>ROTARY CLUBS FEATURE WORLD-RENOWNED JAZZ MUSICIANS AT MARCH 5 BENEFIT CONCERT
The Ridgewood A.M. and Bergen Community College Rotary Clubs will host a benefit jazz concert featuring world-renowned jazz musicians at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 5, 2011. The concert will be held in the Ciccone Theatre at Bergen Community College, 400 Paramus Road, in Paramus, NJ.
Tickets for the event are $75 each. Admission includes the concert and an after-party with the musicians. Proceeds from the concert will benefit Community Blood Services, the Social Service Association of Ridgewood & Vicinity, and will fund scholarships for needy students at Bergen Community College.
The concert will feature several world famous musicians, including Bill OāConnell (keyboards), Conrad Herwig (trombone), Steve Slagle (saxophone), Luques Curtis (bass), Dave Samuels (vibraphone and marimba) and Steve Berrios (drums and percussion). Dr. Glenn Godart, a Ridgewood dentist and co-chairman of the event says, āItās very unusual to have musicians of this caliber perform in Bergen County. These are all top talents on the New York jazz scene, so hearing them will be a real New York City experience, with the convenience of being close to home.ā
The musicians will perform a program consisting largely of Latin jazz, drawn from Bill OāConnellās latest CD, āRhapsody in Blue,ā with other works made famous by Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, Cal Tjader, and others. āI can tell you this,ā says Dr. Godart, āeven if youāre not a big jazz aficionado, you will like this program. It will be full of the rhythm, passion and fire of Latin jazz. Youāll have a hard time keeping your feet on the floor.ā
Mary Ann Copp, President of the Ridgewood A.M. Rotary Club, says, āWeāre happy to host this in cooperation with the Bergen Community College Rotary Club, and we have a great venue for the event. The Ciccone Theatre at BCC has wonderful acoustics and comfortable seating. Hearing world-class musicians in this great setting will be an experience you won’t want to miss, and you can benefit three outstanding causes at the same time.ā
Tickets, at $75 each, are available through Dr. Godart, [email protected] or (201) 314-2182. Special-rate tickets are available to students and employees of Bergen Community College, but do not include the reception following the concert. Parking at BCC is plentiful and free of charge.
>New Jersey will greatly increase its number of public charter schools this Year
More charters on tap in N.J.
New Jersey will greatly increase its number of public charter schools, adding 23 this year, the Christie administration said Tuesday.
The additions, including nine in Newark, would bring the number of charter schools in New Jersey to 97 by September. (Fleisher. The Wall Street Journal)
The terminally ill’s lack of access to medical marijuana is one of the worries of a state senator who is trying to force Gov. Chris Christie’s administration to change proposed regulations of the drug. (Jordan, Daily Record)
I agree with President Obama. When it comes to politicizing random violence, he and his supporters have been āfar too eager to lay the blame for all that ails the world at the feet of those who think differently thanā they do. Recognition is the first step toward reconciliation. Itās time to recognize the poisonous pervasiveness of the Blame Righty meme.
For the past two years, Democrat officials, liberal activists, and journalists have jumped to libelous conclusions about individual shooting sprees committed by mentally unstable loners with incoherent delusions all over the ideological map. The White House now pledges to swear off āpointing fingers or assigning blame.ā Alas, the Obama administrationās political and media foot soldiers have proven themselves incapable of such restraint.
All are invited to participate in this inspirational event!
29th ANNUAL RIDGEWOOD & GLEN ROCK DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. OBSERVANCE Monday, January 17, 2011 at United Methodist Church, 100 Dayton Street, Ridgewood, New Jersey. āWorking FOR THE COMMON GOODā – 10:00 A.M. Interfaith Service Reverend Dr. George W. Maize,III Pastor, Metropolitan AME Zion Church – Outdoor Rally and luncheon. – 1:00 P.M. Fellowship Program will feature Yvonne Smith Segars, who has served as New Jersey’s Public Defender since 2002.
Last week, it looked like the Christie administration had pulled a fast one on the Democrats by introducing a plan to bail out the Transportation Trust Fund with revenues that would have gone to the canceled ARC tunnel project.
This week: Not so fast.
Thatās what John Wisniewski is saying. And heās getting backing from Steve Lonegan. (Mulshine, The Star-Ledger)
>Sabatino Sirica, Renowned Neapolitan Pastry Master,to Share Baking Techniques at A Mano
For the First Time in the US, the Pastry Chef will Display his Expert Skills at Demonstrations and Baking Classes January 13-15th
Ridgewood New Jerseyās authentic Neapolitan trattoria A Mano, will host celebrated Italian pastry master Sabatino Sirica, for an intimate viewing of the art of pastry. The esteemed maestro will teach the fundamentals of traditional Italian pastry, at demonstrations and baking classes on January 13-15, 2011 by reservation only.With more than a half century of experience with the craftsmanship of pastry, Mr. Sirica will exhibit his expert techniques and share baking secrets at the limited engagements. At the baking classes, participants will enjoy a rare opportunity to work hands-on with the artisan, while guests at the demonstrations will take an up-close look at perfecting pastry.
During his appearances at A Mano, the celebrated baker will showcase signature Neapolitan desserts such as sfogliatelle ā a classic Italian ricotta ļ¬lled pastry, rum baba ā a delicious cake ļ¬avored with rum, pasteria ā a traditional Neapolitan specialty for the Easter season, and more.
Born in 1941 in Sarno, Italy, founder and owner of the renowned pastry shop, Pasticciera Sirica in Naples, Italy, Mr. Sirica has been a member of the Association of Neapolitan bakers for 15 years,holding titles as Secretary and Treasurer. He has graced the major Italian television network, RAI TV, with many appearances, and is well known for his prestigious clients and collaborations, as well as his generous philanthropy.
Telephone: 201.493.2000
Website: www.amanopizza.com
Reservations Required: Limited engagement. Please call the manager for reservations
Sabatino Sirica, renowned Neapolitan pastry master,an intimate, informative baking classes ($20 per person) and complimentary demonstrations led by celebrated Neapolitan pastry chef and Italian TV star, Sabatino Sirica, hosted at A Mano, 24 Franklin Ave., Ridgewood, NJ
Baking Classes Thursday, January 13th & Friday, January 14th 10:00ā11:30 AM
Pastry Demonstrations Thursday, January 13th 6:00ā7:00 PM Saturday, January 15th 4:00ā5:00 PM
>Officers stopped suspect Jared Lougher on day of Ariz. shooting
Officers stopped suspect on day of Ariz. shooting
TUCSON, Ariz. ā A wildlife officer pulled over the suspect in the assassination attempt against an Arizona congresswoman less than three hours before the deadly attack, authorities said Wednesday as they pieced together more details of a frenzied morning.
Jared Lougher ran a red light but was let off with a warning at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, the Arizona Game and Fish Department said. The officer took Loughner’s driver’s license and vehicle registration information but found no outstanding warrants on Loughner or his vehicle.
Wildlife officers don’t usually make traffic stops unless public safety is at risk, such as running a red light, the department said in a news release, which didn’t say where the stop took place.
It’s the latest evidence of Loughner’s busy morning before police say he shot and killed six and wounded more than a dozen at a Tucson grocery store.
>Education Reform: Christie seeks end of teacher tenure
Christie seeks end of teacher tenure
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie called for an end to teacher tenure in his first State of the State Tuesday, a move that would require cooperation from the Democrats in the state legislature. (Fleisher, The Wall Street Journal)
>Former Mayor David T. Pfund – “There will be no tangible loss of service . . . ” as a direct result of municipal worker layoffs
For those of you who remember the former Mayor saying this, but can’t remember exactly when he said it, it was on May 12, 2010 during a Regular Public Meeting of the Ridgewood Village Council.
Here’s the dialog:
Boyd Loving, 342 South Irving Street, asked when the vote on the 2010 budget will take place and if there will be any additional opportunity for public comments prior to the vote. Mayor Pfund said that any public comments concerning the budget would need to be made this evening and that the vote will take place on June 9, 2010. Any general comments could be made prior to the vote on June 9, 2010 during the public comments portion of that eveningās meeting.
Mr. Loving said that the Village of Ridgewood Reports (Spring 2010) states in part: āThe 2010 Introduced Budget is accomplished with the unprecedented support of numerous full-time employee retirements, adjustments to existing collective bargaining agreements and numerous full and part time staff layoffs.ā Mr. Loving said that with regard to the ānumerous full and part time staff layoffs,ā the public has not yet been informed what services the Village is considering cutting. Therefore, he said it was difficult for anyone to comment on the budget. He asked if anyone could indicate at this time what services may be reduced or eliminated so that the public would have a better idea of what is going to happen.
Dr. Gabbert replied that the Village has submitted a layoff plan to the New Jersey Civil Service Commission and it is up to Civil Service to determine the bumping rights of individuals. Where there are vacancies due to either retirement or elimination of positions, the Village plans to have coverage for those responsibilities/positions. Therefore, Dr. Gabbert did not anticipate any elimination of services. He said that there may be different individuals covering services or acting as supervisors in certain areas, but the services provided by the Village should remain essentially the same.
When again questioned by Mr. Loving, Dr. Gabbert replied that since the 2010 budget has been reduced by 2% from the 2009 budget, health insurance premiums have increased by 18%; contractual salaries have increased by 4.3%; and State aid has been reduced, there will obviously be changes within each department since each departmental budget has been pared down. However, he said that the Village still aims to accomplish its āmissionā and if there is a shortfall somewhere, then they will rapidly take care of it.
Mayor Pfund added that this is a very difficult year and there will be changes. He said that there will be no ātangibleā loss of service such as the elimination of garbage pickup, recycling services, or street cleaning/plowing. However, with the loss of some jobs, other Village personnel will have to āpick up the slackā in their department to maintain adequate levels of service. Mayor Pfund said that most employees are already working at maximum capacity and, therefore, he said that there is a definite possibility that there will be longer wait times in certain departments as a result. Mayor Pfund said that the Village Council will have to see how this progresses in the future and address any problems which occur. He said that an 8.86% tax increase was unacceptable to him and not fair to the taxpayers. He added that he did not even like a 5.16% increase and stated that the Village Council was going to do whatever it can to reduce this tax rate.
Mr. Loving concurred that an 8.86% tax increase would be unfair. He was concerned about the lack of communication to the taxpayers about what they might expect. He said that a number of people had spoken at the April 14, 2010 meeting regarding reductions in the programming for senior citizens and the Community Center. Mayor Pfund said that more will be known after the determination is made by Civil Service regarding bumping rights. Mr. Loving said that although he had not attended the Board of Education meeting on May 10, 2010, he had heard that Councilman Aronsohn had suggested even deeper cuts in the municipal budget in order to preserve the school budget. He asked if this had been considered by the Village Council and if further reductions would impact services. Mayor Pfund said that, in his opinion, the Village Council will be cutting as much as possible, regardless of the school budget, for the sake of the taxpayers and the Village. He said that there have not been any further discussions in this regard.
Mr. Loving said that a lot of people have mentioned that they moved to Ridgewood for the educational system. He said that in the 1970s, he and his family moved to Ridgewood for the same reason but decided to remain in Ridgewood after their children graduated from high school because of the great municipal services which Ridgewood provides. He cautioned the Village Council to be very careful about which reductions are made because if municipal services are reduced, he predicted that many people whose children are no longer in school will leave Ridgewood. Echoing Mr. Cirilloās comments, Mr. Loving concluded by saying that it is not āall aboutā the schools and that there are other considerations as well. He thanked the Village Council for their time. Mayor Pfund thanked Mr. Loving for his comments.
Councilman Killion commented that the Village Council has a choice between raising taxes and making cuts. He said that there was no easy answer and this year will be difficult. He said that it will be even more difficult in 2011 if the proposed 2.5% tax levy cap is passed. Councilman Killion remarked that there is no way that the Village can possibly provide the level of service it does now if that tax levy cap is passed. Mr. Loving said that he understood that cuts need to be made but stated that he was more concerned about the lack of communication to the taxpayers. He said that the Board of Education did a very good job in terms of explaining exactly what their cuts would be. He said that right now, no one knows anything as far as the municipal budget is concerned.
>Arizona shooting suspect may be linked to anti-Semitic group NewsCore January 10, 2011 12:41AM
THE suspect being held over Saturday’s shooting of US Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords may have links to anti-Semitic race hate group American Renaissance.
An internal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) memo quoted by FOX News Channel revealed the gunman – named by the media as Jared Loughner, 22 – is “possibly linked” to American Renaissance.
The group subscribes to an ideology that is “anti-government, anti-immigration, anti -ZOG (Zionist Occupational Government), anti-Semitic,” according to the DHS memo.
>Hackensack University Medical Center awaits Pascack ruling
Hospital awaits Pascack ruling
Sunday, January 9, 2011 BY LINDY WASHBURN THE RECORD STAFF WRITER
The state Health Department has not decided whether to give Hackensack University Medical Center an opportunity to start over again with its application to reopen the former Pascack Valley Hospital.
“It is under review,” said Donna Leusner, a department spokesman, of Hackensack’s Dec. 16 petition to the state health commissioner.
The Westwood hospital closed more than three years ago.
Hackensack’s 2-inch-thick petition, obtained by The Record last week, asks Commissioner Poonam Alaigh to call for applications “to open a new hospital in Westwood.” But it recommends criteria that would allow only one entity ā Hackensack and its for-profit partner ā to apply.
“In view of the immediate need for this service, and the lead time involved in bringing a new hospital into operation,” the document says, “we recommend that applicants should be limited to those who own property that is currently zoned for hospital use” in Westwood.
>Congressman Scott Garrett: Internship Opportunities
My district offices in Glen Rock and Newton are now accepting intern applications for the spring and summer semesters. The program is open to all college students, regardless of major. Cover letter and resume are required for consideration. Please contact Christina Garfinkle at 201-444-5454 for more information.
Requests for Proposals (RFP’s) will be received by the Village of Ridgewood, in the Village Manager’s Office, Level 5 Conference Room, at the Village Hall, 131 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey, on Thursday, January 20, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. prevailing time, then publicly opened and read aloud for: “Request for Proposals For Taxi Concession For the Village of Ridgewood And Vicinity”
The Village of Ridgewood is seeking proposals for a Taxi Concession for the Village and surrounding area. The Concession shall operate out of the former baggage station building on North Broad Street adjacent to the New Jersey Transit railroad in the manner described in the Request for Proposals.
The RFP package may be obtained from the Office of the Village Manager, Village Hall, 131 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450, (201) 670-5500, extension No. 204. Proposal packages may be examined or picked up in person between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., at 131 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450, Monday through Friday. Prospective respondents requesting proposal documents be mailed to them shall be responsible for providing their own postage/delivery service remuneration. No proposal forms shall be given out after 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Prices quoted in the proposal must be net and exclusive of all Federal, State and Local Sales and Excise Taxes. Proposals may be submitted in person or by mail prior to the proposal opening, addressed to the Office of the Director of Parks and Recreation. The Village assumes no responsibility for loss or non-delivery of any proposal sent to it prior to the date and time stated for receipt of proposals.
Each proposal must be enclosed in a sealed envelope with the name of the respondent thereon and endorsed, “Request for Proposals for Taxi Concession for the Village of Ridgewood and Vicinity”.
There will be a non-mandatory pre-submission conference scheduled to be held at the site (at the Taxi Stand Structure) on Friday, January 14, 2011 at 10:00 AM, prevailing time. Directions to the site may be obtained from the Village’s website: www.ridgewoodnj.net
All respondents shall present satisfactory evidence of being authorized to do business in the State of New Jersey. All respondents shall also provide a copy of their New Jersey Business Registration Certificate with their proposal. All respondents shall adhere to the requirements presented in the “Request for Proposals”. The Village of Ridgewood reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, to waive any informality or to accept a proposal, which in its judgment best serves the interest of the Village.
“RESPONDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF P.L.1975, C. 127. (NJAC 17:27) regarding Affirmative Action, and Executive Order No. 11246 regarding equal employment opportunity, as amended”. A complete statement as to these requirements is included in the Request for Proposals.
