We have a very active weekend coming up with nearly 20 different events happening.  And don't forget that this weekend ends the Bergen County Players production of Things My Mother Taught Me too.  So let's get to it -

Household Hazardous Waste Collection     
The Bergen County Utilities Authority periodically holds collection days from Spring through Fall to collect household hazardous waste.  This Sunday they are doing this  at Bergen County Community College (400 Paramus Rd, Paramus). If you've never been to one of these, it's a riot.  You put your waste items in your car, drive over and line up with everyone else, then watch them come and take it all away.  If you go to their website, there's a link to their flyer which spells it all out.

Bergen County Community College Open House
Bergen County Community College or BCC, is an outstanding community college with a wide range of opportunities.  From it's inception in 1963 and opening in 1968, BCC now has 3 campuses plus online learning.  A true community college, it is an affordable academic institution that incorporates a traditional liberal arts education with technical and career based courses.  Additionally there is teen enrichment and retiree focused programs.  Thursday 3 to 6 is their Spring Open House and I encourage everyone to explore all that BCC has to offer.

Spring Florals Workshop Thursday Night
Have you noticed all the great programs that the Garden Club of Harrington Park has?  They are always open to the public and another great one is happening this Thursday night at 7:30 pm.  The meeting is held upstairs in the Harrington Park Library (10 Herring St) and you only have to bring an assortment of flowers (they suggest trying a local supermarket where you can often get 3 bunches for $15) and your prunders.  They supply everything else.  They're calling this a make it and take it supermarket style of floral arrangements.  Gerri Gibney is the speaker who will lead you through this with her great coaching style.  This is a really nice group of people so you might want to become a member too.  For more details, go to their site.

Parents Night Out in Ridgewood Friday Night
Here we have an extremely popular event - Parents Night Out at the Ridgewood YMCA. Parents go out for the night having fun while their children are well cared for by the Y Staff.  It's starts at 7 ending at 10 pm.  The theme for the kids this year is Safari.  Children are very well entertained the entire time while you're out having dinner and taking in a movie or local play.  It's a win-win for the entire family.  If you're a Y member it's $20 per child and if not, $35 per child.

The Good John Proctor
Ramapo College of New Jersey has a very active and excellent Theater Department.  They are opening an intense dramatic play, The Good John Proctor, which they say is a prequel to Arthur Miller's The Crucible.  When you go to order tickets, you'll see that they are using a very creative approach to dramatic art which does not allow latecomers.  This is quite a fascinating concept and, as a Ramapo College project, it's also very affordable with tickets at $15 for the public and $5 for RCNJ students.  Opening night is Friday and times are 8 pm Friday and Saturday night with a 2 pm matinee on Sunday.  This drama is also performed the following weekend too.

Howdy Stranger is Back at HACPAC
Howdy Stranger is so popular that HACPAC (The Hackensack Performing Arts Center at 102 State St) brings it back periodically.  Usually it's 100% improv comedy but 1 time each year they actually have a fully scripted performance.  This is just as hilarious as their improv evenings so get ready for a riotous evening.  Performances are Friday and Saturday nights at 8 pm and tickets are $25 per person.  

Let's Build A Birdhouse!
The Demarest Nature Center is having it's annual birdhouse building and nature walk event this weekend.  Come to Wakelee Field this Saturday at 10 am to begin the fun.  Having a safe and welcoming place for your feathered friends is truly wonderful.  I've had homeowners who've set this up and watched in awe as simply magnificent birds come flying in for a meal or to raise chicks.  Peter K who lived in River Edge was the envy of his neighborhood with how beautiful it was to watch the birds flying in and out.  

Spring Story Time
Bergen Town Center is one of our shopping malls that has a series of free events and this Saturday it's Spring Story Time at 11 am for children.  Sam Colon is a teaching artist from Bergen PAC in Englewood and she has a wonderful program planned.  There will be singing, dancing, arts and crafts plus much more.  This happens at Center Court in the mall across from the children's play area.

Harlan Coben at American Dream Mall
Harlan Coben is a #1 New York Times best selling author of thrillers and mystery novels.  He's a prolific writer who's published a long series of #1 sellers.  This Saturday night from 6 to 8 you'll be able to get a signed copy of his latest novel. Nobody's Fool, and participate in a Q&A session with him.  The $45 tickets to this event include a signed copy of this book. It's at the American Dream Mall Hall of Fame and all the details plus ticketing is on their website.

Les Paul's Klunker Guitars
Before Les Paul perfected his wonderful invention of the electric guitar, he had several - shall we say - prototypes.  Tom Doyle was his most trusted technician, sound man and so much more.  Mr. Doyle is going to discuss all this on Saturday afternoon in the Mahwah Museum at 2 pm.  A Conversation with Tom Doyle on Les Paul's Experimental "klunker" Guitars is a not to be missed session especially for everyone who loves the electric guitar.  This will undoubtedly be a fascinating talk for everyone else too. Go to the website for ticketing and additional information.

A Free Concerty by Jazz Great Rio Clemente
If you love jazz music, you'll know who Rio Clemente is.  He is a highly regarded and very well known jazz impresario.  He's played all the major venues from Carnegie Hall to the White House.  This Saturday night at 7 pm come to the Englewood Public Library for a free concert by this gifted musician.  This is an extraordinary opportunity to hear a jazz great perform for free.  All the details on this are here.

Comedy NIght and Food Truck Fundraiser   
It's time for the Ho-Ho-Kus Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary Comedy Night and Food Truck Fundraiser on Saturday night.  This has been such a successful event that it's now in its 5th year.  The fun starts with food trucks from 4 to 7:30 pm.  Doors open at 7 and the comedy show starts at 8.  It's a BYOB affair and tickets are $40 each.  Location is Sycamore Community Church, 400 Warren Ave, Ho-Ho-Kus.  Call Sue Daly at 201-965-6988 to get tickets for $40 ($50 at the door).

Lafayette 101 - Why We Celebrate The Marquis                
Here we have another lecture at The Hermitage in Ho-Ho-Kus about our colonial past on Sunday at 2.  Lafayette 101 - Why We Celebrate The Marquis is a presentation by John Becia that not only introduces you to Lafayette, John also explains why he was so important to the American Revolution.  John Becia is an expert on The Marquis and the Revolution so he will bring to life this amazing man who is truly a hero of our Country's founding.  This will be a fascinating lecture and tickets are only $10. 

Nature Walk at DeKorte Park           
The Bergen County Audubon Society has another of it's 2 hour nature walks.  It's this Sunday at DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst on Sunday morning at 10 am.  My advice always is to get there 15 minutes early.  These are always fun walks because they're accompanied so you'll learn a lot as you walk through this protected natural preserve. Please contact Don Torino at greatauk4@gmail.com or 201-230-4983 so he knows how many people are coming and can answer your questions.

Breakfast With The Easter Bunny 
Sunday 9 to 12 bring your youngsters to the Bogota PTO annual Breakfast With The Easter Bunny. This fundraiser is a lot of fun with all the breakfast foods you love from eggs to pancakes. PLUS the Easter Bunny will be there to say hello and lead you in games.  Children under 3 are free, it's $8 from 3 to 9, and $12 10 to adult. You must accompany your children. Location is the Bogota High School cafeteria.

Tenafly Nature Center    
The Tenafly Nature Center has 2 events this weekend - 1 specifically for children and 1 that's not.

Crafty Critters is for all ages but children especially love this.  You get to meet one of the nature center's resident animals up close and personal.  This happens Saturday afternoon at 2.  Non member children are $12 and they must be accompanied by an adult.

Heal and Hike is a very special free adult program. Together with the Englewood Health Graf Center for Integrative Medicine, this walk combines a nature walk with meditation and other things to remove stress and rejuvenate your spirit.  

April Open Stage At The Puffin     
The Puffin Cultural Forum has opportunities for anyone to come up on stage and perform.  They do this monthly for comedy, poetry, music and theater. This Sunday 4-6 is their April Open Stage for everyone to get up on stage and perform whether you're an amateur or professional. You'll really be entertained and surprised at how talented your neighbors are.

Company Towns of New Jersey   
The Mahwah Museum has a fascinating lecture on Sunday afternoon at 2:30 for 90 minutes.  Company Towns of New Jersey by Mumtahanah Williams-Ansari tells you all about how companies dominated and controlled their workers.  This happened in the 19th and early 20th centuries in New Jersey. Free for members, it's $5 for non-members.

Not in Bergen County But.....You'll Like It                                    The Wayne PAL has a major antiques and collectible show that's on this Sunday from 9 to 2:30 pm. AND there's also a flea market going on there at the same time. You can literally spend the entire day there and not get to every vendor table.  Location is 1 PAL Drive in Wayne. Entrance fee is $2 - Seniors are $1.

Growing up I constantly heard "April showers bring May flowers." and it certainlys seems like this is happening. We're supposed to have rain through Monday starting tomorrow. So far all outdoor activities are still going on but I'd check to be sure.  Have a great weekend ahead too!

PLUS A Model Train Show in North Haledon
The Garden State Model Railway Train Club is having it's last open house of the spring this Saturday and Sunday 12-5.  They're located a 575 High Mountain Rd in North Haledon.  Admission is $10 - children with an adult 10 and less are free.  Model trains are a lot of fun for children and adults alike. This is a great model train club.