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.
Lisa’s Mediterranean Cuisine in Ridgewood
April 23,2013
By Tony Mangia
https://devilgourmet.com/lisas-mediterranean-cuisine-in-ridgewood-new-jersey/#
Lisa’s Turkish Kitchen is a Ridgewood, NJ institution for Middle Eastern, namely Turkish, cuisine. A few months ago, the restaurant moved from its original location on Chestnut Street one block east to 28 Oak Street and changed its name to Lisa’s Mediterranean Cuisine.
I have never been to Lisa’s at its original location, but have heard great things. So recently I decided to pay Lisa’s a visit for a solo lunch. I love Turkish food. It’s delicious and shares similar flavors with other Mediterranean cuisines.
https://devilgourmet.com/lisas-mediterranean-cuisine-in-ridgewood-new-jersey/#
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.
see the Ridgewood Guild Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ridgewoodguildnj?hc_location=stream
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.
Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving
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.
4/20 : New Jersey Medical Marijuana Dispensaries
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.
https://newjerseymedicalmarijuana.info/new-jersey-medical-marijuana-dispens
New Jersey MMJ Business News:
https://mmjbusinessdaily.com/category/news-by-state/new-jersey/
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.
Accounting Gimmick: Ridgewood considers using $3M surplus
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER
The Record
RIDGEWOOD — The Village Council could conceivably draw $3 million from the village surplus, if it is intent on delivering a zero-percent tax increase while maintaining current staffing levels.
The $3 million solution to Ridgewood’s lingering budgetary concerns was floated by Village Manager Ken Gabbert at a recent council meeting.
The village’s present fund balance sits at $4.3 million, Gabbert said, adding that $800,000 of the money is restricted and cannot be touched.
That, Gabbert said, leaves $3.5 million in the surplus account the council could access to attain its stated goal of no tax increase for 2013.
Tapping into that money would prevent layoffs, increase funding to the library’s budget, and permit extended hours at Graydon Pool, Gabbert said.
The tactic gave Councilman Thomas Riche pause, because he said such a move would leave the village with a fund balance of just $500,000.
https://www.northjersey.com/news/203337361_Ridgewood_considers_using__3M_surplus.html
Ridgewood Public Schools
UNOFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS
The unofficial election results are as follows:
Yes No
Budget 1,206 988
Michele Lenhard: 1,383
James Morgan: 1,302
3rd annual film festival in Ridgewood welcomes student work
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
BY ELYSE TORIBIO
STAFF WRITER
The Record
WHAT: 3rd Annual Spring Film Festival.
WHEN: 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday.
WHERE: Clearview Cinema, 190 E. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood, 201-444-1235.
HOW MUCH: $15 per night, $25 for both nights, $12 for Ridgewood High School students and senior citizens. Tickets available at the door, Brownpapertickets.com and Mango Jam, House of DeCicco and Araya-Rebirth in Ridgewood.
“A Colorful Romance,” one of the feature-length entries in Ridgewood’s Spring Film Festival this year, opens with a short black-and-white sequence highlighting the village’s streets and landmarks like Ridgewood Avenue and Van Neste Square. The rest of the film follows awkward teenager Ted as he falls for Katie, the head cheerleader who literally brings color into his life via a secret Technicolor portal in the woods. The 64-minute film was made entirely by two teenagers.
“Being a former educator, I’m always in awe of the student filmmakers,” said Ridgewood Guild president Tony Damiano. “They’re all so enthusiastic, and the quality of the work we get from them is unbelievable.”
Common Core Educational Standards
April 15th 2013
You’ll recall the ruckus raised recently on this site and throughout the village when the Ridgewood district first resisted, then disingenuously revised the district’s math offerings, improving some circumstances at the elementary level but leaving the middle schools in particular in a world of hurt.
Well the time may have come to begin pinging on the Ridgewood district once again. As many people are aware, there is a nationalization effort well underway that will deprive not only local school districts, but this time also state educational leaders of the ability to maintain true stadards to provide students the opportunity to master critical academic subjects before they leave the fold to attend college. Will the Ridgewood district fall prey once again to faddish change for change’s sake?
The following web-page has interesting information about Common Core, as well as links to further information.
Does anyone else hear the faint creak of the rusty hinges of the proverbial cheap camera as it commences folding once again? There is no acacemic standard so poor that it can’t be weakened still further by advantageously-positioned and ideologically-motivated individuals such as our illustrious Assistant Superintendent in charge of Curriculum, Ms. Botsford.
