Thursday: Access Hollywood Host in Town

1) Access Hollywood reporter Maria Menounos will be at Bookends signing copies of her new book The Everygirl's Guide to Life at 6:00 p.m.

2) The village council passed a proclamation designating April as "Tree Planting Month" and April 29 as Arbor Day. The village has been recognized as a "Tree City USA" for its extensive plantings and maintenance of trees by the National Arbor Day Foundation.

3) The council signed into ordinance new fee structures that will charge property owners more money for false alarms that tax village emergency resources. However, resident Boyd Loving asked village officials if non-profit entities like Valley Hospital, the school board or churches have been or will be penalized for false alarms. Village Manager Ken Gabbert said the ordinance amendment was just fee-based and the village staff are investigating if non-profits had been charged in the past. Deputy Mayor Riche said he didn't believe there were exemptions based on property owner status.

4) On Wednesday, the village accepted a $38,000 gift from the Ridgewood Baseball Softball Association (RBSA) to , which will enable the sports group to offer more versatility to age groups.

5) Bariatric surgeon Dr. Miguel Silva is spearheading a 'sleeve' surgery for weight loss at Valley Hospital as an alternative to gastric bypass and adjustable band surgery. An assistant professor of surgery at Columbia University, which performs the surgeries at Valley for Bergen County, said while the procedure is proving successful, it requires changes in lifestyle. The surgery involves performing a laparascopically-based procedure in which a thin vertical sleeve of the stomach is created through keyhole incisions. The rest of the stomach is then removed. The procedure, Valley says, is "minimally invasive."

The Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery’s offices are located at 579 Franklin Turnpike in Ridgewood (201-251-3480). For more information, visit www.valleyhealth.com/obesity.