Monday: Kids Thank Columbus for 'Discovering New World,' Giving Them Day Off From School

1) Kids are rejoicing throughout the village today. Why? Well, simple – no school! Something about seeing something blue in 1492 means the kids are getting a bit of a break, though they'll be right back to the daily grind on Tuesday. Teachers will be off for a "professional development day."

2) Columbus Day also means Village Hall will be closed, as well as the post office. No trash or recycling pickup, no sir. 

3) Phase III of the street paving program is set to begin in 2012 – yep, Garber Square and Willsey will be getting a touchup thanks to a grant. 

4) If you checked out The Record's opinion section on Saturday, you might have seen a piece with Richard Pardi's byline. Pardi, the former head of Environmental Science at William Paterson University, and Ridgewood's Ellie Gruber, of the Women's League of Voters, open up some very interesting issues regarding watershed problems in the area. Definitely take a look.

5) After two great days of weather, a third is in order. Columbus Day is schedulded to reach a high of 86(!) with a nice, cool breeze.

[Editor's note: Correction, Ellie Gruber is not the head of the Women's League of Voters, but was representing the organization in regard to the Watershed Area Alliance.]