Tag: Ridgewood Real estate

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Happy Easter

>easetregghunt

The Christian festival of Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The spring festival has its roots in the Jewish Passover, which commemorates Israel’s deliverance from the bondage of Egypt, and in the Christian reinterpretation of its meaning after the crucifixion of Jesus during the Passover of AD c.30 and the proclamation of his resurrection three days later.

Early Christians observed Easter on the same day as Passover (14-15 Nisan, a date governed by a lunar calendar). In the 2d century, the Christian celebration was transferred to the Sunday following the 14-15 Nisan, if that day fell on a weekday. Originally, the Christian Easter was a unitive celebration, but in the 4th century Good Friday became a separate commemoration of the death of Christ, and Easter was thereafter devoted exclusively to the resurrection.

According to the Venerable Bede, the name Easter is derived from the pagan spring festival of the Anglo- Saxon goddess Eostre, and many folk customs associated with Easter (for example, Easter eggs) are of pagan origin.

Easter Day is currently determined as the first Sunday after the full moon on or after March 21. The Eastern Orthodox churches, however, follow the Julian rather than the Gregorian calendar, so their celebration usually falls several weeks later than the Western Easter. Easter is preceded by the period of preparation called Lent. Reginald H. Fuller Bibliography: Torvend, Samuel, ed., Passage to the Paschal Feast (1993); Williams, Rowan, Resurrection: Interpreting the Easter Gospel (1994).

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>what do you think?

>The Ridgewood Blog invites all readers to comment on the pro’s and con’s of BOE budget :

“Well, which is it that you object to, the accounting standards or the teachers’ union? Look, I agree that the union is out of control, I don’t know how to fix that, I’ll be the first to admit. But the fact is, voting down the budget or cutting OTHER things from the budget A) doesn’t solve the problem of the teachers taking too large a chunk, and B) harms my kids as services or opportunities are taken away. I feel like the only way to ensure my kids keep getting the truly quality education that they get in Ridgewood (and if you don’t believe me, just go live somewhere else like California and see what your money does or doesn’t get you), the only thing I can do is hold on to what they’ve got… I’m just being honest here. You can see the budget yourself…exactly which line item would you suggest they reduce, if they can’t reduce the teachers’ salaries and benefits? Make a suggestion…let’s hear it. I’m not hiding behind the kids, I’m trying to save their education as best I can. What are you doing to HELP? “

“And one more thing…you keep complaining about taxes going up like it’s something unique to Ridgewood. From 2000-2006, Ridgewood’s level of tax increase ranked 448th lowest out of 568 communities in New Jersey. That doesn’t exactly place us in the forefront of rampant tax increases. I’m not using the “everybody’s doing it” excuse, just giving you a little perspective…the cost of education and its illogical tie to property taxes is a statewide problem. Be honest, you don’t really care about the education budget or how much is spent on our kids. You only care because of what it does to your own property taxes. If the costs were buried in some statewide budget like in many other states, you’d be content to let the school board use its judgment to do what they felt was right. That bothers me. Fix the real problem, the whacky funding formula for NJ schools. “

“wait a minute… you can’t compare percent increase to the dollar increase. An increase of $10 million in five years is not the same as a 15% increase in other districts.

As per the quality of education… I doubt the it has increased by $20M to the quality of education I received 10 years ago in the RPS.

Salaries going up is one thing… and my friends are teachers and I support quality education… but.. . The increase is not just for salaries and what are the kids gaining from this?

Building maintenance should be part of the regular budget. New books should be part of the regular budget, and IT improvements should be included in the regular budget, not a supplement to the annual tax increase…

What new programs were created as a result of the tax increase?

Why do I have to volunteer for the BOE when I can voice my opinion as a resident and make a bigger impact?

Why compare Ridgewood to California when we can compare it to 5 years ago? Is the budget increase merely sustaining performance levels or are we seeing a difference. I would rather pay more to see a significant difference if it could be justified as opposed to merely the status quo of raising taxes. Why do Ridgewood residents pay Ridgewood taxes and still send their kids to private schools?

Honestly the biggest change in RPS education that I have noticed is a lack of interest of parents to hold their kids accountable. I am not saying that you are one of them, but kids these days are spoiled rotten and parents blame the schools before disciplining their kids. When was the last time you heard of parents checking their kids homework, or their class notes, etc. Maybe you are a good parent, but I grew up with kids in this town that were not as motivated as I was because their parents were always on vacation.

MAYBE WE SHOULD BE HOLDING THE PARENTS MORE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF OUR SCHOOLS AND NOT JUST THROW MONEY AT THE PROBLEM. “

“Let’s not confuse the issues. Parenting skills may be a problem, but the discussion here is on the school budget. Here’s what’s worrying me. In his book, “The World is Flat,” Tom Friedman makes the argument that the US is woefully behind in training the next generation of science and technology experts, inventors and scientists. That means everything from doctors, engineers, astronauts, mathemeticians, comptuer scientists, accountants, etc. Who IS training for these positions? Pretty much every country that can, but especially, China, Korea and India. So what does Ridgewood propose to help turn this trend around? Believe it or not “a rich, humanities-based education.” Is this the right way to go? Did anybody on the BoE ask this question? No. The televised budget discussion was a touchy-feely session where all in attendance looked relieved that they couldn’t come up with a penetrating important question–or, didn’t have to answer one.Who is going to inherit the high-tech legacies and companies built by Jobs, Wozniak, Watson and Grove? Apparently, not us Ridgewoodians.We’re digging our own graves. One budget cycle at a time.”

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>Man about Town

>Features reviews of restaurants and local businesses

Puzo’s at 16 West Ridgewood Ave (201)445-3332 features a large selection of gourmet pizza’s and customized specialized pizza’s. More than just a pizza parlor Puzzo’s offers a full range of Italian favorites as well as hot and cold sandwiches. The atmosphere is friendly fun and casual making Puzo’s a great place to grab quite bit for lunch.

Email the blog if you have any of your own ideas [email protected]

GigaGolf Special Couponsshow?id=mjvuF8ceKoQ&bids=14707

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>Assembly Challenger Calls on Rumana to Protect Marriage

>Caliguire for State Senate
Schweighardt and Ginty for State Assembly

Press Release

Assembly Challenger Calls on Rumana to Protect Marriage

Ginty Demands that Rumana Refuse to Conduct Bogus and Misguided
“Civil Union” Ceremonies

(Ridgewood, March 26, 2007) – John P. Ginty, a conservative candidate for the Republican nomination for the State Assembly in District 40, today called on Wayne Mayor Scott Rumana to stand tall in the face of judicial and legislative assaults on the institution of marriage in New Jersey.

Ginty noted that Rumana indicated in last Friday’s edition of The Record newspaper that he will officiate as mayor at gay “civil union” ceremonies, for a fee of $100 per event.

In the article (“Civil Unions, Marriages are Free”, page L-3, The Record, March 23, 2007), Rumana criticized several Wayne councilmen, including Ginty’s running mate in the state assembly primary campaign, Wayne Councilman Joseph G. Schweighardt, for voting against the fast tracking of the imposition of fees for both civil marriages and “civil unions”. Rumana said, “The state law is the state law. This is not our battle.”

Ginty disagreed and said, “Scott Rumana is wrong. This is our battle, and if Rumana wants to be a Republican Assemblyman from District 40 he had better figure out what his real position is on the protection of marriage in New Jersey. Any mayor who agrees to officiate at these bogus ‘civil union’ ceremonies is complicit in the campaign to wreck marriage and the family in this state.”

“It looks like Rumana is primarily concerned with how much money the town can collect when he conducts these nonsensical ‘civil union’ ceremonies”, Ginty continued. “Rumana and his running mates, Kevin O’Toole and David Russo, will be held to account by the Republican voters in this district based upon their campaign’s commitment to protect traditional marriage and the family in the state legislature.”

The following municipalities are included in state legislative district #40: Cedar Grove Township, Franklin Lake Borough, Little Falls Township, Mahwah Township, Midland Park Borough, Oakland Borough, the Village of Ridgewood, Ringwood Borough, Verona Township, Wanaque Borough, Wayne Township, Wyckoff Township.

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Paid for by The Election Fund of Caliguire, Schweighardt, and Ginty

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>Reader Speaks out on BOE Budget

>I was infuriated by the members of the BOE, who seemed to be patting themselves on the back for raising our taxes, AGAIN, in last week’s RN article about the budget! Does anyone else agree that the BOE does NOT have a mandate to propose a budget that uses every bit of Trenton’s “allowable” annual increase, every year.

Isn’t it the BOE’s responsibility to try to deliver a budget that does NOT increase automatically every year? Only infrequently and in unusual circumstances should the annual allowable increase actually be used.When is enough really going to be enough?

If Rudy Giuliani could reduce or eliminate 23 different taxes in NYC during eight years, why can’t Ridgewood manage to even hold taxes (let alone reduce them)? In the past six years the average increase from the BOE has been 4.59% per year and the cummulative increase from the BOE in that time has been over 25%. This is a disgrace. Our BOE members don’t seem to understand that it is NOT “OK” to keep dipping into our pockets. Perhaps it is time to take back control of our village’s educational destiny from the teachers’ union…

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>"Ridgewood High partakes in a "Day Of Silence"":

>”I am a student in Ridgewood, and several of my friends are homosexual or bisexual. Gay people can’t help their sexuality, just like straight people can’t help theirs. Homosexuality is just another thing that people discriminate against, and aren’t schools supposed to help lessen that discrimination? Prejudice against skin color is horrible, but when you discriminate against love- well, that’s just sickening.We have Black History Month. We have Women’s History Month. We learn about the things that they had to go through to get the same rights as white guys, yet there is always a hullabaloo when someone tries to stand up for gay rights.So, are you against organizations sponsoring schools, or are you against taxpayer’s money being used this way (and BTW, staying silent doesn’t exactly cost a whole lot) or are you just HOMOPHOBIC?Oh. I’m reading the above comments…you know, I really had no idea that so many homophobes live in Ridgewood. They make me sick, they really do. My stomach begins to churn when I read their words. I bet that NONE of them even know a single gay person, so why don’t they shove their stupid homophobic comments up their arses? “

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>PET FOOD RECALL

>Recall — Firm Press Release
FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

Menu Foods Issues Recall of Specific Can and Small Foil Pouch Wet Pet Foods
Contact:
Sarah Tuite
(416) 848-1703

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Emporia, KS — March 16, 2007 — Menu Foods, Emporia, Kansas, is initiating a North American recall of dog and cat food manufactured in its “cuts and gravy” format between December 3, 2006 and March 6, 2007. There has been a small number of reported instances of cats and dogs in the United States (none in Canada) becoming sick from kidney failure after eating the affected products. There have been approximately ten deaths reported.

Consumers who have product which is being recalled should stop using it and return it to Menu Foods in accordance with the procedure found at www.menufoods.com/recall. This procedure will be available from 6 a.m. Saturday March 17, 2007. If your dog or cat is showing any signs of kidney failure, consult your veterinarian.

The recall includes an extensive list of brand names and lot numbers. In order to determine whether cat and dog food is subject to recall, consumers should refer to the comprehensive list of products at www.menufoods.com/recall. This list of products will be available from 6 a.m. Saturday March 17, 2007.

Menu Foods voluntarily recalled the products after learning of complaints of vomiting and renal failure in dogs and cats following their consumption of product produced between December 3, 2006 and March 6, 2007. FDA has been apprised of this action.

Following feedings of the product, some cats and dogs refused further feedings, while others exhibited signs of renal failure (signs of renal failure include loss of appetite, lethargy and vomiting) and others died from renal failure. Menu Foods has undertaken extensive testing of the products in question, employing both internal and external resources, but to date has been unable to confirm any causal relationship to our product. Specifically, tests of some affected products have not revealed the cause of sickness, and testing will continue until a better understanding of the facts has been achieved.

Menu’s products are distributed to supermarkets, pet specialty stores and mass merchandisers across the United States. It can best be identified by reference to the list of products found at www.menufoods.com/recall. This list of products will be available from 6 a.m. Saturday March 17, 2007.

Menu Foods is notifying its customers by telephone and mail and is arranging for the return of all recalled products. The products were distributed throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico.

While the number of complaints has been relatively small, Menu Foods is taking this proactive step out of an abundance of caution, because the health and well-being of pets is paramount to Menu Foods.

Consumers with questions may contact Menu Foods at 1-800-551-7392.

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The “300” Parking Problem

>So this is the story, the village wants to be able to build a garage looking ad over 300 parking spaces to the down town. Interesting, the fly would like to know how exactly anyone came up with this 300 number. What was the methodology? Is there really this much of a parking shortage all the time in the village or isn’t this just going to be used by out of town NJ transit customers using the trains into the city and adding nothing to the local economy ? Why has the village not reconfigured some of the street parking to add more spaces? Yes I know this would not add 300 spaces but it might be enough to alleviate parking problems at peak times. What times of the day does the most acute parking shortage happen? Or is it really that the garage needs 300 spaces to be profitable? And what happens if it’s not? Yes the fly is well aware that from time to time the parking can be difficult but do we really need 300 more spaces all the time?

Those of you who will be perturbed at the fly’s insistence on questioning the higher powers in the village on this project should understand before hand that any reasonable person would ask any of these questions and any reasonable person would have answers and expect to give them forthrightly. So save the obstructionist cracks and engage in a productive discussion.

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>Local Restaurant Reviews:

>Well if your looking a causal and interesting dinning experience check out Joel’s at 14 Oak Street (201)493-9477 , the food is excellent .At Joel’s there is a unique twist on many standard dishes . The presentation is enticing and the service grand and friendly so if you looking around town and not up to fine dinning but have an inquisitive pallet Joels’ has something for everyone .

A Mano : Chestnut Street at Franklin : Ridgewood, NJ : 201.493.2000 , an upscale pizzeria, serving real Neapolitan style pizza. The freshness of the ingredients is readily apparent. The brick ovens give a very warm ambiance. Considering the place had just opened service was good with the staff looking to find there grove. A Mano is a pizza lover’s delight and could easily win converts.

Bagelicious 19N. Broad Street (201)652-9421 ,so you thought you could only get good bagles in NYC ,not so Bagelious has some the best around .Dont forget to ask about some of their special combo sandwiches

Email the blog if you have any of your own ideas [email protected]

ORDER FINE ART/ STOCK PRINTS ON-LINE

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Happy Saint Patrick’s Day

>IMG 0429

IMG 0430IMG 0426
ABOUT SAINT PATRICKSaint Patrick is believed to have been born in the late fourth century, and is often confused with Palladius, a bishop who was sent by Pope Celestine in 431 to be the first bishop to the Irish believers in Christ.Saint Patrick was the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland who is credited with bringing christianity to Ireland. Most of what is known about him comes from his two works, the Confessio, a spiritual autobiography, and his Epistola, a denunciation of British mistreatment of Irish christians. Saint Patrick described himself as a “most humble-minded man, pouring forth a continuous paean of thanks to his Maker for having chosen him as the instrument whereby multitudes who had worshipped idols and unclean things had become the people of God.”

Saint Patrick is most known for driving the snakes from Ireland. It is true there are no snakes in Ireland, but there probably never have been – the island was separated from the rest of the continent at the end of the Ice Age. As in many old pagan religions, serpent symbols were common and often worshipped. Driving the snakes from Ireland was probably symbolic of putting an end to that pagan practice. While not the first to bring christianity to Ireland, it is Patrick who is said to have encountered the Druids at Tara and abolished their pagan rites. The story holds that he converted the warrior chiefs and princes, baptizing them and thousands of their subjects in the “Holy Wells” that still bear this name.

There are several accounts of Saint Patrick’s death. One says that Patrick died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland, on March 17, 460 A.D. His jawbone was preserved in a silver shrine and was often requested in times of childbirth, epileptic fits, and as a preservative against the “evil eye.” Another account says that St. Patrick ended his days at Glastonbury, England and was buried there. The Chapel of St. Patrick still exists as part of Glastonbury Abbey. Today, many Catholic places of worship all around the world are named after St. Patrick, including cathedrals in New York and Dublin city

Why Saint Patrick’s Day?
Saint Patrick’s Day has come to be associated with everything Irish: anything green and gold, shamrocks and luck. Most importantly, to those who celebrate its intended meaning, St. Patrick’s Day is a traditional day for spiritual renewal and offering prayers for missionaries worldwide.

So, why is it celebrated on March 17th? One theory is that that is the day that St. Patrick died. Since the holiday began in Ireland, it is believed that as the Irish spread out around the world, they took with them their history and celebrations. The biggest observance of all is, of course, in Ireland. With the exception of restaurants and pubs, almost all businesses close on March 17th. Being a religious holiday as well, many Irish attend mass, where March 17th is the traditional day for offering prayers for missionaries worldwide before the serious celebrating begins.

In American cities with a large Irish population, St. Patrick’s Day is a very big deal. Big cities and small towns alike celebrate with parades, “wearing of the green,” music and songs, Irish food and drink, and activities for kids such as crafts, coloring and games. Some communities even go so far as to dye rivers or streams green! ( https://www.st-patricks-day.com/about_saintpatrick.asp )

photo’s by ArtChick Photo’s shot at Irish Eyes on Ridgewood Ave

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>UPDATE: WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 AM EDT SATURDAY

>WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 AM EDT SATURDAY.

MODERATE TO OCCASIONALLY HEAVY SNOW AND SLEET WILL LIKELY CHANGE TO SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN THIS EVENING. TOTAL ACCUMULATIONS OF SNOW AND SLEET WILL RANGE FROM 6 TO 10 INCHES BEFORE THE ACCUMULATING SNOW ENDS LATER TONIGHT. UP TO A HALF INCH OF ICE ACCRETION FROM FREEZING RAIN IS ALSO POSSIBLE… MAKING DRIVING AND WALKING CONDITIONS QUITE HAZARDOUS.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW… SLEET… AND ICE ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

Weather updates brought to you by ;

saltzman
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>BOE Related News

>BOARD APPROVES PRELIM BUDGET – The Board of Education at its March 12, 2007, meeting approved a preliminary budget for the 2007-2008 school year to be submitted to the Bergen County Superintendent. The public hearing on the proposed budget is scheduled for Tuesday, March 27, 2007. The budget calls for $79,404,637 in expenditures, which represents a 3.5 percent increase in the tax levy. For the average Ridgewood home owner, whose home is assessed at $473,330, the budget represents an increase of $289. The Board also approved a Second Question to be placed on the ballot for voter approval along with the budget. The Second Question covers the replacement of outdated equipment at Ridgewood High School. The total is $669,087 for the new technology and would cost the average home owner an additional $80.29. Elements of the preliminary budget are subject to change. The final budget will not be available until the public hearing on March 27. The Annual School Election and Budget Vote is Tuesday, April, 17, 2007. Polls are open from 7 AM to 9 PM. Please vote!

PUBLIC COMMENT POLICY – The Board is considering a new public comment policy to replace the one that expired last month. The new policy reads, “In order to permit the fair and orderly expression of such comment, the Board shall provide for two periods of public comment at all regular meetings. At all meetings the public comment periods will be scheduled at approximately 7:30 PM and approximately 9 PM or just prior to the end of the meeting, whichever occurs first. The first opportunity for public comment may be limited by the presiding officer to conclude at about 8 PM in order for the Board to continue with its scheduled agenda. The second opportunity for public comment will occur at about 9 PM at the discretion of the presiding officer taking into consideration a break point in the agenda.” The second reading and final adoption of the policy will take place at the next Board meeting.

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>Board of Adjustment Will Meet Tuesday, 3/13 @ 8:00 p.m. to Continue Hearing

>MC AVEY LLC – An amended application for the development of property at 237
Godwin Avenue, Block 2202 Lot 20 in an R-3 zone. Applicant is seeking
approval for a re-orientated, two-lot subdivision with the proposed lots
facing on Godwin Avenue instead of South Monroe Street. The uses will be as
follows: the existing three family house now located on the property will
be modified to two family use, (proposed lot 20.02) which is permitted in
the zone and the vacant Bozzo house located at 54 South Monroe Street, Lot
21, Block 2403, moved to the proposed new corner lot (lot 20.01), remaining
a single family home. The net result will be a reduction from the four
dwelling unit proposal currently before the Board to a three dwelling unit
proposal permitted by the regulations. Variances for lot 20.01 are as
follows: Front yard setback will be 17 feet where 40 feet is the minimum
required, building height will be 33.3 feet where 30 feet is the maximum
permitted. Variances for Lot 20.02 are as follows: Coverage by
improvements within 140 feet of the front lot line will be 47.6% and
coverage by improvements for the total lot will be 46.6% where 45% is the
maximum permitted for both.

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>RSA Registration Ridgewood Soccer Association

>Registration opens March 1st for the next season – September to November 2007 for children 1st to 12th grades. A variety of programs are offered for all skill levels. Please go to www.ridgewoodsoccer.org for details. To access online registration system visit www.ridgewoodsports.org. Only credit card payments will be accepted this year. After May 1st a $50 late fee will be assessed and travel players will be put on a wait list to determine space availability.