Bergen Buzz

OUR GUIDE TO NEW IDEAS, TIPS, TRENDS AND THINGS WE LOVE IN OUR COUNTY.

TAKE SCHOOL IN STRIDE

The new academic year isn’t quite here yet, but you can see it coming—and so can your kids. Doubtless they’re excited about the prospect of getting to hang out with their friends at lunch again, and seeing their favorite teachers. But are they a little stressed too? Maybe.

That’s why BERGEN has assembled a special faculty of five, quoted below, to assuage student anxieties. These folks know what school is about, and while it’s not a constant party, it also shouldn’t be a cause of suffering. Here are words of reassurance—with only the tiniest bit of teachery propaganda thrown in:

n “Mistakes are a part of learning. Most skills and

concepts are not learned instantaneously and without error. Give yourself time to ask questions and practice what you were taught.”

—Denise Doyle, Oradell, high school math teacher

n “I wish students understood how much their

teachers care about them. I also wish they knew how useless TikTok is!”

—Julia Franz, Maywood, sixth grade language arts teacher

n “High school is a time to learn to be independent, and

it’s a great time to self-advocate. If you’re struggling in a class, talk to a teacher to set up a time for extra help. If you have a scheduling issue, reach out to your counselor—in person or via email. If you forget to do an assignment, or leave it at home, don’t expect your parents to do it or drop it off. If it affects your grade this time, it will teach you to be more responsible in the future.”

—Brenda Lyons, Westwood, high school guidance counselor

n “One thing I would want students to know for the

upcoming school year is that we value them not just as learners, but as individuals. Some of the best moments of my school day are when I get to chat with them about what’s going on in their lives. Whether they talked about how stressed they were for an upcoming test, reminisced about winning a championship soccer game or shared memories from big events, these chats always end with big laughs and a strong feeling of community, all while allowing them to further develop their speaking skills in Spanish.”

—Elena Spathis, Hillsdale, high school Spanish teacher

n “When it comes to learning, remember the power of

‘yet.’ Tell yourselves, ‘I don’t understand it YET.’ We all struggle with something at some point, but this one word can help us stay positive and motivated.”

—Jennifer Lynn Golden, Westwood, 5–8 special education teacher

YOUR ELEMENTARY SHOPPING LIST

Did little Kyle and Miranda accidentally misplace their teachers’ school-supply shopping list? That doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. We’ve put together a checklist of must-haves for you and your elementary school student to follow as you navigate the aisles at Staples or Target. Remember, school supplies— from paper notebooks to notebook computers—will be tax-free in New Jersey from Aug. 27 to Sept. 5, but keep in mind that stock sells out quickly.

n Backpack n Lunchbox n Water bottle n Wide-lined notebook paper or spiral notebooks n Pocket folders n 12-inch ruler n Pencils n Pencil bag n Erasers n Colored pencils n Crayons n Washable markers n Glue sticks n Safety scissors n Tape n Construction paper n Tissues n Hand sanitizer n Cleaning wipes

DID YOU KNOW? More than 141 million cards are sent for Mother’s Day in the U.S., according to the folks at Hallmark. But the holiday only ranksDID YOU KNOW? The total number of students enrolled in Bergen County public schools during the 2020–21 academic year was third on the list of top greeting card holidays. Christmas tops the list with 1.6 billion cards, followed by Valentine’s Day (151 million).131,386. That number was down 2,831 over the previous school year, according to the state Department of Education.

NEW SCHOOL YEAR, NEW LUNCH?

It can be hard to get kids to try a food they’re not used to. But in a season of new—new classes, new teachers, new notebooks—can a new dish be slipped into the mix? Debbie Bessen and Tracee Yablon Brenner think so. They’re registered dietitians at Holy Name Medical Center’s Holy Name Nutrition Center in Teaneck, and BERGEN asked them for a lunch that hits the trifecta—healthy, easy to make and good-tasting too. Thus the recipe below. “Hummus is a nourishing and delicious spread to introduce to your kids with some veggies in a wrap,” says Brenner. “You can add some fruit and pumpkin seeds to complete the meal.”

Mediterranean Veggie Wrap with Hummus Ingredients:

n 1 large wrap or 2 slices whole grain or sourdough bread n ¹/³ cup hummus, store-bought n ¼ cup seedless cucumber, grated n ¼ cup carrot, grated n 1 piece roasted red pepper, drained

Directions:

Grate cucumbers and carrots, then mix into hummus. Spread hummus on tortilla or bread. Add roasted red peppers, roll up the wrap or, if using two slices of bread, add another slice of bread on top and cut in half.

IF YOU SPOT SPOTTED LANTERNFLIES…

A spotted lanternfly (SLF) is a pretty sight if you haven’t seen one before. Go ahead and admire its colors for a second—then squish it, state environment officials say. While harmless to us and our pets, the invasive species feeds on and can cause damage to native trees and crops. The state’s Department of Agriculture offers tips to anyone who sees these creatures: • Identify them. At this stage in late summer, SLF appear red with black splotches and white spots. By early fall, they’ll grow white wings with black spots. • Crush them. The easiest way to deal with an SLF is to step on or swat it. “Squish them wherever you find them,” says Don Torino, a local environmentalist and president of the Bergen County Audubon Society. “Squish what you can!” Kayakers, use those paddles to slap them out of the air, and hikers can do the same with trekking poles. Be alert, though, as SLF move quickly. • Trap them. These bugs favor the tree-of-heaven, a species commonly found in New Jersey. If you have one on your property, consider wrapping it with a glue or sticky trap. Be sure to use wire or a mesh cage over the trap so that other animals like birds and squirrels won’t get caught. • Exterminate them. Exterminator companies such as Viking Pest Control in Paramus offer several options to protect against SLF infestation, primarily through tree treatment. Spray treatment, for instance, acts like flea and tick protection for dogs. • Report them. After killing the bugs, anyone who sees SLF is encouraged to report the sighting at nj.gov/agriculture.

A PICNIC IN THE PARK

Maybe you and your crew have been eating alfresco all summer, as our county’s restaurants are stocked with great outdoor seating areas. But Aug. 31 is officially National Eat Outside Day, so that day’s meal(s) should be special—a picnic, perhaps?

Bergen is home to 21 county parks, many of which have picnic areas where you can sit and enjoy your sandwiches with a small group of pals, no questions asked. However, all the pavilions require permits no matter your party size, and most picnic spots— including Van Saun Park in Paramus, Veterans Memorial Park in Ridgefield Park and Carpenter’s Grove, just south of Ross Dock Picnic Area in Fort Lee—require permits for parties of 10 or more.

You can easily reserve a spot and pay your security deposit at bergencounty.service-now.com/parks. You just need to register through the portal once before logging in with your account. Alternatively, you can print and fill out an application for a permit at co.bergen.nj.us and mail it to the county office in Hackensack. Applications can take up to three weeks to process during summer, so keep that in mind before you mail out those party invitations or send those Evites. Questions? Call the county for details and fees at 201.336.7275.

CULINARY CORNER

You say tomato…

Trendy Palisades Park pizzeria Urban Tomato has expanded to Edgewater, bringing its menu of inventive pies, pastas, sides (mmm…truffle fries) and, of course, trendy teas and coffees to Bergen’s Gold Coast. Diners at the Edgewater location should expect the same quality ingredients used at the original joint, as well as specialty pizzas, including gluten-free cauliflower pies.

• Urban Tomato, 276 Old River Rd., Edgewater, 201.941.5001; urbantomatopizza.com

Craving Seoul food?

If you have a taste for Korean cuisine, head over to Mahwah and grab a seat at Prime No. 7. This traditional barbecue restaurant offers delicious cuts of short ribs, brisket, pork belly and chicken—all cooked in front of you on an induction grill. There are also dishes prepped in the kitchen: assorted apps, noodle and rice dishes. (Who wants some Galbi bibimbap?)

• Prime No. 7, 115 Franklin Tpke., Mahwah, 201.831.0040; primeno7.com

Terrace in Teaneck

It’s baaack! The former Terrace Street Café in Haworth, which closed during the pandemic, has reopened as Terrace Café in Teaneck. And these folks haven’t missed a beat: The latest iteration of the eatery boasts similar offerings such as breakfast sandwiches, heroes, paninis (try the prosciutto di Parma!) and vegetarian options. It’s kid-friendly too: A full menu for little ones is available.

• Terrace Café, 1350 Queen Anne Rd., Teaneck, 201.338.4720

YOUR END-OFSUMMER SALE?

Saturday, August 13th is National Garage Sale Day. But whether you hawk your unwanted items in an end-of-summer sale or wait until fall, here are some pointers: • Pick the right date. Select days when family and friends are available to help, because holding a garage sale is a lot of work. Also think about scheduling it on the first weekend of the month—most people get paid at the end of the month, so they’ll have money to spend. But remember to check with your town first: Several municipalities—Garfield, Lodi and River Edge, for instance—require homeowners to obtain yard-sale permits. • Stock up on supplies. Visit an officesupplies store (or even a dollar store) for pricing stickers and blank labels—or get creative with masking tape and a Sharpie. Display your merchandise on folding tables, blankets, boxes and storage bins, and consider a separate table or area to cash people out. • Prepare for payments. Speaking of cash, remember to have some small bills on hand to give customers change. And consider accepting digital payments. It’s easy for you (or your tech-savvy kid) to set up an app such as Venmo, Paypal or Square to collect funds safely. You don’t want to lose out on a sale because someone isn’t carrying big bills. • Price attractively. It’s OK to sell highpriced items, but don’t expect folks to pay retail prices. Buyers go to sales looking for deals, and you’re hoping to make a buck while clearing inventory. Don’t overprice. • Showcase your stuff. Categorize your items appropriately. If possible, place items at different heights and display them in a way that makes sense. Hang better-quality clothing, place decorative pillows on a chair and use tables to display kitchen items. Doing so makes buyers feel as though you care about and have taken good care of your things.

IS YOUR HOME FALL-READY?

Autumn is coming—alas, it’s more than a rumor. To make sure your property is prepared, here are five things you should think about now before it gets nippy: • Your chimney: If you plan on lighting fires this season, have a pro come and inspect your chimney and fireplace to make sure they’re free of damage and thus safe for use. The recommendation is to have it inspected after each 50 burns or so. • Your gutters: The leaves will start coming down hard and fast in about a month; make sure your gutters are clear beforehand to avoid their getting clogged up by debris. This also ensures they’ll drain water properly both inside and outside your home—that will ultimately prevent water damage in your foundation and in the basement. • Your lawn: Before your fall cleanups, which ideally are weekly or so starting in mid-September, maintain your lawn by mowing weekly, whether or not it looks like it needs it. “This prevents the turf from growing abnormally and going to seed, which essentially means it wastes its strength growing tall instead of pushing out new roots and spreading horizontally,” says Michael M. Kukol, president of Horizon Landscape Company in Wyckoff. Kukol also recommends prepping grass at this time of year with a good-quality fertilizer, as well as spot treatments to control weed growth. • Your outdoor furniture: Right around Labor Day or shortly thereafter, make sure your outdoor furniture is either shielded with a waterproof cover or taken inside completely. Just because its outdoor furniture doesn’t mean it’s meant to withstand fall hurricanes and winter storms. You’ll also want to store all your kids’ outdoor toys inside a garage or shed, including water tables, inflatables, balls and motorized vehicles. • Your roof: Inspect your roof for missing or loose shingles. Any kind of roof damage will be exacerbated by heavy rain, ice or snow. Basically, if your roof functions properly, there’s a lower likelihood that your home will suffer water damage during the chilly season.

GET THE PICTURE

Why wait until fall to have your annual family photos taken? August can be a great month for this—you’re nice and tan, everyone’s in a good mood (ideally) and photographers aren’t as booked up as they will be come September and October.

“In August, scheduling can be much more flexible, with kids home from school, and the summer blooms can be just as gorgeous as fall foliage,” says Alyson Barrow, owner of Alyson Barrow Photography in Oradell. “Also, the beach happens to be one of my favorite places to shoot.”

With that in mind, here are five Bergen backdrops:

• Davis Johnson Gardens (Engle Street and Westervelt Avenue, Tenafly) gives you options—pose in front of the gazebo or the greenhouse, on one of its many walking trails or near the famous sunken rose garden, which has become quite the tourist attraction. Barrow notes that there’s also plenty of shade here for when you need a break from the blazing sun. • Fort Lee Historic Park (Hudson Terrace, Fort Lee) is the place to be if you want the background of your photos to include views of the Hudson River, Upper Manhattan and the George Washington Bridge. Also check out the Englewood Boat Basin located within this park, which presents itself for even more on-the-water photos. • Historic New Bridge Landing (1201 Main St., River Edge) was a key site in the Revolutionary War. Now, it’s a landmark that doubles as a hot spot for photo ops. Settle down for snaps near its rustic red barn, a wooded porch or the walking bridge overlooking the Hackensack River. Adds Barrow: “Golden hour, the hour before sunset, is absolutely gorgeous at this location.” (And at that time it’s not quite as hot.) • Ramapo Valley County Reservation (608 Ramapo Valley Rd., Mahwah) is the biggest county park—most residents go here to hike or camp out, in part because it’s quite picturesque. Choose a cozy spot on the grass, in the woods or by the water for your family’s shoot overlooking the Ramapo Mountains. • Zabriskie Pond Park (417 Franklin Ave., Wyckoff) is primarily bordered by residential homes, but that’s part of what makes this fishing pond charming. It’s small, but there are plenty of spots to choose from, including a gazebo, a covered bridge and park benches.

KUDOS

Read all about it

Thousands of sports fans keep their eyes on the jumbotron in arenas like Prudential Center in Newark not just to watch the action, but to read about it too. Thanks in part to the ongoing efforts of Wood-Ridge resident and deaf sports junkie Gary Noll (top), live closed captions are becoming the norm on stadium scoreboards, giving hearingimpaired fans a chance to follow the action closely. The Pru Center, home to the Devils and Seton Hall basketball, has four CC boards, while Rutgers’ Jersey Mike Arena and pro soccer facility Red Bull Arena in Harrison have two CC boards each. In New York, Madison Square Garden, UBS Arena, Belmont Park and others also have two CC boards each because of Noll’s advocacy.

“The more technology becomes available, the more I advocate,” says Noll, noting that he approaches guest services and fan experience departments to get started. “They are so nice to introduce me to others and give me the names of the right people to contact. The key is to stay patient and keep campaigning, stressing how important it is to have CC and live captions.”

Thank you for being a friend

Recent Leonia High School grad Richard Cho (bottom) was a good student and standout athlete, but simply being a pal also helped him earn him a scholarship. The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation’s Class of 1964 Ralph Gregg Memorial Scholarship Fund awarded Cho a $1,000 prize for his academic achievement and his “ability to relate to everyone, be a true friend and be humorous.” Cho will attend The College of New Jersey this fall.

PUPPY LOVE

Dog: Brandi, 8-month-old Bernedoodle Owners: The Hartensvelds of Wyckoff More than a year after their beloved shih-tzu Shelby passed, Lisa and Brian Hartensveld decided it was time to enjoy doggy love again. The empty nesters knew a Bernedoodle was in their future because the breed is known for being great family dogs. And Lisa knew she found “the one” when she located Brandi in Pennsylvania’s Amish Country, a place her grandmother used to take the family for vacation. “I knew when we drove up to the house and I saw the horse and buggy in the driveway, I was in the right place to find my pup,” says Lisa.

Brandi has been perfect ever since, becoming a loyal lap dog and friend to all who visit. “She wants to be as close to you as she can possibly get and will follow you from room to room,” Mom says. “She loves to meet people, and she will stand on her hind legs and jump slowly toward the person, almost like a pogo stick, because she is so excited to meet someone.” When Brandi isn’t sitting on her family’s laps and greeting others, she’s off on adventures at Russell Farms Community Park in Wyckoff and on nearby lakes. “She’s the first mate on our pontoon boat!” Lisa says.

Want to see your puppy or kitten in an upcoming issue? Email a brief description and photo of your pet to editor Rita Guarna at rita.guarna@ wainscotmedia.com.