Posted on by — Leave a comment

Ridgewood Fall Arts and Crafts Street Fair

Ridgewood_Street_fair_theridgewoodblog.net_1

Ridgewood Fall Arts and Crafts Street Fair

Benefits Ridgewood Parks & Recreation Department
ANNUAL FALL FESTIVAL Sunday, September 21st (rain or shine) Join the Village Department of Parks and Recreation for the Annual Ridgewood Fall Festival Street Fair on Sunday, September 21st, from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.(rain or shine). Admission is free. East Ridgewood Avenue, between Maple Avenue and Oak Street, will be transformed into an outdoor market with tables of arts and crafts, jewelry, holiday ornaments, and more. Live entertainment is provided along with a food court offering snacks of all kinds, while special events are planned for the children. There will be something for everyone! Come and enjoy! Please call the Recreation Office at 201-670-5560 with any questions.
Posted on by — 14 Comments

Vast Majority Do Not Believe US Will Defeat ISIS

Obama-Golf

Vast Majority Do Not Believe US Will Defeat ISIS

Posted by: : Paul EbelingPosted on: September 14, 2014

Vast Majority Do Not Believe US Will Defeat ISISNearly 70% of Americans surveyed do not believe the United States will succeed in wiping out Islamic State (ISIS) militants, according to a new NBC News/WS-J/Annenberg poll.

According to the poll, 68% have “very little” or “just some” confidence in US President Barack Hussein Obama’s goal of eliminating the threat of ISIS. Just 28% had “a great deal” or “quite a bit” of confidence in Mr. Obama’s goals.

62% say they support the used of air power against ISIS in Syria as laid out by the president in last Wednesday’s prime time address to the nation, 22% oppose the plan.

“The bottom line: The president has made his case to the American public, and like other presidents who faced war and peace issues, support usually follows,” Democratic pollster Peter Hart said of the survey he helped conduct. “The difference in this military encounter is that, right out of the box, Americans are skeptical if this will work.”

The poll showed that just 38% of Americans think Mr. Obama is doing an effective job on foreign policy.

A poll from last week showed that 65% think action against ISIS is in America’s interest. That number rose to 68% after some of those polled were re-contacted after Mr. Obama’s speech.

https://www.livetradingnews.com/vast-majority-believe-us-will-defeat-isis-71220.htm#.VBappC5dVpc

Posted on by — 4 Comments

Technology solutions to parking problems in Fort Lee

parking_enforcement_theridgewoodblog.net_1

Fort Lee overhauling parking permits

Technology solutions to parking problems in Fort Lee

September 15, 2014    Last updated: Monday, September 15, 2014, 7:23 AM
By SVETLANA SHKOLNIKOVA
STAFF WRITER
The Record
Print

FORT LEE — To prepare for increased traffic in the downtown area, the Fort Lee Parking Authority will roll out a license plate recognition system this fall that will revamp the process for parking meter collection and parking permit registration.

The system uses technology to read license plate numbers with cameras mounted atop borough vehicles, eliminating the need for physical permits and significantly cutting down on time spent on enforcement.

Fort Lee will start with one camera-equipped vehicle and probably add a second next spring, when the program expands from parking lots to residential parking areas, said Gloria Gallo, the authority administrator.

“Because of the new development, this district is going to become very busy,” she said, referring to Redevelopment Area 5 and downtown. “We want to stay up-to-date with the latest technology, and this will just be more efficient.”

Gallo hopes to open parking permit registration on Nov. 1, though delays are possible.

The technology will move the entire registration process online, allowing drivers to pay for their permits and register their license plate numbers all at once. They will no longer need to print out permits.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/fort-lee-overhauling-parking-permits-1.1088106#sthash.5xLquS23.dpuf

Posted on by — Leave a comment

The Dee Kersting Show-A Lifetime of Painting

unnamed-2

The Dee Kersting Show-A Lifetime of Painting

Exhibit September 14th-20th, 2014

 
A LIFE TIME OF PAINTING
DEE KERSTING
 

Until her death earlier this year Dee Kersting was a member of the Ridgewood Art Institute (The Barn).  She painted there for over fifty years.  Dee studied under such renown artists as Arthur Maynard, Paul Burns and John Osborne.  All had great influence and helped refine Dee’s painting talent.

Mrs. Kersting attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.  She also studied at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh and The Chicago Academy of Fine Art.  She apprenticed at Hoskinson Rohloff in Chicago.  She  was a fashion artist for Sterling Lindner Davis in Chicago.
Over many years of painting she created a variety of Still Lifes, Landscapes and Portraits.  She received numerous awards at Art Shows around the Bergen County area.  Her art has been displayed at the Union League Club in New York, the Bergen Mall in New Jersey and many other locations in the Hudson River Valley. 

Some of her creations will be displayed at the Ridgewood Art Institute.   All Paintings are on Sale for $250 or best offer by the Kersting family and all proceeds will be donated to the Ridgewood Art Institute Childrens Scholarship or Awards fund.

Posted on by — 2 Comments

Change of Location : Special Public Meeting for Planning Board – September 16

imgres-7

Change of Location : Special Public Meeting for Planning Board – September 16

PLANNING BOARD

AMENDMENT TO MEETING SCHEDULE

Special Public Meeting: Tuesday, September 16, 2014 

Change of Location

In accordance with the provisions of the “Open Public Meetings Act,” please be advised that the Planning Board has scheduled a special public meeting and work session for TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2014, in the RIDGEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT CENTER, 627 E. RIDGEWOOD AVENUE, RIDGEWOOD, NJ beginning AT 7:30 p.m.

The Board may take official action during this Special Public Meeting at which time the Board will continue the public hearing concerning a proposed amendment to the Land Use Plan Element of the Master Plan which would recommend changes in zone district classifications and boundaries within the Central Business District and surrounding area including AH-2, B-3-R, C-R and C Zone Districts.

The proposed master plan amendment and related exhibits are at the office of the Secretary of the Ridgewood Planning Board on the third floor of Village Hall, 131 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey and are available for public inspection Monday-Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The amendment and exhibits are also posted as a courtesy on the Village’s website at www.ridgewoodnj.net.

All meetings of the Ridgewood Planning Board (i.e., official public meetings, work session meetings, pre-meeting assemblies and special meetings) are public meetings which are always open to members of the general public.

Jane Wondergem

Secretary to the Board

Posted on by — 8 Comments

Reader says It is time to just say no to Urbanization

Clock_Ridgewood_theridgewopodblog.net_1

Reader says It is time to just say no to Urbanization 

Mr. Wrubel is right — the new housing will be a great accommodation for those looking to live in a more urban environment.

But he’s wrong in suggesting Ridgewood should be the site of that migration. The thing is, those of us not looking to living a denser environment are being asked to foot the bill for developers hoping to increase their profit. Those of us who have worked and paid taxes to maintain the standards of our Village are being told we need to open up the downtown for others to come in and enjoy the benefits of what has been built.

Mr. Wrubel’s basic premise is entirely backwards looking. Its been said many times on this blog before and it is worth repeating: A downtown exists to serve the town and not the other way around. If the functionality of Ridgewood’s downtown has reached a historic end, because its been replaced say, by Route 17 shopping, then the downtown parcel should revert to open space or single family homes in keeping with Ridgewood’s community purpose. The death of the downtown should not be allowed to kill off Ridgewood altogether, and that is what a lot of well meaning people seem to overlook.

Let’s look to the future and beyond the self interest of the developers and the yarns they have spun: Young families continue to want to live in a safe, suburban environment in the long desirable Village of Ridgewood — why are folks in such a rush to take away that opportunity? Why is our Planning Board and Council even considering allowing that to happen?

It is time to just say no.

Posted on by — 14 Comments

Police investigating string of car break-ins in Ridgewood and Glen Rock

Ridgewood-_supervisor_close_theridgewoodblog.net_4-12

Police investigating string of car break-ins in Ridgewood and Glen Rock

SEPTEMBER 14, 2014, 12:49 PM    LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2014, 10:52 PM
BY ANDREW WYRICH
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD – Police departments in Glen Rock and Ridgewood are investigating whether a string of nearly 20 separate vehicle break-ins over the past week within the two towns are connected.

Ridgewood police said four vehicles were broken into over the weekend near the Glen Rock border on Ackerman Avenue and Doremus Avenue. Glen Rock police said at least 15 vehicles were entered overnight on Sept. 10 near Richard E. Byrd School on Doremus Avenue.

Ridgewood Police Chief John Ward said the two departments are sharing information and working together to see if the string of burglaries was carried out by the same person.

“In any situation like this we coordinate with one another,” Ward said. “Anytime you have a number of burglaries or entries we obviously look at all possible angles – you don’t automatically say they aren’t connected.”

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/police-investigating-string-of-car-break-ins-in-ridgewood-and-glen-rock-1.1087768#sthash.cNvTsMhn.dpuf

Posted on by — 2 Comments

Why are we moving to Common Core?

Tradition_of_excellence_theridgewoodblog.net_1-1

Why are we moving to Common Core?

September 12, 2014    Last updated: Friday, September 12, 2014, 9:28 AM
Print

Why are we moving to Common Core?

Marlene Burton
Marlene Burton

Marlene Burton

To the Editor:

I have spent some time looking at the Common Core ELA standards, as well as the math. A couple in particular caught my eye:

The first, and I quote: “With guidance and support from adults, explore a variety of digital tools to produce and publish writing, including in collaboration with peers.”

For what age child is this intended? You might think a 6th grader, but perhaps too ambitious and too grandiose for an 11-year-old – certainly a diversion from more fundamental activities.

But no, it is a kindergarten standard. The proponents of the Common Core want 5-year-olds on computers exploring digital tools to publish their own writings and the writing they have done in collaboration with their peers.

Here is another one: “Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., explore a number of books by a favorite author and express opinions about them).” Also a kindergarten standard.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-letters-to-the-editor/letter-why-are-we-moving-to-common-core-1.1086863#sthash.xIGhCobY.dpuf

Posted on by — Leave a comment

North Jersey schools brace for immigrant influx

images-1

North Jersey schools brace for immigrant influx

SEPTEMBER 14, 2014, 11:54 PM    LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2014, 11:54 PM
BY MONSY ALVARADO
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

Fourteen-year-old Elizita and her father arrived at the West New York registration offices around 7:15 a.m. Thursday, hoping to enroll her in school.

But it would be a dream deferred. The family, who waited outside in the crisp air, was told to come back. They were sent to get a physical, which included a tuberculosis test, that would clear Elizita to start school.

“If it won’t be tomorrow, then I’ll start Monday,” she said in Spanish after making a doctor’s appointment.

It had been a long journey for Elizita to this point — the dream of an American education — after a grueling two-week trek earlier this summer out of Guatemala and into this county illegally with her 16-year-old cousin to join her father in North Jersey.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/north-jersey-schools-brace-for-immigrant-influx-1.1087949#sthash.tAZZkc9g.dpuf

Posted on by — 1 Comment

Obama Plans Major Ebola Offensive

NA-CC737_EBOLAA_G_20140914201941

Obama Plans Major Ebola Offensive

More Doctors, Supplies and Portable Hospitals Planned for Africa

WASHINGTON—President Barack Obama plans to dramatically boost the U.S. effort to mitigate the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, including greater involvement of the U.S. military, people familiar with the proposal said.

Mr. Obama is expected to detail the plan during a visit Tuesday to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, these people said. Among the possible moves: sending additional portable hospitals, doctors and health-care experts, providing medical supplies and conducting training for health workers in Liberia and other countries.

Mr. Obama also is expected to urge Congress to approve the request he made last week for an additional $88 million to fund his proposal.

“There’s a lot that we’ve been putting toward this, but it is not sufficient,” Lisa Monaco, Mr. Obama’s counterterrorism adviser, said in an interview Sunday. “So the president has directed a more scaled-up response and that’s what you’re going to hear more about on Tuesday.”

https://online.wsj.com/articles/obama-plans-major-ebola-offensive-1410738096

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Congressman Scott Garrett Issues a Congratulations thru the Ridgewood Blog to Charlotte Samuels completion of the open water triple crown

1982357_10152065578343402_651302655_n

file photo

Congressman Scott Garrett Issues a Congratulations thru the Ridgewood Blog to Charlotte Samuels completion of the open water triple crown
September 13,2014
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Charlotte Samuels, 16, who became the youngest person to complete the Triple Crown of open-water swimming last week by crossing the English Channel.

Charlotte attained the Triple Crown of open-water swimming by circumnavigating Manhattan, and crossing California’s Catalina Channel and the English Channel, all during this summer.

Rep Scott Garrett ,took time out of his schedule to give us a call to congratulate  Charlotte Samuels on her fantastic accomplishment . The congressman  spoke eloquently congratulating Charlotte for all the hard work and perseverance and also congratulated Charlotte’s parents, Suzanne and Steven for all their hard work and support  without which this could never happen .

Garret remarked it was an awe inspiring accomplishment for this young lady and that her efforts were setting and example for a whole generation .

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Shop Ridgewood : Open Forum No. 3 – CBD Retailing in Ridgewood – Monday, September 22nd 7:30PM

support-local-business

Shop Ridgewood : Open Forum No. 3 – CBD Retailing in Ridgewood – Monday, September 22nd 7:30PM

730 – 800 PM Open Mike

800 – 900 PM Panel – “Retailing in Ridgewood: Opportunities and Obstacles”

Panel: Walter Boyer, Owner, Bookends

Tom Hillmann, Owner, Hillmann Electric

Jackie Nellis, Owner, Leapin’ Lizzards

Andy Silverstein, General Manager, Roots Steakhouse (Host)

Place and Time: Roots Steakhouse, 730 PM, Monday, September 22.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Support Locally Owned Businesses

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://www.ilsr.org/why-support-locally-owned-businesses/

1.  Local Character and Prosperity

In an increasingly homogenized world, communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character have an economic advantage.

2.  Community Well-Being

Locally owned businesses build strong communities by sustaining vibrant town centers, linking neighbors in a web of economic and social relationships, and contributing to local causes.

3. Local Decision-Making

Local ownership ensures that important decisions are made locally by people who live in the community and who will feel the impacts of those decisions.

4.  Keeping Dollars in the Local Economy

Compared to chain stores, locally owned businesses recycle a much larger share of their revenue back into the local economy, enriching the whole community.

5.  Job and Wages

Locally owned businesses create more jobs locally and, in some sectors, provide better wages and benefits than chains do.

6.  Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship fuels America’s economic innovation and prosperity, and serves as a key means for families to move out of low-wage jobs and into the middle class.

7.  Public Benefits and Costs

Local stores in town centers require comparatively little infrastructure and make more efficient use of public services relative to big box stores and strip shopping malls.

8.  Environmental Sustainability

Local stores help to sustain vibrant, compact, walkable town centers-which in turn are essential to reducing sprawl, automobile use, habitat loss, and air and water pollution.

9.  Competition

A marketplace of tens of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term.

10.  Product Diversity

A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based, not on a national sales plan, but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers, guarantees a much broader range of product choices

Posted on by — 3 Comments

Gratitude to ‘Graydon Storytime’ readers

Graydon-_Crowded_baby_beach_water_2012_theridgewoodblog.net_

Gratitude to ‘Graydon Storytime’ readers

September 12, 2014    Last updated: Friday, September 12, 2014, 9:27 AM
Print

Gratitude to ‘Graydon Storytime’ readers
Nancy A. Bigos
to the Editor:

For several years now, an annual tradition taking place at the Graydon Pool each summer has been the children’s “Graydon Storytime.” This special program held weekly on Thursday afternoons for nine consecutive weeks delights pre-school children, their siblings and parents.

At each session, a fun and interesting story is read to those in attendance, afterwards an exciting activity, song, game, or arts and crafts project accompanies the theme of the reading. There are usually 30 or more children participating in this very special time each week.

It is with heartfelt gratitude that I share my appreciation to the Ridgewood volunteers who give of themselves to make this offering possible. Throughout this 2014 summer season, the residents that volunteered at each weekly program were Suzanne Kelly, Lisa Conklin, Joan Powers, Stacy Bouffard, Dolores Carpenter, Sally Brandes, Betsy Murphy, Toney Jackson, Carol Coughlin, Morgan Kelly and the Graydon Pool lifeguard staff.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-letters-to-the-editor/letter-gratitude-to-graydon-storytime-readers-1.1086862#sthash.9b6LvFAv.dpuf

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Ridgewood smimmer Charlotte Samuels gets warm homecoming after Triple Crown triumph

charlotte-samuels

Ridgewood smimmer Charlotte Samuels gets warm homecoming after Triple Crown triumph

SEPTEMBER 14, 2014    LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2014, 12:42 AM
BY CHRISTOPHER MAAG
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

Of course the world record is important. Of course a person who attains the highest achievement in her sport should be congratulated.

But when Camille Stern greeted her granddaughter Charlotte Samuels at Newark Liberty International Airport on Saturday for the first time since Charlotte became the youngest person ever to complete three of the most grueling events in open-water swimming, she had something more important to say.

“I missed you, honey,” Stern said to Charlotte, as they pressed their foreheads together and smiled into each others’ eyes.

“I missed you, too, Grandma,” said Charlotte, the Ridgewood girl who at age 16 has attained the Triple Crown of open-water swimming by circumnavigating Manhattan, and crossing California’s Catalina Channel and the English Channel — all this summer.

After three weeks in England, Charlotte returned home to New Jersey on Saturday. Like the rest of her trip across the ocean, her homecoming was humble and spontaneous, cradled by the arms of her family.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-smimmer-charlotte-samuels-gets-warm-homecoming-after-triple-crown-triumph-1.1087567#sthash.tfCvNxXL.dpuf

Posted on by — 10 Comments

A true advocate for Ridgewood

DSCF6024

photos by Boyd Loving

A true advocate for Ridgewood
Linda McNamara

To the Editor:

I was unable to attend the reception at Village Hall in honor of Roger Wiegand, but wanted to add something from my own personal experiences with Roger.

I started attending council meetings years ago whenever there was an issue that seemed important to me. For a few years, I would notice Roger and Boyd Loving in the audience before ever actually speaking to them. They didn’t know this, but I was always so grateful to see them there as I felt they were the voices of reason in a sometimes diverse airing of opinions.

Soon I was chatting with Roger when I would see him riding his bike through the neighborhood. When I could corner him, I’d pick his brain on whatever the latest issue was.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-letters-to-the-editor/letter-a-true-advocate-for-ridgewood-1.1086865#sthash.hjWk59k5.dpuf