Who’s in the News This Week?

If you’re going through Tokyo Olympics withdrawal and want to make good use of your free time on the interwebs, catch up on some local, Bergen-based news. Here are three of the biggest North Jersey stories making headlines this week that will keep you in-the-know at the so-called watercooler:

Northern Valley Greenway Is Underway

Photo courtesy of Northern Valley Greenway

An 8-mile-long public recreation trail is in the works in the Northern Valley, which will run through six Bergen County towns: Tenafly, Cresskill, Demarest, Closter, Norwood and Northvale. The trail, for which a construction date has not yet been set, will have a little something for everyone—visitors can walk, stroll, run, bike, rollerblade, picnic, dog walk, relax, exercise, sunbathe and even nap—on the greenway that will live on an existing unused section of CSX Transportation’s Northern Branch Corridor rail line north of Englewood.

“I believe the Northern Valley Greenway will be a tremendous benefit, not only for local cyclists, joggers, walkers and other people who use it, but also for the communities at large,” says Jerome Lissmann of Closter, who’s biked thousands of miles both locally and all over the world. “Cafe Angelique has revamped an old train station in downtown Tenafly, and I think we will see new business opportunities and other ways to enhance public spaces through this new trail.” He concludes, “it will be a destination for people from neighboring towns, while perhaps more importantly providing members of the communities through which it traverses greater and safer opportunities for outdoor recreation.”

Good News for The Williams Center for the Performing Arts

Photo courtesy of Williams Center for the Performing Arts

Originally slated to go to auction today, Aug. 13, the fate of the William Carlos Williams Center for the Performing Arts in Rutherford is now in the hands of borough residents. Bergen County transferred the deed of ownership of the facility to Rutherford’s governing body on Tuesday, in effect saving the theater from the auction block.

Bergen County and Rutherford have been debating over the ownership of the struggling Williams Center since the pandemic—in fact, earlier this summer, there was an online petition to revive the property as an arts center and to prevent the county from auctioning it off.

“As a former Mayor, I understand the importance of local control and local issues of importance, and have always sought to work with the Borough and its officials on the future of this facility,” Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco said on Facebook. “I commend the current governing body for their efforts to ensure this property remains a cultural center for Rutherford.”

This is the first time in its history that the Williams Center will be owned by the town and not the county. Though no large-scale proposal is in place, Rutherford plans to preserve the theater as much as possible.

Local Moms Pay Tribute to Mr. Chris

Magical Melodies, aka Chris Flynn, a musician known best by his stage name Mr. Chris, died unexpectedly last week at the age of 39. The Dumont dad was a popular kids’ singer, trombone player and guitarist who performed at birthday parties, events and local libraries around Bergen County, and whose talent and genuine love for music will be missed by all the lives he’s touched.

Flynn’s family is hosting a celebration of his life this Sunday, Aug. 15 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Westwood, and attendees are encouraged to wear green in his honor. The family also set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for his family, which has amassed more than $80,000 as of press time.

Meanwhile, moms across the county have been sharing their memories of Mr. Chris. Below is a sampling of the tributes:

“The death of Mr. Chris is a huge loss for the children of Bergen County,” Alyssa Jacobson, a mom of two from Oradell, tells BERGEN. “He has been a huge part of our family’s life, most recently performing at our house two weeks ago for my 4-year-old’s birthday party. He always brought the biggest smiles to my boys’ faces, kept us sane in the early pandemic days and constantly emphasized kindness and gratitude to all the children at his shows. He was truly one of a kind and will be missed greatly by our family and countless more.”

In addition to in-person shows, Mr. Chris also live-streamed virtual concerts from the Magical Melodies Facebook and YouTube pages and libraries’ social media accounts during the peak of pandemic, which was needed and appreciated by both parents and their little ones.

“He brought light to our home during the dark days of the pandemic and we are forever grateful to have known Mr. Chris,” says Lisa Rupert of Washington Township. “We will miss the way Mr. Chris included the children in his songs to make them feel like they too were musicians—even through the TV. Thank you for everything, Chris.”

Flynn also brought happy musical distractions to families when they needed him most.

“Chris made a lasting difference for my children,” adds Nica Sherman of Bergenfield. “After my husband had a stroke last year, he came and put on a private show in my backyard for my kids and their friends to cheer them up. He was the kindest soul. “

RIP, Mr. Chris. You are already so missed.

Welcome to the Neighborhood

Photo courtesy of Harvest And Ale

From the owners of the widely popular Heights Bar & Grill in Hasbrouck Heights and Plank Pizza Company in Saddle Brook comes Harvest & Ale, Oakland’s new farm-to-table eatery. The new American restaurant opened last week, serving everything from greens and grains to sandwiches and skillets. We already hear the full charcuterie board and buttermilk baked scallops calling our name!

Though we’re excited to try one (or more) of their specialty cocktails, we think the best part of H&A is their commitment to sourcing ingredients from local farms, including Goffle Road Poultry Farm in Wyckoff and eight others in the Garden State. That all but guarantees freshness while supporting local businesses.

We’ll be making a reservation soon!

*588 Ramapo Valley Rd., Oakland, 201.383.9916