photos courtesy of The Ridgewood Parks & Recreation fly fishing group
May 29,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Parks & Recreation fly fishing group hit the banks of the Ho-Ho-Kus Brook this week to try out some flies and some roll casting , but first there was some casting practice and the meadow is the perfect spot for practice!
Students in the Fly Fishing Basics class learn to tie knots with help from the volunteers from East Jersey Trout Unlimited.
May 29,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Library presents traditional Italian songs with award-winning tenor Salvatore Chiarelli and pianist Ishmael Wallace. All welcome; donations greatly appreciated.
Salvatore Chiarelli, a native of New York City, was vocally trained in both Italy and New York City for the opera stage. Mr. Chiarelli has been heard on Television and Radio as well as on the Opera Stages of both North America and Europe. He has performed as a soloist on satellite television reaching seventy five countries around the world. At the very outset of his vocal training he was one of only three Tenors chosen in the United States to participate in a five week concert tour of Europe.
In a short time, Mr Chiarelli has established himself as a “world class performer and entertainer receiving rave reviews from his critics. Performing to capacity-sold out crowds. Mr. Chiarelli has an excellent reputation on and off stage and has a loyal and dedicated following of fans.
Some of the venues he has performed at include: concert halls, opera houses, theaters, auditoriums, corporate events, playhouses, catering halls, country clubs, restaurants(dinner/lunch shows), churches, synagogues, colleges, universities, cultural centers, community centers, libraries, private gated communities, civic organizations, cruise ships, hotels, clubs, parks, outdoor festivals and stadiums.
Mr. Chiarelli has been a finalist for several regional vocal competitions through out the U.S. and has been the recipient of several distinguished artist awards.
Mr. Chiarelli has a wide singing range, sings in seven languages and many different styles and genre of music. In addition, he has sung as a church soloist in Manhattan and the N.Y. Metro area for over fourteen years.
Ridgewood Public Library Presents a Sunday Concert- “from italy with love”
Sun, June 10, 2018
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: Ridgewood Public Library, 125 N. Maple Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
May 29,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
May 28th 2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, All Village Offices will be closed on May 28th in observance of Memorial Day.
May 27,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Health Department would like you to know that May is Asthma Awareness Month. Supported by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), this awareness event is held throughout the month of May to coincide with the peak season for asthma & allergy sufferers.
People who suffer from asthma and allergies often experience noticeable physical symptoms during this month. An awareness campaign in May is an appropriate time to educate friends, family, co-workers and members of the public about asthma and allergies.
Asthma symptoms include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and tightness in the chest. Symptoms of allergies can vary in severity. Mild allergy symptoms include congestion, skin rash, and itchy water eyes. Moderate symptoms include difficulty in breathing, and itchiness.
Severe asthma symptoms can begin with itching of the eyes and face, but soon progress to swelling, causing breathing difficulties, cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. Confusion and dizziness are further symptoms of asthma.
It is hoped that this awareness event will educate more people about asthma triggers which bring on symptoms of asthma, and how asthma can be controlled. Environmental triggers of asthma attacks include passive smoking, molds, cockroaches, pet hair, and dust mites. Combined with adequate medical treatment, these environment triggers can be controlled enabling people with asthma to live active and healthy lives.
VILLAGE PARKLANDS
Citizen’s Park
Located at the corner of Godwin Avenue and North Monroe Street. Citizen’s Park includes a softball field, multipurpose field, a small sided softball field, an open play area, benches and gardens.
Dunham Trail
Located between Grove Street and Spring Avenue along the Ho Ho Kus brook and the public service right-of-way. Dunham Trail is one of the Village wildscape areas.
On Dunham trail look for:
Sycamores and a wild cherry tree with shiny gray bark.
Triassic Sandstone, like that used to build Manhattan’s brownstones.
A linden tree wrapped in Poison Ivy rope.
Springtime Dogtooth Violets, False Solomon’s Seal, Spring Beauties, Yellow Primroses, Pink Japanese Knotweed, and the biggest patch of Canadian Mayflowers in Ridgewood.
Graydon Park
Located on the corner of North Maple Avenue and Linwood Avenue. Graydon Park offers a hockey court, skateboard park, basketball courts, swimming, ice-skating, picnic area, shuffleboard, children’s playground, shelter, and restrooms. Click on the following link to find all that Graydon Pool has to offer – Graydon Pool website.
Grove Park
Located on the south side of Grove Street, just west of the Saddle River. This is one of Ridgewood’s wildscape areas, which include nature trails for walking.
In the 32 acres of beech forest and field that make up Grove Park, you will find:
Spring flowers that bloom between April and May before they disappear when the shade thickens.
The tulip poplars are the tallest and straightest trees in the wooded area.
You can look for the honeycombs located on top of the bee tree.
Turkey Tails and fungi can be found on fallen logs.
Kings Pond Park
Located off Lakeview Drive by the Midland Park border. Kings Pond Park offers a natural wildlife area, ice-skating, when permitted, and nature trails for walking. Kings Pond and Gypsy Pond offer a great variety of birds and mammal life.
In the parks you can also find:
Large glacial rocks at Park entrance are Canadian Shield Boulders.
Along the railroad track, wild azalea (pinxter) bloom.
Bracket fern and fiddleheads abound in the woods.
Ducks, Canada Geese and over 40 species of birds live here.
Wild garlic and mustard are abundant.
The general depth of the ponds is about 3 feet.
Leuning Park
Located on the corner of Northern Parkway and Meadowbrook Avenue. Leuning Parks offers an open play area.
Irene Habernickel Family Park
Located at 1037 Hillcrest Road in the northern most corner of the Village, this ten-acre park property has an abundance of mature trees. These trees help to define various areas of the property.
This special park property offers an opportunity for both passive and active recreation through the balance of wide open space, ball fields, natural areas, and a one-acre pond.
In the development stage; plans are to revive the dam and bridge area, install a children’s playground, multi-purpose fields, several walking trails and an arboretum complete with gardens.
This new park is soon to include nature programs as well as other passive opportunities as wildlife prevail such as mammals, reptiles and assorted birds.
Maple Park
Located on the corner of Meadowbrook Avenue and Northern Parkway. Maple Park offers one of Ridgewood wildscape areas as well as a community garden (Link to community garden page), part of the fitness trail (link to the parcourse fitness circuit page), benches, flowers, and nature trails. A regulation turf field hosts soccer, lacross and softball year round.
On the west and east banks of the Ho-Ho-Kus brook between Graydon Pool and Meadowbrook Avenue.
In Maple Park, look for:
A 70-year-old wisteria tree.
One of the largest stands of red cedar in this part of New Jersey.
A Porcupine (Sweet Gum) Tree.
A half dozen of different varieties of fern.
Fig-leaf magnolias with thin graceful leaves.
An herb garden.
On the east side of the brook, delicate grasses, berry bushes, and wild flowers that attract butterflies and birds of many descriptions.
North Road Park
Located on North Road, off of Glen Avenue east of Route 17. This is a natural wildlife area.
Pleasant Park
Located at the end of Stevens Avenue, behind Hawes School. Pleasant Park also offers one of the Village’s wildscape areas.
Pleasant Park offers a natural wildlife area, which includes:
Fallen “nurse” logs, nourishing many insects, lichens, ferns and fungi.
Green beggar ticks, jewelweed, ragweed, and purple loosestrife, all in the late summer.
Quaking aspen trees, with flat leaf stems (petioles) that quiver in the breeze.
New York ferns and lady ferns.
Grape vines.
Sassafras or “mitten” trees, whose name comes from the shape of the leaf.
A tree trunk shaped like a giraffe.
A wide variety of birds reside in this wooded community, which makes for excellent bird watching.
Schedler Property
This recent open space purchase is located between Route 17 and West Saddle River Road with development plans yet to be determined.
Twinney Pond Park
Located at the north end of Red Birch Court. Twinney pond offers a wildlife area, nature trails and ice-skating.
At Twinney Pond Park, this three foot deep kettle pond created by glaciers, you can see the following:
Sunfish as they sweep clean spots on the pond floor to make nests.
Shaggy Birches, Pin Oaks, and Locust Trees.
Veronica, they look like tiny orchids on the ground.
Button Bushes that will produce white pompoms this summer.
Dragonflies, with clear wings outspread, and Damsel Flies, with wings swept back and colored.
The life cycle of a tadpole.
Ice skating when the weather and ice permits.
Memorial Park at Van Neste Square
Located at East Ridgewood Avenue between Walnut Street and Oak Street. Van Neste offers a relaxing location in the center of town. Located in the park are the War Memorial Monument, benches, and gardens.
Veteran’s Field
Located at the corner of Linwood Avenue and Northern and Parkway. Veteran’s field is home to softball fields, hardball fields, multipurpose fields, running track, fitness circuit, amphitheater, open play area, and restrooms. The walking track is 0.452 miles around.
May 27,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, a few tips for gardening in the Village of Ridgewood from Madeline Ruiz
Investment Sales and Leasing Associate at RE/MAX Professionals I 264 Washington Avenue Belleville NJ 07109.
Shade
The following plants and flowers can’t tolerate too much sun, so a shady garden or border is the way to go:
– Impatiens
– Hostas
– Astilbe
– Bleeding heart
– English ivy
– Hydrangea
Full Sun
For many plants, full sun is too extreme. The following varieties, however, can really handle the heat:
– Lavender
– Butterfly bush
– Coneflower
– Daylily
– Blanket flower
– Shasta daisy
Drought-tolerant
No matter how much you water certain areas, the soil might just not retain moisture well. Or perhaps you’re looking to plant in containers, which always dry out faster. Here are some options that can stand up to dry conditions:
– Portulaca
– Salvia
– Russian Sage
– Yarrow
– Ornamental grass
– Sedum
May 27,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewod Nj, Ridgewood Police report a litany of identity theft related crimes in Ridgewood :
A Newcomb Road resident responded to Ridgewood Police headquarters on May 11th to report a fraud in the past. The victim reported an unknown person withdrew funds from the victim’s bank account without authorization between 4/23/18- 5/4/18. The victim reported the incident to the Bank of America fraud department and they are investigating the incident.
On May 13th, a Doremus Road resident reported he was the victim of a fraud and theft in the past. The victim reported an unknown person utilized his identity to open a Verizon Wireless account in his name without authorization in September 2017. The victim reported he contacted the Verizon Fraud Department who investigated the incident and reimbursed the victim for the overcharge on the account.
A Goffle Road resident responded to Ridgewood Police headquarters on May 18th to report an attempted fraud which reportedly occurred in New York City. The victim reported her bank notified her that an unknown male entered a Chase Bank in Union Square, N.Y. and attempted to withdraw money from an account and provided a fraudulent identification. The victim reported the bank became suspicious and refused the transaction.
On May 20th, a Van Buren Street resident reported a theft of impersonation after discovering an unknown person obtained personal information and attempted to gain access to his bank account through a suspicious email. The victim reported he contacted his personal bank and reported the incident and was advised to document the incident with our department
may 27,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Veterinary Hospital is open from 8-5:00 on Saturday and Sunday, and closed on Monday. If you have an emergency please call our office at 201-447-6000. We will re-open for regular business hours on Tuesday. Have a memorable weekend and summer!
photo courtesy of Ridgewood water
May 27,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ , Ridgewood Water announces that earlier this year the rehabilitation to 1 of their water storage tanks has been completed, while improvements to another is just around the corner. After that, 3 tanks remain to be rehabilitated with completion dates expected by the end of 2019.
May 25,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Walks is promoting safer streets this summer . “Now that the weather is warmer and more of us are out and about, it’s time to join our campaign to keep our streets safer for all who walk, cycle, play, drive and ride.”
“Keep Kids Alive Drive 25” signs are now available and only $25. You can purchase one or more by emailing [email protected]
In the mean time Ridgewood Walks says , “Get your feet ready….things are happening! June begins the first annual Ridgewood Walks “Step Into Summer” walking tours…and we are all in! We will soon activate the online sign-up sheet, so come back soon for that announcement.
In the meantime, volunteer to be a tour guide and plan your own group walking tour! It’s fun—just ask some of our Tour Ambassadors from last October’s Walktoberfest, tagged here. Spread the word and join us!
To be a tour ambassador, or to just talk to us about it, email us at [email protected]
May 26,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
MOUNTAINSIDE NJ , A new Fairleigh Dickinson University poll released Friday shows proven New Jersey job creator and former Marine Bob Hugin nearly tied with “ethically challenged” career politician Bob Menendez in the race for U.S. Senate.
While 28 percent of voters still supported Menendez, 24 percent back Hugin. An additional 46 percent were undecided.
“It’s no surprise the race has tightened. When given the choice between a proven job creator and former Marine like Bob Hugin, and a corrupt ineffective career politician like Bob Menendez, voters will continue to move steadily in our direction,” said Hugin Communications Director Megan Piwowar. “Our campaign is encouraged by the momentum so far, and Bob looks forward to continuing to meet with voters all across New Jersey to discuss how we can bring positive change and bipartisan problem-solving to Washington.”
Bob Hugin, a Marine Corps Veteran and business leader who has created thousands of New Jersey jobs, is seeking the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate to challenge incumbent Democrat Senator Bob Menendez.
file photo by Boyd Loving
May 26,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood police report that a Saddle River, N.J. resident responded to Ridgewood Police headquarters on May 22nd to report a theft in the past at her place of business on South Maple Avenue. The victim reported blank prescription pads were stolen from the business. The Ridgewood Detective Bureau is investigating the incident.
photo is the grassy knoll at the Ridgewood Train Station
May 26,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, on Facebook former council person Gwenn Hauck said , “Any excuse not to build a garage – and paving over the most historic patch of green RWD I can think of for another parking band-aid!”. The hot topic of discussion has been the silly hullabaloo led by the usual suspects and a few uninformed residents and once again demonstrating the need for residents to pay far more attention to what is going on in the Village.
Wrong , the Garage plans are moving forward , as referenced by the Ridgewood blog on May 24th , https://theridgewoodblog.net/timeline-for-hudson-street-parking-garage-in-ridgewood-2/ .
The difference being that this garage fits neatly into the foot print of the Hudson Street parking lot and does not encroach on the street like the “Garagezilla ” pushed by the 3 amigos ie … Gwen Hauck, Albert Pucciarelli and Paul Aronsohn .
The plan to add spaces at the train station , by shrinking the medium ie… the “grassy knoll” came from the Village engineer over one year ago . The very same “grassy knoll” we might add the the 3 amigos plotted the very destruction of the Village of Ridgewood ,by pushing the building of high density housing .
The latest nonsense from the 3 amigos and their supporters , spear headed by none other than the “clear cut ” Halaby’s , Yes the same Halably’s who pushes for a turf field and to clear cut all the trees at the Schedler property even pushing to destroy the historic Zabriskie Schedler House. By the way Gwen the historic Zabriskie Schedler House is in Ridgewood in what used to be called the Glen School district .
Now suddenly after all these years a “grassy knoll” at the Ridgewood train station is of historic importance . The fact is most people in the village except a few commuters and farmers market visitors didn’t even know it existed.
This is the same “grassy knoll” that was inhabited by heavy construction equipment and a porto-potty for most of 2015 , yet not even a peep from the Halaby’s or any other objectors at that time .
Photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook Page
may 26,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, A 15-month old girl was trapped in her car seat for over one (1) hour after live electric wires fell on her parent’s parked SUV when tree limb broke off and fell to the ground. The incident occurred in front of 112 Oak Street, Ridgewood late Friday afternoon, 05/25. The unharmed girl was safely removed from the vehicle and reunited with her parents after a PSE&G technician cut power to the area. Ridgewood Police, Fire Department, Emergency Services, and OEM personnel responded to the incident.
Ridgewood Police reported that power to the east side of town would be restored by 8:00pm. PSE&G was clearing wires from a tree that fell in front of the YMCA on Oak Street.
