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Ridgewood community will celebrate the annual observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday with a full schedule of activities beginning at 10 am at the Ridgewood Methodist Church

MLK

Dear Parents and Staff:

On Monday, January 15, the Ridgewood community will celebrate the annual observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday with a full schedule of activities beginning at 10 am at the Ridgewood Methodist Church, 100 Dayton Street.

The event will begin with a 10 a.m. interfaith service with the Rev. Dr. Calvin G. Sampson.

The service will be followed by an outdoor march through downtown Ridgewood and a community lunch. The program will also feature Ridgewood and Glen Rock student speakers and musical performances by the Indian Hills Chamber Choir, Men of Umoja Chorus and The Young Voices of Mr. Bethel.

Please communicate the value of this remembrance celebration to your children. I look forward to joining you on Monday, January 15.

Sincerely,

Daniel Fishbein, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

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Ridgewood High School Jamboree is coming to town February 7th, 8, 9 and 10th

Jamboree

January 14,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Introducing this years RHS Jamboree producers ;Tony Cambria, Carrie Johnson, Meghan Bracken and James Sharo.

Since 1947, Jamboree has presented an original musical revue to raise need-based scholarship funds for college bound Ridgewood High School seniors.Over 125 individuals have volunteered their time and skills to put on a show that runs for 4 nights. This years show will be the 72nd edition “Jamboree Night Live” where you are invited to be part of our audience as we indulge you in all things TV ? at our in town studio.

You can show your support three ways
1. By placing an ad (https://rhsjamboree.org/wp/journal-ads)

2. Donating (https://rhsjamboree.org/wp/donate-now)

3. Seeing the show February 7, 8, 9 & 10th (https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3141550)

For more info email [email protected]

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How Scammers Tell You To Pay from the Federal Trade Commission

Nigerian scam michael-scott-

January 14,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, people of ask how do I tell if its a scam ? Here is an answer right from the FTC: Did someone say you can only pay by wiring money, putting money on a gift card, or loading money on a cash reload card? If they did, then yes: that is a scam.The video above, in a little more than a minute, presents some of the scam scenarios and what you should do about them.

Once again the Ridgewood Police Department would like to remind you to be aware of frauds. A common fraud that is currently being performed is the request for payment immediately and using gift cards, MoneyPac cards, other type of pre-paid or wire transfers or bitcoin. Please notify the Police Department if you feel you have been or are in the process of becoming victim to a fraud before payment is made.

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Reader asks What portion of the garage’s cost do these CBD eateries plan to contribute towards it’s construction?

itsgreektome2_theridgewoodblog

What portion of the garage’s cost do these CBD eateries plan to contribute towards it’s construction? If they, and other property owners in the CBD think they actually need a garage, offer to pay something towards the cost. Like Health Barn who expects to be given everything she wants from the town of Ridgewood at no cost to her–and doesn’t even live in the town to pay some of her taxes towards it. Many of our CBD owners are also not residents. For both groups, “It’s no skin off their noses” if the garage fails. They are just due one as they so graciously have opened their business here and certainly must deserve a reward for being so good to our residents.

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Reader says A true Financial Advisory Committee with only members who have real financial backgrounds would have been a big help in the past

Michael Milken

A true Financial Advisory Committee with only members who have real financial backgrounds would have been a big help in the past. They would,hopefully, have been able to predict the absolute boondoggle that the Health Barn has become and prevented that massive give-a-way from happening. They might have also had the forethought and financial ability to show the Council that just because it is old, it is not historic, and prevented the preservation of the piece of junk that is called the Schedler house. Unfortunately it became a private kitty for its’ members desires and not for the good of the Village. Accepting the help of the resident who volunteered could be a good start, along with others of similar mindset. Our council members individually are each great in what they offer–but there is an extreme lack of a well rounded body of people. A true FAC should certainly help.

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The incident of the flipped car in Wilsey Square reflect the hazards predicted to arise from the Arohnson Council’s changes to our Village infrastructure.

ridgewood police wilsey sq

photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook Page 

January 14,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The incident of the flipped car in Wilsey Square reflect the hazards predicted to arise from the Arohnson Council’s changes to our Village infrastructure.
Everyone knew the Wilsey sguare changes were a disaster waiting to happen: The bike lane, the wall, the intrusion of the wall into the square and, of course, the 42nd street neon sign falshing messages to already distracted drivers. The traffic back up each morning is horrific. Each day, pedestrians are at risk.

The Arohnson council was also warned of the consequences inherent in its decision to dump a private business into the middle of a public park and playground at Hillcrest park. Other examples abound.

But we haven’t seen anything yet. Pretty soon, the four massive Arohnson Council apartment projects will break ground and begin building at the same time. Dump trucks and construction vehicles will be barreling through our downtown and side streets day after day for the next year. And then, when the projects are completed and hundreds of new families move into our downtown, we will have somewhere between 300 and 900 cars going down our already overcrowded streets.

Its foolish to think those new families and current Village residents won’t be put at risk by these changes. Yet, what are we doing to prepare? What is the current council doing to anticipate and prevent more occurrences like the accident we just saw. Pointing fingers at the Arohnson council or at each other doesn’t help. Bad planning decisions have consequences. Yes, blame for the bad planning of the Arohnson council rightfully belong in its lap and on its conscience. However, the blame game doesn’t improve our safety. The current council needs to take affirmative steps now, or the results of its inaction will impinge on the safety of our Village citizens for years to come. It is not clear what it is doing to keep people safe. Moreover, it seems the current council may be headed in the wrong direction. If the current council goes through with a garagemahal in the middle of the new apartment complex, it will only exacerbate the problems by dumping another 200 cars on so into those same narrow, overcrowded streets.
Time for action now.

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PSE&G files first rate review in 8 years

PSEG

January 14,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Public Service Electric and Gas Co. (PSE&G) today filed its first regulatory rate review in more than eight years, asking for a small adjustment in electric and gas base delivery rates that would increase overall revenues by approximately 1 percent.

The increase is necessary to recover investments PSE&G made to strengthen its electric and gas distribution systems, making them more reliable and resilient. PSE&G is required to file the rate review as a condition of the approval by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities of the company’s Energy Strong program in 2014.

If approved as filed, the typical combined residential electric and natural gas customer will see an approximate 1 percent increase or about $19.70 in their annual bill. Even with this proposed increase, bills for the typical residential customer are expected to be more than 15 percent lower than they were in 2010.

“Our customer bills are already among the lowest in the state – and that won’t change,” said David Daly, PSE&G president and COO.

“As a result of strong cost control, our residential customer bills are lower today than they were eight years ago,” Daly said. “Together with passing along savings from recent tax law changes, we’ve been able to minimize the impact on our customers.”

Revenues from base rates are used to maintain and improve the electric and gas delivery infrastructure, such as pipes and wires, and provide customer services. Customer bills also contain separate charges for the electric and gas supply that is obtained by PSE&G on behalf of its customers.

“Since our last regulatory rate review in 2010, PSE&G has made significant capital investments to upgrade, modernize, and strengthen our electric and gas systems to make them more reliable and resilient,” Daly said. “Our current electric and gas delivery rates do not reflect all the investments we have made to maintain the safe, highly reliable service our customers have come to expect. This rate review also addresses previously incurred storm costs that had been deferred until this time.”

Proposal includes Green Enabling Mechanism

The rate filing also seeks BPU approval of a rate design change, called the Green Enabling Mechanism (GEM), a proposal to decouple revenues from sales volumes and thereby encourage energy efficiency. If approved, the GEM will remove the incentive to sell more energy and will instead encourage utility investments in energy efficiency, renewables and other clean energy technologies that will ultimately benefit all customers by bringing down bills and reducing emissions.

PSE&G anticipates that new base rates as well as the GEM will take effect October 1, 2018.

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Reader says RIDGEWOOD COUNCIL: WAKE UP AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT HEALTH BARN (and its owner STACY ANTINE).

Habernickel HealthBarn USA protest

file photo by Boyd Loving

The council created this problem and the time has come for the council to fix this problem.
This “business” has destroyed what was once a lovely and charming neighborhood.
As a reminder, the principle that government must be both “limited in power and ACCOUNTABLE to the people” lies at the core of our constitutional traditions (especially so in local government). Take action against Health Barn or we the people will take action by voting you out when your terms expire…
Can you hear us know?

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Village of Ridgewood Offices Will Be Closed on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – January 15, 2018

mlk-300x272

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – January 15, 2018

January 14,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, January 15, 2018 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – All Village Offices will be closed in observance of this holiday. In addition, there will be no garbage or recycling collection, and the Recycling Center will also be closed. All Village Offices will re-open on January 16, 2018 at 8:30 a.m.

The Ridgewood blog will remain open news or announcements [email protected]

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Tasting Tuesday Networking at Serendipity Labs in Ridgewood

serendipity2[2]

January 13,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Join Serendipity Labs and Julie Belardinelli, Independent Wine Ambassador of The Boissett Collection, Tuesday, January 23rd for “Tasting Tuesday,” an evening of wine tasting and networking. Julie is a certified ambassador from the International Wine Center in NYC and she is excited to share her knowledge and love of wine with all of you!

Come connect over great wine and great company at Bergen County’s only upscale, hospitality-driven coworking office. Admission is $20/person and attendance is limited to 15 people, so be sure to register! Your ticket will include an exclusive wine tasting from The Boissett Collection, 2 complimentary day passes to Serendipity Labs, and an hour of unique, intimate networking.

Tue, January 23, 2018

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM EST

Add to Calendar

Location

Serendipity Labs Ridgewood

45 North Broad Street

Ridgewood, NJ 07450

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tasting-tuesday-networking-tickets-41972289247

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New York Times best-selling author and Ridgewood resident Ben Greenman discusses the ins and outs of collaboration at the Ridgewood Library

Ben Greenman

January 13,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Wednesday, January 24 at 7pm: New York Times best-selling author–and Ridgewood resident– Ben Greenman discusses the ins and outs of collaboration and telling other people’s life stories. Info, contact Roberta, [email protected]

Ben Greenman is a novelist and magazine journalist who has written fiction and non-fiction books, as well as many collaborations with pop-music artists like Questlove, George Clinton, Brian Wilson, Gene Simmons, and others. From 2000 to 2014, he was an editor at The New Yorker.

Ridgewood Public Library
Address: 125 N Maple Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Phone: (201) 670-5600

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Ridgewood Dog Lovers Can’t Wait for the Woof Gang Bakery Grand Opening

wolfgang

January 13,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridewood NJ, on January 20th the Woof Gang Bakery will host its Grand Opening in Ridgewood . The Woof Gang Bakery is a leading specialty retailer of pet food, pet-related supplies and pet grooming, with more than 80 locations across the U.S. The Ridgewood store will be located at 234 E. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood, NJ 07450

Woof Gang Bakery offers the very best in pet care by providing quality products at competitive prices and knowledgeable, caring customer service. Each Woof Gang Bakery location is a convenient, neighborhood store with connections to the local community. The company is committed to the well-being, health and happiness of pets.

In 2016, Woof Gang Bakery received the Retailer of the Year Franchise Award from Pet Product News, the Multi-Service Excellence Award from Pet Business Media and was ranked among the nation’s top retailers by Pet Business magazine. Recently, the company also was named best overall multi-unit retailer by Pet Business Media and recognized by Pet Insight magazine as one of the nation’s fastest growing pet chains.

At Woof Gang Bakery, we know that pets are a part of our families, our faithful companions and they bring us great joy. We’ll help you show your love and appreciation for their unconditional affection and devotion.

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Ridgewood Central Business District Community Forum

CBD ridgewood theridgewoodblog.net

January 13,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Central Business District Advisory Committee invites you to their first forum. Its purpose is to engage in an open dialogue with our business owners. Come Learn about the various initiatives they have undertaken. This committee wants to hear directly from you. They want to understand the challenges business owners are facing and the opportunities that stand before us. They also want to hear success stories and any suggestions for improving our Central Business District. The Mayor and other Councilmembers will also be participating.

Central Business District Community Forum
Wed, January 17, 2018
Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Ridgewood Village Hall, 131 N Maple Ave., Ridgewood, NJ 07450

 

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Haven’t we had ENOUGH of these two???? Neither is any good for Ridgewood. Never were. Never will be

Jeff Voigt Ridgewood Council

January 13,2018

From a concerned reader of The Blog:

Ridgewood NJ, Aronsohn and his little puppet Voigt are sending stupid letter after stupid letter to the Ridgewood News. Let’s sing the praises of Tim Cronin. Let’s applaud the CRAB. Let’s slam a citizen for speaking his mind at a Council meeting. Let’s slam another citizen. Let’s just keep getting our names in print week after week after week. They criticize The Blog even though they post on in themselves, anonymously of course. They have the same “MO” – which is “let’s meet for coffee, so I can talk to you off the record where no one can hear what I am saying and I will pressure, harass, or humiliate you, or will attempt to coerce you into doing something to benefit ME.”

Good Lord, Aronsohn has an ethics violation against him along with the fact that he is PRIME SUSPECT #1 in the killing of Mike Sedon’s job with the Staten Island Advance, he lost his cool at countless VC meetings, he lambasted fellow council members relentlessly, he interfered with citizens’ letters to the editor, he manipulated the Ridgewood News stories, he blocked citizens from seeking signatures on a petition, he publicly humiliated citizens who spoke at meetings, he pushed the high density housing through, he lies and he lies and he lies . . . . .

Paul_Aronsohn_theridgewood blog

And then we have his disciple Voigt who has gone wild at many public meetings, screaming at fellow council members and at the Village Manager, who publicly claimed he knows more about the law than Matt Rogers, who had charges pressed against him for harassing citizens, who himself pressed charges against one of the council members, who regularly gets his shills to come to meetings and read scripts that he has authored, who feels that a citizen has no right to conduct and Open Public Records Act request (even though he conducts them relentlessly himself), he lies and he lies and he lies . . . .

Haven’t we had ENOUGH of these two???? Neither is any good for Ridgewood. Never were. Never will be.

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Village of Ridgewood will provide radon information and test kits free of charge to Ridgewood residents

Radon

January 13,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Health Department Director, Dawn Cetrulo announced that January has been designated as National Radon Action Month in cooperation with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Radon Program. During Radon Action Month, the Village of Ridgewood will provide radon information and test kits free of charge to Ridgewood residents at the Ridgewood Health Department, 131 N. Maple Ave., 5th level from 8:30 am until 4 pm.