N.J. ski resorts see increase in visitors during recession

As reported on NJ.com

Mike Motejl, general manager of the 45-acre Campgaw Mountain in Bergen County, said last year was one of its best years. He did not have exact figures for comparison but said more than 1,000 people in an average weekend would crowd Campgaw Mountain’s six ski runs and six tubing lanes.

Laurie Goodman's Blog: Schools referendum passes 51% to 49%

Laurie Goodman's Blog: Schools referendum passes 51% to 49%: "Schools referendum passes 51% to 49%
It was very close, but Referendum 09 was approved by voters. Now the real work will begin as we mobilize for the many renovation and expansion projects throughout the school. Thank you to everyone who participated in the process.

The unofficial totals we got were:
2129 Yes
2047 No

This represents about 25% of the registered voters participating."

Eating Out: Blend in Ridgewood

 

In some ways, the fact that Blend is open at all is a success story.

STAFF PHOTOS BY MICHAEL KARAS

Blend offers a tapas menu in the lounge, above. On executive chef Bruce Nubile's dinner menu, two appetizers of note are the grilled chicken arepa, right, and dumplings stuffed with crimini, porcini and shiitake mushrooms. On the dessert menu, flourless chocolate cake is a standout.

The popular nightspot on Chestnut Street in Ridgewood abruptly declared bankruptcy and closed last year amid a mess of unpaid taxes and millions owed to creditors. It eventually emerged with a pair of new owners, Zvia Barlev, owner of the nearby La Piazza restaurant, and landlord Edward Sullivan. Both pledged to keep Blend's name and enhance its reputation as a bar, lounge and restaurant.

In June, the 14,000-square-foot facility reopened with a facelift. Its restaurant and lounge were reversed, so that the lounge is now the dim, spacious spot that you walk through to get to the more intimate restaurant (there also is a rear entrance into the adjacent back bar). You can choose from a sassy cocktail list with drinks called the Desperate Housewife, the Cougarita and the Ridgewood Express. And your dinner is under the direction of executive chef Bruce Nubile, who was the executive chef of the Ho-Ho-Kus Inn and Legends Steakhouse in Midland Park, as well as a veteran of such big local names as Café Panache, the River Palm Terrace and Valentino's.

NorthJersey.com: Eating Out: Blend in Ridgewood

NorthJersey.com: Holiday lights will 'glow' downtown

 

The Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce will kick off the 24th annual Downtown for the Holidays celebration in the village's Central Business District (CBD) next Friday. The celebration is held each year to promote downtown businesses and entertain village residents and visitors.

Greg Gallo of the Ridgewood Signal Department hangs lighted holiday ornaments from a lamp post in the Central Business District in preparation for the season.

The downtown holiday season will start Dec. 4 with a variety of events, including the lighting of the village's permanent holiday tree in Memorial Park at Van Neste Square.

NorthJersey.com: Holiday lights will 'glow' downtown

Countdown to Children’s Aid Wine and Food Tasting Evening

 

Be sure to get your tickets today to Children's Aid and Family Services' Wine and Food Tasting Evening. It's less than a week away and tickets are going fast! This popular event is Saturday, October 24, from 7:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. at St. Leon's Church in Fair Lawn, NJ.

Bring your friends and enjoy a night of fun featuring a fine assortment of wines and a wide selection of delicious food from some of the area's finest restaurants.

Countdown to Wine and Food Tasting Evening - The Paramus Post

Laurie Goodman's Blog: Public Meetings on Bond Referendum

 

Monday, October 19, 2009

Public Meetings on Bond Referendum

I'm going to be at the BF HSA meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) night -- along with Dr. Fishbein (Superintendent), Mr. DeSimone (Business Administrator) and Board members Joseph Vallerini and Bob Hutton -- to discuss the upcoming Bond Referendum and answer questions.

While we're on the subject, following is the schedule of upcoming meetings throughout town. Feel free to attend any of these meetings -- either HSA meetings or come to one of the Community Meetings on 10/27 or 11/30. This is your chance -- every question answered!

10/27 7:30 p.m.
Community Meeting @ GW Auditorim

11/17 9:15 AM
Ridge School HSA

11/17 7:00 PM
Somerville School HSA

11/18 9:00 AM (beginning of meeting)
GW Middle School HSA

11/18 9:15 AM (end of meeting)
Hawes School HSA

11/30 7:30 PM
Community Meeting @ GW Auditorium

Also, there will be a day of school tours, so you can see some of the conditions and needs close-up. Date TBD -- I'll let you know.

(In case you're wondering, Dr. Fishbein and others have already attended meetings at Federated HSA, Learning Services HSA, Willard HSA, RHS HSA, Travell HSA, Orchard HSA.)

Laurie Goodman's Blog: Public Meetings on Bond Referendum

Verizon’s DROID aims to make Apple iAnnoyed: ZDNet.com

 

I didn’t want another BlackBerry, I wasn’t signing up again with AT&T, and I definitely wasn’t going to go the T-Mobile route with Mytouch 3G because its coverage in my area of Northern New Jersey is absolutely abyssmal, as friends with T-Mobile phones that visit my house can’t get a single bar of reception and complain about coverage in Bergen County in general.

DROID aims to make Apple iAnnoyed | Tech Broiler | ZDNet.com

NorthJersey.com: Hudson hero cheered again

Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger – What a great guy!!

Sara Triggs of Madison got lost on her way to Ridgewood on Tuesday, but managed to be first on line to meet Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger at Bookends, and have the pilot of US Airways flight 1549 sign a copy of his new autobiography.

“He’s everything that’s good about the United States,” said Triggs, a mother of two.

The crowd waiting for Sullenberger had grown to more than 140 by the time the hero pilot arrived. He was met with a standing ovation and a few tears as people remembered his safe landing of the crippled plane in the frigid Hudson River in January, saving all 155 aboard the plane.

Sullenberger said before the signing that he had made a decision “to make as much good come of this notoriety in as many ways and as long” as he could. That includes being an advocate for aviation safety and charities he has been involved with for years.

NorthJersey.com: Hudson hero cheered again

Ridgewood Fall Motorcycle Run & Classic Bike Show – 10/25/09

http://www.bergenharleydavidson.com

1:pm-4:pm ENJOY MUSIC FOOD, RAFFLE PRIZES & MORE ALL MONEY RAISED GOES TO THE TOMORROWS CHILDREN'S FUND.

Location the OFFICE BAR & GRILL 32-34 CHESTNUT STREET•RIDGEWOOD, NJ

$20 TO ENTER SHOW•EVENT SHIRT INCLUDED BIKES IN BY 2pm•ALL BIKES WELCOME!

Run Info - Join us for a great 60+ mile Police escorted ride through some of the most beautiful roads in the area. Registration 10 -11am at Bergen County H-D, 124 Essex Street, Rochelle Park, NJ. $20 a rider (event shirt included) $10 a passenger. Departs 11:30 SHARP! All bikes welcome.

Varsity Aces: Ridgewood Girl’s Tennis Still in the State Mix

 

North 1, Group IV
(3) Bergen Tech, (4) Ridgewood
The Knights and Maroons are the two highest seeds from the area in this bracket. Bergen Tech beat Vernon, 4-1, in the quarterfinals to set up a matchup with second-seeded Montclair. Ridgewood knocked off East Orange and Randolph to a total of 9-1 to reach a semifinal match with top-seeded Livingston. Both teams are well-coached and have the necessary wherewithal to possibly pull off the upsets and create yet another all-Bergen final.

Varsity Aces

Baby Basics: Wine & Food Tasting

 

REGISTER NOW !
A Wine & Food Tasting Evening


To benefit Baby Basics and other programs
supporting vulnerable infants and children
in our shared communities.

Saturday, October 24, 2009
7:30 PM - 11 PM
St. Leon's Church    Fair Lawn, NJ
Click here for more information

http://www.cafsnj.org/