Page 14 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • March 7, 2012 Know Your Neighborhood Businesses: RIDGEWOOD & GLEN ROCK Ridgewood Chamber of Gary Stevens brings positive Commerce: Still going strong change to community ary Stevens started teaching TaeKwonDo in Glen Rock 28 years ago when he became a borough resident. He had already been teaching for several years in Manhattan and several other towns in New Jersey. “At the time, I owned an executive search firm in NYC and taught TKD in the evenings for the Glen Rock Community School,” he recalls. Gary opened the doors to his school in 1996, turning his hobby into his vocation. “I have never physically worked so hard and enjoyed it so much. I felt like I retired and I got to play all day!” he says. Gary, who has always loved the martial arts, started training 39 years ago. Since that time, he has taught thousands of students of all ages. “I have watched kids and adults change their attitudes and postures from that of ‘victim’ to that of ‘winner,’” he says, adding that he has seen his students improve the quality of their lives, eliminate fear, develop a greater ability to focus and concentrate, and replace “I can’t” with “I will do my best.” In May 2010, Gary published “If I Called You a Hippopotamus,” a children’s book that Gary Stevens addresses teasing, name-calling, and bullying. The title refers to the silly name he used to call his children when they would resort to teasing and name-calling at home. Stevens recognized that this common behavior has the potential to have a negative impact on children’s feelings and, ultimately, their self-esteem. Gary began to use humor to defuse the situation, and leave everyone laughing and feeling better. The book, which includes wonderfully whimsical illustrations by April-Nicole Stead, uses rhyme and rhythm to drive home its message: Humor can be the best way to stop a bully in his or her tracks. An active member of his community, Stevens volunteers to read his book to children who attend area schools and groups. He is a member of the Glen Rock Volunteer Ambulance Corps and a member of CERT – the Community Emergency Response Team. Gary’s TaeKwonDo School recently moved into a new, larger facility at 175 Rock Road. Phone (201) 670-7263 to learn more. G The Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce is a voluntary organization of individuals, businesses, professionals, and organizations dedicated to advancing the commercial, professional, civic, and general interests of the community. Associate members -- businesses that are part of the community but are not located in Ridgewood -are welcome. Since the Chamber was incorporated in 1927, it has served Ridgewood continuously. It acts as a public relations counselor, a representative to local government, a problem solver, an information and resource center, and as a coordinator of business and professional programs and promotions. The Chamber promotes the maintenance of a dignified and successful business and professional district, offers exposure to members, and provides networking opportunities. Join the Chamber any Tuesday for A.M. or P.M. Networking, Ladies Night Out Networking, or a Grow Your Business Luncheon. An unsalaried board of directors determines Chamber policies, which are carried out by an executive director and administrator. The Chamber works cooperatively with the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, the Commerce and Industry Association, the Village of Ridgewood’s government, and other organizations that serve the residents. The Chamber recently moved its office to 27 Chestnut Street, Suite 1B. Members, residents, and visitors are welcome. This busy organization supports seasonal events that make Ridgewood a great place to bring family and friends. Spring events include Easter in Ridgewood on April 7 and Spring Sidewalk Sale Days, which will be May 10, 11, and 12. Contact the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce for your Rewards Card and start saving at over 120 Chamber member locations in Ridgewood. Visit www. experienceridgewood.com for the current updated discount listing in Ridgewood, or call (201) 445-2600. Shop Ridgewood; Shop Locally. Keane Fit & Wellness is waiting to serve you! eane Fit & Wellness draws on Sheila Keane’s 18 years of experience in the health and fitness industry and her extensive educational background, including a master’s degree in exercise science and two years as a physical therapy assistant. Services include one-to-one personal training in a private studio or the comfort of your own home, and Muscle Activation Techniques. Sheila offers training for weight loss and general fitness; however, her diverse background also qualifies her to work with older adults, especially those with arthritis and osteoporosis. She is pleased to also offer services for individuals suffering with Parkinson’s disease. Training is customized to your personality and goals. Muscle Activation Techniques are also available. MAT speeds muscle recovery, increases the joints’ range of Sheila Keane motion, eliminates compensatory patterns, reduces risk of injury by insuring muscles function optimally, and improves athletic performance and execution of everyday activities. Sheila recommends a MAT session prior to beginning any training program to ensure that your muscles are all working optimally. She also suggests periodic treatment to keep your body in perfect running order. Keane Fit & Wellness is located in Ridgewood. Call 201-341-0183 and get started! K athy Scarpelli, the Ridgewood and Glen Rock sales executive for Ridgewood TIMES/Villadom TIMES, is used to having a busy schedule. In addition to her work for the newspaper, Kathy is also an active member of the Wyckoff community, where she and her husband Joe have resided since 1981. Kathy has served as president of the Parent Teacher Organization for Wyckoff’s Coolidge and Eisenhower schools, chair of the Wyckoff PTO Coordinating Council, and a member of the Wyckoff Community Park Committee. She is a volunteer with Wyckoff Meals on Wheels. She is a member of the Wyckoff Republican County Committee, District 2, and a member of the committee responsible for planning the annual Wyckoff Day celebration. She has served as trustee, vice president, and president of the Ramapo Indian Hills Board of Education, as a trustee of the Wyckoff Library Board, and as a member of the Wyckoff Planning Board. She has also served as chair of the Wyckoff Municipal Alliance. Kathy is a graduate of Saint Mary’s High School in Rutherford and holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Jersey City Kathy Scarpelli State College. She joined the staff of Ridgewood TIMES/Villadom TIMES in 1997. Kathy and Joe are members of Saint Elizabeth Church in Wyckoff. Their three children, Joseph, Christopher, and Maggie, are graduates of Ramapo High School. Maggie is currently a senior at Ramapo College of New Jersey. “I enjoy the personal side of sales -- getting to know about my clients and hearing about their families while helping them promote and grow their businesses,” Kathy says. Call Kathy at (201) 652-0744 or e-mail kathy@villadom.com. Meet your sales representative: Kathy Scarpelli K