The Ridgewood Run is the premier road race in northern New Jersey and one of the longest running races in the tri-state area. Choose either the 10K, 5K, Road Mile, Fun Run – all or one of them.
Mon, May 30, 2016
Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Veteran’s Field, N Maple & Linwood Aves, Ridgewood, NJ 074502016 Race Day ScheduleRace Day Registration for all events, up to field limit of 4000 runners.8:15 – The Kessler Foundation Wheelchair 10K
8:15 – 10K Runners in corrals
8:20 – Park Ave BMW 10K
10:15 – Park Ave BMW 5K
11:15 – Valley Hospital Mile
12:00 Noon
Ridgewood YMCA
Fun Run/Health Walk Mile
Ridgewood NJ, Knowing customers desire for purchasing local food, Kings Food Markets has hand-curated the following recipes made with local ingredients to incorporate into your dishes this summer. Many of our local farms take great pride in growing fresh produce, including cucumbers, which are one of the top food trends in 2016:
· Homemade Salsa: This classic, yet tasty, salsa recipe will be the hit of your party as it’s the perfect combination of fresh tomatoes, peppers, garlic and scallions.
· Fresh Cucumber and Fennel Salsa: Treat yourself to a refreshing dip filled with vegetables to cool off on the next sweltering hot day.
Kings, prides it self on providing local produce from our neighborhood family farms. Eastern Fresh Growers, Sheppard Farms, Jersey Legacy Farms and Hepworth Farms are some of our many local family-run farms we source our produce from that we wanted to give a shout out to:
· Eastern Fresh Growers: Working as a co-op with Kings, Eastern Fresh Growers began in 1683 by the Sheppard brothers as a small vegetable farm, the family has been farming in their current location on Sayres Neck Road in Cedarville, Cumberland County since 1888. Eastern Fresh Growers has as number of organic products available including eggplant, cucumbers, peppers, squash, lettuces and various other organic vegetables.
· Sheppard Farms: Sheppard Farms is a family farm located in Cedarville, NJ. They currently farm 1,500 acres in rotational vegetable crop production including asparagus, cucumber, lettuce and bell pepper.
· Jersey Legacy Farms: The New Jersey based farm focuses on crop rotation and soil quality to help grow a great product while maintaining their land for future generations of farmers. They offer the best in tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, lettuce, sweet corn and eggplants.
· Hepworth Farms: A 7th generation family farm in Milton, New York located on the Hudson River 75 miles north of New York City. Today, Hepworth Farms has 400 acres of NOFA-certified production land yielding more than 400 varieties of organic vegetables. They specialize in tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, zucchini, cucumbers and many varieties of greens.
Reader asks ,please don’t forget the ACA excise taxes from 2020~…. that’s another 40% on platinum level health benefits like those our teachers, police and fire currently enjoy. They either all need to be downgraded to bronze level health benefits or taxpayers will bear the brunt of the 40% tax on $25,000 family plans, i.e. an additional $10,000 a year per Village and BOE employee with a platinum family plan. Who pays for that?
Ridgewood NJ, On December 18, 2015, Congress passed and the President signed a two-year delay of the 40 percent excise tax on high-cost employer-sponsored health plans, also known as the “Cadillac Tax.” This delay was part of a year-end government funding package and changes the effective date from 2018 to 2020. While the tax was originally non-tax deductible, the December 2015 changes make it tax deductible for employers who pay it.
No regulations have been issued to date. In February and July 2015, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued notices covering a number of issues concerning the Cadillac Tax, and requested comments on the possible approaches that could ultimately be incorporated into proposed regulations.
What it is/fee duration
Permanent, annual tax beginning in 2020 on high-cost employer-sponsored health coverage.
Purposes
Reduce tax preferred treatment of employer provided health care
Reduce excess health care spending by employees and employers
Help finance the expansion of health coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA)
Amount
The tax is 40% of the cost of health coverage that exceeds predetermined threshold amounts.
Cost of coverage includes the total contributions paid by both the employer and employees, but not cost-sharing amounts such as deductibles, coinsurance and copays when care is received.
For planning purposes, the thresholds for high-cost plans are currently $10,200 for individual coverage, and $27,500 for family coverage.
These thresholds will be updated before the tax takes effect in 2020 and indexed for inflation in future years.
The thresholds will also be increased:
If the majority of covered employees are engaged in specified high-risk professions such as law enforcement and construction, and
For group demographics including age and gender.
For pre-65 retirees and individuals in high-risk professions, the threshold amounts are currently $11,850 for individual coverage and $30,950 for family coverage. These amounts will also be indexed before the tax takes effect.
Who calculates and pays
Insured: Employers calculate and insurers pay
Self-funded: Employers calculate and “the person who administers the plan benefits” pays
HSAs and Archer MSAs: Employers calculate and employers pay
How a group health plan’s cost is determined
The tax is based on the total cost of each employee’s coverage above the threshold amount.
The cost includes contributions toward the cost of coverage made by employers and employees.
The statute states that costs of coverage will be calculated under rules similar to the rules for calculating COBRA premium.
How the tax will be paid
Forms and instructions for paying the tax are not yet available.
Tax implications
Based on the December 2015 changes, Cadillac Tax payments will be deductible for federal tax purposes.
Applicable types of coverage
Insured and self-insured group health plans (including behavioral, and prescription drug coverage)
Wellness programs that are group health plans (most wellness programs)
Health Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), employer and employee pre-tax contributions*
Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRAs)*
Archer Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs), all pre-tax contributions*
On-site medical clinics providing more than de minimis care*
Executive Physical Programs*
Pre-tax coverage for a specified disease or illness
Hospital indemnity or other fixed indemnity insurance
Federal/State/Local government-sponsored plans for its employees
file photo U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez at Ridgewood Train Station by Boyd Loving
May 25,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, An NJT engineer is operating trains along the nation’s third-largest commuter railroad even though his driver’s license has been suspended for 10 years because of a history of driving while intoxicated.
New Jersey Transit engineer Thomas Broschart’s license was suspended in 2007 for a decade, according to WABC-TV in New York (https://7ny.tv/1NJoUA8). Federal law doesn’t require him to have a motor vehicle driver’s license to operate a train.
“Federal law governing engineers sets forth specific regulations in dealing with DWI cases involving engineers and we are obligated to follow those Federal Railroad Administration rules,” NJ Transit said in a statement Tuesday. “The code was strictly adhered to and the engineer is certified to operate locomotives according to federal law.”
U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez in perhaps the understatement of the century told WABC ,it was “pretty alarming” that Broschart can transport commuters but can’t legally drive to and from work, ah yes we agree!
Ridgewood NJ ,Rep Scott Garrett’s Democratic challenger Political insider Josh Gottheimer has lots of high profile friends he’s using to try to buy his way into Congress. Unfortunately for him, these “friends” believe the rules don’t apply to them – which means they have bit a habit of running into trouble with the law…Terry McAuliffe is just the latest in a series of scandals plaguing members of the “Gottheimer Cartel.”
Does Josh Gottheimer agree with his “friends” – that the rules don’t apply to him?
Gottheimer’s Clinton 2008 Campaign Mentor and Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe:Terry McAuliffe Under FBI Investigation For Possible Campaign Violations. “The FBI is investigating whether Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s 2013 campaign accepted illegal contributions.” (NBC News, 5/23/2016)
“Family Member” Hillary Clinton: FBI May Question Clinton. ”In addition to the FBI investigation, inspectors general at the State Department and the U.S. intelligence community are reviewing whether security procedures or laws were broken.” (ABC News, 5/23/2016)
Donor and Wife Beater Ibrahim Al-Rashid: Democratic Groups Keep Donations From Domestic Violence Convict. “Al-Rashid, the son of a Saudi multimillionaire, pled guilty in 2014 to a domestic assault charge against his estranged wife, who was formerly the finance director for Rep. Patrick Murphy (D, Fla.).” (Washington Free Beacon, 5/19/2016)
Donor and Disgraced Senator Bob “The Torch” Torricelli: Torricelli Angling for Return to US Senate by Supporting Clinton “Family Member” Gottheimer?“Former U.S. Sen. Robert Torricelli said if Hillary Clinton is elected president, he “might ask to do something” in her administration.” (NJ.com, 4/21/2016)
John Bacon and Bart Jansen, USA TODAY8:56 a.m. EDT May 24, 2016
The Transportation Security Administration’s head of security has been ousted amid an uproar over long lines at airport security checkpoints and intense scrutiny over bonus payments.
“Kelly Hoggan has been removed from his position as head of security at TSA, following our hearing on May 12 on mismanagement at TSA,” the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform posted on its Twitter account.
Some lawmakers blasted TSA at the hearing for giving Hoggan $90,000 in bonuses at a time when watchdog tests revealed screeners routinely failed to find weapons at checkpoints. The hearing was one in a series where whistleblowers denounced the agency for rewarding top officials with large bonuses while retaliating against workers who complained about the unfair practices.
Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, had slammed bonuses given to Hoggan, who was paid $181,500 per year. Chaffetz said Hoggan also received $90,000 in bonuses during a 13-month period that ended in November 2014.
Contributors s Note : We predicted it. We know it was all a lie and of course Dr. Gruber boasted and called the American people “Stupid”.
“Obamacare plan customers should brace for sticker shock when the administration posts insurers’ preliminary rate requests for 2017 this week. Health plans are asking for sharp price increases, after suffering big losses on exchanges in the last two years. Regulators caution that these are preliminary requests and final rates could a lot different.
Insurers cite rising drug costs and patients who utilize a lot of medical services for the price-hike requests, which range from 17 percent in New York, and more than 20 percent in Virginia, to 30 percent rate increase requests from Oregon’s largest insurers ” Joe Killian
Bertha Coombs | @BerthaCoombs
Obamacare plan customers should brace for sticker shock when the administration posts insurers’ preliminary rate requests for 2017 this week.
Health plans are asking for sharp price increases, after suffering big losses on exchanges in the last two years. Regulators caution that these are preliminary requests and final rates could a lot different.
Insurers cite rising drug costs and patients who utilize a lot of medical services for the price-hike requests, which range from 17 percent in New York, and more than 20 percent in Virginia, to 30 percent rate increase requests from Oregon’s largest insurers.
Porn. We are a society that consumes so much of it, while we also demonize it and blame it for our sexual problems. But is the industry really to blame?
As a sexologist, I have seen firsthand how porn can be destructive. From men who create false intimate relationships with the women on the screen, to others who expect their partners to perform like porn stars and some who suffer from erectile dysfunction and performance anxiety when comparing themselves to the men on these films.
Some woman feel inadequate sexually, often questioning why they can’t have an orgasm or enjoy anal sex like porn stars. Many measure good sex based on their ability to perform and please a man (a common scenario in adult films).
We are also now seeing the effects on today’s youth with porn being accessed at an earlier age and these actors being seen as role models. Young teens think this is what real sex looks like and the issues we are seeing in adults are becoming more prevalent in a younger generation.
As the Obama administration prepares to publish a long-delayed accounting of how many militants and noncombatant civilians it has killed since 2009, its statistics may be defined as much by what is left out as by what is included.
Release of the information was first envisioned three years ago this month, as part of strict new guidelines President Obama announced for the United States’ controversial use of drones and other forms of lethal force to battle terrorism abroad. Such operations, Obama said in a 2013 speech at the National Defense University, would also be subject to new transparency and oversight.
Sewer repair is relatively costly, but prices can vary depending on what you need. Some line repair/replacement jobs are quick and simple, while other jobs like sewer line replacement nj are expensive and labor-intensive for contractors.
Traditionally, sewer repairs in New Jersey have required open cut excavation. This involves digging a trench to access the sewer line directly. In many cases, modern trenchless sewer repair methods like sewer relining can offer a faster, less intrusive alternative to sewer excavation.
Trenchless sewer solutions for sewer repair in NJ help keep things as simple and streamlined as possible for both homeowners and contractors, simplifying the process for everyone involved.
For sewer line repairs today or any sewer replacement best cost for roots call us any time at 201-645-0888.
Your individual situation can determine whether sewer excavation or trenchless sewer repair is the best option. Neither approach is particularly cheap, but considerations like labor cost and property damage from excavation can ultimately affect the price.
On paper, sewer excavation for sewer repair in NJ can often appear less costly. However, the process can complicated the price estimate. Excavating to access a sewer pipe is time-consuming and labor-intensive, which raises the cost considerably.
Sewer excavation is also likely to damage landscaping, driveways, patios, and other property. If your sewer line runs beneath a driveway or paved area, trenching may destroy it. It will need to be replaced, which can add considerably to the cost of sewer pipe repairs.
Cost aside, there are quite a few advantages to trenchless solutions for sewer line repair in New Jersey. The development of trenchless technologies revolutionized the sewer repair industry.
Sewer relining is faster. Inserting a CIPP pipe liner is a relatively quick process, compared to sewer excavation that can take days to complete.
Trenchless repairs are safer for contractors. Trenching can be hazardous, but trenchless alternatives like sewer relining remove most of the risks for contractors and laborers.
Trenchless sewer repair is less disruptive. Sewer excavation can be a major hassle.
For commercial sewer repair in NJ, it makes it harder for your customers to access your store or office. For municipal sewer repairs, it can disrupt traffic flow. Trenchless repairs are minimally invasive, and eliminate the need for large-scale digging.
Sewer relining with cure-in-place pipe (CIPP) is one of the most common approaches to trenchless sewer line repairs in New Jersey. This versatile technology can be used on both residential sewer laterals and municipal sewer main lines. Suitable for cracks, leaks, and other relatively minor problems, CIPP lining provides surprisingly durable results.
The pipe liner itself is made from fiberglass cloth or similar materials, coated in a layer of resin. It’s stretched over an inflatable pneumatic bladder and lowered into the pipe through the cleanout.
Once it’s in place, the bladder is inflated to hold it against the pipe walls while it’s cured with hot water, hot steam, or UV light.
Once the pipe liner has been hardened and cured, the liner is durable, water-resistant, and resistant to chemical and biogenic corrosion. CIPP sewer liners can last for up to 50 years after installation.
Trenchless Municipal Sewer Repair NJ
Trenchless technologies like sewer relining has no risks and can be applied to municipal sewer main repairs, helping reduce public expenses to taxpayers and avoid traffic disruption from excavation. For this reason, trenchless sewer repair for municipal sewer drain systems has become increasingly popular with communities in New Jersey.
Minimizing disruption to streets, sidewalks, and traffic can help reduce the taxpayer costs associated with municipal sewer repair and replacement.
At A1 Sewer & Drain septic relining main water and sewer services, we offer both sewer excavation and pipe trenchless sewer repair in NJ. We’re always available for fast, reliable sewer services for local homeowners, businesses, and communities.
For same-day service and a FREE cost estimate, contact us any time at: www.A1SewerCleaning.com
“This generation of young people have been trained throughout middle school, high school, and college to be subservient to authority,” Camille Paglia, the noted cultural critic, university professor, and Salon columnist, toldReason’s Nick Gillespie in a recent interview. “[It’s] everything my generation stood against.”
The conversation, which took place in late April at Reason Weekend 2016, also covered Beyonce’s Lemonade, Prince’s career, and why she Paglia prefers early Madonna.
TRENTON NJ, Under a proposed bill customers would be required to pay 5 cents for every plastic or paper bag they use to carry their purchases .
An previous version of the bill (A3671) called for a bag ban by 2025, but sponsors discarded that idea. Efforts to curb plastic bag use have been under consideration since 2008 in the state legislature, including in 2012, although each time they have stalled.
California is the state that has a statewide ban on plastic bags and Hawaii has a de facto state ban because every county has adopted the policy.
If the bill becomes law, retail operators in New Jersey would begin charging 5-cent fee for each single-use carryout bag on June 1, 2017. Stores would keep a penny, as would the state Division of Taxation to administer the program.
The remaining 3 cents would be used to create the “Healthy Schools and Community Lead Abatement Fund” to support the testing of homes and schools’ water supply – a major cause of concern in the state.
While proponents of the ban claim “Plastic bags are a source of numerous environmental concerns,” We are still not sure how an additional tax is going to fix any environmental problems . Seems more to be another Trenton money grab using a “Feel good” ruse . Opponents say better yet to send the bags to Trenton so law makers can place them over their heads saving the taxpayers money and improving the quality of life in the state .
Ridgewood NJ, Council members Mike Sedon and Susan Knudsen along with Council elect members Jeff Voigt , Ramon Hache and Bernie Walsh spent the morning at Valleau Cemetery in Ridgewood placing flags at the graves of Veterans. Thanks to American Legion Post 53 and Andy Haderthauer for allowing us the opportunity to participate in this beautiful tradition.
The kids were proud too, to take part in the placement of flags on the graves of veterans at Valleau Cemetery.
The tradition is that shortly before Memorial Day, American Legion members place U.S. flags on the graves of their fallen comrades at Valleau Cemetery.
The listing were incomplete and the Legion knew that their quiet tribute missed the graves of some veterans in the 33-acre cemetery. Some graves at Valleau go as far back to the Civil War.
In the past the Legion used what could only be described as a low-tech system for noting the graves of veterans. It consisted of seven plywood boards in the shape of sections of the cemetery. On top of the boards were worn-out sheets of paper with the names of the veterans and the plot numbers. A lot of those names and plot numbers are illegible . We just had to computerize the whole system.
17-year-old Boy Scout Andy Haderthauer, a junior at Ridgewood High School heard about the problem at a Memorial Day Service and applied his computing skills to come up with a solution. Haderthauer put in about 130 hours of work to set up a computerized a system .
With the help of Valleau Cemetery Superintendent Guy Kostka, Haderthauer began his project in August. First he put the board names on the computer list, then set out on a tour of the cemetery, looking over some gravestones that date to the early 1800s.
He also the help of some buddies and fellow Scouts, saving him days of walking the graveyard alone and three months later, Haderthauer had made up his list, and then used software to display the information by name and plot number.
Last year, there were only 350 graves at Valleau that were known to be the resting places of veterans. Now, double that number have been identified through Haderthauer’s efforts.
The project gained Haderthauer recognition as an Eagle Scout and the gratitude of the daughter of Master Sgt. Charles Ernest Hosking Jr. – a winner of the Medal of Honor. Hosking, a 24-year Army veteran, was awarded the military’s highest decoration after he was killed by an explosion in Vietnam in 1967. He jumped on a Vietnamese prisoner who was about to set off a grenade, protecting his men from the blast.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog Ridgewood Nj, Now in its 27th year, National Pet Month is a celebration of the mutual benefits shared between people and their pets.
For rescue-animal advocate Cheryl Smith, who founded a non-profit that assists pets in need, the May observance is a time to recognize many of the things that really matter in life.
“How we treat the most vulnerable animals in our society says plenty about who we are as individuals,” says Smith, a public defender who has cared for rescue animals since childhood and believes they can help humanity as much as humans help them.
“As a public defender who spends long hours entrenched in legal issues, loving and caring for my rescue dogs is personally rejuvenating. I think caring for pets helps us stay in touch with our humanity.”
Smith, who was inspired by her pack of rescue dogs to write the children’s books “Oliver’s Heroes: The Spider Adventure” (www.oliversheroes.com) and “Oliver’s Heroes: Two Paws Up,” says there are several ways people can make a difference during National Pet Month, such as:
• Consider adopting from an animal rescue shelter.Pets bring out our inner nurturers, and expressing TLC to an animal in need fosters warmth toward ourselves and others. More importantly, doing something good is good in itself. • Discern which pet is appropriate for your family.Think carefully before getting a pet. Learn about its special requirements. There’s plenty of information out there to help you decide which dog or cat breed is appropriate for your home life, so a minimal amount of time researching will go a long way. • Make sure your pet enjoys a nutritious and well-balanced diet. Perhaps you already have a pet. It’s important to know that not all pet-food products are of the same quality. Many attentive owners go to the extent of cooking meals themselves for their pets. • Ask your vet which health issues your pet is prone to. Various breeds are prone to specific ailments. Male cats, for example, may experience urinary issues depending on their food. Be your pet’s advocate since they cannot speak for themselves. • Prevent unwanted litters. Each year, about 2.7 million animals are euthanized after entering animal shelters – 1.2 million dogs and 1.4 million cats. You can prevent an enormous amount of suffering simply by spaying or neutering your pet.
“I can’t imagine not having my little stress relievers around when I come home,” Smith says. “The better you take care of them, the more you’ll feel good about yourself.”
About Cheryl Smith
Cheryl Smith is a public defender who started a non-profit, Just The Place Inc., to assist in the care of pets when owners were experiencing difficult financial situations or environmental crises. She was inspired to write “Oliver’s Heroes: The Spider Adventure” (www.oliversheroes.com) after her courtroom deputy found Oliver, a dog who was alone, thin and scared on the street.
Location: Camp Soquili at the Bergen Equestrian Center., Overpeck Park
YWCA Equestrian Camp to Host June 4 Open House
YWCA Camp Soquili at the Bergen Equestrian Center Located in Overpeck County ParkRidgewood NJ, YWCA Bergen County is hosting a free Equestrian Camp Open House on Saturday, June 4, 2016 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at Camp Soquili at the Bergen Equestrian Center. Find out more about YWCA Camp Soquili, meet camp staff, ask questions, and take a tour of the location.
Camp Soquili at the Bergen Equestrian Center is now accepting registrations for campers ages 5 through 14 on a week-to-week basis. This Summer Camp combines professionally trained staff, experienced horses and a convenient location to create a unique summer experience for boys & girls. Campers will have the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of riding while developing their riding skills, learning horse health and care and spending time with friends. Weekly sessions run 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday from June 27 through August 26 at YWCA Camp Soquili at the Bergen Equestrian Center, 40 Fort Lee Road, Leonia, NJ.Mornings will be spent learning about horses, grooming, equipment and how to prepare their horses for riding. Next they will take part in a one-hour riding lesson specifically tailored to their ability and experience. Campers will also be able to learn from and watch the blacksmith, equine veterinarian and dentist. The afternoons include fun filled horse themed activities and traditional day camp activities like arts & crafts, sports on the spacious lawns surrounding the barn and special nature activities including weekly visits from the Bergen Audubon Society who will provide environmental education.
YWCA Camp Soquili is open to Bergen County residents and Non-Residents. Pre and post camp is also available on site from 8:00 am to 9:00 am and 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Special incentive rates include 2 weeks of free pre-camp or 1 week of free post camp when registering campers for 2 or more weeks with full payment made prior to camper start date.
Interested families can visit www.ywcabergencounty.org/programs/camps/equestrian-camp/ or contact Mary Agnello at 201-444-5600, ext. 352. YWCA Bergen County is a proud partner of the National Inclusion Project.
