Warm weather is really coming back this week.  You'll see - it's coming and with it outdoor activities.  So this week we have nearly 20+ things to do this weekend!  

Ridgefield Park Carnival
It's time for the Ridgefield Park Carnival, one of Bergen County's very biggest.  Hours are as follows:  Wednesday & Thursday 6-10, Friday 6-midnight, Saturday 2-midnight and Sunday 2-10.  Get your tickets online no later than 2:59 on Wednesday, the 29th, for a 50% reduction in price.  Location is Veteran's Memorial Park (Shaler & Banta).  This carnival has everything you can think of and more!

Rutherford Rotary Club Comedy Night
Here's a worthy cause and a great deal - the Rutherford Rotary Club has a Comedy Night with dinner at Paisano's Restaurant in Rutherford Thursday night 6-10.  Think about it - for $100 per ticket you get a full 4 course dinner plus a professional comedy show.  In today's world, that's a deal.  There's a QR code for tickets on this link making it easy to reserve a seat.  Proceeds go to Lyndhurst, North Arlington and Rutherford High School scholarship programs.

The Garden Club of Teaneck Plant Sale
Every year home gardeners look forward to this annual event.  The Garden Club of Teaneck is one of our very active garden clubs.  Their Annual Plant Sale usually sells out because of their wide variety of plants and vegetables.  The people who grow and garden them are right there to help you too.  It's Friday-Sunday10-6 and also the same the following week.  Location is their greenhouse at 300 Lindbergh Blvd.

New Milford Women's Club Spring Time Bingo Bash
The New Milford Women's Club has a bingo fundraiser to help support their charitable works Friday night at the Armenian Brotherhood/St Matthews Church in town (225 Center St).  Doors open at 6; bingo starts at 7.  Tickets are $25 for which you get a dauber, 4 bingo cards (9 games each), 15 raffle tickets, coffee or tea and refreshments.  If you're not doing anything special, grab a few friends and go.  It's always a fun night.

Raul Dahl's Matilda, The Musical
Aspire Performing Arts Company is a national award winning children's performing arts company in Fair Lawn.  They emphasize that workshops and productions are done in a friendly manner.  You'll be impressed by how excellent their productions are.  This weekend they're doing Matilda, The Musical based on Raul Dahl's  children's novel.  Times are Friday/Saturday at 7 with matinees Saturday/Sunday at 2.  This musical play is being held at the Fair Lawn Community Center (10-10 20th St).  Online tickets are $3 less too.

Lorrimer Sanctuary Spring Native Plant Sale
Lorrimer Sanctuary has a different take on spring plant sales.  Their focus is on native plants.  This is quite different from the pansies typically seen in other plant sales.  The Lorrimer Sanctuary Spring Native Plant Sale .   is 10-4 on Saturday.  You'll find a comprehensive list of plants on this link
  
Walking Toward Your Future Self
I try to find events that aren't expensive; this one is at $149.  However, it's so unique and seems to be almost a day of therapeutic healing that it may be exactly what some of us truly need.  Walking Toward Your Future Self is a day of reconnecting with yourself through the healing power of nature.  From 9 to 3 on Saturday you will be hiking through the woods led by Kathie Robinson, a certified wellness coach.  

Elmwood Park Springfest Street Fair 
If you like street fairs, you will love this one.  The Elmwood Park Springfest Street Fair and Crafter's Corner is huge.  More than 75 vendors, tons of food trucks, a craft section, kids play area with bouncy inflatables, music and more.  Location is Recreation Field by Market St and the time is Saturday, 11-5.

Bergen County Horse Rescue
Meet and see horses, check out crafts, enjoy games and just have fun at the Bergen County Horse Rescue  Saturday 12-3.  It's their Mom To The Rescue where mom and child couples are showcased. Kids love these special days at the Rescue so if you have any, please stop by.  Tickets are only $15 for an afternoon of fun.  All proceeds go to continue the Bergen County Horse Rescue's work.

The Lillias White Effect
Lillias White is a Broadway Star who has won the Tony award among many others.  Her one woman concert show, The Lillias White Effect, happens at Ramapo College's Berrie Center Sharp Theater Saturday night 8-9:30.  Ms White will sing songs from Broadway classics as well as tell stories from her long career on stage, TV and the movies.  This will be a wonderful evening at the theater; Ms. White has a wonderful singing voice and many  years of experience.  Get your tickets online.

Cinco De Mayo
We have 2 Cinco de Mayo events so far this weekend.  Both are on Saturday.  There's the Tacos & Tequila Cinco de May Bar Crawl 2026 in Hackensack and Cinco de Mayo Tequila, Talks and Tacos in Englewood.  I'm sure I'll be adding more later in the week.  

The 39 Steps at Bergen County Players
Mix together an Alfred Hitchcock film, a spy novel, Monty Python style wacky humor and great acting to get a fabulous night at Bergen County Players.  This is The 39 Steps play that runs for most weekends in May.  it opens Saturday night at 8 with a matinee at 2 on Sunday.  Tickets are online at The 39 Steps link.

UUCP Garage and Bake Sale
There's a bake sale going on this weekend at 145 West End Ave in Englewood from 9 to 5 on both Saturday and Sunday.  It's a fundraiser for the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Palisades (UUCP).  They have quite a variety of items for sale and baked goods.  It's fun to poke through garage sales.  Why not check this out?  I bet you'll find some great bargains and while you're at it, grab something delicious to take home.

Copellia
Ballet Arts and the Adelphi Orchestra have come together to create a beautiful ballet presentation.  It has been described as a comedic ballet about Swanhilda saving her true love from a mad toy maker.  Copellia happens  Saturday at 7 and Sunday at 7.  Location is River Dell High School in Oradell (55 Pyle St).

Park Ridge Car Show     
Car shows are back and boy am I happy.  I am in love with cars and car shows for me are like a candy store for kids.  They're so much fun and car people are a really terrific group.  This Sunday 9-3 is the 15th Park Ridge NJ Recreation Committee 2026 Car Show.  All makes and all years are welcome and it's not too late to enter your car for only a $15 fee.  Judges will award trophies at 2:30.  This is always a big show and because it's so large, it's held at the Park Ridge Town Pool Parking lot.  

Not in Bergen County But - Hawthorne High School Class of 2027 Car Show
Since Hawthorne borders Bergen County, a lot of us as well as them think of Bergen County as their home.  So I include a lot of Hawthorne events.  This one is to help their graduation costs so let's show up and help these kids if you're in the area.  This show is at 160 Parmelee Ave in Hawthorne 11-2 on Sunday.  Call 201-206-1558 for information and registering your car.  Unfortunately they are having website issues right now.

5k Runs
Sunday has two 5k runs going on.  There's the Elephant Run in Park Ridge (sign up no later than Saturday to save $10) and the Waldwick Chamber of Commerce 5k Run and 1 Mile Walk.

Hike For Hope
Hike For Hope is a major fundraiser for Family Promise.  Family Promise has been helping familes with food insecurity and homelessness since 1993.  It's evolved over time.  There's a virtual part to it followed by the 3 mile hike through Ridgewood.  This is followed by a big party in the park with all sorts of activities, music and give aways.  You can join a group, create your own or register as an individual  Donations are welcome too.  Please register online for this very worthwhile and fun hike.

Springfest Craft, Antique and Gift Show in Westwood
This begins a series of major outdoor fairs at Veteran's Park in Westwood.  These are always huge, filled with over 100 vendors, food trucks and more.  Thousands come to every one of them because there's so much to look at and it's always a lot of fun with music, food trucks/food vendors, etc.  You should also know that this is a juried craft and art show so what's there will be amazing.  The Springfest Craft Antique and Gift Show is 10-5 Sunday; Veteran's Park is behind the train station at 3rd & Park Avenues

Healthy Kids Running Series
Do you know about Healthy Kids Running Series?  I certainly didn't and you'll see I've missed a few weeks.  With an adult son, I'm not aware of everything the younger set does.  Still, I should keep on top of this group because it's important.  This is a terrific organization that promotes the health benefits of running early in life plus they teach children so many wonderful values.  This Sunday there are 2 Healthy Kids Runs - Cresskill and Glen Rock.  Click on these links to sign up your child - you'll be so glad you did.   

Theatres at Bergen 
Theatres at Bergen have 2 productions this week.  Theatres at Bergen encompasses both the student run theatrical troup at Bergen County Community College, BergenStages, and the award winning professionals who are on stage at the Anna Maria Ciccone Theater  This Wednesday is The Roots of Pop & Rock, Volume 3: The 1990's and Friday/Saturday is Director's Lab 2026 One-Act Play Festival. For more information and to get tickets, just click on this link.

Teaneck Carnival at the Armory
The Teaneck Armory (1799 Teaneck Rd in Teaneck) is the site of multiple carnivals during the spring, summer and fall.  This week starting Thursday night through Sunday is another big carnival there.  Carnivals here are marked by tons of rides along with everything else that you'd expect.  Ticket prices and other information is on this link.

Canoe Day and Bird House Building
Come to the Demarest Duck Pond at the intersection of Hardenburgh and Piermont Rd this Saturday for a totally unique experience.  It's their Canoe Day and Bird House Building event.  This is also a SOAR Science event which will educate children and adults alike.  It's 11-4 on Saturday and a lot of fun.  Learning while creating a bird house and gliding on the Duck Pond in a canoe - what could be better?

Closter Nature Center Bird Migration Walk
This Sunday starting at 9 am, the Closter Nature Center has a 1 hour walk through the woods led by one of it's Trustees.  You'll learn about the warblers and, I'm sure, other birds who are migrating back to our area.  
You'll learn how to recognize them as you find them in the trees and flying around.  This will introduce you to the fun of being a birder as well.  This Spring Migration Bird Walk will relax you too - the woods always does.

AND DON'T FORGET - 
Public Viewing Nights at the Emil Buehler Trust Observatory on Friday night and Yoga For The Soul on Saturday mornings.

As for real estate, while the bond market rose a bit today, the 30 year fixed rate mortage remains at 6.25-6.5% for the average borrower.  Right now we have 699 for sale, 134 in Attorney Reivew and 787 Under Contract.  The ratio to look at is active to under contract and that's better than 1 to 1.  This is clearly a strong market for sellers.  Not quite as strong as last year where you'd expect a bit over 200 under contract.  Last year it was more like 1 to 2.  But, this is still a strong seller's market.

What's happened in 2026 is more homes for sale.  Not enough to tip the scale over to a buyer but not as severe a seller's market either.  Here's an example:  My office just listed 21 N Crest Drive.  I was there for the Saturday open house (over 40 groups in spite of the pouring rain).  Last year there would be no competing property; this year there is in 26 Burns Place which is also for sale at the same $799,000.  Even a small increase in inventory has an impact.