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>Ridgewood YMCA Christmas Tree Lot Opens November 25

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Ridgewood YMCA Christmas Tree Lot Opens November 25

Proceeds from tree sales benefit the Ridgewood YMCA Good Works Programs.

[RIDGEWOOD, NJ November 16, 2011] Looking for the perfect tree this year? The Ridgewood YMCA’s annual Christmas Tree lot will open at 6pm on November 25 with a selection of Balsam, Fraser and Grand Fir in sizes to fit any home.

All proceeds from tree sales benefit the Ridgewood YMCA Good Works Programs.

Through its Good Works Programs, the Ridgewood Y addresses community needs and strives to serve everyone, regardless of ability to pay. “Buying a tree from the Y is a great way to make a difference in the community and get a wonderful tree at the same time”, says Gary Imhoff, Marketing and Membership Director at the Y.

The Christmas tree lot also sells wreaths, roping and other holiday items.

Opening hours for the tree lot are Fridays from 6pm to 9pm, Saturdays from 9am to 9pm and Sundays from 10am to 5pm. The lot will remain open until December 23rd.

The Ridgewood Y Christmas Tree lot is located at 112 Oak Street in Ridgewood, NJ.

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>House proud: Strange spaces appeal to owners

>House proud: Strange spaces appeal to owners


Some homeowners learn to live with and are even proud of odd spaces like an old bomb shelters, walk-in hearth or even an outhouse.
By Kathleen Lynn
The Record (Hackensack N.J

HACKENSACK, N.J. — There are certain spaces that homebuyers crave, like giant kitchens and expansive walk-in closets.

And then there are the spaces that turn up unexpectedly, especially in some older homes — spots like bomb shelters, smokehouses and outhouses.

These can open a window into history, giving a fresh sense of how people once lived. The bomb shelter recalls a time when Americans feared nuclear attacks from the Soviet Union, and imagined how to survive in a scorched landscape. The smokehouse tells of a time when Americans didn’t buy their meat at the supermarket, but butchered it and smoked it to preserve it.

https://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/homegarden/2016792880_oddspaceshome17.html

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>Closing arguments set for Nov. 28 in Graydon Pool drowning trial.

>Closing arguments set for Nov. 28 in Graydon Pool drowning trial.

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 17, 2011, 8:34 PM
BY KELLY EBBELS
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

If Steven Kim had reported to the Ridgewood Police Department that he tried to save the life of his friend Soo Hyeon Park before he drowned at Graydon Pool on July 15, 2008, a criminal investigation may have been launched, it was revealed in court this week.

Testimony in the civil trial of the Park family versus the Village of Ridgewood this week revealed that Steven Kim, who, with his brother Peter Kim, were hosts to the Park family visiting Ridgewood from Korea that summer, likely did not tell police the entire account of his experiences when 13-year-old Soo Hyeon Park drowned.

Steven Kim has testified several times under oath that he saw his friend struggling in the water and that he tried to save Soo Hyeon by swimming to him and pulling at his hair to attempt to lift him.

He never told the police department he reached Soo Hyeon and made contact with him, according to Detective Douglas Henky, who interviewed the boys at The Valley Hospital after Soo Hyeon’s body was brought there. Henky said, rather, that Steven told him he considered swimming to Soo Hyeon, but decided against it and instead went to get help. Henky concluded his interview with the two boys, he said, and never spoke to them again.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/134089128_Closing_arguments_set_for_Nov__28_in_Graydon_Pool_drowning_trial.html

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>Christie’s school accountability plan to focus on urban and suburban districts

>Christie’s school accountability plan to focus on urban and suburban districts


The Christie administration’s new accountability system for public schools will save its strongest measures for urban districts like Camden, Trenton, and Newark. But there may be a few suburban names coming under extra scrutiny, too.

Gov. Chris Christie yesterday rolled out the accountability plan being proposed to the federal government as an alternative to the rules that have existed for a decade under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
It will be heavily focused on the lowest-performing schools, now to be called “Priority Schools,” offering assistance and often requiring changes at the threat of losing state or federal funding. Those changes could include everything from new teacher training to a longer school day to closure and replacement of all staff.  (Mooney, NJ Spotlight)

https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/11/1117/0003/
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>Superintendent Salary Caps , a way out?

>Superintendent Salary Caps , a way out? 

Let’s get this straight. Fishbein praises Lorenz as the best HS principal he has ever worked with. Yet, we let him go? Something doesn’t add up here. Perhaps it’s Mr. Fishbein’s salary.

With the state forcing pay cuts/caps to all superintendents’ salaries come this July, will the BOE then name Fishbein RHS principal? Thus, allowing him to be paid the same or more than he is currently earning.

Watch for the BOE to justify this move as “saving money.” But in truth, they will have to hire more administrators to assist Fishbein in running the RHS.

wine.comshow?id=mjvuF8ceKoQ&bids=209195

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>Controversial Professor Bill Ayers Speaks With Occupy Chicago Protesters

>Controversial Professor Bill Ayers Speaks With Occupy Chicago Protesters

Former Weather Underground group member teaches non-violence to protesters

By Jessica Guido |  Thursday, Nov 17, 2011  |  Updated 3:58 PM CST

Controversial activist, professor and author Bill Ayers was videotaped recently giving advice about non-violent protesting to Occupy Chicago protesters.

Filmed last month by Education Action Group, EAG-TV, and posted on their YouTube page, the video shows Ayers teaching a group of protesters in a “teach-in.”

Ayers made headlines in 2008 when his connection to then-candidate Barack Obama were crystallized — perhaps most notably — by Sarah Palin who accused Obama of “palling around with terrorists.”

Source: https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Controversial-Professor-Bill-Ayers-Speaks-With-Occupy-Chicago-Protestors–134045388.html?dr#ixzz1e1C7QpD2

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>Turf War? Glendale Bans Fake Grass

>Turf War? Glendale Bans Fake Grass
November 17, 2011 12:49 AM

GLENDALE (CBS) — The city of Glendale is imposing a ban on artificial grass. Notices are going out to homeowners whose front yards are covered in turf.

Geneva Dotson says she was forced to pay crews $3,000 to rip up her brand new front yard after receiving a notice from city hall.

“There’s enough drama in life without having the city breathing down my back,” says Dotson. “I’m very angry about it, to tell you the truth.”

So, what’s the gripe?

City officials say the concern is related to the plastic and chemicals used in the artificial turf.

https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2011/11/17/turf-war-glendale-bans-fake-grass/

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>Boiling Springs Savings Bank: Wine & Cheese Meet & Greet

>Boiling Springs Savings Bank: Wine & Cheese Meet & Greet
Wed, November 30, 2011
Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Location: Boiling Springs Savings Bank, 1124 East Ridgewood Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450

Join Boiling Springs Savings Bank for a special evening of meeting and greeting your neighboring non-profits and businesses. Here is your opportunity to share ideas, contacts, and referrals.

Please R.S.V.P by Wednesday, November 23, 2011:
Linda Wicker, Branch Manager
(201) 445-4000 or lwicker@bssbank.com

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>N.J. lawmakers vow to address eligibility for public workers to receive accidental disability pension

>N.J. lawmakers vow to address eligibility for public workers to receive accidental disability pension


Senate Democrats said Tuesday they plan to introduce a bill before the end of the year that would make public employees undergo far more scrutiny before receiving an accidental disability pension.

Democrats said they had planned to introduce the measure next year, but stepped up their timetable after an article appeared Tuesday in The Star-Ledger focusing on how looser eligibility requirements have led to a record increase in the awarding of pensions.

“There are certainly appropriate times when someone deserves an accidental disability pension, but it shouldn’t be abused,” said State Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D-Atlantic), who plans to co-sponsor the legislation with Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Burlington). “It harms taxpayers and those who depend on pensions.”  (Renshaw, The Star-Ledger)

https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/11/nj_lawmakers_vow_to_address_el.html
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>State granting a record number of accidental disability pensions

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State granting a record number of accidental disability pensions

New Jersey is granting a record number of accidental disability pensions this year for public employees as a result of recent changes in law that make it easier to collect.

The Statehouse Bureau of The Star-Ledger of Newark and The Record reported Tuesday that records show the state made $91.5 million in payments to police and firefighters in 2010, a 35 percent increase from 2007, when it paid out $68 million.

This year, the state will grant the most accidental disability pensions in its history, having approved 537 through August, compared with 402 in 2007.  (Associated Press)

https://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/press/new_jersey/state-granting-a-record-number-of-accidental-disability-pensions/article_8f4f83b4-0ffb-11e1-873c-001cc4c03286.html
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>Thanks to young people for supporting troops

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Thanks to young people for supporting troops

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2011  
TOWN JOURNAL

Dear Editor,

On Wednesday, Nov.9, just like for the past several years, I have had the privilege of speaking to several hundred young people at the Ho-Ho-Kus Public School in Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ at its Honoring Veterans Assembly. The enthusiasm of these young people was exceptional this year and on behalf of all the Veterans in the Washington Elm VFW Post 192 (Ridgewood—Ho-Ho-Kus) and if I might be so presumptuous, all the military service members and Veterans in New Jersey, I want to give my heartfelt appreciation for the honor given to us by these young people.

Each year the topic of the talk has been related to some value, like respect, responsibility and accountability, etc., with a personal “war story” thrown in, but this year because I received a couple of items, one via email and the other a Veterans Day Proclamation from the Governor’s Office, I decided to change the format.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/opinions/134017553_Thanks_to_young_people_for_supporting_troops.html

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>Ridgewood High School Principal Jack Lorenz resigns

>Ridgewood High School Principal Jack Lorenz resigns
November 17, 2011 – Superintendent of Schools Dr. Daniel Fishbein has announced the resignation of Ridgewood High School Principal Jack Lorenz, effective December 31, 2011.

“Jack is one of the most creative, committed and visible school principals with whom I have had the pleasure to work,” said Dr. Fishbein. “In his time at Ridgewood High School we have seen an increase in programs for all students. Most recently his efforts to develop the S.A.I.L. program for students with disabilities earned him an award from the Bergen County Division on Disability Services. I am sure that, with Jack’s love of learning and commitment to the education of all students, he will be extremely successful in his next endeavor. I wish him the best.”

Mr. Lorenz has been Principal of Ridgewood High School since July 2006. He came to the district from Highland Park High School in Highland Park, IL, where he was Principal.

The Board of Education is expected to officially approve Mr. Lorenz’s resignation at its November 21 Regular Public Meeting, after which the Superintendent and the Board together will take the next step of developing short and long-term transition plans for the high school administration. These plans will focus on the process and implementation of interim leadership and recruitment.

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>Tenure, charters, vouchers: Lame duck session’s big three

>Tenure, charters, vouchers: Lame duck session’s big three


Now that New Jersey’s midterm election is over, with little changed in the legislature, it’s back to business in the Statehouse — and that means education reform.

Gov. Chris Christie yesterday put out his now-familiar call for the Democratic-controlled legislature to act on what he said are the state’s priorities, starting with his package of proposals on teacher tenure, charter schools, and school vouchers.

The Democratic leadership, for its part, put out its schedule for the next two months, starting next Monday.
And for all of Christie’s prodding, which is expected to continue today with an education event in Secaucus, the legislature is actually pretty far along on several of the governor’ core proposals.  (Mooney, NJ Spotlight)

https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/11/1115/2308/
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>Charter-school founder addresses critics in Cherry Hill

>Charter-school founder addresses critics in Cherry Hill


For weeks, Cherry Hill school officials and residents have campaigned to block a charter school from opening in the township, arguing that the redirection of state education funds would harm the top-ranked district.
On Tuesday, charter founder Amir Khan, pastor of the township’s Solid Rock Worship Center, attempted to answer his critics after the district this month filed a challenge to the school’s approval.

“The schools today are exactly the same as they were 100 years ago, when we were an industrial economy,” he said in a speech at the church. “You have so much time for math, this much time for reading. The world has changed, and how we educate our children needs to change, too.”  (Osborne, The Philadelphia Inquirer)

https://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/133935813.html
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>11 states seek relief from ‘No Child’ provisions, in return for raising standards

>11 states seek relief from ‘No Child’ provisions, in return for raising standards


Eleven states applied for waivers exempting them from key provisions of the No Child Left Behind law by the federal government’s first deadline, promising in return to adopt higher standards and carry out other elements of the Obama administration’s school improvement agenda, the Department of Education said on Tuesday.
Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Tennessee asked the department for relief from some No Child provisions, including the requirement that all students be proficient in English and math by 2014. In their applications, the states outlined plans to develop their own locally designed school accountability systems, create new educator-evaluation systems and overhaul their lowest-performing schools, the department said.  (Dillon, The New York Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/16/education/11-states-seek-relief-from-no-child-provisions.html?_r=1&scp=13&sq=jersey&st=nyt