give back to less fortunate kids their age by raising funds for the homeless youth of Covenant House New Jersey.
Monday, April 29th 7PM at Ben Franklin Middle School. BUY TICKETS at Bookends, Ridgewood or online www.NightOfFutureBroadwayStarsNJ.org 973/286-34-5
AARP The Magazine Highlights The Valley Hospital as One of America’s Safest
April 26, 2013
Ridgewood NJ, The Valley Hospital has been cited by AARP in the latest edition of AARP The Magazine as one of the safest hospitals in the United States. Drawing upon data and rankings from The Leapfrog Group, AARP compiled a list of 66 hospitals throughout the country. Valley is one of only three hospitals in New Jersey to be included by AARP.
The list was part of an extensive report on hospital safety titled “Lessons from America’s Safest Hospitals,” featured in the April/May issue of the publication.
For the report, AARP The Magazine partnered with The Leapfrog Group, an organization which grades hospitals across America for safety. The Valley Hospital received a Grade A for Patient Safety from The Leapfrog Group for the past two years.
The publication’s safety report highlights a number of Valley initiatives, such as the hospital’s focus on Patient- and Family-Centered Care, which has led to the creation of an advisory committee that includes former patients
Affluence is deceptive word for those trying to get by in Ridgewood
Thursday April 25, 2013, 4:55 PM
BY LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News
She lives in Ridgewood, her children play lacrosse and other sports, and every month, unbeknownst to them and her neighbors, she gets four bags of donated groceries and supermarket vouchers from Ridgewood’s social service organization.
She also asks for waivers for most sports fees. “I think Ridgewood has that stigma that if you live in Ridgewood, you’re wealthy,” the resident said, speaking to The Ridgewood News on the condition of anonymity.
Her husband has been unemployed on and off for the past few years, and the couple does not have health insurance. Thanks to outside help, their children are covered.
At Cyberbullying Conference, Experts and Educators Try to Define Line Between Texting and Trouble
One of the most vexing legal questions raised by New Jersey’s two-year-old anti-bullying law remains how to address incidents that occur online and off school grounds — including nights and weekends.
Cyberbullying was the focus of a daylong conference yesterday at Rutgers University in Newark, where lawyers, scholars, educators, and others discussed the difficulties of drawing a legal line that determines if schools — or parents — are culpable. (Mooney/NJSpotlight)
2013 Film Festival Committee: Lynne Clements, Andres Valenzuela, Gail Mandeli, Tony Damiano, Barbara Kiernan, Marialyse Wostbrock, Sean Mccooe, RJ Konner [missing Dotti Fucito]
2013 Ridgewood Film Festival
The third annual Ridgewood Film Festival was a huge success!
We had some wonderful films shown from very talented filmmakers from all over the world. Thursday night’s Festival screenings where dedicated and focused on Women in Film and was very well received.
Check out our highlight video from the 3rd Annual Ridgewood Film Festival. Exceptionally filmed and edited by Tim at Studio 94.
Experienced professionals in the film and photography industry gave free workshops before the red carpet both nights and we had tremendous support from Mayor Aronsohn, Deputy Mayor Al Pucciarelli, and Councilwoman Gwenn Hauck. Thank you all for your support and hope to see you again at next year’s festival! — in Ridgewood.
Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving A Dog’s Best Friend is a Uniformed Patrol Officer
April 25,2013
Boyd A. Loving
4:22 PM
Ridgewood NJ , Ridgewood Police Department Patrol Officer Jeffrey Kay comforts a dog who was seriously injured after being struck by a car in front of 466 Northern Parkway, Ridgewood on Thursday afternoon.
The 22 year old son of the dog’s owner was quickly located by Officer Kay; the son subsequently transported the dog to a local animal hospital for treatment of leg and hip injuries. The driver of the vehicle involved remained at the accident scene until the dog was identified and on its way for treatment.
2012-2013 Ridgewood Schools Teacher Recognition Program
Ridgewood NJ, The BOE approved the following nominees for the 2012-2013 Teacher Recognition Program:
Educational Services Professional: Lorraine Zak (Ridge & Willard Schools) Hawes School David Jenkins Orchard School Sawyer Austin Ridge School Lynne Peabody Somerville School Susan Foreman Travell School Darien Dastis Buckler Willard School Linda Diorio BFMS Erin Corcoran GWMS Lauren Sacks RHS Michael Yannone
Each of the award recipients will receive a stipend of $500 ($250 awarded by the Individual Home and School Association and $250 awarded by the Board). The Ridgewood Teacher Recognition Award reception will be held at the Education Center on Tuesday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m. for the award recipients, their families, school parents, teachers, and friends.
The members of the panel that reviewed and approved the nominations were Mr. Patrick Bernardo, Ms. Jeanine Dawkins, Ms. Rea Hunter, Ms. Annemaire Kleinman, Ms. Margaret Leininger, Ms. Liz McCarthy, Ms. Elizabeth Moreland, Ms. Ellen Raupp, Ms. Jean Schoenlank, and Mr. Gary Hall, Facilitator.
Ali Stroker from Glee will headline the benefit concert for Ridgewood Friends’ Neighborhood Nursery School
Ridgewood NJ, Actress and Ridgewood native Ali Stroker, who was part of The Glee Project and appeared on Glee, will headline a family-friendly benefit concert for Ridgewood Friends’ Neighborhood Nursery School.
Blue Plate Special will also appear. The group plays original and traditional American roots music. Based in northern New Jersey, they have shared the stage with the likes of Les Paul, Jeffrey Gaines and Tom Chapin.
The concert will take place at 3 pm on April 28th at the Unitarian Society, which is located at 113 Cottage Place, Ridgewood. Suggested donation is $10 for adults, $5 for children. Additional contributions appreciated. For more information or reservations: 201-445-0681.
Changing legislation means that New Jersey will soon be offering medical marijuana to patients that suffer from a number of debilitating illnesses. Unlike many of the previous states to offer these services, however, New Jersey medical marijuana dispe nsaries will be run a bit differently. Most details surrounding the new measure seem to indicate that everything about the program will be run with a higher degree of regulation and stricter adherence to guidelines than in previous states.
The New Jersey medical marijuana dispensaries will be set up in three regions – southern, northern, and central to start – with two facilities per region. Medical marijuana will be obtained from these dispensaries by patients with an active ID card registered with the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, or by a designated, registered caregiver, responsible for obtaining and administering medication to the patient.
In the past, New Jersey residents who have had medical marijuana recommended to them by physicians as a viable treatment option for pain management have been unable to legally obtain it. Some have driven outside state lines to achieve relief from their suffering, always worried about the legalities in question.
Though the New Jersey medical marijuana dispensaries will be limited in number at the start, public demand could see their numbers grow. Patients unable to travel long distances to their closest dispensary should write to their local representative, explaining why the law should allow for more dispensaries in a denser allocation.
Unfortunately, many still see medical marijuana as a danger to their neighborhood, mistaking legitimate, legal dispensaries for drug dens on the corner, endangering their children. Education is the only weapon against such misinformation. In reality, the New Jersey medical marijuana dispensaries will be heavily monitored by the DHSS and the Department of Law and Public Safety. Both institutions will be in charge of monitoring the amount of marijuana patients are allowed to obtain from the dispensaries.
While New Jersey law will only legalize the sale of medical marijuana to eligible patients within the state, the new legislation will allow a patient who legally purchased marijuana at a dispensary to travel anywhere within the United States without fear of legal ramification, provided they carry their ID card.
live feeds to Ridgewood Police for School Safety ?
Long Island Goes Cutting Edge On School Security: Live Feeds To Police Cars
Central Command, Individual Cops Can See What’s Happening As It’s Happening
April 18, 2013 5:41 PM
WESTBURY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) — School security, in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy is taking on a new look. On Long Island on Thursday, a new system was unveiled allowing police to have a live view inside schools.
It’s the new age of school security: Cameras feeding live video and audio to a command center, which, during a crisis, can be viewed and heard by law enforcement, CBS 2’s Carolyn Gusoff reported.
“We can hear if someone is making a threat. We can hear if people are screaming, so whatever is happening in that environment we can bring back here,” said Clifford Steinberg of Nassau BOCES.
Three school districts are on board and Nassau BOCES, the agency that coordinates services for Long Island school districts, is hoping all will sign on. Districts will save money and, if needed, police can see and hear what happening inside school walls.
