Sunday is Mother's Day and I hope that most of you are able to celebrate with your Moms.  For those of you who can't, find something good to do.  How about bringing a small cake or flower to an elderly lady who you know will be by herself on Sunday?  In this very mobile world, there are more Moms than you'd think with children who are far away.  You'll feel so good when you put a smile on her face.

As for upcoming weekend events this week, here's what I have so far (updates on Thursday):

The Garden Club of Harrington Park
This Thursday night at 7:30 pm, The Garden Club of Harrington Park has an exceptional evening for their members and the public.  John Beirne, a renowned and highly respected  hortoculturist is giving a very special presentation.  He will introduce you to the value and diversity of foliage plants.  While everyone looks to plant flowers in their garden, Mr Beirne calls foliage the unsung hero of your garden.  This happen at the Harrington Park Community Church (1 Spring St 7:30-9). 

The Garden Club of Teaneck Plant Sale Ends This Weekend
This weekend is your last opportunity to buy plants from the Garden Club of Teaneck.  The final sale days of  their Annual Plant Sale are Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10-6 at 300 Lindbergh Blvd.  Not only can you get great plants at a reasonable rate, you can also get advice and help from the people who grow them.

The Players Guild of Leonia Presents Jesus Christ Superxtar
Jesus Christ Superstar is a famous, multiple award winning muscial play by Andrew Lloyd Webber.  It's such a fabulous musical that it sells out quickly and this has happened again.  Only the last weekend of the month is available so I'm telling you about it now while seats are still available.  Use t  he QR code on The Players Guild of Leonia home page or this ticketing link.  

3 Weekend Runs
We have 2 running events Saturday.  There's the CFA 5th Annual Run/Walk at Overpeck Park in Ridgefield and the RPEF Spring For Our Schools 5k and Family Fun Run. in Ramsey.  Both events are fundraisers.  The CFA raises money for the Center For Food Action and the RPEF supports Ramsey schools.  Sunday it's the Kaplen JCC On The Palisades Rubin Run.  Held annually on Mother's Day, there's a 10k as well as a 5k  and fun run.  All 3 are USATF certified races -click on the links for all the details and to register.

Meet and Great Authors At The Bookstore
As I've mentioned before, Bergen County has 2 bookstores that regularly host  authors for meet and great sessions.  Because these are well attended, both bookstores attract celebrities.  This week the New York Post award winning journalist, Jeanette Septembre, will be at Books and Greetings in Northvale on Friday at 6 followed by best selling author and Navy Seal Jack Carr at 12 noon. on Saturday.

Spring Festival of Colonial Life in New Jersey
Built in the early 1700's, Garretson Forge and Farm is one of Bergen County's Revolutionary War Era historical sites.  Sold to a builder for development, a ground roots effort purchased the property in the 1970's.  They've been restoring it ever since and today it's truly terrific.  Saturday, 10-4, is their annual Spring Festival depicting what colonial life was like with re-enactments and displays.  There's a series of events all day going on plus guided tours too.  This is a fun day where you're transported back to the 1700's that's also free for the public.  

JC's Vendor Pop Up at the Hermitage Museum Grounds
This is really huge.  JC Promotions Inc. has 75 vendors, music and food trucks on The Hermitage grounds at 335 N Franklin Turnpike in Ho-Ho-Kus.  I don't know about you but I doubt I could get through what's described as 75 tables of high quality arts and crafts, collectibles and more.  There's a $5 admission fee (under 12 free) and parking is free.  I would expect that while you're there, you can also tour this historic site.

Northern New Jersey BBQ Festival
No, we're not in Texas or Kansas City.  This is New Jersey and it's an amazing barbecue event featuring bbq styles from the US and around the world.  The Northern New Jersey BBQ Festival is 12-7 Saturday at 20th Century Field (75 Elizabeth St) in Garfield.  There is a $5 entry fee.  If not everyone wants barbecue, there are other options and they have a beer/cocktail garden plus music.  This has become a very popular event.

Fort Lee Artisan Markets
The Fort Lee Business District Alliance is again bringing back it's Fort Lee Artisan Markets starting Saturday 12-5.  All are held at Northern Lights Park (Hudson & Main) with a large number of local artisans who have beautiful and unique handmade items of very good quality.  Because what's there is so good, this series of outdoor markets has a strong following.  You won't believe the wide variety of things for sale + there's live music too.   It's a nice and fun experience.

Meadowlands Race Track Best Burger Battle
There's a contest for who has the best burgers open to the public.  It's the Meadowlands Race Track Best Burger Battle from 5-11 Saturday.  They also have  20+ food trucks so there's other options too.  Award winners will be announced to the public once the judges make their decisions.

A Muscial Celebration With A Purpose
The Rotary Club of the Palisades is hosting  A Musical Celebration With A Purpose   "to help and equip a neonatal intensive care unit in the Women's and Children's Hospital' currently undercontrcution in Haiti. You will be treated to Haitian music by Grammy Award winning musicians.  It's Saturday starting with a wine and cheese reception at 7 followed by the benefit concert at 8.  Tickets online are $50  ($60 at the door).  Location is The Presbyterian Church in Leonia (181 Ft Lee Rd).

Sounds of Japan: A Cultural Jouney With Masayo Ishigure
The Englewood Public Library has a very special 1 hour concert Saturday night 7-8 on the Main Floor of the Library.  Sounds of Japan features the koto playing (Japanese horizontal guitar) Masayo Ishigure who will bring 2 more musicians with her.  All 3 will be in traditional Japanese dress wearing kimonos.  During this concert, Masayo will give you insights into Japanese culture and koto music.  This is a free concert for the public.

Mariachi Real De Mexico
The wonderful Mariachi music will fill the Barrymore Film Center theater Saturday night begining at 7:30.  Considered to be the very best Mariachi band in the US, this fabulous group of musicians are giving a 90 minute spirited concert.  Mariachi Real De Mexico is also a wonderful Ambassador of Mexican culture.  Tickets are online.  

Pro Arte Chorale at the West Side Prebyterian Church
The Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce is a very strong and active Chamber of Commerce due to Ridgewood's huge business district - the most extensive in Bergen County.  7:30 Sunday night at the West Side Presbyterian Church is their Pro Arte Choralehttps://ridgewoodchamber.com/events/#!event/2026/5/9/pro-arte-chorale-presents-choral-fireworks featuring Handel's Coronation Anthems and Haydn's Lord Nelson Mass.  Tickets are $35 online (seniors $25, students free).

Howdy Stranger's Improv Comedy Show 
It's time for another Howdy Stranger's Improv Comedy Show at the Hackensack Performing Arts Center, aka HACPAC.  This is a fun filled evening of pure comedy done with, at times, audience participation.  It's improv comedy at it's best.  I've written about this so many times simply because people love it.  Plus HACPAC is also very reasonable in ticket prices too.

The Crusader Invitational Car Show at Bergen Catholic
Saturday is the firs time that Bergen Catholic High School is hosting The Crusader Invitational Car Show.  Hours are 9-1 and this is going to be an annual event.  This car show is student run from the Bergen Catholic Car Club which was recently started by car enthusiast student.  You really have to admire what they've done so how about everyone try to support these kids by stopping by. 

Bergen Tech Car Show
Bergen County is known for our excellent town public schools including the County itself.  Bergen County Technical Schools is an award winning system that runs from pre-college to a wide variety of trades.  Saturday at their Paramus Campus (275 Pascack Rd) is their very first Bergen Tech Car Show from 9 to 12.

Nature Walks & Hikes
This weekend we have 5 walks and hikes although weather looks a bit off.  Be sure to register in order to get noticed if anything is cancelled.  We have the Bergen County Audubon Spring Bird Count at Teaneck Creek Conservancy on  Saturday follwed by the Bergen County Audubon Society Mother's Day Walk, Lorimer Sanctuary Mother's Day Walk and Mother's Day Family Hike at the Tenafly Nature Center on Sunday.  Also on Sunday for serious hikers is a 4 mile, 2.5 hour Mother's Day Hike to the Women's Monument.  This is from the Palisades InterState Park folks; you meet at their headquarters at 11 am  Give them a call at 201-768-1360 for details.

Healthy Kids Running Series
I did go into detail about this last week.  This Sunday is the in the Healthy Kids Running Series.  Here are the links for both towns:  Cresskill and Glen Rock.  Click on these links to sign up your child - you'll be so glad you did.

AND DON'T FORGET -
Public Viewing Nights at the Buehler Trust Observatory
39 Steps at Bergen County Players

As for real estate, we up about 3% to 729 homes for sale this week.  Not much but an improvement.  Rates remain in the same 6.25-6.5% range for most borrowers.  Brokerages are consolidating like never before.  I wrote an article on this which I published in LinkedIn.  I'm working on a follow up article with my thoughts about the effect of this.  What I can tell you is that I don't see this as good for consumers.

If you have any questions about real estate or need my help, call or text me at 201-741-8490.  Have a terrific Mother's Day Weekend!