Spring is really here even though we have a few more cold days to get through.  And with Spring comes more events too.  As you'll see, there's a lot here so let's get to it -  

Bergen County Utilities Authority Recycling Day on Sunday         
Several times every year the Bergen County Utilties Authority has a major recycling day for items you can't throw in your garbage can.  I don't know if you've ever done this; I have and it's quite an experience.  You open your windows, open your trunk and as you drive through people grab what you are recycling out of your car.  It doesn't take very long too.  If there's a line, it moves along at a decent clip.  At least that's been my experience.  The 1st time in 2026 is this coming Sunday at Bergen County Community College in Paramus.  Their web page with all the information can be accessed at this link.

Steve Schirripa at BookEnds in Ridgewood
BookEnds in Ridgewood is a delightful bookstore that you will love visiting.  The staff is great and they specialize in attracting writers for meet and greet book signing sessions.  Steve Schirripa, a beloved and famous actor, has written a new children's book aimed at very young children.  It's all about trying new things and everything I've found about it is very positive.  Amazon has it's publish date as this Monday.  Steve is at BookEnds Thursday at 6 pm. Order your book and ticket online,  

Books and Greetings
Our other independent bookstore is Books and Greetings in Northvale.  This week they have 2 meet and greet book signing events.  Thursday night at 6 is Retired Admiral William H McCraven and Sunday at 12 noon is Dana Perino.  

The Peter Furlan Project in Concert
Peter Furlan is a renown jazz musician who also happens to be a Bergen Community College (BCC) professor.  He's a saxophone player, composer, jazz professor, band leader and more.  Thursday night at 7:30 Mr. Furlan is giving a benefit concert at the Ciccone Theater for the Bergen County Community College Foundation.  It's also features his latest album.  Tickets are online and very reasonable.  If you love jazz, you do not want to miss this. 

Harrington Park Historical Society
The Harrington Park Historical Society is a very active group.  They have terrific lectures monthly (except July & August) and help to preserve 2 local cemeteries as far back as the 1700s.  This Thursday night at 7:30 is another lecture - From Rebellion to Independence: The Story of America's Revolution.  Mario Medic is giving this lecture and he is awesome - he's gifted at bringing the past to life and inspiring people.  This happens at HP Borough Hall so it's handicap accessible too.  The lecture is free but they welcome donations.  

Public Viewing Nights
Friday nights through the end of May are public viewing nights at the Emil Buehler Trust Observatory.  I've written about this before so here's the link for this wonderful free program.  This runs from 7:30 until 10 at the Bergen Community College Technology Education Building.  

History Day is This Saturday
Do you know about the Northwest Bergen History Coalition?  This is a group of historical organizations that have come together to support Northwest Bergen County Historical Sites and to promote appreciation for our local as well as State history.  Did you know that farmers in Closter helped feed General Washington's Army when they camped at Fort Lee?  And that they suffered terribly when the British Army came through?  

This Saturday is their very special History Day.  Twelve sites are open to the public at an extremely reasonable cost - tickets are only $10 (16 & under free).  This runs 10-4  Click on the link for all the details.  

Pickle Palooza
I have admit, I thought this was a joke.  Well, it's the 1st pickle festival in New Jersey and it's more than just pickles.  Pickle Palooza is happening Saturday at the Teaneck Armory (1799 Teaneck Rd, Teaneck) with a wide variety of pickles, all sorts of other things brine, music, dancing, a family fun zone with games plus arts & crafts vendors.  Time is 12-7 and there's plenty of parking at the Armory and on the street.  Go to the NJ Carnivals website on this for an early bird $8 ticket instead of $10 at the door.

5k Run Saturday
There three 5k runs this Saturday so I'm just going to list their links.  5k run events are fundraisers.  Everyone who volunteers to put these on has worked very hard.  If you know someone involved, be sure to thank them.  Better yet, donate to the cause.  Here's the links - 
River Edge Run
Susan Zabransky Memorial 5k Run in Saddle River
Suzie Gallagher 5k & Color Run in Garfield
YCFL Color Run in Fort Lee

Westwood Wide Garage Sale
If you like garage sales you will love this.  The town of Westwood is having a major wide garage sale on Saturday from 10 to 3.  Go to their website on this to get the map of homes participating.  The annual Westwood garage sale is huge.  My advice is to go to the map rather than the list - the map is where you'll find all the homes.  They do this so things are recycled and not thrown out ending up in a land dump and as a celebration of Earth Day.  It's fun, you'll find great bargains and so much better for the environment.

Eventide at Mrs Kearney's Tavern
This Saturday and Sunday, the public is invited to visit Mrs Kearney's Tavern at the Alpine Boat Basin.  This is a free no reservations needed event 1-4 on both days.  What a terrific opportunity to step into the 18th & 19th Centuries and enjoy music, games and stories from the past.  Please scroll down the page to see other events here.  Mrs. Kearney's Tavern sells out it's events quickly so when possible book ahead. 

Party For The Planet at the Bergen County Zoo
To celebrate Earth Day, the Bergen County Zoo has a 2 day exhibition/learning event 10-4 on Saturday and Sunday,  Included for free with your admission tickets, Party For The Planet is a comprehensive experience that introduces you to our local conservation groups and teaches you how the Zoo helps nature and the planet.  It's done in a fun way with games, give aways, activities and more.  Kids and adults alike will love this.

Julius Caesar at The Old Library Theater 
Fair Lawn's Old Library Theater is one of our excellent local live theater groups in Bergen County.  This weekend only they are doing William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar Performances are Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 and a Sunday matinee at 2.
 
Run Bergenfield Run 5k
If you can't make it on Saturday, here's a 5k run on Sunday.  This starts at 9 am from Bergenfield High School.  So go to the Run Bergenfield Run 5k website and sign up while spots are still available. 

Paramus Food Truck Festival
The Paramus Food Truck Festival is back!  One of the most popular Bergen County events from late Spring through early Fall, it's this Sunday at Paramus Park 11-7.  Tons of food trucks, games, live music, entertainment, vendors, often a kids zone, at times a petting zoo and a beer + Margarita/Sangria garden.  People love coming to these because it's just a lot of fun.  Admission is $5 and they ask for 1 non perishable food item.  These are always fundraisers for local food banks.

Chwame Gischurch: Under The Shad Moon
Every year the Bergen County Historical Society has a lecture presentation about the Shad Moon.  The Shad Moon marks the start of Spring when Shad Fish come back to spawn.  This is a comprehensive look at early life back then and the Native American culture and participation of that day.  Held at Historic New Bridge Landing (1201 Main St River Edge), you'll also get to see and be in some of the historic homes there too.  Plus there will be live demonstrations of life back then too.  Chwame Gischurch: Under The Shad Moon tickets are online - just scroll down the page. 

I am going to be adding more events later in the week.  If you remember, there's some that don't publish until mid week.  What we have here so far is a lot for sure.  

As for real estate, the market is now opening up and homes are coming on the market.  We are still behind the number of houses for sale when you compare it to the same time last year.  Prices are coming in around the asking price for the most part now.  Demand remains very strong and it's still a seller's market.  But, as I said previously, buyers are not giving up everything (no mortgage contingency, no inspection contingency) to get a house.  Mortgage rates are now decidedly lower and I'd peg it at 6-6.25% for most.

I think marketing is now more important than it was last year.  No matter the economy, no matter the real estate market, every house has a price range.  Anyone can dump a house into the MLS system and it will sell.  The question is for how much?  Will that house reach the top of it's price range?  Marketing has always been the key to unlock that door.  In 2026 it's more important than it has been.  So while things remain tough for home buyers, it's not quite as bad as it was and rates are lower than they were in April 2025.