August 5,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, this Sunday the Renowned band Blue Plate Special will be performing original bluegrass tunes at Graydon Pool , August 6th from 2pm to 5pm. (Rain date is 8/13)
The band consists of five members who are committed to giving their audiences performances to remember and songs that are sure to please!
August 5,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Our free, live online webinar will feature Dr. Robert Melillo, co-founder of Brain Balance Achievement Centers. Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to speak directly with the founder of The Brain Balance Program!
Register to participate in a discussion about:
– How to Identify a Disconnected Kid
– Understanding the Mind of a Disconnected Kid
– Development Milestones
– Q&A for Parents
Register to attend an exclusive live webinar with expert and author Dr. Robert Melillo.
Thursday, August 10th at 8:00pm ET
REGISTER
ABOUT BRAIN BALANCE ACHIEVEMENT CENTERS
We can help. As a parent, it is painful to watch your child struggle socially, behaviorally or academically. Finding the best way to help them is often a confusing and frustrating process. You’ve come to the right place, we have helped thousands of children, and we know how to identify the issues and set a path that addresses your child’s challenges.
More Info
Call 1-800-877-5500
or CONTACT US ONLINE
for more information or to schedule an assessment
for your child.
August 5,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Registration is Open for the Ridgewood YMCA 44th Annual Charity Golf Outing on September 25th
Proceeds to benefit the Ridgewood YMCA’s Social Responsibility Programs
The Ridgewood YMCA will hold its 44th Annual Charity Golf Outing on Monday, September 25, 2017 at the Knickerbocker Country Club in Tenafly, New Jersey. Proceeds from the event will support the Ridgewood YMCA’s Social Responsibility Programs.
As a cause-driven organization with a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the YMCA offers everyone an opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. The Y’s Social Responsibility Programs address the needs of the community, striving to turn no one away, regardless of their ability to pay. Examples of the Y’s Social Responsibility Programs include Living Strong, Living Well, a strength and conditioning fitness program developed by Stanford University for cancer patients and survivors; Delay The Disease, a program designed to introduce the benefits of exercise to people with Parkinson’s disease; and Rainbows, providing peer support for children who have experienced a painful family transition such as divorce, separation, death of a loved one or abandonment.
The fun-filled day of golf, cocktails, and dinner begins at 9:30 a.m. with registration, brunch, and a shotgun start at 11:00 a.m., followed by the annual Park Avenue BMW Putt-Off Contest. The winner of this contest will get to drive a new BMW convertible for 3 months!
“The Ridgewood Y Annual Charity Golf Outing is a great day for all”, says Ken Levitsky, Committee Chairman. “Participants have the opportunity to play golf, see old friends, make new ones, bid on terrific prizes, and do something good for the community, all at the same time”.
Sponsorship opportunities and online registration for golfers are available at www.ridgewoodymca.org/golf.
For further information, please contact Jen Batelli at 201.444.5600, ext. 320.
“Buy.”
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Yeah, right. It’s that simple. The VOR will just “buy” the Town Garage lot.
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First things first. The town initially needs to lower the price of the property in question, and simultaneously eliminate the Village’s competition for buying it. This is done by declaring that portion of the VOR business district “blighted” which is defined either narrowly, i.e., by the very borders of the property in question, or a little more broadly, i.e., by the square block defined by Franklin Avenue, Walnut Street, Ridgewood Avenue, and Oak Street.
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/s (sarc off). Governments these days, be they federal, state, county, or municipal, don’t just wade into fights anymore. For a modern politician, there is no fight worth having unless it is fixed fight, meaning, safely fixed in advance. This is sadly probably true with respect to our current Village Council.
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How many times does this need to be repeated? Many years ago, Ridgewood borrowed some fifteen million dollars via a formal municipal bond, both to finance the purchase of this same Village Garage site AND to erect a municipal parking garage thereon. This maneuver being undertaken in the immediate aftermath of the US Supreme Court’s notorious “Kelo” decision (the noxious holding of which being that a Constitutionally acceptable public use is any use an elected official can dream up and get approved, however hare-brained the scheme), village residents were actually wise to this trick. They loudly objected to the use of the eminent domain power to deprive a fellow VOR property owner of his/her holdings at an artificially depressed price when the “public use” to which the property was to be put was of dubious future value to the public (in this case, a parking garage boondoggle). In light of this, the spooked Village Council dropped the plan before the parcel was even acquired. The bond money, rather than being used to pay off the bond, was promptly spent on other priorities. What a racket, right? We’re still paying off that debt!
August 4,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood Nj, The Department of Education has just released its annual list of teachers and their salaries for 2017. And the list of educators making $100,000 or more ie the $100,000 club. This list barely had any teachers on it more than a decade ago has grown to more than 5,000.
In 2016-2017, the average salary for teachers, librarians, guidance counselors and other non-administrative staff totaled $70,637, according to an NJ Spotlight analysis of salary data for public school districts and charter schools. The increase is about 1.5 percent higher than the previous year.
315 East Glen Ave photo by Denise Pierce Lima
August 4,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the request for variances that allow for two homes where only one exists now.
Ridgewood resident Denise Pierce Lima spelled out the problem on Facebook, “We need you to show up to the August 1st Planning Board Meeting and just say “NO”
We bought our home in Ridgewood, in this specific area because of the beauty of the landscape and the history. This home has helped support and make me survivor of cancer and it is our front porch and looking out to the park like setting that got me through it.
What is really happeing at the property at 315 East Glen Ave. AND the variances they are asking for – and what you really need to know is the following:
This is part of a larger project to sub-divide the property and build 2 McMansions 3600 SQ FT.
– According to the Ridgewood Tax map and assessment online files; this will be 150% larger than the 17 homes surrounding this Lot and Block. And -750 homes surrounding, only 2 homes are larger than 2200 square feet and one is the old “Libby” historical home on Glen Ave.
This property and its surroundings are from the 1830, with what we believe are remnants of a blacksmiths house bordering as well as another home from 1800’s. Especially when they plan to cut down 20+ trees and destroy the complete canapoy of the area, essentially clear cutting. The character and history of the area would be LOST
Request to “double” the easement – is purely to fit 6 cars in the new McMansion Emergency vehicles can get down the current driveway, the expansion will not allow them to “turn around”
Not to mention Several months of digging, noise, construction equipment surrounding Glen, Northern Parkway and Sterling will be impacted. And you thought PSE&G was annoying!”
Only the applicant had an attorney, testimony by professional planner on behalf of applicant was clearly orchestrated to convince the Board that Case Law made their approval inevitable.
There seemed to be an implication from testimony that the Planning Board did not have any discretion whatsoever.
Resident Martin Walker pointed out on Facebook,” Hopefully discussed that attorneys are using case law to eviscerate our zoning regulations, and thus the stated intent of our LAST Master Plan.
In other words, State Law is being manipulated to render out village governance meaningless AND the village doesn’t field any legal opinions capable of countering this.
Without legal resources to translate future Master Planning into enforceable law…there IS no possibility of village governance.”
August 4,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, it appears the council has heard the cries about the disrepair of the “Town Garage” property .
Mayor Susan Knudsen announced at the Village Council meeting on Wednesday night that she is in favor of the Village buying the town garage .
photo courtesy of Melanie Whobin
August 4,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, According to Mayor Knudsen , “The first meeting of the Planning Board Master Plan subcommittee was Tuesday Aug 2. The meeting was very efficient and productive. We are looking forward to continuing on such a positive path. Our mission statement is as follows:
“The goal of the Master Plan Subcommittee is to assist the Planning Board, the Ridgewood Village Council and the public with the Master Plan process including, but not limited to: project education, scheduling, milestones, budgeting, public engagement and participation, and to ensure an open and transparent process.”
file photo by Boyd Loving
An open letter to Mr. Richard Joel, the Chairman of the Planning Board re the newly constituted Master Plan Subcommittee:
Dear Mr. Joel:
I listened in to certain parts of the past few Planning Board meetings, and would like to share some thoughts with you.
I agree it is critically important for the Planning Board to set up a Master Plan Subcommittee that can play a critical role in determining the vitality of Ridgewood’s future. I feel strongly, however, that this Subcommittee should be manned with a selection of prominent members of Ridgewood Residents who represent a cross section of the community and disciplines. It is imperative that the Subcommittee has the benefit of a free exchange of creative ideas of smart people who care about our town.
In my opinion, this Subcommittee should be chaired by you or Mr. Joel Torielli and include one or two members of the Planning Board but that it should not include Mayor Knudsen, as I will make clear later.
Listening to the Planning Board meeting one wonders if it is you or the Mayor who is chairing the meeting. The problem of having someone with the Mayor’s domineering personality is that she sucks the air out of the room, discouraging a healthy and honest debate on issues. Most people do not like confrontation, and withdraw into their shell in the presence of someone who dominates a meeting. Hence my recommendation that she stay off the Subcommittee.
Another point is the order in which the Planning Board votes. I see she votes first, then you. I assume you are the senior member of the Planning Board and thus you should vote first. I assume the Mayor and Mr. Voigt are ex-officio members (?) and should vote last. Having said that, you may consider voting as I believe they do in the Supreme Court, with the order being in reverse order of seniority by tenure. Thus, the justice who is the most recent appointee votes first. I understand that the reason for this if for the newer members to feel free to vote as they see fit without feeling pressured by longer serving justices. You are a lawyer and would know more about this than I.
With thanks for your consideration, and more importantly for your service.
Best regards,
Rurik
cc: Members of the Planning Bard and Village Council.
Ridgewood NJ, Special Properties Real Estate Services, LLC, an exclusive affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate, has welcomed Christina Gibbons, a veteran Bergen County resident and community volunteer, as a Broker Associate at its Ridgewood, NJ office.
Christina joins the Bergen County real estate market with a winning perspective, following a successful career in cardiology and service on various regional philanthropic boards. She brings intelligence, drive and personality to each and every client interaction, working closely with buyers and sellers to ensure a successful conclusion to the real estate transaction. Christina has a keen intuition for people’s needs, a skill for negotiating, and a roster of high quality professional and personal contacts.
Over the past 15 years, Christina has been a key member of the Bergen County community, devoting her free time to staying active in the community, giving her a well-rounded perspective on Bergen County and the diversity of its communities. Christina has served as the president of the board of directors for the YWCA of Bergen County, president of the Ridgewood Newcomers Club, and a board member of the Willard Elementary School Home and School Association. She currently holds board positions on the George Washington Middle School Home and School Association and the Ridgewood Baseball and Softball Association.
Christina grew up in upstate New York and graduated from Penn State University, where she studied medicine and played on the women’s tennis team. She enjoys spending time with her three sons and her husband of 15 years, as well as friends and extended family. She also enjoys playing golf, tennis and paddle tennis at a competitive level.
About Special Properties Real Estate Services
Special Properties Real Estate Services embraces the history and traditions of its flagship brokerage location in Saddle River, NJ, into an expanded, modern presence in Mahwah, Franklin Lakes, and Ridgewood, NJ. With a staff of accomplished real estate brokers, its clients across northern New Jersey and southern New York are provided with customized, personalized services, backed by the luxury real estate brand of Christie’s International Real Estate. Special Properties provides local expertise with global connections. For more information, call (201) 962-9552.
August 3,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood School’s announce the Back-to-School night schedule is as follows:
Benjamin Franklin Middle School: Tuesday, September 12 at 7 p.m.
George Washington Middle School: Thursday, September 28 at 7 p.m.
Hawes Elementary School (Gr. 2-3): Thursday, September 14 at 6:30 p.m.
Hawes Elementary School (Gr. K-2): Thursday, September 14 at 8 p.m.
Orchard Elementary School: Thursday, September 14 at 6:30 p.m.
Ridgewood High School: Wednesday, September 13 at 7:30 p.m.
Ridge Elementary School: Tuesday, September 19 at 7:30 p.m.
Somerville Elementary School: Thursday, September 14 at 7 p.m.
Travell Elementary School: Thursday, September 14 at 7 p.m.
Willard Elementary School: (Gr. K-2): Tuesday, September 26 at 6:15 p.m.
Willard Elementary School: (Gr. 3-5): Wednesday, September 27 at 6:15 p.m.
photo courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page
August 3,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hawthorne NJ, Hawthorne PD responded to the intersection of Goffle Hill Road and New York Avenue on Wednesday afternoon, 08/02, to investigate a reported motor vehicle collision involving a baby deer. The responding uniformed patrol officers located the injured fawn lying on the lawn of a nearby home, and interviewed the adult female driver involved in the incident. Tyco Animal Control Services was dispatched as per protocol. Sadly, the animal’s injuries were serious enough to warrant putting it down (handled by Tyco). No summonses were issued in connection with the incident.
Location: At participating restaurants in Ridgewood, all through the Ridgewood business district
Visit these participating restaurants. Call for reservations and details.
Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce presents …
First time ever –
SUMMER RESTAURANT WEEK –
Sunday-Thursday, August 13-17th.
Sunday-Thursday, August 20-24th.
Offering a Pre-Fixe menu of a three course meal,
at $30.17 +tax and tip. Beverages not included.
This can be eating-in or take-out menu and/or catering.
Participating restaurant to date…more to come,
check back.
Blue Sushi-201-882-1700 (lunch/dinner)
Cravings-201-857-8533 (lunch/dinner)
Finca-201-444-1199 (lunch/Dinner)
Latour, JUST ADDED, 201-445-5056 (lunch/dinner)
Leon Mexican Cuisine-201-857-0297 (dinner)
Lisa’s Mediterranean Cuisine-201-251-8686
(lunch/dinner)
Park West Tavern & Loft 201-445-5400
Pearl Restaurant-201-857-5100 (dinner)
Piccolo Bistro-Italian-201-882-1111 (dinner only)
ROOTS Steakhouse 201-444-1922 (lunch only)
SMOKED2Go 201-447-6653 (dinner only)
Steel Wheel Tavern-201-882-1800 (lunch/dinner)
White Maple Café-201-201-857-0700
Specialty Foods
Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt-201-857-3711
Offering a small party box at $30.17 ($45 value)
Chestnut Catering-201-445-3031
week of 8/13 only – pick up-eat at home.
For restaurant questions, call restaurant directly.
all other-Ridgewood Chamber 201-445-2600
photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook
August 2,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police issued three (3) summonses in connection with a Wednesday morning, 08/02 multiple vehicle crash at the intersection of East Ridgewood Avenue and North Irving Street. Two (2) damaged vehicles were removed from the crash site by a flatbed tow truck. No injuries were reported. Ridgewood Fire Departement personnel attended to a crash related fluid spill.
photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook
August 2,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood on Wednesday morning, 08/02. The spilled fluid, believed to have originated from a commercial refuse removal vehicle, appeared to have been a mixture of paint and liquid food waste. FD personnel applied an absorbent material to surface areas on which the spill had not dried while Police officers attempted to track down the truck involved in the incident.
