Moody’s Downgrades 15 Major Banks
By Dakin Campbell and Michael J. Moore – Jun 21, 2012 10:51 PM ET

Credit Suisse Group AG (CSGN)’s credit rating was cut three levels and Morgan Stanley (MS)’s was reduced by two as Moody’s Investors Service downgraded 15 banks in moves that may shake up competition among Wall Street’s biggest firms.

Credit Suisse was cut to A2, the same as JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) and BNP Paribas SA (BNP), as Moody’s completed a review of global banks with capital-markets operations it announced in February. Morgan Stanley and Zurich-based UBS AG (UBSN), the other firms singled out for three-level reductions, were lowered two steps instead, the ratings firm said yesterday in a statement.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-06-21/credit-suisse-cut-3-levels-as-moody-s-downgrades-biggest-banks.html

Negotiations between Ridgewood teachers and Board of Education remain private

THURSDAY JUNE 21, 2012, 3:22 PM
BY LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

While some members of the community have expressed confusion about the ongoing contract negotiations between the Board of Education (BOE) and Ridgewood teachers, those involved in the talks continue to decline to speak about its progress, citing a confidentiality agreement and the likelihood of the “chilling effect” of public interference.

BOE President Sheila Brogan, who is representing the board in the negotiations with Gary Hall, the district’s human resources manager, said that at the outset of the talks, “mutually agreed-upon ground rules” were established to maintain confidentiality about the process.

“I think it’s important so that you can have negotiations without any pressure from the outside,” Brogan said.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/159912465_Negotiations_between_Ridgewood_teachers_and_Board_of_Education_remain_private.html

The village is in the beginning stages of an environmental cleanup at the Walnut Street municipal parking lot.

Cleanup of contaminated Ridgewood parking lot could get ‘expensive’

THURSDAY JUNE 21, 2012, 3:13 PM

BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

Ridgewood is moving forward with an environmental cleanup that officials have deemed necessary despite the unknown magnitude and cost of the project.

The level and type of known contaminants located beneath the municipal parking lot at Walnut Street and Franklin Avenue are not considered a threat to public health, said Village Engineer Chris Rutishauser, but the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has mandated that Ridgewood take immediate action toward remediation of the site.

Ridgewood’s governing body last week took steps to “get the ball rolling” and retained Brinkerhoff Environmental Services to conduct a remediation action plan. The Manasquan-based firm placed a bid of $35,282 for the project.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/159911265_Cleanup_of_contaminated_Ridgewood_parking_lot_could_get__expensive_.html

New state report shows fewer patients died after getting open-heart surgery in New Jersey

THURSDAY JUNE 21, 2012, 11:55 AM
BY BARBARA WILLIAMS
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

But complications rise slightly at N.J. hospitals

Fewer patients died after undergoing open-heart surgery in New Jersey in 2009 than in previous years, though slightly more suffered complications, according to the state’s annual report on cardiac bypass surgery.

Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, and the University of Medicine and Dentistry were cited for having no deaths following the operations. Dr. James Klein at Englewood and Dr. Alex Zapolanski at Valley were recognized for performing more than 100 surgeries without losing any patients.

St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center, where 205 open-heart surgeries were performed in 2009, had the worst mortality rate in the state with 2.77.

However, the report, Cardiac Surgery in New Jersey, noted that none of the 18 hospitals reviewed had a mortality rate that was statistically significantly different from the rest of the state.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/159879455_Mortality_rate_falls_for_heart_surgery.html

Inside the Supreme Court Health-Care Decision
Published: Thursday, 21 Jun 2012 | 11:18 AM ET
By: Bill Murphy, Jr., INC

Medical care accounts for 18 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product — and it is taking up at least as much of the mindshare of plenty of American entrepreneurs and business owners.

At this very moment, the economic basis of the entire health-care system is up in the air, as a result of the imminent U.S. Supreme Court opinion in the health care reform law cases. Court observers expect the decision any day now, and most likely before the end of June.

“This is going to be one of the biggest decisions to come down in our lifetime,” said Robert Litan, vice president for research and policy at the Kauffman Foundation. “The economic impact could be tremendous.”

For American entrepreneurs and employees so far, the waiting has been the hardest part. That’s because the decision is likely to have so many ramifications and third-order effects that it’s nearly impossible for business owners to forecast all the possible outcomes.

https://www.cnbc.com/id/47904279

photo by Boyd Loving

Bogg fan Lauren with two, yes TWO Turquoise and Caicos boggs that she bought at Pink Bungalow in Ridgewood! She says “Everyone needs a bogg, hello summer”!

the bogg bag

After years of buying beach bags that just couldn’t handle my beach-loving family’s needs we thought there must be a better bag. Our needs were simple…. A bag large enough to carry everything we needed for a long day at the beach or pool, a bag that wouldn’t tip over and spill our belongings all over the beach, and a bag that could be rinsed off at the end of the day. Not too much to ask for, right? After thousands of searches we couldn’t find what we were looking for.

In 2006, on a trip to the Jersey Shore, we realized we had forgotten the kids flip flops and went to the local surf shop to pick up a couple of pairs. My son came across a pair of those funny looking shoes that everyone was talking about and asked if he could get them instead. We bought 3 pairs. Later on the beach, I became fascinated with the lightweight material and feel of their new shoes. My husband and I played with the shoes all day talking about how cool they were. It was then we had our AHA! moment. THIS is what a beach bag should be made of!
( https://www.boggbag.com/about.html )

According to bogg bags Facebook page Pink Bungalow in Ridgewood! just received a HUGE shipment of bogg bags, byo boggs, bogg bits and bogg bling!!!

Pink Bungalow
(201) 444-2918
185 E Ridgewood Ave
Ridgewood, NJ 07450

Mon – Wed: 10:00 am   -6:00 pm
Thu:              10:00 am   -8:00 pm
Fri – Sat:      10:00 am   -6:00 pm

file photo Boyd Loving

N.J. aims to get tougher on first-time DWI offenders

New Jersey lawmakers Thursday will take the first step toward requiring all motorists convicted of drunken driving to use a device that prevents their cars from starting if they have alcohol on their breath.

The bill before the Senate Judiciary Committee would beef up the state’s driving-while-intoxicated laws by mandating an ignition locking device — similar to a Breathalyzer — for all first-time offenders.

Right now, the law requires it only for repeat offenders or those who are at nearly twice the legal limit.  (Spoto, The Star-Ledger)

https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/06/nj_senate_panel_to_consider_up.html

Too Hot: You just can’t make this stuff up!
Boyd A. Loving
12:16 PM (1 hour ago)

Ridgewood NJ, Shortly before noon today, the Ridgewood Fire Department received a 911 telephone call reporting smoke coming from the chimney of a home in the 900 block of Andover Terrace.

A full “box alarm” assignment consisting of four (4) fire trucks and the tour commander’s SUV was dispatched to the scene to investigate.  Arriving personnel determined that the smoke was resultant from wood burning in the home’s fireplace.

The unofficial recorded temperature in Ridgewood at time of dispatch was 93 degrees Fahrenheit.

file photo Boyd Loving

Fairway Market’s 2nd Annual Firefighter Food Face-Off Challenge on Sunday,held on June 17
June 21,2012
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood Nj, Firefighter Food Face-Off Challenge is made up of local fire fighters team up by department for a food face-off! Each team was supplied by Fairway Market with eleven racks of ribs, ground beef for one dozen hamburgers, ground turkey for up to six more burgers, buns, salt and pepper, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and other staple Fairway spices.

As an added challenge, Fairway gave the teams a “secret” ingredient that they must incorporate into their dishes at the event. Participating teams are expected to bring their own grill and grilling supplies, such as coal, gas, tools, and anything else that Fairway is not providing for their foods that they may want. The competing teams will plate dishes for the 4-5 judges and the judges will decide based on all three dishes. The winning team receives an engraved trophy and a $500 Fairway gift card. All other teams receive a $100 Fairway gift card for their participation.

Firefighters from Park Ridge faced off against those from Ridgewood and West Paterson (Woodland Park) This year saw Park Ridge Fire Department take home the “Best Overall” title. The department had captured its first title in 2010, when Fairway held its inaugural cook-off challenge at its Paramus store.

The winning firehouse, Park Ridge selected a charity The Mary Therese Rose Fund that to recieve a percentage of Fairway’s sales for the day. when Fairway hosts “Shopping Day” to benefit the charity selected by Park Ridge – The Mary Therese Rose Fund, which supports newborns who suffer a stroke shortly after birth.

Ridgewood YMCA Bolger Fitness Center to Offer Special Summer Membership for Students

Join before July 15th and receive a three-month BFC membership for just $185!*

You get it all!

• BFC cardio and strength machines
• Guaranteed lap swimming
• Free weights
• Free group fitness classes including Group Spinning, Yoga, Pilates and Zumba

*Valid Student ID required for membership

For further info or to register, contact Matt Bansch, BFC Director at (201) 444-5600 x306 or e-mail mbansch@ymcaywca.org.