It looks like that warm and sunny weather you expect in May is finally arriving.  The weekend forecast is warm and sunny - ideal for all the events we have and there's a lot.  Here's what we have so far (updates added on Thursday) -

Book Signings This Week
Bergen County supports 2 independent book stores as well as 2 Barnes & Noble bookstores.  Bookends in Ridgewood and Books and Greetings in Northvale are both prime stops for authors doing book tours for their latest works.  If you look at both book store websites, you'll be more than impressed with all the famous authors who've held meet and greet book signing sessions at these stores.  This week there are several such sessions.  Barnes and Noble in Paramus has R.L. Stine, Mikki Brammer, Jane McGarry, Angelique Morelli and Nicole Zamlout Wednesday through Saturday; full details are on the website.  Books and Greetings has children's book author Katherine Applegate Friday at 4.  This author is so popular that tickets will be sold out very soon.

Wyckoff & Franklin Lakes Lions Club Spring Carnival
The Wyckoff & Franklin Lakes Lions Club Spring Carnival is a terrific annual event.  It's a fun filled fundraiser that helps the Lions Club philanthropic work.  Location is McBride Field and hours are Wednesday/Thursday 6-9:30, Friday 6-10, Saturday 2-10 and Sunday 3-8.  This is a full scale carnival with all the rides, games and food you'd expect.  

Frank London's Klezmer Brass Allstars
Honestly, I really don't know how to describe this group.  This is a Yiddish singing brass band that's colaborated with a wide variety of musical styles from Brazillian to Gospel to Jazz and more.  A high energy group, they've toured around the world and put out an album too.  Wednesday night they are performing at the Barrymore Film Center in Fort Lee Wednesday night at 7:30.  Get your tickets online for this exceptional musical experience.

Unlock Your Ancestry: Using DNA For Your Family History
The Mahwah Museum has something very special Wednesday night.   Unlock Your Ancestry: Using DNA For Your Family History is a lecture given by Cathy Moran Hajo which will give you everything you need to know about DNA testing to find your family's history.  She will teach you about DNA testing, what to expect, how to choose the right testing company and more.  Her lecture runs 7:30 to 9 Wednesday night but I wouldn't be surprised to see it run a bit later with questions.  Tickets are online; free for members and only $5 for others.

Main Street Business Expo in Hackensack
This is an educational event for business owners and professionals in Hackensack and for those considering opening a business in the City.  Location is the Hackensack Performing Arts Center at 102 State Street and it runs from 5 to 8 on Thursday night.  The Main Street Business Expo in Hackensack is free and a wonderful opportunity to promote your business.  Just click on the above link for all the information.

Love, Espionage & The Woman Behind Benedict Arnold
Emma Parry is a literarry agent who has spent the last decade researching Benedict Arnold's wife - Peggy Ann Shippen Benedict.  Thursday night at The Hermitage in Ho-Ho-Kus Ms. Parry is giving an intriguing lecture on Mrs. Benedict and her influence on the course of the American Revolution.  Tickets are $10 members and $15 for non-members.

New Jersey Wind Symphony
The West Side Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood will be filled with the beautiful sounds of classical music Friday night beginning wiht a Prelude Concert at 7:30 pm.  To Shout For The Joy Of Life is their final concert of the 2025/2026 season and features their 1st Place awarding winning student musician, alto saxophonist Eric Sigalov.  North Bergen High School begins the evening with a prelude concert at 7:30 and then the full program starts at 8 with Mr. Sigalov and the New jersey Wind Symphony.  Get your tickets online and support these wonderfully talented young artists.

The Story of Alice and Al, Our Local Bald Eagles
Grass roots efforts can do amazing things and bring people together like nothing else.  Friday night at 7, consider coming to the Puffin Society (20 Puffin Way in Teaneck) to hear Don Torino, President of the Bergen County Audubon Society, tell such a story.  The Story of Alice and Al, Our Local Bald Eagles begins at 7 pm with a $5 donation per person. 

The City of Hackensack City-Wide Garage Sale
Hackensack is the biggest Bergen County City with 46,991 residents.  As a result, The City of Hackensack Town-Wide Garage Sale is huge.  It's this Saturday and Sunday from 9 to 4 and it's not too late to sign up.  Once you create your account online, then click on Programs to register no later than Wednesday.  It's a $10 donation to register your home which supports the DARE and LEAD programs. 

The Ridgewood Town-Wide Garage Sale
Ridgewood holds town-wide garage sales twice each year (May & September).  The Ridgewood Town-Wide Garage Sale is big and on both Saturday and Sunday.  Hours are typically 9-5 (times aren't published yet but bet on this).  Maps of participating homes will be available at 74 Godwin Ave Friday 10-3 and Saturday 8-10 at 74 Godwin Ave in town.

Annunciation Church Car Show
The Church of the Annunciation in Paramus (50 Midland Ave) is having a car show on Saturday from 12 to 4.  So far they still have room for a few more cars.  Call them at 201-261-6322 for more information and how to register your car.  It's $15 before the show and $20 the day of the show.

Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra 
The Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra is nothing short of spectacular.  Saturday night's concert, which closes out it's 90th season, runs from 8 to 10.  Highly respected, it has been graced by the presence of many  international stars from Dizzy Gillepsie to Van Cliburn.  A non-profit organization, your ticket is a tax write off donation.  Featured Saturday night is internationally celebrated violinist Bella Horvath.  Mr. Horvath will perform Mozart's Violin Concerto #5.  Tickets are online and also at the door.  Location is the Syriac Community Hall (55 Midland Ave, Paramus). 

Allendale Garden Club Plant Sale
The Allendale Garden Club is having their annual plant sale this Saturday from 8 to 12.  They will be selling native, pollinator and nursery plants "at great prices".  The sale takes place on the Lee Memorial Library grounds at 500 West Crescent Ave.  This club has several members who are Master Gardeners and they'll be on hand to answer your questions and give you all the advice you need.  No credit cards - just checks or cash.

5k Race and Walk Weekend Schedule
There are several 5k races and walks this weekend.  All of them are fundraisers for worthy causes; click on the links for all of the information.  Here they in alphabetical order by the day:
Saturday
Mental Health Awareness Walk in Wyckoff
Miles for Marcus in Mahwah
Move For Ji Stroke Awareness 5k in Ridgefield Park
Sunday
Demarest 5k
Healthy Kids Running Series in Glen Rock
MRCC Trail Conference 5k Run and 3K Walk in Mahwah (USATF Sanctioned)

Bergen County Players Free Open House
Bergen County Players is one of our very finest live local theaters.  I have been to their productions which are consistently outstanding.  Saturday beginning at 10 am they are giving the public a free all day tour to show us what they do and how they do it in order to put a play on stage.  It is their way os saying "Thank you" for all the years - nearly 100 - that the public has supported this theater group.  Their schedule for the day includes concerts and previews of the upcoming fall season too.

Indian Food Festival
This is an all things Indian day Saturday held at the Malankara Archdiocese grounds in Old Tappan (239 Old Tappan Rd).  This is truly a festival of Indian food and culture.  Food available is from both northern and southern India plus there are all sorts of Indian items, clothing, arts and crafts, children's play area with bouncies and a plant sale.  The Indian Food Festival is an annual event that only gets bigger.

The Rose Foundation of Hait Casino Night
This is not your typical Casino Night.  While it's a fundraiser for The Rose Foundation of Haiti, The School Of Rock is adding rock and roll music through it's HouseBand.  The end result is a high energy evening with live music, dancing and Casino Night games.  This happens at Guardian Angel Church (320 Franklin Ave, Allendale).  Tickets are $100 for everything.  All information and online ticketing are through this link.

Woodcliff Lake's Annual SpringFest
Woodcliff Lake has a different take on a Saturday town festival.  This is really a crafts show with some local vendors, live music, food trucks, and all sorts of fun thngs for children with animals, balloons, face painting and games.  There's also a beer garden with hard seltzer.  SpringFest is held at Woodcliff Park (Weirimus Rd & Woodcliff Ave) 11-4 on Saturday.  

Bergen Town Center Bubble Show & Yoga For The Soul          
Saturday Bergen Town Center has the next Yoga For The Soul session in their series of yoga classes held on the garage roof at 9.  A bit later it's their Bubble Show at 11.  A buble artist will do all sorts of fascinating tricks with bubbles.  This is held at Center Court near Kohls; both Yoga for the Soul and the Bubble Show are free too.

Community Science Saturday: Migratory Birds
The Teaneck Creek Conservancy has a series of classes on Saturday mornings.  These teach you about the ecology of the nature preserve that is the Teaneck Creek Conservancy with an emphasis on the animals who live there.  Called Community Science Saturday, they start at 10 for 90 minutes.  This Saturday is on Migratory Birds.  Led by naturalist George Tsepallas, these are always fun and educational.  Check out the website for all the details.

Meadowlands Racetrack Beerfest
If you love beer, you'll love this.  The Meadowlands Racetrack Beerfest happens Saturday 5-9 with 60 breweries including several local producers.  For beer lovers this is a completely unique experience to learn about and sample a very wide variety of beer.  Included is horse racing plus they will be simulcasting the Preakness Race in Maryland.  Tickets are 2 tiered depending on what you want.  

Hackensack PBA Annual Car Show
Sunday afternoon features the Hackensack PBA Local 9 5th Annual Car Show.  This show is huge and held on the Hackensack Costco Parking Lot (80 South River St).  It's one of our annual major car shows with a DJ, vendors, etc.  I think they have food trucks there too.  Registration forms are down the page - it's $20 at the door for all cars participating.

Pinkster, A Jersey Dutch Celebration of Spring
Sunday afternoon Historic New Bridge Landing (1201 Main St) in River Edge will be rocking with Pinkster, A Jersey Dutch Celebration of Spring.  A recreation of how Dutch colonists greeted the arrival of Spring, there are demonstrations, games, authentic recreations and lectures about this era with peotple in period costumes.  Go down the web page for all the activities and to order tickets ($12.50 adults, $7.50 students).  This all happens 1-4:30 Sunday afternoon.  Pinkster, Spring Festival at HNBL is so much fun that it attracts several hundred if not more every year.

EarthFest Overpeck
EarthFest Overpeck is this Sunday at the Overpeck County Park amphitheater (south of Ft Lee Rd in Ridgefield) from 12 to 5.  This is all about respecting the planet and ou r environment through educational displays and fun activities plus a series of live music performances.  In addition, there's free kayaking and canoeing plus a fishing contest (Don't forget to bring your fishing pole & gear!)  A joint venture by the Hackensack River RiverKeeper and the Bergen County Department of Parks, this annual event is also aimed at fun for children as well as adults.

Free Piano Concert
Gifted pianist, Jason Hart, will be giving a free one hour concert Sunday afternoon at 4:30.  Location is the Presbyterian Church in Tenafly (55 Magnolia Ave).  Mr. Hart will be performing French baroque, classical and Latin musical pieces so this is a varied program.

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

Not In Bergen County BUT -
Nyack, New York, is just over our northern border less than 1 hour  from even the furthest spot in Bergen County.  For the majority of us, it's 30 minutes or less away.  A lot of us go there because it's filled with great restaurants and boutique stores.  The Nyack Street Fair is the biggest street fair you'll go to in this general area and it's this Saturday 10-5.  

As for real estate, a lot of reports start publishing this week so I'll be able to talk about what's happening based on data next week.  If you want information sooner, just email me at barbaraweismann@gmail.com with your request.  Most likely I can get it to you in a few days.