Ridgewood Talks

Board of Education Candidates Claude Guinchard and Malcolm Jennings Seven candidates are competing for two spots on the Ridgewood Board of Education. Each took time to chat with us. Please tune in to each episode to gain insights into the contenders and their objectives for the Ridgewood Public School District. Learn more here: jenningsandguinchardforridgewoodboe.com Learn more about your ad choic...

Board of Education Candidate Saurabh Dani Seven candidates are competing for two spots on the Ridgewood Board of Education. Each took time to chat with us. Please tune in to each episode to gain insights into the contenders and their objectives for the Ridgewood Public School District. Learn more here: voteboe.com - facebook.com/TogetherForRidgewood Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphon...

Board of Education Candidate Mike Lembo Seven candidates are competing for two spots on the Ridgewood Board of Education. Each took time to chat with us. Please tune in to each episode to gain insights into the contenders and their objectives for the Ridgewood Public School District. Learn more here: facebook.com/voteforlembo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Board of Education Candidate Mary Micale Seven candidates are competing for two spots on the Ridgewood Board of Education. Each took time to chat with us. Please tune in to each episode to gain insights into the contenders and their objectives for the Ridgewood Public School District. Learn more here: micaleforboe23.org - facebook.com/Mary Micale for BoE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit meg...

Ridgewood’s new Village Manager, Keith Kazmark, discusses his role as the municipality’s chief executive and his responsibility to residents. As supervisor of all the Village’s day-to-day operations, Mr. Kazmark gives us his professional insights and explains how he assists our leaders in making informed, equitable decisions. Listen in, learn about some exciting initiatives underway in the Village...

2023 4th of July celebration! The theme is “MADE IN AMERICA” - Celebrating the history of our great nation and highlighting the many creations made right here in the United States of America. From inventions, people, products, sports, music, entertainment, technology, and more- we are a country of innovators, creators, and visionaries. Schedule of Events: Tuesday, July 4, 2023 Flag Raising: 9:00 a...

Destination Ridgewood! The Ridgewood Pedestrian Plaza is THE place to be this summer. Opening day is Saturday, June 3 - a slate of activities starts at 8 AM in Van Neste Park. Find out what great things are planned for that day and the weekends throughout the summer. Deputy Mayor Pam Perron and Jeanette Donnarumma share details about the activities, and Johanna & Linda from Rey Sol Coffee chime in...

Who makes Ridgewood great? People like Megan Murphy. Megan has been contributing to the fabric of our community for over 20 years. She founded Baubles & Bags, an initiative to help the Center for Hope and Safety. The event will be held on Thursday, May 11, from 10 am to 2 pm at 74 Godwin Avenue. Head over and purchase beautiful, gently used costume jewelry and handbags. Tune in to learn more about...

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Ridgewood resident Jan Bottcher, a member of Ridgewood STIGMA-FREE, shares information from the National Alliance on Mental Illness about this year’s “theme, “More than Enough.” It affirms that people are inherently worthy of life, love, and healing — no matter what they look like, where they are in their journeys, or what they can or can’t do. The STIGMA-FREE...

🌼NO MOW MAY! What is it, and how can you get involved? Michael Faherty, a Ridgewood volunteer and author, talks about No Mow May and Project 1000 Acres, Green Ridgewood, The Green Team, and other terrific organizations such as the Conservancy for Ridgewood Public Lands, The Women Gardeners of Ridgewood, and more. He also gave us a peek into the book he's written titled "A Step Outside-Understandi...

The Ridgewood Historical Society and School House Museum will celebrate the 150th anniversary of Ridgewood’s first schoolhouse and honor the invaluable contributions of three well-respected Trustees, Dacey Latham, Joy Hamburger, and Vicky Herbert, at a gala on Thursday, May 18. It will be a festive Roaring 20’s themed evening with dinner and dancing. Music will be provided by the local band, “Soul...

Do you own a small business? Are you lacking the tools and resources you need to succeed? FREE help is available. Linda Caruso, Director of Bergen for Business, a program at Bergen Community College funded by the Bergen County Executive’s office, shares details about a terrific program for small business owners. High-performing BCC students received extensive training to assist small business owne...

Michael Lembo – Ridgewood Public Schools Board of Education president, shares information about the Superintendent search, alternate start times, and community engagement at board meetings. Mike says, “…an educated community is a better community…” This interview will help you learn more about Mike and why everyone should engage in local politics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone....

Ridgewood Newcomers representative Kerry White shares the mission behind the non-profit and their commitment to helping new residents build community through exciting and entertaining events. Ridgewood Newcomers also collaborates with Ridgewood businesses and other local non-profit organizations to help build a more connected and vibrant community. Whether you’re new to town or have lived here for...

Chief Jacqueline Luthcke shares some highlights and memories of her time in the Ridgewood Police Department. She also gives us insight into the range of emotions police officers experience daily and the stress it can cause. We are fortunate that Chief Luthcke’s philosophy has been to teach, not punish. Her parting words before she retires from the Ridgewood Police Department are to practice good s...

Alina Swanson – Ridgewood resident, volunteer extraordinaire, and curator of the Art Fusion Exhibit at The Stable Gallery (259 N Maple Ave). Alina shares her passion for public art and why she worked hard to make this show a reality. It is a do not miss display that features segments titled “Reclaiming Peace Within” and “Inside A Teen Brain.” Local artists and Ridgewood High School students design...

To know someone well is to know their story—the experiences, trials, and turning points that have tested and shaped them. When we want someone to know us, we share stories of our childhood, family, school years, spiritual development, and so on. Seldom is a good story so needed, though, as when a significant change is underway. The world experienced a major upheaval, and we are all on the road to...

What’s in store for our Village in the next five, ten, or twenty years? Listen to Dianne O’Brien, a Ridgewood High School graduate, certified Urban Planner/Historian, and Village of Ridgewood Planning Board member, as she walks us through some of the more critical elements of Ridgewood’s Master Plan. Learn why mitigating flooding issues now, before it happens, is a well-spent investment. Find out...

Who’s living in the new multi-family housing units, and how have they impacted Ridgewood Public Schools? Has our Central Business District benefitted from these apartment dwellers? We talked to Carley Ciocci – the property management professional who oversees rentals at The Benjamin and NoMa Ridgewood, to get the answers. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What can the Pedestrian Plaza do for resident taxes? How can Ridgewood help combat global climate change? Where can you get information about Village Committees, Boards, and Commissions? Who can make the biggest positive impact on our community? Tune in to this episode and hear from our newly elected Mayor, Paul Vagianos, and Deputy Mayor, Pamela Perron. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit meg...

Dillon Carroll – Ridgewood Public School and Cornell University alumnus, speaks to us from his office in Ukraine. Dillon and his friend Mark Kreynovich spearheaded a remarkable humanitarian effort that helps Ukrainians navigate challenges as a result of the war. Dillon and Mark want to remain there for as long as possible and continue their efforts of buying medical supplies and providing temporar...

Michael Tozzoli, MSW, LCSW - West Bergen Mental Healthcare CEO, shares meaningful approaches to handling holiday stress and offers tips on comforting loved ones experiencing mental health issues. Mr. Tozzoli is a licensed clinician and non-profit leader who oversees the clinical and strategic direction of WBMH, including 250+ employees and 20+ programs. He completed his graduate work at Columbia U...

Ridgewood Living Magazine content creator and Ridgewood volunteer extraordinaire Kathryn Schmidt shares information about the new and fabulous hyper-local magazine that features the very best of our hometown. The December issue can be found here: 12 DEC 2022 RWL FINAL.pdf If you’d like to suggest events or other content, contact kathrynschmidt@bestversionmedia.com For sponsorship opportunities, co...

Deputy Mayor Pamela Perron does a deep dive into Ridgewood Water issues. If your concerns aren't addressed in this episode contact Ridgewood Water Utility - https://water.ridgewoodnj.net/ 201-670-5520 - 111 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2022 Holiday Happenings in Downtown Ridgewood! Joan Groome and Tony Damiano - Executive Directors of the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce, and the Ridgewood Guild, respectively share information about upcoming events in the Central Business District. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices