Let’s take the latest email alert I received from the River Vale Police.  It arrived the other day in my email inbox and was a warning to River Vale residents about social networking.  In the message was a story about Nashua New Hampshire where a resident had been robbed of over $200,000 worth of personal items because they had told everyone through social networking that they were going on a vacation.

The River Vale Police Department was warning town residents that if you are planning a trip, don’t broadcast your plans through your social network presence because thieves watch for exactly that and rob houses based on such postings.  I never fail to be impressed with the constant stream of very valuable information that River Vale residents get from their police department.  So if you own a River Vale home, be sure to sign up for the River Vale Police Deparment email alerts.  You can reach the RV Police at 201-264-1111.

Ruth founded Open Doors, An Amazing Grace Foundation as a tribute to her mother and father.  Open Doors,  which describes it’s mission as “dedicated to encouraging, empowering, and giving practical assistance to those going through difficult times,” is Ruth and Hugo’s passion second only to their new grandchild. 

River Vale residents for many years, Ruth and Hugo are well known in the community and well loved.  River Vale is a small and intimate community and it is people like the Tschudins who prove the axiom that one person can indeed make a difference.  Dog Fest 2010 was more than a triumph – it was an amazing success.  Held at Beechwood Park in Hillsdale NJ this year, people came by the thousands.  They brought their dogs and their children and spent Sunday afternoon enjoying the day and their dogs.  Even people who didn’t have a pet came just to see all the dogs.

Dog Fest 2010 had everything you could imagine for pets of the canine variety with vendors galore, a dog parade, Champ the Miracle Dog and New Jersey’s own Dog Whisperer.  Rescue dogs needing to be adopted were there in force and I’m told that every one was adopted on Sunday.  Ruth Tschudin is a River Vale treasure.  You can help Open Doors by clicking here and making a donation.   Maybe I’ll see you next year at Dog Fest 2011!

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.

Let’s say you’re thinking of buying a home in Englewood.  You see that many of the homes there are from the early 20th century so you’d like to know about the city’s history.  Just go to the City of Englewood website where you’ll find the Our History page that takes you from Englewood’s earliest days to the present.

The River Vale website is the place to go for local events – it’s always on their home page.   Park Ridge and Westwood does this too along with many other local communities.  You may find important changes on a town’s home page – this year Westwood began registering it’s various Recreation Department activities online; the announcement is on it’s home page right now.

Town websites are also a great help when you need a form.  For example, if you want to put up a fence on your property and you live in Cresskill, the fence permit form can be downloaded from the Cresskill Boro website Some towns like Tenafly actually have a step by step guide for you when it comes to getting a permit

Many community sites have portions of their building codes right on their websites.  Old Tappan has their entire borough code on line.

You may be amazed at how much information can be found on a town website.  If you’re thinking of buying a home or if you’re a Bergen County resident now, check out the borough website.  You’ll be glad you did.

  River Vale has a half day summer program and Hillsdale has a full day summer camp.  This is truly innovative because most homeowners are stuck with only one choice – whatever their town has to offer.  By sharing their resources, both Hillsdale and River Vale have given their families with children an unbeatable situation.  This is just another example of why our suburban lifestyle keeps  Bergen County homes  in high demand.  

  If you have a school aged child and need a summer camp placement, go to the Hillsdale website for full day and the River Vale website for half day placements.  Whether you’re looking at Hillsdale homes or River Vale homes you know you’ve got summer camp covered!

What has been the most difficult part of the market, however, is the $600-800,000 price range but I expect this to change dramatically in 2010.  All in all the market for River Vale homes is definitely improving and should be strong this year. 

 River Vale, NJ – Year to Year Comparison

  Sales Analysis              2007    2008    2009

 $0-400,000                  1          6          7                                 

$400-450,000              7          5          8         

$450-500,000              7          8          6         

$500-550,000              8          8          9

$550-600,000              12        10        11

$600-650,000              14        11        7

$650-700,000              7          8          3

$700-750,000              6          13        2

$750-800,000              7          6          2

$800-850,000              6          2          4

$850-900,000              4          0          3

$900-950,000              3          3          2

$950-1 million               3          1          3

$1-1.25 million              6          3          2

$1.25-1.5 million           3          2          2

$1.5 million+                 1          0          0

Total                             95        86        71 (-21%)

                                           2007                        2008                  2009

Avg. List Price                   $736,837                 $679,288            $657,208

Avg. Sales Price                $708,787                 $647,697           $628,437