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Bond Street Mortgage LLC and Keller Williams Realty West Monmouth announce Operation “Saving Private Ryan”

Saving Private Ryan
May 29,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood

Ridgewood NJ, Ryan Wares joined the army and was sent to Iraq in 2006, where he spent 12 months on a deployment. During his 10th month there, he had a long discussion with a childhood friend whom had joined the army with him. As Ryan walked outside of the tent they were in, he was startled by the sound of a gunshot. He ran back in to find his friend could not take the pressure of war and decided to end his watch for good. A few months later, during the final days of Ryan’s deployment, his unit was hit by a roadside IED. Ryan was in the blast zone and sustained injuries across his body that are still with him today. He also suffers from severe PTSD and survivor’s guilt. He is classified as 75% disabled. Ryan was honorably discharged from the army, but struggled upon returning home. It was difficult for him to find a job and integrate back into society. Family and friends are helping as much as they can to help Ryan through his tough times.

Keller Williams Realty West Monmouth has chosen Ryan for their RED day* recipient and are looking to find an apartment for him, his fiancé, and 3 small children. Bond Street Mortgage LLC has created a go fund me account for Ryan to help furnish the apartment and pay for as many months up front for his rent as we can for the first year. Any donations are appreciated. https://www.gofundme.com/SavePrivateRyan

*Red Day is an initiative dedicated to celebrating Keller Williams Realty’s year-round commitment to improving our local communities. Each year, on the second Thursday in May, tens of thousands of associates from across the United States and Canada participate in a wide range of projects, devoting their time to renewing and energizing aspects of the neighborhoods in which they serve.

About Bond Street LLC NMLS # 191351: Bond Street Mortgage has built a strong reputation as an outstanding mortgage lending firm, serving the lending needs of real estate professionals, builders and individual home buyers. We are a full service mortgage lender.
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Ridgewood Police Department: Registration is now open for the 3rd Annual Michael Feeney’s Best Day Ever

3rd Annual Michael Feeney's Best Day Ever

May 28,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

 

Ridgewood NJ, Registration is now open for the 3rd Annual Michael Feeney’s Best Day Ever. The event will be held on June 4th from 10-3 at BF Middle School field in Ridgewood, NJ. The day kicks off with a color fun run. Then there will be a balloon and butterfly release, carnival games, inflatables, face painting and so much more. Yes, the mechanical shark will be back! We hope to see you there! $20 per person / $50 per family when registering on line. ($25 per person. $75 per family at the door). Proceeds to benefit childhood cancer research, The Chief Michael Feeney Junior Police Academy, JDRF, and to give ” A Best Day” to some sick children and their families.
To register go to: https://register.communitypass.net/ridgewood.

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Ridgewood Memorial Day Commemoration

Orpheus Club Men's Chorus

May 25,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus has volunteered to be a part of Ridgewood’s Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, Memorial Day. It is our civic duty and our privilege to give our time, talents, end efforts to support the Village’s remembrance of our war dead.

Thanks to Mayor Paul Aronsohn, and Memorial Day Committee chair Bob Paoli, we will be singing Battle Hymn of the Republic,  In Flanders Fields,  and vocal accompaniment to an Armed Forces Medley performed by the Ridgewood High School Wind Ensemble.

The ceremony starts at 11:00 am and should conclude at noon.
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RIDGEWOOD VOTER REGISTRATION NIGHT – TONIGHT MAY 17, 2016

vote

VOTER REGISTRATION NIGHT – MAY 17, 2016

May 17,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, On May 17, 2016, voter registration will be conducted in the lobby of the Ridgewood Public Library, 125 North Maple Avenue, from 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. This is the final opportunity for voter registration in order to be eligible to vote in the June 7, 2016 Primary Election in June.

All residents of Ridgewood who are at least 17 years of age and citizens of the United States are eligible to vote. Residents who have recently moved to Ridgewood, as well as those who have moved within Ridgewood, must re-register to vote even if they were previously registered at another address.

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Sewer Repair Cost & Insurance Considerations in NJ

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Sewer repair in NJ isn’t something you should need very often, but the price tag is pretty substantial. Repairing or replacing a damaged pipe is a relatively involved process, requiring skilled labor from experienced contractors. Once it’s done well by professionals, however, you won’t have any more problems for a while. The cost is worthwhile, but for many New Jersey homeowners, a sudden sewer repair bill can be a problem.

How Costly is Sewer Pipe Repair in NJ?

The cost of sewer repairs in New Jersey will vary with every individual job. Each situation is different, and so the cost can vary considerably. Some problems require only minor repairs, whereas other problems may need total sewer line replacement. Sewer repair contractors will diagnose the issue and inspect the pipe, then give you a cost estimate based on the parts and labor required.

At A1 Sewer & Drain Services, we provide all our customers with a 100% FREE diagnosis and cost estimate.

Will Homeowner’s Insurance Cover Sewer Repair?

Sewer problems can be very sudden, leaving homeowners with little room to plan and budget for the sudden expense. This leads to a natural question: will the homeowner’s insurance cover the damage?

Water damage from plumbing issues is a leading case of homeowner’s insurance claims in the US, and backflow from a damaged sewer main line is a common cause.

There are several factors that can impact your coverage, and your insurance policy may or may not include sewer repairs:

There are several factors that can impact your coverage and who is responsible for sewer line repair

– The location of the break. If a break in the sewer pipe is too far from your foundation, your insurance might not cover it.

– The condition of the sewer pipe. Homeowner’s insurance policies will usually only cover sewer repairs in NJ if the damage is considered to be non-negligent. This excludes age-related deterioration, however. Problems related to age, like corrosion, are leading causes of problems that require sewer repairs or sewer replacement in NJ, so many homeowners are out of luck.

If the cause of the problem was shoddy installation or poor workmanship, your repairs may be covered by your insurance. However, this is relatively rare.

If you’re concerned about the cost of sewer repair in NJ, some insurance companies offer additional coverage for sewer and drain repairs. These policies can also cover water damage or water removal from sewer backflow, along with other potential expenses like mold remediation that you may need after emergency sewer repairs.

These usually run anywhere from $50 to $100 a month, but can help you avoid a sudden sewer repair bill for thousands of dollars. For many homeowners in New Jersey, a small monthly payment is much easier to handle than a sudden four-figure repair expense.

Fair Prices for Sewer Repair NJ

At A1 Sewer & Drain Services, we carefully calculate fair and reasonable prices for sewer line repair, sewer line replacement, and other services in New Jersey. Quality workmanship and quality materials are important to us, but we keep our prices in a range that makes sense. We’ll never try to upsell you on something that you don’t actually need.

For a FREE cost estimate and advice visit A1 Sewer & Drain Services website at: www.a1sewercleaning.com

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“America the Beautiful – Celebrating 100 Years of our National Parks” Ridgewood’s 106th annual Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration

Jerry_DeSimone_Scott_Garrett_Korean_War_Honor_theridgewoodblog

Jerry , with Congressman Scott Garrett presenting Korean War Veteran and Wanaque resident Thomas Falato with an award at the Ridgewood 4th parade 2015

May 1st 2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood Nj, The Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration Committee is sad to announce the passing of Gerald “Jerry” DeSimone on February 10, 2016.  Jerry served as committee president beginning in 1977  with a passion that was instrumental in making the Ridgewood 4th of July Celebration what is is today.  We would like to thank all of the donors for their pledges in Jerry’s honor.

The Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration is an all volunteer, community funded event that receives no direct funding from the Village of Ridgewood.  In addition to our generous sponsors and to ensure our tradition continues we need your support! Donate Now at the link below:

SUPPORT THE TRADITION!

Please join us for the 106th annual Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration on Monday, July 4th, 2016.

The theme for the Parade this year is “America the Beautiful – Celebrating 100 Years of our National Parks”  Our theme this year honors the creation of the National Park Service through the Organic Act of 1916 signed by President Woodrow Wilson and originated by President Theodore Roosevelt.

Each year, the Fourth of July Celebration Committee chooses a theme that celebrates a certain aspect of American history or culture. The theme also serves as the basis for the float competition held among the town’s elementary schools.

Thank you for your continued support of this great tradition!

-The Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration Commite

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The New Jersey Choral Society presents “O Fortuna – A Celebration of Hope and Joy”

New Jersey Choral Society_rev (1)
April 28,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,  Experience the crashing of cymbals, the power of over 100 voices, and thesonority of two pianos and a percussion ensemble as the New Jersey Choral Society presents “O Fortuna – A Celebration of Hope and Joy” featuring Carl Orff’s epic masterwork “Carmina Burana.” The Connecticut Choral Society and the NJCS Festival Youth Chorus, directed by Noelle Dachis, will join NJCS in this exciting performance, which will be held on Saturday, June4 at 8:00 pm at the West Side Presbyterian Church, 6 South Monroe St., Ridgewood.

The exhilarating program, under the direction of Eric Dale Knapp, focuses on Carl Orff’s scenic cantata “Carmina Burana,” based on 24 medieval poems, which cover a wide range of topics, including the fickleness of fortune and wealth, the ephemeral nature of life, the joy of the return of spring, and the wonders and joy of food, drink and physical love. This eclectic collection was written in Latin, Middle High German and French and included fragments of musical notation suggesting it was used as a songbook in 11 th and 12 th centuries.

Messages of goodwill and humanitarian understanding are also represented in the diverse program through such inspirational works as “Lux Aeterna” by Abel Di Marco, “Peace” by Daniel Brewbaker, the profoundly moving “Inscription of Hope” by Z. Randall Stroope, and the musically inventive “Sizzle!” by Nathan Daughtrey.Pianists Linda Sweetman-Waters and Ruth Draper, along with a Percussion Ensemble, will accompany the choruses. Guest soloists Megan Knapp (soprano), Nathan Munson (tenor) and Peter Kendall Clark (baritone) will also be featured. A procession of 90 local Boy and Girl Scout troops as well as a local Color Guard presenting flags of the world will open this spectacular concert.

Advance tickets are $35.00 for adults and $30.00 for students, seniors, and patrons with disabilities. (Add $5.00 at the door). A 10% discount for groups of 10 or more is also available. Come one hour prior to performance time for The Inside Line, a complimentary lecture for all ticket holders that provides an intimate and entertaining preview of the music. For reservations or more information, visit www.NJCS.org or call the New Jersey Choral Society at (201) 379-7719.

The West Side Presbyterian Church is wheelchair accessible. Funding has been made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

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Verizon cell site now operational at Ridgewood High School?

verison RHS

April 19,2016

by Boyd Loving

Ridgewood NJ, The appearance of a cellular base station antenna on the roof of RHS suggests that the “microcell” cellular telephone site owned & operated by Verizon, proposed early last year, is now in place and fully functional.

When questioned about the installation in January of 2015, a BOE representative said that radio signals from the “microcell” were intended to enhance cellular telephone coverage within RHS.  Reportedly, even residents of nearby Beverly Road and Heermance Place would be unable to benefit from the installation.
Improved cellular telephone coverage was required within the RHS building in connection with enhanced security and communications protocols, or so claimed the BOE at the time the system was proposed.

https://www.publicnoticeads.com/nj/search/view.asp?T=PN&id=272/1022015_22051003.htm
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The Ridgewood Police Department will once again participate in Operation Take Back with the DEA

prescription-drugs

DEA OPERATION TAKE BACK – APRIL 30

The Ridgewood Police Department will once again participate in Operation Take Back with the DEA. Residents can bring any extra or expired prescription drugs to the Police Department on Saturday, April 30th from 10am to 2pm for safe disposal.  You are encouraged to participate in this program that will protect the water supply and our environment

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Christie administration: Road fund could go broke this summer

Road_work_theridgewoodblog

New Jersey’s transportation funding system is in disarray, and neither the governor nor state legislators has a plan for how to plug a financing gap that tops $2 billion, administration officials and Assembly members said Wednesday at the first budget hearing of the season. Christopher Maag, The Record Read more

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N.J. small businesses: Tax breaks for big corporations unfair to us

Snow Blizzard of 2016 Ridgewood CBD

file photo by Boyd Loving

A handful of small business owners on Tuesday urged the state’s economic development arm to back off issuing tax credits to big corporations, which they said come at their expense. Samantha Marcus, NJ.com, Read more

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Ridgewood Art Institute Hosts an Oil Painting Demonstration by Rebecca Jean Leer

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Ridgewood Art Institute instructor and Ridgewood resident, Rebecca Jean Leer will create a portrait using a live model.
Saturday April 23rd, 2016 at 10am-12 noon
The Ridgewood Library
125 North Maple Avenue
Ridgewood , NJ 07450
201 670-5600

Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Art Institute is a prominent player in the perpetuation of Classical Realism today, and Ms. Leer is held in high esteem by both students and colleagues there. Her work has been likened to some of the greatest painters. It has been said “She paints light in a way that allows her to rise above the subject; the light instead reveals the subject in the same way the Great Masters aspired to using light in their paintings”. Please don’t miss this unique opportunity to observe the creative process at work. This free event is worthwhile to both artists and art enthusiasts. All are welcome.

The Ridgewood Art Institute is a non profit organization providing the finest instruction in Classical Realism in a variety of mediums. Classes are offered on an open enrollment basis, and can be joined at anytime. Each student is taught in direct relation to their personal skill level. For more information on class scheduling, this and future events please visitwww.ridgewoodartinstitute.org

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New York City’s Pension System in Danger of ‘Operational Failure,’ Report Says

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By SUSANNE CRAIGJAN. 26, 2016

New York City’s pension system, which encompasses $160 billion in retirement funds, is rife with problems that leave it vulnerable to an “operational failure,” according to an independent report commissioned by the city comptroller’s office.

The report found that the city’s retirement system, the fourth largest in the country, needs additional resources, is understaffed and lacks many basic tools required to gain insight into the complicated risk embedded in its investments. Some managers rely on fax machines to send and receive vital information.

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Registration for Ridgewood YWCA Session 5 Classes Starts April 4

Ridgewood YMCA theridgewoodblog.net
March 20,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Registration for the next session of YWCA Bergen County programs starts Monday, April 4th at 7:00 a.m. online and 8:30 a.m in-person. Classes run from April 24 through June 18, 2016 at the YWCA’s 112 Oak Street, Ridgewood location, and members can register atwww.ywcabergencounty.org, by phone, or in person.

New for Kids & Teens: Special Needs Yoga for ages 10 to 15 years is designed for girls and boys with intellectual and development delays, including autism, with self-help skills to independently participate within a 1:6 staffing ratio. Beneficial for body and mind, children develop balance, strength, flexibility, and focus through this special yoga-fit class. Taekwondo for ages 6 to 14 years teaches martial arts patterns, sparring, and self-defense in addition to improving physical fitness and mental discipline.

For Adults: Co-ed Soccer keeps your cardiovascular fitness up; refining soccer skills for a great workout. 360 Movement Fitness Classes cross-train the body with a wide variety of challenging and motivating group fitness classes. Active Older Adult Fitness Classes provide a friendly and supportive environment to help improve member’s health and well-being.
Plus: WEN: Women’s Empowerment Network, Children’s Dance, dozens of other fitness, wellness, and enrichment programs, as well as American Red Cross certified Swim Classes for swimmers at every age and level. Drop-in child care is also available at the 112 Oak Street, Ridgewood facility. Visit www.ywcabergencounty.org or call 201-444-5600 for more information.
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Conflagration in the Caucus Chamber: Rice and Sweeney Separated over AC Takeover Bill

rb2-fist-fight

 

Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-3) and veteran Senator Ronald L. Rice (D-28) exchanged harsh words in the Senate Democratic caucus chamber this afternoon before state Senator James Beach (D-6) stepped in to keep the men apart. Max Pizarro, PolitickerNJ Read more