Keller Williams Village Square Realty will be hosting a Grand Opening celebration at their new office location, 257 East Ridgewood Avenue (second floor) on Saturday, November 19^th from 3 to 7pm. Individuals are invited to drop by to enjoy great food, beverages and entertainment, as well as take the opportunity to explore the company’s new Ridgewood office. A door raffle will also be held, prizes will be awarded, and assorted fun activities for all ages will take place throughout the event.

“We can’t wait for the community to see for themselves what all the buzz has been about,” said Aloysius Donohue, Operating Principal with Keller Williams Village Square Realty. “This Grand Opening signals a new and exciting chapter for our sales team. With added resources, enhanced technology and tools and a larger work space, this new office will mean greater efficiency and productivity for our agents and continued positive results for their customers.”

The new Keller Williams Village Square Realty office enjoys a convenient downtown location and also features an Internet café, spacious training room, smart boards and a children’s play area so clients can bring their little ones to the office without worry.

Keller Williams continues to attract the best agents in the industry by offering the most innovative educational resources along with cutting-edge technology and a revolutionary profit sharing system. Having expanded to a staff of nearly 100 agents in just seven months, Keller Williams Village Square Realty is no exception, as it is now home to a formidable team of well-known and highly-respected sales talent.

As Donohue continues to assemble a dynamic team of all-star agents, the Ridgewood office continues to flourish. A glimpse of his sales team reveals such top-ranked professionals as Sally Ponchak, ranked as the Number One agent in Wyckoff in 2010 in terms of number of transactions; Nancy Larsen, the Number One agent in Ridgewood in 2011 in terms of number of transactions year-to-date (tied with 2 other agents); Pam Christian, the Number One agent in Ridgewood in 2011 based on dollar volume year-to-date; and Jeff Adler, the Number One agent in Ramsey for 2010 in both dollar volume and number of transactions. Adler is also currently tied for top spot in 2011 for number of transactions.

“Our sales professionals have consistently outpaced the market in productivity. They represent the cornerstone of our company’s growth and success,” Donohue added. “Clients can expect superior service from beginning to end when working with a Keller Williams Village Square Realty agent.”

Keller Williams Realty Inc. is the fastest-growing residential real estate firm in North America according to Realtor Magazine.  J.D. Power and Associates recently (2008-2010) ranked Keller Williams #1 in overall home buyer satisfaction among the largest full-service real estate firms for the third year in a row. In 2010, the company received many accolades including:

• Entrepreneur magazine, No. 1 ranked real estate franchise on the 31st Annual Franchise 500 list
• Inman News, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board Gary Keller named one of the 100 Most Influential Leaders in Real Estate
• Training Magazine, highest ranking real estate franchise on the annual Training Top 125, #47 Overall

Individuals interested in attending the Keller Williams Village Square Realty Grand Opening celebration are encouraged to RSVP by calling the office at 201-445-4300 by November 12. The new office is located at 257 East Ridgewood Avenue in Ridgewood.

Below is a photo of several gutsy Ridgewood Storm Chasers (My sons Luke and Ben and our dog Spartacus).

Hurricane Irene Aftermath - Fairway Road in Ridgewood NJ

Admittedly, my first hand assessment of Ridgewood storm damage is limited by how far a 9-year-old, 11-year-old and a somewhat lazy Bernese Mountain dog wanted to walk.  That said, we covered a decent swath of Ridgewood’s East side.  We found it to be pretty messy with some flooding and some downed trees but not too bad when compared to some of the more dire predictions.

There are several Ridgewood Roads closed today because of Hurricane Irene.

There are also many homes without power in Ridgewood and many homes with some flooding issues.  Click here for instructions on what to do and who to call if you are having issues, in Ridgewood, in the aftermath of the storm.

Related articles

• Twitter Reaction to Tropical Storm Irene: Relief (mashable.com)
• Most of Spring Lake boardwalk is destroyed by Hurricane Irene (nj.com)
• Your reaction: Hurricane Irene hits New Jersey (nj.com)

Beneath bright and sunny skies, Keller Williams Village Square Realty in Ridgewood took a beautiful spring day and made it even more special. In support of the company’s RED Day (Renew, Energize and Donate) initiative, the Ridgewood office sales team rolled up their sleeves and got to work; lending a hand to local organizations whose primary objectives are helping others.

Now in its third year, RED Day is held annually on the second Thursday in May and celebrates Keller Williams Realty’s commitment to improving local communities. Every year on that particular day, tens of thousands of Keller Williams associates from across the United States and Canada participate in a wide range of community service projects, devoting their time to renewing and energizing aspects of the neighborhoods in which they serve. RED Day activities can range from rebuilding homes, refurbishing local parks and giving to local food shelters to hosting blood drives, beautifying beaches and more. Projects are chosen by each individual market center based on needs they see within their community.

Following careful consideration, the office selected two organizations whose primary focus is assisting individuals and families throughout the community: The Center for Children and Youth in Ramsey (a division of West Bergen Mental Healthcare) and the Alpine Learning Group in Paramus.

“When our staff first learned about the company’s RED Day initiative, we were collectively excited about having such the opportunity to help a fellow organization in our local community. Absolutely everyone in our office wanted to participate, so our goal was to find projects that everyone could take part in,” said Sally Ponchak, Keller Williams sales associate and co-chair of the local RED Day event. “Both West Bergen and Alpine Learning Group were thrilled by our offer to help out, and we were thrilled to do so. It was a perfect fit: the activities were fun and uplifting at the same time.”

Boasting a large and motivated assemblage of volunteers, Keller Williams Village Square Realty kicked off their local RED Day event on May 12. The office divided into two “work crews”, with one group arriving at the Childen’s Center in Ramsey to plant flowers.  The Children’s Center is a division of West Bergen Mental Healthcare, a non-profit organization based in Ridgewood that provides a wide range of psychiatric and counseling services for all age groups with various levels of need.

With a “RED Day Project in Progress” sign signaling their work was underway, Keller Williams agents got to work, beautifying the center’s entrance with a colorful explosion of spring flowers. West Bergen Chief Operating Officer Lee Schaeffer and Chief Executive Officer Michael Tozzoli enthusiastically lent their support to the activity.

The second group of Keller Williams agents spent the morning at Alpine Learning Group in Paramus, a non-profit education and treatment program specializing in working with individuals with autism. With the facility planning a large-scale garage sale as an upcoming fundraiser, they enthusiastically welcomed the agents’ offer for help.

Assisted by Gwen Purcell, Project Manager with Alpine Learning Group, the agents spent a busy morning helping Alpine staff members with setting up, tagging items, organizing donations and moving furniture- all in preparation for a fundraiser from which one hundred percent of the proceeds go back into the facility.

“We were thrilled with the success of the first Keller Williams RED Day in Ridgewood. We were able to raise awareness about some great local organizations and help them with necessary tasks,” noted Keller Williams sales associate and RED Day co-chair Jennifer Casper.  “Our office goal is to continue to give where we live throughout the entire year, not only during RED Day. With the unofficial office motto of ‘spread the red’, RED Day empowers us to help in our own communities on a daily basis.”

“RED Day reflects the culture of Keller Williams Realty. It illustrates the extraordinary effect a company can have when individuals come together to work as a team for the greater good of everyone,” added Keller Williams Village Square Operating Principal Al Donohue.

Keller Williams Village Square Realty is located at 257 East Ridgewood Avenue in downtown Ridgewood. The office may be reached by calling (201) 445-4300.

Related articles

• Keller Williams Realty Dominates REAL Trends 500 Survey (thelimemagazine.wordpress.com)
• Undeniable Growth: Keller Williams Now #2 in America (samdibello.com)
• I Love Where I Work! (realestateliza.wordpress.com)

Make sure to bring a few lawns chairs or a big blanket.   The Kasschau Band Shell is located on Veteran’s Field (corner of Maple Ave and Linwood Ave), directly behind the Ridgewood Public Library and Village Hall.

Below is a clip from August 3rd’s entertainer – Marlene VerPlanck.

Ridgewood Concert Schedule

The Orpheus Club – July 15th

Bucky Pizzarelli and Friends – July 20th

The McVey Family and Friends – July 22nd

Rio Clemente, Bishop of Jazz – July 27th

The Yester Daze, Doo Wop – July 29th

Marlene VerPlanck, American & Popular Jazz  – August 3rd

The Moonlighters Orchestra, Instrumental Swing – Agustu 5th

Squeaky Clean, Vintage Rock & Roll – August 10th

For more info on Ridgewood Summer Concerts call  201-444-1776.

Related Articles

4 Great Things to do in Ridgewood this Summer

Ridgewood’s Van Dyke’s Ice Cream Named Best in Bergen County

This video still needs some work but it is a very helpful guide to understanding the things that make Ridgewood such a great place to live.

Click here to view the embedded video.
 

Below is the script from the Ridgewood Video.

Welcome to beautiful Ridgewood New Jersey … 

As author Nan Goldberg put it “Ridgewood is one of those suburban towns that seem just perfect, a leafy village with a self-sufficient downtown, neighborhoods of wonderful old houses, a low crime rate, no industry, one of North Jersey’s best school systems, and a great recreation program”.

Surrounding Ridgewood is an accumulation of convenient pleasant communities full of happy, friendly people enjoying the good life offered by this beautiful area… an area that’s a delightful mix of the old and new….and Ridgewood is just a 30 minute drive or a short train or bus ride from New York City and its world class amenities and vibrant job market.

Ridgewood residents take great pride in their school system.  Ridgewood’s public schools are highly ranked (currently Ridgewood HS is ranked #7 out of 316 Municipalities rated by NJ Monthly Magazine),  are well-staffed and well-equipped, and offer special programs for the gifted, for those with special needs, and the adults that wish to further their education.

Area technical schools offer a variety of specialty courses to our residents…

and for higher education… Ramapo College… William Paterson University and Fairleigh Dickenson are all located in our county and many of our residents commute to Rutgers… Princeton… Columbia and NYU…to offer the best in education to the next generation of professionals.

Ridgewood boasts a new state-of-the art library and other neighboring towns offer convenient branches throughout the county.

Dining out in Ridgewood is an amazing experience with scores of restaurants that feature everything from the most casual atmosphere, to elegant candlelight dining…and all of your favorite cuisine…Ridgewood is the dining and cultural hub of Bergen County.

The shopping in and around Ridgewood is FABULOUS… from the many fine stores in the area’s shopping malls… to the quaint shops, and high-end boutiques in Ridgewood’s famed downtown area… you’ll find everything you need and more… all of your favorite brands, styles and chain stores.

Ridgewood is just a 30 minute ridge from the world’s most famous skyline…. a multitude of museums like the Metropolitan Museum of  Art… the Museum of Modern Art….  and the Guggenheim Museum and Broadway for the best in live entertainment.

Let’s not forget the New Jersey / New York professional sports scene…. Professional Football with the Giants and Jets… Professional Basketball with the Nets and Knicks… Professional Hockey with the devils and the Rangers and Baseball with the Mets and Yankees

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center and a variety of venues and local museums like the Leighton Galleries and the Ridgewood Art Institute… Local theatre with the Bergen County Players at the Firehouse Theatre… and much more available in nearby Newark.

For recreation, a dozen public and private golf courses are within a very short drive of Ridgewood… Tennis is popular with our residents… The many area parks offer year round organized sports for our children.

There are many lakes and rivers within minutes of Ridgewood, and the Atlantic Ocean and its beaches are less than an hour’s drive…making New Jersey a water wonderland for fishing… boating.. sailing… water-skiing… canoeing and swimming.

The mountains are enjoyed not only for their beauty but for year round recreation….  There are beautiful municipal and community parks, for communing with nature, family outings, picnics and special events.

New Jersey has a thriving business climate, a well-educated workforce, with easy access to a wealth of recreation… in a state known as the Garden State because of it’s rich agricultural areas and beautiful orchards… a place where people can live life to it’s fullest… free from the crime and pollution of larger cities.

For medical services, Bergen County offers exceptional medical care… area Hospitals provide a large number of physicians, surgeons and specialists…  The famous Hackensack University Medical Center is nearby and Ridgewood’s Valley Hospital boasts and excellent reputation in addition to many specialty and outpatient clinics throughout the area.

Regardless of your personal religious preferences, you’ll find the right house of worship for you and your family… The area has churches temples, and synagogues of practically every denomination.

The Ridgewood area has a broad economic base… with a hard-working and well-educated workforce… Many nationally known companies have selected our area to locate to… Thousands of our residents enjoy excellent employment right in our county.

Transportation is excellent with major highways running through the county… New Jersey transit trains provide easy access in and out of the many communities including Ridgewood…. Teterboro airport for private and commuter flights, Newark International Airport is less than 30 minutes away to service all of your national and international flights.

Ridgewood is a Village full of pleasant neighborhoods and beautiful homes… from reasonably priced Cape Cod homes, to spectacular new construction to charming old Victorians… We have it all… Ridgewood and is a fabulous place to visit, and an even more fabulous place to live.

Come and join us, in beautiful Ridgewood New Jersey.

About Al Donohue

If you have been on the fence about this issue you won’t be after watching this video.

The Rotary Club of Ridgewood is looking for your best photos of Ridgewood and it’s residents. Children and adults are invited to submit photos to the Club’s photo contest fundraiser. They’re looking for photos of nature, the business district, architecture, children, events – there are eleven categories in all. Check out their website at http://ridgewood-photo-contest.com .  At the end of the year, they will make a commemorative photo book with the best photos.

A Great Ridgewood Photo Doesn’t Care Who Took It.

No matter how much experience you have or how sophisticated your camera, you’re invited to enter the Ridgewood Photo Contest. The best photos in eleven different categories will be published in “Ridgewood 2010: The Year In Pictures,” a commemorative book representing the beauty, spirit and tradition of Ridgewood and the people who live here. Winners will receive a free copy and cash prizes. The cost is $5 per entry with proceeds going to The Rotary Club of Ridgewood.

Click below and let’s connect on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, FriendFeed…

For the first time, 201 Magazine readers selected a charitable organization as Bergen’s Best-Kept-Secret.   Below is the very worthy mission statement from the The Junior League of Bergen County Website.

The Junior League of Bergen County, Inc. is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.

We reach out to women of all races, religions and national origins who demonstrate an interest in and commitment to voluntarism.

Below are a few links to some of the groups recent events.  For more info, please call the Junior League at 201.447.2292.

As with all major holidays, Ridgewood has some great things planned for Easter this year.  The fun starts at Winberies at 10am and then continues at Van Nest Square and other locations throughout the Village of Ridgewood.  See full schedule below courtesy of the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce.

Everyone will meet up at Van Neste for a map and ride the Bunny Trolley, whihc will make the following stops:

1.Memorial Park at Van Neste Square
First Trolley stop – Sponsored by the Ridgewood News.
Easter Bunny -Sponsored by Boiling Springs Savings Bank.
Easter Tent – Sponsored by Feeney Funeral Home.
Magic Show – Sponsored by Life Opportunities Unlimited *weather permitting
*Give aways by: CareOne, Montessori Academy Ridgewood,
Ridgewood YMCA.

2. The Little Flower Shoppe- 160 E. Ridgewood Ave.
Cupcakes by Carousel Cakes-192 E. Ridgewood AVe.
Joaillier- 196 E. Ridgewood Ave.
Ridgewood Bootery- 200 E. Ridgewood Ave.
Unique Boutique-211 E. Ridgewood Ave.
Sweet & Sassy- 216 E. Ridgewood Ave.

3. Ridgewood Veterinary Hospital – 320 E. Ridgewood Ave.
Epiphany Cafe- 2 S. Maple Ave.*

4. Ridgewood Public Library-125 N. Maple. 11:30am Drop-in Story time.

5. Kings Supermarket-112 N. Maple
Family Chiropractors of Ridgewood-next to Kings.
Ridgewood Bagels-110 N. Maple Ave next to Kings.
Backyard Living-235 Franklin Ave-next to Kings.
6. Ben & Jerry’s-104 Franklin Ave. 1:30pm Easter Egg Hunt.

7. Boiling Springs Savings Bank-55 N. Broad St.

8. West Side Bagels & Deli- 2 Wilsey Square
Marta Stephens-29 Godwin Ave.

For additional information please contact the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce at 201-445-2600 or
email info@ridgewoodchamber.com

Click below and let’s connect on

——————

Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, FriendFeed…

My Ridgewood Fourth of July

The Parade and Fireworks Display are two of the best things about living in Ridgewood.  Every year my family watches the parade from the same location, then we host a family BBQ and at night we watch the incredible fireworks display right from our own front lawn.  It’s the perfect day in Ridgewood.  For the record, my old hometown of Ridgefield Park puts on a pretty great Fourth of July celebration as well.  It was my favorite day of the year growing up.  So, it was tough to break with the old hometown tradition of attending the Ridgefield Park Celebration but we knew our kids needed to have their own traditions in their hometown.  The fact that Fourth of July in Ridgewood is so amazing made it a little bit easier to make the switch.

Official Parade Site – Be sure to order your Ridgewood Parade 100th Anniversary Tee-Shirts (which are already available).

Ridgewood 4th of July Parade Route

Ridgewood Parade History

Here’s What 201 Magazine Had to Say About Ridgewood’s Fourth of July Parade…

Strike up the marching band for the most popular Independence Day Parade in Bergen.  Fire engines and emergency vehicles blast their sirens to children’s cheers , drum and bugle corps, bagpipers and marching bands with cymbals crashing please the crowds, politicians and dignitaries wave from convertibles and classic cars, and veterans march with pride, as the annual morning ritual delights the spectators.

…And the Fireworks Display

As if the fireworks in Ridgewood haven’t been terrific for years, 2010 marks the centennial of the colorful display in the village.  Grab a beach chair and a blanket and head to Vets’ Field for a stars and stripes spectacular.

Related Ridgewood Articles

Top Ten Reasons to Relocate to Ridgewood New Jersey

Ridgewood’s Graydon Pool Project: Blessing or Boondoggle?

Ridgewood NJ Commuter’s Secret – Manhattan Door-to-Door in Less than an Hour

Click below and let’s connect on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, FriendFeed…