Many people who buy a home today want to be as green as possible and creating a compost does exactly that.  Growing flowers and a green lawn is part of owning a house; there’s nothing better  than a beautiful yard with blooming flowers on a sunny summer day.  Making it that way using a compost bin is an easy and fun family project.   

The Earth Machine normally sells for over $100 and is often out of stock.  The BCUA will be selling it on Saturday for $53 which is a great deal.  The sale and demonstration will be from 9 to 2 at the Bergen County Community Services Building located at 327 East Ridgewood Ave in Paramus NJ.  All you need is a check or a money order; no cash will be accepted. 

If you’re in Bergen County next Saturday, come to the Bergen County Zoo and enjoy a special day there – it’s the zoo’s 50th anniversary.  To celebrate, the zoo is offering free admission to all Bergen County residents from 10 am to 1 pm on Saturday August 14th.  Non residents will have a small fee.

With over 500 animals, a train, carousel, and pony rides, the zoo is a favorite spot for families.  Over 250,000 people visit the zoo annually and there are educational programs and activities all throughout the year for adults as well as children. 

During the summer the zoo has 3 live animal shows daily in the amphitheater and a unique exhibit called the Budgie Encounter.  Summer months also host Zoo Camp for children from 5 to 15.  Zoo Camp is a popular one week program that is always sold out. 

Located at the north end of Van Saun Park, the zoo is bordered by Paramus and River Edge.  However, people from every town in Bergen County come to the zoo so it doesn’t matter if you live in Tenafly, Dumont, Cresskill or River Vale - no matter where you are here, the zoo is a “must go” location and, if you can’t go to the zoo, the Bergen County Zoo will come to you.  The zoo has special programs for schools, organizations and senior living facilities too.  You can even book a birthday party at the zoo!

So come join us on the 14^th and help celebrate the Bergen County Zoological Park.

The 5 public golf courses are Darlington in Mahwah, Orchard Hills in Paramus, Overpeck in Teaneck, Rockleigh in Rockleigh and Valley Brook in River Vale.  All are 18 hole courses except Orchard Hills which is a 9 hole course.  Darlington also has a concession based driving range as well as a pro shop and snack bar.  You’ll find a clubhouse at Overpeck, Rockleigh and Valley Brook.  Course fees are very affordable as one would expect with a public golf course and facilities are truly excellent.

There’s an automated tee time reservation system where you can also reserve a golf cart.  Tournaments are scheduled from mid June to the first week of October and run from highly competitive events to golf outings that are geared to beginning players as well as seniors.

A recent addition to the Bergen County golf program is the Pioneer Program.  Begun in 1995 to introduce golf to young people from 8 through 18 years of age, the Pioneer Tour has had a major impact.  Close to 1,000 young golfers participate with more tournaments added each year.  An outstanding program, Golf Digest in 2000 awarded the Pioneer Junior Tour it’s prestigious award for being the best municipal junior golf program in the US.

So whether you buy a home in Dumont, River Vale, Tenafly or anywhere in Bergen County, there’s a golf course and a program just perfect for you.

Today you’ll find a video on last month’s special Chamber of Commerce event in Westwood at their public library.  Called “A Taste of Westwood” this was a community event to raise funds for the Westwood Public Library and to support hospice.  If you take the time to watch it, you’ll get a real view of what it’s like to live in Bergen County.

I have to admit that as a mother I loved the Kid’s Corner where you’ll find all sorts of activities for children from Robots in Upper Saddle River this August to the New Jersey Children’s Museum in Paramus where they are again having their Summer Fun Workshops.

MyBergen.com also has a great calendar of what’s happening and also tips on where to shop, where to eat and a wonderful section just for people who’ve moved here recently titled New Movers.

Whether you’re a new resident or have been here for years, I’m sure you’ll find www.MyBergen.com a neat website to visit.