As I sit in my office looking at the rain, I'm wondering if there won't be some rescheduling.  Let's hope Mother Nature decides to make a U-Turn.  Because it's Mother's Day Weekend, normally a big planting weekend in the yard, there's several nature hikes to look at the blooming flowers and plants in our natural preserves.  I start the list of events off with a simply amazing theatrical opportuity. 

Bettie Davis Ain't For Sissies - 1 Night Only
What a spectacular opportunity but for only 1 night.  Bettie Davis Ain't For Sissies is an award wininng and internationally renown Off Broadway play.  Donation asked is $10 for this fabulous theatrical experience.  The performance is Saturday night at 7 followed up with a question and answer session.  Tickets and the complete background are online.

Cresskill UNICO Carnival    
It's time for the annual Cresskill UNICO carnival.  This is a major carnival with all the rides and booths you'd expect.  It's also a fundraiser for UNICO;, a wonderful service organization that does so much good.  The carnival is Tuesday-Saturday from 5:30 through 10 pm.  All the details are on the Cresskill Unico Carnival website.  

Hillsdale Fire Department Annual Carnival       
This is another full scale carnival with everything you'd imagine.  While it was to begin Monday, the downpour we had then made this impossible.  They are hoping to start Tuesday night.  Times are 6-10 through Friday and 2-10 on Saturday.  This is at 380 Hillsdale Ave in the commuter lot.  All details are on their Facebook page. 

Ridgewood High School Spring Fair         
Hi parents and guardians - here's an event focused on children K-8 that's also a fundraiser.  The RHS World Support Alliance Spring Fair supports grandmothers in Uganda raising children after the devastating effect of AIDS on this country.  It's $5  per person on Saturday, 2-5:30, at Ridgewood High School (627 E Ridgewood Ave).

Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra     
The Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra is ending it's season with a concert Friday night at 8 pm.  Location, as always, is the West Side Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood.  This concert is called New Era and features a soloist guitarist in Rodigo Concierto de Aranjuez along with Sibelius Finlandia and Shastakovich Symphony 5.  Ticketing online isn't workinng right now and I've sent them an email.  So be prepared to bring cash for the exact amount to the door.  General admission is $35, seniors are $25, 18 and under plus Familes First are free.

Spring Festival of Colonial Life      
As we all know, Bergen County dates back from before colonial times.  Garretson Forge and Farm in Fair Lawn is one of our most cherished historic sites.  Saturday 10-4 is their all day celebration of colonial life as it was in the spring.  One of their most popular events, you'll find tours and special activities every hour while colonial people walk around doing what they did back then.  The Spring Festival of Colonial Life is a free event.  There are activities for all ages, homestead tours, an open gift shop and a plant sale.

Budding Flowers - A Nature Walk
Here's a walk through the Teaneck Creek Conservancy led by George Tsapellas.  Another of his Community Science Saturdays, Budding Flowers shows how nature has awoken from winter with blooming plants and animal activity.  While a free event, please register so they can email you if they cancel due to weather.  This is for all ages. George requires that you download the iNaturalist app (their webpage as a link for a children's version).  This 90minute walk starts at 10 Saturday morinng at 20 Puffin Way in Teaneck.     

Mother's Day Walk at the TCC          
Here's a 2nd walk at the Teaneck Creek Conservancy on Mother's Day with Don Torino.  This is actually a Bergen County Audubon Society sponsored nature walk though the TCC.  The walk will, of course, have more of a focus on birds.  If you're a new birder, please come because you'll get a lot of help.

Closter Nature Center Spring Guided Hike
Close out Saturday at 4 pm with a hike on the trails through the woods at the Closter Nature Center.  While open to all ages, I would like to remind you that this is a group walk so children must be able to keep up.  Cost is $5 members and $10 non members.  Go to the Spring Guided Hike site to register (they ask you do so but you can just show up too).  I'd get there a few minutes before 4 - it stats at the log cabin by the lake.

RPEF Sprint For Our Schools 5k & Family Fun Run
The Ramsey Public Education Foundation has it's annual RPEF Spring For Our Schools 5k & Family Fun Run this Saturday morning.  Reegistration and the race start is at the Ramsey town pool lot (75 E Oak St).  Registration and information is on their site.

Introduction to Wool Spinning
Have you ever spun wool?  I haven't even seen it being done.  This should really be fascinating.  Come to the Township of Washington library (144 Woodfield Rd) on Saturday at 1 for a class on how to do this from Reilly Grant of Clover Folk Artist Studio.  Reilly will show you how you go from raw wool to making a garment.  Since class size is limited, you need to register

Rubin Run at the JCC on the Palisades
Every year on Mother's Day Sunday the JCC on the Palisades holds it's Rubin Run.  This is a tiered run with quite a wide variety.  At 8 it's the 10k run, at 10 it's a 5k run and a 5k walk.  They also have a Fun Run with the time to be decided.  It's usually 1 hour after the 5k run and walk.  All information and registration is online.

Mother's Day/Family Hike at the TNC
The Tenafly Nature Center has what's really a family get together hike every Mother's Day and so it's on this Sunday.  Time is starting at 11 for 2 hours.  They're prepared for you whether it's outdoors or inside.  Members are $5; non members are at $10.  Their annual Mother's Day/Family hike is truly a lot of fun so get registered and get ready for a wonderful hike in this gorgeous nature center.

And Don't Forget - 
     
Lorrimer Sanctuary Friday Mornings Bird Walk     
The Lorrimer Sanctuary in Franklin Lakes (790 Ewing Ave) conntinues it's series of Friday morning bird walks.  You will love their beautiful grounds as you're guided by an expert who helps you spot these special creatures.  This is free for members and only $5 for non members and sponsored by the New Jersey Audubon Society.  

A Little Night Music      
Stephen Sondheim's masterpiece, A Little Night Music, is still beinng performed on weekends by Bergen County Players in Oradell.  There are so many memorable songs in this musical play.  A Little Night Music is a beautiful, sophisticated and elegant Tony Award winning play which captivates you with it's magnificent score and story.  

Garden Club of Teaneck Plant Sale     
This is the final weekend for The Garden Club of Teaneck Annual Plant Sale.  It's  Friday through Sunday 10-6.  As another active garden club here, they always have terrific plants available for sale plus you'll get all the advice you need.  Location is their Greenhouse at 300 Lindbergh Blvd.  

Maywood's Chow Down Food Truck Fest and Vendor Pop-Up             
Come to Maywood this Saturday for their marvelous Food Truck Fest and Vendor Pop-Up.  This event is really well organized.  Location/time is the Myron parking lot at 205 Maywood Ave from 12 to 7.  There's outdoor seating, a kid's zone, vendor tables and a wide variety of terrific gourmet food trucks.  Also there's a beer garden and live music.  This is an extremely popular event so just in case all seats are taken, bring some folding/lawn chairs.   

Every Mother's Day time, I wish you this - A great day with your mom.  If mom isn't local, use video/phone for more than a 1 minute call.  If mom's no longer here, I hope you have some happy memories.  And, if you know of a mom who is alone, give her a call or a knock on her door with some cookies. 

Happy Mother's Day!