Fiction: Many believe that paper bags are more environmentally friendly than plastic bags because they are made from a renewable resource, can biodegrade, and are recyclable.
Fact: Plastic shopping bags outperform paper bags environmentally – on manufacturing, on reuse, and on solid waste volume and generation.
The Facts
The belief that paper is better than plastic is not based on science or fact. It is based on misconceptions about how plastic bags are made, how landfills work, the incidence of plastic litter, and that non-biodegrading products are bad for the planet.
Numerous life cycle assessments demonstrate that conventional plastic bags are better for the environment than paper bags.
On resource use: plastic bags play an important role in the conservation of the natural gas resource. Plastic bags are made from clean energy natural gas in Canada, specifically from are a piece of natural gas – ethane that is often burned off in the natural gas refining process so that the gas will not burn too hot when used to heat our homes.
On manufacturing: paper bag manufacture is much more resource-intensive than plastic bag manufacture.
On reuse: it is difficult to reuse paper bags because they tend to tear.
On solid waste: paper bags have much greater mass and weigh five to seven times more than plastic bags so they add five to seven times more tonnage to the waste stream for municipalities to manage. This in turn results in a fivefold to sevenfold increase in greenhouse gas emissions.
Washington DC, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos recognized 342 schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2017 based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. These schools demonstrate that all students can achieve to high levels. The Department will formally recognize the 292 public and 50 private schools at an awards ceremony at the Omni Shoreham in Washington DC on November 6 and 7, 2017. The 2017 cohort represent public and non-public elementary, middle and high schools, including traditional, charter, magnet schools, parochial and independent schools in 44 States, the District of Colombia and Department of Defense Education Activity schools in Okinawa, Japan, Stuttgart, Germany, and West Point, New York.
The National Blue Ribbon Schools award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging content. The National Blue Ribbon Schools flag gracing a school’s building is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning. National Blue Ribbon Schools are an inspiration and a model for schools still striving for excellence. Now in its 35th year, the U. S. Department of Education has bestowed this coveted award on more than 8,500 schools.
In New Jersey 17 schools were honored as National Blue Ribbon Schools, and the list was dominated by Catholic schools . Most of which are being run by the Archdiocese of Newark.
Here are the Catholic Schools :
St. Peter Academy, Bergen County
This River Edge elementary school, under the Archdiocese of Newark, has 159 students. It was recognized as an Exemplary High Performing School.
Our Lady of the Lake School, Essex County
This Verona elementary school, operated by the Archdiocese of Newark, has 226 students and was recognized as an Exemplary High Performing School.
All Saints Catholic Academy, Hudson County
This Bayonne elementary school, under the Archdiocese of Newark, serving 404 students earned recognition as an Exemplary High Performing School.
All Saints Catholic Academy, Hudson County
This Bayonne elementary school, under the Archdiocese of Newark, serving 404 students earned recognition as an Exemplary High Performing School.
Saint Francis Cathedral School, Middlesex County
This elementary school, located in Metuchen and operated under the Metuchen Diocese, has 421 students. It was recognized as an Exemplary High Performing School.
Christian Brothers Academy, Monmouth County
This high school, located in Lincroft, and under the Diocese of Trenton, has 974 students. It was recognized as an Exemplary High Performing School.
The Academy of Our Lady of Peace, Union County
This New Providence elementary school, under the Archdiocese of Newark, has 145 students. It was recognized as an Exemplary High Performing School.
SCOTUS will hear Janus v. American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 31 this term.
Damon Root|Sep. 28, 2017 10:55 am
Today the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a case that has the potential of delivering a death blow to the legal privileges enjoyed by public-sector unions.
The case is Janus v. American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 31. At issue is whether it is constitutional for state governments to compel public-sector workers to pay union fees as a condition of employment even when those workers are not union members.
The case was brought by Mark Janus, a state employee in Illinois who objects to paying mandatory fees to a union that he has refused to join. Janus argues that the state’s scheme violates his First Amendment rights by forcing him to support political speech and activity that he does not wish to support.
Janus’s overarching goal is to overturn the Supreme Court’s 1977 precedent in Abood v. Detroit Board of Education, in which the Court approved mandatory public-sector union fees on the grounds that non-union “free riders” should have to contribute something toward collective bargaining activities that benefit them too. That ruling provided a massive boon to public-sector unions nationwide.
Ridgewood NJ, how quickly they forget, in his recent letter to the editor , “Will Ridgewood ever build a garage?” ( https://www.northjersey.com/story/opinion/readers/2017/09/28/letter-ridgewood-ever-build-garage/712949001/ ), Councilmen Jeff Voigt continues his efforts to undermine the current council . In the piece Voigt claims ,”One of the initiatives important to Ridgewood council members elected last year is to build a garage on Hudson Street” . Interesting because Voigt ran for office on a “no garage” platform.
The entire letter is once again an effort by Voigt and his small band of “developer owned ,pave over Ridgewood at all cost types ” , to blame the current mayor for all the stupid things done by the previous administration, “the 3 Amigos” . “The mess they created will take years to clean up and a lot of hard work if the Village is not to join the growing list of ” Most White Trash Cities In New Jersey ” ( https://theridgewoodblog.net/website-rolls-out-list-of-10-most-white-trash-cities-in-new-jersey/ ).
The letter like Councilmen Voigt’s behavior on the Dais is a bit convoluted , in one instance he argues to proceed with the garage and on the other he says there is no information on the project and the voters have a right to know . Interesting didn’t that same councilmen try to stop residents from accessing his emails thru OPRA requests ?
Perhaps the councilmen would read the Ridgewood blog more thoroughly in order to get better informed as to the comings and going in the Village of Ridgewood.
Trenton NJ, Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino announced that the Attorney General’s Office and its state and federal partners have charged 100 criminal defendants in their unprecedented collaborative efforts to root out fraud in disaster relief programs following Superstorm Sandy. Four new defendants were charged yesterday with filing fraudulent applications for federal relief funds related to Sandy, bringing the total charged by the Attorney General’s Office with this type of fraud to 100.
“Charging 100 defendants in these relief-fraud cases is a sad milestone in that it highlights how many people are willing, in the face of a historic disaster, to dishonestly exploit an offer of aid meant for those who were hardest hit,” said Attorney General Porrino. “At the same time, we’re proud of our collaborative efforts, which have recovered millions of dollars and sent an unmistakable message that those who commit this fraud will face serious criminal charges, now and during any future disasters. The 100 defendants we have charged were responsible for diverting nearly $6 million in relief funds.”
The Attorney General’s Office is continuing its aggressive efforts to investigate fraud in Sandy relief programs, working jointly with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), and the Offices of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Also assisting the taskforce is the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, New Jersey Office of the State Comptroller, New Jersey Department of the Treasury Office of Criminal Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the non-profit National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).
The defendants are alleged, in most cases, to have filed fraudulent applications for relief funds offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In many cases, they also applied for funds from a Sandy relief program funded by HUD, low-interest disaster loans from the SBA, or funds from HHS. The HUD funds are administered in New Jersey by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and the HHS funds are administered by the New Jersey Department of Human Services.
The following defendants were charged yesterday by complaint-summons:
Michael A. Avena, 65, of Wyckoff, N.J., allegedly filed fraudulent applications following Superstorm Sandy for FEMA assistance and state grants under the Homeowner Resettlement Program (RSP), the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation (RREM) Program, and the Sandy Homeowner and Renter Assistance Program (SHRAP). As a result, he allegedly received approximately $201,861 in relief funds to which he was not entitled. Avena allegedly falsely claimed in his applications that a home he owns on 5th Avenue in Ortley Beach, N.J., which was damaged by Superstorm Sandy, was his primary residence when Sandy struck. It is alleged that, in fact, his primary residence at the time of the storm was in Wyckoff and the home in Ortley Beach was a vacation home. As a result of the alleged fraudulent applications, Avena received $31,900 from FEMA, a $10,000 RSP grant, RREM grant funds totaling $150,000, and $9,961 in SHRAP funds. Avena is charged with second-degree theft by deception and fourth-degree unsworn falsification.
Charles Tuohy, 55, and his wife, Joanne Benzoni, 64, of Tenafly, N.J., allegedly filed fraudulent applications following Superstorm Sandy for FEMA assistance and state grants under the Homeowner Resettlement Program (RSP) and the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation (RREM) Program. As a result, the couple allegedly received $162,270 in relief funds to which they were not entitled. Tuohy and Benzoni allegedly falsely claimed in their applications that a home Benzoni owns on Lynn Ann Lane in Manahawkin, N.J., which was damaged by Superstorm Sandy, was their primary residence when Sandy struck. It is alleged that, in fact, their primary residence at the time of the storm was in Tenafly and the home in Manahawkin was a seasonal/weekend home. As a result of the alleged fraudulent applications, Tuohy and Benzoni received $2,270 from FEMA, a $10,000 RSP grant, and $150,000 in RREM grant funds. Tuohy and Benzoni are charged with second-degree theft by deception and fourth-degree unsworn falsification.
Paula Belotta, 56, of Colonia, N.J., allegedly filed fraudulent applications following Superstorm Sandy for FEMA assistance and a state grant under the Homeowner Resettlement Program (RSP). As a result, she allegedly received $12,270 in relief funds to which she was not entitled. Belotta allegedly falsely claimed in her applications that a home she owns on Fielder Avenue in Ortley Beach, N.J., which was damaged by Superstorm Sandy, was her primary residence when Sandy struck. It is alleged that, in fact, her primary residence at the time of the storm was in Colonia and the home in Ortley Beach was a seasonal/weekend home. As a result of the alleged false applications, Belotta received $2,270 from FEMA and a $10,000 RSP grant. Belotta is charged with third-degree theft by deception and fourth-degree unsworn falsification.
“Our unprecedented collaborative efforts to target Sandy relief fraud have been highly productive, as evidenced by the 100 defendants we’ve charged,” said Director Elie Honig of the Division of Criminal Justice. “The payoff from this anti-fraud program is not only the millions of dollars we are recovering, but also the deterrent message we hammer home each time new charges are filed. Thanks to these efforts, relief administrators in future disasters may be able to spend less time policing fraud, which is a drain on resources and a distraction from the vital task of aiding those in need.”
“The State’s continued vigilance against Sandy fraud demonstrates that we won’t stand for this reprehensible behavior,” said DCA Commissioner Charles A. Richman. “As such, my Department remains as committed as ever to working with our law enforcement partners to catch anyone who misuses our Sandy recovery programs.”
The new cases were investigated by detectives of the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice and special agents and inspectors of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, HUD Office of Inspector General, SBA Office of Inspector General, HHS Office of Inspector General and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The National Insurance Crime Bureau assisted. Deputy Attorneys General Peter Gallagher, Valerie Noto, and Denise Grugan are prosecuting the new defendants under the supervision of Deputy Attorney General Michael A. Monahan, Chief of the Financial & Computer Crimes Bureau, and Deputy Attorney General Mark Kurzawa, Deputy Bureau Chief. Lt. David Nolan and Sgt. Fred Weidman conducted and coordinated the investigations for the Division of Criminal Justice, with others, including Special Civil Investigators Rita Binn and James Parolski.
Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to$150,000. Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000, while fourth-degree charges carry a sentence of up to 18 months in prison and a fine of $10,000. The charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
On Oct. 29, 2012, Superstorm Sandy hit New Jersey, resulting in an unprecedented level of damage. Almost immediately, the affected areas were declared federal disaster areas, making residents eligible for FEMA relief. FEMA grants are provided to repair damaged homes and replace personal property. In addition, rental assistance grants are available for impacted homeowners. FEMA allocates up to $31,900 per applicant for federal disasters. To qualify for FEMA relief, applicants must affirm that the damaged property was their primary residence at the time of the storm.
In addition to the FEMA relief funds, HUD allocated $16 billion in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for storm victims on the East Coast. New Jersey received $2.3 billion in CDBG funds for housing-related programs, including $215 million that was allocated for the Homeowner Resettlement Program (RSP) and $1.1 billion that was allocated for the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation (RREM) Program. Under RSP, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs is disbursing grants of $10,000 to encourage homeowners affected by Sandy to remain in the nine counties most seriously impacted by the storm: Atlantic, Bergen, Cape May, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Union counties. The RREM Program, which is the state’s largest housing recovery program, provides grants to Sandy-impacted homeowners to cover rebuilding costs up to $150,000 that are not funded by insurance, FEMA, SBA loans, or other sources.
The Small Business Administration provides low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and most private nonprofit organizations. SBA disaster loans can be used to repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery and equipment, and inventory and business assets damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster. Renters and homeowners may borrow up to $40,000 to repair or replace clothing, furniture, cars or appliances damaged or destroyed in the disaster. Homeowners may apply for a loan of up to $200,000 to replace or repair their primary residence to its pre-disaster condition. Secondary homes or vacation properties are not eligible for these loans, but qualified rental properties may be eligible for assistance under the business loan program.
The Disaster Relief Act provided HHS approximately $760 million in funding for Sandy victims. The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) received approximately $577 million in Sandy funding through three grant programs, including the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) program, which received nearly $475 million to help five states (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Maryland). New Jersey received over $226 million for a wide range of social services directly related to the disaster. New Jersey used SSBG funds to develop the Sandy Homeowner/Renter Assistance Program (SHRAP) to assist individuals/families with expenses for housing and other related needs.
Saddle River NJ, the Borough of Saddle River has decided to take action against the aggressive coyotes in order to assure the safety of residents . The Mayor and council went as far as to approve the use of lethal force on the September 18th council meeting and created a taskforce , Emergency Mayor’s Coyote Management Task Force ,to recommend recommending long term solutions.
Here is the Mayor Albert J. Kurpis letter to residents
We have a Coyote Problem in Saddle River
An Update from your Mayor, 9/26/2017
As many of you have become aware, Saddle River is faced with a coyote problem. Over the past several years, our resident deer population has risen out of control, and it is believed that coyotes may be natural predators for these deer.
According to the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife, coyotes are usually not a threat to humans as they are lone hunters preying upon small animals, fawns and weak or dead deer. However, with the overpopulation of coyotes in the borough, they are now forming family groups in which they hunt for food and share their prey. They are clearly becoming a threat to our pets and potentially to adults and children. With the maturation of the pups of the last coyote litter season, these animals have become much more aggressive and now pose a real threat to humans, never seen before in our community. We will no longer tolerate this threat to our families and to our safety.
At the recent Mayor and Council meeting of September 18, 2017, the governing body approved a resolution allowing the police to use lethal force within the confines of the law to cull any and all aggressive coyote encounters. These actions will have to be supplemented by a long term strategy to radically reduce our coyote population.
I convened an Emergency Mayor’s Coyote Management Task Force on September 22, 2017, consisting of the Borough’s most important public safety personnel (listed below). We have developed a strategy to significantly reduce the coyote population over the next several months.
The Task Force will also be advising and recommending long term solutions to the Mayor and Council for implementation. In order for me to disseminate accurate and up-to-date information to you, the residents, I will be relying upon my Task Force to accumulate all data and information and to keep me abreast of their findings.
I want you to know that your local government is responding to your concerns and coyote population reduction has already begun. Implementation of a short and long term plan for controlling our deer population will be approved by the Mayor and Council within the next 60 90 days.
During a Special Public Meeting of the Ridgewood Village Council held on Wednesday, September 27, Council members approved Resolution #17-291, “Central Valet Pilot Program in Central Business District” by a 4-0 vote (Councilwoman Bernadette Walsh was absent).
Key components/highlights of the centralized “pilot” valet parking program are:
The “pilot” program will be in operation beginning on Friday, October 6, and end on Saturday, December 30.
Establishments currently operating private valet parking services (e.g., Park West Tavern) may continue to do so during the “pilot” period.
Central valet parking service will be available every Friday and Saturday evening from 6:00 PM through 1:00 AM the following morning.
Two (2) drop off/pick up locations will be in operation – 1. Van Neste Square southbound opposite the bus terminal and 2. East Ridgewood Avenue just west of North Broad Street (the “hole”).
Service charge of $5.00 per vehicle (some establishments may choose to “validate” patrons’ central valet parking charges).
Central valet parking service provider has been contracted by the Village of Ridgewood; total costs for “pilot” program, being paid for by Village taxpayers, will not exceed $36K (taxpayers’ costs will be offset by valet parking fees collected). Unofficial reports are that the central valet provider must process a minimum of 250 vehicles per evening throughout the “pilot” program in order for Village taxpayers to “break even.
“Vehicles entrusted to the central valet provider will be parked at one of three Village owned properties – 1. Van Neste Square northbound (immediately adjacent to Van Neste Memoral Park), @. The “hole” (far west end of East Ridgewood Avenue immediately adjacent to the train station), and 3. North Walnut Street Municipal Parking Lot (portion of lot immediately adjacent to the former Town Garage).
NOTE: A total of approximately 90 metered parking spaces (currently providing free parking beginning at 6:00 PM, Monday through Saturday) will be removed from the “self parking” inventory” every Friday and Saturday evening to facilitate the central valet service (see locations above). Police will be instructed to prohibit self parking in the three (3) aforementioned central valet parking areas beginning at 4:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays during the “pilot” program period. Violators will be ticketed and towed.
Despite viral email, there is no new cell phone Do Not Call database.
September 28,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, According to the Ridgewood Police department ,consumers may place their cell phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry to notify marketers that they don’t want to get unsolicited telemarketing calls.
The truth about cell phones and the Do Not Call Registry is:
The government is not releasing cell phone numbers to telemarketers.
There is no deadline for registering a cell phone number on the Do Not Call Registry.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations prohibit telemarketers from using automated dialers to call cell phone numbers without prior consent. Automated dialers are standard in the industry, so most telemarketers are barred from calling consumers’ cell phones without their consent.
There is only one Do Not Call Registry, operated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), with information available at donotcall.gov. There is no separate registry for cell phones.
The Do Not Call Registry accepts registrations from both cell phones and land lines. To register by telephone, call 1-888-382-1222 (TTY: 1-866-290-4236). You must call from the phone number that you want to register. To register online (donotcall.gov), you will have to respond to a confirmation email.
If you have registered a mobile or other telephone number already, you don’t need to re-register. Once registered, a telephone number stays on the Do Not Call Registry until the registration is canceled or service for the number is discontinued.
Ramapough Lenape Nation , Join us for an early celebration of the 1 year Anniversary of Split Rock Sweetwater Prayer Camp on Sunday, October 1st from 12-5pm. Bring food (potluck!), games, family, and friends as we celebrate and recognize the entire community we have built over the last year.
– Tobacco Ceremony (12pm)
– Potluck (bring a dish!)
– Beading workshops (11am and 3pm)
– Artisans
– Community Building
On October 16, 2016, the Ramapough Lenape Nation and supporters erected teepees on their ceremonial grounds at 95 Halifax Road, Mahwah, NJ 07430 in solidarity with Standing Rock and to resist the proposed Pilgrim Pipeline.
Since then, indigenous groups from all over the world, environmentalists, and allies have come together in prayer and solidarity for protection of the land and waters. Come out and join us for a huge celebration!
Sunday at 12 PM – 5 PM
Split Rock Sweetwater Prayer Camp
95 Halifax Road, Mahwah, New Jersey
Ridgewood NJ, The Bergen County Board of Elections is currently recruiting poll workers. This important civic responsibility is open to all registered voters in Bergen County. It is vital to the democratic process to recruit and train reliable poll workers.
In order to be eligibility, you must meet the following criteria:
Must be able to work from approximately 5 AM to 9 PM on election day.
Must be able to read and speak English.
Must be registered to vote in Bergen County.
Must complete a 2-hour Poll Worker Training Class.
Duties include but are not limited to:
Arriving at 5:15 AM to set up machines, poll books and other material at designated polling district.
Sign-in voters and/or activate machine to receive voters.
If necessary, assist voters in the operation of the electronic voting machine.
Answer voter’s procedural questions.
Close polls at the end of the day which may include delivering materials to borough hall.
How to Apply:
Call the Board of Elections at 201-336-6235 or 201-336-6230
Complete the Poll Worker Application available here https://www.co.bergen.nj.us/DocumentCenter/View/5997 and fax to 201-336-6242 or mail to
Bergen County Board of Elections, One Bergen County Plaza, 3rd Floor, Room 310, Hackensack, NJ 07601
Upon approval of your application, you will be scheduled for a Poll Worker Training Class.
After successful completion of training class, you will be assigned to a polling site and contacted with this information.
Ridgewood NJ, The Garden State saw a net decrease in population, with the number of people that moved out of the state of roughly 33,700, costing New Jersey about $2.6 billion in taxable income between 2014 and 2015, according to a USA Today Network analysis of IRS migration data.
New Jersey is constantly ranked as the worst business climate in the USA and the state the leads the nation in people wanting to leave .
According to OpportunityNJ, New Jersey ranks dead last in national rankings on the impacts of our four most significant taxes: property, income, sales and corporate business tax.Outmigration of New Jersey residents has had a significant impact on the state’s economy. High taxes and numerous barriers for business operations are causing people to leave the state which has led to the loss of income, economic activity and job creation.
OpportunityNJ (ONJ) is a non-partisan, grassroots coalition comprised of New Jersey interests representing employers, employees, business, trade groups, community organizations and other concerned citizens in the State.
This exodus has become so concerning to New Jersey business leaders that they have championed a campaign to make the state more affordable for its residents and more attractive to out-of-state residents on the move.
“We are at the bottom of every tax ranking. We have an affordability issue. We know why people are leaving,” Michele Siekerka, president and CEO of New Jersey Business and Industry Association.
Her organization estimates that New Jersey has lost over $21 billion in adjusted gross income since 2004 from people leaving the state. That translates to about 87,000 jobs, $13 billion in lost economic activity and $4.6 billion in lost labor income, Siekerka said.
Addressing the affordability issue would help keep seniors and millennials, both of which are the leading demographic groups leaving New Jersey, Siekerka said. When seniors leave, they take with them the bulk of the lost income. But when millennials flee, they take with them a life time of potential earnings. It’s a hit to the state’s future workforce, which means the state sees no benefit from roughly $250,000 per student in public education spending.“We invest in our K-12 education system significantly to have a good product,” Siekerka said. “When millennials leave New Jersey, we aren’t getting a return on that investment.”
I was struck Sept. 11 by the fact that the Ridgewood does not have a village-wide sponsored memorial service. I realize that there is an ongoing display in the library and that Mt. Carmel Catholic Church held a mass. Mt. Carmel represents an important part of the community, but it is not a Village government-sponsored gathering. I contrast this with our other holidays. Each year residents gather to remember Martin Luther’s message with a march through town. Veterans service is recognized on Memorial Day with speeches at the column in Van Ness Park. We have a huge July 4 parade and celebration to commemorate the nation’s founding. I was disappointed that there wasn’t a more public memorial service for 9/11.
Each year, my wife and I participate in the Glen Rock 9/11 service. We did so again this year. It is a simple event with music and several survivors sharing their experiences. Several reflected on the profound changes in their lives that were a direct result of that terrorist act. The mayor speaks for the town. A member of the town’s religious community offers their thoughts. It concludes with a reading of the names of the 11 Glen Rockers that died. Many of those that attended were not family members of those who died. They were, however, mourning for missing friends and neighbors that needed the public affirmation of their loss.
One of the important aspects of a community memorial is the education of our kids. We do a lot to educate them about 9/11 in the public schools. A town-wide service would drive home many of the lessons they learn and emphasize the direct links between the Village and the tragedy. At the Glen Rock service, Boy Scouts handed out candles, the high school choir sang and children of all ages were moved by the impact the gathering had on their parents.
September 11, 2001 was a terrible event. In the aftermath, there was a period of good will and cooperation that reaffirmed all that is good in America. Annual public commemorations are important reminders of why this is a special country. Just as we remember July 4, Martin Luther King and Memorial Day, having the local government leaders gather the community together in public to remember who we are is important to our fabric as a community.
Our community was deeply and permanently impacted by the World Trade Center attack. We need an annual Village sponsored 9/11 memorial service.
James A. Morgan is a member of the Ridgewood Board of Education. He has written this letter in a personal, non-official manner
Ridgewood NJ, When you post today on Facebook or Instagram, you’ll likely reach thousands of folks very quickly. You’ll share a great idea or thought that could change the lives of many people.
Five hundred years ago, when you wanted to share your ideas, you posted them on the Church door. Martin Luther did just that, and probably didn’t have a clue that his post would turn the Church or his life upside down much less that his post would be celebrated for years to come.
This October 29, 2017 marks the 500th year since Martin Luther made his famous post. Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ridgewood has planned a full day of special activities to mark this anniversary. Please join us at 155 Linwood Avenue, Ridgewood.
A communion worship service will be offered at 10:45 AM. A brunch is being offered at noon (Please sign up on our website, www.bethlehemchurch.live, so we can sure to have enough food). A festival worship is offered at 1:30 PM with the collaboration of the Ars Música Chorale directed by world renowned organist James Kennerley. A reception will follow for all to meet and greet the Chorale and the Bethlehem Congregation.
You don’t have to be Lutheran to attend, nor do you need to wear your Sunday best! This is an opportunity to hear great music, exhilarating organ selections from Mr. Kennerley and getting to hear about Jesus.
More information and the brunch registration may be found at www.bethlehemchurch.live. You may also call the church office at 201-444-3600 (ext. 200) with any questions.
Ridgewood NJ, Dr. Kristen Race kicks off the 17-18 Wellbeing series on October 4: Dr. Kristen Race, who will present “From Thriving to Surviving in Your Family” on Wednesday, October 4 from 7:00-9:00 pm at the George Washington Middle School auditorium. This program is made possible through the generosity of The Valley Hospital, the Ridgewood Education Foundation, and the Federated Home and School Association.
Dr. Race is an expert in child, family, and school psychology, as well as the founder of Mindful Life and the author of Mindful Parenting. She will explain why Generation X is now “Generation Stress” and will propose small changes to help break the cycle of stress in your own life and your family’s. Dr. Race has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Parenting, and Real Simple, as well as on CNN and NPR. She has created brain-based mindfulness programs that are used by schools, businesses, families, camps, and youth, athletic, and after-school programs.
Ridgewood NJ, Mt. Carmel Church’s Homless Retreat Ministry.The OLMC Knights of Columbus Council in partnership with the Run for Hope Foundation will once again support Mt. Carmel’s Homeless Retreat Ministry with their annual stickball tournament.The Homeless Retreat Ministry holds retreats for recently homeless men and women to offer them spiritual and community support. To hear about the experience of these retreats click the photo to the right.
Homeless participants experience the following:
HOPE – in a future that can be brighter than their recent past.
FAITH – by being given the gift of time to discover and explore their relationship with God.
UNITY – through a caring network of men and women from different socio-economic conditions.
All proceeds from the stickball tournament will be donated to the Homeless Ministry.
Dear Friends, Last year I, along with a small group of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel parishioners, joined forces to launch a Homeless Ministry. Over half a million men and women in the U.S. are homeless. Many of them are suffering from the effects of alcoholism and drug addiction. Our ministry works with homeless men and women who are on the road to recovery by providing spiritual retreats. The work of our ministry will help these men and women to set a new and renewed path in their lives. We held our first retreats earlier this year. Click on the video link below to hear testimonials from some of this year’s participants.
The work we do is only possible through the generous support of our community. Through the overwhelming generosity of the Run For Hope Foundation, the Knights of Columbus, friends, family and parishioners, we were able to launch our ministry. We now need ongoing support to continue our work. The OLMC Knights of Columbus Stick Ball Tournament is a fun and exciting way to contribute. Please consider forming a four-person team for $25 per person or simply donate if you are not able to participate.
Thank you for your support and generosity.
Ramon Hache
Tournament Details
When
Date: October 7, 2017
Time:
Registration: 9:30 am
Tournament Start: 10:00 am
Tournament End: 2:00 pm
Add to Calendar
Details: Teams of 4 (co-ed welcome) $100 or $25pp
Picnic lunch included
$120 at Door
FREE T-Shirt guaranteed for registered teams by Wednesday, September 27th.
15 minute intermission with short program describing the charity
